JP2016193552A - Liquid discharge device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the adhesion of a channel member, when the channel member forming a switch valve and being movably configured in a storage member adheres to the storage member by solidified liquid.SOLUTION: In a stand-by state in which printing and the like is not performed, in a switch valve 23, cap ports 61, 62 connecting to nozzle caps 21a, 21b are connected to a suction pump through grooves 41, 42, recessed parts 51, 52, and an inner channel 65a of a channel member 31. The suction pump is connected to the atmosphere. When it is determined that the channel member 31 adheres to a cover 32 because ink in the switch valve 23 is solidified, without rotating the channel member 31, the suction pump is driven to discharge ink in an ink jet head, and the discharged ink is made to flow into the switch valve 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

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

  As a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a nozzle, Patent Document 1 describes a printer that performs printing by ejecting ink from a nozzle. The printer described in Patent Document 1 includes an inkjet head, a suction cap that can be in close contact with the ink ejection surface of the inkjet head, an exhaust cap that can be in close contact with the lower surface of the exhaust unit of the inkjet head, a suction pump, a switching unit, and the like.

  The switching means includes a switching member and a cover that houses the switching member. The cover is a cylindrical member, and an intake port that communicates with the suction pump, a Bk port that communicates with the space where the black ink of the suction cap is discharged, and a Co that communicates with the space where the color ink of the suction cap is discharged. A port and an atmospheric port open to the atmosphere. The switching member is a cylindrical member made of rubber or the like, and a switching flow path made up of a plurality of branch grooves is formed on the outer surface thereof. Further, the switching member rotates together with the rotary cam to switch the connection between these ports. Then, the suction cap is brought into close contact with the ink discharge surface, and the suction pump is driven to discharge the ink in the ink jet head by driving the suction pump with the Bk port or Co port communicating with the intake port by the switching means. It can be performed.

Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-207058

  Here, in Patent Document 1, ink flows into the switching means during the above-described suction purge. If the printer is not used for a long period of time in this state, the ink that has flowed into the switching means is solidified, and the switching member is fixed to the cover, and the switching member may not be able to rotate.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a switching valve having a structure in which a flow path member is movably accommodated in a storage member, and the flow path member is fixed when the flow path member is fixed to the storage member by solidified liquid. It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid ejection device that can be eliminated.

  The liquid ejection apparatus according to the present invention includes a liquid ejection head having a plurality of nozzles, a first nozzle cap for covering a part of the plurality of nozzles, and the part of the plurality of nozzles. A second nozzle cap for covering a nozzle different from the nozzle, a suction pump, a switching valve, a first connection flow path connecting the first nozzle cap and the switching valve, the second nozzle cap, and the A second connection flow path connecting the switching valve; a third connection flow path connecting the suction pump and the switching valve; a valve driving device for driving the switching valve; and the plurality of nozzles serving as the first nozzle cap. And the two sealed spaces formed by the liquid discharge head, the first nozzle cap, and the second nozzle cap in a state of being covered by the second nozzle cap. An atmospheric communication means configured to function, and a control device for controlling the operation of the liquid ejection head, the suction pump, the valve driving device, and the atmospheric communication means, and the switching valve includes the first connection flow. A first cap communicating portion that communicates with the passage, a second cap communicating portion that communicates with the second connection flow path, and a pump communication portion that communicates with the third connection flow path. A housing member for movably housing the member, a first communication channel that is housed in the housing member and communicates the first cap communication portion and the pump communication portion, the second cap communication portion, and the pump communication portion A plurality of communication channels including a second communication channel that communicates the first cap communication unit and a third communication channel that communicates the second cap communication unit and the pump communication unit. A flow path member, When the member is moved in the housing member, the first communication state in which the first cap and the pump are communicated with each other through the first communication channel, and the second communication channel through the second communication channel. Switchable between a second communication state in which the cap communicates with the pump and a third communication state in which the first cap, the second cap, and the pump communicate with each other via the third communication flow path. The valve driving device is configured to drive the switching valve by moving the flow path member, and in a standby state, the plurality of nozzles are covered with the first nozzle cap and the second nozzle cap, The switching valve is in the third communication state, the atmospheric communication means communicates the two sealed spaces with the atmospheric air, and the control device has the plurality of nozzles connected to the first nozzle cap. In the state covered with the second nozzle cap and the second nozzle cap, the valve driving device causes the switching valve to be in the third communication state, and allows the atmosphere communication means to communicate the two sealed spaces with the atmosphere. In the state where the waiting process and the plurality of nozzles are covered with the first nozzle cap and the second nozzle cap, the switching valve is connected to the valve driving device in the first communication state or the second communication state. In addition, by driving the suction pump, suction purge processing is performed for discharging the liquid in the liquid discharge head from the plurality of nozzles, and the switching in the third communication state. In the valve, when it is determined that the flow path member is fixed to the housing member by the solidified liquid, the plurality of nozzles are moved to the first nozzle key. In the state covered with the nozzle cap and the second nozzle cap, the valve drive device drives the suction pump while holding the switching valve in the third communication state, thereby allowing the liquid discharge head to It is configured to be able to perform a sticking elimination process for causing the discharged liquid to flow into the switching valve and performing a sticking elimination operation for eliminating the sticking of the flow path member to the housing member.

  The liquid ejection apparatus according to the present invention includes a liquid ejection head having a plurality of nozzles, a first nozzle cap for covering some of the plurality of nozzles, and the one of the plurality of nozzles. A second nozzle cap for covering a nozzle different from the nozzles of the nozzle, a suction pump, a switching valve, a first connection channel connecting the first nozzle cap and the switching valve, and the second nozzle cap And a second connecting flow path connecting the switching valve, a third connecting flow path connecting the suction pump and the switching valve, a valve driving device for driving the switching valve, and the plurality of nozzles being the first nozzle The two sealed spaces formed by the liquid discharge head, the first nozzle cap, and the second nozzle cap are covered with the atmosphere while being covered with the nozzle cap and the second nozzle cap. Air communication means configured to be able to communicate with, and a control device that controls the operation of the liquid discharge head, the suction pump, and the valve driving device, and the switching valve communicates with the first connection flow path. A housing member having a first cap communicating portion, a second cap communicating portion communicated with the second connection flow path, and a pump communication portion communicated with the third connection flow path; and moved to the housing member A plurality of first communication channels that are accommodated and that allow the first cap communication portion and the pump communication portion to communicate with each other; and a second communication channel that allows the second cap communication portion and the pump communication portion to communicate with each other. A flow path member in which the communication flow path is formed, and when the flow path member is moved in the housing member, the first nozzle cap and the suction pump via the first communication flow path First to communicate A second communication state in which the second nozzle cap and the suction pump are communicated with each other through the second communication channel, and the first nozzle cap and the second nozzle through the third communication channel. It is configured to be switchable between a third communication state in which the cap communicates with the suction pump, and the flow path member is moved in the housing member, thereby allowing the flow path member to move through the first communication flow path. Switchable between a first communication state in which the first nozzle cap and the suction pump communicate with each other and a second communication state in which the second nozzle cap and the suction pump communicate with each other via the second communication channel. In the standby state, the plurality of nozzles are covered with the first nozzle cap and the second nozzle cap, the switching valve is in the second communication state, and the air communication means is the 2 Two sealed spaces are connected to the atmosphere, and the control device is configured to connect the switching valve to the valve driving device in a state where the plurality of nozzles are covered with the first nozzle cap and the second nozzle cap. A standby process for setting the standby state by allowing the atmosphere communication means to communicate with the atmosphere by making the atmosphere communication means communicate with the atmosphere, and the plurality of nozzles are covered with the first nozzle cap and the second nozzle cap. In this state, after the switching valve is brought into the first communication state in the valve driving device, the suction pump is driven to discharge the liquid in the liquid discharge head from the plurality of nozzles. And the switching valve in the second communication state, the flow path member is moved into the housing member by the solidified liquid. When the plurality of nozzles are covered with the first nozzle cap and the second nozzle cap when it is determined that they are fixed, the switching valve is brought into the second communication state in the valve driving device. A sticking releasing operation for causing the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge head to flow into the switching valve by driving the suction pump while being held, so that the sticking of the flow path member to the containing member is canceled. It is configured to be able to perform sticking elimination processing

  According to the present invention, in the switching valve in the second or third communication state in the standby state, when it is determined that the flow path member is fixed to the housing member, the switching valve is set in the second or third communication state. By performing the sticking elimination operation of driving the suction pump while being held, the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge head flows into the switching valve, and the sticking of the flow path member can be eliminated.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of the switching valve of FIG. (A) is the IIIA-IIIA sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 2, (b) is the IIIB-IIIB sectional view of FIG. 2, (c) is the IIIC-IIIC sectional view of FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IVA-IVA in FIGS. 3A to 3C, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IVB-IVB in FIGS. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a schematic block diagram of the suction pump which concerns on 1st Embodiment, (a) is a figure in the interruption | blocking state, (b) is a figure except the rotating plate in (a), (c) is a figure in a communication state, (D) is the figure which removed the rotation board in (c). FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a printer. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the control apparatus in a maintenance. (A) is a figure which shows the state of the switching valve in a standby state, (b) is a figure which shows the state of the switching valve when a valve cleaning process is performed. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the head cleaning process of FIG. (A) is a figure which shows the state of the switching valve when performing the color | collar suction purge process, (b) is a figure which shows the state of the switching valve when performing the valve | bulb pressure | voltage rise process for a color, (c) FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a state of the switching valve when the color empty suction processing is executed. (A) is a figure which shows the state of the switching valve when black suction purge processing is performed, (b) is a figure which shows the state of the switching valve when black valve pressure | voltage rise processing is performed, (c) FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a state of the switching valve when black empty suction processing is executed. (A) is a figure which shows the state of the switching valve when exhaust purge processing is performed, (b) is a figure which shows the state of the switching valve when exhaust exhaust suction processing is performed. It is a flowchart which shows the drive procedure of a suction pump in valve | bulb cleaning processing, suction purge, and idle suction. It is a figure which shows the drive speed and drive time of a suction pump in valve | bulb cleaning processing, suction purge, and idle suction. FIG. 9A is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 8A of the first modification, and FIG. 8B is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 8B of the first modification. (A) is a block diagram corresponding to FIG. 6 of the second modification, and (b) is a flowchart showing a procedure for eliminating the fixing of the flow path member to the cover in the second modification. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for eliminating sticking of a flow path member to a cover in Modification 3.

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

(Entire printer configuration)
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes a carriage 2, an inkjet head 3, two paper transport rollers 4, a platen 5, a maintenance unit 6, and the like.

  The carriage 2 is supported by two guide rails 11 extending in the scanning direction so as to be movable in the scanning direction. The carriage 2 is connected to a carriage motor 86 via a belt or pulley (not shown), and is driven by the carriage motor 86 to reciprocate in the scanning direction. In the following description, the right and left sides in the scanning direction are defined as shown in FIG.

  The inkjet head 3 is mounted on the carriage 2 and ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles 10 formed on the ink ejection surface 3a which is the lower surface thereof. The plurality of nozzles 10 are respectively formed by being arranged in the transport direction orthogonal to the scanning direction, and form four nozzle rows 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d arranged in the scanning direction. The plurality of nozzles 10 eject black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks in order from the nozzles 9a, 9b, 9c, and 9d. The inkjet head 3 has an exhaust unit 15 at the right end in the scanning direction. The exhaust unit 15 is for exhausting the air in the ink flow path that communicates with the ink flow path in the inkjet head 3.

  The two paper transport rollers 4 are arranged on both sides of the carriage 2 in the transport direction. The paper transport roller 4 is driven by the transport motor 87 to transport the recording paper Q in the transport direction. The platen 5 is disposed between the two paper transport rollers 4 in the transport direction so as to face the ink ejection surface 3a. The platen 5 supports the recording paper Q conveyed from the paper conveying roller 4 from below.

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

(Maintenance device)
The maintenance unit 6 is disposed on the right side of the platen 5. The maintenance unit 6 includes a cap unit 21, an exhaust cap 22, a switching valve 23, a suction pump 24, a waste liquid tank 25, and the like.

  The cap unit 21 is disposed adjacent to the right side of the platen 5. The cap unit 21 is a unit in which nozzle caps 21a and 21b are integrated. In the present embodiment, one of the nozzle caps 21a and 21b corresponds to the “first nozzle cap” of the present invention, and the other nozzle cap corresponds to the “second nozzle cap” of the present invention. To do. When the carriage 2 is moved to a position where the ink ejection surface 3a faces the cap unit 21, the plurality of nozzles 10 forming the nozzle row 9a face the nozzle cap 21a to form three nozzle rows 9b to 9d. The plurality of nozzles 10 to be opposed to the nozzle cap 21b. Further, the cap unit 21 is lifted by a cap moving mechanism (not shown) so as to be in close contact with the ink discharge surface 3a of the inkjet head 3 when the carriage 2 is moved to a position where the ink discharge surface 3a faces the cap unit 21. It is configured. In this state, the plurality of nozzles 10 forming the nozzle row 9a are covered with the nozzle cap 21a. A plurality of nozzles 10 forming three nozzle rows 9b to 9d are covered with a nozzle cap 21b.

  The exhaust cap 22 is disposed adjacent to the right side of the cap unit 21. The exhaust cap 22 is configured to be movable up and down integrally with the cap unit 21. The exhaust cap 22 is in close contact with the exhaust unit 15 in a state where the cap unit 21 is in close contact with the ink discharge surface 3a.

  The switching valve 23 communicates with the nozzle caps 21a and 21b and the exhaust cap 22 via the tubes 26a to 26c. In the present embodiment, one of the tubes 26a and 26b corresponds to the “first connection flow path” of the present invention, and the other tube corresponds to the “second connection flow path” of the present invention. The tube 26c corresponds to the “third connection channel” of the present invention. Further, the switching valve 23 communicates with the suction pump 24 via the tube 26d. Further, the switching valve 23 communicates with the waste liquid tank 25 through a tube 26e. The switching valve 23 switches communication between the nozzle caps 21a and 21b and the exhaust cap 22 with the suction pump 24 and the waste liquid tank 25 and the blocking thereof via the tubes 26a to 26e. The detailed configuration of the switching valve 23 will be described later.

  The suction pump 24 is a tube pump, and communicates with the switching valve 23 via the tube 26d as described above, and communicates with the waste liquid tank 25 via the tube 26f. The detailed configuration of the suction pump 24 will be described later. The waste liquid tank 25 is for storing ink discharged by head cleaning and valve cleaning described later. The space for storing ink and the like in the waste liquid tank 25 is communicated with the atmosphere.

(Switching valve)
Next, the switching valve 23 will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 (a), 3 (b), 4 (a), (b), the switching valve 23 includes a flow path member 31 and a cover 32 (the “accommodating member” of the present invention). It has. The flow path member 31 is a substantially cylindrical member made of a rubber material. Four grooves 41 to 44 extending in the radial direction of the flow path member 31 are formed on the lower surface 31 a of the flow path member 31. In the present embodiment, the grooves 41 and 42 correspond to the “second communication channel” of the present invention, and the grooves 43 and 44 correspond to the “first communication channel” of the present invention.

  The grooves 41 to 44 extend between the central portion of the flow path member 31 and the outer peripheral surface. Further, the groove 42 is arranged so as to be shifted from the groove 41 in the clockwise direction by an angle A1 with the center of the flow path member 31 as an axis when viewed from the lower side (direction in FIG. 4A). Further, the groove 41 and the groove 42 communicate with each other in a portion closer to the central portion than the intermediate portion between the central portion and the outer peripheral surface 31 b in the radial direction of the flow path member 31. In the present embodiment, the grooves 41 and 42 correspond to the third communication channel of the present invention.

  The groove 43 is arranged so as to be shifted by an angle A2 in the clockwise direction from the groove 42 with the center of the flow path member 31 as an axis when viewed from below. The groove 43 communicates with the other grooves 41, 42, 44 only in the central portion of the flow path member 31. The groove 44 is arranged so as to be shifted from the groove 43 in the clockwise direction by an angle A3 with the center of the flow path member 31 as an axis when viewed from below. The groove 44 communicates with the other grooves 41 to 43 only at the central portion of the flow path member 31. In the present embodiment, one of the grooves 43 and 44 corresponds to the first communication channel of the present invention, and the other corresponds to the second communication channel of the present invention.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 (a), 3 (b), 4 (a) and 4 (b), recesses 51 to 55 are formed in the outer peripheral surface 31 b of the flow path member 31. The recesses 51 to 54 are formed in portions overlapping the grooves 41 to 44 of the outer peripheral surface 31 b of the flow path member 31, and are connected to the grooves 41 to 44, respectively. Moreover, the recessed parts 51, 52, and 54 extend over the substantially lower half of the flow path member 31 in the up-down direction. On the other hand, the recess 53 extends over substantially the entire length of the flow path member 31 in the vertical direction.

  The concave portion 55 extends over a portion of the substantially upper half of the outer peripheral surface 31b of the flow path member 31 excluding the portion where the concave portion 53 is disposed. Further, when viewed from below, the recess 55 is substantially the same as the channel member 31 in the portions 55a to 55c adjacent to the recesses 51, 53, and 54 in the counterclockwise direction with the center of the channel member 31 as an axis. It extends to the lower half.

  In the present embodiment, the flow path formed by the grooves 41 to 44 and the recesses 51 to 55 corresponds to the “communication flow path” of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B, the upper surface 31c of the flow path member 31 is formed with a cam mounting portion 56 that is a substantially circular recess in plan view. A rotating cam 57 is attached to the cam attachment portion 56. The rotating cam 57 is connected to a cam motor 88 (see FIG. 6) via a gear (not shown) and the like, so that the rotating cam 57 can be rotated integrally with the flow path member 31 by driving the cam motor 88. It has become.

  A leaf switch 58 (see FIG. 6) is provided for the rotating cam 57. The leaf switch 58 is configured to switch between ON and OFF according to the rotation of the rotary cam 57. Accordingly, the position of the flow path member 31 that rotates integrally with the rotating cam 57 can be detected in accordance with the switching of the leaf switch 58 between ON and OFF.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 (a), 3 (b), 4 (a), and (b), the cover 32 has a cylindrical portion 32 a and a closing portion 32 b. The cylindrical portion 32a is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The closing part 32b closes the lower opening in the axial direction of the cylindrical part 32a. As a result, an internal space 32 c surrounded by the cylindrical portion 32 a and the closing portion 32 b is formed in the cover 32. The flow path member 31 is accommodated in the internal space 32c. The outer peripheral surface 31b of the flow path member 31 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 32d of the cylindrical portion 32a. Further, the lower surface 31a of the flow path member 31 is in close contact with the inner wall surface 32e of the blocking portion 32b.

  The cover 32 is provided with two cap communication ports 61 and 62, an atmosphere communication port 63 (“atmosphere communication portion” of the present invention), and an exhaust port 64. In the present embodiment, of the cap communication ports 61 and 62, one cap communication port corresponds to the “first cap communication portion” of the present invention, and the other cap communication port corresponds to the “second cap communication port” of the present invention. Part. The ports 61 to 64 protrude from the cylindrical portion 32a to the outside in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 32a. In addition, internal channels 61a to 64d are formed in the ports 61 to 64 so as to extend over the distal end portion and the inner peripheral surface 32d of the cylindrical portion 32a. Further, the internal flow paths 61a, 62a, 64a of the ports 61, 62, 64 communicate with the nozzle caps 21b, 21a and the exhaust cap 22 via the tubes 26a-26c, respectively. Further, the internal flow path 63 a of the atmosphere communication port 63 communicates with the atmosphere via the tube 26 e and the waste liquid tank 25.

  The positional relationship between the ports 61 to 64 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the ports 61, 62, and 64 are substantially the same height as the recesses 51, 52, and 54 of the flow path member 31. Has been placed. On the other hand, the atmosphere communication port 63 is disposed at substantially the same height as the portion of the recess 55 that is positioned in the substantially upper half of the flow path member 31. Further, the cap communication port 62 is arranged so as to be shifted from the cap communication port 61 by an angle A1 in the clockwise direction with the center of the cylindrical portion 32a as an axis when viewed from below. The air communication port 63 is arranged so as to be shifted from the cap communication port 62 by an angle A4 (<A2) in the clockwise direction with the center of the cylindrical portion 32a as an axis when viewed from below. The exhaust port 64 is disposed so as to be shifted from the atmospheric communication port 63 by an angle A5 in the clockwise direction with the center of the cylindrical portion 32a as an axis when viewed from below. Here, the angle A5 is an angle that satisfies (A2 + A3) <(A4 + A5).

  A pump communication port 65 is formed in the closing part 32b. The pump communication port 65 extends from the central portion of the lower surface 32f of the closing portion 32b to the outside of the cylindrical portion 32a in the radial direction of the closing portion 32b. In addition, an internal flow path 65a that opens to the center of the inner wall surface 32e of the blocking portion 32b and extends to the tip is formed inside the pump communication port 65. Thereby, the internal flow path 65a communicates with the portion where the grooves 41 to 44 located at the center of the flow path member 31 communicate with each other. A tube 26d is connected to the tip of the pump communication port 65. Thereby, the internal flow path 65a communicates with the suction pump 24 via the tube 26d.

  In the switching valve 23, for example, when the circumferential position of the groove 41 and the cap communication port 61 overlaps by rotating the flow path member 31, the groove 41 and the cap communication port via the recess 51. The communication between the grooves 41 to 44 (concave portions 51 to 54) and the concave portion 55 and the ports 61 to 64 (internal flow passages 61a to 64a) according to the position of the flow path member 31, such as communication with the 61. And switch off.

(Suction pump)
Next, the suction pump 24 will be described. The suction pump 24 is a tube pump, and includes a casing 71, a rotating plate 72, a tube 73, and a roller 74, as shown in FIGS. The casing 71 is a substantially cylindrical member having an upper end opened. The rotating plate 72 is a circular plate-like body and closes the opening at the upper end of the casing 71. A gear portion 72 a is provided at the center of the rotating plate 72. The gear portion 72a is connected to a pump motor 89 (see FIG. 6), and when the pump motor 89 is driven, the rotating plate 72 rotates. The rotating plate 72 is formed with a through groove 42b. The through groove 42 b extends along an arc, and the center of the arc is shifted from the center of the rotating plate 42. Accordingly, the through groove 72b is located at the center of the rotating plate 72 in the radial direction of the rotating plate 72 from the upstream side to the downstream side in the clockwise direction when viewed from the directions of FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (d). Get closer.

  The tube 73 is accommodated in the internal space 71 a of the casing 71. The tube 73 extends in a spiral shape over approximately one and a half times along the inner wall surface 71b of the internal space 71a. Further, both end portions of the tube 73 are connected to the tubes 26d and 26f, respectively. The roller 74 is a cylindrical member and is accommodated in the internal space 71 a of the casing 71. A protrusion 74 a that protrudes upward is provided at the center of the roller 74. The protruding portion 74 a is inserted through the through groove 72 b of the rotating plate 72.

  Thereby, in the suction pump 24, when the rotating plate 42 is rotated in the clockwise direction of FIGS. 5A and 5B, the protrusion 74a is formed in the through groove 42b as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. As a result, the roller 74 moves outward in the radial direction of the casing 71 and crushes the tube 73. Thereby, it will be in the interruption | blocking state by which communication with the part by the side of the tube 26d of the tube 73 and the part by the side of the tube 26f was interrupted | blocked. In this state, when the rotating plate 42 is further rotated in the clockwise direction in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the roller 74 squeezes the tube 73 and the inner space 71 a of the casing 71 is compressed. It moves in the clockwise direction of FIGS. 5A and 5B along the inner wall surface 71b. Thereby, suction is performed.

  On the other hand, when the rotating plate 72 is rotated counterclockwise in FIGS. 5C and 5D, the protrusion 74a is guided to the through groove 72b as shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D. As a result, the roller 74 moves to the inside in the radial direction of the casing 71 and moves away from the tube 73. Thereby, the tube 26d and the portion on the tube 26f side communicate with each other via the tube 73.

  Here, the suction pump 24 is not provided with a sensor or the like for detecting the position of the roller 74, and cannot detect where the roller 74 is located. However, in the suction pump 24, switching between the shut-off state and the communication state is performed while the rotating plate 72 makes one turn regardless of the position of the roller 74. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the suction pump 24 is rotated once to switch between the shut-off state and the communication state.

(Control device)
Next, a control device that controls the operation of the printer 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the control device 80 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 81, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 82, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 83, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 84, and the like. In cooperation, the operations of the carriage motor 86, the inkjet head 3, the transport motor 87, the cam motor 88, the pump motor 89, and the like are controlled. At this time, the control device 80 receives the current value of the current flowing through the motors 86, 88, and 89 from these motors. Further, the control device 80 receives an ON or OFF signal from the leaf switch 58.

  Here, in FIG. 6, only one CPU 81 is illustrated, but the control device 80 may include only one CPU 81, and the one CPU 81 may collectively perform necessary processing. . Alternatively, the control device 80 may include a plurality of CPUs 81, and the plurality of CPUs 81 may share the necessary processing. In FIG. 6, only one ASIC 84 is illustrated, but the control device 80 may include only one ASIC 84 and the one ASIC 84 may collectively perform necessary processing. Alternatively, the control device 80 may include a plurality of ASICs 84, and the plurality of ASICs 84 may share the necessary processing.

(maintenance)
Next, maintenance using the maintenance unit 6 will be described. In the maintenance, the control device 80 performs processing according to the flowchart of FIG. Here, the processing shown in the flow of FIG. 7 is executed periodically or according to the operation of the operation unit (not shown) of the printer 1 by the user.

  In the printer 1, the cap unit 21 is in close contact with the ink discharge surface 3 a and the exhaust cap 22 is in close contact with the exhaust unit 15 in a standby state in which printing or maintenance is not performed. Further, in the switching valve 23, the flow path member 31 is positioned at a position where the groove 41 communicates with the cap communication port 61 and the groove 42 communicates with the cap communication port 62, as shown in FIG. Yes. Further, the suction pump 24 is in the above-described atmospheric communication state. As a result, the nozzle caps 21 a and 21 b communicate with the atmosphere via the suction pump 24. In the present embodiment, the state of the switching valve 23 at this time corresponds to the “second communication state” of the present invention. Further, in the present embodiment, the process in which the control device 80 controls the operations of the carriage motor 86, the cam motor 88, and the pump motor 89 to bring the printer 1 into such a state is the “standby process” of the present invention. Equivalent to.

  Here, in FIG. 8A, the tubes 26a to 26d are not shown. The same applies to FIGS. 8B, 10A to 10C, and FIGS. 11A to 11C described later. Further, “atmospheric communication” in these drawings indicates that the suction pump 24 communicating with the pump communication port 65 is in an atmospheric communication state. Further, “suction” in these drawings indicates that the suction pump 24 communicating with the pump communication port 65 is performing suction. Further, “capping” in these drawings refers to the cap unit 21 (nozzle caps 21a and 21b) communicating with the cap communication ports 61 and 62 being in close contact with the ink discharge surface 3a and the exhaust cap 22 communicating with the exhaust port 64. Is in close contact with the exhaust unit 15. Further, “uncapping” in these drawings means that the nozzle caps 21 a and 21 b (cap unit 21) communicating with the cap communication ports 61 and 62 are separated from the ink discharge surface 3 a and the exhaust cap 22 is separated from the exhaust unit 15. It shows that.

  In the maintenance, as shown in FIG. 7, first, the cam motor 88 is driven (S101), and this state is maintained until the current Ik flowing through the cam motor 88 exceeds a predetermined value Im (S102: NO). When the current Ik exceeds the predetermined value Im (S102: YES), it is determined whether or not the leaf switch 58 is switched on and off during this time (S103). When the ON / OFF of the leaf switch 58 is not switched (S103: NO), the ink in the switching valve 23 is solidified, whereby the flow path member 31 is fixed to the cover 32, and the flow path member 31 is rotated. The cam motor 88 is stopped because it is determined that it can no longer be made (S104). Thereafter, a valve cleaning process (the “sticking elimination process” of the present invention) for eliminating the sticking of the flow path member 31 is executed (S105). Then, after the valve cleaning process is completed, the process waits until a predetermined time Tm (for example, about 1 minute) elapses (S106: NO). When the predetermined time Tm elapses (S106: YES), the process returns to S101. On the other hand, when the ON / OFF of the leaf switch 58 is switched (S103: YES), it is determined that the flow path member 31 is not fixed to the cover 32 and the flow path member 31 is rotating. A head cleaning process for cleaning the inkjet head 3 is executed (S107), and then the above-described standby process is executed (S108), and the process ends.

(Valve cleaning process)
Next, the valve cleaning process in S105 will be described in detail. In the valve cleaning process, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the control device 80 drives the suction pump 24 while the flow path member 31 of the switching valve 23 is positioned at the standby position ("sticking elimination" of the present invention). Action "). Then, the black and color ink in the inkjet head 3 are discharged from the plurality of nozzles 10 covered with the nozzle caps 21a and 21b. The discharged ink flows into the switching valve 23 as indicated by an arrow Z1 in FIG. Thereby, the ink solidified in the switching valve 23 is melted by absorbing the moisture of the ink that has flowed into the switching valve 23, and the sticking of the flow path member 31 to the cover 32 is eliminated.

(Head cleaning process)
Next, the head cleaning process in S107 will be described. In the head cleaning process, as shown in FIG. 9, first, the controller 80 executes a color suction purge process (S201). In the color suction purge process, as shown in FIG. 10A, the flow path member 31 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing while the cap unit 21 is in close contact with the ink discharge surface 3a, so that the groove 41 is formed. It is made to oppose with the cap communication port 61 (nozzle cap 21b). In this state, the suction pump 24 is driven. Then, the color ink in the inkjet head 3 is discharged from the plurality of nozzles 10 covered with the nozzle cap 21b ("suction purge" of the present invention is performed). The discharged color ink flows in the switching valve 23 mainly as shown by the arrow Z2 in FIG.

  Next, the control device 80 executes a valve boosting process for color (S202). In the valve pressure increasing process for the collar, as shown in FIG. 10B, the flow path member 31 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in the figure, and the portion adjacent to the downstream side in the clockwise direction of the groove 42 is capped. Opposite to the communication port 62. Further, the suction pump 24 is brought into an atmosphere communication state. As a result, the grooves 41 to 44 do not communicate with any of the ports 61 to 64. In addition, air is introduced into the grooves 41 to 44, and the pressure in the grooves 41 to 44, which has been reduced by the collar suction purge process, approaches the atmospheric pressure. At this time, since the grooves 41 to 44 do not communicate with any of the ports 61 to 64, the volume of the flow path through which the outside air flows from the suction pump 24 becomes small, and the pressure increase in the grooves 41 to 44 can be accelerated.

  Next, a color empty suction process is executed (S203). In the color idle suction process, the cap unit 21 is moved away from the ink ejection surface 3a of the inkjet head 3 as shown in FIG. Further, the flow path member 31 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing so that the groove 43 and the cap communication port 61 communicate with each other. In this state, the suction pump 24 is driven. Then, the color ink accumulated in the nozzle cap 21b during the color suction purge is discharged from the nozzle cap 21b. The discharged ink mainly flows in the switching valve 23 as indicated by an arrow Z3 in FIG.

  Here, while the flow path member 31 is rotated counterclockwise from the position shown in FIG. 10A to the position shown in FIG. 10C, the groove 43 and the cap communication port 62 are temporarily formed. It becomes a state of communication. Therefore, when the flow path member 31 is rotated from the position shown in FIG. 10A to the position shown in FIG. 10C in a state where the pressure in the grooves 41 to 44 is reduced, the drop in the grooves 41 to 44 is reduced. Due to the applied pressure, the black ink in the inkjet head 3 may be unnecessarily discharged from the plurality of nozzles 10 covered with the nozzle cap 21a.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the pressure in the grooves 41 to 43 is increased to approach the atmospheric pressure by performing the color valve pressure increasing process in S202. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the black ink in the inkjet head 3 from being unnecessarily discharged from the plurality of nozzles 10 covered with the nozzle cap 21a.

  Next, the controller 80 executes a black suction purge process (S204). In the black suction purge process, as shown in FIG. 11A, the cap unit 21 is brought into close contact with the ink discharge surface 3a. Further, the flow path member 31 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing so that the groove 43 faces the cap communication port 62 (nozzle cap 21a). In this state, the suction pump 24 is driven. Then, the black ink in the inkjet head 3 is discharged from the plurality of nozzles 10 covered with the nozzle cap 21a (the “suction purge” of the present invention is performed). The discharged black ink mainly flows in the switching valve 23 as shown by an arrow Z4 in FIG. In the present embodiment, the state of the switching valve 23 in the suction purge process of S201 and S204 corresponds to the “first communication state” of the present invention.

  Next, the control device 80 performs a valve pressure increasing process for black (S205). In the black valve pressure increasing process, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), the flow path member 31 is rotated counterclockwise in the figure to face the groove 44 and the atmosphere communication port 63. As a result, the grooves 41 to 44 do not communicate with the ports 61, 62, and 64 but communicate with the atmosphere communication port 63. Further, the suction pump 24 is brought into an atmosphere communication state. As a result, air is introduced into the grooves 41 to 44, and the pressure in the grooves 41 to 44, which has been reduced by the black suction purge process, approaches the atmospheric pressure. At this time, the grooves 41 to 44 do not communicate with the ports 61, 62, and 64 but communicate with the atmospheric communication port 63. Therefore, the volume of the flow path through which air flows from the suction pump 24 is reduced, and air also flows from the atmospheric communication port 63 into the grooves 41 to 44, so that the pressure increase in the grooves 41 to 44 can be accelerated.

  Next, the control device 80 executes a black empty suction process (S206). In the black empty suction process, the cap unit 21 is moved away from the ink discharge surface 3a of the inkjet head 3 as shown in FIG. Further, the flow path member 31 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing so that the groove 44 faces the cap communication port 62. In this state, the suction pump 24 is driven. Then, the black ink accumulated in the nozzle cap 21a during the black suction purge in S204 is discharged from the nozzle cap 21a. The discharged ink mainly flows in the switching valve 23 as shown by an arrow Z5 in FIG.

  Here, while the flow path member 31 is rotated counterclockwise from the position shown in FIG. 11A to the position shown in FIG. 11C, the groove 43 and the cap communication port 61 are temporarily Will be in communication. Therefore, when the flow path member 31 is rotated from the position shown in FIG. 11A to the position shown in FIG. 11C in a state where the pressure in the grooves 41 to 44 is reduced, the drop in the grooves 41 to 44 is reduced. Due to the pressure, the color ink in the inkjet head 3 may be unnecessarily discharged from the plurality of nozzles 10 covered with the nozzle cap 21b.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, the valve pressure increasing process for black in S205 is executed to increase the pressure in the grooves 41 to 43 to approach the atmospheric pressure. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the color ink in the inkjet head 3 from being unnecessarily discharged from the plurality of nozzles 10 covered with the nozzle cap 21a.

  Next, the control device 80 performs an exhaust purge process (S207). In the exhaust purge process, the exhaust cap 22 is brought into close contact with the exhaust unit 15 as shown in FIG. Further, the flow path member 31 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing so that the groove 42 faces the exhaust port 64. In this state, the suction pump 24 is driven. Then, bubbles in the inkjet head 3 are discharged from the exhaust unit 15. The discharged bubbles mainly flow in the switching valve 23 as indicated by an arrow Z6 in FIG.

  Next, the control device 80 executes an exhaust air suction process (S208). In the exhaust air suction process, the exhaust cap 22 is separated from the exhaust unit 15 as shown in FIG. Further, the flow path member 31 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing so that the groove 44 faces the exhaust port 64. In this state, the suction pump 24 is driven. Then, during the exhaust purge, the ink that flows into the exhaust cap 22 together with the bubbles and is accumulated in the exhaust cap is discharged. The discharged bubbles mainly flow through the switching valve 23 as indicated by an arrow Z7 in FIG.

  In this embodiment, the head cleaning process includes the processes of S201 to S203 for discharging color ink, the processes of S204 to S206 for discharging black ink, and the process of S207 for discharging bubbles. It is not limited to executing all of these. In the head cleaning process, only a part of the processes of S201 to S203, S204 to S206, and S207 may be selectively executed.

(Suction pump drive procedure)
Here, a procedure for the controller 80 to drive the suction pump 24 in the valve cleaning process, the suction purge process, and the idle suction process will be described. In these processes, when the suction pump 24 is driven, as shown in FIG. 13, the control device 80 first determines whether or not the suction pump 24 is in a shut-off state (S301). When the suction pump 24 is in the shut-off state (S301: YES), the suction operation is started by driving the suction pump 24 as it is at the drive speed Vd (S303).

On the other hand, when the suction pump 24 is in the atmosphere communication state (S301: NO), after the suction pump 24 is switched from the atmosphere communication state to the cutoff state (S302), the suction pump 24 is driven at the drive speed Vd. The suction operation is started (S303). As a result, immediately before the first valve cleaning process or just before the idle suction process, the suction pump 24 is in the atmosphere communication state. Therefore, the suction operation is performed after the suction pump 24 is switched from the atmosphere communication state to the cutoff state. Will start. The suction pump 24 continues the suction operation until the drive time Td elapses (S304: NO). When the drive time Td elapses (S304: YES), the suction operation is stopped and the operation is ended.

  Next, the relationship between the drive speed Vd and the drive time Td of the suction pump 24 in the valve cleaning process, the suction purge process, and the idle suction process will be described. In these processes, the driving speed Vd and the driving time Td of the suction pump 24 have a relationship as shown in FIG.

  That is, the drive speed Vd2 of the suction pump 24 in the suction purge process is faster than the drive speed Vd1 of the suction pump 24 in the valve cleaning process. Further, the drive time Td2 of the suction pump 24 in the suction purge process is longer than the drive time Td1 of the suction pump 24 in the valve cleaning process. Accordingly, the amount of ink discharged from the inkjet head 3 in the valve cleaning process is smaller than the amount of ink discharged from the inkjet head 3 in the suction purge. The driving speed Vd and the driving time Td of the suction pump 24 may be different between the black suction purge and the color suction purge.

  The drive speed Vd3 of the suction pump 24 in the idle suction process is faster than the drive speed Vd1 of the suction pump 24 in the valve cleaning process. At this time, the driving speed Vd3 may be the same as the driving speed Vd2, or may be different from the driving speed Vd2. Thereby, the ink accumulated in the nozzle caps 21a and 21b can be quickly discharged. Further, the drive time Td3 of the suction pump 24 in the idle suction process is longer than the drive times Td1 and Td2 of the suction pump in the valve cleaning process and the suction purge. Thereby, the ink accumulated in the nozzle caps 21a and 21b can be surely discharged. Note that the driving speed Vd and the driving time Td of the suction pump 24 may be different between the black idle suction and the color idle suction.

  In the embodiment described above, the cap unit 21 is in close contact with the ink ejection surface 3a of the inkjet head 3 in the standby state. Further, in the switching valve 23, the flow path member 31 is positioned at a position where the groove 41 communicates with the cap communication port 61 and the groove 42 communicates with the cap communication port 62. Further, the suction pump 24 is in an atmosphere communication state.

  Then, when it is determined that the ink in the switching valve 23 is solidified and the flow path member 31 is fixed to the cover 32, the suction pump 24 is driven without moving the flow path member 31. Ink in the inkjet head is discharged from the plurality of nozzles 10, and the discharged ink flows into the switching valve 23. As a result, the solidified ink is melted by absorbing the moisture of the ink that has flowed into the switching valve 23, and the adhesion of the flow path member 31 to the cover 32 is eliminated.

  Here, unlike the present embodiment, consider a case where the suction pump 24 is in a shut-off state in the standby state. In this case, the inside of the nozzle caps 21a and 21b is sealed. Therefore, the pressure in the nozzle caps 21a and 21b may vary. When the pressure in the nozzle caps 21a and 21b increases, the ink meniscus in the nozzle 10 may be destroyed. On the other hand, when the pressure in the nozzle caps 21a and 21b is lowered, there is a possibility that the ink in the inkjet head 3 is unnecessarily discharged from the nozzle 10. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the suction pump 24 is in an air communication state in the standby state. Thereby, in the standby state, the nozzle caps 21a and 21b communicate with the atmosphere via the suction pump 24, and pressure fluctuations in the nozzle caps 21a and 21b can be suppressed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, immediately before performing the head cleaning process, it is determined whether or not the flow path member 31 is fixed to the cover 32, and the valve cleaning process is performed as necessary to perform the flow path member. 31 is eliminated. Thereby, the flow path member 31 can be reliably rotated in the head cleaning process.

  In addition, it takes some time for the ink solidified in the switching valve 23 to absorb and dissolve the moisture of the ink that has flowed into the switching valve by the valve cleaning process. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, it is determined again whether or not the flow path member 31 is fixed to the cover 32 after a predetermined time Tm has elapsed after completion of the valve cleaning process. Accordingly, after waiting for the solidified ink to absorb the moisture of the ink that has flowed into the switching valve 23 after the valve cleaning process, the sticking of the flow path member 31 is eliminated without performing the valve cleaning process again. In such a case, the valve cleaning process is not repeated unnecessarily. As a result, it is possible to prevent the ink from being unnecessarily discharged from the inkjet head 3.

  In the present embodiment, the driving speed Vd1 of the suction pump 24 in the valve cleaning process is set lower than the driving speed Vd2 of the suction pump 24 in the suction purge. Thereby, the ink slowly flows through the switching valve 23, and the moisture of the ink flowing into the switching valve 23 can be efficiently absorbed by the solidified ink.

  In the present embodiment, in the suction purge, the thickened ink in the inkjet head 3 needs to be sufficiently discharged, and therefore the amount of ink to be discharged is large to some extent. On the other hand, in the valve cleaning process, it is only necessary to supply moisture for dissolving the solidified ink, so that the amount of ink flowing into the switching valve 23 does not have to be so large. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in addition to making the drive speed Vd1 of the suction pump 24 in the valve cleaning process slower than the drive speed Vd2 of the suction pump 24 in the suction purge, the drive time of the suction pump 24 in the valve cleaning process Td1 is shorter than the drive time Td2 of the suction pump 24 in the suction purge. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the amount of ink discharged when the valve cleaning process is executed from being unnecessarily increased.

  In the present embodiment, the grooves 43 and 44 communicate with the grooves 41 and 42 only at the central portion of the flow path member 31, whereas the grooves 41 and 42 have a diameter of the flow path member 31. They are in communication with each other in the central portion of the direction relative to the intermediate portion. Thereby, the channel resistance of the grooves 41 and 42 becomes smaller than the channel resistance of the grooves 43 and 44.

  Here, in the valve cleaning process, the suction pump 24 is driven, so that both the plurality of nozzles 10 covered by the nozzle cap 21a and the plurality of nozzles 10 covered by the nozzle cap 21b are disposed inside the inkjet head 3. Let the ink drain. Therefore, if the channel resistance of the grooves 41 and 42 is large, there is a possibility that the ink in the inkjet head 3 cannot be sufficiently discharged. In the present embodiment, as described above, in the standby state, the grooves 41 and 42 for communicating the nozzle caps 21a and 21b with the suction pump 24 have a smaller channel resistance than the grooves 43 and 44. Therefore, when the valve cleaning process is executed, the ink can be surely discharged from the inkjet head 3 and can flow into the switching valve 23.

  In the present embodiment, when the valve cleaning process and the suction purge process are executed, the amount of ink discharged from the inkjet head 3 is determined by the drive speed Vd of the suction pump 24 and the drive time Td. At this time, unlike the present embodiment, the driving time Td may be set to a time including the time taken for the suction pump 24 to switch from the atmospheric communication state to the cutoff state. However, as described above, depending on the position of the roller 74, there is a variation in the point in time during which the rotating plate 72 makes one rotation, the suction pump 24 switches from the shut-off state to the communication state. Therefore, if the driving time Td is a time including the time taken for the suction pump 24 to switch from the atmospheric communication state to the shut-off state, the time for which the suction pump 24 performs the suction substantially varies, and the inkjet head 3 The amount of ink discharged from the ink may vary.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the driving time Td of the suction pump 24 is set to the time after the suction pump 24 is in the shut-off state. Thereby, variation in the amount of ink discharged from the inkjet head 3 can be suppressed when the valve cleaning process and the suction purge process are executed.

  Next, modified examples in which various changes are made to the present embodiment will be described.

  In the above-described embodiment, both the nozzle caps 21a and 21b communicate with the atmosphere via the suction pump 24 in the standby state. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the modification 1, as shown to Fig.15 (a), the switching valve 93 has the structure similar to the switching valve 23 of the above-mentioned embodiment. However, in the first modification, the nozzle cap 21 a communicates with the atmosphere via the suction pump 24 because the groove 41 communicates with the cap communication port 62 in the standby state. On the other hand, the nozzle cap 21 b communicates with the atmosphere via the atmosphere communication port 63 because the cap communication port 61 communicates with the recess 55 c. In the first modification, the state of the switching valve 23 at this time corresponds to the “second communication state” of the present invention. The cap communication port 61 corresponds to the “first cap communication portion” of the present invention, and the cap communication port 62 corresponds to the “second cap communication portion” of the present invention.

  Even in this case, when it is determined that the switching valve 93 is fixed, as shown in FIG. 15B, if the suction pump 24 is driven while the state of the flow path member 31 is maintained, the nozzle cap Black ink in the inkjet head 3 is discharged from the plurality of nozzles 10 covered with 21a. Then, the discharged black ink flows into the switching valve 93 as shown by an arrow Z7 in FIG. As a result, the ink solidified in the switching valve 93 is melted by absorbing the moisture of the black ink that has flowed into the switching valve 23, and the fixing of the switching valve 93 is eliminated. In Modification 1, the groove 41 corresponds to the second communication channel of the present invention, and the grooves 43 and 44 correspond to the first communication channel of the present invention.

  Further, in Modification 1, in the standby state, the nozzle cap 21a communicates with the atmosphere via the suction pump 24, and the nozzle cap 21b communicates with the atmosphere via the atmosphere communication port 63. Conversely, In the standby state, the nozzle cap 21 b may communicate with the atmosphere via the suction pump 24, and the nozzle cap 21 a may communicate with the atmosphere via the atmosphere communication port 63.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the grooves 41 and 42 communicate with each other in the center side portion with respect to the intermediate portion in the radial direction of the flow path member 31, so that the flow path resistance is higher than that of the grooves 43 and 44. Although it was small, it is not limited to this. For example, the channel resistance of the grooves 41 and 42 may be made smaller than the channel resistance of the grooves 43 and 44 by making the width of the grooves 41 and 42 wider than the grooves 43 and 44. Furthermore, the channel resistances of the grooves 41 to 44 may be the same.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, after the valve cleaning process is performed, it is determined whether or not the flow path member 31 is fixed to the cover 32 again after a predetermined time Tm has elapsed. Is not limited. For example, immediately after completion of the valve cleaning process, it may be determined again whether or not the flow path member 31 is fixed to the cover 32.

  Further, after the valve cleaning process is completed, the head cleaning process may be started as it is without determining whether the flow path member 31 is fixed to the cover 32 again. In this case, the valve cleaning process is performed only once. However, in many cases, the sticking of the flow path member 31 is eliminated by performing the valve cleaning process once.

  In the above-described embodiment, the rotation of the flow path member 31 in the head cleaning process is started after the valve cleaning process is completed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The rotation of the flow path member 31 in the head cleaning process may be started while performing the valve cleaning process. However, in this case, since the flow path member 31 is rotated at the stage where the flow path member 31 is not sufficiently fixed, the burden on the cam motor 88 increases accordingly. Therefore, from the viewpoint of reducing the burden on the cam motor 88, it is preferable not to start the rotation of the flow path member 31 until the valve cleaning process is completed as in the above-described embodiment.

  In the above-described embodiment, the amount of ink discharged from the inkjet head 3 is smaller in the valve cleaning than in the suction purge. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The amount of ink discharged from the inkjet head 3 may be the same between the valve cleaning and the suction purge.

  In the above-described embodiment, the driving speed Vd of the suction pump 24 is set slower than the suction purge in the valve cleaning. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The driving speed of the suction pump 24 may be the same between the valve cleaning and the suction purge.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the driving time Td of the suction pump 24 is set to the time after the suction pump 24 is cut off, but is not limited thereto. The drive time Td may be a time including the time taken for the suction pump 24 to switch from the atmospheric communication state to the cutoff state.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, it is determined whether or not the flow path member 31 is fixed to the cover 32 immediately before the head cleaning process is performed. If the flow path member 31 is fixed, the valve cleaning process is performed. The timing for executing the valve cleaning process is not limited to this.

  In the second modification, as shown in FIG. 16A, in addition to the configuration of the printer 1 of the above-described embodiment, the printer 100 has the clock unit 101 for storing time and the outlet of the printer 100 removed. And a battery 102 for supplying power to the timepiece unit 101 and the control device 80. The printer 100 is connected to the PC 105.

  And in the modification 2, when the power supply of the printer 100 is turned ON, the control apparatus 80 performs the process shown in FIG.16 (b). In this process, the time indicated by the clock unit 101 is compared with the time indicated by the clock of the PC 105, and if the difference between these times is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold (S401: NO), the process ends. On the other hand, if the difference between these times exceeds the threshold (S401: YES), the valve cleaning process is executed (S402), and the process is terminated.

  If the printer 100 is left unplugged for a long time, the ink in the switching valve 23 is solidified and the flow path member 31 is likely to be fixed to the cover 32. On the other hand, in this case, the battery 102 is out of battery. Therefore, power cannot be supplied to the clock unit 101, and the time indicated by the clock unit 101 is deviated from the actual time. Therefore, in the first modification, as described above, the valve cleaning process is executed when the difference between the time indicated by the timepiece unit 101 and the time indicated by the timepiece of the PC 105 exceeds the threshold value. As a result, the valve cleaning process can be executed in a state where there is a high possibility that the flow path member 31 is fixed to the cover 32, and the fixation of the flow path member 31 to the cover 32 can be eliminated.

  Further, whether or not the battery 102 is out of battery can be determined by another method. In the third modification, when the power of the printer 100 is turned on, the control device 80 executes the processing shown in FIG. 17 according to the operation of the operation unit (not shown) of the printer 100 or the operation of the PC 105 by the user.

  In this process, first, the control device 80 prints a check pattern for determining battery exhaustion (S501). Subsequently, a plurality of samples corresponding to the check pattern print result and a sample closest to the actual check pattern print result are selected from the plurality of samples on the display unit (not shown) of the printer 100 or the display of the PC 105. A message prompting the user to do so is displayed (S502). Then, the user waits until a sample is selected by operating the operation unit of the printer 1 or the PC 105 (S503: NO). When a sample is selected (S503: YES), the selected sample is out of battery. If it is a sample other than the sample indicating (S504: NO), the processing is terminated as it is. On the other hand, when the selected sample is a sample indicating battery exhaustion (S504: YES), the valve cleaning process is executed (S505), and the operation is terminated.

  When the battery 102 runs out of battery, the setting information stored in the RAM 83 of the control device 80 is also erased. Therefore, the check pattern printed with the battery running out differs from the check pattern printed with the battery running out. Therefore, it can be determined whether or not the battery 102 is out of battery based on the print result of the check pattern.

  In the above-described embodiment, the nozzle caps 21a and 21b are communicated with the atmosphere via the suction pump 24 in the standby state. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the nozzle caps 21 a and 21 b may be capable of communicating with the atmosphere via a flow path (“atmospheric communication means” of the present invention) different from the tubes 26 a and 26 b. In this case, in the standby state, if the nozzle caps 21a and 21b are connected to the atmosphere via these flow paths, pressure fluctuations in the nozzle caps 21a and 21b can be suppressed. Further, if the nozzle caps 21a and 21b communicate with each other through these channels, the suction purge can be performed. In this case, the suction pump 24 is not limited to be switchable between the shut-off state and the atmospheric communication state, and may be always in the shut-off state.

  In the above-described embodiment, the switching valve 23 is such that the flow path member 31 accommodated in the cover 32 rotates. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The switching valve may be one in which the flow path member housed in the housing member moves along a straight line within the housing member.

  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 liquid other than ink from a nozzle.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 3 Inkjet head 21 Nozzle cap 23 Switching valve 24 Suction pump 31 Flow path member 32 Cover 41-44 Groove 61-65 Communication part 80,180 Control apparatus

Claims (13)

A liquid ejection head having a plurality of nozzles;
A first nozzle cap for covering some of the plurality of nozzles;
A second nozzle cap for covering a nozzle different from the some of the plurality of nozzles;
A suction pump;
A switching valve;
A first connection flow path connecting the first nozzle cap and the switching valve;
A second connection flow path connecting the second nozzle cap and the switching valve;
A third connection flow path connecting the suction pump and the switching valve;
A valve driving device for driving the switching valve;
In a state where the plurality of nozzles are covered with the first nozzle cap and the second nozzle cap, two sealed spaces formed by the liquid ejection head, the first nozzle cap, and the second nozzle cap are exposed to the atmosphere. An atmospheric communication means configured to be able to communicate;
A controller for controlling the operation of the liquid discharge head, the suction pump, the valve driving device, and the air communication means,
The switching valve is
A first cap communicating portion that communicates with the first connection channel; a second cap communicating portion that communicates with the second connection channel; and a pump communication portion that communicates with the third connection channel. And an accommodating member for movably accommodating the flow path member;
A first communication channel that is housed in the housing member and communicates the first cap communication unit and the pump communication unit; a second communication channel that communicates the second cap communication unit and the pump communication unit; A flow path member in which a plurality of communication flow paths including a first cap communication part and a third communication flow path for communicating the second cap communication part and the pump communication part are formed;
With
A first communication state in which the first cap and the pump are communicated with each other via the first communication flow path, and the second communication flow path through the second communication flow path when the flow path member is moved in the housing member. Between the second communication state in which the second cap and the pump are communicated with each other and the third communication state in which the first cap, the second cap and the pump are communicated with each other via the third communication channel. It is configured to be switchable,
The valve driving device drives the switching valve by moving the flow path member,
In the standby state, the plurality of nozzles are covered with the first nozzle cap and the second nozzle cap, the switching valve is in the third communication state, and the atmosphere communication means causes the two sealed spaces to communicate with the atmosphere. And
The controller is
In a state where the plurality of nozzles are covered by the first nozzle cap and the second nozzle cap, the valve driving device causes the switching valve to be in the third communication state, and the air communication means has the two sealings. A standby process for bringing the space into the atmosphere and setting the standby state;
In a state where the plurality of nozzles are covered with the first nozzle cap and the second nozzle cap, the valve driving device is configured to make the switching valve in the first communication state or the second communication state, A suction purge process for performing a suction purge for discharging the liquid in the liquid discharge head from the plurality of nozzles by driving the suction pump;
In the switching valve in the third communication state, when it is determined that the flow path member is fixed to the accommodating member by the solidified liquid, the plurality of nozzles are connected to the first nozzle cap and the second nozzle. By driving the suction pump while the switching valve is held in the third communication state in the state covered with the nozzle cap, the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge head is discharged from the liquid discharge head. A liquid ejection apparatus configured to perform a sticking elimination process of causing a switching valve to flow and performing a sticking elimination operation for eliminating the sticking of the flow path member to the housing member. A liquid ejection head having a plurality of nozzles;
A first nozzle cap for covering some of the plurality of nozzles;
A second nozzle cap for covering a nozzle different from the some of the plurality of nozzles;
A suction pump;
A switching valve;
A first connection flow path connecting the first nozzle cap and the switching valve;
A second connection flow path connecting the second nozzle cap and the switching valve;
A third connection flow path connecting the suction pump and the switching valve;
A valve driving device for driving the switching valve;
In a state where the plurality of nozzles are covered with the first nozzle cap and the second nozzle cap, two sealed spaces formed by the liquid ejection head, the first nozzle cap, and the second nozzle cap are exposed to the atmosphere. An atmospheric communication means configured to be able to communicate;
A controller for controlling the operation of the liquid discharge head, the suction pump, and the valve driving device,
The switching valve is
A first cap communication portion that communicates with the first connection flow channel; a second cap communication portion that communicates with the second connection flow channel; and a pump communication portion that communicates with the third connection flow channel. A receiving member;
A first communication channel that is movably accommodated in the housing member and communicates the first cap communication unit and the pump communication unit, and a second communication channel that communicates the second cap communication unit and the pump communication unit. A flow path member in which a plurality of communication flow paths are formed, and
A first communication state in which the first nozzle cap and the suction pump are communicated with each other through the first communication channel by moving the channel member in the housing member, and the second communication channel A second communication state in which the second nozzle cap and the suction pump are communicated with each other, and a third communication state in which the first nozzle cap, the second nozzle cap and the suction pump are communicated with each other through the third communication channel. It is configured to be switchable between the communication state and
A first communication state in which the first nozzle cap and the suction pump are communicated with each other through the first communication channel by moving the channel member in the housing member, and the second communication channel The second nozzle cap and the second communication state in which the suction pump communicates with each other, and can be switched between,
In the standby state, the plurality of nozzles are covered with the first nozzle cap and the second nozzle cap, the switching valve is in the second communication state, and the atmosphere communication means causes the two sealed spaces to communicate with the atmosphere. And
The controller is
In a state where the plurality of nozzles are covered with the first nozzle cap and the second nozzle cap, the valve driving device causes the switching valve to be in the second communication state, and the air communication means has the sealed space. A standby process for making the standby state by communicating with the atmosphere; and
In the state where the plurality of nozzles are covered with the first nozzle cap and the second nozzle cap, the valve driving device causes the switching valve to be in the first communication state and then drives the suction pump. A suction purge process for performing a suction purge for discharging the liquid in the liquid discharge head from the plurality of nozzles, and
In the switching valve in the second communication state, when it is determined that the flow path member is fixed to the housing member by the solidified liquid, the plurality of nozzles are connected to the first nozzle cap and the second nozzle. By driving the suction pump while the switching valve is held in the second communication state in the state covered with the nozzle cap, the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge head is discharged from the liquid discharge head. A liquid ejection apparatus configured to perform a sticking elimination process of causing a switching valve to flow and performing a sticking elimination operation for eliminating the sticking of the flow path member to the housing member. The atmosphere communication means is realized by the suction pump being configured to be able to communicate with the atmosphere,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control device causes the suction pump to communicate with the atmosphere in the standby process.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control device causes the valve driving device to hold the switching valve in the third communication state while the sticking elimination operation is performed.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control device causes the valve driving device to hold the switching valve in the second communication state while the sticking elimination operation is performed. Having a sticking detection part for detecting sticking of the flow path member to the housing member;
The controller is
Immediately before execution of the suction purge process, a sticking determination process is further performed to determine whether or not the flow path member is stuck to the housing member based on a detection result of the sticking detection unit,
6. In the sticking determination process, when it is determined that the flow path member is stuck, the suction purge process is performed after the sticking elimination process is performed. The liquid discharge apparatus according to any one of the above. The control device executes the sticking determination process again when a predetermined time has elapsed after completion of the sticking elimination operation,
In the sticking determination process executed again, if it is determined that the flow path member is not stuck to the housing member, the suction purge is performed,
The liquid according to claim 6, wherein, in the sticking determination process performed again, if it is determined that the flow path member is stuck to the housing member, the sticking elimination process is performed again. Discharge device.   The said control apparatus controls the operation | movement of the said suction pump so that the rotational speed of the said suction pump may be made slower than the said suction purge in the said sticking elimination operation | movement. The liquid discharge apparatus according to 1.   The control device controls the operation of the suction pump so that the amount of liquid discharged from the liquid discharge head is smaller than that in the suction purge in the sticking elimination operation. The liquid discharge apparatus in any one of -8.   2. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the third communication channel has a smaller channel resistance than the first communication channel and the second communication channel. The housing member is
A cylindrical portion that is formed in a cylindrical shape and in which the plurality of cap communicating portions are opened on the inner peripheral surface thereof;
A closed portion in which the opening of one end in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion is closed, and the pump communication portion is opened at a central portion of the surface on the cylindrical portion side in the axial direction;
The flow path member is
A cylindrical member that is accommodated in a space surrounded by the cylindrical portion and the closed portion and contacts the cylindrical portion and the closed portion,
A plurality of communication channels that serve as the first communication channel, the second communication channel, and the third communication channel;
The plurality of communication channels are:
In the radial direction of the flow path member, it extends between the central portion and the outer peripheral surface of the flow path member,
Open to the outer peripheral surface of the flow path member,
In the central part of the flow path member, the flow path members are connected to each other and are connected to the pump communication part.
The third communication flow path is constituted by two communication flow paths that are connected to each other in a portion other than the central portion of the flow path member,
Each of the first and second communication channels is configured by one communication channel that is not connected to another communication channel in a portion other than the central portion of the channel member. The liquid ejection device according to claim 10.   The liquid ejection device according to claim 2, wherein the second communication channel has a channel resistance smaller than that of the first communication channel. The housing member is
A cylindrical portion that is formed in a cylindrical shape and in which the plurality of cap communicating portions are opened on the inner peripheral surface thereof;
A closed portion in which the opening of one end in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion is closed, and the pump communication portion is opened at a central portion of the surface on the cylindrical portion side in the axial direction;
The flow path member is
A cylindrical member that is accommodated in a space surrounded by the cylindrical portion and the closed portion and contacts the cylindrical portion and the closed portion,
A plurality of communication channels that serve as the first communication channel and the second communication channel;
The plurality of communication channels are:
In the radial direction of the flow path member, it extends between the central portion and the outer peripheral surface of the flow path member,
Open to the outer peripheral surface of the flow path member,
In the central part of the flow path member, the flow path members are connected to each other and are connected to the pump communication part.
The second communication channel is configured by one of the two communication channels connected to each other at a portion other than the central portion of the channel member,
The first communication flow path is constituted by one of the communication flow paths that is not connected to another communication flow path in a portion other than the central portion of the flow path member. The liquid discharge apparatus as described.