JP7326945B2 - Wiping unit and liquid ejection device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a wiping unit and a liquid ejection device.

Printers, facsimiles, copiers, plotters, and other multi-function peripherals having a liquid ejection head for ejecting recording liquid as a recording head are equipped with a performance maintenance and recovery mechanism for maintaining and recovering the performance of the recording head. A liquid ejection unit with a This performance maintenance and recovery mechanism has a cap function that covers the recording head with a highly airtight cap member to prevent the recording liquid near the nozzle holes from thickening and sticking due to natural evaporation of the recording liquid. In order to prevent the occurrence of ejection defects caused by factors such as the ejection recovery function, the ejection recovery function discharges the recording liquid and sucks the recording liquid from the nozzles of the recording head through the cap function. It has a wiping function, etc., to wipe off residual recording liquid that causes

In such a performance maintenance/recovery mechanism, after suction is performed while the nozzle surface of the recording head is capped by the capping member, the nozzle surface of the recording head is wiped and cleaned by the wiping member, and then the nozzles of the recording head are cleaned again. A step of capping the face with a capping member is performed.
Here, in the operation of wiping the nozzle surface after the above-described recording head suction operation, when the wiping operation of wiping the nozzle surface is performed, the recording liquid adhering to the wiping member due to the restoration deformation at the tip of the wiping member is adjacent to the recording head. There is a problem that the ink splattered on the side surface and the nozzle surface of the nozzle, and the splattered ink dripped onto the conveying section and soiled the recording medium. Moreover, there is a problem that the wiped recording liquid thickens and deposits on the wiping member, resulting in deterioration of the wiping performance.
In order to solve the above problems, there have been proposed techniques for sucking the recording liquid adhering to the wiping member in order to prevent the wiping performance from deteriorating due to the accumulation of the recording liquid adhering to the wiping member. Reference 1”).

However, the above-described technique does not solve the problem that the wiped recording liquid scatters when the curved wiping member is restored and deformed. If so, the recording liquid will remain on the top surface of the wiping member.
The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, can cleanly remove the recording liquid adhering to the wiping member, can maintain the wiping performance for a long period of time, and can prevent the wiped recording liquid from scattering. An object of the present invention is to provide a wiping unit and a liquid ejection device.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a wiping member for wiping a nozzle surface provided with nozzles for ejecting liquid provided in a liquid ejection head, an absorbing member for absorbing the liquid adhering to the wiping member, the wiping member, and a holding member that holds the absorbing member and has a connected portion; and suction means that sucks the liquid absorbed by the absorbing member and has a connecting member connected to the connected portion , wherein the wiping member is The absorbing member is elastically deformed during the wiping operation of the nozzle surface and returns to its original position by a restoring force after the wiping operation; The absorbing member absorbs the impact force acting on the wiping member when the wiping member returns to its original position .

According to the present invention, since the absorbent member is provided for absorbing the liquid adhering to the wiping member, the liquid wiped off from the nozzle surface by the wiping member can be removed from the wiping member by being absorbed by the absorbent member. Also, it is possible to prevent the liquid adhering to the wiping member from scattering around due to the impact force when the wiping member elastically deformed and curved during the wiping operation restores itself.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a wiping unit that employs a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. (a) A schematic perspective view of a holder member used in a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention (b) A schematic perspective view of a holder member used in the first embodiment of the present invention (c) The first embodiment of the present invention 1 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a holder member used in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a wiping member, an absorbing member, and a holder member used in the first embodiment of the present invention; 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams for explaining the wiping operation of the print head nozzle surface by the wiping unit used in the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a wiping operation of the print head nozzle surface by the wiping unit used in the first embodiment of the present invention; 8 is a flow chart illustrating another example of the wiping operation of the print head nozzle surface by the wiping unit used in the first embodiment of the present invention; 8 is a flow chart illustrating still another example of the wiping operation of the print head nozzle surface by the wiping unit used in the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an absorbing member used in a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a schematic perspective view of an inkjet recording apparatus to which a wiping unit used in the first embodiment of the invention can be applied; FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an inkjet recording apparatus to which a wiping unit used in the first embodiment of the invention can be applied; FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic front view of an inkjet recording apparatus to which a wiping unit used in a third embodiment of the invention can be applied; It is a figure explaining the operation control of the suction pump by the control means in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the operation control of the suction pump by the control means in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional wiping unit; FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a wiping operation of a recording head nozzle surface by a conventional wiping unit; (a) Schematic diagram of wiping member, absorbing member, and holder member used in the second embodiment of the present invention (b) Wiping member, absorbing member, and holder member used in a modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention 1 is a schematic diagram of FIG. It is a figure explaining the operation control of the suction pump by the control means in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Prior to explaining the present invention, problems in the prior art will be explained with reference to the drawings.
In FIG. 14, reference numeral 31 denotes a print head, which is a liquid ejection head having a nozzle surface 31a formed with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid. Below the recording head 31, a wiping unit 32 is provided for cleaning liquid adhering to the nozzle surface 31a. The wiping unit 32 includes a wiping member 33 that cleans the nozzle surface 31a in contact with the nozzle surface 31a, a holder member 34 that holds the wiping member 33 and is moved up and down by vertical movement means (not shown), and a holder that holds the holder member 34 in a vertically movable manner. It has a print receiver 35 as a member, and a roller member 36 which is movably supported by the print receiver 35 and provided so as to come into contact with and separate from the wiping member 33 by moving means (not shown).
The wiping member 33 is made of a porous body capable of absorbing liquid. The print receiver 35 is provided with an upper end portion 35a which is sharply pointed at an acute angle. When the holder member 34 moves up and down, the wiping member 33 held by the holder member 34 contacts the upper end portion 35a. configured to move.

15 shows the wiping operation of the wiping unit 32 with respect to the recording head 31. FIG. When the wiping operation is started, first, as shown in FIG. 15(a), vertical movement means (not shown) operates to move the holder member 34 to a predetermined position where the upper end of the wiping member 33 can come into contact with the nozzle surface 31a. is raised. When the holder member 34 rises to a predetermined position, the recording head 31 starts moving leftward in the drawing as shown in FIG. 15(b) to start the wiping operation. At this time, the wiping member 33 is elastically deformed leftward in FIG. 15B as the recording head 31 moves.
Then, as shown in FIGS. 15(c) and 15(d), the recording head 31 contacts the wiping member 33 to perform a wiping operation, and the liquid adhering to the nozzle surface 31a is removed by the wiping member 33. be wiped out. When the wiping operation is completed as shown in FIG. 15(e), the elastically deformed wiping member 33 returns to its original position due to the restoring force, and moving means (not shown) operates to move the roller 36 to the wiping member. 33 is moved to a position where it contacts. After the movement of the rollers 36, the vertical movement means (not shown) operates to lower the holder member 34 to the initial position as shown in FIG. 15(f).
When the holder member 34 is lowered, the wiping member 33 is pressed against the upper end portion 35a by the pressure contact force of the rollers 36, and the liquid adhering to the wiping member 33 is squeezed at the upper end portion 35a by this pressing action and the lowering action. The squeezed liquid drops along the outer wall surface of the print receiver 35 and is stored in a waste liquid tray (not shown) provided below.

During the series of operations described above, the wiping member 33 elastically deformed when transitioning from FIG. 15D to FIG. There is a problem that the liquid adhering to the wiping member 33 is scattered and the surroundings of the wiping member 33 are soiled. Further, at this time, the liquid remains on the upper surface 33a of the wiping member 33, and the nozzle surface 31a is stained with the liquid remaining on the upper surface 33a during the next wiping operation.
The configuration of the present invention for solving such problems will be described below.

In FIG. 1 showing the first embodiment of the present invention, reference numeral 1 denotes a print head which is a liquid ejection head having a nozzle surface 1a formed with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid. Below the recording head 1, a wiping unit 2 is arranged for cleaning the liquid adhering to the nozzle surface 1a. The wiping unit 2 includes a wiping member 3 that comes into contact with the nozzle surface 1a and wipes off liquid adhering to the nozzle surface 1a, and an absorbing member that absorbs the liquid that is wiped from the nozzle surface 1a by the wiping member 3 and adheres to the wiping member 3. A holder member 5 as a holding member that holds the member 4, the wiping member 3 and the absorbing member 4 and is vertically moved by vertical movement means (not shown); It has a roller member 7 rotatably supported by an arm 6a, a suction means 8 connected to a holder member 5, and the like.

The wiping member 3 is a plate member made of rubber, and when wiping the nozzle surface 1a, its upper surface 3a moves to a position higher than the nozzle surface 1a, and when it is wiping, it contacts the nozzle surface 1a in a curved state due to elastic deformation. wipe off the liquid adhering to the nozzle surface 1a.
The absorbent member 4 is a porous body, and by absorbing and holding liquid, it is possible to maintain its absorption power without always drying out. The tip of the absorbing member 4 is positioned lower than the upper surface 3a, thereby preventing the absorbing member 4 from contacting the nozzle surface 1a when the wiping member 3 wipes the nozzle surface 1a. .

The holder member 5 holds the wiping member 3 and the absorbing member 4 and is vertically moved by vertical movement means (not shown). The holder member 5 has a shape that covers at least the side surfaces of the wiping member 3 and the absorbing member 4, as shown in FIG. 2(a). With this configuration, it is possible to prevent liquid from leaking from the holder member 5 and drying of the absorbing member 4, and to improve efficiency of liquid absorption from the absorbing member 4 by the suction means 8, which will be described later.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2(b) and 2(c), a configuration is adopted in which the holder member 5 covers at least a portion of the upper surface of the absorbing member 4. As shown in FIG. If the upper surface of the absorbing member 4 is open, only air will be sucked during the suction operation by the suction means 8, and the liquid suction force will be reduced. covers the top of the As a result, the liquid absorption efficiency of the absorbent member 4 can be further improved. However, if the upper surface of the absorbing member 4 is entirely covered with the holder member 5, the suction means 8 cannot perform suction. Therefore, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper portion 5a of the holder member 5 is formed so that the upper surface 4a of the absorbing member 4 is partially exposed. Specifically, the upper portion 5a is formed such that a predetermined portion of the upper surface of the absorbing member 4 is exposed from the upper portion 5a, that is, a gap X corresponding to the predetermined portion is formed between the absorbent member 4 and the wiping member 3. It is With this configuration, the suction operation by the suction means 8 is properly performed, so that the efficiency of liquid absorption by the absorbent member 4 can be improved.

The suction means 8 has suction tubes 9 and 10, a suction pump 11, a waste liquid tank 12, and the like. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the suction tube 9 as a connecting member, which is a rubber tube, has one end connected to the connected portion 5b formed at the lower end portion of the holder member 5 and the other end connected to the suction pump 11, respectively. It is connected. A suction tube 10, which is a rubber tube, has one end connected to a suction pump 11 and the other end connected to a waste liquid tank 12, respectively.
The suction pump 11, which is driven by a motor (not shown), is configured such that its suction force and suction time can be changed by being driven and controlled by the motor (not shown).
The waste liquid tank 12 stores liquid that has been removed from the nozzle surface 1a by the wiping member 3, absorbed by the absorbing member 4, and then collected through the suction tubes 9 and 10 by the operation of the suction pump 11. FIG. A porous body similar to the absorbing member 4 may be arranged inside the waste liquid tank 12, and the liquid stored in the waste liquid tank 12 is discarded at a predetermined timing.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the wiping operation of the wiping unit 2 with respect to the recording head 1, and FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the same operation. When the wiping operation is started, first, as shown in FIG. 4A, the recording head 1 is moved to a predetermined position which is the initial position of the wiping operation (ST01). The holder member 5 is raised to a predetermined position where the upper end of the holder member 3 can come into contact with the nozzle surface 1a (ST02). When the holder member 5 is raised, if the holder member 5 comes into contact with the nozzle surface 1a, the nozzle surface 1a may be damaged. formed. 2(a) is used as the holder member 5, the absorbing member 4 is formed so that the upper surface 4a does not come into contact with the nozzle surface 1a when the holder member 5 is raised. be.
When the holder member 5 rises to a predetermined position, the recording head 1 starts to move leftward in the drawing as shown in FIG. 4(b) to start the wiping operation (ST03). At this time, the wiping member 3 is elastically deformed leftward in FIG. 4(b) as the recording head 1 moves.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 4(c) and 4(d), the recording head 1 contacts the wiping member 3 to perform the wiping operation (ST04). During this wiping operation, the wiping member 3 elastically deformed and curved contacts the roller member 7 and is restrained from being curved. Due to the function of the roller member 7, the wiping member 3 can be brought into pressure contact with the nozzle surface 1a with a target pressure.
The liquid removed from the nozzle surface 1a by the wiping action of the wiping member 3 moves downward along the curved and deformed wiping member 3 and is absorbed by the absorbing member 4 arranged in parallel with the wiping member 3 . With this configuration, the removed liquid moves from the wiping member 3 and quickly permeates the absorbing member 4, and the impact force when the wiping member 3 recovers suppresses the scattering of the liquid adhering to the wiping member 3 to the surroundings. can do.

After the wiping operation, the elastically deformed wiping member 3 returns to its original position due to the restoring force, as shown in FIG. 4(e). At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, since the upper portion 5a is formed so as to form a gap X between itself and the wiping member 3, the absorbing member protrudes from the upper portion 5a toward the wiping member 3 by a protrusion amount X. 4 absorbs the impact force acting on the wiping member 3 returning to the initial position by the restoring force, thereby suppressing scattering of the liquid adhering to the upper surface 3a. After that, as shown in FIG. 4(f), the vertically moving means (not shown) operates to lower the holder member 5 to the initial position.
When the holder member 5 is lowered, the suction pump 11 starts operating (ST05), and the liquid absorbed by the absorption member 4 and the liquid contained inside the holder member 5 are separated from each suction tube by the suction force of the suction pump 11. It is accommodated in the waste liquid tank 12 via 9 and 10 . The suction pump 11 stops its operation after being operated for a predetermined time (ST06).
By this series of operations, the wiping operation of the liquid from the nozzle surface 1a by the wiping unit 2 is completed.

As described above, the wiping unit 2 of the present invention has the absorbing member 4 that absorbs the liquid adhered to the wiping member 3 after being wiped off from the nozzle surface 1a of the recording head 1 by the wiping member 3 during the wiping operation. Therefore, the liquid wiped from the nozzle surface 1a by the wiping member 3 can be removed from the wiping member 3 by being absorbed by the absorbing member 4, and the wiping member 3 elastically deformed and curved during the wiping operation is restored. It is possible to suppress scattering of the liquid adhering to the wiping member 3 to the surroundings due to the impact force at the time of cleaning.
In addition, since the holder member 5 for holding the wiping member 3 and the absorbing member 4 covers the side surface of the absorbing member 4, it is possible to prevent liquid leakage from the holder member 5 and drying of the absorbing member 4. The liquid absorption efficiency from the absorbing member 4 by the suction means 8 can be improved.
In addition, since the holder member 5 for holding the wiping member 3 and the absorbing member 4 covers the upper surface of the absorbing member 4, the suction force of the suction means 8 can be improved, and the liquid absorbing efficiency can be further improved. can be done.

In addition, since the upper surface 4a of the absorbing member 4 protrudes toward the wiping member 3 side from the upper portion 5a by a projection amount X, the wiping member 3, which is curved due to elastic deformation, returns to the initial position due to the restoring force. Since the absorbing member 4 that collides with the wiping member 3 absorbs the impact force acting on the wiping member 3 while preventing the member 3 from colliding with the upper portion 5a, scattering of liquid adhering to the upper surface 3a is suppressed.
Further, when the holder member 5 is lifted during the wiping operation, the upper portion 5a is formed to a height that does not come into contact with the nozzle surface 1a. You can prevent it from getting hurt.
In addition, since the absorbing member 4 is disposed at a position where the liquid removed from the nozzle surface 1a by the wiping member 3 can come into contact with the liquid removed from the nozzle surface 1a during the wiping operation, the removed liquid moves from the wiping member 3 and is quickly absorbed. It is possible to suppress scattering of the liquid adhering to the wiping member 3 due to the impact force when the wiping member 3 recovers after permeating the member 4 .

In the wiping operation described above, the operation timing of the suction means 8 is as shown in FIG. 5, after the movement of the recording head 1 is completed and the wiping operation is completed (ST05), the suction is started and stopped after a predetermined time (ST06). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the suction may be started while the recording head 1 is moving (ST07) and stopped after a predetermined time (ST06). As a result, it is possible to prevent the holder member 5 from overflowing the liquid exceeding the holding capacity of the liquid held by the absorbing member 4 and the holder member 5 .
Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a suction operation is added to the operation shown in FIG. 5 (ST08) before the wiping operation of the nozzle surface 1a by the wiping member 3, that is, before the lifting operation (ST02) of the wiping member 3 (ST08). is also possible. With such a configuration, the liquid stored inside the holder member 5 can be discharged in advance, and the liquid accumulated during the previous wiping operation removes the liquid from the holder member 5 during the wiping operation. overflow can be prevented.

In the above-described embodiment, a porous material is used as the absorbing member 4, which can absorb and hold the liquid wiped off from the nozzle surface 1a by the wiping member 3. As shown in FIG. By changing the pore size and porosity of the porous body of the absorbent member 4, the capacity of the liquid that can be sucked can be adjusted, and various liquids and device configurations can be accommodated.
As a modification of the above-described embodiment, a structure using an absorbing member 13 shown in FIG. 8 may be used instead of the absorbing member 4. The absorbing member 13 integrally has a fine-mesh member 13a, which is a fine-mesh porous body, at the upper stage, and a coarse-mesh member 13b, which is a porous body with a coarser mesh than the fine-mesh member 13a, at the bottom stage. The boundary between the fine-mesh member 13a and the coarse-mesh member 13b is set to be the same position as the deformation start point when the wiping member 3 bends and deforms during the wiping operation.
With this configuration, the same effects as those of the absorbent member 4 can be obtained, and the fine-mesh member 13a can prevent the absorbent member 13 from drying out by reducing the fluidity of the absorbed liquid and increasing the retention force, and the coarse-mesh member. At 13b, the fluidity of the absorbed liquid can be improved, and the suction performance of the liquid by the suction means 8 can be improved.

In the first embodiment, when the nozzle surface 1a of the recording head 1 is wiped by the wiping unit 2, if there is foreign matter (such as paper dust or hardened ink) on the nozzle surface 1a, the gap X shown in FIG. There is a problem that foreign matter accumulates in the The gap X is formed so that the absorbing member 4 is not completely sealed by the holder member 5, and if the gap X is partially blocked, the suction efficiency of the suction means 8 is reduced.
A configuration for preventing the occurrence of such problems will be described below as a second embodiment.

FIG. 16(a) shows an absorbent member 14 used in the second embodiment of the invention. Compared with the absorbing member 4 shown in the first embodiment, the absorbing member 14 has a top surface 4a formed flat as shown in FIG. are formed so as to be recessed toward the central portion, and other configurations are the same. In FIG. 16(a), the holder member 5 is shown by cutting a portion of the side portion and a portion of the wall surface connected to the upper portion 5a.
In the example shown in FIG. 16(a), the same holder member 5 as in the first embodiment is used, and the holder member 5 has one connected portion 5b at its center portion in the width direction. The absorbing member 14 is formed such that a central portion 14b in the width direction corresponding to the portion where the connected portion 5b is provided is recessed compared to other portions.

The liquid that permeates the absorbing member 14 is sucked through the connected portion 5b by the operation of the sucking means 8. By using the absorbing member 14 having the upper surface 14a of such a shape, the liquid is absorbed in the central portion 14b of the upper surface 14a. Due to the recess, the distance between the central portion 14b and the connected portion 5b is shortened, and the suction force at the central portion 14b is higher than that at other portions. With this configuration, the liquid containing foreign matter after wiping is collected in the central portion 14b of the inclined upper surface 14a and sucked, so that the foreign matter can be collected in the central portion 14b. As a result, the life of the suction member 14 until the wiping unit 2 is replaced can be extended compared to the suction member 4 .

FIG. 16(b) shows an absorbing member 14A and a holder member 5A as a holding member used in a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention. The absorbing member 14A is different from the absorbing member 4 shown in the first embodiment in that the upper surface 14c is formed so as to be recessed toward both ends, and the other configurations are the same. In FIG. 16(b), the holder member 5A is shown by cutting a portion of the side portion and a portion of the wall surface connected to the upper portion 5a.
The holder member 5A differs from the holder member 5 in that it has two connected portions 5b in the vicinity of both ends in the width direction, and the rest of the configuration is the same. The absorbing member 14A is formed so that both end portions 14d, 14d in the width direction corresponding to the portion where the connected portion 5b is provided are recessed compared to other portions.

With this configuration, the liquid containing foreign matter after wiping is collected and sucked at both ends 14d, 14d of the inclined upper surface 14c, and effects similar to those of the above-described second embodiment can be obtained. In the above-described second embodiment, one connected portion 5b is provided at the center in the width direction of the holder member 5, and in the modified example, two connected portions 5b are provided at both ends of the holder member 5A in the width direction. and When one connected portion 5b is provided, it is preferably provided in the center in the width direction. In addition, three or more connected portions 5b may be provided. In this case, if the portion corresponding to the connected portion on the upper surface of the absorbing member is formed lower than the other portions, the structure described above can be used. Similar effects can be obtained.

Next, an inkjet recording apparatus as a liquid ejecting apparatus equipped with the recording head 1 and the wiping unit 2 described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG.
An ink jet recording apparatus 54 as a liquid ejection apparatus has a carriage 55 which is movable in the main scanning direction and on which the recording head 1 is mounted. Further, inside the main body of the apparatus, a recording head 1 and a liquid ejection unit 57 and the like composed of an ink tank 56 and the like for supplying ink to the recording head 1 are accommodated. A paper feed cassette (or a paper feed tray) 59 capable of stacking a large number of transfer sheets 58, which are recording media, is detachably attached to the lower portion of the apparatus main body from the front side. Further, the apparatus main body is provided with a manual feed tray 60 that is opened when the transfer sheet 58 is manually fed. The inkjet recording device 54 takes in the transfer sheet 58 fed from the paper feeding cassette 59 or the manual feed tray 60, and after recording a desired image by the liquid ejection unit 57, the transfer sheet 58 after the image formation is placed on the rear surface side. The paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 61 provided.

The liquid ejection unit 57 holds the carriage 55 slidably in the main scanning direction by means of a main guide rod 62 and a sub guide rod 63 , which are guide members that span left and right side plates (not shown). The carriage 55 is provided with a plurality of recording heads 1 for ejecting ink droplets of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (Bk) colors.
Also, each ink tank 56 for supplying each color ink to each recording head 1 is mounted on the carriage 55 so as to be replaceable. Each ink tank 56 has an air port communicating with the atmosphere at the top and a supply port at the bottom for supplying ink to each recording head 1 . A porous body filled with ink is provided inside the ink tank 56, and the capillary force of the porous body maintains the ink supplied to the recording head 1 at a slight negative pressure.

The carriage 55 is slidably mounted on the main guide rod 62 at the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction, which is the rear side, and slidably mounted on the secondary guide rod 63 at the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction, which is the front side. there is In order to move and scan the carriage 55 in the main scanning direction, a timing belt 67 is stretched between a drive pulley 65 and a driven pulley 66 which are rotationally driven by a main scanning motor 64 , and the timing belt 67 is fixed to the carriage 55 . . With this configuration, the carriage 55 is reciprocated by rotating the main scanning motor 64 forward and backward.

On the other hand, in order to convey the transfer sheet 58 set in the paper feed cassette 59 to the lower side of the recording head 1, a paper feed roller 68 and a friction pad 69 for separating and feeding the transfer sheet 58 from the paper feed cassette 59 are provided. ing. Further, a guide member 70 for guiding the transfer sheet 58 and a conveying roller 71 for inverting and conveying the fed transfer sheet 58 are provided. Further, a conveying roller 72 that is pressed against the peripheral surface of the conveying roller 71 and a tip roller 73 that regulates the feeding angle of the transfer sheet 58 from the conveying roller 71 are provided. The conveying roller 71 is driven to rotate via a gear train by a sub-scanning motor (not shown).

A print receiving member 74, which is a sheet guide member, is provided to guide the transfer sheet 58 fed from the conveying roller 71 to a position below the recording head 1 corresponding to the moving range of the carriage 55 in the main scanning direction. there is A conveying roller 75 and a spur 76 that are rotationally driven for sending out the transfer sheet 58 in the paper discharging direction are provided downstream of the print receiving member 74 in the paper conveying direction. Further, a discharge roller 77 and a spur 78 for feeding the transfer sheet 58 to the discharge tray 61, and guide members 79 and 80 forming a discharge path are provided.

In the above-described inkjet recording apparatus 54, the recording head 1 is driven according to image signals while the carriage 55 is moved during recording. As a result, ink is ejected onto the stationary transfer sheet 58 to record one line, and after the transfer sheet 58 is conveyed by a predetermined amount, the next line is recorded. Upon receiving a recording end signal or a signal indicating that the trailing edge of the transfer sheet 58 has reached the recording area, the inkjet recording device 54 terminates the recording operation and discharges the transfer sheet 58 .

A recovery device 81 for recovering ejection failures of the recording head 1 is disposed at a position outside the recording area on the right end side of the movement direction of the carriage 55 . The recovery device 81 has a suction cap (not shown) for capping the recording head 1, a pump (not shown) for sucking the suction cap (not shown), and the wiping unit 2 described above. The carriage 55 is moved to the recovery device 81 side during printing standby, and the recording head 1 is capped with a suction cap (not shown) to keep the nozzle surface 1a in a wet state, thereby preventing ejection failure due to ink drying. . In addition, by ejecting ink unrelated to printing during printing or the like, the viscosity of the ink on the nozzle surface 1a is kept constant and a stable ejection state is maintained.

If an ejection failure occurs, the nozzle surface 1a of the recording head 1 is sealed with a suction cap (not shown), and the ink and air bubbles are sucked out from the nozzle surface 1a by a pump (not shown). Then, ink, dust, etc. adhering to the nozzle surface 1a are removed by the wiping unit 2, thereby recovering from the ejection failure. Further, the sucked ink is discharged to the waste liquid tank 12 and is absorbed and held by an ink absorber provided inside the waste liquid tank 12 .
Since the above-described inkjet recording apparatus 54 is equipped with the wiping unit 2 of the present invention and has the absorbing member 4 that absorbs the liquid adhering to the wiping member 3, the wiping member 3 wipes the liquid from the nozzle surface 1a. The absorbed liquid can be removed from the wiping member 3 by being absorbed by the absorbing member 4, and the liquid adhering to the wiping member 3 scatters around due to the impact force when the elastically deformed and curved wiping member 3 recovers. can be suppressed.

In the above-described embodiment, the suction unit 8 is operated when or before the wiping member 3 performs the wiping operation, and the operation time and suction force of the suction unit 8 are not mentioned. Therefore, a configuration for controlling the operation time and the suction force of the suction means 8 will be described below as a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 shows an inkjet recording apparatus as a liquid ejection apparatus according to the third embodiment of the invention. As compared with the inkjet recording apparatus 54 shown in the first embodiment, the inkjet recording apparatus 40 shown in FIG. a temperature detection sensor 42 as temperature detection means for detecting the ambient temperature in the vicinity of the liquid ejection unit 57; and an ink type as liquid type detection means for detecting the type of ink by reading different codes provided for each ink tank 56. The only difference is that a detection sensor 43 and a humidity detection sensor 44 as humidity detection means for detecting the environmental humidity in the vicinity of the liquid ejection unit 57 are provided, and other configurations are the same.
Detection signals from the sensors 42, 43, and 44 are sent to the control means 41, and the control means 41 controls the operation of the suction pump 11 based on the sent signals.

The control means 41 controls the suction pump 11 as shown in FIGS. In this embodiment, the control means 41 controls the operation time of the suction pump 11, that is, the operation time of the drive motor (not shown) and the suction force, that is, the rotation speed of the motor.
Operation control of the suction pump 11 by the control means 41 includes operation control based on temperature detection information from the temperature detection sensor 42, operation control based on ink type detection information from the ink type detection sensor 43, and humidity detection sensor 44. and operation control based on detection information.

The operation control based on the temperature detection information by the temperature detection sensor 42 is such that when the temperature detected by the temperature detection sensor 42 is normal temperature (23° C.) and the operating time and suction force of the suction pump 11 are 1, the detected temperature is 10. Pattern 1 with an operating time of 2 when the temperature is less than °C, pattern 2 with an operating time of 0.8 when the detected temperature exceeds 32 °C, and a suction force of 1.2 when the detected temperature is less than 10 °C. There are four types of pattern 3, pattern 3 where the operating time is set to 0.9 when the detected temperature exceeds 32°C.

The operation control based on the ink type detection information by the ink type detection sensor 43 sets the operating time and the suction force of the suction pump 11 to 1 when the viscosity is within a predetermined range corresponding to the ink B detected by the ink type detection sensor. pattern 5 where the operating time is 1.5 when the detected ink type is ink A having a higher viscosity than ink B, and ink C where the detected ink type has a lower viscosity than ink B. pattern 6 with operating time of 0.7 when the type of ink detected is ink A, pattern 7 with suction force of 1.1 when the type of ink detected is ink C; There are four types of pattern 8 with 0.8.

The operation control based on the humidity detection information by the humidity detection sensor 44 is such that when the humidity detected by the humidity detection sensor 44 is standard humidity (50%) and the operating time and suction force of the suction pump 11 are set to 1, the detected humidity is Pattern 1 with an operating time of 2 when the humidity is less than 20%, pattern 2 with an operating time of 0.8 when the detected humidity exceeds 80%, and a suction force of 1.0 when the detected humidity is less than 20%. There are four patterns: pattern 3 with 2 and pattern 4 with operating time of 0.9 when the detected humidity exceeds 80%.

In the third embodiment, the control means 41 controls the operation of the suction pump 11 to any one of patterns 1 to 4 described above. At least one of these controls should be performed, and it is also possible to combine a plurality of controls.
From this configuration, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, when the detected temperature is lower than the standard temperature, the operation time of the suction pump 11 is increased or the suction force is increased compared to the standard temperature, and the detection is performed. When the temperature is high, the operating time of the suction pump 11 is shortened or the suction force is reduced compared to that at the standard temperature. When the ambient temperature is high, the liquid with reduced viscosity is sucked for a short period of time or with a weak suction force, thereby requiring more time and suction force than necessary. An energy saving effect can be obtained without

Further, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, when it is determined that the detected type of liquid has a higher viscosity than the standard liquid, the operation time of the suction pump 11 is increased compared to the standard type. Alternatively, the suction force is increased, and when it is determined that the detected type of liquid has a lower viscosity than the standard liquid, the operation time of the suction pump 11 is shortened or the suction force is reduced compared to the standard type. Therefore, effects similar to those described above can be obtained.
Furthermore, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, when the detected humidity is lower than the standard humidity, the operation time of the suction pump 11 is increased or the suction force is increased compared to the standard humidity, and the detected humidity is increased. When the humidity is high, the operation time of the suction pump 11 is shortened or the suction force is reduced compared to when the humidity is standard, so that the same effect as described above can be obtained.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the ink used in the inkjet recording apparatus is shown as the liquid to be wiped by the wiping unit 2, but the liquid to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to ink, and can be applied to a configuration for wiping other liquids. It is possible to
Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example of using a color printer, which is an ink-jet image forming apparatus, as the liquid ejecting apparatus has been shown, but the image forming apparatus is not limited to this, and may be a printer, a facsimile machine, a multifunction machine, or the like. The present invention is also applicable. Also, although an ink jet recording apparatus is shown as a liquid ejecting apparatus, other apparatuses may be used as the liquid ejecting apparatus. may apply.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the transfer sheet 58 is used as a recording medium on which an image is formed. , coated paper (coated paper, art paper, etc.), tracing paper, OHP sheet, OHP film, resin film, etc., and any material that exhibits a sheet shape and can form an image can be used. good.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and unless otherwise limited in the above description, the scope of the present invention set forth in the appended claims. Various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist.
The effects described in the embodiments of the present invention merely exemplify the most suitable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. isn't it.

1 liquid ejection head (recording head)
2 wiping unit 3 wiping member 4, 13, 14, 14A absorbing member 4a upper surface 5, 5A holding member (holder member)
5b connected portion 8 suction means 9 connecting member (suction tube)
13a fine member 13b coarse member 14a, 14c upper surfaces 40, 54 liquid ejection device (inkjet recording device)
42 temperature detection means (temperature detection sensor)
43 liquid type detection means (ink type detection sensor)
44 humidity detection means (humidity detection sensor)

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-35440

Claims (19)

a wiping member for wiping a nozzle surface provided with nozzles for ejecting liquid provided in the liquid ejection head;
an absorbing member that absorbs liquid adhering to the wiping member;
a holding member holding the wiping member and the absorbing member and having a connected portion ;
a suction means having a connection member that sucks the liquid absorbed by the absorption member and is connected to the connected portion ;
the wiping member elastically deforms during the wiping operation of the nozzle surface and returns to its original position by a restoring force after the wiping operation;
The absorbing member is arranged in parallel with the wiping member, and is a wiping unit in which the absorbing member absorbs the impact force acting on the wiping member when the elastically deformed wiping member returns to its original position due to a restoring force. . The wiping unit of claim 1, wherein
A wiping unit, wherein a part of the holding member is arranged to cover a side surface of the absorbing member. In the wiping unit of claim 2,
A wiping unit, wherein a portion of the holding member is arranged to cover at least a portion of the upper surface of the absorbing member. In the wiping unit of claim 3,
A wiping unit, wherein a predetermined portion of the upper surface of the absorbing member is exposed from the holding member. In the wiping unit according to claim 3 or 4,
The wiping unit, wherein the holding member is not in contact with the nozzle surface when the wiping member wipes the nozzle surface. In the wiping unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The wiping unit, wherein the absorbing member is arranged at a position where the liquid removed from the nozzle surface by the wiping member can come into contact with the absorbing member when the wiping member wipes the nozzle surface. In the wiping unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The wiping unit, wherein the suction means operates when the wiping member wipes the nozzle surface. In the wiping unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The wiping unit, wherein the suction means is activated before the wiping operation of the nozzle surface by the wiping member. In the wiping unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The wiping unit, wherein the absorbent member is a porous body. The wiping unit of claim 9, wherein
The wiping unit, wherein the absorbent member has a fine mesh member and a coarse mesh member as the porous body, and the fine mesh member is arranged in an upper stage and the coarse mesh member is arranged in a lower stage. The wiping unit of claim 1 , wherein
A wiping unit, wherein a portion of the upper surface of the absorbing member corresponding to the connected portion is recessed compared to other portions. The wiping unit of claim 11, wherein
The wiping unit is characterized in that one connected portion is provided corresponding to a position other than the widthwise both ends of the holding member, or two connected portions are provided corresponding to the widthwise both ends. A liquid ejection device comprising the wiping unit according to any one of claims 1 to 12. 14. The liquid ejection device according to claim 13,
It has temperature detection means for detecting ambient temperature, and when the detected temperature is lower than the standard temperature, the operation time of the suction means is lengthened, and when the detected temperature is high, the operation time of the suction means is shortened. A liquid ejection device characterized by: 14. The liquid ejection device according to claim 13,
It has temperature detection means for detecting ambient temperature, and when the detected temperature is lower than the standard temperature, the suction force of the suction means is increased, and when the detected temperature is high, the suction force of the suction means is reduced. A liquid ejecting apparatus characterized by: The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 13 to 15,
A liquid ejection apparatus comprising liquid type detection means for detecting a type of liquid to be ejected from said liquid ejection head, and controlling operating time of said suction means according to the detected type of liquid. The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 13 to 15,
A liquid ejection apparatus comprising liquid type detection means for detecting a type of liquid to be discharged from said liquid ejection head, and controlling a suction force of said suction means in accordance with the detected type of liquid. The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 13 to 17,
Humidity detection means for detecting environmental humidity is provided, and when the detected humidity is lower than the standard humidity, the operation time of the suction means is lengthened, and when the detected humidity is high, the operation time of the suction means is shortened. A liquid ejection device characterized by: The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 13 to 17,
Humidity detection means for detecting environmental humidity is provided, and when the detected humidity is lower than the standard humidity, the suction force of the suction means is increased, and when the detected humidity is high, the suction force of the suction means is decreased. A liquid ejecting apparatus characterized by:

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