JP2020146934A - Image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image recording device which attains satisfactory cleaning performance by making even the supply of cleaning liquid to a wiping member for wiping a nozzle surface of an inkjet head.SOLUTION: An image recording device includes: a maintenance mechanism including a wiping cloth for wiping a nozzle surface by abutting on the nozzle surface of an inkjet head, and a cleaning liquid supply member 72 for coating cleaning liquid on the wiping cloth. The cleaning liquid supply member 72 is constituted of a hollow body having a supply port 72a through which the cleaning liquid is supplied, and a plurality of coating holes 72b for coating the cleaning liquid on the wiping cloth. The plurality of coating holes 72b have different opening areas and/or arrangement densities depending on their distances from the supply port 72a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to an image recording device, and more particularly to an image recording device capable of achieving good cleaning performance by equalizing the supply of a cleaning liquid to a wiping member that wipes the nozzle surface of an inkjet head.

An image recording device has been proposed in which ink is ejected from an inkjet head to form an image on a recording medium, and the image is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to cure the ink.

The image recording device described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a maintenance mechanism for supplying a cleaning liquid to a wiping member that wipes the nozzle surface of the inkjet head. This maintenance mechanism includes a tubular cleaning liquid supply member having a plurality of coating holes having the same diameter on the peripheral surface, supplies the cleaning liquid from one end of the cleaning liquid supply member, and supplies the cleaning liquid to the wiping member from the plurality of coating holes. It has become.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-162135

In the image recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the amount of the cleaning liquid flowing out from each coating hole of the cleaning liquid supply member is non-uniform. This is because a large amount of cleaning liquid flows out from the coating hole near one end of the cleaning liquid supply member to which the cleaning liquid is supplied, and a small amount of cleaning liquid flows out from the coating hole near the closed other end. If the outflow amount of the cleaning liquid is non-uniform between one end side and the other end side of the cleaning liquid supply member, the liquid content distribution in the wiping member becomes uneven, and there are a portion where the liquid content is larger than the target value and a portion where the liquid content is smaller than the target value. Will be done.

If the liquid content distribution of the wiping member is uneven, there is a problem that the cleaning performance differs depending on the location of the wiping member. In the portion where the liquid content is larger than the target value, cleaning can be performed, but there is a possibility that cleaning droplets may remain on the nozzle surface, and the droplets affect the ink ejection performance of the inkjet head. In the portion where the liquid content is smaller than the target value, the cleaning ability may be insufficient, the nozzle surface may be damaged, or the ink remaining on the nozzle surface may not be completely removed.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image recording device capable of achieving good cleaning performance by equalizing the supply of a cleaning liquid to a wiping member that wipes the nozzle surface of an inkjet head.

Further, other problems of the present invention will be clarified by the following description.

The above-mentioned problems of the present invention are solved by the following inventions.

1. 1.
An inkjet head that ejects ink from an ejection nozzle that opens on the nozzle surface,
A maintenance mechanism having a wiping member that comes into contact with the nozzle surface and wipes the nozzle surface and a cleaning liquid supply member that applies a cleaning liquid to the wiping member is provided.
The cleaning liquid supply member is composed of a supply port to which the cleaning liquid is supplied and a hollow body having a plurality of coating holes for applying the cleaning liquid to the wiping member.
An image recording apparatus characterized in that the plurality of coating holes have different opening areas and / or arrangement densities depending on the distance from the supply port.
2. 2.
The image recording apparatus according to 1 above, wherein the plurality of coating holes are smaller as the opening area and / or the arrangement density is closer to the supply port.
3. 3.
The image recording device according to 1 or 2 above, wherein a plurality of supply ports are provided.
4.
The wiping member is fed to the cleaning liquid supply member in a certain direction to apply the cleaning liquid.
The image recording according to 1, 2 or 3 above, wherein the plurality of coating holes are arranged at positions on the upstream side in the feeding direction of the wiping member as the opening area and / or the arrangement density is smaller. apparatus.
5.
The image recording apparatus according to 4 above, wherein the wiping member is made of a sheet-like cloth, is wound around a supply roller, and is fed by being wound by a winding roller.
6.
The wiping member is characterized in that the cleaning liquid which is in contact with the openings of the plurality of coating holes or which flows out from the coating holes is close to the opening within a distance forming a liquid column. The image recording apparatus according to any one of 5.
7.
The maintenance mechanism includes a pressing means for pressing the wiping member.
The image recording apparatus according to any one of 1 to 6, wherein the pressing means uniformly presses the wet portion of the wiping member to which the cleaning liquid is applied in the thickness direction.
8.
The maintenance mechanism is characterized in that the nozzle surface is wiped by a wet portion coated with the cleaning liquid of the wiping member, and the nozzle surface is pressed and / or wiped by a dry portion not coated with the cleaning liquid of the wiping member. The image recording device according to any one of 1 to 7 above.
9.
The image recording device according to any one of 1 to 8 above, wherein the maintenance mechanism includes a liquid leakage preventing means for maintaining the inside of the cleaning liquid supply member at a back pressure.
10.
The inkjet head has an ink heating means for ejecting ink containing a gelling agent and heating the ink.
The image recording apparatus according to any one of 1 to 9, wherein the cleaning liquid supply member has a cleaning liquid heating means for heating the cleaning liquid, and the heated cleaning liquid is applied to the wiping member.
11.
The image recording device according to any one of 1 to 10, wherein the cleaning liquid supply member is supported so as to be movable in contact with the wiping member.
12.
The image recording apparatus according to any one of 1 to 11, wherein the cleaning liquid supply member has a mechanism for changing the outflow direction of the cleaning liquid from the plurality of coating holes.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image recording device capable of achieving good cleaning performance by equalizing the supply of cleaning liquid to a wiping member that wipes the nozzle surface of an inkjet head.

Schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment Side view showing the main part of the image recording apparatus shown in FIG. The block diagram showing the image recording apparatus shown in FIG. Side view showing the internal configuration of the maintenance mechanism of the image recording apparatus shown in FIG. A perspective view showing a cleaning liquid supply member of the maintenance mechanism shown in FIG. Side view showing the main part (at the start of maintenance) of the image recording device shown in FIG. Side view showing the main part (during maintenance) of the image recording device shown in FIG. A perspective view showing a second example of the cleaning liquid supply member shown in FIG. A perspective view showing a third example of the cleaning liquid supply member shown in FIG. A perspective view showing a fourth example of the cleaning liquid supply member shown in FIG. A perspective view showing a fifth example of the cleaning liquid supply member shown in FIG. A perspective view showing a sixth example of the cleaning liquid supply member shown in FIG. A perspective view showing a seventh example of the cleaning liquid supply member shown in FIG. A perspective view showing an eighth example of the cleaning liquid supply member shown in FIG. Top view showing the position of the coating hole of the ninth example of the cleaning liquid supply member shown in FIG. 5 as the position on the wiping member. Top view showing the position of the coating hole of the tenth example of the cleaning liquid supply member shown in FIG. 5 as a position on the wiping member. Side view and plan view showing the positional relationship (contact) between the cleaning liquid supply member and the wiping member shown in FIG. Side view showing the cleaning liquid flowing out from the cleaning liquid supply member shown in FIG. Side view and plan view showing the positional relationship (separation) between the cleaning liquid supply member and the wiping member shown in FIG. A side view showing a second example of the internal configuration of the maintenance mechanism of the image recording device shown in FIG. Side view and plan view showing the positional relationship between the cleaning liquid supply member, the wiping member, and the pressing means shown in FIG. A side view showing a third example of the internal configuration of the maintenance mechanism of the image recording device shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an eleventh example of the cleaning liquid supply member shown in FIG. A side view showing a fourth example of the internal configuration of the maintenance mechanism of the image recording device shown in FIG. A side view showing a fifth example of the internal configuration of the maintenance mechanism of the image recording device shown in FIG. A side view showing a sixth example of the internal configuration of the maintenance mechanism of the image recording device shown in FIG. Top view showing the positional relationship of the cleaning liquid supply member, the wiping member, and the elastic member shown in FIG. A flowchart showing the operation of the image recording device shown in FIG. A flowchart showing a cleaning operation of the image recording device shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, the image recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. In the following description, those having the same function and configuration may be designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof may be omitted.

[Configuration of image recording device]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an overall configuration of an image recording device according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image recording device 1 includes a paper feeding unit 10, an image forming unit 20, a paper ejection unit 30, a control unit 40, and an ink supply unit 50. In the image recording device 1, the image forming unit 20 uses the ink supplied from the ink supply unit 50 to the recording medium P conveyed from the paper feeding unit 10 to the image forming unit 20 under the control of the control unit 40. After forming the image, the recording medium P is discharged to the paper ejection unit 30.

The paper feeding unit 10 holds a recording medium P on which image formation is performed, and supplies the recording medium P to the image forming unit 20. The paper feed unit 10 has a paper feed tray 11 and a transport unit 12.

The paper feed tray 11 is a plate-shaped member provided so that one or a plurality of recording media P can be stacked and placed. The paper feed tray 11 is provided so as to move up and down according to the amount of the placed recording medium P, and is held at a position where the recording medium P is conveyed by the conveying unit 12.

The transport unit 12 is mounted on a transport mechanism for transporting the recording medium P on the belt 123 by rotationally driving the ring-shaped belt 123 by a plurality of (for example, two) rollers 121 and 122, and a paper feed tray 11. It has a supply unit that delivers the recording medium P to the belt 123. The transport unit 12 transports the recording medium P delivered to the belt 123 by the supply unit by the rotational operation of the belt 123.

The image forming unit 20 forms an image by ejecting ink onto the carried-in recording medium P. The image forming unit 20 includes a transfer unit 22, a paper heating unit 23, a transport drum 21, a plurality of inkjet heads 24, an irradiation unit 25, and a delivery unit 26.

The transfer unit 22 is provided at a position between the transfer unit 12 of the paper feeding unit 10 and the transfer drum 21, and transfers the recording medium P conveyed by the transfer unit 12 to the transfer drum 21. The transfer unit 22 has a swing arm unit that supports one end of the recording medium P conveyed by the transfer unit 12, a cylindrical transfer drum that transfers the recording medium P supported on the swing arm unit to the transfer drum 21, and the like. .. The transfer unit 22 picks up the recording medium P on the transfer unit 12 by the swing arm unit, transfers the recording medium P to the transfer drum, guides the recording medium P in a direction along the outer peripheral surface of the transfer drum 21, and delivers it to the transfer drum 21. ..

A plurality of suction holes (not shown) are provided on the peripheral surface of the transport drum 21, and the recording medium P is sucked and held by the negative pressure in the internal space of the transport drum 21 communicating with the suction holes. To. The recording medium P may be held by a mechanical claw or the like that sandwiches the end of the recording medium P.

The paper heating unit 23 heats the recording medium P supported on the transport drum 21. The paper heating unit 23 has, for example, an infrared heater or the like, and generates heat in response to energization. The paper heating unit 23 is provided near the outer peripheral surface of the transport drum 21 and on the upstream side of the inkjet head 24 in the transport direction of the recording medium P due to the rotation of the transport drum 21. The heat generation of the paper heating unit 23 is controlled by the control unit 40 so that the recording medium P supported on the transport drum 21 and passing in the vicinity of the paper heating unit 23 reaches a predetermined temperature. The outer peripheral portion of the transport drum 21 has a multi-layer structure in which a heat storage layer is formed on the heat insulating layer in order to keep the recording medium P warm.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a main part of the image recording apparatus shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the transport drum 21 carries the recording medium P along the cylindrical outer peripheral surface, and transports the recording medium P by rotating around the central axis. The transport surface of the transport drum 21 faces the paper heating unit 23, the inkjet head 24, and the irradiation unit 25 in this order so that the processing related to image formation is sequentially performed on the recording medium P to be transported.

The inkjet head 24 ejects ink onto the recording medium P supported on the transport drum 21 to form an image. The inkjet head 24 is individually provided for each color of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black). In FIG. 2, an inkjet head 24 corresponding to each color of Y, M, C, and K is provided from the upstream with respect to the transport direction of the recording medium P transported by the rotation of the transport drum 21.

Each inkjet head 24 is provided with a length that covers the entire width of the recording medium P in a direction (width direction) perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium P. That is, the image recording device 1 in this embodiment is a one-pass type line head type image recording device. Each of the inkjet heads 24 is composed of a plurality of line heads. The line head is a recording in which a plurality of short head modules in which a plurality of discharge nozzles opened on the nozzle surface are formed in a row are arranged in the direction of the discharge nozzle row and are conveyed in a direction intersecting the discharge nozzle row. The medium P is landed with the ink discharged from the discharge nozzle. The nozzle surface is a surface facing the recording medium P.

Each inkjet head 24 is supported by a carriage (not shown), and can be moved in a direction along the central axis of the transport drum 21 by a head transport mechanism (not shown). By the head transfer mechanism, each inkjet head 24 can be moved over a recording area facing the transfer path of the recording medium P and a maintenance area adjacent to the transfer path of the recording medium P. The transport drum 21 is provided with a maintenance mechanism 70, which will be described later, located in the maintenance area.

Ink receiving containers 52, 53, 54 are arranged in the maintenance area on the outer peripheral portion of the transport drum 21. The ink receiving containers 52, 53, and 54 are containers for receiving the waste ink discharged from the inkjet head 24, and the received waste ink is discharged to the waste ink tank. The ink receiving containers 52, 53, 54 have an upper end opening facing the inkjet head 24. The upper end opening has a size facing one or two inkjet heads 24. The ink receiving containers 52, 53, and 54 can be rotated in a predetermined angle range coaxially with the transport drum 21.

After the ink is ejected onto the recording medium P by the inkjet head 24, the irradiation unit 25 irradiates the recording medium P with energy rays for curing the ink. The irradiation unit 25 has, for example, a fluorescent tube such as a low-pressure mercury lamp, and causes the fluorescent tube to emit light to irradiate energy rays such as ultraviolet rays. The irradiation unit 25 is provided near the outer peripheral surface of the transport drum 21 and on the downstream side of the inkjet head 24 in the transport direction of the recording medium P due to the rotation of the transport drum 21. The irradiation unit 25 irradiates the recording medium P, which is supported on the transport drum 21 and ejects ink, with energy rays, and cures the ink ejected on the recording medium P by the action of the energy rays.

Fluorescent tubes that emit ultraviolet rays include low-pressure mercury lamps, mercury lamps with an operating pressure of several hundred Pa to 1 MPa, light sources that can be used as germicidal lamps, cold cathode tubes, ultraviolet laser light sources, metal halide lamps, light emitting diodes, etc. Can be mentioned. Among these, a light source (for example, a light emitting diode) that can irradiate ultraviolet rays with higher illuminance and consumes less power is desirable. Further, the energy ray is not limited to ultraviolet rays, and may be any energy ray having a property of curing the ink according to the property of the ink, and the light source can be selected according to the wavelength of the energy ray and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the delivery unit 26 conveys the recording medium P irradiated with energy rays by the irradiation unit 25 from the transfer drum 21 to the paper discharge unit 30. The delivery unit 26 rotates and drives the ring-shaped belt 263 by a plurality of (for example, two) rollers 261,262 to convey the recording medium P on the belt 263, and conveys the recording medium P from the transfer drum 21. It has a cylindrical delivery drum 264 and the like to be delivered to the mechanism. The delivery unit 26 conveys the recording medium P delivered to the belt 263 by the delivery drum 264 by the belt 263 and sends it out to the paper ejection unit 30.

The paper ejection unit 30 stores the recording medium P sent out from the image forming unit 20 by the delivery unit 26. The paper ejection unit 30 has a plate-shaped paper ejection tray 31 and the like, and the recording medium P after image formation is placed on the paper ejection tray 31 in an overlapping manner.

The ink supply unit 50 stores ink, supplies the ink to the inkjet head 24 of the image forming unit 20, and makes it possible to eject ink of each color from the ejection nozzle of the inkjet head 24.

The ink used in the image recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is not particularly limited, but is, for example, an ultraviolet (UV) curable ink. In a state where the ultraviolet curable ink is not irradiated with ultraviolet rays, the phase changes between a gel state and a sol (liquid) state depending on the temperature. For example, this ink contains a gelling agent and has a phase change temperature of a predetermined temperature, for example, about 40 ° C. to 100 ° C., and is uniformly solified by being heated above this phase change temperature ( Liquefaction). On the other hand, this ink gels at a predetermined temperature including about normal room temperature (0 ° C. to 30 ° C.).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the image recording device shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 40 has a CPU 401. The CPU 401 controls the overall operation of the image recording device 1 in an integrated manner, and executes various calculations and controls. A RAM 402 and a ROM 403 are connected to the CPU 401. The RAM 402 provides the CPU 401 with a working memory space and stores temporary data. The ROM 403 stores various control programs, setting data, and the like executed by the CPU 401. The interface 404 connected to the CPU 401 is a means for transmitting and receiving data to and from the external device 60, and is composed of either various serial interfaces or various parallel interfaces, or a combination thereof.

An image input unit 405 is connected to the external device 60. The image input unit 405 is a means for receiving recorded image data from the external device 60, and is composed of either various serial interfaces or various parallel interfaces, or a combination thereof. The recorded image data received by the image input unit 405 is sent to the image processing unit 406, which also serves as an image tilt correction means.

The image processing unit 406 performs image processing such as halftone processing on the recorded image data input from the external device 60, and divides the recorded image data into recorded image data for each head module 24.

The image data divided into the recorded image data for each of the inkjet heads 24 is sent to the image recording control unit 407. The image recording control unit 407 temporarily stores the image data divided into the recorded image data for each inkjet head 24 input from the image processing unit 406, and each inkjet according to the control signal input from the control signal generation unit 408. It is sent to the head 24. The control signal includes a recording period signal that controls the recording period for each of the inkjet heads 24. The recording period signal is a signal indicating an ink ejection (image recording) period for each of the inkjet heads 24. During the ink ejection period, recorded image data is sent to each of the inkjet heads 24.

The mechanism control unit 409 connected to the CPU 401 controls the inkjet mechanism unit 410 such as the motor and the maintenance mechanism that rotate the transport drum 21 based on the command from the CPU 401 and the control signal input from the control signal generation unit 408. ..

[Maintenance mechanism configuration]
FIG. 4 is a side view showing the internal configuration of the maintenance mechanism of the image recording device shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the maintenance mechanism 70 is arranged in the transport drum 21, is located in the maintenance area, and partially protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the transport drum 21. The maintenance mechanism 70 supplies a wiping member S that comes into contact with the nozzle surface of the inkjet head 24 to wipe the nozzle surface and a cleaning liquid that applies the cleaning liquid to the wiping member S in the housing 71 arranged in the transport drum 21. It is configured to have a member 72. The maintenance mechanism 70, together with the ink receiving containers 52, 53, 54, can be rotated coaxially with the transport drum 21 within a predetermined angle range.

In this embodiment, the wiping member S is made of a sheet-like cloth and is fed in the longitudinal direction. The wiping member S is wound around the supply roller 73a, and is fed by being wound around the winding roller 73b. The take-up roller 73b is rotationally operated by a motor (not shown) via the drive belt 73c. By the feeding operation of the wiping member S, the portion that wipes the nozzle surface of the inkjet head 24 is sequentially changed to a new portion. An elastic member 74 is arranged on the back surface of the portion that wipes the nozzle surface. The elastic member 74 projects outward from the opening of the housing 71. The wiping member S goes around the outside of the elastic member 74 from the inside of the housing 71 through the opening, protrudes from the housing 71 at this portion, returns to the inside of the housing 71 from the opening, and is wound by the take-up roller 73b. ..

The maintenance mechanism 70 uses an elevating mechanism (not shown) to extend the elastic member 74 from the peripheral surface of the transport drum 21 and to immerse the elastic member 74 from the peripheral surface of the transport drum 21. It can be moved in the radial direction. The elevating mechanism is configured to include, for example, a drive motor and a transmission mechanism, and moves and operates the housing 71 of the maintenance mechanism 70.

When the maintenance mechanism 70 is at a position (downward) facing the inkjet head 24 and the elastic member 74 is projected from the peripheral surface of the transport drum 21 by the elevating mechanism, the wiping member S becomes the elastic member 74 and the inkjet head 24. Press the nozzle surface while being sandwiched between the nozzle surface and the nozzle surface. The elastic member 74 is preferably a soft elastic member in order not to damage the nozzle surface and to allow the wiping member S to closely adhere to the nozzle surface.

With the wiping member S pressing the nozzle surface, the maintenance mechanism 70 is rotated forward or reverse around the central axis of the transport drum 21, or is rotated forward and backward, or the inkjet head 24 is centered on the transport drum 21. By moving the wiping member S in the direction along the axis or reciprocating, the wiping member S slides into contact with the nozzle surface and wipes the nozzle surface.

The maintenance mechanism 70 may be a cartridge type that can be attached to and detached from the transport drum 21.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a cleaning liquid supply member of the maintenance mechanism shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the cleaning liquid supply member 72 is composed of a supply port 72a to which the cleaning liquid is supplied and a hollow body having a plurality of coating holes 72b for applying the cleaning liquid to the wiping member S. In this embodiment, the cleaning liquid supply member 72 is a cylindrical body, one end of which is opened to form a supply port 72a, and the other end of which is closed.

The cleaning liquid is supplied into the cleaning liquid supply member 72 from a cleaning liquid supply source (storage tank) (not shown) via the supply port 72a. The cleaning liquid supply source is arranged in the image recording device 1. The cleaning liquid is pumped from the cleaning liquid supply source to the cleaning liquid supply member 72 via a tube. The cleaning liquid may be sent by the head difference without using a pump.

The cleaning liquid supplied into the cleaning liquid supply member 72 flows out from the plurality of coating holes 72b. As shown in FIG. 4, the inner peripheral surface (back surface) of the wiping member S to be fed is in contact with the outward opening of each coating hole 72b. The cleaning liquid flowing out from the plurality of coating holes 72b is applied to the wiping member S in contact with the openings of the coating holes 72b to wet the wiping member S.

The cleaning liquid supply member 72 may be arranged on the outer peripheral surface (surface) side of the wiping member S. In this case, the outer peripheral surface (surface) of the wiping member S to be fed is in contact with the outward opening of each coating hole 72b, and the cleaning liquid flowing out from each coating hole 72b is applied.

As the cleaning liquid, it is preferable to use a solvent of ink discharged from the inkjet head 24. If it is an ink solvent, the ink adhering (residual) to the nozzle surface can be dissolved and satisfactorily removed. However, the cleaning liquid may be a liquid different from the solvent of the ink.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a main part (at the start of maintenance) of the image recording device shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a side view showing a main part (during maintenance) of the image recording device shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the wet portion to which the cleaning liquid of the wiping member S is applied is projected from the peripheral surfaces of the housing 71 and the transport drum 21, and the maintenance mechanism 70 is the central axis of the transport drum 21. By being rotated around, the nozzle surface of each inkjet head 24 moved to the maintenance area is sequentially pressed and / or slidably contacted to press and / or wipe each nozzle surface. The maintenance mechanism 70 sequentially presses and / or wipes the nozzle surfaces of all the inkjet heads 24 by rotating the transfer drum 21 around the central axis.

As shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of coating holes 72b differ from each other in either the opening area or the arrangement density, or both the opening area and the arrangement density, depending on the distance from the supply port 72a. In this embodiment, the plurality of coating holes 72b have different opening areas depending on the distance from the supply port 72a. Since the cleaning liquid pressure in the cleaning liquid supply member 72 is high at a location where the distance from the supply port 72a is short, the opening area of the coating hole 72b is small. At a location where the distance from the supply port 72a is long, the cleaning liquid pressure in the cleaning liquid supply member 72 is low, so that the coating hole 72b has a large opening area. Since the opening areas of the plurality of coating holes 72b are different from each other in this way, the amount of the cleaning liquid flowing out from each coating hole 72b is equal to each other.

The shape of the opening of the coating hole 72b may be oval or polygonal instead of circular as shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a second example of the cleaning liquid supply member shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, the supply port 72a of the cleaning liquid supply member 72 may be provided at the center of the cleaning liquid supply member 72. In the cleaning liquid supply member 72, a supply port 72a to which the cleaning liquid is supplied is provided at the central portion in the length direction of the cylinder, and both ends thereof are closed.

The plurality of coating holes 72b differ from each other in either the opening area or the arrangement density, or both the opening area and the arrangement density, depending on the distance from the supply port 72a. In this embodiment, the plurality of coating holes 72b have different opening areas depending on the distance from the supply port 72a. The coating hole 72b has a small opening area at a location where the distance from the supply port 72a is short, and a large opening area at a location where the distance from the supply port 72a is long. Since the opening areas of the plurality of coating holes 72b are different from each other in this way, the amount of the cleaning liquid flowing out from each coating hole 72b is equal to each other. The shape of the opening of the coating hole 72b may be an oval shape, a polygonal shape, or the like, instead of the circular shape as shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a third example of the cleaning liquid supply member shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of supply ports 72a of the cleaning liquid supply member 72 may be provided. The cleaning liquid supply member 72 is provided with supply ports 72a to which the cleaning liquid is supplied at both ends of the cylinder.

The plurality of coating holes 72b differ from each other in either the opening area or the arrangement density, or both the opening area and the arrangement density, depending on the distance from the supply port 72a. In this embodiment, the plurality of coating holes 72b have different opening areas depending on the distance from the supply port 72a. The coating hole 72b has a small opening area at a location where the distance from the supply port 72a is short, and a large opening area at a location where the distance from the supply port 72a is long. Since the opening areas of the plurality of coating holes 72b are different from each other in this way, the amount of the cleaning liquid flowing out from each coating hole 72b is equal to each other. The shape of the opening of the coating hole 72b may be an oval shape, a polygonal shape, or the like, instead of the circular shape as shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a fourth example of the cleaning liquid supply member shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 10, the cleaning liquid supply member 72 may be formed of a hollow prism. The cleaning liquid supply member 72 is provided with a supply port 72a to which the cleaning liquid is supplied at one end, and the other end is closed.

In the cleaning liquid supply member 72 as well, the plurality of coating holes 72b have either an opening area or an arrangement density, or both the opening area and the arrangement density are different from each other depending on the distance from the supply port 72a. .. In this embodiment, the plurality of coating holes 72b have different opening areas depending on the distance from the supply port 72a. The coating hole 72b has a small opening area at a location where the distance from the supply port 72a is short, and a large opening area at a location where the distance from the supply port 72a is long. Since the opening areas of the plurality of coating holes 72b are different from each other in this way, the amount of the cleaning liquid flowing out from each coating hole 72b is equal to each other. The shape of the opening of the coating hole 72b may be an oval shape, a polygonal shape, or the like, instead of the circular shape as shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a fifth example of the cleaning liquid supply member shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11, the plurality of coating holes 72b of the cleaning liquid supply member 72 may have a smaller arrangement density as they are closer to the supply port 72a.

In this embodiment, the plurality of coating holes 72b have different arrangement densities depending on the distance from the supply port 72a. The coating holes 72b have a low disposition density at a location where the distance from the supply port 72a is short, and a high disposition density at a location where the distance from the supply port 72a is long. Since the arrangement densities of the plurality of coating holes 72b are different from each other in this way, the amount of the cleaning liquid flowing out from each coating hole 72b is equal to each other. The shape of the opening of the coating hole 72b may be an oval shape, a polygonal shape, or the like, instead of the circular shape as shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a sixth example of the cleaning liquid supply member shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 12, the plurality of coating holes 72b of the cleaning liquid supply member 72 may have a smaller opening area and arrangement density as they are closer to the supply port 72a.

In this embodiment, the plurality of coating holes 72b have different opening areas and arrangement densities depending on the distance from the supply port 72a. The coating hole 72b has a small opening area and disposition density at a location where the distance from the supply port 72a is short (a long distance between the coating holes 72b), and an opening area and disposition density at a location where the distance from the supply port 72a is long. Is large (the distance between the coating holes 72b is short). As described above, the opening areas and the arrangement densities of the plurality of coating holes 72b are different from each other, so that the amount of the cleaning liquid flowing out from each of the coating holes 72b is equal to each other. The shape of the opening of the coating hole 72b may be an oval shape, a polygonal shape, or the like, instead of the circular shape as shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a seventh example of the cleaning liquid supply member shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 13, when the outflow amount of the cleaning liquid is not uniform due to the difference in the opening area of the plurality of coating holes 72b of the cleaning liquid supply member 72, the arrangement density is adjusted to make the outflow amount uniform. It may be set to.

In this embodiment, the plurality of coating holes 72b have different opening areas depending on the distance from the supply port 72a. The coating hole 72b has a small opening area at a location where the distance from the supply port 72a is short, and a large opening area at a location where the distance from the supply port 72a is long. If the amount of cleaning liquid flowing out from the coating hole 72b far from the supply port 72a is larger than the amount of cleaning liquid flowing out from the coating hole 72b near the supply port 72a, the coating hole 72b at a location far from the supply port 72a By lowering the arrangement density of the coating holes 72b (increasing the distance between the coating holes 72b) and increasing the arrangement density of the coating holes 72b near the supply port 72a (shortening the distance between the coating holes 72b), each coating is applied. The outflow amount of the cleaning liquid from the hole 72b can be made equal to each other.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an eighth example of the cleaning liquid supply member shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 14, the coating hole 72b of the cleaning liquid supply member 72 may be formed in the shape of a single slit whose opening area becomes smaller as it is closer to the supply port 72a. This aspect is a state in which a plurality of coating holes 72b having different opening areas are connected to one.

In this embodiment, the coating hole 72b has an opening area per unit area that changes according to the distance from the supply port 72a. The coating hole 72b has a narrow width at a location where the distance from the supply port 72a is short, and a wide width at a location where the distance from the supply port 72a is long. Since the opening area per unit area of the coating hole 72b is changed in this way, the amount of the cleaning liquid flowing out from the coating hole 72b becomes uniform regardless of the distance from the supply port 72a.

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing the position of the coating hole of the ninth example of the cleaning liquid supply member shown in FIG. 5 as a position on the wiping member.

When the wiping member S is fed to the cleaning liquid supply member 72 in a fixed direction to apply the cleaning liquid, the plurality of coating holes 72b of the cleaning liquid supply member 72 have an opening area and / or as shown in FIG. Alternatively, as the disposition density is smaller, it is preferable to dispose of the wiping member S at a position on the upstream side (supply roller 73a side) in the feeding direction.

In this embodiment, the higher the pressure of the cleaning liquid, the smaller the opening area and / or the arrangement density of the plurality of coating holes 72b, and the position of the wiping member S in the feed direction is determined according to the opening area and / or the arrangement density. They are different from each other. The coating hole 72b is located on the upstream side in the feeding direction of the wiping member S as the opening area and the arrangement density are small, and is located on the downstream side in the feeding direction of the wiping member S as the opening area and the arrangement density are large. Since the opening areas and / or the arrangement densities of the plurality of coating holes 72b and the feeding direction positions of the wiping member S are different from each other in this way, the coating amount and coating width of the cleaning liquid from the coating holes 72b are equal to each other. It is supposed to be. The coating width on the wiping member S is wider than the opening width of the coating hole 72b as the cleaning liquid flows out at a high pressure, but it takes a certain amount of time to expand. Therefore, the coating hole 72b having a narrow opening width is coated first. By doing so, the coating width from each coating hole 72b can be equalized. The shape of the opening of the coating hole 72b may be an oval shape, a polygonal shape, or the like, instead of the circular shape as shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the position of the coating hole of the tenth example of the cleaning liquid supply member shown in FIG. 5 as a position on the wiping member.

When the wiping member S is operated to feed the cleaning liquid supply member 72 in a certain direction to apply the cleaning liquid, the plurality of coating holes 72b are the lengths of the wiping member S in the feeding direction as shown in FIG. It is also preferable to make only different and keep the width constant.

In this embodiment, the higher the pressure of the cleaning liquid, the smaller the length and opening area of the wiping member S in the feeding direction of the plurality of coating holes 72b, and the width is constant. Each coating hole 72b has the same position in the feeding direction of the wiping member S. As described above, the lengths and opening areas of the plurality of coating holes 72b in the feeding direction are different from each other, so that the coating amount and coating width of the cleaning liquid from each coating hole 72b are equal to each other. The coating width to the wiping member S is wider than the opening width of the coating holes 72b, but since the width and the outflow amount of each coating hole 72b are the same, the time required for spreading is also the same, and the position of the wiping member S in the feed direction is Even if they are the same, the coating width from each coating hole 72b can be equalized.

FIG. 17 is a side view and a plan view showing the positional relationship (contact) between the cleaning liquid supply member and the wiping member shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 17A, when the wiping member S is separated from the openings of the plurality of coating holes 72b, the cleaning liquid flowing out from the coating holes 72b becomes liquid drops 72c, and the wiping member S has An unevenness is formed between the wet portion 72d to which the cleaning liquid is applied and the dry portion 72e to which the cleaning liquid is not applied. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17B, it is preferable that the wiping member S is brought into contact with the openings of the plurality of coating holes 72b. As a result, the wet portion 72d coated with the cleaning liquid is uniformly and evenly formed on the wiping member S.

FIG. 18 is a side view showing the cleaning liquid flowing out from the cleaning liquid supply member shown in FIG.
FIG. 19 is a side view and a plan view showing the positional relationship (separation) between the cleaning liquid supply member and the wiping member shown in FIG.

It is also preferable that the wiping member S is close to the cleaning liquid flowing out from the coating hole 72b within a distance forming the liquid column 72f (FIG. 19).

As shown in FIG. 18A, when the cleaning liquid flows out from the coating hole 72b of the cleaning liquid supply member 72, the cleaning liquid first becomes the liquid column 72f as shown in FIG. 18B. Further, when the cleaning liquid flows out and the length of the liquid column 72f exceeds a certain length, as shown in FIG. 18C, the tip portion of the liquid column 72f is separated from the liquid column 72f, and FIG. 18 (d) ), The droplets are 72c. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 18E, when the distance from the opening of the coating hole 72b to the wiping member S is closer than the length at which the tip portion of the liquid column 72f is separated, the tip portion of the liquid column 72f is short. Without separating, it reaches the wiping member S and gets wet.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19, the distance from the opening of the coating hole 72b to the wiping member S should be within the distance at which the cleaning liquid forms the liquid column 72f (within the distance at which the tip portion of the liquid column 72f does not separate). Therefore, it is preferable that the wetting portion 72d coated with the cleaning liquid is uniformly and evenly formed on the wiping member S. In the following description, the distance from the opening of the coating hole 72b to the wiping member S is referred to as “contact” including the state in which the cleaning liquid forms the liquid column 72f.

FIG. 20 is a side view showing a second example of the internal configuration of the maintenance mechanism of the image recording device shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 20, the maintenance mechanism 70 preferably includes pressing means 75a and 75b that evenly press the wet portion coated with the cleaning liquid of the wiping member S in the thickness direction of the wiping member S. In this embodiment, the pressing means 75a and 75b are a pair of rollers arranged on both sides of the wiping member S and sandwiching the wiping member S, and have a length over the entire width of the wiping member S. The pressing means 75a and 75b are rotated around the axis following the wiping member S to be fed.

FIG. 21 is a side view and a plan view showing the positional relationship between the cleaning liquid supply member, the wiping member, and the pressing means shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 21, by applying pressure to the wiping member S coated with the cleaning liquid by the cleaning liquid supply member 72 by the pressing means 75a and 75b, the wet state of the cleaning liquid can be further made uniform.

The pressing means 75a and 75b are not limited to rollers, and the flat portion of the plate-shaped member is slidably contacted with both sides of the wiping member S, and the edge portion of the plate-shaped member is slidably contacted with both sides of the wiping member S like a blade. It may be in sliding contact with.

FIG. 22 is a side view showing a third example of the internal configuration of the maintenance mechanism of the image recording device shown in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 22, the pressing means 75a may press the portion to which the cleaning liquid is applied by the cleaning liquid supply member 72. In this case, the wiping member S is sandwiched between the pressing means 75a and the cleaning liquid supply member 72, and while being pressed evenly in the thickness direction by the pressing means 75a, the cleaning liquid is applied to the pressed portion by the cleaning liquid supply member 72. To. Also in this case, the wet state of the cleaning liquid can be made uniform.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing an eleventh example of the cleaning liquid supply member shown in FIG.

When the ink used in the inkjet head 24 is an ink containing a gelling agent and the image recording apparatus has an ink heating means for heating the ink, the cleaning liquid supply member 72 is a cleaning liquid as shown in FIG. It is preferable to have a cleaning liquid heating means (heater) 76 for heating the ink, and to apply the heated cleaning liquid to the wiping member S.

In this embodiment, the cleaning liquid heating means 76 is incorporated in the cleaning liquid supply member 72. By heating the cleaning liquid by the cleaning liquid heating means 76, the cleaning performance of the nozzle surface by the wiping member S coated with the cleaning liquid can be improved. Further, even when the viscosity of the cleaning liquid is high, the viscosity of the cleaning liquid is lowered by heating, so that the cleaning liquid can be uniformly applied to the wiping member S.

FIG. 24 is a side view showing a fourth example of the internal configuration of the maintenance mechanism of the image recording device shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 24, the cleaning liquid heating means 76 may be provided outside the cleaning liquid supply member 72. In this embodiment, the cleaning liquid heating means 76 is arranged at a position where the cleaning liquid supply member 72 is slidably contacted with the wiping member S on the downstream side in the feeding direction of the wiping member S. The cleaning liquid heating means 76 heats the cleaning liquid applied to the wiping member S.

By heating the cleaning liquid applied to the wiping member S by the heating means 76, the cleaning performance of the nozzle surface by the wiping member S coated with the cleaning liquid can be improved. Further, even when the viscosity of the cleaning liquid is high, the viscosity of the cleaning liquid is lowered by heating, so that the wiping member S can be uniformly moistened.

FIG. 25 is a side view showing a fifth example of the internal configuration of the maintenance mechanism of the image recording device shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 25, it is also preferable that the cleaning liquid supply member 72 is supported so as to be operable and detachable from the wiping member.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 25, the cleaning liquid supply member 72 can be brought into contact with and detached from the wiping member S by, for example, a plunger or the like. The cleaning liquid supply member 72 should be in contact with the wiping member S only during use (when the cleaning liquid is applied to the wiping member S), and should be separated from the wiping member S when not in use (when the cleaning liquid is not applied). Can be done.

When not in use, the cleaning liquid supply member 72 is separated from the wiping member S to prevent the cleaning liquid from leaking from the coating hole 72b. Further, the nozzle surface can also be wiped by the wiping member S in a dry state to which the cleaning liquid is not applied.

FIG. 26 is a side view showing a sixth example of the internal configuration of the maintenance mechanism of the image recording device shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 26, it is also preferable that the cleaning liquid supply member 72 has a mechanism for changing the outflow direction of the cleaning liquid from the plurality of coating holes 72b.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 26, the cleaning liquid supply member 72 can be rotated and operated by, for example, a plunger or a motor, and the opening of the coating hole 72b can be brought into contact with and detached from the wiping member S. There is. In the cleaning liquid supply member 72, the opening of the coating hole 72b is brought into contact with the wiping member S only during use (when the cleaning liquid is applied to the wiping member S), and the coating hole is not used (when the cleaning liquid is not applied). The opening of 72b can be kept away from the wiping member S.

When not in use, by keeping the opening of the coating hole 72b away from the wiping member S, leakage of the cleaning liquid from the coating hole 72b can be prevented. Further, the nozzle surface can also be wiped by the wiping member S in a dry state to which the cleaning liquid is not applied.

It is also preferable that the maintenance mechanism 70 has a liquid leakage preventing means (not shown) that maintains the inside of the cleaning liquid supply member 72 at a back pressure. The liquid leakage preventing means maintains the inside of the cleaning liquid supply member 72 at a back pressure by, for example, a pump or the like, and prevents the cleaning liquid from leaking from the coating hole 72b when not in use (when the cleaning liquid is not applied).

FIG. 27 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the cleaning liquid supply member, the wiping member, and the elastic member shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 27, the maintenance mechanism 70 wipes the nozzle surface with the wet portion 72d coated with the cleaning liquid of the wiping member S, and presses and / or presses the nozzle surface with the drying portion 72e not coated with the cleaning liquid of the wiping member S. It is also preferable to wipe it off.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 27A, the cleaning liquid is applied to the wiping member S by contacting the coating hole 72b of the cleaning liquid supply member 72 with the wiping member S. By the feeding operation of the wiping member S, the wet portion 72d coated with the cleaning liquid is fed to the elastic member 74 side.

As shown in FIG. 27B, the wet portion 72d reaches the elastic member 74 by the feeding operation of the wiping member S. In this state, the nozzle surface can be pressed and / or wiped by the wet portion 72d.

As shown in FIG. 27 (c), by separating the cleaning liquid supply member 72 from the wiping member S or changing the outflow direction of the cleaning liquid, the cleaning liquid is not applied to the wiping member S. By the feeding operation of the wiping member S, the drying portion 72e to which the cleaning liquid is not applied is fed to the elastic member 74 side. By the feeding operation of the wiping member S, the drying portion 72e reaches the elastic member 74. In this state, the nozzle surface can be pressed and / or wiped by the drying portion 72e. By pressing and / or wiping with the drying portion 72e, the residue of the cleaning liquid remaining on the nozzle surface can be wiped off, and the nozzle surface can be in a good state.

[Cleaning operation of image recording device]
FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image recording device shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 28, the control unit 40 gives an instruction of a cleaning operation when the process is started, and moves the inkjet head 24 to the maintenance area (step S1).

Next, the control unit 40 rotates the transfer drum 21 around the central axis to move the ink receiving containers 52, 53, 54 to the lower part of the inkjet head 24 (step S2).
The state in which the ink receiving containers 52, 53, and 54 are arranged under the inkjet head 24 is the state shown in FIG.

Next, the control unit 40 ejects ink from all the ejection nozzles of the inkjet head 24 to the ink receiving containers 52, 53, 54 (step S3).

Next, the control unit 40 raises (moves to the outer peripheral side of the transport drum 21) the wiper blade (not shown) provided on the transport drum 21 toward the inkjet head 24 (step S4).

Next, the control unit 40 returns the inkjet head 24 to the recording area (step S5).
The movement of the inkjet head 24 causes the wiper blade to wipe the nozzle surface. By wiping the nozzle surface, the ink adhering to the nozzle surface is dropped and poured into the waste ink tank.

Next, the control unit 40 lowers the wiper blade and moves the inkjet head 24 to the maintenance area (step S6).

Next, the control unit 40 rotates around the central axis of the transport drum 21 to move the elastic member 74 of the maintenance mechanism 70 to the lower part of the inkjet head 24 (step S7).

Next, the control unit 40 raises the maintenance mechanism 70 (moves to the outer peripheral side of the transport drum 21), brings the wiping member S into contact with the nozzle surface of the inkjet head 24, and rotates it around the central axis of the transport drum 21. , The ink remaining on the nozzle surface is wiped off (step S8).

Next, the control unit 40 lowers the maintenance mechanism 70 (moves to the inner peripheral side of the transport drum 21) to separate the wiping member S from the nozzle surface of the inkjet head 24 (step S9).
This completes the head cleaning operation for one inkjet head 24.

Next, the control unit 40 feeds and operates the wiping member S to position a new (unused) portion of the wiping member S on the elastic member 74 (step 10).

The control unit 40 returns to step S2, executes a cleaning operation for the next inkjet head 24, and sequentially repeats steps S2 to S10 until the cleaning operation for all the inkjet heads 24 is completed.

When the cleaning operation for all the inkjet heads 24 is completed, the control unit 40 rotates the maintenance mechanism 70 around the central axis of the transfer drum 21 and rotates it to the origin position shown in FIG. 2 (step S11). ..

Next, the control unit 40 returns the inkjet head 24 to the recording area (step S12).
This completes the head cleaning operation.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a cleaning operation of the image recording device shown in FIG.

In step S8 of FIG. 28, as shown in FIG. 29, the wet portion 72d may press and / or wipe the nozzle surface, and the drying portion 72e may press and / or wipe the nozzle surface in sequence.

In this case, the control unit 40 separates the wiping member S from the nozzle surface, applies the cleaning liquid by the cleaning liquid supply member 72 while feeding the wiping member S, and forms the wet portion 72d (step S81).

Next, the control unit 40 brings the wiping member S into contact with the nozzle surface, rotates the maintenance mechanism 70 around the central axis of the transport drum 21, and presses and / or wipes the nozzle surface by the wet portion 72d (step). S82).

Next, the control unit 40 separates the wiping member S from the nozzle surface, stops applying the cleaning liquid while feeding the wiping member S, and forms the drying unit 72e (step S83).

Next, the control unit 40 brings the wiping member S into contact with the nozzle surface, rotates the maintenance mechanism 70 around the central axis of the transport drum 21, and presses and / or wipes the nozzle surface by the drying unit 72e ( Step S84), return.

[About each embodiment]
The shape and operation of the cleaning liquid supply member 72, the shape of the coating hole 72b, the opening area, the arrangement density and position, the operation of the wiping member S, etc. in each of the above-described embodiments are appropriately combined with respect to the contents that can be implemented in combination. Is also included in the embodiment of the present invention.

In the image recording apparatus 1 of the above-described embodiment, four inkjet heads 24 are provided corresponding to each color of Y, M, C, and K, but the number of the inkjet heads 24 is not limited at all. A larger number of inkjet heads may be provided for many colors. Further, the ink ejection method of the inkjet head 24 is not limited in any way, and any known method of the inkjet head may be used.

Further, in the image recording device 1 of the above-described embodiment, the recording medium P is conveyed by the rotation of the transfer drum 21, but the recording medium P is conveyed while being maintained in a flat state by using a belt, a roller, or the like. You may. In this case, each nozzle surface of the inkjet head 24 is located in the same plane, and the maintenance mechanism 70 moves linearly without rotating to press and / or wipe the nozzle surface.

Furthermore, the image recording device 1 of the above-described embodiment is a one-pass method in which the inkjet head 24 does not move during image formation, but it may be a scanning method in which the recording medium P is fixed and the inkjet head 24 is scanned.

1 Image recording device 10 Paper feed unit 11 Paper feed tray 12 Transport unit 121 Roller 122 Roller 123 Belt 20 Image formation unit 21 Transport drum 22 Delivery unit 23 Paper heating unit 24 Inkjet head 25 Irradiation unit 26 Delivery unit 261 Roller 262 Roller 263 Belt 264 Delivery drum 30 Paper ejection unit 31 Paper ejection tray 40 Control unit 401 CPU
402 RAM
403 ROM
404 Interface 405 Image input unit 406 Image processing unit 407 Image recording control unit 408 Control signal generation unit 409 Mechanism control unit 410 Ink mechanism unit 50 Ink supply unit 52, 53, 54 Ink receiving container 60 External device 70 Maintenance mechanism 71 Housing 72 Cleaning liquid supply member 72a Supply port 72b Coating hole 72c Droplet 72d Wetting part 72e Drying part 72f Liquid column 73a Supply roller 73b Winding roller 75a, 75b Pressing means 76 Cleaning liquid heating means S Wiping member

Claims (12)

An inkjet head that ejects ink from an ejection nozzle that opens on the nozzle surface,
A maintenance mechanism having a wiping member that comes into contact with the nozzle surface and wipes the nozzle surface and a cleaning liquid supply member that applies a cleaning liquid to the wiping member is provided.
The cleaning liquid supply member is composed of a supply port to which the cleaning liquid is supplied and a hollow body having a plurality of coating holes for applying the cleaning liquid to the wiping member.
An image recording apparatus characterized in that the plurality of coating holes have different opening areas and / or arrangement densities depending on the distance from the supply port. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of coating holes are smaller as the opening area and / or the arrangement density is closer to the supply port. The image recording device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of supply ports are provided. The wiping member is fed to the cleaning liquid supply member in a certain direction to apply the cleaning liquid.
The image according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the plurality of coating holes are arranged at positions that are closer to the upstream side in the feeding direction of the wiping member as the opening area and / or the arrangement density is smaller. Recording device. The image recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the wiping member is made of a sheet-like cloth, is wound around a supply roller, and is fed by being wound by a winding roller. Claim 1 is characterized in that the wiping member is in contact with the openings of the plurality of coating holes, or the cleaning liquid flowing out from the coating holes is close to the opening within a distance forming a liquid column. The image recording apparatus according to any one of. The maintenance mechanism includes a pressing means for pressing the wiping member.
The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the pressing means evenly presses a wet portion of the wiping member to which the cleaning liquid is applied in the thickness direction. The maintenance mechanism is characterized in that the nozzle surface is wiped by a wet portion coated with the cleaning liquid of the wiping member, and the nozzle surface is pressed and / or wiped by a dry portion not coated with the cleaning liquid of the wiping member. The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the maintenance mechanism includes a liquid leakage preventing means for maintaining the inside of the cleaning liquid supply member at a back pressure. The inkjet head has an ink heating means for ejecting ink containing a gelling agent and heating the ink.
The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the cleaning liquid supply member has a cleaning liquid heating means for heating the cleaning liquid, and the heated cleaning liquid is applied to the wiping member. .. The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the cleaning liquid supply member is supported so as to be movable in contact with the wiping member. The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the cleaning liquid supply member has a mechanism for changing the outflow direction of the cleaning liquid from the plurality of coating holes.

Images