JP2011245765A - Liquid ejection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To clean an ejection surface of a liquid ejection apparatus.SOLUTION: The liquid ejection apparatus includes: an ejection head having an ejection surface for a liquid where functional materials are dispersed on a fluid medium; a wiping part for wiping the ejection surface; and a control part for making the wiping part execute a first wiping operation on the ejection surface and for making the wiping part execute a second wiping operation on the ejection surface so that the functional materials remaining on the ejection surface are redispersed on the fluid medium of the liquid attached to the wiping part by the first wiping operation.

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid ejecting apparatus.

  In an ink jet recording head (hereinafter simply referred to as a recording head) as a fluid ejecting apparatus, a maintenance process for maintaining or recovering a good ejection state of droplets ejected from a nozzle is periodically performed. As a specific maintenance operation, for example, there is a wiping operation that removes the adhering matter adhering to the nozzle surface by wiping ink (fluid) etc. adhering to the nozzle surface by jetting with a wiper (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-222753

  However, in the above configuration, there are cases where ink that adheres to the ejection surface and solidifies cannot be sufficiently removed even if the wiping operation is performed.

  In view of the circumstances as described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid ejecting apparatus that can clean the ejection surface of the ejection head.

  A fluid ejection device according to the present invention includes an ejection head having an ejection surface that ejects a fluid in which a functional material is dispersed in a liquid medium, a wiping unit that wipes the ejection surface, and a wiping unit that includes a first ejection surface. The wiping portion is caused to re-disperse in the liquid medium of the fluid adhering to the wiping portion by the first wiping operation while performing the one wiping operation. And a control unit that performs the second wiping operation.

  According to the present invention, by performing the first wiping operation and the second wiping operation, the functional material remaining on the ejection surface is re-dispersed in the fluid liquid medium attached to the wiping portion by the first wiping operation. The functional material remaining on the surface can be wiped off more reliably. Thereby, the ejection surface of the ejection head can be made cleaner.

In the fluid ejecting apparatus, the control unit continuously performs the first wiping operation and the second wiping operation.
According to the present invention, since the first wiping operation and the second wiping operation are continuously performed, the second wiping operation is performed in a state where more liquid medium is contained in the fluid attached to the wiping portion by the first wiping operation. Will be done. Thereby, the functional material remaining on the ejection surface can be reliably redispersed.

The fluid ejecting apparatus further includes a capping unit that covers the ejecting surface, sucks a space between the ejecting surface and discharges the fluid, and the control unit performs the cleaning operation of the ejecting head as the cleaning operation. A suction operation of the ejection surface by a capping unit is performed, and the first wiping operation and the second wiping operation are performed after the suction operation.
According to the present invention, in the configuration further including the capping unit that covers the ejection surface and sucks the space between the ejection surface and discharges the fluid, the control unit performs the ejection head cleaning operation as the ejection head cleaning operation. Since the suction operation is performed and the first wiping operation and the second wiping operation are performed after the suction operation, the first wiping operation is performed after the fluid is discharged by the suction operation. As a result, the second wiping operation is performed in a state where the liquid adhering to the wiping portion contains more liquid medium.

In the fluid ejecting apparatus, the control unit sets the number of times of the second wiping operation and causes the second wiping operation to be performed by the number of times corresponding to the setting result.
According to the present invention, the control unit sets the number of times of the second wiping operation, and the second wiping operation is performed for the number of times corresponding to the setting result. The optimum processing can be performed accordingly.

The fluid ejecting apparatus is characterized in that the control unit calculates the number of times of the second wiping operation according to a reference number of times calculated based on the cumulative number of times of the cleaning operation.
According to the present invention, since the control unit calculates the number of second wiping operations according to the reference number calculated based on the cumulative number of cleaning operations, the residual amount of the functional material remaining on the ejection surface is determined. The optimum processing can be performed accordingly.

The fluid ejecting apparatus further includes a capping unit that covers the ejecting surface, sucks a space between the ejecting surface and discharges the fluid, and the control unit performs the cleaning operation of the ejecting head as the cleaning operation. A suction operation of the ejection surface by the capping unit is performed, and the first wiping operation and the second wiping operation are performed after the suction operation, and the control unit is configured to perform the second wiping operation most recently. The number of times of the second wiping operation is calculated based on the elapsed time.
According to the present invention, since the number of times of the second wiping operation is calculated based on the elapsed time since the cleaning operation was most recently performed, it is optimal according to the dry state of the functional material remaining on the ejection surface. Can be processed.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a head. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a head. The block diagram which shows the structure of a control system. The flowchart which shows the process of cleaning operation | movement. Process drawing which shows the mode of cleaning operation | movement. Process drawing which shows the mode of cleaning operation | movement. Process drawing which shows the mode of cleaning operation | movement. Process drawing which shows the mode of cleaning operation | movement. The flowchart which shows the other process of cleaning operation | movement. The flowchart which shows a part of process of cleaning operation | movement. The flowchart which shows a part of process of cleaning operation.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus PRT (liquid ejecting apparatus) according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, for example, an ink jet type printing apparatus will be described as an example of the printing apparatus PRT.

  The printing apparatus PRT shown in FIG. 1 is an apparatus that performs a printing process while conveying a sheet-like medium M such as paper or a plastic sheet. The printing apparatus PRT includes a housing PB, an inkjet mechanism IJ that ejects ink onto the medium M, an ink supply mechanism SP that supplies ink to the inkjet mechanism IJ, a transport mechanism CV that transports the medium M, and an inkjet mechanism IJ. The maintenance mechanism MN that performs the maintenance operation of the above and the control device CONT that controls these mechanisms.

  In this embodiment, ink in which a pigment material (functional material) is dispersed in a liquid medium such as water is used. In addition, in this embodiment, for example, a high-viscosity ink having a water content of about 50% (usually about 70%) is used. Further, as the printing apparatus PRT according to the present embodiment, for example, a commercial printing apparatus may be used.

  Hereinafter, an XYZ rectangular coordinate system is set, and the positional relationship of each component will be described with reference to the XYZ rectangular coordinate system as appropriate. In the present embodiment, for example, the conveyance direction of the medium M is the X direction, the direction perpendicular to the X direction on the conveyance surface of the medium M is the Y direction, and the direction perpendicular to the plane including the X axis and the Y axis is the Z direction. write. The rotation direction around the X axis is the θX direction, the rotation direction around the Y axis is the θY direction, and the rotation direction around the Z axis is the θZ direction.

  The housing PB is formed, for example, with the Y direction as a longitudinal direction. Each part of the inkjet mechanism IJ, ink supply mechanism SP, transport mechanism CV, maintenance mechanism MN, and control device CONT is attached to the housing PB. For example, a platen 13 is provided in the housing PB. The platen 13 is a support member that supports the medium M. The platen 13 is disposed, for example, at the center in the X direction of the housing PB. The platen 13 has a flat surface 13a oriented in the + Z direction. The flat surface 13a is used as a support surface that supports the medium M.

  The transport mechanism CV includes, for example, a transport roller and a motor that drives the transport roller. For example, the transport mechanism CV transports the medium M into the housing PB from the −X side of the housing PB and discharges the medium M from the + X side of the housing PB to the outside of the housing PB. The transport mechanism CV transports the medium M so that the medium M passes over the platen 13 inside the housing PB. In the transport mechanism CV, for example, the transport timing and transport amount are controlled by the control device CONT.

  The inkjet mechanism IJ has a head H that ejects ink and a head moving mechanism AC that holds and moves the head H. The head H ejects ink toward the medium M sent onto the platen 13. The head H has an ejection surface Ha that ejects ink. The ejection surface Ha is directed, for example, in the −Z direction, and is disposed so as to face the support surface 13a of the platen 13, for example.

  The head moving mechanism AC has a carriage 4. The head H is fixed to the carriage 4. The carriage 4 is in contact with a guide shaft 8 that extends in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the housing PB. The head H and the carriage 4 are disposed in the + Z direction of the platen 13, for example.

  In addition to the carriage 4, the head moving mechanism AC includes, for example, a pulse motor 9, a driving pulley 10 that is rotationally driven by the pulse motor 9, and the driving pulley 10 that is provided on the opposite side of the printer body 5 in the width direction. It has a rolling pulley 11 and a timing belt 12 that is stretched between the driving pulley 10 and the idle pulley 11 and connected to the carriage 4.

  The carriage 4 is connected to the timing belt 12. The carriage 4 is provided to be movable in the Y direction as the timing belt 12 rotates. When moving in the Y direction, the carriage 4 is guided by a guide shaft 8.

  The ink supply mechanism SP supplies ink to the head H. For example, a plurality of ink cartridges 6 are accommodated in the ink supply mechanism SP. The printing apparatus PRT of this embodiment has a configuration (off-carriage type) in which the ink cartridge 6 is accommodated at a position different from the head H. The ink supply mechanism SP has, for example, a supply tube TB that connects the head H and the ink cartridge 6. The ink supply mechanism SP has a pump mechanism (not shown) that supplies ink stored in the ink cartridge 6 to the head H via the supply tube TB.

  The maintenance mechanism MN is disposed at the home position of the head H. This home position is set, for example, in an area outside the area where printing is performed on the medium M. In the present embodiment, for example, the home position is set on the + Y side of the platen 13. The home position is a place where the head H stands by, for example, when the printing apparatus PRT is powered off or when recording is not performed for a long time.

The maintenance mechanism MN includes, for example, a capping mechanism CP that covers the ejection surface Ha of the head H, a wiping mechanism WP that wipes the ejection surface Ha, and the like. The capping mechanism CP has a capping member 50. A suction mechanism SC such as a suction pump is connected to the capping member 50. By the suction mechanism SC, the capping mechanism CP can suck the space on the ejection surface Ha while covering the ejection surface Ha, for example. The waste ink discharged from the head H to the maintenance mechanism MN side is collected by, for example, a waste liquid collection mechanism (not shown). The wiping mechanism WP has a wiping member 51.
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the head H. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part for explaining the configuration of the head H.
As shown in FIG. 2, the head H includes an introduction needle unit 17, a head case 18, a flow path unit 19, and an actuator unit 20.

  Two ink introduction needles 22 are attached to the upper surface of the introduction needle unit 17 side by side with the filter 21 interposed. An ink introduction path 23 corresponding to each ink introduction needle 22 is formed inside the introduction needle unit 17. The upper end of the ink introduction path 23 is connected to the ink introduction needle 22 through the filter 21. The lower end of the ink introduction path 23 is connected to a case flow path 25 inside the head case 18 via a packing 24. A sub tank 2 is attached to each of the ink introduction needles 22.

  The sub tank 2 is formed using a resin material such as polypropylene, for example. An ink chamber 27 is provided in the sub tank 2. The ink chamber 27 has a concave portion 27a formed in a mortar shape, for example. The recess 27a has an opening 27b. A transparent elastic sheet 26 is attached to the opening 27b. A communication hole 27c is formed at the bottom of the recess 27a. The communication hole 27c is formed to communicate between the recess 27a of the ink chamber 27 and the ink supply chamber 27d. The ink supply chamber 27d is connected to, for example, a supply tube TB. For example, a filter (not shown) or the like is provided in a connection portion of the ink supply chamber 27d with the supply tube TB, for example.

  The elastic sheet 26 is stuck so as to close the opening 27b. The elastic sheet 26 expands and contracts according to the pressure in the ink chamber 27. For example, when the pressure in the ink chamber 27 becomes higher than the external pressure, the elastic sheet 26 expands toward the outside of the recess 27a, and the volume of the ink chamber 27 increases. When the pressure in the ink chamber 27 becomes lower than the external pressure, the ink chamber 27 expands toward the inside of the recess 27a, and the volume of the ink chamber 27 decreases.

  A valve 27 e is attached to the elastic sheet 26. The valve 27e is connected to the ink supply chamber 27d from the recess 27a through the communication hole 27c, and is formed to open and close the communication hole 27c from the ink supply chamber 27d side. The valve 27e opens and closes the communication hole 27c in conjunction with the expansion and contraction of the elastic sheet 26. Specifically, the communication hole 27c is opened when the elastic sheet 26 expands in the direction of decreasing the volume of the ink chamber 27, and the communication hole when the elastic sheet 26 expands in the direction of increasing the volume of the ink chamber 27. 27c is closed. An urging member 27f for applying a predetermined elastic force is attached to the valve 27e, and the opening / closing pressure of the communication hole 27c is adjusted.

  The sub tank 2 is connected to the needle connecting portion 28. The needle connection portion 28 is a portion that connects the ink introduction needle 22 sub-tank 2 and the ink introduction needle 22. In the concave portion 27 a of the ink chamber 27, a connection channel 29 connected to the needle connection portion 28 is formed. A seal material 31 into which the ink introduction needle 22 is fitted with almost no gap is provided in the internal space of the needle connection portion 28. By fitting the ink introduction needle 22 into the sealing material 31, the sub tank 2 and the introduction needle unit 17 are connected with almost no leakage.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the head case 18 is formed using a synthetic resin or the like. The head case 18 is formed in a box shape so as to have a hollow portion, for example. The head case 18 has an introduction needle unit 17 attached to the upper end side via a packing 24. A flow path unit 19 is joined to the lower end surface of the head case 18. The actuator unit 20 is accommodated in a hollow portion 37 formed inside the head case 18.

  A case channel 25 is provided inside the head case 18 so as to penetrate the height direction. The upper end of the case flow path 25 communicates with the ink introduction path 23 of the introduction needle unit 17 through the packing 24. The lower end of the case flow path 25 communicates with the common ink chamber 44 in the flow path unit 19. Therefore, the ink D introduced from the ink introduction needle 22 is supplied to the common ink chamber 44 side through the ink introduction path 23 and the case flow path 25.

  The actuator unit 20 supplies, for example, a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators 38 arranged in a comb shape, a fixed plate 39 that holds the piezoelectric vibrator 38, and a drive signal from the control device CONT to the piezoelectric vibrator 38. And a flexible cable 40.

  The piezoelectric vibrator 38 is fixed so that the lower end portion in the figure protrudes from the lower end surface of the fixed plate 39. Thus, each piezoelectric vibrator 38 is mounted on the fixed plate 39 in a so-called cantilever state. The fixed plate 39 that supports each piezoelectric vibrator 38 is made of, for example, stainless steel having a thickness of about 1 mm. For example, a surface different from the surface on which the piezoelectric vibrator 38 is fixed is bonded to the inner wall surface of the case that defines the hollow portion 37.

  The flow path unit 19 includes a vibration plate 41, a flow path substrate 42 and a nozzle substrate 43. The diaphragm 41, the flow path substrate 42, and the nozzle substrate 43 are bonded in a stacked state. The flow path unit 19 constitutes a series of ink flow paths (liquid flow paths) from the common ink chamber 44 through the ink supply port 45 and the pressure chamber 46 to the nozzle NZ. The pressure chamber 46 is formed such that the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction (nozzle row direction) of the nozzles NZ is the longitudinal direction.

  The common ink chamber 44 is connected to the case flow path 25. The common ink chamber 44 is a chamber into which the ink D from the ink introduction needle 22 side is introduced. The common ink chamber 44 is connected to the ink supply port 45. The ink D introduced into the common ink chamber 44 is distributed to each pressure chamber 46 through the ink supply port 45.

  The nozzle substrate 43 is disposed at the bottom of the flow path unit 19. A plurality of nozzles NZ are formed on the nozzle substrate 43 at a pitch (for example, 180 dpi) corresponding to the dot formation density of an image or the like formed on the medium M. As the nozzle substrate 43, for example, a metal plate material such as stainless steel is used.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the printing apparatus PRT.
The control device CONT is connected to an input device IP for inputting various information relating to the operation of the printing device PRT, a storage device MR storing various information relating to the operation of the printing device PRT, and the like. A moving mechanism AC, a maintenance mechanism MN, and the like are connected. The control device CONT can control, for example, the capping mechanism CP and the wiping mechanism WP among the maintenance mechanisms MN.

  The printing apparatus PRT includes a drive signal generator 62 that generates a drive signal to be input to each piezoelectric vibrator 38. The drive signal generator 62 is connected to the control device CONT. The drive signal generator 62 receives data indicating the amount of change in the voltage value of the ejection pulse input to the piezoelectric vibrator 38 of the head H, and a timing signal that defines the timing for changing the voltage of the ejection pulse. The drive signal generator 62 is provided so that a drive signal can be individually supplied to each piezoelectric vibrator 38.

Next, the operation of the printing apparatus PRT configured as described above will be described.
When performing the printing operation by the head H, the control device CONT arranges the medium M on the −Z side of the head H by the transport mechanism CV. After disposing the medium M, the controller CONT inputs a drive signal from the drive signal generator 62 associated with the nozzle NZ to the piezoelectric vibrator 38 based on the image data of the image to be printed while moving the head H.

  When a drive signal is input to the piezoelectric vibrator 38, the piezoelectric vibrator 38 expands and contracts. Due to the expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric vibrator 38, the volume of the pressure chamber 46 changes, and the pressure of the pressure chamber 46 containing ink fluctuates. Ink is ejected from the nozzle NZ due to the fluctuation of the pressure. A desired image is formed on the medium M by the ink ejected from the nozzles NZ. When the piezoelectric vibrator 38 is expanded and contracted, the first electric signal may be supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 38. Further, a drive signal different from the first electric signal may be supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 38.

  For example, the control device CONT performs a cleaning operation as a maintenance operation of the head H. The cleaning operation includes a capping operation, a suction operation, a wiping operation, and the like. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing each step of the cleaning operation. Hereinafter, the cleaning operation will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the control device CONT performs a capping operation (ST01). The control device CONT moves the head H to the home position and makes the head H and the capping member 50 face each other. At the same time, the control device CONT moves the capping member 50 to the head H side by a driving mechanism (not shown) and presses the ejection surface Ha. By this operation, the space between the capping member 50 and the ejection surface Ha is sealed.

  Next, the control device CONT performs a suction operation (ST02). The control device CONT operates the suction mechanism SC after sealing between the head H and the capping member 50. By this operation, the inside of the capping member 50 communicated with the suction mechanism SC is sucked and becomes negative pressure. Ink is sucked (discharged) from each nozzle NZ of the head H by the negative pressure formed between the head H and the capping member 50. For this reason, the viscosity of the ink in the nozzle NZ is appropriately maintained. For example, an ink absorbing material or the like may be provided inside the capping member 50, and the ink sucked (discharged) from the nozzle NZ may be absorbed by the ink absorbing material.

  After the suction operation, the control device CONT performs the first wiping operation using the wiping member 51 (ST03). In the first wiping operation, the control device CONT first controls the wiping member 51 so as to contact the ejection surface Ha of the head H. From this state, the tip on the + Z side of the wiping member 51 defines the ejection surface Ha of the head H, for example. The head H and the wiping member 51 are relatively moved so as to wipe in the + Y direction.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state of the head H and the wiping mechanism WP after the first wiping operation. As shown in FIG. 6, the ink D adheres to the tip of the wiping member 51 after the first wiping operation. In addition, the solidified ink pigment material 80 remains attached to the ejection surface Ha of the head H. The solidified coloring material 80 is formed, for example, by evaporating water contained in the ink while the ink is attached to the ejection surface Ha.

  After the first wiping operation, the control device CONT performs the second wiping operation using the wiping member 51 (ST04). The control device CONT causes the first wiping operation and the second wiping operation to be performed continuously. In the second wiping operation, the control device CONT wipes the head H, for example, through the same path as the first wiping operation, with the ink D attached to the tip of the wiping member 51. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, the control device CONT wipes the ejection surface Ha in a state where the ink D at the tip of the wiping member 51 is in contact with the ejection surface Ha.

  When the wiping member 51 reaches the solidified pigment material, the ink D at the tip of the wiping member 51 contacts the pigment material 80 as shown in FIG. Since the ink D contains water that is a liquid medium, the coloring material 80 is dispersed (redispersed) in the water of the ink D. The state in which the coloring material 80 is re-dispersed includes, for example, the coloring material 80 containing moisture on the ejection surface Ha, for example, in addition to the state in which the coloring material 80 has melted into the ink D from the ejection surface Ha. The attached state is also included. In the case where water is contained and adhered to the ejection surface Ha, the wiping member 51 wipes the ejection surface Ha, whereby the coloring material 80 is easily peeled off.

  The control device CONT causes such a second wiping operation to be performed a preset number of times (a predetermined number of times). In addition, about the frequency | count which performs a 2nd wiping operation | movement, it is preferable to set it as 2 times or more, for example, you may carry out about 4 times. Moreover, it does not matter as a structure which can change the frequency | count of 2nd wiping operation | movement. By a series of second wiping operations, as shown in FIG. 9, the pigment material 80 adhering to the ejection surface Ha is re-dispersed in the ink D and removed from the ejection surface Ha.

  After the second wiping operation is performed a predetermined number of times (YES in ST05), the control device CONT performs the suction operation again using the capping mechanism CP (ST06). Since this suction operation is performed to adjust the meniscus of the nozzle NZ, the control device CONT performs the suction operation with a weaker suction force than the above suction operation (ST02) (a small amount of suction). After the microscopic suction operation, the control device CONT performs the first wiping operation and the second wiping operation (ST07 to ST09), and completes the cleaning operation.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by performing the first wiping operation and the second wiping operation, the dye material 80 remaining on the ejection surface Ha adheres to the wiping member 51 by the first wiping operation. Therefore, the pigment material 80 remaining on the ejection surface Ha can be wiped off more reliably. Thereby, the injection surface Ha can be cleaned.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the second wiping operation is performed according to a predetermined number of times when performing the cleaning operation has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the control device CONT may set a predetermined number of times (ST11). For example, the control device CONT performs the setting for the predetermined number of times prior to the capping operation (ST12) and the suction operation (ST13).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the control device CONT first calculates a wiping coefficient (ST21), and calculates the predetermined number of times based on the wiping coefficient (ST22). It can be performed. Here, the wiping coefficient is obtained using the following equation (1) based on the cumulative number of cleaning operations. Further, when the predetermined number of times is calculated using the wiping coefficient, the following equation (2) is used.

  (Wiping coefficient) = (cumulative count) / (reference count) (1)

  (Predetermined number of times) = (wiping coefficient) + (reference wiping number of times) (2)

  In Equation (1), the cumulative number is the cumulative number of cleaning operations that have been performed so far. The reference number is, for example, a preset threshold value. In Equation (2), the reference wiping count is a preset threshold value. In accordance with the predetermined number of times obtained using the above equations (1) and (2), the control device CONT causes the following steps (ST12 to ST20) to be performed in the same procedure as in the above embodiment.

  Further, the wiping coefficient is not limited to the case based on the cumulative number of cleaning operations, and may be obtained using the following formula (3) based on the elapsed time since the cleaning operation was performed, for example. In addition, when calculating the predetermined number of times using the wiping coefficient, the above equation (2) is used.

  (Wiping coefficient) = (elapsed time) / (reference time) (3)

  In equation (3), the elapsed time is the elapsed time since the most recent cleaning operation was performed. The reference time is a preset threshold value.

  As for setting the predetermined number of times, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, the control device CONT first obtains a wiping determination (ST31), and calculates the predetermined number of times based on the wiping determination (ST32). You can set it. Here, the wiping determination is obtained using the following equation (4) based on the cumulative number of cleaning operations.

  (Wiping determination) = (cumulative count) Mod (reference count) (4)

  In Expression (4), the cumulative number is the cumulative number of cleaning operations performed so far. The reference number is, for example, a preset threshold value. When determining the predetermined number of times according to the wiping determination, the control device CONT determines whether or not the value of the wiping determination is 0, for example. When the wiping determination is 0, a predetermined value (multiple times) is set as a predetermined number, and when the wiping determination is not 0, the predetermined number is set as 1 time. In this case, every time the cleaning operation is performed a certain number of times (reference number), the second wiping operation is performed a plurality of times, and otherwise, the second wiping operation is performed only once.

    PRT ... Printer M ... Media MN ... Maintenance mechanism CONT ... Control device H ... Head Ha ... Ejecting surface CP ... Capping mechanism WP ... Wiping mechanism SC ... Suction mechanism NZ ... Nozzle D ... Ink 50 ... Capping member 51 ... Wiping member 62 ... Drive signal generator 80 ... Dye material

Claims (6)

An ejection head having an ejection surface for ejecting a fluid in which a functional material is dispersed in a liquid medium;
A wiping portion for wiping the ejection surface;
The wiping unit performs a first wiping operation on the ejection surface, and the functional material remaining on the ejection surface is redispersed in the liquid medium of the fluid attached to the wiping unit by the first wiping operation. And a control unit that causes the wiping unit to perform a second wiping operation on the ejection surface. The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit continuously performs the first wiping operation and the second wiping operation. A capping unit that covers the ejection surface and sucks a space between the ejection surface and discharges the fluid;
The control unit causes the ejecting surface to be sucked by the capping unit as a cleaning operation of the ejecting head, and causes the first wiping operation and the second wiping operation to be performed after the sucking operation. The fluid ejection device according to claim 2. The fluid ejection according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit sets the number of times of the second wiping operation and causes the second wiping operation to be performed by the number of times according to the setting result. apparatus. The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit calculates the number of times of the second wiping operation according to a reference number set based on the cumulative number of times of the cleaning operation. A capping unit that covers the ejection surface and sucks a space between the ejection surface and discharges the fluid;
The control unit causes the ejection operation of the ejection surface by the capping unit as a cleaning operation of the ejection head, and performs the first wiping operation and the second wiping operation after the suction operation,
The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit calculates the number of times of the second wiping operation based on an elapsed time since the cleaning operation was most recently performed.

Images