JP5798092B2 - Liquid ejection device and liquid ejection head moisturizing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus, and more particularly, to a moisturizing apparatus that moisturizes the periphery of a nozzle portion in order to prevent clogging of nozzles (liquid ejecting ports) in a liquid ejecting head, and a liquid ejecting apparatus including the same.

  A liquid discharge head typified by an inkjet head may cause clogging due to thickening of the liquid in the nozzle during non-operation or standby. A configuration including a cap (also referred to as a moisturizing cap) for retaining moisture around the nozzle portion for the purpose of preventing such a situation is known (Patent Document 1).

  In addition, the ink jet recording apparatus described in Patent Document 2 includes yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) along the peripheral surface of a transport drum as a rotating member that transports a recording medium. Ink jet recording heads corresponding to the respective color inks are inclined and the head surface (ink ejection surface) is inclined (FIGS. 1 and 2, paragraph 0025 of Patent Document 2). The ink jet recording apparatus described in Patent Literature 2 is provided with a moisturizing device that moisturizes the nozzle portion of each head (FIG. 3, paragraph 0031 of Patent Literature 2). And when moisturizing the nozzle part of each head, each head rises and the moisturizer moves to the opposite position, and the nozzle part is moisturized (paragraph 0032 of Patent Document 2).

JP 2012-61785 A JP 2010-125620 A

  However, in the moisture retention device of Patent Document 2, an empty discharge receiving portion is provided at a position facing the nozzle portion, and a moisturizing liquid storage portion is disposed above the empty discharge receiving portion (Patent Document 2). FIG. 7, paragraphs 0058-0059). In other words, the moisturizing liquid container that holds the moisturizing liquid is arranged so as to deviate from the facing position of the nozzle part. For this reason, moisture cannot be efficiently supplied to the nozzle portion, and the moisture retention performance is poor.

  Moreover, even if the configuration in which the moisturizing liquid storage part of Patent Document 2 is arranged at the position opposite to the nozzle part is employed, the liquid level of the moisturizing liquid stored in the moisturizing liquid storage part is horizontal, so that it is inclined. A wide gap is formed between the head and the head, and sufficient moisture retention cannot be ensured.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus and a liquid ejecting head moisturizing apparatus that can solve the above-described problems and achieve improved moisture retention.

  In order to achieve the above object, the following invention is provided.

  (First aspect): a liquid discharge head having a nozzle surface on which a nozzle for discharging liquid is formed, the nozzle surface being inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, and a position facing the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head And a liquid holding part that stores the moisturizing liquid, and the liquid holding part is divided into a plurality of storing parts along the direction of the inclination, and the moisturizing liquid is stored in the plurality of storing parts. Provided is a liquid ejection device in which a liquid surface of a moisturizing liquid having a height difference in the direction of inclination is formed.

  According to this aspect, when the moisturizing liquid is stored in the plurality of storing portions, the liquid surface of the moisturizing liquid is formed for each storing portion, and the moisturizing liquid surface has a level difference in the inclination direction. In this way, the liquid surface of the moisturizing liquid in the liquid holding unit is stepped, so that the surface of the moisturizing liquid is compared with the case of a moisturizing liquid surface without a step (a single horizontal surface obtained when there is no partition member). And the inclined nozzle surface can be reduced, and the moisturizing liquid surface can be opposed to the nozzle surface at a position close to the nozzle surface. Thereby, the humidity around a nozzle part can be raised and the improvement of moisture retention can be achieved.

  The distance between the moisturizing liquid surface parallel to the horizontal plane and the nozzle plane inclined with respect to the horizontal plane may be grasped as the distance in the normal direction of the nozzle plane, or the vertical distance orthogonal to the horizontal plane. You may grasp as. Compared with the case where there is no liquid level difference, the present aspect with the liquid level difference due to the partition member is a distance between the moisturizing liquid surface and the nozzle surface on the upper side in the inclination direction of the nozzle surface (for example, the farthest distance) The difference between the moisturizing liquid surface and the nozzle surface on the lower side in the tilt direction (for example, the closest distance) becomes small. Thereby, it is possible to arrange the moisturizing liquid surface closer to the nozzle surface.

  (Second aspect): In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the first aspect, a plurality of storage parts that include a partition member that divides the inside of the liquid holding part into a plurality of storage parts along an inclination direction, and are partitioned by the partition member. By storing the moisturizing liquid in each of them, a liquid surface of the moisturizing liquid having a step with the partition member interposed therebetween can be formed.

  According to this aspect, the partition member is provided inside the liquid holding unit that stores the moisturizing liquid (that is, the recessed region in which the moisturizing liquid is stored), and the moisturizing liquid storing region in the liquid holding unit includes a plurality of regions (storage). Part). By holding the moisturizing liquid in the plurality of storage parts, the liquid level of the moisturizing liquid in each of the storage parts becomes a step with a difference in height through the partition member. In this way, since the liquid surface of the moisturizing liquid in the liquid holding unit is stepped, the moisturizing liquid surface is compared with the case of the moisturizing liquid surface without a step (a single horizontal surface obtained when there is no partition member). The distance between the inclined nozzle surface can be reduced, and the moisturizing liquid surface can be opposed to the nozzle surface at a position close to the nozzle surface. Thereby, the humidity around a nozzle part can be raised and the improvement of moisture retention can be achieved.

  (Third aspect): In the liquid ejection device according to the first aspect or the second aspect, a moisturizing liquid supply port that supplies the moisturizing liquid to the liquid holding part is provided above the inclination of the liquid holding part. be able to.

  According to this aspect, when the moisturizing liquid is taken out from the moisturizing liquid supply port, the moisturizing liquid flows down along the inclination, and the moisturizing liquid can be supplied to the plurality of storage units in the liquid holding unit.

  (Fourth aspect): In the liquid ejection device according to the first to third aspects, a drain port for discharging the liquid overflowing from the liquid holding part is provided below the inclination of the liquid holding part. Can do.

  According to this aspect, the liquid overflowing from the liquid holding part can be recovered from the drain port.

  (Fifth Aspect): In the liquid ejection device according to any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, the liquid ejecting apparatus may include a liquid holding unit and a cap that covers the nozzle surface.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to realize a moisture retention cap with high moisture retention.

  (Sixth Aspect): In the liquid ejection device according to the fifth aspect, the cap may include an outer chamber outside the liquid holding part in which the liquid overflowing from the liquid holding part is accumulated.

  According to this aspect, the portion of the outer chamber is also moisturized, and further moisturizing properties can be improved.

  (Seventh aspect): In the liquid ejection device according to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, the liquid ejection head includes a sealing member that seals a contact portion between the liquid ejection head and the cap, and the cap is placed on the liquid ejection head via the sealing member. It can be set as the structure which seals a position where a sealing member is higher than a nozzle surface in the state which contact | abutted to and covered the nozzle surface with the cap.

  According to this aspect, the sealing member is interposed in the contact portion between the liquid ejection head and the cap, the contact portion is sealed by the sealing member, and the nozzle surface is covered with the cap. Since the sealing member is positioned above the nozzle surface and the position higher than the nozzle surface is sealed with the cap attached to the liquid discharge head, the sealing member is hardly contaminated. Thereby, the fall of the airtightness by a sealing member can be prevented, and a further improvement in moisture retention can be achieved in combination with the configuration of the liquid holding part having a moisturizing liquid level.

  The position higher than the nozzle surface is a position above the nozzle surface when the gravity direction is set downward with respect to the nozzle surface. When the nozzle surface is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, it is a position above the inclined nozzle surface. From another viewpoint, the normal direction of the nozzle surface is a position away from the nozzle surface in a direction opposite to the ejection direction.

  Note that it is not always required to enclose the entire circumference of the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head with a sealing member so as to be hermetically sealed. Further, the tightness by the sealing member does not require strict airtightness. Corresponding moisture retention performance is achieved by the degree of hermeticity realized according to the range sealed by the sealing member and the mode of the sealing member.

  (Eighth aspect): In the liquid ejection device according to the seventh aspect, the sealing member is provided at a contact portion between the cap and the liquid ejection head, and elastically deforms and contacts when the cap abuts the liquid ejection head. It can be set as the structure which seals a part.

  As the sealing member, an elastic body such as rubber, a brush, a felt, or the like can be used.

  There may be an aspect in which the sealing member is attached to the cap side, an aspect in which the sealing member is attached to the liquid ejection head side, and an aspect in which the sealing member is attached to both the cap and the liquid ejection head.

  (Ninth aspect): In the liquid ejection device according to the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, the sealing member seals a position higher than the nozzle surface during the purge operation in which the liquid is ejected from the nozzle toward the cap. A configuration is preferable.

  Purge (sometimes referred to as preliminary discharge, idle discharge, etc.) is an operation of pushing out the liquid from the nozzle, and the liquid is discharged into the cap. Since the sealing member is located at a position higher than the position of the nozzle surface during the purge operation, liquid adhesion to the sealing member can be suppressed and contamination can be effectively prevented.

  (Tenth aspect): In the liquid ejection device according to any one of the seventh aspect to the ninth aspect, the sealing member may be brought into contact with the side wall of the liquid ejection head and sealed.

  In the head structure in which the nozzle surface is formed at the lowermost part of the liquid discharge head, when the sealing member is brought into contact with the side wall of the liquid discharge head, the sealing member is configured to seal a position higher than the nozzle surface.

  It is preferable that the sealing member is brought into contact with at least a part of the side wall of the liquid discharge head to seal the side surface of the head. In order to further improve the sealing performance, it is preferable that the side surface of the head along the longitudinal direction of the head is sealed with a sealing member.

  (Eleventh aspect): In the liquid ejection device according to any one of the seventh aspect to the tenth aspect, the sealing member may be provided on the side wall of the cap.

  In the case of sealing the side surface of the head by bringing the sealing member into contact with the side wall of the liquid discharge head, a mode in which the sealing member is interposed between the side wall of the cap and the side wall of the liquid discharge head is preferable. In this case, the sealing member is compressed in the normal direction of the side surface of the head at the time of contact.

  In addition, for example, in the case of a configuration in which a sealing member is brought into contact with a flat portion parallel to the nozzle surface at a position higher than the nozzle surface in the liquid discharge head for sealing, a sealing member is provided at the tip of the side wall of the cap Can do. In this case, the sealing member is compressed in the normal direction of the nozzle surface at the time of contact.

  (Twelfth aspect): In the liquid ejection device according to any one of the seventh aspect to the eleventh aspect, it is preferable that the sealing member is detachably attached to the cap.

  According to this aspect, the sealing member can be removed from the cap and replaced.

  (Thirteenth aspect): In the liquid ejection device according to any one of the seventh to twelfth aspects, the support member that holds the sealing member is provided, and the support member that holds the sealing member includes a fastening member. The sealing member can be removed together with the support member by releasing the connection by the fastening member.

  According to this aspect, it is easy to attach and remove the sealing member via the fastening member, and the sealing member can be replaced.

  (14th aspect): The liquid ejection apparatus according to any one of the 7th to 13th aspects, further comprising a wiping member that contacts the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head to clean the nozzle surface, from the nozzle to the cap. The nozzle surface is brought into contact with the wiping member by moving the liquid discharge head in a plane parallel to the nozzle surface while maintaining the height of the nozzle surface during the purge operation for discharging the liquid toward the nozzle surface. It is preferable that the cleaning is performed.

  As the wiping member, various forms such as a web, a blade, a brush, and a roll can be used, and an appropriate combination thereof can be used.

  (15th aspect): In the liquid ejection device according to any one of the 7th to 14th aspects, the liquid ejection head is a line head, and the sealing member is provided along the longitudinal direction of the line head. It can be set as the structure which has.

  By sealing at least the surface along the longitudinal direction of the line head, the airtightness is improved and a sufficient moisturizing force can be secured. In the short direction of the line head, it is possible to substantially ensure the moisture retention of the nozzle surface even if the sealing by the sealing member is omitted.

  (Sixteenth aspect): In the liquid ejection device according to any one of the first aspect to the fifteenth aspect, the liquid is ejected from the nozzle toward the liquid holding unit, and the liquid holding unit receives the ejection liquid from the nozzle. It can be set as the structure to do.

  The liquid holding part can function as a liquid receiving part in the purge operation. Moreover, it is also possible to use the liquid discharged from the nozzle of the liquid discharge head as a moisturizing liquid.

  (17th aspect): The liquid holding | maintenance part which arrange | positions in the position facing the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head arrange | positioned with the nozzle surface in which the nozzle which discharges a liquid was formed inclining with respect to a horizontal surface, and stores a moisturizing liquid. The liquid holding part is divided into a plurality of storage parts along the direction of the inclination, and the moisturizing liquid having a height difference in the direction of the inclination by storing the moisturizing liquid in the plurality of storage parts A moisture retention device for a liquid discharge head having a surface formed thereon is provided.

  In the liquid ejection head moisturizing device according to the seventeenth aspect, it is possible to appropriately combine the same features as those described in the second to sixteenth aspects.

  According to the present invention, the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head and the moisturizing liquid surface can be brought close to each other, and the performance of moisturizing the nozzle is improved. Thereby, maintenance and improvement of the discharge performance of the liquid discharge head can be achieved, leading to prevention of nozzle clogging and extension of the life of the liquid discharge head.

1 is a configuration diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Side view showing schematic configuration of drawing unit Front view of drawing unit and maintenance unit Plane development explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of the drawing unit and the maintenance unit The perspective view which shows the principal part of the maintenance station containing the moisture retention apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. Partial enlarged view of cap Sectional view showing the state when capping (during head moisturization storage) during printing standby or when the power is turned off Sectional view showing the state during ink purge operation Explanatory drawing of the nozzle surface inclined with respect to the horizontal plane Explanatory drawing of the nozzle surface inclined with respect to the horizontal plane Explanatory drawing of the nozzle surface inclined with respect to the horizontal plane A perspective view showing a configuration example of an inkjet head (line head) A perspective view showing a configuration example of an inkjet head Plan view showing an example of nozzle arrangement

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Configuration example of inkjet recording apparatus]
First, the configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus as a liquid ejection apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ink jet recording apparatus 10 ejects ink of a plurality of colors from ink jet heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y onto a recording medium 24 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “paper”) held on a drawing drum 70 as desired. This is a direct drawing type ink jet recording apparatus for forming a color image, and a treatment liquid (here, an aggregating treatment liquid) is applied onto the recording medium 24 before ink droplets are deposited, and the treatment liquid and the ink liquid are reacted to perform recording. This is a drop-on-demand type image forming apparatus to which a two-liquid reaction (aggregation) method for forming an image on a medium 24 is applied.

  As illustrated, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 includes a paper feeding unit 12, a processing liquid application unit 14, a drawing unit 16, a drying unit 18, a fixing unit 20, and a paper discharge unit 22.

(Paper Feeder)
A recording medium 24 that is a sheet is stacked on the paper supply unit 12. The recording media 24 are fed one by one from the paper feed tray 50 of the paper feed unit 12 to the processing liquid application unit 14. Although a sheet (cut paper) is used as the recording medium 24, a configuration in which continuous paper (roll paper) is cut to a required size and fed is also possible.

(Processing liquid application part)
The processing liquid application unit 14 is a mechanism that applies the processing liquid to the recording surface of the recording medium 24. The treatment liquid contains a color material aggregating agent that agglomerates the color material (pigment in this example) applied in the ink provided by the drawing unit 16, and the ink comes into contact with the colorant when the treatment liquid comes into contact with the ink. And the solvent are promoted.

  The processing liquid application unit 14 includes a paper feed drum 52, a processing liquid drum 54, and a processing liquid coating device 56. The processing liquid drum 54 is provided with a claw-shaped holding means (gripper) 55 on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and the recording medium 24 is sandwiched between the claw of the holding means 55 and the peripheral surface of the processing liquid drum 54 to thereby remove the recording medium 24. The tip can be held. A suction hole may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the treatment liquid drum 54, and a suction means for performing suction from the suction hole may be connected. As a result, the recording medium 24 can be held in close contact with the peripheral surface of the treatment liquid drum 54.

  A treatment liquid coating device 56 is disposed to face the peripheral surface of the treatment liquid drum 54. The processing liquid coating device 56 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 a processing liquid measured by the anix roller. It is comprised with the rubber roller which transfers to the upper recording medium 24. FIG. In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the application method using the roller is exemplified, but the treatment liquid applying means is not limited to this, and various methods such as a spray method and an ink jet method can also be applied.

  The recording medium 24 to which the processing liquid is applied is transferred from the processing liquid drum 54 to the drawing drum 70 of the drawing unit 16 via the intermediate conveyance unit 26.

(Drawing part)
The drawing unit 16 includes a drawing drum 70, a paper holding roller 74, and inkjet heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y (corresponding to “liquid ejection head”, hereinafter simply referred to as “head”). The drawing drum 70 includes a claw-shaped holding means (gripper) 71 on the outer peripheral surface thereof, like the processing liquid drum 54.

  Each of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y is a full-line type recording head (line head) having a length corresponding to the maximum width of the image forming area in the recording medium 24, and image formation is performed on the ink discharge surface. A nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles for ink ejection are arranged over the entire width of the region is formed. Each of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is installed so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium 24 (the rotation direction of the drawing drum 70).

  Corresponding color ink droplets are ejected from the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y toward the recording surface of the recording medium 24 held in close contact with the drawing drum 70. The ink comes into contact with the treatment liquid applied to the recording surface in advance by the treatment liquid application unit 14, 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 24 is prevented, and an image is formed on the recording surface of the recording medium 24.

  The recording medium 24 is conveyed at a constant speed by the drawing drum 70, and the operation of moving the recording medium 24 and the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y relative to the conveying direction is performed only once (that is, once). In this sub scanning, an image can be recorded in the image forming area of the recording medium 24.

  Here, the inkjet recording apparatus 10 using four colors of CMYK is illustrated, but the combination of the ink color and the number of colors is not limited to this embodiment, and light ink, dark ink, special ink is used as necessary. Color ink may be added. For example, it is possible to add a head for ejecting light ink such as light cyan and light magenta, and the arrangement order of the color heads is not particularly limited.

  The recording medium 24 on which an image is formed by the drawing unit 16 is transferred from the drawing drum 70 to the drying drum 76 of the drying unit 18 via the intermediate conveyance unit 28.

(Drying part)
The drying unit 18 is a mechanism that dries moisture contained in the solvent separated by the color material aggregation action, and includes a drying drum 76 and a solvent drying device 78. Similar to the treatment liquid drum 54, the drying drum 76 includes a claw-shaped holding unit (gripper) 77 on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and the holding unit 77 can hold the leading end of the recording medium 24.

  The solvent drying device 78 is disposed at a position facing the outer peripheral surface of the drying drum 76, and includes a plurality of halogen heaters 80 and hot air jet nozzles 82 disposed between the halogen heaters 80. The recording medium 24 that has been dried by the drying unit 18 is transferred from the drying drum 76 to the fixing drum 84 of the fixing unit 20 via the intermediate conveyance unit 30.

(Fixing part)
The fixing unit 20 includes a fixing drum 84, a halogen heater 86, a fixing roller 88, and an inline sensor 90. Like the processing liquid drum 54, the fixing drum 84 includes a claw-shaped holding unit (gripper) 85 on its outer peripheral surface, and the holding unit 85 can hold the leading end of the recording medium 24.

  As the fixing drum 84 rotates, the recording surface of the recording medium 24 is preheated by the halogen heater 86, fixed by the fixing roller 88, and inspected by the inline sensor 90.

  The fixing roller 88 is a roller member for heating and pressurizing the dried ink to weld the self-dispersing polymer fine particles in the ink to form a film of the ink, and is configured to heat and press the recording medium 24. The Specifically, the fixing roller 88 is disposed so as to be in pressure contact with the fixing drum 84, and constitutes a nip roller with the fixing drum 84. The recording medium 24 is sandwiched between the fixing roller 88 and the fixing drum 84, nipped with a predetermined nip pressure, and a fixing process is performed.

  The fixing roller 88 is constituted by a heating roller incorporating a halogen lamp or the like, and is controlled to a predetermined temperature.

  The in-line sensor 90 reads an image (including a density measurement test chart and a non-ejection detection test pattern) formed on the recording medium 24, and detects a density of the image, an image defect, and the like ( Image reading means), and a CCD line sensor or the like is applied.

  According to the fixing unit 20, since the resin in the thin image layer formed by the drying unit 18 is heated and pressurized by the fixing roller 88 and melted, it can be fixed and fixed to the recording medium 24. By heating the recording medium 24 held on the outer peripheral surface of the fixing drum 84 from the back surface, drying is promoted, image destruction at the time of fixing can be prevented, and the image strength is increased by the effect of increasing the image temperature. Can do.

  In addition, it may replace with the ink containing a high boiling point solvent and polymer microparticles (thermoplastic resin particle), and may contain the monomer component which can be polymerized and hardened by UV (ultraviolet rays) exposure. In this case, the inkjet recording apparatus 10 includes a UV exposure unit that exposes ink on the recording medium 24 to UV light instead of the heat-pressure fixing unit (fixing roller 88) using a heat roller. As described above, when ink containing an actinic ray curable resin such as a UV curable resin is used, an actinic ray such as a UV lamp or an ultraviolet LD (laser diode) array is used instead of the fixing roller 88 for heat fixing. Means for irradiating are provided.

(Output section)
Subsequent to the fixing unit 20, a paper discharge unit 22 is provided. The paper discharge unit 22 includes a discharge tray 92, and a transfer drum 94, a conveyance belt 96, and a tension roller 98 are provided between the discharge tray 92 and the fixing drum 84 of the fixing unit 20 so as to be in contact therewith. Is provided. The recording medium 24 is sent to the conveying belt 96 by the transfer drum 94 and discharged to the discharge tray 92. Although the details of the paper transport mechanism by the transport belt 96 are not shown, the recording medium 24 after printing is held at the front end of the paper by a gripper (not shown) gripped between endless transport belts 96. Is carried above the discharge tray 92 by the rotation of.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 has an ink storage / loading unit that supplies ink to the heads 72 </ b> M, 72 </ b> K, 72 </ b> C, and 72 </ b> Y and the processing liquid application unit 14 in addition to the above configuration. Means for supplying the processing liquid is provided. Furthermore, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 includes a maintenance unit (such as FIGS. 3 to 6) that cleans each head 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y (nozzle surface wiping, purge, nozzle suction, etc.) and performs head moisturization during printing standby. A maintenance station including a moisturizing device 150 (to be described later), a position detection sensor for detecting the position of the recording medium 24 on the sheet conveyance path, and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of each part of the apparatus.

[Description of drawing unit and maintenance unit]
FIG. 2 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the drawing unit, and FIG. 3 is a front view thereof (viewed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the paper transport direction). FIG. 4 is a plane development explanatory view schematically showing the configuration of the drawing unit and the maintenance unit.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y of the respective colors are arranged along the peripheral surface of the drawing drum 70, and the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY of the heads are arranged on the drum peripheral surface. On the other hand, the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY of the respective heads are disposed in an attitude inclined with respect to the horizontal plane so that the distance is substantially constant (slow distance).

  In other words, the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y of the respective colors are radially arranged on the concentric circles centering on the rotation shaft 102 of the drawing drum 70 with a constant interval in the circumferential direction. In this example, the four heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line along the vertical direction of the drawing drum 70. A magenta (M) head 72M and a yellow (Y) head 72Y are arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical line (center line) passing through the center of the drawing drum 70, and a black (K) head 72K. And a cyan (C) head 72C are arranged symmetrically.

  The heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y arranged in this way are arranged so that the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY formed at the lower ends thereof face the outer peripheral surface of the drawing drum 70, respectively. The nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY are positioned at predetermined heights from the outer peripheral surface of the drawing drum 70 (between the outer peripheral surface of the drawing drum 70 and the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY). The same amount of gap is formed.) Further, the nozzle rows formed on the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY are arranged orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium 24.

  The plurality of heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y are attached to the head support frame 140 and arranged around the drawing drum 70.

  The drawing drum 70 is rotatably provided with both ends of the rotating shaft 102 being pivotally supported by a pair of bearings 104 (see FIG. 3). The bearing 104 is provided on the main body frame 106 of the inkjet recording apparatus 10, and the drawing drum 70 is mounted horizontally (on the horizontal installation surface) by supporting both ends of the rotating shaft 102 on the bearing 104. On the other hand, the rotating shaft 102 is mounted in parallel.)

  A motor is connected to the rotation shaft 102 of the drawing drum 70 via a rotation transmission mechanism (not shown). The drawing drum 70 is driven by this motor and rotates.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the head support frame 140 has a pair of side plates 142L and 142R provided orthogonal to the rotation shaft 102 of the drawing drum 70, and a connection that connects the pair of side plates 142L and 142R at the upper end. And a frame 144.

  The side plates 142L and 142R are formed in a plate shape and are disposed so as to face each other with the drawing drum 70 interposed therebetween. A mounting portion 146 for mounting the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is provided inside the pair of side plates 142L, 142R. In FIG. 3, for the sake of convenience, only the magenta mounting portion 146 is shown, but the same mounting portion is provided for each color head.

  Each mounting portion 146 is radially arranged at a constant interval on a concentric circle centered on the rotation shaft 102 of the drawing drum 70. Each head 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is attached to the head support frame 140 by fixing the attached portions 148 formed at both ends thereof to the attaching portions 146. In FIG. 3, only the magenta attached portion 148 is shown for convenience, but the same attached portion is provided for each color head.

  In this way, the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y are attached to the head support frame 140, and are radially arranged on the concentric circles centering on the rotation shaft 102 of the drawing drum 70 at a constant interval.

  The head support frame 140 is guided by a guide rail (not shown) and is slidable in parallel with the rotation shaft 102 of the drawing drum 70. 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. 3, and the "maintenance position" shown by the broken line in FIG.

  When the head support frame 140 is positioned at the image recording position, each of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y is disposed around the drawing drum 70 and is ready for image recording.

  The maintenance position is set to a position where each head 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is retracted from the drawing drum 70. At this maintenance position, a moisturizing device 150 for moisturizing each head 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is installed.

  The moisturizer 150 includes caps 200M, 200K, 200C, and 200Y that cover the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, and 72AY of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y (see FIG. 4). In FIG. 4, for easy understanding, the configuration of the heads of the respective colors arranged along the arc of the drum peripheral surface and the caps corresponding to the heads are shown in a plane development. In FIG. 3, only the magenta cap 200M is shown for convenience.

  When the apparatus is to be stopped for a long time, such as when the apparatus is turned off or when waiting for printing, the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y are moved to the maintenance position, and the nozzle surfaces of each head are moved by the caps 200M, 200K, 200C, 200Y. 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY are covered.

  Each cap 200M, 200K, 200C, 200Y is provided with a moisturizing liquid supply mechanism (not shown) so that the moisturizing liquid can be supplied into the cap. By covering the periphery of the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY with the caps 200M, 200K, 200C, 200Y holding the moisturizing liquid, the nozzle portion is moisturized and clogging (non-ejection) due to drying is prevented.

  The caps 200M, 200K, 200C, and 200Y are provided with a pressure / suction mechanism (not shown) so that the inside of the nozzle can be pressurized and suctioned. Further, in the case of this example, the pressure supply purge of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is performed to force the ink from all the nozzles of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y. it can.

  A waste liquid tray 154 is disposed below the caps 200M, 200K, 200C, and 200Y. The moisturizing liquid and purged ink supplied to the caps 200M, 200K, 200C, and 200Y are discarded in the waste liquid tray 154 and collected in the waste liquid tank 158 via the waste liquid collection pipe 156.

  Further, a nozzle surface cleaning device 160 for cleaning the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is provided between the image recording position and the maintenance position. Each head 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is moved by the nozzle surface cleaning device 160 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. 72AC and 72AY are cleaned.

  The nozzle surface cleaning device 160 includes a cleaning liquid applying device 162 and a nozzle surface wiping device 164. Although only the nozzle surface cleaning device 160 corresponding to the magenta inkjet head 72M is shown in FIG. 3, the same nozzle surface cleaning device is provided for each of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y (FIG. 3). 4).

  As shown in FIG. 4, cleaning liquid applying devices 162M, 162K, 162C, 162Y and nozzle surface wiping devices 164M, 164K, 164C, 164Y are provided corresponding to the respective heads. Since the configurations of the cleaning liquid applying devices 162M, 162K, 162C, and 162Y corresponding to the respective heads are the same, the cleaning liquid applying device 162 will be described below. In addition, the nozzle surface wiping devices 164M, 164K, 164C, and 164Y corresponding to each head have the same configuration, so that the nozzle surface wiping device 164 will be described below. The description of matters common to the heads of the respective colors will be described by representing the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y with the reference numeral 72 indicating the head and the reference numeral 72A indicating the nozzle surface.

  The cleaning liquid applying device 162 is means for applying a cleaning liquid to the nozzle surface 72A of the head 72, and includes a cleaning liquid supply nozzle 184 and a cleaning liquid holding surface 185 for holding the cleaning liquid. The hole of the cleaning liquid supply nozzle 184 is open to the cleaning liquid holding surface 185, and the cleaning liquid is taken out from the cleaning liquid supply nozzle 184 and held on the cleaning liquid holding surface 185. By moving the head 72 over the cleaning liquid holding surface 185 where the cleaning liquid is held, the cleaning liquid between the cleaning liquid holding surface 185 and the nozzle surface 72A spreads out using the liquid repellency of the nozzle surface 72A, and the nozzle A cleaning liquid can be applied to the surface 72A.

  The nozzle surface wiping device 164 moves the head 72 by bringing the wiping web 192 into contact with the nozzle surface 72A while moving the wiping web 192 (corresponding to a “wiping member”) formed in a belt shape. Wipe 72A.

  The wiping web 192 is composed of a sheet made of knitting or weaving using ultra fine fibers such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PE polyethylene (Polyethylene), NY (NYLON), and the like. It is formed in a strip shape having a width corresponding to the width of 72 nozzle surfaces 72A. The wiping web 192 is provided in a state in which the wiping web 192 is wound in a roll shape around a delivery-side web core (not shown) and the tip is fixed to a winding-side web core (not shown).

  The nozzle surface wiping device 164 includes a transport unit (not shown) that transports the wiping web 192 and a pressing roll 194 that causes the wiping web 192 to contact the nozzle surface 72A with a predetermined pressure. The pressing roll 194 is biased in a direction toward the nozzle surface 72A by a biasing spring (not shown). The wiping web 192 wound around the pressing roll 194 is conveyed by driving a winding motor (not shown). By wiping the nozzle surface 72A while running the wiping web 192, the nozzle surface 72A can always be wiped by using a new surface (unused area) of the wiping web 192.

  By moving the nozzle surface 72A in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the wiping web 192, the nozzle surface 72A can be efficiently wiped.

  Further, the nozzle surface wiping device 164 can be moved in the vertical direction by a lifting mechanism (not shown). When wiping and cleaning of the nozzle surface 72A is unnecessary, the wiping web 192 is retracted to a position where it does not come into contact with the nozzle surface 72A.

  The nozzle surface wiping device 164 may include a cleaning liquid application unit that supplies the cleaning liquid directly to the wiping web 192 and a cleaning liquid recovery unit that recovers excess cleaning liquid from the wiping web 192.

  Although not shown, each head 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is supported by a movable support mechanism that is movable in the normal direction of the respective nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY. With this movable support mechanism, the distance (gap) between the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y and the outer peripheral surface of the drawing drum 70 can be adjusted, and the heads at the maintenance position can be adjusted. You can change the height.

<Description of the maintenance unit including the moisturizing device>
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a main part of a maintenance station including the moisturizing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of the cap. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state during capping (when the head is kept moisturized) when waiting for printing or when the power is turned off, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state during an ink purge operation. .

  As shown in FIG. 5, the maintenance station is provided with caps 200M, 200K, 200C, and 200Y corresponding to the respective heads. Since the structures of the caps 200M, 200K, 200C, and 200Y are the same, the caps are denoted by reference numeral 200 below as representative of the caps.

  The cap 200 includes a cap frame 202 that forms a cover part (outer frame) of the outer frame, and a liquid holding unit 210 that is provided inside the cap frame 202 and disposed at a position facing the nozzle surface 72A. . A cap main body 206 is configured by a combination of a cap inner frame body 204 (inner frame body portion) in which a recess functioning as the liquid holding unit 210 is formed and a cap frame body 202 covering the outer side. Thus, the cap 200 of this example has a double structure (nested structure) in which the liquid holding part 210 is provided inside the cap frame 202.

  Further, on the side wall of the cap 200 (in this example, the side wall along the longitudinal direction of the cap 200), sealing members 220 and 222 that are elastically deformed when coming into contact with the head 72 to improve the sealing performance are provided. ing. The sealing members 220 and 222 are held by the support members 250 and 252, respectively. The support members 250 and 252 holding the sealing members 220 and 222 are respectively fixed screws 254 and 256 (corresponding to “fastening members”). It is attached to the cap body 206 by the above.

  In this example, the support member 250 is connected to the cap inner frame body 204 by a fixing screw 254, and the support member 252 is connected to the cap frame body 202 by a fixing screw 256 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). Note that a plurality of fastening points by the fixing screws 254 and 256 are provided along the longitudinal direction of the cap 200. The support members 250 and 252 are members that constitute the side wall of the cap 200 together with the side walls of the cap inner frame body 204 and the cap frame body 202.

  Thus, the sealing members 220 and 222 provided on the side wall of the cap 200 are in contact with the side wall of the head 72 (in this example, the side wall along the longitudinal direction of the head 72) and seal the contact portion ( (See FIGS. 7 and 8). The sealing members 220 and 222 are brought into contact with the side wall of the head 72, and the side surface of the head is sealed at a position higher than the nozzle surface 72A.

  The ink jet recording apparatus 10 of this example includes a mechanism (not shown) that moves the cap 200 and the head 72 relative to each other in the normal direction of the nozzle surface 72A. As shown in FIGS. The head 72 can be moved in the normal direction of the nozzle surface 72A in a state in which 220 and 222 are in contact with the head side surface.

  The structure which moves the head 72 with respect to the cap 200 may be sufficient, the structure which moves the cap 200 with respect to the head 72 may be sufficient, and these combination may be sufficient.

  Since the head 72 is moved (relatively moved) with respect to the cap 200 while the sealing members 220 and 222 are in contact with the side surfaces of the head, the sealing members 220 and 222 preferably have a low sliding resistance. In this embodiment, as the sealing members 220 and 222, hollow silicon rubber coated with fluorine is used. In addition to the above, brushes, felts, and the like are suitable for the sealing members 220 and 222. Brush bristles and felt fibers are elastically deformed at the time of contact, and are restored to their original shape upon contact release. The brush and the felt can also function as a sealing member that is elastically deformed at the time of contact and seals the contact portion.

  In both the cap state shown in FIG. 7 and the ink purge operation state shown in FIG. 8, the sealing members 220 and 222 are located above the nozzle surface 72A and higher than the nozzle surface 72A. Is sealed. For this reason, it is difficult for ink to adhere to the sealing members 220 and 222.

  Here, the meanings of “above the nozzle surface 72A” and “a position higher than the nozzle surface 72A” will be described with reference to FIGS. 9, 10, and 11. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the nozzle surface 72A of the head 72 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane 260 (inclination angle θ is 0 ° <θ <90 °), the inclined nozzle surface 72A is inclined downward. In the range from the lowest position (the lowest position 272 of the nozzle face 72A) to the highest position above the inclination (the highest position 274 of the nozzle face 72A), the nozzle face 72A has a width in the vertical direction.

  This means that the inclined nozzle surface 72A is at least a position above the lowest position 272 of the nozzle surface 72A, and is preferably a position above the highest position 274 of the nozzle surface 72A.

  The range of the nozzle surface 72A that defines the lowest position 272 and the highest position 274 of the nozzle surface 72A corresponds to the range of the nozzle portion 276 of the head 72. A plurality of nozzles (not shown in FIG. 9, refer to reference numeral 350 in FIG. 14) are formed on the nozzle plate constituting the nozzle surface 72A, and the nozzle formation region (nozzles of the nozzles) in which the plurality of nozzles are arranged. The nozzle portion 276 is configured to include the discharge surface area).

  For example, the range of the nozzle formation region in the nozzle plate of the head 72 can be specified as the range (nozzle portion 276) of the nozzle surface 72A. Further, simply, the entire area of the nozzle plate exposed on the lower surface (ejection surface) of the head 72 can be specified as the nozzle surface 72A. If the area of the nozzle non-formation area provided outside the nozzle formation area in the nozzle plate is not excessively large, the entire area of the nozzle plate can be handled as the nozzle surface 72A.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when a horizontal plane 262 passing through the lowest position 272 of the nozzle surface 72A is assumed, the sealing members 220 and 222 (FIGS. 7 and 8) are at least more than the horizontal plane 262 at the lowest position 272. Is also located above (high position). More preferably, when a horizontal plane 264 passing through the highest position 274 of the nozzle surface 72A is assumed, the sealing members 220 and 222 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) are above the horizontal plane 264 of the highest position 274 ( It is preferable to have a configuration located at a high position.

  According to such a configuration, the discharge liquid from the nozzle is difficult to adhere to the sealing members 220 and 222, and the sealing members 220 and 222 are not easily contaminated.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram in which the description expressions “above the nozzle surface 72A” and “a position higher than the nozzle surface 72A” are captured from a viewpoint different from FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, when the nozzle surface 72A is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane 260 (the inclination angle θ is 0 ° <θ <90 °), the plane including the nozzle surface 72A and parallel to the nozzle surface 72A. 280 can be assumed. The plane 280 is a virtual single plane obtained by expanding (extending along the same plane) the nozzle surface 72A on the same plane.

  With this virtual plane 280 as a boundary surface, the sealing members 220 and 222 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) may be in contact with the head 72 in the space region above the plane 280. .

  Even with such a configuration, the liquid discharged from the nozzle on the nozzle surface 72A is less likely to adhere to the sealing members 220 and 222, and the sealing members 220 and 222 are less likely to become dirty. In the case of FIG. 10, the sealing member 222 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) that seals the inclined lower side is lower than the lowest position 272 of the nozzle surface 72 </ b> A as compared with the conditions described in FIG. 9. More preferably, the sealing member may be disposed at a position higher than the lowest position 272 of the nozzle surface 72A.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram substantially equivalent to FIG. In FIG. 11, the same elements as those in FIG. In FIG. 11, a broken line arrow (reference numeral 282) indicates a discharge direction in which the liquid is discharged from the nozzle on the nozzle surface 72A. This discharge direction is parallel to the normal direction of the nozzle surface 72A and is directed downward with an angle θ with the direction of gravity.

  As indicated by a solid arrow (284) in FIG. 11, the direction parallel to the normal direction of the plane 280 and away from the nozzle surface 72A in the direction opposite to the discharge direction (arrow 282) is referred to as “up”. Even in the case where the expression is adopted, among the spaces partitioned with the plane 280 including the nozzle surface 72A as the boundary surface, the description “the space region above the plane 280” is substantially equivalent to FIG. The contents of

  7 and 8, since the sealing members 220 and 222 are attached to the cap body 206 via the fixing screws 254 and 256, the connection between the fixing screws 254 and 256 is released. Can be removed. The sealing members 220 and 222 may be integrated with the support members 250 and 252 to be attached and detached. Alternatively, the sealing members 220 and 222 may be separated from the support members 250 and 252 and the support members 250 and 252 may be separated. A configuration in which new sealing members 220 and 222 are attached (only the sealing members 220 and 222 are replaced and the same supporting members 250 and 252 are used) is also possible.

  As described above, since the sealing members 220 and 222 can be easily detached, the sealing members 220 and 222 are temporarily stained with ink, or the sealing performance is deteriorated due to deterioration over time, or the like. In addition, only the sealing members 220 and 222 can be easily replaced. Thereby, cost reduction and usability improvement can be achieved.

(Configuration of liquid holding part)
In the cap 200 of this example, the cap 200 is also inclined with respect to the horizontal plane in accordance with the inclination angle of the nozzle surface 72A inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. The liquid holding unit 210 disposed at a position facing the nozzle surface 72A has a recess capable of storing the moisturizing liquid 212, and a partition plate 214 (corresponding to a “partition member”) is erected in the recess. . The partition plate 214 extends in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cap 200, and the liquid holding unit 210 is partitioned into a first storage unit 216 and a second storage unit 218 by the partition plate 214.

  That is, the liquid holding part 210 is divided into a plurality of regions in the inclination direction of the cap 200 by the partition plate 214, and the first storage part 216 is formed on the upper side in the inclination direction, and the second storage part 218 is formed on the lower side. ing.

  The cap 200 is provided with a moisturizing liquid supply port 230 for supplying the moisturizing liquid to the liquid holding unit 210. The moisturizing liquid supply port 230 is provided above the first reservoir 216 in the tilt direction. In this example, one moisturizing liquid supply port 230 is provided at the center portion of the cap length in the cap longitudinal direction of the cap inner frame 204. The number and location of the moisturizing liquid supply ports 230 are not limited to this example. It is sufficient if the moisturizing liquid can be supplied to the liquid holding unit 210, and a configuration including a plurality of moisturizing liquid supply ports is also possible.

  A moisturizing liquid channel 232 is connected to the moisturizing liquid supply port 230, and the moisturizing liquid is sent from the moisturizing liquid tank (not shown) to the moisturizing liquid supply port 230 via the moisturizing liquid channel 232.

  The moisturizing liquid is supplied from the moisturizing liquid supply port 230, and the moisturizing liquid 212 is stored in the first storage unit 216 and the second storage unit 218. The liquid level 236 of the moisturizing liquid stored in the first storage unit 216 and the liquid level 238 of the moisturizing liquid stored in the second storage unit 218 are stepped with the partition plate 214 interposed therebetween.

  Although the nozzle surface 72A is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, the moisturizing liquid surface (236, 238) can be opposed to the nozzle surface 72A at a position close to the nozzle surface 72A because the partition plate 214 is provided in the liquid holding unit 210 facing the nozzle surface 72A. Thereby, the state of relative humidity of 90% or more can be maintained for a long time.

  In addition, an outer chamber 242 that can hold the liquid 240 overflowing from the liquid holding unit 210 is formed outside the liquid holding unit 210. A drain port 244 is provided at the bottom of the cap frame 202, and when a certain amount of the liquid 240 is accumulated in the outer chamber 242, the liquid is discharged from the drain port 244. The drain port 244 is provided at a position higher than the lowest point in the cap inclination direction at the bottom of the cap, and a certain amount of liquid 240 can be stored in the outer chamber 242.

  Next, the operation in this embodiment will be described.

<Supply of moisturizing liquid>
A moisturizing liquid tank (not shown) is disposed at a position higher than the moisturizing liquid supply port 230, and a moisturizing liquid channel 232 that guides the moisturizing liquid from the moisturizing liquid tank to the moisturizing liquid supply port 230 of the cap 200 is provided. A moisturizing liquid supply valve (not shown) capable of turning on (supplying) / off (stopping) the supply of the moisturizing liquid is provided in the middle of the moisturizing liquid channel 232 connecting the moisturizing liquid tank and the moisturizing liquid supply port 230. The moisturizing liquid supply valve is composed of, for example, an electromagnetic valve.

  When the moisturizing liquid supply valve is turned on (opened), the moisturizing liquid flows from the moisturizing liquid tank 232 through the moisturizing liquid channel 232 due to a water head difference, and the moisturizing liquid flows out from the moisturizing liquid supply port 230.

  The moisturizing liquid flows down along the inclination of the liquid holding unit 210 and accumulates in the first storage unit 216. The height of the partition plate 214 that partitions the first reservoir 216 and the second reservoir 218 is lower than the other side walls of the first reservoir 216 and the second reservoir 218. The height of the partition plate 214 here refers to the direction away from the bottom surface toward the nozzle surface 72A in a direction perpendicular to the inclined plane with reference to the inclined bottom surface (inclined plane) of the liquid holding portion. "Height".

  For this reason, the moisturizing liquid that has overflowed the first reservoir 216 passes over the partition plate 214 and flows down to the second reservoir 218 and accumulates in the second reservoir 218.

  When the moisturizing liquid continues to be supplied and the second reservoir 218 is filled with the moisturizing liquid, the moisturizing liquid gets over the wall of the second reservoir 218 and falls into the outer chamber 242.

  Since the drain port 244 of the cap 200 is provided at a position higher than the lowest point position of the bottom of the outer chamber 242, the moisturizing liquid is also stored at the bottom of the outer chamber 242. The outer chamber 242 includes a first reservoir 216 and a second reservoir 218 in which liquid surfaces 236 and 238 of the moisturizing liquid (hereinafter referred to as moisturizing liquid surfaces 236 and 238) are formed, and an air release portion of the cap 200. There is a function of separating the distance.

  By separating the first storage unit 216 and the second storage unit 218 from the atmosphere release unit, moisture in the cap is prevented from escaping out of the cap.

  Further, if the outer chamber 242 is omitted and the vicinity of the liquid holding unit 210 is sealed with a sealing member, the sealing member is likely to become dirty due to ink purging or the like. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, the outer chamber 242 is provided outside the liquid holding unit 210, and the sealing member 220 is provided on the outer wall of the cap away from the first storage unit 216 and the second storage unit 218 where the moisturizing liquid is stored. , 222 is attached and the part away from the storage part is sealed, so that the sealing members 220 and 222 can be prevented from being contaminated.

  In the present embodiment, the drain port 244 is provided at a high position in the outer chamber 242 so that the liquid is also stored in the outer chamber 242. Thereby, the outer chamber 242 is also moisturized, which is effective for further improving the moisture retention.

<When cap>
When the power is turned off or during printing standby, the head 72 is waiting at the cap position (head moisturizing position) shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, by bringing the nozzle surface 72A of the head 72 close to the moisturizing liquid surface (236, 238) of the liquid holding unit 210, the relative humidity around the nozzle unit is increased and the ink inside the nozzle is prevented from solidifying. ing.

<During ink purge>
When purging ink regularly or irregularly, the head 72 and the cap 200 are moved relative to each other in the normal direction of the nozzle surface 72A and in the direction in which the head 72 is separated from the cap 200, as shown in FIG. The ink is purged with the moisturizing liquid surfaces (236, 238) and the nozzle surface 72A spaced apart.

  A configuration in which the position (height) of the cap 200 is fixed and the head 72 is moved in the normal direction of the nozzle surface 72A may be used, or a configuration in which the position of the head 72 is fixed and the cap 200 is moved is also possible. Alternatively, a configuration in which both are moved may be used.

  As is clear from comparison between FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the distance between the nozzle surface 72A at the time of purging (FIG. 8) and the moisturizing liquid surfaces 236 and 238 is the same as the nozzle surface 72A at the time of cap at the head moisturizing position (FIG. 7). And the moisturizing liquid surfaces 236 and 238.

  As described above, the reason why the nozzle surface 72A is kept away from the moisturizing liquid surfaces 236 and 238 during purging can be as follows.

  (1) This is to prevent the purged ink from accumulating in the gap between the nozzle surface 72A and the liquid holding unit 210. When purge ink is accumulated between the nozzle surface 72A and the liquid holding unit 210, the ink easily adheres to the nozzle surface 72A. As shown in FIG. 8, when the distance between the nozzle surface 72A and the liquid holding unit 210 is increased, the purged ink is separated from the nozzle surface 72A and received by the liquid holding unit 210, and the nozzle surface 72A and the liquid holding unit 210 are separated. The purged ink does not collect in the gap. For this reason, there is little ink adhering (remaining) on the nozzle surface 72A, and the nozzle surface 72A is hardly stained. Accordingly, wiping and cleaning of the nozzle surface 72A after purging is facilitated.

  (2) If purging is performed while the nozzle surface 72A is close to the moisturizing liquid surface (236, 238), the moisturizing liquid in the cap 200 is connected to the purged ink, and ink is drawn out from the nozzle. End up.

  In this regard, as shown in FIG. 8, the moisturizing liquid in the cap 200 and the purged ink are not connected by separating the distance between the nozzle surface 72A and the moisturizing liquid surface (236, 238). For this reason, destruction of the meniscus of the nozzle is suppressed, and unnecessary ink drawing from the nozzle is eliminated.

  For at least the above reasons, purging is performed in a state where the distance between the nozzle surface 72A and the moisturizing liquid surface (236, 238) is larger than that at the time of capping (during moisturizing storage in FIG. 7) (FIG. 8). The ink ejected toward the liquid holding unit 210 can be mixed with the moisturizing liquid in the liquid holding unit 210 and function as a moisturizing liquid. The ink ejected by the purge corresponds to “ejection liquid”.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sealing members 220 and 222 are provided at a higher position than the position of the nozzle surface 72A at the time of purging. That is, as described with reference to FIG. 9, the sealing members 220 and 222 are at a position higher than at least the lowest position 272 on the inclined lower side of the nozzle surface 72 </ b> A. Further, as described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the sealing members 220 and 222 (see FIG. 8) at a position above the plane 280 with the virtual plane 280 including the nozzle surface 72A at the time of purging as a boundary surface. Is in contact with the head 72. For this reason, it is difficult for ink to adhere to the sealing members 220 and 222.

  8, the sealing members 220 and 222 seal positions higher than the nozzle surface 72A, and the sealing members 220 and 222 seal positions higher than the nozzle surface 72A even when capping in FIG. It has stopped. That is, in the case of this example, the sealing members 220 and 222 are on the upper side of the nozzle surface 72A in the cap-mounted state in any of the states of FIGS.

  After purging in the state of FIG. 8, the nozzle surface 72 </ b> A is wiped (wiped) and cleaned by the wiping web 192. As the wiping member, a blade may be used instead of or in combination with the wiping web 192.

  In the present embodiment, when the head 72 is horizontally moved in the longitudinal direction (perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 8) while maintaining the height of the nozzle surface 72A at the purged position, the nozzle surface 72A causes the wiping web 192 (“wiping”). The position of the wiping web 192 (that is, the position of the nozzle surface cleaning device 160) is set so as to contact the member “).

  As a result, ink is adhered to the head nozzle surface immediately after the purge, but the nozzle surface 72A is wiped by the horizontal movement of the head 72. Thereby, foreign matters such as attached ink are removed from the nozzle surface 72A, and ink scattering to the sealing members 220 and 222 can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the horizontal movement direction of the head in the cap 200 is performed so that the above-described horizontal movement (parallel movement within the same plane as the nozzle surface 72A) can be performed while maintaining the height of the nozzle surface 72A during the purge. The side wall (side wall along the short side direction) that faces is made low.

  That is, the cap side walls (side walls constituting the wall surface of the short side portion) disposed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cap 200 are lower than the height of the cap side wall of the long side portion along the longitudinal direction. In addition, the sealing member is not provided in the low wall portion, and an opening having a gap is formed between the nozzle surface 72A and the cap wall. Although the sealing portion of the cap 200 is lowered by this opening, as described later, a head protection member (dummy plate, FIG. 10) for protecting the head 72 is provided at both ends of the head 72 in the longitudinal direction. The head protection member 72D is a flat surface portion of the same surface as the nozzle surface 72A (meaning substantially the same surface including a range allowing an error that can be regarded as substantially the same surface). have.

  For this reason, it is between the opening made between the cap wall made lower than the height of the nozzle surface 72A and the head 72 and the portion (nozzle portion) of the nozzle surface 72A where the nozzles of the head 72 are actually formed. Has a sufficient distance corresponding to the dimension of the head protection member. For this reason, a decrease in sealing performance due to the opening formed between the lowered wall and the head hardly affects the moisture retention of the nozzle portion.

  In this example, since the height of the wall surface at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cap 200 is low and a completely sealed space cannot be formed, a pressure purge is preferable instead of a purge by nozzle suction.

  As a modification of the present embodiment, when the entire circumference of the head including the both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cap 200 is sealed with a sealing member, a suction pump is used for the cap instead of the pressure barge. It is possible to perform a suction purge that connects and generates negative pressure in the cap and sucks ink in the nozzle. Further, the side walls at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cap 200 are configured by a movable plate (movable wall) that can change the height of the wall, and the sealing structure and the open structure are controlled by controlling the height of the wall as necessary. Switching may be possible.

<Advantages of this embodiment>
(1) The partition plate 214 is provided in the liquid holding part 210 that holds the moisturizing liquid at a position facing the nozzle surface 72A, and the moisturizing liquid storage part is divided into a plurality of regions (first storage part 216, second storage part) in the cap inclination direction. 218) and the moisturizing liquid surfaces 236 and 238 are stepped so that the difference in distance between the inclined nozzle surface 72A and the horizontal moisturizing liquid surfaces 236 and 238 is improved, and the nozzle surface 72A is close to the moisturizing liquid surface. Can be made. As a result, the moisture retention of the cap is improved, the improvement of the ejection property of the head can be achieved, nozzle clogging can be prevented, and the life of the head can be extended.

  (2) According to the present embodiment, the sealing members 220 and 222 are less likely to get dirty because the sealing members 220 and 222 seal the position higher than the position of the nozzle surface 72A during the purge operation.

  (3) The cap 200 has a double box structure in which the outer chamber 242 is provided outside the liquid holding unit 210, and is separated from the vicinity of the moisturizing liquid (that is, near the liquid holding unit 210) with the outer chamber 242 separated. Is sealed with the sealing members 220 and 222, so that the contamination of the sealing members 220 and 222 can be further avoided.

  (4) Moreover, since the liquid is also stored in the outer chamber 242 and the outer chamber 242 is also moisturized, there is an effect of further improving the moisture retention.

  (5) The sealing members 220 and 222 can be easily detached from the cap 200, and can be easily replaced with new sealing members.

<Configuration example of inkjet head>
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the inkjet head used in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 shows a state where the nozzle surface 72A is looked up from below the head 72 (obliquely downward direction). The head 72 is a full-line type line head (single-pass printing system) in which a plurality (n) of head modules 72-i (i = 1, 2,... N) are aligned and connected in the paper width direction. Page wide head). Here, an example in which 17 head modules 72-i are connected is shown, but the configuration of the modules, the number of modules, and the arrangement form are not limited to the illustrated examples. Reference numeral 310 in the figure denotes a housing (housing for constituting a bar-shaped line head) serving as a frame for fixing a plurality of head modules 72-i, and reference numeral 312 denotes a connection to each head module 72-i. Flexible substrate.

  FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged view of the head 72 as viewed from the nozzle surface 72A side.

  Each head module 72-i is supported by a head module support member 72B from both sides of the head 72 in the short direction. Further, both end portions of the head 72 in the longitudinal direction are supported by a head protection member 72D.

  Each head module 72-i (nth head module 72-n) has a structure in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in a matrix. In FIG. 13, an oblique solid line denoted by reference numeral 351A represents a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in a row.

  FIG. 14 is a plan view (viewed from the ejection side) of the nozzle surface 72A in the head module 72-i. Although the number of nozzles is omitted in FIG. 14, for example, 32 × 64 nozzles 350 are two-dimensionally arranged on the ink ejection surface of one head module 72-i. In FIG. 14, the Y direction is the recording medium (paper) feeding direction (sub-scanning direction), and the X direction is the recording medium width direction (main scanning direction). The head module 72-i includes an end face on the long side along the v direction having an inclination of angle γ with respect to the X direction, and a short side along the w direction having an inclination of angle α with respect to the Y direction. The plane shape of the parallelogram having the end surfaces of the parallelogram. By connecting a plurality of such head modules 72-i in the X direction (paper width direction) (see FIG. 12), a nozzle row that covers the entire drawing range with respect to the paper width is formed, and one drawing scan is performed. A full-line head capable of recording an image with a predetermined recording resolution (for example, 1200 dpi) is configured.

  In the case of an inkjet head (matrix head) having a two-dimensional nozzle array, each nozzle in the two-dimensional nozzle array is in a direction (corresponding to “main scanning direction”) orthogonal to the medium transport direction (corresponding to “sub-scanning direction”). The projection nozzle row projected so as to line up (orthogonal projection) is equivalent to a nozzle row in which the nozzles are arranged at substantially equal intervals at a nozzle density that achieves the recording resolution in the main scanning direction (medium width direction). Can think. The “substantially equidistant” means that the droplet ejection points that can be recorded by the ink jet printing system are substantially equidistant. For example, the concept of “equally spaced” also includes cases where the intervals are slightly different in consideration of manufacturing errors and movement of droplets on the medium due to landing interference. Considering projection nozzle rows (also referred to as “substantial nozzle rows”), nozzle positions (nozzle numbers) can be associated with the order of projection nozzles arranged along the main scanning direction.

  In carrying out the present invention, the arrangement form of the nozzles 350 in the head module 72-i is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 14, and various nozzle arrangement structures can be applied. For example, instead of the matrix arrangement described with reference to FIG. 14, a linear array of lines, a V-shaped nozzle arrangement, and a zigzag (W-shaped) nozzle array having a V-shaped arrangement as a repeating unit. Etc. are also possible.

  The operation of moving the paper (recording medium) relative to the line head (72) in which a plurality of head modules 72-i each having such a nozzle array are combined is performed only once (in one sub-scan). An image with a predetermined recording resolution can be recorded in the image forming area of the paper.

<Discharge method>
The means for generating the discharge pressure (discharge energy) for discharging droplets from each nozzle in the inkjet head is a piezo actuator (piezoelectric element), electrostatic actuator, thermal method (the pressure of film boiling caused by heating of the heater). Various pressure generating elements (ejection energy generating elements) such as heaters (heating elements) in other systems, and various actuators using other systems can be applied. Corresponding energy generating elements are provided in the flow path structure according to the ejection method of the head.

<Means for relatively moving the head and the recording medium>
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the recording medium is transported to the stopped head is exemplified. However, in the implementation of the present invention, a configuration in which the head is moved with respect to the stopped recording medium (the drawing medium) is also possible. In addition, a configuration in which both are moved is also possible.

  A single-pass type full-line type recording head is usually arranged along a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction (conveying direction) of the recording medium. There may be a mode in which the head is disposed along an oblique direction with an angle. Even in such a case, it is possible to specify a substantial nozzle row direction, nozzle pitch, pixel pitch, and the like by defining two intersecting axes (first direction and second direction).

  The means (conveying means) for conveying the recording medium is not limited to the drum conveying method illustrated in FIG. 1, and various forms such as a belt conveying method, a nip conveying method, and a pallet conveying method can be adopted.

<About recording media>
“Recording medium” is a generic term for media on which dots are recorded by droplets ejected from the head. Various terms such as printing medium, recording medium, image forming medium, image receiving medium, ejection medium, and printing paper are used. In what is called in. In the practice of the present invention, the material, shape, etc. of the recording medium are not particularly limited, and a print on which a resin sheet such as continuous paper, cut paper, seal paper, OHP sheet, film, cloth, nonwoven fabric, wiring pattern, or the like is formed. It can be applied to various media regardless of the substrate, rubber sheet, and other materials and shapes.

[Modification 1]
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the cap main body 206 is arranged in parallel with the nozzle surface 72A in accordance with the inclination of the nozzle surface 72A has been described. However, the cap 200 may take various forms, and is not necessarily limited to the nozzle surface. It is not required that the structure be inclined parallel to 72A.

  That is, as a means for forming a step of a moisturizing liquid surface having a height difference in the inclination direction of the nozzle surface 72A, a plurality of storage portions (humidity holding liquid storage portions) having a height difference in the inclination direction of the nozzle surface are provided. Just do it. Moreover, the several storage part should just have the recessed part structure which the side facing a nozzle surface opens, and can store a moisturizing liquid, The form can be variously designed. For example, each bottom surface of the plurality of storage units can be configured to be a plane that is not parallel to the nozzle surface 72A, a curved surface, or a combination thereof.

  The volume of each reservoir can be designed as appropriate for a plurality of reservoirs. The amount of moisturizing liquid stored in each reservoir may be equal, or may be different for each reservoir. The depth of each reservoir, the area of the moisturizing liquid surface (opening area), and the like may be designed to be the same or different for each reservoir. Moreover, it is not restricted to the explanatory concept of partitioning by the partition plate (partition member), and as a result, a plurality of storage portions that are partitioned in the slope direction may be provided. For example, for each reservoir, prepare a recess member that constitutes a recess having an appropriate depth and opening area, and connect a plurality of these in the nozzle surface inclination direction to form a liquid holder having a plurality of reservoirs. Can be formed.

[Modification 2]
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the partition plate 214 that divides the liquid holding unit 210 into a plurality of regions in the tilt direction is installed in parallel with the normal direction of the nozzle surface 72A is shown, but the configuration of the partition member is shown in this example. Not exclusively. The partition member is not necessarily required to be a plate-like member having a plane parallel to the normal direction of the nozzle surface 72A. For example, as the partition member, a partition plate standing in parallel with the vertical direction (the direction of gravity) can be used. Moreover, the partition member may have a form in which a plurality of non-parallel planes are combined, such as a bent plate, or a member having a curved surface.

[Modification 3]
Instead of the double-structured cap 200 described in the above embodiment, a mode in which the cap frame 202 is omitted (a configuration corresponding to only the liquid holding unit 210) is also conceivable.

[Modification 4]
In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the sealing members 220 and 222 of the cap 200 are brought into contact with the side wall of the head 72 to seal the side surface of the head has been described, but the structure for sealing at a position higher than the nozzle surface is shown in this example. Not exclusively. For example, a cap contact surface may be provided on the nozzle surface side of the head at a position higher than the nozzle surface, and the cap may be contacted with the cap contact surface. In other words, a step is provided on the nozzle surface side of the head so that a flat portion serving as a cap contact surface is formed at a position higher than the nozzle surface, and a cap is provided on the flat portion (cap contact surface) via a sealing member. It is set as the structure where is contact | abutted. The sealing member can be provided at the tip portion of the side wall of the cap. Alternatively, it can be provided on the cap contact surface on the head side.

[Modification 5]
A mode in which the moisturizing liquid supply port 230 for supplying the moisturizing liquid into the cap and the moisturizing liquid channel 232 are omitted, and the liquid discharged from the nozzle of the head 72 is stored in the liquid holding unit 210 and used as the moisturizing liquid is also possible. is there.

[Modification 6]
In the above embodiment, the double-structured cap 200 having the outer chamber 242 outside the liquid holding unit 210 is illustrated, but it is not necessarily required to be a double-structured cap when implementing the present invention. Any cap member may be used as long as it is a cap member that can cover the nozzle surface while facing the nozzle surface, and may be a cap that does not have a partition structure of a region such as a liquid holding portion or an outer chamber in the cap.

[Modification 7]
In the above embodiment, the liquid holding unit 210 is divided in the cap inclination direction by the partition plate 214, and the two storage units (216, 218) are formed, but the number of partitions is not particularly limited. It is also possible to increase the number of partition plates to divide into two or more reservoirs.

[Modification 8]
Although the fixing screws 254 and 256 are illustrated as means for attaching the sealing member to the cap in a replaceable manner, the detachable structure is not limited to this example. Various attachment / detachment structures such as a connection by a fitting structure, a press locking structure using a biasing member such as a spring, and an engagement connection structure using engagement of a claw can be adopted, and an appropriate combination thereof. It may be.

[Modification 9]
In the above-described embodiment, an inkjet recording apparatus using a page-wide full-line head having a nozzle row having a length corresponding to the entire width of the recording medium (single-pass image forming apparatus that completes an image by one sub-scanning) However, the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to this, and an inkjet recording apparatus that performs image recording by scanning a plurality of heads while moving a short recording head such as a serial (shuttle scan) head The present invention can also be applied to.

  In this case, assuming that the reciprocating direction of the head is “main scanning direction” and the conveyance direction of the recording medium is “sub-scanning direction”, the nozzle rows in the head are nozzles arranged in the sub-scanning direction. In the case of a multi-pass inkjet recording apparatus, the main scanning direction (head scanning direction) corresponds to the “first direction”, and the sub-scanning direction corresponds to the “nozzle row direction” and the “second direction”. Further, the carriage for reciprocating the head and the driving mechanism thereof correspond to “relative movement means”.

<Application to other device configurations>
In the above embodiment, application to an inkjet recording apparatus for printing color images has been described as an example, but the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, a wiring drawing apparatus for drawing a wiring pattern of an electronic circuit, a manufacturing apparatus for various devices, a resist printing apparatus that uses a resin liquid as a functional liquid for ejection, a color filter manufacturing apparatus, and a material deposition material. The present invention can be widely applied to liquid ejecting apparatuses (including an ink jet recording apparatus and an ink jet system) that obtain various shapes and patterns using a liquid functional material, such as a fine structure forming apparatus that forms a structure.

  In the embodiment of the present invention described above, the configuration requirements can be appropriately changed, added, and deleted without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and many modifications can be made by those having ordinary knowledge in the field within the technical idea of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Inkjet recording device, 16 ... Drawing part, 24 ... Recording medium, 70 ... Drawing drum, 72, 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y ... Head (inkjet head), 72A ... Nozzle surface, 150 ... Moisturizing unit, 160 ... Nozzle Surface cleaning device, 164, 164M, 164K, 164C, 164Y ... nozzle surface wiping device, 192 ... wiping web, 200, 200M, 200K, 200C, 200Y ... cap, 202 ... cap frame, 204 ... inner frame of cap, 206 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Cap main body, 210 ... Liquid holding part, 212 ... Moisturizing liquid, 214 ... Partition plate, 216 ... First storage part, 218 ... Second storage part, 220 ... Sealing member, 222 ... Sealing member, 230 ... Moisturizing liquid Supply port, 232 ... moisturizing liquid channel, 240 ... liquid, 242 ... outer chamber, 244 ... drain port, 250 ... support member, 252 ... Support member, 254 ... fixing screws, 256 ... fixing screws, 350 ... nozzle

Claims (17)

A liquid ejection head having a nozzle surface on which nozzles for ejecting liquid are formed, the nozzle surface being arranged to be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane;
A liquid holding unit that is disposed at a position facing the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head and stores a moisturizing liquid;
With
The liquid holding part is divided into a plurality of storage parts along the inclination direction, and the moisturizing liquid having a height difference in the inclination direction by storing the moisturizing liquid in the plurality of storage parts. A liquid ejection device in which a liquid level is formed. A partition member that divides the inside of the liquid holding part into a plurality of storage parts along the direction of the inclination;
The liquid according to claim 1, wherein the moisturizing liquid is stored in each of the plurality of storing sections partitioned by the partition member, thereby forming a liquid surface of the moisturizing liquid having a step with the partition member interposed therebetween. Discharge device.   The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a moisturizing liquid supply port that supplies the moisturizing liquid to the liquid holding unit on an upper side of the inclination of the liquid holding unit.   4. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, further comprising a drain port that discharges the liquid overflowing from the liquid holding unit below the slope of the liquid holding unit. 5.   The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cap that includes the liquid holding unit and covers the nozzle surface.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the cap includes an outer chamber on the outside of the liquid holding unit in which liquid overflowing from the liquid holding unit is accumulated. A sealing member for sealing a contact portion between the liquid discharge head and the cap;
The sealing member seals a position higher than the nozzle surface in a state where the cap is brought into contact with the liquid ejection head via the sealing member and the nozzle surface is covered with the cap. 6. The liquid ejection device according to 6.   The said sealing member is provided in the contact part of the said cap and the said liquid discharge head, and elastically deforms when the said cap contact | abuts to the said liquid discharge head, and seals the said contact part. Liquid ejection device.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the sealing member seals a position higher than the nozzle surface during a purge operation in which liquid is ejected from the nozzle toward the cap.   10. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the sealing member is sealed in contact with a side wall of the liquid ejection head. 10.   The liquid ejection device according to claim 7, wherein the sealing member is provided on a side wall of the cap.   The liquid ejection device according to claim 7, wherein the sealing member is detachably attached to the cap. A support member for holding the sealing member;
The said support member holding the said sealing member is connected with the said cap via the fastening member, The said sealing member can be removed with the said support member by canceling | releasing the connection by the said fastening member. The liquid ejection device according to any one of 7 to 12. A wiping member for cleaning the nozzle surface in contact with the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head;
By moving the liquid discharge head in a plane parallel to the nozzle surface while maintaining the height of the nozzle surface during the purge operation for discharging liquid from the nozzle toward the cap, the nozzle surface is moved. The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the nozzle surface is wiped and cleaned by contacting with the wiping member. The liquid discharge head is a line head;
The liquid ejection device according to claim 7, wherein the sealing member is provided along a longitudinal direction of the line head.   The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein liquid is ejected from the nozzle toward the liquid holding unit, and the liquid holding unit receives the ejection liquid from the nozzle. The nozzle surface on which the nozzle for discharging the liquid is formed is disposed at a position facing the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head disposed to be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, and includes a liquid holding unit that stores the moisturizing liquid.
The liquid holding part is divided into a plurality of storage parts along the inclination direction, and the moisturizing liquid having a height difference in the inclination direction by storing the moisturizing liquid in the plurality of storage parts. A liquid retention head moisturizing device in which a liquid level is formed.

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