JP2020019217A - Cleaning system of inkjet printer and cleaning method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a cleaning system of an inkjet printer that can perform cleaning of an ink head while saving costs and spaces.SOLUTION: A cleaning system 1 of an inkjet printer 10 includes an inkjet printer 10 and a cleaning unit 100. The inkjet printer 10 comprises ink heads 40A-40D and a table 30, provided to oppose to the ink heads 40A-40D, on which a printed matter is placed. The cleaning unit 100 comprises a mounting part configured to be attachable to and detachable from the table 30, and cleaning members which are arranged to oppose to the ink heads 40A-40D when the mounting part is attached to the table 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a cleaning system and a cleaning method for an inkjet printer.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an inkjet printer including a wiping mechanism for removing ink or the like attached to an ink head has been known. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an ink jet recording apparatus including a wiping member (blade) that slidably contacts the ejection opening surfaces of a plurality of recording heads and wipes ink or the like.

JP-A-7-125228

  By the way, in order to provide the above-described cleaning mechanism in the ink jet printer, a certain space is required. In addition, a certain cost is required.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning system for an ink jet printer that can perform cleaning of an ink head while reducing cost and space. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for cleaning such an ink jet printer.

  The ink jet printer cleaning system disclosed herein includes an ink jet printer and a cleaning unit. The inkjet printer includes an ink head and a table that is provided to face the ink head and on which a printing material is placed. The cleaning unit includes a mounting portion configured to be detachable from the table, and a cleaning member arranged to face the ink head when the mounting portion is mounted on the table.

  Also, the ink jet printer cleaning method disclosed herein includes an ink head, a table provided to face the ink head, and a table on which a printing object is placed, and the ink head and the table being relatively moved. A method for cleaning the ink head in an ink jet printer having a moving device for moving the ink head. The method includes a first step of mounting a cleaning unit on the table, and a second step of bringing the ink head and the cleaning unit into contact with each other by relatively moving the ink head and the table by the moving device. And a step.

  According to the cleaning system and the cleaning method of the ink jet printer, the head cleaning can be easily performed by mounting the detachable cleaning unit on the table provided as a member on which the printing material is placed. According to such a method, the cost and space required for head cleaning can be saved.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a printer according to an embodiment. It is a top view of a table. FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically illustrating a configuration of a carriage lower surface. It is a perspective view of a cleaning unit. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a state where the absorbing member, the sheet holding member, and the fourth leg are removed from the state of FIG. 4A. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a leg part. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a cleaning operation of a first ink head. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a positional relationship among a first ink head, a first cleaning member, and a second cleaning member in step S11. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a positional relationship among a first ink head, a first cleaning member, and a second cleaning member in step S12. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a positional relationship among a first ink head, a first cleaning member, and a second cleaning member in step S20. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a positional relationship among a first ink head, a first cleaning member, and a second cleaning member in step S30. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a positional relationship among a first ink head, a first cleaning member, and a second cleaning member in a sliding operation. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a positional relationship among a first ink head, a first cleaning member, and a second cleaning member in step S41. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a positional relationship among a first ink head, a first cleaning member, and a second cleaning member in step S42. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a positional relationship among a first ink head, a first cleaning member, and a second cleaning member in step S50. FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing a positional relationship between a carriage and a cleaning unit at the time of step S20. It is a side view which shows typically the cleaning unit which concerns on a 1st modification. FIG. 11 is a plan view schematically showing a first ink head and a cleaning unit according to a second modification. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cleaning unit according to a third modification.

  Hereinafter, a cleaning system for an inkjet printer according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described here are not intended to limit the present invention in particular. Members and parts having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping description will be omitted or simplified as appropriate. In the following description, when the inkjet printer is viewed from the front, the direction away from the inkjet printer is defined as the front, and the direction approaching the inkjet printer is defined as the rear. In addition, symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings represent front, rear, left, right, upper, and lower, respectively. However, these are only directions for convenience of description, and do not limit the installation mode of the inkjet printer.

  The symbol Y in the drawing indicates the main scanning direction. The main scanning direction Y is a left-right direction. Further, hereinafter, one of the main scanning directions Y will be appropriately referred to as a first main scanning direction Y1 and the other will be referred to as a second main scanning direction Y2. In the present embodiment, the first main scanning direction Y1 is to the left. The second main scanning direction Y2 is to the right. Symbol X indicates the sub-scanning direction. The sub-scanning direction X is a front-back direction. The main scanning direction Y and the sub scanning direction X are orthogonal to each other in a plan view. Further, hereinafter, one of the sub-scanning directions X will be appropriately referred to as a first sub-scanning direction X1, and the other will be referred to as a second sub-scanning direction X2. In the present embodiment, the first sub-scanning direction X1 is forward. The second sub-scanning direction X2 is backward. The symbol Z indicates the up-down direction. The vertical direction Z is orthogonal to the main scanning direction Y and the sub scanning direction X. However, the main scanning direction Y, the sub-scanning direction X, and the vertical direction Z are not particularly limited, and can be appropriately set according to the form of the printer 10.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a printer 10 and a cleaning unit 100. The cleaning system 1 uses the cleaning unit 100 to clean the ink heads 40A to 40D of the printer 10. The cleaning unit 100 is configured to be detachable from the table 30. Here, the cleaning unit 100 constitutes the cleaning system 1 together with the printer 10. However, the cleaning unit 100 may be a detachable member of the printer 10.

  The printer 10 includes a printer main body 11, a carriage 20, a plurality of ink heads 40A to 40D mounted on the carriage 20, a moving device 50, a capping device 80, and a control device 90.

  The printer body 11 is formed in a box shape with an open front. The printer main body 11 extends in the left-right direction. The printer main body 11 houses therein a carriage 20, a table 30, ink heads 40A to 40D, a moving device 50, a capping device 80, and a control device 90. The printer body 11 includes a front cover 12 that can open and close an opening on the front.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the table 30 is disposed substantially at the center in the main scanning direction Y in the internal space of the printer main body 11. The table 30 is installed substantially horizontally. The table 30 is a member on which the substrate 5 (see FIG. 2) is placed. The printer 10 according to the present embodiment is a so-called flatbed type printer.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of the table 30. In FIG. 2, the cleaning unit 100 is illustrated by a two-dot chain line. As shown in FIG. 2, a jig 200 for positioning the print substrate 5 is placed on the table 30. The shape of the printing material 5 is not particularly limited, and may have various three-dimensional shapes in addition to the flat shape. Further, the material of the printing material 5 is not particularly limited, and the printing material 5 may be, for example, wood, metal, glass, paper, cloth, or the like. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of print substrates 5 may be provided. The plurality of print substrates 5 are mounted in the storage sections 210 of the jig 200, respectively. Here, the storage section 210 is a through hole formed in a planar shape corresponding to the print substrate 5. The printing medium 5 is positioned with respect to the table 30 by being mounted on the storage section 210. The jig 200 has a certain thickness. For the jig 200, a material having a standardized thickness is preferably used. The thickness of the jig 200 is, for example, 3 mm or 6 mm. The jig 200 is formed of, for example, ABS.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the table 30, a print area A1, which is a maximum printable area, is set. Here, the jig 200 is arranged inside the printing area A1. Although not shown, a plurality of screw holes are provided in the print area A1 of the table 30. The jig 200 is fixed to the table 30 with bolts 220 using these screw holes. Although not shown, the table 30 is provided with a plurality of through holes. As shown in FIG. 1, below the table 30, a fan 32 is installed. When the fan 32 is driven to discharge air in the space below the table 30, a negative pressure is generated in the space below the table 30. Due to this negative pressure, the printing medium 5 is attracted to the table 30 through the plurality of through holes.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the table 30 includes a unit installation section 30a in which the cleaning unit 100 is installed. Here, the unit installation section 30a is set within a certain range from the left front end of the table 30. The unit installation section 30a includes mounting holes 31a to 31c into which the legs 141 to 143 (see FIG. 4A) of the cleaning unit 100 are respectively inserted. The mounting holes 31a to 31c constitute a first positioning mechanism that determines a position where the cleaning unit 100 is mounted. The mounting holes 31a to 31c are through holes that penetrate the table 30 in the vertical direction Z. The mounting holes 31a to 31c are arranged outside the printing area A1 of the table 30. Specifically, the first mounting hole 31a is provided at the left front end of the table 30. The second mounting hole 31b is provided at the front end of the table 30 and to the right of the first mounting hole 31a. The third mounting hole 31c is provided at the left end of the table 30 and behind the first mounting hole 31a. In the present embodiment, three mounting holes are provided, but at least two mounting holes may be provided. If at least two mounting holes are formed, it can function as a positioning mechanism.

  The plurality of ink heads 40 </ b> A to 40 </ b> D are provided to face the table 30. The ink heads 40A to 40D are mounted on the carriage 20. The carriage 20 is movably engaged with the printer main body 11 via the guide rail 61 of the moving device 50. FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically illustrating the configuration of the lower surface of the carriage 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of ink heads 40A to 40D are arranged in the carriage 20 in the main scanning direction Y. Among them, the first ink head 40A is arranged most in the first main scanning direction Y1 (here, to the left). The second ink head 40B is arranged in the second main scanning direction Y2 (here, to the right) with respect to the first ink head 40A. The third ink head 40C is arranged in the second main scanning direction Y2 more than the second ink head 40B. The fourth ink head 40D is arranged most in the second main scanning direction Y2. Each of the ink heads 40A to 40D extends in the sub-scanning direction X. The positions of the ink heads 40A to 40D in the sub-scanning direction X are aligned.

  The first ink head 40A has a nozzle surface 42 on which a plurality of nozzles 41 are formed. Here, the nozzle surface 42 is the lower surface of the first ink head 40A. The nozzle 41 is a fine hole from which ink is ejected. An actuator having a piezoelectric element is connected to each of the plurality of nozzles 41. When each actuator is driven, each nozzle 41 discharges ink. Each actuator includes a pressure chamber that communicates with the nozzle 41 and stores ink, and a piezoelectric element that is in contact with the pressure chamber. When the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element is changed, the piezoelectric element expands and contracts, and the displacement changes the volume of the pressure chamber. The ink is ejected from the nozzle 41 by the change in the volume of the pressure chamber. The plurality of actuators are electrically connected to the control device 90 and are controlled by the control device 90. In the first ink head 40A, the plurality of nozzles 41 form two nozzle rows 43a and 43b extending in the sub-scanning direction X. The first nozzle row 43a and the second nozzle row 43b are arranged in the main scanning direction Y.

  The nozzle surface 42 of the first ink head 40A has a nozzle forming area A2 including all the nozzles 41. As shown in FIG. 3, the nozzle formation area A2 is a rectangular area set outside the first nozzle row 43a and the second nozzle row 43b. The nozzle formation region A2 is a region virtually set as a region where the nozzle 41 is formed on the nozzle surface 42 and the periphery thereof. Therefore, the nozzle formation region A2 does not need to have a configuration other than the nozzle 41 in particular. As shown in FIG. 3, outside the nozzle formation region A2, there is a region A3 to which a cap 81 described later contacts.

  The nozzle surface 42 includes an end 42a on the first sub-scanning direction X1 side (hereinafter, also referred to as a first end 42a) and an end 42b on the second sub-scanning direction X2 side (hereinafter, also referred to as a second end 42b). ). Here, the first end 42a is the front end of the nozzle surface 42. The second end 42b is a rear end of the nozzle surface 42. A head guard 44 is provided outside the nozzle surface 42 including the first end 42a and the second end 42b as boundaries. The head guard 44 projects below the nozzle surface 42. The head guard 44 is provided to prevent an obstacle from colliding with the nozzle 41. The boundary between the head guard 44 and the nozzle surface 42 is a step.

  The second ink head 40B to the fourth ink head 40D also have the same configuration as the first ink head 40A. One ink cartridge (not shown) is connected to each of the nozzle rows of the ink heads 40A to 40D. From the nozzle rows of the ink heads 40A to 40D, the ink stored in the ink cartridges connected to each of them is ejected. The material of the ink is not limited at all, and various materials conventionally used as the material of the ink for the ink jet printer can be used. Here, an ultraviolet curable pigment ink that is cured by receiving ultraviolet light is used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the carriage 20 is provided with an ultraviolet lamp 25. Here, the ultraviolet lamp 25 is provided on the left side surface of the carriage 20. The ultraviolet lamp 25 extends in the sub-scanning direction X. The ultraviolet lamp 25 irradiates the table 30 with ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet lamp 25 is electrically connected to the control device 90 and is controlled by the control device 90.

  The moving device 50 is a mechanism for relatively moving the ink heads 40A to 40D and the table 30. The moving device 50 according to the present embodiment includes a carriage moving device 60 and a table moving device 70. The carriage moving device 60 is configured to move the carriage 20 in the main scanning direction Y. The main scanning direction Y is parallel to the table 30. The carriage moving device 60 includes a guide rail 61, a belt 62, left and right pulleys (not shown), and a scan motor 63. The carriage 20 is slidably engaged with the guide rail 61. The guide rail 61 is fixed to the printer main body 11 and extends in the left-right direction. The guide rail 61 guides the movement of the carriage 20 in the left-right direction. The belt 62 is fixed to the carriage 20. The belt 62 is an endless belt. The belt 62 is wound around pulleys (not shown) provided on the left and right sides of the guide rail 61. A scan motor 63 is attached to one pulley. The scan motor 63 is electrically connected to the control device 90. The scan motor 63 is controlled by the control device 90. When the scan motor 63 is driven, the pulley rotates and the belt 62 runs. Thereby, the carriage 20 moves in the left-right direction along the guide rail 61.

  Below the table 30, a table moving device 70 is arranged. The table moving device 70 is a mechanism for moving the table 30 in the sub-scanning direction X and the vertical direction Z. The table moving device 70 supports the table 30 from below. The table moving device 70 includes a Z-axis direction moving mechanism 71 and an X-axis direction moving mechanism 72. The Z-axis direction moving mechanism 71 is a mechanism that supports the table 30 and moves the table 30 in the vertical direction Z. The vertical direction Z is orthogonal to the table 30. The Z-axis direction moving mechanism 71 includes a ball screw mechanism and a motor (not shown). The ball screw mechanism is driven by a motor. The Z-axis direction moving mechanism 71 is supported by the X-axis direction moving mechanism 72 from below. The X-axis direction moving mechanism 72 is a mechanism that moves the table 30 in the sub-scanning direction X. The sub-scanning direction X is a direction parallel to the table 30 and orthogonal to the main scanning direction Y. The X-axis direction moving mechanism 72 includes a ball screw mechanism (not shown) and a motor.

  The configuration of the moving device 50 is not particularly limited. The moving device 50 includes a moving mechanism that moves at least one of the ink heads 40A to 40D and the table 30 in the main scanning direction Y, and a moving mechanism that moves at least one of the ink heads 40A to 40D and the table 30 in the sub-scanning direction X. And a moving mechanism that moves at least one of the ink heads 40A to 40D and the table 30 in the vertical direction Z is not limited thereto. For example, the moving device may move either the table 30 or the carriage 20 in the main scanning direction Y, the sub-scanning direction X, and the vertical direction Z. Alternatively, both the table 30 and the carriage 20 may be moved in the main scanning direction Y, the sub scanning direction X, and the vertical direction Z. The movement between the ink heads 40A to 40D and the table 30 is relative, and there is no limitation on which member is moved in which direction. The moving device 50 is electrically connected to the control device 90, and is controlled by the control device 90.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a home position HP is set at the right end of the movable range of the carriage 20. The home position HP is a position where the carriage 20 is arranged at the time of printing standby or the like. A capping device 80 is arranged below the carriage 20 at the home position HP. The capping device 80 includes a cap 81, a cap moving mechanism 82, and a suction pump 83.

  The caps 81 are provided in the same number as the ink heads 40A to 40D. One cap 81 corresponds to one ink head. The cap 81 has a container shape with an open top. The cap 81 is formed of rubber or the like. The upper edge of the cap 81 corresponds to a region A3 where the cap 81 in FIG. 2 contacts. At the time of attachment to the ink heads 40A to 40D, the cap 81 contacts the area A3 outside the nozzle formation area A2 at the upper edge.

  The plurality of caps 81 are supported by one cap moving mechanism 82. The cap moving mechanism 82 is configured to contact the plurality of caps 81 with the nozzle surfaces 42 of the ink heads 40A to 40D or to separate them. The cap moving mechanism 82 moves the cap 81 in the up-down direction Z while supporting the cap 81 from below. As a result, the cap 81 is mounted on the ink heads 40A to 40D and is separated therefrom. When the cap 81 is attached to the ink heads 40A to 40D, the upper edge is pressed against the nozzle surface 42. Therefore, the cap 81 comes into close contact with the nozzle surface 42 due to the elasticity of the cap 81.

  The suction pump 83 is connected to the plurality of caps 81 via a tube (not shown) or the like. The suction pump 83 suctions ink and the like accumulated in the cap 81. The suction pump 83 is electrically connected to the control device 90, and is controlled by the control device 90.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a control device 90 for controlling various operations of the printer 10 is accommodated at the right end of the printer 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the control device 90 includes a cleaning control unit 91. The cleaning control unit 91 controls the moving device 50 to bring the cleaning members 120A to 120H of the cleaning unit 100 into contact with the ink heads 40A to 40D. Then, the ink heads 40A to 40D are cleaned by moving the ink heads 40A to 40D and the cleaning unit 100 in a predetermined motion. The control device 90 also includes a control unit that performs other functions such as printing, but a description thereof is omitted here. The cleaning control unit 91 includes a first control unit 91a, a second control unit 91b, a third control unit 91c, a fourth control unit 91d, and a fifth control unit 91e.

  The configuration of the control device 90 is not particularly limited. The control device 90 is, for example, a microcomputer. Although the hardware configuration of the microcomputer is not particularly limited, for example, an interface (I / F) for receiving print data and the like from an external device such as a host computer, and a central processing unit (CPU: central processing unit) for executing a control program instruction processing unit), a ROM (read only memory) storing a program to be executed by the CPU, a RAM (random access memory) used as a working area for expanding the program, and a memory storing the program and various data. And a storage device.

  The first control unit 91a of the cleaning control unit 91 executes a first step of bringing the cleaning members 120A to 120H into contact with a portion of the nozzle surface 42 closer to the second sub-scanning direction X2 than the first end 42a in the cleaning operation. I do. After the first step, the second control unit 91b performs a second step of moving the cleaning members 120A to 120H in the second sub-scanning direction X2 with respect to the ink heads 40A to 40D while keeping the cleaning members 120A to 120H in contact with the nozzle surface 42. Execute. After the second step, the third control unit 91c executes a third step of separating the cleaning members 120A to 120H from the nozzle surface 42. After the third step, the fourth control unit 91d executes a fourth step of bringing the cleaning members 120A to 120H into contact with a portion of the nozzle surface 42 closer to the first sub-scanning direction X1 than the second end 42b. After the fourth step, the fifth controller executes a fifth step of moving the cleaning members 120A to 120H in the first sub-scanning direction X1 with respect to the ink heads 40A to 40D while keeping the cleaning members 120A to 120H in contact with the nozzle surface 42. Details of the cleaning operation will be described later.

  4A and 4B are perspective views of the cleaning unit 100. FIG. FIG. 4A is a diagram in which all parts of the cleaning unit 100 are arranged. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the absorbing member 122, the sheet holding member 130, and the fourth leg 144 have been removed from the state of FIG. 4A. However, in FIG. 4, the absorbing member 122 is shown by a two-dot chain line. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the cleaning unit 100 includes a base 110, a plurality of cleaning members 120A to 120H, a sheet holding member 130, and legs 140.

  The base 110 is formed in a plate shape. Cleaning members 120A to 120H are provided on the upper surface 111 of the base 110. A leg 140 is provided on the lower surface 112 of the base 110. The sheet holding member 130 is attached to and detached from the base 110. The base 110 is formed of, for example, a metal. As shown in FIG. 4B, the base 110 includes a contact member holding portion 113, a leg mounting portion 114, and a mounting groove 115 for the sheet holding member 130.

  The contact member holding portion 113 is formed on the upper surface 111 of the base 110. The contact member holding section 113 holds the contact members 121 of the cleaning members 120A to 120H. The contact member holding portion 113 has a concave portion 113a. The recess 113 a is one step lower than the upper surface 111 of the base 110. The recess 113a extends in the main scanning direction Y. The holding table 113b is placed in the recess 113a. The holding table 113b also extends in the main scanning direction Y. The holding table 113b is formed of a sheet metal or the like. The holding table 113b includes a plurality of partitions 113b1. The partition 113b1 divides the bottom surface of the holding table 113b into eight sections in the main scanning direction Y. The divided areas constitute eight frames 113b2. The holding table 113b is fixed to the base 110 by bolts 113c.

  The leg mounting portion 114 is configured so that the legs 141 to 144 of the leg portion 140 can be attached and detached. A plurality of leg attachment portions 114 are provided. Here, the leg attachment portions 114 are through holes that respectively penetrate the base 110 in the vertical direction Z. The first mounting portion 114a is provided near the left front end of the base 110. The second mounting portion 114b is provided near the right front end of the base 110. The third mounting portion 114c is provided near the left rear end of the base 110. The plurality of fourth mounting portions 114d are provided near the right rear end of the base 110. Therefore, the user can select a mounting part to which the fourth leg 144 is mounted from the plurality of fourth mounting parts 114d. The relationship between the fourth mounting portion 114d and the fourth leg 144 will be described later.

  The mounting grooves 115 of the sheet holding member 130 are formed one by one facing the left and right ends of the concave portion 113a of the close contact member holding portion 113. The length of the mounting groove 115 in the sub-scanning direction X is longer than the length of the recess 113a. Further, it is formed short in the main scanning direction Y. Therefore, the mounting groove 115 has a flat shape in the sub-scanning direction X.

  The cleaning unit 100 includes a plurality of cleaning members 120A to 120H. The plurality of cleaning members 120A to 120H are provided on the upper surface 111 of the base 110. The plurality of cleaning members 120A to 120H are arranged in the main scanning direction Y. The cleaning members 120A to 120H clean the ink heads 40A to 40D of the printer 10. The cleaning members 120A to 120H are arranged so as to face the ink heads 40A to 40D when the cleaning unit 100 is mounted on the table 30. Each of the cleaning members 120A to 120H includes a contact member 121 and an absorbing member 122. However, as described later, in the present embodiment, the absorbing member 122 is shared by all the cleaning members 120A to 120H.

  The contact member 121 is formed of a material having flexibility. The contact member 121 is formed of rubber, more preferably, silicone rubber having a hardness of 5 degrees or more and 20 degrees or less. The contact member 121 is formed by bending a plate-shaped material. The plate-shaped material of the contact member 121 is bent by the contact member holding portion 113 so as to protrude outward, and is held in that state. More specifically, the material of the contact member 121 is inserted into a frame 113b2 divided by a partition 113b1 of the holding table 113b. At this time, the material of the contact member 121 is bent substantially at the center in the main scanning direction Y, and both ends are inserted into the frame 113b2. The material of the contact member 121 is inserted into the frame 113b2 such that both ends are aligned in the main scanning direction Y. Therefore, the contact member 121 has a convex surface 121a whose center in the main scanning direction Y is convex toward the side opposite to the base 110. The convex surface 121a is formed in a curved surface. The convex surface 121a of the contact member 121 extends in the sub-scanning direction X with its cross-sectional shape. The convex surface 121a has the same cross-sectional shape along the sub-scanning direction X. The contact member 121 is formed in a saddle shape.

  Since the contact member 121 is formed in a saddle shape, it has a space below the convex surface 121a. Therefore, in addition to its own flexibility, the contact member 121 can be deformed by an amount corresponding to the deformation of the space. The contact member 121 is fixed by a restraining member 113 d of the contact member holding portion 113. The restraining member 113d restrains the close contact member 121 so as to fix both ends of the close contact member 121 to each other.

  The absorbing member 122 is formed of a sheet-like material that absorbs ink. Here, the absorbing member 122 is formed of a nonwoven fabric. One absorbing member 122 is used for the plurality of close contact members 121. The absorbing member 122 is covered on a plurality of contact members 121 arranged in the main scanning direction Y. The absorbing member 122 is detachable from the close contact member 121. The length of the absorbing member 122 in the main scanning direction Y is longer than the length of the plurality of contact members 121 arranged in the main scanning direction Y. The length of the absorbing member 122 in the sub-scanning direction X is longer than the length of the contact member 121. Therefore, the absorbing member 122 can be placed so as to cover the plurality of contact members 121 from above.

  The absorbing member 122 is held by the sheet holding member 130. The sheet holding member 130 has a box-like shape with the base 110 side (lower surface) opened. The sheet holding member 130 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The sheet holding member 130 also has an opening 131 on the upper surface. The opening 131 is configured to pass a plurality of contact members 121 arranged in the main scanning direction Y. Therefore, when the sheet holding member 130 is mounted on the base 110, the convex surface 121 a of the contact member 121 projects above the opening 131. The sheet holding member 130 has claw portions 132 at lower end portions on both side surfaces in the main scanning direction Y. The sheet holding member 130 is mounted on the base 110 by fitting the claw 132 into the mounting groove 115 of the base 110.

  The sheet holding member 130 has sheet holding portions 133 on both sides in the sub-scanning direction X. The sheet holding portion 133 protrudes downward from the upper surface, and extends in the main scanning direction Y. The sheet holding unit 133 presses the absorbing member 122 on the first sub-scanning direction X1 side and the second sub-scanning direction X2 side of the contact member 121. The sheet holding member 130 presses the absorbing member 122 so as to press it against the close contact member 121. As a result, the absorbing member 122 is arranged along the outer periphery of the convex surface 121a of the close contact member 121, and is curved along the convex surface 121a. The sheet holding member 130 holds the absorbing member 122 in a detachable manner.

  On the other hand, in the main scanning direction Y, the sheet holding member 130 is open without pressing the absorbing member 122. The sheet holding member 130 does not include a downwardly projecting portion such as the sheet holding portion 133 on both side surfaces in the main scanning direction Y. Both side surfaces in the main scanning direction Y of the sheet holding member 130 form an opening 134 that opens the absorbing member 122 in the main scanning direction Y. Therefore, when the sheet holding member 130 is mounted, the absorbing member 122 can move in the main scanning direction Y. Therefore, the absorbing member 122 is arranged along the outer periphery of the close contact member 121.

  In the present embodiment, the cleaning members 120A to 120H each include the close contact member 121 and the absorbing member 122, but are not limited thereto. Each of the cleaning members 120A to 120H may have a convex surface S1 and may be made of a material which has flexibility and absorbs ink. For example, each of the cleaning members 120A to 120H may be made of one material. In this case, the material of the cleaning members 120A to 120H may have both flexibility and ink absorbability. For example, the cleaning members 120A to 120H may be formed of a sponge or the like having appropriate elasticity. The length of the cleaning members 120A to 120H in the sub scanning direction X is shorter than the length of the nozzle surfaces 42 of the ink heads 40A to 40D in the sub scanning direction X. Here, the length of the cleaning members 120A to 120H in the sub-scanning direction X is slightly longer than half the length of the nozzle surface 42 in the sub-scanning direction X.

  Further, a small amount of cleaning liquid may be applied to the absorbing member 122 when cleaning the ink heads 40A to 40D. A liquid that dissolves the ink, such as a solvent for the ink, is suitably used as the cleaning liquid.

  The leg 140 is provided on the lower surface 112 of the base 110. The leg 140 is installed on the table 30 of the printer 10. In the cleaning unit 100, the leg 140 is configured as a mounting portion that can be attached to and detached from the table 30. Here, the leg 140 includes a plurality of legs 141 to 144. The first leg 141 to the third leg 143 have the same configuration. The first leg 141 includes a nut portion 141a and a tip portion 141b. As shown in FIGS. 4B and 4B, the nut portion 141a has a hexagonal column shape extending in the vertical direction Z. The nut portion 141a extends outside the leg mounting portion 114 of the base 110 in a plan view. A screw hole extending in the vertical direction Z is formed in the nut portion 141a. The nut portion 141a is fixed to the base 110 by fastening a bolt 141c to the screw hole. The leg 140 is arranged inside the outline of the base 110 in plan view. Accordingly, the leg 140 does not protrude outside the base 110, and the cleaning unit 100 can be made compact.

  A tip portion 141b is provided at a lower end of the nut portion 141a. The tip portion 141b has a columnar shape whose outer diameter is smaller than that of the nut portion 141a. There is a step at the boundary between the nut part 141a and the tip part 141b. The outer diameter of the tip portion 141b corresponds to the inner diameter of the mounting holes 31a to 31c of the table 30. The first leg 141 is inserted into the first mounting hole 31a of the table 30. The first leg 141 is positioned in the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X by inserting the distal end 141b into the first mounting hole 31a. Further, the nut 141a is positioned in the vertical direction Z by abutting the table 30. The same applies to the second leg 142 and the third leg 143. The second leg 142 is inserted into the second mounting hole 31b of the table 30. The third leg 143 is inserted into the third mounting hole 31c of the table 30. The leg 140 functions as a second positioning mechanism corresponding to the first positioning mechanism (here, the mounting holes 31a to 31c) provided on the table 30 side.

  The fourth leg 144 is configured to be detachable from the fourth mounting portion 114d of the base 110. As described above, the plurality of fourth mounting portions 114d are provided. The number of the fourth mounting portions 114d to which the fourth legs 144 can be mounted is larger than the number of the fourth legs 144. Therefore, the position of the fourth leg 144 on the base 110 can be moved by changing the fourth mounting portion 114d to be mounted. Here, the number of the fourth legs 144 is one, and the number of the fourth mounting parts 114d is three. The number of legs that can move on the base 110 is not limited to one, and may be two or more. The number of leg attachment portions to which movable legs can be attached may be larger than the number of legs, and is not particularly limited.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the moving range of the fourth leg 144 is set in the print area A1 of the table 30. That is, in a plan view, all the fourth mounting portions 114d are in the print area A1. However, the moving range of the fourth leg 144 only needs to at least partially overlap the printing area A1 of the table 30, and the entire moving range does not necessarily have to be included in the printing area A1. In other words, the fourth leg 144 may be able to move out of the print area A1. The fourth leg 144 also includes a nut portion, and is configured to be fixed to the base 110 by a bolt. Since the fourth leg 144 is not always arranged at the portion of the table 30 where the hole is formed, the fourth leg 144 has a shape without a tip.

  The leg 140 is configured to be changeable in length. In the present embodiment, each of the plurality of legs 141 to 144 is configured to be changeable in length. Each of the first leg 141 to the fourth leg 144 is configured by one of a plurality of leg parts that can be attached to the base 110 and have different lengths. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a leg part. As shown in FIG. 5, the leg parts have five types of leg parts, for example, a first leg part Pt1 to a fifth leg part Pt5. The leg parts Pt1 to Pt5 include leg parts having different nut lengths. Further, the leg parts Pt1 to Pt5 include those with and without the tip. The method of selecting the leg parts will be described later.

  Hereinafter, the mounting of the cleaning unit 100 on the printer 10 and the cleaning operation of the ink heads 40A to 40D will be described. First, attachment of the cleaning unit 100 to the printer 10 will be described.

  The cleaning unit 100 according to the present embodiment is configured so that it can be mounted on the table 30 without removing the jig 200. The cleaning unit 100 lifts the base 110 above the jig 200 by the leg 140. The user selects a leg part of a suitable length for that purpose. The length L0 shown in FIG. 5 is the thickness of the jig 200. In order to avoid the jig 200, the leg 140 needs to raise the height of the lower surface 112 of the base 110 to be higher than the thickness L0 of the jig. Therefore, the leg part Pt2 is selected for the first leg 141 to the third leg 143. The length of the nut part of the leg part Pt2 is longer than the thickness L0 of the jig. On the other hand, the length of the leg part Pt1 for the other first leg 141 to the third leg 143 is the same as the thickness L0 of the jig. The first leg 141 to the third leg 143 are legs that stand outside the print area A1 of the table 30. Therefore, the length of the first leg 141 to the third leg 143 needs to be longer than the thickness L0 of the jig 200.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the fourth leg 144 stands inside the print area A1. The user can select the fourth mounting portion 114d for mounting the fourth leg 144. Thereby, the user selects a place on the table 30 where the fourth leg 144 stands. In the example of FIG. 2, one fourth mounting part 114d1 of the plurality of fourth mounting parts 114d is located on the storage part 210 of the jig 200. The storage section 210 is a through hole formed in the jig 200. Therefore, the user can select the mounting portion 114d1 as the leg mounting portion to which the fourth leg 144 is mounted. By selecting the mounting portion 114d1, the fourth leg 144 can be made to stand on the table 30. Thereby, the cleaning unit 100 can be stably installed. In this case, the user selects the leg part Pt3 as the fourth leg 144. The leg part Pt3 is a leg part having the same length of the nut part as the leg part Pt2 and having no tip.

  When the fourth leg 144 cannot pass through the storage section 210 of the jig 200, the user can place the fourth leg 144 on the jig 200. In this case, the user selects the leg part Pt4 as the fourth leg 144. The leg part Pt4 has the same length as the difference between the height of the leg part Pt2 and the thickness L0 of the jig 200, and has no tip.

  Although only five types of leg parts Pt1 to Pt5 are illustrated in FIG. 5, various lengths of the leg parts may be prepared as needed. The leg parts may be prepared on the assumption that the jig 200 is made from a material of standardized thickness. Assuming that the jig 200 is made of a material having a standardized thickness, the length of the leg parts to be prepared is limited to a specific combination. Therefore, according to this method, the types of leg parts can be reduced. However, the leg parts do not particularly assume the thickness of the jig 200, and may be prepared in, for example, 1 mm increments. Note that, of course, even when the jig 200 is not present, the leg 140 functions as a positioning mechanism on the cleaning unit 100 side.

  When the selection of the leg parts is completed and the legs 141 to 144 are mounted on the base 110, the cleaning unit 100 is mounted on the unit installation section 30a. This mounting is performed by inserting the first leg 141 to the third leg 143 into the first mounting hole 31a to the third mounting hole 31c of the table 30, respectively. With this method, the positioning between the printer 10 and the cleaning unit 100 can be easily performed. Here, the fourth leg 144 is not related to the positioning of the cleaning unit 100, and functions to stably install the cleaning unit 100.

  When the cleaning unit 100 is mounted on the table 30, the cleaning members 120A to 120H are arranged so as to face the ink heads 40A to 40D. Specifically, the cleaning members 120A to 120H are arranged such that the convex surface S1 faces the ink heads 40A to 40D. In each of the cleaning members 120A to 120H, the close contact member 121 is disposed on the table 30 side, and the absorbing member 122 is disposed on the ink heads 40A to 40D side.

  Next, the cleaning operation of the ink heads 40A to 40D will be described. In the present embodiment, the moving device 50 relatively moves the ink heads 40A to 40D and the table 30 while the cleaning unit 100 is mounted on the table 30. Thereby, the ink heads 40A to 40D and the cleaning unit 100 move relatively. The operation of the moving device 50 is controlled by the cleaning control unit 91. By this movement, cleaning of the ink heads 40A to 40D is performed.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the cleaning operation of the first ink head 40A. As shown in FIG. 6, the cleaning operation of the first ink head 40A includes five steps S10 to S50. More specifically, the first step S10 includes steps S11 and S12. The fourth step S40 includes steps S41 and S42. In the present embodiment, after the third step S30 and before the fourth step S40, a sliding operation of moving the cleaning unit 100 in the main scanning direction Y with respect to the ink heads 40A to 40D is performed. Although described in detail later, this sliding operation may not be performed depending on the embodiment.

  7A to 7H are schematic diagrams illustrating the positional relationship among the first ink head 40A, the first cleaning member 120A, and the second cleaning member 120B in the cleaning operation. FIG. 7A shows the positional relationship between the first ink head 40A, the first cleaning member 120A, and the second cleaning member 120B in step S11. FIG. 7B shows the positional relationship among the first ink head 40A, the first cleaning member 120A, and the second cleaning member 120B in step S12. FIG. 7C shows the positional relationship between the first ink head 40A, the first cleaning member 120A, and the second cleaning member 120B in step S20. FIG. 7D shows the positional relationship between the first ink head 40A, the first cleaning member 120A, and the second cleaning member 120B in step S30. FIG. 7E shows the positional relationship between the first ink head 40A, the first cleaning member 120A, and the second cleaning member 120B in the sliding operation. FIG. 7F shows the positional relationship between the first ink head 40A, the first cleaning member 120A, and the second cleaning member 120B in step S41. FIG. 7G shows the positional relationship between the first ink head 40A, the first cleaning member 120A, and the second cleaning member 120B in step S42. FIG. 7H shows the positional relationship between the first ink head 40A, the first cleaning member 120A, and the second cleaning member 120B in step S50. 7A to 7H, the drawings on the left side are schematic plan views. The figure on the right is a schematic side view.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in step S11, the first cleaning member 120A is moved to a first position P1 below the first ink head 40A. The movement of the cleaning unit 100 is performed by the movement of the first ink head 40 </ b> A by the carriage moving device 60 and the movement of the table 30 by the table moving device 70. The cleaning unit 100 is positioned with respect to the table 30 by the legs 140 and the mounting holes 31a to 31c. Therefore, the cleaning control unit 91 can arrange the cleaning unit 100 and the table 30 at desired relative positions.

  As shown in the plan view of FIG. 7A, at the first position P1, the first cleaning member 120A is disposed at a portion of the nozzle surface 42 on the second sub-scanning direction X2 side with respect to the first end 42a. More specifically, the first cleaning member 120A is disposed so that its front end is closer to the first sub-scanning direction X1 than the center line CL of the nozzle forming area A2 in the sub-scanning direction X. At this time, as shown in the side view of FIG. 7A, the first cleaning member 120A is disposed below the first ink head 40A and separated from the first ink head 40A.

  In step S12, the cleaning unit 100 is moved upward. Thereby, the first cleaning member 120A contacts the nozzle surface 42 of the first ink head 40A. More specifically, the first cleaning member 120A contacts a portion of the nozzle surface 42 closer to the second sub-scanning direction X2 than the first end 42a. In the present embodiment, the rear end of the first cleaning member 120A is also in contact with the nozzle surface 42. The first cleaning member 120A is in contact with a portion of the nozzle surface 42 between the first end 42a and the second end 42b.

  In the subsequent second step S20, the first cleaning is performed. As shown in FIG. 7C, in the second step S20, the cleaning control unit 91 moves the first cleaning member 120A in the second sub-scanning direction X2 while keeping the first cleaning member 120A in contact with the nozzle surface 42 of the first ink head 40A. As a result, a little over half of the nozzle surface 42 of the first ink head 40A on the second sub-scanning direction X2 side is cleaned.

  FIG. 8 is a plan view schematically showing the positional relationship between the ink heads 40A to 40D and the cleaning members 120A to 120H at the time of the second step S20. As shown in FIG. 8, in the second step S20, the position of the second ink head 40B in the main scanning direction Y is aligned with the position of the third cleaning member 120C. Therefore, in the second step S20, the second ink head 40B is cleaned by the third cleaning member 120C. Similarly, the third ink head 40C has been cleaned by the fifth cleaning member 120E. The fourth ink head 40D has been cleaned by the seventh cleaning member 120G. The pitch of the cleaning members 120A to 120H in the main scanning direction Y is set to half the pitch of the ink heads 40A to 40D in the main scanning direction Y. Therefore, the plurality of ink heads 40A to 40D are simultaneously cleaned by the plurality of cleaning members 120A, 120C, 120E, and 120G arranged in the main scanning direction Y. The cleaning members 120A, 120C, 120E, and 120G are alternately arranged in the main scanning direction Y.

  In cleaning the first ink head 40A, the configuration of the first cleaning member 120A has an advantageous effect. The first cleaning member 120A has a convex surface S1 protruding toward the first ink head 40A. The convex surface S1 has flexibility and ink absorbability. Since the flexible convex surface S1 protrudes toward the first ink head 40A side, the adhesion to the nozzle 41 is improved as compared with a case where the upper end of the cleaning member is flat, for example. In particular, the first ink head 40A includes a head guard 44. Therefore, when the upper end of the cleaning member is flat, the head guard 44 interferes and the cleaning member and the nozzle 41 often do not adhere well. The convex surface S1 is particularly effective when the ink head has a portion such as a head guard that protrudes from the nozzle formation region. The first cleaning member 120A has an ink absorbing property, and cleans the nozzle 41 by absorbing the ink.

  In the present embodiment, the first cleaning member 120A extends in the sub-scanning direction X while maintaining the same cross-sectional shape that is convex upward. According to such a configuration, the ink of the nozzles 41 can be simultaneously absorbed in a wide range in the sub-scanning direction X.

  In the present embodiment, the first cleaning member 120A includes the close contact member 121 and the absorbing member 122. The contact member 121 is responsible for flexibility among the functions that the first cleaning member 120A should have. The absorbing member 122 is responsible for ink absorbency among the functions that the first cleaning member 120A should have. According to this configuration, after cleaning, only the absorbing member 122 that has absorbed the ink needs to be replaced, so that consumables can be saved.

  Further, the contact member 121 is formed by bending a plate-shaped material. Therefore, there is a space below the convex surface 121a. According to such a configuration, the contact member 121 can be largely deformed in the vertical direction Z. Thus, regardless of the variation in the distance between the first ink head 40A and the first cleaning member 120A, the force with which the first cleaning member 120A presses the first ink head 40A during contact can be made substantially constant.

  In the present embodiment, at the start of step S20, the rear end of the first cleaning member 120A is disposed closer to the first sub-scanning direction X1 than the second end 42b, so that the cleaning of the second end 42b is effective. I'm going. A step is formed at the second end 42b which is a part of the boundary between the head guard 44 and the nozzle surface 42. The ink easily accumulates on the steps, and the accumulated ink is difficult to remove even by cleaning. However, according to the cleaning system 1 according to the present embodiment, in the second step S20, the rear end of the first cleaning member 120A passes through the second end 42b. Therefore, the rear end corner of the first cleaning member 120A enters the step, and the ink at the second end 42b can be effectively removed.

  These effects are similarly exerted between the second ink head 40B and the third cleaning member 120C, between the third ink head 40C and the fifth cleaning member 120E, and between the fourth ink head 40D and the seventh cleaning member 120G. .

  In the subsequent third step S30, as shown in FIG. 7D, the cleaning control unit 91 lowers the cleaning unit 100. Thereby, the cleaning control unit 91 moves the first cleaning member 120A away from the nozzle surface 42. The third control unit 91c moves the cleaning unit 100 away from the nozzle surface 42 by, for example, moving the cleaning unit 100 in the vertical direction Z. However, the moving direction at this time may be a direction that is non-parallel to the nozzle surface 42 and does not need to coincide with the vertical direction Z.

  As shown in FIG. 7E, in the sliding operation, the cleaning control unit 91 moves the cleaning unit 100 in the first main scanning direction Y1 with respect to the first ink head 40A. This movement is actually performed by the carriage 20 moving in the second main scanning direction Y2. At this time, the moving distance of the first ink head 40A is the same as the width of the first cleaning member 120A, as shown in FIG. 7E. Then, the first ink head 40A is moved to a position in the sub-scanning direction X with the second cleaning member 120B. At this time, the second ink head 40B is moved to a position aligned with the fourth cleaning member 120D in the sub-scanning direction X. The third ink head 40C is moved to a position aligned with the sixth cleaning member 120F in the sub-scanning direction X. The fourth ink head 40D is moved to a position aligned with the eighth cleaning member 120H in the sub-scanning direction X.

  In Step S41, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 7F, the second cleaning member 120B is moved to the second position P2 below the first ink head 40A. As shown in FIG. 7F, at the second position P2, the second cleaning member 120B is disposed on a portion of the nozzle surface 42 on the first sub-scanning direction X1 side with respect to the second end 42b. More specifically, the second cleaning member 120B is arranged such that the rear end thereof is closer to the second sub-scanning direction X2 than the center line CL in the sub-scanning direction X of the nozzle forming area A2. At this time, as shown in the side view of FIG. 7F, the second cleaning member 120B is arranged below the first ink head 40A and separated from the first ink head 40A.

  In step S42, as shown in FIG. 7G, the cleaning unit 100 is moved upward. Thereby, the second cleaning member 120B contacts the nozzle surface 42 of the first ink head 40A. More specifically, the second cleaning member 120B contacts a portion of the nozzle surface 42 closer to the first sub-scanning direction X1 than the second end 42b. In the present embodiment, the front end of the second cleaning member 120B is also in contact with the nozzle surface 42. The second cleaning member 120B is also in contact with the portion of the nozzle surface 42 between the first end 42a and the second end 42b.

  In the subsequent fifth step S50, a second cleaning is performed. As shown in FIG. 7H, in a fifth step S50, the cleaning control unit 91 moves the second cleaning member 120B in the first sub-scanning direction X1 while keeping the second cleaning member 120B in contact with the nozzle surface 42 of the first ink head 40A. Thus, a little over half of the nozzle surface 42 of the first ink head 40A on the first sub-scanning direction X1 side is cleaned. Note that the region to be cleaned in the second step S20 and the region to be cleaned in the fifth step S50 are partially overlapped so that no unwiped portion occurs. Similarly, the second ink head 40B, the third ink head 40C, and the fourth ink head 40D are also cleaned by the fourth cleaning member 120D, the sixth cleaning member 120F, and the eighth cleaning member 120H, respectively.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, cleaning of one ink head is performed twice. More specifically, in the first cleaning, the first cleaning member 120A is arranged so that at least one end thereof hangs in the nozzle forming region A2 of the first ink head 40A, and thereafter, toward the outside of the nozzle forming region A2. Be moved. In a fifth step S50, this is performed with the traveling direction reversed.

  Conventionally, cleaning of the ink head has been performed in one direction from one end of the nozzle surface to the other end. For example, in the case of the first ink head 40A according to the present embodiment, typically, a cleaning member such as a wiper having a height capable of contacting the nozzle surface 42 is provided outside one end of the first ink head 40A. Held. Then, the cleaning member was moved in the direction toward the center of the first ink head 40A while maintaining its height. As a result, the cleaning member first contacted the head guard 44, then contacted the area A3 where the cap 81 contacts, and then contacted the nozzle formation area A2. Here, as described above, the end of the nozzle surface 42 (here, the boundary between the head guard 44 and the nozzle surface 42) tends to accumulate ink. In the area A3, ink is easily attached when the cap 81 is attached or detached. Therefore, the cleaning member drags the ink removed at the end of the nozzle surface 42 and the area A3 to the nozzle formation area A2. Therefore, there is a possibility that the ink removed at the end of the nozzle surface 42 or the area A3 may adhere to the nozzle 41. In particular, when there is a solidified portion in the ink removed in the end portion of the nozzle surface 42 or in the area A3, the solidified ink may enter the nozzle 41 and cause problems such as defective ink ejection. As described above, there is a possibility that ink is attached to the outside of the nozzle formation region A2, and if such ink is brought into the nozzle formation region A2, there is a possibility that a problem such as a defective ink ejection may occur. Was.

  Thus, the printer 10 according to the present embodiment is set so that the cleaning members 120A to 120H are first brought into contact with the nozzle surface 42, and the cleaning unit 100 is moved outward from the nozzle surface 42 therefrom. According to this operation, the ink removed from the area outside the nozzle forming area A2 is not brought into the nozzle forming area A2. Therefore, there is no possibility that a malfunction occurs in the nozzle 41 due to such ink. In the present embodiment, the cleaning from the center of the nozzle surface 42 toward the peripheral edge is performed twice in a different direction, thereby cleaning the entire nozzle surface 42.

  In the present embodiment, the movement in the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X in the first step S10 and the third step S30 is performed by lowering the cleaning unit 100 and causing the cleaning members 120A to 120H to contact the ink heads 40A to 40D. It is performed in a state that cannot be performed. According to this operation, it is possible to prevent the ink outside the nozzle forming area A2 from being brought into the nozzle forming area A2 before the first cleaning and before the second cleaning.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the printer 10 performs cleaning of one ink head by using two cleaning members. For example, the first cleaning of the first ink head 40A is performed by the first cleaning member 120A. The second cleaning of the first ink head 40A is performed by the second cleaning member 120B. According to such an operation, the cleaning can be performed twice by using a clean cleaning member. Therefore, cleaning of the ink heads 40A to 40D can be performed with higher quality. In the present embodiment, since the nozzle rows 43a and the nozzle rows 43b are arranged in the main scanning direction Y, a plurality of cleaning members 120A to 120H are also arranged in the main scanning direction Y. Then, the cleaning control unit 91 executes the sliding operation of the cleaning unit 100 between the third step S30 and the fourth step S40.

  In the above description, the cleaning member used is changed between the first cleaning and the second cleaning. However, the cleaning member need not be changed. In that case, the cleaning unit 100 may include the same number (in this case, four) of cleaning members as the ink heads 40A to 40D of the printer 10. In that case, it is not necessary to perform the slide operation described above.

  The embodiment described above can be implemented by some modified examples. Hereinafter, some suitable modifications will be described. In the following description of the modification, members common to those in the above-described embodiment will be denoted by common reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted or simplified.

(First Modification)
In the first modification, a cleaning unit 100a having a configuration different from that of the above-described embodiment is used. FIG. 9 is a side view schematically showing the cleaning unit 100a according to the first modification. As shown in FIG. 9, the cleaning unit 100a includes a wiper 150 as a cleaning member. The base 110a includes a vise 160 that holds the wiper 150.

  The wiper 150 is formed in a plate shape. The wiper 150 extends in the main scanning direction Y (a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 9). The wiper 150 is disposed substantially vertically. Here, the wiper 150 includes a close contact member 151 and an absorbing member 152. The contact member 151 is provided for bringing the wiper 150 into close contact with the ink heads 40A to 40D. The contact member 151 is formed of a flexible material such as a polyurethane foam, for example.

  The absorbing member 152 is formed in a sheet shape. The absorbing member 152 is covered from above the contact member 151. At the time of cleaning the ink heads 40A to 40D, a small amount of cleaning liquid is applied to the absorbing member 122. The contact member 151 and the absorbing member 152 are gripped by the vise 160 as the wiper 150. However, the configuration of the wiper 150 is not limited to this. For example, the wiper 150 may be configured to only wipe ink and not absorb ink. In such a case, the wiper 150 may be formed only of a flexible material such as a polyurethane foam, for example.

(Second Modification)
In the second modification, cleaning is performed in a direction different from the above-described embodiment. Further, the direction in which the cleaning member extends differs from the above-described embodiment.

  FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically showing a first ink head 40A and a cleaning member 150b according to a second modification. In this modification, the cleaning unit includes a wiper-shaped cleaning member 150b. Here, the cleaning member 150b extends in the sub-scanning direction X. The first nozzle row 43a and the second nozzle row 43b extend in the sub-scanning direction X. However, in the present embodiment, the cleaning direction is set to the first main scanning direction Y1 and the second main scanning direction Y2. With reference to the cleaning progress direction, the first nozzle row 43a and the second nozzle row 43b extend in a direction orthogonal to the cleaning progress direction. The first nozzle row 43a and the second nozzle row 43b are arranged in the direction in which the cleaning proceeds.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the width D2 of the cleaning member 150b in the main scanning direction Y is shorter than the distance D1 between the first nozzle row 43a and the second nozzle row 43b in the main scanning direction Y. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the cleaning member 150b can be disposed between the first nozzle row 43a and the second nozzle row 43b in plan view.

  In the cleaning of the first ink head 40A, the first step S10 to the fifth step S50 of the first embodiment are performed by changing the cleaning direction. In the first step of the present modification, the first control unit 91a of the cleaning control unit 91 makes the cleaning member 150b contact the portion of the nozzle surface 42 between the first nozzle row 43a and the second nozzle row 43b. The cleaning unit is moved from this position in the second main scanning direction Y2 in the second step. In the second step, the second nozzle row 43b is cleaned.

  In the third step, the cleaning controller 91 separates the cleaning member 150b from the nozzle surface 42. In the fourth step, the fourth controller 91d of the cleaning controller 91 brings the cleaning member 150b into contact with the portion of the nozzle surface 42 between the first nozzle row 43a and the second nozzle row 43b again. In the fifth step, the cleaning unit is moved from this position in the first main scanning direction Y1. By the fifth step, the first nozzle row 43a is cleaned.

  As in the first embodiment, according to the cleaning method, since the cleaning member 150b is moved outward from the center side of the nozzle formation area A2, the ink or the like adhering to the outside of the nozzle formation area A2 is removed by the nozzle. It is not brought into the formation area A2. Furthermore, according to such a cleaning method, since the direction of extension of the nozzle rows 43a and 43b is orthogonal to the direction of cleaning, ink is not moved from one nozzle 41 to another nozzle 41. Therefore, higher quality cleaning can be performed.

(Third Modification)
In the third modified example, the configuration for changing the length of the leg and the configuration for changing the position of the fourth leg are different from the above-described embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cleaning unit 100c according to a third modification. In the present modified example, as shown in FIG. 11, the base 110c includes a leg mounting portion including a first mounting portion 116a to a fourth mounting portion 116d.

  Each of the first mounting portion 116a to the third mounting portion 116c according to this modification has a screw hole. The screw hole penetrates the base 110c in the vertical direction Z. The first leg 145 to the third leg 147 corresponding to the first mounting portion 116a to the third mounting portion 116c include bolt portions 145a to 147a, respectively. The bolt portions 145a to 147a are fitted into screw holes of the first mounting portion 116a to the third mounting portion 116c, respectively. Nuts are fitted into the bolt portions 145a to 147a, respectively. For example, a nut 145b is fitted to the bolt portion 145a of the first leg 145. The nut 145b is here arranged above the base 110c. By rotating the first leg 145 in a state of being fitted into the screw hole of the first mounting portion 116a, the protruding length from the lower surface of the base 110c can be changed. When the protrusion length is determined, the nut 145b is tightened. Thereby, the first leg 145 is fixed. The same applies to the second leg 146 and the third leg 147.

  The fourth mounting section 116d has a long hole 116d1. The long hole 116d1 is a long hole penetrating the base 110c in the vertical direction Z, and here extends in the main scanning direction Y. However, the planar shape of the long hole 116d1 is not particularly limited. The long hole 116d1 may extend in the sub-scanning direction X, or may be bent in the middle and extend in both the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X. Alternatively, a plurality of long holes 116d1 may be provided. The fourth leg 148 includes a bolt portion 148a. The bolt portion 148a is passed through the elongated hole 116d1. An upper nut 148b and a lower nut (not shown) are fitted into the bolt portion 148a. The upper nut 148b is arranged above the base 110c. The lower nut is arranged below the base 110c. The position of the fourth leg 148 on the base 110c can be changed by horizontally moving the fourth leg 148 along the elongated hole 116d. Further, by changing the positions of the upper nut 148b and the lower nut, the length of the base 110c protruding from the lower surface can be changed. When the protrusion length is determined, the upper nut 148b and the lower nut are tightened. Thereby, the fourth leg 148 is fixed.

  Even with such a configuration, the length of the leg of the cleaning unit and the position of at least one leg can be adjusted. In particular, according to such a configuration, detailed adjustment of the length of the leg and the position of at least one leg is possible.

  The preferred embodiment and some modified examples have been described above. However, the above embodiments are merely examples, and the technology disclosed herein can be implemented in other various forms. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the cleaning unit is configured to be mounted on a table on which a printing material is mounted. However, the cleaning unit only needs to be provided so as to be movable relative to the ink head, and is not limited to a unit mounted on the table. For example, the cleaning unit may be mounted on a moving device outside the table. Alternatively, the ink head may move three-dimensionally, and the cleaning unit may be fixed. The configuration for changing the positional relationship between the cleaning unit and the ink head is not particularly limited.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the cleaning unit has a plurality of legs. However, the configuration of the leg of the cleaning unit is not limited to this. For example, the cleaning unit may include one leg formed in an L shape or a C shape in plan view. Further, the leg of the cleaning unit may not be provided on the lower surface of the base. The leg may be configured to be attached to, for example, a side surface or an upper surface of the base. Further, the cleaning unit does not necessarily have to include a leg for avoiding a jig for positioning the printing object. The method of mounting the cleaning unit on the table is not particularly limited. For example, the cleaning unit may be mounted on the table via another member.

  The configuration of the cleaning member is also not limited. The configuration of the cleaning member described above is a preferable example, and does not limit the shape, material, arrangement, and the like of the cleaning member. For example, the convex surface of the cleaning member does not necessarily need to include a curved surface. Further, the movements of the ink head and the cleaning unit during cleaning are not limited to those described above.

  In addition, the configurations of the inkjet printer and the cleaning unit are not limited unless otherwise specified. For example, the technology disclosed herein can be used for a roll-to-roll type ink jet printer and the like. Further, for example, the present invention can also be used for an apparatus such as a print and cut apparatus in which an ink jet printer is partially incorporated.

1 Cleaning System 5 Printed Material 10 Printer (Inkjet Printer)
30 Table 30a Unit installation sections 31a to 31c Mounting holes 40A to 40D Ink head 41 Nozzle 42 Nozzle surface 42a First end 42b Second end 43a First nozzle row 43b Second nozzle row 50 Moving device 60 Carriage moving device 70 Table Moving device 71 Z-axis direction moving mechanism 72 X-axis direction moving mechanism 90 Controller 91 Cleaning controller 91a First controller 91b Second controller 91c Third controller 91d Fourth controller 91e Fifth controller 100 Cleaning unit 110 Base 113 Adhesive member holding portion 114 Leg mounting portions 120A to 120H Cleaning member 121 Adhesive member 122 Absorbing member 130 Sheet holding member 133 Sheet holding portion 134 Opening portion 140 Leg portions Pt1 to Pt5 Leg parts 141 to 144 Leg 200 Jig A1 Printing area A2 Nozzle type Area S1 convex

Claims (9)

An inkjet printer,
A cleaning unit,
Including
The inkjet printer,
An ink head,
A table is provided so as to face the ink head, and a table on which a printing material is placed,
With
The cleaning unit includes:
An attachment portion configured to be detachable from the table,
A cleaning member arranged to face the ink head when the mounting portion is mounted on the table;
Has,
Cleaning system for inkjet printer. The inkjet printer,
A moving device for relatively moving the ink head and the table;
A control device including a cleaning control unit that controls the moving device to contact the cleaning member and the ink head,
have,
A cleaning system for an ink jet printer according to claim 1. The moving device,
A first moving mechanism that moves at least one of the ink head and the table in a first direction parallel to the table;
A second moving mechanism that moves at least one of the ink head and the table in a second direction parallel to the table and orthogonal to the first direction;
A third moving mechanism that moves at least one of the ink head and the table in a third direction orthogonal to the table;
Has,
A cleaning system for an inkjet printer according to claim 2. The table includes a first positioning mechanism that determines a position where the cleaning unit is mounted,
The cleaning unit includes a second positioning mechanism corresponding to the first positioning mechanism.
A cleaning system for an ink jet printer according to claim 1. The cleaning member includes an absorbing member that absorbs ink.
A cleaning system for an inkjet printer according to claim 1. The cleaning unit includes a holding unit that detachably holds the absorbing member,
A cleaning system for an ink jet printer according to claim 5. The cleaning member is disposed closer to the table than the absorbing member, and includes a close contact member formed of a flexible material.
A cleaning system for an inkjet printer according to claim 5.
The cleaning member includes a wiper for wiping the ink head,
A cleaning system for an inkjet printer according to claim 1. An ink jet printer, comprising: an ink head, a table provided to face the ink head, and a table on which an object to be printed is placed, and a moving device for relatively moving the ink head and the table. A method of cleaning the head,
A first step of mounting a cleaning unit on the table;
A second step of bringing the ink head and the cleaning unit into contact with each other by relatively moving the ink head and the table by the moving device;
including,
Cleaning method for inkjet printer.

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