JP7494500B2 - Liquid ejection device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device .

As image forming devices such as printers, facsimiles, copiers, plotters, and combination machines thereof, there are known image forming devices (such as inkjet recording devices) that use a liquid ejection recording type liquid ejection head (droplet ejection head) that ejects liquid droplets as a recording head.

The inkjet recording device is equipped with a capping means (maintenance module) that maintains the state of the recording head. A known configuration for maintaining (cleaning) this capping means is to surround the capping means with a wall, pump and store a cleaning liquid there, and then immerse the capping means in the cleaning liquid to remove the ink.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which an enclosure is provided to enclose a portion of the capping means, and a cleaning liquid is pumped into the enclosure to clean the capping means. Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which the entire nozzle cover and cap are sealed, and a cleaning liquid is pumped into the enclosure to clean the capping means.

However, ink that has adhered to the capping means or other parts can often only be partially removed by immersing it in cleaning fluid. Although it is effective to scrape off the adhered ink using a cleaning stick or the like, this is a cumbersome task for inexperienced users.

The present invention aims to provide a liquid ejection device that allows users to easily clean the cap.

The above problem is solved by a liquid ejection device comprising: a liquid ejection head having a nozzle for ejecting liquid, a moving mechanism for moving the liquid ejection head, a cap for capping the nozzle face of the liquid ejection head, an advancing/retreating mechanism for moving the cap and bringing it into contact with or away from the nozzle face, and a cleaning liquid storage tank that surrounds the cap and stores cleaning liquid and immerses the cap in the cleaning liquid, wherein the cap is immersed in the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid storage tank and the liquid ejection head is moved to a position where it does not overlap with at least a portion of the cap in a liquid ejection direction of the liquid ejection head, the liquid ejection device comprising: a liquid delivery path that communicates with a cleaning liquid tank that stores the cleaning liquid via a liquid delivery port formed in the cleaning liquid storage tank and delivers the cleaning liquid into the cleaning liquid storage tank; and a waste liquid path that communicates with the cleaning liquid storage tank via a waste liquid port formed in the cleaning liquid storage tank and discharges used cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid storage tank to a waste cleaning liquid tank that stores the used cleaning liquid.

The above problem can also be solved by a liquid ejection device comprising a liquid ejection head having a nozzle for ejecting liquid, a moving mechanism for moving the liquid ejection head, a cap for capping the nozzle face of the liquid ejection head, a forward/backward mechanism for moving the cap and bringing it into contact with or away from the nozzle face, and a cleaning liquid storage tank that surrounds the cap and stores cleaning liquid and immerses the cap in the cleaning liquid, wherein the cap is immersed in the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid storage tank and the liquid ejection head is retracted from above the cap, the liquid ejection device comprising: a liquid delivery path that communicates with a cleaning liquid tank that stores the cleaning liquid via a liquid delivery port formed in the cleaning liquid storage tank and delivers the cleaning liquid into the cleaning liquid storage tank, and a waste liquid path that communicates with the cleaning liquid tank via a waste liquid port formed in the cleaning liquid storage tank and discharges used cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid storage tank to a waste cleaning liquid tank that stores the used cleaning liquid.

The liquid ejection device of the present invention immerses the cap in the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid storage tank, and moves the liquid ejection head to a position where it does not overlap at least a portion of the cap in the liquid ejection direction of the liquid ejection head. In other words, the cap is exposed, allowing the user to easily and effectively clean the cap, improving cleanability.

1 is a perspective view of a liquid ejection apparatus (inkjet recording apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front. FIG. 2 is a side view showing an outline of a mechanism of the device shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main part of a mechanism of the device shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the discharge of ink from within a head tank. 2 is an overall block diagram showing an example of a control unit of the device shown in FIG. 1 . 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a maintenance and recovery mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a series of operations in a maintenance mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram (part 1) showing a series of operations in a maintenance mode. 13 is an example of a message displayed on a notification unit. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram (part 2) showing a series of operations in the maintenance mode. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram (part 3) showing a series of operations in the maintenance mode. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a series of operations in the maintenance mode (part 4). FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a configuration of a cleaning liquid storage tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a liquid ejection device (inkjet recording device) according to one embodiment of the present invention. The inkjet recording device 100 comprises a device main body 1, a paper feed tray 2 for loading paper that is attached to the device main body 1, and a paper output tray 3 that is detachably attached to the device main body 1 and for storing paper on which an image has been recorded (formed).

A cartridge loading section 4 for loading an ink cartridge 10, which is a liquid cartridge, is provided on one side of the front surface of the device main body 1, adjacent to the paper feed/eject tray section. An alarm section 5 that issues a sensory signal to the user is provided on the top surface of this cartridge loading section 4.

Ink cartridges 10 are set in the cartridge loading section 4. Each ink cartridge 10 contains a recording liquid (ink) of a different color, for example black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). These ink cartridges 10 can be loaded by inserting them from the front side of the device main body 1 toward the rear side, and are configured to be loaded by lining up the ink cartridges 10 horizontally in a vertically placed state. A front cover (cartridge cover) 6 is provided on the front side of the cartridge loading section 4 in an openable and closable manner, which opens when the ink cartridge 10 is attached or detached.

The notification unit 5 is made up of a display, speaker, etc., and can display messages and alert users with a buzzer sound. In addition, below the notification unit 5, a power button 12, an OK button (paper feed/print resume button) 13, a cancel button 14, etc. are arranged.

Next, the mechanical part of the inkjet recording device 100 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a side view showing an overview of the mechanical part, and Figure 3 is a plan view of the main part.

In the mechanical section of the inkjet recording device 100, a guide rod 31 and a stay 32, which are guide members, are horizontally supported on the left and right side plates 21A and 21B that constitute the frame 21, and these hold a carriage 33 so that it can slide freely in the main scanning direction. The carriage 33 is moved and scanned in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 3 (the carriage main scanning direction) via a timing belt by a main scanning motor.

In addition, in this embodiment, the carriage 33 is also configured to be movable in the vertical direction. The guide rod 31, carriage 33, timing belt, etc. are an example of a movement mechanism that moves the liquid ejection head (recording head 34) in the main scanning direction and the vertical direction.

The inkjet recording device 100 of this embodiment is a serial type image forming device in which the recording head 34 ejects ink while moving in the main scanning direction to form an image.

A recording head 34 consisting of four droplet ejection heads that eject ink droplets of each color as described above is mounted on the carriage 33 with multiple ink ejection ports (multiple nozzles) arranged in a direction intersecting the main scanning direction (paper feed direction) and with the ink droplet ejection direction facing downward. It is also possible to adopt a single or multiple head configuration having a nozzle row that ejects droplets of each color.

The inkjet head constituting the recording head 34 can be one equipped with a piezoelectric actuator, such as a piezoelectric element, as a pressure generating means for ejecting droplets.

The carriage 33 also carries head tanks 35 for each color for supplying ink of each color to each recording head 34. As described above, ink of each color is replenished and supplied to the head tanks 35 for each color from the ink cartridges 10 of each color mounted in the cartridge loading section 4 via the ink supply tubes 36 for each color. The cartridge loading section 4 is provided with a liquid delivery pump 24, which is a liquid delivery means for delivering ink in the ink cartridges 10.

On the other hand, the paper feed section for feeding the paper 42 loaded on the paper loading section (pressure plate) 41 of the paper feed tray 2 includes a half-moon roller (paper feed roller) 43 that separates and feeds the paper 42 one by one from the paper loading section 41, and a separation pad 44 that faces the paper feed roller 43. The separation pad 44 is made of a material with a large coefficient of friction and is biased toward the paper feed roller 43.

In order to feed the paper 42 fed from this paper feed section to the lower side of the recording head 34, a guide member 45 for guiding the paper 42, a counter roller 46, a transport guide member 47, and a pressing member 48 having a tip pressure roller 49 are provided. In addition, a transport belt 51 is provided as a transport means for electrostatically adsorbing the fed paper 42 and transporting it to a position facing the recording head 34.

The conveyor belt 51 is an endless belt that is stretched between a conveyor roller 52 and a tension roller 53 and is configured to rotate in the belt conveying direction (sub-scanning direction). It is also provided with a charging roller 56, which is a charging means for charging the surface of the conveyor belt 51. The charging roller 56 is arranged to contact the surface of the conveyor belt 51 and rotate in response to the rotation of the conveyor belt 51. Furthermore, a guide member 57 is arranged on the back side of the conveyor belt 51 in correspondence with the printing area by the recording head 34.

The conveyor belt 51 moves in a circular motion in the sub-scanning direction (belt conveying direction) indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3 by the conveyor roller 52 being rotated and driven by the sub-scanning motor via timing.

In addition, a separation claw 61 for separating the paper 42 from the conveyor belt 51, a paper discharge roller 62, and a paper discharge roller 63 are provided as a paper discharge section for discharging the paper 42 recorded by the recording head 34. Below the paper discharge roller 62, a paper discharge tray 3 is provided.

A duplex unit 71 is detachably attached to the rear of the device body 1. This duplex unit 71 takes in the paper 42 returned by the reverse rotation of the conveyor belt 51, inverts it, and feeds it again between the counter roller 46 and the conveyor belt 51. The top surface of this duplex unit 71 serves as a manual feed tray 72.

As shown in FIG. 3, a maintenance and recovery mechanism 81 is disposed in the non-printing area on one side of the carriage 33 in the scanning direction, which includes a recovery means for maintaining and recovering the state of the nozzles of the recording head 34.

This maintenance and recovery mechanism 81 includes cap members (hereafter referred to as "caps") 82a to 82d (referred to as "caps 82" when no distinction is made) for capping each nozzle surface of the recording head 34, a wiper blade 83 which is a blade member for wiping the nozzle surface, and an empty discharge receiver 84 which receives droplets when empty discharge is performed to discharge droplets that do not contribute to recording in order to expel thickened recording liquid. Here, cap 82a is used as a suction and moisturizing cap, and the other caps 82b to 82d are used as moisturizing caps.

Waste recording liquid generated by the maintenance and recovery operation by the maintenance and recovery mechanism 81 is discharged and stored in the waste liquid tank 23 (see Figure 4). Ink discharged into the cap 82, ink adhering to the wiper blade 83 and removed by the wiper cleaner, and ink discharged into the empty discharge receiver 84 are also discharged and stored in the waste liquid tank 23.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the non-printing area on the other side of the scanning direction of the carriage 33, an empty discharge receiver 88 is arranged to receive droplets when empty discharge is performed to discharge droplets that do not contribute to recording in order to discharge recording liquid that has thickened during recording, etc. This empty discharge receiver 88 is provided with an opening 89 aligned with the nozzle row direction of the recording head 34.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the discharge of ink from the head tank. As shown in Figure 4, when the nozzle surface of the recording head 34 is covered with the cap 82 and suction is performed with the suction pump 22, the ink in the head tank 35 can be discharged (head suction) to the waste tank 23. This head suction can remove thickened ink from the nozzles.

In the inkjet recording device 100 of the present invention configured in this way, the paper 42 is separated and fed one by one from the paper feed tray 2, and the paper 42 fed approximately vertically upward is guided by the guide member 45. The paper 42 is then sandwiched between the conveyor belt 51 and the counter roller 46 and conveyed, and the leading edge is further guided by the conveyor guide member 47 and pressed against the conveyor belt 51 by the leading edge pressure roller 49, changing the conveying direction by approximately 90 degrees.

At this time, an alternating voltage is applied to the charging roller 56 from the AC bias supply unit of the control unit, which will be described later, so that positive and negative outputs are alternately repeated. As a result, the conveyor belt 51 is charged with an alternating charging voltage pattern, that is, in the sub-scanning direction, which is the rotation direction, with positive and negative charges alternating in strips of a specified width. When paper 42 is fed onto this conveyor belt 51 that is alternately positively and negatively charged, the paper 42 is attracted to the conveyor belt 51, and the conveyor belt 51 rotates to convey the paper 42 in the sub-scanning direction.

Next, while moving the carriage 33 in the main scanning direction, the recording head 34 is driven in response to an image signal. The recording head 34 ejects ink droplets onto the stationary paper 42 to record one line, and after transporting the paper 42 a specified distance, records the next line. Upon receiving a recording end signal or a signal indicating that the rear end of the paper 42 has reached the recording area, the recording operation ends and the paper 42 is discharged to the paper discharge tray 3.

In addition, while waiting to print (record), the carriage 33 is moved to the maintenance and recovery mechanism 81 side, and the recording head 34 is capped with a cap 82, and by keeping the nozzles wet, ejection problems due to dried ink are prevented. In addition, with the recording head 34 capped with the cap 82, the suction pump 22 (see Figure 4) sucks the recording liquid from the nozzles (called "nozzle suction" or "head suction"), performing a recovery operation to expel thickened recording liquid and air bubbles. In addition, before recording starts or during recording, a blank ejection operation is performed to eject ink unrelated to recording. These operations allow the recording head 34 to maintain stable ejection performance.

Figure 5 is an overall block diagram showing an example of a control unit of a liquid ejection device. This control unit includes a main control unit 301 that controls the entire inkjet recording device, and a print control unit 302 that controls printing. The main control unit 301 and the print control unit 302 are configured with microcomputers.

The main control unit 301 forms an image on the paper 42 based on the printing process information input from the communication circuit 300. Specifically, it drives and controls the main scanning motor via the main scanning motor drive circuit 303 to move the carriage 33 in the main scanning direction, and drives and controls the sub-scanning motor via the sub-scanning motor drive circuit 304 to transport the paper 42. It also sends printing data to the print control unit 302.

The main control unit 301 also receives a detection signal from a carriage position detection circuit 305 that detects the position of the carriage 33, and the main control unit 301 controls the movement position and movement speed of the carriage 33 based on this detection signal. The carriage position detection circuit 305 detects the position of the carriage 33, for example, by reading and counting the number of slits in an encoder sheet arranged in the scanning direction of the carriage 33 with a photosensor mounted on the carriage 33. The main scanning motor drive circuit 303 rotates and drives the main scanning motor according to the carriage movement amount input from the main control unit 301, and moves the carriage 33 to a predetermined position at a predetermined speed.

Furthermore, the main control unit 301 receives a detection signal from a transport amount detection circuit 306 that detects the amount of movement of the transport belt 51, and the main control unit 301 controls the amount of movement and the speed of movement of the transport belt 51 based on this detection signal. The transport amount detection circuit 306 detects the amount of transport, for example, by reading and counting the number of slits in a rotary encoder sheet attached to the rotating shaft of the transport roller 52 with a photosensor. The sub-scanning motor drive circuit 304 rotates and drives the sub-scanning motor according to the amount of transport input from the main control unit 301, and rotates and drives the transport roller 52 to move the transport belt 51 to a predetermined position at a predetermined speed.

The main control unit 301 rotates the paper feed roller 43 once by issuing a paper feed roller drive command to the paper feed roller drive circuit 307. The main control unit 301 drives the motor of the maintenance and recovery mechanism 81 via the maintenance and recovery mechanism drive motor drive circuit 308, thereby raising and lowering the cap 82, raising and lowering the wiper blade 83, driving the suction pump 22, and so on, as described above.

The main control unit 301 controls the drive motor (supply motor) for driving the pump of the liquid delivery pump 24 via the supply pump drive circuit 311, and refills (fills) the head tank 35 with ink from the ink cartridge 10 loaded in the cartridge loading unit 4. The main control unit 301 also retrieves information stored in the non-volatile memory 316, which is an information storage element provided in each ink cartridge 10 attached to the cartridge loading unit 4, via the cartridge communication circuit 314. Then, the required processing is performed and the information is stored and held in the non-volatile memory (e.g., EEPROM) 315, which is the main body information storage element.

In addition, the main control unit 301 receives detection signals from an environmental sensor 313 that detects the environmental temperature and humidity.

The print control unit 302 generates data for driving a pressure generating means for ejecting droplets from the recording head 34 based on signals from the main control unit 301 and carriage position and transport amount from the carriage position detection circuit 305 and transport amount detection circuit 306. The print control unit 302 also transfers the above-mentioned image data to the head drive circuit 310 as serial data, and outputs to the head drive circuit 310 transfer clocks, latch signals, droplet control signals (mask signals), and other signals required for transferring and confirming the transfer of this image data.

The print control unit 302 also includes a drive waveform generation unit consisting of a D/A converter that performs D/A conversion of the drive signal pattern data stored in the ROM, a voltage amplifier, a current amplifier, etc., and a drive waveform selection means that provides the drive waveform to the head driver. The print control unit 302 then generates a drive waveform consisting of one drive pulse (drive signal) or multiple drive pulses (drive signals) and outputs it to the head drive circuit 310.

The head drive circuit 310 selectively applies drive signals constituting a drive waveform provided by the print control unit 302 based on image data corresponding to one line of the recording head 34, which is serially input, to the drive elements of the recording head 34, thereby driving the recording head 34. Here, the drive elements are, for example, piezoelectric elements as described above, and generate energy to eject droplets from the recording head 34.

At this time, by selecting the drive pulses that make up the drive waveform, it is possible to print dots of different sizes, such as large droplets (large dots), medium droplets (medium dots), and small droplets (small dots).

Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a maintenance and recovery mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 6, the maintenance and recovery mechanism 81 includes a cap 82, a forward and backward mechanism 85 that can move the cap 82 up and down in the vertical direction, and a cleaning liquid storage tank 90 that surrounds the cap 82 and stores the cleaning liquid L.

The advance/retract mechanism 85 is, for example, a cam mechanism, which moves the cap 82 up and down to cap or decap the nozzle surface of the recording head 34 mounted on the carriage 33. Note that FIG. 6 shows the state in which the nozzle surface of the recording head 34 is capped by the cap 82.

The cleaning liquid storage tank 90 is used to immerse the cap 82 in the cleaning liquid L stored inside, thereby removing dirt (ink, etc.) from the cap 82. Therefore, it is desirable that the interior of the cleaning liquid storage tank 90 has a size (capacity) large enough that the entire cap 82 is immersed in the stored cleaning liquid L when the cap 82 moves downward.

A liquid supply port 90a is formed on the side of the cleaning liquid storage tank 90, and a liquid supply path 92 is provided that communicates with the cleaning liquid storage tank 90 via the liquid supply port 90a. In addition, a waste liquid port 90b is formed on the bottom of the cleaning liquid storage tank 90, and a waste liquid path 93 is provided that communicates with the cleaning liquid storage tank 90 via the waste liquid port 90b.

It is desirable that the cleaning liquid storage tank 90 has a liquid supply port 90a positioned higher than the waste liquid port 90b in the vertical direction, and that the cross-sectional shape in the vertical direction is a funnel shape whose diameter gradually decreases toward the waste liquid port 90b.

The liquid supply path 92 is connected to a cleaning liquid tank 110 that stores cleaning liquid L, and can send cleaning liquid L into the cleaning liquid storage tank 90 via a cleaning liquid supply pump 112. The waste liquid path 93 is connected to a waste cleaning liquid tank 114 that stores used cleaning liquid L, and can discharge the cleaning liquid from inside the cleaning liquid storage tank 90 via an opening/closing valve 116.

The cleaning liquid delivery pump 112 and the on-off valve 116 are driven by the main control unit 301.

Since the maintenance and recovery mechanism 81 of this embodiment is configured as described above, the cap 82 can be immersed in a cleaning solution during decap, and dirt (ink, etc.) on the cap 82 can be removed. Note that while the cap 82 is immersed in the cleaning solution, the advancing and retreating mechanism 85 may be used to move (swing) the cap 82 up and down.

However, if ink that has adhered to the cap 82 or the like hardens and dries (sticks), it is often the case that only a portion of it can be removed by immersing it in cleaning liquid L. For this reason, users sometimes use, for example, a cleaning stick to rub and remove the stuck ink.

However, stopping the device main body 1 with the recording head 34 retracted from the cap 82 and then cleaning the cap 82 was a cumbersome task for the user.

Therefore, the inkjet recording device 100 of this embodiment is equipped with a maintenance mode (cleaning mode) to allow the user to easily and effectively clean the cap.

Figure 7 is a flowchart showing a series of operations in the maintenance mode according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figures 8 to 12 are schematic diagrams showing operations in the maintenance mode. The maintenance mode will be explained with reference to these flowcharts and figures.

First, in step S01, when the user inputs a command to "start cap cleaning" to the inkjet recording device 100, the main control unit 301 of the inkjet recording device 100 transitions to a maintenance mode state.

Note that the user can input instructions, for example, using the notification unit 5, OK button 13, and cancel button 14 provided on the device main body 1 (see Figure 1).

Next, in step S02, the main control unit 301 drives the cleaning liquid delivery pump 112 (closing the on-off valve 116) to deliver the cleaning liquid L from the cleaning liquid tank 110 to the cleaning liquid storage tank 90. This causes the cleaning liquid L to be stored in the cleaning liquid storage tank 90 (see step S02 in FIG. 8).

Next, in step S03, the main control unit 301 drives the moving mechanism to raise the carriage 33, and drives the advance/retract mechanism 85 to lower the cap 82 and decapp the nozzle surface of the recording head 34. At this time, the cap 82 is immersed in the cleaning liquid L in the cleaning liquid storage tank 90 (see step S03 in FIG. 8).

Next, in step S04, the main control unit 301 drives the movement mechanism to move the carriage 33 (recording head 34) away from above the cap 82 (see step S04 in Figure 8).

Then, the process proceeds to step S05, where the main control unit 301 determines whether the cap 82 is in a position (retracted position) where it does not overlap at least a portion of the carriage 33 (recording head 34) in the liquid ejection direction of the recording head 34. If the cap 82 has not reached the predetermined retracted position (NO), the main control unit 301 continues to move the carriage 33 (recording head 34).

On the other hand, if the robot has arrived at the designated evacuation position (YES), the process proceeds to step S06. In step S06, the main control unit 301 displays a message on the notification unit 5 indicating that cleaning is possible (see FIG. 9). The notification unit 5 may also emit a sound to alert the user.

Then, the process proceeds to step S07, where the main control unit 301 determines whether the user has input a command to "cleaning complete." If the command to "cleaning complete" has not been input (if NO), the main control unit 301 continues to wait. During this time, the user can use a cleaning tool such as the cleaning stick 120 to scrub (clean) any ink or other substances that have adhered to the cap 82 (see FIG. 10).

Here, as shown in FIG. 11, the main control unit 301 may move the carriage 33 (recording head 34) to a position where it does not overlap at least a portion of the cap 82 in the liquid ejection direction of the recording head 34.

On the other hand, if the user who has completed cleaning inputs the instruction "cleaning completed" (YES), the process proceeds to step S08. In step S08, the main control unit 301 opens the on-off valve 116 and discharges the used cleaning liquid L from the cleaning liquid storage tank 90 to the waste cleaning liquid tank 114 (see FIG. 12, step S08).

At that time, it is desirable for the main control unit 301 to send new cleaning liquid L to the cleaning liquid storage tank 90 to wash away residual matter such as solidified ink. In this way, the cleaning liquid storage tank 90 can be emptied while being cleaned.

Next, in step S09, the main control unit 301 uses the movement mechanism and the advance/retract mechanism 85 to move the carriage 33 (recording head 34) above the cap 82 and raises the cap 82 to cap the nozzle surface of the recording head 34 (see step S09 in FIG. 12).

Next, in step S10, the main control unit 301 drives the suction pump 22, wiper blade 83, etc. to perform head cleaning, such as head suction and cleaning of the head surface. Then, the process proceeds to step S11, where the main control unit 301 transitions from the maintenance mode to the normal standby state and ends the cap cleaning.

In this way, the inkjet recording device 100 of this embodiment has a maintenance mode in which the cap 82 is immersed in cleaning liquid L and the carriage 33 (recording head 34) is moved to a position that does not overlap at least a portion of the cap 82 in the liquid ejection direction (vertical direction). In other words, since the cap 82 is exposed in the maintenance mode, the cap 82 can be rubbed with a cleaning tool without interfering with other components (particularly the carriage 33 and the recording head 34). Therefore, the cap 82 can be easily and effectively cleaned, improving cleanability.

Next, we will explain the advantageous configurations of the present invention.

Figure 13 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of a cleaning liquid storage tank according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 13, it is desirable that the center line la of the liquid supply port 90a of the cleaning liquid storage tank 90 is in a twisted position with respect to the center line lb of the waste liquid port 90b. With this configuration, the cleaning liquid L sent from the liquid supply port 90a swirls inside the cleaning liquid storage tank 90 and is then wasted, effectively washing away residues such as solidified ink that are generated during cleaning.

It is also desirable that the diameter of the waste liquid port 90b is at least larger than the diameter of the liquid supply port 90a. This helps prevent clogging due to residue when the liquid is discharged.

Next, we provide clear definitions of the terms used in this application.

A "liquid ejection device" is a device that has a liquid ejection head or a liquid ejection unit, and ejects liquid by driving the liquid ejection head. Devices that eject liquid include not only devices that can eject liquid onto objects to which the liquid can adhere, but also devices that eject liquid into air or liquid.

This "liquid ejection device" can also include means for feeding, transporting, and discharging items onto which liquid can be attached, as well as pre-processing devices and post-processing devices.

Examples of "liquid ejection devices" include image forming devices that eject ink to form an image on paper, and three-dimensional modeling devices that eject modeling liquid onto a powder layer formed from powder in order to create a three-dimensional object.

Furthermore, a "liquid ejection device" is not limited to devices that use ejected liquid to visualize meaningful images such as letters and figures. For example, it also includes devices that form patterns that have no meaning in themselves, and devices that create three-dimensional images.

The above phrase "something to which liquid can adhere" refers to something to which liquid can adhere at least temporarily, and to which the liquid adheres and sticks, or adheres and penetrates. Specific examples include media such as paper, recording paper, film, and cloth, electronic circuit boards, electronic components such as piezoelectric elements, powder layers, organ models, and testing cells, and unless otherwise specified, includes all things to which liquid can adhere.

The above-mentioned "materials to which liquid can adhere" include paper, thread, fiber, cloth, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics, building materials such as wallpaper and flooring, and textiles for clothing, as long as the liquid can adhere even temporarily.

The "liquid" may be any liquid having a viscosity and surface tension that allows it to be discharged from the head, and is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the viscosity is 30 mPa·s or less at room temperature and pressure, or by heating or cooling. More specifically, it is a solution, suspension, emulsion, etc. that contains a solvent such as water or an organic solvent, a colorant such as a dye or pigment, a functionalizing material such as a polymerizable compound, a resin, or a surfactant, a biocompatible material such as DNA, amino acids, proteins, or calcium, an edible material such as a natural dye, etc. These can be used, for example, in applications such as inkjet ink, surface treatment liquid, a liquid for forming a component of an electronic element or a light-emitting element, an electronic circuit resist pattern, and a material liquid for three-dimensional modeling.

In addition, the term "liquid ejection device" includes devices in which a liquid ejection head and an object to which liquid can be attached move relatively, but is not limited to this. Specific examples include serial type devices in which the liquid ejection head moves, and line type devices in which the liquid ejection head does not move.

Other examples of "liquid ejection devices" include treatment liquid application devices that eject treatment liquid onto paper to apply the treatment liquid to the surface of the paper for purposes such as modifying the surface of the paper. There are also jet granulation devices that eject a composition liquid in which raw materials are dispersed through a nozzle to granulate the raw material into fine particles.

A "liquid ejection unit" is a collection of components related to ejecting liquid, integrating functional parts and mechanisms with a liquid ejection head. For example, a "liquid ejection unit" includes a combination of at least one of the following components with a liquid ejection head: a head tank, a carriage, a supply mechanism, a maintenance and recovery mechanism, and a main scanning movement mechanism.

Here, integration includes, for example, the liquid ejection head, functional parts, and mechanism being fixed to each other by fastening, bonding, engagement, etc., and one being held movably relative to the other. The liquid ejection head, functional parts, and mechanism may also be configured to be detachable from each other.

The main scanning movement mechanism includes the guide member alone. The supply mechanism also includes the tube alone and the loading section alone.

A "liquid ejection head" is a functional device that ejects and sprays liquid from a nozzle. Energy sources that eject liquid include piezoelectric actuators (laminated piezoelectric elements or thin-film piezoelectric elements), thermal actuators that use electrothermal conversion elements such as heating resistors, and electrostatic actuators that consist of a vibration plate and an opposing electrode.

In this specification, "paper" does not mean the material to be paper, but includes overhead projectors, cloth, glass, substrates, etc., and means anything onto which ink droplets or other liquids can be attached, including things called recording media, recording media, recording paper, and recording paper. In addition, image formation, recording, printing, copying, and printing are all synonymous terms.

Unless otherwise specified, "ink" is used as a general term for all liquids capable of forming images, including not only those called ink, but also those called recording liquid, fixing treatment liquid, liquid, etc., and also includes, for example, DNA samples, resists, pattern materials, resins, etc.

"Image" does not only refer to flat objects, but also includes images attached to objects formed in a three-dimensional form, and images formed by modeling the object itself in three dimensions.

The present invention has been described in detail above using an embodiment. This embodiment is merely an example, and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, multiple embodiments may be combined with each other.

1 Device body 2 Paper feed tray 3 Paper output tray 4 Cartridge loading section 5 Notification section 10 Ink cartridge 12 Power button 13 OK button (paper feed/print resume button)
14 Cancel button 21 Frame 21A, 21B Side plate 22 Suction pump 23 Waste liquid tank 24 Liquid supply pump 31 Guide rod 32 Stay 33 Carriage 34 Recording head 35 Head tank 36 Ink supply tube 41 Paper stacking section 42 Paper 43 Paper feed roller 44 Separation pad 45 Guide member 46 Counter roller 47 Transport guide member 48 Pressing member 49 Tip pressure roller 51 Transport belt 52 Transport roller 53 Tension roller 56 Charging roller 57 Guide member 61 Separation claw 62 Paper discharge roller 63 Paper discharge roller 71 Double-sided unit 72 Manual feed tray 81 Maintenance recovery mechanism 82 Cap 83 Wiper blade 84, 88 Empty discharge receiver 85 Advance/retract mechanism 89 Opening 90 Cleaning liquid storage tank 90a Liquid supply port 90b Waste liquid port 92 Liquid supply path 93 Waste liquid path 100 Inkjet recording device 110 Cleaning liquid tank 112 Cleaning liquid supply pump 114 Waste cleaning liquid tank 116 Opening and closing valve 120 Clean stick 300 Communication circuit 301 Main control unit 302 Print control unit 303 Main scanning motor drive circuit 304 Sub-scanning motor drive circuit 305 Carriage position detection circuit 306 Transport amount detection circuit 307 Paper feed roller drive circuit 308 Maintenance and recovery mechanism drive motor drive circuit 310 Head drive circuit 311 Supply pump drive circuit 313 Environment sensor 314 Cartridge communication circuit 316 Non-volatile memory L Cleaning liquid

JP 2016-2721 A JP 2019-104124 A

Claims (10)

a liquid ejection head having a nozzle for ejecting liquid;
a moving mechanism for moving the liquid ejection head;
a cap for capping a nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head;
an advance/retract mechanism that moves the cap to contact or separate from the nozzle surface;
a cleaning liquid storage tank that surrounds the cap and stores a cleaning liquid therein, and immerses the cap in the cleaning liquid;
The cap is immersed in the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid storage tank,
a liquid ejection apparatus for moving the liquid ejection head to a position where the liquid ejection head does not overlap with at least a part of the cap in a liquid ejection direction of the liquid ejection head,
a liquid delivery path that communicates with a cleaning liquid tank storing the cleaning liquid through a liquid delivery port formed in the cleaning liquid storage tank and delivers the cleaning liquid into the cleaning liquid storage tank;
a waste liquid passage communicating with the cleaning liquid storage tank via a waste liquid port formed in the cleaning liquid storage tank, for discharging the used cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid storage tank to a waste cleaning liquid tank for storing the used cleaning liquid;
A liquid ejection device comprising: a liquid ejection head having a nozzle for ejecting liquid;
a moving mechanism for moving the liquid ejection head;
a cap for capping a nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head;
an advance/retract mechanism that moves the cap to contact or separate from the nozzle surface;
a cleaning liquid storage tank that surrounds the cap and stores a cleaning liquid therein, and immerses the cap in the cleaning liquid;
a cleaning liquid tank for storing cleaning liquid for cleaning a liquid discharged from above the cap;
a liquid delivery path that communicates with a cleaning liquid tank storing the cleaning liquid through a liquid delivery port formed in the cleaning liquid storage tank and delivers the cleaning liquid into the cleaning liquid storage tank;
a waste liquid passage communicating with the cleaning liquid storage tank via a waste liquid port formed in the cleaning liquid storage tank, for discharging the used cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid storage tank to a waste cleaning liquid tank for storing the used cleaning liquid;
A liquid ejection device comprising: The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid storage tank is discharged, new cleaning liquid is sent from the liquid sending port. The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cleaning liquid storage tank has a vertical cross-sectional shape that is funnel-shaped and gradually narrows toward the waste liquid outlet. The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cleaning liquid storage tank, the liquid delivery port, and the waste liquid port are configured so that the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid storage tank swirls and is discharged. The liquid supply port is disposed above the waste liquid port in a vertical direction,
6. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein a center line of the liquid supply port is skewed with respect to a center line of the liquid waste port. The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the diameter of the waste liquid port is at least larger than the diameter of the liquid delivery port. a liquid ejection head having a nozzle for ejecting liquid;
a moving mechanism for moving the liquid ejection head;
a cap for capping a nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head;
an advance/retract mechanism that moves the cap to contact or separate from the nozzle surface;
a cleaning liquid storage tank that surrounds the cap and stores a cleaning liquid therein, and immerses the cap in the cleaning liquid;
The cap is immersed in the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid storage tank,
a liquid ejection apparatus for moving the liquid ejection head to a position where the liquid ejection head does not overlap with at least a part of the cap in a liquid ejection direction of the liquid ejection head,
A notification unit that issues a sensory signal to a user,
When the cap is immersed in the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid storage tank and is arranged so as not to overlap with the liquid ejection direction of the liquid ejection head, or
When the liquid ejection head is retracted from above the cap,
A liquid ejection device that notifies the user that cleaning is possible. a liquid ejection head having a nozzle for ejecting liquid;
a moving mechanism for moving the liquid ejection head;
a cap for capping a nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head;
an advance/retract mechanism that moves the cap to contact or separate from the nozzle surface;
a cleaning liquid storage tank that surrounds the cap and stores a cleaning liquid therein, and immerses the cap in the cleaning liquid;
a cleaning liquid tank for storing cleaning liquid for cleaning a liquid discharged from above the cap;
A notification unit that issues a sensory signal to a user,
When the cap is immersed in the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid storage tank and is arranged so as not to overlap with the liquid ejection direction of the liquid ejection head, or
When the liquid ejection head is retracted from above the cap,
A liquid ejection device that notifies a user that cleaning is possible. The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the cap and the liquid ejection head do not overlap in the liquid ejection direction of the liquid ejection head.

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