Ink jet recording device and method of driving and controlling the same

A method for driving and controlling an ink jet recording device including an ink jet recording head which is mounted on a carriage being reciprocatively movable from a print region to a home position, ejects ink drops in accordance with print data and includes a nozzle forming surface, a cap member disposed on a cap holder for sealing up the nozzle forming surface when the cap member comes in contact with the nozzle forming surface, and a wiping member disposed on the cap holder at a side of the print region for wiping the nozzle forming surface when the wiping member is brought into sliding contact with nozzle forming surface, the method comprising the steps of:

• sucking and discharging ink from the recording head by applying a negative pressure from a suction pump into the cap member in a state that the nozzle forming surface is sealed with the cap member;
• removing the sealing of the nozzle forming surface in conjunction with a movement of the carriage toward the print region, and stopping a downward movement of the cap holder by a cap retaining member having advanced to a moving path of the cap holder;
• and
• bringing the wiping member into sliding contact with the nozzle forming surface in conjunction with a further movement of the carriage to the print region.

An ink jet recording device having an ink jet recording head which is mounted on a reciprocatively movable carriage and ejects ink drops in accordance with print data and includes a nozzle forming surface, the ink jet recording device comprising:

• a head cleaning mechanism located adjacent to a home position of the recording head for cleaning the recording head;
• the head cleaning mechanism including:
• a cap holder being located adjacent to the home position being movable to and from the nozzle forming surface;
• a cap member supported on the cap holder and being brought into contact with the nozzle forming surface to seal up the nozzle forming surface;
• a wiping member supported on the cap holder and being slidable on the nozzle forming surface to wipe the nozzle forming surface in conjunction with the movement of the cap holder,
• an interlocking mechanism for moving the cap holder to and from the nozzle forming surface in conjunction with the movements of the recording head to and from the home position, and causing the cap member to seal up the nozzle forming surface and removing the sealing of said nozzle forming surface;
• a suction pump for applying a negative pressure to the cap member so that ink is sucked from the recording head and the sucked ink is discharged outside in a state that the nozzle forming surface is sealed with the cap member;
• and
• a holding mechanism selectively moved to and from a moving path of the cap holder for holding the cap holder at a position where the wiping member comes in sliding contact with the nozzle forming surface when the recording head is moved apart from the home position after the sucking and discharging of ink by the suction pump, so that the nozzle forming surface is wiped by the wiping member and so that the cap holder is moved away from the position where the wiping member comes in sliding contact with the nozzle forming surface after the wiping operation.

An ink jet recording device having an ink jet recording head which is mounted on a reciprocatively movable carriage and ejects ink drops in accordance with print data and includes a nozzle forming surface, the ink jet recording device comprising:

• a head cleaning mechanism located adjacent to a home position of the recording head for cleaning the recording head;
• the head cleaning mechanism including:
• a cap holder being located adjacent to the home position being movable to and from the nozzle forming surface;
• a cap member supported on the cap holder and being brought into contact with the nozzle forming surface to seal up the nozzle forming surface;
• a wiping member supported on the cap holder and being slidable on the nozzle forming surface to wipe the nozzle forming surface in conjunction with the movement of the cap holder,
• an interlocking mechanism for moving the cap holder to and from the nozzle forming surface in conjunction with the movements of the recording head to and from the home position, and causing the cap member to seal up the nozzle forming surface and removing the sealing of said nozzle forming surface;
• and
• a holding mechanism selectively moved to and from a moving path of the cap holder for holding the cap holder at a position where the wiping member comes in sliding contact with the nozzle forming surface when the recording head is moved apart from the home position so that the nozzle forming surface is wiped by the wiping member and so that the cap holder is moved away from the position where the wiping member comes in sliding contact with the nozzle forming surface after the wiping operation.