Liquid supply mechanism and ink jet recording apparatus including same

Abstract

The invention provides a liquid supply mechanism and an ink jet recording apparatus including the same. The liquid supply mechanism includes: a container that accommodates a liquid; a supply flow path, one end of which is connected to the container and through which the liquid flows; and a discharge member disposed on the supply flow path and discharging the liquid. The discharge member has a filter, a check valve, and a discharge flow path. The filter has a predetermined flow passage resistance for the passing liquid. The check valve opens at a predetermined opening pressure against the passing liquid. When the check valve is opened, the liquid flows through the discharge flow path, and the liquid is discharged from a discharge port formed at the top end part of the discharge flow path. The pressure reduction value of the pressure reduced by the flow path resistance of the filter is greater than the opening pressure of the check valve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid supply mechanism and an inkjet recording device having the liquid supply mechanism. Background Art

[0002] The conventional liquid supply mechanism includes: a container for containing liquid; a supply channel (tube) connected at one end to the container for liquid circulation; a spraying component (head) for spraying liquid supplied from the supply channel; and a check valve. The check valve opens at a predetermined opening pressure in response to bubbles accumulated in the supply channel.

[0003] In the case of adopting the conventional technology, when the supply channel is branched multiple times, the water pressure of the liquid flowing in each branched supply channel changes. Therefore, when a spraying component is arranged for each branched supply channel, there is a problem that the water pressure of the liquid sprayed from the spraying component is biased. Summary of the invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid supply mechanism capable of making the water pressure of liquid ejected from an ejection member uniform, and an inkjet recording device including the liquid supply mechanism.

[0005] A liquid supply mechanism according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a container for accommodating liquid; a supply channel, one end of which is connected to the container and through which liquid circulates; and a spray component, which is arranged on the supply channel and sprays liquid. The spray component includes a filter, a check valve, and a spray channel. The filter has a predetermined channel resistance for the liquid passing through. The check valve opens at a predetermined opening pressure for the liquid passing through. The spray channel circulates liquid when the check valve is opened, and sprays liquid from a spray port formed at the top end. The pressure reduction value caused by the channel resistance of the filter is greater than the opening pressure of the check valve.

[0006] The inkjet recording device of another aspect of the present invention is provided with the above-mentioned liquid supply mechanism, which includes a recording head, a wiping component, a cleaning liquid supply unit, a driving unit and a control unit. The recording head is provided with an ink ejection surface, and the ink ejection surface has an ink ejection port for ejecting ink. The wiping component wipes the ink ejection surface by contacting the ink ejection surface and moving in a predetermined wiping direction. The cleaning liquid supply unit is arranged at a position closer to the upstream side of the wiping direction than the ink ejection surface, and is provided with a cleaning liquid supply surface, and the cleaning liquid supply surface has an ejection port for supplying a cleaning liquid as a liquid for wiping to the ink ejection surface wiped by the wiping component. The driving unit imparts power to move the cleaning liquid in the supply flow channel and press the cleaning liquid out of the ejection port. The control unit controls the cleaning action, and the cleaning action is performed by the wiping component wiping the ink ejection surface with the cleaning liquid. The container contains the cleaning liquid, and the supply flow channel guides the cleaning liquid from the container to the cleaning liquid supply unit. The supply flow channel is branched to form a plurality of branch supply flow channels, and the ejection components are respectively arranged on the branch supply flow channels.

[0007] According to a liquid supply mechanism of one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a liquid supply mechanism capable of making the water pressure of liquid ejected from an ejection member uniform, and an inkjet recording apparatus including the liquid supply mechanism.

[0008] Other objects of the present invention and specific advantages obtained by the present invention will become more apparent from the description of the embodiments described below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 This is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer as an inkjet recording device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 It is a top view of the recording unit included in the printer according to this embodiment. Figure 3 This is a side view of a recording head of a line head constituting a recording section. Figure 4 This is a plan view of the recording head as viewed from the ink ejection surface side. Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining the liquid supply mechanism. Figure 6 It is a longitudinal sectional view showing the periphery of the discharge member of the liquid supply mechanism. Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the cleaning liquid supply component as viewed diagonally from below. Figure 8 This is a side view showing a state where the wiper is arranged below the recording head. Fig. 9 It means from Figure 8 A side view of a state in which the wiper is raised and in pressure contact with the cleaning liquid supply component. Fig.10 It means from Fig. 9 A side view of a state in which the wiper is moved in the direction of arrow A in pressure contact with the cleaning liquid supply component. Fig.11 It means from Fig.10 A side view of a state in which the wiper is further moved in the direction of arrow A. Fig.12 It means from Fig.11 A side view of a state in which the wiper is further moved in the direction of arrow A and then lowered and separated from the ink ejection surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] [1. Structure of inkjet recording device] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer 100 as an inkjet recording device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printer 100 includes a paper cassette 2 as a paper storage unit. The paper cassette 2 is disposed at the lower portion of the printer body 1. Paper P as an example of recording media is stored in the paper cassette 2.

[0011] On the downstream side of the paper feeding direction of the paper feeding cassette 2, that is, Figure 1 A paper feed device 3 is arranged above the right side of the paper feed cassette 2. The paper P is separated one by one by the paper feed device 3 and sent to the Figure 1 The paper is fed out from the upper right side of paper feed cassette 2.

[0012] The printer 100 has a first paper feed path 4a therein. The first paper feed path 4a is located to the upper right of the paper feed cassette 2 in the paper feed direction. The paper P fed from the paper feed cassette 2 is fed vertically upward along the side of the printer body 1 by the first paper feed path 4a.

[0013] A registration roller pair 13 is provided at the downstream end of the first paper feed path 4a in the paper feed direction. Furthermore, the first conveying unit 5 and the recording section 9 are arranged near the downstream side of the registration roller pair 13 in the paper feed direction. The paper P fed from the paper feed cassette 2 passes through the first paper feed path 4a and reaches the registration roller pair 13. The registration roller pair 13 corrects the deviation of the paper P and calculates the timing of the ink ejection operation performed by the recording section 9, and feeds the paper P to the first conveying unit 5 (especially the conveyor belt 8 described later).

[0014] The paper P fed to the first conveying unit 5 by the registration roller pair 13 is conveyed by the conveyor belt 8 to a position opposite to the recording section 9 (particularly, recording heads 17a to 17c described later). By ejecting ink from the recording section 9 to the paper P, an image is recorded on the paper P. At this time, the ejection of ink in the recording section 9 is controlled by the control device 110 inside the printer 100.

[0015] In the paper feeding direction, on the downstream side of the first feeding unit 5 ( Figure 1 On the left side of the paper sheet 10, a second transport unit 12 is disposed. The paper P on which the image is recorded by the recording unit 9 is transported to the second transport unit 12. The ink ejected onto the surface of the paper P is dried while passing through the second transport unit 12.

[0016] A decurling unit 14 is provided downstream of the second conveying unit 12 in the paper conveying direction and near the left side of the printer body 1. The paper P after the ink is dried by the second conveying unit 12 is conveyed to the decurling unit 14, and the curl of the paper P is corrected.

[0017] In the paper feeding direction, on the downstream side of the decurling section 14 ( Figure 1When double-sided recording is not performed, the paper P that has passed through the decurling unit 14 passes through the second paper feeding path 4b and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 15 that is provided on the left side of the printer 100.

[0018] A reversing conveying path 16 for double-sided recording is provided above the printer body 1 and above the recording unit 9 and the second conveying unit 12. When double-sided recording is performed, the paper P that has completed recording on one side (first side) of the paper P and has passed through the second conveying unit 12 and the decurling unit 14 is conveyed to the reversing conveying path 16 through the second paper conveying path 4b.

[0019] The conveying direction of the paper P sent to the reversing conveying path 16 is switched in order to record on the other side (second side) of the paper P. Then, the paper P passes through the upper part of the printer body 1 and is conveyed to the right side, passes through the registration roller pair 13, and is conveyed to the first conveying unit 5 again with the second side facing upward. In the first conveying unit 5, the paper P is conveyed to a relative position opposite to the recording unit 9, and an image is recorded on the second side by the ink ejection from the recording unit 9. The paper P after double-sided recording passes through the second conveying unit 12, the decurling unit 14, and the second paper conveying path 4b in sequence and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 15.

[0020] Furthermore, a maintenance unit 19 and a cap unit 20 are disposed below the second conveying unit 12. The maintenance unit 19 moves horizontally below the recording unit 9 when cleaning is performed, and wipes the nozzles 18a (see FIG. 1 ) of the recording heads 17a to 17c. Figure 2 ) and recover the wiped ink. In addition, cleaning refers to the action of forcibly pressing out ink from the nozzles 18a of the recording heads 17a to 17c in order to discharge the thickened ink, foreign matter, bubbles, etc. in the nozzles 18a.

[0021] The cap unit 20 is horizontally moved below the recording section 9 when capping the ink ejection surfaces of the recording heads 17 a to 17 c , and then is moved upward to be attached to the lower surfaces of the recording heads 17 a to 17 c .

[0022] Figure 2 The figure shows the recording unit 9 of the printer 100 as viewed from above. The recording unit 9 includes a head housing 10 and line heads 11C, 11M, 11Y, and 11K held by the head housing 10. These line heads 11C to 11K are supported at a height with a predetermined interval (e.g., 1 mm) relative to the conveying surface of the conveyor belt 8, such as Figure 2 As shown, along the paper width direction ( Figure 2In the vertical direction of the display panel, a plurality of (here, three) recording heads 17a to 17c are arranged in a staggered manner. In addition, since the three recording heads 17a to 17c of each color have the same shape and the same structure, the identification symbols (a, b, c) are omitted in the following description.

[0023] Figure 3 1 is a side view of a recording head 17 of the line heads 11C to 11K constituting the recording unit 9. Figure 4 This is a plan view of the recording head 17 as viewed from the ink ejection surface F1 side.

[0024] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a plurality of nozzles 18a (see FIG. 1 ) are arranged on an ink ejection surface (nozzle surface) F1 of the head portion 18 of the recording head 17. Figure 2 ) of the nozzle areas Ra to Rd. At least the ink ejection surface F1 of the head 18 is formed of, for example, SUS (stainless steel). The ink ejection surface F1 is subjected to a water-repellent treatment by coating a fluorine-based or silicon-based water-repellent agent.

[0025] Inks of four colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) stored in ink cartridges (not shown) are supplied to the recording heads 17 constituting the line heads 11C to 11K for each color of the line heads 11C to 11K.

[0026] Each recording head 17 is controlled by a control unit 110 (see Figure 1 ) and in accordance with image data received from an external computer, ink is ejected from the nozzle 18a to the paper P being held by adsorption on the conveying surface of the conveyor belt 8. As a result, a color image formed by overlapping four colors of ink, cyan, magenta, yellow and black, is formed on the paper P on the conveyor belt 8. In addition, the recording head 17 is provided with a cleaning liquid supplying member 60 for supplying a cleaning liquid for the inkjet recording head (hereinafter referred to as the cleaning liquid).

[0027] Figure 5 : is an explanatory diagram showing a liquid supply mechanism 200. The liquid supply mechanism 200 comprises: a container 98 for storing a cleaning liquid (liquid); a supply flow path 90, which is composed of a tube connected to the container 98 at one end and through which the cleaning liquid flows; ejection components 71a to 71c, which are arranged on the supply flow path 90 and eject the cleaning liquid; and a pump (not shown). The ejection components 71a to 71c are connected to the cleaning liquid supply component 60.

[0028] In the present embodiment, the supply channel 90 has a supply connection portion 97 at one end and a discharge connection portion 96 at the other end. The supply connection portion 97 is connected to the output side of a pump (not shown). The input side of the pump is connected to a container 98. The pump imparts power to move the cleaning liquid in the supply channel 90 and to press the cleaning liquid out of the cleaning liquid supply port 60a. That is, both ends of the supply channel 90 are connected to a pump that circulates the cleaning liquid (liquid) by means of a container 98. In the present embodiment, one pump is provided for each liquid channel, that is, one pump is provided for each color. In addition, the pump becomes an example of a driving unit.

[0029] In addition, in the present embodiment, the lengths of the respective flow channels from the supply connection portion 97 to the respective ejection components 71a to 71c in the three recording heads 17a, 17b, and 17c of the same color are different. Specifically, the supply flow channel 90 extending from the supply connection portion 97 branches at the branch portion 92a. The supply flow channel 90 on one side branched at the branch portion 92a is connected to the ejection component 71a. In addition, the supply flow channel 90 on the other side branched at the branch portion 92a branches again at the branch portion 92b. The supply flow channel 90 on one side branched at the branch portion 92b is connected to the ejection component 71b. In addition, the supply flow channel 90 on the other side branched at the branch portion 92b is connected to the ejection component 71c.

[0030] In addition, the supply flow channel 90 passing through the ejection components 71a to 71c merges at the branching portion 92c and is connected to the discharge connection portion 96. In the present embodiment, the discharge connection portion 96 is connected to an opening and closing valve (not shown) so that the cleaning liquid flowing through the supply flow channel 90 can be stopped or flowed. That is, an opening and closing valve that can open and close the supply flow channel 90 of the liquid is further provided on the downstream side of the ejection components 71a to 71c. In addition, in the present embodiment, the supply flow channel 90 branched multiple times merges at the branching portion (merging portion) 92c on the downstream side of the ejection component, and the opening and closing valve (not shown) is arranged on the downstream side of the branching portion (merging portion) 92c of the supply flow channel 90. By arranging the opening and closing valve on the downstream side of the branching portion (merging portion) 92c of the supply flow channel 90, the water pressure of the cleaning liquid ejected from the ejection components 71a to 71c can be made uniform by controlling one opening and closing valve, so that the manufacturing cost of the printer 100 can be reduced. In addition, the on-off valves may be provided on the downstream side of the discharge members 71a to 71c and on the upstream side of the branching portion (merging portion) 92c.

[0031] In this embodiment, since the supply flow channel 90 is branched multiple times and the lengths of the flow channels from the pump (not shown) to the ejection parts 71a to 71c are different, the water pressure of the cleaning liquid in the ejection parts 71a to 71c is different. Therefore, there is a possibility that the water pressure of the cleaning liquid ejected from the ejection parts 71a to 71c may be biased. In response to this, the ejection parts 71a to 71c are configured as follows to make the ejection amount of the cleaning liquid in each ejection part 71a to 71c uniform.

[0032] Figure 6 It is a side cross-sectional view showing the periphery of the ejection member 71a. In the following description, the ejection member 71a is illustrated, but since the structures of the ejection members 71b and 71c are basically the same, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0033] The discharge member 71a includes a cap 80, a filter 99, a cylindrical portion 72, a biasing spring 74, and a check valve 73. The inner diameter of the upper portion of the cylindrical portion 72 is larger than the inner diameter of the lower portion of the cylindrical portion 72. The biasing spring 74 and the check valve 73 are arranged at the upper portion of the cylindrical portion 72. The check valve 73 is a spherical member having a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the upper portion of the cylindrical portion 72.

[0034] The outer diameter of the urging spring 74 is smaller than the inner diameter of the upper portion of the cylindrical portion 72 and larger than the inner diameter of the lower portion of the cylindrical portion 72. The urging spring 74 is disposed between the step 72a formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 72 and the check valve 73.

[0035] The cover 80 is mounted on the outer side of the cylindrical portion 72. The cover 80 includes a large-diameter cylindrical portion 81, a small-diameter cylindrical portion 82, and a connecting portion 83 which are coaxially arranged with the cylindrical portion 72. The cylindrical portion 72 is arranged on the inner circumferential surface of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 81 via an O-ring 76. The upper end surface of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 82 is sealed, and the upper portion of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 82 is connected to the supply flow channel 90. The connecting portion 83 connects the upper end of the large-diameter cylindrical portion 81 and the lower end of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 82 and forms a ring shape. As it moves toward the upper side, the inner diameter of the connecting portion 83 becomes smaller. An O-ring 75 is arranged on the inner circumferential surface of the connecting portion 83.

[0036] The cover 80 is covered by a plate-shaped holding member 78 , and both sides of the holding member 78 are fixed to the cleaning liquid supply member 60 by screws 79 .

[0037] The small diameter cylindrical portion 82 of the cap 80 and the interior of the cylindrical portion 72 communicate with the supply flow path 90 to form a discharge flow path 95. The cleaning liquid flowing through the supply flow path 90 is supplied to the discharge port 72b formed at the lower end of the cylindrical portion 72 through the discharge flow path 95.

[0038] The filter 99 is disposed between the supply flow path 90 and the check valve 73 in the discharge flow path 95, and has a predetermined flow path resistance for the cleaning liquid. Thus, the water pressure of the cleaning liquid that passes through the supply flow path 90 and flows into the discharge flow path 95 is reduced when passing through the filter 99, and then the cleaning liquid flows to the downstream side of the discharge component 71a.

[0039] The check valve 73 is urged by the urging spring 74 toward the supply flow path 90, and abuts against the connection setting portion 83 via the O-ring 75. Thus, the discharge flow path 95 on the supply flow path 90 side is closed by the check valve 73. At this time, when the water pressure of the cleaning liquid after the pressure reduction by the filter 99 exceeds the predetermined opening pressure, the check valve 73 overcomes the pressing force of the urging spring 74 and leaves the O-ring 75. Thus, the check valve 73 is opened, and the cleaning liquid passes through the discharge flow path 95 and is discharged from the discharge port 72b.

[0040] At this time, the pressure reduction value caused by the flow resistance of the filter 99 is greater than the opening pressure of the check valve 73. The water pressure of the cleaning liquid (liquid) passing through each ejection component 71a~71c is reduced by the filter 99 to a predetermined value or less. Thus, even if the water pressure of the cleaning liquid flowing through each branched supply flow channel 90 is different in each ejection component 71a~71c, the water pressure is reduced by the filter 99 without opening the check valve 73. On the other hand, when the on-off valve (not shown) is closed, the water pressure of the cleaning liquid flowing through each branched supply flow channel 90 rises. When the water pressure of the cleaning liquid reaches a predetermined value, the check valve 73 is opened to eject the cleaning liquid from each ejection port 72b.

[0041] Thus, until the water pressure of each ejection component 71a to 71c rises to a predetermined value or more, the water pressure of the cleaning liquid passing through each ejection component 71a to 71c is equalized. Therefore, the check valve 73 can be opened to equalize the water pressure of the cleaning liquid ejected from each ejection component 71a to 71c. Thus, the extrusion amount of the cleaning liquid in each ejection component 71a to 71c can be made uniform. In addition, by providing the check valve 73 in each ejection component 71a to 71c, it is possible to prevent the cleaning liquid from flowing out of each ejection component 71a to 71c due to the water level difference. In addition, it is possible to prevent bubbles from entering the supply flow channel 90 from the ejection port 72b.

[0042] In addition, it is more preferable that the pressure reduction value caused by the flow resistance of the filter 99 is three times or more of the opening pressure of the check valve 73. Thus, the water pressure of the cleaning liquid (liquid) passing through each ejection component 71a to 71c is further reduced to a predetermined value or less by the filter 99. Therefore, the extrusion amount of the cleaning liquid in each ejection component 71a to 71c can be made more uniform.

[0043] In addition, it is preferable that the opening pressure of the check valve 73 of the discharge member 71a is set to be larger than the pressure reduction value reduced by the flow resistance in the supply flow path 90 from the downstream of the discharge member 71a to the container 98. In addition, it is preferable that the total of the flow resistance in the discharge flow path 95 to the discharge port 72b, including the pressure reduction value reduced by the flow resistance of the filter 99 and the opening pressure of the check valve 73, is set to be twice or more the flow resistance in the supply flow path 90 from the downstream of the discharge member 71a to the container 98. In this way, the check valve 73 can be opened to make the water pressure discharged from the discharge member 71a more uniform.

[0044] Similarly, the opening pressure of the check valve 73 of the ejection component 71b is set to be larger than the reduced pressure value reduced by the flow resistance in the supply flow channel 90 from the downstream of the ejection component 71b to the container 98, and the sum of the reduced pressure value reduced by the flow resistance of the filter 99 and the flow resistance in the ejection flow channel 95 to the ejection port 72b of the opening pressure of the check valve 73 is more than twice the flow resistance in the supply flow channel 90 from the downstream of the ejection component 71b to the container 98.

[0045] In addition, the opening pressure of the check valve 73 of the ejection component 71c is set to be larger than the reduced pressure value reduced by the flow resistance in the supply flow channel 90 from the downstream of the ejection component 71c to the container 98, and the sum of the reduced pressure value reduced by the flow resistance of the filter 99 and the flow resistance in the ejection flow channel 95 to the ejection port 72b of the opening pressure of the check valve 73 is more than twice the flow resistance in the supply flow channel 90 from the downstream of the ejection component 71c to the container 98.

[0046] like Figure 7 As shown, at the upstream side ( Figure 7 The downstream side (on the right side) of the cleaning liquid supply surface F2 in the wiping direction is formed with an inclined surface 62. Figure 7 The portion (on the left side) is formed into a thin plate shape and is arranged so as to overlap with the end of the ink ejection surface F1 of the head 18.

[0047] A cleaning liquid supply port 60a is disposed on the cleaning liquid supply surface F2 of the cleaning liquid supply member 60. The cleaning liquid supply port 60a is connected to the ejection port 72b. A plurality of cleaning liquid supply ports 60a may be disposed in a staggered manner at a predetermined pitch in the wiping direction (arrow A direction) and in the head width direction (arrow BB′ direction) perpendicular to the wiping direction. By disposing in this way, cleaning liquid can be supplied in the head width direction.

[0048] 〔2. Recording head recovery operation〕 Next, the recovery operation of the recording head 17 in the printer 100 will be described. In the printer 100, in order to clean the ink ejection surface F1 of the recording head 17, the recovery operation of all the recording heads 17 is performed at the start of printing after a long period of inactivity and between printing operations in preparation for the next printing operation.

[0049] When the recording head 17 is restored, the first conveying unit 5 disposed opposite to the lower surface of the recording unit 9 is lowered. Furthermore, the maintenance unit 19 is moved from the retracted position (see FIG. 1 ) by a unit moving mechanism (not shown). Figure 1 ) moves downward to the recording section 9.

[0050] (Ink pressing action) Before performing the wiping operation (the wiping operation described later), the control unit 110 (see Figure 1 ) control signal supplies ink to the recording head 17. Figure 8 As shown, the supplied ink is forcibly pushed out (cleaned) from the nozzle 18a as the cleaning ink 22. By this cleaning operation, the thickened ink, foreign matter, and air bubbles in the nozzle 18a are discharged, and the recording head 17 can be restored.

[0051] (Cleaning liquid supply operation) In addition, before the wiping operation is performed, a cleaning liquid is supplied to the recording head 17 according to a control signal from the control unit 110. Figure 8 As shown, the cleaning liquid 23 is supplied in a predetermined amount from the cleaning liquid supply port 60a to the cleaning liquid supply surface F2.

[0052] (Erasing action) like Fig. 9 As shown, by raising the maintenance unit 19 by a unit raising and lowering mechanism (not shown), the wiper 35 is brought into contact with the inclined surface 62 of the cleaning liquid supply member 60 of the recording head 17 at a predetermined pressure.

[0053] The wiper 35 is an elastic member (e.g., a rubber member formed of EPDM) for wiping the cleaning ink 22 pressed out from the nozzles 18a of each recording head 17 and the cleaning liquid 23 supplied from the cleaning liquid supply port 60a. The wiper 35 is in pressure contact with a portion (here, the inclined surface 62) on the upstream side of the cleaning liquid supply member 60 in the wiping direction, and wipes the cleaning liquid supply surface F2 and the ink ejection surface F1 in a predetermined direction (arrow A direction) by movement of a carriage (not shown).

[0054] The wiper 35 is moved along the cleaning liquid supply surface F2 in the direction of the nozzle areas Ra to Rd (in the direction of arrow A) from the state where the tip of the wiper 35 is in pressure contact with the inclined surface 62 of the cleaning liquid supply member 60. Fig.10After the cleaning liquid 23 is wiped off as shown, it moves toward the nozzle areas Ra to Rd while the cleaning liquid 23 is held.

[0055] Moreover, if Fig.11 As shown in the figure, the wiper 35 moves in the left direction (arrow A direction) along the ink ejection surface F1 while maintaining the state of holding the cleaning liquid 23 and the cleaning ink 22. At this time, the ink droplets attached and solidified on the ink ejection surface F1 are swollen and dissolved by the cleaning liquid 23 and the cleaning ink 22, and are wiped off by the wiper 35. Moreover, if the wiper 35 moves further in the left direction (arrow A direction) and reaches the end on the opposite side of the nozzle area Ra~Rd and the cleaning liquid supply component 60, the movement in the left direction is stopped. The cleaning liquid 23 and the cleaning ink 22 wiped off by the wiper 35 are recovered in the waste ink recovery tray (not shown) provided in the maintenance unit 19.

[0056] (Separation action) After performing the erase action, if Fig.12 As shown, the wiper 35 is lowered and separated from the ink ejection surface F1. Then, the maintenance unit 19 disposed between the recording unit 9 and the first conveying unit 5 is horizontally moved to a evacuation position below the second conveying unit 12, and the first conveying unit 5 is raised to a predetermined position. In this way, the recovery operation of the recording head 17 is completed.

[0057] As described above, after the cleaning liquid 23 is supplied from the cleaning liquid supply port 60a, the wiper 35 is moved along the ink ejection surface F1 from a position upstream of the cleaning liquid supply port 60a in the wiping direction, so that the wiper 35 can wipe the ink ejection surface F1 while holding the cleaning liquid 23.

[0058] Thus, the ink droplets adhered and solidified on the ink ejection surface F1 can be swollen and wiped off by the cleaning liquid 23, so that the ink ejection surface F1 can be easily and reliably cleaned. In addition, since the lubricity between the ink ejection surface F1 and the wiper 35 is improved by the cleaning liquid 23, the water-proof film of the ink ejection surface F1 can be effectively prevented from falling off due to friction with the wiper 35.

[0059] Furthermore, the cleaning liquid 23 can be left on the wiped ink ejection surface F1 by wiping the cleaning liquid 23 together with the cleaning ink 22 by the wiper 35. Thus, the deterioration of the straightness of the ink (flying deviation), the occurrence of non-ejection, etc. can be suppressed for a long period of time, the image quality can be maintained, and the drying of the ink droplets and mist attached to the ink ejection surface F1 can be suppressed.

[0060] (Cleaning liquid application action) In the recovery action of the recording head described above, an application action of the cleaning liquid 23 to the ink ejection surface F1 may also be added. Specifically, after the wiping action, the cleaning liquid 23 is supplied again from the cleaning liquid supply port 60a to the cleaning liquid supply surface F2 in a predetermined amount. Furthermore, the wiper 35 is moved to the upstream side of the wiping direction and is in pressure contact with the inclined surface 62, and the wiper 35 is moved along the cleaning liquid supply surface F2 in the direction of arrow A, so that the cleaning liquid 23 is retained on the wiper 35. In this state, the wiper 35 is moved along the ink ejection surface F1 in the direction of arrow A. Thus, the cleaning liquid 23 is evenly applied to the ink ejection surface F1. After the application action of the cleaning liquid 23 is completed, the wiper 35 is lowered and separated from the ink ejection surface F1.

[0061] When only the cleaning ink 22 and the cleaning liquid 23 are wiped off together, the cleaning liquid 23 containing ink components will remain on the ink ejection surface F1. Therefore, by applying the cleaning liquid 23, only the cleaning liquid 23 can be applied to the ink ejection surface F1. As a result, the drying of the ink ejection surface F1 can be suppressed, and the drying and solidification of ink droplets and mist attached to the ink ejection surface F1 after the cleaning liquid 23 is applied can be effectively suppressed.

[0062] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various changes can be made within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0063] The present invention can be applied to an inkjet recording device having a nozzle for ejecting aqueous ink onto a recording medium. By applying the present invention, an inkjet recording device and a method for cleaning a recording head can be provided, and ink adhered and solidified on the nozzle surface of the recording head can be peeled off and dissolved to improve ink ejection defects.

Claims

1. A liquid supply mechanism, characterized in that: include: Container, to hold liquid; a supply channel, one end of which is connected to the container for liquid circulation; and The ejection component is arranged on the supply flow channel and ejects the liquid. The ejection component comprises: A filter having a predetermined flow resistance for the liquid passing therethrough; Check valve, opens at a predetermined opening pressure for the passing liquid; as well as The discharge flow channel flows the liquid when the check valve is opened, and discharges the liquid from the discharge port formed at the top end. The pressure reduction value obtained by reducing the pressure due to the flow resistance of the filter is greater than the opening pressure of the check valve.

2. The liquid supply mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressure reduction value caused by the flow resistance of the filter is three times or more the opening pressure of the check valve.

3. The liquid supply mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The opening pressure of the check valve is greater than the pressure reduction value caused by the flow path resistance in the supply flow path from the downstream of the ejection member to the container. The sum of the flow resistance in the discharge flow path up to the discharge port, including the pressure reduction value due to the flow resistance of the filter and the opening pressure of the check valve, is more than twice the flow resistance in the supply flow path from the downstream of the discharge component to the container.

4. The liquid supply mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The supply channel is branched multiple times, The ejection members are respectively arranged on the branched supply flow paths.

5. The liquid supply mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: An on-off valve capable of opening and closing the supply flow path of the liquid is further provided on the downstream side of the ejection member.

6. The liquid supply mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that: The supply flow paths branched multiple times merge at a confluence portion on the downstream side of the ejection component. Furthermore, the on-off valve is arranged on the downstream side of the confluent portion of the supply flow channel.

7. The liquid supply mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that: Both ends of the supply flow channel are connected to a pump that circulates the liquid.

8. An inkjet recording device comprising the liquid supply mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: include: A recording head having an ink ejection surface, wherein the ink ejection surface has an ink ejection port for ejecting ink; a wiping member that wipes the ink ejection surface by contacting the ink ejection surface and moving in a predetermined wiping direction; a cleaning liquid supply portion, disposed at a position further upstream than the ink ejection surface in the wiping direction, and having a cleaning liquid supply surface having the ejection port for supplying the cleaning liquid for wiping as the liquid to the ink ejection surface wiped by the wiping member; a driving unit that imparts power to move the cleaning liquid in the supply flow channel and to press the cleaning liquid out of the ejection port; as well as a control unit for controlling a cleaning operation in which the wiping member wipes the ink ejection surface using the cleaning liquid; The container contains the cleaning liquid. The supply flow channel guides the cleaning liquid from the container to the cleaning liquid supply part. The supply flow channel is branched to form a plurality of branch supply flow channels, The ejection components are respectively arranged on the branch supply flow channels.

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