Wiper mechanism

Abstract

A wiper mechanism is provided. In the wiper mechanism, ink remaining on the side of an inkjet head after wiping is suppressed. A wiper mechanism (1) includes a first wiper (11) and a second wiper (12) that wipe a head face (111a) of an inkjet head (111) on which nozzle rows (111b) are provided, in a wiping direction (D1). The first wiper (11) wipes the head face (111a) on a downstream side in the wiping direction (D1) than the second wiper (12). The front end (11a) of the first wiper (11) has cutout portions (11b) at both ends in a width direction (D2) of the head face (111a) orthogonal to the wiping direction (D1). The width of the front end (11a) of the first wiper (11) in the width direction (D2) is narrower than the width of the front end (12a) of the second wiper (12) in the width direction (D2).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a wiper mechanism that wipes a head face of an inkjet head provided with nozzle rows. BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventionally, an inkjet printing apparatus provided with a wiper mechanism that wipes a head face (for example, a bottom face) of an inkjet head provided with nozzle rows is known. In such an inkjet printing apparatus, an inkjet printing apparatus is proposed in which a first wiper is arranged with a gap from the head face through which ink droplets and the like are adsorbed by surface tension, and a second wiper is arranged without a gap from the head face for wiping off ink droplets and the like (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-224975 SUMMARY

[0006] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] In the wiper mechanism, in the case where the head face is wiped by only a single wiper composed of a rubber blade, for example, if the abutting pressure against the head face is strong, the cleaning performance of the head face improves, but the durability of the head face decreases.

[0008] Therefore, it is considered that by using a plurality of wipers as described above, both the improvement of the cleaning performance and the maintenance of the durability are achieved. However, it is difficult to arrange the first wiper with a gap from the head face of the inkjet head through which ink droplets and the like are adsorbed by surface tension as described above, and in addition, the unevenness of the effects (adsorption performance and the like) caused by the unevenness of the size of the gap is large.

[0009] However, in both the case where only a single wiper is used and the case where a plurality of wipers are used, ink spreads (bulges) from the wiper upper portion that protrudes from both ends of the inkjet head toward the side surface of the inkjet head, and thus ink adheres to the side surface of the inkjet head. The ink adhering to the side surface of the inkjet head increases as the amount of ink wiped increases. In addition, when the wiper is moved away from the inkjet head after wiping, the ink accumulated between the wiper and the inkjet head also forms droplets and scatters, and thus ink adheres to the side surface (the face on the downstream side in the wiping direction) of the inkjet head. If ink remains on the side surface of the inkjet head, the ink flows into the head face due to air flow, vibration, and the like of the paper being conveyed, and thus ejection failure or paper being conveyed with ink adhering thereto occurs.

[0010] An object of the present application is to provide a wiper mechanism that can suppress ink remaining on the side surface of the inkjet head after wiping.

[0011] Means for solving problems

[0012] In one aspect, a wiper mechanism includes a first wiper and a second wiper that wipe a head face of an inkjet head, which is provided with nozzle rows, in a wiping direction, the first wiper wipes the head face on a downstream side in the wiping direction than the second wiper, a leading end of the first wiper has a cutout portion at both ends in a width direction of the head face orthogonal to the wiping direction, and a width of the leading end of the first wiper in the width direction is narrower than a width of a leading end of the second wiper in the width direction.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to the above aspect, ink can be suppressed from remaining on a side surface of the inkjet head after wiping. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a front view showing an internal configuration of an inkjet printing apparatus in one embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2 is a diagram showing a main control configuration of an inkjet printing apparatus in one embodiment.

[0017] Figure 3 is a front view showing a wiper mechanism in a wiping position in one embodiment.

[0018] Figure 4 is a plan view showing a wiper mechanism in one embodiment.

[0019] Figure 5 is Figure 4 a V-V sectional view of

[0020] Figure 6 is a front view showing a first wiper and a second wiper in one embodiment.

[0021] Figure 7 is a bottom view of an inkjet head for explaining a positional relationship of the first wiper and the second wiper in one embodiment.

[0022] Figure 8 is a right view of a wiper unit for explaining a wiping action in one embodiment.

[0023] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a wiper unit for explaining a wiping action in one embodiment.

[0024] Figure 10 is a front view showing a first wiper and a second wiper in a first modification of one embodiment.

[0025] Figure 11 This is a front view showing the first wiper and the second wiper in a second variation of an embodiment.

[0026] Figure 12 This is a front view showing the first and second wipers in a third variation of an embodiment.

[0027] Figure 13 This is a right view of the wiping unit used to illustrate the wiping action in other embodiments.

[0028] Figure 14 This is an enlarged right view of the first and second wipers during wiping in other embodiments.

[0029] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0030] 1: Wiping mechanism;

[0031] 10: Wiping unit;

[0032] 11: First wiper;

[0033] 11a: Front-end;

[0034] 11b: Incision area;

[0035] 12: Second wiper;

[0036] 12a: Front end;

[0037] 13: Wiper support component;

[0038] 13a: Threaded hole;

[0039] 20: Guiding Department;

[0040] 30: Ink receiving part;

[0041] 30a: Ink bearing surface;

[0042] 30b: Discharge section;

[0043] 40: Wiper drive unit;

[0044] 41: Motor;

[0045] 51, 61, 71: First wiper;

[0046] 51a, 61a, 71a: Front end;

[0047] 51b, 61b, 71b: Incision area;

[0048] 100: Inkjet printing equipment;

[0049] 110: printing section;

[0050] 111: inkjet head;

[0051] 111a: head face;

[0052] 111b: nozzle row;

[0053] 120: suction conveyance section;

[0054] 130: external paper feeding section;

[0055] 131: paper feeding tray;

[0056] 132: paper scraping roller;

[0057] 133: paper pinching roller;

[0058] 141, 142, 143: internal paper feeding section;

[0059] 141a, 142a, 143a: paper feeding tray;

[0060] 141b, 142b, 143b: paper scraping roller;

[0061] 141c, 142c, 143c: paper pinching roller;

[0062] 151-155: conveyance roller pair;

[0063] 156: positioning roller pair;

[0064] 161: control section;

[0065] 162: storage section;

[0066] 163: operation panel section;

[0067] 164: scanner;

[0068] 165: paper discharge section;

[0069] 210: wiper unit;

[0070] 211: first wiper;

[0071] 211a: leading end;

[0072] 211b: cutout portion;

[0073] 212: second wiper;

[0074] 212-1: second wiper before elastic deformation;

[0075] 212a: leading end;

[0076] 212b: deformation region

[0077] 212c: root region

[0078] 213: wiper support member

[0079] D1: wiping direction

[0080] D2: width direction

[0081] G: gap

[0082] L1: notch width

[0083] L2: notch height

[0084] L3: wiper gap

[0085] P: paper

[0086] PI: clear ink DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0087] Hereinafter, a wiper mechanism according to an embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1

[0088] Figure 1 is a front view showing the internal configuration of an inkjet printing apparatus 100 in one embodiment.

[0089] Figure 2 is a view showing the main control configuration of the inkjet printing apparatus 100.

[0090] Further, Figure 1 and the front-rear, up-down, and left-right directions shown in Figures 3-14 are merely one example in which the carrying direction at the time of printing of paper P as one example of a medium is set as the right direction, and the wiping direction D1 of the first wiper 11 and the second wiper 12 is set as the front direction, for example, the front-rear direction and the left-right direction are horizontal directions, and the up-down direction is a vertical direction.

[0091] As shown in Figure 1 , the inkjet printing apparatus 100 is provided with a wiper mechanism 1, a printing section 110, a suction carrying section 120, an external paper feeding section 130, internal paper feeding sections 141 to 143, carrying roller pairs 151 to 155, and a registration roller pair 156. In addition, as shown in Figure 2 , the inkjet printing apparatus 100 is further provided with a control section 161, a storage section 162, an operation panel section 163, a scanner 164, and a paper discharge section 165. Furthermore, in Figure 1 ​The conveyance path from the external paper supply section 130 and the internal paper supply sections 141 to 143 to the printing section 110 is indicated by a thick solid line.

[0092] Figure 1 The printing section 110 shown has a plurality of inkjet heads 111. As shown, six inkjet heads 111 arranged in a staggered manner in the main scanning direction (front-rear direction) orthogonal to the conveyance direction (right direction) of the paper P are arranged in two groups, for a total of 12. That is, one group of six inkjet heads 111 arranged in the front-rear direction is arranged so that the positions in the left-right direction are alternately offset. Although one example, one group of six inkjet heads 111 ejects ink of two colors (for example, black (K) and cyan (C)), and the other group of six inkjet heads 111 ejects ink of two colors (for example, magenta (M) and yellow (Y)) different from the one group. Figure 4

[0093] As shown, the suction conveyance section 120 is arranged opposite the printing section 110. The suction conveyance section 120 conveys the paper P while suctioning, for example, the paper P by a conveyance belt. Further, the suction conveyance section 120 can be movable to Figure 1 Figure 1 As shown, the printing position, a Figure 3 As shown, the wiping position, and a not-shown waiting position lower than the wiping position. In addition, as shown, the wiper mechanism 1 is located at a position below the printing section 110 at the time of wiping, and is located at a position retreated from below the printing section 110 at the time of printing. Figure 3 Figure 1

[0094] The external paper supply section 130 and the internal paper supply sections 141 to 143 have a paper supply tray 131, 141a, 142a, 143a, a stripper roller 132, 141b, 142b, 143b, and a pinch roller 133, 141c, 142c, 143c.

[0095] In the paper supply tray 131, 141a, 142a, 143a, a plurality of papers P are stacked.

[0096] The stripper rollers 132, 141b, 142b, 143b are successive output rollers that convey the paper P located at the uppermost position in the plurality of papers P stacked in the paper supply tray 131, 141a, 142a, 143a.

[0097] The pinch rollers 133, 141c, 142c, 143c convey the paper P that has been successively output by the stripper rollers 132, 141b, 142b, 143b.

[0098] ​​​​The carrying roller pairs 151 to 155 are arranged in a carrying path from the internal paper supply sections 141 to 143 to the positioning roller pair 156.

[0099] In the positioning roller pair 156, the paper P carried from the external paper supply section 130 and the internal paper supply sections 141 to 143 abuts. Thus, the skew of the paper P is corrected.

[0100] Figure 2 The control section 161 has a processor (for example, a CPU: Central Processing Unit) that functions as an arithmetic processing device that controls the operation of the entire inkjet printing device 100, and controls the operation of each section of the inkjet printing device 100, such as the wiper driving section 40, the printing section 110, and the suction carrying section 120.

[0101] The storage section 162 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which a predetermined control program is recorded in advance, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that can be written and read at any time and is used as a work area as needed when the processor executes various control programs, and a hard disk device.

[0102] The operation panel section 163 functions as an example of an input section and a display section of the inkjet printing device 100, for example, by having an operation key for performing various operations, a touch panel, a display that displays various information, and the like.

[0103] The scanner 164 reads image data from a document.

[0104] Although not shown in FIG. 1, the paper discharge section 165 has a paper discharge tray that stacks the paper P on which printing has been performed by the printing section 110 and a discharge roller that discharges the paper P to the paper discharge tray. Figure 1

[0105] Figure 3 is a front view of the wiper mechanism 1 positioned at the wiping position.

[0106] Figure 4 is a plan view of the wiper mechanism 1.

[0107] Figure 5 is a V-V sectional view of the wiper mechanism 1. Figure 4

[0108] Figure 6 is a front view of the first wiper 11 and the second wiper 12.

[0109] Figure 7 ​​is a plan view of the inkjet head 111 for illustrating the positional relationship of the first wiper 11 and the second wiper 12.

[0110] Figures 3-7 and the Figures 8-14 directions of front and back, up and down, and left and right shown in the figure are directions of the wiper mechanism 1 as Figure 3 shown in the figure in a state located between the printing section 110 and the suction and conveyance section 120.

[0111] As Figure 4 shown, the wiper mechanism 1 is provided with the wiper unit 10, two guide sections 20, an ink receiving section 30, and a wiper drive section 40.

[0112] The wiper unit 10 has, for example, four first wipers 11, for example, four second wipers 12, and a single wiper support member 13 that supports these first wipers 11 and second wipers 12.

[0113] Figure 5 The first wiper 11 and the second wiper 12 shown in the figure are, for example, wiper blades composed of an elastic body made of rubber. The first wiper 11 is disposed at a position on the downstream side in the wiping direction D1 from the second wiper 12. That is, the first wiper 11 wipes the head face 111a earlier than the second wiper 12. Further, as Figure 8 shown later, the first wiper 11 is disposed at a height that does not abut against the head face 111a, but since it is able to wipe off the head face 111a of the cleaning ink PI, it can be said that it wipes the head face 111a.

[0114] The first wiper 11 and the second wiper 12 wipe the head face 111a (for example, the bottom face) of the inkjet head 111 provided with a nozzle row 111b that ejects ink, along the wiping direction D1 (the front direction) orthogonal to the conveyance direction (the right direction) of the paper P. Figure 7 Further, in Figure 7 , the first wiper 11 and the second wiper 12 are indicated by double-dot chain lines (imaginary lines).

[0115] For example, although not shown, the head face 111a includes a nozzle face provided with the nozzle row 111b formed of a polyimide resin, and a bottom face of a protection plate that protects the nozzle face. Further, the head face 111a can be coated with an ink repellent film.

[0116] As described above, the two groups of six inkjet heads 111 each are arranged in a staggered manner, whereby the inkjet heads 111 are arranged in a total of four rows in the left and right directions as Figure 4 shown. Therefore, in order to wipe the head face 111a of one row (three) of inkjet heads 111, the first wiper 11 and the second wiper 12 are moved in the front and back directions as Figure 7The head and face 111a shown has four first wipers 11 and four second wipers 12.

[0117] like Figure 5 As shown, in the state before wiping, the first wiper 11 and the second wiper 12 are configured to extend from the wiper support member 13 in an upward direction orthogonal to the head surface 111a, separated by a wiper interval L3 along the wiping direction D1. The front end 11a of the first wiper 11 before wiping (refer to...) Figure 6 The first wiper 11 is located below the head surface 111a. Therefore, the first wiper 11 is configured to be of a length that does not come into contact with the head surface 111a during wiping, and is non-contact with the head surface 111a (see reference). Figure 8 On the other hand, the front end 12a, which is the upper end of the second wiper 12, is located above the head surface 111a. Therefore, the second wiper 12 is in a bent state during wiping (see reference). Figure 8 Wipe the head and face 111a.

[0118] like Figure 6 As shown, the front end 11a of the first wiper 11 has cut portions 11b at both ends in the width direction D2 of the head face 111a, which is orthogonal to the wiping direction D1. These cut portions 11b are formed, for example, by obliquely cutting at an angle between the front end 11a and the side of the first wiper 11. For the cut portion 11b, the cut width is set to L1, and the cut height is set to L2. Furthermore, in the cut portion 11b, the width of the first wiper 11 in the width direction D2 is narrower than the width of the lower part of the cut portion 11b in the width direction D2.

[0119] The width of the front end 11a of the first wiper 11 in the width direction D2 is narrower than the width of the front end 12a of the second wiper 12 in the width direction D2. Furthermore, in Figure 6 In the first wiper 11, the width of the first wiper 11 at the lower part of the cut portion 11b in the width direction D2 is the same as the width of the second wiper 12 in the width direction D2, but they can also be different.

[0120] like Figure 7As shown, the front end 11a of the first wiper 11 is configured to wipe the head surface 111a from both ends in the width direction D2 towards the inward side of the width direction D2, separated by a gap G, and wipe only a portion of the head surface 111a containing the nozzle array 111b. On the other hand, the portion of the first wiper 11 lower than the cut portion 11b and the second wiper 12 are larger than the head surface 111a in the width direction D2, and the second wiper 12 wipes the entire head surface 111a in the width direction D2. Furthermore, the front end 11a of the first wiper 11 can be configured to wipe only the edge of the head surface 111a from one end in the width direction D2 towards the inward side of the width direction D2, separated by a gap G, as described above. Preferably, it is configured to wipe from both ends in the width direction D2 of the head surface 111a towards the inward side of the width direction D2, separated by a gap G. In addition, the second wiper 12 may not wipe the entire width direction D2 of the head surface 111a, but it is preferable to wipe the entire width direction D2 of the head surface 111a.

[0121] Here, the above Figure 6 Although the slit width L1 shown can be set such that the width of the front end 11a of the first wiper 11 is narrower than the width of the front end 12a of the second wiper 12, if the slit width L1 is too long, the area that can be wiped by the first wiper 11 on the head surface 111a will become narrower. In this case, the amount of ink when the second wiper 12 wipes the head surface 111a will increase.

[0122] Next, although the above Figure 6 The slit height L2 shown is effective if it is greater than 0, but as will be described later, the surface tension of the ink moving between the slit portion 11b of the first wiper 11 and the second wiper 12 can be such that the ink can be held between the slit portion 11b and the second wiper 12 to a degree that is not too long.

[0123] Next, although the above Figure 5 The wiping interval L3 shown is effective if it is larger than 0, but if the size is too large, the ink will easily scatter because the surface tension of the ink will prevent it from being held between the cut portion 11b and the second wiper 12. Therefore, the wiping interval L3 can be an interval that can withstand the wiping speed, vibration, etc. of the first wiper 11 and the second wiper 12 and retain the ink to a certain extent.

[0124] like Figure 4 As shown, in the wiper support member 13, the four first wipers 11 and the four second wipers 12 are integrally arranged. Alternatively, the first wipers 11 and the second wipers 12 can be separately arranged from the wiper support member 13 and installed on the wiper support member 13.

[0125] like Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, in the wiper support member 13, for example, a pair of threaded holes 13a, 13a on the left and right are configured to pass through in the front-back direction.

[0126] The two guide portions 20 are, for example, threaded shafts extending in the front-rear direction, configured to pass through threaded holes 13a, 13a of the wiper support member 13. Therefore, by rotating the guide portions 20, the wiper unit 10 can be moved along the wiping direction D1, which is the front-rear direction.

[0127] The 30 pairs of ink receivers, along with paper dust and other debris, fall from the inkjet head 111. Figure 8 The ink removal process is carried out by PI.

[0128] By making the wiping mechanism 1 in Figure 1 The tilted retraction position shown allows ink in the ink receiving part 30 to flow out. Figure 4 The discharge portion 30b of the ink receiving portion 30 shown flows into the waste liquid receiving portion via a waste liquid path (not shown). The ink receiving portion 30 is, for example, a cuboid shape with an upward opening. Therefore, the inner bottom surface of the ink receiving portion 30 becomes the ink receiving surface 30a. Furthermore, the ink receiving portion 30 supports the front end of the guide portion 20 so that it can rotate.

[0129] The wiper drive unit 40 has, for example, two motors 41.

[0130] Motor 41 is an example of a drive means (actuator) that drives the wiping unit 10 (first wiper 11 and second wiper 12), and is, for example, attached to the guide portion 20 by adhesive. Motor 41 rotates the guide portion 20, thereby moving the wiping unit 10 back and forth as described above. Furthermore, a single motor 41 can, for example, rotate a drive belt, thereby rotating both guide portions 20 via pulleys within the drive belt. Alternatively, only a single motor 41 and a single guide portion 20 can be configured, with the wiping unit 10 moving in the back-and-forth direction by the single guide portion 20.

[0131] Next, the wiping action using the first wiper 11 and the second wiper 12 will be described. Furthermore, it can be tailored, for example, to each predetermined number of printed sheets or each elapsed time, or based on... Figure 2 The wiping action is performed by the user's operation on the control panel 163 shown.

[0132] Figure 8 as well as Figure 9 This is a right view and a perspective view of the wiping unit 10 used to illustrate the wiping action.

[0133] First, before the first wiper 11 and the second wiper 12 wipe the head surface 111a of the inkjet head 111, as follows: Figure 3 As shown, the adsorption and transport section 120 is oriented relative to... Figure 1 The printing position shown moves to a lower position, and the wiping mechanism 1 moves between the printing section 110 and the adsorption and conveying section 120. Additionally, as shown... Figure 8 The inkjet head 111 shown ejects cleaning ink PI from the nozzle array 111b. As a result, the cleaning ink PI ejected from the nozzle array 111b is collected and distributed in multiple locations.

[0134] Then, the first wiper 11 and the second wiper 12 move along the wiping direction D1. As a result, the cleaning ink PI and other contaminants wiped by the first wiper 11 and the second wiper 12 (e.g., cleaning ink PI, ink originally attached to the head surface 111a, paper dust, etc. contained in this ink) are conveyed along the first wiper 11 and the second wiper 12 and fall onto the aforementioned... Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 The ink receiving surface 30a of the ink receiving portion 30 shown. Furthermore, in Figure 8 as well as Figure 9 The illustration of the ink removal PI after being wiped by the first wiper 11 is omitted.

[0135] The first wiper 11 and the second wiper 12 do not come into contact with each other during wiping. However, as Figure 9 As shown, preferably, the first wiper 11 and the second wiper 12 are close to each other during wiping, so that the surface tension of the ink removal PI varies between the cut portion 11b of the first wiper 11 and the end of the second wiper 12 in the width direction D2, thereby maintaining the ink removal PI.

[0136] Here, by providing the cut portion 11b, the ink removal PI wiped by the two ends in the width direction D2 of the second wiper 12 is pulled (slightly moved) towards the cut portion 11b by surface tension in a direction inclined from the wiping direction D1 towards the center side and the lower side in the width direction D2 of the first wiper 11. As a result, the amount of ink removal PI near the two ends in the width direction D2 of the second wiper 12 is reduced.

[0137] If the cleaning ink PI wiped by the second wiper 12 comes into contact with the first wiper 11, the cleaning ink PI moves to a place where the force attempting to spread on the first wiper 11 (the force moving from the second wiper 12 to the first wiper 11 in the direction of wiping direction D1) and the force attempting to stay on the second wiper 12 (the force moving from the first wiper 11 to the second wiper 12 in the direction of wiping direction D1) are balanced (the center of gravity shifts and the shape changes).

[0138] As described above, the ink removal PI moves from the second wiper 12 toward the first wiper 11 by the surface tension of the ink removal PI, which refers to the force generated at the interface between the liquid and the atmosphere, moving in a direction that attempts to reduce the surface area of ​​the liquid, i.e., the liquid attempts to become spherical. This is to make the ink removal PI near the end in the width direction D2 of the second wiper 12 move slightly in the first wiper 11, thereby attempting to approach a spherical shape as much as possible.

[0139] However, as mentioned above, such as Figure 7 As shown, the front end 11a of the first wiper 11 is configured to be spaced apart by a gap G from both ends in the width direction D2 of the head surface 111a during wiping. Therefore, as Figure 9 As shown, the cleaning ink PI wiped by the first wiper 11 is difficult to adhere to the side of the inkjet head 111. In particular, when the surface tension of the cleaning ink PI changes between the cut portion 11b of the first wiper 11 and the end in the width direction D2 of the second wiper 12, the cleaning ink PI is even more difficult to adhere to the side of the inkjet head 111.

[0140] As described above, the first wiper 11 is configured to be of a length that does not come into contact with the head surface 111a during wiping. Therefore, after being wiped by the first wiper 11, the removal ink PI remains as a thin liquid film on the head surface 111a.

[0141] Subsequently, the removal ink P, which has become a thin liquid film, is wiped away by the second wiper 12. The second wiper 12 wipes the entire width direction D2 of the printhead 111a, but since a portion of the removal ink PI has already been wiped away by the first wiper 11, the removal ink PI is difficult to adhere to the side of the printhead 111. In addition, the end of the second wiper 12 in the width direction D2 wipes away the removal ink PI and the like that remaining at the end of the printhead 111a in the width direction D2 that was not wiped by the first wiper 11. Therefore, the removal ink PI and the like are conveyed to the side of the end in the width direction D2 of the second wiper 12 and easily fall onto the ink receiving surface 30a of the ink receiving part 30 along the direction of gravity.

[0142] After the first wiper 11 and the second wiper 12 wipe the head surfaces 111a of all the inkjet heads 111, the ink mixing in the nozzle rows 111b is improved by a rinsing action in which ink is ejected from each nozzle row 111b by the piezoelectric element driven by the inkjet head 111. Afterwards, Figure 3 The adsorption and conveying unit 120 shown moves downwards, and the wiping mechanism 1 moves towards... Figure 1The shown retraction position is moved. Additionally, when printing is in progress, the adsorption and conveying unit 120 rises to a position close to the printing unit 110; when not printing, it moves to a further lower waiting position. Furthermore, it is preferable that the wiping unit 10 (first wiper 11 and second wiper 12) is in a position where... Figure 1 The wiping mechanism 1 shown is in a retreat position, returning to the upstream side of the wiping direction D1 in preparation for the next wiping action.

[0143] Figures 10-12 This is a front view showing the first wiper 51, 61, 71 and the second wiper 12 in the first to third modifications of this embodiment.

[0144] Figures 10-12 The shapes of the cut portions 51b, 61b, and 71b of the first wipers 51, 61, and 71 shown are similar to... Figure 6 The first wiper 11 shown is different.

[0145] Figure 10 The front end 51a of the first wiper 51 shown has cut-out portions 51b at both ends in the width direction D2. The cut-out portions 51b are formed by cutting the corner between the front end 51a and the side of the first wiper 51 into a rectangular shape.

[0146] Figure 11 The cutout portion 61b of the front end 61a of the first wiper 61 shown is formed by cutting the corner between the front end 61a and the side of the first wiper 61 into a concave R shape (arc shape).

[0147] Figure 12 The cutout portion 71b of the front end 71a of the first wiper 71 shown is formed by cutting the corner between the front end 71a and the side of the first wiper 71 into a bulging R shape (arc shape).

[0148] Such as these Figures 10-12 As with the first wipers 51, 61, and 71 in the first to third variations shown, the shapes of the cut portions 51b, 61b, and 71b are not particularly limited.

[0149] In the embodiment described above, the wiping mechanism 1 includes a first wiper 11 and a second wiper 12 that wipe the head surface 111a of the inkjet head 111, which is provided with a nozzle array 111b, along the wiping direction D1. The first wiper 11 wipes the head surface 111a on a downstream side in the wiping direction D1 than the second wiper 12. The front end 11a of the first wiper 11 has cut-out portions 11b at both ends in the width direction D2 of the head surface 111a, which is orthogonal to the wiping direction D1. The width of the front end 11a of the first wiper 11 in the width direction D2 is narrower than the width of the front end 12a of the second wiper 12 in the width direction D2.

[0150] Thus, the front end 11a of the first wiper 11 has a slit portion 11b, and its width is narrower than that of the front end 12a of the second wiper 12. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cleaning ink PI from being wiped by the first wiper 11 and bending into the side of the inkjet head 111 from both ends in the width direction D2 of the first wiper 11. In addition, by providing the slit portion 11b in the first wiper 11, the width (slit width L1) or height (slit height L2) of the front end 11a of the first wiper 11 is narrowed, so if the surface tension of the cleaning ink PI changes between the slit portion 11b and the second wiper 12, thereby keeping the cleaning ink PI between the slit portion 11b and the second wiper 12, it is possible to prevent the cleaning ink PI from expanding or bulging outward from the upper part of the second wiper 12 towards the outside of the head surface 111a. In this way, it is also possible to prevent the cleaning ink PI from bending into the side of the inkjet head 111. Therefore, according to this embodiment, residual ink on the side of the inkjet head 111 after wiping can be suppressed. Thus, the airflow and vibration during transport of the medium such as paper P can also prevent residual cleaning ink PI on the side of the inkjet head 111 from flowing into the head surface 111a, causing poor ejection or ink adhering to the transported medium. Furthermore, since the width of the front end 12a of the second wiper 12 is wider than the width of the front end 11a of the first wiper 11, cleaning ink PI that was not wiped by the first wiper 11 can be wiped away. Moreover, when the surface tension of the cleaning ink PI changes between the cut portion 11b and the second wiper 12, the first wiper 11 and the second wiper 12 retain the cleaning ink PI between them after wiping the inkjet head 111, thus preventing the residual cleaning ink PI on the front surface (the downstream side surface in the wiping direction D1) of the inkjet head 111 immediately after wiping.

[0151] In addition, in this embodiment, the width of the front end 11a of the first wiper 11 in the width direction D2 is narrower than the width of the head surface 111a in the width direction D2, and a portion of the head surface 111a containing the nozzle array 111b is wiped.

[0152] In this way, the first wiper 11, which wipes the printhead 111a earlier than the second wiper 12, only wipes a portion of the printhead 111a containing the nozzle array 111b. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the clear ink PI wiped by the first wiper 11 from overflowing from the upper part of the first wiper 11 and bending into the side of the printhead 111. Consequently, it is even more effective to suppress the presence of residual ink on the side of the printhead 111 after wiping.

[0153] In addition, in this embodiment, the first wiper and the second wiper do not come into contact with each other during wiping.

[0154] Therefore, the cleaning ink PI accumulates between the first wiper 11 and the second wiper 12, thus preventing the cleaning ink PI from bending into the side of the inkjet head 111 from the second wiper 12. Furthermore, when the surface tension of the cleaning ink PI can be varied between the cut portion 11b and the second wiper 12, the bending of the cleaning ink PI into the side of the inkjet head 111 from the second wiper 12 can be more reliably prevented. Additionally, the cleaning ink PI, which becomes a thin liquid film after being wiped by the first wiper 11, is wiped by the second wiper 12 before it condenses on a portion of the printhead 111a due to its ink-repellent properties. Therefore, the reduction in cleaning performance and the deterioration of the printhead 111a caused by the second wiper 12 wiping areas of the printhead 111a without cleaning ink PI (empty wiping) can be prevented. Furthermore, by preventing the first wiper 11 and the second wiper 12 from contacting each other, it is possible to prevent a decrease in cleaning performance caused by only a portion of the rigidity of the contact portion of the first wiper 11 and the second wiper 12 increasing in the width direction D2, and it is possible to reliably wipe away ink such as PI between the first wiper 11 and the second wiper 12 by the second wiper 12.

[0155] In addition, in this embodiment, the first wiper 11 is configured to be of a length that does not come into contact with the head and face 111a during wiping.

[0156] As a result, the PI ink removed by the first wiper 11 spreads evenly into a thin liquid film (liquid residue) on the head surface 111a. Therefore, the PI ink removed by the second wiper 12 can be reliably wiped away. In addition, the durability of the head surface 111a can be maintained.

[0157] Figure 13 This is a right view of the wiping unit 210 used to illustrate the wiping action in other embodiments.

[0158] Figure 14 This is an enlarged right view of the first wiper 211 and the second wiper 212 during wiping in other embodiments.

[0159] and Figure 4 Similarly, the wiping unit 10 shown also... Figure 13The wiper unit 210 shown has, for example, four first wipers 211, for example, four second wipers 212, and wiper support members 213 that support these first wipers 211 and second wipers 212. Furthermore, Figure 13 The wiper unit 210 shown is Figure 4 The wiping unit 10 shown is mainly different from the first wiping unit 211, but the others are the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions of other embodiments are omitted.

[0160] The first wiper 211 respectively in Figure 13 In the state shown during wiping and in the state before wiping (not shown), the second wiper 212 extends obliquely from the wiper support member 213 in the direction opposite to the wiping direction D1 (rearward) relative to the upward direction orthogonal to the head surface 111a. On the other hand, the second wiper 212... Figure 13 In the wiping state shown, the wiper extends obliquely from the wiper support member 213 in the direction opposite to the wiping direction D1 (rearward) relative to the upward direction orthogonal to the head surface 111a. However, in the state before wiping (not shown), it extends from the wiper support member 213 in the upward direction orthogonal to the head surface 111a. Before wiping, the front end 211a of the first wiper 211 and the front end 212a of the second wiper 212 are located above the head surface 111a. Therefore, the second wiper 212 also wipes the head surface 111a in a bent state during wiping, just like the first wiper 211. Moreover, since the first wiper 211 extends obliquely in the state before wiping, the contact pressure on the head surface 111a is weaker than that of the second wiper 212. In order to make the contact pressure of the first wiper 211 weaker than that of the second wiper 212, in addition to changing the angle before wiping on the first wiper 211 and the second wiper 212, it is also considered to extend the length (free length) of the first wiper 211 in the vertical direction before wiping by comparing with the second wiper 212, make the thickness (wiping direction D1) of the first wiper 211 thinner than the thickness of the second wiper 212, and change the material on the first wiper 211 and the second wiper 212.

[0161] Similar to the description in one of the above embodiments, the front end 211a of the first wiper 211 has a cut-out portion 211b. Furthermore, although not shown, the width direction D2 of the front end 211a of the first wiper 211 (refer to...) Figure 4 The width of the first wiper 212 is narrower than the width of the front end 212a of the second wiper 212, for example, narrower than the width of the head face 111a.

[0162] During wiping, the first wiper 211 and the second wiper 212 move along the wiping direction D1. As a result, the cleaning ink PI and other contaminants (e.g., cleaning ink PI, ink originally adhering to the head surface 111a, and paper dust, dirt, etc. contained in this ink) wiped by the first wiper 211 and the second wiper 212 are conveyed by the first wiper 211 and the second wiper 212 and fall along the direction of gravity onto the aforementioned... Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 The ink receiving surface 30a of the ink receiving portion 30 shown. Furthermore, in Figure 13 The illustration of the ink-removing PI after being wiped by the first wiper 211 is omitted. Additionally, in... Figure 14 In the text, the illustration of clearing ink PI is omitted and instead shown... Figure 13 The first wiper 211 and the second wiper 212.

[0163] like Figure 14 As shown, during the elastic deformation that occurs during wiping of the head and face 111a, the first wiper 211 and the second wiper 212 do not come into contact. Furthermore, during the elastic deformation that occurs during wiping of the head and face 111a, at least the front end 211a of the first wiper 211 may be located at the same position as the second wiper 212-1 before the elastic deformation during wiping (illustrated by a double-dotted line as an imaginary line), or between that position and the second wiper 212 after the elastic deformation during wiping (deformation region 212b). Thus, it is preferable that the first wiper 211 and the second wiper 212 are close together during wiping.

[0164] On the other hand, before wiping the head surface 111a, the front end 211a of the first wiper 211 is located downstream of the deformation region 212b of the second wiper 212 in the wiping direction D1. Furthermore, the deformation region 212b of the second wiper 212 is a part of the second wiper 212 including the front end. In the state before wiping, the second wiper 212 extends from the wiper support member 213 in an upward direction orthogonal to the head surface 111a. Therefore, the root region 212c of the second wiper 212, which is closer to the wiper support member 213 than the deformation region 212b, extends in an upward direction orthogonal to the head surface 111a. Furthermore, during wiping of the head and face 111a, the front end 211a of the first wiper 211 and the root region 212c of the second wiper 212 (or the intersection of the direction in which the root region 212c extends and the head and face 111a) are at the same position in the wiping direction D1, or are located upstream of the root region 212c of the second wiper 212 (or the intersection of the direction in which the root region 212c extends and the head and face 111a).

[0165] Here, as described above, the contact pressure of the first wiper 211 against the head surface 111a is weaker than that of the second wiper 212 against the head surface 111a. Therefore, after wiping with the first wiper 211, the ink removal PI remains as a thin liquid film on the head surface 111a.

[0166] Subsequently, the clear ink PI, which has become a thinner liquid film, is wiped by the second wiper 212. The second wiper 212 wipes the entire width direction D2 of the printhead 111a, but since a portion of the clear ink PI has already been wiped by the first wiper 211, the clear ink PI is difficult to adhere to the side of the printhead 111.

[0167] In the other embodiments described above, the same effects as those in the first embodiment described above can be obtained, such as the ability to suppress ink residue on the side of the inkjet head 111 after wiping.

[0168] In addition, in this embodiment, the contact pressure of the first wiper 211 on the opposing surface 111a is weaker than that of the second wiper 212 on the opposing surface 111a during wiping.

[0169] Therefore, the removal ink PI, after being wiped by the first wiper 211, spreads evenly into a thin liquid film (liquid residue) on the head surface 111a. Thus, the removal ink PI can be reliably wiped by the second wiper 212. Furthermore, since the first wiper 211 does not come into contact with the head surface 111a through the thin liquid film of the removal ink PI, the durability of the head surface 111a can be maintained.

[0170] In addition, in this embodiment, during the elastic deformation that occurs during wiping of the head and face 111a, the first wiper 211 and the second wiper 212 do not contact each other, and at least the front end 211a of the first wiper 211 is located at the same position as the second wiper 212 before the elastic deformation that occurs during wiping, or is located between that position and the second wiper 212 (deformation area 212b) after the elastic deformation that occurs during wiping.

[0171] In this way, by bringing the tip 211a of the first wiper 211 close to the second wiper 212 (deformation area 212b) during wiping, the surface tension of the cleaning ink PI can easily change between the cut portion 211b of the first wiper 211 and the second wiper 212. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably suppress the cleaning ink PI from bending into the side of the inkjet head 111 from the second wiper 212. Furthermore, the cleaning ink PI, which becomes a thin liquid film after being wiped by the first wiper 211, is wiped by the second wiper 212 before it condenses on a portion of the printhead 111a due to its ink-repellent properties. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in cleaning performance and deterioration of the printhead 111a caused by the second wiper 212 wiping areas of the printhead 111a without cleaning ink PI (empty wiping). In addition, by preventing the first wiper 211 and the second wiper 212 from contacting each other, it is possible to prevent the reduction in cleaning performance caused by the rigidity of only a portion of the contact portion of the first wiper 211 and the second wiper 212 increasing in the width direction D2, and the second wiper 212 can reliably wipe away ink PI and other substances between the first wiper 211 and the second wiper 212.

[0172] Furthermore, the present invention is not directly limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be embodied by modifying structural elements during the implementation stage without departing from its spirit. Additionally, various inventions can be formed through appropriate combinations of the multiple structural elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, all structural elements shown in the embodiments can be appropriately combined. Various modifications and applications are naturally possible without departing from the spirit of such an invention. The invention described in the original technical solution of this application is attached below.

[0173] [Postscript 1]

[0174] A wiping device mechanism, characterized in that,

[0175] The wiping mechanism includes a first wiper and a second wiper, which wipe the head surface of the inkjet head, which is equipped with a row of nozzles, along the wiping direction.

[0176] The first wiper wipes the head surface on a downstream side in the wiping direction compared to the second wiper.

[0177] The front end of the first wiper has cut-out portions at both ends in the width direction of the head face orthogonal to the wiping direction, and the width of the front end of the first wiper in the width direction is narrower than the width of the front end of the second wiper in the width direction.

[0178] [Postscript 2]

[0179] The wiping device mechanism according to Appendix 1 is characterized in that,

[0180] The front end of the first wiper is narrower in the width direction than the width direction of the head surface, and the front end of the first wiper wipes a portion of the head surface containing the nozzle array.

[0181] [Postscript 3]

[0182] The wiping device mechanism according to Appendix 1 is characterized in that,

[0183] The first wiper and the second wiper do not come into contact with each other during wiping.

[0184] [Postscript 4]

[0185] The wiping device mechanism according to Appendix 1 is characterized in that,

[0186] The first wiper is configured to be at a length that prevents it from contacting the head surface during wiping, or the contact pressure of the first wiper on the head surface is weaker than that of the second wiper on the head surface.

[0187] [Postscript 5]

[0188] The wiping device mechanism according to Appendix 1 is characterized in that,

[0189] During the elastic deformation that occurs during the wiping of the head and face,

[0190] The first wiper does not contact the second wiper, and at least the front end of the first wiper is located at the same position as the second wiper before elastic deformation accompanied by wiping, or at that position between the second wiper and the second wiper after elastic deformation accompanied by wiping.

Claims

1. A wiping device mechanism, characterized in that, The wiping mechanism includes a first wiper and a second wiper, which wipe the head surface of the inkjet head, which is equipped with a row of nozzles, along the wiping direction. The first wiper wipes the head surface on a downstream side in the wiping direction compared to the second wiper. The first wiper has slits at both ends of its front end in the width direction, which is the width direction of the head face orthogonal to the wiping direction. The width of the front end of the first wiper in the width direction is narrower than the width of the front end of the second wiper in the width direction. The front end of the first wiper is configured to be spaced apart from both ends of the head surface in the width direction and towards the inside in the width direction during wiping, so that only a portion of the head surface containing the nozzle array is wiped. The spacing between the first wiper and the second wiper in the wiping direction is configured such that the surface tension of the cleaning ink accumulated between the first wiper and the second wiper during wiping of the head surface varies between the cut portion of the first wiper and the front end of the second wiper in the width direction, thereby retaining the cleaning ink.

2. The wiping device mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first wiper is configured to be at a length that prevents it from contacting the head surface during wiping, or the contact pressure of the first wiper on the head surface is weaker than that of the second wiper on the head surface.

3. The wiping device mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, During the elastic deformation that occurs during the wiping of the head and face, The first wiper does not contact the second wiper, and at least the front end of the first wiper is located at the same position as the second wiper before elastic deformation accompanied by wiping, or at that position between the second wiper and the second wiper after elastic deformation accompanied by wiping.

Images