JP2011255620A - Liquid ejection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To maintain initial ejection characteristics.SOLUTION: A liquid ejection apparatus includes: a liquid ejection head having an ejection surface where a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid are formed; a cap part having a contact surface for contacting with the ejection surface; and a control unit that makes the cap part execute a capping operation for bringing the contact surface into contact with a surface where the plurality of nozzles are formed out of parts of the ejection surface so that a contact part gradually gets wider, and that makes the cap part execute a releasing operation for releasing the contact surface from the ejection surface while a state that the contact surface and the ejection surface are made to be parallel.

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid ejecting apparatus.

  As a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects a fluid, for example, an ink jet recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is known. An ink jet recording apparatus is an apparatus that records characters, images, and the like by ejecting ink onto a recording medium (medium). The ink jet recording apparatus has an ejection head having nozzles that selectively eject ink.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus, in order to maintain or restore good ejection characteristics, a maintenance operation of the ejection head is periodically performed, for example, a capping operation that covers an ejection surface on which nozzles are formed. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a configuration having a cap member that is in close contact with the ejection surface and covers the ejection head.

JP 2009-6681 A

  However, when the cap member is brought into close contact with the ejection surface, air enters the nozzle, the meniscus in the nozzle is destroyed, and the ejection characteristics may be deteriorated.

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

  A fluid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention includes a fluid ejecting head having an ejecting surface on which a plurality of nozzles ejecting fluid are formed, a cap portion having an adhesion surface that is in close contact with the ejecting surface, and a plurality of the ejecting surfaces. A capping operation for bringing the contact surface into close contact with the area where the nozzle is formed so that the contact portion gradually spreads, and the contact surface from the ejection surface in a state parallel to the contact surface and the ejection surface. And a control unit that causes the cap unit to perform a releasing operation.

  According to the present invention, since the capping operation is performed in which the contact surface is in close contact with the region of the ejection surface where the plurality of nozzles are formed so that the contact portion gradually spreads, the entry of air into the nozzle is suppressed. Therefore, the meniscus in the nozzle can be prevented from being broken. Further, in the releasing operation, the contact surface is separated from the ejection surface in a state in which the contact surface and the ejection surface are parallel to each other, so that a small amount of negative pressure can be generated in the nozzle. For this reason, since a part of fluid in a nozzle can be discharged | emitted, the cleaning in a nozzle will be performed. In this way, clogging in the nozzle can be prevented while preventing the meniscus from being destroyed, so that the expected injection characteristics can be maintained.

In the fluid ejecting apparatus, the plurality of nozzles are arranged in one direction, and the control unit causes the contact surface to be in close contact with the ejection surface so that the contact portion extends in the one direction. It is characterized by that.
According to the present invention, since the close contact portion extends in the direction in which the plurality of nozzles are arranged, it is easy to match the arrangement and operation direction of each member when designing the apparatus.

In the fluid ejecting apparatus, the plurality of nozzles are arranged in a plurality of rows, the cap portion is provided for each row of the nozzles, and the control portion is independent for each cap portion. The operation is controllable.
According to the present invention, a plurality of nozzles are arranged in a plurality of rows, a cap portion is provided for each row of nozzles, and the control portion can control the operation independently for each cap portion. Therefore, the capping operation and the release operation can be performed for each nozzle row. Thereby, finer maintenance can be performed on the fluid ejecting head.

In the fluid ejecting apparatus, the cap portion is formed to have flexibility.
According to the present invention, since the cap portion is formed so as to have flexibility, it is possible to easily perform an operation of gradually expanding the contact portion.

The fluid ejecting apparatus further includes a contact surface wiping unit that wipes the contact surface.
According to the present invention, since the contact surface can be wiped off, the contact surface can be maintained in a clean state.

The fluid ejecting apparatus further includes an ejection surface wiping unit that wipes the ejection surface, and the ejection surface wiping unit also serves as the contact surface wiping unit.
According to the present invention, the spray surface wiping unit for wiping the spray surface is further provided, and the spray surface wiping unit also serves as the contact surface wiping unit, thereby reducing the number of parts in the apparatus and saving space. be able to.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. 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 side view which shows the structure of a capping mechanism. The block diagram which shows the structure of a control system. The figure which shows 1 process of a capping operation | movement. The figure which shows 1 process of a capping operation | movement. The figure which shows 1 process of a capping operation | movement. The figure which shows 1 process of cancellation | release operation | movement. The figure which shows 1 process of cancellation | release operation | movement. The side view which shows the other structure of a capping mechanism. The figure which shows the other process of a capping operation | movement.

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 a suction mechanism SC that sucks the ejection surface Ha (nozzle NZ). The capping mechanism CP has a capping member 50. The capping member 50 has a configuration in which the contact surface 50a (see FIG. 4 and the like) is in close contact with the ejection surface Ha. The wiping mechanism WP includes a first first wiping member 51 that wipes the ejection surface Ha and a second wiping member 54 that wipes the contact surface 50a of the capping member 50.

  The suction mechanism SC includes, for example, a sealing member 52 that forms a sealed space with the ejection surface Ha, and a suction pump 53 that sucks the sealed space. Waste ink discharged from the head H to the maintenance mechanism MN via the capping mechanism CP, wiping mechanism WP, and suction mechanism SC is collected by, for example, a waste liquid collecting mechanism (not shown).

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 side view showing configurations of the head H and the capping mechanism CP.
As shown in FIG. 4, the capping mechanism CP includes a capping member 50 and a drive mechanism ACT. The capping member 50 is formed into a plate shape using a material such as rubber or elastomer and has flexibility. For this reason, the capping member 50 can be deformed, for example, in a curved state in a direction of warping with respect to the ejection surface Ha.

  The capping member 50 has a contact surface 50a that is in close contact with the ejection surface Ha of the head H. The contact surface 50a is provided to face the ejection surface Ha of the head H. The capping member 50 is formed to have a dimension that covers at least a range where the nozzle NZ is formed on the ejection surface Ha.

  The drive mechanism ACT includes a moving mechanism that moves the capping member 50 to and from the head H, and a deformation mechanism that deforms the capping member 50 such as bending the capping member 50 to the above-described state, for example. As such a moving mechanism and a deformation mechanism, for example, an actuator such as a motor mechanism or an air cylinder mechanism is used. Of course, other actuators may be used. The drive mechanism ACT moves or deforms the capping member 50 based on, for example, a control signal from the control device CONT.

FIG. 5 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.

  Further, the control device CONT performs, for example, a capping operation, a suction operation, and a wiping operation as the maintenance operation of the head H. When performing the capping operation, the control device CONT moves the head H to the home position, and causes the ejection surface Ha of the head H and the contact surface 50a of the capping member 50 to face each other. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the capping member 50 is bent, and the contact surface 50a is curved in a direction warping with respect to the ejection surface Ha.

  From this state, the control device CONT moves the capping member 50 to the head H side by the drive mechanism ACT, and brings the contact surface 50a into close contact with the ejection surface Ha. By this operation, as shown in FIG. 7, only one end portion (left end in the figure) of the contact surface 50a is in close contact with the ejection surface Ha (contact portion 50b), and the other portion is curved so as to be separated from the ejection surface Ha. It becomes.

  After a part of the contact surface 50a is brought into close contact with the ejection surface Ha, the controller CONT causes the drive mechanism ACT to change the contact surface 50a from the one end (left end in the figure) where the row of nozzles NZ is arranged to the other end ( (Right end in the figure) and gradually brought into close contact with the injection surface Ha in one direction. By this operation, as shown in FIG. 8, the contact portion 50b gradually spreads in one direction from one end portion to the other end portion of the contact surface 50a. Here, the direction in which the contact portion 50b spreads is the direction in which the rows of nozzles NZ are arranged, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be in other directions.

  When the entire contact surface 50a is in close contact with the ejection surface Ha, the capping operation is completed. In the above operation, the control device CONT makes the contact surface 50a in close contact with the region of the ejection surface Ha where the plurality of nozzles NZ are formed, so that the contact portion 50b gradually spreads. Of the meniscus in the nozzle NZ is suppressed.

Next, a release operation for releasing the capping operation will be described.
In a state where the capping operation is completed, the ejection surface Ha of the head H and the contact surface 50a of the capping member 50 are in close contact with each other. When performing the releasing operation, the control device CONT uses the drive mechanism ACT to move the capping member 50 away from the head H (−Z direction) while keeping the contact surface 50a and the ejection surface Ha in a parallel state. Move.

  By this operation, as shown in FIG. 9, since the contact surface 50a is separated from the ejection surface Ha in a state parallel to the contact surface 50a and the ejection surface Ha, a small amount of negative pressure is generated in the nozzle NZ. The ink D is discharged from the nozzle NZ to the contact surface 50a by the negative pressure. For this reason, thickening or clogging of ink in the nozzle NZ is eliminated.

  The controller CONT removes the ink D adhering to the contact surface 50a after separating the capping member 50 from the head H. When performing the removal operation of the ink D, as shown in FIG. 10, the control device CONT wipes the contact surface 50a with the second wiping member 54 of the wiping mechanism WP. By this operation, the ink D on the contact surface 50a is wiped off by the second wiping member 54, and the contact surface 50a is kept clean.

  In addition to the capping operation and the release operation, for example, when performing a suction operation, the control device CONT uses the sealing member 52 to form a sealed space between the ejection surface Ha of the head H and the suction pump 53. Used to suck the sealed space. By this operation, the sealed space becomes negative pressure, and ink is discharged from the nozzle NZ. The discharged ink is recovered by a waste liquid recovery mechanism (not shown). Further, when performing the wiping operation, the control device CONT makes the first wiping member 51 of the wiping mechanism WP abut on the ejection surface Ha of the head H, and from this state, the tip on the + Z side of the first wiping member 51 is the head H. The jetting surface Ha is wiped off in the + Y direction, for example.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the capping operation is performed in which the contact surface 50a is in close contact with the region where the plurality of nozzles NZ are formed in the ejection surface Ha so that the contact portion 50b gradually spreads. Intrusion of air into the nozzle NZ can be suppressed, and the meniscus in the nozzle NZ can be prevented from being destroyed. Further, in the releasing operation of the capping operation, since the contact surface 50a is separated from the ejection surface Ha in a state where the contact surface 50a and the ejection surface Ha are parallel, a small amount of negative pressure can be generated in the nozzle NZ. For this reason, a part of the ink in the nozzle NZ can be discharged, and the cleaning in the nozzle NZ is performed. In this way, clogging in the nozzle can be prevented while preventing the meniscus from being destroyed, so that the expected injection characteristics can be maintained.

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 capping member 50 is formed to have a size that covers almost the entire surface of the ejection surface Ha. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the capping member 50 may be provided for each row of nozzles NZ. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, it is preferable that each capping member 50 is individually driven by, for example, a drive mechanism ACT.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the ink D adhering to the contact surface 50a of the capping member 50 is wiped by the second wiping member 54 in the capping releasing operation has been described as an example. For example, the first wiping member 51 may wipe the contact surface 50a.

  In the above-described embodiment, an ink jet printer and an ink cartridge are employed. However, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects or discharges liquid other than ink and a liquid container that stores the liquid are employed. You may do it. The present invention can be used for various liquid ejecting apparatuses including a liquid ejecting head that ejects a minute amount of liquid droplets. In addition, a droplet means the state of the liquid discharged from the said liquid ejecting apparatus, and shall also include what pulls a tail in granular shape, tear shape, and thread shape.

  The liquid here may be a material that can be ejected by the liquid 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 liquid as one state of the substance, as well as particles in which functional material particles made of solid materials such as pigments and metal particles are dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent. In addition, typical examples of the liquid include ink and liquid crystal as described in the above embodiments. Here, the ink includes general water-based inks and oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot-melt inks.

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

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

  PRT ... Printer IJ ... Inkjet mechanism CONT ... Control device H ... Head Ha ... Ejecting surface CP ... Capping mechanism WP ... Wiping mechanism D ... Ink NZ ... Nozzle 50 ... Capping member 50a ... Close contact surface 50b ... Close contact portion 51 ... First wiping Member 54 ... Second wiping member

Claims (6)

A fluid ejecting head having an ejecting surface on which a plurality of nozzles ejecting fluid are formed;
A cap portion having a close contact surface in close contact with the ejection surface;
A capping operation for bringing the contact surface into close contact with a region where a plurality of the nozzles are formed in the ejection surface so that the contact portion gradually spreads, and the contact surface and the ejection surface in parallel with each other. A fluid ejecting apparatus comprising: a control unit that causes the cap unit to perform a releasing operation of separating the contact surface from the ejection surface. The plurality of nozzles are arranged in one direction,
The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the contact surface to be in close contact with the ejection surface so that the contact portion extends in the one direction. The plurality of nozzles are arranged in a plurality of rows,
The cap portion is provided for each row of the nozzles,
The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is capable of independently controlling an operation for each cap unit. The fluid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cap portion is formed to have flexibility. The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a contact surface wiping unit that wipes the contact surface. Further comprising an ejection surface wiping unit for wiping the ejection surface,
The fluid ejection device according to claim 5, wherein the ejection surface wiping unit also serves as the contact surface wiping unit.

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