JP2010137547A - Fluid ejecting apparatus and maintenance device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fluid ejecting apparatus and a maintenance device which can carry out the cleaning (flushing) action by a simple constitution in a short time. <P>SOLUTION: An absorbing member 12 is a linear member which extends along a nozzle row and is made relatively movable to a position retracted from a flying path of a fluid ejected from nozzles. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid ejecting apparatus and a maintenance apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, ink jet printers (hereinafter referred to as “printers”) are widely known as fluid ejecting apparatuses that eject ink droplets onto recording paper (medium). In such a printer, there is a problem that the nozzles are clogged due to ink thickening and solidification due to evaporation of ink from the nozzles of the recording head, adhesion of dust, and mixing of air bubbles, resulting in poor printing. there were. Therefore, normally, the printer performs a flushing operation for forcibly ejecting the ink in the nozzles separately from the ejection to the recording paper.
In a scanning type printer, a flushing operation is performed by moving the recording head to an area other than the recording area. However, in a printer including a line head to which the recording head is fixed, the recording head cannot be moved during the flushing operation. Therefore, for example, a method of ejecting ink toward an absorbing member provided on the surface of the recording belt is proposed (Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-119284 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, since a plurality of absorbents are arranged on the conveyance belt at equal intervals according to the size of the recording paper, it is necessary to eject ink aiming at the gap between the recording papers during flushing. In other words, there is a problem that the size of the recording paper and the conveyance speed are limited. In addition, when flushing is performed on a planar absorbent material, the mist-like ink may be scattered by the wind pressure associated with the ejection of ink droplets, and the recording paper or the conveyor belt may be soiled.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a fluid ejecting apparatus and a maintenance apparatus that can perform a cleaning (flushing) operation in a short time with a simple configuration.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention includes a fluid ejecting head that has a nozzle row composed of a plurality of nozzles and ejects fluid onto a medium, and flushes the fluid from the nozzle to an absorbing member that absorbs the fluid. The absorbing member is a linear member that extends along the nozzle row and is relatively movable to a position where the fluid ejected from the nozzle is retracted from the flight path. Adopt the configuration that there is.
According to the present invention employing such a configuration, a linear absorbing member (absorbing member made of a linear member) is opposed to the nozzle row (a state where the linear absorbing member is arranged in the flight path of the fluid ejected from the nozzle). By doing so, the fluid discharged from each nozzle can be absorbed by the absorbing member. Moreover, since it is a linear absorption member, the absorption member can be moved to a position for retracting from the flight path with a slight movement. For this reason, according to the present invention, maintenance can be completed in a short time.
In the present invention, it is desirable that the absorbing member is provided between the fluid ejecting head and the medium. According to the present invention as described above, since the absorbent material is disposed between the fluid ejecting head and the medium, the absorbent member can be moved to a position for retracting from the flight path with a slight movement.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the fluid ejecting apparatus of the present invention has a nozzle array including a plurality of nozzles, includes a fluid ejecting head that ejects fluid onto a medium, and performs a flushing operation for ejecting fluid from the nozzle. A linear absorbing member that absorbs the fluid ejected from the nozzle extends along the nozzle row between the fluid ejecting head and the medium, and is formed from the nozzle. The present invention is characterized in that it is capable of moving forward and backward with respect to the flight path of the jetted fluid.

  According to the present invention, the fluid discharged from each nozzle can be absorbed by the absorbing member by making the linear absorbing member face the nozzle row. Further, since the absorbing member is linear, the absorbing member can be moved without moving the fluid ejecting head and the medium, and the amount of movement is small. Thereby, since the flushing operation can be performed without moving the fluid ejecting head, the maintenance can be completed in a short time.

Moreover, it is preferable to provide the 1st moving mechanism which moves the said absorption member to the direction which cross | intersects the extension direction of the said nozzle row.
According to the present invention, the absorbing member can be opposed to the nozzle row by moving the absorbing member in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the nozzle row.

Moreover, it is preferable that the said 1st movement mechanism was equipped with the position adjustment mechanism which adjusts the position of the said absorption member in the direction which cross | intersects the extension direction of the said nozzle row.
According to the present invention, since the absorbing member can be reliably opposed to the nozzle row, the fluid discharged from each nozzle can be absorbed by the absorbing member without leaking.

Moreover, it is preferable to provide the 2nd moving mechanism which moves the said absorption member along the extension direction of the said nozzle row.
According to the present invention, by moving the absorbing member along the extending direction of the nozzle row, the region of the absorbing member that has absorbed the fluid is moved, and the region not containing the fluid is opposed to the nozzle row. it can. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably absorb the fluid discharged from the nozzle during the flushing operation into the absorbing member.

Further, it is preferable that the second moving mechanism moves the absorbing member while the flushing operation is performed.
According to the present invention, by moving the absorbing member by the second moving mechanism during the flushing operation, the absorbing member can efficiently absorb the fluid without overflowing the absorbing member even if the flushing amount is large.

The second moving mechanism preferably stops the absorbing member while the flushing operation is performed.
According to the present invention, the control is facilitated by stopping the absorbing member by the second moving mechanism during the flushing operation.

Moreover, it is preferable that the said 2nd moving mechanism has a winding mechanism which can wind up the said absorption member.
According to the present invention, since the absorbing members collected by the winding mechanism can be collected, the size of the apparatus itself can be reduced.

Further, it is preferable that the second moving mechanism has a pulley mechanism on which the absorbing member is bridged.
According to the present invention, the absorbing member can be moved endlessly with less power.

Moreover, it is preferable that the said 2nd moving mechanism is provided so that attachment or detachment is possible.
According to the present invention, the absorbing member that has absorbed the fluid can be replaced with a new one.

It is preferable that a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the absorbing member is provided.
According to the present invention, the absorbent member that has absorbed the fluid can be reused by cleaning. Thereby, the absorption member can be continuously used, and the replacement work and the amount of disposal of the absorption member can be reduced.

It is preferable that a plurality of the nozzle rows are provided, and the absorbing member is provided for each nozzle row.
According to the present invention, it is possible to absorb and collect the fluid discharged from each nozzle row in the flushing operation.

  In order to solve the above problems, a maintenance device of the present invention is used for a flushing operation of a fluid ejecting apparatus that includes a nozzle row including a plurality of nozzles and includes a fluid ejecting head that ejects fluid from the nozzles. The maintenance device includes a linear absorbing member that extends along the nozzle row and is capable of moving forward and backward with respect to a flight path of the fluid ejected from the nozzle.

  According to the present invention, by making the absorbing member face the nozzle row, it is possible to absorb the fluid ejected from each of the slurries in the absorbing member. Thereby, since the flushing operation can be performed without moving the fluid ejecting head, the maintenance can be completed in a short time.

Moreover, it is preferable to provide the 1st moving mechanism which moves the said absorption member to the direction which cross | intersects the extension direction of the said nozzle row.
According to the present invention, the absorbing member can be opposed to the nozzle row by moving the absorbing member in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the nozzle row.

Moreover, it is preferable to provide the 2nd moving mechanism which moves the said absorption member along the extension direction of the said nozzle row.
According to the present invention, by moving the absorbing member along the extending direction of the nozzle row, the region of the absorbing member that has absorbed the fluid is moved, and the region not containing the fluid is opposed to the nozzle row. it can. As a result, the fluid ejected from the nozzle during the flushing operation can be reliably absorbed by the absorbing member.

Moreover, it is preferable that the said 2nd moving mechanism has a winding mechanism which can wind up the said absorption member.
According to the present invention, since the absorbing members collected by the winding mechanism can be collected, the size of the apparatus itself can be reduced.

Further, it is preferable that the second moving mechanism has a pulley mechanism on which the absorbing member is bridged.
According to the present invention, the absorbing member can be moved endlessly with less power.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the absorbing member adopts a configuration in which the maximum cross-sectional dimension is 5 to 75 times the diameter of the nozzle.
By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to sufficiently secure the amount of fluid retained by the absorbing member and sufficiently secure an area for receiving the fluid.

Moreover, in this invention, it is preferable to employ | adopt the structure that an absorption member is circular in cross-sectional shape.
By adopting such a configuration, even when the absorbing member rotates about the extending direction as the central axis, the area that receives the fluid does not change. For this reason, it is not necessary to consider the posture of the absorbing member in the rotational direction.
In addition, when the cross-sectional shape of an absorption member is circular, it is preferable that a cross-sectional maximum dimension is 10 times or more and 50 times or less with respect to the diameter of the said nozzle. As a result, it is possible to ensure a sufficient amount of fluid retained by the absorbing member and a sufficient area for receiving the fluid.

Moreover, in this invention, it is preferable to employ | adopt the structure that the absorbing member is formed by twisting a plurality of yarns.
By adopting such a configuration, it becomes possible to retain fluid even in valleys formed between a plurality of yarns by twisting a plurality of yarns, and increase the amount of fluid absorbed by the absorbing member. Is possible.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a head unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a recording head according to the first embodiment. The perspective view which shows schematic structure of the cap unit of 1st Embodiment. The perspective view which shows schematic structure of the flushing unit of 1st Embodiment. The top view which shows the movement position of the absorption member in 1st Embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer of the first embodiment. It is a mimetic diagram of an absorption member with which a printer of a 1st embodiment is provided. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing the operation of the printer in the first embodiment. (A) Flushing position of absorbing member, (b) Retracting position of absorbing member FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a main part of a printer according to a second embodiment, and FIG. The top view which shows the modification of the moving member used as a part of 1st moving mechanism.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing used for the following description, the scale of each member is appropriately changed to make each member a recognizable size.

An embodiment of a fluid ejection device of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, an ink jet printer (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer) is illustrated as the fluid ejecting apparatus.
(Printer)
1 is a schematic configuration perspective view of a printer, FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration perspective view of a head unit, FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration perspective view of a recording head constituting the head unit, and FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration perspective view of a cap unit.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a head unit 2, a transport device 3 that transports recording paper (medium), a paper feeding unit 4 that supplies recording paper, and a recording paper printed by the head unit 2. A paper discharge unit 5 for discharging and a maintenance device 10 for performing maintenance processing on the head unit 2 are provided.

  The conveying device 3 holds the recording paper in a state where a predetermined interval is provided between the recording head 21 (21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, and 21E) constituting the head unit 2 and the nozzle surface 23. ing. The conveyance device 3 includes a driving roller unit 31, a driven roller unit 32, and a conveyance belt unit 33 including a plurality of belts that are laid around the roller units 31 and 32. In addition, a holding member 34 that holds the recording paper is provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording paper of the conveyance device 3 (on the paper discharge unit 5 side) and between the paper discharge unit 5.

  The drive roller unit 31 is connected to a drive motor (not shown) at one end in the rotation axis direction, and is driven to rotate by the drive motor. The rotational power of the drive roller unit 31 is transmitted to the conveyor belt unit 33, and the conveyor belt unit 33 is rotationally driven. A transmission gear is installed between the drive roller unit 31 and the drive motor as necessary. The driven roller unit 32 is a so-called free roller, and supports the conveyance belt unit 33 and is rotated by the rotation drive of the conveyance belt unit 33 (drive roller unit 31).

  The paper discharge unit 5 includes a paper discharge roller 51 and a paper discharge tray 52 that holds the recording paper conveyed by the paper discharge roller 51.

  The head unit 2 is configured by unitizing a plurality (five in the present embodiment) of the recording heads 21A to 21E, and a plurality of colors from each nozzle 24 (see FIG. 3) of each of the recording heads 21A to 21E. Ink (for example, black B, magenta M, yellow Y, and cyan C inks) are ejected. The recording heads 21 </ b> A to 21 </ b> E (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the recording head 21) are unitized by being attached to the attachment plate 22. That is, the head unit 2 according to the present embodiment combines a plurality of recording heads 21 (single head members), and the effective print width of the head unit 2 is substantially equal to the horizontal width of the recording paper (width perpendicular to the transport direction). This constitutes a line head module. In addition, each structure itself in each of the recording heads 21A to 21E is common.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the head unit 2, the recording heads 21 </ b> A to 21 </ b> E are arranged in an opening 25 formed in the mounting plate 22. Specifically, each recording head 21 </ b> A to 21 </ b> E is screwed to the back surface 22 b side of the mounting plate 22, so that the nozzle surface 23 protrudes from the front surface 22 a side of the mounting plate 22 through the opening 25. Has been placed. The head unit 2 is mounted on the printer 1 by fixing the mounting plate 22 to a carriage (not shown).

  The head unit 2 in the present embodiment is movable between the recording position and the maintenance position (the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1) by the carriage (not shown). Here, the recording position is a position that faces the conveying device 3 and performs recording on the recording paper. On the other hand, the maintenance position is a position retracted from the transport device 3 and is a position facing the maintenance device 10. Maintenance processing (suction processing, wiping processing) for the head unit 2 is performed at this maintenance position.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the recording heads 21 </ b> A to 21 </ b> E constituting the head unit 2 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the recording head 21) have nozzle surfaces on which a nozzle row L composed of a plurality of nozzles 24 is formed. 23, and a support member 28 to which the head main body 25A is attached.

  Each of the recording heads 21A to 21E has nozzle rows (L (Y), L (M), and L (C) corresponding to four colors (yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk)). ), L (Bk)). In each nozzle row (L (Y), L (M), L (C), L (Bk)), the nozzle row (L (Y), L (M), L (C), L (Bk)) Are arranged in a horizontal direction intersecting the recording paper conveyance direction, and more preferably in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the recording paper conveyance direction. And the nozzle row L corresponding to the same color corresponds in the arrangement direction of the recording heads 21A to 21E.

  Overhanging portions 26, 26 are formed on both sides of the support member 28 in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle surface 23. The overhang portions 26 and 26 are formed with through holes 27 for screwing the recording head 21 to the back surface 22 b of the mounting plate 22. Thus, the plurality of recording heads 21 are attached to the attachment plate 22 to constitute the head unit 2 (see FIG. 1).

  The maintenance device 10 includes a cap unit 6 that performs a suction process on the head unit 2 and a flushing unit 11 that performs a flushing operation on the head unit 2.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the cap unit 6 performs maintenance processing on the head unit 2, and a plurality (five in this embodiment) of cap portions 61A to 61E corresponding to the recording heads 21A to 21E. It is comprised by unitizing. The cap unit 6 is disposed at a location outside the recording area of the head unit 2, and here is disposed at a position not facing the transport device 3.

Each of the cap portions 61A to 61E corresponds to each of the recording heads 21A to 21E, and is configured to be able to contact the nozzle surface 23 of each of the recording heads 21A to 21E.
Since the cap portions 61A to 61E are in close contact with the nozzle surfaces 23 of the recording heads 21A to 21E, respectively, a suction operation for discharging ink (fluid) from the nozzle surfaces 23 can be favorably performed in the suction operation. It is like that.

  Each of the cap portions 61A to 61E (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the cap portion 61) constituting the cap unit 6 is provided in a frame shape on the upper surface of the cap main body 67 and the cap main body 67, and comes into contact with the recording head 21. A sealing member 62, a wiping member 63 used at the time of wiping processing for wiping the nozzle surface 23 of the recording head 21, and a housing portion 64 that integrally holds the cap body 67 and the wiping member 63. Yes.

  Two holding portions 65 (one not shown) for holding the housing portion 64 on the base member 69 are formed at the bottom of the housing portion 64. These holding portions 65 are arranged at diagonal positions in the housing portion 64 in plan view. Each holding portion 65 is formed with a through hole 65b into which a screw for screwing and fixing the housing portion 64 to the base member 69 is inserted.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the flushing unit 11 includes a plurality of absorbing members 12 that absorb ink droplets ejected during the flushing operation, and a support mechanism 9 that supports the plurality of absorbing members 12. It is equipped with.

The absorbing member 12 is a linear member that absorbs ink droplets ejected from the nozzles 24, and four absorbing members 12 are provided for one head unit 2 as shown in FIG. Each absorbing member 12 extends along a nozzle row (L (Y), L (M), L (C), L (Bk)) in which nozzles 24 of each color are arranged, and each nozzle surface 23 and the recording paper conveyance area. The absorbing member 12 is made of, for example, a thread material. Examples of the material of the absorbing member 12 include chemical fibers whose surfaces are subjected to hydrophilic processing, and those that can efficiently absorb and retain ink are preferable. The absorbing member 12 has a width of about 5 to 75 times the nozzle diameter. In a general printer, the gap between each nozzle surface 23 and the recording paper in each recording head 21A to 21E is about 2 mm, and the nozzle diameter is about 0.02 mm. If it is 1 mm or less, it can be arranged between each nozzle surface and the recording paper, and the ejected ink droplets can be supplemented by the absorbing member even in consideration of component errors. Therefore, the absorbent material 12 is preferably about 10 to 50 times the nozzle diameter. The absorbing member 12 will be described in detail later.
Moreover, it is preferable that the length of the absorbing member 12 is sufficient for the effective printing width of the head unit 2. As will be described in detail later, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the used (ink-absorbed) area of the absorbing member 12 is wound up sequentially, and the ink is absorbed in the entire area of the absorbing member 12. The structure which replaces itself is adopted. For this reason, it is preferable that the length of the absorbing member 12 is about several hundred times the effective print width of the head unit 2 so that the replacement period of the absorbing member 12 can be practically used. However, when the absorbing member 12 is regenerated by cleaning in the printer 1, the length of the absorbing member 12 may be slightly longer than twice the effective print width of the head unit 2.
The absorbing member 12 is supported by the support mechanism 9.

The support mechanism 9 includes a moving mechanism 13 (second moving mechanism) and a moving mechanism 14 (first moving mechanism). The support mechanism 9 is substantially integrated with the head unit 2.
The moving mechanism 14 moves the absorbing member 12 in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the nozzle row (orthogonal in the present embodiment), thereby moving the absorbing member 12 to a retracted position not facing the flushing position facing the nozzle 14. Move between. Further, the moving mechanism 13 moves the absorbing member 12 along the extending direction of the nozzle row by traveling.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5A, the moving mechanism 13 is on both sides of the head unit 2 in the nozzle row direction and on the back surface 22b side of the mounting plate 22 (on the opposite side to the nozzle surface 23 of the heads 21A to 21E). ) Have rotating portions 15 and 16 in which the respective rotation axes are parallel to the recording paper conveyance direction. The rotating portions 15 and 16 are wound up in a bobbin shape by rotating shafts 15a and 16a and a plurality of (here, five) partition plates 15b and 16b disposed at equal intervals on the rotating shafts 15a and 16a. The mechanism is capable of winding a total of four absorbing members 12 one by one around the rotation shafts 15a, 16a between the partition plates 15b, 16b.

  The rotating parts 15 and 16 are connected to a drive motor (not shown), and perform unwinding and winding of the plurality of absorbing members 12 by their respective rotations. In the present embodiment, one rotating part 15 is used for unwinding and the other rotating part 16 is used for winding.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the moving mechanism 14 includes a pair of moving members 14A and 14B formed by spirally winding a protruding portion 14b around a shaft portion 14a. The absorbing member 12 is held one by one in the guide groove 14c formed by the shaft portion 14a and the protruding strip portion 14b. The moving mechanism 14 is disposed on both sides of the head unit 2 in the nozzle row direction, on the surface 22a side of the mounting plate 22 (the nozzle surfaces 23 of the recording heads 21A to 21E). A plurality of absorbing members 12 wound around the rotating portion 15 and the rotating portion 16 of the moving mechanism 13 are bridged around the moving members 14A and 14B. The end portion of the guide groove 14 c in the direction perpendicular to the nozzle surface 23 is in a direction away from the nozzle surface 23 with respect to the nozzle surface 23. Therefore, the absorbing member 12 spanned between the moving members 14A and 14B can be held without being brought into contact with the nozzle surfaces 23 of the recording heads 21A to 21E.

  The absorbing member 12 spanned between the moving members 14A and 14B passes through the notches 22c and 22c provided on the mounting plate 22 and is wound around the rotating portions 15 and 16, and is attached to the mounting plate 22. Contact is prevented. Thereby, the movement of the absorption member 12 becomes smooth.

  Then, the support mechanism 9 controls the rotational speeds of the rotating portions 15 and 16 with a control device (not shown), respectively, so that the plurality of absorbing members 12 supported by the moving mechanism 13 and the moving mechanism 14 are not bent flexibly. Hold with tension. This prevents the absorbing member 12 from bending and coming into contact with the nozzle surface 23 and the recording paper.

  In such a support mechanism 9, the plurality of absorbing members 12 are moved so as to be disposed on the rotating portions 15 and 16 disposed on the back surface 22 b side of the mounting plate 22 in the head unit 2 and on the front surface 22 a side of the mounting plate 22. By supporting with the members 14A and 14B, each absorbing member 12 unwound from the rotating portion 15 is wound on the rotating portion 16 via the nozzle surfaces 23 of the recording heads 21A to 21E. ing. Therefore, the absorbing member 12 is moved in the direction intersecting the extending direction of each nozzle row L of the head unit 2, that is, the recording paper conveyance direction, with the rotation of the rotating units 15 and 16.

  Further, when the moving members 14A and 14B are rotated by a drive motor (not shown), a plurality of guide grooves 14c formed by the shaft portion 14a and the protruding strip portion 14b apparently move along the axial direction. Become. Thereby, the position of each absorbing member 12 with respect to the head unit 2 (nozzle row L) can be changed. Specifically, the absorbing member 12 can be moved along the direction intersecting the extending direction of each nozzle row L of the head unit 2, that is, along the conveyance direction of the recording paper. In the present embodiment, the absorbing member 12 is moved between the flushing position and the retreat (recording) position. Here, if the diameter of the absorbing member 12 is 1 mm, it may be moved by 1 mm even if part size errors and arrangement errors are included. If the interval between the protrusions 14b is set to 1 mm, the absorbing member moves 1 mm if the moving member is rotated once, so that the plurality of absorbing members 12 can be easily moved with high accuracy and moved 1 mm. So it takes less time to move. Since the distance between the recording head 21 and the recording paper is 2 mm, the absorbing member 12 is arranged with tension between them, so that it is not necessary to move the recording head 21 and the recording paper during the movement.

Here, as shown in FIG. 6B, the flushing position is a state in which each absorbing member 12 faces a corresponding plurality of nozzle rows L (a plurality of nozzles 24 constituting the nozzle row L). This is a position where ink droplets ejected from each nozzle row L during the flushing operation can be absorbed. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6A, the retracted position in the absorbing member 12 is a state that does not face the nozzle row L (a plurality of nozzles 24 constituting the nozzle row L), and each nozzle is in the recording operation. This is a position where the recording ink droplets discharged from 24 are not absorbed by the absorbing member 12.
As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, all the absorbing members 12 are moved by rotating the moving members 14A and 14B. In the printer 1 of the present embodiment, each absorbing member 12 is disposed between the nozzle surface of the head 21 and the recording paper in the recording paper conveyance direction not only at the flushing position but also at the retracted position.

In FIG. 1, only one set of the head module 2, the maintenance device 10, and the flushing unit 12 is shown. In practice, however, another set of head module 2, maintenance device 10 and flushing unit 12 are arranged in the recording paper conveyance direction. These two sets have the same structure in terms of mechanism, but are shifted in the horizontal direction (the arrangement direction of the heads 21A to 21E) perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording paper. More specifically, the heads 21A to 21E included in the second set of head modules 2 are arranged between the heads 21A to 21E included in the first set of head modules 2 when viewed in the conveyance direction of the recording paper. As described above, the two head modules 2, the maintenance device 10, and the flushing unit 12 are arranged so as to be shifted in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording paper, so that the heads 21A to 21E are arranged in a zigzag manner as a whole. As a result, ink can be ejected over the entire area of the effective print width.
However, in the case where the heads 21A to 21E are connected and arranged in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording paper, the head module 2, the maintenance device 10, and the flushing unit 12 may be only one set. In this case, since a sufficient gap is not formed between the heads 21A to 21E, it is difficult to provide the cap portions 61A to 61E included in the maintenance device 10 for each of the heads 21A to 21E. For this reason, it is preferable to use a single cap portion that can be surrounded by the nozzles 24 of all the heads 21A to 21E.

Next, a specific configuration of the absorbing member 12 that can be suitably used in the printer 1 of the present embodiment will be described.
The absorbent member 12 includes, for example, SUS304, nylon, nylon with a hydrophilic coat, aramid, silk, cotton, polyester, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, polyarylate, Zylon (trade name), or a plurality of these. It can be formed from a composite fiber.
More specifically, the absorbent member 12 can be formed by twisting or bundling a plurality of fiber bundles formed from the fibers or the composite fibers.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the absorbing member 12, where (a) is a cross-sectional view and (b) is a plan view. As shown in this figure, the absorbing member 12 is formed, for example, by twisting two (plural) fiber bundles 12a (yarns) formed from fibers. As shown in FIG. 8, when the absorbent member 12 is formed by twisting a plurality of fiber bundles 12a, it is possible to hold ink also in the valleys 12b formed between the fiber bundles 12a. The amount of ink absorbed by the absorbing member 12 can be increased.

Also, as an example, a linear member in which a plurality of fiber bundles made of SUS304 are twisted together, a linear member in which a plurality of fiber bundles made of nylon are twisted together, and a plurality of fiber bundles made of nylon with a hydrophilic coat applied A linear member in which a plurality of fiber bundles made of aramid are twisted together, a linear member in which a plurality of fiber bundles made of silk are twisted together, a wire in which a plurality of fiber bundles made of cotton are twisted together A linear member in which fiber bundles made of bellyma (trade name) are bundled, a linear member in which fiber bundles made of soarion (trade name) are bundled, and a fiber bundle made of Hamilon 03T (trade name). A linear member in which fiber bundles made of Dyneema Hamiron DB-8 (trade name) are bundled, a linear member in which fiber bundles made of Vectran Hamilon VB-30 are bundled, Ron S-5 Core Kevlar Sleeve A linear member bundled with a fiber bundle made of polyester (trade name), Hamiron S-212 Core Cabbler Sleeve A linear member bundled with a fiber bundle made of polyester (trade name), Hamilon SZ A linear member in which a fiber bundle made of -10 core zylon sleeve polyester (trade name) is bundled, and a linear member in which a fiber bundle made of Hamilon VB-3 Vectran (trade name) is bundled are preferably used as the absorbent member 12. be able to.
The absorbent member 12 using nylon fibers is made of nylon that is widely used as a general-purpose water thread, and therefore is inexpensive.
The absorbent member 12 using metal fibers made of SUS material is excellent in corrosion resistance and can absorb various inks. Also, the absorbent member 12 has high wear resistance compared to a resin and can be used repeatedly.
The absorbent member 12 using ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fibers has high cutting strength and chemical resistance, and is resistant to organic solvents, acids, and alkalis. Thus, since the absorbent member 12 using the ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fiber has a high cutting strength, it can be pulled with a strong tension and can be prevented from bending. For this reason, for example, when the absorption capacity is increased by increasing the diameter of the absorbing member 12, or when the diameter of the absorbing member 12 is not increased, printing is performed by reducing the distance from the heads 21A to 21E to the conveyance area of the recording paper. Accuracy can be improved. Further, the absorption member 12 using a xylon or aramid fiber can be expected to have the same effect as the absorption member 12 using an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fiber.
The absorbent member 12 using cotton fibers is excellent in ink absorbability.

In such an absorbing member 12, the dropped ink is in a state of being absorbed by being held in the valleys 12b (see FIG. 8) formed between the fibers and between the fiber bundles 12a by surface tension.
In addition, a part of the ink dripped onto the surface of the absorbing member 12 directly penetrates the inside of the absorbing member 12, and the rest of the ink travels through a valley 12b formed between the fiber bundles 12a. Then, a part of the ink that has permeated into the absorbing member 12 gradually moves in the extending direction of the absorbing member 12 inside the absorbing member 12 and is dispersed and held in the extending direction of the absorbing member 12. The ink that travels along the valley 12b of the absorbent member 12 gradually penetrates into the interior of the absorbent member 12 while traveling along the valley 12b, and the rest remains in the valley 12b. Distributed and held in the current direction. That is, the ink dropped on the surface of the absorbing member 12 does not stay at the place where all of the ink is dropped, but is dispersed and absorbed around the dropped part.

  In addition, the material for forming the absorbent member 12 actually installed in the printer 1 has the ink absorption property, the retention ink property, the tensile strength, the ink resistance, the moldability (the amount of flaking and fraying), the twist property, the cost, and the like. It will be selected in consideration.

The ink absorption amount of the absorbing member 12 is the sum of the ink amount that can be held between the fibers of the absorbing member 12 and the ink amount that can be held in the valley portion 12b. For this reason, the material for forming the absorbing member 12 is selected so that the ink absorption amount is sufficiently larger than the ink amount ejected by flushing in consideration of the replacement frequency of the absorbing member 12 and the like.
The amount of ink that can be held between the fibers of the absorbing member 12 and the amount of ink that can be held in the valley 12b can be defined by the capillary force in the fiber gap depending on the contact angle between the ink and the fiber and the surface tension of the ink. . That is, by forming thin fibers, the gap between the fibers is increased and the surface area of the fibers is increased as a whole, so that even if the cross-sectional area of the absorbent member 12 is the same, the absorbent member 12 has a larger amount of ink. Can be absorbed. Therefore, in order to obtain more gaps between the fibers, microfibers (ultrafine fibers) may be used as the fibers forming the fiber bundle 12a.
However, the ink holding force of the absorbing member 12 is reduced by increasing the gap between the fibers and reducing the capillary force. For this reason, it is necessary to set the gap between the fibers so that the ink holding force in the absorbing member 12 does not drip when the absorbing member 12 moves.

The thickness of the absorbing member 12 is set so as to satisfy the above-described ink absorption amount. Specifically, for example, the thickness of the absorbing member 12 is set to 0.2 to 1.0 mm, more preferably about 0.5 mm.
However, the thickness of the absorbing member 12 is such that the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the absorbing member 12 is based on the separation distance from the heads 21A to 21E to the recording paper conveyance area in order to prevent contact with the heads 21A to 21E and the recording paper. It is set so as to be equal to or less than the dimension excluding the displacement due to the bending.
Actually, the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the absorbing member 12 is 5 to 75 times the diameter of the nozzle 24. This is because when the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the absorbing member 12 is smaller than five times the diameter of the nozzle 24, the absorbing member 12 becomes thin and difficult to manufacture, and the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the absorbing member 12 is smaller than the diameter of the nozzle 24. This is because if it is larger than 75 times, it becomes easy to bend due to an increase in weight when the fluid is absorbed.

The cross-sectional shape of the absorbing member 12 is not necessarily circular, and may be a polygon or the like.
However, if the cross-sectional shape of the absorbing member is circular, the area for receiving ink does not change even when the absorbing member 12 rotates about the extending direction as the central axis. For this reason, it is not necessary to consider the posture of the absorbing member 12 in the rotational direction. Here, since it is difficult to make the absorption member into a complete circle, the circle includes a substantially circle.
When the cross-sectional shape of the absorbing member 12 is circular, the maximum cross-sectional dimension is preferably 10 to 50 times the diameter of the nozzle 24. As a result, it is possible to ensure a sufficient amount of ink retained by the absorbing member 12 and a sufficient area for receiving ink.

In the printer 1 configured as described above, ink is not ejected from all the nozzles 24 while ink is ejected from the heads 21A to 21E onto the recording paper. For this reason, the ink in the nozzles 24 that have not ejected ink dries and the clay increases. When the ink is thickened, a desired amount of ink cannot be ejected. Therefore, a flushing operation is periodically performed to eject the ink to the absorbing member 12 so that the ink does not thicken.
The absorbing member 12 provided in the printer 1 of the present embodiment is located at a retracted position shifted from the lower side of the nozzle 24 when printing on the recording paper, and the flushing immediately below the nozzle 24 when performing the flushing operation. Located in position. That is, when performing the flushing operation, since the absorbing member 12 is located immediately below the nozzle 24, printing cannot be performed, and it is necessary to stop the printing process. For this reason, it is desirable to perform the flushing operation when the space between the recording sheet to be conveyed and the recording sheet is located directly below the nozzle. In a so-called line head printer such as the printer 1 of this embodiment, printing is normally performed on about 60 sheets of recording paper per minute, so that a nozzle is formed between the recording paper and the recording paper every 5 seconds. It will be located directly below. Therefore, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, for example, the flushing operation is performed every 5 seconds or every 10 seconds.
Note that when printing is continuously performed on a plurality of recording sheets, the time between the recording sheets and the recording sheet is located immediately below the nozzle 24 is short. In the conventional printer, the movement of the absorbing member or the head unit performed for the flushing operation is large. For this reason, in the conventional printer 1, the flushing operation cannot be completed in a short time, and the conveyance of the recording paper is temporarily stopped, and this stop period reduces the number of printed sheets per unit time. It becomes. On the other hand, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the printing and flushing operations can be switched by simply moving the absorbing member 12 in a very narrow area directly below each of the heads 21A to 21E in plan view, and recording. The flushing operation can be completed while the space between the paper and the recording paper is located directly under the nozzle 24, or the period during which the conveyance of the recording paper is stopped for the flushing operation can be extremely shortened.

  Next, the operation of the printer 1 of the present embodiment related to the above flushing operation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 and 10 are principal part cross-sectional views showing the operation of the printer. The operation of the printer 1 according to the present embodiment is controlled by a control device (not shown).

The printer 1 starts a flushing operation based on a predetermined command.
First, the control device drives the moving mechanism 14 shown in FIG. 9 (FIG. 8: S1) to move the plurality of supporting absorbing members 12 to the flushing position as shown in FIG. 10A. Specifically, each absorbing member 12 is made to face each nozzle row L in the recording heads 21 </ b> A to 21 </ b> E by causing the moving members 14 </ b> A and 14 </ b> B to rotate forward at a predetermined rotational speed (one rotation in the present embodiment). . At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, each absorbing member 12 is also in a state of facing the plurality of nozzle rows L arranged in the arrangement direction of the recording heads 21A to 21E.
In this way, the four absorbing members 12 appear in the ink ejection direction of each nozzle row L.

  Next, the control device performs a flushing operation on the head unit 2 (FIG. 8: S2), and ink droplets from the nozzle rows L (nozzles 24) of the recording heads 21A to 21E to the absorbing member 12 facing each other. (For example, about 10 drops). Ink droplets ejected from the nozzle row L are absorbed by the absorbing member 12.

During the flushing operation of the head unit 2, the control device drives the moving mechanism 13 to move each absorbing member 12 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. The absorbed portion is wound up (FIG. 8: S3). As a result, the ink droplets ejected from the nozzle row L are always ejected to a new portion of the absorbing member 12 that does not contain ink, so that they are quickly absorbed into the absorbing member 12.
If the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the absorbing member 12 can be secured about 75 times the nozzle diameter, the ink absorption amount of the absorbing member 12 becomes extremely large. For this reason, it is not necessary to perform the winding operation of the absorbing member 12 while performing the flushing operation. For example, if the ink does not drip even when about 100 drops of ink are ejected to the same location of the absorbing member 12, the absorbing member 12 may be wound after the flushing operation is performed ten times.

  In the present embodiment, the winding speed of the absorbing member 12 in the moving mechanism 13 is adjusted according to the ink discharge amount, and when the discharge amount is large, the winding speed is increased so that the absorbing member 12 is not saturated, thereby absorbing the ink. Take up at high speed to prevent leakage.

When the flushing operation is finished (FIG. 8: S4), the control device drives the moving mechanism 14 to move the plurality of absorbing members 12 to the retracted position as shown in FIG. 9B (FIG. 8: S5).
Specifically, by reversing the moving members 14 </ b> A and 14 </ b> B at a predetermined number of revolutions, the absorbing member 12 that faces the nozzle row L is retracted from the position facing the nozzle row L. Note that the winding operation described above may be performed after evacuation.

  Thereafter, the control device resumes the recording operation on the recording paper.

  Then, after the flushing operation is executed a plurality of times during the recording operation or the like, most of the absorbing member 12 wound around the rotating portion 15 of the moving mechanism 13 is wound around the rotating portion 16 and absorbed by the rotating portion 16. When the winding of the member 12 is completed, it is replaced with a new one. Since the moving mechanism 13 of this embodiment is detachably provided on the back surface 22b side of the mounting plate 22 via the mounting member 70 as shown in FIG. 9, it can be easily replaced.

  According to the present embodiment, the linear absorbing member 12 is disposed between the recording head 21 and the recording paper 8, and the linear absorbing member 12 is moved so as to face the nozzles of the recording head 12 during flushing. Since ink can be absorbed, the flushing operation can be executed without moving the head unit 2. Since it is not necessary to move the head unit 2, the flushing operation can be performed in a short time at an appropriate time.

In addition, since it is a thin linear member, the movement distance is short and the movement can be completed in a short time. For example, it is also possible to arrange them at positions corresponding to the nozzle rows during printing.
Further, by using a linear member as the absorbing member 12, when ink is dripped onto the absorbing member 12, the generation of ascending air current around the absorbing member 12 is suppressed, and the ink adheres to the heads 21A to 21E. This can be prevented. For this reason, it becomes possible to make the absorption member 12 close to the heads 21A to 21E, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of mist that is caused by the volatilization of the ink and causes contamination of the heads 21A to 21E.

  In addition, since the linear absorbing member 12 is an object to be ejected at the time of flushing, dot missing due to the influence of the wind pressure upon ejection to the absorbing member 12 is unlikely to occur. In addition, since the ink droplets ejected at the time of flushing are all absorbed by the absorbing member 12 near the nozzle 24, it is possible to prevent the recording paper and the conveying belt portion 33 from becoming dirty.

Further, by changing the winding speed of the absorbing member 12 in accordance with the amount of ejected ink, the absorbing member 12 can be wound before it is saturated with ink. Thereby, the flushing ink can be reliably absorbed in the absorbing member 12 without leaking.
As described above, in the present embodiment, since the flushing operation can be performed at high speed with a simple configuration, the printing ability is improved.

  In the above description, the absorbing member 12 is wound up as needed during the flushing operation. However, the absorbing member 12 may be stopped when the amount of ejected ink is small and it is not necessary to wind up.

  Further, the moving mechanism 14 may have a position adjusting mechanism that adjusts the position of the absorbing member 12 in the orthogonal direction of the nozzle row L. Accordingly, the absorbing member 12 can be reliably moved to a position facing the nozzle row L and can be reliably retracted to a position not facing the nozzle row L.

  Further, during the recording operation, the plurality of absorbing members 12 may be significantly retracted to a position that does not face the nozzle surface 23 of the recording head 21. Further, the nozzle surface 23 of the recording head 21 can be satisfactorily capped by the cap portion 61 by similarly retracting during capping by the cap unit.

  If a narrow tape-like member (cloth or the like) is used as the absorbing member, the nozzle surface 23 can be sealed well even when the absorbing member is interposed between the recording head 21 and the cap portion 61. It is possible.

  As described above, according to the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the linear absorbing member 12 (absorbing member made of a linear member) faces the nozzle row (arranged in the flight path of the ink ejected from the nozzle 24). In this state, the ink discharged from each nozzle 24 can be absorbed by the absorbing member 12. Further, because of the linear absorbing member 12, the absorbing member 12 can be moved to a position where it is retracted from the flight path with a slight movement. For this reason, according to the printer 1 of this embodiment, a maintenance can be completed in a short time.

(Second Embodiment)
The basic configuration of the inkjet printer of the second embodiment shown below is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, but the configuration of the flushing unit is different. Therefore, below, a different part from previous embodiment is demonstrated in detail, and description of a common location is abbreviate | omitted. Moreover, in each drawing used for description, the same code | symbol shall be attached | subjected to the same component as FIGS. 1-10.
FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the printer of the second embodiment, and FIG. 11B is a side view of the flushing unit.

  The flushing unit 80 of the present embodiment includes a moving mechanism 14 having moving members 14A and 14B, a moving mechanism 83 having a driving roller 81 and a driven roller 82, and these moving members 14A and 14B, a driving roller 81 and a driven roller 82. And a plurality of absorbing members 72 and a cleaning mechanism 85 are provided.

The moving mechanism 83 includes a driving roller 81 and a driven roller 82, and a pulley mechanism is constituted by a plurality of absorbing members 72 spanned between them. Each of the rollers 81 and 82 is fixed to the back surface 22 b side of the mounting plate 22 via the mounting member 70.
The configuration of the driving roller 81 and the driven roller 82 is the same as that of the rotating parts 15 and 16 described above, and an annular absorption is provided on the rotating shafts 15a and 16a between the partition plates 15b and 16b as shown in FIG. The members 72 are wound one by one.

  The drive roller 81 is connected to a drive motor (not shown) at one end of the rotary shaft 15a and is driven to rotate by the drive motor. Then, the rotational power of the driving roller 81 is transmitted to each absorbing member 72, and the absorbing member 72 is rotated. The driven roller 82 is a so-called free roller, and supports each absorbing member 72 and is rotated by being driven by the rotational driving of the driving roller 81.

  The cleaning mechanism 85 is a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the absorbing member 72 containing ink, and is for returning the ink absorbing ability of the absorbing member 72 so that it can be reused. The cleaning mechanism 85 is disposed at a predetermined position on the moving path of the absorbing member 72 so that the plurality of absorbing members 72 pass through the inside.

  The cleaning mechanism 85 only needs to be able to return to a state in which the absorbing member 72 can be reused. For example, a felt member or the like may be used to suck ink absorbed by the absorbing member 72.

  According to the present embodiment, the absorption member 72 that has absorbed the ink can be reused by washing, so that continuous use is possible. Thereby, the replacement | exchange operation | work of the absorption member 72 becomes unnecessary. In addition, the labor for the replacement work can be saved and the cost for the absorbing member 72 can be reduced.

  The preferred embodiments according to the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such examples, and the above embodiments may be combined. It is obvious for those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. It is understood that it belongs to.

  For example, a cleaning mechanism may be provided in the printer 1 of the first embodiment. In this case, by arranging the absorbing member 12 on the downstream side in the moving direction (downstream side of the moving member 14B), a cleaning process such as cleaning the absorbing member 12 that has absorbed ink can be performed. The reusable absorbent member 12 after washing is wound around the rotating unit 16. For example, the flushing operation can be performed again by rotating the rotating units 15 and 16 in the reverse direction.

  Further, the number of absorbing members is appropriately set according to the nozzle row L of the recording head 21. In each of the above embodiments, one absorbing member is associated with one nozzle row L. However, one absorbing member may be associated with a plurality of nozzle rows L. In this case, the absorption member having a width corresponding to the corresponding plurality of nozzle rows L is employed.

  Moreover, in 1st Embodiment, although it was set as the structure which winds up the some absorption member 12 simultaneously, you may make it the structure wound up separately.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the structure where the absorption member 12 followed in parallel with a nozzle row was demonstrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the extending direction of the absorbing member 12 and the extending direction of the nozzle row do not necessarily have to be completely parallel. That is, in the present invention, extending along the nozzle row is not limited to a state in which the nozzle row is completely parallel to the nozzle row, and the extension line extending in the nozzle row extending direction and the absorption member extending. This also includes the case where the extended line extending in the current direction intersects in the previous region.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the present invention is applied to a line head printer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a serial printer.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the structure which the absorption member 12 always moves directly under head 21A-21E was demonstrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the absorbing member 12 is retracted, the absorbing member 12 is moved to a region outside the heads 21A to 21E (for example, the side of the heads 21A to 21E). It can also be adopted.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the structure which changes the positional relationship of the absorption member 12 and head 21A-21E by moving the absorption member 12 was employ | adopted. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which the positional relationship between the absorbing member 12 and the heads 21A to 21E is changed by moving the heads 21A to 21E may be adopted.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the absorbing members 12 and 72 are positioned between the heads 21A to 21E and the recording paper conveyance area during the maintenance process has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which the absorbing members 12 and 72 are positioned below the recording paper conveyance area during the maintenance process may be employed.

In the above embodiment, as a part of the first moving mechanism of the present invention, a pair of moving members 14A and 14B (lead screws) in which the protruding strip portion 14b is spirally wound around the shaft portion 14a is used. Adopted the configuration. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, a movement in which flange-shaped flange portions 14d are attached to the shaft portion 14a while being arranged in the axial direction at regular intervals. A configuration using the members 14A1 and 14B1 may be employed.
When the moving members 14A1 and 14B1 are used, the absorbing members 12 and 72 are moved by moving the absorbing members 12 between the collar portions 14d and 14d and moving the moving members 14A1 and 14B1 in the axial direction. Is moved in the conveyance direction of the recording paper.

  In the above-described embodiment, an ink jet printer is employed. However, a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects or discharges fluid other than ink and a fluid container containing the fluid may be employed. The present invention can be applied to various fluid ejecting apparatuses including a fluid ejecting head that ejects a minute amount of liquid droplets. In addition, a droplet means the state of the fluid discharged from the said fluid ejecting apparatus, and includes what pulls a tail in granular shape, tear shape, and thread shape. Moreover, the fluid here may be a material that can be ejected by the fluid ejecting apparatus.

  For example, it may be in the state when the substance is in a liquid phase, and may be in a liquid state with high or low viscosity, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metal melts) ) And a fluid as one state of the substance, as well as particles in which functional material particles made of solid substances such as pigments and metal particles are dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent. In addition, typical examples of the fluid include ink and liquid crystal as described in the embodiment. Here, the ink includes general water-based inks and oil-based inks, and various fluid compositions such as gel inks and hot-melt inks.

  As a specific example of the fluid ejecting apparatus, for example, a fluid containing a material such as an electrode material or a color material used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, a surface emitting display, or a color filter in a dispersed or dissolved form. It may be a fluid ejecting apparatus for ejecting, a fluid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a bio-organic matter used for biochip manufacturing, a fluid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a fluid used as a precision pipette, a printing apparatus, a microdispenser, or the like.

  In addition, transparent resin liquids such as UV curable resins to form fluid injection devices that inject lubricating oil onto precision machines such as watches and cameras, micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements, etc. Alternatively, a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid onto the substrate or a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects an etching solution such as acid or alkali to etch the substrate may be employed. The present invention can be applied to any one of these ejecting apparatuses and fluid containers.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer (fluid ejecting apparatus), 24 ... Nozzle, 21 (21A-21E) ... Recording head (fluid ejecting head), 10 ... Maintenance apparatus, L ... Nozzle row, 12, 72 ... Absorbing member, 13 ... Moving mechanism ( (Second moving mechanism), 14 ... moving mechanism (first moving mechanism), 85 ... cleaning mechanism, 12a ... fiber bundle (yarn), 12b ... trough

Claims (10)

A fluid ejecting apparatus that includes a nozzle row including a plurality of nozzles and includes a fluid ejecting head that ejects fluid to a medium, and is capable of performing a flushing operation of ejecting fluid from the nozzle to an absorbing member.
The absorbing member is a linear member that extends along the nozzle row and is relatively movable to a position where the absorbing member is retreated from a flight path of the fluid ejected from the nozzle. .   The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the absorbing member is provided between the fluid ejecting head and the medium.   The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first moving mechanism that moves the absorbing member in a direction that intersects with an extending direction of the nozzle row.   The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the absorption member has a cross-sectional maximum dimension of 5 to 75 times the diameter of the nozzle.   The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the absorbing member has a circular cross-sectional shape.   The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the absorption member has a cross-sectional maximum dimension of 10 to 50 times the diameter of the nozzle.   The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the absorbing member is formed by twisting a plurality of yarns.   The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cleaning mechanism that cleans the absorbing member.   The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the nozzle rows are provided, and the absorbing member is provided for each nozzle row. In a fluid ejecting apparatus having a nozzle array composed of a plurality of nozzles and including a fluid ejecting head that ejects fluid onto a medium, the maintenance apparatus is used for a flushing operation that ejects fluid from the nozzles to an absorbing member that absorbs fluid. ,
A maintenance apparatus comprising: a linear member that extends along the nozzle row and is relatively movable to a position where the fluid is ejected from the flight path of the fluid ejected from the nozzle as the absorbing member.

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