JP5499883B2 - Fluid ejection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid ejecting apparatus.

  As a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects a fluid, for example, an ink jet recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is known. The ink jet recording apparatus is an apparatus that records characters, images, and the like on a recording medium (medium). The ink jet recording apparatus has a recording head having nozzles that selectively eject ink onto a recording medium. In an ink jet recording apparatus, in order to maintain or restore good ejection characteristics, for example, a maintenance operation of the recording head is periodically performed, such as a flushing operation for discharging ink from a nozzle and a suction operation.

  The ink jet recording apparatus is configured such that the ink discharged from the nozzles during the maintenance operation is received by the cap member. The cap member is provided with an absorbing member that absorbs ink. The ink absorbing member is made of a material having pores such as sponge. In the suction operation, for example, the nozzle is sucked through an absorbing member.

  As an absorption member, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a configuration is known in which a portion made of a material having a relatively large pore diameter and a portion made of a material having a relatively small pore diameter are combined. According to the description of Patent Document 1, ink from a nozzle is absorbed by a portion having a large pore diameter, and is absorbed and held by a portion having a small pore diameter using a difference in capillary force, and then the pore diameter is small. It becomes the composition which sucks a part.

JP-A-11-227225

  However, in the above configuration, since the nozzle is sucked through a portion having a small pore diameter, the suction force hardly reaches the nozzle, and the nozzle may not be sucked sufficiently.

  Further, the absorbing member in the cap member has a wetting effect on the recording head by the absorbed ink. In the case of the above configuration, the absorbing material having a large pore diameter on the absorbing material having a high ink holding force and a small pore diameter. Is disposed, the wetting effect may be weakened.

  In view of the circumstances as described above, the fluid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention provides a fluid ejecting apparatus capable of sufficiently exerting a suction force or a wetting effect on the nozzle while ensuring the absorbing power. Objective.

The fluid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention includes a fluid ejecting head having an ejecting surface provided with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting fluid, a fluid receiving unit that receives the fluid discharged from the plurality of nozzles, and the fluid receiving unit. A first portion provided in a region facing the plurality of nozzles in a state where the fluid receiving portion receives the fluid, and a first portion provided around the first portion. A fluid absorbing portion formed so that a diameter of the pores of the first portion is larger than a diameter of the pores of the second portion, and the fluid receiving portion includes: It has a second suction port that covers the ejection surface and communicates with a suction means that is provided at a position covered by the second portion and sucks the fluid receiving portion .
Also, a fluid ejection head having an ejection surface provided with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting fluid, and a suction port for receiving the fluid discharged from the nozzle and communicating with suction means for sucking the received fluid A fluid receiving portion in which the fluid receiving portion is formed, a first portion having a plurality of pores for absorbing the fluid, and a second portion having a pore diameter smaller than the pore diameter of the first portion, the fluid receiving portion, A comb-shaped portion formed in a part is disposed facing the nozzle, a connection portion formed in the comb-shaped portion is in contact with the suction port, and the second portion is the nozzle It is arrange | positioned facing the said injection surface without facing, It hold | maintains the surface opposite to the surface which faces the said nozzle of the said comb-tooth shaped part.

  According to the present invention, since the first portion having a larger pore diameter and higher fluid flowability than the second portion is provided in the region facing the plurality of nozzles, the fluid discharged from the plurality of nozzles is It is efficiently absorbed by the first part. And the 2nd part is arrange | positioned around the 1st part, The fluid absorbed by the 1st part is absorbed by the 2nd part with a smaller pore diameter. Since the second portion having a small pore diameter has a high holding force for the fluid, the fluid receiving portion is wetted by the fluid held in the first portion, and the fluid leaks from the fluid receiving portion even when the fluid ejecting apparatus is tilted. To prevent that.

In the fluid ejecting apparatus, the fluid receiving portion includes a suction port that covers the ejecting surface and communicates with a suction means that is provided at a position covered by the first portion and sucks the fluid receiving portion. To do.
According to the present invention, since the first portion having a larger pore diameter and higher fluid flowability than the second portion is provided in the region facing the plurality of nozzles, the fluid discharged from the plurality of nozzles is It is efficiently absorbed by the first part. In addition, since the first portion having a large pore diameter is configured to easily transmit the suction force, the suction force can be efficiently applied to the plurality of nozzles by providing a suction port at a position covered by the first portion. . Thereby, it is possible to sufficiently apply the suction force to the nozzle while ensuring the absorption force.

In the fluid ejecting apparatus, the fluid ejecting head includes a plurality of nozzle rows each including a plurality of the nozzles, and the first portion is provided at a plurality of locations corresponding to the plurality of nozzle rows. It has the connection part which connects 1st parts, The connection part extended from the said connection part or the said connection part covers the said suction opening, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
According to the present invention, in the configuration in which the first part is provided at a plurality of locations, the plurality of first parts are connected to each other by the connecting part, and thus can be formed as one member and connected from the connecting part or the connecting part. Since the portion covers the suction port, the suction force from one suction port can be applied to the plurality of first portions, and the fluid can be circulated between the plurality of first portions.

In the fluid ejecting apparatus, the fluid receiving portion has a second suction port that covers the ejecting surface and communicates with a suction means that is provided at a position covered by the second portion and sucks the fluid receiving portion. It is characterized by.
According to the present invention, since the fluid held in the second portion can be sucked from the second suction port, the holding capacity of the fluid in the second portion can be recovered. Thereby, the holding force by the second part can be maintained.

The fluid ejecting apparatus is characterized in that the suction port and the second suction port are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to a central portion of the fluid receiving portion in a plan view.
According to the present invention, since the suction port and the second suction port are arranged in a balanced manner in the fluid receiving part, the fluid in the fluid receiving part can be sucked evenly.

The fluid ejecting apparatus further includes a second suction mechanism that can be connected to each of the suction port and the second suction port.
According to the present invention, since the second suction mechanism that can be switched and connected to each of the suction port and the second suction port is further provided, the fluid in the fluid absorbing portion can be efficiently sucked.

The fluid ejecting apparatus is characterized in that the second suction mechanism can perform suction so that the suction amount differs between the suction port and the second suction port.
According to the present invention, since the second suction mechanism is capable of suctioning so that the suction amount is different between the suction port and the second suction port, for example, when sucking the first part where the suction force is relatively likely to act. When the second portion that is weakly sucked and the suction force is relatively difficult to suck is sucked strongly, the fluid in the fluid absorbing portion can be sucked uniformly.

In the fluid ejecting apparatus, the second portion has a recess on a surface facing the ejection surface, and the first portion is provided in the recess.
According to the present invention, since the second portion has a recess on the surface facing the ejection surface and the first portion is provided in the recess, for example, the first portion is disposed in the recess of the second portion. Installation of the fluid absorber can be completed. Thereby, a fluid absorption part can be formed easily.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus PRT (liquid ejecting apparatus) according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, for example, an ink jet type printing apparatus will be described as an example of the printing apparatus PRT.

  The printing apparatus PRT shown in FIG. 1 is an apparatus that performs a printing process while conveying a sheet-like medium M such as paper or a plastic sheet. The printing apparatus PRT includes a housing PB, an inkjet mechanism IJ that ejects ink onto the medium M, an ink supply mechanism IS that supplies ink to the inkjet mechanism IJ, a transport mechanism CV that transports the medium M, and an inkjet mechanism IJ. The maintenance mechanism MN that performs the maintenance operation of the above and the control device CONT that controls these mechanisms.

  Hereinafter, an XYZ rectangular coordinate system is set, and the positional relationship of each component will be described with reference to the XYZ rectangular coordinate system as appropriate. In the present embodiment, for example, the conveyance direction of the medium M is the X direction, the direction perpendicular to the X direction on the conveyance surface of the medium M is the Y direction, and the direction perpendicular to the plane including the X axis and the Y axis is the Z direction. write. The rotation direction around the X axis is the θX direction, the rotation direction around the Y axis is the θY direction, and the rotation direction around the Z axis is the θZ direction.

  The housing PB is formed, for example, with the Y direction as a longitudinal direction. Each part of the inkjet mechanism IJ, the ink supply mechanism IS, the transport mechanism CV, the maintenance mechanism MN, and the control device CONT is attached to the housing PB. For example, a platen 13 is provided in the housing PB. The platen 13 is a support member that supports the medium M. The platen 13 is disposed, for example, at the center in the X direction of the housing PB. The platen 13 has a flat surface 13a oriented in the + Z direction. The flat surface 13a is used as a support surface that supports the medium M.

  The transport mechanism CV includes, for example, a transport roller and a motor that drives the transport roller. For example, the transport mechanism CV transports the medium M into the housing PB from the −X side of the housing PB and discharges the medium M from the + X side of the housing PB to the outside of the housing PB. The transport mechanism CV transports the medium M so that the medium M passes over the platen 13 inside the housing PB. In the transport mechanism CV, for example, the transport timing and transport amount are controlled by the control device CONT.

  The inkjet mechanism IJ has a head H that ejects ink and a head moving mechanism AC that holds and moves the head H. The head H ejects ink toward the medium M sent onto the platen 13. The head H has an ejection surface Ha that ejects ink. The ejection surface Ha is directed, for example, in the −Z direction, and is disposed so as to face the support surface 13a of the platen 13, for example.

  The head moving mechanism AC has a carriage 4. The head H is fixed to the carriage 4. The carriage 4 is in contact with a guide shaft 8 that extends in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the housing PB. The head H and the carriage 4 are disposed in the + Z direction of the platen 13, for example.

  In addition to the carriage 4, the head moving mechanism AC includes, for example, a pulse motor 9, a drive pulley 10 that is rotationally driven by the pulse motor 9, and a drive pulley 10 that is provided on the opposite side in the width direction of the housing PB. It has a rolling pulley 11 and a timing belt 12 that is stretched between the driving pulley 10 and the idle pulley 11 and connected to the carriage 4.

  The carriage 4 is connected to the timing belt 12. The carriage 4 is provided to be movable in the Y direction as the timing belt 12 rotates. When moving in the Y direction, the carriage 4 is guided by a guide shaft 8.

  The ink supply mechanism IS supplies ink to the head H. For example, a plurality of ink cartridges 6 are accommodated in the ink supply mechanism IS. The printing apparatus PRT of this embodiment has a configuration (off-carriage type) in which the ink cartridge 6 is accommodated at a position different from the head H. The ink supply mechanism IS has a supply tube TB that connects the head H and the ink cartridge 6, for example. The ink supply mechanism IS has a pump mechanism (not shown) that supplies the ink stored in the ink cartridge 6 to the head H via the supply tube TB. The maintenance mechanism MN is disposed at the home position of the head H. This home position is set, for example, in an area outside the area where printing is performed on the medium M. In the present embodiment, for example, the home position is set on the + Y side of the platen 13. The home position is a place where the head H stands by, for example, when the printing apparatus PRT is powered off or when recording is not performed for a long time.

  The maintenance mechanism MN includes, for example, a capping mechanism CP that covers the ejection surface Ha of the head H, a wiping mechanism WP that wipes the ejection surface Ha, and the like. A suction mechanism SC such as a suction pump is connected to the capping mechanism CP. By the suction mechanism SC, the capping mechanism CP can suck the space on the ejection surface Ha while covering the ejection surface Ha, for example. The waste ink discharged from the head H to the maintenance mechanism MN side is collected by, for example, a waste liquid collection mechanism (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the head H. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part for explaining the configuration of the head H.
As shown in FIG. 2, the head H includes an introduction needle unit 17, a head case 18, a flow path unit 19, and an actuator unit 20.

  Two ink introduction needles 22 are attached to the upper surface of the introduction needle unit 17 side by side with the filter 21 interposed. An ink introduction path 23 corresponding to each ink introduction needle 22 is formed inside the introduction needle unit 17. The upper end of the ink introduction path 23 is connected to the ink introduction needle 22 through the filter 21. The lower end of the ink introduction path 23 is connected to a case flow path 25 inside the head case 18 via a packing 24. A sub tank 2 is attached to each of the ink introduction needles 22.

  The sub tank 2 is formed using a resin material such as polypropylene, for example. An ink chamber 27 is provided in the sub tank 2. The ink chamber 27 has a concave portion 27a formed in a mortar shape, for example. The recess 27a has an opening 27b. A transparent elastic sheet 26 is attached to the opening 27b. A communication hole 27c is formed at the bottom of the recess 27a. The communication hole 27c is formed to communicate between the recess 27a of the ink chamber 27 and the ink supply chamber 27d. The ink supply chamber 27d is connected to, for example, a supply tube TB. For example, a filter (not shown) or the like is provided in a connection portion of the ink supply chamber 27d with the supply tube TB, for example.

  The elastic sheet 26 is stuck so as to close the opening 27b. The elastic sheet 26 expands and contracts according to the pressure in the ink chamber 27. For example, when the pressure in the ink chamber 27 becomes higher than the external pressure, the elastic sheet 26 expands toward the outside of the recess 27a, and the volume of the ink chamber 27 increases. When the pressure in the ink chamber 27 becomes lower than the external pressure, the ink chamber 27 expands toward the inside of the recess 27a, and the volume of the ink chamber 27 decreases.

  A valve 27 e is attached to the elastic sheet 26. The valve 27e is connected to the ink supply chamber 27d from the recess 27a through the communication hole 27c, and is formed to open and close the communication hole 27c from the ink supply chamber 27d side. The valve 27e opens and closes the communication hole 27c in conjunction with the expansion and contraction of the elastic sheet 26. Specifically, the communication hole 27c is opened when the elastic sheet 26 expands in the direction of decreasing the volume of the ink chamber 27, and the communication hole when the elastic sheet 26 expands in the direction of increasing the volume of the ink chamber 27. 27c is closed. An urging member 27f for applying a predetermined elastic force is attached to the valve 27e, and the opening / closing pressure of the communication hole 27c is adjusted.

  The sub tank 2 is connected to the needle connecting portion 28. The needle connection portion 28 is a portion that connects the ink introduction needle 22 sub-tank 2 and the ink introduction needle 22. In the concave portion 27 a of the ink chamber 27, a connection channel 29 connected to the needle connection portion 28 is formed. A seal material 31 into which the ink introduction needle 22 is fitted with almost no gap is provided in the internal space of the needle connection portion 28. By fitting the ink introduction needle 22 into the sealing material 31, the sub tank 2 and the introduction needle unit 17 are connected with almost no leakage.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the head case 18 is formed using a synthetic resin or the like. The head case 18 is formed in a box shape so as to have a hollow portion, for example. The head case 18 has an introduction needle unit 17 attached to the upper end side via a packing 24. A flow path unit 19 is joined to the lower end surface of the head case 18. The actuator unit 20 is accommodated in a hollow portion 37 formed inside the head case 18.

  A case channel 25 is provided inside the head case 18 so as to penetrate the height direction. The upper end of the case flow path 25 communicates with the ink introduction path 23 of the introduction needle unit 17 through the packing 24. The lower end of the case flow path 25 communicates with the common ink chamber 44 in the flow path unit 19. Therefore, the ink L introduced from the ink introduction needle 22 is supplied to the common ink chamber 44 side through the ink introduction path 23 and the case flow path 25.

  The actuator unit 20 supplies, for example, a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators 38 arranged in a comb shape, a fixed plate 39 that holds the piezoelectric vibrator 38, and a drive signal from the control device CONT to the piezoelectric vibrator 38. And a flexible cable 40.

  The piezoelectric vibrator 38 is fixed so that the lower end portion in the figure protrudes from the lower end surface of the fixed plate 39. Thus, each piezoelectric vibrator 38 is mounted on the fixed plate 39 in a so-called cantilever state. The fixed plate 39 that supports each piezoelectric vibrator 38 is made of, for example, stainless steel having a thickness of about 1 mm. For example, a surface different from the surface on which the piezoelectric vibrator 38 is fixed is bonded to the inner wall surface of the case that defines the hollow portion 37.

  The flow path unit 19 includes a vibration plate 41, a flow path substrate 42 and a nozzle substrate 43. The diaphragm 41, the flow path substrate 42, and the nozzle substrate 43 are bonded in a stacked state. The flow path unit 19 constitutes a series of ink flow paths (liquid flow paths) from the common ink chamber 44 through the ink supply port 45 and the pressure chamber 46 to the nozzle NZ. The pressure chamber 46 is formed such that the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction (nozzle row direction) of the nozzles NZ is the longitudinal direction.

  The common ink chamber 44 is connected to the case flow path 25. The common ink chamber 44 is a chamber into which the ink L from the ink introduction needle 22 side is introduced. The common ink chamber 44 is connected to the ink supply port 45. The ink L introduced into the common ink chamber 44 is distributed to each pressure chamber 46 through the ink supply port 45.

  The nozzle substrate 43 is disposed at the bottom of the flow path unit 19. A plurality of nozzles NZ are formed on the nozzle substrate 43 at a pitch (for example, 180 dpi) corresponding to the dot formation density of an image or the like formed on the medium M. As the nozzle substrate 43, for example, a metal plate material such as stainless steel is used.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the capping mechanism CP according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the configuration of the capping mechanism CP. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the capping mechanism CP includes, for example, a cap member 50 and an ink absorbing portion 51. The ink absorbing portion 51 includes a first absorbing member (first portion) 52 and a second absorbing member (second portion) 53.

The first absorbent member 52 may, for example, a flexible made of a material having has a structure that contains pores of relatively large diameter between the secondary absorbent member 53. For this reason, the first absorbing member 52 has higher ink flowability and transferability of the suction force at the time of suction, while the capillary force (ink holding force) is smaller than the second absorption member 53.

Secondary absorbent member 53, for example a flexible made of a material having has a structure that contains pores of relatively small diameter between the first absorbent member 52. For this reason, the second absorbent member 53 has lower ink flowability and transferability of the suction force during suction, while having a higher capillary force (ink holding force) than the first absorbent member 52.

  The 1st absorption member 52 has the strip part 52a and the connection part 52b. The strip 52a is formed, for example, in a shape having a length in one direction. A plurality of (for example, four) strips 52a are provided in the Y direction. Each strip 52a is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the X direction. The strips 52a are arranged in the Y direction at an equal pitch, for example. The connection part 52b is arrange | positioned at the edge part by the side of + X among the 1st absorption members 52, for example. For this reason, the 1st absorption member 52 is formed in the comb-tooth shape by Z direction view.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the strip 52 a is disposed in a portion facing the plurality of nozzles NZ provided in the head H in a state where the cap member 50 is opposed to the head H. For this reason, when ink is discharged from the plurality of nozzles NZ with the cap member 50 facing the head H, the ink lands on the first absorbing member 52.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the first absorbent member 52.
As shown in FIG. 6, a connecting portion 52 c is formed on the connecting portion 52 b of the first absorbent member 52. The connection part 52c is formed in a columnar shape, for example, on the −Z side from the central part in the Y direction in the connection part 52b. The tip end surface (the surface on the −Z side) of the connection portion 52 c is in contact with, for example, the bottom portion of the cap member 50. As for the 1st absorption member 52, the strip part 52a, the connection part 52b, and the connection part 52c are formed as one member.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the second absorbent member 53.
As shown in FIG. 7, the second absorbent member 53 has a base portion 53 a that is disposed around the first absorbent member 52. The base member 53a is arranged so as to surround a region facing the plurality of nozzles NZ with the cap member 50 facing the head H. In the present embodiment, since the first absorbing member 53 is disposed in a region facing the plurality of nozzles NZ, the base portion 53a has an upper surface of the ink absorbing portion 51 with respect to the region (first absorbing member 53). It is in a state of being arranged around the surface direction.

  As described above, the surface (upper surface) of the ink absorbing portion 51 that faces the head H is divided by the region where the first absorbing member 52 is formed and the region where the second absorbing member 53 is formed. It has become. Accordingly, when the ink absorbing portion 51 is viewed from the head H, the second absorbing member 53 is disposed around the first absorbing member 52 in the surface direction of the upper surface of the ink absorbing portion 51.

  A recess 53b and a communication portion 53c having a shape corresponding to the shape of the first absorption member 52 are formed in the base portion 53a. The communication part 53c is, for example, an end part on the −X side of the second absorption member 53 and is formed in the center part in the Y direction. The communication portion 53c is formed so as to communicate the + Z side and the −Z side of the base portion 53a. In this embodiment, since the communication part 53c is formed in the + X side end part of the second absorption member 53, a part of the + X side end surface of the second absorption member 53 is cut out. . The concave portion 53b is formed to the surface on the −Z side of the base portion 53a. Similar to the first absorbent member 52, the second absorbent member 53 is formed as a single member.

  The ink absorbing portion 51 has a configuration in which a first absorbing member 52 formed of one member and a second absorbing member 53 formed of the same member are combined. Specifically, for example, the strip portion 52a and the connecting portion 52b of the first absorbent member 52 are fitted into the concave portion 53b of the second absorbent member 53. Further, the connection portion 52 c of the first absorption member 52 is fitted into the communication portion 53 c of the second absorption member 53. For this reason, the first absorbent member 52 is disposed in the recess 53 b of the second absorbent member 53. In this case, the first absorbing member 52 and the second absorbing member 53 are combined so that the second absorbing member 53 is disposed around the first absorbing member 52 in the surface direction of the upper surface of the ink absorbing portion 51.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first suction port 54 is in the region covered with the connecting portion 52 b of the first absorbent member 52 in the bottom of the cap member 50, that is, in the region in contact with the distal end surface of the connecting portion 52 c. Is provided. The first suction port 54 is disposed at the center of the cap member 50 in the Y direction. The first suction port 54 is connected to the suction mechanism SC via, for example, the first valve V1. The first valve V1 is provided so as to be opened and closed under the control of the control device CONT, for example. The first suction port 54 is connected to the plurality of strip portions 52a through the connection portion 52c and the coupling portion 52b. For this reason, the 1st suction port 54 is provided in common with respect to the some strip part 52a.

  A second suction port 55 is provided at a position covered by the second absorption member 53 in the bottom of the cap member 50. The second suction port 55 is provided, for example, at a position sandwiching the central portion of the cap member 50 in plan view with the first suction port 54. In FIG. 5, for example, the first suction port 54 and the second suction port 55 are disposed at symmetrical positions with respect to the central portion of the cap member 50. The second suction port 55 is connected to the suction mechanism SC through, for example, the second valve V2. The second valve V2 is provided so as to be opened and closed under the control of the control device CONT, for example.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the printing apparatus PRT.
The printing device PRT includes a control device CONT that controls the operation of the entire printing device PRT. The control device CONT is connected to an input device IP for inputting various information relating to the operation of the printing device PRT, a storage device MR storing various information relating to the operation of the printing device PRT, and the like. A moving mechanism AC, a maintenance mechanism MN, and the like are connected. The control device CONT can control, for example, the suction mechanism SC, the first valve V1, and the second valve V2 in the maintenance mechanism MN.

  The printing apparatus PRT includes a drive signal generator 62 that generates a drive signal to be input to each piezoelectric vibrator 38. The drive signal generator 62 is connected to the control device CONT. The drive signal generator 62 receives data indicating the amount of change in the voltage value of the ejection pulse input to the piezoelectric vibrator 38 of the head H, and a timing signal that defines the timing for changing the voltage of the ejection pulse. The drive signal generator 62 is provided so that a drive signal can be individually supplied to each piezoelectric vibrator 38.

Next, the operation of the printing apparatus PRT configured as described above will be described.
When performing the printing operation by the head H, the control device CONT arranges the medium M on the −Z side of the head H by the transport mechanism CV. After disposing the medium M, the controller CONT inputs a drive signal from the drive signal generator 62 associated with the nozzle NZ to the piezoelectric vibrator 38 based on the image data of the image to be printed while moving the head H.

  When a drive signal is input to the piezoelectric vibrator 38, the piezoelectric vibrator 38 expands and contracts. Due to the expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric vibrator 38, the volume of the pressure chamber 46 changes, and the pressure of the pressure chamber 46 containing ink fluctuates. Ink is ejected from the nozzle NZ due to the fluctuation of the pressure. A desired image is formed on the medium M by the ink ejected from the nozzles NZ. When the piezoelectric vibrator 38 is expanded and contracted, the first electric signal may be supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 38. Further, a drive signal different from the first electric signal may be supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 38.

As a maintenance operation of the head H, the control device CONT performs, for example, a flushing operation, a capping operation, a suction operation, and the like.
For example, when the flushing operation is performed, the control device CONT moves the head H to the home position so that the ejection surface Ha of the head H and the cap member 50 face each other. In this state, the control device CONT finely adjusts the posture of the cap member 50 so that the ejection surface Ha of the head H is parallel to the cap member 50, for example. After adjusting the posture of the cap member 50, the control device CONT vibrates the piezoelectric vibrator 38 via the drive signal generator 62.

  By this operation, ink is ejected from the nozzle NZ and discharged. The discharged ink lands on the first absorbing member 52 disposed in a portion of the ink absorbing portion 51 in the cap member 50 that faces, for example, the plurality of nozzles NZ. The ink that has landed on the first absorbing member 52 is absorbed inside the first absorbing member 52 and is absorbed and held toward the second absorbing member 53 having a greater capillary force than the first absorbing member 52.

  Next, when the capping operation is performed, the control device CONT moves the head H to the home position and causes the head H and the cap member 50 to face each other. At the same time, the control device CONT moves the cap member 50 to the head H side by a driving mechanism (not shown) to press the ejection surface Ha. By this operation, a gap is formed between the cap member 50 and the ejection surface Ha, and the capping operation is completed. In the cap member 50, for example, an ink absorbing portion 51 that absorbs ink is disposed. Accordingly, the ink absorbed by the ink absorbing portion 51 exerts a wetting effect on the head H.

  After the capping operation, a suction operation for sucking the nozzle NZ of the head H can be performed. For example, after the cap member 50 is brought into contact with the head H, for example, the first valve V1 is opened and the second valve V2 is closed, and the control device CONT operates the suction mechanism SC. With this operation, a suction force acts on the first suction port 54 of the cap member 50. On the other hand, no suction force acts on the second suction port 55. Due to the suction force acting on the first suction port 54, the space on the ejection surface Ha of the head H is sucked through the inside of the first absorption member 52 and becomes negative pressure. By the negative pressure, the ink is discharged from the plurality of nozzles NZ of the head H in the −Z direction, and the viscosity of the ink is appropriately maintained.

  The ink discharged from the plurality of nozzles NZ is landed on the strip portion 52a of the first absorbing member 52 disposed in a portion facing the plurality of nozzles NZ, and is absorbed into the strip portion 52a, as in the flushing operation. Is done. The ink absorbed in the strip 52a circulates in the first absorbing member 52 by the suction force by the suction mechanism SC. For example, it circulates from the strip part 52a to the connection part 52b, and circulates from the connection part 52b to the first suction port 54 via the connection part 52c. The ink that has reached the first suction port 54 is sucked from the first suction port 54 and collected.

  After the ink suction operation is completed, the control device CONT releases the negative pressure state in the cap member 50 by, for example, releasing the inside of the cap member 50 to the atmosphere. For example, the cap member 50 may be provided with an air opening (not shown). After canceling the negative pressure state, the control device CONT separates the cap member 50 from the ejection surface Ha of the head H. The suction operation is performed as described above.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the first absorbent member 52 having a larger pore diameter and higher fluid flowability than the second absorbent member 53 is provided in a region facing the plurality of nozzles NZ. Therefore, the ink discharged from the plurality of nozzles NZ reaches the first absorbing member 52 and is efficiently absorbed. In addition, since the first absorption member 52 having a large pore diameter is also configured to easily transmit the suction force, by providing the first suction port 54 at a position covered by the first absorption member 52, a plurality of NZ nozzles can be provided. Thus, the suction force can be applied efficiently. Thereby, it is possible to sufficiently apply the suction force to the nozzle NZ while ensuring the absorption force.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the second absorbing member 53 having a small pore diameter has a high holding force for holding ink, the cap member 50 is wetted by the ink held by the second absorbing member 53. Become. Further, even when the printing apparatus PRT is tilted, it is possible to prevent ink from leaking from the cap member 50.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the aspect in which the suction operation is performed through the first suction port 54 has been described. However, in addition to this, for example, a suction operation through the second suction port 55 can be performed.

  For example, the control device CONT, for example, opens the second valve V2 and closes the first valve V1 to operate the suction mechanism SC. By this operation, the second suction port 55 is sucked, and the ink held by the second absorption member 53 is sucked from the second suction port 55 and collected. The operation of sucking the second absorption member 53 is performed in a state where the cap member 50 is separated from the head H, for example. Further, the control device CONT makes the suction amount for sucking the second absorption member 53 larger than the suction amount for sucking the first absorption member 52 in the above embodiment. Of course, this operation may be performed with the cap member 50 capping the head H.

  Further, the suction mechanism SC may be operated with both the first valve V1 and the second valve V2 open. In this case, suction can be performed from both the first suction port 54 and the second suction port 55. In this case, the cap member 50 may be separated from the head H, or the cap member 50 may be capped with the head H.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the connection part 52b of the 1st absorption member 52 was the structure arrange | positioned at the edge part of a X direction, for example, it is not restricted to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the connection part 52b may be configured to be arranged at the center in the X direction. Along with this, as shown in FIG. 9, the connecting portion 52c is arranged at the center in the X direction. In this case, the first suction port 54 is arranged corresponding to the position of the connection portion 52c. In FIG. 9, the connection part 52c is arrange | positioned in the center part of the cap member 50 by Z direction view. For this reason, the 1st suction port 54 is arrange | positioned in the position covered with the -Z side end surface of the said connection part 52c, for example, the center part of the cap member 50 by Z direction view.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the 1st absorption member 52 was the structure formed in the comb-tooth shape by Z direction view, it is not restricted to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the first absorbent member 52 may be configured to be rectangular when viewed in the Z direction. In this case, the first absorption member 52 is provided over a region including a range in which the plurality of nozzles NZ are arranged. Even in this case, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained. In FIG. 10, the position of the first suction port 54 is disposed in the center portion as viewed in the Z direction. However, the position is not limited to this, and any other position can be used as long as it is covered by the first absorbent member 52. You may arrange in.

  In the above-described embodiment, the fluid ejecting apparatus of the present invention is applied to an ink jet printer. However, the fluid ejecting apparatus may be applied to a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects or discharges fluid other than ink. That is, the present invention can be applied to various fluid ejecting apparatuses including a fluid ejecting head that ejects a minute amount of liquid droplets. In addition, a droplet means the state of the fluid discharged from the above-mentioned fluid ejecting apparatus, and includes one that has a tail in a granular shape, a tear shape, or a thread shape. The fluid here may be a material that can be ejected by the fluid ejecting apparatus.

  For example, it may be in the state when the substance is in a liquid phase, such as a liquid state with high or low viscosity, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metal melts ) And a fluid as one state of the substance, as well as particles in which functional material particles made of solid substances such as pigments and metal particles are dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent. A typical example of the fluid is ink as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink includes general water-based inks and oil-based inks, and various fluid compositions such as gel inks and hot-melt inks.

  As a specific example of the fluid ejecting apparatus, for example, a fluid containing a material such as an electrode material or a color material used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, a surface emitting display, or a color filter in a dispersed or dissolved form. It may be a fluid ejecting apparatus for ejecting, a fluid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a bio-organic matter used for biochip manufacturing, a fluid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a fluid used as a precision pipette, a printing apparatus, a microdispenser, or the like.

  In addition, transparent resin liquids such as UV curable resins to form fluid injection devices that inject lubricating oil onto precision machines such as watches and cameras, micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements, etc. A fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid onto the substrate, or a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects an etching solution such as acid or alkali to etch the substrate or the like may be employed.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a head. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a head. The perspective view which shows the structure of a capping mechanism. The top view which shows the structure of a capping mechanism. The perspective view which shows the structure of a part of capping mechanism. The perspective view which shows the structure of a part of capping mechanism. The block diagram which shows the structure of a control system. The top view which shows the other structure of a capping mechanism. The top view which shows the other structure of a capping mechanism.

  PRT ... Printing device MN ... Maintenance mechanism CONT ... Control device H ... Head CP ... Capping mechanism SC ... Suction mechanism NZ ... Nozzle 50 ... Cap member 51 ... Ink absorbing portion 52 ... First absorbing member 52a ... Strip portion 52b ... Connecting portion 52c ... Connection part 53 ... Second absorption member 53a ... Base part 53b ... Recessed part 53c ... Communication part 54 ... First suction port 55 ... Second suction port

Claims (8)

A fluid ejection head having an ejection surface provided with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting fluid;
A fluid receiving portion for receiving the fluid discharged from a plurality of the nozzles;
A first portion provided in the fluid receiving portion, having a plurality of pores for absorbing the fluid, and provided in a region facing the plurality of nozzles in a state where the fluid receiving portion receives the fluid, and the periphery of the first portion A fluid absorbing portion formed so that a diameter of the pores of the first portion is larger than a diameter of the pores of the second portion ,
The fluid receiving unit includes a second suction port that covers the ejection surface and is provided at a position covered by the second part and communicates with a suction unit that sucks the inside of the fluid receiving unit. The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluid receiving unit includes a suction port that covers the ejection surface and is provided at a position covered by the first part and communicates with a suction unit that sucks the inside of the fluid receiving unit. The fluid ejecting head has a plurality of nozzle rows composed of a plurality of the nozzles,
The first portion is provided at a plurality of locations corresponding to the plurality of nozzle rows, and has a connecting portion that connects the plurality of first portions,
The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion or a connecting portion extending from the connecting portion covers the suction port. A fluid ejection head having an ejection surface provided with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting fluid;
A fluid receiving portion in which a suction port for receiving the fluid discharged from the nozzle and communicating with a suction means for sucking the received fluid is formed;
A first portion having a plurality of pores for absorbing the fluid and a second portion having a pore diameter smaller than the pore diameter of the first portion in the fluid receiving portion;
The comb-shaped portion formed in the first portion is disposed facing the nozzle, and the connection portion formed in the comb-shaped portion is in contact with the suction port,
The fluid ejecting apparatus , wherein the second portion is disposed so as to face the ejection surface without facing the nozzle, and holds a surface opposite to the surface facing the nozzle of the comb-shaped portion . The fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the fluid receiving portion includes a second suction port that is provided at a position covered by the second portion and communicates with a suction unit that sucks the inside of the fluid receiving portion. The fluid ejection according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the suction port and the second suction port are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to a central portion of the fluid receiving portion in plan view. apparatus. It said suction port and a fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6 is switched to each of the second suction port further comprises a Aspirate mechanism connectable. Before Ki吸 pull mechanism, a fluid ejecting apparatus according to claim 7 suction amount can be sucked differently between the suction port and the second suction port.

Images