JP6635859B2 - Discharge surface management device and inkjet recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ejection surface management device and an inkjet recording device.

  In an inkjet recording apparatus having a long ink ejection head, the ink ejection head has an ejection surface for ejecting ink. The ejection surface is provided with ejection ports of a plurality of nozzles, and the plurality of nozzles eject ink from the ejection ports.

  However, in the ink ejection head included in the ink jet recording apparatus, when the ejection surface is dried, not only ink ejection failure is caused but also the ink ejection head itself may need to be replaced.

  For this reason, various techniques for preventing ink ejection failure from the ink ejection head have been developed (for example, see Patent Documents 1 to 4). For example, a technique for preventing drying of the ejection surface by covering the ejection surface of the ink ejection head with a cap is widely known as a technique for preventing ink ejection failure.

JP 2013-244617 A JP 2006-224421 A JP 2005-288913 A JP 2010-120266 A

  However, if the cap is placed on the ejection surface of the ink ejection head, the humidity inside the cap may increase and dew condensation may occur on the ejection surface. If printing is started by the ink jet recording apparatus in a state in which dew condensation has occurred, the ink discharge direction deviates from a normal direction due to the dew condensation, and as a result, streak-like defects occur in printed matter. On the other hand, if the humidity in the cap is too low, the nozzle will dry. Drying of the nozzles leads to an increase in the viscosity of the ink, leading to defective ejection of the ink. As a result, the ink ejection head itself may have to be replaced as described above.

  The same problem is not limited to the ink discharge head, and a permeation suppressant discharge head for discharging a permeation suppressant such as a flat particle or a water repellent, and a process having an action of aggregating a coloring material contained in the ink. This can also occur with a processing liquid discharge head that discharges liquid.

  The present invention provides a discharge surface capable of contributing to the realization of a good wet state of the discharge surface as compared with a case where the wet state of the discharge surface is managed only by covering a long discharge surface for discharging the liquid with a cap. It is an object to provide a management device and an inkjet recording device.

In order to achieve the above object, a discharge surface management device according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided adjacent to the discharge surface on a longitudinal end side of a long discharge surface for discharging liquid. A specific outer peripheral surface on the discharge surface side of the outer peripheral surface of the protection member for protecting the discharge surface and the entire discharge surface are covered, and a wet source capable of wetting the entire discharge surface is located between the discharge surface. A cap disposed at a position facing the discharge surface with a gap interposed therebetween, and a measuring unit provided on the protection member for measuring humidity on the gap side , the protection member protruding toward the cap from the discharge surface. Having a protruding portion .

  Therefore, according to the ejection surface management apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the ejection surface is compared with the case where the moisture state of the ejection surface is managed only by covering the long ejection surface for ejecting the liquid with the cap. Can be realized to realize a good moisture state.

  The discharge surface management device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the discharge surface management device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the protection member is a hollow region in which a vent is formed, It has a hollow area that takes in moisture on the gap side through the gap, and the measurement unit is arranged in the hollow area on the deeper side of the hollow area than on the vent side.

  Therefore, according to the ejection surface management device according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize both protection of the measurement unit and measurement of the humidity on the gap side by the measurement unit.

  The discharge surface management device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the discharge surface management device according to the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the hollow region is bent from the vent side to the back side. I have.

  Therefore, according to the ejection surface management device according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to make it difficult for foreign substances such as mist-like liquid and dust to reach the measurement unit, as compared with the case without this configuration.

  The discharge surface management device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the discharge surface management device according to the second or third aspect of the present invention, wherein the discharge surface management device is provided in a hollow region, and is provided between the measurement unit and the vent. And a moving mechanism for moving the blocking member to a position for opening and closing between the measurement unit and the vent according to the positional relationship between the protection member and the cap.

  Therefore, according to the ejection surface management device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, both protection of the measurement unit and measurement of the humidity on the gap side by the measurement unit can be realized.

  The discharge surface management device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the discharge surface management device according to any one of the second to fourth aspects of the present invention, wherein the specific outer peripheral surface is permeable to the gap and the gap. It is covered with a cap with an intervening vent area, and the vent is formed on a surface of the specific outer peripheral surface facing the cap.

  Therefore, according to the ejection surface management device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is more difficult for the liquid ejected from the ejection surface to reach the measurement unit than when the ventilation hole is formed on the surface facing the gap. can do.

  A discharge surface management device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the discharge surface management device according to any one of the second to fourth aspects of the present invention, wherein the protective member is more cap than the discharge surface. It has a protruding portion that protrudes to the side, and the vent is formed on the surface of the outer peripheral surface of the protruding portion that faces the gap.

  Therefore, according to the ejection surface management device of the sixth aspect of the present invention, the humidity on the gap side is higher than when the ventilation hole is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion that does not face the gap. It can be measured with high accuracy.

  The discharge surface management device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the discharge surface management device according to any one of the second to fourth aspects of the present invention, wherein the specific outer peripheral surface is permeable to the gap and the gap. The protective member has a protruding portion that protrudes toward the cap from the discharge surface, and the ventilation port faces the gap on the outer peripheral surface of the protruding portion. And the surface of the specific outer peripheral surface facing the cap.

  Therefore, according to the ejection surface management apparatus of the seventh aspect of the present invention, the cavity is filled with the moisture generated by the wetting source earlier than in the case where only one ventilation hole communicates with the cavity. be able to.

  The discharge surface management device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the discharge surface management device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the sensitivity surface having the measurement sensitivity of the measurement unit is a cap of the specific outer peripheral surface. The cap is exposed from the surface facing the surface, and the cap has a porous medium that is permeable to the gap at a position facing the sensitivity surface, and the cap and the specific outer peripheral surface in a state where the porous medium is in contact with the sensitivity surface. It covers the entire ejection surface.

  Therefore, according to the ejection surface management device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to simultaneously perform both cleaning of the sensitive surface of the measurement unit having the measurement sensitivity and measurement of the humidity on the gap side by the measurement unit. it can.

  The discharge surface management device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the discharge surface management device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects of the present invention, wherein the adjustment unit adjusts the humidity of the gap. A control unit that controls the adjustment unit to adjust the humidity of the gap to a second predetermined range defined based on the first predetermined range when the humidity measured by the measurement unit is outside the first predetermined range; .

  Therefore, according to the ejection surface management device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the ejection surface is caused by the moisture condition of the ejection surface as compared with the case where the moisture condition of the ejection surface is managed simply by covering the ejection surface with the cap. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of defective ejection of liquid.

  The discharge surface management device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the discharge surface management device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, wherein the adjusting unit includes at least a distance between the wetting source and the discharge surface, and a temperature of the wetting source. It is said that the humidity in the gap is adjusted by adjusting one of them.

  Therefore, according to the ejection surface management device of the tenth aspect of the present invention, the humidity of the gap falls within the second predetermined range as compared with a case where neither the distance between the wetting source and the ejection surface nor the temperature of the wetting source is adjusted. Can be adjusted quickly.

  The discharge surface management device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the discharge surface management device according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, wherein the adjusting unit includes the cap and the discharge surface in a direction in which the wetting source and the discharge surface face each other. It has a distance adjustment moving mechanism for relatively moving the distance, and the distance is adjusted by operating the distance adjustment moving mechanism.

  Therefore, according to the ejection surface management device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the distance between the wetting source and the ejection surface can be adjusted more easily than when the distance adjustment moving mechanism is not provided.

  The discharge surface management device according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the discharge surface management device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, wherein the control unit sets the humidity measured by the measurement unit to the upper limit of the first predetermined range. If it exceeds, the distance adjusting movement mechanism is operated to increase the distance, and if the humidity measured by the measuring unit is less than the lower limit of the first predetermined range, the distance adjusting movement mechanism is operated to reduce the distance. , And it is.

  Therefore, according to the ejection surface management device of the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the humidity of the gap can be adjusted to be within the second predetermined range faster than when the distance between the wetting source and the ejection surface is constant. .

  A discharge surface management device according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the discharge surface management device according to any one of the tenth to twelfth aspects of the present invention, wherein the adjustment unit has a Peltier element. It is said that the temperature of the wet source is adjusted by operating the Peltier element.

  Therefore, according to the ejection surface management device of the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to adjust the gap humidity to be within the predetermined humidity range faster than when the adjustment unit does not have the Peltier element.

  In the discharge surface management device according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the discharge surface management device according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the control unit may set the humidity measured by the measurement unit to an upper limit of a first predetermined range. If it exceeds, the Peltier element is operated to lower the temperature of the wetting source, and if the humidity measured by the measuring unit is less than the lower limit of the first predetermined range, the Peltier element is operated to increase the temperature of the wetting source. It is said to perform control.

  Therefore, according to the ejection surface management device of the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the humidity of the gap can be adjusted to be within the second predetermined range faster than when the temperature of the wet source is constant.

  The discharge surface management device according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the discharge surface management device according to the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect of the present invention, wherein the Peltier element is a fluid whose temperature is adjusted in the middle of the circulation path. The adjusting unit is interposed between the circulation unit that circulates the fluid medium and the cap, and controls the temperature of the wetting source by transferring heat between the fluid medium and the wetting source via the Peltier device.

  Therefore, according to the discharge surface management device of the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize stable heat absorption and heat radiation by the Peltier element as compared with the case where the Peltier element is not interposed between the circulation part and the cap. Can be.

  A discharge surface management device according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the discharge surface management device according to any one of the tenth to twelfth aspects of the present invention, wherein the temperature is adjusted in the middle of the circulation path. Heat can be exchanged between the fluid medium and the wet source via the first specific area of the circulating unit for circulating the fluid medium and the second specific area of the cap, and the adjusting unit includes: A switching mechanism for switching between a contact state in which the first specific area and the second specific area are in contact with each other and a separation state in which the first specific area and the second specific area are separated from each other; It is said to regulate the temperature of the source.

  Therefore, according to the ejection surface management device of the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the contact state where the first specific region and the second specific region are in contact with each other and the first specific region and the second It is possible to easily switch between the separated state where the two specific regions are separated.

  In the discharge surface management device according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the discharge surface management device according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the control unit may be configured to perform the operation when the humidity measured by the measurement unit is within a first predetermined range. By operating the switching mechanism, the separated state is established, and when the humidity measured by the measurement unit is out of the first predetermined range, the switching state is operated to establish the contact state.

  Therefore, according to the ejection surface management device of the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the humidity of the gap is adjusted to be within the second predetermined range earlier than when the distance between the first specific area and the second specific area is constant. can do.

  The discharge surface management device according to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention is the discharge surface management device according to any one of the fifteenth to nineteenth aspects of the present invention, wherein the fluid medium is between the liquid and the liquid. It controls the temperature of the liquid by exchanging heat.

  Therefore, according to the discharge surface management device of the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, the fluidity used for transfer of heat between the fluid medium and the wet source used for transfer of heat to and from the liquid. An increase in the number of parts can be suppressed as compared with the case where the medium and the medium are separately prepared.

  A discharge surface management device according to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention is the discharge surface management device according to any one of the first to eighteenth aspects of the present invention, wherein the protective member is a liquid having a discharge surface. It is an end cap of the ejection head.

  Therefore, according to the ejection surface management device of the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the humidity on the gap side can be measured with higher accuracy than when the measurement unit is not provided on the end cap of the liquid ejection head.

  An ink jet recording apparatus according to a twentieth aspect of the present invention includes an ejection surface management apparatus according to any one of the first to nineteenth aspects of the invention, and an ejection surface to which the ejection surface management apparatus is applied. A recording head that records an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink as a liquid onto the recording medium.

  Therefore, according to the ink jet recording apparatus of the twentieth aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where the moisture state of the ejection surface is managed only by placing a cap on the long ejection surface for ejecting the liquid, It can contribute to the realization of a good moisture state.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it can contribute to realization of the favorable humid state of a discharge surface compared with the case where the humid state of a discharge surface is managed only by putting a cap on the elongate discharge surface which discharges a liquid. Is obtained.

FIG. 1 is a side view configuration diagram illustrating an example of an overall schematic configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a bottom view diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the print head included in the inkjet printing apparatus according to the embodiment when viewed from the bottom. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an ink chamber unit of a recording head included in the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view configuration diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a recording head management device according to first and second embodiments. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of a main configuration of an elevating mechanism included in the printhead management devices according to the first and second embodiments. 6 is a graph showing an example of a humidity distribution in a head longitudinal direction of a gap between an ink ejection surface of a recording head and a liquid level of a wetting liquid of a cap included in the inkjet recording apparatuses according to the first and second embodiments. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating an example of a configuration of a main part of one end cap of the recording head and a part of the cap in a state where the recording head according to the first embodiment is arranged at a non-image recording position. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a configuration of a main part of one end cap of the recording head and a part of the cap in a state where the recording head according to the first embodiment is arranged at a humidity management execution waiting position. FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a configuration of a main part of one end cap of the recording head and a part of the cap in a state where the recording head according to the first embodiment is arranged at a humidity management execution position. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a configuration of a main part of the other end cap and a part of the cap in a state where the recording head according to the first embodiment is arranged at a non-image recording position. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing an example of a configuration of a main part of the other end cap and a part of the cap in a state where the recording head according to the first embodiment is arranged at a humidity management execution waiting position. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a configuration of a main part of the other end cap and a part of the cap in a state where the recording head according to the first embodiment is disposed at a humidity management execution position. FIG. 3 is a side view configuration diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a circulating unit included in the printhead management device according to the first embodiment and peripheral portions thereof. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical hardware configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a humidity adjustment table used in the inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a flow chart which shows an example of a flow of humidity management processing concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a flow chart which shows an example of the flow of the modification of the humidity management processing concerning a 1st embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view configuration diagram illustrating a modification example of a circulating unit and its periphery included in the recording head management device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a side view configuration diagram illustrating a modification of a circulation unit and its surroundings included in the printhead management device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical hardware configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a humidity adjustment table used in an inkjet recording apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a side view configuration diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a circulating unit included in a printhead management device according to a second embodiment and peripheral portions thereof. FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing a first modification of one end cap of the recording head and a first modification of the cap in a state where the recording heads according to the first and second embodiments are arranged at the non-image recording position. . FIG. 11 is a side sectional view showing a second modification of one end cap of the recording head and a second modification of the cap in a state where the recording heads according to the first and second embodiments are arranged at the humidity management execution position. . FIG. 11 is a side sectional view showing a third modification of the one end cap of the recording head and a third modification of the cap in a state where the recording heads according to the first and second embodiments are arranged at the non-image recording positions. . FIG. 11 is a side sectional view showing a third modification of one end cap of the recording head and a third modification of the cap in a state where the recording heads according to the first and second embodiments are arranged at the sponge contact positions. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a mode in which a humidity management program is installed in a controller included in the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that, in the first embodiment, “horizontal” is not limited to perfect horizontal, but is allowed in advance as an error in manufacturing, an error due to aging, or the like in the inkjet recording apparatus 100A (see FIG. 1). Means horizontal including the error. The same applies to the meanings of the terms “orthogonal”, “vertical”, and “identical”.

[First Embodiment]
As an example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the ink jet recording apparatus 100A includes a paper feed unit 102, a permeation suppression processing unit 104, a processing liquid application unit 106, a recording unit 108A, a fixing processing unit 110, and a paper discharge unit 112. .

  The paper supply unit 102 is provided with a paper supply table 120 on which sheets 114 as an example of a recording medium according to the present invention are stacked. A feeder board 122 is provided in front of the sheet feeding table 120 (left side in FIG. 1), and the sheets 114 stacked on the sheet feeding table 120 are sent out one by one by the feeder board 122 in order from the top. The paper 114 sent out by the feeder board 122 reaches the surface (outer peripheral surface) of the impression cylinder 126a of the permeation suppression processing unit 104 via the transfer cylinder 124a.

  The transfer cylinder 124a and the impression cylinder 126a are provided with grippers (not shown) for holding the leading end of the sheet 114. When the leading end of the sheet 114 held by the gripper of the transfer cylinder 124a reaches a contact position between the transfer cylinder 124a and the impression cylinder 126a, that is, a transfer position of the sheet 114, the gripper of the transfer cylinder 124a is moved from the gripper of the transfer cylinder 124a. The delivery of the leading end of the paper 114 is performed.

  The permeation suppression processing unit 104 includes, in order from the upstream side along the rotation direction of the impression cylinder 126a (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1), a sheet preheating unit 128 and a penetration suppression unit at positions opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the impression cylinder 126a. An agent head 130 and a permeation inhibitor drying unit 132 are provided, respectively. The sheet preheating unit 128 and the permeation suppressant drying unit 132 are provided with a heater controlled to a predetermined temperature range, and the sheet 114 held by the impression cylinder 126a is positioned at a position facing the sheet preheating unit 128. When passing through the position opposite to the permeation suppressor drying unit 132, these units are heated by the heaters of these units.

  The permeation suppressant head 130 attaches the permeation suppressant to the paper 114 held by the impression cylinder 126a by discharging the permeation suppressant as droplets. A head having the same configuration as 140M, 140Y, and 140K is applied. As the permeation suppressant, a thermoplastic resin latex solution is suitable, but not limited thereto. For example, flat particles (mica or the like) or a water repellent (fluorine coating agent) or the like may be used. You may. Instead of using an ink jet head for attaching the permeation suppressant to the paper 114, various methods such as a spray method and a coating method may be applied.

  The processing liquid application unit 106 disposed downstream of the permeation suppression processing unit 104 includes an impression cylinder 126b, and a pressure cylinder 126a of the permeation suppression processing unit 104 and an impression cylinder 126b of the treatment liquid application unit 106 are disposed between them. Transfer cylinders 124b are provided so as to be in contact with each other. As a result, the paper 114 held by the impression cylinder 126a of the permeation suppression processing unit 104 is transferred to the impression cylinder 126b of the treatment liquid application unit 106 via the transfer cylinder 124b after the permeation suppression processing is performed.

  The processing liquid application unit 106 includes a sheet preheating unit 134 and a processing liquid head at positions facing the surface of the impression cylinder 126b in order from the upstream side along the rotation direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1) of the impression cylinder 126b. 136 and a processing liquid drying unit 138 are provided. The paper preheating unit 134, the processing liquid head 136, and the processing liquid drying unit 138 of the processing liquid applying unit 106 are the paper preheating unit 128, the permeation suppressing agent head 130, and the permeation suppressing agent drying unit 132 of the permeation suppression processing unit 104 described above. Are the same as those described above, and a description thereof will be omitted. Of course, it goes without saying that a configuration different from that of the permeation suppression processing unit 104 may be applied.

  Note that an example of the processing liquid attached to the sheet 114 by the processing liquid application unit 106 is a color contained in the ink ejected by each of the recording heads 140C, 140M, 140Y, and 140K disposed in the subsequent recording unit 108A. An acidic liquid having an action of coagulating the material is used. Although the paper preheating unit 134 may be omitted, as in the first embodiment, the paper 114 is preheated by the heater of the paper preheating unit 134 before the processing liquid is applied to the paper 114. In addition, the heating energy required for drying the processing liquid can be kept low.

The heating temperature of the heater (not shown) of the processing liquid drying unit 138 is such that the processing liquid applied to the surface of the paper 114 by the discharging operation of the processing liquid head 136 disposed on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the impression cylinder 126b is dried. The temperature is set such that a solid or semi-solid coagulation agent layer (a thin film layer in which the treatment liquid is dried) is formed on the paper 114. The “solid or semi-solid coagulation treatment agent layer” as used herein means the weight per unit area (g / m ² ) of water contained in the treatment liquid after drying, and the unit of the treatment liquid after drying. Water content determined by dividing by the weight per area (g / m ² ) is in the range of 0% or more and 70% or less.

  The recording unit 108A disposed downstream of the processing liquid application unit 106 includes an impression cylinder 126c, and the pressure cylinder 126b of the processing liquid application unit 106 and the impression cylinder 126c of the recording unit 108A are arranged so as to be in contact with them. A transfer cylinder 124c is provided. As a result, the paper 114 held on the impression cylinder 126b of the treatment liquid application unit 106 is applied via the transfer cylinder 124c after the treatment liquid is applied to form a solid or semi-solid coagulation treatment agent layer. It is delivered to the impression cylinder 126c of the recording unit 108A.

  In the recording unit 108A, C (Cyan; M) and M (Magenta) are sequentially provided from the upstream side along the rotation direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1) of the impression cylinder 126c so as to face the surface of the impression cylinder 126c. Recording heads 140C, 140M, 140Y, 140K respectively corresponding to the four color inks of magenta), Y (Yellow; yellow) and K (Black; black), and solvent drying units 142a and 142b. I have. In the following, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the recording heads 140C, 140M, 140Y, and 140K, the suffix is omitted and the recording heads are referred to as “recording heads 140”.

  In the first embodiment, an ink jet recording head (ink jet head) is applied as each recording head 140, similarly to the above-described permeation suppressant head 130 and treatment liquid head 136. That is, each recording head 140 has an ink ejection surface α, and ink droplets are ejected from the ink ejection surface α toward the paper 114 held by the impression cylinder 126c. The ink ejection surface α is an example of the ejection surface according to the present invention.

  A head holder 40 that holds the recording head 140 is disposed above the impression cylinder 126c, and each recording head 140 has a predetermined angle along the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the impression cylinder 126c. It is held by a head holder 40.

  Each recording head 140 has a length corresponding to the width of the image recording area on the paper 114 held by the impression cylinder 126c. Each recording head 140 is a full line type head in which a plurality of nozzles 161 (see FIG. 2) for ink ejection are arranged on the ink ejection surface α over the entire width of the image recording area.

  In the first embodiment, a configuration in which an image is recorded on the sheet 114 by ejecting four colors of CMYK ink onto the sheet 114 as described above is exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this. , The combination may be changed. For example, a light ink, a light ink, a dark ink, a special color ink, or the like of a light ink such as light cyan or light magenta may be added as necessary. Further, the arrangement order of the recording heads 140 for each color is not limited to the order shown in FIG.

  As described above, in the configuration in which the full line head having the nozzle row covering the entire width of the image recording area on the recording surface of the paper 114 is provided for each ink color, the paper 114 and each recording head The image can be recorded in the image recording area of the sheet 114 by performing only one operation of relatively moving the object 140 with the image recording medium 140. As a result, an image can be recorded at a higher speed than in the case of using a serial (shuttle) type head that reciprocates in the paper width direction, and print productivity is improved.

  The solvent drying units 142a and 142b are heaters (not shown) that are controlled to a predetermined temperature range like the above-described paper preheating units 128 and 134, the permeation suppressant drying unit 132, and the processing liquid drying unit 138. ). As described later, when an ink droplet adheres to the solid or semi-solid coagulation agent layer formed on the paper 114, an ink aggregate (color material aggregate) is formed on the paper 114. Then, the ink solvent separated from the coloring material spreads, and a liquid layer in which the aggregating agent is dissolved is formed. The solvent component (liquid component) remaining on the sheet 114 in this way causes not only warpage of the sheet 114 but also image deterioration. Therefore, in the first embodiment, a drying process of evaporating a solvent component by applying heat by heaters of the solvent drying units 142a and 142b after ink droplets of each color are attached to the paper 114 from each recording head 140. Is going.

  The fixing processing unit 110 disposed downstream of the recording unit 108A includes an impression cylinder 126d, and is passed between the impression cylinder 126c of the recording unit 108A and the impression cylinder 126d of the fixing processing unit 110 so as to be in contact with them. A torso 124d is provided. As a result, the sheet 114 held by the impression cylinder 126c of the recording unit 108A is transferred to the impression cylinder 126d of the fixing processing unit 110 via the transfer cylinder 124d after the ink droplets of each color are attached by the recording unit 108A. It is. In the fixing processing unit 110, heating rollers 148a and 148b are provided at positions facing the outer peripheral surface of the impression cylinder 126d in order from the upstream side along the rotation direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1) of the impression cylinder 126d. ing.

  In addition, in the fixing processing unit 110 of the first embodiment, after the image is recorded, the fixing processing is performed by heating and pressing by the heating rollers 148a and 148b, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, another configuration may be applied in which a transparent UV (Ultraviolet) ink is attached and then UV light is applied to fix the image on the sheet 114 by curing the transparent UV ink.

  A paper discharge cylinder 150, a paper discharge table 152, and a paper discharge chain 154 are provided in a paper discharge unit 112 disposed at a subsequent stage of the fixing processing unit 110. The paper discharge cylinder 150 receives the paper 114 on which the fixing process has been performed. The paper discharge tray 152 stacks the sheets 114 received by the paper discharge cylinder 150. The paper discharge chain 154 is bridged between a sprocket provided on the paper discharge cylinder 150 and a sprocket provided above the paper discharge table 152, and includes a plurality of paper discharge grippers.

  In the following, for convenience of description, the transport direction of the paper 114 is referred to as “paper transport direction”. In the following, the width direction of the paper 114 that is orthogonal to the paper conveyance direction is referred to as “paper width direction” for convenience of description.

  The longitudinal direction of the recording head 140 is a direction corresponding to the sheet width direction, and the short direction of the recording head 140 is a direction corresponding to the sheet conveying direction. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the longitudinal direction of the recording head 140 is referred to as “head longitudinal direction”, and the lateral direction of the recording head 140 is referred to as “head lateral direction”.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 2, since the plurality of head modules 160 are arranged along the head longitudinal direction, the ink ejection surface α is formed to be long along the head longitudinal direction.

  The recording head 140 includes end caps 156A and 156B at positions adjacent to the ink ejection surface α on the end side of the plurality of head modules 160 in the head longitudinal direction. The end cap 156A is attached to one end of the plurality of head modules 160 in the head longitudinal direction, and the end cap 156B is attached to the other end of the plurality of head modules 160 in the head longitudinal direction. One end in the head longitudinal direction of the plurality of head modules 160 is protected by an end cap 156A, and the other end in the head longitudinal direction of the plurality of head modules 160 is protected by an end cap 156B. In the following, for the sake of convenience, the end caps 156A and 156B are referred to as “end caps 156” when it is not necessary to distinguish between them.

  The planar shape of the head module 160 is a parallelogram long in the longitudinal direction of the head, and the end faces 160A and 160B in the longitudinal direction of the head are at an angle θ (45 degrees in the example shown in FIG. 2) with respect to the longitudinal direction of the head. It is inclined. In the head module pair 169 that is the adjacent head module 160, the end face 160A of one head module 160 faces the end face 160B of the other head module 160.

  The head module 160 includes a plurality of ink chamber units 163 each having a nozzle 161 serving as an ink droplet ejection port and a pressure chamber 162 corresponding to each nozzle 161. The plurality of ink chamber units 163 are arranged in a matrix in a specific arrangement pattern. As a result, the projection nozzle pitch along the longitudinal direction of the head, that is, the substantial density of the nozzle intervals, and the density of the dot pitch formed on the paper 114 are increased.

  Here, the specific arrangement pattern refers to, for example, an arrangement pattern arranged at a pitch d1 in a row direction along the paper width direction and at a pitch d2 in an inclined column direction forming an angle θ. Further, the substantial increase in the nozzle interval substantially means that the nozzles 161 are treated equivalently to a linear arrangement of the nozzles 161 at a pitch P in the paper width direction, for example.

  A method of driving the nozzles 161 when ejecting ink droplets from each nozzle 161 to record one line along the paper width direction, that is, one line of one row of dots or one line formed of a plurality of rows of dots. There are various driving methods. For example, a driving method in which all the nozzles 161 are driven synchronously, a driving method in which the nozzles 161 are sequentially driven from one side to the other, or the nozzle 161 is divided into a plurality of blocks, and each block is directed from one side to the other side. A driving method for sequentially driving is exemplified.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus 100A, as shown in FIG. 2 as an example, the nozzles 161-1 to 161-5 are formed as one block, and the nozzles 161-1 to 161-5 are sequentially driven according to the transport speed of the paper 114. As a result, one line is recorded in the paper width direction.

  The pressure chamber 162 has a square planar shape. As an example, as shown in FIG. 3, a supply port 164 is provided in the pressure chamber 162, and each pressure chamber 162 is connected to a common channel 165 via the supply port 164. The common flow path 165 is connected to an ink supply tank 170 (see FIG. 4) as an ink supply source, and the ink supplied from the ink supply tank 170 is distributed and supplied to each pressure chamber 162 via the common flow path 165. . A piezoelectric element 168 having an individual electrode 167 is joined to a vibration plate 166 which forms the top surface of the pressure chamber 162 and also has a function as a common electrode, and a driving voltage is applied to the individual electrode 167. Is applied, the piezoelectric element 168 is deformed, and an ink droplet is ejected from the nozzle 161 with the deformation of the piezoelectric element 168. Then, with the ejection of the ink droplets from the nozzles 161, new ink is supplied to the pressure chamber 162 from the common flow path 165 through the supply port 164.

  Although the piezoelectric element 168 is used in the first embodiment, a thermal method in which a heater is provided in the pressure chamber 162 instead of the piezoelectric element 168 and ink is ejected using the pressure of film boiling caused by heating of the heater is used. May be applied.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 4, the recording unit 108A includes a recording head management device 111A which is an example of the ejection surface management device according to the present invention, and the recording head management device 111A includes a controller 230 (see FIG. The print head 140 is managed under the control of the print head 140. The recording head management device 111A includes a moving mechanism 42, an elevating mechanism 46, a support 109, an ink supply tank 170, a filter 172, a cap 174, a cleaning blade 176, an image recording position sensor 177, and a non-image recording position sensor 178. I have. The lifting mechanism 46, the ink supply tank 170, the filter 172, the cap 174, and the cleaning blade 176 are provided for the recording head 140 for each ink color.

  The moving mechanism 42 moves the recording head 140 along the longitudinal direction of the head, and the elevating mechanism 46 moves the recording head 140 up and down along the vertical direction. The moving mechanism 42 and the elevating mechanism 46 are examples of a distance-adjusting moving mechanism according to the present invention. The “distance adjustment moving mechanism” here refers to a mechanism that relatively moves the cap 174 and the recording head 140 in a direction in which a liquid surface of the wetting liquid 175 described later and the ink ejection surface α face each other.

  The moving mechanism 42 moves the recording head 140 to at least three positions of an image recording position X1, a non-image recording position X2, and a movement limit position X3 (see FIGS. 9 and 12) along the longitudinal direction of the head. The image recording position X1 and the non-image recording position X2 are located at the same height in the vertical direction. Further, the elevating mechanism 46 moves the recording head 140 along the vertical direction to the ascending limit position Z1 shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 and the ascending limit position Z2 shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 11, and 12. Move to at least two positions.

  Here, the image recording position X1 is a position where the ink ejection surface α of the recording head 140 faces the outer peripheral surface of the impression cylinder 126c, and the ink is applied to the paper 114 held on the outer peripheral surface of the impression cylinder 126c. The position at which an image is recorded on the paper 114 by ejection of ink droplets from the ejection surface α. The non-image recording position X2 is a position where the ink ejection surface α does not face the outer peripheral surface of the impression cylinder 126c, and indicates a position retracted from the image recording position X1 in the head longitudinal direction. The movement limit position X3 is a position that is further away from the image recording position X1 in the head longitudinal direction than the non-image recording position X2, and is predetermined as a limit position for moving the recording head 140 with respect to the moving mechanism 42. Point.

  The ascending limit position Z1 is the same height as the image recording position X1 and the non-image recording position X2, and indicates a position predetermined as a limit position for raising the recording head 140 with respect to the elevating mechanism 46. . The descent limit position Z2 indicates a position predetermined as a limit position for lowering the recording head 140 with respect to the elevating mechanism 46.

  The moving mechanism 42 includes a frame 42A, a ball screw 42B, and a motor 42C. The frame 42 </ b> A is a rectangular frame in a plan view extending along the longitudinal direction of the head, and is supported by the support 109. The support 109 is roughly divided into a first support 109A and a second support 109B. In the longitudinal direction of the head, the first support 109A is arranged on the image recording position X1 side, and the second support 109B is arranged on the movement limit position X3 side.

Head longitudinal end 42A ₁ in the frame body 42A is supported by a support 109A, the head longitudinal end 42A ₂ is supported by a support 109B in the frame 42A.

  A guide rail (not shown) extending in the longitudinal direction of the head is laid on the inner wall of the frame body 42A along the longitudinal direction of the head, and the head holder 40 is moved along the longitudinal direction of the head by the guide rail of the frame body 42A. It is freely held.

  A ball screw 42B is attached to the head holder 40, and one end of the ball screw 42B is connected to a drive shaft of a motor 42C. Therefore, when the driving force of the motor 42C is transmitted to the ball screw 42B, the ball screw 42B rotates, and the head holder 40 moves in the frame 42A along the head longitudinal direction according to the rotation of the ball screw 42B. .

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 5, the lifting mechanism 46 includes guide rails 54 and 56, a motor 58, and a ball screw 60.

  The guide rails 54 and 56 are provided in a pair at each of both ends in the head longitudinal direction of the head holder 40. The guide rails 54 and 56 are each formed in a substantially U-shape in plan view, and are provided so as to overlap each other so that the guide rails 54 are located inside the guide rails 56.

  The guide rail 56 is fixed to the upper surface 40A of the head holder 40, and the guide rail 54 is disposed inside the guide rail 56 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction.

  A motor 58 is fixed to the upper surface 40 </ b> A inside the guide rail 56, and one end of a ball screw 60 is connected to a drive shaft of the motor 58.

  A guide plate 54A is fixed to an end of the guide rail 54 on the upper surface 40A side. A screw hole 62 is formed in the center of the guide plate 54A, and the other end of the ball screw 60 is screwed into the screw hole 62. Therefore, when the driving force of the motor 58 is transmitted to the ball screw 60, the ball screw 60 rotates, and the guide rail 54 moves vertically along the guide rail 56 via the guide plate 54A according to the rotation of the ball screw 60. Move in the direction.

  A bearing 64 is fixed to the inner wall surface of the guide rail 54, and a shaft 66 projecting from both end surfaces of the recording head 140 in the head longitudinal direction is supported by the bearing 64. Therefore, when the guide rail 54 moves along the guide rail 56 according to the rotation of the ball screw 60, the recording head 140 moves along the moving direction of the guide rail 54.

  The ink is stored in the ink supply tank 170, and the ink supply tank 170 supplies the ink to the recording head 140. A filter 172 is provided between the ink supply tank 170 and the recording head 140, and the filter 172 removes foreign matters, bubbles, and the like included in the ink.

  The image recording position sensor 177 detects the recording head 140 located at the image recording position X1. The non-image recording position sensor 178 detects the recording head 140 located at the non-image recording position X2. In the first embodiment, an optical sensor is employed as the image recording position sensor 177 and the non-image recording position sensor 178. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a micro switch or a magnetic sensor may be used. It may be.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 4, an end cap 156A, which is an example of the protection member according to the present invention, protects the ink ejection surface α. The end cap 156A has a protrusion 157, and the protrusion 157 protrudes toward the cap 174 from the ink ejection surface α. The outer peripheral surface on the ink ejection surface α side of the outer peripheral surface 157A of the protrusion 157 is roughly divided into a top surface β1 and a side surface γ1. The top surface β1 indicates a surface of the outer peripheral surface 157A of the protrusion 157 that faces the cap 174, and the side surface γ1 indicates a surface of the outer peripheral surface 157A of the protrusion 157 that faces the gap 180. The gap 180 indicates a space between the ink ejection surface α and the wetting liquid 175.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 4, an end cap 156B, which is an example of the protection member according to the present invention, protects the ink ejection surface α. The end cap 156B has a protrusion 159, and the protrusion 159 protrudes toward the cap 174 from the ink ejection surface α. The outer peripheral surface on the ink ejection surface α side of the outer peripheral surface 159A of the protrusion 159 is roughly divided into a top surface β2 and a side surface γ2. The top surface β2 indicates a surface of the outer peripheral surface 159A of the protrusion 159 facing the cap 174, and the side surface γ2 indicates a surface of the outer peripheral surface 159A of the protrusion 159 opposing the gap 180.

  The ink ejection surface α is protected mainly by the protrusions 157 and 159. For example, when the recording head 140 is placed on a floor or the like (not shown) or dropped on the floor or the like, the top surface β1 of the protrusion 157 and the top surface β2 of the protrusion 159 come into contact with the floor or the like. The contact of the floor surface or the like with the ink ejection surface α is prevented, and the ink ejection surface α is protected. Here, the “floor surface or the like” refers to a surface on which the recording head 140 may be placed or dropped, such as the floor surface or the outer peripheral surface of the impression cylinder 126c.

  Note that the top surfaces β1, β2 and the side surfaces γ1, γ2 are examples of the specific outer peripheral surface according to the present invention. In the following, for convenience of explanation, when it is not necessary to distinguish and describe the top surfaces β1 and β2, it is referred to as “top surface β”, and when it is not necessary to distinguish and describe the side surfaces γ1 and γ2, “side surface γ” Called.

  The cleaning blade 176 is formed of an elastic member such as rubber or sponge, and is provided between the image recording position X1 and the non-image recording position X2. The cleaning blade 176 is arranged at a position where the tip 176A of the cleaning blade 176 can contact the bottom surface 145 of the recording head 140. Further, the bottom surface 145 is disposed at a position where the bottom surface 145 contacts the tip 176A while the recording head 140 moves from one of the image recording position X1 and the non-image recording position X2 to the other, and moves from the other to one.

  In the following, for convenience of description, moving from one of the two positions to the other and moving from the other to one are referred to as "move between the two" unless it is necessary to distinguish them.

  The bottom surface 145 is roughly divided into an ink ejection surface α and a top surface β. When the recording head 140 moves between both the image recording position X1 and the non-image recording position X2, the bottom surface 145 moves while being in contact with the tip 176A. By moving the bottom surface 145 in contact with the tip portion 176A, dirt on the bottom surface 145, that is, dirt on the ink ejection surface α and the top surface β is wiped by the cleaning blade 176. The “dirt” here refers to, for example, dust or ink droplets.

  The cap 174 has an opening 174A larger than the bottom surface 145 on the upper surface, and covers the recording head 140 from below. The cap 174 stores a wetting liquid 175 which is an example of the “wetting source capable of wetting the ejection surface” according to the present invention. The bottom surface 145 faces the cap 174 via the opening 174A at the non-image recording position X2, a humidity management execution waiting position Y1 described later, and a humidity management execution position Y2 described later, and is covered by the cap 174 from below. ing.

  In the first embodiment, the wetting liquid 175 indicates, for example, water. Further, in the first embodiment, the wetting liquid 175 is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a porous medium such as a sponge containing water.

  When the recording head 140 is disposed at the non-image recording position X2, the wetting liquid 175 faces the bottom surface 145 via the opening 174A, and thus the ink ejection surface α is moisturized by the moisture vaporized by the wetting liquid 175. When the ink ejection surface α is kept moist, the drying of the nozzle 161 is prevented, and the increase in the viscosity of the ink in the nozzle 161 is suppressed.

  However, the humidity in the head longitudinal direction of the gap 180 when the recording head 140 is arranged at the non-image recording position X2 is lower on the end cap 156 side than on the center as shown in FIG. 6, for example. The reason why the humidity on the end cap 156 side is lower than that in the center part may be that the end cap 156 side is more susceptible to the air outside the end cap 156 than the center part.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, the humidity on the end cap 156B side on the other end cap side is lower than that on the end cap 156A side on one end cap side. The reason why the humidity on the end cap 156B side is lower than that on the end cap 156A side may be that the end cap 156B side is closer to the inner wall surface of the housing (not shown) than the end cap 156A side. This is because the side closer to the inner wall surface of the housing has a lower temperature than the side farther from the inner wall surface of the housing, and is more susceptible to the influence of wind flowing through the housing.

  The temperature lower on the side closer to the inner wall surface of the housing than on the side farther from the inner wall surface of the housing is, for example, when the inkjet recording apparatus 100A is driven, the temperature inside the apparatus is higher than that outside the apparatus. Because it becomes. Also, the side closer to the inner wall surface of the housing is more susceptible to the effect of wind flowing in the housing than the side farther from the inner wall surface of the housing, for example, the side closer to the inner wall surface of the housing This is because there are fewer obstacles when the wind flows than on the side far from the inner wall surface.

  The decrease in the humidity of the gap 180 causes drying of the ink ejection surface α. If the drying of the ink ejection surface α proceeds, the head module 160 needs to be replaced. It is important to control moisture.

  Therefore, in the recording head 140, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 as an example, the humidity sensor 190A is disposed in the end cap 156A, and as an example, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, in the end cap 156B. A humidity sensor 190B is provided.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 7, the end cap 156A has a hollow area 182, a blocking member 184, a compression coil spring 186, and a guide rail 188.

  The hollow area 182 has a vent 182A, a vent 182B, and a sensor housing 182C. Vent 182A is formed on top surface β1. The ventilation path 182B is capable of ventilation through the space facing the top surface β1 and the ventilation port 182A, and communicates the ventilation port 182A and the sensor housing 182C. Further, the ventilation path 182B is bent from the ventilation port 182A to the sensor accommodating chamber 182C.

  Humidity sensor 190A is arranged in sensor accommodation room 182C, and humidity sensor 190A measures humidity in sensor accommodation room 182C.

  A concave portion 191 is formed on the top surface β1 at a position facing a columnar member 192 to be described later and at a position adjacent to the ventilation path 182B with a partition wall 189 therebetween in the longitudinal direction of the head. The partition wall 189 has a through hole 189A penetrating in the longitudinal direction of the head from the concave portion 191 to the air passage 182B.

  The blocking member 184 has a shutter 184A and a projecting piece 184B. The protruding piece 184B protrudes downward from the base end of the shutter 184A. The shutter 184A is slidably inserted into the through hole 189A, enters the ventilation path 182B, and shuts off between the ventilation port 182A and the sensor housing 182C.

  A guide rail 188 is laid in the recess 191 along the through hole 189A, and the guide rail 188 slidably holds the shutter 184A along the longitudinal direction of the head. The compression coil spring 186 is disposed inside the guide rail 188 and urges the shutter 184A toward the ventilation path 182B.

  The cap 174 has a columnar member 192. The columnar member 192 is erected on the bottom surface 174B inside the cap 174, and protrudes upward from the opening 174A. In a situation where the recording head 140 is arranged at the non-image recording position X2, the columnar member 192 is arranged at a position facing between the partition wall 189 and the projecting piece 184B.

  In the recording head management device 111A, a humidity management execution waiting position Y1 and a humidity management execution position Y2 are defined as positions where the recording heads 140 are arranged. The humidity management execution waiting position Y1 is a position where the recording head 140 arranged at the non-image recording position X2 shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. At the lower limit position Z2 shown in FIG. Further, the humidity management execution position Y2 refers to the state in which the recording head 140 arranged in the humidity management execution waiting position Y1 shown in FIGS. It indicates the position moved to the movement limit position X3 shown in FIG.

  As an example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, when the elevating mechanism 46 moves the recording head 140 from the non-image recording position X2 to the humidity management execution waiting position Y1 along the direction of the arrow A, as illustrated in FIG. The columnar member 192 is inserted between the partition 189 and the protruding piece 184B in the area inside the concave portion 191. When the recording head 140 is at the humidity management execution waiting position Y1, the bottom surface 145 is disposed in the cap 174 at a position where a space is interposed between the recording head 140 and the wetting liquid 175.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 8, the cap 174 has a ventilation area 194A. The ventilation region 194A is a space above the wetting liquid 175 at a position facing the top surface β1 and refers to a space through which the gap 180 can be ventilated.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 8, the moving mechanism 42 moves the recording head 140 from the humidity management execution waiting position Y1 to the humidity management execution position Y2 along the arrow B direction. When the recording head 140 moves toward the humidity management execution position Y2, the columnar member 192 eventually comes into contact with the side surface of the protruding piece 184B. When the recording head 140 reaches the humidity management execution position Y2 with the columnar member 192 in contact with the side surface of the protruding piece 184B, the shutter 184A resists the urging force of the compression coil spring 186, as shown in FIG. And withdraws from the ventilation path 182B to the through hole 189A. Thereby, the blocking state of the ventilation path 182B by the shutter 184A is released, and the moisture of the ventilation area 194A fills the hollow area 182.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 10, the end cap 156B includes a hollow region 196, a blocking member 198, a compression coil spring 200, and a guide rail 202.

  The hollow area 196 has a vent 196A, a vent 196B, and a sensor housing 196C. Vent 196A is formed on top surface β2. The ventilation path 196B can ventilate the space facing the top surface β2 through the ventilation port 196A, and communicates the ventilation port 196A with the sensor housing 196C. Further, the ventilation path 196B is bent from the ventilation port 196A to the sensor accommodating chamber 196C.

  Humidity sensor 190B is arranged in sensor accommodation room 196C, and humidity sensor 190B measures humidity in sensor accommodation room 196C.

  A concave portion 204 is formed on the top surface β2 at a position facing a columnar member 206 to be described later and at a position adjacent to the ventilation path 196B across the partition wall 203 in the head longitudinal direction. The partition wall 203 has a through hole 203A penetrating in the longitudinal direction of the head from the concave portion 204 to the ventilation path 196B.

  The blocking member 198 has a shutter 198A and a projection 198B. The protruding piece 198B protrudes downward from the base end of the shutter 198A. The shutter 198A is slidably inserted into the through hole 203A, enters the ventilation path 196B, and shuts off between the ventilation port 196A and the sensor housing 196C.

  A guide rail 202 is laid in the recess 204 along the through hole 203A, and the guide rail 202 slidably holds the shutter 198A along the longitudinal direction of the head. The compression coil spring 200 is disposed inside the guide rail 202 and urges the shutter 198A toward the ventilation path 196B.

  The cap 174 has a columnar member 206. The columnar member 206 is provided upright on the bottom surface 174B inside the cap 174, and protrudes upward from the opening 174A. Under the situation where the recording head 140 is arranged at the non-image recording position X2, the columnar member 206 is arranged at a position facing between the partition wall 203 and the projecting piece 198B.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the elevating mechanism 46 moves the recording head 140 from the non-image recording position X2 to the humidity management execution waiting position Y1 along the arrow A direction, as an example, as shown in FIG. The columnar member 206 is inserted between the partition 203 and the protruding piece 198B in the area inside the concave portion 204. When the recording head 140 is at the humidity management execution waiting position Y1, the bottom surface 145 is disposed in the cap 174 at a position where a space is interposed between the recording head 140 and the wetting liquid 175.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 11, the cap 174 has a ventilation area 194B. The ventilation region 194B is a space at a position facing the top surface β2 in the space above the wetting liquid 175, and refers to a space through which the gap 180 can be ventilated.

  The moving mechanism 42 moves the recording head 140 along the direction of arrow B from the humidity management execution waiting position Y1 shown in FIG. 11 to the humidity management execution position Y2 shown in FIG. When the recording head 140 moves toward the humidity management execution position Y2, the columnar member 206 eventually comes into contact with the side surface of the protruding piece 198B. When the recording head 140 reaches the humidity management execution position Y2 with the columnar member 206 in contact with the side surface of the protruding piece 198B, the shutter 198A resists the urging force of the compression coil spring 200 as shown in FIG. And withdraws from the ventilation path 196B to the through hole 203A. As a result, the blocking state of the ventilation path 196B by the shutter 198A is released, and the moisture in the ventilation area 194B fills the hollow area 196.

  As described above, the compression coil spring 186, the guide rail 188, the through hole 189A, and the columnar member 192 are provided at positions for opening and closing the humidity sensor 190A and the ventilation area 194A according to the positional relationship between the recording head 140 and the cap 174. Then, the blocking member 184 is moved. Further, the compression coil spring 200, the guide rail 202, the through hole 203A, and the columnar member 206 are closed at a position for opening and closing the humidity sensor 190B and the ventilation area 194B according to the positional relationship between the recording head 140 and the cap 174. The member 198 is moved. The compression coil springs 186, 200, the guide rails 188, 202, the through holes 189A, 203A, and the columnar members 192, 206 are examples of the opening and closing moving mechanism according to the present invention.

  In the following, for convenience of description, when it is not necessary to distinguish and describe the humidity sensors 190A and 190B, they are referred to as “humidity sensor 190”. In the following, for convenience of description, when it is not necessary to distinguish and describe the ventilation regions 194A and 194B, they are referred to as “venting regions 194”.

  As an example, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the printhead management device 111 </ b> A includes a circulation unit 208. The circulation unit 208 circulates water whose temperature is adjusted in the middle of the circulation path. “Water” here is an example of the fluid medium according to the present invention.

  The circulation unit 208 includes a chiller 210, an ink heat exchanger 212, a wetting liquid heat exchanger 214, a Peltier device group 216, a supply pipe 218, and a recovery pipe 220.

  The chiller 210 is connected to the ink heat exchanger 212 via a supply pipe 218, adjusts the temperature of the water, and supplies the adjusted water to the ink heat exchanger 212 via the supply pipe 218.

  The ink heat exchanger 212 is in contact with the ink supply tank 170, and transfers heat between the water supplied from the chiller and the ink in the ink supply tank 170. The ink heat exchanger 212 is connected to the collection pipe 220. The recovery pipe 220 is connected to the chiller 210 via the wetting liquid heat exchanger 214, and the chiller 210 collects the water that has been transferred to and from the ink by the ink heat exchanger 212. Recover via

  The cap 174, the recovery pipe 220, and the housing 222 of the wetting liquid heat exchanger 214 are formed of a material that can exchange heat between them.

  A cap 174 is disposed on the upper surface 222A of the housing 222 via a Peltier device group 216. The Peltier device group 216 has a plurality of Peltier devices 216A, one end surface of the Peltier device 216A is joined to the bottom surface 174C of the outer wall of the cap 174, and the other end surface of the Peltier device 216A is It is joined to the upper surface 222A.

  In the first embodiment, the Peltier element 216A is, for example, a bonding plate (for example, copper) that joins a pair of thermoelectric semiconductors of a P-type thermoelectric semiconductor and an N-type thermoelectric semiconductor and one end of the pair of thermoelectric semiconductors. Electrode) and an electrode (for example, a copper electrode) individually bonded to the other end of each of the pair of thermoelectric semiconductors. When a DC current flows from the electrode on the other end of the N-type thermoelectric semiconductor, the bonding plate on one end of the pair of thermoelectric semiconductors absorbs heat and the electrodes on the other end of the pair of thermoelectric semiconductors dissipates heat. Conversely, when a DC current is applied from the other end of the P-type thermoelectric semiconductor, the other end of the P-type thermoelectric semiconductor and the other end of the N-type thermoelectric semiconductor absorb heat and form a pair. The bonding plate on one end side of the thermoelectric semiconductor radiates heat.

  When a DC current flows from the electrode on the other end of the N-type thermoelectric semiconductor, the other end of the P-type thermoelectric semiconductor and the other end of the N-type thermoelectric semiconductor are continuously cooled to form a pair of thermoelectric semiconductors. The endothermic effect of the joining plate on one end side of can be maintained. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the electrode on the other end of the P-type thermoelectric semiconductor and the electrode on the other end of the N-type thermoelectric semiconductor are joined to the upper surface 222A of the housing 222 of the wetting liquid heat exchanger 214. In addition, the electrode on the other end of the P-type thermoelectric semiconductor and the electrode on the other end of the N-type thermoelectric semiconductor can be continuously cooled using water flowing through the wetting liquid heat exchanger 214. In this case, in order to increase the efficiency of heat conduction, the electrode on the other end of the P-type thermoelectric semiconductor and the electrode on the other end of the N-type thermoelectric semiconductor are formed using heat conductive grease or a heat conductive adhesive. It may be joined to the upper surface 222A of the housing 222 of the wetting liquid heat exchanger 214. Alternatively, the bonding plate at one end of the pair of thermoelectric semiconductors may be bonded to the bottom surface 174 </ b> C of the outer wall of the cap 174 using heat conductive grease or a heat conductive adhesive.

  In the first embodiment, when a DC voltage is applied to the Peltier device 216A, one end surface of the Peltier device 216A absorbs heat from the wetting liquid 175 via the cap 174, and the other end surface of the Peltier device 216A is connected to the housing 222 and the recovery port. The heat is radiated to the water in the recovery pipe 220 via the pipe 220. In the first embodiment, when a DC voltage in the opposite direction is applied to the Peltier device 216A, the other end surface of the Peltier device 216A absorbs heat from water in the collection tube 220 via the collection tube 220 and the housing 222. Then, one end surface of the Peltier element 216A radiates heat to the wetting liquid 175 via the cap 174. Here, the “reverse DC voltage” means a DC voltage in a direction opposite to the DC voltage applied to the Peltier element 216A when one end surface of the Peltier element 216A absorbs heat.

  The humidity in the gap 180 (see FIGS. 7 to 13) is adjusted by operating the lifting mechanism 46 (see FIGS. 4, 5, and 7 to 13) and the Peltier device group 216 (see FIG. 13). You. That is, by operating the elevating mechanism 46 to adjust the interval of the gap 180, the humidity of the gap 180 is adjusted, and by operating the Peltier element group 216, the temperature of the wetting liquid 175 is adjusted. Humidity is adjusted. The elevating mechanism 46 and the Peltier device group 216 are examples of an adjusting unit according to the present invention.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 14, the ink jet recording apparatus 100A includes a controller 230. The controller 230 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 232, a primary storage unit 234, and a secondary storage unit 236. The primary storage unit 234 is a volatile memory used as a work area when executing various programs. Volatile memory refers to, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory). The secondary storage unit 236 is a non-volatile memory that stores a control program for controlling the operation of the inkjet recording apparatus 100A, various parameters, and the like in advance. The non-volatile memory refers to, for example, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory, or a hard disk drive (HDD). The CPU 232, the primary storage unit 234, and the secondary storage unit 236 are mutually connected via a bus 238.

  The ink jet recording apparatus 100A includes an I / O 240. I / O is an abbreviation for “input / output interface”. The I / O 240 electrically connects the controller 230 to various input / output devices and controls transmission and reception of various information between the controller 230 and various input / output devices. The various input / output devices are electrically connected to the controller 230 via the bus 238 by being connected to the I / O 240. Here, a reception device 242, a display device 244, a communication I / F 246, an external I / F 248, a chiller 210, and humidity sensors 190A and 190B are applied as various input / output devices. In addition, an image recording position sensor 177, a non-image recording position sensor 178, a Peltier element driver 241, a head driver 255, 256, 257, and a motor driver 258, 259, 260 are applied as input / output devices. I have. Note that I / F is an abbreviation for “interface”.

  The accepting device 242 is, for example, a hard key and a touch panel, and accepts various information provided by the user. Since the receiving device 242 is connected to the bus 238 via the I / O 240, various information received by the receiving device 242 is acquired by the CPU 232. The display device 244 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and a touch panel of the reception device 242 is overlaid on a display surface of the liquid crystal display. Since the display device 244 is connected to the bus 238 via the I / O 240, it displays various information under the control of the CPU 232.

  The communication I / F 246 is connected to a communication device (not shown) such as a personal computer or a server device via a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), and transmits and receives various information between the communication device and the CPU 232. Govern.

  The external I / F 248 is connected to an external device (not shown) such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or an external hard disk device, and controls transmission and reception of various information between the external device and the CPU 232.

  Since the chiller 210 is connected to the bus 238 via the I / O 240, the water temperature is adjusted, the water is supplied to the ink heat exchanger 212, and the water is supplied from the ink heat exchanger 212 in accordance with the instructions of the CPU 232. To collect.

  In the first embodiment, the temperature of the ink in the ink supply tank 170 is measured by a temperature sensor (not shown) in the ink supply tank 170. When the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is out of the predetermined temperature range, the supply water is controlled by the chiller 210 under the control of the CPU 232 so that the temperature of the ink in the ink supply tank 170 falls within the predetermined temperature range. Temperature is adjusted.

  Here, the predetermined temperature range refers to, for example, a temperature range of 30 ° C. ± 2 ° C. The temperature range of 30 ° C. ± 2 ° C. is an example of a temperature range suitable for printing an image on the paper 114, and it is needless to say that the temperature range can be changed depending on the characteristics of the ink, the characteristics of the paper 114, and the like. . Further, the “supply water” indicates water supplied from the chiller 210 to the ink heat exchanger 212 via the supply pipe 218.

  Since the humidity sensor 190A is connected to the bus 238 via the I / O 240, the CPU 232 acquires first humidity information indicating the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 190A. Further, since the humidity sensor 190B is connected to the bus 238 via the I / O 240, the CPU 232 acquires second humidity information indicating the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 190B. In the following, for the sake of convenience, the first humidity information and the second humidity information are referred to as “humidity information” when it is not necessary to distinguish and describe the first humidity information and the second humidity information.

  Since the image recording position sensor 177 is connected to the bus 238 via the I / O 240, the detection result by the image recording position sensor 177 is acquired by the CPU 232.

  Since the non-image recording position sensor 178 is connected to the bus 238 via the I / O 240, the detection result by the non-image recording position sensor 178 is obtained by the CPU 232.

  A Peltier device group 216 is connected to the Peltier device driver 241, and the Peltier device driver 241 applies a voltage to the Peltier device group 216 according to an instruction from the CPU 232.

  The permeation suppressant head 130 is connected to the head driver 255. The head driver 255 is supplied with a timing signal or the like that defines the timing at which the permeation suppressant is discharged. The head driver 255 controls the operation of discharging the permeation suppressant by the permeation suppressant head 130 based on the supplied timing signal and the like. Since the head driver 255 is connected to the bus 238 via the I / O 240, the head driver 255 controls the permeation suppressant head 130 according to an instruction from the CPU 232.

  The processing liquid head 136 is connected to the head driver 256. The head driver 256 is supplied with a timing signal or the like that defines the timing for discharging the processing liquid. The head driver 256 controls the processing liquid ejection operation of the processing liquid head 136 based on the supplied timing signal and the like. Since the head driver 256 is connected to the bus 238 via the I / O 240, the head driver 256 controls the processing liquid head 136 according to an instruction from the CPU 232.

  The recording head 140 is connected to the head driver 257. The head driver 257 is supplied with data for image recording, a timing signal defining the timing for ejecting ink droplets, and the like. The head driver 257 controls the operation of ejecting ink droplets by the recording head 140 based on the supplied image recording data, the timing signal, and the like. Since the head driver 257 is connected to the bus 238 via the I / O 240, the head driver 257 controls the recording head 140 according to an instruction from the CPU 232.

  The motor 58 is connected to the motor driver 258. Since the motor driver 258 is connected to the bus 238 via the I / O 240, the motor driver 258 controls the operation of the motor 58 according to the instruction of the CPU 232.

  The motor 42C is connected to the motor driver 259. Since the motor driver 259 is connected to the bus 238 via the I / O 240, the motor driver 259 controls the operation of the motor 42C according to the instruction of the CPU 232.

  The motor driver 260 is connected to a motor 250 of a transport system. The motor 250 generates power for driving members of a transport system such as the paper feed cylinder 124a, the impression cylinder, the transfer cylinder, and the paper discharge cylinder 150. Since the motor driver 260 is connected to the bus 238 via the I / O 240, the motor driver 260 controls the operation of the motor 250 according to the instruction of the CPU 232. The motor 250 drives members of the transport system by supplying power to members of the transport system via gears (not shown) or the like.

  The secondary storage unit 236 stores a humidity management program 252 and a humidity adjustment table 254. The CPU 232 operates as a control unit according to the present invention by reading out the humidity management program 252 from the secondary storage unit 236, developing the program in the primary storage unit 234, and executing the developed humidity management program 252.

  The humidity adjustment table 254 is a table referred to by the CPU 232 when adjusting the humidity of the gap 180.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 15, the humidity, the voltage, and the distance are associated with each other in the humidity adjustment table 254. The humidity in the humidity adjustment table 254 indicates an average value of a value obtained by correcting the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 190A and a value obtained by correcting the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 190B. Here, the correction of the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 190A is performed by a first correction arithmetic expression described later, and the correction of the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 190B is performed by a second correction arithmetic expression described later. .

  The voltage in the humidity control table 254 indicates a voltage applied to the Peltier device 216A. The distance in the humidity adjustment table 254 indicates the distance between the ink ejection surface α and the liquid surface of the wetting liquid 175.

  Here, the humidity adjustment table 254 includes a distance upper limit value that is an upper limit value of the distance between the ink ejection surface α and the liquid surface of the wetting liquid 175, and a lower limit value of the distance between the ink ejection surface α and the liquid surface of the wetting liquid 175. Is defined. The distance upper limit value means that when the recording head 140 is raised by operating the elevating mechanism 46 from the humidity management execution position Y2, the shutter 184A maintains the release of the blocked state of the ventilation path 182B, and the ventilation by the shutter 198A. It indicates the upper limit distance at which the release of the blocked state of the road 196B is maintained. The distance lower limit value indicates, for example, the distance between the ink ejection surface α and the liquid surface of the wetting liquid 175 at the humidity management execution position Y2 shown in FIGS. 9 and 12.

  In the present embodiment, the release of the blocked state of the ventilation path 182B means that all of the ventilation paths 182B are opened. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one of the ventilation paths 182B is not limited to this. The part may be opened. Opening a part of the ventilation path 182B means, for example, that only half of the ventilation path 182B is opened.

  The voltage and the distance in the humidity adjustment table 254 are obtained in advance as voltages and distances required for keeping the humidity of the gap 180 within a predetermined humidity range, for example, by a test using an actual device or a computer simulation. Voltage and distance. The above-mentioned predetermined humidity range is an example of the first predetermined range and the second predetermined range according to the present invention. In the first embodiment, a humidity range of 55% or more and 65% or less is adopted as an example of the predetermined humidity range, but the present invention is not limited to this. The humidity range of 55% or more and 65% or less is merely an example, and another humidity range may be used as long as it is a suitable humidity range according to the characteristics of the ink, the size of the nozzle 161 and the like.

  Next, the operation of the portion according to the present invention of the inkjet recording apparatus 100A will be described. Here, the humidity management process realized by the CPU 232 executing the humidity management program 252 when the instruction to start the execution of the humidity management process is received by the receiving device 242 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the following, in the first embodiment, for convenience of description, when the voltage and the distance included in the humidity adjustment table 254 are described without distinction, they are referred to as “adjustment parameters”. Further, in the following, for convenience of description, the description will be given on the assumption that the execution of the humidity management process shown in FIG. 16 is started in a state where the recording head 140 is arranged at the non-image recording position X2.

  In step 300 shown in FIG. 16, the CPU 232 determines whether or not a humidity management start condition that is a condition for starting the management of the humidity of the gap 180 is satisfied. The humidity management start condition includes, for example, a condition that the temperature of the ink in the ink supply tank 170 has been adjusted from outside the above-mentioned predetermined temperature range to a predetermined temperature range by the chiller 210. Further, as other conditions, for example, under the condition that the temperature of the ink in the ink supply tank 170 is within the above-mentioned predetermined temperature range, a period determined at a predetermined period (for example, every 15 minutes). Has arrived.

  In step 300, when the humidity management start condition is satisfied, the determination is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step 302. If it is determined in step 300 that the humidity management start condition is not satisfied, the determination is negative and the process proceeds to step 316.

  In step 302, the CPU 232 operates the moving mechanism 42 and the elevating mechanism 46 to move the recording head 140 from the non-image recording position X2 to the humidity management execution position Y2 (see FIGS. 9 and 12). Move to.

  As described above, by moving the recording head 140 from the non-image recording position X2 to the humidity management execution position Y2, the space between the humidity sensor 190 and the ventilation area 194 is changed from the closed state to the open state. Here, the closed state means a state in which the ventilation path 182B is blocked by the shutter 184A and the ventilation path 196B is blocked by the shutter 198A. In addition, the open state means a state in which the blocked state of the ventilation path 182B by the shutter 184A is released, and a state in which the blocked state of the ventilation path 196B by the shutter 198A is released.

  In step 304, first, the CPU 232 acquires first humidity information from the humidity sensor 190A, and acquires second humidity information from the humidity sensor 190B. Next, the CPU 232 corrects the humidity indicated by the first humidity information by the first correction operation expression, and corrects the humidity indicated by the second humidity information by the second correction operation expression. Then, the CPU 232 corrects the humidity indicated by the first humidity information by the first correction expression and the humidity obtained by correcting the humidity indicated by the second humidity information by the second correction expression. Then, the average humidity which is the average value is calculated.

  Here, the first correction arithmetic expression is necessary for correcting the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 190A to the humidity on the end cap 156A side of the gap 180 with the humidity on the end cap 156A side of the gap 180 as a dependent variable. Refers to an arithmetic expression that uses various physical quantities as independent variables. The physical quantities used as the independent variables of the first correction arithmetic expression include the humidity indicated by the first humidity information acquired in the processing of step 304, the volume of the hollow area 182, the area of the ventilation port 182A, and the humidity from the gap 180. The distance to the sensor 190A is exemplified.

  In addition, the second correction arithmetic expression is necessary for correcting the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 190B to the humidity on the end cap 156B side of the gap 180 with the humidity on the end cap 156B side of the gap 180 as a dependent variable. Refers to an arithmetic expression using physical quantities as independent variables. The physical quantities used as the independent variables of the second correction arithmetic expression include the humidity indicated by the second humidity information acquired in the process of step 304, the volume of the hollow area 196, the area of the vent 196A, and the humidity from the gap 180. The distance to the sensor 190B is exemplified.

  Note that, here, the first correction arithmetic expression has been exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. The CPU 232 uses the first correction table in which the value corresponding to the dependent variable of the first correction operation expression and the value corresponding to the independent variable of the first correction operation expression are associated with each other, using the first humidity information. The indicated humidity may be corrected. Further, the CPU 232 uses the second correction table in which the value corresponding to the dependent variable of the second correction operation expression and the value corresponding to the independent variable of the second correction operation expression are associated with each other, using the second correction table. The humidity indicated by the information may be corrected.

  In step 306, the CPU 232 determines whether the average humidity calculated in the processing in step 304 is equal to or less than 65%, which is an example of the upper limit of the first predetermined range according to the present invention. In step 306, if the average humidity calculated in step 304 is equal to or less than 65%, the determination is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step 308. In step 306, if the average humidity calculated in the process of step 304 exceeds 65%, the determination is negative and the process proceeds to step 310.

  In step 308, the CPU 232 determines whether the average humidity calculated in the process in step 304 is equal to or more than 55%, which is an example of the lower limit of the first predetermined range according to the present invention. In step 308, if the average humidity calculated in the process of step 304 is 55% or more, the determination is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step 314. In step 308, if the average humidity calculated in step 304 is less than 55%, the determination is negative and the process proceeds to step 310.

  In step 310, the CPU 232 acquires the adjustment parameter corresponding to the average humidity calculated in the processing in step 304 from the humidity adjustment table 254, and then proceeds to step 312.

  In step 312, the CPU 232 adjusts the humidity of the gap 180 based on the adjustment parameters acquired in the processing in step 310, and then proceeds to step 304.

  In this step 312, the Peltier device driver 241 is controlled by the CPU 232 so that the voltage as the adjustment parameter obtained in the process of step 310 is applied to the Peltier device group 216. In step 312, the operation of the lifting mechanism 46 is controlled by the CPU 232 such that the distance as the adjustment parameter acquired in step 310 is realized.

  Note that the distance as the adjustment parameter acquired in the process of step 310 maintains the release of the shutoff state of the ventilation path 182B by the shutter 184A and the release of the release state of the cutoff of the ventilation path 196B by the shutter 198A. The distance within the range. This is because it is necessary to cause the humidity sensor 190 to measure the humidity of the ventilation area 194 in the processing of step 304 after the processing of step 312 is executed.

  If the determination in step 306 is negative, it is necessary to reduce the humidity in the gap 180 to 65% or less. In this case, when the process of step 312 is executed, for example, the interval of the gap 180 is widened within the limited range by the elevating mechanism 46, and the temperature of the wetting liquid 175 is reduced by the Peltier element group 216. Here, the “restricted range” refers to a range defined by the above-described distance upper limit value and distance lower limit value.

  If the determination in step 308 is negative, it is necessary to increase the humidity in the gap 180 to 55% or more. In this case, when the processing of the present step 312 is executed, for example, the interval of the gap 180 is narrowed within the above-described limit range by the elevating mechanism 46, and the temperature of the wetting liquid 175 is raised by the Peltier element group 216.

  In step 314, the CPU 232 operates the moving mechanism 42 and the elevating mechanism 46 to move the recording head 140 to the non-image recording position X2 (see FIGS. 4, 7, and 10), and then proceeds to step 316. I do.

  In step 316, the CPU 232 determines whether or not an end condition that is a condition for ending the humidity management process is satisfied. The termination condition includes, for example, a condition that an instruction to terminate the humidity management process has been received by the reception device 242, a condition that a failure of the humidity sensor 190 has been detected by the CPU 232, and the like.

  If the termination condition is not satisfied in step 316, the determination is negative and the routine goes to step 300. In step 316, when the termination condition is satisfied, the determination is affirmed, and the humidity management process ends.

  As described above, in the inkjet recording apparatus 100A, the cap 174 covers the entire top surface β of the end cap 156 and the entire ink ejection surface α of the head module 160. In the cap 174, the wetting liquid 175 is arranged at a position facing the ink ejection surface α with the gap 180 interposed. Then, the humidity on the gap 180 side is measured by the humidity sensor 190 provided on the end cap 156.

  Therefore, according to the ink jet recording apparatus 100A, it is possible to contribute to realization of a favorable humidity state of the ink ejection surface α as compared with a case where the humidity state of the ink ejection surface α is managed only by covering the ink ejection surface α with a cap. Can be.

  In the inkjet recording apparatus 100A, the end cap 156A has a hollow area 182, and the end cap 156B has a hollow area 196. Further, the humidity sensor 190A is disposed in the sensor housing chamber 182C on the inner side of the hollow area 182 than the ventilation port 182A in the hollow area 182. Further, the humidity sensor 190B is disposed in the sensor storage chamber 196C on the inner side of the hollow area 196 than the ventilation port 196A in the hollow area 196.

  Therefore, according to the inkjet recording apparatus 100A, both protection of the humidity sensor 190 and measurement of the humidity on the gap 180 side by the humidity sensor 190 can be realized.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus 100A, the hollow area 182 has an air passage 182B bent from the air opening 182A to the sensor housing 182C. Further, the hollow region 196 has an air passage 196B bent from the air opening 196A to the sensor accommodating chamber 196C.

  Therefore, according to the inkjet recording apparatus 100A, it is possible to make it difficult for foreign matters such as mist-like ink and dust to reach the humidity sensor 190 as compared with the case without this configuration.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus 100A, a blocking member 184 that opens and closes the air passage 182B is provided in the hollow area 182, and a blocking member 198 that opens and closes the air path 196B is provided in the hollow area 196. I have. The recording head management device 111A includes a compression coil spring 186, a guide rail 188, and a columnar member as a mechanism for moving the blocking member 184 to a position that opens and closes the ventilation path 182B according to the positional relationship between the recording head 140 and the cap 174. A member 192 is provided. The compression coil spring 186 and the guide rail 188 are provided on the end cap 156A, and the columnar member 192 is provided on the cap 174. Further, the recording head management device 111A includes a compression coil spring 200, a guide rail 202, and a columnar member as a mechanism for moving the blocking member 198 to a position that opens and closes the air passage 196B according to the positional relationship between the recording head 140 and the cap 174. It has a member 206. The compression coil spring 200 and the guide rail 202 are provided on the end cap 156B, and the columnar member 206 is provided on the cap 174.

  Therefore, according to the inkjet recording apparatus 100A, both protection of the humidity sensor 190 and measurement of the humidity on the gap 180 side by the humidity sensor 190 can be realized.

  In the inkjet recording apparatus 100A, a vent 182A is formed on a top surface β1 at a position facing the cap 174, and a vent 196A is formed on a top surface β2 at a position facing the cap 174.

  Therefore, according to the ink jet recording apparatus 100A, the ink discharged from the ink discharge surface α can be detected by the humidity sensor 190 as compared with the case where the ventilation holes communicating with the hollow regions 182 and 196 are formed on the surface facing the gap 180. Can be hardly reached.

  In the inkjet recording apparatus 100A, when the average humidity acquired in the process of step 304 included in the humidity management process is out of the predetermined humidity range, the elevation mechanism 46 and the Peltier device group 216 are operated to reduce the humidity of the gap 180. Is adjusted within a predetermined humidity range.

  Therefore, according to the ink jet recording apparatus 100A, compared to a case where the ink ejection surface α is simply covered with the cap and the moisture state of the ink ejection surface α is managed, The occurrence of ejection failure can be suppressed.

  In the inkjet recording apparatus 100A, the interval between the gaps 180 is adjusted by operating the elevating mechanism 46, and the temperature of the wetting liquid 175 is adjusted by operating the Peltier element group 216.

  Therefore, according to the inkjet recording apparatus 100A, the humidity of the gap 180 can be quickly adjusted to be within the predetermined humidity range as compared with the case where the interval of the gap 180 and the temperature of the wetting liquid 175 are not adjusted.

  In the inkjet recording apparatus 100A, the interval of the gap 180 is adjusted by operating the elevating mechanism 46.

  Therefore, according to the inkjet recording apparatus 100A, the interval between the gaps 180 can be easily adjusted as compared with the case where the lifting mechanism 46 is not provided.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus 100A, when the average humidity acquired in the process of step 304 included in the humidity management process exceeds 65%, the interval of the gap 180 is widened by operating the elevating mechanism 46. In addition, when the average humidity obtained in the process of step 304 included in the humidity management process is less than 55%, the interval of the gap 180 is reduced by operating the elevating mechanism 46.

  Therefore, according to the inkjet recording apparatus 100A, the humidity of the gap 180 can be quickly adjusted to be within the predetermined humidity range as compared with the case where the interval of the gap 180 is constant.

  In the inkjet recording apparatus 100A, the recording head management device 111A has the Peltier element group 216, and the temperature of the wetting liquid 175 is adjusted by operating the Peltier element group 216.

  Therefore, according to the inkjet recording apparatus 100A, the humidity of the gap 180 can be adjusted to be within the predetermined humidity range more quickly than when the recording head management apparatus 111A does not have the Peltier element group 216.

  In the inkjet recording apparatus 100A, when the average humidity obtained in the processing of step 304 included in the humidity management processing exceeds 65%, the temperature of the wetting liquid 175 is reduced by operating the Peltier element group 216, Thereby, the humidity of the gap 180 is reduced. In addition, when the average humidity obtained in the process of step 304 included in the humidity management process is less than 55%, the temperature of the wetting liquid 175 is increased by operating the Peltier element group 216, whereby the gap 180 Humidity is increased.

  Therefore, according to the inkjet recording apparatus 100A, the humidity of the gap 180 can be adjusted to be within the predetermined humidity range more quickly than when the temperature of the wetting liquid 175 is constant.

  In the inkjet recording apparatus 100A, the water whose temperature is adjusted by the chiller 210 provided in the middle of the circulation path is circulated by the circulation unit 208. The Peltier element group 216 is interposed between the circulation unit 208 and the cap 174, and heat is transferred between the water circulated by the circulation unit 208 and the wetting liquid 175 to adjust the temperature of the wetting liquid 175. Is done.

  Therefore, according to the inkjet recording apparatus 100A, stable heat absorption and heat radiation by the Peltier element group 216 can be realized as compared with the case where the Peltier element group 216 is not interposed between the circulation unit 208 and the cap 174.

  In the inkjet recording apparatus 100A, water whose temperature has been adjusted by a chiller 210 provided in the middle of the circulation path is supplied to the ink heat exchanger 212 by the circulation unit 208, and the supplied water and the ink in the ink supply tank 170 are removed. Exchange of heat is performed between. A wetting liquid heat exchanger 214 is provided with a collecting pipe 220 for the chiller 210 to collect water from the ink heat exchanger 212.

  Therefore, in the ink jet recording apparatus 100A, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed as compared with a case where a chiller for heat exchange for ink and a chiller for heat exchange for the wetting liquid 175 are separately provided.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the humidity of the gap 180 is adjusted to be in the range of 55% or more and 65% or less has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the humidity of the gap 180 may be adjusted to a humidity range in which an error is considered, such as a humidity range of 54.9% or more and 65.1% or less. As described above, even if the humidity is outside the humidity range of 55% to 65%, the humidity of the gap 180 may be adjusted within the humidity range defined based on the humidity range of 55% to 65%.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the gap between the gaps 180 is widened and the humidity of the gap 180 is reduced by lowering the temperature of the wetting liquid 175 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. . For example, the humidity of the gap 180 may be reduced only by increasing the interval of the gap 180. Alternatively, the humidity of the gap 180 may be reduced only by lowering the temperature of the wetting liquid 175.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the case where the interval between the gaps 180 is narrowed and the humidity of the gap 180 is increased by increasing the temperature of the wetting liquid 175 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. . For example, the humidity of the gap 180 may be increased only by reducing the interval between the gaps 180. Further, the humidity of the gap 180 may be increased only by increasing the temperature of the wetting liquid 175.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the case where the humidity sensor 190 is provided on both of the end caps 156A and 156B has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only one of the end caps 156A and 156B may have the humidity sensor. A sensor 190 may be provided.

  In the first embodiment, the humidity adjustment table 254 stores the average value of the corrected value of the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 190A and the corrected value of the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 190B. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, both the value corrected for the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 190A and the value corrected for the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 190B may be stored in the humidity adjustment table 254.

  In this case, in the humidity adjustment table 254, the voltage and the distance are specified for each combination of the value corrected for the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 190A and the value corrected for the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 190B. Then, in the humidity management process shown in FIG. 16, instead of the process of step 304, the humidity management process corresponds to a combination of the value corrected for the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 190A and the value corrected for the humidity measured by the humidity sensor 190B. The voltage and the distance are acquired from the humidity adjustment table 254 by the CPU 232.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the process of step 304 is executed after the execution of the process of step 312 in the humidity management process shown in FIG. 16 is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the humidity management process shown in FIG. 17 may be executed instead of the humidity management process shown in FIG.

  The humidity management process shown in FIG. 17 is different from the humidity management process shown in FIG. 16 in that the process of step 313 is provided.

  In the humidity management process shown in FIG. 17, after the process of step 312 is performed, the process proceeds to step 313. In step 313, the CPU 232 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the processing in step 312 was performed.

  Here, the predetermined time is obtained in advance as a time required for adjusting the humidity of the gap 180 within a range of 55% or more and 65% or less by, for example, a test using an actual machine or a computer simulation. Point to time.

  In step 313, if the predetermined time has not elapsed since the processing in step 312 has been performed, the determination is negative, and the determination in step 313 is performed again. In step 313, if the predetermined time has elapsed since the processing in step 312 was performed, the determination is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step 314.

  In the first embodiment, the circulating unit 208 in which water circulates between the ink heat exchanger 212, the wetting liquid heat exchanger 214, and the chiller 210 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. As an example, a circulating unit 320 may be applied as shown in FIG.

  The circulating unit 320 has a point that it does not have the ink heat exchanger 212, a point that it has a chiller 322 instead of the chiller 210, and has a wetting liquid heat exchanger 324 instead of the wetting liquid heat exchanger 214 as compared with the circulating unit 208. The points are different. Further, the circulating section 320 is different in that the circulating section 320 includes a circulation channel pipe 326 instead of the supply pipe 218 and the recovery pipe 220.

  The circulation flow pipe 326 connects the chiller 322 and the wetting liquid heat exchanger 324, and circulates water between the chiller 322 and the wetting liquid heat exchanger 324.

  The chiller 322 is connected to the controller 230, adjusts the temperature of the water under the control of the controller 230, and supplies the temperature-adjusted water to the wetting liquid heat exchanger 324 via the circulation channel pipe 326. Water is recovered from the wetting liquid heat exchanger 324 via the circulation pipe 326.

  The housing 328 of the wetting liquid heat exchanger 324 is formed of a material capable of transferring heat between the cap 174 and the circulation channel 326. A cap 174 is disposed on the upper surface 328A of the housing 328 via a Peltier element group 216.

  According to the circulating unit 320 configured as described above, the temperature of the wetting liquid 175 can be adjusted regardless of whether the temperature of the ink in the ink supply tank 170 is within the above-described predetermined temperature range.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the configuration in which the ventilation path 182B is opened and closed by the blocking member 184 is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the end cap 156A may not have a configuration in which the ventilation path 182B is opened and closed by the blocking member 184. In this case, by making the bent shape of the ventilation path 182B more complicated, it is preferable that the mist-like ink be less likely to enter the sensor storage chamber 182C.

  Further, in the first embodiment, a case has been described in which the print head management device 111A manages the moisture state of the ink ejection surface α of the print head 140, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the management of the moisture state of the discharge surface where the permeation suppressant is discharged in the permeation suppressant head 130 and the management of the moisture state of the discharge surface where the treatment liquid is discharged in the treatment liquid head 136 are also performed by the recording head management device 111A. This is realized by a head management device having a similar configuration.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the Peltier element group 216 is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. If the temperature of the wetting liquid 175 can be adjusted, one or more Peltier elements 216A can be used. I just need.

[Second embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the case where the temperature of the wetting liquid 175 is adjusted by the Peltier element group 216 is exemplified. However, in the second embodiment, the temperature of the wetting liquid 175 is adjusted without using the Peltier element group 216. Will be described. In the second embodiment, the same components as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet recording device 100B according to the second embodiment is different from the inkjet recording device 100A according to the first embodiment in that a recording unit 108B is provided instead of the recording unit 108A. .

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 19, the recording unit 108B is different from the recording unit 108A in that a recording head management device 111B is provided instead of the recording head management device 111A.

  The print head management device 111B is different from the print head management device 111A in that the print head management device 111B does not include the Peltier element group 216 and that the print head management device 111B includes the cap lifting mechanism 330.

  The cap lifting mechanism 330 is fixed to, for example, the housing of the recording unit 108B. The cap lifting mechanism 330 has a ball screw (not shown) and a motor 332. The cap 174 is held by a rack (not shown). The ball screw is screwed in a vertical direction with respect to the rack, and rotates by receiving the driving force of the motor 332 to raise and lower the cap 174 via the rack.

  The cap lifting mechanism 330 is an example of a switching mechanism according to the present invention. The “switching mechanism” here refers to a contact state in which the bottom surface 174C of the cap 174 is in contact with the upper surface 222A of the housing 222 of the wetting liquid heat exchanger 214, and a separated state in which the bottom surface 174C is separated from the upper surface 222A. Refers to the switching mechanism.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 20, the inkjet recording apparatus 100B is different from the inkjet recording apparatus 100A in that a humidity adjustment table 334 is stored in the secondary storage unit 236 instead of the humidity adjustment table 254. Further, the ink jet recording apparatus 100B is different from the ink jet recording apparatus 100A in that a motor driver 336 is connected to the I / O 240.

  The motor 332 is connected to the motor driver 336. Since the motor driver 336 is connected to the bus 238 via the I / O 240, the motor driver 336 controls the operation of the motor 332 according to an instruction from the CPU 232.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 21, the humidity adjustment table 334 is different from the humidity adjustment table 254 in that the contact time is associated with the humidity instead of the voltage.

  Here, the contact time refers to a time during which the bottom surface 174C of the cap 174 is kept in contact with the upper surface 222A of the housing 222 of the wetting liquid heat exchanger 214. The upper surface 222A of the housing 222 of the wetting liquid heat exchanger 214 is an example of a first specific region according to the present invention, and the bottom surface 174C of the cap 174 is an example of a second specific region according to the present invention.

  Next, the operation of the portion of the inkjet recording apparatus 100B according to the present invention will be described. Here, the humidity management process according to the second embodiment realized by the CPU 232 executing the humidity management program 252 when the instruction to start the execution of the humidity management process is received by the receiving device 242 is described with reference to FIG. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the following, in the second embodiment, for convenience of explanation, when the description is made without distinguishing the contact time and the distance included in the humidity adjustment table 334, they are referred to as “adjustment parameters”.

In addition, the same steps as those in the humidity management processing according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same step numbers, and description thereof is omitted.

  The humidity management process according to the second embodiment is different from the humidity management process according to the first embodiment in that step 350 is provided instead of step 310, and step 352 is provided in place of step 312.

  In the humidity management processing according to the second embodiment, in step 350, the CPU 232 acquires the adjustment parameter corresponding to the average humidity calculated in the processing in step 304 from the humidity adjustment table 334, and then proceeds to step 352. I do.

  In step 352, the CPU 232 adjusts the humidity of the gap 180 based on the adjustment parameters acquired in the processing in step 350, and then proceeds to step 304.

  In the present step 352, the operation of the cap elevating mechanism 330 is controlled by the CPU 232 so that the bottom surface 174C of the cap 174 is continuously brought into contact with the upper surface 222A of the housing 222 with the contact time as the adjustment parameter acquired in the process of step 310. Is controlled by In this step 352, the operation of the elevating mechanism 46 is controlled by the CPU 232 so that the distance as the adjustment parameter acquired in the processing of step 310 is realized.

  If the determination in step 306 is negative, it is necessary to reduce the humidity in the gap 180 to 65% or less. In this case, when the process of the present step 352 is executed, for example, the interval of the gap 180 is widened within the above-described limited range by the elevating mechanism 46, and the bottom surface 174 </ b> C of the cap 174 and the housing 222 by the cap elevating mechanism 330. Is separated from the upper surface 222A. When the bottom surface 174C of the cap 174 and the top surface 222A of the housing 222 are separated from each other, the contact time as the adjustment parameter acquired in the process of step 310 is 0 second.

  If the determination in step 308 is negative, it is necessary to increase the humidity in the gap 180 to 55% or more. In this case, when the process of step 352 is performed, for example, the interval of the gap 180 is narrowed within the above-described limited range by the elevating mechanism 46, and the bottom surface 174 </ b> C of the cap 174 and the housing 222 are With the upper surface 222A.

  As described above, in the inkjet recording apparatus 100B, the contact state where the upper surface 222A of the wetting liquid heat exchanger 214 is in contact with the bottom surface 174C of the cap 174 and the upper surface 222A and the bottom surface 174C are separated by the cap elevating mechanism 330. The separated state is switched.

  Therefore, according to the inkjet recording apparatus 100B, the contact state in which the upper surface 222A and the bottom surface 174C are in contact with each other, and the separated state in which the upper surface 222A and the bottom surface 174C are separated, as compared with the case where the cap lifting mechanism 330 is not provided. Can be easily switched.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus 100B, when the average humidity acquired in the process of step 304 included in the humidity management process exceeds 65%, the bottom surface 174C and the top surface 222A are separated by the cap lifting / lowering mechanism 330. In addition, when the average humidity obtained in the process of step 304 included in the humidity management process is less than 55%, the bottom surface 174C and the top surface 222A are brought into contact by the cap elevating mechanism 330.

  Therefore, according to the inkjet recording apparatus 100B, the humidity of the gap 180 can be adjusted to be within the predetermined humidity range more quickly than when the distance between the bottom surface 174C and the top surface 222A is constant.

  In the second embodiment, the case where the gap 180 is widened and the bottom surface 174C of the cap 174 is separated from the top surface 222A of the housing 222 to reduce the humidity of the gap 180 has been described. Is not limited to this. For example, the humidity of the gap 180 may be reduced only by increasing the interval of the gap 180. Further, the humidity of the gap 180 may be reduced only by separating the bottom surface 174C of the cap 174 and the top surface 222A of the housing 222.

  Further, in the second embodiment, the case has been described where the interval between the gaps 180 is reduced and the humidity of the gap 180 is increased by bringing the bottom surface 174C of the cap 174 into contact with the upper surface 222A of the housing 222. Is not limited to this. For example, the humidity of the gap 180 may be increased only by reducing the interval between the gaps 180. Alternatively, the humidity of the gap 180 may be increased only by bringing the bottom surface 174C of the cap 174 into contact with the top surface 222A of the housing 222.

  Further, in the second embodiment, the circulation unit 208 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 18) may be applied. In this case, by operating the cap elevating mechanism 330, the bottom surface 174C of the cap 174 is brought into contact with the upper surface 328A of the housing 328 of the wetting liquid heat exchanger 324, and by operating the cap elevating mechanism 330, the bottom surface 174C and the upper surface 328A.

  Specifically, when a negative determination is made in step 306 shown in FIG. 16, the bottom surface 174 </ b> C and the top surface 328 </ b> A are brought into contact with each other while the temperature of the water circulated by the circulation unit 320 is lower than the temperature of the wetting liquid 175. By doing so, the humidity of the gap 180 is reduced. If the determination in step 308 shown in FIG. 16 is negative, the bottom surface 174C and the top surface 328A are brought into contact with each other in a state where the temperature of the water circulated by the circulation unit 320 is higher than the temperature of the wetting liquid 175. Raise the humidity of the gap 180. If the determination in step 308 shown in FIG. 16 is negative, the cap lifting mechanism 330 is operated to separate the bottom surface 174C from the top surface 328A.

  In each of the above embodiments, the end cap 156A is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, an end cap 400A is applied instead of the end cap 156A. Is also good.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 23, the end cap 400A is different from the end cap 156A in that the end cap 400A has a hollow area 401 instead of the hollow area 182. The end cap 400A is different from the end cap 156A in that the end cap 400A has a concave portion 402, a blocking member 404, a guide rail 406, and a compression coil spring 408.

  The hollow area 401 is different from the hollow area 182 in that the hollow area 401 has a ventilation port 182D and a ventilation path 182E.

  The ventilation port 182D is formed on a surface of the outer peripheral surface 157A of the protrusion 157 facing the gap 180, that is, on the side surface γ1. The ventilation path 182E is capable of ventilation with the gap 180 via the ventilation port 182D, and communicates the ventilation port 182D and the sensor housing 182C. Further, the ventilation path 182E is bent from the ventilation port 182D to the sensor storage chamber 182C.

  A concave portion 402 is formed on the top surface β1 at a position facing a columnar member 193 to be described later and at a position adjacent to each of the ventilation paths 182B and 182E with a wall therebetween in the longitudinal direction of the head. In the partition wall 410 interposed between the air passage 182E and the concave portion 402, a through hole 410A penetrating in the longitudinal direction of the head from the concave portion 402 to the air passage 182E is formed.

  The blocking member 404 has a shutter 404A and a protruding piece 404B. The protruding piece 404B protrudes downward from the base end of the shutter 404A. The shutter 404A is slidably inserted into the through hole 410A, enters the ventilation path 182E, and shuts off between the ventilation port 182D and the sensor housing 182C.

  A guide rail 406 is laid in the recess 402 along the through hole 410A, and the guide rail 406 slidably holds the shutter 404A along the longitudinal direction of the head. The compression coil spring 408 is disposed inside the guide rail 406 and urges the shutter 404A toward the ventilation path 182E.

  The cap 174 has a columnar member 193. It is erected on the bottom surface 174B inside the cap 174 and protrudes upward from the opening 174A.

  In a situation where the recording head 140 is disposed at the non-image recording position X2, the columnar member 193 is disposed at a position facing between the partition wall 410 and the protruding piece 404B.

  When the elevating mechanism 46 moves the recording head 140 from the non-image recording position X2 to the humidity management execution waiting position Y1 along the direction of arrow A, the columnar member 192 comes into contact with the partition wall 189 in the area inside the concave portion 191. It is inserted between the piece 184B. Further, when the recording head 140 is moved from the non-image recording position X2 to the humidity management execution waiting position Y1 along the direction of the arrow A, the columnar member 193 is moved to the partition 410 and the protrusion 404B in the area inside the concave portion 402. Inserted between.

  When the moving mechanism 42 moves the recording head 140 from the humidity management execution waiting position Y1 to the humidity management execution position Y2, the columnar member 192 comes into contact with the side surface of the protruding piece 184B, and the columnar member 193 is protruded. Contact the side of 404B. When the recording head 140 reaches the humidity management execution position Y2 with the columnar member 192 in contact with the side surface of the protruding piece 184B, the shutter 184A retreats from the ventilation path 182B to the through hole 189A against the urging force of the compression coil spring 186. I do. Thereby, the blocking state of the ventilation path 182B by the shutter 184A is released, and moisture in the ventilation area 194A (see FIG. 9) enters the hollow area 401 through the ventilation port 182A.

  On the other hand, when the recording head 140 reaches the humidity management execution position Y2 in a state where the columnar member 193 is in contact with the side surface of the protruding piece 404B, the shutter 404A is moved from the air passage 182E through the through hole 410A against the urging force of the compression coil spring 408. Evacuate to Thus, the blocking state of the ventilation path 182E by the shutter 404A is released, and the moisture in the gap 180 enters the hollow area 401 through the ventilation port 182D.

  In the example shown in FIG. 23, the case where the end cap 400A is applied instead of the end cap 156A is shown. In this case, an end cap having the same function as the end cap 400A is applied instead of the end cap 156B. Is preferred.

  As described above, according to the end cap 156A having the vent 182A and the vent 182D, the moisture generated by the wetting liquid 175 in the hollow region 401 can be quickly filled as compared with the case having only the vent 182A or the vent 182D. Can be.

  Further, in the example shown in FIG. 23, a configuration is shown in which moisture is taken into the sensor storage chamber 182C only from the ventilation holes 182A and 182D, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the recording head 140 is disposed at the humidity management execution position Y2 (see FIGS. 9 and 12), the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral surface 157A is covered by the cap 174, and is other than the top surface β and the side surface γ. A vent that communicates with the sensor housing 182C may be formed on the outer peripheral surface. When the recording head 140 is located at the humidity management execution position Y2, the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral surface 157A that is covered by the cap 174 and that is other than the top surface β and the side surface γ according to the present invention. It is an example of "the specific outer peripheral surface on the ejection surface side of the outer peripheral surface of the protection member".

  Further, in the example shown in FIG. 23, a configuration is shown in which moisture is taken into the sensor storage chamber 182C from both the vents 182A and 182D, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, moisture may be taken into the sensor housing 182C only from the vent 182D without providing the vent 182A and the vent path 182B.

  Further, in the example shown in FIG. 23, the configuration in which the ventilation path 182E is opened and closed by the blocking member 404 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the end cap 400A may not have a configuration in which the ventilation path 182E is opened and closed by the blocking member 404. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 24, it is preferable to employ a ventilation path 182F having a more complicated bent shape than the ventilation path 182E.

As shown in FIG. 24 as an example, the end cap 400A _1, compared to the end cap 400A, point no different blocking members 184,404 and recesses 191,402. Further, the end cap 400A _1, compared to the end cap 400A, a point having a cavity shaped region 401A instead of the cavity-like region 401 differs.

  The hollow region 401A is different from the hollow region 401 in that the hollow region 401A does not have the ventilation port 182A and the ventilation path 182B. Further, the hollow area 401A is different from the hollow area 401 in that the hollow area 401A has a ventilation path 182F instead of the ventilation path 182E.

  The ventilation path 182F is different from the ventilation path 182E in that the ventilation path 182F is bent one more step until reaching the sensor storage chamber 182C. As described above, since the ventilation path 182F has a more complicated bent shape than the ventilation path 182E, it is possible to suppress the mist-like ink from entering the sensor storage chamber 182C as compared with the case where the ventilation path 182E is employed. Can be.

In the case of employing an end cap 400A ₁ shown in FIG. 24, it may be applied the cap 430 in place of the cap 174. The cap 430 differs from the cap 174 in that the cap 430 does not include the columnar members 192 and 193. Particular periphery case, as shown in FIG. 24 as an example, the upper surface of the outer peripheral wall of the cap 430 is brought into close contact with the top surface β1 of the end caps 400A _1, the whole of the ink ejection surface alpha, and according to the present invention employing a cap 430 The side surface γ1 which is an example of the surface may be covered by the cap 430.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 24, the case of applying the end caps 400A ₁ in place of the end cap 156A, in this case, instead of the end cap 156B an end cap having the same function as the end cap 400A ₁ It is preferred to apply. Case of applying the end cap having the same function as the end cap 400A ₁ in place of the end cap 156B, are brought into close contact with the upper surface of the outer peripheral wall of the cap 430 to the top surface .beta.2 (see FIG. 10), side .gamma.2 (see FIG. 10 ) May be covered with the cap 430.

  In each of the above embodiments, the humidity sensor 190A is accommodated in the hollow region 182 so that mist-like ink or the like does not adhere to the humidity sensor 190A. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 25, the sensitivity surface 190A1 having the measurement sensitivity of the humidity sensor 190A may be exposed from the end cap 450A to the cap 174 side.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 25, the end cap 450A is different from the end cap 156A in that the end cap 450A does not include the hollow region 182, the blocking member 184, the compression coil spring 186, and the guide rail 188. The end cap 450A is different from the end cap 156A in that a recess 452 is formed on the top surface β1 instead of the recess 191.

  The concave portion 452 is opened to the cap 174 side, and the concave portion 452 houses the humidity sensor 190A so that the sensitivity surface 190A1 of the humidity sensor 190A is exposed to the cap 174 side. It is fixed to the inner wall.

  When the end cap 450A is applied instead of the end cap 156A, the cap 453 is applied instead of the cap 174.

  The cap 453 is different from the cap 174 in that the cap 453 has a wetting liquid storage recess 454 and a sponge holding recess 455.

  The area inside the cap 453 is roughly divided into a wetting liquid storage recess 454 and a sponge holding recess 455. The wetting liquid storage recess 454 is formed at a position facing the gap 180 side surface of the top surface β1 and the ink ejection surface α, and stores the wetting liquid 175.

  The sponge holding recess 455 is formed at a position facing the sensitivity surface 190A1 of the humidity sensor 190A, and accommodates and holds a sponge 458, which is an example of the porous medium according to the present invention. The sponge 458 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and protrudes from the partition wall 460 that separates the wetting liquid storage recess 454 and the sponge holding recess 455 toward the top surface β1.

  The elevating mechanism 46 lowers the recording head 140 from the non-image recording position X2 along the direction of arrow A to the sponge contact position. The sponge contact position indicates a position where the sensitivity surface 190A1 of the humidity sensor 190A and the upper surface 458A of the sponge 458 contact.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 26, when the recording head 140 is arranged at the sponge contact position, the sponge 458 can ventilate with the ventilation area 194A, the moisture of the ventilation area 194A enters the sponge 458, and the humidity sensor 190A , The humidity inside the sponge 458 is measured.

  When the configuration shown in FIG. 25 and FIG. 26 is adopted, the dependent variable of the first correction arithmetic expression used in the process of step 304 included in the humidity management process shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. It is different from the dependent variable described in. That is, when the configurations shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 are adopted, the physical quantities used as the independent variables of the first correction arithmetic expression include the humidity indicated by the first humidity information, the contact area, the sponge volume, the void occupancy, The sponge protrusion amount, the gap sponge distance, and the like are given.

  Here, the humidity indicated by the first humidity information indicates the humidity indicated by the first humidity information acquired in the process of step 304. Further, the contact area indicates an area where the sensitivity surface 190A1 of the humidity sensor 190A and the upper surface 458A of the sponge 458 are in contact. The gap occupancy refers to the proportion of the sponge 458 occupied by the gap. Further, the sponge protrusion amount refers to a protrusion amount of the sponge 458 protruding from the partition wall 460 toward the top surface β1. Further, the gap sponge distance refers to the distance from the gap 180 to the sponge 458.

  25 and 26 show the case where the end cap 450A is applied instead of the end cap 156A, in this case, the end cap 156B is replaced with the end cap 450A having the same function as the end cap 450A. Is preferably applied.

  According to the end cap 450A having the humidity sensor 190A for measuring the humidity in a state where the sensitivity surface 190A1 is in contact with the upper surface 458A of the sponge 458, both the cleaning of the sensitivity surface 190A1 and the measurement of the humidity on the gap 180 side. Can be performed simultaneously.

  Further, in the example shown in FIG. 25, a state is shown in which the entire top surface β1 and the entire ink ejection surface α are covered by the cap 453, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is not necessary to cover the entire β1 with the cap 453. For example, when the humidity sensor 190A is disposed near the ink ejection surface α of the top surface β1, the ink ejection surface α may be opposed to the wetting liquid 175, and the upper surface 458A may be brought into contact with the sensitivity surface 190A1. The image recording position X1 side of the surface β1 may not be covered with the cap 453. The same can be said for the top surface β2.

  In the above embodiments, the case where the humidity management program 252 is read from the secondary storage unit 236 has been described as an example, but this is merely an example. For example, as shown in FIG. 27, the humidity management program 252 may be first stored in an arbitrary portable storage medium 900 such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or a USB memory. In this case, the humidity management program 252 of the storage medium 900 is installed in the controller 230, and the installed humidity management program 252 is executed by the CPU 232 of the controller 230.

  Further, the humidity management program 252 is stored in a storage unit such as another computer or a server device connected to the controller 230 via the communication I / F 246, and the humidity management program 252 is downloaded in response to a request from the controller 230. You may make it. In this case, the downloaded humidity management program 252 is executed by the CPU 232.

  Further, the humidity management process described in each of the above embodiments is merely an example. Therefore, needless to say, unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the processing order may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Further, each process included in the maintenance process may be realized only by a hardware configuration such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). Further, each process included in the maintenance process may be realized by a combination of a software configuration and a hardware configuration using a computer.

  All publications, patent applications, and technical standards referred to in this specification are to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent application, or technical standard was specifically and individually stated to be incorporated by reference. Incorporated by reference in the book.

40 Head holder 40A, 222A, 328A, 458A Upper surface 42 Moving mechanism 42A _One end 42A _Two other ends 42C, 58, 250, 332 Motor 46 Elevating mechanism 54, 56, 188, 202, 406 Guide rail 54A Guide plate 62 Screw hole 64 Bearing unit 66 Shafts 100A, 100B Ink jet recording device 102 Paper feed unit 104 Permeation suppression processing unit 106 Treatment liquid application units 108A, 108B Recording units 109A, 109B Support body 110 Fixing processing units 111A, 111B Recording head management device 112 Paper discharge unit 114 Paper 120 Paper feed table 122 Feeder boards 124a, 124b, 124c, 124d Transfer cylinders 126a, 126b, 126c, 126d Impression cylinders 128, 134 Paper preheating unit 130 Penetration inhibitor head 132 Penetration inhibitor drying unit 136 Treatment liquid drying unit 138 Processing liquid drying units 140C, 140M, 140Y, 140K Recording heads 142a, 142b Solvent drying units 145, 174, 174C Bottom surfaces 148a, 148b Heating roller 150 Discharge cylinder 152 Discharge stand 154 Discharge chains 156A, 156B , 400A, 400A ₁ End caps 157, 159 Projecting portions 157A, 159A Outer peripheral surface 160 Head module 160A, 160B End surface 161 Nozzle 162 Pressure chamber 163 Ink chamber unit 164 Supply port 165 Common flow path 166 Vibrating plate 167 Individual electrode 168 Piezoelectric element 169 Head module pair 170 Ink supply tank 172 Filter 174, 430, 453 Cap 174 Opening 175 Wetting liquid 176 Cleaning blade 176 Tip 177 Image recording position sensor 178 Image recording position sensor 180 Gaps 182, 196, 401 Hollow areas 182A, 182D, 196A Vent holes 182B, 182E, 182F, 196B Vent paths 182C, 196C Sensor accommodation chambers 184, 198, 404 Blocking members 184A, 198A, 404A Shutter 184B , 198B, 404B Protrusions 189, 203, 410, 460 Partition walls 189A, 203A, 410A Through holes 190A, 190B Humidity sensor 190A1 Sensitivity surfaces 191, 204, 402 Depressions 192, 193, 206 Columnar members 194A, 194B Ventilation regions 208, 320 Circulation units 210, 322 Chiller 212 Ink heat exchangers 214, 324 Wetting liquid heat exchanger 216 Peltier element group 216A Peltier elements 218 Supply pipe 220 Recovery pipe 222, 328 Housing 230 Controller 34 primary storage unit 236 the secondary storage unit 238 bus 241 Peltier element driver 242 accepts device 244 display device 246 communication I / F
248 External I / F
252 Humidity management program 254, 334 Humidity adjustment table 255, 256, 257 Head driver 258, 259, 260, 336 Motor driver 326 Circulating flow path pipe 330 Cap elevating mechanism 454
454 Wet liquid storage recess 455 Sponge holding recess 458 Sponge 900 Storage medium β1, β2 Top surface γ1, γ2 Side surface X1 Image recording position X2 Non-image recording position X3 Movement limit position Y1 Humidity management execution waiting position Y2 Humidity management execution position Z1 Ascent limit position Z2 Ascent limit position

Claims (17)

A specific outer peripheral surface on the discharge surface side of an outer peripheral surface of a protection member for protecting the discharge surface provided adjacent to the discharge surface at a longitudinal end side of a long discharge surface for discharging liquid. And a cap that covers the entirety of the discharge surface, and is disposed at a position facing the discharge surface with a wetting source capable of wetting the entire discharge surface with a gap interposed between the discharge surface and the wet source.
A measurement unit provided on the protection member, for measuring the humidity on the gap side,
The protection member is a hollow region in which a protrusion that protrudes toward the cap from the discharge surface and a ventilation hole is formed, and a hollow region that takes in moisture on the gap side through the ventilation hole. Has,
The ejection surface management device , wherein the measurement unit is disposed in the hollow region at a position deeper in the hollow region than in the air vent . The ejection surface management device according to claim 1 , wherein the hollow region is bent from the vent side to the back side. A blocking member that is provided in the hollow area and that opens and closes the opening and closing between the measurement unit and the vent.
Claim 1 or claim 2 further including a opening and closing movement mechanism for moving the blocking member to a position to open and close between the measuring portion and the vent according to the positional relationship between the protective member and the cap 3. The discharge surface management device according to claim 1. The specific outer peripheral surface is covered with the cap with the ventilation area through which the gap can be ventilated,
The vent, the of the specific outer peripheral surface, the discharge surface management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 formed on the surface facing the cap. The protection member has a protruding portion that protrudes toward the cap from the discharge surface,
The vent, the of the outer peripheral surface of the projecting portion, the ejection face management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 formed on the surface facing the gap. The specific outer peripheral surface is covered with the cap with the ventilation area through which the gap can be ventilated,
The protection member has a protruding portion that protrudes toward the cap from the discharge surface,
The vents of the outer circumferential surface of the projecting portion, and the surface facing the gap, of the particular peripheral surface, one of claims 1 to 3 formed on the surface facing the cap An ejection surface management device according to claim 1. A specific outer peripheral surface on the discharge surface side of an outer peripheral surface of a protection member for protecting the discharge surface provided adjacent to the discharge surface at a longitudinal end side of a long discharge surface for discharging liquid. And a cap that covers the entirety of the discharge surface, and is disposed at a position facing the discharge surface with a wetting source capable of wetting the entire discharge surface with a gap interposed between the discharge surface and the wet source.
A measurement unit provided on the protection member, for measuring the humidity on the gap side,
The protection member has a protrusion that protrudes toward the cap from the discharge surface,
The sensitivity surface having the measurement sensitivity of the measurement unit is exposed from a surface of the specific outer peripheral surface facing the cap,
The cap has a porous medium permeable to the gap at a position facing the sensitivity surface, and the specific outer peripheral surface and the discharge surface are in contact with the porous medium in contact with the sensitivity surface. it covered the whole and
Ejection exit surface management device. A specific outer peripheral surface on the discharge surface side of an outer peripheral surface of a protection member for protecting the discharge surface provided adjacent to the discharge surface at a longitudinal end side of a long discharge surface for discharging liquid. And a cap that covers the entirety of the discharge surface, and is disposed at a position facing the discharge surface with a wetting source capable of wetting the entire discharge surface with a gap interposed between the discharge surface and the wet source.
A measurement unit provided on the protection member, for measuring the humidity on the gap side,
An adjusting unit that adjusts the humidity of the gap,
When the humidity measured by the measurement unit is outside the first predetermined range, the control unit controls the adjustment unit to adjust the humidity of the gap to a second predetermined range defined based on the first predetermined range. A control unit ;
The protection member has a protruding portion that protrudes toward the cap from the discharge surface.
Ejection exit surface management device. The ejection surface management device according to claim 8 , wherein the adjustment unit adjusts the humidity of the gap by adjusting at least one of a distance between the wetting source and the ejection surface and a temperature of the wetting source. The adjustment unit includes a distance adjustment moving mechanism that relatively moves the cap and the ejection surface in a direction in which the wetting source and the ejection surface face each other, and operates the distance adjustment movement mechanism. The ejection surface management device according to claim 9 , wherein the distance is adjusted by causing the distance to be adjusted. When the humidity measured by the measurement unit exceeds the upper limit of the first predetermined range, the control unit operates the distance adjustment moving mechanism to increase the distance, and the measurement is measured by the measurement unit. The ejection surface management device according to claim 10 , wherein when the humidity is less than a lower limit value of the first predetermined range, the distance adjusting movement mechanism is operated to reduce the distance. The ejection surface management device according to claim 9 , wherein the adjustment unit includes a Peltier element, and adjusts a temperature of the wet source by operating the Peltier element. When the humidity measured by the measurement unit exceeds the upper limit of the first predetermined range, the control unit operates the Peltier element to lower the temperature of the wet source, and the measurement is measured by the measurement unit. 13. The ejection surface management device according to claim 12 , wherein when the humidity is lower than the lower limit of the first predetermined range, control is performed to increase the temperature of the wet source by operating the Peltier element. The Peltier device is interposed between a circulating unit that circulates a fluid medium whose temperature is adjusted in the middle of a circulation path and the cap,
The adjustment unit, the discharge surface management according to claim 12 or claim 13 for regulating the temperature of the wet source by which exchange heat between the said wet source and the flowable medium through the Peltier element apparatus. The ejection surface management device according to claim 14 , wherein the fluid medium adjusts the temperature of the liquid by exchanging heat with the liquid. The ejection surface management device according to any one of claims 1 to 15 , wherein the protection member is an end cap of a liquid ejection head having the ejection surface. An ejection surface management device according to any one of claims 1 to 16 ,
A recording head having the ejection surface to which the ejection surface management device is applied, the recording head recording an image on the recording medium by ejecting ink as the liquid onto the recording medium,
An inkjet recording apparatus including: