JP2008162064A - Capping operation mechanism, maintenance unit, and liquid ejector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a capping operation mechanism for moving a capping unit through a simple arrangement, and to provide a maintenance unit and a liquid ejector equipped with the capping operation mechanism. <P>SOLUTION: A printer comprising a recording head for ejecting ink from a nozzle opening, and a cap unit 35 arranged to move freely between a position abutting against the recording head while surrounding the nozzle opening and a non-abutting position spaced apart from the abutting position is further provided with a capping operation mechanism. The capping operation mechanism has a member 32 moving linearly along a predetermined direction from a drive force transmitted from a drive motor 28 wherein the moving member 32 moves the cap unit 35 in the direction from the non-abutting position toward the abutting position by imparting a displacing force to the cap unit 35 in the way of its linear movement. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a capping operation mechanism for moving a cap unit formed so as to be able to contact a liquid ejecting head in a state of surrounding a nozzle opening, a maintenance unit including the capping operation mechanism, and a liquid ejecting apparatus. .

  As a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a plurality of nozzles formed in a liquid ejecting head, for example, an ink jet printer (hereinafter simply referred to as “printer”) is known. Such printers are generally equipped with maintenance units for performing various maintenance operations in order to prevent and repair clogging caused by thickening of ink in the nozzles.

  Usually, such a maintenance unit is provided with a cap that is formed in a shape corresponding to the liquid ejecting head as a part of its configuration and that contains an ink absorbing material inside, and a suction pump that sucks and discharges waste liquid inside the cap. Yes. When the liquid ejecting head is moved to the home position and printing is not performed, the cap is brought into contact with the liquid ejecting head so as to surround the nozzle opening of the liquid ejecting head, thereby volatilizing the ink solvent due to drying. Is supposed to suppress.

As described above, in order to suppress the volatilization of the ink solvent, the cap needs to contact the liquid ejecting head. On the other hand, when the liquid ejecting head moves to the home position, the cap does not interfere with the liquid ejecting head. In addition, it is necessary to retract the cap from the moving path of the liquid jet head. Therefore, conventionally, the maintenance unit is provided with a capping operation mechanism for moving the cap unit having such a cap between a contact position where the cap unit is in contact with the liquid ejecting head and a non-contact position which is separated from the contact position. (For example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-307699 A

  However, in the capping operation mechanism of Patent Document 1, since the rotational force of the motor is converted into work for moving the cap unit by combining a plurality of cams, the number of parts related to the cams and the like increases, and the configuration of the apparatus is increased. It was complicated.

  In addition to the above-described ink jet printer, a liquid ejecting apparatus having a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid from a nozzle opening and a cap unit that can be in contact with the liquid ejecting head so as to surround the nozzle opening also has such a situation. It is almost common.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is a capping operation mechanism capable of moving a cap unit with a simple configuration, and a maintenance unit and a liquid ejecting apparatus including the capping operation mechanism. Is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, the capping operation mechanism of the present invention includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid from a nozzle opening, a contact position that contacts the liquid ejecting head in a state of surrounding the nozzle opening, and a corresponding contact position. A capping operation mechanism provided in a liquid ejecting apparatus including a cap unit configured to be movable between a non-contact position spaced apart from a position along a predetermined direction based on a driving force transmitted from a driving source. A pressing member that moves linearly, and the pressing member applies a displacement force to the cap unit during the linear movement, thereby moving the cap unit to one of the contact position and the non-contact position; To the other direction.

  According to this configuration, by applying a displacement force to the cap unit by the linearly moving pressing member, the contact between the contact position where the cap unit contacts the liquid ejecting head and the non-contact position spaced apart from the contact position. Since it can be moved, the cap unit can be moved with a simple configuration.

  In addition, the capping operation mechanism of the present invention further includes a rotating member that is disposed on the movement path of the pressing member and that can apply a displacement force to the cap unit by rotating. When the pressing member is linearly moved, the pressing member is rotated by being pressed by the pressing member.

According to this configuration, the cap unit can be moved with a simple configuration by pressing and rotating the rotating member with the pressing member that moves linearly.
In the capping operation mechanism of the present invention, at least one of the pressing member and the rotating member is formed with a cam surface that obliquely intersects the moving direction of the pressing member.

  According to this configuration, the pressing member slides with the rotating member via the cam surface during linear movement, and the rotating member rotates smoothly, so that the cap unit can be moved smoothly with a simple configuration. .

  In addition, the capping operation mechanism of the present invention further includes a biasing member that biases the rotation member in a predetermined direction, and the pressing member is configured to move the biasing member when the rotation member is pressed. The rotation member is rotated in a direction against the urging force.

  According to this configuration, when the rotation member is not pressed by the pressing member, the cap unit is reliably positioned at one of the contact position and the non-contact position by the biasing force of the biasing member. Can be made.

  In the capping operation mechanism of the present invention, the urging member urges the rotation member in a direction to move the cap unit toward the non-contact position.

  According to this configuration, when the rotating member is not pressed by the pressing member, the liquid ejecting head moves to the home position, for example, because the cap unit is positioned at the non-contact position by the biasing force of the biasing member. When the wiper member moves during or at the time of wiping, the cap unit can be retracted to a non-contact position that does not get in the way.

  The capping operation mechanism of the present invention further includes a rod-shaped feed member having a feed screw portion on an outer peripheral surface and rotating around a predetermined axis based on a drive force transmitted from the drive source, And an engagement portion that is supported by the feed member and that engages with the feed screw portion, and the engagement portion is engaged and guided by the feed screw portion when the feed member rotates. It moves linearly along the longitudinal direction of the feed member.

  According to this configuration, the pressing member is pressed with a simple configuration because the engaging portion is linearly moved along the longitudinal direction of the feeding member when the engaging portion is engaged and guided by the feeding screw portion when the feeding member rotates. The member can be moved linearly.

  The maintenance unit of the present invention is a maintenance unit provided in a liquid ejecting apparatus having a liquid ejecting head for ejecting liquid from a nozzle opening, and is in contact with the liquid ejecting head in a state of surrounding the nozzle opening. A cap unit configured to be movable between a contact position and a non-contact position spaced apart from the contact position; and the capping operation mechanism.

According to this configuration, the same effect as the capping operation mechanism can be obtained.
The liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid from a nozzle opening, a contact position that contacts the liquid ejecting head in a state of surrounding the nozzle opening, and a non-contact that is separated from the corresponding contact position. A cap unit configured to be movable between positions, and the capping operation mechanism.

  According to this configuration, the same effect as the capping operation mechanism can be obtained.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in an ink jet printer (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer) will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 11 as a liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a main body case 12 having a substantially box shape. A platen 13 is provided at a lower portion in the main body case 12 so as to extend along the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction which is the left-right direction in FIG. 1). The platen 13 is a support base that supports the paper P, and feeds the paper P along a sub-operation direction (front-rear direction in FIG. 1) orthogonal to the main scanning direction based on the driving force of the paper feed motor 14. It has become.

  A rod-shaped guide shaft 15 is installed above the platen 13 in the main body case 12, and a carriage 16 is movably inserted and supported on the guide shaft 15. A driving pulley 17 and a driven pulley 18 are rotatably supported at positions corresponding to both end portions of the guide shaft 15 on the inner side surface of the main body case 12. A carriage motor 19 is connected to the driving pulley 17 as a driving source when the carriage 16 is reciprocally moved. A timing belt 20 is fixed between the pair of pulleys 17 and 18 so as to fix and support the carriage 16. ing. Therefore, the carriage 16 is movable in the main scanning direction via the timing belt 20 by driving the carriage motor 19 while being guided by the guide shaft 15.

  A recording head 21 as a liquid ejecting head is provided on the lower surface side of the carriage 16. As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of nozzle openings 21 b are formed in the nozzle formation surface 21 a configured by the lower surface of the recording head 21. A plurality of ink cartridges 22 (five in this embodiment) for supplying ink to the recording head 21 are detachably mounted on the carriage 16. In the recording head 21, an ink supply path (not shown) for supplying ink stored in the ink cartridge 22 to the nozzle opening 21 b is formed.

  In one end portion (right end portion in FIG. 1) of the main body case 12, that is, a non-printing area where the paper P does not reach, a home serving as a standby place for the carriage 16 when the printer 11 is turned off or when the recording head 21 is maintained. A position HP is provided. A maintenance unit 23 is provided at a lower position when the carriage 16 is disposed at the home position HP to prevent and repair clogging of the nozzle openings 21b caused by ink thickening. .

Next, the main part of the maintenance unit 23 will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the maintenance unit 23 has a base portion 24 having a rectangular shape in plan view, and the base portion 24 is fixed to a lower portion in the main body case 12. A rear frame 25 is fixed to the rear side of the base portion 24, and a front frame 26 is fixed to the front side of the base portion 24. From the rear side surface of the rear frame 25, a support portion 25a having a rectangular shape in plan view is extended rearward, and an auxiliary casing 27 having an open rear side is attached on the support portion 25a.

  In the auxiliary casing 27, a drive motor 28 is housed as a drive source capable of forward and reverse rotation. An output shaft (not shown) of the drive motor 28 is connected to a lead screw 30 as a rod-shaped feed member via transmission gears 29 and 29a. The lead screw 30 extends substantially horizontally from the auxiliary casing 27 side to the front side, and the front end thereof is rotatably inserted and supported by the front frame 26. Therefore, the lead screw 30 rotates about the axis S based on the driving force of the drive motor 28.

  Further, on the lower side of the lead screw 30, a rail 31 is installed between the rear frame 25 and the front frame 26 so as to be parallel to the lead screw 30. As shown in FIG. 5, a pair of left and right ridges 31 a and 31 b are formed on the upper surface of the rail 31 so as to extend in parallel along the longitudinal direction of the rail 31.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lead screw 30 has first feed screw portions 30 a having a relatively small pitch on the outer peripheral surfaces on the front end side and the rear end side in the longitudinal direction, and the longitudinal direction thereof. Is provided with a second feed screw portion 30b having a relatively large pitch.

  A plurality (three in this embodiment) of moving members 32, 50, 51 are screwed into the lead screw 30 along the axis S direction. That is, along the axis S direction of the lead screw 30, the moving member 50 is screwed in the foremost side, the moving member 51 is screwed in the second from the front, and the moving member 32 as a pressing member is located in the rearmost side. Are screwed together.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 8A, the moving member 32 that functions as a pressing member has a cylindrical portion 32 a that is a screwed portion with respect to the lead screw 30 and is supported by the lead screw 30. Further, as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, a rail fitting portion 32b having a substantially H-shaped cross section projects downward from the cylindrical portion 32a of the moving member 32. . And this rail fitting part 32b is slidably fitted from above onto the right ridge 31a of the rail 31, so that the moving member 32 slides in the front-rear direction along the rail 31, and The rail 31 is guided so as not to rotate around the lead screw 30 (see FIGS. 14 and 18). A rail fitting portion (not shown) is also provided on the moving members 50 and 51 so as to project downward, and the rail fitting portion of the moving member 50 is provided on both the left and right ridges 31a and 31b. The rail fitting portions 51 are slidably fitted to the right ridges 31a.

  Further, a lever portion 32 c is projected from the left side surface of the rail fitting portion 32 b of the moving member 32. The lever portion 32c has a substantially trapezoidal shape in plan view, and the left edge thereof extends from the front toward the left diagonally rearward direction, in other words, the cam surface 32d that obliquely intersects the moving direction of the moving member 32. Is formed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a hole 32e is formed through a part of the cylindrical portion 32a of the moving member 32 in the radial direction, and a pin 33 as an engaging portion is fitted into the hole 32e. And in the cylindrical part 32a, the front-end | tip of the pin 33 is engaged with the thread groove 30c continuously formed in the spiral shape between the 1st feed screw part 30a and the 2nd feed screw part 30b of the lead screw 30. Yes. In the moving members 50 and 51 as well, the tip of the pin 33 is engaged with the screw groove 30c in the same manner as the moving member 32. Accordingly, when each pin 33 is engaged and guided in the screw groove 30 c when the lead screw 30 rotates, each moving member 32, 50, 51 linearly moves in a substantially horizontal direction along the axis S direction of the lead screw 30. It is like that.

  In addition, since the magnitude | size of the pitch of the screw groove 30c which engages and guides each pin 33 has changed in the middle of the axis S direction of the lead screw 30, even if the rotational speed of the lead screw 30 is constant, each moving member 32, 50 and 51 have a configuration in which the moving speed changes with the change in the pitch of the screw groove 30c. That is, each moving member 32, 50, 51 has a slow moving speed in the first feed screw portion 30a having a relatively small pitch and a moving speed in the second feed screw portion 30b having a relatively large pitch. Get faster.

  Further, in each of the moving members 32, 50, 51, two or more moving members do not simultaneously engage with the second feed screw portion 30b, and only one moving member engages with the second feed screw portion 30b. Thus, the lead screw 30 is spaced apart in the direction of the axis S. Therefore, when the lead screw 30 rotates, when one moving member is engaged with the second feed screw portion 30b, the other moving member is not simultaneously engaged with the second feed screw portion 30b. Only one moving member engaged with the second feed screw portion 30b at the time point moves at a high speed.

  Incidentally, in this embodiment, when the drive motor 28 is driven to rotate forward, the lead screw 30 rotates in the forward rotation direction, and the moving members 32, 50, 51 advance from the rear frame 25 side to the front frame 26 side. Is configured to move. On the other hand, when the drive motor 28 is reversely driven, the lead screw 30 rotates in the reverse direction, and the moving members 32, 50, 51 are configured to move backward from the front frame 26 side to the rear frame 25 side. Has been.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, a guide member 34 is erected from a position near the right end on the upper surface of the base portion 24. Guide protrusions 34 a extending in the vertical direction are formed on the front side and the rear side of the guide member 34. A cap unit 35 is provided at a position surrounded by the rear frame 25, the front frame 26, and the guide member 34 above the base portion 24. The cap unit 35 has a rectangular box-shaped cap member 36, a coil spring (not shown) that urges the cap member 36 upward, and a substantially bottomed box that supports the cap member 36 from below via the coil spring. And a cap holder 37 having a shape.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a rectangular annular seal portion 36 a for sealing the nozzle forming surface 21 a of the recording head 21 is provided on the upper surface side of the cap member 36. An ink absorbing material 36b is accommodated on the inner bottom surface of the cap member 36 surrounded by the seal portion 36a so as to absorb and hold ink ejected from the nozzle opening 21b. A fixing member 36c for holding the ink absorbing material 36b in the cap member 36 is provided on the upper side of the ink absorbing material 36b.

  From the right side surface of the cap holder 37, two projecting portions 37 a having an L shape in plan view are provided so as to be slidably engaged with the guide convex portions 34 a of the guide member 34. In addition, support shafts 37 b are provided so as to protrude from the rear side surface and the front side surface of the cap holder 37.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, two support portions 24 a that are spaced apart in the front-rear direction are erected from the vicinity of the left end portion of the upper surface of the base portion 24. A bearing portion 24b (see FIG. 2) is formed on the upper surface of each support portion 24a. And the rotation member 38 of the planar view U shape shown in FIG. 10 is provided in the aspect rotatably supported by this bearing part 24b.

  The rotating member 38 is substantially L-shaped in a sectional view shown in FIG. A portion corresponding to the left end portion of the U-shape and a shorter side of the L-shaped bent portion extends in the front-rear direction with a width sandwiched between the two bearing portions 24b, and has a predetermined height on the upper side. A plate-like force point portion 38a having the shape is formed. A fulcrum portion 38b projects from the front side surface and the rear side surface of the force point portion 38a. And the rotation member 38 is supported by the support part 24a, when the two fulcrum parts 38b are each engaged with the bearing part 24b so that rotation is possible. Further, a portion of the rotating member 38 that is on the longer side than the bent portion of the L-shape forms two arm portions 38c that extend toward the right side in a position manner that sandwiches the cap holder 37 from the front side and the rear side. is doing.

  Engaging recesses 38d are respectively formed on the surfaces of the arm portions 38c facing the front and rear side surfaces of the cap holder 37, that is, on the front side surface of the rear arm portion 38c and the rear side surface of the front arm portion 38c. The support shaft 37b of the cap holder 37 is slidably engaged with these two engaging recesses 38d.

  In addition, a hook-like portion 38e is provided in the vicinity of the center in the left-right direction on the rear side surface of the rear arm portion 38c, and the hook-like portion provided on the base portion 24 has a lower end side. The upper end side of the tension coil spring 39 as an urging member locked to 24c (see FIGS. 2 and 4) is locked. Therefore, the rotation member 38 is urged to rotate in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5, that is, in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the rear. The rotating member 38 in a state of being urged to rotate by the tension coil spring 39 is in contact with the stopper portion 24d erected from the base portion 24 with the lower surface near the right end of each arm portion 38c pulled downward. It touches.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the rail 31 and the lead screw 30 are disposed in the upper region of the left side portion near the bent portion of each arm portion 38 c. Further, the force point portion 38 a of the rotating member 38 that is rotationally biased by the tension coil spring 39 is located on the moving path of the moving member 32 supported by the lead screw 30. Accordingly, from the state shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, after the lead screw 30 rotates in the forward rotation direction and the moving members 50 and 51 are moved to the front end side of the lead screw 30, the moving member 32 is on the rear frame 25 side. As shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, the cam surface 32 d of the lever portion 32 c comes into contact with the power point portion 38 a of the rotating member 38 when the forward movement is performed from the front side to the front frame 26 side.

  When the moving member 32 is further moved forward from this contact state, the force point portion 38a is pushed against the cam surface 32d, and therefore the rotating member 38 moves the fulcrum portion 38b against the urging force of the tension coil spring 39. The cap holder 37, which is pivoted in the clockwise direction in FIG. 5 and engages the support shaft 37b with the engagement recess 38d, is pushed upward. Further, when the rotating member 38 is rotated in this way and the movable member 32 and the right side surface of the force application portion 38a slide as shown in FIGS. The cap member 36 moved in the direction is arranged at a contact position where the seal portion 36a contacts the recording head 21 in a state of surrounding the nozzle opening 21b. When a tube pump (not shown) connected to the cap member 36 via a waste liquid tube (not shown) is driven in a state where the nozzle forming surface 21a is sealed by the close contact action of the seal portion 36a, the cap Ink is forcibly sucked and discharged from each nozzle opening 21 b of the recording head 21 through the member 36.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the moving member 32 that linearly moves along the direction of the axis S of the lead screw 30 and the urging force of the tension coil spring 39 by being pressed by the moving member 32 are resisted. A capping operation mechanism is configured by the rotation member 38 that can apply a displacement force to the cap unit 35.

  Note that wiper holders 52 and 53 are supported in a cantilever shape on the right side in the horizontal direction on the other two moving members 50 and 51 screwed together with the lead screw 30 together with the moving member 32. A wiper member 54 for a single row capable of wiping any one of the nozzle rows formed on the nozzle forming surface 21a is mounted on the front wiper holder 52, and a nozzle member is mounted on the rear wiper holder 53. A wiper member 55 for all rows that can wipe the entire surface of the forming surface 21a is attached.

  Therefore, as the driving motor 28 is driven, the moving members 50 and 51 advance and retreat along the axis S direction of the lead screw 30, so that the wiper members 54 and 55 attached to the wiper holders 52 and 53 become the nozzle forming surface. 21a is wiped off.

Next, the operation of the maintenance unit configured as described above will be described.
First, the operation mode of the wiper members 54 and 55 will be described.
For example, ink drops unnecessarily adhere to the nozzle forming surface 21a, for example, ink droplets ejected from the nozzle openings 21b of the recording head 21 to the paper P during printing adhere to the nozzle forming surface 21a due to rebound from the paper P. Sometimes. Since such adhering ink may affect the ejection direction of the ink from the nozzle opening 21b and cause a printing defect, it is necessary to wipe off.

  Therefore, when the nozzle row formation area is wiped in units of one row in consideration of the ink ejection frequency, the carriage 16 moves to the home position HP and stops in the state shown in FIG. It is done. At that time, the carriage 16 is moved and adjusted so that the formation region of one nozzle row to be wiped and the movement path along the front-rear direction of the wiper member 54 correspond in position.

  Then, when the drive motor 28A is driven to rotate forward, the moving members 50, 51, and 32 start moving forward as the lead screw 30 rotates in the forward direction. At the time shown in FIG. 2, the moving member 50 screwed into the second feed screw portion 30a of the lead screw 30 reaches the second feed screw portion 30b based on the rotation of the lead screw 30 in the forward rotation direction. Move forward quickly.

  Then, the wiper member 54 mounted on the upper surface side of the wiper holder 52 is also moved forward together with the moving member 50, and the tip (upper end) is moved to the nozzle forming surface 21a of the recording head 21 located at the home position HP during the forward movement. Part) is slidably contacted while being deformed. Due to the sliding contact with the nozzle forming surface 21a, the single row wiper member 54 wipes a part of the nozzle forming surface 21a (only the formation region of one nozzle row which is a wiping target at that time).

  Further, when the adhered ink is wiped from the nozzle forming surface 21a over the entire nozzle forming surface 21a, first, the drive motor 28A is driven in the normal direction while the maintenance unit 23 is in the state shown in FIG. Then, with the rotation of the lead screw 30 in the forward rotation direction, each moving member 50, 51, 32 starts moving forward.

  At the time shown in FIG. 2, the moving member 50 screwed into the first feed screw portion 30a of the lead screw 30 reaches the second feed screw portion 30b based on the rotation of the lead screw 30 in the forward rotation direction. Move forward quickly. Then, after the moving member 50 reaches the first feed screw portion 30a on the front side, the carriage 16 moves to the home position HP and is stopped.

When the lead screw 30 is further rotated in the forward rotation direction, the moving member 51 reaches the second feed screw portion 30b and moves forward relatively quickly.
Then, the wiper member 55 mounted on the upper surface side of the wiper holder 53 also moves forward together with the moving member 51, and in the middle of the forward movement, a tip portion ( The upper end portion is slidably contacted while being deformed. The wiper member 55 wipes and removes the adhering ink from the nozzle forming surface 21a over the entire surface of the nozzle forming surface 21a by the sliding action on the nozzle forming surface 21a.

  When the wiper members 54 and 55 wipe the nozzle forming surface 21a, the rotating member 38 is rotated to the state shown in FIG. 5 by the urging force of the tension coil spring 39, and the cap member 36 and the cap holder 37 are It is positioned at a non-contact position that is separated from the recording head 21.

Next, the operation mode of the cap unit 35 will be described.
When the printer 11 is printing on the paper P, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the rotating member 38 is urged to rotate by the urging force of the tension coil spring 39. Is in a non-contact position separated from the contact position.

  When the printing on the paper P of the printer 11 is completed, first, the drive motor 28A is driven to rotate forward in the state where the maintenance unit 23 is shown in FIG. Then, with the rotation of the lead screw 30 in the forward rotation direction, each moving member 50, 51, 32 starts moving forward. Then, after the moving members 50 and 51 reach the front first feed screw portion 30a, the carriage 16 moves to the home position HP and is stopped. When the drive motor 28 is further rotated forward from this state, the moving member 32 screwed into the first feed screw portion 30a of the lead screw 30 moves forward and comes into contact with the lever portion 32c. Then, after the moving member 32 comes into contact with the rotating member 38, the cylindrical portion 32 a is screwed into the second feed screw portion 30 b of the lead screw 30.

  Then, the moving member 32 quickly moves forward, the cam surface 32d of the lever portion 32c presses the force point portion 38a of the rotating member 38, and the rotating member 38 resists the urging force of the tension coil spring 39. It is rotated around 38b. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, the cap holder 37 in which the support shaft 37 b is engaged with the engagement recess 38 d is pushed upward. Then, the cap member 36 is moved upward together with the cap holder 37, contacts the recording head 21 as shown in FIGS. 15 to 18, and the nozzle forming surface 21a is sealed by the close contact action of the seal portion 36a. That is, the cap unit 35 is configured to be movable between an abutting position and a non-abutting position. When the moving member 32 presses and rotates the rotating member 38 during linear movement, the rotating member 38 is moved. A displacement force is applied to the cap unit 35, and the cap unit 35 is moved from the non-contact position to the contact position.

  After the rotating member 38 is pressed and rotated by the moving member 32, the moving member 32 further moves backward while sliding on the right side surface while pressing the right side surface of the force point portion 38a of the rotating member 38. can do. That is, the cap member 36 is held at the contact position without applying unnecessary load to the drive motor 28 even if the drive motor 28 is not stopped immediately after the cap member 36 is moved to the contact position. . At this time, by setting the portion of the first feed screw portion 30a on the rear end side of the lead screw 30 to be long, the holding time at the contact position of the cap member 36 can be set to be long.

  Then, when the suction pump is driven in a state where the nozzle forming surface 21 a is sealed by the cap member 36, the ink is forcibly sucked and discharged from each nozzle opening 21 b of the recording head 21 through the cap member 36. .

  Next, when printing is resumed in the printer 11, the drive motor 28 is driven in reverse and the lead screw 30 is rotated in the reverse direction. Then, when the moving members 50, 51, and 32 are moved backward, and the moving member 32 is screwed into the first feed screw portion 30a on the rear side from the second feed screw portion 30b to release the pressure on the rotating member 38, the rotation is performed. The moving member 38 is rotated by the urging force of the tension coil spring 39. Then, the cap member 36 is moved downward together with the cap holder 37, and the cap member 36 returns to the non-contact position separated from the recording head 21. As a result, the cap member 36 is retracted from the moving path of the recording head 21, so that the carriage 16 is moved from the home position HP to the printing area without interfering with the cap member 36, and printing on the paper P is performed.

According to the first embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the above embodiment, the cap unit 35 is moved between the contact position and the non-contact position by applying a displacement force to the cap unit 35 by the moving member 32 as a pressing member that moves linearly. Therefore, the cap unit 35 can be moved with a simple configuration.

  (2) In the above embodiment, the cap unit 35 is moved between the contact position and the non-contact position with a simple configuration by pressing and rotating the rotation member 38 by the moving member 32 that moves linearly. Can be made.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the moving member 32 slides with the rotating member 38 via the cam surface 32d during linear movement, and the rotating member 38 rotates smoothly. It can be moved smoothly.

  (4) In the above embodiment, when the rotating member 38 is not pressed by the moving member 32, the cap unit 35 can be reliably positioned at the non-contact position by the biasing force of the tension coil spring 39.

  (5) In the above embodiment, the rotation member 38 is urged to rotate in the direction in which the cap unit 35 is moved toward the non-contact position. Therefore, when the recording head 21 moves to the home position HP or when the wiper members 54 and 55 move during wiping, the cap unit 35 can be retracted to a non-abutting position that does not get in the way.

  (6) In the above embodiment, the moving member 32 has the longitudinal direction of the lead screw 30 when the pin 33 is engaged and guided by the first feed screw portion 30a or the second feed screw portion 30b when the lead screw 30 rotates. Therefore, the moving member 32 can be moved linearly with a simple configuration.

  (7) In the above embodiment, after the rotating member 38 is pressed and rotated by the moving member 32, the moving member 32 can further move forward while pressing the rotating member 38. Therefore, even if the drive motor 28 is not stopped immediately after the cap member 36 is moved to the contact position, the cap member 36 is held at the contact position without applying unnecessary load to the drive motor 28. I can leave.

  (8) In the above embodiment, since the lead screw 30 is formed with the first feed screw portion 30a and the second feed screw portion 30b having different pitch sizes, the second feed screw portion 30b and the rear end side are formed. By adjusting the length of the first feed screw portion 30a, the holding time at the contact position of the cap member 36 can be set longer or shorter.

  (9) In the above-described embodiment, the moving member 32 is rotated by setting so that the moving member 32 is screwed into the first feed screw portion 30a of the lead screw 30 when the moving member 32 contacts the rotating member 38. The impact when contacting the member 38 can be suppressed. Thereafter, the moving member 32 is screwed into the second feed screw portion 30b of the lead screw 30, so that the rotating member 38 can be quickly rotated.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention is embodied in an ink jet printer. However, the rotating member is rotated by a compression coil spring as an urging member. This is different from the first embodiment in that it is urged. Below, the part which is different from 1st Embodiment is mainly demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG.19 and FIG.20, the base part 40 of this embodiment is not provided with the hook-shaped part. Further, the base portion 40 is formed wider on the left side than in the case of the first embodiment, and a spring support portion 41 is erected from the left end portion of the base portion 40. Further, the rotating member 42 of the present embodiment is not provided with a hook-like portion in the rear arm portion 42c.

  A compression coil spring 43 is interposed between the right side surface of the spring support portion 41 and the left side surface of the force point portion 42 a of the rotating member 42. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the compression coil spring 43 urges the rotation member 42 in a direction to move the cap unit 35 toward the non-contact position.

  In this state, when the drive motor 28 is driven forward and the moving member 32 as a pressing member presses the rotating member 42, the rotating member 42 is rotated against the urging force of the compression coil spring 43, and FIG. As shown in FIG. 22, the cap member 36 is moved to a contact position where the cap member 36 contacts the recording head 21.

According to the second embodiment described above, the same effects as (1) to (9) described above can be obtained.
(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention is embodied in an ink jet printer. However, the rotating member is rotated by a torsion coil spring as an urging member. This is different from the first embodiment in that it is urged. Below, the part which is different from 1st Embodiment is mainly demonstrated.

  23 and 24, the cap member 36 is located at a non-contact position that is separated from the recording head 21. 23 and 24, illustration of the rail 31, the moving members 50 and 51, the wiper holders 52 and 53, and the wiper members 54 and 55 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 24, a hook-like portion 44c projects from the front side of the bearing portion 44b of the front support portion 44a provided on the base portion 44 of the present embodiment. Further, the rotating member 45 of this embodiment is provided with a force point portion 45a, a fulcrum portion 45b, an arm portion 45c, and an engaging recess 45d as in the first embodiment, but as shown in FIG. The hook-shaped portion 45e is projected from the rear side surface of the force point portion 45a.

  Then, the rotating member 45 causes the cap unit 35 to be directed to the non-contact position by the torsion coil spring 46 whose both ends are locked to the hook-shaped portion 44c of the base portion 44 and the hook-shaped portion 45e of the rotating member 45. It is urged to rotate in the direction to be moved.

  In this state, when the drive motor 28 is driven to rotate forward and the moving member 32 presses the rotating member 45, the rotating member 45 is rotated against the urging force of the torsion coil spring 46, and FIG. 25 and FIG. As shown, the cap member 36 is moved to a contact position where it contacts the recording head 21.

Also according to the third embodiment described above, the same effects as (1) to (9) described above can be obtained.
(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention is embodied in an ink jet printer. However, the configuration related to the maintenance unit is different from the first embodiment. ing. Below, the part which is different from 1st Embodiment is mainly demonstrated.

  In the printer 11 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 27, a plurality of nozzle openings 56 are arranged in a plurality of rows along the front-rear direction on the nozzle forming surface 21a formed on the lower surface of the recording head 21 (in FIG. 27). (5 rows) nozzle rows 56A, 56B, 56C, 56D, 56E are formed at regular intervals in the left-right direction. Incidentally, in this embodiment, the nozzle row 56E located at the rightmost end in FIG. 27 is formed by the nozzle openings 56 that eject black ink for black and white printing, and the other nozzle rows 56A to 56D are for color printing. It is formed by a nozzle opening 56 that ejects color ink.

  Each ink cartridge 22 mounted on the carriage 16 individually corresponds to each nozzle row 56 </ b> A to 56 </ b> E formed on the nozzle formation surface 21 a of the recording head 21, and is formed in the recording head 21. Ink is individually supplied to each nozzle opening 56 of the corresponding nozzle row 56A to 56E via an ink flow path (not shown). Incidentally, in this embodiment, black ink for black and white printing is stored in the ink cartridge 22 located at the rightmost end in FIG. 1, and each color ink for color printing is stored in each of the other ink cartridges 22. ing.

Next, the main part of the maintenance unit 23A in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the maintenance unit 23A is supported by a lower portion of the home position HP in the main body case 12 via a bracket (not shown), and a holder member 57 having a substantially rectangular box shape whose upper side is open. (See FIG. 30). A cap member 59 as a cap unit 58 is accommodated in the holder member 57.

  A rear frame 60a is supported on the rear side of the holder member 57, and a front frame 60b is supported on the front side of the holder member 57 on the main body case 12 via brackets. A drive motor (drive source) 28A capable of forward and reverse rotation is attached to the rear frame 60a. And the toothed pulley 61 is connected to the front-end | tip of the output shaft (not shown) of drive motor 28A so that power transmission is possible.

  In addition, in the upper region of the holder member 57, two lead screws 30 serving as feeding members extending in a substantially horizontal direction from the rear frame 60a to the front frame 60b are spaced apart in parallel in the left-right direction. Are arranged as follows. Toothed pulleys 62 are respectively attached to the rear end portions of both lead screws 30, and an endless pinion belt is provided between each toothed pulley 62 and the toothed pulley 61 connected to the output shaft of the drive motor 28A. 63 is hung. The front end portions of both lead screws 30 are rotatably supported by the front frame 60b. Accordingly, the two lead screws 30 are configured to rotate synchronously in the same direction around the respective axes S as the driving force is generated by the rotation of the driving motor 28A.

A moving member 64 as a pressing member is screwed to each of the lead screws 30 along the axis S direction.
Both moving members 64 each have a cylindrical portion 65 that is a screwed portion with respect to the lead screw 30, and is supported by the corresponding lead screw 30 via each cylindrical portion 65. A flat cam portion 66 extends from the cylindrical portion 65 of the moving member 64 so that the tip formed in a substantially triangular shape faces downward. The front end face of the oblique lower end surface of the cam portion 66 extends obliquely downward from the front end side to the rear end side of the cylindrical portion 65, in other words, oblique to the moving direction of the moving member 64. The first cam surface 66a intersects with the first cam surface 66a. In addition, the rear end face of the oblique lower end surface of the cam portion 66 has an acute angle with the first cam surface 66a from the rear end of the first cam surface 66a further toward the rear than the rear end of the tubular portion 65. The second cam surface 66b extends so as to form (that is, extends obliquely upward).

  As shown in FIG. 30, a disk-shaped fixing convex portion 68 for fixing the lower end of the coil spring 67 (see FIGS. 28 and 29) is formed at a substantially center in the left-right direction on the inner bottom surface of the holder member 57. ing. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 31 (a), a fixing for fixing the upper end of a coil spring 67 whose lower end is fixed to the fixing convex portion 68 on the holder member 57 side is provided at the approximate center of the lower surface of the cap member 59. A convex portion 69 is formed. That is, the cap member 59 is supported by the holder member 57 via the coil spring 67 in a state where the cap member 59 is disposed in the holder member 57.

  The coil spring 67 can seal the nozzle forming surface 21a by contacting the cap member 59 with the recording head 21 in a state of surrounding each nozzle opening 56 from a non-contact position spaced downward from the recording head 21. It is biased to move toward the proper contact position. That is, the direction in which the cap member 59 moves from the non-contact position toward the contact position (downward direction in this embodiment) is the first direction, and the cap member 59 moves from the contact position toward the non-contact position. Assuming that the direction (the upward direction in this embodiment) is the second direction, in FIGS. 28 and 29, the cap member 59 is held in the contact position by being biased in the first direction by the coil spring 67. .

  As shown in FIG. 30, one front insertion hole 70 having a rectangular shape is formed at one position on the inner bottom surface of the holder member 57 in front of the fixed convex portion 68, and In addition, a rectangular rear-side insertion hole 71 is formed on each of the two left and right sides on the rear side. Guide walls 72 are erected from both the left and right edges of each insertion hole 70, 71, and a stopper wall 73 is installed between the upper ends of each pair of left and right guide walls 72. A slit 74 extending from the lower surface of the stopper wall 73 to the inside of the front insertion hole 70 is formed on the side wall portion of the side wall of the holder member 57 corresponding to the front edge of the front insertion hole 70 so as to extend in the vertical direction. Yes.

  In addition, two through holes 75 each having a rectangular shape are formed on each of the left and right sides of the fixed protrusion 68 on the inner bottom surface of the holder member 57. Of the side wall of the holder member 57, the cap member 59 is applied against the urging force of the coil spring 67 on the side wall portion that is on the outer side in the left-right direction as viewed from the fixed protrusion 68. Each holding mechanism 76 is provided to hold the contact position. A specific configuration of the holding mechanism 76 will be described later.

  31A and 31B, the cap member 59 has a front leg portion 77 having a substantially L-shaped cross section at positions corresponding to the front insertion hole 70 and the rear insertion hole 71 of the holder member 57, respectively. Rear leg portions 78 are respectively formed. Specifically, each leg portion 77, 78 extends downward from the lower surface of the cap member 59, and is forward from the lower end of the front leg portion 77 and rearward from the lower ends of the two rear leg portions 78. In addition, the engaging portion 79 is provided in a protruding manner.

  Here, the leg portions 77 and 78 are set so that the lateral width thereof is shorter than the lateral width of the corresponding insertion holes 70 and 71. When viewed in the length in the front-rear direction including the portion of the locking portion 79, the length in the front-rear direction of the front leg 77 is set to be substantially the same as the length in the front-rear direction of the corresponding front insertion hole 70, and the rear side The front-rear direction length of the leg part 78 is set slightly shorter than the front-rear direction length of the corresponding rear insertion hole 71. The cap member 59 is arranged in the holder member 57 in a state where the front leg portion 77 and the rear leg portion 78 are inserted through the front insertion hole 70 and the rear insertion hole 71 of the holder member 57, respectively. Therefore, the cap member 59 has predetermined movable ranges in the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction, and the coil springs when the locking portions 79 of the leg portions 77 and 78 abut against the stopper wall 73 from below. The upward movement based on the urging force 67 is restricted.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 31B, the upper surface side of the cap member 59 corresponds to each of the nozzle rows 56A, 56B, 56C, 56D, and 56E formed on the nozzle forming surface 21a of the recording head 21. A plurality (five in this embodiment) of rectangular seal portions 80 are formed. Each cap chamber (not shown) recessed inside each seal portion 80 contains an ink absorbing material 81, and absorbs and holds ink ejected from the nozzle openings 56 of the nozzle rows 56A to 56E. It is supposed to be.

  As shown in FIG. 31 (a), pressure receiving projections 82 are formed to protrude in the horizontal direction from the outer surfaces of the left and right side walls of the cap member 59, respectively. Each pressure receiving convex portion 82 has both moving members 64 moved linearly in a substantially horizontal direction along the longitudinal direction of the lead screw 30 in a state where the cap member 59 is biased in the first direction (upward) by the coil spring 67 ( When moving forwards and backwards), each moving member 64 is disposed at a position where it interferes with the first cam surface 66a and the second cam surface 66b of the cam portion 66. That is, the first cam surface 66a and the second cam surface 66b of the cam portion 66 of the moving member 64 cross each other obliquely with respect to the moving direction (vertical direction) of the cap member 59 and the moving direction (front-back direction) of the moving member 64. It is a mode to do.

  Therefore, for example, when both moving members 64 move forward from the state shown in FIG. 29, the cam portion 66 of the moving member 64 resists the biasing force of the coil spring 67 and moves the pressure receiving convex portion 82 of the cap member 59 downward. By pressing, the cap member 59 is moved from the contact position to the non-contact position. That is, the cap unit 58 is configured to be movable between a contact position and a non-contact position, and the moving member 64 is displaced to the cap member 59 during the linear movement based on the driving force transmitted from the drive motor 28A. By applying force, the cap unit 58 is moved in the direction from the contact position toward the non-contact position.

  In addition, from the front side wall of the cap member 59, a plurality of cylinder portions 83 (five in the present embodiment) for connecting the upstream end of the ink discharge tube (not shown) correspond to each cap chamber. Each is protruding. The downstream side of the ink discharge tube connected to the cylinder portion 83 is drawn into a suction pump (not shown). When the suction pump is driven in a state where the cap member 59 seals the nozzle formation surface 21a, waste ink is sucked from the corresponding cap chamber through each ink discharge tube, and the inside of the main body case 12 is The ink is discharged to a waste ink tank (not shown) provided at the bottom.

  On the other hand, from the rear side wall of the cap member 59, a plurality of cylinder portions 84 (five in the present embodiment) for connecting the upstream end of the atmospheric tube (not shown) are respectively provided so as to correspond to each cap chamber. Projected. The downstream end of the atmospheric tube connected to the cylinder part 84 is connected to an atmospheric release valve (not shown). When the atmosphere release valve is opened, the corresponding cap chamber is opened to the atmosphere via each atmosphere tube.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 31 (a) and 31 (b), a drooping portion 85 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape is directed downward from two locations corresponding to the base ends of the left and right pressure receiving convex portions 82 on the lower surface of the cap member 59. A cylindrical engagement convex portion 86 protrudes from the lower ends of the left and right side surfaces of each hanging portion 85. That is, in the left hanging part 85, the engaging convex part 86 protrudes from the left side in the left horizontal direction, and in the right hanging part 85, the engaging convex part 86 protrudes from the right side in the right horizontal direction. Has been. In the middle of the vertical movement of the cap member 59, the engaging convex portion 86 of each hanging portion 85 is engaged with the holding mechanism 76 described above.

  As shown in FIGS. 30 and 32, the holding mechanism 76 has a guide groove 87 that can be engaged in the engagement convex portion 86 of the cap member 59 and guided in a predetermined direction. The guide groove 87 includes a first direction guide portion 88 that engages with an engaging convex portion 86 when the cap member 59 moves upward in the first direction by the biasing force of the coil spring 67, and the cap member 59 is a coil spring. And a second direction guide portion 89 with which the engaging convex portion 86 engages when moving downward in the second direction against the urging force of 67.

  The first direction guide unit 88 and the second direction guide unit 89 are provided such that the second direction guide unit 89 is located on the front side of the first direction guide unit 88. And between the lower end part which becomes the edge part of the 2nd direction side in the 1st direction guide part 88, and the lower end part which becomes the edge part of the 2nd direction side in the 2nd direction guide part 89, it is the 1st direction side. By forming a concave shape on the upper side, the engaging convex portion 86 of the cap member 59 is connected by a holding concave portion 90 that can be locked and held based on the biasing force of the coil spring 67.

  As shown in FIG. 32, the second direction guide portion 89 has a configuration in which a plurality (three in this embodiment) of guide portions 89a, 89b, 89c are continuously formed in a zigzag shape in the vertical direction. Yes. That is, sequentially from top to bottom, the first guide portion 89a that extends obliquely from the most front upper position in the guide groove 87 toward the rear lower portion, and the lower end of the first guide portion 89a from the lower end to the front lower portion. A second guide portion 89b that extends and a third guide portion 89c that extends obliquely from the lower end of the second guide portion 89b downward to the rear side are continuously formed.

  When the cap member 59 is moved to the non-contact position, the left engaging convex portion 86 is provided in the guide groove 87 provided on the left side of the holder member 57, and the right engaging convex portion 86 is provided in the holder. Each is engaged with a guide groove 87 provided on the right side of the member 57. As shown in FIG. 30, both guide grooves 87 have a predetermined width (groove depth) in the left-right direction, and the cap member 59 is moved in the second direction (downward) from the contact position. In this case, each engaging projection 86 first comes into contact with the first guide portion 89a in the second direction guide portion 89 of the corresponding guide groove 87, and then sequentially contacts the second guide portion 89b and the third guide portion 89c. It is a mode in which it is engaged and guided to the lowest position of each guide groove 87.

  In the printer 11 of the present embodiment configured as described above, a capping operation mechanism is configured by the lead screw 30 and the moving member 64 that presses the cap member 59.

Next, the operation of the capping operation mechanism configured as described above will be described.
Prior to the start of printing by the printer 11, the carriage 16 is disposed at the home position HP, and the nozzle forming surface 21 a of the recording head 21 is sealed by the cap member 59 by the close contact action of the seal portion 80. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the cap member 59 is held at a contact position where the cap member 59 contacts the recording head 21 by the biasing force of the coil spring 67.

  When the drive motor 28A is driven to rotate forward prior to the start of printing by the printer 11, both lead screws 30 rotate in the forward rotation direction, and both moving members 64 start moving forward. Both moving members 64 move forward, and the first cam surfaces 66a of the respective cam portions 66 press the pressure-receiving convex portion 82 of the cap member 59 against the urging force of the coil spring 67, so that the cap member 59 is brought into a contact position. Is moved in the second direction (downward) toward the non-contact position. At this time, the engaging projections 86 of the cap member 59 are respectively in the guide grooves 87 of the holding mechanism 76 provided in the holder member 57, as indicated by solid line arrows in FIG. The first guide portion 89a, the second guide portion 89b, and the third guide portion 89c are sequentially engaged and guided.

  When both the pressure receiving protrusions 82 of the cap member 59 pass through the lower end of the first cam surface 66a, the both engagement protrusions 86 are separated from the end portion (that is, the lower end portion) of the third guide portion 89c on the second direction side. Engage in the holding recess 90. When the moving member 64 further advances from this state, both the pressure receiving convex portions 82 of the cap member 59 are separated from the first cam surface 66a, but the both engaging convex portions 86 of the cap member 59 are respectively coiled in the holding concave portion 90. Since they are engaged by being pressed by the urging force of the spring 67, they remain held at the non-contact position. That is, the cap member 59 is released from the pressing state by the cam portion 66 of the moving member 64 and tries to move in the first direction (upward) based on the biasing force of the coil spring 67, but the engaging convex portion 86 is on the upper side. By being engaged with the holding recess 90 having a concave shape, the movement in the first direction is restricted.

  As described above, by applying a displacement force to the cap member 59 (cap unit 58) while the moving member 64 moves linearly along the longitudinal direction of the lead screw 30, as shown in FIG. 59 is retracted from the movement path of the recording head 21. Thereafter, the carriage 16 is moved from the home position HP to the printing area without interfering with the cap member 59, and printing on the paper P is performed.

  Next, when printing on the paper P of the printer 11 is completed, the carriage 16 that has reciprocated in the printing area along the guide shaft 15 at the time of printing moves to the home position HP and is stopped. Subsequently, when the drive motor 28A is driven in reverse rotation, both lead screws 30 rotate in the reverse rotation direction, and both moving members 64 start to move backward. When both moving members 64 move backward and the second cam surfaces 66b of the respective cam portions 66 press both pressure receiving convex portions 82 of the cap member 59, both engaging convex portions 86 of the cap member 59 are respectively in the holding concave portions 90. The engagement is guided toward the rear end side.

  When both the pressure receiving protrusions 82 of the cap member 59 pass the lower end of the second cam surface 66b, the both engagement protrusions 86 are engaged with the first direction guide portion 88. When the moving member 64 further moves backward from this state, as shown by the dotted line arrow in FIG. 32, the cap member 59 engages and guides the both engaging convex portions 86 to the first direction guiding portion 88 while the coil spring 67 It is moved in the first direction (upward) by the urging force. When the pressing state of the cap member 59 by the moving member 64 is released, the cap member 59 is moved to the contact position by the biasing force of the coil spring 67 and seals the nozzle forming surface 21a.

  When the printer 11 is used for the first time after being shipped from the factory, when the ink cartridge 22 is replaced, or when ink ejection failure occurs from the nozzle opening 56, the nozzle forming surface 21a is In the state sealed by the cap member 59, suction cleaning is performed. That is, when the suction pump is driven, a negative pressure is generated in each cap chamber, ink in the ink flow path of the recording head 21 is sucked and discharged into the cap chamber, and waste ink is discharged from the cap chamber. The ink is discharged to the waste ink tank through the ink discharge tube.

  When the air release valve is opened after this suction cleaning, the cap chamber is opened to the atmosphere via the atmosphere tube connected to the cylinder portion 84 of the cap member 59, and the negative pressure in the cap chamber is eliminated. Is done. After the cap chamber is opened to the atmosphere, the cap member 59 is held at the contact position by the urging force of the coil spring 67 and can be operated by pressing the moving member 64.

According to the fourth embodiment described above, it is possible to obtain the same effects as the above-described (1) and (6).
(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As in the first to fourth embodiments, this embodiment is obtained by embodying the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention in an ink jet printer. Therefore, in the following, differences from the fourth embodiment will be described. Mainly explained.

  As shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, the present embodiment is different from the fourth embodiment in that the holding mechanism 76 is not provided on the holder member 57A in the maintenance unit 23A. Further, as shown in FIG. 34, the moving member 64A as a pressing member screwed to both the lead screws 30 is in the cam portion 66 extending downward from the cylindrical portion 65 with respect to the moving direction of the moving member 64A. A lower end surface of a portion extending diagonally intersecting the rear end side from the lower end of the first cam surface 66a is a second cam surface 66c that is parallel to the moving direction of the moving member 64A.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 36A and 36B, unlike the cap member 59 in the fourth embodiment, the cap member 59A as the cap unit 58A of the present embodiment has a rectangular parallelepiped from the left and right ends on the lower surface thereof. There is no engagement protrusion 86 that engages and guides the hanging portion 85 and the guide groove 87 that are formed and extend downward. In this embodiment, the lead screw 30 and the moving member 64A that presses the cap member 59A constitute a capping operation mechanism.

Next, the operation of the capping operation mechanism of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.
Prior to the start of printing by the printer 11, the carriage 16 is disposed at the home position HP, and the nozzle forming surface 21a of the recording head 21 is sealed with a cap member 59A. At this time, as shown in FIG. 34, the cap member 59A is held at the abutting position where it abuts on the recording head 21 by the urging force of the coil spring 67.

  When the drive motor 28A is driven to rotate forward prior to the start of printing by the printer 11, both moving members 64A move forward and the first cam surface 66a of each cam portion 66 resists the biasing force of the coil spring 67. Then, the pressure receiving convex portion 82 of the cap member 59A is pressed, and the cap member 59A is moved in the second direction from the contact position toward the non-contact position. When both the pressure receiving protrusions 82 of the cap member 59A pass the lower end of the first cam surface 66a, the both pressure receiving protrusions 82 are in sliding contact with the second cam surface 66c. That is, the cap member 59A attempts to move in the first direction based on the biasing force of the coil spring 67, but the cap member 59A moves in the first direction by slidingly contacting the second cam surface 66c of the moving member 64A. Is held in the non-contact position.

  As described above, by applying a displacement force to the cap member 59A while the moving member 64A linearly moves along the longitudinal direction of the lead screw 30, as shown in FIG. It is in a state of being evacuated from the moving route. Thereafter, the carriage 16 is moved from the home position HP to the printing area without interfering with the cap member 59A, and printing on the paper P is performed.

  Next, when printing on the paper P of the printer 11 is completed, the carriage 16 that has reciprocated in the printing area along the guide shaft 15 at the time of printing moves to the home position HP and is stopped. Subsequently, when the drive motor 28A is reversely driven, both moving members 64A start to move backward. When both moving members 64A move backward, and both pressure receiving projections 82 of the cap member 59A pass through the second cam surface 66c and are pressed against the first cam surface 66a, the cap member 59A It is moved in the first direction by the urging force. When the pressing state of the cap member 59 </ b> A by the moving member 64 </ b> A is released, the cap member 59 </ b> A seals the nozzle forming surface 21 a by the close contact action of the seal portion 80.

According to the fifth embodiment described above, the same effects as (1) and (6) described above can be obtained.
(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As in the first to fifth embodiments, this embodiment is obtained by embodying the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention in an ink jet printer. Therefore, the following is a difference from the fifth embodiment. Mainly explained.

  As shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, in the present embodiment, in the holder member 57B, the cap member 59B is housed in a cap holder 91 having a bottomed box shape and is moved together with the cap holder 91 in the vertical direction. It is housed freely. A coil spring (not shown) is interposed between the lower surface of the cap member 59B and the inner bottom surface of the cap holder 91 so as to urge the cap member 59B upward. In the present embodiment, the cap unit 58B is configured by a coil spring that biases the cap member 59B, the cap holder 91, and the cap member 59B upward.

  Then, pressure receiving projections 82 are respectively formed in the horizontal direction from the outer surfaces of the left and right side walls of the cap holder 91, and the front leg portion 77 and the rear leg portion 78 extend downward from the lower surface of the cap holder 91. Has been. In the present embodiment, the coil spring 67 and the fixed convex portion 68 of the holder member 57B are not provided.

  A guide elongated hole 93 is formed in the plate portion 92 extending downward from the tubular portion 65 of the moving member 64B as a pressing member screwed to both the lead screws 30. The guide long hole 93 includes a front horizontal portion 93a extending horizontally rearward from the front end of the guide long hole 93, and a diagonal portion extending obliquely downward from the rear end of the front horizontal portion 93a toward the rear side of the plate portion 92. 93b and a rear horizontal portion 93c extending horizontally from the rear end of the inclined portion 93b toward the vicinity of the rear end of the plate portion 92 are continuously formed.

  And the pressure-receiving convex part 82 projected from the left and right side wall outer surfaces of the cap holder 91 is respectively engaged in the guide long holes 93 of the plate part 92. Therefore, when the moving member 64 </ b> B and the plate portion 92 are moved back and forth in the front-rear direction along with the rotation of the lead screw 30, the pressure receiving convex portion 82 slides in the guide long hole 93 of the plate portion 92. When the pressure receiving projection 82 slides along the oblique portion 93b of the guide slot 93, the cap member 59B and the cap holder 91 move in the vertical direction.

  That is, the cap unit 58 </ b> B is configured to be movable between a contact position and a non-contact position, and the pressure receiving protrusion 82 is engaged with the front horizontal portion 93 a of the guide elongated hole 93 of the plate portion 92. At this time, the nozzle forming surface 21a of the recording head 21 can be sealed by being arranged at the contact position moved to the uppermost position. On the other hand, when the pressure receiving convex portion 82 is engaged with the rear horizontal portion 93c of the guide elongated hole 93, the cap member 59B moves to the lowest position among the positions separated from the recording head 21. Placed in.

  In the printer 11 of the present embodiment configured as described above, a capping operation mechanism is configured by the lead screw 30 and the moving member 64B that presses the cap member 59B.

Next, the operation of the capping operation mechanism of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.
Prior to the start of printing by the printer 11, the carriage 16 is disposed at the home position HP, and the nozzle forming surface 21a of the recording head 21 is sealed with a cap member 59B. At this time, as shown in FIG. 38, the cap member 59B is in a state where the pressure receiving convex portion 82 is engaged in the front horizontal portion 93a of the guide long hole 93, and is held at the contact position where it contacts the recording head 21. ing.

  When the drive motor 28A is driven to rotate forward prior to the start of printing by the printer 11, both moving members 64B move forward. Along with the forward movement of both moving members 64B, the pressure receiving convex portion 82 of the cap holder 91 engaged with the guide elongated hole 93 of the plate portion 92 is slidably guided by the oblique portion 93b of the guide elongated hole 93. Move down. When the two moving members 64B further move forward, as shown in FIG. 39, the pressure receiving convex portion 82 of the cap holder 91 is engaged with the rear horizontal portion 93c of the guide elongated hole 93, and the cap member 59B is engaged with the recording head 21. It is arrange | positioned in the non-contact | abutting position which moved below most among the positions away from.

  As described above, by applying a displacement force to the cap holder 91 while the moving member 64B linearly moves along the longitudinal direction of the lead screw 30, the cap member 59B is moved to the recording head 21 as shown in FIG. It is in a state of being evacuated from the moving route. Thereafter, the carriage 16 is moved from the home position HP to the printing area without interfering with the cap member 59B, and printing on the paper P is performed.

  Next, when printing on the paper P of the printer 11 is completed, the carriage 16 that has reciprocated in the printing area along the guide shaft 15 at the time of printing moves to the home position HP and is stopped. Subsequently, when the drive motor 28A is reversely driven, both moving members 64B start to move backward. Both moving members 64 </ b> B move backward, and both pressure-receiving convex portions 82 of the cap holder 91 are slidably guided by the oblique portions 93 b of the guide long holes 93 and moved upward. When both the moving members 64B further move forward, the pressure receiving convex portion 82 of the cap holder 91 is engaged with the front horizontal portion 93a of the guide elongated hole 93, and the cap member 59B comes into contact with the recording head 21 and the seal portion 80. The nozzle forming surface 21a is sealed by the close contact action.

According to the sixth embodiment described above, the same effects as (1) and (6) described above can be obtained.
In addition, you may change said each embodiment into another embodiment as follows.

  In the first to third embodiments, the cylindrical portion 32a is screwed to the second feed screw portion 30b of the lead screw 30 when the moving member 32 as the pressing member comes into contact with the rotating member. It may be set. According to this configuration, the rotating member can be quickly rotated.

  In the first to third embodiments, the three moving members 32, 50, 51 are screwed to the lead screw 30, but only the moving member 32 is screwed to the lead screw 30. The wiper members 54 and 55 may be driven by other driving means. In this case, since there is no need to move the plurality of moving members apart, the feed screw portion of the lead screw 30 may be of one type.

In the first to third embodiments, the rotating member may be urged by an urging member other than the coil spring (for example, an elastic member such as rubber).
-In the said 1st-3rd embodiment, it is good also as a structure which is not provided with a coil spring. Also with this configuration, when the rotating member is not pressed by the moving member 32, the cap member 36 can be positioned at the non-contact position by its own weight such as the cap unit 35.

In each of the above embodiments, the moving member 32 includes the cam surface 32d. However, the power point portion of the rotating member may include the cam surface.
In the first to third embodiments, the moving member 32 directly presses the rotating member. However, for example, a member for preventing wear of the cam surface may be interposed.

  -In above-mentioned 1st-3rd embodiment, the lever part 32c should just become the aspect which the cam surface 32d crosses diagonally with respect to the moving direction of the moving member 32, for example, even if it forms in planar view triangle shape. Alternatively, it may be formed in a circular arc shape in plan view.

  In the first to third embodiments, the rotating member biases the rotating member in a direction in which the coil spring moves the cap unit 35 toward the non-contact position. The rotating member may be urged to rotate in a direction in which the moving member is moved toward the contact position. In this case, the cap member 35 may be moved to the non-contact position against the urging force of the coil spring by pressing the rotating member by the moving member 32. According to this configuration, when the rotating member is not pressed by the moving member 32, the rotating member can reliably position the cap unit 35 at the contact position by the biasing force of the coil spring.

  In each of the above embodiments, the moving member as the pressing member is linearly moved in the substantially horizontal direction. However, the lead screw 30 is arranged in the vertical direction, and each moving member moves in the vertical direction. You may make it move the cap holder 37 to an up-down direction. In this case, in the first to third embodiments, the moving member 32 may not include the cam surface 32d.

  In each of the above embodiments, the moving member is configured to linearly move when the pin 33 of the moving member is engaged and guided by the feed screw portions 30a and 30b of the lead screw 30. May be moved linearly. For example, the moving member may be moved linearly by moving a rod-like member to which the moving member is fixed in the front-rear direction.

  -In each above-mentioned embodiment, although the cap member was moved to the up-down direction, when a nozzle is opened sideways, you may make it move a cap member to a horizontal direction.

  In each of the above embodiments, if the cap member is configured so as to be able to contact the recording head 21 in a state of surrounding the nozzle opening, the rectangular annular seal portion does not necessarily contact the nozzle forming surface 21a from below. The structure may not be in contact. For example, a cap member configured to cover the entire lower surface of the recording head 21 by contacting the seal portion with the entire circumference of the side surface of the recording head 21 may be used.

  In each of the above embodiments, 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 perspective view of an ink jet printer according to an embodiment. The perspective view which shows the state in which the cap unit was moved to the non-contact position in the maintenance unit in 1st Embodiment. The top view of the maintenance unit shown in FIG. The side view of the maintenance unit shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4. The perspective view of a lead screw. Sectional drawing which shows the engagement state of the lead screw and the cylindrical part of a moving member. (A) is a top view of a moving member, (b), (c) is a perspective view similarly. The perspective view of a cap unit. The perspective view of a rotation member. The perspective view which shows the state in the middle of the movement of the cap unit in the maintenance unit in 1st Embodiment. The top view of the maintenance unit shown in FIG. The side view of the maintenance unit shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 12. The perspective view which shows the state by which the cap unit was moved to the contact position in the maintenance unit in 1st Embodiment. The top view of the maintenance unit shown in FIG. The side view of the maintenance unit shown in FIG. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. The perspective view which shows the state by which the cap unit was moved to the non-contact position in the maintenance unit in 2nd Embodiment. The top view of the maintenance unit shown in FIG. The perspective view which shows the state by which the cap unit was moved to the contact position in the maintenance unit in 2nd Embodiment. The top view of the maintenance unit shown in FIG. The perspective view which shows the state in which the cap unit was moved to the non-contact position in the maintenance unit in 3rd Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the maintenance unit shown in FIG. 23 from another angle. The perspective view which shows the state by which the cap unit was moved to the contact position in the maintenance unit in 3rd Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the maintenance unit shown in FIG. 25 from another angle. FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a recording head according to a fourth embodiment. The perspective view which shows the state by which the cap unit was moved to the contact position in the maintenance unit in 4th Embodiment. The side view of the maintenance unit shown in FIG. The perspective view of the holder member in 4th Embodiment. (A) And (b) is a perspective view of the cap member in 4th Embodiment. The principal part sectional drawing of the holding mechanism in a 4th embodiment. The side view which shows the state in which the cap unit was moved to the non-contact position in the maintenance unit in 4th Embodiment. The side view which shows the state in which the cap unit was moved to the contact position in the maintenance unit in 5th Embodiment. The perspective view of the holder member in 5th Embodiment. (A) And (b) is a perspective view of the cap member in 5th Embodiment. The side view which shows the state in which the cap unit was moved to the non-contact position in the maintenance unit in 5th Embodiment. The side view which shows the state by which the cap unit was moved to the contact position in the maintenance unit in 6th Embodiment. The side view which shows the state by which the cap unit was moved to the non-contact position in the maintenance unit in 6th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS S ... Axis, 11 ... Printer as liquid ejecting apparatus, 21 ... Recording head as liquid ejecting head, 21a ... Nozzle forming surface, 21b, 56 ... Nozzle opening, 23, 23A ... Maintenance unit, 28, 28A ... As drive source Drive screw, 30 ... lead screw as feed member, 30a, 30b ... feed screw portion, 32, 64, 64A, 64B ... moving member as pressing member, 32d ... cam surface, 33 ... pin as engagement portion, 35, 58, 58A, 58B... Cap unit, 38, 42, 45... Rotating member, 39, 43, 46.

Claims (8)

It is configured to be movable between a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid from a nozzle opening, a contact position that contacts the liquid ejecting head in a state of surrounding the nozzle opening, and a non-contact position that is separated from the contact position. A capping operation mechanism provided in a liquid ejecting apparatus having a cap unit,
A pressing member that moves linearly along a predetermined direction based on a driving force transmitted from a driving source;
The pressing member applies a displacement force to the cap unit during the linear movement, thereby moving the cap unit from one of the contact position and the non-contact position toward the other position. A capping operation mechanism characterized by being moved. A rotation member that is disposed on the movement path of the pressing member and that is capable of applying a displacement force to the cap unit by rotating;
The capping operation mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the rotating member is rotated by being pressed by the pressing member when the pressing member is linearly moved. The capping operation mechanism according to claim 2, wherein a cam surface obliquely intersecting with a moving direction of the pressing member is formed on at least one of the pressing member and the rotating member. A biasing member that biases the pivoting member in a predetermined direction;
The capping operation according to claim 2, wherein the pressing member rotates the rotating member in a direction against a biasing force of the biasing member when the rotating member is pressed. mechanism. 5. The capping according to claim 4, wherein the urging member urges the rotation member in a direction in which the cap unit is moved toward the non-contact position. Operation mechanism. A rod-shaped feed member having a feed screw portion on an outer peripheral surface and rotating around a predetermined axis based on a drive force transmitted from the drive source;
The pressing member is supported by the feed member and has an engagement portion that engages with the feed screw portion, and the engagement portion is engaged and guided by the feed screw portion when the feed member rotates. The capping operation mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the capping operation mechanism moves linearly along the longitudinal direction of the feed member. A maintenance unit provided in a liquid ejecting apparatus having a liquid ejecting head for ejecting liquid from a nozzle opening,
A cap unit configured to be movable between a contact position contacting the liquid jet head in a state of surrounding the nozzle opening and a non-contact position spaced apart from the contact position;
A maintenance unit comprising the capping operation mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid from a nozzle opening;
A cap unit configured to be movable between a contact position contacting the liquid jet head in a state of surrounding the nozzle opening and a non-contact position spaced apart from the contact position;
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising the capping operation mechanism according to claim 1.

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