JP2014195972A - Liquid discharge unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To securely discharge a liquid, discharged to a liquid receptacle by flushing, from the liquid receptacle.SOLUTION: A nozzle cap 21 has three cap chips 41-43 arranged in a scanning direction. The cap chip 42 is fixed to the nozzle cap 21. The cap chips 41, 43 move in the scanning direction as the nozzle cap 21 moves up and down. After flushing, the nozzle cap 21 is lowered so as to put the cap chips 41, 43 close to the cap chip 42, and an ink reservoir 45a formed between the cap chip 41 and cap chip 42 and an ink reservoir 45b formed between the cap chip 42 and cap chip 43 are thereby made narrow in the scanning direction. In this state, a suction pump 22 is driven to suck ink in the ink reservoirs 45a, 45b.

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a nozzle.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1, so-called flushing is performed in which ink is ejected from the nozzle toward the cap member in order to prevent the nozzle formed on the nozzle forming surface of the head from drying. The ink discharged by the flushing and received by the cap member is sucked and discharged by a suction pump connected to the cap member. Further, in the ink jet recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1, for the purpose of eliminating clogging of the nozzle, the suction pump is driven in a state where the nozzle forming surface is sealed with the cap member, so So-called purge is performed to discharge the ink. The ink accumulated in the cap member by the purge is sucked and discharged by the suction pump.

Japanese Patent No. 4062991

  Here, since a relatively large amount of ink is discharged from the inkjet head in the purge, a relatively large amount of ink is accumulated in the cap member after the purge. Therefore, if the suction pump is driven after purging, the ink accumulated in the cap member can be sucked and discharged. On the other hand, in the flushing, the amount of ink discharged is small compared to the purge, and after the flushing, ink droplets having a small volume are attached to the portions of the cap member that are separated from each other. Therefore, even if the suction pump is driven after flushing, there is a possibility that the ink that has landed at a position away from the connection port of the cap member with the suction pump cannot be sucked.

  It seems that it may be sufficient to suck the ink accumulated in the cap member after the flushing is repeated many times and a certain amount of ink accumulates in the cap member, but in this case, the ink accumulates in the cap member. There is a possibility that ink that has previously adhered to the cap member is solidified and cannot be sucked.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejection device capable of reliably discharging the liquid discharged to the liquid receiver by flushing.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid discharge apparatus having a nozzle surface on which a plurality of nozzles are formed, a liquid receiver that receives liquid discharged from the plurality of nozzles by flushing, and a liquid receiver that is connected to the liquid receiver. A suction pump for sucking the liquid discharged to the liquid receiver, and a surface of the liquid receiver facing the nozzle surface, facing each other in a first direction along the nozzle surface, A pair of liquid reservoir forming members that form a liquid reservoir for storing the discharged liquid; and a relative movement mechanism that relatively moves the pair of liquid reservoir forming members in the first direction, the relative movement mechanism During flushing, the pair of liquid reservoir forming members are separated from each other in the first direction so that the liquid reservoir overlaps the plurality of nozzles, and the suction pump During suction, the pair of liquid reservoir formation member, that closer to each other in the first direction than during the flushing, narrowing the reservoir the liquid to said first direction.

  When the liquid is discharged to the liquid receiver by flushing, a plurality of droplets having a small volume adhere to the portions of the liquid receiver that are separated from each other. Therefore, even if the suction pump is operated while the liquid receiver is kept in the same state as that at the time of flushing, there is a possibility that liquid droplets far from the connection port of the liquid receiver with the suction pump cannot be sucked. In the present invention, flushing is performed in a state where the pair of liquid reservoir forming members are separated from each other, and then the pair of liquid reservoir forming members are brought closer to each other than at the time of flushing to narrow the liquid reservoir in the first direction. A plurality of discharged liquid droplets can be collected and integrated in a liquid reservoir. If the suction pump is operated in this state, the liquid discharged to the liquid receiver can be reliably sucked.

  The liquid ejection device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the liquid ejection device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the liquid reservoir formed between the pair of liquid reservoir forming members is the liquid receiver when suctioned by the suction pump. It overlaps with the connection port with the suction pump.

  According to the present invention, the liquid integrated in the liquid reservoir can be reliably sucked when sucked by the suction pump.

  A liquid ejection apparatus according to a third aspect is the liquid ejection apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the relative movement mechanism is configured such that the liquid receiver and the pair of liquid reservoir forming members are orthogonal to the nozzle surface. Among the pair of liquid reservoir forming members that move in the second direction and the pair of liquid reservoir forming members that move in the second direction, at least one liquid reservoir forming member is moved according to the movement in the second direction. And a guide member for guiding in the direction.

  According to the present invention, the pair of liquid reservoir forming members can be relatively moved in the first direction in conjunction with the movement of the liquid receiver in the second direction. Therefore, separately from the liquid receiver moving mechanism that moves the liquid receiver in the second direction, there is no need for power to move the pair of liquid reservoir forming members relative to each other in the first direction.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the liquid ejection device according to the third aspect, wherein the liquid receptacle and the pair of liquid reservoirs are moved to the liquid receptacle when the liquid receptacle moves in the second direction. A restricting portion that restricts relative movement of the forming member in the second direction is provided.

  According to the present invention, when the liquid receiver moves in the second direction, the restriction portion restricts relative movement of the liquid receiver and the liquid reservoir forming member in the second direction. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the liquid reservoir and the liquid reservoir forming member from moving relative to each other in the second direction, for example, by the liquid reservoir forming member being caught by the guide member.

  The liquid ejection device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the liquid ejection device according to the third or fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein the pair of liquid reservoir forming members are connected to each other as the liquid receiver approaches the nozzle surface. At least one of the pair of liquid reservoir forming members is guided in the first direction so as to be separated.

  According to the present invention, since the flushing is performed in a state where the liquid receiver is brought close to the nozzle surface, it is possible to prevent the liquid mist generated by the flushing from adhering to the other part of the liquid ejection device. .

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the liquid ejection device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein one of the pair of liquid reservoir forming members is formed with the other liquid reservoir. The opposed surface to the member is an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the second direction perpendicular to the nozzle surface so as to be positioned closer to the other opposed member as the distance from the nozzle surface increases. Moves at least one of the pair of liquid reservoir forming members in the first direction to move the pair of liquid reservoir forming members relative to each other in the first direction. The one liquid reservoir forming member is positioned at a position where the inclined surface faces the plurality of nozzles.

  According to the present invention, since the liquid discharged by the flushing lands on the inclined surface of one liquid reservoir forming member, when the pair of liquid reservoir forming members are brought close to each other after the flushing, the liquid is surely paired. The liquid reservoir forming members are integrated with each other between the opposing surfaces.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the liquid ejection device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein at least one of the pair of liquid reservoir formation members, or the liquid receiver. And a blocking portion that closes an end of the liquid reservoir on the nozzle surface side by overlapping with the liquid reservoir in a second direction orthogonal to the nozzle surface during suction by the suction pump.

  If the liquid in the liquid reservoir leaks from the nozzle surface side end and flows to the nozzle surface side surface of the liquid reservoir forming member, the liquid leaked by the suction pump may not be sufficiently sucked. In the present invention, since the end of the liquid reservoir on the nozzle surface side is closed by the closing portion during suction by the suction pump, it is possible to prevent the liquid from leaking from the end of the liquid reservoir on the nozzle surface side.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the liquid ejection device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the connection port of the liquid receiver with the suction pump is the liquid reservoir during suction by the suction pump. A portion of the end of the liquid reservoir on the nozzle surface side in the second direction other than the portion overlapping with the connection port is closed by the blocking portion during suction by the suction pump. Opened by not being.

  If the end of the liquid reservoir nozzle is completely closed, there is a possibility that when the suction pump is driven, air is not sufficiently introduced into the liquid reservoir, and the liquid in the liquid reservoir cannot be sufficiently sucked. is there. In the present invention, since a part of the nozzle surface side end of the liquid reservoir is opened, air is easily introduced into the liquid reservoir when the suction pump is operated to suck the liquid in the gap. Further, since the portion of the end of the liquid reservoir on the nozzle surface side that does not overlap the connection port with the suction pump is opened, the liquid in the reservoir is not sucked and only air is not sucked. Therefore, the liquid in the liquid reservoir can be reliably sucked.

  A liquid ejection apparatus according to a ninth aspect is the liquid ejection apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the plurality of nozzles includes a plurality of nozzle rows arranged in a direction orthogonal to the first direction. The plurality of nozzle rows are arranged along the first direction, and different types of liquids are ejected from the nozzles forming each nozzle row and face the nozzle surface of the liquid receiver. 3 or more of the liquid reservoir forming members arranged along the first direction are arranged, and among the three or more liquid reservoir forming members, two adjacent liquid reservoir forming members are respectively provided. The pair of liquid reservoir forming members that form the liquid reservoir corresponding to each nozzle row, and the three or more liquid reservoir forming members are discharged from the nozzles forming the first nozzle row by flushing. Pool liquid A pair of liquid reservoir forming members for forming the liquid reservoir for the purpose, wherein only one of the liquid reservoir forming members is guided in the first direction by the guide member, or both of the liquid reservoir forming members Are discharged from nozzles forming a pair of first liquid reservoir forming members and a second nozzle row different from the first nozzle row, which are guided to opposite sides in the first direction by the guide member. A pair of liquid reservoir forming members for forming the liquid reservoir for storing the liquid, wherein both of the liquid reservoir forming members are guided to the same side in the first direction by the guide member. A nozzle that forms the second nozzle row has a flushing amount greater than that of the nozzle that forms the first nozzle row, and the suction of the pair of second liquid reservoir forming members during suction by the pump Before the interval It is larger than the distance between the pair of the first reservoir forming member.

  Since the pair of second liquid reservoir forming members are guided to the same side in the first direction by the guide member, in order to bring the pair of second liquid reservoir forming members closer, the amount of movement of the one second liquid reservoir forming member Need to be larger. However, since the liquid reservoir forming member is guided in the first direction by the guide member in accordance with the movement of the liquid receiver in the second direction, the movement amount of one of the second liquid reservoir forming members is set to the other second liquid reservoir forming member. It may be difficult to make it sufficiently large with respect to the moving amount of the two-liquid reservoir forming member. If the amount of movement of one second liquid reservoir forming member is not sufficiently large relative to the amount of movement of the other second liquid reservoir forming member, a pair of second liquid reservoirs are formed during suction by the suction pump. The distance between the members may be larger than the distance between the pair of first liquid reservoir forming members. In the present invention, since the ink is discharged from the nozzle having a large flushing amount into the liquid reservoir formed between the pair of second liquid reservoir forming members, the liquid in the liquid reservoir is surely integrated when sucked by the suction pump. It becomes.

  According to the present invention, flushing is performed in a state where the pair of liquid reservoir forming members are separated from each other, and then, the liquid reservoir is narrowed in the first direction by bringing the pair of liquid reservoir forming members closer than at the time of flushing. A plurality of droplets discharged to the receiver can be collected and integrated in the liquid reservoir. If the suction pump is operated in this state, the liquid discharged to the liquid receiver can be reliably sucked.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an inkjet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of a nozzle cap, (a) has shown the state at the time of flushing, (b) has shown the state at the time of idle suction. (A) is the IIIA-IIIA sectional view taken on the line of Fig.2 (a). (A) is the IIIB-IIIB sectional view taken on the line of FIG.2 (b). It is a figure equivalent to Fig.3 (a) at the time of a suction purge. (A) is a figure equivalent to Drawing 2 (a) of modification 1. FIG. 2B is a diagram corresponding to FIG. FIG. 3A is a diagram corresponding to FIG. FIG. 3B is a diagram corresponding to FIG. (A) is a figure equivalent to Drawing 3 (a) of modification 2. FIG. 3B is a diagram corresponding to FIG. FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. (A) is a figure equivalent to Drawing 2 (a) of modification 3. FIG. 2B is a diagram corresponding to FIG.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes a carriage 2, an inkjet head 3, a transport roller 4, a maintenance unit 5, and the like. The carriage 2 is supported by two guide rails 6 extending in the scanning direction (the first direction of the present invention), and reciprocates along the guide rail 6 in the scanning direction. In the following, the right and left sides in the scanning direction are defined as shown in FIG. 1, and the right and left sides in the scanning direction are simply referred to as the right and left sides. The inkjet head 3 is mounted on the carriage 2 and ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles 10 formed on the nozzle surface 3a which is the lower surface thereof. The plurality of nozzles 10 are arranged in a transport direction orthogonal to the scanning direction, thereby forming two nozzle rows 9. The two nozzle rows 9 are arranged along the scanning direction. The conveyance rollers 4 are disposed on both sides of the inkjet head 3 in the conveyance direction, and convey the recording paper P in the conveyance direction.

  In the printer 1, printing is performed on the recording paper P by ejecting ink from the inkjet head 3 that reciprocates in the scanning direction together with the carriage 2 while transporting the recording paper P in the transport direction by the transport roller 4.

  The maintenance unit 5 includes a nozzle cap 21, a suction pump 22, a waste liquid tank 23, and the like.

  The nozzle cap 21 (the liquid receiver of the present invention) is made of a rubber material and is disposed at a predetermined position on the right side of the area where the recording paper P is conveyed. The nozzle cap 21 faces the nozzle surface 3a when the carriage 2 has moved to a position on the right side of the area where the recording paper P is conveyed. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the nozzle cap 21 can be moved in the vertical direction (second direction of the present invention) by an elevating mechanism 26 (liquid receiving and moving mechanism of the present invention).

  The upper surface 31 of the nozzle cap 21 is provided with a lip 32 that continuously extends over the entire circumference of the edge and projects upward from the other portions. Thereby, a space 33 surrounded by the upper surface 31 and the lip 32 is formed in the nozzle cap 21.

  In the space 33 of the nozzle cap 21, three cap chips 41 to 43 (a liquid reservoir forming member of the present invention) are arranged. The cap chips 41 to 43 are made of a synthetic resin material and are arranged in the scanning direction. The cap chips 41 to 43 are slightly shorter in the transport direction than the space 33, and a gap is formed between the end faces on both sides of the cap chips 41 to 43 in the transport direction and the lip 32. .

  The cap chip 42 located at the center of the cap chips 41 to 43 is disposed at a substantially central portion in the scanning direction of the space 33 and is fixed to the nozzle cap 21. The left side surface 42a of the cap chip 42 is an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that the lower part is positioned on the right side. The right side surface 42b of the cap chip 42 is an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that the lower side portion is positioned on the left side.

  The cap chip 41 arranged on the left side is not fixed to the nozzle cap 21 and can move in the scanning direction in the space 33. Further, the right side surface 41a of the cap chip 41 is an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that the lower portion is positioned on the right side, and is substantially parallel to the left side surface 42a of the cap chip 42. ing. And between the cap chip 41 and the cap chip 42, an ink reservoir 45a (a liquid reservoir of the present invention) for storing ink is formed.

  The cap chip 43 arranged on the right side is not fixed to the nozzle cap 21 and can move in the scanning direction in the space 33. Further, the left side surface 43a of the cap chip 43 is an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that the lower portion is positioned on the left side, and is substantially parallel to the right side surface 42b of the cap chip 42. ing. And between the cap chip 42 and the cap chip 43, an ink reservoir 45b for storing ink (the liquid reservoir of the present invention) is formed.

  In the present embodiment, among the three cap chips 41 to 43, the cap chip 41 and the cap chip 42, and the cap chip 42 and the cap chip 43 are each a pair of liquid reservoir forming members of the present invention. Equivalent to.

  The nozzle cap 21 is provided with two guide members 46. The two guide members 46 each have a vertical part 46a and an inclined part 46b. The vertical portion 46a extends in the vertical direction, and its lower end is fixed to a frame (not shown) of the printer 1 or the like. The inclined portion 46b is connected to the upper end portion of the vertical portion 46a, and extends while being inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that the upper portion is located on the left side.

  Here, in the nozzle cap 21, two through holes 34 extending in the vertical direction are formed in a portion on the left side of the central portion in the scanning direction among the portions forming both ends of the space 33 in the transport direction. Yes. The vertical portions 46 a of the two guide members 46 are inserted through the two through holes 34. Further, a notch 34 a is formed in a portion excluding the lower end portion of the through hole 34 so that a part of the inclined portion 46 b can be inserted into the through hole 34. In addition, two through holes 41b extending substantially parallel to the inclined portion 46b are formed at both ends of the cap chip 41 in the conveying direction. The inclined portions 46b of the two guide members 46 are inserted through the two through holes 41b.

  Accordingly, when the nozzle cap 21 is moved in the vertical direction by the lifting mechanism 26, the cap chip 41 is moved in the vertical direction together with the nozzle cap 21, and is also guided in the inclined portion 46b of the guide member 46 and moved in the scanning direction. To do. Specifically, the cap chip 41 moves to the left when the nozzle cap 21 is raised, and the cap chip 41 moves to the right when the nozzle cap 21 is lowered.

  The nozzle cap 21 is provided with two guide members 47. The two guide members 47 each have a vertical portion 47a and an inclined portion 47b. The vertical portion 47a extends in the vertical direction, and its lower end is fixed to a frame (not shown) of the printer 1 or the like. The inclined portion 47b is connected to the upper end portion of the vertical portion 47a and extends while being inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that the upper portion is located on the right side. Note that the guide member 47 is formed by arranging the same components that form the guide member 46 in different directions.

  Here, in the nozzle cap 21, two through holes 35 extending in the vertical direction are formed in a portion on the right side of the central portion in the scanning direction among the portions forming both ends of the space 33 in the transport direction. Yes. The vertical portions 47 a of the two guide members 47 are inserted into the two through holes 35. Further, a notch 35 a is formed in a portion excluding the lower end portion of the through hole 35 so that a part of the inclined portion 47 b can be inserted into the through hole 35. In addition, two through holes 43b extending substantially parallel to the inclined portion 47b are formed at both ends of the cap chip 43 in the conveying direction. The inclined portions 47b of the two guide members 47 are inserted through the two through holes 43b.

  Thereby, when the nozzle cap 21 is moved in the vertical direction by the lifting mechanism 26, the cap chip 43 is moved in the vertical direction together with the nozzle cap 21, and is also guided in the inclined portion 47b of the guide member 47 and moved in the scanning direction. To do. Specifically, the cap chip 43 moves to the right when the nozzle cap 21 is raised, and the cap chip 43 moves to the left when the nozzle cap 21 is lowered.

  Further, a portion of the lip 32 positioned at the upstream end in the transport direction of the nozzle cap 21 is provided with a stopper 36 a that extends downstream in the transport direction and is positioned in the space 33. In addition, a stopper 36 b that extends upstream in the transport direction and is located in the space 33 is provided at a portion of the lip 32 that is positioned at the downstream end of the transport direction. The stoppers 36a and 36b are positioned above the cap chips 41 to 43 and extend in the scanning direction across the cap chips 41 to 43. Thereby, when the stoppers 36a and 36b contact the cap chips 41 to 43, the relative movement in the vertical direction between the nozzle cap 21 and the cap chips 41 to 43 is restricted. Therefore, even when the cap chips 41 and 43 are caught by the guide members 46 and 47 when the nozzle cap 21 is moved in the vertical direction by the elevating mechanism 26, the cap chips 41 to 43 are detached from the nozzle cap 21. Is prevented. 2A and 2B, the stoppers 36a and 36b are shown by two-dot chain lines to make the drawing easier to see, and the cap chips 41 to 43 are located below the stoppers 36a and 36b. Is shown by a solid line.

  The nozzle cap 21 is provided with a connection channel 37. The connection flow path 37 penetrates the end portion on the downstream side in the transport direction of the substantially central portion in the scanning direction of the nozzle cap 21 in the vertical direction, and the upper end portion thereof opens to the upper surface 31 of the nozzle cap 21. It is a mouth 37a. The connection port 37a overlaps the cap chip 42 in plan view, and the diameter thereof is longer than the length in the scanning direction at the lower end portion of the cap chip 42. Thereby, the connection port 37a always overlaps the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b regardless of the positions of the cap chips 41 and 43. A tube 25a is connected to the end of the connection channel 37 opposite to the connection port 37a.

  The suction pump 22 is a tube pump or the like, and is connected to the nozzle cap 21 via a tube 25a. The waste liquid tank 23 is connected to the suction pump 22 via the tube 25b.

  Next, a maintenance operation in the printer 1 will be described. In the printer 1, as a maintenance operation, in order to prevent the ink in the nozzle 10 from drying and the like, flushing that discharges ink from the nozzle 10 to the nozzle cap 21, and to discharge foreign matters and bubbles in the inkjet head 3 Then, the suction purge for sucking the ink in the inkjet head 3 from the nozzle 10 is performed.

  The flushing will be described. In the printer 1, except when performing suction purge or idle suction described later, as shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 3 (a), the nozzle cap 21 has an upper end portion of the lip 32 that is more than the nozzle surface 3a. It is located at a height that is located slightly below. Then, the carriage 2 is moved to a position where the nozzle surface 3 a faces the nozzle cap 21, and in this state, ink is ejected from the nozzle 10 to perform flushing. At this time, of the two nozzle rows 9 of the inkjet head 3, the left nozzle row 9 faces the side surface 41 a of the cap chip 41, and the right nozzle row 9 faces the side surface 43 a of the cap chip 43. Thereby, the ink discharged from the nozzle 10 by the flushing is landed on the side surfaces 41 a and 43 a of the cap chips 41 and 43.

  Further, in the printer 1, the suction pump 22 is driven immediately after the flushing or after the flushing is performed a predetermined number of times, thereby performing idle suction for sucking the ink in the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b by the suction pump 22. . Ink discharged from the ink reservoirs 45 a and 45 b due to idle suction is stored in the waste liquid tank 23.

  When performing the idle suction, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B, the suction pump 22 is driven after the nozzle cap 21 is lowered by the elevating mechanism 26 from the time of flushing. When the nozzle cap 21 is lowered, the cap chip 41 is guided to the inclined portion 46b and moves to the right side, and approaches the cap chip 42. Further, the cap chip 43 is guided to the inclined portion 47 b and moves to the left side, and approaches the cap chip 42. As a result, the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b are narrowed in the scanning direction.

  The amount of ink discharged from the nozzles 10 during flushing is usually not very large. Therefore, after flushing, as shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 3A, the upper surface of the side surface 41a of the cap chip 41 and a plurality of parts separated from each other in the transport direction of the side surface 43a of the cap chip 43 In addition, an ink droplet I having a small volume is attached. Therefore, unlike the present embodiment, there is a possibility that ink that has landed at a position away from the connection port 37a cannot be sucked even if the suction pump 22 is driven while the flushing is performed.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the suction pump 22 is driven after the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b are narrowed in the scanning direction. When the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b are narrowed in the scanning direction, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B, the ink droplets I that have landed at positions separated from each other are integrated. If the suction pump 22 is driven in this state, the integrated ink is sucked. Thereby, the ink discharged to the nozzle cap 21 by the flushing can be reliably discharged.

  At this time, since the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b overlap the connection port 37a, the ink in the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b is surely discharged when the suction pump 22 is driven.

  In the present embodiment, the ink discharged by the flushing is landed on the side surface 41 a of the cap chip 41 and the side surface 43 a of the cap chip 43. Therefore, the ink discharged to the nozzle cap 21 by the flushing is performed when the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b are narrowed in the scanning direction, the side surface 41a of the cap chip 41, the side surface 42a of the cap chip 42, and the side surface 42a of the cap chip 42. And the side surface 43a of the cap chip 43, and is surely integrated.

  In the present embodiment, the cap chips 41 and 43 guided by the guide members 46 and 47 are separated from the cap chip 42 and the nozzle cap 21 is lowered as the nozzle cap 21 rises and approaches the nozzle surface 3a. The further away from the nozzle surface 3a, the closer to the cap chip 42. Therefore, flushing is performed in a state where the nozzle surface 3a and the nozzle cap 21 are close to each other. As a result, ink mist generated by flushing is less likely to adhere to portions other than the nozzle cap 21 of the printer 1.

  In the present embodiment, when the nozzle cap 21 is moved in the vertical direction by the lifting mechanism 26, the cap chips 41 to 43 provided on the nozzle cap 21 are also moved in the vertical direction. Further, the cap chips 41 and 43 are guided by the guide members 46 and 47 and moved in the scanning direction. Therefore, the power for moving the cap chips 41 and 43 in the scanning direction is not required separately from the lifting mechanism 26 for moving the nozzle cap 21 in the vertical direction.

  Next, suction purge will be described. When performing the suction purge, as shown in FIG. 4, the carriage 2 is moved to a position where the nozzle surface 3 a overlaps the nozzle cap 21, and the nozzle cap 21 is raised by the lifting mechanism 26, so that the upper end of the lip 32 is moved. The nozzle surface 3a is brought into contact. Thereby, the nozzle surface 3 a is covered with the nozzle cap 21. When the suction pump 22 is driven in this state, the ink in the ink jet head 3 is discharged from the nozzle 10 together with foreign matters and bubbles in the ink.

  Further, after the suction purge, the nozzle cap 21 is lowered by the elevating mechanism 26 so that the upper end of the lip 32 is separated from the nozzle surface 3a, and the same idle suction as described above is performed to perform the suction purge. As a result, the ink accumulated in the space 33 is discharged. However, in the suction purge, a larger amount of ink is discharged than in the flushing, and after the suction purge, the space 33 is filled with ink. Therefore, when performing the idle suction after the suction purge, the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b need not be narrowed in the scanning direction. That is, in the idle suction after the suction purge, the suction pump 22 may be driven in a state where the nozzle cap 21 is positioned at a different height from that in the idle suction after the flushing.

  Next, modified examples in which various changes are made to the present embodiment will be described. However, description of components having the same configuration as in this embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

  In one modified example (modified example 1), as shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B, the height of the cap chip 42 is higher than the height of the cap chips 41 and 43. Is also high. The upper end portion of the cap chip 42 has an overhanging portion 51 (the closing portion of the present invention) protruding from the left side surface to the left side, and an overhanging portion 52 (an obstruction portion of the present invention) protruding from the right side surface to the right side. ) And are provided. Further, the overhang portions 51 and 52 extend over a portion excluding an end portion of the cap chip 42 on the upstream side in the transport direction in the transport direction.

  Also in this case, as in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 6A, the left nozzle row 9 faces the side surface 41a of the cap chip 41, and the right nozzle row 9 Is flushed with the side surface 43a of the cap chip 43 facing. After the flushing, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 6B, the cap chip 41 and the cap chip 42, and the cap chip 42 and the cap chip 43 are brought close to the scanning direction, respectively, and the ink reservoir 45a, In a state where 45b is narrowed in the scanning direction, the suction pump 22 is driven to perform idle suction.

  In the case of the first modification, the overhang portions 51 and 52 are provided on the cap chip 42 as described above. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 6B, when the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b are narrowed in the scanning direction, the tip of the overhanging portion 51 is positioned on the upper surface of the cap chip 41, The leading end of the protruding portion 52 is located on the upper surface of the cap chip 43. As a result, the portion excluding the upstream end of the ink reservoir 45a in the transport direction is blocked by the overhang 51, and the portion of the ink reservoir 45b excluding the upstream end in the transport direction is overhanging. Blocked by the part 52.

  Here, if the upper ends of the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b are not blocked when the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b are narrowed in the scanning direction, the ink discharged by the flushing is integrated in the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b. Sometimes, the ink overflows from the upper ends of the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b and flows into the upper surfaces of the cap chips 41 to 43. If the ink flows into the upper surfaces of the cap chips 41 to 43, the ink flowing into the upper surfaces of the cap chips 41 to 43 may not be sucked even if the suction pump 22 is driven.

  In the first modification, as described above, when the ink reservoirs 45 a and 45 b are narrowed in the scanning direction, the upper ends of the ink reservoirs 45 a and 45 b are blocked by the overhang portions 51 and 52. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the ink integrated in the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b from leaking from the upper ends of the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b.

  Here, unlike the first modification, the overhang portions 51 and 52 extend over the entire length of the cap chip 42 in the transport direction, and the upper ends of the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b are overhang over the entire region. If the ink is blocked, when the suction pump 22 is driven to suck the ink in the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b, air is not sufficiently introduced into the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b, and the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b There is a possibility that the ink in 45b cannot be sufficiently sucked.

  On the other hand, in the modified example 1, as described above, the overhang portions 51 and 52 extend in the transport direction across the portion excluding the end portion of the cap chip 42 on the upstream side in the transport direction. For this reason, the upstream ends of the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b in the transport direction (the portion excluding the portion overlapping the connection port 37a of the present invention) are not blocked by the overhanging portions 51 and 52 and are opened. ing. Accordingly, when the suction pump 22 is driven to suck the ink in the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b, air is sufficiently introduced into the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b from the opened portions. On the other hand, at this time, the portions of the upper ends of the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b that do not overlap with the connection port 37a are opened, so that when the suction pump 22 is driven, the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b are not sucked. Only the air introduced into is not sucked. From the above, the ink in the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b can be reliably sucked.

  When the overhang portions 51 and 52 are provided on the cap chip 42, the overhang portions 51 and 52 overlap with a part of the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b even during flushing. Therefore, when providing the overhang portions 51 and 52, it is necessary to set the overhang amounts of the overhang portions 51 and 52 so that the overhang portions 51 and 52 and the nozzle 10 do not overlap during flushing.

  In the first modification, the upper ends of the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b are blocked by the overhang portions 51 and 52 except for the upstream end in the transport direction. The upper end of each may be covered with the overhanging portions 51 and 52 over the entire area. Even in this case, the ink in the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b can be sucked if the air is sufficiently introduced from the openings at both ends in the transport direction of the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b.

  In the first modification, the cap chip 42 is provided with the overhang portions 51 and 52 for closing the upper ends of the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an overhang portion that protrudes toward the cap chip 42 may be provided at the upper end of the cap chips 41 and 43. Alternatively, the nozzle cap 21 is provided with a plate-like member that is located on the upper surface of the cap chip 42 and whose length in the scanning direction is longer than that of the cap chip 42. The upper ends of the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b may be blocked by the protruding portions.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the side surfaces 41a, 42a, 42b, 43a of the cap chips 41 to 43 are inclined surfaces that are inclined with respect to the vertical direction, and the left nozzle row 9 and the cap chip at the time of flushing. Although the side surface 41a of 41 opposes and the nozzle row 9 of the right side and the side surface 43a of the cap chip 43 oppose, it is not restricted to this. For example, at the time of flushing, the left nozzle row 9 and the side surface 41a may not be opposed to each other, or the right nozzle row 9 and the side surface 43a may not be opposed to each other. In this case, the inclination directions of the side surfaces 41a, 42a, 42b, and 43a of the cap chips 41 to 43 may be opposite to those in the above-described embodiment. Alternatively, the side surfaces 41a, 42a, 42b, 43a in the scanning direction of the cap chips 41 to 43 may be surfaces parallel to the vertical direction.

  In the above-described embodiment, the two nozzle rows 9 are formed in the inkjet head 3, whereas the nozzle cap 21 is provided with the three cap chips 41 to 43, so that the left nozzle row 9 is provided. Although the ink reservoir 45a corresponding to No. 4 and the ink reservoir 45b corresponding to the left nozzle row 9 are separately provided, the present invention is not limited to this.

  In another modification (Modification 2), as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, two cap chips 61 and 62 arranged in the scanning direction are provided in the nozzle cap 21, and the cap chip 61 is provided. An ink reservoir 65 is formed between the cap chip 62 and the cap chip 62. The right side surface 61a of the cap chip 61 extends in parallel with the vertical direction. Further, the cap chip 61 is formed with a through hole 61b similar to the through hole 41b, and the inclined portion 46b of the guide member 46 is inserted into the through hole 61b. The left side surface 62a of the cap chip 62 extends in parallel with the vertical direction. Further, the cap chip 62 is formed with a through hole 62b similar to the through hole 43b, and the inclined portion 47b of the guide member 47 is inserted into the through hole 62b.

  When flushing, as shown in FIG. 7A, the side surface 61a of the cap chip 61 is positioned on the left side of the nozzles 10 forming the left nozzle row 9, and the side surface 62a of the cap chip 62 is on the right side. It is located on the right side of the nozzles 10 forming the nozzle row 9. Thereby, the ink discharged from the nozzle 10 by the flushing is landed on a portion of the upper surface 31 of the nozzle cap 21 positioned between the side surface 61a and the side surface 62a.

  Then, when empty suction is performed after flushing, the nozzle cap 21 is lowered. Then, the cap chip 61 and the cap chip 62 are brought close to the scanning direction, and the ink reservoir 65 is narrowed in the scanning direction. Thereby, the ink in the ink reservoir 65 discharged by the flushing is integrated. In this state, the ink stored in the ink reservoir 65 can be reliably discharged by driving the suction pump 22.

  In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of nozzles 10 form two nozzle rows 9, but the plurality of nozzles 10 may form one or three or more nozzle rows 9. For example, in another modification (Modification 3), as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of nozzles 10 forms three nozzle rows 9 arranged in the scanning direction. Then, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks are ejected from the nozzles 10 forming each nozzle row 9 in order from the right nozzle row 9.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, in addition to the three cap chips 41 to 43 being arranged on the nozzle cap 21, a cap chip 71 is arranged on the right side of the cap chip 43. However, in Modification 3, the right side surface 43c of the cap chip 43 is an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that the lower part is positioned on the left side. The left side surface 71 a of the cap chip 71 is an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that the lower part is positioned on the left side, and is substantially parallel to the right side surface 43 c of the cap chip 43. ing. Thereby, an ink reservoir 75 is formed between the cap chip 43 and the cap chip 71. In this case, the cap chip 41 and the cap chip 42, the cap chip 42 and the cap chip 43, and the cap chip 43 and the cap chip 71 correspond to a pair of liquid reservoir forming members according to the present invention, respectively.

  The nozzle cap 21 is provided with a guide member 72. The guide member 72 has a vertical portion 72a similar to the vertical portion 47a and an inclined portion 72b similar to the inclined portion 47b. In the guide member 72, the vertical portion 72 a is inserted into the through hole 73 formed in the nozzle cap 21, and the inclined portion 72 b is inserted into the through hole 71 b formed in the cap chip 71. Here, the through hole 73 is the same as the through hole 35, and the through hole 71b is the same as the through hole 43b. Thereby, the cap chip 71 is guided in the scanning direction by the guide member 72 according to the movement of the nozzle cap 21 in the vertical direction. At this time, the cap chip 43 and the cap chip 71 are guided by substantially the same amount to the same side in the scanning direction.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 9A, in the flushing, magenta ink ejected from the nozzles 10 forming the left nozzle row 9 lands on the side surface 41 a of the cap chip 41. Further, the cyan ink ejected from the nozzles 10 forming the central nozzle row 9 lands on the side surface 43 a of the cap chip 43. Further, yellow ink ejected from the nozzles 10 forming the right nozzle row 9 lands on the side surface 71 a of the cap chip 71.

  When the nozzle cap 21 is lowered by the elevating mechanism 26 during idle suction after flushing, the ink reservoir 45a is narrowed in the scanning direction by moving the cap chip 41 to the right as in the above-described embodiment. As the cap chip 43 moves to the left, the ink reservoir 45b is narrowed in the scanning direction. Thus, as in the above-described embodiment, magenta ink is collected and integrated in the ink reservoir 45a, and cyan ink is collected and integrated in the ink reservoir 45b. Accordingly, when the suction pump 22 is driven in this state, the magenta and cyan inks in the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b can be reliably sucked.

  On the other hand, the cap chip 71 also moves to the left side, but as described above, the cap chip 43 and the cap chip 71 move to the left side by substantially the same movement amount. For this reason, the ink reservoir 75 is not narrowed in the scanning direction. However, yellow ink is lighter than cyan ink and magenta ink, and changes in color when mixed with other color inks are large. Therefore, normally, the nozzle 10 that discharges yellow ink (on the right side) The flushing amount in the nozzles 10) forming the nozzle row 9 is larger than the flushing amount in the nozzles 10 ejecting cyan ink and magenta ink (nozzles 10 forming the left and center nozzle rows 9). Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the yellow ink discharged from each nozzle 10 to the ink reservoir 75 is integrated even if the ink reservoir 75 is not narrowed in the scanning direction. Therefore, when the suction pump 22 is driven, the yellow ink in the ink reservoir 75 can be reliably sucked.

  In the third modification, the guide member 72 is the same as the guide member 47, and the guide member 46 and the guide member 47 are only changed in direction. Therefore, in the third modification, the guide members 46, 47, and 72 can be configured with common parts.

  In the third modification, the guide member 72 may not be the same as the guide member 47, and the inclined portion 72b may be inclined more largely in the vertical direction than the inclined portion 47b. In this case, the movement amount of the cap chip 71 when the nozzle cap 21 is moved in the vertical direction is larger than the movement amount of the cap chip 43. Thus, when the nozzle cap 21 is lowered, the cap chip 71 approaches the cap chip 43, and the ink reservoir 75 can be narrowed in the scanning direction.

  However, in order to increase the amount of movement of the cap chips 41, 43 in the scanning direction when the nozzle cap 21 is moved in the vertical direction to some extent, the guide members 46, 47 are arranged so that the inclined portions 46b, 47b are in the vertical direction. It must be inclined to a certain extent. Therefore, in this case, the guide member 72 is such that the inclined portion 72b is considerably inclined with respect to the vertical direction. However, if the inclination of the inclined portion 72b in the vertical direction is too large, when the nozzle cap 21 is moved in the vertical direction, the cap chip 71 is caught by the guide member 72, and the nozzle cap 21 is smoothly moved in the vertical direction. There is a risk that it will not be possible. Further, in this case, the guide member 72 needs to be constituted by a part different from the guide members 46 and 47, which is disadvantageous in terms of common parts.

  In Modification 3, a member that connects the cap chip 43 and the cap chip 71 may be provided so that the cap chip 71 moves in conjunction with the movement of the cap chip 43. In this case, when the cap chip 43 is guided by the guide member 47 and moves in the scanning direction, the cap chip 71 also moves in the scanning direction. Therefore, the cap chip 71 can be moved in the operation direction even without the guide member 72 and the through holes 71b and 73 for inserting the guide member 72.

  In the above-described embodiment, the inclined portion 46b of the guide member 46 is an inclined surface inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that the upper portion is positioned on the left side, and the inclined portion 47b of the guide member 47 is Although the inclined surface is inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that the upper part is positioned on the right side, the present invention is not limited to this. Contrary to the above-described embodiment, the inclined portion 46b of the guide member 46 is an inclined surface inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that the upper portion is positioned on the right side, and the inclined portion 47b of the guide member 47 is inclined. However, it may be an inclined surface inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that the upper part is located on the left side.

  However, in this case, after flushing, the nozzle cap 21 is raised to bring the cap chip 41 closer to the cap chip 42 and the ink reservoir 45a to narrow in the scanning direction, and the cap chip 43 is moved closer to the cap chip 42 and the ink. The reservoir 45b is narrowed in the scanning direction. Therefore, flushing is performed in a state where the nozzle surface 3a and the nozzle cap 21 are separated from each other as compared with the case of the above-described embodiment. As a result, ink mist generated by flushing is likely to adhere to portions other than the nozzle cap 21 of the printer 1.

  In the above-described embodiment, the cap chips 41 and 43 are guided by the guide members 46 and 47 and moved in the scanning direction in accordance with the movement of the cap chips 41 and 43 together with the nozzle cap 21. This is not a limitation. The cap chips 41 and 43 may be guided in the scanning direction by a guide member other than the guide members 46 and 47. Alternatively, the nozzle cap 21 may be provided with an actuator or the like that can move the cap chips 41 and 43 in the scanning direction regardless of whether the nozzle cap 21 is lifted or lowered by the lifting mechanism 26.

  In the above-described embodiment, the lip 32 of the nozzle cap 21 is provided with the stoppers 36a and 36b for preventing the cap chips 41 to 43 from falling off the nozzle cap 21, but the stopper 36a, 36b may not be provided. When the cap chips 41, 43 move smoothly with respect to the inclined portions 46b, 47b of the guide members 46, 47, etc., the nozzle cap 21 moves up and down without the stoppers 36a, 36b. The cap chips 41 to 43 do not fall out of the nozzle cap 21.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b overlap the connection port 37a when performing idle suction, but this is not a limitation. When the idle suction is performed, the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b may not be overlapped with the connection port 37a. Even in this case, similarly to the above-described embodiment, by narrowing the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b in the scanning direction, the ink discharged from the nozzles 10 to the ink reservoirs 45a and 45b by flushing can be collected and integrated. . When the suction pump 22 is driven in this state, the integrated ink flows through the gap between the end face in the transport direction of the cap chips 41 to 43 and the lip 32 and is sucked from the connection port 37a.

  Moreover, which cap chip is fixed to the nozzle cap 21 among the plurality of cap chips provided in the nozzle cap 21 and which cap chip can be moved in the scanning direction is limited to the one described above. Absent. As long as the distance between a pair of cap chips adjacent to each other in the scanning direction can be changed, any cap chip may be fixed to the nozzle cap 21 and which cap chip is in the scanning direction. It may be movable.

  In the above-described embodiment, the cap chips 41 to 43 are arranged at intervals in the scanning direction, and the cap chips 41 and 43 are movable in the scanning direction. The direction is not limited to this. For example, the cap chips 41 to 43 are arranged at intervals in the transport direction, and the cap chips 41 and 43 are movable in the transport direction. The cap chips are arranged in a direction different from the scanning direction. In addition, at least a part thereof may be movable in the direction.

  Moreover, although the example which applied this invention to the inkjet printer which prints by discharging an ink from a nozzle was demonstrated above, it is not restricted to this. The present invention can also be applied to a liquid ejecting apparatus other than an ink jet printer that ejects a liquid other than ink.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 3 Inkjet head 3a Nozzle surface 9 Nozzle row 10 Nozzle 21 Nozzle cap 22 Suction pump 26 Lifting mechanism 37a Connection port 45a, 45b Ink reservoir 41-43 Cap chip 41a, 43a, Side surface 46, 47 Guide member 51, 52 Overhang Part 61, 62 Cap chip 61a, 62b Side surface 71 Cap chip 71a Side surface 72 Guide member

Claims (9)

A liquid ejection head having a nozzle surface on which a plurality of nozzles are formed;
A liquid receiver for receiving liquid discharged from the plurality of nozzles by flushing;
A suction pump connected to the liquid receiver and sucking the liquid discharged to the liquid receiver;
A pair of liquids disposed on the surface of the liquid receiver facing the nozzle surface so as to oppose each other in the first direction along the nozzle surface and forming a liquid reservoir for storing the liquid discharged by flushing therebetween A reservoir forming member;
A relative movement mechanism for relatively moving the pair of liquid reservoir forming members in the first direction;
The relative movement mechanism is
At the time of flushing, by separating the pair of liquid reservoir forming members from each other in the first direction, the liquid reservoir overlaps the plurality of nozzles,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid reservoir is narrowed in the first direction by bringing the pair of liquid reservoir forming members closer to each other in the first direction than during flushing during suction by the suction pump.   2. The liquid according to claim 1, wherein the liquid reservoir formed between the pair of liquid reservoir forming members overlaps with a connection port of the liquid receiver with the suction pump when suctioned by the suction pump. Discharge device. The relative movement mechanism is
A liquid receiver moving mechanism for moving the liquid receiver in a second direction orthogonal to the nozzle surface together with the pair of liquid reservoir forming members;
A guide member that guides at least one liquid reservoir forming member of the pair of liquid reservoir forming members moving in the second direction in the first direction according to the movement in the second direction; The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is a liquid ejecting apparatus.   The liquid receiver is provided with a restricting portion that restricts relative movement of the liquid receiver and the pair of liquid reservoir forming members in the second direction when the liquid receiver moves in the second direction. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is a liquid ejecting apparatus.   The guide member guides at least one of the pair of liquid reservoir forming members in the first direction so that the pair of liquid reservoir forming members are separated from each other as the liquid receiver approaches the nozzle surface. The liquid ejection device according to claim 3 or 4. Of the pair of liquid reservoir forming members, the other surface of the liquid reservoir forming member is opposed to the other liquid reservoir forming member with respect to the second direction perpendicular to the nozzle surface, so that the other surface becomes closer to the other surface. It is an inclined surface that is inclined to be located on the opposite member side of
The relative movement mechanism is
By moving at least one of the pair of liquid reservoir forming members in the first direction, the pair of liquid reservoir forming members is relatively moved in the first direction,
6. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at the time of flushing, the one liquid reservoir forming member is positioned at a position where the inclined surface faces the plurality of nozzles.   At least one liquid reservoir forming member of the pair of liquid reservoir forming members, or the liquid receiver, is overlapped with the liquid reservoir in a second direction orthogonal to the nozzle surface during suction by the suction pump. The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a closing portion that closes an end of the liquid reservoir on the nozzle surface side. The connection port of the liquid receiver with the suction pump is provided so as to overlap the liquid reservoir during suction by the suction pump,
At the time of suction by the suction pump, a portion of the end of the liquid reservoir on the nozzle surface side in the second direction except the portion overlapping with the connection port is opened by being not blocked by the blocking portion. The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 7. The plurality of nozzles form a plurality of nozzle rows arranged in a direction orthogonal to the first direction,
The plurality of nozzle rows are arranged along the first direction,
From the nozzles forming each nozzle row, different types of liquid are discharged,
Three or more liquid reservoir forming members arranged along the first direction are disposed on a surface of the liquid receiver facing the nozzle surface,
Of the three or more liquid reservoir forming members, two adjacent liquid reservoir forming members are each the pair of liquid reservoir forming members that form the liquid reservoir corresponding to each nozzle row. ,
The three or more liquid reservoir forming members are:
A pair of liquid reservoir forming members for forming the liquid reservoir for storing liquid discharged from nozzles forming a first nozzle row by flushing, wherein only one of the liquid reservoir forming members is A pair of first liquid reservoir forming members guided in a first direction, or both of the liquid reservoir forming members guided by the guide members to opposite sides of the first direction;
A pair of liquid reservoir forming members for forming the liquid reservoir for storing liquid discharged from nozzles forming a second nozzle row different from the first nozzle row, wherein both of the liquid reservoir forming members are A pair of second liquid reservoir forming members guided to the same side in the first direction by the guide member,
The nozzles forming the second nozzle row have a larger flushing amount than the nozzles forming the first nozzle row,
The distance between the pair of second liquid reservoir forming members is larger than the distance between the pair of first liquid reservoir forming members during suction by the pump. The liquid ejection device according to any one of the above.

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