JP2001150690A - Method for cleaning printer head and printer head - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive method for cleaning printer heads which can miniaturize the heads, and the printer heads. SOLUTION: In the method for cleaning the printer heads for photographic printing, a cleaning sheet CS is conveyed by a conveyance part 140 to face the printer heads 4, 5, 6 and moved to the printer heads 4, 5, 6 by the conveyance part 140 so that the sheet CS is adhered to the printing heads 4, 5, 6 to clean the printing heads 4, 5, 6 simultaneously.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a cleaning method for cleaning a printer head for printing, for example, and a cleaning sheet for the printer head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some printers for printing (including the concept of printing) on paper have a printer head called a thermal head, for example. In this type of printer, when cleaning the head, the printing result is checked. For example, when white streaks appear on the printing screen, dust attached to the head surface is removed with a cotton swab or the like.

[0003]

However, in such a system in which the user removes dust attached to the head surface with a cotton swab or the like, the printing result cannot be known unless the printing is performed by using the head. There are problems such as wasting. A printer using an ink jet type head has a head maintenance device.
This maintenance device performs operations such as placing a cap on the ink ejection surface of an ink jet type head, performing a wipe operation for removing excess ink or the like on the head nozzle surface, or performing suction on the head nozzle surface. . When such a maintenance device is provided in the printer, there is a disadvantage that the printer is inevitably increased in size and the cost is increased. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a printer head cleaning method and a printer head that can surely clean the head and reduce the size and cost.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cleaning method for cleaning a printer head for printing, wherein a cleaning sheet is conveyed by a conveying unit and a plurality of the cleaning sheets are conveyed. The transport unit moves the cleaning sheet toward the printer head so as to face the printer head, so that the cleaning sheet is simultaneously brought into close contact with the plurality of printer heads, and the plurality of printer heads A cleaning method for the printer head, wherein the dirt is simultaneously cleaned. Claim 1
Then, the transport unit transports the cleaning sheet and causes the cleaning sheet to face a plurality of printer heads. Then, the transport unit moves the cleaning sheet to the printer head side, so that the cleaning sheet comes into close contact with the plurality of printer heads at the same time, thereby simultaneously cleaning the dirt on the plurality of printer heads.
As a result, just using a cleaning sheet,
Dirt on a plurality of printer heads can be cleaned at the same time, eliminating the need for a maintenance device that has been required in the past, and reducing the cost and size.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the method for cleaning a printer head according to the first aspect, when printing is performed on an object to be printed using the printer head, the transport unit transports the object to be printed. . According to the second aspect, when printing is performed on an object to be printed using the printer head, the transport unit has a role of transporting the object to be printed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the printer head cleaning method according to the first aspect, the plurality of printer heads include a head that discharges or vaporizes cyan, yellow, and magenta inks. According to the third aspect, the printer head is of a type that ejects or vaporizes ink.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the printer head cleaning method according to the first aspect, a part or all of the cleaning sheet has an adhesive portion for removing dirt from the printer head. According to the fourth aspect, a part or all of the cleaning sheet has an adhesive portion for removing dirt from the printer head.
This makes it possible to simply and reliably transfer dirt from the printer head to the cleaning sheet side only by bringing the adhesive portion into close contact with each printer head, thereby ensuring the cleaning of the head.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the method of cleaning a printer head according to the first aspect, dirt on the plurality of printer heads is cleaned by detecting a cleaning instruction portion provided on the cleaning sheet. Recognize the action to be performed. According to the fifth aspect, the operation of cleaning the dirt on the printer head is recognized by detecting the cleaning instruction portion of the cleaning sheet.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the method of cleaning a printer head according to the first aspect, the cleaning sheets are arranged in a storage portion of the cleaning sheet for each predetermined number of the printing objects. ing. According to the sixth aspect, a cleaning sheet is arranged for every predetermined number of printing objects. This makes it possible to clean the printer head using the cleaning sheet every time a predetermined number of prints of the printing target are printed.

The invention according to claim 7 is a cleaning method for cleaning a printer head for printing.
A sheet for cleaning is conveyed by a conveying unit so that the sheet for cleaning faces the plurality of printer heads, and the conveying unit moves the sheet for cleaning to the printer head side. A cleaning method for cleaning the plurality of printer heads by sequentially adhering the sheets to the plurality of printer heads. According to the seventh aspect, the transport unit transports the cleaning sheet, and the cleaning sheet faces a plurality of printer heads. Then, the transport unit moves the cleaning sheet to the printer head side, so that the cleaning sheet comes into close contact with the plurality of printer heads at the same time and sequentially cleans the dirt on the plurality of printer heads. Thus, dirt on a plurality of printer heads can be sequentially cleaned only by using a cleaning sheet, so that a maintenance device conventionally required is not required, and the cost and size can be reduced.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the cleaning method of the printer head according to the seventh aspect, when printing is performed on the printing target using the printer head, the transport unit transports the printing target. . According to the eighth aspect, when printing is performed on the printing target using the printer head, the transport unit has a role of transporting the printing target.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the printer head cleaning method according to the seventh aspect, the plurality of printer heads include a head for discharging or vaporizing cyan, yellow, and magenta inks. In the ninth aspect, the printer head is of a type that ejects or vaporizes ink.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the printer head cleaning method according to the seventh aspect, a part of the cleaning sheet has an adhesive portion for removing dirt from the printer head. According to the tenth aspect, a part or all of the cleaning sheet has an adhesive portion for removing dirt from the printer head. This makes it possible to simply and reliably transfer dirt from the printer head to the cleaning sheet side only by bringing the adhesive portion into close contact with each printer head, thereby ensuring the cleaning of the head.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the method for cleaning a printer head according to the seventh aspect, the dirt on the plurality of printer heads is cleaned by detecting a cleaning instruction portion provided on the cleaning sheet. Recognize the action to be performed. In claim 11,
By detecting the cleaning instruction portion of the cleaning sheet, the operation of cleaning the dirt on the printer head is recognized.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the cleaning method of the printer head according to the seventh aspect, the cleaning sheets are arranged in the accommodating portion of the cleaning sheets for each predetermined number of the printing objects. ing. In a twelfth aspect, a cleaning sheet is arranged for every predetermined number of printing objects. This makes it possible to clean the printer head using the cleaning sheet every time a predetermined number of prints of the printing target are printed.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer for printing by a printer head, wherein a sensor for detecting a sheet for cleaning, and when the sensor detects the sheet for cleaning, the sheet for cleaning is conveyed. By moving the cleaning sheet to the printer head side with the cleaning sheet facing the plurality of printer heads,
A printer for cleaning the plurality of printer heads by bringing the cleaning sheet into close contact with the plurality of printer heads at the same time. According to the thirteenth aspect, the transport unit transports the cleaning sheet, and causes the cleaning sheet to face a plurality of printer heads. Then, the transport unit moves the cleaning sheet to the printer head side, so that the cleaning sheet comes into close contact with the plurality of printer heads at the same time, thereby simultaneously cleaning the dirt on the plurality of printer heads. This allows
Just by using a cleaning sheet, it is possible to simultaneously clean dirt on multiple printer heads,
The maintenance device that was conventionally required is not required, and it is possible to reduce the size and cost.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the printer according to the thirteenth aspect, the plurality of printer heads include a head for discharging or vaporizing cyan, yellow, and magenta inks. In claim 14, the printer head is of a type that ejects or vaporizes ink.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer for printing by a printer head, wherein a sensor for detecting a cleaning sheet, and when the sensor detects the cleaning sheet, the cleaning sheet is conveyed. By moving the cleaning sheet to the printer head side with the cleaning sheet facing the plurality of printer heads,
A printer comprising: a transport unit for sequentially adhering the cleaning sheet to the plurality of printer heads and sequentially cleaning dirt on the plurality of printer heads. In claim 15,
The transport unit transports the cleaning sheet, and causes the cleaning sheet to face a plurality of printer heads.
Then, the transport unit moves the cleaning sheet to the printer head side, so that the cleaning sheet comes into close contact with the plurality of printer heads at the same time and sequentially cleans the dirt on the plurality of printer heads. Thus, dirt on a plurality of printer heads can be sequentially cleaned only by using a cleaning sheet, so that a maintenance device conventionally required is not required, and the cost and size can be reduced.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the printer according to the fifteenth aspect, the plurality of printer heads include a head for discharging or vaporizing cyan, yellow, and magenta inks. In a sixteenth aspect, the printer head is of a type that ejects or vaporizes ink.

[0020]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention,
Although various technically preferable limits are given, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these modes unless otherwise specified in the following description.

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the printer of the present invention. The printer 100 generally has a printing unit 1000 and a paper supply unit 1100. The transport unit 140 is located in the printing unit 1000, and the transport unit 14
0, for example, three print heads 4, 5,
6 are arranged. These heads 4, 5, 6 are provided with a heat sink HE for heat radiation. Paper feed unit 11
Reference numeral 00 includes a paper feed cassette 700, a sensor 310, a paper feed roller 330, and the like.

FIG. 2 shows the printing unit 1 of the printer 100 shown in FIG.
000 shows a more detailed structural example. This printing section 1
000 is the sheet P sent from the sheet cassette 700.
This is a part for printing an arbitrary image or the like with respect to. The printing unit 1000 includes a frame 110, a head assembly 120, an endless conveyance belt 1, a driving unit 130, a conveyance unit 140 also referred to as a conveyance belt operation unit, and the like.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a cross-sectional structure taken along line AA of the transport section 140 of FIG. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the frame 110 is formed by molding a plate of, for example, aluminum or iron.
The frame 110 has a bottom 110
A, and has side parts 110B, 110B.

The conveyor belt 1 has side portions 110B, 110B
Between the driving means 13
When 0 is activated, it can be driven to rotate in the X direction in FIG. A pinch roller 8A is provided on the front side of the conveyor belt 1, and a pinch roller 8 is also provided on the rear side of the conveyor belt 1. The pinch roller 8A is fixed to a shaft 8B, and the pinch roller 8 is
It is fixed to C. These shafts 8B, 8C are
It is rotatably held between 10B and 110B. The paper P is introduced from the pinch roller 8 side along the X direction as shown in FIG. 2, and comes out of the pinch roller 8A. The width of the transport belt 1 is preferably larger than the width of the sheet P, and is preferably equal to or larger than the printing range W of the three heads 4, 5, and 6 of the head assembly 120 shown in FIG. Printing in the present invention includes printing characters and pictures.

The head assembly 120 shown in FIG. 2 is shown in detail in FIG. 5, and has, for example, a holder H and three heads 4, 5, and 6. The holder H fixes these three heads 4, 5, 6 at a predetermined interval d as shown in FIG. The head 4 is a so-called line head as shown in FIG. 5B. For example, the head 4 is a head for cyan printing, the head 5 is a head for magenta printing, and the head 6 is a head for yellow printing. This is a print head.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the positional relationship between the head 4 (5 or 6) and the paper P. The head 4 (5 or 6) has an ink storage section 40, in which the corresponding ink 42 is stored. The head surface 44 of the head 4 (5, 6) is inclined at a predetermined angle θ with respect to the sheet P. Then, as an example of the dimension in a state where the paper P is in contact with the end of the head surface 44, when e1 in FIG. 6 is 1 mm, the dimension e2 is, for example, 0.1 mm. The head assembly 12 shown in FIG.
0 is a frame 110 using screws as shown in FIG.
Is fixed to the mounting surface 110C. This head assembly 12
The attachment position of “0” is a position corresponding to the transport unit 140.

Next, referring to FIG. 4 and FIG.
The transport unit 30, the transport unit 140, and the transport belt 1 will be described. On the side parts 110B, 110B of the frame 110, for example, a transport unit 140 having a similar structure is provided.
FIG. 2 shows a state in which the transport unit 140 is provided on both side parts 110B, 110B. The conveyor belt 1
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, it is hung on the driving pulley 2 and the idler pulley 3, and the driving pulley 2 and the idler pulley 3 are rotatably supported between the side parts 110B, 110B. The driving pulley 2 has a toothed belt (timing belt) 210 with respect to an output shaft of a motor 200 as a driving unit.
It can be linked via. The transport belt 1 hung on the drive pulley 2 and the idler pulley 3 is slightly slackened in a normal state. The motor 200 is fixed inside the side part 110B.

Next, the transport section 140 will be described. The transport unit 140 can change the transport belt 1 from a slack state to a tension state as needed. That is, when the sheet P or the cleaning sheet CS as shown in FIG. 8 is positioned close to the head 4, the head 5, and the head 6, the transport belt 1 is tensioned, and as a result, the sheet P or the sheet 8 has a function of bringing the cleaning sheet CS into contact with the heads 4, 5 and 6. The transport unit 140 in FIG. 4 includes a stepping motor 12, a gear 240, a gear 241, a gear 242, a gear 243, 244, 245, and a platen 16 which are driving sources.
A, 16B, 16C, cams 11A, 11B, 11C, levers 10A, 10B, 10C, holding rollers 9A, 9
B, 9C, etc.

The gear 240 attached to the output shaft of the stepping motor 12 shown in FIG. 4 meshes with the gears 244 and 243 via the gear 241. The gear 242 is engaged with the gears 245 and 244. Gears 241 and 24
2 have the same number of teeth, and the gears 243, 244, and 245 have the same number of teeth. The gear 245 and the cam 11A are
It is attached to 0. Similarly, the gear 244 and the cam 11B are fixed to the shaft 261. The gear 243 and the cam 11C are fixed to a shaft 262. Shafts 260, 26
Reference numerals 1 and 262 denote side portions 110B and 110 of the frame 110, respectively.
B is rotatably supported.

The levers 10A, 10B, and 10C in FIG. 4 have the same shape, and have shafts 270, 271, and 272, respectively.
Can be swung along the R direction around the center.
These shafts 270, 271, 272 are connected to the frame 110
Are rotatably supported between the side portions 110B, 110B. The levers 10A, 10B, and 10C hold the holding rollers 9A, 9B, and 9C, respectively. Each of the pressing rollers 9A, 9B, 9C is located near the corresponding heads 4, 5, 6 and on the downstream side.

The platens 16A, 16B and 16C shown in FIG.
Are held by levers 10A, 10B, 10C, respectively, and these platens 16A, 16B, 16
C is located below the corresponding heads 4, 5, 6.
The heads 4, 5, 6 are located above the conveyor belt 1, whereas the platens 16 A, 16 B, 16 C are located inside the conveyor belt 1. This platen 16A, 1
6B and 16C push up the levers 10A, 10B and 10C of the portions of the conveyor belt 1 corresponding to the heads 4, 5 and 6, respectively, to thereby approach the paper P positioned closer to the head 4 or the head 5 or the head 6. And a function of bringing the cleaning sheet CS into contact with the heads 4, 5 and 6. In FIG. 2, paper P
And the direction in which the cleaning sheet CS is conveyed is indicated by X, and the direction orthogonal to X is indicated by Y.
The direction Y is the width direction of the transport belt 1 and the sheet P.
The motor 200 and the stepping motor 12 in FIG. 4 operate by receiving a control signal from the control unit 300.
The heads 4, 5, and 6 perform printing operation on the paper P according to a control signal from the head control unit 400 generated by a command from the control unit 300.

Next, referring to FIG.
0 etc. will be described. The paper cassette 700 is disposed near the idler pulley 3 and the pinch roller 8,
A large number of sheets P are stacked and accommodated in the sheet cassette 700. A cleaning sheet CS is arranged for every predetermined number of these many sheets P. By arranging the cleaning sheets CS for each predetermined number of the large number of sheets of paper P, the printing unit 1000 of the printer 100 prints the cleaning sheets for each predetermined number of sheets to be printed on the sheet P. Sheet CS
Accordingly, there is an advantage that dirt on each of the heads 4, 5, and 6 can be cleaned.

The paper feed roller 330 is provided with a paper feed cassette 700.
And near the pinch roller 8. When the paper feed roller 330 rotates, the cleaning sheet CS or paper P at the top of the paper feed cassette 700 is supplied between the pinch roller 8 and the idler pulley 3 along the X direction. The paper feed roller 330 is driven by a motor 320. The motor 320 is the control unit 3
Operated by the 00 command. The sensor 310 is located between the pinch roller 8 and the paper feed roller 330, that is, between the transport belt 1 and the paper feed cassette 700. The sensor 310 is a sensor that determines whether the sheet is the sheet P or the sheet CS for cleaning.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the cleaning sheet CS. The cleaning sheet CS has a sheet-shaped base material 800, and three adhesive portions 810 are formed in a band shape on one surface of the base material 800. The direction in which these adhesive portions 810 are formed is a direction orthogonal to the X direction. A cleaning instruction section 830 for determining the cleaning sheet CS is formed at the leading end 820 of the cleaning sheet CS. This cleaning instruction section 830 can employ a mark such as a bar code, for example. The sensor 310 in FIG. 7 supplies the detection signal SS of the cleaning sheet to the control unit 300 in FIG. 7 by optically detecting the cleaning instruction unit 830, for example. Accordingly, the control unit 300 determines that the sheet supplied from the paper feed cassette 700 to the conveyor belt 1 is the cleaning sheet CS and not the sheet P to be printed, and the control unit 300 An operation instruction is issued to the motor 200 and the stepping motor 12 in FIG. 4 so as to enter the cleaning operation mode.

The base material 800 of the cleaning sheet CS shown in FIG. 8 can be made of, for example, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PC (polycarbonate), PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), or paper. Is a special polymer having a self-adhesive property, for example, urethane rubber.

Next, the cleaning sheet CS shown in FIG.
The cleaning operation for simultaneously cleaning the heads 4, 5, and 6 in FIG. 4 and reliably cleaning the heads 4, 5, and 6 at the same time will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
The cleaning sheet CS of FIG.
Assume that it is located at the top of 00. The rotation of the feed roller 330 in FIG.
A cleaning sheet CS is supplied from the sheet cassette 700 to the pinch roller 8 side in the X direction. At this time, the sensor 310 optically detects the cleaning instruction unit 830 in FIG.
00, the detection signal S of the cleaning sheet CS
Supply S. The control unit 300 controls the motor 200 and the stepping motor 12 shown in FIG.
Is operated in the cleaning operation mode.

First, in the initial state shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 40 denotes a state in which the transport belt 1 is slightly slackened.
The pressing rollers 9A, 9B, 9C are in contact with the upper inner surface of the conveyor belt 1. An interval is provided between the heads 4, 5, 6 and the transport belt 1. When the motor 200 operates in such a state, the conveyor belt 1 moves in the X direction, so that the cleaning sheet CS passes between the pinch roller 8 and the idler pulley 3 and gradually moves in the X direction.
It is transported in the direction. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the leading end 820 of the cleaning sheet CS is
4, the control unit 300 of FIG. 4 operates the stepping motor 12 to drive the cams 260, 261, 262 of FIG.
Are rotated in the same phase. Platen 16A, 16B, 1
6C is a cleaning sheet CS shown in FIG.
Are lifted toward the corresponding heads 4, 5, and 6, and the respective adhesive portions 810 are moved to the heads 4, 5, and 6.
6 are simultaneously brought into contact or in close contact.

As a result, each of the adhesive portions 810 adheres dirt on the heads 4, 5, and 6, and the platens 16A, 16B,
The three adhesive portions 810 are separated from the heads 4, 5, and 6 by the reverse of 16C. In this way, the dirt on the heads 4, 5, and 6 can be reliably and easily cleaned at the same time by the adhesive portion 810. Since the plurality of heads 4, 5, and 6 can be simultaneously cleaned by one cleaning sheet CS, the cleaning time can be reduced and the cleaning operation can be simplified. When the cleaning is performed at the same time, the phases of the cam surfaces of the cams 11A, 11B, and 11C in FIG. 4 are set to be the same.

Next, another embodiment of the printer and the cleaning method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 shows a cleaning sheet CS for realizing another embodiment of the cleaning method according to the present invention. This cleaning sheet C
S has a base material 900, and an adhesive portion 810 is formed on a part of the base material 900. A cleaning instruction section 830 is formed at the leading end 920 of the cleaning sheet CS.

FIG. 12 shows a printing section 1000 for cleaning using the cleaning sheet CS of FIG.
Is shown. The difference between the printing unit 1000 of FIG. 4 and the printing unit 1000 of FIG.
B and 11C are out of phase with each other. As a result, the platens 16A, 16B, and 16C can be lifted sequentially at different times. That is, first, after the platen 16C is lifted, the platen 16C is lowered, and then, after the platen 16B is lifted, the platen 16C is lifted.
B is lowered, and the platen 16A is lifted and the platen 16A is lowered. The adhesive portion 810 of the cleaning sheet CS in FIG.
All the stains 5 and 6 are sequentially cleaned. Other structural parts of the printing unit 1000 in FIG. 12 are almost the same as those in the structure in FIG.

Next, a cleaning operation in which the heads 6, 5, and 4 are sequentially cleaned will be described. FIG.
1, the sheet is guided to the pinch roller 8 by the sheet feeding roller 3. At this time, the transport unit 140 is in a state where the transport belt 1 is slightly slackened. Each holding roller 9
A, 9B and 9C are in contact with the upper inner surface of the conveyor belt 1. An interval is provided between the heads 4, 5, 6 and the transport belt 1. The conveyed belt 1 is moved by the driving of the motor 200 to convey the guided sheet in the X direction. The transport belt 1 is moved such that the transport belt 1 is separated from the head 6 by the pressing roller 9C.
It is pushed down by the lever 10C. The lever 10C receives the driving force from the stepping motor 12 by the action of the cam 11C and is interlocked with the conveyor belt 1.

Immediately after the adhesive portion of the cleaning sheet CS passes through the end of the head 6 as shown in FIG. 11, the stepping motor 12 rotates again as shown in FIG. The end of the head 6 comes into contact with the adhesive portion 810 of the cleaning sheet CS by the lever 10C, the pressing roller 9C, and the platen 16C. Then, dust and the like near the end of the head 6 can be cleaned by sticking to the adhesive portion 810. In this state, the stepping motor 12 is further rotated in the reverse direction, and the lever 10C, the pressing roller 9C, the platen 16
By lowering C, the sheet CS is separated from the head 6,
The head 6 and the sheet CS are transferred by transferring garbage and the like to the sheet CS.
In a non-contact state.

Next, as shown in FIG. 13, immediately after the adhesive portion of the cleaning sheet CS passes through the end of the head 5, the stepping motor 12 rotates again as shown in FIG.
In conjunction with this, the end of the head 5 comes into contact with the adhesive portion 810 of the cleaning sheet CS by the platen 16B. Then, dust and the like near the end of the head 5 can be cleaned by sticking to the adhesive portion 810. From this state, the stepping motor 12
Is rotated in the reverse direction to lower the platen 16B, thereby separating the sheet CS from the head 5 and transferring dust and the like to the sheet CS, thereby bringing the head 5 and the sheet CS into a non-contact state.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, immediately after the adhesive portion of the cleaning sheet CS passes through the end of the head 4, the stepping motor 12 rotates again as shown in FIG. Then, the end of the head 4 is attached to the adhesive portion 81 of the cleaning sheet CS by the platen 16A.
Touch 0. Then, dust and the like near the end of the head 5 can be cleaned by sticking to the adhesive portion 810. From this state, the stepping motor 12 is further rotated in the reverse direction as shown in FIG.
By lowering 6A, the sheet CS is separated from the head 4, and the dust and the like are transferred to the sheet CS, and the head 4 and the sheet CS are brought into a non-contact state.

As described above, the heads 6, 5, and 4
The cleaning can be sequentially performed by the adhesive portion 810 of the cleaning sheet CS. In the embodiment of the present invention, a sheet for cleaning the head is inserted into the paper feed cassette every fixed number of sheets (for example, the first sheet in the cassette), and this is detected by the sensor of the main body. By automatically feeding paper and making head contact using the adhesiveness of the sheet, dust can be cleaned.

As the head of the printer, a head for discharging or vaporizing ink can be adopted. The cleaning sheet has adhesiveness on a part or the entire surface, and by pressing the head at a certain timing, dust and dirt on the surface of the head can be reliably cleaned by adhering to the sheet.

As the material of the conveyor belt 1, it is desirable to use a material having a large friction, such as chloroprene rubber. In the illustrated example, three heads are used. However, one or two heads, or a head for performing black printing in addition to cyan, magenta, and yellow can be added.

The printer of the present invention includes a line printer that performs printing by discharging or vaporizing ink, and uses a wide belt for conveying printing paper or a cleaning sheet. The paper and the cleaning sheet are conveyed by the frictional force. In addition, when guiding the paper and the cleaning sheet to the head, the paper and the cleaning sheet are guided using the elasticity of the belt. A transport belt is used to guide the paper and cleaning sheet to the head, and when the paper is guided to the head by the transport belt, the belt is deflected. Contact the head with the paper.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention, the cleaning of the head can be surely performed and the cost can be reduced and the size can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of a printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a structural example of a printing unit of the printer of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a cross-sectional structure of a printing unit in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a structural example of a printing unit.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a head and a holder.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a head and the like.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a paper feed cassette and the like.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of a cleaning sheet.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which each head is simultaneously cleaned by an adhesive portion of a cleaning sheet.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a cleaning sheet used in another embodiment of the cleaning method of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a cleaning sheet is introduced into a first head.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an adhesive portion of a cleaning sheet is in close contact with a first head.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state where a cleaning sheet is introduced into a second head.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an adhesive portion of a cleaning sheet is in close contact with a second head.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a cleaning sheet is separated from a second head.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a cleaning sheet is introduced up to a third head.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an adhesive portion of a cleaning sheet is in close contact with a third head.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a state where a cleaning sheet is separated from a third head.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Conveyer belt, 4, 5, 6 ... Head, 100
... Printer, 140 ... Conveying unit, 310 ... Sensor, 330 ... Paper feeding roller, 700 ... Paper feeding cassette, 1000 ... Printing unit, 1100 ... Paper feeding unit, CS ... Sheets for cleaning

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A cleaning method for cleaning a printer head for printing, wherein the cleaning unit conveys a cleaning sheet by a conveying unit so that the cleaning sheet faces a plurality of the printer heads. By moving the cleaning sheet to the printer head side, the cleaning sheet is simultaneously brought into close contact with the plurality of printer heads to simultaneously clean dirt on the plurality of printer heads. How to clean the printer head. 2. The printer head cleaning method according to claim 1, wherein when printing is performed on the printing target using the printer head, the transfer unit transfers the printing target. 3. The printer head according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of printer heads are cyan,
2. The method for cleaning a printer head according to claim 1, further comprising a head for discharging or vaporizing yellow and magenta inks. 4. The printer head cleaning method according to claim 1, wherein a part or all of the cleaning sheet has an adhesive portion for removing dirt from the printer head. 5. The printer head cleaning method according to claim 1, wherein an operation of cleaning dirt on the plurality of printer heads is recognized by detecting a cleaning instruction portion provided on the cleaning sheet. 6. The printer head cleaning method according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning sheets are arranged in a predetermined number of the printing objects in a storage portion of the cleaning sheet. 7. A cleaning method for cleaning a printer head for printing, wherein a conveying sheet is conveyed by a conveying unit, and the cleaning sheet faces a plurality of the printer heads. By moving the cleaning sheet toward the printer head, the cleaning sheet is brought into close contact with the plurality of printer heads in order to sequentially clean dirt on the plurality of printer heads. A method for cleaning a printer head. 8. The printer head cleaning method according to claim 7, wherein, when printing is performed on the printing target using the printer head, the transfer unit transfers the printing target. 9. The printer head according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of printer heads are cyan,
8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising a head that ejects or vaporizes yellow and magenta inks. 10. The printer head cleaning method according to claim 7, wherein a part of said cleaning sheet has an adhesive portion for removing dirt from said printer head. 11. The printer head cleaning method according to claim 7, wherein an operation of cleaning a plurality of the print heads is recognized by detecting a cleaning instruction portion provided on the cleaning sheet. 12. The printer head cleaning method according to claim 7, wherein the cleaning sheets are arranged in a predetermined number of the printing target objects in a storage portion of the cleaning sheet. 13. A printer for printing with a printer head, comprising: a sensor for detecting a cleaning sheet; and a sensor for conveying the cleaning sheet when the sensor detects the cleaning sheet. The sheet of cleaning is moved to the printer head side by facing the sheet of the plurality of printer heads, so that the sheet of cleaning is simultaneously brought into close contact with the plurality of printer heads and the plurality of A printer for cleaning dirt on the printer head. 14. The printer according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of printer heads include a head that ejects or vaporizes cyan, yellow, and magenta inks. 15. A printer for printing with a printer head, comprising: a sensor for detecting a cleaning sheet; and a sensor for conveying the cleaning sheet when the sensor detects the cleaning sheet. The cleaning sheet is moved to the printer head side by facing the plurality of printer heads to the plurality of printer heads, so that the cleaning sheet is in close contact with the plurality of printer heads in order, and the plurality of A printer for sequentially cleaning dirt on the printer head. 16. The printer according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of printer heads include a head that ejects or vaporizes cyan, yellow, and magenta inks.