JP2016022636A - Liquid jet device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid jet device which moisturizes a nozzle with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A liquid jet device includes: a liquid jet part 15 having a nozzle 14 which may jet a liquid to a medium; a cap part 31 which may form a closed space in which a nozzle 14 opens; a discharge passage 34 in which an upstream end is connected with the cap part 31; a supply passage 35 in which a downstream end is connected with the cap part 31; and an attachment part 19 to which a liquid storage body 21 is detachably attached. The liquid storage body 21 includes: a liquid storage part 22 which stores the liquid jetted from the nozzle 14; and a moisturizer storage part 23 which stores a moisturizer for moisturizing the nozzle 14. When the cap part 31 forms the closed space, a downstream end of the discharge passage 34 and an upstream end of the supply passage 35 are connected with the moisturizer storage part 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus such as a printer.

  As an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus, in order to suppress drying of a nozzle that ejects ink, a closed space that covers the nozzle is formed by a cap unit, and waste liquid sucked and discharged from the nozzle is introduced into the cap unit to form a closed space. There is an ink jet printer that is moisturized (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-132690 A

  By the way, in the above-described liquid ejecting apparatus, the waste liquid discharged from the nozzle in the maintenance operation for suppressing or eliminating the clogging of the nozzle is reused as a moisturizing liquid for keeping the nozzle moist. Therefore, since there is no waste liquid for moisturizing until the maintenance operation is performed, there is a problem that the nozzle cannot be moisturized.

  On the other hand, if a tank for storing the moisturizing liquid for moisturizing the nozzle and a tube for supplying the moisturizing liquid from the tank to the cap are separately provided, the maintenance operation is not performed. However, in this case, there is a problem that the configuration of the apparatus becomes complicated.

Such a problem is not limited to printers that perform printing by ejecting ink, but is generally common in liquid ejecting apparatuses that require moisture retention of nozzles that eject liquid.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus capable of moisturizing a nozzle with a simple configuration.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above-described problems and the effects thereof will be described.
A liquid ejecting apparatus that solves the above problems includes a liquid ejecting unit having a nozzle capable of ejecting liquid to a medium, a cap unit capable of forming a closed space in which the nozzle opens, and an upstream end connected to the cap unit. A discharge channel, a supply channel whose downstream end is connected to the cap unit, and a mounting unit to which the liquid container is detachably mounted, and the liquid container is ejected from the nozzle. And a moisturizing liquid containing part for containing a moisturizing liquid for moisturizing the nozzle, and when the cap part forms the closed space, A downstream end and an upstream end of the supply flow path are connected to the moisturizing liquid storage unit.

  According to this configuration, when the cap part forms a closed space, the upstream end of the supply flow path whose downstream end is connected to the cap part is connected to the moisturizing liquid storage part that stores the moisturizing liquid. Thereby, the fluid (humidified gas humidified by the vapor of the moisturizing liquid or the evaporated moisturizing liquid) accommodated in the moisturizing liquid accommodating part can be supplied to the cap part through the supply channel, and the closed space can be moisturized. In addition, when the cap part forms a closed space, the downstream end of the discharge channel whose upstream end is connected to the cap part is connected to the moisturizing liquid storage part, so that the liquid discharged from the nozzle as waste liquid is discharged. It can be introduced into the moisturizing liquid container through the channel. That is, in the moisturizing liquid storage unit, the waste liquid can be stored in a space that is empty due to consumption of the moisturizing liquid, and after the moisturizing liquid is consumed, the waste liquid introduced into the moisturizing liquid storage unit is supplied. It can be supplied to the cap part through the flow path and reused as a moisturizing liquid. Therefore, the amount of moisturizing liquid stored in the moisturizing liquid storage part in advance can be reduced as compared with the case where the moisturizing liquid of the nozzle is supplemented with only the moisturizing liquid stored in the moisturizing liquid storage part. In addition, by storing a predetermined amount of moisturizing liquid in the moisturizing liquid storage unit in advance, if the liquid container is mounted on the mounting unit, the nozzle is moisturized even before the waste liquid is discharged from the nozzle. be able to. Furthermore, since the liquid container having the liquid container and the moisturizing liquid container is detachably mounted on the mounting part, the liquid stored in the liquid container is consumed and the liquid container is replaced. Thus, it is possible to collect the waste liquid stored in the moisturizing liquid storage unit. Therefore, the nozzle can be moisturized with a simpler structure than when the storage section for storing the moisturizing liquid and the storage section for storing the waste liquid are provided separately.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus, a connection portion connectable to the moisturizing liquid storage unit is provided at a downstream end of the discharge flow channel and an upstream end of the supply flow channel. A connection port to which the connection part is detachably connected is provided.

  According to this configuration, the discharge channel and the supply channel are connected by connecting the connection portion provided at the downstream end of the discharge channel and the upstream end of the supply channel to the connection port provided in the moisturizing liquid storage unit. It can be detachably connected to the moisturizing liquid container. Thus, after the liquid container is mounted on the mounting part, the discharge channel and the supply channel are connected to the moisturizing liquid container, and after the connection between the discharge channel and the supply channel is released, the liquid container is removed from the mounting unit. Therefore, the liquid container can be exchanged without removing the discharge channel and the supply channel from the apparatus.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a carriage that holds the liquid ejecting unit and the mounting unit and is movable between a home position where the cap unit is disposed and an ejecting region where the medium is disposed, When the carriage moves to the home position, the downstream end of the discharge channel and the upstream end of the supply channel are connected to the moisturizing liquid storage unit.

  According to this configuration, when the carriage moves to the home position, the downstream end of the discharge flow channel and the upstream end of the supply flow channel are connected to the moisturizing liquid container, so that maintenance for discharging the waste liquid from the nozzle at the home position is performed. In doing so, the waste liquid discharged from the nozzle can be stored in the moisturizing liquid storage section through the discharge flow path. Also, when the cap portion forms a closed space at the home position, fluid (humidity retention liquid, waste liquid as moisturization liquid, or humidified gas humidified by these moisturization liquids) stored in the moisturization liquid storage section is supplied. It can be introduced into the closed space through the flow path.

The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a vaporization device for vaporizing the liquid stored in the moisturizing liquid storage unit.
According to this configuration, since the vaporizer can vaporize the liquid stored in the moisturizing liquid storage portion, it is possible to introduce steam into the closed space formed by the cap, so that the nozzle is efficiently moisturized by this steam. Can do.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus, a suction portion capable of sucking the closed space is provided in the middle of the discharge channel, and the supply channel is closed in a valve-closed state in the middle of the supply channel. A valve is provided.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to perform suction cleaning in which a negative pressure is generated in the closed space and the liquid is discharged from the nozzle by driving the suction portion provided in the middle of the discharge flow path. Moreover, when performing suction cleaning, the negative pressure in the closed space can be maintained by closing the open / close valve provided in the middle of the supply flow path.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus, when the cap portion forms the closed space and the on-off valve is in an open state and the closed space communicates with the moisturizing liquid storage portion, the suction portion is By driving, the fluid in the moisturizing liquid container is supplied to the closed space through the supply channel.

  According to this configuration, when the cap portion forms a closed space and the on-off valve is in the open state, the suction portion is driven so that the fluid stored in the moisturizing liquid storage portion is supplied. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a drive unit for introducing the fluid stored in the moisturizing liquid storage unit into the closed space. That is, the discharge of the liquid from the closed space to the moisturizing liquid storage unit and the introduction of the fluid from the moisturizing liquid storage unit to the closed space can be performed by the suction unit, so that the nozzle is cleaned and moisturized with a simple configuration. Can do.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the open / close valve is in a closed state when the suction unit sucks the closed space, and is opened after the suction unit sucks the closed space, and The moisturizing liquid container is communicated.

  According to this configuration, when the opening / closing valve is in the closed state, if the suction portion sucks the closed space, the closed space becomes negative pressure. The fluid in the moisturizing liquid container flows into the closed space. As a result, the closed space can be humidified by the fluid in the moisturizing liquid container while simultaneously eliminating the negative pressure in the closed space.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of a liquid ejecting apparatus. The schematic diagram for demonstrating the structure of a liquid container and a liquid injection apparatus.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a liquid ejecting apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. The liquid ejecting apparatus is an ink jet printer that performs recording (printing) by ejecting ink, which is an example of liquid, on a medium such as paper.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 includes a casing 12, a medium support 13 that supports the medium S in the casing 12, and a medium S that is supported by the medium support 13. A liquid ejecting unit 15 having a nozzle 14 capable of ejecting water and a maintenance device 16 for performing maintenance of the liquid ejecting unit 15. The liquid ejecting unit 15 performs recording (printing) by ejecting liquid from the nozzle 14 in the ejecting direction Z onto the medium S transported in the transporting direction Y on the medium support unit 13.

  The liquid ejecting portion 15 is held by a carriage 18 that reciprocates along a guide portion 17 that extends in the moving direction X. The carriage 18 holds a mounting portion 19 to which the liquid container 21 is detachably mounted. The movement direction X, the transport direction Y, and the ejection direction Z are directions that intersect (preferably orthogonal) each other. In the present embodiment, the ejection direction Z is a direction that intersects the horizontal direction.

  The housing 12 is preferably provided with an opening 12a on a part of the wall surface and an opening / closing lid 12b that covers the opening 12a so as to be opened and closed. In this way, when the opening / closing lid 12b is disposed at the open position as shown in FIG. 1, the liquid container 21 mounted on the mounting portion 19 can be replaced through the opening 12a. If the opening 12a is provided, maintenance such as removal of the medium S through the opening 12a can be performed when the medium S is clogged.

  The mounting direction of the liquid container 21 with respect to the mounting portion 19 is indicated by an arrow in FIG. In the movement region of the carriage 18 extending in the movement direction X, a position where the liquid container 21 can be exchanged (for example, a position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1) is referred to as an exchange position.

  The liquid container 21 includes one or a plurality of liquid containers 22 that store the liquid ejected from the nozzles 14, and a moisturizing liquid container 23 that stores a moisturizing liquid for moisturizing the nozzles 14. . When the liquid ejecting unit 15 has a nozzle group capable of individually ejecting a plurality of types of liquids (for example, a plurality of colors of ink), the liquid container 21 includes a plurality of liquid storage units 22 that store different types of liquids. For example, when the liquid ejecting unit 15 ejects water-based ink, the moisturizing liquid can be water that is a solvent component for dissolving a dye or the like that is a solvent of the ink.

  The maintenance device 16 includes a cap portion 31 that can form a closed space where the nozzle 14 is opened, a moving mechanism 32 that moves the cap portion 31 along the injection direction Z, and a discharge flow whose upstream end is connected to the cap portion 31. A passage 34, a supply passage 35 whose downstream end is connected to the cap portion 31, and a connection mechanism 36 for the carriage 18 are provided.

  In the housing part 12, an area where the medium support part 13 is arranged is called an ejection area, and a position where the cap part 31 is arranged is called a home position. The home position is a position aligned with the injection region in the movement direction X, and is disposed outside the injection region (on the right side in FIG. 1). In the present embodiment, the moving direction X is a direction from the injection region toward the home position. In addition, it is preferable to arrange | position a home position in the position which is not exposed through the opening part 12a, even when arrange | positioning the opening-and-closing lid | cover 12b in an open position.

  The carriage 18 reciprocates in the ejection area along the movement direction X when the liquid ejecting unit 15 ejects liquid onto the medium S. Further, the carriage 18 moves from the recording area to the home position as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 when the liquid ejecting unit 15 does not perform the liquid ejecting operation on the medium S or when the power is turned off. When the moving mechanism 32 moves the cap unit 31 in a direction approaching the liquid ejecting unit 15 disposed at the home position, a closed space in which the nozzle 14 opens is formed between the cap unit 31 and the liquid ejecting unit 15. Capping is performed.

  A suction part 37 capable of sucking the closed space is provided in the middle of the discharge channel 34. In addition, an on-off valve 38 that can close the supply flow path 35 in the valve-closed state is provided at a midway position of the supply flow path 35.

  A connecting portion 34 a that can be connected to the moisturizing liquid storage portion 23 is provided at the downstream end of the discharge flow path 34, and can be connected to the moisturizing liquid storage portion 23 at the upstream end of the supply flow path 35. A connecting portion 35a is provided. In contrast, the moisturizing liquid storage portion 23 is provided with connection ports 24 and 25 to which the connection portions 34a and 35a are detachably connected.

  The connection mechanism 36 holds the discharge flow path 34 and the supply flow path 35 in such a posture that the tips of the connection portions 34a and 35a face the injection region. When the carriage 18 moves from the recording area to the home position, the connection portions 34 a and 35 a are connected to the connection ports 24 and 25 of the moisturizing liquid storage portion 23. As described above, the carriage 18 that holds the liquid ejecting unit 15 and the mounting unit 19 can move between the home position where the cap unit 31 is disposed and the ejecting region where the medium S is disposed. When moved to the position, the downstream end of the discharge channel 34 and the upstream end of the supply channel 35 are connected to the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23.

Next, the configuration of the liquid container 21 and the mounting portion 19 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 2, in the liquid container 21, the liquid container 22 may be, for example, a liquid container bag that contains a liquid or a liquid container chamber that contains a liquid. A liquid supply path 41 that communicates with the nozzle 14 is formed in the mounting portion 19.

  In addition, the mounting unit 19 is provided with a supply unit 42 that connects the liquid storage unit 22 to the liquid supply path 41 by being connected to the liquid storage unit 22 when the liquid storage unit 21 is mounted. In addition, when the supply part 42 protrudes or opens in the direction opposite to the mounting direction of the liquid container 21, the liquid storage part 22 and the supply part 42 are connected during the mounting operation of the liquid container 21. be able to.

  The moisturizing liquid storage portion 23 is formed, for example, by being surrounded by a concave portion 26 provided in a rigid body constituting the main body portion of the liquid storage body 21 and a film member 27 covering the opening of the concave portion 26. The film member 27 may be provided with a through hole 28 having a minute opening area to the extent that the gas in the moisturizing liquid storage portion 23 can escape to the outside and the liquid leakage can be suppressed. preferable. In addition, the connection ports 24 and 25 of the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23 are preferably covered with a film 29 having a strength that can be broken by the insertion of the connection units 34a and 35a.

  The connection mechanism 36 preferably holds the connection portions 34 a and 35 a so that the connection portion 35 a of the supply flow channel 35 is disposed vertically upward than the connection portion 34 a of the discharge flow channel 34. Further, in the moisturizing liquid storage section 23, when the liquid container 21 is mounted on the mounting section 19, the connection of the supply flow path 35 is more than the connection port 24 to which the connection section 34 a of the discharge flow path 34 is connected. The connection port 25 to which the portion 35a is connected is preferably positioned vertically upward.

  In the moisturizing liquid storage part 23, the absorbent material 30 capable of absorbing liquid is accommodated in a position on the lower side in the vertical direction, and a humidification space Sp in which the absorbent material 30 is not disposed is located at a position where the connection part 35a is opened. It is preferable to be provided.

Next, the operation of the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 configured as described above will be described.
First, the carriage 18 is disposed at the replacement position as shown in FIG. 1, and the liquid container 21 containing the liquid and the moisturizing liquid is moved in the mounting direction to be stored in the mounting portion 19. Then, with the movement of the liquid container 21, the liquid container 22 is connected to the supply unit 42, whereby the mounting of the liquid container 21 is completed.

  After the mounting of the liquid container 21 is completed, when the carriage 18 moves to the home position, the connection portions 34a and 35a are connected to the moisturizing liquid storage portion 23 of the liquid container 21 mounted on the mounting portion 19 of the carriage 18. . When the connection ports 24 and 25 of the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23 are covered with the film 29, the film 29 is perforated by the insertion of the connection units 34a and 35a. By covering the films 24 and 25 with the film 29, leakage of the moisturizing liquid from the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23 is suppressed.

  After the connection parts 34a and 35a are connected to the moisturizing liquid storage part 23, when the printing operation on the medium S is not performed, the cap part 31 is capped and the on-off valve 38 is opened. , Humidify the closed space.

  That is, since the moisturizing liquid is stored in the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23 before use, when the on-off valve 38 is opened, the fluid stored in the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23 (evaporates into the moisturizing liquid or the humidification space Sp). The humidified gas humidified by the vapor of the moisturizing liquid is introduced into the closed space through the supply flow path 35.

  Thus, when the cap part 31 forms a closed space, the downstream end of the discharge flow path 34 and the upstream end of the supply flow path 35 are connected to the moisturizing liquid storage part 23, thereby accommodating the moisturizing liquid storage part 23. The fluid thus introduced is introduced into the closed space as indicated by a dotted arrow in FIG. Thereby, the closed space is humidified, and the drying of the nozzle 14 during capping is effectively suppressed. Therefore, for example, by reducing the size of the cap portion 31 or the like, even if the cap portion 31 cannot sufficiently hold the fluid for moisturizing, by replenishing the moisturizing fluid storage portion 23 with the fluid for moisturizing, It becomes possible to suppress drying of the nozzle 14 for a long time.

  When the cap portion 31 forms a closed space and the on-off valve 38 is in an open state and the closed space and the moisturizing liquid storage portion 23 communicate with each other, by driving the suction portion 37, The fluid stored in the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23 may be positively supplied to the closed space through the supply channel 35. At this time, the fluid in the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23 is circulated in the order of the supply channel 35, the closed space, the discharge channel 34, and the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23 by driving the suction unit 37, and negative pressure is accumulated in the closed space. Therefore, no liquid is discharged from the nozzle 14.

  On the other hand, if the suction portion 37 is driven when the cap portion 31 forms a closed space and the on-off valve 38 is closed and the supply flow path 35 is closed, the negative space is negatively affected. A pressure is generated, and the liquid in the liquid ejecting unit 15 is discharged through the nozzle 14. As a result, suction cleaning is performed in which bubbles in the liquid ejecting unit 15 or foreign matters mixed in the nozzle 14 are discharged together with the liquid. In the case of performing such suction cleaning, it is preferable to increase the suction force of the suction portion 37 as compared with the case where the fluid in the moisturizing liquid storage portion 23 is introduced into the closed space for humidifying the closed space. .

  The liquid discharged as the waste liquid from the nozzle 14 by the suction cleaning is received by the cap unit 31 and is provided in the liquid container 21 through the discharge flow path 34 and the connection port 24 as indicated by solid arrows in FIG. It is stored in the liquid storage unit 23 and reused as a moisturizing liquid. The on-off valve 38 is closed when the suction part 37 sucks the closed space for suction cleaning. However, when the suction part 37 performs the suction cleaning for sucking the closed space, the open / close valve 38 is opened. The closed space and the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23 are communicated with each other.

  As described above, when the on-off valve 38 is opened when the closed space is under negative pressure, the fluid in the moisturizing liquid storage section 23 (humidity retaining liquid, waste liquid as moisturizing liquid, or humidified gas humidified by these moisturizing liquids. ) Flows into the closed space through the supply flow path 35. Thereby, the negative pressure in the closed space is eliminated, the discharge of the liquid from the nozzle 14 is stopped, and the closed space is humidified by the fluid. In addition, after the negative pressure in the closed space is eliminated by opening the on-off valve 38, the suction unit 37 is driven for a predetermined time while being capped, so that the liquid remaining in the cap unit 31 can be removed. It is possible to perform the empty suction to be discharged to 23, and at the same time, it is possible to supply a fluid for moisturizing from the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23 to the closed space.

  After the negative pressure in the closed space is eliminated by opening the on-off valve 38, the capping is smoothly released when the moving mechanism 32 moves the cap portion 31 away from the liquid ejecting portion 15. As a maintenance operation of the liquid ejecting unit 15, flushing is performed by ejecting (discarding) liquid from the liquid ejecting unit 15 toward the cap unit 31 with capping being released when the carriage 18 is at the home position. You can also.

  When the cap unit 31 receives the liquid ejected by the flushing, the suction unit 37 is driven for a predetermined time in a state where the capping is released, so that the liquid remaining in the cap unit 31 can be removed. The empty suction to be discharged to 23 is performed. At this time, the gas is introduced into the moisturizing liquid storage part 23 together with the liquid, but the gas in the moisturizing liquid storage part 23 can be discharged to the outside through the through hole 28, so that the pressure in the moisturizing liquid storage part 23 is An excessive rise is suppressed.

  Further, when the connecting portion 35a is open to the humidification space Sp, if the on-off valve 38 is opened when performing idle suction, the gas in the moisturizing liquid storage portion 23 is externally supplied through the supply channel 35. Can also be discharged. However, if the opening / closing valve 38 is opened when the capping is released, the humidity of the humidifying space Sp may be lowered. Therefore, it is preferable to close the opening / closing valve 38 when the capping is released. .

  As described above, when the waste liquid discharged through the cap part 31 is stored in the moisturizing liquid storage part 23, when the moisturizing liquid stored in the moisturizing liquid storage part 23 runs out, the waste liquid is used as the moisturizing liquid. Can do. Further, when the liquid in the liquid storage unit 22 is consumed due to the liquid jet from the nozzle 14 or the like, the liquid storage unit 21 is replaced. Therefore, the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23 is replaced with the replacement of the liquid storage unit 21. The waste liquid accommodated in can be recovered.

  When the liquid container 21 is replaced, the carriage 18 moves from the home position to the replacement position, and accordingly, the moisturizing liquid at the downstream end of the discharge channel 34 and the upstream end of the supply channel 35 is moved. The connection to the housing part 23 is released. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately perform an operation for releasing the connection of the discharge channel 34 and the supply channel 35 to the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23.

  In addition, by storing the absorbent 30 in the moisturizing liquid storage section 23, the waste liquid stored in the moisturizing liquid storage section 23 is held in a state of being absorbed by the absorbent 30, so the liquid container 21 is attached. The leakage of the waste liquid from the moisturizing liquid storage part 23 when removed from the part 19 is suppressed.

  In addition, if the absorbent material 30 is stored at a position below the moisturizing liquid storage portion 23 in the mounting state on the mounting portion 19, the solute component concentrated by evaporation of the liquid solvent component is absorbed into the absorbent material 30. Can be held in. If the humidifying space Sp is provided vertically above the absorbent material 30 and the connecting portion 35a is opened in the humidifying space Sp, the concentrated liquid is less likely to flow into the closed space through the supply channel 35. .

  Further, if the connecting portion 35a is opened in the humidification space Sp, the vapor of the moisturizing liquid evaporated in the humidification space Sp can be introduced into the closed space, so that the nozzle 14 can be quickly moisturized.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When the cap part 31 forms a closed space, the upstream end of the supply channel 35 whose downstream end is connected to the cap part 31 is connected to the moisturizing liquid storage part 23 that stores the moisturizing liquid. Thereby, the fluid (humidified gas humidified by the vapor of the moisturizing liquid or the evaporated moisturizing liquid) is supplied to the cap part 31 through the supply flow path 35 to moisturize the closed space. it can. Further, when the cap portion 31 forms a closed space, the downstream end of the discharge channel 34 whose upstream end is connected to the cap portion 31 is connected to the moisturizing liquid storage portion 23, so that it is discharged from the nozzle 14 as waste liquid. The liquid can be introduced into the moisturizing liquid container 23 through the discharge channel 34.

  That is, in the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23, the waste liquid can be stored in a space that is vacated by the consumption of the moisturizing liquid, and after the moisturizing liquid is consumed, the waste liquid introduced into the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23 Can be supplied to the cap part 31 through the supply channel 35 and reused as a moisturizing liquid. Therefore, the amount of the moisturizing liquid stored in the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23 in advance can be reduced as compared with the case where the moisturization of the nozzle 14 is supplemented with only the moisturizing liquid stored in the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23.

  Further, by storing a predetermined amount of moisturizing liquid in the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23 in advance, if the liquid container 21 is mounted on the mounting unit 19, the nozzle 14 can be used even before the waste liquid is discharged. 14 moisturizing can be performed. Further, since the liquid container 21 having the liquid container 22 and the moisturizing liquid container 23 is detachably mounted on the mounting part 19, the liquid stored in the liquid container 22 is consumed and the liquid container 21. The waste liquid accommodated in the moisturizing liquid accommodating portion 23 can be recovered along with the operation of exchanging. Therefore, the nozzle 14 can be moisturized with a simpler configuration than the case in which the storage unit for storing the moisturizing liquid and the storage unit for storing the waste liquid are provided separately.

  (2) By connecting the connection portions 34a and 35a provided at the downstream end of the discharge flow channel 34 and the upstream end of the supply flow channel 35 to the connection ports 24 and 25 provided in the moisturizing liquid storage portion 23, respectively. The discharge channel 34 and the supply channel 35 can be detachably connected to the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23. Thus, after the liquid container 21 is mounted on the mounting portion 19, the discharge flow path 34 and the supply flow path 35 are connected to the moisturizing liquid storage section 23, and the connection between the discharge flow path 34 and the supply flow path 35 is released. The container 21 can be removed from the mounting portion 19. Therefore, the liquid container 21 can be replaced without removing the discharge channel 34 and the supply channel 35 from the apparatus.

  (3) Since the downstream end of the discharge flow path 34 and the upstream end of the supply flow path 35 are connected to the moisturizing liquid storage portion 23 when the carriage 18 moves to the home position, the waste liquid is discharged from the nozzle 14 at the home position. When maintenance is performed, the waste liquid discharged from the nozzle 14 can be stored in the moisturizing liquid storage section 23 through the discharge channel 34. Further, when the cap unit 31 forms a closed space at the home position, the fluid stored in the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23 (the moisturizing liquid, the waste liquid as the moisturizing liquid, or the humidified gas humidified by the moisturizing liquid) And can be introduced into the closed space through the supply flow path 35.

  (4) By driving the suction part 37 provided in the middle of the discharge flow path 34, negative cleaning can be performed by generating a negative pressure in the closed space and discharging the liquid from the nozzle 14. Further, when performing suction cleaning, the negative pressure in the closed space can be maintained by closing the on-off valve 38 provided in the middle of the supply flow path 35.

  (5) When the cap part 31 forms a closed space and the on-off valve 38 is in the open state, the suction part 37 is driven, so that the fluid stored in the moisturizing liquid storage part 23 is supplied. Since it is supplied to the closed space through the path 35, it is not necessary to separately provide a drive unit for introducing the fluid stored in the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23 into the closed space. That is, the liquid can be discharged from the closed space to the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23 and the fluid can be introduced from the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23 to the closed space by the suction unit 37, so that the nozzle 14 can be cleaned with a simple configuration. Moisturizing can be performed.

  (6) When the suction portion 37 sucks the closed space when the on-off valve 38 is in the closed state, the closed space becomes negative pressure. When the on-off valve 38 is subsequently opened, the supply flow path 35 Through, the fluid in the moisturizing liquid storage part 23 flows into the closed space. As a result, the closed space can be humidified by the fluid in the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23 at the same time as the negative pressure in the closed space is eliminated.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment like the example of a change shown below.
-As shown with a dashed-two dotted line in FIG. 2, you may make it the maintenance apparatus 16 equip the vaporization apparatus 43 for accelerating vaporization of the liquid accommodated in the moisturizing liquid accommodating part 23. FIG. For example, the vaporizer 43 includes a heater held by the connection mechanism 36 and a heat conductor (for example, a metal rod) inserted into the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23 when the carriage 18 moves to the home position. Then, the inside of the moisturizing liquid storage portion 23 is heated through a heat conductor heated by a heater to promote liquid vaporization.

  According to this configuration, since the vaporizer 43 vaporizes the liquid stored in the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23, it is possible to introduce steam into the closed space formed by the cap. Can be moisturized.

  In addition, a heater provided in the vaporizer 43 may heat the inside of the moisturizing liquid container 23 from the outside of the liquid container 21 to promote the vaporization of the moisturizing liquid. For example, in the liquid container 21, a portion where a heating unit such as a heater is in contact with the film 29 as shown in FIG. 2 is used to thin the wall between the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23 and the heater, or the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23 The wall between the heater and the heater may be formed of a material having high thermal conductivity. In this case, the vaporizer 43 may not include a heat conductor inserted into the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23.

  Such a vaporizing device 43 may be provided in the carriage 18 or the liquid container 21. However, in the case where the vaporizer 43 includes a heater, it is preferable to dispose the heater at a position away from the liquid ejecting unit 15 or the liquid storage unit 22 in order to suppress drying of the nozzles 14 and deterioration of the liquid due to heating. . Moreover, the vaporization apparatus 43 may promote the vaporization of the liquid by ultrasonic vibration.

-The position of the connection parts 34a, 35a in the vertical direction may be changed so that the liquid (humidity retention liquid or waste liquid) stored in the moisturization liquid storage section 23 is introduced into the closed space.
-An insertion hole may be provided in the absorber 30, and the connection part 34a of the discharge flow path 34 may be inserted in this insertion hole. According to this configuration, the waste liquid discharged through the discharge channel 34 can be quickly absorbed by the absorbent 30.

  -You may provide the rib for controlling the movement of the absorber 30 in the moisturizing liquid storage part 23. FIG. According to this configuration, even when the posture of the liquid container 21 changes, the movement of the absorbent 30 can be restricted, and the humidification space Sp can be secured in the moisturizing liquid container 23.

  As a so-called off-carriage type liquid ejecting apparatus in which the mounting unit 19 for mounting the liquid container 21 is not provided on the carriage 18 but the liquid container 21 is mounted on the mounting unit fixed to the housing unit 12. Good. In this case, if the connecting portions 34a and 35a are arranged in a posture state in which the tips of the connecting portions 34a and 35a face the opposite direction of the mounting direction at a position along the supply portion 42 in the mounting portion, liquid storage is possible. With the attachment / detachment of the body 21, the discharge channel 34 and the supply channel 35 can be connected to or disconnected from the moisturizing liquid storage unit 23.

  As such an off-carriage type liquid ejecting apparatus, a length corresponding to the width direction (movement direction X) of the medium S in addition to a so-called serial type in which the carriage 18 holding the liquid ejecting unit 15 performs recording while reciprocating. A so-called line head type liquid ejecting apparatus having a (width) liquid ejecting section 15 may be employed.

  A pump for supplying the fluid in the moisturizing liquid storage section 23 (the moisturizing liquid, the waste liquid as the moisturizing liquid, the humidified gas humidified by these moisturizing liquids) to the closed space is provided in the middle of the supply channel 35. Also good.

  The liquid ejected by the liquid ejecting unit is not limited to ink, and may be, for example, a liquid material in which functional material particles are dispersed or mixed in the liquid. For example, recording is performed by ejecting a liquid material in which a material such as an electrode material or a color material (pixel material) used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, and a surface emitting display is dispersed or dissolved. It may be configured.

The medium is not limited to paper, and may be a plastic film, a thin plate, or the like, or may be a fabric used in a printing apparatus.
Furthermore, the technical idea grasped | ascertained from the said embodiment and each modification is described below.

(A) a liquid ejecting section having a nozzle capable of ejecting liquid to the medium, a cap section capable of forming a closed space in which the nozzle opens, a discharge flow path having an upstream end connected to the cap section, A liquid container that is detachably mounted on a liquid ejecting apparatus that includes a supply flow path whose downstream end is connected to the cap part, and a mounting part on which the liquid container is detachably mounted,
A liquid container that contains liquid ejected from the nozzle;
A moisturizing liquid container that contains a moisturizing liquid for moisturizing the nozzle;
With
A liquid container in which the moisturizing liquid container is connected to a downstream end of the discharge channel and an upstream end of the supply channel when the cap portion forms the closed space.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the liquid ejecting apparatus.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Liquid ejecting apparatus, 14 ... Nozzle, 15 ... Liquid ejecting part, 18 ... Carriage, 19 ... Mounting part, 21 ... Liquid container, 22 ... Liquid container, 23 ... Moisturizing liquid container, 24, 25 ... Connection port , 31 ... cap part, 34 ... discharge flow path, 34a, 35a ... connection part, 35 ... supply flow path, 37 ... suction part, 38 ... open / close valve, 43 ... vaporizer, S ... medium.

Claims (7)

A liquid ejecting section having a nozzle capable of ejecting liquid to the medium;
A cap part capable of forming a closed space in which the nozzle opens;
A discharge channel whose upstream end is connected to the cap part;
A supply flow path whose downstream end is connected to the cap portion;
A mounting portion on which the liquid container is detachably mounted;
With
The liquid container includes a liquid container that stores liquid ejected from the nozzle, and a moisturizing liquid container that stores a moisturizing liquid for moisturizing the nozzle.
When the cap part forms the closed space, the downstream end of the discharge channel and the upstream end of the supply channel are connected to the moisturizing liquid storage unit. At the downstream end of the discharge flow path and the upstream end of the supply flow path, a connection portion connectable to the moisturizing liquid storage portion is provided,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moisturizing liquid storage unit is provided with a connection port to which the connection unit is detachably connected. A carriage that holds the liquid ejecting unit and the mounting unit and is movable between a home position where the cap unit is disposed and an ejecting region where the medium is disposed;
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the carriage moves to the home position, a downstream end of the discharge flow path and an upstream end of the supply flow path are connected to the moisturizing liquid storage unit. . The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a vaporizer configured to vaporize the liquid stored in the moisturizing liquid storage unit. A suction part capable of sucking the closed space is provided in the middle of the discharge flow path,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an on-off valve capable of closing the supply flow path when the valve is closed is provided at an intermediate position of the supply flow path. The suction part is driven when the cap part forms the closed space and the on-off valve is open and the closed space and the moisturizing liquid storage part communicate with each other. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the fluid in the moisturizing liquid storage unit is supplied to the closed space through the supply channel. The on-off valve is in a closed state when the suction part sucks the closed space,
7. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the suction unit sucks the closed space and then opens a valve to communicate the closed space with the moisturizing liquid storage unit.