Liquid discharge apparatus

Abstract

A liquid discharge apparatus includes: a cover configured to cover a discharge port surface of a discharge head that discharges liquid; an absorption member provided in the cover so as to face the discharge port surface; a supply member for supplying the liquid to the absorption member via a supply port provided in the cover; and a discharge member for discharging the liquid absorbed in the absorption member through an outlet provided in the cover. The supply port is provided at a position higher than the outlet. The supply port is provided at a position equal to or higher than a surface of the absorption member in a thickness direction of the absorption member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to liquid discharge apparatus. Background Art

[0002] In a liquid discharge device that discharges a liquid such as ink, a technique is known in which a discharge port face is covered with a cap in order to maintain or restore the discharge performance of the discharge head (for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-109331). Also known is a device in which an absorption member for absorbing liquid is provided in the cap (for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-30421). In a device having an absorption member, for example, the liquid on the discharge port face can be absorbed by the absorption member by bringing the absorption member into contact with the liquid on the discharge port face.

[0003] In an apparatus provided with an absorbent member, the absorbent member becomes dirty as it is used. The absorbent member can be cleaned by supplying a cleaning liquid to the absorbent member and draining the cleaning liquid, however, considering the operating efficiency of the apparatus, it is not desirable to spend time cleaning the absorbent member. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention provides a technology related to a cover.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid discharge device, comprising: a cover configured to cover a discharge port surface of a discharge head for discharging liquid; an absorbing member disposed in the cover so as to face the discharge port surface; a supply component for supplying liquid to the absorbing member via a supply port disposed in the cover; and a discharge component for discharging liquid absorbed in the absorbing member via an outlet disposed in the cover, wherein the supply port is disposed at a position higher than the outlet and, in the thickness direction of the absorbing member, the supply port is disposed at a position equal to or higher than the surface of the absorbing member.

[0006] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to the attached drawings). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1A is a front view of the liquid discharge system;

[0008] Figure 1B It is a diagram showing the composition Figure 1A An explanatory diagram of the internal structure of the liquid discharge device of the system;

[0009] Figure 2A is an illustration of the carriage and the maintenance unit;

[0010] Figure 2B is an explanatory diagram of a discharge port surface of a discharge head;

[0011] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the cover unit;

[0012] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the cover unit;

[0013] Figure 5 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

[0014] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a cleaning mode of an absorbent member;

[0015] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B are diagrams each illustrating a cleaning mode of an absorbent member;

[0016] Figure 8 is a block diagram of a control unit of a liquid discharge device;

[0017] Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performed by the control unit;

[0018] FIG. 10A to FIG. 10D are explanatory diagrams each illustrating an operation example of the maintenance unit;

[0019] FIG. 11A to FIG. 11D are explanatory diagrams each illustrating an operation example of the maintenance unit;

[0020] Fig. 12A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation example of the maintenance unit;

[0021] Fig. 12B is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of the cover unit;

[0022] Fig.13 This is an illustration of a full-width discharge head;

[0023] FIG. 14A to FIG. 14C is an explanatory diagram of a cap unit corresponding to a full-width type discharge head; and

[0024] Fig.15A and Fig. 15B are explanatory diagrams each illustrating another example of the cover unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. A plurality of features are described in the embodiments, but the invention is not limited to requiring all of these features, and a plurality of such features may be combined as appropriate. In addition, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar structures, and their repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0026] <First Embodiment>

[0027] Figure 1A : is a front view of the liquid discharge system 1. In each figure, arrows X, Y and Z indicate directions intersecting each other, and in the present embodiment, they are orthogonal to each other. When the system 1 is installed on a horizontal surface, it is assumed that the left-right direction is the X direction, the front-back direction is the Y direction and the up-down direction is the Z direction.

[0028] The liquid discharge system 1 of the present embodiment is a printing system, which includes a liquid discharge device 2 and a liquid supply device 7 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is used to print an image by discharging ink onto a printing medium such as paper. The liquid discharge device 2 and the liquid supply device 7 are arranged side by side with each other in the X direction. The liquid supplied by the liquid supply device 7 to the liquid discharge device 2 is ink, and the liquid discharge device 2 is a printing device that discharges ink onto a printing medium. However, the present invention is not limited to a printing device, but can be applied to various liquid discharge devices for discharging liquid onto a medium.

[0029] Note that "printing" includes not only the case of forming important information such as characters, graphics, etc., but also the case of forming images, graphics, patterns, etc. on a printing medium in a broad sense, or the case of processing the printing medium, regardless of whether the information formed is important or unimportant, and regardless of whether the information formed is visible so as to be visually perceived by humans. In addition, in the present embodiment, although a sheet of paper is assumed as the "printing medium", cloth, plastic film, etc. may also be used.

[0030] <Liquid supply equipment>

[0031] The liquid supply device 7 is a device for supplying ink to be discharged from the discharge head 14 of the liquid discharge device 2 to the liquid discharge device 2. Casters 7b are provided at the bottom surface of the liquid supply device 7, so that the liquid supply device 7 can be moved on the floor relatively easily. The liquid supply device 7 includes a plurality of storage portions 7a, and the storage portions 7a store containers for containing ink. Each container is connected to the liquid discharge device 2 via a tube, and the ink in each container is supplied to the discharge head 14 via the tube.

[0032] The liquid supply device 7 is positioned adjacent to the bracket 4 and below the end portion (the portion in which the maintenance unit 8 is built) on one side of the liquid discharge device 2 in the X direction. Thus, the liquid discharge system 1 can be miniaturized. The liquid supply device 7 can be moved to a position where the liquid supply device 7 contacts the bracket 4 in the X direction.

[0033] <Liquid discharge equipment>

[0034] Apart from Figure 1A In addition, reference will be made to Figure 1B The liquid discharge device 2 is described. Figure 1B 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the internal structure of the liquid discharge device 2. The liquid discharge device 2 is provided with a pair of left and right brackets 4 and a main body 3 supported on the pair of brackets 4. Each bracket 4 has a caster 4a, and the liquid discharge device 2 can be moved on the floor relatively easily using the caster 4a. A feeding unit 13 and a winding unit 5 are arranged below the main body 3. In the case of the present embodiment, the printing medium M is a roll of paper, and the feeding unit 13 has a shaft for winding the printing medium M. The winding unit 5 has a shaft for winding the printing medium M. In the case of the present embodiment, the roll of paper is exemplified as the printing medium M, but cut paper can also be used.

[0035] The main body 3 is provided with a conveying unit 11. The conveying unit 11 has a driving roller and a driven roller extending in the X direction, and the printing medium M fed from the feeding unit 13 is sandwiched between the roller gap portions of these rollers. The printing medium M is conveyed to the platen 12 in the Y direction by the rotation of the driving roller. The discharge head 14 mounted on the carriage 6 is configured to be opposite to the platen 12. The discharge head 14 is a printing head that discharges liquid ink to form an image. By discharging ink from the discharge head 14 to the printing medium M conveyed to the platen 12, an image is printed on the printing medium M. The printing medium M on which the image has been printed is wound by the winding unit 5. The printing medium M on which the image has been printed can be cut by a user with scissors or the like, or can be automatically cut by a cutter (not shown).

[0036] The maintenance unit 8 is arranged in the main body 3. The maintenance unit 8 is arranged outside the printing area (outside the discharge area) of the discharge head 14, and performs processing related to recovery and maintenance of the discharge performance of the discharge head 14, etc. As such processing, for example, a pre-discharge processing of discharging a predetermined amount of ink before and after the printing operation and a processing of sucking residual ink from the discharge port of the discharge head 14, etc. can be cited. Figure 1A As shown, when such processing is required, the discharge head 14 is moved to the maintenance unit 8.

[0037] In the present embodiment, the bracket 4 is arranged at a position slightly outside the width of the print medium M in the X direction, so as to support the feed unit 13 and the take-up unit 5 of high weight while supporting the main body 3. The main body 3 has a portion extending to the outside in one direction of the X direction than the bracket 4, and the maintenance unit 8 is arranged (built-in) in the extended portion. The main body 3 also has a portion extending to the outside in another direction of the X direction than the print medium M, and a waste liquid box 9 is provided below the extended portion. The waste liquid (waste ink, etc.) sucked by the maintenance unit 8 flows into the waste liquid box 9 and is collected. The waste liquid box 9 can be arranged near the maintenance unit 8. However, in the present embodiment, by arranging the waste liquid box 9 in the empty space below the end of the main body 3, the installation area of ​​the liquid discharge device 2 is reduced.

[0038] Reference Figure 2A and Figure 2B , the structure related to the discharge head 14 and the maintenance unit 8 will be described. Figure 2A It is a plan view of the interior of the main body 3 , and is particularly an explanatory view of the carriage 6 and the maintenance unit 8 . Figure 2B It is an explanatory diagram of the discharge port surface 140 of the discharge head 14 .

[0039] The discharge head 14 is mounted on the carriage 6. In the present embodiment, as the discharge head 14, three discharge heads 14A to 14C are mounted on the bracket 6. The three discharge heads 14A to 14C are arranged in the X direction. Each of the discharge heads 14A to 14C discharges a different type of ink. For example, the discharge head 14A discharges a reactive fluid. The discharge heads 14B and 14C discharge color material ink. The color material ink is, for example, nine types including black, cyan, yellow, magenta, etc. In this case, for example, respectively, the discharge head 14B discharges six types of ink and the discharge head 14C discharges the remaining three types of ink.

[0040] Each of the discharge heads 14A to 14C has a discharge port face 140 on its lower surface. A plurality of discharge ports 140a for discharging ink are formed on the discharge port face 140. The discharge ports 140a form a discharge port array along the Y direction. Each discharge port 140a is provided with a discharge energy generating element, such as an electrothermal conversion element (heater) or a piezoelectric element, etc. When the electrothermal conversion element is used, the generated heat causes the ink to foam, and by utilizing its foaming energy, the ink can be discharged from the discharge port 140a.

[0041] The printing method of the present embodiment is a serial scanning method. The carriage 6 reciprocates along the X direction (a direction across the print medium M) by the carriage moving unit 10. For example, the carriage moving unit 10 is a belt transmission mechanism and includes a pair of pulleys spaced apart in the X direction, an endless belt wound around the pair of pulleys, a carriage motor that rotates one pulley, and a guide member that guides the movement of the carriage 6 in the X direction. The carriage 6 is fixed to the endless belt and moves by the operation of the endless belt. Discharging ink while moving the discharge head 14 in the X direction is called a print scan. By alternately repeating the conveyance of the print medium M and the print scan of the discharge head 14, an image is printed on the print medium M.

[0042] The maintenance unit 8 is provided with a capping device 80. The capping device 80 includes cap units 80A to 80C corresponding to the discharge heads 14A to 14C, respectively. The cap units 80A to 80C are arranged in the X direction corresponding to the arrangement of the discharge heads 14A to 14C in the X direction. The capping device 80 is provided with a lifting unit 84 that raises and lowers the cap units 80A to 80C. The lifting unit 84 raises and lowers the cap units 80A to 80C in the Z direction between a capping position and a retreat position lower than the capping position. The capping position is a position where the cap 20 described later contacts the discharge port surface 140 and covers the discharge port 140a, and the retreat position is a position where the cap 20 is spaced apart from the discharge port surface 140.

[0043] The maintenance unit 8 is also provided with a supply unit 81, a liquid tank 82, and a discharge unit 83. The supply unit 81 is a mechanism for supplying liquid contained in the liquid tank 82 to the cap units 80A to 80C. The discharge unit 83 is a unit for sucking and discharging liquid from the cap units 80A to 80C.

[0044] <Cover unit>

[0045] A description will be given of the structure of the cover unit 80B representing the cover units 80A to 80C, etc. Note that the cover units 80A and 80C also have substantially the same structure. Figure 3 It is a perspective view of the cover unit 80B. Figure 4 It is an exploded perspective view of the cover unit 80B. Figure 5 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the cover unit 80B taken along line AA in FIG. Figure 5 , the position of the discharge head 14B relative to the cap unit 80B located at the capping position is indicated by a dotted line.

[0046] The cap unit 80B is a stacked body of the absorbing member 21, the flow path forming member 22, the cap 20, the support plate 23, and the holder 24. The discharge head 14B has two discharge port surfaces 140 ( Figure 2B ). Accordingly, the cover unit 80B has two sets of the absorbing member 21 and the flow path forming member 22 , and the cover 20 has two recesses 200 for storing the absorbing member 21 and the flow path forming member 22 .

[0047] The absorption member 21 is formed of a material (e.g., a porous material) capable of absorbing liquid. The absorption member 21 is arranged in the cover 20 in such a manner as to face the discharge port surface 140 when the cover is attached. The absorption member 21 of the present embodiment has a front face (upper face) 21a and a back face (lower face) 21b, and is a plate-like or strip-like material having a rectangular shape as a whole, with the front face 21a facing the discharge port surface 140. Arrows DL, DS, and DT respectively represent the longitudinal direction, the width direction, and the thickness direction of the absorption member 21. The absorption member 21 has a rectangular shape that is long in the DL direction and short in the DS direction. In the present embodiment, the longitudinal direction is the Y direction, the width direction DS is the X direction, and the thickness direction DT is the Z direction.

[0048] The cover 20 is formed of an elastic material such as rubber, resin, etc. The cover 20 includes a recess 200 opened on the discharge port surface 140 side (upper side), and the peripheral wall of the recess 200 constitutes a lip 201. The lip 201 protrudes toward the discharge port surface 140 side more than the front surface 21a of the absorption member 21 in the DT direction. Since the lip 201 contacts the discharge port surface 140 when the cover is attached, the interior of the recess 200 becomes a sealed space. On the inner peripheral wall of the recess 200, a plurality of locations are provided with pressure sheets 203 to prevent the absorption member 21 from falling. In the bottom 202 of the recess 200, a mounting hole 204 and piping holes 205 and 206 are formed in a manner that penetrates the cover 20.

[0049] The holder 24 has a recess 240 opened on the discharge port surface 140 side (upper side), and the absorbing member 21, the flow path forming member 22, the cover 20 and the support plate 23 are held in the recess 240. In the bottom 241 of the recess 240, a mounting hole 242 corresponding to the mounting hole 204 is formed in a manner penetrating the holder 24. A cylindrical supply pipe 243 and a discharge pipe 244 are also formed in the bottom 241. The support plate 23 is, for example, a metal plate, and is a substrate for supporting the cover 20. In the support plate 23, a mounting hole 231 corresponding to the mounting hole 204 and pipe holes 232 and 233 through which the supply pipe 243 and the discharge pipe 244 pass are formed.

[0050] The flow path forming member 22 includes a horizontal flat placement surface 220 on which the absorbing member 21 is placed. The flow path forming member 22 also includes a boss portion having a screw hole 223 on the back side (the lower surface of the flow path forming member 22) of the placement surface 220. By screwing the screw 25 into the screw hole 223 through the mounting hole 242 of the holder 24, the mounting hole 231 of the support plate 23, and the mounting hole 204 of the cover 20, the flow path forming member 22, the cover 20, the support plate 23, and the holder 24 are fixed integrally.

[0051] At one end of the placement surface 220 in the Y direction, an outlet 221 penetrating the flow path forming member 22 is opened, and the discharge piping 244 of the holder 24 reaches the back surface 21b of the absorbing member 21 through the piping hole 233 of the support plate 23, the piping hole 206 of the cover 20 and the outlet 221 of the flow path forming member 22. The opening at the front end of the discharge piping 244 forms a liquid outlet EP, and the periphery of the outlet EP (the front end surface of the discharge piping 244) contacts the back surface 21b of the absorbing member 21.

[0052] At the other end of the flow path forming member 22 in the Y direction, a supply port forming portion 222 is formed to protrude upward from the placement surface 220. The supply port forming portion 222 forms a liquid supply port SP. The supply port forming portion 222 includes wall portions W1 and W2 spaced apart in the Y direction, and these wall portions W1 and W2 define the supply port SP. The wall portions W1 and W2 extend in the X direction. However, the outlet EP is a circular dot-shaped opening, and the supply port SP is a slit-shaped opening extending in the X direction.

[0053] The flow path forming member 22 has a flow path 224 communicating with the supply port SP, and the flow path 224 opens to the back side of the placement surface 220 (the lower surface of the flow path forming member 22). The supply piping 243 of the holder 24 passes through the piping hole 232 of the support plate 23 and the piping hole 205 of the cover 20 to reach the lower end opening of the flow path 224, and the supply piping 243 communicates with the supply port SP via the flow path 224.

[0054] The supply unit 81 includes a pump P1 for pressurizing liquid. In the liquid tank 82 of the present embodiment, a cleaning liquid CL for cleaning the absorbing member 21 is contained. By driving the pump P1, the cleaning liquid CL is pressurized from the liquid tank 82 to the supply pipe 243 via the pipes 81a and 81b. Therefore, the cleaning liquid CL is supplied to the absorbing member 21 via the supply port SP.

[0055] The piping 81a branches into the piping 81b and the piping 81c. The piping 81c is an atmospheric communication portion that opens to the atmosphere. In the present embodiment, the supply port SP is used as both a supply port for the cleaning liquid CL and a communication port that connects the interior of the cover 20 to the atmosphere. Compared with a structure in which these structures are provided separately, the structure can be simplified. The switching unit 85 is a valve unit that switches the connection destination of the supply port SP between the piping 81c connected to the atmosphere and the piping 81b connected to the supply unit 81. In the present embodiment, the switching unit 85 includes a supply valve V1 that opens and closes (connects and blocks) the piping 81b and an atmospheric communication valve V2 that opens and closes (connects and blocks) the piping 81c. By combining the opening and closing of the supply valve V1 and the atmospheric communication valve V2, the connection destination of the supply port SP can be switched.

[0056] The discharge unit 83 includes a pump P2 for pressurizing liquid. The pump P2 is connected to the discharge pipe 244 via the pipe 83a. By driving the pump P2, the liquid absorbed in the absorbing member 21 can be sucked through the outlet EP and the liquid can be pressurized to the waste liquid box 9. The liquid to be discharged is the ink absorbed in the absorbing member 21 or the cleaning liquid CL. By driving the pump P2 when capping, the ink remaining in the discharge head 14 can also be sucked and discharged under negative pressure through the absorbing member 21.

[0057] <Cleaning of Absorbent Member>

[0058] The cleaning of the absorbing member 21 by the cleaning liquid CL will be described. The absorbing member 21 is contaminated by the ink from the discharge head 14. Therefore, it is necessary to clean the absorbing member 21. In the present embodiment, the absorbing member 21 can be cleaned by supplying the cleaning liquid CL to the absorbing member 21 from the supply port SP and discharging the cleaning liquid CL absorbed in the absorbing member 21 from the outlet EP. From the viewpoint of improving the productivity of the liquid discharge device 2, it is desirable to quickly perform the cleaning of the absorbing member 21. In the present embodiment, a structure is adopted in which the penetration of the cleaning liquid CL into the absorbing member 21 can be completed in a short time.

[0059] Main reference Figure 5 In the present embodiment, the supply port SP is formed at a position higher than the outlet EP. More specifically, the outlet EP is located at (contacting) the back side 21b of the absorbing member 21, while the supply port SP is located near the front side 21a. By supplying the cleaning liquid CL to the absorbing member 21 from a higher position, the penetration of the cleaning liquid CL into the absorbing member 21 can be effectively completed by gravity. Since the outlet EP and the supply port SP are provided separately, the switching from supply to discharge of the cleaning liquid CL can be performed quickly, and an operation in which the supply time and the discharge time of the cleaning liquid CL partially overlap can also be performed.

[0060] When the cleaning liquid CL does not flow inside the absorbing member 21 but flows on the front surface of the absorbing member 21, the diffusion of the cleaning liquid CL to the absorbing member 21 is promoted. By forming the supply port at a position where at least a part of the liquid from the supply port SP flows directly onto the front surface 21a of the absorbing member 21 without passing through the inside of the absorbing member 21, the flow of the cleaning liquid CL on the front surface 21a of the absorbing member 21 is promoted. The front surface 21a of the absorbing member 21 is a site where the ink received from the discharge head 14 is deposited, and by being supplied with the cleaning liquid CL and cleaned, the deposition of the ink can be reduced.

[0061] In this regard, in the present embodiment, the height H1 of the wall portion W1 is set to become the same as the height of the front surface 21a of the absorbing member 21. Therefore, the supply port SP is located at the same height as the front surface 21a in the thickness direction DT of the absorbing member 21, and the liquid from the supply port SP flows on the front surface 21a of the absorbing member 21 without passing through the inside of the absorbing member 21. The cleaning liquid CL can be quickly supplied over the entire area of ​​the absorbing member 21. Note that the supply port SP may be formed higher than the front surface 21a.

[0062] In addition, the outlet EP is in a position covered by the absorbing member 21, while the supply port SP is not covered by the absorbing member 21. In other words, in the plan view of the cover unit 80B (when viewed from above in the DT direction of the absorbing member 21), the supply port SP and the front surface 21a of the absorbent member 21 are exposed, thereby facilitating the flow of the cleaning liquid CL along the front surface 21a. On the other hand, by the action of gravity and discharge at the outlet EP, the cleaning liquid CL becomes easy to flow downward inside the absorbing member 21. Therefore, the cleaning liquid CL can be allowed to penetrate the entire area of ​​the absorbing member 21.

[0063] In the present embodiment, the height H1 of the wall portion W1 on the absorbing member 21 side in the DL direction in the Z direction is lower than the height H2 of the wall portion W2 on the opposite side. The cleaning liquid CL from the supply port SP is more easily directed to the absorbing member 21, so the cleaning liquid CL can be supplied to the absorbing member 21 even faster.

[0064] In the present embodiment, the supply port SP is spaced apart from the outlet EP in the DL direction, and in particular, the outlet EP is located at one end of the placement surface 220 in the DL direction, and the supply port SP is located outside the absorption member 21 on the other end side of the placement surface 220. In the middle area of ​​the absorption member 21 in the DL direction, not only the supply of the cleaning liquid CL is improved by the diffusion of the cleaning liquid CL from the supply port SP, but also the cleaning liquid is guided to the outlet EP side by being discharged from the outlet EP. Therefore, the entire absorption member 21 can be effectively cleaned. In addition, in the present embodiment, the supply port SP has a narrow groove shape extending in the DS direction. The cleaning liquid CL can easily penetrate into the absorption member 21 not only in the DL direction but also in the DS direction.

[0065] Reference Figure 6 as well as Fig. 7A and Figure 7B , description will be given of an example of the cleaning action of the absorbing member 21. These drawings are schematic diagrams illustrating the flow pattern of the cleaning liquid CL when the absorbing member 21 is cleaned.

[0066] Figure 6The state ST1 in FIG. 8 shows the state before cleaning. When the pump P1 of the supply unit 81 is driven, as shown in the state ST2, the cleaning liquid CL is pressed into the supply pipe 243. The pump P2 of the discharge unit 83 stops. After a while, as shown in the state ST3, the cleaning liquid CL starts to flow out from the supply port SP onto the absorption member 21.

[0067] Since the inside of the absorption member 21 has flow resistance, the penetration speed is slow, and the flow speed of the cleaning liquid CL flowing on the front surface 21a of the absorption member 21 is high. Therefore, as shown in the state ST4, the diffusion of the cleaning liquid CL along the DL direction is fast, while the penetration of the cleaning liquid in the DT direction is relatively slow. The speed V1 represents the flow speed of the cleaning liquid CL flowing along the DL direction on the front surface 21a, and the speed V2 represents the penetration speed of the cleaning liquid CL flowing along the DT direction inside the absorption member 21. These speeds are in the relationship of V1>V2. Fig. 7A : is a plan view of the absorbing member 21. As described above, since the supply port SP extends in the DS direction, the cleaning liquid CL flows not only in the DL direction but also in the DS direction.

[0068] like Figure 7B As shown in the state ST5 in FIG. 1 , the cleaning liquid CL also penetrates in the DL direction and the DS direction inside the absorption member 21. The speed V3 represents the penetration speed of the cleaning liquid CL penetrating in the DL direction or the DS direction inside the absorption member 21. Due to the effect of gravity, the speed V2 is faster than the speed V3. These speeds are in the relationship of V1>V2>V3.

[0069] State ST6 indicates that the absorbing member 21 is almost completely filled with the cleaning liquid CL. For example, whether the absorbing member 21 is filled with the cleaning liquid CL can be determined by the supply time of the cleaning liquid CL (driving time of the pump P1, rotation speed, etc.). Thereafter, as shown in state ST7, the pump P1 of the supply unit 81 is stopped, and the pump P2 of the discharge unit 83 is driven. The cleaning liquid CL that has penetrated into the absorbing member 21 is discharged via the outlet EP and the discharge pipe 244. The completion of the discharge can be determined by the driving time or rotation speed of the pump P2.

[0070] With the above, the cleaning of the absorption member 21 is completed. Figure 7B In the example of , the pump P2 of the discharge unit 83 is driven in a state where the absorption member 21 is almost completely filled with the cleaning liquid CL. However, for example, the pump P2 may be driven in an intermediate stage (for example, in the state ST4 or the state ST5), or the pump P2 of the discharge unit 83 may be driven simultaneously with the start of the drive of the pump P1 of the supply unit 81. That is, at least a part of the supply period and the discharge period may overlap. The penetration of the cleaning liquid CL into the absorption member 21 may be performed in a shorter time.

[0071] <Control Unit>

[0072] A description will be given of the configuration of the control system of the liquid discharge apparatus 2 . Figure 8 1 is a block diagram of the control unit 15. The control unit 15 is a control circuit that controls the entire liquid discharge device 2. The control unit 15 includes a CPU 151 as a processor that controls the entire device, a storage device 152 such as a semiconductor memory, and a sensor / motor control circuit 155 that controls each sensor and each motor. The CPU 151, the sensor / motor control circuit 155, and the storage device 152 are connected to each other in a manner that enables communication.

[0073] The storage device 152 stores programs executed by the CPU 151 and various information. The sensor / motor control circuit 155 controls the conveying motor 156, the carriage motor 157, the capping motor 158, the cleaning liquid pump motor 159, the discharge pump motor 160, and the valve solenoid 161. The conveying motor 156 is a driving source for the conveying unit 11, and the carriage motor 157 is a driving source for the carriage moving unit 10. The capping motor 158 is a driving source for the lifting unit 84. The cleaning liquid pump motor 159 is a driving source for the pump P1 of the supply unit 81, and the discharge pump motor 160 is a driving source for the pump P2 of the discharge unit 83. The valve solenoid 161 is a driving source for the switching unit 85, and is a solenoid for each of the supply valve V1 and the atmosphere communication valve V2.

[0074] The sensor / motor control circuit 155 controls the discharge of ink from the discharge head 14 via the head control circuit 153 based on the detection result of the encoder sensor 154 that detects the position of the carriage 6 in the X direction.

[0075] The image data transmitted from the host device 100 is converted into a discharge signal by the CPU 151, and ink is discharged from the discharge head 14 according to the discharge signal, and an operation of printing an image on the printing medium M00 is performed.

[0076] The CPU 151 includes, as its functional blocks, for example, a drive unit, a sequence control unit, an image processing unit, a timing control unit, and a head control unit. The sequence control unit controls the overall printing control, and more specifically, controls the start and stop of the image processing unit, the timing control unit, and the head control unit, controls the conveyance of the printing medium, and controls the movement of the carriage 6, etc. The control of each functional block is performed in such a manner that the sequence control unit reads out various programs from the storage device 152 and executes the read programs. The drive unit generates a control signal to be sent to the sensor / motor control circuit 155, the storage device 152, the head control circuit 153, etc. based on a command from the sequence control unit, and transmits an input signal from each functional block to the sequence control unit.

[0077] The image processing unit performs image processing in which image data input from the host device 100 is color decomposed / converted and converted into print data that can be printed by the discharge head 14. The timing control unit transmits the print data converted and generated by the image processing unit to the head control unit in conjunction with the position of the carriage 6. In addition, the timing control unit also controls a signal for determining the discharge state of droplets and synchronized with the discharge from each discharge port 140a. The head control unit converts the print data input from the timing control unit into a discharge signal and outputs the converted signal. The head control circuit 153 generates a drive pulse based on the discharge signal input from the head control unit and applies the pulse to the discharge head 14.

[0078] <Control Example>

[0079] Will refer to Figures 9 to 12A A description is given of an example of control of the maintenance unit 8 by the control unit 15 . Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example of the control unit 15 . FIG. 10A to FIG. 12A 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the maintenance unit 8 .

[0080] As operations of the maintenance unit 8 , there can be cited a storage operation, a cleaning operation, a discharge operation, and a preliminary discharge operation.

[0081] The storage operation is an operation for the purpose of maintaining the discharge performance of the discharge head 14 by controlling the drying of the discharge port surface 140 when the discharge head 14 is not used, in which liquid supply to the absorbing member 21 and capping of the discharge port surface 140 by the cap 20 are performed. Here, the cleaning liquid CL is used as the storage liquid.

[0082] The cleaning operation is an operation for the purpose of cleaning the absorbing member 21, in which the cleaning liquid CL is supplied to the absorbing member 21 by the supply unit 81 to clean the absorbing member 21. Figures 5 to 7B A brief overview is described.

[0083] The discharge operation is an operation for the purpose of recovering the performance of the discharge head 14, in which the liquid in the discharge head is discharged from the discharge port surface 140 via the absorbing member 21 by the discharge unit 83. The pre-discharge operation is an operation for the purpose of maintaining or recovering the performance of the discharge head 14, and is an operation of discharging ink from the discharge head 14 to the absorbing member 21.

[0084] In the present embodiment, these operations are performed using the common cap 20. If a cap dedicated to each purpose is provided separately, it will lead to an increase in size of the liquid discharge device 2. In the present embodiment, by performing these operations using the common cap 20, the device can be miniaturized.

[0085] For example, when the ink discharge amount (dot count) of the discharge head 14 reaches a predetermined amount, or when a predetermined time has passed since the previous printing operation, the execution of Fig. 9 Hereinafter, the control of the discharge head 14B and the cap unit 80B will be described as a representative, however, the control is the same for the other discharge heads and the cap unit.

[0086] In S1, capping is performed on the discharge head 14B. Here, after the discharge head 14B is moved onto the cap unit 80B, the lifting unit 84 is driven to move the cap unit 80B to the capping position. The discharge port surface 140 of the discharge head 14B is capped by the cap 20 of the cap unit 80B. Fig. 10A The cover closed state is shown. The lip 201 of the cover 20 is in contact with the discharge port face 140, and the discharge port 140a is covered airtightly by the cover 20. The discharge port 140a is prevented from drying. If ink adheres to the discharge port face 140, when the adhered ink contacts the absorption member 21, the adhered ink is absorbed by the absorption member 21. Different types of ink are prevented from mixing on the discharge port face 140. Note that the supply valve V1 and the atmosphere communication valve V2 are in a closed state.

[0087] exist Fig. 9 In S2 of the process, the driving of the pump P2 of the discharge unit 83 is started. Fig. 10B The inside of the cap 20 is sucked through the outlet EP. The ink is sucked and discharged from the discharge port surface 140 of the discharge head 14B by the pump P2 via the absorbing member 21 (head nozzle suction). This head nozzle suction has the effect of discharging the thickened ink in the discharge port 140a.

[0088] exist Fig. 9 In S3 in the process, the atmosphere communication valve V2 is switched to an open state. Therefore, the interior of the cap 20 is communicated with the atmosphere, and dry suction is performed to suck the liquid inside the cap 20 without sucking ink from the discharge head 14B. Fig. 10C By sucking air into the interior of the cap 20 , the outflow of ink from the discharge head 14B is stopped and the ink inside the cap 20 is discharged.

[0089] exist Fig. 9 In S4 in the above process, the ink is discharged from the discharge head 14B to the absorbing member 21 (empty suction and preliminary discharge). Fig. 10D By sucking the inside of the cap 20 while performing preliminary discharge, the ink inside the cap 20 can be discharged, and mixing of different types of ink on the discharge port surface 140 can be suppressed. Note that the processing of S4 can be omitted, and it is possible to proceed to S5 after S3.

[0090] exist Fig. 9In S5, the pump P2 of the discharge unit 83 is stopped. In S6, the cover of the discharge head 14B is opened. Here, the lifting unit 84 is driven to move the cover unit 80B to the retracted position. The cover 20 of the cover unit 80B is spaced apart from the discharge port surface 140 of the discharge head 14B. Fig.11A The cover is shown in the open state.

[0091] Next, the absorbing member 21 is cleaned. Fig. 9 In S7, the atmosphere communication valve V2 is switched to a closed state, and in S8, the supply valve V1 is switched to an open state. In S9, the pump P1 of the supply unit 81 is driven for a predetermined time and then stopped. By driving the pump P1, the cleaning liquid CL is supplied to the absorbing member 21. Fig. 11B The interior of the cover 20 and the absorbing member 21 are filled with the cleaning liquid CL. Figures 5 to 7B As illustrated, the cleaning liquid CL permeates the absorption member 21 within a short period of time.

[0092] exist Fig. 9 In S10 , the supply valve V1 is switched to a closed state, and in S11 , the pump P2 of the discharge unit 83 is driven. Fig. 11C This state is shown. The cleaning liquid CL absorbed in the absorbing member 21 and the cleaning liquid inside the cap 20 are discharged through the outlet EP by the pump P2. The cleaning of the absorbing member 21 and the cap 20 is completed.

[0093] Note that by repeating processes S8 to S11, the cleaning effect of the absorbing member 21 can be further enhanced. The cleaning operation can be performed with the cover closed, and in this case, the atmosphere communication valve V2 can be opened while the cleaning liquid is discharged (empty suction + cleaning liquid discharge).

[0094] exist Fig. 9 In S12, it is determined whether there is a print job to be executed from now on. If there is a print job, the control process of the maintenance unit 8 is ended and the execution process of the print job is moved to. If there is no print job, it proceeds to S13. In S13 to S16, the storage operation is performed.

[0095] In S13, the supply valve V1 is switched to an open state. In S14, the pump P1 of the supply unit 81 is driven for a predetermined time and then stopped. Fig.11D This state is shown. The inside of the cap 20 and the absorbent member 21 are filled with the cleaning liquid CL as a moisturizing liquid. The supply amount of the cleaning liquid CL can be smaller than that during cleaning.

[0096] exist Fig. 9In S15 of the process, the supply valve V1 is switched to a closed state, and in S16, capping is performed on the discharge head 14B. Here, the lifting unit 84 is driven to move the cap unit 80B to the capping position. Fig. 12A This state is shown. The discharge port surface 140 of the discharge head 14B is covered by the cap 20 of the cap unit 80B. The lip 201 of the cap 20 is in contact with the discharge port surface 140 and the discharge port 140a is airtightly covered by the cap 20. Since the cleaning liquid CL is filled as a moisturizing liquid inside the cap 20, the drying of the discharge port surface 140 is suppressed, and the discharge head 14B can be stored. Note that it is also possible to perform only cap closure without filling the cleaning liquid CL as a moisturizing liquid (dry storage).

[0097] <Second Embodiment>

[0098] In the case where the discharge port surface 140 of the discharge head 14 is not horizontal but inclined, the cover units 80A to 80C may also be inclined accordingly. Fig. 12B is a schematic diagram illustrating one example of the cover unit 80B.

[0099] The absorbing member 21 and the cover 20 are arranged to be inclined in such a manner that the thickness direction DT of the absorbing member 21 has an angle with the Z direction. The supply port SP is provided on the upper end side of the absorbing member 21, and the outlet EP is provided on the lower end side of the absorbing member 21. When the cleaning liquid CL flows out from the supply port SP, the fluidity in the DL direction relative to the absorbing member 21 increases due to the effect of weight, so that the cleaning liquid CL can penetrate into the absorbing member 21 faster.

[0100] <Third Embodiment>

[0101] The above-described configuration of the cover unit is also applicable to the full-width type discharge head. Fig.13 1 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of an apparatus using a full-width type discharge head 14F. A discharge port face 140 of the discharge head 14F faces the print medium M. In the discharge port face 140, discharge ports are arranged in a range covering the width of the print medium M of the largest size available.

[0102] FIG. 14A to FIG. 14C is a schematic diagram of a cap unit 80F corresponding to the discharge head 14 . Fig.14A is a cross-sectional view of the cover unit 80F, Fig. 14B It is a floor plan. Fig. 14C 80F is a plan view of the cover unit 80F with the absorbing member 21 removed.

[0103] The cover 20 has a size covering the entire area of ​​the discharge port face 140 of the discharge head 14F, and the absorbing member 21 is arranged inside the cover 20. In the illustrated example, a plurality of absorbing members 21 are arranged in the X direction in such a manner that the absorbing members 21 correspond to the entire area of ​​the discharge port face 140. However, a single absorbing member 21 that is long in the X direction may be used.

[0104] A plurality of supply ports SP are provided. In the present embodiment, two supply ports SP spaced apart in the DL direction are provided. Respectively, one supply port SP is located on one end side of the plurality of absorbing members 21 in the DL direction, and the other supply port SP is located on the other end side. A plurality of outlets EP are provided. In the present embodiment, in the DL direction, any outlet EP is configured at a position between the two supply ports SP.

[0105] With this configuration, although the absorbing member 21 is arranged over a wide area in the DL direction, the cleaning liquid CL can be quickly supplied and quickly discharged when cleaning the absorbing member 21. In either case, i.e., in a case where the cover unit 80F is caused to be in an inclined posture or in a case where the cover unit 80F is installed in an inclined posture, since the supply port SP is provided to be spaced apart at two positions in the DL direction, the cleaning liquid CL can be supplied to the absorbing member 21 without delay.

[0106] <Fourth Embodiment>

[0107] The position of the supply port SP is not limited to the position in the above-described embodiment. Fig.15A and Fig. 15B Another example of the supply port SP in the cover unit 80B is illustrated. Of course, this also applies to the cover units 80A and 80C.

[0108] exist Fig.15A In the example of , the supply port SP is provided at the front end of the supply piping 243A. The supply port SP is located in the absorbing member 21 and at a position lower than the front face 21a. In a plan view, the supply port SP is covered by the absorbing member 21. However, the height Hs of the supply port SP is higher than the height He of the outlet EP. Since the supply port SP is located near the front face 21a, the cleaning liquid flowing out of the supply port SP easily spreads in the downward direction of the absorbing member 21 due to the effect of gravity. On the other hand, the cleaning liquid easily flows up the front face 21a and immediately flows on the front face 21a and permeates over a wide area.

[0109] Fig. 15B The example is an example in which the supply port SP is opened to the peripheral wall portion of the cover 20. The supply pipe 243B is configured to penetrate the peripheral wall portion of the cover 20, and the supply port SP is located at a position higher than the front surface 21a of the absorbing member 21. Fig. 15BIn the example of FIG. 2 , the outlet EP is spaced apart from the back surface 21 b of the absorbing member 21. This configuration is also employable.

[0110] <Other Implementation Methods>

[0111] The embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by the following method, that is, providing software (program) that performs the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments to a system or device through a network or various storage media, and the computer or central processing unit (CPU) or microprocessing unit (MPU) of the system or device reads and executes the program.

[0112] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A liquid discharge device, comprising: a cover configured to cover a discharge port surface of the discharge head for discharging liquid; an absorbing member disposed in the cover so as to face the discharge port surface; a supply means for supplying liquid to the absorbent member via a supply port provided in the cover; and a discharge member for discharging the liquid absorbed in the absorbent member via an outlet provided in the cover, wherein the supply port is arranged at a position higher than the outlet, and The supply port is provided at a position equal to or higher than a surface of the absorbing member in a thickness direction of the absorbing member.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The supply port is formed at a position where at least a part of the liquid from the supply port flows on the surface of the absorption member.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The outlet is provided at a position covered by the absorbing member, and The supply port is provided at a position not covered by the absorbing member.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein: When the cap is viewed from above in the thickness direction of the absorbing member, a surface of the absorbing member and the supply port are exposed.

5. The device according to claim 2, wherein: assumed The speed at which the liquid from the supply port flows along the surface of the absorption member is a first speed, The speed at which the liquid from the supply port flows through the absorption member in the thickness direction of the absorption member is a second speed, and The speed at which the liquid from the supply port flows through the absorbing member in a direction intersecting the thickness direction is a third speed, The speeds are in a relationship of the first speed>the second speed>the third speed.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The absorption member is configured to be long in a first direction intersecting a thickness direction of the absorption member and short in a second direction intersecting the thickness direction and the first direction, and The supply port is disposed outside the absorbing member in the first direction.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein: The supply port is configured to extend along the second direction.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein: The device comprises: a first wall portion on the absorbing member side, the first wall portion being configured to define the supply port, and a second wall portion facing the first wall portion, the second wall portion being configured to define the supply port, and The first wall portion is configured to be lower than the second wall portion in a thickness direction of the absorption member.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supply port and the outlet port are spaced apart from each other in a direction intersecting a thickness direction of the absorption member.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The absorption member is configured to be long in a first direction intersecting a thickness direction of the absorption member and short in a direction intersecting the thickness direction and the first direction, and In the first direction, the supply port and the outlet port are spaced apart from each other.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein: The absorption member includes a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion in the first direction, The supply port is provided on the first end side, and The outlet is provided on the second end side.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein: A periphery of the outlet is configured to be in contact with the absorption member.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The cover includes a lip portion configured to be formed in a manner to surround the absorbing member and to contact the discharge port surface, and The lip portion is configured to protrude beyond a surface of the absorbing member toward the discharge port surface side in a thickness direction of the absorbing member.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: A first supply port and a second supply port are provided as the supply ports, The absorption member is configured to be long in a first direction intersecting a thickness direction of the absorption member and short in a direction intersecting the thickness direction and the first direction, The absorption member includes a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion in the first direction, The first supply port is provided on the first end side, and The second supply port is provided on the second end side.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein: A plurality of outlets are provided as the outlets, and, The plurality of outlets are disposed between the first supply port and the second supply port in the first direction.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The absorbing member and the cover are disposed obliquely in such a manner that a thickness direction of the absorbing member has an angle with respect to an up-down direction, and The supply port is provided on the upper end portion side of the absorbing member.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The device comprises a control unit for controlling: a storage operation for supplying liquid to the absorbing member through the supply component and covering the discharge port surface through the cover; a cleaning operation for cleaning the absorbent member using the liquid from the supply port as a cleaning liquid; and A discharge operation is performed to discharge the liquid in the discharge head from the discharge port surface via the absorbing member.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein: The control section also controls a preliminary discharge operation for discharging the liquid from the discharge head to the absorbing member.

19. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The apparatus includes a switching member for switching a communication destination of the supply port between a pipe connected to the atmosphere and a pipe connected to the supply member.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The discharge head is a print head that discharges ink to a print medium, and The liquid discharge apparatus is a printing apparatus for printing an image on a printing medium.

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