| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively discharge a deteriorated ink in an auxiliary tank by supplying an ink in a state that a recording head is sealed so as to raise the ink-pressure in the auxiliary tank, thereafter, releasing the recording head, and selectively discharging only the ink in the auxiliary tank from the recording head. SOLUTION: At the time of maintenance, when a cleaning switch is pressed, a cap member is made to butt against a recording head 8 elastically so as to seal the recording head 8. Next, an ink in an ink cartridge 6 is supplied to the recording head 8 by operation of an air pump 50, and the ink is made to flow in an auxiliary tank 10. Thus, the ink pressure in the auxiliary tank 10 is raised. When a sensor 66 outputs an ink full signal, the cap member is separated from the recording head 8 by a cap driving means after a lapse of a predetermined time. Then, the liquid in the auxiliary tank 10 is made to flow backward by the recording head 8 and is made to flow out from a nozzle opening 21, so that a thickened ink is discharged to the outside of the system. |
