JP2007055130A - Liquid injection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid injection apparatus which efficiently uses a flushing sheet. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid injection apparatus is provided with: a recording head 12 which injects ink from nozzles 13; a flushing sheet carrying mechanism 15 which carries a flushing sheet T to receive ink discharged from the nozzles 13 at the time of flushing, from the non-flushing position where the flushing sheet T does not face a nozzle forming surface 16 of the recording head 12 to the flushing position where the flushing sheet faces the nozzle forming face 16, and vice versa; and a cleaning mechanism 47 which is provided in the middle of carrying route of the flushing sheet T carried by the flushing sheet carrying mechanism 15, and removes ink received by the flushing sheet T after flushing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Inkjet printers (hereinafter referred to as “printers”) are widely known as liquid ejecting apparatuses that eject liquid onto a target. This printer is equipped with a recording head (liquid ejecting head) and supplies ink (liquid) from an ink cartridge to the recording head. The ink supplied from the ink cartridge to the recording head is ejected from nozzles formed on the recording head, thereby printing on a recording medium as a target.

  In such a printer, the ink viscosity is increased and solidified due to evaporation of the ink solvent from the nozzles of the recording head, dust is adhered, and the nozzles are clogged due to air bubbles and the like, resulting in poor printing. was there. Therefore, in order to solve this problem, the printer normally performs a flushing operation for forcibly ejecting the ink in the nozzles irrespective of the ejection to the recording medium.

  Recently, in order to enable high-speed printing, a full-line type printer having a large recording head in which the nozzles are arranged over the entire width of the printing area in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium has been proposed. ing. In this full-line type printer, it is difficult to move a heavy recording head each time during a flushing operation. Therefore, without moving the recording head from the printing position, ink is applied onto the surface of the conveyance belt of the recording medium. There has been considered a method of wiping off the ink on the conveying belt after discharging. However, in this method, there is a case where the ink ejected on the conveying belt cannot be completely wiped off. In this case, there is a problem that the back surface of the recording medium conveyed next becomes dirty.

Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, for example, in the printer described in Patent Document 1, a flushing sheet made of an absorbing material that absorbs ink is conveyed directly below the recording head by a conveyance belt of the recording medium. After the ink is discharged, the flushing sheet is removed from the transport belt and discarded. According to this configuration, since ink is not directly ejected onto the conveyance belt, the problem that the conveyance belt and the back surface of the recording medium become dirty can be avoided.
JP 2001-105628 A

  By the way, in the printer described in Patent Document 1, the flushing sheet is used until the amount of ink that can be held by the flushing sheet is reached, and the flushing sheet is returned to the rack to wait for the ink to dry or exceed the amount that can be held. In the case of flashing, the flushing sheet is discarded. However, when using the same flushing sheet, the interval between flushing is short, so there are problems that the ink does not dry in time, and that the user gets dirty hands and clothes when discarding the flushing sheet holding ink. there were.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a liquid ejecting apparatus that can efficiently use a flushing sheet.

  In order to achieve the above object, a liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid from a liquid ejecting nozzle to a target, and a flushing sheet that receives liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting nozzle during flushing. A flushing sheet conveying mechanism that conveys the flushing sheet from a non-flushing position where the flushing sheet does not face the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head to the flushing position where the flushing sheet faces the nozzle forming surface, and from the flushing position to the non-flushing position. And a cleaning mechanism which is provided in the middle of the flushing sheet conveyance path by the flushing sheet conveyance mechanism and removes the liquid received in the flushing sheet after flushing.

  According to this configuration, by removing the liquid from the flushing sheet by the cleaning mechanism, the flushing sheet can be repeatedly used without depending on drying. By repeatedly using the flushing sheet, it is not necessary to discard the flushing sheet, and the user's hands and clothes are not soiled.

  The cleaning mechanism in the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention includes a pressure roller that nips the flushing sheet during conveyance from the flushing position to the non-flushing position and removes the liquid received in the flushing sheet.

  According to this configuration, the apparatus configuration is simple compared to a mechanism or the like for wiping off the flushing sheet, and the liquid can be removed from the flushing sheet while the flushing sheet is being conveyed by the pressure roller. In addition, since the flushing sheet from which the liquid has been removed is conveyed to the flushing sheet tray that is in the non-flushing position, the flushing sheet tray is not contaminated, and the flushing sheet conveyed from the flushing sheet tray always contains liquid. It will not be.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the liquid ejecting head is formed over the entire width of the liquid ejecting region of the target along the direction in which the liquid ejecting nozzle intersects the transport direction of the target.

  A so-called full-line type liquid ejecting head is generally large and it is difficult to perform flushing by moving the liquid ejecting head. In such a liquid ejecting apparatus, the flushing sheet can be reused, and the liquid ejecting apparatus can be configured as an efficient liquid ejecting apparatus.

  The flushing sheet conveyance mechanism in the liquid ejecting apparatus of the invention includes a conveyance belt that conveys the flushing sheet, and the conveyance belt conveys the target through a position facing the nozzle forming surface. It is also used.

  According to this configuration, the conveying belt in the flushing sheet conveying mechanism is also used when conveying the target through the position facing the nozzle forming surface, so that the apparatus configuration can be simplified.

The flushing sheet conveyance mechanism in the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention conveys the flushing sheet in a state in which the flushing sheet is charged and adsorbed on the conveyance belt.
According to this configuration, it is possible to easily realize a device configuration in which the flushing sheet is attached (held) to the conveyor belt and removed, and the device configuration can be made compact.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention, the apparatus has a double-sided jet target transport mechanism that allows liquid to be ejected on both sides of the target, and includes a target transport path by the double-sided jet target transport mechanism and a flushing sheet transported by the flushing sheet transport mechanism. The transport route partially overlaps.

  According to this configuration, since the flushing sheet is transported by partially using the target transport path by the double-sided jet target transport mechanism, both sides of the flushing sheet can be used as liquid receiving surfaces during flushing, respectively. Is.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) 10 as a liquid ejecting apparatus in the present embodiment includes a main body case 11 having a substantially box shape. A recording head 12 (liquid ejecting head) that ejects ink (liquid) onto a sheet as a target is fixed at a substantially center in the main body case 11.

  A plurality of nozzles 13 are formed on the lower surface of the recording head 12 over the entire width of the print area of the paper P along the direction intersecting the transport direction of the paper P (the X direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1). During printing, the recording head 12 does not reciprocate in the direction intersecting the transport direction of the paper P. In this respect, the printer 10 of the present embodiment is not a type in which the recording head 12 is disposed on the lower surface of the carriage that reciprocates in the direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the paper P, but compared with such a type of printer. The printer 10 is a so-called full line head type printer 10 capable of high-speed printing.

  The recording head 12 is connected to a plurality of ink cartridges (not shown) that store inks of different colors, and the ink stored in these ink cartridges was adjusted to a predetermined pressure during printing. In this state, the recording head 12 is supplied at any time.

  In the main body case 11, below the recording head 12, a paper transport mechanism 14 (target transport mechanism) for transporting the paper P and a flushing sheet transport mechanism 15 for transporting the flushing sheet T are disposed. ing. Here, the flushing sheet T is a sheet for receiving ink ejected from the nozzles 13 at the time of flushing, which is an ink ejection mode that is performed regardless of printing, and has an appropriate absorbency. Yes. Note that the flushing in the present embodiment is performed on condition that a predetermined time has elapsed during execution of printing.

  The paper transport mechanism 14 includes a paper feed tray 21 that stores a plurality of paper P in a stacked state, a paper discharge tray 22 that stores the paper P after printing, and a nozzle forming surface of the recording head 12 that feeds the fed paper P. And a conveying belt 23 for conveying the material by passing under 16 (position facing the nozzle forming surface). The conveyor belt 23 is driven by a driving roller 24 (conveying roller) that is driven after printing is started, a driven roller 25 (conveying roller) that is driven and rotated by the driving roller 24 at the same height as the driving roller 24, and driving. It is stretched in a state where tension is applied to a tension roller 26 positioned below an intermediate position between the roller 24 and the driven roller 25. The driving roller 24, the driven roller 25, and the tension roller 26 are arranged so that the conveyor belt 23 forms a triangular shape when the conveyor belt 23 is stretched around these three rollers 24, 25, and 26. .

  Further, a plurality (four in this embodiment) of auxiliary conveying rollers 27 are arranged between the driving roller 24 and the driven roller 25, and the conveying belt 23 is provided between the driving roller 24 and the driven roller 25. The upper surface of the belt portion that is horizontally supported by the conveying roller 27 from below is configured as a main conveying path 28. A print start detection sensor 29 is provided above the main conveyance path 28 and at a position closer to the paper feed tray 21 than the recording head 12. The print start detection sensor 29 conveys the paper P (or flushing sheet T) from the position where the print start detection sensor 29 is provided to a printing position (or flushing position) that is directly below the nozzle forming surface 16 of the recording head 12. Used to get a starting point to count the feed amount when doing.

  Further, the sheet P is guided between the paper feed tray 21 and the transport belt 23 from the paper feed tray 21 to one end side of the main transport path 28 (the driven roller 25 side which is the right end side in FIG. 1). For this purpose, a first guide plate 31 is provided. A pickup roller 32 for taking out the paper P stored in the uppermost part of the paper feed tray 21 is provided at the upper part of the paper feed tray 21 and the connection between the paper feed tray 21 and the first guide plate 31 is provided. The portion is provided with a pair of separation rollers 33 for surely feeding only one sheet P picked up superimposed by friction.

  Further, above the first guide plate 31, a paper end detection sensor 34 that detects the paper P that has passed through the pair of separation rollers 33, and the paper P is sent from the first guide plate 31 to the main conveyance path 28. A pair of paper gate rollers 35 that are driven at the time are provided. The pickup roller 32, the separation roller pair 33, and the paper gate roller pair 35 rotate in the direction (direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1) that feeds the paper P toward the main transport path 28, so that it is accommodated in the paper feed tray 21. The sheet P is supplied onto the main transport path 28.

  Further, the sheet P is guided between the conveyance belt 23 and the sheet discharge tray 22 between the other end side of the main conveyance path 28 (the driving roller 24 side which is the left end side in FIG. 1) and the sheet discharge tray 22. Therefore, a selector 36 for feeding the flushing sheet T to the cleaning mechanism 47 side described later is provided. The selector 36 is rotatably supported with a base end portion (left end portion in FIG. 1) 36a on the downstream side in the paper transport direction as a fulcrum, and is in a horizontal state (closed state) indicated by a solid line in FIG. The main transport path 28 and the paper discharge tray 22 are connected via a selector 36. On the other hand, when the selector 36 is tilted upward (opened) as shown by a broken line in FIG. 1, the connection between the main transport path 28 and the paper discharge tray 22 is cut off, and the main transport path 28 is A flushing sheet T, which will be described later, is connected via a selector 36 to a conveyance path (third guide plate 46) to the cleaning mechanism 47 side.

  A pair of paper discharge rollers 37 for discharging the printed paper P to the paper discharge tray 22 is provided between the base end portion 36 a of the selector 36 and the paper discharge tray 22. Therefore, when the selector 36 is in the horizontal state (closed state), the transport belt 23 and the paper discharge roller pair 37 rotate, so that the printed paper P is discharged from the main transport path 28 to the paper discharge tray 22. It is like that.

  Further, a charging roller 38 is disposed corresponding to the driven roller 25 so as to rotate with the conveying belt 23 sandwiched between the peripheral surfaces, and a gradual roller 39 is provided between the peripheral surfaces of the driving roller 24. The conveyor belt 23 is sandwiched between the two and is arranged so as to rotate. Accordingly, the entire surface of the conveying belt 23 that serves as a support surface of the sheet P (and the flushing sheet T) is changed to a negative charge by the charging roller 38, so that the sheet P and the flushing sheet T are placed on the main conveying path 28 of the conveying belt 23. Adsorption is held.

  The flushing sheet transport mechanism 15 includes a flushing sheet tray 41 that accommodates a plurality of flushing sheets T in a stacked state, and the flushing sheet T from the flushing sheet tray 41 directly below the nozzle formation surface 16 of the recording head 12 (opposite the nozzle formation surface 16). And a conveying belt 23 for conveying to the flushing sheet tray 41. That is, the conveyance belt 23 in the paper conveyance mechanism 14 is also used as the conveyance belt 23 in the flushing sheet conveyance mechanism 15.

  The flushing sheet tray 41 is disposed below the conveyor belt 23. A flushing sheet is disposed between one end side of the flushing sheet tray 41 (right end side in FIG. 1) and the one end side of the main conveying path 28 (on the driven roller 25 side which is the right end side in FIG. 1). A gently curved second guide plate 42 for guiding T is provided. The second guide plate 42 is composed of a pair of strip-like plate pieces arranged in parallel in the direction intersecting with the guiding direction of the flushing sheet T with an interval dimension slightly shorter than the width dimension of the flushing sheet T. . Further, a flushing sheet feeding roller for taking out the flushing sheet T accommodated in the lowermost part of the flushing sheet tray 41 to the second guide plate 42 side is provided at a lower end of the flushing sheet tray 41 (lower right corner in FIG. 1). 43 is provided.

  Further, a flushing sheet end detection sensor 44 that detects the flushing sheet T and a flushing sheet T are disposed at the upper position of the second guide plate 42 (specifically, the upper position between the pair of strip-shaped plate pieces). A flushing sheet gate roller pair 45 that is driven when the guide plate 42 is fed to the main conveyance path 28 is provided. Then, the flushing sheet feeding roller 43 and the flushing sheet gate roller pair 45 rotate in the direction (indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1) to send the flushing sheet T to the main conveyance path 28 side, so that they are accommodated in the flushing sheet tray 41. The flushing sheet T thus supplied is supplied onto the main conveyance path 28.

  On the other hand, the other end side (the left end side in FIG. 1) of the flushing sheet tray 41 is connected to the other end side of the flushing sheet tray 41 from the other end side (the drive roller 24 side that is the left end side in FIG. 1). A third guide plate 46 having a partially curved shape for guiding the flushing sheet T is provided up to (left end side in FIG. 1). The third guide plate 46 is composed of a pair of strip-like plate pieces arranged in parallel in a direction intersecting with the guiding direction of the flushing sheet T with a gap dimension slightly shorter than the width dimension of the flushing sheet T. . As described above, as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 1, when the selector 36 is tilted upward (open state), the main transport path 28 is connected to the third guide plate 46 via the selector 36. Will be.

  Further, a cleaning mechanism 47 for removing ink received by the flushing sheet T after flushing is provided in the middle of the conveyance path of the flushing sheet T on the third guide plate 46. The cleaning mechanism 47 includes a pair of pressure rollers 48 that removes ink by clamping the flushing sheet T, and a bottomed box-shaped storage case 49 that opens upward to store the removed ink. . When the flushing sheet T passes between the pinching roller pair 48, the ink absorbed by the flushing sheet T is dropped into the housing case 49 so as to be squeezed out by the pinching roller pair 48. Stored.

  Further, a flushing sheet discharge roller pair for discharging the flushing sheet T from which the ink has been removed by the cleaning mechanism 47 to the flushing sheet tray 41 again is provided at the end of the third guide plate 46 on the flushing sheet tray 41 side. 51 is provided. Therefore, when the selector 36 is tilted upward (open state), the conveying belt 23, the pressure roller pair 48, and the flushing sheet discharge roller pair 51 rotate, so that the flushing that receives ink by the flushing is performed. The sheet T is discharged to the flushing sheet tray 41 with the ink removed through the cleaning mechanism 47. In this embodiment, the storing position of the flushing sheet T in the flushing sheet tray 41 corresponds to the non-flushing position, and the position facing the nozzle forming surface 16 of the recording head 12 on the main transport path 28 of the transport belt 23 is the flushing. Corresponds to position.

Next, the electrical configuration of the printer 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 is provided with a control unit 61 (omitted in FIG. 1 for simplicity). The control unit 61 includes a CPU 62, and a ROM 63 and a RAM 64 are connected to the CPU 62. The ROM 63 stores a control program executed to control the recording head 12 when ink is ejected (discharged) onto the paper P and the flushing sheet T. The RAM 64 stores and manages various types of information (such as signals detected from the sensors) that are appropriately rewritten during the operation of the printer 10.

  Further, a paper edge detection sensor 34, a flushing sheet edge detection sensor 44, and a print start detection sensor 29 are electrically connected to the input side of the control unit 61. Further, on the output side of the control unit 61, a pickup roller 32, a separation roller pair 33, a paper gate roller pair 35, a driving roller 24, a paper discharge roller pair 37, a flushing sheet feeding roller 43, a flushing sheet gate roller pair 45, The pinching roller pair 48, the flushing sheet discharge roller pair 51, and the selector 36 are electrically connected to each other. The CPU 62 drives and controls each mechanism (the driving roller 24 and the like) connected to the output side based on detection signals of the sensors 34, 44, and 29 on the input side.

  In the printer 10 described above, by switching the selector 36, during normal printing, a paper transport path is formed in which the paper feed tray 21 to the paper discharge tray 22 are connected via the first guide plate 31 and the main transport path 28. . Further, during flushing, a flushing sheet conveyance path is formed in which the flushing sheet tray 41 is connected from one end side to the other end side via the second guide plate 42, the main conveyance path 28, and the third guide plate 46.

  Therefore, when the selector 36 is in a horizontal state (closed state) indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1, the paper taken out from the paper feed tray 21 is transported to the main transport path 28 via the first guide plate 31. At this time, since the transport belt 23 is charged, the paper P is sucked and held on the transport belt 23. Printing (ink ejection) is performed when the paper P is conveyed to a position facing the nozzle forming surface 16 of the recording head 12. The printed paper P is transported on the main transport path 28 as it is, and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 22 via the selector 36.

  On the other hand, when the selector 36 is in an inclined state (open state) indicated by a broken line in FIG. 1, the flushing sheet T taken out from the flushing sheet tray 41 is conveyed to the main conveyance path 28 via the second guide plate 42. At this time, since the transport belt 23 is charged in the same manner as described above, the flushing sheet T is sucked and held on the transport belt 23. When the flushing sheet T is conveyed to a position facing the nozzle formation surface 16 of the recording head 12, flushing (ink ejection) is performed. The ink ejected from the nozzle 13 by the flushing is landed on the flushing sheet and absorbed. After the flushing, the flushing sheet T is conveyed as it is on the main conveyance path 28 and is conveyed to the third guide plate 46 via the selector 36. Then, the ink received in the flushing sheet T is squeezed out by passing between the pair of pressure rollers 48 of the cleaning mechanism 47 and then collected again in the flushing sheet tray 41.

  The details of the printing process including flushing will be described below with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. As a premise at the start of printing, the selector 36 is in a horizontal state (closed state) indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1, and the paper feed tray 21 to the paper discharge tray 22 are connected via the main conveyance path 28. Assume that a sheet conveyance path is formed. Further, it is assumed that a flushing timer (not shown) that measures a time interval for performing flushing starts counting simultaneously with the start of printing. Further, “FL” described in the figure is an abbreviation for “flushing”.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the paper feed standby process. This process is executed in order to keep the next sheet P waiting at the position of the paper gate roller pair 35 each time one sheet P is sent to the main transport path 28 during printing. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when printing is started, first, the CPU 62 rotates the pickup roller 32 and the separation roller pair 33 (step 10; hereinafter, step is abbreviated as “S”). As a result, the single sheet P stored in the uppermost portion of the sheet feeding tray 21 is taken out and conveyed onto the first guide plate 31. Next, it is determined whether or not the signal from the paper edge detection sensor 34 is ON, that is, whether or not the paper edge detection sensor 34 has detected the paper P (S11). When it is determined that the signal from the paper edge detection sensor 34 is not ON (OFF) (S11: NO), the CPU 62 repeats this determination until an ON signal is detected. On the other hand, when the signal from the paper end detection sensor 34 is ON (S11: YES), it indicates that the paper P is being conveyed to the vicinity of the paper gate roller pair 35, and when this is confirmed, the pickup is performed. The rotation of the roller 32 and the separation roller pair 33 is stopped (S12).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the signal from the paper edge detection sensor 34 is OFF, that is, whether or not the paper P has been sent to the main transport path 28 side (S13). When it is determined that the signal from the paper edge detection sensor 34 is not OFF (ON) (S13: NO), the CPU 62 repeats this determination until an OFF signal is detected. On the other hand, when the signal from the paper edge detection sensor 34 is OFF (S13: YES), it indicates that the paper P has passed through the paper gate roller pair 35 and has been transported to the main transport path 28 side. If this is confirmed, it is determined whether or not printing is finished (S14). When it is determined that the printing is completed (S14: YES), the CPU 62 ends the paper feed standby process. If it is determined that printing has not been completed (S14: NO), the CPU 62 rotates the pickup roller 32 and the separation roller pair 33 again (S10), and the above-described processes (S10) until it is determined that printing has ended. S10 to S14) are repeated.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flushing sheet conveyance standby process. In the same manner as the paper feed standby process, this process sequentially waits for the next flushing sheet T at the position of the flushing sheet gate roller pair 45 at the time of flushing executed on condition that a predetermined time has elapsed during printing. It is a process executed to keep it.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when printing is started, first, the CPU 62 rotates the flushing sheet feeding roller 43 (step 20). As a result, one flushing sheet T accommodated in the lowermost part of the flushing sheet tray 41 is taken out and conveyed onto the second guide plate 42. Next, it is determined whether or not the signal from the flushing sheet end detection sensor 44 is ON, that is, whether or not the flushing sheet end detection sensor 44 has detected the flushing sheet T (S21). When the signal from the flushing sheet end detection sensor 44 is not ON (OFF) (S21: NO), the CPU 62 repeats this determination until an ON signal is detected. On the other hand, when the signal from the flushing sheet end detection sensor 44 is ON (S21: YES), this indicates that the flushing sheet T is being conveyed to the vicinity of the flushing sheet gate roller pair 45, and this is confirmed. Then, the rotation of the flushing sheet feeding roller 43 is stopped (S22).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the signal from the flushing sheet end detection sensor 44 is OFF, that is, whether or not the flushing sheet T has been sent to the main conveyance path 28 side (S23). When the signal from the flushing sheet end detection sensor 44 is not OFF (ON) (S23: NO), the CPU 62 repeats this determination until an OFF signal is detected. On the other hand, when the signal from the flushing sheet end detection sensor 44 is OFF (S23: YES), it indicates that the flushing sheet T has passed through the flushing sheet gate roller pair 45 and has been conveyed to the main conveyance path 28 side. If this is confirmed, it is determined whether or not printing is finished (S24). When it is determined that the printing has been completed (S24: YES), the CPU 62 ends the flushing sheet conveyance standby process. If it is determined that printing has not been completed, the CPU 62 rotates the flushing sheet feeding roller 43 again (S20), and performs the above processes (S20 to S24) until it is determined that printing has been completed. Repeat.

  In the present embodiment, the paper supply standby process and the flushing sheet conveyance standby process are executed, and during printing, the paper P and the flushing sheet T wait in the vicinity of the corresponding paper gate roller pair 35 and flushing sheet gate roller pair 45, respectively. Under the preconditions described above, the printing and flushing processing described below is executed. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the printing and flushing processing. In other words, in the present embodiment, the paper feed standby process (FIG. 3), the flushing sheet conveyance standby process (FIG. 4), and the printing and flushing processes (FIGS. 5 and 6) are executed simultaneously with the start of printing. It is what is done.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when printing is started, the CPU 62 rotates the drive roller 24 (S30), and then rotates the paper gate roller pair 35 (S31). By rotating the paper gate roller pair 35, the paper P that has been transported to the paper gate roller pair 35 by the paper feed standby process and is in a standby state is transported to the main transport path 28. Next, it is determined whether or not the signal from the print start detection sensor 29 on the main conveyance path 28 is ON, that is, whether or not the print start detection sensor 29 has detected the paper P (S32). When the signal from the print start detection sensor 29 is not ON (OFF) (S32: NO), the CPU 62 repeats this determination until an ON signal is detected. On the other hand, when the signal from the print start detection sensor 29 is ON (S32: YES), this indicates that the paper P is being transported to the front of the recording head 12 on the main transport path 28, and this is confirmed. Then, the rotation of the paper gate roller pair 35 is stopped (S33).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the paper feed counter value has been increased (S34). Here, the paper feed counter value means a count amount counted by the CPU 62 when the paper P is fed from the position where the print start detection sensor 29 is provided to the printing position. This paper feed counter value is calculated in advance by the CPU according to the print data and stored in the RAM when printing is started. If it is determined that the paper feed counter value has been increased (S34: YES), this indicates that the paper P has been transported to the printing position facing the recording head 12, and if this is confirmed, the recording head 12 is detected. Ink is ejected from the nozzle 13 and printing is performed (S35).

  Next, it is determined whether or not printing for one page of the paper P is completed (S36). If printing for one page is not completed (S36: NO), printing is performed until printing for one page is completed. Is continued (S35). On the other hand, when printing for one page is completed (S36: YES), it is then determined whether or not the flushing timer has been increased (S37). When it is determined that the flushing timer is not up (S37: NO), it is determined whether or not printing is completed (S38), and when it is determined that printing is not completed (S38: NO). The paper gate roller pair 35 is rotated again and the second page of paper P is fed (S31). Then, printing of the second page (possibly after the third page) is continued until the flushing timer is up (S31 to S38). If it is determined that the flushing timer has been increased (S37: YES), it means that a predetermined time for flushing has elapsed since the start of printing, and then the flushing process is executed.

  First, the flushing sheet gate roller pair 45, the nipping roller pair 48, and the flushing sheet discharge roller pair 51 are rotated, and the selector 36 is controlled to be opened (S39). When the flushing sheet gate roller pair 45 is rotated, the flushing sheet T that is conveyed to the vicinity of the flushing sheet gate roller pair 45 by the flushing sheet conveyance standby process and is in a standby state is conveyed to the main conveyance path 28. Next, it is determined whether or not the signal from the print start detection sensor 29 on the main conveyance path 28 is ON, that is, whether or not the print start detection sensor 29 has detected the flushing sheet T (S40). When the signal from the print start detection sensor 29 is not ON (OFF) (S40: NO), the CPU 62 repeats this determination until an ON signal is detected. On the other hand, when the signal from the print start detection sensor 29 is ON (S40: YES), this indicates that the flushing sheet T has been conveyed to the front of the recording head 12 on the main conveyance path 28, and this is confirmed. Then, the rotation of the flushing sheet gate roller pair 45 is stopped (S41).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the flushing sheet counter value has been increased (S42). Here, the flushing sheet counter value means a count amount counted by the CPU 62 when the flushing sheet T is sent from the position where the print start detection sensor 29 is provided to the flushing position (= printing position). This flushing sheet counter value is calculated in advance by the CPU 62 based on the use history of the flushing sheet T so far and is stored in the RAM 64. If it is determined that the flushing sheet counter value has been increased (S42: YES), this indicates that the predetermined flushing position on the flushing sheet T has been conveyed to a position facing the recording head 12, and this is confirmed. Then, ink is ejected from the nozzles of the recording head 12 and flushing is performed (S43).

  Next, the CPU 62 increments the flushing sheet counter value by a predetermined value (S44). In the present embodiment, a single flushing sheet T is flushed a plurality of times with different locations for receiving ink during flushing. As shown in FIG. 7, the first time is for the receiving location a, the second is for the receiving location b, the third is for the receiving location c, the fourth is for the receiving location d, and the fifth is A total of five flushing inks are sequentially received at the receiving location e. As described above, the ink receiving location varies depending on the number of times, although the ink received in the flushing sheet T is removed by the cleaning mechanism 47, but the location where the ink has been absorbed once has the ink absorbing power. This is because the ink is surely and favorably received by shifting the receiving position of the discharged ink when used multiple times.

  Therefore, by adding the flushing sheet counter value of the flushing sheet T by a predetermined value, when the flushing sheet T flushed with respect to the receiving location a for the first time is used again for the second time, the flushing sheet T is flushed. As a position (a position on the flushing sheet T facing the recording head 12), the receiving location b is set instead of the receiving location a. Similarly, when this flushing sheet T is used for the third time, the receiving location c is set as the flushing position. Thereafter, similarly, the receiving location d is set for the fourth time, and the receiving location e is set for the fifth time. In addition, when all the flushing sheets T accommodated in the flushing sheet tray 41 are used five times each, the fact is displayed on the display unit (not shown) of the printer, and based on this, a new flushing sheet is displayed. T will be replenished.

  After adding the flushing sheet counter value, the flushing timer is reset and restarted (S45), and then it is determined whether or not printing is completed (S46). If it is determined that printing has not ended (S46: NO), the pair of pressure roller 48 and the flushing sheet discharge roller pair 51 are stopped and the selector 36 is switched to the closed state (S47). Then, the paper gate roller pair 35 is rotated (S31), new paper P is conveyed, and printing of the next page is started and executed (S31 to S46). On the other hand, when it is determined that the printing has been completed (S45: YES or S38: YES), the driving roller 24, the nipping roller pair 48, and the flushing sheet discharge roller pair 51 are stopped (S48). Exit. As described above, in the present embodiment, the flushing sheet T that has been used once has its ink removed by the cleaning mechanism 47 and is used repeatedly (in this embodiment, five times).

According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the above embodiment, by removing ink from the flushing sheet T by the cleaning mechanism 47, the flushing sheet T can be used repeatedly without depending on drying. That is, it is efficient in that the flushing sheet T can be reused, and can suitably cope with a large number of flushings in a large amount of printing. Further, by repeatedly using the flushing sheet T, it is not necessary to discard the flushing sheet T, and the user's hands and clothes are not soiled.

  (2) In the above embodiment, since the conveying belt 23 in the flushing sheet conveying mechanism 15 also serves as the conveying belt 23 in the paper conveying mechanism 14, the apparatus configuration can be simplified.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the flushing sheet T is attracted and held on the transport belt 23 by charging the transport belt 23 with the charging roller 38. Therefore, a configuration in which the flushing sheet T is held on the transport belt 23 can be easily realized.

  (4) In the above embodiment, the ink received in the flushing sheet T is removed so as to be squeezed when the flushing sheet T passes between the pair of nipping rollers 48. As compared with the case where the apparatus is provided, the ink can be removed easily and reliably.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In contrast to the printer 10 of the first embodiment configured as a printer for single-sided printing, the printer 10 of the second embodiment is configured as a printer for duplex printing capable of printing on the front and back of the paper P. The configuration of the second embodiment will be described by paying attention to different points from the first embodiment, and the same components as those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted. .

  In the present embodiment, in the main body case 11, a paper transport mechanism 14 (double-side jet target transport mechanism) for transporting the paper P and a flushing sheet transport mechanism 15 (flushing sheet transport mechanism) for transporting the flushing sheet T are used. Are arranged in an annular shape so as to surround the recording head 12.

  In addition to the main transport path 28 in the paper feed tray 21, the paper discharge tray 22, and the transport belt 23, the paper transport mechanism 14 includes a temporary storage tray 71 that temporarily stores paper after printing on one side in the middle of the transport path of the paper P. A plurality of guide plates 72 are included. In the temporary storage tray 71, the paper P entrance / exit side (the left end side in FIG. 8) of the temporary storage tray 71 is disposed via a discharge roller pair 37, a duplex printing path selector 74, a plurality of guide plates 72, and auxiliary rollers 75. Further, the one end side (the left end side in FIG. 8) of the main conveyance path 28 in the conveyance belt 23 is connected. Further, the temporary storage tray 71 has a sheet P entrance / exit side (the left end side in FIG. 8) on the switchback selector 76, switchback roller pair 77, fourth guide plate 78, double-sided gate roller pair 79, paper gate roller. The pair 35 is connected to the other end side (the right end side in FIG. 8) of the main conveyance path 28 in the conveyance belt 23.

  Then, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 8, the switchback roller pair 77 places the paper P in the temporary storage tray while the switchback selector 76 is in a position connected to the temporary storage tray 71 so that the paper P can be conveyed. When rotated in the direction of conveyance to the 71 side, the paper P is carried into the temporary storage tray 71 from the guide plate 72. On the other hand, the switchback selector 76 is tilted upward as shown by a broken line in FIG. 8, and the switchback roller pair is connected in a state where the temporary storage tray 71 and the fourth guide plate 78 are connected so that the paper P can be conveyed. When the sheet 77 is rotated in the direction in which the sheet P is unloaded from the temporary storage tray 71, the sheet P is unloaded from the temporary storage tray 71 toward the double-sided gate roller pair 79 side. As a result, the paper P is transported from the temporary storage tray 71 to the main transport path 28.

  That is, at the time of double-sided printing, first, the paper P that has been printed on the front side is turned over while being transported through the double-sided transport path 73 and the printed surface is on the lower side (the back side is on the upper side). It is stored in the temporary storage tray 71. Thereafter, the back side of the paper P is changed to the recording head 12 via the double-sided gate roller pair 79 and the paper gate roller pair 35 by switching the switchback selector 76 and switching the rotation direction of the switchback roller pair 77. In the state facing the nozzle forming surface 16, it is transported again to the main transport path 28. A double-sided conveyance path 73 is formed by a plurality of guide plates 72 and a fourth guide plate 78 that connect the discharge roller pair 37 and the paper gate roller pair 35 in an annular shape above the main conveyance path 28.

  The flushing sheet conveyance mechanism 15 has substantially the same components as the flushing sheet conveyance mechanism 15 in the first embodiment. However, the flushing sheet tray 41 is provided above the recording head 12, and a selector 36 that switches the flushing sheet T to be conveyed to the cleaning mechanism 47 side is provided in the middle of the duplex conveyance path 73 of the sheet conveyance mechanism 14. Is different. Further, the flushing sheet conveyance mechanism 15 of this embodiment determines whether or not to convey the conveyance direction of the flushing sheet T that has passed through the flushing sheet gate roller pair 45 to the temporary storage tray 71 side (the surface that receives ink during flushing is the surface). And a flushing sheet double-sided selector 81 for switching whether or not the paper is conveyed as the back surface.

  When the flushing sheet double-side selector 81 is connected to the second guide plate 42 so that the flushing sheet T can be conveyed as shown by a solid line in FIG. 8, the flushing sheet T is conveyed to the temporary storage tray 71. Without being directly conveyed to the main conveyance path 28 side. On the other hand, the flushing sheet double-side selector 81 is not connected to the second guide plate 42 side as shown by a broken line in FIG. 8, and the switchback selector 76 is on the temporary storage tray 71 side as shown by a solid line in FIG. When the flushing sheet T is connected to the temporary storage tray 71, the flushing sheet T is conveyed to the temporary storage tray 71. Once the flushing sheet T stored in the temporary storage tray 71 is transported to the main transport path 28 side, it is the same as transporting the paper P, and the switching of the switchback selector 76 and the switchback roller pair 77 are performed. This is done by switching the rotation direction.

  Also in the present embodiment, the flushing sheet T is opposed to the nozzle forming surface 16 of the recording head 12 in place of the paper P under the condition that a predetermined time has passed during the printing by substantially the same control as in the first embodiment. It is conveyed to the flushing position and flushing is performed. Then, the paper P that has been printed is not transported to the double-side transport path 73 by switching the double-sided print path selector 74 to a state inclined downward as shown by a broken line in FIG. 22 is discharged. Further, the flushing sheet T after flushing is always conveyed to the double-sided conveyance path 73, passes through the cleaning mechanism 47, and is conveyed to the flushing sheet tray 41.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the conveyance path of the paper P by the paper conveyance mechanism 14 capable of duplex printing and the conveyance path of the flushing sheet T by the flushing sheet conveyance mechanism 15 partially overlap. Specifically, the main conveyance path 28, a part of the double-side conveyance path 73, and the fourth guide plate 78 overlap. Thus, both sides of the flushing sheet T can be used by using the double-sided printing mechanism (two-sided conveyance path 73, switchback selector 76, switchback roller, etc.) of the paper P.

According to 2nd Embodiment described above, in addition to the effect as described in said (1)-(4) of 1st Embodiment, the following effects can be acquired further.
(5) Since the flushing sheet T is transported partially using the transport path of the paper P by the paper transport mechanism 14 capable of duplex printing, both surfaces of the flushing sheet T can be used as ink receiving surfaces during flushing. It is efficient.

The above embodiment may be changed to another embodiment (another example) as follows.
In each of the above embodiments, the cleaning mechanism 47 may be configured to remove ink by a mechanism that wipes, sucks, or blows off the flushing sheet T. Further, the pair of pressure rollers 48 for removing ink may be divided into a roller portion for conveyance and a pressure portion.

In each of the above embodiments, the conveyance belt 23 of the flushing sheet conveyance mechanism 15 may not be used as the conveyance belt 23 of the paper conveyance mechanism 14.
In each of the above embodiments, the flushing sheet T may be held on the conveyor belt 23 via a predetermined holder or the like.

In each of the above embodiments, the present invention can be applied to a printer that is not a full line head type.
In the above embodiment, the printer 10 that ejects ink has been described as the liquid ejecting apparatus, but other liquid ejecting apparatuses may be used. For example, printing apparatuses including fax machines, copiers, etc., liquid ejecting apparatuses that eject liquids such as electrode materials and color materials used in the production of liquid crystal displays, EL displays, and surface emitting displays, and bio-organic materials used in biochip manufacturing It may be a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a liquid or a sample ejecting apparatus as a precision pipette. Also, the liquid is not limited to ink, and may be applied to other liquids.

1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of an ink jet printer according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printer. 6 is a flowchart showing a paper feed standby process. The flowchart which shows a flushing sheet conveyance standby process. The flowchart which shows especially a printing process among printing and a flushing process. The flowchart which shows especially a flushing process among printing and a flushing process. The figure which shows a flushing sheet. FIG. 4 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of an ink jet printer according to a second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Inkjet printer as a liquid ejecting apparatus, 12 ... Recording head as a liquid ejecting head, 13 ... Nozzle as a liquid ejecting nozzle, 14 ... Paper transport mechanism, 15 ... Flushing sheet transport mechanism, 16 ... Nozzle formation surface, 23 ... Conveying belt, 47 ... Cleaning mechanism, 48 ... Pinch roller pair, P ... Paper as target, T ... Flushing sheet.

Claims (6)

A liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid from a liquid ejecting nozzle to a target;
A flushing sheet that receives the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting nozzle during flushing, and a flushing position in which the flushing sheet faces the nozzle forming surface from a non-flushing position where the flushing sheet does not face the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head. And a flushing sheet transport mechanism for transporting from the flushing position to the non-flushing position,
A liquid ejecting apparatus, comprising: a cleaning mechanism that is provided in the course of the flushing sheet conveyance path by the flushing sheet conveyance mechanism and removes the liquid received in the flushing sheet after flushing. The said cleaning mechanism has a pressure roller which clamps the flushing sheet in the middle of conveying from the flushing position to the non-flushing position, and removes the liquid received in the flushing sheet. The liquid ejecting apparatus described. 3. The liquid ejecting head according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejecting head is formed over the entire width of the liquid ejecting region of the target along a direction in which the liquid ejecting nozzle intersects the transport direction of the target. Liquid ejector. The flushing sheet transport mechanism includes a transport belt that transports the flushing sheet, and the transport belt is also used when transporting the target through a position facing the nozzle forming surface. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the flushing sheet conveyance mechanism conveys the flushing sheet in a state in which the flushing sheet is charged and adsorbed on the conveyance belt. A target transport mechanism for double-sided jetting that enables liquid to be jetted onto both sides of the target, and a target transport path by the double-side spray target transport mechanism and a flushing sheet transport path by the flushing sheet transport mechanism are partially It overlaps, The liquid ejecting apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-5 characterized by the above-mentioned.

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