CN1835846B

CN1835846B - Liquid-discharging device and method of controlling the same

Info

Publication number: CN1835846B
Application number: CN200480023409XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 矢仓雄次; 铃木键二; 高桥贵范
Original assignee: Sony Corp
Current assignee: Sony Corp
Priority date: 2003-07-04
Filing date: 2004-07-02
Publication date: 2010-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 2024-07-02
Also published as: JP2005022314A; JP3922222B2; CN1835846A

Abstract

In a liquid-discharging device and a method of controlling the device where liquid drops are discharged from a liquid-discharging nozzle of a liquid-discharging head to an object to which the liquid drops are to be discharged, cleaning effect of the liquid-discharging nozzle is improved and time for a series of performance-maintaining operation is shortened. The device has a platen plate, and the plate supports recording paper, as the object to which the liquid drops are to be discharged, to define a positional relationship between the paper and a print head and receives liquid drops discharged from the print head. The device causes an ink-discharging nozzle to perform preliminary discharge of ink drops to the platen plate.

Description

Liquid discharge device and control method thereof

Technical field

The present invention relates to liquid discharge device and control method thereof, wherein liquid discharge device is used for fluid discharge nozzle discharge drop from liquid discharge head to being discharged object.

Background technology

Ink-jet image forming apparatus for example ink-jet printer is used widely because its operating cost is low, the look processing of print image easily and miniaturization etc.Ink-jet printer discharges a spot of China ink by the small black exhaust outlet that extends from the China ink discharging surface of passing printhead and comes document image.If do not print operation for a long time, promptly long-time from the black exhaust outlet discharging China ink of printhead, then in a preceding printing, be deposited on China ink on the black exhaust outlet that forms by China ink discharging surface and adjacent domain may evaporate, dry, solidify and harden.This makes correct discharging China ink become difficult.

Therefore, usually the printhead cleaning is performed such: with scraper plate (for example, quite hard rubber flap) is pressed against on the China ink discharging surface of printhead, scraper plate is slided on whole China ink discharging surface, and remove (wiping) and be deposited on the lip-deep China ink that has solidified and hardened of China ink discharging.Relevant therewith, a kind of technology is disclosed, it further improves wiping effect (referring to the open No.57-034969 (2-3 page or leaf and accompanying drawing 3 and 4) of for example Japanese Unexamined Patent Application) by a plurality of scraper plates that rotation is installed on the rotating shaft.

But, in the technology of in the open No.57-034969 of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, describing, because the scraper plate that is formed by quite hard rubber etc. is pressed against on the China ink discharging surface of printhead, and slide on China ink discharging surface and be deposited on the lip-deep China ink of China ink discharging with wiping, so China ink discharging surface may be damaged because of pretending firmly of being subjected to that scraper plate applies.In addition, utilize the technology of above-mentioned scraper plate only to rely on wiping action, China ink is retained in the black exhaust outlet and only carry out the wiping meeting.Wipe tentative printhead (in the line printing head if use a plurality of scraper plates, many black discharge nozzles are arranged as the overall with corresponding to print zone), then following problem can occur: China ink discharging surface may be damaged and China ink may be retained in black exhaust outlet and the adjacent domain, as above-mentioned situation.

Relevant therewith, Japanese patent application No.2002-192236 discloses a kind of technology, wherein cleans black exhaust outlet by discharge ink droplet in advance when imaging operation begins to the cover of printhead.Because hold the finite capacity of cover of China ink, so the problem that this technology exists is that cover must be handled as running stores, and always need more renew.And, because the black zone (scope) to cover of discharging in advance is limited,, cover carries out essential discharging in advance several times so must moving, therefore, the problem that the actual time-write interval increases appears.In addition, when printing continuously, owing to comprise operation and other operation of motion cover, the problem that the actual time-write interval increases appears correspondingly also.

Summary of the invention

The objective of the invention is to address the above problem.The purpose of this invention is to provide such liquid discharge device, it does not damage the fluid discharge surface of liquid discharge head, improve the cleaning effect of fluid discharge nozzle, and shorten a series of required times of performance maintenance operation, and the control method that is provided for this liquid discharge device.

In order to realize this purpose, a kind of liquid discharge device that is used for from fluid discharge nozzle discharge drop to the discharging object that is discharged is provided. liquid discharge device comprises the liquid discharge head with fluid discharge surface, the fluid discharge surface is provided with the fluid discharge nozzle. liquid discharge device comprises the pressing plate that is used for supporting the discharging object, determines the position relation between discharging object and the liquid discharge head and receive the drop that gives off from liquid discharge head. at liquid discharge device, drop from the fluid discharge nozzle in advance (preliminarily) be discharged into pressing plate.

According to this liquid discharge device, do not damage the fluid discharge surface of liquid discharge head, improve the cleaning effect of fluid discharge nozzle and adjacent domain, and shortened a series of required times of performance maintenance operation.Therefore, shortened from wiping test solution body discharging surface to the required time of sequence of operations of discharging in advance, these operate the performance maintenance operation (performance maintainingoperation) as liquid discharge head, thereby have reduced total time-write interval.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the perspective schematic view of conduct according to the ink-jet printer of liquid discharge device of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top cover that ink-jet printer is shown when opening, and how a box is contained in the perspective view in the accomodating unit.

Fig. 3 is the partial side view in cross section of the box structure in the liquid discharge device.

Fig. 4 illustrates the internal structure that printer main body shown in Figure 3 is removed enclosing cover.

Fig. 5 illustrates skull opening and closing mechanism shown in Figure 4.

Fig. 6 A is the amplification sectional view that is used to explain with the surperficial cleaning effect of the China ink discharging of clearer cleaning printhead to 6C.

Fig. 7 A and 7B are the diagrams of other embodiment of schematically illustrated clearer.

Fig. 8 is the sectional view of the internal structure of ink-jet printer shown in Figure 1, is illustrated in the inactive state of a box before beginning to operate.

Fig. 9 illustrates a kind of state, and wherein the lid on the China ink discharging surface of a protection box returns to retracted position and allows the beginning printing hermetically.

Figure 10 illustrates printer main body and opens to be used for the state of maintaining ink-jet printer.

Figure 11 A is that the diagram that is arranged on the pressing plate below the box of ink-jet printer according to an embodiment is shown to 11C.

Figure 12 illustrates the sectional view how a record-paper transmits in the top face that is arranged on the rib on the pressing plate.

Figure 13 is the sectional view of shape that the rib of pressing plate is shown.

Figure 14 is the plane that the rib how pressing plate is set is shown.

Figure 15 A is the diagram that a series of clean operations when skull moves under the effect of skull opening and closing mechanism are shown to 15F.

The specific embodiment

With reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the invention are described.

Fig. 1 is the perspective view of conduct according to the embodiment of the ink-jet printer of the example of liquid discharge device of the present invention.This ink-jet printer 11 is configured to form image by the discharging ink droplet to the predetermined point of recording paper, and it comprises printer main body 12, a box 13 (referring to Fig. 2), and record-paper pallet 14.

Printer main body 12 holds connecting gear that is used for transmitting the record-paper that is carried on record-paper pallet 14 and the circuit that is used for correctly printing on record-paper, record-paper is as being discharged object.Record-paper pallet 14 is installed in the pallet insertion groove 15 movingly, and pallet insertion groove 15 is arranged on the preceding bottom of printer main body 12.Pallet insertion groove 15 is also as the paper output magazine.The recording paper of having printed in printer main body 12 outputs on the paper output receiving element 14a that is arranged on record-paper pallet 14 tops.Be used to show that the display floater (display unit) 16 of the general operation state of ink-jet printer 11 is arranged on the front upper part of printer main body 12.

Top cover 17 is installed in the top of printer main body 12, so that can open and can close.When top cover 17 was opened, as shown in Figure 2, the accomodating unit 18 that is used to hold a box 13 was formed on the top of printer main body 12.Box 13 is contained in the accomodating unit 18 of printer main body 12 by arrow Z indicated direction, thereby a box 13 is kept extensiblely.Box 13 is by having corresponding to four kinds of colors (that is printhead 20 of) China ink jars 19, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K), and the skull 21 that is attached to printhead 20 bottoms is formed.Printhead 20 is full line type printhead (full-line typeprint head), wherein delegation's China ink discharge nozzle corresponding to a record-paper (for example is arranged in, A4 specification paper) overall with, thus when in the accomodating unit 18 of printer main body 12, remaining static by printhead 20 on recording paper the discharging China ink form the image of required width.

Fig. 3 is the partial side view in cross section of a box 13 structures.China ink jar 19 is liquid containers of storage China ink (predetermined liquid), and it comprises four China ink jar 19Y, 19M, 19C and 19K of the China ink that corresponds respectively to four kinds of color Y, M, C and K, and these China ink jars are placed removedly.Printhead 20 is to be configured for receiving from the China ink of China ink jar 19Y, 19M, 19C and 19K and the liquid discharge head of discharging China ink, it comprises multirow China ink discharge nozzle (fluid discharge nozzle) 23, these black discharge nozzles 23 are corresponding to the China ink of four kinds of color Y, M, C and K, and are formed in the China ink discharging surface 22 of bottom.

Skull 21 is attached at the bottom of printhead 20 removedly, so that printhead 20 relatively moves relatively.Skull 21 is used to protect the China ink discharging surface 22 of printhead 20, and it is generally at four peripheries is elongated box-likes of upstanding portion.Skull 21 comprises and being used for by coming the clearer (cleaning member) 24 of the residue of ink that the viscosity under the wiping deposition increases in motion on the China ink discharging surface 22, and the waste liquid receiving element 25 that is used to receive the China ink that discharges in advance from black discharge nozzle 23.Skull 21 telecontrol equipment (for example, motor under) the effect along moving perpendicular to the direction longitudinally on the China ink of printhead 20 discharging surface 22, that is, move along arrow A and the indicated direction of B.At the state that skull 21 moves along the indicated direction of arrow A, skull 21 removes from printhead 20.At the state that skull 21 returns along the arrow B indicated direction, skull 21 is attached on the printhead 20 once more.Skull 21 is generally made by rigid resin.

Clearer 24 is the cleaning members that are used to clean the China ink discharging surface 22 of printhead 20.Clearer 24 is by having elasticity and hygroscopic material is made, sponge for example, and be cylindrical.The length direction of clearer 24 in skull 21 is attached at a side of skull 21.Therefore, clearer 24 is parallel to the China ink discharging surface 22 of printhead 20 at its length direction.Clearer 24 is configured to by clean the China ink discharging surface 22 of printhead 20 with skull 21 motions.

The waste liquid receiving element 25 that is arranged in the skull 21 is configured to receive the ink droplet that discharges in advance from the black discharge nozzle 23 of printhead 20, and makes by having elasticity and hygroscopic material (for example, sponge).Waste liquid receiving element 25 is receiving the ink droplet of discharging in advance bottom the part of shallow box-like skull 21 or on the whole bottom.This can prevent that the China ink that discharges in advance from the black discharge nozzle 23 of printhead 20 from spilling from the bottom of skull 21, and can absorb the China ink of discharging in advance, thereby is not collected on the bottom of skull 21.Therefore, prevented that the China ink of discharging spills and is deposited on once more on the China ink discharging surface 22 in advance from waste liquid receiving element 25.In addition, after using appropriate time, from waste liquid receiving element 25, shift out and be absorbed with the black absorption piece of discharging China ink in advance, abandon the black absorption piece that this shifts out, and change new black absorption piece, the China ink that so easy cleaning is discharged in advance.

The sealed nozzle parts that the China ink discharging surface 22 of contiguous printhead 20 is provided with in the Reference numeral 26 expression skulls 21.During usual non-printing, black discharge nozzle 23 is protected hermetically by skull 21, and is dry to prevent China ink.

The structure that is used for motion skull 21 is described below with reference to Figure 4 and 5. Fig. 4 illustrates the internal structure that printer main body shown in Figure 2 12 removes enclosing cover. and Fig. 5 illustrates skull opening and closing mechanism. at Fig. 4, at a box 13 after arrow Z indicated direction moves downward and is contained in the accomodating unit 18 with respect to printer main body 12, make attached and disassembly mechanism 27 about 90 degree that lean forward, a box 13 is fixed to printer main body 12. at this moment, skull 21 shown in Figure 4 engages with skull opening and closing mechanism 28.

Fig. 5 is the side view that is shown specifically skull opening and closing mechanism 28 shown in Figure 4.Skull 21 (clearer 24 shown in Figure 3 is attached to this skull 21) is supported by being connected to motion rack-plate 40, and motion rack-plate 40 has the linear gear rack (linear rack) 29 that is formed on its downside, as shown in Figure 5.Motion rack-plate 40 is used to make skull 21 to move on arrow A and B indicated direction, and supported, make two guide finger 41a on the end opposite be installed in all tops in the motion rack-

plate

40 and 41b be bonded in the linear motion guidance groove 43 on first lateral wall 42 that is formed on printer main body 12, and make the tooth bar 29 that is formed on motion rack-plate 40 downsides mesh with pinion 30, pinion 30 rotates under the effect of the worm gear 45 on the rotating shaft of the motion motor 44 that is installed to first lateral wall 42.

Skull 21 comprise give prominence to, correspond respectively to from first outside towards motion rack-plate 40 preceding and after two lid guide finger 46a and 46b.Two the

lid gathering sills

47 and 48 that bend to reservation shape are formed on the mid portion of first lateral wall 42 of printer main body 12, are used to provide the path of skull 21 motions.Two lid guide fingers of printer main body 12, i.e. protecgulum guide finger 46a and bonnet guide finger 46b engage with the

lid gathering sill

47 and 48 of first lateral wall 42 of printer main body 12 respectively.Only protecgulum guide finger 46a engages with the vertical long gathering sill 49 that is formed on motion rack-plate 40 front ends.

Said mechanism allows pinion 30 rotating on arrow C and D indicated direction via worm gear 45 under the driving of motion motor 44, thereby allows motion rack-plate 40 to move on arrow A and B indicated direction via the tooth bar 29 that engages with pinion 30.At this moment, because the protecgulum guide finger 46a of skull 21 engages with the gathering sill 49 that is formed on motion rack-plate 40 front ends, so skull 21 moves on arrow A and B indicated direction with motion rack-plate 40.Skull 21 motion path at this moment is by determining with the lid gathering sill 47 of two lid guide fingers (that is, protecgulum guide finger 46a and bonnet guide finger 46b) joint and 48 shape.

The clean operation on the China ink discharging surface 22 of 24 pairs of printheads 20 of clearer is described to 6C referring now to Fig. 6 A here.In order to simplify explanation, Fig. 6 A illustrates the amplification cross-sectional view of China ink discharging surface 22, black discharge nozzle 23 and clearer 24 to 6C.At first, at 6A in 6C, when clearer 24 with skull shown in Figure 3 21 when the arrow A indicated direction is moved, clearer 24 is by contact the couple drive (coupled driving) of generation with China ink discharging surface 22 and rotating on the arrow E indicated direction.Then, clearer 24 is by the position of the black discharge nozzle 23 of first row on the China ink discharging surface 22 of printhead 20, as shown in Figure 3.

Fig. 6 A illustrates the state that moves, almost arrives along the clearer 24 of arrow E indicated direction rotation simultaneously the position of the black discharge nozzle 23 of first row along the arrow A indicated direction under couple drive.At this moment, the China ink 32 from black chamber 31 is filled in the zone of each black discharge nozzle 23, and forms recessed meniscus (concave curvedmeniscus) 33 owing to the interfacial tension on black 32 surfaces in black discharge nozzle 23.As shown in Figure 6A, because clearer 24 is moved along the arrow A indicated direction, make clearer 24 along the rotation of arrow E indicated direction by couple drive simultaneously, therefore the inlet of black discharge nozzle 23 seals towards second side from first side.Between this moving period, the air in the black discharge nozzle 23 is discharged from the space of second side gradually, as shown by arrow F.

Then, shown in Fig. 6 B, when clearer 24 further moves along the arrow A indicated direction, simultaneously when couple drive lower edge arrow E indicated direction rotates to the position of black discharge nozzle 23, black discharge nozzle 23 is by complete closed.At this moment, because clearer 24 contacts, presses thereon simultaneously with China ink discharging surface 22, so from microcosmic, elasticity because of clearer 24, the part surface of clearer 24 enters the black discharge nozzle 23 between first side and second side slightly, therefore, and under the state that the air in black discharge nozzle 23 is discharged from, the inlet of the black discharge nozzle 23 of clearer 24 sealings, thus clearer 24 is sealed the inside of black discharge nozzle 23.

Then, shown in Fig. 6 C, clearer 24 further moves along the arrow A indicated direction, rotate in couple drive lower edge arrow E indicated direction simultaneously, thereby under the state of second side of black discharge nozzle 23 sealing, clearer 24 is only opened first side gradually. at this moment, from microcosmic, when the part surface that enters black discharge nozzle 23 slightly of clearer 24 leaves first side of black discharge nozzle 23, extracted out and sucking-off from the gap of first side by the air in the black discharge nozzle of sealing 23, as shown by arrow G.

In other words, when the air in black discharge nozzle 23 is discharged a little and black discharge nozzle 23 is sealed (malleation) first state (shown in Fig. 6 B) is transformed into air in the black discharge nozzle 23 and is drawn out of second state (shown in Fig. 6 C) of (negative pressure), the pressure of China ink discharge nozzle 23 changes, and makes that the China ink in the black discharge nozzle 23 is sucked out.Therefore, realized remaining in the suction that the China ink in the black discharge nozzle 23 is extracted out towards the outside of printhead shown in Figure 3 20, thus the China ink in can sucking-off China ink discharge nozzle 23 and removing reliably.

In this case; because (for example by elastomeric material; rubber) make and be the motion on China ink discharging surface 22 of columniform clearer 24, so can clean China ink discharging surface 22 under the condition of not damaging protective layer, the tip electrode of China ink discharging surperficial 22 is coated with resin.

Above-mentioned clearer 24 rotates under the effect that contacts the couple drive that produces with the China ink discharging surface 22 of printhead 20.Perhaps, clearer 24 can be fixed, and makes not rotate when surface 22 contacts with black the discharging.For example, basic if the pin 24a of clearer 24 end opposite is inserted in Fig. 3 in the supporter (not shown) dimple of U-shaped, then can prevent clearer 24 rotations.In this case, because therefore clearer 24 friction China ink discharging surface 22 in motion not only can remove the liquid ink that is deposited on the China ink discharging surface 22, and can remove the China ink that has hardened and clung.

And clearer 24 can be subjected to the rotation restriction that arrestment mechanism applies, the China ink discharging surface 22 of friction printhead 20 in rotation.For example, in Fig. 3, arrestment mechanism has such mechanism, wherein the pin 24a of clearer 24 end opposite is force-fitted in the opening that is formed in the suitable elastomeric, and on set elastomer, pin 24a is by the supporter support, perhaps arrestment mechanism has such mechanism, wherein the opposite end face of clearer 24 is received elastomeric side by pressure bonding, when clearer 24 rotations, can produce enough brake force.In this case, because clearer 24 rotates slightly, the China ink discharging surface 22 that rubs simultaneously can not be damaged so China ink discharges surface 22, and not only can remove the liquid ink that is deposited on the China ink discharging surface 22, and can remove the China ink that has hardened and clung.

Fig. 7 A and 7B are the diagrams of other embodiment of schematically illustrated clearer 24.In this embodiment, clearer 24 is in the effect lower edge of rotary drive mechanism forward (normal direction) or oppositely (reverse direction) rotation.Particularly, in Fig. 3, the pin 24a of clearer 24 is bonded in the rotating shaft of motor (not shown), and motor is arranged in the printer main body 12 via the gear mechanism with suitable speed reducing ratio, and drives clearer 24, and it is rotated versatilely.

Shown in Fig. 7 A, clearer 24 rotates with the identical direction of skull 21 directions of motion of arrow A indication with shown in Figure 3 in the effect lower edge of motor, and rotary speed satisfies following condition: the peripheral speed v2 of clearer 24 is greater than the movement velocity v1 of skull 21.In this case, poor based between the peripheral speed of the speed on the China ink of printhead 20 discharging surface 22 and clearer 24 produce friction between the circumference of the China ink discharging surface 22 of printhead 20 and clearer 24, thereby the cleaning China ink discharges surperficial 22 reliably.Similarly, if motor so that the movement velocity v1 of skull 21 greater than the rotation of the rotary speed of the peripheral speed v2 of clearer 24, then between the circumference of the China ink of printhead 20 discharging surface 22 and clearer 24, produce friction, identical with above-mentioned situation, thus cleaning China ink discharging surperficial 22 reliably.

Perhaps, shown in Fig. 7 B, clearer 24 can along with the opposite direction rotation of the direction of motion of the skull 21 with arrow A indication shown in Figure 3. in this case, difference based on their direction of motion, between the circumference of the China ink of printhead 20 discharging surface 22 and clearer 24, produce and rub, thereby cleaning China ink discharging surface 22. is therefore reliably, and in the embodiment shown in Fig. 7 A and the 7B, China ink discharging surface 22 is to be assigned to clean by the new circumferential part that the activity rotation from clearer 24 provides in succession.

Fig. 8 is the sectional view of concrete example of the internal structure of ink-jet printer 11, and is shown in non-activity (inactive) state of a box 13 before beginning to operate.The skull 21 that Fig. 9 illustrates the China ink discharging surface 22 of protecting printhead 20 hermetically returns to and covers retracted position, and the state that allows printing to begin.As shown in Figure 8, in ink-jet printer 11, comprise that the paper feeder 50 of roller is arranged on the top of the front end of record-paper pallet 14 direction of insertion, record-paper pallet 14 is installed in the pallet insertion groove 15, pallet insertion groove 15 is arranged on the preceding bottom of printer main body 12, thereby can supply a record-paper 51 when needing.In the direction of the supply of record-paper 51, be provided with the separator 52 that comprises two rollers respect to one another, thereby separate with other paper, and one connect a ground and supply with record-paper 51 by piling up and be contained in the record-paper 51 in the record-paper pallet 14 one.And, be used to make the opposite reverse roll 53 of direction of transfer of record-paper 51 be arranged on the top of printer main body 12, by the front portion on the direction of transfer of separator 52 isolated record-papers 51.

Band conveyer 54 and pressing plate 1 are arranged on the front portion of the direction of transfer of a record-paper 51 that is inverted roller 53 counter-rotatings.As shown in Figure 8, at the inactive state of printing, the front end 55 of band conveyer 54 is placed downwards along arrow H indicated direction, thus between the lower surface of printhead 20 and band conveyer 54 the bigger gap of existence.As shown in Figure 9, at the state that allows printing, the front end 55 of band conveyer 54 is upwards placed along arrow I indicated direction, so that remain on horizontal level, thereby has closely spaced record-paper path at the lower surface of printhead 20 with being with between the conveyer 54.

At the inactive state of printing, as shown in Figure 8, the lower surface of printhead 20 is closed by skull 21, thereby prevents that black discharge nozzle 23 from being blocked by the dried China ink in the black discharge nozzle 23.Skull 21 comprises clearer 24, before printing begins, when skull 21 returns to the predetermined retracted position (referring to Fig. 9) of skull 21, cleans black discharge nozzle 23.

As shown in figure 10, the nozzle printer 11 with said structure has and is used to open the mechanism of printer main body 12 to safeguard, so nozzle printer 11 can be removed plug paper and solve other problem.Band conveyer 54 is included in the conveyer belt 57 that stretches between two main pulleys (main pulley) 56a and the 56b, wherein is provided with the straining pulley 58 of the tension force that is used to adjust conveyer belt 57.Guide plate respect to one another and contact roller 60 are arranged on the side with respect to printhead 20 supply record-papers 51.Gear 61 is arranged on a side of output record-paper 51.Thereby form the predefined paths that record-paper 51 transmits.

Pressing plate 1 is arranged on the top of band conveyer 54.Shown in Figure 11 A, pressing plate 1 has the width corresponding to the same full width orientation on the China ink discharging surface 22 of printhead 20, and is elongated box-like, and its periphery has upstanding portion.The total of pressing plate 1 is made by acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) (ABS) resin.In pressing plate 1, protuberance 1a is arranged on the upstream of record-paper 51 direction of transfers, thus the transmission stability of the paper 51 of holding the record, and fully store the ink droplet that gives off.Shown in Figure 11 C, rib 2 to rib 6 be arranged to the bottom on the 1b upright state and extend along the direction of transfer of record-paper 51.Shown in Figure 11 A, rib 2 is provided at predetermined intervals width at pressing plate 1 to rib 6.

As shown in figure 12, pressing plate 1 is oppositely arranged with the China ink discharging surface 22 that is arranged on printhead 20 lower surfaces.Pressing plate 1 is the parts that are used for from the back support record-paper 51 of record-paper 51, being used for the ink droplet that versicolor black discharge nozzle 23 (23k, 23c, 23m and 23y) gives off and will being deposited on record-paper 51 from be arranged on China ink discharging surface 22.Pressing plate 1 is also as ink storing device, is used to receive and store the unnecessary ink droplet that is discharged into beyond record-paper 51 edges.Pressing plate 1 can remove, so that more for ease of maintenaince.Therefore, when pressing plate 1 speckles with China ink, pressing plate 1 can be shifted out and easily clean.

Shown in Figure 12 and 13, the rib 2 of pressing plate 1 is used to support the back side of record-paper 51 to rib 6, first rib 2 to the 5th ribs 6 are provided with from the upstream side to the downstream on the direction of transfer of record-paper 51. and mutually the same basically to the height of rib end face 6a corresponding to rib 2 to the rib end face 2a of rib 6. form rib end face 2a to 6a, so that the back side of record-paper 51 is supported in the zone outside the deposition region, and the distance between definite record-paper 51 and the China ink discharging surface 22, wherein the droplet deposition that gives off from the black discharge nozzle 23 on China ink discharging surface 22 is on the deposition region. and do not have rib the deposition region, wherein the droplet deposition that gives off from the black discharge nozzle 23 on China ink discharging surface 22 is on this deposition region.

Therefore, a plurality of ribs 2 of the pressing plate 1 of She Zhiing support the back side of record-paper 51 to the zone of rib 6 outside deposition region (droplet deposition that gives off from the black discharge nozzle 23 on China ink discharging surface 22 is on this deposition region) in the above described manner, and the distance between definite record-paper 51 and the China ink discharging surface 22, and rib 2 does not appear within the deposition region (droplet deposition that gives off from the black discharge nozzle 23 on China ink discharging surface 22 is on this deposition region) to rib 6, makes the not back side of contact history paper 51 of rib end face.Therefore, a plurality of ribs 2 that are provided at predetermined intervals along the width of pressing plate 1 keep the glacing flatness of the record-paper 51 that transmitted below the China ink discharging surface 22 of printhead 20 to rib 6, thereby allow China ink correctly to be discharged into the surface of record-paper 51.In addition, rib 2 stains to the China ink that the end face of rib 6 can not be discharged into outside record-paper 51 peripheries, thereby the back side that has prevented record-paper 51 is stain.

In the foregoing description, pressing plate 1 does not comprise the rib that is positioned at deposition region (droplet deposition that gives off from black discharge nozzle 23 is on this deposition region).But, the invention is not restricted to this structure.Pressing plate 1 can comprise the rib (not shown) that is positioned at the deposition region by this way, and promptly the height of rib satisfies the rib end face and do not contact with record-paper 51 back sides.

As shown in figure 13, rib 2 has the slope of trip side disposed thereon on the direction of transfer of record-paper 51 to each rib in the rib 6, and this slope is used to guide the leading edge of the record-paper 51 that is sent to the rib end face from the upstream.For example, each second rib 3 has slope 3b, and it is the big inclined-plane of upstream side, thereby the leading edge of the record-paper 51 that will be transmits along arrow R indicated direction is directed to each rib end face 3a.Therefore, when transmitting the downward-sloping record-paper 51 of leading edge, the slope 3b of rib 3 is this leading edge guiding rib end face 3a, thereby prevents plug paper.Particularly, under the situation of borderless print, for example, when ink droplet was discharged into the leading edge of record-paper 51, the leading edge of record-paper 51 can be crooked, thereby downward-sloping.Because slope 3b is formed on the upstream side of second rib 3, so the leading edge of record-paper 51 is directed to rib end face 3a by slope 3b, thereby prevents plug paper.The 3rd rib 4 to the 5th ribs 6 have and second rib 3 similar shapes.

Therefore, when the record-paper 51 of the rib end face 3a by second rib 3 further when arrow R indicated direction transmits, even the downward-sloping record-paper 51 of leading edge enters between second rib 3 and the 3rd rib 4, record-paper 51 also can be directed to rib end face 4a, and can not be parked in the upstream side of the 3rd rib 4, then, be sent to the 4th rib 5 and the 5th rib 6 in order.Like this,, the distance between record-paper 51 and the China ink discharging surface 22 is remained unchanged by to 6a record-paper 51 being supported by rib end face 2a, can transfer sheet 51.

As shown in figure 13, the downstream side at first rib 2 to the 4th ribs 5 forms the slope 2c similar to above-mentioned slope respectively to 5c.Therefore, although do not illustrate in the drawings,, can prevent that also the leading edge on the direction of transfer from stopping at the downstream side of rib 2 to 5 on the direction opposite with arrow R indicated direction even when record-paper 51 transmits.This has prevented to occur when record-paper 51 from transmitting plug paper on the direction opposite with arrow R indicated direction.In above-mentioned description, rib 2 comprises the slope that is positioned at its upstream side to rib 6.But, the invention is not restricted to this structure.Rib 2 can be an Any shape to rib 6, as long as this shape can prevent the record-paper 51 that is transmitted plug paper takes place.

In addition, shown in Figure 11 A, the rib end face that a plurality of ribs 2 of pressing plate 1 are arranged to upstream side or downstream adjacent lines to rib 6 staggers mutually.More specifically, as shown in figure 14, be provided at predetermined intervals going and being arranged on the capable misalignment of the 4th rib 5 in downstream of the second rib 3 that on the row of the 3rd rib 4 of width and direction of transfer (indicating), is arranged on the downstream with arrow R at record-paper 51.

Therefore, because record-paper 51 is supported to rib 6 by the rib 2 of above-mentioned layout, therefore record-paper 51 is maintained in the glacing flatness of width. and this can prevent to increase because of the distance between record-paper 51 crooked record-papers 51 that cause and the China ink discharging surface 22, thereby provide correct China ink discharging. in addition, when rib 2 when rib 6 is provided with by above-mentioned arrangement, distance between the rib is maintained. therefore, the mould that is used for molded pressing plate 1 becomes and more can not rupture. and rib 2 is not limited to layout shown in Figure 14 to the layout of rib 6. and rib 2 can be an Any shape to the layout of rib 6, as long as its paper 51 glacing flatness on width of can holding the record.

In addition, as shown in figure 12, pressing plate 1 comprises the black absorber 7 that is positioned at deposition region (droplet deposition that gives off from the black discharge nozzle 23 on China ink discharging surface 22 is on this deposition region).China ink absorber 7 is as the liquid absorbent material that absorbs the ink droplet that gives off from black discharge nozzle 23.China ink absorber 7 is generally made by sponge, and is used to absorb any ink droplet beyond the periphery that is discharged into record-paper 51 when being configured to for example carry out borderless print.This can reduce from the sputter of the black discharge nozzle 23 powerful ink droplets that give off, thereby is used to prevent that the back side of record-paper 51 from being stain.In addition, even China ink has been carried out collection to a certain degree, provide black absorber 7 can also prevent overflowing of the liquid ink that causes by vibration.

As shown in figure 12, useless China ink pipe 60 is installed in the bottom 1b of pressing plate 1.Useless China ink pipe 60 forms and makes the China ink that discharges in advance, has been absorbed in the black absorber 7 from black discharge nozzle 23 flow out pressing plate 1 by useless China ink pipe 60.Therefore, if discharged a large amount of China inks, prevent that then China ink from overflowing from pressing plate 1, thereby avoid rib 2 to be stain by China ink to rib 6.Be collected in the useless China ink jar (not shown) from the China ink of useless China ink pipe 60 ejections.

Pressing plate 1 can form, and makes the China ink discharge pressing plate 1 that gives off in advance from black discharge nozzle 23 by strong suction or extruding.In this case, useless China ink pipe 60 has the aspirating mechanism (not shown), and useless China ink can be collected in useless black jar by aspirating mechanism.

The operation of the ink-jet printer 11 with said structure is described now.At first, as shown in Figure 2, when the top cover 17 at printer main body 12 tops was opened, printhead 20 was contained in the accomodating unit 18 along arrow Z indicated direction.Record-paper pallet 14 is by in the pallet insertion groove 15 that is inserted into the preceding bottom that is arranged on printer main body 12 and attached.At this moment, as shown in Figure 8, in printer main body 12 inside, the front end 55 of band conveyer 54 is placed downwards along arrow H indicated direction, and the lower surface of printhead 20 is closed with skull 21.Therefore, ink-jet printer 11 is in the inactive state of printing.

Then, when the control signal of beginning was printed in the input indication, skull 21 moved upward to the predetermined retracted position of skull along arrow J indicated direction shown in Figure 8.At this moment, to shown in the 15F, along with skull 21 moves upward to retracted position, clearer 24 slides on the nozzle member 2 of printhead 20 and cleans black discharge nozzle 23 as Figure 15 A.

To 15F, the clean operation that takes place when skull 21 moves is described referring now to Figure 15 A.Figure 15 A illustrates original state, and promptly skull 21 discharges surperficial 22 states in the closed position with respect to the China ink of printhead 20, thereby the black discharge nozzle 23 corresponding to four kinds of color Y, M, C and K China ink in the China ink discharging surface 22 is subjected to the protection of sealed nozzle parts 26.

At this state, when lid unlatching triggering signal is input to printer main body 12 when printer starts, when printing beginning, instruction or other action according to the user, motion motor 44 shown in Figure 5 is driven in rotation, thereby skull 21 beginnings are moved along the arrow A indicated direction, shown in Figure 15 B.At this moment, along with skull 21 motions, the clearer of being made by for example sponge 24 moves, rotation and contact the China ink discharging that rubs with China ink discharging surface 22 by the state on the China ink discharging surface 22 of being pressed in clearer 24 surperficial 22 continuously under couple drive simultaneously, restriction or clearer 24 that the rotation of while clearer 24 is subjected to arrestment mechanism rotate forward or backwards in the effect lower edge of motor.When clearer 24 rotations and motion, clearer 24 is wiped the sclerosis residue of ink that the viscosity in the black discharge nozzle 23 that is in corresponding four kinds of color Y, M, C and K China inks increases.

Here, in order to prevent that black discharge nozzle 23 from blocking, after clearer 24 erase residual China inks, work as optics, when the machinery or the sensor (not shown) of other type detect waste liquid receiving element 25 (referring to Fig. 3) and have arrived point under the black discharge nozzle 23, China ink can be discharged into waste liquid receiving element 25. Figure 15 B in advance such state is shown, wherein after clearer 24 is removed the residue of ink of black discharge nozzle 23 of yellow (Y), waste liquid receiving element 25. Figure 15 C that China ink is discharged into the point under the black discharge nozzle 23 that has arrived yellow (Y) in advance illustrate such state, wherein after clearer 24 was removed the residue of ink of black discharge nozzle 23 of black (K), China ink was discharged into the waste liquid receiving element 25. of the point under the black discharge nozzle 23 that has arrived black (K) in advance

Carry out under the state of China ink discharging in advance at all black discharge nozzles 23 of finishing the wiping examination with clearer 24 and finish four kinds of color Y, M, C and K in this mode, shown in Figure 15 D, skull 21 is along arrow A indicated direction sufficient movement, move along arrow J indicated direction then, make skull 21 remain on the retracted position of skull.At this state, when band conveyer 54 when arrow I indicated direction moves upward to the position that band conveyer 54 can transfer sheet 51, printer main body 12 and a box 13 are in the state of permission printing.Here, when the operation of discharging China ink began, ink droplet was discharged into pressing plate 1 in advance from black discharge nozzle 23.Therefore, can prevent that the China ink discharging surface 22 of printhead 20 is impaired, can improve the cleaning effect of black discharge nozzle 23 and adjacent domain, and can reduce a series of required times of performance maintenance operation.After ink droplet was discharged into pressing plate 1 in advance, record-paper 51 was transmitted in the support of the rib that is subjected to pressing plate 1, and under this state print record paper 51.

More specifically, allowing under the state of printing, as shown in Figure 9, driving paper feed 50, piling up and be contained in record-paper 51 in the record-paper pallet 14 along the supply of arrow K indicated direction then.At this moment, with separator 52 record-paper 51 is separated with other paper when needing, to connect a ground supply along one of arrow L indicated direction.Then, when reverse roll 53 made direction of transfer opposite, a record-paper 51 of being supplied was sent to band conveyer 54.Then, this record-paper 51 is sent to the position of printhead 20 belows by band conveyer 54.

In addition, when this record-paper 51 arrives the position of printhead 20 belows, the input print signal.In response to this print signal, the preheating parts in the printhead 20 are activated.Ink droplet is discharged into this record-paper 51 that transmits with constant speed from the multirow China ink discharge nozzle 23 corresponding to four kinds of colors of ink, thereby forms the colour print image on this record-paper 51.

When finishing the printing of predetermined number of pages, lid is closed triggering signal and is input to printer main body 12.Shown in Figure 15 E, band conveyer 54 moves downward along arrow H indicated direction, motion motor 44 shown in Figure 5 is in opposite direction rotation, skull 21 leaves the retracted position of skull in arrow J ' indicated direction along the route identical with the route that is used to arrive retracted position, and skull 21 turns back to initial position thus.

In other words, shown in Figure 15 F, skull 21 relatively moves with respect to printhead 20 along the arrow B indicated direction.Skull 21 and clearer 24 move with respect to printhead 20 and move on to the closed position along the arrow B indicated direction, thereby operation turns back to the original state shown in Figure 15 A.In return route, clearer 24 is not wiped black discharge nozzle 23, and not discharging in advance of China ink, and purpose is the life-span that increases clearer 24, to reduce the number of times of the clearer 24 that more renews.

After the printing of finishing record-paper 51 by this way, as shown in Figure 9, transmit at the position of record-paper 51 along arrow M indicated direction from printhead 20 belows, and output to the paper output receiving element 14a that is arranged on record-paper pallet 14 tops from pallet insertion groove 15 (also as output magazine).Then, as shown in Figure 8, the front end 55 of band conveyer 54 moves downward along arrow H indicated direction, and skull 21 is closed the lower surface of printhead 20, and operation turns back to printing inactive state, ink-jet printer 11 shut-down operations.This pending state lasts till that ink-jet printer 11 response input control signals begin to print.

As mentioned above, because pressing plate 1 shown in Figure 12 comprises the useless China ink pipe 60 that is installed in bottom 1b, the China ink that therefore is discharged into pressing plate 1 in advance flows out pressing plate 1.Thereby,, prevent that then China ink from overflowing, and stain by China ink to avoid rib from pressing plate 1 if discharge a large amount of China inks.

In above-mentioned description, when the operation of discharging China ink begins, skull 21 is opened, by making clearer 24 motions, clearer 24 contact China ink discharging surfaces 22 will be present in the black sucking-off in the black discharge nozzle 23 simultaneously, and after clearer 24 moves past China ink discharging surface 22, ink droplet is discharged into pressing plate 1. still in advance from black discharge nozzle 23, the invention is not restricted to this structure. and discharge ink droplet in advance to pressing plate 1 in the time of can only beginning, clean black discharge nozzle 23. by operation at the discharging China ink

In other words, shown in Figure 15 D, be at skull 21 under the state of retracted position, China ink can be discharged into pressing plate 1 in advance from black discharge nozzle 23, and not opening and closing skull 21, promptly without clearer 24 cleaning China ink discharging surfaces 22.Therefore, can prevent that China ink discharging surface 22 is impaired, can improve the cleaning effect of black discharge nozzle 23 and adjacent domain, and can reduce a series of required times of performance maintenance operation.Therefore, in advance from black discharge nozzle 23 discharging China inks, with clearer 24 wipings China ink discharging surface 22, the China ink that suction is present in the black discharge nozzle 23 can carry out independently of one another, can add preheating in addition.Therefore, can adopt the suitable order of safeguarding of equality circuit user mode, black characteristic and environmental condition.

The situation of discharging in advance after the operation of discharging China ink is described now.

When the EO of discharging China ink, contact with China ink discharging surface 22 by the outer surface that makes clearer 24, suction is also removed China ink in the black discharge nozzle 23, and discharges surperficially 22 the time when clearer 24 moves past China ink, and ink droplet is discharged into the pressing plate 1 in advance from black discharge nozzle 23.

Especially, when record-paper 51 is discharged the EO of China ink, by the rotation driving of motion motor 44, make the skull 21 of temporary close open again and close again, to shown in the 15D, make clearer 24 motions as Figure 15 A, the outer surface of clearer 24 contacts with China ink discharging surface 22 simultaneously.The China ink in the black discharge nozzle 23 is aspirated and removed to the strain of the clearer 24 that occurs when utilizing clearer 24 motions.After clearer 24 moved past China ink discharging surface 22, China ink was discharged into pressing plate 1 in advance from black discharge nozzle 23.Therefore, can prevent that the China ink discharging surface 22 of printhead 20 is impaired, can improve the cleaning effect of black discharge nozzle 23 and adjacent domain, and can reduce a series of required times of performance maintenance operation.

As mentioned above, because useless China ink pipe 60 is installed in the bottom 1b of pressing plate 1, as shown in figure 12, the China ink that therefore is discharged into pressing plate 1 in advance flows out from pressing plate 1.Therefore, if discharge a large amount of China inks, prevent that then China ink from overflowing from pressing plate 1, thereby avoid rib to be stain by China ink.

In above-mentioned description, when the EO of discharging China ink, the skull 21 of temporary close is opened again and is closed again, by making clearer 24 motions, clearer 24 is contacted with China ink discharging surface 22, aspirate and remove the China ink in the black discharge nozzle 23, and after clearer 24 moved past China ink discharging surface 22, China ink was discharged into pressing plate 1 in advance from black discharge nozzle 23.But, the invention is not restricted to this structure.Can use such structure, wherein only discharge ink droplet in advance when returning state and clean black discharge nozzle 23 to pressing plate 1 by being at skull 21, shown in Figure 15 D, and do not consider whether carry out the opening and closing of skull 21, promptly when the discharging China ink arrives the EO of record-paper 51, carry out the cleaning on China ink discharging surface 22 without clearer 24.

Therefore, can prevent that China ink discharging surface 22 is impaired, can improve the cleaning effect of black discharge nozzle 23 and adjacent domain, and can reduce a series of required times of performance maintenance operation.Therefore, discharge China ink in advance from black discharge nozzle 23, wipe examination China ink discharging surface 22 with clearer 24, the China ink that suction is present in the black discharge nozzle 23 can carry out independently of one another, and can add preheating.Therefore, can adopt the suitable order of safeguarding of equality circuit user mode, black characteristic and environmental condition.

In above-mentioned description, when skull 21 when the arrow A indicated direction is moved, at clearer 24 with when black clean surface 22 contacts, clearer 24 cleaning China ink discharging surfaces 22, China ink discharges in advance after cleaning China ink discharging surface 22, when the arrow B indicated direction was returned, clearer 24 did not contact with China ink discharging surface 22 at skull 21.But, the invention is not restricted to this structure.Can use a kind of like this structure, wherein when the EO of discharging China ink, China ink is discharged into pressing plate 1 in advance from black discharge nozzle 23 before skull 21 is closed, and makes clearer 24 motions, and the outer surface of clearer 24 is contacted with China ink discharging surface 22.

In this case, although do not illustrate among the figure, but, when the EO of discharging China ink, (this strain is to make clearer 24 motions in the strain of utilizing clearer 24 along with closing of skull 21, the generation when outer surface that makes clearer 24 simultaneously contact with China ink discharging surface 22) suction and removing before the China ink in the black discharge nozzle 23, therefore China ink is discharged into pressing plate 1. in advance from black discharge nozzle 23, the China ink discharging surface 22 that can prevent printhead 20 is impaired, the cleaning effect of black discharge nozzle 23 and adjacent domain can be improved, and a series of required times of performance maintenance operation can be reduced.

Be described below situation: after the operation of discharging China ink begins,, discharge in advance whenever the number of pages that prints reaches predetermined number.

After the black operation to record-paper 51 of discharging begins, whenever the number of pages of the record-paper 51 that prints reaches predetermined number, the operation of discharging China ink temporarily stops, then by skull 21 is moved under the control of driving control device, and clearer 24 when contacting, surface 22 is moved with black the discharging at the outer surface of clearer 24, aspirate the China ink in the black discharge nozzle 23, after clearer 24 moved past China ink discharging surface 22, ink droplet was discharged into pressing plate 1 in advance from black discharge nozzle 23.Therefore,, can prevent that therefore China ink discharging surface 22 is impaired, can improve the cleaning effect of black discharge nozzle 23 and adjacent domain, and can reduce a series of required times of performance maintenance operation because ink droplet is discharged into pressing plate 1 in advance from black discharge nozzle 23.

At this moment, as Figure 15 A to shown in the 15C, hold skull 21 opening and closing by this way of clearer 24: along with skull 21 is opened, make relative motion between clearer 24 and the China ink discharging surface 22, the outer surface of clearer 24 contacts with China ink discharging surface 22 simultaneously, when the operation of discharging China ink temporarily stops, skull 21 temporary closes, skull 21 is opened again then, perhaps in such a way: along with skull 21 is closed, make relative motion between clearer 24 and the China ink discharging surface 22, the outer surface of clearer 24 contacts with China ink discharging surface 22 simultaneously, when the operation of discharging China ink temporarily stops, skull 21 temporary closes, skull 21 is opened again then.Therefore, the China ink in the black discharge nozzle 23 can be aspirated and remove to the strain of the clearer 24 that produces when utilizing skull 21 motions.After the EO of discharging China ink, skull 21 is closed.Thereby prevent black the discharge nozzle 23 dry and obstructions of printhead 20.

Especially, when finishing the printing of predetermined number of pages, lid is closed triggering signal and is input to printer main body 12.Shown in Figure 15 E, band conveyer 54 moves downward along arrow H indicated direction, motion motor 44 shown in Figure 5 is in opposite direction rotation, skull 21 leaves the retracted position of skull in arrow J ' indicated direction along the route identical with the route that is used to arrive retracted position, and skull 21 turns back to initial position thus.

In other words, shown in Figure 15 F, skull 21 is done relative motion along the arrow B indicated direction with respect to printhead 20.Skull 21 and clearer 24 all move with respect to printhead 20 and move on to the closed position along the arrow B indicated direction, and operation turns back to original state, shown in Figure 15 A.In return route, clearer 24 not wipings China ink discharge nozzle 23, and discharging in advance is not black, and purpose is the life-span that increases clearer 24, to reduce the number of times of the clearer 24 that more renews.

After the printing of finishing all record-papers 51 by this way, as shown in Figure 9, transmit at the position of record-paper 51 along arrow M indicated direction from printhead 20 belows, and output to the paper output receiving element 14a that is arranged on record-paper pallet 14 tops from pallet insertion groove 15 (also as output magazine).Then, as shown in Figure 8, the front end 55 of band conveyer 54 moves downward along arrow H indicated direction, and skull 21 is closed the lower surface of printhead 20, and operation turns back to prints inactive state, ink-jet printer 11 shut-down operations.This pending state lasts till that ink-jet printer 11 response input control signals begin to print.

As mentioned above, because useless China ink pipe 60 is installed in the bottom 1b of pressing plate 1, as shown in figure 12, the China ink that therefore is discharged into pressing plate 1 in advance flows out pressing plate 1.Therefore, if discharge a large amount of China inks, prevent that then China ink from overflowing from pressing plate 1, thereby avoid rib to be stain by China ink.

In above-mentioned description, after the black operation to record-paper 51 of discharging begins, whenever the number of print pages of record-paper 51 reaches predetermined number, the operation of discharging China ink temporarily stops, control by driving control device makes skull 21 motions then, and clearer 24 is moved, the outer surface of clearer 24 is contacted with China ink discharging surface 23, aspirate the China ink in the black discharge nozzle 23, and after clearer 24 moves past China ink discharging surface 22, ink droplet is discharged into pressing plate 1. still in advance from black discharge nozzle 23, the invention is not restricted to this structure. can use a kind of like this structure, wherein after the operation of discharging China ink begins, whenever the number of print pages of record-paper 51 reaches predetermined number, the operation of discharging China ink temporarily stops, and is in when returning state at skull 21, and ink droplet is discharged into pressing plate 1. in advance from black discharge nozzle 23

Therefore, can prevent that China ink discharging surface 22 is impaired, can improve the cleaning effect of black discharge nozzle 23 and adjacent domain, and can reduce a series of required times of performance maintenance operation.Therefore, discharge China ink in advance from black discharge nozzle 23, with clearer 24 wipings China ink discharging surface 22, the China ink that aspirates in the black discharge nozzle 23 can carry out independently of one another, and can add preheating.Therefore, can adopt the suitable order of safeguarding of equality circuit user mode, black characteristic and environmental condition.

In above-mentioned description,, after beginning, the operation of record-paper 51, just temporarily stops to discharge black operation at discharging China ink whenever the number of print pages of record-paper 51 reaches predetermined number, and skull 21 temporary closes are then then opened again along the arrow A indicated direction.When skull 21 is opened again, when clearer 24 and China ink discharging surface 22 contacts, clearer 24 cleaning China ink discharging surfaces 22 were discharged black after cleaning China ink discharging surface 22 in advance, when skull 21 when the arrow B indicated direction is returned, clearer 24 does not contact China ink discharging surface 22.But, the invention is not restricted to this structure.Can use a kind of like this structure, wherein the number of print pages whenever record-paper 51 reaches predetermined number, just temporarily stop to discharge the operation of China ink, temporary close skull 21, by making clearer 24 motion, the outer surface that makes clearer 24 is simultaneously opened skull 21 again with after China ink discharging surperficial 22 contacts the China ink that aspirates in the black discharge nozzle 23, and according to clearer 24 by order corresponding to versicolor multirow China ink discharge nozzle 23, ink droplet is discharged into pressing plate 1 in advance from black discharge nozzle 23.

In this case, although do not illustrate among the figure, but, when the EO of discharging China ink, (this strain is to make clearer 24 motions in the strain of utilizing clearer 24 along with closing of skull 21, the outer surface that makes clearer 24 simultaneously produces when contact with China ink discharging surface 22) suction and removing before the China ink in the black discharge nozzle 23, blackly be discharged into pressing plate 1 in advance from black discharge nozzle 23.Therefore, can prevent that the China ink discharging surface 22 of printhead 20 is impaired, can improve the cleaning effect of black discharge nozzle 23 and adjacent domain, and can reduce a series of required times of performance maintenance operation.

In addition, can use a kind of like this structure, wherein the number of print pages whenever record-paper 51 reaches predetermined number, just temporarily stop to discharge the operation of China ink, temporary close skull 21, again open skull 21 then, when skull 21 is opened again, by clearer 24 is moved when surface 22 contacts with black the discharging at the outer surface of clearer 24, aspirate the China ink in the black discharge nozzle 23, by after, be discharged into pressing plate 1 in the mode of (simultaneous) simultaneously in advance from corresponding black discharge nozzle 23 at clearer 24 corresponding to the ink droplet of multiple color corresponding to versicolor black discharge nozzle 23.

Relating to Figure 15 A in the foregoing description of operating shown in the 15F, after the black operation to record-paper 51 of discharging begins, whenever the number of print pages of record-paper 51 reaches predetermined number, just temporarily stop to discharge the operation of China ink, and combination by being present in the China ink in the black discharge nozzle 23 and ink droplet being discharged in advance pressing plate 1 from black discharge nozzle 23 with clearer 24 suctions, clean black discharge nozzle 23, thereby finish a series of performance maintenance operations.But, the invention is not restricted to this structure.Can use a kind of like this structure, wherein after the operation of discharging China ink begins,, just temporarily stop to discharge the operation of China ink, and carry out above-mentioned a series of performance maintenance operations whenever through predetermined a period of time.In this case,, can prevent that China ink discharging surface 22 is impaired, can improve the cleaning effect of black discharge nozzle 23 and adjacent domain, and can reduce a series of required times of performance maintenance operation as above-mentioned situation.

In above-mentioned description, the ink-jet printer of having described the line printing head that comprises that the present invention is used for is as example. still, the invention is not restricted to this. the present invention can be applied to any device, as long as it is arranged in the liquid of the liquid chamber of liquid discharge head with the form of drop from the fluid discharge nozzle discharge. for example, the present invention can be applied to imaging device, for example adopt the duplicator or the facsimile machine of ink jet recording method. in addition, the present invention can be applied to piezoelectric inkjet printer. and in addition, the present invention can be applied to comprise the ink-jet printer of printhead of connecting.

In addition, the liquid that gives off from fluid discharge nozzle 23 is not limited to China ink.Therefore, the present invention can be applied to other liquid discharge device, as long as it forms delegation's point or point by the liquid in the discharge liquid chamber.For example, the present invention can be applied to such liquid discharge device, and its solution that is used for containing DNA is discharged into DNA analysis plate or other breadboard.

Claims

1. liquid discharge device, be used for drop from the fluid discharge nozzle discharge to the discharging object that is discharged, this liquid discharge device comprises the liquid discharge head with fluid discharge surface, this fluid discharge surface is provided with the multirow fluid discharge nozzle that is used for multiple color, every capable fluid discharge nozzle is corresponding to a kind of color, and this liquid discharge device comprises:

Cleaning member, it is made by elastomeric material and has a cylindrical shape;

Cover is used to the fluid discharge surface that holds cleaning member and protect liquid discharge head, and comprises the waste liquid receiving element that is arranged in this cover;

Lid opening and closing device, be used for the opening and closing cover, and along with cover is opened, make between cleaning member and the fluid discharge surface on direction and do relative motion, the outer surface of cleaning member is contacted with the fluid discharge surface of liquid discharge head perpendicular to the described multirow fluid discharge nozzle that is used for multiple color;

Driving control device is used to control the driving of covering the opening and closing device;

Emission control system is used to control the emissions operation from the fluid discharge nozzle discharge drop on fluid discharge surface; With

Pressing plate is used for supporting the discharging object, and determine the position relation between discharging object and the liquid discharge head, and receive the drop that gives off from liquid discharge head,

Wherein, with fluid discharge to the operation of discharging object when beginning, cover the opening and closing device by under the control of driving control device, driving, open cover, by the outer surface of cleaning member with move when the fluid discharge surface contacts, aspirate the liquid in the multirow fluid discharge nozzle that is present in multiple color, control by above-mentioned emission control system, above-mentioned cleaning member is by after the fluid discharge surface, when sensor detects the waste liquid receiving element and has arrived point under the fluid discharge nozzle, drop is discharged into waste liquid receiving element in the cover in advance from the fluid discharge nozzle, and open at above-mentioned cover and under the state kept out of the way, drop is discharged into pressing plate in advance from the fluid discharge nozzle.

2. liquid discharge device, be used for drop from the fluid discharge nozzle discharge to the discharging object that is discharged, this liquid discharge device comprises the liquid discharge head with fluid discharge surface, the fluid discharge surface is provided with the multirow fluid discharge nozzle that is used for multiple color, every capable fluid discharge nozzle is corresponding to a kind of color, and this liquid discharge device comprises:

Wherein, with fluid discharge to the operation of discharging object when beginning, cover the opening and closing device by driving under the control of driving control device and open cover, meanwhile, by the outer surface of cleaning member with move when the fluid discharge surface contacts, aspirate the liquid that is present in the fluid discharge nozzle, control by above-mentioned emission control system, above-mentioned cleaning member is by after the fluid discharge surface, when sensor detects the waste liquid receiving element and has arrived point under the fluid discharge nozzle, drop is discharged into waste liquid receiving element in the cover in advance from the multirow fluid discharge nozzle of multiple color, and, open and under the state kept out of the way, when the operation of discharge liquid begins at above-mentioned cover, drop is discharged into pressing plate in advance from the fluid discharge nozzle

With fluid discharge to the discharging object EO the time, under the control of driving control device, drive and cover the opening and closing device, make the cover temporary close, again open then and close again, action along with this cover unlatching, by the outer surface of cleaning member with move when the fluid discharge surface contacts, aspirate the liquid that is present in the fluid discharge nozzle, and, by after the fluid discharge surface, under the control of emission control system, drop is discharged into pressing plate in advance from the fluid discharge nozzle at cleaning member.

3. liquid discharge device, be used for drop from the fluid discharge nozzle discharge to the discharging object that is discharged, this liquid discharge device comprises the liquid discharge head with fluid discharge surface, this fluid discharge surface is provided with the multirow fluid discharge nozzle that is used for multiple color, every capable fluid discharge nozzle is corresponding to a kind of color, and this liquid discharge device comprises:

Lid opening and closing device, be used for the opening and closing cover, and along with the cover opening and closing, make between cleaning member and the fluid discharge surface on direction and do relative motion, the outer surface of cleaning member is contacted with the fluid discharge surface of liquid discharge head perpendicular to the described multirow fluid discharge nozzle that is used for multiple color;

With fluid discharge to the discharging object EO the time, open and be under the state of retreating position at above-mentioned cover, drop is discharged into pressing plate in advance from the fluid discharge nozzle, drive under by the control of driving control device and cover the opening and closing device cover is closed, and move when the outer surface of cleaning member is contacted with fluid discharge is surperficial.

4. liquid discharge device, be used for drop from the fluid discharge nozzle discharge to the discharging object that is discharged, this liquid discharge device comprises the liquid discharge head with fluid discharge surface, this fluid discharge surface is provided with the multirow fluid discharge nozzle that is used for multiple color, every capable fluid discharge nozzle is corresponding to a kind of color, and this liquid discharge device comprises:

Wherein, with fluid discharge to the operation of discharging object when beginning, by actuation movement device under the control of driving control device, open cover, by the outer surface of cleaning member with move when the fluid discharge surface contacts, after aspirating the liquid that is present in the fluid discharge nozzle, control by above-mentioned emission control system, above-mentioned cleaning member is by after the fluid discharge surface, when sensor detects the waste liquid receiving element and has arrived point under the fluid discharge nozzle, drop is discharged into waste liquid receiving element in the cover in advance from the fluid discharge nozzle, and, open and under the state kept out of the way at above-mentioned cover, when the operation of discharge liquid begins, drop is discharged into pressing plate in advance from the fluid discharge nozzle, and with fluid discharge to the discharging object operation begin after, whenever the number of print pages that discharges object reaches predetermined number, just temporarily stop the operation of discharge liquid, drive under the control of driving control device cover the opening and closing device and make the cover temporary close after, cover is opened again, along with cover is opened again, move when contacting with the fluid discharge surface by the outer surface that makes cleaning member, aspirate the liquid in the multirow fluid discharge nozzle that is present in multiple color, and, by after the fluid discharge surface, under the control of emission control system, drop is discharged into pressing plate in advance from the multirow fluid discharge nozzle of each color at cleaning member.

5. liquid discharge device, be used for drop from the fluid discharge nozzle discharge to the discharging object that is discharged, this liquid discharge device comprises the liquid discharge head with fluid discharge surface, this fluid discharge surface is provided with the multirow fluid discharge nozzle that is used for multiple color, every capable fluid discharge nozzle is corresponding to a kind of color, and this liquid discharge device comprises:

Wherein, with fluid discharge to the operation of discharging object when beginning, by actuation movement device under the control of driving control device, open cover, by the outer surface of cleaning member with move when the fluid discharge surface contacts, after aspirating the liquid that is present in the fluid discharge nozzle, control by above-mentioned emission control system, above-mentioned cleaning member is by after the fluid discharge surface, when sensor detects the waste liquid receiving element and has arrived point under the fluid discharge nozzle, drop is discharged into waste liquid receiving element in the cover in advance from the fluid discharge nozzle, and, open and under the state kept out of the way at above-mentioned cover, when the operation of discharge liquid begins, drop is discharged into pressing plate in advance from the fluid discharge nozzle, and with fluid discharge to the discharging object operation begin after, whenever the number of print pages that discharges object reaches predetermined number, just temporarily stop the operation of discharge liquid, drive under the control of driving control device cover the opening and closing device and make the cover temporary close after, cover is opened again, along with cover is closed, the outer surface by making cleaning member with move when the fluid discharge surface contacts aspirate liquid in the multirow fluid discharge nozzle that is present in multiple color after, and, after cleaning member each row fluid discharge nozzle by the fluid discharge surface, under the control of emission control system, open cover again, and by order drop be discharged into pressing plate in advance from versicolor multirow fluid discharge nozzle corresponding to versicolor multirow fluid discharge nozzle according to cleaning member.

6. liquid discharge device, be used for drop from the fluid discharge nozzle discharge to the discharging object that is discharged, this liquid discharge device comprises the liquid discharge head with fluid discharge surface, this fluid discharge surface is provided with the multirow fluid discharge nozzle that is used for multiple color, every capable fluid discharge nozzle is corresponding to a kind of color, and this liquid discharge device comprises:

Wherein, with fluid discharge to the operation of discharging object when beginning, by actuation movement device under the control of driving control device, open cover, by the outer surface of cleaning member with move when the fluid discharge surface contacts, after aspirating the liquid that is present in the fluid discharge nozzle, control by above-mentioned emission control system, above-mentioned cleaning member is by after the fluid discharge surface, when sensor detects the waste liquid receiving element and has arrived point under the fluid discharge nozzle, drop is discharged into waste liquid receiving element in the cover in advance from the fluid discharge nozzle, and, open and under the state kept out of the way at above-mentioned cover, when the operation of discharge liquid begins, drop is discharged into pressing plate in advance from the fluid discharge nozzle, and with fluid discharge to the discharging object operation begin after, whenever a period of time through being scheduled to, just temporarily stop the operation of discharge liquid, drive under the control of driving control device cover the opening and closing device and make the cover temporary close after, cover is opened again, along with cover is opened again, move when contacting with the fluid discharge surface by the outer surface that makes cleaning member, aspirate the liquid in the multirow fluid discharge nozzle that is present in multiple color, and, by after the fluid discharge surface, under the control of emission control system, drop is discharged into pressing plate in advance from versicolor multirow fluid discharge nozzle at cleaning member.

7. liquid discharge device, be used for drop from the fluid discharge nozzle discharge to the discharging object that is discharged, this liquid discharge device comprises the liquid discharge head with fluid discharge surface, this fluid discharge surface is provided with the multirow fluid discharge nozzle that is used for multiple color, every capable fluid discharge nozzle is corresponding to a kind of color, and this liquid discharge device comprises:

Wherein, with fluid discharge to the operation of discharging object when beginning, by actuation movement device under the control of driving control device, open cover, by the outer surface of cleaning member with move when the fluid discharge surface contacts, after aspirating the liquid that is present in the fluid discharge nozzle, control by above-mentioned emission control system, above-mentioned cleaning member is by after the fluid discharge surface, when sensor detects the waste liquid receiving element and has arrived point under the fluid discharge nozzle, drop is discharged into waste liquid receiving element in the cover in advance from the fluid discharge nozzle, and, open and under the state kept out of the way at above-mentioned cover, when the operation of discharge liquid begins, drop is discharged into pressing plate in advance from the fluid discharge nozzle, and with fluid discharge to the discharging object operation begin after, whenever a period of time through being scheduled to, just temporarily stop the operation of discharge liquid, under the control of driving control device, drive and cover the opening and closing device, again open cover after making the cover temporary close, and when closing, outer surface by making cleaning member moves when contacting with the fluid discharge surface and aspirates liquid in the multirow fluid discharge nozzle that is present in multiple color, and, after cleaning member passes through the fluid discharge surface, under the control of emission control system, open cover again, and by order drop is discharged into pressing plate in advance from versicolor multirow fluid discharge nozzle corresponding to versicolor multirow fluid discharge nozzle according to cleaning member.

8. according to each described liquid discharge device in the claim 1,2 and 4 to 7, wherein, be discharged in advance the operation of pressing plate from the fluid discharge nozzle at above-mentioned all drops, by order, under the control of emission control system, drop is discharged into pressing plate in advance from the fluid discharge nozzle according to cleaning member corresponding to the multirow fluid discharge nozzle of multiple color.

9. according to each described liquid discharge device in the claim 1,2 and 4 to 7, wherein, be discharged in advance the operation of pressing plate from the fluid discharge nozzle at above-mentioned all drops,, will from the fluid discharge nozzle, give off in advance corresponding to the drop of multiple color in mode simultaneously under the control of emission control system by after the multirow fluid discharge nozzle corresponding to multiple color at cleaning member.