JP3832272B2 - Head ejection characteristic maintaining device and ink jet printer having the same - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a head discharge characteristic maintaining device that maintains a constant ink discharge characteristic of a print head that discharges ink droplets onto a recording medium, and an ink jet printer that includes the head discharge characteristic maintaining device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, an ink jet printer includes a print head mounted on a carriage that reciprocates in the main scanning direction, and a recording medium feeding means that intermittently feeds a recording medium such as printing paper in the sub scanning direction by a set amount, The print head is moved in the main scanning direction while feeding the recording medium in the sub-scanning direction, and ink droplets are ejected from the print head to the recording medium.
[0003]
Normally, a mono-color ink jet printer has one print head. In addition, a full-color ink jet printer is equipped with a black ink print head that discharges black ink and a plurality of color ink print heads that discharge each color ink such as yellow, cyan, and magenta.
[0004]
The print head in the ink jet printer having such a configuration is provided with a pressure generating chamber and a nozzle opening connected to the pressure generating chamber. By storing ink in the pressure generating chamber and pressurizing it with a predetermined pressure, the recording medium is discharged from the nozzle opening. Ink droplets of a controlled size are ejected toward the head. Therefore, if the ink ejection characteristics at the nozzle openings of the print head fluctuate, the quality of the recorded image is greatly affected, so the ink ejection characteristics must always be maintained constant.
[0005]
The ink ejection characteristics fluctuate due to viscosity increase and solidification due to evaporation and drying of ink at the nozzle opening, clogging with solid matter, and dust adhesion and bubble mixing. For this reason, the ink jet printer is provided with a head ejection characteristic maintaining device for eliminating the above causes of variation and maintaining the ink ejection characteristics in a constant state.
[0006]
The head discharge characteristic maintaining device includes a capping device, a suction pump, and a wiping device. The capping device is configured to seal the nozzle forming surface of the print head and isolate the nozzle opening from the outside during non-recording, and has the function of suppressing the increase in viscosity and solidification by suppressing evaporation and drying of the ink. ing. In addition, even if the nozzle formation surface is sealed with a capping device, clogging due to solid matter at the nozzle opening and mixing of bubbles into the ink flow path cannot be completely prevented, so they are completely prevented. For this purpose, a suction pump is provided.
[0007]
The suction pump is configured to apply a negative pressure to the nozzle opening while the capping device seals the nozzle formation surface, and forcibly sucks and discharges ink from the nozzle opening to remove solids and bubbles. It has a function to remove. This forcible suction / discharge process of ink by the suction pump is used only when the recording operation is resumed after a long pause of the ink jet printer or when the user recognizes that the quality of the recorded image has deteriorated and is on the operation panel. It is usually executed when the switch is operated.
[0008]
Further, when the ink is forcibly sucked and discharged by the suction pump, the ink may scatter and adhere to the nozzle formation surface of the printer head, and the ink meniscus at each nozzle opening may be disturbed. Furthermore, since foreign matter tends to adhere to the nozzle formation surface of the print head over time, a wiping device for wiping the nozzle formation surface as necessary is provided.
[0009]
The wiping device has a wiping member made of an elastic plate made of rubber or the like whose proximal end is sandwiched between holders. The wiping device moves forward and relatively while elastically pressing the edge portion on the distal end side of the wiping member against the nozzle forming surface. It is configured to clean the nozzle forming surface by moving back, and in addition to wiping off ink and foreign matter adhering to the nozzle forming surface, it has a function of uniformly adjusting, that is, stabilizing the ink meniscus at each nozzle opening. Have.
[0010]
FIG. 33 is a side view showing an example of a conventional head discharge characteristic maintaining device. As shown in FIG. 2A, the head discharge characteristic maintaining device has a configuration in which the capping device 1 and the wiping device 2 are disposed 90 degrees apart on a support portion 3 that can rotate and move up and down. . A toothless gear 4 is fixed to the support portion 3, and the support portion 3 is disposed so that the toothless gear 4 is in contact with the cam 5 with the tooth missing. Although the head discharge characteristic maintaining device includes a suction pump, the illustration is omitted.
[0011]
In such a configuration, when the nozzle forming surface of the print head is sealed and the nozzle opening is isolated from the outside during non-recording, the head ejection characteristic maintaining device is a capping device as shown in FIG. The support portion 3 is set so as to be positioned at the uppermost position by the cam 5 with a missing tooth with 1 facing upward.
[0012]
When the nozzle forming surface is cleaned by relatively moving forward and backward while elastically pressing the edge portion of the wiping member on the nozzle forming surface after recording, as shown in FIG. Then, the cam 5 with the missing teeth is rotated to mesh the teeth 5a of the cam 5 with the missing teeth with the teeth 4a of the missing gear 4, and the support 3 is rotated together with the missing gear 4. Finally, as shown in FIG. 5C, the head discharge characteristic maintaining device is arranged such that the support portion 3 is positioned at the lowermost position by the cam 5 with the toothless portion with the wiping device 2 facing upward. It is set.
[0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The conventional head discharge characteristic maintaining device described above is effective because it can be configured with a simple mechanism. However, in a state where the capping device 1 or the wiping device 2 is set, that is, in a state where the support portion 3 is positioned at the uppermost or lowermost position, the teeth 5a of the cam 5 with the missing teeth and the teeth 4a of the missing gear 4 are engaged. Since there is no support part 3, it is in a free state.
[0014]
For this reason, the user may touch the support part 3 and rotate the support part 3, making it difficult to return the capping device 1 or the wiping device 2 to a predetermined position, When the teeth 5a mesh with the teeth 4a of the partial gear 4, the tips may collide and be damaged. In addition, when assembling the head discharge characteristic maintaining device, there is a problem that it is necessary to accurately phase the cam 5 with the missing teeth and the gear 4 with the missing teeth, which is troublesome.
[0015]
The present invention has been made in view of the various problems as described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a head discharge characteristic maintaining device capable of performing capping and wiping with a stable operation at all times with a simple configuration, and the same. An object is to provide an ink jet printer.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, the head discharge characteristic maintaining apparatus of the present invention is a head discharge characteristic maintaining apparatus that maintains the ink discharge characteristics of a print head that discharges ink droplets onto a recording medium, and includes a cap and a cap that holds the cap A capping means for sealing the print head, a wiper and a wiper holder for holding the wiper, and the wiper holder provided on the cap holder. A wiping means for wiping the print head, a gear portion and an arc portion, a first segmented gear provided in the wiper holder, and a gear portion. A first cam provided with a second segmented gear having an arc portion, and a second cam disposed on the same axis as the first cam; A first rotation gear and a first rotation gear that rotate forward or reverse by alternately meshing with the second gear provided to the second cam; A driving means for transmitting a driving force so that the second toothless gear meshes, and a driving means for separating the first toothless gear and the second toothless gear when the capping means is raised; When the wiping means wipes the print head, the driving means positions the cap by lowering the cap means to a position where the print head is not capped, and is fixed by the cam. The wiping means is rotated upward, and the gear portion of the first partial gear and the arc portion of the second partial gear mesh with each other, whereby the wiper is moved to the print. When the capping means seals the print head and sucks ink, the capping means is raised after rotating the wiping means downward. The wiper is positioned at a retracted position and fixed by a groove for guiding the wiper holder, and at the same time, the cap is positioned at a position for sealing the print head and fixed by the cam.
[0017]
Furthermore, when the wiping means wipes the print head,
The wiper is fixed by sandwiching an arc portion of the second partial gear with two gear portions of the first partial gear. As a result, the wiping means and the capping means can be held at a fixed position, so that even if the user touches the wiping means or the capping means, the wiping means or the capping means will not be displaced. Therefore, the work for returning the wiping means and the capping means to the predetermined position is unnecessary, and further, the parts constituting the wiping means, the capping means and the like are not collided and damaged, thereby simplifying the maintenance. It becomes.
[0018]
In addition, since the wiping means and the capping means can always be positioned with high accuracy, it is not necessary to accurately phase the components constituting the wiping means, the capping means, etc. when assembling the head ejection characteristic maintaining device. Become. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the head ejection characteristic maintaining device can be reduced.
[0019]
Further, when switching between the wiping means and the capping means, only the wiping means is rotated and the capping means does not need to be rotated, so that the apparatus can be configured with a simple mechanism. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the head ejection characteristic maintaining device can be reduced.
[0020]
In addition, since the means for moving the capping means up and down and the means for rotating the wiping means can be configured by simple mechanical parts, the positioning accuracy of each means can be improved, and maintenance costs and manufacturing costs can be reduced. be able to. Further, since the missing teeth for forward rotation and the missing teeth for reverse rotation can be formed separately in the cam having the missing gear, positioning fixing when using the wiping means and positioning fixing when using the capping means Can be made more reliable.
[0021]
In addition, a tube pump that sucks the inside of the cap of the capping unit that seals the print head is provided, and the drive unit drives the tube pump. As a result, the wiping means, the capping means, and the suction means can be operated by a single drive means, so that the head ejection characteristic maintaining device itself can be reduced in size.
[0022]
The driving means drives each of the means independently. Thereby, since the load concerning a drive means can be made small, the power consumption of an inkjet printer can be suppressed.
[0023]
Further, the wiping means and the capping means can return to their initial positions from any position without using a detection device.
[0024]
As a result, even if the outlet is accidentally pulled out during the operation of the ink jet printer, an unexpected power failure, etc. occurs and the head ejection characteristics maintenance device stops halfway, it resets from that state Will be able to.
[0025]
Further, the drive means includes a missing gear on both the drive side and the driven side of the wiping means. Thereby, the mechanism of the drive means which drives each of the wiping means, the capping means and the suction means independently can be realized with a simple structure.
[0026]
The wiping means is rotatably attached to the capping means. This makes it easy to configure the means for moving the capping means up and down and the means for rotating the wiping means by the same mechanism. Therefore, the head discharge characteristic maintaining device can be made compact.
[0027]
Further, the wiping means includes a rotatable wiper for wiping the print head, and a wiper cleaner that scrapes off adhering matter adhering to the wiper by rubbing against the wiper when the wiper rotates. It is characterized by that. Thereby, since the wiper can be made maintenance-free, the maintenance work of the head discharge characteristic maintaining device is facilitated.
[0028]
Further, an ink jet printer having a print head for ejecting ink droplets onto a recording medium includes the above-described head ejection characteristic maintaining devices. Thus, an ink jet printer that exhibits the above-described actions can be provided.
[0029]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0030]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of an ink jet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 illustrates a configuration of a unitized head discharge characteristic maintaining device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the head discharge characteristic maintaining device as viewed from the opposite side, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the head discharge characteristic maintaining device. The ink jet printer shown in FIG. 1 is a large printer capable of printing on a relatively large size printing paper such as a paper width of 594 mm (JIS standard A1 size) or 728 mm (JIS standard B1 size).
[0031]
The ink jet printer is arranged with a paper feeding unit 11, a recording unit 12, and a paper discharge unit 13 from the top to the front obliquely downward. The printing paper is subjected to predetermined printing in the process of being sent from the paper supply unit 11 to the recording unit 12 and the paper discharge unit 13 and is discharged to the outside. The paper transport path 14 during printing is formed with an inclination of 65 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. The nozzle forming surface of the print head 18 mounted on the carriage 17 that reciprocates in the main scanning direction along the guide shaft 16 by the drive belt 15 is also inclined at 65 degrees so as to be parallel to the paper transport path 14. It is arranged.
[0032]
A head discharge characteristic maintaining device 100 for maintaining the ink discharge characteristic of the print head 18 in a constant state is disposed at a portion of the carriage 17 serving as a home position. Then, when the carriage 17 is in the home position, the head discharge characteristic maintaining device 100 performs a process for maintaining the ink discharge characteristics of the print head 18.
[0033]
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the head ejection characteristic maintaining apparatus 100 includes a wiping unit 110, a capping unit 130, a suction unit 150, and a driving unit 170 that drives them. In FIG. 2, the description of one side frame 101 shown in FIG. 4 is omitted in order to show the internal structure, and in FIG. 3, the description of the other side frame 102 shown in FIG. 4 is omitted in order to show the internal structure. Further, in FIG. 4, the description of the suction means 150 is omitted to simplify the drawing.
[0034]
The head ejection characteristic maintaining apparatus 100 includes a wiping unit 110 for wiping the nozzle forming surface in the main scanning direction of the print head 18 indicated by an arrow a in FIGS. Capping means 130 that seals the nozzle opening by being pressed against the nozzle forming surface of the print head 18, a suction means 150 that forcibly sucks and discharges ink to remove clogging of the nozzle opening and mixed air bubbles, and wiping The driving means 170 for driving the means 110 and the capping means 130 to be positioned at a predetermined position and the driving means 170 for driving the suction means 150 are disposed between the two side frames 101 and 102 and are unitized in a substantially box shape. ing.
[0035]
The wiping means 110 and the capping means 130 are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction of the print head 18, and the suction means 150 is sub-scanned with respect to the wiping means 110 and the capping means 130 as indicated by the arrow b in FIGS. It is juxtaposed in the direction. A driving unit 170 is arranged so that the wiping unit 110, the capping unit 130, and the suction unit 150 can be interlocked. That is, the driving unit 170 rotates the wiping unit 110 in the sub-scanning direction, moves the capping unit 130 together with the wiping unit 110 in the vertical direction indicated by the arrow c in FIGS. 2 and 3, and operates the suction unit 150. It is configured.
[0036]
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the wiping means 110 includes a wiper 111, a wiper holder 112 and a wiper cleaner 113. The wiper 111 is formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape with rubber. The leading end is rubbed against the nozzle forming surface of the print head 18. Thereby, the wiper 111 can wipe the ink adhering to the nozzle formation surface. Depending on the type of ink, the wiper 111 may be formed of felt or plastic.
[0037]
The wiper holder 112 is formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape from plastic. Then, while holding the wiper 111 so that the tip of the wiper 111 protrudes from the upper end, the toothless gear 112a provided at the lower end and supported by the second cap holder 133 of the capping means 130 described later is centered. Rotate in the sub-scanning direction. As a result, the wiper holder 112 can be disposed above when the wiper 111 is used, and can be disposed below when not in use.
[0038]
The wiper cleaner 113 is formed in a blade shape from plastic. While the guide pin 113a provided at one end is guided by the guide groove 112b provided in the wiper holder 112, the one end is rotated around the other end supported by the side frame 101. An ink scraper 113b having a U-shaped cross section provided on the wiper 111 is rubbed with the wiper 111 interposed therebetween. As a result, the wiper cleaner 113 can scrape ink adhering to the wiper 111.
[0039]
The capping unit 130 includes a cap 131, a first cap holder 132, and a second cap holder 133, as shown in FIGS. The cap 131 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with rubber. A recess 131 a provided in the upper portion is pressed against the nozzle forming surface of the print head 18. Thereby, the capping unit 130 can seal the nozzle opening.
[0040]
The first cap holder 132 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape from plastic. Then, while holding the cap 131 so that the upper edge of the cap 131 protrudes from the upper surface, a spring (not shown) is interposed between the second cap holder 133 and the protrusion 132a provided on the side surface is a second cap holder. It is latched by the nail | claw 133a of 133, and can be moved finely in all directions. Thereby, the first cap holder 132 can press the upper edge portion of the cap 131 in accordance with the nozzle forming surface of the print head 18, and can securely bring them into close contact with each other.
[0041]
The second cap holder 133 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape from plastic. While holding the first cap holder 132 on the upper end surface, the guide pins 133b provided on the side surfaces are guided by the guide grooves 101a and 102a provided on the side frames 101 and 102, and the wiper 111 and the wiper are provided. It moves up and down together with the holder 112. Accordingly, the second cap holder 133 can position and fix the cap 131 upward when in use, and can be positioned and fixed downward when not in use.
[0042]
The suction means 150 is a general pulsation pump, and continuously pushes a certain range of the tube T connected to the cap 131 with a plurality of rollers attached at regular intervals in the rotation direction, thereby causing air in the tube to flow. The ink in the print head 18 is forcibly sucked and discharged. Thereby, the suction means 150 can remove clogged nozzle openings and mixed bubbles.
[0043]
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the driving unit 170 includes a driving force transmission unit 171, a forward / reverse switching unit 172, and a rotation / vertical movement unit 173. The driving force transmission means 171 is disposed integrally with the first gear 171a disposed so as to come out of the side frame 101, the first gear 171a, and between the side frames 101 and 102. Is provided with a second gear 171b. The first gear 171 a is connected to a motor (not shown) disposed outside the side frame 101. The second gear 171b is meshed with the gear 151 of the suction means 150 shown in FIG.
[0044]
The forward / reverse switching means 172 includes a switching arm 172a formed in a substantially L-shape, and a forward rotation gear 172b and a reverse rotation gear 172c that are rotatably attached to each end portion thereof. The central portion of the switching arm 172a is fitted into the shaft of the second gear 171b, and is pressed against the second gear 171b via a spring (not shown). Depending on the rotation direction of the second gear 171b, either the forward rotation gear 172b or the reverse rotation gear 172c meshes with the second gear 171b, and further, with respect to the missing gear portion 173aa of the geared cam 173a of the rotation / vertical movement means 173 described later. Are arranged so as to engage with each other alternately.
[0045]
The rotating / vertical moving means 173 includes two cams with gears 173a and 173b disposed at both ends of the same shaft. Each of the geared cams 173a and 173b has a configuration in which the missing gear portions 173aa and 173ba and the cam portions 173ab and 173bb are integrated. As described above, the missing gear portion 173aa is arranged to alternately mesh with the forward rotation gear 172b and the reverse rotation gear 172c of the forward / reverse switching means 172, and the missing gear portion 173ba is a missing tooth of the wiper holder 112. It arrange | positions so that it may mesh with the gear 112a. And cam part 173ab, 173bb is arrange | positioned so that the lower part of the two guide pins 133b arrange | positioned at the lower part both sides of the 2nd cap holder 133 may be contacted, respectively.
[0046]
Then, the driving force of the motor passes through the first gear 171a and the second gear 171b, and from the forward rotation gear 172b or the reverse rotation gear 172c by the rotation of the switching arm 172a, the missing gear portion 173aa of the geared cam 173a and the geared cam 173b is transmitted to the wiping means 110 via the missing gear portion 173ba, and further transmitted to the wiping means 110 and the capping means 130 via the cam portion 173ab of the geared cam 173a and the cam portion 173bb of the geared cam 173b. It is transmitted to the suction means 150 via the gear 151. Thereby, the wiping means 110 can be rotated, the capping means 130 can be moved up and down together with the wiping means 110, and the suction means 150 can be operated.
[0047]
Details of the arrangement of the main part of the wiping means 110 configured as described above, the capping means 130, and the geared cam 173b will be described with reference to FIG. 5, and then the operation of each means 110, 130 will be described with reference to FIGS. This will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, a guide pin 133 b provided in the second cap holder 133 of the capping unit 130 is inserted into the shaft hole of the missing gear 112 a provided in the wiper holder 112 of the wiping unit 110. Yes.
[0048]
In the geared cam 173b, the missing gear portion 173ba meshes with the missing gear 112a provided on the wiper holder 112, and the cam portion 173bb comes into contact with the guide pin 133b provided on the second cap holder 133. It is arranged. Thereby, the wiping means 110 rotates in the direction of the arrow a, and the capping means 130 can move up and down in the direction of the arrow b together with the wiping means 110.
[0049]
Next, the operation of the wiping means 110 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 17, and FIGS. 6 to 9, FIGS. 10 to 11, FIGS. 12 to 14, and FIGS. It is the figure which each changed the viewpoint and showed the same operation state. 6 to 9 show a state where wiping by the wiper 111 is possible, FIGS. 10 to 11 show a state in which the wiper 111 is being stored, and FIGS. 12 to 14 show a state where the wiper 111 has been stored. 15 to 17 are views showing a state when the wiping means 110 is lifted together with the capping means 130. FIG.
[0050]
First, in a state in which wiping by the wiper 111 is possible, as shown in FIG. 6, the wiper 111 is positioned and fixed facing upward, and the wiper cleaner 113 is positioned and fixed on one end side of the wiper holder 112. These positioning and fixing operations are performed as follows.
[0051]
That is, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the predetermined portion from both sides of the tooth forming portion of the toothless gear 112a provided in the wiper holder 112 has a thickness that is less than half of the tooth thickness and a radius of the tooth. Arc shapes 112aa and 112ab having a tip circle radius or more are formed. Further, a predetermined portion from both sides of the tooth forming portion of the toothless gear portion 173ba provided on the geared cam 173b is opposite to the side where the arc shapes 112aa and 112ab are formed, and the thickness is less than half of the tooth thickness. In this case, arc shapes 173bc and 173bd having a radius equal to or greater than the radius of the tip circle are formed.
[0052]
6 and 8, when one arc shape 112aa of the missing gear 112a and one arc shape 173bc of the missing gear portion 173ba are engaged with each other, both end portions of the arc shape 112aa, that is, The tooth 112ac at the end of the toothless gear 112a and the wall 112ad of the arc shape 112aa sandwich the arc shape 173bc. As a result, the wiper holder 112 is positioned with respect to the geared cam 173b, so that the wiper 111 can be positioned and fixed upward.
[0053]
As shown in FIG. 6, the guide pin 113a of the wiper cleaner 113 is fitted in a guide groove 112b provided in the wiper holder 112 shown in FIGS. As a result, the wiper cleaner 113 is positioned with respect to the wiper holder 112, so that the wiper cleaner 113 can be positioned and fixed on the end side of the wiper holder 112.
[0054]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an arrangement relationship between the guide pins 112 c provided on the wiper holder 112 that serves as a guide when the wiper holder 112 rotates and the guide grooves 102 b provided on the side frame 102. However, in this state, that is, in a state where wiping by the wiper 111 is possible, both are separated and do not function.
[0055]
Next, in the state in which the wiper 111 is being stored, the wiper holder 112 is inclined and the wiper 111 is sandwiched between the ink scrapers 113b of the wiper cleaner 113 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the cam 173b with gear rotates, and the toothless gear portion 173ba of the geared cam 173b meshes with the toothless gear 112a of the wiper holder 112, so that the wiper holder 112 itself is This is because the guide pin 113a of the wiper cleaner 113 is guided to the guide groove 112b of the wiper holder 112 at the same time. Accordingly, the ink scraper 113b of the wiper cleaner 113 is rubbed with the wiper 111 interposed therebetween, so that the wiper 111 can be stored while scraping the ink adhering to the wiper 111.
[0056]
Next, when the storage of the wiper 111 is completed, as shown in FIG. 12, the wiper 111 is positioned and fixed obliquely downward, and the wiper cleaner 113 is positioned and fixed on the other end side of the wiper holder 112. These positioning and fixing operations are performed as follows.
[0057]
That is, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, when the wiper 111 is moved in the setting direction, the tooth 112ae at the end of the missing gear 112a is the other arc shape of the missing gear 173ba of the geared cam 173b. Since it hits 173bd, the wiper 111 cannot be moved in the set direction.
[0058]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14, when the wiper 111 is moved in the reset direction, the guide pin 112c of the holder 112 hits the left wall of the guide groove 102a of the side frame 102, so that the wiper 111 can be moved in the reset direction. Can not. As a result, the wiper holder 112 is positioned with respect to the geared cam 173b and the side frame 102, so that the wiper 111 can be positioned and fixed obliquely downward.
[0059]
Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the guide pin 113 a of the wiper cleaner 113 is relatively moved along the guide groove 112 b of the wiper holder 112 to the other end portion side of the wiper holder 112. As a result, the wiper cleaner 113 is positioned with respect to the wiper holder 112, so that the wiper cleaner 113 can be positioned and fixed at a position close to the outermost end of the wiper holder 112.
[0060]
Finally, in the state where the wiping means 110 is lifted together with the capping means 130, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the wiper 111 is positioned and fixed away from the geared cam 173b while facing obliquely downward. 113 is positioned and fixed on the other end side of the wiper holder 112. These positioning and fixing operations are performed as follows.
[0061]
That is, as shown in FIG. 17, when the geared cams 173a and 173b rotate, the cam portions 173ab and 173bb of the geared cams 173a and 173b connect the guide pins 133b of the second cap holder 133 to the both side frames 101, The guide groove 101a is pushed up along the guide groove 102a.
[0062]
Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the guide pin 112 c of the wiper holder 112 enters the vertical portion of the guide groove 102 a of the side frame 102. As a result, the wiper holder 112 is positioned with respect to the geared cams 173a and 173b and the side frame 102, so that the wiper 111 is positioned and fixed away from the geared cams 173a and 173b with the wiper 111 facing obliquely downward. Can do.
[0063]
Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the guide pin 113 a of the wiper cleaner 113 moves relatively along the guide groove 112 b of the wiper holder 112 to a position close to the extreme end on the other end side of the wiper holder 112. As a result, the wiper cleaner 113 is positioned with respect to the wiper holder 112, so that the wiper cleaner 113 can be positioned and fixed at a position close to the outermost end of the wiper holder 112.
[0064]
Next, the operation of the capping unit 130 will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 21. FIGS. 18 to 19 and FIGS. 20 to 21 are diagrams showing the same operation state from different viewpoints. It is. 18 to 19 show a state in which the cap 131 is completely stored, and FIGS. 20 to 21 show a state in which capping by the cap 131 is possible.
[0065]
First, in a state where the cap 131 is completely stored, the capping means 130 is positioned and fixed at the lowermost end as shown in FIGS. This positioning and fixing is based on the following action. That is, as shown in FIG. 18, the toothless gear portion 173aa of the geared cam 173a has a position where the forward rotation gear 172b and the reverse rotation gear 172c are displaced in the width direction of the toothless gear portion 173aa due to the rotation of the switching arm 172a. Are arranged so as to alternately mesh with each other. In the missing gear portion 173aa, two missing tooth portions 173ac and 173ad are formed at positions shifted in the circumferential direction and the width direction.
[0066]
As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the cam portions 173ab and 173bb of the geared cams 173a and 173b are formed in a substantially oval shape, and 2 on both sides of the lower portion of the second cap holder 133 are in the middle of the outer periphery. Stoppers 173 ae and 173 be that can come into contact with the two guide pins 133 b and 133 b are provided, and a guide groove for guiding another two guide pins 133 c and 133 c provided on the second cap holder 133 along the outer periphery on the side surface portion. 173af and 173bf are provided.
[0067]
When the capping means 130 reaches the lowest end from the uppermost end, the guide grooves 173af, 173bf of the cam portions 173ab, 173bb of the geared cams 173a, 173b are connected to the two guide pins 133c, 133c of the second cap holder 133. The two guide pins 133b and 133b on both lower sides of the second cap holder 133 are pushed down to the lowest end along the guide grooves 101a and 102a of the side frames 101 and 102, respectively.
[0068]
Further, the reverse gear 172c is idled around the missing tooth portion 173ad of the missing gear portion 173aa of the cam 173a with gear. As a result, the second cap holder 133 is positioned with respect to the geared cams 173a and 173b and the side frames 101 and 102, so that the capping means 130 can be positioned and fixed at the lowermost end.
[0069]
Next, in a state where capping by the cap 131 is possible, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the capping means 130 is positioned and fixed at the uppermost end. This positioning and fixing is based on the following action. That is, when the capping means 130 reaches the uppermost end from the lowermost end, the cam portions 173ab and 173bb of the geared cams 173a and 173b move the two guide pins 133d and 133e of the second cap holder 133, and the second The two guide pins 133b and 133b on both sides of the lower portion of the cap holder 133 are pushed up to the uppermost end along the guide grooves 101a and 102b of the side frames 101 and 102 and are brought into contact with the stoppers 173ae and 173be.
[0070]
Further, the forward rotation gear 172b is idled around the missing tooth portion 173ac of the missing gear portion 173aa of the cam 173a with gear. As a result, the second cap holder 133 is positioned relative to the geared cams 173a and 173b and the side frames 101 and 102, so that the capping means 130 can be positioned and fixed at the uppermost end.
[0071]
The overall operation of the head ejection characteristic maintaining apparatus 100 including the wiping means 110, the capping means 130, the suction means 150, and the driving means 170 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 22 is a time chart showing an operation example of the head ejection characteristic maintaining apparatus 100, and FIGS. 23 to 25, 26 to 28, and 29 to 31 are views showing the same operation state from different viewpoints. . 23 to 25 show a state where wiping by the wiper 111 is possible, FIGS. 26 to 28 show a state where the wiper 111 is completely stored, and FIGS. 29 to 31 show a state where capping by the cap 131 is possible. FIG.
[0072]
In the case of forward rotation shown in FIG. 22, as shown in FIGS. 23 to 25, the capping means 130 is located at the lowermost end, and the cap 131 is in an “open” state, that is, in a state where capping is not performed. Further, the wiping means 110 is located above, and the wiper 111 is in a “set” state, that is, in a state where wiping is possible. Further, the roller of the pump which is the suction means 150 is in a “release” state, that is, in a state where no suction is performed with respect to the tube (start time t1).
[0073]
From this state, when the motor is driven in the forward rotation direction to rotate the second gear 171b together with the first gear 171a, the switching arm 172a is rotated and the forward rotation gear 172b is moved to the missing gear portion 173aa of the geared cam 173a. Engage. Then, the rotational force of the second gear 171b is transmitted from the forward rotation gear 172b to the toothless gear portion 173aa of the geared cam 173a, and the geared cams 173a and 173b rotate. Subsequently, the missing gear portion 173ba of the geared cam 173b meshes with the missing gear 112a of the wiper holder 112, and the wiper holder 112 starts to rotate (time t4).
[0074]
Then, when the toothless gear portion 173ba of the cam with gear 173b and the toothless gear 112a of the wiper holder 112 are disengaged, the rotation of the wiper holder 112 is stopped, and as shown in FIGS. Is located below, and the wiper 111 is in the “reset under” state, that is, the wiper 111 is housed (time t5).
[0075]
Further, when the geared cams 173a and 173b rotate, the capping means 130 starts to rise together with the wiping means 110 by the action of the cam portions 173ab and 173bb of the geared cams 173a and 173b (time point t6). Then, when the forward rotation gear 172b reaches the missing tooth portion 173ac of the missing gear portion 173aa of the geared cam 173a, the forward rotation gear 172b idles, so that the rising of the capping means 130 and the wiping means 110 is stopped.
[0076]
In this state, as shown in FIGS. 29 to 31, the capping means 130 is located at the uppermost end, and the cap 131 is in a “closed” state, that is, a capping state. Further, the wiping means 110 is positioned above the previous position, and the wiper 111 is in a “reset-up” state, that is, in a state where the wiper 111 is raised while being stored (time t7).
[0077]
From this state, when the motor further drives in the forward rotation direction to rotate the second gear 171b together with the first gear 171a, the suction means 150 operates. At this time, the roller of the pump is in a “biting” state, that is, sucking into the tube (time points t8 and t9). It should be noted that power is not transmitted to the pump while the wiping means 110 and the capping means 130 are in operation.
[0078]
On the other hand, in the case of the reverse rotation shown in FIG. 22, the capping means 130 and the wiping means 110 are operated in reverse to the above operations by the reverse gear 172c. When the gear 151 shown in FIG. 2 rotates halfway, the claw of the gear 151 pushes the claw of the disk 152 and the disk 152 starts to rotate. In the meantime, the wiping means 110 and the capping means 130 have finished their operations. However, the suction unit 150 returns to the “release” state at time points t3 and t4.
[0079]
As described above, according to the head ejection characteristic maintaining device 100 of the present embodiment, the positioning guides and positioning fixing means 112a, 112b, 113a, 173a, 173b, 112c, 102b and the capping unit when the wiping unit 110 is positioned. Means 133b, 101a, 102a, 173a, and 173b for positioning guide and positioning and fixing when positioning 130 are provided.
[0080]
As a result, the wiping means 110 and the capping means 130 can be held at a fixed position. Therefore, even if the user touches the wiping means 110 or the capping means 130, the wiping means 110 or the capping means 130 is displaced. There is no such thing. Therefore, an operation for returning the wiping means 110 and the capping means 130 to a predetermined position is unnecessary, and further, there is no situation in which the components constituting the wiping means 110, the capping means 130 and the like collide and are damaged. Maintenance becomes simple.
[0081]
Further, since the wiping means 110 and the capping means 130 can always be positioned with high accuracy, the components constituting the wiping means 110, the capping means 130, etc. are accurately phased when the head discharge characteristic maintaining device 100 is assembled. Work is also unnecessary. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the head ejection characteristic maintaining apparatus 100 can be reduced.
[0082]
In the above-described embodiment, the head ejection characteristic maintaining apparatus 100 including one capping unit 130 and one suction unit 150 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. The head discharge characteristic maintaining apparatus 200 including the means 130 and the suction means 150 can be configured in the same manner, and the same effect can be obtained.
[0083]
Further, when the print head 18 is attached to be inclined in the rotation direction of the wiper 111 as in the ink jet printer of the present embodiment, the wiper 111 is also inclined. For this reason, when the print head 18 is wiped with the wiper 111, the ink does not adhere to the entire surface of the wiper 111, and accumulates on the inclined lower end of the wiper 111.
[0084]
Therefore, when the wiper 111 is rotated after wiping, all of the ink that hangs down from the inclined lower end of the wiper 111 with the momentum falls from the wiper 111. Therefore, for an ink jet printer in which the print head 18 is mounted inclined with respect to the rotation direction of the wiper 111, a head ejection characteristic in which the wiper cleaner 113 for scraping off ink adhering to the wiper 111 is not provided. Even a maintenance device can be applied.
[0085]
For example, as shown in FIG. 14, an ink absorber 180 may be provided below the rotated wiper 111 so that the ink jet printer is not contaminated by ink falling from the inclined lower end of the wiper 111. As the ink absorber 180, for example, a fibrous aggregate such as a synthetic resin continuous foam or nonwoven fabric is used. According to such an ink absorber 180, the ink dripping from the wiper 111 can be stably stored without leaking, and the take-out operation can be easily performed.
[0086]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the head ejection characteristic maintaining device and the ink jet printer provided with the same according to the present invention, the wiping means and the capping means can be held at fixed positions. For this reason, even if the user touches the wiping means or the capping means, the wiping means or the capping means will not be displaced, and an operation for returning the wiping means or the capping means to a predetermined position becomes unnecessary. In addition, there is no such a situation that parts constituting the wiping means, the capping means, etc. collide and are damaged. Therefore, maintenance is simplified.
[0087]
In addition, since the wiping means and the capping means can always be positioned with high accuracy, it is not necessary to accurately phase the components constituting the wiping means, the capping means, etc. when assembling the head ejection characteristic maintaining device. Become. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the head ejection characteristic maintaining device can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of an ink jet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a unitized head discharge characteristic maintaining apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the head discharge characteristic maintaining device of FIG. 2 as viewed from the opposite side.
4 is an exploded perspective view of the head discharge characteristic maintaining device of FIG. 2;
5 is a perspective view showing details of a disposition relationship of a main part of a wiping unit, a capping unit, and a geared cam of the head discharge characteristic maintaining device of FIG. 2; FIG.
6 is a first diagram showing the operation of the wiping means in FIG. 5. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a second diagram showing the operation of the wiping means of FIG.
FIG. 8 is a third diagram showing the operation of the wiping means in FIG. 5;
FIG. 9 is a fourth diagram showing the operation of the wiping means in FIG. 5;
10 is a fifth diagram showing the operation of the wiping means in FIG. 5; FIG.
11 is a sixth diagram illustrating the operation of the wiping means of FIG. 5. FIG.
12 is a seventh diagram showing the operation of the wiping means in FIG. 5; FIG.
13 is an eighth diagram showing the operation of the wiping means in FIG. 5. FIG.
14 is a ninth diagram illustrating the operation of the wiping means in FIG. 5. FIG.
15 is a tenth view showing the operation of the wiping means in FIG. 5; FIG.
16 is an eleventh view showing the operation of the wiping means in FIG. 5; FIG.
FIG. 17 is a twelfth view showing the operation of the wiping means in FIG. 5;
18 is a first diagram showing the operation of the capping means of FIG. 5. FIG.
19 is a second diagram showing the operation of the capping means of FIG. 5. FIG.
20 is a third diagram showing the operation of the capping means of FIG. 5. FIG.
FIG. 21 is a fourth diagram showing the operation of the capping unit of FIG. 5;
22 is a time chart illustrating an operation example of the head ejection characteristic maintaining device of FIG. 2;
FIG. 23 is a first diagram illustrating the operation of the head ejection characteristic maintaining device of FIG. 2;
24 is a second diagram illustrating the operation of the head ejection characteristic maintaining device in FIG. 2; FIG.
25 is a third diagram illustrating the operation of the head ejection characteristic maintaining device in FIG. 2; FIG.
26 is a fourth diagram illustrating the operation of the head ejection characteristic maintaining device in FIG. 2; FIG.
FIG. 27 is a fifth diagram illustrating the operation of the head ejection characteristic maintaining device of FIG. 2;
FIG. 28 is a sixth diagram illustrating the operation of the head ejection characteristic maintaining device of FIG. 2;
FIG. 29 is a seventh diagram illustrating the operation of the head ejection characteristic maintaining device of FIG. 2;
30 is an eighth diagram illustrating the operation of the head ejection characteristic maintaining device of FIG. 2; FIG.
FIG. 31 is a ninth diagram illustrating the operation of the head ejection characteristic maintaining device of FIG. 2;
FIG. 32 is a perspective view showing another configuration example of the unitized head discharge characteristic maintaining apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 33 is a plan view showing an operation example of a conventional head discharge characteristic maintaining device.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 Head ejection characteristics maintenance device
101 Side frame
101a Guide groove
102 Side frame
102a guide groove
110 Wiping means
111 wipers
112 Wiper holder
112a toothless gear
112aa arc shape
112ab arc shape
112b Guide groove
113 Wiper cleaner
113a Guide pin
113b Ink scraping
130 Capping means
131 cap
131a hollow
132 1st cap holder
132a protrusion
133 2nd cap holder
133a nails
133b Guide pin
133c Guide pin
150 suction means
170 Driving means
171 Driving force transmission means
171a 1st gear
171b Second gear
172 Forward / reverse switching means
172a switching arm
172b Forward rotation gear
172c Reverse gear
173 Rotating / Up-and-down moving means
173a Geared cam
173aa Missing gear
173ab cam part
173ac tooth missing part
173ad tooth missing part
173ae stopper
173af Guide groove
173b Cam with gear
173ba Missing gear
173bb cam part
173bc Arc shape
173bd arc shape
173be stopper
173bf guide groove
180 Ink absorber
200 Head Discharge Characteristic Maintenance Device

Claims (9)

A head discharge characteristic maintaining device that maintains ink discharge characteristics of a print head that discharges ink droplets onto a recording medium,
A cap and a cap holder for holding the cap, the cap holder is movable up and down, and capping means for sealing the print head;
A wiper that has a wiper and a wiper holder that holds the wiper, the wiper holder being rotatable about an axis provided on the cap holder, and wiping means for wiping the print head;
A first cam having a gear part and an arc part, and a first cam with a second part gear having the gear part and the arc part;
A second cam disposed on the same axis as the first cam;
A forward rotation gear and a reverse rotation gear that are alternately meshed with the toothless gear provided in the second cam to perform normal rotation or reverse rotation;
A driving force is transmitted so that the first missing gear and the second missing gear mesh with each other when the capping means is lowered, and the first missing gear and the second missing gear are raised when the capping means is raised. Drive means for separating the second toothless gear,
The driving means includes
When the wiping means wipes the print head,
Position the cap by lowering the cap means to a position where the print head is not capped, and with the cam fixed, rotate the wiping means upwards,
Positioning and fixing the wiper at the wiping position where it rubs against the print head by engaging the gear part of the first toothless gear and the arc part of the second toothless gear,
When the capping unit seals the print head and sucks ink,
The capping means is raised after rotating the wiping means downward,
Positioning the wiper at a retracted position and fixing the wiper holder by a groove for guiding the wiper holder, and simultaneously positioning the cap at a position for sealing the print head and fixing by the cam apparatus. When the wiping means wipes the print head,
2. The head ejection characteristic maintaining device according to claim 1, wherein the wiper is fixed by sandwiching an arc portion of the second toothless gear with two gear portions of the first toothless gear. 3.   The head discharge characteristic maintenance according to claim 1, further comprising a tube pump that sucks a cap of the capping unit that seals the print head, wherein the driving unit drives the tube pump. apparatus.   The head ejection characteristic maintaining device according to claim 1, wherein the driving unit drives each of the units independently.   5. The head discharge according to claim 1, wherein the wiping unit and the capping unit can return to an initial position from any position without using a detection device. Characteristic maintenance device.   The head ejection characteristic maintaining device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a toothless gear on both the driving side and the driven side of the wiping means in the driving means.   The head ejection characteristic maintaining device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the wiping means is rotatably attached to the capping means.   The wiping means includes a rotatable wiper for wiping the print head, and a wiper cleaner that scrapes off adhering matter adhering to the wiper by rubbing against the wiper when the wiper rotates. The head discharge characteristic maintaining apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the head discharge characteristic maintaining apparatus is a head discharge characteristic maintaining apparatus. In an ink jet printer having a print head for ejecting ink droplets onto a recording medium,
An ink jet printer comprising the head discharge characteristic maintaining device according to claim 1.

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