JP2003094674A - Maintenance unit for inkjet head - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the thickness of a maintenance unit which caps a surface of an ink nozzle by sliding a head cap in a direction orthogonal to the direction of movement of an inkjet head. SOLUTION: In this maintenance unit 1 for the inkjet head 4, an adopted slide mechanism 30, which slides the head cap 12 in the direction orthogonal to the direction of the movement of the inkjet head 4, is equipped with a pair of racks 34 and 35 and a planet gear mechanism 40; and a parallel ring mechanism 61 of four links is utilized as an elevating mechanism 60 for making the head cap 12 ascend to a capping position to cap the surface 5 of the ink nozzle of the inkjet head 4. These mechanisms can be compactly arranged in a flat space, so that the low-profile maintenance unit 10 can be constructed and so that an advantage can be imparted to a downsizing of an inkjet printer.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a maintenance unit for an inkjet head. More specifically, the present invention relates to a maintenance unit for an inkjet head configured to move a head cap in a direction orthogonal to a moving direction of the inkjet head to wipe the ink nozzle surface and cap the ink nozzle surface.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a serial type ink jet printer, an ink jet head is mounted on a carriage and is reciprocated in a print width direction of a recording medium to perform printing. Generally, a maintenance unit for performing maintenance of the inkjet head is arranged at a position outside the printing area of the inkjet head. In the non-driving state, the inkjet head is positioned in the maintenance unit, and the ink nozzle surface of the inkjet head is capped by the head cap, so that the ink nozzle surface is prevented from being dried and foreign matter is not attached to the ink nozzle surface. Further, in the capping state, ink is ejected or ink is sucked from the ink nozzles to eject the thickened ink and the mixed air bubbles. Further, in order to wipe ink, paper dust, etc. adhering to the ink nozzle surface, a wiper blade is pressed against the nozzle surface of the inkjet head moving to the maintenance unit to wipe the nozzle surface. .

Here, in a multi-color ink jet head or the like, ink nozzle rows for each color ink extending in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the ink jet head are arranged at regular intervals in the moving direction of the ink jet head. As a maintenance unit of such an inkjet head, a wiper blade corresponding to an ink nozzle row of each color ink is moved together with a head cap in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the inkjet head to individually wipe each ink nozzle row. It is known to have a configuration.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to move a head cap together with a wiper blade in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of an ink jet head to perform wiping of an ink nozzle surface and capping of an ink nozzle surface. Is to be small and compact. In particular, it is intended to reduce the thickness of this type of maintenance unit.

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a head cap for capping an ink nozzle surface of an ink jet head, a support base on which the head cap is mounted, and a support for the head cap. In a maintenance unit of an inkjet head, which has a slide mechanism that reciprocates a table in a direction intersecting with a moving direction of the inkjet head at a predetermined angle,
The slide mechanism includes a slider provided with first and second racks arranged in parallel in a moving direction of the support base with teeth facing each other, a sun gear, and a sun gear that meshes with the sun gear. A planetary gear mechanism, and a carrier that supports the planetary gear in a freely rotatable and revolving state, the planetary gear mechanism being capable of meshing with the first and second racks, and the slider. A unit case that supports the inkjet head in a state capable of reciprocating in a direction intersecting at a predetermined angle with respect to the moving direction of the inkjet head, and a rotation drive mechanism that rotates the sun gear, and the slider Is in its first position, when the sun gear rotates in the first direction and the planetary gear reaches the first revolution position, the planetary gear moves to the first race. When the slider is slid from the first position to the second position when the first end of the tooth portion of the gear is meshed with the first end of the tooth portion of the first rack, the planetary gear is moved to the second position of the tooth portion of the first rack. When the planetary gear reaches the second revolving position by revolving in the first direction together with the sun gear away from the end, the planetary gear reaches the second revolving position, and the planetary gear is located at the second position. The slider engages with the second end and the slider moves from the second position to the first position.
Is slid to the position, the planetary gear is separated from the first end of the tooth portion of the second rack and revolves together with the sun gear toward the first revolution position.

In the maintenance unit of the present invention, the slide mechanism for sliding the head cap is composed of a pair of racks and a planetary gear mechanism for sliding the racks, and these members are on the bottom surface of the unit case. Can be arranged in a plane. Therefore, since the slide mechanism can be arranged in the flat space, a thin maintenance unit can be realized.

Here, the slide mechanism further prevents the planetary gears from moving toward the second revolution position while the slider moves from the first position to the second position. First for holding in the first revolution position
Of the stopper mechanism and the slider from the second position to the first position, the planetary gear is moved to the second revolution position so as not to move toward the first revolution position. It is desirable to have a second stopper mechanism for holding.

The first stopper mechanism is a projecting position capable of abutting on the carrier and a stopper piece movable to a retracted position retracted from the projecting position, and an elastic member constantly pushing the stopper piece toward the retracted position. A member and a pressing surface for pressing the stopper piece formed on the slider to the protruding position are provided, and when the slider reaches the second position, the pressing surface is disengaged from the stopper. be able to.

Similarly, the second stopper mechanism also has a stopper piece movable to the protruding position capable of abutting on the carrier and a retracted position retracted from the protruding position, and the stopper piece always directed toward the retracted position. An elastic member being pushed,
A pressing surface for pressing the stopper piece formed on the slider to the protruding position may be provided, and the pressing surface may be separated from the stopper when the slider reaches the first position. .

By arranging such a stopper mechanism, it is possible to prevent the planetary gears from biting into the tooth portions of each rack and causing an excessive load to be generated in the meshing portion between them.

Next, the maintenance unit of the present invention is
In addition to the above configuration, a wiper blade attached to the support base is provided.

On the other hand, the maintenance unit of the present invention is
In addition to the above-mentioned configuration, the head cap has a lifting mechanism that lifts and lowers, and the lifting mechanism includes a 4-link parallel link mechanism that supports the head cap so that the head cap can move up and down. It is characterized in that the slider is provided with a stop portion that hits the head cap at a position where the slider slides from the first position to the second position and prevents only the head cap from sliding.

Here, in the parallel link mechanism of the four-section, the first and second links arranged in parallel in the vertical direction parallel to the moving direction of the support base at a predetermined interval in the moving direction. Can be provided. In this case, the lower ends of the first and second links are rotatably connected to the support base, and the upper ends of the first and second links are rotatably connected to the head cap. The first and second links are connected to each other and are in a state of falling toward the second position when the slider is in the first position, and the slider is in the second position. It is said that it stands upright almost vertically.

Since the links forming the parallel link mechanism having four sections can be arranged on the side surfaces of the support base and the head cap, they can be arranged without increasing the thickness of the maintenance unit. Therefore, it is advantageous when configuring a thin maintenance unit.

Here, in order to stably hold the head cap in its raised position (capping position), when the support base slides relative to the head cap toward the second position, It is desirable to have a holding mechanism that lifts the head cap to its raised position and holds it in that position.

The holding mechanism may include a guide surface formed on the support base and a protrusion formed on the head cap slidable along the guide surface. In this case, the guide surface is
It may be a curved surface that descends along the direction from the first position to the second position.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a maintenance unit for an ink jet head to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Overall Structure] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a main part of an ink jet printer in which a maintenance unit of the ink jet head of this embodiment is incorporated.

Referring to FIG. 1, the ink jet printer 1 of the present example is of a serial type, and an ink jet head 4 mounted on a carriage 3 which reciprocates along a guide shaft 2 extending in the print width direction A. Is equipped with. The ink nozzle surface 5 of the inkjet head 4 faces downward in the illustrated example, and is provided with four ink nozzle rows 6 extending at equal intervals along the print width direction A in a direction B orthogonal to the direction A. . Each ink nozzle row 6 is Y
It is for ejecting each of (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and B (black) inks.

A maintenance unit 10 is arranged at a position outside the print width area of the ink jet head 4. The maintenance unit 10 is provided with a shallow box-shaped unit case 11 as a whole.
1 is equipped with a head cap 12 for capping the ink nozzle surface 5 of the inkjet head 4, and a support base 13 on which the head cap 12 is mounted. The head cap 12 includes four cap main bodies 14, which are arranged at equal intervals in the print width direction A and extend in parallel to a direction B orthogonal to the print width direction A.

The support base 13 is adapted to reciprocate along a direction B orthogonal to the print width direction A by a slide mechanism shown in FIG. Also, this support 12
The four wiper blades 14 are attached to the tip of the slide direction B in the state of standing vertically, and each wiper blade 15 is located at the tip of each cap body 14.

A waste ink pump 16 and a waste ink tank 17 are mounted on the unit case 11, and the waste ink sucked by the waste ink pump 16 via the ink tube 18 is ejected from the waste ink pump 16 into the ink. It can be collected in the waste ink tank 17 via the tube 19. The waste ink pump 16 is driven by a drive motor 20 mounted on the unit case 11. The drive motor 20 is also used as a drive source of a slide mechanism described later.

Before explaining the structure of each part, the support 13
The movement of the head cap 12 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the support base 13 is moved to a first position 13 (1) (standby position) on the right side and a second position 1 on the left side by a slide mechanism described later.
Slide between 3 (2). The head cap 12 mounted on the support base 13 has the first position 12 on the right side.
Although it slides together with the support base 13 from (1), the support base 1
When 3 reaches the vicinity of the second position 13 (2), the side end surface of the stop piece 21 contacts the stop piece 21 arranged in the unit case 11. After that, only the support base 13 slides, and in conjunction with the slide, the head cap 12 ascends from that position to cap the nozzle surface 5 of the inkjet head 4 waiting just above the position. Reach capping position 12 (2).

When the support base 13 begins to return from the second position 13 (2) to the first position 13 (1), the head cap 12 moves in its capping position 1 in association with the slide.
After descending from 2 (2), it returns to the first position 12 (1) together with the support 13.

The support base 13 has four wiper blades 1
5 is attached, the nozzle surface 5 of the inkjet head 4 waiting immediately above the maintenance unit 10 is wiped when the support base 13 slides. Further, the nozzle surface 5 is formed by the head cap 12.
In the capped state, ink nozzle recovery processing such as ink suction operation from the ink nozzle and ink discharge operation from the ink nozzle is performed.

[Maintenance Unit] FIGS. 2A and 2B are a plan view and a side view of the maintenance unit 10 of this embodiment, showing a state in which the support base and the head cap are at their first positions. Further, FIG. 3 is also a plan configuration diagram and a side configuration diagram of the maintenance unit 10 of this example, showing a state in which the support base and the head cap are in their second positions.

The slide mechanism of the head cap 12 incorporated in the maintenance unit 10 of this embodiment and the elevating mechanism for elevating the head cap 12 will be described with reference to these drawings.

(Sliding Mechanism) First, the sliding mechanism 30 of this embodiment has a plate-shaped slider 31 arranged on the bottom surface of the unit case 11, and the plate-shaped slider 31 has the support 1
3 is mounted, and is attached so as to be slidable in the B direction along rails 32 and 33 formed on the bottom surface of the unit case 11. The slider 31 includes first and second racks 34 and 35 extending in the sliding direction (B direction) at regular intervals, and a connecting portion 31 that connects them.
a, and each rack 34, 35 has rails 32, 3
It is possible to slide along the direction 3 in the sliding direction B. Tooth portions 36 and 37 are formed on opposite side surfaces of the racks 34 and 35, respectively.

Further, the slide mechanism 30 includes a planetary gear mechanism 40 arranged on the bottom surface of the unit case between the pair of racks 34 and 35. Planetary gear mechanism 40
Is provided with a sun gear 41, a planetary gear 42 meshing with the sun gear 41, and a carrier 43 that supports the planetary gear 42 in a rotatable and revolvable state.
The planetary gear 42 can mesh with the tooth portions 36 and 37 of the first and second racks 34 and 35.

A large-diameter gear 44 for power transmission is integrally formed with the sun gear 41 in a coaxial state.
Is connected to a planetary gear mechanism 46 for switching the power transmission path via an idle gear 45. The planetary gear mechanism 46 is connected to a drive gear 47 attached to the output shaft of the drive motor 20, and the rotational force of the drive motor 20 is transmitted to the sun gear 41 via the planetary gear mechanism 46 and the idle gear 45. It is possible.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the support base 13 and the head cap 12 are in the first position, that is, the slider 31 on which they are mounted is in the first position 31 (1). In the above, when the sun gear 41 is rotated in the first direction indicated by the arrow C, the planetary gear 42 meshed with the sun gear 41 also revolves integrally. When the planetary gear reaches the first revolution position 42 (1) shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, a state in which the planetary gear 42 meshes with the first end 36a of the tooth portion 36 of the first rack 34 is formed. .

After the meshed state is formed, the planetary gear 42 rotates while meshing with both the sun gear 41 and the first rack 34, so that the rotation of the planetary gear 42 causes the first rack 34 to rotate. Is extruded in the direction of arrow B1. As a result, the slider 31 slidably attached to the bottom surface of the unit case 11 moves toward the arrow B.
Slide in the direction of 1.

The teeth 36 of the first rack 34 are
3 has a length sufficient to slide the slider 31 from the end 36a to the second position shown in FIG. 3, and the rack portion closer to the tip than the second end 36b is a narrow portion 36c having no teeth. Has been done. Therefore, when the slider 31 slides from the first position to the second position, the planetary gear 42
Comes out of the first rack 34, and the slider 31 stops sliding. When the planetary gear 42 is released from the mesh with the first rack 34, the planetary gear 42 revolves in the first direction together with the sun gear 41 thereafter.

Next, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 3, when the planetary gear reaches the second revolution position, the toothed portion 37 of the second rack 35 of the slider 31 in which the planetary gear 42 is in the second position. Meshes with the second end 37a of the. Thereafter, the rotation of the planetary gear 42 causes the slider 31 to slide from the second position to the first position as indicated by the arrow B2.

The second rack 35 has a shape which is point-symmetrical to the first rack 34, and has a length sufficient to slide the slider 31 from the second end 37a to the first position shown in FIG. The rack portion on the front end side of the first end 37b is a narrow portion 37c having no teeth. Therefore, when the slider 31 slides from the second position to the first position, the planetary gear 42 moves to the second rack 35.
And the slider 31 stops sliding. Further, when the planetary gear 42 is released from the mesh with the second rack 35, the planetary gear 42 revolves in the first direction together with the sun gear 41 thereafter.

As described above, when the sun gear 41 is rotated in the first direction, the planetary gear 42 repeats the revolution and the rotation, and the slider 31 can be slid between the first and second positions.

(Stopper Mechanism) Here, in the slide mechanism 30 of this example, the slider 31 is further moved from the first position to the second position.
The first stopper mechanism 51 for holding the planetary gear 42 at the first revolution position 42 (1) so as not to revolve toward the second revolution position 42 (2) until reaching the position. It is provided (see FIG. 2A). Further, while the slider 31 reaches the first position from the second position, the planetary gear 42 is not revolved toward the first revolution position 42 (1). ) Is provided (see FIG. 2A). These first and second stopper mechanisms 51, 52
Have the same structure and are arranged at point symmetry positions on the bottom surface of the unit case 11.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the structure of the first stopper mechanism 51. Describing with reference to this figure, the stopper mechanism 51 constantly moves the stopper piece 53 that can be moved up and down to a position retracted downward from the surface of the bottom plate 11a of the unit case 11 and a position protruding from the surface. The spring member 54 is pushed downward, and the protrusion 55 is formed on the other end of the stopper piece 53. The stopper piece 53 and the protrusion 55 swing around the pivot center 56 in the up-and-down direction so that when one projects on the surface of the bottom plate 11a, the other is hidden below the surface.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the stopper piece 53
When is projected, it hits the side surface of the carrier 43 of the planetary gear mechanism 40. As a result, the planetary gear 42, which is rotatably supported by the carrier 43, does not further revolve toward the second revolution position side. As a result, the planetary gear 42 and the first rack 34 can be engaged with each other with an appropriate tooth surface pressure.

Here, the first rack 34 of the slider 31 is
The back surface of is a pressing surface 34a that presses the protrusion 55 downward against the spring force. However, since the tip of the first rack 34 is the narrow portion 36c,
When the slider 31 reaches the second position, the pressing surface 34a
Comes off the protrusion 55. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, the stopper piece 53 located on the opposite side is pulled to the lower retracted position by the spring force and disengaged from the carrier 43. As a result, the planetary gear 42 can revolve toward the second revolution position.

Since the second stopper mechanism 52 also has the same structure as the first stopper mechanism 51, its explanation is omitted.

(Head Cap Lifting Mechanism) Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, in the maintenance unit 10 of this example, the head cap 12 is mounted on the support base 13 via the lifting mechanism 60. . Lifting mechanism 6 of this example
No. 0 is a 4-link parallel link mechanism 61 that supports the head cap 12 so that the head cap 12 can move up and down with respect to the support base 13, and a head cap at a position where the slider 31 slides from the first position to the second position. 12 and a stop piece 62 for preventing only the head cap 12 from sliding.

The parallel link mechanism 61 of Section 4 is used for the support base 13
On each side surface (both sides in the print width direction) of the first and second links 6 arranged in parallel in the moving direction B in the vertical plane parallel to the moving direction B at regular intervals.
3 and 64, and a coil spring 69 that constantly pulls the head cap 12 toward the second position. The lower ends of the first and second links 63, 64 are rotatably connected to the support base 13 by connecting pins 65, 66. In contrast, the first and second
Slots 63a and 64a that are long in the link longitudinal direction are formed at the upper ends of the links 63 and 64, and the links 63 and 64 are rotatable on the side surface of the head cap 12 via connecting pins 67 and 68 slidably inserted therein. It is connected in the state.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the first and second links 63, 64 are pulled by the coil spring 69 when the slider 31 is in the first position, and fall toward the second position. It is in a broken state. When the slider 31 reaches the second position, the head cap 13 comes into contact with the stop piece 62 of the unit case 11 at the position of the hand, and the slider does not slide any further. In this state, only the lower support base 13 slides to the second position. Therefore, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the head cap 12 is vertically lifted by the four-link parallel link mechanism 61 connecting the head cap 12 to the capping position, and the links 63, 64 of the four-node parallel link mechanism 61 are reached. Stands up almost vertically.

(Head Cap Holding Mechanism) Here, in this example, the head cap 12 lifted to the capping position is held in that position in a stable state.
A holding mechanism 70 for holding the head cap 12 in the capping position is provided.

The holding mechanism 70 includes guide surfaces 71 and 72 formed on the support base 13 and these guide surfaces 71 and 7.
2 and projections 73 and 74 formed on the head cap 12 which are slidable along the line 2. Guide surfaces 71, 7
Reference numerals 2 are curved surfaces that are formed on the front and rear sides of the support base 13 in the sliding direction, and are respectively lowered along the direction from the first position to the second position. The projections 73 and 74 are also formed on the front and rear sides in the sliding direction, and each guide surface 7
It is provided with a convex curved surface that can smoothly slide along 1, 72.

When the slider 31 slides from the first position to the second position and the head cap 12 mounted thereon hits the stop piece 62 of the unit case 11, the slider 31 is supported by the slider 31 as described above. Only platform 13 is second
And the head cap 12 remains stopped. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2B, the protrusions 73 and 74 of the head cap 12 slide along the guide surfaces 71 and 72 of the support base 13 and ascend along the guide surfaces to guide each guide. The highest position of the surfaces 71, 72 is reached. This position is set so that the connecting pin is just pressed against the upper end of the elongated hole of each link. As a result, the head cap 12 that has reached the capping position can be held in that position in a stable state without rattling.

(Power Transmission Path Switching Mechanism) Incidentally, the planetary gear mechanism 46 for transmitting the rotational force from the drive motor 20 to the sun gear 41 is a large-diameter gear 81 meshed with the drive gear attached to the motor output shaft. A sun gear 82 integrally formed in a coaxial state, a planetary gear 83 meshing with the sun gear 82, and a carrier 84 rotatably and rotatably supporting the planetary gear 83 are provided. When the drive motor 20 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 20a, the planetary gear 83 revolves to the idle gear side and meshes there, and the rotational force is transmitted to the slide mechanism 30 side.

On the contrary, when the drive motor 20 is rotated in the opposite direction, the planetary gear 83 revolves to the side of the cam gear 86 for rotating the cylindrical cam 85 for driving the waste ink pump, and the cam gear 86 concerned. Mesh with. As a result, the motor rotational force is transmitted to the waste ink pump 16 via the cam gear 86, and the waste ink pump 16 is driven. The waste ink pump 16 is a diaphragm pump in this example, and the cylindrical cam 85 converts the motor rotation motion into a diaphragm pumping motion.

[0050]

As described above, the maintenance unit of the ink jet head of the present invention is a slide for sliding the head cap in the direction intersecting the moving direction of the ink jet head by the pair of racks and the planetary gear mechanism. It has a mechanism. Therefore, a mechanism for sliding the head cap to the capping position and a mechanism for moving the wiper blade for wiping the nozzle surface of the inkjet head are
Can be compactly placed in a flat space. Therefore, a thin maintenance unit can be realized, which is advantageous for downsizing and compacting of the inkjet printer.

Further, in the present invention, since the stopper mechanism for engaging the first and second racks with the planetary gears in an appropriate state is provided, the sliding movement of the head cap by the sliding mechanism is smoothed. Can be done.

Next, in the present invention, a parallel link mechanism of four sections is used as an elevating mechanism for raising and lowering again the head cap, which has slid to the position facing the nozzle surface of the ink jet head, to the capping position and again. Therefore, the elevating mechanism can be housed substantially within the thickness dimension of the head cap. Therefore, a thin maintenance unit can be realized, which is advantageous for thinning the inkjet printer.

Further, in the present invention, since the holding mechanism is provided for holding the head cap raised to the capping position at the capping position without rattling, the head cap is capped on the nozzle surface of the ink jet head. Can be securely held.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of an inkjet printer to which the present invention is applied.

2A and 2B are a plan configuration diagram and a side configuration diagram showing the maintenance unit of FIG.

3A and 3B are a plan configuration diagram and a side configuration diagram showing the maintenance unit of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a stopper mechanism of the maintenance unit of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 inkjet printer 4 inkjet head 5 Ink nozzle surface 10 Maintenance unit 11 unit case 12 head cap 13 Support A print width direction B Head cap movement direction 14 Wiper blade 30 slide mechanism 31 slider 34, 35 racks 36, 37 teeth 40 Planetary gear mechanism 41 sun gear 42 planetary gears 43 career 51, 52 Stopper mechanism 53 Stopper piece 54 Spring member 55 Protrusion 56 Center of rotation 60 lifting mechanism 61 4 parallel link mechanism 63, 64 links 70 holding mechanism 71, 72 Guide surface 73, 74 protrusion

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] October 5, 2001 (2001.10.
5)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 1]

[Figure 4]

[Fig. 2]

[Figure 3]

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A head cap for capping an ink nozzle surface of an inkjet head, a support table on which the head cap is mounted, and the support table intersecting the moving direction of the inkjet head at a predetermined angle. In a maintenance unit of an inkjet head having a slide mechanism that reciprocates in a predetermined direction, the slide mechanism includes first and second slide mechanisms that are arranged parallel to each other in a moving direction of the support table with their tooth portions facing each other. A slider equipped with a rack, a sun gear, a planetary gear that meshes with the sun gear, and a carrier that supports the planetary gear in a rotatable and revolvable state. A planetary gear mechanism capable of meshing with the second rack; The head has a unit case supported in a state capable of reciprocating in a direction intersecting with the moving direction of the head, and a rotary drive mechanism for rotating the sun gear. 1 position, the sun gear rotates in the first direction and the planetary gear moves to the first direction.
When the planetary gear reaches the revolving position, the planetary gear is engaged with the first end of the tooth portion of the first rack, and when the slider slides from the first position to the second position, When the planetary gear moves away from the second end of the tooth portion of the first rack and revolves in the first direction together with the sun gear, and when the planetary gear reaches the second revolution position, the planetary gear moves to the second position. Is engaged with the second end of the tooth forming portion of the second rack of the slider at the position, and when the slider slides from the second position to the first position, the planetary gear is moved to the second rack. The first end of the tooth portion is separated from the first end of the tooth portion together with the sun gear
An inkjet head maintenance unit that revolves toward the orbital position. 2. The slide mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising: when the slider moves from the first position to the second position, the planetary gear is directed toward the second revolution position. A first stopper mechanism for holding the planetary gear in the first revolving position so as not to move, and the planetary gear set to the first stopper mechanism until the slider reaches the first position from the second position. And a second stopper mechanism for holding it in the second revolution position so as not to move toward the revolution position. 3. The stopper member according to claim 2, wherein the first stopper mechanism is movable to a projecting position capable of abutting on the carrier and a retracted position retracted from the projecting position; An elastic member that constantly pushes the stopper piece toward the projection position, and a pressing surface that presses the stopper piece formed on the slider to the projecting position. When the slider reaches the second position, the pressing surface causes the stopper surface to move. Inkjet head maintenance unit that is detached from 4. The stopper piece according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the second stopper mechanism is movable to a protruding position capable of abutting on the carrier and a retracted position retracted from the protruding position, and the stopper piece. An elastic member that is constantly pushed toward the retracted position and a pressing surface that presses the stopper piece formed on the slider to the protruding position are provided, and when the slider reaches the first position, the pressing surface is A maintenance unit for an inkjet head, which is detachable from the stopper. 5. The maintenance of an inkjet head according to claim 1, wherein a wiper blade for wiping the ink nozzle surface is attached to the support base. unit. 6. The elevator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an elevating mechanism for elevating the head cap, wherein the elevating mechanism is capable of elevating the head cap with respect to the support base. A parallel link mechanism of four sections supported by the stopper, and a stop portion that hits the head cap at a position where the slider slides from the first position to the second position and prevents only the head cap from sliding. A maintenance unit for an inkjet head, characterized in that 7. The first and second parallel link mechanisms according to claim 6, wherein the parallel link mechanism of the four joints is arranged in parallel in a vertical plane parallel to the moving direction of the support base at a predetermined interval in the moving direction. A second link is provided, the lower ends of the first and second links are rotatably connected to the support base, and the upper ends of the first and second links rotate with respect to the head cap. The first and second links are in a state of being tilted toward the second position when the slider is in the first position, and the slider is connected to the first and second links. A maintenance unit for an inkjet head, which stands up almost vertically when it reaches position 2. 8. The holding device according to claim 7, wherein when the support base slides relatively to the head cap toward the second position, the head cap is lifted to its raised position and held at the position. A maintenance unit for an inkjet head, which is equipped with a mechanism. 9. The holding mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the holding mechanism includes a guide surface formed on the support base,
And a projection formed on the head cap that is slidable along the guide surface, wherein the guide surface descends along a direction from the first position to the second position. A maintenance unit for an inkjet head.