TWI408057B - Cleaning method and mechanism and device for ink jet nozzle - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To provide a method, a mechanism and an apparatus for cleaning an inkjet head, for excellently applying an ink by restoring ink jetting performance and eliminating nozzle removal. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] In an inkjet head cleaning method, a cleaning area of the inkjet head is covered with a cleaning tank, a cleaning solution is jetted to the cleaning area from a cleaning solution jetting nozzle in the cleaning tank, and air is jetted to the cleaning area from an air jetting nozzle in the cleaning tank. The inkjet head cleaning mechanism is provided with a cleaning tank for covering the cleaning area of the inkjet head; a cleaning section opening/closing means which permits the cleaning tank and the inkjet head to abut to or not to abut to each other; a cleaning solution jetting nozzle which jets the cleaning solution to the cleaning area; an air jetting nozzle which jets air to the cleaning area; a cleaning solution feeding means which feeds the cleaning solution jetting nozzle with the cleaning solution; and an air feeding means which feeds the air jetting nozzle with air.

Description

Inkjet nozzle cleaning method and mechanism and device

The present invention relates to a method and mechanism for cleaning an ink jet recording head (hereinafter referred to as "ink jet head"), and more particularly to a method for cleaning dirt and debris attached to the nozzle face of the ink jet head and its periphery. Cleaning method, mechanism and device for removing debris, impurities and the like.

In the ink jet recording apparatus, in order to maintain high quality recording quality, it is necessary to remove ink, impurities, and the like remaining on the ink discharge surface of the ink jet recording head.

According to Patent Document 1, in the method of performing the wiping operation by the wiping blade facing the ink ejection surface of the head, in order to improve the cleaning performance, the material, the angle, the contact method, and the like of the wiping blade are reduced.

According to Patent Document 2, an ink absorbing slit is provided on the downstream side of the squeegee washing recovery operation direction with respect to the discharge port, and the ink scraped by the squeegee has a slit shape parallel to the plurality of discharge ports. The slit for ink absorption of the suction port is provided, and the above ink is sucked to improve performance.

The cleaning mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 3 includes a head moving means for moving the ink jet head toward the service station, a container covering means for covering the nozzle of the moved ink jet head and its periphery, and a means for covering the container by the container a spray nozzle that blows the cleaning liquid around the nozzle and the periphery thereof; a feeding means for feeding the cleaning liquid to the atomizer nozzle; and returning the washing liquid blown to the nozzle and the periphery thereof to the cleaning liquid tank Recycling means; will be washed A wiping means for wiping the nozzle of the ink jet head and its periphery; and a flushing means for performing a test spray of the ink from the nozzle which has been washed by the ink jet head.

(Patent Document 1) Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-291364

(Patent Document 2) Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-42571

(Patent Document 3) Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-19132

However, in the methods disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is impossible to completely remove the dirt, debris, impurities, and the like adhering to the nozzle arrangement surface of the ink jet head. Although the reason is all the cleaning method using the squeegee, dust such as fiber scraps and impurities, due to the adhesive force of the ink, can be tightened only by one or several wiping by the squeegee. The case of attachment.

In particular, when drying is carried out together with dust which has been infiltrated with ink, the removal ability is remarkably insufficient. The reason is presumed to be due to the dry ink, which causes the dust to be tightly attached to the nozzle and its periphery.

Further, in the method of repeatedly wiping the nozzle of the ink jet head and the periphery thereof by a solid such as a squeegee, problems such as dust or the like may occur due to early wear of the nozzle or the squeegee.

The present invention solves the above technical problems, and an object of the invention is to provide a cleaning method and mechanism and apparatus for an ink jet head which can reproduce ink discharge performance without causing nozzle discharge to be interrupted.

The inventor is making the nozzle of the inkjet head and its periphery not touch the scraping Under the subject of solid objects such as plates, novel technical ideas that are not known are invented.

In the cleaning method of the ink jet head according to the first aspect of the invention, the cleaning area of the ink jet head is covered by the cleaning tank, and the cleaning liquid is sprayed from the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tank to eject the cleaning liquid toward the cleaning area. Then, air is ejected from the air jet nozzle in the washing tank toward the washing area.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the nozzle hole of the cleaning liquid spray nozzle is sprayed while the nozzle hole is rotated toward the cleaning region.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the nozzle of the air jet nozzle is sprayed with air while rotating the nozzle hole toward the cleaning region.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the cleaning liquid ejecting nozzle is directed toward the ink jet head, and the cleaning liquid is ejected at a position advancing from the standby position.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the air jet nozzle is directed toward the ink jet head to eject the air at a position advancing from the standby position.

The invention of any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the cleaning liquid is ejected toward the washing area by sandwiching the ink jet head and relatively arranging the plurality of cleaning liquid spray nozzles.

The invention of any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the air is ejected toward the cleaning area by sandwiching the ink jet head and opposing the plurality of air jet nozzles.

The invention of any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the solvent having a factor for dissolving the ink is ejected from the cleaning liquid spray nozzle The cleaning liquid that is formed.

A cleaning mechanism for an ink jet head according to a ninth aspect of the present invention includes: a cleaning tank that covers a cleaning area of the inkjet head; and a cleaning unit opening/closing means for bringing the cleaning tank into contact with or not contacting the inkjet head; a cleaning liquid spray nozzle that ejects the cleaning liquid in the cleaning area; an air injection nozzle that ejects air toward the cleaning area; a cleaning liquid feeding means for feeding the cleaning liquid to the cleaning liquid injection nozzle; An air feed means for feeding air to the air injection nozzle.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, the cleaning liquid injection nozzle includes a plurality of nozzle holes arranged in parallel with nozzle holes provided in the ink jet head.

According to a ninth or tenth aspect of the invention, the cleaning liquid ejecting nozzle is plural, and the ink jet head is sandwiched and disposed to face each other.

According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, the nozzle hole of the cleaning liquid spray nozzle is disposed to be displaced from a nozzle hole of the other cleaning liquid spray nozzle.

The invention of any one of the items 9 to 12, wherein the air jet nozzle has a plurality of nozzle holes arranged in parallel with the nozzle holes provided in the ink jet head.

The invention of any one of the items 9 to 13, wherein the air jet nozzles are plural, and the ink jet heads are sandwiched and disposed to face each other.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the invention, the nozzle hole of the one cleaning liquid injection nozzle is disposed to be displaced from a nozzle hole of the other cleaning liquid injection nozzle.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the invention, the nozzle hole of the cleaning liquid injection nozzle is rotated toward the cleaning region. Nozzle turning means.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the invention of the present invention of the present invention of the present invention, the nozzle moving means for advancing and retracting the cleaning liquid jet nozzle toward the ink jet head is provided.

The invention of any one of the items 9 to 17, wherein the nozzle rotating means for rotating the nozzle hole of the air jet nozzle toward the washing area is provided.

The invention of any one of the items 9 to 18, wherein the nozzle moving means for advancing and retracting the air jet nozzle toward the ink jet head is provided.

The invention of any one of the items 9 to 19, wherein the waste liquid recovery means for recovering the waste liquid retained in the washing tank is provided.

The invention according to any one of the items 9 to 20, wherein the cleaning liquid feeding means is a washing liquid comprising a solvent having a factor for dissolving the ink.

The apparatus according to the 22nd aspect of the invention is the cleaning mechanism of the ink jet head according to any one of the items 9 to 21.

According to the present invention, since the solid matter such as the squeegee is not brought into contact with the nozzle of the ink jet head and its periphery, the ink jet head can be cleaned without causing abrasion dust.

Further, since the cleaning liquid is used, even when the ink is dried, the cleaning which exhibits a strong cleaning power can be achieved.

The cleaning mechanism of the present invention can be used for various types of ink jet recording. Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking an ink jet coater such as an ink jet printer as an example.

The ink jet coater of the preferred embodiment includes a cleaning tank 24, a cleaning unit opening/closing means 3, a cleaning liquid injection nozzle 21, an air injection nozzle 22, a cleaning liquid feeding means, and an air inlet. And the means for recovering the waste liquid; wherein the purpose of the cleaning tank 24 is to prevent the cleaning liquid from scattering toward the periphery when the nozzle 10 of the inkjet head 1 is cleaned, and the cleaning unit opening and closing means 3 The cleaning tank 24 is brought into contact with or not in contact with the inkjet head 1, and the cleaning liquid spray nozzle 21 is for rinsing ink and impurities attached to the nozzle 10 and its periphery (hereinafter referred to as "washing area"). When it is dropped, the cleaning liquid 12 is sprayed, and the cleaning liquid 12 remaining in the cleaning area is blown and dried, and the cleaning liquid feeding means is used to spray the cleaning liquid. The nozzle 21 forcibly feeds the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid tank, the air feeding means for forcibly feeding the air to the air injection nozzle 22, and the waste liquid recovery means is the waste remaining in the cleaning tank 24. The liquid is recovered from the drain pipe 29 in the waste liquid tank 14 by causing the waste liquid tank to be in a negative pressure state.

The cleaning liquid 12 of a preferred embodiment is composed of a colorless solvent (for example, a main component solvent for dissolving the ink) having a factor for dissolving the ink.

However, inks generally used in ink jet printers can be classified into dye systems or pigment systems. The term "dye" refers to a coloring agent which is dispersed or fused by a carrier medium as a molecule. The carrier medium is in a liquid or solid state at room temperature. The carrier medium usually used is water or a mixture of water and organic cosolvent. Compound. Generally, water is used as a main component, and a coloring agent is contained therein, and a humectant such as glycerin is contained for the purpose of preventing clogging or the like. When the carrier medium is water, the ink generally has the disadvantage of low water fastness.

The term "pigment" refers to a coloring agent which is insoluble in a carrier medium but is dispersed or suspended in the form of small particles, and is usually stabilized by the use of a dispersing agent in order not to cause aggregation and precipitation. Many of such compounds are known. For example, a pigment such as an organic pigment or carbon black is micronized by using a surfactant or a dispersing agent, and a pigment ink or the like which is a coloring agent is used by being dispersed in a medium such as water.

The cleaning mechanism of the present invention can be applied regardless of the dye system or the pigment system. The viscosity of the ink is mainly based on a low viscosity of several tens of cps, but it can also be applied to a medium viscosity of several hundred cps or more on the premise that the scattering can be performed.

Further, the present invention is also applicable to functional inks such as wiring pattern printing in a printed substrate, lubricant application to minute parts, outdoor light-resistant display material printing, UV-curable ink printing, and the like.

The cleaning tank 24 has a size that covers the nozzle 10 of the inkjet head 1 and its periphery, and is formed below the inkjet head 1. The cleaning tank 24 has an elastic body 23 in order to maintain adhesion and sealing property with the inkjet head 1. It is preferable that the washing tank 24 is provided with a drain pipe 29 (open pipe) for recovering the inside of the used washing liquid (waste liquid 15). Further, the cleaning tank 24 can also be used for purposes other than the cleaning tank (for example, a cover for generating a negative pressure).

When the waste liquid recovery is performed by the negative pressure, the adhesion between the head surface 10 of the ink jet head 1 and the cleaning tank 24 is important. Although the hardness of the contact member of the cleaning tank 24 is softened, the adhesion is improved. On the other hand, if the hardness is too soft, the pressure is applied to the negative pressure, and the contact member is deformed to cause a gap.

Further, it is preferable to design the structure in which the inclination of the head surface can be tracked, and the adhesion and sealing property of the cleaning tank 24 can be surely achieved. The reason is that the contact member of the cleaning groove 24 is made of the elastic body 23, so that the adhesion can be improved. However, when the nozzle surface is inclined by the high-hardness elastic body, if the inclination of the head surface and the cleaning portion 2 is large, There is a problem that creates a gap.

The abutting member that abuts against the head surface is made of a hard elastic body to improve the adhesion, and the sealing property can be maintained by having a degree of freedom in tracking the inclination of the head surface.

The cleaning liquid spray nozzle 21 and the air injection nozzle 22 are arranged side by side with the nozzle holes of the ink jet head 1. Preferably, the nozzle holes (ejection holes) of the ejection nozzles are plural, and are arranged side by side with the nozzle holes of the inkjet head 1. The cleaning liquid injection nozzle 21 and the air injection nozzle 22 disclosed in the preferred embodiment are arranged with a half pitch of the nozzle holes formed in the respective injection nozzles (see Fig. 8a).

Further, the cleaning liquid spray nozzle 21 and/or the air injection nozzle 22 of the preferred embodiment are provided with a rotating mechanism for uniformly (no uneven) ejection of the washing area of the ink jet head 1, and A moving mechanism that advances and retreats each of the spray nozzles. When the moving mechanism 2 is located below the inkjet head 1, the jetting nozzles can be made in the cleaning tank 24 A conventional means of lifting and lowering.

The cleaning liquid feeding means is constituted by the pressure supply pump 16 and the first feed valve 4a. When the first feed valve 4a is opened and closed to pressurize the cleaning liquid tank, the cleaning liquid is forcedly fed through the communication member. The cleaning liquid spray nozzle 21 is used.

The air feed means is composed of the pressure supply pump 16 and the second feed valve 4b. When the second feed valve 4b is opened and closed, air is forcibly fed to the air injection nozzle 22 via the communication member.

A series of operational flows of the configuration example of Fig. 1 are as follows.

(1) The ink jet head 1 is lowered by the cleaning unit opening and closing means 3, and the ink jet head 1 is brought into close contact with the washing tank 24, and the washing area is covered by the washing tank 24.

(2) The feed valve 4a is "open", the feed valve 4b is "closed", and the feed valve 4c is "closed". When the air is supplied from the pressure supply pump 16, the washing liquid tank 11 is pressurized. The cleaning liquid 12 inside is supplied to the cleaning liquid spray nozzle 21 via the communication member 9, and the cleaning liquid 12 is ejected from the hole of the cleaning liquid injection nozzle 21 toward the washing area of the ink jet head. In the configuration of Fig. 1, the cleaning liquid injection nozzle 21 is provided with a plurality of injection holes and a rotation function (rotation function) arranged in parallel with the nozzle holes of the inkjet head 1, so that the cleaning area can be equalized (all without Spray).

Further, in the cleaning liquid 12, a colorless solvent (a solvent which dissolves the main component of the ink) having a factor for dissolving the ink is used, so that the ink and impurities adhering to the cleaning region can be washed away.

Further, the time from the injection of the cleaning liquid injection nozzle 21 to the cleaning area (that is, the holding time of the inlet valve 4a "on") can be set at any time.

(3) The feed valve 4a is "OFF", the feed valve 4b is "ON", and the feed valve 4c is "OFF". By supplying air from the pressure supply pump 16 to the air injection nozzle 22, the air injection nozzle is provided. In the hole of 22, air is ejected toward the washing area. In the configuration of Fig. 1, since the air injection nozzles 22 are arranged side by side with the nozzle holes of the ink jet head 1, and have a plurality of injection holes and a rotating function (rotation function), the cleaning area can be equalized (no unevenness) Spraying, the washing liquid remaining in the washing area can be blown off and dried.

Further, the time from the injection of the air injection nozzle 22 to the cleaning area (that is, the holding time of the inlet valve 4b "on") can be set at any time.

(4) The ink jet head 1 is raised by the cleaning unit opening/closing means 3, and the nozzle surface 10 of the ink jet head 1 is separated from the cleaning tank 24.

(5) The feed valve 4a is "closed", the feed valve 4b is "closed", and the feed valve 4c is "open" because the air is pressure-fed from the pressure supply pump 16 to the negative pressure generating means 5. Since the waste liquid tank 15 is sucked, the waste liquid tank 15 is in a negative pressure state, and the waste liquid used for the cleaning liquid can be recovered from the drain pipe 29 of the washing tank 24 via the communication member 9.

Hereinafter, the details of the present invention will be described by way of examples, but the present invention is not limited by the examples.

[Example 1]

The cleaning mechanism of the present embodiment includes a cleaning unit 2 that has a function of ejecting the cleaning liquid 12 from the inkjet head 1 and a function of ejecting air.

Fig. 1 is an explanatory view showing the overall schematic configuration of a cleaning mechanism of the present embodiment. Such as As shown in Fig. 1, the cleaning unit 2 is composed of a cleaning liquid injection nozzle 21, an air injection nozzle 22, an elastic body 23, and a cleaning tank 24.

The cleaning tank 24 is for preventing the cleaning liquid 12 from scattering around the peripheral components when the nozzle 10 of the inkjet head 1 is cleaned. The cleaning tank 24 of the present embodiment has a shape such as an open box shape in which the nozzle 10 of the ink jet head 1 and its periphery (washing area) are covered from below, and it is necessary to use a material that is resistant to the cleaning liquid 12 or the like. For example, it is made of stainless steel or the like.

In order to ensure the adhesion to the surface of the nozzle 10 of the ink jet head 1, the cleaning tank 24 is provided with an elastic body 23. The elastomer 23 is preferably made of a relatively hard material, such as a Shore A hardness of about 40 to 80 degrees.

The washing tank 24 is provided with a drain pipe 29 (open pipe) for recovering the used liquid (waste liquid) in the washing tank. In the same manner as the cleaning tank 24, it is necessary to use a material such as stainless steel or Teflon (registered trademark), for example, in consideration of the chemical resistance of the cleaning liquid 12 or the like.

The cleaning liquid 12 is capable of completely rinsing the ink adhering to the surface of the nozzle 10 of the ink jet head 1 and the periphery thereof, and thus a colorless solvent (a solvent which dissolves the main component of the ink) having a factor for dissolving the ink is used.

Further, the constituent materials of the cleaning tank 24, the elastic body 23, and the drain pipe 29 can be changed in accordance with the composition of the cleaning liquid 12.

The cleaning unit opening and closing means 3 is a means for attaching the cleaning tank 24 to the inkjet head 1 in order to close or detach the cleaning tank 24 from the inkjet head 1. The cleaning unit opening and closing means 3 can be constructed by using a mobile platform such as a manual type, a ball screw type, or a linear type for general use, for example, a mobile platform manufacturer has a military It is manufactured by Hiroshi Seiki Co., Ltd. and manufactured by THK Corporation.

A cleaning liquid injection nozzle 21 and an air injection nozzle 22 are disposed at the bottom of the cleaning tank 24. The former is a means for blowing the cleaning liquid 12 from the inside of the cleaning tank 24 to the nozzle 10 of the ink jet head 1 covered by the cleaning tank 24 and the periphery thereof, and the latter is to be applied to the nozzle 10 of the ink jet head 1 and its periphery. The means for the residual cleaning liquid 12 to be blown from the inside of the washing tank 24 and dried.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning liquid injection nozzle 21 is provided with a plurality of nozzle holes 27 in the hollow columnar member 25, and is arranged side by side with the arrangement direction of the holes of the nozzles 10 of the inkjet head 1, and is arranged in the longitudinal direction. . The air injection nozzles 22 are also of the same construction.

The air injection nozzles 22 and the arrangement of the cleaning liquid injection nozzles 21 are arranged side by side and arranged opposite each other. Further, the ejection direction from the nozzle hole 27 of the cleaning liquid ejection nozzle 21 is directed to the obliquely upper end portion of the nozzle 10 of the ink jet head 1, and is set to be slightly offset from the hole of the nozzle 10. The associated air injection nozzle 22 is also the same.

The shape of the nozzle hole 28 (the nozzle hole 27 of the columnar member 25) of the hollow columnar member 26 of the present embodiment is a protrusion shape as shown in FIG. 5a, but is not limited thereto, and may be a flat shape, that is, only Those who are simply punctured in the hollow columnar member 26 or 25 (see Fig. 5b).

As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning liquid spray nozzle 21 is provided with a rotating body 6b coupled to the hollow cylindrical member 25, and by rotating the columnar member 25, the ink jet head 1 can be omitted without fail. The nozzle 10 and its periphery are cleaned. Here, the rotating body 6b can be configured using, for example, a general rotating motor, a coupling member (coupling), or the like. About the air jet nozzle 22 The sample has a rotating body 6a.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the cleaning liquid spray nozzle 21 is configured such that the surface of the nozzle 10 of the ink jet head 1 and its periphery are cleaned as described above by raising and lowering the columnar member 25 itself. It can blow impurities and so on. The lifting means, for example, passes through the self-weight of the hollow columnar member 25 or the suspended hammer 7, and when the cleaning liquid 12 is ejected from the nozzle hole 27 of the cleaning liquid injection nozzle 21, it can be applied to the columnar shape. The high pressure pulsation in the member 25 causes the columnar member 25 to move up and down. In addition, a general moving platform, a belt drive, or the like can be used to form a lifting means. The air injection nozzle 22 also has the same configuration.

A communication member 9 for forcibly feeding the cleaning liquid 12 from the cleaning liquid tank 11 is coupled to the cleaning liquid spray nozzle 21. The communication member 9 feeds the cleaning liquid 12 stored in the cleaning liquid tank 11 to the flexible feeding tube of the cleaning liquid injection nozzle 21.

The feeding means of the cleaning liquid 12 is constituted by the pressure supply pump 16 and the feed valve 4a, and is set such that the feed valve 4a is "open", the feed valve 4b is "closed", and the feed valve 4c is "closed". The air is supplied from the pressure supply pump 16, and the inside of the cleaning liquid tank 11 is pressurized. The cleaning liquid in the tank is supplied to the cleaning liquid injection nozzle 21 via the communication member 9, and the hole 27 of the cleaning liquid injection nozzle. The washing area of the inkjet head 1 of the China-Korea is ejected.

Further, the feeding means of the air injection nozzle 22 is constituted by the pressure supply pump 16 and the feed valve 4b, and is set such that the feed valve 4a is "closed", the feed valve 4b is "open", and the feed valve 4c is closed. And supplying air from the pressure supply pump 16 to the air injection nozzle 22 from the hole 28 of the air injection nozzle The nozzle 10 of the ink jet head 1 is ejected from the surface thereof and its periphery.

By using the above-described cleaning method, the used cleaning liquid (waste liquid) remaining in the cleaning tank 24 is recovered in the waste liquid tank 14 by the waste liquid recovery means. The waste liquid recovery means connects the drain pipe (opening portion) 29 installed in the washing tank 24, and the waste liquid tank 14 for storing the waste liquid, by the communicating member 9, and the waste liquid tank 14 and the negative The pressure generating means 5 is constructed by bringing a flexible feed tube into contact with each other.

The negative pressure generating means 5 is connected to the feed valve 4c via the pressure supply pump 16. When the used cleaning liquid (waste liquid) 15 is recovered in the waste liquid tank 14, the feed valve 4a is "closed", the feed valve 4b is "closed", and the feed valve 4c is "opened". The air pressure is supplied from the pressure supply pump 16 to the negative pressure generating means 5, so that the inside of the waste liquid tank 14 is in a negative pressure state, and the waste liquid 15 is sucked from the drain pipe 29 via the communication member 9, and the waste liquid 15 is discharged. Recycling.

According to the cleaning mechanism of the embodiment having the above configuration, since the solid matter such as the squeegee is not brought into contact with the washing area of the ink jet head, abrasion dust is not generated, and even if the ink is ejected by the washing liquid, If it has been dried, it can still be cleaned according to strong washing power.

[Embodiment 2]

The cleaning mechanism of the second embodiment is different from the cleaning mechanism of the first embodiment in the arrangement of the cleaning liquid injection nozzle 21 and the air injection nozzle 22.

In the cleaning mechanism of the first embodiment, the cleaning liquid spray nozzle 21 that blows the cleaning liquid 12 from the inside of the cleaning tank 24 toward the nozzle 10 of the inkjet head 1 and its periphery, and the remaining nozzle 10 and its surroundings remain. The cleaning solution 12 is blown from the inside of the cleaning tank 24 and dried, and the air jet nozzles 22 are respectively Set one.

In the present embodiment, at least two of the cleaning liquid injection nozzles 21 and the air injection nozzles 22 are used. The arrangement of the respective injection nozzles may be such that the air injection nozzles 22 are disposed above and the cleaning liquid injection nozzles 21 are disposed below as shown in FIG. 8b, but may be reversed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the two cleaning liquid spray nozzles 21 are arranged side by side with the holes of the nozzles 10 of the ink jet head 1. The air injection nozzles 22 are also of the same configuration.

Further, the upper two can be set as the air jet nozzle 22, and the lower two can be set as the cleaning liquid jet nozzle 21, or the combination of the cleaning liquid jet nozzle 21 and the air jet nozzle 22 can be arranged up and down. Groups are configured relative to each other.

Further, as an example of the arrangement of the cleaning liquid spray nozzle 21 and the air injection nozzle 22, as shown in FIG. 8, one of the oppositely disposed ones may be formed by the respective nozzle holes formed by the respective spray nozzles. Half of the pitch is offset.

Furthermore, it is also possible to arrange the types of ejection nozzles at a half pitch.

Further, in the present embodiment, the joint 8 is attached only to one side of the cleaning liquid spray nozzle 21 and the air spray nozzle 22, but a joint may be attached to both ends of each spray nozzle, and the liquid may be supplied in two directions. The injection from each of the plurality of nozzles can be made more uniform.

[Example 3]

The cleaning mechanism of Embodiment 3 is the cleaning liquid injection nozzle 21 and the air injection The shape of the nozzle 22 is different from that of the cleaning mechanism of the second embodiment.

In the second embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, the shape of the air jet nozzle 22 and the cleaning liquid jet nozzle 21 is such that the hollow columnar members 26 and 25 become the holes of the nozzle 10 of the ink jet head 1. A rectangle in which the arrangement directions are arranged side by side and extends in the longitudinal direction will be described.

The shape of each of the injection nozzles of the present embodiment is a shape in which a rectangular shape is bent into a U shape or a ring as shown in Fig. 10, as shown in Fig. 9 .

In the embodiment, in the aspect in which the hollow columnar members 25, 26 are bent into a U-shaped shape member or a ring member, it is of course possible to separate the outer member and the inner member from the injection nozzle. One of the nozzle holes is formed with a half pitch offset configuration.

Further, in the injection nozzles of the above-described shapes, the joint 8 is not limited to the one side mounted only on one side, and the liquid is fed from both directions by being attached to both ends of the respective spray nozzles, so that the spray nozzles can be made from the respective spray nozzles. The spray is more uniform.

(industrial availability)

The present invention is not limited to an ink jet printer, and can be applied to various ink jet recordings such as a precision spray/injection device (including a coating device) and a precision coating device. It can also be applied to inkjet patterning, for example, a coating device/drawing device/printing device for use in applications such as organic EL display panels, large color panel printing, and industrial marking.

The inkjet recording method is also applicable to a bubble generation method such as a piezoelectric conversion type or a resistance heat injection type.

Furthermore, it can also be used in the lens coloring step of the lens manufacturing industry or in the poster and building materials decoration of the large printing industry.

1‧‧‧Inkjet nozzle

2‧‧‧Cleaning Department

3‧‧‧Cleaning department opening and closing means

4a, 4b, 4c‧‧‧feed valve (valve)

5‧‧‧ Negative pressure generation means

6a, 6b, 6c, 6d‧‧‧ rotating body

7‧‧‧ hammer

8‧‧‧Connectors

9‧‧‧Connected components

10‧‧‧ nozzle

11‧‧‧washing tank

12‧‧‧ Cleaning solution

14‧‧‧ Waste tank

15‧‧‧ Waste

16‧‧‧Pressure supply pump

21‧‧‧Clean solution spray nozzle

22‧‧‧Air jet nozzle

23‧‧‧ Elastomers

24‧‧‧cleaning trough

25, 26‧‧‧ columnar members

27, 28‧‧‧ nozzle holes

29‧‧‧Drainage pipe

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view showing a cleaning mechanism of a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a schematic structural view showing a washing unit of the first embodiment;

Fig. 3 is an explanatory view showing a rotation mechanism of the washing unit of the first embodiment;

Fig. 4 is an explanatory view of a lifting mechanism of the washing unit of the first embodiment;

Fig. 5a is an explanatory view of a nozzle hole of the columnar member in the first embodiment.

Fig. 5b is another explanatory view of the nozzle hole of the columnar member in the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a schematic structural view showing a cleaning mechanism of a second embodiment;

Fig. 7 is an explanatory view showing a rotating mechanism of the washing unit of the second embodiment;

Fig. 8a is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of the injection nozzle of the second embodiment.

Fig. 8b is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the injection nozzle of the second embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a view showing an example of a first shape of the injection nozzle of the third embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a view showing an example of a second shape of the injection nozzle of the third embodiment.

1‧‧‧Inkjet nozzle

2‧‧‧Cleaning Department

3‧‧‧Cleaning department opening and closing means

4a‧‧‧feed valve (valve)

4b‧‧‧feed valve (valve)

4c‧‧‧feed valve (valve)

5‧‧‧ Negative pressure generation means

9‧‧‧Connected components

10‧‧‧ nozzle

11‧‧‧washing tank

12‧‧‧ Cleaning solution

14‧‧‧ Waste tank

15‧‧‧ Waste

16‧‧‧Pressure supply pump

21‧‧‧Clean solution spray nozzle

22‧‧‧Air jet nozzle

23‧‧‧ Elastomers

24‧‧‧cleaning trough

29‧‧‧Drainage pipe

Claims (20)

A method for cleaning an ink jet head, characterized in that a washing area of an ink jet head is covered with a washing tank, and a washing liquid spray nozzle is sprayed from the washing tank to eject a washing liquid toward the washing area, and is washed. The air jet nozzle in the clean tank ejects air toward the washing area, and the washing liquid spray nozzle performs the jetting of the washing liquid while moving forward and backward toward the ink jet head in the washing tank; and/or the air is made The jet nozzle performs air injection while moving forward and backward toward the ink jet head in the washing tank. The cleaning method of the ink jet head according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the nozzle hole of the cleaning liquid spray nozzle is sprayed with the cleaning liquid while rotating toward the washing area. The method of cleaning an ink jet head according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the nozzle hole of the air jet nozzle is sprayed with air while rotating toward the washing area. The cleaning method of the ink jet head according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cleaning liquid is ejected toward the cleaning area by sandwiching the ink jet head and relatively opposing the plurality of cleaning liquid spray nozzles. The cleaning method of the ink jet head according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air is ejected toward the cleaning area by sandwiching the ink jet head and facing the plurality of air jet nozzles. The method for cleaning an ink jet head according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the jetting nozzle is sprayed from the washing liquid to dissolve the ink A cleaning solution composed of a solvent of the factor. A cleaning mechanism for an ink jet head, comprising: a cleaning tank covering a cleaning area of the ink jet head; and a cleaning unit opening and closing means for causing the cleaning tank to abut or not abut against the ink jet head; a nozzle for injecting a cleaning liquid toward the cleaning area; an air injection nozzle for injecting air toward the cleaning area; a cleaning liquid feeding means for feeding the washing liquid spray nozzle; and an air feeding means The cleaning mechanism for the ink jet head is provided with a cleaning liquid spray nozzle moving means for advancing and retracting the cleaning liquid spray nozzle toward the ink jet head in the washing tank. And/or an air jet nozzle moving means for advancing and retreating the air jet nozzle toward the ink jet head in the washing tank. The cleaning mechanism of the ink jet head according to claim 7, wherein the cleaning liquid spray nozzle has a plurality of nozzle holes arranged in parallel with the nozzle holes provided in the ink jet head. The cleaning mechanism of the ink jet head according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the cleaning liquid spray nozzle is constituted by a columnar member having joints at both ends, and the washing liquid is sent from the joints at both ends. The cleaning mechanism of the ink jet head according to the seventh or eighth aspect of the invention, wherein the cleaning liquid spray nozzles are plural, and the ink jet heads are sandwiched and disposed opposite to each other. The cleaning mechanism of the inkjet head according to claim 10, wherein the nozzle hole of the cleaning liquid spray nozzle is deviated from the opposite direction The nozzle of the cleaning liquid spray nozzle is disposed. A cleaning mechanism for an ink jet head according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the air jet nozzle has a plurality of nozzle holes arranged in parallel with the nozzle holes provided in the ink jet head. A cleaning mechanism for an ink jet head according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the air jet nozzle is constituted by a columnar member having joints at both ends, and air is sent from the joints at both ends. A cleaning mechanism for an ink jet head according to the seventh or eighth aspect of the invention, wherein the air jet nozzles are plural, and the ink jet heads are sandwiched and disposed opposite to each other. The cleaning mechanism of the ink jet head according to claim 14, wherein the nozzle hole of the one air jet nozzle is disposed offset from the nozzle hole of the other air jet nozzle facing the opposite side. A cleaning mechanism for an ink jet head according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the nozzle rotating means for rotating the nozzle hole of the cleaning liquid spray nozzle toward the cleaning region is provided. A cleaning mechanism for an ink jet head according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the nozzle rotating means for rotating the nozzle hole of the air jet nozzle toward the cleaning region is provided. A cleaning mechanism for an ink jet head according to the seventh or eighth aspect of the invention, further comprising a waste liquid recovery means for recovering the waste liquid retained in the washing tank. A cleaning mechanism for an ink jet head according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the cleaning liquid feeding means is a cleaning liquid comprising a solvent having a factor for dissolving ink. A device comprising a cleaning mechanism for an inkjet head having the patent application No. 7 or 8.