Patent ID: 6481826
Filing Date: 2002-11-19
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising:a recording head having a nozzle formation face provided with nozzle orifices from which ink drops are jetted to print on a recording medium in accordance with print data; a capping unit having an internal space communicated with a negative pressure generator, and having an opening for sealing the nozzle formation face and sucking ink from the nozzle orifices into the internal space by negative pressure generated by the negative pressure generator; an ink discharge port formed on a bottom portion of the internal space of the capping unit; an ink leader provided in the capping unit so as to generate capillary action to lead the sucked ink toward the ink discharge port; and a controller for causing the negative pressure generator to apply the negative pressure to the ink discharge port in order to: (1) suck a first amount of ink from the nozzle orifices when the capping unit seals the nozzle formation face; (2) suck ink remaining in the internal space when the capping unit is apart from the nozzle formation face; (3) suck a second amount of ink, which is smaller than the first amount, from the nozzle orifices when the capping unit again seals the nozzle formation face.