JP5149231B2 - Head cleaning method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a head cleaning method and apparatus, and more particularly to a head cleaning method and apparatus for wiping and cleaning a nozzle surface with a liquid absorber.

  In an ink jet recording apparatus that records images by ejecting minute ink droplets from nozzles, when the recording operation is performed continuously, the ink that is ejected from the nozzles and forms a mist adheres and accumulates in the vicinity of the nozzles. The nozzle may become clogged. For this reason, in the ink jet recording apparatus, the nozzle surface is periodically cleaned.

  Patent Document 1 proposes a method of cleaning the nozzle surface by wiping the nozzle surface with a blade and then wiping the nozzle surface with an ink absorber.

JP 2006-205712 A

  However, in the method of wiping the nozzle surface with an ink absorber as in Patent Document 1, if the ink absorber to be used has a high absorption capability, the ink is drawn from the nozzle by the ink absorber, and the ink absorber. There is a problem that small droplets remain after passing (this phenomenon is referred to as “wiping trace”).

  On the other hand, if the absorbing capacity of the ink absorber to be used is low, droplets on the nozzle surface cannot be absorbed and large droplets remain on the nozzle surface (hereinafter, this phenomenon is referred to as “unwiping”). There is a problem.

  Such wiping traces and unwiped areas have an adverse effect on the flying of the liquid droplets ejected from the nozzles, and can cause the image to deteriorate.

  In order to avoid this, it is conceivable to wipe the nozzle surface using an ink absorber having an optimum absorption capacity, but there is a problem that the selection of the ink absorber is limited. Also, depending on the nozzle hole diameter and the condition of the liquid-repellent film resistance of the nozzle surface, there may be no ink absorber that satisfies the required performance.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and can expand the range of selection of usable ink absorbers, and can clean the nozzle surface without causing wiping traces or unwiped residues. An object is to provide a head cleaning method and apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is configured such that a pressing member around which a traveling strip-shaped liquid absorber is wound is pressed against the nozzle surface of the head, and the pressing member is moved to the nozzle surface of the head. In the head cleaning method of wiping and cleaning the nozzle surface of the head with the liquid absorber , and applying a liquid to the nozzle surface of the head ; and a non-wetting region of the liquid absorber. used a first cleaning step of wiping and cleaning the nozzle surface of the head in which the liquid is applied, the liquid given to the region other than the nozzle area of the nozzle surface by absorbing the liquid absorber the wetted region forming step of forming a wet area absorbency reduced a predetermined amount in the liquid absorbing body, using a wet area of the liquid absorber, to wipe clean the nozzle surface of the head To provide a head cleaning method characterized the second cleaning step, in that it consists of.

In the present invention, first, the nozzle surface of the head is wiped and cleaned using the non-wetting area of the liquid absorber (first cleaning step). Thereafter, a wet region is formed in the liquid absorber (wet region forming step), and the nozzle surface of the head is wiped and cleaned using the formed wet region (second cleaning step). As a result, the nozzle surface can be cleaned without causing wiping traces or unwiped residues. That is, since the non-wetting area of the liquid absorber has not yet absorbed the liquid, the absorption capacity is high, and by wiping and cleaning the nozzle surface using such a non-wetting area having a high absorption capacity, the wiping residue is left. Can be prevented. On the other hand, if the nozzle surface is wiped and cleaned with such a liquid absorber having a high absorption capacity, there is a possibility that a wiping trace may be generated on the nozzle surface. However, in the present invention, after wiping and cleaning the nozzle surface using a non-wetting area, the liquid absorber is moistened to reduce the absorption capacity, and the nozzle is again used by using the liquid absorber having the reduced absorption capacity. Since the surface is wiped and cleaned, even if a wiping trace is generated during the previous wiping and cleaning, this can be wiped off. As a result, the nozzle surface can be cleaned without causing wiping traces or unwiped residues. Moreover, by this, the conditions of the usable liquid absorber can be relaxed, and the range of selection of the liquid absorber can be expanded.
According to the present invention, the first cleaning process is performed by applying a liquid (for example, a predetermined cleaning liquid) to the nozzle surface of the head in advance. The wet region is formed by causing the liquid absorber to absorb the liquid applied to the region other than the nozzle formation region on the nozzle surface. That is, normally, there is a region where the nozzle is not formed on the nozzle surface, and this region is clean as compared with the region where the nozzle is formed, so the liquid applied to this region is used as the liquid absorber. Absorb to form a wet region in the liquid absorber. Thereby, a wet area | region can be easily formed in a liquid absorber. In this case, the liquid absorber is rewound and used as necessary.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a pressing member around which a traveling strip-shaped liquid absorber is wound is pressed against the nozzle surface of the head, and the pressing member is brought into contact with the nozzle surface of the head. In the head cleaning method of wiping and cleaning the nozzle surface of the head with the liquid absorber, the nozzle surface of the head is wiped and cleaned using a non-wetting area of the liquid absorber. 1 cleaning process, and a liquid that oozes out from a nozzle formed on the nozzle surface of the head and absorbs the liquid in the liquid absorber, thereby reducing a wet region in which the absorption capacity is reduced by a predetermined amount. a wet region forming step of forming on, by using a wet area of the liquid absorber, head and wherein the second cleaning step, in that it consists of wiping and cleaning the nozzle surface of the head Kleene To provide a grayed way.

In the present invention, first, the nozzle surface of the head is wiped and cleaned using the non-wetting area of the liquid absorber (first cleaning step). Thereafter, a wet region is formed in the liquid absorber (wet region forming step), and the nozzle surface of the head is wiped and cleaned using the formed wet region (second cleaning step). As a result, the nozzle surface can be cleaned without causing wiping traces or unwiped residues. That is, since the non-wetting area of the liquid absorber has not yet absorbed the liquid, the absorption capacity is high, and by wiping and cleaning the nozzle surface using such a non-wetting area having a high absorption capacity, the wiping residue is left. Can be prevented. On the other hand, if the nozzle surface is wiped and cleaned with such a liquid absorber having a high absorption capacity, there is a possibility that a wiping trace may be generated on the nozzle surface. However, in the present invention, after wiping and cleaning the nozzle surface using a non-wetting area, the liquid absorber is moistened to reduce the absorption capacity, and the nozzle is again used by using the liquid absorber having the reduced absorption capacity. Since the surface is wiped and cleaned, even if a wiping trace is generated during the previous wiping and cleaning, this can be wiped off. As a result, the nozzle surface can be cleaned without causing wiping traces or unwiped residues. Moreover, by this, the conditions of the usable liquid absorber can be relaxed, and the range of selection of the liquid absorber can be expanded.
Further, according to the present invention, the wetting region, from nozzles formed in the nozzle surface of the head was exude liquid, is formed by absorbing the bleeding out was the liquid in the liquid absorbing body. Thereby, a wet area | region can be easily formed in a liquid absorber. In this case, the liquid absorber is rewound and used as necessary.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the object, the first cleaning step causes the liquid absorber to travel in a reverse direction with respect to a relative movement direction of the head with respect to the pressing member. The head cleaning method according to claim 1, wherein the head cleaning method is performed.

  According to the present invention, the first cleaning process is performed by causing the liquid absorber to travel in the opposite direction with respect to the relative movement direction of the head with respect to the pressing member. Thereby, the relative traveling speed of the liquid absorber with respect to the nozzle surface can be increased, and the cleaning effect can be enhanced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the object, the second cleaning step causes the liquid absorber to travel in a reverse direction with respect to a relative movement direction of the head with respect to the pressing member. to provide a head cleaning method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that to perform.

  According to the present invention, the second cleaning process is performed by causing the liquid absorber to travel in the opposite direction with respect to the relative movement direction of the head with respect to the pressing member.

In the invention according to claim 5 , in order to achieve the object, the second cleaning step causes the liquid absorber to travel in the same direction with respect to the relative movement direction of the head with respect to the pressing member. to provide a head cleaning method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that to perform.

  According to the present invention, the second cleaning process is performed by running the liquid absorber in the same direction with respect to the moving direction of the head relative to the pressing member.

In the invention according to claim 6 , in order to achieve the object, in the wet region forming step, the wet amount is increased as the relative speed difference between the head and the liquid absorber in the second cleaning step increases. increase and to provide a head cleaning method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized by forming said wetting region.

  According to the present invention, the wet amount is increased and the wet region is formed as the relative speed difference between the head and the liquid absorber in the second cleaning step increases. That is, the higher the relative speed of the liquid absorber with respect to the head, the higher the absorbing power. Therefore, the wet amount is increased to suppress the absorbing ability. Thereby, a 2nd cleaning process can be performed by setting a liquid absorber to an appropriate absorption capacity, and a wiping trace can be removed appropriately.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in order to achieve the above object, a pressing member around which a traveling band-shaped liquid absorber is wound is pressed against the nozzle surface of the head, and the pressing member is brought into contact with the nozzle surface of the head. In the head cleaning device that wipes and cleans the nozzle surface of the head with the liquid absorber, the liquid absorber on the upstream side of the pressing member with respect to the traveling direction of the liquid absorber. A liquid application unit configured to form a wet region in which the liquid is applied to reduce the absorption capacity by a predetermined amount in the liquid absorber; a wet region detection unit configured to detect the wet region formed in the liquid absorber; Control means for controlling running of the liquid absorber, sliding of the pressing member, and application of liquid by the liquid application means, and the control means uses a non-wetting area of the liquid absorber, Previous After wiping and cleaning the nozzle surface of the head, a liquid is applied to the liquid absorber from the liquid applying means to form a wet region in the liquid absorber, and the nozzle surface of the head is changed using the wet region. Provided is a head cleaning device which is controlled to be wiped and cleaned.

In the present invention, first, the nozzle surface is wiped and cleaned using the non-wetting area of the liquid absorber. Thereafter, the liquid is applied from the liquid applying means to the liquid absorber, and a wet region is formed in the liquid absorber. Then, the nozzle surface is wiped and cleaned again using the formed wet area. As a result, the nozzle surface can be cleaned without causing wiping traces or unwiped residues. Moreover, by this, the conditions of the usable liquid absorber can be relaxed, and the range of selection of the liquid absorber can be expanded.
Further, according to the present invention, the wet area of the liquid absorber can be detected. Accordingly, the nozzle surface can be wiped and cleaned by appropriately switching between the wet region and the non-wet region.

The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that, in order to achieve the object, the amount of liquid applied to the liquid applying means is varied according to a relative speed difference between the head and the liquid absorber. A head cleaning device according to claim 7 is provided.

  According to the present invention, the amount of liquid applied from the liquid applying means to the liquid absorber according to the relative speed difference between the head and the liquid absorber when the liquid absorber is wetted and wiped and cleaned, that is, wet. The amount is set. Thereby, a wiping trace can be removed appropriately.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a pressing member around which a traveling strip-shaped liquid absorber is wound is pressed against the nozzle surface of the head, and the pressing member is brought into contact with the nozzle surface of the head. In the head cleaning device that wipes and cleans the nozzle surface of the head with the liquid absorber, and a liquid applying means for applying a liquid to the nozzle surface of the head, and running of the liquid absorber. Control means for controlling sliding of the pressing member and application of liquid by the liquid application means, and the control means applies liquid to the nozzle surface of the head after applying the liquid from the liquid application means. using a non-wetting region of the liquid absorber, wiping clean the nozzle surface of the head, after the wiping and cleaning by wiping the area other than the nozzle area of the nozzle surface, the absorption The wet area was quantified reduced form to the liquid absorbing body, by using the wet area, to provide a head cleaning device and controls so as to clean wipe the nozzle surface of the head again.

  According to the present invention, after the liquid is applied from the liquid applying means to the nozzle surface of the head, the nozzle surface of the head is wiped and cleaned using the non-wetting area of the liquid absorber. Then, after wiping and cleaning using the non-wetting area, the nozzle face is again wiped and cleaned using the wet area formed by wiping the area other than the nozzle formation area of the nozzle surface. As a result, the nozzle surface can be cleaned without causing wiping traces or unwiped residues. Moreover, by this, the conditions of the usable liquid absorber can be relaxed, and the range of selection of the liquid absorber can be expanded.

Invention, head cleaning of claim 9 in order to achieve the object, characterized by comprising a wet area detection means for detecting said wetting region formed in the liquid absorbing body according to claim 10 Providing equipment.

  According to the present invention, the wet region of the liquid absorber can be detected. Accordingly, the nozzle surface can be wiped and cleaned by appropriately switching between the wet region and the non-wet region.

  According to the present invention, the range of selection of usable ink absorbers can be expanded. In addition, the nozzle surface can be cleaned without causing wiping traces or wiping residues.

Side view showing schematic configuration of drawing unit Front view showing schematic configuration of drawing unit Side view showing the configuration of the head cleaning device Head cleaner front view Rear view of head cleaner Side view of head cleaner Explanation of head cleaner operation Bottom view of line head Operation explanatory diagram of the head cleaning device Front view of the second embodiment of the head cleaner Operation explanatory diagram of the head cleaning device

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a head cleaning method and apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Configuration of Inkjet Recording Device (Drawing Unit)]
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a drawing unit of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

  As shown in the figure, in the ink jet recording apparatus of the present embodiment, in the drawing unit 10, a sheet (recording medium) 12 is sucked and held on the peripheral surface of the drawing drum 14 and is rotated and conveyed. The four line heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K arranged around the drawing drum 14 with respect to the paper 12 that is rotated and conveyed by the drawing drum 14 to C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y ( Yellow) and K (black) ink droplets are ejected to draw a color image on the recording surface of the paper 12 (a so-called drum transport line printer).

  The drawing drum 14 that rotates and conveys the paper 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a rotary shaft 18 that protrudes from both ends of the drawing drum 14 is supported by a bearing 22 provided in a main body frame 20 of the ink jet recording apparatus ( 2) and is installed horizontally. A motor is connected to the rotary shaft 18 via a rotation transmission mechanism (not shown), and the drawing drum 14 is driven by this motor to rotate.

  Further, grippers 24 are provided on the peripheral surface of the drawing drum 14 (installed in two places on the outer peripheral surface in this example). The paper 12 is held on the outer peripheral surface of the drawing drum 14 by gripping the leading end of the paper 12.

  Further, a plurality of suction holes (not shown) are formed on the peripheral surface of the drawing drum 14 in a predetermined arrangement pattern, and air is sucked toward the inside. The paper 12 wound around the peripheral surface of the drawing drum 14 is sucked and held on the outer peripheral surface of the drawing drum 14 by sucking air from the suction holes toward the inside.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus of the present embodiment, the paper 12 is fed from the preceding process (for example, a process of applying a treatment liquid having a function of aggregating the color material in the ink to the recording surface of the paper 12). Through the drawing drum 14. The conveyance drum 26 is arranged in parallel with the drawing drum 14, and delivers the paper 12 to the drawing drum 14 at the same timing.

  In addition, the drawn paper 12 is transferred to a subsequent process (for example, a process of drying ink) through the transport drum 28. The conveyance drum 28 is arranged in parallel with the drawing drum 14 and receives the paper 12 from the drawing drum 14 at the same timing.

  The four line heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K (hereinafter referred to as “heads”) are formed corresponding to the sheet width, and are arranged on a concentric circle centered on the rotation shaft 18 of the drawing drum 14 at a constant interval. They are arranged radially. The four heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K are attached to a head support frame 40 installed above the drawing drum 14.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the head support frame 40 connects a pair of side plates 42 </ b> L and 42 </ b> R disposed so as to be orthogonal to the rotation shaft 18 of the drawing drum 14, and the pair of side plates 42 </ b> L and 42 </ b> R at the upper end. And a connecting frame 44.

  The pair of side plates 42L and 42R are formed in a plate shape and are disposed so as to face each other with the drawing drum 14 interposed therebetween. Mounting portions 46C, 46M, 46Y, 46K for mounting the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, 16K are provided on the inner side surfaces of the pair of side plates 42L, 42R (the mounting portions 46Y, 46K in FIG. 2). Only shown).

  The attachment portions 46C, 46M, 46Y, and 46K are radially arranged on the concentric circles centering on the rotation shaft 18 of the drawing drum 14 with a constant interval. Each of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K has attached portions 48C, 48M, 48Y, and 48K (only the attached portions 48Y and 48K are shown in FIG. 2) formed at both ends of the heads 16C, 46M, 46Y, and 46K. It is attached to the head support frame 40 by being fixed with screws.

  The heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K attached to the head support frame 40 in this way are radially arranged on the concentric circle with the rotation axis 18 of the drawing drum 14 as the center, and the nozzle surface 30C. , 30M, 30Y, and 30K are arranged to face the outer peripheral surface of the drawing drum 14. Further, the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K are positioned at a predetermined height from the outer peripheral surface of the drawing drum 14 (between the outer peripheral surface of the drawing drum 14 and the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K). A predetermined gap is formed.), The nozzle rows formed on the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K are arranged orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the paper 12.

  From each of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K arranged in this manner, ink droplets are perpendicularly directed from the nozzle row formed on the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K toward the outer peripheral surface of the drawing drum 14. Is discharged.

  The head support frame 40 is provided so as to be movable in a direction parallel to the rotation axis 18 of the drawing drum 14 (= longitudinal direction of the attached heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, 16K), and the heads 16C, 16M. , 16Y, 16K can be retracted to a predetermined maintenance position. This point will be described later.

  The drawing unit 10 is configured as described above. In the drawing unit 10, the paper 12 is transferred from the preceding process to the drawing drum 14 via the conveyance drum 26, and is rotated and conveyed while being sucked and held on the peripheral surface of the drawing drum 14. In the transport process, ink droplets that pass under the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K and are ejected from the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K during the passage are ejected onto the recording surface to record. A color image is formed on the surface. The paper 12 on which image recording has been completed is transferred from the drawing drum 14 to the transport drum 28 and transported to a subsequent process.

  Note that drive control (ink ejection control) of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K, drive control of the drawing drum 14, and the like are performed by a system controller (not shown). This system controller controls the overall operation of the ink jet recording apparatus, and controls the driving of each unit in accordance with a predetermined control program.

[Movement mechanism of the head support frame]
As described above, the head support frame 40 is provided so as to be movable in a direction parallel to the rotation shaft 18 of the drawing drum 14. Hereinafter, the moving mechanism of the head support frame 40 will be described.

  The head support frame 40 is slidably supported by a pair of guide rails 50, 50 disposed in parallel with the rotation shaft 18 of the drawing drum 14 via sliders 52, 52. The head support frame 40 slides in a direction parallel to the rotation axis 18 of the drawing drum 14 by sliding along the guide rails 50 and 50.

  The head support frame 40 is connected to a nut portion 56 that is screwed onto the screw rod 54. The screw rod 54 is disposed in parallel with the guide rail 50, and both ends thereof are rotatably supported by bearings 58 and 58 provided on the main body frame of the ink jet recording apparatus. A head feed motor 60 is connected to the screw rod 54 and is driven to rotate by the head feed motor 60. The head support frame 40 slides along the guide rails 50 and 50 by driving the head feed motor 60 and rotating the screw rod 54. That is, it slides in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the drawing drum 14.

  A system controller (not shown) controls the driving of the head feed motor 60 to control the movement of the head support frame 40, and moves each of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K from a predetermined drawing position to a maintenance position. Alternatively, the drawing position is moved from the maintenance position.

  When the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K are positioned at the drawing position, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 2, the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K are arranged around the drawing drum 14 and are imaged with respect to the paper 12 that is rotated and conveyed by the drawing drum 14. Can be recorded.

  On the other hand, when it is located at the maintenance position, as shown by a broken line in FIG. As a result, both the drawing drum 14 and the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K can be maintained.

  At this maintenance position, a moisturizing unit 62 for moisturizing each head 16C, 16M, 16Y, 16K is provided. When the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K are not used for a long time, the moisturizing unit 62 keeps the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K moisturized and prevents non-ejection due to drying.

  A head cleaning device 70 for wiping and cleaning the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K is provided between the drawing position and the maintenance position.

  Each head 16C, 16M, 16Y, 16K is a wiping web (ink) on the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, 30K in the step of moving from the drawing position to the maintenance position (or the step of moving from the maintenance position to the drawing position). Absorber) is pressed and abutted, whereby the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y and 30K are wiped and cleaned. Hereinafter, the configuration of the head cleaning device 70 will be described.

[Configuration of head cleaning device]
FIG. 3 is a side view showing the configuration of the head cleaning device.

  As shown in the figure, the head cleaning device 70 includes cleaning liquid application nozzles 80C, 80M, 80Y, and 80K, and head cleaners 100C, 100M, 100Y, and 100K. The cleaning liquid application nozzles 80C, 80M, 80Y, and 80K and the head cleaners 100C, 100M, 100Y, and 100K are provided corresponding to the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K, and are attached to a support frame (not shown). Yes. The head cleaning device 70 attaches a support frame to which the cleaning liquid application nozzles 80C, 80M, 80Y, and 80K and the head cleaners 100C, 100M, 100Y, and 100K are attached to a main body frame (not shown) of the ink jet recording apparatus. Thus, it is installed at a predetermined installation position set between the drawing position and the maintenance position.

[Configuration of cleaning liquid application nozzle]
The cleaning liquid application nozzles 80C, 80M, 80Y, and 80K are provided to face the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K of the corresponding heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K. The cleaning liquid application nozzles 80C, 80M, 80Y, and 80K have ejection ports corresponding to the widths of the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K, and the nozzle surfaces 30C of the corresponding heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K, The cleaning liquid is sprayed toward 30M, 30Y, and 30K.

  The cleaning liquid is supplied from a cleaning liquid tank via a cleaning liquid supply pipe (not shown), and the cleaning liquid is supplied from each of the cleaning liquid application nozzles 80C, 80M, 80Y, and 80K by driving a cleaning liquid injection pump provided in the middle of the cleaning liquid supply pipe. Be injected.

  Each of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K is moved from the drawing position to the maintenance position (or moved from the maintenance position to the drawing position), and the nozzle surface 30C from the cleaning liquid application nozzles 80C, 80M, 80Y, and 80K. , 30M, 30Y, and 30K are sprayed toward the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K to apply the cleaning liquid.

  The system controller controls the application of the cleaning liquid to the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K by controlling the driving of the cleaning liquid injection pump and the head feed motor 60.

[Configuration of head cleaner]
Each of the head cleaners 100C, 100M, 100Y, and 100K is provided to face the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K of the corresponding heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K, and the corresponding heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and The wiping web 110 formed in a strip shape on the 16K nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K is pressed and abutted by the pressing roller 118. Each of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K is moved from the drawing position to the maintenance position (or moved from the maintenance position to the drawing position), and the wiping web 110 is moved to the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K. The nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K are wiped and cleaned by being pressed against each other.

  Since the configurations of the head cleaners 100C, 100M, 100Y, and 100K are common, the configuration of the head cleaner 100 will be described here.

  4 is a front view of the head cleaner, FIG. 5 is a rear view of the head cleaner, and FIG. 6 is a side view of the head cleaner.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the head cleaner 100 wraps the wiping web 110 formed in a band shape around the pressing roller 118, and the wiping web 110 wound around the pressing roller 118 corresponds to the head 16 (16 </ b> C, 16 </ b> M). , 16Y, 16K), the nozzle surface 30 of the head 16 is wiped and cleaned by being brought into press contact with the nozzle surface 30 (30C, 30M, 30Y, 30K).

  The head cleaner 100 mainly presses the wiping web 110 against the nozzle surface 30 of the head 16, the main body frame 112, the feeding reel 114 for feeding the wiping web 110, the take-up reel 116 for winding the wiping web 110. The pressure roller 118 and the supply reel 114 are rotationally driven to rewind the wiping web 110 to the supply reel 114, and the take-up reel 116 is rotationally driven to wind the wiping web 110 around the take-up reel 116. A take-up motor 122 for taking up, a wet region detecting sensor 124 for detecting a wet region of the wiping web 110, and an elevating cylinder 126 for moving the main body frame 112 forward and backward vertically with respect to the nozzle surface 30 of the head 16. Yes.

  The main body frame 112 is formed in an L shape, and includes a bottom surface portion 112A provided in parallel with the nozzle surface 30 of the head 16, and a wall surface portion 112B provided perpendicular to the bottom surface portion 112A. .

  The supply reel 114 is provided perpendicular to the wall surface 112B of the main body frame 112 (= parallel to the nozzle surface of the corresponding head), and the shaft portion 114A is provided inside the wall surface 112B of the main body frame 112. The bearing 130 is rotatably supported. As will be described later, the wiping web 110 has a winding core 110 </ b> A mounted on the feeding reel 114.

  The take-up reel 116 is provided perpendicular to the wall surface portion 112B of the main body frame 112 similarly to the supply reel 114, and the shaft portion 116A is a bearing provided inside the wall surface portion 112B of the main body frame 112. 131 is supported rotatably. As will be described later, the wiping web 110 has a winding core 110 </ b> B mounted on the winding reel 116.

  The take-up reel 116 and the supply reel 114 are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction at a constant interval.

  The pressing roller 118 is disposed above an intermediate position between the supply reel 114 and the take-up reel 116, and the wiping web 110 traveling between the supply reel 114 and the take-up reel 116 is wound around the press roller 118. The pressing roller 118 is provided perpendicular to the wall surface portion 112B of the main body frame 112, and the shaft portion 118A is rotatably supported by a bearing 132 provided inside the wall surface portion 112B of the main body frame 112. ing.

  The wiping web 110 fed out from the feeding reel 114 is wound around the pressing roller 118 via a feeding guide roller 134 disposed between the feeding reel 114 and the pressing roller 118. The feeding guide roller 134 is provided perpendicular to the wall surface portion 112B of the main body frame 112, and the shaft portion 134A is rotatably supported by a bearing 136 provided inside the wall surface portion 112B of the main body frame 112. Has been.

  The wiping web 110 wound around the pressing roller 118 is wound around the winding reel 116 via a winding guide roller 138 disposed between the pressing roller 118 and the winding reel 116. The winding guide roller 138 is provided perpendicular to the wall surface portion 112B of the main body frame 112, and the shaft portion 136A is rotatable on a bearing 140 provided inside the wall surface portion 112B of the main body frame 112. It is supported.

  The rewinding motor 120 is disposed below the feeding reel 114 and is vertically attached to the inside of the wall surface portion 112 </ b> B of the main body frame 112. The output shaft 120A of the rewinding motor 120 is provided so as to protrude outside the wall surface portion 112B, and a rewinding drive gear 142 is fixed to the tip thereof.

  The shaft portion 114A of the feeding reel 114 is also provided so as to protrude to the outside of the wall surface portion 112B, and a rewind driven gear 144 is fixed to the tip thereof. The rewind driven gear 144 is meshed with the rewind drive gear 142 via a rewind idle gear 146.

The rewind idle gear 146 is disposed outside the wall surface portion 112B of the main body frame 112, and the shaft portion 146A is a bearing 148 provided outside the wall surface portion 112B of the main body frame 112.
Is supported rotatably.

  When the rewind motor 120 is driven, the rewind drive gear 142 rotates, and the rotation is transmitted to the rewind driven gear 144 via the rewind idle gear 146. Thereby, the supply reel 114 rotates in the direction opposite to the supply direction, that is, the direction in which the wiping web 110 is wound up.

  The take-up motor 122 is disposed below the take-up reel 116 and is vertically attached to the inside of the wall surface portion 112 </ b> B of the main body frame 112. The take-up motor 122 output shaft 122A is provided so as to protrude outside the wall surface portion 112B, and a take-up drive gear 150 is fixed to the tip thereof.

  The shaft portion 116A of the take-up reel 116 is also provided so as to protrude outside the wall surface portion 112B, and a take-up driven gear 152 is fixed to the tip thereof. The take-up driven gear 152 is meshed with the take-up drive gear 150 via a take-up idle gear 154.

  The winding idle gear 154 is disposed outside the wall surface portion 112B of the main body frame 112, and its shaft portion 154A is rotatably supported by a bearing 156 provided outside the wall surface portion 112B of the main body frame 112. .

  When the winding motor 122 is driven, the winding drive gear 150 rotates, and the rotation is transmitted to the winding driven gear 152 via the winding idle gear 154. As a result, the take-up reel 116 rotates in the direction of taking up the wiping web 110.

  The wet region detection sensor 124 is disposed between the pressing roller 118 and the take-up guide roller 138, and detects a wet region (so-called wet region) of the wiping web 110 that travels between them. The wet region detection sensor 124 is constituted by, for example, a photosensor including a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit, and the light receiving unit receives reflected light of light projected from the light projecting unit toward the wiping web 110. The wet area of the wiping web 110 is detected. The wet region detection sensor 124 operates according to a command from the system controller, and outputs the detection result to the system controller.

  The elevating cylinder 126 is fixed to a head cleaning device main body (not shown), and the main body frame 112 is fixed to the tip of the rod 126A. The main body frame 112 moves vertically with respect to the nozzle surface 30 of the corresponding head 16 by driving the elevating cylinder 126. Then, as the main body frame 112 moves back and forth vertically with respect to the nozzle surface 30, the pressing roller 118 moves between a predetermined "pressing position" and a "retracting position" as shown in FIG. To do.

  The wiping web 110 wound around the pressing roller 118 is pressed against the nozzle surface 30 of the corresponding head 16 when the pressing roller 118 is positioned at the pressing position. Then, when it is located at the retreat position, it retreats from the nozzle surface 30 of the corresponding head 16. That is, it is separated from the nozzle surface 30 so as not to contact the nozzle surface 30.

  The head cleaner 100 is configured as described above.

  The wiping web 110 is made of, for example, high-density fiber such as polyester, acrylic, or nylon, and is attached to the head cleaner 100 as follows. The wiping web 110 has winding cores 110A and 110B attached to both ends, and is provided in a state of being wound in a roll shape on one winding core (core on the feeding side) 110A. When the wiping web 110 is mounted on the head cleaner 100, first, the feeding-side winding core 110 </ b> A is mounted on the feeding reel 114. Then, while feeding the wiping web 110 attached to the feeding reel 114 little by little, the feeding guide roller 134, the pressing roller 118, and the winding guide roller 138 are wound in this order, and the leading core (winding side core) 110B is wound. Mounted on the take-up reel 116. As a result, the wiping web 110 is attached to the head cleaner 100.

  The head cleaner 100 to which the wiping web 110 is mounted is taken up from the supply reel 114 to the take-up reel 116 by rotating the take-up motor 122. Thereby, the wiping web 110 wound around the pressing roller 118 travels.

  The wiping web 110 wound around the pressing roller 118 travels in parallel with the moving direction of the head 16, and travels in the opposite direction when the head 16 moves from the drawing position to the maintenance position. Further, when the head 16 moves from the maintenance position to the drawing position, the head 16 travels in the same direction.

  The wiping web 110 can be rewound onto the supply reel 114, and is rewound onto the supply reel 114 when the rewind motor 120 is driven to rotate.

  The system controller cleans the nozzle surface 30 of the head 16 by controlling the driving of the rewind motor 120, the take-up motor 122, the lift cylinder 126, and the head feed motor 60.

[Head cleaning method]
Next, a head cleaning method using the head cleaning device 70 of the present embodiment will be described.

  The heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K are cleaned by wiping with the wiping web 110 after applying the cleaning liquid to the entire surface of the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K. And in the head cleaning apparatus 70 of this Embodiment, when wiping the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K with the wiping web 110, wiping is implemented in two steps. That is, the first wiping is wiped with the normal wiping web 110 having a high absorbency, and the second wiping is wiped with the wiping web 110 having a low absorbency. In this way, by wiping the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K in two steps, it is possible to prevent wiping traces and unwiped residues. That is, the first wiping is performed by wiping with a normal wiping web 110 having a high absorbing power, thereby removing large droplets on the nozzle surface and preventing unwiping. Then, the second wiping is performed by wiping with the wiping web 110 in a state of low absorption, thereby removing the wiping trace generated at the first wiping and preventing the ink from being drawn out from the nozzle holes. Thereby, the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K can be cleaned without causing wiping traces or unwiping residues.

  Here, switching of the absorption power of the wiping web 110 is performed by moistening the wiping web 110, and the absorption power is reduced by causing the wiping web 110 to absorb a predetermined amount of the cleaning liquid. Therefore, the second wiping is performed using a wetted region (wet region) of the wiping web 110.

  In the head cleaning device 70 according to the present embodiment, the wet area used in the second wiping is generated by wiping the area where the nozzles of the nozzle surface 30C are not formed with the wiping web 110. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the nozzles 90 are not formed in the entire width direction of the nozzle surface 30 but are formed corresponding to the width of the paper that is symmetric to the recording. Therefore, normally, the area | region (no nozzle formation area) in which the nozzle is not formed is formed in the both ends. Since this nozzle non-formation area (the hatched area at both ends in FIG. 8) is relatively clean, the wiping web 110 is not soiled even if this area is wiped. Therefore, the nozzle surface 30 is not soiled even when used again.

  As described above, in the head cleaning device 70 according to the present embodiment, the second wiping is performed using the wet area of the wiping web 110 generated by wiping the nozzle non-formation area by the first wiping.

  In the example of the head 16 shown in FIG. 8, nozzles 90 are arranged in a staggered pattern on the nozzle surface 30 to form a nozzle row. By adopting such an arrangement configuration of the nozzles 90, the substantial interval between the nozzles 90 projected in the longitudinal direction of the head 16 (= direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction = paper width direction) can be reduced. The density of the nozzle 90 can be increased.

  Hereinafter, a specific method for cleaning the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K using the head cleaning device 70 of the present embodiment will be described.

  First, a cleaning liquid is applied to the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K in order to dissolve the deposits derived from ink adhering to the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K.

  For applying the cleaning liquid, the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K are moved from the drawing position toward the maintenance position (or moved from the maintenance position to the drawing position), and each head is moved from the cleaning liquid application nozzles 80C, 80M, 80Y, and 80K. This is performed by spraying the cleaning liquid toward the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K of 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K. Specifically, this is performed as follows. That is, when the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K are moved from the drawing position toward the maintenance position, the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K pass over the cleaning liquid application nozzles 80C, 80M, 80Y, and 80K. In accordance with the passage of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K, the cleaning liquid is ejected from the cleaning liquid application nozzles 80C, 80M, 80Y, and 80K. Accordingly, the cleaning liquid is applied to the entire surface of the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K including the nozzle non-formation region.

  The application of the cleaning liquid may be performed once or may be performed a plurality of times. When performing multiple times, the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K are applied by reciprocating multiple times.

  When the application of the cleaning liquid is completed, the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K once return to the drawing position. Thereafter, the first wiping and cleaning is performed.

  As described above, the first wiping is performed by using a normal wiping web having a high absorbency. That is, it is performed using an unused area (non-wetting area) of the wiping web 110 that is not wet. Specifically, this is performed as follows.

  First, positioning (cueing) of the non-wetting area of the wiping web is performed. That is, the wiping web 110 is positioned so that the non-wetting area is wound around the pressing roller 118 (so that the non-wetting area is in contact with the nozzle surface). This step is performed based on the output of the wet region detection sensor 124 and is performed by winding the wiping web 110 around the take-up reel 116 until the wet region is not detected by the wet region detection sensor 124.

  After positioning the non-wetting area in this way, the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K while the wiping web 110 is traveling at a constant speed in the winding direction. The nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K are wiped and cleaned. Specifically, this is performed as follows.

  First, the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K are sent toward the maintenance position. As shown in FIG. 9A, the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K sent toward the maintenance position have their one end (maintenance position end) at the installation position of the pressure roller 118. When it reaches, it stops. At this time, the pressing rollers 118 of the cleaners 100C, 100M, 100Y, and 100K are located at predetermined retracted positions.

  When the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K are stopped, the elevating cylinder 126 is driven, and the pressing roller 118 is moved to the pressing position. As a result, the wiping web 110 wound around the pressing roller 118 is pressed against the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K (FIGS. 9B and 7B). a)).

  Thereafter, the winding motor 122 is driven, the wiping web 110 is wound around the winding reel 116 at a constant speed, and the head feed motor 60 is driven, so that the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, 16K are maintained. It is sent at a constant speed toward the position. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9C, the wiping web 110 is slidably contacted along the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, 30K of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, 16K, and the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, 30K is wiped and cleaned by the traveling wiping web 110.

  At this time, the wiping web 110 travels in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K. Thereby, a relative speed difference can be enlarged and the cleaning effect can be enhanced.

  The heads 16 </ b> C, 16 </ b> M, 16 </ b> Y, and 16 </ b> K sent toward the maintenance position are stopped when the other end (the drawing position side end) reaches the installation position of the pressing roller 118. And the driving | running | working of the wiping web 110 is also stopped synchronizing with the feed stop of this head 16C, 16M, 16Y, 16K. As a result, the first wiping and cleaning is completed, and the entire surfaces of the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K are wiped and cleaned by the wiping web 110.

  As described above, the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K have nozzle non-formation regions formed at both ends thereof, as shown in FIG. In addition, in the first wiping cleaning, this nozzle non-forming region is also wiped and cleaned. The second wiping and cleaning is performed using a wet area formed on the wiping web 110 by wiping and cleaning the nozzle non-formation area.

  Here, since the wet region has already been wound on the take-up reel 116 side, a required rewinding operation is performed. That is, as shown in FIG. 9E, in each of the head cleaners 100C, 100M, 100Y, and 100K, when the wiping web 110 stops running, the pressing roller 118 is temporarily retracted to the retracted position, and the nozzle is not formed. The wiping web 110 is rewound to the supply reel 114 side by the amount of wiping the area.

  The rewinding amount is obtained by calculation from the length of the nozzle non-formation region, the traveling speed of the wiping web 110, the feeding speed of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K.

  As described above, the wiping web 110 is rewound to the supply reel 114 side by the amount corresponding to the wiping of the nozzle non-formation region, thereby forming a wet region for the second wiping cleaning.

  While the rewinding process of the wet region is performed, the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K are returned so that the end portions on one side thereof are located at the installation position of the pressing roller 118.

  When the rewinding process of the wet region is completed and the end of one side of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, 16K is positioned at the installation position of the pressing roller 118, the pressing roller 118 moves to the pressing position, and the heads 16C, 16M. The wiping web 110 wound around the pressure roller 118 is pressed against the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y and 30K of 16Y and 16K (see FIGS. 9B and 7A).

  Thereafter, the winding motor 122 is driven, the wiping web 110 is wound around the winding reel 116 at a constant speed, and the head feed motor 60 is driven, so that the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, 16K are maintained. It is sent at a constant speed toward the position. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9 (f), the wet area of the wiping web 110 is brought into sliding contact with the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, 30K of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, 16K, and the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y and 30K are wiped and cleaned by the wet area of the wiping web 110.

  Note that the wiping web 110 also travels in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K during the second wiping and cleaning. Thereby, a relative speed difference can be enlarged and the cleaning effect can be enhanced.

  In addition, since the rewound wet area is limited, the second wiping cleaning is performed on the wiping web 110 so that the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K can be wiped and cleaned using the rewinded wet area. The traveling speed is adjusted.

As described above, the second wiping and cleaning is performed using the wet area of the wiping web 110. Then, by wiping and cleaning the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K using the wet region in this way, if wiping traces are generated during the first wiping, this is effectively removed. Can do. In addition, by wiping and cleaning the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K using the wet region in this way, it is possible to prevent ink from being drawn from the nozzle holes by wiping (wiping traces are generated. Can be prevented.)
In each of the head cleaners 100C, 100M, 100Y, and 100K, when the other end of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K passes through the pressing roller 118, the traveling of the wiping web 110 is stopped.

  On the other hand, the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K are sent to the maintenance position as they are.

  In the head cleaners 100C, 100M, 100Y, and 100K in which the wiping web 110 has stopped running, the pressing roller 118 is retracted to the retracted position, thereby completing the cleaning operation.

  Thereafter, the head cleaners 100C, 100M, 100Y, and 100K perform positioning of the non-wetting area for the next cleaning as necessary.

  As described above, in the head cleaning device 70 according to the present embodiment, after the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K are once wiped and cleaned with the wiping web 110, the absorbing power of the wiping web 110 is reduced, and the nozzle is again formed. The surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K are wiped and cleaned with the wiping web 110. Thereby, the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K can be cleaned without causing wiping traces or unwiping residues. Moreover, the range of selection of the wiping web which can be used can also be expanded by wetting the wiping web 110 and switching absorption power in this way.

  In this example, the first wiping and cleaning using the non-wetting area is performed only once, but may be performed a plurality of times. That is, the first wiping cleaning may be performed by reciprocating the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K a plurality of times in a state where the wiping web 110 is pressed and abutted. Similarly, the second wiping cleaning using the wet area may be performed a plurality of times.

  Further, in this example, when performing the second wiping cleaning using the wet area, the wiping web 110 is run in the opposite direction to the moving direction of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, 16K. You may make it drive | work and wipe and clean. In this case, the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K are sent toward the maintenance position at a constant speed, and the wiping web 110 is rewound and cleaned while the wiping web 110 is rewound and cleaned by wiping and cleaning the nozzle non-forming region. Press contact with 30M, 30Y, 30K. Accordingly, the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K can be wiped and cleaned while the wiping web 110 is traveling in the same direction as the movement direction of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K.

  Moreover, you may make it perform wiping cleaning twice using a wet area | region in the state stopped without making the wiping web 110 drive | work.

  In addition, it is preferable to set suitably the wet amount of the wet area | region used at the time of the 2nd wiping cleaning according to the absorption capacity etc. of the wiping web 110 to be used (as an example, so that an absorption power may reduce about 20%) Moisten). In this case, it is preferable to increase the wet amount as the relative speed difference between the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K and the wiping web 110 during the second wiping cleaning increases. Thereby, an absorptive power can be adjusted appropriately and the 2nd wiping cleaning can be performed appropriately.

  The wet amount is adjusted by adjusting the application amount of the cleaning liquid applied to the nozzle non-formation region.

  In addition, the head cleaners 100C, 100M, 100Y, and 100K according to the present embodiment are each provided with the wet region detection sensor 124. However, the wet region detection sensor 124 is not necessarily installed, and the wiping web 110 is wound. The required position may be determined by controlling the rewinding amount. By installing the wet region detection sensor 124, accurate positioning can be performed and the presence / absence of the wiping web 110 can be detected.

  Moreover, in this example, when forming a wet area | region, it wipes with the wiping web 110 which drive | works the nozzle non-formation area | region formed in the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K. However, after the first wiping and cleaning, the ink can ooze out from the nozzles and can be wiped with the wiping web 110. In this case, it is not always necessary to bleed ink from all the nozzles, and it is sufficient to ooze the ink from the nozzles in the area necessary for forming the wet area.

  In addition, since the cleaning liquid absorbed by the wiping web 110 normally spreads wet, an area wet spread in an unused area may be used as a wet area.

  In this example, since the ink-derived deposits are dissolved, the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K are wetted by applying a cleaning liquid to the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K in advance. The method of wetting the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K is not limited to this. For example, ink can be used for the wet liquid. In this case, ink is oozed out from the nozzles formed on the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K, and the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K are wetted. In this case, the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K are sealed with a cap, the inside of the cap is decompressed, ink is sucked into the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K, and the ink oozes out from the nozzles. Let Alternatively, pressure is applied to the flow path from the ink tank to the head to cause ink to ooze out from the nozzle surface.

  When ink is used as a wet liquid in this way, the cleaning liquid application nozzles 80C, 80M, 80Y, and 80K can be omitted.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 10 is a front view of the second embodiment of the head cleaner. As shown in the figure, the head cleaner 200 of the present embodiment is provided with a wetting liquid application nozzle 210 for applying a cleaning liquid to the wiping web 110 to wet it.

  The head cleaner 100 is the same as the head cleaner 100 of the first embodiment except that the wetting liquid application nozzle 210 is provided. Accordingly, only the wetting liquid application nozzle 210 will be described here.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the wetting liquid application nozzle 210 is disposed between the feeding guide roller 134 and the pressing roller 118 (on the upstream side of the pressing roller 118 with respect to the traveling direction of the wiping web 110 when winding on the take-up reel 116). ). The wetting liquid application nozzle 210 has an ejection port corresponding to the width of the wiping web 110, and the wiping web 110 that travels between the feeding guide roller 134 and the pressing roller 118 (when winding on the take-up reel 116). The wiping web 110 is wetted by spraying a wetting liquid onto the wiping web 110) upstream of the pressing roller 118 with respect to the traveling direction of the wiping web 110. Thereby, the wiping web 110 before being pressed against the nozzle surface 30 of the head 16 can be wetted.

  The wetting liquid is supplied from the wetting liquid tank 214 via the wetting liquid supply pipe 212 connected to the wetting liquid application nozzle 210, and drives the wetting liquid injection pump 216 provided in the middle of the wetting liquid supply pipe 212. Thus, the wetting liquid is ejected from the wetting liquid application nozzle 210.

[Head cleaning method]
Next, a head cleaning method using the head cleaner of the present embodiment will be described.

  The point that the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K are wiped in two steps by switching the absorption force of the wiping web 110 is the same as the cleaning method of the first embodiment described above. That is, the first time is wiped with the normal wiping web 110 having a high absorbency, and the second time is wiped with the wiping web 110 having a low absorbency after being wetted.

  First, the non-wetting area of the wiping web is positioned. As described above, since the first wiping is performed using a normal wiping web in a high absorbent state, that is, an unused area (non-wetting area) that is not wetted, Positioning is performed. Note that this processing is not necessary when the positioning of the non-wetting area has already been completed.

  When the non-wetting area is located, the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K are sent toward the maintenance position. As shown in FIG. 11A, the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K sent toward the maintenance position have their one end (maintenance position side end) installed at the position where the pressure roller 118 is installed. When it reaches, it stops. At this time, the pressing rollers 118 of the cleaners 100C, 100M, 100Y, and 100K are located at predetermined retracted positions.

  When the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K are stopped, the elevating cylinder 126 is driven, and the pressing roller 118 is moved to the pressing position. As a result, the wiping web 110 wound around the pressure roller 118 is pressed against the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, 30K of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, 16K (FIGS. 11B and 7B). a)).

  Thereafter, the winding motor 122 is driven, the wiping web 110 is wound around the winding reel 116 at a constant speed, and the head feed motor 60 is driven, so that the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, 16K are maintained. It is sent at a constant speed toward the position. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11C, the wiping web 110 is slidably contacted along the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, 30K of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, 16K, and the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, 30K is wiped and cleaned by the traveling wiping web 110.

  At this time, the wiping web 110 travels in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K. Thereby, a relative speed difference can be enlarged and the cleaning effect can be enhanced.

  The heads 16 </ b> C, 16 </ b> M, 16 </ b> Y, and 16 </ b> K sent toward the maintenance position are stopped when the other end (the drawing position side end) reaches the installation position of the pressing roller 118. And the driving | running | working of the wiping web 110 is also stopped synchronizing with the feed stop of this head 16C, 16M, 16Y, 16K. As a result, the first wiping and cleaning is completed, and the entire surfaces of the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K are wiped and cleaned by the wiping web 110.

  When the first wiping and cleaning is completed, as shown in FIG. 11D, the pressing roller 118 is temporarily retracted to the retracted position. Further, the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K are returned so that the end portions on one side thereof are located at the installation position of the pressing roller 118.

  When one end of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K is positioned at the installation position of the pressing roller 118, the pressing roller 118 moves to the pressing position as shown in FIG. 11E, and the heads 16C, 16M are moved. The wiping web 110 wound around the pressing roller 118 is pressed against the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K of 16Y and 16K.

  Thereafter, the winding motor 122 is driven, the wiping web 110 is wound around the winding reel 116 at a constant speed, and the head feed motor 60 is driven, so that the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, 16K are maintained. It is sent at a constant speed toward the position. At the same time, the wetting liquid injection pump 216 is driven to inject the wetting liquid from the wetting liquid application nozzle 210 toward the wiping web 110. As a result, the wetting liquid is applied to the wiping web 110 (= the wiping web 110 on the upstream side of the pressing roller 118) before being in sliding contact with the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K. The wiping web 110 before being slidably contacted with the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K is wetted (a wet region is formed). Then, the wiping web 110 is wound around the take-up reel 116 while spraying the wetting liquid from the wetting liquid application nozzle 210 toward the wiping web 110 as shown in FIG. Are wet slidably contacted with the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K, and the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K are wiped and cleaned by the wet regions of the wiping web 110. .

  As described above, the second wiping and cleaning is performed using the wet area of the wiping web 110. Then, by performing the second wiping and cleaning using the wet region in this way, even if a wiping trace is generated during the first wiping, it can be effectively removed. Further, by performing the second wiping and cleaning using the wet region in this way, it is possible to prevent the ink from being drawn out from the nozzle holes by wiping.

  In each of the head cleaners 100C, 100M, 100Y, and 100K, when the other end of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K passes through the pressing roller 118, the traveling of the wiping web 110 is stopped. At the same time, the driving of the wetting liquid jet pump 216 is also stopped.

  On the other hand, the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K are sent to the maintenance position as they are.

  In the head cleaners 100C, 100M, 100Y, and 100K in which the wiping web 110 has stopped running, the pressing roller 118 is retracted to the retracted position, thereby completing the cleaning operation.

  Thereafter, the head cleaners 100C, 100M, 100Y, and 100K perform positioning of the non-wetting area for the next cleaning as necessary.

  As described above, also in the present embodiment, after the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K are once wiped and cleaned with the wiping web 110, the absorbing power of the wiping web 110 is reduced, and the nozzle surfaces 30C and 30M are again formed. , 30Y, 30K are wiped and cleaned with the wiping web 110. Thereby, the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K can be cleaned without causing wiping traces or unwiping residues. Moreover, the range of selection of the wiping web which can be used can also be expanded by wetting the wiping web 110 and switching absorption power in this way.

  In this example, the first wiping and cleaning using the non-wetting area is performed only once, but may be performed a plurality of times. That is, the first wiping cleaning may be performed by reciprocating the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K a plurality of times in a state where the wiping web 110 is pressed and abutted. Similarly, the second wiping cleaning using the wet area may be performed a plurality of times.

  Further, in this example, when performing the second wiping cleaning using the wet area, the wiping web 110 is run in the opposite direction to the moving direction of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, 16K. You may make it drive | work and wipe and clean. In this case, for example, the wiping web 110 is pressed and brought into contact with the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K of the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K from the maintenance position to the drawing position, and the nozzle surfaces 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30K. Wipe clean.

  Moreover, you may make it perform wiping cleaning twice, in the state stopped without making the wiping web 110 run.

  In addition, it is preferable to set suitably the wet amount of the wet area | region used at the time of the 2nd wiping cleaning according to the absorption capacity etc. of the wiping web 110 to be used (as an example, so that an absorption power may reduce about 20%) Moisten). In this case, as the relative speed difference between the heads 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K and the wiping web 110 during the second wiping cleaning increases, the wet amount (the supply amount of the wet liquid applied from the wet liquid applying nozzle 210). Is preferably increased. Thereby, an absorptive power can be adjusted appropriately and the 2nd wiping cleaning can be performed appropriately.

  In addition, the head cleaners 100C, 100M, 100Y, and 100K according to the present embodiment are each provided with the wet region detection sensor 124. However, the wet region detection sensor 124 is not necessarily installed, and the wiping web 110 is wound. The required position may be determined by controlling the rewinding amount. By installing the wet region detection sensor 124, accurate positioning can be performed and the presence / absence of the wiping web 110 can be detected.

  In the series of embodiments described above, the case of wiping and cleaning the nozzle surface of the line head has been described as an example, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to the case of wiping and cleaning the nozzle surface of a so-called shuttle scan type head.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Drawing part, 12 ... Paper (recording medium), 14 ... Drawing drum, 16 (16C, 16M, 16Y, 16K) ... Line head, 18 ... Rotating shaft, 20 ... Body frame, 22 ... Bearing, 24 ... Gripper, 26 ... Conveying drum, 28 ... Conveying drum, 30 (30C, 30M, 30Y, 30K) ... Nozzle surface, 40 ... Head support frame, 42L, 42R ... Side plate, 44 ... Connection frame, 46C, 46M, 46Y, 46K ... Attached part, 48C, 48M, 48Y, 48K ... Attached part, 50 ... Guide rail, 52 ... Slider, 54 ... Screw rod, 56 ... Nut part, 58 ... Bearing, 60 ... Head feed motor, 62 ... Moisturizing unit, 70 ... Head cleaning device, 80 (80C, 80M, 80Y, 80K) ... Cleaning liquid application nozzle, 90 ... Nozzle, 100 (100C, 100 , 100Y, 100K) ... head cleaner, 110 ... wiping web, 110A, 110B ... core, 112 ... main body frame, 112A ... bottom surface portion, 112B ... wall surface portion, 114 ... feeding reel, 114A ... shaft portion, 116 ... winding Reel, 116A ... shaft portion, 118 ... pressing roller, 118A ... shaft portion, 120 ... rewinding motor, 122 ... winding motor, 124 ... wet area detection sensor, 126 ... lifting cylinder, 130 ... bearing, 131 ... bearing, 132 ... Bearing, 134 ... Feeding guide roller, 134A ... Shaft portion, 136 ... Bearing, 138 ... Winding guide roller, 138A ... Shaft portion, 140 ... Bearing, 142 ... Rewinding drive gear, 144 ... Rewinding driven gear, 146 ... Rewind idle gear, 146A ... Shaft, 148 ... Bearing, 150 ... Winding drive gear, 152 ... Winding driven gear, 154 ... Winding idle gear , 154A ... shank, 156 ... bearing, 200 ... head cleaner, 210 ... wet liquid application nozzle, 212 ... wetting liquid supply pipe, 214 ... wetting liquid tank, 216 ... wetting fluid injection pump

Claims (10)

A pressing member around which a traveling strip-shaped liquid absorber is wound is pressed against the nozzle surface of the head, and the pressing member is slid along the nozzle surface of the head, thereby causing the nozzle surface of the head to move. In the head cleaning method of wiping and cleaning with a liquid absorber,
Applying liquid to the nozzle surface of the head;
A first cleaning step of wiping and cleaning the nozzle surface of the head to which the liquid is applied , using a non-wetting region of the liquid absorber;
A wetting region forming step of forming a wetting region in which the absorbing power is reduced by a predetermined amount in the liquid absorber by causing the liquid absorber to absorb the liquid applied to a region other than the nozzle forming region of the nozzle surface ; ,
A second cleaning step of wiping and cleaning the nozzle surface of the head using a wet region of the liquid absorber;
A head cleaning method comprising: A pressing member around which a traveling strip-shaped liquid absorber is wound is pressed against the nozzle surface of the head, and the pressing member is slid along the nozzle surface of the head, thereby causing the nozzle surface of the head to move. In the head cleaning method of wiping and cleaning with a liquid absorber,
A first cleaning step of wiping and cleaning the nozzle surface of the head using a non-wetting region of the liquid absorber;
A wet region in which a liquid is oozed from a nozzle formed on the nozzle surface of the head and the liquid absorber absorbs the liquid, thereby forming a wet region in which the absorbent capacity is reduced by a predetermined amount in the liquid absorber. Forming process;
A second cleaning step of wiping and cleaning the nozzle surface of the head using a wet region of the liquid absorber;
A head cleaning method comprising: 3. The head cleaning according to claim 1, wherein the first cleaning step is performed by causing the liquid absorber to travel in a reverse direction with respect to a relative movement direction of the head with respect to the pressing member. Method. The said 2nd cleaning process is performed by making the said liquid absorber drive | work to a reverse direction with respect to the relative moving direction of the said head with respect to the said press member, The any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. A head cleaning method according to 1. The second cleaning step, to the relative moving direction of the head relative to the pressing member, any one of claims 1-3, wherein: performing the liquid absorber by running in the same direction 2. A head cleaning method according to 1. In the wet region forming step, the greater the relative speed difference between the head and the liquid absorber in the second cleaning step, claim 1, characterized in that to form the wet area by increasing the wet weight The head cleaning method according to any one of -5 . A pressing member around which a traveling strip-shaped liquid absorber is wound is pressed against the nozzle surface of the head, and the pressing member is slid along the nozzle surface of the head, thereby causing the nozzle surface of the head to move. In a head cleaning device that wipes and cleans with a liquid absorber,
Liquid applying means for applying a liquid to the liquid absorber on the upstream side of the pressing member with respect to the traveling direction of the liquid absorber to form a wet region in which the absorption capacity is reduced by a predetermined amount in the liquid absorber. ,
A wet area detecting means for detecting the wet area formed in the liquid absorber;
Control means for controlling running of the liquid absorber, sliding of the pressing member, and application of liquid by the liquid application means;
And the control means wipes and cleans the nozzle surface of the head using a non-wetting area of the liquid absorber, and then applies liquid from the liquid application means to the liquid absorber to absorb the liquid. A head cleaning device, wherein a wet region is formed in a body, and the nozzle surface of the head is controlled to be wiped and cleaned using the wet region. The head cleaning apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the liquid application unit varies a liquid amount applied according to a relative speed difference between the head and the liquid absorber. A pressing member around which a traveling strip-shaped liquid absorber is wound is pressed against the nozzle surface of the head, and the pressing member is slid along the nozzle surface of the head, thereby causing the nozzle surface of the head to move. In a head cleaning device that wipes and cleans with a liquid absorber,
A liquid applying means for applying a liquid to the nozzle surface of the head;
Control means for controlling running of the liquid absorber, sliding of the pressing member, and application of liquid by the liquid application means;
And the control means wipes and cleans the nozzle surface of the head using a non-wetting area of the liquid absorber after applying the liquid from the liquid applying means to the nozzle surface of the head. after, by wiping the area other than the nozzle area of the nozzle surface, a wet area absorbency reduced predetermined amount is formed in the liquid absorbing body, by using the wet region, the nozzle surface of the head A head cleaning device that is controlled to be wiped and cleaned again. The head cleaning device according to claim 9 , further comprising a wet region detection unit that detects the wet region formed in the liquid absorber.

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