| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve problems wherein, when a negative pressure in a cap is reduced, air flows in a suction cap from a waste liquid tank side through a discharge path and air bubbles are generated in the cap, and color mixture or the like occurs. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes: a recording head 24 having a nozzle face 124 on which nozzles that discharge liquid droplets are formed; the suction cap 92a for capping the nozzle face 124 of the recording head 24; the discharge path 191 connected to the suction cap 92a; a suction pump 96 provided in the discharge path 191 and formed of a tube pump; and an atmosphere opening port 193 for opening an airtight space, created when the nozzle face 124 is capped by the suction cap 92a, to an atmosphere. The atmosphere opening port 193 is communicated with the inside of the cap 92a at a position higher than a surface of liquid discharged into the suction cap 92a, and a check valve 196 for preventing a flow of liquid toward the cap 92a from the suction pump 96 is provided in the discharge path 191. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&INPIT |
