JP2001341330A - Cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cleaning device for a printing device in a narrow space and at a low cost. SOLUTION: This device comprises a printing head 6, a cap 20, a cylinder 23 with one side connected with the cap 20, and a movable piston inserted from the other side of the cylinder 23, wherein the piston 26 is moved mechanically in the case the cap 20 is contacted closely on the ejection surface of the printing head 6 so as to have a space part of the cylinder 23 in a negative pressure for sucking the ink droplets adhered on the ejection surface of the printing head 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cleaning device for a printing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of apparatus has been disclosed in
No. 9232. According to this publication, an orifice for discharging ink, a cap for covering the orifice, and suction means for sucking undesired ink accumulated on the surface of the orifice via the cap are shown.

[0003]

As described above, in the above apparatus, a pump and a motor for driving the pump are provided as suction means. Therefore, there is a first disadvantage that the space occupied by the suction means is large and a small cleaning means cannot be obtained. Further, there is a second disadvantage that the cost is increased because the pump and the motor are used.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, and provides a cleaning apparatus for a printing apparatus which has a small space and is inexpensive.

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, a print head, a cap, a cylinder having one side connected to the cap, and a cylinder inserted from the other side of the cylinder are provided. And a movable piston
When the cap is in close contact with the ejection surface of the print head, the piston is mechanically moved, the space in the cylinder becomes negative pressure, and suctions ink droplets attached to the ejection surface of the print head. I do.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an opening is provided in the space, and a valve for opening and closing the opening is provided. When the cap is brought into close contact with the discharge surface of the print head, the valve is closed. The opening is mechanically closed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the cap is separated from the discharge surface of the print head, the valve element mechanically opens the opening, and ink drops in the space are passed through the opening. Let it drain.

According to the present invention, in order to maintain the seal between the opening and the valve body, a seal member is provided around the opening or on the valve body.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the valve body is connected to the cylinder via a connecting portion, and a movable body having the cap, the cylinder, the piston, and the valve body is provided. A base holding a movable body and having a guide portion is provided, and when the movable body moves in the first direction or the second direction, the connecting portion is guided by the guide portion, and the valve bodies are each provided with the opening. Is moved in a direction to close the opening or in a direction to open the opening.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A cleaning device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printing device 2 using the cleaning device 1, and FIG.

In these figures, the printing apparatus 2 is, for example,
It comprises a base 3, a shaft 4, a carriage 5, a cleaning device 1, and the like. The base 3 is made of, for example, a metal plate or the like, and is formed in a substantially box shape.

The shaft 4 is made of, for example, a metal rod or the like, and both ends thereof are fixed to the right and left plates of the base 3 and extend in the sub-scanning direction (A1A2). The carriage 5 is made of, for example, plastic and is divided into four rooms, a guide portion is formed on the rear side, and the shaft 4 is inserted into the guide portion. In this way, the carriage 5 is also configured to move in the sub-scanning direction.

The cleaning device 1 is fixed to the base 3 so as to be located at an appropriate position (right side in FIG. 1) of the base 3.

The print head 6 has, for example, an ink storage section, a flow path for ejecting the stored ink, and a plurality of orifices formed at the tip thereof. A piezoelectric element or the like for ejecting ink is provided near the flow path. The surface on which the orifice is formed is the ejection surface 7.
It is.

The base 8 is made of, for example, plastic and is formed in a substantially box shape with an open upper part. The protrusion 9
An inclined portion is formed on the rear upper portion of the base, and is formed in a forward direction (B2 direction). The guide part 10 is provided at the bottom of the base 8 and is formed so as to protrude upward.

The base 11 is formed of, for example, a flat plate made of plastic, and is mounted on a guide (not shown) formed on the base 8. A rack 13 is formed at an appropriate position on the base 11, and the rack 13 is configured to mesh with the gear 14. The gear 14 is provided so as to be rotated by a motor (not shown) via another gear (not shown). In this way, the motor rotates forward,
By rotating the base in the reverse direction, the base 11 is moved in the B1 direction,
It is configured to be able to move in the direction.

The support 15 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is fixed on the surface of the base 11. The holding body 16 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a connection portion (not shown) is formed at an appropriate position. One end of the tube 17 is inserted into the connection portion.

The movable plate 18 is formed in a flat plate shape. One end of the movable plate 18 is supported by the support 15 and the other end is supported by the holder 16. Similarly, the movable plate 19 is formed in a flat plate shape. One end of the movable plate 19 is supported by the support 15, and the other end is supported by the holder 16.

The cap 20 is made of, for example, rubber or the like, and has an opening formed in the center when viewed from a plane. The opening is connected to the tube 17 via a connection portion of the holder 16. The cap 20 is fixed on the upper part of the holder 16. With the above configuration, the cap 20 is provided so as to be able to move in the substantially B1B2 direction.

The lever 21 is made of, for example, plastic, is formed in a substantially rod shape, is rotatably supported on the base 11 by a shaft 22, and is rotatable.

The cylinder 23 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a tip 24 formed in the cylinder 23 is inserted into the other end of the tube 17. Further, the cylinder 23 is fixed to the base 11. With this configuration, the distal end portion 24 of the cylinder 23 is connected to the opening of the cap 20 via the tube 17, the connecting portion of the holding body 16, and the holding body 16. In the vicinity of the front side of the cylinder 23, an opening 25 is formed which is connected to the space C1 and opens downward. A seal member 25a (for example, made of an O-ring) is provided around the opening 25.

The piston 26 is made of, for example, plastic and is formed in the shape of a stepped rod. The stepped portion is a wide head 27. The piston 26 is inserted from the other side of the cylinder 23 (the left side when viewed from FIG.
3 is configured to be movable. An O-ring 28 is inserted in the vicinity of the tip of the piston 26.
Thereby, the airtightness between the piston 26 and the cylinder 23 is maintained. The inside of the right side of the cylinder 23 is formed with a step, and the tip of the piston 26 is provided so as to contact the step surface. The space surrounded by the distal end surface of the piston 26 and the right side surface inside the cylinder 23 is a space C1 of the cylinder 23.

The application means 29 is made of, for example, a coil spring. One end of the application means 29 contacts the right side of the head 27 of the piston 26, and the other end of the application means 29 contacts a left stepped surface formed inside the cylinder 23. In contact.

As described above, the applying means 29 always applies an urging force to the piston 26 in the B1 direction by the restoring force of the spring. That is, the applying means 29 applies an urging force to the piston 26 so that the volume of the space C1 of the cylinder 23 increases.

At a proper position on the rear side of the base 11, a hook 30
Are formed. The hook 30 has an inclined surface, and the tip of the hook 30 is in contact with the head 27 of the piston 26. As described above, the hook portion 30 abuts on the head portion 27 of the piston 26, and the coil spring (applying means 29) becomes B1.
The movement in the direction is prevented, that is, the urging force of the applying means 29 is always suppressed.

The connecting portion (leaf spring) 31 is made of, for example, a spring material, and one end thereof is fixed to the bottom surface of the cylinder 23, and is formed so as to be always located lower as it goes to the right. The valve body 32 is made of, for example, rubber or the like, and is fixed to the other end of the leaf spring 31. In this manner, the valve body 32 is connected to the cylinder 23 via the connection portion 31. Further, the seal member 25a may not be provided around the opening 25 but may be provided on the surface side of the valve body 32, and the valve body 32 itself may be configured by a seal member. That is, in order to maintain the seal between the opening 25 and the valve 32, a seal member 25 a is provided around the opening 25 or on the valve 32. A guided portion 33 is provided on the opposite side of the valve body 32.

The base 11, the rack 13, the gear 14, the other gears, the motor, the support 15, the holder 16, the tube 17, the movable plates 18, 19, the cap 20, , Lever 21, shaft 22, and cylinder 23
, Tip 24, opening 25, piston 26, head 27, O-ring 28, applying means 29, hook 3
The movable body 34 is constituted by the 0, the connecting portion (leaf spring) 31, the valve body 32, the guided portion 33 and the like.

As described above, the base 11 constituting the movable body 34 is placed on the guide section formed on the upper portion of the base 8, and by rotating the motor forward and backward, respectively, B1 It is configured to be able to move in the direction B2. As described above, the base 8 has the guide portion 10 and the movable body 34.
Holding. The above components constitute the cleaning device 1.

Next, the operation of the cleaning device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the cleaning device 1 is sucking ink droplets, and FIG. 4 shows a state in which the cleaning device 1 discharges ink droplets.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning device 1 is at a maximum position in the direction B2 (right side). At this time,
When the hook 30 contacts the head 27 of the piston 26, the urging force of the applying means 29 is suppressed, and the coil spring 29
Is contracted, and the tip of the piston 26 is at the most protruding position. That is, the volume of the space C1 of the holder 23 is in the minimum state, and the valve body 32 has the opening 25 mechanically opened.

At this time, the carriage 5 is at a position (home position) where it has moved to the maximum in the direction A2, and the carriage 5 is located almost directly above the cleaning device 1.

Next, a control unit (comprising a microcomputer or the like, but not shown) energizes the motor to rotate forward. As a result, the gear 14 rotates in the D1 direction, and the movable body 34 including the rack 13 advances in the first direction (B1 direction) (see FIG. 3).

When the guide portion 10 formed on the base (stationary) 8 is further stationary in the first direction (B1), the connecting portion (leaf spring) 31 moves in the B1 direction. ,
The guided portion 33 provided below the leaf spring 31 contacts the upper surface of the guide portion 10 (see FIG. 3).

At this time, the valve body 32 provided on the upper part of the leaf spring 31 comes into contact with the opening part 25 provided on the lower part of the cylinder 23, so that the opening part 25 is closed. That is, when the movable body 34 moves in the first direction (B1), the connecting portion 31 and the guided portion 33 are guided by the guide portion 10, so that the valve body 32 moves in the direction to close the opening 25.

The cap 20 and the holder 16 are
The cap 20 moves in the B2 direction with respect to the support 15, and the cap 20 gradually approaches the ejection surface 7 of the print head 6 provided on the carriage 5, and finally, the cap 20 comes into close contact with the ejection surface 7. As described above, when the cap 20 is brought into close contact with the ejection surface 7 of the print head 6, the valve body 32 mechanically closes the opening 25 (the connection portion 31 and the guided portion 33 are guided by the guide portion 10). Good).

At this time, the base 11 constituting the movable body 34
The inclined surface of the hook 30 provided on the base abuts against the inclined surface of the projection 9 provided on the base 8, and is guided by the inclined surface so that the hook 30 moves in a predetermined direction (for example, upward). You will be guided.

As a result, the hooking surface of the hooking section 30 is
The head 27 of the piston 26 is released from the engagement. In this manner, the suppression of the urging force of the applying means 29 is released, and the applying means 29 extends to the maximum in the B1 direction. As a result, the piston 26 also extends to the maximum in the B1 direction, and the volume of the space C2 in the cylinder 23 becomes maximum.

Therefore, a negative pressure is generated in the space C2, and ink droplets (waste ink) remaining on the ejection surface 7 near the orifice of the print head 6 are removed from the opening of the cap 20 and the passage in the holding body 16. And the connecting portion of the holder 16 and the tube 17
And the cylinder 23 through the tip 24 of the cylinder 23
(See FIG. 3). At this time, the other end of the lever 21 is in contact with the head 27 of the piston 26, but does not push the piston 26.

To summarize the above operation, when the cap 20 is brought into close contact with the ejection surface 7 of the print head 6, the applying means 29
The suppression of the urging force due to is released. That is, the hook portion 30 of the movable body 34 comes off the head portion 27 of the piston 26, and the piston 26 moves mechanically, so that the space C2 of the cylinder 23 becomes maximum, the inside of the space C2 becomes negative pressure, and the discharge is performed. The ink droplets (waste ink) remaining on the surface 7 are
It is sucked into 2. As a result, ink droplets are removed from the vicinity of the ejection surface 7, and the cleaning is completed.

Next, in FIG. 3, the control unit energizes the motor to rotate in the reverse direction. As a result, the gear 14 (not shown) rotates in the direction D2 (clockwise), and the rack 1
The movable body 34 having 3 (not shown) advances in the second direction (B2 direction).

At this time, the engagement between the hook 30 and the projection 9 is released. Further, since the connecting portion (leaf spring) 31 advances in the direction B2 with respect to the guide portion 10, the valve body 32 fixed on the upper portion of the connecting portion 31 moves downward, and the valve body 32 is opened.
5 is opened mechanically (see FIG. 4).

That is, the movable body 34 is moved in the second direction (B2 direction).
Then, the connecting portion 31 and the guided portion 32 are guided by the guide portion 10 and advance in the direction B2, and the valve body 32 moves in a direction to open the opening 25.

At this time, the cap 20 and the holder 16
Moves in the B1 direction with respect to the support 15, so that the cap 20 is located at a position away from the ejection surface 7 of the print head 6 (see FIG. 4).

In this manner, when the opening 25 is opened, the ink droplets (waste ink) in the space C3, which is substantially the same as the atmospheric pressure in the space C3, are dropped downward through the opening 25. The receiving tray 35 is made of, for example, plastic, is formed in a substantially box shape having an open top, and is placed on the bottom surface of the base 8. The receiving tray 35 is configured to be taken out in the front direction (B2 direction) through an opening provided on the front side of the base 8.

In this manner, the waste ink in the space C 3 drops downward through the opening 25 and accumulates in the receiving tray 35.
When the amount of the waste ink in the receiving pan 35 becomes an appropriate amount, the user operates the receiving pan 3
Take out 5 and treat the waste ink. In this way (see FIG. 4), when the cap 20 is separated from the ejection surface 7 of the print head 6, the valve element 32 mechanically opens the opening 25, and allows the ink droplets in the space C3 to open the opening 25. Let out through.

The inner diameter of the tube 17 is about 1 mm, the path is relatively long, the area of the opening 25 is about 4 mm, and the path is relatively short. As described above, since the pressure loss of the tube 17 is extremely larger than that of the opening 25, as described above, when the space C3 becomes substantially at atmospheric pressure, ink droplets (waste ink) pass through the tube 17. , Backflow is prevented.

[0047]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a print head,
A cap, a cylinder having one side connected to the cap, and a movable piston inserted from the other side of the cylinder. When the cap is brought into close contact with the ejection surface of the print head, the piston is mechanically moved. The print head moves to a negative pressure in the space of the cylinder to suck ink droplets attached to the ejection surface of the print head. As described above, when the cap is brought into close contact with the ejection surface of the print head, the piston moves mechanically, the space in the cylinder is set to a negative pressure, ink droplets are sucked, and a mechanical configuration is used. As,
The need for a pump and a motor is eliminated, and a space-saving and low-cost cleaning device can be obtained.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, an opening is provided in the space, and a valve body for opening and closing the opening is provided. When the cap is brought into close contact with the discharge surface of the print head, the valve body is closed. The opening is mechanically closed. Thus, when the cap is brought into close contact with the ejection surface of the print head, the valve body mechanically closes the opening, so that the space becomes negative pressure and the ink droplets adhered to the ejection surface of the print head can be reliably sucked. .

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the cap is separated from the discharge surface of the print head, the valve body mechanically opens the opening, and the ink droplets in the space are passed through the opening. It is configured to discharge. In this manner, when the cap is separated from the ejection surface of the print head, the valve body opens the opening mechanically, so that the ink droplets in the space can be reliably discharged. Further, as described above, since the opening of the valve element is mechanically opened, no electric component is required, and the cost is reduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in order to maintain a seal between the opening and the valve body, a seal member is provided around the opening or on the valve body. As described above, since the seal member is provided in the vicinity of the opening or on the valve body, a negative pressure is reliably generated in the space, and the ink droplets adhered to the ejection surface of the print head can be reliably sucked.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the valve body is connected to the cylinder via a connecting portion, and a movable body having the cap, the cylinder, the piston, and the valve body is provided. A base holding a movable body and having a guide portion is provided, and when the movable body moves in the first direction or the second direction, the connecting portion is guided by the guide portion, and the valve bodies are each provided with the opening. To move in the direction of closing the opening or in the direction of opening the opening. In this way, when the movable body moves in the first direction or the second direction, the connecting portion is guided by the guide portion, and the valve body closes or opens the opening, respectively. In this way, the opening and closing of the opening is performed mechanically, so that, unlike the conventional case, there is no need for electric components, the cost is reduced, and
The space occupied by parts is small.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printing device 2 using a cleaning device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning device 1 (when the volume of a space C1 is a minimum).

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning device 1 (in a state where ink droplets are being sucked).

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning device 1 (in a state where ink droplets are being discharged).

[Explanation of symbols]

 6 print head 20 cap 23 cylinder 26 piston 29 applying means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kenji Mita 3-201 Minamiyoshikata, Tottori-shi, Tottori Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinichi Yamaguchi 3-201 Minamiyoshikata, Tottori-shi, Tottori Sanyo Tottori (72) Inventor Hisao Shimizu 3-201 Minamiyoshikata, Tottori-shi, Tottori Prefecture Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shoko Yamane 3-201, Minamiyoshikata, Tottori-shi, Tottori Pref. 72) Inventor Hidemi Doi 3-201 Minamiyoshikata, Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture F-term (reference) 2C056 EA27 EC57 JA04 JA13 JC07 JC18 JC20

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A print head, comprising: a cap; a cylinder having one side connected to the cap; and a movable piston inserted from the other side of the cylinder, wherein the cap is in close contact with an ejection surface of the print head. The cleaning device is characterized in that when the piston is moved, the piston moves mechanically, the space in the cylinder becomes negative pressure, and ink droplets attached to the ejection surface of the print head are sucked. 2. An opening is provided in the space, and a valve body for opening and closing the opening is provided. When the cap is in close contact with a discharge surface of the print head, the valve body mechanically closes the opening. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning device is closed. 3. The valve body mechanically opens the opening when the cap separates from the ejection surface of the print head,
The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the ink droplets in the space are discharged through the opening. 4. The cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein a seal member is provided around the opening or on the valve body to maintain a seal between the opening and the valve body. . 5. The valve body is connected to the cylinder via a connecting portion, and a movable body having the cap, the cylinder, the piston, and the valve body is provided, and the movable body is held and guided. A base having a portion is provided, and when the movable body moves in the first direction or the second direction, the connection portion is guided by the guide portion, and the valve body closes the opening portion or the opening portion respectively. 3. The cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the cleaning device is configured to move in an opening direction.