JP2953098B2 - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus for ejecting fine ink droplets from nozzles, and more particularly, to a cleaning means for removing foreign matter which causes printing failure such as ink or ink residue adhering to a nozzle surface. To an ink jet recording apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet recording apparatus which ejects minute ink droplets from a nozzle of an ink jet recording head onto a recording medium to record characters, figures, and the like by dots is known.
During the recording operation, the ink jet recording head approaches the recording medium up to several millimeters. For this reason, ink droplets that collide with the recording medium generate ink droplets and adhere to the nozzles of the inkjet recording head, thereby contaminating the nozzle surfaces. In addition, ink dyes and fibrous solids adhere due to evaporation of the ink solvent.

[0003] Since the contamination thus generated causes printing defects, as shown in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. Sho 61-5647, a rubbing means made of a porous elastic material which keeps a wet state is used. A cleaning device has been proposed in which a cleaner (FIG. 7A) that is detachably overlapped with a spatula-shaped wiper projecting one step further toward the recording head is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat on the moving path of the recording head.

[0004]

According to this, although the wiping operation and the rubbing operation can be performed and the nozzle surface can be kept clean, the spatula-shaped wiper W and the rubbing means K are used.
7 (b) during cleaning,
As shown in (1), there is a problem that the rubbing means K is easily lifted and a sufficient contact force with respect to the nozzle surface N cannot be obtained, so that a sufficient rubbing effect cannot be obtained. Also 2
Since the members W and K need to be individually attached, there is a problem that the manufacturing process is complicated. The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to reliably remove ink or solidified foreign matter attached to a nozzle surface and to simplify a manufacturing process. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of performing the above.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording head for ejecting ink droplets from a nozzle, and a nozzle of the ink jet recording head which projects to a moving path of the ink jet recording head. A cleaner for cleaning the surface, and moving means for moving the cleaner to and from the moving path,
The cleaner is configured such that a spatula-shaped wiper having elasticity and a rubbing member having ink absorbing properties are joined to each other with their front ends aligned to form a single body.

[0006]

When the ink jet recording head moves in the direction of the printing area, only the spatula-shaped wiper on one side of the cleaner comes into contact with the nozzle surface to perform wiping. When the ink jet recording head moves in the other direction, only the rubbing member receiving the elastic force of the spatula-shaped wiper comes into contact with the nozzle surface to perform the rubbing operation.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details of the present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, in which an ink jet recording head 2 reciprocates a printing area 5 in a direction shown by an arrow A by a carriage motor 8 during printing, and printing is constant. If it has continued for more than the time, it moves to the ink suction means 4 provided in the non-printing area. A printing medium 11 such as a printing paper is wound around a platen 10 and moved by a paper feed motor 9 in the direction of arrow B. The cleaner 3 according to the present invention is disposed between the print area 5 and the standby position 6, and when the ink jet recording head 2 is performing printing in the print area 5, the cleaner 3 shown in FIG. The state is as shown.

[0008] If printing is not performed for a certain period of time, the ink jet recording head 2 returns to the standby position 6. At this time, since the cleaner 3 is normally pulled backward by the spring 12, it does not come into contact with the ink jet recording head 2.

On the other hand, when cleaning becomes necessary, the ink-jet recording head 2 is first suctioned by the suction means 4 at the standby position 6. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2C, the cleaner 3 is pushed forward by an electromagnetic plunger 13 which is a driving member, and the ink jet recording head 2 passes in front of the cleaner 3 in this state. At this time, the ink jet recording head 2 is rotated by the
a is wiped.

In this embodiment, since the spatula-shaped wiper 3a is arranged at the standby position 6, the ink adhering to the spatula-shaped wiper 3a due to wiping is transferred to the printing area 5 when the deflection of the cleaner 3 returns to its original state. It is possible to prevent the print area 5 from being splashed and contaminated.

On the other hand, when the rubbing operation is required, the ink is sucked by the suction means 4 at the standby position 6, and then the ink jet recording head 2 moves to the printing area 5 without the cleaner 3 coming into contact. . Then, it passes in front of the cleaner 3 pushed forward by the electromagnetic plunger 13. At this time, the nozzle surface 2a of the ink jet recording head 2 is cleaned by the rubbing member 3b.

The wiping operation by the spatula-shaped wiper 3a often needs to be performed in a normal use condition. However, the frequency of the rubbing operation by the rubbing member 3b is very small as compared with the wiping operation by the spatula-shaped wiper 3a. .

When the spatula-shaped wiper 3a is arranged at the standby position 6, printing can be started immediately after the ink jet recording head 2 moves to the printing area 5 by wiping. It is not necessary to perform operations such as moving to and returning from the printing area, and the throughput can be improved.

Next, the operation of the apparatus constructed as described above will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. [Wiping Operation (FIG. 3A)] When the cleaning operation is started (Step 20), first, the inkjet recording head 2 moves to the standby position 6 (Step 21). Needless to say, if the inkjet recording head 2 has been moved to the standby position 6 when the cleaning operation is started, this operation becomes unnecessary.

Next, a suction operation is performed (step 22).
When the suction operation is completed, the cleaner 3 is pushed forward (step 23). Subsequently, when the ink jet recording head 2 moves in the direction of the print area 5 (step 2).
4), only the spatula-shaped wiper 3a of the cleaner comes into contact with the nozzle surface 2a of the recording head 2 as shown in FIG.

When the recording head 2 passes through the cleaner 3, the cleaner 3 is pulled backward (step 25).
The wiping operation ends (step 26).

[Wiping Operation (FIG. 3B)] When the cleaning operation is started (Step 27), the ink jet recording head 2 moves to the standby position 6 as shown in FIG. 4A (Step 28). Thereafter, a suction operation (step 29) is performed. Next, the ink jet recording head 2 is moved to a printing area side from a certain position of the cleaner 3 (Step 30).

Subsequently, the cleaner 3 is pushed forward (step 31), and the ink jet recording head 2 moves to the standby position 6 side. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4C, only the rubbing member 3b is
The rubbing operation is performed in contact with a (step 32).

When the recording head 2 passes through the cleaner 3, the cleaner 3 is pulled backward (step 33), and the rubbing operation ends (step 34).

In the above embodiment, the case where the wiping operation and the rubbing operation are performed only once is shown. However, the wiping operation or the rubbing operation may be performed a plurality of times during one cleaning. For example, when performing two rubbing operations and one wiping operation during one cleaning operation, in FIG. 3B, after step 33, step 28, step 30, step 31,
This can be achieved by executing steps 32, 24, 33, and 34.

The details of the cleaner 3 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4 (a), the spatula-shaped wiper 3a and the water-absorbing rubbing member 3b are integrally adhered to each other with an adhesive 3c so that the free ends are aligned.

The spatula-shaped wiper 3a is made of silicon rubber or butyl rubber, which is durable to ink. The rubbing member 3b is made of fine water-absorbing and abrasion-resistant material. A nonwoven fabric or the like made of fibers is used, and the adhesive 3c is preferably a silicon-based adhesive that maintains ink resistance and flexibility after drying.

According to the experiments by the inventors, the spatula-shaped wiper 3
a wiping operation by the ink jet recording head 2
A sufficient effect can be obtained even if the pressing load on the substrate is about 10 g to 50 g or less. On the other hand, the frequency at which the rubbing operation by the rubbing member 3b is required is much smaller than the wiping operation, but the pressing load on the ink jet recording head 2 requires about 50 g to 150 g.

When the cleaner 3 configured as shown in FIG. 4 is used, when the spatula-shaped wiper 3a comes into contact with the nozzle surface 2a, the rubbing member 3b on the back side is easily deformed, so that the rubbing member 3b comes into contact with the wiping member 3b. When abuts against the nozzle surface 2a, the spatula-shaped wiper 3a made of rubber or the like acts as a backing material, so that it can elastically contact the nozzle surface 2a with a strong force.

For example, a cleaner 3 is formed by bonding silicon rubber having a thickness of 1 mm and a hardness of 40 degrees to a non-woven fabric having a thickness of 1.3 mm. The load was 40 g, and the load during the rubbing operation was 130 g. From this, the thickness of the spatula-shaped wiper 3a is 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, and the rubbing member 3b
Is preferably about 1 mm to 3 mm, and the thickness of the rubbing member 3b is preferably larger than the thickness of the spatula-shaped wiper 3a.

The wiping operation and the rubbing operation are
Edge portion C of end surface of spatula-shaped wiper 3a and rubbing member 3b
When C1 is selectively brought into contact with the nozzle surface 2a, the cleaning efficiency is improved.

That is, when wiping is performed, when the surface other than the edge portion C1 of the spatula-shaped wiper 3a comes into contact with the nozzle surface 2a, the spatula-shaped wiper 3a slides on the dust or dirt or ink, so that the dust or dirt is removed. Although the ink is likely to remain, sufficient wiping can be performed by the scraping effect when the edge portion C1 is brought into contact.

When performing the rubbing operation, the rubbing member 3
When the edge portion C2 of the end face b is brought into contact with the nozzle surface 2a, the elastic force of the spatula-shaped wiper 3a concentrates on the edge portion C2, so that a strong contact force can be obtained, and even in the vicinity of the fine nozzle. By bringing the rubbing member 3b into contact, the ink in the vicinity can be reliably absorbed.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the moving means for moving the cleaner 3 forward and backward. A friction disk 15 is attached to one end of a platen 10 rotatably supported by a middle frame 14.
The compression coil spring 16 and the cleaner opening / closing plate 17 are arranged between the middle frame 14 and the friction disk 15, and the cleaner opening / closing plate 17 is always pressed against the friction disk 15 by the compression coil spring 16. I have.

Thus, when the rotation angle is regulated by the regulating member and the rotation angle is regulated by the regulation member, the rotation of the cleaner opening / closing plate 17 is stopped. A friction clutch mechanism is configured.

FIG. 5 (b) shows the structure on the cleaner side when such a friction clutch mechanism is incorporated into the advance / retreat mechanism of the cleaner 3.
Is fixed to a cleaner support member 7, and the cleaner support member 7 is rotatably supported by a shaft 18 fixed to the middle frame 14. Further, the cleaner support member 7 is provided with a pin 7a. The pin 7a has a groove 17a whose radius changes in the circumferential direction on the cleaner opening / closing plate 17, and the pin 7a is engaged.

In such a configuration, when the platen 10 rotates in the paper feed direction (the direction of arrow E in the drawing), the radius of the groove 17a of the cleaner opening / closing plate 17 increases in that direction with the rotation. . Therefore, the pin 7a of the cleaner supporting member 7 fitted in the groove 17a moves accordingly, and as shown in FIG. 5C, the cleaner supporting member 7 rotates about the shaft 18 to rotate the cleaner opening / closing plate 17a. To the end of the groove 17a.

In this state, the cleaner 3 retreats to a position where it does not interfere with the nozzle surface 2a of the ink jet recording head 2, and does not come into contact with the nozzle surface 2a even if the ink jet recording head 2 crosses in front of it.

When the platen 10 further rotates, slippage occurs between the cleaner opening / closing plate 17 and the friction disk 15 as described above, and this state is maintained.

When the platen 10 rotates in the reverse direction in the state shown in FIG. 5C, the state returns to the state shown in FIG. 5B, and the cleaner 3 retreats from the recording head 2.

According to this embodiment, the cleaner 3 can be moved forward and backward with respect to the moving path of the recording head 2 without requiring a special drive source, and the cleaner 3 can be loaded with a load exceeding the limit. Even if an attempt is made to press the ink jet recording head 3 against the nozzle surface 2a, the friction clutch mechanism slips. Therefore, even when the distance between the nozzle surface 2a and the platen is changed by moving the ink jet recording head 2 according to the thickness of the print medium 11, etc. Thus, the cleaner 3 can always be brought into contact with the nozzle surface 2a with a constant load.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the moving means. In this embodiment, the cleaner support member 7 is attached to the electromagnetic plunger 13 through a load adjusting spring 19. Thus, the cleaner 3 can always be brought into contact with the nozzle surface 2a with a constant load.

In the above embodiment, the cleaning during the printing operation has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to the cleaning operation of the nozzle surface of the ink jet recording head 2 at the start of use of the ink jet recording apparatus.

That is, during the delivery period from the time when the ink jet recording apparatus is manufactured to the time when the user starts using the ink jet recording apparatus, the ink is supplied inside the ink jet recording head in order to maintain the ink hydrophilicity of the ink flow path wall surface. In some cases, a liquid called a liquid is filled. The product liquid is generally composed of a component different from that of the ink, is less volatile than the ink, and has a higher viscosity, so that it must be sufficiently removed at the start of use.

In some cases, the nozzle surface 2a is subjected to an ink-repellent treatment in order to prevent the ink from adhering to the nozzle surface 2a and changing the flight path of the ink droplet.

In such a case, if the transport liquid is attached to the nozzle surface, the ink repellency of the nozzle surface may be reduced. Therefore, by performing the rubbing operation by causing the rubbing member 3b to absorb the delivery liquid, the delivery liquid attached to the nozzle surface 2a can be removed.

In the above embodiment, the cleaning is performed after the suction operation. However, it is apparent that the same operation can be obtained even if the cleaning operation is performed independently of the suction operation.

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention, the cleaner includes a spatula-shaped wiper having elasticity,
Since the rubbing member having ink absorbing properties is aligned and the back sides are joined together and the back sides are joined to form an integral body, when the inkjet recording head moves in the direction of the printing area, only the spatula-shaped wiper of the cleaner is on the nozzle surface. When the wiping is performed in contact with the ink jet recording head and the ink jet recording head moves in the other direction, only the rubbing member receiving the elastic force of the spatula-shaped wiper abuts on the nozzle surface to perform a rubbing operation. In addition to removing dust, ink droplets, and the like, it is possible to easily remove, with a simple structure, fixed substances firmly adhered to the nozzle surface as the ink dries.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A to 2D are plan views showing a positional relationship between an ink jet recording head and a cleaner in the same apparatus.

FIG. 3A is a flowchart illustrating a wiping operation of the inkjet recording apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 3B is a flowchart illustrating a rubbing operation.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing an embodiment of the cleaner of the present invention.
4A is a diagram illustrating a non-cleaning state, FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a state during a wiping operation, and FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating a state during a rubbing operation.

FIG. 5A is a front view showing an embodiment of a moving unit for moving a cleaner forward and backward along a moving path of a recording head, and FIGS. 5B and 5C are side views, respectively.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing another embodiment of the moving means for moving the cleaner forward and backward along the moving path of the recording head.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating an example of a conventional cleaner in a non-cleaning state and a cleaning state, respectively.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink jet recording apparatus 2 Ink jet recording head 2a Nozzle surface 3 Cleaner 3a Spatula wiper 3b Rubbing member 3c Adhesive 4 Ink suction means 5 Printing area 6 Standby position

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-2-518 (JP, A) JP-A-2-198859 (JP, A) JP-A-61-5647 (JP, U) (58) Fields surveyed (Int .Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 2/165

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] An ink jet recording head for ejecting ink droplets from a nozzle, a cleaner protruding into a moving path of the ink jet recording head to clean a nozzle surface of the ink jet recording head, and moving means for moving the cleaner forward and backward in the moving path. Wherein the cleaner comprises a spatula-shaped wiper having an elastic force and a rubbing member having an ink-absorbing property, the front ends thereof being aligned and the back surfaces thereof being joined to form an integral unit. 2. An edge part of a tip of the spatula-shaped wiper and the rubbing member is in contact with the nozzle surface.
3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaner is arranged such that the spatula-shaped wiper is located at a standby position side of the ink jet recording head, and the rubbing member is located at a print area side. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the rubbing member is selected to be larger than the thickness of the spatula-shaped wiper. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said moving means has a member for regulating a contact force of said cleaner on said nozzle surface.
3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1. 6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spatula-shaped wiper is made of rubber, and the rubbing member is made of a nonwoven fabric.