JP6102151B2 - Liquid ejection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a nozzle.

  As a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a nozzle, Patent Document 1 describes an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink from a nozzle. The ink jet recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a nozzle that ejects pigment ink and a nozzle that ejects dye ink. When performing flushing (preliminary discharge), the carriage is moved so that the portion receiving the pigment ink and the portion receiving the dye ink of the liquid receiver (cap) are separated from the nozzle interval in the carriage movement direction. I am doing so. As a result, the pigment ink and the dye ink are mixed and solidified on the liquid receiver, thereby preventing the solidified ink from being deposited on the liquid receiver.

JP 2007-237513 A

  In Patent Document 1, as described above, it is possible to prevent the ink solidified by mixing the pigment ink and the dye ink on the liquid receiver from being deposited on the liquid receiver. However, pigment ink and dye ink, even alone, solidify and deposit on the liquid receiver. When the amount of ink solidified and deposited on the liquid receiver increases, the deposited ink may come into contact with the liquid ejection surface on which the nozzles of the recording head are formed during flushing. If the solidified and accumulated ink comes into contact with the liquid ejection surface, the ink ejection surface may be damaged or the nozzles may be clogged.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus capable of preventing solidified liquid ejected to a liquid receiver by flushing and solidified and deposited on the liquid receiver from coming into contact with the liquid ejecting surface. is there.

A liquid ejection apparatus according to the present invention includes a liquid ejection surface on which a first nozzle that ejects a first liquid and a second nozzle that ejects a second liquid that is harder to solidify than the first liquid are formed. A first liquid receptacle that is movable in a direction intersecting the liquid ejection surface and that receives the liquid ejected from the first nozzle by flushing in a state of being opposed to the liquid ejection surface ; A second liquid receptacle that is movable in a direction intersecting with the liquid ejection surface and receives the liquid ejected from the second nozzle by flushing in a state of being opposed to the liquid ejection surface; at least the first liquid receiving of receiving the second liquid, and a moving device for moving in a direction intersecting the liquid ejection surface, control for controlling the operation of the liquid ejection head and said moving device It includes a location, wherein the control device, it first liquid ejected from the first nozzle in performed a flushing until, solidified on a surface facing the liquid ejection surface of the receiving the first liquid A parameter acquisition unit that acquires a first parameter related to the deposition amount of the first solidified liquid deposited in this manner, and a determination that determines whether the value of the first parameter acquired by the parameter acquisition unit exceeds a predetermined threshold value And the position of the first liquid receiver based on the determination result of the determination unit and the determination unit at any one of the predetermined first position and the second position farther from the liquid ejection surface than the first. A flushing control unit that causes the liquid ejection head to perform flushing in a state in which the liquid discharge head is flushed, and the value of the first parameter increases as the amount of the first solidified liquid deposited increases. The value increases as the total amount of liquid ejected by the first nozzle by lashing increases, and the flushing control unit determines that the value of the first parameter is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold by the determination unit. In this case, it is estimated that the accumulation amount of the first solidified liquid is equal to or less than a predetermined accumulation amount, and flushing is performed in a state where the first liquid receiver is positioned at the first position. When it is determined that the value of the first parameter exceeds the first threshold value, it is estimated that the deposition amount of the first solidified liquid exceeds the predetermined deposition amount, and the first liquid receiver Flushing is performed in a state in which is placed at the second position .
Further, the liquid ejection device according to the present invention is capable of moving in a direction intersecting the liquid ejection surface, a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid from a nozzle formed on the liquid ejection surface, and the liquid ejection surface A liquid receiver that receives the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge head by flushing in a state of being opposed, and the liquid discharge head are mounted, and in a range that includes a position where the liquid discharge surface faces the liquid receiver, A carriage that moves in a predetermined scanning direction parallel to the liquid ejection surface, a moving device that moves the liquid receiver in a direction that intersects the liquid ejection surface, and a control that controls operations of the liquid ejection head and the moving device And the controller is configured so that the liquid discharged to the liquid receiver by the flushing performed so far is in contact with the liquid discharge surface of the liquid receiver. When the amount of solidified liquid solidified and deposited on the opposite surface is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, flushing is performed with the liquid receiver positioned at a predetermined first position, and the solidified liquid is deposited. When the amount exceeds the predetermined accumulation amount, flushing is performed in a state where the liquid receiver is positioned at a predetermined second position farther from the liquid ejection surface than the first position, and the movement is performed. The apparatus supports the liquid receiver from a side opposite to the liquid discharge head, and a support portion that supports the liquid receiver and is movable in a direction intersecting the liquid discharge surface. The force in the scanning direction received by being pushed by the carriage is converted into a force in a direction intersecting the liquid ejection surface and transmitted to the support portion, whereby the support surface of the support portion is transferred to the liquid. Intersection with discharge surface Characterized in that it includes a transmission unit that moves in the direction of, the.
Further, the liquid ejection device according to the present invention is capable of moving in a direction intersecting the liquid ejection surface, a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid from a nozzle formed on the liquid ejection surface, and the liquid ejection surface A liquid receiver that receives liquid discharged from the liquid discharge head by flushing in a state of facing, a moving device that moves the liquid receiver in a direction that intersects the liquid discharge surface, the liquid discharge head, and the moving device A control device that controls the operation of the liquid receiver, wherein the control device solidifies the liquid discharged to the liquid receiver on the surface of the liquid receiver facing the liquid discharge surface by the flushing performed so far. When the accumulated amount of the solidified liquid deposited is equal to or less than the predetermined accumulated amount, flushing is performed with the liquid receiver positioned at the predetermined first position, and the solidified liquid When the accumulated amount exceeds the predetermined accumulation amount, flushing is performed in a state where the liquid receiver is positioned at a predetermined second position farther from the liquid ejection surface than the first position, When the flushing is performed with the liquid receiver positioned at the second position, the liquid discharge speed from the nozzle is higher than when the flushing is performed with the liquid receiver positioned at the first position. It is characterized by making it faster.

  According to the present invention, when the amount of solidified liquid deposited on the liquid receiver is small and less than or equal to a predetermined amount, flushing is performed with the liquid receiver positioned at the first position, and the solidified liquid is deposited. When the amount increases and exceeds a predetermined accumulation amount, the solidified liquid is applied to the liquid discharge surface in order to perform flushing with the liquid receiver positioned at the second position farther from the liquid discharge surface than the first position. It is possible to prevent contact.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an ink discharge portion and the like when FIG. 1 is viewed from the direction of an arrow II. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printer according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement when performing flushing in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement at the time of flushing in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure and operation | movement of an ink discharge part etc. which concern on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement when performing flushing in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure and operation | movement of an ink discharge part etc. which concern on 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement when performing flushing in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the carriage and ink discharge part of the modification 1, and its operation | movement. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration and operation of a carriage and an ink discharge unit according to Modification 2;

[First Embodiment]
A preferred first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 (liquid ejecting apparatus) according to the first embodiment includes a carriage 2, an inkjet head 3, a paper transport roller 4, an ink discharge unit 5, and the like. The operation of the printer 1 is controlled by a control device 50 (see FIG. 3) described later.

  The carriage 2 reciprocates in the scanning direction along the two guide rails 6. In the following description, the right side and the left side shown in FIG. 1 are described as the right side and the left side in the scanning direction, respectively. The inkjet head 3 (liquid ejection head) is mounted on the carriage 2 and ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles 10a and 10b formed on the ink ejection surface 3a which is the lower surface thereof. More specifically, the nozzles 10a and 10b are arranged in a paper feed direction orthogonal to the scanning direction, thereby forming nozzle rows 9a and 9b. In the inkjet head 3, one nozzle row 9a and three nozzle rows 9b adjacent to each other are arranged in the scanning direction. Then, black pigment ink (first liquid) is discharged from the nozzle 10a (first nozzle), and from the nozzle 10b forming the nozzle row 9b arranged on the left side from the nozzle 10b (second nozzle). In sequence, yellow, cyan, and magenta dye inks (second liquid) are ejected.

  The paper transport rollers 4 are arranged on both sides of the inkjet head 3 in the paper feed direction, and transport the recording paper P in the paper feed direction. In the printer 1, printing is performed on the recording paper P by ejecting ink from the inkjet head 3 that moves in the scanning direction together with the carriage 2 while transporting the recording paper P in the paper feeding direction by the paper transport roller 4.

  The ink discharge portion 5 is disposed almost directly below the carriage 2 with the carriage 2 moved to the left as much as possible. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the flushing foam 11, the ink absorber 12, An eccentric cam 13 and a rotation lever 14 are provided.

  The flushing foam 11 (liquid receptacle) is made of a material capable of absorbing ink, such as sponge, and the upper surface 11a of the carriage 2 is opposed to the ink ejection surface 3a in a state where the carriage 2 is moved to the left as much as possible. It is arranged at the position to do. The flushing foam 11 is supported by a guide (not shown) so as to be movable in the vertical direction (direction intersecting with the ink ejection surface 3a). In the printer 1, so-called flushing is performed in which the nozzles 10 a and 10 b are recovered by ejecting ink from the nozzles 10 a and 10 b in a state where the carriage 2 is moved to a position where the ink ejection surface 3 a faces the flushing foam 11. Be able to. At this time, the flushing foam 11 receives and absorbs the ink ejected from the inkjet head 3.

  The ink absorber 12 is made of a material that can absorb ink, such as a sponge that is denser than the flushing foam 11, and that can easily retain the ink absorbed by the flushing foam 11. The ink absorber 12 is a member having a larger volume than the flushing foam 11 and is disposed below the flushing foam 11. Accordingly, the ink received by the flushing foam 11 during the flushing flows from the ink discharge path (not shown) provided in the flushing foam 11 to the ink absorber 12 and is stored in the ink absorber 12. Further, the length of the ink absorber 12 in the paper feeding direction is shorter than that of the flushing foam 11, and both end portions of the flushing foam 11 in the paper feeding direction protrude from the ink absorber 12.

  The eccentric cam 13 (support portion) is a substantially circular member when viewed from the paper feeding direction. The eccentric cam 13 is attached to a rotating shaft 15 extending in the paper feeding direction at a portion shifted from the center C1 of the circle. The eccentric cams 13 are arranged on both sides of the ink absorber 12 in the paper feeding direction, and the outer peripheral surface 13a (support surface) contacts the lower surface of the portion of the flushing foam 11 protruding from the ink absorber 12. doing. Thereby, the flushing foam 11 is supported from below by the eccentric cam 13. The eccentric cam 13 is urged clockwise by a spring or the like (not shown) as viewed from the direction of FIG.

  One end of the rotation lever 14 (transmission portion) is attached to the rotation shaft 15, and extends upward from the attachment portion to the rotation shaft 15 to the movement path of the carriage 2 while being bent halfway. Further, the turning lever 14 is restricted from turning clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 2 by a stopper or the like (not shown). As a result, the eccentric cam 13 biased as described above has the center C1 at substantially the same height as the rotation shaft 15 and is positioned at the right side of the rotation shaft 15 without performing flushing. It is a posture to do.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the printer 1 will be described. The operation of the printer 1 is controlled by the control device 50 as described above. The control device 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and the like. The control device 50 controls the operation of the printer 1 by controlling the operations of the carriage motor 51 that drives the carriage 2, the driver IC 52 that drives the inkjet head 3, the conveyance motor 53 that drives the paper conveyance roller 4, and the like. To do. At this time, when performing flushing in the printer 1, the control device 50 acquires a parameter T corresponding to the amount of solid ink Ib deposited, which will be described later, and the acquired parameter T exceeds a threshold T1, which will be described later. A determination unit 57 that determines whether or not a flashing operation is performed, a flushing control unit 58 that controls flushing based on a determination result of the determination unit, a parameter update unit 59 that updates a parameter T, and the like.

  Next, the flushing procedure in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 4 is started when a flushing command is input to the control device 50. The flushing command is input to the control device 50 when, for example, no ink is ejected from the nozzles 10a and 10b for a predetermined time during printing. The flushing command may be input from a circuit different from the control device 50 in the printer 1 or may be input from an external device such as a PC connected to the printer 1.

  When a flushing command is input to the control device 50, the parameter acquisition unit 56 acquires the value of the parameter T stored in the RAM or the like of the control device 50 (step S101: NO, hereinafter simply referred to as S101). And stored in the RAM of the control device 50 or the like. Here, the parameter T is calculated based on the total number of times of flushing for black ink performed so far (total amount of black ink ejected by flushing), the time interval of flushing for black ink, and the like. Parameter. The value of the parameter T increases as the total number of times of flushing for black ink performed so far increases. The value of the parameter T increases as the flushing time interval for black ink is shorter. Here, in the first embodiment, the initial value of the parameter T is stored in advance in the RAM or the like of the control device 50 when the printer 1 is shipped.

  Next, the determination unit 57 determines whether or not the parameter T acquired in S101 exceeds a predetermined threshold T1 (S102). When the parameter T is equal to or less than the threshold value T1 (S102: NO), the flushing control unit 58 estimates that the flushing foam 11 is in a state where the accumulated amount of solidified ink Ib described later is estimated to be equal to or less than a predetermined accumulated amount described later. As shown in FIG. 5A, the ink ejection surface 3a and the upper surface 11a of the flushing foam 11 are moved to a position (first position) where the distance is H11 (S103). Specifically, the carriage 2 is moved to the position shown in FIG. Then, the rotation lever 14 is rotated by being pushed by the carriage 2, and the eccentric cam 13 is rotated about the rotation shaft 15 in conjunction with this rotation. As a result, the position of the portion of the outer peripheral surface 13a of the eccentric cam 13 that contacts the flushing foam 11 moves upward, the flushing foam 11 is lifted, and as shown in FIG. It moves to a position where the distance from the top surface 11a of the foam 11 becomes H11. That is, when the turning lever 14 and the eccentric cam 13 are turned, the force in the scanning direction applied from the carriage 2 to the turning lever 14 is converted into an upward force and transmitted to the eccentric cam 13, and the outer peripheral surface. A contact portion with the flushing foam 11 of 13a moves upward.

  Next, the flushing control unit 58 sets the ejection speed of the ink from the nozzles 10a and 10b in the flushing to a predetermined speed V11 (S104), and proceeds to S107.

  On the other hand, when the parameter T exceeds the threshold T1 (S102: YES), the flushing control unit 58 estimates that the accumulation amount of the solidified ink Ib described later exceeds a predetermined accumulation amount described later, and the flushing control unit 58 performs the flushing. As shown in FIG. 5B, the foam 11 is moved to a position (second position) where the distance between the ink ejection surface 3a and the upper surface 11a of the flushing foam 11 is H12 (> H11) (S105). Specifically, the carriage 2 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 5B on the right side of the position shown in FIG. Then, as described above, the turning lever 14 and the eccentric cam 13 turn about the turning shaft 15 and the flushing foam 11 is lifted. At this time, the rotation angle of the rotation lever 14 and the eccentric cam 13 is smaller than that shown in FIG. 5A, and the position of the portion of the outer peripheral surface 13a of the eccentric cam 13 that contacts the flushing foam 11 is increased upward. Since the moving amount is small, the amount by which the flushing foam 11 is lifted is small. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5B, the flushing foam 11 moves to a position where the distance between the ink ejection surface 3a and the upper surface 11a of the flushing foam 11 is H12.

  Subsequently, the flushing control unit 58 sets the ejection speed of the ink from the nozzles 10a and 10b in the flushing to a predetermined speed V12 that is faster than the speed V11 (S106), and then proceeds to S107.

  In S107, the flushing control unit 58 executes the flushing, and after the flushing is completed, the parameter update unit 59 updates the value of the parameter T stored in the RAM or the like of the control device 50 (S108). The process shown in the flow ends. When the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is completed, the carriage 2 returns to the position facing the recording paper P in order to resume printing, and the rotation lever 14 is not pushed by the carriage 2, so the eccentric cam 13 and the rotation lever 14 returns to the position shown in FIG. 2 by the urging force applied to the eccentric cam 13.

  In the flushing of S107, ink is ejected from the nozzles 10a and 10b at a speed of either V11 or V12. This is, for example, printing the driving frequency of the inkjet head 3 when the ink ejection speed in the flushing is V11. This can be realized by setting the same driving frequency as that at the time and the driving frequency of the ink jet head when the ink ejection speed in the flushing is V12 to a higher driving frequency than that at the time of printing.

  Here, when ink is ejected from the inkjet head 3 to the flushing foam 11 by flushing, a part of the ink is not absorbed by the flushing foam 11 but is solidified and deposited on the upper surface 11 a of the flushing foam 11. Black pigment inks are easier to solidify than color (yellow, cyan, magenta) dye inks, and are particularly easy to deposit. When the flushing is repeated, the amount of solidified ink Ib deposited increases, and the upper end of the solidified ink Ib approaches the ink ejection surface 3a. As a result, the solidified ink Ib finally comes into contact with the ink ejection surface 3a, and the ink ejection surface 3a is damaged by the solidified ink Ib, or the solidified ink Ib enters the nozzles 10a and 10b and the nozzles 10a and 10b are clogged. There is a risk of it.

  In contrast, in the first embodiment, as described above, when the parameter T exceeds the threshold value T1, it is estimated that the accumulation amount of the solidified ink Ib exceeds the predetermined accumulation amount, and the parameter T is equal to or less than the threshold value T1. The flushing is performed in a state where the flushing foam 11 is positioned at a position away from the ink ejection surface 3a than in the case of the above. Here, the predetermined accumulation amount is the accumulation amount of the solidified ink Ib when the height of the solidified ink Ib is a predetermined height slightly lower than H11. Thereby, it can prevent that solidified ink Ib contacts the ink discharge surface 3a.

  The flushing time interval may vary depending on how the printer 1 is used. However, if the flushing time interval is short, the flushing is performed by the next flushing before the ink that has landed on the flushing foam 11 is sufficiently solidified by the previous flushing. Ink reaches the form 11. On the other hand, if the time interval of the flushing is long, the ink that has landed on the flushing foam 11 by the previous flushing is sufficiently solidified, and then the ink is landed on the flushing foam 11 by the next flushing. Therefore, if the total number of flushing performed so far is the same, the longer the flushing time interval, the greater the amount of solidified ink deposited. Therefore, if it is estimated whether or not the accumulation amount of the solidified ink Ib exceeds the predetermined accumulation amount based on whether or not the parameter T determined based on the total number of times of flushing and the flushing time interval exceeds the threshold value T1, the solidification is performed. It can be accurately estimated whether or not the accumulation amount of the ink Ib exceeds the predetermined accumulation amount.

  Further, the positions of the carriage 2 and the inkjet head 3 in the scanning direction are shifted between the state shown in FIG. 5A and the state shown in FIG. For this reason, in the flushing after the parameter T exceeds the threshold value T1, the ink is applied to the portion of the solidified ink Ib deposited by the flushing performed when the parameter T is equal to or less than the threshold value T1 and shifted from the highest portion. Land. Thereby, the height of the solidified ink Ib is hardly increased.

  Further, when performing the flushing, if other conditions are the same, the longer the distance between the ink ejection surface 3a and the upper surface 11a of the flushing foam 11, the longer the ink is ejected until the flushing foam 11 is landed. The time will be longer. For this reason, the landing position of the ink on the flushing foam 11 is likely to be shifted or ink mist is likely to occur.

  On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the ink discharge speed when the flushing is performed in a state where the distance between the ink discharge surface 3a and the upper surface 11a of the flushing foam 11 is set to H12 is the ink discharge surface 3a and the flushing foam 11. The ink ejection speed V11 is higher than the ink ejection speed V11 when flushing is performed in a state where the distance from the upper surface 11a is H1. As a result, the time from ink ejection to landing on the flushing foam 11 is shortened, so that the landing position of the ink on the flushing foam 11 is less likely to shift and ink mist is less likely to occur.

  Here, unlike the first embodiment, the solidified ink Ib is prevented from coming into contact with the ink ejection surface 3a even if the flushing is performed in the state shown in FIG. 5B regardless of the parameter T. I can. However, in this case, even when the parameter T is equal to or less than the threshold value T1, the ink ejection speed in the flushing is faster than V11 in order to prevent the displacement of the ink landing position in the flushing form 11 and the occurrence of ink mist. V12 is necessary, which leads to an increase in power consumption.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, as described above, the ink discharge surface is estimated only when the amount of solidified ink Ib deposited is estimated to exceed a predetermined amount and the solid ink Ib is highly likely to come into contact with the ink discharge surface 3a. Flushing is performed in a state where the distance between 3a and the upper surface 11a of the flushing foam 11 is increased (set to H12). Thereby, when it is estimated that the accumulation amount of the solidified ink Ib is equal to or less than the predetermined accumulation amount, the flushing is performed in a state where the distance between the ink discharge surface 3a and the upper surface 11a of the flushing foam 11 is reduced (set to H11). Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the ink discharge speed during flushing, and an increase in power consumption can be suppressed.

  In the first embodiment, the eccentric lever 13 is pivoted by the pivot lever 14 being pushed by the carriage 2 and pivots, and the flushing foam 11 is lifted upward. Therefore, the flushing foam 11 is moved separately. There is no need for a drive source for this. Therefore, the apparatus can be reduced in size.

  In the first embodiment, the flushing foam 11 is opposed to the nozzle 10a and receives the black ink ejected by flushing, and the portion opposed to the nozzle 10b and receives the color ink ejected by flushing. As a result, the device is downsized compared to the case where a flushing foam that receives black ink discharged by flushing and a flashing foam that receives color ink discharged by flushing are provided separately. can do.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a preferred second embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, in the second embodiment, portions different from the first embodiment will be mainly described. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the ink discharge section 5 includes eccentric cams 71 and 72 instead of the eccentric cam 13 and the rotation lever 14 (see FIG. 2).

  The eccentric cam 71 (first eccentric cam, first support portion) has a substantially elliptical shape when viewed from the paper feed direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 6). The eccentric cam 71 supports the left end portion (the portion located on the left side of the center of gravity G) of the flushing foam 11 from below at both ends in the paper feeding direction of the flushing foam 11 that does not overlap the ink absorber 12. The outer peripheral surface 71 a is a support surface that supports the flushing foam 11.

  The eccentric cam 72 (second eccentric cam, second support portion) has a substantially elliptical shape when viewed from the paper feed direction, similar to the eccentric cam 71. The eccentric cam 72 supports the right end portion (the portion located on the right side of the center of gravity G) of the flushing foam 11 from below at both ends in the paper feeding direction of the flushing foam 11 that does not overlap the ink absorber 12. The outer peripheral surface 72 a is a support surface that supports the flushing foam 11.

  Further, the eccentric cams 71 and 72 are attached with rotating shafts 73 and 74 extending in the paper feeding direction at portions shifted from the ellipse centers C21 and C22, respectively. The rotation shafts 73 and 74 are connected to a cam rotation mechanism 75 (first rotation mechanism, second rotation mechanism). The cam rotation mechanism 75 is controlled by the control device 50 and individually rotates the eccentric cams 71 and 72 by rotating the rotation shafts 73 and 74 individually. In the second embodiment, the combination of the eccentric cams 71 and 72, the rotation shafts 73 and 74, and the cam rotation mechanism 75 corresponds to the drive unit according to the present invention.

  Next, operations of the ink discharge unit 5 and the like in the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, when the printer 1 is shipped, the eccentric cams 71 and 72 are positioned so that the centers C21 and C22 are directly above the rotation shafts 73 and 74, as shown in FIG. Yes. At this time, the distance between the ink ejection surface 3a and the upper surface 11a of the flushing foam 11 is H21. In addition, the ink ejection speed from the nozzles 10a and 10b in the flushing is set to a predetermined speed V21. Then, in the printer 1, when a flushing command is input to the control device 50, processing shown in the flow of FIG. 7 is executed.

  When a flushing command is input to the control device 50, the parameter acquisition unit 56 uses the same parameters Tb as in the first embodiment for black ink and color ink stored in the RAM or the like of the control device 50. Tc is acquired individually (S201: NO) and stored in the RAM of the control device 50 or the like. Subsequently, the determination unit 57 determines whether or not the parameter Tb (first parameter) for the acquired black ink exceeds a predetermined threshold T21 (first threshold) (S202). If the parameter Tb is equal to or less than the threshold value T21 (S202: NO), it is estimated that both accumulated amounts of solidified inks Ib and Ic described later are equal to or less than the predetermined accumulated amount, and the process proceeds to S210.

  When the parameter Tb exceeds the threshold value T21 (S202: YES), it is estimated that the amount of solidified ink Ib deposited exceeds the predetermined amount, and the eccentric cam 71 has not yet been rotated (S203: NO). Then, the control device 50 controls the cam rotation mechanism 75 to rotate the eccentric cam 71 by about 180 ° as shown in FIG. 6B (S204). As a result, the eccentric cam 71 is in such a posture that the center C21 is almost directly below the rotation shaft 73, and the height of the portion of the outer peripheral surface 71a of the eccentric cam 71 that supports the flushing foam 11 is lowered. As a result, in the flushing foam 11, the portion facing the nozzle 10a (the portion serving as the first liquid receiver) is separated from the ink ejection surface 3a more than the portion facing the nozzle 10b (the portion serving as the second liquid receiver). The posture is inclined. At this time, the distance between the ink discharge surface 3a and the portion of the upper surface 11a of the flushing foam 11 facing the nozzle 10a is H22 (> H21). Further, when the eccentric cam 71 is rotated in S204, the flag information indicating that is stored in the RAM of the control device 50 or the like. In S203, whether or not the eccentric cam 71 has already been rotated is determined based on whether or not the flag information is stored in the RAM or the like of the control device 50. After S204, the ink ejection speed from the nozzle 10a in the flushing is set to V22, which is faster than the ejection speed V21 (S205), and the process proceeds to S210.

  On the other hand, when the eccentric cam 71 has already been rotated (S203: YES), the determination unit 57 sets the parameter Tc (second parameter) for color ink to a predetermined threshold T22 (> T21, second). It is determined whether or not the threshold value is exceeded (S206). If the parameter Tc is equal to or less than the threshold T22 (S206: NO), it is estimated that the amount of solid ink Ic deposited is equal to or less than the predetermined amount accumulated, and the process proceeds to S210.

  If the parameter Tc exceeds the threshold T22 (S206: YES), it is estimated that the accumulation amount of the solidified ink Ic has exceeded the predetermined accumulation amount, and the eccentric cam 72 has not yet been rotated (S207: NO). ), The control device 50 controls the cam rotation mechanism 75 to rotate the eccentric cam 72 by about 180 ° as shown in FIG. 6C (S208). As a result, the eccentric cam 72 is in such a posture that the center C22 is almost directly below the rotation shaft 74, and the height of the portion of the outer peripheral surface 72a of the eccentric cam 72 that supports the flushing foam 11 is lowered. In the state immediately before the eccentric cam 72 is rotated, since the eccentric cam 71 has already been rotated in S204, the upper surface 11a of the flushing foam 11 has a higher ink ejection surface than the state shown in FIG. The posture is substantially parallel to the ink ejection surface 3a at a position away from 3a. At this time, the distance between the ink ejection surface 3a and the upper surface 11a of the flushing foam 11 is H23 (> H22). Further, when the eccentric cam 72 is rotated in S208, flag information indicating that is stored in the RAM of the control device 50 or the like. In S207, whether or not the eccentric cam 72 has already been rotated is determined based on whether or not the flag information is stored in the RAM of the control device 50 or the like. After S208, the ink ejection speed from the nozzle 10b in the flushing is set to V22 (S209), and the process proceeds to S210.

  In S210, the flushing control unit 58 executes the flushing, and after the flushing is completed, the parameter update unit 59 updates the values of the parameters Tb and Tc stored in the RAM of the control device 50 (S211). The processing shown in the flow of 7 ends.

  In the second embodiment described above, when the parameter Tb exceeds the threshold value T21, it is estimated that the accumulation amount of the black solidified ink Ib exceeds the predetermined accumulation amount. Then, by rotating the eccentric cam 71, the portion of the upper surface 11a of the flushing foam 11 facing the nozzle 10a is separated from the ink ejection surface 3a. Further, when the parameter Tc exceeds the threshold T22 (> T21), it is estimated that the accumulation amount of the color solidified ink Ic exceeds the predetermined accumulation amount. Then, by rotating the eccentric cam 72, the portion of the upper surface 11a of the flushing foam 11 facing the nozzle 10b is separated from the ink ejection surface 3a. As a result, it is possible to prevent the solidified inks Ib and Ic from coming into contact with the ink discharge surface 3a.

  As described in the first embodiment, the black pigment ink is more easily deposited on the upper surface 11a of the flushing foam 11 than the color dye ink. Therefore, in the second embodiment, as described above, the threshold value T21 is set smaller than the threshold value T22. Accordingly, whether or not the accumulation amount of the solidified inks Ib and Ic exceeds the predetermined accumulation amount is accurately determined depending on whether or not the parameter Tb exceeds the threshold value T21 and whether or not the parameter Tc exceeds the threshold value T22. Can be estimated.

  Also in the second embodiment, when the eccentric cam 71 is rotated and the portion of the flushing foam 11 facing the nozzle 10a is moved to a position further away from the ink ejection surface 3a, the nozzle 10a in flushing is moved away from the nozzle 10a. When the portion of the flushing foam 11 facing the nozzle 10b is moved further away from the ink ejection surface 3a by rotating the eccentric cam 72 and moving the eccentric cam 72, the nozzle 10b in flushing is moved from the nozzle 10b. Since the ink ejection speed is increased, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent the displacement of the landing position of the ink flushed from the nozzles 10a and 10b by the flushing and the occurrence of ink mist. it can.

  In the second embodiment, as described above, the black pigment ink is more likely to deposit on the upper surface 11a of the flushing foam 11 than the color dye ink, and therefore the threshold value T22 is sufficiently larger than the threshold value T21. Set to Also, there is usually no significant difference between the flushing frequency for black ink and the flushing frequency for color ink. Therefore, the parameter Tb does not exceed the threshold T22 before the parameter Tb exceeds the threshold T21 and the first eccentric cam 71 is rotated in S204.

  In the second embodiment, the flushing foam 11 is held in an inclined posture as shown in FIG. 6B until the parameter Tc exceeds T22 after the parameter Tb exceeds T21. Therefore, an ink discharge path (not shown) for discharging ink from the flushing foam 11 to the ink absorber 12 is opposed to the nozzle 10 a of the flushing foam 11 in order to facilitate ink flow from the flushing foam 11 to the ink absorber 12. It is preferable to be provided in the vicinity of the eccentric cam 71 that supports the portion.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a preferred third embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, in the following, differences from the first and second embodiments will be mainly described.

  In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, the black form 81 for receiving the black ink discharged from the nozzle 10a by the flushing and the color ink discharged from the nozzle 10b by the flushing are received. For this purpose, a color foam 82 is provided separately. The black foam 81 and the color foam 82 are respectively supported from below by plate-like support members 83 and 84 at both ends of the paper feed direction (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 8) protruding from the ink absorber 12. Yes. The support members 83 and 84 are attached to the cylinders 85 and 86 (drive units), respectively. The cylinders 85 and 86 are controlled by the control device 50. The black foam 81 and the color foam 82 can be individually moved in the vertical direction by driving the cylinders 85 and 86 and moving the support members 83 and 84 in the vertical direction.

  Next, operations of the ink discharge unit 5 and the like in the third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, at the time of shipment of the printer 1, as shown in FIG. 8A, the black form 81 and the color form 82 are both positioned almost at the maximum in the movable range, and the ink The distance between the ejection surface 3a and the upper surface 81a of the black foam 81 and the distance between the ink ejection surface 3a and the upper surface 82a of the color foam 82 are both H31. Further, as in the second embodiment, the ink discharge speed from the nozzles 10a and 10b in the flushing is set to a predetermined discharge speed V21. Then, in the printer 1, when a flushing command is input to the control device 50, the processing shown in the flow of FIG. 9 is executed. Here, the flow shown in FIG. 9 is obtained by replacing the processing of S203, S204, S207, and S208 with the processing of S303, S304, S307, and S308, respectively, in the flow shown in FIG. 7 of the second embodiment. Therefore, the following mainly describes the processing of S303, S304, S307, and S308.

  In S303, it is determined whether or not the black form 81 has already been lowered. If the black form 81 has already been lowered (S303: YES), the process proceeds to S210. On the other hand, if the black form 81 has not yet been lowered (S303: NO), the process proceeds to S304. In S304, as shown in FIG. 8B, the cylinder 85 is driven to lower the black foam 81, and the distance between the ink ejection surface 3a and the upper surface 81a of the black foam 81 is set to H32 (> H31). To do. Further, when the black form 81 is lowered in S304, flag information indicating that is stored in the RAM of the control device 50 or the like. In S303, it is determined whether or not the black form 81 has already been lowered depending on whether or not the flag information is stored in the RAM or the like of the control device 50.

  In S307, it is determined whether or not the color form 82 has been lowered. If the color form 82 has already been lowered (S307: YES), the process proceeds to S210. On the other hand, if the color form 82 has not yet been lowered (S307: NO), the process proceeds to S308. In S308, as shown in FIG. 8C, the cylinder 86 is driven to lower the color foam 82, and the distance between the ink ejection surface 3a and the upper surface 82a of the color foam 82 is set to H32. Further, when the color form 82 is lowered in S308, flag information indicating that is stored in the RAM of the control device 50 or the like. In S307, it is determined whether or not the color form 82 has already been lowered based on whether or not the flag information is stored in the RAM or the like of the control device 50.

  In the third embodiment described above, when the parameter Tb exceeds the threshold T21, it is estimated that the accumulation amount of the black solidified ink Ib exceeds the predetermined accumulation amount, and the black foam 81 is lowered. Further, when the parameter Tc exceeds the threshold value T22 (> T21), it is estimated that the accumulation amount of the color solidified ink Ic has exceeded the predetermined accumulation amount, and the color foam 82 is lowered. As a result, it is possible to prevent the solidified inks Ib and Ic from coming into contact with the ink discharge surface 3a.

  Also in the third embodiment, the threshold value T21 is made smaller than the threshold value T22, as in the second embodiment. Thus, as in the second embodiment, the accumulation amount of the solidified inks Ib and Ic becomes a predetermined accumulation amount depending on whether or not the parameter Tb exceeds the threshold value T21 and whether or not the parameter Tc exceeds the threshold value T22. It is possible to accurately estimate whether or not it has been exceeded.

  Further, in the third embodiment, when the black foam 81 is lowered, the ink ejection speed from the nozzle 10a in the flushing is increased, and when the color foam 82 is lowered, the nozzle 10b in the flushing The ink discharge speed is increased. Accordingly, as in the second embodiment, it is possible to prevent the landing position shift of the ink ejected from the nozzles 10a and 10b by flushing and the occurrence of ink mist from the flushing foam 11.

  Next, modified examples in which various changes are made to the first to third embodiments will be described. However, those having the same configurations as those of the first to third embodiments will be omitted as appropriate.

  The configuration for moving the flushing foam 11 is not limited to that described in the first and second embodiments, and the flushing foam 11 may be moved by another mechanism. For example, in one modified example (Modified Example 1), as shown in FIG. 10A, in the first embodiment, the flushing foam 11 is supported from below by a plate-like support member 91, and The upper surface 91 a is a support surface that supports the flushing foam 11. The support member 91 is a substantially L-shaped rotation lever 93 that is rotatably supported by a rotation shaft 92 that is attached to a frame (not shown) of the printer 1 and that is parallel to the paper feed direction (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 10). It is supported from below by one end of (transmission part). As in the first embodiment, the rotation lever 93 is configured to rotate when the end portion on the opposite side to the supporting member 91 is pressed by the carriage 2. Thus, when the rotation lever 93 is pushed by the carriage 2 and rotates counterclockwise, as shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C, the support member 91 supported by the rotation lever 93 and the support member 91 are supported. The flushing foam 11 supported by the member 91 moves upward. That is, when the turning lever 93 is turned, the force in the scanning direction that acts on the turning lever 93 by the carriage 2 is converted into an upward force and transmitted to the support member 91, and the upper surface 91 a of the support member 91. Moves upward. FIG. 10B shows a case where the parameter T is equal to or less than the threshold T1, and FIG. 10C shows a case where the parameter T exceeds the threshold T1.

  Further, for example, in the second embodiment, the flushing foam 11 is supported by the support members 83 and 84 that can be moved in the vertical direction by the cylinders 85 and 86 as described in the third embodiment, instead of the eccentric cams 71 and 72. It may be supported. Even in this case, if the cylinders 85 and 86 are driven to lower the support members 83 and 84, the flushing foam 11 can be moved in the same manner as in the second embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, the flushing foam 11 is supported by two eccentric cams 71 and 72, and by rotating the eccentric cams 71 and 72, the portion of the flushing foam 11 facing the nozzle 10a, and Although the part which opposes the nozzle 10b was able to be moved to an up-down direction, respectively, it was not restricted to this. For example, instead of the eccentric cam 72, the right end portion of the flushing foam 11 may be supported by a fixed support member.

  Even in this case, by rotating the eccentric cam 71, the flushing foam 11 is arranged such that the portion facing the nozzle 10a is lower than the portion facing the nozzle 10b, as shown in FIG. 6B. Accordingly, the portion of the flushing foam 11 facing the nozzle 10a can be separated from the ink discharge surface 3a. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the black solidified ink Ib that is easily deposited from coming into contact with the ink discharge surface 3a.

  As described above, since the color dye ink is harder to deposit than the black pigment ink, it is hard to deposit on the upper surface 11a of the flushing foam 11. Therefore, even if the right end portion of the flushing foam 11 cannot be moved in the vertical direction, it is unlikely that the color solidified ink Ic comes into contact with the ink discharge surface 3a.

  In the third embodiment, the black form 81 and the color form 82 can be individually moved in the vertical direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Of the black foam 81 and the color foam 82, only the black foam 81 is movable in the vertical direction, and the color foam 82 may be fixed. Even in this case, by lowering the black foam 81, it is possible to prevent the black solidified ink Ib that is easily deposited from coming into contact with the ink ejection surface 3a.

  In the first to third embodiments, only one threshold is set for each parameter, but the present invention is not limited to this. Two or more threshold values are set for each parameter, and the ink receiver (flushing form 11, black form 81, and color form 82) is positioned at a position corresponding to whether or not the parameter exceeds each threshold value. You may perform flushing by. In this case, the position of the ink receiver at the time of flushing immediately before the parameter exceeds each threshold corresponds to the first position according to the present invention, and the position of the ink receiver at the time of flushing after the parameter exceeds the threshold. Corresponds to the second position according to the present invention.

  In the second and third embodiments, the parameter is acquired immediately before the flushing is performed, and when the parameter exceeds the threshold, the ink receiver is immediately moved from the first position to the second position. Although flushing was performed, it is not restricted to this. For example, when the flushing is completed, the parameter is acquired, and when the parameter exceeds the threshold value, the ink receiver is moved from the first position at any timing from immediately after that until the next flushing is executed. You may move to the 2nd position.

  In the first to third embodiments, the greater the distance between the upper surface of the ink receiver and the ink ejection surface 3a, the faster the ink ejection speed from the nozzles 10a and 10b during flushing, thereby ejecting the ejected ink. Although the deviation of the landing position and the occurrence of mist in the ink receiver are prevented, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, the larger the distance between the upper surface of the ink receiver and the ink ejection surface 3a, the greater the volume of ink ejected from the nozzles 10a, 10b during flushing. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent the deviation of the landing position in the ink receiver of the ejected ink and the occurrence of mist. Furthermore, both the ejection speed and ejection volume of ink from the nozzles 10a and 10b in flushing may be increased.

  In addition, when the amount of change in the distance between the ink discharge surface 3a and the top surface of the ink receiver is not so large when the ink receiver is moved, the ink discharge speed in flushing or the like regardless of the position of the ink receiver The volume of the ejected ink may be constant.

  In the second embodiment, when the flushing foam 11 is tilted as shown in FIG. 6B, only the ink ejection speed from the nozzle 10a in the flushing is increased, but this is not limitative. Absent. When the flushing foam 11 is tilted as shown in FIG. 6B, the portion of the flushing foam 11 that faces the nozzle 10b is also slightly separated from the ink ejection surface 3a. Therefore, at this time, both the ink ejection speed from the nozzle 10a and the ink ejection speed from the nozzle 10b in the flushing may be increased. However, when the flushing form 11 is tilted, the amount of the portion facing the nozzle 10b away from the ink ejection surface 3a is smaller than the amount of the portion facing the nozzle 10a away from the ink ejection surface 3a. The ink ejection speed is preferably a speed between the speed V21 and the speed V22.

  In the first to third embodiments, the parameter for estimating whether or not the amount of solidified ink accumulated exceeds a predetermined amount of accumulation is a parameter determined by the total number of times of flushing and the time interval of flushing. This is not a limitation. For example, the parameter may be determined only based on the total number of times of flushing regardless of the flushing time interval.

  Further, the parameter is not limited to a parameter determined based on the total number of times of flushing, and may be another parameter whose value increases as the amount of solidified ink deposited increases. For example, since the amount of solidified ink increases as the period of use of the printer 1 becomes longer, the elapsed time from the start of use of the printer 1 may be used as the parameter.

  Furthermore, the parameter is not limited to a parameter whose value increases as the amount of solidified ink deposited increases. For example, the parameter may be a parameter that decreases as the amount of solidified ink deposited increases. In this case, when the parameter exceeds the threshold value, flushing is performed with the ink receiver positioned at the first position, and when the parameter is equal to or less than the threshold value, the ink receiver is moved to the second position. What is necessary is just to perform flushing in the state made to position.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to estimating whether or not the solidified ink deposition amount exceeds a predetermined deposition amount based on a parameter related to the solidified ink deposition amount. For example, an optical sensor or the like may be provided to actually detect the position of the upper end of the solidified ink, and based on the detection result, it may be determined whether or not the accumulated amount of the solidified ink has exceeded a predetermined accumulated amount.

  In the first to third embodiments, the ink receiver for receiving the ink ejected from the inkjet head 3 by the flushing is made of a material capable of absorbing ink such as a sponge, but is not limited thereto. . For example, in one modified example (modified example 2), as shown in FIG. 11A, four ink receiving members 101 are provided instead of the flushing foam 11 (see FIG. 2). The ink receiving member 101 is made of a synthetic resin material or the like, and is disposed almost directly below the nozzles 10a and 10b constituting the nozzle rows 9a and 9b (see FIG. 1). The ink receiving member 101 is provided with a slope 101a that is inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that the ink receiving member 101 is on the right side as it goes downward. Further, the ink receiving member 101 can be individually moved in the vertical direction by a moving mechanism (not shown).

  In this case, the ink ejected from the nozzles 10a and 10b by the flushing lands on the inclined surface 101a and flows to the ink absorber 12 along the inclined surface 101a as indicated by an arrow in the figure. However, even in this case, part of the ink that has landed on the inclined surface 101a remains on the inclined surface 101a and solidifies. When the flushing is repeatedly performed, the solidified ink accumulates on the inclined surface 101a. Accordingly, even in this case, when the amount of ink deposited on the inclined surface 101a increases, for example, the ink receiving member 101 is moved downward in FIGS. 11B and 11C to deposit on the inclined surface 101a. It is possible to prevent the discharged ink from coming into contact with the ink discharge surface 3a. 11B shows a state where the ink receiver corresponding to the nozzle 10a is lowered from the state shown in FIG. 11A, and FIG. 11C shows a state where the nozzle 10b is further moved from the state shown in FIG. 11B. The state where the corresponding ink receiving member 101 is lowered is shown.

  Further, in the above example, the inkjet head ejects two types of inks, which are different in easiness of solidification, black pigment ink and color dye ink, but for example, the inkjet head is only black ink. May be discharged.

  In the above description, an example in which the present invention is applied to a printer that prints on recording paper by discharging ink from nozzles has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to a liquid ejecting apparatus other than a printer that ejects a liquid other than ink.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 3 Inkjet head 3a Ink discharge surface 13 Eccentric cam 14 Rotating lever 50 Control device 72, 73 Eccentric cam 75 Cam drive mechanism 81 Black form 82 Color form 83, 84 Support member 85, 86 Cylinder 91 Support member 93 times Moving lever 101 Ink receiving member

Claims (15)

A liquid discharge head having a liquid discharge surface on which a first nozzle that discharges the first liquid and a second nozzle that discharges a second liquid that is harder to solidify than the first liquid ;
A first liquid receptacle that is movable in a direction intersecting the liquid ejection surface, and that receives the liquid ejected from the first nozzle by flushing in a state of being opposed to the liquid ejection surface ;
A second liquid receiver that is movable in a direction intersecting with the liquid ejection surface and receives the liquid ejected from the second nozzle by flushing in a state of being opposed to the liquid ejection surface;
A moving device that moves at least the first liquid receiver of the first liquid receiver and the second liquid receiver in a direction intersecting the liquid discharge surface;
A controller for controlling the operation of the liquid ejection head and the moving device,
The controller is
The amount of the first solidified liquid deposited by the first liquid ejected from the first nozzle solidified on the surface of the first liquid receiver facing the liquid ejection surface in the flushing performed so far. A parameter acquisition unit for acquiring a first parameter relating to;
A determination unit that determines whether the value of the first parameter acquired by the parameter acquisition unit exceeds a predetermined threshold;
Based on the determination result of the determination unit, the first liquid receiver is positioned at either the predetermined first position or the second position farther from the liquid ejection surface than the first. And a flushing control unit that causes the liquid discharge head to perform flushing,
The first parameter is:
The value increases as the amount of the first solidified liquid deposited increases.
The value increases as the total amount of liquid discharged from the first nozzle increases by the flushing performed so far,
The flushing control unit
When the determination unit determines that the value of the first parameter is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold, the first solidified liquid is estimated to be less than a predetermined accumulation amount, Flushing with one liquid receiver positioned at the first position;
When the determination unit determines that the value of the first parameter exceeds the first threshold, it is estimated that the accumulation amount of the first solidified liquid exceeds the predetermined accumulation amount, A liquid ejecting apparatus , wherein flushing is performed in a state where the first liquid receiver is positioned at the second position . 2. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first parameter is determined based on a total amount of liquid ejected by flushing performed so far and a time interval of flushing. . The moving device moves the first liquid receiver and the second liquid receiver individually,
The parameter acquisition unit
Its Re is the second liquid discharged from the second nozzle in conducted flushing until the deposition of the second solidified liquid deposited solidified on opposite surfaces of the liquid ejection surface of the receiving the second liquid Further acquiring a second parameter relating to the quantity;
The second parameter is
The value increases as the amount of the second solidified liquid deposited increases.
The value increases as the total amount of liquid ejected from the second nozzle increases by the flushing performed so far,
The determination unit further determines whether or not the value of the second parameter acquired by the parameter acquisition unit exceeds a predetermined threshold;
The flushing control unit
When the determination unit determines that the value of the second parameter is less than or equal to a predetermined second threshold , the deposition amount of the second solidified liquid is estimated to be less than or equal to the predetermined deposition amount, Flushing with the second liquid receiver positioned at the first position;
By the determining unit, the value of the second parameter, wherein if it is determined to exceed the second threshold, estimates that the amount of deposition the second solidifying liquid exceeds the predetermined accumulation amount Flushing with the second liquid receiver positioned at the second position;
The second threshold, liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 and greater than the first threshold value. A liquid receiver in which a portion to be the first liquid receiver and a portion to be the second liquid receiver are integrated ;
The portion that becomes the first liquid receiver and the portion that becomes the second liquid receiver are arranged so as to sandwich the center of gravity of the liquid receiver,
The mobile device is
A portion on the first liquid receiving side with respect to the center of gravity of the liquid receiver is supported from the side opposite to the liquid discharge surface, and the support surface that supports the liquid receiver moves in a direction intersecting the liquid discharge surface. A first support that has become possible;
A portion on the second liquid receiver side from the center of gravity of the liquid receiver is supported from the side opposite to the liquid discharge surface, and the support surface that supports the liquid receiver moves in a direction intersecting the liquid discharge surface. A second support that has become possible;
A drive unit configured to individually move at least the support surface of the first support unit in a direction intersecting the liquid ejection surface among the support surface of the first support unit and the support surface of the second support unit; With
The flushing control unit
By the determining unit, the value of the first parameter, when it is determined that exceeds the first threshold value, then up to execute the flushing, by controlling the driving portion, the first support portion by moving the support surface in a direction away from the liquid ejection surface, according to claim 1, the first liquid receiving portion serving of receiving said liquid, characterized in that moving the second position from the first position Or the liquid discharge apparatus of 2. The first support portion includes a first eccentric cam that is rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the liquid discharge surface, and an outer peripheral surface of which forms the support surface.
The drive unit includes a first rotation mechanism that rotates the first eccentric cam,
The flushing control unit
By the determination unit, when the value of the first parameter is determined to exceed the first threshold value, then up to execute the flushing, by controlling the first rotating mechanism, said first eccentric by rotating the cam, in claim 4, wherein the first liquid receiving side of the portion to tilt the liquid receiving away from the liquid discharge surface than the portion of the second liquid receiving side The liquid discharge apparatus as described. The second support portion includes a second eccentric cam that is rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the liquid discharge surface, and an outer peripheral surface of which forms the support surface,
The drive unit further includes a second rotation mechanism that rotates the second eccentric cam,
The parameter acquisition unit
Its Re is the second liquid discharged from the second nozzle in conducted flushing until the deposition of the second solidified liquid deposited solidified on opposite surfaces of the liquid ejection surface of the receiving the second liquid Further acquiring a second parameter relating to the quantity;
The second parameter is
The value increases as the amount of the solidified liquid deposited increases.
The value increases as the total amount of liquid discharged from the second nozzle increases by the flushing performed so far,
The determination unit further determines whether or not the value of the second parameter acquired by the parameter acquisition unit exceeds a predetermined threshold;
The flushing control unit
By the determining unit, the value of the second parameter, when it is determined that exceeds the second threshold value of Jo Tokoro, estimated that the deposition amount of the second solidified liquid exceeds the predetermined deposit amount, then By controlling the second rotating mechanism and rotating the second eccentric cam before performing flushing, the portion of the liquid receiver that becomes the second liquid receiver is moved from the first position to the second position. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is moved to a position. When the flushing control unit performs the flushing with the first liquid receiver positioned at the second position, the flushing control unit performs the flushing with the first liquid receiver positioned at the first position. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a volume of liquid ejected from the nozzle in flushing is increased. A liquid discharge head for discharging liquid from a nozzle formed on the liquid discharge surface;
A liquid receiver that is movable in a direction crossing the liquid discharge surface, and that receives the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge head by flushing in a state of facing the liquid discharge surface;
A carriage that is mounted with the liquid ejection head and moves in a predetermined scanning direction parallel to the liquid ejection surface within a range including a position where the liquid ejection surface faces the liquid receiver;
A moving device for moving the liquid receiver in a direction intersecting the liquid discharge surface;
A controller for controlling the operation of the liquid ejection head and the moving device,
The controller is
When the amount of solidified liquid deposited by solidifying the liquid discharged to the liquid receiver by flushing performed so far on the surface of the liquid receiver opposite to the liquid discharge surface is equal to or less than a predetermined amount of deposit Performs flushing in a state where the liquid receiver is positioned at a predetermined first position,
If the solidified liquid deposition amount exceeds the predetermined deposition amount, flushing is performed in a state where the liquid receiver is positioned at a predetermined second position farther from the liquid ejection surface than the first position. to perform,
The mobile device is
A support unit that supports the liquid receiver from the side opposite to the liquid discharge head, and a support surface that supports the liquid receiver is movable in a direction intersecting the liquid discharge surface;
The force in the scanning direction received by being pushed by the moving carriage is converted into a force in a direction intersecting with the liquid ejection surface and transmitted to the support portion, whereby the support surface of the support portion is transferred to the support portion. A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: a transmission unit that moves in a direction intersecting the liquid ejection surface . The support portion is rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the liquid discharge surface, and an outer peripheral surface thereof includes an eccentric cam that forms the support surface;
The transmission portion is attached to a rotating shaft of the eccentric cam, and has a rotating lever that rotates integrally with the eccentric cam when pushed by the moving carriage. The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 8 . A liquid discharge head for discharging liquid from a nozzle formed on the liquid discharge surface;
A liquid receiver that is movable in a direction crossing the liquid discharge surface, and that receives the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge head by flushing in a state of facing the liquid discharge surface;
A moving device for moving the liquid receiver in a direction intersecting the liquid discharge surface;
A controller for controlling the operation of the liquid ejection head and the moving device,
The controller is
When the amount of solidified liquid deposited by solidifying the liquid discharged to the liquid receiver by flushing performed so far on the surface of the liquid receiver opposite to the liquid discharge surface is equal to or less than a predetermined amount of deposit Performs flushing in a state where the liquid receiver is positioned at a predetermined first position,
If the solidified liquid deposition amount exceeds the predetermined deposition amount, flushing is performed in a state where the liquid receiver is positioned at a predetermined second position farther from the liquid ejection surface than the first position. Let
When the flushing is performed with the liquid receiver positioned at the second position, the liquid ejection speed from the nozzle is greater than when the flushing is performed with the liquid receiver positioned at the first position. A liquid discharge apparatus characterized by speeding up the operation . The controller is
A parameter acquisition unit for acquiring a predetermined parameter relating to a deposition amount of the solidified liquid solidified and deposited on the facing surface;
A determination unit that determines whether the value of the parameter acquired by the parameter acquisition unit exceeds a predetermined threshold;
A flushing control unit that causes the liquid discharge head to perform flushing in a state where the liquid receiver is positioned at either the first position or the second position based on a determination result of the determination unit. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is a liquid ejecting apparatus. The parameter is a value that increases as the amount of the solidified liquid deposited increases.
The flushing control unit
When the determination unit determines that the parameter value is equal to or less than the threshold value, the solidified liquid accumulation amount is estimated to be equal to or less than the predetermined accumulation amount, and the liquid receiver is positioned at a predetermined first position. Flushing the liquid discharge head in a state
When the determination unit determines that the value of the parameter exceeds the threshold value, it is estimated that the solidified liquid deposition amount exceeds the predetermined deposition amount, and the liquid receiver receives the second liquid receiver. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the liquid ejecting head performs flushing in a state where the liquid ejecting head is positioned. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the parameter increases as the total amount of liquid ejected by the flushing performed so far increases. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the parameter is determined based on a total amount of liquid ejected by the flushing performed so far and a time interval of flushing. The control device is configured to perform the flushing in a state where the liquid receiver is positioned at the second position, rather than performing the flushing in a state where the liquid receiver is positioned in the first position. The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a discharge volume of the liquid from the nozzle is increased.

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