JP2011240583A - Fluid jet apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fluid jet apparatus that uses a linear member as an absorbing member for receiving a fluid, and detects breakage of the absorbing member in advance in moving the absorbing member, and preventing a failure to be caused by the broken absorbing member.SOLUTION: The fluid jet apparatus includes fluid jet heads 21A to 21E each including nozzle arrays L each comprising a plurality of nozzles, configured to jet the fluid from the nozzle arrays L. The fluid jet apparatus includes: a fluid absorbing unit 11 including a linear absorbing members 12 each extending along the nozzle array L and movable along the nozzle array L, for absorbing the liquid jetted from the nozzles; and a detecting device 100 for detecting the breakage of the absorbing member 12. When the breakage of the absorbing member 12 is detected by the detecting device 100, at least the drive of the fluid jet heads 21A to 21E is suspended.

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid ejecting 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 nozzle is clogged due to ink thickening and solidification due to evaporation of ink from the nozzle of the recording head, adhesion of dust, and mixing of bubbles, which causes printing failure. there were. Therefore, the printer normally 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).

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, since a plurality of absorbents are arranged on the transport belt at equal intervals according to the size of the recording paper, ink is ejected aiming at the gap between the recording papers during flushing. 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.

JP 2005-119284 A

  Therefore, a linear absorbent material is used, and the linear absorbent member (absorbent material) is disposed between the line head and the recording paper (recording medium), and ink is ejected and flushed toward this. Thus, it is conceivable that the ink is received by the absorbing member. In this case, since there is a limit to the amount of ink that can be received with respect to this absorbing member, when the ink is received to some extent, the absorbing member is moved, flushed toward a new area of the absorbing member, and ink is received again. It is possible to make it.

  However, the linear absorbent material may be cut during use, and if the flushing operation or the printing operation is continued in such a state where the absorbent material is cut, there is a possibility that the transport surface of the recording paper is soiled by ink.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and when a linear member is used as an absorbing member for receiving a fluid and is moved, it is possible to detect in advance that the absorbent has been cut. An object of the present invention is to provide a fluid ejecting apparatus that prevents the occurrence of problems caused by a cut absorbent material.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to the fluid ejecting apparatus of the present invention, the fluid ejecting apparatus includes a nozzle array including a plurality of nozzles, and includes a fluid ejecting head that ejects fluid from the nozzle array. A fluid absorption unit that extends along the nozzle row and is movably provided along the nozzle row and includes a linear absorbent member that absorbs the fluid ejected from the nozzle; and And a detecting device that detects that the fluid ejecting head has been cut off when the detecting device detects that the absorbing member has been cut.

  According to the fluid ejecting apparatus of the present invention, when the detection device detects that the absorbing member is cut, at least the driving of the fluid ejecting head is stopped. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems such as soiling.

In the fluid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the detection device includes a tension applying unit that applies a tension to the absorbing member using an urging force, and a detection sensor that detects a position of the tension applying unit. .
According to this configuration, when the absorbing member is cut, the tension applying unit is moved by the urging force, and the position of the tension applying unit is detected by the detection sensor. Therefore, it is possible to detect that the absorbing member is cut with a simple and reliable configuration.

In the fluid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the detection device includes a plurality of the detection sensors, and each of the detection sensors detects a different portion of the tension applying unit.
According to this configuration, since the detection device detects the positions of a plurality of locations of the tension applying unit, it can detect various situations in the absorbent member such as slack, other than a break.

  In the fluid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the detection device includes a plurality of the detection sensors, and each of the detection sensors detects a different portion of the tension applying unit.

The fluid ejecting apparatus preferably includes a moving unit that moves the absorbing member along the nozzle row, and the detection device drives the moving unit based on a detection result of the detection sensor. .
According to this configuration, by driving the moving unit based on the detection result of the detection sensor, it is possible to eliminate problems such as slack occurring in the absorbing member, for example.

Further, in the fluid ejecting apparatus, the detecting device detects that the absorbing member has run out, and then drives the moving unit at a speed slower than that during normal operation of the fluid absorbing unit to move the absorbing member. It is preferable to move.
According to this configuration, since the moving unit is driven at a slower speed than that in the normal operation, the cut absorbing member can move to one end side without being entangled in the apparatus. Therefore, the replacement work of the absorbing member can be simplified.

In the fluid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the detecting device detects that the absorbing member is cut based on a change in the driving current amount in the moving unit.
When the absorbing member is cut, the load on the driving unit due to the absorbing member is eliminated, so that the driving current required for driving the driving unit is reduced. Then, if this invention is employ | adopted, it can detect easily and reliably that the absorption member was cut.

The fluid ejecting apparatus may further include a movement amount measurement unit that measures a movement amount of the absorption member, and the detection device detects that the absorption member is cut based on a measurement result of the movement amount measurement unit. It is preferable to do this.
When the absorbing member is cut, the absorbing member does not move, so that the movement of the absorbing member cannot be measured. Then, if this invention is employ | adopted, it can detect easily and reliably that the absorption member was cut.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer according to the first embodiment. The perspective view which shows schematic structure of a head unit. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a recording head. The perspective view which shows schematic structure of a cap unit. The perspective view which shows schematic structure of a flushing unit. The top view which shows the movement position of an absorption member. The schematic diagram which shows an example of an absorption member. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printer. The figure which shows schematic structure of a detection mechanism. The figure which shows the structure of the principal part of a detection mechanism. The figure regarding the detection result by a detection mechanism, and its response | compatibility. The figure explaining the state of an absorption member. Explanatory drawing of the step which detects that the absorption member has run out. Explanatory drawing of the principal part of the detection step by a control part. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a printer. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows operation | movement of a printer.

  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 feed 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 puts the recording paper in a state where a predetermined interval is provided between the recording head (fluid ejecting head) 21 (21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, 21E) constituting the head unit 2 and the nozzle surface 23. It comes to hold. 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. Is arranged. 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 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 (fluid absorption unit) 11 supports a plurality of absorbing members 12 that absorb ink droplets ejected during the flushing operation, and the plurality of absorbing members 12. And a support mechanism 9 for performing the above operation.

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, since 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, the absorbing member 12 has a diameter. 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 absorbing member 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) region of the absorbing member 12 is wound up sequentially, and the ink is absorbed in the entire region 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 support mechanism 9 includes a first moving mechanism 13 and a second moving mechanism 14. The support mechanism 9 is substantially integrated with the head unit 2.
The second 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) so that the absorbing member 12 does not face the flushing position facing the nozzle 24. Move between positions. Moreover, the 1st moving mechanism 13 is moved along the extension direction of a nozzle row by making the absorption member 12 run.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5A, the first 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 (with the nozzle surfaces 23 of the heads 21A to 21E). On the opposite side, each of the rotating shafts has a feeding rotating portion (moving portion) 15 and a winding rotating portion (moving portion) 16 which are parallel to the conveyance direction of the recording paper. The sending rotating part 15 is for sending out the absorbing member 12 by unwinding it from the wound state. The take-up rotating part 16 is for taking up the absorbing member 12 sent out from the sending-out rotating part 15.

  The delivery rotating portion 15 is a rotating member having a bobbin shape formed by a rotating shaft 15a and a partition plate 15b arranged at a predetermined interval on the rotating shaft 15a. In addition, the winding rotating unit 16 is a rotating member having a bobbin shape by a rotating shaft 16a and a partition plate 16b arranged at a predetermined interval on the rotating shaft 16a, like the sending rotating unit 15. .

  In the present embodiment, although not shown for the sake of simplicity of illustration, a feeding rotating portion 15 and a winding rotating portion 16 are provided for each absorbing member 12. In other words, in the present embodiment, four each of the feeding rotation unit 15 and the winding rotation unit 16 are provided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the first moving mechanism 13 includes a drive motor M1 for rotationally driving the feeding rotary unit 15 and a drive motor M2 for rotationally driving the winding rotary unit 16. I have. These drive motors M1 and M2 are constituted by, for example, DC motors. Note that drive motors M1 and M2 are also provided for the unillustrated sending rotation unit 15 and the winding rotation unit 16, respectively. Based on such a configuration, the first moving mechanism 13 unwinds and winds up each absorbing member 12 by the rotation of the drive motors M1 and M2. Further, the printer 1 has an encoder (movement amount measuring unit) 90 as a detection sensor for detecting the sending amount (movement amount) of the absorbing member 12 (see FIG. 9). In the present embodiment, the absorbing member 12 is supported by a detection mechanism 100 described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the second moving mechanism 14 includes a pair of moving members 14 </ b> A and 14 </ b> B (lead screws) in which a protruding portion 14 b is spirally wound around a shaft portion 14 a. The absorption member 12 is held around the guide groove 14c formed by the shaft portion 14a and the ridge 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). The plurality of absorbing members 12 that are wound around the feeding rotating portion 15 and the winding rotating portion 16 of the first 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.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, in the printer 1 of this embodiment, the arrangement pitch P1 of the ridges 14b when viewed in the axial direction of the moving members 14A and 14B is the arrangement pitch P2 of the nozzle rows ( 1) (refer to FIG. 6) is set to 1/2 (an integer number excluding 1). As a result, the guide groove 14c is also half the nozzle array pitch P2 (see FIG. 6). Thus, by setting the arrangement pitch P1 of the ridges 14b to one half of the arrangement pitch P2 of the nozzle row, the absorbing members 12 are moved to the nozzle row by rotating the moving members 14A and 14B once. The absorbing member 12 can be moved to a flushing position and a retracted position, which will be described later, without performing fine rotation speed control of the moving members 14A and 14B. it can.

  In the printer 1 of the present embodiment, four absorbing members 12 are wound around such moving members 14A and 14B. However, these absorbing members 12 are alternately provided as guide grooves. 14d, so that it is directly turned around the moving members 14A and 14B for each arrangement pitch P2 of the nozzle rows. For this reason, all the absorbing members 12 can be similarly moved to the flushing position and the retracted position with respect to all the nozzle rows.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the second moving mechanism 14 includes a driving device 14C that rotationally drives the moving members 14A and 14B. As described above, the absorbing member 12 moves to the flushing position and the retracted position when the moving members 14A and 14B are rotated once. For this reason, the driving device 14C drives the moving members 14A and 14B to rotate only once for each command. For this reason, the control of the driving device 14C in the printer 1 of the present embodiment is extremely easy.

  The support mechanism 9 is supported by the first moving mechanism 13 and the second moving mechanism 14 by controlling the rotation speeds of the sending rotation unit 15 and the winding rotation unit 16 in the drive motors M1 and M2, respectively. The plurality of absorbing members 12 are held in an appropriately tensioned state without being bent.

  The support mechanism 9 is configured such that each absorbing member 12 unwound from the sending rotation unit 15 is wound on the winding rotation unit 16 via the nozzle surfaces 23 of the recording heads 21A to 21E. Yes. 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, in accordance with the rotation of the feeding rotation unit 15 and the winding rotation unit 16. Will be.

  Further, when the moving members 14A and 14B are rotated by the drive device 14C, the plurality of guide grooves 14c formed by the shaft portion 14a and the protruding strip portion 14b apparently move along the axial direction. 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 unit 2, the maintenance device 10, and the flushing unit 11 is shown. In practice, however, another set of head unit 2, maintenance device 10 and flushing unit 11 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 units 2 are arranged between the heads 21A to 21E included in the first set of head units 2 as viewed in the recording paper conveyance direction. As described above, the two head units 2, the maintenance device 10, and the flushing unit 11 are arranged so as to be shifted in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the recording paper conveyance direction, 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, when the heads 21A to 21E are connected and arranged in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording paper, the head unit 2, the maintenance device 10, and the flushing unit 11 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 fiber bundles formed from the fibers or the composite fibers.
FIG. 7 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 absorbent member 12 is formed, for example, by twisting two fiber bundles 12a formed from fibers.

Further, 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 to which a hydrophilic coat is 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 Linear member bundled with a fiber bundle made of polyester (trade name), Hamiron S-212 Core Cabbler Sleeve 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 troughs 12b (see FIG. 7) 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 an ink absorption property, a retention ink property, a tensile strength, an ink resistance, a moldability (amount of flaking and fraying), a twist property, a 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 dimension of the absorbing member 12 is the deflection of the absorbing member 12 from 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 amount due to.
The cross-sectional shape of the absorbing member 12 is not necessarily circular, and may be a polygon or the like. Here, since it is difficult to make the absorption member into a complete circle, the circle includes a substantially circle.

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 included 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 right below the nozzle 24 is performed 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 provided 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 causes the number of printed sheets per unit time to be reduced. It becomes. On the other hand, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the printing and flushing operation can be switched by simply moving the absorbing member 12 in a very narrow area immediately 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.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the printer 1. As shown in FIG. 8, the printer 1 includes a control unit 150 that controls driving of each device, and the control unit 150 includes a paper feed unit 4, a paper discharge unit 5, a maintenance device 10, a head unit 2, and a flushing unit. 11, the encoder 90, and the detection mechanism 100 (see FIG. 9) are electrically connected to control the drive thereof.

  By the way, since the absorbing member 12 made of a linear member is fine, there is a possibility that the absorbing member 12 may be cut due to defective manufacturing or abnormal feeding. If the flushing process is executed in a state where the absorbing member 12 is cut, there is a possibility that the transport surface of the recording paper is soiled by the ink droplets ejected from the nozzle 24, and the paper surface is soiled when the recording paper to be printed subsequently passes. is there. Moreover, if the absorbing member 12 in the cut state is moved by the second moving mechanism 14, the absorbing member 12 may be entangled with the moving members 14A and 14B. Further, if the printing process is performed with the absorbent member 12 cut, there is a possibility that one end of the cut absorbent member 12 or the loose absorbent member 12 may be entangled with the conveying device 3 that conveys the recording paper.

  For such a problem, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes a detection mechanism 100 that detects that the absorbing member 12 illustrated in FIGS. The detection mechanism 100 functions as a detection device of the present invention by combining with the control unit 150. The printer 1 always detects the state of the absorbing member 12 every predetermined time or while the power is on.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the detection mechanism 100. As shown in FIG. 9, the detection mechanism 100 includes a tension lever portion (tension applying portion) 101 and a detection sensor 102 that detects the position of the tension lever portion 101. In the present embodiment, although not shown, the detection mechanism 100 is provided in each absorbing member 12. Further, only one recording head 21 is shown for easy viewing of the drawing.

  The tension lever unit 101 includes a lever 103 mounted in the printer 1 so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 101a, a pulley 104 provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the lever 103, and one end fixed to the lever 103 and the other. A spring member 105 whose end is fixed in the printer 1. The absorbing member 12 is stretched over the pulley 104 between the delivery rotating portion 15 and the second moving mechanism 14. An auxiliary roller 110 that assists the conveyance of the absorbing member 12 is provided between the sending rotation unit 15 and the pulley 104.

  In the tension lever portion 101, the absorbing member 12 is stretched over the pulley 104 with the spring member 105 extended. That is, the tension lever portion 101 has a function as a tension applying portion that applies a predetermined tension to the absorbing member 12.

  The lever 103 has a substantially T-shaped end portion 103a. The detection sensor 102 includes a first detection sensor PIA and a second detection sensor PIB, and the first detection sensor PIA and the second detection sensor PIB are electrically connected to the control unit 150, and the detection result is obtained. It is supposed to send. The first detection sensor PIA and the second detection sensor PIB are composed of, for example, a photo interrupter. As shown in FIG. 10, the first detection sensor PIA and the second detection sensor PIB are disposed so as to surround both the upper side and the lower side of the T-shaped end portion 103a of the lever 103. As described above, the detection mechanism 100 can detect a state such as a slack in the absorbing member 12 as described later by measuring two different positions on the lever 103.

  In the printer 1, the control unit 150 can detect the state of the lever 103 based on the detection results of the first detection sensor PIA and the second detection sensor PIB. Specifically, the printer 1 drives the drive motors M1 and M2 based on the detection result. In this way, the printer 1 can detect the state (slack or cut) of the absorbing member 12.

  FIG. 11 shows the detection results by the first detection sensor PIA and the second detection sensor PIB, the state of the absorbing member 12 at the detection results, and the relationship between the control of the motors M1 and M2 in the control unit 150 at this time. It is a table.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 150 absorbs when the first detection sensor PIA and the second detection sensor PIB are in the ON state (that is, when the end 103a of the lever 103 is located between the sensors PIA and PIB). It is determined that the state of the member 12 is normal. Then, the control unit 150 drives the drive motors M1 and M2 as usual (indicated by ◯ in FIG. 11).

  Further, the control unit 150 determines that the absorbing member 12 is in the A state when the first detection sensor PIA is in the OFF state and the second detection sensor PIB is in the ON state. 12A and 12B are views showing the state of the absorbing member 12. Here, as shown in FIG. 12 (a), the A state means that the lever 103 moves upward as compared with the normal position (the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 12), so that the lower side of the end portion 103a becomes the first detection sensor PIA. It means a state that is out of the range. This state is considered to be caused by slack in the absorbing member 12. When the flushing process is performed in a state in which the absorbing member 12 is slack in this manner, the absorbing member 12 is not positioned directly below the nozzle 24, so that ink droplets are not absorbed well by the absorbing member 12 and stain the inside of the apparatus. There is a risk that.

  On the other hand, when the controller 150 detects that the absorbing member 12 is in the A state, the controller 150 drives the drive motors M1 and M2 so as to eliminate the slack, and moves the absorbing member 12. Specifically, the control unit 150 slows the feeding speed by the feeding rotating unit 15 (drive motor M1) with respect to the winding speed by the winding rotating unit 16 (drive motor M2). That is, the control unit 150 decelerates (indicated by Δ in the figure) or stops (indicated by x in the figure) for a predetermined time. As a result, the winding rotary unit 16 winds the absorbing member 12 in a tensioned state, and can eliminate the slack that has occurred in the absorbing member 12. Therefore, the absorbing member 12 can be reliably disposed immediately below the nozzle 24.

  In addition, the control unit 150 determines that the absorbing member 12 is in the B state when the first detection sensor PIA is in the ON state and the second detection sensor PIB is in the OFF state. Here, as shown in FIG. 12B, the B state is lower than the normal position (the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 12), so that the upper side of the end portion 103a is the second detection sensor PIB. It means a state that is out of the range. This state is considered to be caused by, for example, excessive tension acting on the absorbing member 12 by the winding rotary unit 16 entraining some foreign matter or the like. Thus, if the printer 1 continues to operate in a state where excessive tension is applied to the absorbing member 12, the absorbing member 12 may be cut off.

  On the other hand, when detecting that the absorbing member 12 is in the B state, the control unit 150 drives the drive motors M1 and M2 so as to loosen the tension, and moves the absorbing member 12. Specifically, the control unit 150 slows the winding speed of the winding rotary unit 16 (drive motor M2) with respect to the feed speed of the sending rotary unit 15 (drive motor M1). That is, the controller 150 decelerates (indicated by Δ in the figure) or stops (indicated by x in the figure) for a predetermined time. As a result, the sending rotary unit 15 sends the absorbing member 12 in a relaxed state, and can relieve the tension generated in the absorbing member 12. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the absorbent member 12 from being cut due to the application of excess tension.

  As described above, the printer 1 controls the driving of the feeding rotation unit 15 and the winding rotation unit 16 based on the detection results of the first detection sensor PIA and the second detection sensor PIB of the detection mechanism 100, thereby absorbing the absorbing member 12. It is possible to eliminate problems such as slack and excessive tension.

  Next, a step in which the control unit 150 detects that the absorbing member 12 has been cut will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, when the first detection sensor PIA and the second detection sensor PIB are each in the OFF state, the control unit 150 determines whether or not “absorption” has occurred because the absorption member 12 is likely to have expired. (Step S1). Since the lever 103 (pulley 104) is normally stretched over the absorbing member 12 in a state of being biased by the spring member 105, when the absorbing member 12 is cut, the lever 103 is lifted upward by the biasing force of the spring member 105, This is because any of the end portions 103a is detached from the first detection sensor PIA and the second detection sensor PIB.

  First, the control unit 150 alternately drives the drive motors M1 and M2 (step S2). When the absorbing member 12 is not cut (for example, when a large foreign object is caught between the feeding rotary unit 15 and the winding rotary unit 16), the drive motors M1 and M2 are alternately driven to perform the operation shown in FIG. This is because there is a possibility of returning to the A state or the B state shown in (b).

  After driving the drive motors M1 and M2, the control unit 150 determines the state of the absorbing member 12 based on the signals of the first detection sensor PIA and the second detection sensor PIB (step S3). Here, when the absorbing member 12 is in the state A or the state B, as described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the respective driving states can be eliminated by optimally driving the drive motors M1 and M2. (Steps S4 and S5). Thereby, the absorption member 12 returns to a normal state (step S6).

  On the other hand, when the absorbing member 12 is not in the state A or the state B (that is, the end portion 103a of the lever 103 is still located outside the first detection sensor PIA and the second detection sensor PIB), the control unit 150 is not the absorbing member. 12 is determined to be cut (steps S4 and S7).

Note that the control unit 150 may determine whether or not the absorbing member 12 is cut by detecting the timing when the signals from the first detection sensor PIA and the second detection sensor PIB are turned off.
Here, since the absorbing member 12 vibrates not a little during normal driving, the end 103a of the lever 103 may be disengaged from the first detection sensor PIA and the second detection sensor PIB. In this case, as shown in FIG. 14A, the control unit 150 alternately detects a signal that switches between when the first detection sensor PIA is ON and OFF and a signal that switches between when the second detection sensor PIB is ON and OFF. To do.
On the other hand, when the absorbing member 12 is cut, the signals from the first detection sensor PIA and the second detection sensor PIB are turned off substantially simultaneously as shown in FIG. It becomes possible to determine whether or not the absorbing member 12 has been cut based on the timing when is turned off.

  When the control unit 150 determines that the absorbing member 12 is cut, the control unit 150 stops the operation of the printer 1. (Step S8). Here, stopping the operation of the printer 1 means stopping all driving including the head unit 2, the flushing unit 11, and the transport device 3 that transports the recording paper. Accordingly, the printer 1 is driven and the flushing process is continued in a state where the absorbing member 12 is cut off, thereby preventing the occurrence of the problem that the absorbing member 12 is entangled with the moving members 14A and 14B of the second moving mechanism 14. it can. Further, when the printing process is performed with the absorbing member 12 cut, one end of the absorbing member 12 cut into the conveying device 3 or the like for conveying the recording paper or the absorbing member 12 loosened by the cutting is entangled. You can prevent problems.

  Subsequently, the control unit 150 drives only the drive motors M1 and M2 and collects the cut absorbent member 12 (step S9). At this time, the control unit 150 reduces the driving speed of the feeding rotating unit 15 and the winding rotating unit 16, that is, the driving speed of the driving motors M1 and M2, compared with the driving speed during the normal flushing process. Accordingly, the collecting operation can be performed without the cut absorbent member 12 being entangled in the printer 1. Therefore, the replacement work of the absorbing member 12 can be easily performed.

  In addition to the above-described method using the first detection sensor PIA and the second detection sensor PIB, the control unit 150 determines the amount of feed of the absorption member 12 detected by the encoder 90 as a method of detecting that the absorption member 12 has run out. The configuration may be determined based on this. This is because when the absorbing member 12 is cut, the absorbing member 12 is not sent out or taken up by the sending rotating portion 15 and the winding rotating portion 16, so that the absorbing member 12 does not move.

  Further, the control unit 150 detects a drive current value in the drive motors M1 and M2 for rotating the sending rotation unit 15 and the winding rotation unit 16, and whether or not the absorbing member 12 is cut based on the detection result. You may make it perform determination of. This is because, when the absorbing member 12 is cut, the torque required for the drive motors M1 and M2 to rotate the sending rotation unit 15 and the winding rotation unit 16 decreases, and the drive current value decreases.

  Next, the operation of the printer 1 of the present embodiment related to the above-described flushing operation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing the operation of the printer. The operation of the printer 1 according to the present embodiment is controlled by the control unit 150.

The printer 1 starts a flushing operation based on a predetermined command.
First, the controller 150 drives the second moving mechanism 14 to move the plurality of supporting absorbing members 12 to the flushing position as shown in FIG. 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). (Step S11). At this time, each absorbing member 12 also faces a 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 controller 150 performs a flushing operation on the head unit 2 (step S12), and ink droplets are applied from the nozzle rows L (nozzles 24) of the recording heads 21A to 21E to the opposing absorbing member 12. Spray (for example, about 10 drops). Ink droplets ejected from the nozzle row L are absorbed by the absorbing member 12.

While executing the flushing operation of the head unit 2, the control unit 150 drives the feeding rotation unit 15 and the winding rotation unit 16 (drive motors M <b> 1 and M <b> 2) to move the respective absorbing members 12. Then, the winding operation of the portion of the absorbing member 12 that has absorbed the ink is performed (step S13). 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 ends (step S14), the control unit 150 drives the second moving mechanism 14 to move the plurality of absorbing members 12 to the retracted position as shown in FIG. 16B (step S15). 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 delivery rotating portion 15 is taken up by the winding rotation portion 16 and the winding rotation is performed. When the winding of the absorbent member 12 by the part 16 is completed, it is replaced with a new one.

  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 21 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 the 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, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment can perform the flushing operation at a high speed with a simple configuration, so that 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.

  In the printer 1 according to the present embodiment, when the control unit 150 detects that the absorbing member 12 has been cut by the detection mechanism 100, at least the head unit 2 and the flushing unit 11 are temporarily stopped, so that the absorbing member By performing the printing process in a state where 12 is cut, it is possible to prevent problems such as one end of the absorbing member 12 cut to the conveying device 3 or the like that conveys the recording paper, or the absorbing member 12 loosened by being cut becomes entangled. .

  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.

Further, according to the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the linear absorbing member 12 (absorbing member made of a linear member) is opposed to the nozzle row (a state where the linear absorbing member 12 is disposed in the flight path of the ink ejected from the nozzles 24). ), 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.
Further, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the absorbing member 12 is moved by the moving members 14A and 14B and the driving device 14C that rotationally drives the moving members 14A and 14B.
For this reason, it is possible to perform the flushing operation with an extremely simple configuration.

  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, the printer 1 may be provided with a cleaning mechanism. 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 the cleaning is wound around the winding rotary unit 16. For example, the flushing unit 15 is again flushed by rotating the feeding rotary unit 15 and the winding rotary unit 16 in the opposite directions. The operation can be performed.

  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 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 type printer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can also 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.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the structure by which the arrangement pitch P1 of the protruding item | line part 14b was set to 1/2 of the arrangement pitch P2 of the nozzle row was demonstrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the arrangement pitch P1 of the ridges 14b may be set to an integer of 3 or more of the arrangement pitch P2 of the nozzle rows. In this way, by setting the arrangement pitch P1 of the ridges 14b to 1 / integer excluding 1 of the arrangement pitch P2 of the nozzle row, the moving amount of the absorbing member 12 per rotation of the moving members 14A and 14B can be reduced. It can be easily calculated, and the control of the driving device 14C can be facilitated.

  In the above-described embodiment, an ink jet printer is employed. However, a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects or ejects 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.

L ... Nozzle array, M1, M2 ... Drive motor (moving unit), 1 ... Printer (fluid ejecting device), 11 ... Flushing unit (fluid absorbing unit), 12 ... Absorbing member, 15 ... Sending rotating unit (moving unit) , 16... Rotating portion for winding (moving portion), 24... Nozzle, 21... Recording head (fluid ejecting head), 90. Part), 102 ... detection sensor

Claims (7)

A fluid ejecting apparatus including a nozzle array including a plurality of nozzles and including a fluid ejecting head that ejects fluid from the nozzle array,
A fluid absorption unit including a linear absorbent member that extends along the nozzle row and is movable along the nozzle row and absorbs the fluid ejected from the nozzle;
A detecting device for detecting that the absorbing member is cut,
When the detection device detects that the absorbing member is cut, at least the driving of the fluid ejecting head is stopped.   The fluid according to claim 1, wherein the detection device includes a tension applying unit that applies tension to the absorbing member using an urging force, and a detection sensor that detects a position of the tension applying unit. Injection device.   The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the detection device includes a plurality of the detection sensors, and each of the detection sensors detects a different portion of the tension applying unit. A moving unit that moves the absorbing member along the nozzle row;
The fluid ejection device according to claim 2, wherein the detection device drives the moving unit based on a detection result of the detection sensor.   The detection device, after detecting that the absorbing member is cut, drives the moving unit at a speed slower than that during normal operation of the fluid absorbing unit to move the absorbing member. 5. The fluid ejecting apparatus according to 4.   The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the detection device detects that the absorbing member is cut based on a change in a drive current amount in the moving unit.   2. The moving amount measuring unit that measures the moving amount of the absorbing member, and the detection device detects that the absorbing member is cut based on a measurement result of the moving amount measuring unit. The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1.

Images