JP2003159822A - Ink-jet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To certainly suck an ink at executing an ejection performance recovery process even in the case the position accuracy between a recording head and a cap member is set moderately to some extent. <P>SOLUTION: Fitting holes 12c are provided on both sides of the surface of a recording head 12 provided with a nozzle row 12. Projections 19a engageable with the fitting holes 12c are provided in a cap member 19 for executing an ejection performance recovery process by closely contacting with the recording head 12. In the case the projections 19a formed in a conical shape, are engaged with the fitting holes 12c according to the cap member 19 contacting operation, the cap member 19 is moved along the inclined surface of the projections 19a so as to automatically correct the relative displacement in the plane perpendicular to the contacting operation direction so that the cap member 19 is contacted closely with the recording head 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting ink from an ejection port, and more particularly to an ink jet recording apparatus having a recovery mechanism for recovering ink ejection performance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a recording apparatus of an ink jet recording system, a recording head having a fine ink discharge port is used. Therefore, when air bubbles or dust are mixed in the discharge port or an ink solvent is used. When the ink droplets are not ejected or become in a state not suitable for recording due to the increase in viscosity due to evaporation of the ink, a process for recovering the ejection performance is performed.

As one means for performing such a discharge performance recovery process, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a recording head 1 and a cap member 2 for covering the surface of the recording head 1 having the nozzle row 1a. The cap member 2
It is known that a pump for exerting a suction force is connected to the. Reference numeral 3 in the drawing denotes a suction tube communicating with the pump, 4 an ink supply tube connected to the ink cartridge, and 5 a head drive line connected to the control device.

Then, the cap member 2 is sucked while covering the periphery of the nozzle row 1a of the recording head 1 to forcibly discharge the ink from each ink ejection port constituting the nozzle row 1a. Eject with ink to eliminate causes of defects.

In this case, the recording head 1 and the cap member 2
If the relative positioning accuracy is not sufficient when the and are fitted, a gap G is formed between the recording head 1 and the cap member 2 as shown in FIG. Since the ink ejection port is communicated with the atmosphere via the, the ink suction operation from the ink ejection port due to the negative pressure does not function properly.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13B, when the side wall portion of the cap member 2 abuts on the ink ejection port, the ink ejection port is closed even if a negative pressure is generated around the ink ejection port. Since it is blocked by the side wall portions of the ink, it becomes impossible to suck the ink.

The relative positioning accuracy between the recording head 1 and the cap member 2 is, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-100427.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-242242, it depends on the moving accuracy of the XY stage provided with the recovery unit including the cap member 2, the mounting accuracy of the recording head 1 to the mount, and the mounting accuracy of the recovery unit to the XY stage. ing.

In another aspect, for example, Japanese Patent No. 274
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9930, a first guide member is provided on both sides of the print head along the arrangement direction of a plurality of ink ejection ports of the print head, and a second guide member is provided on the cap member side. A technique is disclosed in which the guide member is fitted to perform positioning in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the ink ejection ports.

[0009]

By the way, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-100427,
In the structure in which the relative positioning accuracy between the recording head and the cap member depends on the movement accuracy or assembly accuracy of each member,
For example, when the recording head is downsized and the recording heads are arranged at high density, it becomes difficult to secure sufficient positioning accuracy.

As a result, a high degree of assembly precision is required to obtain the required positioning precision, which complicates the apparatus and raises the cost of the product.

Further, according to the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2749930, only the positioning in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the ink ejection ports can be performed, and the positional deviation in the direction along the arrangement direction of the ink ejection ports is possible. There is a problem that cannot be solved.

Further, if a member or portion for positioning is separately provided, not only the number of parts is increased, but also the moving stroke required for contact between the recording head and the cap member is increased correspondingly in design. There is a problem that restrictions occur.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a component for determining the positional accuracy of the recording head and the cap member, and a process for recovering the ejection performance without requiring special precision in assembling the components. It is an object of the present invention to provide an inkjet recording device that can reliably perform ink suction.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first aspect of the invention is to perform recording on a recording medium using a recording head provided with a plurality of ejection openings for ejecting ink, and to the ejection opening side. The plurality of ejection openings of the recording head are brought into contact with each other to seal the plurality of ejection openings from the atmosphere, and the pressure of the sealing portion is set to a negative pressure with respect to the atmosphere to suck ink from the ejection openings to recover the ejection performance. In an inkjet recording apparatus including a cap member, a first engaging portion provided on a side of the recording head facing the cap member, and a second engaging portion provided on a side of the cap member facing the recording head. An engaging portion, wherein the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion of the cap member engage with each other in accordance with the abutting operation of the cap member and the recording head, and the recording head and the cap. With the member Serial, characterized in that to allow relative positioning in abutment operation direction perpendicular planes. In this case, it is preferable that at least one of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion has a relative positional deviation in accordance with the contact operation of the cap member with the recording head. It is characterized in that it has an inclined portion for guiding the cap member to a state in which there is no deviation.

In such a structure, in accordance with the abutting operation of the cap member, the inclined portion provided on at least one of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion causes a plane perpendicular to the abutting operation direction. The relative positioning is performed, and the surface of the ink ejection port of the recording head is sealed by the cap member. After that, by sucking the pressure of the sealed portion from the suction port of the cap member, the ink is sucked out from the ink ejection port, and the thickened ink around the ink ejection port and bubbles inside the ejection port are eliminated, and the ink ejection performance is reduced. Will recover. Since the cap member and the surface of the ink ejection port are sealed by the positioning of the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion, it is possible to surely perform the ejection performance recovery process.

According to a second aspect of the invention, recording is performed on a recording medium using a recording head provided with a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting ink, and the recording head is brought into contact with the ejection port side to eject the plurality of ejection ports of the recording head. In the ink jet recording apparatus, which is provided with a cap member that seals the outlet from the atmosphere and further sucks ink from the ejection port to restore the ejection performance by making the pressure of the sealed portion negative with respect to the atmosphere, The head is provided with a convex portion that is disposed around the plurality of ejection ports and projects toward the cap member side with respect to the ejection ports, the cap member is made of an elastic member, and the cap member is provided on the recording head. A surface facing each other and in contact with the convex portion is a flat surface, and a suction port that allows the ink to be sucked from the ejection port is provided substantially at the center thereof. In this case, preferably, the cap member is made of a porous body.

In such a structure, since the protrusion is provided on the surface of the recording head that faces the cap member, and the contact surface on the side of the cap member that contacts the protrusion is a flat surface, the recording head and the cap member are separated from each other. Even if the positioning is performed in a slightly displaced state, there is no gap in the hermetically sealed portion, and the ink ejection port is not blocked by the cap member, so that the ejection performance recovery processing can be reliably performed. In this case, if the cap member is made of a porous material, even if a slight deviation occurs at the time of positioning and the sealing is incomplete,
The amount of leakage is small and deterioration of recovery performance can be suppressed. In addition, since the cap member itself has an ink absorbing property, it is difficult for the sucked ink to remain in the closed space, and when the cap member is separated from the recording head, it is difficult for the residual ink to adhere to the recording head. Therefore, it is possible to solve the problem that the excess ink adheres to the recording medium after the completion of the ejection performance recovery process.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. Here, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an essential part of the ink jet recording apparatus, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a recording head and a cap member, FIG. 3A is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2, and FIG. FIG. 7B is a sectional view of another state of FIG.

Reference numeral 11 in the drawing is a head unit,
The recording head 12 is attached to the head unit 11 along the direction of arrow A (moving direction of the head unit 11) in FIG.
They are arranged in rows. Each of the recording heads 12 has a nozzle row 12 along the direction of arrow B (feeding direction of the recording medium) in the drawing.
a is arranged. The nozzle row 12a is composed of a plurality of ink ejection ports (not shown) arranged at a predetermined pitch, and the head unit 11 has the nozzle row 12a.
It is arranged with the surface having a facing downward.

Further, on the upper surface of the head unit 11, four types of ink cartridges 13 for respectively storing the inks of different colors to be supplied to the respective recording heads 12 are detachably mounted, and the ink cartridges 13 store the inks. The ink contained in each recording head 1 passes through the ink supply tube 14.
2 communicates with a nozzle unit 12b provided in the second unit.

The nozzle unit 12b is connected to a control circuit (not shown) via a head drive signal / power line 15, and the ink supplied from the ink cartridge 13 is supplied to the nozzle array by a drive signal from the control circuit. Image data and the like are recorded on the recording medium 16 by selectively ejecting from each ink ejection port (not shown) forming 12a.

Further, a pair of guide shafts 17a, 17b slidable in the arrow A direction are passed through the head unit 11, and the head unit 11 can be moved in the arrow A direction by the both guide shafts 17a, 17b. Held in.

Further, both guide shafts 17a and 17b
Both ends of the toothed pulley are fixed to a chassis (not shown), and two toothed pulleys 18a and 18b are rotatably supported near both ends of the guide shafts 17a and 17b of the chassis. Pulley 18a, 1
The toothed belt 20 is wound between 8b.

A part of the toothed belt 20 is fixed to the head unit 11, and a stepping motor (not shown) is connected to one of the toothed pulleys 18a and 18b.

When the stepping motor rotates, the toothed pulleys 18a and 18b rotate, and the toothed pulley 1
The toothed belt 20 wound between 8a and 18b is rotated, and the head unit 11 connected to the toothed belt 20 is reciprocated in the arrow A direction.

The recording medium 16 can be conveyed in the direction of arrow B by a conveying mechanism (not shown), and the head unit 11 moves in the direction of arrow A to perform recording over the length of the nozzle row 12a. Nozzle row 12
The head unit 11 repeats the recording operation by feeding the recording medium 16 in the direction of the arrow B by the length of the line a, and recording is performed on the recording surface of the recording medium 16.

A recovery unit 21 is installed in a region where the head unit 11 can move in the direction of arrow A and outside the recording range of the recording medium 16. The recovery unit 21 is arranged at a position that can face the lower surface of the head unit 11 having the nozzle rows 12 a, and when the lower surface of the head unit 11 is moved to a position that faces the recovery unit 21, the recovery unit 21. Are moved toward the lower surface of the head unit 11 via a moving mechanism (not shown), and a plurality of rows (four rows in the present embodiment) of cap members 19 arranged on the recovery unit 21 are provided in each recording head 12. On the other hand, the nozzle row 12a provided in each recording head 12 is sealed so as to surround it.

Each cap member 19 is a recovery unit 2
On the other hand, the recovery unit 21 is held so as to be movable within a predetermined range on a plane perpendicular to the moving direction of the recovery unit 21.

Next, according to FIGS. 2 and 3, each recording head 1
The operation of recovering the ejection of the nozzle row 12a provided in No. 2 will be described.

On the surface of each cap member 19 arranged in the recovery unit 21 that can face each recording head 12, there is formed a conical projection 19a as a second engaging portion in the direction of arrow B (recording medium). 16 feeding directions).

The cap member 19 of each recording head 12 is also provided.
A fitting hole 12c serving as a first engaging portion is provided at a position corresponding to the two protrusions 19a projectingly provided on the cap member 19 on the surface facing the.

By the way, when the head unit 11 is moved to a position facing the recovery unit 21, the relative positional accuracy of the two is the mechanical accuracy of the parts constituting the moving mechanism of the head unit 11, and the assembly of this moving mechanism. Determined by precision.

Then, when the sensor or the like (not shown) detects that the head unit 11 has been moved to a position opposed to the recovery unit 21 in a predetermined manner, the cap member 19 is continued.
The recovery unit 21 including the unit moves (raises) toward the head unit 11.

The recovery unit 21 is the head unit 1
1, the tip ends of the two protrusions 19a penetrate into the two fitting holes 12c formed in the head unit 11, and the cap member 19 extends along the conical inclined portion of the protrusion 19a. However, the recovery unit 21 moves in a plane direction perpendicular to the contacting direction of the recovery unit 21, and the relative positional deviation between the recording head 12 and the cap member 19 is gradually corrected.

Therefore, the recording head 12 and the cap member 1
Even if the relative positional accuracy with respect to 9 is set to a certain degree, the positional relationship between the two does not deviate.

When each cap member 19 comes into contact with the surface of each recording head 12 provided on the head unit 11 having the nozzle row 12a, the recording hole 12 and the cap member are engaged with each other by the engagement between the fitting hole 12c and the projection 19a. 19 and the nozzle rows 12a are aligned with the cap members 19 respectively.
It is sealed by.

Thereafter, when the inside of the closed space is sucked into a negative pressure state via the suction tube 22 by an ink suction mechanism (not shown), ink is sucked from each ink ejection port (not shown) forming the nozzle row 12a. The thickened ink around the ink, bubbles in the nozzles, and the like are discharged, and the ink discharge performance is restored.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the projections 19 capable of correcting the positioning of the recording head 12 and the cap member 19 fitted to the recording head 12 when they are fitted to each other.
Since the a and the fitting hole 12c are provided and the cap member 19 is held so as to be movable in the plane direction with respect to the recovery unit 21, the recovery unit 21 is moved to the head unit 11 during the recovery process of the ejection performance. Protrusion 19 close to
When a is inserted into the fitting hole 12c, the position of the cap member 19 is automatically corrected by being guided by the tapered surface of the projection 19a formed in a conical shape.
The surface having the nozzle row 12a and the surface of the cap member 19 can be closely fitted to each other in a state of being accurately positioned. Therefore, it becomes possible to perform the recovery process of the favorable ejection performance, and the reliability and durability of the product are improved.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the recording head 12 and the cap member 19 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
The present embodiment is a modification of the above-described first embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the cap member 19 is provided at both ends with projections 19a ', which are vertically divided halves of a cone, as second engaging parts, and are fitted to the projections 19a'. The cutout portions 12c 'as the first engaging portions are formed on both sides of the recording head 12.

When the cap member 19 is displaced with respect to the recording head 12 in one direction of the arrow C, the protrusion 19a 'and the notch 12c' which are engaged with each other are engaged with each other for positioning. When they are displaced in the opposite direction, the other protrusion 19a 'and the notch 12c' engage with each other for positioning.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the positioning can be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and in addition, the number of protrusions 19a 'is half that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the size of the cap member 19 in the arrow C direction can be reduced.

Further, FIGS. 5 and 6 show a third embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a perspective view of the recording head 12 and the cap member 19, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG.

In the present embodiment, the head side taper portion 12d as the first engaging portion is formed around the surface of the recording head 12 facing the cap member 19, while the outer periphery of the cap member 19 is formed. A cap side taper portion 19c as a second engaging portion that fits into the head side taper portion 12d.
Is formed.

When the cap member 19 is moved in the direction of arrow D to bring the cap member 19 close to the recording head 12, the head side taper portion 12d and the cap side taper 1 are formed.
9c and 9c are brought into contact with each other, and the displacement between the two is corrected in a plane perpendicular to the direction of arrow D.

As a result, the projection 19a or the projection 19a 'as in each of the above-mentioned embodiments is replaced with the cap member 19.
In addition to simplifying the structure, the cap member 19 and the recording head 12 can be downsized, and high density arrangement can be easily accommodated.

FIG. 7 shows a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 6 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment is a modification of the above-described third embodiment.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9A, the cap member 19 is formed of an elastic material so that the outer peripheral wall is slightly spread outward along the outer periphery of the recording head 12. With the configuration, the cap member 19 is
As shown by an arrow D in the figure, when the cap member 19 is brought close to the recording head 12 and fitted into the taper portion 12d of the recording head 12, accordingly, as shown by an arrow E in FIG. The outer wall of the cap member 19 is expanded and the position with respect to the recording head 12 is automatically corrected.

As a result, not only the relative positioning of the recording head 12 and the cap member 19 can be automatically performed, but also the taper portion 12d of the recording head 12 is capped by the cap member 1.
Since the outer peripheral wall of 9 is expanded and fitted, the recording head 1
The degree of contact between the cap 2 and the cap member 19 increases. Further, the degree of adhesion is further increased by the negative pressure due to suction when performing the recovery processing of the ejection performance, so that the excellent recovery processing of the ejection performance can be realized.

Further, FIGS. 8 and 9 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
On the surface of the recording head 12 having the nozzle row 12a, a convex portion 12e that protrudes from the surface of the nozzle row 12a is formed so as to surround the nozzle row 12a. This convex portion 12e
Is set to be lower than the required space (head gap) between the surface of the nozzle row 12a and the recording surface of the recording medium 16.

The cap member 23 is formed of an elastic material such as rubber or sponge, and the outer periphery thereof is held by the cap support member 24.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the facing surface 23b of the cap member 23, which is in close contact with the recording head 12, is formed flat, and the suction surface connected to the cap support member 24 is formed in the approximate center thereof. A suction port 23a that communicates with the tube 22 and sucks ink is provided.

The cap member 23 is held by the cap support member 24 in a state in which it is restricted from being deformed by a predetermined amount or more, and when the cap member 23 comes into contact with the convex portion 12e of the recording head 12, the cap member 23 is capped. The facing surface 23b of the member 23 and the convex portion 12e of the recording head 12 are in close contact with each other,
A closed space surrounding the nozzle row 12a is formed.

After that, when suction is performed through the suction tube 22 by an ink suction mechanism (not shown), a negative pressure is created in the closed space, and ink is sucked from the ink discharge port (not shown) forming the nozzle row 12a, and the periphery of the nozzle The ink with increased viscosity and bubbles in the nozzles are eliminated, and the ink ejection performance is restored.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 9B, if the relative displacement between the cap member 23 and the recording head 12 is within a predetermined range, the hermetically sealed space is maintained, and the cap member 23 closes the nozzle. Does not occur. In other words, it is possible to sufficiently secure the closed space required for the recovery process of the ejection performance without strictly performing the relative positioning between the cap member 23 and the recording head 12, and to improve the accuracy of the parts related to the positioning and the positioning. It is not necessary to specially provide a necessary member, the structure is simplified, the manufacturing is facilitated, and the product cost can be reduced.

Further, FIGS. 10 and 11 show a sixth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is a modification of the fifth embodiment, and the cap member 23 is formed of a porous material having elasticity (for example, continuous foam sponge) as a material, and is shown in the fifth embodiment. Such a suction port 23a becomes unnecessary.

Since the porous body forming the cap member 23 has some resistance to the flow of fluid, the negative pressure by the suction mechanism is highest around the suction tube 22 and gradually lowers as the distance from the suction tube 22 increases. .

Even when the recording head 12 and the cap member 23 are positioned without displacement, a small amount of air flows from the periphery of the cap member 23 toward the substantially closed space. Since the fluid resistance is large in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the cap member 23, the inflow that would hinder the ink suction from the nozzle row 12a does not occur.

This is the same even when the recording head 12 and the cap member 23 are displaced within a predetermined range, and the air does not leak enough to prevent the ink from being sucked. Can be obtained.

Further, since the cap member 23 itself has an ink absorbing property, the sucked ink is absorbed by the cap member 23.
The ink does not remain on the surface of the recording head or the nozzle surface of the recording head 12 and does not hinder the ink ejection performance.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 11A, the surface of the recording head 12 having the nozzle row 12a and the convex portion 12e.
If the corner 12f formed at the step between and is angular, the remaining ink that has been sucked there is likely to stay, and when the recording head 12 is moved, the ink drops onto the recording medium 16,
It may stain the recording surface.

In such a case, as shown in FIG. 6B, by making the corners 12f into a smooth curved surface, it becomes difficult for the ink to stay on the recording head 12 side, and the ink is recorded on the recording surface of the recording medium 16. It is possible to solve the problem that the liquid drops.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to surely perform ink suction when performing the recovery process of the ejection performance, without requiring special accuracy in the component that determines the positional accuracy of the recording head and the cap member and the assembly of this component.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of an inkjet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a recording head and a cap member of the same.

3 (a) is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3 (b) is a sectional view showing another state of FIG. 3 (a).

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a recording head and a cap member according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a recording head and a cap member according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 6 according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a fifth embodiment, (a) is a perspective view of a recording head, and (b) is a perspective view of a cap member.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a state in which the recording head and the cap member are fitted to each other in the same state.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cap member according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the recording head according to each embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a conventional recording head and a cap member.

13 is a sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 recording head 12c Fitting hole (first engaging part) 12c 'cutout portion (first engaging portion) 12d Head side taper part (first engaging part) 12e convex part 16 recording media 19 Cap member 19a Protrusion (second engaging portion) 19a 'protrusion (second engaging portion) 19c Cap side taper part (second engaging part) 23 Cap member 23a suction port

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hiroshi Hashi             2-43 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Ori             Inside Npus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takumi Sugaya             2-43 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Ori             Inside Npus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Fujio Kosaka             2-43 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Ori             Inside Npus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 2C056 EA14 EC24 JA08 JA13 JC10                       JC18 JC20 JC21

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. Recording is performed on a recording medium using a recording head having a plurality of ejection openings for ejecting ink, and the recording head is brought into contact with the ejection openings to seal the plurality of ejection openings of the recording head from the atmosphere. Further, in the ink jet recording apparatus, further comprising a cap member that sucks ink from the ejection port to recover ejection performance by making the pressure of the sealed portion negative with respect to the atmosphere, the cap member of the recording head. A first engaging portion provided on a side facing the recording head, and a second engaging portion provided on a side of the cap member facing the recording head, and the cap member and the recording head. The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion of the cap member are engaged with each other in accordance with the abutting operation of the recording head and the cap member in a plane perpendicular to the abutting operation direction. Positioning An ink jet recording apparatus characterized by enabling. 2. At least one of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion deviates from a state in which there is a relative positional deviation in accordance with a contact operation of the cap member with the recording head. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an inclined portion that guides the cap member to a state in which there is no gap. 3. Recording is performed on a recording medium using a recording head provided with a plurality of ejection openings for ejecting ink, and the recording head is brought into contact with the ejection opening side to seal the plurality of ejection openings of the recording head from the atmosphere. Further, in the inkjet recording apparatus, further comprising a cap member that sucks the ink from the ejection port to recover the ejection performance by setting the pressure of the sealed portion to a negative pressure with respect to the atmosphere, Arranged around the discharge port,
A protrusion protruding toward the cap member side from the ejection port, the cap member is made of an elastic member, and the cap member is a flat surface facing the recording head and contacting the protrusion. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising a suction port capable of sucking ink from the discharge port at substantially the center thereof. 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cap member is made of a porous material.