Inkjet recording apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus. An inkjet recording apparatus includes: a head unit having one or more inkjet heads; an end cap unit having an end cap attached to a nozzle surface of the inkjet head; a wiping unit that is mounted on the end cap unit and that cleans the surface of the nozzle; a cover provided above the wiping unit; an engagement member that is provided so as to be capable of rising and falling, engages with the wiping unit when the wiping unit rises beyond a predetermined height, and separates the wiping unit from the end cap unit; a first cam that lifts and lowers the engagement member; a second cam that moves in conjunction with the first cam and raises and lowers the cover; a lifting device that lifts the head unit relative to a conveyance path in which the sheet is conveyed; and a sliding device which enables the end cap unit to slide between the maintenance position and the starting position. The first cam and the second cam are displaced among a first state, a second state, and a third state. Therefore, the number of driving sources used for maintaining the ink jet head is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] An inkjet recording apparatus is known that has a maintenance device for maintaining an inkjet head. The maintenance device includes, for example, a wiping unit that scrapes off ink remaining on the nozzle surface with a scraper after purging the ink and an end cap unit that mounts an end cap on the nozzle surface during non-printing.

[0003] In order to perform maintenance, it is necessary to increase the distance between the inkjet head and the conveying path for conveying the sheet material, and move the wiping unit and the end cap unit to a position facing the nozzle surface. For example, there is an inkjet recording device, which has: a support member that supports a plurality of maintenance devices; a synchronous moving mechanism that moves the support member between a maintenance position and a retreat position; and an individual moving mechanism that moves each of the plurality of maintenance device groups on the support member in a direction approaching or away from the inkjet head.

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned structure, there is a problem that the number of driving sources increases, resulting in an increase in the size of the device and an increase in cost. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to suppress the number of driving sources for maintaining an inkjet head.

[0006] The inkjet recording device according to the present invention comprises a head unit, an end cap unit, a wiping unit, a cover, a locking component, a first cam, a second cam, a lifting device and a sliding device. The head unit comprises one or more inkjet heads. The end cap unit comprises an end cap mounted on the nozzle surface of the inkjet head. The wiping unit is placed on the end cap unit to clean the nozzle surface. The cover is arranged above the wiping unit. The locking component is arranged to be able to be lifted and lowered, and when it is lifted to a height exceeding a prescribed height, it is engaged with the wiping unit to separate the wiping unit from the end cap unit. The first cam lifts and lowers the locking component. The second cam and the first cam work together to lift and lower the cover. The lifting device lifts and lowers the head unit relative to the conveying path for conveying sheets. The sliding device slides the end cap unit between a maintenance position and a starting position, wherein the maintenance position is a position below the head unit that is relatively lifted by the lifting device, and the starting position is a position to the side of the maintenance position. The first cam and the second cam are displaced between a first state, a second state, and a third state, wherein the first state refers to a state in which the first cam causes the engaging component to be lowered below the specified height and the second cam causes the cover to contact the wiping unit, the second state refers to a state in which the first cam causes the engaging component to be lowered below the specified height and the second cam causes the cover to be raised to exceed the first state, and the third state refers to a state in which the first cam causes the engaging component to be raised to exceed the specified height and the second cam causes the cover to be raised to exceed the first state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the appearance of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 2 It is a front view schematically showing the internal structure of the inkjet recording device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 3 It is a front view schematically showing a head unit and a maintenance device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 4 It is a plan view schematically showing a head unit and a wiping unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 5 It is a plan view schematically showing an end cap unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 6 It is a left side view showing the maintenance device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 7 It is a left side view showing the maintenance device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 8 It is a left side view showing the maintenance device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Fig. 9 It is a perspective view showing the structure of the rear side of the maintenance device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Fig.10 It is a front view showing a first state according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Fig.11 It is a front view showing the second state according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Fig.12 It is a front view showing a third state according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Fig.13 It is a front view showing the operation of the maintenance device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Fig.14 It is a front view showing the operation of the maintenance device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Fig.15 It is a front view showing the operation of the maintenance device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Fig.16 It is a front view showing the operation of the maintenance device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Fig.17 It is a front view showing the operation of the maintenance device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Fig.18 It is a front view showing the operation of the maintenance device according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Below, while referring to the attached Figure 1 An inkjet recording device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0026] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the image forming system 100 . Figure 2 It is a front view schematically showing the internal structure of the inkjet recording device 1 . Figure 3It is a front view schematically showing the head unit 11 and the maintenance device 30 . Figure 4 It is a plan view schematically showing the head unit 11 and the wiping unit 32 . Figure 5 FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the end cap unit 31. Figure 2 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 directions are described based on the direction of observing the inkjet recording device 1 from the front. In each figure, U, Lo, L, R, Fr, and Rr represent up, down, left, right, front, and back, respectively.

[0027] Image forming system 100 (see Figure 1 ) includes a paper supply device 110, an inkjet recording device 1, a drying device 120, and a post-processing device 130. The paper supply device 110 accommodates several thousand sheets S and supplies the sheets S to the inkjet recording device 1. The inkjet recording device 1 forms an image on the sheet S by inkjet. The drying device 120 heats and dries the ink ejected onto the sheet S. The post-processing device 130 performs post-processing such as punching, stapling, and folding on the sheet S.

[0028] Inkjet recording device 1 (refer to Figure 2 ) has a main body shell 3 in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. A conveying unit 7 for sucking a sheet S and conveying it in the Y direction is provided in the central part of the main body shell 3. An imaging unit 6 for ejecting ink to form an image is provided above the conveying unit 7. A paper feed port 8 for introducing a sheet S from a paper feed device 110 is provided on the right side of the main body shell 3. A discharge port 9 is provided on the left side of the main body shell 3, and the discharge port 9 discharges the sheet S with an image formed thereon to a drying device 120. A conveying path 10 is provided inside the main body shell 3, and the conveying path 10 reaches the discharge port 9 from the paper feed port 8 through the gap between the conveying unit 7 and the imaging unit 6. A register roller 18 is provided at a position upstream of the conveying unit 7 in the conveying direction Y.

[0029] The conveying unit 7 has an endless conveyor belt 21 and a suction portion 24. The conveyor belt 21 has a plurality of ventilation holes (not shown in the figure), and is wound around a driving roller 25 and a driven roller 22. The upper surface of the suction portion 24 has a plurality of ventilation holes (not shown in the figure), and is in contact with the inner surface of the conveyor belt 21. The suction portion 24 sucks air through the ventilation holes of the conveyor belt 21 and the ventilation holes of the suction portion 24, thereby causing the sheet S to be adsorbed to the conveyor belt 21. The driving roller 25 is driven counterclockwise by a driving portion (not shown in the figure) including a motor and a reduction gear, thereby causing the conveyor belt 21 to rotate counterclockwise, and the sheet S adsorbed to the conveyor belt 21 is conveyed in the Y direction.

[0030] The imaging unit 6 includes a plurality of (four in this embodiment) head units 11. The head unit 11 (see Figure 3 , 4 ) has one or more inkjet heads 12. Ink cartridges 20 filled with black, cyan, magenta, and yellow inks are connected to the four head units 11, respectively. A maintenance device 30 for maintaining the inkjet heads 12 is provided on the right side of each head unit 11.

[0031] Control unit 2 (refer to Figure 2 ) 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 out 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.

[0032] A display operation unit 19 (see Figure 1 , Figure 2 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, status, etc. of the inkjet recording device 1 on the display panel, and controls various parts of the inkjet recording device 1 according to operations detected by the touch panel and the keyboard.

[0033] The basic image forming operation of the inkjet recording device 1 is as follows. When an image forming job is input to the inkjet recording device 1 by the display operation unit 19, an external computer, etc., the paper feed device 110 feeds the sheet S to the conveying path 10 through the paper feed port 8, and the registration roller 18 stops rotating to correct the skew of the sheet S. When the registration roller 18 feeds the sheet S to the conveying unit 7 at a predetermined time, the conveying unit 7 adsorbs the sheet S to the conveying belt 21 and conveys it in the Y direction. Ink is ejected from the nozzle to the sheet S, thereby forming an image on the sheet S. The sheet S with the image formed thereon is discharged to the drying device 120 through the discharge port 9.

[0034] Next, the characteristic structure of this embodiment is described. Figure 6 to Figure 8 It is a left side view showing the maintenance device 30 . Fig. 9 It is a perspective view showing the structure of the rear side of the maintenance device 30 . Fig.10This is a front view showing the first state. Fig.11 This is a front view showing the second state. Fig.12 This is a front view showing the third state. Figure 13 to Figure 18 It is a front view showing the operation of the maintenance device 30 .

[0035] The inkjet recording device 1 involved in this embodiment includes: a head unit 11, which has one or more inkjet heads 12; an end cap unit 31, which has an end cap 72 mounted on the nozzle surface 12F of the inkjet head 12; a wiping unit 32, which is placed on the end cap unit 31 and cleans the nozzle surface 12F; a cover 33, which is arranged above the wiping unit 32; an engaging member 60, which is arranged to be able to rise and fall, and when it rises to more than a specified height, it engages with the wiping unit 32 to separate the wiping unit 32 from the end cap unit 31; a first cam 41, which raises and lowers the engaging member 60; a second cam 42, which works in conjunction with the first cam 41 and raises and lowers the cover 33; a lifting device 11L, which raises and lowers the head unit 11 relative to the conveying path 10 for conveying the sheet S; and a sliding device 34, which enables the end cap unit 31 to be moved upward and downward. The head unit 31 slides between a maintenance position and a starting position, wherein the maintenance position is a position below the head unit 11 relatively raised by the lifting device 11L, and the starting position is a position to the side of the maintenance position, and the first cam 41 and the second cam 42 are displaced between a first state, a second state, and a third state, wherein the first state refers to a state in which the first cam 41 causes the engaging component 60 to be lowered to below a prescribed height and the second cam 42 causes the cover 33 to contact the wiping unit 32, the second state refers to a state in which the first cam 41 causes the engaging component 60 to be lowered to below a prescribed height and the second cam 42 causes the cover 33 to be raised to exceed the first state, and the third state refers to a state in which the first cam 41 causes the engaging component 60 to be raised to exceed a prescribed height and the second cam 42 causes the cover 33 to be raised to exceed the first state.

[0036] In addition, since the four head units 11 have the same structure and the four maintenance devices 30 have the same structure, the following description will focus on one head unit 11 and one maintenance device 30 provided on the right side thereof (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 3 ).

[0037] [Head unit] The head unit 11 includes a head base 11B (see Figure 3 , Figure 4 ). On the head base 11B, three inkjet heads 12 are arranged in staggered positions. A plurality of nozzle outlets (not shown) are provided on the lower surface of the inkjet head 12, that is, the nozzle surface 12F.

[0038] [Maintenance device] Maintenance device 30 (see Figure 3) is provided on the right side of the head unit 11. The maintenance device 30 includes a cap unit 31, a wiping unit 32, and a cover 33.

[0039] [End cap unit] End cap unit 31 (refer to Figure 3 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 ) has the same number of end caps 72 as the inkjet heads 12 of the head unit 11, and a frame 71 for supporting the end caps 72. The plurality of end caps 72 are arranged in a staggered manner similar to the inkjet heads 12. The end caps 72 are formed in a concave shape that opens upward.

[0040] [Wipe unit] Wiping unit 32 (see Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 6 ) has a waste liquid tray 81 and a cleaning component 82. The waste liquid tray 81 has the same number of recesses 81U as the inkjet heads 12 possessed by the head unit 11. The plurality of recesses 81U are arranged in a staggered manner in the same manner as the inkjet heads 12. The cleaning component 82 is provided in each recess 81U. The cleaning component 82 is, for example, a scraper. The waste liquid tray 81 has a driving portion (not shown) that causes the cleaning component 82 to slide along the nozzle surface 12F. The waste liquid tray 81 is placed on a plurality of end caps 72. In other words, the wiping unit 32 is placed on the end cap unit 31. The upper ends of the front and rear end surfaces of the waste liquid tray 81 are respectively provided with flange portions 81F protruding forward and backward (see Figure 6 ).

[0041] [cover] A cover 33 (see FIG. 1 ) is provided above the wiping unit 32 to cover the waste liquid tray 81. Figure 3 , Figure 6 ). Bosses 33B protruding forward and backward are provided on the front and rear end surfaces of the cover 33, respectively (refer to Figure 6 ). The bosses 33B are provided at two left and right locations on both front and rear end surfaces of the cover 33. The lower end of the tension spring 64 described later is engaged with the bosses 33B.

[0042] [Supporting parts, shafts] Support member 50 (see Figure 6 , Fig. 9 ) are arranged at the front and rear of the maintenance device 30. The two support members 50 are plate-shaped members with the front-to-back direction as the thickness direction, and are fixed to the main body shell 3. The shaft 40 is arranged with the front-to-back direction as the length direction. The front and rear ends of the shaft 40 are supported by bearings 46 provided on the main body shell 3.

[0043] A driven gear 43 and a driving source 44 for driving the driven gear 43 are provided at one of the front and rear ends of the shaft 40 (the front end in this embodiment). The driving source 44 includes, for example, a stepping motor and a gear train (not shown) for transmitting driving force to the driven gear 43.

[0044] A rotation angle detection unit 45 is provided at one of the front and rear ends of the shaft 40 (the rear end in this embodiment). The rotation angle detection unit 45 includes, for example, a photointerrupter and a detection piece (not shown). The detection piece protrudes from the shaft 40 in a direction intersecting the shaft 40. When the photointerrupter detects the detection piece, the control unit 2 determines that the rotation angle of the shaft 40 is at the initial position. The control unit 2 controls the rotation angle of the shaft 40 by the number of pulses output to the stepping motor based on the initial position.

[0045] The engaging component 60, the first cam 41, and the second cam 42 described below are arranged in front and behind the maintenance device 30. Since the structures of the engaging component 60, the first cam 41, and the second cam 42 in front and behind the maintenance device 30 are basically the same, the structure at the rear of the maintenance device 30 is described below.

[0046] [Engagement parts] The engagement member 60 (see Fig. 9 ) is provided in front of the support member 50. The engaging member 60 includes a main body 61, an engaging portion 62 and a boss 63.

[0047] [Main body] The main body 61 is formed in a plate shape with the front-to-rear direction as the thickness direction. The main body 61 and the supporting member 50 face each other front to back. A recess 61U is provided on the front surface of the main body 61. The recess 61U has a bottom 61B and an edge 61E, wherein the bottom 61B is parallel to the front surface of the main body 61, and the edge 61E connects the bottom 61B with the front surface of the main body 61. The edge 61E is formed perpendicularly to the bottom 61B and the front surface of the main body 61. The upper part of the edge 61E is a horizontal surface (contact portion 61C). The first cam 41 contacts the contact portion 61C. When viewed from the front, the portion of the edge 61E below the contact portion 61C is formed in an arc shape.

[0048] A slit 61S1 with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction is provided in the central part of the bottom 61B. The shaft 40 is inserted into the slit 61S1. A slit 61S2 with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction is provided below the recess 61U. A pin 51 is provided at a position corresponding to the slit 61S2 on the front surface of the support member 50. The pin 51 is inserted into the slit 61S2. The diameter of the head of the pin 51 is larger than the width of the slit 61S1 in the left-right direction, and the main body 61 is restricted from moving forward.

[0049] The length of the slit 61S1 is equal to the length of the slit 61S2. When the shaft 40 is located at the upper end of the slit 61S1, the pin 51 is located at the upper end of the slit 61S2. With this structure, the engagement member 60 can be raised and lowered. Figure 6 , Fig. 9 , Fig.10 The engaging member 60 is shown in the lower limit position of the liftable range. Figure 8 , Fig.12 The engaging member 60 is shown in the upper limit position of the liftable range.

[0050] [Fitting part] The engaging portion 62 protrudes from the lower portion of the front surface of the main body 61. The engaging portion 62 is provided at two locations in the left-right direction. The engaging portion 62 is provided at the same height as the lower end portion of the slit 61S2. When the engaging member 60 rises to a predetermined height, the engaging portion 62 engages with the flange portion 81F of the waste liquid tray 81. Furthermore, when the engaging member 60 further rises upward to a height exceeding the predetermined height, the waste liquid tray 81 is lifted up by the engaging portion 62, and the waste liquid tray 81 is separated from the end cap 72 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 8 ).

[0051] The engagement portion 62 is formed in a cylindrical shape. A groove 62G is provided in the upper portion of the engagement portion 62 in the left-right direction (see Fig. 9 ). A protrusion (not shown) is provided on the lower surface of the flange portion 81F, and the protrusion engages with the groove 62G when the engaging member 60 is raised to a predetermined height. By engaging the protrusion with the groove 62G, positional deviation of the cover 33 is suppressed, and the lifting and lowering operation is stabilized.

[0052] In addition, the groove 62G may not be provided. In addition, a horizontal plane may be formed instead of the groove 62G. In addition, the engaging portion 62 may be in any shape such as a prism. In summary, the engaging member 60 involved in the present embodiment is an example of the following structure, that is, when the engaging member 60 further rises to a height exceeding a predetermined height, it engages with the waste liquid tray 81 to separate the waste liquid tray 81 from the end cap unit 31.

[0053] [Boss] The boss 63 protrudes from the upper portion of the front surface of the main body 61. The boss 63 is provided at two locations in the left-right direction. A circumferential groove 63G is provided in the boss 63. The upper end portion of the tension spring 64 described later is engaged with the groove 63G.

[0054] [Cam 1] The first cam 41 is a plate cam or an eccentric cam whose thickness direction is the front-back direction, and is provided on the shaft 40. The first cam 41 does not rotate relative to the shaft 40, but rotates together with the shaft 40 at the same rotation angle as the shaft 40. When viewed from the front, the first cam 41 is arranged inside the recess 61U. The rear surface of the first cam 41 faces the bottom 61B of the recess 61U. The first cam 41 is arranged below the contact portion 61C.

[0055] When the shortest portion (portion with the shortest diameter) of the first cam 41 contacts the contact portion 61C (see Fig.10 , Fig.11 ), the engaging member 60 is located at the lower limit position. On the other hand, when the longest portion (the portion with the longest diameter) of the first cam 41 contacts the contact portion 61C (refer to Fig.12 ), the engaging member 60 is located at the upper limit position.

[0056] [Second Cam] The second cam 42 is a plate cam or an eccentric cam whose thickness direction is the front-to-back direction, and is provided on the shaft 40. The second cam 42 does not rotate relative to the shaft 40, but rotates together with the shaft 40 at the same rotation angle as the shaft 40. The second cam 42 is arranged in front of the first cam 41. When viewed from the front (see Fig.10 ), the first cam 41 is arranged in a manner such that the longest portion (the portion with the longest diameter) is offset by 60° in the clockwise direction relative to the second cam 42.

[0057] Contact members 33C protruding upward are provided at both front and rear ends of the upper surface of the cover 33. The contact member 33C is provided below the second cam 42 and contacts the second cam 42. Alternatively, the second cam 42 may directly contact the upper surface of the cover 33 without providing the contact member 33C.

[0058] When the longest portion of the second cam 42 contacts the contact member 33C (see Fig.10 ), the cover 33 is located at the lower limit position. On the other hand, when the shortest portion of the second cam 42 contacts the contact member 33C (refer to Fig.11 , Fig.12 ), the cover 33 is located at the upper limit position.

[0059] [Extension spring] The tension spring 64 is a coil spring with the vertical direction as the length direction, and is provided at two left and right locations on the front surface of the engaging member 60. The upper end of the tension spring 64 engages with the boss 63 of the engaging member 60, and the lower end of the tension spring 64 engages with the boss 33B of the cover 33.

[0060] [Lifting device] The lifting device 11L is provided at the front and rear of the head base 11B. The lifting device 11L is composed of, for example, a ball screw, a belt drive device, etc. The lifting device 11L lifts the head unit 11 between the image forming position and the retracted position. Fig.13 ) is a position where the distance between the conveying path 10 (the upper surface of the conveying belt 21) for conveying the sheet S and the nozzle surface 12F is a predetermined distance suitable for image formation. The image forming position is the lower limit position of the lifting range of the head unit 11 lifted by the lifting device 11L. The retreat position (refer to Fig.15 ) is a position where the head unit 11 does not interfere with the wiping unit 32 when the cap unit 31 and the wiping unit 32 are slid to the left by the slide device 34 described later. The retracted position is the upper limit position of the lifting range of the head unit 11.

[0061] [Sliding device] Sliding device 34 (refer to Figure 5 ) are provided at the front and rear of the frame 71 of the end cap unit 31. The slide device 34 is composed of, for example, a ball screw, a belt drive device, etc. The slide device 34 slides the end cap unit 31 between the home position and the maintenance position. The home position is located at the image forming position (refer to Fig.13 ) is located on the right side of the head unit 11. The maintenance position is located at the retreat position (refer to Fig.15 ) is located below the head unit 11.

[0062] Next, Figure 6 , Fig.10 , Fig.13 The operation of the head unit 11 and the maintenance device 30 according to this embodiment will be described as an initial state. In the initial state, the head unit 11 is located at the image forming position, and the cap unit 31 is located at the home position. The wiping unit 32 is placed on the cap unit 31, and the cover 33 is in contact with the waste liquid tray 81.

[0063] When viewed from the front, the longest portion (the portion with the longest diameter) of the first cam 41 faces the 8 o'clock direction, and the longest portion of the second cam 42 faces the 6 o'clock direction. In this case, since the shortest portion (the portion with the shortest diameter) of the first cam 41 contacts the contact portion 61C of the engagement member 60, the engagement member 60 is located at the lower limit position. In addition, since the longest portion of the second cam 42 contacts the contact member 33C of the cover 33, the cover 33 is also located at the lower limit position.

[0064] The following operation is performed during the period when the head unit 11 is not performing image formation. The control unit 2 uses the drive source 44 to rotate the shaft 40 by 120 degrees in the counterclockwise direction from the initial state (see Fig.11). Then, the longest portion of the first cam 41 faces the 4 o'clock direction, and the longest portion of the second cam 42 faces the 2 o'clock direction. In this case, since the shortest portion of the first cam 41 also contacts the contact portion 61C of the engaging member 60, the engaging member 60 stays at the lower limit position. On the other hand, since the shortest portion of the second cam 42 contacts the contact portion 33C of the cover 33, the cover 33 rises to the upper limit position and is separated from the waste liquid tray 81 (refer to Figure 7 , Fig.14 ).

[0065] Next, the control unit 2 uses the lifting device 11L to raise the head unit 11 to the retracted position (see Fig.15 ). In addition, the rise of the head unit 11 to the retreat position can be synchronized with the rise of the cover 33 (see Fig.14 ) can be carried out in parallel, or before the cover 33 rises.

[0066] Next, the control unit 2 uses the slide device 34 to slide the end cap unit 31 to the maintenance position (see Fig.16 ). In this case, since the wiping unit 32 is placed on the end cap unit 31, the wiping unit 32 also slides to the maintenance position. Then, the control unit 2 uses the lifting device 11L to lower the head unit 11 to a position (referred to as a wiping position) where the nozzle surface 12F contacts the cleaning component 82 of the wiping unit 32. The control unit 2 slides the cleaning component 82 of the wiping unit 32 to clean the nozzle surface 12F. Before cleaning the nozzle surface 12F, a purification process may be performed on the ink after the viscosity of the ink is forcibly ejected from the nozzle. When the cleaning of the nozzle surface 12F is completed, the control unit 2 uses the sliding device 34 to slide the end cap unit 31 and the wiping unit 32 to the starting position (refer to Fig.15 ).

[0067] Next, the control unit 2 uses the drive source 44 to further rotate the shaft 40 in the counterclockwise direction by 120° (see Fig.12 ). Then, the longest part of the first cam 41 faces the 12 o'clock direction, and the longest part of the second cam 42 faces the 10 o'clock direction. In this case, since the shortest part of the second cam 42 contacts the contact part 33C of the cover 33, the cover 33 stays at the upper limit position, but since the longest part of the first cam 41 contacts the contact part 61C of the engaging part 60, the engaging part 60 rises to the upper limit position. At this time, since the engaging part 62 of the engaging part 60 is engaged with the flange part 81F of the waste liquid tray 81, the wiping unit 32 also rises together with the engaging part 60, and the wiping unit 32 is separated from the end cap unit 31 (refer to Figure 8 , Fig.17 In this case, it is preferable that the wiping unit 32 rises to a position where the waste liquid tray 81 contacts the cover 33 .

[0068] Next, the control unit 2 uses the slide device 34 to slide the end cap unit 31 to the maintenance position (see Fig.18 ). In this case, since the wiper unit 32 is separated from the end cap unit 31, the wiper unit 32 stays at the starting position. Then, the control unit 2 uses the lifting device 11L to lower the head unit 11 to a position (referred to as the end cap position) where the nozzle surface 12F contacts the end cap unit 31. In this way, the end cap 72 is installed on the nozzle surface 12F, which can suppress the viscosity increase of the ink in the nozzle.

[0069] When an image forming job is input, the control unit 2 uses the lifting device 11L to raise the head unit 11 to the retracted position, and uses the slide device 34 to slide the cap unit 31 to the home position (see Fig.17 ). Next, the control unit 2 uses the lifting device 11L to lower the head unit 11 to the image forming position, and uses the driving source 44 to rotate the shaft 40 by 120 degrees in the counterclockwise direction (see Fig.10 ). Then, the engaging member 60 and the cover 33 are lowered to their respective lower limit positions. Returning to the initial state (refer to Figure 6 , Fig.13 ).

[0070] The inkjet recording device 1 according to the present embodiment described above comprises: a head unit 11 having one or more inkjet heads 12; an end cap unit 31 having an end cap 72 mounted on a nozzle surface 12F of the inkjet head 12; a wiping unit 32 mounted on the end cap unit 31 to clean the nozzle surface 12F; a cover 33 disposed above the wiping unit 32; an engaging member 60 disposed to be able to be raised and lowered, and to engage with the wiping unit 32 when raised to a height exceeding a predetermined height, so that the wiping unit 32 is separated from the end cap unit 31; a first cam 41 to raise and lower the engaging member 60; a second cam 42 to move the cover 33 in conjunction with the first cam 41; a lifting device 11L to raise and lower the head unit 11 relative to a conveying path 10 for conveying a sheet S; and a sliding device 34, which The end cap unit 31 is slid between a maintenance position and a starting position, wherein the maintenance position is a position below the head unit 11 relatively raised by the lifting device 11L, and the starting position is a position to the side of the maintenance position, and the first cam 41 and the second cam 42 are displaced between a first state, a second state, and a third state, wherein the first state refers to a state in which the first cam 41 causes the engaging component 60 to be lowered to below a prescribed height and the second cam 42 causes the cover 33 to contact the wiping unit 32, the second state refers to a state in which the first cam 41 causes the engaging component 60 to be lowered to below a prescribed height and the second cam 42 causes the cover 33 to be raised to exceed the first state, and the third state refers to a state in which the first cam 41 causes the engaging component 60 to be raised to exceed a prescribed height and the second cam 42 causes the cover 33 to be raised to exceed the first state.

[0071] In the first state, since the end cap unit 31, the wiping unit 32 and the cover 33 are stacked at the starting position, it is possible to prevent the waste liquid in the wiping unit 32 from drying. In addition, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from being mixed into the end cap 72. In the second state, the end cap unit 31 and the wiping unit 32 are stacked at the starting position, and the cover 33 is separated from the wiping unit 32. In this state, when the end cap unit 31 is slid to the maintenance position by the sliding device 34, the wiping unit 32 is also slid to the maintenance position together with the end cap unit 31, so that the nozzle surface 12F can be cleaned. In addition, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from being mixed into the end cap 72. In the third state, since the wiping unit 32 is separated from the end cap unit 31, it is possible to leave the wiping unit 32 at the starting position and slide only the end cap unit 31 to the maintenance position. Thereafter, by lowering the head unit 11 so that the nozzle surface 12F contacts the end cap unit 31, the end cap 72 can be mounted on the nozzle surface 12F.

[0072] The first state, the second state, and the third state are realized by displacing the first cam 41 and the second cam 42, but since the first cam 41 and the second cam 42 are linked, the first state, the second state, and the third state can be realized by one driving source 44. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the number of driving sources 44 used for maintenance of the inkjet head 12 can be reduced.

[0073] In addition, according to the inkjet recording device 1 involved in this embodiment, the tension spring 64 is provided, the upper end of which is connected to the engaging member 60, and the lower end of which is connected to the cover 33, the second cam 42 is provided above the cover 33, and the cover 33 is pressed downward against the tension spring 64, and the engaging member 60 has a contact portion 61C above the first cam 41 that contacts the first cam 41. According to this structure, the cover 33 is pressed downward by the second cam 42, and the engaging member 60 is pulled downward by the tension spring 64, and the contact portion 61C is pressed against the first cam 41. Since the pressing of the second cam 42 and the cover 33 and the pressing of the first cam 41 and the engaging member 60 are always maintained by the tension spring 64, the operation of the cover 33 and the engaging member 60 can be stabilized.

[0074] According to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, in the third state, the cap 33 is in contact with the wiping unit 32. With this configuration, when the end cap 72 is attached to the nozzle surface 12F, it is possible to prevent the waste liquid in the wiping unit 32 from drying up.

[0075] In addition, according to the inkjet recording device 1 involved in this embodiment, the transition from the first state to the second state, the transition from the second state to the third state, and the transition from the third state to the first state are performed by the rotation of the first cam 41 and the second cam 42 in one direction. According to this structure, the impact caused by the backlash of the driving source 44 that transmits power to the first cam 41 and the second cam 42 can be avoided.

[0076] The above-mentioned embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the first cam 41 and the second cam 42 are arranged so as not to rotate relative to the shaft 40, and a structure in which the first cam 41 and the second cam 42 rotate together with the shaft 40 is shown, but any structure may be used as long as the first cam 41 and the second cam 42 are linked. For example, a structure in which a first shaft and a second shaft are provided, the first cam 41 does not rotate relative to the first shaft, the second cam 42 does not rotate relative to the second shaft, and a driving force is transmitted from the first shaft to the second shaft through a gear train, an endless belt, or the like.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the cover 33 is urged upward by the tension spring 64, but a compression spring may be provided to urge the cover 33 upward. In this case, the lower end of the tension spring 64 may be engaged with the support member 50 or the like.

[0079] In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the engaging member 60 is urged downward by the tension spring 64, but a compression spring for urging the engaging member 60 downward may be provided, or the engaging member 60 may be pressed against the first cam 41 only by gravity. In this case, the upper end of the tension spring 64 may also be engaged with the support member 50 or the like.

[0080] In the above embodiment, an example in which the cleaning member 82 is a scraper is shown, but the cleaning member 82 may be a member that presses a cloth against the nozzle surface 12F via a pad.

[0081] In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the lifting device 11L lifts the head unit 11, but the lifting device 11L may also lift the conveying unit 7. In short, in the present invention, as long as the head unit 11 is lifted relative to the conveying path 10, a space in which the cap unit 31 and the wiping unit 32 can be inserted is formed below the head unit 11.

Claims

1. An inkjet recording device, characterized in that The device comprises: a head unit having one or more inkjet heads; an end cap unit having an end cap mounted on a nozzle surface of the inkjet head; a wiping unit, which is placed on the end cap unit and cleans the nozzle surface; A cover is disposed above the wiping unit; an engaging member, which is arranged to be able to rise and fall, and engages with the wiping unit when it rises to a height exceeding a predetermined height, so that the wiping unit is separated from the end cap unit; a first cam for raising and lowering the engaging member; a second cam, which is linked with the first cam to raise and lower the cover; a lifting device that lifts and lowers the head unit relative to a conveying path for conveying a sheet; and a sliding device that slides the end cap unit between a maintenance position and a starting position, wherein the maintenance position is a position below the head unit that is relatively raised by the lifting device, and the starting position is a position to the side of the maintenance position, The first cam and the second cam are displaced between a first state, a second state, and a third state, wherein the first state refers to a state in which the first cam causes the engaging component to be lowered below the specified height and the second cam causes the cover to contact the wiping unit, the second state refers to a state in which the first cam causes the engaging component to be lowered below the specified height and the second cam causes the cover to be raised to exceed the first state, and the third state refers to a state in which the first cam causes the engaging component to be raised to exceed the specified height and the second cam causes the cover to be raised to exceed the first state.

2. The inkjet recording device according to claim 1, wherein A tension spring is provided, the upper end of the tension spring is connected to the engaging component, and the lower end of the tension spring is connected to the cover. The second cam is disposed above the cover and presses the cover downward against the tension spring. The engaging member has a contact portion which comes into contact with the first cam above the first cam.

3. The inkjet recording device according to claim 1, wherein: In the third state, the cover is in contact with the wiping unit.

4. The inkjet recording device according to claim 1, wherein: The transition from the first state to the second state, the transition from the second state to the third state, and the transition from the third state to the first state are performed by the first cam and the second cam rotating in one direction.

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