Abstract:
In an ink jet recording apparatus having an ink jet head, an ink discharge from the head is executed to maintain and recover the discharge performance thereof. A cap is located opposite to the ink jet head when the maintaining and recovering ink discharge is performed, and receives the discharged ink. A waste ink tank receives ink exhausted from the cap. An ink pump transports ink received by the cap to the waste ink tank by performing idle suction. The number of times the idle suction is performed is variable, and is controlled by a control unit. The idle suction includes idle suction for recovery suction and idle suction for idle discharge. The idle suction for recovery suction is characterized as suction of ink when the cap caps the ink jet head, and the idle suction for idle discharge is characterized as suction of ink when the cap is communicated with atmosphere. The number of times of the idle suction is less for the idle suction for idle discharge than for the idle suction for recovery suction.

Description:
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/954,064, filed Oct. 20, 1997, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, and which was a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/068,216, filed May 28, 1993, now abandoned, which was a division of application Ser. No. 07/653,702, filed Feb. 11, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,245,362, issued Sep. 14, 1993. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus and a discharge recovery apparatus used in said apparatus. 
     2. Related Background Art 
     For a recording apparatus, which conventionally records on a recording medium (hereinafter called “recording sheet” or simply “paper”) such as paper and sheet for OHP, forms of mounting a recording head using any of various recording methods have been proposed. This recording head has various methods such as wire dot, thermal, thermal transfer, and ink jet methods. 
     Especially the ink jet method directly jets ink on a recording sheet, and draws attention as a quiet recording method with low running cost. 
     In a recording apparatus using the ink jet method, a recording head, in which fine discharge ports have been arranged, is generally used. When air bubble or dust enters the discharge port, or when ink has become unsuitable for discharge or recording owing to thickening caused by evaporation, of ink solvent, etc., and the like, the state of discharge is maintained or recovered by the following: refreshing the ink by recovering the suction through the discharge port or by predischarging, or allowing some discharge ports, which are not concerned in discharge during recording, to discharge ink in order to maintain all discharge ports in a condition suitable for discharging always. 
     As a form of the means to maintain and recover the discharge, there is a recording apparatus provided with a cap member capable of covering the discharge port formation surface of the recording head, and with suction means such as pump means which communicates with this cap member and applies a suction force to the discharge port of the recording head. 
     The factor for improper discharge is removed together with the ink by discharging ink (predischarge, idle discharge) by driving an ink discharge energy generating element inside the discharge port while the cap is opposed to the discharge port formation surface, or by forcibly discharging ink by sucking ink through the discharge port by applying the suction force while the discharge port formation surface is covered with the cap. 
     In an appropriate position of the apparatus, on the other hand, there is a waste ink tank provided to store waste ink produced by the above-mentioned discharge recovery process. 
     To lead, into the waste ink tank, the ink received in a discharge recovery apparatus including the cap, pump and waste ink tube communicating these, etc. by the discharge recovery process, a so-called “idle suction” operation, in which the pump is operated while the cap is opened to air, is performed. 
     This is a very effective operation to prevent remaining waste ink from hardening, and prevent waste ink from leaking outward from the cap when the ink, received within the discharge recovery device by the discharge recovery process, is left to stand alone. 
     In these processes, however, an amount of ink to be discharged by predischarge, for example, an amount of ink to be discharged by idle discharge or an amount of ink to be exhausted by suction are respectively different because their objectives are respectively different. Nevertheless, an operation of pump means to recover exhausted ink was similar in any of these processes. 
     In this case, in idle discharge, for example, which is performed by also allowing discharge ports, which are not used, midway during recording to be used for discharging, a duration, in which the recording head remains at a non-recording position, is long. To cope with high speed recording by improving the throughput, it takes a considerable time to maintain and recover, and high speed recording as a whole cannot be accomplished. 
     Also when a piston type pump was used, ink trapped by an absorber provided within the cap was recovered by repeating the full stroke several times. In this method, however, there were some cases where ink remains in an area far away from the recovery port though ink near the recovery port is well recovered. 
     In other words, although ink near the recovery port is quickly recovered by driving the piston, ink in an area far away from the recovery port takes time to move to near the recovery port, and cannot fully move only by the suction operation—driving the piston was terminated before the ink moves. As a result, the ink remained in the absorber. Such an existence of such residual ink was likely to cause fixing within the absorber. 
     Also the number of times for discharge recovery process to be started differs in accordance with frequency in use and product life that vary with the application and the like of the ink jet recording apparatus. In other words, in a recording apparatus with a use application, in which a large amount of waste ink is required, a large capacity of waste ink tank will be required. This is because the volume, which the waste ink tank occupies within the apparatus, becomes larger. 
     On the other hand, however, miniaturized recording apparatus has been advancing in recent years, and therefore an appropriate ingenuity should be exerted in securing the capacity of the waste ink tank. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Thus, it is an object of the present invention to securely lead waste ink within a discharge recovery apparatus into a waste ink tank by efficiently and securely performing idle suction. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to perform idle suction which does not deteriorate the throughput during recording. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus capable of fully recovering waste ink within a small capacity of waste ink tank by effectively utilizing the space within the apparatus. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a discharge maintaining and recovery apparatus, comprising: 
     ink receiving means capable of receiving ink which is located opposite to a recording head and comes into contact with said recording head when maintaining and recovering discharge in order to maintain and recover a state of ink discharge from said recording head for discharging ink on a recording medium; 
     transporting means which connects said ink receiving means to an exhaust ink receiving member for receiving ink exhausted by the discharge maintaining and recovery process, and transports received ink in said ink receiving means into said exhaust ink receiving member; and 
     control means which performs a first discharge maintaining and recovery process for exhausting ink by means of discharge not concerned in recording by driving said recording head, and a second discharge maintaining and recovery process for exhausting ink by allowing said ink receiving means to come into contact with said recording head and by driving said transporting means, wherein; 
     said transporting means has more drive in the second discharge maintaining and recovery process than in the first discharge maintaining and recovery process. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising: 
     a supporting member for supporting said recording head which discharges ink on a recording medium; 
     ink receiving means capable of receiving ink which is located opposite to a recording head and comes into contact with said recording head when maintaining and recovering discharge in order to maintain and recover a state of ink discharge from said recording head for discharging ink on said recording medium; 
     transporting means which connects said ink receiving means to an exhaust ink receiving member for receiving ink exhausted by the discharge maintaining and recovery process, and transports received ink in said ink receiving means into said exhaust ink receiving member; 
     control means which performs a first discharge maintaining and recovery process for exhausting ink by means of discharge not concerned in recording by driving said recording head, and a second discharge maintaining and recovery process for exhausting ink by allowing said ink receiving means to come into contact with said recording head and by driving said transporting means, wherein; 
     said transporting means has more drive in the second discharge maintaining and recovery process than in the first discharge maintaining and recovery process; and 
     transporting means for transporting said recording medium. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a discharge maintaining and recovery apparatus, comprising: 
     ink receiving means capable of receiving ink which is located opposite to a recording head when maintaining and recovering discharge in order to maintain and recover a state of ink discharge from said recording head for discharging ink on a recording medium; and 
     pump type transporting means consisting of a piston and cylinder which connects said ink receiving means to an exhaust ink receiving member for receiving ink exhausted by the discharge maintaining and recovery process, and transports received ink in said ink receiving means into said exhaust ink receiving member, wherein; 
     in said pump type transporting means, the first stroke is different from the last stroke in piston reciprocating motions for a plurality of cycles for leading said exhaust ink into said ink receiving member. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising: 
     a supporting member for supporting a recording head which discharges ink on a recording medium; 
     ink receiving means capable of receiving ink which is located opposite to a recording head when maintaining and recovering discharge in order to maintain and recover a state of ink discharge from said recording head for discharging ink on a recording medium; 
     pump type transporting means consisting of a piston and cylinder which connects said ink receiving means to an exhaust ink receiving member for receiving ink exhausted by the discharge maintaining and recovery process, and transports received ink in said ink receiving means into said exhaust ink receiving member, wherein; 
     in said pump type transporting means, the first stroke is different from the last stroke in piston reciprocating motions for a plurality of cycles for leading said exhaust ink into said ink receiving member; and 
     transporting means for transporting said recording medium. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a discharge maintaining and recovery apparatus, comprising: 
     ink receiving means capable of receiving ink which is located opposite to a recording head and comes into contact with said recording head when maintaining and recovering discharge in order to maintain and recover a state of ink discharge from said recording head for discharging ink on a recording medium; 
     pump type transporting means consisting of a piston and cylinder which connects said ink receiving means to an exhaust ink receiving member for receiving ink exhausted by the discharge maintaining and recovery process, and transports received ink in said ink receiving means into said exhaust ink receiving member, 
     control means which performs a first discharge maintaining and recovery process for exhausting ink by means of discharge not concerned in recording by driving said recording head, and a second discharge maintaining and recovery process for exhausting ink by allowing said ink receiving means to come into contact with said recording head and by driving said transporting means, wherein; 
     said pump type transporting means controlled by said control means has more drive in the second discharge maintaining and recovery process than in the first discharge maintaining and recovery process, and the first stroke is different from the last stroke in piston reciprocating motions for a plurality of cycles for leading said exhaust ink into said ink receiving member. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus, comprising: 
     supporting member for supporting a recording head which discharges ink on a recording medium; 
     ink receiving means capable of receiving ink which is located opposite to a recording head and comes into contact with said recording head when maintaining and recovering discharge in order to maintain and recover a state of ink discharge from said recording head for discharging ink on a recording medium; 
     pump type transporting means consisting of a piston and cylinder which connects said ink receiving means to an exhaust ink receiving member for receiving ink exhausted by the discharge maintaining and recovery process, and transports received ink in said ink receiving means into said exhaust ink receiving member; 
     control means which performs a first discharge maintaining and recovery process for exhausting ink by means of discharge not concerned in recording by driving said recording head, and a second discharge maintaining and recovery process for exhausting ink by allowing said ink receiving means to come into contact with said recording head and by driving said transporting means, wherein; 
     said pump type transporting means controlled by said control means has more drive in the second discharge maintaining and recovery process than in the first discharge maintaining and recovery process, and the first stroke is different from the last stroke in piston reciprocating motions for plural times for leading said exhaust ink into said ink receiving member; and 
     transporting means for transporting said recording medium. 
     In an ink jet recording apparatus equipped with a recording head for recording by discharging ink on a recording medium, it is also an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus, wherein; 
     plural waste ink storage members, which receive waste ink to be exhausted by the discharge recovery process in order to maintain at least a state of ink discharge of said recording head in a good condition, are provided by utilizing the empty space within the apparatus. 
     According to the present invention, it is possible to fully take ink in the pump from the receiving means with less counter-flow by driving the piston for the first several times, and to transport most ink from the pump into the waste ink storage member by driving the piston in full stroke for a final specified number of times. 
     According to the present invention, since ink, which accumulates in the ink receiving means, is transported into the waste ink receiving member midway during recording for each discharge recovery process (by predischarge) for a specified number of times during recording, the transporting operation is effective. Also an amount of ink, which accumulates in the ink receiving means by predischarge, is less than that during forced exhaust to be performed for recovering the discharge. 
     Therefore, idle suction during the recording process is performed fewer number of times than a number of times for transporting (idle suction) at the time, and it is effective in improving the throughput of the recording apparatus to reduce the number of times. 
     According to the present invention, the waste ink receiving capacity increases while the entire apparatus is miniaturized because plural waste ink tanks are installed by utilizing the empty space existing scattered within the ink jet recording apparatus as the space for the waste ink storage member. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a word processor according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus as its printer. 
     FIG. 3 is an appearance perspective view of a head cartridge shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIGS. 4A and 4B are disassembly and appearance perspective views, respectively, of a head cartridge shown in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 4C is a perspective view of an example of a configuration of a recording head top in FIG.  4 A. 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of a printer for describing head gap adjusting means according to this example. 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional side view of a printer for describing a spur cover and inspection window according to this example. 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of a printer for describing a spur cover and inspection window according to the comparative example. 
     FIGS. 8 and 9 are front views of a printer for describing means to prevent FPC insertion according to this example. 
     FIG. 10 is a front view of a printer for describing FPC insertion according to a conventional configuration. 
     FIG. 11 is a disassembly perspective view of a discharge recovery mechanism shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the details of the cap and cap holder. 
     FIGS. 13A,  13 B and  13 C are a front view plan view and sectional side view, respectively, of a cap according to this example. 
     FIG. 14 is an explanatory drawing of the contour curves of cams which operate each portion of the discharge recovery mechanism. 
     FIGS. 15 and 16 are explanatory drawings which describe the operation of each portion in major cam positions. 
     FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of the control system of an apparatus according to this example. 
     FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing an example of a cleaning procedure in the discharge recovery process. 
     FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation procedure for an idle suction process relating to the discharge recovery process. 
     FIGS. 20A and 20B are flow charts showing an example of the recording procedure according to this example. 
     FIGS. 21 and 22 are perspective views showing two different embodiments of the waste ink system. 
     FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing an outline configuration of application of the present invention to an information processing device. 
     FIG. 24 is a typical outside view of an information processing device shown in FIG.  18 . 
     FIG. 25 is a typical outside view of a monolithic information processing device. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention will hereinafter be described in detail with respect to embodiments thereof shown in the drawings. 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a document preparing device (hereinafter called “word processor”) to which the present invention can be applied. 
     In FIG. 1, numeral  1  indicates a key board, i.e., an input device. A display  2  for displaying an input document, etc. is rotatably held, and is folded so that the display is put on the key board  1  for storage when not used. 
     A transparent or semi-transparent protection cover  3 , which can be opened and closed, is provided at an inspection aperture. The inspection aperture is used to check a recording head for operating condition in the recording region where recording is performed when the recording head moves relatively to a medium to be recorded. A spur cover  4  holds a spur. These will be described later in FIGS. 6 to  8 . 
     Numeral  5  indicates a paper supporter which supports paper when supplying and exhausting recording sheets. Numeral  6  indicates a knob whereby recording sheets are manually supplied and exhausted. 
     FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of a printer in an ink jet recording apparatus according to this example. 
     In FIG. 2, numeral  9  shown in alternate long and short dash line is a head cartridge having an ink jet recording head as described in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, and a carriage  11  scans loaded with the head cartridge in the S-direction in FIG. 2. A hook  13  installs the head cartridge  9  to the carriage  11 . A lever  15  controls the hook  13 . A supporting plate  19  supports an electric connection to the head cartridge  9 . A FPC  21  is used to connect the electric connection to the main body control unit. The configuration concerning this FPC will be mentioned later in FIGS. 9 to  11 . 
     A guide shaft  23  guides the carriage  11  in the S-direction, and is inserted through a bearing  25  of the carriage  11 . The carriage  11  is secured, and a power to move the carriage in the S-direction is transmitted by a timing belt  27 , which is laid over pulleys  29 A and  29 B located on both sides of the apparatus. To one pulley  29 B, a driving force is transmitted through a transmission mechanism such as gears from a carriage motor  31 . 
     A conveyance roller  33  controls a surface to be recorded of a recording medium (hereinafter also called “Recording sheet”) such as paper and OHP paper, also conveys the recording medium during recording, etc., and is driven by a conveyance motor  35 . A paper pan  37  guides the recording medium to the recording position from a paper supporter  5  side. 
     Feed rollers  39  are placed midway on the transporting path for the recording medium to press the recording medium against the conveyance roller  33  for conveying. A platen  34  is opposed to the discharge port of the head cartridge  9  to control the recording surface of the recording medium. An exhaust paper roller  41  is located on the downstream side from the recording position in the direction of conveying the recording medium to exhaust the recording medium toward an exhaust paper port (not illustrated). 
     A spur  42  is provided against the exhaust paper roller  41 , and presses the roller  41  through the recording medium to generate a force for conveying the recording medium by means of the exhaust paper roller  41 . A release lever  43  releases the energization for the feed roller  39  and spur  42  respectively when setting the recording medium. 
     A platen  34  is rotatably supported at both ends by the shaft of the exhaust paper roller  41 , and is energized toward the front surface  45  of the paper pan  37  from the stop position of left and right plates  75  and  75 . When there is no recording sheet tabs,  34 A, which are located opposite to portions  33 A smaller than the extreme outer periphery of the platen roller  33 , are in contact with the inner side of the front surface  45  of the paper pan. 
     A cap  51 , formed with elastic material such as rubber, is opposed to the ink discharge port formation surface of the recording head at the home position, and is supported so that it can come into contact with or leave the recording head. This cap  51  is used to protect the recording head when not recorded, etc., and to perform the discharge recovery process for the recording head. 
     The discharge or suction recovery process is to discharge ink from all discharge ports by driving an ink discharge energy generating element provided inside the ink discharge port while the cap  51  is opposed to the discharge port formation surface, to remove (predischarge) improper discharge factors such as ink unsuitable for recording owing to entry of air bubble or dust or thickening caused thereby, and in addition, to remove an improper discharge factor by forcibly discharging (sucking) ink through the discharge port while the discharge port formation surface is covered with the cap  51 . 
     A pump  53  applies a suction force to forcibly discharge ink, and also sucks ink received in the cap  51  during suction recovery process by such a forcible exhaust and discharge recovery process by predischarge. A first waste ink tank  55  stores waste ink sucked in by the pump  53 , and a tube  57  is used to communicate between the pump  53  and the waste ink tank  55 . A second waste ink tank  70  is connected to the first waste ink tank  55  through tube  71 . 
     A blade  59  wipes the discharge port formation surface of the recording head, and is movably supported between a position for wiping by projecting on the recording head side during the head movement and a retracted position not in contact with the discharge port formation surface. Numeral  61  is a motor. A cam unit  63  is driven by the motor  61  to drive the pump  53  and move the cap  51  and blade  59  respectively. 
     The head cartridge  9  will be described in detail below. 
     FIG. 3 is an appearance perspective view of a head cartridge  9  obtained by uniting a discharge unit  9   a , the ink jet recording head main body, and an ink tank  9   b  into one. In FIG. 3, numeral  906   e  is a pawl which engages a hook  13  provided in the carriage  11  when mounting the head cartridge  9 . As can be seen from FIG. 3, the pawl  906   e  is placed inside the full extension of the recording head. 
     In the vicinity of the discharge unit  9   a  ahead of the head cartridge  9 , there is a positioning knockout (not illustrated) provided. A head opening  906   f  is vertically installed to the carriage  11 , and a supporting plate, which supports a flexible substrate (electric connection) and rubber pad, is inserted into the head opening. 
     FIGS. 4A and 4B are assembly perspective views of the head cartridge shown in FIG. 3, and the head cartridge is of the disposable type by integrating an ink receiving unit and ink supply source into one as mentioned above. 
     In FIG. 4A, a heater board  911  is formed from a electro-thermal converting member (discharge heater) and wiring such as A 1 , through which electric power is supplied to the electro-thermal converting member, on a Si substrate by using the film forming technique. Numeral  921  is a wiring substrate for the heater board  911 , and the corresponding wiring is connected by wire bonding, for example. 
     A top  940  is provided with a partitioning, which limits the ink flow path, common liquid chamber, etc., and the top incorporated with an orifice plate into one is made of resin material in this example. As shown in FIG. 4C, the discharge port formation surface inclines by a specified angle θ against a plane parallel with the surface to be recorded of the recording sheet, and has a difference in level  940   a  in a portion near the discharge port. This has been done in view of the following: to work the discharge port by irradiating a laser beam from the flow path side provided at the top, the flow path in the orifice plate and a flow path behind the flow path make a specified angle. 
     Numeral  930  is a base material made of metal, for example, and numeral  950  is a hold-down spring. The heater board  910  and top  940  are pressure fitted for securing by means of the energizing force of the hold-down spring  950  by engaging the base material with the hold-down spring while the heater board  911  and top  940  are held between both. 
     The base material  930  is provided with the wiring substrate  921  by pasting, etc., and also can have a positioning reference for the carriage  11  which scans the head. The base material  930  also functions as a member for radiating the heat generated from the heater board  911  by driving for cooling. 
     A supply tank  960  receives ink from an ink storage unit  9   b , ink supply source, and functions as a subtank to guide ink into a common liquid chamber formed by bonding the heater board  911  to the top  940 . A filter  970  is located within the supply tank  960  near the ink feed port to the common liquid chamber. Numeral  980  is a cover member for the supply tank  960 . 
     An absorber  900  impregnates ink, and is located within the ink tank main body  9   b . An ink feed port  1200  feeds ink into a recording element  9   a  consisting of the above-mentioned each portion  911  to  980 . In a process before locating said unit in a portion  1010  of the ink tank main body  9   b , pouring ink through the feed port  1200  impregnates ink into the absorber  900 . 
     Numeral  1100  indicates a cover member for the cartridge main body, and numeral  1300  indicates an air communication port provided at the cover member to communicate the inside of the cartridge to air. 
     After filling the ink tank  9   b , with ink through the feed port  1200 , the discharge unit  9   a  consisting of each portion  911  to  980  is positioned to the portion  1010  for placing. The positioning or fixing at this time can be performed by fitting a projection  1012 , for example, provided in the ink tank main body  9   b  in a hole  931  drilled in the base material  930  corresponding thereto, and thereby the head cartridge  9  shown in FIG. 4B is completed. 
     Ink is fed from the inside of the cartridge into the supply tank  960  through the feed port  1200 , a hole  932  drilled in the base material  930  and an inlet provided on the rear side of the supply tank  960  shown in FIG.  4 A. Then ink passes through the inside of the supply tank, and then flows from the outlet into the common liquid chamber through an appropriate feed pipe and ink inlet  942  of the top  940 . At the above-mentioned connections for communicating ink, packings made of silicone rubber or butyl rubber, etc., for example, are placed, and thereby sealing is performed to secure the ink feed path. 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG.  2 . The configuration and operation of the platen  34  and the paper pan front surface  45  will be described in detail. 
     A distance  1  (head gap) between the discharge port of the head cartridge  9  and the front surface of the platen  34  has been adjusted to be optimum for printing. 
     Under the above configuration, a recording sheet inserted from A-direction is energized toward a roller  33  by the feed rollers  39 , and is fed by its frictional force. The tip of the recording sheet enters between a rake  34 A of the platen and the inside of the paper pan front surface  45  while rotating the platen  34  in the B-direction with a shaft  41  A as the center shaft of rotation against the force of springs  82  (provided on both sides). A clearance between the front surface  45  and the discharge port formation surface has been properly adjusted and fixed. 
     Therefore, an optimum head gap between the recording sheet on the platen  34  and the discharge port of the head cartridge  9  can be maintained by the relief of the platen  34  in the B-direction irrespective of the thickness of the recording sheet. 
     In the extension line of the front surface of the platen  34 , there is contact between the exhaust sheet roller  41  and the spur  42  even in the case of the relief in the B-direction by means of the thickness of the recording sheet, and the tip of the recording sheet easily can enter between the exhaust sheet roller  41  and the spur  42 . The difference h in the head gap between up and down of the recording unit caused by the inclination of the platen can be ignored because a distance H between the center of rotation of the platen and center of printing is great. 
     The platen  34  is not always required to be coaxial with the roller  41 . For the front surface  45 , any other than a front surface molded by integrating with the paper pan  37  into one may be used, and one secured by bonding or fastening using machine screws may be also used. Also one separately constructed and secured by another portion of the apparatus may be used. 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a printer with the head cartridge  9  mounted, and equipped with a spur  42 , spur cover  4  and protection cover  3  provided at the inspection aperture. 
     As can be seen from FIG. 6, the spur cover  4  overhangs the head cartridge  9  to form a spur securing unit. 
     Therefore, if the cover  3  is transparent or semitransparent, the operation of the head cartridge  9  can be visually inspected while the cover is put on. It is, however, desirable that the ink discharge portion  9   a ′ of the discharge unit  9   a  at the capping position can be also inspected visually. 
     In the configuration of FIG. 7 adopted in this embodiment, the ink discharge portion  9   a ′ can be visually inspected by spreading the inspection aperture  3 A in the width direction and also making the inspection aperture L-shaped enough to further cover above the ink discharge portion  9   a′.    
     In this example, the inspection aperture  3 A is provided with a cover member  3  to protect the inside of the apparatus such as the head cartridge  9  even at the nonprinting position. This cover member  3  may be made of various materials, and making this transparent or semitransparent enables visual inspection during capping while the cover is put on. 
     If, however, the cover member  3  is constructed so that it can be opened and closed or be easily attached and detached and can be immediately opened as required, it may not always be transparent or semitransparent. 
     Now the configuration relating to the above-mentioned FPC 21  will be concretely described. 
     FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic front views of the recording apparatus according to the embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of the recording apparatus according to the comparative example. 
     In FIG. 8, a conveyance roller  33  extending right-to-left is provided on a right and left frame  75  (not illustrated in FIG. 8) vertically installed on a frame  91  of the recording apparatus. This guide shaft  23  is likewise secured on this side of the roller  33 , on top of which the carriage  11  is provided so that it can slide right-to-left, and the head cartridge  9  is mounted on the carriage  11  as mentioned above. 
     On the carriage  11 , FPC 21  is secured which electrically connects a control circuit (not illustrated) with the head cartridge  9  through a connector, etc. installed thereon. Also the other end of FPC 21  is secured to the frame  91 . 
     Further between FPC 21  on the frame  91  and the frame  91 , a friction sheet  97  is provided near an area where FPC 21  forms a minimum radius. The friction sheet  97  is applied with an additive on one side, and the side is bonded to the frame  91  by the additive. 
     In such a configuration, the carriage  11  moves on the conveyance roller  33  in the arrow SR direction in FIG. 8 by driving means such as a motor  31 , etc. At this time, a recording signal is given from the control unit to the discharge unit  9   a  of the head cartridge  5  mounted on the carriage  11  through FPC 21 . The discharge unit  9   a  discharges ink on the recording sheet on said signal for recording. After completing recording for one line, the carriage  11  stops, the roller  33  is rotated by driving means such as a motor  35 , and accordingly the recording sheet is subscanned. 
     Hereafter, the carriage  11  moves in the arrow SL direction in FIG. 8, and the next line will be recorded. 
     FIG. 9 shows the state of the movement. In this example, since the friction sheet  97  is provided on the frame  91 , a friction force occurs between FPC 21  and the friction sheet  97 . FPC 21  does not slip on the frame  91 , but an arc portion  21 A properly moves, and therefore FPC 21  is not caught in the lower portion of the carriage  11 . 
     In a configuration in which no friction sheet  97  is provided as shown in FIG. 10, on the other hand, there is slippage between FPC 21  and a frame  1  under the carriage  11 , causing slack  21 B on FPC 21 . When the carriage further moves in the right direction (SR direction) in this state, FPC 21  is likely to be caught in the carriage  11 . 
     According to this example as mentioned above, the travel of FPC 21  can be stabilized by adopting such a simple configuration that a member (friction sheet  97 ) with a high friction coefficient is provided on the frame  91  of the recording apparatus. Accordingly it is possible to set the height of FPC traveling unit low, and to provide a small-sized and light-weight recording apparatus. 
     As an example of the friction sheet  97 , sheet material consisting of silicone, for example, can be used. 
     In the above description, FPC was used to connect between the head cartridge  9  and the control circuit. However, not only FPC but also all electrical connection members such as flat cable and flux wire can, of course, be used. 
     FIG. 11 is a disassembly perspective view of the major portion of the recovery apparatus consisting of a cap  51 , pump  53 , blade  59 , motor  61 , cam device  63 , etc. in FIG.  2 . 
     In FIG. 11, an ink absorber  501  is located within a cap  51 , and a holding member  503  holds the cap  51 . A cap lever  505  is rotatably installed with a pin  507  as the center, and allows a cap  51  to come into contact with/leave the port discharge port formation surface of the discharge unit  9   a  by means of a force applied to the pin  507 . A pin  511  engages the end  509  of the cap lever  505  to control the range of rotation of the cap lever  505 . 
     A jig  513  has a hole into which a pin  507  of the cap lever  505  is fitted, and is used to install the cap lever  505  to a supporting unit  515  provided at pump  53 . A locking member  516  secures its installation state. An operation unit  517  applies a force, which abuts the discharge port formation surface, to the cap  51 , and engages almost the center of the rear side of the cap  51 . 
     This operation unit has an inlet  517 A for sucked ink, and an ink flow path is formed within each of the cap lever  505 , pin  507 , jig  513  and supporting unit  515 . When the pump  53  applies the suction force, ink flows into the pump  53  through these flow paths as shown by the arrow in FIG.  11 . 
     A shaft  519  projects from the center of the end surface of the pump  53 , having an ink flow path formed inside, and is rotatably installed to the sidewall  520 . The rotating force of the pump  53  itself thereby is applied to the cap lever  505  through the supporting unit  515 , and the cap  51  advances or retracts accordingly. A flow path formation member  521  is combined with the pump shaft  519 . Numeral  523  indicates a fitting member for a tube  57 . In other words, an ink flow path is formed within the shaft  519 , flow path formation member  521  and fitting member  523 . Ink sucked in by the pump  53  is led into the waste ink tank  55  through the flow path and tube  57  as shown by the arrow in FIG.  11 . 
     Numeral  525  is a piston of the pump  53 ,  527  is a piston shaft,  529  is packings, and  531  shows a cap for pump  53 . 
     A pin  533  is fitted to the piston shaft  527 , and receives a force which operates the piston  525 . 
     A blade lever  535  is fitted with blade  59 , and is rotatably supported around the shaft projecting from the end surface of the pump  53  to allow the blade  59  to project or retract on the recording head side with said rotation. A spring  537  provides the blade lever  535  with a rotating force in a direction of projecting the blade  59 . Another spring  539  biases the pump  53  to rotate in a direction in which the cap  53  faces toward the recording head side. 
     A gear train  541  transmits the rotation of a motor  61  to a cam device  63 . The cam device  63  has a cam  547  which engages an engaging unit  545  provided at the pump  53  to rotate it, a cam  549  which engages a pin  533  provided at the piston shaft  527  of the pump  53  to operate the pump, a cam  553  which engages an engaging unit  551  provided at a blade lever  535  to rotate it, and a cam  557  which engages a switch  555  for detecting the home position of the cam device  63 . The operation of these cams will be described later. 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the details of the cap  51  and holder  503 . 
     The cap  51  according to this example is made of rubber-like elastic material to improve the adhesion with the orifice plate of the top  940 , and is pressed against the orifice plate of the top by a pressing force of 60 to 80 g during capping. The tip of the rib portion, that is, the edge opposed to the discharge port formation surface is formed in parallel in this example to cope with the above-mentioned angle of inclination θ (See FIG.  4 C), and has a trapeziform cross section, which is small at the tip and is large at the root, to follow the difference in level at the discharge port position. 
     Also to cope with the angle θ and prevent side slippage when pressed against the top  940 , the cap holder  503  is provided with ribs  503   b  and  503   c . That is, the rib  503   c  prevents deformation of the cap itself made of rubber, and also the rib  503   b  prevents the cap  51  and cap holder  503  as a whole from turning sideways at the cap lever  505  mounting surface. 
     FIGS. 13A,  13 B and  13 C are a front view, plan view, and M-M sectional side view, respectively, showing a further detailed configuration of the cap  51 . 
     In this example, an ink suction port  561  within the cap is provided in the lower part in the vertical direction, and an ink flow path  563  is formed toward the ink input  517 A provided at the operation unit  517  of the cap lever  505 . The suction port  561  is also constructed so that it is not completely covered by the absorber  501 . 
     The head cartridge  9  set on the carriage  11  is driven by the carriage motor  31  so that its discharge port comes almost to the center of the cap  51  of the recovery system in order to recover a series of improper discharges such as capping, predischarge or suction operation. 
     As mentioned above in FIG. 4C, the top  940  of the head is not level against the surface to be recorded on a recording medium, that is, not at right angles with the cap pressing direction, but has a certain angle θ (θ≈5° in the case of this embodiment) and also a minute difference in level (about 0.2 mm in the case of this embodiment). 
     In addition, the stop position of the carriage  11  may have a deviation of a specified amount (for example, about ±0.5 mm) to the target position when a step motor is used for the carriage motor  31 . 
     To follow the shape of the orifice plate of the top  940 , a small rib with low hardness is preferable for the tip rib  51   a , but at the same time to hold the sealing performance against a negative pressure that occurs during suction, the rib  51   a  requires a certain strength. Also since the orifice plate O of the top  940  has an angle θ, a force in a direction of expanding the rib is always applied to the rib  51   a  of the cap  51 , and a permanent deformation when it has been left to stand alone for a long period is a problem. 
     Taking these into consideration, the shape of the rib  91   a  was selected as below in this example. The above problem was solved by using W 1 =0.3 mm, W 2 =0.5 mm and H=0.4 mm, and setting the rubber hardness to 60° in FIG.  13 C. These values are, of course, not limited to these, but various values can be taken so long as the above effect is obtained. Values of W 1 =0.2 to 0.6 mm, W 2 =0.3 to 0.8 mm, and H=0.2 to 0.6 mm, for example, can be taken. 
     At the same time, the rib surrounding area  51   b  should be sufficiently large for the shape of the rib. The above effect can be more securely obtained by having the rib surrounding area  51   b  2 to 3 mm or more in width and 2 to 3 mm or more in thickness, for example. 
     For the rubber used for the cap, butyl rubber, chlorinated butyl rubber, silicone rubber, etc. may be used. 
     The discharge port formation surface may not always be parallel with a plane formed by the edge of the rib portion. If parallel, the entire edge comes into contact with or leaves the discharge port formation surface at the same time when the cap  51  abuts or leaves, and a great pressure fluctuation instantaneously occurs in the space enclosed by the cap  51 . For this reason, the ink meniscus within the discharge port is likely not to be properly maintained. In other words, if not parallel, the edge will gradually come into contact with the discharge port formation surface before the whole is in the state of adhesion on capping. Also during open cap, the edge will gradually leave before leaving is completely performed. 
     From this viewpoint, the cap configuration shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is not always applied only to such a discharge port formation surface as shown in FIG.  4 C. That is, the above cap configuration is also applicable to a discharge port formation surface formed in parallel with the non-recording surface of a recording medium, for example. 
     Also from the above viewpoint, any other directions than shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 may be taken for a plane formed by the edge, and any appropriate direction can be taken. Moreover, it may not always be a plane, but a configuration, in which irregularities are provided on the edge, may be used. 
     The recovery system will be described. 
     FIG. 14 is an explanatory drawing showing the contour curve of each cam of the cam device, FIG. 15 the major cam positions (operation position of each portion except the pumps corresponding to â to {circle around (d)}, {circle around (f)} and ĥ in FIG.  14 ), and FIG. 16 the operation position of the pump  53  respectively. Numerical values in FIG. 14 are angles of rotation of each cam. 
     Referring to FIGS. 14 to  16 , the function of the recovery system unit according to this embodiment will be described. 
     In FIG. 14, a state of â is at the home position of a cam  549 , and is a stand-by state of the recovery apparatus during recording. At this time, a switch  555  is ON, the cap  51  is in a state (hereinafter called “open state”) of being away from the head discharge port formation surface, and the blade  59  is in the OFF state, that is, this is also in a state of being away from the head discharge port formation surface (See FIG.  15 ). The pump  53  is at the upper dead center. 
     {circle around (b)} is in a capping state, and shows when the printer is not used, but the head discharge port formation surface is covered for protection. At this time, the switch  555  is OFF, the cap  51  joins (closed state) the head discharge port formation surface, the pump  53  is at the upper dead center, and further the blade is in the OFF state. 
     ĉ is in a state of pumping completed. At this time, the switch  555  is ON, the cap  51  is closed, and the pump  53  is in a state in which the valve has been opened but has not reached the lower dead center. Also the blade  59  is in the OFF state. 
     {circle around (d)} is in a state in which the cap  51  has been opened after pumping and at the same time, small idle suction has been performed to take ink, with which the cap  51  and cap lever  505  are filled, into the pump  53 . At this time, the switch  555  is ON, the cap  51  is almost half opened, the pump  53  is at the lower dead center, and the blade is in the OFF state. 
     A state of ĝ will be described earlier. This is a position for preparing to start idle suction in order to exhaust ink, with which the pump  53  is filled, on the waste ink tank side by pumping. At this time, the switch  555  is ON, the cap  51  is opened, and the pump  53  is at a somewhat lower position than the upper dead center. The blade  59  is in the OFF state. 
     ê and {circle around (f)} are at a stop position when great and medium idle suctions have been performed respectively. At this time in either case, the switch  555  is ON, the cap  51  is opened, and the blade  59  is in the OFF state. However, the state of the pump  53  is at the lower dead center in ê while it has not completely lowered in {circle around (f)}. 
     ĥ is in a state of wiping. At this time, the switch  555  is ON, the cap  51  is opened, and the pump is at the upper dead center. The blade  59  is in the ON state, and the head discharge port formation surface can be wiped by moving the carriage  11  with the head cartridge  9  mounted in this state. 
     In FIG. 16, {circle around ( 1 )} indicates a state in which the piston  525  is at the lower dead center within the pump. Pumping is performed by a negative pressure which is generated by the space on the left side of the piston  525  in the space within the pump  53 . A valve port  531  conveys the negative pressure to the cap  51 . From the state of {circle around ( 1 )}, it can be seen that the piston  525  has gone beyond the valve port  531  and further advanced to the right side. Since the piston  525  is pressed by the shaft flange  527   a  of the piston from the left side for adhesion here, the generated negative pressure does not leak elsewhere, but is conveyed to the cap  51  side. Ink accumulated in the right side portion of the piston  525  is pushed out into the waste ink tank. 
     {circle around ( 2 )} indicates a state in which the piston  525  is at the upper dead center within the pump. It should be noted that the piston  525  has reached the left side of the valve port  531  and the valve port  531  is not closed. That is, the cap  51  is communicating with air in this state. 
     {circle around ( 3 )} indicates a state of the pump  53  in the case of ĉ in FIG.  14 . The piston  525  has gone beyond the valve port  531  and advanced somewhat to the right side. 
     {circle around ( 4 )} indicates a state of the pump  53  in the case of ĝ in FIG.  14 . By reciprocating between this state and a state of {circle around ( 1 )} or {circle around ( 5 )}, great and medium suctions are carried out. It should be noted here that the valve port  531  has been closed by the piston  525 . Since the pump  53  according to this embodiment has not any object corresponding to a valve which an ordinary pump has, counterflow to the cap  51  side may occur when a positive pressure occurs within the pump. 
     Leaving the valve port  531  closed except in case of necessity is useful to reduce the counterflow. 
     {circle around ( 5 )} indicates a state in which medium suction has been carried out. It should be noted here that the piston  525  has stopped immediately after it went beyond the valve port  531 . If it is assumed that the piston  525  has been moved to the lower dead center {circle around ( 1 )}, the valve port  531  would not be closed for a long time when the piston returns to the upper dead center {circle around ( 2 )} or the position {circle around ( 4 )} for preparing idle suction. The apparatus is constructed so that some clearance occurs between the piston shaft flange  527   a  and piston  525  to communicate with the space on the right side of the piston  525  so that no positive pressure occurs in the space on the left side at the time. However, a positive pressure occurs owing to resistance of the flow path, etc. and it is likely to cause counter flow. On the other hand, when the piston is allowed to return to {circle around ( 1 )} or {circle around ( 4 )} from the position of {circle around ( 5 )} as shown in this example, the counter flow is effectively prevented. 
     FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the configuration example of the control system of the recording apparatus according to the above configuration. 
     The cap position and movement position of the carriage  11  can be known by detection of the recovery system home sensor  65  and carriage home sensor  67 . In FIG. 17, MPU  1000  controls each portion by performing the control means, etc. to be mentioned later concerning FIG. 18 to FIG.  20 . 
     A ROM  1001  stores a program corresponding to the control procedure, etc., and a RAM  1002  is used as a work area when executing the control procedure. A timer  1003  measures a duration as mentioned later. 
     FIG. 18 shows an example of the head cleaning procedure executed by the recovery system unit under the control of MPV 1000  in FIG.  17 . 
     This procedure starts with capping state of ĥ in FIG. 14 (step S 1 ). The numeral with a degree in each step shows the angle of rotation of a cam in the same way as in FIG.  14 . Pumping is carried out (step S 3 ) by moving to a state of ĉ, and a stop for three seconds (step S 5 ), for example, is allowed to sufficiently suck ink in the state. Small idle suction (step S 7 ) is carried out concurrent with the open cap in {circle around (d)}, and a stop for one second (step S 9 ), for example, is allowed to take ink into the cap  51  and cap lever  505 . 
     Then idle suction is performed to exhaust ink with which the pump  53  is filled. That is, first move to the position for preparing idle suction ĝ (step S 11 ), and reciprocate between there and medium idle stop position {circle around (f)} three times, for example, (step S 13  to S 19 ). 
     Great idle suction (step S 21 ) is carried out by finally moving the recovery system unit from ĝ to ê to fully push out ink within the pump  53  into the waste ink tank. The recovery system unit successively moves to ĝ position (step S 23 ) for predischarging (step S 25 ), and then is set up at ĥ position to project the blade  59  (step S 27 ). After wiping (step S 29 ), it returns to the initial capping state {circle around (b)} (step S 31 ). 
     This procedure including the recovery process by suction, idle suction, predischarge, etc. can be arranged to be appropriately performed by a main control routine for the apparatus, or started in accordance with the operator&#39;s instruction. 
     FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing an operation example of idle suction to take ink, which is stored by predischarge to be appropriately carried out during recording, into the waste ink tank. 
     Since this procedure is performed by suspending the recording operation during recording, it starts with the stand-by state of â in FIG. 14 (step S 41  ). 
     The recovery system unit is moved (step S 43 ) to ĝ position by reversing the cam  63  in this state, and thereafter is returned to {circle around (f)} position for medium idle suction (step S 45 ). After setting (step S 47 ) to ĝ position again, it is returned to ê position for great idle suction (step S 49 ). Then it is set to â state to open the cap (step S 51 ) for recording. 
     In other words, the present invention is to combine small idle suction, medium idle suction and great idle suction, accumulate ink within the cap absorber near the suction port little by little with a small suction force, and transport the ink at a stroke with a great suction force. 
     Therefore it is desirable to combine the small suction force and great suction force in this order. 
     For a combination of these suction forces, a combination may be performed in the order of small idle suction, medium idle suction and great idle suction, and also idle suction may be completed by repeating the small idle suction and medium idle suction a plurality of times and finally performing the great idle suction once or several times. 
     Also a combination may be performed by repeating the small idle suction or medium idle suction a plurality of times and then performing the great idle suction. 
     Ink within the cap can be well exhausted by thus changing the suction force, and the amount of ink counter-flow at the initial stage of driving the pump can be reduced in order to satisfactorily accomplish ink exhaust operation. 
     FIGS. 20A and 20B show an example of the recording/printing procedure according to this example. 
     When the power is turned on in FIG. 20A, set the recovery system unit to the recovery system home position in step S 61 , and set the carriage to the home position in step S 63  after opening the cap. Then in step S 65 , reset a counter N 1  which is used to start an idle suction when a specified number of times for predischarge (15 times or 7 times in this example) is reached. In step S 67 , stand by (step S 69 ) for a data signal for recording (printing) after closing the cap. This number of times should be, of course, set in accordance with the amount of ink to be exhausted by predischarge, and if a large amount of ink is exhausted, the number of times should be reduced for setting. 
     When a print signal is input, start supply sheet in step S 71 , set the carriage  11  to the home position for predischarging in step S 75  after opening the cap in step S 73 , and at the same time, advance a counter N 1  by +1. Then reset a timer T 1  which starts predischarge at each specified duration (for example, once every 30 seconds) during recording in step S 77 , and at the same time, start the timer to perform printing for one line in step S 79 . 
     Hereafter, judge in step S 81  whether or not a value of timer T 1  exceeded 30 seconds. If affirmatively judged, proceed to step S 87  after having the same steps S 83  and S 85  as steps S 75  and S 77  respectively. If negatively judged, proceed to step S 87  immediately. 
     In step S 87 , judge whether or not the value of counter N 1  has reached “15”, and if affirmatively judged, perform idle suction midway during printing for one page in step S 89 . At this time, the procedure shown in FIG. 20 is started. Thereafter, reset the counter N 1  for restarting in step S 91 , and then proceed to step S 93 . If negatively judged in step S 87 , proceed to step S 93  immediately. 
     In step S 93 , judge whether or not renewing a page has been instructed after completing recording for one page, and if negatively judged, proceed to step S 95  to judge the presence of a print signal. If affirmatively judged in step S 95 , judge in step S 97  whether or not there is an END signal of completing the record. If negatively judged, proceed to step S 79  for printing the next line. 
     If no print signal is input in step S 95 , on the other hand, proceed to step S 99 , and reset a timer T 2 , which is used for capping when no print data is input within a specified duration (for example, 5 seconds), for restarting. Then judge the presence of a print signal in step S 101 , and if affirmatively judged, return to step S 79  to execute printing the next line. 
     If negatively judged, on the other hand, judge in step S 103  whether or not the content of counting of the timer T 2  has exceeded 5 seconds, and if negatively judged, proceed to step S 104 . If the END signal is not input, return to step S 101 . 
     If 5 seconds have elapsed, on the other hand, close the cap in step S 105 , stop the timer T 1  in step S 107 , and at the same time, reset a timer T 3 , which starts predischarge after the capping state has continued for a specified duration (for example, for 60 seconds), for restarting. 
     Then after judging the presence of input of END signal and print signal (steps S 109  and S 111 ), if the input signal is given, open the cap in step S 113 , and judge in step S 115  whether or not the content of counting of the timer T 3  has exceeded 60 seconds. If affinnatively judged, proceed to step S 75  for predischarging, etc. and then return to step S 79 . If negatively judged, on the other hand, return to step S 79  after starting the timer T 1  in step S 117 . 
     If a command for renewing the page is input in step S 93 , proceed to step S 119 , and judge whether or not the content of counter N 1  has exceeded “7”. If affirmatively judged, perform intrapage idle suction in step S 121 , and proceed to step S 125  for above-mentioned wiping after resetting/starting the counter N 1  in step S 123 . 
     If negatively judged, on the other hand, proceed to step S 125  immediately for above-mentioned wiping. Then close the cap in step S 127 , and after exhausting a sheet, on which recording has been performed, in step S 129 , proceed to step S 69  to stand by for a print signal for the next page. 
     When a END signal has been detected in step S 97  or S 109 , execute an operation for terminating the step S 131 . This process performs, as shown in FIG. 21B, the idle suction (step S 141 ), reset/start (step S 143 ) of counter N 1 , wiping (step S 145 ), closing the cap (step S 147 ) and exhaust sheet (step S 149 ). 
     To summarize the above main operations, predischarge is first cited. In this example, predischarge is performed immediately before printing, and thereafter predischarge is performed at intervals of 30 seconds. For the addition at intervals of 30 seconds, the timer T 1  is used. If it enters capping (c) when more than 5 seconds have elapsed without print signal, T 1  is stopped. Therefore, the duration for capping is not counted in these intervals of 30 seconds. 
     When it takes more than 60 seconds to perform capping (c), the control procedure returns to predischarge (a), and predischarge is performed before printing after opening the cap. 
     In this embodiment, predischarge is performed within the cap. Accordingly, when repeating the predischarge, it is necessary to perform idle suction in order to take in ink, which accumulates within the cap by the repeated predischarge, on the waste ink tank side. This is an idle suction in FIG.  19 . 
     Basically idle suction is performed between pages in which printing is not performed. When a counter N 1  for predischarge indicates more than 7 after printing for one page, an idle suction (d) is performed. When Ni exceeds 15 within one page during printing, however, in other words, an idle suction (e) is performed in sentences requiring a long printing time. Also when printing is terminated, an idle suction is always performed. 
     Wiping is to clean a head face surface wet with ink after printing, and is to be performed after terminating printing for one page and all pages. 
     According to this example as mentioned above, perform about twice a similar operation to the idle suction after sucking ink, midway during printing or after terminating printing. This operation has the same effect as to effectively feed ink, which accumulates in the cap by predischarge during printing, into the waste ink tank. 
     The amount of ink, which accumulates in the cap by predischarge, is much less than that when sucking ink during cleaning that is performed to recover discharge. Therefore, idle suction during printing is performed less number of times than the number of times for idle suction during cleaning. Reducing the number of times as far as possible is effective to improve the effective printing speed of the recording apparatus. 
     The number of times for idle suction during cleaning or during printing is not limited to the above example, but an appropriate number of times can, of course, be set. 
     Also, according to this example, by taking short strokes at first in reciprocating the piston in idle suction for several times and taking such a long stroke as to reach the lower dead center in the final several times, it is possible to securely take ink within the cap  51  into the pump  53  with less counter flow, and further realize an effective idle suction which reduces the amount of ink remaining in the pump  53  and effectively feeds most of the ink amount into the waste ink tank. 
     As regards how to change the stroke in an idle suction operation, short strokes (medium idle suction) were taken three times and one long stroke (great idle suction) was taken in the above example. However, the number of times can be, of course, changed appropriately. 
     The waste ink tank according to this example will be described. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the first waste ink tank  55 , a second waste ink tank  70  is provided by effectively utilizing the space within the apparatus, and a tube  71  is used to connect between these waste ink tanks in this example. Since both tanks are provided in series with reference to the recovery system unit, waste ink, which is produced by discharge recovery process or the above-mentioned idle suction process, is first led into the first waste ink tank  55  through a tube  57 . 
     While the first waste ink tank  55  has room for waste ink, the waste ink is stored here. When the first waste ink tank  55  has no more room for it hereafter, the overflowed waste ink will be led to the second waste ink tank  70  through the tube  71 . 
     Since the second waste ink tank  70  is thus provided by effectively utilizing the space within the apparatus in this example, it is possible to miniaturize the apparatus without reducing the capacity for receiving waste ink. 
     Also it is possible to provide appropriate ink absorbers within these waste ink tanks. In FIG. 2, a breathing fabric  183  is permeable to ink solvent vapor, but is impervious to ink, being liquid, and concretely “Paper load” (made by Teijin Limited), for example, can be used. Placing such a breathing fabric  183  prevents ink leakage from waste ink tanks  55  and  70 . Though two waste ink tanks are connected in series in the above example, both can be provided in parallel with reference to the recovery system unit. 
     FIG. 21 shows an example of configuration for the above. In this example, a three-way joint  57 A is provided at one end of a tube  57 , the other end of which is connected to the recovery system unit, and this three-way joint  57 A branches the flow of waste ink so that waste ink is led into waste ink tanks  55  and  70  through tubes  72  and  71  respectively. The similar effect can be obtained in this example. 
     From a viewpoint of providing waste ink tanks by effectively utilizing the empty space within the apparatus, that can exist dispersed, it is, of course, possible to provide not only the second waste ink tank but also further several waste ink tanks in appropriate empty space. 
     FIG. 22 shows an example of the configuration when two waste ink tanks are further provided in addition to the waste ink tank  55 , and a second waste ink tank  70 A and a third waste ink tank  70 B are provided in parallel with reference to the waste ink tank  55 . When waste ink overflows the waste ink tank  55 , this waste ink is branched by a joint  74 , and is led into the second waste ink tank  70 A and the third waste ink tank  70 B through tubes  71 A and  71 B respectively. 
     The waste ink receiving capacity can be further increased by using such a configuration. 
     As regards connection between these waste ink tanks, or among more waste ink tanks, an appropriate configuration can, of course, be taken. 
     The present invention brings about excellent effects in recording heads and recording apparatus of the ink jet recording method, that forms flying liquid droplets by utilizing heat energy for recording, especially in ink jet recording methods. 
     As regards its typical configuration and principle, it is desirable to use the basic principle disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796 for operation. This method is applicable to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type. 
     Especially in the case of the on-demand type, by applying at least one driving signal, that corresponds to the recording information and provides recording liquid with rapid temperature rise beyond nucleate boiling, to an electro-thermal converter, which is located corresponding to a sheet holding the recording liquid (ink) and the liquid path, generates heat energy in the electro-thermal converter, causing film boiling to the recording liquid near the heat operating surface of the recording head. As a result, it is possible to form air bubbles in the recording liquid by coping with this driving signal one to one. 
     At least one droplet is formed by allowing the recording liquid to discharge in air through the discharge port by means of an operation force, that occurs in growth and contraction process of this air bubble. Since providing this driving signal with pulse shape causes immediate and proper growth and contraction to air bubble, recording liquid especially excellent in response can be discharged, which is preferable. 
     For this pulse-shaped driving signal, such signals as specified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Also by adopting the conditions specified in U.S. Pat. No. 4,313,124 of an invention on rate of temperature rise on the above-mentioned heat operating surface, a further excellent recording can be performed. 
     For configuration of the recording head, in addition to a combination configuration (linear liquid flow path or rectangular liquid flow path) of such discharge port, liquid path and electro-thermal converter as disclosed in the above-mentioned each specification, configurations using U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,558,333 and 4,459,600 that disclose a configuration, in which the heat operating unit is located in a bending region, are also included in the present invention. 
     Further for the full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of a maximum recording medium which the recording apparatus is capable of recording, both a configuration, which meets the length by a combination of such plural recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, and a configuration as a single recording head integrated into one may be used. In either case, the present invention can more effectively exhibit the above-mentioned effect. 
     In addition, when a replaceable chip type recording head, which an electrical connection with the apparatus body or supply of ink from the apparatus body is provided by mounting to the apparatus body, or a cartridge type recording head, in which the recording head itself is integrally provided with an ink supply tank, is used, the present invention is effective. 
     It is desirable to add recovery means for a recording head, preparatory auxiliary means, etc., which are provided as a configuration of a recording apparatus according to the present invention, because the effects of the present invention can be more stabilized. To concretely cite these, capping means for a recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, electro-thermal converter, or another heating element or preheating means by a combination of these means, or predischarge mode, which predischarges separately from recording. 
     Further, the present invention is very useful for an apparatus which is equipped with not only a recording mode of main color such as black, but also different colors or at least one of full color by color mixture whether the recording head is integrally constructed or is composed of plural units. 
     Further in addition, for a morphology of the recording apparatus equipped with a recording mechanism using a liquid jet recording head according to the present invention, morpologies of a copying machine combined with a reader, etc., and a facsimile apparatus having a transmitting and receiving function besides being used as an image output terminal of information processing equipment such as computers may be also taken. 
     FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an outline configuration when a recording apparatus of the present invention has been applied to information processing device having functions as a word processor, personal computer, facsimile apparatus, and copying machine. 
     In FIG. 18, a control unit  1801  controls the entire apparatus, and is equipped with CPU such as microprocessor and various I/O ports to control by outputting control signals, data signals, etc. to each portion, and by inputting control signals and data signals from each portion. 
     A display  1802  shows various menus, document information and image data read by an image reader  1807  on this display screen. A transparent, pressure sensitive touch panel  1803  is provided on the display  1802 , and items, coordinate positions, etc. can be input on the display  1802  by pressing the panel surface with the finger, etc. 
     A FM (Frequency Modulation) sound source unit  1804  stores music information prepared by a music editor, etc. in a memory  1810  or exterior memory device  1812  as digital data, and reads from the memory, etc. for FM modulation. An electric signal from the FM sound source unit  1804  is converted into audible sound by a speaker  1805 . The recording apparatus according to the present invention has been applied to a printer  1806  as the output terminal for the word processor, personal computer, facsimile apparatus and copying machine. 
     An image reader  1807  photoelectrically reads manuscript data for input, and is provided midway on a conveyance route for manuscripts to read various manuscripts in addition to facsimile and copying manuscripts. 
     A transmitting and receiving unit  1808  facsimile transmits the manuscript data read by the image reader  1807 , and receives a transmitted facsimile signal for decoding, having an interface function with outside. A telephone unit  1809  has various telephone finctions such as ordinary telephone and automatic answering telephone functions. 
     A memory  1810  has a ROM, which stores system programs, manager programs, and other application programs, character font, dictionaries, etc., application programs loaded from the exterior memory device  1812 , document information, video RAM and the like. A keyboard  1811  inputs document information, various commands, etc. 
     The exterior memory device  1812  uses floppy disks or hard disks, etc. as the memory medium, and stores document information, music or audio information, users&#39; application programs, etc. 
     FIG. 19 is a typical outside view of an information processing device shown in FIG.  18 . 
     In FIG. 19, a flat panel display  1901  using liquid crystal, etc. displays various menus, graphic information, document information, etc. A touch panel  1803  is provided on this display  1901 , and coordinate and a specified item can be input by pressing the touch panel  1803  surface with the finger, etc. 
     A hand set  1902  is used when the apparatus finctions as a telephone set. A keyboard  1903  is removably connected to the main body through a cord, and is used to input various document information and various data. This keyboard  1903  is also provided with various functional keys  1904 . Numeral  1905  is a port for inserting a floppy disk into the exterior memory device  212 . 
     Numeral  1906  is a sheet placing unit on which a manuscript read by the image reader  1807  is placed, and the read manuscript is exhausted from behind the apparatus. Received facsimile, etc. is recorded by an ink jet printer  1907 . 
     For the above display  1802 , CRT may be used, but a flat panel of liquid crystal display using a ferroelectric liquid crystal is desirable. This is because the weight can be reduced in addition to miniaturization and thinning. 
     When the above-mentioned information processing device functions as a personal computer or word processor, various information input from the keyboard  211  are processed by the control unit  1801  in accordance with a specified program, and are output as image in the printer  1806 . 
     When the above-mentioned information processing device functions as a receiver for the facsimile apparatus, facsimile information input from the FAX transmitting and receiving unit  1808  through the communication circuit is received and processed by the control unit  1801  in accordance with a specified program, and is output as a received image in the printer  1806 . 
     When the above-mentioned information processing device functions as a copying machine, a manuscript is read by the image reader  1807 , and the read manuscript data is output in the printer  1806  as copied image through the control unit  1801 . When it functions as a transmitter for the facsimile apparatus, manuscript data read by the image reader  1807  is transmitted and processed by the control unit  1801  in accordance with a specified program, and then is transmitted to the communication circuit through the FAX transmitting and receiving unit  1808 . 
     The above-mentioned information processing device may be of the integral type with a built-in ink jet printer within the main body as shown in FIG.  20 . In this case, the portability can be further improved. In FIG. 20, a portion with the same function as in FIG. 19 is affixed with the corresponding mark. 
     By applying a recording apparatus according to the present invention to a multifunction type information processing device as described above, a recording image with high quality can be obtained at high speed and with low noise. Therefore it is possible to further improve the function of the above information processing device. 
     As described above, it is possible according to the present invention to securely lead waste ink within a discharge recovery apparatus into the waste ink tank by effectively performing a secure idle suction. 
     Also according to the present invention, it is possible to miniaturize a recording apparatus without reducing the waste ink receiving capacity because a plurality of waste ink tanks have been placed by utilizing the empty space within the apparatus.