JP2004268352A - Wiping member, liquid injection device, and inkjet type recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wiping member capable of wiping a nozzle formation face correspondingly to a gap between a face where a medium to be injected is placed, and the nozzle formation face of a liquid injection head, and to provide a liquid injection device having the wiping member, and an inkjet type recording apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The wiping member 21 is used in the liquid injection device which includes the liquid injection head 9 for injecting a liquid to the medium to be injected P, the face jetted medium mounting 18 set opposite to the liquid injection head 9 to load the medium thereon, a gap adjusting means for stepwise adjusting the gap between the face jetted medium mounting 18 and the nozzle formation face 19 of the liquid injection head 9, the wiping member 21 which slides on the nozzle formation face 19 of the liquid injection head 9 by moving relatively to the liquid injection head 9. The wiping member 21 has a plurality of abutting parts (31, 32, 33 and 34) which are set corresponding to the stepwise gap between the face 18 and the nozzle formation face 19, and abutt against the nozzle formation face 19. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a wiping member, a liquid ejecting apparatus, and an ink jet recording apparatus.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus such as an ink jet recording apparatus which ejects (discharges) a liquid such as ink from its head and attaches (executes recording) the liquid to an ejected medium (recording medium). The present invention relates to a wiping member provided for wiping a nozzle forming surface of a head, a liquid ejecting apparatus provided with the wiping member, and an ink jet recording apparatus which is an example of the liquid ejecting apparatus.
[0002]
Note that the liquid ejecting apparatus is not limited to a recording apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile that uses an ink jet recording head and discharges ink from the recording head to perform recording on a recording medium. The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a device for ejecting a liquid corresponding to the application from a liquid ejecting head corresponding to the recording head to a medium to be ejected corresponding to a recording medium, and attaching the liquid to the medium to be ejected.
[0003]
As a liquid ejecting head, in addition to the recording head, a color material ejecting head used for manufacturing a color filter such as a liquid crystal display, and an electrode material (conductive paste) used for forming an electrode such as an organic EL display and a surface emitting display (FED) are ejected. A head, a biological organic substance ejection head used for manufacturing a biochip, a sample ejection head as a precision pipette, and the like can be given.
[0004]
[Prior art]
One type of liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a nozzle opening is an ink jet recording apparatus. This ink jet recording apparatus is mounted on a carriage that reciprocates in a main scanning direction (width direction of a recording medium) and ejects (discharges) ink toward the recording medium, and sub-scans the recording medium. A recording medium transport unit that precisely feeds the recording medium by a predetermined amount in the direction is provided, and recording (printing) is performed by moving the recording head in the main scanning direction while feeding the recording medium in the sub-scanning direction.
[0005]
The recording head according to the ink jet recording apparatus having such a configuration has a pressure generating chamber and a nozzle opening connected to the pressure generating chamber, and the ink pressurized to a predetermined pressure in the pressure generating chamber from the nozzle opening to the recording medium. It is designed to inject. For this reason, the ink ejection characteristics at the nozzle openings of the recording head greatly affect the recording accuracy. Therefore, it is necessary that the ink ejection characteristics are always kept constant.
[0006]
The ink ejection characteristics fluctuate due to the increase or solidification of the ink viscosity due to the evaporation of the ink solvent at the nozzle openings, clogging due to the increase, the adhesion of dust, the intrusion of air bubbles into the ink flow path, and the like. Can cause problems.
[0007]
Therefore, the ink jet recording apparatus is provided with a capping unit, a negative pressure generating unit, and a wiping unit as a characteristic maintaining unit for maintaining the ink ejection characteristics constant (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0008]
The capping means seals the nozzle forming surface with a capping member when the ink jet recording apparatus is not used to isolate the nozzle forming surface from the outside, thereby avoiding drying of the ink and adhesion of dust at the nozzle openings.
[0009]
Further, when a nozzle is clogged, bubbles enter the ink flow path, or the like, a negative pressure generating means is provided for removing these. The negative pressure generating means is configured to apply a negative pressure to the nozzle in a state where the nozzle forming surface is sealed by the capping member. To eliminate. The negative pressure generating means can be normally executed by a predetermined operation when the use of the ink jet recording apparatus is not used for a long period of time and the use is restarted, or when the user recognizes that the recording accuracy has deteriorated. .
[0010]
As described above, when the ink is forcibly suctioned and discharged to eliminate clogging and bubble intrusion, the discharged ink may scatter and adhere to the nozzle forming surface. Due to this adhesion, the meniscus of the ink may be disturbed, or foreign matter such as dust may be adsorbed. In such a case, a wiping means is provided which slides on the nozzle forming surface to wipe it off. The wiping means has a wiping member made of an elastic material such as an elastomer, and a base end of the wiping member is fixed by a holder. The distal end (free end) of the wiping member is relatively moved while being in contact with the nozzle forming surface, so that foreign matter such as ink adhered to the nozzle forming surface is removed and cleaning is performed. By driving the wiping means (so-called wiping operation), not only foreign substances such as ink adhered to the nozzle forming surface are removed, but also the meniscus is uniformly adjusted, and stable printing can be performed. ing.
[0011]
With respect to problems such as leakage of wiping by the wiping member and deterioration of wiping ability, a plurality of wiping portions (convex portions) are provided so that all wiping portions are in contact with the nozzle forming surface during the wiping operation. It has been reported that the problem can be solved (for example, see Patent Document 2).
[0012]
By the way, in recent ink jet recording apparatuses, for example, in order to correspond to various recording media such as special paper (photo paper or the like), plain paper, cardboard, postcard, board paper, CD (CD-R or the like), There is a configuration including a gap adjusting unit that adjusts a gap (a so-called platen gap) between a nozzle forming surface of a recording head and a platen as a recording medium mounting surface (for example, see Patent Document 3).
[0013]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-334090
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-10-86393
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-2002-356036
[0014]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the ink jet recording apparatus provided with such a gap adjusting means, the distance (interval) between the wiping member and the nozzle forming surface of the recording head changes due to the adjustment of the gap. The force of pressing the surface has changed. For this reason, when the platen gap is large, the pressing force of the wiping member is reduced, so that the nozzle forming surface cannot be sufficiently wiped, so that wiping remains and foreign matters may remain. On the other hand, when the platen gap is small, the pressing force of the wiping member becomes unnecessarily large, and the nozzle forming surface is defective (for example, the plating layer is peeled off the nozzle forming surface, the water repellent treatment effect is reduced). Was caused.
[0015]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object thereof is to provide a wiping member capable of wiping a nozzle forming surface corresponding to a gap between a medium receiving surface and a nozzle forming surface of a liquid ejecting head. A liquid ejecting apparatus including the wiping member, and an ink jet recording apparatus which is an example of the liquid ejecting apparatus.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, an invention of a wiping member according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects a liquid from a nozzle opening toward a medium to be ejected, and an ejected liquid that is opposed to the liquid ejecting head. A medium mounting surface, a gap adjusting means for adjusting a gap between the jetted medium mounting surface and the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head in a stepwise manner, and relative movement with respect to the liquid ejecting head; A wiping member that slides on a nozzle forming surface of a liquid ejecting head, the wiping member being used in a liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein the wiping member is in a stage between the ejection target medium mounting surface and the nozzle forming surface. And a plurality of contact portions that are provided corresponding to the typical gaps and contact the nozzle forming surface.
[0017]
According to this feature, since the wiping member is provided corresponding to the stepwise gap between the ejection target medium mounting surface and the nozzle forming surface, and has a plurality of contact portions that contact the nozzle forming surface, Even when the gap (interval) between the medium-receiving surface and the nozzle forming surface is changed by the gap adjusting means, the contact portion of the wiping member corresponding to the gap surely contacts the nozzle forming surface and slides. By doing so, the nozzle forming surface can be reliably wiped. Therefore, the nozzle forming surface can be accurately wiped by the corresponding contact portion at any stage of the gap, and there is no problem such as unwiping.
[0018]
Further, according to the invention of the wiping member according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the plurality of abutting portions may be in contact with the nozzle forming surface as the free end side of the wiping member is closer. It is characterized in that it is configured to have a small area.
[0019]
The wiping member is made of an elastic material, is appropriately deformed in a state of sliding on the nozzle forming surface, and slides on the nozzle forming surface by using its restoring force. Becomes smaller toward the free end (distal end), and becomes larger toward the base end (fixed end). Therefore, if the free end side of the wiping member contacts the nozzle forming surface, the pressing force is too small, wiping is not performed sufficiently, and unwiping may occur. On the other hand, if the contact is made on the base end side, the pressing force is too large, and there is a possibility of causing troubles (for example, peeling of the plating layer on the nozzle forming surface, reduction of the water repellent effect, etc.).
[0020]
However, in the present invention, the plurality of abutting portions are configured such that the contact area with the nozzle forming surface becomes smaller as the one on the free end side of the wiping member becomes smaller. Even if the contact portion contacts the nozzle forming surface, it can be sufficiently wiped. On the other hand, when the gap is small, even if the contact portion on the base end side abuts on the nozzle forming surface, the above problem caused by too large pressing force due to the large contact area with the nozzle forming surface is avoided. Can be.
[0021]
That is, the pressing force on the nozzle forming surface by the contact portion of the wiping member is smaller on the free end side, and is larger on the base end side. The contact area with the nozzle forming surface is configured to be smaller on the free end side and larger on the base end side as in the case of the pressing force. Since the pressure (ie, pressure) is substantially constant, it is possible to uniformly wipe the nozzle forming surface regardless of the gap. Therefore, a difference in the degree of sliding contact of the wiping member due to the gap can be avoided, and the nozzle forming surface can always be wiped under a constant condition.
[0022]
Further, in the invention of the wiping member according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect or the second aspect, one of the plurality of abutting portions abuts on the nozzle forming surface. In the contact state, the other contact portion is configured to be in a non-contact state with the nozzle forming surface.
[0023]
According to this feature, only the abutment portion most suitable for the gap between the ejection target medium mounting surface and the nozzle formation surface of the liquid ejection head can be brought into contact with the nozzle formation surface, and this can be wiped off under optimal conditions. can do.
[0024]
Further, the invention of the wiping member according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the wiping member according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, wherein one of the plurality of contact portions provided on the wiping member is provided. The one or more abutting portions are configured as convex portions.
[0025]
According to this feature, at least one of the plurality of abutting portions provided on the wiping member is configured as a convex portion, so that the abutting portion reliably contacts the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head during the wiping operation. As a result, the nozzle forming surface can be reliably wiped.
[0026]
The invention of a wiping member according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the wiping member according to the fourth aspect, wherein the convex portion is closer to the base end of the wiping member so that the apex position is closer to the liquid jet head. , In the sliding contact direction.
[0027]
According to this feature, when one of the plurality of protrusions forming the contact portion is in the contact state with the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head, the other protrusion is set to the non-contact state. Can be maintained. That is, only the convex portion most suitable for the gap between the surface on which the medium to be ejected is placed and the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head can be brought into contact with the nozzle forming surface.
[0028]
According to a sixth aspect of the invention, a liquid ejecting apparatus includes the wiping member according to any one of the first to fifth aspects.
[0029]
According to this feature, in the liquid ejecting apparatus including the gap adjusting unit that adjusts the gap between the ejection target medium mounting surface and the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head, the wiping of the nozzle forming surface is performed under favorable conditions. The liquid can always be ejected under a constant condition.
[0030]
Further, according to the invention of the liquid ejecting apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect, the liquid ejecting head is provided near the liquid ejecting head along a relative movement direction between the liquid ejecting head and the wiping member. A wiping member introduction part whose surface position gradually changes toward the nozzle forming surface is configured.
[0031]
According to this feature, in the vicinity of the liquid ejecting head, the wiping member introduction portion is configured such that the surface position gradually changes toward the nozzle forming surface along the direction of relative movement between the liquid ejecting head and the wiping member. In addition, during the wiping operation, the wiping member is introduced to the nozzle forming surface along the wiping member introducing portion, so that only the contact portion corresponding to the gap at that time can be slidably contacted with the nozzle forming surface. Further, since the wiping member is gradually deformed (curved) along the surface position of the wiping member introduction portion and is introduced into the nozzle forming surface, unnecessary force (for example, when the wiping member (A collision force when colliding with the side wall of the ejection head, a deformation force due to sudden deformation, etc.) does not act.
[0032]
Further, an invention of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the sixth aspect or the seventh aspect is an ink jet recording apparatus.
[0033]
The invention of a wiping member according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is directed to a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid from a nozzle opening toward a medium to be ejected, and a medium to be ejected mounting surface opposed to the liquid ejecting head. A wiping member that slides on a nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head by relatively moving with respect to the liquid ejecting head, wherein the wiping member is A plurality of contact portions are provided corresponding to a gap between the ejection target medium mounting surface and the nozzle forming surface and contact the nozzle forming surface, and one of the plurality of contact portions is in contact with the nozzle forming surface. It is characterized in that only the portion is configured to contact the nozzle forming surface.
[0034]
According to this feature, in various types of liquid ejecting apparatuses in which the gaps between the medium-receiving surface and the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head are different from each other, the gap is formed by sliding the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus. It can be used as a wiping member for moving and wiping it. That is, it can be used as a general-purpose product compatible with various types of liquid ejecting apparatuses.
[0035]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a wiping member of the present invention and an ink jet recording apparatus which is an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus including the wiping member will be described with reference to the drawings.
Here, FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a state in which an outer cover has been removed to show the internal configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main part of the ink jet recording apparatus, showing the periphery of the capping device, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the main part in FIG.
[0036]
The carriage indicated by reference numeral 2 is supported by a carriage guide shaft 3 extending in the main scanning direction, and a part of a timing belt 6 composed of an endless belt connected to a drive motor 5 is attached to the carriage 2. I have. The timing belt 6 is driven to reciprocate in the main scanning direction along the carriage guide shaft 3 by driving. A recording head 9 is mounted on a lower bottom portion of the carriage 2, that is, on a surface facing the recording medium P which is an example of the “medium to be ejected”, and receives ink supplied from an ink cartridge 4 mounted on the carriage 2. The ink droplets can be ejected toward the recording medium P. The recording head 9 has a pressure generation chamber (not shown) and a nozzle opening (not shown) connected to the pressure generation chamber, and ink pressurized to a predetermined pressure in the pressure generation chamber passes from the nozzle opening to the recording medium P. It is configured to be discharged toward. The carriage 2 is configured so that ink cartridges 4 of a plurality of colors, such as black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, can be removably mounted thereon, and color printing can be performed.
[0037]
Reference numeral 18 denotes a platen that is long in the main scanning direction at a position facing the recording head 9 in the printing area, and functions as a recording medium mounting surface that supports the non-recording surface of the recording medium P. And the recording medium P. The recording medium P is precisely fed by a predetermined amount in a sub-scanning direction (a direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 1), which is a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction of the carriage 2, by a recording medium transport unit (not shown). ing.
[0038]
Further, the carriage guide shaft 3 is configured to be able to be separated / approached by being displaced up and down with respect to the platen 18 by a known adjusting mechanism (platen gap adjusting mechanism) as a gap adjusting means. The distance between the platen 18 and the platen 18 can be adjusted. That is, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 can be used as the recording medium P, for example, on various recording media such as special paper (photo paper or the like), plain paper, cardboard, postcard, board paper, CD (CD-R or the like). The height position of the carriage 2 [that is, the distance between the nozzle forming surface 19 of the recording head 9 and the platen 18 (a so-called platen gap, hereinafter sometimes referred to as “PG”)). By displacing the recording medium in a stepwise manner, the distance between the nozzle forming surface 19 and the recording surface of the recording medium is made substantially equal for the various recording media.
[0039]
The ink jet recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured so that the following four positions can be set stepwise.
First position: a position where PG is the maximum, which is set when the recording medium is a CD or the like.
Second position: A position where PG is smaller than the first position, which is set when the recording medium is relatively thick such as thick paper.
Third position: a position where PG is smaller than the second position, which is set when the recording medium is plain paper or the like.
Fourth position: a position where the PG is the minimum, which is set when the recording medium is dedicated paper such as photo paper.
[0040]
The specific PG value at each position can be set as appropriate according to other components such as the characteristics of the recording head 9 and the ink. In the present embodiment, the first position is 5 mm, and the second position is 2.35 mm. , 1.45 mm at the third position and 1.2 mm at the fourth position.
[0041]
A capping device 10 that seals the nozzle forming surface 19 of the recording head 9 is disposed as a means for maintaining ink ejection characteristics at a home position position of the carriage 2 which is a non-printing area (right corner of the apparatus in FIG. 1). . The capping device 10 includes a cap member 11 that seals the nozzle forming surface 19 of the recording head 9. The size of the cap member 11 is substantially equal to the size of the nozzle forming surface 19 of the recording head 9.
[0042]
A suction pump 12 is provided near the capping device 10 as negative pressure generating means for applying a negative pressure with the nozzle member surface 19 of the recording head 9 sealed with the cap member 11.
[0043]
When the drive motor 5 drives the carriage 2 to move to the non-printing area on the home position side, the engaging portion 82 of the carriage 2 engages with the projection 87 of the slide member 80. With this engagement, the slide member 80 rises via the arm 81 against the tension spring 89. Then, the guide 84 of the slide member 80 moves from a low position of the guide groove 85 to a high position via the inclined portion. With this operation, the cap member 11 is moved upward toward the recording head 9, and the cap member 11 can seal the nozzle forming surface 8 of the recording head 9.
[0044]
On the other hand, when the carriage 2 moves to the printing area side by the drive of the drive motor 5, the engaging portion 82 of the carriage 2 separates from the protrusion 87 of the slide member 80. Thus, the slide member 80 is lowered via the arm 81 by the action of the tension spring 89. As a result, the guide 84 of the slide member 80 moves from the high place to the low place via the inclined portion, and the sealing of the recording head 9 by the cap member 11 is released.
[0045]
In a state where the cap member 11 seals the nozzle forming surface 19 as shown in FIG. Of air bubbles can be eliminated. That is, in a state where the cap member 11 seals the nozzle forming surface 19 of the recording head 9, a negative pressure is applied by the suction pump 12 through the suction port 13 to forcibly suck and discharge the ink. Cleaning is performed.
[0046]
By sealing the nozzle forming surface 19 of the recording head 9 with the capping device 10 in this way, it is possible to prevent drying of the nozzles and adhesion of dust when the ink jet recording device 1 is not in use, and also to suction as described above. By applying a negative pressure from the pump 12 to the nozzles, forcible suction and discharge processing of ink can be performed.
[0047]
On the printing area side near the capping device 10, a wiping device 20 for wiping the nozzle forming surface 19 of the recording head 9 as the carriage 2 moves is arranged.
[0048]
The wiping device 20 includes a wiping member 21 that slides on the nozzle forming surface 19 of the recording head 9 and a holder 29 that fixes one end of the wiping member 21. The width (W in FIG. 4) of the wiping member 21 is configured to be equal to or larger than the width of the recording head 9. With such a configuration, the recording head 9 comes into contact with the entire surface of the nozzle forming surface 19 and can slide uniformly.
[0049]
The holder 29 to which the wiping member 21 is fixed holds a horizontal state in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction in which the carriage 2 reciprocates (the vertical direction in FIG. 2; the so-called sub-scanning direction) (that is, the height position). Wiping movement mechanism (not shown) for moving the wiping member 21 to a predetermined position in the movement path of the recording head 9 when the wiping operation is performed, and the wiping operation ends. It is configured to be able to be evacuated when it is done. The reciprocating operation of the wiping device 20 is performed by a known wiping moving mechanism, and a driving source such as a conveyance motor (not shown) for the recording medium or a suction pump 12 can be used as a power source thereof. Then, the wiping member 21 advances into the movement path of the recording head 9, and in this state, the carriage 2 moves in the main scanning direction to wipe the nozzle forming surface 19 of the recording head 9.
[0050]
Next, the wiping member, which is a characteristic part of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0051]
Here, FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the wiping member according to one embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the wiping member. The wiping member 21 is made of an elastic material such as an elastomer, and is formed in a plate shape as a whole as shown in the figure. The base 22 having one end fixed by the holder 29 and the four protrusions (31, 32, 33, 34) formed on the base 22 and functioning as contact portions corresponding to the above-described four PG positions. It has. Then, the recording head 9 is deformed appropriately and comes into sliding contact with the nozzle forming surface 19 of the recording head 9.
[0052]
That is, the first convex portion indicated by the reference numeral 31 is provided on the most free end portion (tip portion) 23 side of the base portion 22, and comes into sliding contact with the nozzle forming surface 19 when the recording head 9 is located at the first position. This is the contact part. The second convex portion indicated by reference numeral 32 is provided closer to the base end portion 24 than the first convex portion 31, and is a contact portion that slides on the nozzle forming surface 19 when the recording head 9 is located at the second position. It is. The third convex portion indicated by reference numeral 33 is provided closer to the base end portion 24 than the second convex portion 32. When the recording head 9 is located at the third position, the third convex portion contacts the nozzle forming surface 19. It is. The fourth convex portion indicated by reference numeral 34 is provided on the most proximal end portion (fixed end portion) 24 of the base portion 22, and is provided on the nozzle forming surface 19 when the recording head 9 is located at the fourth position. This is the contact portion that contacts.
[0053]
In this embodiment, the respective convex portions (31, 32, 33, 34) are disposed so as to correspond to the above-described four PG positions. Therefore, the interval between the respective convex portions is approximately 1.7 mm between the first convex portion 31 and the second convex portion 32, approximately 0.9 mm between the second convex portion 32 and the third convex portion 33, The distance between the third convex portion 33 and the fourth convex portion 34 is about 0.2 mm.
[0054]
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the shape of the convex portion which is in sliding contact with the nozzle forming surface 19 of the recording head 9 is changed so that the one at the free end 23 is sharpened (sharpened) and the one at the base end 24 is formed. It is preferable to configure so as to round more (eliminate corners).
[0055]
With such a configuration, in the wiping member 21 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. Are smaller, and larger at the base end 24 side.
[0056]
That is, the pressing force on the nozzle forming surface 19 by the protrusions (31, 32, 33, 34) of the wiping member 21 is smaller toward the free end portion 23 due to the elastic action of the elastic material constituting the wiping member 21. , On the base end 24 side. Then, the contact area with the nozzle forming surface 19 is configured to be smaller on the free end portion 23 side and larger on the base end portion 24 side like the pressing force, so that any of the convex portions (31, 32, 33) , 34), the pressing force (pressure) per unit area can be made substantially constant. For this reason, it is possible to uniformly wipe the nozzle forming surface 19 regardless of the PG position of the recording head 9, that is, regardless of the convex portions (31, 32, 33, 34) that are in sliding contact. Therefore, the difference in the wiping degree due to the difference in the sliding contact of the wiping member 21 due to the PG can be avoided, and the nozzle formation surface 19 of the recording head 9 can always be wiped under a constant condition.
[0057]
Next, the wiping operation by the wiping device will be described. Here, FIG. 7 is a schematic side view for explaining the wiping operation. Here, for convenience of explanation, description will be made focusing on a case where the PG shown in FIG. 7A is the first position and a case where the PG shown in FIG. 7B is the fourth position. Therefore, also in the wiping member 21, only the first protrusion 31 corresponding to the first position and the fourth protrusion 34 corresponding to the fourth position are shown, and other protrusions are omitted. The wiping operation is performed by moving the recording head 9 in the direction indicated by the arrow A.
[0058]
FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating the wiping operation when the PG is at the first position. When the recording head 9 moves in the direction of the arrow A toward the wiping member 21, the wiping member 21 is appropriately moved. The first convex portion 31 is deformed (curved) and abuts on the nozzle forming surface 19 of the recording head 9. Then, the nozzle forming surface 19 is pressed by the restoring force of the wiping member 21.
[0059]
As the recording head 9 further moves in the same direction, the first convex portion 31 slides on the nozzle forming surface 19 to wipe the nozzle forming surface 19, and removes foreign matters such as ink and dust attached to the nozzle forming surface 19 for cleaning. When the first convex portion 31 is in contact with the nozzle forming surface 19, the other convex portions (34) do not contact with the nozzle forming surface 19.
[0060]
When the first convex portion 31 provided on the free end portion 23 side of the base portion 22 wipes the nozzle forming surface 19 of the recording head 9 as described above, the restoring force of the wiping member 21 is relatively small. Although the pressing force on the forming surface 19 is reduced, as described above, the first convex portion 31 is formed so as to have a small contact area with the nozzle forming surface 19, that is, sharply formed. The forming surface 19 can be wiped.
[0061]
Next, FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating the wiping operation when the PG is at the fourth position. When the recording head 9 moves in the arrow A direction toward the wiping member 21, the wiping member 21 is moved. Is appropriately deformed (curved), and the fourth convex portion 34 contacts the nozzle forming surface 19 of the recording head 9. Then, the nozzle forming surface 19 is pressed by the restoring force of the wiping member 21.
[0062]
As the recording head 9 further moves in the same direction, the fourth convex portion 34 wipes the nozzle forming surface 19 while sliding on the nozzle forming surface 19, and removes foreign matters such as ink and dust attached to the nozzle forming surface 19 for cleaning. When the fourth convex portion 34 is in contact with the nozzle forming surface 19, the other convex portions (31) are configured not to contact the nozzle forming surface 19.
[0063]
As described above, when the nozzle forming surface 19 of the recording head 9 is wiped by the fourth convex portion 34 provided on the base end portion 24 side of the base portion 22, since the restoring force of the wiping member 21 is relatively large, the nozzle Although the pressing force on the formation surface 19 increases, the fourth protrusion 34 is formed so as to have a large contact area with the nozzle formation surface 19 as described above, that is, the fourth protrusion 34 is formed in a round shape. The surface 19 can be reliably wiped without causing any trouble.
[0064]
That is, the contact area of the projections (31, 32, 33, 34) with respect to the nozzle forming surface 19 is configured to be smaller on the free end 23 side and larger on the base end 24 side. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the state of contact of the convex portion with the nozzle forming surface 19 is more point-contact on the free end portion 23 side, and is more surface contact on the base end portion 24 side. Therefore, even if the convex portions (31, 32, 33, and 34) slidingly contacting the nozzle forming surface 19 are different, the pressing force (pressure) per unit area is substantially constant, so that the nozzle forming of the recording head 9 regardless of the PG. The surface 19 can be wiped uniformly.
[0065]
In order to configure a configuration in which one convex portion is in contact with the nozzle forming surface 19 and the other convex portion is not in contact with the nozzle forming surface 19, for example, the wiping member 21 is deformed (that is, the convex portion is provided). The wiping member 21 can be implemented by providing a groove or the like on the (non-side) side and adjusting the degree of deformation (bending angle or the like) of the wiping member 21.
[0066]
Also, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, it is preferable that the height from the base 22 to the apex position of the protrusion (that is, the position in contact with the nozzle forming surface 19) be higher toward the base end 24. . With this configuration, for example, even when the fourth convex portion 34 is in contact with the nozzle forming surface 19, other convex portions provided on the free end portion 23 side with respect to the fourth convex portion 34 are provided. The contact of the portions (31, 32, 33) with the nozzle forming surface 19 can be avoided. That is, it is possible to prevent unnecessary contact of the convex portion with the nozzle forming surface 19.
[0067]
In the vicinity of the recording head 9, a wiping member introduction unit 40 is formed, the surface position of which gradually changes toward the nozzle forming surface 19 along the moving direction of the recording head 9 (the direction of arrow A). Here, FIG. 9 is a side view for explaining the wiping member introduction unit 40.
[0068]
At the time of the wiping operation, the wiping member introduction portion 40 gradually deforms (curves) the wiping member 21 along the surface thereof, and the projection corresponding to the platen gap at the time of the wiping operation forms the nozzle formation of the recording head 9. It is guided so as to be in sliding contact with the surface 19. Therefore, only the protrusion corresponding to the PG position during the wiping operation can be reliably brought into contact with the nozzle forming surface 19.
[0069]
In addition, since the wiping member 21 is guided to the nozzle forming surface 19 along the wiping member introduction part 40, the wiping member 21 may collide with the side wall of the recording head 9 or the wiping member 21 may be deformed suddenly. Can be avoided.
[0070]
In the present embodiment, the case where the PG position has four stages has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this case. With the wiping member having the corresponding contact portion (convex portion), the same operation and effect as the present invention can be obtained.
[0071]
Further, the wiping member of the present invention is mounted on various types of liquid ejecting apparatuses such as an ink jet recording apparatus, and can be used as a wiping member for wiping a nozzle forming surface of a liquid ejecting head corresponding to a recording head. That is, since the wiping member of the present invention has a plurality of contact portions, the distance between the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head and the surface on which the medium to be ejected is placed (corresponding to the platen gap in this specification) However, as described above, the present invention is not limited to a stepwise displacement in one device, but can be adapted to a case in which a displacement occurs between a plurality of devices (that is, a difference between each device). In other words, even if the interval differs for each device, one of the plurality of abutting portions is brought into contact with the nozzle forming surface in accordance with the interval, thereby sliding the nozzle forming surface. Then you can wipe it out.
[0072]
Therefore, the wiping member of the present invention can be used as a general-purpose product that can be used not only in the ink jet recording apparatus but also in other liquid ejecting apparatuses.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus used for describing the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main part of the ink jet recording apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a front view of a main part of the ink jet recording apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a wiping member.
FIG. 5 is a side view showing the wiping member of the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a side view showing another embodiment of the wiping member.
FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining a wiping operation.
FIG. 8 is a side view showing another embodiment of the wiping member.
FIG. 9 is a drawing for explaining a wiping member introduction unit;
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 1 inkjet recording device, 2 carriage, 3 carriage guide shaft, 4 ink cartridge, 5 drive motor, 6 timing belt, 9 recording head, 10 capping device, 11 cap member, 12 suction pump, 18 platen, 19 nozzle forming surface, Reference Signs List 20 wiping device, 21 wiping member, 22 base, 23 free end (distal end), 24 base end (fixed end), 29 holder, 31 first convex, 32 second convex, 33 third convex , 34 fourth convex portion, 40 wiping member introduction portion, 80 slide member, 81 arm, 82 engaging portion, 84 guide, 85 guide groove, 87 protrusion, 89 tension spring, P recording medium

Claims (9)

A liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid from a nozzle opening toward a medium to be ejected,
An ejection target medium placement surface opposed to the liquid ejection head,
Gap adjusting means for adjusting the gap between the jetted medium mounting surface and the nozzle forming surface of the liquid jet head in a stepwise manner;
A wiping member used for a liquid ejecting apparatus, comprising: a wiping member that slides on a nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head by relatively moving with respect to the liquid ejecting head,
The wiping member is provided so as to correspond to a stepwise gap between the ejection target medium mounting surface and the nozzle forming surface, and has a plurality of contact portions that contact the nozzle forming surface. A wiping member. 2. The wiping member according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of abutting portions are configured such that a contact area with the nozzle forming surface becomes smaller as the contact portion is closer to a free end of the wiping member. 3. In Claim 1 or Claim 2, when one of the plurality of contact portions is in contact with the nozzle forming surface, the other contact portion is not in contact with the nozzle forming surface. A wiping member configured to be in a contact state. 4. The wiping device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of contact portions provided on the wiping member is configured as a convex portion. 5. Element. 5. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the convex portion is configured such that the vertex thereof is located closer to the liquid contacting head with respect to the liquid ejecting head as being closer to the base end of the wiping member. , Wiping member. A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising the wiping member according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. The wiping member introduction part according to claim 6, wherein a surface position gradually changes toward the nozzle forming surface along a relative movement direction between the liquid ejection head and the wiping member in the vicinity of the liquid ejection head. A liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is an ink jet recording apparatus. A liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid from a nozzle opening toward a medium to be ejected,
An ejection target medium placement surface opposed to the liquid ejection head,
A wiping member used for a liquid ejecting apparatus, comprising: a wiping member that slides on a nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head by relatively moving with respect to the liquid ejecting head,
The wiping member is provided so as to correspond to a gap between the ejection target medium mounting surface and the nozzle forming surface, has a plurality of contact portions that contact the nozzle forming surface, and includes a plurality of contact portions. The wiping member is characterized in that only one of the contact portions is configured to contact the nozzle forming surface.

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