JP7064170B2 - Wiping device, head maintenance device, liquid discharge device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a wiping device, a head maintenance device, and a device for discharging a liquid.

When a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid is used, a maintenance / recovery mechanism (maintenance device) including a cap that caps the nozzle surface and a head cleaning device that wipes and cleans the nozzle surface is provided in order to maintain and recover the state of the nozzle.

Conventionally, as a head cleaning device, there is known a device that performs a nozzle surface cleaning step with a web to which a cleaning liquid is applied and a cleaning step with a blade member to clean the deposits adhering to the blade member with the web (Patent Document 1). ).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-286077

However, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the spread of the cleaning liquid on the web after dropping depends on the capillary force of the fibers of the web, the spread of the cleaning liquid varies, and the wiping property is wipeable. There is a problem that the variation occurs.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to obtain stable wiping property.

In order to solve the above problems, the wiping device according to the present invention is
A band-shaped first wiping member that wipes the object to be wiped,
A blade-shaped second wiping member for wiping the wiping target is provided.
The second wiping member rotates between a first position to which the cleaning liquid is applied and a second position in which the cleaning liquid is applied to the first wiping member in contact with the first wiping member. The configuration is arranged so that it can be arranged.

According to the present invention, stable wiping property can be obtained.

It is a side side explanatory view of the wiping device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a plane explanatory view of the wiping unit of the wiping device. It is a block explanatory drawing of the part related to the control of the wiping operation and the wiper cleaning operation in the wiping device. It is a side explanatory view provided for the explanation of the cleaning liquid application operation in the wiping device. It is a side explanatory view provided for the explanation of the wiper cleaning operation in the wiping device. It is a side explanatory view provided for the explanation of the web winding operation in the wiping device. It is a flow diagram which provides the explanation of the control of the wiping operation and the wiper cleaning operation by the wiping control unit of the wiping device. Similarly, it is a flow chart which is provided to the explanation which follows FIG. Similarly, it is a flow chart which is provided to the explanation which follows FIG. It is a perspective explanatory drawing of the wiper in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective explanatory drawing of the wiper in 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a side side explanatory view of the wiping unit part in 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a side explanatory view of the wiping unit part of the comparative example. It is also a plan explanatory view. It is a plane explanatory view of the mechanism part of an example of the apparatus which discharges a liquid which concerns on this invention. Similarly, it is a side view of the main part.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a side view of the wiping device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the wiping unit of the wiping device.

In the present embodiment, the wiping target to be wiped by the wiping device 1 is the nozzle surface 111a of the liquid discharge head (hereinafter, also referred to as “head”) 111 of the device that discharges the liquid.

The wiping device 1 includes a main frame 2 that is adjusted and supported by the main body of the device that discharges liquid, and a wiping unit 30 that is held on the main frame 2 so as to be reciprocally movable in the wiping direction.

In the subframe 3 of the wiping unit 30, a feeding roller 5 serving as an axial member of the feeding side roll 4A around which the web 4 as the first strip-shaped wiping member is wound and a web 4 unwound from the feeding side roll 4A are provided. It holds a take-up roller 6 that is an axial member of the take-up side roll 4B that has been taken up.

Further, the guide rollers 7 and 8 are rotatably held in the subframe 3. A pressing member 9 that presses the web 4 against the nozzle surface 111a to be wiped is arranged between the guide rollers 7 and 8. When the pressing member 9 brings the web 4 into contact with the nozzle surface 111a, the pressing member 9 presses the web 4 against the nozzle surface 111a with a predetermined pressing force by the spring 10.

The web 4 is preferably made of a sheet-like material that has absorbency, at least liquid resistance to the liquid used, and does not cause fluffing or dust generation, and is, for example, a non-woven fabric, cloth, film, or the like. Examples include paper.

The web 4 is unwound from the pay-out side roll 4A of the pay-out roller 5, passes through the pressing member 9 through the guide roller 7, passes through the guide roller 8, and is wound up by the take-up roller 6 as the take-up side roll 4B.

The web 4 is fed in the take-up direction (feed direction: arrow A direction) by rotating the take-up roller 6, and is taken up by the take-up side roll 4B. Further, by rotating the feeding roller 5 in a direction opposite to the feeding direction (the same direction as the winding direction A), the web 4 can be rewound to the feeding side roll 4A.

Here, the feeding roll 4A is arranged on the downstream side of the wiping direction Y1, the winding side roll 4B is arranged on the downstream side of the wiping direction Y1, and the web 4 is sent in the direction of the arrow A opposite to the wiping direction Y1 to be wound. It is composed. The "wiping direction Y1" is the direction in which the wiping unit 30 moves relative to the nozzle surface 111a to be wiped in the present embodiment.

A chord wheel 16 is attached to the guide roller 8, and an encoder sensor 17 made of a transmissive photo sensor for detecting a pattern formed on the chord wheel 16 is provided on the subframe 3. The encoder 18 for detecting the moving distance (feed amount) of the web 4 is configured by these chord wheels 16 and the encoder sensor 17.

Further, in the subframe 3, a wiper 14 which is a blade-shaped second wiping member is arranged on the upstream side of the wiping direction Y1 with respect to the web 4. The wiper 14 is held by the wiper holder 13, and the wiper holder 13 is rotatably held by the shaft 15 in the subframe 3.

By rotating the wiper holder 13, the wiper 14 is rotated between the first position (home position HP) shown by the solid line, the second position shown by the broken line, and the third position shown by the virtual line. ..

Here, the first position is a position where the nozzle surface 111a is wiped by the wiper 14 or the wiper 14 is applied with the cleaning liquid 20. The second position is a position where the wiper 14 comes into contact with the web 4 to apply the cleaning liquid 20 to the web 4, or the wiper 14 is cleaned by the web 4 as a cleaning liquid application position and a cleaning position. The third position is a retracted position where the wiper 14 retracts when the wiping operation is performed only by the web 4.

Then, when the wiper 14 is in the first position (home position), a cleaning liquid supply tube 21 that drops and applies the cleaning liquid 20 to the tip of the wiper 14 is arranged.

Here, the wiper 14 is arranged on the downstream side in the feed direction (arrow A direction) of the web 4 from the position where the web 4 contacts the nozzle surface 111a (position of the pressing member 9: web pressing position).

Therefore, the cleaning liquid application position where the cleaning liquid 20 is applied to the wiper 14 and the wiper 14 is rotated to the second position to apply the cleaning liquid 20 to the web 4 is higher than the pressing position where the web 4 comes into contact with the nozzle surface 111a and wipes. It is on the downstream side in the feed direction (winding direction).

The web 4, the feeding roller 5, the take-up roller 6, the guide rollers 7, 8, the pressing member 9, the wiper 14, etc. held in these subframes 3 are unitized as a wiping unit (cartridge) 30 and attached to and detached from the main frame 2. It is designed so that it can be installed as much as possible.

The subframe 3 of the wiping unit 30 is arranged so as to be reciprocally movable in the arrow Y direction, which is the nozzle arrangement direction of the head 111, with respect to the main frame 2. The reciprocating movement of the subframe 3 is performed by, for example, a moving mechanism including a rack 31, a pinion 32, and a moving motor 33 for rotating the pinion 32.

Further, the subframe 3 is arranged so as to be movable (up and down) in the direction in which the web 4 advances and retreats with respect to the nozzle surface 111a, in this case, in the vertical direction. The elevating and lowering of the subframe 3 is performed by, for example, an elevating mechanism including a cam 35 and an elevating motor 36 for rotating the cam 35.

Next, a portion related to the wiping operation and the control of the wiper cleaning in the wiping device 1 will be described with reference to the block explanatory diagram of FIG.

The wiping control unit 501 is a wiping control means that controls the wiping device 1, and can be configured as, for example, a part of the control unit of the device that discharges the liquid on which the wiping device 1 is mounted.

The wiping control unit 501 drives and controls the take-up motor 61 that rotationally drives the take-up roller 6 via the motor drive unit 502. In this case, the wiping control unit 501 counts the output pulse of the encoder 18, detects the winding amount and the rewinding amount of the web 4, and drives and controls the winding motor 61.

The rotation of the take-up motor 61 is transmitted to the feeding roller 5 via the one-way clutch mechanism. As a result, when the take-up motor 61 is driven in the forward direction (winding direction) to perform winding, the winding motor 61 is disengaged from the feeding roller 5 by a clutch or the like, and the take-up motor 61 is driven in the reverse direction (rewinding direction). When rewinding, the feeding roller 5 rotates in the direction opposite to the feeding direction.

The wiper control unit 501 drives and controls the wiper motor 51 via the motor drive unit 503, rotates the wiper holder 13, and rotates the wiper 14 to the first position, the second position, and the third position. A stepping motor is used as the wiper motor 51, and the amount of rotation of the wiper 14 is controlled by the number of pulses.

The wiping control unit 501 drives and controls the cleaning liquid supply pump 23 via the pump drive unit 504, and controls the supply of the cleaning liquid 18 to be applied to the wiper 14.

The wiping control unit 501 drives and controls the cleaning liquid supply pump 23 via the pump drive unit 504, and controls the supply of the cleaning liquid 18 to be applied to the wiper 14.

The wiping control unit 501 drives and controls the moving motor 33 and the elevating motor 36 via the motor driving unit 505, and controls the ascending of the wiping unit 30 to the wiping position and the relative movement of the wiping unit 30 in the wiping direction with respect to the nozzle surface 111a.

The wiping control unit 501 inputs the detection results of the subframe home position sensor 37 that detects the home position of the subframe 3 and the wiper home position sensor 52 that detects the home position of the wiper 14.

Next, the cleaning liquid applying operation in the wiping device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a side explanatory view for the same explanation.

In the present embodiment, when the cleaning liquid 20 is applied to the web 4, first, as shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning liquid 20 is dropped from the cleaning liquid supply tube 21 to the tip of the wiper 14 with the wiper 14 in the first position. Give.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the wiper holder 13 is rotated to rotate the wiper 14 to the second position shown by the broken line, and the tip end portion of the wiper 14 is brought into contact with the web 4. As a result, the cleaning liquid 20 held by the wiper 14 is applied to the web 4.

At this time, the wiper 14 has a width equal to or larger than the width of the web 4 so that the entire nozzle surface 111a can be wiped in the direction orthogonal to the wiping direction Y1. Therefore, by applying the cleaning liquid 20 from the wiper 14 to the web 4, the cleaning liquid 20 spreads substantially uniformly in the width direction of the web 4.

As a result, the variation of the cleaning liquid 20 in the web 4 is reduced, and stable wiping property by the web 4 can be obtained.

When wiping only with the web 4, the wiper 14 rotates to a third position where it does not come into contact with the nozzle surface 111a and retracts. Further, when wiping with both the web 4 and the wiper 14, the wiper 14 is rotated to the first position.

Further, when the cleaning liquid 20 is applied to the web 4, the unused area of the web 4 is sent to the contact position with the wiper 14 in the direction of the arrow A, the cleaning liquid 20 is applied, and then the area to which the cleaning liquid 20 is applied is the pressing member 9. The web 4 is rewound to the payout side roll 4A to the pressing position by.

Next, the wiper cleaning operation in the wiping device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a side explanatory view for the same explanation.

As shown in FIG. 4, the wiper 14 is rotated to the second position to come into contact with the web 4 located on the guide roller 8, and the web 4 is fed to remove the deposits adhering to the wiper 14 to the web. Remove in 4 and clean.

In this way, the wiper 14 can be cleaned and the wiping performance of the wiper 14 can be maintained.

Next, the web winding operation in the wiping device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a side explanatory view for the same explanation.

After the wiping operation of the nozzle surface 111a by the web 4 is completed, and when the wiper 14 is cleaned by the web 4, the used portion pressed against the nozzle surface 111a by the pressing member 9 is in the feed direction from the guide roller 8. (Winling direction) Perform the winding operation so that it is on the downstream side.

This optimizes the consumption of the web 4 and prevents the used portion of the web 4 from coming into contact with the wiper 14 and being re-transferred.

Next, the control of the wiping operation and the wiper cleaning operation by the wiping control unit will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 7 to 9.

First, with reference to FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not the subframe 3 of the wiping unit 30 is in the home position (referred to as “HP” in FIG. 7), and when the subframe 3 is not in the home position, Move the subframe 3 to the home position.

Then, the subframe 3 is moved from the home position (HP) to the position below the cleaning droplet.

After that, it is determined whether or not the wiper 14 is in the first position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 (this is referred to as “home position: HP”), and when the wiper 14 is not in the first position, the wiper 14 is set to the first position. Rotate to position.

Then, the cleaning liquid 20 is dropped onto the wiper 14 from the cleaning liquid supply tube 21.

Next, the wiper 14 is rotated from the first position to the second position to come into contact with the web 4, and the cleaning liquid 20 is applied to the web 4. At this time, the contact position of the web 4 is fed so as to be an unused portion.

After that, it is determined whether or not it is the first wiping operation.

At this time, in the case of the first wiping operation, the wiper 14 is rotated to the third position (retracted position) so that the wiping is performed only by the web 4, and the process proceeds to the process shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if it is not the first wiping operation, the wiper 14 is rotated to the first position (home position) to perform wiping by the web 4 and the wiper 14, and the process proceeds to the process shown in FIG. do.

With reference to FIG. 8, the rewinding of a predetermined amount of the web 4 is started, and the web 4 is rewound until the portion of the web 4 to which the cleaning liquid 20 is applied reaches the pressing position by the pressing member 9.

Then, after the rewinding of the web 4 is completed, the subframe 3 of the wiping unit 30 is raised so that the web 4 can be pressed against the nozzle surface 111a and the wiper 14 is in a wiping position where the wiper 14 can contact the nozzle surface 111a.

After that, the subframe 3 of the wiping unit 30 is moved in the wiping direction Y1, the nozzle surface 111a is wiped with the web 4, and the nozzle surface 111a is wiped with the wiper 14.

Then, after lowering the subframe 3 of the wiping unit 30 at the wiping end position, the web 4 is wound up by a predetermined amount, and after the winding is completed, the process of determining whether or not the subframe 3 of FIG. 7 is in the home position is performed. return.

Returning to FIG. 7, if it is not the second wiping after applying the cleaning liquid 20 to the web 4, that is, when the second wiping is also completed, the process proceeds to the process shown in FIG. 9, and the web 4 is wound by a predetermined amount. After the winding and winding are completed, the wiper 14 is returned to the first position, the subframe 3 is moved to the home position, and this process is completed.

Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective explanatory view of the wiper in the same embodiment.

The wiper 14 is provided with one or a plurality of recesses 14b in the portion 14a in contact with the web 4 along a direction (width direction) orthogonal to the wiping direction. The cross-sectional shape of the recess 14b can be V-shaped, arc-shaped, or the like in addition to the notch groove shape.

As a result, the cleaning liquid 20 can be held in the recess 14b, and the cleaning liquid 20 applied to the wiper 14 can be reliably transferred to the web 4 and applied. Further, when the wiper 14 is cleaned by the web 4, the wiper 14 can be cleaned with the cleaning liquid 20 stored in the wiper 14, so that the wiper 14 itself can be reliably cleaned.

In this case, in order to prevent the cleaning liquid 20 from dripping from the recess 14b when the wiper 14 is rotated, it is preferable to provide the recess 14b so as to open diagonally upward.

Next, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective explanatory view of the wiper in the same embodiment.

The wiper 14 is provided with a recess 14c on the top surface. The cross-sectional shape of the recess 14c may be a V-shape, a notch groove, or the like, in addition to the arc shape. Further, similarly to the second embodiment, a plurality of groove-shaped recesses 14c may be provided along the width direction.

As a result, the cleaning liquid 20 can be held in the recess 14c, and the cleaning liquid 20 applied to the wiper 14 can be reliably transferred to the web 4 and applied. Further, the top surface of the wiper 14 is used as a cleaning liquid reservoir, and the side surface can be provided with a function of specializing in the wiping portion. By making the wiping portion flat, wiping and cleaning of the wiper 14 can be performed more reliably.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a side explanatory view of the wiping unit portion in the same embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the feeding side roll 4A is arranged on the upstream side in the wiping direction Y1 and the winding side roll 4B is arranged on the downstream side in the wiping direction Y1. The wiper 14 and the web 4 are brought into contact with each other.

Even with this configuration, the cleaning liquid 20 can be applied to the wiper 14 and the cleaning liquid 20 can be transferred to the web 4 by rotating the wiper 14, so that the cleaning liquid 20 can be transferred to the web 4 substantially uniformly in the width direction of the web 4. The cleaning liquid 20 can be applied to the surface.

As a result, the variation of the cleaning liquid 20 in the web 4 is reduced, and stable wiping property by the web 4 can be obtained.

Here, a comparative example will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 13 is a side explanatory view of the wiping unit portion of the comparative example, and FIG. 14 is a plan explanatory view.

In this comparative example, the cleaning liquid 20 is dropped and applied to the web 4 at the pressing position by the pressing member 9.

In the configuration of this comparative example, the dropping width of the cleaning liquid 20 depends on the capillary force of the fibers of the web 4, so that the position and width of the cleaning liquid 20 applied to the web 4 vary. It occurs and stable wiping property cannot be obtained.

Therefore, problems such as deterioration of the ejection stability of the head after wiping, deterioration of the water-repellent film on the nozzle surface due to the occurrence of local dry wiping, and color mixing due to local excessive application of the cleaning liquid occur.

On the other hand, in each embodiment of the present invention, a wiper having substantially the same width direction (direction orthogonal to the wiping direction) as the web 4 is used, and the cleaning liquid is dropped onto the wiper to spread the cleaning liquid on the wiper. Transfer to the web.

As a result, the position where the cleaning liquid is applied to the web and the spread in the width direction can be made almost uniform. Further, when cleaning the wiper, it becomes possible to reliably apply the cleaning liquid to the wiper and clean the residual deposits.

Next, an example of the device for discharging the liquid according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 15 is a plan view of the mechanism of the device, and FIG. 16 is a side view of the main part.

The device 100 for discharging this liquid is a serial type device. The carriage 105 is movably held in the main scanning direction by a guide mechanism such as a main guide member 102 and a slave guide plate 103 spanning the left and right side plates 101A and 101B.

The carriage 105 is equipped with three liquid discharge units 110 (110a to 110c). The liquid discharge unit 110 is configured by integrating a liquid discharge head (head) 111 as a liquid discharge means and a sub tank 112 that supplies liquid to the head 111.

On the main body side of the apparatus, a cartridge holder 121 is arranged in which a plurality of main tanks (liquid cartridges) 120 accommodating liquids of each color are replaceably mounted. A liquid of each color is supplied from the main tank 120 mounted on the cartridge holder 121 to the head 111 of each liquid discharge unit 110 via a liquid path 123 composed of supply tubes of each color by a liquid feed pump or the like.

On the other hand, in order to transport the sheet material 130 in the transport direction, the transport means 140 that attracts the sheet material 130 and transports the sheet material 130 toward the head 111 is provided.

The transporting means 140 provides a sheet material 130 via a transport roller 141, a pressure roller 142 that is pressurized and contacts the transport roller 141, a platen member 143 facing the head 111, and a suction hole 143 a of the platen member 143. It is composed of a suction mechanism unit 134 or the like for suction. Although the suction hole 143a is partially shown in the figure, it is arranged on the entire platen member 143.

Further, a maintenance / recovery mechanism 150 for performing maintenance / recovery (maintenance) of the head 111 is arranged on one side of the carriage 105 in the main scanning direction.

The maintenance / recovery mechanism 150 is a head maintenance device according to the present invention, and includes, for example, a cap 151 for capping the nozzle surface 111a of the head 111 and a wiping device 1 according to the present invention for wiping and cleaning the nozzle surface 111a.

In this device 100, the sheet material 130 is conveyed in the conveying direction while being adsorbed on the platen member 143 by the conveying roller 141 and the pressure roller 142.

Therefore, by driving the head 111 in response to the print signal while moving the carriage 105 in the main scanning direction, a liquid of a required color is discharged to the stopped sheet material 130 to print one line, and the sheet is printed. After transporting a predetermined amount of the material 130, printing of the next line is repeated to print, and the sheet material 130 is discharged.

In the present application, the liquid to be discharged may have a viscosity and surface tension that can be discharged from the head, and is not particularly limited, but the viscosity becomes 30 mPa · s or less at room temperature, under normal pressure, or by heating or cooling. It is preferable that it is a thing. More specifically, solvents such as water and organic solvents, colorants such as dyes and pigments, polymerizable compounds, resins, functionalizing materials such as surfactants, biocompatible materials such as DNA, amino acids and proteins, and calcium. , Solvents, suspensions, emulsions, etc. containing edible materials such as natural pigments, such as inks for inkjets, surface treatment liquids, components of electronic and light emitting elements, and formation of electronic circuit resist patterns. It can be used in applications such as liquids and material liquids for three-dimensional modeling.

Piezoelectric actuators (laminated piezoelectric elements and thin-film piezoelectric elements), thermal actuators that use electric heat conversion elements such as heat-generating resistors, and electrostatic actuators that consist of a vibrating plate and counter electrodes are used as energy sources for discharging liquid. Includes what to do.

The "liquid discharge unit" is a liquid discharge head integrated with functional parts and a mechanism, and includes a collection of parts related to liquid discharge. For example, the "liquid discharge unit" includes a head tank, a carriage, a supply mechanism, a maintenance / recovery mechanism, a main scanning movement mechanism in which at least one of the configurations is combined with a liquid discharge head, and the like.

Here, the term "integration" means, for example, a liquid discharge head and a functional component, a mechanism in which the mechanism is fixed to each other by fastening, bonding, engagement, etc., or one in which one is movably held with respect to the other. include. Further, the liquid discharge head, the functional component, and the mechanism may be configured to be detachable from each other.

For example, as a liquid discharge unit, there is a unit in which a liquid discharge head and a head tank are integrated. In some cases, the liquid discharge head and the head tank are integrated by being connected to each other by a tube or the like. Here, a unit including a filter can be added between the head tank of these liquid discharge units and the liquid discharge head.

Further, as a liquid discharge unit, there is a unit in which a liquid discharge head and a carriage are integrated.

Further, there is a liquid discharge unit in which the liquid discharge head and the scanning movement mechanism are integrated by holding the liquid discharge head movably by a guide member constituting a part of the scanning movement mechanism. In some cases, the liquid discharge head, the carriage, and the main scanning movement mechanism are integrated.

Further, as a liquid discharge unit, there is a carriage to which a liquid discharge head is attached, in which a cap member which is a part of the maintenance / recovery mechanism is fixed, and the liquid discharge head, the carriage, and the maintenance / recovery mechanism are integrated. ..

Further, as a liquid discharge unit, there is a liquid discharge unit in which a tube is connected to a head tank or a liquid discharge head to which a flow path component is attached, and the liquid discharge head and a supply mechanism are integrated. The liquid of the liquid storage source is supplied to the liquid discharge head through this tube.

The main scanning movement mechanism shall include a single guide member. Further, the supply mechanism includes a single tube and a single loading unit.

The "device for discharging a liquid" includes a device provided with a liquid discharge head or a liquid discharge unit and driving the liquid discharge head to discharge the liquid. The device for discharging a liquid includes not only a device capable of discharging a liquid to a device to which the liquid can adhere, but also a device for discharging the liquid into the air or into the liquid.

The "device for discharging the liquid" may include means for feeding, transporting, and discharging paper to which the liquid can adhere, as well as a pretreatment device, a posttreatment device, and the like.

For example, as a "device that ejects a liquid", an image forming device that is a device that ejects ink to form an image on paper, and a three-dimensional model (three-dimensional model) are formed in layers in order to form a three-dimensional model. There is a three-dimensional modeling device (three-dimensional modeling device) that discharges the modeling liquid into the powder layer.

Further, the "device for discharging a liquid" is not limited to a device in which a significant image such as characters and figures is visualized by the discharged liquid. For example, those that form patterns that have no meaning in themselves and those that form a three-dimensional image are also included.

The above-mentioned "thing to which a liquid can adhere" means a material to which a liquid can adhere at least temporarily, such as a material to which the liquid adheres and adheres, and a material to which the liquid adheres and permeates. Specific examples include paper, recording paper, recording paper, film, recorded media such as cloth, electronic substrates, electronic components such as piezoelectric elements, powder layers (powder layers), organ models, and media such as inspection cells. Yes, and includes everything to which the liquid adheres, unless otherwise specified.

The material of the above-mentioned "material to which liquid can adhere" may be paper, thread, fiber, cloth, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics or the like as long as the liquid can adhere even temporarily.

Further, the "device for discharging the liquid" includes, but is not limited to, a device in which the liquid discharge head and the device to which the liquid can adhere move relatively. Specific examples include a serial type device that moves the liquid discharge head, a line type device that does not move the liquid discharge head, and the like.

In addition, as a "device for ejecting a liquid", a treatment liquid coating device for ejecting a treatment liquid to the paper in order to apply the treatment liquid to the surface of the paper for the purpose of modifying the surface of the paper, etc. There is an injection granulator that granulates fine particles of a raw material by injecting a composition liquid in which a raw material is dispersed in a solution through a nozzle.

In addition, in the term of this application, image formation, recording, printing, printing, printing, modeling, etc. are all synonymous.

1 Wiping device 4 Web (1st wiping member)
4A Roll on the feeding side 4B Roll on the winding side 5 Rolling roller 6 Winding roller 9 Pushing member 13 Wiper holder 14 Wiper (second wiping member)
20 Cleaning liquid 30 Wiping unit 111 Liquid discharge head 150 Maintenance / recovery mechanism (head maintenance device)

Claims (8)

A band-shaped first wiping member that wipes the object to be wiped,
A blade-shaped second wiping member for wiping the wiping target is provided.
The second wiping member rotates between a first position to which the cleaning liquid is applied and a second position in which the cleaning liquid is applied to the first wiping member in contact with the first wiping member. A wiping device characterized by being able to be placed. The wiping according to claim 1, wherein the side surface of the second wiping member on the side in contact with the first wiping member is provided with a recess for holding the cleaning liquid in a direction orthogonal to the wiping direction. Device. The wiping device according to claim 1, wherein the tip of the second wiping member is provided with a recess for receiving the cleaning liquid in a direction orthogonal to the wiping direction. The second position also serves as a cleaning position for cleaning the second wiping member with the first wiping member.
1. The first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the first wiping member is moved in a state where the second wiping member is in contact with the first wiping member at the second position to clean the second wiping member. The wiping device according to any one of 3. In the feeding direction of the first wiping member, the contact position between the first wiping member and the second wiping member is on the downstream side of the contact position between the first wiping member and the wiping target.
After the wiping operation of the first wiping member is completed, the first wiping member is fed until the used position of the first wiping member is downstream from the contact position with the second wiping member. The wiping device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The wiping device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head for discharging the liquid is wiped. A head maintenance device that maintains the liquid discharge head.
A head maintenance device comprising the wiping device according to claim 6. A liquid discharge head that discharges liquid and
A device for discharging a liquid, which comprises the wiping device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or the maintenance device according to claim 7.

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