JP2002052729A - Print head cleaner of printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print head cleaner for color ink jet printer which can be made simple and compact. SOLUTION: The print head cleaner comprises an ink carriage 22 reciprocal in the main scanning direction while carrying a print head 24, means 10 for carrying a recording sheet to the print head such that printing is performed by reciprocating the ink carriage, and a unit 4 performing suction and exhaustion in relation to reciprocation of the ink carriage. The print head cleaner further comprises a compression pump 44 having a nozzle 41 for blowing exhaust gas to the ejection port of the print head, a port 43 for sucking the ejection port of the print head, and a bellows for imparting exhaust action to the ejection port and suction action to the suction port. Ejection port of the print head is cleaned, on one hand, by blowing exhaust gas thereto at the time of exhaust action and cleaned, on the other hand, by sucking it at the time of suction action.

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 print head of a printing device such as an ink jet printer for printing using a print head, and more particularly to a measure for simplifying and reducing the size of the cleaning device for a print head. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for ink jet printers due to the fact that printing apparatuses are compact and capable of high-speed recording and are easy to perform color recording. Above all, because the ink supply tube is not required and the structure of the device is simple, and the print head can be easily replaced and maintenance is easy, the print head and the ink tank are integrated, The type in which the user can easily exchange it has become mainstream.

[0003] In such an ink jet printer, clogging is liable to occur mainly due to ink clumping at a discharge port of a print head. A maintenance area is set near one end of the platen
A print head cleaning device is provided in this maintenance area, and the print head cleaning device
2. Description of the Related Art It has been practiced to remove dust from a discharge port of a print head or to suck ink residue in the discharge port to clean the print head.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional cleaning device for a print head, in order to obtain a discharge function of blowing air to a discharge port of the print head and a suction function of suctioning the discharge port of the print head, Since a dedicated driving mechanism and a control device such as a pump motor are required, the cleaning device for the print head becomes complicated and the device itself becomes large.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device for a print head of a printing device which can be simplified and made compact.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, as a cleaning device for a print head of a printing apparatus, a print head is mounted and provided so as to be capable of reciprocating in the main scanning direction of the print head. Recording paper transport means for transporting recording paper to a print head so that printing is performed by reciprocating movement of the ink carriage in the main scanning direction, and reciprocation of the ink carriage in the main scanning direction. A suction / discharge device that performs a suction action and an exhaust action in connection with the movement. The suction / discharge device is configured to blow exhaust gas to the discharge port of the print head at the time of the exhaust operation to discharge and clean the discharge port of the print head. The suction port is suction-cleaned.

According to this specific matter, the suction operation and the exhaust operation of the suction / discharge device are switched in relation to the reciprocating movement of the ink carriage, and foreign matters and the like adhering to the discharge port of the print head during the exhaust operation are removed to discharge the print head. While the outlet is discharged and cleaned, the discharge port of the print head is suction-cleaned by sucking the ink residue clogged in the discharge port of the print head during the suction operation. This allows
This eliminates the need for a dedicated drive device such as a pump motor, and makes it possible to simplify and reduce the size of the print head cleaning device.

[0008] In particular, the following configuration is specifically specified as the suction / discharge device.

That is, a discharge nozzle that blows exhaust gas to the discharge port of the print head, a suction port that sucks the discharge port of the print head, and a compression pump that provides an exhaust function to the discharge nozzle and a suction function to the suction port, respectively. Is provided in the suction / discharge device.

[0010] According to this specific matter, the discharge operation by the discharge nozzle and the suction operation by the suction port are performed by a single compression pump, so that the cleaning device for the print head can be made simpler and more compact.

In particular, the following configuration is listed as a specific specification of the discharge nozzle.

That is, the discharge nozzle is provided with a discharge valve member which is opened when the compression pump is evacuated and closed when the suction operation is performed.

According to this specific matter, the discharge from the discharge nozzle is accurately performed only during the discharge operation without being performed during the suction operation, and the foreign matter and the like attached to the discharge port of the print head can be reliably removed. In addition, it is possible to smoothly discharge and clean the discharge ports of the print head.

[0014] On the other hand, the following structure is listed as a device for specifying the suction port.

In other words, the suction port is provided with a suction valve member which is closed during the exhaust operation of the compression pump and opened during the suction operation.

According to this specific matter, the suction from the suction port is accurately performed only at the time of the suction operation without being performed at the time of the exhaust operation, and the ink residue or the like clogged in the discharge port of the print head during the suction operation is reliably removed. Thus, the ejection openings of the print head can be smoothly suction-cleaned.

In particular, as a specification of the compression pump,
The following configurations are listed.

That is, the compression pump is constituted by a bellows-like member which expands and contracts in accordance with the pressing operation and the releasing operation related to the reciprocating movement of the ink carriage in the main scanning direction.

According to this specific matter, the compression pump can be configured very simply, and the compression pump can be simplified.

In particular, the following configuration is provided to further specify the suction port.

That is, the suction port is supported by a contact / separation mechanism which allows the suction port to freely contact / separate from the print head. The contact / separation mechanism includes a swing member that swings as the ink carriage reciprocates in the main scanning direction, and a guide mechanism that guides the swing member up and down.

According to this specific matter, the suction port comes into contact with and separates from the print head by the swinging member guided by the guide mechanism in the vertical direction as the ink carriage reciprocates in the main scanning direction. For this reason, the suction port can be reliably moved toward and away from the print head.

In particular, the following arrangements are provided for specifying the guide mechanism and the swinging member.

That is, the guide mechanism is provided with a pin provided on the swinging member and a guide hole which engages with the pin and moves the swinging member up and down with the swinging. On the other hand, the oscillating member is provided with a rib which comes into contact with the end face of the ink carriage during the cleaning movement of the ink carriage to one side in the main scanning direction, and the end face against the rib when the ink carriage returns to the other side in the main scanning direction. Biasing means for biasing the swing member to return to the initial position where the contact of the rocking member is released. Then, the abutment of the rib on the end surface of the ink carriage during the cleaning movement of the ink carriage moves the swinging member upward by the engagement of the pin in the guide hole of the guide mechanism, and the suction port is brought into close contact with the print head. On the other hand, when the ink carriage returns, the swing member is returned to the initial position by the guide mechanism and the urging means so that the suction port is separated from the print head.

According to this specific matter, at the time of cleaning movement of the ink carriage, that is, at the time of exhaustion, the suction port is separated from the print head by the swinging member located at the initial position, and in this state, foreign matter adhered to the discharge port of the print head. Thus, the discharge openings of the print head can be smoothly discharged and cleaned. On the other hand, during the suction operation, suction is performed from the suction port in a state in which it is in close contact with the print head, and the ink residue clogged in the discharge port of the print head is more reliably suctioned, and the discharge port of the print head is suctioned more smoothly. Cleaning becomes possible.

In particular, the following configuration is provided to specify the guide hole.

That is, the guide hole is provided with an inclined portion for bringing the suction port into and out of contact with the print head, and a step portion for maintaining the close contact between the print head and the suction port.

According to this specific matter, it is possible to switch between the close contact state and the separated state of the suction port with the print head by the guide holes having a simple structure, and to maintain the close contact state of the suction port with the print head with a simple structure. It is possible to do.

Further, the following configuration is provided to smoothly process waste ink sucked from the suction port.

That is, a storage tank for storing waste ink is connected between the compression pump and the suction port.

According to this specific matter, the waste ink sucked from the suction port is smoothly stored in the storage tank without entering the compression pump, thereby preventing the waste ink from adversely affecting the compression pump. Waste ink can be effectively treated.

[0032]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of a color ink jet printer as a printing apparatus provided with a print head cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the color ink jet printer 1 has a paper feed cassette 12 at the lower end of the apparatus main body.
Are detachably mounted in a substantially horizontal state. On the other hand, on one upper side (right side in FIG. 1) of the printer main body 11, a discharge tray 1 for receiving the recording paper P discharged from the apparatus main body.
3 are provided.

A pickup roller 14, a transport drum 15, a transport roller 16, a printing unit 2, and a discharge roller 17 are sequentially provided inside the printer main body 11 from the paper feed cassette 12 to the discharge tray 13. I have. In this case, the pickup roller 14, the transport drum 15, the transport roller 16, and the discharge roller 17 constitute the recording paper transport unit 10.

The pickup roller 14 takes out one of the recording sheets P placed on the sheet cassette 12 and
It is provided for delivery to the transport drum 15.

The transport drum 15 is provided on the other side (left side in FIG. 1) of the printer main body 11, and reverses the recording paper P in a direction (clockwise) indicated by an arrow in FIG.
A substantially U-shaped transfer path is configured so as to be transferred to the transfer path.

The transport rollers 16 form a pair at the top and bottom, and transfer the recording paper P to the printing unit 2.

The discharge rollers 17 form a pair at the top and bottom, and discharge recording paper onto the discharge tray 13.

The printing unit 2 includes a platen 21 that supports the recording paper P from below, and an ink carriage 22 that is discharged immediately above the platen 21.

The platen 21 extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the recording paper P is conveyed (in FIG. 1, in the front-rear direction).

As shown in FIG. 2, the ink carriage 22
Are supported so as to be able to reciprocate in the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction) of the platen 21. Then, the ink carriage 22
Is provided with an ink cartridge 23 containing ink and a print head 24 (shown in FIGS. 3 to 8) controlled by a print signal, and performs print scan on the recording paper P conveyed on the platen 21. Has been made to be done.

Outside the print area A in the main scanning direction of the ink carriage 22 (outside the longitudinal direction of the platen 21), a maintenance area B is provided facing the home position where the ink carriage 22 is stopped. Have been. In the maintenance area B, a print head cleaning device 3 for cleaning the print head 24 is provided. Accordingly, when the ink carriage 22 (print head 24) on which the print scan has been performed is moved from the home position to the maintenance area during cleaning (cleaning movement), the print head 24 is sequentially cleaned.

The print head cleaning device 3 includes a suction / discharge device 4 that performs a suction action and an exhaust action in association with the reciprocation of the ink carriage 22 in the main scanning direction. The print head cleaning device 3 is provided corresponding to the movement path of the ink carriage 22 that moves to the maintenance area B while being supported by the guide rail 25 extending in the main scanning direction.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the suction / discharge device 4 is provided at a position where the suction / discharge device 4 is actuated by contact with the end face of the ink carriage 22 when the ink carriage 22 moves to the maintenance area B for cleaning. I have.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 10, the suction / discharge device 4 discharges the discharge ports 24a of the print head 24 by discharging the discharge ports 24a of the print head 24 during the discharge operation. On the other hand, the suction port 24a of the print head 24 is suctioned at the time of the suction operation to suction-clean the discharge port 24a of the print head 24.

The suction / discharge device 4 is provided at the discharge port 2 of the print head 24.
A discharge nozzle 41 for blowing exhaust gas to the discharge nozzle 4a, a flexible tube 43 having a suction port 42 for sucking the discharge port 24a of the print head 24 at a tip thereof, a tube for exhausting the discharge nozzle 41 and a tube for the suction port 42 43
And a compression pump 44 for respectively applying a suction action via the compression pump.

The discharge nozzle 41 includes the discharge nozzle 41
Discharge valve member 41a that opens when the compression pump 44 is evacuating (compression) and closes when the suction operation (restoration) is performed.
Is provided. The discharge nozzle 41 is located at a position where the dust in the discharge port 24a can be removed by ejecting the air in the compression pump 44 from the tip to the discharge port 24a of the print head 24 during the cleaning movement of the ink carriage. is set up. Also, the tube 43
The (suction port 42) is provided with a suction valve member 43a that closes the suction port 42 when the compression pump 43 exhausts and opens the suction port 42 during the suction operation. Further, the compression pump 44
Is constituted by a bellows-shaped member which is compressed by being brought into contact with the end face during the cleaning movement of the ink carriage 22, and a compression operation (pressing operation) and a restoring operation (pressing) related to the reciprocation of the ink carriage 22 in the main scanning direction. (Extension operation).

The suction port 42 has a contact / separation mechanism 45.
The contact / separation mechanism 45 moves in the same direction (the ink carriage 22) as the ink carriage 22 reciprocates in the main scanning direction.
Swinging member 46 that swings in the main scanning direction) and in the vertical direction.
And a guide mechanism 4 for guiding the swing member 46 in the vertical direction.
7 is provided. The contact / separation mechanism 45 moves the swinging member 4 by the guide movement in the vertical direction by the guide mechanism 47.
The suction port 42 opened on the upper surface of the print head 6 can be freely moved toward and away from the print head 24. In this case, the suction port 42a is connected to the maintenance area B by the ink carriage 22.
When returning to the home position after moving to the final end of the print head 24, the position where the ink residue in the discharge port 24a of the print head 24 is sucked together with the ink (the position shown in FIGS. 7 and 8).
Is supported by the contact / separation mechanism 45.

The guide mechanism 47 engages with a pin 46a projecting from the side surface of the swing member 46, and moves the swing member 46 with the reciprocation of the ink carriage 22 in the main scanning direction. A guide hole 48 is provided for vertically moving along with swinging in the same direction. This guide hole 48
The print head cleaning device 3 is provided on the device main body.

The oscillating member 46 has a rib 46b which comes into contact with the end surface of the ink carriage 22 when the ink carriage 22 is moved for cleaning, and when the ink carriage 22 returns to the printing area A side when the ink carriage 22 is moved back. An urging spring 49 is provided as urging means for urging the rib 46b to return to the initial position (the position shown in FIG. 10) where the end face abuts against the rib 46b. When the rib 46 b comes into contact with the end surface of the ink carriage 22 during the cleaning movement of the ink carriage 22, the swing member 46 is moved to the guide hole 48 of the guide mechanism 47.
The suction port 42 is moved upward by the engagement of the pin 46a therein, so that the suction port 42 comes into close contact with the print head 24. On the other hand, when the ink carriage 22 returns to the print area A, the swinging member 46 is returned to the initial position by the guide mechanism 47 and the urging spring 49, and the suction port 42 is separated from the print head 24. I have.

The guide hole 48 has an inclined portion 48a extending obliquely up and down so as to make the suction port 42 come into contact with and separate from the print head 24, and maintain the close contact between the print head 24 and the suction port 42. A step portion 48b that is bent from the upper end of the inclined portion 48a and extends substantially in the horizontal direction is formed. Accordingly, when the ink carriage 22 performs the cleaning movement, the end surface of the ink carriage 22 presses the rib 46 b of the swinging member 46 to horizontally move the swinging member 46, so that the pin 46 a becomes the inclined portion 4 of the guide hole 48.
8a, and is pushed up by the step portion 48b.
The direction in which the swing member 46 approaches the print head 24 (upward)
The suction port 42 can be brought into close contact with the discharge port 24a of the print head 24.

A storage tank 5 for storing the waste ink sucked from the suction port 42 is provided between the compression pump 44 and the suction port 42, that is, between the tube 43 and the suction port 42.
0 is interposed. In this case, the suction port 42 is connected to the upper surface of the storage tank 50, and the tube 43 is connected to the upper side of the storage tank 50.

Next, the operation when the print head 24 is cleaned by the print head cleaning device 3 will be described.

Now, when the print search is completed and a cleaning start signal for cleaning the print head 24 is output to the ink carriage 22 located at the home position, as shown in FIG. To move the ink carriage 22 for cleaning (moving to the right in FIG. 3). At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the end face of the ink carriage 22 presses the rib 46b of the swing member 46 and the end face of the compression pump 44.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4, by further cleaning movement of the ink carriage 22, the compression pump 44 is compressed, and the swing member 46 is also moved rightward in FIG. 4 via the rib 46b. At this time,
Since the compression pump 44 switches to an exhaust operation for exhausting the internal air, as shown in FIG. 5, the compression pump 44 opens the discharge valve member 41a of the discharge nozzle 41, while the suction valve of the tube 43 (suction port 42). The member 43a is closed and the compression pump 4
By the exhaust action of 4, air is ejected from the tip of the discharge nozzle 41 to the discharge port 24a of the print head 24, and dust attached to the discharge port 24a is removed.

As shown in FIG. 5, the pin 46a of the swinging member 46 is moved upward along the inclined portion 48a of the guide hole 48 of the apparatus main body by further cleaning movement of the ink carriage 22 for compressing the compression pump 44. And the swinging member 46 moves in a direction (upward) approaching the ejection port 24 a of the print head 24. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the pin 46a rides on the step portion 48b of the guide hole 48, and the suction port 42 on the upper surface of the swing member 46 is moved to the print head 24.
In close contact with the discharge port 24a of the
Maintained by upper pin 46a.

When the end face of the ink carriage 22 reaches the final end of the maintenance area B as shown in FIG. 6, the discharge operation of the compression pump 44 is stopped, and the discharge valve member 41a of the discharge nozzle 41 is closed. Keep it.

Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the ink carriage 22 is moved to the home position (print area A).
Side). At this time, the compression pump 4
4 is switched to a suction operation in which air is sucked into the interior to restore the original state, so that the biasing force of the biasing spring 49 causes the swing member 46 to contact the end surface of the ink carriage 22 via the rib 46b. In this state, only the suction valve member 43 a of the tube 43 is opened, and the suction port 2 of the print head 24 is
The ink residue and the like in the discharge port 24a are sucked together with the ink from the suction port 42 that is in close contact with 4a. At this time, the sucked ink residue is stored in the storage tank 50 together with the ink.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the ink carriage 22 further moves back, the pin 46a of the swing member 46 is guided downward from the step portion 48b of the guide hole 48 of the apparatus main body along the inclined portion 48a. The swing member 46 moves in a direction (downward) away from the ejection port 24a of the print head 24, and the swing member 4 moves with respect to the ejection port 24a of the print head 24.
6. Release the close contact of the suction port 42 on the upper surface.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10, the further return movement of the ink carriage 22 causes the compression pump 4
When the contact of the end surface of the swing member 46 with the end surface of the swing member 4 is released, the compression pump 44 returns to the original state, the suction operation of the suction pump 44 stops, and the suction valve member 43a of the tube 43 is closed. The pin 46a of the swing member 46 is moved by the urging force of the urging spring 49 to the guide hole 48 of the apparatus main body.
The swinging member 46 returns to the original position, and the ink carriage 22 returns to the home position and stops.

As described above, the suction operation and the exhaust operation of the compression pump 44 are switched in relation to the reciprocating movement of the ink carriage 22, and the oscillating member located at the initial position during the cleaning operation of the ink carriage 22, that is, during the exhaust operation. The suction port 42 is separated from the discharge port 24a of the print head 24 by 46, and in this state, foreign matter and the like adhering to the discharge port 24a of the print head 24 are removed by jetting air from the tip of the discharge nozzle 41 to discharge the discharge port 24a. Is discharged while the suction port 42 is in close contact with the print head 24 during the suction operation. The suction port 42a is suctioned by sucking ink residue clogged in the discharge port 24a of the print head 24. It will be cleaned.
This eliminates the need for a dedicated driving device, such as a pump motor, and allows the discharge operation by the discharge nozzle 41 and the suction port 4.
2 can be performed by a single compression pump 44, and the print head cleaning device 3 can be effectively simplified and made compact.

Further, since the discharge valve member 41a which is opened only when the compression pump 44 is evacuated is provided in the discharge nozzle 41, the exhaust from the discharge nozzle 41 is accurately performed only during the exhaust operation without being performed during the suction operation. In this way, foreign substances and the like adhering to the discharge port 24a of the print head 24 are reliably removed, and the discharge port 24a of the print head 24 is removed.
Can be smoothly discharged and cleaned. On the other hand, the suction valve member 43a, which is closed during the exhaust operation of the compression pump and opened during the suction operation, is connected to the tube 43 (suction port 42).
Therefore, the suction from the suction port 42 is accurately performed only at the time of the suction operation without being performed at the time of the exhaust operation.
Thus, it is possible to surely suck the ink residue or the like clogged with the ink together with the ink, and to smoothly suction-clean the discharge port 24a.

The compression pump 4 is formed by a bellows-like member which expands and contracts in accordance with the pressing operation and the releasing operation related to the reciprocating movement of the ink carriage 22 in the main scanning direction.
4, the compression pump 44 is configured very simply, and the compression pump 44 can be simplified. Further, the suction port 42 comes into contact with and separates from the discharge port 24a of the print head 24 by a swinging member 46 that is vertically guided with the reciprocation of the ink carriage 22 in the main scanning direction. 42 can be reliably moved toward and away from the print head 24.

In addition, the inclined portion 48a for bringing the suction port 42 into contact with and separating from the discharge port 24a of the print head 24, and the step portion 48b for maintaining the close contact between the discharge port 24a of the print head 24 and the suction port 42 are guided. Since it is provided in the hole 48,
The guide hole 4 having a simple structure can be used to easily determine the close contact state and the separated state of the suction port 42 with respect to the discharge port 24a of the print head 24.
8 and the print head 24
Of the suction port 42 with respect to the discharge port 24a can be maintained with a simple configuration.

Further, a tube 43 (compression pump 44)
Storage tank 5 for storing waste ink between the ink and the suction port 42
Since the zero is interposed, the waste ink sucked from the suction port 42 is smoothly stored in the storage tank 50 without entering the compression pump 44, and the waste ink adversely affects the compression pump 44. And effectively treat waste ink.

[0067]

As described above, according to the present invention, the suction operation and the exhaust operation of the suction / discharge device are switched in relation to the reciprocating movement of the ink carriage, and foreign substances and the like adhering to the discharge port of the print head during the exhaust operation are removed. While cleaning the discharge port of the print head by suction, the suction port removes ink residue clogged in the discharge port of the print head during suction operation and suction-cleans the discharge port of the print head. And compactness can be achieved.

In particular, by providing a compression pump for providing an exhaust action to the discharge nozzle and a suction action to the suction port, the discharge action by the discharge nozzle and the suction action by the suction port can be performed by a single compression pump. The cleaning device can be simplified and made more compact.

In particular, by providing the discharge nozzle with a discharge valve member that opens during the discharge operation of the compression pump and closes during the suction operation, the discharge from the discharge nozzle is accurately performed only during the discharge operation, and the discharge of the print head is performed. Foreign matter and the like adhering to the outlet can be reliably removed, and the discharge port of the print head can be smoothly discharged and cleaned.

On the other hand, by providing a suction valve member at the suction port which is closed during the evacuation action of the compression pump and opened during the suction action, the suction from the suction port can be accurately performed only during the suction action, and printing can be performed during the suction action. The ink residue clogged in the discharge port of the head can be reliably sucked, and the discharge port of the print head can be smoothly suction-cleaned.

In particular, since the compression pump is constituted by a bellows-like member which expands and contracts in accordance with the pressing operation and the releasing operation related to the reciprocating movement of the ink carriage in the main scanning direction, the compression pump can be configured very simply. Thus, the compression pump can be simplified.

In particular, the suction port is brought into contact with and separated from the print head by a swinging member that guides the suction port in the vertical direction with the reciprocation of the ink carriage in the main scanning direction. Can be moved away.

In particular, the guide mechanism is provided with a pin provided on the swinging member and a guide hole which engages with the pin and moves the swinging member up and down in accordance with the swing. On the other hand, the oscillating member is provided with a rib which comes into contact with the end face of the ink carriage during the cleaning movement of the ink carriage to one side in the main scanning direction, and the end face against the rib when the ink carriage returns to the other side in the main scanning direction. Biasing means for biasing the swing member to return to the initial position where the contact of the rocking member is released. Then, the abutment of the rib on the end surface of the ink carriage during the cleaning movement of the ink carriage moves the swinging member upward by the engagement of the pin in the guide hole of the guide mechanism, and the suction port is brought into close contact with the print head. On the other hand, when the ink carriage returns, the swing member is returned to the initial position by the guide mechanism and the urging means so that the suction port is separated from the print head.

According to this specific matter, the suction port is separated from the print head by the swinging member at the time of the exhausting operation of the ink carriage, so that foreign substances and the like adhering to the discharge port of the print head are reliably removed, and the discharge port of the print head is removed. Can be smoothly discharged and cleaned. On the other hand, by bringing the suction port into close contact with the print head during the suction operation, the suction from the suction port can be performed smoothly, and the ink residue clogged in the discharge port of the print head is more reliably sucked, and the discharge of the print head is performed. The outlet can be suction-cleaned more smoothly.

In particular, by providing the guide hole with an inclined portion for bringing the suction port into and out of contact with the print head and a step for maintaining the close contact between the print head and the suction port, the state of close contact of the suction port with the print head is provided. In addition, the separation state can be switched by a guide hole having a simple configuration, and the close contact state of the suction port with the print head can be maintained with a simple configuration.

Further, by connecting the storage tank between the compression pump and the suction port, the waste ink sucked from the suction port can be smoothly stored in the storage tank without entering the compression pump. Waste ink can be effectively treated while preventing adverse effects on the ink.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a color ink jet printer including a print head cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a print head cleaning device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a print head cleaning device showing a state where an ink carriage is positioned at an initial position.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a print head cleaning device showing a state in which an exhaust operation of a compression pump is started.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a print head cleaning device showing an exhaust operation state of a compression pump.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a print head cleaning device showing a state of close contact of a suction port with a discharge port of the print head.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a print head cleaning device showing a suction operation start state of the compression pump.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the print head cleaning device showing a state immediately before the end of the suction operation of the compression pump.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the print head cleaning device showing a state in which the suction port is in close contact with the discharge port of the print head.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the print head cleaning device in a state where the suction operation by the suction pump is stopped.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Color inkjet printer (printing device) 10 Recording paper conveying means 22 Ink carriage 24 Print head 24a Discharge port 3 Cleaning device for print head 4 Suction / discharge device 41 Discharge nozzle 41a Discharge valve member 42 Suction port 43a For suction Valve member 44 Compression pump 45 Contact / separation mechanism 46 Swing member 46a Pin 46b Rib 47 Guide mechanism 48 Guide hole 48a Inclined portion 48b Step 49 biasing spring (biasing means) 50 storage tank P recording paper

Claims (9)

[Claims] An ink carriage having a print head mounted thereon and reciprocally movable in the main scanning direction of the print head, and printing so that printing is performed by reciprocal movement of the ink carriage in the main scanning direction. Recording paper transport means for transporting the recording paper to the head; and a suction / discharge device for performing a suction action and an exhaust action in relation to the reciprocating movement of the ink carriage in the main scanning direction. While the discharge port of the print head is blown with exhaust gas to discharge and clean the discharge port of the print head, the suction port of the print head is suction-cleaned and the discharge port of the print head is suction-cleaned. A cleaning device for a print head of a printing device, wherein the cleaning device is provided. 2. The cleaning device for a print head according to claim 1, wherein the suction device includes a discharge nozzle that blows exhaust gas to a discharge port of the print head, and a suction port that suctions the discharge port of the print head. And a compression pump for applying an exhaust action to the discharge nozzle and a suction action to the suction port, respectively. 3. A cleaning device for a print head of a printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the discharge nozzle is provided with a discharge valve member that opens when the compression pump is evacuated and closes when the suction operation is performed. A print head cleaning device for a printing device. 4. The cleaning device for a print head of a printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the suction port is provided with a suction valve member that closes during an exhaust operation of the compression pump and opens during a suction operation. A print head cleaning device for a printing device. 5. The cleaning device for a print head of a printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the compression pump performs a pressing operation and a pressing operation related to a reciprocating movement of the ink carriage in the main scanning direction. A cleaning device for a print head of a printing device, comprising a bellows-like member. 6. The cleaning device for a print head of a printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the suction port is supported by a contact / separation mechanism that allows the suction port to freely move toward and away from the print head. The printing apparatus is characterized in that the separation mechanism includes a swinging member that swings with the reciprocation of the ink carriage in the main scanning direction, and a guide mechanism that guides the swinging member in the vertical direction. Cleaning device for print head. 7. The cleaning device for a print head of a printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the guide mechanism engages with a pin provided on the swing member, and moves the swing member along with the swing. A guide hole for vertically moving the ink carriage, and the swinging member includes a rib that comes into contact with an end face of the ink carriage when the ink carriage is moved to one side in the main scanning direction, and the ink carriage includes a rib. An urging means for urging the carriage to return to an initial position where the end face is released from contact with the rib when the carriage returns to the other side in the main scanning direction; The swing member is moved upward by the engagement of the pin in the guide hole of the guide mechanism, and the suction port is moved to the print head. On the other hand, when the ink carriage returns, the swing member is returned to the initial position by the guide mechanism and the urging means, and the suction port is separated from the print head. Cleaning device for a print head of a printing device. 8. The cleaning device for a print head of a printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the guide hole has an inclined portion for bringing the suction port into and out of contact with the print head, and a state of close contact between the print head and the suction port. A cleaning device for a print head of a printing device, comprising: 9. A cleaning device for a print head according to claim 2, wherein a storage tank for storing waste ink sucked from the suction port is connected between the compression pump and the suction port. A print head cleaning device for a printing device.