WO2014013895A1 - Liquid discharhge device, and moisture retaining device for liquid discharge head - Google Patents

Liquid discharhge device, and moisture retaining device for liquid discharge head Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014013895A1
WO2014013895A1 PCT/JP2013/068492 JP2013068492W WO2014013895A1 WO 2014013895 A1 WO2014013895 A1 WO 2014013895A1 JP 2013068492 W JP2013068492 W JP 2013068492W WO 2014013895 A1 WO2014013895 A1 WO 2014013895A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
liquid
cap
nozzle surface
head
nozzle
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2013/068492
Other languages
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
井上　浩志
津澤　義行
Original Assignee
富士フイルム株式会社
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 富士フイルム株式会社 filed Critical 富士フイルム株式会社
Publication of WO2014013895A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014013895A1/en

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/165—Preventing or detecting of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16505—Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out
    • B41J2/16508—Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out connected with the printer frame
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/165—Preventing or detecting of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16585—Preventing or detecting of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus, and more particularly, to a moisturizing apparatus that moisturizes the periphery of a nozzle portion in order to prevent clogging of a nozzle (liquid ejecting port) in a liquid ejecting head and a liquid ejecting apparatus including the same.
  • a liquid discharge head typified by an inkjet head may cause clogging due to thickening of the liquid in the nozzle during non-operation or standby.
  • a configuration including a cap (also referred to as a moisturizing cap) for retaining moisture around the nozzle portion for the purpose of preventing such a situation is known (Patent Document 1).
  • Patent Document 1 a recording head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting a recording liquid, a recording liquid receiving portion capable of receiving the recording liquid in contact with the recording head and receiving the recording liquid, and a moisturizing liquid can be received
  • a cap having a humectant receiving part is disclosed.
  • the cap described in Patent Document 1 is configured such that an elastic body is provided on the outer wall of the cap, and the elastic body is crushed when the cap is mounted, and the partition wall of the cap is brought into contact with the nozzle forming surface of the recording head ( Patent Document 1 paragraph 0044).
  • Patent Document 1 the elastic body of the outer wall of the cap is below the ejection surface (nozzle surface) of the recording head in a state where the cap is in contact with the recording head.
  • the ejection surface nozzle surface
  • the elastic body of the outer wall of the cap is below the ejection surface (nozzle surface) of the recording head in a state where the cap is in contact with the recording head.
  • the ejected ink adheres to the elastic body and contaminates the elastic body. If the ink is fixed on the elastic body, the sealing performance at the time of capping is lowered, and sufficient moisture retention cannot be performed.
  • the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a liquid ejecting apparatus and a liquid ejecting head capable of suppressing contamination of a sealing member that closely contacts the head and the cap and maintaining and improving moisture retention.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a moisturizing apparatus.
  • a liquid ejection head having a nozzle surface on which nozzles for ejecting liquid are formed, a cap facing the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head and covering the nozzle surface, and a contact portion between the liquid ejection head and the cap And a sealing member that seals a position higher than the nozzle surface in a state where the cap is brought into contact with the liquid discharge head via the sealing member and the nozzle surface is covered with the cap.
  • a liquid ejection device is provided.
  • the sealing member is interposed in the contact portion between the liquid discharge head and the cap, the contact portion is sealed by the sealing member, and the nozzle surface is covered with the cap. Since the sealing member is positioned above the nozzle surface and the position higher than the nozzle surface is sealed with the cap attached to the liquid discharge head, the sealing member is hardly contaminated. Thereby, the fall of the sealing performance by a sealing member can be prevented, and moisture retention can be maintained.
  • the position higher than the nozzle surface is a position above the nozzle surface when the gravity direction is set downward with respect to the nozzle surface.
  • the normal direction of the nozzle surface is a position away from the nozzle surface in a direction opposite to the ejection direction.
  • the sealing member is provided at a contact portion between the cap and the liquid ejection head, and is elastically deformed and contacted when the cap abuts the liquid ejection head. It can be set as the structure which seals a part.
  • an elastic body such as rubber, a brush, a felt, or the like can be used.
  • the sealing member may be attached to the cap side, attached to the liquid discharge head side, or attached to both the cap and the liquid discharge head.
  • the sealing member seals a position higher than the nozzle surface during the purge operation for ejecting the liquid from the nozzle toward the cap.
  • a configuration is preferable.
  • Purging (sometimes called pre-discharge, idle discharge, etc.) is an operation of pushing out the liquid from the nozzle, and the liquid is discharged into the cap. Since the sealing member is located at a position higher than the position of the nozzle surface during the purge operation, liquid adhesion to the sealing member can be suppressed and contamination can be effectively prevented.
  • the sealing member may be brought into contact with the side wall of the liquid ejection head and sealed.
  • the sealing member when the sealing member is brought into contact with the side wall of the liquid discharge head, the sealing member is configured to seal a position higher than the nozzle surface.
  • the sealing member is brought into contact with at least a part of the side wall of the liquid discharge head to seal the side surface of the head.
  • the side surface of the head along the longitudinal direction of the head is sealed with a sealing member.
  • the sealing member may be provided on the side wall of the cap.
  • the sealing member is brought into contact with the side wall of the liquid discharge head to seal the side surface of the head
  • a mode in which the sealing member is interposed between the side wall of the cap and the side wall of the liquid discharge head is preferable.
  • the sealing member is compressed in the normal direction of the side surface of the head at the time of contact.
  • a sealing member is provided at the tip of the side wall of the cap. Can do. In this case, the sealing member is compressed in the normal direction of the nozzle surface at the time of contact.
  • the sealing member can be removed from the cap and replaced.
  • the support member that holds the sealing member is provided, and the support member that holds the sealing member is interposed via the fastening member.
  • the sealing member can be removed together with the support member by releasing the connection by the fastening member.
  • the liquid ejection device includes a wiping member that contacts the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head to clean the nozzle surface, and is directed from the nozzle toward the cap.
  • the nozzle surface is brought into contact with the wiping member by moving the liquid ejection head in a plane parallel to the nozzle surface while maintaining the height of the nozzle surface during the purge operation to discharge the liquid, thereby wiping and cleaning the nozzle surface. It is preferable to adopt a configuration in which
  • the wiping member various forms such as a web, a blade, a brush, and a roll can be used, and an appropriate combination thereof can be used.
  • the liquid ejection head is a line head, and the sealing member is provided along the longitudinal direction of the line head. It can be set as a structure.
  • the cap receives the liquid ejected from the nozzle at a position facing the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head. It can be set as the structure which has these.
  • the liquid is discharged from the nozzle toward the liquid holding unit.
  • the humidity around the nozzle part can be increased.
  • the liquid holding unit may be a moisturizing liquid storage unit that stores the moisturizing liquid.
  • the moisturizing liquid storage part may be composed of a single recess, or may be partitioned into a plurality of storage parts.
  • the cap may have a moisturizing liquid supply port for supplying the moisturizing liquid into the cap.
  • the liquid discharged from the nozzle can also be used as a moisturizing liquid.
  • a seal that opposes a nozzle surface of a liquid discharge head having a nozzle surface on which a nozzle for discharging liquid is formed, covers the nozzle surface, and seals a contact portion between the liquid discharge head and the cap.
  • a sealing member disposed at a position that seals a position higher than the nozzle surface when the cap is in contact with the liquid ejection head and the nozzle surface is covered with the cap via the sealing member.
  • a liquid ejection head moisturizing device is provided.
  • liquid ejection head moisturizing device can be appropriately combined with the same features as those described in the second to twelfth aspects.
  • the sealing member is provided at a contact portion between the cap and the liquid ejection head, and is elastically deformed when the cap abuts on the liquid ejection head.
  • the contact portion can be sealed.
  • an elastic body such as rubber, a brush, a felt, or the like can be used.
  • the sealing member is attached to the cap side, an aspect in which the sealing member is attached to the liquid ejection head side, and an aspect in which the sealing member is attached to both the cap and the liquid ejection head.
  • the sealing member is positioned higher than the nozzle surface during the purge operation for discharging liquid from the nozzle toward the cap. It is preferable to have a structure for sealing. Purge (sometimes referred to as preliminary discharge, idle discharge, etc.) is an operation of pushing out the liquid from the nozzle, and the liquid is discharged into the cap. Since the sealing member is located at a position higher than the position of the nozzle surface during the purge operation, liquid adhesion to the sealing member can be suppressed and contamination can be effectively prevented.
  • Purge sometimes referred to as preliminary discharge, idle discharge, etc.
  • the sealing member may be brought into contact with the side wall of the liquid ejection head for sealing.
  • the sealing member is configured to seal a position higher than the nozzle surface. It is preferable that the sealing member is brought into contact with at least a part of the side wall of the liquid discharge head to seal the side surface of the head. In order to further improve the sealing performance, it is preferable that the side surface of the head along the longitudinal direction of the head is sealed with a sealing member.
  • the sealing member may be provided on the side wall of the cap.
  • a mode in which the sealing member is interposed between the side wall of the cap and the side wall of the liquid discharge head is preferable. In this case, the sealing member is compressed in the normal direction of the side surface of the head at the time of contact.
  • a sealing member is provided at the tip of the side wall of the cap. Can do. In this case, the sealing member is compressed in the normal direction of the nozzle surface at the time of contact.
  • the sealing member is detachably attached to the cap. According to this aspect, the sealing member can be removed from the cap and replaced.
  • the liquid ejection head moisturizing device according to any one of the thirteenth to eighteenth aspects, comprising a support member that holds the sealing member, and the support member that holds the sealing member is fastened It is connected to the cap via the member, and the sealing member can be removed together with the support member by releasing the connection by the fastening member. According to this aspect, it is easy to attach and remove the sealing member via the fastening member, and the sealing member can be replaced.
  • the liquid ejection head moisturizing device according to any one of the 13th aspect to the 19th aspect, further comprising a wiping member that contacts the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head and cleans the nozzle surface, from the nozzle
  • the nozzle surface is brought into contact with the wiping member by moving the liquid discharge head in a plane parallel to the nozzle surface while maintaining the height of the nozzle surface during the purge operation for discharging the liquid toward the cap. It is preferable that the wiping and cleaning be performed.
  • the wiping member various forms such as a web, a blade, a brush, and a roll can be used, and an appropriate combination thereof can be used.
  • the liquid ejection head is a line head, and the sealing member is along the longitudinal direction of the line head. It can be set as the structure provided. By sealing at least the surface along the longitudinal direction of the line head, the airtightness is improved and a sufficient moisturizing force can be secured. In the short direction of the line head, it is possible to substantially ensure the moisture retention of the nozzle surface even if the sealing by the sealing member is omitted.
  • the cap receives the ejection liquid from the nozzle at a position facing the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head. It can be set as the structure which has a liquid holding
  • the liquid holding unit may be a moisturizing liquid storage unit that stores the moisturizing liquid.
  • the moisturizing liquid storage part may be constituted by a single recess, or may be partitioned into a plurality of storage parts.
  • the cap may have a moisturizing liquid supply port for supplying a moisturizing liquid into the cap.
  • the liquid discharged from the nozzle can be used as the moisturizing liquid.
  • the sealing property by a sealing member can be maintained and the moisture retention of a liquid discharge head can be improved.
  • FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of the drawing unit.
  • FIG. 3 is a front view of the drawing unit and the maintenance unit.
  • FIG. 4 is an exploded plan view schematically illustrating the configuration of the drawing unit and the maintenance unit.
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a main part of a maintenance station including the moisturizing apparatus according to the present embodiment.
  • FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of the cap.
  • FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state during cap (during head moisturization storage) during printing standby or when the power is turned off.
  • FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state during the ink purge operation.
  • FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of the drawing unit.
  • FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the nozzle surface inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.
  • FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the nozzle surface inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.
  • FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a nozzle surface that is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane.
  • FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of an inkjet head (line head).
  • FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of an inkjet head.
  • FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating an example of an arrangement form of nozzles.
  • FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the ink jet recording apparatus 10 (liquid ejection apparatus) applies a plurality of colors of ink from the ink jet heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y to the recording medium 24 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “paper”) held on the drawing drum 70.
  • a direct drawing type ink jet recording apparatus that forms a desired color image by ejecting droplets.
  • a treatment liquid (here, an aggregating treatment liquid) is applied onto the recording medium 24 before ink ejection, and the treatment liquid and the ink liquid are applied.
  • 2 is a drop-on-demand type image forming apparatus to which a two-liquid reaction (aggregation) method for forming an image on a recording medium 24 is applied.
  • the ink jet recording apparatus 10 includes a paper feed unit 12, a processing liquid application unit 14, a drawing unit 16, a drying unit 18, a fixing unit 20, and a paper discharge unit 22.
  • a recording medium 24 that is a sheet is stacked on the paper supply unit 12.
  • the recording media 24 are fed one by one from the paper feed tray 50 of the paper feed unit 12 to the processing liquid application unit 14.
  • a sheet cut paper
  • a configuration in which continuous paper (roll paper) is cut to a required size and fed is also possible.
  • the processing liquid application unit 14 is a mechanism that applies the processing liquid to the recording surface of the recording medium 24.
  • the treatment liquid contains a color material aggregating agent that agglomerates the color material (pigment in this example) applied in the ink provided by the drawing unit 16, and the ink comes into contact with the colorant when the treatment liquid comes into contact with the ink. And the solvent are promoted.
  • the treatment liquid application unit 14 includes a paper feed drum 52, a treatment liquid drum 54, and a treatment liquid application device 56.
  • the processing liquid drum 54 is provided with a claw-shaped holding means (gripper) 55 on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and the recording medium 24 is sandwiched between the claw of the holding means 55 and the peripheral surface of the processing liquid drum 54 to thereby remove the recording medium 24.
  • the tip can be held.
  • a suction hole may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the treatment liquid drum 54, and a suction means for performing suction from the suction hole may be connected. As a result, the recording medium 24 can be held in close contact with the peripheral surface of the treatment liquid drum 54.
  • a treatment liquid coating device 56 is disposed to face the peripheral surface of the treatment liquid drum 54.
  • the processing liquid coating device 56 includes a processing liquid container in which the processing liquid is stored, an anix roller partially immersed in the processing liquid in the processing liquid container, and a processing liquid measured by the anix roller. It is comprised with the rubber roller which transfers to the upper recording medium 24.
  • FIG. In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the application method using the roller is exemplified, but the treatment liquid applying means is not limited to this, and various methods such as a spray method and an ink jet method can also be applied.
  • the recording medium 24 to which the processing liquid is applied is transferred from the processing liquid drum 54 to the drawing drum 70 of the drawing unit 16 via the intermediate transport unit 26.
  • the drawing unit 16 includes a drawing drum 70, a paper holding roller 74, and inkjet heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y (corresponding to “liquid ejection head”, hereinafter simply referred to as “head”).
  • the drawing drum 70 includes a claw-shaped holding means (gripper) 71 on the outer peripheral surface thereof, like the processing liquid drum 54.
  • Each of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y is a full-line type recording head (line head) having a length corresponding to the maximum width of the image forming area in the recording medium 24, and image formation is performed on the ink discharge surface.
  • a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles for ink ejection are arranged over the entire width of the region is formed.
  • Each of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is installed so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium 24 (the rotation direction of the drawing drum 70).
  • Corresponding color ink droplets are ejected from the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y toward the recording surface of the recording medium 24 held in close contact with the drawing drum 70.
  • the ink comes into contact with the treatment liquid applied to the recording surface in advance by the treatment liquid application unit 14, and the color material (pigment) dispersed in the ink is aggregated to form a color material aggregate. Thereby, the color material flow on the recording medium 24 is prevented, and an image is formed on the recording surface of the recording medium 24.
  • the recording medium 24 is conveyed at a constant speed by the drawing drum 70, and the operation of moving the recording medium 24 and the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y relative to the conveying direction is performed only once (that is, once). In this sub scanning, an image can be recorded in the image forming area of the recording medium 24.
  • the inkjet recording apparatus 10 using four colors of CMYK is illustrated, but the combination of the ink color and the number of colors is not limited to this embodiment, and light ink, dark ink, special ink is used as necessary. Color ink may be added. For example, it is possible to add a head for ejecting light ink such as light cyan and light magenta, and the arrangement order of the color heads is not particularly limited.
  • the recording medium 24 on which the image is formed by the drawing unit 16 is transferred from the drawing drum 70 to the drying drum 76 of the drying unit 18 through the intermediate conveyance unit 28.
  • the drying unit 18 is a mechanism that dries moisture contained in the solvent separated by the color material aggregation action, and includes a drying drum 76 and a solvent drying device 78. Similar to the treatment liquid drum 54, the drying drum 76 includes a claw-shaped holding unit (gripper) 77 on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and the holding unit 77 can hold the leading end of the recording medium 24.
  • the drying drum 76 Similar to the treatment liquid drum 54, the drying drum 76 includes a claw-shaped holding unit (gripper) 77 on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and the holding unit 77 can hold the leading end of the recording medium 24.
  • the solvent drying device 78 is disposed at a position facing the outer peripheral surface of the drying drum 76, and includes a plurality of halogen heaters 80 and hot air jet nozzles 82 disposed between the halogen heaters 80.
  • the recording medium 24 that has been dried by the drying unit 18 is transferred from the drying drum 76 to the fixing drum 84 of the fixing unit 20 via the intermediate conveyance unit 30.
  • the fixing unit 20 includes a fixing drum 84, a halogen heater 86, a fixing roller 88, and an inline sensor 90.
  • the fixing drum 84 includes a claw-shaped holding unit (gripper) 85 on its outer peripheral surface, and the holding unit 85 can hold the leading end of the recording medium 24.
  • the recording surface of the recording medium 24 is preheated by the halogen heater 86, fixed by the fixing roller 88, and inspected by the inline sensor 90.
  • the fixing roller 88 is a roller member for heating and pressurizing the dried ink to weld the self-dispersing polymer fine particles in the ink to form a film of the ink, and is configured to heat and press the recording medium 24.
  • the Specifically, the fixing roller 88 is disposed so as to be in pressure contact with the fixing drum 84, and constitutes a nip roller with the fixing drum 84.
  • the recording medium 24 is sandwiched between the fixing roller 88 and the fixing drum 84, nipped with a predetermined nip pressure, and a fixing process is performed.
  • the fixing roller 88 is configured by a heating roller incorporating a halogen lamp or the like, and is controlled to a predetermined temperature.
  • the in-line sensor 90 reads an image (including a density measurement test chart and a non-ejection detection test pattern) formed on the recording medium 24, and detects a density of the image, an image defect, and the like ( Image reading means), and a CCD line sensor or the like is applied.
  • the fixing unit 20 since the resin in the thin image layer formed by the drying unit 18 is heated and pressed by the fixing roller 88 and melted, it can be fixed and fixed to the recording medium 24.
  • the recording medium 24 held on the outer peripheral surface of the fixing drum 84 from the back surface drying is promoted, image destruction at the time of fixing can be prevented, and the image strength is increased by the effect of increasing the image temperature. Can do.
  • the inkjet recording apparatus 10 includes a UV exposure unit that exposes ink on the recording medium 24 to UV light instead of the heat-pressure fixing unit (fixing roller 88) using a heat roller.
  • a UV exposure unit that exposes ink on the recording medium 24 to UV light
  • an actinic ray curable resin such as a UV curable resin
  • an actinic ray such as a UV lamp or an ultraviolet LD (laser diode) array is used instead of the fixing roller 88 for heat fixing.
  • Means for irradiating are provided.
  • the paper discharge unit 22 includes a discharge tray 92, and a transfer drum 94, a conveyance belt 96, and a tension roller 98 are provided between the discharge tray 92 and the fixing drum 84 of the fixing unit 20 so as to be in contact therewith. Is provided.
  • the recording medium 24 is sent to the conveying belt 96 by the transfer drum 94 and discharged to the discharge tray 92. Although the details of the paper transport mechanism by the transport belt 96 are not shown, the recording medium 24 after printing is held at the front end of the paper by a gripper (not shown) gripped between endless transport belts 96. Is carried above the discharge tray 92 by the rotation of.
  • the ink jet recording apparatus 10 has an ink storage / loading unit that supplies ink to the heads 72 ⁇ / b> M, 72 ⁇ / b> K, 72 ⁇ / b> C, and 72 ⁇ / b> Y and the processing liquid application unit 14 in addition to the above configuration. Means for supplying the processing liquid is provided. Further, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 includes a maintenance unit (FIGS. 3 to 6 and the like) that performs cleaning of each head 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y (nozzle surface wiping, purging, nozzle suction, etc.) and head moisturization during printing standby. A maintenance station including a moisturizing device 150 (to be described later), a position detection sensor for detecting the position of the recording medium 24 on the sheet conveyance path, and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of each part of the apparatus.
  • a moisturizing device 150 to be described later
  • a position detection sensor for detecting the position of the recording medium 24 on the sheet conveyance path
  • a temperature sensor for
  • FIG. 2 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the drawing unit
  • FIG. 3 is a front view thereof (viewed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the paper transport direction).
  • FIG. 4 is a plane development explanatory view schematically showing the configuration of the drawing unit and the maintenance unit.
  • the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y of the respective colors are arranged along the peripheral surface of the drawing drum 70, and the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY of the heads are arranged on the drum peripheral surface.
  • the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY of the respective heads are disposed in an attitude inclined with respect to the horizontal plane so that the distance is substantially constant (slow distance).
  • the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y of the respective colors are radially arranged on the concentric circle with the rotation axis 102 of the drawing drum 70 as the center at a constant interval in the circumferential direction.
  • the four heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line along the vertical direction of the drawing drum 70.
  • a magenta (M) head 72M and a yellow (Y) head 72Y are arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical line (center line) passing through the center of the drawing drum 70, and a black (K) head 72K.
  • a cyan (C) head 72C are arranged symmetrically.
  • the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y arranged in this way are arranged so that the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY formed at the lower ends thereof face the outer peripheral surface of the drawing drum 70, respectively.
  • the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY are positioned at predetermined heights from the outer peripheral surface of the drawing drum 70 (the same between the outer peripheral surface of the drawing drum 70 and the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY). An amount of gap is formed.).
  • the nozzle rows formed on the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY are arranged orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium 24.
  • These multiple heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y are attached to the head support frame 140 and arranged around the drawing drum 70.
  • the drawing drum 70 is rotatably provided with both ends of the rotating shaft 102 supported by a pair of bearings 104 (see FIG. 3).
  • the bearing 104 is provided on the main body frame 106 of the inkjet recording apparatus 10, and the drawing drum 70 is mounted horizontally (on the horizontal installation surface) by supporting both ends of the rotating shaft 102 on the bearing 104.
  • the rotating shaft 102 is mounted in parallel.
  • a motor is connected to the rotation shaft 102 of the drawing drum 70 via a rotation transmission mechanism (not shown).
  • the drawing drum 70 is driven by this motor and rotates.
  • the head support frame 140 has a pair of side plates 142L and 142R provided orthogonal to the rotation shaft 102 of the drawing drum 70, and a connection that connects the pair of side plates 142L and 142R at the upper end. And a frame 144.
  • the side plates 142L and 142R are formed in a plate shape and are disposed so as to face each other with the drawing drum 70 interposed therebetween.
  • a mounting portion 146 for mounting the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is provided inside the pair of side plates 142L, 142R. In FIG. 3, for the sake of convenience, only the magenta mounting portion 146 is shown, but the same mounting portion is provided for each color head.
  • the mounting portions 146 are arranged radially at regular intervals on a concentric circle with the rotation axis 102 of the drawing drum 70 as the center.
  • Each head 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is attached to the head support frame 140 by fixing the attached portions 148 formed at both ends thereof to the attaching portions 146.
  • FIG. 3 only the magenta attached portion 148 is shown for convenience, but the same attached portion is provided for each color head.
  • the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y are attached to the head support frame 140, and are radially arranged on the concentric circle with the rotation shaft 102 of the drawing drum 70 as the center.
  • the head support frame 140 is guided by a guide rail (not shown) and is slidable in parallel with the rotation shaft 102 of the drawing drum 70. And it drives by the linear drive mechanism (for example, feed screw mechanism etc.) which is not shown in figure, and moves between the "image recording position" shown by the continuous line in FIG. 3, and the "maintenance position" shown by the broken line in FIG.
  • the linear drive mechanism for example, feed screw mechanism etc.
  • each of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is arranged around the drawing drum 70 and is ready for image recording.
  • the maintenance position is set to a position where each head 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is retracted from the drawing drum 70. At this maintenance position, a moisturizing device 150 for moisturizing each head 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is installed.
  • the moisturizing device 150 includes caps 200M, 200K, 200C, and 200Y that cover the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, and 72AY of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y (see FIG. 4).
  • FIG. 4 for easy understanding, the configuration of the heads of the respective colors arranged along the arc of the drum peripheral surface and the caps corresponding to the heads are shown in a plane development. In FIG. 3, only the magenta cap 200M is shown for convenience.
  • the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y are moved to the maintenance position, and the nozzle surfaces of each head are moved by the caps 200M, 200K, 200C, 200Y 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY are covered.
  • Each cap 200M, 200K, 200C, 200Y is provided with a moisturizing liquid supply mechanism (not shown) so that the moisturizing liquid can be supplied into the cap.
  • a moisturizing liquid supply mechanism not shown
  • the caps 200M, 200K, 200C, and 200Y are provided with a pressurizing / suction mechanism (not shown) so that the inside of the nozzle can be pressurized and sucked. Further, in the case of this example, the pressure supply purge of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is performed to force the ink from all the nozzles of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y. it can.
  • a waste liquid tray 154 is disposed below the caps 200M, 200K, 200C, and 200Y.
  • the moisturizing liquid and purged ink supplied to the caps 200M, 200K, 200C, and 200Y are discarded in the waste liquid tray 154 and collected in the waste liquid tank 158 via the waste liquid collection pipe 156.
  • a nozzle surface cleaning device 160 for cleaning the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is provided between the image recording position and the maintenance position.
  • Each head 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is moved by the nozzle surface cleaning device 160 in the process of moving from the maintenance position to the image recording position or in the process of moving from the image recording position to the maintenance position.
  • 72AC and 72AY are cleaned.
  • the nozzle surface cleaning device 160 includes a cleaning liquid applying device 162 and a nozzle surface wiping device 164. Although only the nozzle surface cleaning device 160 corresponding to the magenta inkjet head 72M is shown in FIG. 3, the same nozzle surface cleaning device is provided for each of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y (FIG. 3). 4).
  • cleaning liquid applying devices 162M, 162K, 162C, 162Y and nozzle surface wiping devices 164M, 164K, 164C, 164Y are provided corresponding to the respective heads. Since the configurations of the cleaning liquid applying devices 162M, 162K, 162C, and 162Y corresponding to the respective heads are the same, the cleaning liquid applying device 162 will be described below.
  • the nozzle surface wiping devices 164M, 164K, 164C, and 164Y corresponding to each head have the same configuration, so that the nozzle surface wiping device 164 will be described below.
  • the description of matters common to the heads of the respective colors will be described by representing the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y with the reference numeral 72 indicating the head and the reference numeral 72A indicating the nozzle surface.
  • the cleaning liquid applying device 162 is a means for applying a cleaning liquid to the nozzle surface 72A of the head 72, and has a cleaning liquid supply nozzle 184 and a cleaning liquid holding surface 185 for holding the cleaning liquid.
  • the hole of the cleaning liquid supply nozzle 184 is open to the cleaning liquid holding surface 185, and the cleaning liquid is taken out from the cleaning liquid supply nozzle 184 and held on the cleaning liquid holding surface 185.
  • the nozzle surface wiping device 164 moves the head 72 by bringing the wiping web 192 into contact with the nozzle surface 72A while moving the wiping web 192 (corresponding to a “wiping member”) formed in a belt shape. Wipe 72A.
  • the wiping web 192 is formed of a sheet made of knitting or weaving using ultrafine fibers such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PE (Polyethylene), NY (NYLON), and the like. It is formed in a strip shape having a width corresponding to the width of the nozzle surface 72A.
  • the wiping web 192 is provided in a state in which the wiping web 192 is wound in a roll shape around a delivery-side web core (not shown) and the tip is fixed to a winding-side web core (not shown).
  • the nozzle surface wiping device 164 includes a transport unit (not shown) that transports the wiping web 192 and a pressing roll 194 that brings the wiping web 192 into contact with the nozzle surface 72A with a predetermined pressure.
  • the pressing roll 194 is biased in a direction toward the nozzle surface 72A by a biasing spring (not shown).
  • the wiping web 192 wound around the pressing roll 194 is conveyed by driving a winding motor (not shown).
  • the nozzle surface 72A can be efficiently wiped by moving the nozzle surface 72A in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the wiping web 192.
  • the nozzle surface wiping device 164 can be moved in the vertical direction by a lifting mechanism (not shown). When wiping and cleaning of the nozzle surface 72A is unnecessary, the wiping web 192 is retracted to a position where it does not come into contact with the nozzle surface 72A.
  • the nozzle surface wiping device 164 may include a cleaning liquid application unit that supplies the cleaning liquid directly to the wiping web 192 and a cleaning liquid recovery unit that recovers excess cleaning liquid from the wiping web 192.
  • each head 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is supported by a movable support mechanism that can move in the normal direction of each nozzle surface 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY.
  • this movable support mechanism With this movable support mechanism, the distance (gap) between the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y and the outer peripheral surface of the drawing drum 70 can be adjusted, and the heads at the maintenance position can be adjusted. You can change the height.
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a main part of a maintenance station including the moisturizing apparatus according to the present embodiment
  • FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of the cap.
  • FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state during capping (when the head is kept moisturized) when waiting for printing or when the power is turned off
  • FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state during an ink purge operation. .
  • the maintenance station is provided with caps 200M, 200K, 200C, and 200Y corresponding to the respective heads. Since the structures of the caps 200M, 200K, 200C, and 200Y are the same, the caps are denoted by reference numeral 200 below as representative of the caps.
  • the cap 200 includes a cap frame 202 that forms a cover part (outer frame) of the outer frame, and a liquid holding unit 210 that is provided inside the cap frame 202 and disposed at a position facing the nozzle surface 72A.
  • a cap main body 206 is configured by a combination of a cap inner frame body 204 (inner frame body portion) in which a recess functioning as the liquid holding unit 210 is formed and a cap frame body 202 covering the outer side.
  • the cap 200 of this example has a double structure (nested structure) in which the liquid holding part 210 is provided inside the cap frame 202.
  • sealing members 220 and 222 that are elastically deformed when coming into contact with the head 72 to improve the sealing performance are provided. ing.
  • the sealing members 220 and 222 are held by the support members 250 and 252, respectively.
  • the support members 250 and 252 holding the sealing members 220 and 222 are respectively fixed screws 254 and 256 (corresponding to “fastening members”). It is attached to the cap main body 206 by.
  • the support member 250 is connected to the cap inner frame 204 by the fixing screw 254, and the support member 252 is connected to the cap frame 202 by the fixing screw 256 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). Note that a plurality of fastening points by the fixing screws 254 and 256 are provided along the longitudinal direction of the cap 200.
  • the support members 250 and 252 are members that constitute the side wall of the cap 200 together with the side walls of the cap inner frame body 204 and the cap frame body 202.
  • the sealing members 220 and 222 provided on the side wall of the cap 200 are in contact with the side wall of the head 72 (in this example, the side wall along the longitudinal direction of the head 72) and seal the contact portion ( (See FIGS. 7 and 8).
  • the sealing members 220 and 222 are brought into contact with the side wall of the head 72, and the side surface of the head is sealed at a position higher than the nozzle surface 72A.
  • the ink jet recording apparatus 10 of this example includes a mechanism (not shown) that moves the cap 200 and the head 72 relative to each other in the normal direction of the nozzle surface 72A. As shown in FIGS. The head 72 can be moved in the normal direction of the nozzle surface 72A in a state in which 220 and 222 are in contact with the head side surface.
  • the structure which moves the head 72 with respect to the cap 200 may be sufficient, the structure which moves the cap 200 with respect to the head 72 may be sufficient, and these combination may be sufficient.
  • the sealing members 220 and 222 preferably have low sliding resistance.
  • hollow silicon rubber coated with fluorine is used as the sealing members 220 and 222.
  • brushes, felts, and the like are suitable for the sealing members 220 and 222. Brush bristles and felt fibers are elastically deformed at the time of contact, and are restored to their original shape upon contact release. The brush and the felt can also function as a sealing member that is elastically deformed at the time of contact and seals the contact portion.
  • the sealing members 220 and 222 are located above the nozzle surface 72A and higher than the nozzle surface 72A. Is sealed. For this reason, it is difficult for ink to adhere to the sealing members 220 and 222.
  • FIG. 9 the meanings of “above the nozzle surface 72A” and “a position higher than the nozzle surface 72A” will be described with reference to FIGS. 9, 10, and 11.
  • FIG. 9 the meanings of “above the nozzle surface 72A” and “a position higher than the nozzle surface 72A” will be described with reference to FIGS. 9, 10, and 11.
  • the inclined nozzle surface 72A of the head 72 is inclined downward.
  • the nozzle face 72A has a width in the vertical direction.
  • the inclined nozzle surface 72A is at least a position above the lowest position 272 of the nozzle surface 72A, and is preferably a position above the highest position 274 of the nozzle surface 72A.
  • the range of the nozzle surface 72A that defines the lowest position 272 and the highest position 274 of the nozzle surface 72A corresponds to the range of the nozzle portion 276 of the head 72.
  • a plurality of nozzles (not shown in FIG. 9, refer to reference numeral 350 in FIG. 14) are formed on the nozzle plate constituting the nozzle surface 72A, and the nozzle formation region (nozzles of the nozzles) in which the plurality of nozzles are arranged.
  • the nozzle portion 276 is configured to include the discharge surface area).
  • the range of the nozzle formation region in the nozzle plate of the head 72 can be specified as the range of the nozzle surface 72A (nozzle portion 276). Further, simply, the entire area of the nozzle plate exposed on the lower surface (ejection surface) of the head 72 can be specified as the nozzle surface 72A. If the area of the nozzle non-formation area provided outside the nozzle formation area in the nozzle plate is not excessively large, the entire area of the nozzle plate can be handled as the nozzle surface 72A.
  • the sealing members 220 and 222 are at least more than the horizontal plane 262 at the lowest position 272. Is also located above (high position). More preferably, when a horizontal plane 264 passing through the highest position 274 of the nozzle surface 72A is assumed, the sealing members 220 and 222 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) are above the horizontal plane 264 of the highest position 274 ( It is preferable to have a configuration located at a high position.
  • the discharge liquid from the nozzle is difficult to adhere to the sealing members 220 and 222, and the sealing members 220 and 222 are not easily contaminated.
  • FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram that captures the description expressions “above the nozzle surface 72A” and “position higher than the nozzle surface 72A” from a viewpoint different from FIG.
  • the plane including the nozzle surface 72A and parallel to the nozzle surface 72A. 280 can be assumed.
  • the plane 280 is a virtual single plane obtained by expanding (extending along the same plane) the nozzle surface 72A on the same plane.
  • the sealing members 220 and 222 may be in contact with the head 72 in the space region above the plane 280. .
  • the liquid discharged from the nozzle on the nozzle surface 72A is less likely to adhere to the sealing members 220 and 222, and the sealing members 220 and 222 are less likely to become dirty.
  • the sealing member 222 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) that seals the inclined lower side is lower than the lowest position 272 of the nozzle surface 72 ⁇ / b> A as compared with the conditions described in FIG. 9. More preferably, the sealing member may be disposed at a position higher than the lowest position 272 of the nozzle surface 72A.
  • FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram substantially equivalent to FIG. In FIG. 11, the same elements as those in FIG. In FIG. 11, a broken line arrow (reference numeral 282) indicates a discharge direction in which the liquid is discharged from the nozzle on the nozzle surface 72A. This discharge direction is parallel to the normal direction of the nozzle surface 72A and is directed downward with an angle ⁇ with the direction of gravity.
  • sealing members 220 and 222 since the sealing members 220 and 222 are attached to the cap body 206 via the fixing screws 254 and 256, the connection of the fixing screws 254 and 256 is released. Can be removed.
  • the sealing members 220 and 222 may be integrated with the support members 250 and 252 to be attached and detached. Alternatively, the sealing members 220 and 222 may be separated from the support members 250 and 252 and the support members 250 and 252 may be separated.
  • a configuration in which new sealing members 220 and 222 are attached (only the sealing members 220 and 222 are replaced and the same supporting members 250 and 252 are used) is also possible.
  • sealing members 220 and 222 can be easily detached, the sealing members 220 and 222 are temporarily stained with ink, or the sealing performance is deteriorated due to deterioration over time, or the like. In addition, only the sealing members 220 and 222 can be easily replaced. Thereby, cost reduction and usability improvement can be achieved.
  • the cap 200 is also inclined with respect to the horizontal plane in accordance with the inclination angle of the nozzle surface 72A inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.
  • the liquid holding part 210 disposed at the facing position facing the nozzle surface 72A has a concave part that can store the moisturizing liquid 212, and a partition plate 214 is erected in this concave part.
  • the partition plate 214 extends in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cap 200, and the liquid holding unit 210 is partitioned into a first storage unit 216 and a second storage unit 218 by the partition plate 214.
  • the liquid holding part 210 is divided into a plurality of regions in the inclination direction of the cap 200 by the partition plate 214, and the first storage part 216 is formed on the upper side in the inclination direction, and the second storage part 218 is formed on the lower side. ing.
  • the cap 200 is provided with a moisturizing liquid supply port 230 for supplying the moisturizing liquid to the liquid holding unit 210.
  • the moisturizing liquid supply port 230 is provided above the first reservoir 216 in the tilt direction.
  • one moisturizing liquid supply port 230 is provided in the central portion of the cap inner frame 204 in the cap longitudinal direction.
  • the number and location of the moisturizing liquid supply ports 230 are not limited to this example. It is sufficient if the moisturizing liquid can be supplied to the liquid holding unit 210, and a configuration including a plurality of moisturizing liquid supply ports is also possible.
  • a moisturizing liquid channel 232 is connected to the moisturizing liquid supply port 230, and the moisturizing liquid is sent from the moisturizing liquid tank (not shown) to the moisturizing liquid supply port 230 through the moisturizing liquid channel 232.
  • the moisturizing liquid is supplied from the moisturizing liquid supply port 230, and the moisturizing liquid 212 is stored in the first storage unit 216 and the second storage unit 218.
  • the liquid level 236 of the moisturizing liquid stored in the first storage unit 216 and the liquid level 238 of the moisturizing liquid stored in the second storage unit 218 are stepped with the partition plate 214 interposed therebetween.
  • the moisturizing liquid surface (236, 238) can be opposed to the nozzle surface 72A at a position close to the liquid retaining portion 210 that faces the nozzle surface 72A. Thereby, the state of relative humidity of 90% or more can be maintained for a long time.
  • an outer chamber 242 that can hold the liquid 240 overflowing from the liquid holding part 210 is formed outside the liquid holding part 210.
  • a drain port 244 is provided at the bottom of the cap frame 202, and when a certain amount of the liquid 240 is accumulated in the outer chamber 242, the liquid is discharged from the drain port 244.
  • the drain port 244 is provided at a position higher than the lowest point in the cap inclination direction at the bottom of the cap, and a certain amount of liquid 240 can be stored in the outer chamber 242.
  • a moisturizing liquid tank (not shown) is disposed at a position higher than the moisturizing liquid supply port 230, and a moisturizing liquid channel 232 that guides the moisturizing liquid from the moisturizing liquid tank to the moisturizing liquid supply port 230 of the cap 200 is provided.
  • a moisturizing liquid supply valve (not shown) capable of turning on (supplying) / off (stopping) the supply of the moisturizing liquid is provided in the middle of the moisturizing liquid channel 232 connecting the moisturizing liquid tank and the moisturizing liquid supply port 230.
  • the moisturizing liquid supply valve is composed of, for example, an electromagnetic valve.
  • the moisturizing liquid supply valve When the moisturizing liquid supply valve is turned on (opened), the moisturizing liquid flows from the moisturizing liquid tank 232 through the moisturizing liquid channel 232 due to a water head difference, and the moisturizing liquid flows out from the moisturizing liquid supply port 230.
  • the moisturizing liquid flows down along the inclination of the liquid holding unit 210 and accumulates in the first storage unit 216.
  • the height of the partition plate 214 that partitions the first reservoir 216 and the second reservoir 218 is lower than the other side walls of the first reservoir 216 and the second reservoir 218.
  • the height of the partition plate 214 here refers to the direction away from the bottom surface toward the nozzle surface 72A in a direction perpendicular to the inclined plane with reference to the inclined bottom surface (inclined plane) of the liquid holding portion. "Height".
  • the moisturizing liquid overflowing the first reservoir 216 gets over the partition plate 214, flows down to the second reservoir 218, and accumulates in the second reservoir 218.
  • the moisturizing liquid gets over the wall of the second reservoir 218 and falls into the outer chamber 242.
  • the outer chamber 242 includes a first reservoir 216 and a second reservoir 218 in which liquid surfaces 236 and 238 of the moisturizing liquid (hereinafter referred to as moisturizing liquid surfaces 236 and 238) are formed, and an air release portion of the cap 200. There is a function of separating the distance.
  • the sealing member is likely to become dirty due to ink purging or the like.
  • the outer chamber 242 is provided outside the liquid holding unit 210, and the sealing member 220 is provided on the outer wall of the cap away from the first storage unit 216 and the second storage unit 218 where the moisturizing liquid is stored. , 222 is attached and the part away from the storage part is sealed, so that the sealing members 220 and 222 can be prevented from being contaminated.
  • the drain port 244 is provided at a high position in the outer chamber 242 so that the liquid is also stored in the outer chamber 242. Thereby, the outer chamber 242 is also moisturized, which is effective for further improving the moisture retention.
  • a configuration in which the position (height) of the cap 200 is fixed and the head 72 is moved in the normal direction of the nozzle surface 72A may be used, or a configuration in which the position of the head 72 is fixed and the cap 200 is moved is also possible. Alternatively, a configuration in which both are moved may be used.
  • the distance between the nozzle surface 72A at the time of purging (FIG. 8) and the moisturizing liquid surfaces 236 and 238 is the same as the nozzle surface 72A at the time of cap at the head moisturizing position (FIG. 7). And the moisturizing liquid surfaces 236 and 238.
  • the reason why the nozzle surface 72A is kept away from the moisturizing liquid surfaces 236 and 238 during purging can be as follows.
  • the moisturizing liquid in the cap 200 and the purged ink are not connected by separating the distance between the nozzle surface 72A and the moisturizing liquid surface (236, 238) as shown in FIG. For this reason, destruction of the meniscus of the nozzle is suppressed, and unnecessary ink drawing from the nozzle is eliminated.
  • purging is performed in a state where the distance between the nozzle surface 72A and the moisturizing liquid surface (236, 238) is larger than that at the time of capping (during moisturizing storage in FIG. 7) (FIG. 8).
  • the ink ejected toward the liquid holding unit 210 can be mixed with the moisturizing liquid in the liquid holding unit 210 and function as a moisturizing liquid.
  • the ink ejected by the purge corresponds to “ejection liquid”.
  • the sealing members 220 and 222 are provided at a higher position than the position of the nozzle surface 72A at the time of purging. That is, as described with reference to FIG. 9, the sealing members 220 and 222 are at a position higher than at least the lowest position 272 on the inclined lower side of the nozzle surface 72 ⁇ / b> A. Further, as described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the sealing members 220 and 222 (see FIG. 8) at a position above the plane 280 with the virtual plane 280 including the nozzle surface 72A at the time of purging as a boundary surface. Is in contact with the head 72. For this reason, it is difficult for ink to adhere to the sealing members 220 and 222.
  • the sealing members 220 and 222 seal higher positions than the nozzle surface 72A at the time of purging in FIG. 8, and the sealing members 220 and 222 from the nozzle surface 72A also at the cap in FIG. The higher position is also sealed. That is, even at the cap time, the sealing members 220 and 222 are at a position higher than the lowest position 272 on the inclined lower side of the nozzle surface 72A (see FIG. 9). Further, as described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the sealing members 220 and 222 (see FIG. 7) at a position above the plane 280 with the virtual plane 280 including the nozzle surface 72A at the time of capping as a boundary surface. Is in contact with the head 72.
  • the sealing members 220 and 222 are on the upper side of the nozzle surface 72A with the cap mounted in either of the states of FIGS. 7 and 8 (at least the lowest position on the inclined lower side of the nozzle surface 72A) Higher than 272).
  • the nozzle surface 72A is wiped (wiped) and cleaned by the wiping web 192.
  • a blade may be used instead of or in combination with the wiping web 192.
  • the nozzle surface 72A causes the wiping web 192 (“wiping”).
  • the position of the wiping web 192 (that is, the position of the nozzle surface cleaning device 160) is set so as to contact the member “).
  • ink is adhered to the head nozzle surface 72A immediately after the purge, but the nozzle surface 72A is wiped by the horizontal movement of the head 72. Thereby, foreign matters such as attached ink are removed from the nozzle surface 72A, and ink scattering to the sealing members 220 and 222 can be prevented.
  • the horizontal movement direction of the head in the cap 200 is performed so that the above-described horizontal movement (parallel movement within the same plane as the nozzle surface 72A) can be performed while maintaining the height of the nozzle surface 72A during the purge.
  • the side wall (side wall along the short side direction) that faces is made low.
  • the cap side walls (side walls constituting the wall surface of the short side portion) arranged at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cap 200 are lower than the height of the cap side wall of the long side portion along the longitudinal direction.
  • the sealing member is not provided in the low wall portion, and an opening having a gap is formed between the nozzle surface 72A and the cap wall.
  • a head protection member (dummy plate, FIG. 10) for protecting the head 72 is provided at both ends of the head 72 in the longitudinal direction.
  • the head protection member 72D is a flat surface portion of the same surface as the nozzle surface 72A (meaning substantially the same surface including a range allowing an error that can be regarded as substantially the same surface). have.
  • a pressure purge is preferable instead of a purge by nozzle suction.
  • a suction pump is used for the cap instead of the pressure barge. It is possible to perform a suction purge that connects and generates negative pressure in the cap and sucks ink in the nozzle.
  • the side walls at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cap 200 are configured by a movable plate (movable wall) that can change the height of the wall, and the sealing structure and the open structure are controlled by controlling the height of the wall as necessary. Switching may be possible.
  • the sealing members 220 and 222 are not easily contaminated because the sealing members 220 and 222 seal the position higher than the position of the nozzle surface 72A during the purge operation.
  • the cap 200 has a double box structure in which an outer chamber 242 is provided outside the liquid holding unit 210, and is separated from the vicinity of the moisturizing liquid (that is, near the liquid holding unit 210) with the outer chamber 242 separated. Is sealed with the sealing members 220 and 222, so that the contamination of the sealing members 220 and 222 can be further avoided.
  • the sealing members 220 and 222 can be easily removed from the cap 200, and can be easily replaced with new sealing members.
  • a partition plate 214 is provided in the liquid holding part 210 that holds the moisturizing liquid at a position facing the nozzle surface 72A, and the moisturizing liquid storage part is divided into a plurality of regions (first storage part 216, second storage part in the cap inclination direction). 218) and the moisturizing liquid surfaces 236 and 238 are stepped. Therefore, the difference in distance between the inclined nozzle surface 72A and the horizontal moisturizing liquid surfaces 236 and 238 is corrected, and the nozzle surface 72A is made the moisturizing liquid surface. Can be close. As a result, the moisture retention of the cap is improved, the improvement of the ejection property of the head can be achieved, nozzle clogging can be prevented, and the life of the head can be extended.
  • FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the inkjet head used in the embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 12 shows a state where the nozzle surface 72A is looked up from below the head 72 (obliquely downward direction).
  • reference numeral 310 denotes a housing (housing for constituting a bar-shaped line head) serving as a frame for fixing a plurality of head modules 72-i
  • reference numeral 312 denotes a connection to each head module 72-i. Flexible substrate.
  • FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged view of the head 72 as seen from the nozzle surface 72A side.
  • Each head module 72-i is supported by a head module support member 72B from both sides of the head 72 in the short direction. Further, both end portions of the head 72 in the longitudinal direction are supported by a head protection member 72D.
  • Each head module 72-i (nth head module 72-n) has a structure in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in a matrix.
  • an oblique solid line denoted by reference numeral 351A represents a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in a row.
  • FIG. 14 is a plan view of the nozzle surface 72A in the head module 72-i (viewed from the discharge side). Although the number of nozzles is omitted in FIG. 14, for example, 32 ⁇ 64 nozzles 350 are two-dimensionally arranged on the ink ejection surface of one head module 72-i.
  • the Y direction is the recording medium (paper) feeding direction (sub-scanning direction)
  • the X direction is the recording medium width direction (main scanning direction).
  • This head module 72-i has an end face on the long side along the v direction having an angle ⁇ with respect to the X direction, and a short side along the w direction having an angle ⁇ with respect to the Y direction.
  • the plane shape of the parallelogram having the end surfaces of the parallelogram.
  • a full-line head capable of recording an image with a predetermined recording resolution (for example, 1200 dpi) is configured.
  • each nozzle in the two-dimensional nozzle array is in a direction (corresponding to “main scanning direction”) orthogonal to the medium transport direction (corresponding to “sub-scanning direction”).
  • the projection nozzle row projected so as to line up (orthogonal projection) is equivalent to a nozzle row in which the nozzles are arranged at substantially equal intervals at a nozzle density that achieves the recording resolution in the main scanning direction (medium width direction).
  • the “substantially equidistant” means that the droplet ejection points that can be recorded by the ink jet printing system are substantially equidistant.
  • the concept of “equally spaced” also includes cases where the intervals are slightly different in consideration of manufacturing errors and movement of droplets on the medium due to landing interference.
  • nozzle positions can be associated with the order of projection nozzles arranged along the main scanning direction.
  • the arrangement form of the nozzles 350 in the head module 72-i is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 14, and various nozzle arrangement structures can be applied.
  • a linear array of lines, a V-shaped nozzle arrangement, and a zigzag (W-shaped) nozzle array having a V-shaped arrangement as a repeating unit. Etc. are also possible.
  • the means for generating the discharge pressure (discharge energy) for discharging droplets from each nozzle in the inkjet head is a piezo actuator (piezoelectric element), electrostatic actuator, thermal method (the pressure of film boiling caused by heating of the heater).
  • Various pressure generating elements ejection energy generating elements
  • heaters heating elements
  • various actuators using other systems can be applied.
  • Corresponding energy generating elements are provided in the flow path structure according to the ejection method of the head.
  • a single-pass type full-line type recording head is usually arranged along a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction (conveying direction) of the recording medium. There may be a mode in which the head is disposed along an oblique direction with an angle. Even in such a case, it is possible to specify a substantial nozzle row direction, nozzle pitch, pixel pitch, and the like by defining two intersecting axes (first direction and second direction).
  • the means (conveying means) for conveying the recording medium is not limited to the drum conveying system illustrated in FIG. 1, and various forms such as a belt conveying system, a nip conveying system, and a pallet conveying system can be adopted.
  • “Recording medium” is a generic term for media on which dots are recorded by droplets ejected from the head.
  • Various terms such as printing medium, recording medium, image forming medium, image receiving medium, ejection medium, and printing paper are used.
  • the material, shape, etc. of the recording medium are not particularly limited, and a print on which a resin sheet such as continuous paper, cut paper, seal paper, OHP sheet, film, cloth, nonwoven fabric, wiring pattern, or the like is formed. It can be applied to various media regardless of the substrate, rubber sheet, and other materials and shapes.
  • a cap contact surface may be provided on the nozzle surface side of the head at a position higher than the nozzle surface, and the cap may be contacted with the cap contact surface.
  • a step is provided on the nozzle surface side of the head so that a flat portion serving as a cap contact surface is formed at a position higher than the nozzle surface, and a cap is provided on the flat portion (cap contact surface) via a sealing member. It is set as the structure where is touched.
  • the sealing member can be provided at the tip portion of the side wall of the cap. Alternatively, it can be provided on the cap contact surface on the head side.
  • the partition plate 214 since it is not necessary to partition the liquid holding unit 210 into a plurality of storage units by the partition plate 214, the partition plate can be omitted.
  • Module 3 A mode in which the moisturizing liquid supply port 230 for supplying the moisturizing liquid into the cap and the moisturizing liquid channel 232 are omitted, and the liquid discharged from the nozzle of the head 72 is stored in the liquid holding unit 210 and used as the moisturizing liquid is also possible. is there.
  • the double-structured cap 200 having the outer chamber 242 outside the liquid holding unit 210 is illustrated, but it is not necessarily required to be a double-structured cap when implementing the present invention.
  • Any cap member may be used as long as it is a cap member that can cover the nozzle surface while facing the nozzle surface, and may be a cap that does not have a partition structure of a region such as a liquid holding portion or an outer chamber in the cap.
  • the liquid holding unit 210 is divided in the cap inclination direction by the partition plate 214, and the two storage units (216, 218) are formed, but the number of partitions is not particularly limited. It is also possible to increase the number of partition plates to divide into two or more reservoirs.
  • each bottom surface of the plurality of storage units can be configured to be a plane that is not parallel to the nozzle surface 72A, a curved surface, or a combination thereof.
  • the volume of each reservoir can be appropriately designed for a plurality of reservoirs.
  • the amount of moisturizing liquid stored in each reservoir may be equal, or may be different for each reservoir.
  • the depth of each reservoir, the area of the moisturizing liquid surface (opening area), and the like may be designed to be the same or different for each reservoir.
  • a plurality of storage portions that are partitioned in the slope direction may be provided. For example, for each reservoir, prepare a recess member that constitutes a recess having an appropriate depth and opening area, and connect a plurality of these in the nozzle surface inclination direction to form a liquid holder having a plurality of reservoirs. Can be formed.
  • the partition plate 214 that divides the liquid holding unit 210 into a plurality of regions in the tilt direction is installed in parallel with the normal direction of the nozzle surface 72A
  • the configuration of the partition member is shown in this example.
  • the partition member is not necessarily required to be a plate-like member having a plane parallel to the normal direction of the nozzle surface 72A.
  • a partition plate standing in parallel with the vertical direction can be used as the partition member.
  • the partition member may have a form in which a plurality of non-parallel planes are combined, such as a bent plate, or a member having a curved surface.
  • the fixing screws 254 and 256 are illustrated as means for attaching the sealing member to the cap in a replaceable manner, the detachable structure is not limited to this example.
  • Various attachment / detachment structures such as a connection by a fitting structure, a press locking structure using a biasing member such as a spring, and an engagement connection structure using engagement of a claw can be adopted, and an appropriate combination thereof. It may be.
  • an inkjet recording apparatus using a page-wide full-line head having a nozzle row having a length corresponding to the entire width of the recording medium (single-pass image forming apparatus that completes an image by one sub-scanning)
  • the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to this, and an inkjet recording apparatus that performs image recording by scanning a plurality of heads while moving a short recording head such as a serial (shuttle scan) head
  • serial serial
  • the nozzle rows in the head are nozzles arranged along the sub-scanning direction.
  • the main scanning direction head scanning direction
  • the sub-scanning direction corresponds to the “nozzle row direction” and the “second direction”.
  • the carriage for reciprocating the head and the driving mechanism thereof correspond to “relative movement means”.
  • a wiring drawing apparatus for drawing a wiring pattern of an electronic circuit a manufacturing apparatus for various devices, a resist printing apparatus that uses a resin liquid as a functional liquid for ejection, a color filter manufacturing apparatus, and a material deposition material.
  • the present invention can be widely applied to liquid ejecting apparatuses (including an ink jet recording apparatus and an ink jet system) that obtain various shapes and patterns using a liquid functional material, such as a fine structure forming apparatus that forms a structure.
  • SYMBOLS 10 Inkjet recording device, 16 ... Drawing part, 24 ... Recording medium, 70 ... Drawing drum, 72, 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y ... Head (inkjet head), 72A ... Nozzle surface, 150 ... Moisturizing unit, 160 ... Nozzle Surface cleaning device, 164, 164M, 164K, 164C, 164Y ... nozzle surface wiping device, 192 ... wiping web, 200, 200M, 200K, 200C, 200Y ... cap, 202 ... cap frame, 204 ... inner frame of cap, 206 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Cap main body, 210 ... Liquid holding part, 212 ...
  • Moisturizing liquid 214 ... Partition plate, 216 ... First storage part, 218 ... Second storage part, 220 ... Sealing member, 222 ... Sealing member, 230 ... Moisturizing liquid Supply port, 232 ... moisturizing liquid channel, 240 ... liquid, 242 ... outer chamber, 244 ... drain port, 250 ... support member, 252 Support members, 254 ... fixing screws, 256 ... fixing screws, 350 ... nozzle

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to configure a liquid discharge device and a moisture retaining device for a liquid discharge head so as to improve the moisture retaining properties by reducing dirt on a seal member for closing the sections of contact between the liquid discharge head and a cap which covers the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head. The liquid discharge device of one embodiment of the present invention is provided with: a cap (200) which faces the nozzle surface (72A) of a liquid discharge head (72) and which covers the nozzle surface (72A); and seal members (220, 222) which seal the portions of contact between the liquid discharge head (72) and the cap (200). The seal members (220, 222) seal positions higher than the nozzle surface (72A) while the cap (200) covers the nozzle surface (72A) while being in contact with the liquid discharge head (72) with the seal members (220, 222) located therebetween.

Description

液体吐出装置、及び液体吐出ヘッドの保湿装置Liquid ejection device and liquid ejection head moisturizing device
　本発明は液体吐出装置に係り、特に液体吐出ヘッドにおけるノズル（液体吐出口）の目詰まりを防止する等のためにノズル部周辺を保湿する保湿装置及びこれを備えた液体吐出装置に関する。 The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus, and more particularly, to a moisturizing apparatus that moisturizes the periphery of a nozzle portion in order to prevent clogging of a nozzle (liquid ejecting port) in a liquid ejecting head and a liquid ejecting apparatus including the same.
　インクジェットヘッドに代表される液体吐出ヘッドは、非稼働時や待機時などにノズル内の液が増粘して目詰まりを起こす場合がある。このような事態を予防する等の目的でノズル部周辺を保湿するためのキャップ（保湿キャップともいう。）を備える構成が知られている（特許文献１）。 A liquid discharge head typified by an inkjet head may cause clogging due to thickening of the liquid in the nozzle during non-operation or standby. A configuration including a cap (also referred to as a moisturizing cap) for retaining moisture around the nozzle portion for the purpose of preventing such a situation is known (Patent Document 1).
　特許文献１には、記録液を噴射する複数のノズルを有する記録ヘッドと、この記録ヘッドと当接した状態でノズルと対向して記録液を受容可能な記録液受容部及び保湿液を受容可能な保湿液受容部とを有するキャップが開示されている。特許文献１に記載されたキャップは、キャップの外壁に弾性体が設けられ、キャップ装着時に弾性体が押し潰されてキャップの隔壁を記録ヘッドのノズル形成面に当接させる構成となっている（特許文献１の段落００４４）。 In Patent Document 1, a recording head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting a recording liquid, a recording liquid receiving portion capable of receiving the recording liquid in contact with the recording head and receiving the recording liquid, and a moisturizing liquid can be received A cap having a humectant receiving part is disclosed. The cap described in Patent Document 1 is configured such that an elastic body is provided on the outer wall of the cap, and the elastic body is crushed when the cap is mounted, and the partition wall of the cap is brought into contact with the nozzle forming surface of the recording head ( Patent Document 1 paragraph 0044).
特開２０１２－６１７８５号公報JP 2012-61785 A
　しかしながら、特許文献１では、キャップを記録ヘッドに当接させた状態でキャップ外壁の弾性体は記録ヘッドの吐出面（ノズル面）よりも下方にある。このような位置関係の場合、キャップに向けて記録ヘッドからインクをパージする時に、吐出したインクが弾性体に付着して弾性体を汚す懸念がある。弾性体上にインクが固着すると、キャッピング時の密閉性能が落ち、十分な保湿ができなくなる。 However, in Patent Document 1, the elastic body of the outer wall of the cap is below the ejection surface (nozzle surface) of the recording head in a state where the cap is in contact with the recording head. In the case of such a positional relationship, when purging ink from the recording head toward the cap, there is a concern that the ejected ink adheres to the elastic body and contaminates the elastic body. If the ink is fixed on the elastic body, the sealing performance at the time of capping is lowered, and sufficient moisture retention cannot be performed.
　本発明はこのような事情に鑑みてなされたもので、ヘッドとキャップとを密着させる封止部材の汚れを抑制し、保湿性の維持、向上を図ることができる液体吐出装置、及び液体吐出ヘッドの保湿装置を提供することを目的とする。 The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a liquid ejecting apparatus and a liquid ejecting head capable of suppressing contamination of a sealing member that closely contacts the head and the cap and maintaining and improving moisture retention. An object of the present invention is to provide a moisturizing apparatus.
　前記目的を達成するために、次の発明を提供する。 In order to achieve the above object, the following invention is provided.
　（第１態様）：液体を吐出するノズルが形成されたノズル面を有する液体吐出ヘッドと、液体吐出ヘッドのノズル面に対向し、ノズル面を覆うキャップと、液体吐出ヘッドとキャップとの接触部分を密閉する封止部材と、を備え、封止部材を介してキャップを液体吐出ヘッドに当接させてキャップによりノズル面を覆った状態で封止部材がノズル面よりも高い位置を封止する液体吐出装置を提供する。 (First aspect): a liquid ejection head having a nozzle surface on which nozzles for ejecting liquid are formed, a cap facing the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head and covering the nozzle surface, and a contact portion between the liquid ejection head and the cap And a sealing member that seals a position higher than the nozzle surface in a state where the cap is brought into contact with the liquid discharge head via the sealing member and the nozzle surface is covered with the cap. A liquid ejection device is provided.
　この態様によれば、液体吐出ヘッドとキャップとの接触部分に封止部材が介在し、封止部材によって接触部分が封止されてノズル面がキャップで覆われる。液体吐出ヘッドにキャップを装着した状態でノズル面よりも上側に封止部材が位置し、ノズル面よりも高い位置を封止する構成のため、封止部材が汚れにくい。これにより、封止部材による密閉性の低下を防止することができ、保湿性を維持することができる。 According to this aspect, the sealing member is interposed in the contact portion between the liquid discharge head and the cap, the contact portion is sealed by the sealing member, and the nozzle surface is covered with the cap. Since the sealing member is positioned above the nozzle surface and the position higher than the nozzle surface is sealed with the cap attached to the liquid discharge head, the sealing member is hardly contaminated. Thereby, the fall of the sealing performance by a sealing member can be prevented, and moisture retention can be maintained.
　ノズル面よりも高い位置とは、ノズル面を基準にして、重力方向を下方とするときのノズル面よりも上側の位置である。別の観点から言うと、ノズル面の法線方向について、吐出方向とは逆方向にノズル面から遠ざかる方向に離れた位置である。 The position higher than the nozzle surface is a position above the nozzle surface when the gravity direction is set downward with respect to the nozzle surface. From another viewpoint, the normal direction of the nozzle surface is a position away from the nozzle surface in a direction opposite to the ejection direction.
　なお、液体吐出ヘッドのノズル面の周囲全周を封止部材で包囲して密閉封止することは必ずしも要求されない。また、封止部材による密閉性は厳密な気密性を要求されるものではない。封止部材で封止する範囲や封止部材の態様に応じて実現される密閉性の程度により、相応の保湿性能が達成される。 It should be noted that it is not always required to enclose the entire periphery of the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head with a sealing member and hermetically seal it. Further, the tightness by the sealing member does not require strict airtightness. Corresponding moisture retention performance is achieved by the degree of hermeticity realized according to the range sealed by the sealing member and the mode of the sealing member.
　（第２態様）：第１態様に記載の液体吐出装置において、封止部材は、キャップと液体吐出ヘッドとの接触部分に設けられ、キャップが液体吐出ヘッドに当接する際に弾性変形して接触部分を封止する構成とすることができる。 (Second aspect): In the liquid ejection device according to the first aspect, the sealing member is provided at a contact portion between the cap and the liquid ejection head, and is elastically deformed and contacted when the cap abuts the liquid ejection head. It can be set as the structure which seals a part.
　封止部材には、ゴム等の弾性体、ブラシ、フェルトなどを用いることができる。 As the sealing member, an elastic body such as rubber, a brush, a felt, or the like can be used.
　封止部材はキャップ側に取り付ける態様、液体吐出ヘッド側に取り付ける態様、キャップ及び液体吐出ヘッドの両方に取り付ける態様があり得る。 The sealing member may be attached to the cap side, attached to the liquid discharge head side, or attached to both the cap and the liquid discharge head.
　（第３態様）：第１態様又は第２態様に記載の液体吐出装置において、封止部材は、ノズルからキャップに向けて液体を吐出させるパージ動作時のノズル面よりも高い位置を封止する構成とすることが好ましい。 (Third Aspect): In the liquid ejection device according to the first aspect or the second aspect, the sealing member seals a position higher than the nozzle surface during the purge operation for ejecting the liquid from the nozzle toward the cap. A configuration is preferable.
　パージ（予備吐出、空吐出などと呼ばれる場合がある）は、ノズルから液体を押し出す動作であり、キャップ内に液体が放出される。このパージ動作の際にノズル面の位置よりも高い位置に封止部材があることで、封止部材へ液体付着を抑制し、汚れを効果的に防止することができる。 Purging (sometimes called pre-discharge, idle discharge, etc.) is an operation of pushing out the liquid from the nozzle, and the liquid is discharged into the cap. Since the sealing member is located at a position higher than the position of the nozzle surface during the purge operation, liquid adhesion to the sealing member can be suppressed and contamination can be effectively prevented.
　（第４態様）：第１態様から第３態様のいずれか１に記載の液体吐出装置において、封止部材を液体吐出ヘッドの側壁に接触させて封止する構成とすることができる。 (Fourth aspect): In the liquid ejection device according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, the sealing member may be brought into contact with the side wall of the liquid ejection head and sealed.
　液体吐出ヘッドの最下部にノズル面が形成されるヘッド構造では、液体吐出ヘッドの側壁に封止部材を接触させると、封止部材はノズル面よりも高い位置を封止する構成となる。 In the head structure in which the nozzle surface is formed at the lowermost part of the liquid discharge head, when the sealing member is brought into contact with the side wall of the liquid discharge head, the sealing member is configured to seal a position higher than the nozzle surface.
　液体吐出ヘッドの側壁の少なくとも一部に封止部材を接触させ、ヘッド側面を封止することが好ましい。また、密閉性をより一層高めるために、ヘッドの長手方向に沿ったヘッド側面を封止部材で封止する態様が好ましい。 It is preferable that the sealing member is brought into contact with at least a part of the side wall of the liquid discharge head to seal the side surface of the head. In order to further improve the sealing performance, it is preferable that the side surface of the head along the longitudinal direction of the head is sealed with a sealing member.
　（第５態様）：第１態様から第４態様のいずれか１に記載の液体吐出装置において、封止部材は、キャップの側壁に設けられている構成とすることができる。 (Fifth aspect): In the liquid ejection device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the sealing member may be provided on the side wall of the cap.
　液体吐出ヘッドの側壁に封止部材を接触させてヘッド側面を封止する構成の場合、キャップの側壁と液体吐出ヘッドの側壁との間に封止部材を介在させる態様が好ましい。この場合、封止部材は当接時にヘッド側面の法線方向に圧縮される。 In the configuration in which the sealing member is brought into contact with the side wall of the liquid discharge head to seal the side surface of the head, a mode in which the sealing member is interposed between the side wall of the cap and the side wall of the liquid discharge head is preferable. In this case, the sealing member is compressed in the normal direction of the side surface of the head at the time of contact.
　また、例えば、液体吐出ヘッドにおけるノズル面よりも高い位置のノズル面と平行な平面部に封止部材を接触させて封止する構成の場合、キャップの側壁の先端部に封止部材を設けることができる。この場合、封止部材は当接時にノズル面の法線方向に圧縮される。 In addition, for example, in the case of a configuration in which a sealing member is brought into contact with a flat portion parallel to the nozzle surface at a position higher than the nozzle surface in the liquid discharge head for sealing, a sealing member is provided at the tip of the side wall of the cap. Can do. In this case, the sealing member is compressed in the normal direction of the nozzle surface at the time of contact.
　（第６態様）：第１態様から第５態様のいずれか１に記載の液体吐出装置において、封止部材は、キャップに着脱可能に取り付けられている構成とすることが好ましい。 (Sixth aspect): In the liquid ejection device according to any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, it is preferable that the sealing member is detachably attached to the cap.
　かかる態様によれば、封止部材をキャップから取り外して交換することができる。 According to this aspect, the sealing member can be removed from the cap and replaced.
　（第７態様）：第１態様から第６態様のいずれか１に記載の液体吐出装置において、封止部材を保持する支持部材を備え、封止部材を保持した支持部材は、締結部材を介してキャップに連結されており、締結部材による連結を解除することにより支持部材とともに封止部材を取り外すことができる構成とすることができる。 (Seventh aspect): In the liquid ejection device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the support member that holds the sealing member is provided, and the support member that holds the sealing member is interposed via the fastening member. The sealing member can be removed together with the support member by releasing the connection by the fastening member.
　かかる態様によれば、締結部材を介して封止部材の取り付け、取り外しが容易であり、封止部材を交換することができる。 According to this aspect, it is easy to attach and remove the sealing member via the fastening member, and the sealing member can be exchanged.
　（第８態様）：第１態様から第７態様のいずれか１に記載の液体吐出装置において、液体吐出ヘッドのノズル面に接触させてノズル面を清掃する払拭部材を備え、ノズルからキャップに向けて液体を吐出させるパージ動作時のノズル面の高さを維持したままノズル面と平行な面内で液体吐出ヘッドを平行移動させることにより、ノズル面を払拭部材と接触させてノズル面の払拭清掃を行う構成とすることが好ましい。 (Eighth aspect): In the liquid ejection device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the liquid ejection device includes a wiping member that contacts the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head to clean the nozzle surface, and is directed from the nozzle toward the cap. The nozzle surface is brought into contact with the wiping member by moving the liquid ejection head in a plane parallel to the nozzle surface while maintaining the height of the nozzle surface during the purge operation to discharge the liquid, thereby wiping and cleaning the nozzle surface. It is preferable to adopt a configuration in which
　払拭部材として、ウェブ、ブレード、ブラシ、ロールなどの各種形態を用いることができ、また、これらの適宜の組み合わせを用いることができる。 As the wiping member, various forms such as a web, a blade, a brush, and a roll can be used, and an appropriate combination thereof can be used.
　（第９態様）：第１態様から第８態様のいずれか１に記載の液体吐出装置において、液体吐出ヘッドはラインヘッドであり、封止部材は、ラインヘッドの長手方向に沿って設けられている構成とすることができる。 (Ninth aspect): In the liquid ejection device according to any one of the first aspect to the eighth aspect, the liquid ejection head is a line head, and the sealing member is provided along the longitudinal direction of the line head. It can be set as a structure.
　ラインヘッドの少なくとも長手方向に沿った面を封止することで、密閉性が高められ、十分な保湿力を確保することができる。ラインヘッドの短手方向について、封止部材による封止を省略しても実質的にノズル面の保湿性を確保することが可能である。 封 止 Sealing at least the surface along the longitudinal direction of the line head enhances the airtightness and ensures a sufficient moisture retention. In the short direction of the line head, it is possible to substantially ensure the moisture retention of the nozzle surface even if the sealing by the sealing member is omitted.
　（第１０態様）：第１態様から第９態様のいずれか１に記載の液体吐出装置において、キャップは、液体吐出ヘッドのノズル面に対向する位置でノズルからの吐出液を受容する液保持部を有する構成とすることができる。 (Tenth aspect): In the liquid ejection device according to any one of the first aspect to the ninth aspect, the cap receives the liquid ejected from the nozzle at a position facing the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head. It can be set as the structure which has these.
　かかる態様によれば、パージ動作の際に、液保持部に向けてノズルから液体が吐出される。液保持部に液体を保持しておくことにより、ノズル部周囲の湿度を高めることができる。 According to this aspect, during the purge operation, the liquid is discharged from the nozzle toward the liquid holding unit. By holding the liquid in the liquid holding part, the humidity around the nozzle part can be increased.
　（第１１態様）：第１０態様に記載の液体吐出装置において、液保持部は、保湿液を貯留する保湿液貯留部である構成とすることができる。 (Eleventh aspect): In the liquid ejection apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the liquid holding unit may be a moisturizing liquid storage unit that stores the moisturizing liquid.
　保湿液貯留部は単一の凹部で構成されてもよいし、複数の貯留部に区画されていてもよい。 The moisturizing liquid storage part may be composed of a single recess, or may be partitioned into a plurality of storage parts.
　（第１２態様）：第１１態様に記載の液体吐出装置において、キャップは、キャップ内に保湿液を供給する保湿液供給口を有する構成とすることができる。 (Twelfth aspect): In the liquid ejection device according to the eleventh aspect, the cap may have a moisturizing liquid supply port for supplying the moisturizing liquid into the cap.
　この態様に代えて、又はこれと組み合わせて、ノズルから吐出した液を保湿液として利用することもできる。 Instead of this aspect or in combination with this, the liquid discharged from the nozzle can also be used as a moisturizing liquid.
　（第１３態様）：液体を吐出するノズルが形成されたノズル面を有する液体吐出ヘッドのノズル面に対向し、ノズル面を覆うキャップと、液体吐出ヘッドとキャップとの接触部分を密閉する封止部材と、を備え、封止部材は、封止部材を介してキャップを液体吐出ヘッドに当接させてキャップによりノズル面を覆った状態におけるノズル面よりも高い位置を封止する位置に配設されている、液体吐出ヘッドの保湿装置を提供する。 (Thirteenth aspect): A seal that opposes a nozzle surface of a liquid discharge head having a nozzle surface on which a nozzle for discharging liquid is formed, covers the nozzle surface, and seals a contact portion between the liquid discharge head and the cap. A sealing member disposed at a position that seals a position higher than the nozzle surface when the cap is in contact with the liquid ejection head and the nozzle surface is covered with the cap via the sealing member. A liquid ejection head moisturizing device is provided.
　第１３態様の液体吐出ヘッドの保湿装置について、以下に示すように、上述した第２態様から第１２態様に記載の事項と同様の特徴を適宜組み合わせる態様が可能である。 As described below, the liquid ejection head moisturizing device according to the thirteenth aspect can be appropriately combined with the same features as those described in the second to twelfth aspects.
　（第１４態様）：第１３態様に記載の液体吐出ヘッドの保湿装置において、封止部材は、キャップと液体吐出ヘッドとの接触部分に設けられ、キャップが液体吐出ヘッドに当接する際に弾性変形して接触部分を封止する構成とすることができる。封止部材には、ゴム等の弾性体、ブラシ、フェルトなどを用いることができる。封止部材はキャップ側に取り付ける態様、液体吐出ヘッド側に取り付ける態様、キャップ及び液体吐出ヘッドの両方に取り付ける態様があり得る。 (14th aspect): In the liquid ejection head moisturizing device according to the 13th aspect, the sealing member is provided at a contact portion between the cap and the liquid ejection head, and is elastically deformed when the cap abuts on the liquid ejection head. Thus, the contact portion can be sealed. As the sealing member, an elastic body such as rubber, a brush, a felt, or the like can be used. There may be an aspect in which the sealing member is attached to the cap side, an aspect in which the sealing member is attached to the liquid ejection head side, and an aspect in which the sealing member is attached to both the cap and the liquid ejection head.
　（第１５態様）：第１３態様又は第１４態様に記載の液体吐出ヘッドの保湿装置において、封止部材は、ノズルからキャップに向けて液体を吐出させるパージ動作時のノズル面よりも高い位置を封止する構成とすることが好ましい。パージ（予備吐出、空吐出などと呼ばれる場合がある）は、ノズルから液体を押し出す動作であり、キャップ内に液体が放出される。このパージ動作の際にノズル面の位置よりも高い位置に封止部材があることで、封止部材へ液体付着を抑制し、汚れを効果的に防止することができる。 (15th aspect): In the moisturizing device for a liquid discharge head according to the 13th aspect or the 14th aspect, the sealing member is positioned higher than the nozzle surface during the purge operation for discharging liquid from the nozzle toward the cap. It is preferable to have a structure for sealing. Purge (sometimes referred to as preliminary discharge, idle discharge, etc.) is an operation of pushing out the liquid from the nozzle, and the liquid is discharged into the cap. Since the sealing member is located at a position higher than the position of the nozzle surface during the purge operation, liquid adhesion to the sealing member can be suppressed and contamination can be effectively prevented.
　（第１６態様）：第１３態様から第１５態様のいずれか１に記載の液体吐出ヘッドの保湿装置において、封止部材を液体吐出ヘッドの側壁に接触させて封止する構成とすることができる。液体吐出ヘッドの最下部にノズル面が形成されるヘッド構造では、液体吐出ヘッドの側壁に封止部材を接触させると、封止部材はノズル面よりも高い位置を封止する構成となる。液体吐出ヘッドの側壁の少なくとも一部に封止部材を接触させ、ヘッド側面を封止することが好ましい。また、密閉性をより一層高めるために、ヘッドの長手方向に沿ったヘッド側面を封止部材で封止する態様が好ましい。 (Sixteenth aspect): In the liquid ejection head moisturizing device according to any one of the thirteenth to fifteenth aspects, the sealing member may be brought into contact with the side wall of the liquid ejection head for sealing. . In the head structure in which the nozzle surface is formed at the lowermost part of the liquid discharge head, when the sealing member is brought into contact with the side wall of the liquid discharge head, the sealing member is configured to seal a position higher than the nozzle surface. It is preferable that the sealing member is brought into contact with at least a part of the side wall of the liquid discharge head to seal the side surface of the head. In order to further improve the sealing performance, it is preferable that the side surface of the head along the longitudinal direction of the head is sealed with a sealing member.
　（第１７態様）：第１３態様から第１６態様のいずれか１に記載の液体吐出ヘッドの保湿装置において、封止部材は、キャップの側壁に設けられている構成とすることができる。液体吐出ヘッドの側壁に封止部材を接触させてヘッド側面を封止する構成の場合、キャップの側壁と液体吐出ヘッドの側壁との間に封止部材を介在させる態様が好ましい。この場合、封止部材は当接時にヘッド側面の法線方向に圧縮される。また、例えば、液体吐出ヘッドにおけるノズル面よりも高い位置のノズル面と平行な平面部に封止部材を接触させて封止する構成の場合、キャップの側壁の先端部に封止部材を設けることができる。この場合、封止部材は当接時にノズル面の法線方向に圧縮される。 (17th aspect): In the moisture retention device for a liquid ejection head according to any one of the 13th to 16th aspects, the sealing member may be provided on the side wall of the cap. In the case of sealing the side surface of the head by bringing the sealing member into contact with the side wall of the liquid discharge head, a mode in which the sealing member is interposed between the side wall of the cap and the side wall of the liquid discharge head is preferable. In this case, the sealing member is compressed in the normal direction of the side surface of the head at the time of contact. In addition, for example, in the case of a configuration in which a sealing member is brought into contact with a flat portion parallel to the nozzle surface at a position higher than the nozzle surface in the liquid discharge head for sealing, a sealing member is provided at the tip of the side wall of the cap. Can do. In this case, the sealing member is compressed in the normal direction of the nozzle surface at the time of contact.
　（第１８態様）：第１３態様から第１７態様のいずれか１に記載の液体吐出ヘッドの保湿装置において、封止部材は、キャップに着脱可能に取り付けられている構成とすることが好ましい。かかる態様によれば、封止部材をキャップから取り外して交換することができる。 (Eighteenth aspect): In the liquid ejection head moisturizing device according to any one of the thirteenth to seventeenth aspects, it is preferable that the sealing member is detachably attached to the cap. According to this aspect, the sealing member can be removed from the cap and replaced.
　（第１９態様）：第１３態様から第１８態様のいずれか１に記載の液体吐出ヘッドの保湿装置において、封止部材を保持する支持部材を備え、封止部材を保持した支持部材は、締結部材を介してキャップに連結されており、締結部材による連結を解除することにより支持部材とともに封止部材を取り外すことができる構成とすることができる。かかる態様によれば、締結部材を介して封止部材の取り付け、取り外しが容易であり、封止部材を交換することができる。 (Nineteenth aspect): The liquid ejection head moisturizing device according to any one of the thirteenth to eighteenth aspects, comprising a support member that holds the sealing member, and the support member that holds the sealing member is fastened It is connected to the cap via the member, and the sealing member can be removed together with the support member by releasing the connection by the fastening member. According to this aspect, it is easy to attach and remove the sealing member via the fastening member, and the sealing member can be replaced.
　（第２０態様）：第１３態様から第１９態様のいずれか１に記載の液体吐出ヘッドの保湿装置において、液体吐出ヘッドのノズル面に接触させてノズル面を清掃する払拭部材を備え、ノズルからキャップに向けて液体を吐出させるパージ動作時のノズル面の高さを維持したままノズル面と平行な面内で液体吐出ヘッドを平行移動させることにより、ノズル面を払拭部材と接触させてノズル面の払拭清掃を行う構成とすることが好ましい。払拭部材として、ウェブ、ブレード、ブラシ、ロールなどの各種形態を用いることができ、また、これらの適宜の組み合わせを用いることができる。 (20th aspect): The liquid ejection head moisturizing device according to any one of the 13th aspect to the 19th aspect, further comprising a wiping member that contacts the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head and cleans the nozzle surface, from the nozzle The nozzle surface is brought into contact with the wiping member by moving the liquid discharge head in a plane parallel to the nozzle surface while maintaining the height of the nozzle surface during the purge operation for discharging the liquid toward the cap. It is preferable that the wiping and cleaning be performed. As the wiping member, various forms such as a web, a blade, a brush, and a roll can be used, and an appropriate combination thereof can be used.
　（第２１態様）：第１３態様から第２０態様のいずれか１に記載の液体吐出ヘッドの保湿装置において、液体吐出ヘッドはラインヘッドであり、封止部材は、ラインヘッドの長手方向に沿って設けられている構成とすることができる。ラインヘッドの少なくとも長手方向に沿った面を封止することで、密閉性が高められ、十分な保湿力を確保することができる。ラインヘッドの短手方向について、封止部材による封止を省略しても実質的にノズル面の保湿性を確保することが可能である。 (21st aspect): In the liquid ejection head moisturizing device according to any one of the 13th to 20th aspects, the liquid ejection head is a line head, and the sealing member is along the longitudinal direction of the line head. It can be set as the structure provided. By sealing at least the surface along the longitudinal direction of the line head, the airtightness is improved and a sufficient moisturizing force can be secured. In the short direction of the line head, it is possible to substantially ensure the moisture retention of the nozzle surface even if the sealing by the sealing member is omitted.
　（第２２態様）：第１３態様から第２１態様のいずれか１に記載の液体吐出ヘッドの保湿装置において、キャップは、液体吐出ヘッドのノズル面に対向する位置でノズルからの吐出液を受容する液保持部を有する構成とすることができる。かかる態様によれば、パージ動作の際に、液保持部に向けてノズルから液体が吐出される。液保持部に液体を保持しておくことにより、ノズル部周囲の湿度を高めることができる。 (Twenty-second aspect): In the liquid ejection head moisturizing device according to any one of the thirteenth to twenty-first aspects, the cap receives the ejection liquid from the nozzle at a position facing the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head. It can be set as the structure which has a liquid holding | maintenance part. According to this aspect, during the purge operation, the liquid is discharged from the nozzle toward the liquid holding unit. By holding the liquid in the liquid holding part, the humidity around the nozzle part can be increased.
　（第２３態様）：第２２態様に記載の液体吐出ヘッドの保湿装置において、液保持部は、保湿液を貯留する保湿液貯留部である構成とすることができる。保湿液貯留部は単一の凹部で構成されてもよいし、複数の貯留部に区画されていてもよい。 (Twenty-third aspect): In the moisturizing device for a liquid ejection head according to the twenty-second aspect, the liquid holding unit may be a moisturizing liquid storage unit that stores the moisturizing liquid. The moisturizing liquid storage part may be constituted by a single recess, or may be partitioned into a plurality of storage parts.
　（第２４態様）：第２３態様に記載の液体吐出ヘッドの保湿装置において、キャップは、キャップ内に保湿液を供給する保湿液供給口を有する構成とすることができる。この態様に代えて、又はこれと組み合わせて、ノズルから吐出した液を保湿液として利用することもできる。 (Twenty-fourth aspect): In the moisturizing device for a liquid discharge head according to the twenty-third aspect, the cap may have a moisturizing liquid supply port for supplying a moisturizing liquid into the cap. Instead of this aspect or in combination with this, the liquid discharged from the nozzle can be used as the moisturizing liquid.
　本発明によれば、封止部材の汚れを抑制することができる。これにより、封止部材による密閉性を維持することができ、液体吐出ヘッドの保湿性を向上させることができる。 According to the present invention, contamination of the sealing member can be suppressed. Thereby, the sealing property by a sealing member can be maintained and the moisture retention of a liquid discharge head can be improved.
図１は、本発明の実施形態に係るインクジェット記録装置の構成図である。FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 図２は、描画部の概略構成を示す側面図である。FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of the drawing unit. 図３は、描画部及びメンテナンス部の正面図である。FIG. 3 is a front view of the drawing unit and the maintenance unit. 図４は、描画部及びメンテナンス部の構成を模式的に示した平面展開説明図である。FIG. 4 is an exploded plan view schematically illustrating the configuration of the drawing unit and the maintenance unit. 図５は、本実施形態に係る保湿装置を含むメンテナンスステーションの要部を示す斜視図である。FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a main part of a maintenance station including the moisturizing apparatus according to the present embodiment. 図６は、キャップの部分拡大図である。FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of the cap. 図７は、印刷待機中や電源オフ時などにおけるキャップ時（ヘッド保湿保管時）の状態を示す断面図である。FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state during cap (during head moisturization storage) during printing standby or when the power is turned off. 図８は、インクパージ動作時の状態を示す断面図である。FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state during the ink purge operation. 図９は、水平面に対して傾斜しているノズル面の説明図である。FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the nozzle surface inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. 図１０は、水平面に対して傾斜しているノズル面の説明図である。FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the nozzle surface inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. 図１１は、水平面に対して傾斜しているノズル面の説明図である。FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a nozzle surface that is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane. 図１２は、インクジェットヘッド（ラインヘッド）の構成例を示す斜視図である。FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of an inkjet head (line head). 図１３は、インクジェットヘッドの構成例を示す斜視図である。FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of an inkjet head. 図１４は、ノズルの配列形態の例を示す平面図である。FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating an example of an arrangement form of nozzles.
　以下、添付図面にしたがって本発明の実施の形態について詳説する。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
　〔インクジェット記録装置の構成例〕
　まず、本発明が適用される液体吐出装置としてのインクジェット記録装置の構成について説明する。図１は本発明の実施形態に係るインクジェット記録装置の構成図である。インクジェット記録装置１０（液体吐出装置）は、描画ドラム７０に保持された記録媒体２４（以下、「用紙」と呼ぶ場合がある。）にインクジェットヘッド７２Ｍ，７２Ｋ，７２Ｃ，７２Ｙから複数色のインクを打滴して所望のカラー画像を形成する直描方式のインクジェット記録装置であり、インクの打滴前に記録媒体２４上に処理液（ここでは凝集処理液）を付与し、処理液とインク液を反応させて記録媒体２４上に画像形成を行う２液反応（凝集）方式が適用されたドロップオンデマンドタイプの画像形成装置である。 [Configuration example of inkjet recording apparatus]
First, the configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus as a liquid ejection apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ink jet recording apparatus 10 (liquid ejection apparatus) applies a plurality of colors of ink from the ink jet heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y to the recording medium 24 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “paper”) held on the drawing drum 70. A direct drawing type ink jet recording apparatus that forms a desired color image by ejecting droplets. A treatment liquid (here, an aggregating treatment liquid) is applied onto the recording medium 24 before ink ejection, and the treatment liquid and the ink liquid are applied. 2 is a drop-on-demand type image forming apparatus to which a two-liquid reaction (aggregation) method for forming an image on a recording medium 24 is applied.
　図示のように、インクジェット記録装置１０は、給紙部１２、処理液付与部１４、描画部１６、乾燥部１８、定着部２０、及び排紙部２２を備える。 As shown in the figure, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 includes a paper feed unit 12, a processing liquid application unit 14, a drawing unit 16, a drying unit 18, a fixing unit 20, and a paper discharge unit 22.
　（給紙部）
　給紙部１２には、枚葉紙である記録媒体２４が積層されている。給紙部１２の給紙トレイ５０から記録媒体２４が一枚ずつ処理液付与部１４に給紙される。記録媒体２４として、枚葉紙（カット紙）を用いているが、連続用紙（ロール紙）から必要なサイズに切断して給紙する構成も可能である。 (Paper Feeder)
A recording medium 24 that is a sheet is stacked on the paper supply unit 12. The recording media 24 are fed one by one from the paper feed tray 50 of the paper feed unit 12 to the processing liquid application unit 14. Although a sheet (cut paper) is used as the recording medium 24, a configuration in which continuous paper (roll paper) is cut to a required size and fed is also possible.
　（処理液付与部）
　処理液付与部１４は、記録媒体２４の記録面に処理液を付与する機構である。処理液は、描画部１６で付与されるインク中の色材（本例では顔料）を凝集させる色材凝集剤を含んでおり、この処理液とインクとが接触することによって、インクは色材と溶媒との分離が促進される。 (Processing liquid application part)
The processing liquid application unit 14 is a mechanism that applies the processing liquid to the recording surface of the recording medium 24. The treatment liquid contains a color material aggregating agent that agglomerates the color material (pigment in this example) applied in the ink provided by the drawing unit 16, and the ink comes into contact with the colorant when the treatment liquid comes into contact with the ink. And the solvent are promoted.
　処理液付与部１４は、給紙胴５２、処理液ドラム５４、及び処理液塗布装置５６を備えている。処理液ドラム５４は、その外周面に爪形状の保持手段（グリッパー）５５を備え、この保持手段５５の爪と処理液ドラム５４の周面の間に記録媒体２４を挟み込むことによって記録媒体２４の先端を保持できるようになっている。処理液ドラム５４の外周面に吸引孔を設け、吸引孔から吸引を行う吸引手段を接続してもよい。これにより記録媒体２４を処理液ドラム５４の周面に密着保持することができる。 The treatment liquid application unit 14 includes a paper feed drum 52, a treatment liquid drum 54, and a treatment liquid application device 56. The processing liquid drum 54 is provided with a claw-shaped holding means (gripper) 55 on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and the recording medium 24 is sandwiched between the claw of the holding means 55 and the peripheral surface of the processing liquid drum 54 to thereby remove the recording medium 24. The tip can be held. A suction hole may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the treatment liquid drum 54, and a suction means for performing suction from the suction hole may be connected. As a result, the recording medium 24 can be held in close contact with the peripheral surface of the treatment liquid drum 54.
　処理液ドラム５４の周面に対向して処理液塗布装置５６が配置される。処理液塗布装置５６は、処理液が貯留された処理液容器と、この処理液容器の処理液に一部が浸漬されたアニックスローラと、アニックスローラで計量した処理液を処理液ドラム５４上の記録媒体２４に転移するゴムローラとで構成される。本実施形態では、ローラによる塗布方式を適用した構成を例示したが、処理液の付与手段はこれに限定されず、例えば、スプレー方式、インクジェット方式などの各種方式を適用することも可能である。 A treatment liquid coating device 56 is disposed to face the peripheral surface of the treatment liquid drum 54. The processing liquid coating device 56 includes a processing liquid container in which the processing liquid is stored, an anix roller partially immersed in the processing liquid in the processing liquid container, and a processing liquid measured by the anix roller. It is comprised with the rubber roller which transfers to the upper recording medium 24. FIG. In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the application method using the roller is exemplified, but the treatment liquid applying means is not limited to this, and various methods such as a spray method and an ink jet method can also be applied.
　処理液が付与された記録媒体２４は、処理液ドラム５４から中間搬送部２６を介して描画部１６の描画ドラム７０へ受け渡される。 The recording medium 24 to which the processing liquid is applied is transferred from the processing liquid drum 54 to the drawing drum 70 of the drawing unit 16 via the intermediate transport unit 26.
　（描画部）
　描画部１６は、描画ドラム７０、用紙抑えローラ７４、及びインクジェットヘッド７２Ｍ，７２Ｋ，７２Ｃ，７２Ｙ（「液体吐出ヘッド」に相当、以下、単に「ヘッド」と記載）を備えている。描画ドラム７０は、処理液ドラム５４と同様に、その外周面に爪形状の保持手段（グリッパー）７１を備える。 (Drawing part)
The drawing unit 16 includes a drawing drum 70, a paper holding roller 74, and inkjet heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y (corresponding to “liquid ejection head”, hereinafter simply referred to as “head”). The drawing drum 70 includes a claw-shaped holding means (gripper) 71 on the outer peripheral surface thereof, like the processing liquid drum 54.
　ヘッド７２Ｍ，７２Ｋ，７２Ｃ，７２Ｙはそれぞれ、記録媒体２４における画像形成領域の最大幅に対応する長さを有するフルライン型の記録ヘッド（ラインヘッド）であり、そのインク吐出面には、画像形成領域の全幅にわたってインク吐出用のノズルが複数配列されたノズル列が形成されている。各ヘッド７２Ｍ，７２Ｋ，７２Ｃ，７２Ｙは、記録媒体２４の搬送方向（描画ドラム７０の回転方向）と直交する方向に延在するように設置される。 Each of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y is a full-line type recording head (line head) having a length corresponding to the maximum width of the image forming area in the recording medium 24, and image formation is performed on the ink discharge surface. A nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles for ink ejection are arranged over the entire width of the region is formed. Each of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is installed so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium 24 (the rotation direction of the drawing drum 70).
　描画ドラム７０上に密着保持された記録媒体２４の記録面に向かって各ヘッド７２Ｍ，７２Ｋ，７２Ｃ，７２Ｙから、対応する色インクの液滴が吐出される。処理液付与部１４で予め記録面に付与された処理液にインクが接触し、インク中に分散する色材（顔料）が凝集され、色材凝集体が形成される。これにより、記録媒体２４上での色材流れなどが防止され、記録媒体２４の記録面に画像が形成される。 Corresponding color ink droplets are ejected from the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y toward the recording surface of the recording medium 24 held in close contact with the drawing drum 70. The ink comes into contact with the treatment liquid applied to the recording surface in advance by the treatment liquid application unit 14, and the color material (pigment) dispersed in the ink is aggregated to form a color material aggregate. Thereby, the color material flow on the recording medium 24 is prevented, and an image is formed on the recording surface of the recording medium 24.
　描画ドラム７０によって記録媒体２４を一定の速度で搬送し、この搬送方向について、記録媒体２４と各ヘッド７２Ｍ，７２Ｋ，７２Ｃ，７２Ｙを相対的に移動させる動作を１回行うだけで（すなわち１回の副走査で）、記録媒体２４の画像形成領域に画像を記録することができる。 The recording medium 24 is conveyed at a constant speed by the drawing drum 70, and the operation of moving the recording medium 24 and the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y relative to the conveying direction is performed only once (that is, once). In this sub scanning, an image can be recorded in the image forming area of the recording medium 24.
　ここでは、ＣＭＹＫの４色のインクを用いるインクジェット記録装置１０を例示しているが、インク色や色数の組み合わせについては本実施形態に限定されず、必要に応じて淡インク、濃インク、特別色インクを追加してもよい。例えば、ライトシアン、ライトマゼンタなどのライト系インクを吐出するヘッドを追加する構成も可能であり、各色ヘッドの配置順序も特に限定はない。 Here, the inkjet recording apparatus 10 using four colors of CMYK is illustrated, but the combination of the ink color and the number of colors is not limited to this embodiment, and light ink, dark ink, special ink is used as necessary. Color ink may be added. For example, it is possible to add a head for ejecting light ink such as light cyan and light magenta, and the arrangement order of the color heads is not particularly limited.
　描画部１６で画像が形成された記録媒体２４は、描画ドラム７０から中間搬送部２８を介して乾燥部１８の乾燥ドラム７６へ受け渡される。 The recording medium 24 on which the image is formed by the drawing unit 16 is transferred from the drawing drum 70 to the drying drum 76 of the drying unit 18 through the intermediate conveyance unit 28.
　（乾燥部）
　乾燥部１８は、色材凝集作用により分離された溶媒に含まれる水分を乾燥させる機構であり、乾燥ドラム７６、及び溶媒乾燥装置７８を備えている。乾燥ドラム７６は、処理液ドラム５４と同様に、その外周面に爪形状の保持手段（グリッパー）７７を備え、この保持手段７７によって記録媒体２４の先端を保持できるようになっている。 (Drying part)
The drying unit 18 is a mechanism that dries moisture contained in the solvent separated by the color material aggregation action, and includes a drying drum 76 and a solvent drying device 78. Similar to the treatment liquid drum 54, the drying drum 76 includes a claw-shaped holding unit (gripper) 77 on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and the holding unit 77 can hold the leading end of the recording medium 24.
　溶媒乾燥装置７８は、乾燥ドラム７６の外周面に対向する位置に配置され、複数のハロゲンヒータ８０と、各ハロゲンヒータ８０の間にそれぞれ配置された温風噴出しノズル８２とで構成される。乾燥部１８で乾燥処理が行われた記録媒体２４は、乾燥ドラム７６から中間搬送部３０を介して定着部２０の定着ドラム８４へ受け渡される。 The solvent drying device 78 is disposed at a position facing the outer peripheral surface of the drying drum 76, and includes a plurality of halogen heaters 80 and hot air jet nozzles 82 disposed between the halogen heaters 80. The recording medium 24 that has been dried by the drying unit 18 is transferred from the drying drum 76 to the fixing drum 84 of the fixing unit 20 via the intermediate conveyance unit 30.
　（定着部）
　定着部２０は、定着ドラム８４、ハロゲンヒータ８６、定着ローラ８８、及びインラインセンサ９０で構成される。定着ドラム８４は、処理液ドラム５４と同様に、その外周面に爪形状の保持手段（グリッパー）８５を備え、この保持手段８５によって記録媒体２４の先端を保持できるようになっている。 (Fixing part)
The fixing unit 20 includes a fixing drum 84, a halogen heater 86, a fixing roller 88, and an inline sensor 90. Like the processing liquid drum 54, the fixing drum 84 includes a claw-shaped holding unit (gripper) 85 on its outer peripheral surface, and the holding unit 85 can hold the leading end of the recording medium 24.
　定着ドラム８４の回転により、記録媒体２４の記録面に対して、ハロゲンヒータ８６による予備加熱と、定着ローラ８８による定着処理と、インラインセンサ９０による検査が行われる。 By rotating the fixing drum 84, the recording surface of the recording medium 24 is preheated by the halogen heater 86, fixed by the fixing roller 88, and inspected by the inline sensor 90.
　定着ローラ８８は、乾燥させたインクを加熱加圧することによってインク中の自己分散性ポリマー微粒子を溶着し、インクを被膜化させるためのローラ部材であり、記録媒体２４を加熱加圧するように構成される。具体的には、定着ローラ８８は、定着ドラム８４に対して圧接するように配置されており、定着ドラム８４との間でニップローラを構成するようになっている。記録媒体２４は、定着ローラ８８と定着ドラム８４との間に挟まれ、所定のニップ圧でニップされ、定着処理が行われる。 The fixing roller 88 is a roller member for heating and pressurizing the dried ink to weld the self-dispersing polymer fine particles in the ink to form a film of the ink, and is configured to heat and press the recording medium 24. The Specifically, the fixing roller 88 is disposed so as to be in pressure contact with the fixing drum 84, and constitutes a nip roller with the fixing drum 84. The recording medium 24 is sandwiched between the fixing roller 88 and the fixing drum 84, nipped with a predetermined nip pressure, and a fixing process is performed.
　また、定着ローラ８８は、ハロゲンランプなどを組み込んだ加熱ローラによって構成され、所定の温度に制御される。 Further, the fixing roller 88 is configured by a heating roller incorporating a halogen lamp or the like, and is controlled to a predetermined temperature.
　インラインセンサ９０は、記録媒体２４に形成された画像（濃度測定用のテストチャートや不吐出検出用のテストパターンなどを含む）を読み取り、画像の濃度、画像の欠陥などを検出するための手段（画像読取手段）であり、ＣＣＤラインセンサなどが適用される。 The in-line sensor 90 reads an image (including a density measurement test chart and a non-ejection detection test pattern) formed on the recording medium 24, and detects a density of the image, an image defect, and the like ( Image reading means), and a CCD line sensor or the like is applied.
　定着部２０によれば、乾燥部１８で形成された薄層の画像層内の樹脂が定着ローラ８８によって加熱加圧されて溶融されるので、記録媒体２４に固定定着させることができる。定着ドラム８４の外周面に保持された記録媒体２４を裏面から加熱することによって乾燥が促進され、定着時における画像破壊を防止することができるとともに、画像温度の昇温効果によって画像強度を高めることができる。 According to the fixing unit 20, since the resin in the thin image layer formed by the drying unit 18 is heated and pressed by the fixing roller 88 and melted, it can be fixed and fixed to the recording medium 24. By heating the recording medium 24 held on the outer peripheral surface of the fixing drum 84 from the back surface, drying is promoted, image destruction at the time of fixing can be prevented, and the image strength is increased by the effect of increasing the image temperature. Can do.
　なお、高沸点溶媒及びポリマー微粒子（熱可塑性樹脂粒子）を含んだインクに代えて、ＵＶ（紫外線）露光にて重合硬化可能なモノマー成分を含有していてもよい。この場合、インクジェット記録装置１０は、ヒートローラによる熱圧定着部（定着ローラ８８）の代わりに、記録媒体２４上のインクにＵＶ光を露光するＵＶ露光部を備える。このように、ＵＶ硬化性樹脂などの活性光線硬化性樹脂を含んだインクを用いる場合には、加熱定着の定着ローラ８８に代えて、ＵＶランプや紫外線ＬＤ（レーザダイオード）アレイなど、活性光線を照射する手段が設けられる。 In addition, it may replace with the ink containing a high boiling-point solvent and polymer fine particles (thermoplastic resin particle), and may contain the monomer component which can be polymerized and hardened | cured by UV (ultraviolet rays) exposure. In this case, the inkjet recording apparatus 10 includes a UV exposure unit that exposes ink on the recording medium 24 to UV light instead of the heat-pressure fixing unit (fixing roller 88) using a heat roller. As described above, when ink containing an actinic ray curable resin such as a UV curable resin is used, an actinic ray such as a UV lamp or an ultraviolet LD (laser diode) array is used instead of the fixing roller 88 for heat fixing. Means for irradiating are provided.
　（排紙部）
　定着部２０に続いて排紙部２２が設けられている。排紙部２２は、排出トレイ９２を備えており、この排出トレイ９２と定着部２０の定着ドラム８４との間に、これらに対接するように渡し胴９４、搬送ベルト９６、張架ローラ９８が設けられている。記録媒体２４は、渡し胴９４により搬送ベルト９６に送られ、排出トレイ９２に排出される。搬送ベルト９６による用紙搬送機構の詳細は図示しないが、印刷後の記録媒体２４は無端状の搬送ベルト９６間に渡されたバー（不図示）のグリッパーによって用紙先端部が保持され、搬送ベルト９６の回転によって排出トレイ９２の上方に運ばれてくる。 (Output section)
Subsequent to the fixing unit 20, a paper discharge unit 22 is provided. The paper discharge unit 22 includes a discharge tray 92, and a transfer drum 94, a conveyance belt 96, and a tension roller 98 are provided between the discharge tray 92 and the fixing drum 84 of the fixing unit 20 so as to be in contact therewith. Is provided. The recording medium 24 is sent to the conveying belt 96 by the transfer drum 94 and discharged to the discharge tray 92. Although the details of the paper transport mechanism by the transport belt 96 are not shown, the recording medium 24 after printing is held at the front end of the paper by a gripper (not shown) gripped between endless transport belts 96. Is carried above the discharge tray 92 by the rotation of.
　また、図１には示されていないが、インクジェット記録装置１０は、上記構成の他、各ヘッド７２Ｍ，７２Ｋ，７２Ｃ，７２Ｙにインクを供給するインク貯蔵／装填部や、処理液付与部１４に対して処理液を供給する手段を備える。さらにインクジェット記録装置１０は、各ヘッド７２Ｍ，７２Ｋ，７２Ｃ，７２Ｙのクリーニング（ノズル面のワイピング、パージ、ノズル吸引等）や印刷待機時等のヘッド保湿などを行うメンテナンス部（図３～６等で後述する保湿装置１５０を含むメンテナンスステーション）を備えるとともに、用紙搬送路上における記録媒体２４の位置を検出する位置検出センサ、装置各部の温度を検出する温度センサなどを備えている。 Although not shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 has an ink storage / loading unit that supplies ink to the heads 72 </ b> M, 72 </ b> K, 72 </ b> C, and 72 </ b> Y and the processing liquid application unit 14 in addition to the above configuration. Means for supplying the processing liquid is provided. Further, the ink jet recording apparatus 10 includes a maintenance unit (FIGS. 3 to 6 and the like) that performs cleaning of each head 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y (nozzle surface wiping, purging, nozzle suction, etc.) and head moisturization during printing standby. A maintenance station including a moisturizing device 150 (to be described later), a position detection sensor for detecting the position of the recording medium 24 on the sheet conveyance path, and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of each part of the apparatus.
　〔描画部及びメンテナンス部の説明〕
　図２は描画部の概略構成を示す側面図、図３はその正面図（用紙搬送方向の上流側から下流側を見た図）である。また、図４は描画部及びメンテナンス部の構成を模式的に示した平面展開説明図である。 [Description of drawing unit and maintenance unit]
FIG. 2 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the drawing unit, and FIG. 3 is a front view thereof (viewed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the paper transport direction). FIG. 4 is a plane development explanatory view schematically showing the configuration of the drawing unit and the maintenance unit.
　図１及び図２に示したとおり、各色のヘッド７２Ｍ、７２Ｋ、７２Ｃ、７２Ｙは描画ドラム７０の周面に沿って配置され、各ヘッドのノズル面７２ＡＭ、７２ＡＫ、７２ＡＣ、７２ＡＹがドラム周面に対して概ね一定の距離（スローディスタンス）となるように、各ヘッドのノズル面７２ＡＭ、７２ＡＫ、７２ＡＣ、７２ＡＹを水平面に対して傾斜させた姿勢で配置される。 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y of the respective colors are arranged along the peripheral surface of the drawing drum 70, and the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY of the heads are arranged on the drum peripheral surface. On the other hand, the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY of the respective heads are disposed in an attitude inclined with respect to the horizontal plane so that the distance is substantially constant (slow distance).
　すなわち、各色のヘッド７２Ｍ、７２Ｋ、７２Ｃ、７２Ｙは、描画ドラム７０の回転軸１０２を中心とした同心円上に、円周方向に一定の間隔をもって放射状に配置されている。本例では、４本のヘッド７２Ｍ、７２Ｋ、７２Ｃ、７２Ｙが、描画ドラム７０の鉛直方向に沿った中心線を挟んで左右対称に配置されている。描画ドラム７０の中心を通る鉛直な線分（中心線）に対してマゼンタ（Ｍ）のヘッド７２Ｍとイエロー（Ｙ）のヘッド７２Ｙとが左右対称に配置されるとともに、黒（Ｋ）のヘッド７２Ｋとシアン（Ｃ）のヘッド７２Ｃとが左右対称に配置されている。 That is, the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y of the respective colors are radially arranged on the concentric circle with the rotation axis 102 of the drawing drum 70 as the center at a constant interval in the circumferential direction. In this example, the four heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line along the vertical direction of the drawing drum 70. A magenta (M) head 72M and a yellow (Y) head 72Y are arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical line (center line) passing through the center of the drawing drum 70, and a black (K) head 72K. And a cyan (C) head 72C are arranged symmetrically.
　このように配置された各ヘッド７２Ｍ、７２Ｋ、７２Ｃ、７２Ｙは、それぞれその下端部に形成されたノズル面７２ＡＭ、７２ＡＫ、７２ＡＣ、７２ＡＹが、描画ドラム７０の外周面に対向して配置されるとともに、それぞれそのノズル面７２ＡＭ、７２ＡＫ、７２ＡＣ、７２ＡＹが、描画ドラム７０の外周面から所定の高さに位置する（描画ドラム７０の外周面とノズル面７２ＡＭ、７２ＡＫ、７２ＡＣ、７２ＡＹとの間に同じ量のギャップが形成される。）。また、そのノズル面７２ＡＭ、７２ＡＫ、７２ＡＣ、７２ＡＹに形成されたノズル列が、記録媒体２４の搬送方向と直交して配置される。 The heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y arranged in this way are arranged so that the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY formed at the lower ends thereof face the outer peripheral surface of the drawing drum 70, respectively. The nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY are positioned at predetermined heights from the outer peripheral surface of the drawing drum 70 (the same between the outer peripheral surface of the drawing drum 70 and the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY). An amount of gap is formed.). Further, the nozzle rows formed on the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY are arranged orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium 24.
　これら複数本のヘッド７２Ｍ、７２Ｋ、７２Ｃ、７２Ｙは、ヘッド支持フレーム１４０に取り付けられて、描画ドラム７０の周囲に配置される。 These multiple heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y are attached to the head support frame 140 and arranged around the drawing drum 70.
　描画ドラム７０は、その回転軸１０２の両端部を一対の軸受１０４に軸支されて回転自在に設けられている（図３参照）。軸受１０４は、インクジェット記録装置１０の本体フレーム１０６に設けられており、この軸受１０４に回転軸１０２の両端部が軸支されることにより、描画ドラム７０は水平に取り付けられる（水平な設置面に対して回転軸１０２が平行に取り付けられる。）。 The drawing drum 70 is rotatably provided with both ends of the rotating shaft 102 supported by a pair of bearings 104 (see FIG. 3). The bearing 104 is provided on the main body frame 106 of the inkjet recording apparatus 10, and the drawing drum 70 is mounted horizontally (on the horizontal installation surface) by supporting both ends of the rotating shaft 102 on the bearing 104. On the other hand, the rotating shaft 102 is mounted in parallel.)
　描画ドラム７０の回転軸１０２には、図示しない回転伝達機構を介してモータが連結されている。描画ドラム７０は、このモータに駆動されて回転する。 A motor is connected to the rotation shaft 102 of the drawing drum 70 via a rotation transmission mechanism (not shown). The drawing drum 70 is driven by this motor and rotates.
　図３のように、ヘッド支持フレーム１４０は、描画ドラム７０の回転軸１０２と直交して設けられた一対のサイドプレート１４２Ｌ、１４２Ｒと、その一対のサイドプレート１４２Ｌ、１４２Ｒを上端部で連結する連結フレーム１４４とを含んで構成されている。 As shown in FIG. 3, the head support frame 140 has a pair of side plates 142L and 142R provided orthogonal to the rotation shaft 102 of the drawing drum 70, and a connection that connects the pair of side plates 142L and 142R at the upper end. And a frame 144.
　サイドプレート１４２Ｌ、１４２Ｒは、板状に形成されており、描画ドラム７０を挟んで互いに対向するように配置されている。この一対のサイドプレート１４２Ｌ、１４２Ｒの内側には、各ヘッド７２Ｍ、７２Ｋ、７２Ｃ、７２Ｙを取り付けるための取付部１４６が設けられている。図３では、便宜上、マゼンタの取付部１４６のみ図示したが、各色のヘッドについて同様の取付部が設けられている。 The side plates 142L and 142R are formed in a plate shape and are disposed so as to face each other with the drawing drum 70 interposed therebetween. A mounting portion 146 for mounting the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is provided inside the pair of side plates 142L, 142R. In FIG. 3, for the sake of convenience, only the magenta mounting portion 146 is shown, but the same mounting portion is provided for each color head.
　各取付部１４６は、描画ドラム７０の回転軸１０２を中心とした同心円上に一定の間隔をもって放射状に配置されている。各ヘッド７２Ｍ、７２Ｋ、７２Ｃ、７２Ｙは、その両端に形成された被取付部１４８を取付部１４６に固定することにより、ヘッド支持フレーム１４０に取り付けられる。図３では、便宜上、マゼンタの被取付部１４８のみ図示したが、各色のヘッドについて同様の被取付部が設けられている。 The mounting portions 146 are arranged radially at regular intervals on a concentric circle with the rotation axis 102 of the drawing drum 70 as the center. Each head 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is attached to the head support frame 140 by fixing the attached portions 148 formed at both ends thereof to the attaching portions 146. In FIG. 3, only the magenta attached portion 148 is shown for convenience, but the same attached portion is provided for each color head.
　こうして、各ヘッド７２Ｍ、７２Ｋ、７２Ｃ、７２Ｙはヘッド支持フレーム１４０に取り付けられ、描画ドラム７０の回転軸１０２を中心とした同心円上に一定の間隔をもって放射状に配置される。 Thus, the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y are attached to the head support frame 140, and are radially arranged on the concentric circle with the rotation shaft 102 of the drawing drum 70 as the center.
　ヘッド支持フレーム１４０は、図示しないガイドレールにガイドされて、描画ドラム７０の回転軸１０２と平行にスライド移動自在に設けられている。そして、図示しないリニア駆動機構（例えば、送りネジ機構など）に駆動されて、図３に実線で示す「画像記録位置」と図３に破線で示す「メンテナンス位置」との間を移動する。 The head support frame 140 is guided by a guide rail (not shown) and is slidable in parallel with the rotation shaft 102 of the drawing drum 70. And it drives by the linear drive mechanism (for example, feed screw mechanism etc.) which is not shown in figure, and moves between the "image recording position" shown by the continuous line in FIG. 3, and the "maintenance position" shown by the broken line in FIG.
　ヘッド支持フレーム１４０を画像記録位置に移動させると、各ヘッド７２Ｍ、７２Ｋ、７２Ｃ、７２Ｙは、描画ドラム７０の周囲に配置され、画像記録可能な状態になる。 When the head support frame 140 is moved to the image recording position, each of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is arranged around the drawing drum 70 and is ready for image recording.
　メンテナンス位置は、各ヘッド７２Ｍ、７２Ｋ、７２Ｃ、７２Ｙが描画ドラム７０から退避する位置に設定される。このメンテナンス位置には、各ヘッド７２Ｍ、７２Ｋ、７２Ｃ、７２Ｙを保湿するための保湿装置１５０が設置される。 The maintenance position is set to a position where each head 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is retracted from the drawing drum 70. At this maintenance position, a moisturizing device 150 for moisturizing each head 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is installed.
　保湿装置１５０には、各ヘッド７２Ｍ、７２Ｋ、７２Ｃ、７２Ｙのノズル面７２ＡＭ、７２ＡＫ、７２ＡＣ、７２ＡＹを覆うキャップ２００Ｍ、２００Ｋ、２００Ｃ、２００Ｙが備えられている（図４参照）。図４では、理解を容易にするために、ドラム周面の円弧に沿って配置される各色のヘッドと各ヘッドに対応したキャップの構成を平面展開した図面で示した。なお、図３では、便宜上、マゼンタのキャップ２００Ｍのみ図示した。 The moisturizing device 150 includes caps 200M, 200K, 200C, and 200Y that cover the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, and 72AY of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y (see FIG. 4). In FIG. 4, for easy understanding, the configuration of the heads of the respective colors arranged along the arc of the drum peripheral surface and the caps corresponding to the heads are shown in a plane development. In FIG. 3, only the magenta cap 200M is shown for convenience.
　装置の電源オフ時や印刷待機時など、装置を長時間停止させる場合には、ヘッド７２Ｍ、７２Ｋ、７２Ｃ、７２Ｙをメンテナンス位置に移動させ、キャップ２００Ｍ、２００Ｋ、２００Ｃ、２００Ｙによって各ヘッドのノズル面７２ＡＭ、７２ＡＫ、７２ＡＣ、７２ＡＹが覆われる。 When the apparatus is to be stopped for a long time, such as when the apparatus is turned off or when waiting for printing, the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y are moved to the maintenance position, and the nozzle surfaces of each head are moved by the caps 200M, 200K, 200C, 200Y 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY are covered.
　各キャップ２００Ｍ、２００Ｋ、２００Ｃ、２００Ｙには、図示しない保湿液供給機構が備えられており、キャップ内部に保湿液を供給できるように構成されている。保湿液が保持されたキャップ２００Ｍ、２００Ｋ、２００Ｃ、２００Ｙによってノズル面７２ＡＭ、７２ＡＫ、７２ＡＣ、７２ＡＹの周囲を覆うことにより、ノズル部が保湿され、乾燥による目詰まり（不吐出）が防止される。 Each cap 200M, 200K, 200C, 200Y is provided with a moisturizing liquid supply mechanism (not shown) so that the moisturizing liquid can be supplied into the cap. By covering the periphery of the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY with the caps 200M, 200K, 200C, 200Y holding the moisturizing liquid, the nozzle portion is moisturized and clogging (non-ejection) due to drying is prevented.
　なお、キャップ２００Ｍ、２００Ｋ、２００Ｃ、２００Ｙには、図示しない加圧・吸引機構が備えられており、ノズル内を加圧・吸引できるように構成されている。また、本例の場合、各ヘッド７２Ｍ、７２Ｋ、７２Ｃ、７２Ｙのインク供給系を加圧して各ヘッド７２Ｍ、７２Ｋ、７２Ｃ、７２Ｙの全ノズルからインクを強制的に押し出す加圧パージを行うことができる。 The caps 200M, 200K, 200C, and 200Y are provided with a pressurizing / suction mechanism (not shown) so that the inside of the nozzle can be pressurized and sucked. Further, in the case of this example, the pressure supply purge of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is performed to force the ink from all the nozzles of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y. it can.
　キャップ２００Ｍ、２００Ｋ、２００Ｃ、２００Ｙの下方位置には廃液トレイ１５４が配置されている。キャップ２００Ｍ、２００Ｋ、２００Ｃ、２００Ｙに供給された保湿液やパージされたインクは、この廃液トレイ１５４に廃棄され、廃液回収配管１５６を介して廃液タンク１５８に回収される。 A waste liquid tray 154 is disposed below the caps 200M, 200K, 200C, and 200Y. The moisturizing liquid and purged ink supplied to the caps 200M, 200K, 200C, and 200Y are discarded in the waste liquid tray 154 and collected in the waste liquid tank 158 via the waste liquid collection pipe 156.
　また、画像記録位置とメンテナンス位置との間には、各ヘッド７２Ｍ、７２Ｋ、７２Ｃ、７２Ｙのノズル面７２ＡＭ、７２ＡＫ、７２ＡＣ、７２ＡＹを清掃するためのノズル面清掃装置１６０が設けられている。各ヘッド７２Ｍ、７２Ｋ、７２Ｃ、７２Ｙは、メンテナンス位置から画像記録位置に移動する過程で、または、画像記録位置からメンテナンス位置に移動する過程で、このノズル面清掃装置１６０によってノズル面７２ＡＭ、７２ＡＫ、７２ＡＣ、７２ＡＹが清掃される。 Further, a nozzle surface cleaning device 160 for cleaning the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is provided between the image recording position and the maintenance position. Each head 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is moved by the nozzle surface cleaning device 160 in the process of moving from the maintenance position to the image recording position or in the process of moving from the image recording position to the maintenance position. 72AC and 72AY are cleaned.
　ノズル面清掃装置１６０は、洗浄液付与装置１６２とノズル面払拭装置１６４とを備える。図３では、マゼンタのインクジェットヘッド７２Ｍに対応したノズル面清掃装置１６０のみを図示したが、各ヘッド７２Ｍ、７２Ｋ、７２Ｃ、７２Ｙに対して、それぞれ同様のノズル面清掃装置が設けられている（図４参照）。 The nozzle surface cleaning device 160 includes a cleaning liquid applying device 162 and a nozzle surface wiping device 164. Although only the nozzle surface cleaning device 160 corresponding to the magenta inkjet head 72M is shown in FIG. 3, the same nozzle surface cleaning device is provided for each of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y (FIG. 3). 4).
　図４に示したように、各ヘッドに対応して洗浄液付与装置１６２Ｍ、１６２Ｋ、１６２Ｃ、１６２Ｙ及びノズル面払拭装置１６４Ｍ、１６４Ｋ、１６４Ｃ、１６４Ｙが設けられている。各ヘッドに対応した洗浄液付与装置１６２Ｍ、１６２Ｋ、１６２Ｃ、１６２Ｙの構成は同様であるため、以下、洗浄液付与装置１６２として説明する。また、各ヘッドに対応したノズル面払拭装置１６４Ｍ、１６４Ｋ、１６４Ｃ、１６４Ｙの構成も同様であるため、以下、ノズル面払拭装置１６４として説明する。そして、各色のヘッドについて共通する事項の説明に関しては、ヘッド７２Ｍ、７２Ｋ、７２Ｃ、７２Ｙを代表して、符号７２によってヘッドを示し、符号７２Ａによってノズル面を示して説明する。 As shown in FIG. 4, cleaning liquid applying devices 162M, 162K, 162C, 162Y and nozzle surface wiping devices 164M, 164K, 164C, 164Y are provided corresponding to the respective heads. Since the configurations of the cleaning liquid applying devices 162M, 162K, 162C, and 162Y corresponding to the respective heads are the same, the cleaning liquid applying device 162 will be described below. In addition, the nozzle surface wiping devices 164M, 164K, 164C, and 164Y corresponding to each head have the same configuration, so that the nozzle surface wiping device 164 will be described below. The description of matters common to the heads of the respective colors will be described by representing the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, and 72Y with the reference numeral 72 indicating the head and the reference numeral 72A indicating the nozzle surface.
　洗浄液付与装置１６２は、ヘッド７２のノズル面７２Ａに洗浄液を付与する手段であり、洗浄液供給ノズル１８４と、洗浄液が保持される洗浄液保持面１８５を有する。洗浄液供給ノズル１８４の孔は洗浄液保持面１８５に開口しており、洗浄液供給ノズル１８４から洗浄液を出して洗浄液保持面１８５に洗浄液を保持させる。洗浄液が保持された洗浄液保持面１８５上を、ヘッド７２を移動させることで、洗浄液保持面１８５とノズル面７２Ａとの間の洗浄液が、ノズル面７２Ａの撥液性を利用して濡れ拡がり、ノズル面７２Ａに洗浄液を塗布することができる。 The cleaning liquid applying device 162 is a means for applying a cleaning liquid to the nozzle surface 72A of the head 72, and has a cleaning liquid supply nozzle 184 and a cleaning liquid holding surface 185 for holding the cleaning liquid. The hole of the cleaning liquid supply nozzle 184 is open to the cleaning liquid holding surface 185, and the cleaning liquid is taken out from the cleaning liquid supply nozzle 184 and held on the cleaning liquid holding surface 185. By moving the head 72 over the cleaning liquid holding surface 185 where the cleaning liquid is held, the cleaning liquid between the cleaning liquid holding surface 185 and the nozzle surface 72A spreads out using the liquid repellency of the nozzle surface 72A, and the nozzle A cleaning liquid can be applied to the surface 72A.
　ノズル面払拭装置１６４は、帯状に形成された払拭ウェブ１９２（「払拭部材」に相当）を走行させながら、払拭ウェブ１９２をノズル面７２Ａに当接させて、ヘッド７２を移動させることによりノズル面７２Ａを払拭する。 The nozzle surface wiping device 164 moves the head 72 by bringing the wiping web 192 into contact with the nozzle surface 72A while moving the wiping web 192 (corresponding to a “wiping member”) formed in a belt shape. Wipe 72A.
　払拭ウェブ１９２は、例えば、ＰＥＴ（polyethylene terephthalate；ポリエチレンテレフタラート）、ＰＥ (Polyethylene；ポリエチレン)、ＮＹ（NYLON；ナイロン)等の極微細繊維を用いた編み又は織りからなるシートで構成され、ヘッド７２のノズル面７２Ａの幅に対応した幅を有する帯状に形成される。この払拭ウェブ１９２は、図示せぬ送出側ウェブコアにロール状に巻かれ、先端が巻取側ウェブコア（不図示）に固定された状態で提供される。 The wiping web 192 is formed of a sheet made of knitting or weaving using ultrafine fibers such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PE (Polyethylene), NY (NYLON), and the like. It is formed in a strip shape having a width corresponding to the width of the nozzle surface 72A. The wiping web 192 is provided in a state in which the wiping web 192 is wound in a roll shape around a delivery-side web core (not shown) and the tip is fixed to a winding-side web core (not shown).
　ノズル面払拭装置１６４は、払拭ウェブ１９２を搬送する図示せぬ搬送部と、払拭ウェブ１９２をノズル面７２Ａに所定圧力で当接させる押圧ロール１９４を備えている。押圧ロール１９４は図示せぬ付勢バネによってノズル面７２Ａに向かう方向に付勢されている。押圧ロール１９４に巻き掛けられた払拭ウェブ１９２は図示せぬ巻取モータの駆動によって搬送される。払拭ウェブ１９２を走行させながら、ノズル面７２Ａを払拭することにより、常に払拭ウェブ１９２の新しい面（未使用領域）を使ってノズル面７２Ａを払拭することができる。 The nozzle surface wiping device 164 includes a transport unit (not shown) that transports the wiping web 192 and a pressing roll 194 that brings the wiping web 192 into contact with the nozzle surface 72A with a predetermined pressure. The pressing roll 194 is biased in a direction toward the nozzle surface 72A by a biasing spring (not shown). The wiping web 192 wound around the pressing roll 194 is conveyed by driving a winding motor (not shown). By wiping the nozzle surface 72A while running the wiping web 192, the nozzle surface 72A can always be wiped by using a new surface (unused area) of the wiping web 192.
　払拭ウェブ１９２の走行方向と逆方向にノズル面７２Ａを移動させることにより、効率よくノズル面７２Ａを払拭することができる。 The nozzle surface 72A can be efficiently wiped by moving the nozzle surface 72A in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the wiping web 192.
　また、ノズル面払拭装置１６４は、図示せぬ昇降機構によって上下方向に移動させることができる。ノズル面７２Ａの払拭清掃が不要な場合は、払拭ウェブ１９２がノズル面７２Ａと接触しない位置に退避させる。 Further, the nozzle surface wiping device 164 can be moved in the vertical direction by a lifting mechanism (not shown). When wiping and cleaning of the nozzle surface 72A is unnecessary, the wiping web 192 is retracted to a position where it does not come into contact with the nozzle surface 72A.
　ノズル面払拭装置１６４は、払拭ウェブ１９２に対して直接的に洗浄液を供給する洗浄液付与部や、払拭ウェブ１９２から余剰の洗浄液を回収する洗浄液回収部を備えてもよい。 The nozzle surface wiping device 164 may include a cleaning liquid application unit that supplies the cleaning liquid directly to the wiping web 192 and a cleaning liquid recovery unit that recovers excess cleaning liquid from the wiping web 192.
　また、図示されていないが、各ヘッド７２Ｍ、７２Ｋ、７２Ｃ、７２Ｙは、それぞれのノズル面７２ＡＭ、７２ＡＫ、７２ＡＣ、７２ＡＹの法線方向に移動可能な可動支持機構に支持されている。この可動支持機構により、各ヘッド７２Ｍ、７２Ｋ、７２Ｃ、７２Ｙのノズル面７２ＡＭ、７２ＡＫ、７２ＡＣ、７２ＡＹと、描画ドラム７０の外周面との距離（ギャップ）を調整したり、メンテナンス位置でのヘッドの高さを変更したりすることができる。 Although not shown, each head 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y is supported by a movable support mechanism that can move in the normal direction of each nozzle surface 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY. With this movable support mechanism, the distance (gap) between the nozzle surfaces 72AM, 72AK, 72AC, 72AY of the heads 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y and the outer peripheral surface of the drawing drum 70 can be adjusted, and the heads at the maintenance position can be adjusted. You can change the height.
　＜保湿装置を含むメンテナンス部の説明＞
　図５は、本実施形態に係る保湿装置を含むメンテナンスステーションの要部を示す斜視図、図６はキャップの部分拡大図である。また、図７は、印刷待機中や電源オフ時等におけるキャップ時（ヘッドを保湿した状態で保管する時）の状態を示す断面図、図８はインクパージ動作時の状態を示す断面図である。 <Description of the maintenance unit including the moisturizing device>
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a main part of a maintenance station including the moisturizing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of the cap. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state during capping (when the head is kept moisturized) when waiting for printing or when the power is turned off, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state during an ink purge operation. .
　図５に示したように、メンテナンスステーションには、各ヘッドに対応したキャップ２００Ｍ、２００Ｋ、２００Ｃ、２００Ｙが設けられている。各キャップ２００Ｍ、２００Ｋ、２００Ｃ、２００Ｙの構造は同様であるため、各キャップを代表して以下、符号２００によってキャップを示す。 As shown in FIG. 5, the maintenance station is provided with caps 200M, 200K, 200C, and 200Y corresponding to the respective heads. Since the structures of the caps 200M, 200K, 200C, and 200Y are the same, the caps are denoted by reference numeral 200 below as representative of the caps.
　キャップ２００は、外枠のカバー部（外側枠体）を構成するキャップ枠体２０２と、このキャップ枠体２０２の内側に設けられ、ノズル面７２Ａと対向する位置に配置される液保持部２１０と、を備える。液保持部２１０として機能する凹部が形成されたキャップ内枠体２０４（内側枠体部）と、その外側を覆うキャップ枠体２０２との組み合わせによってキャップ本体２０６が構成される。このように本例のキャップ２００は、キャップ枠体２０２の内側に液保持部２１０が設けられた二重構造（入れ子の構造）となっている。 The cap 200 includes a cap frame 202 that forms a cover part (outer frame) of the outer frame, and a liquid holding unit 210 that is provided inside the cap frame 202 and disposed at a position facing the nozzle surface 72A. . A cap main body 206 is configured by a combination of a cap inner frame body 204 (inner frame body portion) in which a recess functioning as the liquid holding unit 210 is formed and a cap frame body 202 covering the outer side. Thus, the cap 200 of this example has a double structure (nested structure) in which the liquid holding part 210 is provided inside the cap frame 202.
　また、キャップ２００の側壁（本例では、キャップ２００の長手方向に沿った側面の壁）には、ヘッド７２との当接時に弾性変形して密閉性を高める封止部材２２０、２２２が設けられている。封止部材２２０、２２２は、それぞれ支持部材２５０、２５２に保持されており、封止部材２２０、２２２を保持した支持部材２５０、２５２は、それぞれ固定ネジ２５４、２５６（「締結部材」に相当）によってキャップ本体２０６に取り付けられている。 Further, on the side wall of the cap 200 (in this example, the side wall along the longitudinal direction of the cap 200), sealing members 220 and 222 that are elastically deformed when coming into contact with the head 72 to improve the sealing performance are provided. ing. The sealing members 220 and 222 are held by the support members 250 and 252, respectively. The support members 250 and 252 holding the sealing members 220 and 222 are respectively fixed screws 254 and 256 (corresponding to “fastening members”). It is attached to the cap main body 206 by.
　本例の場合、支持部材２５０は固定ネジ２５４によってキャップ内枠体２０４に連結され、支持部材２５２は固定ネジ２５６によってキャップ枠体２０２に連結される（図７、図８参照）。なお、固定ネジ２５４、２５６による締結箇所は、キャップ２００の長手方向に沿って複数個所設けられている。支持部材２５０、２５２は、キャップ内枠体２０４及びキャップ枠体２０２の側壁とともにキャップ２００の側壁を構成する部材となる。 In the case of this example, the support member 250 is connected to the cap inner frame 204 by the fixing screw 254, and the support member 252 is connected to the cap frame 202 by the fixing screw 256 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). Note that a plurality of fastening points by the fixing screws 254 and 256 are provided along the longitudinal direction of the cap 200. The support members 250 and 252 are members that constitute the side wall of the cap 200 together with the side walls of the cap inner frame body 204 and the cap frame body 202.
　このようにキャップ２００の側壁に設けられた封止部材２２０、２２２は、ヘッド７２の側壁（本例の場合ヘッド７２の長手方向に沿った側面の壁）に接触し、接触部分を密閉する（図７及び図８参照）。封止部材２２０、２２２をヘッド７２の側壁に当接させ、ノズル面７２Ａよりも高い位置でヘッド側面を封止する構成となっている。 Thus, the sealing members 220 and 222 provided on the side wall of the cap 200 are in contact with the side wall of the head 72 (in this example, the side wall along the longitudinal direction of the head 72) and seal the contact portion ( (See FIGS. 7 and 8). The sealing members 220 and 222 are brought into contact with the side wall of the head 72, and the side surface of the head is sealed at a position higher than the nozzle surface 72A.
　本例のインクジェット記録装置１０は、ノズル面７２Ａの法線方向にキャップ２００とヘッド７２を相対移動させる機構（不図示）を備えており、図７及び図８に示したように、封止部材２２０、２２２がヘッド側面と接触した状態でヘッド７２をノズル面７２Ａの法線方向に移動させることができる。 The ink jet recording apparatus 10 of this example includes a mechanism (not shown) that moves the cap 200 and the head 72 relative to each other in the normal direction of the nozzle surface 72A. As shown in FIGS. The head 72 can be moved in the normal direction of the nozzle surface 72A in a state in which 220 and 222 are in contact with the head side surface.
　キャップ２００に対してヘッド７２を移動させる構成であってもよいし、ヘッド７２に対してキャップ２００を移動させる構成でもよく、またこれらの組み合わせでもよい。 The structure which moves the head 72 with respect to the cap 200 may be sufficient, the structure which moves the cap 200 with respect to the head 72 may be sufficient, and these combination may be sufficient.
　封止部材２２０、２２２をヘッド側面に接触させたまま、キャップ２００に対してヘッド７２を移動（相対移動）させるため、封止部材２２０、２２２は摺動抵抗の小さいものが好ましい。本実施形態では、封止部材２２０、２２２として、中空のシリコンゴムにフッ素コーティングしたものを用いた。封止部材２２０、２２２には、上記の他、ブラシやフェルトなどが適している。ブラシの毛やフェルトの繊維は、当接時に弾性変形し、当接解除によって元の形状に復元する。ブラシやフェルトも当接時に弾性変形して接触部分を封止する封止部材として機能し得る。 Since the head 72 is moved (relatively moved) with respect to the cap 200 while the sealing members 220 and 222 are in contact with the side surfaces of the head, the sealing members 220 and 222 preferably have low sliding resistance. In this embodiment, as the sealing members 220 and 222, hollow silicon rubber coated with fluorine is used. In addition to the above, brushes, felts, and the like are suitable for the sealing members 220 and 222. Brush bristles and felt fibers are elastically deformed at the time of contact, and are restored to their original shape upon contact release. The brush and the felt can also function as a sealing member that is elastically deformed at the time of contact and seals the contact portion.
　図７に示したキャップ時の状態、並びに図８に示したインクパージ動作時の状態のいずれにおいても、封止部材２２０、２２２はノズル面７２Ａよりも上側にあり、ノズル面７２Ａよりも高い位置を封止している。このため封止部材２２０、２２２にインクが付着しにくい。 In both the cap state shown in FIG. 7 and the ink purge operation state shown in FIG. 8, the sealing members 220 and 222 are located above the nozzle surface 72A and higher than the nozzle surface 72A. Is sealed. For this reason, it is difficult for ink to adhere to the sealing members 220 and 222.
　ここで、「ノズル面７２Ａよりも上側」、「ノズル面７２Ａよりも高い位置」という意味について、図９、図１０、図１１を用いて説明する。 Here, the meanings of “above the nozzle surface 72A” and “a position higher than the nozzle surface 72A” will be described with reference to FIGS. 9, 10, and 11. FIG.
　図９に示すように、ヘッド７２のノズル面７２Ａが水平面２６０に対して傾斜している場合（傾斜角度θは０°＜θ＜９０°とする。）、この傾斜したノズル面７２Ａにおける傾斜下方の最も低い位置（ノズル面７２Ａの最下部位置２７２）から傾斜上方の最も高い位置（ノズル面７２Ａの最高部位置２７４）までの範囲でノズル面７２Ａは鉛直方向に幅を持つことになる。 As shown in FIG. 9, when the nozzle surface 72A of the head 72 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane 260 (inclination angle θ is 0 ° <θ <90 °), the inclined nozzle surface 72A is inclined downward. In the range from the lowest position (the lowest position 272 of the nozzle face 72A) to the highest position above the inclination (the highest position 274 of the nozzle face 72A), the nozzle face 72A has a width in the vertical direction.
　このような傾斜したノズル面７２Ａについて少なくともノズル面７２Ａの最下部位置２７２よりも上方の位置であることを意味し、好ましくは、ノズル面７２Ａの最高部位置２７４よりも上方の位置である。 This means that the inclined nozzle surface 72A is at least a position above the lowest position 272 of the nozzle surface 72A, and is preferably a position above the highest position 274 of the nozzle surface 72A.
　ノズル面７２Ａの最下部位置２７２と最高部位置２７４を規定するノズル面７２Ａの範囲は、ヘッド７２のノズル部２７６の範囲に対応している。ノズル面７２Ａを構成するノズルプレートには、複数のノズル（図９中不図示、図１４符号３５０参照）が形成されており、これら複数のノズルが配列されたノズルプレートのノズル形成領域（ノズルが配列されている吐出面領域）を含んでノズル部２７６が構成される。 The range of the nozzle surface 72A that defines the lowest position 272 and the highest position 274 of the nozzle surface 72A corresponds to the range of the nozzle portion 276 of the head 72. A plurality of nozzles (not shown in FIG. 9, refer to reference numeral 350 in FIG. 14) are formed on the nozzle plate constituting the nozzle surface 72A, and the nozzle formation region (nozzles of the nozzles) in which the plurality of nozzles are arranged. The nozzle portion 276 is configured to include the discharge surface area).
　例えば、ヘッド７２のノズルプレートにおけるノズル形成領域の範囲をノズル面７２Ａの範囲（ノズル部２７６）として特定することができる。また、簡易的には、ヘッド７２の下面（吐出面）に露出しているノズルプレートの領域全体をノズル面７２Ａとして特定することができる。ノズルプレートにおけるノズル形成領域の外側に設けられるノズル非形成領域の面積が過度に大きくなければ、ノズルプレートの領域全体をノズル面７２Ａとして取り扱うことができる。 For example, the range of the nozzle formation region in the nozzle plate of the head 72 can be specified as the range of the nozzle surface 72A (nozzle portion 276). Further, simply, the entire area of the nozzle plate exposed on the lower surface (ejection surface) of the head 72 can be specified as the nozzle surface 72A. If the area of the nozzle non-formation area provided outside the nozzle formation area in the nozzle plate is not excessively large, the entire area of the nozzle plate can be handled as the nozzle surface 72A.
　図９に示したように、ノズル面７２Ａの最下部位置２７２を通る水平面２６２を想定したとき、封止部材２２０、２２２（図７、図８）は、少なくともこの最下部位置２７２の水平面２６２よりも上方（高い位置）に位置する。また、より好ましくは、ノズル面７２Ａの最高部位置２７４を通る水平面２６４を想定したとき、封止部材２２０、２２２（図７、図８参照）は、最高部位置２７４の水平面２６４よりも上方（高い位置）に位置する構成とするのがよい。 As shown in FIG. 9, when a horizontal plane 262 passing through the lowest position 272 of the nozzle surface 72A is assumed, the sealing members 220 and 222 (FIGS. 7 and 8) are at least more than the horizontal plane 262 at the lowest position 272. Is also located above (high position). More preferably, when a horizontal plane 264 passing through the highest position 274 of the nozzle surface 72A is assumed, the sealing members 220 and 222 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) are above the horizontal plane 264 of the highest position 274 ( It is preferable to have a configuration located at a high position.
　かかる構成によれば、封止部材２２０、２２２にノズルからの吐出液が付着しにくく、封止部材２２０、２２２が汚れにくい。 According to such a configuration, the discharge liquid from the nozzle is difficult to adhere to the sealing members 220 and 222, and the sealing members 220 and 222 are not easily contaminated.
　図１０は、「ノズル面７２Ａよりも上側」、「ノズル面７２Ａよりも高い位置」という記載表現を、図９とは別の観点から捉えた説明図である。図１０に示すように、ノズル面７２Ａが水平面２６０に対して傾斜している場合（傾斜角度θは０°＜θ＜９０°とする）、ノズル面７２Ａを含んでノズル面７２Ａと平行な平面２８０を想定できる。この平面２８０は、ノズル面７２Ａをその同一平面上で拡張（同一平面に沿って延長）した仮想的な単一平面である。 FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram that captures the description expressions “above the nozzle surface 72A” and “position higher than the nozzle surface 72A” from a viewpoint different from FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, when the nozzle surface 72A is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane 260 (the inclination angle θ is 0 ° <θ <90 °), the plane including the nozzle surface 72A and parallel to the nozzle surface 72A. 280 can be assumed. The plane 280 is a virtual single plane obtained by expanding (extending along the same plane) the nozzle surface 72A on the same plane.
　この仮想的な平面２８０を境界面として、平面２８０よりも上方側の空間領域内で封止部材２２０、２２２（図７，図８参照）がヘッド７２と接触する構成とすることも可能である。 With this virtual plane 280 as a boundary surface, the sealing members 220 and 222 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) may be in contact with the head 72 in the space region above the plane 280. .
　このような構成によっても、ノズル面７２Ａのノズルから吐出した液が封止部材２２０、２２２に付着しにくく、封止部材２２０、２２２が汚れにくいものとなる。図１０の場合、図９で説明した条件と比較して、傾斜下方側を封止する封止部材２２２（図７，図８参照）がノズル面７２Ａの最下部位置２７２よりも低い位置になることが許容され得るため、より好ましくは、ノズル面７２Ａの最下部位置２７２よりも高い位置に封止部材を配置するのがよい。 Even with such a configuration, the liquid discharged from the nozzle on the nozzle surface 72A is less likely to adhere to the sealing members 220 and 222, and the sealing members 220 and 222 are less likely to become dirty. In the case of FIG. 10, the sealing member 222 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) that seals the inclined lower side is lower than the lowest position 272 of the nozzle surface 72 </ b> A as compared with the conditions described in FIG. 9. More preferably, the sealing member may be disposed at a position higher than the lowest position 272 of the nozzle surface 72A.
　図１１は、図１０と実質的に同等の説明図である。図１１中、図１０と同一の要素には同一の符号を付した。なお、図１１中、破線矢印（符号２８２）は、ノズル面７２Ａのノズルから液体を吐出する吐出方向を示している。この吐出方向は、ノズル面７２Ａの法線方向と平行でかつ、重力方向と角度θを成して下方に向かう方向である。 FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram substantially equivalent to FIG. In FIG. 11, the same elements as those in FIG. In FIG. 11, a broken line arrow (reference numeral 282) indicates a discharge direction in which the liquid is discharged from the nozzle on the nozzle surface 72A. This discharge direction is parallel to the normal direction of the nozzle surface 72A and is directed downward with an angle θ with the direction of gravity.
　図１１中の実線矢印（２８４）で示したように、平面２８０の法線方向と平行で、かつ、吐出方向（矢印２８２）と逆方向に向かってノズル面７２Ａから離れる方向について「上」という表現を採用する場合であっても、ノズル面７２Ａを含む平面２８０を境界面として区画される空間のうち、「平面２８０よりも上側の空間領域」という記載表現によって、実質的に図１０と同等の内容を示すものである。 As indicated by a solid arrow (284) in FIG. 11, the direction parallel to the normal direction of the plane 280 and away from the nozzle surface 72A in the direction opposite to the discharge direction (arrow 282) is referred to as “up”. Even in the case where the expression is adopted, among the spaces partitioned with the plane 280 including the nozzle surface 72A as the boundary surface, the description “the space region above the plane 280” is substantially equivalent to FIG. The contents of
　また、図７及び図８で説明したとおり、封止部材２２０、２２２は、固定ネジ２５４、２５６を介してキャップ本体２０６に取付られているため、固定ネジ２５４、２５６の連結を解除することにより、取り外しが可能である。封止部材２２０、２２２は支持部材２５０、２５２と一体で脱着交換を行うものであってもよいし、支持部材２５０、２５２から封止部材２２０、２２２を分離して、支持部材２５０、２５２に新しい封止部材２２０、２２２を取り付ける（封止部材２２０、２２２のみを交換し、支持部材２５０、２５２は同じものを使う）構成でも可能である。 7 and 8, since the sealing members 220 and 222 are attached to the cap body 206 via the fixing screws 254 and 256, the connection of the fixing screws 254 and 256 is released. Can be removed. The sealing members 220 and 222 may be integrated with the support members 250 and 252 to be attached and detached. Alternatively, the sealing members 220 and 222 may be separated from the support members 250 and 252 and the support members 250 and 252 may be separated. A configuration in which new sealing members 220 and 222 are attached (only the sealing members 220 and 222 are replaced and the same supporting members 250 and 252 are used) is also possible.
　このように、封止部材２２０、２２２を容易に脱着できる構造となっているため、仮に封止部材２２０、２２２がインクで汚れた場合や、或いは、経時劣化などによって密閉性が低下した場合などには、封止部材２２０、２２２のみを容易に交換することができる。これにより、コストダウンやユーザビリティの向上を達成できる。 As described above, since the sealing members 220 and 222 can be easily detached, the sealing members 220 and 222 are temporarily stained with ink, or the sealing performance is deteriorated due to deterioration over time, or the like. In addition, only the sealing members 220 and 222 can be easily replaced. Thereby, cost reduction and usability improvement can be achieved.
　（液保持部の構成）
　本例のキャップ２００は、水平面に対して傾斜するノズル面７２Ａの傾斜角度に合わせて、キャップ２００も水平面に対して傾斜して配置される。ノズル面７２Ａに対向する対向位置に配置される液保持部２１０は、保湿液２１２を貯留できる凹部を有し、この凹部には仕切板２１４が立設されている。仕切板２１４はキャップ２００の長手方向と平行に延設されており、この仕切板２１４によって液保持部２１０は第１貯留部２１６と第２貯留部２１８とに区画されている。 (Configuration of liquid holding part)
In the cap 200 of this example, the cap 200 is also inclined with respect to the horizontal plane in accordance with the inclination angle of the nozzle surface 72A inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. The liquid holding part 210 disposed at the facing position facing the nozzle surface 72A has a concave part that can store the moisturizing liquid 212, and a partition plate 214 is erected in this concave part. The partition plate 214 extends in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cap 200, and the liquid holding unit 210 is partitioned into a first storage unit 216 and a second storage unit 218 by the partition plate 214.
　つまり、液保持部２１０は仕切板２１４によってキャップ２００の傾斜方向に複数の複数の領域に区切られており、傾斜方向の上側に第１貯留部２１６、下側に第２貯留部２１８が形成されている。 That is, the liquid holding part 210 is divided into a plurality of regions in the inclination direction of the cap 200 by the partition plate 214, and the first storage part 216 is formed on the upper side in the inclination direction, and the second storage part 218 is formed on the lower side. ing.
　キャップ２００には、液保持部２１０に保湿液を供給するための保湿液供給口２３０が設けられている。保湿液供給口２３０は第１貯留部２１６よりも傾斜方向の上側に設けられている。本例では、キャップ内枠体２０４のキャップ長手方向の中央部分に１つの保湿液供給口２３０が設けられている。なお、保湿液供給口２３０の個数や配置場所については本例に限定されない。液保持部２１０に対して保湿液を供給できればよく、保湿液の供給口を複数備える構成も可能である。 The cap 200 is provided with a moisturizing liquid supply port 230 for supplying the moisturizing liquid to the liquid holding unit 210. The moisturizing liquid supply port 230 is provided above the first reservoir 216 in the tilt direction. In this example, one moisturizing liquid supply port 230 is provided in the central portion of the cap inner frame 204 in the cap longitudinal direction. The number and location of the moisturizing liquid supply ports 230 are not limited to this example. It is sufficient if the moisturizing liquid can be supplied to the liquid holding unit 210, and a configuration including a plurality of moisturizing liquid supply ports is also possible.
　保湿液供給口２３０には保湿液流路２３２が繋がっており、図示せぬ保湿液タンクから保湿液流路２３２を介して保湿液供給口２３０に保湿液が送られる。 A moisturizing liquid channel 232 is connected to the moisturizing liquid supply port 230, and the moisturizing liquid is sent from the moisturizing liquid tank (not shown) to the moisturizing liquid supply port 230 through the moisturizing liquid channel 232.
　保湿液供給口２３０から保湿液が供給され、第１貯留部２１６及び第２貯留部２１８に保湿液２１２が貯留される。第１貯留部２１６に貯留された保湿液の液面２３６と、第２貯留部２１８に貯留された保湿液の液面２３８は、仕切板２１４を挟んで段になる。 The moisturizing liquid is supplied from the moisturizing liquid supply port 230, and the moisturizing liquid 212 is stored in the first storage unit 216 and the second storage unit 218. The liquid level 236 of the moisturizing liquid stored in the first storage unit 216 and the liquid level 238 of the moisturizing liquid stored in the second storage unit 218 are stepped with the partition plate 214 interposed therebetween.
　ノズル面７２Ａは水平面に対して傾いているが、ノズル面７２Ａに対向する液保持部２１０に仕切板２１４があるため、保湿液面（２３６，２３８）がノズル面７２Ａと近い位置で対向できる。これにより、相対湿度９０％以上の状態を長時間維持することができる。 Although the nozzle surface 72A is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, the moisturizing liquid surface (236, 238) can be opposed to the nozzle surface 72A at a position close to the liquid retaining portion 210 that faces the nozzle surface 72A. Thereby, the state of relative humidity of 90% or more can be maintained for a long time.
　また、液保持部２１０の外側には液保持部２１０から溢れた液２４０を保持できる外室２４２が形成される。キャップ枠体２０２の底部には、ドレイン口２４４が設けられ、外室２４２内に液２４０が一定量溜まるとドレイン口２４４から液が排出される。ドレイン口２４４は、キャップ底部のキャップ傾斜方向最下点よりも高い位置に設けられており、外室２４２に一定量の液２４０を溜めることができる。 Further, an outer chamber 242 that can hold the liquid 240 overflowing from the liquid holding part 210 is formed outside the liquid holding part 210. A drain port 244 is provided at the bottom of the cap frame 202, and when a certain amount of the liquid 240 is accumulated in the outer chamber 242, the liquid is discharged from the drain port 244. The drain port 244 is provided at a position higher than the lowest point in the cap inclination direction at the bottom of the cap, and a certain amount of liquid 240 can be stored in the outer chamber 242.
　次に、本実施形態における動作について説明する。 Next, the operation in this embodiment will be described.
　＜保湿液の供給＞
　保湿液供給口２３０よりも高い位置に保湿液タンク（不図示）が配置され、保湿液タンクからキャップ２００の保湿液供給口２３０に保湿液を導く保湿液流路２３２が設けられる。保湿液タンクと保湿液供給口２３０とをつなぐ保湿液流路２３２の途中に保湿液の供給をオン（供給）／オフ（停止）できる保湿液供給バルブ（不図示）が設けられている。保湿液供給バルブは、例えば電磁弁で構成される。 <Supply of moisturizing liquid>
A moisturizing liquid tank (not shown) is disposed at a position higher than the moisturizing liquid supply port 230, and a moisturizing liquid channel 232 that guides the moisturizing liquid from the moisturizing liquid tank to the moisturizing liquid supply port 230 of the cap 200 is provided. A moisturizing liquid supply valve (not shown) capable of turning on (supplying) / off (stopping) the supply of the moisturizing liquid is provided in the middle of the moisturizing liquid channel 232 connecting the moisturizing liquid tank and the moisturizing liquid supply port 230. The moisturizing liquid supply valve is composed of, for example, an electromagnetic valve.
　保湿液供給バルブをオン（開放）すると、水頭差によって保湿液タンクから保湿液流路２３２を通じて保湿液が流れ、保湿液供給口２３０から保湿液が流れ出る。 When the moisturizing liquid supply valve is turned on (opened), the moisturizing liquid flows from the moisturizing liquid tank 232 through the moisturizing liquid channel 232 due to a water head difference, and the moisturizing liquid flows out from the moisturizing liquid supply port 230.
　液保持部２１０の傾斜に沿って保湿液は流れ落ち、第１貯留部２１６に溜まる。第１貯留部２１６と第２貯留部２１８を仕切る仕切板２１４の高さは、第１貯留部２１６、第２貯留部２１８の他の側壁よりも低くなっている。ここでいう仕切板２１４の高さは、液保持部の傾斜している底面（傾斜平面）を基準にして、その傾斜平面に垂直な方向に底面からノズル面７２Ａに向かって離れる方向に向かう「高さ」である。 The moisturizing liquid flows down along the inclination of the liquid holding unit 210 and accumulates in the first storage unit 216. The height of the partition plate 214 that partitions the first reservoir 216 and the second reservoir 218 is lower than the other side walls of the first reservoir 216 and the second reservoir 218. The height of the partition plate 214 here refers to the direction away from the bottom surface toward the nozzle surface 72A in a direction perpendicular to the inclined plane with reference to the inclined bottom surface (inclined plane) of the liquid holding portion. "Height".
　このため、第１貯留部２１６をオーバーフローした保湿液は、仕切板２１４を乗り越えて第２貯留部２１８に流下し、第２貯留部２１８に溜まる。 For this reason, the moisturizing liquid overflowing the first reservoir 216 gets over the partition plate 214, flows down to the second reservoir 218, and accumulates in the second reservoir 218.
　さらに保湿液を供給し続けて、第２貯留部２１８が保湿液で満たされると、保湿液は第２貯留部２１８の壁を乗り越えて、外室２４２に落ちる。 Further, when the moisturizing liquid continues to be supplied and the second reservoir 218 is filled with the moisturizing liquid, the moisturizing liquid gets over the wall of the second reservoir 218 and falls into the outer chamber 242.
　キャップ２００のドレイン口２４４は、外室２４２の底部の最下点位置よりも高い位置に設けられているため、外室２４２の底部にも保湿液が貯留される。この外室２４２は、保湿液の液面２３６、２３８（以下、保湿液面２３６、２３８という。）が形成される第１貯留部２１６及び第２貯留部２１８と、キャップ２００の大気開放部との距離を離す機能がある。 Since the drain port 244 of the cap 200 is provided at a position higher than the lowest point position at the bottom of the outer chamber 242, the moisturizing liquid is also stored at the bottom of the outer chamber 242. The outer chamber 242 includes a first reservoir 216 and a second reservoir 218 in which liquid surfaces 236 and 238 of the moisturizing liquid (hereinafter referred to as moisturizing liquid surfaces 236 and 238) are formed, and an air release portion of the cap 200. There is a function of separating the distance.
　第１貯留部２１６、第２貯留部２１８と大気開放部を離すことで、キャップ内の湿気がキャップ外に逃げることを抑制する。 ¡By separating the first reservoir 216 and the second reservoir 218 from the open air portion, moisture in the cap is prevented from escaping outside the cap.
　また、仮に、外室２４２を省略するなどして、液保持部２１０の近傍を封止部材で密閉すると、インクのパージ等で封止部材が汚れやすくなる。この点、本実施形態によれば、液保持部２１０の外側に外室２４２を設け、保湿液が貯留される第１貯留部２１６、第２貯留部２１８から離れたキャップ外壁に封止部材２２０、２２２を取り付け、貯留部から離れたところを密閉する構成としたので、封止部材２２０、２２２の汚れを回避することが可能である。 If the vicinity of the liquid holding unit 210 is sealed with a sealing member, for example, by omitting the outer chamber 242, the sealing member is likely to become dirty due to ink purging or the like. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, the outer chamber 242 is provided outside the liquid holding unit 210, and the sealing member 220 is provided on the outer wall of the cap away from the first storage unit 216 and the second storage unit 218 where the moisturizing liquid is stored. , 222 is attached and the part away from the storage part is sealed, so that the sealing members 220 and 222 can be prevented from being contaminated.
　また、本実施形態では、外室２４２にも液が貯留されるように、ドレイン口２４４を外室２４２の高い位置に設けた。これにより、外室２４２も保湿され、さらなる保湿性向上に効果がある。 In this embodiment, the drain port 244 is provided at a high position in the outer chamber 242 so that the liquid is also stored in the outer chamber 242. Thereby, the outer chamber 242 is also moisturized, which is effective for further improving the moisture retention.
　＜キャップ時＞
　電源オフ時や印刷待機時などは、図７に示すキャップ位置（ヘッド保湿位置）でヘッド７２は待機している。図７のように、ヘッド７２のノズル面７２Ａを液保持部２１０の保湿液面（２３６、２３８）に近接させることで、ノズル部周囲の相対湿度を高め、ノズル内部のインクの固化を防止している。 <When cap>
When the power is turned off or during printing standby, the head 72 is waiting at the cap position (head moisturizing position) shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, by bringing the nozzle surface 72A of the head 72 close to the moisturizing liquid surface (236, 238) of the liquid holding unit 210, the relative humidity around the nozzle unit is increased and the ink inside the nozzle is prevented from solidifying. ing.
　＜インクパージ時＞
　定期的に或いは不定期にインクをパージするときは、図８に示すように、ノズル面７２Ａの法線方向に、かつヘッド７２をキャップ２００から離間させる方向に、ヘッド７２とキャップ２００を相対移動させ、保湿液面（２３６、２３８）とノズル面７２Ａとの距離を離した状態でインクをパージする。 <During ink purge>
When purging ink regularly or irregularly, the head 72 and the cap 200 are moved relative to each other in the normal direction of the nozzle surface 72A and in the direction in which the head 72 is separated from the cap 200, as shown in FIG. The ink is purged with the moisturizing liquid surfaces (236, 238) and the nozzle surface 72A spaced apart.
　キャップ２００の位置（高さ）を固定して、ヘッド７２をノズル面７２Ａの法線方向に移動させる構成であってもよいし、ヘッド７２の位置を固定して、キャップ２００を移動させる構成でもよく、また、両者を移動させる構成でもよい。 A configuration in which the position (height) of the cap 200 is fixed and the head 72 is moved in the normal direction of the nozzle surface 72A may be used, or a configuration in which the position of the head 72 is fixed and the cap 200 is moved is also possible. Alternatively, a configuration in which both are moved may be used.
　図７と図８を比較すると明らかなように、パージ時（図８）のノズル面７２Ａと保湿液面２３６、２３８との距離は、ヘッド保湿位置でのキャップ時（図７）におけるノズル面７２Ａと保湿液面２３６、２３８との距離よりも離れている。 As is clear from comparison between FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the distance between the nozzle surface 72A at the time of purging (FIG. 8) and the moisturizing liquid surfaces 236 and 238 is the same as the nozzle surface 72A at the time of cap at the head moisturizing position (FIG. 7). And the moisturizing liquid surfaces 236 and 238.
　このようにパージ時にノズル面７２Ａを保湿液面２３６、２３８から遠ざける理由として、次の点を挙げることができる。 As described above, the reason why the nozzle surface 72A is kept away from the moisturizing liquid surfaces 236 and 238 during purging can be as follows.
　（１）ノズル面７２Ａと液保持部２１０との間の隙間にパージしたインクが溜まることを防止するためである。ノズル面７２Ａと液保持部２１０との間にパージインクが溜まると、ノズル面７２Ａにインクが付着しやすくなる。図８のように、ノズル面７２Ａと液保持部２１０との距離を離すと、パージしたインクはノズル面７２Ａから分離して液保持部２１０に受容され、ノズル面７２Ａと液保持部２１０との間の隙間にパージしたインクが溜まらない。このため、ノズル面７２Ａに付着（残存）するインクが少なく、ノズル面７２Ａが汚れにくい。したがって、パージ後のノズル面７２Ａの払拭清掃（ワイピング）が容易になる。 (1) This is to prevent the purged ink from accumulating in the gap between the nozzle surface 72A and the liquid holding unit 210. When purge ink is accumulated between the nozzle surface 72A and the liquid holding unit 210, the ink easily adheres to the nozzle surface 72A. As shown in FIG. 8, when the distance between the nozzle surface 72A and the liquid holding unit 210 is increased, the purged ink is separated from the nozzle surface 72A and received by the liquid holding unit 210, and the nozzle surface 72A and the liquid holding unit 210 are separated. The purged ink does not collect in the gap. For this reason, there is little ink adhering (remaining) on the nozzle surface 72A, and the nozzle surface 72A is hardly stained. Accordingly, wiping and cleaning of the nozzle surface 72A after purging is facilitated.
　（２）ノズル面７２Ａを保湿液面（２３６，２３８）に近づけた状態のままパージを行うと、キャップ２００内の保湿液とパージしたインクが繋がってしまい、ノズルからのインクの引き出しが発生してしまう。 (2) If purging is performed while the nozzle surface 72A is close to the moisturizing liquid surface (236, 238), the moisturizing liquid in the cap 200 is connected to the purged ink, and ink is drawn out from the nozzle. End up.
　この点、図８のようにノズル面７２Ａと保湿液面（２３６，２３８）との距離を離すことにより、キャップ２００内の保湿液とパージしたインクが繋がることがない。このため、ノズルのメニスカスの破壊が抑制され、ノズルからの不要なインクの引き出しが無くなる。 In this respect, the moisturizing liquid in the cap 200 and the purged ink are not connected by separating the distance between the nozzle surface 72A and the moisturizing liquid surface (236, 238) as shown in FIG. For this reason, destruction of the meniscus of the nozzle is suppressed, and unnecessary ink drawing from the nozzle is eliminated.
　少なくとも上記の理由から、キャップ時（図７の保湿保管時）よりもノズル面７２Ａと保湿液面（２３６，２３８）との距離を離した状態でパージが行われる（図８）。なお、液保持部２１０に向けて吐出されたインクは液保持部２１０の保湿液と混ざって保湿液として機能し得る。パージによって吐出されたインクが「吐出液」に相当する。 For at least the above reasons, purging is performed in a state where the distance between the nozzle surface 72A and the moisturizing liquid surface (236, 238) is larger than that at the time of capping (during moisturizing storage in FIG. 7) (FIG. 8). The ink ejected toward the liquid holding unit 210 can be mixed with the moisturizing liquid in the liquid holding unit 210 and function as a moisturizing liquid. The ink ejected by the purge corresponds to “ejection liquid”.
　さらに、本実施形態では、パージ時におけるノズル面７２Ａの位置に対して、封止部材２２０、２２２は高い位置に設けられている。つまり、図９で説明したように、封止部材２２０、２２２は、少なくともノズル面７２Ａの傾斜下方側の最下部位置２７２よりも高い位置にある。また、図１０や図１１で説明したように、パージ時のノズル面７２Ａを含んだ仮想的な平面２８０を境界面として、その平面２８０よりも上方の位置で封止部材２２０、２２２（図８参照）がヘッド７２と接触している。このため、封止部材２２０、２２２にインクが付着しにくい。 Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sealing members 220 and 222 are provided at a higher position than the position of the nozzle surface 72A at the time of purging. That is, as described with reference to FIG. 9, the sealing members 220 and 222 are at a position higher than at least the lowest position 272 on the inclined lower side of the nozzle surface 72 </ b> A. Further, as described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the sealing members 220 and 222 (see FIG. 8) at a position above the plane 280 with the virtual plane 280 including the nozzle surface 72A at the time of purging as a boundary surface. Is in contact with the head 72. For this reason, it is difficult for ink to adhere to the sealing members 220 and 222.
　上記のように、図８のパージ時において封止部材２２０、２２２はノズル面７２Ａよりも高い位置を封止しており、図７のキャップ時においても封止部材２２０、２２２はノズル面７２Ａよりも高い位置を封止している。つまり、キャップ時においても封止部材２２０、２２２はノズル面７２Ａの傾斜下方側の最下部位置２７２よりも高い位置にある（図９参照）。また、図１０や図１１で説明したように、キャップ時のノズル面７２Ａを含んだ仮想的な平面２８０を境界面として、その平面２８０よりも上方の位置で封止部材２２０、２２２（図７参照）がヘッド７２と接触している。 As described above, the sealing members 220 and 222 seal higher positions than the nozzle surface 72A at the time of purging in FIG. 8, and the sealing members 220 and 222 from the nozzle surface 72A also at the cap in FIG. The higher position is also sealed. That is, even at the cap time, the sealing members 220 and 222 are at a position higher than the lowest position 272 on the inclined lower side of the nozzle surface 72A (see FIG. 9). Further, as described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the sealing members 220 and 222 (see FIG. 7) at a position above the plane 280 with the virtual plane 280 including the nozzle surface 72A at the time of capping as a boundary surface. Is in contact with the head 72.
　すなわち、本例の場合、図７、図８のいずれの状態においてもキャップ装着の状態で封止部材２２０、２２２はノズル面７２Ａの上側にある（少なくともノズル面７２Ａの傾斜下方側の最下部位置２７２よりも高い位置にある）。 That is, in the case of this example, the sealing members 220 and 222 are on the upper side of the nozzle surface 72A with the cap mounted in either of the states of FIGS. 7 and 8 (at least the lowest position on the inclined lower side of the nozzle surface 72A) Higher than 272).
　図８の状態でパージを行った後は、払拭ウェブ１９２によってノズル面７２Ａを払拭（ワイピング）清掃する。なお、払拭部材としては、払拭ウェブ１９２に代えて、或いはこれと組み合わせて、ブレードを用いることもできる。 After purging in the state of FIG. 8, the nozzle surface 72A is wiped (wiped) and cleaned by the wiping web 192. As the wiping member, a blade may be used instead of or in combination with the wiping web 192.
　本実施形態では、パージした位置でノズル面７２Ａの高さを維持したまま、ヘッド７２を長手方向（図８の紙面に垂直方向）に水平移動させると、ノズル面７２Ａが払拭ウェブ１９２（「払拭部材」）に当接するように、払拭ウェブ１９２の位置（すなわち、ノズル面清掃装置１６０の位置）が設定されている。 In the present embodiment, when the head 72 is horizontally moved in the longitudinal direction (perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 8) while maintaining the height of the nozzle surface 72A at the purged position, the nozzle surface 72A causes the wiping web 192 (“wiping”). The position of the wiping web 192 (that is, the position of the nozzle surface cleaning device 160) is set so as to contact the member “).
　これにより、パージ直後のヘッドノズル面７２Ａはインクが付着しているが、ヘッド７２の水平移動によりノズル面７２Ａがワイピングされる。これにより、ノズル面７２Ａから付着インク等の異物が除去され、封止部材２２０、２２２へのインクの飛び散りが防止できる。 Thus, ink is adhered to the head nozzle surface 72A immediately after the purge, but the nozzle surface 72A is wiped by the horizontal movement of the head 72. Thereby, foreign matters such as attached ink are removed from the nozzle surface 72A, and ink scattering to the sealing members 220 and 222 can be prevented.
　本実施形態では、パージ時のノズル面７２Ａの高さを保ったまま、上記の水平移動（ノズル面７２Ａと同一平面内での平行移動）の動作ができるように、キャップ２００におけるヘッド水平移動方向に対面する側壁（短手方向に沿った側壁）を低くした構成になっている。 In the present embodiment, the horizontal movement direction of the head in the cap 200 is performed so that the above-described horizontal movement (parallel movement within the same plane as the nozzle surface 72A) can be performed while maintaining the height of the nozzle surface 72A during the purge. The side wall (side wall along the short side direction) that faces is made low.
　つまり、キャップ２００の長手方向の両端部に配置されるキャップ側壁（短辺部分の壁面を構成する側壁）は、長手方向に沿った長辺部分のキャップ側壁の高さよりも低くなっている。なお、この低い壁の部分には封止部材が設けられておらず、ノズル面７２Ａとキャップ壁との間に隙間の開いた開口部が形成されるものとなる。この開口部により、キャップ２００の密閉性は低下するものとなるが、後述のように、ヘッド７２の長手方向の両端部には、ヘッド７２を保護するためのヘッド保護部材（ダミープレート、図１０の符号７２Ｄ）が設けられており、このヘッド保護部材７２Ｄはノズル面７２Ａと同一面（実質的に同一面と見なせる程度の誤差を許容した範囲を含んだ略同一面を意味する）の平面部を有している。 That is, the cap side walls (side walls constituting the wall surface of the short side portion) arranged at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cap 200 are lower than the height of the cap side wall of the long side portion along the longitudinal direction. In addition, the sealing member is not provided in the low wall portion, and an opening having a gap is formed between the nozzle surface 72A and the cap wall. Although the sealing portion of the cap 200 is lowered by this opening, as described later, a head protection member (dummy plate, FIG. 10) for protecting the head 72 is provided at both ends of the head 72 in the longitudinal direction. The head protection member 72D is a flat surface portion of the same surface as the nozzle surface 72A (meaning substantially the same surface including a range allowing an error that can be regarded as substantially the same surface). have.
　このため、ノズル面７２Ａの高さよりも低くしたキャップ壁とヘッド７２との間にできる開口部と、実際にヘッド７２のノズルが形成されているノズル面７２Ａの部分（ノズル部）との間にはヘッド保護部材が介在し、そのヘッド保護部材の寸法分の十分な距離がある。そのため、低くした壁とヘッドとの間にできる開口部による密閉性の低下はノズル部の保湿性には殆ど影響しない。 For this reason, it is between the opening made between the cap wall made lower than the height of the nozzle surface 72A and the head 72 and the portion (nozzle portion) of the nozzle surface 72A where the nozzles of the head 72 are actually formed. Has a sufficient distance corresponding to the dimension of the head protection member. For this reason, a decrease in sealing performance due to the opening formed between the lowered wall and the head hardly affects the moisture retention of the nozzle portion.
　なお、本例では、キャップ２００の長手方向の両端部の壁面の高さが低く、完全な密閉空間を形成できないため、ノズル吸引によるパージに代えて、加圧パージが好ましい。 In addition, in this example, since the height of the wall surface of the both ends of the cap 200 in the longitudinal direction is low and a completely sealed space cannot be formed, a pressure purge is preferable instead of a purge by nozzle suction.
　本実施形態の変形例として、キャップ２００の長手方向の両端部も含めてヘッドの全周を封止部材で封止する形態とする場合には、加圧バージに代えて、キャップに吸引ポンプを接続してキャップ内に負圧を発生させ、ノズル内のインクを吸引する吸引パージが可能である。また、キャップ２００の長手方向の両端部の側壁を、壁の高さを変更できる可動板（可動壁）で構成し、必要に応じて壁の高さを制御して封止構造と開放構造を切り替え可能にしてもよい。 As a modification of the present embodiment, when the entire circumference of the head including the both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cap 200 is sealed with a sealing member, a suction pump is used for the cap instead of the pressure barge. It is possible to perform a suction purge that connects and generates negative pressure in the cap and sucks ink in the nozzle. Further, the side walls at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cap 200 are configured by a movable plate (movable wall) that can change the height of the wall, and the sealing structure and the open structure are controlled by controlling the height of the wall as necessary. Switching may be possible.
　＜本実施形態による利点＞
　（１）本実施形態によれば、パージ動作時におけるノズル面７２Ａの位置よりも高い位置を封止部材２２０、２２２で封止するため、封止部材２２０、２２２が汚れにくい。 <Advantages of this embodiment>
(1) According to the present embodiment, the sealing members 220 and 222 are not easily contaminated because the sealing members 220 and 222 seal the position higher than the position of the nozzle surface 72A during the purge operation.
　（２）キャップ２００は液保持部２１０の外側に外室２４２を設けた二重箱の構造となっており、保湿液近傍（すなわち液保持部２１０の近傍）から外室２４２を隔てて離れたところを封止部材２２０、２２２で密閉する構造となっているため、封止部材２２０、２２２の汚れをさらに回避することが可能である。 (2) The cap 200 has a double box structure in which an outer chamber 242 is provided outside the liquid holding unit 210, and is separated from the vicinity of the moisturizing liquid (that is, near the liquid holding unit 210) with the outer chamber 242 separated. Is sealed with the sealing members 220 and 222, so that the contamination of the sealing members 220 and 222 can be further avoided.
　（３）また、外室２４２にも液が貯留され、外室２４２も保湿されるため、さらなる保湿性の向上に効果がある。 (3) Moreover, since the liquid is also stored in the outer chamber 242 and the outer chamber 242 is also moisturized, there is an effect of further improving the moisture retention.
　（４）封止部材２２０、２２２はキャップ２００から容易に取り外しが可能であり、新しい封止部材に簡単に交換することができる。 (4) The sealing members 220 and 222 can be easily removed from the cap 200, and can be easily replaced with new sealing members.
　（５）ノズル面７２Ａに対向する位置で保湿液を保持する液保持部２１０に仕切板２１４を設け、キャップ傾斜方向に保湿液貯留部を複数の領域（第１貯留部２１６、第２貯留部２１８）に区画し、保湿液面２３６、２３８が段になる構成としたため、傾斜するノズル面７２Ａと水平な保湿液面２３６、２３８の距離差を是正して、ノズル面７２Ａを保湿液面に近接させることができる。これにより、キャップの保湿性が向上し、ヘッドの吐出性の向上を達成でき、ノズル詰まりの防止、ヘッドの長寿命化が可能である。 (5) A partition plate 214 is provided in the liquid holding part 210 that holds the moisturizing liquid at a position facing the nozzle surface 72A, and the moisturizing liquid storage part is divided into a plurality of regions (first storage part 216, second storage part in the cap inclination direction). 218) and the moisturizing liquid surfaces 236 and 238 are stepped. Therefore, the difference in distance between the inclined nozzle surface 72A and the horizontal moisturizing liquid surfaces 236 and 238 is corrected, and the nozzle surface 72A is made the moisturizing liquid surface. Can be close. As a result, the moisture retention of the cap is improved, the improvement of the ejection property of the head can be achieved, nozzle clogging can be prevented, and the life of the head can be extended.
　＜インクジェットヘッドの構成例＞
　図１２は本発明の実施形態に用いられるインクジェットヘッドの斜視図である。図１２では、ヘッド７２の下方（斜め下方向）からノズル面７２Ａを見上げた様子が図示されている。このヘッド７２は、複数個（ｎ個）のヘッドモジュール７２－ｉ（ｉ＝１，２…ｎ）を用紙幅方向に並べて繋ぎ合わせて長尺化したフルライン型のラインヘッド（シングルパス印字方式のページワイドヘッド）となっている。ここでは１７個のヘッドモジュール７２－ｉを繋ぎ合わせた例を示しているが、モジュールの構成、モジュールの個数及び配列形態については、図示の例に限定されない。図中の符号３１０は、複数のヘッドモジュール７２－ｉを固定するための枠体となるハウジング（バー状のラインヘッドを構成するためのハウジング）、符号３１２は、各ヘッドモジュール７２－ｉに接続されたフレキシブル基板である。 <Configuration example of inkjet head>
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the inkjet head used in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 shows a state where the nozzle surface 72A is looked up from below the head 72 (obliquely downward direction). This head 72 is a full-line type line head (single-pass printing system) in which a plurality (n) of head modules 72-i (i = 1, 2,... N) are aligned and connected in the paper width direction. Page wide head). Here, an example in which the 17 head modules 72-i are connected is shown, but the configuration of the modules, the number of modules, and the arrangement form are not limited to the illustrated example. In the figure, reference numeral 310 denotes a housing (housing for constituting a bar-shaped line head) serving as a frame for fixing a plurality of head modules 72-i, and reference numeral 312 denotes a connection to each head module 72-i. Flexible substrate.
　図１３は、ヘッド７２をノズル面７２Ａ側から見た一部拡大図である。 FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged view of the head 72 as seen from the nozzle surface 72A side.
　各ヘッドモジュール７２－ｉは、ヘッド７２における短手方向の両側からヘッドモジュール支持部材７２Ｂによって支持されている。また、ヘッド７２の長手方向における両端部はヘッド保護部材７２Ｄによって支持されている。 Each head module 72-i is supported by a head module support member 72B from both sides of the head 72 in the short direction. Further, both end portions of the head 72 in the longitudinal direction are supported by a head protection member 72D.
　各ヘッドモジュール７２－ｉ（ｎ番目のヘッドモジュール７２－ｎ）は、複数のノズルがマトリクス状に配列された構造を有している。図１３において符号３５１Ａを付して図示した斜めの実線は、複数のノズルが一列に並べられたノズル列を表している。 Each head module 72-i (nth head module 72-n) has a structure in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in a matrix. In FIG. 13, an oblique solid line denoted by reference numeral 351A represents a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in a row.
　図１４はヘッドモジュール７２－ｉにおけるノズル面７２Ａの平面図（吐出側から見た図）である。図１４ではノズル数を省略して描いているが、１個のヘッドモジュール７２－ｉのインク吐出面には、例えば、３２×６４個のノズル３５０が２次元配列されている。図１４においてＹ方向が記録媒体（用紙）の送り方向（副走査方向）であり、Ｘ方向は記録媒体の幅方向（主走査方向）である。このヘッドモジュール７２－ｉは、Ｘ方向に対して角度γの傾きを有するｖ方向に沿った長辺側の端面と、Ｙ方向に対して角度αの傾きを持つｗ方向に沿った短辺側の端面とを有する平行四辺形の平面形状となっている。このようなヘッドモジュール７２－ｉをＸ方向（用紙幅方向）に複数個繋ぎ合わせることにより（図１２参照）、用紙幅について全描画範囲をカバーするノズル列が形成され、１回の描画走査で所定の記録解像度（例えば、1200dpi）による画像記録が可能なフルライン型のヘッドが構成される。 FIG. 14 is a plan view of the nozzle surface 72A in the head module 72-i (viewed from the discharge side). Although the number of nozzles is omitted in FIG. 14, for example, 32 × 64 nozzles 350 are two-dimensionally arranged on the ink ejection surface of one head module 72-i. In FIG. 14, the Y direction is the recording medium (paper) feeding direction (sub-scanning direction), and the X direction is the recording medium width direction (main scanning direction). This head module 72-i has an end face on the long side along the v direction having an angle γ with respect to the X direction, and a short side along the w direction having an angle α with respect to the Y direction. The plane shape of the parallelogram having the end surfaces of the parallelogram. By connecting a plurality of such head modules 72-i in the X direction (paper width direction) (see FIG. 12), a nozzle row covering the entire drawing range with respect to the paper width is formed, and one drawing scan is performed. A full-line head capable of recording an image with a predetermined recording resolution (for example, 1200 dpi) is configured.
　二次元ノズル配列を有するインクジェットヘッド（マトリクスヘッド）の場合、当該二次元ノズル配列における各ノズルを媒体搬送方向（「副走査方向」に相当）と直交する方向（「主走査方向」に相当）に沿って並ぶように投影（正射影）した投影ノズル列は、主走査方向（媒体幅方向）について、記録解像度を達成するノズル密度でノズルが概ね等間隔で並ぶ一列のノズル列と等価なものと考えることができる。「概ね等間隔」とは、インクジェット印刷システムで記録可能な打滴点として実質的に等間隔であることを意味している。例えば、製造上の誤差や着弾干渉による媒体上での液滴の移動を考慮して僅かに間隔を異ならせたものなどが含まれている場合も「等間隔」の概念に含まれる。投影ノズル列（「実質的なノズル列」ともいう。）を考慮すると、主走査方向に沿って並ぶ投影ノズルの並び順に、ノズル位置（ノズル番号）を対応付けることができる。 In the case of an inkjet head (matrix head) having a two-dimensional nozzle array, each nozzle in the two-dimensional nozzle array is in a direction (corresponding to “main scanning direction”) orthogonal to the medium transport direction (corresponding to “sub-scanning direction”). The projection nozzle row projected so as to line up (orthogonal projection) is equivalent to a nozzle row in which the nozzles are arranged at substantially equal intervals at a nozzle density that achieves the recording resolution in the main scanning direction (medium width direction). Can think. The “substantially equidistant” means that the droplet ejection points that can be recorded by the ink jet printing system are substantially equidistant. For example, the concept of “equally spaced” also includes cases where the intervals are slightly different in consideration of manufacturing errors and movement of droplets on the medium due to landing interference. Considering projection nozzle rows (also referred to as “substantial nozzle rows”), nozzle positions (nozzle numbers) can be associated with the order of projection nozzles arranged along the main scanning direction.
　本発明の実施に際してヘッドモジュール７２－ｉにおけるノズル３５０の配列形態は図１４に示した例に限定されず、様々なノズル配置構造を適用できる。例えば、図１４で説明したマトリクス配列に代えて、一列の直線配列、Ｖ字状のノズル配列、Ｖ字状配列を繰り返し単位とするジグザク状（Ｗ字状など）のような折れ線状のノズル配列なども可能である。 In carrying out the present invention, the arrangement form of the nozzles 350 in the head module 72-i is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 14, and various nozzle arrangement structures can be applied. For example, instead of the matrix arrangement described with reference to FIG. 14, a linear array of lines, a V-shaped nozzle arrangement, and a zigzag (W-shaped) nozzle array having a V-shaped arrangement as a repeating unit. Etc. are also possible.
　このようなノズル列を備えるヘッドモジュール７２－ｉを複数組み合わせたラインヘッド（７２）に対して用紙（記録媒体）を相対的に移動させる動作を１回行うだけで（１回の副走査で）、用紙の画像形成領域に所定記録解像度の画像を記録することができる。 The operation of moving the paper (recording medium) relatively with respect to the line head (72) in which a plurality of head modules 72-i having such nozzle rows are combined is performed only once (in one sub-scan). An image with a predetermined recording resolution can be recorded in the image forming area of the paper.
　＜吐出方式について＞
　インクジェットヘッドにおける各ノズルから液滴を吐出させるための吐出用の圧力（吐出エネルギー）を発生させる手段は、ピエゾアクチュエータ（圧電素子）、静電アクチュエータ、サーマル方式（ヒータの加熱による膜沸騰の圧力を利用してインクを吐出させる方式）におけるヒータ（加熱素子）や他の方式による各種アクチュエータなど様々な圧力発生素子（吐出エネルギー発生素子）を適用し得る。ヘッドの吐出方式に応じて、相応のエネルギー発生素子が流路構造体に設けられる。 <Discharge method>
The means for generating the discharge pressure (discharge energy) for discharging droplets from each nozzle in the inkjet head is a piezo actuator (piezoelectric element), electrostatic actuator, thermal method (the pressure of film boiling caused by heating of the heater). Various pressure generating elements (ejection energy generating elements) such as heaters (heating elements) in other systems, and various actuators using other systems can be applied. Corresponding energy generating elements are provided in the flow path structure according to the ejection method of the head.
　＜ヘッドと記録媒体とを相対移動させる手段について＞
　上述の実施形態では、停止したヘッドに対して記録媒体を搬送する構成を例示したが、本発明の実施に際しては、停止した記録媒体（被描画媒体）に対してヘッドを移動させる構成も可能であり、また、両者を移動させる構成も可能である。 <Means for relatively moving the head and the recording medium>
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the recording medium is transported to the stopped head is exemplified. However, in the implementation of the present invention, a configuration in which the head is moved with respect to the stopped recording medium (the drawing medium) is also possible. In addition, a configuration in which both are moved is also possible.
　なお、シングルパス方式のフルライン型の記録ヘッドは、通常、記録媒体の送り方向（搬送方向）と直交する方向に沿って配置されるが、搬送方向と直交する方向に対して、ある所定の角度を持たせた斜め方向に沿ってヘッドを配置する態様もあり得る。その場合であっても、交差する２軸（第１方向、第２方向）を定義することで、実質的なノズル列方向、ノズルピッチ、画素ピッチなどを特定することが可能である。 A single-pass type full-line type recording head is usually arranged along a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction (conveying direction) of the recording medium. There may be a mode in which the head is disposed along an oblique direction with an angle. Even in such a case, it is possible to specify a substantial nozzle row direction, nozzle pitch, pixel pitch, and the like by defining two intersecting axes (first direction and second direction).
　記録媒体を搬送する手段（搬送手段）は、図１で例示したドラム搬送方式に限らず、ベルト搬送方式、ニップ搬送方式、パレット搬送方式など、各種形態を採用し得る。 The means (conveying means) for conveying the recording medium is not limited to the drum conveying system illustrated in FIG. 1, and various forms such as a belt conveying system, a nip conveying system, and a pallet conveying system can be adopted.
　＜記録媒体について＞
　「記録媒体」は、ヘッドから吐出された液滴によってドットが記録される媒体の総称であり、印字媒体、被記録媒体、被画像形成媒体、受像媒体、被吐出媒体、印刷用紙など様々な用語で呼ばれるものが含まれる。本発明の実施に際して、記録媒体の材質や形状等は、特に限定されず、連続用紙、カット紙、シール用紙、ＯＨＰシート等の樹脂シート、フィルム、布、不織布、配線パターン等が形成されるプリント基板、ゴムシート、その他材質や形状を問わず、様々な媒体に適用できる。 <About recording media>
“Recording medium” is a generic term for media on which dots are recorded by droplets ejected from the head. Various terms such as printing medium, recording medium, image forming medium, image receiving medium, ejection medium, and printing paper are used. In what is called in. In the practice of the present invention, the material, shape, etc. of the recording medium are not particularly limited, and a print on which a resin sheet such as continuous paper, cut paper, seal paper, OHP sheet, film, cloth, nonwoven fabric, wiring pattern, or the like is formed. It can be applied to various media regardless of the substrate, rubber sheet, and other materials and shapes.
　〔変形例１〕
　上記実施形態ではヘッド７２の側壁にキャップ２００の封止部材２２０、２２２を当接させてヘッド側面を封止する構成を説明したが、ノズル面よりも高い位置で封止する構造はこの例に限らない。例えば、ヘッドのノズル面側に、ノズル面よりも高い位置にキャップ当接面を設け、このキャップ当接面にキャップを当接させる構造とすることができる。つまり、ヘッドのノズル面側にノズル面よりも高い位置にキャップ当接面となる平面部が形成されるように段差を設け、この平面部（キャップ当接面）に封止部材を介してキャップが当接される構造とする。封止部材はキャップの側壁の先端部分に設けることができる。或いは、ヘッド側のキャップ当接面に設けることができる。 [Modification 1]
In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the sealing members 220 and 222 of the cap 200 are brought into contact with the side wall of the head 72 to seal the side surface of the head has been described, but the structure for sealing at a position higher than the nozzle surface is shown in this example. Not exclusively. For example, a cap contact surface may be provided on the nozzle surface side of the head at a position higher than the nozzle surface, and the cap may be contacted with the cap contact surface. In other words, a step is provided on the nozzle surface side of the head so that a flat portion serving as a cap contact surface is formed at a position higher than the nozzle surface, and a cap is provided on the flat portion (cap contact surface) via a sealing member. It is set as the structure where is touched. The sealing member can be provided at the tip portion of the side wall of the cap. Alternatively, it can be provided on the cap contact surface on the head side.
　〔変形例２〕
　上記実施形態では、ヘッドのノズル面が水平面に対して傾斜している構成を例示したが、ノズル面が水平面と平行に設置される構成も可能である。この場合、キャップを傾斜させる必要はなく、ノズル面に合わせてキャップも水平面と平行に設置することができる。 [Modification 2]
In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the nozzle surface of the head is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane is exemplified, but a configuration in which the nozzle surface is installed in parallel with the horizontal plane is also possible. In this case, it is not necessary to incline the cap, and the cap can be installed in parallel with the horizontal plane in accordance with the nozzle surface.
　なお、この場合は、仕切板２１４によって液保持部２１０を複数の貯留部に区画する必要性に乏しいため、仕切板を省略することができる。 In this case, since it is not necessary to partition the liquid holding unit 210 into a plurality of storage units by the partition plate 214, the partition plate can be omitted.
　〔変形例３〕
　キャップ内に保湿液を供給するための保湿液供給口２３０、及び保湿液流路２３２を省略し、ヘッド７２のノズルから吐出した液を液保持部２１０に貯めて保湿液として用いる態様も可能である。 [Modification 3]
A mode in which the moisturizing liquid supply port 230 for supplying the moisturizing liquid into the cap and the moisturizing liquid channel 232 are omitted, and the liquid discharged from the nozzle of the head 72 is stored in the liquid holding unit 210 and used as the moisturizing liquid is also possible. is there.
　〔変形例４〕
　上記実施形態では、液保持部２１０の外側に外室２４２を有する二重構造のキャップ２００を例示したが、本発明の実施に際しては、必ずしも二重構造のキャップであることは要求されない。ノズル面に対向してノズル面を覆うことができるキャップ部材であればよく、キャップ内に液保持部や外室といった領域の区画構造を有していないキャップであってもよい。 [Modification 4]
In the above embodiment, the double-structured cap 200 having the outer chamber 242 outside the liquid holding unit 210 is illustrated, but it is not necessarily required to be a double-structured cap when implementing the present invention. Any cap member may be used as long as it is a cap member that can cover the nozzle surface while facing the nozzle surface, and may be a cap that does not have a partition structure of a region such as a liquid holding portion or an outer chamber in the cap.
　〔変形例５〕
　上記実施形態では、液保持部２１０を仕切板２１４によってキャップ傾斜方向に区切り、２つの貯留部（２１６、２１８）を形成したが、区画数は特に限定されない。仕切板の枚数を増やして２以上さらに多数の貯留部に区画することもできる。 [Modification 5]
In the above embodiment, the liquid holding unit 210 is divided in the cap inclination direction by the partition plate 214, and the two storage units (216, 218) are formed, but the number of partitions is not particularly limited. It is also possible to increase the number of partition plates to divide into two or more reservoirs.
　〔変形例６〕
　上記実施形態では、キャップ本体２０６がノズル面７２Ａの傾斜に合わせて、ノズル面７２Ａと平行に配置されている例を説明したが、キャップ２００の形態は様々な形態が可能であり、必ずしもノズル面７２Ａと平行に傾斜する構成であることは要求されない。 [Modification 6]
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the cap main body 206 is arranged in parallel with the nozzle surface 72A in accordance with the inclination of the nozzle surface 72A has been described. However, the cap 200 may take various forms, and is not necessarily limited to the nozzle surface. It is not required that the structure be inclined parallel to 72A.
　例えば、ノズル面７２Ａの傾斜方向に高低差を持つ保湿液面の段を形成するための手段として、ノズル面の傾斜方向について高低差のある複数の貯留部（保湿液貯留部）が設けられていればよい。また、複数の貯留部は、ノズル面と対面する側が開口して保湿液を貯留できる凹部構造を有していればよく、その形態は様々な設計が可能である。例えば、複数の貯留部の各底面は、ノズル面７２Ａと非平行な平面、曲面、又はこれらの組合せの構成とすることができる。 For example, as means for forming a step of a moisturizing liquid surface having a height difference in the inclination direction of the nozzle surface 72A, a plurality of storage portions (humidifying liquid storage portions) having a height difference in the inclination direction of the nozzle surface are provided. Just do it. Moreover, the several storage part should just have the recessed part structure which the side facing a nozzle surface opens, and can store a moisturizing liquid, The form can be variously designed. For example, each bottom surface of the plurality of storage units can be configured to be a plane that is not parallel to the nozzle surface 72A, a curved surface, or a combination thereof.
　複数の貯留部について各貯留部の容積は適宜設計することができる。各貯留部の保湿液貯留量は等量となる構成であってもよいし、貯留部毎に異なる構成であってもよい。各貯留部の深さや保湿液面の面積（開口面積）などは同等に設計してもよいし、貯留部毎に異ならせてもよい。また、仕切板（仕切部材）によって区画するという説明上の概念にとらわれず、結果的に斜面方向に区切られた複数の貯留部が設けられていればよい。例えば、貯留部毎に、それぞれの適宜の深さや開口面積を持つ凹部を構成する凹部部材を用意し、これらをノズル面傾斜方向に複数繋ぎ合わせることで、複数の貯留部を持つ液保持部を形成することができる。 The volume of each reservoir can be appropriately designed for a plurality of reservoirs. The amount of moisturizing liquid stored in each reservoir may be equal, or may be different for each reservoir. The depth of each reservoir, the area of the moisturizing liquid surface (opening area), and the like may be designed to be the same or different for each reservoir. Moreover, it is not restricted to the explanatory concept of partitioning by the partition plate (partition member), and as a result, a plurality of storage portions that are partitioned in the slope direction may be provided. For example, for each reservoir, prepare a recess member that constitutes a recess having an appropriate depth and opening area, and connect a plurality of these in the nozzle surface inclination direction to form a liquid holder having a plurality of reservoirs. Can be formed.
　〔変形例７〕
　上記実施形態では、液保持部２１０を傾斜方向に複数の領域に区切る仕切板２１４をノズル面７２Ａの法線方向と平行に立設させた例を示したが、仕切部材の構成はこの例に限らない。仕切部材は、必ずしもノズル面７２Ａの法線方向の平行な平面を持つ板状の部材であることは要求されない。例えば、仕切部材として、鉛直方向（重力方向）と平行に立設された仕切板を用いることも可能である。また、仕切部材は、折り曲げ板のように、非平行の複数の平面を組み合わせた形態であってもいし、曲面を持つ部材であってもよい。 [Modification 7]
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the partition plate 214 that divides the liquid holding unit 210 into a plurality of regions in the tilt direction is installed in parallel with the normal direction of the nozzle surface 72A is shown, but the configuration of the partition member is shown in this example. Not exclusively. The partition member is not necessarily required to be a plate-like member having a plane parallel to the normal direction of the nozzle surface 72A. For example, as the partition member, a partition plate standing in parallel with the vertical direction (the direction of gravity) can be used. Moreover, the partition member may have a form in which a plurality of non-parallel planes are combined, such as a bent plate, or a member having a curved surface.
　〔変形例８〕
　封止部材を交換可能にキャップに取り付ける手段として、固定ネジ２５４、２５６を例示したが、着脱可能な構造はこの例に限定されない。嵌合構造による連結や、バネなどの付勢部材を利用した押圧係止構造、爪の係合を利用した係合連結構造など、様々な着脱構造を採用することができ、これらの適宜の組み合わせであってもよい。 [Modification 8]
Although the fixing screws 254 and 256 are illustrated as means for attaching the sealing member to the cap in a replaceable manner, the detachable structure is not limited to this example. Various attachment / detachment structures such as a connection by a fitting structure, a press locking structure using a biasing member such as a spring, and an engagement connection structure using engagement of a claw can be adopted, and an appropriate combination thereof. It may be.
　〔変形例９〕
　上記実施形態では、記録媒体の全幅に対応する長さのノズル列を有するページワイドのフルライン型ヘッドを用いたインクジェット記録装置（１回の副走査によって画像を完成させるシングルパス方式の画像形成装置）を説明したが、本発明の適用範囲はこれに限定されず、シリアル型（シャトルスキャン型）ヘッドなど、短尺の記録ヘッドを移動させながら、複数回のヘッド走査により画像記録を行うインクジェット記録装置についても本発明を適用できる。 [Modification 9]
In the above-described embodiment, an inkjet recording apparatus using a page-wide full-line head having a nozzle row having a length corresponding to the entire width of the recording medium (single-pass image forming apparatus that completes an image by one sub-scanning) However, the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to this, and an inkjet recording apparatus that performs image recording by scanning a plurality of heads while moving a short recording head such as a serial (shuttle scan) head The present invention can also be applied to.
　この場合、ヘッドの往復移動方向を「主走査方向」、記録媒体の搬送方向を「副走査方向」とすると、ヘッドにおけるノズル列は、副走査方向に沿ってノズルが並んだものとなる。マルチパス方式のインクジェット記録装置の場合、主走査方向（ヘッド走査方向）が「第１方向」に相当し、副走査方向が「ノズル列方向」、「第２方向」に相当する。また、ヘッドを往復走行させるためのキャリッジ及びその駆動機構が「相対移動手段」に相当する。 In this case, assuming that the reciprocating direction of the head is the “main scanning direction” and the conveyance direction of the recording medium is the “sub-scanning direction”, the nozzle rows in the head are nozzles arranged along the sub-scanning direction. In the case of a multi-pass inkjet recording apparatus, the main scanning direction (head scanning direction) corresponds to the “first direction”, and the sub-scanning direction corresponds to the “nozzle row direction” and the “second direction”. Further, the carriage for reciprocating the head and the driving mechanism thereof correspond to “relative movement means”.
　＜他の装置構成への適用について＞
　上記の実施形態では、カラー画像印刷用のインクジェット記録装置への適用を例に説明したが、本発明の適用範囲はこの例に限定されない。例えば、電子回路の配線パターンを描画する配線描画装置、各種デバイスの製造装置、吐出用の機能性液体として樹脂液を用いるレジスト印刷装置、カラーフィルター製造装置、マテリアルデポジション用の材料を用いて微細構造物を形成する微細構造物形成装置など、液状機能性材料を用いて様々な形状やパターンを得る液体吐出装置（インクジェット記録装置、インクジェットシステムを含む）に広く適用できる。 <Application to other device configurations>
In the above embodiment, application to an inkjet recording apparatus for printing color images has been described as an example, but the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, a wiring drawing apparatus for drawing a wiring pattern of an electronic circuit, a manufacturing apparatus for various devices, a resist printing apparatus that uses a resin liquid as a functional liquid for ejection, a color filter manufacturing apparatus, and a material deposition material. The present invention can be widely applied to liquid ejecting apparatuses (including an ink jet recording apparatus and an ink jet system) that obtain various shapes and patterns using a liquid functional material, such as a fine structure forming apparatus that forms a structure.
　以上説明した本発明の実施形態は、本発明の趣旨を逸脱しない範囲で、適宜構成要件を変更、追加、削除することが可能である。本発明は以上説明した実施形態に限定されるものではなく、本発明の技術的思想内で当該分野の通常の知識を有する者により、多くの変形が可能である。 In the embodiment of the present invention described above, the configuration requirements can be changed, added, and deleted as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and many modifications can be made by those having ordinary knowledge in the field within the technical idea of the present invention.
　１０…インクジェット記録装置、１６…描画部、２４…記録媒体、７０…描画ドラム、７２，７２Ｍ，７２Ｋ，７２Ｃ，７２Ｙ…ヘッド（インクジェットヘッド）、７２Ａ…ノズル面、１５０…保湿ユニット、１６０…ノズル面清掃装置、１６４，１６４Ｍ，１６４Ｋ，１６４Ｃ，１６４Ｙ…ノズル面払拭装置、１９２…払拭ウェブ、２００，２００Ｍ，２００Ｋ，２００Ｃ，２００Ｙ…キャップ、２０２…キャップ枠体、２０４…キャップ内枠体、２０６…キャップ本体、２１０…液保持部、２１２…保湿液、２１４…仕切板、２１６…第１貯留部、２１８…第２貯留部、２２０…封止部材、２２２…封止部材、２３０…保湿液供給口、２３２…保湿液流路、２４０…液、２４２…外室、２４４…ドレイン口、２５０…支持部材、２５２…支持部材、２５４…固定ネジ、２５６…固定ネジ、３５０…ノズル DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Inkjet recording device, 16 ... Drawing part, 24 ... Recording medium, 70 ... Drawing drum, 72, 72M, 72K, 72C, 72Y ... Head (inkjet head), 72A ... Nozzle surface, 150 ... Moisturizing unit, 160 ... Nozzle Surface cleaning device, 164, 164M, 164K, 164C, 164Y ... nozzle surface wiping device, 192 ... wiping web, 200, 200M, 200K, 200C, 200Y ... cap, 202 ... cap frame, 204 ... inner frame of cap, 206 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Cap main body, 210 ... Liquid holding part, 212 ... Moisturizing liquid, 214 ... Partition plate, 216 ... First storage part, 218 ... Second storage part, 220 ... Sealing member, 222 ... Sealing member, 230 ... Moisturizing liquid Supply port, 232 ... moisturizing liquid channel, 240 ... liquid, 242 ... outer chamber, 244 ... drain port, 250 ... support member, 252 Support members, 254 ... fixing screws, 256 ... fixing screws, 350 ... nozzle

Claims (13)

  1. 　液体を吐出するノズルが形成されたノズル面を有する液体吐出ヘッドと、
    　前記液体吐出ヘッドの前記ノズル面に対向し、前記ノズル面を覆うキャップと、
    　前記液体吐出ヘッドと前記キャップとの接触部分を密閉する封止部材と、
    　を備え、
    　前記封止部材を介して前記キャップを前記液体吐出ヘッドに当接させて前記キャップにより前記ノズル面を覆った状態で前記封止部材が前記ノズル面よりも高い位置を封止する液体吐出装置。     A liquid discharge head having a nozzle surface on which nozzles for discharging liquid are formed;
    A cap that faces the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head and covers the nozzle surface;
    A sealing member that seals a contact portion between the liquid discharge head and the cap;
    With
    A liquid ejection apparatus that seals a position where the sealing member is higher than the nozzle surface in a state where the cap is brought into contact with the liquid ejection head via the sealing member and the nozzle surface is covered by the cap.
  2. 　前記封止部材は、前記キャップと前記液体吐出ヘッドとの接触部分に設けられ、前記キャップが前記液体吐出ヘッドに当接する際に弾性変形して前記接触部分を封止する請求項１に記載の液体吐出装置。 The said sealing member is provided in the contact part of the said cap and the said liquid discharge head, and elastically deforms when the said cap contact | abuts to the said liquid discharge head, The said contact part is sealed. Liquid ejection device.
  3. 　前記封止部材は、前記ノズルから前記キャップに向けて液体を吐出させるパージ動作時の前記ノズル面よりも高い位置を封止する請求項１又は２に記載の液体吐出装置。 The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sealing member seals a position higher than the nozzle surface during a purge operation in which liquid is ejected from the nozzle toward the cap.
  4. 　前記封止部材を前記液体吐出ヘッドの側壁に接触させて封止する請求項１から３のいずれか１項に記載の液体吐出装置。 4. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is brought into contact with a side wall of the liquid ejection head for sealing. 5.
  5. 　前記封止部材は、前記キャップの側壁に設けられている請求項１から４のいずれか１項に記載の液体吐出装置。 The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sealing member is provided on a side wall of the cap.
  6. 　前記封止部材は、前記キャップに着脱可能に取り付けられている請求項１から５のいずれか１項に記載の液体吐出装置。 The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sealing member is detachably attached to the cap.
  7. 　前記封止部材を保持する支持部材を備え、
    　前記封止部材を保持した前記支持部材は、締結部材を介して前記キャップに連結されており、前記締結部材による連結を解除することにより前記支持部材とともに前記封止部材を取り外すことができる請求項１から６のいずれか１項に記載の液体吐出装置。     A support member for holding the sealing member;
    The said support member holding the said sealing member is connected with the said cap via the fastening member, The said sealing member can be removed with the said support member by canceling | releasing the connection by the said fastening member. The liquid discharge apparatus according to any one of 1 to 6.
  8. 　前記液体吐出ヘッドの前記ノズル面に接触させて前記ノズル面を清掃する払拭部材を備え、
    　前記ノズルから前記キャップに向けて液体を吐出させるパージ動作時の前記ノズル面の高さを維持したまま当該ノズル面と平行な面内で前記液体吐出ヘッドを平行移動させることにより、前記ノズル面を前記払拭部材と接触させて前記ノズル面の払拭清掃を行う請求項１から７のいずれか１項に記載の液体吐出装置。     A wiping member for cleaning the nozzle surface in contact with the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head;
    By moving the liquid discharge head in a plane parallel to the nozzle surface while maintaining the height of the nozzle surface during the purge operation for discharging liquid from the nozzle toward the cap, the nozzle surface is moved. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle surface is wiped and cleaned by being brought into contact with the wiping member.
  9. 　前記液体吐出ヘッドはラインヘッドであり、
    　前記封止部材は、前記ラインヘッドの長手方向に沿って設けられている請求項１から８のいずれか１項に記載の液体吐出装置。     The liquid discharge head is a line head;
    The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is provided along a longitudinal direction of the line head.
  10. 　前記キャップは、前記液体吐出ヘッドの前記ノズル面に対向する位置で前記ノズルからの吐出液を受容する液保持部を有する請求項１から９のいずれか１項に記載の液体吐出装置。 10. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cap has a liquid holding portion that receives the ejection liquid from the nozzle at a position facing the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head.
  11. 　前記液保持部は、保湿液を貯留する保湿液貯留部である請求項１０に記載の液体吐出装置。 The liquid ejection device according to claim 10, wherein the liquid holding unit is a moisturizing liquid storage unit that stores a moisturizing liquid.
  12. 　前記キャップは、当該キャップ内に保湿液を供給する保湿液供給口を有する請求項１１に記載の液体吐出装置。 The liquid ejection device according to claim 11, wherein the cap has a moisturizing liquid supply port for supplying a moisturizing liquid into the cap.
  13. 　液体を吐出するノズルが形成されたノズル面を有する液体吐出ヘッドの前記ノズル面に対向し、前記ノズル面を覆うキャップと、
    　前記液体吐出ヘッドと前記キャップとの接触部分を密閉する封止部材と、
    　を備え、
    　前記封止部材は、前記封止部材を介して前記キャップを前記液体吐出ヘッドに当接させて前記キャップにより前記ノズル面を覆った状態における前記ノズル面よりも高い位置を封止する位置に配設されている、
    　液体吐出ヘッドの保湿装置。     A cap facing the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head having a nozzle surface on which nozzles for ejecting liquid are formed, and covering the nozzle surface;
    A sealing member that seals a contact portion between the liquid discharge head and the cap;
    With
    The sealing member is arranged at a position where the cap is brought into contact with the liquid ejection head via the sealing member and a position higher than the nozzle surface in a state where the nozzle surface is covered with the cap is sealed. Has been established,
    Moisturizing device for liquid discharge head.
PCT/JP2013/068492 2012-07-20 2013-07-05 Liquid discharhge device, and moisture retaining device for liquid discharge head WO2014013895A1 (en)

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