JP2020082687A - Cleaning device, cleaning method, liquid discharge device, and liquid discharge method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a cleaning device which can efficiently clean dirt stuck to a discharge surface of a liquid discharge head with a simple structure, and can reduce wiping residue.SOLUTION: A cleaning device that cleans a discharge surface of a liquid discharge head discharging liquid includes a first contact member whose at least a part is fixed and that is made wet by wetting liquid and has a blade shape, a first cleaning part whose at least an end of the first contact member is brought into contact with the discharge surface and cleans the discharge surface, a second contact member whose at least a part is fixed and that is more dried by the first contact member, and a second cleaning part whose at least an end of the second contact member is brought into contact with the discharge surface after the first contact member is brought into contact with the discharge surface and that cleans the discharge surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a cleaning device, a cleaning method, a liquid ejection device, and a liquid ejection method.

In the image forming technology, the inkjet method is a recording method in which an ink droplet is ejected from a very fine nozzle and the ink droplet is attached to a recording medium to form an image. This inkjet method has been widely used because it has an advantage that full color can be easily formed as compared with other methods and a high-resolution image can be obtained even with an apparatus having a simple structure.

Further, in recent years, with the development of stem cell technology, technological development has been carried out in which a cell suspension is ejected by an inkjet method instead of ink to form a tissue.

Since the inkjet method is a mode in which a liquid is discharged, there is a problem that discharge stability deteriorates when dirt adheres to the discharge port. Therefore, in a conventional image forming apparatus that ejects ink as a liquid, various cleaning devices have been proposed to clean the ejection port (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning device capable of efficiently cleaning dirt adhering to the ejection surface of a liquid ejection head with a simple structure and reducing unwiping.

The cleaning device of the present invention as a means for solving the above problems is a cleaning device for cleaning the ejection surface of a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid, at least a part of which is fixed and moistened with a wetting liquid. At least an end of the first abutting member is in contact with the discharge surface to clean the discharge surface, and at least a part of the first cleaning unit is fixed; A second contact member, which is drier than the first contact member, is provided, and after the first contact member comes into contact with the ejection surface, at least an end portion of the second contact member is ejected. A second cleaning unit that contacts the surface and cleans the ejection surface.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cleaning device capable of efficiently cleaning dirt adhered to the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head with a simple structure and reducing unwiping.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a liquid ejection device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram showing the liquid ejection head according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of ejecting the liquid by the liquid ejection head shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of cleaning the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head by the cleaning device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of cleaning the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head by the cleaning device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of cleaning the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head by the cleaning device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of cleaning the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head by the cleaning device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 4C is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of cleaning the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head by the cleaning device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of cleaning the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head by the cleaning device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of cleaning the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head by the cleaning device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a cleaning device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram showing a cleaning device according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram showing the cleaning device according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a cleaning device according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of cleaning the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head by the cleaning device according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of cleaning the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head by the cleaning device according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 9C is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of cleaning the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head by the cleaning device according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of cleaning the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head by the cleaning device according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of cleaning the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head by the cleaning device according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of cleaning the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head by the cleaning device according to the ninth embodiment. FIG. 11B is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of cleaning the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head by the cleaning device according to the ninth embodiment.

The cleaning device of the present invention is based on the knowledge that the conventional cleaning device does not sufficiently clean dirt adhered to the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head, although the structure is complicated.
Specifically, in the cleaning device described in Patent Document 1, the first wiping member is cleaned and moistened by ejecting and sucking ink to the first wiping member, and then the head surface is wiped. Even with the second wiping member, the head surface is wiped for cleaning. However, in this conventional cleaning device, when cleaning the first wiping member, a device for ejecting the ink to the first wiping member and sucking the ink is required, which makes the structure complicated. .. Further, in the subsequent operation, the carriage is moved to wipe the head surface while pressing the second wiping member against the head surface, but there is a problem that unwiping may occur due to unevenness of the second wiping member. was there. Furthermore, in the case of applying to a technique of ejecting a cell suspension instead of ink to form a tissue body, when the cell suspension is ejected to the first wiping member, the cells are destroyed and the destroyed cells are destroyed. On the contrary, there is a problem that the head surface may be contaminated in some cases.

In the cleaning device of the present invention, at least a part is fixed, and a first cleaning part including a first contact member moistened with a wetting liquid and at least a part is fixed, the first contact member And a second cleaning unit including a drier second contact member. The first cleaning unit cleans the discharge surface by contacting at least an end of the first contact member with the discharge surface. The second cleaning unit cleans the ejection surface by contacting at least the end of the second contact member with the ejection surface after the first contact member abuts the ejection surface. As a result, the cleaning device of the present invention can efficiently clean dirt adhered to the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head with a simple structure and reduce unwiping.

In the cleaning method of the present invention, the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head that ejects liquid is cleaned by the cleaning device of the present invention. According to the cleaning method of the present invention, in the cleaning device of the present invention, at least a part of the first contact member is fixed to the first contact member moistened with the wetting liquid, and at least an end portion of the first contact member is a discharge surface. And a first cleaning step of cleaning the discharge surface. Further, in the cleaning method of the present invention, in the cleaning device of the present invention, at least a part of the first abutting member is fixed to the ejection surface by the second abutting member that is dried than the first abutting member. After the contact, at least an end portion of the second contact member contacts the discharge surface, and includes a second cleaning step of cleaning the discharge surface.

The cleaning method of the present invention can be suitably performed by the cleaning device of the present invention. The first cleaning process (process) can be suitably performed by the first cleaning unit 210. The second cleaning process (process) can be suitably performed by the second cleaning unit 220.

That is, the cleaning device of the present invention is synonymous with carrying out the cleaning method of the present invention. Therefore, the details of the cleaning method of the present invention will be clarified through the description of the cleaning device of the present invention.

The liquid ejection device of the present invention includes a liquid ejection head and the cleaning device of the present invention.
The liquid ejection method of the present invention includes an ejection step of ejecting a liquid by a liquid ejection head and a cleaning step of cleaning an ejection surface of the liquid ejection head by a cleaning device of the present invention. Further, the cleaning process corresponds to the cleaning method of the present invention.
That is, the liquid ejection device of the present invention is synonymous with carrying out the liquid ejection method of the present invention. Therefore, the details of the liquid ejection method of the present invention will be clarified through the description of the liquid ejection device of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments of the present invention will be described, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.
In addition, in each drawing, the same components may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted. Further, the number, positions, shapes, etc. of the following constituent members are not limited to those in the present embodiment, and the numbers, positions, shapes, etc. that are preferable for carrying out the present invention can be set.

(First embodiment)
(Liquid discharge device)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a liquid ejection device according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid ejection device 10 includes a liquid ejection head 100 that ejects a cell suspension S as a liquid, and a cleaning device 200 that cleans an ejection surface 110A of the liquid ejection head 100.

<Liquid discharge head>
FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram showing the liquid ejection head according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the liquid ejection head 100 includes a nozzle plate 110 as a film portion, a piezoelectric element 120 as a displacement portion, a liquid holding container 130 as a contact blocking unit, a housing 140, and a head drive unit. Section 150. FIG. 2A shows a state in which the cell suspension S is held as a liquid by the nozzle plate 110, the piezoelectric element 120, and the liquid holding container 130.
In the present embodiment, for convenience of description, with the piezoelectric element 120 as a reference, the liquid holding container 130 side is the upper side and the nozzle plate 110 side is the lower side. Further, with respect to the piezoelectric element 120, the surface on the liquid holding container 130 side is the upper surface and the surface on the nozzle plate 110 side is the lower surface.

<Nozzle plate (film part)>
The nozzle plate 110 is a film-shaped member fixed to the lower end of the piezoelectric element 120. The nozzle plate 110 has a nozzle 110</b>B as a discharge port, which is a through hole, formed substantially at the center. The cell suspension S held by the nozzle plate 110, the piezoelectric element 120, and the liquid holding container 130 deforms the nozzle plate 110 by the piezoelectric element 120 and displaces the nozzle 110B. Is discharged as.

The shape of the nozzle plate 110 is a flat plate shape in the present embodiment, and the planar shape is a substantially perfect circle. Here, the planar shape means the shape of the member when viewed in plan. For example, in the case of the flat plate-shaped nozzle plate 110, it means the shape viewed from the normal line direction of the flat plate.
In this embodiment, the planar shape of the nozzle plate 110 is a substantially circular shape, but the shape is not limited to this and may be, for example, an elliptical shape or a polygonal shape.

In the structure of the nozzle plate 110, in the present embodiment, a nozzle 110B as a discharge port, which is a through hole, is formed substantially at the center.
In this embodiment, the nozzle 110B has the structure in which the nozzle 110B is formed substantially at the center of the nozzle plate 110. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the nozzle 110B may be appropriately selected according to the purpose.

The size of the nozzle plate 110 is φ20 mm in this embodiment.
In addition, in this embodiment, the size of the nozzle plate 110 is set to φ20 mm, but the size is not limited to this and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose.

The material of the nozzle plate 110 is stainless steel in this embodiment.
Although the nozzle plate 110 is made of stainless steel in the present embodiment, the material is not limited to stainless steel, and it is preferable to use a material having a certain degree of hardness. When the material of the nozzle plate 110 has a certain degree of hardness, the nozzle plate 110 does not easily vibrate, and it is advantageous in that it is easy to immediately suppress the vibration when the ejection is not performed.

Examples of materials having a certain degree of hardness include metal materials, ceramic materials, and polymer materials. Among these, when the liquid is a cell suspension, a material having low adhesiveness to cells is preferable.

It is said that the adherence of cells depends on the contact angle between the material and water, and when the hydrophilicity of the material is high or the hydrophobicity of the material is high, the adherence of cells tends to be low.
Examples of highly hydrophilic materials include metal materials and ceramics (metal oxides). Further, examples of the material having high hydrophobicity include fluororesin.
Examples of the metal material include stainless steel, nickel, aluminum and the like.
Examples of ceramics include silicon oxide, alumina, and zirconia.

In addition to the above materials, the surface of the material of the nozzle plate 110 may be coated to reduce the adherence of cells. For example, the material surface of the nozzle plate 110 may be coated with the above material, or may be coated with a synthetic phospholipid polymer imitating a cell membrane (for example, Lipidure manufactured by NOF CORPORATION).

<<Discharge surface>>
The ejection surface 110A means a surface of the nozzle plate 110 on the side where liquid is ejected, and is the lower surface of the nozzle plate 110 in each drawing in the present embodiment.

<<Nozzle (Discharge port)>>
In the present embodiment, the nozzle 110B is a port (hole) that discharges the liquid contained in the liquid chamber of the liquid containing portion.
The nozzle 110B is not particularly limited in its number of arrangement, arrangement mode, interval (pitch), opening shape, opening size, etc., and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose.

The opening shape of the nozzle 110B is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and examples thereof include a circle, an ellipse, and a quadrangle.

The average diameter of the nozzle 110B is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. When the liquid contained in the liquid chamber contains particles, the average diameter of the nozzle 110B is preferably at least twice the size of the particles in order to prevent the particles from clogging the liquid discharge port.
When the particles are, for example, animal cells, particularly human cells, the size of the human cells is 5 μm or more and 50 μm or less, so that the average diameter of the nozzle 110B is 10 μm or more and 100 μm depending on the cells used. The following is preferable.
On the other hand, if the droplets become too large, it becomes difficult to achieve the purpose of forming minute droplets. Therefore, the average diameter of the nozzle 110B is preferably 200 μm or less. Therefore, the average diameter of the nozzle 110B is more preferably 10 μm or more and 200 μm or less.

<Piezoelectric element (displacement part)>
The piezoelectric element 120 is arranged on the side that houses the cell suspension S discharged from the nozzle 110B, and the position of the nozzle 110B can be displaced. That is, the piezoelectric element 120 is formed on the upper surface side of the nozzle plate 110.
The piezoelectric element 120 is, for example, a piezoelectric element in which electrodes for applying a voltage are provided on the upper surface and the lower surface of a piezoelectric material. By applying a voltage to the upper and lower electrodes of the piezoelectric element 120, a compressive stress is applied in the lateral direction of the drawing. The nozzle plate 110 can be vibrated.

In the present embodiment, the planar shape of the piezoelectric element 120 is an annular shape (ring) so that the nozzle 110B can be displaced because the planar shape of the nozzle plate 110 is substantially circular and the nozzle 110B is substantially at the center thereof. State).
The planar shape of the piezoelectric element 120 is an annular shape in the present embodiment, but the shape is not limited to this and may be matched with the shape of the nozzle plate 110 or the position of the nozzle 110B.

In the present embodiment, the structure of the piezoelectric element 120 is a structure in which an electrode 121 (current-carrying portion) for applying a voltage is provided to the piezoelectric material. In this case, the piezoelectric element 120 is bent by applying a voltage between the head driving unit 150 and the electrode 121 of the piezoelectric element 120, and the position of the nozzle 110B of the nozzle plate 110 bonded to the lower surface of the piezoelectric element 120 is displaced. Thus, the cell suspension S can be discharged.

Regarding the size of the piezoelectric element 120, the average diameter is φ20 m in this embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the size of the piezoelectric element 120 is φ20 mm, but the size is not limited to this and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose.

The material of the piezoelectric element 120 is lead zirconate titanate (PZT) in this embodiment.
Although the material of the piezoelectric element 120 is lead zirconate titanate in the present embodiment, the material is not limited to this and may be, for example, bismuth iron oxide, niobate metal, barium titanate, or metal of these materials. Those to which different oxides are added are included. Among these, lead zirconate titanate is preferable in that a high reverse piezoelectric effect can be obtained.

Although the piezoelectric element 120 is used as the displacement portion in the present embodiment, the displacement portion is not limited to this. The position may be changed. In this case, a heater may be arranged in the vicinity of materials having different linear expansion coefficients, and the heater may be heated by energization to displace the position of the nozzle 110B.

<Liquid holding container (contact blocking means)>
In this embodiment, the liquid holding container 130 can store the cell suspension S and blocks the contact of the cell suspension S with the electrode 121 of the piezoelectric element 120. Further, the liquid holding container 130 has an atmosphere opening portion 131 for opening the inside of the liquid holding container 130 to the atmosphere, and air bubbles mixed in the cell suspension S can be discharged from the atmosphere opening portion 131. ..

The liquid holding container 130 has a cylindrical shape in this embodiment.
Although the liquid holding container 130 has a cylindrical shape in the present embodiment, if the liquid to be discharged can be contained and the contact of the cell suspension S with the electrode 121 of the piezoelectric element 120 can be blocked, the liquid holding container 130 can have a cylindrical shape. There is no limit.

The structure of the liquid holding container 130 is a structure capable of accommodating the cell suspension S in close contact with the piezoelectric element 120 in this embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the structure of the liquid holding container 130 is configured to be in close contact with the piezoelectric element 120 to accommodate the cell suspension S. However, the liquid to be ejected can be accommodated in the electrode 121 of the piezoelectric element 120. It is not limited to this as long as it can block the contact of the cell suspension S.

In the present embodiment, the liquid holding container 130 has an average inner diameter of φ4 mm, an average outer diameter of φ6 mm, and a height of 10 mm.
In addition, in the present embodiment, the size of the piezoelectric element 120 is as described above, but the size is not limited to this, and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose.

The material of the liquid holding container 130 is polycarbonate in this embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the material of the liquid holding container 130 is polycarbonate, but the material is not limited to this, and may be metal, resin, silicon, ceramic, or the like.

<Case>
The housing 140 houses the liquid holding container 130. The piezoelectric element 120 is fixed to the lower surface of the housing 140.

<Head drive unit>
The head drive unit 150 drives the piezoelectric element 120. The head driving unit 150 bends the nozzle plate 110, displaces the position of the nozzle 110B, and inputs a discharge signal for discharging the droplet L of the cell suspension S to the piezoelectric element 120. That is, the head driving unit 150 inputs the ejection signal to the piezoelectric element 120 and controls the position of the nozzle 110B, so that the cell suspension held by the nozzle plate 110, the piezoelectric element 120, and the liquid holding container 130. S can be ejected as a droplet L from the nozzle 110B.

<Cell suspension (liquid)>
The liquid discharged from the nozzle 110B is the cell suspension S in this embodiment. The cells C contained in the cell suspension S are human-derived cells. As a result, the liquid ejection head 100 can form a tissue for evaluation of medicinal effect or cosmetics.
The solvent of the cell suspension S is pure water in the present embodiment, but is not limited to this.

The amount of the cell suspension S held in the liquid holding container 130 is 120 μL in this embodiment. Although the amount of the cell suspension S held in the liquid holding container 130 is 120 μL in the present embodiment, the amount is not limited to this and may be 1 μL or more and 1 mL or less. In particular, when an expensive liquid such as a cell suspension is used, it is preferable that the amount of liquid droplets can be formed with a small amount of liquid, so that it is preferably 1 μL or more and 200 μL or less.

Although the liquid discharged from the nozzle 110B is the cell suspension S in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, ion-exchanged water, distilled water, pure water, physiological saline, alcohol, mineral oil, vegetable oil. It is also possible to Further, the liquid to be ejected may contain particles such as cells like the cell suspension S. In this case, when ejecting the droplets, it is preferable that the ejected droplets include particles.

Examples of particles contained in the liquid or droplets include cells, metal particles, and inorganic particles. Among these, cells are preferable because they can form a tissue.

-Cell-
The cells are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include all cells, whether eukaryotic cells, prokaryotic cells, multicellular biological cells or unicellular biological cells. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The eukaryotic cell is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include animal cells, insect cells, plant cells, fungi, algae and protozoa. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, animal cells and fungi are preferable, and human-derived cells are more preferable.

The adherent cells may be primary cells directly collected from a tissue or organ, may be those obtained by subculture of primary cells directly collected from a tissue or organ, and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. Examples include differentiated cells and undifferentiated cells.

The differentiated cells are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include hepatocytes that are parenchymal cells of the liver; stellate cells; Kupffer cells; vascular endothelial cells; Endothelial cells such as cells; fibroblasts; osteoblasts; osteoclasts; periodontal ligament-derived cells; epidermal cells such as epidermal keratinocytes; tracheal epithelial cells; digestive tract epithelial cells; cervical epithelial cells; corneal epithelial cells Such as epithelial cells; mammary gland cells; pericytes; muscle cells such as smooth muscle cells and cardiomyocytes; renal cells; pancreatic Langerhans islet cells; nerve cells such as peripheral nerve cells and optic nerve cells; chondrocytes; bone cells ..

The undifferentiated cells are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, pluripotent stem cells such as embryonic stem cells that are undifferentiated cells and mesenchymal stem cells having pluripotency; Examples include unipotent stem cells such as vascular endothelial progenitor cells having unipotency; iPS cells.

The fungus is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, and examples thereof include mold and yeast. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, yeasts are preferable because they can regulate the cell cycle and can use haploids.
The cell cycle means a process in which, when the number of cells increases, cell division occurs, and cells generated by cell division (daughter cells) become cells (mother cells) that undergo cell division again to generate new daughter cells.

The yeast is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, Bar-1 deficient yeast having increased sensitivity to pheromones (sex hormones) that control the cell cycle in the G1 phase is preferable. When the yeast is Bar-1 deficient yeast, the abundance of yeast whose cell cycle is not regulated can be lowered, so that an increase in the number of specific nucleic acids of cells housed in the liquid chamber can be prevented. be able to.

The prokaryotic cell is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include eubacteria and archaebacteria. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The cells are preferably living cells.

The number of particles contained in the droplet is preferably 1 or more, more preferably 1 or more and 5 or less.
The diameter of the droplet is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but is preferably 25 μm or more and 150 μm or less. When the diameter of the droplet is 25 μm or more, the diameter of the particles to be encapsulated becomes appropriate, and the types of particles that can be applied increase. Further, when the diameter of the droplet is 150 μm or less, the ejection of the droplet becomes stable.

The liquid volume of the liquid droplets is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but is preferably 1,000 pL or less, more preferably 100 pL or less.
The liquid amount of the liquid droplet can be measured by, for example, a method of calculating the liquid amount by obtaining the size of the liquid droplet from the image of the liquid droplet.

When water is used as the liquid to be discharged, it is preferable that the liquid contains a wetting agent or the like for suppressing evaporation of water. As the wetting agent, for example, a general material used for inkjet type ink can be used.

[Liquid discharge operation of liquid discharge head]
FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of ejecting the liquid by the liquid ejection head shown in FIG. 2A. As shown in FIG. 2B, when the head driving unit 150 inputs an ejection signal to the piezoelectric element 120 and the nozzle plate 110 bends, the displacement of the position of the nozzle 110B increases, so that the cell suspension in the liquid holding container 130 is suspended. The liquid S is discharged.

<Cleaning device>
The cleaning device 200 has a first cleaning unit 210 and a second cleaning unit 220. The first cleaning unit 210 is provided with a blade-shaped first contact member 211, at least a part of which is fixed and moistened with the wetting liquid W, and at least an end portion 211A of the first contact member 211 is provided. The ejection surface 110A is abutted to clean the ejection surface 110A. Further, the second cleaning unit 220 is provided with a blade-shaped second contact member 221 which is at least partially fixed and which is drier than the first contact member, and the first contact member 211 has a discharge surface. After contacting 110A, at least the end portion 221A of the second contact member 221 contacts the ejection surface 110A, and the ejection surface 110A is cleaned. As a result, the cleaning device 200 of the present invention can efficiently clean the dirt D adhered to the ejection surface 110A of the liquid ejection head 100 with a simple structure and reduce unwiping.

The shape and size of the cleaning device 200 are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose.

The structure of the cleaning device 200 is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but it is preferable that the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit are provided independently of each other. When the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit are provided independently of each other, the shape, structure, size, and material suitable for the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit are selected. This is preferable in that the cleaning effect can be further enhanced.

<<First Cleaning Section>>
The first cleaning unit 210 includes a first contact member 211, and at least an end 221A of the first contact member 211 contacts the ejection surface 110A to clean the ejection surface 110A.

-First contact member-
The first contact member 211 is not particularly limited as long as it is at least partially fixed and wet with the wetting liquid W, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose.

The shape of the first contact member 211 is blade-shaped in the present embodiment, and the planar shape is rectangular.
In addition, in the present embodiment, the shape of the first contact member 211 is a blade shape and the planar shape is a rectangle. However, the shape is not limited to this. For example, one side of a corner (edge) of a hexahedron, or It may be a blade-like member that is in contact with a part of the surface including one side thereof.
Further, although the tip end portion that comes into contact with the ejection surface 110A is rectangular as long as it has a blade shape, the shape is not limited to this, and may have a curved surface, for example.
Further, the side that contacts the ejection surface 110A is preferably linear, but may have a curved shape.

As the structure of the first contact member 211, in the present embodiment, the portion in contact with the bracket 212 is fixed. The bracket 212 is locked to the fixed plate 201 with a screw 213.
In the present embodiment, the structure of the first abutting member 211 is described as being fixed at the portion in contact with the bracket 212, but the structure is not limited to this as long as at least a portion is fixed. ..

The size of the first contact member 211 is 14 mm×17 mm in this embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the size of the first contact member 211 is 14 mm×17 mm, but the size is not limited to this.

In the present embodiment, the material of the first contact member 211 is a sponge body moistened with the wetting liquid W.
In the present embodiment, the material of the first contact member 211 is a sponge body moistened with the wetting liquid W, but the sponge body is not limited to this. It may be a fibrous body or a rubber body. These may be used alone as a single layer or may be formed by laminating two or more types. Among these, the sponge body is preferable since it can hold a large amount of the wetting liquid W and can enhance the cleaning effect.

-Wetting liquid-
The wetting liquid W is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include pure water, Nuclease-Free Water, and physiological saline. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, when the liquid in the liquid holding container of the liquid discharge head is a cell suspension, pure water is preferable because it is inexpensive and does not affect the cells contained in the cell suspension.

<<Second Cleaning Section>>
The second cleaning unit 220 includes a second contact member 221. After the first contact member 211 contacts the ejection surface 110A, at least the end portion 221A of the second contact member 221 ejects. The ejection surface 110A is cleaned by contacting the surface 110A.

-Second contact member-
The second contact member 221 is not particularly limited as long as it is at least partially fixed and is dried as compared with the first contact member 211, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose.

In the present embodiment, the shape of the second contact member 221 is blade-shaped, and the planar shape is rectangular.
In the present embodiment, the shape of the second contact member 221 is blade-shaped and the planar shape is rectangular. However, the shape is not limited to this, and the planar shape may be circular, elliptical, or the like. Good.

As the structure of the second abutting member 221, the portion in contact with the bracket 222 is fixed in the present embodiment. The bracket 222 is fastened to the fixed plate 201 with screws 223.
In the present embodiment, the structure of the second contact member 221 is described as being fixed at the portion in contact with the bracket 222, but the structure is not limited to this as long as at least a portion is fixed. ..

The size of the second contact member 221 is 20 mm×17 mm in this embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the size of the second contact member 221 is 20 mm×17 mm, but the size is not limited to this.

In the present embodiment, the material of the second contact member 221 is a fibrous body that is drier than the first contact member 211.
In the present embodiment, the material of the second contact member 221 is a fibrous body that is dryer than that of the first contact member 211. However, the material is not limited to this, and it is dryer than the first contact member 211. For example, a sponge body or a rubber body may be used. These may be used alone as a single layer or may be formed by laminating two or more types. Among these, the fibrous body is preferable because it has high water absorption and enhances the cleaning effect. Further, among the fibrous bodies, the chemical fibers are preferable in that they do not fluff.

[Cleaning operation]
3A and 3B are explanatory views showing the operation of cleaning the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head by the cleaning device according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3A, dirt D such as the cell suspension S may adhere to the vicinity of the nozzle 110B on the ejection surface 110A. In such a case, in the liquid ejection head 100, the ejection direction of the liquid ejected from the nozzle 110B may vary, or the liquid may not be ejected.

Therefore, when the cleaning device 200 cleans the dirt D on the ejection surface 110A, first, the liquid ejection head 100 is provided with the cleaning device 200 from the liquid ejection area as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B by a single drive unit or a plurality of drive units. Move to the designated cleaning area.
As described above, the cleaning device 200 includes the first contact member 211 that contains the wetting liquid W and is wet, and the second contact member 221 that does not contain the wetting liquid W and that is dry. is doing.

Next, the liquid ejection head 100 that has moved to the cleaning area is subsequently moved by the drive unit in the vertical direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 3A. At this time, the height of the ejection surface 110A is adjusted to the ejection surface passing line where the ejection surface 110A comes into contact with the end portion 211A of the first contact member 211 and the end portion 221A of the second contact member 221. To be done.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, the liquid ejection head 100 with the height of the ejection surface 110A adjusted is moved in the horizontal direction by the drive unit as indicated by arrow B in FIG. 3B. Then, the ejection surface 110</b>A first comes into contact with the first contact member 211 and is deformed, and the dirt D that is easily separated by the action of the wetting liquid W contained in the first contact member 211 becomes the first. The end 211A of the first contact member 211 is wiped until the liquid ejection head 100 has finished passing.

Next, after the dirt D on the ejection surface 110A has been wiped off, the ejection surface 110A subsequently contacts the end portion 221A of the second contact member 221. Then, the second contact member 221 adsorbs the minute liquid droplets of the wetting liquid W remaining on the ejection surface 110A by the wiping by the first contact member 211, including the end portion 221A.

Then, although not shown, the liquid ejection head 100 whose cleaning of the ejection surface 110A is completed returns to the liquid ejection area after being withdrawn from the cleaning device 200 by the above-mentioned drive unit.

As described above, the cleaning device 200 according to the first embodiment can efficiently clean dirt adhered to the ejection surface 110A of the liquid ejection head 100 with a simple structure and reduce unwiping.

(Second embodiment)
4A to 4C are explanatory views showing the operation of cleaning the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head by the cleaning device according to the second embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4A, in the cleaning device according to the second embodiment, the size of the second contact member of the cleaning device according to the first embodiment is increased, and the second contact member 224 is attached to the bracket 222. It greatly protrudes from. That is, in the cleaning device 200 according to the second embodiment, the contact area between the second contact member 224 and the ejection surface 110A is larger than the contact area between the first contact member 211 and the ejection surface 110A. ..
As a result, the contact area between the second contact member 224 and the ejection surface 110A of the liquid ejection head 100 is increased, so that minute droplets of the wetting liquid W after the first contact member 211 is wiped off. It is possible to more reliably reduce the unwiping residue.

[Cleaning operation]
As shown in FIG. 4B, when the liquid ejection head 100 first moves in the horizontal direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 4B, the ejection surface 110A contacts the first contact member 211, as in the first embodiment. The dirt D is wiped off by contact.
Next, as shown in FIG. 4C, the liquid ejection head 100 moves in the horizontal direction indicated by arrow B in FIG. 4C, as in the first embodiment. Then, the ejection surface 110A subsequently contacts the second contact member 224 including the end portion 224A, and the wetting liquid W remaining on the ejection surface 110A is adsorbed by the second contact member 224. At this time, since the size of the second contact member 224 is larger than that of the first embodiment, the contact area with the ejection surface 110A is increased, and the first contact member 211 is used for wetting after being wiped. It is possible to more reliably reduce the unwiping of minute droplets of the liquid W.

(Third Embodiment)
5A and 5B are explanatory views showing an operation of cleaning the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head by the cleaning device according to the third embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5A, the cleaning device according to the third embodiment is different from the cleaning device according to the second embodiment in that the bracket 225 is provided on the side of the second contact member 224 opposite to the side in contact with the ejection surface 110A. A fixed elastic member 226 is provided. The elastic member 226 may be made of, for example, a spring or a cushion material.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the ejection surface 110A comes into contact with the second contact member 224, even if the material of the second contact member 224 has a small elastic force, The contact force of the contact member 224 with the ejection surface 110A can be increased. Therefore, the cleaning device according to the third embodiment can more reliably reduce the unwiping of minute droplets of the wetting liquid W after the first contact member 211 has wiped.

(Fourth Embodiment)
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a cleaning device according to the fourth embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 6, in the cleaning device according to the fourth exemplary embodiment, the first cleaning unit 210 can store the wetting liquid W, and the wetting liquid W stored in the first abutting member 211. Is further provided with a liquid chamber capable of contacting a part of the. The liquid chamber is provided by the structure of the bracket/liquid chamber 231.
As a result, the first abutting member 211 allows the wetting liquid 410 to permeate to the end portion 211A due to the capillary phenomenon, and thus can prevent the wetting liquid W from being supplied and dried from the liquid chamber. Therefore, the cleaning device according to the fourth embodiment can easily maintain the cleaning effect due to the contact of the first contact member 211 with the ejection surface 110A.

(Fifth Embodiment)
FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram showing a cleaning device according to the fifth embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 7A, the cleaning device according to the fifth exemplary embodiment further includes at least one of one or more first cleaning units and one or more second cleaning units. In the cleaning device of this embodiment, the ejection surface 110A of the liquid ejection head 100 first contacts the first contact member and finally contacts the second contact member.
As a result, in the cleaning device according to the fifth embodiment, at least one of the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit is further added, so that the dirt D attached to the ejection surface 110A can be removed more reliably. it can. Alternatively, it is possible to more reliably reduce the unwiping of minute droplets of the wetting liquid W after the first contact member 211 has wiped off.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7A, the cleaning device 200 may include a first cleaning unit 210A, a first cleaning unit 210B, and a second cleaning unit 220. The type of wetting liquid used in the first cleaning unit 210A may be changed to the type of wetting liquid used in the first cleaning unit 210B.
Although the type of the wetting liquid is changed in FIG. 7A, the material and shape of the first contact member may be changed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, the number of second cleaning units may be increased, and the cleaning device 200 may include a first cleaning unit 210, a second cleaning unit 220A, and a second cleaning unit 220B. May be. Further, the material of the second contact member 224A used in the second cleaning unit 220A may be changed to the material of the second contact member 224B used in the second cleaning unit 220B.
Although the material of the second contact member is changed in FIG. 7B, the size and shape of the second contact member may be changed.

(Sixth Embodiment)
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a cleaning device according to the sixth embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 8, in the cleaning device according to the sixth embodiment, the cleaning device 200 according to the fourth embodiment can be attached to and removed from the base material 11 of the liquid ejection device 10.
As a result, the cleaning device according to the sixth embodiment can be replaced, for example, during the ejection operation, and thus maintainability can be improved.

Specifically, the cleaning device 200 in the sixth embodiment is locked to the base material 11 with the screw 241, and the cleaning device 200 can be removed from the base material 11 by removing the screw 241. For example, by removing the cleaning device 200 while the liquid discharge head 100 is returning to the liquid discharge area after cleaning by the cleaning device 200, each contact member can be easily and safely replaced.

(Seventh embodiment)
9A to 9C are explanatory views showing the operation of cleaning the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head by the cleaning device according to the seventh embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 9A, in the cleaning device of the seventh embodiment, the sizes of the first contact member and the second contact member of the cleaning device of the first embodiment are increased.

[Cleaning operation]
As shown in FIG. 9B, first, when the liquid ejection head 100 moves in the horizontal direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 9B, the ejection surface 110A contacts the first contact member 214, as in the first embodiment. The dirt D is wiped off by contact.
Next, as shown in FIG. 9C, the liquid ejection head 100 moves in the direction indicated by arrow E in FIG. 9C. Then, the force with which the ejection surface 110A abuts the second contact member 224 becomes stronger, and the second contact member 224 more easily adsorbs the wetting liquid W remaining on the ejection surface 110A. Furthermore, since the contact area is also increased, the cleaning device according to the seventh embodiment more reliably removes unwiped fine liquid droplets of the wetting liquid W after the first contact member 211 wipes. It can be reduced.

(Eighth Embodiment)
10A and 10B are explanatory views showing the operation of cleaning the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head by the cleaning device according to the eighth embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 10A, the cleaning device according to the seventh embodiment is similar to the cleaning device according to the first embodiment.

[Cleaning operation]
As shown in FIG. 10A, first, when the liquid ejection head 100 moves in the horizontal direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 9B at the moving speed V1, the ejection surface 110A makes a first contact with the ejection surface 110A, as in the first embodiment. The dirt D is wiped by contacting the member 214.
Next, as shown in FIG. 10B, the liquid ejection head 100 moves in the horizontal direction indicated by arrow B in FIG. 10B at a moving speed V2 slower than the moving speed V1. Then, the ejection surface 110A is in contact with the second contact member 224 for a longer time, and the second contact member 224 is more likely to adsorb the wetting liquid W remaining on the ejection surface 110A.
As a result, the cleaning device according to the eighth embodiment can more reliably reduce the unwiped portion of the minute droplets of the wetting liquid W after the first contact member 211 has wiped.

(Ninth Embodiment)
11A and 11B are explanatory views showing the operation of cleaning the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head by the cleaning device according to the ninth embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the cleaning device according to the ninth embodiment further includes a moving stage 250, a stage drive unit 251, and a stage control unit 252.

The moving stage 250 can lock the first cleaning unit 210 and the second cleaning unit 220, and slides horizontally from the cleaning area to the liquid ejection area along the guide in the horizontal direction indicated by the arrow G in FIG. 11B. Can be made By moving the moving stage 250 from the cleaning area to the liquid ejection area, the ejection surface 110A can be cleaned by the first cleaning unit 210 and the second cleaning unit 220.

The stage driving unit (driving unit) 251 can apply a driving force for sliding the moving stage 250 in the horizontal direction indicated by an arrow G in FIG. 11B to the moving stage 250.

The stage control unit (control unit) 252 can control the stage drive unit 251 to slide the moving stage 250 in the horizontal direction indicated by an arrow G in FIG. 11B.
When the cleaning by the cleaning device 200 is not performed in the liquid ejection area, the stage controller 252 controls the stage drive part 251 so that the cleaning device 200 stands by in the cleaning area, as shown in FIG. 11A. Further, when the cleaning by the cleaning device 200 is performed in the liquid ejection area, the stage controller 252 slides the moving stage 250 in the horizontal direction indicated by the arrow G in FIG. 11B, as shown in FIG. 11B. The drive unit 251 is controlled.

In the present embodiment, both the first cleaning unit 210 and the second cleaning unit 220 are slid, but either the first cleaning unit 210 or the second cleaning unit 220 is slid. You can
That is, the stage drive unit 251 drives at least one of the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit so as to be movable. Further, the stage control unit 252 moves at least one of the first cleaning unit 210 and the second cleaning unit 220, and the first contact member 211 and the second contact member 221 have the ejection surface in this order. The stage drive unit 251 is controlled so as to contact the 110A.
As a result, in the cleaning device according to the ninth embodiment, the ejection surface 110A can be cleaned while maintaining the position of the liquid ejection head 100, and thus positional deviation due to movement to the cleaning area is less likely to occur, and thus droplet ejection The accuracy can be improved.

As described above, the cleaning device of the present invention has at least a part thereof fixed, and a first cleaning part having a first contact member moistened with a wetting liquid, and at least a part thereof fixed to the first cleaning part. And a second cleaning unit including a second contact member that is dryer than the contact member. The first cleaning unit cleans the discharge surface by contacting at least an end of the first contact member with the discharge surface. The second cleaning unit cleans the ejection surface by contacting at least the end of the second contact member with the ejection surface after the first contact member abuts the ejection surface. As a result, according to the cleaning device of the present invention, dirt adhered to the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head can be efficiently cleaned with a simple structure, and unwiping can be reduced.

Aspects of the present invention are as follows, for example.
<1> A cleaning device for cleaning the ejection surface of a liquid ejection head for ejecting liquid,
A first contact member, at least a part of which is fixed and moistened with a wetting liquid, wherein at least an end of the first contact member abuts on the ejection surface to clean the ejection surface; 1 cleaning section,
A second contact member, at least a part of which is fixed and which is dried from the first contact member, is provided, and the second contact member is provided after the first contact member contacts the ejection surface. A second cleaning unit, of which at least an end portion is in contact with the discharge surface and cleans the discharge surface;
It is a cleaning device characterized by having.
<2> The cleaning device according to <1>, wherein a contact area between the second contact member and the ejection surface is larger than a contact area between the first contact member and the ejection surface. is there.
<3> The cleaning device according to any one of <1> to <2>, wherein the second contact member is a fibrous body.
<4> The cleaning device according to any one of <1> to <3>, in which an elastic member is provided on a side of the second abutting member opposite to a side that abuts the ejection surface.
<5> The cleaning device according to any one of <1> to <4>, wherein the first contact member is a sponge body.
<6> The first cleaning unit further includes a liquid chamber capable of containing the wetting liquid and allowing a part of the first contact member to come into contact with the stored wetting liquid. 5> is a cleaning device.
<7> The cleaning device according to any one of <1> to <6>, wherein the wetting liquid is pure water.
<8> The cleaning device according to any one of <1> to <7>, wherein the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit are provided independently of each other.
<9> One or more first cleaning units and at least one of one or more second cleaning units are further provided,
The cleaning according to any one of <1> to <8>, in which the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head first comes into contact with the first contact member and finally comes into contact with the second contact member. It is a device.
<10> A drive unit that movably drives at least one of the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit,
At least one of the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit is moved, and the drive is performed so that the first contact member and the second contact member contact the ejection surface in this order. A control unit for controlling the unit,
The cleaning device according to any one of <1> to <9>, further including:
<11> The controller controls the drive unit so that the contact time between the second cleaning unit and the ejection surface is longer than the contact time between the first cleaning unit and the ejection surface. The cleaning device according to <10>, which is controlled.
<12> The control unit determines the relative speed between the second cleaning unit and the liquid ejection head when the second contact member contacts the ejection surface by the first contact member. <10> to <11>, wherein the drive unit is controlled so as to be slower than a relative speed between the first cleaning unit and the liquid ejection head when in contact with the ejection surface. It is a cleaning device.
<13> A cleaning method for cleaning an ejection surface of a liquid ejection head for ejecting a liquid with a cleaning device,
At least a part of the first contact member is brought into contact with the ejection surface by the first contact member which is at least partially fixed in the cleaning device and moistened with a wetting liquid. A first cleaning process for cleaning the
At least a part of the cleaning device is fixed, and the second contact member that is dried from the first contact member causes the second contact member to contact the ejection surface, and then the second contact member. A second cleaning process in which at least an end of the contact member comes into contact with the discharge surface to clean the discharge surface;
The cleaning method is characterized by including.
<14> A liquid ejection head,
The cleaning device according to any one of <1> to <12>,
And a liquid ejecting apparatus.
<15> The liquid ejection device according to <14>, wherein the cleaning device is removable.
<16> The liquid ejection device according to any one of <14> to <15>, wherein the liquid contains cells.
<17> The liquid ejection head is
A film-like portion on which the discharge port is formed,
A displacement portion that is disposed on a side that accommodates the liquid discharged from the discharge port and that can displace the position of the discharge port;
A contact blocking means capable of containing the liquid and blocking the liquid from coming into contact with the electrode in the displacement part;
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of <13> to <16>.
<18> A discharging step of discharging the liquid by the liquid discharging head,
A cleaning step of cleaning the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head with a cleaning device;
A liquid discharge method including
The cleaning step is
At least a part of the first contact member is brought into contact with the ejection surface by the first contact member that is at least partially fixed in the cleaning device and is moistened with the wetting liquid. A first cleaning process for cleaning the
At least a part of the cleaning device is fixed, and the second contact member dried from the first contact member causes the second contact member to contact the ejection surface, and then the second contact member. A second cleaning process in which at least an end of the contact member comes into contact with the discharge surface to clean the discharge surface;
And a liquid discharging method.
<19> The liquid discharge method according to <18>, wherein the liquid contains cells.
<20> The discharge step is
The discharging step is
A displacement portion is disposed in the membranous portion, the displacement portion being disposed on the side of the membranous portion that accommodates the liquid, in which the liquid that is blocked from contacting the current-carrying portion in the displacement portion by the contact blocking means is formed in the membranous portion. The liquid ejection method according to any one of <17> to <19>, including a displacement process of displacing the ejection port that is present and ejecting the ejection port from the ejection port.

The cleaning device according to any one of the items <1> to <12>, the cleaning method according to the item <13>, the liquid ejection device according to any one of the items <14> to <17>, and the item <18>. According to the liquid discharging method described in any one of <20> to <20>, the problems of the related art can be solved and the object of the present invention can be achieved.

JP-A-6-965 JP 2004-325164 A

10 Liquid Ejecting Device 11 Base Material 100 Liquid Ejecting Head 110 Nozzle Plate (Membrane Part)
110A ejection surface 110B nozzle (ejection port)
120 Piezoelectric element (displacement part)
121 electrodes (current-carrying part)
130 Liquid holding container (contact blocking means)
131 atmosphere open part 140 housing 150 head drive part 200 cleaning device 201 fixing plate 210 first cleaning part 211, 214 first contact member 211A end part 220 second cleaning part 221, 224, 227, 229B second Abutting member 221A end portion 226, 229A elastic member 229 block-shaped second abutting member 231 bracket/liquid chamber 250 moving stage 251 stage driving unit (driving unit)
252 Stage control unit (control unit)
C cell D dirt L droplet S cell suspension P, W wetting liquid

Claims (19)

A cleaning device for cleaning the ejection surface of a liquid ejection head for ejecting liquid,
A first contact member, at least a part of which is fixed and moistened with a wetting liquid, wherein at least an end of the first contact member abuts on the ejection surface to clean the ejection surface; 1 cleaning section,
A second contact member, at least a part of which is fixed and which is dried from the first contact member, is provided, and the second contact member is provided after the first contact member contacts the ejection surface. A second cleaning unit, of which at least an end portion is in contact with the discharge surface and cleans the discharge surface;
A cleaning device comprising: The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein a contact area between the second contact member and the ejection surface is larger than a contact area between the first contact member and the ejection surface. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the second contact member is a fibrous body. The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an elastic member is provided on the side of the second contact member opposite to the side that contacts the ejection surface. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the first contact member is a sponge body. The said 1st cleaning part is further capable of containing the said wetting liquid, and further comprises a liquid chamber in which a part of the first contact member can come into contact with the stored wetting liquid. Cleaning device. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the wetting liquid is pure water. Further comprising at least one of one or more of the first cleaning units and one or more of the second cleaning units,
8. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head first comes into contact with the first contact member and finally comes into contact with the second contact member. A driving unit that movably drives at least one of the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit;
At least one of the first cleaning unit and the second cleaning unit is moved so that the first contact member and the second contact member contact the ejection surface in this order. A control unit for controlling the unit,
The cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising: The control unit controls the drive unit such that a contact time between the second cleaning unit and the ejection surface is longer than a contact time between the first cleaning unit and the ejection surface. Item 9. The cleaning device according to Item 9. The control unit determines the relative speed between the second cleaning unit and the liquid ejection head when the second contact member contacts the ejection surface, and the first contact member determines the relative surface speed. 11. The cleaning device according to claim 9, wherein the drive unit is controlled so as to be slower than a relative speed between the first cleaning unit and the liquid ejection head when coming into contact with. A cleaning method for cleaning a discharge surface of a liquid discharge head for discharging a liquid by a cleaning device,
At least a part of the first contact member is brought into contact with the ejection surface by the first contact member which is at least partially fixed in the cleaning device and moistened with a wetting liquid. A first cleaning step for cleaning the
At least a part of the cleaning device is fixed, and the second contact member that is dried from the first contact member causes the second contact member to contact the ejection surface, and then the second contact member. A second cleaning step in which at least an end of the contact member comes into contact with the discharge surface to clean the discharge surface;
A cleaning method comprising: Liquid discharge head,
A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: The liquid ejection device according to claim 13, wherein the cleaning device is removable. The liquid ejection device according to claim 13, wherein the liquid contains cells. The liquid discharge head,
A film-like portion on which the discharge port is formed,
A displacement portion that is disposed on a side that accommodates the liquid discharged from the discharge port and that can displace the position of the discharge port;
A contact blocking means capable of containing the liquid and blocking the liquid from coming into contact with the current-carrying part in the displacement part;
The liquid discharge device according to claim 13, further comprising: A discharging step of discharging the liquid by the liquid discharging head,
A cleaning step of cleaning the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head with a cleaning device;
A liquid discharge method including
The cleaning step is
At least a part of the first contact member is brought into contact with the ejection surface by the first contact member which is at least partially fixed in the cleaning device and moistened with a wetting liquid. A first cleaning process for cleaning the
At least a part of the cleaning device is fixed, and the second contact member that is dried from the first contact member causes the second contact member to contact the ejection surface, and then the second contact member. A second cleaning process in which at least an end of the contact member comes into contact with the discharge surface to clean the discharge surface;
A liquid discharge method comprising: The liquid ejection method according to claim 17, wherein the liquid contains cells. The discharging step is
A displacement portion is disposed in the membranous portion, the displacement portion being disposed on a side of the membranous portion that accommodates the liquid that is blocked from contacting the current-carrying portion in the displacement portion by the contact blocking means. 19. The liquid ejection method according to claim 17, further comprising a displacement process of displacing the ejection port that is being ejected to eject from the ejection port.

Images