Image forming apparatus and method for humidifying in head cap

• US 20050128242A1
• Filed: 10/25/2004
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Suzuki, Takumi
• Granted Patent: US 7,300,134 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/29
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/0451 for detecting failure, e.g. clogging, malfunctioning actuator
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/0457 Power supply level being detected or varied
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16552 using cleaning fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/393 Devices for controlling or analysing the entire machine ; Controlling or analysing mechanical parameters involving printing of test patterns

Abstract

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention, for ejecting liquid from openings to form an image on a printing medium, includes a head cap for covering the opening surface where the opening is open when a liquid ejection head in which the opening is formed are not in use and for protecting the opening from external air, a rechargeable battery for activating the image forming apparatus, a fuel cell for charging the rechargeable battery, and a liquid path along which water generated as the fuel cell is activated is introduced into the head caps. With this arrangement, when the liquid ejection head is not activated, the moisture retention in the head caps can be achieved.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, for forming an image on a printing medium by using a liquid ejection head including an opening for ejecting a liquid, comprising:

a fuel cell for activating the image forming apparatus;

a head cap for covering the circumference of the opening; and

a liquid path used for introducing, into the head cap, water that is generated while the fuel cell is activated.

3. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

a tank for storing the water that is generated when the fuel cell is activated,

wherein the liquid path is in fluid communication with the tank and the head cap.

4. An image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the liquid path supplies the water from the tank to the head cap with a capillary action thereof.

5. An image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the tank is located at a higher potential head than the head cap.

6. An image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a pump for supplying the water from the tank to the head cap through the liquid path.

7. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the head cap includes a flow control element in order to hold a predetermined amount of the water in the head cap that covers the circumference of the opening, the flow control element having gas permeability and liquid impermeability.

8. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation for positioning the head cap to cover the circumference of the opening is capable of being completely performed by using power supplied by the rechargeable battery.

2. An image forming apparatus, which includes a head cap for covering the circumference of an opening for ejecting a liquid, comprising:

a rechargeable battery for operating the image forming apparatus;

a fuel cell for charging the rechargeable battery; and

a liquid path for introducing water into the head cap, the water being generated when the fuel cell is activated.

9. A method for humidifying in a head cap that covers the circumference of an opening for ejecting a liquid, comprising the step of:

introducing, into the head cap, water that is generated by activating a fuel cell that charges a rechargeable battery to operate an image forming apparatus.

10. A method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of holding a predetermined amount of water in the head cap that currently covers the circumference of the opening.