JPH10151767A - Liquid-jet apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce both the total amount of cleaning water used when a cleaning means is cleaned and the total amount of waste water, in a liquid-jet apparatus using a liquid-jet head for jetting a liquid such as ink or the like. SOLUTION: The apparatus comprises a discharge passage 93 through which a used cleaning water 78 is discharged, a tube 79b between a cleaning member 70 and the discharge passage 93, a tube 79a between the discharge passage 93 and the cleaning member 70 and a second switch valve 92 for selectively discharging the used cleaning water 78 running in the tube 79b to the discharge passage 93 or tube 79a. The used cleaning water 78 is circulated among the cleaning member 70, tube 79a and tube 79b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus, and more particularly to a liquid ejecting apparatus using a liquid ejecting head for ejecting a liquid such as ink.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional liquid ejecting apparatus, there is an apparatus which performs recording by ejecting and discharging a liquid, or ejects and uses a special liquid. For example, an ink jet recording device is an example of this type of device. In general, the ejection unit that ejects and ejects a liquid is extremely small, so that a state in which a dye or a pigment mixed in the liquid is fixed or a foreign matter adheres to the ejection unit, resulting in poor ejection and recording. A recording failure may occur in the device. For this reason, there arises a problem that the jet liquid cannot be used efficiently. Usually, before these problems occur, at appropriate time intervals, forcibly discharging the liquid by suction, pressurization, or the like, which is known as recovery means, cleaning a predetermined discharge area of the discharge unit, It is conceivable to inject a gas or a liquid material into the discharge region of.

Further, there has been a liquid ejecting apparatus provided with cleaning means for cleaning the discharge area and purifying means for purifying the cleaning means.

[0004]

However, a liquid ejecting apparatus having a cleaning means for cleaning the liquid ejecting surface of the liquid ejecting head as described above and a purifying means for purifying the cleaning means, particularly this purifying means. In a liquid ejecting apparatus using cleaning water, if all of the cleaning water once used by the current purifying means is treated as waste liquid, the ratio of the cost including the waste liquid treatment to the running cost is large.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has an object to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus capable of reducing the total amount of washing water used for cleaning the cleaning means and simultaneously reducing the total amount of waste liquid. The purpose is to provide.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus according to the present invention, comprising: a liquid ejecting unit; and a cleaning unit that is cleaned by a predetermined cleaning liquid. In a liquid ejecting apparatus for cleaning a liquid ejecting surface of the liquid ejecting means, the predetermined cleaning liquid used by the cleaning means can be supplied to the cleaning means a plurality of times.

Here, a discharge path for discharging the used cleaning liquid, a first flow path between the cleaning means and the discharge path, and a second flow path between the discharge path and the cleaning means. And a selecting means for selectively discharging the used cleaning liquid flowing through the first flow path to either the discharge path or the second flow path. It can be circulated through the first flow path and the second flow path.

Here, the selecting means can perform a selecting operation in accordance with a predetermined number of circulations of the used cleaning liquid.

Here, the selecting means circulates the used washing liquid through the cleaning means and the first and second flow paths by the predetermined number of circulations based on time or flow rate. Can also.

Here, a detecting means for detecting whether the used washing liquid can be reused by the cleaning means is provided in the first flow path, and the selecting means performs a selecting operation in accordance with a detection result of the detecting means. You can also.

Here, the detecting means may be an optical sensor.

Here, the detecting means may be a PH sensor.

Here, the detecting means may be a specific resistance measuring device.

Here, a filter for filtering the used washing liquid may be provided upstream of the detecting means in the first flow path.

Here, the filter can remove foreign substances other than the dye.

[0016] Here, between the filter of the first flow path and the detecting means, a predetermined amount of an unused cleaning liquid is added to the used cleaning liquid from the outside according to the detection result of the detecting means. Means can also be provided.

Here, the predetermined amount may be an amount by which the used cleaning liquid can be reused when the unused cleaning liquid is added.

Further, the cleaning liquid may be cleaning water for purifying the cleaning means.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing the structure of a serial type ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. This apparatus has a cleaning water recycling mechanism for a wiping blade. In the following embodiments, examples in which the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention is applied to an ink jet recording apparatus will be described. This ink jet recording apparatus is a recording apparatus that performs predetermined recording on a recording medium such as paper, cloth, nonwoven fabric, and OHP paper.

In FIG. 1, a carriage 1 has color recording heads 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d corresponding to four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow and black.
The guide shaft 3 guides and supports the carriage 1 so as to be movable in the directions of arrows D ← → E.

A part of the endless belt 4 is connected to the carriage 1. Carriage 1
Is driven via a belt 4 by a drive motor 5 which is a pulse motor driven by a motor driver 23 so as to move on a guide shaft 3 along a recording surface of a recording paper 6 which is a recording medium such as paper. You. Further, a transport roller 7 for transporting the recording paper 6 in the F direction, guide rollers 8a and 8b for guiding the recording paper 6, and a recording paper transport motor 9 are provided.

Each of the recording heads 2a, 2b, 2c, 2
In d, a liquid path 10 for ejecting ink droplets toward the recording paper 6 is provided. To the liquid path 10, ink is supplied from ink tanks 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d corresponding to the respective recording heads 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d via supply tubes 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d. . With respect to the ejection energy generating means (not shown) provided in each liquid path 10, each head driver 24
Ink discharge signals are selectively supplied from a, 24b, 24c, and 24d via flexible cables 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d.

Further, each of the recording heads 2a, 2b, 2c,
2d includes head heaters 14a, 14b, 14 respectively.
c, 14d (14b, 14c, 14d are not shown) and temperature detecting means 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d (15b,
15c and 15d are not shown). Detection signals from the temperature detection means 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d are input to a control circuit 16 having a CPU, and the control circuit 16 sends a signal to the head heaters 14a, 14b, 14c,
Control heating by 14d.

The capping means 20 comes into contact with the ejection opening surfaces of the recording heads 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d during non-recording, and the recording heads 2a, 2b, 2d during non-recording.
2c and 2d move to a position facing the capping means 20. At this time, the capping means 20 is driven forward by the cap driver 25 to perform capping by pressing the elastic member 44 against the discharge port surface.

When the recording heads 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are left in the air for a long time, the ink in the nozzles evaporates and thickens, and the ejection becomes unstable. To prevent this, during non-printing, the nozzle portion is sealed off (capping) by blocking it from the outside air. Inside the cap, there is an ink absorber kept wet with ink, and the inside of the cap is maintained at a high humidity to minimize the viscosity of the ink.

In addition, when left in the capping state for a long time, recovery by ink processing is also performed. In other words, when the ink is left for a long time, the ink in the nozzles evaporates to increase the viscosity, though slowly, even if capping is performed. It is not unusual for bubbles to remain inside the nozzle and hinder stable ejection. Therefore, at the start of printing, the pump provided in the ink tank is driven to pressurize the ink, and the thickened ink and the residual air bubbles inside the nozzle are discharged out of the nozzle. Accordingly, even if dust or fluff adheres to the nozzle surface or dust or the like enters the nozzle, there is also an effect of washing out the dust and maintaining stable ejection.

The clogging prevention means 31 includes the recording head 2
a, 2b, 2c, and 2d receive the ink ejected when performing the idle ejection operation. The clogging prevention means 31 faces the recording heads 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d,
A liquid receiving member 32 is provided as a liquid receiving portion that absorbs the ink that has been ejected in an idle state, and is disposed between the capping unit 20 and the recording start position. In addition, as a material of the liquid receiving member 32 and the liquid holding member 45, a sponge-like porous member, a plastic sintered body, or the like is effective.

It should be noted that idle discharge is to discharge ink without the purpose of recording, and is performed in order to guarantee the temperature of the region where the temperature has been lowered by the liquid jet flow and the gas jet flow, and to eliminate unnecessary substances in the jet ports. . In addition, a predetermined drive pulse is given before the start of printing to cause ink ejection from all nozzles toward the cap portion and the like (aging operation). In order to enhance the wet state of the atmosphere around the nozzle, capping may be performed to perform idle discharge.

A cleaning electromagnetic valve 51 and a suction pump / driver 52 are connected to the cleaning means 50.
Under the control by 6, the cleaning liquid is ejected from the wiping / cleaning means 53 and the cleaning liquid is suctioned from the cleaning means 50.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a recording head as a configuration example of the liquid jet head of the apparatus of the present invention.

Reference numeral 2 denotes an ejection type recording head, and reference numeral 22 denotes a discharge surface thereof. Reference numeral 101a denotes a nozzle portion in which a plurality of liquid flow paths are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction with respect to the discharge surface 22, and is provided with a discharge energy generating element such as an electrothermal converter. 101
b denotes an ink chamber for supplying ink to each liquid flow path in common, and the ink tank 1 is supplied through supply pipes 103 and 104.
1 is connected. A gear pump 105 is provided in one of the supply pipes 104, and is supplied to the recording head 2 during ejection recovery processing such as removal processing of bubbles and dust mixed in the supply path and the nozzle 101a and removal processing of thickened ink. The ink is pressure-fed to the ink supply system, and the ink is discharged from the discharge port.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration example when the cleaning member 70 of the cleaning means 50 and the recording head 2 are viewed from above.

The cleaning member 70 is made of a porous material having flexibility. As a material of the cleaning member 70, a polymer porous body can be used, and when a polymer porous body is used,
Like a polymer foam, a type in which the volume change due to absorption of ink mist is not remarkable and the volume does not change even when ink is absorbed is preferable. For example, a foamed formal resin type can be mentioned as a suitable one.

As the ink absorber used here, a heat-sinterable polymer porous body can also be used. For example, low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, high-molecular-weight polyethylene, composite polyethylene, polypropylene, Polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, acrylonitrile copolymer, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, fluororesin, heat-sintered body such as phenolic resin can be mentioned, among which, from the absorption and ink resistance of the ink mist, low Those using high density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, high molecular weight polyethylene or polypropylene are preferable.

Reference numeral 71 denotes a holder, which holds the cleaning member 70 to the fixing plate 7.
2 and fix it. 73 is a mounting screw.
The holder 71 is provided with an opening 71b at a contact surface 71a that contacts the cleaning member 70, and is connected to a suction tube 74 via a conduction path 71c, and suctions a cleaning liquid or ink impregnated in the cleaning member 70 by a pump. Arrow A by means 75
It discharges in the direction. This suction means 75
A discharging unit that connects a porous member or a fibrous member to the cleaning member 70 to form a drainage path and discharges the cleaning liquid from the cleaning member 70 may be used.

After the cleaning by suction of the cleaning liquid, the amount of the cleaning liquid remaining on the cleaning member 70 is appropriately reduced, thereby recovering the ability to absorb ink and foreign matter, and enhancing the cleaning effect of the discharge surface 22 of the recording head 2. . Further, since the leading end portion 70a of the cleaning member 70 overlaps with the ejection surface 22 of the recording head 2 by a length indicated by d, the ejection surface of the recording head 2 is overlapped by the overlap when the recording head 2 scans. 22 is configured to be wiped and cleaned.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a characteristic configuration of the present embodiment of the path of the cleaning water for purifying the cleaning member.

By opening and closing the first solenoid valve 81, the initial washing water tank 77 or the recycle washing water tank 7 is opened.
Cleaning water 78 is supplied in the direction of arrow A from 6 via a tube 79a, and is supplied to the cleaning member 70 downward from the discharge portion of the nozzle 82 to be cleaned.
Unused cleaning water is stored in the initial cleaning water tank 77, and cleaning water that has been used at least once is circulated and stored in the recycled cleaning water tank 76.

Reference numeral 84 denotes a tray, which is disposed below the cleaning member 70. When the cleaning water 78 is supplied from the nozzle 82, the cleaning water 78 that has been dropped without being absorbed by the cleaning member 70, and the ink and foreign substances adhering to the cleaning member 70 are removed together with the cleaning water 78 used by the cleaning member 70. It is configured to accommodate the fall. The washing water 78 received in the receiving tray 84 is supplied to the tube 79b by the first pump 86 in the direction of arrow B.
The re-usable washing water 78 is circulated to the recycle washing water tank 76 by the switching control of the second switching valve 92, and the non-reusable washing water is discharged to the discharge passage 93 side as waste liquid. And selectively shed.

At this time, the switching timing of the second switching valve 92 is controlled on the basis of time or the flow rate after determining in advance how many times the cleaning water 78 is to be reused.

Reference numeral 94 denotes a liquid level sensor for detecting the liquid level of the cleaning water 78 in the recycled cleaning water tank 76, which is disposed at a predetermined height on the inner wall of the recycled cleaning water tank 76. When the liquid level becomes lower than the position of the liquid level sensor 94 by the switching control of the first switching valve 80, the cleaning water 7 is supplied to the nozzle 82 from the initial cleaning water tank 77 side.
8 is supplied, and when the liquid level becomes higher than the position of the liquid level sensor 94, the cleaning water 78 is supplied to the nozzle 82 from the recycled cleaning water tank 76 side.

In the above-described configuration, the second
Tube 7 including first pump 86 up to switching valve 92
9b is a first flow path, a recycle washing water tank 76 from the second switching valve 92 as a selection means to the nozzle 82,
Tube 79a including switching valve 80 and first solenoid valve 81
Form the second flow path.

With the above arrangement, the present liquid ejecting apparatus reuses the used washing water used for purifying the cleaning means for cleaning the liquid ejecting surface of the liquid ejecting head a plurality of times. As described above, the cleaning water can be supplied to the cleaning means, so that the total amount of the cleaning water can be reduced and the total amount of the waste liquid can be reduced.

(Second Embodiment) In the same liquid ejecting apparatus as in the first embodiment, FIG. 5 shows a characteristic configuration of a cleaning water path for purifying a cleaning member in this embodiment.

By opening and closing the first solenoid valve 81, the initial washing water tank 77 or the recycle washing water tank 76 is opened.
The cleaning water 78 is supplied in the direction of arrow A through the tube 79a, and is supplied to the cleaning member 70 downward from the discharge portion of the nozzle 82 to be cleaned.
Unused cleaning water is stored in the initial cleaning water tank 77, and cleaning water that has been used at least once is circulated and stored in the recycled cleaning water tank 76.

Reference numeral 84 denotes a tray, which is disposed below the cleaning member 70. When the cleaning water 78 was supplied from the nozzle 82, the cleaning water 78 dropped on the cleaning member 70 without being absorbed by the cleaning member 70 and adhered to the cleaning member 70. Ink and foreign matter are stored together with the washing water 78 used by the cleaning member 70 and fallen. Wash water 78 received in a tray 84
Is moved in the direction of arrow B by the first pump 86
b through the optical sensor 89 to wash water 78
A detection signal corresponding to the contamination (transparency) of the image is output.

Based on this detection signal, the CPU or the like determines whether or not the cleaning water 78 can be reused. Detection of dirt in the cleaning water 78 can be performed using a PH sensor or the like other than the optical sensor. The washing water determined to be reusable based on the detection signals of these sensors is supplied to the tube 79a by the switching control of the second switching valve 92.
And is sent to the recycled washing water tank 76 by circulation. Further, the cleaning water determined to be unreusable is selectively flown as waste liquid to the discharge passage 93 through the second switching valve 92.

Reference numeral 94 denotes a liquid level sensor for detecting the liquid level of the cleaning water 78 in the recycled cleaning water tank 76, which is disposed at a predetermined height on the inner wall of the recycled cleaning water tank 76. When the liquid level becomes lower than the position of the liquid level sensor 94 by the switching control of the first switching valve 80, the cleaning water 7 is supplied to the nozzle 82 from the initial cleaning water tank 77 side.
8 is supplied, and when the liquid level becomes higher than the position of the liquid level sensor 94, the cleaning water 78 is supplied to the nozzle 82 from the recycled cleaning water tank 76 side.

In the above configuration, the second
Tube 7 including first pump 86 up to switching valve 92
9b is a first flow path, a recycle washing water tank 76 from the second switching valve 92 as a selection means to the nozzle 82,
Tube 79a including switching valve 80 and first solenoid valve 81
Form the second flow path.

With the above arrangement, the ink jet recording apparatus as a liquid ejecting apparatus is used for purifying a cleaning means for wiping and cleaning a liquid ejecting surface (ejection surface) of a liquid ejecting head (recording head). Since the used washing water that has been used can be supplied to the cleaning means so as to be reused a plurality of times, the total amount of washing water used and the total amount of waste liquid can be reduced.

(Third Embodiment) In the same liquid ejecting apparatus as the first embodiment, FIG. 6 shows a characteristic configuration of a passage of cleaning water for purifying a cleaning member in this embodiment.

By opening and closing the first solenoid valve 81, the initial washing water tank 77 or the recycle washing water tank 76 is opened.
The cleaning water 78 is supplied in the direction of arrow A through the tube 79a, and is supplied to the cleaning member 70 downward from the discharge portion of the nozzle 82 to be cleaned.
Unused cleaning water is stored in the initial cleaning water tank 77, and cleaning water that has been used at least once is circulated and stored in the recycled cleaning water tank 76.

Reference numeral 84 denotes a tray, which is disposed below the cleaning member 70. When the cleaning water 78 is supplied from the nozzle 82, the cleaning water 78 that has been dropped without being absorbed by the cleaning member 70, and the ink and foreign substances adhering to the cleaning member 70 are removed together with the cleaning water 78 used by the cleaning member 70. It is configured to accommodate the fall. A filter 85 is provided at a predetermined position in the flow path between the tray 84 and the optical sensor 89. The washing water 78 received in the tray 84 is caused to flow by the first pump 86 in the direction of arrow B through the tube 79b,
It is filtered by passing through this filter 85 and the washing water 7
Foreign matter in 8 is removed. At this time, a filter capable of lowering the dye concentration of the washing water is more preferable.

The washing water 78 that has passed through the filter 85
The water is flowed through the tube 79b in the direction of arrow B by the pump 86, and a detection signal corresponding to the contamination (transparency) of the cleaning water 78 is output by the optical sensor 89.

Based on this detection signal, the CPU or the like determines whether or not the cleaning water 78 can be reused. Detection of dirt in the cleaning water 78 can be performed using a PH sensor or the like other than the optical sensor. Further, a sensor that determines whether the cleaning water can be reused by measuring the specific resistance may be used. The washing water determined to be reusable based on the detection signals of these sensors passes through the tube 79a by the switching control of the second switching valve 92,
The water is circulated and sent to the recycle washing water tank 76. Further, the cleaning water determined to be unreusable is selectively flown as waste liquid to the discharge passage 93 through the second switching valve 92.

Reference numeral 94 denotes a liquid level sensor for detecting the liquid level of the cleaning water 78 in the recycle cleaning water tank 76, which is disposed at a predetermined height on the inner wall of the recycle cleaning water tank 76. When the liquid level becomes lower than the position of the liquid level sensor 94 by the switching control of the first switching valve 80, the cleaning water 7 is supplied to the nozzle 82 from the initial cleaning water tank 77 side.
8 is supplied, and when the liquid level becomes higher than the position of the liquid level sensor 94, the cleaning water 78 is supplied to the nozzle 82 from the recycled cleaning water tank 76 side.

In the above configuration, the second receiving tray 84
The filter 85 up to the switching valve 92 and the tube 79b including the first pump 86 are the first flow path, the recycle washing water tank 76 from the second switching valve 92 as a selection means to the nozzle 82, the first switching valve 80, the first switching valve. The tube 79a including the solenoid valve 81 forms a second flow path.

With the above configuration, the present liquid ejecting apparatus can use the used washing water used for purifying the cleaning means for wiping and cleaning the liquid ejecting surface of the liquid ejecting head a plurality of times. Since the cleaning means can be supplied to the cleaning means so as to be reused, it is possible to reduce the total amount of the cleaning water and the total amount of the waste liquid.

(Fourth Embodiment) In the same liquid ejecting apparatus as the first embodiment, FIG. 7 shows a characteristic configuration of a cleaning water path for purifying a cleaning member in this embodiment.

The opening and closing of the first solenoid valve 81 causes the initial washing water tank 77 or the recycle washing water tank 76 to open.
The cleaning water 78 is supplied in the direction of arrow A through the tube 79a, and is supplied to the cleaning member 70 downward from the discharge portion of the nozzle 82 to be cleaned.
Unused cleaning water is stored in the initial cleaning water tank 77, and cleaning water that has been used at least once is circulated and stored in the recycled cleaning water tank 76.

Reference numeral 84 denotes a tray, which is disposed below the cleaning member 70. When the cleaning water 78 is supplied from the nozzle 82, the cleaning water 78 that has been dropped without being absorbed by the cleaning member 70, and the ink and foreign substances adhering to the cleaning member 70 are removed together with the cleaning water 78 used by the cleaning member 70. It is configured to accommodate the fall. The washing water 78 received in the receiving tray 84 is supplied to the tube 79b by the first pump 86 in the direction of arrow B.
And is filtered through a filter 85 and temporarily stored in a recycle washing water sub-tank 87.

The filter 85 is intended to remove foreign substances and the like in the washing water 78, but it is more preferable that the filter 85 can reduce the dye concentration in the washing water 78.

Reference numeral 88 denotes a liquid level sensor for detecting the level of the washing water in the recycle washing water sub-tank 87, which is disposed at a predetermined height on the inner wall of the recycle washing water sub-tank 87. Then, the liquid level sensor 88 detects that the amount of washing water stored in the recycle washing water sub-tank 87 exceeds a certain amount, and in conjunction therewith, the optical sensor 89 causes the washing water 78 in the recycle washing water sub-tank 87 to change. Is measured. At this time, if the concentration of the dye contained exceeds a certain value, the recycled washing water sub-tank 8
7 is determined to be unusable, and the second pump 91 is operated to flow the cleaning water in the direction of arrow C.
Switching control by the second switching valve 92 is performed so as to flow to the third side.

If the concentration of the dye contained in the washing water in the recycle washing water sub-tank 87 measured by the optical sensor 89 does not exceed a specific value, it is determined that the washing water can be reused. The unused cleaning water in the initial state flows from the initial cleaning water sub-tank 77 to the recycle cleaning water sub-tank 87 by an amount predetermined in advance for each contained dye concentration value, and is mixed with the once-used cleaning water. Configuration. When the concentration of the dye contained in the recycled washing water sub-tank 87 is reduced to a value that can be reused by the addition of the washing water in the initial state, the concentration of the dye contained in the washing water subtank 87 is reduced by the second pump 91 to an arrow. C, and the second switching valve 92
The recycle washing water tank 7
The mixed liquid of the washing water used at least once and the unused washing water is circulated and stored in the recycle washing water tank 76.

Reference numeral 94 denotes a liquid level sensor for detecting the liquid level of the cleaning water 78 in the recycled cleaning water tank 76, which is disposed at a predetermined height on the inner wall of the recycled cleaning water tank 76. When the liquid level becomes lower than the position of the liquid level sensor 94 by the switching control of the first switching valve 80, the cleaning water 7 is supplied to the nozzle 82 from the initial cleaning water tank 77 side.
8 is supplied, and when the liquid level becomes higher than the position of the liquid level sensor 94, the cleaning water 78 is supplied to the nozzle 82 from the recycled cleaning water tank 76 side.

The optical sensor 89 is used to output a signal based on which it is determined whether or not the washing water that has passed through the filter 85 can be reused. The optical sensor 89 is not necessarily an optical sensor, and is not necessarily an optical sensor. , Resistivity meter, etc.
Any structure may be used as long as it outputs a signal based on the determination as to whether it can be reused.

In the above-described configuration, the second
The filter 85 up to the switching valve 92, the first pump 86,
A tube 79b including a recycled washing water sub-tank 87 and a second pump 91 is a first flow path, and a recycled washing water tank 76 from the second switching valve 92 to the nozzle 82, which is a selection means, a first switching valve 80, a first solenoid valve. A tube 79a including 81 forms a second flow path.

With the above configuration, the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present embodiment uses the used washing water used for purifying the cleaning means for wiping and cleaning the liquid ejecting surface of the liquid ejecting head. Since the cleaning means can be supplied to the cleaning means so as to be reused a plurality of times, it is possible to reduce the total amount of the cleaning water and the total amount of the waste liquid.

Although the liquid ejecting apparatus of each of the above embodiments has been described as an ink jet recording apparatus, the present invention is particularly applicable to a recording apparatus which continuously prints a cloth having a recording width of 1 m or more for a long time. In particular, the applicable devices include printers, copiers, facsimile machines, office equipment such as printers and mass-production equipment, and devices for driving objects using ejected liquids. Can be mentioned.

[0071]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting means and a cleaning means for cleaning with a predetermined cleaning liquid, wherein the cleaning means cleans the liquid ejecting surface of the liquid ejecting means. Since the predetermined cleaning liquid used by the cleaning means can be supplied to the cleaning means a plurality of times in the apparatus, the cleaning liquid used by the cleaning means can be reused a plurality of times. Reduce the overall amount of cleaning solution used to
At the same time, there is an effect that the total amount of the waste liquid can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a serial type inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a recording head as a configuration example of a liquid ejecting head of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a configuration example of a cleaning unit.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a path of cleaning water for purifying a cleaning member according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a path of cleaning water for purifying a cleaning member according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a path of cleaning water for purifying a cleaning member according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a path of cleaning water for purifying a cleaning member according to a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Carriage 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d Recording head 3 Guide shaft 4 Belt 5 Drive motor 6 Recording paper 7 Conveying rollers 8a, 8b Guide roller 9 Recording paper conveying motor 10 Liquid path 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d Ink tank 12a, 12b , 12c, 12d Supply tubes 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d Flexible cables 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d Head heaters 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d Temperature detection means 16 Control circuit 18 Power supply 20 Capping means 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d Head Driver 25 Cap driver 31 Clogging prevention means 32 Liquid receiving member 44 Elastic member 45 Liquid holding member 50 Cleaning means 51 Cleaning electromagnetic valve 52 Suction pump / driver 53 Wiping cleaning means 70 Cleaning member 76 Lisa Cleaning water tank 77 Initial cleaning water tank 78 Cleaning water 79a, 79b Tube 80 First switching valve 81 First solenoid valve 82 Nozzle 84 Receiving tray 86 First pump 85 Filter 87 Recycle cleaning water subtank 88, 94 Liquid level sensor 89 Optical sensor 90 second solenoid valve 91 second pump 93 discharge path 92 second switching valve

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A liquid ejecting apparatus, comprising: a liquid ejecting unit; and a cleaning unit that is cleaned by a predetermined cleaning liquid, wherein the cleaning unit cleans a liquid ejecting surface of the cleaning liquid ejecting unit. A liquid ejecting apparatus characterized in that a predetermined cleaning liquid can be supplied to the cleaning means a plurality of times. 2. A discharge path for discharging the used washing liquid, a first flow path between the cleaning means and the discharge path, a second flow path between the discharge path and the cleaning means, Selecting means for selectively discharging the used cleaning liquid flowing through the first flow path to either the discharge path or the second flow path, wherein the cleaning means removes the used cleaning liquid from the cleaning means and the second cleaning means. 2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the fluid is circulated through a first flow path and the second flow path.
A liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the selecting means performs a selecting operation in accordance with a predetermined number of circulations of the used cleaning liquid. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selecting unit circulates the used cleaning liquid through the cleaning unit, the first channel, and the second channel by the predetermined number of circulations based on time or flow rate. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein 5. A detecting means for detecting whether the used washing liquid can be reused by the cleaning means in the first flow path, and the selecting means performs a selecting operation according to a detection result of the detecting means. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 6. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said detecting means is an optical sensor. 7. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said detecting means is a PH sensor. 8. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said detecting means is a specific resistance measuring device. 9. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a filter for filtering the used cleaning liquid is provided upstream of the detection means in the first flow path. apparatus. 10. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the filter removes foreign matters other than the dye. 11. An additional means for adding a predetermined amount of unused cleaning liquid from the outside to the used cleaning liquid between the filter in the first flow path and the detection means in accordance with a detection result of the detection means. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 10, further comprising: 12. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined amount is such that the used cleaning liquid can be reused when the unused cleaning liquid is added. . 13. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning liquid is cleaning water for purifying the cleaning unit.