Inkjet recording device

Abstract

To provide an inkjet recording device that can suppress cleaning liquid from reaching and adhering to a side upper than an ink discharge surface of a recording head, so as to maintain ink discharge performance appropriately.SOLUTION: An inkjet recording device 1 comprises a recording head 52, a cap part 111C, a cleaning liquid supply part 14, a supply port 111s, and a liquid-level adjusting part 15. The cleaning liquid supply part 14 supplies cleaning liquid to a blocked space between an ink discharge surface 52F of the recording head 52 and the cap part 111C. The liquid-level adjusting part 15 adjusts liquid level of cleaning liquid in the blocked space so that liquid level of cleaning liquid stored in the blocked space between the ink discharge surface 52F and the cap part 111C does not contact the ink discharge surface 52F and the cleaning liquid does not leak out from the blocked space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Inkjet recording devices, such as printers and copiers, that eject ink onto a recording medium such as paper to record images are widely used due to their ability to record high-resolution images. In such inkjet recording devices, ink remaining on the ink ejection surface of the recording head can solidify, causing ejection problems. To address this issue, conventional techniques for removing solidified ink from the ink ejection surface include capping the ink ejection surface, immersing it in a cleaning liquid, and cleaning (wiping).

[0003] For example, a conventional ink ejection head maintenance device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a cleaning tank into which cleaning liquid is poured and into which the nozzle surface of the ink ejection head is immersed. The cleaning tank has a double structure with an inner tank in which the nozzle surface is immersed and an outer tank that receives cleaning liquid that overflows from the inner tank. By immersing the nozzle surface in the cleaning liquid, deposits on the nozzle surface swell or dissolve, and the cleaning liquid is discharged. Therefore, deposits on the nozzle surface can be removed without damaging the nozzle surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-61890 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the conventional technology, the nozzle surface is soaked in cleaning liquid by overflowing the cleaning liquid from the inner tank onto the nozzle surface, which causes the cleaning liquid to reach and adhere to areas above the nozzle surface of the ink ejection head, which can easily cause the cleaning liquid to seep into the ink ejection head, raising concerns that this could cause problems with the ink ejection head.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to provide an inkjet recording device that can prevent cleaning liquid from reaching or adhering above the ink ejection surface of the recording head, thereby maintaining optimal ink ejection performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the inkjet recording device of the present invention comprises a recording head, a cap unit, a cleaning liquid supply unit, a supply port, and a liquid level adjustment unit. The recording head has an ink ejection surface where nozzles that eject ink onto a recording medium are opened. The cap unit is detachable from the ink ejection surface and covers the ink ejection surface. The cleaning liquid supply unit supplies cleaning liquid to a closed space between the ink ejection surface and the cap unit. The supply port is provided in the cap unit, and the cleaning liquid flows into the inside of the cap unit. The liquid level adjustment unit adjusts the liquid level of the cleaning liquid in the closed space so that the liquid level of the cleaning liquid stored in the closed space contacts the ink ejection surface and so that the cleaning liquid does not leak from the closed space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the configuration of the present invention, the cleaning liquid stored in the closed space of the cap portion contacts the ink ejection surface and does not leak out of the closed space of the cap portion. This prevents the cleaning liquid from reaching or adhering to areas above the ink ejection surface of the print head. This prevents the cleaning liquid from penetrating into the print head, preventing print head malfunctions caused by the cleaning liquid penetrating. This makes it possible to maintain the print head's ink ejection performance in an optimal manner. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional front view of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the periphery of a recording unit of the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a side view of the recording head of FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the recording head of FIG. 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a recording unit and a maintenance unit of the inkjet recording apparatus of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cap unit of the maintenance unit of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the print head, the cap unit, and the cleaning liquid supply unit in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a recording head, a cap unit, and a cleaning liquid supply unit according to Modification 1. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a recording head, a cap unit, and a cleaning liquid supply unit according to a second modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional front view of an inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the recording unit 5 and its surroundings of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of FIG. 1. The inkjet recording apparatus 1 is, for example, an inkjet recording printer. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes a device main body 2, a paper supply unit 3, a paper transport unit 4, a recording unit 5, a drying unit 6, a control unit 7, and a storage unit 8.

[0012] The paper supply unit 3 is disposed, for example, at the bottom of the device main body 2. The paper supply unit 3 stores a plurality of sheets of paper (recording media) S, and separates and feeds out the sheets S one by one during recording.

[0013] The paper transport unit 4 is disposed downstream of the paper supply unit 3 in the paper transport direction, and transports the paper S sent out from the paper supply unit 3. The paper transport unit 4 transports the paper S to the recording unit 5 and the drying unit 6, and then discharges the paper S after recording and drying to the paper discharge unit 21. The paper transport unit 4 also has, for example, a reversing transport unit 4r. When double-sided recording is performed, the paper transport unit 4 distributes the paper S after recording and drying on the first side to the reversing transport unit 4r, and then switches the transport direction to reverse the paper S and transports it again to the recording unit 5 and the drying unit 6.

[0014] The paper transport unit 4 includes a first belt transport unit 41 and a second belt transport unit 42. The first belt transport unit 41 has a first transport belt 411 formed in an endless shape. The second belt transport unit 42 has a second transport belt 421 formed in an endless shape. The first belt transport unit 41 and the second belt transport unit 42 adsorb and hold the paper S on the upper outer surfaces (upper surfaces) of the first transport belt 411 and the second transport belt 421, respectively, and transport the paper S. The first belt transport unit 41 is disposed below the recording unit 5 and transports the paper S. The second belt transport unit 42 is located downstream of the first belt transport unit 41 in the paper transport direction, and is disposed in the drying unit 6 and transports the paper S.

[0015] The recording unit 5 is located downstream of the paper supply unit 3 in the paper conveying direction, and is arranged opposite the first belt conveying unit 41. The recording unit 5 faces the paper S that is conveyed while being attracted to and held on the upper surface of the first conveying belt 411, and is arranged above the first conveying belt 411 with a predetermined gap therebetween. In other words, the recording unit 5 faces the paper S that is conveyed by the paper conveying unit 4.

[0016] 2, the recording unit 5 holds head units 51B, 51C, 51M, and 51Y corresponding to four colors: black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. The head units 51B, 51C, 51M, and 51Y are arranged side by side along the paper transport direction Dc so that their longitudinal directions are parallel to the paper width direction Dw, which is perpendicular to the paper transport direction Dc. Note that the four head units 51B, 51C, 51M, and 51Y have the same basic configuration, so in the following explanation, the identification symbols "B," "C," "M," and "Y" representing each color may be omitted unless there is a particular need to specify them.

[0017] Each head unit 51 for each color has a line-type inkjet recording head 52. In each head unit 51 for each color, a plurality of recording heads 52 (for example, three (52a, 52b, 52c)) are arranged in a staggered pattern along the paper width direction Dw.

[0018] The recording head 52 has a plurality of ink ejection nozzles 521 at its bottom. The plurality of ink ejection nozzles 521 are arranged in a row along the paper width direction Dw, and can eject ink over the entire recording area on the paper S. In other words, the recording head 52 has a plurality of ink ejection nozzles 521 that eject ink onto the paper S. The recording unit 5 sequentially ejects ink from the recording heads 52 of the four color head units 51B, 51C, 51M, and 51Y toward the paper S transported by the first transport belt 411, and records a full-color image or a monochrome image on the paper S.

[0019] The drying unit 6 is disposed downstream of the recording unit 5 in the paper transport direction, and is provided with a second belt transport unit 42. The paper S on which an ink image has been recorded in the recording unit 5 is adsorbed and held by the second transport belt 421 in the drying unit 6, and the ink is dried while being transported.

[0020] The control unit 7 includes a CPU and other electronic circuits and electronic components (none of which are shown). Based on control programs and data stored in the memory unit 8, the CPU controls the operation of each component provided in the inkjet recording device 1 to perform processing related to the functions of the inkjet recording device 1. The paper supply unit 3, paper transport unit 4, recording unit 5, and drying unit 6 each receive commands individually from the control unit 7 and perform recording on the paper S in cooperation with each other.

[0021] The storage unit 8 is configured by combining a non-volatile storage device such as a program ROM (Read Only Memory) or a data ROM, and a volatile storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0022] Next, the configuration of the recording head 52 of the recording unit 5 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figures 4 and 5 are a side view and a bottom view of the recording head 52 of Figure 2. Note that the three recording heads 52a, 52b, and 52c for each color have the same shape and configuration, so the identification symbols (a, b, c) will be omitted in the following description.

[0023] The recording head 52 has an ink ejection surface 52F on its lower surface. The ink ejection surface 52F faces the surface (upper surface) of the paper S transported on the first transport belt 411. As shown in FIG. 4, the ink ejection surface 52F has a nozzle region 52R in which a large number of ink ejection nozzles 521 are arranged. That is, the ink ejection surface 52F has a large number of ink ejection nozzles 521 open therethrough and ejects ink onto the paper S. A water-repellent film (not shown) is formed on the ink ejection surface 52F. The four color (black, cyan, magenta, yellow) recording heads 52 are each individually supplied with ink of one of the four colors stored in an ink tank outside the head unit 51.

[0024] Based on a control signal from the control unit 7 and in accordance with image data received from an external computer, the recording head 52 discharges ink from the ink discharge nozzles 521 toward the paper S, which is adsorbed and held on the conveyance surface of the first conveyor belt 411 and conveyed. More specifically, the control unit 7 inputs a discharge drive signal, which has a predetermined drive voltage and pulse width set, to the recording head 52 to drive the recording head 52 and cause it to discharge ink from the ink discharge nozzles 521. As a result, a color image in which four colors of ink, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, are superimposed, or a monochrome image is formed on the paper S on the first conveyor belt 411.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 also includes a temperature detection unit 9, a maintenance unit 11, a unit moving mechanism 12, a heating unit 13, a cleaning liquid supply unit 14, and a liquid level adjustment unit 15.

[0026] The temperature detection unit 9 detects the environmental temperature around the installation location of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. The temperature detection unit 9 is configured with, for example, a thermistor.

[0027] When the maintenance process for the recording head 52 is not being performed, the maintenance unit 11 is disposed at the first position below the second belt conveyance section 42, as shown in FIG.

[0028] In the inkjet recording device 1, maintenance processing is performed on the recording head 52 at predetermined times. This maintenance processing on the recording head 52 is performed, for example, when recording starts after a long period of inactivity or between recording operations. When performing maintenance processing on the recording head 52, the control unit 7 causes the unit moving mechanism 12 to move the maintenance unit 11 to a second position below the recording unit 5.

[0029] During maintenance of the recording head 52, the first belt transport unit 41, which is disposed opposite the lower surface of the recording unit 5, is retracted by a transport unit movement mechanism (not shown) to a position lower than the position shown in Fig. 1 and closer to the paper supply unit 3. Thereafter, the maintenance unit 11 is moved to a second position below the recording unit 5 and brought closer to the ink ejection surface 52F.

[0030] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the recording section 5 and the maintenance unit 11 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the cap unit 111 of the maintenance unit 11 of Fig. 6.

[0031] The maintenance unit 11 includes a cap unit 111. During maintenance of the recording head 52, the cap unit 111 is placed in a cap position that covers the ink ejection surface 52F, and is attached to the underside of the recording unit 5. The cap unit 111 includes a tray 111T and a cap portion 111C. The tray 111T is formed in a rectangular shape that extends horizontally in the paper transport direction Dc and the paper width direction Dw.

[0032] The cap portions 111C are disposed on the upper surface of the tray 111T. The cap portions 111C are disposed at positions corresponding to the recording heads 52a, 52b, and 52c arranged in a staggered pattern along the paper width direction Dw for each color. That is, in this embodiment, the cap unit 111 has 12 cap portions 111C. The cap portions 111C are formed in a concave shape recessed downward.

[0033] The cap portion 111C is detachable from the ink ejection surface 52F and covers the ink ejection surface 52F. When the cap unit 111 is placed in the cap position covering the ink ejection surface 52F, the bottom of the recording head 52 fits inside the cap portion 111C, forming a closed space between the ink ejection surface 52F and the cap portion 111C.

[0034] The unit moving mechanism 12 is disposed below the recording unit 5 and the drying unit 6. The unit moving mechanism 12 has a carriage 121, a horizontal moving mechanism 122, and an elevation mechanism 123, and supports the maintenance unit 11.

[0035] The carriage 121 is supported by a horizontal movement mechanism 122. The carriage 121 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped box with an open top, and houses the maintenance unit 11 inside. The carriage 121 further holds a lifting mechanism 123.

[0036] The horizontal movement mechanism 122 includes a guide rail 1221 and a motor 1222 .

[0037] The guide rails 1221 are arranged on one end side and the other end side of the paper width direction Dw, and extend horizontally in the paper transport direction Dc from below the recording unit 5 to below the drying unit 6. The maintenance unit 11 is supported by the guide rails 1221 so as to be horizontally movable along the guide rails 1221. The cap unit 111 is supported independently above the carriage 121.

[0038] The motor 1222 is disposed adjacent to the guide rail 1221, and its output shaft is connected to the cap unit 111 and the carriage 121 via a group of gears or a wire and pulley (neither of which are shown), etc. When the motor 1222 is driven, the horizontal movement mechanism 122 moves the cap unit 111 and the carriage 121 horizontally along the paper transport direction Dc. The horizontal movement mechanism 122 can move the cap unit 111 and the carriage 121 horizontally separately.

[0039] The lifting mechanism 123 has a support mechanism (not shown) and a motor 1231. The support mechanism is disposed on the inner bottom of the carriage 121. The support mechanism supports the bottom of the maintenance unit 11 and is connected to the motor 1231 via a group of gears, or a wire and pulley (neither of which are shown), or the like.

[0040] When the motor 1231 is started, the lifting mechanism 123 drives the support mechanism to push up or pull down the maintenance unit 11, thereby lifting or lowering the maintenance unit 11. That is, the cap unit 111 is lifted or lowered by the lifting mechanism 123.

[0041] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the recording head 52, the cap unit 111, and the cleaning liquid supply unit 14 shown in FIG.

[0042] The heating unit 13 is individually attached to the outer bottom surface of each of the multiple cap units 111C of the cap unit 111. The heating unit 13 is configured, for example, with a flat heater. The heating unit 13 heats the cap units 111C. In other words, the heating unit 13 heats the cleaning liquid stored in the cap units 111C via the cap units 111C. The operation of the heating unit 13 is controlled by the control unit 7.

[0043] The cleaning liquid supply unit 14 supplies cleaning liquid to the closed space between the ink ejection surface 52F and the cap portion 111C. The cleaning liquid supply unit 14 includes a cleaning liquid tank 141, a supply pump 142, a supply pipe 143, a waste liquid tank 144, a discharge pump 145, and a discharge pipe 146.

[0044] The cleaning liquid tank 141 is connected to the cap portion 111C via a supply pipe 143. The cap portion 111C has a supply port 111s to which the supply pipe 143 is connected and through which the cleaning liquid flows into the inside of the cap portion 111C.

[0045] The cleaning liquid tank 141 contains cleaning liquid to be supplied into the cap portion 111C. The supply pump 142 is disposed downstream in the supply direction of the cleaning liquid to the cleaning liquid tank 141. The supply pump 142 sucks the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid tank 141 and discharges the cleaning liquid toward the cap portion 111C. In other words, the supply pump 142 sends the cleaning liquid toward the closed space between the ink discharge surface 52F and the cap portion 111C. The operation of the supply pump 142 is controlled by the control unit 7.

[0046] The waste liquid tank 144 is connected to the cap portion 111C via a discharge pipe 146. The cap portion 111C has a discharge port 111d to which the discharge pipe 146 is connected and through which the cleaning liquid inside the cap portion 111C flows out.

[0047] The waste liquid tank 144 stores used cleaning liquid (waste liquid) that has been supplied into the cap portion 111C and used to clean the ink ejection surface 52F. The discharge pump 145 is disposed upstream of the waste liquid tank 144 in the direction in which the cleaning liquid is discharged. The discharge pump 145 sucks the cleaning liquid (waste liquid) from inside the cap portion 111C and discharges the cleaning liquid toward the waste liquid tank 144. The operation of the discharge pump 145 is controlled by the control unit 7.

[0048] The liquid level adjustment unit 15 has an overflow pipe 151 and an overflow port 152. The overflow pipe 151 connects the cap unit 111C and the waste liquid tank 144 via a path separate from the discharge pipe 146. The overflow port 152 is provided in the side wall of the cap unit 111C, and is connected to the overflow pipe 151.

[0049] The overflow port 152 is disposed above the ink ejection surface 52F of the cap portion 111C. When the cleaning liquid stored in the closed space between the ink ejection surface 52F and the cap portion 111C reaches the overflow port 152, it overflows into the overflow pipe 151 via the overflow port 152 and is sent to the waste liquid tank 144. In other words, when the liquid level of the cleaning liquid stored in the closed space between the ink ejection surface 52F and the cap portion 111C comes into contact with the ink ejection surface 52F and becomes higher than the ink ejection surface 52F, it overflows into the overflow port 152.

[0050] That is, the liquid level adjustment unit 15 adjusts the liquid level of the cleaning liquid stored in the closed space between the ink ejection surface 52F and the cap portion 111C so that the liquid level of the cleaning liquid comes into contact with the ink ejection surface 52F and the cleaning liquid does not leak from the closed space.

[0051] According to the above configuration, the cleaning liquid stored in the closed space of the cap portion 111C has its liquid surface in contact with the ink ejection surface 52F and does not leak out of the closed space of the cap portion 111C. This prevents the cleaning liquid from reaching or adhering to a location above the ink ejection surface 52F of the recording head 52. This prevents the cleaning liquid from penetrating into the recording head 52, preventing malfunctions of the recording head 52 due to the cleaning liquid penetrating. This makes it possible to maintain the ink ejection performance of the recording head 52 in an optimal state.

[0052] Furthermore, the liquid level adjustment unit 15 causes the cleaning liquid above the ink ejection surface 52F in the closed space of the cap unit 111C to overflow through the overflow port 152. This configuration makes it possible to easily adjust the level of the cleaning liquid so that the liquid surface of the cleaning liquid in the closed space of the cap unit 111C contacts the ink ejection surface 52F and the cleaning liquid does not leak out of the closed space. Therefore, with this simple configuration, it is possible to prevent the cleaning liquid from reaching or adhering to a portion above the ink ejection surface 52F of the recording head 52.

[0053] 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the recording head 52, cap unit 111, and cleaning liquid supply unit 14 of Modification 1. The liquid level adjustment unit 15 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of Modification 1 has a liquid level detection sensor 153.

[0054] The liquid level detection sensor 153 is provided in the cap portion 111C. The liquid level detection sensor 153 is composed of a liquid level gauge or a level switch, for example, a capacitance type, an electrode type, an ultrasonic type, a radio wave type, an optical type, or the like. The liquid level detection sensor 153 is configured and arranged so as to be able to detect the position (height) of the liquid surface of the cleaning liquid in the cap portion 111C. The liquid level detection sensor 153 detects the liquid level of the cleaning liquid in the closed space between the ink ejection surface 52F and the cap portion 111C. The detection value of the liquid level detection sensor 153 is sent to the control unit 7.

[0055] Then, the control unit 7 controls the supply pump 142 so that the level of the cleaning liquid in the cap unit 111C contacts the ink ejection surface 52F based on the detection value of the liquid level detection sensor 153. With this configuration, the level of the cleaning liquid can be adjusted with high precision so that the level of the cleaning liquid in the closed space of the cap unit 111C contacts the ink ejection surface 52F and the cleaning liquid does not leak out of the closed space.

[0056] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the recording head 52, cap unit 111, and cleaning liquid supply unit 14 of Modification 2. The liquid level adjustment unit 15 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of Modification 1 has a liquid level detection sensor 154.

[0057] The liquid level detection sensor 154 is provided in the recording head 52. Like the liquid level detection sensor 153 of the first modification described with reference to FIG. 9, the liquid level detection sensor 154 is configured and arranged so as to be able to detect the position (height) of the liquid surface of the cleaning liquid in the cap portion 111C. The liquid level detection sensor 154 detects the liquid level of the cleaning liquid in the closed space between the ink ejection surface 52F and the cap portion 111C. The detection value of the liquid level detection sensor 154 is sent to the control unit 7.

[0058] Then, the control unit 7 controls the supply pump 142 so that the level of the cleaning liquid in the cap unit 111C contacts the ink ejection surface 52F based on the detection value of the liquid level detection sensor 154. With this configuration, the level of the cleaning liquid can be adjusted with high precision so that the level of the cleaning liquid in the closed space of the cap unit 111C contacts the ink ejection surface 52F and the cleaning liquid does not leak out of the closed space.

[0059] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0060] The present invention can be used in inkjet recording apparatuses. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1. Inkjet recording device 5 Recording section 7 Control Unit 8 Memory section 9 Temperature detection unit 11 Maintenance Unit 12 Unit movement mechanism 13 Heating section 14 Cleaning liquid supply unit 15 Liquid level adjustment section 51 Head Unit 52 Recording head 52F Ink ejection surface 111 Cap Unit 111C Cap 111T Tray 141 Cleaning liquid tank 142 Supply Pump 143 Supply pipe 144 Waste liquid tank 145 Discharge Pump 146 Discharge pipe 151 Overflow pipe 152 Overflow port 153, 154 Liquid level detection sensor S Paper (recording medium)

Claims

1. a recording head having an ink ejection surface on which nozzles for ejecting ink onto a recording medium are formed; a cap portion that is detachable from the ink ejection surface and covers the ink ejection surface; a cleaning liquid supply unit that supplies cleaning liquid to a closed space between the ink ejection surface and the cap unit; a supply port provided in the cap portion through which the cleaning liquid flows into the inside of the cap portion; a liquid level adjusting unit that adjusts the liquid level of the cleaning liquid stored in the closed space so that the liquid level of the cleaning liquid stored in the closed space contacts the ink ejection surface and so that the cleaning liquid does not leak from the closed space; An inkjet recording apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid level adjusting portion is disposed above the ink ejection surface of the cap portion and has an overflow port through which the cleaning liquid in the closed space overflows.

3. a supply pump provided in the cleaning liquid supply unit and configured to supply the cleaning liquid toward the enclosed space; a control unit for controlling the operation of the supply pump; Equipped with the liquid level adjustment unit has a liquid level detection sensor that detects the liquid level of the cleaning liquid in the closed space, 2. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the supply pump based on the detection value of the liquid level detection sensor so that the liquid surface of the cleaning liquid contacts the ink ejection surface.

4. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the liquid level detection sensor is provided in the cap portion.

5. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the liquid level detection sensor is provided in the recording head.

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