JP2017189947A - printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer capable of sucking and discharging ink accumulated by gravity at a lower portion of a cap disposed in a posture of vertical placement from a discharge port provided on the cap.SOLUTION: A printer 10 comprises: a print head 20 disposed in a posture in which ink droplets are discharged in a horizontal direction from a plurality of nozzles; an ink absorbing material 32; and a cap main body 34 covering the plurality of nozzles such that the nozzles are not dried while holding the ink absorbing material 32 in a state of surrounding a surface other than a surface 32a1 on which the ink droplets discharged in the horizontal direction from the nozzles land. The ink absorbing material 32 is brought into close contact with at least a part of an inner wall of the cap main body 34 by its elastic force. A discharge port 34d for sucking and discharging ink accumulated at a lower portion of the cap main body 34 is provided at a lower portion of a surface facing a surface of an opposite side to the surface 32a1 on which the ink droplets discharged in the horizontal direction from the plurality of nozzles land of the ink absorbing material 32 out of the cap main body 34.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer, and in particular, ink that accumulates by gravity at a lower portion of a cap arranged in a vertical posture can be sucked and discharged from a discharge port provided in the cap (as a result, the ink of the cap is discharged). It relates to a printer that can increase the holding amount.

  Conventionally, a second ink including a print head having a plurality of nozzles, a first ink absorbing material including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a third surface and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface. The absorbent material, the first ink absorbent material, and the second ink absorbent material are held in a state where the second surface and the third surface are in contact with each other and surrounding the area other than the first surface. A printer including a cap (cap body) that covers the plurality of nozzles so as not to be dried is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  This printer is a printer that is used in a so-called landscape orientation. With the printer in a landscape orientation, the print head is disposed in a posture in which ink droplets are ejected vertically downward from a plurality of nozzles. The cap is arranged in such a posture that ink droplets ejected vertically downward from a plurality of nozzles land on the first surface.

  The ink collected in the cap is sucked and discharged from a discharge port provided on the bottom surface of the cap (the surface of the cap facing the fourth surface).

JP 2011-201224 A

  However, when the printer is used in a so-called vertical state, that is, the print head is arranged in a posture (vertical posture) in which ink droplets are ejected horizontally from a plurality of nozzles, and the cap is When the ink droplets ejected in the horizontal direction from the plurality of nozzles are arranged in a posture (vertical posture) in which the ink droplets land on the first surface of the first ink absorbing material, there are the following problems.

  That is, in the printer, since the second ink absorbing material is disposed in the cap in a state compressed only in the depth direction (vertical direction) of the cap, the ink absorbing material (second ink absorbing material) and the cap An air flow path (gap) having a small resistance is generated between the inner wall and the inner wall.

  As a result, air is mainly sucked through the gap, and the ink accumulated by gravity at the lower part of the cap arranged in the vertical posture cannot be sucked and discharged from the discharge port provided in the cap ( As a result, there is a problem that the ink holding amount of the cap becomes small.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and ink that accumulates by gravity at the lower part of a cap arranged in a vertical posture can be sucked and discharged from a discharge port provided in the cap ( As a result, an object of the present invention is to provide a printer capable of increasing the ink holding amount of the cap.

  To achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a print head including a plurality of nozzles and arranged in a posture in which ink droplets are ejected in a horizontal direction from the plurality of nozzles, an ink absorber, A cap main body that holds the ink absorbing material in a state of surrounding a surface other than a landing surface of ink droplets ejected in a horizontal direction from the plurality of nozzles, and covers the plurality of nozzles so that the plurality of nozzles are not dried. The ink absorbing material is in close contact with at least a portion of the inner wall of the cap body by its elastic force, and the plurality of ink absorbing materials of the cap body The ink accumulated in the lower part of the cap body is sucked and discharged at the lower part of the surface opposite to the surface opposite to the surface on which the ink droplets ejected horizontally from the nozzles land. Characterized in that that the outlet is a printer provided.

  According to this aspect, the ink collected by gravity at the lower part of the cap arranged in the vertical posture can be sucked and discharged from the discharge port provided in the cap (as a result, the ink holding amount of the cap can be reduced). Can provide a printer).

  This is because the ink absorbing material is in close contact with at least a part of the inner wall of the cap body due to its elastic force, and a low-resistance air flow path (gap) is generated between the ink absorbing material and the inner wall of the cap body. This is because it is not (or hardly occurs).

  In the above invention, a preferable aspect is that the ink absorbing material includes a first ink absorbing material including a first surface and a second surface on the opposite side, a third surface and a fourth surface on the opposite side. The cap body includes the first ink absorbing material and the second ink absorbing material in contact with each other, and the second surface and the third surface are in contact with each other. The ink droplets are arranged in such a manner that ink droplets ejected in the horizontal direction from the plurality of nozzles are landed on the first surface while being held in a state surrounding all but one surface.

  According to this aspect, the ink accumulated by gravity at the lower portion of the cap arranged in the vertical position can be sucked and discharged from the discharge port provided in the cap (as a result, the ink holding amount of the cap can be reduced). Can provide a printer).

  This is because the second ink absorbing material is in close contact with at least a part of the inner wall of the cap body due to its elastic force, and therefore an air flow path (low resistance) between the second ink absorbing material and the inner wall of the cap body ( This is because the gap) does not occur (or hardly occurs).

  In the above invention, a preferable aspect is that the first ink absorbing material has a larger porosity, a smaller capillary force, and a higher ink wettability than the second ink absorbing material, and the second ink absorbing material. The material is characterized in that it has a low porosity, a large capillary force, a large amount of ink retention, and a high elasticity compared to the first ink absorbing material.

  According to this aspect, the ink (ink droplet) that has landed (attached) to the first surface of the first ink absorbing material is not absorbed by the first ink absorbing material, and the first surface of the first ink absorbing material is moved by gravity. Accordingly, it can be prevented from reaching the lower portion of the cap body and flowing out (dripping) out of the cap body. In addition, the amount of ink retained (absorbed) in the entire cap can be ensured. That is, more ink can be held (absorbed).

  In the above invention, a preferred aspect is characterized in that a fixing member for fixing the ink absorbing material to the cap body is further provided.

  According to this aspect, the ink absorbing material can be prevented from floating (or falling off) from the cap body by the action of the fixing member.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer 10. FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view of the cap 30 (viewed from the print head 20 in FIG. 1). FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cap 30 shown in FIG. It is BB sectional drawing of the cap 30 shown in FIG. It is CC sectional drawing of the cap 30 shown in FIG. It is a figure of the state which omitted the cap body 34 from the cap 30 shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the cap 30 (modified example).

  Hereinafter, a printer 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure, corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the printer 10.

  The printer 10 is an ink jet printer, and as shown in FIG. 1, a print head 20, a carriage 22, a carriage drive mechanism 24, a cap 30, a cap drive mechanism 35, and a cap 30 (discharge port 34d) through a tube 38. A connected suction pump 40 and the like are provided.

  The print head 20 is an inkjet head and includes a plurality of nozzles (not shown). The print head 20 is arranged in a posture in which ink droplets are ejected from a plurality of nozzles in a horizontal direction (a direction in which ink droplets are directed toward the cap 30 in FIG. 1). In other words, the print head 20 is arranged in a vertical posture. The print head 20 is mounted on the carriage 22.

  The carriage 22 (print head 20) has a carriage guide shaft (see FIG. 1) that extends in a direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1) (direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1; hereinafter referred to as main scanning direction). (Not shown) is movably supported along the carriage guide mechanism 24 and is moved in the main scanning direction along the carriage guide shaft by the carriage drive mechanism 24. In synchronization with this movement, each nozzle of the print head 20 ejects ink droplets supplied from an ink cartridge (not shown), whereby paper (for example, roll paper) conveyed by a paper conveyance mechanism (not shown). ) Is printed. The carriage 22 (print head 20) moves to a home position (a position outside the printing area, a so-called standby position during non-printing) at a predetermined timing.

  The print head 20 located at the home position performs a flushing operation for ejecting ink droplets toward the cap 30 (first surface 32a1). The flushing operation is a maintenance operation for eliminating clogging of each nozzle that occurs due to thickening of ink (ink droplets) or the like. This flushing operation is performed in a state in which the cap 30 is moved away from the plurality of nozzles (ink nozzle surfaces) of the print head 20 located at the home position by a known cap driving mechanism 35.

  The carriage drive mechanism 24 is a known mechanism for moving the carriage 22 (print head 20) in the main scanning direction. For example, a timing belt spanned in the main scanning direction, and a carriage drive for rotating the timing belt. It is constituted by a motor or the like (both not shown). The paper transport mechanism is a well-known mechanism for transporting paper in the sub-scanning direction. For example, a paper feed roller, a paper press roller, a paper feed motor, a reduction gear train that connects the paper feed roller and the paper feed motor. (Both not shown) and the like.

  2 is a front view of the cap 30 (as viewed from the print head 20 in FIG. 1), FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the cap 30 shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. B sectional drawing and FIG. 5 are CC sectional drawings of the cap 30 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 (particularly, FIGS. 3 and 5), the cap 30 includes an ink absorbing material 32 and a cap body 34.

  The ink absorbing material 32 includes a first ink absorbing material 32a including a first surface 32a1 and a second surface 32a2 opposite to the first surface 32a1, and a second ink absorbing material including a third surface 32b1 and a fourth surface 32b2 opposite to the third surface 32b1. Material 32b. Each of the surfaces 32a1, 32a2, 32b1, and 32b2 may be a flat surface, a curved surface, a surface in which a flat surface and a curved surface are mixed, or any other surface. Also good.

  The first ink absorber 32a is a fibrous member such as a nonwoven fabric in which innumerable fibers are entangled with each other, and has a higher porosity, lower capillary force, and ink (ink droplet) wettability than the second ink absorber 32b. The ink (ink droplet) is held in a small amount (absorption amount), and the elasticity is low (that is, it is hard and is not easily elastically deformed).

  When using the first ink absorbing material 32a having a low porosity and a low ink (ink droplet) wettability by using a material having a high porosity and a high ink (ink droplet) wettability In comparison with the first ink absorbing material 32a, the ink (ink droplet) that has landed (attached) on the first surface 32a1 is not absorbed by the first ink absorbing material 32a, and the first surface of the first ink absorbing material 32a is caused by gravity. It is possible to suppress the flow (sagging) from the cap body 34 to the outside of the cap body 34 (to the lower right side of the cap body 34 in FIG. 3) through the 32a1.

  However, since the first ink absorber 32a has a small capillary force, the amount of ink retained in the cap 30 is small. Therefore, the second ink absorber 32b is used from the viewpoint of securing the amount of ink retained.

  The second ink absorbing material 32b is a porous sponge-like member, and has a property opposite to that of the first ink absorbing material 32a, that is, has a lower porosity and a higher capillary force than the first ink absorbing material 32a. The ink (ink droplet) has low wettability, the ink (ink droplet) retention amount (absorption amount) is large, and the elasticity is high (that is, soft and easily elastically deformed).

  As the second ink absorbing material 32b, a material having a small porosity and a large capillary force (a large amount of ink (ink droplet) retained (amount of absorption)) is used, so that the porosity is large and the capillary force is small. Compared to the case of using a thing, the amount of ink retained (absorption amount) of the entire cap 30 can be secured. That is, more ink can be held (absorbed).

  As shown in FIG. 5 and the like, the first ink absorbing material 32a and the second ink absorbing material 32b are held in a state where the second surface 32a2 and the third surface 32b1 are in contact with each other by a fixing member 36 having a U-shaped cross section. ). The fixing member 36 includes a thin plate-like pressing portion 36a that presses the first surface 32a1 of the first ink absorbing material 32a, and a thin plate-shaped pressing portion 36b that presses the fourth surface 32b2 of the second ink absorbing material 32b. It includes a thin plate-like pressing portion 36c (see FIGS. 4 and 5) for pressing the side surfaces of the first ink absorbing material 32a and the second ink absorbing material 32b. A plurality of openings 36a1 are provided in a lattice shape in the pressing portion 36a that presses the first surface 32a1 of the first ink absorbing material 32a (see FIGS. 2, 3, and 5). Ink droplets ejected from the print head 20 (a plurality of nozzles) in the horizontal direction pass through the openings 36a1 and land on the first surface 32a1 of the first ink absorber 32a.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first ink absorbing material 32a and the second ink absorbing material 32b are an engaging member 36d provided on the fixing member 36 holding the first ink absorbing material 32a and the second ink absorbing material 32b. The cap body 34 is held (fixed) by engaging (upper and lower two places in FIG. 3) with the cap body 34. The fixing member 36 can prevent the ink absorbing material 32 (the first ink absorbing material 32a and the second ink absorbing material 32b) from being lifted (or dropped) from the cap body 34.

  At that time, as shown in FIG. 5, the first ink absorbing material 32a is compared with a distance L1 between the inner walls 34a of the cap body 34 (more precisely, between the inner wall 34a of the cap body 34 and the fixing member 36). Since the dimension L2 in the width direction (and the dimension in the length direction, that is, the dimension in the vertical direction in FIG. 3) is short, it is disposed between the inner walls 34a of the cap body 34 without being in close contact with the inner wall 34a of the cap body 34. The On the other hand, since the second ink absorbing material 32b has a longer dimension L3 (see FIG. 6) in the width direction than the distance L1 between the inner walls 34a of the cap body 34, the width direction of the cap body 34 (the horizontal direction in FIG. 5). ) And is in close contact with the inner wall 34a of the cap body 34 by its elastic force (directly in contact with the inner wall 34a on the left side in FIG. 4 and the fixing member 36 (holding part 36c) on the inner wall 34a on the right side in FIG. 4). Between the inner walls 34a of the cap body 34 (see FIG. 5). The second ink absorbing material 32b is in close contact with other than the upper portion of the inner wall 34a of the cap body 34 (see FIG. 4). Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and the second ink absorbing material 32 b may be in close contact with the entire circumference of the inner wall 34 a of the cap body 34. That is, the second ink absorbing material 32b only needs to be in close contact with at least a part of the inner wall 34a of the cap body 34 by its elastic force.

  The cap body 34 is a cup-shaped member that is open on the side facing the print head 20 (a plurality of nozzles) located at the home position (see FIGS. 1 and 3), and the first ink absorbing material 32a and the second ink absorbing material. 32b is held in a state in which the second surface 32a2 and the third surface 32b1 are in contact with each other and surrounds other than the first surface 32a1 (see FIGS. 3 and 5). The first ink absorbing material 32a and the second ink absorbing material 32b are in a state where the second surface 32a2 and the third surface 32b1 are in contact with each other while being held (for example, sandwiched) by the fixing member 36. The cap main body 34 engages with the cap main body 34 by engaging members 36d (two locations in the upper and lower sides in FIG. 3) provided on the fixing member 36 holding the first ink absorbing material 32a and the second ink absorbing material 32b. By doing so, it will be in the state surrounding other than the 1st surface 32a1 (refer FIG. 3, FIG. 5).

  The cap 30 (cap main body 34) is ejected in a horizontal direction from the print head 20 (a plurality of nozzles) located at the home position at a position facing the print head 20 (a plurality of nozzles) located at the home position. The droplet is arranged in a posture to land on the first surface 32a1 (see FIG. 1). In other words, the cap 30 (cap body 34) is arranged in a vertical posture.

  The cap 30 (cap body 34) is moved by the cap drive mechanism 35 in a direction toward or away from the print head 20 (a plurality of nozzles) positioned at the home position. The cap 30 (cap body 34) covers the plurality of nozzles so that the plurality of nozzles are not dried in a state in which the cap 30 (cap body 34) moves in a direction approaching the print head 20 (the plurality of nozzles) located at the home position. In order to realize this, the cap main body 34 includes a ring-shaped contact (contact) portion 34 c that contacts (contacts) the print head 20 and other portions (see FIGS. 2 to 4). The ring-shaped contact portion 34c is made of a synthetic resin that is softer than other portions. Such a cap body 34 can be manufactured by, for example, two-color molding.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the cap main body 34, the surface (fourth surface) opposite to the surface (first surface 32a1) on which the ink droplets ejected in the horizontal direction from the plurality of nozzles of the ink absorbing material 32 land. A discharge port 34d that sucks and discharges ink collected by gravity at the lower portion of the cap body 34 is provided at the lower portion of the surface 34b facing the surface 32b2). A suction pump 40 is connected to the discharge port 34d through a tube 38, and the ink accumulated in the lower portion of the cap body 34 is sucked from the discharge port 34d by the action of the suction pump 40.

  Next, an example of ink suction (discharge) operation in the printer 10 will be described.

  As described above, during the flushing operation, the ink droplets ejected in the horizontal direction from the print head 20 (a plurality of nozzles) positioned at the home position pass through the openings 36a1 provided in the fixing member 36 (pressing portion 36a). And land on the first surface 32a1 of the first ink absorber 32a. At that time, the ink (ink droplet) that has landed on the first surface 32a1 of the first ink absorber 32a is absorbed by the first ink absorber 32a by capillary force. Then, a part of the ink exceeding the limit of the amount of ink absorbed by the first ink absorbing material 32a is absorbed by the second ink absorbing material 32b, and the other part of the first ink absorbing material 32a by gravity. The ink accumulates in the lower part of the cap body 34 through the inside or along the first surface 32a1 (for example, in a state where ink cross-linking occurs between the lower part of the cap body 34 (inner wall) and the first ink absorbing material 32a. Accumulate).

  The ink collected in the lower part of the cap body 34 is sucked by operating the suction pump 40 and discharged outside the cap body 34 through the original discharge path (discharge port 34d, tube 38). At this time, since the ink absorbing material 32 (second ink absorbing material 32b) is in close contact with at least a part of the inner wall 34a of the cap body 34 by its elastic force, the ink absorbing material 32 (second ink absorbing material 32b) and There is no (or almost no) air flow path (gap) with a small resistance between the inner wall 34a of the cap body 34 and the ink absorbing material 32 (second ink absorbing material 32b) and the inner wall 34a of the cap body 34. Inhalation of air through the air flow path (gap) between them is suppressed. Thereby, the ink collected in the lower part of the cap body 34 can be reliably sucked and discharged through the original discharge path (discharge port 34d, tube 38). As a result, the ink accumulated in the lower part of the cap body 34 is prevented from flowing out (dripping) out of the cap body 34 (in FIG. 3, the lower right side of the cap body 34) via a path outside the original discharge path. can do.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the ink collected by gravity at the lower portion of the cap 30 (cap body 34) arranged in the vertical position is discharged from the outlet provided in the cap 30 (cap body 34). It is possible to provide the printer 10 that can be sucked and discharged from 34d (as a result, the ink holding amount of the cap 30 can be increased).

  This is because the ink absorbing material 32 (second ink absorbing material 32b) is in close contact with at least a part of the inner wall 34a of the cap body 34 due to its elastic force, and therefore the ink absorbing material 32 (second ink absorbing material 32b). This is because an air flow path (gap) having a small resistance does not occur (or hardly occurs) between the cap body 34 and the inner wall 34a.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the ink (ink droplet) that has landed (attached) to the first surface 32a1 of the first ink absorbing material 32a is not absorbed by the first ink absorbing material 32a, and the first ink absorption is caused by gravity. It can be suppressed that the material 32a reaches the lower portion of the cap body 34 along the first surface 32a1 and flows out (droops) out of the cap body 34. In addition, the amount of ink retained (absorbed) by the entire cap 30 can be ensured. That is, more ink can be held (absorbed).

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the ink absorbing material 32 can be prevented from floating (or falling off) from the cap body 34 by the action of the fixing member 36.

  Next, a modified example will be described.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the ink absorbing material 32 includes the first ink absorbing material 32a and the second ink absorbing material 32b has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the ink absorbing material 32 may be the first ink absorbing material 32a. May be included, or only the second ink absorbing material 32b may be included.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the fixing member 36 has a U-shaped cross section (see FIG. 5) has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, as illustrated in FIG. Only the member corresponding to the pressing portion 36a that holds the first surface 32a1 of the absorbent 32a may be used. In this case, the first ink absorbing material 32 a and the second ink absorbing material 32 b can be fixed to the cap body 34 by fixing a member corresponding to the pressing portion 36 a to the cap body 34 by means such as welding.

  Also in this modification, the ink absorbing material 32 (second ink absorbing material 32b) is in close contact with at least a part of the inner wall 34a of the cap body 34 by its elastic force (for example, the left inner wall 34a and the right inner wall in FIG. 5). 34a), the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

  All the numerical values shown in the above embodiment are exemplifications, and it is needless to say that appropriate numerical values different from these can be used.

  The above embodiment is merely an example in all respects. The present invention is not construed as being limited by the description of the above embodiment. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printer, 20 ... Print head, 22 ... Carriage, 24 ... Carriage drive mechanism, 30 ... Cap, 32 ... Ink absorber, 32a ... First ink absorber, 32a1 ... First surface, 32a2 ... Second surface, 32b ... second ink absorbing material, 32b1 ... third surface, 32b2 ... fourth surface, 34 ... cap body, 34a ... inner wall, 34b ... surface, 34c ... contact portion, 34d ... discharge port, 35 ... cap drive mechanism, 36 ... Fixing member, 36a ... presser part, 36a1 ... opening, 36b ... presser part, 36c ... presser part, 36d ... engaging member, 38 ... tube, 40 ... suction pump, L1 ... distance, L2 ... dimension, L3 ... dimension.

Claims (4)

A print head comprising a plurality of nozzles and arranged in a posture in which ink droplets are ejected in a horizontal direction from the plurality of nozzles;
The ink absorbing material and the ink absorbing material are held in a state of surrounding the area other than the landing surface of the ink droplets ejected from the plurality of nozzles in the horizontal direction, and the plurality of nozzles are prevented from drying. A cap body that covers the nozzle, and a cap with
The ink absorbing material is in close contact with at least a part of the inner wall of the cap body by its elastic force,
Of the cap main body, the lower part of the surface of the ink absorbing material opposite to the surface on which the ink droplets ejected in the horizontal direction from the plurality of nozzles are landed is disposed below the cap main body. A printer with a discharge port that sucks and discharges the accumulated ink. The ink absorbing material includes a first ink absorbing material including a first surface and a second surface opposite thereto, and a second ink absorbing material including a third surface and a fourth surface opposite thereto. ,
The cap body holds the first ink absorbing material and the second ink absorbing material in a state in which the second surface and the third surface are in contact with each other and surroundings other than the first surface. The printer according to claim 1, wherein ink droplets ejected in a horizontal direction from the plurality of nozzles are arranged in a posture to land on the first surface. The first ink absorbing material has a larger porosity, a smaller capillary force, and higher ink wettability than the second ink absorbing material,
The printer according to claim 2, wherein the second ink absorbing material has a smaller porosity, a larger capillary force, a larger amount of ink retention, and a higher elasticity than the first ink absorbing material.   The printer according to claim 1, further comprising a fixing member that fixes the ink absorbing material to the cap body.

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