JP2005040976A - Wiper of liquid ejection head and liquid ejector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wiper of a liquid ejection head capable of wiping a liquid ejection head surely by coming into line contact therewith in which a stress is not applied when it is not used and aging due to a stress is eliminated, and to provide a liquid ejector. <P>SOLUTION: The wiper 10 for wiping a liquid ejection head 51 when moving relatively thereto comprises a planar wiping member 80 deformable resiliently when the liquid ejection head 51 is not wiped and having a recessed end part 90 for wiping the liquid ejection head 51 which is protruded in the advancing direction of the liquid ejection head 51 when coming into line contact with the liquid ejection head 51 thus wiping the liquid ejection head 51, and a supporting member 81 provided on the back with regard to the advancing direction of the wiping end part 90 and sustaining protrusion thereof when the wiping end part 90 comes into line contact with the liquid ejection head 51 thus wiping the liquid ejection head 51. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting head wiping apparatus and a liquid ejecting apparatus for wiping and cleaning a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid onto a target, an ink jet recording apparatus that performs printing by ejecting ink droplets from a recording head onto a recording medium has been known. Such an ink jet recording apparatus records desired images such as characters and figures by ejecting minute ink droplets from the nozzles of the recording head onto the recording medium.
In this ink jet recording apparatus, since the recording head comes close to the recording medium during the recording operation, ink splashes generated when ink droplets collide with the recording medium bounce off the nozzle surface of the recording head and contaminate the nozzle surface. There are things to do.
[0003]
In particular, in the recording head of an on-demand type ink jet recording apparatus, since the ejection of nozzle droplets is due to weak pressure applied to the ink in the vicinity of the nozzles, the ejection energy of the ink droplets is small, and the interval between the recording medium and several mm In other words, the splash of ink splashes easily adhere to the nozzle surface. However, since the pressure is small, once clogging occurs in the nozzle, the clogging cannot be easily restored.
[0004]
For this reason, in order to prevent or recover from clogging of the nozzles of the recording head, a suction operation is performed to suck the ink from the nozzle openings and discharge the clogged ink during the non-printing operation.
After this suction is performed, ink may remain on the nozzle surface, which may contaminate the nozzle surface. Such contamination of the nozzle surface of the recording head leads to the adhesion of fibers and dust on the recording medium, which may cause clogging of the nozzle during long-term use of the recording head, the ink being unable to be ejected or the ink being ejected. There was an adverse effect such as flying bend of drops.
In order to solve such problems, wiping blades have been proposed to remove all ink on the nozzle surface, foreign matter, ink dyes and dry deposits of fibers, etc., and prevent ink ejection failure. (For example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-216387 (pages 6 to 8, FIGS. 19 to 24)
[0006]
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-8-132630 (5th page, FIG. 3 and FIG. 5)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The shape of such a conventional blade is forcibly mechanically set in advance using a support member so as to always have a convex shape with respect to the direction in which the blade advances during cleaning. In addition, the upper side where the blade contacts the nozzle surface of the head is linear and it is desirable to make line contact. However, if a material with high hardness is not used, the upper side of the blade bends during cleaning, not surface contact but surface contact. End up. If the upper side of the blade is in surface contact in this way, the ink wiping property on the nozzle surface is deteriorated, and the ink on the nozzle surface cannot be sufficiently wiped off.
Further, when the blade is formed of a hard material, the surface followability in which the upper side of the blade follows the surface of the head is deteriorated, and the wiping property is also deteriorated.
[0008]
As described above, the conventional blade is always forcedly deformed and held in an L shape, for example, when the nozzle surface of the head is wiped or when it is not wiped. Since the blade is deformed and held in advance, there is a risk that the elastic deformation capability and deformation of the blade may occur. In order to make the blade easily deformable at all times, it is necessary to make it with a good material with low hardness and flexibility, while when the upper side of the blade tries to ensure line contact with the head surface, The blade needs to be made of a hard material. However, if the blade is made of a hard material, the blade is always deformed as described above, so that it is easily affected by stress.
Accordingly, the present invention solves the above-described problems, and wiping of a liquid ejecting head that does not apply stress when not in use and does not have to worry about deterioration due to stress over time, and can reliably wipe the liquid ejecting head by line contact during wiping. An object is to provide an apparatus and a liquid ejecting apparatus.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, in the wiping device for wiping the liquid ejecting head when moving relative to the liquid ejecting head, an elastically deformable wiping member of a flat plate member is used when the liquid ejecting head is not wiped A concave wiping end for wiping the liquid ejecting head, and when the wiping end is in line contact with the liquid ejecting head to wipe the liquid ejecting head, the wiping end is The wiping member having a convex shape with respect to the traveling direction with respect to the liquid ejecting head, and the wiping end portion in line with the liquid ejecting head to wipe the liquid ejecting head in the traveling direction of the wiping end portion. A wiping device for a liquid ejecting head, comprising: a support member provided on a rear surface for maintaining the convex shape of the wiping end portion.
[0010]
According to the above configuration, the wiping member is a plate-like member that is elastically deformable in a state where the liquid ejecting head is not wiped off. The wiping member has a concave wiping end for wiping the liquid jet head. When the wiping end portion makes line contact with the liquid ejecting head and wipes the liquid ejecting head, the wiping end portion has a convex shape with respect to the traveling direction relative to the liquid ejecting head.
When the wiping end is in line contact with the liquid ejecting head and the liquid ejecting head is wiped, the support member is provided on the back surface with respect to the advancing direction of the wiping end to maintain the convex shape of the wiping end. belongs to.
[0011]
Accordingly, since the wiping member can be maintained in a flat plate shape without wiping the liquid jet head, unlike the conventional case, mechanical stress is not applied, and it is possible to prevent the elastic deformation capacity of the wiping member from being lowered. it can.
When the wiping member is in line contact with the liquid ejecting head and wipes the liquid ejecting head, the wiping member has a convex shape with respect to the advancing direction. Are driven to one end and the other end. That is, it is possible to reliably exclude the liquid to the outside with respect to the relative traveling direction of the wiping member.
As a result, the ink adhering to the wiping member can be brought to one end and the other end of the wiping member, so that the wiping member itself is not easily contaminated, and the surface of the liquid ejecting head is surely wiped off. Can do.
This wiping member can maintain effective wiping properties for a long time. Since the wiping member can be wiped by line contact with the liquid ejecting head, wiping performance comparable to that of a normal flat plate wiping member can be obtained.
[0012]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, the concave wiping end portion of the wiping member is formed in a V shape in the flat plate shape, and the wiping end portion is formed on the liquid ejecting head. When wiping the liquid ejecting head in line contact, the wiping end portion is formed in a V shape on the nozzle surface of the liquid ejecting head.
According to the said structure, the concave wiping end part of the wiping member is formed in the V shape in flat form. When the wiping end is in line contact with the liquid ejecting head to wipe the liquid ejecting head, the wiping end is formed in a V shape on the nozzle surface of the liquid ejecting head.
As described above, the concave wiping end portion has a simple V-shape, but can reliably wipe the liquid jet head while making line contact.
[0013]
According to a third aspect, in the configuration of the first aspect, the concave wiping end portion of the wiping member is formed in an arc shape in the flat plate shape, and the wiping end portion is connected to the liquid ejecting head. When the liquid jet head is wiped by contact, the wiping end portion is formed in an arc shape on the nozzle surface of the liquid jet head.
According to the said structure, the concave wiping end part is formed in circular arc shape by flat form. When the wiping end is in line contact with the liquid ejecting head to wipe the liquid ejecting head, the wiping end is formed in an arc shape on the nozzle surface of the liquid ejecting head.
As a result, the nozzle surface of the liquid ejecting head can be reliably wiped while the wiping end is a simple concave shape.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the wiping end portion of the wiping member wipes the liquid ejecting head so that the accommodating portion that accommodates the liquid of the liquid ejecting head is provided. And a fixed end portion of the wiping member opposite to the wiping end portion is fixed in the housing portion.
According to the above configuration, when the wiping end portion of the wiping member wipes the liquid ejecting head, the accommodating portion accommodates the liquid of the liquid ejecting head. A fixed end opposite to the wiping end of the wiping member is fixed in the accommodating portion.
Accordingly, the liquid generated when the liquid ejecting head is wiped can be reliably stored in the storage portion.
[0015]
According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the liquid ejecting apparatus having a wiping device for wiping the liquid ejecting head when moving relative to the liquid ejecting head, the wiping device is a flat plate in a state where the liquid ejecting head is not wiped. A wiping member that is elastically deformable, and has a concave wiping end for wiping the liquid ejecting head, and the wiping end is in line contact with the liquid ejecting head and the liquid ejecting head When wiping the liquid ejecting head, the wiping end portion is convex with respect to the traveling direction relative to the liquid ejecting head, and the wiping end portion is in line contact with the liquid ejecting head to wipe the liquid ejecting head. A support member provided on the back surface with respect to the traveling direction of the wiping end portion to maintain the convex shape of the wiping end portion. A liquid ejecting apparatus.
[0016]
According to the above configuration, the wiping member is a plate-like member that is elastically deformable in a state where the liquid ejecting head is not wiped off. The wiping member has a concave wiping end for wiping the liquid jet head. When the wiping end is in line contact with the liquid ejecting head to wipe the liquid ejecting head, the wiping end has a convex shape with respect to the traveling direction relative to the liquid ejecting head.
When the wiping end is in line contact with the liquid ejecting head and the liquid ejecting head is wiped, the support member is provided on the back surface with respect to the advancing direction of the wiping end to maintain the convex shape of the wiping end. belongs to.
[0017]
Accordingly, since the wiping member can be maintained in a flat plate shape without wiping the liquid jet head, unlike the conventional case, mechanical stress is not applied, and it is possible to prevent the elastic deformation capacity of the wiping member from being lowered. it can.
When the wiping member is in line contact with the liquid ejecting head and wipes the liquid ejecting head, the wiping member has a convex shape with respect to the advancing direction. Are driven to one end and the other end. That is, it is possible to reliably exclude the liquid to the outside with respect to the relative traveling direction of the wiping member.
As a result, the ink adhering to the wiping member can be brought to one end and the other end of the wiping member, so that the wiping member itself is not easily contaminated, and the surface of the liquid ejecting head is surely wiped off. Can do.
This wiping member can maintain effective wiping properties for a long time. Since the wiping member can be wiped by line contact with the liquid ejecting head, wiping performance comparable to that of a normal flat plate wiping member can be obtained.
[0018]
According to a sixth invention, in the configuration of the fifth invention, the concave wiping end portion of the wiping member is formed in a V shape in the flat plate shape, and the wiping end portion is formed on the liquid ejecting head. When wiping the liquid ejecting head in line contact, the wiping end portion is formed in a V shape on the nozzle surface of the liquid ejecting head.
Thus, the concave wiping end portion is a simple V-shaped shape, but the liquid jet head can be reliably wiped while being in line contact. Since the wiped liquid can be guided to both sides of the wiping end portion, the center of the wiping end portion is not easily contaminated by the liquid.
[0019]
According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the configuration of the fifth aspect of the invention, the concave wiping end portion of the wiping member is formed in an arc shape in the flat plate shape, and the wiping end portion is connected to the liquid ejecting head. When the liquid jet head is wiped by contact, the wiping end portion is formed in an arc shape on the nozzle surface of the liquid jet head.
As a result, the nozzle surface of the liquid ejecting head can be reliably wiped while the wiping end is a simple concave shape. Since the wiped liquid can be guided to both sides of the wiping end portion, the center of the wiping end portion is not easily contaminated by the liquid.
[0020]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, the wiping end of the wiping member wipes the liquid ejecting head, thereby accommodating the liquid of the liquid ejecting head. And a fixed end portion of the wiping member opposite to the wiping end portion is fixed in the housing portion.
Accordingly, the liquid generated when the liquid ejecting head is wiped can be reliably stored in the storage portion.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus which is an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention.
The ink jet recording apparatus 50 includes a carriage 53, a wiping apparatus 10, and a capping apparatus 20.
[0022]
The carriage 53 is reciprocated along the main scanning direction T along the guide rail 55 by a belt 57 connected to a motor 56, while the recording head 51 discharges ink onto a recording medium P such as paper and performs recording. I do. A plurality of different color ink cartridges 54A, 54B, 54C and 54D such as black, cyan, magenta and yellow can be mounted on the carriage 53. The recording head 51 is an example of a liquid ejecting head. The recording head 51 is provided below the carriage 53.
[0023]
At a position corresponding to the home position HP of the carriage 53 in FIG. 1, an ejection characteristic maintaining device 40 for maintaining the ejection characteristics of the recording head 51 is disposed. The discharge characteristic maintaining device 40 includes a wiping device 10, a capping device 20, and a suction device 30.
When the carriage 53 is in the home position HP, the discharge characteristic maintaining device 40 performs a capping operation, a suction operation, and a wiping operation for maintaining the cleaning of the recording head 51 and the discharge characteristics. ing.
[0024]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the discharge characteristic maintaining device 40 and the recording head 51 that are unitized as an example, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the recording head 51 and the discharge characteristic maintaining device 40. In the discharge characteristic maintaining device 40, the wiping device 10, the capping device 20, and the tube pump 31 as the suction device 30 are unitized. The tube pump 31 is a mechanism that generates a negative pressure by sequentially crushing flexible tubes arranged in an arc shape with a roller, and uses a driving force such as a paper feed motor (not shown).
[0025]
The capping device 20 of FIG. 2 includes a holder 22 and a cap member 21 formed of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer on the opening periphery of the holder 22.
An ink discharge hole 23 is formed at the bottom of the holder 22, and a tube (not shown) on the suction side of the tube pump 31 is connected to the ink discharge hole 23. The holder 22 is mounted on a slider 24, and the slider 24 has four guide members 25. The unit frame 41 that holds the slider 24 is provided with four inclined guide holes 42, and each guide member 25 described above is engaged with each guide hole 42.
[0026]
The slider 24 has a protrusion 26 that is integrally formed. The protruding portion 26 stands up on the moving path of the carriage 53 and comes into contact with the end of the carriage 53 when the carriage 53 moves to the home position. Therefore, when the carriage 53 moves to the home position side, the projection 26 comes into contact with the end of the carriage 53 and is further pushed in the moving direction of the carriage 53.
[0027]
Due to the pressing force by the carriage 53, each guide member 25 of the slider 24 slides in the inclined guide hole 42 of the unit frame 41 and rises in inclination. With this operation, the cap member 21 formed integrally with the holder 22 approaches the nozzle formation surface of the recording head 51 mounted on the carriage 53, and seals the nozzle formation surface.
When the carriage 53 moves to the printing area side, the slider 24 moves to the printing area side by an urging force such as a spring (not shown), and the sealing of the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 51 by the cap member 21 is released accordingly. Is done.
[0028]
In the cleaning operation using the capping device 20, the tube member 31 is driven in a state where the cap member 21 seals the nozzle formation surface of the recording head 51, thereby applying a negative pressure to the nozzle formation surface of the recording head 51. This is done by sucking the ink in the head 51 and forcibly discharging it. After the suction, the nozzle 53 is unsealed by the cap member 21 by moving the carriage 53 to the print region side. When the tube pump 31 is driven in this state, the waste ink in the cap member 21 is discharged from the ink discharge hole 23 and sent to the waste ink tank through the tube pump 31.
[0029]
Next, the wiping device 10 will be described.
An example of the structure of the wiping device 10 is shown in FIGS.
The wiping device 10 is a device that wipes and removes ink on the nozzle plate surface 70 by wiping the nozzle plate surface 70 of the recording head 51 shown in FIG.
[0030]
The nozzle plate surface 70 shown in FIG. 2 has a plurality of nozzle opening rows 71, 72, 73, 74. The nozzle opening row 71 has a plurality of nozzle openings 71A. Similarly, the nozzle opening row 72 has a plurality of nozzle openings 72A. The nozzle opening row 73 has a plurality of nozzle openings 73A. The nozzle opening row 74 has a plurality of nozzle openings 74A. The nozzle openings 71A to 74A of the nozzle opening rows 71 to 74 are arranged linearly. The nozzle opening rows 71 to 74 are parallel to each other and are formed in a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction T in which the carriage 53 shown in FIG. The nozzle opening rows 71 to 74 are arranged corresponding to the plurality of different color ink cartridges described above.
[0031]
The wiping device 10 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is accommodated in the case 49 of the discharge characteristic maintaining device 40 described above. The case 49 is located at the home position HP. This home position HP is a non-printing area.
As shown in FIG. 2, when the recording head 51 moves along the head movement direction T <b> 1, the nozzle plate surface 70, which is an example of a nozzle surface, can be wiped by the wiping device 10.
The head moving direction T1 is one direction of the main scanning direction T shown in FIG. 2 and 3, the wiping device 10 is provided at the end of the case 49 and at a position closest to the recording head 51.
[0032]
A specific structure of the wiping device 10 is shown in FIG.
The wiping device 10 includes a wiping member 80, a support member 81, and a retracting device 83 for the wiping member 80.
The wiping member 80 is a flat plate member made of an elastically deformable material. As the material of the wiping member 80, it is necessary to use an ink-resistant material that does not deteriorate or deteriorate due to ink. As a material of the wiping member 80, for example, a rubber material such as silicon rubber or butyl rubber or a plastic material can be employed.
[0033]
The wiping member 80 shown in FIG. 4 is a flat plate member in a non-wiping state in which the nozzle plate surface 70 of the recording head 51 is not mechanically wiped. That is, the wiping member 80 is not mechanically deformed in advance when wiping is not performed.
The flat wiping member 80 in FIG. 4 has a wiping end 90 and a fixed end 93. The wiping end portion 90 is a portion for wiping the nozzle plate surface 70 while making direct line contact.
As shown in FIG. 5, the fixed end portion 93 is a portion for fixing to the inner bottom portion 95 </ b> A of the accommodating portion 87 of the wiping member 80. However, the fixed end portion 93 can be mechanically fixed to the inner bottom portion 95A so as to be detachable. As a result, only the wiping member 80 can be replaced.
[0034]
4 and 5 is a container for storing ink that collects when the wiping member 80 wipes the nozzle plate surface 70. The accommodating portion 87 has an upper opening 98. The wiping member 80 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 87 through the upper opening 98.
The wiping end portion 90 of the wiping member 80 can be called an upper side portion or a wiping side portion. The wiping end portion 90 has a substantially V shape in the examples of FIGS. 4 and 5. The wiping end portion 90 has a protruding portion 91 on one end side, a protruding portion 92 on the other end side, and a central portion 99. The wiping end 90 has a substantially concave shape. The side portions 95 and 96 in the vertical direction connecting the wiping end portion 90 and the fixed end portion 93 are linear portions.
As shown in FIG. 4, the wiping member 80 preferably has the same thickness throughout.
[0035]
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the wiping device 10 of FIG. 4 as viewed from the R direction.
The wiping member 80 has one plane 96A and the other plane 97A.
One plane 96A is a surface on the recording head 51 side shown in FIG. The other plane 97A is a surface opposite to the one plane 96A.
The other flat surface 97A corresponds to the back surface of the recording head 51 opposite to the head moving direction T1. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the support member 81 may or may not be fixed to the other flat surface 97 </ b> A by, for example, adhesion. The support member 81 has, for example, a mountain shape as shown in FIGS.
[0036]
The top 81 </ b> A of the support member 81 is at a position corresponding to the central portion 99 of the wiping member 80. As shown in FIG. 5, the support member 81 is positioned at a substantially central position of the width W of the wiping member 80. The support member 81 is arranged from the fixed end portion 93 side toward the central portion 99 side.
As illustrated in FIG. 8, the support member 81 has a relative advance of the wiping end portion 90 when the wiping end portion 90 makes line contact with the nozzle plate surface 70 of the recording head 51 and wipes the nozzle plate surface 70. It is a member for maintaining the convex shape of the wiping end portion 90 by being provided on the back side in the direction, that is, the other flat surface 97A.
[0037]
The retracting device 83 shown in FIG. 4 is provided in the wiping device 10 as necessary. The retracting device 83 is a device for retracting the accommodating portion 87 and the wiping member 80 from the position L1 of the wiping operation shown in FIG. 4 in the Z1 direction and moving it to the retracted position L2.
The retracting device 83 includes guide members 101, 101, a base 102 and an actuator 103. The actuator 103 is provided on the base 102 side, and when the actuator 103 operates, the accommodating portion 87 and the wiping member 80 are lowered in the Z1 direction.
Thereby, the wiping member 80 and the accommodating part 87 can be lowered | hung from the position L1 for wiping operation | movement to the retracted position L2.
Further, when the actuator 103 is operated as necessary, the housing portion 87 and the wiping member 80 can be pushed up from the retracted position L2 to the wiping operation position L1. Of course, the retracting direction of the wiping member 80 and the accommodating portion 87 of the wiping device 10 is not limited to the Z1 direction, and may be, for example, the X1 direction shown in FIG.
[0038]
FIG. 7 shows an example of a cross-sectional shape of the wiping end 90. The upper end surface 99 of the wiping end 90 shown in FIG. 7 is a flat surface.
The support member 81 of the wiping device 10 is a member made of, for example, plastic or metal having higher rigidity than the material of the wiping member 80.
[0039]
Next, an example of the operation of the ink jet recording apparatus 50 shown in FIG. 1 and the wiping operation by the wiping apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.
8A to 8E show an example of a state in which the nozzle plate surface 70 of the recording head 51 is wiped (wiped) by the wiping device 10. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of a state in which the nozzle plate surface 70 is being wiped by the wiping end 90 as shown in FIG.
[0040]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the ink jet recording apparatus.
In the normal printing operation step ST1 shown in FIG. 10, the recording head 51 shown in FIG. 1 is scanned along the main scanning direction T within the range of the printing area in the same manner as a general serial color ink jet recording apparatus. . As a result, the recording head 51 performs color printing on the recording medium P.
[0041]
In the ink suction step ST2 shown in FIG. 10, for example, when the power is turned off, or when a suction command or a cleaning command is received, the capping device 20 shown in FIG. 4 at the home position HP as a non-print region outside the print region. The nozzle plate surface 70 is covered and ink is sucked. When the ink suction is finished, the process proceeds to the wiping operation step ST3 in FIG.
In the wiping operation step ST3, the recording head 51 and the wiping member 80 of the wiping device 10 move relative to each other when the recording head 51 is sent in the head movement direction T1 as shown in FIG.
[0042]
In the state shown in FIGS. 8A and 4, the wiping member 80 is not in contact with the nozzle plate surface 70 and is in an unwiped state where the nozzle plate surface 70 has not been wiped yet. For this reason, the wiping member 80 maintains a flat plate shape, and the protrusion 91 on one end side and the protrusion 92 on the other end side of the wiping end 90 are in a state of extending in the Z2 direction of FIG. . The support member 90 is on the back surface of the wiping member 80 on the side opposite to the recording head 51.
[0043]
The recording head 51 starts to move in the head moving direction T1, but the state in which the nozzle plate surface 70 starts wiping due to the line contact of the wiping member 80 as shown in FIG. 8B is shown in FIG. Show. In this state, while the wiping member 80 is in line contact, the protrusion 91 on one side and the protrusion 92 on the other side of the wiping member 80 are elastically deformed while making line contact with the nozzle plate surface 70, thereby wiping the wiping member 80. The end 90 is substantially L-shaped or V-shaped. The wiping end 90 wipes the nozzle plate surface 70 in line contact.
[0044]
As shown in FIG. 8C, when the wiping state continues, that is, while the recording head 51 advances in the head moving direction T1, the support member 81 causes the wiping end portion 90 of the wiping member 80 to be substantially L-shaped or V-shaped. To maintain. In such a state, the ink flow is generated by wiping in the projection 91 on one end side and the projection 92 on the other end side of the wiping end portion 90 in the directions indicated by the arrow E1 direction and the E2 direction, respectively.
This wiping state continues to the state of FIG. 8D, and as shown in FIG. 8E, the wiping operation ends when the nozzle plate surface 70 is separated from the wiping end portion 90.
[0045]
FIG. 9 shows an example of the state of FIG. 8C, but the wiping end portion 90 makes a mechanical line contact with the entire surface of the nozzle plate surface 70, thereby reliably removing the ink on the nozzle plate surface. can do.
In this case, as shown in FIG. 8B to FIG. 8D, the ink remaining on the nozzle plate surface 70 is projected on one end side and the other end side along the E1 direction and the E2 direction, respectively. The protrusion 92 is driven away. That is, the wiping end 90 can perform the wiping operation so as to have a convex shape in the wiping direction S opposite to the head moving direction T1 that is the traveling direction of the recording head 51. That is, the wiping end portion 90 is wiped so as to have a convex shape along the wiping direction S opposite to the head moving direction T1.
[0046]
From this, the ink on the nozzle plate surface 70 can be excluded along the E1 direction and the two directions outwardly perpendicular to the head moving direction T1. At the same time, the ink adhering to the wiping member 80 is moved toward the E1 direction and the E2 direction, respectively, so that the wiping member 80 itself is less likely to be stained by the ink. Accordingly, the wiping member 80 can maintain effective wiping properties for a long time.
The scraped ink flows in the E1 direction and the E2 direction from the central portion of the wiping end portion 90 toward the one projecting portion 91 and the other projecting portion 92, so that the central portion 99 is less likely to be stained with ink.
[0047]
The shape of the wiping end 90 is a concave shape in the unwiped state as shown in FIG. 4, so when the wiping operation is actually performed, the head undergoes elastic deformation as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, for example. It becomes a convex shape with respect to the moving direction T1. The wiping end portion 90 can obtain wiping performance comparable to that of a commonly used flat plate wiping member while ensuring ideal line contact with the nozzle plate surface 70.
As shown in FIG. 4, when the wiping member 80 is not wiped, the wiping member 80 has a flat plate shape, and it is not necessary to mechanically deform the wiping member in advance and apply stress as in the conventional case. The secular change of the wiping member 80 is reduced.
[0048]
As described above, the wiping member 80 of the wiping device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention maintains a flat plate shape when not used, that is, when not wiped. On the other hand, when the nozzle plate surface 70 is wiped by the wiping member 80, the nozzle plate surface 70 has a convex shape with respect to the head movement direction T1 and can be in line contact with the nozzle plate surface 70. That is, only when the nozzle plate surface 70 is cleaned, the wiping member 80 is viewed in a plane as shown in FIGS. 8B to 8D, that is, with respect to the head moving direction T1 when viewed from the nozzle plate surface 70. Thus, the wiping end 90 has a convex shape with respect to the wiping direction S in which the wiping end 90 advances relatively.
When the wiping operation is completed as described above, the process proceeds to preparation for a normal printing operation as shown in step ST4 of FIG. In this case, the wiping member 80 and the accommodating portion 87 of the wiping device 10 of FIG. 4 are lowered in the Z1 direction by the action of the actuator 103 as necessary.
[0049]
11 and 12 show another embodiment of the wiping device of the present invention.
The wiping device 10 shown in FIG. 11 is different from the wiping device 10 shown in FIG. 4 in the shape of the wiping end 190. The shape of the wiping end portion 190 shown in FIG. 11 has another shape instead of the wiping end portion 90 shown in FIG. 4 being V-shaped.
The wiping end portion 190 has a protruding portion 91 on one end side and a protruding portion 92 on the other end side, and a wide width is provided between the protruding portion 91 on one end side and the protruding portion 92 on the other end side. A central portion 193 is formed. The central portion 193 is a substantially straight portion, but has a concave shape when the wiping end portion 190 is viewed as a whole.
[0050]
The support member 181 has a width W1 that is relatively close to the width W of the wiping member 80. In the example of FIG. 4, the width W <b> 3 of the support member 81 is a relatively small value compared to the width W of the wiping member 80.
On the other hand, the width W1 of the support member 81 in FIG. 11 is relatively close to the width W of the wiping member 80. And it has the mountain-shaped top part 181A.
The mountain-shaped top portion 181A is formed in a region corresponding to the central portion 193.
FIG. 12 shows an example of a state in which the wiping end 190 of the wiping device 10 of FIG. 11 wipes the nozzle plate surface 70. In this state, the wiping end 190 is elastically deformed in a substantially U shape, and can perform a wiping operation while distributing ink in the E1 direction and the E2 direction.
[0051]
13 and 14 show another embodiment of the wiping device of the present invention.
The wiping device 10 in FIG. 13 is different from the wiping device 10 in FIG. 4 in the shape of the wiping end portion 290. The wiping end portion 290 has a protrusion 91 on one end side, a protrusion 92 on the other end side, and a central portion 293 thereof. The wiping end portion 290 is substantially arc-shaped or semi-arc-shaped.
[0052]
On the other hand, the top portion 281A of the support member 281 has a shape substantially opposite to the shape of the central portion 293. That is, the support member 281 has a substantially semicircular arc shape.
FIG. 14 shows an example of a state where the wiping end portion 290 of the wiping member 80 in FIG. 13 wipes the nozzle plate surface 70. In this example, the wiping end portion 290 can also perform the wiping operation while forming a substantially arc shape when viewed from the nozzle plate surface 70.
The other components of the wiping device 10 of each embodiment of FIG. 11 and FIG. 13 are the same as the components of the wiping device 10 of FIG.
[0053]
15 and 16 show still another embodiment of the wiping device of the present invention.
The wiping device 10 illustrated in FIG. 15 further includes a wiping end portion 390 having a different shape. The wiping end portion 390 has a protrusion 91 on one end side, a protrusion 92 on the other end side, and a central portion 93. However, as shown in FIG. 15B, the cross-sectional shape of the wiping end portion 390 is a sharp shape having a tip angle θ. This angle θ is an angle formed with respect to the Z direction which is a direction perpendicular to the head moving direction T. Accordingly, the wiping end portion 90 has an inclined surface portion 99A over its entire length.
FIG. 16 shows still another embodiment of the wiping device 10.
In this embodiment, the thickness of the wiping member 80 of the wiping device 10 is gradually increased from the wiping end portion 90 to the fixed end portion 93. The shape of the wiping end 90 is substantially the same as the shape of the wiping end 90 of FIG.
[0054]
By the way, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
In the embodiment described above, the recording head 51 moves along the head moving direction T1 in the main scanning direction T together with the carriage 53 in FIG. 1 during the wiping operation, and the wiping device 10 itself does not move in the main scanning direction T. It has become.
However, on the contrary, the carriage 53 and the recording head 51 are fixed to the home position HP side, and the wiping device is moved along the main scanning direction T, so that the nozzle plate surface 70 of the recording head 51 and the wiping device 10 are moved. Of course, the wiping member 80 may be moved relatively.
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, four nozzle rows are formed on the nozzle plate surface 70. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is needless to say that three or less types or five or more types of nozzle rows may be formed.
The accommodating portion in the illustrated example of the present invention has an upper end opening, but the upper end of the wall of the accommodating portion is at a low position so that the elastic deformation of the wiping member can be controlled by the support member. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the support member is not controlled by the presence of the upper end of the wall of the housing part but is controlled by the support member, so that the support member is opened at the upper end of the housing part. It is characteristic that it is sufficiently exposed from the part.
[0055]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment as an ink jet recording apparatus, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.
The support member is made of a material such as metal or resin, and may be bent slightly during wiping or may not be bent at all.
For example, the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects another liquid. The liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention is used, for example, in liquid ejecting apparatuses that eject liquids such as electrode materials and color materials used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescence) displays, and surface-emitting displays, and in biochip manufacturing. It may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects biological organic matter, or a sample ejecting apparatus as a precision pipette.
Moreover, each structure of the said embodiment can abbreviate | omit a part, or can be arbitrarily combined so that it may differ from the above.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an ink jet recording apparatus that is an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a wiping device and a recording head of the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a wiping apparatus and a recording head according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state before a wiping member wipes a nozzle plate surface, showing a wiping device and a recording head.
FIG. 5 is a side view having a partial cross section showing the structure of the wiping device.
6 is a plan view of the wiping device as viewed from the R direction in FIG. 4;
7 is a cross-sectional view showing a shape example of a wiping end portion of the wiping device of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation of wiping the nozzle plate surface of the recording head using a wiping member.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a wiping state shown in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation and a wiping operation of the ink jet recording apparatus which is an example of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the wiping device of the present invention.
12 is a plan view showing an example of a wiping operation by the wiping device of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of the wiping device of the present invention.
14 is a plan view showing a state in which the nozzle plate surface is wiped by using the wiping device of FIG. 13 in the wiping device of FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a view showing still another embodiment of the wiping device of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a view showing still another embodiment of the wiping device of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Wiping apparatus, 50 ... Inkjet recording apparatus (an example of liquid ejecting apparatus), 51 ... Recording head (an example of liquid ejecting head), 70 ... Nozzle plate surface (nozzle surface) of recording head 80 ... wiping member, 81 ... support member, 90 ... wiping end, 91 ... projection on one end side, 92 ... projection on the other end side, 93 ..・ Center part, T1 direction: Head movement direction

Claims (8)

In a wiping device for wiping the liquid jet head when moving relative to the liquid jet head,
In a state where the liquid ejecting head is not wiped, it is a wiping member that is an elastically deformable flat member and has a concave wiping end for wiping the liquid ejecting head, and the wiping end is the liquid ejecting end. When wiping the liquid ejecting head in line contact with the head, the wiping end portion has a convex shape with respect to the traveling direction with respect to the liquid ejecting head; and
When the wiping end is in line contact with the liquid ejecting head to wipe the liquid ejecting head, the wiping end is provided on the back surface with respect to the traveling direction of the wiping end to maintain the convex shape of the wiping end. A wiping device for a liquid ejecting head, comprising: The concave wiping end portion of the wiping member is formed in a V shape in the flat plate shape, and when the wiping end portion is in line contact with the liquid ejecting head to wipe the liquid ejecting head, the liquid is removed. The wiping device for a liquid jet head according to claim 1, wherein the wiping end portion is formed in a V shape on a nozzle surface of the jet head. The concave wiping end portion of the wiping member is formed in an arc shape in the flat plate shape, and when the wiping end portion makes a line contact with the liquid ejecting head and wipes the liquid ejecting head, the liquid ejecting end is formed. The wiping device for a liquid ejecting head according to claim 1, wherein the wiping end portion is formed in an arc shape on a nozzle surface of the head. The wiping end of the wiping member has an accommodating portion that accommodates the liquid of the liquid ejecting head by wiping the liquid ejecting head, and the fixed end of the wiping member is opposite to the wiping end. The liquid ejecting head wiping device according to claim 1, wherein the wiping device is fixed in the housing portion. In a liquid ejecting apparatus having a wiping device for wiping the liquid ejecting head when moving relative to the liquid ejecting head,
The wiping device is
In a state where the liquid ejecting head is not wiped, it is a wiping member that is an elastically deformable flat member and has a concave wiping end for wiping the liquid ejecting head, and the wiping end is the liquid ejecting end. When wiping the liquid ejecting head in line contact with the head, the wiping end portion has a convex shape with respect to the traveling direction with respect to the liquid ejecting head; and
When the wiping end is in line contact with the liquid ejecting head to wipe the liquid ejecting head, the wiping end is provided on the back surface with respect to the traveling direction of the wiping end to maintain the convex shape of the wiping end. And a support member for the liquid ejecting apparatus. The concave wiping end portion of the wiping member is formed in a V shape in the flat plate shape, and when the wiping end portion is in line contact with the liquid ejecting head to wipe the liquid ejecting head, the liquid The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the wiping end portion is formed in a V shape on a nozzle surface of the ejecting head. The concave wiping end portion of the wiping member is formed in an arc shape in the flat plate shape, and when the wiping end portion is in line contact with the liquid ejecting head and wipes the liquid ejecting head, the liquid ejecting end is formed. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the wiping end portion is formed in an arc shape on a nozzle surface of the head. The wiping end portion of the wiping member has a storage portion for storing the liquid of the liquid jet head by wiping the liquid jet head, and a fixed end portion on the opposite side of the wiping end portion of the wiping member The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is fixed in the housing portion.

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