Ink jet recording apparatus and flushing control method used in the same
AssigneeSeiko Epson Corporation
InventorsToyohiko Mitsuzawa, Katsuhiro Komatsu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An ink jet recording head is provided with a nozzle formation face on which nozzles for ejecting ink drops in accordance with print data are formed. A capping member for sealing the nozzle formation face has an inner space formed with a bottom. An ink absorbing member is provided on the bottom of the inner space. In a first flushing mode, ink drops are ejected into the capping member in a state that the nozzle formation face is sealed by the capping member. In a second flushing mode, ink drops are ejected into the capping member in a state that the capping member is separated from the nozzle formation face. Either the first flushing mode or the second flushing mode is selectively performed.
Claims7
An ink jet recording apparatus, comprising:
- an ink jet recording head provided with a nozzle formation face on which nozzle orifices for ejecting ink drops in accordance with print data are formed;
- a capping member, which seals the nozzle formation face, the capping member having an inner space formed with a bottom;
- an ink absorbing member, provided on the bottom of the inner space in the capping member;
- and
- a flushing controller, which selectively performs either a first flushing mode, in which ink drops are ejected into the capping member in a state that the nozzle formation face is sealed by the capping member or a second flushing mode, in which ink drops are ejected into the capping member in a state that the capping member is separated from the nozzle formation face,
- wherein the first flushing mode is performed when a printing operation is not performed;
- and
- wherein the second flushing mode is performed when the printing operation is interrupted.
An ink jet recording apparatus, comprising:
- an ink jet recording head, provided with a nozzle formation face on which nozzle orifices for ejecting ink drops in accordance with print data are formed;
- a capping member, which seals the nozzle formation face, the capping member having an inner space formed with a bottom;
- an ink absorbing member, provided on the bottom of the inner space in the capping member;
- and
- a flushing controller, which selectively performs either a first flushing mode, in which ink drops are ejected into the capping member in a state that the nozzle formation face is sealed by the capping member or a second flushing mode, in which ink drops are ejected into the capping member in a state that the capping member is separated from the nozzle formation face,
- wherein a distance between the nozzle formation face and the ink absorbing member is variable when the second flushing mode is performed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.