JP4844413B2 - Fluid ejection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid ejecting apparatus such as an ink jet printer.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects ink (fluid) to a target from a nozzle opening formed in a recording head (fluid ejecting head), for example, an ink jet printer (hereinafter simply referred to as “printer”) is widely known. ing. In such a printer, in general, a drive signal that is unrelated to printing at the time of non-printing from the nozzle opening of the recording head for the purpose of suppressing clogging of the nozzle opening due to thickened ink and adjusting the meniscus of the nozzle opening. Thus, so-called flushing is performed in which ink is forcibly ejected as waste ink (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

  That is, in the printer of Patent Document 1, a guide shaft is installed along the longitudinal direction of the printer, and a carriage on which the recording head is mounted is provided so as to reciprocate along the guide shaft. In addition, a cap member that can come into contact with the recording head by surrounding the nozzle opening formed on the nozzle forming surface by moving up and down is provided at the home position on the right end side in the printer. In the flushing region on the left end side of the printer, a flushing box containing an ink absorbing material is disposed with the opening facing upward. When the carriage moves to the flushing area during printing, the waste ink is forcibly ejected (flushed) into the flushing box located below from the nozzle opening of the recording head and stored in the flushing box. The ink is absorbed and held by the ink absorbing material.

Further, the printer of Patent Document 2 is provided with a rotating drum that rotates around a horizontal axis below the nozzle formation surface of the recording head, and a wiping means and a flushing box are held at the tip of the shaft of the rotating drum. The arm member thus supported is supported so as to swing as the rotating drum rotates. When flushing, the recording head is first moved upward from the rotating drum to a non-printing position by a predetermined distance, and then the arm member swings as the rotating drum rotates, so that the flushing box The wiping means is moved to a liquid receiving position directly below the nozzle forming surface. In this state, the waste ink is forcibly ejected (flushing) from the nozzle opening of the recording head into the flushing box at the liquid receiving position, and is absorbed and held by the ink absorbing material accommodated in the flushing box. It has become.
JP 2002-86762 A JP 2001-30507 A

  By the way, in the printers of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the flushing box is housed and arranged in the printer together with a variety of other mechanism members other than the flushing box. is there. In particular, when the flushing box is configured to be movable in the printer as in the printer of Patent Document 2, the size of the flushing box tends to be further reduced in consideration of convenience during movement.

  Therefore, when waste ink is frequently discharged (flushing) and the amount of waste ink discharged into the flushing box (flushing amount) increases, there is a limit to the amount of waste ink stored. In a flushing box with a limited size, there is a possibility that waste ink cannot be received. That is, the ink (liquid) receiving ability of the flushing box may not be maintained.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems existing in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to receive and store a fluid discharged as a waste fluid from a nozzle opening of a fluid ejecting head. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid ejecting apparatus capable of maintaining a fluid receiving ability in a receiver well over a long period of time.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to a fluid ejecting apparatus includes: a fluid ejecting head that ejects fluid from a nozzle opening ; and a cap opening corresponding to the fluid ejecting head that surrounds the nozzle opening. and can contact the cap member to the ejection head, the cap and the suction means driven when the internal member to suck the fluid, the said fluid the fluid discharged from the nozzle openings as waste fluid in the fluid ejection head fluid ejecting provided with a fluid receptor outlet formed on the bottom surface portion with a movable between a non-receiving position spaced from acceptable receiving position and the receiving position in a state of being separated from the injection head When the fluid receiver is in the receiving position, the cap member surrounds the discharge port by the cap opening on the bottom surface of the fluid receiver. The fluid receiving body can be sucked and discharged from the fluid receiving body through the discharge port and the cap member by driving the suction means, while the fluid receiving body is in the non-receiving position. In a certain state, the cap member is brought into contact with the fluid ejecting head so that the nozzle opening surrounds the nozzle opening, and the fluid can be sucked and discharged from the cap member by driving the suction means. There is .

According to this configuration, when fluid is discharged as waste fluid from the nozzle opening of the fluid ejecting head in a state where the fluid receiver is in the receiving position , the fluid is received by the fluid receiver and stored in the fluid receiver. The When the fluid receiving body is sucked by the suction means through the cap member , the fluid stored in the fluid receiving body is discharged out of the fluid receiver through the cap member . Therefore, by sucking and discharging the fluid from the fluid receptor to the outside of the fluid receptor by the suction means, the fluid receiving ability of the fluid receptor can be well maintained for a long period of time.

In addition, since the fluid receiver that receives the fluid discharged as the waste fluid from the nozzle opening of the fluid ejecting head is not configured to be fixedly disposed, it is not necessary to secure such a fixed disposing space. Can contribute to space saving. Further, when the fluid receptor is configured to be movable in this manner, the fluid receptor tends to be miniaturized in consideration of the convenience of movement. In such a case, the fluid receptor is stored in the fluid receptor. In the present invention in which the fluid can be discharged out of the fluid receptor by suction of the suction means, the fluid receiving ability can be maintained well.

Even when the fluid receiving body receives the fluid discharged as the waste fluid from the nozzle opening of the fluid ejecting head at the receiving position and the storage amount is full, the receiving position does not move from the receiving position. In this case, the fluid can be sucked and discharged from the bottom surface through the cap member by the suction means.

Moreover, when the fluid receptor is in the receiving position, the caps member abuts so as to be in a state of surrounding the discharge opening by the cap opening for the bottom portion of the fluid receiving member, the cap member is a long period of time fluid even in a non-contact state with respect to the injection head in the state the cap opening is covering the fluid receptor Runode, such a situation that the interior of the cap member dries can be suppressed over. On the other hand, in the fluid receptor in a state where the cap member is covered with the bottom surface portion, when the inside of the cap member is sucked by the suction means in this state, the fluid is discharged from the fluid receptor through the cap member . Is sucked out. Therefore, the cap member can be effectively utilized when the fluid is sucked and discharged from the fluid receptor to the outside of the fluid receptor, and the drying of the inside of the cap member can be suppressed by the fluid passing through the cap member at that time.

In the fluid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the cap member may be in a contact position where the cap opening portion is in contact with the fluid ejecting head with the cap opening surrounding the nozzle opening, and a non-contact position below the contact position. The fluid receiver is configured to be movable between the receiving position and the non-receiving position in a direction crossing a direction in which the cap member moves between the contact position and the non-contact position. Move between positions.

In the fluid ejecting apparatus of the invention, the posture of the fluid receptor changes while moving between the receiving position and the non-receiving position, and the non-receiving position is more than the posture at the receiving position. The occupation space in the horizontal direction is narrow.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a fluid ejecting apparatus according to the invention is embodied in an ink jet printer will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 10 as a fluid ejecting apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a main body case 11 having a substantially box shape. A platen 12 is installed along the longitudinal direction (the main scanning direction which is the left-right direction in FIG. 1) in the lower part of the main body case 11, and a waste ink tank (not shown) is provided below the platen 12. It has been. The platen 12 is a support for supporting the paper P as a target, and based on the driving force of the paper feed motor 14 of the paper feed mechanism 13, the platen 12 is moved in the sub-scanning direction (front and rear in FIG. 1). Direction).

  A guide shaft 15 is installed above the platen 12 in the main body case 11, and a carriage 16 is supported on the guide shaft 15 so as to be movable. A driving pulley 17 and a driven pulley 18 are rotatably supported at positions corresponding to both ends of the guide shaft 15 on the inner surface of the main body case 11. A carriage motor 19 serving as a drive source for reciprocating the carriage 16 is coupled to the drive pulley 17, and a timing belt 20 that fixes and supports the carriage 16 is hung between the pair of pulleys 17 and 18. . Accordingly, the carriage 16 is movable in the main scanning direction via the timing belt 20 by driving the carriage motor 19 while being guided by the guide shaft 15.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a recording head 21 as a fluid ejecting head is provided on the lower surface side of the carriage 16. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of nozzle openings 22 are arranged in a plurality of rows (five rows in FIG. 2) along the front-rear direction on the nozzle forming surface 21 a formed on the lower surface of the recording head 21. 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D, and 22E are formed at regular intervals in the left-right direction. Incidentally, in this embodiment, the nozzle row 22E located at the rightmost end in FIG. 2 is formed by the nozzle openings 22 that eject black ink for black and white printing, and the other nozzle rows 22A to 22D are for color printing. It is formed by nozzle openings 22 for ejecting color ink.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of ink cartridges 23 (five in this embodiment) for supplying ink as a fluid to the recording head 21 are detachably mounted on the carriage 16. ing. Each of these ink cartridges 23 individually corresponds to each of the nozzle rows 22A to 22E formed on the nozzle forming surface 21a of the recording head 21, and passes through an ink channel (not shown) formed in the recording head 21. The ink is individually supplied to the nozzle openings 22 of the corresponding nozzle rows 22A to 22E. Incidentally, in this embodiment, black ink for black and white printing is stored in the ink cartridge 23 located at the rightmost end in FIG. 1, and each color ink for color printing is stored in each of the other ink cartridges 23. ing.

  Furthermore, in one end portion (right end portion in FIG. 1) of the main body case 11, that is, in a non-printing area where the paper P does not reach, the carriage is used when the printer 10 is powered off or when the nozzle forming surface 21a of the recording head 21 is maintained. A home position HP for positioning 16 is provided. At a position below the home position HP, a maintenance unit 24 that performs various maintenance operations is provided so that ink ejection from the recording head 21 to the paper P is well maintained.

Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the maintenance unit 24 will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the maintenance unit 24 has a unit body 25 having a substantially rectangular frame shape. The unit body 25 includes a substantially box-shaped rear casing 25a having an open rear side, a front casing 25b having a substantially box-like shape that is open on the rear side and is larger in the front-rear direction than the rear casing 25a, both casings 25a, A right frame 25c that connects the right ends of 25b and a left frame 25d that connects the left ends of the casings 25a and 25b are provided. An auxiliary casing 26 is attached to the rear side of the rear casing 25a in the unit body 25 so as to close the rear opening of the rear casing 25a.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a mounting plate 27 wider than the left and right widths of the unit body 25 is fixed in a horizontal state below the unit body 25. The mounting plate 27 includes a pump motor 28 and A suction pump 29 as a suction means including a tube pump is supported obliquely via a mounting bracket (not shown). Then, the maintenance unit 24 is supported by the main body case 11 with the attachment plate 27 in the unit main body 25 via attachment means (not shown), so that the position below the home position HP in the main body case 11 is shown in FIG. It is fixed to.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the maintenance unit 24, a drive motor (drive source) 30 capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions is attached in the auxiliary casing 26. The drive motor 30 is configured such that its output shaft 30 a extends through the auxiliary casing 26 to the front side, and the tip of the output shaft 30 a is located in the rear casing 25 a of the unit body 25. .

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, between the rear casing 25a and the front casing 25b in the unit main body 25, a right lead screw 31 and a left lead screw 32 as a driving force transmission member and a feeding member are provided. It is constructed so as to be rotatable in a horizontal state along the front-rear direction at a position above the left and right frames 25c and 25d and closer to the inside. As shown in FIG. 5, each of these lead screws 31 and 32 has first feed screw portions 33 and 35 having relatively small pitch sizes on the outer peripheral surfaces on the front end side and the rear end side in the longitudinal direction. The second feed screw portions 34 and 36 having a relatively large pitch are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction. The rear end portion of the right lead screw 31 and the rear end portion of the left lead screw 32 are respectively introduced into the rear casing 25a.

  A toothed pulley (not shown) is attached to each rear end portion of both the lead screws 31, 32, and an endless pinion belt (not shown) is hung between the two toothed pulleys. The toothed pulley attached to the rear end portion of the right lead screw 31 is connected to the tip of the output shaft 30a of the drive motor 30 through a transmission gear (not shown) so that power can be transmitted. Therefore, the left and right lead screws 31 and 32 are configured to rotate synchronously in the same direction around the axis S (see FIG. 4) as the driving force is generated by the rotation of the drive motor 30.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the left and right lead screws 31 and 32 have a plurality of moving members 41 and 42 (a total of six in each pair in the present embodiment) along the axis S direction. 43 are screwed together. That is, all the moving members 41, 42, 43 are mounted on the common lead screws 31, 32. As shown in FIG. 6, each of the moving members 41, 42, and 43 has a hole 45 formed in a part of a cylindrical portion 44 that is a screwed portion with respect to the lead screws 31 and 32. A pin 46 as an engaging portion is fitted inside.

  And in each cylindrical part 44, as for each pin 46, those front-end | tips continue spirally between the 1st feed screw parts 33 and 35 of the lead screws 31 and 32, and the 2nd feed screw parts 34 and 36. It is engaged with the formed thread groove 47. Therefore, when this pin 46 is engaged and guided in the thread groove 47 when the lead screws 31 and 32 are rotated, the moving members 41 to 43 are paired on the left and right sides, and the axis of the same lead screw 31 and 32 is set. It is configured to move forward and backward sequentially along the S direction. Specifically, since the pitch of the thread groove 47 for engaging and guiding the pin 46 changes in the middle of the lead screws 31 and 32 in the axis S direction, the rotational speed of the lead screws 31 and 32 is constant. The moving members 41 to 43 are configured such that the moving speed changes with the change in the pitch of the thread groove 47. That is, each of the moving members 41 to 43 has a slow moving speed in the first feed screw portions 33 and 35 having a relatively small pitch, and moves in the second feed screw portions 34 and 36 having a relatively large pitch. Increases speed.

  Further, in each of the moving members 41 to 43, two or more moving members are not simultaneously engaged with the second feed screw portions 34 and 36, and only one moving member is engaged with the second feed screw portion. Further, the lead screws 31 and 32 are spaced apart in the axis S direction. That is, the number of pitches existing between the pins 46 of the moving members 41 to 43 in the direction of the axis S of the lead screws 31 and 32 is set to be greater than or equal to the pitch number of the second feed screw portions 34 and 36. Therefore, when the lead screws 31 and 32 are rotated, when one moving member is engaged with the second feed screw portions 34 and 36, the other moving member is simultaneously engaged with the second feed screw portions 34 and 36. Only one moving member engaged with the second feed screw portions 34 and 36 at that time moves at a high speed.

  Incidentally, in the present embodiment, when the drive motor 30 is driven forward, both lead screws 31 and 32 rotate in the forward direction, and the moving members 41 to 43 move from the rear casing 25a side to the front casing 25b side. And is configured to move forward. On the other hand, when the drive motor 30 is driven in the reverse direction, both the lead screws 31 and 32 rotate in the reverse direction, and the moving members 41 to 43 move backward from the front casing 25b side to the rear casing 25a side. It is configured. That is, in the present embodiment, these lead screws 31 and 32 and the moving members 41 to 43 constitute a driving force transmission device, and in particular, both the lead screws 31 and 32 and the moving member 43 constitute a fluid receptor moving mechanism. Has been.

  Here, of the moving members 41 to 43, the moving member 41 located on the foremost side in the direction of the axis S of the lead screws 31 and 32 is a cap means and valve that will be described later with a driving force based on the rotation of the lead screws 31 and 32. It is configured as a moving member 41 for cap means and valve means for transmitting to the means, respectively. Further, the moving member 42 located second from the front side in the direction of the axis S of the lead screws 31 and 32 is a wiping means moving member 42 that transmits a driving force based on the rotation of the lead screws 31 and 32 to the wiping means described later. It is configured as. Further, the moving member 43 located on the rearmost side in the direction of the axis S of the lead screws 31 and 32 is for wiping means that respectively transmits the driving force based on the rotation of the lead screws 31 and 32 to the wiping means and the liquid receiving means described later. And a moving member 43 for liquid receiving means.

First, the moving member 41 for the cap means and the valve means will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the moving member 41 for the cap means and the valve means has a substantially rectangular plate portion 48 that is long in the front-rear direction, inside the left and right frames 25 c and 25 d in the unit body 25. Are integrally formed so as to be suspended. The plate portion 48 is formed with a guide long hole 49 that functions as a linking portion for the cap means in the moving member 41. The guide long holes 49 are formed in the lower part of the plate part 48, extending horizontally from the rear end side to a substantially intermediate position in the front-rear direction, and from the front end of the rear horizontal part 49a to the vicinity of the upper part on the front end side of the plate part And a front horizontal portion 49c extending horizontally from the front end of the inclined portion 49b to the upper portion on the front end side of the plate portion 48. Further, an oblique portion 49d extending obliquely from the rear end of the rear horizontal portion 49a in the guide long hole 49 toward the upper rear end side of the plate portion 48 is further continuously formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the upper part is opened at a position inside the plate portion 48 and corresponding to the second feed screw portions 34 and 36 in the lead screws 31 and 32. A rectangular frame-shaped holder member 50 is disposed. And the cap member 51 which comprises a cap means in this holder member 50 is accommodated in the state which was accommodated in the cap holder 51a which makes bottomed box shape so that it can move to the up-down direction with the cap holder 51a. A coil spring (not shown) is interposed between the lower surface of the cap member 51 and the inner bottom surface of the cap holder 51a so as to urge the cap member 51 upward. 7 and 8 show a state in which the maintenance unit 24 is viewed from the left side. Therefore, FIGS. 7 and 8 show the left lead screw 32 and its feed screw with respect to the left and right lead screws 31 and 32. FIG. Only the portions 35 and 36 are shown.

Here, the cap member 51 which comprises a cap means is demonstrated.
As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 10, the cap member 51 has a substantially rectangular box shape, and the upper surface side of each of the nozzle rows 22 </ b> A, 22 </ b> B, and 22 </ b> C formed on the nozzle forming surface 21 a of the recording head 21. , 22D, and 22E, a plurality of (in this embodiment, five) rectangular annular seal portions 52 that correspond to each other are formed so as to constitute a cap opening. An ink absorbing material 53a is accommodated in each cap chamber 53 recessed inside each seal portion 52, and absorbs and holds ink ejected from the nozzle openings 22 of the nozzle rows 22A to 22E. ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, convex portions 54 are respectively formed in the horizontal direction from the outer surfaces of the left and right side walls of the cap holder 51 a, and each convex portion 54 is a guide for the plate portion 48 formed integrally with the moving member 41. It is engaged in the long hole 49. Therefore, when the moving member 41 (and the plate portion 48) moves back and forth in the front-rear direction with the rotation of the lead screws 31 and 32, the convex portion 54 of the cap holder 51a slides in the guide elongated hole 49 of the plate portion 48. In particular, when sliding along the slanted portions 49b and 49d of the guide slot 49, it moves in the vertical direction.

  That is, the cap member 51 is in the contact position state where it moves upward most when the convex portion 54 of the cap holder 51a is engaged with the front horizontal portion 49c of the guide slot 49 of the plate portion 48. Thus, each nozzle opening 22 is surrounded while the seal portion 52 is in close contact with the nozzle forming surface 21 a of the recording head 21. On the other hand, the cap member 51 is separated from the nozzle forming surface 21 a of the recording head 21 when the convex portion 54 of the cap holder 51 a is engaged with the rear horizontal portion 49 a of the guide slot 49 of the plate portion 48. It becomes the non-contact position state which moved to the lowest among the positions.

  Then, when the moving member 41 passes through the second feed screw portions 34 and 36 as the lead screws 31 and 32 rotate, the cap member 51 has the convex portion 54 of the cap holder 51 a integrated with the moving member 41. It is slidably guided by the inclined portion 49b of the guide long hole 49 of the moving plate portion 48, and moves up and down in the middle of the movement of the moving member 41 between the contact position and the non-contact position. ing. Further, when the convex portion 54 of the cap holder 51a is slidably guided by the inclined portion 49d of the guide long hole 49 of the plate portion 48, the cap member 51 is slightly different from the non-contact position and the non-contact position. It moves up and down in conjunction with the upper covering lid position in conjunction with the movement of the moving member 41.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 10, an ink discharge tube 55 is drawn out from the front side wall of the cap member 51 so as to correspond to each cap chamber 53 containing the ink absorbing material 53a. The tube 55 is drawn into a suction pump 29 supported via a mounting plate 27 below the unit main body 25. When the suction pump 29 is driven when the cap member 51 is in a contact position with the recording head 21, the corresponding cap chamber is provided via each ink discharge tube 55 and the ink discharge path 55 a in the cap member 51. The waste ink is sucked from the inside 53 and discharged to a waste ink tank (not shown) provided at the lower part in the main body case 11.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the plate portion 48 disposed inside the right frame 25 c of the unit main body 25 out of both plate portions 48 integrally suspended from the pair of left and right moving members 41. A pressing piece 56 having a substantially triangular shape in plan view is formed so as to protrude in the horizontal direction from the outer surface. The pressing piece 56 functions as a linking portion for the valve means in the moving member 41 and protrudes to the outside of the unit main body 25 through a notch groove 57 formed in the right frame 25c along the front-rear direction. .

  An air release valve device 58 having valve means is provided outside the rear end portion of the right frame 25c in the unit body 25 so as to be positioned on the moving path of the pressing piece 56 of the moving member 41. A plurality (five in this embodiment) of atmosphere release tubes 64 are drawn out from the atmosphere release valve device 58, and each atmosphere release tube 64 is connected to the corresponding cap chamber 53 in the rear side wall portion of the cap member 51. It is connected so that it may communicate. Therefore, when the moving member 41 (and the plate portion 48) moves forward and backward in accordance with the rotation of the lead screws 31 and 32, the pressing piece 56 moves forward and backward along with the moving member 41 (and plate portion 48). It moves and operates the air release valve device 58.

Next, the moving member 42 for wiping means will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the wiping means moving member 42 is provided with a wiper holder 78 that functions as a linking part for the wiping means in the moving member 42 so as to connect the pair of left and right moving members 42. ing. A wiper member 79 constituting wiping means is mounted on the upper surface side of the wiper holder 78 so as to extend slightly obliquely over the entire longitudinal direction of the wiper holder 78. When the moving member 42 (and the wiper holder 78) moves back and forth in the front-rear direction as the lead screws 31 and 32 rotate, the wiper member 79 is interlocked during the movement of the moving member 42 (and the wiper holder 78). To move forward and backward.

  Here, the wiper member 79 moves in the front-rear direction while sliding the tip (upper end) of the wiper member 79 on the nozzle forming surface 21a of the recording head 21, so that all the nozzle rows 22A to 22E formed on the nozzle forming surface 21a. Is configured as a wiper member 79 for all rows that wipes the entire nozzle forming surface 21a. Therefore, in the state where the carriage 16 (and the recording head 21) is located at the home position HP, when the moving member 42 passes through the second feed screw portions 34 and 36 as the lead screws 31 and 32 rotate, The entire surface of the nozzle forming surface 21a of the recording head 21 is wiped off by the wiper member 79.

Next, the moving member 43 for wiping means and fluid receiving means will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the wiping means and fluid receiving means moving member 43 includes a wiper holder 80 that functions as a linking portion for the wiping means and fluid receiving means in the moving member 43. 43 are provided so as to connect the 43. A wiper member 81 constituting wiping means is mounted on the upper surface side of the wiper holder 80 in the vicinity of the left end in the longitudinal direction of the wiper holder 80. When the moving member 43 (and the wiper holder 80) moves back and forth in the front-rear direction as the lead screws 31 and 32 rotate, the wiper member 81 is interlocked during the movement of the moving member 43 (and the wiper holder 80). To move forward and backward.

  Here, the wiper member 81 moves in the front-rear direction while sliding the tip (upper end) of the wiper member 81 on the nozzle forming surface 21a of the recording head 21, so that all the nozzle rows 22A to 22E formed on the nozzle forming surface 21a. The wiper member 81 for a single row is configured to wipe only the formation region of any one of the nozzle rows (a part of the nozzle formation surface 21a). That is, when this single-row wiper member 81 is used, one nozzle row whose wiping target is the left and right position of the carriage 16 (and the recording head 21) in the home position HP is placed in the front-rear direction of the wiper member 81. The movement is adjusted so as to correspond to the movement path along the position. Thereafter, when the moving member 43 passes through the second feed screw portions 34 and 36 as the lead screws 31 and 32 rotate, a part of the nozzle forming surface 21a of the recording head 21 is wiped by the wiper member 81. Only the formation area of one target nozzle row) is wiped off.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 4, 7, and 8, a pair of left and right support pieces 82 project forward from the front wall surface of the rear casing 25a in the unit body 25, and the tip ends of the support pieces 82 are provided. From the upper edge, a notch groove 83 is formed so as to form a bowl shape toward the rear side. Between the left and right support pieces 82, a rectangular plate-like seal plate 84 having a front surface as a seal surface is disposed. The seal plate 84 supports the shaft portion 85 projecting horizontally from the left and right end surfaces. By being engaged in the notch groove 83 of the piece 82, the shaft portion 85 is supported so as to be rotatable about the rotation center.

  A coil spring 86 is interposed between the front wall surface of the rear casing 25 a and the rear surface of the seal plate 84 at a position slightly above the support piece 82, and the seal plate is urged by the biasing force of the coil spring 86. 84 is always urged to rotate clockwise in FIGS. 7 and 8 with the shaft portion 85 as the center of rotation. Further, a projection 87 that functions as a stopper is projected forward from the front wall surface of the rear casing 25 a at a position below the support piece 82, and the projection 87 is urged to rotate by a coil spring 86. When the lower part of the rear surface of the sealed plate 84 comes into contact, further rotation of the seal plate 84 is restricted.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 7, and 8, a flushing box (fluid receiving body) 88 that constitutes a fluid receiving means is disposed between the seal plate 84 and the wiper holder 80. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the flushing box 88 has a bottomed box having a rectangular receiving opening 88a corresponding to the nozzle forming surface 21a of the recording head 21 on the front side (upper side in the case of FIG. 10). It has a shape. In the receiving opening 88a, a liquid absorbent 88b as a fluid absorbent made of the same material as the ink absorbent 53a housed in the cap chamber 53 of the cap member 51 is secured by a wire (not shown). It is stored in the state.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a pair of left and right pin portions 88c are projected in the horizontal direction from the left and right ends of one end side (the front end side in the case of FIG. 10) of the flushing box 88. 88c is pivotally supported by a pair of left and right support pieces 90 projecting rearward from the left and right rear ends of the wiper holder 80 described above. Therefore, the flushing box 88 is supported on one end side with respect to the wiper holder 80 by pivotally supporting the pair of left and right pin portions 88c by the pair of left and right support pieces 90 projecting from the rear surface side of the wiper holder 80. The pin portion 88c on the front end side is supported so as to be rotatable about a rotation fulcrum.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 7 (a), the flushing box 88 has a receiving opening 88 a that faces the rear side when the ink is not used to receive the ink ejected from the recording head 21. It is held in the non-receiving position, and the receiving opening 88a is closed by the front surface of the sealing plate 84 which is the sealing surface. In other words, in the non-receiving position, the flushing box 88 is closed by the sealing plate 84 with the receiving opening 88a, so that the ink absorbed and held by the liquid absorbent 88b accommodated in the flushing box 88 is dried and solidified. It is trying to be suppressed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a pair of left and right plate-like legs 91 are formed from the left and right ends on the other end side (the rear end side in the case of FIG. 10) of the flushing box 88. Are integrally formed so as to extend obliquely outward (in the case of FIG. 10, obliquely rearwardly downward), and pin portions 92 project in the horizontal direction from the inner ends of the leg portions 91. Each of these leg portions 91 corresponds to a base portion 50b of a pair of left and right support columns 50a erected from both the left and right ends of the rear end portion of the holder member 50 described above, and the position in the left-right direction corresponds to FIG. When the flushing box 88 is in a substantially vertical state when not in use, the base 50b of the corresponding column 50a is in contact with the base 50b from the rear side.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a rectangular box-shaped cover portion 100 corresponding to the planar view shape of the cap member 51 is provided on the lower surface side of the flushing box 88. That is, the cover 100 is composed of a rectangular annular wall 101 integrally formed on the periphery of the lower surface of the flushing box 88, and a rectangular flat lid 102 that closes the front end opening of the annular wall 101. It is configured. A through hole 103 as a discharge port is formed in the approximate center of the cover plate 102, and a bottom surface portion 100 a of the cover cover portion 100 formed by the lower surface of the cover plate 102 is formed by the seal portion 52 of the cap member 51. It is formed so as to form a smooth planar shape wider than the opening area of the cap opening.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a valve hole 104 is formed through substantially the center of the bottom of the flushing box 88, and the cylindrical wall 105 is formed from the lower surface of the flushing box 88 in an arrangement manner centering on the valve hole 104. Is formed so as to protrude by the same protrusion height as the annular wall portion 101. A seal member 106 is bonded and fixed to the periphery of the valve hole 104 on the lower surface of the flushing box 88. Then, the end opening of the annular wall portion 101 is closed by the cover plate 102, thereby forming a valve housing chamber 107 inside the cylindrical wall 105. In the valve housing chamber 107, a valve body 108 and a coil spring 109 are formed. Is housed.

  The valve body 108 has a valve shaft 110 that is loosely inserted into the valve hole 104, and a hook-shaped spring receiving portion 111 is integrally formed at the base end (lower end in FIG. 10) of the valve shaft 110. Yes. The aforementioned coil spring 109 is interposed between the spring receiving portion 111 and the cover plate 102. That is, the valve body 108 is always urged toward the valve closing position where the spring receiving portion 111 is in close contact with the seal member 106 by the urging force of the coil spring 109. On the other hand, when the spring receiving portion 111 is displaced to the valve opening position separated from the seal member 106 against the urging force of the coil spring 109, the inside of the flushing box 88 is passed through the through hole 103 of the lid plate 102. It is configured to be in communication with the outside of the flushing box 88. In the present embodiment, the valve hole 104 and the valve housing chamber 107 communicating between the inside of the receiving opening 88a of the flushing box 88 and the through hole 103 of the bottom surface portion 100a are sucked from the flushing box 88 by the suction of the suction pump 29. A fluid discharge path through which waste ink flows when waste ink is discharged out of the flushing box 88 is configured.

  On the other hand, a pair of left and right pin portions 93 are horizontally arranged so as to correspond to the pin portions 92 of the leg portions 91 in the above-described flushing box 88 from the inside in the height direction substantially intermediate position of the left and right support columns 50a in the holder member 50. Each projectes. A coil spring 94 is mounted between the pin portion 92 and the pin portion 93 that correspond to each other, and the urging force of the coil spring 94 causes the flushing box 88 to have a pin portion 88c on one end side (front end side). As a rotation fulcrum, the leg 91 is always urged to rotate in a direction (counterclockwise in FIGS. 7 and 8) in which the leg 91 is pressed against the base 50b of the support column 50a of the holder member 50.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the left and right struts 50a are positioned at the positions on the inner surfaces of the left and right struts 50a of the holder member 50 that are lower than the upper end by a distance corresponding to the depth of the flushing box 88. A wide stepped portion (posture change guiding means) 95 is formed so that the distance between the opposing surfaces is slightly larger than the width in the left-right direction of the flushing box 88. That is, the flushing box 88 is movable in the front-rear direction by passing between the left and right support columns 50 a of the holder member 50 above the widened step portion 95.

  Accordingly, when the moving member 43 (and the wiper holder 80) moves back and forth in the front-rear direction as the lead screws 31 and 32 rotate, the flushing box 88 is interlocked during the movement of the moving member 43 (and the wiper holder 80). To move forward and backward. That is, the flushing box 88 is supported by the moving member 43 via the support piece 90 of the wiper holder 80 when the moving member 43 passes through the second feed screw portions 34 and 36 as the lead screws 31 and 32 rotate. The pair of pin portions 88c are moved in conjunction with each other. With the movement of the pin portion 88c, the flushing box 88 receives the receiving position in the horizontal posture state in which the receiving opening 88a faces the nozzle forming surface 21a of the recording head 21 in close proximity (FIG. 8C and FIG. 10). Reference) and a non-accepting position (see FIG. 7A) in a vertical posture that is separated from the accepting position.

  Specifically, when the moving member 43 moves forward, the flushing box 88 receives the urging force in the direction of the vertical posture with the pin portion 88c from the coil spring 94 as a rotation fulcrum. As shown in FIG. 8 (b), the inclined posture state in which the bottom surfaces of the left and right side edges are in contact with the widened step portion 95 is obtained. And it moves forward with the moving member 43, changing the inclination posture state to the direction which becomes a horizontal posture state gradually. Then, when the moving member 43 moves further forward, the flushing box 88 has its leg portion 91 in contact with the widened step portion 95, and finally, as shown in FIG. 8C and FIG. As described above, the leg portion 91 is in a horizontal posture state in which the tip of the leg portion 91 is supported in contact with the widened step portion 95.

  As the moving member 43 moves forward in this way, the flushing box 88 changes its posture from the vertical posture state to the horizontal posture state by the bottom surfaces of the left and right side edges and the leg portion 91 contacting the widening step portion 95. It is designed to change in a stable direction. In the horizontal posture state at the receiving position, the tip end of the leg portion 91 is maintained in a stable support state in contact with the widened step portion 95 by the urging force of the coil spring 94.

  On the other hand, when the moving member 43 moves backward, the flushing box 88 moves from the receiving position to the non-receiving position. In this case as well, as in the case where the moving member 43 moves forward, the flushing box 88 receives the urging force from the coil spring 94, and the bottom surfaces and the leg portions 91 of the left and right side edges contact the wide stepped portion 95. Through the inclined posture state, the posture is stably changed from the horizontal posture state to the vertical posture state. As shown in FIG. 7A, in the vertical posture state at the non-receiving position, in addition to the biasing force of the coil spring 94, the biasing force from the coil spring 86 via the seal plate 84 is applied from the coil spring 94. By applying from the opposite direction to the force, the vertical posture state is stably maintained.

  Next, regarding the operation of the printer 10 configured as described above, in particular, the operation of the cap member 51 that constitutes the cap means in the maintenance unit 24 and the action of the flushing box 88 that constitutes the fluid receiving means (fluid receptor). This will be described below.

First, the operation | movement aspect of the cap member 51 which comprises a cap means is demonstrated.
Now, while the maintenance unit 24 is in the state shown in FIG. 7C, while the printer 10 is printing on the paper P, the ink is sucked and removed from the nozzle openings 22 of the recording head 21 for the purpose of preventing clogging and the like. When cleaning is performed, the printer 10 and its maintenance unit 24 perform the following operations.

  That is, the carriage 16 that has reciprocated in the printing area along the guide shaft 15 during printing moves from the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 4 to the home position HP above the cap member 51 and is stopped. 4 corresponds to the case where the maintenance unit 24 is in the state shown in FIG. Then, since the drive motor 30 is driven in reverse and the lead screws 31 and 32 rotate in the reverse direction, each of the moving members 41 to 43 moves backward with the rotation of the lead screws 31 and 32 in the reverse direction. Start.

  At this time (the time shown in FIG. 7C), the moving members 42 and 43 in which the cylindrical portion 44 is screwed into the first feed screw portions 33 and 35 of the lead screws 31 and 32 are retracted relatively slowly. Moving. On the other hand, at this time, the moving member 41 in which the cylindrical portion 44 is screwed with the second feed screw portions 34 and 36 of the lead screws 31 and 32 moves backward relatively quickly, and at this time, the moving member 41 The plate portion 48 integrated with 41 also moves backward relatively quickly.

  Therefore, the convex portion 54 on the side of the cap holder 51a engaged with the guide long hole 49 of the plate portion 48 is slidably guided to the oblique portion 49b of the guide long hole 49 as shown in FIG. Move up quickly. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7A, the cap member 51 is in the contact position where the cap member 51 is moved upward, and each nozzle opening 22 is surrounded by the nozzle formation surface 21a of the recording head 21 located at the home position HP. The seal portion 52 comes into close contact with the state.

  In this state, when the suction pump 29 is driven based on the driving of the pump motor 28, the inside of the cap chamber 53 of the cap member 51 and the inside of the ink discharge tube 55 are in a negative pressure state. As a result, the thickened ink is sucked from the nozzle openings 22 of the recording head 21 and then pumped to a waste ink tank disposed downstream of the suction pump 29 via the ink discharge tube 55. Discharged.

  As described above, in the maintenance unit 24, the lead screws 31 and 32 are rotated by the driving force of the drive motor 30 when performing a cleaning operation which is a kind of maintenance operation. At that time, among the moving members 41, 42, 43 that move forward and backward along the axis S of the same lead screw 31, 32, the moving member 41 that passes through the second feed screw portions 34, 36 is a guide slot. The cap member 51 that is in a linked state via 49 and the convex portion 54 is moved up and down in conjunction with the movement of the moving member 41.

  When the cap member 51 in the contact position (that is, the state shown in FIG. 7A) is moved to the non-contact position (that is, the state shown in FIG. 7C), the state shown in FIG. The drive motor 30 is driven to rotate forward. Then, the lead screws 31 and 32 are rotated in the forward rotation direction, and the moving member 41 and the plate portion 48 are moved forward, so that the cap member 51 has the convex portion 54 of the cap holder 51a formed by the inclined portion 49b of the guide long hole 49. As a result of being slid and guided downward, it returns to the non-contact position shown in FIG.

Next, the operation | movement aspect of the flushing box 88 which comprises a liquid receiving means and a liquid receptor is demonstrated.
Now, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, when the nozzle forming surface 21a of the recording head 21 is wiped by the wiper members 79 and 81, the ink meniscus in the nozzle opening 22 is then stabilized. The flushing operation is performed. That is, the flushing box 88 moves forward while changing its posture from the position state shown in FIG. 7C to the position state shown in FIG. 8C in conjunction with the forward movement of the moving member 43. In the flushing operation, a piezoelectric element (not shown) provided individually corresponding to the nozzle opening 22 in the recording head 21 is operated based on a control signal unrelated to printing, and ink is ejected from each nozzle opening 22. It means to make it.

  Here, looking at the change in the posture of the flushing box 88 from the state of FIG. 7C to the state of FIG. 8C, FIG. 7 shows that before the moving member 43 starts moving forward, FIG. As shown in (c), it is in a substantially vertical state. However, as the lead screws 31 and 32 rotate in the forward direction, the flushing box 88 has one end thereof while the moving member 43 gradually moves the first feed screw portions 33 and 35 on the rear side forward. The pin portion 88c on the side is pivotally displaced in the clockwise direction in FIGS. That is, the flushing box 88 changes its posture while moving along the front-rear direction orthogonal to the reciprocating direction (left-right direction) of the carriage 16.

  At that time, the leg portion 91 is initially in contact with the base portion 50b of the support column 50a of the holder member 50 by the biasing force of the coil spring 94, but the moving member 43 is further moved from the position shown in FIG. When moving forward, as shown in FIG. 8B, the bottom surface of both side edges of the flushing box 88 rides on the widening step portion 95 of the column portion 50a. From this state, when the lead screws 31 and 32 are further rotated in the forward rotation direction, the moving member 43 reaches the second feed screw portions 34 and 36.

  Then, from that time, the moving member 43 moves forward more quickly than before and reaches the first feed screw portions 33 and 35 on the front side, and the flushing box 88 has the leg portion 91 with the widened step portion 95 of the support column portion 50a. In the horizontal posture state supported above, the receiving position state is located immediately below the home position HP. At this point, the carriage 16 is moved to a home position HP that is immediately above the flushing box 88 and stopped. The flushing box 88 has its receiving opening 88a close to the nozzle formation surface 21a of the recording head 21. And come to face each other.

  Thus, at the same time as the wiping operation of the nozzle forming surface 21a by the wiper member 81 is completed, the flushing box 88 is disposed at the receiving position where the horizontal posture state is obtained. In this state, the recording head 21 performs a flushing operation by ejecting ink from the nozzle openings 22 as waste ink (waste fluid). Thereafter, if a print command has already been issued, the recording head 21 moves to the print area side together with the carriage 16 from this state, and printing on the paper P is executed.

  On the other hand, in the maintenance unit 24, as shown in FIG. 7A, printing is performed on the paper P from the contact position where the cap member 51 brings the seal portion 52 into close contact with the nozzle forming surface 21a of the recording head 21. In some cases, a flushing operation using the flushing box 88 may be performed before starting. For example, when the printer 10 is not used for several days with the power off, the ink in the nozzle openings 22 is dried and thickened. When performing the flushing operation before starting printing, the printer 10 and its maintenance unit 24 perform the following operations.

  That is, from the state shown in FIG. 7A, first, the carriage motor 19 is driven to move the recording head 21 together with the carriage 16 to a position deviated from the home position HP. Thereafter, the drive motor 30 is driven to rotate in the forward direction to rotate the lead screws 31 and 32 in the forward rotation direction, whereby the cap member 51 and the wiper member 79 are interlocked with the forward movement of the corresponding moving members 41 and 42. Each is moved until the position state shown in FIG. Then, from this state, the drive motor 30 is further driven to rotate forward, and the lead screws 31 and 32 are further rotated in the forward rotation direction.

  Then, from the state shown in FIG. 8 (a), as the lead screws 31 and 32 further rotate in the forward rotation direction, the moving member 43 and the wiper holder 80 further advance and move below the home position HP, As shown in FIG. 8B, the moving member 43 reaches the first feed screw portions 33 and 35 on the front side. In this case, the single-row wiper member 81 mounted on the upper surface side of the wiper holder 80 together with the moving member 43 also moves forward under the home position HP, but at this time, the carriage 16 is still at the home position HP. Therefore, the nozzle forming surface 21a is not wiped unnecessarily.

  At this time, as described above, the flushing box 88 is in a receiving position state in which the leg portion 91 is supported on the widening step portion 95 of the support column portion 50a and is located immediately below the home position HP in a horizontal posture state. At this point, the carriage 16 is moved to a home position HP that is immediately above the flushing box 88 and stopped. The flushing box 88 has its receiving opening 88a close to the nozzle formation surface 21a of the recording head 21. And come to face each other. Thereafter, when ink is ejected for flushing from each nozzle opening 22 of the recording head 21, the ejected ink is absorbed and held by the liquid absorbent 88 b stored in the flushing box 88.

  Thus, in the maintenance unit 24, when performing the flushing operation which is a kind of maintenance operation, the same lead screws 31 and 32 are rotated by the driving force of the drive motor 30 as in the case of the cleaning operation and the wiping operation. . At that time, the flushing box in which the movable member 43 is linked via the wiper holder 80 among the movable members 41, 42, 43 that move forward and backward along the axis S of the same lead screw 31, 32. 88 is moved forward and backward and displaced in conjunction with the movement of the moving member 43.

  When the flushing box 88 in the receiving position (that is, the state shown in FIG. 8C) is moved to the non-receiving position (that is, the states shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C) after the flushing is completed, In the state of FIG. 8C, the drive motor 30 is driven in reverse. Then, the lead screws 31 and 32 rotate in the reverse direction, and the moving member 43 and the wiper holder 80 move backward, so that the flushing box 88 comes into contact with the base 50b of the column 50a by the biasing force of the coil spring 94. As a result of being urged to rotate in the direction, for example, it returns to the non-accepting position shown in FIG.

  Further, when the printer 10 is powered off, the lead screws 31 and 32 are further rotated in the reverse direction, and the moving member 43 moves backward to the position shown in FIG. 7A, so that the flushing box 88 has a pin portion 88c. And the opening 88 a is closed by the seal plate 84. At that time, the coil spring 86 urges the sealing plate 84 toward the flushing box 88, so that the sealing performance of the opening 88a of the flushing box 88 is ensured.

  By the way, in the flushing box 88, ink exceeding the absorption holding capability of the liquid absorbent 88b in the receiving opening 88a (that is, the ink (fluid) receiving capability in the flushing box 88) is ejected from each nozzle opening 22 of the recording head 21. May be. In such a case, in the flushing box 88, the stored ink (waste ink) is sucked and discharged from the receiving opening 88a as follows.

  That is, from the state shown in FIG. 8B, when the lead screws 31 and 32 are further rotated in the normal rotation direction, the convex portion on the cap holder 51a side inserted in the guide long hole 49 of the plate portion 48. As shown in FIG. 8C, 54 is slidably guided by the slanted portion 49d of the guide slot 49 and moves upward rapidly. As a result, as shown in the figure, the cap member 51 is moved upward by the amount by which the convex portion 54 is raised, and the bottom portion of the cover portion 100 of the flushing box 88 that is in the horizontal posture at the receiving position at that time. The position state is that the seal portion 52 is in contact with 100a (that is, the state of the covering lid position that is an intermediate position between the non-contact position and the contact position).

  Thus, the flushing box 88 moved to the receiving position by the fluid receptor moving mechanism including the lead screws 31 and 32 and the moving member 43, when the cap member 51 ascends from the vertically lower side to the covering lid position, It becomes the arrangement | positioning aspect which covers the cap member 51 from upper direction. Then, the seal portion 52 of the cap member 51 abuts against the bottom surface portion 100a of the cover portion 100 in the flushing box 88, so that it is recessed inside the cap member 51 (specifically, inside the seal portion 52). The inside of each cap chamber 53 containing the material 53a is sealed. Further, at this time, since the cover 100 of the flushing box 88 is formed so that the bottom surface 100a forms a smooth flat surface, the sealing performance when the seal 52 of the cap member 51 comes into contact is improved. Secure.

  In this state, when the suction pump 29 is driven, the inside of the cap member 51 (specifically, the cap chamber 53) is in a negative pressure state, and is flushed with the inside of the cap member 51 through the through hole 103. Similarly, the inside of the valve accommodating chamber 107 of the box 88 is also in a negative pressure state. Therefore, the negative pressure causes the valve body 108 to move toward the valve opening position in which the spring receiving portion 111 is separated from the seal member 106 against the biasing force of the coil spring 109, and the inside of the flushing box 88 is opened. It will be strongly sucked through the valve hole 104.

  As a result, the waste ink absorbed and held by the liquid absorbent 88b accommodated in the flushing box 88 passes through the valve hole 104, the valve accommodating chamber 107, and the through-hole 103 and enters the cap member 51. Suctioned out. Then, together with the waste ink absorbed and held by the ink absorbing material 53 a in the cap member 51, the ink is discharged to the waste ink tank through the ink discharge path 55 a and the ink discharge tube 55.

  Therefore, according to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) Ink ejected as waste ink from each nozzle opening 22 of the recording head 21 is received by the flushing box 88 at the receiving position and stored in the flushing box 88. When the inside of the flushing box 88 is sucked by the suction pump 29, when the suction force exceeds the biasing force of the coil spring 109 biasing the valve body 108 in the valve closing direction, the valve body 108 is opened. By displacing in the valve direction, the waste ink stored in the flushing box 88 is discharged through the ink discharge tube 55. Therefore, the ink (fluid) receiving ability in the flushing box 88 can be well maintained over a long period of time by appropriately sucking and discharging the waste ink from the flushing box 88 to the outside of the flushing box 88 in this way.

  (2) The flushing box 88 is configured to be movable between a receiving position and a non-receiving position, and is not configured to be fixedly disposed in the main body case 11 of the printer 10. Therefore, it can contribute to space saving in the printer 10. Further, when the flushing box 88 is configured to be movable in this way, the flushing box 88 tends to be miniaturized in consideration of the convenience of movement, and therefore the ink (fluid) receiving ability does not have to be small. I do not get. However, even in such a case, since the waste ink stored in the flushing box 88 can be discharged out of the flushing box 88 by suction of the suction pump 29, the ink (fluid) receiving ability can be maintained well.

  (3) The flushing box 88 sucks the stored waste ink by the suction pump 29 sucking the inside of the receiving opening 88a through the through-hole 103 serving as a discharge port that opens to the bottom surface 100a of the cover 100. It can be discharged out of the flushing box 88. Therefore, even when the amount of waste ink stored in the receiving position becomes full, the waste ink can be discharged from the through hole 103 at the receiving position without moving the flushing box 88 from the receiving position.

  (4) When the cap member 51 is in the non-contact position and the flushing box 88 is in the receiving position, when the cap member 51 moves from the non-contact position toward the contact position and reaches the covering lid position, The seal portion 52 of the cap member 51 is covered with the bottom surface portion 100 a of the flushing box 88. That is, even when the cap member 51 is positioned at the non-contact position for a long time during printing, the cap member 51 is moved up to the covering lid position, so that the cap chamber 100 is covered by the cover portion 100 of the flushing box 88. The inside of 53 will be in the state covered so that a sealing state may be maintained. Therefore, the situation where the inside of the cap member 51 is dried, specifically, the situation where the ink absorbed and held in the ink absorbing material 53a in the cap chamber 53 is dried and solidified is suppressed. Can do.

  (5) On the other hand, in the flushing box 88 in a position where the cap member 51 is covered, the waste ink retained by the liquid absorbent 88b in the flushing box 88 is appropriately capped based on the driving of the suction pump 29. It becomes possible to discharge through the inside of the member 51. Therefore, the cap member 51 can be used effectively when the waste ink is sucked and discharged from the flushing box 88, and drying inside the cap member 51 can be suppressed by the waste ink passing through the cap member 51 at that time. .

  (6) The bottom surface portion 100a of the flushing box 88 is formed so as to have a planar shape wider than the opening area of the cap opening portion formed by the seal portion 52 of the cap member 51. Therefore, when the flushing box 88 is in the receiving position, the seal portion 52 (cap opening) of the cap member 51 can be reliably covered when the cap member 51 is raised to the covering lid position.

  (7) Since the liquid absorbing material 88b is accommodated in the flushing box 88 having a bottomed box shape, the waste ink received from the receiving opening 88a is absorbed by the liquid absorbing material 88b even during the movement of the flushing box 88. It can hold | maintain and it can suppress that the inside of the main body case 11 becomes dirty.

  (8) The drive mechanism (fluid receptor moving mechanism) for moving the flushing box 88 is composed of the lead screws 31 and 32 and the moving member 43 that moves forward and backward along the axis S direction of the lead screws 31 and 32. It is configured. Therefore, the flushing box 88 can be easily moved by a simple drive content of rotating the lead screws 31 and 32.

  (9) When the moving member 43 moves the second feed screw portions 34 and 36 when the lead screws 31 and 32 are rotated, the flushing box 88 that moves in conjunction with the movement of the moving member 43 is changed in posture. Can be moved quickly.

The above embodiment may be changed to another embodiment (another example) as follows.
In the above-described embodiment, the flushing box 88 moves between the non-receiving position and the receiving position while being linked to the wiper holder 80 that supports the wiper member 81 in conjunction with the movement of the wiper member 81 (wiper holder 80). In this case, it may be configured to move forward and backward in a horizontal posture state without any change in posture. In this other example, the wiper member 81 functions as a moving member that moves in a predetermined direction between the receiving position and the non-receiving position in accordance with the operation of the lead screws 31 and 32 (driving force transmission member).

  In the above embodiment, the flushing box 88 is linked to the moving members 41, 42 other than the moving member 43 among the plurality of moving members 41, 42, 43, and interlocks during the movement of the moving members 41, 42. May be configured to move.

  In the above embodiment, the maintenance unit 24 may be provided with the lead screws 31 and 32 arranged in the left-right direction at the right end in the main body case 11. In this case, as the lead screws 31 and 32 rotate, the flushing box 88 moves along the direction in which the carriage 16 reciprocates (left and right direction).

  In the above-described embodiment, the lead screws 31 and 32 may have screw grooves 47 that are spiral at the same pitch. Further, the moving member may be constituted by a nut member in which a female screw hole to be screwed into the lead screws 31 and 32 is formed. In this case, the female screw hole becomes the engaging portion.

  In the above embodiment, the flushing box 88 may be configured to be linked via a moving member to a dedicated lead screw provided along the moving direction of the carriage 16 separately from the lead screws 31 and 32. In this case, it is preferable to provide another drive source for rotating the dedicated lead screw separately from the carriage motor 19.

  In the above embodiment, the flushing box 88 has an ink discharge tube dedicated to the flushing box 88 connected to the through-hole 103 of the bottom surface portion 100a of the flushing box 88 without the cap member 51 interposed, and the ink discharge tube passes through the ink discharge tube. The waste ink may be sucked and discharged by the suction pump 29.

  In the above embodiment, the flushing box 88 may be configured to be fixedly disposed in the main body case 11. In this case, a dedicated ink discharge tube is connected to the flushing box 88 fixedly arranged.

  In the above embodiment, the ink cartridge 23 is embodied as an on-carriage type ink jet printer in which the carriage 16 is mounted. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be embodied as an off-carriage type ink jet printer.

  In the above-described embodiment, the fluid ejecting apparatus is embodied in an ink jet printer. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and fluid other than ink (liquid or liquid material in which particles of functional material are dispersed or mixed in liquid, It can also be embodied in a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects or discharges a fluid (including a fluid such as a gel). For example, a liquid material ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid material that is dispersed or dissolved in materials such as electrode materials and color materials (pixel materials) used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescence) displays, and surface-emitting displays. Further, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a bio-organic matter used for biochip manufacturing, or a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid that is used as a precision pipette and serves as a sample may be used. In addition, transparent resin liquids such as UV curable resin to form liquid injection devices that pinpoint lubricant oil onto precision machines such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements. A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid onto the substrate, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects an etching solution such as acid or alkali to etch the substrate, and a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects a fluid such as a gel (for example, a physical gel) It may be. The present invention can be applied to any one of these fluid ejecting apparatuses. In the present specification, the term “fluid” is a concept that does not include a fluid consisting only of gas. Examples of the fluid include liquid (inorganic solvent, organic solvent, solution, liquid resin, liquid metal (metal melt), etc. ), Liquids, fluids, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the printer according to the embodiment. The bottom view of a recording head. The perspective view at the time of seeing a maintenance unit from the right front. The top view of a maintenance unit. The perspective view of a lead screw. Sectional drawing which shows the engagement state of the lead screw and the cylindrical part of a moving member. It is the schematic which shows the principal part of a maintenance unit, (a) is a schematic diagram in case a cap member exists in a contact position, (b) is a schematic diagram in case a cap member is in the middle of raising / lowering, (c) is Schematic in case a cap member exists in a non-contact position. It is the schematic which shows the principal part of a maintenance unit, Comprising: (a) is the schematic when a wiper member for all rows exists in a wiping position, (b) is the case where the wiper member for single rows is in a wiping position Schematic, (c) is a schematic diagram when the flushing box is in the receiving position. The perspective view which looked at the flushing box from the bottom. The partially broken sectional view which shows the state which covered the cap member with the flushing box.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Inkjet printer as fluid ejecting apparatus, 21 ... Recording head as fluid ejecting head, 21a ... Nozzle formation surface, 22 ... Nozzle opening, 29 ... Suction pump as suction means, 31, 32 ... Fluid receptor moving mechanism Drive force transmission member and lead screw as feed member, 33, 35 ... first feed screw portion, 34, 36 ... second feed screw portion, 41-43 ... moving member, 46 ... pin as engagement portion , 51... Cap member, 52... Seal part constituting the cap opening, 88... Flushing box as a fluid receiver, 88 a... Receiving opening, 88 b... Liquid (fluid) absorbent, 100 a. Body, S ... axis.

Claims (3)

A fluid ejection head that ejects fluid from a nozzle opening;
A cap member capable of contacting the fluid ejecting head in a state where a cap opening corresponding to the fluid ejecting head surrounds the nozzle opening;
A suction means that is driven when the fluid is sucked from the cap member;
It is movable between a non-receiving position spaced from acceptable receiving position and the receiving position in the state where the fluid discharged as waste fluid from the nozzle opening spaced from the fluid ejecting head of the fluid ejecting head And a fluid receptor having a discharge port formed on the bottom surface ,
A fluid ejection device comprising:
When the fluid receptor is in the receiving position, the cap member abuts against the bottom surface of the fluid receptor so that the discharge port is surrounded by the cap opening, and the suction means is driven. While the fluid can be sucked and discharged from the fluid receiving body through the discharge port and the cap member,
When the fluid receiver is in the non-receiving position, the cap member is brought into contact with the fluid ejecting head so that the nozzle opening surrounds the nozzle opening, and the cap is driven by the suction means. A fluid ejecting apparatus, wherein the fluid can be sucked and discharged from within a member . The cap member is configured to be movable between a contact position that contacts the fluid ejecting head in a state where the cap opening surrounds the nozzle opening and a non-contact position below the contact position.
Wherein the fluid receptor, in a direction intersecting the direction in which the cap member is moved between the non-contact position and the contact position, to move between the non-receiving position and the acceptance position The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The fluid receptor changes its posture while moving between the receiving position and the non-receiving position, and the non-receiving position has a narrower occupation space in the horizontal direction than the posture at the receiving position. The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

Images