JPH11348309A - Ink jet recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To prevent abrasion and cracking of a tube and prevent ink from being sucked, even when the tube is handled, without contacting the pump wheel. Provided is an ink jet recording apparatus that can be used. A pump frame having a tube support surface that regulates the outer shape of a tube in an arc shape, a pump wheel that is rotated by a driving force from a driving unit, a first position on the rotation axis side of the pump wheel, and a rotation axis. A roller supported by the pump wheel so as to be movable between a second position away from the heart; and a tube holding member for holding the tube at a position higher than the bottom surface of the pump frame. The tube is held by the tube holding member toward the bottom surface of the pump frame, and when the roller is moved to the second position of the pump wheel, the roller is pressed against the tube to press the tube. Deform.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus having a recording head which moves in the width direction of a recording sheet, and which prints an image by discharging ink droplets onto the recording sheet based on print data. More particularly, the present invention relates to a structure of a pump unit for supplying a negative pressure to capping means for eliminating clogging of a nozzle opening of a recording head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the development of personal computers, graphic processing has become relatively easy to execute. Therefore, there is a demand for a recording apparatus capable of outputting a hard copy of, for example, a color image displayed on a display with high quality.

[0003] In order to meet such a demand, a recording apparatus equipped with an ink jet recording head has been provided.
This ink jet recording device has low noise during printing and can form small dots with high density.
It is used for many printings, mainly for color printing.

[0004] Such an ink jet recording apparatus is
An ink jet recording head that receives supply of ink from an ink cartridge, and a paper feeding unit that relatively moves the recording paper with respect to the recording head, are provided with ink droplets on the recording paper while moving the recording head according to a print signal. Is ejected to form dots to perform recording.

As described above, in order to prevent the clogging due to the filling of the recording head with the ink and the volatilization of the ink solvent, there is a process for forcibly sucking and discharging the ink from the recording head. In addition, an operation is performed in which a drive signal irrelevant to print data is supplied and ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle openings of the head in the non-print area.

[0006] Forcibly discharging the ink for eliminating clogging of the recording head and removing air bubbles existing in the flow path of the ink flowing through the recording head is usually called a cleaning operation, and is performed for a long time in the recording apparatus. This is executed when printing is resumed after the pause of the printing, or when the user presses the cleaning switch in order to eliminate print quality defects such as blurred printing.

In this cleaning operation, the recording head is sealed by capping means and a negative pressure is applied to discharge ink from the nozzles of the head, and thereafter, a wiping member made of an elastic plate such as rubber is used.
A sequence for wiping the head plate is executed.

On the other hand, an operation of applying a drive signal to the recording head to eject ink is usually called a flushing operation, and recovers an irregular meniscus near the nozzle opening of the head caused by wiping or the like during a cleaning operation. In addition, this operation is performed at regular intervals for the purpose of preventing clogging of the nozzle opening where the ejection of ink droplets is small during printing.

The application of a negative pressure to the recording head in the above-described cleaning operation is performed by driving a suction pump. This suction pump uses a so-called tube pump, which has a relatively simple structure and is easy to miniaturize.

FIG. 14 shows an example of a conventional unit for driving a tube pump and a wiping member.

The pump unit 91 includes a pump frame 91c having cylindrical portions 91a and 91b formed on both outer sides thereof. The cylindrical portions 91a and 91b are respectively provided with pump wheels 91d and 91e and a motor. It is arranged so as to be able to rotate forward and reverse by obtaining a driving force. A gear portion 91d1 for obtaining the driving force is formed on the outer periphery of the pump wheels 91d and 91e.

Each of the pump wheels 91d and 91e is provided with two shaft holes 91f, one end of which extends in the center direction and the other end extends in the outer circumferential direction, and the rotation direction of the pump wheels 91d and 91e. These shaft holes 91f
The roller 91g, which is rotatably supported by the roller, can be shifted toward the center or toward the outer periphery. The roller 91g presses the tube 91h between the cylindrical portions 91a and 91b to perform a squeezing action, and a release action that does not pressurize the tube 91h.

In the example shown in FIG. 14, in order to reduce the load on the driving motor, the rotation of the motor in one direction causes the rollers supported by one of the pump wheels to have a pump action in which the rollers are offset in the outer circumferential direction. In addition, the rotation of the motor in the other direction causes the rollers supported by the other pump wheel to alternately perform a pumping action in which the rollers are offset in the outer circumferential direction.

One end of each of the tubes 91h is connected to an ink suction port of a capping device for sealing the nozzle surface of the recording head, and receives a negative pressure by driving the pump unit 91 when a cleaning command is received. Is applied to the internal space surrounded by the cap member of the capping device.

On the other hand, the cleaning member drive unit 92
The clutch plate 92a is mounted on the rotating shaft of the pump wheel 91d.
The cleaner cam 92b is loosely fitted through the compression plate 92, and the cleaner cam 92b is disengaged by the compression spring 92c.
a.

A slide lever 92e having a cleaning member 93 formed thereon is mounted so as to be slidable in the horizontal direction with respect to the frame 92d, and the cleaner cam 92 is mounted on a part of the slide lever 92e.
b is engaged.

The cleaner cam 92b is provided with a pump wheel
The lever 91d is dragged in the same direction via the clutch plate 92a by the rotation in one direction, and acts to move the slide lever 92e in one horizontal direction. Further, the cleaner cam 92b is dragged in the other direction via the clutch plate 92a by rotation of the pump wheel 91d in the other direction,
It acts to move the slide lever 92e in the other horizontal direction.

Accordingly, the cleaning member 93 mounted on the upper portion of the slide lever 92e is driven by the motor for driving the pump unit 91 to rotate forward and reverse.
The cleaning member 93 acts so as to be able to enter or retreat from the wiping position on the moving path of the recording head.
Is wiped on the nozzle surface of the recording head in a state of intrusion into the wiping position.

[0019]

In the above-described tube pump, a negative pressure is generated by handling the tube 91h by the roller 91g. The bush 91h undergoes deformation, particularly elongation.

The deformed tube 91h hits the bottom of the pump frame 91c as shown in FIG.
The direction away from the bottom, that is, the pump wheel 91
The tube 91h rises in the direction d, and moves to a position where a part of the tube 91h is in contact with or close to the pump wheel 91d. Further, the tube 91 moved to the close position
h is also gradually increased by the pump wheel every time it is handled by the roller.
Move to the position where it contacts the file 91d. Reference numeral 91i in the figure denotes a roller supporting portion formed on the pump wheel 91d for supporting the lower end of the roller 91g.

When the tube 91h at the position in contact with or close to the pump wheel 91d is handled by the roller 91g, as shown in FIG.
The side wall of the tube 91h is in contact with the pump wheel 91d, and the side wall is worn by the rotation of the pump wheel 91d. Particularly, as described above, since the gear portion 91d1 is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the pump wheel 91d, the side wall of the tube 91h is significantly worn by contact with the gear portion 91d1.

Finally, there was a technical problem that a crack was generated on the side wall of the tube 91h, the negative pressure of the pump could not be transmitted to the cap device, and the ink could not be sucked.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and does not come into contact with the pump wheel even when the tube is handled, so that the tube can be worn and cracked during long-term use. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus which can prevent the ink and perform good suction of ink.

[0024]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an ink jet recording head for discharging ink droplets corresponding to print data; An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a capping means for sealing and sucking ink from a recording head by receiving a negative pressure from a pump unit, wherein the pump unit regulates an outer shape of a tube in an arc shape. A pump frame having a tube support surface, a pump wheel rotated by a driving force from a driving unit, and movable between a first position on the rotation axis side of the pump wheel and a second position away from the rotation axis. And a tube supported at a position higher than the bottom of the pump frame. Ju - is provided with blanking holding member,
The tube is held by the tube holding member toward the bottom surface of the pump frame, and when the roller is moved to the second position of the pump wheel, the roller is pressed against the tube to press the tube. Is deformed.

As described above, the tube is held at a position higher than the bottom of the pump frame, and the pump frame is
Since the tube holding member for holding the tube toward the bottom portion is formed, the bulging portion generated when the tube is deformed does not contact the bottom portion of the pump frame, and the tube is located on the pump wheel side. There is no lifting. As a result, contact between the tube and the pump wheel can be avoided, and wear and cracks on the side wall of the tube can be prevented. Also, if the tube floats on the pump wheel side, there is a distance to the pump wheel, so that contact between the tube and the pump wheel can be avoided as much as possible.

Preferably, the tube insertion hole for holding the tube formed in the holding member is a through hole inclined toward the bottom of the pump frame.

As described above, the tube insertion hole is formed as a through hole which is inclined toward the bottom surface of the pump frame, so that the tube is assumed to be lifted to the pump wheel side and has a distance to the pump wheel. The contact between the valve and the pump wheel can be avoided as much as possible.

Preferably, a gap is formed between the tube supporting surface formed on the pump frame and the tube when the roller is not pressed against the tube. Since the gap is formed between the tube supporting surface and the tube, the tube extended by the roller can be used as the tube of the pump frame when the roller is pressed against the tube. Since the tube is supported by the support surface, it is possible to prevent the tube from floating toward the pump wheel. Even if the tube rises, contact between the tube and the pump wheel can be avoided as much as possible.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus for ejecting ink droplets corresponding to print data. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a capping unit that receives a negative pressure from a pump unit and sucks ink from a recording head, wherein the pump unit has a tube support surface that regulates the outer shape of the tube in an arc shape. A pump frame that rotates by a driving force from a driving unit, and a pump wheel that is movable between a first position on the rotation axis side of the pump wheel and a second position away from the rotation axis. A roller supported by the pump wheel;
A flange formed at the upper and lower ends of the roller,
In a state where the roller is moved to the second position of the pump wheel, the tube is deformed by pressing against the tube between the flanges provided at the upper and lower ends of the roller. .

As described above, since the tube is deformed by pressing against the tube between the flanges of the roller, the tube is guided by the flange, and the tube is lifted. However, it does not come into contact with the pump wheel.

Further, an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, which has been made to achieve the above-mentioned object, comprises an ink jet recording head for discharging ink droplets in accordance with print data, and a method for sealing the recording head. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a capping unit that receives a negative pressure from a pump unit and sucks ink from a recording head, wherein the pump unit has a tube support surface that regulates the outer shape of the tube in an arc shape. A pump frame that rotates by a driving force from a driving unit, and a pump wheel that is movable between a first position on the rotation axis side of the pump wheel and a second position away from the rotation axis. A roller supported by the pump wheel;
A roller shaft portion formed on the upper and lower end surfaces of the roller and having a shaft diameter located on the pump wheel side larger than a shaft diameter located on the pump frame side, wherein the roller is a second shaft of the pump wheel. In the state where it moved to the position,
The invention is characterized in that the roller is inclined and pressed against a tube to deform the tube.

As described above, since the diameter of the shaft portion of the roller is formed to be larger at the pump wheel side than at the pump frame side, the roller is at the pump wheel side. Advance faster than the pump frame side, and the roller tilts and rotates. As a result, a force on the pump frame side (lower side) acts on the tube from the roller, so that the tube is prevented from floating and the tube is prevented from contacting the pump wheel.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus for ejecting ink droplets corresponding to print data, wherein the recording head is sealed and sealed. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a capping unit that receives a negative pressure from a pump unit and sucks ink from a recording head, wherein the pump unit has a tube support surface that regulates the outer shape of the tube in an arc shape. A pump frame that rotates by a driving force from a driving unit, and a pump wheel that is movable between a first position on the rotation axis side of the pump wheel and a second position away from the rotation axis. A truncated cone that is supported by the pump wheel and has a larger diameter on the pump wheel side than the diameter on the pump frame side A roller having a shape of a roller, wherein the roller is moved to the second position of the pump wheel, and the inclined outer peripheral surface of the roller is pressed against the tube to deform the tube. It is characterized by.

As described above, since the diameter of the roller is formed to be larger on the pump wheel side than on the pump frame side, the force from the roller to the pump frame side (lower side) is applied to the tube. Works. As a result, the lifting of the tube is prevented, and the contact between the tube and the pump wheel is prevented.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus for ejecting ink droplets corresponding to print data, wherein the recording head is sealed, An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a capping unit that receives a negative pressure from a pump unit and sucks ink from a recording head, wherein the pump unit has a tube support surface that regulates the outer shape of the tube in an arc shape. A pump frame that rotates by a driving force from a driving unit, and a pump wheel that is movable between a first position on the rotation axis side of the pump wheel and a second position away from the rotation axis. A roller supported by a pump wheel, the outer shape of the pump wheel is substantially the same as the outer shape of the pump frame, Alternatively, when the roller is moved to a second position of the pump wheel, the roller is pressed against a tube to deform the tube when the roller is moved to the second position of the pump wheel. I do.

As described above, the outer shape of the pump wheel is substantially the same as the outer shape of the pump frame, or the outer shape of the pump frame.
Since the tube is formed larger than the outer shape of the system, the tube floats on the pump wheel side and is not caught in the gap between the pump wheel and the pump frame. Also, when a gear portion is formed on the pump wheel,
Even when the tube floats on the pump wheel side, it does not come into contact with the gear portion of the pump wheel, and as a result, wear and breakage of the tube can be prevented.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus for ejecting ink droplets in accordance with print data, wherein the recording head is sealed, An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a capping unit that receives a negative pressure from a pump unit and sucks ink from a recording head, wherein the pump unit has a tube support surface that regulates the outer shape of the tube in an arc shape. A pump frame that rotates by a driving force from a driving unit, and a pump wheel that is movable between a first position on the rotation axis side of the pump wheel and a second position away from the rotation axis. A roller supported by the pump wheel;
A low friction member provided on the tube support surface and interposed between the tube and the pump wheel, wherein the roller is moved to the tube position when the roller is moved to a second position of the pump wheel. The tube is deformed by being pressed against the tube.

As described above, since the low friction member is provided between the tube and the pump wheel, even if the tube floats on the pump wheel side, the tube does not directly contact the pump wheel but comes into contact with the low friction member. . as a result,
Tube wear and breakage can be prevented.

Further, it is desirable that a linear mark is provided on the side wall of the tube used in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention which has been made to achieve the above-mentioned object.

As described above, the linear marker is provided on the side wall of the tube.
Since the king is attached, when the tube is attached to the pump unit, the tube can be prevented from being twisted, and as a result, the tube can be prevented from rising.

[0041]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a carriage. The carriage 1 is connected to a part of a timing belt 2, driven by reciprocating rotation of a motor 3, guided by a guide member 4, and moved parallel to a platen 5. Have been. On the surface of the carriage 1 facing the recording paper 6, a recording head 7 for discharging black ink is mounted on the printing area side (left side in FIG. 1), and a recording head 8 for color printing is mounted on the non-printing area side. The recording heads 7 and 8 are configured to perform printing by receiving ink supplied from the black ink cartridge 9 and the color ink cartridge 10 and discharging ink droplets onto the recording paper 6.

A capping device 11 disposed in the non-printing area is a capping device as capping means. The cap member 12 seals the recording head 7 for black ink and the cap member 13 seals the recording head 8 for color ink. Mounted on the same cap holder. And, as described later, they are connected via tubes 15A, 15B to two pump units 14A, 14B, each of which can be driven independently.

Further, on the printing area side adjacent to the capping device 11, for example, a rubber cleaning member 17 for wiping the nozzle opening surfaces of the recording heads 7 and 8 mounted on the carriage 1 as the carriage 1 moves. Is arranged.

At the time of head cleaning,
The cleaning members 17 of the recording heads 7 and 8 remove dust and paper dust adhering to the nozzle plate before sucking the ink, and wipe off the ink adhering to the nozzle plate after sucking the ink. You. The cleaning member 17 is configured to be able to enter or retreat from a wiping position on the movement path of the recording heads 7 and 8 by a cleaning member driving unit described later.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the capping device 11. This capping device 11
Is a cap member 12 for sealing one recording head 7.
And a cap member 13 for sealing the other recording head 8 is mounted on the upper slider 21. Since the nozzle plate of the recording head 7 for black ink is slightly smaller than the nozzle plate of the recording head 8 for color ink, the cap member 12 is actually formed to be slightly smaller than the cap member 13. In FIG. 2, they are shown with substantially the same dimensions.

The upper slider 21 is mounted on a lower slider 24 mounted on the frame 22 via a lever 23 so as to be able to rise with an arc-shaped locus so as to be able to swing. I have. Thereby, the cap members 12 and 13 are configured to be able to abut against the recording heads 7 and 8 from below in parallel.

When the carriage 1 moves directly above the capping device 11, an engaging member (not shown) arranged on the carriage 1 comes into contact with a part of the lower slider 24, and the lower slider 24 is moved via the lever 23. Standing up,
Cap members 12 and 13 mounted on upper slider 21
Are configured so that the recording heads 7 and 8 arranged on the carriage 1 can be sealed.

The cap members 12 and 13 are formed in such a size that the nozzle opening surfaces of the recording heads 7 and 8 can be sealed in one space.
The internal space surrounded by the ink suction ports 25, 26
Is communicated to. The tubes 15A and 15B of the pump units 14A and 14B, which will be described later, are connected to the ink suction ports 25 and 26, and when a cleaning command is received, a negative pressure is applied by the pump units 14A and 14B as appropriate. The recording heads 7 and 8 are configured to be able to forcibly discharge ink.

On the other hand, one ends of tubes 27A and 27B are connected to the lower bottoms of the cap members 12 and 13, and the other ends of the tubes 27A and 27B are connected to the atmosphere opening ports 29 and 30 of the valve member 28. ing.

When the cap members 12 and 13 are the recording heads 7 and
When the valve member 28 is moved to a position where the valve member 8 can be sealed, a valve body 32 that is constantly urged toward the valve member 28 by a spring 31 and elastically contacts the valve member 28 is disposed in a region where the valve member 28 is located. The open ports 29 and 30 and the valve member 28 form atmospheric release valves V1 and V2.

By adjusting the pump operation of the pump units 14A and 14B and the operation timing of the air release valves V1 and V2, the air is introduced into the internal space surrounded by the cap members 12 and 13, and the ink is sucked. Is configured to be performed.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a pump unit for sucking an internal space surrounded by the cap members 12 and 13. In the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, two pump units are mounted, but both have the same configuration. Therefore, one of the pump units 14A in FIG.
Here is an example.

The pump unit 14A is provided with a pump frame 42 made of a hard synthetic resin having a tube support surface 41 for regulating the outer shape of the tube in an arc shape. The tube support surface 42 is formed such that an arc-shaped circumferential angle θa is approximately 180 degrees, and one end is provided at the ink suction port 2 of the capping device 11.
A tube 15 </ b> A, which is connected to a discharge ink tank (not shown), is connected to the tube support surface 41.

At the center point of the circular arc surrounded and bent by the tube support surface 41, a disk-shaped pump wheel 43 that is rotated by a driving force from a pump motor as a driving means described later is disposed. The pump wheel 43 is provided with two roller support grooves 44A and 44B so as to be located symmetrically with respect to the rotation axis 43a of the pump wheel. The roller support grooves 44A and 44B are formed in a columnar shape. Of the pair of rollers 45A, 45B,
45b is freely rotatably supported. Although not shown on the pump wheel 43, a gear 4
3a are formed.

The respective rollers 45A, 45B
Is radially folded from the rotation axis of the wheel 43 so that the pump wheel 43 can move between a first position E on the rotation axis 43A side of the pump wheel 43 and a second position F remote from the rotation axis. Each curved roller support groove 44A, 44B is formed.

The pump wheel 43 has a rotating shaft 4
A pair of notches 46A and 46B are formed with 3A as a symmetrical point, and one ends of U-shaped springs 47A and 47B as urging members are engaged with the notches 46A and 46B, respectively. The other ends of the pair of springs 47A and 47B are formed as small-diameter U-shaped bent portions, which are engaged with the support shafts 45a and 45b of the rollers 45A and 45B, respectively. The pair of springs 47A, 47B are engaged with the projections 48A, 48B disposed on the wheel 43, respectively, and urge the rollers 45A, 45B toward the first position E of the pump wheel 43. Have been.

The tube 15A is connected to the pump frame 4
2 is held by a tube holding member 50 provided. As shown in FIG. 5, the tube holding member 50 is provided on a holding surface portion 50a formed at a position one step higher than the bottom surface of the pump frame 42, and furthermore, connects the tube 15A to the pump frame 42. It is designed to be held toward the bottom.

Therefore, the bulge of the tube 15A caused by being handled by the rollers 45A and 45B is absorbed by this step, and the bulge does not come into contact with the bottom of the pump frame 42. As a result, a part of the tube 15A is lifted in the pump wheel direction and does not come into contact with the pump wheel, so that the side wall of the tube 15A is prevented from being worn or damaged. Moreover, since the tube 15A is held toward the bottom of the pump frame 42, even if the tube 15A becomes loose toward the pump frame 42, the amount of slack is minimized. Can be.

The tube 15A is disposed along the tube support surface 41. Preferably, a gap 51 is provided between the side wall of the tube 15A and the tube support surface 41 in consideration of the elongation of the tube 15A. It is good to form. When the gap 51 is formed as described above, even if the tube 15A extends due to the press-contact of the rollers 45A and 45B, the force directed toward the center of rotation is large, so that the lifting in the direction of the pump wheel is suppressed as much as possible. Can be.

A shaft 49 is established in a part of the pump frame 42, and one end of a first arm 55 is rotatably attached to the shaft 49. On the other end of the first arm 55, a cam surface 5 constituting a cam mechanism 56 is provided.
7 is attached to the connector 55a. The arm 55 is pulled by a coiled spring 58 attached to a part of the pump frame 42,
5a is configured to be moved up and down along the cam surface 57 by driving the cam mechanism 56.

The first arm 55 has a second arm 59A.
Are integrally attached, and a roller guide 59B bent in an arc shape is attached to the tip of the second arm 59A. The roller guide 59B is provided with the cam mechanism 5
The first arm 55 and the second arm 59A driven by the motor 6 move the rollers 45A and 45B in the movement locus.

The cam surface 57 of the cam mechanism 56
When the roller guide 59B enters the movement locus of the rollers 45A and 45B due to the shape (crest portion) of FIG. The roller 45A contacts the wall surface and acts to drag the rollers 45A and 45B from the first position E on the rotation axis 43a side of the pump wheel 43 in the second position F direction away from the rotation axis.

As a result, the rollers 45A and 45B move to the locus of the second position F against the urging force of the springs 47A and 47B, and press against the tube 15A arranged along the tube support surface 41.

When the rollers 45A and 45B are pressed against the tube 15A in this way, the friction between the rollers 45A and 45B
5B is held in the second position F, and the tube 1A is deformed while the tube 16A is in the range of the circumferential angle θa.
Roll along 5A. By such an operation, the tube 15A is squeezed by the rollers 45A and 45B, and the tube 15A operates as a tube pump. When the rollers 45A and 45B move out of the range of the circumferential angle θa, the rollers 45A and 45B return to the first position E by the urging forces of the springs 47A and 47B.

At this time, since the tube 15A is held by the holding surface 50a formed at a position one step higher than the bottom of the tube support surface 41, the tube 15A handled by the rollers 45A and 45B. The bulge is absorbed by the step, and the bulged portion does not come into contact with the bottom surface of the pump frame 42, so that the tube 15A does not float up to the pump wheel side. Moreover, the tube 15A
Is held toward the bottom surface of the pump frame 42, so that even if the tube 15A becomes loose toward the pump frame 42, the amount of slack can be minimized.

On the other hand, depending on the shape (valley portion) of the cam surface 57 in the cam mechanism 56, the roller guide 59B
In a state in which the rollers 45A and 45B do not enter the movement trajectory of the rollers 5A and 45B, the above-described action by the roller guide 59B does not occur, and the rollers 45A and 45B are connected to the springs 47A and 47B.
Is maintained at the first position E by the urging force of
No pumping action is exhibited. That is, the pump unit 14
In A, the operation and non-operation of the hopping action are controlled according to the peak or valley of the cam surface 57 in the cam mechanism 56.

The roller guide 59B is located at a position avoiding the tube support surface 41 for regulating the outer shape of the tube in an arc shape, preferably, as shown in FIG.
The tube support surface 41 is located immediately before the tube support surface 41 in the rotation direction. Thus, the rollers 45A, 45B can be guided by the roller guide 59B with a light load.
The reliability of operation can be improved.

Next, FIG. 4 shows an example of a driving force transmission mechanism in the recording apparatus. The transport roller shaft 61 has a gear 62 at one end, and a paper feed motor 63 as a driving unit.
The paper feed roller shaft 66 is driven from a pinion 64 on the shaft of
It is configured to rotate by engaging with a gear 62 attached to the roller shaft 61 via a gear 68 constituting a clutch mechanism. The gear 68 constituting the clutch mechanism always keeps a position away from the gears 62 and 67 as shown in FIG. 4 by a spring (not shown), and moves in the axial direction when pushed by the carriage 1. Gear 6
2 and 67 are connected so that the paper feed roller shaft 66 is driven.

On the other hand, a shaft 71 for holding the gear 70 is rotated from a pinion 64 of the paper feed motor 63 via an idler 69, and the shaft 71 is provided with a first shaft.
A clutch 72 and a second clutch 73 are provided.

The first clutch 72 is slidable by a coil spring 72e which is urged in the expanding direction between a clutch disc 72a having a sliding piece 72b directly connected to the shaft 71 and a sliding piece 72b. It is constituted by a driven clutch disc 72c which is driven by being brought into contact with 72b. The driven clutch board 72c constitutes a drive unit for a wiping member described later.

On the other hand, the second clutch 73 is directly connected to the shaft 71 and has a clutch disc 73a provided with a sliding piece 73b,
Coil spring 73e urged in the expanding direction with respect to 3d
, And is constituted by a driven clutch board 73c which is driven by being brought into contact with the sliding piece 73b. The driven clutch disc 73c has a first cam 56 constituting a cam mechanism.
A and the second cam 56B are connected.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, a drive system for driving the two pump units 14A and 14B is shown, and the roller guide 59B of each pump unit is described.
The first arms 55A and 55B for controlling the position of the first cam 56A and the second cam 56B are configured to be controlled in position.

Then, the two pump units 14A,
14B is configured to be rotationally driven by a shaft 78 that holds a gear 77 from a pinion 75 of a pump motor 74 as a driving unit that is rotationally driven in one direction, via an idler 76. Accordingly, each pump wheel 43 provided in each of the two pump units 14A and 14B is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow D shown in FIG.

As described above, the tube 15A is held on the holding surface portion 50a formed at a position one step higher than the bottom of the pump frame 42.
Is held toward the bottom surface of the pump frame 42, so that the bulging portion of the tube 15A handled by the rollers 45A and 45B is absorbed by the step, and the bulging portion is absorbed by the pump frame 42. Tube 15A does not float in the direction of the pump wheel. Also, even if the bulging portion comes into contact with the bottom surface of the pump frame 42 and the tube 15A rises to the pump frame 42 side, the amount of floating can be minimized. As a result, tube 1
5A does not come into contact with the pump wheel,
Wear and breakage of A are prevented.

Next, another embodiment of the structure for preventing the tube from floating in the direction of the pump wheel and preventing the tube from being worn or damaged will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the tube 15A is a tube provided on the pump frame 42.
The holding member 51A is held by the holding members 51A and 51B. The tube holding member 51A is provided on a holding surface portion 50a formed at a position one step higher than the bottom surface of the pump frame 42, as in the case shown in FIG. The tube guide portion 51b of the tube holding member 51B is open toward the bottom surface (downward) of the pump frame 42, and the tube 15A is arranged in the direction of the bottom surface of the pump frame 42. .

Therefore, the tube 15A is
A, 45B, the bulging portion is absorbed by the step, and the bulging portion does not come into contact with the bottom surface of the pump frame 42.
A floats in the direction of the pump wheel 43 and does not come into contact with the pump wheel 43. As a result, wear and damage of the side wall of the tube 15A are prevented. Also, even if the bulging portion comes into contact with the bottom surface of the pump frame 42 and the tube 15A rises to the pump frame 42 side, the amount of floating can be minimized.

As shown in FIG. 7 (a), the tube 15A is held by two holding members 51A and 51B standing from the bottom of the pump frame 42 without providing the holding surface 50a. Is also good. Even in this case,
As shown in FIG. 7B, the tube guide portion 51b is opened downward, and the tube 15A is preferably arranged in the direction of the bottom surface of the tube support surface 41.

Also, in the embodiment shown in FIG.
A flanged roller 52 having flanges formed at the upper and lower ends of the rollers 45A and 45B is provided so that the tube 15A floating in the direction of the pump wheel 43 does not contact the pump wheel 43. In addition, 43a in the figure is a gear portion formed on the outer peripheral portion of the pump wheel 43. Also, 4
3b is a roller supporting portion formed on the pump wheel 43 for supporting the lower end of the roller 52.

In this embodiment, the problem of wear between the flange of the roller 52 and the tube 15A is a problem, but it is compared with the wear due to the contact with the gear 43a formed on the pump wheel 43. And can be suppressed considerably.

Further, the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is an example in which the shaft diameter of the roller is changed, and as shown in FIG.
2 from the pump frame side 52c.
The feature is that the metal side 52b is formed large.

As described above, since the roller 52 has a different shaft diameter, the advance of the roller 52 on the side of the pump wheel 43 becomes faster than that of the pump frame 42, and the roller 52 rotates while tilting. As a result, a downward force acts on the tube 15A, so that the tube 15A is prevented from floating in the direction of the pump wheel 43, the contact with the pump wheel 43 is prevented, and the tube 15A is prevented. Wear damage is prevented.

Further, the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is an example in which the diameter of the roller is changed, and the diameter of the roller 52 is formed larger on the pump wheel 43 side than on the pump frame 42 side. There is a characteristic in that. That is, the roller 52 has a truncated cone shape.

Since the roller 52 has the shape of a truncated cone, a downward force acts on the tube 15A as in the case shown in FIG. as a result,
Lifting of the tube 15A in the direction of the pump wheel is prevented, and contact between the tube and the pump wheel is prevented.
Tube wear damage is prevented.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the outer shape of the pump wheel 43 is substantially the same as or larger than that of the pump frame 42, and the pump wheel 43A rises in the pump wheel direction of the tube 15A. It is characterized in that the tube 15A is configured not to be sandwiched between the pump frame 42 and the pump wheel 43. Further, when the outer shape of the pump wheel 43 is substantially the same as or larger than that of the pump frame 42, when the gear portion 43a is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the pump wheel 43, it is directly connected to the tube 15A. The feature is that it is configured not to contact.

As a result, the accident that the tube 15A is pinched between the pump frame 42 and the pump wheel 43 can be prevented, and the tube 15A can be connected to the pump wheel.
Even when it comes into contact with the tube, wear and damage of the tube can be suppressed as compared with the related art.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, as in the case shown in FIG. 11, the outer shape of the pump wheel 43 is formed to be substantially the same as or larger than the pump frame 42. When the tube 15A comes in contact with the pump wheel 43 and rises in the direction of the pump wheel 15A, the gear portion 43a does not come into contact with the tube 15A. Further, this embodiment is characterized in that the low friction member 53 is interposed between the pump wheel 43 and the tube 15A.

As a result, the pump hoist of the tube 15A
Even if the tube 15A floats in the direction of the wall, the tube 15A contacts the low-friction member 53, so that abrasion damage can be suppressed as compared with the related art.

In the above embodiment, the tube
When assembling the tube 15A to the pump frame, the tube 1
When the tube 5A is assembled in a twisted state, the tube 15
A lift in the direction of the pump wheel A is further increased.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, a linear marking 54 is provided on the side wall of the tube 15A in order to determine the mounting state.
Should be appended.

[0091]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, the tube in the pump unit does not come into contact with the pump wheel even when handled. The wear and breakage of the tube are prevented. As a result, good ink suction can be performed, and the ink can be maintained in an optimal state.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a capping unit provided in the recording apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a pump unit mounted on the recording apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of a driving force transmission mechanism of the recording apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of a pump unit loaded in the recording apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 (b) is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 (b) is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 7 (a).

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

9A is a schematic sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9B is a side view showing a roller.

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a conventional pump unit and a wiping member drive unit.

FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an operation state of a conventional pump unit.

FIG. 16 is a schematic sectional view showing an operation state in a conventional pump unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 carriage 6 recording paper 7, 8 recording head 11 capping device 12, 13 cap member 14A, 14B pump unit 15A, 15B tube 17 cleaning member 41 tube support surface 42 pump frame 43 pump wheel 43a gear portion 43b roller support portion 44A , 44B Roller support groove 45A, 45B Roller 47A, 47B Spring (biasing member) 50 Tube holding member 51A, 51B Tube holding member 52 Roller 52a Flange 52b Roller shaft 52c Roller shaft Part 53 Low friction member 54 Marking 55, 55A, 55B First arm 56, 56A, 56B Cam mechanism (selection means) 59A Second arm 59B Roller guide 61 Transport roller shaft 63 Paper feed motor (drive means) 66 Paper feed Roller shaft 72 First clutch 73 Second clutch 74 Pump motor (drive means) 81 Drive unit for wiping member E First position F Second position

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Takahiko Nagata 3-3-5 Yamato, Suwa-shi, Nagano Seiko Epson Corporation

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An ink jet recording head for discharging ink droplets corresponding to print data, and a capping means for sealing the recording head and sucking ink from the recording head by receiving a negative pressure from a pump unit. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: the pump unit, a pump frame having a tube support surface that regulates the outer shape of the tube in an arc shape, a pump wheel that is rotated by a driving force from a driving unit,
A roller supported by the pump wheel so as to be movable between a first position on the rotation axis side of the pump wheel and a second position distant from the rotation axis, and a position higher than a bottom portion of the pump frame. A tube holding member for holding the tube, the pump tube being held by the tube holding member.
The roller is pressed against a tube to deform the tube when the roller is moved to the second position of the pump wheel while being held toward the bottom of the pump. Ink jet recording device. 2. The pump according to claim 1, wherein the tube insertion hole formed in the holding member for holding the tube is a through hole inclined toward a bottom surface of the pump frame. Inkjet recording device. 3. A gap is formed between the tube supporting surface formed on the pump frame and the tube when the roller is not pressed against the tube. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1. 4. An ink jet recording head for discharging ink droplets in accordance with print data, and capping means for sealing the recording head and sucking ink from the recording head by receiving a negative pressure from a pump unit. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: the pump unit, a pump frame having a tube support surface that regulates the outer shape of the tube in an arc shape, a pump wheel that is rotated by a driving force from a driving unit,
A roller supported by the pump wheel so as to be movable between a first position on the rotation axis side of the pump wheel and a second position away from the rotation axis, and formed at upper and lower ends of the roller. A configuration in which, when the roller is moved to the second position of the pump wheel, the tube is deformed by pressing against the tube between the flanges provided at the upper and lower ends of the roller. An ink jet recording apparatus, comprising: 5. An ink jet recording head for discharging ink droplets corresponding to print data, and capping means for sealing the recording head and sucking ink from the recording head by receiving a negative pressure from a pump unit. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: the pump unit, a pump frame having a tube support surface that regulates the outer shape of the tube in an arc shape, a pump wheel that is rotated by a driving force from a driving unit,
A roller supported by the pump wheel so as to be movable between a first position on the rotation axis side of the pump wheel and a second position away from the rotation axis, formed on upper and lower end surfaces of the roller; A roller shaft portion having a shaft diameter located on the pump wheel side larger than a shaft diameter located on the pump frame side, wherein the roller is moved to a second position of the pump wheel, An ink jet recording apparatus characterized in that the ink jet recording apparatus is configured so as to incline and press against a tube to deform the tube. 6. An ink jet recording head for discharging ink droplets in accordance with print data, and capping means for sealing the recording head and sucking ink from the recording head by receiving a negative pressure from a pump unit. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: the pump unit, a pump frame having a tube support surface that regulates the outer shape of the tube in an arc shape, a pump wheel that is rotated by a driving force from a driving unit,
The pump wheel is supported by the pump wheel so as to be movable between a first position on the rotation axis side of the pump wheel and a second position away from the rotation axis, and the diameter of the pump wheel on the pump frame side is reduced. A roller having a shape of a truncated cone having a diameter larger than the diameter of the roller, wherein the roller is moved to the second position of the pump wheel, and the inclined outer peripheral surface of the roller is pressed against the tube to deform the tube. An ink jet type recording apparatus characterized in that it is configured to cause the recording. 7. An ink jet recording head for discharging ink droplets in accordance with print data, and capping means for sealing the recording head and sucking ink from the recording head by receiving a negative pressure from a pump unit. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: the pump unit, a pump frame having a tube support surface that regulates the outer shape of the tube in an arc shape, a pump wheel that is rotated by a driving force from a driving unit,
A roller supported on the pump wheel so as to be movable between a first position on the rotation axis side of the pump wheel and a second position away from the rotation axis; The roller is formed to be substantially the same as the outer shape of the pump frame or larger than the outer shape of the pump frame. When the roller is moved to the second position of the pump wheel, the roller is pressed against the tube to deform the tube. An ink jet recording apparatus, comprising: 8. An ink jet recording head for discharging ink droplets in accordance with print data, and capping means for sealing the recording head and sucking ink from the recording head by receiving a negative pressure from a pump unit. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: the pump unit, a pump frame having a tube support surface that regulates the outer shape of the tube in an arc shape, a pump wheel that is rotated by a driving force from a driving unit,
A roller supported by the pump wheel so as to be movable between a first position on the rotation axis side of the pump wheel and a second position away from the rotation axis; and a roller provided on the tube support surface. A low friction member interposed between the tube and a pump wheel, wherein the roller is pressed against the tube to deform the tube when the roller is moved to the second position of the pump wheel. An ink jet recording apparatus characterized by being configured as described above. 9. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a linear marking is provided on a side wall of the tube.