JP3791466B2 - Liquid ejector - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus, and more particularly, to a liquid ejecting apparatus in which a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid is mounted on a carriage and the carriage is moved relative to a target to eject liquid onto the target. is there.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, as an apparatus that ejects a very small amount of liquid onto a target, there is an ink jet printer that ejects and prints a plurality of ink droplets. This type of printer includes a recording head in which a plurality of nozzles having minute openings is formed, and ejects ink droplets from the openings of the nozzles. Further, the printer is provided with a wiping member for maintenance cleaning. At the end of maintenance cleaning, this wiping member slides on the lower surface of the recording head, wipes ink adhering to the nozzle opening and its periphery, and removes excess ink adhering to the lower surface, It has the role of adjusting the ink meniscus at the nozzle tip.
[0003]
Further, this wiping member is usually made of an elastic member, and bends (in order to sufficiently remove ink) when sliding through the nozzle opening. Therefore, when the wiping member is wiped off the opening of the nozzle and separated from the recording head, the wiping member rapidly returns to its original state due to the restoring force. That is, when returning from the bent state, the ink that has been wiped off and adhered to the tip of the wiping member scattered around the periphery, and the periphery, that is, the inside of the printer, was contaminated.
[0004]
Therefore, in order to reduce the contamination due to the ink scattered from the tip of the wiping member, a printer has appeared in which a carriage is provided with an inclined plate for gradually returning the wiping member wiped off the recording head to its original shape. That is, the inclined plate includes an inclined surface, and the wiping member slowly returns to the original shape along the inclined surface, so that ink scattering can be reduced.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the inclined plate is attached to the carriage with a gap from the recording head in order to facilitate assembly. For this reason, the tip of the wiping member enters the gap and returns to the original shape, and ink may scatter over a wide range in the gap between the inclined plate and the recording head. Therefore, if the gap is narrowed so that the wiping member does not enter between the inclined plate and the recording head, then the capillary force acts because the gap is narrow, and the ink that has entered the gap due to the movement of the wiping member is removed. There was a case where it was transmitted to the upper part and transmitted to other parts such as a substrate of a printer, for example, to cause a problem.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and reduces the intrusion of liquid between the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate. When the liquid intrudes between the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate, An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus that can be prevented from being transmitted to a part.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 1 is provided with a liquid ejecting head in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid are formed on a lower surface, the liquid ejecting head, and an opening of the nozzle. A carriage that is movable relative to a wiping member to be wiped in a horizontal direction, and an inclined surface that rises as it moves away from the liquid ejecting head, and is mounted on the carriage with a predetermined space from the liquid ejecting head. In the liquid ejecting apparatus including the inclined plate, a protruding portion is provided on at least one of the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate so that the lower opening is narrow and the upper portion is wide. In the inclined plate, a discharge hole that communicates the space and the outside is formed so as to penetrate the base end portion of the projecting portion and the lower surface thereof. The gist of the door.
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid ejecting head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid formed on the lower surface, and a horizontal direction with respect to a wiping member having the liquid ejecting head mounted thereon and wiping the opening of the nozzle A liquid having a relatively movable carriage, and an inclined plate that has an inclined surface that rises with increasing distance from the liquid ejecting head, and is mounted on the carriage with a predetermined space therebetween. In the ejecting apparatus, an intrusion preventing protrusion for attaching or splashing the liquid entering the space is provided in at least one of the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate, and the intrusion preventing protrusion is Provided on the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate, at least the protrusion for preventing intrusion of the liquid ejecting head prevents the inclined plate from entering. The protrusion for preventing intrusion of the inclined plate covers the gap between the protrusion and the liquid ejecting head, or the protrusion for preventing intrusion of the inclined plate covers the gap between the protrusion for preventing intrusion of the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate. Thus, the gist is that the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate are provided.
[0009]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid ejecting head in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid are formed on a lower surface, and a horizontal direction with respect to a wiping member that mounts the liquid ejecting head and wipes the opening of the nozzle A liquid having a relatively movable carriage, and an inclined plate that has an inclined surface that rises with increasing distance from the liquid ejecting head, and is mounted on the carriage with a predetermined space therebetween. The gist of the injection device is that an absorbent material is disposed in the space.
[0010]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid ejecting head in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid are formed on a lower surface, and a horizontal direction with respect to a wiping member that mounts the liquid ejecting head and wipes an opening of the nozzle A liquid having a relatively movable carriage, and an inclined plate that has an inclined surface that rises with increasing distance from the liquid ejecting head, and is mounted on the carriage with a predetermined space therebetween. In the ejecting apparatus, the liquid ejecting head is provided with a projecting portion so that the lower opening is narrow and the upper portion is wide, and the gap of the opening is the gap of the wiping member. The gist is that it is smaller than the horizontal width.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 5 is a liquid ejecting head in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid are formed on the lower surface, and a horizontal direction with respect to a wiping member that mounts the liquid ejecting head and wipes the opening of the nozzle A liquid having a relatively movable carriage, and an inclined plate that has an inclined surface that rises with increasing distance from the liquid ejecting head, and is mounted on the carriage with a predetermined space therebetween. In the ejecting apparatus, the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate are provided with a projecting portion such that the lower opening is narrow and the upper portion is wide. The gist is that the width of the wiping member is smaller than the horizontal width.
[0012]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the lower surface on the liquid ejecting head side of the inclined plate is a lower surface on the inclined plate side of the liquid ejecting head. The gist is that they are substantially flat.
[0014]
(Function)
According to the first, fourth, and fifth aspects of the present invention, the opening portion of the predetermined space between the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate is narrow, so that the liquid enters the space through the opening portion. It is hard to do. In addition, since the opening is narrow and the gap at the top is wide, the liquid that has entered the space may be transferred to the upper part of the predetermined space by capillary force, causing problems in other parts. Few. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce problems caused by the liquid that has entered the space between the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate while facilitating the assembly of the inclined plate to the carriage.
In particular, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the inclined plate is formed with the discharge hole that communicates the space and the outside so as to penetrate the base end portion of the projecting portion and the lower surface thereof. When a large amount of liquid enters the space, the entered liquid can be discharged to the outside through the discharge hole. Therefore, since a large amount of liquid that has entered the space is easily and smoothly discharged through the discharge hole, it is possible to reduce problems caused by the liquid being transmitted to the upper part of the liquid.
[0015]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the lower surface of the inclined plate on the liquid ejecting head side is substantially flush with the lower surface of the inclined plate of the liquid ejecting head. For this reason, there is almost no step between the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate, and when the wiping member moves from the liquid ejecting head to the inclined plate, the liquid adhering to the tip due to the impact of the step is less scattered. Therefore, the possibility of liquid entering the space due to the scattering can be further reduced.
[0016]
According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, since the gap in the opening of the predetermined space is smaller than the horizontal width of the wiping member, the wiping member fits in the gap and removes the liquid adhering to the tip. The possibility of scattering in a predetermined space can be reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the liquid enters the predetermined space.
[0018]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the liquid that attempts to enter the predetermined space between the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate is attached to or rebounded from the intrusion prevention protrusion, so that the liquid is introduced into the upper part of the space. Can be prevented as much as possible. For this reason, the liquid is less likely to enter through the gap formed between the inclined plate and the liquid ejecting head for easy assembly, and the liquid is transmitted to the upper part of the space, causing problems in other parts. There are few things. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce problems caused by the liquid that has entered the space between the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate while facilitating the assembly of the inclined plate to the carriage.
[0019]
In particular, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the liquid that enters through the gap between the intrusion prevention protrusion of the inclined plate and the liquid ejection head enters the protrusion of the liquid ejection head from the liquid ejection head. The liquid that enters through the gap between the intrusion prevention protrusion and the inclined plate adheres or rebounds to the intrusion prevention protrusion of the inclined plate, so that it is further less likely that the liquid enters the upper part of the space. Can do.
[0020]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the absorbent material is disposed in the space, the liquid that has entered from the space is adsorbed by the absorbent material. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid from entering the upper part of the space as much as possible, and in order to facilitate the assembly, the liquid that has entered the space between the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate moves to other parts, and other It is possible to minimize the occurrence of problems in the portion.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a liquid ejecting apparatus embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 1, an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer) 11 as a liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present embodiment has a platen 13 installed on a frame 12, and a paper feed mechanism (not shown) is mounted on the platen 13. Paper P as a target is fed. A carriage 14 is supported on the frame 12 via a guide member 15 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the platen 13, and is reciprocated in the X direction (horizontal direction) via a timing belt 17 by a carriage motor 16.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 2, a recording head 20 as a liquid ejecting head is mounted on the carriage 14. The recording head 20 includes a plurality of nozzles, and includes a nozzle plate portion 21 in which nozzle openings are gathered at the center of the lower surface thereof. The recording head 20 ejects ink droplets from the opening of each nozzle by driving a piezoelectric element (not shown).
[0024]
An inclined plate 23 is attached to the lower surface of the carriage 14 on the right side of FIG. 2 with a gap S1 (for example, about 3 mm) from the recording head 20. The lower surface of the inclined plate 23 is an inclined surface 23f, and the inclined surface 23f has an inclination that rises as it moves away from the recording head 20 in the horizontal direction (toward the right side in FIG. 2). Further, the inclined plate 23 is provided with a projecting portion 23a projecting obliquely downward at the lowermost portion. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the protruding portion 23a of the inclined plate 23 protrudes to the lower surface side of the recording head 20, and faces the recording head 20 with a slight gap S2 (for example, 0.5 mm or less). Thus, the tip portion is almost the same height as the lower surface of the recording head 20. Thereby, the inclined plate 23 partitions the space S of the gap S1 having the opening G of the gap S2 between the inclined plate 23 and the recording head 20. The inclined plate 23 is formed with a plurality of circular discharge holes 24 that allow the space S to communicate with the outside through the base end of the projecting portion 23 a and the lower surface of the inclined plate 23.
[0025]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 14 is provided with an engaging portion 14 a protruding rightward at the right end portion of the inclined plate 23.
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, ink cartridges 25 and 26 are detachably mounted on the carriage 14, and ink is supplied from these ink cartridges 25 and 26 to the recording head 20. The ink cartridge 25 contains black ink. The ink cartridge 26 is a color ink cartridge, and the inside thereof is divided into three chambers. Each chamber contains ink of three colors, cyan, magenta, and yellow.
[0026]
Accordingly, the printer 11 performs printing by ejecting ink from the recording head 20 onto the paper P by driving a piezoelectric element (not shown) based on the print data while the carriage 14 moves in the X direction along the platen 13. Is called.
[0027]
On the other hand, a head cleaning mechanism 30 is disposed in the non-printing area on the right side of the frame 12 in FIG. The head cleaning mechanism 30 includes a cap mechanism 31, a suction pump 32, and a wiping member 33.
[0028]
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, a slider 35 slidably supported is provided on the frame F of the cap mechanism 31, and a cap holder 36 is supported on the slider 35. The slider 35 is provided with an engaging portion 35a extending upward, and a spring member 37 is stretched between the slider 35 and the frame F below. Therefore, the slider 35 swings to the upper right around the pin 38 against the spring member 37 when the engaging portion 35a engages with the engaging portion 14a of the carriage 14, and the engaging portion When the engagement of 35a with the engaging portion 14a is released, the pin 35 swings leftward and downward by the restoring force of the spring member 37. Thereby, the cap holder 36 supported by the slider 35 can be moved up and down.
[0029]
Furthermore, a square frame-shaped cap member 39 is projected from the upper surface of the cap holder 36. The cap member 39 can be opposed to the nozzle plate portion 21 of the recording head 20 at a predetermined interval, and seals the nozzle opening of the nozzle plate portion 21 as the cap holder 36 is raised. . An opening hole 39 a is formed in the center of the cap member 39. The cap member 39 is connected to the suction pump 32 disposed below the slider 35 as shown in FIG. 1 through the opening hole 39a. Further, the suction pump 32 is connected to a waste ink tank 40 disposed in parallel with the platen 13 via a suction pipe (not shown). Therefore, the suction pump 32 applies a negative pressure to the internal space of the cap member 39 in a state where the nozzle opening of the recording head 20 is sealed by the cap holder 36, and the recording head 20 is dried (thickened). The ink is sucked and discharged to the waste ink tank 40.
[0030]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the wiping member 33 is provided on the left side of the cap holder 36 so as to be substantially orthogonal to the X direction as the moving direction of the carriage 14 and to protrude upward from the cap holder 36. It has been. The wiping member 33 is made of an elastic material having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the width L1 in the X direction is, for example, 3 mm, which is larger than the gap S2 of the opening G of the space S. Therefore, the wiping member 33 is in sliding contact with the recording head 20 and the inclined plate 23 to wipe and clean their lower surfaces. The wiping member 33 is movable in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2. When the carriage 14 moves from the printing area to the non-printing area of FIG. 2, it is retracted from the movement path. The
[0031]
Next, the cleaning operation of the printer 11 described above will be described.
The printer 11 starts a cleaning process when a cleaning switch (not shown) is pressed. First, as shown in FIG. 4, the printer 11 moves the carriage 14 to the right, raises the cap holder 36, and covers the recording head 20 with the cap member 39. Subsequently, the printer 11 drives the suction pump 32 to suck and discharge the ink in each nozzle to the waste ink tank 40 through the opening hole 39a.
[0032]
When the suction pump 32 is driven for a predetermined time, the printer 11 stops the suction pump 32 and moves the carriage 14 to the left. When the carriage 14 moves to the left, as shown in FIG. 3, the wiping member 33 protruding upward from the cap mechanism 31 is pressed against the recording head 20 to wipe the lower surface of the recording head 20. Subsequently, when wiping of the recording head 20 is completed, the wiping member 33 moves to the inclined plate 23 and wipes the lower surface of the inclined plate 23. Note that when moving from the recording head 20 to the inclined plate 23, the lower surface of the recording head 20 and the lower surface of the protruding portion 23a of the inclined plate 23 are at the same height. Since the gap S2 is very small, the wiping member 33 does not enter the space S. Also, if the ink adhering to the wiping member 33 enters the space S from the opening G, the space S is widened upward with the gap S1, so that the ink may rise due to capillary force. rare.
[0033]
Further, when a large amount of ink enters the space S and enters the base end portion of the protruding portion 23 a, the ink is discharged to the outside through the discharge hole 24. The ink discharged to the outside through the discharge hole 24 is wiped together when the piezoelectric element 22 wipes the discharge hole 24 of the inclined plate 23.
[0034]
When the wiping member 33 is returned to the original shape according to the inclination of the inclined surface 23f while wiping the inclined surface 23f of the inclined plate 23, the wiping member 33 moves in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. Then, it is retracted from the path of the carriage 14. Thereafter, when the carriage 14 is returned to the right (to the position shown in FIG. 2), the wiping member 33 is also returned to the path of the carriage 14 again. Thereby, the cleaning operation ends.
[0035]
According to the printer 11 of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the present embodiment, the protruding portion 23a is provided at the lowermost portion of the inclined plate 23, whereby the upper portion of the space S between the recording head 20 and the inclined plate 23 is a wide gap S1, and the opening G is formed. The gap S2 was narrowed. That is, since the opening G in the lower part of the space S is a minute gap S2, the ink hardly enters the space S after passing through the opening G. Further, since the gap S2 is large above the space S, even if the ink enters the space S, the ink does not rise due to the capillary force. Furthermore, since the inclined plate 23 is disposed on the carriage 14 such that there is a gap between the inclined plate 23 and the assembly accuracy is not necessarily strict. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the risk that the ink is transmitted through the space S and causes other portions to be defective while the inclination plate 23 is easily assembled.
[0036]
(2) In the present embodiment, the lower surface of the recording head 20 and the tip of the protruding portion 23a of the inclined plate 23 have substantially the same height. That is, since there is almost no step when moving from the recording head 20 to the inclined plate 23, the wiping member 33 scatters ink attached to the tip due to the impact of the step when moving from the recording head 20 to the inclined plate 23. There is almost nothing, and the trouble by contamination can be reduced more.
[0037]
(3) In the present embodiment, the lower gap S <b> 1 of the space S is smaller than the width L <b> 1 of the wiping member 33. For this reason, the tip of the wiping member 33 enters the gap S2 and rapidly returns to the original shape, and the ink is hardly scattered over a wide range. Therefore, the risk of ink entering the space S can be further reduced.
[0038]
(4) In the present embodiment, the discharge hole 24 is provided in the base end portion of the protruding portion 23 a of the inclined plate 23. Therefore, when a large amount of ink enters the space S, it can be discharged to the outside from the discharge hole 24.
[0039]
(Second Embodiment)
Next, a printer 11 as a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a second embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the following embodiments, the same parts as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment, only the portions related to the recording head 20 and the inclined plate 23 are different from those in the first embodiment.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 5, on the left side of the inclined plate 23, protrusions 23b, 23c having the same width as the width in the Y direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 5) are provided at intervals. ing. The protruding portion 23b is provided at the lowermost portion on the recording head 20 side instead of the protruding portion 23a of the first embodiment. Further, on the right side of the recording head 20, a ridge portion 20a having the same width as the width in the Y direction is provided so as to protrude rightward. The ridge portion 20a is located between the ridge portion 23b and the ridge portion 23c of the inclined plate 23, and is disposed with a sufficient distance from each of the ridge portions 23b and 23c. Therefore, the protruding portion 20 a of the recording head 20 covers the opening G between the protruding portion 23 b of the inclined plate 23 and the recording head 20, and the protruding portion 23 c of the inclined plate 23 is protruded from the recording head 20. It arrange | positions so that between the strip part 20a and the inclination plate 23 may be covered, ie, each edge part e1, e2 may overlap.
[0041]
That is, the ink that attempts to enter through the opening G between the protrusion 23b of the inclined plate 23 and the recording head 20 is attached to or rebounded from the protrusion 20a. Even if there is ink that has passed through the opening G, the ink adheres or rebounds on the protrusion 23 c between the protrusion 20 a of the recording head 20 and the inclined plate 23.
[0042]
Therefore, according to this embodiment, in addition to the effects (2) and (3) of the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(5) In the present embodiment, since the protrusions 20a, 23b, and 23c are provided in the space S, even if ink tries to enter the space S, the ink adheres or rebounds to the protrusions 20a, 23b, and 23c, and the space S Intrusion is prevented. Therefore, the ink does not travel to the upper part of the space S, and the risk that the ink travels through the space S and causes troubles in other parts can be reduced.
[0043]
(6) In the present embodiment, the ridge portion 20 a of the recording head 20 covers the space between the ridge portion 23 b of the inclined plate 23 and the recording head 20, and the ridge portion 23 b of the inclined plate 23 corresponds to the recording head 20. It provided so that the space | interval between the protrusion part 20a and the inclination plate 23 might be covered. That is, the ridges 20a of the recording head 20 and the ridges 23b of the inclined plate 23 are arranged alternately and their ends overlap. Therefore, even if the ink tries to enter the space S, the ink adheres or rebounds to the protrusions 23b and 23c of the inclined plate 23 or the protrusion 20a of the recording head 20, and the intrusion is almost prevented. . Accordingly, it is possible to further reduce the possibility of ink being transmitted to the upper part of the space S.
[0044]
(7) In the present embodiment, the ridge portion 20a and the ridge portions 23b and 23c are arranged at a wider interval than the opening G, so that no capillary force is generated here. It is possible to further prevent the ink from being transmitted above the space S.
[0045]
(Third embodiment)
Next, a printer as a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a third embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0046]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the inclined plate 23 is formed with a holding projection 23d at the lower end on the recording head 20 side instead of the projection 23a of the first embodiment. . In addition, the inclined plate 23 is provided on the carriage 14 so that the holding projection 23 d is substantially the same height as the lower surface of the recording head 20.
[0047]
Further, in the space S, a sponge 27 as an absorbent material is disposed in the space S of the recording head 20 and the inclined plate 23. The sponge 27 is made of a porous material such as sponge, for example, and has a trapezoidal shape with a lower side having a large cross-sectional shape in a free state. Therefore, the sponge 27 is supported by the holding projection 23d in a state where the lower portion thereof is contracted, whereby the ink adsorbed on the sponge 27 gathers in the lower portion contracted by the capillary force.
[0048]
That is, when ink adhering to the tip of the wiping member 33 scatters and tries to enter the space S, the ink is adsorbed by the sponge 27, that is, stays in the sponge 27. Further, the ink stagnating in the sponge 27 gathers in the lower part due to the capillary force.
[0049]
Therefore, according to this embodiment, in addition to the effects (2) and (3), the following effects can be obtained.
(8) In this embodiment, since the sponge 27 is provided in the lower part of the space S between the recording head 20 and the inclined plate 23, the ink that has entered the space S is adsorbed by the sponge 27. Therefore, even if the ink enters the space S, dirt does not spread to other parts such as the substrate of the printer 11, and the occurrence of problems can be reduced as much as possible.
[0050]
(9) In this embodiment, since the lower part of the sponge 27 disposed in the space S is compressed, it gathers in the lower part due to the capillary force adsorbed by the sponge 27. For this reason, the ink that has entered the space S gathers in the lower part when adsorbed by the sponge 27, so that it is less likely to be transmitted to the upper part of the space S and the occurrence of defects can be further reduced.
[0051]
(Example of change)
In addition, you may change this embodiment as follows.
In each of the above embodiments, the lower surface of the recording head 20 and the lowermost portion of the inclined plate 23 are flush with each other, but a slight level difference may occur between them.
[0052]
In the first embodiment, the protrusion 23 a that narrows the gap of the opening G in the space S is provided integrally with the inclined plate 23. Instead, the projecting portion 23a may be provided in close contact with the inclined plate 23 after the recording head 20 and the inclined plate 23 are provided on the carriage 14 with only the projecting portion 23a as a separate body.
[0053]
In the first embodiment, the protruding portion 23 a is provided on the inclined plate 23. Of course, the recording head 20 is provided with a protrusion, or is provided on both the recording head 20 and the inclined plate 23 so as to define a space S having a shape in which the gap of the opening G is narrow and the upper gap is widened. May be.
[0054]
In the first embodiment, a plurality of circular discharge holes 24 are provided, but other shapes, for example, rectangular slit-shaped discharge holes 24 may be used.
In the second embodiment, the intrusion prevention protrusions are provided on both the recording head 20 and the inclined plate 23. However, the protrusions may be provided only on the inclined plate 23.
[0055]
In the second embodiment, the protrusions 20a and the protrusions 23b having the same width as the Y in the recording head 20 and the inclined plate 23 are provided as the protrusions, but at a predetermined interval in the Y direction. A plurality of disposed protrusions may be provided.
[0056]
In the third embodiment, the sponge 27 is disposed in the space S as an absorbent material, but other absorbent materials (for example, cotton or paper) may be disposed.
In the third embodiment, rubber may be contracted in the space S instead of the absorbent sponge 27. In this case, if a rubber longer than the gap S1 of the space S is provided on the holding projection 23d, the rubber can be contracted even if the mounting accuracy of the inclined plate 23 is not strict, and the ink in the space S enters. Can be further prevented.
[0057]
In each of the above embodiments, a printer (printing apparatus including a fax machine, a copier, etc.) that ejects ink has been described as the liquid ejecting apparatus. However, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects another liquid may be used. For example, as a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting liquids such as electrode materials and color materials used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL displays and surface-emitting displays, as a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting bioorganic materials used in biochip manufacturing, and as precision pipette The sample injection device may be used.
[0058]
Next, technical ideas that can be grasped from the above-described embodiment and other examples will be described below together with their effects.
(A) The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the absorbent material is made of a porous material, and a lower portion thereof is contracted and disposed in the space.
[0059]
Therefore, according to the invention described in (A), the absorbent material disposed in the space is a porous material, and the lower portion is disposed in a compressed state. It gathers in the lower part by capillary force. Therefore, the liquid that has entered the space is less likely to spread to other parts, and the occurrence of defects can be further reduced.
[0060]
(B) A liquid ejecting head in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid are formed on the lower surface, and a carriage mounted with the liquid ejecting head and relatively movable in the horizontal direction with respect to a wiping member for wiping the nozzle opening. And a liquid ejecting apparatus including the liquid ejecting head and an inclined plate mounted on the carriage with a predetermined space therebetween. A liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein a sealing material is disposed on the liquid ejecting apparatus.
[0061]
Therefore, according to the invention described in (B), since the sealing material is disposed in the predetermined space, the liquid that has entered from the predetermined space is prevented from entering by the sealing material. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid from entering the upper part of the space as much as possible, and in order to facilitate the assembly, the liquid that has entered the space between the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate moves to other parts, and other It is possible to minimize the occurrence of problems in the portion.
[0062]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first, fourth, and fifth aspects of the present invention, the gap between the opening portion of the space between the liquid jet head and the inclined plate is narrowed and the upper portion thereof is widened, so that the liquid enters the space through the opening portion. It is difficult and the liquid is hardly transmitted to the upper part of the space by the capillary force. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the occurrence of problems caused by the liquid that has entered the space between the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate being transmitted to other portions.
[0063]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the protrusion for preventing intrusion is provided in the space between the liquid jet head and the inclined plate, it is possible to prevent the liquid from entering the upper portion of the space as much as possible. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the occurrence of problems caused by the liquid that has entered the space between the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate being transmitted to other portions.
[0064]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the absorbent material is disposed in the space between the liquid jet head and the inclined plate, the liquid that has entered from the space is absorbed by the absorbent material. Can be prevented as much as possible. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the occurrence of problems caused by the liquid that has entered the space between the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate being transmitted to other portions.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall schematic perspective view of a printer according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a front view of a main part of a head cleaning mechanism of the printer of FIG.
3 is a partial enlarged view of a main part for explaining the operation of the wiping member of the head cleaning mechanism of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a front view of a main part during a suction operation showing a positional relationship between a recording head and a wiping member.
FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a wiping member of a printer according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a wiping member of a printer according to a third embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
G opening
S space
L1 width
S1 Top gap
S2 Opening clearance
11 Printer as a liquid ejecting device
14 Carriage
20 Recording head as a liquid jet head
20a A protrusion as an intrusion prevention protrusion
23 Inclined plate
23a Protrusion
23b, 23c A protrusion as a protrusion for preventing intrusion
23f inclined surface
24 discharge hole
27 Sponge as absorbent
33 Wiping members

Claims (6)

A liquid ejecting head having a plurality of nozzles for discharging liquid formed on the lower surface;
A carriage mounted with the liquid jet head and movable relative to a wiping member for wiping the nozzle opening in the horizontal direction;
A liquid ejecting apparatus having an inclined surface that rises as the distance from the liquid ejecting head increases, and includes the liquid ejecting head and an inclined plate mounted on the carriage with a predetermined space therebetween.
A projecting portion is provided on at least one of the liquid jet head and the inclined plate so that the lower opening is narrow and the upper portion is wide, and the inclined plate includes the space and the space. 2. A liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a discharge hole communicating with the outside is formed so as to penetrate the base end portion of the projecting portion and the lower surface thereof. A liquid ejecting head having a plurality of nozzles for discharging liquid formed on the lower surface;
A carriage mounted with the liquid jet head and movable relative to a wiping member for wiping the nozzle opening in the horizontal direction;
A liquid ejecting apparatus having an inclined surface that rises as the distance from the liquid ejecting head increases, and includes the liquid ejecting head and an inclined plate mounted on the carriage with a predetermined space therebetween.
An intrusion preventing protrusion for attaching or splashing the liquid entering the space is provided in at least one of the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate,
The protrusion for preventing intrusion is provided on the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate,
At least the protrusion for preventing intrusion of the liquid ejecting head covers a gap between the protrusion for preventing intrusion of the inclined plate and the liquid ejecting head, or the protrusion for preventing intrusion of the inclined plate is To cover the gap between the protrusion for preventing intrusion of the liquid jet head and the inclined plate,
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate. A liquid ejecting head having a plurality of nozzles for discharging liquid formed on the lower surface;
A carriage mounted with the liquid jet head and movable relative to a wiping member for wiping the nozzle opening in the horizontal direction;
A liquid ejecting apparatus having an inclined surface that rises as the distance from the liquid ejecting head increases, and includes the liquid ejecting head and an inclined plate mounted on the carriage with a predetermined space therebetween.
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising an absorbent material disposed in the space. A liquid ejecting head having a plurality of nozzles for discharging liquid formed on the lower surface;
A carriage mounted with the liquid jet head and movable relative to a wiping member for wiping the nozzle opening in the horizontal direction;
A liquid ejecting apparatus having an inclined surface that rises as the distance from the liquid ejecting head increases, and includes the liquid ejecting head and an inclined plate mounted on the carriage with a predetermined space therebetween.
The liquid jet head is provided with a protruding portion so that the space has a narrow opening on the lower side and a wide upper portion.
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a gap between the openings is smaller than a width of the wiping member in the horizontal direction. A liquid ejecting head having a plurality of nozzles for discharging liquid formed on the lower surface;
A carriage mounted with the liquid jet head and movable relative to a wiping member for wiping the nozzle opening in the horizontal direction;
A liquid ejecting apparatus having an inclined surface that rises as the distance from the liquid ejecting head increases, and includes the liquid ejecting head and an inclined plate mounted on the carriage with a predetermined space therebetween.
The liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate are provided with protrusions so that the space has a narrow opening on the lower side and a wide upper portion.
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a gap between the openings is smaller than a width of the wiping member in the horizontal direction.   The lower surface on the liquid ejecting head side of the inclined plate is substantially flush with the lower surface of the inclined surface on the inclined plate side of the liquid ejecting head. Liquid ejector.

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