JP5529088B2 - Liquid ejection apparatus and inkjet head maintenance method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejection apparatus and an inkjet head maintenance method, and more particularly to a maintenance technique for a liquid ejection surface of an inkjet head.

  Various foreign substances such as ink residue and paper dust adhere to the nozzle surface and nozzle edge of an inkjet head used in an inkjet recording apparatus. If foreign matter adheres to the nozzle surface, ink droplets ejected from the nozzles are affected, causing variations in the ink droplet ejection direction, and landing ink droplets at predetermined positions on the recording medium. The image quality is deteriorated. Therefore, in order to avoid ejection abnormalities caused by deposits on the nozzle surface, the nozzle surface is appropriately cleaned.

  For example, in Patent Document 1 below, the cleaning liquid is supplied into the capping member with the ejection surface being capped to clean the ejection surface, and the cleaning liquid on the ejection surface is removed by wiping. An ink jet recording apparatus configured to supply a cleaning liquid to keep the ejection surface moisturized is disclosed.

  In Patent Document 2, when wiping the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head that is inclined along the circumferential surface of the rotating member, the liquid is oozed out of the nozzle to wet the nozzle surface, and the liquid is brought into contact with the nozzle surface by gravity. A droplet discharge device configured to wipe the nozzle surface from the upstream side to the downstream side in the direction of flow is disclosed.

  Patent Document 3 is configured such that the wiper can be selectively moved between an operation position where the wiper can contact the nozzle surface of the ink head and a standby position where the wiper does not contact the nozzle surface of the ink head. A wiper cleaning mechanism is disclosed that is configured such that the wiper is immersed in the cleaning liquid when moved to the standby position.

JP 2004-209897 A JP 2009-172981 A JP 2007-203660 A

  However, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, the cleaning liquid is discharged from the cap member after cleaning the nozzle surface, and the cleaning liquid is newly supplied to the cap member when moisturizing the nozzle surface. Will be used.

  Also, as a means for transporting the recording medium, a drum transport system is applied in which the recording medium is held on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical transport drum, and the transport drum is rotated to transport the recording medium along the outer peripheral surface of the transport drum. Since the inkjet recording apparatus is disposed to be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane so that the inkjet head faces the outer peripheral surface of the transport drum, the nozzle surface is not in contact with the cleaning liquid in the cleaning mode or in the moisturizing mode. May not be sufficiently moisturized. Further, in the cleaning mode and the moisturizing mode, there is a possibility that the inside of the ink jet head and the electric substrate connected to the ink jet head are immersed in the cleaning liquid.

Figure 21 (a), (b) is a diagram of the cleaning mode and moisturizing mode of the ink jet head disclosed in Patent Document 1 shown schematically. FIGS. 21C and 21D are diagrams for explaining the problems of the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1. FIG.

  A configuration denoted by reference numeral 510 is an inkjet head, and a configuration denoted by reference numerals 520 and 530 indicates a cap and a cleaning liquid, respectively.

  When the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 is applied to the above-described inclined inkjet head, the liquid level can only be maintained horizontal, so that the electric substrate of the inkjet head 510 is submerged in the cleaning mode. There is a fear (see FIG. 21C). In the moisturizing mode, it is difficult to make the nozzle surface sufficiently moisturized because it is difficult to make the liquid surface face the nozzle surface (see FIG. 21D).

Droplet ejection apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2, since the wetted whole more nozzle surface ink was oozing out from the nozzle surface, it is difficult to obtain the same cleaning effect as the cleaning solution is used . Moreover, it is necessary to provide the structure for moisturizing a nozzle surface separately, and an apparatus will enlarge.

  In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 3, since the cleaning liquid tank is provided separately from the cap member, the apparatus is particularly large in an apparatus including a full-line type ink jet head.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a liquid ejection apparatus and an inkjet head maintenance method capable of efficiently performing the cleaning mode and the moisture retention mode of the inkjet head and reducing the amount of cleaning liquid used. For the purpose.

  In order to achieve the above object, a liquid ejection device according to a first aspect includes an inkjet head having a liquid ejection surface for ejecting liquid, and a cleaning device for applying a cleaning liquid to the liquid ejection surface, and the cleaning The apparatus includes a cleaning liquid film holding surface on which a liquid film of a cleaning liquid is formed between the liquid discharging surface and the liquid discharging surface, and the liquid discharging surface and the cleaning liquid film holding A cleaning liquid holding means having a cleaning liquid supply unit for supplying a cleaning liquid between the surface and a cleaning liquid reservoir in which an opening is provided in a surface connected to the cleaning liquid film holding surface, and the cleaning liquid supplied to the cleaning liquid film holding surface is recovered A moisturizing unit that keeps the liquid ejection surface moist by bringing the opening close to the liquid ejection surface, and the liquid ejection surface, the cleaning liquid retaining unit, and the moisturizing unit in a direction substantially parallel to the liquid ejection surface. And And comprising a moving means for moving paired manner, the.

According to the first aspect, the liquid discharge surface can be cleaned by flowing the cleaning liquid between the liquid discharge surface and the cleaning liquid film holding surface having a predetermined distance with respect to the ink jet head. Further, by providing the cleaning liquid reservoir facing the liquid ejection surface, it is possible to moisturizing liquid discharge surface by the cleaning liquid evaporated from the washing liquid reservoir. Accordingly, the ink jet head can be efficiently stored by washing and moisture retention. Then, the cleaning mode and the moisturizing mode can be easily switched by moving the cleaning liquid film holding surface and the cleaning liquid storage part relatively in parallel to the droplet discharge surface.

  The liquid ejection apparatus according to the second aspect is the liquid ejection apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the cleaning liquid holding unit and the moisturizing unit are integrally formed in the cleaning device.

  According to this aspect, the cleaning liquid holding unit and the moisturizing unit are integrated to form the cleaning device, whereby the size of the device can be reduced.

  A liquid ejection apparatus according to a third aspect is the liquid ejection apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the liquid ejection apparatus has a cylindrical shape, and holds a medium to which the liquid ejected from the inkjet head is attached on an outer peripheral surface. And a rotary conveying means for rotating and conveying the medium by rotating the cylindrical central axis as a rotation axis, and the ink jet head is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane so that the liquid discharge surface faces the outer peripheral surface. The cleaning liquid film holding surface is inclined substantially parallel to the liquid discharge surface.

  In such an aspect, there may be an aspect including a plurality of inkjet heads. In a plurality of inkjet heads, when the inclination angle of the liquid ejection surface with respect to the horizontal plane is different, an aspect including a plurality of apparatuses having cleaning liquid film holding surfaces with different inclination angles is preferable.

  According to a fourth aspect, in the liquid ejection apparatus according to the third aspect, the moisturizing means is provided on the downstream side of the inclination of the cleaning liquid holding means.

According to this embodiment, the moisturizing means by providing the downstream side of the cleaning liquid holding means, it is possible to accumulate the cleaning liquid flowing through the cleaning liquid film holding surface to the cleaning liquid reservoir. Accordingly, since the liquid discharge surface is moisturized using the cleaning liquid used for cleaning the liquid discharge surface, the cleaning liquid can be reused.

  According to a fifth aspect, in the liquid ejection apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect, the cleaning liquid holding unit includes a cleaning liquid supply unit at an uppermost portion of the slope, and the cleaning liquid of the cleaning liquid holding unit is directed toward the moisture retaining unit. It is flowing.

According to this aspect, the liquid discharge surface can be continuously cleaned from the cleaning liquid supply unit. Also, the supplied cleaning liquid can accumulate in the cleaning liquid storage section provided on the downstream side of the slope.

  According to a sixth aspect, in the liquid ejection device according to the first or second aspect, a medium to which the liquid ejected from the inkjet head is attached is held substantially parallel to a horizontal plane, and the inkjet head and the medium are relatively The ink jet head has a liquid discharge surface arranged substantially parallel to a horizontal plane, and the cleaning liquid film holding surface arranged substantially parallel to the liquid discharge surface.

  According to such an aspect, even in an aspect where the medium is horizontally conveyed, preferable cleaning and moisturizing of the inkjet head are performed.

A seventh aspect, the liquid ejection apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the cleaning liquid storage portion has the same or wide opening and the liquid ejection surface.

According to this aspect, the cleaning liquid reservoir has an opening having the same area as or larger than the liquid ejection surface of the inkjet head (wider than the liquid ejection surface), so that the liquid ejection surface is effectively moisturized. Can be done.

  According to an eighth aspect, in the liquid ejection apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, a clearance between the liquid ejection surface and the cleaning liquid film holding surface is 0.5 mm or less.

  In this aspect, the clearance between the liquid discharge surface and the cleaning liquid film holding surface is defined. By setting the clearance to 0.5 mm or less, the cleaning liquid forms a meniscus between the cleaning liquid film holding surface and the liquid discharge surface. And the liquid discharge surface can be cleaned.

A ninth aspect, in the liquid discharge apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the clearance between the cleaning liquid storage portion and the liquid ejection surface is 2mm or less.

In this aspect, the clearance between the liquid discharge surface and the cleaning liquid storage part is defined. By setting the clearance to 2 mm or less, it is possible to suppress evaporation of the evaporated gas from the cleaning liquid storage part, and to keep the liquid discharge surface moisturized. Can be done.

According to a tenth aspect, in the liquid ejection apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, a seal portion is provided around the downstream side and the side portion side of the inclination of the cleaning liquid storage portion .

According to this aspect, the seal part is provided on the downstream side and the side part side of the inclination of the cleaning liquid storage part . That is, the seal portion is provided so that the flow of the cleaning liquid flowing from the cleaning liquid film holding surface does not get in the way. By providing the seal part, it is possible to improve the sealing property between the cleaning liquid storage part and the liquid discharge part, and it is possible to improve the moisture retention. Further, when the ink jet head is purged, it is possible to prevent ink from being scattered.

  An eleventh aspect is the liquid ejection apparatus according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the cleaning apparatus includes wiping means including a wiping member for wiping the cleaning liquid adhering to the liquid ejection surface. .

  According to this aspect, the cleaning liquid adhering to the liquid discharge surface is wiped off, and the cleaning liquid remaining on the liquid discharge surface is prevented.

  In such an aspect, an aspect in which a wiping means is provided between the cleaning liquid holding means and the moisturizing means is preferable.

According to a twelfth aspect, in the liquid ejection device according to the eleventh aspect, the wiping member is disposed at an end of the cleaning liquid storage section on the cleaning liquid film holding surface side.

  According to this aspect, since the cleaning liquid adhering to the liquid ejection surface is wiped before the liquid ejection surface starts to be moisturized, the liquid ejection surface is started to be moisturized after the liquid ejection surface is brought into a clean state. .

A thirteenth aspect is the liquid ejection apparatus according to the eleventh or twelfth aspect, wherein the wiping member is in the same direction corresponding to the length of the liquid ejection surface in the longitudinal direction substantially orthogonal to the movement direction of the moving means. The liquid ejection surface is wiped along a direction substantially parallel to the moving direction of the moving means.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to wipe the cleaning liquid over the entire surface of the liquid ejection surface by relatively moving the liquid ejection surface and the wiping member only once.

  In such an aspect, the length in the longitudinal direction of the liquid discharge surface of the wiping member corresponds to at least the length in the same direction of the liquid discharge port arrangement region where the liquid discharge port for discharging the liquid on the liquid discharge surface is provided. Just do it.

Aspect of the fourteenth, the liquid ejection apparatus according to any of the aspects of the 11th to 13, for contacting a portion brought into contact with at least the liquid ejection surface of the wiping member washing liquid contained in the cleaning liquid storage unit Further, wiping member moving means for moving the wiping member is provided.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to clean the wiping member using the cleaning liquid used for moisturizing the liquid discharge surface.

  According to a fifteenth aspect, in the liquid ejection apparatus according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, a medium moving unit that relatively moves the inkjet head and a medium to which the liquid ejected from the inkjet head is attached. And the cleaning device is disposed at a position away from a liquid discharge position where the ink jet head discharges liquid onto the medium.

  In such an aspect, an aspect including an inkjet head moving unit that moves the inkjet head between a position on the medium moving path in the medium moving unit and the cleaning device is preferable.

In order to achieve the above object, a maintenance method for an ink jet head according to a sixteenth aspect is a maintenance method for an ink jet head having a liquid ejection surface for ejecting liquid, wherein the liquid ejection surface and the cleaning liquid film holding surface are provided. A cleaning liquid is applied between the liquid discharge surface and the cleaning liquid film holding surface so that a liquid film of the cleaning liquid is formed between the liquid discharge surface and the cleaning liquid film holding surface in a state of being close to each other in parallel. A cleaning step for supplying and cleaning the liquid discharge surface, and an opening is provided in a surface connected to the cleaning liquid film holding surface, and the opening of the cleaning liquid storage unit for recovering the cleaning liquid supplied to the cleaning liquid film holding surface is provided in the opening a moisturizing step for moisturizing in close proximity to the liquid ejection surface the liquid ejection surface, the liquid ejection surface substantially parallel direction, and the liquid ejection surface and the cleaning liquid film holding surface and the cleaning liquid storage unit Move-to manner, it includes a switching step of switching between step and the washing step the moisturizing.

  The ink jet head maintenance method according to the sixteenth aspect is an invention of an ink jet head maintenance method in the liquid ejection device described above, and has the same effect as the liquid ejection device described above.

  According to a seventeenth aspect, in the ink jet head maintenance method according to the sixteenth aspect, a wiping step of wiping the liquid ejection surface of the ink jet head is performed between the cleaning step and the moisturizing step.

  According to this aspect, the wiping process for wiping the liquid ejection surface is performed between the cleaning process and the moisturizing process, that is, before or after the relative movement process between the inkjet head and the cleaning device. Therefore, the liquid discharge surface can be more effectively cleaned.

  According to the maintenance method of the liquid ejection apparatus and the inkjet head of the present invention, the cleaning mode and the moisture retention mode can be selected in the maintenance of the inkjet head, and long-term storage can be performed efficiently.

Overall configuration diagram showing schematic configuration of inkjet recording apparatus Plane perspective view showing a structural example of an inkjet head 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the three-dimensional structure of the inkjet head shown in FIG. 2 (along line III-III in FIG. 2) Explanatory drawing which shows typically the relationship between the image recording position of the inkjet recording device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, and a maintenance position. The perspective view which shows schematic structure of the washing | cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. Schematic configuration diagram of the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is a principal block diagram showing the system configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of control of the washing | cleaning mode which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the flow of control of the moisture retention mode which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows typically the relationship between the image recording position of the inkjet recording device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and a maintenance position. The perspective view which shows schematic structure of the washing | cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. The top view which shows the support structure of the wiper blade shown in FIG. Explanatory drawing showing an example of the structure of the wiper blade Explanatory drawing which shows typically the wipe mode of the washing | cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of control of the wipe mode which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows typically the moisture retention mode (wiper blade washing | cleaning mode) of the washing | cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is an overall configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Schematic configuration diagram of a cleaning device in the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows typically the washing | cleaning mode and wipe mode of the washing | cleaning apparatus in the inkjet recording device which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows typically the moisture retention mode (wiper blade washing | cleaning) of the washing | cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. The figure explaining the cleaning mode and moisture retention mode of the conventional inkjet head

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an ink jet recording apparatus (liquid ejection apparatus) and an ink jet head maintenance method according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment]
(Overall configuration of inkjet recording apparatus)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus including an inkjet head. In the inkjet recording apparatus 100, a recording medium 124 (sometimes referred to as “paper” for convenience) held on the impression cylinder (drawing drum 170) of the drawing unit 116 is provided with a plurality of colors from the inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, 172Y. Is an impression cylinder direct drawing type ink jet recording apparatus that forms a desired color image by applying ink droplets of the ink. A treatment liquid (in this case, an aggregating treatment liquid) is applied onto the recording medium 124 before ink ejection. This is an on-demand type image forming apparatus to which a two-liquid reaction (aggregation) method for forming an image on a recording medium 124 by reacting a processing liquid and an ink liquid is applied.

  As shown in the figure, the ink jet recording apparatus 100 mainly includes a paper feeding unit 112, a treatment liquid application unit 114, a drawing unit 116, a drying unit 118, a fixing unit 120, and a discharge unit 122.

(Paper Feeder)
The paper feeding unit 112 is a mechanism that supplies the recording medium 124 to the processing liquid application unit 114, and the recording medium 124 that is a sheet is stacked on the paper feeding unit 112. The paper feed unit 112 is provided with a paper feed tray 150, and the recording medium 124 is fed from the paper feed tray 150 to the processing liquid application unit 114 one by one.

(Processing liquid application part)
The processing liquid application unit 114 is a mechanism that applies the processing liquid to the recording surface of the recording medium 124. The treatment liquid contains a color material aggregating agent that agglomerates the color material (pigment in this example) in the ink applied by the drawing unit 116, and the ink comes into contact with the treatment liquid and the ink. And the solvent are promoted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the treatment liquid application unit 114 includes a paper feed drum 152, a treatment liquid drum 154, and a treatment liquid application device 156. The treatment liquid drum 154 is a drum that holds and rotates the recording medium 124. The processing liquid drum 154 includes a claw-shaped holding means (gripper) 155 on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and the recording medium 124 is sandwiched between the claw of the holding means 155 and the peripheral surface of the processing liquid drum 154. The tip can be held.

  A processing liquid coating device 156 is provided outside the processing liquid drum 154 so as to face the peripheral surface thereof. The processing liquid coating device 156 includes a processing liquid container in which the processing liquid is stored, an anix roller partially immersed in the processing liquid in the processing liquid container, and the recording medium 124 on the anix roller and the processing liquid drum 154. And a rubber roller that transfers the measured processing liquid to the recording medium 124. According to the processing liquid coating apparatus 156, the processing liquid can be applied to the recording medium 124 while being measured.

  The recording medium 124 to which the processing liquid is applied by the processing liquid applying unit 114 is transferred from the processing liquid drum 154 to the drawing drum 170 of the drawing unit 116 via the intermediate transport unit 126.

(Drawing part)
The drawing unit 116 includes a drawing drum (second transport body) 170, a sheet pressing roller 174, and ink jet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, and 172Y. Similar to the treatment liquid drum 154, the drawing drum 170 includes a claw-shaped holding means (gripper) 171 on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The recording medium 124 fixed to the drawing drum 170 is conveyed with the recording surface facing outward, and ink is applied to the recording surface from the inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, 172Y.

  The inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, and 172Y are preferably full-line inkjet recording heads (inkjet heads) each having a length corresponding to the maximum width of the image forming area on the recording medium 124. On the ink ejection surface, a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles for ink ejection are arranged over the entire width of the image forming area is formed. Each inkjet head 172M, 172K, 172C, 172Y is installed so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium 124 (the rotation direction of the drawing drum 170).

  The droplets of the corresponding color ink are ejected from the inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, and 172Y toward the recording surface of the recording medium 124 held in close contact with the drawing drum 170, whereby the processing liquid application unit 114 performs the processing. The ink comes into contact with the treatment liquid previously applied to the recording surface, and the color material (pigment) dispersed in the ink is aggregated to form a color material aggregate. Thereby, the color material flow on the recording medium 124 is prevented, and an image is formed on the recording surface of the recording medium 124.

  The recording medium 124 on which an image is formed by the drawing unit 116 is transferred from the drawing drum 170 to the drying drum 176 of the drying unit 118 via the intermediate conveyance unit 128.

(Drying part)
The drying unit 118 is a mechanism for drying moisture contained in the solvent separated by the color material aggregating action, and includes a drying drum 176 and a solvent drying device 178, as shown in FIG.

  Similar to the processing liquid drum 154, the drying drum 176 includes a claw-shaped holding unit (gripper) 177 on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and the holding unit 177 can hold the leading end of the recording medium 124.

  The solvent drying device 178 has a plurality of halogen heaters 182 arranged along the circumferential direction of the drying drum 176 and a hot air jet arranged between the halogen heaters 182 at a position facing the outer peripheral surface of the drying drum 176. And a nozzle 180.

  The recording medium 124 that has been dried by the drying unit 118 is transferred from the drying drum 176 to the fixing drum 184 of the fixing unit 120 via the intermediate conveyance unit 130.

(Fixing part)
The fixing unit 120 includes a fixing drum 184, a halogen heater 186, a fixing roller 188, and an inline sensor 190. Like the processing liquid drum 154, the fixing drum 184 includes a claw-shaped holding unit (gripper) 185 on the outer peripheral surface, and the leading end of the recording medium 124 can be held by the holding unit 185.

  With the rotation of the fixing drum 184, the recording medium 124 is conveyed with the recording surface facing outward. The recording surface is preheated by the halogen heater 186, fixing processing by the fixing roller 188, and by the inline sensor 190. Inspection is performed.

  According to the fixing unit 120, the thermoplastic resin fine particles in the thin image layer formed by the drying unit 118 are heated and pressurized by the fixing roller 188 and are melted, and can be fixed and fixed to the recording medium 124. . Further, by setting the surface temperature of the fixing drum 184 to 50 ° C. or higher, drying is promoted by heating the recording medium 124 held on the outer peripheral surface of the fixing drum 184 from the back surface, thereby preventing image destruction during fixing. In addition, the image intensity can be increased by the effect of increasing the image temperature.

  In addition, when a UV curable monomer is contained in the ink, after the water is sufficiently volatilized in the drying unit, the image is irradiated with UV at the fixing unit equipped with a UV irradiation lamp. The monomer can be cured and polymerized to improve the image strength.

(Discharge part)
As shown in FIG. 1, a discharge unit 122 is provided following the fixing unit 120. The discharge unit 122 includes a discharge tray 192, and a transfer drum 194, a conveyance belt 196, and a stretching roller 198 are provided between the discharge tray 192 and the fixing drum 184 of the fixing unit 120 so as to be in contact therewith. It has been. The recording medium 124 is sent to the conveyor belt 196 by the transfer drum 194 and discharged to the discharge tray 192.

  Although not shown in the drawing, the ink jet recording apparatus 100 of the present example has an ink storage / loading unit for supplying ink to each of the ink jet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, and 172Y in addition to the above-described configuration, and application of processing liquid. The head maintenance processing unit (not shown in FIG. 1) is provided with means for supplying a processing liquid to the unit 114 and performs cleaning (wiping of the discharge surface, purging, nozzle suction, etc.) of each of the inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, 172Y. 4, a position detection sensor for detecting the position of the recording medium 124 on the paper conveyance path, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of each part of the apparatus, and the like.

[Inkjet head structure]
Next, the structure of the inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, 172Y will be described. In addition, since the structure of each inkjet head 172M, 172K, 172C, 172Y is common, in the following, the inkjet head is indicated by the reference numeral 250 as a representative.

  FIG. 2A is a plan perspective view showing a structural example of the inkjet head 250, and FIG. 2B is a plan perspective view showing another structural example of the inkjet head 250. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view (a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2A) showing a three-dimensional configuration of the ink chamber unit.

  In order to increase the dot pitch formed on the recording paper surface, it is necessary to increase the nozzle pitch in the inkjet head 250. As shown in FIG. 2A, the ink jet head 250 of this example includes a plurality of ink chamber units 253 including nozzles 251 that are ink droplet ejection holes and pressure chambers 252 corresponding to the nozzles 251. It has a structure that is arranged in a matrix (two-dimensionally), and as a result, a substantial nozzle interval (projection) projected so as to be aligned along the head longitudinal direction (main scanning direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction). Nozzle pitch) is increased.

  In the ink chamber unit 253 shown in FIG. 2A, the nozzle 251 is disposed on one side of the pressure chamber 252 having a substantially square planar shape, and the supply port (supply throttle) is disposed on the other side. The

  The form in which one or more nozzle rows are configured over a length corresponding to the entire width of the recording medium 124 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the paper transport direction is not limited to this example. For example, instead of the configuration of FIG. 2A, as shown in FIG. 2B, short head blocks (head chips) 250 ′ in which a plurality of nozzles 251 are two-dimensionally arranged are arranged in a staggered manner. By connecting them together, a line head having a nozzle row having a length corresponding to the entire width of the recording medium 124 may be configured. Although not shown, a line head may be configured by arranging short heads in a line.

As shown in FIG. 3, each nozzle 251 is formed on a nozzle plate 260 that constitutes the ink ejection surface 250 a of the inkjet head 250. The nozzle plate 260 is made of, for example, a silicon-based material such as Si, SiO ₂ , SiN, or quartz glass, a metal-based material such as Al, Fe, Ni, Cu, or an alloy containing these, or an oxide such as alumina or iron oxide. It is composed of physical materials, carbon black, carbon-based materials such as graphite, and resin-based materials such as polyimide.

  A water repellent film 262 having liquid repellency with respect to ink is formed on the surface of the nozzle plate 260 (surface on the ink ejection side) to prevent ink adhesion.

  The pressure chamber 252 provided corresponding to each nozzle 251 has a substantially square planar shape, and the nozzle 251 and the supply port 254 are provided at both corners on the diagonal line. Each pressure chamber 252 is in communication with a common channel 255 through a supply port 254. The common channel 255 communicates with an ink supply tank (not shown) as an ink supply source, and the ink supplied from the ink supply tank is distributed and supplied to each pressure chamber 252 through the common channel 255.

  A piezoelectric element 258 having an individual electrode 257 is joined to a diaphragm 256 that constitutes the top surface of the pressure chamber 252 and also serves as a common electrode. By applying a driving voltage to the individual electrode 257, the piezoelectric element 258 is formed. Deformation causes ink to be ejected from the nozzle 251. When ink is ejected, new ink is supplied from the common flow channel 255 to the pressure chamber 252 through the supply port 254.

  The nozzle arrangement structure is not limited to the illustrated example, and various nozzle arrangement structures such as an arrangement structure having one nozzle row in the sub-scanning direction can be applied.

  Further, the printing method is not limited to a line type head, and printing in the width direction is performed by scanning a short head less than the length of the recording medium 124 in the width direction (main scanning direction) in the width direction of the recording medium 124. When the printing in the width direction is completed once, the recording medium 124 is moved by a predetermined amount in the direction orthogonal to the width direction (sub-scanning direction), and printing in the width direction of the recording medium 124 in the next printing area is performed. A serial method in which printing is performed over the entire printing area of the recording medium 124 by repeating this operation may be applied.

(Description of the maintenance department)
4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the relationship between the image recording position and the maintenance position of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is an outline of the maintenance processing unit 300 provided adjacent to the drawing unit 116. It is a perspective view which shows a structure. In FIG. 5, in order to make the appearance of the cleaning device 310 easy to understand, the ink jet head 172 is shown separated from the actual position, but in reality, the ink jet head 172 and the cleaning device 310 are close to each other at the maintenance position. Are arranged.

  In FIG. 4, only the inkjet head 172Y is shown for convenience, and in FIG. 5, the inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, and 172Y are collectively shown by the reference numeral 172. For convenience of illustration, the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head 172 is reduced in FIG.

  In the drawing unit 116, the inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, and 172Y are attached to the head support frame 40 and arranged around the drawing drum 170 as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the head support frame 40 that supports the inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, and 172Y includes a pair of side plates 42L and 42R provided orthogonal to the rotation shaft 18 of the drawing drum 170, and a pair thereof. The side plates 42 </ b> L and 42 </ b> R are connected to each other by a connecting frame 44 that connects the upper ends thereof.

  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 170 interposed therebetween. Inside the pair of side plates 42L and 42R, attachment portions 46Y, 46C, 46K, and 46M for attaching the respective inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, and 172Y are provided (in FIG. 4, for convenience, the attachment portions are provided). Only 46Y is shown).

  The attachment portions 46Y, 46C, 46K, and 46M are arranged radially at a constant interval on a concentric circle with the rotation shaft 18 of the drawing drum 170 as the center. Each inkjet head 172M, 172K, 172C, 172Y has attached portions 48Y, 48C, 48K, 48M (only the attached portion 48Y is shown in FIG. 4 for the sake of convenience) formed at both ends thereof. , 46M to attach to the head support frame 40.

  Then, by attaching to the head support frame 40, the respective ink jet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, 172Y are radially arranged on the concentric circle with the rotation axis 18 of the drawing drum 170 as the center.

  The head support frame 40 is guided by a guide rail (not shown) and is slidable in parallel with the rotation shaft 18 of the drawing drum 170. And it drives by the linear drive mechanism (for example, feed screw mechanism etc.) which is not shown in figure, and moves between the "image recording position" shown by the continuous line in FIG. 4, and the "maintenance position" shown by the broken line in FIG.

  The ink jet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, and 172Y are arranged around the drawing drum 170 when the head support frame 40 is positioned at the image recording position, and are ready for image recording.

  The maintenance position is set to a position where each inkjet head 172M, 172K, 172C, 172Y is retracted from the drawing drum 170. At this maintenance position, cleaning is performed for cleaning and moisturizing the ejection surfaces (ink ejection surface 250a illustrated in FIG. 3 and denoted by reference numeral 172A in FIG. 6) of each inkjet head 172M, 172K, 172C, 172Y. A device 310 (310Y) is provided.

  The cleaning device 310 includes cleaning units 310M, 310K, 310C, and 310Y corresponding to the inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, and 172Y, respectively. In FIG. 4, only the cleaning unit 310Y corresponding to the inkjet head 172Y is shown.

  Since the basic configurations of the cleaning units 310M, 310K, 310C, and 310Y are common, the cleaning units 310M, 310K, 310C, and 310Y will be collectively described as the cleaning device 310 in the following description.

  The cleaning device 310 shown in FIG. 5 includes a cleaning liquid film holding unit 311 that cleans the ejection surface of the inkjet head 172 (inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, and 172Y), and a cap unit (moisturizing means) 312 that covers the ejection surface 172A. It is configured.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the cleaning liquid film holding unit 311 has a cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A on which a liquid film of the cleaning liquid is formed. The cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A is an inclined surface corresponding to the ejection surface 172A (see FIG. 6), and is provided with a cleaning liquid supply path 313A (see FIG. 6) and a cleaning liquid supply port 313B for supplying the cleaning liquid. In the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of cleaning liquid supply ports 313B are arranged at equal intervals in the vicinity of the upper end of the inclination along the direction orthogonal to the inclination direction.

  In addition, instead of the cleaning liquid supply port portion including the cleaning liquid supply path 313A and the cleaning liquid supply port 313B, it is possible to supply the cleaning liquid from the side facing the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311. Further, the width of the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A (the length in the direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head 172) corresponds to the length in the direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head 172, and the nozzle (see FIG. 2) arrangement. It is more than the length in the same direction of the nozzle arrangement | positioning area | region provided.

  The cap unit 312 includes a cleaning liquid storage tank 314 that is disposed on the inclined lower side of the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A and stores the cleaning liquid that has flowed down the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A. The discharge surface 172A is moisturized by bringing the opening of the cleaning liquid storage tank 314 close to the discharge surface 172A in a state where the cleaning liquid is stored in the cleaning liquid storage tank 314.

  The cleaning device 310 is configured to be movable along the short direction of the ink jet head located at the maintenance position (see FIG. 4). When the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A is brought close to the discharge surface 172A, cleaning of the discharge surface 172A is performed, and when the cleaning liquid storage tank 314 is brought close to the discharge surface 172A, moisture retention of the discharge surface 172A is executed. The details of cleaning and moisturizing the ejection surface will be described later.

  Returning to FIG. 4, between the image recording position and the maintenance position, a discharge surface cleaning device (discharge surface wiping) for cleaning the discharge surfaces 172AM, 172AK, 172AC, 172AY of the inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, 172Y. Device) 60 is provided. Each of the inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, and 172Y is ejected surface 172A (172AM) by the ejection surface cleaning device 60 in the process of moving from the maintenance position to the image recording position or in the process of moving from the image recording position to the maintenance position. , 172AK, 172AC, 172AY) are cleaned (wiped).

  In the mode shown in FIG. 4, a mode in which the ejection surface 172A is wiped by the web is illustrated, but a mode in which a wiper blade is provided instead of the web is also possible.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the cleaning apparatus 310 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of the cleaning device 310. FIG. 6A shows the arrangement of the inkjet head 172 and the cleaning device 310 in the cleaning mode for cleaning the discharge surface 172A, and FIG. The arrangement of the inkjet head 172 and the cleaning device 310 in the moisturizing mode for moisturizing the surface 172A is shown.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram viewed from the width direction (sub-scanning direction) of the full-line type ink jet head 172, and the direction passing through the paper surface in FIG. 6 is the longitudinal direction of the head 172 (main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction). It is.

  A cleaning liquid film holding unit 311 is provided on the upstream side (upper side) of the inclination of the cleaning device 310. The cleaning liquid film holding unit 311 has a cleaning liquid film holding surface 311 </ b> A that holds the cleaning liquid applied to the ejection surface 172 </ b> A of the inkjet head 172. A cleaning liquid supply port 313B for supplying a cleaning liquid to the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A is provided in the vicinity of the end portion of the upper portion 311B of the inclination of the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A.

  Further, a cap portion 312 is provided on the downstream side (lower side) of the inclination of the cleaning device 310. The cleaning liquid film holding unit 311 includes a cleaning liquid tank 324 that stores the cleaning liquid supplied via the cleaning liquid supply path 313A and the cleaning liquid supply port 313B, and the supply amount of the cleaning liquid to the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A (the cleaning liquid supply amount per unit time). And a pump 325 for controlling the above.

  A slight amount of the cleaning liquid poured from the cleaning liquid supply port 313B spreads between the discharge surface 172A of the inkjet head 172 and the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A by using the liquid repellency of the discharge surface 172A, and the discharge surface 172A. And the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A while sliding down from the upper part 311B to the lower part while forming a meniscus.

  The cleaning liquid that has slipped down the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A falls into the cleaning liquid storage tank 314 of the cap portion 312 at the lower portion of the inclination of the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A. The cleaning liquid collected in the cleaning liquid storage tank 314 is used for moisturizing the ejection surface 172A of the inkjet head 172.

  In order for the cleaning liquid to slide down while forming a meniscus between the discharge surface 172A and the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A, the surface property (contact angle) of the discharge surface, the surface property (contact angle) of the cleaning liquid holding surface, and the physical properties of the cleaning liquid (Viscosity), the flow rate of the cleaning liquid (amount supplied per unit time), and the shape and size of the cleaning liquid supply port need to be optimized appropriately.

  After the discharge surface 172A of the inkjet head 172 is cleaned by the cleaning liquid film holding unit 311, the cleaning device 310 slides upward (to the right in FIG. 6) along the direction parallel to the discharge surface 172A, and the discharge surface It moves so that 172A is below the cap part 312 (so that the discharge surface 172A is close to the cap part 312).

  The cleaning device 310 is guided by a guide rail (not shown) and is slidable along the discharge surface 172A. Then, it is driven by a linear drive mechanism (not shown) (for example, a feed screw mechanism) and slides so that the cleaning liquid film holding unit 311 or the cap unit 312 comes to a position facing the discharge surface 172A.

  As a result, the cleaning mode and the moisture retention mode can be selected. The cleaning liquid storage tank 314 of the cap unit 312 stores the cleaning liquid that has slipped down from the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A, and the cap unit 312 can be maintained at high humidity by the cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid storage tank 314. Therefore, the ejection surface 172A of the inkjet head 172 can be moisturized.

  In FIG. 6, the cleaning apparatus 310 has been described as being slid. However, by moving the inkjet head 172, the ejection surface 172 </ b> A can be moved to be above the cap unit 312. Further, by moving both the cleaning device 310 and the inkjet head 172, the positions of the ejection surface 172A, the cleaning liquid film holding unit 311 and the cap unit 312 can be adjusted.

Clearance _{H 1} between the ejection surface 172A of the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A and the ink jet head 172 of the cleaning device 310 is preferably increased as 2mm or less than 0 mm, more preferably, be 0.1mm or more 0.5mm or less Is preferred. Clearance H ₁ in the above range, the cleaning liquid can be moved while spreading wetting between the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A and the discharge surface 172A.

Further, the cleaning device 310 by sliding the ejection surface 172A of the ink jet head 172, if the top of the cap portion 312, the clearance of _{H 2} between the upper and the ejection surface 172A of the cleaning solution reservoir 314 of the cap portion 312, as short as possible It is preferable to do.

By shortening the clearance H _2, can be cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid storage tank 314 is volatilized, to maintain the cleaning liquid storage tank 314 to high humidity. Clearance _{H 2} is preferably set to as large as 2mm or less than 0 mm, more preferably, it is preferable to increase the 1.5mm less than 0.5 mm.

  The opening of the cleaning liquid storage tank 314 is preferably the same as or larger than the area of the ejection surface 172A of the inkjet head 172. By setting the opening of the cleaning liquid storage tank 314 to be equal to or larger than the area of the discharge surface 172A, the entire discharge surface 172A can be efficiently moisturized.

  5 and 6, the cleaning device 310 uses the cleaning device 310 in which the cleaning liquid film holding unit 311 and the cap unit 312 are integrated, but the cleaning liquid film holding unit 311 and the cap unit 312 are continuously configured as separate components. It is also possible to use an arranged cleaning device. Even if the cleaning liquid film holding unit 311 and the cap unit 312 are configured separately, it is possible to obtain an effect of facilitating selection of the cleaning mode and the moisturizing mode by continuously arranging these two configurations and sliding them simultaneously.

  However, by using the cleaning apparatus 310 in which the cleaning liquid film holding unit 311 and the cap unit 312 are integrated, the apparatus can be greatly reduced in size, and the cleaning liquid used in the cleaning mode can be reused in the moisturizing mode. be able to.

  In addition, a seal portion (not shown) can be provided around the cleaning liquid storage tank 314 of the cap portion 312. By providing the seal portion and bringing the seal portion into contact with the discharge surface 172A of the inkjet head 172, the humidity in the cleaning liquid storage tank 314 can be maintained at a higher humidity, so that the moisture retention performance of the discharge surface 172A is improved. Can do.

  Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently prevent the ink in the nozzles from being dried, and it is also possible to purge the cleaning liquid used for cleaning in the cleaning liquid film holding unit 311 or purge the ink in the cleaning liquid storage tank 314. By providing the seal portion, even when purging is performed in the cleaning liquid storage tank 314, it is possible to prevent scattering around. Since the cleaning liquid flows from the upstream side of the inclination of the cleaning device 310, it is preferable to provide the seal portion downstream and around the side portion of the cleaning liquid storage tank 314.

  In FIG. 5, a step is provided between the cleaning liquid film holding unit 311 and the cap unit 312. This is because the cleaning device 310 separately creates the cleaning liquid film holding unit 311 and the cap unit 312. Because. That is, the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A and the opening surface of the cap portion 312 may be a continuous surface or a structure connected through a step.

  It is preferable to reduce this step, but when the cleaning liquid film holding unit 311 and the cap unit 312 are manufactured separately, if the cap unit 312 becomes high due to an error in manufacturing, the cleaning liquid is removed from the cleaning liquid film holding unit 311. The opening surface of the cap portion 312 is preferably manufactured to be lower than the cleaning liquid film holding portion 311 because it is difficult for the portion 312 to flow.

(Description of control system)
FIG. 7 is a principal block diagram showing the system configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 100. The inkjet recording apparatus 100 includes a communication interface 270, a system controller 272, a memory 274, a motor driver 276, a heater driver 278, a print control unit 280, an image buffer memory 282, a head driver 284, and the like.

  The communication interface 270 is an interface unit that receives image data sent from the host computer 286. As the communication interface 270, a serial interface such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE 1394, Ethernet (registered trademark), a wireless network, or a parallel interface such as Centronics can be applied. In this part, a buffer memory (not shown) for speeding up communication may be mounted. The image data sent from the host computer 286 is taken into the inkjet recording apparatus 100 via the communication interface 270 and temporarily stored in the memory 274.

  The memory 274 is a storage unit that temporarily stores an image input via the communication interface 270, and data is read and written through the system controller 272. The memory 274 is not limited to a memory made of a semiconductor element, and a magnetic medium such as a hard disk may be used.

  The system controller 272 includes a central processing unit (CPU) and its peripheral circuits, and functions as a control device that controls the entire inkjet recording apparatus 100 according to a predetermined program, and also functions as an arithmetic device that performs various calculations. . That is, the system controller 272 controls the communication interface 270, the memory 274, the motor driver 276, the heater driver 278, the processing liquid application control unit 296, the drying control unit 297, the fixing control unit 298, etc. In addition to performing communication control between them, read / write control of the memory 274, and the like, a control signal for controlling each of the above-described units is generated.

  The memory 274 stores programs executed by the CPU of the system controller 272 and various data necessary for control. Note that the memory 274 may be a non-rewritable storage means or a rewritable storage means such as an EEPROM. The memory 274 is used as a temporary storage area for image data, and is also used as a program development area and a calculation work area for the CPU.

  Various control programs are stored in the program storage unit 290, and the control programs are read and executed in accordance with instructions from the system controller 272. The program storage unit 290 may use a semiconductor memory such as a ROM or EEPROM, or may use a magnetic disk or the like. An external interface may be provided and a memory card or PC card may be used. Of course, you may provide several recording media among these recording media. The program storage unit 290 may also be used as a recording unit (not shown) for operating parameters.

  The motor driver 276 is a driver that drives the motor 288 in accordance with an instruction from the system controller 272. In FIG. 7, the motors arranged in the respective units in the apparatus are represented by reference numeral 288. For example, the motor 288 shown in FIG. 7 includes a motor for driving rotation of the paper feed drum 152, the processing liquid drum 154, the drawing drum 170, the drying drum 176, the fixing drum 184, the transfer drum 194, etc. shown in FIG. -Motor included in a mechanism for moving the rotation of the intermediate conveyance body of the third intermediate conveyance units 126, 128, 130, and a mechanism for moving the inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, 172Y between the image recording position and the maintenance position. In addition, a motor of a mechanism for moving the cleaning device 310 is included.

  The heater driver 278 is a driver that drives the heater 289 in accordance with an instruction from the system controller 272. In FIG. 7, the heaters arranged in the respective units in the apparatus are represented by reference numeral 289. For example, the heater 289 shown in FIG. 7 includes the halogen heater 182 of the solvent drying device 178 provided in the drying unit 118 shown in FIG. Further, a heater for heating the surfaces of the drying drum 176 and the fixing drum 184 shown in FIG. 1 is also included.

  Furthermore, the inkjet recording apparatus 100 includes a processing liquid application control unit 296, a drying control unit 297, and a fixing control unit 298, and in accordance with instructions from the system controller 272, the processing liquid coating device 156 and the solvent drying device, respectively. 178 and the operation of each unit such as the fixing roller 188 are controlled.

  The print control unit 280 has a signal processing function for performing various processes and corrections for generating a print control signal from the image data in the memory 274 according to the control of the system controller 272. The generated print data This is a control unit that supplies (dot data) to the head driver 284. Necessary signal processing is performed in the print control unit 280, and the ejection droplet amount (droplet ejection amount) and ejection timing of the head 172 are controlled via the head driver 284 based on the image data. Thereby, a desired dot size and dot arrangement are realized.

  The print control unit 280 is provided with an image buffer memory 282, and image data, parameters, and other data are temporarily stored in the image buffer memory 282 when image data is processed in the print control unit 280. Also possible is an aspect in which the print control unit 280 and the system controller 272 are integrated to form a single processor.

  The head driver 284 generates a drive signal to be applied to the piezoelectric element of the inkjet head 172 based on the image data given from the print control unit 280, and drives the piezoelectric element by applying the drive signal to the piezoelectric element. It is configured including a circuit. Note that the head driver 284 shown in FIG. 7 may include a feedback control system for keeping the driving conditions of the inkjet head 172 constant.

  The sensor 285 is various sensors provided in each part in the apparatus, and includes a temperature sensor, a position detection sensor, a pressure sensor, and the like in addition to the in-line sensor 190 shown in FIG. The output signal of the sensor 285 is sent to the system controller 272, and the system controller 272 sends a control signal to each part of the apparatus based on the output signal, and each part of the apparatus is controlled.

  The maintenance control unit 279 is a block diagram for controlling the maintenance processing unit 300 (see FIG. 4) including the cleaning device 310 shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 based on the control signal sent from the system controller 272. In addition, the maintenance control unit 279 has a function of sending a control signal related to execution of maintenance processing such as preliminary ejection and suction for discharging the deteriorated ink in the nozzle to the outside of the inkjet head 172 to each unit.

  Although the detailed configuration of the maintenance control unit 279 is not shown, the maintenance control unit 279 controls the movement timing and movement speed of the inkjet head 172 based on the control signal of the system controller 272 and slides the cleaning device 310. The timing of the rotation, the rotation speed of the pump 325 (flow rate of the cleaning liquid), the web conveyance drive of the discharge surface cleaning device 60, the operation of the web vertical mechanism, and the like are controlled.

(Description of cleaning mode)
Next, a cleaning mode for cleaning the inkjet head 172 (ejection surface 172A) will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of control in the cleaning mode. The maintenance control unit 279 controls the maintenance processing unit 300 so that maintenance of the inkjet head 172 (cleaning processing of the ejection surface 172A) is performed according to the following procedure.

First, the inkjet head 172 is moved to the processing area of the maintenance processing unit 300 (step S12). Next, a cleaning device 310 is moved vertically to adjust the clearance _{H 1} of the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A (see FIG. 6) and the discharge surface 172A (step S14).

  When the positions of the inkjet head 172 and the cleaning device 310 are determined, the cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid supply port 313B to the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A (step S16). The amount of the cleaning liquid supplied per unit time from the cleaning liquid supply port 313B to the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A can be adjusted by controlling the rotational speed and operating time of the pump 325.

  When a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the supply of the cleaning liquid, the cleaning liquid between the discharge surface 172A and the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A spreads over the entire surface. That is, the elapsed time from the start of supply of the cleaning liquid is monitored until the cleaning liquid wets and spreads out in step S18 (No determination in step S18). When the time from the start of the supply of the cleaning liquid until the cleaning liquid wets and spreads over (Yes determination in step S18), the supply of the cleaning liquid is stopped (step S20).

  When the inkjet head 172 is moved from the maintenance position to the image recording position after a predetermined time (time until dirt on the discharge surface 172A is dissolved in the cleaning liquid) has elapsed after the cleaning liquid is applied to the entire surface of the discharge surface 172A. (Step S22), the discharge surface 172A comes into contact with the web of the discharge surface cleaning device 60, and the cleaning liquid on the discharge surface 172A is wiped off.

(Description of moisturizing mode)
Next, the moisture retention mode of the inkjet head 172 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of control in the moisturizing mode. First, the inkjet head 172 is moved from the image recording position to the maintenance position. It should be noted that the cleaning liquid can be wiped off at this point of time from the image recording position to the maintenance position.

  After the cleaning of the discharge surface 172A of the inkjet head 172 is completed, the cleaning device 310 slides the cleaning device 310 so that the cap portion 312 of the cleaning device 310 is below the horizontal surface of the discharge surface 172A (step S102).

  When the inkjet head 172 is moved to the maintenance position and the cap unit 312 of the cleaning device 310 is moved directly below the ejection surface 172A, the clearance between the ejection surface 172A and the cap unit 312 is adjusted (step S204), and the ejection surface 172A Moisturizing is performed to prepare for the next image formation (image recording) (step S106).

  If it is determined in step S106 that there is no next image (No determination), the moisture retention on the ejection surface is continued. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S106 that there is a next image (Yes determination), the cleaning device 310 is slid (step S108), and the inkjet head 172 is moved to the image recording position (step S110).

  In this way, the interval between image recording and after the end of image recording, the moisture retention mode is executed, and drying of the ejection surface 172A of the inkjet head 172 is prevented.

  According to the maintenance processing unit 300 configured as described above, the cleaning liquid provided on the inclined upper portion 311B between the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A and the discharge surface 172A disposed so as to be inclined substantially parallel to the discharge surface 172A. When the cleaning liquid is supplied from the supply port 313B, the cleaning liquid wets and spreads between the discharge surface 172A and the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A and moves from the upper part to the lower part of the slope. Therefore, the cleaning liquid can be applied to the discharge surface 172A in a non-contact manner. And the consumption of cleaning liquid is greatly reduced.

  In addition, the cap unit 312 is disposed continuously to the cleaning liquid film holding unit 311, and the cleaning liquid used for cleaning the discharge surface 172 A is stored in the cleaning liquid storage tank 314 provided in the cap unit 312 to moisturize the discharge surface 172 A. Therefore, the ink on the ejection surface 172A can be prevented from being dried, and the amount of cleaning liquid used can be greatly reduced.

  Further, the cleaning liquid film holding unit 311 for performing the cleaning mode and the cap unit 312 are integrated into the cleaning device 310, so that the size of the device can be reduced.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet heads 172Y and 172M and the ink jet heads 172C and 172K have different ejection surface inclination angles. In such a case, the cleaning device 310 having the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A corresponding to the inkjet heads 172Y and 172M and the cleaning device 310 having the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A corresponding to the inkjet heads 172C and 172K are separately provided. It is preferable to provide.

  Moreover, it is also possible to provide the washing | cleaning apparatus 310 separately about each of the inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, and 172Y.

[Second Embodiment]
(Configuration of maintenance processing unit)
Next, the maintenance processing unit 300 ′ in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The overall configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment can be applied to the configuration illustrated in FIG. Moreover, in the following description, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is the same as that of 1st Embodiment demonstrated previously, or is similar, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the relationship between the image recording position and the maintenance position in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the discharge surface cleaning device 60 shown in FIG. 4 is omitted, and the cap portion of the cleaning device 310 ′ (310Y ′) (not shown in FIG. 10; indicated by reference numeral 312 ′ in FIG. 11). ) Is provided with a wiper blade (not shown in FIG. 10; shown with reference numeral 360 in FIG. 11).

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the cleaning device 310 ′ (310 </ b> Y ′) illustrated in FIG. 10. For convenience of illustration, the cleaning liquid tank 324 and the pump 325 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B are not shown in FIG. 11 and are reduced in the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head 172.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the cleaning device 310 ′ includes a wiper blade 360 in the cap portion 312 ′ (cleaning liquid storage tank 314). The wiper blade 360 is made of an elastic member having a thickness of about 1 millimeter.

  The materials applied to the wiper blade 360 include rubber members such as NBR (nitrile rubber), silicon rubber, EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene rubber), and heat-flexible elastomers such as styrene, olefin, and polyester. An elastic body is mentioned.

  By the action of the cleaning liquid, the ink attached to the discharge surface 172A is dissolved in the cleaning liquid and removed from the discharge surface 172A. Therefore, the wiper blade 360 only needs to be able to remove the cleaning liquid attached to the discharge surface 172A and is extremely thin. Good. Further, the contact pressure of the wiper blade 360 with respect to the discharge surface 172A may be extremely weak so that the wiper blade 360 contacts the discharge surface 172A.

  Furthermore, the wiping effect can be further enhanced by increasing the contact area of the wiper blade 360 with the discharge surface 172A.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the wiper blade 360 is provided on the uppermost stream side in the flow direction of the cleaning liquid in the cap portion 312 ′ (cleaning liquid storage tank 314) (the uppermost part, the most downstream side in the moving direction of the cleaning device 310 ′). 314 of the cleaning liquid film holding surface 311A side).

  The length of the wiper blade 360 in the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head 172 corresponds to the entire length of the inkjet head 172 in the same direction, and is at least longer than the length in the same direction of the nozzle arrangement region where the nozzle is arranged. ing.

  Further, the wiper blade 360 is rotatably supported by the wiper blade support member 362 disposed inside the cleaning liquid storage tank 314 with the wiper blade support member 362 as a rotation axis.

  By providing the cover that covers the wiper blade support member 362, contact between the wiper blade support member 362 and the cleaning liquid can be avoided, and corrosion of the wiper blade support member 362 by the cleaning liquid is prevented.

  12 is a plan view showing the support structure of the wiper blade shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the wiper blade 360 is supported by a wiper blade support member 362 on the opposite side of the portion of the wiper blade 360 that comes into contact with the ejection surface 172A of the inkjet head 172. The wiper blade support member 362 is connected to the rotation shaft of the motor 366 via the coupling 364, and the wiper blade support member 362 can be rotated by rotating the rotation shaft of the motor 366. (Orientation) can be changed.

  That is, the wiper blade 360 can selectively switch a position (orientation) between a position (orientation) illustrated by a solid line in FIG. 12 and a position (orientation) illustrated by a broken line. For example, when a stepping motor is applied to the motor 366, the position (orientation) of the wiper blade 360 can be easily changed by a pulse signal.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing a structural example of the wiper blade 360. As shown in FIG. 13A, a long wiper blade corresponding to the entire width in the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head 172 may be applied, or as shown in FIG. 13B, the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head 172 is applied. A combination of short wiper blades 360A, 360B, 360C shorter than the full width of the inkjet head 172 may correspond to the full width of the inkjet head 172 in the longitudinal direction.

  FIG. 13B illustrates a mode in which short wiper blades 360A, 360B, and 360C are arranged in a staggered manner, but a mode in which a larger number of short wiper blades are provided is also possible.

(Explanation of wipe mode)
FIGS. 14A to 14C are explanatory views schematically showing the wipe mode of the cleaning apparatus 310 ′ shown in this example. In FIG. 14, the cleaning liquid tank 324 and the pump 325 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B are not shown. FIG. 14A shows a state in which the cleaning mode is being executed. This is the same as the first embodiment described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  When the cleaning mode is completed, the mode is shifted to the wipe mode shown in FIGS. In the wipe mode, the wiper blade 360 disposed on the most upstream side (the most downstream side in the moving direction of the cleaning device 310) of the cap unit 312 ′ is brought into contact with the discharge surface 172A, and the cleaning device 310 ′ slides. The ejection surface 172A is wiped by the movement.

  Since the discharge surface 172A is sufficiently wetted in the cleaning mode that is executed first, it is not necessary to supply the cleaning liquid in the wiping process of the discharge surface 172A by the wiper blade 360. However, it is also possible to continuously supply the cleaning liquid after the transition to the wipe mode and perform more advantageous wet wiping as a maintenance condition.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a flow of control in the wipe mode. When the wipe mode is started (step S200), the wiper blade 360 is set to the wipe position (state shown in FIG. 14A) (step S202), and the cleaning device 310 ′ (cap portion 312 ′) is moved to the discharge surface 172A. Is slid along (step S204).

  Next, the movement time (or movement distance) of the cleaning device 310 ′ is counted, and it is determined whether or not wiping of the entire surface of the ejection surface 172 A has been completed (step S 206). If it is determined in step S206 that wiping of the entire ejection surface 172A has not been completed (No determination), the wiping process (sliding movement of the cleaning device 310 ') is continued.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S206 that wiping of the entire ejection surface 172A has been completed (Yes determination), the wiper blade 360 is set to the cleaning position (see FIG. 16) (step S208), and the wipe mode is terminated. (Step S210).

  As described above, the ejection surface 172A and the cleaning device 310 'are relatively moved to switch from the cleaning mode to the wipe mode, and the wipe mode is executed, so that efficient maintenance is realized.

(Description of moisturizing mode (wiper blade cleaning mode))
FIG. 16 is an explanatory view schematically showing a moisture retention mode (wiper blade cleaning mode) of the cleaning device 310 ′ shown in this example. When the wipe mode described above is completed, the mode is shifted to the moisturizing mode. In the moisturizing mode, the cap portion 312 ′ is set at a position facing the ejection surface 172A.

  As the cleaning liquid in the cap unit 312 ′ used in the moisturizing mode, the cleaning liquid used in the cleaning mode is collected in the cleaning liquid storage tank 314. Further, the wiper blade 360 is cleaned during the moisturizing mode.

  That is, the wiper blade support member 362 is rotated so that at least a portion of the wiper blade 360 that is in contact with the discharge surface 172A is immersed in the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid storage tank 314. Then, the dirt adhering to the portion of the wiper blade 360 that contacts the discharge surface 172A is removed by the action of the cleaning liquid.

  As indicated by broken lines in FIG. 16, the wiper blade 360 may be rotated 180 ° with respect to the wipe mode so that a wider range of the wiper blade 360 is brought into contact with the cleaning liquid.

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning liquid used for cleaning the discharge surface 172A is used for moisturizing the discharge surface 172A and also used for cleaning the wiper blade 360. A significant reduction in the amount of water used is expected.

  In addition to the common use of the cleaning liquid film holding unit 311 and the cap unit 312 ′, the cap unit 312 ′ includes the wiper blade 360, thereby cleaning the discharge surface, wiping the cleaning liquid on the discharge surface, moisturizing the discharge surface, and wiper blade. The cleaning of 360 can be performed by a series of operations, which contributes to simplification of the device configuration and device control and downsizing of the device configuration.

[Third Embodiment]
(Overall configuration of inkjet recording apparatus)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 17 is an overall configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The ink jet recording apparatus 400 shown in the figure includes a recording medium transport unit 404 that horizontally transports the recording medium 402.

  That is, the ink jet recording apparatus 400 shown in the figure has M (magenta) and K for a recording medium conveying unit 404 that holds and conveys the recording medium 402 and the recording medium 402 held by the recording medium conveying unit 404. And a printing unit 407 including inkjet heads 406M, 406K, 406C, and 406Y that discharge color inks corresponding to (black), C (cyan), and Y (yellow).

  Note that the inkjet heads 406M, 406K, 406C, and 406Y shown in FIG. 17 have the same configuration as the inkjet heads 172M, 172K, 172C, and 172Y shown in FIG.

  The recording medium conveyance unit 404 includes an endless conveyance belt 408 provided with a number of suction holes (not shown) in a recording medium holding area where the recording medium 402 is held, and a conveyance roller (drive) around which the conveyance belt 408 is wound. Rollers and driven rollers) 410 and 412 and the back side of the conveyance belt 408 in the recording medium holding area (the side opposite to the recording medium holding surface on which the recording medium 402 is held) and provided in the recording medium holding area. A chamber 414 that generates a negative pressure in a suction hole (not shown) and a vacuum pump 416 that generates a negative pressure in the chamber 414 are included.

  The loading section 418 into which the recording medium 402 is loaded is provided with a pressing roller 420 for preventing the recording medium 402 from floating, and the pressing roller 424 is also provided at the discharge section 422 from which the recording medium 402 is discharged. It has been.

  The recording medium 402 carried in from the carry-in unit 418 is applied with a negative pressure from the suction hole provided in the recording medium holding area, and is held in the recording medium holding area of the conveyance belt 408.

  On the conveyance path of the recording medium 402, a temperature adjustment unit 426 for adjusting the surface temperature of the recording medium 402 to a predetermined range is provided on the upstream side of the printing unit 407 (upstream side in the recording medium conveyance direction). A reading device (reading sensor) 428 for reading an image recorded on the recording medium 402 is provided on the rear side of the recording medium 407 (downstream in the recording medium conveyance direction).

  The recording medium 402 carried in from the carry-in section 418 is sucked and held in the recording medium holding area of the conveyor belt 408, and after temperature adjustment processing by the temperature adjustment section 426 is performed, image recording is performed in the printing section 407.

  The recording medium 402 on which the image has been recorded is ejected from the ejecting unit 422 after the recorded image (test pattern) is read by the reading device 428.

  Although not shown in FIG. 17, the ink jet recording apparatus 400 includes a maintenance processing unit. The maintenance processing unit maintains the maintenance positions (retraction positions) of the inkjet heads 406M, 406K, 406C, and 406Y that have moved the inkjet heads 406M, 406K, 406C, and 406Y from the image recording position in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium 402. (See FIG. 4).

  When the maintenance mode of the inkjet heads 406M, 406K, 406C, and 406Y is executed, the inkjet heads 406M, 406K, 406C, and 406Y are moved from the image recording position to the maintenance position. When the maintenance mode is finished and the next image recording is executed, the inkjet heads 406M, 406K, 406C, 406Y are moved from the maintenance position to the image recording position.

(Inkjet head maintenance explanation)
18A to 18C are schematic configuration diagrams of the cleaning device 432 in the ink jet recording apparatus 400 shown in FIG. 17, and are explanatory diagrams of switching between the cleaning mode and the moisturizing mode. The cleaning device 432 shown in FIGS. 18A to 18C has the same general structure as the cleaning device 310 shown in FIG. 6, but the cleaning liquid film holding surface 434 that holds the liquid film of the cleaning liquid is parallel to the horizontal plane. The difference is that it is not inclined.

  18A to 18C includes a cleaning liquid film holding surface 434, a cleaning liquid film holding portion 437 having a cleaning liquid supply port 436, and a cleaning liquid storage in which the cleaning liquid of the cleaning liquid film holding surface 434 is stored. And a cap portion 442 having a tank 440.

  The mechanism for forming the cleaning liquid film between the ejection surface 406A of the ink jet head 406 and the cleaning liquid film holding surface 434 is the same as that of the cleaning device 310 described above, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted here. .

  As shown in FIG. 18A, when a liquid film 438 is formed by a cleaning liquid between the discharge surface 406A and the cleaning liquid film holding surface 434, dirt such as ink adhering to the discharge surface 406A is washed away. Is dissolved and removed.

  When a predetermined time elapses after the cleaning liquid film 438 is formed between the discharge surface 406A and the cleaning liquid film holding surface 434 (after the supply of the cleaning liquid is started), as shown in FIGS. The cleaning device 432 is moved in a direction substantially parallel to the ejection surface 406A.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 18B, the cleaning liquid film 438 formed between the ejection surface 406A and the cleaning liquid film holding surface 434 is dragged by the movement of the ink jet head 406 and moves together with the ink jet head 406. It is accommodated in the storage tank 440. In FIG. 18B, the cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid storage tank 440 is indicated by reference numeral 438 '.

  FIG. 18C illustrates a state in which a moisturizing mode for moisturizing the ejection surface 406A is being executed. The cleaning liquid 438 ′ accommodated in the cleaning liquid storage tank 440 by the movement of the inkjet head 406 is used in the moisturizing mode.

The cleaning liquid film holding surface 434 is parallel to the horizontal plane or does not come into contact with the discharge surface 406A so that the cleaning liquid film 438 does not flow backward toward the cleaning liquid supply port 436 (H ₁ and H ₂ shown in FIG. 6). In order to satisfy the condition, the liquid is inclined slightly downward from the cleaning liquid supply port 436 toward the cleaning liquid storage tank 440.

  As described above, according to the ink jet recording apparatus according to the third embodiment, also in the method of transporting the recording medium 402 in parallel to the horizontal plane (a mode in which the ejection surface 406A of the ink jet head 406 is arranged in parallel to the horizontal plane). The ejection surface 406A of the inkjet head 406 can be cleaned and moisturized by the same method as the inkjet recording apparatus according to the first and second embodiments, and the same effect can be obtained.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, an inkjet head cleaning device in an inkjet recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the fourth embodiment described below, the overall configuration of the ink jet recording apparatus is the same as that of the third embodiment illustrated in FIG. Moreover, in the following description, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is the same or similar to the part demonstrated previously, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

(Description of cleaning mode and wipe mode)
FIGS. 19A to 19C are explanatory views schematically illustrating a cleaning mode and a wipe mode of the cleaning device 432 ′ in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. 19A to 19C, the cleaning liquid tank 324 and the pump 325 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B are not shown.

  The cleaning device 432 'shown in FIGS. 19A to 19C is different from the cleaning device 310' shown in FIG. 11 in that the cleaning liquid film holding surface 434 is parallel to the horizontal plane. In other words, the cleaning device 432 'shown in FIGS. 19A to 19C has a configuration in which the wiper blade 450 is provided on the cap portion 442 of the cleaning device 432 shown in FIG.

By providing the cap unit 442 with the wiper blade 450, it is possible to remove the cleaning liquid adhering to the ejection surface 406A while moving the cleaning device 432 ′ relative to the inkjet head 406.

  The structure shown in FIG. 12 can be applied to the structure for supporting the wiper blade 450 and the rotating (changing direction) structure. Further, the structure shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B can be applied to the structure of the wiper blade 450.

(Description of moisturizing mode (wiper blade cleaning mode))
20A and 20B are explanatory views schematically showing a moisture retention mode (wiper blade cleaning mode) of the cleaning device 432 ″ in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. Further, the cap portion 442 is moved to a position close to the discharge surface 406A and the opening of the cap portion 442 is brought close to the discharge surface 406A, whereby the discharge surface 406A is moisturized.

Further, in the moisturizing mode, dirt attached to the wiper blade 450 is removed by immersing at least a portion of the wiper blade 450 provided on the cap portion 442 in contact with the discharge surface 406A in the cleaning liquid.

  As shown in FIG. 20A, the portion of the wiper blade 450 that contacts the discharge surface 406A may be immersed in the cleaning liquid. As shown in FIG. 20B, almost the entire wiper blade 450 is used as the cleaning liquid. It may be immersed.

  As described above, according to the ink jet recording apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, the recording medium 402 is transported in parallel with the horizontal plane (the discharge surface 406A of the ink jet head 406 is arranged in parallel with the horizontal plane). The discharge surface 406A of the inkjet head 406 can be cleaned, wiped, moisturized, and the wiper blade 450 cleaned by the same method as the inkjet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment, and the same effect can be obtained. .

  The application range of the present invention is not limited to an inkjet recording apparatus that forms a color image on a recording medium. For example, it is widely applied to pattern forming devices that form a predetermined pattern (mask pattern, wiring pattern) with functional liquid containing resin particles and metal particles, and liquid ejecting devices that eject liquid onto a medium by an ink jet method. Is possible.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100,400 ... Inkjet recording apparatus, 116 ... Drawing part, 170 ... Drawing drum, 172,172M, 172K, 172C, 172Y, 406Y, 406C, 406K, 406M ... Inkjet head, 172A, 406A ... Discharge surface, 300,300 ' ... Maintenance processing section, 310, 310 ', 432, 432', 432 "... Cleaning device, 311, 437 ... Cleaning liquid film holding section, 312, 312 ', 442, 442' ... Cap section, 314, 440 ... Cleaning liquid storage tank

Claims (17)

An inkjet head having a liquid ejection surface for ejecting liquid;
A cleaning device for applying a cleaning liquid to the liquid discharge surface;
With
The cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning liquid film holding surface on which a liquid film of a cleaning liquid is formed between the liquid discharge surface and the liquid discharge surface in a state of being close to and substantially parallel to the liquid discharge surface. A cleaning liquid holding means comprising a cleaning liquid supply section for supplying a cleaning liquid between the film holding surface;
An opening is provided in a surface connected to the cleaning liquid film holding surface, and there is a cleaning liquid reservoir for collecting the cleaning liquid supplied to the cleaning liquid film holding surface, and the liquid discharge surface is brought close to the liquid discharge surface. Moisturizing means to moisturize,
Moving means for relatively moving the liquid discharge surface, the cleaning liquid holding means and the moisturizing means in a direction substantially parallel to the liquid discharge surface;
A liquid ejection apparatus comprising:   The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning apparatus is formed by integrating the cleaning liquid holding unit and the moisturizing unit. A rotating conveyance means having a cylindrical shape, holding a medium to which the liquid ejected from the inkjet head is attached on an outer peripheral surface, rotating the cylindrical axis as a rotation axis, and rotating and conveying the medium;
The inkjet head is disposed to be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane so that the liquid discharge surface faces the outer peripheral surface,
The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning liquid film holding surface is inclined substantially parallel to the liquid ejection surface.   The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the moisturizing unit is provided on a downstream side of the inclination of the cleaning liquid holding unit.   5. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cleaning liquid holding unit includes the cleaning liquid supply unit at an uppermost portion of the slope, and causes the cleaning liquid of the cleaning liquid holding unit to flow toward the moisturizing unit. Holding a medium to which the liquid discharged from the inkjet head is attached substantially parallel to a horizontal plane, and comprising a horizontal conveying means for relatively horizontally conveying the inkjet head and the medium;
In the inkjet head, the liquid discharge surface is disposed substantially parallel to a horizontal plane,
The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning liquid film holding surface is disposed substantially parallel to the liquid ejection surface. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning liquid storage section has an opening that is the same as or wider than the liquid ejection surface.   The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a clearance between the liquid discharge surface and the cleaning liquid film holding surface is 0.5 mm or less. Clearance between the liquid ejection surface and the cleaning liquid storage unit, a liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 8, characterized in that it is 2mm or less. 10. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a seal part is provided around the inclined liquid downstream side and the side part side of the cleaning liquid storage part . 11.   11. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning apparatus includes a wiping unit including a wiping member for wiping the cleaning liquid attached to the liquid ejection surface. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the wiping member is disposed at an end of the cleaning liquid storage section on the cleaning liquid film holding surface side. The wiping member has a length in the same direction corresponding to the length of the liquid ejection surface in the longitudinal direction substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the moving means, and is along a direction substantially parallel to the moving direction of the moving means. The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the liquid discharge surface is wiped off. The portion brought into contact with at least the liquid ejection surface of the wiping member so as to contact the cleaning liquid contained in the cleaning liquid storage unit, claims, characterized in that it comprises a wiping member moving means for moving said wiping member The liquid discharge apparatus according to any one of 11 to 13. A medium moving means for relatively moving the inkjet head and a medium to which the liquid ejected from the inkjet head is attached;
15. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning device is disposed at a position away from a liquid ejection position at which the inkjet head ejects liquid onto the medium. . A maintenance method for an inkjet head having a liquid ejection surface for ejecting liquid,
In a state where the liquid discharge surface and the cleaning liquid film holding surface are close to each other in parallel, a liquid film of the cleaning liquid is formed between the liquid discharge surface and the cleaning liquid film holding surface. A cleaning step of cleaning the liquid discharge surface by supplying a cleaning liquid between the cleaning liquid film holding surface;
An opening is provided in a surface connected to the cleaning liquid film holding surface, and the liquid discharge surface is brought close to the opening of the cleaning liquid storage unit from which the cleaning liquid supplied to the cleaning liquid film holding surface is collected to moisturize the liquid discharge surface A moisturizing process;
A switching step of switching between the cleaning step and the moisturizing step by relatively moving the liquid discharge surface, the cleaning liquid film holding surface, and the cleaning liquid reservoir in a direction substantially parallel to the liquid discharge surface;
A maintenance method of an ink jet head, comprising:   The ink jet head maintenance method according to claim 16, wherein a wiping step of wiping the liquid ejection surface of the ink jet head is performed between the cleaning step and the moisturizing step.

Images