JPH0354060B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an inkjet recording device equipped with a capping system for preventing clogging of ink discharge ports in the inkjet device.

Among the various recording methods currently known, this non-impact recording method generates almost no noise during recording, is capable of high-speed recording, and can record on plain paper without requiring any special fixing process. The so-called ink recording method has the advantages of being able to
It is recognized as an extremely useful recording method.

However, this inkjet recording method also has the disadvantage that the ink ejection opening of the inkjet device used in this method is extremely fine (generally, the diameter is about several tens of microns), so when the device is at rest, They also have the disadvantage that they are easily clogged, and if the ejection ports become clogged, ink cannot be ejected normally, resulting in poor recording.

Due to the above-mentioned circumstances, in the inkjet recording method, it is important to provide a means to prevent and release the ink ejection port from clogging (due to adhesion of dust or drying of the ink). It is being

In the past, many proposals have been made for this type of clogging prevention and removal means, but the devices are complicated and bulky, require a large amount of cleaning liquid, and lack the effectiveness of cleaning to remove clogging. However, these methods have some disadvantages, such as being insufficient, and none of them have yet reached a level where they can be put to practical use.

Moreover, these conventional measures are completely inapplicable to a multi-array orifice type ink jet device having hundreds to thousands of ink discharge ports arranged in parallel.

For example, JP-A-54-159226 discloses an inkjet in which cleaning liquid is supplied into the cap in a closed position where the cap seals a large number of multi-nozzles provided in the inkjet head over one line length. A head cleaning device is described. However, this ink jet head cleaning device only moves the cap from the retracted position to the closed position in order to seal the multiple nozzles of the ink jet head. That is, this inkjet head cleaning device maintains an appropriate distance between the multi-nozzle and the recording paper during recording, for example, relatively close, and also quickly connects the multi-nozzle and the cap using a simple mechanism when capping. Moreover, it is insufficient to satisfy the technical requirement of accurate positioning. Furthermore, this publication does not focus on such technical requirements.

Therefore, in the present invention, in view of the actual situation regarding such inkjet recording technology, when a multi-array orifice type inkjet device is adopted, a new configuration that guarantees good recording quality is provided with a clogging prevention system. The main purpose of the present invention is to provide an inkjet recording device with the following features. In other words, the main object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet recording device that guarantees reliable and stable ink ejection with a simple system and enables high-speed, high-quality inkjet recording.

An inkjet recording device of the present invention that achieves the above object includes: an inkjet head in which a large number of ejection ports for ejecting ink are arranged in a plurality of rows, and recording is performed by ejecting ink from the large number of ejection ports. a recording position, a retreat position where the plurality of ejection ports are retreated from the printing position, a head moving means for moving the ink jet head, and a plurality of rows of the ejection ports at a location facing the plurality of ejection ports. an ink absorber having a length corresponding to the inkjet head is disposed, a cap for covering the plurality of ejection ports, and the ink jet head is moved from the recording position to the retreating position by the head moving means. As the inkjet head moves from the retracted position to the recording position by the head moving means, the cap is moved to a position covering the large number of ejection ports, and as the ink jet head moves from the retreated position to the recording position, the cap is moved to cover the large number of ejection ports. The present invention is characterized by comprising: a cap moving means for moving the cap from the evacuated position to the evacuated position.

By the way, the above-mentioned cap is usually not only equipped for the purpose of preventing the ink discharge port from drying out and clogging, but also for the purpose of initially supplying ink to the ink jet head or during preliminary ejection by pressurization. It should also be provided for the purpose of preventing the surroundings of the device from being contaminated by ink leaking from the ink discharge ports. However, it is extremely difficult to prevent the ink leaking from the ink discharge ports from scattering by using the cap alone.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems with the configuration described in detail below.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention. In this Figure 1, 101,
101' is a multi-array type inkjet head; 102 is the head and semiconductor attached substrate 1;
Flexible printed circuit board connecting 06, 10
3 is the joint 1 for connecting from the ink tank 108
09 is a supply pipe for supplying ink to the heads; 104 is a common pad for connecting a plurality of lead wires that drive the multi-head;
It is connected through the lead wire 105, lead terminal 130, lead terminal mounting plate 123, and drive circuit connection line 129 to a signal output section (not shown) attached to the main body of the device to which the illustrated inkjet recording apparatus is installed. Other lead wires 10 necessary for driving
2 is wired in a matrix on the multilayer wiring board 107 via 106, and connected to a signal output section (not shown) via a connector 127 and a drive circuit connection line 128. 110 is head 1
01 or 101' is mounted, and the head is fixed with head fixing claws 111. Further, 110 is fixed to an ink tank holding plate 124 by a joint 125. 112 is a cap common to all heads, and 113 is a contact pressure adjusting plate between this cap 112 and the head. 114 is a spring, 115 is a fixed block for setting the inkjet recording device shown in the apparatus main body (not shown), and motor 11.
Reference numeral 9 denotes a driving force source for the drive screw 120 and the housing 121, which causes the head mounting plate 110 connected to the housing 121 to reciprocate back and forth. The stop position is determined by detecting the position of the detection plate 116, which moves together with the housing 121, by a backward stop sensor 117 and a forward stop sensor 118. 1
22 is a guide rail when the housing 121 moves, and 131 is a stopper. The head mounting plate 110 and the fixing block 115 are connected with mounting screws 132.

Further, the motor 126 is a driving force source for swinging the cap 112.

Figure 2 is for explaining the capping mechanism.
The drive mechanism attached to the fixed block 208 is extracted and drawn. For convenience of explanation,
Although the head mounting plate 217 and the head 214 have been described, other parts configured on the plate 217 have been omitted. The cap 209 is connected to a swing transmission plate 206 at its support shaft 211, and the transmission plate 206 is fixed to a fixing block 208 by a step screw 207 that serves as its fulcrum. Furthermore, cap 2
09 is always pulled toward the head mounting plate 217 by a spring 210, and when not recording, the contact pressure adjusting plate 213 fixed to both ends of the head mounting plate 217 and the roller 212 attached to the tip thereof are used. are in contact at some points. At this time, the head 214 is in close contact with an ink-absorbing porous body 215, which is made of felt or various types of sponge, and which is provided inside the cap 209 for the purpose of absorbing ink. During recording operation, the head mounting plate 217 moves in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure under the action of the motor 201 and its control mechanism 202, and stops at a predetermined position (recording operation position of the head) shown by the dashed line. However, at this time, the cap 209 is pushed by the mounting plate 217,
It rotates around the support shaft 211 in the direction of the arrow in the figure and is pushed down to the position shown by the dashed line. The roller 212 serves to smoothly push the cap 209 at this time. When the head 214 stops recording, the mounting plate 217 retreats to a predetermined position (shown by a solid line).
The cap 209 smoothly returns to its original position while contacting the roller 212 due to the contraction force of the spring 210, and all the heads 214 are capped.
Next, the detailed structure of the cap 209 (FIG. 2) will be explained with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the cap 209 shown in FIG.
2 is a porous material such as felt, sponge rubber, or plastic foam, and is an ink absorber having a length corresponding to a plurality of rows of ejection ports.

Then, the porous body 302 is fixed by fitting into a recess (not shown) formed in the cap body 301 and having the same shape, or it is attached to the cap body 301 to the extent that it can be peeled off. It has been fixed.

Further, the porous body 302 is provided so that its surface protrudes from the cap body 301, as shown in FIG. Alternatively, it may be buried in a recess 301H formed in the cap body 301 [FIG. 4a] or in a recess 301H formed in the cap body 301 [FIG. 4b].

In the example shown in FIG. 4a, the contact portion between the ink jet head (not shown) and the porous body 302 is completely open (that is, there is no cover).
Therefore, in order to prevent the intrusion of dust etc., porous material 3 is used.
It is desirable to carry out capping such that the ink discharge port 02 and the ink discharge port (not shown) are kept in complete contact with each other. On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 4b, when the tip of the inkjet head (not shown) enters the recess 301H, the cap body 301 can serve as a cover for the tip of the inkjet head (not shown), so the porous body 3
02 and an ink ejection port (not shown) do not necessarily have to be brought into close contact with each other, and it is also possible to leave a slight gap between them to perform semi-sealed capping.

Further, the porous body 302 used in the present invention is composed of two separate band-shaped porous bodies 3, as shown in FIG.
02a and 302b.

In the above illustrated embodiment, the porous body 302 is
It is necessary to cover the entire area of a multi-array ink ejection port (not shown).

From FIG. 2 onwards, details of the ink supply system, head drive device, etc. related to the ink jet head are not shown for convenience of explanation.

Further, in the present invention, the inkjet head, the cap body, or the porous body are detachably attached to the respective supports, so that the parts can be replaced when any of them becomes malfunctioning. It is also desirable.

By using the inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention as described above, clogging of a large number of ink ejection ports can be simultaneously prevented or eliminated with an extremely simple system, and stable inkjet recording can be guaranteed at all times.

It is possible to completely prevent clogging of the ink ejection port due to ink drying, adhesion of dust, etc., and contamination of the surroundings of the device due to ejected ink, without requiring any complicated auxiliary equipment.

Since the position of the ink jet and its capping member can be easily and accurately aligned, the capping for preventing clogging can be reliably achieved.

It is possible to obtain various effects such as.

As described above, the present invention can sufficiently satisfy the high technical requirements mainly related to capping in an inkjet recording apparatus equipped with an inkjet head having a large number of ejection ports. That is, the present invention is constructed so that not only the cap but also the ink jet head can be moved when capping a large number of ejection ports disposed on the ink jet head. Therefore, in the present invention, when recording, the distance between the large number of ejection ports and the recording member is set at an appropriate distance, for example, relatively close, and when capping, the large number of ejection ports and the cap are connected using a simple mechanism. This has the excellent effect of quickly and accurately aligning the cap, and when removing the cap, the cap can be quickly evacuated from a position covering a large number of discharge ports using a simple mechanism.

In addition, in the present invention, since the ink absorber has a length corresponding to the plurality of rows of ejection ports, even if ink is concentrated and absorbed in any part of the ink absorber, the ink is absorbed from that part. The ink penetrates and moves to other areas where the ability is relatively intact. As a result, the ink absorption rate is made substantially uniform throughout the ink absorber, and the ink that is substantially uniformly distributed evaporates from the entire ink absorber. Therefore, the present invention also has the effect that the ink absorbing ability of the ink absorber recovers more quickly.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view for explaining the main parts of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of one embodiment of the present invention. . FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 5 are explanatory diagrams of modifications of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, respectively. In the figure, 101, 101', 214 are ink jet heads, 102 is a flexible printed board, 103 is an ink conduit, 104 is a common electrode pad, 105 is a lead wire, 106 is a semiconductor attached board, 107 is a multilayer wiring board, 108 is an ink tank, 109 is a pipe connection joint, 110, 2
17 is a head mounting plate, 111 is a head fixing claw, 1
12,209,301 is the cap (main body), 11
3, 213 is a contact pressure adjustment plate, 114 is a spring, 115 is a fixed block, 116 is a detection plate, 1
17 is a reverse stop sensor, 118 is a forward stop sensor, 119 and 126 are motors, 12
0 is a drive screw, 121 is a housing, 122 is a guide rail, 123 is a lead terminal mounting plate, 124
is the tank holding plate, 125 is the holding plate fixing part, 127
is a connector, 128 and 129 are drive circuit connection lines, 130 is a lead terminal, 131 is a stopper,
132 is a mounting screw, 201 and 203 are motors,
202 is a drive control mechanism, 204 is a gear, 205
206 is an eccentric cam, 206 is a swing transmission plate, 207 is a step screw, 208 is a fixed block, 210 is a spring, 21
1 is a spindle, 212 is a roller, 301H is a recess,
215, 302, 302a, and 302b are porous bodies.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An ink jet head in which a large number of ejection ports for ejecting ink are arranged in a plurality of rows, a recording position for performing recording by ejecting ink from the plurality of ejection ports, and the recording position. A head moving means for moving the ink jet head to a retracted position where the plurality of ejection ports are further retreated; and a head moving means for moving the ink jet head to a retracted position where the plurality of ejection ports are retreated; An ink absorber having an ink jet head is disposed, and as the ink jet head is moved from the recording position to the retreat position by the head moving means, a cap for covering the plurality of ejection ports, The cap is moved to a position covering the ejection ports, and as the ink jet head is moved from the retracted position to the recording position by the head moving means, it is moved from the position covering the multiple ejection ports to the retracted position. An inkjet recording apparatus comprising: a cap moving means for moving the cap. 2. The head moving means includes: a guide member used as a guide when moving the ink jet head; and a defining means for defining a stop position of the ink jet head, including the recording position and the retracted position. An inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The inkjet recording device according to claim 1, wherein the ink absorber is a porous body. 4. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the large number of ejection ports are arranged in the range of several hundred to several thousand in parallel. 5. Claim 1, wherein the ink absorber and the plurality of ejection ports are in contact with each other when the cap covers the plurality of ejection ports of the ink jet head in the retracted position. The inkjet recording device described above. 6. Claim 1, wherein when the cap covers the plurality of ejection ports of the ink jet head in the retracted position, the ink absorber and the plurality of ejection ports are separated from each other. The inkjet recording device described above. 7. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink absorber is single for each of the plurality of rows of ejection ports. 8. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said ink absorbers are arranged for each of said plurality of rows.