Inkjet recording apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides an ink jet recording apparatus. The inkjet recording apparatus includes a blade and a receiving member. The squeegee slides in a predetermined advancing direction along a nozzle surface of an inkjet head in a state in which the tip portion of the squeegee is in contact with the nozzle surface. And the receiving part is arranged at the sliding ending position of the scraper blade and receives the waste liquid released from the scraper blade. Therefore, the waste liquid can be prevented from flying at the sliding end position of the scraper.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inkjet recording device. Background Art

[0002] In an inkjet recording device, when an image forming task is not being performed, water evaporates from the ink in the nozzle of the inkjet head, and it is considered that the nozzle is clogged due to the increase in the viscosity of the ink. Therefore, in order to prevent clogging, a purification process is performed to discharge the ink in the nozzle to the end cap. However, when the ink remaining on the nozzle surface is left, there is a problem that the ink drips onto the sheet or the ink is fixed on the nozzle surface during the execution of the image forming task. Therefore, a technology for removing the ink remaining on the nozzle surface has been studied. For example, a structure is proposed to remove ink from the nozzle surface by sliding a scraper in contact with the nozzle surface in a specified direction.

[0003] In the above structure, the scraper is bent when sliding in contact with the nozzle surface. However, when the sliding is completed, the scraper exceeds the end of the nozzle surface and the bending of the scraper is restored. At this time, there is a problem that the waste liquid attached to the scraper is scattered around. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to prevent waste liquid from scattering at a sliding end position of a scraper.

[0005] The inkjet recording device of the present invention comprises a scraper and a receiving member. The scraper slides in a predetermined direction along the nozzle surface with the top end thereof abutting against the nozzle surface of the inkjet head. The receiving member is arranged at the end position of the sliding of the scraper and receives the waste liquid released from the scraper. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 It is a front view schematically showing the interior of the inkjet recording device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0007] Figure 2 It is a plan view showing an imaging unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view showing an imaging unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 4 It is a diagram schematically showing an ink supply path according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view showing an inkjet head according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 6It is a perspective view showing a maintenance device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 7 It is a perspective view showing a state where the end cap unit according to one embodiment of the present invention is slid to the right.

[0013] Figure 8 This is a perspective view showing a state where the wiping unit and the cap unit according to the embodiment of the present invention are slid to the right.

[0014] Fig. 9 It is a perspective view showing a wiping unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Fig.10 It is a perspective view showing a wiping unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Fig.11 It is a perspective view showing a scraper unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Fig.12 It is a perspective view showing a cross section of a scraper unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Fig.13 It is a perspective view showing a protrusion member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Fig.14 It is a perspective view showing a protrusion member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Fig.15 It is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the maintenance device and the inkjet head unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Fig.16 It is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the maintenance device and the inkjet head unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Fig.17 It is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the maintenance device and the inkjet head unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Fig.18 It is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the maintenance device and the inkjet head unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Fig.19 It is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the maintenance device and the inkjet head unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Fig. 20 It is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the maintenance device and the inkjet head unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Fig.21 It is a side view schematically showing the operation of the scraper unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Fig. 22 It is a side view schematically showing the operation of the scraper unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Fig.23 It is a side view schematically showing the operation of the scraper unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Fig.24 It is a side view schematically showing the operation of the scraper unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Fig.25 It is a side view schematically showing the operation of the scraper unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Fig.26 It is a perspective view showing a receiving member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Fig. 27 It is a perspective view showing a receiving member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Fig.28 It is a perspective view showing a fixing member, a scraper, and a support according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Next, refer to the attached Figure 1 An inkjet recording device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0035] First, the overall structure of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 will be described. Figure 1 It is a front view schematically showing the interior of the inkjet recording device 1 . Figure 2 1 is a plan view showing the imaging unit 6 . Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the imaging unit 6 . Figure 4 It is a diagram schematically showing the ink supply path 60 . Figure 5 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the inkjet head 12. Figure 1 The front side of the paper in the figure is the front side (front side) of the inkjet recording device 1, and the left and right direction is described based on the direction of observing the inkjet recording device 1 from the front side. In each figure, U, Lo, L, R, Fr, and Rr represent up, down, left, right, front, and back, respectively.

[0036] Inkjet recording device 1 (refer to Figure 1) has a main body shell 3 in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. A paper feed box 4 and a paper feed roller 5 are provided at the lower part of the main body shell 3. The paper feed box 4 accommodates single sheets S such as plain paper and coated paper; the paper feed roller 5 delivers the sheet S from the paper feed box 4. A conveying unit 7 is provided above the paper feed box 4. The conveying unit 7 absorbs the sheet S and conveys it along the Y direction. An imaging unit 6 is provided above the conveying unit 7. The imaging unit 6 discharges ink to form an image. A discharge roller 8 and a discharge tray 9 are provided at the upper left part of the main body shell 3. The discharge roller 8 discharges the sheet S with the image formed thereon; the discharge tray 9 stacks the discharged sheet S.

[0037] A conveying path 10 is provided inside the main body housing 3, and the conveying path 10 reaches the discharge roller 8 from the paper feed roller 5 through the gap between the conveying unit 7 and the imaging unit 6. The conveying path 10 is mainly formed by plate-like members facing each other with a gap for passing the sheet S. A conveying roller 17 is provided on the conveying path 10 to clamp the sheet S for conveying. A registration roller 18 is provided on the upstream side of the imaging unit 6 in the conveying direction Y.

[0038] The conveying unit 7 includes an endless conveyor belt 21, a support plate 23, and a suction portion 24. The conveyor belt 21 has a plurality of vents (not shown), and is wound around a driving roller 25 and a driven roller 22. The support plate 23 has a plurality of vents, and its upper surface is in contact with the inner surface of the conveyor belt 21. The suction portion 24 sucks air through the vents of the support plate 23 and the conveyor belt 21, thereby adsorbing the sheet S to the conveyor belt 21. The driving roller 25 is driven counterclockwise by a driving portion (not shown) including a motor and a reduction gear, thereby rotating the conveyor belt 21 in the counterclockwise direction, and the sheet S adsorbed to the conveyor belt 21 is conveyed in the Y direction.

[0039] Imaging unit 6 (refer to Figure 2 , 3 ) has inkjet head units 11Y, 11Bk, 11C, and 11M (collectively referred to as inkjet head units 11). The inkjet head unit 11 has one or more inkjet heads 12 (see Figure 5 ), for example, having three inkjet heads 12 arranged in a staggered manner. Ink cartridges 20Y, 20Bk, 20C, and 20M (collectively referred to as ink cartridges 20) filled with yellow, black, cyan, and magenta inks, respectively, are supplied through an ink supply path 60 (see Figure 4 ) and connected to the inkjet head units 11Y, 11Bk, 11C, and 11M.

[0040] exist Figure 4In the figure, an ink supply path 60 corresponding to one color of ink is shown, but in the present embodiment, since four colors of ink are used, four systems of ink supply paths 60 are actually provided. The inkjet recording device 1 has an ink cartridge mounting portion 61, a filter 62, a pump 63, a sub-tank 64, and a waste liquid tank 69, wherein the ink cartridge mounting portion 61 is used to mount the ink cartridge 20; the filter 62 filters the ink; the pump 63 draws the ink from the ink cartridge 20 via the filter 62; the sub-tank 64 stores the ink sent from the pump 63 and supplies the ink to the inkjet head 12; and the waste liquid tank 69 stores the waste liquid discharged from the maintenance device 30. In addition, Figure 4 In the figure, one inkjet head 12 is shown, but actually three inkjet heads 12 belonging to one inkjet head unit 11 are connected to one sub-tank 64 .

[0041] Inkjet head 12 (see Figure 5 ) has a housing 12H and a nozzle plate 12P, wherein the housing 12H is in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and has a longitudinal direction in the front-to-back direction; the nozzle plate 12P is disposed at the bottom of the housing 12H. The nozzle plate 12P has a plurality of nozzles 12N arranged in the front-to-back direction and a pipe sleeve 12S connected to the piping from the auxiliary tank 64. The nozzle 12N includes a branch flow path 12B branched from the downstream side of the pipe sleeve 12S and an outlet 12A disposed on a nozzle surface 12F which is the lower surface of the nozzle plate 12P. The vibration plate 12V also serves as a part of the inner wall of the branch flow path 12B. A pressure element 12Z is ​​disposed on the vibration plate 12V. As the pressure element 12Z, a piezoelectric element, an electrostatic actuator, a heater, etc. can be used. A driving circuit 12D for driving the pressure element 12Z is ​​connected to the pressure element 12Z.

[0042] The inkjet head 12 is actually arranged above the sub-tank 64. The liquid level in the sub-tank 64 is adjusted to be slightly lower than the nozzle surface 12F. Due to the head difference between the liquid level and the nozzle surface 12F, negative pressure acts on the ink in the nozzle 12N, forming a meniscus in the nozzle 12N. After the ink is discharged from the inkjet head 12, the surface tension of the ink acts in a manner to reduce the surface area of ​​the meniscus, and the negative pressure thus generated sucks an amount of ink corresponding to the reduced amount from the sub-tank 64 into the inkjet head 12.

[0043] Control unit 2 (refer to Figure 1) has a computing unit and a storage unit (not shown). The computing unit is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The storage unit includes storage media such as ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). The computing unit performs various processes by reading and executing the control program stored in the storage unit. In addition, the control unit 2 can also be implemented by an integrated circuit without using software.

[0044] A display operation unit 19 (see Figure 1 The display operation unit 19 includes a display panel, a touch panel stacked on the display panel, and a keyboard (not shown). The control unit 2 displays a screen showing an operation menu or status of the inkjet recording device 1 on the display panel, and controls each unit of the inkjet recording device 1 according to the operation detected by the touch panel and the keyboard.

[0045] The basic image forming operation of the inkjet recording device 1 is as follows. When an image forming task is input to the inkjet recording device 1 from the display operation unit 19 or an external computer, the paper feed roller 5 feeds the sheet S from the paper feed box 4 to the conveying path 10, and the registration roller 18 that stops rotating corrects the skew of the sheet S. When the registration roller 18 feeds the sheet S to the conveying unit 7 at a specified time, the conveying unit 7 adsorbs the sheet S to the conveying belt 21 and conveys it in the Y direction. The drive circuit 12D supplies a discharge signal corresponding to the image data to the pressure element 12Z in synchronization with the conveyance of the sheet S. In this way, ink is discharged from the nozzle 12N to form an image on the sheet S. The discharge roller 8 discharges the sheet S with the image formed thereon to the discharge tray 9.

[0046] [Maintenance device] Next, the structure of the maintenance device 30 will be described. Figure 6 It is a perspective view showing the maintenance device 30 . Figure 7 It is a perspective view showing a state where the end cap unit 70 is slid to the right. Figure 8 It is a perspective view showing a state where the wiping unit 80 and the cap unit 70 are slid to the right.

[0047] The maintenance device 30 is provided adjacent to each inkjet head unit 11 on the left side (downstream side in the conveying direction Y) of each inkjet head unit 11 (see Figure 2 , 3 ). In addition, the maintenance device 30 may be provided adjacent to the right side of each inkjet head unit 11 (upstream side in the conveying direction Y).

[0048] The maintenance device 30 includes an end cap unit 70, a wiping unit 80, and a housing 31, wherein the end cap unit 70 includes an end cap 72 mounted on the nozzle surface 12F; the wiping unit 80 includes a scraper 82 for removing ink remaining on the nozzle surface 12F; and the housing 31 accommodates the end cap unit 70 and the wiping unit 80. The housing 31 is formed into a rectangular parallelepiped with the front-to-back direction as the length direction, and an opening is provided on the right side. The maintenance device 30 includes an end cap sliding mechanism 32 and a wiping sliding mechanism 33, wherein the end cap sliding mechanism 32 causes the end cap unit 70 to slide in the left-right direction; and the wiping sliding mechanism 33 causes the wiping unit 80 to slide in the left-right direction. The end cap sliding mechanism 32 and the wiping sliding mechanism 33 are composed of, for example, a belt drive, a gear rack, a feed screw, and the like.

[0049] [End cap unit] End cap unit 70 (refer to Figure 7 ) has a frame 71 and an end cap 72 disposed above the frame 71. The frame 71 is formed into a rectangular shape with the front-to-back direction as the length direction. The same number of end caps 72 as the inkjet heads 12 are arranged on the frame 71 in a staggered manner in the same manner as the inkjet heads 12. The end caps 72 open upward. The end caps 72 have a size that surrounds the area on the nozzle surface 12F of one inkjet head 12 where the nozzles 12N are disposed.

[0050] [Wipe unit] Wiping unit 80 (see Figure 8 ) comprises a frame 81, a carriage 83 provided on the frame 81, a scraper 82 provided on the carriage 83, and a carriage sliding mechanism (omitted from the figure) for sliding the carriage 83 in the front-rear direction. The frame 81 is formed into a rectangle with the front-rear direction as the length direction. The scrapers 82 having the same number as the inkjet heads 12 are arranged on the carriage 83 in an alternating manner in the same manner as the inkjet heads 12. A pipe (omitted from the figure) connected to the waste liquid storage tank 69 is connected to the frame 81. The carriage sliding mechanism is composed of, for example, a belt drive, a gear rack, a feed screw, etc.

[0051] [Lifting mechanism] The inkjet recording device 1 includes a lifting mechanism 11L (see Figure 2 ). The lifting mechanism 11L is composed of, for example, a belt drive, a gear rack, a feed screw, etc. The lifting mechanism 11L lifts the inkjet head unit 11 between an image forming position when image formation is performed and a retreat position above the image forming position. In the image forming position, the inkjet head unit 11 is positioned so that the interval between the conveyor belt 21 and the nozzle surface 12F is a predetermined distance. In the retreat position, a space is formed between the conveyor belt 21 and the nozzle surface 12F to enable the end cap unit 70 and the wiping unit 80 to move.

[0052] [Cleaning fluid supply unit] The inkjet head 12 includes a cleaning liquid supply unit 13 (see Figure 4 , 5 ). The cleaning liquid supply unit 13 includes a cleaning liquid tank 13T and a connecting component 13C. Cleaning liquid having water as a main component is stored in the cleaning liquid tank 13T. The connecting component 13C is disposed at the rear of the nozzle plate 12P. A pipe from the cleaning liquid tank 13T is connected to the connecting component 13C. A cleaning liquid supply port 13A is disposed at the bottom of the connecting component 13C. The liquid level in the cleaning liquid tank 13T is adjusted to be slightly higher than the bottom surface of the connecting component 13C. A positive pressure is generated in the cleaning liquid supply port 13A, forming a convex curved liquid surface bulging downward.

[0053] Next, the wiping unit 80 will be described in detail. Fig. 9 , 10 It is a perspective view showing the wiping unit 80 . Fig.11 It is a perspective view showing the scraper unit 90 . Fig.12 It is a perspective view showing a cross section of the wiping unit 80 . Fig.13 It is a perspective view showing the protruding member 91 and the scraper 82 . Fig.14 It is a perspective view showing the protruding member 91 . Fig.26 , 27 It is a perspective view showing the receiving member 84 . Fig.28 It is a perspective view showing the fixing member 94 , the scraper 82 , and the support 92 .

[0054] The inkjet recording device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a scraper 82, which slides in a predetermined traveling direction D along the nozzle surface 12F with its top end in contact with the nozzle surface 12F of the inkjet head 12, and a receiving member 84, which is provided at the end position of the sliding of the scraper 82 and receives the waste liquid W released from the scraper 82. Specifically, it is as follows.

[0055] Wiping unit 80 (see Fig. 9 , 10 ) has a plurality of (three in this embodiment) scraper units 90, a frame 81, and a carriage 83. The scraper unit 90 (see Fig.11 , 12 ) has a scraper 82, a protruding part 91, a supporting member 92, and a force applying member 93.

[0056] [Scraper] Scraper 82 (refer to Figures 11 to 13) is a flexible rectangular plate-like member formed of resin or the like. The scraper 82 is held on the support member 92 in a slightly backward tilted posture with the front-to-back direction as the thickness direction. The width of the scraper 82 in the left-right direction is greater than the width in the left-to-right direction of the region where the nozzle 12N is provided on the nozzle surface 12F. The scraper 82 has a taper at the top, and the thickness becomes thinner as it approaches the upper end.

[0057] [Protruding parts] Protruding member 91 (see Figures 11 to 14 ) is integrated with the scraper 82. The protruding part 91 has a base 91B parallel to the scraper 82, a first bent portion 911 bent rearward from the upper end of the base 91B, a second bent portion 912 bent upward from the rear end of the first bent portion 911, a rearwardly inclined portion 91S inclined rearward than the second bent portion 912, and a protruding portion 91P protruding upward from the upper end of the rearwardly inclined portion 91S. The width of the base 91B in the left-right direction is equal to the width of the scraper 82. The length of the base 91B in the up-down direction is approximately 1 / 2 of the length of the scraper 82 in the up-down direction. The base 91B is joined to the lower portion of the rear surface of the scraper 82. A shaft 91H (see Fig.13 , 14 ). The widths of the first curved portion 911 and the second curved portion 912 in the left-right direction are equal to the width of the base portion 91B.

[0058] The width of the reclining portion 91S in the left-right direction is wider than the width of the scraper 82. The protrusion 91P is provided at the left and right ends of the upper end of the reclining portion 91S. In addition, the protrusion 91P is provided on the outside of the scraper 82 in the left-right direction. In other words, the protrusion 91P is provided on the outside of the area where the nozzle 12N is provided on the nozzle surface 12F in the left-right direction. The protrusion 91P is reclined at the same inclination angle as the reclining portion 91S. A through hole 91A penetrating downward is provided in the central portion of the first curved portion 911 in the left-right direction. At least a portion of the waste liquid W (a mixture of ink i and cleaning liquid F) flowing down along the rear surface of the scraper 82 is discharged downward through the through hole 91A.

[0059] [Fixed parts] The fixing member 94 (see Fig.11 , 28) The scraper 82 is fixed to the protruding part 91. The scraper 82 is arranged on the front side of the protruding part 91, and the fixing part 94 is arranged on the front side of the scraper 82. The lower part of the scraper 82 is clamped by the base 91B of the protruding part 91 and the fixing part 94. On the front surface of the base 91B of the protruding part 91, bosses 91Y that protrude forward are provided at two positions on the left and right. The scraper 82 is provided with a boss hole (not shown) that is engaged with the boss 91Y. The fixing part 94 is also provided with a boss hole 94H that is engaged with the boss 91Y. In the lower part of the protruding part 91 below the scraper 82, a threaded hole 91Z is provided (refer to Fig.14 ). The fixing member 94 is also provided with a threaded hole (not shown) corresponding to the threaded hole 91Z. The scraper 82 and the fixing member 94 are engaged with the boss 91Y, and the fixing member 94 is fastened to the protruding member 91 using screws 94S, thereby fixing the scraper 82 to the protruding member 91.

[0060] The lower edge of the fixing member 94 and the lower edge of the protruding member 91 are tapered, and the width in the left-right direction becomes narrower as it approaches the bottom (see Fig.28 The waste liquid flowing from the front surface of the scraper 82 to the front surface of the fixing member 94 is collected at the center in the left-right direction along the lower edge of the fixing member 94 and the lower edge of the protruding member 91 , and drips into the recessed portion 81U of the frame 81 .

[0061] [Support] Support member 92 (see Fig.11 , 12 ) The scraper 82 is held via the protruding member 91. A hole 92H (see Fig.11 , 12 ). On the rear surface of the base 91B (refer to Fig.13 , 14 ), two wall portions 91C facing each other in the left-right direction are provided. A shaft 91H protruding to the left is provided on the left surface of the left wall portion 91C. A shaft 91H protruding to the right is provided on the right surface of the right wall portion 91C. The protruding member 91 is hingedly connected to the support member 92, and the protruding member 91 can swing in the front-back direction relative to the support member 92. The scraper 82 swings together with the protruding member 91. In addition, the shaft 91H can also be provided on the scraper 82.

[0062] The scraper 82 and the protruding member 91 are provided on the support member 92 in an inclined posture relative to the left and right directions so that the waste liquid W flows in either direction. In the illustrated example, the scraper 82 is inclined so that the left end is slightly behind the right end, but it may be inclined in the opposite direction.

[0063] [Force applying parts] The force applying member 93 (see Fig.13 , 14 ) is, for example, a torsion coil spring, which is wound around the shaft 91H. One end of the urging member 93 is engaged with the support member 92, and the other end is engaged with the protruding member 91. Fig.11 , 12 The protruding member 91 is forced in the counterclockwise direction. Fig.13 In other words, the urging member 93 urges the scraper 82 in a direction that brings the tip of the scraper 82 into contact with the nozzle surface 12F. The urging member 93 may be a leaf spring, a compression coil spring, or the like.

[0064] [frame] Frame 81 (refer to Fig. 9 , 10 ) is formed as a whole into a rectangular parallelepiped with the front-to-back direction as the length direction. The frame 81 has three recesses 81U with an upper side opening. The three recesses 81U are respectively opposite to the three inkjet heads 12 of the inkjet head unit 11. That is, the three recesses 81U include two recesses 81U arranged in the front-to-back direction and one recess 81U staggered on the left side of the two recesses 81U. The recess 81U is formed into a long and narrow rectangle in the front-to-back direction when viewed from above. The length of the recess 81U in the front-to-back direction is slightly longer than that of the nozzle surface 12F, and the width of the recess 81U in the left-to-right direction is slightly wider than that of the nozzle surface 12F. The recess 81U also serves as a receiving tray for receiving waste liquid including ink and cleaning liquid.

[0065] [Slide] Slide 83 (see Figures 9 to 12 ) is formed into a plate shape with the front-to-back direction as the length direction. A groove 81G along the front-to-back direction is provided between the left and right recesses 81U, and the slide 83 is accommodated in the groove 81G. The length of the slide 83 in the front-to-back direction is shorter than the length of the groove 81G in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, the slide 83 can slide in the front-to-back direction along the groove 81G.

[0066] One scraper unit 90 is housed in each of the three recesses 81U. The three scraper units 90 are coupled to the carriage 83. The three scraper units 90 are arranged so as to be located behind the nozzle surface 12F when the carriage 83 is located at the rearmost position.

[0067] The frame 81 is provided with a driving unit (not shown). The driving unit is, for example, a belt drive, a gear rack, a feed screw, etc., which makes the carriage 83 slide in the front-rear direction along the groove 81G. The carriage 83, the groove 81G, and the driving unit constitute the carriage sliding mechanism.

[0068] [Connecting parts] Receiver 84 (see Fig. 9 , 10 , 12, 21 to 27) are supported by the frame 81. The receiving parts 84 are respectively provided in the three recesses 81U. The receiving parts 84 are provided at the front end of the recess 81U, in other words, at the sliding end position of the scraper 82. The receiving parts 84 have a front part 41, which faces the scraper 82 at the front side in the traveling direction. The receiving parts 84 have a surrounding part 42, which surrounds the side and top of the scraper 82 located at the sliding end position.

[0069] The surrounding portion 42 includes a top wall portion 42T and a side wall portion 42W, wherein the top wall portion 42T is arranged from the upper end portion of the front portion 41 to the rear; and the side wall portion 42W is arranged from the left and right ends of the front portion 41 to the rear. That is, the receiving component 84 is formed in a box shape with the rear side and the lower side open. When the scraper 82 reaches the frontmost part of the recess 81U, the scraper 82 is accommodated in the receiving component 84. At this time, the scraper 82 is surrounded from the front, the top, and the left and right sides by the receiving component 84. In addition, the surrounding portion 42 may also have any one of the top wall portion 42T and the side wall portion 42W. That is, the surrounding portion 42 surrounds at least one of the top and the side of the scraper 82 located at the end position of the slide.

[0070] A fixing portion 44 protruding forward is provided on the front surface of the front portion 41. The fixing portion 44 is a plate-shaped portion with the thickness direction being the vertical direction. The fixing portion 44 is provided with a screw hole 44H penetrating in the vertical direction. The fixing portion 44 is fastened to a bracket 44B protruding backward from the front end of the recess 81U (see FIG. 1 ) using a screw 44S. Fig.12 ).

[0071] Next, the operation of the maintenance device 30 will be described. Figures 15 to 20 It is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the maintenance device 30 and the inkjet head unit 11 . Figures 21 to 25 It is a side view schematically showing the operation of the scraper unit 90 .

[0072] Here, the parallel surface 11P is described. The inkjet head 12 is formed by a head base 11B (see Fig.21) support. The head base 11B has a through hole (not shown) for inserting the nozzle plate 12P of the inkjet head 12. Since the lower surface of the head base 11B is a surface parallel to the nozzle surface 12F, it is called a parallel surface 11P. When the nozzle plate 12P is inserted into the head base 11B, the nozzle surface 12F protrudes downward from the parallel surface 11P by several millimeters (mm), forming a step between the parallel surface 11P and the nozzle surface 12F. In addition, in addition to being parallel to the nozzle surface 12F, the parallel surface 11P may also be different from the present embodiment. For example, the parallel surface 11P and the nozzle surface 12F may be at the same height. Alternatively, the parallel surface 11P may be a part of the nozzle surface 12F, that is, it may be a surface on the left or right of the area where the nozzle 12N is formed in the nozzle surface 12F.

[0073] Next, the inkjet head unit 11 is placed in the image forming position (see Fig.15 ) is described as the initial state. In the initial state, the end cap unit 70 and the wiping unit 80 are located at the initial position. The initial position is inside the housing 31 and is on the side of the inkjet head unit 11 located at the image forming position. The actions shown below are performed by the control unit 2 controlling the lifting mechanism 11L, the end cap sliding mechanism 32, the wiping sliding mechanism 33, and the carriage sliding mechanism.

[0074] First, the control unit 2 operates the lifting mechanism 11L to raise the inkjet head unit 11 to the retracted position (see Fig.16 ). Next, the control unit 2 operates the cap sliding mechanism 32 to slide the cap unit 70 to the lower side (maintenance position) of the inkjet head unit 11 (see Fig.17 ). Next, the control unit 2 operates the lifting mechanism 11L to lower the inkjet head unit 11 to a height at which the nozzle surface 12F contacts the end cap 72 (see Fig.18 ). Next, the control unit 2 controls the inkjet head 12 to purge the ink toward the end cap 72 .

[0075] Next, the control unit 2 operates the lifting mechanism 11L to raise the inkjet head unit 11 to the retracted position (see Fig.17 ). Next, the control unit 2 operates the wiping slide mechanism 33 to slide the wiping unit 80 to the lower side (maintenance position) of the inkjet head unit 11 (see Fig.19 ). At this time, in the wiping unit 80, the scraper unit 90 is located at the rear (refer to Fig.21 ). The scraper 82 is tilted backward at an angle α relative to the vertical (line segment V). α is, for example, about 5°. Ink i remains on the nozzle surface 12F.

[0076] Next, the control unit 2 operates the lifting mechanism 11L to lower the inkjet head unit 11 to a predetermined position (see Fig. 20 ). At the specified position (refer to Fig. 22 ), the parallel surface 11P pushes the protrusion 91P downward, thereby the protrusion member 91 and the scraper 82 swing clockwise, and the scraper 82 further tilts backward. At this time, the scraper 82 is in a posture with a backward tilt angle β (α<β) relative to the vertical. β is, for example, about 15°.

[0077] Next, the control unit 2 operates the cleaning liquid supply unit 13 to cause the cleaning liquid F to swell from the cleaning liquid supply port 13A of the connecting member 13C (see Figure 5 , 22 ), the carriage sliding mechanism is activated to slide the scraper 82 forward (an example of a predetermined travel direction D) (refer to Fig.23 ). The scraper 82 scrapes the cleaning liquid F from the cleaning liquid supply port 13A, and then slides while scraping the ink i from the nozzle surface 12F. Since the protruding member 91 slides in contact with the parallel surface 11P, the scraper 82 can be brought into contact with the nozzle surface 12F with a constant load with little change in the inclination angle of the scraper 82. In addition, since the scraper 82 is flexible, it is slightly bent and deformed by contacting with the nozzle surface 12F, but since the force-applying member 93 absorbs the excess load, the scraper 82 can be brought into contact with the nozzle surface 12F with an appropriate load.

[0078] When the scraper 82 slides, the ink i is diluted by the cleaning liquid F. The waste liquid W, which is a mixture of the ink i and the cleaning liquid F, flows down along the front and rear surfaces of the scraper 82. The waste liquid W flowing down along the rear surface of the scraper 82 passes through the through hole 91A of the protruding member 91 and drips into the recess 81U. In addition, the waste liquid W flowing down along the front surface of the scraper 82 passes through the front surface of the fixing member 94, and is gathered in the center in the left-right direction along the lower edge of the fixing member 94 and the lower edge of the protruding member 91, and drips into the recess 81U. The waste liquid W dripping into the recess 81U passes through a discharge port (not shown) provided in the recess 81U and drips into the end cap 72.

[0079] When scraping is completed, that is, when the scraper 82 passes through the front end of the nozzle surface 12F (see Fig.24 ), the control unit 2 operates the lifting mechanism 11L to raise the inkjet head unit 11 to the retreat position (refer to Fig.19 ). At this time, since the head base 11B also rises, the protruding member 91 swings counterclockwise, and the inclination of the scraper 82 returns to the angle α. In addition, since the scraper 82 is separated from the nozzle surface 12F, the bending deformation of the scraper 82 is eliminated. Through this action, the waste liquid W is discharged from the scraper 82 to the receiving member 84. The waste liquid W received by the receiving member 84 flows downward along the inner surface of the receiving member 84, passes through the discharge port (not shown) provided in the recess 81U, and drips onto the end cap 72.

[0080] Assuming that there is no structure (protruding member 91, support member 92, force member 93, etc.) that changes the inclination angle of the scraper 82, the scraper 82 abuts against the nozzle surface 12F only by the elastic force of the scraper 82's own bending deformation. Therefore, when the top end of the scraper 82 passes through the front end of the nozzle surface 12F, the bending of the scraper 82 is suddenly eliminated, and the waste liquid W is released obliquely upward from the top end of the scraper 82, and the waste liquid W may collide with the head base 11B and the like and scatter. In contrast, in the present embodiment, since the scraper 82 abuts against the nozzle surface 12F mainly by the elastic force of the force member 93, the bending deformation of the scraper 82 is suppressed to a smaller amount compared with the case where there is no structure that changes the inclination angle of the scraper 82. In addition, since the inclination of the scraper 82 is restored and the bending deformation is eliminated simultaneously, the waste liquid W is mainly released forward and received by the receiving member 84, thereby suppressing the scattering of the waste liquid W.

[0081] Next, the control unit 2 activates the wiping slide mechanism 33 to accommodate the wiping unit 80 in the housing 31 (starting position, reference position). Fig.17 ). Next, the control unit 2 operates the lifting mechanism 11L to lower the inkjet head unit 11 to a height where the nozzle surface 12F contacts the end cap 72 (see Fig.18 ).

[0082] When image formation is performed, the control unit 2 operates the lifting mechanism 11L to raise the inkjet head unit 11 to the retracted position (see Fig.17 ). Next, the control unit 2 activates the end cap sliding mechanism 32 to accommodate the end cap unit 70 in the housing 31 (starting position, reference Fig.16 ), the lifting mechanism 11L is activated to lower the inkjet head unit 11 to the image forming position (refer to Fig.15 ).

[0083] According to the inkjet recording device 1 involved in the present embodiment described above, the scraper 82 and the receiving member 84 are provided, wherein the scraper slides in a predetermined traveling direction D along the nozzle surface 12F in a state where the top end portion of the scraper is in contact with the nozzle surface 12F of the inkjet head 12; and the receiving member is provided at the end position of the sliding of the scraper 82, and receives the waste liquid W released from the scraper 82. According to this structure, the waste liquid W can be prevented from scattering at the end position of the sliding of the scraper 82.

[0084] According to the inkjet recording device 1 of the present embodiment, the receiving member 84 has the front portion 41 facing the scraper 82 at the front side in the traveling direction D. This configuration can prevent the waste liquid W from scattering in front of the scraper 82 .

[0085] In addition, according to the inkjet recording device 1 of this embodiment, the receiving member 84 has a surrounding portion 42, which surrounds at least one of the side and top of the scraper 82 at the end of the slide. According to this structure, it is possible to prevent the waste liquid W from scattering to at least one of the side and top of the scraper 82 at the end of the slide.

[0086] Furthermore, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a receiving pan (eg, frame 81) that receives the waste liquid W dropped from the receiving member 84. This configuration can prevent the waste liquid W dropped from the receiving member 84 from scattering.

[0087] In addition, according to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the lower side of the receiving member 84 is opened. According to this structure, it is possible to prevent the waste liquid W accumulated in the receiving member 84 from being fixed to the receiving member 84 due to drying.

[0088] In addition, according to the inkjet recording device 1 involved in this embodiment, it has a lifting mechanism 11L and a wiping sliding mechanism 33, wherein the lifting mechanism causes the inkjet head 12 to rise and fall relative to the conveying path 10 for conveying the sheet S; the wiping sliding mechanism causes the receiving plate (for example, the frame 81) to slide between a maintenance position and a starting position, and the maintenance position is located below the inkjet head 12 that is relatively raised by the lifting mechanism 11L; the starting position is located to the side of the maintenance position, and the receiving component 84 is supported on the receiving plate. When performing image formation, the wiping sliding mechanism 33 causes the receiving plate to retreat to the starting position.

[0089] Assuming that the receiving member 84 is disposed on the inkjet head 12 side, in order to avoid interference between the receiving member 84 and the conveying unit 7, a structure is required to make the receiving member 84 retreat during image formation. However, even if the receiving member 84 is retreated upward, the waste liquid W attached to the receiving member 84 may drip onto the sheet S or the conveyor belt 21. According to the present embodiment, the receiving member 84 is supported by the receiving tray, and the receiving member 84 retreats to the starting position together with the receiving tray when image formation is performed, so that the waste liquid W does not drip onto the sheet S or the conveyor belt 21. In addition, there is no need to provide a dedicated device for retreating the receiving member 84.

Claims

1. An inkjet recording device, characterized in that It has a scraper and a receiving component, wherein: The scraper slides in a predetermined traveling direction along the nozzle surface with the tip portion abutting against the nozzle surface of the inkjet head; The receiving component is disposed at the sliding end position of the scraper to receive the waste liquid released from the scraper.

2. The inkjet recording device according to claim 1, wherein The receiving member has a front portion that faces the scraper at the front side in the traveling direction.

3. The inkjet recording device according to claim 2, wherein: The receiving member includes a surrounding portion that surrounds at least one of an upper side and a side of the scraper located at the sliding end position.

4. The inkjet recording device according to claim 1, wherein: A receiving pan is provided to receive the waste liquid dropped from the receiving member.

5. The inkjet recording device according to claim 4, characterized in that The lower side of the receiving component is open.

6. The inkjet recording device according to claim 4, characterized in that: It has a lifting mechanism and a wiping sliding mechanism, wherein: The lifting mechanism causes the inkjet head to be lifted or lowered relative to a conveying path for conveying the sheet; The wiping sliding mechanism causes the receiving plate to slide between a maintenance position and a starting position, wherein the maintenance position is located below the inkjet head that is relatively raised by the lifting mechanism; and the starting position is located to the side of the maintenance position. The receiving member is supported by the receiving pan. When image formation is performed, the wiping slide mechanism retracts the receiving tray to the home position.

7. The inkjet recording device according to claim 1, wherein The scraper is bent and deformed by contacting with the nozzle surface, and the bending deformation is eliminated when the scraper is separated from the nozzle surface at the sliding end position.

8. The inkjet recording device according to claim 6, wherein: After the receiving tray moves to the maintenance position, when the inkjet head descends, the receiving member comes into contact with a portion of the inkjet head other than the nozzle surface.

Images