JP2000272104A - Heating fixing device and recording device including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] (Modifications) [PROBLEMS] To efficiently perform heat fixing and suppress heat transfer from the periphery of a heating unit to a recording unit. SOLUTION: A recording unit 70B for accommodating a recording unit 70B that performs a recording operation by discharging a liquid used for recording onto a recording surface of a recording medium is provided along the recording medium transport direction in the recording unit container. A heating unit 84 that is disposed at an adjacent downstream side and heats and fixes the liquid adhering to the recording surface on the recording medium; and a heating unit 84 and a recording unit 78B that are disposed between the heating unit 84 and the recording unit 70B. Insulation part 7 to cut off heat transfer to
8 and the heat insulating unit 78 includes a heating unit 84 and a recording unit 78B.
Has an air layer 80 extending with a predetermined thickness.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a heating type fixing device capable of heating and fixing a liquid used for recording adhered to a recording surface of a recording medium, and a recording device including the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet recording apparatus which performs a recording operation by ejecting and attaching ink to a recording surface of a recording medium is widely used. In general, an ink jet recording apparatus includes a recording head having an ink discharge port forming surface for discharging ink to a recording surface of a recording medium. The recording head, for example, applies an ink droplet formed by the pressure of the electromechanical transducer or the heating energy of the electrothermal transducer controlled based on a drive control signal supplied in accordance with image data, to the ink ejection port forming surface. Is discharged to the recording surface of the recording medium. In the recording head, the ink ejection ports formed on the ink ejection port forming surface in order to increase the recording speed are, for example, those having a relatively high density in which the ink ejection ports are arranged and formed at 400 dpi to 600 dpi, or A so-called multi-nozzle nozzle having an ink ejection port formed over the entire recording area of the recording medium, for example, over the entire width of the recording medium, is used.

In such a long recording head, a large amount of ink is ejected in a relatively short period of time, so that the ink ejection amount is increased as compared with a conventional recording head.

At this time, as the number of ink ejection ports increases and the recording speed increases, ink adhering to the recording surface of the recording medium may lead to bleeding of the ink due to color mixing. Must be fixed on the recording surface.

As an effective method for fixing the ink on the recording surface of the recording medium, there has been proposed a heat-type thermal fixing in which the ink attached to the recording surface of the recording medium is dried by heating. In the heat fixing by heating, it is more effective to heat and dry the ink immediately after the ink adheres to the recording surface of the recording medium. The heating time per unit length of the recording medium tends to decrease as the recording speed increases and the number of ink ejection ports increases, so that heating at a higher temperature is required.

[0006]

However, in the heating type heat fixing, when the ink is heated and dried immediately after the ink adheres to the recording surface of the recording medium, the distance between the recording head and the heating means is relatively short. Therefore, heat from around the heating means may be transmitted to the recording head. When the heat from the surroundings of the heating means is transmitted to the recording head in this manner, the ink near the ink ejection port is easily dried, and also causes an ejection failure due to a change in physical properties of the ink due to the heat. Therefore, there is a possibility that the image quality of the recorded image to be formed on the recording medium is degraded. Furthermore, if the temperature of the recording head rises due to the heat, there is a possibility that the built-in electronic components may be damaged.

In view of the above problems, the present invention relates to a heating type fixing device capable of heating and fixing a liquid used for recording adhered to a recording surface of a recording medium, and a recording device including the same. It is an object of the present invention to provide a heating type fixing device capable of efficiently performing heat fixing and suppressing heat transfer from the surroundings of a heating unit to a recording portion, and a recording device including the same. .

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a heating type fixing apparatus according to the present invention performs a recording operation by discharging a liquid used for recording onto a recording surface of a recording medium. A heating unit that is disposed at a position on the downstream side adjacent to the recording unit along the transport direction of the recording medium in the recording unit housing in which the unit is accommodated, and heats and fixes the liquid attached to the recording surface on the recording medium; A heat insulating portion that is disposed between the heating portion and the recording portion and interrupts transfer of heat from the heating portion to the recording portion, wherein the heat insulating portion is air that spreads with a predetermined thickness between the heating portion and the recording portion. It is characterized by having a layer.

Further, a recording apparatus provided with a heating type fixing device according to the present invention includes a recording section which performs a recording operation by discharging a liquid used for recording on a recording surface of a recording medium, and performs recording on the recording section. The heating unit includes a conveyance unit that relatively conveys the medium, the above-described heating type fixing device, and a control unit that performs an operation of heating and fixing the heating type fixing device in accordance with the recording operation of the recording unit.

[0010]

FIG. 2 schematically shows the entire structure of a copying machine to which an example of a heating type fixing device according to the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 2, the copying machine has a platen 16
By reading an image of a surface to be copied on a document Bo placed on the scanner Bo, a scanner unit 2 that sequentially forms image data for the document Bo, and a scanning medium as a recording medium based on image data from the scanner unit 2 A recording unit 26 that performs a recording operation by ejecting and attaching ink to the recording surface of the paper Pa, and disposed below the recording unit 26;
A transport unit 34 that transports the paper Pa to a later-described paper discharge transport path 36 at a predetermined timing according to the recording operation of the recording unit 26.
And the printed paper Pa ′ transported by the transport unit 34
Paper transport path 36 for discharging the paper Pa onto the paper output tray section 38, a paper feed transport section 32 for transporting the paper Pa from the paper feed section 30 one by one to the recording section 26, and a recording head of the recording section 26. And a recovery processing device 24 for selectively performing recovery processing.

The scanner unit 2 supports a document scanning unit 4 for reading an image of the document Bo to be copied, and the document scanning unit 4 movably in a direction indicated by an arrow S in FIG. 2 and in a direction opposite thereto. The guide rail 12 and the document scanning unit 4 supported by the guide rail 12 are moved at a predetermined speed between a position shown by a solid line and a position shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. And a drive unit for reciprocating.

The original scanning unit 4 includes a rod array lens 6 and a line sensor 10 of the same-size color separation as a color image sensor which is a sensor for reading color information.
And an exposure unit 8 as main components.

When the original scanning unit 4 is moved and scanned in the direction of the arrow S to read the image of the original Bo on the original table 16 made of a transparent material by the driving unit, the exposure lamp in the exposure unit 8 is turned on. The light is turned on, and the reflected light from the document Bo is guided by the rod array lens 6 and collected on the line sensor 10. The line sensor 10 reads color image information represented by the reflected light for each color, converts the color image information into an electric digital signal, and supplies the digital signal to a control unit 100 in the inkjet printer unit 18 described later as image data. Therefore, the recording unit 2 described later
The recording heads 6 for each color eject liquids used for recording, for example, inks of different colors, in response to a drive control pulse signal based on these image data.

When a drive motor (not shown) is activated, sheets Pa of a predetermined standard size stacked and accommodated in the sheet feeding section 30 are taken out one by one by a pickup roller unit 30RA. It is supplied to the paper feed transport unit 32.

In the ink jet recording system, small droplets of ink are ejected and are attached to the surface of a recording paper such as paper to perform recording. Therefore, paper Pa is printed by bleeding ink more than necessary on the paper surface. It is necessary that it does not blur. Further, it is preferable that the paper Pa has characteristics such that the ink adhered to the paper Pa is quickly absorbed into the inside of the paper Pa. The paper Pa has no phenomenon of ink bleeding and bleeding even when inks of different colors particularly adhere to the same place on the paper Pa in a short time, and furthermore, the spread of the printing dots,
Those having such characteristics that the sharpness of the image quality is not impaired are preferable.

In some cases, these characteristics are not fully satisfied with copy paper called plain paper used in an electrophotographic copying machine or the like or used as other general recording paper. In these papers, in the case of printing only one color or superimposing two colors, it is often the case that a satisfactory image quality is obtained to some extent. However, for example, a full-color image by superimposing three or more colors of ink is used. When the amount of ink adhering to the paper increases as in the case of printing and recording, recording of a sufficiently satisfactory image quality may not be obtained.

As the paper satisfying the above-mentioned characteristics, a paper obtained by applying a coating (for example, finely divided silica) on a base paper to obtain the above-mentioned characteristics may be used.

The sheet feeding and conveying section 32 includes a conveying path 32GA for guiding the sheet Pa in a curved state, a conveying roller unit 32RA disposed upstream of the conveying path 32GA for guiding the sheet Pa into the conveying path 32GA, and a conveying path 32GA. And a registration roller unit 32RB that sends out the paper Pa from within the transport path 32GA to the transport path 32GB.

The registration roller unit 32RB and the transport roller unit 32RA are configured so as to be linked with the same driving motor. The drive motor is controlled based on a control signal from a control unit 100 described later.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the transport section 34 is wound around the transport belt 40 on which the paper Pa sent out through the transport path 32GB is placed by the registration roller unit 32RB. The driven roller unit 42, the driving roller unit 44, the tensioner rollers 46 and 48, the charger 64 for magnetizing the transport belt 40, the cleaner 60 for cleaning the transport belt 40, and the rotating shaft 44a of the drive roller unit 44. And a driving motor (not shown in FIG. 4) as a main component.

In the present embodiment, the transport belt 40 is
It is desirable to have a two-layer structure and make the surface layer on the paper Pa placement side facing the recording unit 26 an insulating layer [volume resistance of 10 ¹² Ω · cm (at 25 degrees Celsius)] or more. The back surface layer on the opposite side is desirably a conductive layer [volume resistance of 10 ⁸ Ω · cm (at 25 degrees Celsius)] or less. ].

The transport belt 40 is, for example, 2 to 5 kg.
Are attached to the driven roller unit 42, the driving roller unit 44, and the tensioner rollers 46 and 48 with the tension of. The transport belt 40 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4 when the above-described drive motor is activated.

The driven roller unit 42 and the drive roller unit 44 are supported by rotating shafts 42a and 44a, respectively, which are rotatably disposed on the housing of the ink jet printer unit 18 at predetermined intervals in parallel with each other. , And the tensioner rollers 46 and 48 are driven roller unit 42 and drive roller unit 44, respectively.
, And are supported by rotating shafts 46a and 48a which are rotatably arranged below and parallel to each other at a predetermined distance.

A charger 64 for generating electric charges on the insulating layer of the transport belt 40 by an electrostatic induction action is provided in the housing below the transport path 32GB. The charger 64 applies a potential of several hundred to several thousand volts to the insulating layer of the transport belt 40. On the upstream side of the transport belt 40, a grounded conductive roller 50 is rotatably provided in the housing.

Therefore, the leading end of the paper Pa is
0, is placed on the conveyor belt 40 and the conductive roller 5
0, the paper Pa
The paper Pa is maintained by the electrostatic attraction force in a state where the paper Pa and the transport belt 40 are more closely contacted with each other. At this time, if the speed fluctuation of the transport belt 40 is large, there is a possibility that a printing position shift by each head of the printing unit 26, or a color shift or color unevenness in a color image may occur.

Therefore, in order to prevent such a decrease in image quality, the thickness accuracy of the transport belt 40, the deflection accuracy of the outer diameter of the drive roller 44, the rotational accuracy of the drive motor, and the like are set within desired ranges. The speed fluctuation of the belt 40 may be configured to be a sufficiently small value that is substantially no problem.

The paper Pa ′ recorded in the recording section 26
Reaches the drive roller 44 in a state of being in close contact with the transport belt 40. At this time, due to the curvature of the transport belt 40 formed according to the outer shape of the drive opening roller 40, the paper Pa ′
The sheet is separated from the insulating layer of the transfer belt 40 and is discharged from the discharge transfer section 3.
Sent to 6. Thereafter, the insulating layer of the transport belt 40 is cleaned by a cleaner 60 disposed opposite to a portion of the transport belt 40 between the drive roller 44 and the tensioner roller unit 46. That is, the insulating layer of the transport belt 40 is cleaned by the tip of the ink absorber 62 of the cleaner 60 including the ink absorber 62.

The ink absorber 62 is formed of a continuous porous member such as a polyvinyl formal resin. The ink absorbed by the ink absorber 62 flows out of the opening and is collected. Note that, in the present embodiment, the transport belt 40 is formed of a 2
Although an example of a layered structure is shown, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and the transport belt 40 may be, for example, a single layer made of an insulating layer having a desired volume resistance, or the insulating layer and the conductive layer It may have a multilayer structure.

The transport section 34 is provided with a platen 52 at a position facing the recording section 26 with the transport belt 40 interposed therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 4, the platen 52 is provided with pins 54A and 54B for positioning relative to the recording section 26. Further, the platen 52 is connected to upper ends of guide pins 56A and 56B provided on the base Ba, respectively, and coil springs 58 wound around the guide pins 56A and 56B, respectively.
The recording unit 26 is urged by the urging forces A and 58B.

In the recording area, it is necessary to maintain the distance between the recording head of the recording unit 26 and the recording surface of the paper Pa at an accuracy (tolerance) of about 100 microns with respect to a desired set value to achieve high quality image recording. It is desired to obtain. for that reason,
The flatness of the surface of the platen 52 that is in contact with the transport belt 40 is kept within several tens of microns so that the transport belt 40 forms a substantially flat surface in the recording area.

In this state, the platen 52 is guided by the guide pins 56A and 56B, and the coil spring 5
When the recording unit 26 is pushed up by the repulsive force of 8A and 58B in the direction of the recording unit 26, the upper portions of the pins 54A and 54B and the recording unit 26 abut, and a gap CL for passing the paper Pa is formed. In such a configuration, when the paper Pa is transported, the paper Pa is in close contact with the surface of the transport belt 40 due to the electrostatic attraction force.
Is maintained within a desired range with respect to the set value.

As shown in FIG. 2, the paper discharge transport unit 36 is provided with a paper discharge roller unit 66 for discharging the printed paper Pa 'to the paper discharge tray unit 38. The discharge roller unit 66 is formed by a belt group (not shown).
It is linked with the drive roller unit 44.

As shown in FIG. 2, the recording section 26 is fixed to a support shaft 74 provided on the support member 20 supported by the support shafts 22 and 28 provided on the housing. The support shaft 74 is rotatably supported by the support member 20 within a predetermined angle range. One end of the support shaft 74 is connected to the drive roller unit 4
4 is fitted in a through-hole provided in a lower end portion facing the same. The other end of the support shaft 74 is connected to an output shaft of a driving motor 114 for rotating the support shaft 74 in the forward or reverse direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the recording section 26 includes a recording head 70C, 70M, 70Y, and 70B, and a head block 72 in which a heating type fixing device 76 described later is incorporated. I have. Head block 7
Reference numeral 2 is supported inside the recording unit 26 via protrusions 72A provided at both ends of the paper Pa along the conveyance path.

The recording heads 70C, 70M, 70Y, and 70B are sequentially arranged at predetermined intervals from the upstream side to the downstream side of the paper Pa transport path. At this time, the recording heads 70C and 70B are positioned and fixed to the head block 72 so that the flatness formed by all the ejection opening surfaces of the heads is within several tens of microns.

Each of the recording heads 70C, 70M, 70Y, and 70B is, for example, of a bubble jet type and discharges cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks. That is, each recording head 70
Each of C to 70B has a heater as an electrothermal converter in a liquid flow path communicating with the discharge port, and discharges ink droplets formed by heating the ink by the heater. Each of the recording heads 70 </ b> C and 70 </ b> B has a plurality of ejection ports arranged along a direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper Pa. The plurality of discharge ports are formed over the entire width in a direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction on the recording surface of the paper Pa.

Each of the recording heads 70C, 70M, 70
The recording operations of Y and 70B are controlled based on a drive control pulse signal from a recording operation control unit 104 described later. Each recording head 70C, 70M, 70Y, and
The recording operation of the recording head 70B is performed on the same sheet Pa, for example.
0C is recorded, secondly, the recording surface is recorded on the recording surface recorded by the recording head 70C, or is recorded at a new position. Thirdly, the recording head 70Y records further similarly, and finally, the recording head 70B is recorded. , Shall be recorded. In addition,
The recording heads 70C and 70B are not limited to those that eject ink, and for example, at least one recording head that ejects a processing liquid that insolubilizes ink may be used.

In such an ink jet recording system, the ink adhered to the recording material penetrates into the recording member, so that the ink is fixed to the recording member. Alternatively, the attached ink is fixed on the recording material through an ink solvent evaporation process.

However, the time from when the ink adheres to when the ink is fixed, that is, the fixing speed, depends on the configuration of the recording material.
Not only depends greatly on physical properties, but also greatly affected by the state of the external atmosphere. Further, the speed of fixing naturally cannot be made shorter than a certain time due to physical characteristics.

As described above, the speed at which the ink adheres to and penetrates the recording material greatly depends on the composition of the ink used.

Usually, the composition of an ink is often distinguished by the degree of permeability of the ink to a recording material. In general, an ink having high permeability is advantageous from the viewpoint of fixability because the ink penetrates into the recording material at a high speed, but on the other hand, because the ink penetrates too much, there is much bleeding on the recording material and the The problem is that the quality deteriorates. Further, since the ink penetrates deeply into the recording material, it tends to lead to a reduction in image density.

On the other hand, when ink having low permeability is used, it takes time to penetrate as described above,
From the viewpoint of fixability, in an apparatus using a full-line type recording head that requires high speed, such as an example of the present invention, in the case of multi-color printing, color mixing between inks for each ink color is required. This causes blurring and rubbing of the image when the recording material is discharged, that is, a problem of scratch resistance. Therefore,
It is important to configure the apparatus in consideration of fixability, image density, bleeding, and abrasion resistance.

In the conventional serial scan recording apparatus, such a fixing property can often be dealt with with a somewhat simple configuration due to the recording speed.

However, in particular, when high-speed recording and color recording are performed as in the embodiment of the present invention, the ink that has been hit on the recording material as described above is fixed on the recording material in a desired state. Therefore, a heating type fixing device 76 as described below for shortening the fixing speed and increasing the efficiency is required.

As shown in FIG. 1, the heating type fixing device 76 is provided on the downstream side of the recording head 70B in the transport path, and is provided at a relatively close position. The heating type fixing device 76 includes a halogen heater 84 as a heating unit, a reflection plate 82 that reflects heat rays from the halogen heater 84, a heating unit shielding member 86 that partitions between the halogen heater 84 and the conveyance path, and a halogen heater 84. And a heat insulating unit 78 as a heat insulating unit that cuts off the transfer of heat from 84 to the recording head 70B.

In this embodiment, the halogen heater 84 is disposed adjacent to the recording head 70B in the vicinity of the most downstream side of the recording section 26 in the transport direction of the paper Pa.
This is because it is necessary to heat and fix by the halogen heater 84 immediately after the image recording is completed. The halogen heater 84 heats the recording surface in a non-contact manner. As a result, the recording surface is dried, the drying of the ink is accelerated, and the fixing speed is greatly improved.

The heating operation of the halogen heater 84 is controlled at a predetermined timing in accordance with the conveyance of the paper Pa and the recording operation of the recording section 26 by a control unit 100 described later. Further, the halogen heater 84 is provided with a thermostat (not shown) for controlling the temperature of the halogen heater 84. The fixing temperature is appropriately controlled by the temperature set by the thermostat in accordance with conditions such as the paper quality of the recording member, the conveyance speed, and the image density.

The heating unit for heating the surface (recording surface) of the paper Pa to which the ink is attached is not limited to the halogen heater 84, but may be a halogen lamp, a sheath heater, a ceramic heater, a thermistor, or the like. There may be.

The heating section shielding member 86 is made of a wire net or the like in consideration of the safety in the event of a paper Pa jam, and is disposed at a position covering the surface of the halogen heater 84 from below.

The reflecting plate 8 having one end connected to the heat insulating device 80
Numeral 2 is made of, for example, a bright alloy aluminum or the like, and has a curved portion that covers the halogen heater 84 from above. The curved portion of the reflecting plate 82 is set such that the heat rays from the halogen heater 84 are reflected by the inner surface of the curved portion of the reflecting plate 82, and the heat rays reach the recording surface most efficiently.

As shown in FIG. 3, the heat insulating device 78
The head block 72 is connected between the recording head 70B and the halogen heater 84 in the vicinity of the recording head 70B. The heat insulating device 78 is made of, for example, a plate-shaped member made of an aluminum alloy or the like having good heat dissipation or a heat-resistant plastic material bonded to a material with good heat dissipation such as an aluminum sheet. Insulation device 78
Has a substantially rectangular tubular cross-sectional shape. That is, in the heat insulating device 78, an air layer 80 that extends in the direction in which the ejection ports of the recording head 70B are arranged is formed therein. Both ends in the vertical direction of the heat insulating device 78 are respectively opened to the outside.

Therefore, the transfer of heat from the halogen heater 84 to the recording head 70B is cut off, and the temperature rise of the recording heads 70C to 70B due to high heat is prevented. Further, the heat generated from the halogen heater 84 is transmitted to the heat insulating device 78 via the reflection plate 82 and is radiated.

As shown in FIG. 5, the recording section 26 is provided with an ink supply circuit section for supplying ink of each ink color to each of the recording heads 70C to 70B. Since each ink supply circuit section has the same structure, FIG. 5 shows only the ink supply circuit section for the recording head 70C, and redundant description of the other ink supply circuit sections is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the ink supply circuit section includes a circulation pipe 80 having one end connected to one port communicating with a common liquid chamber 70cr in the recording head 70C, and a common liquid supply section in the recording head 70C. One end is connected to the other port communicating with the chamber 70cr, the other end is connected to a middle portion of the circulation pipe 80, the supply pipe 82 is connected to the other end of the circulation pipe 80, the main tank 94 is connected, and the air release valve 86a Supply pipe 82
And a supply tank 86 provided at an intermediate portion of the.

Between the supply tank 86 in which ink to be supplied to the recording head 70C is stored and the recording head 70C,
An electromagnetic valve 84 that controls opening and closing of the circulation pipe 80 is provided. In addition, a pump unit 88 is provided between the supply tank 86 and the connection portion of the circulation pipe 80 in the supply pipe 82.

The main tank 94 for replenishing the recording liquid between the connection portion of the circulation pipe 80 with the supply pipe 82 and the recording head 70C, and the connection portion of the circulation pipe 80 with the supply pipe 82 and the supply tank 86. Rectifying valves 90 and 92 are respectively disposed between and.

With such a configuration, ink is supplied from the supply tank 86 to the common liquid chamber 70cr of the recording head 70C through the supply pipe 82, and when a request for ink replenishment is detected, the one-way valve is supplied from the main tank 94. A predetermined amount of the recording liquid can be replenished to the supply tank 86 by the pump 88 through the rectifying valve 92.

The one-way valve 90 is used at the time of a recovery operation for recovering the ejection function of the recording head 70C.

At the time of the recording operation of the recording head 70C, the solenoid valve 84 is kept open, the ink is supplied from the supply tank 86 to the common liquid chamber 70cr by its own weight, and the ink is supplied from the common liquid chamber 70cr. It is guided to each discharge port via each liquid path (not shown).

On the other hand, during the recovery operation performed to cool the recording head 70C together with the removal of the air bubbles remaining in the common liquid chamber 70cr and the ink supply system, the pump 88 is driven so that the ink is turned into an arrow. Is sent into the common liquid chamber 70cr by the circulation pipe 80 along the direction shown by
Thereafter, the ink can be circulated by returning the ink from the common liquid chamber 70cr to the supply tank 86 through the supply pipe 82.

Further, in the case of initial replenishment of the liquid path and the like, ink is pressure-fed to the common liquid chamber 70cr via the circulation pipe 80 by the pump 88 with the electromagnetic valve 84 opened, and the ink ID is discharged at the same time as discharging the air bubbles. From the nozzle.

As shown in FIG. 2, the recovery processing device 24 is not shown in the drawing, but is driven by a driving mechanism provided in association with the support member 20 to be at a standby position above the recording unit 26 indicated by a solid line. And a recovery processing position for performing the recovery processing on the recording unit 26 indicated by the two-dot chain line.

Further, in a copying machine to which an example of the heating type fixing device according to the present invention is applied, as shown in FIG. 13, the operation of the recording section 26 and the heating type fixing device 76 are controlled. The control unit 100 is provided.

The control unit 100 is supplied with a predetermined amount of image data DG from the scanner unit 2.

The control unit 100 has a memory section 96m for storing the operation control program data and the supplied image data DG and the like.

Further, the control unit 100 includes the recording unit 26
Perform the recording operation, the image data DGQ read from the memory unit 96m is sequentially read by the image processing unit 102
To supply. At that time, the control unit 100
A control signal Ca is formed so as to set 6 at a position facing the recording surface of the paper Pa as shown by a solid line in FIG. 2, and the control signal Ca is supplied to the recording unit movement control unit 115. The recording unit movement control unit 115 forms a drive signal to activate the drive motor 114 that rotates the support shaft 74 in the forward or reverse direction by a predetermined rotation angle, and supplies the drive signal to the drive motor 114. I do.

The image processing section 102 performs predetermined density data conversion processing, binarization processing on the image data DGQ, data distribution processing corresponding to each of the recording heads 70C to 70B of the recording section 26, registration adjustment, and the like. To form recording control data, and supply them to the recording operation control unit 104.

The recording operation control unit 104 controls each recording head 7
Each of the recording heads 7 based on the recording control data from the image processing unit 102 so as to perform the recording operation for each of 0C to 70B.
A drive control pulse signal group for each of 0C to 70B is formed and supplied to the recording unit 26.

In performing the recording operation, the control unit 100 takes out the paper Pa one by one from the paper supply unit 30 at a predetermined timing according to the supply of the image data DG, and outputs the paper Pa to the recording unit 26. To supply to the bottom,
The control signal Cs is formed and supplied to the transport drive control unit 108. The transport drive control unit 108 forms a drive signal based on the control signal Cs, and supplies the drive signal to the drive motor 110 for the sheet feed roller unit and the registration roller unit. Further, the drive roller unit 4 of the transport unit 34
4 and the drive motor 1 for the discharge roller unit 66
A control signal Cd is formed and the control signal Cd is supplied to the transport drive control unit 108 in order to set the control signal 12 to the operating state. Transport drive control unit 1
08 forms a drive signal based on the control signal Cd and supplies it to the drive motor 112.

Then, the control unit 100 forms a control signal Ch so as to perform a fixing process on the printed paper Pa ′, and supplies the control signal Ch to the heater drive circuit unit 106. The heater drive circuit 106 forms a drive signal based on the control signal Ch, and supplies the drive signal to the halogen heater 84.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the recording unit 26 and the recovery processing unit 24 when the recording unit 26 enters the printing state from the standby state of the recovery processing unit 24 described above.
It is a figure showing each state of.

First, the container (cap) 120 is in a cap state, and is in a normal standby state or a rest state ((A) in FIG. 6). In this state, when the print mode (copy ON) is selected,
An idle discharge operation described later is performed.

Subsequently, the state shown in the head-up state, that is, the state in which the recording unit 26 is retracted upward (FIG. 6B). In this state, the unit is open, and the container 120 as the cap unit is retracted in the upper right direction (FIG. 6C).

Next, head down is performed (FIG. 7).
(D)). Thereby, the recording unit 26 is ready for printing (
Position), and the container 120 is placed in the standby position. In this state, the paper Pa is conveyed from the head ejection surface with a certain gap from the right in FIG. 7D. On the other hand, each of the recording heads 70C and 70B discharges ink and performs printing on the recording surface of the paper Pa.

After the printing on the recording surface of the paper Pa is completed, that is, the recording section 26 where the ink ejection is completed, the head-up operation is performed again as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG.
0 is moved to the position on the recording unit 26 side. Then, the container 120 is again in the state of FIG. 7A, that is, the cap state, and is ready for the next printing, and is in the standby state.

A normal copy operation is performed by a series of operations described above with reference to FIGS. 6A to 7F. In addition, the above-described ink circulation corresponds to the cap operation (FIG. 6) in this operation.
(A)), that is, at a predetermined timing during the standby operation, for example, when the power is turned on, or every time a fixed time elapses, so that the throughput (the number of printed sheets per unit time) can be prevented from lowering and good. An image can be obtained.

With reference to FIG. 10, the configuration of the recovery processing device 24 and the state of the recording unit 26 during the recovery operation will be described.

Each recording head 70C-
In the container 120 arranged to face the discharge port of 70B,
Ink absorbers 3C, 3M, 3Y, and 3C for absorbing ink respectively corresponding to the ejection openings of the recording heads 70C to 70B.
3B is provided. Ink absorbers 3C, 3M, 3
Y and 3B are supported by the absorber guide 7 so as to be able to approach or separate from the ejection opening surfaces of the recording heads 70C to 70B.

In FIG. 10, the ink absorber 3
C and 3Y are separated from the ejection opening surfaces of the recording heads 70C and 70Y.
This shows a state in which the tips of M and 3B are in contact with the ejection opening surfaces of the recording heads 70M and 70B.

The adjacent ink absorbers 3C, 3M, 3Y,
A partition plate 5 is provided between the 3Bs and at both ends.
Is provided. An ink seal 3 for sealing ink between the recording heads 70C and 70B is provided between each partition plate 5 and the head block 72. Each ink absorber 3C, 3M, 3Y, 3
In the vicinity of B, aperture members 9 are provided, respectively. As shown in FIG. 10, the ink absorbed by the ink absorbers 3C, 3M, 3Y, and 3B is moved by a lever (not shown).
When the aperture member 9 is rotated, the aperture member 9 is squeezed and dropped. FIG. 10 shows a state in which the ink absorber 3Y of the recording head 70Y is throttled. As a result, the ink seal 3, the partition plate 5, and the ink absorbers 3C, 3M, 3 near the ejection openings of the recording heads 70C to 70B.
By being surrounded by Y and 3B, an appropriate wet state is maintained, and drying of the discharge port is prevented.

Further, at the bottom of the container 120, a drain ink drain 120a is provided. Waste ink drain 1
One end of a drain ink hose (not shown) is connected to 20a. Therefore, the ink ejected from the recording heads 70C to 70B or the ink absorbers 3C, 3M, 3
The ink absorbed and collected by Y and 3B is guided to a waste ink tank (not shown) via a waste ink drain 120a via a waste ink hose.

After the container 120 moves to the standby position (FIG. 10)
The recording unit 26 is rotated to a horizontal position as shown in FIG. 11 to perform a recording operation. In this state, the recording heads 70C to 70B
Performs ink ejection. Therefore, an image is formed on the recording surface of the sheet Pa conveyed at a desired distance from the ejection port surface of the recording head.

Next, the recovery operation will be described in more detail. For convenience, the recovery operation is divided into three, namely, capping, preliminary (empty) ejection, and ink discharge, and these operations will be sequentially described.

First, the capping operation will be described. FIG. 12 shows a state where each of the recording heads 70C to 70B is capped.

In FIG. 12, recording heads 70C to 70C
B is engaged with the container 120. The ink absorbers 3C, 3M, 3Y, 3B usually have a certain gap from the head ejection surface.

Accordingly, non-discharge of the ink during the stop of the recording head and during the standby state is prevented by the capping, the discharge port is protected, and attachment and entry of dust and the like near the discharge port are prevented.

Next, the preliminary (empty) ejection operation will be described.

In addition to the above-described capping operation, the ink absorber 3 held at a fixed gap from the ejection port surfaces of the recording heads 70C to 70B in the capped state.
In order to eject ink to C, 3M, 3Y, and 3BK, for example, a drive control pulse signal is applied to all electrothermal transducers of the recording heads 70C to 70B by an arbitrary number of pulses.

Therefore, in all the ejection openings, non-ejection due to ink sticking is prevented, and ejection failure and image disturbance due to ink whose viscosity has changed are prevented. Normally, the idle discharge operation is set to be performed when the copy is ON.

Next, the ink discharging operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

In operation in the container 120,
(1) normal capping, (2) ink pressure circulation,
(3) Absorber squeezing / wiping, (4) Absorber contact, (1)
(4).

FIGS. 8 and 9 respectively correspond to them.

First, capping refers to the above-described capping, which is a normal standby state or a pause state. In this state, when the ink pressurization and circulation mode is selected, for example, by a command from the user or the host computer, the state shown in FIG. 8B is obtained. That is, each of the ink absorbers 3C, 3M, 3Y, 3B held with a certain gap comes into contact with each of the recording heads 70C to 70B. At this time, the corresponding ink absorber and the ejection port surface of the recording head are in close contact with each other.

In this state, as described above, the respective pumps 88 corresponding to the respective recording heads 70C to 70B are driven to forcibly increase the ink supply pressure. Thereby, the ink is circulated through the above-described ink supply system via the inside of each of the recording heads 70C and 70B.

Therefore, as described above, the internal bubbles are removed, and the pressurized ink is discharged from each discharge port. As a result, dust and the like attached to the discharge surface are removed together with the discharged ink, and the vicinity of the discharge port is cleaned. As described above, the ink discharged from the discharge port is absorbed by the ink absorbers 3C, 3M, 3Y, and 3B contacting the discharge surface without leaking to other portions.

Further, the ink absorbers 3C, 3M, 3Y, 3
The ink that has exceeded the maximum saturation amount in B is transmitted through the ink absorber by its own weight, falls into the container 120, and is guided into the waste ink tank (not shown) as described above. In this case, the pressurizing circulation time, that is, the pressurizing period of the pump 88 is preferably about 0.5 seconds to several seconds, from the viewpoint of the efficiency of removing fixed ink and removing bubbles.

Next, the squeezing and wiping of the absorber will be described.

When the above-described pressurized circulation is completed, the tips of the ink absorbers 3C, 3M, 3Y, and 3B that have been in contact with the ejection opening surfaces of the recording heads 70C to 70B are respectively shown in FIG.
(C), it is separated from the discharge port surface again.

In this state, the ink contained in the ink absorbers 3C, 3M, 3Y, 3B in a substantially saturated state is squeezed out by the squeezing member 9. The squeezed ink travels along the absorber guide 7 and the partition plate 5 due to its own weight and falls into the container 120, and the discharged ink drain 120
a to the drain ink tank.

At that time, that is, the ink absorbers 3C, 3
M, 3Y, 3B are separated from the ejection opening surfaces of the recording heads 70C to 70B, and the ink absorbers 3C, 3M, 3Y, 3B
At the same time, the wiping blade BL is rotated from the state shown in FIG. 8B to the state shown in FIG. 9C by a drive mechanism (not shown).
Each wiping blade BL is provided corresponding to each of the recording heads 70C to 70B.

Accordingly, the ink, dust, and deposits remaining on the ejection opening surfaces of the recording heads 70C to 70B are wiped by the respective wiping blades BL. The wiped ink and the like fall onto the ink absorbers 3C, 3M, 3Y, and 3B. At the same time, the above-described squeezing operation is performed. , And the ink is guided to a waste ink tank.

That is, while the ink absorbers 3C, 3M, 3Y, 3B are separated from the outlet surface by the blade BL, the residue adhering to the discharge port surface is removed,
The extraneous matter is squeezed out together with the surplus ink in the ink absorber. This is the operation of the above-described absorber squeezing and wiping.

When the ink absorbers 3C, 3M, 3Y, 3B are squeezed by the squeezing member 9, their absorption abilities are restored, and preparations are made for new ink absorption. As the ink absorbers 3C, 3M, 3Y and 3B, for example, PVF resin or the like which is a highly absorbent sponge is suitable, and those which can withstand repeated use are desirable. In this example, for example, it is a Kanebo Berita (trade name).

Subsequently, the ink absorbers 3C, 3M, 3Y, and 3B from which the absorbed ink has been squeezed out are then again ejected from the recording section 26 as shown in FIG. Abut on the surface. This is the absorber contact.

In the abutment with the absorber, the ink that cannot be completely absorbed from the head ejection surface because the ink absorbers 3C, 3M, 3Y, and 3B are almost saturated in the pressure circulation stage is squeezed. As a result, the absorption capacity has been restored and the cleaned ink absorbers 3C, 3M, 3Y,
It is completely cleaned by the contact of 3B.

After performing the above-described series of operations (1) to (4), capping, that is, the standby state is resumed, and the cleaned recording heads 70C to 70B are kept in good condition. Normally, these pressurizing and circulating operations are performed when the main body is turned on or after a long standby time.

As described above, the cap, the idle discharge,
By performing the recovery of the ink pressurized circulation, the ink ejection, that is, the disturbance of the recorded image due to the ejection failure at the time of image recording is prevented.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show the main parts of another example of the heating type fixing device according to the present invention.

In FIGS. 14 and 15, or in still another example described later, the same components as those in the example shown in FIG. A duplicate description is omitted. In this example, the control unit 100 described above is also provided.

In FIGS. 14 and 15, the heating type fixing devices are provided at a plurality of locations, respectively. That is,
The heating type fixing device includes a recording head 70C and a recording head 70.
M, between the recording head 70M and the recording head 70Y, between the recording head 70Y and the recording head 70B, and on the downstream side with respect to the recording head 70B in the transport path, and corresponds to a relatively close position. It is provided.

Each of the heating type fixing devices arranged between the adjacent recording heads has the same structure, and includes a halogen heater 130 as a heating unit, a reflection plate 142 for reflecting heat rays from the halogen heater 130, a halogen heater A heating unit shielding member 140 that partitions between the recording medium 130 and the conveyance path, and a heat insulating unit that is connected to each other by a reflection plate 142 and the heating unit shielding member 140 and interrupts heat transfer from the halogen heater 130 to each recording head. Insulation devices 132 and 13
4 is included.

In this embodiment, the halogen heaters 130 are respectively arranged near the intermediate portions between the adjacent recording heads. This is because during the image recording, after printing of a certain color, the ink is immediately heated and fixed by the halogen heater 130, thereby drying and fixing the ink already ejected on the paper Pa, and further from above. This is because the remaining ink is ejected to improve the fixability and the image quality.

The halogen heater 130 heats the recording surface in a non-contact manner. As a result, the recording surface is dried, the drying of the ink is accelerated, and the fixing speed is greatly improved.

The heating operation of each of the halogen heaters 130 is controlled by the control unit 100 at a predetermined timing according to the conveyance of the paper Pa, similarly to the halogen heater 84. Further, each halogen heater 130 is provided with a thermostat (not shown) for controlling the temperature of the halogen heater 130. The fixing temperature is appropriately controlled by the temperature set by the thermostat in accordance with conditions such as the paper quality of the recording member, the conveyance speed, and the image density.

The heating unit for heating the surface (recording surface) of the paper Pa on which the ink is adhered is not limited to the halogen heater 130, but may be, for example, a halogen lamp,
It may be a sheathed heater, a ceramic heater, a thermistor, or the like.

Further, the heating unit shielding member 140 is
In view of the safety in the event of a jam, it is made of a wire mesh or the like, and is arranged at a position covering the surface of the halogen heater 130 from below.

The reflection plate 142 connected across the heat insulation devices 132 and 134 is made of, for example, a bright alloy aluminum or the like, and has a curved portion that covers the halogen heater 130 from above. The curved portion of the reflecting plate 142 is set such that heat rays from the halogen heater 130 are reflected by the inner surface of the curved portion of the reflecting plate 142, and the heat rays reach the recording surface most efficiently.

Each of the heat insulating devices 132 and 134 has the structure shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), they are arranged between adjacent print heads along the arrangement direction of the print heads, with the adjacent halogen heaters 130 interposed therebetween. Both ends of each of the heat insulating devices 132 and 134 along the ink discharge port arrangement direction of the recording head are connected to the inner peripheral portion of the head block 72, respectively. Each of the heat insulating devices 132 and 134 is made of, for example, a plate-like member made of an aluminum alloy or the like having good heat dissipation or a heat-resistant plastic material and a material having good heat dissipation such as an aluminum sheet bonded thereto. ing.

The heat insulating devices 132 and 134 have a substantially rectangular cylindrical cross-sectional shape. That is, the heat insulation devices 132 and 134 have the air layers 136 and 1 therein, respectively, which extend along the direction of arrangement of the ink ejection ports of the recording head.
38 are formed. Also, the heat insulation devices 132 and 1
Both ends in the vertical direction of the opening 34 are open to the outside.

Therefore, by providing the air layer, the heat conduction of the heat of each halogen heater 130 to each recording head is cut off, and the temperature rise of the recording head is prevented. Also,
The heat generated from the halogen heater 130 is transmitted to the reflector 14
2, the heat is transmitted to the heat insulation devices 132 and 134 and is radiated.

Further, the problem of heat conduction from each heater to the recording head, which is a problem when an image printed at a high distance by a plurality of recording heads is fixed during the printing, is avoided.
Further, by arranging the reflection plate 142 along the transport direction of the paper Pa, the heat ray of each heater is efficiently irradiated onto the recording surface of the paper Pa.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show the main parts of still another example of the heating type fixing device according to the present invention. In this example, the control unit 100 shown in FIG. 13 is similarly provided.

In FIGS. 16 and 17, recording heads 70M, 70Y and 7
A suction / discharge duct 152 that surrounds the periphery of OB and guides ink mist or the like floating near the recording surface of the paper Pa is provided.

A propeller fan unit 150 is provided above the recording heads 70M to 70B in the suction / discharge duct 152. The drive motor 118 of the propeller fan unit 150 has a known structure, and is controlled by the control unit 100 in synchronization with a predetermined timing, for example, a recording operation start timing. That is, the control unit 100 forms a control signal Cf so as to activate the drive motor 118 of the propeller fan unit 150 according to the start timing of the recording operation, and supplies the control signal Cf to the fan unit drive control unit 116. Thereby, the fan unit drive control unit 116
Forms a drive signal based on the control signal Cf and supplies the drive signal to the drive motor 118.

Further, a portion of the suction / discharge duct 152 above a portion where the propeller fan unit 150 is provided communicates with the periphery of the recording unit 26.

The plurality of heating type fixing devices disposed inside the suction / exhaust duct 152 are provided between the recording head 70C and the recording head 70M, between the recording head 70M and the recording head 70Y, and between the recording head 70Y and the recording head, respectively. Head 70B
And is provided between them.

Each of the heating-type fixing devices arranged between adjacent recording heads has the same structure, and includes a halogen heater 160 as a heating unit, a reflecting plate 162 for reflecting heat rays from the halogen heater 160, and a halogen heater. A heat-shielding member 164 for partitioning the heat-transfer path from the halogen heater 160 to the recording heads; 158, the recording head 70M,
70Y and 70B are individually covered with a heat insulating unit 154 as a heat insulating unit for cutting off heat transfer from the halogen heater 160 to each recording head.

The halogen heaters 160 are arranged inside the suction / discharge duct 152 and near the intermediate portions between adjacent recording heads. This means that during image recording,
After printing of a certain color, the ink is immediately heated and fixed by the halogen heater 160, so that the paper P
This is for drying and fixing the ink already ejected on a, and further improving the fixability and the image quality by ejecting the remaining ink from above.

The halogen heater 160 heats the recording surface in a non-contact manner. As a result, the recording surface is dried, the drying of the ink is accelerated, and the fixing speed is greatly improved.

The heating operation of each of the halogen heaters 160 is controlled by the control unit 100 at a predetermined timing according to the conveyance of the paper Pa, similarly to the halogen heater 84. Further, each halogen heater 160 is provided with a thermostat (not shown) for controlling the temperature of the halogen heater 160. The fixing temperature is appropriately controlled by the temperature set by the thermostat in accordance with conditions such as the paper quality of the recording member, the conveyance speed, and the image density.

The heating unit for heating the surface (recording surface) of the paper Pa on which the ink is attached is not limited to the halogen heater 160, but may be a halogen lamp, for example.
It may be a sheathed heater, a ceramic heater, a thermistor, or the like.

Further, the heating unit shielding member 164 is provided on the sheet Pa.
It is made of a wire net or the like in consideration of the safety in the event of a jam and is arranged at a position covering the surface of the halogen heater 160 from below.

The reflecting plate 162 disposed above the halogen heater 160 so as to bridge the inside of each heat insulating device 158 includes:
For example, the halogen heater 1 is made of a bright alloy aluminum or the like.
It has a curved portion that covers the upper part 60 from above. The curved portion of the reflecting plate 162 is set such that the heat rays from the halogen heater 160 are reflected by the inner surface of the curved portion of the reflecting plate 162, and the heat rays reach the recording surface most efficiently.

As shown in FIG. 17, the heat insulating devices 158 are arranged between the adjacent recording heads along the arrangement direction of the recording heads and sandwich the adjacent halogen heater 160. Also, the heat insulation device 158
The suction discharge duct 152 and the suction discharge duct 152 are connected to each other at both ends along the direction of arrangement of the ink discharge ports of the recording head, and are connected to the inner periphery of the head block 72. The heat insulating device 154 is provided for each of the recording heads 70M to 70M.
70B, and between the adjacent heat insulating devices 158, and the most downstream heat insulating device 158 and the suction / discharge duct 15
It is arranged between the two. The heat insulating device 154 and the suction / discharge duct 152 are connected to each other at both ends along the direction of arrangement of the ink discharge ports of the recording head. The heat insulating device 154 and the heat insulating device 158 are connected to the ink discharging port of the recording head. At both ends along the outlet arrangement direction, they are connected to each other. At this time, air functioning as a heat insulating material is provided between the heat insulating device 158 and the suction / discharge duct 152, between the heat insulating device 154 and the heat insulating device 158, and between the heat insulating device 154 and the suction discharge duct 152, respectively. A suction branch 156 for forming a layer is provided. One end of each suction branch channel 156 on the side facing the transport path is open, and the other end of each suction branch channel 156 communicates with a common internal space of the suction discharge duct 152. . Each of the heat insulating devices 158 and 154 is made of, for example, a plate-like member made of an aluminum alloy or the like having good heat dissipation or a heat-resistant plastic material laminated with a material with good heat dissipation such as an aluminum sheet. ing.

Therefore, by providing the air layer, the heat conduction of the heat of each halogen heater 160 to each recording head is cut off, and the temperature rise of the recording head is prevented. Also,
The heat generated from the halogen heater 160 is reflected by the reflection plate 16.
2, the heat is transmitted to the heat insulating device 158 and is radiated.

Further, the problem of heat conduction from each heater to the recording head, which is a problem when an image printed at a high distance by a plurality of recording heads is fixed during the printing, is avoided.
The arrangement of the reflection plate 162 along the transport direction of the paper Pa allows the heat rays of each heater to be efficiently irradiated onto the recording surface of the paper Pa. Further, when the propeller fan unit 150 is activated, wet air from the printing surface is sucked through the suction branch passages 156, so that fixing and drying can be promoted. That is, the heat insulating devices 154 and 158 between the recording heads also serve as ink mist absorbing ducts.

In such an ink jet recording apparatus, the ink particles ejected from the ink ejection port
As described above, the ink mist may not be attached to the paper Pa in some cases. In particular, in the case of a multi-head in which the recording head is made to be the same width as the paper Pa, the amount of ink mist increases because the ink ejection amount increases and the recording speed becomes extremely high. I do.

In some cases, the occurrence of ink mist contaminates the recording device and the like, causing a problem that the function of the device is reduced. Further, when drying is performed by the heater while the ink mist adheres to the recording head ejection surface, the heat of the heater causes the ink on the recording head ejection surface to dry, causing the ink to stick and causing ink ejection failure. May be. Therefore, conventionally, a method of sucking ink mist by providing duct means for sucking ink mist between the multi-heads has been proposed.

In this embodiment, the so-called ink mist suction duct and the recording head heat-insulating means are configured to be shared by the same member.

The recording heads 70C-70B use the paper Pa
When the recording is sequentially performed on the paper Pa, as the ink ejection amount increases in the order of the recording head 70C → the recording head 70M → the recording head 70Y → the recording head 70B, the amount of the floating ink mist also increases in the above order. Becomes

At this time, if the ink mist floats between the recording heads and the paper Pa and adheres to the ejection openings of the heads, a so-called “non-discharge failure” phenomenon occurs. When it adheres to a device such as a belt, the function of the device is reduced.

Therefore, in this embodiment, a suction branch path 156 is provided at the boundary between the recording heads 70C and 70B. It is needless to say that the suction branching path 156 is preferably provided over the entire width of the paper Pa, but the cross-sectional shape of the suction branching path 156 has an oblong hole, a square having a length corresponding to the width of the paper Pa. It may have a hole shape.

By the operation of the propeller fan unit 150, the ink mist floating between the paper Pa and each of the recording heads 70C to 70B is sucked through each suction branch passage 156, and along the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. , Are guided to a common internal space of the suction and discharge duct 152,
6 is finally carried out to the outside along the direction indicated by the arrow.

Therefore, the amount of ink ejected on the paper Pa changes from the recording head 70C to the recording head 70M to the recording head 70Y.
→ Increases in the order of the recording head 70B. However, each suction branch path 156 is provided between each of the recording heads 70C to 70B, and the ink mist which floats because it is sucked by the propeller fan unit 150 can be uniformly distributed over the entire printing area. Can be removed.

The heat insulation devices 154 and 1 in this embodiment
Numeral 58 designates a heat insulating wall for cutting off heat from the halogen heater 160 provided between the recording heads 70C and 70B, and a suction branch 156 for sucking floating ink mist. Since it is formed and has a function as a duct, the ink mist is sucked by the suction of the propeller fan unit 150, and the heat from each halogen heater 160 is also transferred to the suction and discharge duct 15.
2, the exhaust heat efficiency is further increased.

In this embodiment, the recording heads 70C to 70C
70B and halogen heater 160 in the heating type fixing device
The heat insulation between the recording heads 70C and 70B is not limited to such an example, but is not limited to such an example. May be applied for heat insulation between the halogen heater 160, heat insulation between the conveyor belt speed sensor and the halogen heater 160, and heat insulation between the paper detection sensor and the like and the halogen heater 160. Needless to say.

[0149]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the heating type fixing device and the recording apparatus having the heating type fixing device according to the present invention, the recording section is arranged along the transport direction of the recording medium in the recording section housing. When the heating unit disposed at a position on the downstream side adjacent to the recording medium heats and fixes the liquid adhered to the recording surface on the recording medium, the heat insulating unit is disposed between the heating unit and the recording unit, and recording is performed from the heating unit. Since heat transfer to the recording unit is cut off, heat fixing can be performed efficiently, and heat transfer from the periphery of the heating unit to the recording unit can be suppressed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a configuration of a main part of an example of a heating type fixing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an overall configuration of a recording apparatus to which an example of a heating type fixing device according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in the example shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a transport unit in the example shown in FIG. 2 together with a recording unit.

FIG. 5 is a system diagram of an ink supply system provided in the recording unit in the example shown in FIG.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are diagrams each used for explaining the operation of the recovery processing device in the example shown in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 7 (D), (E) and (F) are diagrams each provided for explaining the operation of the recovery processing device in the example shown in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams each provided for explaining the operation of the recovery processing device in the example shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a diagram provided for describing an operation of the recovery processing device in the example shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a diagram provided for describing the operation of the recovery processing device in the example shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a diagram provided for describing the operation of the recovery processing device in the example shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a diagram which is used for describing the operation of the recovery processing device in the example shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control block provided in the example shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a configuration of a main part of another example of the heating type fixing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line XV-XV in the example shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a configuration of a main part of still another example of the heating type fixing device according to the present invention.

17 is a sectional view taken along the line XVII-XVII in the example shown in FIG. 16;

[Explanation of symbols]

 26 Conveying unit 34 Conveying unit 72 Head block 78, 132, 134, 154, 158 Insulation device 80 Air layer 84, 130, 160 Halogen heater 150 Propeller fan unit 152 Suction discharge duct 156 Suction discharge passage

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A recording unit, in which a recording unit for performing a recording operation by discharging a liquid used for recording onto a recording surface of a recording medium is accommodated, along a transport direction of the recording medium. A heating unit that is disposed at a downstream side adjacent to the recording medium and heats and fixes the liquid attached to the recording surface on the recording medium; and a heating unit that is disposed between the heating unit and the recording unit. A heat-insulating unit that interrupts the transfer of heat to the recording unit, wherein the heat-insulating unit has an air layer that spreads with a predetermined thickness between the heating unit and the recording unit. . 2. A recording unit housing, in which a plurality of recording units for performing a recording operation by discharging a liquid used for recording onto a recording surface of a recording medium are arranged and accommodated in a conveying direction of the recording medium. Are arranged at positions downstream or upstream adjacent to the recording unit along the transport direction of the recording medium, respectively.
A plurality of heating units for heating and fixing the liquid adhered to a recording surface on the recording medium; and a plurality of heating units disposed between the heating unit and the recording unit to interrupt heat transfer from the heating unit to the recording unit. A heating type fixing device, comprising: a plurality of heat insulating portions; wherein the heat insulating portion has an air layer extending with a predetermined thickness between the heating portion and the recording portion. 3. A plurality of recording units for performing a recording operation by discharging a liquid used for recording onto a recording surface of a recording medium are arranged in a recording unit container arranged and accommodated in a conveying direction of the recording medium. Are arranged at positions downstream or upstream adjacent to the recording unit along the transport direction of the recording medium, respectively.
A plurality of heating units for heating and fixing the liquid attached to a recording surface on the recording medium; and a plurality of heating units disposed between the heating unit and the recording unit, respectively, near the recording surface of the recording medium and the recording unit container. A plurality of heat-insulating portions having a communication passage for communicating heat from the heating portion to the recording portion; and a gas containing the liquid splashed near the recording surface of the recording medium through the communication passage. And a heating / discharging device. 4. The recording unit according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit includes an electrothermal conversion element that heats the liquid and discharges the liquid through a liquid discharge port formed to face a recording surface of the recording medium. 4. The heating type fixing device according to any one of 2 and 3. 5. The recording section according to claim 1, wherein the recording section has a liquid ejection port forming surface on which a plurality of liquid ejection ports arranged over the entire recording surface of the recording medium are formed. 4. The heating-type fixing device according to any one of 3. 6. A recording unit that performs a recording operation by discharging a liquid used for recording on a recording surface of a recording medium, a transport unit that transports the recording medium relatively to the recording unit, Item 2. Recording comprising a heating type fixing device, comprising: a heating type fixing device according to Item 1; and a control unit for causing the heating type fixing device to perform an operation of heating and fixing in accordance with a recording operation of the recording unit. apparatus. 7. A recording unit that performs a recording operation by discharging a liquid used for recording onto a recording surface of a recording medium, a transport unit that transports the recording medium relatively to the recording unit, Item 3. Recording comprising a heating type fixing device, comprising: a heating type fixing device according to Item 2; and a control unit for causing the heating type fixing device to perform an operation of heating and fixing in accordance with a recording operation of the recording unit. apparatus. 8. A recording unit that performs a recording operation by discharging a liquid used for recording on a recording surface of a recording medium, a transport unit that transports the recording medium relatively to the recording unit, Item 4. Recording comprising a heating type fixing device comprising: a heating type fixing device according to Item 3; and a control unit for causing the heating type fixing device to perform an operation of heating and fixing in accordance with a recording operation of the recording unit. apparatus. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the recording unit includes an electrothermal conversion element that heats the liquid and discharges the liquid through a liquid discharge port formed to face a recording surface of the recording medium. 8. A recording device comprising the heating type fixing device according to any one of 8.