JP4835832B2 - Recording head capping device, recording device, and liquid ejecting device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention can be moved by the action portion to a first position separated from the recording head and to a second position that contacts the recording head and seals the ink ejection hole array composed of the ink ejection holes. The present invention relates to a capping device including a cap unit, a recording device including the capping device, and a liquid ejecting device including the capping device.

  Here, the liquid ejecting apparatus refers to an ink jet recording apparatus, a copying machine, a facsimile, or the like that performs recording on a recording material by ejecting ink from a recording head as a liquid ejecting head to a recording material such as recording paper. In addition to the recording apparatus, instead of ink, a liquid corresponding to a specific application is ejected from the liquid ejecting head corresponding to the recording head to the ejected material corresponding to the recording material, and the liquid is ejected to the ejected material. Used to include the device to be attached. In addition to the recording head described above, the liquid ejecting head includes a color material ejecting head used for manufacturing a color filter such as a liquid crystal display, an electrode material used for forming an electrode such as an organic EL display and a surface emitting display (FED) ( Examples thereof include a conductive paste) ejection head, a bio-organic matter ejection head used for biochip manufacturing, and a sample ejection head that ejects a sample as a precision pipette.

An example of an ink jet recording apparatus or a liquid ejecting apparatus is an ink jet printer. The ink jet printer includes an ink jet recording head in a carriage, and the carriage is reciprocated in the main scanning direction by a carriage motor while being guided by guide means (for example, a guide shaft) extending in the main scanning direction.
However, if the recording head continues to record on the recording material, clogging or the like may occur at the nozzle opening for ejecting ink, and good recording may not be performed.
Therefore, the recording head performs a so-called flushing operation that moves to the capping device and discharges ink toward the cap portion during recording in order to keep the state of the nozzle opening for discharging ink in a good state. Further, after the end of recording, the recording head moves to the capping device, and the nozzle opening is sealed by the cap portion. Then, a so-called suction operation is performed, in which the inside of the cap portion becomes negative pressure by the pump and the nozzle opening is sucked.

In order to determine the relative positional relationship between the recording head and the cap portion during the flushing operation and the suction operation, a claw portion that can contact the recording head is formed on the cap portion side. And the conventional capping apparatus was comprised so that the cap holder provided with the nail | claw part and the cap part might move integrally, as shown to patent document 1. FIG.
However, since the claw portion and the cap portion move together, there is a problem that the distance between the cap portion and the recording head increases during the flushing operation, and mist is generated.

Therefore, conventionally, in the main scanning direction, a claw portion that comes into contact with one side surface of the recording head is provided, and in order to prevent the occurrence of mist, the distance between the cap portion and the recording head during the flushing operation is reduced. There was a capping device.
Here, FIG. 18 shows an example of a conventional capping device.
As shown in FIG. 18, a recording head 401 is formed on the carriage, and a nozzle opening is formed in the recording head 401. On the other hand, the cap part 402 is formed with a claw part 403 that can come into contact with the recording head 401.

  During the flushing operation and the suction operation, the carriage moves at a high speed in the direction indicated by the arrow, decelerates before the position facing the cap portion 402 of the capping device, and moves at a low speed. Since the recording head 401 of the carriage moving at a low speed slowly comes into contact with the claw part 403 of the cap part 402 waiting at the position shown in FIG. 18, the impact due to the contact can be reduced. When the recording head 401 abuts, the recording head 401 presses the claw portion 403 by driving the carriage motor, while a biasing force is applied to the cap portion 402 to the carriage side by a spring or the like (not shown). Accordingly, since the recording head 401 and the claw portion 403 are in contact with each other with no gap, the relative positional relationship between the recording head 401 and the cap portion 402 can be determined with high accuracy. Thereafter, the drive of the carriage motor is stopped. In this state, ink is ejected from the nozzle openings, that is, a flushing operation is performed.

Note that the standby position of the cap unit 402 is provided at a distance from the recording head 401 that can suppress the occurrence of mist, and at a distance that does not contact the recording head 401 when the carriage moves. It is not necessary to move during the flushing operation.
On the other hand, in the case of the suction operation, after the carriage motor is stopped, the cap unit 402 moves and contacts the recording head side to seal the nozzle opening. Thereafter, the inside of the cap part becomes negative pressure by the pump, and the nozzle opening is sucked.

JP 2002-307701 A

However, in order to prevent a collision between the recording head and the claw portion, the recording head decelerates and moves at a low speed before the position facing the cap portion, so that the throughput may be increased.
Furthermore, when the recording head and the claw portion are brought into contact with each other for positioning, the load applied to the carriage motor is not only the carriage moving load but also the urging force of the cap portion. Therefore, the load on the carriage motor is large, which hinders downsizing the carriage motor.
Further, when the cap portion is separated from the state in which the nozzle opening is sealed, there is a possibility that the cap portion and the recording head may be adhered to each other due to pressing force, ink, or the like. At this time, the action part for moving the cap part was simultaneously subjected to a load of the force for peeling off the adhesion and the frictional resistance force between the claw part and the recording head, which hindered miniaturization of the action part. .

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and its problem is not only to prevent mist during the flushing operation, but also the carriage provided with the recording head faces the cap portion. It is an object of the present invention to provide a capping device capable of accurately positioning a relative positional relationship with a recording head without decelerating when moving to a position and further sealing a nozzle opening. Another object is to solve the problem of load when the cap portion is separated from the recording head.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first recording apparatus that records on a recording material by ejecting ink from an ink ejection hole provided in the recording head. A capping device comprising a cap unit that can be moved by an action part to a position and to a second position that contacts the recording head and seals an ink ejection hole array composed of the ink ejection holes, The cap unit has a slider part formed with a claw part capable of contacting the recording head, and is accommodated in the slider part, and moves relative to the slider part to seal the ink ejection hole array. A cap portion, and the slider portion or the cap portion is provided with a restricting portion for restricting a relative position of each other.

  When the cap part and the slider part move freely, a state occurs in which the slider part is in the first position and the cap part is in the second position. For example, when moving from the second position to the first position, there is a possibility that the cap unit adheres to the recording head and stays in the second position due to ink or pressure.

  Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the slider portion or the cap portion is provided with a restricting portion for restricting the relative position of each other. Therefore, when moving from the second position to the first position, the position of the slider portion moves even when the cap portion adheres to the recording head. The position of the cap part can be moved. As a result, even if the cap portion has adhered to the recording head, the cap portion can be peeled off from the recording head by moving the slider portion and operating the regulating portion.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, when moving from the second position to the first position, only the slider portion starts to move, and the cap portion stops at the second position. In this state, the restricting portion is configured to act after the claw portion of the slider portion is separated from the recording head.

  When moving from the second position to the first position, a contact frictional resistance force between the claw portion and the recording head is generated and becomes a load on the action portion. When the cap unit is adhered to the recording head, a force that peels the cap unit from the recording head through the restricting unit becomes a load on the operating unit. Furthermore, generally the cap part is urged | biased by the direction of a recording head with the spring force of a spring as an example of urging | biasing force. Therefore, there is a possibility that a load of a force obtained by integrating the contact frictional resistance force, the peeling force, and the spring force may be generated at the action portion.

  Therefore, according to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the same function and effect as the first aspect, when the restricting portion moves from the second position to the first position, the claw portion It is configured to act after being separated from the recording head. Therefore, at least the contact frictional resistance force and the peeling force do not have a risk of simultaneously acting on the acting portion. That is, it is possible to distribute the timing of the load applied to the action unit. As a result, the power source of the action part can be reduced in size.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, a plurality of the restricting portions are provided, the plurality of restricting portions act at different timings, and the restricting portion acting first is the cap. It is provided in the edge side away from the center of the part.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the same operational effects as the second aspect, a plurality of the restriction portions are provided, and the plurality of restriction portions act at different timings, respectively. The restricting portion that acts is provided on the edge side away from the center of the cap portion. Therefore, when the cap portion has adhered to the recording head, the cap portion can be gradually peeled off from the recording head from the edge portion of the cap portion, that is, the edge portion of the adhered portion. In such a case, the cap portion can be peeled off with a small force compared to the case where the plurality of restricting portions act at the same timing.
Further, it is possible to reduce the risk of ink scattering when the cap portion is peeled off.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the first operation restricting portion is provided on a corner side away from the center of the cap portion, and the last operation restricting portion is the first operation. It is provided in the corner | angular part side on the opposite side diagonally with respect to the said corner | angular part side provided with the control part which acts.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the same functions and effects as those of the third aspect, the first actuating restricting portion is provided on the corner side away from the center of the cap portion, and finally acts. The restricting portion is provided on the corner side opposite to the corner portion on which the restricting portion acting first is provided diagonally. Accordingly, when the cap portion has adhered to the recording head, the cap portion can be gradually peeled off from the recording head from the corner portion of the cap portion, that is, the corner portion of the adhered portion. In such a case, the cap portion can be peeled off with a smaller force than in the case where the adhesive part is gradually peeled off from a specific side at the adhered part.
Further, it is possible to further reduce the risk of ink scattering when the cap portion is peeled off.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third or fourth aspect, the restriction member that operates first is provided on a side farther from a conveyance path along which the recording material is conveyed in the main scanning direction. It is characterized by.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the same function and effect as in the third or fourth aspect, the first-operation restricting portion is provided on a transport path along which the recording material is transported in the main scanning direction. It is provided on the far side. That is, the cap part is peeled off from the side far from the transport path. Therefore, even when ink is scattered when the cap portion is peeled off, the direction in which the ink is scattered can be a direction from the cap portion toward the side opposite to the conveyance path. As a result, there is no possibility that the transport path is soiled by ink.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus comprising: a recording unit that performs recording on a recording material by a recording head; and an ejection characteristic maintaining unit that maintains the ejection characteristics of the recording unit. The section includes the capping device described in any one of the first to fifth aspects.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the recording apparatus includes the capping device described in any of the first to fifth aspects, in the recording apparatus, the first to fifth The effect similar to the effect of either aspect can be acquired.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a liquid ejecting hole array configured by liquid ejecting holes provided in the liquid ejecting head in contact with the liquid ejecting head is sealed to a first position separated from the liquid ejecting head. A liquid ejecting apparatus that includes a capping device including a cap unit that can be moved by an action unit to a second position, and that ejects liquid from a liquid ejecting hole provided in the liquid ejecting head to an ejected medium, The cap unit has a slider portion formed with a claw portion that can come into contact with the liquid ejecting head, is accommodated in the slider portion, moves relative to the slider portion, and seals the liquid ejecting hole array The slider part or the cap part is provided with a restricting part for restricting the relative position of each other.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing an outline of a recording apparatus which is an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to the invention. FIG. 2 is an overall plan view showing an outline of the recording apparatus according to the present invention.
On the back side of the main body of the recording apparatus 100, a paper feed cassette 101 on which sheets as recording materials are stacked is detachably provided. Sheets stacked on the top of the sheet feeding cassette 101 are picked up by a feeding roller (not shown) driven by a feeding motor 104 and guided by a sheet guide 103 while being conveyed downstream in the conveying direction. (Not shown). The sheet fed to the conveyance roller is further conveyed to the recording unit 143 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction by a conveyance roller driven by a conveyance motor (not shown). The recording unit 143 includes a platen 105 that supports a sheet from below and a carriage 107 that is provided to face the upper side of the platen 105. Among them, the carriage 107 is driven by the carriage motor 102 while being guided by a carriage guide shaft (not shown) extending in the main scanning direction. Further, a recording head 106 that discharges ink toward the paper is provided on the bottom surface of the carriage 107. The sheet recorded by the recording unit 143 is further conveyed downstream and is discharged from the front side of the recording apparatus 100 by a discharge roller (not shown).

  Further, an ink cartridge (not shown) is loaded below the main body of the recording apparatus 100, and ink is supplied to an ink supply path (not shown) via an ink supply needle (not shown). Further, the ink is supplied to the recording head 106 of the carriage 107 via the ink supply tube 110. When the recording head 106 is flushed and cleaned, ink is ejected and sucked in the ink suction device 200 that is provided on the first digit side and maintains the ejection characteristics of the recording unit 143.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an ink suction device according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the ink suction device according to the present invention.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ink suction device 200 is provided with a capping device 230 that can contact the recording head 106. The capping device 230 includes a cap unit 202. The cap unit 202 seals the recording head 106, and a slider that moves toward and away from the recording head 106 and guides the cap unit 204 to the recording head 106. Part 205. As shown in FIG. 4, the base portion 215 is provided with a slider guide 215 a, and one slider portion 205 is provided with a slider rib 207, and the slider portion 205 is positioned by contacting the slider guide 215 a and the slider rib 207. Has been.

  Further, the ink suction device 200 is provided with a gear unit 218 that transmits power from the conveyance motor or the feeding motor 104, and the gear unit 218 sucks the inside of the cap portion of the capping device 230 to make a negative pressure. The power is transmitted to the suction pump unit 281 that can perform the above operation. The base member 215 is provided with a lever member 210, which engages with the slider portion 205 to enable the slider portion 205 to move toward and away from the recording head 106. Specifically, the slider unit 205 is urged toward the recording head by a cap spring 211 (see FIGS. 7 to 12) between the base unit 215 and the slider unit 205. On the other hand, the lever member 210 receives power from the gear unit 218 and rotates to oppose the spring force of the cap spring 211 to move the slider portion 205 and the cap portion 204. More detailed operation will be described later with reference to FIGS. Moreover, the cap part 204 is comprised so that air can be sent in by the atmosphere release valve 219 via the atmosphere release tube 242 (refer FIG. 5).

  Further, on the 80-digit side of the ink suction device 200, a wiping device 217 is provided that allows the wiper contact portion 302 to contact the nozzle opening forming surface 106b of the recording head 106 and wipe the ink. The wiping device 217 is provided so as to be guided in the up-and-down movement direction by engagement of a wiper guide rib 215 b provided in the base portion 215 and a guide groove 303 d provided in the wiper base portion 303.

FIG. 5 is a lower perspective view showing the inside of the suction pump unit according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 5, a rotatable negative pressure generating member 283 is provided inside the suction pump unit 281, and a hollow pump tube 282 formed of an elastic body is provided on the circumference of the negative pressure generating member 283. Is provided. One end of the pump tube 282 is connected to a suction tube 241 connected to the bottom of the cap unit 204. A protrusion (not shown) is provided on the circumference of the negative pressure generating member 283. As the negative pressure generating member 283 rotates, the protrusion acts to squeeze the air in the pump tube to the other end of the pump tube 282. That is, the air on one end side in the pump tube can be moved to the other end side. Therefore, the suction pump unit 281 can generate a negative pressure in the cap unit via the suction tube 241.

  On the other hand, an air release valve 219 that can be opened and closed is provided at one end of the air release tube 242 connected to the bottom of the cap unit 204, and the valve is opened by an action unit (not shown) to feed air into the cap unit. be able to. Therefore, when the inside of the cap portion is in a negative pressure state by the suction pump portion 281, the negative pressure state of the cap portion 204 can be released by opening the atmosphere release valve 219.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the capping device according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 6, a cap contact portion 203 is formed on the upper portion of the cap portion 204 by an elastic body so that the nozzle opening forming surface 106b can be reliably sealed. In addition, an ink absorbing material 209 capable of absorbing ink ejected from the nozzle opening is provided in the cap portion, and the ink absorbing material 209 is heated by a locking projection 204b extending from the bottom surface of the cap portion 204. It is held by a pressing member 216 welded by caulking or the like. The cap portion 204 is formed with an air release opening 227, and the air release opening 227 is connected to the air release valve 219 via an air release tube 242 connected to the bottom surface of the cap portion 204.

On the other hand, a first claw portion 214c capable of contacting the upstream and downstream surfaces of the recording head 106 in the sheet conveyance direction is provided at a position deviated to the first digit side of the slider portion 205. ing. Further, in the main scanning direction, a second claw portion 214d that can come into contact with the surface on the one-digit side of the recording head 106 is provided.
Further, a cam portion 213 is provided on the transmission downstream side of the gear unit 218. The cam portion 213 abuts on a lever member 210, which will be described later, and rotates the lever member 210 to slide the slider portion 205 and the cap portion 204. And is configured to move.
The base body 215 is provided with a pair of slider position restricting portions 359 and 359 in contact with the lower ends of the slider ribs 207 and 207 in the sub-scanning direction at a first position described later.

[About the movement of the cap unit from the first position to the second position]
Next, operations of the lever member 210, the slider unit 205, and the cap unit 204 accompanying the rotation of the cam unit 213 will be described below. Here, the first position of the capping device 230 refers to a state separated from the recording head 106, and the second position refers to sealing the nozzle opening array 106a that is in contact with the recording head 106 and includes nozzle openings. The state to do.
FIG. 7 is a side view of the first position of the cap unit of the capping device according to the present invention as seen from the 1st digit side. FIG. 8 is a front sectional view in the main scanning direction in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the slider portion 205 is urged toward the recording head by a cap spring 211 provided between the slider portion 205 and the base portion 215.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, a rotatable cam gear 212 having a cam portion 213 is provided on the right side in the drawing to counter the spring force of the cap spring 211. The cam portion 213 can rotate the lever member 210 about the rotation shaft 210b by contacting the first lever arm 210a formed at one end of the lever member 210. A second lever arm 210 c is formed at the other end of the one lever member 210, and a lever opening portion 210 d provided in the second lever arm 210 c has a first taper portion 206 formed in a pair with the slider portion 205. , And the second tapered portion 208 is engaged. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7, the cam portion 213 contacts the first lever arm 210a, whereby the lever member 210 can be rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 7 to push down the slider portion 205. .

  Further, leg portions 204 c and 204 c that can come into contact with the base portion 215 are provided on the lower surface of the cap portion 204, and the leg portions 204 c and 204 c are leg insertion openings 363 formed on the bottom surface of the slider portion 205. 363 (see FIGS. 28 to 30). That is, the cap spring 211 does not directly abut against the cap portion 204 and is urged, but abuts against the slider portion 205 and urges it indirectly via the slider portion 205. It is possible to energize. Accordingly, in the state shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the slider portion 205 is lowered to a position where no force is applied to the cap portion 204 by the cam portion 213 and the lever member 210, and the cap portion 204 has the leg portion 204c. Is positioned in the vertical direction by abutting against the base portion 215.

  The first claw portion 214c and the second claw portion 214d are provided with a first inclined portion 214a and a second inclined portion 214e, respectively, so that the slider portion 205 can be smoothly guided by contacting the recording head 106. Furthermore, in order to reduce the frictional resistance between the first claw portion 214c or the second claw portion 214d and the recording head 106, the first claw-like first claw contact with a small contact area is provided. A contact surface 214b and a second claw contact surface 214f are provided. In addition, the nozzle opening row 106 a is formed in a range slightly smaller than the cap portion 204 on the surface that contacts the cap portion 204 of the recording head 106, that is, the nozzle opening forming surface 106 b.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the first tapered portion 206 and the second tapered portion 208 of the slider portion 205 that engage with the lever opening 210d of the second lever arm 210c are tapered in the same direction. Here, as described above, the slider portion 205 is urged upward in the figure by the cap spring 211 and is urged downward by the lever member 210 to counter the spring force. Accordingly, the slider portion 205 is urged to the left in the drawing, in other words, to the 80th digit side by the lever opening 210d, the first taper portion 206, and the second taper portion 208. At this time, the slider rib 207 of the slider portion 205 shown in FIG. 4 is regulated by the slider guide 215a of the base portion 215 and positioned in the main scanning direction.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing an operation when the cap unit of the capping device according to the present invention moves from the first position to the second position. FIG. 10 is a front sectional view in the main scanning direction in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, when the cam gear 212 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing, the cam portion 213 is gradually retracted, and the abutting lever member 210 is gradually rotated in the clockwise direction. As the lever member 210 rotates, the slider portion 205 gradually moves toward the recording head.

When the cam gear 212 further rotates counterclockwise, the slider 205 further moves toward the recording head, and the first inclined portion 214a of the first claw portion 214c or the second inclined portion 214e of the second claw portion 214d is moved. , Abuts the lower side of the side surface of the recording head. This is the state shown in FIGS.
When the cam gear 212 further rotates counterclockwise from this state, the slider portion 205 tends to move further toward the recording head. Accordingly, the lower side of the side surface of the recording head gradually rises above the first inclined portion 214a of the first claw portion 214c or the second inclined portion 214e of the second claw portion 214d, and the first claw of the first claw portion 214c. It contacts the contact surface 214b or the second claw contact surface 214f of the second claw portion 214d. That is, the relative positional relationship between the slider 205 and the recording head 106 is determined with high accuracy by the first claw 214c and the second claw 214d.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the slider portion 205 is guided to the right side in the drawing by being guided by the second inclined portion 214 e of the second claw portion 214 d that contacts the lower side of the one-digit side surface of the recording head 106. 1 digit is moved. That is, the slider rib 207 of the slider portion 205 shown in FIG. 4 is separated from the slider guide 215a of the base portion 215, and the slider opening 205 is formed by the lever opening portion 210d, the first taper portion 206, and the second taper portion 208. The force biased to the 80th digit side is regulated by the second claw portion 214d that contacts the lower side of the first digit side surface of the recording head 106. Accordingly, since the second claw portion 214d can be in contact with the lower side of the one-digit side surface of the recording head 106 without a gap, the slider portion 205 is relatively accurate with respect to the recording head 106 in the main scanning direction. Positioned.

  When the cam gear 212 further rotates counterclockwise, the slider portion 205 further moves toward the recording head, and the bottom surface of the slider portion 205 contacts the lower surface of the cap portion 204 to move the cap portion 204 toward the recording head. Let That is, the leg portion 204c of the cap portion 204 is separated from the base portion 215, and the cap portion 204 moves together with the slider portion 205 to the recording head side.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing a second position of the cap unit of the capping apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 12 is a front sectional view in the main scanning direction in FIG.
When the cam gear 212 is further rotated counterclockwise from the state shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 and the cam portion 213 is separated from the lever member 210, as shown in FIGS. The slider portion 205 and the cap portion 204 move toward the recording head while being guided by the first claw contact surface 214b and the second claw contact surface 214f of the second claw portion 214d, and the cap contact portion 203 of the cap portion 204. Is in contact with the nozzle opening forming surface 106b on the lower surface of the recording head. When the cap unit 204 comes into contact with the recording head 106, the lever member 210 is completely free. That is, since the lever member 210 is not in contact with the cam portion 213, it does not exert any acting force on the slider portion 205. Therefore, the lever opening portion 210d, the first taper portion 206, and the second taper portion 208 do not generate a force that biases the slider portion 205 toward the 80-digit side. That is, at the same time that the cap unit 204 comes into contact with the recording head 106, an excessive biasing force is released in the main scanning direction. As a result, the cap part 204 can reliably seal the nozzle opening forming surface 106b.

  Further, the capping device 230 is provided with a power release means 231 (see FIG. 11). The power release means 231 includes a cam portion 213, a lever member 210, a first taper portion 206, and a second taper portion 208. ing. In the state of the second position, the lever member 210 does not contact the cam portion 213 as described above, and therefore does not exert any acting force on the first taper portion 206 and the second taper portion 208. Accordingly, no force is applied to the lever opening 210d, the first taper portion 206, and the second taper portion 208, so that no force that biases the slider portion 205 toward the 80 digit side is generated. That is, the power release means 231 can prevent the force biased toward the 80-digit side from acting on the first taper portion 206 and the second taper portion 208 of the slider portion 205 in the second position. .

[About the movement of the cap unit from the second position to the first position]
Next, a procedure for moving the cap unit 202 from the second position to the first position will be described.
When the cam gear 212 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 11 from the state where the cap unit 202 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is in the second position, the cam portion 213 separated from the lever member 210 is moved to the first position of the lever member 210. Abuts with one lever arm 210a. Then, the cam portion 213 rotates the lever member 210 counterclockwise in FIG. Accordingly, the second lever arm 210c causes the cap springs 211 and 211 to move the slider portion 205 engaged with the second lever arm 210c to the position shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 as the cam portion 213 rotates. It can be gradually moved downward against the spring force.

  At this time, the lever member 210 restricts the first taper portion 206 and the second taper portion 208 of the slider portion 205 against the spring force of the cap springs 211, 211, so that the lever member 210 described above is the slider portion 205. Is generated from the 1st digit side in the main scanning direction to the 80th digit side. Accordingly, when the cap unit 202 moves from the state shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 to the state shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the second inclined portions 214e of the second claw portions 214d and 214d provided on the slider portion 205, 214 e contacts the recording head 106. That is, the slider portion 205 is guided by the second inclined portions 214e and 214e to move downward in FIG. 10 and to the left side in the main scanning direction 80 digits. Then, the pair of slider ribs 207 and 207 provided in the slider unit 205 in the sub-scanning direction comes into contact with the pair of slider guides 215a and 215a in the sub-scanning direction provided in the base unit 215.

  Further, when the slider portion 205 moves downward in FIG. 9, the two leg portions 204 c and 204 c provided on the cap portion 204 come into contact with the base portion 215. Accordingly, the downward movement of the cap portion 204 is restricted. That is, the position of the cap portion 204 at the first position in the height direction can be determined with high accuracy. As a result, at the time of flushing, the distance between the recording head 106 and the cap portion 204 can be set so small that mist does not occur, and the recording head 106 and the cap portion 204 can be prevented from contacting each other.

In this embodiment, the leg portions 204c and 204c are provided below the cap portion 204 so as to come into contact with the base portion 215. However, instead of the leg portions 204c and 204c, the side portions of the cap portion 204 are provided. Of course, a protrusion may be provided so that the protrusion is in contact with the base portion 215.
Further, the leg portions 204c and 204c as a part of the cap portion 204 are provided so as to come into contact with the base portion 215 of the capping device 230, but instead of the base portion 215 of the capping device 230, an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus It may be brought into contact with a base portion as a fixed portion of the recording apparatus 100. In such a case, the position of the cap portion 204 in the height direction at the first position can be determined with higher accuracy.

  When the cam gear 212 further rotates clockwise in FIG. 9 from the position of the cap unit 202 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the lever member 210 further rotates counterclockwise. Then, the lever member 210 pushes down the slider unit 205 to move only the slider unit 205 downward to the position of the slider unit 205 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. At this time, the position in the height direction of the slider portion 205 at the first position, that is, the position in the movement direction between the first position and the second position is regulated by the position of the lever member 210. Further, the posture of the slider unit 205 at the first position is such that the lower ends of the pair of slider ribs 207 and 207 in the sub-scanning direction provided in the slider unit 205 are in the sub-scanning direction provided in the base unit 215. By contacting the restricting portions 359 and 359 (see FIGS. 6 and 28 to 30), a stable posture is maintained.

Further, tapered leg taper portions 312 and 312 are provided in the vicinity of the ends of the leg portions 204c and 204c provided on the cap portion 204 (see FIGS. 15 to 17). On the other hand, the base body part 215 is provided with cylindrical leg engaging parts 311 and 311 that engage with the leg parts 204c and 204c (see FIGS. 15 to 17).
When the cap part 204 moves from the second position to the first position, the leg taper parts 312 and 312 provided on the leg parts 204c and 204c come into contact with the leg engaging parts 311 and 311. Therefore, the leg portions 204c and 204c can be engaged with the leg engaging portions 311 and 311 while being guided by the leg taper portions 312 and 312. The movement of the cap portion 204 to the first position is completed when the tips of the leg portions 204c and 204c hit the bottoms of the leg engaging portions 311 and 311. At this time, the cap unit 204 is configured to be accurately positioned not only in the height direction but also in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction at the first position.
In addition, in the said embodiment, although the taper-shaped part (312) was provided in the leg part side, you may provide a taper-shaped part (312) in the leg engaging part side, and also the leg part side and leg engaging part Of course, tapered portions (312) may be provided on both sides of the side.

[Cap unit stroke]
FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C are side views showing strokes of the capping device according to the present invention. Among these, FIG. 13 (A) shows the state of the cap unit in the first position, and FIG. 13 (B) shows the state of the second position. FIG. 6C is a diagram showing the second position when the recording head 106 is not provided in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13C, a safety margin is given to the stroke by the distance d, so that there is no possibility that a gap is generated between the cap portion 204 and the recording head 106 in FIG. Therefore, during the suction operation, the inside of the cap portion can be surely brought into a negative pressure state.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the cap unit according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 14, a cap contact portion 203 formed of an elastic body is provided on the cap portion 204 so as to contact the nozzle opening forming surface 106 b of the recording head 106. Further, a locking projection 204b is provided in the cap portion, and the ink absorbing material 209 can be held by engaging the pressing member 216 with the tip of the locking projection 204b. Further, an air release opening 227 is provided in the cap portion at the same height as the surface of the ink absorbing material 209, and air can be sent into the cap portion from the air release valve 219. Further, a suction opening 228 is provided on the bottom surface of the cap unit 204, and the suction opening 228 can send ink held by the ink absorbing material 209 in the cap unit to the suction pump unit 281 by driving the suction pump unit 281. it can. A leg portion 204c is provided on the lower surface of the cap portion 204, and the leg portion 204c is configured to contact the base body portion 215 during the course of moving from the first position to the second position. Further, a pair of tearing claw portions 204 a is provided on the diagonal side of the cap portion 204 on the lower side surface of the cap portion 204. The peeling claw portion 204a is provided so as to be able to engage with the slider portion 205 and regulate the relative position of each other when moving up and down between the first position and the second position. Yes.

  A pair of a first taper portion 206 and a second taper portion 208 are provided on the side surface of one slider portion 205 in the main scanning direction. As shown in FIGS. 8, 10, and 12, the first taper portion 206 and the second taper portion 208 are tapered in the same direction, and are engaged with the lever member 210 as described above. The urging force in the vertical direction of the cap spring 211 and the lever member 210 is configured to convert the urging force of the slider portion 205 from the 1st digit in the main scanning direction to the 80th digit side.

  Further, a pair of slider ribs 207 are provided on the side surface of the slider portion 205 in the paper conveyance direction, and the slider ribs 207 are provided so as to be able to contact a slider guide 215a provided on the base portion 215 shown in FIGS. It has been. That is, since the slider rib 207 is brought into contact with and regulated by the slider guide 215a by the force for urging the slider portion 205 to the 80-digit side, the position of the slider portion 205 at the first position is accurate in the main scanning direction. Well positioned.

  Further, a first claw portion 214c capable of contacting the upstream and downstream surfaces of the recording head 106 in the transport direction is provided at a position biased to the first digit side of the slider portion 205. . Further, in the main scanning direction, a second claw portion 214d that can come into contact with the surface on the one-digit side of the recording head 106 is provided.

Next, the movement of the cap unit 202 from the first position to the second position will be described with respect to the peeling claw portion 204a formed on the cap portion 204 after showing a sectional view in the transport direction.
FIGS. 15 to 17 are side sectional views showing the operation of the capping apparatus according to the present invention. Of these, FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view in the conveying direction in FIGS. 7 and 8. Further, FIG. 15B shows that the lever member 210 is slightly rotated from the state shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 15A, and the slider portion 205 is slightly moved toward the recording head. State. FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view in the transport direction in FIGS. 9 and 10. Similarly, FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view in the transport direction in FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view in the transport direction showing the movement from the second position to the first position when the cap unit 204 is adhered to the recording head 106.

As shown in FIG. 15A, a peeling claw portion 204 a that can be engaged with the slider portion 205 is provided below the cap portion 204. In the first position, it is described that the peeling claw portion 204a has no effect.
As shown in FIG. 14, a pair of peeling claws 204a are provided on the diagonal line of the cap portion 204, and FIGS. 15 to 17 show one of the peeling claws 204a.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 15B, when the lever member 210 is slightly rotated counterclockwise in the drawing, the slider portion 205 is slightly moved toward the recording head. At this time, the cap unit 204 remains in the first position and does not move yet.
Further, as shown in FIG. 16A, when the lever member 210 further rotates counterclockwise in the drawing, the slider portion 205 further moves toward the recording head. At this time, first, the first inclined portion 214a of the first claw portion 214c provided in a pair in the transport direction comes into contact with the lower side of the upstream or downstream side surface of the recording head 106 in the transport direction. Then, the lower side of the recording head 106 that has come into contact with the first claw contact surface 214b rises up the first inclined portion 214a. That is, the slider unit 205 is guided and positioned relatively accurately with respect to the recording head 106 by the first claw unit 214c in the transport direction. Next, the bottom surface of the slider unit 205 comes into contact with the lower surface of the cap unit 204. Accordingly, the leg portion 204c of the cap portion 204 is separated from the base portion 215, and the slider portion 205 and the cap portion 204 can be moved together toward the recording head.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 16B, when the lever member 210 is further rotated counterclockwise in the figure, the slider portion 205 and the cap portion 204 are integrally moved to the recording head side, and the cap portion 204 is moved. Can contact the recording head 106 to seal the nozzle opening row 106a. As described above, the peeling claw portion 204a has no effect while the cap unit 202 moves from the first position to the second position.

  However, as shown in FIG. 17, when moving from the second position to the first position, the cap unit 204 adheres to the recording head 106 due to ink, pressing force, or the like and stays in the second position. There is a risk that. In such a case, first, the lever member 210 is rotated clockwise in the drawing to separate the slider portion 205 from the recording head 106. That is, the first claw portion 214c and the second claw portion 214d are in a state of being separated from the recording head 106. Next, the lever member 210 further rotates in the clockwise direction in the drawing, and the peeling claw portion 204 a of the cap portion 204 comes into contact with the lower surface of the slider portion 205. That is, when the lever member 210 further rotates, the relative position is regulated by the peeling claw portion 204a, and the slider portion 205 and the cap portion 204 attempt to move together to the first position. Accordingly, the cap unit 204 can be peeled off from the recording head 106.

  Furthermore, since the pair of peeling claws 204 a are provided on the diagonal line of the cap portion 204, the cap portion 204 can be reliably peeled off from the recording head 106. That is, there is no possibility that a state where only a part of the cap part 204 is adhered to the recording head 106 and not completely peeled off will occur.

  The capping device 230 of the present embodiment is separated from the recording head 106 in the recording device 100 that performs recording on a sheet as a recording material by ejecting ink from nozzle openings as ink ejection holes provided in the recording head 106. By the cap spring 211, the cam portion 213, and the lever member 210 as the action portions, the cap spring 211, the cam portion 213, and the lever member 210 are actuated to the first position and to the second position that contacts the recording head 106 and seals the nozzle opening row 106a configured by the nozzle openings. The capping device 230 includes a movable cap unit 202, and the cap unit 202 is accommodated in the slider portion 205 having a claw portion 214 that can come into contact with the recording head 106, and the slider portion 205. The cap portion 204 moves relative to the nozzle opening row 106a and seals the nozzle opening row 106a. The provided, the slider 205 or the cap portion 204, and the peeling claw portion 204a of the regulating portion for regulating the relative position of each other are provided.

  As a result, when moving from the second position to the first position, the position of the slider part 205 moves even when the cap part 204 adheres to the recording head 106, and therefore, the peeling as a restricting part is performed. The position of the cap part 204 can be moved by the action of the claw part 204a. Therefore, even when the cap unit 204 is adhered to the recording head 106, the cap unit 204 is peeled off from the recording head 106 by moving the slider unit 205 and engaging with the peeling claw unit 204a. be able to.

  Further, since the cap unit 204 can move relative to the slider unit 205, the cap unit 204 at the first position can be provided at a position close to the recording head 106. That is, during the flushing operation, the cap portion 204 is already disposed at a position close to the nozzle opening to such an extent that the ink ejected from the nozzle opening can be prevented from floating as a mist. There is no need to move anew to do this.

  Furthermore, the position of the slider portion 205 at the first position is always provided such that the first claw portion 214c and the second claw portion 214d, which are the claw portions 214, are separated from the recording head 106. Therefore, when the recording head 106 moves to a position facing the cap portion 204, there is no possibility of colliding with the first claw portion 214c and the second claw portion 214d. Therefore, it is not necessary to decelerate the driving speed of the carriage motor 102 from a high speed to a low speed before a position facing the cap portion 204. As a result, when the flushing operation is performed during recording, the throughput can be shortened. Also, when performing the suction operation after recording, it is not necessary to decelerate, so that the time can be shortened accordingly. Further, since the recording head 106 does not contact the first claw portion 214c and the second claw portion 214d, when the recording head 106 moves to a position facing the cap portion 204, the load on the carriage motor 102 may increase. There is no. Therefore, the carriage motor 102 can be reduced in size.

  When moving from the second position to the first position, a contact frictional resistance force between the claw portion 214 and the recording head 106 is generated, and the cam portion 213, the lever member 210, the conveying motor or the feeding unit, which is a part of the action portion. It becomes a load of the feeding motor 104. When the cap unit 204 has adhered to the recording head 106, the force that peels the cap unit 204 from the recording head 106 via the peeling claw unit 204 a is a cam unit 213 that is part of the operating unit, lever It becomes a load of the member 210, the conveyance motor, or the feeding motor 104. Further, the cap portion 204 is generally biased toward the recording head 106 by the spring force of the cap spring 211. Accordingly, the cam portion 213, the lever member 210, the conveying motor or the feeding motor 104, which are a part of the action portion, are simultaneously subjected to a load of contact friction resistance force, peeling force, and spring force integrated force. May occur.

  Therefore, when the peeling claw portion 204a of the present embodiment moves from the second position to the first position, only the slider portion 205 starts to move, and the cap portion 204 stops at the second position. When the cap portion 204 and the recording head 106 are in a state of being adhered, after the first claw portion 214c and the second claw portion 214d, which are the claw portions 214 of the slider portion 205, are separated from the recording head 106, The slider portion 205 is configured to be engaged.

  As a result, at least the contact frictional resistance force and the peeling force do not cause a load on the cam portion 213, the lever member 210, the conveying motor or the feeding motor 104, which are part of the acting portion at the same time. That is, the timing of the load applied to the cam portion 213, the lever member 210, the conveying motor or the feeding motor 104, which are part of the action portion, can be dispersed. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the size of the conveyance motor or the feeding motor 104 which is a power source of the action unit.

  Incidentally, in the capping device 230 in which the cap unit 204 and the slider unit 205 move freely, as a measure for preventing the occurrence of mist in the flushing operation, the position of the cap unit 204 at the first position is set to the recording head 106. It can be considered to be close to. In this case, when moving from the first position to the second position, the cap portion 204 or the cap portion 204 and the slider portion 205 are moved at the same time. Before the portion 204 is positioned with respect to the recording head 106, the cap portion 204 may come into contact with and seal with the recording head 106.

  In view of this, the capping device 230 of this embodiment includes a recording device 100 that performs recording on paper as a recording material by ejecting ink from nozzle openings as ink ejection holes provided in the recording head 106. The cap spring 211, the cam portion 213, and the lever member as the action portions are moved to a first position separated from each other and to a second position that contacts the recording head 106 and seals the nozzle opening row 106a formed of nozzle openings. The capping device 230 includes a cap unit 202 that can be moved by a 210. The cap unit 202 includes a first claw portion 214c and a second claw portion 214d that are claw portions 214 that can come into contact with the recording head 106. The formed slider portion 205 moves relative to the slider portion 205, and the nozzle opening row 1 And a cap portion 204 for sealing 6a, and when moving from the first position to the second position, the slider portion 205 starts to move, and then the cap portion 204 starts to move. Has been. Here, the cap portion 204 is provided so as to be movable in the direction perpendicular to the nozzle opening forming surface 106a within the slider portion.

  As a result, the first claw portion 214c and the second claw portion 214d, which are the claw portions 214 of the slider portion 205, abut against the recording head 106 before the cap portion 204 abuts and seals against the recording head 106. Thus, the cap portion 204 can be guided to an accurate position with high accuracy.

  For example, when moving from the first position to the second position, when the inclined portion (214a, 214e) is provided at the tip of the claw portion 214 and the slider portion 205 is moved first, the claw portion 214 is inclined. It is possible to move the slider portion 205 and the cap portion 204 in a direction parallel to the ink discharge hole forming surface (106b) of the recording head 106 by bringing the portions (214a, 214e) into contact with a part on the recording head side. That is, the claw portion 214 moves the cap portion 204 parallel to the ink discharge hole forming surface (106b) to a position facing the ink discharge hole row (106a) to be sealed, and the cap portion 204 The hole array (106a) can be moved in the sealing direction (perpendicular to the ink discharge hole forming surface (106b)).

Further, in the present embodiment, the cap portion 204 is configured to start moving after the first claw portion 214c and the second claw portion 214d, which are the claw portions 214 of the slider portion 205, contact the recording head 106. Has been.
As a result, the cap portion 204 moves after the first claw portion 214c and the second claw portion 214d have accurately positioned the cap portion 204 with respect to the recording head 106. Therefore, the cap portion 204 moves. The moving distance from the position to the second position, that is, the stroke of the cap portion 204 can be set short. Therefore, as a measure for preventing the occurrence of mist in the flushing operation, the position of the cap portion 204 at the first position can be provided closer to the recording head 106.

  For example, when moving from the first position to the second position, an inclined portion (214a, 214e) is provided at the tip of the claw portion 214, and the slider portion 205 moves first to contact the recording head 106, When the cap part 204 is moved later, the claw part 214 moves the cap part 204 in parallel with the ink discharge hole forming surface (106b) to a position facing the ink discharge hole row (106a) to be sealed. The cap portion 204 can move in the direction of sealing the ink discharge hole array (106a) (the direction perpendicular to the ink discharge hole forming surface (106b)). That is, the moving distance in the sealing direction can be shortened.

  The capping device 230 of the present embodiment is separated from the recording head 106 in the recording device 100 that performs recording on a sheet as a recording material by ejecting ink from nozzle openings as ink ejection holes provided in the recording head 106. By the cap spring 211, the cam portion 213, and the lever member 210 as the action portions, the cap spring 211, the cam portion 213, and the lever member 210 are actuated to the first position and to the second position that contacts the recording head 106 and seals the nozzle opening row 106a configured by the nozzle openings. The capping device 230 includes a movable cap unit 202, and the cap unit 202 has a first claw portion 214c and a second claw portion 214d as claw portions 214 that can come into contact with the recording head 106. Slider portion 205 and a cap which is accommodated in the slider portion and seals the nozzle opening row 106a. Part 204, and in the movement between the first position and the second position, the stroke distance of the cap part 204 is smaller than the stroke distance of the slider part 205, and the first position The cap portion 204 is configured to directly abut against the base portion 215 of the capping device 230 and to restrict movement in the direction from the second position to the first position. To do.

  In the capping device 230 of the present embodiment, when the cap unit 202 moves from the second position to the first position, first, the cap unit 204 and the slider unit 205 move together, and then , Only the cap portion 204 is stopped, and then the slider portion 205 is stopped. In the above embodiment, the leg portions 204c and 204c, which are part of the cap portion 204, are configured to come into contact with the base portion 215 and only the cap portion 204 is stopped. Of course, the cap part 204 may be stopped without being brought into contact with the part 215. For example, the cap portion 204 may be supported by an urging means such as a spring provided in the slider portion.

[Atmospheric release valve and wiping device]
FIG. 19 is a front perspective view showing the atmosphere release valve according to the present invention, and FIG. 20 is a rear perspective view showing the atmosphere release valve according to the present invention.
As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the wiper base 303 of the wiping device 217 is provided with a wiper abutting portion 302 that is an elastic body that abuts the nozzle opening forming surface 106b of the recording head 106 and wipes ink and dirt. It has been. The wiper base 303 is movably provided by a second cam mechanism 321, and the second cam mechanism 321 includes a wiper side pin portion 305 and a cam gear side first groove cam portion 301. ing. More specifically, a base opening 303b is provided on the wiper base side, and a pin spring 304 and a pin part 305 are inserted into the base opening 303b. On the other hand, the cam gear side includes a cam portion 213 and a first groove cam portion 301. Among them, the first groove cam portion 301 includes a first groove 301a that is a shallow groove, a second groove 301b that is a deep groove, and a connecting slope that smoothly connects the first groove 301a and the second groove 301b. The pin portion 305 moves in the first groove 301a, the second groove 301b, and the connecting inclined portion 301c of the first groove cam portion 301 described later while being urged by the pin spring 304. It is provided as possible.

  Here, the wiper base 303 is guided in the vertical direction by the engagement between the guide groove 303d and the wiper guide rib 215b (see FIG. 4). Further, the wiper spring 307 is engaged with a spring engaging portion 303c provided on the wiper base portion 303, and always biases the wiper base portion 303 downward. Therefore, when the first cam gear 212 rotates, the pin portion 305 is regulated by the first groove 301a, the second groove 301b, and the connecting inclined portion 301c, so that the wiper base portion 303 moves in the vertical direction.

  The air release valve 219 includes a valve opening 318 provided at one end of the air release tube 242, a valve body 317 capable of closing the valve opening 318, a valve body 317, and a valve lever support shaft 306b. A valve lever member 306 that rotates about a fulcrum and a valve spring 308 that urges the valve lever member 306 toward the valve opening side are configured. Further, the wiper base 303 is provided with a wiper projection 303a. When the wiper base 303 is moved in the vertical direction, a valve projection 306a that can come into contact with the wiper projection 303a is attached to the valve lever member 306. Is provided. Here, the air release valve 219 is provided so as to be opened and closed by a first cam mechanism 322, and the first cam mechanism 322 includes a valve protrusion 306a and a wiper protrusion 303a.

FIGS. 21A and 21B are side views showing the operation of the air release valve according to the present invention. Of these, FIG. 4A shows the closed state of the air release valve, and FIG. 4B shows the open state.
As shown in FIG. 21A, when the wiper base 303 moves upward, the valve protrusion 306a of the valve lever member 306 is separated from the wiper protrusion 303a. That is, the valve lever member 306 does not receive any action from the wiper base portion 303. At this time, the force acting on the valve lever member 306 is only the valve spring 308. Accordingly, the valve lever member 306 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing with the valve lever support shaft 306b as a fulcrum, and contacts the valve element 317 with the valve opening 318, thereby closing the air release valve 219. .

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 21B, when the wiper base 303 is moved downward by the rotation of the first groove cam portion 301, the wiper projection 303a contacts the valve projection 306a and the spring force of the valve spring 308. , The valve lever member 306 is rotated clockwise around the valve lever support shaft 306b. Accordingly, since the valve body 317 is separated from the valve opening, the atmosphere release valve 219 is opened.

  Here, the wiper base 303 is provided with three positions. One of them is a state in which the wiper base 303 is lowered downward as shown in FIG. This is a reference position of 0.00 mm (hereinafter referred to as 0.00 mm position). Subsequently, in the second position, the wiper base 303 is moved upward by 2.00 mm from the position of 0.00 mm, and the valve protrusion 306a and the wiper protrusion 303a are separated from each other as shown in FIG. It is in a state (hereinafter referred to as 2.00 mm position). The third position is a state in which the wiper base 303 is moved upward by 3.00 mm from the position of 0.00 mm (hereinafter referred to as a 3.00 mm position). That is, the 3.00 mm position is a state in which the air release valve 219 is closed as shown in FIG.

FIGS. 22A and 22B show the groove cam portion according to the present invention. Among them, FIG. 4A is a plan view of the groove cam portion, and FIG. 4B is a side sectional view taken along line XX ′ shown in FIG.
The first groove 301a, the second groove 301b, and the connecting inclined portion 301c have been described above, but will be described in more detail here.
As shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, the first cam gear 212 includes a first groove cam portion 301 and a cam portion 213. Among them, the first groove cam portion 301 includes a shallow first groove 301a, a second groove 301b deeper than the first groove 301a inside the first groove 301a, and the first groove 301a and the second groove. And a connecting inclined portion 301c that smoothly connects 301b. When the first groove cam portion 301 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 22 (A), the pin portion 305 hits the first end portion 301f.

  At this time, the gear unit 218 that transmits power is provided with a power transmission restricting portion (not shown) that restricts power transmission. As an example of the power transmission restricting portion, there is a so-called torque limit gear that rotates coaxially with the first cam gear 212 and includes a cork board on the cam gear side. There is something that was energized. That is, when the rotation of the first cam gear 212 is restricted by the contact between the pin portion 305 and the first end portion 301f, the torque limit gear and the first cam gear 212 slip and the power transmission is restricted. Is done.

First, in a state where the pin portion 305 is in contact with the first end portion 301f, the position of the wiper base portion 303 is the 0.00 mm position. When the first groove cam portion 301 rotates in the clockwise direction from that state, the pin portion 305 moves to the innermost side in the radial direction of the groove cam portion by the first displacement portion 301d while moving in the second groove. Accordingly, the position of the wiper base 303 is moved to the 3.00 mm position.
Next, when the first groove cam portion 301 further rotates in the clockwise direction, the pin portion 305 reaches the second displacement portion 301e and moves to the first groove side by the spring force of the wiper spring 307. That is, the pin portion 305 moves to an intermediate position between the first groove 301a and the second groove 301b in the radial direction and hits the second end portion 301g. Accordingly, the position of the wiper base 303 is moved to the 2.00 mm position. At this time, the power transmission restricting portion described above acts and the torque limit gear continues to rotate. That is, the power of the gear unit 218 rotates the negative pressure generating member 283 of the suction pump unit 281.

Subsequently, when the first groove cam portion 301 rotates counterclockwise, the pin portion 305 climbs up the connecting inclined portion 301c and is guided to the first groove 301a, and the spring force of the wiper spring 307 is obtained. As a result, the groove cam portion of the first groove 301a moves outward in the radial direction. Accordingly, the position of the wiper base 303 is again moved to the 0.00 mm position. At this time, the pin portion 305 is retracted / moved to the base opening 303 b against the spring force of the pin spring 304.
Further, when the first groove cam portion 301 rotates counterclockwise, the pin portion 305 moves so as to jump down from the first groove 301a to the second groove 301b and again comes into contact with the first end portion 301f. . At this time, the pin portion 305 protrudes / moves from the base opening 303 b by the spring force of the pin spring 304.

  FIGS. 23A to 23F are side views showing the operations of the wiper base portion and the groove cam portion according to the present invention. FIG. 24 is a timing chart showing a state in each operation of each part according to the present invention. (A) to (F) of FIG. 23 are diagrams showing respective states in the operation names (A) to (F) of FIG. The vertical axis in FIG. 24 indicates the state of each member, and one horizontal axis indicates each operation item. Here, the cap unit position of 4.93 mm is the second position in contact with the recording head, and the cap unit position of 0.00 mm is the first position separated from the recording head. Further, the forward rotation direction of the suction pump unit is clockwise in FIG. 23, and the reverse rotation direction is counterclockwise.

First, a series of operations of the flushing operation will be described.
Recording is performed by the recording head 106 ejecting ink droplets from the nozzle opening array 106a toward the paper while reciprocating in the main scanning direction. During or after the recording, the recording head 106 moves to a position facing the cap unit 202. This state is the state shown in FIG. 24A, the cap unit 202 is in the first position, the wiper base 303 is in the 0.00 mm position, the air release valve 219 is open, and the suction pump unit 281 is stopped. In this state, ink is ejected from the recording head 106 toward the ink absorbing material 209 in the cap portion.

  When the ink discharge is completed, as shown in FIGS. 23B and 24B, the wiping operation of the first groove cam portion 301 is rotated clockwise, and the cap unit 202 remains in the first position and the wiper. The base 303 is in the 3.00 mm position, the air release valve 219 is closed, and the suction pump unit 281 is stopped. Then, when the recording head 106 moves to a position facing the paper, the nozzle opening forming surface 106 b is wiped by the wiper contact portion 302. Thereafter, the recording head 106 reciprocates in the main scanning direction and executes recording again.

Subsequently, the suction operation will be described.
First, after the recording is completed, the recording head 106 moves to a position facing the cap unit 202. Then, as shown in the capping operation in FIGS. 23C and 24C, the first groove cam portion 301 and the cam portion 213 are rotated in the clockwise direction, and the valve lever member 306 is rotated so that the cap unit 202 is moved. 4. Move up to 93 mm, ie to the second position. At this time, the wiper base 303 is in the 3.00 mm position, the air release valve 219 is closed, and the suction pump unit 281 is stopped.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 23D and FIG. 24D, the ink suction operation, the first groove cam portion 301 and the cam portion 213 continue to rotate further clockwise. At this time, as described above, the pin portion 305 moves outward in the radial direction of the first groove cam portion 301 by the second displacement portion 301e. Accordingly, the wiper base 303 moves to the 2.00 mm position. Further, as described above, the pin portion 305 contacts the second end portion 301g, and the power transmission restricting portion described above acts to keep the gear rotating. That is, the power of the gear unit 218 continues to rotate the negative pressure generating member 283 of the suction pump unit 281. Therefore, a negative pressure can be generated in the cap portion and ink can be sucked from the nozzle opening. At this time, the cap unit 202 remains in the second position, the air release valve 219 remains closed, and the suction pump unit 281 is in the forward rotation state.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 23 (E) and FIG. 24 (E) valve opening operation, the first groove cam portion 301 is slightly rotated counterclockwise. At this time, as described above, the pin portion 305 moves from the second groove 301b to the first groove 301a while being guided by the connecting inclined portion 301c. Accordingly, the wiper base 303 is moved to the 0.00 mm position, and the atmosphere release valve 219 is opened. At this time, the cap unit 202 stops after the second position and the suction pump unit 281 are slightly reversed.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 23 (F) and FIG. 24 (F) idle suction operation, the first groove cam portion 301 continues to rotate clockwise. At this time, the pin portion 305 is in contact with the second end portion 301g as described above, and the above-described power transmission restricting portion acts to keep the torque limit gear rotating. That is, the power of the gear unit 218 continues to rotate the negative pressure generating member 283 of the suction pump unit 281. At this time, since the atmosphere release valve 219 is in an open state, the inside of the cap portion does not become negative pressure. The reason why the negative pressure generating member 283 is continuously rotated is that the waste ink held by the ink absorbing material 209 in the cap portion is sucked and sent to a waste ink tank (not shown). The cap unit 202 remains in the second position, and the wiper base 303 remains in the 0.00 mm position.
Then, the cam portion 213 and the first groove cam portion 301 are rotated counterclockwise to reach the state (B) again through the state (A), and the nozzle opening forming surface 106b is moved to the wiper contact portion. Wiping is performed at 302, and the recording head 106 is sent again to a position facing the sheet.

  The recording head ejection characteristic maintaining apparatus 320 according to the present embodiment is a recording head ejection characteristic maintaining apparatus 320 that maintains the ink ejection characteristics of the recording head 106 that ejects ink droplets onto a sheet as a recording material. Atmosphere that is an atmosphere release valve mechanism that communicates with a wiping device 217 as a wiping means movable for wiping and a capping device 230 as a capping means for sealing the recording head 106 and can send air by opening and closing operations. A wiper projection 303a as an action part that exerts an opening / closing force on the atmosphere release valve 219 on the wiping device side, and an action part that receives the opening / closing force on the atmosphere release valve side. The valve projection 306a is provided.

  As a result, the atmosphere release valve 219 can perform opening and closing of the atmosphere release valve 219 using the moving force of the wiping device 217. That is, when the capping device 230 seals the recording head 106, the air release valve 219 can be opened and closed without moving the cap unit 202 of the capping device 230, so that vibration is applied to the cap unit 202. There is no fear of giving. As a result, when the ink suction operation is executed, the inside of the cap portion can be surely set to a negative pressure, and the nozzle openings of the recording head 106 can be in a good state.

Further, during the ink suction operation of the prior art, the wiping device 217 has no effect and the mechanism for moving the wiping device 217 is idle, that is, the operating efficiency of the mechanism for moving is poor. On the other hand, in the present invention, during the ink suction operation, the valve is opened and closed using the mechanism for moving the wiping device 217, so that the operating efficiency of the mechanism for moving is very good.
Furthermore, since the air release valve 219 uses the moving force of the wiping device 217, it is not necessary to provide a new power source, and the recording head discharge characteristic maintaining device 320 can be downsized.

In this embodiment, the wiper protrusion 303a as the action part and the valve protrusion 306a as the action part are constituted by the first cam mechanism 322, and the first cam mechanism 217 is moved by the movement of the wiping device 217. 322 is operated, and is configured to open and close the atmosphere release valve 219.
As a result, the air release valve 219 can accurately open and close the valve by moving the wiping device 217.

Furthermore, the recording head discharge characteristic maintaining device 320 of the present embodiment includes a second cam mechanism 321 that converts power from a power source into a moving force of the wiping device 217. The second cam mechanism 321 includes a cam portion. The first groove cam portion 301 and a pin portion 305 as a cam follower provided on the wiping device side. When the first groove cam portion 301 rotates, the rotation center of the first groove cam portion 301 is set. On the other hand, the pin portion 305 moves toward and away, and the wiper base 303 is thereby moved.
As a result, since the wiping device 217 can be accurately positioned, the wiping device 217 can accurately open and close the atmosphere release valve 219.

[Other embodiment 1]
FIGS. 25A and 25B show a second groove cam portion according to another embodiment 1. FIG. Among these, FIG. 25A shows a plan view, and FIG. 25B shows a YY ′ cross-sectional view in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 25A and 25B, the second cam gear 400 includes a second groove cam portion 401 and a cam portion 213. Among these, the cam portion 213 is the same as the cam portion 213 described above, and therefore the second groove cam portion 401 will be mainly described here. The second groove cam portion 401 includes groove portions 403a and 403b having a first depth and groove portions 406a and 406b having a second depth. In the radial direction of the second cam gear 400, the groove portions 403a and 403b having the first depth and the groove portions 406a and 406b having the second depth are the groove portions 403a and 403b having the first depth and the groove portions 406a having the second depth. It is separated by a wall portion 407 provided between 406b and 406b.

Further, as shown in FIG. 25B, the first depth grooves 403a and 403b are provided deeper than the second depth grooves 406a and 406b. Then, as shown in FIG. 25A, in the circumferential direction of the second cam gear 400, the first depth that smoothly connects the groove portions 403a and 403b having the first depth and the groove portions 406a and 406b having the second depth. A connecting inclined portion 405a and a second connecting inclined portion 405b are provided.
The other embodiment 1 will be described below using the second cam gear 400 instead of the first cam gear 212 in the above-described recording head ejection characteristic maintaining device 320.

When the second groove cam portion 401 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 25A, the pin portion hits the first end portion 402a.
At this time, the gear unit 218 that transmits power is provided with a power transmission restricting portion (not shown) that restricts power transmission. As an example of the power transmission restricting portion, there is a so-called torque limit gear that rotates coaxially with the second cam gear 400 and has a cork board on the second cam gear side, and the torque limit gear is secondly driven by an urging force such as a spring. Some are biased toward the cam gear 400. That is, when the rotation of the second cam gear 400 is restricted by the contact between the pin portion 305 and the first end portion 402a, the torque limit gear and the second cam gear 400 slip and the power transmission is restricted. Is done.

  First, in a state where the pin portion 305 is in contact with the first end portion 402a, the position of the wiper base portion 303 is the 0.00 mm position. When the second groove cam portion 401 rotates clockwise from this state, the pin portion 305 moves in the radial direction of the second groove cam portion 401 by the first displacement portion 404a while moving the groove portion 403a having the first depth. Move inward. Accordingly, the position of the wiper base 303 is moved to the 3.00 mm position.

  Next, when the second groove cam portion 401 further rotates in the clockwise direction, the pin portion 305 moves up the first connecting inclined portion 405a to the groove portion 406a having the second depth. At this time, the pin portion 305 is retracted / moved to the base opening 303 b against the spring force of the pin spring 304. Then, the pin portion 305 moves directly through the groove portion 406a having the second depth and then moves so as to jump down to the groove portion 403b having the first depth, so as to hit the second end portion 402b. At this time, the power transmission restricting portion described above acts and the torque limit gear continues to rotate. That is, the power of the gear unit 218 can rotate the negative pressure generating member 283 of the suction pump unit 281. Further, when the pin portion 305 moves so as to jump down into the groove portion 403b having the first depth, the pin portion 305 projects and moves from the base opening 303b by the spring force of the pin spring 304.

Subsequently, when the second groove cam portion 401 is slightly rotated counterclockwise, the pin portion 305 is guided by the second displacement portion 404b and moves outward of the second groove cam portion 401 in the radial direction. . Accordingly, the position of the wiper base 303 is again moved to the 0.00 mm position.
Here, when the second groove cam portion 401 rotates clockwise, the pin portion 305 contacts the third end portion 402c. At this time, since the power transmission restricting portion described above acts, the negative pressure generating member 283 of the suction pump portion 281 can be rotated. That is, the suction pump unit 281 can be operated with the wiper base 303 positioned at the 0.00 mm position.

Then, when the second groove cam portion 401 rotates counterclockwise, the pin portion 305 moves from the first depth groove portion 403b to the second connection inclined portion 405b, and moves up the second connection inclined portion 405b. It moves to the groove part 406b of the depth. At this time, the pin portion 305 is retracted / moved to the base opening 303 b against the spring force of the pin spring 304.
Still further, when the second groove cam portion 401 rotates counterclockwise, the pin portion 305 moves straight through the second depth groove portion 406b and then jumps down to the first depth groove portion 403a. Again, it hits the first end 402a. At this time, the power transmission restricting portion described above acts and the torque limit gear continues to rotate. That is, the power of the gear unit 218 rotates the negative pressure generating member 283 of the suction pump unit 281. Further, when the pin portion 305 moves so as to jump down into the groove portion 403 a having the first depth, the pin portion 305 projects and moves from the base opening 303 b by the spring force of the pin spring 304.

  As described above, when the second cam gear 400 is used instead of the first cam gear 212 described above, the second groove cam portion 401 always moves to the first displacement when the pin portion 305 is moved in the radial direction of the second cam gear 400. Since the pin portion 305 is forcibly moved by the portion and the second displacement portion, the spring force of the wiper spring 307 (see FIG. 20) is not required. That is, it is not necessary to provide the wiper spring 307 (see FIG. 20).

  FIGS. 26A to 26F are side views showing operations of the wiper base portion and the second groove cam portion according to the present invention. FIG. 27 is a timing chart showing the states of the respective operations according to the present invention. 26A to 26F are diagrams showing respective states in the operation names (A) to (F) of FIG. The vertical axis in FIG. 27 indicates the state of each member, and one horizontal axis indicates each operation item. Here, the cap unit position of 4.93 mm is the second position in contact with the recording head, and the cap unit position of 0.00 mm is the first position separated from the recording head. Further, the forward rotation direction of the suction pump unit is clockwise in FIG. 26, and the reverse rotation direction is counterclockwise.

First, a series of operations of the flushing operation will be described.
Recording is performed by the recording head 106 ejecting ink droplets from the nozzle opening array 106a toward the paper while reciprocating in the main scanning direction. During or after the recording, the recording head 106 moves to a position facing the cap unit 202. This state is the state shown in FIG. 27A, the cap unit 202 is in the first position, the wiper base 303 is in the 0.00 mm position, the air release valve 219 is open, and the suction pump unit 281 is stopped. In this state, ink is ejected from the recording head 106 toward the ink absorbing material 209 in the cap portion.

  When the ink discharge is completed, as shown in FIGS. 26B and 27B, the wiping operation of the second groove cam portion 401 is rotated clockwise, and the cap unit 202 remains in the first position and the wiper. The base 303 is in the 3.00 mm position, the air release valve 219 is closed, and the suction pump unit 281 is stopped. Then, when the recording head 106 moves to a position facing the paper, the nozzle opening forming surface 106 b is wiped by the wiper contact portion 302. Thereafter, the recording head 106 reciprocates in the main scanning direction and executes recording again.

Subsequently, the suction operation will be described.
First, after the recording is completed, the recording head 106 moves to a position facing the cap unit 202. Then, as shown in the capping operation in FIGS. 26C and 27C, the second groove cam portion 401 and the cam portion 213 are rotated in the clockwise direction, and the valve lever member 306 is rotated so that the cap unit 202 is moved. 4. Move up to 93 mm, ie to the second position. At this time, the wiper base 303 is in the 3.00 mm position, the air release valve 219 is closed, and the suction pump unit 281 is stopped.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 26 (D) and FIG. 27 (D) ink suction operation, the second groove cam portion 401 and the cam portion 213 continue to rotate further clockwise. At this time, the pin portion 305 contacts the second end portion 402b as described above, and the above-described power transmission restricting portion acts to keep the gear rotating. That is, the power of the gear unit 218 continues to rotate the negative pressure generating member 283 of the suction pump unit 281. Therefore, a negative pressure can be generated in the cap portion and ink can be sucked from the nozzle opening. At this time, the cap unit 202 remains in the second position, the air release valve 219 remains closed, and the suction pump unit 281 is in the forward rotation state.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 26 (E) and 27 (E), the second groove cam portion 401 slightly rotates counterclockwise. At this time, as described above, the pin portion 305 is guided by the second displacement portion 404b and moves to the outside of the second groove cam portion 401 in the radial direction. Accordingly, the wiper base 303 again moves to the 0.00 mm position, and the atmosphere release valve 219 is opened. At this time, the cap unit 202 is in the second position, and the suction pump unit 281 stops after being slightly reversed.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 26 (F) and FIG. 27 (F) idle suction operation, the second groove cam portion 401 continues to rotate clockwise. At this time, the pin portion 305 abuts on the third end portion 402c as described above, and the above-described power transmission restricting portion acts, so that the torque limit gear continues to rotate. That is, the power of the gear unit 218 continues to rotate the negative pressure generating member 283 of the suction pump unit 281. At this time, since the atmosphere release valve 219 is in an open state, the inside of the cap portion does not become negative pressure. The reason why the negative pressure generating member 283 is continuously rotated is that the waste ink held by the ink absorbing material 209 in the cap portion is sucked and sent to a waste ink tank (not shown). The cap unit 202 remains in the second position, and the wiper base 303 remains in the 0.00 mm position.
Then, the cam portion 213 and the second groove cam portion 401 are rotated counterclockwise to reach the state (B) again through the state (A), and the nozzle opening forming surface 106b is moved to the wiper contact portion. Wiping is performed at 302, and the recording head 106 is sent again to a position facing the sheet.

[Other embodiment 2]
FIG. 28 is a side view of the first position of the cap unit of the capping apparatus according to another embodiment 2 as viewed from the 80-digit side. FIG. 29 shows a position between the first position and the second position of the capping unit, and FIG. 30 shows the second position.
As shown in FIGS. 28 to 30, at the first position of the cap unit 202, the leg portions 204 c and 204 c provided on the cap portion 204 are in contact with the base protrusions 362 and 362 provided on the base portion 215. Yes. Accordingly, the position of the cap portion 204 in the height direction can be determined with high accuracy at the first position. That is, at the time of flushing, the distance between the cap unit 204 and the recording head 106 can be provided so that no mist is generated and the cap unit 204 and the recording head 106 are not in contact with each other.

The slider unit 205 is provided with a pair of slider inclined portions 356 and 356 in the transport direction. On the other hand, guide inclined portions 360 and 360 are provided on slider guides 215a and 215a provided in a pair in the conveying direction of the base portion 215. The guide inclined portions 360 and 360 are configured such that the distance between the pair of slider inclined portions 356 and 356 and the pair of slider guides 215a and 215a gradually decreases in the conveying direction provided in the base portion 215. Is provided.
A pair of protrusions 355, 355,... Are provided on the lower surface of the cap portion 204 on the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction on the base side of the leg portions 204c, 204c. On the other hand, V-shaped portions 358 and 358 are provided in the vicinity of the leg insertion opening on the bottom surface of the slider portion 205. Since the other members are the same as those described above, the same reference numerals are used and description thereof is omitted.

  When the slider portion 205 moves upward from the first position of the cap unit 202 shown in FIG. 28 to the position shown in FIG. 29 and then to the second position shown in FIG. 30, the slider inclined portions 356 and 356 and the guide inclined portion. A gap is generated between 360 and 360. Accordingly, the slider unit 205 and the cap unit 204 are released from the restriction of the base unit 215 in the transport direction as they move upward. Then, the first claw portions 214c and 214c and the second claw portions 214d and 214d are guided and positioned relatively accurately with respect to the recording head 106.

  On the other hand, when the slider unit 205 is pushed down from the second position of the cap unit 202 shown in FIG. 30 to the position shown in FIG. 29 and then to the first position shown in FIG. 28, the conveying direction provided in the slider unit 205 A pair of slider inclined portions 356 and 356, and a guide inclined portion 360 provided so that the distance between the pair of slider guides 215a and 215a gradually decreases downward in the conveying direction provided in the base portion 215. 360 is in contact with the slider portion 205 so that the slider portion 205 is guided. Accordingly, the slider portion 205 can be accurately positioned with respect to the base portion 215 in the transport direction that is the sub-scanning direction at the first position.

  Further, when moving from the first position to the second position, the V-shaped portions 358 and 358 provided on the bottom surface of the slider portion 205 are the lower surface of the cap portion 204 and on the base side of the leg portions 204c and 204c. It is provided so as to engage with a pair of protrusions 355, 355,... Provided on the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction (see FIG. 31). Accordingly, the cap unit 204 can swing in the main scanning direction with respect to the slider unit 205. Accordingly, when moving from the first position to the second position, the slider portion 205 is biased to the 80th digit side in the main scanning direction, so that a frictional resistance is generated between the second claw portion and the recording head 106. Even if the slider portion 205 is tilted in the main scanning direction with respect to the recording head 106, the cap portion 204 swings with respect to the slider portion 205 and corrects the posture so as to be securely connected to the recording head 106. Can abut. As a result, the cap part 204 can reliably seal the nozzle opening row 106a.

Further, by engaging the protruding portions 355, 355,... With the V-shaped portions 358, 358, the position of the cap portion 204 in the main scanning direction with respect to the slider portion 205 can be determined more accurately at the second position. Can do. At this time, as described above, the relative position of the slider unit 205 and the recording head 106 is accurately determined by the second claw unit. Accordingly, the relative position of the cap unit 204 with respect to the recording head 106 in the main scanning direction can be determined with high accuracy.
In this embodiment, the ridge is provided on the cap portion side and the V-shaped portion is provided on the slider portion side. However, as a reverse configuration, the V-shaped portion is provided on the cap portion side and the ridge portion is provided on the slider portion side. Of course, it may be.

[Other embodiment 3]
[Peeling off the cap when the capping unit descends]
Then, the effect of the 1st peeling nail | claw part 351 and the 2nd peeling claw part 352 of the cap part 204 is demonstrated. Here, since members other than the first peeling claw portion 351, the second peeling claw portion 352, the first restriction portion 353, and the second restriction portion 354 are the same as those described above, the reference numerals are the same. And the description thereof is omitted.

  FIGS. 31 to 33 are front sectional views showing the operation of the capping apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 31 to 32, the slider portion is cut downstream of the cap portion. Of these, FIG. 31 shows a second position of the same cap unit as FIG. 30, and FIG. 32 shows a state where the slider portion is slightly pushed down from the position shown in FIG. 33 shows a state where the slider portion is further pushed down from the position shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 31, the cap part 204 is provided with the first peeling claw part 351 and the second peeling claw part 352 diagonally with respect to the sealing surface of the cap part 204 as described above. .
Here, the “sealing surface” refers to a surface formed by a contact portion when the cap contact portion 203 contacts the nozzle opening forming surface 106b.

On the other hand, the slider portion 205 is provided with a first restricting portion 353 and a second restricting portion 354 at positions where they can come into contact with the first peeling claw portion 351 and the second peeling claw portion 352 of the cap portion 204, respectively. It has been. The first peeling claw portion 351, the second peeling claw portion 352, the first restriction portion 353, and the second restriction portion 354 are provided so as to restrict the relative positions of the slider portion 205 and the cap portion 204. Yes. The distance H1 between the first peeling claw portion 351 and the first restriction portion 353 and the distance H2 between the second peeling claw portion 352 and the second restriction portion 354 are:
Distance H1 <distance H2
The relationship is established.

  As shown in FIG. 32, even when the lever member 210 is rotated from the state shown in FIG. 31 and the slider portion 205 is gradually pushed down, the urging force of the two cap springs 211 and 211 and the solidification of the ink There is a possibility that the cap unit 204 remains in close contact with the nozzle opening forming surface 106b of the recording head 106. In this case, when the slider unit 205 moves downward, the first claw portions 214c and 214c and the second claw portions 214d and 214d are separated from the recording head 106. Thereafter, the first peeling claw portion 351 and the first restriction portion 353 come into contact with each other, so that a force to push down the cap portion 204 acts on the corresponding scanning location on the 1st digit side in the main scanning direction and on the upstream side in the transport direction. To do.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 33, when the lever member 210 further pushes down the slider portion 205, the second peel-off claw portion 352 and the second restricting portion 354 are moved by the time difference due to the difference between the distance H1 and the distance H2. Since the contact is made, a force to push down the cap portion 204 acts on the 80-digit side in the main scanning direction and the downstream side in the transport direction of the contact point. That is, the cap portion 204 that is in close contact with the nozzle opening forming surface 106b is moved from the 1st digit side in the main scanning direction and upstream in the transport direction to the 80th digit side in the main scanning direction on the diagonal line of the sealing surface of the cap portion 204 and downstream in the transport direction Toward the nozzle opening forming surface 106b.

At this time, by providing a time difference depending on the difference between the distance H1 and the distance H2, the cap portion 204 that is in close contact with the nozzle opening forming surface 106b is not peeled off at a stretch, but gradually peeled off from the edge portion of the cap portion 204. Therefore, the cap part 204 can be peeled off from the nozzle opening forming surface 106b with a small force as compared with the case of peeling at a stroke.
Further, since the ink is gradually peeled off from the edge portion of the cap portion 204, the scattering of ink at the time of peeling can be reduced as compared with the case of peeling at a stroke.
In the present embodiment, two sets (two locations) of the peeling claw portions (351, 352) and the restriction portions (353, 354) are provided, but it is needless to say that three sets (three locations) or more may be used.

In the present embodiment, the one-digit side in the main scanning direction is configured to be a relatively short distance H1. That is, in the cap unit 204, the side opposite to the side on which the paper is conveyed is first peeled off from the nozzle opening forming surface 106b, so that even if the ink is scattered when the paper is peeled off, Can be prevented from being scattered to the side to be conveyed. As a result, even when the ink is scattered at the time of peeling, there is no possibility that the paper and the conveyance path are soiled by the scattered ink.
Incidentally, by providing an ink scattering prevention wall between the two second claw portions 214d and 214d of the slider portion 205, even when ink is scattered to the 1st digit side in the main scanning direction, it is scattered to the surroundings. Can be prevented.

In the present embodiment, a plurality of the first peeling claw portion 351 and the first restriction portion 353, the second peeling claw portion 352 and the second restriction portion 354 as the restriction portion are provided,
The first peeling claw portion 351 and the first regulating portion 353, the second peeling claw portion 352 and the second regulating portion 354, etc. act at different timings, respectively, and the first peeling as the regulating portion that acts first. The peeling claw portion 351 and the first restricting portion 353 are provided on the edge side away from the center of the cap portion 204. Here, the “edge” refers to the outline of the cap contact portion 203 and includes sides and corners.

Further, the first peeling claw portion 351 and the first restricting portion 353 as the first acting restricting portion are provided on the corner side away from the center of the cap portion 204, and the second acting as the restricting portion acting last. The peeling claw part 352 and the second restriction part 354 are diagonally opposite to the corner part side where the first peeling claw part 351 and the first restriction part 353 are provided as the first action restriction part. It is provided on the corner side. Here, the “corner side” refers to the vicinity of the corner and may be biased toward the corner with respect to the center of one side.
Furthermore, the first peeling claw portion 351 and the first restriction portion 353 as the restriction portions that act first are distant from the platen 105 (see FIG. 2) on the conveyance path in which the sheet is conveyed in the main scanning direction. It is provided in the side.

[Other embodiment 4]
FIG. 34 is a schematic plan view of a capping device according to another embodiment 4.
Here, since it is the same as that of embodiment mentioned above except a cap spring, the code | symbol is used and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 34, the capping device 230 includes three cap springs 411, 411, and 411 between the base portion 215 and the slider portion 205 described above. The three cap springs 411, 411, 411 are arranged in a plurality in the main scanning direction X and the sub-scanning direction Y. That is, they are provided so as not to be arranged in series in the main scanning direction X or the sub-scanning direction Y. Therefore, when the cap unit 202 moves to the second position, the first claw portions 214c and 214c and the second claw portions 214d and 214d provided on the slider portion 205 come into contact with the recording head 106, and friction force Even when there is a risk that the posture of the slider portion 205 with respect to the nozzle opening forming surface 106b may become unstable, a plurality of cap springs 411, 411, 411 provided in the main scanning direction X and the sub-scanning direction Y. The urging force can stabilize the posture of the slider portion 205 with respect to the nozzle opening forming surface 106b. That is, the posture of the slider unit 205 can be made parallel to the nozzle opening forming surface 106b. Therefore, the posture of the cap portion 204 disposed in the slider portion can be made parallel to the nozzle opening forming surface 106b. As a result, the cap contact portion 203 of the cap portion 204 can contact the nozzle opening forming surface 106b of the recording head 106 without any gap.

In addition, although the peeling nail | claw part of this embodiment was formed in the cap part, when it forms in a slider part, it cannot be overemphasized that the same effect can be acquired.
Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

1 is an overall perspective view showing an outline of a recording apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is an overall plan view schematically showing a recording apparatus according to the present invention. The perspective view which shows the ink suction device which concerns on this invention The top view which shows the ink suction device which concerns on this invention The lower perspective view which shows the inside of the suction pump part which concerns on this invention The principal part expansion perspective view of the capping apparatus concerning this invention The side view which shows the 1st position of the capping apparatus based on this invention Front sectional view in FIG. Side view showing the operation of the capping device according to the present invention. Front sectional view in FIG. The side view which shows the 2nd position of the capping apparatus based on this invention Front sectional view in FIG. (A)-(C) are side views which show the stroke of the capping apparatus based on this invention. The exploded perspective view of the cap unit concerning the present invention (A) (B) is sectional side view which shows operation | movement of the capping apparatus based on this invention. (A) (B) is sectional side view which shows operation | movement of the capping apparatus based on this invention. Side sectional view showing the operation of the capping device according to the present invention. Side view showing a conventional capping device The front perspective view which shows the air release valve which concerns on this invention The rear perspective view which shows the air release valve which concerns on this invention (A) and (B) are side views showing the operation of the air release valve according to the present invention. (A) (B) is the top view and sectional side view which show the groove cam part which concerns on this invention (A)-(F) is a side view which shows operation | movement of the wiper base and groove cam part which concern on this invention The timing chart figure which shows the state in each operation | movement of each part which concerns on this invention (A) and (B) are the top view and sectional drawing which show the groove cam part which concerns on other Embodiment 1. FIG. (A)-(F) is a side view which shows operation | movement of the wiper base and groove cam part which concern on other Embodiment 1. FIG. The timing chart figure which shows the state in each operation | movement of each part which concerns on other Embodiment 1. The side view which shows the 1st position of the capping apparatus concerning other Embodiment 2. The side view which shows operation | movement of the capping apparatus which concerns on other Embodiment 2. The side view which shows the 2nd position of the capping apparatus concerning other Embodiment 2. Front sectional drawing which shows operation | movement of the capping apparatus which concerns on other Embodiment 3. Front sectional drawing which shows operation | movement of the capping apparatus which concerns on other Embodiment 3. Front sectional drawing which shows operation | movement of the capping apparatus which concerns on other Embodiment 3. The top view which shows the capping apparatus which concerns on other Embodiment 4.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Recording apparatus, 101 Paper cassette, 102 Carriage motor, 103 Paper guide, 104 Feeding motor, 105 Platen, 106 Recording head, 106a Nozzle opening row, 106b Nozzle opening formation surface, 107 Carriage, 110 Ink supply tube, 143 Recording section, 200 Ink suction device, 202 Cap unit, 203 Cap contact section, 204 Cap section, 204a Peeling claw section, 204b Locking projection, 204c Leg section, 205 Slider section, 206 First taper section, 207 Slider rib, 208 Second taper portion, 209 Ink absorbing material, 210 Lever member, 210a First lever arm, 210b Rotating shaft, 210c Second lever arm, 210d Lever opening, 211 Cap spring, 212 Cam gear, 2 3 cam part, 214 claw part, 214a first inclined part, 214b first claw contact surface, 214c first claw part, 214d second claw part, 214e second inclined part, 214f second claw contact surface, 215 Substrate, 215a Slider guide, 215b Wiper guide rib, 216 Holding member, 217 Wiping device, 218 Gear unit, 219 Air release valve, 227 Air release opening, 228 Suction opening, 230 Capping device, 241 Suction tube, 242 Air release tube , 281 Suction pump part, 282 Pump tube, 283 Negative pressure generating member, 302 Wiper contact part, 303 Wiper base part, 303d Guide groove, 311 Leg engagement part, 312 Leg taper part, 355 Projection part, 356 Slider inclination part 358 V-shaped part, 359 Slider position restricting part, 3 0 guide ramp section, 362 base projections, 363 leg insertion opening, 401 recording head, 402 the cap portion, 403 pawl portion

Claims (8)

A capping device comprising a cap unit that is movable to a first position spaced from a head that ejects ink and to a second position that contacts the head,
The cap unit is
A slider unit guidable pawl portion abuts is formed on the side surface of the head,
A cap portion that is accommodated in the slider portion, moves relative to the slider portion in the moving direction between the first position and the second position, and contacts the head;
To one of said slider portion and the cap portion, restricting portion is provided to the other and engage to regulate the relative positions to each other,
When the cap unit moves from the second position to the first position, only the slider part starts to move, and the cap part remains stopped at the second position.
After the slider part moves to the first position side and the claw part of the slider part moves away from the head, the slider part further moves to the first position side, whereby the restriction part is capping device while the abutted against engagement with the slider portion and the cap portion, characterized in that it is configured to move to said first position together.   2. The capping device according to claim 1, wherein when the claw portion of the slider portion is guided by the head when moving from the first position to the second position, the cap portion is moved to the head. A capping device characterized by abutting. 3. The capping device according to claim 1 , wherein the slider unit is moved a predetermined distance from the state where the cap unit is located at the second position to the first position side with respect to the cap unit. 4. And when the restriction portion is engaged with the other,
A plurality of the restricting portions are provided,
Since the predetermined distance is configured to be different depending on each restricting portion, the plurality of restricting portions are engaged at different timings after the claw portion of the slider portion is separated from the head,
The restricting portion to be engaged first is provided on the edge side away from the center of the cap portion , and the predetermined distance until engaging is the shortest among the plurality of restricting portions. capping and wherein the are. The capping device according to claim 3, wherein the restriction portion that operates first is provided on an upstream side or a downstream side where the recording material is conveyed,
The capping portion that acts last is provided on the opposite side diagonally with respect to the upstream side or the downstream side on which the recording material provided with the regulation portion that acts first is conveyed. apparatus.   5. The capping device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the restricting portion that operates first is provided on a side opposite to a side on which the recording material is conveyed. A capping device comprising a cap unit that is movable to a first position spaced from a head that ejects ink and to a second position that contacts the head,
The cap unit is
A slider portion formed with a claw portion capable of being guided to the head;
A cap portion that is accommodated in the slider portion, moves relative to the slider portion in the moving direction between the first position and the second position, and contacts the head;
To one of said slider portion and the cap portion, regulating portion for regulating the relative position of each other engaged the other and engaging the setting vignetting,
When the slider unit moves a predetermined distance from the state where the cap unit is positioned at the second position to the first position side with respect to the cap unit, the restricting unit engages with the other. Configuration,
A plurality of the restricting portions are provided,
Since the predetermined distance is configured to be different depending on each restricting portion, when the cap unit moves from the second position to the first position, the restricting portions are engaged at different timings. Combine the cap part away from the head,
The restricting portion to be engaged first is provided on the edge side away from the center of the cap portion , and the predetermined distance until engaging is the shortest among the plurality of restricting portions. capping and wherein the are. A recording unit for performing recording on a recording material by a head;
A recording apparatus comprising an ejection characteristic maintaining unit for maintaining the ejection characteristics of the recording unit,
The discharge characteristic maintaining unit is
A recording apparatus comprising the capping device according to claim 1. A capping device having a cap unit movable to a first position separated from the liquid ejecting head and to a second position in contact with the liquid ejecting head is provided, from a liquid ejecting hole provided in the liquid ejecting head A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid onto an ejection target medium,
The cap unit is
A slider portion formed with a claw portion capable of being in contact with and guided by a side surface of the liquid jet head;
A cap portion that is accommodated in the slider portion, moves relative to the slider portion in the movement direction between the first position and the second position, and contacts the liquid ejecting head. ,
To one of said slider portion and the cap portion, restricting portion is provided to the other and engage to regulate the relative positions to each other,
When the cap unit moves from the second position to the first position, only the slider part starts to move, and the cap part remains stopped at the second position.
After the slider part moves to the first position side and the claw part of the slider part moves away from the head, the slider part further moves to the first position side, whereby the restriction part is a liquid ejecting apparatus other of the contact engaged with the slider section and the cap section is characterized by being configured to move to said first position together.

Images