JP2018001715A - Liquid ejection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent ejection defect and failure of a recording head, by avoiding contact between the recording head and a recorded medium or the like.SOLUTION: A liquid ejection device includes: a carriage 5 comprising a recording head 10 ejecting liquid; and scanning means causing the carriage 5 to scan in a main scanning direction. The carriage 5 includes: a jam detection sensor 16 detecting contact with a recorded medium P; and lifting means which adjusts a distance between the recording heads 10 and the recorded medium P by moving the recording heads 10. When the detection means detects contact, the liquid ejection device concurrently performs an operation for stopping scanning of the carriage 5 performed with the scanning means and an operation for increasing the distance between the recording head 10 and the recorded medium P using the lifting means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for discharging a liquid.

  As an apparatus for ejecting liquid, for example, an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile, a copying apparatus, and a complex machine of these is known. As an image forming apparatus, an ink jet type image forming is performed by forming an image by adhering ink (recording liquid) as a liquid to a recording medium while conveying the recording medium using an apparatus including a liquid discharge head. An apparatus (ink jet recording apparatus) is known.

  In such an ink jet recording apparatus, ink is ejected while a carriage having a liquid ejection head (recording head) is reciprocated in the main scanning direction while sequentially transporting a recording medium (medium) in the sub-scanning direction. The one that forms an image is widely known.

  In an ink jet recording apparatus, if there is a float or crease (which is one form of float) due to poor setting of the recording medium or cockling due to absorption of the ink solvent, the recording medium is a recording head or carriage. It is known that a jam occurs. Further, it is known that there is a risk of causing ejection failure due to contact and deterioration of the jam, or failure of the recording head.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 1 includes a jam detection unit that detects a jam of a recording paper, and a variable unit that varies a distance between the ink jet head and the platen based on a detection result of the jam detection unit. An ink jet recording apparatus is disclosed in which when removing jammed recording paper at the time of detection, the distance between the ink jet head and the platen is increased so that the jammed recording paper can be easily removed and the recording paper is not rubbed against the ink jet head. Yes.

  Further, Patent Document 2 discloses an ink jet recording apparatus that, upon detecting unevenness of a recording medium, stops the carriage urgently and then separates the carriage from the recording medium.

  In the process disclosed in the above-mentioned patent document, when a jam of a recording paper, unevenness of a recording medium, or the like is detected, carriage conveyance is stopped, and then the carriage is retracted or the recording medium is removed.

  However, when jamming is detected by detecting contact with a recording medium or a foreign object or floating of the recording medium and the carriage scanning is stopped, even if the carriage stopping operation is executed, the carriage actually stops due to inertia. The carriage moves until it stops completely. In particular, as the size of the apparatus increases, the inertia increases, so that the apparatus cannot be stopped in a short time, and the movement distance from the execution of the carriage stop operation to the complete stop increases.

  For this reason, even when the carriage is stopped at the time of jam detection, the carriage or the recording head and the recording medium may come into contact with each other to deteriorate the jam, leading to a discharge failure or failure.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for ejecting a liquid that can avoid contact between a recording head and a recording medium, etc., and prevent ejection failure and recording head failure.

  In order to achieve such an object, an apparatus for ejecting liquid according to the present invention ejects a liquid comprising a carriage having a liquid ejection head for ejecting liquid and scanning means for scanning the carriage in the main scanning direction. In the apparatus, the carriage includes a detection unit that detects contact with a recording medium or a foreign object, and an elevating unit that moves the liquid ejection head to change a distance between the liquid ejection head and the recording medium. An operation for stopping the scanning of the carriage by the scanning means when the detecting means detects the contact, and the liquid ejection head between the recording medium by the lifting means. The operation of increasing the distance is performed simultaneously.

  According to the present invention, contact between the recording head and the recording medium can be avoided to prevent ejection failure and recording head failure.

1 is a schematic perspective view of an image forming apparatus. 1 is a plan view of a main part of an image forming apparatus. 1 is a block diagram of a main part of an image forming apparatus. It is a schematic front view of the carriage during scanning. It is a schematic side view of a carriage. It is explanatory drawing of the raising / lowering means of a recording head. It is a control flowchart at the time of jam detection. It is a schematic front view of the carriage at the time of jam detection.

  Hereinafter, the configuration according to the present invention will be described in detail based on the embodiment shown in FIGS.

  The apparatus for ejecting liquid according to the present embodiment includes a carriage (carriage 5) having a liquid ejection head (recording head 10) for ejecting liquid, and scanning means (main scanning motor 9, In the apparatus (image forming apparatus 1) that discharges liquid including the main scanning drive unit 105 and the like, the carriage detects detection means (jam detection) that detects contact with a recording medium (recording medium P) or a foreign object. Sensor 16), and an elevating means (head elevating drive unit 24) that moves the liquid ejecting head to vary the distance between the liquid ejecting head and the recording medium, and the detecting means detects the contact. In this case, the operation of stopping the scanning of the carriage by the scanning unit and the operation of increasing the distance between the liquid ejection head and the recording medium by the elevating unit are simultaneously performed. In addition, the code | symbol in embodiment and the example of application are shown in a parenthesis. In the following drawings, A indicates the main scanning direction, and B indicates the sub-scanning direction. In the following description, the X direction (= main scanning direction) and the Y direction (= sub-scanning) are appropriately used for each direction. Direction).

(Device configuration)
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an image forming apparatus which is an embodiment of an apparatus for discharging a liquid according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main part of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the main part of the image forming apparatus.

  In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 is an image forming apparatus of a serial liquid discharge method (ink discharge method), and a main body housing 25 is disposed on the main body frame 2. In the image forming apparatus 1, a main guide rod 3 and a sub guide rod 4 are stretched in a main body casing 25 in the main scanning direction. The main guide rod 3 supports the carriage 5 so as to be movable.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, an endless belt-like timing belt 6 is disposed along the main guide rod 3, and the timing belt 6 is stretched between a driving pulley 7 and a driven pulley 8. The driving pulley 7 is rotationally driven by the main scanning motor 9, and the driven pulley 8 is disposed in a state where a predetermined tension is applied to the timing belt 6. The driving pulley 7 is rotationally driven by the main scanning motor 9 to rotate and move the timing belt 6 in the main scanning direction according to the rotation direction.

  The carriage 5 is connected to a timing belt 6, and is reciprocated in the main scanning direction along the main guide rod 3 when the timing belt 6 is rotationally moved in the main scanning direction by the drive pulley 7.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, the cartridge unit 11 and the maintenance mechanism unit 12 are accommodated at both end positions in the main scanning direction in the main body housing 25. In the cartridge unit 11, cartridges that respectively store yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) inks are replaceably stored. Each cartridge of the cartridge unit 11 is connected to recording heads 10k, 10c, 10m, and 10y of corresponding colors of the recording head 10 mounted on the carriage 5 by a pipe. Each cartridge supplies ink from the cartridge to the recording heads 10k, 10c, 10m, and 10y through a pipe. In the following description, the recording heads 10k, 10c, 10m, and 10y are collectively referred to as the recording head 10.

  The image forming apparatus 1 ejects ink onto the recording medium P that is intermittently conveyed on the platen 22 in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction while moving the carriage 5 in the main scanning direction. An image is recorded on the recording medium P.

  That is, the image forming apparatus 1 intermittently conveys the recording medium P in the sub-scanning direction, and moves the carriage 5 in the main scanning direction while the conveyance of the recording medium P in the sub-scanning direction is stopped. However, ink is ejected from the nozzle row of the recording head 10 mounted on the carriage 5 onto the recording medium P on the platen 22 to form an image on the recording medium P.

  The maintenance mechanism unit 12 performs cleaning of the ejection surface of the recording head 10, capping, ejection of unnecessary ink, and the like to discharge unnecessary ink from the recording head 10 and maintain the reliability of the recording head 10. .

  The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a cover 23 so that the conveyance part of the recording medium P can be opened and closed. The image forming apparatus 1 can perform maintenance work inside the main body casing 25 and removal of the recording medium P in which the jam has occurred by opening the cover 23 at the time of maintenance or jam occurrence.

  The carriage 5 is mounted with recording heads 10k, 10c, 10m, and 10y, and the recording heads 10k, 10c, 10m, and 10y discharge inks of corresponding colors to the recording medium P facing each other. That is, the recording head 10k discharges black (K) ink, the recording head 10c discharges cyan (C) ink, the recording head 10m discharges magenta (M) ink, and the recording head 10y discharges yellow (Y) ink.

  Further, the carriage 5 has lifting means for separating (raising) the recording head 10 from the recording medium P in the ink ejection direction and returning (removing) the separated head to its original position. (Details will be described later).

  The recording head 10 is mounted on the carriage 5 so that its ejection surface (nozzle surface) faces the recording medium P, and ejects ink onto the recording medium P.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, an encoder sheet 14 is disposed in parallel with the timing belt 6, that is, the main guide rod 3 over at least the movement range of the carriage 5. An encoder sensor 13 that reads the encoder sheet 14 is attached to the carriage 5. The image forming apparatus 1 controls the movement of the carriage 5 in the main scanning direction by controlling the driving of the main scanning motor 9 based on the reading result of the encoder sheet 14 by the encoder sensor 13.

  The main guide rod 3 and the sub guide rod 4 are bridged and fixed between the left and right side plates 15a and 15b of the main body housing 25 (not shown in FIG. 2).

  In the recording head 10 mounted on the carriage 5, each recording head 10k, 10c, 10m, 10y is constituted by a plurality of nozzle rows. The recording heads 10k, 10c, 10m, and 10y form images on the recording medium P by ejecting ink from the nozzle rows onto the recording medium P that is transported on the platen 22.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 100, a carriage 5 on which the recording head 10 and the like are mounted, a main scanning motor 9, an encoder sensor 13, a rotary encoder 201, a sub scanning motor 202, and a feeding motor. 203, a discharge motor 204, an image reading unit 205, an operation display unit 206, and the like. In addition to the above, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a maintenance / recovery motor that drives the maintenance mechanism unit 12, a recovery system drive unit that drives the drive motor, a solenoid drive unit that drives various solenoids, electromagnetic cracks, and the like A clutch driving unit for driving the motor. Further, in the image forming apparatus 1, detection signals of other various sensors are input to the control unit 100.

  The control unit 100 includes a main control unit 101, an external I / F 102, a head drive control unit 103, a head lifting control unit 104, a main scanning drive unit 105, a sub-scanning drive unit 106, a feed drive unit 107, a discharge drive unit 108, A scanner control unit 109 and the like are provided. The main control unit 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 113, an NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) 114, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 115, and An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) 116 or the like is mounted.

  The main control unit 101 stores a program such as a basic program and an image forming program as the image forming apparatus 1 and necessary data in the ROM 112. In the main control unit 101, a CPU (control processor) 111 uses the RAM 113 as a work memory based on a program in the ROM 112 to control each unit of the image forming apparatus 1, and performs basic processing as the image forming apparatus 1. And an image forming process for forming an image is executed.

  The NVRAM 114 stores and reads out data to be stored under the control of the CPU 111 even when the image forming apparatus 1 is powered off.

  The ASIC 115 performs image processing such as various signal processing and rearrangement on the image data, and the FPGA 116 processes input / output signals for controlling the entire image forming apparatus 1.

  That is, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a ROM, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM, a flash memory, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable), and a DVD. An image for executing an image forming method (liquid ejection method) for forming an image recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a (Digital Versatile Disk), an SD (Secure Digital) card, or an MO (Magneto-Optical Disc) It is constructed as an image forming apparatus that executes an image forming method by reading a forming program and introducing it into the ROM 112 or the like. This image forming program is a computer-executable program written in a legacy programming language such as assembler, C, C ++, C #, Java (registered trademark) or an object-oriented programming language, and is stored in a recording medium. Can be distributed.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 111 mainly performs image forming processing, but part or all of the image forming processing may be performed by an LSI (Large Scale Integration) such as the FPGA 116 or the ASIC 115. In the following description, it is assumed that the main control unit 101 including these performs image forming processing.

  The external I / F 102 interfaces communication with other devices and the main control unit 101 via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a communication line such as a dedicated line, and sends data from an external device to the main control unit 101. Send it out. The external I / F 102 outputs the data generated by the main control unit 101 to the external device. The external I / F 102 can be loaded with a removable storage medium, and is distributed via a state where the program is stored in the storage medium or an external communication device.

  The head drive control unit 103 controls the recording heads 10k, 10c, 10m, and 10y by controlling whether or not each recording head 10k, 10c, 10m, and 10y discharges ink, and the timing and amount of ink droplets discharged. An image is recorded on the recording medium P.

  The head drive control unit 103 has a head data generation array conversion ASIC (head driver) for driving and controlling the recording heads 10k, 10c, 10m, and 10y, and print data (dot data subjected to dither processing). Based on the above, a drive signal having a drive waveform indicating the presence / absence of an ink droplet and the size of the ink droplet is generated and supplied to the recording heads 10k, 10c, 10m, and 10y. The recording heads 10k, 10c, 10m, and 10y have a switch for each nozzle of the recording heads 10k, 10c, 10m, and 10y, and are designated by print data by being turned on / off based on a drive signal. An ink droplet having a size specified by the position of the recording medium P is landed. The head driver of the head drive control unit 103 may be provided on the recording heads 10k, 10c, 10m, and 10y side, or the head drive control unit 103 and the recording heads 10k, 10c, 10m, and 10y are integrated. It may be. Further, the head drive control unit 103 controls the drive of the recording heads 10k, 10c, 10m, and 10y to record the adjustment pattern on the recording medium P.

  The head elevating control unit 104 controls the head elevating drive unit 24 that is a drive unit for elevating the recording head 10 in the carriage 5 to vary the distance of the recording head 10 relative to the recording medium P.

(Jam detection)
FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of the carriage during scanning. With reference to FIG. 4, an example in which a jam is detected by detecting the contact of the recording medium P with the detecting means will be described.

  The carriage 5 reciprocates in the main scanning direction while ejecting ink by the recording heads 10k, 10c, 10m, and 10y. On both side surfaces of the carriage 5 in the main scanning direction, jam detection sensors 16a and 16b, which are detection means for detecting contact with the recording medium P, are provided.

  The leading ends of the jam detection sensors 16a and 16b are provided at positions protruding toward the recording medium P in the ink ejection direction from the height of the nozzle surface of the recording head 10 indicated by the dotted line in the drawing. As a result, when a floating portion Pf is generated in the recording medium P due to a setting failure of the recording medium P, cockling, or the like, before the recording medium P comes into contact with the recording head 10, either the jam detection sensor 16a or 16b is detected. Contact. When the jam detection sensor 16 detects contact, the control unit 100 detects a jam. Here, an example in which the recording medium P is in contact with the recording head 10 is shown, but the jam detection sensor 16 is also in contact with foreign matter other than the recording medium P.

(Elevating means)
Next, elevating means for separating the recording head 10 from the recording medium P in the ink ejection direction will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the carriage. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the mechanism of the head lifting / lowering drive unit 24. The head lifting / lowering drive unit 24 includes a reference shaft 17, a lifting shaft 18, cams 19 a and 19 b, an intermediate member 20, and a lifting motor 21 described below.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the carriage 5 includes a base member 5 a that contacts the main guide rod 3 and a sub-carriage 5 b that holds the recording head 10. The sub carriage 5b is supported by a reference shaft 17 mounted on the base member 5a.

  Further, an elevating shaft 18 is provided below the reference shaft 17 that supports the sub-carriage 5b via an intermediate member 20 that supports the reference shaft 17, and the elevating shaft 18 is rotated by two cams 19a and 19b. It is the axis. Further, the lifting shaft 18 is rotated by driving of the lifting motor 21.

  The cam surfaces of the cams 19 a and 19 b are in contact with the horizontal surface 20 c below the intermediate member 20. The intermediate member 20 has horizontal surfaces 20 a and 20 b above and below the reference shaft 17, respectively, and the reference shaft 17 can be pushed up via the intermediate member 20 by the rotation of the cam 19. When the reference shaft 17 is pushed up, the sub-carriage 5b is pushed up.

  The amount of rotation of the lift motor 21 is controlled by the head lift controller 104. Then, the lifting shaft 18 and the cam 19 are rotated by driving the lifting motor 21, and the height of the sub carriage 5 b in the discharge direction is displaced by the rotation of the cam 19 via the intermediate member 20 and the reference shaft 17. . In this manner, the distance between the recording head 10 and the recording medium P can be separated, and the separated one can be returned to the original position.

  5 and 6 is an example, and it is only necessary to have a mechanism capable of displacing the positions of the carriage 5 and the recording head 10 relative to the recording medium P. .

(Control during jam detection)
Next, the control of the control unit 100 at the time of jam detection will be described. FIG. 7 is a control flowchart for detecting a jam. FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of the carriage during jam detection.

  In the state shown in FIG. 4, the case where the traveling direction of the carriage 5 is directed to the right in the drawing will be described as an example. As shown in FIG. 4, a floating portion Pf is generated in the recording medium P in the print area, and when the carriage 5 moves in the right direction, the jam detection sensor 16 b comes into contact with the floating portion Pf of the recording medium P.

  Contact detection (that is, jam detection) by the jam detection sensor 16b is performed and notified to the main control unit 101 (S101). Next, the control unit 100 simultaneously executes (starts) the drive stop control (S102) of the carriage 5 and the lift control (S103) of the recording head 10. It should be noted that “simultaneous” may include substantially simultaneous, and it is needless to say that the timing of stopping the carriage 5 and the timing of completion of raising need not coincide. That is, stop control of the main scanning motor 9 by the main scanning drive unit 105 and drive control of the lifting motor 21 of the head lifting drive unit 24 are started simultaneously.

  When the drive stop control (S102) of the carriage 5 is performed, the carriage advances by a predetermined distance in the traveling direction due to inertia (overrun) and stops (S104). Further, when the control of raising the recording head 10 (S103) is performed, the recording head 10 starts to rise and rises to a predetermined position (S105).

  FIG. 8 is a front view of the carriage at the end of the two operations. Even when the nozzle surface of the recording head 10 moves to a position facing the floating portion Pf of the recording medium P due to an overrun during the drive stop control of the carriage 5 from the state shown in FIG. Since the nozzle surface (dotted line in the figure) of the recording head 10 is raised, it is possible to avoid contact with the recording medium P. That is, the carriage 5 is displaced from the state shown in FIG. 4 in the direction indicated by the arrow M in FIG. 4 in response to the two forces of the movement in the traveling direction due to inertia and the lifting operation by the lifting means.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment described above, when a jam (contact between the recording head 10 and the recording medium P in the present embodiment) is detected by the jam detection sensor, the carriage 5 is stopped and the recording is performed. By simultaneously performing the raising operation of the head 10, even if the carriage 5 moves due to inertia after the stop command to the carriage 5, the recording head 10 and the recording medium P come into contact with each other. You can avoid that. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of ejection failure due to contact or the failure of the recording head 10.

  That is, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, unlike the prior art, the carriage 5 is not separated from the recording medium P after the carriage 5 is stopped, but the carriage 5 is stopped and the recording head 10 is lifted simultaneously. By doing so, the carriage 5 is separated from the recording medium P earlier than the carriage 5 completely stops. Therefore, for example, as in Patent Document 2, it is also suitable for a carriage in which no light irradiation device is interposed between the detection device and the carriage. Further, since it is not necessary to increase the width of the carriage in the main scanning direction, the scanning width can be shortened, and productivity can be improved.

(Other embodiments)
Hereinafter, other embodiments of the apparatus for ejecting liquid according to the present invention will be described. In addition, the description about the same point as the said embodiment is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the jam detection sensors 16a and 16b are contact type sensors that detect contact with the recording medium P has been described. However, the jam detection sensor 16 is not in contact with the recording medium P and is to be recorded on the recording medium. It may be a non-contact sensor that detects the floating of P. As the non-contact sensor, for example, an optical sensor including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit that detects reflected light from the recording medium P with respect to light emission from the light emitting unit can be used.

  The jam detection sensor 16, which is a non-contact sensor, can measure the distance between the jam detection sensor 16 and the recording medium P, for example, and the threshold set to the measurement distance (the recording head 10 and the recording medium P are in contact with each other). It is determined that a jam has occurred when the distance becomes smaller than the distance that may occur.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the main scanning drive unit 105 performs stop control of the main scanning motor 9 when a jam is detected. However, when a jam is detected, the main scanning motor 9 is reversely rotated. It is also preferable to move the carriage 5 in the direction opposite to the traveling direction. Note that the case where the carriage 5 is moved in the direction opposite to the traveling direction includes the moment when the speed in the traveling direction becomes zero, and is included in the stop control.

  Further, when the jam detection sensor 16 is a contact type sensor, for example, a load fluctuation of the drive source (main scanning motor 9) of the carriage 5 occurs due to contact with a foreign matter on the conveyance path of the carriage 5 or a recording medium P. It may be determined that a jam has occurred.

  Further, when the jam detection sensor 16 is a contact type sensor, for example, when it is detected that a member of the sensor is displaced due to contact with a foreign matter on the conveyance path of the carriage 5 or a recording medium P, the jam is detected. It may be determined that it has occurred.

  Further, it is also preferable to control the rising width of the recording head 10 at the time of jam detection to a rising amount that can avoid contact according to information on the thickness of the recording medium P set in advance based on job information or the like. Further, when the jam detection sensor 16 is a contact type sensor, it is also preferable to control the amount of increase so that contact can be avoided according to the degree of contact (such as the above-described load fluctuation amount and member displacement amount). Further, when the jam detection sensor 16 is a non-contact type sensor, it is also preferable to control the amount of increase so that contact can be avoided according to the detected height of floating (measurement distance to the recording medium P).

  Further, the distance in the main scanning direction between the jam detection sensor 16 and the recording head 10 in the carriage 5 is the inertia of the carriage 5 from when the recording head 10 starts to rise by the elevating means until it rises (until retraction is completed). It is preferable that the distance is set to be longer than the moving distance by.

  The above-described embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  A “liquid ejection head” (recording head) is a functional component that ejects and ejects liquid from a nozzle. The “liquid discharge head” is not limited to the pressure generating means to be used. For example, in addition to the piezoelectric actuator as described in the above embodiment (a multilayer piezoelectric element may be used), a thermal actuator using an electrothermal conversion element such as a heating resistor, a diaphragm and a counter electrode are included. An electrostatic actuator or the like may be used.

  In addition, the terms “image formation”, “recording”, “printing”, “printing”, “printing”, “modeling” and the like in the terms of the present application are all synonymous.

  Further, the “liquid discharge unit” is an assembly of other functional parts and mechanisms integrated with the liquid discharge head, and is an assembly of parts related to the function of discharging liquid. For example, the “liquid discharge unit” includes a combination of at least one of a head tank, a carriage, a supply mechanism, a maintenance / recovery mechanism, and a main scanning movement mechanism with a liquid discharge head.

  Here, the term “integrated” refers to, for example, a liquid discharge head, a functional component, and a mechanism that are fixed to each other by fastening, adhesion, engagement, etc., and one that is held movably with respect to the other. Including. Further, the liquid discharge head, the functional component, and the mechanism may be configured to be detachable from each other.

  For example, there is a liquid discharge unit in which a liquid discharge head and a head tank are integrated. Also, there are some in which the liquid discharge head and the head tank are integrated by being connected to each other by a tube or the like. Here, a unit including a filter may be added between the head tank and the liquid discharge head of these liquid discharge units.

  In addition, there is a liquid discharge unit in which a liquid discharge head and a carriage are integrated.

  In addition, there is a liquid discharge unit in which the liquid discharge head and the scanning movement mechanism are integrated by holding the liquid discharge head movably on a guide member that constitutes a part of the scanning movement mechanism. In some cases, a liquid discharge head, a carriage, and a main scanning movement mechanism are integrated.

  Also, there is a liquid discharge unit in which a cap member that is a part of the maintenance / recovery mechanism is fixed to a carriage to which the liquid discharge head is attached, and the liquid discharge head, the carriage, and the maintenance / recovery mechanism are integrated. .

  In addition, there is a liquid discharge unit in which a tube is connected to a liquid discharge head to which a head tank or a flow path component is attached, and the liquid discharge head and a supply mechanism are integrated. The liquid from the liquid storage source is supplied to the liquid discharge head via this tube.

  The main scanning movement mechanism includes a guide member alone. The supply mechanism includes a single tube and a single loading unit.

  Further, the “apparatus that discharges liquid” is an apparatus that includes a liquid discharge head or a liquid discharge unit and drives the liquid discharge head to discharge the liquid. The apparatus for ejecting liquid includes not only an apparatus capable of ejecting liquid to an object to which liquid can adhere, but also an apparatus for ejecting liquid toward the air or liquid.

  This “apparatus for discharging liquid” may include means for feeding, transporting, and discharging a liquid to which liquid can adhere, as well as a pre-processing apparatus and a post-processing apparatus.

  For example, as a “liquid ejecting device”, an image forming device that forms an image on paper by ejecting ink, a powder is formed in layers to form a three-dimensional model (three-dimensional model) There is a three-dimensional modeling apparatus (three-dimensional modeling apparatus) that discharges a modeling liquid onto the powder layer.

  Further, the “apparatus for ejecting liquid” is not limited to an apparatus in which significant images such as characters and figures are visualized by the ejected liquid. For example, what forms a pattern etc. which does not have a meaning in itself, and what forms a three-dimensional image are also included.

  The above-mentioned “applicable liquid” means that the liquid can be attached at least temporarily and adheres and adheres, or adheres and penetrates. Specific examples include recording media such as paper, recording paper, recording paper, film, and cloth, electronic parts such as electronic substrates and piezoelectric elements, powder layers (powder layers), organ models, and test cells. Yes, unless specifically limited, includes everything that the liquid adheres to.

  The material of the above-mentioned “material to which liquid can adhere” is not limited as long as liquid such as paper, thread, fiber, fabric, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics can be adhered even temporarily.

  The “liquid” is not particularly limited as long as it has a viscosity and surface tension that can be ejected from the head, and the viscosity is 30 mPa · s or less at room temperature, normal pressure, or by heating and cooling. Preferably there is. More specifically, solvents such as water and organic solvents, colorants such as dyes and pigments, functional materials such as polymerizable compounds, resins, and surfactants, and biocompatible materials such as DNA, amino acids, proteins, and calcium. , Edible materials such as natural pigments, solutions, suspensions, emulsions, and the like. These include, for example, inkjet inks, surface treatment liquids, components of electronic devices and light emitting devices, and formation of electronic circuit resist patterns. It can be used in applications such as liquids for use, three-dimensional modeling material liquids, and the like.

  In addition, the “device for ejecting liquid” includes a device in which the liquid ejection head and the device to which the liquid can adhere move relatively, but is not limited thereto. Specific examples include a serial type apparatus that moves the liquid discharge head, a line type apparatus that does not move the liquid discharge head, and the like.

  In addition to the “device for discharging liquid”, a processing liquid coating apparatus for discharging a processing liquid onto a sheet for applying a processing liquid to the surface of the sheet for the purpose of modifying the surface of the sheet, or a raw material There is an injection granulating apparatus or the like that granulates fine particles of a raw material by spraying a composition liquid in which a solution is dispersed in a solution through a nozzle.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Main body frame 3 Main guide rod 4 Sub guide rod 5 Carriage 5a Base member 5b Subcarriage 6 Timing belt 7 Driving pulley 8 Driven pulley 9 Main scanning motor 10 (10k, 10c, 10m, 10y) Recording head 11 Cartridge Part 12 Maintenance mechanism part 13 Encoder sensor 14 Encoder sheet 15a, 15b Side plate 16 (16a, 16b) Jam detection sensor 17 Reference shaft 18 Lifting shaft 19a, 19b Cam 20 Intermediate member 20a, 20b, 20c Horizontal surface 21 Lifting motor 22 Platen 23 Cover 24 Head Lift Drive Unit 25 Main Body Housing 100 Control Unit 101 Main Control Unit 102 External I / F
103 Head Drive Control Unit 104 Head Elevation Control Unit 105 Main Scanning Drive Unit 106 Sub-Scanning Drive Unit 107 Feeding Drive Unit 108 Discharge Drive Unit 109 Scanner Control Unit 111 CPU
112 ROM
113 RAM
114 NVRAM
115 ASIC
116 FPGA
201 Rotary encoder 202 Sub-scanning motor 203 Feed motor 204 Discharge motor 205 Image reading unit 206 Operation display unit P Recording medium Pf Floating unit

Japanese Patent No. 4666844 JP-A-2005-324400

Claims (10)

A carriage having a liquid discharge head for discharging liquid;
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: scanning means for scanning the carriage in the main scanning direction;
The carriage is
Detection means for detecting contact with a recording medium or foreign matter;
Elevating means for moving the liquid ejection head to vary the distance between the liquid ejection head and the recording medium;
When the detection means detects the contact,
An operation of stopping scanning of the carriage by the scanning means;
An apparatus for ejecting liquid, wherein the operation of increasing the distance between the liquid ejection head and the recording medium is simultaneously performed by the elevating means. A carriage having a liquid discharge head for discharging liquid;
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: scanning means for scanning the carriage in the main scanning direction;
The carriage is
Detecting means for detecting floating of the recording medium;
Elevating means for moving the liquid ejection head to vary the distance between the liquid ejection head and the recording medium;
When the detection means detects the float,
An operation of stopping scanning of the carriage by the scanning means;
An apparatus for ejecting liquid, wherein the operation of increasing the distance between the liquid ejection head and the recording medium is simultaneously performed by the elevating means. The distance in the main scanning direction between the detection means and the liquid ejection head in the carriage is
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving distance from the start of the operation for stopping the scanning of the carriage to the completion of the movement of the liquid ejection head by the elevating unit is set longer than the moving distance of the carriage. A device that ejects liquid.   The apparatus for ejecting liquid according to claim 1, wherein the elevating unit controls the amount of movement of the liquid ejection head according to the thickness of the recording medium.   3. The apparatus for ejecting liquid according to claim 1, wherein the elevating unit controls the amount of movement of the liquid ejection head in accordance with the degree of contact or the height of the float.   The detection means is provided at both ends of the carriage in the main scanning direction, and is provided at a position protruding toward the recording medium from the liquid discharge head in the liquid discharge direction. The apparatus for discharging the liquid according to claim 1. When the detection means detects the contact or the float,
7. The apparatus for ejecting liquid according to claim 1, wherein a scanning direction of the carriage by the scanning unit is reversed. The detection means includes
The apparatus for ejecting liquid according to claim 1, wherein the contact is detected when a load variation of the scanning unit of the carriage is detected. The detection means includes
The apparatus for ejecting liquid according to claim 1, wherein the contact is detected when it is detected that at least a part of the detection unit is displaced. The detection means includes
The apparatus for ejecting liquid according to claim 2, wherein a distance between the liquid ejection head and the recording medium is measured, and the float is detected when the distance is equal to or less than a threshold value.