JP2008149628A - Liquid jetting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid jetting apparatus suppressing breakage of the meniscus in a nozzle corresponding to a suction objective region which is not selected after finishing cleaning which selectively sucks and discharges liquid from a plurality of the suction objective regions in order to suppress waste of the liquid. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid jetting apparatus is equipped with a driving motor 25A rotating in both regular and reverse directions, a suction pump 25 for delivering the ink to a waste liquid tank 30 through respective ink small rooms 24a-24d of a cap 24 and respective discharging paths 26a, 27a, 28a and 29a when the driving motor rotates in the regular direction, a switching valve device 37 for driving valve bodies 38 provided in respective discharging paths so that respective discharging paths are selectively made into either communicating condition or non-communicating condition when the driving motor rotates in the reverse direction, and a one way clutch mechanism 40 as a delaying means for delaying transmission of rotation in the reverse direction of the driving motor to the switching valve device when the rotation of the driving motor is changed over from the regular direction to the reverse direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus such as an ink jet printer.

  In general, an ink jet printer (hereinafter simply referred to as “printer”) is widely known as a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a liquid ejecting head to a target. In such a printer, the ink viscosity increases and solidifies due to evaporation of the ink solvent from the nozzle of the recording head as a liquid ejecting head, dust adheres to the nozzle, and bubbles are clogged. There was a problem of causing. Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, a printer is usually provided with a maintenance device that performs cleaning for forcibly sucking and discharging ink, bubbles, and the like from the nozzles of the recording head (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

  The maintenance device described in Patent Document 1 includes a capping unit having an upper opening for sealing a nozzle forming surface of a recording head, a waste liquid tank connected to the capping unit via a discharge tube, and the like. A suction pump (tube pump) provided in the middle of the tube is provided. In the capping unit, a plurality of ink chambers (cap portions) are partitioned to partition the nozzle formation surface of the recording head into a plurality of suction target areas. Further, the discharge tube is branched into a plurality of liquid flow paths on the upstream side (capping means side) of the suction pump, and each liquid flow path is individually communicated with each ink chamber. Furthermore, the suction pump exhibits suction force based on rotation in the forward direction of a drive motor that can rotate in both forward and reverse directions.

Further, the maintenance device is configured so that each liquid flow channel is selectively brought into a communication state or a non-communication state by opening and closing a valve element interposed in the middle of each liquid flow channel. A switching valve device for switching is provided. When the suction pump is driven based on the rotation of the drive motor in the positive direction, the ink is discharged through the nozzles of the recording head only into the ink chamber corresponding to the liquid flow path in communication. It has become. In other words, the recording head cleaning is selectively executed by driving the switching valve device.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-181034

  By the way, in some recent maintenance devices, only when the drive motor rotates in the reverse direction, the driving force based on the rotation is transmitted to the switching valve device. That is, in such a switching valve device, the valve bodies are opened and closed by the driving force transmitted from the driving motor rotating in the reverse direction.

  However, if the rotation of the drive motor is switched from the forward direction to the reverse direction with the capping means sealing the nozzle formation surface of the recording head, the suction is performed to eliminate the pressure difference generated in the suction pump. The positive pressure in the pump moves to the upstream side (cap side) in each liquid flow path. And in the state where the positive pressure is accumulated in each liquid flow path, due to the rotation in the reverse direction of the drive motor, when the valve body in the closed state among the valve bodies is opened The positive pressure moves into the ink chamber corresponding to the valve body. As a result, in the nozzle in which the ink can be discharged into the ink chamber corresponding to the valve body that has been opened, the meniscus in the nozzle may be destroyed by the positive pressure that has moved into the ink chamber.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of valve bodies individually corresponding to the cap portions between the suction pump and the cap portions. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus capable of suppressing the destruction of the meniscus in the nozzle when the suction pump is reversed after the cleaning of the liquid ejecting head is completed.

  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 large number of nozzles formed on a nozzle forming surface to a target, and a state in which the liquid can be sucked from the nozzles. A capping unit that has a plurality of cap portions formed in contact with the liquid ejecting head and capable of receiving liquid therein, and collects and stores the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head via the capping unit. A plurality of liquid flow paths that are provided so as to individually correspond to the cap portions, connect the cap portions to the tank, a drive motor that can rotate in both forward and reverse directions, and the liquid ejection When the drive motor rotates in the forward direction with the head and the capping means in contact with each other, the inside of the cap part and the liquid channel are passed through. When the suction pump that sucks the liquid and sends the liquid to the tank side and the drive motor rotate in the reverse direction, the valve body interposed between the cap portion and the suction pump is opened. A switching valve device that selectively switches each liquid flow path to a communication state or a non-communication state by performing a valve operation or a valve closing operation, and the rotation of the drive motor is switched from the normal direction to the reverse direction. A delay means for delaying transmission of the reverse rotation of the drive motor to the switching valve device.

  Generally, when the rotation of the drive motor is switched from the normal direction to the reverse direction, the positive pressure generated in the suction pump moves to the upstream side (capping means side) of the suction pump in each liquid flow path. To do. When the switching valve device is driven before the positive pressure is discharged from the downstream side (tank side) in the liquid flow path, the positive pressure is changed from the non-communication state to the communication state. There is a risk of moving into the cap portion through the liquid flow path. In this regard, in the present invention, when the rotation of the drive motor is switched from the normal direction to the reverse direction, the rotation of the drive motor in the reverse direction is delayed by the delay means and then transmitted to the switching valve device. That is, while the transmission of power to the switching valve device is delayed by the delay means, the positive pressure accumulated in the liquid flow path is discharged from the tank side, and the positive pressure moves into the cap portion. It is suppressed. Therefore, when the suction pump is reversed after the cleaning of the liquid jet head is completed, the meniscus in the nozzle can be prevented from being destroyed.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the liquid flow path is formed by a flexible tube having one side communicating with the cap and the other side communicating with the tank. The suction pump includes the drive motor. When rotating in the forward direction, a pressing force is applied to a part of the flexible tube, while when the drive motor rotates in the reverse direction, a pressing force applied to a part of the flexible tube. A pressing means for reducing the pressure is provided, and the delay means is configured such that when the rotation of the drive motor is switched from the normal direction to the reverse direction, the pressing force applied to a part of the flexible tube by the pressing means is provided. After the decrease, the rotation of the drive motor in the reverse direction is transmitted to the switching valve device.

  According to this invention, when the rotation of the drive motor is switched from the normal direction to the reverse direction, the pressing force applied to a part of the flexible tube by the pressing means is greater than the pressing force during the normal rotation of the drive motor. Then, the rotation of the drive motor in the reverse direction is transmitted to the switching valve device. Therefore, the positive pressure accumulated in the liquid channel can be discharged from the tank side.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the delay unit may eliminate the pressing force applied to a part of the flexible tube by the pressing unit after the rotation of the drive motor is switched from the forward direction to the reverse direction. Then, the rotation of the drive motor in the reverse direction is transmitted to the switching valve device.

  According to the present invention, when the rotation of the drive motor is switched from the normal direction to the reverse direction, the pressing force applied to a part of the flexible tube by the pressing means is eliminated, and then the reverse direction of the drive motor. Is transmitted to the switching valve device. Therefore, the positive pressure accumulated in the liquid channel can be reliably discharged from the tank side.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the delay unit includes a one-way clutch mechanism that transmits the rotation of the drive motor to the switching valve device only when the drive motor rotates in the reverse direction.

According to the present invention, the function of the one-way clutch mechanism favorably suppresses the rotation of the drive motor being transmitted to the switching valve device when the drive motor is rotating in the forward direction.
In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the one-way clutch mechanism may include a first rotating member that rotates in accordance with both forward and reverse rotations of the drive motor, and that has an internal toothed internal gear portion, and the first rotating member. By engaging with the internal gear portion of the rotating member, an externally toothed pinion that can circulate around the axis of the first rotating member, and rotatable about the axis, is configured to rotate the drive motor. And a second rotating member having an abutting portion with which the pinion that circulates around the axis contacts the middle of the circulatory rotation, and the second rotating member is based on the rotation of the drive motor in the reverse direction. When the pinion circulates around the axis to one side in the circumferential direction, the contact portion is configured to rotate in a predetermined direction around the axis by meshing with the pinion, and the switching Valve , When the second rotary member is rotated to said predetermined direction, to drive the respective valve body so as to open operation or closing operation.

  According to the present invention, since the rotating members and the pinion constituting the one-way clutch mechanism function as delay means, the parts are compared with the case where the one-way clutch mechanism and the delay means are configured separately. The increase in points is suppressed.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, when the drive motor rotates in the forward direction, the pinion circulates around the axis to the other side in the circumferential direction while the drive motor rotates in the reverse direction. Is configured to circulate around the axis to one side in the circumferential direction, and the contact portion of the second rotating member is arranged around the axis when the drive motor rotates in the forward direction. When the rotation of the drive motor is switched from the normal direction to the reverse direction, the pinion that has circulated around the axis to the one side in the circumferential direction is brought into a non-meshing state with the pinion that circulates to the other side. The second rotating member is configured to be meshed, and when the abutting portion meshes with the pinion that circulates around the axis, the circular movement of the pinion is transmitted, whereby the predetermined rotation is performed. direction It is configured to rotate.

  According to this invention, when the rotation of the drive motor is switched from the normal direction to the reverse direction, the pinion circulates around the axis in the circumferential direction, and the contact portion of the pinion and the second rotating member is brought into meshing state. In the meantime, the transmission of the rotation of the drive motor to the switching valve device is delayed.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the liquid ejecting apparatus of the invention is embodied in an ink jet printer will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, an ink jet printer 11 as a liquid ejecting apparatus includes a frame 12 having a substantially rectangular box shape. A platen 13 extends along the main scanning direction X, which is the longitudinal direction, in the lower part of the frame 12. On the platen 13, the recording paper P as a target is orthogonal to the main scanning direction X by a paper feed mechanism (not shown) based on driving of a paper feed motor 14 provided at the lower back of the frame 12 (lower rear in FIG. 1). The paper is fed along the sub-scanning direction Y.

  A guide shaft 15 is installed above the platen 13 in the frame 12 along the longitudinal direction of the platen 13. A carriage 16 is supported on the guide shaft 15 so as to be capable of reciprocating along the axial direction (main scanning direction X) of the guide shaft 15. That is, the carriage 16 is supported so as to be reciprocally movable along the axial direction of the guide shaft 15 by inserting the guide shaft 15 through a support hole 16 a formed penetrating in the axial direction.

  A driving pulley 17a and a driven pulley 17b are rotatably supported at positions corresponding to both ends of the guide shaft 15 on the inner surface of the rear wall of the frame 12 in FIG. An output shaft of a carriage motor 18 serving as a drive source for reciprocating the carriage 16 is connected to the drive pulley 17a, and an endless timing connected to the carriage 16 is connected between the pair of pulleys 17a and 17b. A belt 17 is hung. Accordingly, the carriage 16 is movable in the main scanning direction X via the endless timing belt 17 by the driving force of the carriage motor 18 while being guided by the guide shaft 15.

  A recording head 19 as a liquid ejecting head is provided on the lower surface side of the carriage 16, and a plurality (four in this embodiment) for supplying ink as a liquid to the recording head 19 on the carriage 16. An ink cartridge 20 is detachably mounted. As shown in FIG. 2, the nozzle forming surface 19a on the lower surface side of the recording head 19 is a nozzle row extending in the sub-scanning direction Y by a large number of nozzles 21 serving as ejection ports for ejecting ink of each color. A black ink nozzle group 22B, a cyan ink nozzle group 22C, a magenta ink nozzle group 22M, and a yellow ink nozzle group 22Y are formed. That is, on the nozzle forming surface 19a, a plurality of nozzle rows extending along the sub-scanning direction Y by the nozzle groups 22B, 22C, 22M, and 22Y are spaced at a constant interval (nozzle pitch) in the main scanning direction X. It is provided so as to form a plurality of suction target areas.

  The ink in the ink cartridge 20 is supplied from the ink cartridge 20 to the recording head 19 by driving a piezoelectric element (not shown) provided in the recording head 19, and is formed on the nozzle forming surface 19 a of the recording head 19. Printing is performed by discharging (jetting) the recording paper P fed from the plurality of nozzles 21 onto the platen 13.

  A maintenance device 23 for performing maintenance such as cleaning of the recording head 19 at the time of non-printing is provided in a home position area (non-printing area) that does not correspond to the recording paper P located at the right end in FIG. Is provided.

Next, the maintenance device 23 will be described below with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the maintenance device 23 includes a cap (capping means) 24 made of a synthetic resin having a bottomed square box shape with an open upper side capable of sealing the nozzle forming surface 19 a of the recording head 19, and forward and reverse. And a suction pump 25 that is driven based on rotation of a drive motor 25A that can rotate in both directions. That is, the cap 24 is formed in a state where ink can be sucked from each nozzle 21 of the recording head 19. Further, the inside of the cap 24 is divided into a plurality (four in this embodiment), and a plurality of ink chambers (left side in FIG. 3) as a plurality of cap portions individually corresponding to the nozzle groups 22B, 22C, 22M, and 22Y of each ink color. The first ink chamber 24a, the second ink chamber 24b, the third ink chamber 24c, and the fourth ink chamber 24d) are formed in this order.

  The cap 24 can be moved up and down by an elevating means (not shown). When the cap 24 is raised, the cap 24 comes into contact with the recording head 19 located in the home position region, and the nozzle groups 22B, 22C, 22M, and 22Y of the recording head 19 are contacted. The (nozzle forming surface 19a) is sealed. More specifically, the black ink nozzle group 22B is sealed by the first ink chamber 24a, and the cyan ink nozzle group 22C is sealed by the second ink chamber 24b. The magenta ink nozzle group 22M is sealed by the third ink chamber 24c, and the yellow ink nozzle group 22Y is sealed by the fourth ink chamber 24d.

  In each of the ink chambers 24 a to 24 d of the cap 24, the discharge tubes 26, 27, 28, 29, which are flexible tubes in which ink discharge paths (liquid flow paths) 26 a, 27 a, 28 a, 29 a are formed, respectively. Is connected. The discharge tubes 26 to 29 are joined to each other in the middle, and then communicated to the waste liquid tank 30 through the suction pump 25. That is, one side (upstream side) of the discharge tubes 26 to 29 communicates with the ink chambers 24 a to 24 d in the cap 24, and the other side (downstream side) communicates with the waste liquid tank 30. In addition, at the time of cleaning or flushing, the ink discharged from the nozzle 21 is discharged into the waste liquid tank 30 through the discharge tubes 26 to 29 (discharge paths 26a to 29a). In the following description, a portion where the discharge tubes 26 to 29 are joined and extends to the waste liquid tank 30 via the suction pump 25 may be referred to as a “joint discharge tube 31”.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the suction pump 25 includes a cylindrical pump case 32 fixed to the frame 12. A pump wheel 33 having a circular shape in plan view is accommodated in the pump case 32 so as to be rotatable around a wheel shaft 34 provided at the shaft center of the pump case 32. And in this pump case 32, the intermediate part 31a of the confluence | merging discharge | emission tube 31 is accommodated so that the inner peripheral wall of the pump case 32 may be followed. The pump wheel 33 rotates in the first rotation direction A when the drive motor 25A rotates in the forward direction, and rotates in the second rotation direction B when the drive motor 25A rotates in the reverse direction. It is supposed to be.

  The pump wheel 33 is formed with a roller guide groove 35 having an arc shape that bulges outward. One end of the roller guide groove 35 is located on the outer peripheral side of the pump wheel 33, and the other end is located on the inner peripheral side of the pump wheel 33. In other words, the roller guide groove 35 gradually extends away from the outer peripheral portion of the pump wheel 33 inward from one end to the other end. In the roller guide groove 35, a roller 36 as a pressing member is supported while being inserted through the rotation shaft 36a. The rotating shaft 36a is slidable in the roller guide groove 35.

  When the pump wheel 33 rotates in the first rotation direction A, the roller 36 moves to one end side of the roller guide groove 35 (the outer peripheral side of the pump wheel 33). When the pump wheel 33 further rotates in the first rotation direction A, the roller 36 sequentially crushes a part of the intermediate portion 31a of the merged discharge tube 31 from the upstream side to the downstream side. . That is, when the pump wheel 33 rotates in the first rotation direction A with the nozzle forming surface 19 a (each nozzle 21) of the recording head 19 sealed with the cap 24, the merging upstream of the suction pump 25. The inside of the discharge tube 31 is depressurized, and negative pressure is generated in the cap 24 (ink chambers 24a to 24d). As a result, from the recording head 19, the thickened ink is discharged from the nozzles 21 corresponding to the ink chambers 24 a to 24 d where negative pressure is generated into the cap 24 together with bubbles and the like, and the discharged ink (waste ink) ) Is discharged into the waste liquid tank 30 through the merged discharge tube 31 or the like, so-called cleaning is performed.

  On the other hand, when the pump wheel 33 rotates in the second rotational direction B, each roller 36 moves to the other end side of the roller guide groove 35 (inner peripheral side of the pump wheel 33). Due to the movement of the roller 36, the pressing force applied to the intermediate portion 31 a of the merged discharge tube 31 by the roller 36 becomes weaker than when the pump wheel 33 rotates in the first rotation direction A, and the merged discharge tube The decompression state inside 31 is canceled.

  Between the cap 24 and the suction pump 25 in each of the discharge paths 26a to 29a, a switching valve device 37 that selectively switches the discharge paths 26a to 29a to be in a communication state or a non-communication state is disposed. The switching valve device 37 is provided with a valve body 38 interposed separately in each of the discharge passages 26a to 29a. Then, the switching valve device 37 individually opens or closes each valve body 38, thereby bringing the discharge passages 26a to 29a into a communication state or a non-communication state. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the switching valve device 37 is connected to the drive motor 25 </ b> A via a one-way clutch mechanism 40. In the present embodiment, the driving force based on the rotation is transmitted to the switching valve device 37 only when the drive motor 25 </ b> A rotates in the reverse direction by the one-way clutch mechanism 40. In addition, a pressure chamber 41 for accumulating negative pressure based on driving of the suction pump 25 is provided between the switching valve device 37 and the suction pump 25 in the confluence discharge tube 31.

  Next, a configuration for transmitting the rotation of the drive motor 25A to the suction pump 25 and the one-way clutch mechanism 40 (switching valve device 37) will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the following description, “front-rear direction”, “left-right direction”, and “up-down direction” refer to the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction indicated by arrows in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, an externally toothed motor-side gear 46 that is rotatable about the rotation shaft 45 is fixed to the rotation shaft 45 of the drive motor 25 </ b> A. On the left side of the motor-side gear 46, an externally-toothed pump-side gear 47 that meshes with the motor-side gear 46 is disposed, and at the center in the radial direction of the pump-side gear 47, the suction pump 25 The wheel shaft 34 is fixed. When the drive motor 25A (motor side gear 46) rotates in the forward direction, the pump side gear 47 rotates in the first rotation direction A opposite to the forward direction, while the drive motor 25A reverses. When it rotates in the direction, it rotates in the second rotation direction B opposite to the opposite direction.

  On the other hand, a one-way clutch mechanism 40 is provided on the right side of the motor side gear 46. The one-way clutch mechanism 40 includes a first rotating gear 48 as a first rotating member that is rotatable about a first axis S1 and a front side of the first rotating gear 48. And a second rotating gear 49 as a second rotating member that is rotatable about the axis S1. The first rotating gear 48 includes an externally-toothed large-diameter gear portion 48a configured to be able to mesh with the motor-side gear 46, and an internal-toothed internal tooth formed with a smaller diameter than the large-diameter gear portion 48a. A small-diameter gear portion 48b as a gear portion is integrally formed in an arrangement manner in which the small-diameter gear portion 48b is positioned on the axially front side of the large-diameter gear portion 48a. As shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C, the small-diameter gear portion 48b has a substantially cylindrical shape, and a large number of teeth are formed on the inner periphery thereof at regular intervals along the circumferential direction. ing. When the drive motor 25A rotates in the forward direction, the first rotation gear 48 rotates in the third rotation direction C opposite to the forward direction, while the drive motor 25A rotates in the reverse direction. Are rotated in a fourth rotation direction D (predetermined direction) opposite to the opposite direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the second rotating gear 49 has an externally toothed second rotating gear body 50 having a smaller diameter than the large-diameter gear portion 48 a of the first rotating gear 48. It is provided so as to be positioned on the front side in the axial direction of the 48 small-diameter gear portion 48b. Further, as shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C, the second rotating gear 49 includes a small diameter gear portion 48b of the first rotating gear 48 from the center portion in the radial direction of the second rotating gear body 50. And a substantially fan-shaped projecting portion (contact portion) 52 projecting radially outward from the cylindrical portion 51 in the small-diameter gear portion 48b. And are provided.

  The projecting portion 52 is in sliding contact with the tip of each internal tooth formed on the inner peripheral side of the small-diameter gear portion 48b of the first rotating gear 48 when the radially outer portion serving as the leading end surface rotates the second rotating gear 49. It is formed as follows. In addition, a protrusion (meshing portion) 52 a that protrudes in a tooth shape toward the third rotation direction C is formed at a portion on the third rotation direction C side of the protrusion 52, and the protrusion 52 has a first portion. 4 is a circular arc surface (sliding contact portion) 52b having an arc shape.

  Further, in the small-diameter gear portion 48b of the first rotating gear 48, an externally toothed pinion 53 meshing with the small-diameter gear portion 48b is provided around the cylindrical portion 51 of the second rotating gear 49 (in other words, the first axis line). (Around S1). Since the pinion 53 is arranged in a state of being always meshed with the small-diameter gear portion 48b of the first rotation gear 48, when the first rotation gear 48 rotates, the column of the second rotation gear 49 along the rotation direction. The portion 51 is circulated around the first axis S1.

  When the pinion 53 circulates in the small diameter gear portion 48b of the first rotation gear 48 along the third rotation direction C, the pinion 53 comes into contact with the arc surface 52b of the protruding portion 52 of the second rotation gear 49, The arcuate surface 52b is rotated while being in sliding contact with the arcuate surface 52b. That is, when the first rotation gear 48 rotates in the third rotation direction C, the pinion 53 contacts the arc surface 52b of the protrusion 52 of the second rotation gear 49, and then the arc surface 52b at the contact position. Therefore, the rotation of the first rotation gear 48 is not transmitted to the second rotation gear 49.

  On the other hand, when the first rotation gear 48 rotates in the fourth rotation direction D, the pinion 53 is separated from the arc surface 52b of the protrusion 52 of the second rotation gear 49 as shown in FIG. Rotate along the fourth rotational direction D in the small diameter gear portion 48b of the first rotating gear 48. When the first rotation gear 48 further rotates in the fourth rotation direction D, as shown in FIG. 7C, the external teeth of the pinion 53 and the protrusion 52 a of the protrusion 52 of the second rotation gear 49. Mesh with each other. That is, the pinion 53 and the protruding portion 52 of the second rotating gear 49 are brought into meshing state. In this state, when the first rotation gear 48 further rotates in the fourth rotation direction D, the rotation of the first rotation gear 48 in the fourth rotation direction D is transmitted to the second rotation gear 49 via the pinion 53. As a result, the second rotation gear 49 starts to rotate in the fourth rotation direction D. Since the second rotating gear body 50 of the second rotating gear 49 has a diameter smaller than that of the large diameter gear portion 48a of the first rotating gear 48, the rotation of the drive motor 25A in the reverse direction is reduced. It is transmitted to the switching valve device 37.

  When the second rotation gear 49 rotates in the fourth rotation direction D, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, an external tooth type valve body side rotation gear 54 arranged on the right side of the second rotation gear 49 is used. Since the second rotation gear main body 50 of the second rotation gear 49 is engaged, the rotation of the drive motor 25 </ b> A is transmitted via the second rotation gear 49. That is, when the rotation of the drive motor 25A is switched from the normal direction to the reverse direction, the pinion 53 and the second pinion 53 are connected to the second rotation direction D after the pinion 53 starts to circulate in the fourth rotation direction D in the small-diameter gear portion 48b of the first rotation gear 48. The rotation of the drive motor 25 </ b> A is not transmitted to the valve-body-side rotation gear 54 until the protrusion 52 of the rotation gear 49 is engaged. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the rotation of the drive motor 25A is switched from the normal direction to the reverse direction by the first rotation gear 48, the second rotation gear 49, and the pinion 53, the drive motor 25A rotates in the reverse direction. The delay means which delays transmission to the valve body side rotation gear 54 (switching valve apparatus 37) of this is comprised.

  In the present embodiment, when the drive motor 25A starts to rotate in the reverse direction and the pinion 53 and the projecting portion 52 of the second rotating gear 49 are in meshing state, the suction is already performed at that time. In the pump 25, the pressing state by the roller 36 against the merging / discharging tube 31 is already eliminated. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the portion that is pressed by the roller 36 in the merging / discharging tube 31 is returned to a substantially circular shape by the elastic restoring force of the merging / discharging tube 31.

Next, a configuration for operating each valve body 38 in the switching valve device 37 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 8.
As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the switching valve device 37 is provided with the externally shaped valve body side rotation gear 54 that meshes with the second rotation gear 49 as described above, and the valve body side rotation gear 54. Is rotatable about the second axis S2. A camshaft 55 extending forward from the center in the radial direction is fixed to the valve body side rotation gear 54, and the camshaft 55 is centered on the second axis S2 together with the valve body side rotation gear 54. It is designed to rotate. A plurality (four in this embodiment) of cam members 56, 57, 58, and 59 are fixed to the cam shaft 55 at equal intervals along the extending direction. Specifically, among the cam members 56 to 59, the first cam member 56 is disposed on the rear side closest to the valve body side rotation gear 54, and the second cam member 57 is disposed second from the rear side. Has been. Further, the third cam member 58 is disposed third from the rear side, and the fourth cam member 59 is disposed on the most front side. A switching valve lever portion 64 having levers 60, 61, 62, 63 individually corresponding to the cam members 56 to 59 is provided below the cam shaft 55.

  As shown in FIG. 8 (a), the first cam member 56 includes a simultaneous operation convex portion 56a and a single operation convex portion 56b, both of which have a fan-shaped cross section. 8 (a) in the counterclockwise direction, and the same applies to the following), and protruding at an interval of about 270 degrees. As shown in FIG. 8B, the second cam member 57 has a simultaneous operation convex portion 57a and a single operation convex portion 57b, both of which are fan-shaped in cross section, approximately in the counter-rotating direction of the camshaft 55. Projections are formed at intervals of 200 degrees.

  As shown in FIG. 8C, the third cam member 58 has a simultaneous operation convex portion 58a and a single operation convex portion 58b, both of which are fan-shaped in cross section, approximately in the counter-rotating direction of the camshaft 55. Projections are formed at intervals of 140 degrees. As shown in FIG. 8D, the fourth cam member 59 has a simultaneous operation convex portion 59a and a single operation convex portion 59b, both of which are fan-shaped in cross section, and are approximately in the counter-rotating direction of the camshaft 55. Projections are formed at intervals of 80 degrees. In addition, although each convex part 56a-59a for simultaneous operation and each convex part 56b-59b for single operation | movement are slightly different by each convex part, respectively, the center angle has a fan shape within the range of 45 to 75 degrees. Is formed. Further, the simultaneous operation convex portions 56a to 59a are formed so that the circumferential positions around the second axis S2 are the same, and the individual operation convex portions 56b to 59b The circumferential positions around the second axis S2 are different from each other.

  The switching valve lever portion 64 is configured to individually drive the valve bodies 38 so that the discharge passages 26a to 29a are in a communication / non-communication state based on the rotation of the cam members 56 to 59. As shown in FIG. 5, the switching valve lever portion 64 includes a block-shaped base material 70 on which two rotating shafts 71 and 72 are formed from the diameters of the cam members 56 to 59. Are arranged so as to be parallel to the camshaft 55 with a large space therebetween. And in the base material 70, each discharge path 26a-29a is formed.

  The first lever 60 and the third lever 62 are rotatably attached to the right rotation shaft 71 of the two rotation shafts 71 and 72 in order from the rear side in FIG. In addition, the second lever 61 and the fourth lever 63 are rotatably attached to the left rotation shaft 72 of the two rotation shafts 71 and 72 in order from the rear side in FIG.

  The first lever 60 is positioned below the first cam member 56 so as to correspond to the first ink chamber 24a (discharge path 26a), and the discharge path 26a communicates with the rotation of the first cam member 56. Switch to a non-communication state. The second lever 61 is positioned below the second cam member 57 so as to correspond to the second ink chamber 24b (discharge path 27a), and the discharge path 27a communicates with the rotation of the second cam member 57. Switch to a non-communication state. The third lever 62 is positioned below the third cam member 58 so as to correspond to the third ink chamber 24c (discharge path 28a), and the discharge path 28a communicates with the rotation of the third cam member 58. Switch to a non-communication state. The fourth lever 63 is positioned below the fourth cam member 59 so as to correspond to the fourth ink chamber 24d (discharge path 29a), and the discharge path 29a communicates with the rotation of the fourth cam member 59. Switch to a non-communication state.

  As shown in FIG. 8D, on the upper surface side of the substrate 70 in the switching valve lever portion 64, the valve body support portion is located at a position corresponding to the left end of the fourth lever 63 (the right end in FIG. 8D). 70a is raised upward. The valve body support portion 70a is formed with a valve body support hole 70b extending vertically to the discharge passage 29a that penetrates the inside of the base material 70, and a long valve body 38 is formed in the valve body support hole 70b. It is arranged to be movable. The valve body 38 is urged downward by a coil spring (not shown), and the discharge path 29a is always sealed by the lower portion of the valve body 38, and the valve body 38 is located between the fourth ink chamber 24d and the suction pump 25. Is in a non-communication state.

  As the fourth cam member 59 rotates, when the simultaneous operation convex portion 59a or the single operation convex portion 59b pushes the fourth lever 63 downward, the fourth lever 63 moves to the right end side (FIG. 8). In (d), the left end side) is rotated clockwise in FIG. Then, the valve body 38 opens, and as a result, the discharge path 29a that connects the fourth ink chamber 24d and the suction pump 25 is in a communication state. That is, while the simultaneous operation convex portion 59a or the single operation convex portion 59b pushes the right end side of the fourth lever 63 downward, the valve body 38 is in an open state. It should be noted that the switching cam members 56 to 58 other than the fourth cam member 59 also switch the discharge paths 26a to 28a so as to be in the communication / non-communication state via the corresponding levers 60 to 62. Since it is substantially the same, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Next, the operation at the time of executing cleaning and at the end of cleaning in the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. It is assumed that, during the cleaning, the valve body 38 corresponding to the magenta ink nozzle group 22M and the valve body 38 corresponding to the yellow ink nozzle group 22Y among the valve bodies 38 are closed.

  When cleaning is performed, the pump wheel 33 of the suction pump 25 rotates in the first rotation direction A based on the rotation of the drive motor 25A in the positive direction. As a result, the roller 36 moves radially outward in the roller guide groove 35, whereby a part of the merged discharge tube 31 is pressed by the roller 36. In this state, the pump wheel 33 rotates in the first rotation direction A.

  Then, the inside of the confluence discharge tube 31 upstream of the suction pump 25 is depressurized, and a negative pressure is generated in the ink chambers 24c and 24d corresponding to the opened valve body 38 among the ink chambers 24a to 24d. To do. As a result, the ink is discharged from the cyan ink nozzle group 22C and the black ink nozzle group 22B corresponding to the ink chambers 24c and 24d into the ink chambers 24c and 24d, and is discharged into the ink chambers 24c and 24d. The ink thus discharged is discharged into the waste liquid tank 30 via the discharge paths 28a and 29a. At this time, ink is discharged from the nozzles 21 of the magenta ink nozzle group 22M and the yellow ink nozzle group 22Y because the valve bodies 38 corresponding to the magenta ink nozzle group 22M and the yellow ink nozzle group 22Y are closed. There is nothing.

  In the one-way clutch mechanism 40, since the first rotation gear 48 rotates in the third rotation direction C, the pinion 53 circulates in the third rotation direction C in the small diameter gear portion 48b of the first rotation gear 48. The second rotating gear 49 abuts on the arc portion 52b of the protruding portion 52. Since the pinion 53 only rotates (idle) while being slidably contacted with the arcuate surface 52b of the protrusion 52 of the second rotation gear 49 in a non-engagement state, the second rotation gear 49 includes a drive motor 25A. The rotation of is not transmitted. Therefore, when the drive motor 25A rotates in the forward direction, the switching valve device 37 is not driven.

  On the other hand, when the cleaning is finished, the drive motor 25A switches from rotating in the forward direction to rotating in the reverse direction. Then, in the suction pump 25, the rotation of the pump wheel 33 is switched from the first rotation direction A to the second rotation direction B. However, as shown in FIG. 9, immediately after the rotation of the pump wheel 33 is switched to the second rotation direction B (time t0 in FIG. 9), the pressing force applied to a part of the merged discharge tube 31 by the roller 36 Is still big. Therefore, as shown to Fig.10 (a), the site | part pressed by the roller 36 in the confluence | merging discharge tube 31 is in the state where it was crushed. That is, in the merging / discharging tube 31, the upstream side and the downstream side of the portion pressed by the roller 36 are out of communication. Therefore, immediately after the rotation of the pump wheel 33 in the second rotation direction B is started, the positive pressure generated in the suction pump 25 is upstream of the suction pump 25 (cap 24 in the confluence discharge tube 31). ) Move to the side.

  In the one-way clutch mechanism 40, when the rotation of the drive motor 25A is switched from the normal direction to the reverse direction, the rotation of the first rotation gear 48 is changed from the rotation in the third rotation direction C to the fourth rotation direction D. Switch to rotation to. Then, in the small-diameter gear portion 48b of the first rotating gear 48, the pinion 53 that has been in contact with the arc surface 52b of the projecting portion 52 of the second rotating gear 49 is separated from the arc surface 52b of the projecting portion 52, and the first The inside of the small-diameter gear portion 48b of the rotating gear 48 starts to circulate in the fourth rotation direction D (see FIG. 7B).

  In the suction pump 25, when the elapsed time from the start of the rotation of the drive motor 25A in the reverse direction exceeds the time t1, the pressing force to a part of the confluence discharge tube 31 by the roller 36 gradually decreases. start. When the elapsed time exceeds the time t2, as shown in FIG. 10B, the portion pressed by the roller 36 in the merged discharge tube 31 spreads using the elastic return force of the merged discharge tube 31. It will be. That is, the upstream side and the downstream side are in communication with each other in the merged discharge tube 31 with respect to the portion pressed by the roller 36. In this state, in the small diameter gear portion 48b of the first rotation gear 48, the pinion 53 is in the middle of rotating around the small diameter gear portion 48b and is engaged with the protruding portion 52 of the second rotation gear 49. It is not.

  When the portion of the combined discharge tube 31 that is pressed by the roller 36 is in the state shown in FIG. 10B, the positive pressure accumulated upstream of the suction pump 25 in the combined discharge tube 31 is downstream (waste liquid). Start moving to the tank 30) side. When the elapsed time exceeds the time t3, the roller 36 is completely separated from the merged discharge tube 31 by the further rotation of the pump wheel 33 in the suction pump 25 in the second rotation direction B. The pressing force to a part of the merged discharge tube 31 is eliminated. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10C, the cross-sectional shape of the portion that is pressed by the roller 36 in the merging / discharging tube 31 is substantially circular. Then, the positive pressure accumulated in the merged discharge tube 31 is discharged to the outside through the downstream end of the merged discharge tube 31, and as a result, the pressure difference in each of the discharge paths 26a to 29a is eliminated.

  Thus, when the elapsed time exceeds the time t3, the pinion 53 is engaged with the protruding portion 52 of the second rotating gear 49 in the small diameter gear portion 48b of the first rotating gear 48, and the drive motor 25A The rotation in the reverse direction is transmitted to the switching valve device 37 via the first rotation gear 48, the pinion 53 and the second rotation gear 49. Then, the switching valve device 37 starts driving. That is, the timing at which the switching valve device 37 starts driving is delayed compared to the timing at which the pump wheel 33 in the suction pump 25 starts to rotate in the second rotational direction B.

  As a result, since the switching valve device 37 starts to be driven after the pressure difference in each of the discharge paths 26 a to 29 a is eliminated, the positive pressure accumulated in the merged discharge tube 31 is driven by the switching valve device 37. The movement into the ink chambers 24a and 24b corresponding to the valve body 38 that has been opened is suppressed. Accordingly, when the positive pressure accumulated in the merged discharge tube 31 moves into the ink chambers 24a and 24b, the magenta ink nozzle group 22M and the yellow ink nozzle group 22Y corresponding to the ink chambers 24a and 24b are moved. It is suppressed that the meniscus in each nozzle 21 which comprises is destroyed.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the present embodiment, when the rotation of the drive motor 25A is switched from the normal direction to the reverse direction, the rotation of the drive motor 25A in the reverse direction is the first rotation gear 48 and the second rotation that constitute the delay means. After being delayed by the gear 49 and the pinion 53, it is transmitted to the switching valve device 37. That is, while the power transmission to the switching valve device 37 is delayed by the first rotation gear 48, the second rotation gear 49, and the pinion 53, the discharge paths 26a to 29a are accompanied by the rotation of the drive motor 25A in the reverse direction. The positive pressure accumulated between the suction pump 25 and the valve body 38 in the closed state is discharged from the waste liquid tank 30 side. Therefore, when the suction pump 25 is reversely rotated after the cleaning of the recording head (liquid ejecting head) 19 is completed, the meniscus in the nozzle 21 can be prevented from being destroyed.

  (2) When the rotation of the drive motor 25A is switched from the normal direction to the reverse direction, the pressing force applied to a part of the merged discharge tube (flexible tube) 31 by the roller (pressing means) 36 is the normal rotation of the drive motor 25A. The rotation in the reverse direction of the drive motor 25 </ b> A is transmitted to the switching valve device 37 after the pressure is lower than the pressing force at that time. That is, the switching valve device 37 starts to be driven after the upstream side and the downstream side are in communication with each other in the merged discharge tube 31 with respect to the portion pressed by the roller 36. Therefore, the positive pressure accumulated between the suction pump 25 and the valve body 38 in the closed state in the discharge passages 26a to 29a can be discharged to the waste liquid tank 30 side instead of the cap 24 side.

  (3) Furthermore, in this embodiment, after the pressing force against a part of the confluence discharge tube (flexible tube) 31 by the roller (pressing means) 36 is completely eliminated (that is, the cross-sectional shape of the pressed portion) The first rotation gear 48, the second rotation gear 49, and the pinion 53 are configured so that the switching valve device 37 is driven (after returning to a substantially circular shape). Therefore, the positive pressure accumulated in the discharge passages 26a to 29a can be favorably avoided from being discharged to the cap 24 side.

  (4) Since the one-way clutch mechanism 40 is provided in the maintenance device 23 of the present embodiment, only the reverse rotation of the drive motor 25A can be transmitted to the switching valve device 37.

  (5) The rotating gears (rotating members) 48 and 49 and the pinion 53 constituting the one-way clutch mechanism 40 function as delay means. Therefore, the increase in the number of parts can be suppressed as compared with the case where the one-way clutch mechanism 40 and the delay unit are configured separately.

  (6) When the rotation of the drive motor 25A is switched from the normal direction to the reverse direction, the pinion 53 circulates in the fourth rotation direction D around the first axis S1, and the pinion 53 and the second rotation gear ( The rotation of the drive motor 25 </ b> A can be delayed from being transmitted to the switching valve device 37 until the protrusion 52 a of the protrusion (contact portion) 52 of the second rotation member 49 is engaged. Therefore, the delay means can be reduced in size compared to the case where the delay means is configured by providing a drive source other than the drive motor 25A.

  (7) In the present embodiment, the pinion 53 and the protruding portion (contact portion) 52 of the second rotating gear 49 are respectively disposed in the small-diameter gear portion 48 b of the first rotating gear 48. Therefore, the one-way clutch mechanism 40 can be reduced in size as compared with the case where the pinion 53 and the protruding portion 52 of the second rotation gear 49 are disposed outside the first rotation gear 48.

  (8) The diameter of the second rotation gear main body 50 of the second rotation gear 49 is smaller than the diameter of the large-diameter gear portion 48 a of the first rotation gear 48. Therefore, the rotation of the drive motor 25 </ b> A in the reverse direction is transmitted to the valve body side rotation gear 54 while being decelerated by the second rotation gear 49. As a result, the drive of the switching valve device 37 can be delayed, and also in this respect, it is possible to contribute to discharging the positive pressure accumulated in the discharge passages 26 a to 29 a to the waste liquid tank 30.

The above embodiment may be changed to another embodiment as described below.
-In the said embodiment, you may provide the structure which can make all the valve bodies 38 into a closed state. That is, after the recording head 19 is cleaned, all the valve bodies 38 may be closed, and then the drive motor 25A may be rotated in the reverse direction. In this case, the meniscus in the nozzles can be prevented from being destroyed with respect to all the nozzles.

  In the above embodiment, the one-way clutch mechanism 40 may be configured such that a part of the pinion 53 is located outside the first rotation gear 48 in the axial direction. In this case, the protrusion 52 of the second rotation gear 49 can be provided outside the first rotation gear 48.

  In the above embodiment, the first rotating gear 48 is formed with a portion that meshes with the motor-side gear 46 (applicable to the large diameter gear portion 48a) and a portion that meshes with the pinion 53 (applicable to the small diameter gear portion 48b). Any shape may be used as long as it is a configuration. For example, the diameter of the large-diameter gear portion 48a and the diameter of the small-diameter gear portion 48b may be the same. Even with this configuration, when the rotation of the drive motor 25A is switched from the normal direction to the reverse direction, the transmission of the reverse rotation of the drive motor 25A to the switching valve device 37 can be delayed. .

  In the above embodiment, the diameter of the second rotation gear main body 50 of the second rotation gear 49 may be equal to the diameter of the large diameter gear portion 48a of the first rotation gear 48, or the large diameter gear portion 48a. It may be larger than the diameter. Even if comprised in this way, the effect equivalent to said (1)-(7) can be acquired.

  In the above embodiment, the one-way clutch mechanism 40 is configured such that the rotation of the drive motor 25A in the forward direction is not transmitted to the second rotation gear 49, but when the drive motor 25A is rotating in the forward direction. The second rotation gear 49 may be configured to restrict the rotation.

  In the above embodiment, the delay means may be provided separately from the one-way clutch mechanism 40. For example, a speed reduction mechanism may be provided between the second rotation gear 49 and the valve body side rotation gear 54 so that the transmission of rotation of the drive motor 25A via the second rotation gear 49 is decelerated by the speed reduction mechanism. Good. In this case, the speed reduction mechanism functions as a delay unit.

  In the above embodiment, in the one-way clutch mechanism 40, the portion that is pressed by the roller 36 in the merged discharge tube 31 after the rotation of the drive motor 25A is switched from the normal direction to the reverse direction is shown in FIG. You may comprise so that rotation to the reverse direction of drive motor 25A may be transmitted to the switching valve apparatus 37, when it will be in a state. Even in this configuration, the same effects as the above (1) and (2) can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the paper feed motor 14 may function as the drive motor 25A. That is, when the paper feed motor 14 rotates, the suction pump 25 and the one-way clutch mechanism 40 may be driven.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the carriage 16 is configured to be able to mount a plurality of (for example, six) ink cartridges 20 other than four, the recording head 19 has a plurality of other than the four (for example, four, for example) according to the type of ink. It is desirable to have a configuration in which six nozzle rows are formed. In this case, it is desirable that a plurality of (for example, six) ink chambers other than four be formed in the cap 24 in accordance with the nozzle row.

  In the above embodiment, the capping unit may have a plurality of caps (cap portions) corresponding to each nozzle row. Even if comprised in this way, there can exist an effect similar to the said embodiment.

  In the above embodiment, the cap 24 may not be configured to contact the peripheral edge of the lower surface of the recording head 19 as long as the cap 24 is configured to suck ink from the nozzle 21 when contacting the recording head 19. Good. For example, the cap 24 may be configured such that ink can be sucked from the nozzle 21 when the upper portion of the cap 24 abuts against the side surface of the recording head 19.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention is applied to an ink jet printer has been described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to other liquid ejecting apparatuses that are not limited to such a printer. For example, printing apparatuses used for facsimiles, copiers, etc., liquid ejecting apparatuses for ejecting liquids such as electrode materials and coloring materials used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL displays, or surface-emitting displays, etc., and biochip manufacturing It may be a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a bioorganic material to be produced, a sample ejecting apparatus as a precision pipette, or the like.

1 is a schematic perspective view of an ink jet printer according to an embodiment. Explanatory drawing explaining the arrangement | sequence aspect of the nozzle row in a nozzle formation surface. The schematic diagram of the maintenance apparatus in this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view of the suction pump in the present embodiment. The perspective view which shows the structure of the principal part of a one-way clutch mechanism and a switching valve apparatus in this embodiment. The schematic diagram at the time of seeing the structure of the principal part of a one-way clutch mechanism and a switching valve apparatus from upper direction. (A), (b), (c) is a 7-7 line arrow directional cross-sectional view in FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 6, FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 6, and FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in FIG. ) Is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. The timing chart explaining the relationship between the pressing force which a roller provides to a discharge tube, and the timing which a switching valve apparatus drives when a drive motor begins to rotate in a reverse direction. (A) is a schematic sectional view showing a state in which the discharge tube is crushed, (b) is a schematic sectional view showing a state in which the shape of the discharge tube is returning, and (c) is a state in which the shape of the discharge tube is restored. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Inkjet printer (liquid ejecting apparatus), 19 ... Recording head (liquid ejecting head), 19a ... Nozzle formation surface, 21 ... Nozzle, 24 ... Cap (capping means), 24a-24d ... Ink chamber (cap part), 25 ... suction pump, 25A ... drive motor, 26-29 ... discharge tube (flexible tube), 26a-29a ... discharge path (liquid flow path), 30 ... waste liquid tank (tank), 31 ... confluence discharge tube (possible Flexible tube), 36 ... roller (pressing means), 37 ... switching valve device, 38 ... valve body, 40 ... one-way clutch mechanism, 48 ... first rotating gear (delay means, first rotating member), 48b ... small diameter gear Portion (internal gear portion), 49 ... second rotation gear (delay means, second rotation member), 52 ... protrusion (contact portion), 53 ... pinion (delay means), P ... recording paper ( Getto), S1 ... first axis.

Claims (6)

A liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid to a target from a large number of nozzles formed on a nozzle forming surface;
A capping means having a plurality of cap portions formed so as to be in contact with the liquid ejecting head in a state in which the liquid can be sucked from the nozzle and to receive the liquid therein
A tank for collecting and storing the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head via the capping means;
A plurality of liquid flow paths provided to individually correspond to the cap parts, and connecting the cap parts to the tank;
A drive motor capable of rotating in both forward and reverse directions;
When the drive motor rotates in the forward direction with the liquid ejecting head and the capping means being in contact with each other, the liquid is sucked through the cap portion and the liquid flow path, and the liquid is moved to the tank side. A suction pump for delivery;
When the drive motor rotates in the reverse direction, the liquid passages are selectively opened by opening or closing the valve bodies interposed between the cap portion and the suction pump. A switching valve device that switches to a communication state or a non-communication state;
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising delay means for delaying transmission of the reverse rotation of the drive motor to the switching valve device when the rotation of the drive motor is switched from the forward direction to the reverse direction. The liquid channel is formed by a flexible tube having one side communicating with the cap portion and the other side communicating with the tank.
The suction pump applies a pressing force to a part of the flexible tube when the drive motor rotates in the forward direction, while the flexibility when the drive motor rotates in the reverse direction. A pressing means for reducing the pressing force applied to a part of the tube is provided,
When the rotation of the drive motor is switched from the normal direction to the reverse direction, the delay unit is configured to move the drive motor in the reverse direction after the pressing force applied to a part of the flexible tube by the pressing unit is reduced. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is configured to transmit rotation to the switching valve device. After the rotation of the drive motor is switched from the forward direction to the reverse direction, the delay unit is configured to remove the pressing force applied to a part of the flexible tube by the pressing unit, and The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2, configured to transmit reverse rotation to the switching valve device. 4. The one-way clutch mechanism that transmits the rotation of the drive motor to the switching valve device only when the drive motor rotates in the reverse direction. 5. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to the item. In the one-way clutch mechanism,
A first rotating member that rotates in accordance with both forward and reverse rotations of the drive motor and that has an internal gear type internal gear portion;
By engaging with the internal gear portion of the first rotating member, an externally toothed pinion that can circulate around the axis of the first rotating member;
A second rotating member configured to be rotatable about the axis, and having a contact portion where the pinion that circulates around the axis based on the rotation of the drive motor contacts in the middle of the rotation;
When the pinion circulates around the axis to one side in the circumferential direction based on the rotation of the drive motor in the reverse direction, the second rotating member is configured so that the contact portion meshes with the pinion. , Configured to rotate in a predetermined direction about the axis,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the switching valve device drives the valve bodies to open or close when the second rotating member rotates in the predetermined direction. The pinion circulates around the axis to the other side in the circumferential direction when the drive motor rotates in the forward direction, and circumferentially around the axis when the drive motor rotates in the reverse direction. Configured to circulate on one side of the
When the drive motor rotates in the forward direction, the contact portion of the second rotating member is not engaged with the pinion that circulates around the axis to the other side in the circumferential direction. When the rotation is switched from the forward direction to the reverse direction, it is configured to mesh with the pinion that has circulated around the axis to one side in the circumferential direction,
The second rotating member is configured to rotate in the predetermined direction by transmitting the circular movement of the pinion when the contact portion meshes with the pinion rotating around the axis. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 5.

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