Image forming apparatus having improved capability for maintaining ink delivery

#The present disclosure generally relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus using fuel cell as power source and water from the fuel cell as water source for cleaning a recording head.

#Generally, when an inkjet recording apparatus repeatedly conducts printing operations, foreign materials such as paper powder, dust, viscosity-increased ink, and ink droplet may adhere on a nozzle of a recording head, by which the nozzle of the recording head may be affected, and a deterioration of image quality may happen due to a malfunction of recording head such as nozzle blocking and irregular discharge caused by an adhesion of foreign materials.

#In order to cope with such drawbacks, a capping unit and a negative pressure generator may be used, for example. The negative pressure generator sucks ink from the nozzle while the nozzle is capped by the capping unit.

#A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages and features thereof can be readily obtained and understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus, having a fuel cell unit, according to an exemplary embodiment;

#FIG. 2 is a schematic cross sectional view of an image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

#In describing exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure of this present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner.

#Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment is described with particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a schematic cross sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1.