【０００１】[0001]
【産業上の利用分野】本発明は、記録ヘッドの吐出口か
らインクを吐出させて記録を行なうインクジェット記録
装置に関し、特に記録ヘッドの吐出口の清掃手段に関す
る。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from an ejection port of a recording head, and more particularly to a cleaning means for the ejection port of the recording head.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】インクジェット記録装置において、記録
ヘッドの吐出口に付着するインクを拭い取るための清掃
手段として可撓性を有する清掃部材を備えたものがあ
る。しかし、従来の清掃部材（ワイパー）の形状は、図
４に示すような板状ワイパー２ａを支持部材２に取り付
けた構成となっていた。この清掃部材により記録ヘッド
１の吐出口面１ａに付着したインク２０をふく際、ワイ
パー２ａの先端部分のエッジ効果により、付着している
インク等を効率良く拭い取ることができた。しかし拭い
取ったインク２０ａはインクの表面張力により清掃部材
の先端部分に付着することがあり、ワイパー２ａの先端
にインク２０ａを付着した状態で吐出口面１ａを拭くと
吐出口面をよごしたり、また付着したインク２０ａが固
化すると吐出口内部に固化インクが混入し、吐出不良を
引き起こしてしまう問題が発生した（図５(ａ)(ｂ)参
照）。また、清掃部材（ワイパー）２ａの先端は摺動使
用により先端部分２ｂが摩耗し、吐出面１ａと面接触す
るようになってしまい、エッジ効果を満足に達成させる
ことができなかった（図５（ｃ）参照）。2. Description of the Related Art Some ink jet recording apparatuses are provided with a flexible cleaning member as a cleaning means for wiping off ink adhering to a discharge port of a recording head. However, the conventional cleaning member (wiper) has a configuration in which a plate-shaped wiper 2a as shown in FIG. When the cleaning member wipes the ink 20 adhering to the ejection port surface 1a of the recording head 1, the adhering ink and the like can be efficiently wiped off due to the edge effect of the tip portion of the wiper 2a. However, the wiped ink 20a may adhere to the tip portion of the cleaning member due to the surface tension of the ink, and when the ejection port surface 1a is wiped with the ink 20a attached to the tip of the wiper 2a, the ejection port surface becomes dirty, Further, when the adhered ink 20a is solidified, the solidified ink mixes inside the ejection port, causing a problem of ejection failure (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). Further, the tip portion 2b of the cleaning member (wiper) 2a is slid and used, so that the tip portion 2b is worn and comes into surface contact with the ejection surface 1a, so that the edge effect cannot be satisfactorily achieved. (See (c)).
【０００３】上記の問題を解決した技術が特開平４−３
７５５５号公報に開示されている（図６、図７参照）。
このインクジェット記録装置のワイパー部材１０は、吐
出口１ａ面と平行に伸びている溝１２を設け、さらに一
端を溝１２と連通し、他端を廃インク容器１６に連絡し
た排出溝１４を設けた構成となっている。このワイパー
部材１０においては拭い取ったインクは、溝１２を通り
排出溝１４を流下して廃インク容器１６に溜る構成とな
っている。A technique for solving the above problem is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-3.
It is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 7555 (see FIGS. 6 and 7).
The wiper member 10 of this ink jet recording apparatus is provided with a groove 12 extending parallel to the surface of the ejection port 1a, and further provided with a discharge groove 14 having one end communicating with the groove 12 and the other end communicating with a waste ink container 16. It is composed. In the wiper member 10, the wiped ink passes through the groove 12 and flows down the discharge groove 14, and is collected in the waste ink container 16.
【０００４】[0004]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】しかし、開示されたワ
イパー部材１０の場合、拭い取られたインクが廃インク
容器１６内に流入するまでの経路が長く、かつ、インク
の流下経路が溝１２から溝１４へと連なって曲折が多く
残留インクの排除性が悪くなり、ワイパー部材１０が吐
出口面１ａを清掃して溝１２内に入った拭き取ったイン
ク２０ａがスム−ズに流下できず、溝部１２，１４内に
残留した後、固化したりすることが考えられる。また、
インクが溝内で固化した状態でインク吐出口１ａ面を拭
き取ると、固化したインクが吐出口１ａ内部に混入し印
字不良の原因となる可能性があった。また、この種の清
掃装置における記録ヘッドに対するワイパー部材１２の
拭きとり代は寸法ｈと長く設計されているが、吐出口１
ａ面に多量のインクが付着している時は溝１２にインク
を溜めたワイパー部材１０で吐出口１ａ面を拭くと、吐
出口１ａに対してワイパー部材１０は面接触となり、エ
ッジ効果が発生せず、拭きとり代（寸法ｈ）の拭き取っ
たインク２０を吐出口１ａ面に逆に付着させて引き延ば
してしまう不都合が考えられる。またワイパー部材１０
での拭き取りしろが構造上多くなるため、可撓性がある
材料（ゴム等）であるとワイパー部材１０で拭いた後ワ
イパーが変形前に復帰すると、その弾性モーメントが作
用しワイパー１０に付着したインク２０を飛散させ、装
置を汚染させる不都合が生じた。However, in the case of the disclosed wiper member 10, the path through which the wiped ink flows into the waste ink container 16 is long, and the ink flow-down path is from the groove 12. There is a lot of bending in connection with the groove 14 and the removability of the residual ink deteriorates, and the wiper member 10 cleans the ejection opening surface 1a and the wiped ink 20a that has entered the groove 12 cannot flow down smoothly. It may be solidified after remaining in the inside of 12, 14. Also,
If the surface of the ink discharge port 1a is wiped off in a state where the ink is solidified in the groove, the solidified ink may enter the discharge port 1a and cause printing failure. Further, the wiping allowance of the wiper member 12 with respect to the recording head in this type of cleaning device is designed to be as long as the dimension h.
When a large amount of ink adheres to the surface a, the surface of the ejection port 1a is wiped with the wiper member 10 in which the ink is stored in the groove 12, and the wiper member 10 comes into surface contact with the ejection port 1a, resulting in an edge effect. Without this, there is a possibility that the ink 20 wiped with the wiping margin (dimension h) is attached to the surface of the ejection port 1a in reverse and spread. In addition, the wiper member 10
When the wiper member 10 is wiped with a flexible material (rubber or the like) and the wiper returns before being deformed, its elastic moment acts and adheres to the wiper 10. There is a problem that the ink 20 is scattered and the device is contaminated.
【０００５】そこで本発明は上記の問題を解決すべく、
ワイパー部材の摩耗を極力少なくすることによりエッジ
効果を長期に維持し、かつ、吐出口面に付着したインク
を確実に除去できるワイパー部材を備えたインクジェッ
ト記録装置を提供することを目的とするものである。Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides
An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a wiper member that can maintain the edge effect for a long period of time by minimizing the wear of the wiper member, and can reliably remove the ink adhering to the ejection port surface. is there.
【０００６】[0006]
【課題を解決するための手段】本発明のインクジェット
記録装置は、インクを吐出する吐出口を設けた記録ヘッ
ドと、記録ヘッドがホームポジションに位置したとき、
記録ヘッドの吐出口に対向して位置し、記録ヘッドが記
録作動方向に移動するとき、記録ヘッドの吐出口面に接
触し吐出口面を相対的に摺動する、断面を円形状とする
頭部と、頭部に連結する可撓性を有する板状体の板部
と、板部下端を連結する多孔体よりなるインク吸収体と
を有し、頭部からインク吸収体に連通する溝が形成され
たワイパー部材とを具備する。An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention comprises a recording head provided with an ejection port for ejecting ink, and when the recording head is located at a home position,
A head having a circular cross section, which is located opposite to the ejection port of the recording head and contacts the ejection port surface of the recording head and relatively slides on the ejection port surface when the recording head moves in the recording operation direction. Section, a plate portion of a flexible plate-like body that is connected to the head portion, and an ink absorber made of a porous body that connects the lower end of the plate portion, and a groove that communicates from the head portion to the ink absorber is formed. And a formed wiper member.
【０００７】[0007]
【作用】本発明のインクジェット記録装置は、インクを
吐出口から吐出させて記録を行う記録ヘッドの吐出口面
にワイパー部材の頭部が当接され、可撓性を有する板状
体の板部を撓ませながら吐出口面と相対的に摺動する。
このとき、吐出口面に付着していた不用インクはワイパ
ー部材の円形状頭部で拭き取られる。拭き取られたイン
クはワイパー部材の溝を伝ってインク吸収体に吸収され
る。In the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, the head portion of the wiper member is brought into contact with the ejection port surface of the recording head for ejecting ink from the ejection port to perform recording, and the plate portion of the flexible plate-like member is formed. While sliding, it slides relative to the discharge port surface.
At this time, the unnecessary ink adhering to the ejection port surface is wiped off by the circular head portion of the wiper member. The wiped ink is absorbed by the ink absorber along the groove of the wiper member.
【０００８】[0008]
【実施例】以下、図面に示す実施例に基づいて、本発明
を具体的に説明する。図３はインクジェット記録装置に
おける回復装置と記録ヘッドの構成説明図である。回復
装置は記録ヘッド５０の記録（印字）動作における運動
域の範囲外に配設されている。回復装置には記録ヘッド
５０の乾燥を防ぐキャップ７０と記録ヘッド５０に付着
するインクを拭き取るワイパー部材６０とを複数配設し
たステージ８０が、記録ヘッド５０に対向して設けられ
ている。ステージ８０は回転駆動されるシャフト９０に
連結したカム９５に連結し、対向する記録ヘッド５０方
向への上下移動自在な構成となっている。なお、ステ−
ジ８０には記録ヘッド５０にキャップ７０が当接したと
き、キャップ７０の押圧力を一定にするためのバネ７５
が装備され、バネ７５はキャップ７０を保持するキャッ
プホルダー７７に係合されている。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be specifically described below based on the embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the recovery device and the recording head in the inkjet recording apparatus. The recovery device is arranged outside the range of motion in the recording (printing) operation of the recording head 50. The recovery device is provided with a stage 80, which is provided with a plurality of caps 70 for preventing the recording head 50 from drying and a plurality of wiper members 60 for wiping the ink adhering to the recording head 50, facing the recording head 50. The stage 80 is connected to a cam 95 which is connected to a shaft 90 that is driven to rotate, and is configured to be vertically movable in the direction of the recording head 50 facing the stage. The station
A spring 75 is provided on the edge 80 to keep the pressing force of the cap 70 constant when the cap 70 contacts the recording head 50.
And a spring 75 is engaged with a cap holder 77 holding a cap 70.
【０００９】記録ヘッド５０は印字終了後のヘッド回復
動作の際に、回復装置が配設されている位置（ホームポ
ジション）へ向かう。このとき、ステージ８０は下部位
置にあり、ワイパー部材６０は記録ヘッド５０に当接し
ない状態となっている。記録ヘッド５０が図３に示すキ
ャッピング待機位置に停止したときは、ステージ８０は
上昇して、ワイパー部材６０が記録ヘッド５０と当接可
能な位置となる。そして、記録ヘッド５０が記録動作の
方向（印字領域側）へ移動するに従い、ワイパー部材６
０は記録ヘッド５０のインク吐出面５０ａに接触し、付
着したインクを拭き取る。The recording head 50 heads to a position (home position) where a recovery device is provided in the head recovery operation after printing is completed. At this time, the stage 80 is in the lower position, and the wiper member 60 is in a state of not contacting the recording head 50. When the recording head 50 stops at the capping standby position shown in FIG. 3, the stage 80 moves up and the wiper member 60 comes into contact with the recording head 50. Then, as the recording head 50 moves in the recording operation direction (printing area side), the wiper member 6
0 contacts the ink ejection surface 50a of the recording head 50 and wipes off the adhered ink.
【００１０】ワイパー部材６０は図１に示すような、断
面が円形となっている円柱形の頭部６２を上端に備え、
可撓性を有する板部６３よりなる板状体であって、板部
６３の下端は多孔性のインク吸収体６５に連結してい
る。ワイパー部材６０には頭部６２から板部６３を通っ
てインク吸収体６５まで延びる溝６４を形成する。この
溝６４はワイパー部材６０を記録ヘッド５０に対向させ
たとき、インク吐出方向に延びている。インク吸収体６
５を備えたワイパー部材６０はブレードホルダー６６に
収納され、ブレードホルダー押え６８によりステージ８
０に装着されている。The wiper member 60 is provided at its upper end with a cylindrical head portion 62 having a circular cross section as shown in FIG.
It is a plate-shaped body composed of a flexible plate portion 63, and the lower end of the plate portion 63 is connected to a porous ink absorber 65. The wiper member 60 is provided with a groove 64 extending from the head portion 62 through the plate portion 63 to the ink absorber 65. The groove 64 extends in the ink ejection direction when the wiper member 60 faces the recording head 50. Ink absorber 6
The wiper member 60 provided with 5 is housed in the blade holder 66, and the stage 8 is held by the blade holder presser 68.
It is attached to 0.
【００１１】次に図２を参照してワイパー部材６０の作
用を説明する。記録ヘッド５０がキャッピング待機位置
に停止したとき、ワイパー部材６０は記録ヘッド５０に
当接可能な位置まで上昇する。そして、記録ヘッド５０
が矢印Ｘ方向である印字領域側へ移動する際、記録ヘッ
ド５０がワイパー部材６０に当接する。記録ヘッド５０
の移動に従って、ワイパー部材６０の可撓性を有する板
部６３が撓み、ワイパー部材６０の頭部６２の曲面がイ
ンク吐出口面５０ａに接触し、インク吐出面５０ａに付
着するインク５５を拭き取る。拭き取られたインク５５
は溝６４に案内されて流下し、インク吸収体６５に吸収
される。また、溝６４を形成していない頭部６２に付着
したインク５５は円形状の頭部６２の曲面をながれおち
て、板部６３との境界部分に溜る。この溜ったインクは
重力で板部６３の壁面上をインク吸収体６５方向に流下
し、インク吸収体６５に吸収される。そして、記録ヘッ
ド５０が通過するとワイパー部材６０は撓んだ板部６３
が直立状態に復帰する。このとき、残留しているインク
５５はインク吸収体６５に向かって直線となっている溝
６４に案内されて、あるいは板部６３の壁に沿って流下
する。Next, the operation of the wiper member 60 will be described with reference to FIG. When the recording head 50 stops at the capping standby position, the wiper member 60 moves up to a position where it can contact the recording head 50. The recording head 50
The recording head 50 comes into contact with the wiper member 60 when the recording head moves toward the printing area, which is the direction of the arrow X. Recording head 50
The flexible plate portion 63 of the wiper member 60 is bent in accordance with the movement of, and the curved surface of the head portion 62 of the wiper member 60 contacts the ink ejection port surface 50a to wipe off the ink 55 adhering to the ink ejection surface 50a. Ink 55 wiped off
Is guided by the groove 64, flows down, and is absorbed by the ink absorber 65. Further, the ink 55 attached to the head portion 62 in which the groove 64 is not formed runs down the curved surface of the circular head portion 62 and collects at the boundary portion with the plate portion 63. The accumulated ink flows down on the wall surface of the plate portion 63 toward the ink absorber 65 due to gravity, and is absorbed by the ink absorber 65. Then, when the recording head 50 passes, the wiper member 60 is bent and the plate portion 63 is bent.
Returns to the upright position. At this time, the remaining ink 55 is guided toward the ink absorber 65 in the straight groove 64 or flows down along the wall of the plate portion 63.
【００１２】このワイパー部材６０のインクの拭き取り
において、拭き取り作用を果たす頭部は断面が円形であ
って、曲面部分が記録ヘッド５０の吐出面５０ａに接触
するので、拭き取り面は常時線接触となりエッジ効果に
よりインクをきれいに拭き取ることができる。また、ワ
イパー部材６０と記録ヘッド５０の吐出口面５０ａとの
当接量が多少変化しても、ワイパー部材６０の頭部６２
は円形であるため、ワイパーと吐出口面が当接可能状態
であればエッジ効果を発生し、これにより不要インクを
引き延ばすことなく確実に拭き取ることができる。さら
に、ワイパー部材６０の端部６２の摩耗に対しては、頭
部の断面形状を円形として、接触面を曲面としているた
め、摩耗が少なくエッジ効果を保つことが可能となっ
た。また、溝１４は複数本形成することにより、より多
量の拭き取ったインク５５をスムーズにインク吸収体６
５の方向に流すことが可能となる。In wiping off the ink from the wiper member 60, the head that performs the wiping action has a circular cross section, and since the curved surface portion contacts the ejection surface 50a of the recording head 50, the wiping surface is always in line contact with the edge. The effect allows you to wipe off the ink cleanly. Further, even if the contact amount between the wiper member 60 and the ejection port surface 50a of the recording head 50 is changed to some extent, the head portion 62 of the wiper member 60 is changed.
Since it is circular, an edge effect is generated when the wiper and the ejection port surface are in contact with each other, whereby unnecessary ink can be reliably wiped off without being stretched. Further, with respect to the wear of the end portion 62 of the wiper member 60, since the cross-sectional shape of the head portion is circular and the contact surface is a curved surface, the wear is small and the edge effect can be maintained. Further, by forming a plurality of grooves 14, a larger amount of the wiped ink 55 can be smoothly transferred to the ink absorber 6.
It becomes possible to flow in the direction of 5.
【００１３】[0013]
【発明の効果】本発明のインクジェット記録装置は、記
録ヘッドの吐出口面を清掃するワイパー部材の頭部を円
形断面としたことにより、吐出口面の拭き取りは、頭部
の曲面部分が当接して線接触となり、常時エッジ効果が
発揮でき不用インクを残留させず確実に拭き取ることが
できる。また、ワイパー部材と吐出口面との当接量が多
少変化したり、当接面が摩耗したとしても、絶えず線接
触状態が保持され、面接触となることがなく、従来のワ
イパー部材のように不用インクを引き延ばすことなく確
実に拭き取ることができる。さらに、記録ヘッドのイン
ク吐出方向に溝を形成して不用インクを直線的に流下さ
せ、インク吸収体に連通させたため、ワイパー部材の拭
き取り面に不用インクを残留させることがない。このよ
うに、ワイパー部材の摩耗を極力少なくでき、エッジ効
果が長期に保持できるので、記録ヘッドの吐出口に付着
するインクが確実に除去でき、インクジェット記録装置
の印字精度を向上できる。In the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, the head portion of the wiper member for cleaning the ejection port surface of the recording head has a circular cross section, so that when the ejection port surface is wiped, the curved surface portion of the head comes into contact. As a result, the edge effect is always exerted, and the waste ink can be reliably wiped off without remaining. In addition, even if the contact amount between the wiper member and the discharge port surface changes to some extent or the contact surface is worn, the line contact state is constantly maintained, and the surface contact does not occur. It is possible to surely wipe off the unnecessary ink without extending it. Further, since the groove is formed in the ink ejection direction of the recording head to linearly flow the waste ink and communicate with the ink absorber, the waste ink does not remain on the wiping surface of the wiper member. As described above, the wear of the wiper member can be minimized and the edge effect can be maintained for a long period of time, so that the ink adhering to the ejection port of the recording head can be reliably removed and the printing accuracy of the inkjet recording apparatus can be improved.
【図１】 本発明のワイパー部材の説明図。FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of a wiper member of the present invention.
【図２】 記録ヘッドのワイパー部材による拭き取り状
態説明図。FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a wiping state of a recording head with a wiper member.
【図３】 インジェクト記録装置における記録ヘッドと
回復装置の構成説明図。FIG. 3 is a configuration explanatory view of a recording head and a recovery device in the inject recording apparatus.
【図４】 ワイパー部材の従来例の斜視図。FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a conventional example of a wiper member.
【図５】 従来のワイパー部材の拭き取り状態説明図。FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a conventional wiper member wiped state.
【図６】 ワイパー部材の他の従来例の斜視図。FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another conventional example of the wiper member.
【図７】 他の従来例のワイパー部材の拭き取り説明
図。FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of wiping a wiper member of another conventional example.
５０ 記録ヘッド、 ６０ ワイパー部材、 ６２ 頭
部、 ６３ 板部、６４ 溝、 ６５ インク吸収体。50 recording head, 60 wiper member, 62 head part, 63 plate part, 64 groove, 65 ink absorber.
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP15003093AJPH0717043A (en) | 1993-06-22 | 1993-06-22 | Ink jet recording apparatus |
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP15003093AJPH0717043A (en) | 1993-06-22 | 1993-06-22 | Ink jet recording apparatus |
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH0717043Atrue JPH0717043A (en) | 1995-01-20 |
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP15003093APendingJPH0717043A (en) | 1993-06-22 | 1993-06-22 | Ink jet recording apparatus |
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH0717043A (en) |
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH0939259A (en)* | 1995-07-26 | 1997-02-10 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Inkjet printer |
| US6294632B1 (en) | 1996-07-24 | 2001-09-25 | Chisso Corporation | Biaxially oriented polypropylene film |
| US6395071B1 (en) | 1999-10-01 | 2002-05-28 | Chisso Corporation | Breathing film |
| US6716921B1 (en) | 1999-09-07 | 2004-04-06 | Chisso Corporation | Propylene resin composition |
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH0939259A (en)* | 1995-07-26 | 1997-02-10 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Inkjet printer |
| US6294632B1 (en) | 1996-07-24 | 2001-09-25 | Chisso Corporation | Biaxially oriented polypropylene film |
| US6716921B1 (en) | 1999-09-07 | 2004-04-06 | Chisso Corporation | Propylene resin composition |
| US6395071B1 (en) | 1999-10-01 | 2002-05-28 | Chisso Corporation | Breathing film |
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