JP2009184157A - Liquid ejecting device and method for cleaning nozzle face - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To adequately perform wiping of a nozzle face by using a wiping member in a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: This liquid ejecting device includes (a) a head having a nozzle and a driving element for performing ejection of a fluid from the nozzle, (b) the wiping member for wiping the nozzle face of the head by being in contact with the nozzle face, (c) a fluid flow-out mechanism that allows the fluid to flow out of the nozzle and is independent from the driving element, and (d) a control section that allows the wiping member to wipe the nozzle face after it allows the fluid flow-out mechanism to discharge the fluid in order to clean the wiping member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid ejection device and a nozzle surface cleaning method.

  As one of fluid ejecting apparatuses, an ink jet printer that prints an image by ejecting ink (fluid) onto various media such as paper, cloth, and film is known. The printer includes a head having nozzles and a drive element that operates to discharge fluid from the nozzles. An image is printed by ejecting ink from the nozzle to the medium by the drive element.

In the printer described above, it is known that when thickened ink or the like adheres to the nozzle surface of the head, the ink ejection from the nozzle becomes unstable and the image quality deteriorates. Accordingly, the printer is provided with a wiping member that contacts the nozzle surface and wipes the nozzle surface. This wiping member removes the thickened ink from the nozzle surface by wiping the nozzle surface at a predetermined timing.
JP 2006-212863 A

  By the way, solid materials such as thickened fluid and dust may adhere to the wiping member that has wiped the nozzle surface. If solid matter or the like adheres, the wiping member may not be able to effectively wipe the nozzle surface, for example, because the subsequent contact of the wiping member with the nozzle surface becomes unstable.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the subject which concerns, and the place made into the objective is to perform the wiping off of the nozzle surface appropriately by a wiping member with a simple structure.

In order to solve the above problems, the main present invention is:
A head having a nozzle and a driving element that operates to discharge fluid from the nozzle;
A wiping member that contacts the nozzle surface of the head and wipes the nozzle surface;
A fluid outflow mechanism different from the drive element for allowing the fluid to flow out from the nozzle;
A controller that performs wiping of the nozzle surface by the wiping member after the fluid flows out to the fluid outflow mechanism for cleaning the wiping member;
It is provided with the fluid discharge apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.

  Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  At least the following will be made clear by the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

A head having a nozzle and a driving element that operates to discharge fluid from the nozzle;
A wiping member that contacts the nozzle surface of the head and wipes the nozzle surface;
A fluid outflow mechanism different from the drive element for allowing the fluid to flow out from the nozzle;
A controller that performs wiping of the nozzle surface by the wiping member after the fluid flows out to the fluid outflow mechanism for cleaning the wiping member;
A fluid ejection device comprising:
According to such a fluid ejection device, it is possible to appropriately wipe the nozzle surface with the wiping member with a simple configuration.

Also, such a fluid ejection device,
The control unit may position the wiping member below the nozzle in the vertical direction and cause the fluid to flow out to the fluid outflow mechanism for cleaning the wiping member.
In such a case, the wiping member is effectively cleaned by the fluid flowing out from the nozzle.

Also, such a fluid ejection device,
The controller is
After the wiping member is positioned below the nozzle in the vertical direction and in a non-contact state on the nozzle surface, the fluid outflow mechanism is allowed to flow out for cleaning the wiping member.
It is desirable that the wiping member is brought into contact with the nozzle surface to perform wiping of the nozzle surface by the wiping member.
In such a case, solid matter or the like attached to the wiping member (for example, the tip of the wiping member) is effectively removed.

Also, such a fluid ejection device,
A storage section that stores the fluid supplied to the head, and a pressurizing mechanism that pressurizes the fluid so that the fluid travels from the storage section to the head,
It is desirable that the pressurizing mechanism also operates as the fluid outflow mechanism.
In such a case, the configuration of the fluid ejection device can be simplified.

Also, such a fluid ejection device,
The nozzle surface is provided to be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane,
It is preferable that the fluid flowing out from the nozzle by the fluid outflow mechanism moves along the nozzle surface and reaches the wiping member.
In such a case, the wiping member is effectively cleaned.

Also, such a fluid ejection device,
The wiping member is in contact with the nozzle surface along its longitudinal direction, and wipes the nozzle surface.
The head has a plurality of the nozzles arranged in an arrangement direction along the longitudinal direction,
The control unit preferably causes the fluid outflow mechanism to cause fluid to flow out from the plurality of nozzles in order to clean the wiping member.
In such a case, the wiping member is effectively cleaned.

Also, such a fluid ejection device,
The fluid is preferably ultraviolet curable ink.
In such a case, the effect of appropriately wiping the nozzle surface with the wiping member after cleaning is more effectively achieved.

Further, in order to clean the wiping member that wipes the nozzle surface in contact with the nozzle surface of the head having a driving element that discharges fluid from the nozzle, the fluid outflow mechanism different from that of the driving element causes the nozzle to A first step of causing the fluid to flow out;
After the first step, a second step for causing the wiping member to wipe off the nozzle surface;
A nozzle surface cleaning method comprising:
According to such a nozzle surface cleaning method, it is possible to simply and appropriately wipe the nozzle surface with the wiping member.

=== Outline of inkjet printer ===
An example of the configuration of the printer 1 and an example of print processing will be described using an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as printer 1) as an example of the liquid ejecting apparatus.

<<< Configuration of Printer 1 >>>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the printer 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of the printer 1. FIG. 3 is a view showing a cross-sectional structure of the drum unit 30, the head unit 40, and the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50. FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing the head unit 40. 4B is a front view of the head 42 when the head 42 is viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow F in FIG. 4A.

  The printer 1 that has received print data from the computer 110, which is an external device, receives each unit (feed / discharge unit 20, drum unit 30, head unit 40, ultraviolet irradiation unit 50, ink replenishment unit) by a controller 10 that is an example of a control unit. 60, the cleaning unit 80) is controlled to form an image on the paper S (printing process). The detector group 70 monitors the situation in the printer 1, and the controller 10 controls each unit based on the detection result.

  The controller 10 is a control unit for controlling the printer 1. The interface unit 11 is for transmitting and receiving data between the computer 110 which is an external device and the printer 1. The CPU 12 is an arithmetic processing unit for controlling the entire printer 1. The memory 13 is for securing an area for storing the program of the CPU 12 and a work area. The CPU 12 controls each unit by a unit control circuit 14 according to a program stored in the memory 13.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the paper supply / discharge unit 20 includes a paper supply unit 21 and a paper discharge unit 22. The paper feed unit 21 has a paper feed roller (not shown) that transports the paper S, and feeds the paper S stacked in the paper feed unit 21 to the drum unit 30 one by one. The paper discharge unit 22 has a paper discharge roller (not shown) that conveys the paper S, and feeds the paper S, which is supported on the drum unit 30 and has been printed, into the paper discharge unit 22.

  The drum unit 30 includes a holding drum 31 that holds the paper S fed from the paper feeding unit 21. The rotating shaft 32 of the holding drum 31 is rotatably supported by a pair of frames 36. The holding drum 31 rotates in the direction of the arrow R shown in FIG. 2 while holding the paper S on the outer peripheral surface 33.

  The head unit 40 includes a head carriage 41 supported by a pair of guide shafts 46 and 47 and capable of reciprocating in the axial direction of the holding drum 31. The head carriage 41 is provided with a head 42 that ejects ink, which is a fluid, onto the paper S.

  Here, in this embodiment, as the head 42, five heads 42a to 42e (FIG. 4B) that discharge inks of different colors are provided so as to face the paper S held on the holding drum 31. ing. Each of the heads 42a to 42e has a plurality of nozzles arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction, and ink is ejected from each nozzle. The plurality of nozzles are formed on the nozzle surfaces 44a to 44e of each head. The nozzle surfaces 44a to 44e are provided so as to be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane shown in FIG. 4A (in the present embodiment, orthogonal to the horizontal plane). Each nozzle is provided with a pressure chamber (not shown) containing ink and a drive element (piezo element) for discharging ink from the nozzle. This drive element changes the capacity of the pressure chamber to eject ink.

  The head carriage 41 is provided with a storage chamber 43 that stores ink. A fixed amount of ink is supplied to the head 42 from the storage chamber 43. In this embodiment, an ultraviolet curable ink that is cured by being irradiated with ultraviolet rays is used as the ink. Here, the ultraviolet curable ink is prepared by adding an auxiliary agent such as an antifoaming agent or a polymerization inhibitor to a mixture of a vehicle, a photopolymerization initiator and a pigment. The vehicle is prepared by adjusting the viscosity of a photopolymerization-curing oligomer, monomer or the like with a reactive diluent.

  The ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 includes an irradiation unit carriage 51 that is supported by a pair of guide shafts 56 and 57 and that can reciprocate in the axial direction of the holding drum 31. The irradiation unit carriage 51 is provided with an ultraviolet irradiation unit 52 that irradiates the ink discharged from the head 42 and attached to the paper S with ultraviolet rays. The ultraviolet irradiation unit 52 includes a plurality of lamps 53 aligned along the rotation direction of the holding drum 31. The plurality of lamps 53 irradiate the ink on the paper S with ultraviolet rays, so that the ink is cured.

  The ink replenishment unit 60 is used to replenish ink into the storage chamber 43 when the amount of ink in the head unit 40 (specifically, the storage chamber 43) decreases due to ink ejection by the head 42. Is. The detailed configuration of the ink supply unit 60 will be described later.

  The cleaning unit 80 is for cleaning the nozzles and nozzle surfaces of the head 42. The cleaning unit 80 includes a pump device for sucking out ink from the nozzle to prevent clogging of the nozzle, a capping device for sealing the nozzle to prevent clogging of the nozzle, and a nozzle surface. A wiping device or the like is provided for wiping (wiping) the nozzle surface in order to remove the attached thickened ink or the like.

<<< Print processing >>>
Upon receiving a print command and print data from the computer 110, the controller 10 analyzes the contents of various commands included in the print data and performs the following print processing using each unit.

  First, the paper feeding unit 21 feeds the paper S toward the holding drum 31. The sheet S fed to the holding drum 31 is held by being wound around the outer peripheral surface 33. The held paper S rotates together with the holding drum 31. Each head 42 ejects ink to adhere to the rotating paper S. The ink adhering to the paper S moves with the rotation of the holding drum 31 and is irradiated with ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet irradiation unit 52. As a result, the ink on the paper S is cured and an image is formed on the paper S.

  When an image is printed on the sheet S in a partial region in the axial direction of the holding drum 31 when the holding drum 31 rotates once, the head carriage 41 moves along the guide shafts 46 and 47 (irradiation unit carriage). 51 also moves along the guide shafts 56 and 57). Then, the above-described operations (ink ejection by the head 42 and irradiation of ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet irradiation unit 52) are performed on a region adjacent to the region in the axial direction.

  In this way, the paper S on which all images are printed in the axial direction of the holding drum 31 is peeled off from the holding drum 31 and sent to the paper discharge unit 22. As a result, the printing process ends.

  Note that the head carriage 41 is located at a position facing the cleaning unit 80 in order to prevent the nozzle clogging described above when the printing process is not executed or after the printing process is completed.

=== About Wiping Device ===
If thickened ink or the like adheres to the nozzle surfaces 44a to 44e of the head 42, ink ejection from the nozzles becomes unstable, and the image quality may deteriorate. Therefore, the printer 1 is provided with a wiping device 81 that wipes the nozzle surfaces 44a to 44e. The wiping device 81 removes thickened ink from the nozzle surface by wiping the nozzle surfaces 44a to 44e at a predetermined timing (for example, immediately before execution of the printing process or immediately after execution of the printing process). (Cleaning).

Here, the configuration of the wiping device 81 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the head 42, the wiper 82, and the like.
The wiping device 81 includes a wiper 82 as an example of a wiping member that wipes (wipes) the nozzle surfaces 44a to 44e, an ink receiver 83 that receives ink (ink flow) that has flowed down from the wiper 82, and the like.

  The wiper 82 is in contact with the nozzle surface of one of the five heads 42 (here, the nozzle surface 44a will be described as an example) to wipe the nozzle surface. The wiper 82 is an elastic blade in the present embodiment, and a tip end portion 82a thereof is in contact with the nozzle surface. Further, the longitudinal direction of the wiper 82 is along the nozzle arrangement direction, and the wiper 82 contacts the nozzle surface 44a along the longitudinal direction.

  The wiper 82 wipes the nozzle surface 44a by moving up and down in the up-down direction in contact with the nozzle surface 44a. Further, the wiper 82 contacts or separates from the nozzle surface 44a by moving in the front-rear direction shown in FIG. A wiper moving mechanism (not shown) is provided in the wiping device 81 in order to move the wiper 82 up and down and move in the front-rear direction.

  The ink receiver 83 is positioned below the wiper 82 in the vertical direction, and receives and collects ink (ink flow) that has flowed down from the wiper 82. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the inside of the printer 1 from being contaminated by the ink that has flowed down from the wiper 82.

  The wiping device 81 having the above-described configuration sequentially wipes each head 42 that the wiper 82 faces. In this embodiment, wiping is performed in the order of the head 42a, the head 42b, the head 42c, the head 42d, and the head 42e. Therefore, in order to wipe all the nozzle surfaces 44a to 44e of the five heads 42a to 42e, it is necessary to move the head carriage 41 in the axial direction every time the nozzle surface of one head 42 is wiped. There is. The wiper 82 does not move in the axial direction.

=== About Fluid Outflow Mechanism ===
As described in the section of the problem to be solved by the invention, solid matter such as thickened ink or dust may adhere to the wiper 82 whose surface is wiped. If solid matter or the like adheres to the wiper 82, there is a possibility that the wiper 82 cannot effectively wipe the nozzle surfaces 44a to 44e because the subsequent contact of the wiper 82 with the nozzle surfaces 44a to 44e becomes unstable. is there.

  Therefore, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes a fluid outflow mechanism that causes ink to flow out from the nozzles in order to remove thickened ink and solid matter attached to the wiper 82 before wiping the nozzle surfaces 44a to 44e. This fluid outflow mechanism is different from the drive element (piezo element) described above, and is provided in the ink supply unit 60. Therefore, in the following, the configuration of the ink supply unit 60 will be described first, and then the fluid outflow mechanism will be described.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the head unit 40 and the ink supply unit 60.
The ink supply unit 60 includes an ink cartridge 61 as an example of a storage unit that stores ink supplied to the head 42, and an ink supply path 62 that flows from the ink cartridge 61 to the head 42. The ink cartridge 61 is provided for each color. For example, the yellow ink stored in the ink cartridge 61 is supplied to the head 42 that discharges the yellow ink. The supply path 62 is formed of a tube, and connects the ink cartridge 61 and the storage chamber 43.

  Further, in the vicinity of the ink cartridge 61, when the head 42 is filled with ink as the ink cartridge 61 is replaced, the ink is directed from the ink cartridge 61 to the head 42 (the ink is the ink cartridge 61. A pressurizing pump 63 is provided as an example of a pressurizing mechanism that pressurizes the ink in the supply path 62. The ink pressurized by the pressure pump 63 flows from the ink cartridge 61 to the head 42 through the supply path 62.

  By the way, the pressurizing pump 63 also functions as the fluid outflow mechanism. That is, the pressure pump 63 pressurizes the ink not only when the ink is filled as described above, but also in order to cause the ink to flow out from the nozzle and clean the wiper 82. As a result, the ink in the ink cartridge 61 and the supply path 62 flows to the head 42, and as a result, the ink in the head 42 forcibly flows out from the nozzles.

  In this specification, the outflow of ink means that the ink is sent out from the nozzle by the pressurizing pump 63, and the ejection of ink means that the ink is sent out from the nozzle by the driving element (piezo element). Means.

  Here, it is necessary to feed a large amount of ink from the nozzles in order to dripping (removing) the thickened ink and solid matter adhering to the wiper 82. The amount of ink forced to flow out of the nozzle by the pressure pump 63 is sufficiently larger than the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle by the operation of the drive element. For this reason, in order to remove thickened ink and solid matter adhering to the wiper 82, in this embodiment, ink is discharged by the pressurizing pump 63 instead of ink discharge by the operation of the driving element.

  Note that the pressure pump 63 does not pressurize the ink when the head 42 is refilled with ink. This is because the ink flows from the ink cartridge 61 to the head 42 using the pressure difference between the nozzle and the ink cartridge 61 when ink is supplied.

  The position of the pressurizing pump 63 is not limited to the position shown in FIG. For example, the pressure pump 63 may be provided in the supply path 62. A pump provided in the supply path 62 sucks ink from the ink cartridge 61 and sends it out to the head 42.

=== About wiping control ===
In order to remove thickened ink and solid matter (hereinafter referred to as solid matter) adhering to the wiper 82, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment executes wiping control described below. The wiping control is performed mainly for (a) cleaning the wiper 82 that contacts the nozzle surfaces 44a to 44e of the head 42 having a driving element (piezo element) and wipes the nozzle surface. (B) After that, the wiper 82 wipes off the nozzle surface.

  The wiping control according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the wiping control. 8A to 8F are schematic diagrams illustrating the positional relationship between the head 42 and the wiper 82 when the wiping control is executed. Note that the flowchart of FIG. 7 starts from just before execution of the printing process.

  Various operations of the printer 1 when the wiping control is executed are mainly realized by the controller 10. In particular, this embodiment is realized by the CPU 12 processing a program stored in the memory 13. And this program is comprised from the code | cord | chord for performing the various operation | movement demonstrated below.

  First, the controller 10 moves the head carriage 41 to the wiping position (step S2). In the present embodiment, the nozzle surface 44a of the head 42a among the five heads 42a to 42e is first wiped. For this reason, the head carriage 41 moves to a position where the head 42 a faces the wiping device 81 (wiping position).

  Next, the controller 10 moves the wiper 82 of the wiping device 81 to the cleaning position shown in FIG. 8A (step S4). Thereby, the wiper 82 opposes the nozzle surface 44a of the head 42a. Here, as shown in FIG. 8A, the cleaning position means that the wiper 82 is below the nozzle in the vertical direction (vertical direction) and in a non-contact state with respect to the nozzle surface 44a (via a gap). Opposite positions.

  Next, the controller 10 forcibly causes ink to flow out from the plurality of nozzles of the head 42a (in the present embodiment, all the nozzles of the head 42a) to the ink supply unit 60 in order to clean the wiper 82 located at the cleaning position. (Step S6). In this embodiment, from the viewpoint of suppressing power consumption, the driving element (piezo element) does not operate when the ink is forcibly discharged from the nozzle.

  Next, when a predetermined time has elapsed (step S8: Yes), the controller 10 brings the wiper 82 into contact with the nozzle surface 44a as shown in FIG. 8E (step S10). In other words, the controller 10 positions the wiper 82 at the cleaning position until a predetermined time elapses.

  As described above, by positioning the wiper 82 at the cleaning position until a predetermined time elapses, it is possible to effectively remove solids and the like attached to the wiper 82. That is, as shown in FIG. 8C, the ink that has flowed out of the nozzle receives the action of gravity and moves downward (flows) along the nozzle surface 44a, and eventually is positioned below the nozzle (cleaning). The wiper 82 (located in position) is reached. Thereafter, the ink continues to flow while covering the tip end portion 82a of the wiper 82 as shown in FIG. 8D. Due to such a flow of ink, solid matter or the like adhering to the wiper 82 is also washed away. As a result, solid matter or the like attached to the wiper 82 is removed.

  The ink (ink stream) from which the solid matter or the like of the wiper 82 has been washed off continues to flow thereafter and falls to the ink receiver 83 located below the wiper 82. As a result, the waste ink including the solid matter is appropriately collected.

  Returning to the flowchart shown in FIG. The controller 10 wipes the nozzle surface 44a with the wiper 82 that has contacted the nozzle surface 44a (step S12). In this embodiment, first, the wiper 82 moves to a position higher than the nozzle as shown in FIG. 8F while maintaining a state in which the wiper 82 is in contact with the nozzle surface 44a. Thereafter, the wiper 82 moves below the nozzle while maintaining the state in contact with the nozzle surface 44a. As described above, the wiper 82 moves up and down with respect to the nozzle surface 44a, whereby the thickened ink and the like (including dust) attached to the nozzle surface 44a are removed.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, since the solid matter attached to the wiper 82 before wiping is removed, the contact of the wiper 82 with the nozzle surface 44a becomes appropriate in step S12. As a result, the subsequent removal of thickened ink or the like adhering to the nozzle surface 44a by the wiper 82 is appropriately performed.

  Next, in order to wipe the nozzle surface 44b of the head 42b adjacent to the head 42a (step S14: Yes), the controller 10 first moves the wiper 82 away from the nozzle surface 44a of the head 42a. Then, the controller 10 moves the head carriage 41 so that the wiper 82 faces the head 42b (step S16). Further, the controller 10 repeats the above operation (steps S4 to S12) again, thereby completing the wiping of the nozzle surface 44b.

  Incidentally, ink adheres to the wiper 82 facing the nozzle surface 44b of the head 42b when the nozzle surface 44a is wiped. The adhered ink is caused to flow by the ink that has flowed out of the nozzles of the head 42b before wiping the nozzle surface 44b. For this reason, when wiping the nozzle surface 44b, it is possible to prevent a plurality of colors of ink from being mixed in the tip portion 82a of the wiper 82.

  Thereafter, wiping is similarly performed on the nozzle surfaces 44c to 44e of the heads 42c to 42e. Thus, when the wiping for the five heads 42a to 42e is completed, the controller 10 moves the wiper 82 away from the nozzle surface (step S18). As a result, the wiping control ends.

  Immediately after the wiping control is finished, the printing process is executed. Here, since the nozzle surfaces 44a to 44e are appropriately cleaned by wiping, the ejection of ink from the nozzles becomes stable, and as a result, it is possible to suppress deterioration in the image quality of the printed image.

=== Effectiveness of Printer 1 ===
As described above, the printer 1 (an example of a fluid ejecting apparatus) according to the present embodiment includes (a) the heads 42 a to 42 a having nozzles and drive elements that operate to eject ink (an example of fluid) from the nozzles. 42e, (b) a wiper 82 (an example of a wiping member) that contacts the nozzle surfaces 44a to 44e of the heads 42a to 42e and wipes the nozzle surfaces 44a to 44e, and (c) the drive element that causes ink to flow out from the nozzles. A pressure pump 63 (an example of a fluid outflow mechanism) different from the above, and (d) wiping the nozzle surfaces 44a to 44e with the wiper 82 after the ink has flowed out to the pressure pump 63 for cleaning the wiper 82. Controller 10 (an example of a control unit). In such a case, since the ink is allowed to flow out to the pressure pump 63 before the wiping to clean the wiper 82, the wiper 82 can appropriately wipe the nozzle surfaces 44a to 44e with a simple configuration. .

Here, the above effect will be described more specifically with reference to two comparative examples.
First, Comparative Example 1 will be described. In Comparative Example 1, as a measure for cleaning (washing) the wiper 82, a cleaning liquid is used instead of ink. The head has a nozzle for discharging the cleaning liquid (a nozzle different from the nozzle for discharging ink). In the case of such a configuration, it is necessary to provide a dedicated nozzle for discharging the cleaning liquid, which causes a problem that the configuration around the head is complicated.

  Next, Comparative Example 2 will be described. In Comparative Example 2, the nozzles eject ink (this ink is ejected by the operation of the drive element), and the wiper 82 is cleaned (washed). In this configuration, since the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle is small, the wiper 82 is not effectively cleaned. In particular, solids such as dust that are difficult to dissolve in the ink and thickened ink having a high viscosity are difficult to remove appropriately depending on the ink ejected from the nozzle by the drive element.

  On the other hand, in the case of the present embodiment, before the wiping, a large amount of ink is caused to flow out from the nozzle by the pressurizing pump 63 and the wiper 82 is cleaned (washed), so that solid matter that is difficult to dissolve in the ink or the like. Can be removed from the wiper 82. Moreover, since it is not necessary to use the cleaning liquid described above, the configuration around the heads 42a to 42e can be simplified. Then, since the wiper 82 from which the solid matter or the like has been removed comes into proper contact with the nozzle surfaces 44a to 44e thereafter, the wiping of the nozzle surface is appropriately performed.

  From the above, according to the printer 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to appropriately wipe the nozzle surfaces 44a to 44e with the wiper 82 with a simple configuration.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8B, the controller 10 positions the wiper 82 below the nozzle in the vertical direction and causes ink to flow out to the pressure pump 63 for cleaning the wiper 82. It was.
In such a case, the ink flowing out from the nozzle (ink flow) is attached to the wiper 82 by moving (flowing) toward the wiper 82 positioned below the nozzle in the vertical direction under the action of gravity. It becomes easy to wash away the solid matter etc. (refer FIG. 8B-FIG. 8D). Therefore, the wiper 82 is effectively cleaned by the ink that has flowed out of the nozzle.

Further, in the above embodiment, the controller 10 positions the wiper 82 below the nozzle in the vertical direction and in a non-contact state with the nozzle surfaces 44a to 44e, and pressurizes the wiper 82 with a pressure pump. Ink flows out to 63. Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 8E and 8F, the controller 10 brings the wiper 82 into contact with the nozzle surfaces 44 a to 44 e and performs wiping of the nozzle surfaces 44 a to 44 e with the wiper 82. In such a case, as will be described below, the wiping of the nozzle surface by the tip end portion 82a of the wiper 82 (the portion of the wiper 82 that contacts the nozzle surface during wiping) is appropriately performed.
That is, when cleaning the wiper 82 in a non-contact state with the nozzle surfaces 44a to 44e, it becomes easier to cover the tip 82a of the wiper 82 than in the case of cleaning the wiper 82 in a contact state with the nozzle surface (FIG. 8C and FIG. 8D). As a result, the solid matter or the like attached to the tip portion 82a of the wiper 82 is effectively removed.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the printer 1 includes an ink cartridge 61 (container) that stores ink supplied to the heads 42 a to 42 e, and the ink from the ink cartridge 61 to the heads 42 a to 42 e. And a pressurizing pump 63 (pressurizing mechanism) that pressurizes the ink so as to face. The pressurizing pump 63 is also operated as the fluid outflow mechanism.
In such a case, the pressure pump 63 that operates when the heads 42a to 42e are filled with ink also has a function of cleaning the wiper 82, so that the number of parts can be reduced. As a result, the printer The overall configuration of 1 can be simplified.

Furthermore, in the said embodiment, the nozzle surfaces 44a-44e are provided so that it may incline with respect to the horizontal surface shown to FIG. 4A, and the ink which flowed out from the nozzle with the pressurization pump 63 is shown to FIG. 8B and FIG. 8C. Thus, it moved along the nozzle surfaces 44a to 44e to reach the wiper 82.
In such a case, the ink that has flowed out of the nozzle is easily moved along the nozzle surfaces 44a to 44e inclined with respect to the horizontal plane due to the action of gravity. For this reason, the ink easily reaches the wiper 82, and the wiper 82 is effectively cleaned.

Furthermore, in the said embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the wiper 82 contacts the nozzle surfaces 44a-44e along the longitudinal direction, and wipes off the said nozzle surface. The heads 42a to 42e have a plurality of nozzles arranged in the arrangement direction along the longitudinal direction. Then, as shown in FIG. 8B, the controller 10 causes the pressure pump 63 to cause ink to flow out from the plurality of nozzles in order to clean the wiper 82.
In such a case, the ink that has flowed out from the plurality of nozzles arranged in the arrangement direction along the longitudinal direction of the wiper 82 reaches a wide area of the wiper 82 in the longitudinal direction. Can be cleaned. Therefore, the wiper 82 is effectively cleaned.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the fluid is ultraviolet curable ink. In such a case, as described below, the effect that the wiping of the nozzle surfaces 44a to 44e by the wiper 82 after cleaning is appropriately performed is more effectively achieved.
That is, since the ultraviolet curable ink tends to be cured more easily than other inks, the ultraviolet curable ink attached to the wiper 82 (exactly, the ink after curing) is removed by the other ink. (For example, a cured ultraviolet curable ink is difficult to dissolve in a small amount of ink). On the other hand, the wiper 82 can be appropriately cleaned by positively letting out the ink from the nozzle by the pressurizing pump 63 and washing away the ultraviolet curable ink adhering to the wiper 82 as in the above embodiment. Therefore, in the case of ultraviolet curable ink, the effect that the wiping of the nozzle surfaces 44a to 44e by the wiper 82 after cleaning is appropriately performed is more effectively achieved.

=== Other Embodiments ===
As mentioned above, although the fluid discharge apparatus etc. which concern on this invention were demonstrated based on the said embodiment, embodiment mentioned above is for making an understanding of this invention easy, and limits this invention. is not. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes the equivalents thereof.

  In the above-described embodiment, the fluid discharge device is embodied in an ink jet printer. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and fluid other than ink (liquid or liquid in which particles of a functional material are dispersed, a fluid state such as a gel) (Including a solid that can be discharged as a body and fluid) and can be embodied in a fluid discharge device that discharges or discharges the fluid.

  For example, a liquid material ejecting apparatus that discharges a liquid material in the form of dispersed or dissolved materials such as electrode materials and color materials used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescence) displays, and surface-emitting displays, and biochip manufacturing It may be a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a bio-organic substance used in the above, or a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a liquid as a sample used as a precision pipette. In addition, a transparent resin liquid such as UV curable resin is used to form a liquid ejection device that ejects lubricating oil pinpoint to precision machines such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements. For example, a liquid discharge device that discharges a liquid onto a substrate, a liquid discharge device that discharges an etching solution such as acid or alkali to etch the substrate, a fluid discharge device that discharges gel, and a powder such as toner It may be a powder discharge type recording apparatus that discharges a solid. The present invention can be applied to any one of these discharge devices.

  In the printer 1 of the above-described embodiment, the fluid is ejected by applying a voltage to the driving element (piezo element) to expand and contract the ink chamber, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, a printer may be used in which bubbles are generated in the nozzles using a heating element and fluid is discharged by the bubbles.

  In the above embodiment, the wiper 82 is an elastic blade. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Any wiper 82 may be used as long as it can wipe the nozzle surface in contact with the nozzle surfaces 44a to 44e.

  In the above embodiment, the wiper 82 is wiped for each head. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the length of the wiper 82 in the longitudinal direction is substantially equal to the length of the head carriage 41 in the longitudinal direction, the five heads 42a to 42e can be wiped at one time.

  In the above embodiment, the ink is an ultraviolet curable ink. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printer. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of the printer 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional structure of a drum unit 30, a head unit 40, and an ultraviolet irradiation unit 50. FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing the head unit 40. 4B is a front view of the head 42 when the head 42 is viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow F in FIG. 4A. It is the figure which showed head 42 and wiper 82 grade. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a head unit 40 and an ink supply unit 60. It is a flowchart for demonstrating wiping control. 8A to 8F are schematic diagrams illustrating the positional relationship between the head 42 and the wiper 82 when the wiping control is executed.

Explanation of symbols

1 printer, 10 controller, 11 interface, 12 CPU,
13 memory, 14 unit control circuit, 20 paper feed / discharge unit, 21 paper feed unit,
22 discharge section, 30 drum unit, 31 holding drum, 32 rotating shaft,
33 outer peripheral surface, 40 head unit, 41 head carriage, 42 head,
43 storage chamber, 44a-44e nozzle surface, 46 guide shaft, 47 guide shaft,
50 UV irradiation unit, 51 irradiation unit carriage, 52 UV irradiation unit,
53 lamp, 56 guide shaft, 57 guide shaft, 60 ink supply unit,
61 ink cartridge, 62 supply path, 63 pressure pump, 70 detector group,
80 cleaning unit, 81 wiping device, 82 wiper,
83 ink receiver, 110 computer

Claims (8)

A head having a nozzle and a driving element that operates to discharge fluid from the nozzle;
A wiping member that contacts the nozzle surface of the head and wipes the nozzle surface;
A fluid outflow mechanism different from the drive element for allowing the fluid to flow out from the nozzle;
A controller that performs wiping of the nozzle surface by the wiping member after the fluid flows out to the fluid outflow mechanism for cleaning the wiping member;
A fluid ejection device comprising: The fluid ejection device according to claim 1,
The said control part positions the said wiping member below the said nozzle in a perpendicular direction, and makes the said fluid flow out to the said fluid outflow mechanism for the cleaning of the said wiping member, The fluid discharge apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The fluid ejection device according to claim 2,
The controller is
After the wiping member is positioned below the nozzle in the vertical direction and in a non-contact state on the nozzle surface, the fluid outflow mechanism is allowed to flow out for cleaning the wiping member.
The fluid ejecting apparatus, wherein the wiping member is brought into contact with the nozzle surface, and the wiping of the nozzle surface by the wiping member is executed. The fluid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A storage section that stores the fluid supplied to the head, and a pressurizing mechanism that pressurizes the fluid so that the fluid travels from the storage section to the head,
The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressurizing mechanism also operates as the fluid outflow mechanism. The fluid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The nozzle surface is provided to be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane,
The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluid flowing out from the nozzle by the fluid outflow mechanism moves along the nozzle surface and reaches the wiping member. The fluid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The wiping member is in contact with the nozzle surface along its longitudinal direction, and wipes the nozzle surface.
The head has a plurality of the nozzles arranged in an arrangement direction along the longitudinal direction,
The control unit causes the fluid outflow mechanism to flow out fluid from the plurality of nozzles for cleaning the wiping member. The fluid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluid is ultraviolet curable ink. In order to clean the wiping member that wipes the nozzle surface in contact with the nozzle surface of a head having a driving element that discharges fluid from the nozzle, the fluid is discharged from the nozzle by a fluid outflow mechanism different from the driving element. A first step of draining;
After the first step, a second step for causing the wiping member to wipe off the nozzle surface;
A nozzle surface cleaning method comprising:

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