JP2012035498A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a processing time from when an ink suction processing is completed till when a wiping processing is completed.SOLUTION: A cap 211B is moved to a capping position by a driving unit 230 to cap recording heads 7A and 7B, a suction operation by a suction pump is carried out to carry out the ink suction processing in which an ink is sucked from the recording heads, and thereafter the cap is moved to a decap position by the driving unit. Moving relative to the motion operation, when the cap is placed in the decap position, a wiper member 240 is moved so that the wiper member is placed in a position where a wiping operation is initiated.

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet type image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material by adhering ink droplets ejected from an ejection port of a recording head to the recording material.

  This type of image forming apparatus is mainly known as a product such as a printer, a facsimile machine, a copying machine, a plotter, and a complex machine thereof. An ink jet image forming apparatus ejects ink droplets from a recording head onto a recording material to form an image (recording, printing, printing, and printing may be used synonymously). The recording material is not limited to paper, but includes OHP or the like, which means that ink droplets constituting an image can be attached, and is also referred to as an image recording medium, a recording medium, or a recording medium. Sometimes. Inkjet image forming apparatuses include a serial type image forming apparatus that forms an image by ejecting ink droplets while the recording head moves in the main scanning direction, and ink droplets that are ejected without the recording head moving. Thus, there is a line type image forming apparatus using a line type head for forming an image.

  The “image forming apparatus” in this specification means an apparatus that forms an image by ejecting ink droplets onto a recording material such as paper, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics and the like. To do. In this “image formation”, not only an image having a meaning such as a character or a figure is applied to the recording material, but also an image having no meaning such as a pattern is applied to the recording material (simply ink droplets). To land on the recording material). The “ink” to be ejected is not limited to what is generally called ink, and is not particularly limited as long as it is liquid when ejected. Thus, for example, DNA samples, resists, pattern materials, and the like are also included. In addition, the “image” is not limited to an image provided on a plane, but includes an image provided on a three-dimensional object or an image formed by modeling the three-dimensional object itself.

  The inkjet image forming apparatus performs an ink suction process for sucking out ink from the ejection port formed on the ejection surface of the recording head at a predetermined timing during non-operation in order to maintain the ejection performance of the recording head. A wiper member performs a wiping process for removing unnecessary ink on the ejection surface of the recording head (for example, Patent Document 1). Ink may adhere to the vicinity of the ejection port during the ink suction process, but this can be removed by performing the wiping process.

  Inkjet image forming apparatuses generally have a large number of ejection openings arranged on the ejection surface of one recording head, and the ink ejected from each ejection opening provided on the ejection surface of one recording head has the same color. It is. Such an image forming apparatus often employs the following simple wiping mechanism in order to simplify the wiping process. That is, the wiping mechanism moves the wiper member forward and backward with respect to the ejection surface moving path of the recording head that moves in the main scanning direction. The wiping mechanism moves the wiper member on the ejection surface moving path when the recording head moves in the main scanning direction after finishing the ink suction process. Thus, when the recording head moving in the main scanning direction passes through the wiping mechanism, the ejection surface of the recording head is rubbed by the wiper member, and wiping processing is performed.

  On the other hand, there has also been proposed an ink jet type image forming apparatus in which a plurality of rows of ejection openings for ejecting different colors of ink, for example, are provided on the ejection surface of one recording head. In this image forming apparatus, the extending direction of the ejection port rows does not coincide with the main scanning direction, and in many cases, the extending direction of the ejection port rows is orthogonal to the main scanning direction. Therefore, in the wiping process using the simple wiping mechanism as described above, that is, in the wiping process in which the relative movement direction of the discharge surface with respect to the wiper member coincides with the main scanning direction, when the row of one discharge port is rubbed The wiper member with the ink attached is rubbed against the other row of ejection ports. In this case, ink of a color different from the color of the ink ejected from the other ejection port adheres to the other ejection port, thereby causing a problem such as color mixing and deterioration in color reproducibility. Therefore, in an image forming apparatus in which a row of ejection openings for ejecting different color inks is provided on the ejection surface of one recording head, the wiper member is placed on the ejection surface with the movement of the recording head stopped. In many cases, a wiping process is performed by rubbing the ejection surface by using a wiping mechanism that moves the nozzles along the direction in which the rows of ejection ports extend.

  However, when such a wiping mechanism is used, at least a moving operation for separating the cap member from the ejection surface of the recording head between the end of the ink suction processing and the end of the wiping processing, and the recording head to the wiping mechanism. A three-stage movement operation is sequentially performed, that is, a movement operation for preparing to start the wiping process by moving in the main scanning direction and a movement operation for executing the wiping process by moving the wiper member along the ejection surface. Therefore, there has been a problem that processing takes time.

  The above problems are not limited to an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of ejection port arrays for ejecting different color inks are provided on the ejection surface of one recording head, and the ejection surface of the recording head and the wiper member are arranged in the main scanning direction. Can be generated in the same manner as long as the image forming apparatus performs the wiping process by relatively moving along different directions.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of shortening the processing time from the end of the ink suction processing to the end of the wiping processing. That is.

To achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is a recording head that discharges ink droplets from a discharge port on a discharge surface to a recording material, and a cap member that covers the discharge surface of the recording head. And the cap member and the recording head are relatively moved between a covering position where the cap member covers the ejection surface of the recording head and a non-covering position where the covering surface is not covered. A moving unit; a suction unit that sucks the inside of the cap member from a suction port provided in the cap member; and a wiper member that rubs the discharge surface of the recording head to remove unnecessary ink on the discharge surface. And a second moving means for moving the wiper member and the recording head relative to each other from the start side to the end side of the discharge surface along the discharge surface of the recording head, and at a predetermined timing, 1 moving hand In this state, the ink is sucked out from the discharge port by performing the suction operation by the suction means while the cap member is sealed, and the first moving means performs the suction operation. The cap member and the recording head are positioned at the non-covering position, and then the wiper member and the recording head are moved relative to each other by the second moving means. In the image forming apparatus that performs the wiping process for removing ink, the first moving unit is configured to move the cap member and the recording head relative to the non-covering position from the covering position. When the recording head is positioned at the uncovered position, the wiper member and the recording head are phased by the second moving means. So as to be located in the movement start position, it is characterized in that for relatively moving the said wiper member and said recording head.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the first moving unit moves the cap member to move the cap member and the recording head relative to each other. The second moving unit moves the wiper member to move the wiper member and the recording head relative to each other. The second moving unit fixes the wiper member to the cap member, and the first moving unit and the first moving unit. The two moving means are constituted by a single moving means.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the second aspect, the single moving means reciprocates the cap member along a predetermined movement path, and the predetermined movement path is A first moving path portion for bringing the cap member into and out of contact with the discharge surface of the recording head between the covering position and the non-covering position; and the wiper member rubs the discharge surface of the recording head. As described above, the second moving path portion is configured to move the cap member along the ejection surface of the recording head.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the ejection surface of the recording head faces in a direction other than directly below in the vertical direction in the covered state. An ink receiving portion is provided at a location located below the end of the ejection surface that is the lower end in the covered state, and the second moving means has an upper end in the covered state. The wiper member and the recording head are moved relative to each other so that the end of the discharge surface becomes the start and the end of the discharge surface that is the lower end in the covered state ends. It is a feature.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the ink receiving portion has an ink containing chamber having an upper surface open and containing ink therein, and the side wall of the ink containing chamber is It can be deformed so that it comes into contact with the recording head when it is in the above-mentioned coated state, and the height is lowered, and when it is in the above-mentioned non-covered state, the contact with the recording head is released and returns to its original height It is comprised by these.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, the ink receiving portion is provided with an ink absorber.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, the width of the contact end portion of the wiper member that is in contact with the discharge surface of the recording head is the discharge width. It is characterized by being wider than the surface and narrower than the width of the ink storage chamber of the ink receiving portion.
The invention according to an eighth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the fourth to seventh aspects, wherein the ink receiving portion has an ink containing chamber communicating with the inside of the cap, In this case, the ink storage chamber is in contact with the outer wall of the recording head to be in a sealed state, and the ink in the ink storage chamber can be sucked together with the ink in the cap member by the suction means. It is characterized by.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the wiper member is in a bent state in contact with the ejection surface of the recording head. A wiper blade that wipes unnecessary ink on the discharge surface by rubbing the discharge surface, and the second moving means is provided immediately before the wiper member reaches the end of the discharge surface of the recording head. The wiper member and the recording head are relatively moved so that the deflection of the wiper member is reduced, and the wiper member and the recording head pass through the end of the ejection surface of the recording head while the wiper member is in contact with the wiper member. The recording head is moved relative to the recording head.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the discharge surface of the recording head is substantially parallel to the vertical surface with respect to the recording material. An ink droplet is ejected, and the ejection surface of the recording head is configured to be parallel to a vertical surface even in the covered state. .

  In the present invention, the wiper member and the recording head are relatively moved in conjunction with the relative movement operation by the first moving means for relatively moving the cap member and the recording head between the covering position and the non-covering position. be able to. This interlocking configuration can be realized, for example, by a mechanical configuration in which the wiper member and the recording head are relatively moved using a relative movement operation between the cap member and the recording head as a power source. In the present invention, when the cap member and the recording head are moved relative to each other and positioned at the non-covering position, the wiper member and the recording head that move relative to each other are moved to the relative movement start position by the second moving means. Come to be located. Therefore, after the ink suction process is completed, when the operation of moving the cap member and the recording head relative to the non-covering position by the first moving unit is completed, the wiper member and the recording head are relatively moved by the second moving unit. The preparation for starting the wiping process performed by moving is completed. As a result, according to the present invention, the moving operation from the end of the ink suction process to the end of the wiping process is performed by moving the cap member away from the ejection surface of the recording head (the covering position by the first moving unit). Relative movement from the non-covering position to the non-covering position) and the movement operation for preparing to start the wiping process (moving operation for positioning the wiper member and the recording head at the relative movement start position by the second moving means) are completed simultaneously, A two-stage movement operation of sequentially performing a movement operation for moving the wiper member along the ejection surface (relative movement operation by the second movement means) is sequentially performed. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the processing time from the end of the ink suction process to the end of the wiping process.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an excellent effect that the processing time from the end of the ink suction process to the end of the wiping process can be shortened.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a main part of an inkjet printer according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram when a configuration around a recording head of the inkjet printer is viewed from a discharge direction (horizontal direction) of the recording head. It is a perspective view which shows the maintenance unit of the inkjet printer. It is a perspective view of the capping part of the maintenance unit. (A) thru | or (c) is explanatory drawing which represented typically the structure and operation | movement which perform a nozzle suction process and a wiping process. It is the perspective view which showed the drive part 130 with the capping part. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the back side of the capping part. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the back side of the capping part when it sees from the angle different from FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the maintenance process performed using the maintenance unit. (A)-(c) is a schematic diagram for demonstrating a structure and operation | movement when the cap for suction in the maintenance unit is seen from a horizontal direction. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the rotation angle (rotation position) of the cam for cam movement, and the state of a capping part. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing which represented typically the structure and operation | movement of the capping part after the nozzle suction process completion | finish after the start of a wiping process in the printer which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a flow of maintenance processing performed before printing in the printer. In the printer, the positions I, II, and I of the guided portion on the guide rail when the rack is located at the forward position (covering position), the reverse position (non-covering position = wiping operation start position), and the wiping operation end position, respectively. It is explanatory drawing which shows III. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of a flow of maintenance processing performed during continuous printing in the printer. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a flow of maintenance processing performed after printing in the printer. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the L-shaped cap in the modification 1. As shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the L-shaped cap in the modification 2. (A) is a top view of the L-shaped cap in the modified example 3, (b) is a side view of the L-shaped cap, and (c) illustrates the L-shaped cap together with the recording head. FIG. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing which represented typically the operation | movement of the capping part in the modification 4. FIG.

Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, this embodiment is referred to as “embodiment 1”) will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, taking a serial printer as an ink jet recording apparatus as an image forming apparatus as an example. .
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a main part of the ink jet printer according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram when the configuration around the recording head of the ink jet printer is viewed from the ejection direction (horizontal direction) of the recording head.
In this ink jet printer, the carriage 3 is slidably held via a guide bush (bearing) 3a with respect to a guide rod 61 horizontally mounted between two main body side plates 60 located on the printer side. The carriage 3 moves in the direction along the guide rod 61 (main scanning direction) with the movement of the timing belt 5 spanned between the driving pulley 6A and the driven pulley 6B connected to the main scanning motor 4. .

  In the first embodiment, two recording heads 7A and 7B (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) are mounted on the carriage 3. Two nozzle rows each having a large number of nozzles (ejection ports) extending in the sub-scanning direction (recording material conveyance direction) are formed on the nozzle surfaces (ejection surfaces) of the recording heads 7A and 7B. Accordingly, the carriage 3 is provided with a total of four nozzle rows, and yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (Bk) ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle rows, respectively. As the recording heads 7A and 7B, piezoelectric actuators such as piezoelectric elements, thermal actuators using liquid film boiling using electrothermal transducers such as heating resistors, shape memory alloy actuators using metal phase changes due to temperature changes, An electrostatic actuator using electrostatic force or the like provided as energy generating means for discharging ink (recording liquid) can be used. The carriage 3 is equipped with a head tank for each color for supplying ink of each color to the recording heads 7A and 7B. Ink is supplied to the head tank from a main tank (ink cartridge) (not shown) via an ink supply tube. In addition to the recording heads 7A and 7B that discharge ink droplets, a recording head that discharges a fixing treatment liquid (fixing ink) that improves the fixability of the ink by reacting with ink as an image recording liquid is provided. Also good.

  The nozzles of the recording heads 7A and 7B tend to cause nozzle clogging due to drying. For this reason, when the carriage 3 is not in operation such as when the operation is stopped due to a printing error or when the power is turned off, it is necessary to cover the nozzle surface with a cap member to keep the moisture and prevent nozzle clogging due to drying. In the first embodiment, two caps 111A and 111B as cap members are provided on the maintenance unit 100 arranged outside the image forming area in the main scanning direction of the recording head. The maintenance unit 100 may be provided on at least one end side outside the image forming area in the main scanning direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a paper feed unit for feeding paper in the paper feed cassette 10 is provided at the bottom of the printer. In the paper feeding unit, a paper stacking unit (pressure plate) 11 is provided in the paper feeding cassette 10, and a plurality of sheets (recording materials) 12 are stacked on the paper stacking unit 11. When the paper 12 is fed from the paper stacking unit 11, the paper feeding roller 13 is brought into contact with the uppermost paper 12 and is driven to rotate. A separation pad 14 made of a material having a large friction coefficient is provided at a position facing the paper feed roller 13, and this separation pad 14 is urged toward the paper feed roller 13. With such a configuration of the sheet feeding unit, the uppermost sheet 12 sent out by the sheet feeding roller 13 is fed separately from other sheets.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the printer includes a transport unit for transporting the paper 12 fed by the paper feed unit to an image recording area facing the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B. The transport unit includes a transport belt 21 that transports the sheet 12 by attracting the sheet 12 to the surface with an electrostatic force, a guide 15 for guiding the transport direction of the sheet 12 fed from the sheet feed unit in a substantially vertical direction, A first reflective sensor (paper presence / absence detection sensor) 200 that detects the leading edge of the paper 12, a leading edge pressing roller 25 that is urged toward the conveying belt 21 by the pressing member 24, and a sheet 12 that is attached to the pressing member 24 A second reflection type sensor (sheet presence / absence detection sensor) 201 for detecting the leading edge. Further, a charging roller 26 constituting a charging unit for charging the surface of the transport belt 21 is also provided. The charging roller 26 is disposed so as to contact the surface of the transport belt 21 and rotate following the movement of the transport belt 21.

  The conveyor belt 21 is an endless belt and is stretched between the conveyor roller 27 and the tension roller 28. The conveyance roller 27 is rotationally driven from the sub-scanning motor 31 via the timing belt 32 and the timing roller 33, thereby conveying the paper 12 carried on the surface of the conveyance belt 21 upward in the vertical direction along the sub-scanning direction. To do. Further, a guide member 29 is provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the conveying belt 21 at a location corresponding to the image forming area facing the recording heads 7A and 7B.

As shown in FIG. 2, a disk-type encoder sheet 34 in which light transmitting parts and light non-transmitting parts are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction is attached to the shaft of the transport roller 27. An encoder sensor 35 for detecting the transmission part and the non-transmission part of the mold encoder sheet 34 is provided. The disk-type encoder sheet 34 and the encoder sensor 35 constitute an encoder 36. Based on the detection result of the encoder 36 and the detection result of the second sheet presence / absence detection sensor 201, the position of the sheet 12 in the sub-scanning direction can be grasped.
Further, the carriage 3 is provided with a linear encoder sheet 42 in which light transmitting portions and light non-transmitting portions are alternately arranged in a straight line. The linear encoder sheet 42 and the light transmitting portions are non-transmitting. An encoder sensor (not shown) composed of a transmissive photosensor for detecting the part is provided. Based on the detection result of the encoder sensor, the position of the carriage 3 in the main scanning direction can be grasped.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the printer includes a paper discharge unit for discharging the paper 12 on which images are recorded by the recording heads 7A and 7B. The paper discharge unit includes a separation claw 51 for separating the paper 12 from the transport belt 21, a paper discharge roller 52 and a paper discharge roller 53, and a paper discharge tray 54 for stocking the paper 12 to be discharged. Yes.

  In the printer according to the first embodiment configured as described above, the sheets 12 are separated and fed one by one from the sheet feeding unit, and the conveyance direction of the fed sheets 12 is guided vertically upward by the guide 15. The Then, after the leading edge of the sheet is detected by the first sheet presence / absence detection sensor 200, the sheet 12 sent onto the conveying belt 21 is pressed against the conveying belt 21 by the leading edge pressing roller 25, and the leading edge of the sheet is second. The sheet is detected by the sheet presence / absence detection sensor 201 and is transported vertically upward as the transport belt 21 moves. At this time, a voltage in which a positive (positive) output and a negative (negative) output are alternately repeated, that is, an alternating voltage is applied to the charging roller 26, and the conveying belt 21 is moved in the belt moving direction (sub-scanning direction). Positive and negative charges are alternately applied in a band shape with a predetermined width. When the sheet 12 is fed onto the conveyance belt 21 charged alternately with plus and minus, the sheet 12 is attracted to the conveyance belt 21 by electrostatic force, and the sheet 12 is moved in the sub-scanning direction as the conveyance belt 21 rotates. It is conveyed to.

  When an image is recorded by the recording heads 7A and 7B, the conveyance of the paper 12 by the conveyance belt 21 is temporarily stopped, and the recording heads 7A and 7B are driven according to the image signal while moving the carriage 3 in the main scanning direction. Then, ink droplets are ejected onto the stopped paper 12, and an image for one line is recorded. Thereafter, the paper 12 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by a predetermined amount and paused again, and then the next line is recorded. Upon receiving a recording end signal or a signal indicating that the rear end of the paper 12 has reached a predetermined position in the sub-scanning direction, the image forming operation is completed, and the paper 12 is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 54.

  As for the relationship between the scanning direction of the carriage 3 and the image formation, there are a unidirectional recording mode in which an image is formed only during scanning in one direction and a bidirectional recording mode in which an image is formed in both scanning in both directions. It is optional to set one of the modes according to the designation from the user and the print image, or to configure only one of the modes.

Next, the configuration and operation of the maintenance unit 100 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the maintenance unit 100.
The maintenance unit 100 is for recovering and maintaining the ejection performance of the recording heads 7A and 7B and for keeping the nozzles of the recording head moist during non-operation. The maintenance unit 100 includes a capping unit 110 for capping the recording heads 7A and 7B, an empty discharge unit 120 for receiving wings discharged from the recording heads 7A and 7B for maintenance, a capping unit 110, an empty discharge unit 120, and a below-described unit. And a driving unit 130 that transmits a driving force to the suction pump. The maintenance unit 100 is screwed in a state of being positioned on the main body side plate 60 on the right side in FIG. In FIG. 3, the recording heads 7A and 7B on the carriage 3 are positioned so as to face the maintenance unit 100 from the front side of the sheet.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the capping unit 110.
The capping unit 110 has two caps 111A and 111B, and covers the nozzle surfaces of the two recording heads 7A and 7B with the caps 111A and 111B, respectively, to keep the nozzles moist. In addition, the capping unit 110 performs nozzle suction processing for sucking out ink in the recording head from the nozzles of the recording head covered with the cap 111B to eliminate ink clogging and the like, and restores the ejection performance of the recording heads 7A and 7B. Processing to maintain is also performed. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the capping unit 110 also performs a wiping process of wiping the nozzle surface after the nozzle suction process with a wiper member. The caps 111 </ b> A and 111 </ b> B are attached to the rack 113 so as to be slidable in the horizontal direction (the front-rear direction in the figure), and the slide movement range is limited by a guide groove 113 a provided in the rack 113. The caps 111 </ b> A and 111 </ b> B are urged forward from the rack 113 by the two upper and lower compression springs 118.

  The rack 113 on which the caps 111A and 111B are mounted can move in the horizontal direction (the front-rear direction in FIGS. 3 and 4) in response to the driving force from the driving unit 130. As a result, when the recording heads 7A and 7B are positioned at positions facing the caps 111A and 111B mounted on the rack 113, the caps 111A and 111B are moved closer to the recording heads 7A and 7B and the recording heads 7A and 7B are moved. The nozzle surfaces can be covered, or the caps 111A and 111B can be separated from the recording heads 7A and 7B so that the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B can be uncovered. In the two caps 111A and 111B, the edge portion 111a of the opening facing the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B is formed of an elastically deformable member such as rubber. Thus, when the caps 111A and 111B receive the urging force of the compression spring 118 and come into contact with the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B, the edges 111a of the caps 111A and 111B are elastically deformed, and the openings of the caps 111A and 111B are opened. The nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B are closed with high sealing performance.

FIGS. 5A to 5C are explanatory views schematically showing the configuration and operation for performing the nozzle suction processing and wiping processing.
The cap 111B for performing the nozzle suction process is provided with a suction port on the back side opposite to the opening, and one end of the suction tube 114 is connected to the suction port. A suction pump 150 as a suction means is connected to the other end of the suction pipe 114. As shown in FIG. 5A, when any of the recording heads 7A and 7B is positioned at a position facing the cap 111B mounted on the rack 113, the cap moving cam is received by the driving force from the driving unit 130. When 135 is rotated, as shown in FIG. 5B, the rack 113 moves toward the recording heads 7A and 7B, and finally the edge 111a of the cap 111B is brought into contact with the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B. Abut to cover. Thereafter, the suction pump 150 is driven to perform a suction operation, whereby the suction force between the cap 111B and the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B is increased, the sealing inside the cap is enhanced, and the inside of the cap becomes negative pressure. Ink in the recording head is sucked out of the nozzle. The sucked out ink is sent from the suction port of the cap 111B through the suction pipe 114 to the waste liquid tank 151 by the suction force of the suction pump 150.

  Here, in the first embodiment, as will be described later, the inside of the cap is communicated with the outside while the nozzle surface of the recording heads 7A and 7B is covered with the cap 111B, and the inside of the cap is opened to the atmosphere. For this reason, the cap 111B of the first embodiment is provided with an air opening hole 111b, which is a communication hole for communicating the inside and outside of the cap, on the back surface of the cap 111B. However, in order to perform the nozzle suction process described above, the inside of the cap needs to be hermetically sealed, so the air opening hole 111b must be closed. Therefore, in the first embodiment, an atmosphere release valve 116 is provided as a lid member that closes the atmosphere release hole 111b. The atmosphere release valve 116 is attached to a position facing the atmosphere release hole 111b on the inner wall of the rack 113 in a state in which the atmosphere release valve 116 can slide in the horizontal direction (left and right direction in FIG. 5). The slide movement range is limited by a guide groove (not shown) provided in the rack 113. The air release valve 116 is urged from the rack 113 by the compression spring 117 to the right side (at the air release hole 111b side) in FIG.

In the first embodiment, when the rack 113 is in the retracted position, as shown in FIG. 5A, the cap 111B is slid to the most advanced position with respect to the rack 113 by the urging force of the cap compression spring 118. Is positioned there. In addition, the air release valve 116 is also positioned there while being slid to the most advanced position with respect to the rack 113 by the biasing force of the air release compression spring 117. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5A, the air release valve 116 is in a state of being separated from the air release hole 111b provided in the cap 111B located at the most advanced position.
On the other hand, when the rack 113 is in the forward position, as shown in FIG. 5B, the cap 111B that is in contact with the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B resists the biasing force of the cap compression spring 118. 113 is located in the retracted position pushed inward. When the cap 111B is located at the retracted position with respect to the rack 113, the atmosphere release valve 116 contacts the back surface of the cap compression spring 118, and inward of the rack 113 against the urging force of the atmosphere release compression spring 117. Pushed in. Therefore, when the rack 113 is in the forward position, as shown in FIG. 5B, the opening of the cap 111B is in close contact with the nozzle surface, and the air release hole 111b provided on the back surface of the cap 113 is the air release valve 116. Therefore, the cap is hermetically sealed. As a result, the nozzle suction process is enabled.

  In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5B, after the nozzle suction process is performed in a state where the rack 113 is in the forward position (covering position), the rack 113 is moved again to the retracted position (non-covering position). ) To return to the state shown in FIG. 5A and shift to the wiping process. In the first embodiment, the wiper member 140 is fixed to the rack 113 by the wiper holding portion 141 at a position above the cap 111B. For this reason, the wiper member 140 moves integrally with the movement of the rack 113. In the first embodiment, when the rack 113 moves to the retracted position (non-covering position), as shown in FIG. 5A, the wiper member 140 is configured to be positioned at the wiping movement start position. Therefore, in the first embodiment, after the rack 113 is moved to the retracted position (non-covering position), the wiper member 140 is moved downward as it is, so that the wiper member 140 causes the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B to be moved. It is possible to perform a wiping process in which unnecessary ink adhering to the nozzle surface is removed by rubbing (wiping) and a meniscus of the nozzle is formed.

  In the first embodiment, the vertical movement of the wiper member 140 is configured to receive a driving force from a driving source different from the driving unit 130 as the first moving unit. Specifically, the wiper member 140 is moved up and down by a frame driving mechanism (second moving means) that moves the frame portion 112 of the capping portion 110 up and down by receiving a driving force from a driving source (not shown). Move up and down. The configuration in which the wiper member 140 is moved up and down is not limited to this, and the wiper member 140 and the recording heads 7A and 7B are moved along the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B from the start end side to the end side of the nozzle surfaces. Any device that can be moved relatively may be used.

  As the wiper member 140, a general wiper member such as a rubber blade can be used. At the time of wiping, the wiper member 140 is pressed against the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B to be bent as shown in FIG. 5C, and rubs against the nozzle surfaces while rubbing the nozzle surfaces. Move relative. At the end of wiping, the wiper member 140 is separated from the nozzle surface. However, the wiper member 140 in a bent state at the time of separation may be restored and jumped up, and ink removed from the nozzle surface may be scattered. In order to prevent the scattered ink from contaminating the inside of the apparatus, the capping unit 110 according to the first embodiment is provided with the scattering prevention plates 142 above and below the wiper member 140. The splash prevention plate 142 located below the wiper member 140 drips ink removed from the nozzle surface from the wiper member 140, or a slight amount of ink remaining in the cap 111B during decap after the nozzle suction process. It also functions to prevent it from falling and contaminating the cabin.

  The idle ejection unit 120 receives and collects the ink ejected from the recording head while facing the recording heads 7A and 7B during non-operation. In the first embodiment, in order to recover and maintain the ejection performance of the recording heads 7A and 7B, the recording heads 7A and 7B are opposed to the idle ejection unit 120 at a predetermined timing, and idle ejection in which ink is idlely ejected from the nozzles. Process. As shown in FIG. 3, the idle ejection unit 120 is provided with an ink receiving member 121 that receives the dripping ink in order to prevent the inside of the apparatus from being contaminated by the ink dripping from the recording head during the idle ejection process. It has been.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the driving unit 130 together with the capping unit 110.
The drive unit 130 is for transmitting a driving force necessary for processing in the capping unit 110 and the idle discharge unit 120 to these. The drive unit 130 is attached to the frame unit 112 (not shown in FIG. 6 for illustration) of the capping unit 110. The drive unit 130 includes a stepping motor 131 as a drive source, a gear train 132 for transmitting the drive force generated by the stepping motor 131, and a drive shaft 133 that is rotationally driven by the drive force transmitted by the gear train 132. I have. The stepping motor 131 is configured to be capable of forward / reverse rotation driving, and its rotation direction, rotation position, and rotation angular velocity are controlled by a control unit (not shown). One end side of the drive shaft 133 is inserted into the frame part 112 of the capping part 110.

  On the drive shaft 133, a driven gear 134 that meshes with the gear train 132 coaxially therewith, a cap moving cam 135, and an idle discharge portion moving cam 136 are provided. As shown in FIG. 7, the cap moving cam 135 is disposed at a position opposite to the pin 115 provided on the back surface of the rack 113 of the capping unit 110 (the surface opposite to the surface on which the caps 111A and 111B are provided). Is done. The cap moving cam 135 according to the first embodiment has a structure in which a substantially elliptical cam groove 135c is formed between an outer frame 135a and an inner frame 135b as shown in FIG. 8, and the cam groove 135c has a structure. It is assembled with the pins 115 on the back of the rack 113 inserted. By adopting such a structure, when the drive shaft 133 rotates and the rotation angle of the cap moving cam 135 changes, the pin 115 of the rack 113 moves in the cam groove of the cap moving cam 135 and the rack moves. 113 is displaced in the horizontal direction. Accordingly, by controlling the rotation angle of the cap moving cam 135 by the stepping motor 131, the caps 111A and 111B are moved forward in the direction of approaching the recording heads 7A and 7B to be in the covering state, or the recording heads 7A , 7B, the caps 111A, 111B can be retracted in the direction of separating them to be uncovered.

  Similarly to the cap moving cam 135, the idle discharge portion moving cam 136 is also for displacing the idle discharge portion 120 in the horizontal direction. The mounting angles of the cap moving cam 135 and the idle discharge unit moving cam 136 with respect to the drive shaft 133 are shifted from each other. Specifically, when the caps 111A and 111B are positioned at the forward position and the recording heads 7A and 7B are in the covering state, the idle discharge unit 120 is positioned at the reverse position, and conversely, the idle discharge unit 120 is at the advance position. When performing the idle discharge processing of the recording heads 7A and 7B, the mounting angles of the cap moving cam 135 and the idle discharge portion moving cam 136 with respect to the drive shaft 133 so that the caps 111A and 111B are positioned in the retracted position. Is set.

  In the first embodiment, the driving force is transmitted to the driving shaft 133 when the stepping motor 131 is rotating forward, and the driving force is not transmitted to the driving shaft 133 when the stepping motor 131 is rotating backward. Has been. Such a configuration can be realized, for example, by interposing a one-way clutch in the gear train 132 of the drive unit 130. On the other hand, when the stepping motor 131 is rotating in reverse, the driving force is transmitted to the suction pump 150. The driving force transmission path to the suction pump 150 is also transmitted to the suction pump 150 when the stepping motor 131 is reversely rotated by using, for example, a one-way clutch, and is suctioned when the stepping motor 131 is forwardly rotated. The driving force is not transmitted to the pump 150. As described above, in the first embodiment, the drive source for driving the capping unit 110 and the idle discharge unit 120 and the drive source for the suction pump are shared, and the number of drive sources is reduced, thereby reducing the cost. However, separate drive sources may be used.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of maintenance processing performed using the maintenance unit 100.
FIGS. 10A to 10C are schematic diagrams for explaining the configuration and operation when the suction cap 111B in the maintenance unit 100 is viewed from the horizontal direction. In FIG. 10, two cap compression springs 118 are shown as one spring.
FIGS. 11A to 11C are explanatory diagrams showing the relationship between the rotation angle (rotation position) of the cap moving cam 135 and the state of the capping unit 110.

  In the first embodiment, maintenance processing is executed at a predetermined timing such as immediately after the printer is turned on, at the end of the printing operation, or when a maintenance instruction is received from the user. In the maintenance process, first, the control unit of the printer checks whether or not the rotation position (rotation angle) of the stepping motor 131 is the home position (HP) (S1). The home position can be confirmed by, for example, providing a projection on the motor shaft of the stepping motor 131 and arranging a transmission type optical sensor so that the projection passes through a rotating orbit through which the projection passes. The timing when it is detected that is blocked is set as the home position. If the rotation position of the stepping motor 131 is not the home position (HP), the stepping motor 131 is rotated forward until it reaches the home position (S2). At this home position, the caps 111A and 111B of the capping unit 110 are positioned at the retracted position as shown in FIG. 10C, and the idle ejection unit 120 is also positioned at the retracted position.

  After setting the stepping motor 131 to the home position, the control unit controls the main scanning motor 4 to move the carriage 3 to a position where the first recording head 7A faces the suction cap 111B (first head suction position). Move in the main scanning direction (S3). Thereafter, the stepping motor 131 of the maintenance unit 100 is rotated forward to move the rack 113 horizontally, and the cap 111B is advanced toward the recording head 7A (S4). When the number of pulses (step number) of the stepping motor 131 reaches a predetermined number of pulses, the rotation of the stepping motor 131 is stopped (S5). As a result, as shown in FIG. 11A, the pin 115 on the back surface of the rack 113 is positioned at the long side portion of the cam groove 135c of the cap moving cam 135, and the rack 113 is positioned at the forward movement position. As a result, the opening of the cap 111B is brought into close contact with the nozzle surface of the recording head 7A by the urging force of the cap compression spring 118, and the nozzle surface is covered, and the air opening hole 111b provided on the back surface of the cap 111 is open to the atmosphere. The air release valve 116 urged by the compression spring 117 is closed. Accordingly, the inside of the cap 111B is in a sealed state, and the nozzle suction process can be performed.

  When the inside of the cap 111B is sealed in this manner, the control unit reverses the stepping motor 131, drives the suction pump 150 to perform a suction operation (S6), and executes an ink suction process. Thus, ink is sucked out from the nozzles of the first recording head 7A by the suction force of the suction pump 150, and the sucked ink is sent from the suction port of the cap 111B to the waste liquid tank 151 through the suction pipe 114. When the number of pulses (step number) of the stepping motor 131 reaches a predetermined number of pulses, the rotation of the stepping motor 131 is stopped (S7).

  Here, when the suction operation is stopped, a part of the ink sucked from the nozzle remains in the cap 111B. In the first embodiment, since the cap 111B is capped from the horizontal direction with respect to the nozzle surface parallel to the vertical surface, the cap 111B is separated from the nozzle surface when the ink is left in the cap 111B. When this occurs, the ink in the cap flows out from the opening of the cap and the inside of the machine is contaminated with ink. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the following processing operation is executed.

  After waiting for a predetermined time to elapse after the ink suction process (S8), the control unit causes the stepping motor 131 to rotate forward to retract the rack 113 (S9). When the number of pulses (step number) of the stepping motor 131 reaches a predetermined number of pulses, the rotation of the stepping motor 131 is stopped (S10). As a result, as shown in FIG. 11B, the pin 115 on the back surface of the rack 113 is positioned at the intermediate portion between the long side and the short side of the cam groove 135c of the cap moving cam 135, and the rack 113 is It is positioned at the atmospheric release position (between the forward position and the backward position) shown in FIG. When the rack 113 is located at the atmospheric release position, the cap 111B is in contact with the nozzle surface of the recording head 7A by the urging force of the cap compression spring 118, but the atmospheric release valve 116 is provided on the back surface of the cap. It will be in the state spaced apart from the air release hole 111b. As a result, the atmosphere opening hole 111b is opened, and the inside of the cap 111B is opened to the atmosphere through the atmosphere opening hole 111b with the opening being blocked by the nozzle surface. In this state, ink does not flow out from the opening of the cap 111B. Moreover, the air opening hole 111b is provided in the upper part of the cap which is higher than the liquid level of the ink remaining in the cap. Therefore, even if the atmosphere opening hole 111b is opened, ink does not leak from the atmosphere opening hole 111b.

  When the cap 111B is opened to the atmosphere in this way, the control unit waits for a predetermined time to elapse (S11), and then reverses the stepping motor 131 to drive the suction pump 150 to execute the suction operation (S12). . At this time, since the inside of the cap is open to the atmosphere through the air opening hole 111b, even if the inside of the cap is sucked by the suction pump 150, ink is not sucked out from the nozzles of the recording head 7A, and the inside of the cap. Ink can be collected from the suction port through the suction pipe 114 to the waste liquid tank 151. When the number of pulses (step number) of the stepping motor 131 reaches the predetermined number of pulses, the rotation of the stepping motor 131 is stopped (S13).

  After the ink in the cap 111B is removed in this way, the control unit causes the stepping motor 131 to rotate forward to further retract the rack 113 (S14), and the number of pulses (step number) of the stepping motor 131 becomes the predetermined number of pulses. When it reaches, the rotation of the stepping motor 131 is stopped (S15). As a result, as shown in FIG. 11C, the pin 115 on the back surface of the rack 113 is positioned in the short side direction portion of the cam groove 135c of the cap moving cam 135, and the rack 113 is shown in FIG. Positioned in the retracted position shown. As the rack 113 moves back to the retracted position, the cap 111B follows the movement of the rack 113 and is separated from the nozzle surface of the recording head 7A and is decapded.

  When the rack 113 is thus retracted to the retracted position, the tip of the wiper member 140 provided above the cap 111B is positioned slightly above the upper end position of the nozzle surface of the recording head 7A. This position is the wiping movement start position. By moving the wiper member 140 downward from this position, the wiping process can be performed by rubbing the nozzle surface of the recording head 7A. Therefore, when the rack 113 is retracted to the retracted position, the control unit controls a frame driving mechanism (not shown) to move the frame unit 112 of the capping unit 110 downward. Thereby, the nozzle surface of the first recording head 7A is wiped by the wiper member 140 (S16), and unnecessary ink on the nozzle surface is removed.

  Subsequently, the control unit controls the main scanning motor 4 to move the carriage 3 in the main scanning direction to a position where the first recording head 7A is opposed to the idle ejection unit 120, and drives the recording head 7A to control the nozzles. Then, an empty discharge process for discharging ink into the empty discharge unit 120 is performed (S17). At the time when the wiping process is completed, the idle ejection unit 120 attached to the frame unit 112 is positioned below the nozzle surface of the first recording head 7A, and therefore an appropriate timing before the idle ejection process is started. Then, the frame driving mechanism is controlled to move the frame part 112 upward and return it to the original position.

  When the maintenance process for the first recording head 7A is completed in this way, the process proceeds to the maintenance process for the second recording head 7B. First, the control unit determines that the rotation position (rotation angle) of the stepping motor 131 is the home position. It is confirmed whether it is (HP) (S18). If the rotation position of the stepping motor 131 is not the home position (HP), the stepping motor 131 is rotated forward until it reaches the home position (S19). After setting the stepping motor 131 to the home position, the control unit controls the main scanning motor 4 to move the carriage 3 to a position where the second recording head 7B faces the suction cap 111B (second head suction position). Move in the main scanning direction (S20). Thereafter, the stepping motor 131 of the maintenance unit 100 is rotated forward to move the rack 113 horizontally, and the cap 111B is moved forward toward the recording head 7B (S21). When the number of pulses (step number) of the stepping motor 131 reaches a predetermined number of pulses, the rotation of the stepping motor 131 is stopped (S22). As a result, the rack 113 is positioned at the forward movement position, and the cap 111B is in a sealed state shown in FIG.

  When the inside of the cap 111B is sealed in this manner, the control unit reverses the stepping motor 131, drives the suction pump 150 to perform a suction operation (S23), and executes an ink suction process. Accordingly, ink is sucked out from the nozzles of the second recording head 7B by the suction force of the suction pump 150, and the sucked ink is sent from the suction port of the cap 111B to the waste liquid tank 151 through the suction pipe 114. When the number of pulses (step number) of the stepping motor 131 reaches the predetermined number of pulses, the rotation of the stepping motor 131 is stopped (S24). Thereafter, the control unit waits for a predetermined time to elapse (S25), and then causes the stepping motor 131 to rotate forward to retract the rack 113 (S26). When the number of pulses (step number) of the stepping motor 131 reaches the predetermined number of pulses, the rotation of the stepping motor 131 is stopped (S27). As a result, the rack 113 is positioned at the atmospheric release position (between the forward position and the backward position) shown in FIG. As a result, the atmosphere opening hole 111b is opened, and the inside of the cap 111B is opened to the atmosphere through the atmosphere opening hole 111b with the opening being blocked by the nozzle surface. Then, after waiting for a predetermined time to elapse (S28), the control unit reverses the stepping motor 131 and drives the suction pump 150 to perform the suction operation (S29). At this time, since the inside of the cap is opened to the atmosphere through the atmosphere opening hole 111b, even if the inside of the cap is sucked by the suction pump 150, the ink is not sucked out from the nozzles of the recording head 7B. Ink can be collected from the suction port through the suction pipe 114 to the waste liquid tank 151. When the number of pulses (step number) of the stepping motor 131 reaches a predetermined number of pulses, the rotation of the stepping motor 131 is stopped (S30).

  When the ink in the cap 111B is removed in this way, the control unit causes the stepping motor 131 to rotate forward to further retract the rack 113 (S31), and the number of pulses (step number) of the stepping motor 131 becomes the predetermined number of pulses. When it reaches, the rotation of the stepping motor 131 is stopped (S32). As a result, the rack 113 is positioned at the retracted position shown in FIG. 10C, and the cap 111B is decapped. At this time, the tip of the wiper member 140 provided at the upper position of the cap 111B is positioned slightly above the upper end position of the nozzle surface of the recording head 7B and takes the wiping movement start position. Therefore, when the rack 113 is retracted to the retracted position, the control unit controls a frame driving mechanism (not shown) to move the frame unit 112 of the capping unit 110 downward. Thereby, the nozzle surface of the second recording head 7B is wiped by the wiper member 140 (S33), and unnecessary ink on the nozzle surface is removed. Thereafter, the control unit controls the main scanning motor 4 to move the carriage 3 in the main scanning direction to a position facing the idle ejection unit 120 to drive the second recording head 7B to drive the recording head 7B from the nozzle. An empty discharge process for discharging ink into the empty discharge portion 120 is performed (S34). Note that when the wiping process is completed, the idle ejection unit 120 attached to the frame unit 112 is positioned below the nozzle surface of the second recording head 7B, and therefore, an appropriate timing before the idle ejection process is started. Then, the frame driving mechanism is controlled to move the frame part 112 upward and return it to the original position.

  When the maintenance process for the two recording heads 7A and 7B is completed in this way, the control unit confirms whether or not the rotation position (rotation angle) of the stepping motor 131 is the home position (HP) (S35). If the rotation position of the stepping motor 131 is not the home position (HP), the stepping motor 131 is rotated forward until it reaches the home position (S36). Then, the control unit controls the main scanning motor 4 to move the carriage 3 in the main scanning direction to a position where the second recording head 7B faces the suction cap 111B (S37). The maintenance unit 100 according to the first embodiment is configured such that when the second recording head 7B is opposed to the suction cap 111B, the first recording head 7B is opposed to the capping cap 111A. In the first embodiment, the position where the two recording heads 7A and 7B face the caps 111A and 111B is the home position of the carriage 3.

  After the carriage 3 is positioned at the home position, the control unit rotates the stepping motor 131 to move the rack 113 horizontally, and moves the caps 111A and 111B forward toward the recording heads 7A and 7B (S38). When the number of pulses (step number) of the stepping motor 131 reaches a predetermined number of pulses, the rotation of the stepping motor 131 is stopped (S39). As a result, the rack 113 is positioned at the forward position, the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B are capped by the caps 111A and 111B, and the nozzle surfaces are moisturized.

As described above, in the first embodiment, since the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B are parallel to the vertical surface during the ink suction processing, the opening surface of the cap 111B that caps the nozzle surfaces is also a vertical surface, and the ink suction processing is performed. If the decapping is performed as it is, the ink remaining in the cap 111B spills out from the opening surface. However, according to the first embodiment, after the ink suction process and before the decap, the inside of the cap 111B can be opened to the atmosphere, and the ink remaining in the cap 111B can be discharged by the suction pump 150. Therefore, since the ink in the cap 111B is discharged before the decap, it is possible to prevent the ink from spilling from the opening of the cap 111B that has been blocked by the nozzle surface during the decap.
Moreover, in the first embodiment, as an arrangement for releasing the atmosphere before the decap, an atmosphere release valve 116 is provided as a lid member for closing the atmosphere opening hole 111b that is a communication hole provided in the cap 111B. A configuration in which the atmosphere release hole 111b is closed by closing the atmosphere release hole 111b with the atmosphere release valve 116, and the atmosphere release hole 111b is opened by retracting the atmosphere release valve 116 closing the atmosphere release hole 111b. Is adopted. By adopting such a configuration, the inside of the cap at the time of ink suction processing is made more than the conventional configuration in which the communication hole is closed by compression deformation and the communication hole is opened by restoring compression deformation. High sealing performance can be ensured, and ink suction processing can be performed stably and reliably.
Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the wiper member 140 moves the recording head 7A in conjunction with the moving operation by the driving unit 130 as the first moving unit that moves the cap 111B between the covering position and the non-covering position. , 7B. In addition, when the cap 111B is moved to the uncovered position, the wiper member 140 that moves in conjunction with the cap 111B is positioned at the wiping movement start position by the frame driving mechanism as the second moving means. Therefore, after the ink suction process is completed, it is possible to start the wiping process performed by moving the wiper member 140 only by moving the cap 111B from the covering position to the non-covering position by the drive unit 130. . Therefore, there are few movement operations from the end of the ink suction process to the start of the wiping process, and the processing time can be shortened.

  In the first embodiment, the wiper member 140 is fixed to the frame portion 112 of the capping portion 110 so that the wiper member 140 moves in conjunction with the movement operation of the cap 111B from the covering position to the non-covering position. Although described as an example, the configuration for realizing this interlocking is not limited to this. For example, there is a configuration in which the cap 111B and the wiper member 140 are configured to move in conjunction with each other via a link mechanism.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, another embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, this embodiment is referred to as “embodiment 2”) will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, taking as an example a serial printer that is an ink jet recording apparatus as an image forming apparatus. explain.
Since the printer of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the configuration of the maintenance unit, the description of the common points with the first embodiment is omitted in the following description.

12A to 12C are explanatory views schematically showing the configuration and operation of the capping unit 210 from the end of the nozzle suction process to the start of the wiping process.
The capping unit 210 in the second embodiment has two caps 211A and 211B as in the first embodiment, and one of them is used as the suction cap 211B. However, the cap 211 </ b> B of the second embodiment is not provided with the air release hole provided in the first embodiment, and therefore is provided with an air release valve for closing the air release hole. Therefore, the ink remaining inside the cap 111B cannot be sucked out before the decap after the ink suction process. However, the cap 211B of the second embodiment has an ink receiving portion 211c that protrudes to the lower side of the recording heads 7A and 7B, and the vertical section thereof is formed in a substantially L shape as shown in FIG. Has been. By providing the ink receiving portion 211c, even if the ink remaining inside the cap 111B flows out during the decap after the ink suction process, the ink is received in the ink receiving portion 211c to prevent internal contamination. Yes.

  The ink storage chamber formed inside the ink receiving portion 211c communicates with the inside of the main body of the L-shaped cap 211B. As shown in FIG. 12A, the L-shaped cap 211B is connected to the recording heads 7A and 7B. Is brought into contact with the outer walls of the lower surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B to be in a sealed state. Therefore, when the rack 213 is moved toward the recording heads 7A and 7B by the drive unit 230 and the edge of the L-shaped cap 211B comes into contact with the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B and is in a covering state, the L-shaped cap The inside of the main body of 211B and the ink storage chamber of the ink receiving portion 211c communicating with the main body are sealed, and by suctioning with the suction pump 150, the inside of the cap becomes negative pressure, and the ink in the recording head is sucked out from the nozzle. . The sucked ink is sent to the waste liquid tank 151 through the suction pipe 214 from the suction port formed at the bottom of the ink receiving part 211c of the L-shaped cap 211B by the suction force of the suction pump 150.

  After the ink suction process is performed in this way, ink remains in the L-shaped cap 211B, but the ink is subjected to the action of gravity, and the ink receiving portion formed below the L-shaped cap 211B. It fits in the ink storage chamber 211c. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12B, even if the ink is decapped with the ink remaining in the L-shaped cap 211B, the ink does not spill out of the L-shaped cap 211B. Since the inside of the L-shaped cap 211B is opened to the atmosphere by decapping in this way, if suction is performed by driving the suction pump 150 in this state, the ink receiving chamber 211c has an ink containing chamber. The remaining ink can be discharged to the waste liquid tank 151 through the suction pipe 214 from the suction port formed at the bottom of the ink receiving portion 211c.

  In the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, when the rack 213 is moved from the forward position (covered position) to the retracted position (non-covered position) shown in FIG. The wiper member 240 attached to the upper portion of the L-shaped cap 211B is configured to be located at the wiping movement start position. Therefore, also in the second embodiment, after the rack 213 moves to the retracted position (non-covering position), the wiper member 240 is moved downward as it is, so that the wiper member 240 causes the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B to move. A wiping process for removing unnecessary ink adhering to the nozzle surface by rubbing (wiping) can be performed.

  The drive unit 230 according to the second embodiment includes a drive source that drives the suction pump and a drive source that drives the rack 213, and is configured to be controllable independently of each other. A drive source for driving the rack 213 is composed of a stepping motor 231, and a drive gear 232 is connected to the motor shaft. The drive gear 232 meshes with a driven tooth row 233 having a large number of teeth arranged in the vertical direction on the back surface of the rack 213. As a result, the rack 213 moves up and down following the rotation of the drive gear 232 driven by the stepping motor 231. In the second embodiment, the rack 213 can be moved upward by rotating the stepping motor 231 in the forward direction, and the rack 213 can be moved downward by rotating the stepping motor 231 in the reverse direction.

  Here, in the second embodiment, the movement path of the rack 213 is regulated so that the rack 213 moves on the movement path where both the decapping operation and the wiping operation are realized only by reversing the stepping motor 231. A guide rail 234 is provided for guiding. A guided portion 213 a integrally formed with the rack 213 is fitted into the guide rail 234, and when the rack 213 is moved up and down by driving the stepping motor 231, the rack 213 is regulated by the guide rail 234. Will move.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an outline of the flow of maintenance processing performed before printing. In this flowchart, the flow of the main part of the maintenance process is extracted and described.
FIG. 14 shows the position of the guided portion 213a on the guide rail 234 when the rack 213 is positioned at the forward position (covering position), the retracted position (non-covering position = wiping operation start position), and the wiping operation end position. It is explanatory drawing which shows I, II, and III.
When image formation is performed after being left for a long time, there is a high possibility of nozzle missing, and maintenance processing may be performed before printing. As a procedure in this case, first, based on the rotation position (rotation angle) of the stepping motor 231, the printer control unit confirms that the rack 213 is positioned at the forward movement position (covering position) and the cap 211B is in the covering state. Confirm (S41). At this time, the guided portion 213a on the guide rail 234 is located at the capping position I shown in FIG. As for the rotation position (rotation angle) of the stepping motor 231, for example, a projection is provided on the motor shaft of the stepping motor 231, and a transmissive optical sensor is disposed so as to pass through a rotation path through which the projection passes. The timing at which the sensor detects that the optical path is blocked by the protrusion can be grasped.

  Thereafter, the control unit drives the suction pump 150 (S42), and performs an ink suction process for sucking ink from the nozzles of the recording heads 7A and 7B by setting the inside of the L-shaped cap 211B to a negative pressure. Then, the control unit stops the driving of the suction pump 150 in accordance with the end timing of the ink suction process (S43). When the ink suction process is thus completed, the stepping motor 231 is driven in reverse (S44), and the rack 213 is lowered. Thereby, the guided portion 213a on the guide rail 234 moves from the capping position I shown in FIG. 14 to the decap position II. As a result, the rack 213 is positioned in the retracted position (non-covering position = wiping operation start position) as shown in FIG. 12B, the cap 211B is in the decap state, and the wiper member 240 is at the wiping operation start point. Positioned.

  Thereafter, when the stepping motor 231 continues to be driven in reverse and the rack 213 is lowered, the guided portion 213a on the guide rail 234 moves from the decap position II shown in FIG. 14 to the wiping end position III. During this movement, as shown in FIG. 12C, the rack 213 moves in parallel along the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B, so that the wiper member 240 moves the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B to the upper end side. The wiping process is performed by rubbing toward the lower end side. When the guided portion 213a moves to the lower end of the guide rail 234, that is, the wiping end position III shown in FIG. 14, the wiper member 240 moves to a position lower than the lower end of the nozzle surface of the recording heads 7A and 7B. Therefore, the wiping process is performed by the wiper member 240 over the entire area from the upper end to the lower end of the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B.

  In the wiping process, when the wiper member 240 passes through the lower end of the nozzle surface of the recording heads 7A and 7B, the wiper member 240 that has been bent due to contact with the nozzle surface is restored, and the tip of the wiper member 240 jumps up. At this time, the ink adhering to the tip of the wiper member 240 flies downward in the vertical direction. In the second embodiment, since the ink receiving portion 211c is positioned at the destination of the ink flying, the ink flying when the wiper member 240 passes through the lower end of the nozzle surface of the recording heads 7A and 7B is the ink receiving portion. The ink is received in the ink storage chamber 211c. Therefore, the interior of the machine is not contaminated by the flying ink.

  As described above, after the wiping process is completed, the control unit performs the control of the maintenance unit 100 and the control of the recording heads 7A and 7B in parallel. In the control of the maintenance unit 100, first, the suction pump 150 is driven (S45), and the ink remaining in the ink storage chamber in the ink receiving portion 211c of the L-shaped cap 211B is passed through the suction pipe 214 to the waste liquid tank. Collect to 151. Then, the control unit stops the driving of the suction pump 150 in accordance with the end timing of the residual ink collection process (S46). Thereafter, the control unit drives the stepping motor 231 to rotate forward (S47) and raises the rack 213. Thereby, the guided portion 213a on the guide rail 234 moves from the wiping end position III shown in FIG. 14 to the decap position II, and stands by at that position.

  On the other hand, in the control of the recording heads 7A and 7B performed in parallel with the control of the above-described maintenance unit 100, the main scanning motor 4 is controlled to move the recording heads 7A and 7B to the position facing the idle ejection unit 120. Is moved in the main scanning direction (S48). Then, the control unit drives and controls the recording heads 7A and 7B to perform the idle ejection process for ejecting ink from the nozzles into the idle ejection unit 120 (S49).

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an overview of the flow of maintenance processing performed during continuous printing. In this flowchart, the flow of the main part of the maintenance process is extracted and described.
When the negative pressure of the head tank becomes too strong during continuous printing and the ink discharge load from the nozzles becomes large, maintenance processing may be performed during continuous printing. As a procedure in this case, first, the control unit of the printer is based on the rotation position (rotation angle) of the stepping motor 231, the rack 213 is positioned at the retracted position (non-covering position), and the cap 211B is in the non-covering state. This is confirmed (S51). That is, it is confirmed that the guided portion 213a on the guide rail 234 is located at the decap position II shown in FIG. Thereafter, the control unit controls the main scanning motor 4 to move the carriage 3 in the main scanning direction to a position where the recording heads 7A and 7B face the L-shaped cap 211B of the capping unit 110 (S52). When the controller drives the stepping motor 231 to rotate forward (S53) and raises the rack 213, the guided portion 213a on the guide rail 234 moves from the decap position II shown in FIG. 14 to the capping position I. Move to. As a result, the rack 213 is positioned at the forward movement position (covering position), and the recording heads 7A and 7B are covered by the cap 211B.

  Thereafter, the control unit drives the suction pump 150 (S42), and performs an ink suction process for sucking ink from the nozzles of the recording heads 7A and 7B with a negative pressure inside the L-shaped cap 211B. Since this is the same as S42 to S49 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an outline of the flow of maintenance processing performed after printing. In this flowchart, the flow of the main part of the maintenance process is extracted and described.
After printing, capping is performed to stop the machine in order to prevent moisture from entering impurities such as dust and to prevent nozzle clogging due to ink sticking. As a procedure in this case, first, the control unit of the printer is based on the rotation position (rotation angle) of the stepping motor 231, the rack 213 is positioned at the retracted position (non-covering position), and the cap 211B is in the non-covering state. This is confirmed (S61). That is, it is confirmed that the guided portion 213a on the guide rail 234 is located at the decap position II shown in FIG. Thereafter, the control unit controls the main scanning motor 4 to move the carriage 3 in the main scanning direction to a position where each of the recording heads 7A and 7B faces the caps 211A and 211B of the capping unit 110 (S62). ). When the controller drives the stepping motor 231 to rotate forward (S63) and raises the rack 213, the guided portion 213a on the guide rail 234 moves from the decap position II shown in FIG. 14 to the capping position I. Move to. As a result, the rack 213 is positioned at the forward movement position (covering position), and the recording heads 7A and 7B are respectively covered by the two caps 211A and 211B.

  According to the second embodiment, since the wiper member 240 is mounted on the L-shaped cap 211B, it is not necessary to secure a position for disposing the wiper member separately from the cap member in the main scanning direction. As a result, the space of the apparatus can be saved and the number of parts can be reduced. Moreover, according to the second embodiment, it is not necessary to move the carriage 3 in the main scanning direction after the decap, and it is not necessary to move the wiper member to the wiping operation start position, and the wiping operation is performed immediately after the decap. Can be implemented. Therefore, the processing time of the entire maintenance process can be shortened.

[Modification 1]
Next, a modified example of the L-shaped cap 211B in the second embodiment (hereinafter, this modified example is referred to as “modified example 1”) will be described.
FIGS. 17A and 17B are explanatory views showing a schematic configuration of an L-shaped cap 311B in the first modification.
In the L-shaped cap 311B according to the first modified example, the opening 3A of the recording heads 7A and 7B and the edge 311a of the opening of the ink receiving portion 311c facing the lower surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B have a bellows shape. In this respect, it differs from that of the second embodiment. As a material of the bellows-shaped edge 311a, for example, soft silicon rubber can be used. In the first modification, when the L-shaped cap 311B contacts the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B and is positioned at the covering position, the bellows-shaped edge 311a is compressed as shown in FIG. Thus, the opening of the L-shaped cap 311B is closed with high sealing performance by the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B. On the other hand, when the L-shaped cap 311B is separated from the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B and is located at the non-covering position, the compressed bellows-like edge 311a is restored as shown in FIG. It becomes a state. As a result, the volume inside the main body of the L-shaped cap 311B and the volume inside the ink containing chamber of the ink receiving portion 311c are both larger than in the covered state.

  With the configuration as described above, according to the first modification, when the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B are in the covered state, the sealed space in the L-shaped cap 311B is narrowed. The ink can be efficiently sucked out of the nozzle by the force. When the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B are in the uncovered state, the volume of the ink storage chamber in the ink receiving portion 311c of the L-shaped cap 311B is increased, and therefore remains in the L-shaped cap 311B. Ink does not spill easily.

[Modification 2]
Next, another modified example of the L-shaped cap 211B in the second embodiment (hereinafter, this modified example is referred to as “modified example 2”) will be described.
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an L-shaped cap 411B in the second modification.
The L-shaped cap 411B in Modification 2 is provided with an L-shaped absorber 419 capable of absorbing and holding ink in the space inside the main body and the ink containing chamber of the ink receiving portion 411c. It differs from that of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, in the absorber 419, the vertical portion facing the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B does not protrude outward (nozzle surface side) from the opening edge of the main body of the L-shaped cap 411B. It is configured as follows. As a result, even if the L-shaped cap 411B is in contact with the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B and positioned at the covering position, the vertical portion of the absorber 419 is not in contact with the nozzle surface, and the absorber 419 is not ink. It does not interfere with the suction process. On the other hand, the horizontal portion of the absorber 419 disposed in the ink containing chamber of the ink receiving portion 411c is configured to be positioned higher than the ink containing chamber. The horizontal absorber portion is made of a soft and highly elastic material, and is compressed and deformed when the L-shaped cap 411B is in contact with the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B and positioned at the covering position. The sealing performance by the opening edge of the L-shaped cap 411B is not disturbed. The absorbent body 419 may be formed as a whole or may be configured by combining a plurality of members.

  With the configuration described above, according to the second modification, the ink is absorbed while the horizontal portion of the absorber 419 swells during decap after the ink suction process. Further, the horizontal portion of the absorber 419 also absorbs ink that hangs down from the nozzle surface and collects at the lower ends of the recording heads 7A and 7B. Therefore, according to the second modification, not only the effect of preventing ink from spilling out of the L-shaped cap 411B but also the lower part of the recording heads 7A and 7B can be cleaned by the absorber 419. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems such as ink sticking to the lower portion of 7B and the sticking ink rubbing against the paper and soiling the paper.

[Modification 3]
Next, still another modified example of the L-shaped cap 211B in the second embodiment (hereinafter, this modified example is referred to as “modified example 3”) will be described.
FIG. 19A is a top view of the L-shaped cap 511B in the third modification, FIG. 19B is a side view of the L-shaped cap 511B, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an L-shaped cap 511B together with recording heads 7A and 7B.
In the L-shaped cap 511B in the third modification, the width W1 of the contact end portion of the wiper member that contacts the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B is wider than the width W2 of the nozzle surface, and the ink in the ink receiving portion. It is comprised so that it may become narrower than the width W3 of a storage chamber. In order to realize such a configuration, in the third modification, the width W1 of the contact end portion where the wiper member 540 contacts the nozzle surface is wider than the width of the attachment end portion to the L-shaped cap 511B. A trapezoidal shape is used. The shape is not limited to a trapezoidal shape, and may be other shapes such as a stepped rectangular shape. In the third modification, since the inside of the main body of the L-shaped cap 511B and the ink storage chamber in the ink receiving portion 511c communicate with each other, the opening of the ink storage chamber is the recording head 7A in the covered state. , 7B must be configured to be blocked by the lower surface. For this reason, in the third modification, as shown in FIG. 19C, the bottom surface shape of the recording heads 7A and 7B can block the opening of the ink storage chamber.

With the configuration as described above, according to the third modification, even if the contact end portion of the wiper member 540 jumps up and causes ink to fly downward at the end of the wiping process, the width W1 of the contact end portion The flying ink can be received in the ink storage chamber having a wide width W3. When ink scatters in the machine, it not only stains the inside of the apparatus, but also floats inside the apparatus as ink mist and may adhere to the linear encoder sheet 42, the disk-type encoder sheet 34, etc. However, according to the third modification, such a problem is unlikely to occur.
In addition, according to the third modification, the width W1 of the contact end portion of the wiper member 540 is formed wider than the width W2 of the nozzle surface, so that the entire nozzle surface can be wiped by the wiper member 540. In the third modification, the width W1 of the contact end portion of the wiper member 540 is formed wider than the width W2 of the nozzle surface, but the width W1 of the contact end portion of the wiper member 540 is the width of each recording head. The width may be narrower than the width W2 of the nozzle surface as long as the two nozzle rows formed on the nozzle surface can be wiped. In this case, the bottom surface of the recording heads 7A and 7B can use a general rectangular shape.

[Modification 4]
Next, a modified example of the movement path of the rack 613 in the second embodiment (hereinafter, this modified example is referred to as “modified example 4”) will be described.
20A and 20B are explanatory views schematically showing the operation of the capping unit 610 in the fourth modification.
In the fourth modification, as in the second embodiment, the movement path of the rack 613 that moves up and down by the rotation of the stepping motor 231 is regulated by the guide rail 634. As illustrated, the lower end of the guide rail 634 of the fourth modification is bent so that the wiper member 640 that is in contact with the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B is displaced in a direction away from the nozzle surface. Accordingly, the wiper member 640 moves downward from the wiping operation start position, moves along the nozzle surface while contacting the nozzle surface in a bent state, and moves away from the nozzle surface in the vicinity of the lower end of the nozzle surface. Displaces and exits below the lower end of the nozzle surface. Thus, the wiper member 640 is displaced in the direction away from the nozzle surface in the vicinity of the lower end of the nozzle surface, so that the amount of deflection of the wiper member 640 when the wiper member 640 passes through the lower end of the nozzle surface is reduced. As a result, when the wiper member 640 passes through the lower end of the nozzle surface, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a problem that ink is scattered by restoring the bending.

As described above, the ink jet printer according to the first and second embodiments (including the respective modifications) ejects ink droplets from nozzles that are ejection openings on the nozzle surface (ejection surface) to the paper 12 as a recording material. Recording heads 7A and 7B, caps 111B, 211B, 311B, 411B, 511B and 611B as cap members for covering the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B, and the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B by the caps. As a first moving means for relatively moving the cap and the recording heads 7A and 7B between a covering position (capping position I) where the covering state is to be coated and an uncovering position (decap position II) where the uncovering state is not covering. Provided in the caps 111B, 211B, 311B, 411B, 511B, and 611B. A suction pump 150 as suction means for sucking the inside of the cap from the suction port, and wiper members 140, 240, which remove unnecessary ink on the nozzle surface by rubbing the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A, 7B. 340, 440, 540, 640, and wiper members 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640 and recording heads 7A, 7B from the start side to the end side of the nozzle surfaces along the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A, 7B. Drive units 130, 230, and 630 as second moving means that move relative to each other, and are covered by the first moving means at a predetermined timing, and inside the caps 111B, 211B, 311B, 411B, 511B, and 611B Ink that draws out ink from the nozzles by performing a suction operation by the suction pump 150 in a state where the ink is sealed After performing the suction process, the cap and the recording heads 7A and 7B are positioned at the decap position II by the first moving means, and then the wiper members 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, and 640 and the recording head by the second moving means. The image forming apparatus performs a wiping process in which unnecessary ink on the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B is removed by a wiper member by relatively moving 7A and 7B. The drive units 130, 230, and 630 serving as the first moving means are linked to the operation of relatively moving the caps 111B, 211B, 311B, 411B, 511B, and 611B from the capping position I to the decap position II. When the wiper member 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640 is positioned at the relative movement start position (wiping operation start position) by the second moving means when positioned at the decap position II, the wiper member and the recording head are relative to each other. Move. With such a configuration, after the ink suction process is completed, the wipers 140, 240, 340 are simply moved by moving the caps 111B, 211B, 311B, 411B, 511B, 611B from the capping position I to the decap position II. , 440, 540, and 640 can be moved to start the wiping process. As a result, less moving operation is required between the end of the ink suction process and the end of the wiping process, and the time required for the maintenance process can be shortened.
In the second embodiment (including each modification), the drive units 230 and 630 move the caps 211B, 311B, 411B, 511B, and 611B to move the caps and the recording heads 7A and 7B relative to each other. The second moving means for the wiping process moves the wiper members 240, 340, 440, 540, and 640 to move the wiper member and the recording heads 7A and 7B relative to each other. , 340, 440, 540, 640 are fixed to the caps 211B, 311B, 411B, 511B, 611B, and the drive units 230, 630 also function as the second moving means. As a result, the number of parts can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.
In the second embodiment (including the respective modifications), the drive units 230 and 630 reciprocate the caps 211B, 311B, 411B, 511B, and 611B along a predetermined movement path. The movement path includes a first movement path portion that makes the caps 211B, 311B, 411B, 511B, and 611B contact and separate from the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B between the capping position I and the decap position II, and a wiper member. 240, 340, 440, 540, and 640 are configured from a second movement path portion that moves the cap along the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B so as to rub the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B. . Thereby, a decap operation and a wiping operation can be realized by a single moving means with a simple configuration using a guide rail.
In the second embodiment (including each modification), the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B are configured to face in a direction other than just below the vertical direction, specifically, in the horizontal direction in the covered state. Ink receiving portions 211c, 311c, 411c, and 511c are provided at positions below the lower end of the nozzle surface, and the drive units 230 and 630 have the upper end of the nozzle surface as the starting end and the lower end of the nozzle surface at the lower end. The wiper members 240, 340, 440, 540, and 640 are moved so as to be the end. As a result, even if the ink removed from the nozzle surface by the wiper members 240, 340, 440, 540, and 640 falls downward from the wiper member, the ink is received by the ink receiving portions 211c, 311c, 411c, and 511c and is received in the machine. Ink scattering can be suppressed.
Further, in the first modification, the ink receiving portion 311c has an ink containing chamber having an upper surface opened and containing ink therein, and the bellows-like edge portion 311a serving as a side wall of the ink containing chamber is covered with It can be deformed so that it comes into contact with the recording heads 7A and 7B in the state and decreases in height, and the contact with the recording heads 7A and 7B is released in the uncovered state and returns to the original height. It is configured. Thereby, the ink stored in the ink storage chamber is unlikely to spill.
Further, in Modification 2, since the ink absorber 419 is provided in the ink receiving portion 411c, when the ink jumps into the ink interface accumulated in the ink receiving portion 411c, the ink splashes or the printer vibrates. For example, the situation in which the ink in the ink receiving portion 411c undulates and the ink jumps out of the ink storage chamber can be suppressed, and the ink can be further prevented from scattering into the apparatus.
In the third modification, the width W1 of the contact end portion of the wiper member 540 that contacts the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B is wider than the width W2 of the nozzle surface, and the ink receiving portion 511c contains ink. Since the width of the chamber is narrower than the width W3, the entire nozzle surface can be wiped by the wiper member 540, and even if the contact end of the wiper member 540 jumps up at the end of the wiping process, the ink is allowed to fly downward. The flying ink can be stably received in the storage chamber.
Further, in the second embodiment (including each modification), the ink receiving portions 211c, 311c, 411c, and 511c are configured so that the ink storage chambers communicate with the inside of the cap and the recording head 7A, The ink storage chamber is in a sealed state by contacting the outer wall of 7B, and the suction pump 150 can suck the ink in the ink storage chamber together with the ink in the caps 211B, 311B, 411B, 511B, 611B. Has been. With such a configuration, an ink suction process for sucking ink from the nozzles and a process for removing ink remaining in the cap after the ink suction process can be realized by a single suction pump 150.
Further, in the fourth modification, the wiper member 640 is in a state of being bent by contacting the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B, and in this state, the nozzle surface is rubbed to wipe away unnecessary ink on the nozzle surfaces. The drive unit 630 includes a wiper member 640 and the recording heads 7A and 7B so that the deflection of the wiper member 640 is reduced immediately before the wiper member 640 reaches the end of the nozzle surface of the recording heads 7A and 7B. Are moved relative to each other, and the wiper member 640 and the recording heads 7A and 7B are relatively moved so as to pass through the end of the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B while the wiper member 640 is in contact therewith. As a result, the amount of flexure of the wiper member 640 when the wiper member 640 passes through the lower end of the nozzle surface is reduced. Therefore, when the wiper member 640 passes through the lower end of the nozzle surface, the flexure is restored and ink is scattered. Occurrence can be suppressed.
In addition, the ink jet printer according to the above-described embodiment (including each modification) ejects ink droplets onto the paper 12 in a state where the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B are substantially parallel to the vertical surface. The so-called horizontal discharge type image forming apparatus configured as described above is configured such that the nozzle surfaces of the recording heads 7A and 7B are parallel to the vertical surface even in the covered state. The various effects described above are particularly beneficial in such a horizontal discharge type image forming apparatus.

In the above description, the horizontal discharge type image forming apparatus has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the present invention is similarly applied to, for example, a vertical discharge type image forming apparatus. it can.
In the above description, the image forming apparatus in which two rows of ejection openings for ejecting different color inks are provided on the nozzle surface of one recording head is exemplified. However, the nozzle surface of the recording head and the wiper member are provided. The present invention is similarly applied to any image forming apparatus that performs wiping processing by relatively moving along a direction different from the main scanning direction.

3 Carriage 7A, 7B Recording head 100 Maintenance unit 110, 210, 610 Capping part 111A, 111B, 211A, 211B, 311B, 411B, 511B, 611B Cap 111a Edge 111b Air opening hole 112 Frame part 113, 213, 613 Rack 116 Atmospheric release valve 120 Empty discharge part 130, 230, 630 Drive part 131, 231 Stepping motor 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640 Wiper member 150 Suction pump 151 Waste liquid tank 211c, 311c, 411c, 511c Ink receiving part 213a Covered Guide portion 232 Drive gear 233 Driven tooth row 234, 634 Guide rail 311a Bellows-like edge portion 419 Absorber

JP 2007-118344 A

Claims (10)

A recording head for ejecting ink droplets from ejection ports on the ejection surface to the recording material;
A cap member for covering the ejection surface of the recording head;
First moving means for relatively moving the cap member and the recording head between a covering position where the cap member covers the ejection surface of the recording head and a non-covering position where the recording head is not covered. When,
A suction means for sucking the inside of the cap member from a suction port provided in the cap member;
A wiper member that rubs the discharge surface of the recording head to remove unnecessary ink on the discharge surface;
A second moving means for relatively moving the wiper member and the recording head from the start end side to the end side of the discharge surface along the discharge surface of the recording head;
At a predetermined timing, an ink suction process for sucking ink from the discharge port is performed by performing the suction operation by the suction means while the cap member is sealed with the first moving means and the inside of the cap member is sealed. After that, the cap member and the recording head are positioned at the uncovered position by the first moving means, and then the wiper member and the recording head are relatively moved by the second moving means, and the wiper member In an image forming apparatus that performs a wiping process for removing unnecessary ink on the ejection surface of the recording head,
The first moving means moves the wiper when the cap member and the recording head are located at the non-covering position in conjunction with an operation of relatively moving the cap member and the recording head from the covering position to the non-covering position. An image forming apparatus, wherein the wiper member and the recording head are relatively moved so that the member and the recording head are positioned at a relative movement start position by the second moving unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The first moving means is configured to move the cap member relative to the recording head by moving the cap member.
The second moving means moves the wiper member to move the wiper member and the recording head relative to each other.
An image forming apparatus characterized in that the wiper member is fixed to the cap member, and the first moving means and the second moving means are constituted by a single moving means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.
The single moving means is for reciprocating the cap member along a predetermined movement path,
The predetermined movement path includes a first movement path portion for bringing the cap member into and out of contact with the ejection surface of the recording head between the covering position and the non-covering position, and the wiper member of the recording head. An image forming apparatus comprising: a second movement path portion that moves the cap member along the ejection surface of the recording head so as to rub the ejection surface. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The discharge surface of the recording head is configured to face a direction other than the vertical direction when in the covering state,
An ink receiving portion is provided at a position located below the end portion of the ejection surface which is the lower end in the covering state,
The second moving means is such that the end of the discharge surface that is the upper end in the covered state is the start, and the end of the discharge surface that is the lower end in the covered state is the end. An image forming apparatus, wherein the wiper member and the recording head are relatively moved. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.
The ink receiving portion has an ink storage chamber that has an open top surface and stores ink therein.
The side wall of the ink storage chamber comes into contact with the recording head in the covered state and becomes low in height, and the contact with the recording head is released in the non-covered state to release the original height. An image forming apparatus configured to be deformable so as to return. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.
An image forming apparatus, wherein the ink receiving portion is provided with an ink absorber. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
The width of the contact end portion of the wiper member that contacts the discharge surface of the recording head is wider than the width of the discharge surface and narrower than the width of the ink storage chamber of the ink receiving portion. Image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7,
The ink receiving portion has a configuration in which the ink containing chamber communicates with the inside of the cap, and the ink containing chamber is in a sealed state by contacting the outer wall of the recording head in the covered state.
An image forming apparatus, wherein the suction means can suck the ink in the ink storage chamber together with the ink in the cap member. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The wiper member is a wiper blade that is in contact with the ejection surface of the recording head and is bent, and wipes unnecessary ink on the ejection surface by rubbing the ejection surface in that state.
The second moving means moves the wiper member and the recording head relative to each other so that the deflection of the wiper member is reduced immediately before the wiper member reaches the end of the ejection surface of the recording head, and the wiper An image forming apparatus, wherein the wiper member and the recording head are relatively moved so as to pass through the end of the ejection surface of the recording head while the members are in contact with each other. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
It is configured to eject ink droplets to the recording material in a state where the ejection surface of the recording head is substantially parallel to the vertical plane,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the discharge surface of the recording head is configured to be parallel to a vertical surface even in the covering state.

Images