JPH04115953A - Ink jet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To periodically replace a cleaning member by providing a second cleaning unit holding mechanism for holding a cleaning unit on a predetermined position on a printer body side when a carriage is traveled. CONSTITUTION:When the state comes to a printing action, a cap 17 is retracted from a nozzle surface 2a, and a carriage 14 moves toward a platen 16 along guide shafts 15. Then, a case 7 of a cleaning unit 6 abuts against a side wall of a recessed part 12a, a first permanent magnet 4 and a first magnetic body 9 are slipped aside, and the cleaning unit 6 is separated from an ink cartridge 1. After that, a second magnetic body 10 is attracted by a second permanent magnet 13, and the cleaning unit 6 is held in the recessed part 12a of a holder 12 by the attracting force of the second permanent magnet 13. During the movement of the carriage 14, a nozzle surface 2a is cleaned by being wiped with the the top end of a cleaning member 8 provided in the cleaning unit 6.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an inkjet printer, and more specifically to a cleaning means for removing paper scraps, dust, ink residue, etc. attached to the nozzle surface of an inkjet head. It is something.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, as a cleaning means for removing paper scraps, dust, residual ink, etc. adhering to the nozzle surface of an inkjet head, a cleaning member such as an ink absorber is fixed to the printer body and the head is moved. When cleaning, there is a cleaning member that is used to trace the nozzle surface of the head and wipe off any dirt on the nozzle surface.

Furthermore, as a cleaning means, one has been proposed in which a cleaning member is removably attached to the printer main body via a holder so that the cleaning member can be replaced (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 113553/1983).

[Problems to be Solved] However, when the cleaning member is fixed to the printer body side, ink residue and dust adhere to the cleaning member each time it is cleaned, and when used for a long period of time, the nozzle surface of the head is damaged. There was a problem with the cleaning material getting dirty.

In addition, the cleaning member that has a replaceable cleaning member can be replaced when the cleaning member becomes dirty with ink residue or dust. It will get dirty.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet printer in which the cleaning member can be replaced periodically.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an inkjet printer in which an ink cartridge is removably provided on a carriage on which the head is mounted, and which cleans the nozzle surface of the head. a first cleaning unit holding mechanism that holds the cleaning unit to the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is attached or removed; and a first cleaning unit holding mechanism that holds the cleaning unit at a predetermined position on the printer body side when the carriage is moved. and a second cleaning unit holding mechanism.

[Function] When the ink cartridge is attached to or removed from the carriage, the cleaning unit is held by the ink cartridge by the first cleaning unit holding mechanism, and the cleaning unit is attached or detached together with the ink cartridge. The cleaning member can be replaced at any time. Also, when the carriage moves during printing, etc., the second cleaning unit holding mechanism holds the cleaning unit at a predetermined position on the printer body side, and the cleaning member of the cleaning unit traces the nozzle surface of the head, The nozzle surface will be cleaned.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In Figures 3 and 4, the ink cartridge 1 has a septum part 3 connected to the head block 2 (see Figures 1 and 2).
It has a hook shape and protrudes forward right from the septum part 3. That is, the ink cartridge 1 extends to the right side from the septum portion 3 and projects forward thereafter, and the length of this projecting portion 1a is approximately equal to the length of the head block 2 attached to the left front portion of the carriage 14. .

On the front surface 1b of the protruding portion 1a, protruding plates 1c are integrally formed on both upper and lower sides at a predetermined interval, and a first permanent magnet 4 is attached to the front surface of the protruding plate 1C.

The magnetic attraction surface of the first permanent magnet 4 is parallel to the moving direction of the carriage 14 (left-right direction in FIGS. 1 and 2).

There is nothing between the upper and lower protruding plates 1c, so objects can move in the left and right directions.

The cleaning unit 6 has a box-shaped case 7 and a cleaning member 8 housed in the case 7. The cleaning member 8 is made of a porous material such as sponge or felt, can absorb ink, and can be bent and deformed. This cleaning member 8 is bonded to the back surface of the case 7, and a portion thereof protrudes from the case, and its tip surface is approximately arcuate in the width direction. Further, the cleaning member 8 is narrower than the case 7, and can be bent and deformed within the case. On the front of the case 7, there are first holes on the upper and lower edges.
A magnetic body 9 is attached. The first magnetic body 9 faces the aforementioned first permanent magnet 4 and is attracted to the first permanent magnet 4.
The permanent magnet 4 constitutes a first cleaning unit holding mechanism.

A second magnetic body 10 is attached to the rear surface of the case 7.

On the other hand, the frame of the printer body (not shown) has a first
．． 2.6.7 Recess 1 that can accommodate case 7 as shown
The holder 12 with 2a is attached. Recess 12
The size of a is slightly larger than the size of the case 7, and when the case 7 is housed in the recess 12a, the case 7 is held so as not to be movable in the movement direction of the carriage nozzle 14. A second permanent magnet 13 is attached to the bottom of the recess 12a, and the second permanent magnet 13 is attached to the second magnetic body 1 when the case 7 is housed in the recess 12a.
0, and the second magnetic body 10 and the side wall of the recess 12a constitute a second cleaning unit holding mechanism. The attraction force of the second permanent magnet 13 is smaller than the attraction force of the first permanent magnet 4. Further, as will be described later, when the cleaning unit 6 or the first permanent magnet 4 is attracted to the home position, a slight gap may be created between the second magnetic body 10 and the second permanent magnet 13. It has become so. A sixth.
7, a tapered surface 12b is formed, and the case 7 can be easily accommodated in the recess 12a by this tapered surface 12b.

Next, the effect will be explained.

1.6 When the carriage 14 is at the home position as shown in the figure, the first magnetic body 9 of the cleaning unit 6 is attracted to the first permanent magnet 4, and the cleaning unit 6 is held in the ink cartridge 1. In this state, the ink cartridge 1 is inserted from the rear (in the direction of the arrow) along an unillustrated guide on the carriage 14 and mounted on the carriage. When ink cartridge 1 is installed,
A needle (not shown) of the head block 2 is inserted into the septum portion 3 and coupled to the ink cartridge 1 or the head block 2 so as to be able to supply ink, and the cleaning unit 6 is inserted into the recess 12a of the holder 12.

Next, when the printing operation starts, the cap 17 is retracted from the nozzle surface 2a, and is guided by the carriage 14 or the guide shaft 15 to move toward the platen 16 as shown in the second figure. Then, the case 7 of the cleaning unit 6 comes into contact with the side wall of the recess 12a, and the first permanent magnet 4 and the first magnetic body 9 slide sideways, and the cleaning unit 6 separates from the ink cartridge 1. The magnetic body 10 is attracted to the second permanent magnet 13, and the cleaning unit 6 is held in the recess 12a of the holder 12 by the attraction force of the second permanent magnet 13 (FIG. 7). Then, as shown in the second figure, while the carriage 14 is moving, the tip of the cleaning member 8 of the cleaning unit 6 traces the nozzle surface 2a,
Cleaning of the nozzle surface 2a is also performed. At this time, the nozzle surface 2a is brought into contact with the cleaning member 8 by the arcuate surface of the tip of the cleaning member 8 without getting caught, and the cleaning member 8 is bent and deformed in the moving direction of the nozzle surface 2a within the case due to the contact with the nozzle surface 2a. However, no unreasonable force is applied to the nozzle surface 2a.

After that, the carriage 14 reaches a predetermined printing position, and in response to the printing signal, ink is ejected from the nozzle surface 2a and the platen 1
Printing is performed on a recording paper (not shown) that is being conveyed on the surface of 6.

Next, when the printing operation is completed and the carriage 14 returns to the home position, the cleaning member 8 of the cleaning unit traces the nozzle surface 2a again on the way.
Cleaning of the nozzle surface 2a is performed. The carriage 14 then stops at the home position shown in FIG. At this time, a slight gap is created between the first permanent magnet 4 and the first magnetic body 9 due to the attraction force of the second permanent magnet 13, and the first permanent magnet 4 is attached to the first magnetic body 9. It reaches the front part of the first magnetic body 9 without colliding with the first magnetic body 9. When the first permanent magnet 4 reaches this position, the first magnetic body 9 is attracted to the first permanent magnet 4 against the attraction force of the second permanent magnet 13, and the cleaning unit 7 is ink-free. It is held in the cartridge 1.

When moving to the printing operation again, the cleaning member 8 cleans the nozzle surface 2a when the carriage 14 moves to the printing position and returns to the home position in the same manner as described above.
Cleaning is done.

Next, when the ink cartridge 1 runs out of ink and the ink cartridge 1 is to be replaced, the ink cartridge 1 is pulled out from the carriage 14 at the home position. Then, from the septum part 3 to the head block 2
When the needle (not shown) is pulled out, the cleaning unit 6 or ink cartridge 1 is held by the attraction force of the first permanent magnet 4 and is pulled out. Therefore, a new ink cartridge 1. Then, the new cleaning unit 6 held in the new ink cartridge 1 is inserted and installed from the rear of the carriage 14 as shown in the first figure. Then, as described above, the ink cartridge 1 is coupled to the head block 2, and at the same time, the cleaning unit 6 is inserted into the recess 12a of the holder 12, and when the carriage 14 is moved in the same manner as described above, the cleaning member 8 cleans the nozzles. Cleaning of surface 2a is also performed.

Therefore, the cleaning unit 6 can be replaced periodically when ink is replenished when the ink cartridge 1 is installed or removed, and there is no problem such as the nozzle surface 2a getting dirty due to a delay in replacing the cleaning member 8.

Note that in this embodiment, the first permanent magnet 4 and the first magnetic body 9
The magnetic attraction surface between the carriage 14 is parallel to the moving direction of the carriage 14, or
If it does not move to the left side of the figure, move the magnetic attraction surface to carriage 1.
It may be a slope inclined with respect to the moving direction of the protrusion plate IC 4, or there may be a step between the protrusion plate IC and the cleaning unit 6.

Further, in this embodiment, the head block 2 is moved to the carriage 14.
The ink cartridge 1 is attached to the right side of the head block 2 in FIG.
The ink cartridge 1 may be arranged on the left side of the head block 2 in FIG. In this case, if cleaning is to be performed before printing, the carriage 14 is first moved to the left in Figure 1 from the home position to clean the nozzle surface 2a, and then the carriage is moved to the printing position. That's fine. Further, when cleaning is to be performed after the printing operation is completed, the carriage 14 is moved to the home position, further moved to the left in FIG. 1 by a predetermined distance to clean the nozzle surface 2a, and then returned to the home position. good.

In this case, the cleaning of the nozzle surface 2a may be performed only when leaving or returning from the home position.

In addition, in this embodiment, the first permanent magnet 4 is provided on the ink cartridge 1 side, the first magnetic body 9 is provided on the cleaning unit 6 side, and the second magnetic body 10 is provided on the cleaning unit 6 side. Second permanent magnet 1 on the 12 side
3, the first cleaning unit holding mechanism,
In the second cleaning unit holding mechanism, either side may be a permanent magnet, or both sides may be permanent magnets so that the permanent magnets attract each other.

Furthermore, if a tapered surface 901a is formed at the end of the first magnetic body 901 as shown in FIG.
The cleaning unit 6 can be attached and detached smoothly.

Further, only in this case, if the end of the first permanent magnet 4 is formed into a tapered shape, or both the end of the first magnetic body and the end of the first permanent magnet 4 are formed into a tapered shape. Alternatively, the same effect can be obtained in this case as well.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In FIG. 8, a protrusion plate 21c provided at a predetermined width on the front surface of the ink cartridge 21 has a groove 21 inside.
d is carved, and furthermore, a protrusion 21e is formed at the front of the groove 21d. Correspondingly, a groove 27a and a protrusion 27b are formed on the outer periphery of the upper and lower ends of the front part of the case 27 of the cleaning unit 26, respectively. The protrusion 21e and the protrusion 27b each have a groove 27a.
as well as! It is slightly smaller than the width of 21d, and is adapted to fit therewith. The fitting of these protrusions and grooves constitutes a first cleaning unit holding mechanism. The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, so their explanation will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the protrusion 27b and groove 27a of the cleaning unit 26 are fitted into the groove 21d and the protrusion 21e of the ink cartridge 21, respectively, and the cleaning unit 26 is held in the ink cartridge 21. The case 27 of the cleaning unit 26 is inserted into the recess 12a of the holder 12 with the ink cartridge attached thereto. Then, when the printing operation starts and the carriage 14 moves, the case 27 of the cleaning unit 26 comes into contact with the side wall of the recess 12a, causing the groove 21d to engage with the protrusion 27b and the protrusion 21e to disengage from the groove 27a. The cleaning unit 26 is separated from the ink cartridge 1,
Thereafter, the cleaning unit 26 is attracted to the second magnetic body 10 or the second permanent magnet 13 and is housed and held in the recess 12a by the attraction force of the second permanent magnet 13. Then, when the carriage 14 moves, the nozzle surface 2a is cleaned, printing is performed at the printing position, and when the carriage 14 returns to the home position, the groove 21d and the protrusion 21e of the protrusion plate 21c are cleaned again. It fits into the protrusion 27b and the groove 27a of the cleaning unit 26 from the lateral direction and engages with them.

Repeat the above operation, and when the ink runs out, move the ink cartridge 21 to the carriage 1 at the home position.
4, the cleaning unit 26 is held in the ink cartridge 21 by the engagement between the groove 21d and the protrusion 27b and the engagement between the protrusion 21e and the groove 27a. Therefore, in this embodiment as well, the cleaning unit 26 can be replaced periodically when ink is replenished when the ink cartridge 21 is installed or removed.

In this embodiment, grooves and protrusions are provided on both the ink cartridge 21 and the cleaning unit 26 to engage them, or grooves are provided only on one of them.
On the other hand, there may be only a protrusion that engages with the protrusion. In addition, in order to facilitate engagement between the ink cartridge 2 and the cleaning unit 26 when the carriage 14 returns to the home position, the ends of the grooves 21d and 27a are widened in a tapered shape, and the protrusions 27b and 21e are widened in a tapered shape. A third embodiment of the present invention will be described next.

In FIG. 9, a recess 32a is formed on the back surface of the holder 32, and a second permanent magnet 13 is placed inside this recess 32a.
An electromagnet 33 is arranged to attract it. This electromagnet 33
The attraction force of the first permanent magnet 4 is larger than that of the first permanent magnet 4. In addition, when the second permanent magnet 13 and the second magnetic body 10 are in contact with each other, the first permanent magnet 4 and the first magnetic body 9
A predetermined gap is created between the two. The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, so their explanation will be omitted.

In this embodiment, when the carriage 14 moves from the home position, the electromagnet 33 is energized, and the second magnetic body 10 of the cleaning unit 6 is strongly attracted to the electromagnet 33. Therefore, when the carriage 14 moves, a predetermined gap is created between the first magnetic body 9 and the first permanent magnet 4,
The carriage can be moved smoothly without resistance. While the printing operation is being performed, the electromagnet 33 is energized or stopped, and the cleaning unit 6 is held in the recess 32 of the holder 32 by the attraction force of the second permanent magnet 13.

Note that when the printing operation is completed and the carriage 14 returns to the home position, the electromagnet 33 is energized, and the first permanent magnet 4 is connected to the first magnetic body 9. If a predetermined amount of clearance is secured between the permanent magnet 4 and the first magnetic body 9 by the attraction force of the electromagnet 33 up to the front part of the carriage, the carriage can be moved without resistance when returning to the home position. Can move smoothly.

In this case, if the electromagnet 33 is de-energized when the first permanent magnet 4 reaches the front part of the first magnetic body 9, the first permanent magnet 4 can be connected to the first magnetic body 9 at the home position. is absorbed and the cleaning unit 6 is held in the ink cartridge 1.

Further, the electromagnet 33 may be continuously energized even while the carnon 14 is away from the home position. In this case, the second permanent magnet 13 can be omitted.

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 10, one end of a compression spring 41 is attached to the bottom of a case 47 of a cleaning unit 46. As shown in FIG. The other end of the compression spring 41 is attached to the support plate 48a of the cleaning member 48.

In this embodiment, when the carriage 14 moves and comes into contact with the cleaning member 48 of the cleaning unit 46 or the nozzle surface 2a of the head block 2, the nozzle surface 2a receives a predetermined pressing force or the pressing force exceeds a predetermined value. When this happens, the cleaning member 48 compresses the compression spring 41 and retreats, and no pressing force greater than a predetermined value is applied to the nozzle surface 2a.

FIG. 11 shows another configuration example in which a leaf spring 43 is provided which is curved over the vertical height width of the bottom surface of the halter 42, and the leaf spring 43 is curved between the case 427 of the cleaning unit 426 and the leaf spring 43.
It is transformed into a regression 5J Noh and Na). The plate spring 43 is integrally provided with a second plate spring 45 that curves inward from the deep part of the upper and lower inner wall surfaces of the holder 42.
The tip of 5 is an arcuate protrusion 45a. case 4
27 is formed with an arc-shaped recess 427a, and the arc-shaped protrusion 45a of the second plate spring 45 is formed in this arc-shaped recess 427a.
or the cleaning unit 426 or the holder 42
It is adapted to be accommodated and held in the recess 42a of the. Note that the first cleaning unit holding mechanism shown in FIG. 11 uses the second embodiment.

In this case, when the cleaning member 8 comes into contact with the nozzle surface 2a of the head block 2 and the pressing force of the nozzle surface 2a exceeds a predetermined value, the case 427 deforms the plate spring 43 and retreats, causing the cleaning member 8 to come into contact with the nozzle surface 2a. A pressing force exceeding a predetermined value will not be applied.

Next, a fifth embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 12, a projection 57a protrudes from the rear surface of the case 57 of the cleaning unit 56, and a hole 52a is provided on the bottom surface of the holder 52.
A switch 53 is provided at the back of the box.

In this embodiment, when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage, the case 5 is inserted into the recess 52 of the holder 52.
7 is inserted, the protrusion 57a turns on the switch 53, and it is detected whether the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage.

Next, a sixth embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 13, a single-shaped cleaning plate 68 is attached to a case 67 of a cleaning unit 66. The cleaning plate 68 is formed into a plate shape of rubber, synthetic resin, or the like, which has a predetermined elasticity but does not absorb ink. As in the first embodiment, a first magnetic material 69 is provided on the upper and lower edges of the front surface of the case 67, and
A second magnetic body 610 is attached to the rear surface.

In this embodiment, when the printing operation starts and the carriage 14 moves, the tip of the cleaning blade 68 or the nozzle surface 2a
The nozzle surface 2a is cleaned by contacting the surface of the nozzle surface 2a.

As shown in FIG. 14, if an ink absorber 608 made of sponge or the like is provided at a curved position of the blade tip at the upper and lower ends of the case 671, the ink liquid adhering to the tip of the cleaning plate 68 can be removed. The tip of the cleaning plate 68 can be kept clean at all times by absorbing it with the ink absorber 608.

Figures 13 and 14 all use one plate, or it is also possible to use a plurality of blades.

Next, a seventh embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 15, a cleaning member 78 that comes into contact with the nozzle surface 2a and rotates due to the frictional force with the nozzle surface 2a when the carriage 14 moves is supported in the case 77, and is located at the back of the cleaning roller 78. The blade 79 that contacts the surface of the cleaning roller 78 is the attachment. Note that the cleaning roller 78 may be made of a porous material such as a sponge.

In this embodiment, when the carriage 14 moves, the cleaning roller 73 comes into contact with the nozzle surface 2a and the nozzle surface 2a
A cleaning is performed.

At this time, the cleaning roller 78 rotates and escapes, and no undue force is generated on the nozzle surface 2a. Furthermore, the blade door 9 removes ink liquid and the like adhering to the cleaning roller 78, so that the surface of the cleaning roller 78 can always be kept clean.

Note that a plurality of cleaning rollers may be arranged in parallel, and the nozzle surface may be cleaned one after another by the plurality of cleaning rollers. As a result, cleaning can be carried out more thoroughly, and a large amount of ink or the like may adhere to the cleaning rollers located at the ends, thereby keeping the cleaning rollers located at the center in a clean state.

Further, as other embodiments of the cleaning member, a cleaning bat, a cleaning plate, a cleaning roller, etc. may be used in combination. As a result, the nozzle surfaces are cleaned by the cleaning members using different cleaning methods, so that the nozzle surfaces can be cleaned more thoroughly.

Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In FIGS. 16 and 17, a rotating shaft 89 to which a cleaning roller 88 is fixed is installed across the upper and lower plates of a case 87 of the cleaning unit, and a molded gear 81 is fixed to the upper part of the rotating shaft 89. Further, a pawl member 82 that engages with the mold gear 81 is attached to the case 87.

FIG. 18 shows a first configuration example of the shape of the mold gear 811 and the pawl member 821. The tooth surfaces extend outward from each other, and their angles are different. Therefore, the mold gear 811 is rotatable in both directions, and depending on the direction of rotation, the mold gear 811
The rotational resistance of the motor is designed to change.

In this case, the cleaning roller 88 or the nozzle surface 2a
When the cleaning roller 88 contacts and rotates, the rotational resistance of the cleaning roller 88 changes depending on the moving direction of the carriage 14, and the amount of rotation of the cleaning roller 88 changes depending on the moving direction of the carriage. Therefore, each time the carriage 14 repeats movement from the home position and return to the home position, the contact position of the cleaning roller 88 with the nozzle surface 2a changes, making the cleaning roller 88 effective over its entire circumference. Can be used.

FIG. 19 shows an example of a configuration in which the tooth surfaces extending in both directions from the apex of the type gear 812 are tilted in the same direction with respect to the line connecting the apex and the center of the rotating shaft 892, and the pawl member 8
22 has a shape corresponding to the shape of this tooth surface. Therefore, in FIG. 19, mold gear 812 can only rotate counterclockwise.

In this case, the cleaning roller 88 can only rotate in one direction, and rotates only when the carriage 14 moves from the home position or when it returns to the home position, and rotates only when the carriage 14 moves from the home position or returns to the home position. blocked. Therefore, in this case as well, the cleaning roller 88 can be effectively used over its entire circumference.

Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In FIG. 20, inside the case 97, a cleaning roller 98 is rotatably supported on a rotary shaft 99 that extends between the upper and lower plates of the case 97. A resistance member 91 having a shape of , which contacts the cleaning roller 98 with a predetermined arc width, is attached. The resistance member 91 is made of, for example, an elastic member such as a sponge, metal, or the like. A plurality of chevron-shaped portions 91a are formed on the arcuate surface of the resistance member 91, with side surfaces thereof extending in the rotational direction of the cleaning roller 98, and each side surface extending from the apex of the chevron-shaped portion 91a in the rotational direction. The slope is different. As a result, the rotational resistance of the cleaning roller 98 from the resistance member 91 changes depending on the direction of rotation of the cleaning roller 98.

Therefore, in this embodiment as well, when the carriage 14 moves, the rotational resistance of the cleaning roller 98 changes depending on the direction of movement.
can be used effectively throughout its entire circumference.

Note that the cleaning roller 98 may also be provided with a chevron shape corresponding to the chevron shape 91a.

[Effects] As explained above, in the present invention, when an ink cartridge is attached or detached, the first cleaning unit holding mechanism holds the cleaning unit or the ink cartridge, and the ink cartridge is attached and detached together with the ink cartridge. The cleaning member can be replaced regularly when replenishing ink, and there is no problem such as the nozzle surface becoming dirty due to a delay in replacing the cleaning member.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 7 show a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the main part, FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the main part showing the moving state of the carriage, and FIG. 3 is an ink cartridge. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a plan sectional view of a modified example of the cleaning unit, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the cleaning unit in the state shown in FIG. 1. Enlarged plan sectional view of the cleaning unit and its surroundings, No. 7
The figure is an enlarged plan sectional view of the cleaning unit and its surroundings in the state shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cleaning unit and its surroundings according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cleaning unit and its surroundings in the state of the third embodiment. 10.11 is a vertical sectional view of the cleaning unit and its surroundings in the fourth embodiment; FIG. 12 is a plan sectional view of the cleaning unit and its surroundings in the fifth embodiment; 1st
3.14 is a plan sectional view of the cleaning unit of the sixth embodiment, FIG. 15 is a plan sectional view of the cleaning unit of the seventh embodiment, and FIGS. 16 to 19 show the eighth embodiment.
The figure is a vertical sectional view of the cleaning unit, FIG. 17 is a plan sectional view of the cleaning unit, FIG. 18 is an enlarged plan sectional view of the main part showing the shape of the pawl gear, and FIG. 19 is the main part showing a modified example of the pawl gear. An enlarged plan sectional view, FIG. 20 is a plan sectional view of the cleaning unit of the ninth embodiment. 1.21... Ink cartridge, 2... Head block, 4.13,901... Permanent magnet, 6.26, 46, 66.426... Cleaning unit, 8.48.68, 78.88.98・・Cleaning member, 9.10,69,610・・Magnetic material, 12.32,4
2.52 - Holder 14 - Carriage, 21d, 27a - Groove, 21e, 27b - Projection, 33 - Electromagnet, 81.811,812 - Claw gear, 82.821,822 - Claw member , 91...Resistance member, 91a...Chevron shaped part. 6. 7 Rini, γ Uni, To14 ゛° Kimari, Iji Figure 3 1b 8 ・Uri-Kog Shofui 9.10...Ishigentosho 1m12・Ki 1 Misaki゛Figure 16 Figure 17 Figure 18 Figure 19 Figure 20 Figure 1a - Place the city on the elbow 1.

Claims (12)

[Claims] (1) In an inkjet printer in which an ink cartridge is removably provided on a carriage on which a head is mounted, a cleaning unit having a cleaning member that cleans the nozzle surface of the head; A first cleaning unit holding mechanism that holds the cleaning unit in the ink cartridge; and a second cleaning unit holding mechanism that holds the cleaning unit at a predetermined position on the printer main body side when the carriage moves. An inkjet printer featuring (2) In claim 1, the first cleaning unit holding mechanism includes a permanent magnet provided in one of the ink cartridge or the cleaning unit, and a magnetic material provided in the other, or a permanent magnet provided in the ink cartridge and the cleaning unit. An inkjet printer characterized by a magnetic adsorption mechanism with permanent magnets on both sides. (3) In claim 1, the first cleaning unit holding mechanism is provided with a protrusion on either the ink cartridge or the cleaning unit, and engages with the protrusion on the other to hold the cleaning unit in place of the ink. An inkjet printer characterized in that the cartridge is provided with a groove portion for holding the cartridge so as to be removable in the moving direction of the carriage. (4) In any one of claims 1 to 3, the second cleaning unit holding mechanism includes a set of wall members erected on the printer main body side with a width of the cleaning unit in the carriage movement direction. An inkjet printer characterized in that the cleaning unit is housed and held between the wall members so as not to be movable in the moving direction of the carriage. (5) In any one of claims 1 to 3, the second cleaning unit holding mechanism includes a set of wall members erected on the printer main body side with a width of the cleaning unit in the carriage movement direction; a magnetic adsorption mechanism provided between the rear surface of the cleaning unit and the bottom surface between the pair of wall members, and the cleaning unit is housed between the wall members so as to be immovable in the moving direction of the carriage. The inkjet printer is characterized in that the rear surface of the cleaning unit is held by the magnetic attraction mechanism and is magnetically attracted to the bottom surface between the pair of wall members to maintain the housing state of the cleaning unit between the wall members. . (6) In any one of claims 1 to 3, the second cleaning unit holding mechanism is provided with an electromagnetic mechanism on the printer main body side, and a magnetic body or a magnet is provided on the cleaning unit, and the electromagnetic mechanism An inkjet printer characterized in that the cleaning unit is held immovably in the moving direction of the carriage by an adsorption force of. (7) In claim 6, the first cleaning unit holding mechanism includes a permanent magnet provided in either the ink cartridge or the cleaning unit, and a magnetic material provided in the other, or a permanent magnet provided in the ink cartridge or the cleaning unit, or It is a magnetic attraction mechanism with permanent magnets provided on both sides, and the magnetic attraction surface is provided parallel to the moving direction of the carriage, and when the cleaning unit is attracted to the electromagnetic mechanism, the cleaning unit and the ink cartridge are attached. An inkjet printer characterized in that the position and attraction force of the electromagnet mechanism are determined so that the magnetic attraction surfaces between the two are separated. (8) In any one of claims 1 to 7, the second cleaning unit holding mechanism or the cleaning unit is provided with a cleaning member that prevents the cleaning member from applying an overload force to the nozzle surface of the head. An inkjet printer characterized by being equipped with a retraction mechanism. (9) In any one of claims 1 to 8, the cleaning member is a cleaning roller that rotates due to frictional force with the nozzle surface of the head when the carriage moves, and the cleaning member rotates when the carriage moves forward and backward. An inkjet printer characterized by variable rotational resistance. (10) In claim 9, the cleaning roller has a rotating shaft provided with a pawl gear whose tooth surface angles differ between normal rotation and reverse rotation, and a pawl member that engages with the pawl gear,
An inkjet printer characterized in that the rotational resistance of the cleaning roller changes when the carriage moves forward and back. (11) In claim 9, a chevron-shaped portion is provided around the surface of the cleaning roller, and each side surface of the chevron-shaped portion has a different shape, so that when the carriage moves forward and backward, An inkjet printer characterized in that the rotational resistance of the cleaning roller changes. (12) In claim 9, the cleaning unit is provided with a resistance member that comes into contact with the cleaning roller,
The resistance member is formed with a chevron-shaped portion with its side surface extending in the direction of rotation of the cleaning roller, and each side surface of the chevron-shaped portion has a different shape. An inkjet printer characterized in that the rotational resistance of the cleaning roller changes depending on when the cleaning roller is turned and when it returns.