JP5233411B2 - Inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, ink jet printers that record predetermined images by ejecting ink onto recording media such as paper and plastic thin plates have been proposed and put into practical use. An inkjet printer fixes a serial method for recording a predetermined image and a recording head by discharging ink from the recording head toward a recording medium while moving the recording head for discharging ink in a predetermined direction. There is a line system in which a predetermined image is recorded by ejecting ink from the recording head toward the recording medium while moving the recording medium with respect to the head.

  Here, in order to maintain stable ink ejection, maintenance is performed on the recording head at a predetermined timing regardless of which method is used. For example, in the case of the serial method, a maintenance unit for maintaining the recording head is arranged outside the image recording area in the scanning direction of the recording head, and at the time of maintenance, the recording head is moved to the maintenance unit, Maintenance of the recording head is performed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

On the other hand, in the case of the line method, the maintenance unit is arranged so as to face the recording head across the conveyance path of the recording medium, and the maintenance unit performs maintenance of the recording head when the recording medium is not conveyed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).
JP-A-7-32602 JP 2003-182115 A

  By the way, when the recording medium is roll paper, the serial method can be maintained because the recording head moves to the maintenance unit even if the roll paper is at a position facing the recording head. Maintenance is not possible because roll paper is interposed between the head and the maintenance unit.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to enable maintenance of a recording medium even if the recording medium is located at a position facing the line type recording head.

An ink jet recording apparatus according to the invention of claim 1
A platen that supports the recording medium;
A transport device for transporting the recording medium so as to pass over the platen;
In order to eject ink to the recording medium supported by the platen, a plurality of line-type recording heads extending in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium;
A carriage that supports the recording head such that ejection surfaces of the plurality of recording heads face the platen;
An ink supply unit connected to one end of each of the plurality of recording heads to supply ink to each of the recording heads;
A wipe portion that is individually disposed on each ejection surface of the plurality of recording heads and rubs against the ejection surface;
The plurality of recording heads are retracted so that a predetermined space is formed on the platen by a rotation operation that rotates with respect to the carriage around one end side of the recording head ,
The wipe unit is characterized in that it slides on the ejection surface in conjunction with the rotational movement of the recording head .

The invention described in claim 2 is the ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1,
The plurality of recording heads individually rotate with respect to the carriage.

The invention described in claim 3 is the ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The carriage is characterized in that it can be moved toward and away from the platen.

Invention of Claim 4 is an inkjet recording device as described in any one of Claims 1-3 .
The ink supply unit includes:
A plurality of ink tanks for storing ink;
An ink supply pipe that communicates each of the plurality of ink tanks and one end of each of the plurality of recording heads;
An elevating part that individually elevates and lowers the plurality of ink tanks;
The elevating part is
For the recording head retracted from above the platen, the ink tank corresponding to the retracted recording head is disposed above the water head reference position of the retracting recording head,
For the recording head that is not retracted from the platen, the ink tank corresponding to the recording head that is not retracted may be disposed below the water head reference position of the recording head that is not retracted. It is characterized by being possible.

According to the present invention, the plurality of recording heads rotate with respect to the carriage around the one end side of the recording head and retract so that a predetermined space is formed on the platen. Even if there is, a space for maintenance can be secured below the recording head. Thereby, maintenance of the recording head can be performed without removing the recording medium.
Also, since the recording head rotates around one end connected to the ink supply unit, the other end is separated from the platen during retraction. In other words, when the platen is arranged horizontally, one end connected to the ink supply unit is positioned below the other end, so that ink leaks out from the nozzles of the recording head. It is possible to prevent the medium from being soiled.

  Hereinafter, the ink jet recording apparatus of this embodiment will be exemplified and described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a side view. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes a platen 2 that supports a recording medium (not shown), a conveying device 3 that conveys the recording medium so as to pass over the platen 2, and a platen 2. The image recording unit 4 that records an image with a photocurable ink (hereinafter referred to as ink) on the recording medium supported by the image recording unit 4, the ink supply unit 5 that supplies ink to the image recording unit 4, and various instructions. An input panel 6 for inputting data and a frame 7 for supporting them are provided.

  The transport device 3 includes a recording medium supply unit 31 that rotatably holds a recording medium before image recording wound in a roll shape, a winding unit 32 that winds up the recording medium on which an image is recorded, and a recording medium supply. A transport unit 33 that applies a transport force to the recording medium between the unit 31 and the winding unit 32 is provided. The transport unit 33 is disposed downstream of the image recording unit 4 in the transport direction.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the image recording unit 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the image recording unit 4 includes an ink ejection unit 8 that ejects ink onto the recording medium supported by the platen 2 and the recording medium that cures the ink that has landed on the recording medium. Are provided with an irradiation unit 9 for irradiating light, an ink discharge unit 8 and a carriage 10 for supporting the irradiation unit 9.

  In the ink discharge portion 8, a plurality of head portions 81 that discharge ink are arranged at predetermined intervals along the transport direction. Each head portion 81 is provided with a recording head 82 that ejects ink toward the recording medium, a drive substrate 83 of the recording head 82, and a base 84 that supports the recording head 82 and the drive substrate 83.

The recording head 82 is a line-type recording head, and extends in a direction (front-rear direction) orthogonal to the transport direction, whereby the nozzle rows are also arranged in the same direction. An ink supply pipe 51 of the ink supply unit 5 is connected to the rear end portion of the recording head 82.
The drive substrate 83 is fixed to a standing piece 85 that stands from the base 84, and is disposed above the recording head 82.

  A handle 86 is provided at the front end portion of the base 84, and a rotating portion 87 such as a hinge (see FIG. 5) that makes the base 84 rotatable relative to the carriage 10 at the rear end portion. Is provided. When the operator holds the handle 86 and rotates the base 84, the recording head 82 and the drive substrate 83 are also rotated around the rotating portion 87 on the rear end side of the recording head 82. (See FIG. 4). Since the rotation part 87 is provided in each head part 81, it is possible to individually rotate each head part 81. Here, FIG. 3 shows an image recording state in which the ejection surface 821 (see FIG. 4) of the recording head 82 and the platen 2 face each other, and FIG. 4 shows only one head portion 81 on the platen 2. It is shown in a state where it is rotated so as to form a space. When the head portion 81 rotates in this way, the recording head 82 is retracted from directly above the platen 2 and the discharge surface 821 is exposed, so that the space formed by the retraction can be used for maintenance of the discharge surface 821. It becomes. Hereinafter, this state is referred to as a first maintenance state.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the irradiation unit 9 includes a first irradiation unit 91 for semi-curing (pinning) the ink ejected from each head unit 81 immediately after landing on the recording medium, and downstream of the image recording unit 4. And a second irradiation unit 92 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) disposed on the side for completely curing the ink on the recording medium.

  The first irradiation unit 91 is provided with a plurality of light sources 911 (see FIG. 5) for irradiating the recording medium on the platen 2 and a cover unit 912 that covers the light sources 911.

  The light source 911 is a fluorescent tube, for example, and is formed to extend in the front-rear direction. Each light source 911 is disposed immediately downstream in the transport direction with respect to each head unit 81. Each light source 911 is supported by a cover portion 912.

  The cover unit 912 includes a storage unit 913 that stores each light source 911 individually. The storage unit 913 covers the periphery and the upper part of each light source 911, and only the lower part is open, and the light of the light source 911 is irradiated through this opening. The storage unit 913 is formed in a shape that opens the top of the head unit 81, and does not hinder the rotation of the head unit 81.

A handle 914 is provided at the front end portion of the cover portion 912, and a rotating portion 915 such as a hinge for enabling the cover portion 912 to rotate with respect to the carriage 10 at the rear end portion (see FIG. 5). Is provided. When the operator rotates the cover portion 912 with the handle 914, the light sources 911 are also rotated around the rotation portion 915 on the rear end side of the cover portion 912. Here, FIG. 3 shows the image recording state as described above. In this image recording state, each light source 911 faces the platen. FIG. 5 shows a state where the cover 912 and the plurality of light sources 911 are rotated so that a predetermined space is formed on the platen 2. When the cover portion 912 rotates in this way, the plurality of light sources 911 are retracted and exposed from directly above the platen 2, so that the space formed by the retraction can be used for maintenance of the light sources 911. Hereinafter, this state is referred to as a second maintenance state.
And since the rotation part 915 for rotating the 1st irradiation part 92 and the rotation part 87 for rotating the head part 81 are separate bodies, a plurality of recording heads 82, a plurality of The light source 911 can be individually retracted.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the carriage 10 is provided with a support plate 11 that supports a plurality of head portions 81 and a frame body 12 that surrounds the support plate 11 and supports the support plate 11. .

  The support plate 11 has a plurality of head openings (not shown) that expose the ejection surfaces 821 of the recording heads 82 and a plurality of light sources that are arranged downstream of the head openings in the transport direction to expose the light sources 911. Opening 111 is formed. The light source opening 111 is formed so that the size in the front-rear direction is larger than the nozzle row length of the recording head 82 so that the ink on the recording medium can be reliably irradiated with light. In addition, a rotating portion 87 of each head portion 81 is attached to the rear end side of the head opening in the support plate 11.

  A handle 112 is provided at the front end portion of the support plate 11, and a rotating portion 113 such as a hinge is provided at the rear end portion so that the support plate 11 is rotatable with respect to the frame body 12. Yes. When the operator rotates the support plate 11 while holding the handle 112 from the second maintenance state, the plurality of head portions 81 are also collectively moved around the rotation portion 113 on the rear end side of the head portion 81. Will rotate. Here, FIG. 6 shows a state in which the support plate 11 and the first irradiation unit 91 are rotated so that a predetermined space is formed on the platen 2. When the support plate 11 rotates in this way, all the head portions 81 are retracted from directly above the platen 2. At this time, since the ejection surface 821 of each recording head 82 is exposed through the head opening, the formed space can be used for maintenance of the ejection surface 821. Hereinafter, this state is referred to as a third maintenance state.

A handle 121 is provided at the front end of the frame body 12. In addition, a pair of arm portions 122 that lift and lower the frame body 12 with respect to the platen 2 are attached to both side portions of the frame body 12 in the left-right direction. The base end of the arm part 122 is rotatably attached to the frame 7. When the operator holds the handle 121 and lifts the frame body 12, the arm portion 122 also pivots and stands up around the base end in conjunction with this (see FIGS. 7 and 8). In this case, the frame 12 and the support plate 11 are separated from the platen 2, and a predetermined space S is formed on the platen 2 (see FIG. 9). Since the space S exposes the surface of the platen 2 or the recording medium on the platen 2, these maintenances can be performed. The standing state of the arm portion 122 is maintained by a lock mechanism (not shown), and the state where the frame body 12 and the support plate 11 are separated from the platen 2 is also maintained. Hereinafter, this state is referred to as a fourth maintenance state.
From the fourth maintenance state, when the operator releases the lock mechanism, holds the handle 121 and lowers the frame body 12, and brings the frame body 12 and the support plate 11 closer to the platen 2, 122 also rotates around the base end and falls (see FIGS. 3 and 10).

  The ink supply unit 5 is arranged behind the image recording unit 4 as shown in FIGS. The ink supply unit 5 includes a plurality of ink tanks 52 that store ink, and a lifting unit 53 that lifts and lowers the plurality of ink tanks 52 individually. Each of the plurality of ink tanks 52 communicates with one end of each of the plurality of recording heads 82 via the ink supply pipe 51.

  The elevating unit 53 is provided with a known elevating mechanism (not shown) for each ink tank 52. The lifting mechanism may be manual or automatic. At least for the recording head 82 retracted from the platen 2, the ink tank 52 corresponding to the retracted recording head 82 is provided in the above-described manner. The recording head 82 that is retracted can be disposed above the reference position (water head value reference position), and is not retracted with respect to the recording head 82 that is not retracted from the platen 2. It is preferable that the ink tank 52 corresponding to the recording head 82 can be disposed below the reference position of the recording head 82 that has not been retracted. In the case of the manual type, a sensor for detecting the state of the recording head 82 is provided by checking the status of the recording head 82 and moving the ink tank 52 up and down. The ink tank 52 is automatically raised and lowered.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
At the time of standby, as shown in FIG. 3, each head unit 81 and the first irradiation unit 91 are in an image recording state. Further, before inputting the image recording instruction, the operator operates the lifting / lowering unit 53 to dispose all the ink tanks 52 below the reference positions of all the recording heads 82, thereby reducing the internal pressure of the nozzle to a negative pressure. Keep it as This prevents ink from leaking out of the nozzle during image recording.

  When an image recording instruction is input to the input panel 6, the transport device 3 intermittently transports the recording medium, and the first irradiation unit 91 and the second irradiation unit 92 emit light. Each recording head 82 discharges ink to the recording medium when the recording medium is temporarily stopped by the intermittent conveyance of the conveying device 3. The ink that has landed on the recording medium is semi-cured when the recording medium is transported and receives light from the first irradiation unit 91, and is completely cured when the recording medium hits the recording medium. As a result, the image formed with the ink is fixed on the recording medium.

  When each head unit 81 is individually maintained, the operator rotates the head unit 81 to be maintained from the image recording state to the first maintenance state shown in FIG. In addition, the operator operates the lifting / lowering unit 53 to arrange the ink tank 52 corresponding to the recording head 82 to be maintained above the reference position of the recording head 82. As a result, since the ejection surface 821 of the recording head 82 to be maintained is exposed in a state where the internal pressure of the nozzle is positive, maintenance can be performed on the recording head 82. Maintenance for the recording head 82 includes wiping the ejection surface 821, checking nozzles, introducing ink to the nozzles, replacing the recording head 82, and the like.

  When maintaining the 1st irradiation part 91, an operator rotates the cover part 912 from a 1st maintenance state, and will be in the 2nd maintenance state shown in FIG. Thereby, since the light source 911 of the 1st irradiation part 91 is exposed, it becomes possible to perform maintenance with respect to the said light source 911. Examples of maintenance for the light source 911 include cleaning and replacement of the light source 911.

  When maintaining each head part 81 collectively, an operator rotates the support plate 11 from a 2nd maintenance state, and will be in the 3rd maintenance state shown in FIG. Further, the operator operates the elevating unit 53 to arrange all the ink tanks 52 above the reference positions of all the recording heads 82. Accordingly, since the ejection surfaces 821 of all the recording heads 82 are exposed in a state where the internal pressure of the nozzles is a positive pressure, maintenance can be performed on each ejection surface 821.

  When maintaining the surface of the platen 2 or the recording medium on the platen 2, the operator lifts the frame 12 from the first maintenance state to the fourth maintenance state shown in FIG. As a result, a space S is formed on the platen 2, so that maintenance can be performed on the surface of the platen 2 or the recording medium on the platen 2.

According to the present embodiment, the plurality of recording heads 82 rotate with respect to the carriage 10 around one end side of the recording head 82 and retract so that a predetermined space is formed on the platen 2. Even if there is a recording medium on the platen 2, a maintenance space can be secured below the recording head 82. Thereby, maintenance of the recording head 82 can be performed without removing the recording medium.
In addition, since the recording head 82 rotates around one end connected to the ink supply unit 5, the other end is separated from the platen 2 during retraction. That is, when the platen 2 is arranged horizontally, one end side connected to the ink supply unit 5 is positioned below the other end side, so that ink leaks from the nozzles of the recording head 82. It is possible to prevent the recording medium from getting dirty.

In addition, since the plurality of recording heads 82 are individually rotated with respect to the carriage 10, the recording heads 82 can be individually maintained.
Since the carriage 10 is also movable to and away from the platen 2, a maintenance space S can be formed on the platen 2, and maintenance is performed on the surface of the platen 2 or the recording medium on the platen 2. It is also possible.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be modified as appropriate.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 may be equipped with a wipe unit 20 that rubs the ejection surface 821 of the recording head 82 retracted from the recording medium on the platen 2. The wipe unit 20 is provided with a wipe 21 that slides on the ejection surface 821 and an absorber 22 that absorbs the ink L attached to the wipe 21. The absorber 22 is fixed to the rear end side of the discharge surface 821. The wipe 21 is disposed on the leading end side of the ejection surface 821 in the image recording state (see FIG. 11), and the recording head 82 is rotated to enter the first maintenance state or the third maintenance state. In conjunction with the rotation, the discharge surface 821 is rubbed and brought into contact with the absorber 22 (see FIG. 12). Accordingly, the ejection surface 821 can be rubbed in conjunction with the rotation operation of the recording head 82.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the rotation of the recording head 82, the rotation of the first irradiation unit 91, and the contact / separation operation of the carriage 10 with respect to the platen 2 is described by way of example. May be automatic.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a side view which shows schematic structure of the inkjet recording device of FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image recording unit provided in the ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. 1. It is a perspective view which shows the 1st maintenance state of the image recording part of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the 2nd maintenance state of the image recording part of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the 3rd maintenance state of the image recording part of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the 4th maintenance state of the image recording part of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the relationship between the image recording part of FIG. 7, and a flame | frame. It is a perspective view which shows the relationship between the image recording part of FIG. 7, and a platen. It is a perspective view which shows the relationship between the image recording part of FIG. 3, and a flame | frame. FIG. 6 is a side view showing a wipe unit installed with respect to the recording head. FIG. 6 is a side view showing a relationship between a recording head and a wipe unit in a first or third maintenance state.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet recording device 2 Platen 3 Conveying device 4 Image recording part 5 Ink supply part 6 Input panel 7 Frame 8 Ink ejection part 9 Irradiation part 10 Carriage 11 Support plate 12 Frame body 20 Wipe part 21 Wipe 22 Absorber 31 Recording medium supply part 32 Winding unit 33 Conveying unit 51 Ink supply tube 52 Ink tank 53 Lifting unit 81 Head unit 82 Recording head 83 Driving substrate 84 Base 85 Standing piece 86 Handle 87 Rotating unit 91 First irradiation unit 92 Second irradiation unit 111 Light source opening 112 Handle 113 Rotating part 121 Handle 122 Arm part 821 Discharge surface 911 Light source 912 Cover part 913 Storage part 914 Handle 915 Rotating part

Claims (4)

A platen that supports the recording medium;
A transport device for transporting the recording medium so as to pass over the platen;
In order to eject ink to the recording medium supported by the platen, a plurality of line-type recording heads extending in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium;
A carriage that supports the recording head such that ejection surfaces of the plurality of recording heads face the platen;
An ink supply unit connected to one end of each of the plurality of recording heads to supply ink to each of the recording heads;
A wipe portion that is individually disposed on each ejection surface of the plurality of recording heads and rubs against the ejection surface;
The plurality of recording heads are retracted so that a predetermined space is formed on the platen by a rotation operation that rotates with respect to the carriage around one end side of the recording head ,
The ink jet recording apparatus , wherein the wipe portion rubs the ejection surface in conjunction with the rotation operation of the recording head . The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
A plurality of the recording heads individually rotate the carriage relative to the carriage. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the carriage is freely movable toward and away from the platen. In the ink jet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The ink supply unit includes:
A plurality of ink tanks for storing ink;
An ink supply pipe that communicates each of the plurality of ink tanks and one end of each of the plurality of recording heads;
An elevating part that individually elevates and lowers the plurality of ink tanks;
The elevating part is
For the recording head retracted from above the platen, the ink tank corresponding to the retracted recording head is disposed above the water head reference position of the retracting recording head,
For the recording head that is not retracted from the platen, the ink tank corresponding to the recording head that is not retracted may be disposed below the water head reference position of the recording head that is not retracted. An ink jet recording apparatus capable of being used.

Images