JP2012218238A - Liquid jetting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid jetting device capable of performing a stable wiping operation.SOLUTION: The liquid jetting device includes: a liquid jetting head having a nozzle formation surface in which a plurality of nozzles for jetting liquids are formed; a plurality of caps covering different areas of the nozzle formation surface; a wiping part to perform the wiping operation so that, while the wiping part is in contact with the nozzle formation surface, the areas covered by the different cap parts in the nozzle formation surface are wiped in different directions by the wiping part; and a control part configured so that, prior to the wiping operation, at least one of attitudes of the liquid jet head and the wiping part is adjusted according to the wiping direction of the wiping part.

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus.

  In an ink jet recording head (hereinafter simply referred to as a recording head) as a fluid ejecting apparatus, a maintenance process for maintaining or recovering a good ejection state of droplets ejected from a nozzle is periodically performed. As a specific maintenance operation, for example, there is a wiping operation for removing the adhering matter adhering to the nozzle surface by wiping ink (fluid) or the like adhering to the nozzle surface by jetting with a wiper. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a wiper is moved in opposite directions with respect to two adjacent regions on the nozzle surface of a head.

JP-A-10-128963

  However, in the above configuration, when the wiper is brought into contact with the nozzle surface, the tip of the wiper may bend forward in the movement direction of the wiper. If the wiping operation is performed in this state, the tip of the wiper is deformed so that it bends backward again in the moving direction. Therefore, it is difficult to maintain a stable contact state between the wiper and the nozzle surface. There was a problem in performing the operation.

  In view of the circumstances as described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus capable of a stable wiping operation.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus according to the invention includes a liquid ejecting head having a nozzle forming surface on which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid are formed, a plurality of cap portions covering different regions of the nozzle forming surface, and the nozzle A wiping portion that performs a wiping operation for wiping the regions covered by the different cap portions in the nozzle forming surface in different directions while being in contact with the forming surface, and prior to the wiping operation, the liquid jet head And a control unit that adjusts at least one of the wiping units according to a wiping direction of the wiping unit.

  According to the present invention, a wiping portion that performs a wiping operation for wiping a region covered by a different cap portion in the nozzle forming surface in a different direction while being in contact with the nozzle forming surface is provided, prior to the wiping operation. Since the posture of at least one of the liquid jet head and the wiping unit is adjusted according to the wiping direction of the wiping unit, the nozzle forming surface and the wiping unit can be brought into contact smoothly. Thereby, a stable wiping operation can be performed.

In the above liquid ejecting apparatus, the plurality of cap portions are arranged so as to cover two adjacent regions of the nozzle formation surface one by one, and the wiping portion is disposed between the two adjacent regions. It is preferable that each of the two regions is wiped away from the position in the opposite direction.
According to the present invention, the plurality of cap portions are arranged so as to cover two adjacent regions of the nozzle forming surface one by one, respectively, and the two regions from the position between the two adjacent regions of the wiping portion Since each of these is wiped away in the opposite direction, liquid can be prevented from flowing into the other region when one region is wiped.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the wiping unit is formed in a plate shape, and the control unit adjusts the posture by changing an inclination angle of the wiping unit with respect to the nozzle forming surface.
According to the present invention, the wiping portion is formed in a plate shape, and the control portion adjusts the posture by changing the inclination angle of the wiping portion with respect to the nozzle formation surface. The nozzle can be brought into contact with the nozzle forming surface in a posture along the direction.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the control unit may be configured so that a portion of the wiping unit that is in contact with the nozzle forming surface is inclined rearward in the wiping direction as compared with other portions of the wiping unit. It is preferable to adjust.
According to the present invention, since the posture is adjusted so that the portion of the wiping portion that comes into contact with the nozzle forming surface is tilted backward in the wiping direction as compared with the other portions of the wiping portion, the wiping portion during the wiping operation Can stabilize the posture.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the control unit includes a first adjustment unit that adjusts the posture of the wiping unit.
According to the present invention, since the first adjustment unit that adjusts the posture of the wiping unit is provided, the nozzle forming surface and the wiping unit can be smoothly brought into contact with each other by adjusting the posture of the wiping unit. Thereby, a stable wiping operation can be performed.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the control unit includes a second adjusting unit that adjusts the posture of the liquid ejecting head.
According to the present invention, since the second adjustment unit that adjusts the posture of the liquid ejecting head is provided, the nozzle forming surface and the wiping unit can be smoothly brought into contact with each other by adjusting the posture of the liquid ejecting head. it can. In addition, the postures of both the wiping unit and the liquid ejecting head can be adjusted. Thereby, a stable wiping operation can be performed.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a partial configuration of a printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a partial configuration of a printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control device of the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a process of operation of the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a process of operation of the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a process of operation of the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a process of operation of the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a process of operation of the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a process of operation of the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a process of operation of the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a process of operation of the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

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

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

  The housing PB is formed so that one direction is a longitudinal direction. The ink jet unit IJ, the ink supply unit IS, the transport unit CV, the maintenance unit MN, and the control unit CONT are attached to the housing PB. A platen 13 is provided in the housing PB. The platen 13 is a support member that supports the medium M. The platen 13 has a flat support surface 13 a directed to the medium M. The support surface 13a is a surface that supports the medium M.

  The transport unit CV includes a transport roller, a motor that drives the transport roller, and the like. The transport unit CV transports the medium M in the short direction of the housing PB so that the medium M passes over the platen 13. In the transport unit CV, the transport timing and transport amount are controlled by the control device CONT.

  The ink jet unit IJ includes a head H that ejects ink and a head moving unit AC that holds and moves the head H. The head H ejects ink toward the medium M sent onto the platen 13. The head H has a nozzle forming surface Ha that ejects ink. The nozzle forming surface Ha is arranged in a state directed to the support surface 13a.

  The head moving unit AC moves the head H in the longitudinal direction of the housing PB. The head moving unit AC has a carriage 4 for fixing the head H. The carriage 4 is in contact with a guide shaft 8 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the housing PB. The head moving unit AC includes units that move the carriage 4 along the guide shaft 8, such as a pulse motor 9, a driving pulley 10, an idle pulley 11, and a timing belt 12.

  The maintenance unit MN is provided in an area (home position) outside the area where printing is performed on the medium M. The maintenance unit MN includes a capping unit CP that covers the nozzle formation surface Ha of the head H, a wiping unit (wiping unit) WP that wipes the nozzle formation surface Ha, and the like.

  The ink supply unit IS supplies ink to the head H. A plurality of ink cartridges IC are accommodated in the ink supply unit IS. The printing apparatus PRT of the present embodiment has a configuration (off-carriage type) in which the ink cartridge IC is accommodated at a position different from the head H.

  The ink supply unit IS includes a pressure adjustment unit 6 that can individually adjust the pressure inside each ink cartridge IC. The ink supply unit IS has a supply tube TB that connects the head H and the ink cartridge IC. The supply tube TB is provided for each ink cartridge IC.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration when the capping unit CP is viewed from the + X side. FIG. 2 also shows the configuration of the head H in order to explain the relationship between the capping unit CP and the head.
As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of nozzles NZ are formed on the nozzle formation surface Ha of the head H. The plurality of nozzles NZ include black nozzles NB that eject black ink and color nozzles NC, NM, and NY that eject color ink. The black nozzles NB and the color nozzles NC, NM, NY are arranged in a line in the X direction in FIG. Thus, the first area 41 where the black nozzle NB is formed and the second area 42 where the color nozzles NC, NM, NY are formed are arranged adjacent to each other in the Y direction on the nozzle forming surface Ha. Yes.

  The capping part CP has a first cap part 51 and a second cap part 52. The first cap part 51 and the second cap part 52 are integrally formed and are provided so as to be movable in the Z direction. The first cap part 51 and the second cap part 52 are partitioned by a partition part 50. The first cap portion 51 seals the first region 41 of the nozzle forming surface Ha. The 2nd cap part 52 seals the 2nd area | region 42 of a nozzle formation surface.

  The first cap part 51 and the second cap part 52 are connected to a suction part 53 such as a pump. The first cap part 51 is connected to the suction part 53 via the connection pipe 54. The second cap part 52 is connected to the suction part 53 via the connection pipe 55. The connection pipe 54 and the connection pipe 55 are connected via a three-way valve 56. The three-way valve 56 switches the connection destination of the suction part 53 between the first cap part 51 and the second cap part 52. For this reason, the 1st cap part 51 and the 2nd cap part 52 can attract | suck the sealed area | region independently, respectively.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration when the wiping unit WP is viewed from the + X side. FIG. 3 also shows the configuration of the head H in order to explain the relationship between the wiping unit WP and the head H.
As shown in FIG. 3, the wiping unit WP includes a wiper 61, a wiper driving unit (first adjusting unit) 62, and a wiper holding unit 62.

  The wiper 61 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The wiper 61 is formed to be elastically deformable using a material such as a resin material. The wiper 61 is held by a wiper holding part 62. The wiper 61 has a + Z side tip 61a directed toward the nozzle forming surface Ha. The wiper 61 is arranged in a state of standing perpendicular to the nozzle formation surface Ha.

  The wiper driving unit 62 adjusts the position and posture of the wiper 61. Specifically, the wiper driving unit 62 moves the wiper 61 in the Z direction to contact the nozzle forming surface Ha, and rotates the wiper 61 in the direction around the X axis (θX direction) to form the nozzle. The posture in contact with the surface Ha is adjusted. The driving operation by the wiper driving unit 62 is controlled by the control device CONT.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the printing apparatus PRT.
Connected to the control device CONT are an input device IP for inputting various information related to the operation of the printing device PRT, a storage device MR storing various information related to the operation of the printing device PRT, and the like. A mobile unit AC, a maintenance unit MN, and the like are connected. The control device CONT can control, for example, the capping unit CP and the wiping unit WP (wiper driving unit 62) in the maintenance unit MN.

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

  Next, the operation of the printing apparatus PRT configured as described above will be described. The control device CONT causes the printing device PRT to perform a printing operation by the head H, a cleaning operation of the head H by the maintenance unit MN, and the like.

  When performing a printing operation using the head H, the control device CONT places the medium M on the −Z side of the head H by the transport unit CV. After disposing the medium M, the controller CONT inputs a drive signal from the drive signal generator associated with the nozzle NZ to the piezoelectric vibrator based on the image data of the image to be printed while moving the head H. When a drive signal is input to the piezoelectric vibrator, the piezoelectric vibrator expands and contracts and ink is ejected from the nozzle NZ. A desired image is formed on the medium M by the ink ejected from the nozzles NZ.

  Next, a case where the cleaning operation is performed will be described. The cleaning operation is performed to ensure the ejection characteristics of the head H. The control device CONT performs a suction operation using the capping unit CP as the cleaning operation.

  In the suction operation, the control device CONT first performs a capping operation. The control device CONT moves the head H to the home position and makes the head H and the capping portion CP face each other. At this time, the black nozzle NB and the first cap portion 51 are opposed to each other, and the color nozzles NC, NM, NY and the second cap portion 52 are opposed to each other. Thereafter, the control device CONT moves the capping portion CP to the head H side and presses the nozzle forming surface Ha. By this operation, the first area 41 in which the black nozzle NB is formed in the nozzle formation surface Ha is sealed by the first cap portion 51, and the second area 42 in which the color nozzles NC, NM, NY are formed is the second area 42. Sealed by the cap portion 52.

  In this state, the control device CONT uses the suction unit 53 to perform a suction operation. In the present embodiment, the first cap portion 51 and the second cap portion 52 can perform a suction operation independently. Here, the case where the color nozzles NC, NM, and NY perform suction operations will be described as an example.

  The control device CONT adjusts the three-way valve 56 so that the suction part 53 and the connection pipe 55 are connected and the suction part 53 and the connection pipe 54 are not connected. Thereafter, the control device CONT uses the suction part 53 to suck the inside of the second cap part 52. By this operation, as shown in FIG. 5, the color ink D1 is ejected from the color nozzles NC, NM, NY.

  After the suction operation, the control device CONT performs a wiping operation using the wiping unit WP. First, the control device CONT performs a wiping operation on the second region 42 provided with the color nozzles NC, NM, and NY that have performed the suction operation. Prior to performing the wiping operation, the control device CONT adjusts the attitude of the wiper 61. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the control device CONT rotates the wiper 61 counterclockwise in the drawing using the wiper driving unit 63. The rotation angle at this time is, for example, about 5 ° to 10 °. By this operation, the wiper 61 is inclined with respect to the nozzle forming surface Ha so that the tip 61a of the wiper 61 is disposed on the −Y side with respect to the wiper holding portion 62.

  After rotating the wiper 61, the control device CONT moves the wiping portion WP to the + Z side, and brings the tip end portion 61a of the wiper 61 into contact with the nozzle forming surface Ha. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, the control device CONT makes the tip portion 61 a abut between the first region 41 and the second region 42 in the nozzle forming surface Ha.

  After the wiper 61 is brought into contact with the nozzle forming surface Ha, the control unit CONT moves the head H to the −Y side and relatively moves the wiper 61 and the head H as shown in FIG. With this operation, the wiper 61 that is in contact with the nozzle forming surface Ha wipes the second region 42 as the head H moves. The wiping direction of the wiper 61 in the wiping operation is opposite to the moving direction of the head H (+ Y direction). That is, the wiper 61 wipes the second region 42 of the nozzle forming surface Ha in the + Y direction from the position between the first region 41 and the second region 42 toward the second region 42 side.

  Thus, prior to the wiping operation, the control device CONT tilts the wiper 61 so that the distal end portion 61a of the wiper 61 is disposed behind the wiping direction in the wiping direction. As shown in FIG. 8, in the wiping operation, the distal end portion 61a of the wiper 61 is deformed rearward in the wiping direction, so that a stable wiping operation is performed.

  On the other hand, when performing the cleaning operation of the black nozzle NB, the control device CONT performs the same cap operation as described above. Thereafter, the control device CONT adjusts the three-way valve 56 so that the suction part 53 and the connection pipe 54 are connected and the suction part 53 and the connection pipe 55 are not connected. In this state, the control device CONT uses the suction part 53 to suck the inside of the first cap part 51. By this operation, as shown in FIG. 9, the black ink D2 is ejected from the black nozzle NB.

  Next, the control device CONT performs a wiping operation on the first region 41 provided with the black nozzle NB that has performed the suction operation. Prior to performing the wiping operation, the control device CONT adjusts the attitude of the wiper 61. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the control device CONT rotates the wiper 61 clockwise using a wiper driving unit 63 in the drawing. The rotation angle at this time is, for example, about 5 ° to 10 °. By this operation, the wiper 61 is inclined with respect to the nozzle forming surface Ha so that the tip 61a of the wiper 61 is disposed on the + Y side with respect to the wiper holding portion 62.

  After rotating the wiper 61, the control device CONT moves the wiping portion WP to the + Z side, and brings the tip end portion 61a of the wiper 61 into contact with the nozzle forming surface Ha. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the control device CONT makes the tip 61 a abut between the first region 41 and the second region 42 in the nozzle forming surface Ha.

  After the wiper 61 is brought into contact with the nozzle forming surface Ha, the control device CONT moves the head H to the + Y side and relatively moves the wiper 61 and the head H as shown in FIG. With this operation, the wiper 61 that is in contact with the nozzle formation surface Ha wipes the nozzle formation surface Ha as the head H moves. The wiping direction of the wiper 61 in the wiping operation is opposite to the moving direction of the head H (−Y direction). That is, the wiper 61 wipes the first region 41 of the nozzle forming surface Ha in the −Y direction from the position between the first region 41 and the second region 42 toward the first region 41 side. For this reason, when wiping the first area 41, the wiper 61 moves in the opposite direction with respect to the nozzle formation surface Ha as compared with the wiping of the second area 42 described above.

  Thus, prior to the wiping operation, the control device CONT tilts the wiper 61 so that the distal end portion 61a of the wiper 61 is disposed behind the wiping direction in the wiping direction. As shown in FIG. 12, in the wiping operation, the distal end portion 61a of the wiper 61 is deformed rearward in the wiping direction, so that a stable wiping operation is performed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the first region 41 covered with the first cap portion 51 and the second cap portion 52 in the nozzle formation surface Ha in a state of being in contact with the nozzle formation surface Ha, and Since the wiping unit WP that performs the wiping operation for wiping the second region 42 in a different direction (opposite direction) is provided and the posture of the wiping unit WP is adjusted according to the wiping direction prior to the wiping operation, nozzle formation The surface Ha and the wiping part WP can be smoothly brought into contact with each other. Thereby, a stable wiping operation can be performed.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the posture of the wiping unit WP is adjusted according to the wiping direction prior to the wiping operation has been described as an example. However, the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a configuration may be provided in which a rotating portion (second adjusting portion) 70 for rotating the head H clockwise or counterclockwise (around the X axis) in the drawing is provided.

  FIG. 13 shows an inclined state of the head H when the second region 42 is wiped off. As shown in FIG. 13, in this case, in order to move the head H to the -Y side, the head 61a of the wiper 61 is tilted backward in the wiping direction (+ Y direction) with respect to the nozzle forming surface Ha. The posture of H is adjusted. On the other hand, when wiping the first area 41, the head H is moved to the + Y side, so that the tip 61a of the wiper 61 is behind the wiping direction (−Y direction) with respect to the nozzle forming surface Ha. The head is rotated counterclockwise in the figure so as to tilt. In the configuration shown in FIG. 13, both the wiping unit WP and the head H may be inclined.

  In the above embodiment, a printing apparatus that employs an inkjet system as a printing system has been described. Further, the recording apparatus is not limited to a printing apparatus, and may be another recording apparatus such as a FAX apparatus, a copying apparatus, or a multi-function machine having a plurality of functions. Further, as the recording apparatus, a liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting head that ejects or ejects a small amount of liquid droplets other than ink may be employed.

  In addition, a droplet means the state of the liquid discharged from the said liquid ejecting apparatus, and shall also include what pulls a tail in granular shape, tear shape, and thread shape. The liquid here may be any material that can be ejected by the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, it may be in a state in which the substance is in a liquid phase, such as a liquid with high or low viscosity, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metal melts ) And a liquid as one state of a substance, as well as a material in which particles of a functional material made of a solid such as a pigment or metal particles are dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent. Further, representative examples of the liquid include ink and liquid crystal as described in the above embodiment.

  Here, the ink includes general water-based inks and oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks. As a specific example of the liquid ejecting apparatus, for example, a liquid containing a material such as an electrode material or a color material used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, a surface emitting display, or a color filter in a dispersed or dissolved form. It may be a liquid ejecting apparatus, a textile printing apparatus, or the like.

  PRT ... Printing device MN ... Maintenance unit CONT ... Control device H ... Head Ha ... Nozzle forming surface CP ... Capping unit WP ... Wiping unit NZ ... Nozzle NB ... Black nozzle NC, NM, NY ... Color nozzle 41 ... First region 42 ... 2nd area | region 51 ... 1st cap part 52 ... 2nd cap part 61 ... Wiper 62 ... Wiper drive part

Claims (6)

A liquid ejecting head having a nozzle forming surface on which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid are formed;
A plurality of cap portions covering different areas of the nozzle forming surface;
A wiping unit that performs a wiping operation for wiping the regions covered by the different cap portions in the nozzle forming surface in different directions while being in contact with the nozzle forming surface,
Prior to the wiping operation, a liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: a control unit that adjusts at least one posture of the liquid ejecting head and the wiping unit according to a wiping direction of the wiping unit. The plurality of cap portions are arranged so as to cover two adjacent regions of the nozzle forming surface one by one,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wiping unit wipes each of the two areas in opposite directions from a position between the two adjacent areas. The wiping portion is formed in a plate shape,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit adjusts the posture by changing an inclination angle of the wiping unit with respect to the nozzle formation surface. The said control part adjusts the said attitude | position so that the part contact | abutted to the said nozzle formation surface among the said wiping parts may incline back in the said wiping direction compared with the other part of the said wiping part. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of Items 3. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit includes a first adjustment unit that adjusts the posture of the wiping unit. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a second adjusting unit that adjusts the posture of the liquid ejecting head.

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