Recording apparatus

Abstract

To provide a technique advantageous in improving recording quality while shortening a maintenance time.SOLUTION: A printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a printhead configured to perform printing by an inkjet method, a recovery unit configured to be connectable to the printhead and recover a function of the printhead, and a control unit, wherein the recovery unit includes, as its states, a first state in which fluid connection to the printhead is possible and a second state in which the fluid connection is cut off, the control unit drives the recovery unit for a predetermined time while maintaining the recovery unit in the second state during a printing operation of the printhead, and after the printing operation, connects the recovery unit in the second state driven for the predetermined time to the printhead, and then sets the recovery unit in the first state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates primarily to a recording device. [Background technology]

[0002] Some recording devices, such as inkjet printers, employ control to shorten maintenance time. Patent Document 1 describes dividing a head unit, which corresponds to a recording head, into multiple maintenance areas, and performing maintenance on each area at a predetermined interval. This type of control makes it possible to shorten maintenance time compared to performing maintenance on all areas at once. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-30164 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] According to the configuration of Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the recording quality may change partially, and there is room for improvement in terms of improving the recording quality.

[0005] The present invention was made in response to the inventor's recognition of the above-mentioned problems, and an exemplary object of the present invention is to provide a technique that is advantageous for improving recording quality while shortening maintenance time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention relates to a recording device, the recording device comprising: a recording head that performs recording by an inkjet method; a recovery unit configured to be connectable to the recording head and to recover the function of the recording head; a control unit, the recovery unit includes, as its states, a first state in which it is fluidly connectable to the recording head and a second state in which it is fluidly disconnected; The control unit During a recording operation of the recording head, the recovery unit is driven for a predetermined time while being maintained in the second state; After the recording operation, the recovery unit in the second state, which has been driven for the predetermined time, is connected to the recording head and then set to the first state. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the recording quality while shortening the maintenance time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a part of the internal structure of the recording apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a part of the structure of a recording head. [Figure 3] Schematic diagram showing the relative movement locus of a recording head with respect to a recording medium. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a system block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a recording apparatus. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of control content during a recording operation. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining how signals are exchanged between modules. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the control content during a recording operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the claimed invention. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] First Embodiment <Overall configuration of the device> 1 is a top view showing a part of the internal structure of a recording apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment. The recording apparatus 1 is an inkjet printer that performs recording by an inkjet method, and in this embodiment, includes a recording head 2, a belt 3, a conveying roller 4, a recovery unit 5, and a control unit 6.

[0011] The recording head 2 is an inkjet head that performs recording by ejecting ink, and has an ink ejection surface on which a plurality of nozzles 21, each capable of ejecting ink, are arranged (see FIG. 2). The recording head 2 is detachably attached to a carriage (not shown), and this carriage is slidably held on a guide rail (not shown) that extends in one direction.

[0012] The belt 3 is a traveling belt for moving the carriage, to which the recording head 2 is attached, back and forth in one direction, and runs based on the power of the power source 9a. This allows the recording head 2 to scan in one direction, scan the entire width of the recording medium Sh, and also move to a position opposite a cap 51, which will be described later.

[0013] The transport roller 4 is capable of transporting the recording medium Sh based on the power of the power source 9b. For ease of explanation, a single transport roller 4 is shown in Fig. 1, but in reality, multiple transport rollers 4 are arranged within the recording device 1 along the transport path of the recording medium Sh.

[0014] It is assumed that the scanning direction of the recording head 2 and the conveying direction of the recording medium Sh intersect each other (orthogonal in this embodiment).

[0015] The recovery unit 5 includes a cap 51, a suction unit 52, an on-off valve 53, and a waste ink tank .

[0016] The cap 51 is configured to be able to cap the recording head 2 so as to cover the multiple nozzles 21. When the recording head 2 is positioned so as to face the cap 51, the cap 51 can cap the recording head 2 based on the power of the power source 9c. This capping results in the recording head 2 and the recovery unit 5 being connected to each other. In this specification, the state in which the recording head 2 is capped by the cap 51 is referred to as a cap-closed state, and the state in which the recording head 2 is not capped by the cap 51 is referred to as a cap-open state.

[0017] The suction unit 52 includes a buffer chamber 521a and a pump 521b. The buffer chamber 521a functions as a storage chamber that can store ink from the recording head 2. The pump 521b is configured to be able to pump ink using power from the power source 9d, and is connected to the buffer chamber 521a, thereby enabling the buffer chamber 521a to be placed under negative pressure. With this configuration, the suction unit 52 can suck ink from the nozzles 21 of the recording head 2 through the cap 51 by placing the buffer chamber 521a under negative pressure and / or by driving the pump 521b.

[0018] The on-off valve 53 is disposed in a flow path between the cap 51 and the suction unit 52, and can be selectively set to an open state that allows ink to pass through, or a closed state that does not allow ink to pass through. In this embodiment, when the on-off valve 53 is in the open state with the cap closed, the recording head 2 and the suction unit 52 are fluidly connected, and when the on-off valve 53 is in the closed state, the fluid connection is cut off.

[0019] The ink sucked by the suction unit 52 from the nozzles 21 of the recording head 2 through the cap 51 is discharged as waste ink into a waste ink tank 54 and stored therein.

[0020] The recovery unit 5 further includes a wiper 55. The wiper 55 is configured to be able to wipe the nozzles 21 of the recording head 2, and is arranged in parallel with the cap 51 so as to be able to selectively cap and wipe the recording head 2. When the recording head 2 is positioned so as to face the recovery unit 5, the wiper 55 wipes the nozzles 21 of the recording head 2 based on the power of the power source 9e.

[0021] It should be noted that a known electric motor may be used for each of the power sources 9a to 9e exemplified above.

[0022] Although details will be described later, the control unit 6 functions as a system controller that controls the entire system of the recording device 1, and controls the driving of the above-mentioned elements.

[0023] 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the structure of the recording head 2. The recording head 2 is provided with a plurality of nozzles 21 each capable of ejecting ink (ink droplets) i, and a plurality of ejection elements 22 corresponding to the plurality of nozzles 21 are provided in the ink flow path. The ejection elements 22 may be configured to be capable of generating energy for ejecting ink in the flow path, and may be any known element such as a heater, an electrothermal conversion element, or a piezoelectric element.

[0024] 3 is a schematic top view showing the relative movement trajectory of the recording head 2 with respect to the recording medium Sh. Recording on the recording medium Sh is performed by alternately repeating conveyance of the recording medium Sh by the conveyance roller 4 and scanning of the recording medium Sh by the recording head 2. Specifically, the conveyance roller 4 conveys the recording medium Sh a predetermined distance and then stops the conveyance (intermittent conveyance), during which the recording head 2 scans and records (recording scan). By alternately repeating intermittent conveyance and recording scan, recording of one page of the recording medium Sh is achieved.

[0025] In this embodiment, printing scans are performed in both one direction (forward path) and the other direction (return path) of the printing head 2. Therefore, the printing head 2 relative to the virtually fixed printing medium Sh exhibits a movement trajectory that is a repetition of forward printing scans, return printing scans, and movement in the conveyance direction of the printing medium Sh between them, as shown in FIG. Such a print head 2 is also referred to as a serial head. The print scan by the print head 2 may be performed only in one of the forward and backward directions.

[0026] Before recording begins, the recording medium Sh is transported by the transport roller 4 to the start position of recording by the recording head 2, and after recording is completed, the recorded recording medium Sh is further transported by the transport roller 4 and ejected outside the recording device 1.

[0027] Here, "recording" as used herein refers to forming an image by ejecting ink onto a recording medium Sh, and the concept of an image includes letters, numbers, symbols, figures, photographs, etc., regardless of whether they are visible or not. Ink is typically a liquid containing dyes or pigments, but it may also be a colorless, transparent reaction liquid, and these may be collectively referred to as a liquid. From this perspective, the recording device 1 may be referred to as a liquid ejection device, and similarly, the recording head 2 may be referred to as a liquid ejection head. The recording device 1 may be a copier that has the above-mentioned recording function as its main function and additional auxiliary functions such as a copy function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function as secondary functions.

[0028] The recording medium Sh may be a cut sheet cut to a predetermined size, or may be a roll sheet formed by winding up a long sheet.

[0029] <System configuration> As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the control unit 6 includes a CPU 61, a ROM 62, a RAM 63, an IF unit 64, and an image processing unit 65, which are interconnected by a system bus 69 and are capable of communicating with each other.

[0030] The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 61 performs arithmetic processing to realize each function of the recording device 1. The ROM (Read Only Memory) 62 stores programs, parameters, etc., and is typically a flash ROM. The RAM (Random Access Memory) 63 functions as a work memory and stores intermediate data obtained by the arithmetic processing of the CPU 61, and is typically a dynamic RAM (DRAM). For example, the CPU 61 reads a predetermined program from the ROM 62 and performs arithmetic processing while expanding it on the RAM 63, thereby realizing each function of the recording device 1.

[0031] The IF (interface) unit 64 is configured to be able to control connections with other elements. For example, the IF unit 64 can realize connections with the above-mentioned recording head 2, power source 9a, etc., as well as with other external elements (such as an operation input unit, an information display unit, an external memory, and a communication device) that are omitted here.

[0032] The image processing unit 65 is configured to be able to execute image processing for realizing recording. For example, the image processing unit 65 can perform conversion processing to convert image data received by the CPU 61 from the outside via the IF unit 64 into data that can be recorded by the recording device 1, correction processing to correct the image, etc. The processed image data is output by the CPU 61 via the IF unit 64 as recording data, and the recording head 2 performs recording scans based on the recording data.

[0033] <About recovery processing> The recovery unit 5 according to this embodiment can perform the following two types of recovery processing.

[0034] -Return process As a first recovery process, the recovery unit 5 opens the on-off valve 53 and drives the pump 521b (see FIG. 1) while the print head 2 is capped by the cap 51 (cap closed state). This allows the recovery unit 5 to use the suction force of the pump 521b to remove concentrated ink and bubbles from each nozzle 21 of the print head 2, thereby recovering the printing function of the print head 2.

[0035] This recovery process is performed primarily to restore the recording device 1 based on time conditions in the startup state of the recording device 1, such as when the recording device 1 is started up or when the standby state of the recording device 1 continues for a predetermined period of time. In this specification, this recovery process is referred to as recovery process for convenience in order to distinguish it from the second recovery process described below.

[0036] -Recovery process As a second recovery process, the recovery unit 5 drives the pump 521b while keeping the on-off valve 53 closed to create a negative pressure in the buffer chamber 521a, and then opens the on-off valve 53 (see FIG. 1). As a result, the recovery unit 5 uses the negative pressure in the buffer chamber 521a to remove concentrated ink and bubbles from each nozzle 21 of the print head 2, thereby recovering the printing function of the print head 2. In this recovery process, concentrated ink and bubbles are removed with a stronger suction force than in the above-mentioned return process.

[0037] This recovery process is performed primarily for the purpose of recovering the deterioration of the recording function itself caused by continuous driving by the recording head 2, for example, when the cumulative number of recordings by the recording head 2 reaches a standard, or when the recording time reaches a standard.

[0038] In this recovery process, as a preparatory recovery operation, which is a preparatory stage, an operation is performed in which the pump 521b is driven to create a negative pressure in the buffer chamber 521a while the on-off valve 53 is kept closed. Because the on-off valve 53 is closed, this recovery preparatory operation can be performed even when the recording head 2 is not capped by the cap 51 (cap open state). A suction operation, which uses the negative pressure in the buffer chamber 521a to suck ink from each nozzle 21, is performed after this recovery preparatory operation.

[0039] That is, this recovery process is divided into a recovery preparation operation, which is a preparation stage, and a suction operation that is performed thereafter.

[0040] <Control during recording operation> 5 is a flowchart showing the control content during the printing operation according to this embodiment. This flowchart is executed mainly by the CPU 61 in response to receiving a print job, and the outline of the flowchart is that it determines whether or not recovery processing is required during each printing scan of the print head 2, and performs recovery preparation operations as necessary along with the subsequent printing scan.

[0041] In step ST5000 (hereinafter simply referred to as "ST5000"; the same applies to other steps described later), the conveying roller 4 conveys the recording medium Sh to a position facing the recording head 2. The recording medium Sh is conveyed to a position where recording by the recording head 2 starts.

[0042] In ST5010, one print scan is performed. As described above, printing on the print medium Sh is performed by repeating the print scan of the print medium Sh by the print head 2 and the intermittent conveyance of the print medium Sh by the conveyance roller 4. In other words, one print scan is performed during the scan of one line, and can also be expressed as a print scan of one line.

[0043] In ST5020, it is determined whether or not this recovery process is necessary based on the recording history at the time when ST5010 is completed (i.e., when one print scan is completed). Details of the recording history will be described later. If this recovery process is necessary, the process proceeds to ST5100, and if not, the process proceeds to ST5030.

[0044] In ST5030, it is determined whether printing on one page of the recording medium Sh has been completed (i.e., whether all printing scans by the print head 2 have been completed). If printing has been completed, the process proceeds to ST5040; if not, the process returns to ST5010 after intermittent conveyance of the recording medium Sh to perform the remaining printing scans.

[0045] In ST5040, the recording medium Sh on which the recording has been completed is further conveyed by the conveying roller 4 and discharged to the outside of the recording apparatus 1.

[0046] In ST5100, the recovery preparation operation is started. As described above, the recovery preparation operation can be performed in the cap-open state, and is therefore performed in parallel with the repetition of ST5010 to ST5030. In other words, the recovery preparation operation is performed in parallel with the recording operation by the recording head 2. In this embodiment, a flag F is used when executing the recovery preparation operation. The flag F is set to one of "not performed", "in progress", and "completed". The flag F is initially set to "not performed", and is updated to "in progress" in ST5100, and is updated to "completed" upon completion of the recovery preparation operation (when the buffer chamber 521a becomes a negative pressure state).

[0047] In ST5050, it is determined whether or not recovery processing needs to be performed based on flag F. If flag F indicates "not performed", the process proceeds to ST5060, and if not, the process proceeds to ST5200.

[0048] In ST5200, it is determined whether flag F is "in progress" or "completed." If flag F is "in progress," the process returns to ST5200, and if flag F is "completed," the process proceeds to ST5210. In ST5210, the suction operation is performed, i.e., the on-off valve 53 is opened while the print head 2 is capped by the cap 51. That is, if flag F is "performed," the recovery preparation operation is completed, so the suction operation can be started quickly, thereby shortening the maintenance time. After the suction operation is completed, the process proceeds to ST5070.

[0049] In ST5060, it is determined whether or not this recovery process needs to be performed based on the recording history at the time when recording on the recording medium Sh is completed (i.e., when all recording scans by the recording head 2 are completed). Details of the recording history will be described later. If this recovery process is required, the process proceeds to ST5300, and if not, the process proceeds to ST5070.

[0050] In ST5300, the recovery process is performed all at once, i.e., the recovery preparation operation and the suction operation are performed. At this time, in order to shorten the maintenance time, the capping of the recording head 2 with the cap 51 may be performed after the recovery preparation operation is completed, or may be performed while the recovery preparation operation is being performed, or may be performed before the recovery preparation operation starts.

[0051] In ST5070, it is determined whether or not there is recording on the recording medium Sh of the next page. If there is recording on the recording medium Sh of the next page, the process returns to ST5000; if not, the process ends. In this way, recording based on the print job is realized.

[0052] Typical examples of the recording history used to determine whether or not the main recovery process is required in ST5020 and ST5060 include the cumulative number of times the print head 2 has been driven (number of times ink has been ejected) and the cumulative driving time since the main recovery process was last performed. The recording history may also be expressed as the cumulative number of times the print head 2 has been driven, the cumulative driving time, etc., and is initialized when the main recovery process is performed. For example, in ST5020 (or ST5060), it is determined that the main recovery process is required when the cumulative number of times the print head 2 has been driven reaches a threshold value (reference number of times). The difference between ST5020 and ST5060 is that the determination is made after one print scan is completed or after printing one page is completed. Therefore, the thresholds referenced in ST5020 and ST5060 are set to different values. For example, the threshold referenced in ST5060 is set to a value smaller than the threshold referenced in ST5020. Alternatively, if the functionality of the print head 2 can be sufficiently maintained by ST5100 and ST5210, then in another embodiment, ST5060 and ST5300 may be omitted.

[0053] <Regarding signal transmission between modules> 6 is a diagram for explaining the manner in which signals are exchanged between the modules in the control unit 6. The CPU 61 has functions as an arithmetic processing unit 611, an engine control unit 612, and a recovery unit control unit 613, or some of these functions are provided independently of the CPU 61. The arithmetic processing unit 611 performs arithmetic processing based on a program for realizing recording. The engine control unit 612 supervises the drive control of each mechanism, such as the recording head 2, the transport roller 4, and the recovery unit 5. The recovery unit control unit 613 is one of the sub-controllers corresponding to each mechanism, and controls the drive of the recovery unit 5 based on a signal from the engine control unit 612.

[0054] Examples of signals output from the arithmetic processing unit 611 to the engine control unit 612 include: A signal S1 instructing the recording medium Sh to be fed toward the recording head 2 Ld ; Signal S1 instructing the print head 2 to perform print scanning Pr ; A signal S1 instructing that the recording medium Sh be ejected from the recording device 1 Ej ; Signal S1 instructing whether or not recovery processing of the recording head 2 is necessary Ch and Signal S1 instructing execution of recovery processing for recording head 2 Cl , Examples include:

[0055] Examples of signals output from the engine control unit 612 to the arithmetic processing unit 611 include: The signal S1 from the arithmetic processing unit 611 Ch A signal S2 indicating a response to Rq and A signal S2 indicating a response to another signal from the arithmetic processing unit 611 Rp , Examples include:

[0056] Examples of signals output from engine control 612 to recovery unit control 613 include: Signal S3 instructing the recording head 2 to perform a recovery preparation operation Cl , Examples include:

[0057] Incidentally, the above-mentioned signal S1 Ld Depending on the content or nature of the information to be output, the signals may be expressed as commands, messages, etc., or as instruction signals, request signals, notification signals, response signals, etc.

[0058] First, the manner in which signals are exchanged when starting recording on a certain page of recording medium Sh will be described. The arithmetic processing unit 611 sends a signal S1 to the engine control unit 612. Ld In response to this, the recording medium Sh is conveyed by the conveying roller 4 and supplied to the recording head 2. Then, in response to the recording medium Sh reaching the start position of recording by the recording head 2, the arithmetic processing unit 611 outputs a signal S1 Pr is output, and the first print scan (print scan of the first line) is performed. Thereafter, the second and subsequent print scans (print scan of the second and subsequent lines) are performed in the same procedure while the print medium Sh is intermittently conveyed by the conveyance roller 4.

[0059] Next, a case where it is necessary to perform a recovery preparation operation upon completion of the Nth printing scan will be described (where N is an integer equal to or greater than 2). After the Nth printing scan is completed, the engine control unit 612 outputs a signal S3 Clto the recovery unit control section 613, and the above-mentioned recovery preparation operation is performed accordingly (see FIG. 5). Here, the (N+1)th and subsequent print scans are performed together with the recovery preparation operation until the recovery preparation operation is completed.

[0060] Thereafter, the case where the printing of one page of the printing medium Sh is completed upon completion of the Eth printing scan will be described (here, E is an integer equal to or greater than 2, and E>N). After the Eth printing scan is completed, the arithmetic processing unit 611 sends a signal S1 Ej As a result, the recording medium Sh is further conveyed by the conveying roller 4 and discharged out of the recording apparatus 1. After that, the arithmetic processing unit 611 outputs a signal S1 Ch In this embodiment, it is necessary to perform a recovery preparation operation upon completion of the Nth print scan, and the engine control unit 612 outputs the signal S2 Rq is set as information indicating that recovery processing is necessary and is output to the arithmetic processing unit 611. In response to this, the arithmetic processing unit 611 outputs a signal S1 Cl The recovery unit 5, which has completed the recovery preparation operation, then performs the remaining recovery process (the suction operation in this embodiment).

[0061] If there is a next page to be recorded, the above series of operations is repeated.

[0062] <Summary> In this embodiment, the recovery unit 5 has two states: an open state of the on-off valve 53 that allows fluid connection to the recording head 2, and a closed state of the on-off valve 53 that blocks the fluid connection. During a recording operation of the recording head 2, the control unit 6 drives the recovery unit 5 for a predetermined time while maintaining the on-off valve 53 in the closed state as a recovery preparation operation, thereby creating a negative pressure in the buffer chamber 521a (see FIG. 5, ST5100). After the recording operation, the control unit 6 connects the recovery unit 5 to the recording head 2 by capping with the cap 51, and then can open the on-off valve 53 (see FIG. 5, ST5210). This control allows the recovery preparation operation to be performed before the completion of the recording operation as needed, even during the recording operation, and allows the suction operation to be performed promptly after the recording operation is completed. Therefore, this embodiment makes it possible to improve the recording quality while shortening the maintenance time.

[0063] Second Embodiment In the first embodiment (see FIG. 5) described above, a waiting time occurs in ST5200 until flag F changes from "in progress" to "completed." In such a case, recovery preparation operations do not need to be performed in advance (before one page of recording is completed), and recovery processing may be performed in ST5060 and ST5300 (after one page of recording is completed).

[0064] Referring to Fig. 7, a flowchart showing the control content during a recording operation according to the second embodiment is shown. The outline of this flowchart differs from that of the first embodiment (see Fig. 5) in that the execution of the recovery preparation operation is suppressed if recording of one page is completed before the completion of the recovery preparation operation. The differences from the flowchart in Fig. 5 are described below.

[0065] If it is determined in ST5020 that this recovery process is necessary, the process proceeds to ST7100. In ST7100, it is determined whether the time required for the recovery preparation operation is shorter than the time required to complete the recording of one page currently being recorded (the time required to complete recording). If the time required for the recovery preparation operation is shorter than the time required to complete recording, the process proceeds to ST5100; if not, the process proceeds to ST5030.

[0066] The time until the completion of recording corresponds to the time from when it is determined in ST5020 that this recovery process is necessary to when it is determined in ST5030 that recording of one page is complete. Additionally, the time required to eject the recording medium Sh may be taken into consideration, and further additionally, the time required to cap the recording head 2 with the cap 51 may be taken into consideration.

[0067] According to this embodiment, the waiting time until flag F changes from "in progress" to "completed" is eliminated, i.e., ST5200 is omitted and the suction operation of ST5210 is started immediately.

[0068] <Program> The present invention may be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. For example, the present invention may be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0069] <Other> In the embodiments, individual elements are named based on their main functions, but the functions described in the embodiments may be sub-functions and are not strictly limited to these expressions. Furthermore, these expressions can be replaced with other similar expressions. To the same effect, expressions such as "device," "unit," and "section" can be replaced with each other, and can also be replaced with other expressions such as "mechanism," "tool," "part," "member," "structure," and "assembly," or these terms may be omitted.

[0070] Furthermore, two or more selectable elements exemplified in the embodiments are not strictly limited to the examples and may be arbitrarily combined, for example, each of the two or more selectable elements may be additionally or alternatively selected. For example, when two elements A and B are arbitrarily combined, they may be expressed as "A and / or B" or "at least one of A and B" to indicate either A only, B only, or both A and B.

[0071] Summary of the embodiment Some features exemplified in the embodiments are as follows: [1] a recording head that discharges ink to perform recording; a recovery unit for recovering the function of the recording head; a control unit, the recovery unit has a first state in which it is fluidly connectable to the print head and a second state in which it is fluidly disconnected from the print head; The control unit During a recording operation of the recording head, the recovery unit is driven for a predetermined time while being maintained in the second state; After the recording operation, the recovery unit in the second state, which has been driven for the predetermined time, is connected to the recording head and then set to the first state. A recording device characterized by: [2] The recovery unit includes a suction unit configured to be able to suck ink from the print head. The recording device according to [1]. [3] the recovery unit further includes an on-off valve disposed between the recording head and the suction unit, The control unit controls the state of the recovery unit by opening and closing the on-off valve. The recording device according to [2]. [4] the first state corresponds to an open state of the on-off valve, The second state corresponds to a closed state of the on-off valve. The recording device according to [3]. [5] The suction unit is a storage chamber for storing ink from the recording head; a pump for creating a negative pressure in the storage chamber; Contains The recording device according to [4], [6] The control unit During the recording operation, the storage chamber is brought into the negative pressure state while the on-off valve is kept in a closed state, After the recording operation, the on-off valve is opened to fluidly connect the reservoir chamber, which is now in the negative pressure state, to the recording head. The recording device according to [5]. [7] the recording head includes nozzles for ejecting ink; The recovery unit includes a cap that caps the recording head so as to cover the nozzles. The recording device according to any one of [1] to [6], characterized in that: [8] The recovery unit further includes a wiper that wipes the nozzle. The recording device according to [7]. [9] the print head is a serial head that performs print scanning on a print medium, During the printing operation, the control unit determines, for each printing scan of the print head, whether or not it is necessary to drive the recovery unit for the predetermined time while maintaining the recovery unit in the second state. The recording device according to any one of [1] to [8], characterized in that:

[10] When recording on one or more pages of the recording medium, the control unit, after completing recording on one page of the recording medium, connects the recovery unit, which has been driven for the predetermined time, in the second state to the recording head and then switches the recovery unit to the first state. The recording device according to [9].

[11] When the control unit determines that it is necessary to drive the recovery unit for the predetermined time while maintaining the recovery unit in the second state in a recording operation on a certain page of recording medium, the recording scan of the recording head is set to a first recording scan, The control unit determines whether or not to drive the recovery unit for the predetermined time while maintaining the recovery unit in the second state based on the time required from the completion of the first print scan to the completion of all print scans of the print head on the one page of print medium and the predetermined time. The recording device according to

[10] .

[12] The control unit determines whether or not to execute the process based on the time required to eject the one page of the recording medium. The recording device according to

[11] .

[0072] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1: recording device, 2: recording head, 5: recovery unit, 6: control unit.

Claims

1. a recording head that discharges ink to perform recording; a recovery unit for recovering the function of the recording head; a control unit, the recovery unit has a first state in which it can be fluidly connected to the recording head and a second state in which it cuts off the fluid connection; The control unit During a recording operation of the recording head, the recovery unit is driven for a predetermined time while being maintained in the second state; After the recording operation, the recovery unit in the second state, which has been driven for the predetermined time, is connected to the recording head and then set to the first state. A recording device characterized by:

2. The recovery unit includes a suction unit configured to be able to suck ink from the print head.

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1.

3. the recovery unit further includes an on-off valve disposed between the recording head and the suction unit, The control unit controls the state of the recovery unit by opening and closing the on-off valve.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2.

4. the first state corresponds to an open state of the on-off valve, The second state corresponds to a closed state of the on-off valve.

4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The suction unit is a storage chamber for storing ink from the recording head; a pump for creating a negative pressure in the storage chamber; Contains 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The control unit During the recording operation, the storage chamber is brought into the negative pressure state while the on-off valve is kept in a closed state, After the recording operation, the on-off valve is opened to fluidly connect the reservoir chamber, which is now in the negative pressure state, to the recording head.

6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5.

7. the recording head includes nozzles for ejecting ink; The recovery unit includes a cap that caps the recording head so as to cover the nozzles.

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1.

8. The recovery unit further includes a wiper for wiping the nozzle.

8. The recording apparatus according to claim 7.

9. the print head is a serial head that performs print scanning on a print medium, During the printing operation, the control unit determines, for each printing scan of the print head, whether or not it is necessary to drive the recovery unit for the predetermined time while maintaining the recovery unit in the second state.

9. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus comprises: a recording unit;

10. When recording on one or more pages of the recording medium, the control unit, after completing recording on one page of the recording medium, connects the recovery unit, which has been driven for the predetermined time, in the second state to the recording head and then switches the recovery unit to the first state.

10. The recording apparatus according to claim 9.

11. When the control unit determines that it is necessary to drive the recovery unit for the predetermined time while maintaining the recovery unit in the second state in a recording operation on a certain one page of recording medium, the recording scan of the recording head is set to a first recording scan, The control unit determines whether or not to drive the recovery unit for the predetermined time while maintaining the recovery unit in the second state based on the time required from the completion of the first print scan to the completion of all print scans of the print head on the one page of print medium and the predetermined time.

11. The recording apparatus according to claim 10.

12. The control unit determines whether or not to execute the process based on the time required to eject the one page of the recording medium.

12. The recording apparatus according to claim 11.

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