Maintenance unit and liquid ejection device

Abstract

The present invention provides a maintenance unit and a liquid ejection device that can ensure the amount of movement of the maintenance part and can position the maintenance part relative to the liquid ejection part with high precision. The maintenance unit (30) includes a maintenance part (38) for maintaining the liquid ejection part, a moving mechanism (50), and a positioning part (70). The moving mechanism (50) moves the maintenance part (38) toward the liquid ejection part in a first direction (D1). The maintenance part (38) has an engaging part (81) that can engage with the positioning part (70). The moving mechanism (50) has a driving part and a support part (80) that moves in the first direction (D1) by the power of the driving part. The positioning part (70) and the engaging part (81) that moves together with the support part (80) in the first direction (D1) engage, and the maintenance part (38) is positioned relative to the liquid ejection part by moving the maintenance part (38) relative to the support part (80) in a direction parallel to the first direction (D1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a maintenance unit for maintaining a liquid ejection section that ejects liquid, and a liquid ejection device. Background Technology

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a wiping device as an example of a maintenance unit for maintaining a liquid ejection section. The wiping device includes a unit (an example of a maintenance section) comprising a maintenance component, and a lifting mechanism (an example of a moving mechanism) for raising and lowering the unit. The lifting mechanism includes a moving member that supports the unit in a manner capable of moving in a lifting direction, a cam that contacts the lower surface of the moving member, and a lifting motor that rotates the cam. The moving member is raised and lowered by the rotation of the cam powered by the lifting motor, thereby causing the maintenance component to move forward and backward relative to the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection section. The wiping device uses the moving mechanism to move the unit including the maintenance component relative to the liquid ejection section in the wiping direction, thereby wiping the nozzle surface using the maintenance component.

[0003] Furthermore, as a maintenance measure for this liquid ejection section, rinsing (dry spraying) is sometimes performed to eject liquid unrelated to printing from the nozzle of the liquid ejection section. By periodically or irregularly draining the thickened liquid in the nozzle using rinsing, poor ejection of the liquid ejection section is prevented. In this case, the maintenance unit for maintaining the liquid ejection section is a liquid receiving device that receives the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection section due to rinsing. The liquid receiving device is a maintenance unit that includes a liquid receiving section for receiving liquid. The liquid receiving section is a maintenance component that includes a liquid receiving component. The liquid receiving component may be a liquid receiving container such as a cover or rinsing box, or it may be a structure of fabric capable of unwinding and winding. When the liquid receiving component is fabric, the liquid receiving section includes fabric, a feed roller for feeding the fabric, and a take-up roller for winding the fabric. The liquid ejected from the liquid ejection section due to rinsing is received by the liquid receiving surface of the fabric facing the nozzle.

[0004] Maintenance units such as wiping devices or liquid receiving devices perform appropriate maintenance by arranging maintenance components opposite the liquid ejection section in an attitude parallel to the nozzle surface. The position of the maintenance components relative to the liquid ejection section in the forward and backward directions when in the maintenance position requires a predetermined level of accuracy.

[0005] However, in the maintenance unit described in Patent Document 1, the position of the maintenance unit when it rises to the maintenance position is affected by dimensional deviations of the structural components of the lifting mechanism and assembly errors of the structural components. The positional accuracy of the maintenance unit when it moves toward the liquid ejection surface to the maintenance position tends to decrease as the amount of movement increases. Thus, in conventional maintenance units, it is difficult to ensure both the amount of movement and the positional accuracy of the maintenance unit. Therefore, there is room for improvement in ensuring both the amount of movement and the positional accuracy of the maintenance unit. Furthermore, although the direction of movement of the maintenance unit is determined by the orientation of the liquid ejection section, the same problem exists in maintenance units where the direction of movement of the maintenance unit is an acute angle intersecting the vertical direction or a horizontal direction.

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-40365 Summary of the Invention The maintenance unit that solves the above-mentioned problem is used in a liquid ejection device having a liquid ejection section, and includes: a maintenance section for maintaining the liquid ejection section; a moving mechanism for moving the maintenance section toward the liquid ejection section in a first direction; and a positioning section, wherein the maintenance section has an engaging portion that can engage with the positioning section, the moving mechanism has a driving section and a supporting section, the supporting section moves in the first direction by the power of the driving section and supports the maintenance section, the positioning section engages with the engaging portion of the maintenance section that moves in the first direction together with the supporting section, and the maintenance section is positioned relative to the liquid ejection section by moving the maintenance section relative to the supporting section in a direction parallel to the first direction.

[0007] The liquid ejection device for solving the above problems includes the aforementioned maintenance unit and the liquid ejection section. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic front view showing the liquid ejection device in the embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a partial front view of the liquid ejection device.

[0010] Figure 3 A three-dimensional view showing the main framework and maintenance units.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a front view showing the main framework and maintenance units.

[0012] Figure 5 A perspective view showing the maintenance unit in the position where the maintenance section has been pulled out to the working position.

[0013] Figure 6 A three-dimensional view of the maintenance department.

[0014] Figure 7 A three-dimensional view showing the moving mechanism in a descending state.

[0015] Figure 8 A three-dimensional view showing a moving mechanism in an ascending state.

[0016] Figure 9 This is a front view showing the upper part of the maintenance section.

[0017] Figure 10 This is a front view showing the opening of the support section and the engaging section.

[0018] Figure 11 A three-dimensional view showing the positioning part.

[0019] Figure 12 This is a side view showing the positioning part.

[0020] Figure 13 This is a side view showing the maintenance unit and positioning unit moving in the first direction.

[0021] Figure 14 A side view showing the maintenance unit positioned in the maintenance position by means of the positioning part.

[0022] Figure 15 This is a front view showing the main parts of the maintenance section and the liquid ejection section located in the maintenance position.

[0023] Figure 16 A perspective view showing the positioning part of the modified example.

[0024] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the positioning unit in the modified example.

[0025] Figure 18 To indicate and Figure 17 Schematic diagrams of the maintenance section and liquid ejection section in different modified versions.

[0026] Figure 19 For the purpose of and Figure 18 Schematic diagrams illustrating the structure and operation of the positioning unit in different modified examples. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the liquid ejection device will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment... Figure 1 The liquid ejection device 11 shown is, for example, an inkjet printer that prints text, photographs, and other images by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as paper or cloth.

[0028] Liquid ejection device 11 exist Figure 1 In the liquid ejection device 11 shown, the three intersecting (e.g., orthogonal) directions are represented by the XYZ coordinate system and are respectively designated as the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction. The X direction and Y direction intersect (e.g., orthogonal) each other in the horizontal plane. Since the X direction is the scanning direction in which the liquid ejection section 22 moves in the liquid ejection device 11, it is also called the scanning direction X. In addition, the X direction is also the direction in which the medium 99 of the portion where the liquid is ejected from the liquid ejection section 22 is transported for printing. The Y direction is the direction that intersects (e.g., orthogonal) the scanning direction X in the horizontal plane. Since the Z direction is parallel to the vertical direction, it is also called the vertical direction Z. The vertical direction Z includes the upward direction +Z and the downward direction -Z.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, the liquid ejection device 11 includes a frame 12. The liquid ejection device 11 includes a media unwinding section 13. The media unwinding section 13 is configured to unwind the media 99. The media unwinding section 13 is, for example, housed within the frame 12. The media unwinding section 13 has an unwinding shaft 14. The unwinding shaft 14 holds the roll 90 on which the media 99 is wound in a rotatable manner. The unwinding shaft 14 holds the media 99 before printing. As the unwinding shaft 14 rotates, the media 99 is unwound from the media unwinding section 13. The unwinding shaft 14 can be driven to rotate by a motor, or it can be driven to rotate as the media 99 is pulled.

[0030] The liquid dispensing device 11 includes a media winding section 15. The media winding section 15 is configured to wind up the media 99. The media winding section 15 is housed, for example, in a frame 12. The media winding section 15 has a winding shaft 16. The winding shaft 16, like the unwinding shaft 14, holds the roll body 90 in a rotatable manner. The winding shaft 16 holds the printed media 99. As the winding shaft 16 rotates, the media winding section 15 winds up the media 99. The winding shaft 16 is driven to rotate, for example, by a motor.

[0031] The liquid ejection device 11 includes a media support portion 17. The media support portion 17 supports the media 99. The media support portion 17 is, for example, housed in a frame 12. The media support portion 17 supports the media 99, for example, from below. The media support portion 17 supports the media 99 during the process from when it is unwound from the media unwinding portion 13 until it is wound up by the media winding portion 15. Printing is performed on the area of ​​the media 99 supported by the media support portion 17.

[0032] The media support portion 17 may, for example, be a rectangular plate extending in the scanning direction X. The media support portion may also have multiple ribs supporting the media 99. The media support portion may also have an absorption member capable of absorbing liquids such as ink that have been ejected from the liquid ejector head 23 onto areas outside the media 99.

[0033] The liquid ejection device 11 includes a conveying section 18. The conveying section 18 is configured to convey a medium 99. The conveying section 18 is housed, for example, in a frame 12. The conveying section 18 conveys the medium 99 from the unwinding section 13 toward the winding section 15. The conveying section 18 conveys the medium 99 in a forward movement direction A1, for example, on the media support section 17. The conveying section 18 conveys the medium 99 intermittently, for example. Specifically, the conveying section 18 stops while the liquid is being ejected into the area of ​​the medium 99 supported by the media support section 17. The conveying section 18 conveys the medium 99 after the liquid has been ejected into the area of ​​the medium 99 supported by the media support section 17. The conveying section 18 is not limited to conveying a continuous strip of medium 99 from the roll 90, but can also convey a single sheet of medium 99.

[0034] The conveying unit 18 has one or more conveying rollers 19. The conveying rollers 19 are located, for example, within the frame 12. The conveying rollers 19 convey the medium 99 by rotating. The medium 99 is wound onto the conveying rollers 19. The conveying rollers 19 can also clamp the medium 99. The medium 99 is conveyed by rotating the conveying rollers 19. The conveying rollers 19 include, for example, rollers driven to rotate by a motor. A conveying path for the medium 99 is formed within the frame 12 by the conveying rollers 19.

[0035] The liquid ejection device 11 includes a drying section 21. The drying section 21 is configured to dry the printed medium 99. The drying section 21 dries the medium 99 during its transport from the medium support section 17 to the medium take-up section 15. The drying section 21 is located, for example, inside the frame 12. The drying section 21 is located, for example, directly below the medium support section 17. The drying section 21 may also include a heater for heating the medium 99. The drying section 21 may also include a blower for blowing gas onto the medium 99.

[0036] The liquid ejection device 11 includes a liquid ejection section 22. The liquid ejection section 22 is configured to eject liquid. The liquid ejection section 22 ejects liquid to the medium 99. The liquid ejection section 22 includes a liquid ejection head 23. The liquid ejection head 23 has a plurality of nozzles 24. The liquid ejection head 23 has a nozzle surface 25 that can face the support surface (e.g., the upper surface) of the medium support section 17. One or more nozzles 24 are opened on the nozzle surface 25. The number of nozzles 24 can also be multiple.

[0037] In this embodiment, the liquid ejection section 22 reciprocates in the scanning direction X. The liquid ejection section 22 has a carriage 26 configured to reciprocate in the scanning direction X. A liquid ejection head 23 is mounted on the carriage 26. By reciprocating in the scanning direction X, the liquid ejection section 22 passes a position opposite to the media support section 17. For example, the liquid ejection section 22 is located slightly above the media support section 17.

[0038] The scanning direction X includes a forward movement direction A1 and a return movement direction A2. The return movement direction A2 is the opposite direction to the forward movement direction A1. In the liquid ejection device 11, the direction in which the carriage 26 moves is the same as the direction in which the medium 99 moves on the media support 17. Therefore, the liquid ejection device 11 is a horizontal printer. In the case of a horizontal printer, the carriage 26 can also move in a sub-scanning direction Y, which is orthogonal to the scanning direction X (main scanning direction X). In addition, the liquid ejection device 11 can also be a serial printer that transports the medium 99 in a direction different from the scanning direction X. Furthermore, the liquid ejection device 11 can also be a serial printer in which the carriage 26 moves in a scanning direction different from the X direction, which is the direction in which the medium 99 is transported.

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, the liquid ejection unit 22 performs printing on the medium 99 by ejecting liquid onto the medium 99. The liquid ejection unit 22 ejects liquid from one or more nozzles 24 that open on the nozzle surface 25. The liquid ejection unit 22 may also eject liquid from multiple nozzles 24.

[0040] The liquid ejection section 22 moves back and forth together with the carriage 26 in the scanning direction X. As a result, the liquid ejection section 22 can eject liquid across the entire area of ​​the medium 99 supported by the medium support section 17.

[0041] The liquid ejection unit 22 can be moved to multiple positions by moving in the scanning direction X. The liquid ejection unit 22 is not limited to being moved to a position opposite to the media support unit 17, but can also be moved to a position not opposite to the media support unit 17. The liquid ejection unit 22 can move back and forth in the position opposite to the media support unit 17 during the printing process, or it can move back and forth in the position not opposite to the media support unit 17 during operations other than printing.

[0042] like Figure 1As shown, the liquid ejection device 11 includes a pressurizing unit 28. The pressurizing unit 28 is configured to pressurize the liquid ejection section 22. The pressurizing unit 28 is connected to the liquid ejection section 22. The pressurizing unit 28 is, for example, a pump. The pressurizing unit 28 supplies liquid to a flow channel (not shown) communicating with the nozzle 24 by pressurizing. The liquid ejection section 22 is connected to a liquid supply source (not shown) such as an ink cartridge or ink container through the flow channel. The pressurizing unit 28 supplies the amount of liquid consumed by the liquid ejected from the nozzle 24 by the liquid ejection section 22 from the liquid supply source to the flow channel (not shown) communicating with the nozzle 24 by pressurizing.

[0043] The pressurizing channel of the pressurizing unit 28 can also be a circulating channel passing through the liquid ejection unit 22. In this case, the pressurizing unit 28 can also perform a circulation operation to circulate the liquid in the circulating channel. Liquids such as ink contain pigments. Pigments are, for example, pigments or dyes. Depending on the type of liquid, pigments (e.g., pigments) sometimes tend to settle over time. In cases where liquids with easily settling pigments are used, a circulation operation can be performed to circulate the liquid through the circulating channel. By using the circulation operation to agitate the pigments in the liquid, pigment settling can be suppressed.

[0044] The liquid ejection device 11 includes a maintenance unit 30. The maintenance unit 30 is used in the liquid ejection device 11 having a liquid ejection section 22. The maintenance unit 30 performs maintenance on the liquid ejection section 22. This maintenance involves receiving liquid discharged or ejected from the nozzle 24 during maintenance. In this embodiment, the maintenance unit 30 includes a liquid receiving section 31, which receives liquid discharged or ejected from the nozzle 24 during cleaning or rinsing of the liquid ejection section 22. To prevent or eliminate poor ejection (clogging, etc.) from the nozzle 24 of the liquid ejection section 22, the liquid receiving section 31 receives liquid discharged or ejected from the nozzle 24 as a maintenance measure.

[0045] The liquid ejection section 22 can also perform cleaning by forcibly discharging liquid from the nozzle 24. Furthermore, the liquid ejection section 22 can also perform rinsing (dry spraying) by ejecting liquid unrelated to printing from the nozzle 24. Here, rinsing refers to the treatment of ejecting droplets unrelated to printing from all nozzles 24.

[0046] When cleaning occurs, the liquid ejector 22 moves to the discharge position EP. The discharge position EP is, for example, a position moved in the return movement direction A compared to the position opposite to the media support 17. At the discharge position EP, the liquid ejector 22 forcibly discharges liquid from the nozzle 24 toward the maintenance unit 30. The maintenance unit 30 receives the liquid discharged from the nozzle 24. Furthermore, when rinsing occurs, the liquid ejector 22 moves to the discharge position EP. At the discharge position EP, the liquid ejector 22 sprays liquid from the nozzle 24 toward the maintenance unit 30. Cleaning removes, for example, air bubbles or foreign matter present in the liquid within the nozzle 24, along with the liquid (ink). Furthermore, during rinsing, for example, thickened liquid (thickened ink) present in the liquid within the nozzle 24 is ejected from the nozzle 24. Thus, cleaning and rinsing prevent or eliminate poor ejection from the nozzle 24.

[0047] When the liquid ejection section 22 is structured to eject droplets of various sizes from the nozzle 24, the size of the droplets ejected from the nozzle 24 during rinsing can be, for example, the largest size. By ejecting large-sized droplets from the nozzle 24 during rinsing, the occurrence of poor ejection can be effectively suppressed even with a relatively small number of ejections.

[0048] The liquid dispensing device 11 includes a wiping section 40. The wiping section 40 wipes the nozzle surface 25 by contacting it. By wiping the nozzle surface 25 with the wiping section 40, the liquid adhering to the nozzle surface 25 is removed. That is, the wiping section 40 wipes the liquid dispensing section 22. The wiping section 40 wipes the nozzle surface 25, for example, after cleaning. When cleaning is performed, liquid is discharged from the nozzle 24, causing liquid to adhere to the nozzle surface 25. Therefore, the wiping section 40 can be used to wipe the nozzle surface 25 after cleaning. As a result, the liquid adhering to the nozzle surface 25 is removed.

[0049] The liquid ejection section 22 is displaced towards the wiping position WP opposite to the wiping section 40. The wiping position WP is the position where the liquid adhering to the nozzle surface 25 is removed. The wiping position WP is the position where the liquid ejection section 22 is offset in the return movement direction A2, for example, from the position opposite to the medium support section 17.

[0050] The wiping section 40 is, for example, arranged side-by-side with the maintenance unit 30 in the scanning direction X. In one example, the wiping section 40 is positioned offset from the maintenance unit 30 in the return movement direction A2. For example, when the liquid ejection section 22 is in the wiping position WP, the wiping section 40 is positioned opposite the liquid ejection section 22. The wiping section 40 contacts the nozzle surface 25, for example, by approaching the liquid ejection section 22 in the wiping position WP. Alternatively, the wiping section 40 can also contact the nozzle surface 25 by moving the liquid ejection section 22 in the wiping position WP towards the wiping section 40. While in contact with the nozzle surface 25, the wiping section 40 wipes the nozzle surface 25 by moving relative to the liquid ejection section 22 in the direction along the nozzle surface 25.

[0051] The liquid dispensing device 11 includes a cap portion 45. The cap portion 45 moisturizes the nozzle 24 by contacting the nozzle surface 25. The cap portion 45 may have a cover 45C, for example. By contacting the nozzle surface 25, the cap portion 45 forms a substantially enclosed space communicating with the nozzle 24. That is, the cap portion 45 caps the liquid dispensing portion 22. By capping, the nozzle 24 is moisturized. As a result, the possibility of the nozzle 24 becoming clogged is reduced.

[0052] The liquid ejector 22 can also standby at a retracted position CP opposite to the capping part 45 during the period before printing begins. In this standby state, the liquid ejector 22 is displaced to the retracted position CP opposite to the capping part 45. The retracted position CP is the position where the liquid ejector 22 stops when printing is not being performed, for example, while waiting for the input of a start signal for a printing task. The liquid ejector 22 stands at the retracted position CP when printing is not being performed. That is, the retracted position CP is the initial position of the liquid ejector 22. The retracted position CP is, for example, a position offset in the return movement direction A2 compared to the position opposite the media support part 17. When printing begins, for example, when a start signal for a printing task is input, the liquid ejector 22 is displaced in the forward movement direction A1 from the retracted position CP to the position of the media support part 17.

[0053] The liquid ejection section 22 reciprocates in the scanning direction X. The media support section 17 is positioned offset in the forward movement direction A1 compared to the maintenance unit 30, the wiping section 40, and the pressure cap section 45. During printing, the liquid ejection section 22 moves from the retracted position CP in the forward movement direction A1. The liquid ejection section 22 moves in the forward movement direction A1 and the return movement direction A2 within the range opposite to the media support section 17. For example, during the reciprocating movement of the liquid ejection section 22 within the range opposite to the media support section 17, ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle 24, thereby printing on the portion of the media 99 supported by the media support section 17.

[0054] like Figure 1 As shown, the liquid dispensing device 11 includes a control unit 100. The control unit 100 controls the liquid dispensing device 11. The control unit 100 may also be configured with one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program. The control unit 100 may also be configured with one or more dedicated hardware circuits, such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), that execute at least a portion of the various processes. The control unit 100 may also be configured with a circuit that includes a combination of processors and hardware circuits. The processor includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memories such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read-Only Memory). The memory stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. Memory, i.e., computer-readable media, includes all readable media that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0055] The control unit 100 controls, for example, the media unwinding unit 13, the media winding unit 15, the conveying unit 18, the drying unit 21, the liquid spraying unit 22, the pressurizing unit 28, the maintenance unit 30, the wiping unit 40, and the capping unit 45.

[0056] The control unit 100 can also control the pressurization unit 28 to perform a circulation operation at predetermined intervals, causing the liquid to circulate in the circulation channel passing through the liquid ejection unit 22. This circulation operation effectively eliminates the sedimentation of pigments (e.g., dyes) in the liquid. The control unit 100 can also perform the circulation operation after printing is completed. This allows for smooth execution of the next printing. The control unit 100 can also perform the circulation operation when the power supply to the liquid ejection device 11 changes from off to on. When the power supply changes from off to on, the liquid often stagnates for a long time. Therefore, the circulation operation can agitate the sedimented pigments in the liquid. The control unit 100 can also change the duration of the continued circulation operation or the circulation intensity.

[0057] The control unit 100 can also receive printing tasks from a host device (not shown), which is an example of an external device. The host device can also be, for example, a personal computer. Furthermore, the liquid dispensing device 11 can also have an operation panel. A printing task can be sent to the control unit 100 by the user operating the operation panel. The control unit 100 executes the received printing task.

[0058] Furthermore, a linear encoder (not shown) is provided within the housing 12 for detecting the position of the liquid ejection section 22 (carriage 26) in the scanning direction X. The linear encoder outputs a detection signal containing a number of pulses proportional to the amount of movement of the liquid ejection section 22 in the scanning direction X. The control unit 100 uses a counter (not shown) to count the number of pulse edges of the detection signal input from the linear encoder. The counter is reset when the liquid ejection section 22 is at the origin position in the scanning direction X. The control unit 100 obtains the position of the liquid ejection section 22 based on the counter count value. The control unit 100 implements position control and speed control of the liquid ejection section 22 based on the detection signal from the linear encoder and the counter count value. By implementing position control and speed control of the liquid ejection section 22, the control unit 100 performs printing on the medium 99, movement to various positions EP, WP, CP, etc.

[0059] Structure of liquid ejection section 22 Reference Figure 2 The detailed structure of the liquid ejection section 22 will now be explained. For example... Figure 2As shown, the liquid ejection section 22 has one or more piezoelectric elements 27. The liquid ejection section 22 may also have multiple piezoelectric elements 27. The liquid ejection section 22 may also have the same number of piezoelectric elements 27 as the nozzle 24. The piezoelectric element 27 is subjected to a voltage, causing a change in pressure within the nozzle 24. This change in pressure within the nozzle 24 by the piezoelectric element 27 causes liquid to be ejected from the nozzle 24. Specifically, the piezoelectric element 27 has a piezoelectric body and a vibrating plate. The vibrating plate forms part of the surface portion that divides the pressure chamber communicating with the nozzle 24. When a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 27, the vibrating plate vibrates due to the electrostriction of the piezoelectric body. By utilizing the vibration of the vibrating plate to cause deformation of the pressure chamber accompanied by expansion and contraction, liquids such as ink are ejected from the nozzle 24.

[0060] The piezoelectric element 27 can change the pressure inside the nozzle 24 without ejecting liquid from it. That is, by adjusting the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 27 to a level that prevents liquid from ejecting, micro-vibration can be performed at an intensity that prevents liquid from ejecting from the nozzle 24. This micro-vibration agitates the liquid inside the nozzle 24, thus eliminating thickening of the liquid inside the nozzle 24. Micro-vibration is appropriately implemented in the liquid ejection section 22, for example, before or during printing. Micro-vibration is also implemented when the liquid ejection section 22 is stopped.

[0061] The liquid ejection section 22 can also adjust the size of the liquid ejected from the nozzle 24. The voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 27 can also be adjusted in multiple stages within the voltage range that allows liquid to be ejected. The size of the droplets ejected from the nozzle 24 can also be adjusted by adjusting the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 27. In this case, the size of the droplets ejected from the nozzle 24 during printing can also be adjusted according to printing resolution, image color, etc.

[0062] exist Figure 2The diagram schematically shows two nozzles 24 positioned differently in the scanning direction X. The nozzles 24 may also have M nozzles 24 positioned differently in the scanning direction X (where M is a natural number). The number of nozzles 24 may also be equal to the number of colors of the liquid (e.g., ink) ejected from the nozzles 24 by the liquid ejection unit 22. In the case of one color, M=1. For example, in the case of a structure capable of color printing, the number of colors may be three or more, including cyan, magenta, and yellow. In this case, the number of nozzles 24 positioned differently in the scanning direction X, i.e., M, may be three or more (M≥3). For example, the number of colors may be four: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, and the number of nozzles 24 positioned differently in the scanning direction X, i.e., M, may be four (M=4). Alternatively, M=2.

[0063] The liquid ejection section 22 ejects liquid into the region of the medium 99 supported by the medium support section 17. The liquid ejection section 22 may be, for example, a row head capable of ejecting liquid simultaneously across the width of the medium 99. In this case, a row head may also be constructed using a single, elongated liquid ejection head 23 in the Y direction. Alternatively, a row head may be constructed by using one liquid ejection head 23 as a unit head and arranging multiple liquid ejection heads 23 as unit heads in the Y direction.

[0064] The nozzles 24 are arranged in a plurality of columns at a predetermined nozzle spacing in the Y direction orthogonal to the scanning direction X, thereby forming a nozzle column. The number of nozzles 24 in each column of the row head can be, for example, a value in the range of 1000 to 10000. In the example of the liquid ejection head 23 as a unit head, the number of nozzles 24 in each column of the unit head is, for example, a value in the range of 200 to 1000. The row head can also be configured by configuring, for example, a predetermined number of unit heads in the range of 2 to 20. Thus, when the liquid ejection section 22 is a row head, the nozzle surface 25 has a length in the Y direction that is greater than the width of the medium 99. The liquid ejection section 22 configured as a row head has an elongated shape in the Y direction that is longer than the scanning direction X. Alternatively, when the liquid ejection section 22 is a serial head, the nozzle columns of the liquid ejection section 22 are formed by arranging the nozzles 24 in the transport direction of the medium 99 at a predetermined nozzle spacing. In this case, multiple nozzle columns are arranged along the Y direction.

[0065] Structure of maintenance unit 30, wiping part 40 and pressure cover part 45 Next, refer to Figure 2 The structure of the maintenance unit 30, the wiping part 40, and the pressure cover part 45 will be described in detail.

[0066] The maintenance unit 30 has a liquid receiving section 31. The maintenance unit 30 has a function to move the liquid receiving section 31 in a first direction D1 toward the liquid ejection section 22. The maintenance unit 30 has a moving function to move the liquid receiving section 31 in the first direction D1, and a positioning function to position the liquid receiving section 31, which has moved in the first direction D1, relative to the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid ejection section 22.

[0067] The liquid receiving section 31 includes a cloth 32 that functions as a liquid receiving component, which receives liquid discharged or sprayed from the nozzle 24 of the liquid dispensing section 22 for cleaning or rinsing. The cloth 32 is a component that absorbs the received liquid. The cloth 32 receives and absorbs the liquid discharged or sprayed from the nozzle 24. The amount of liquid sprayed into the liquid receiving section 31 by rinsing is less than the amount of liquid discharged into the liquid receiving section 31 by cleaning. Alternatively, the liquid receiving section 31 may receive liquid from the nozzle 24 only for either cleaning or rinsing.

[0068] The maintenance unit 30 is, for example, arranged side-by-side with the media support 17 in the scanning direction X. In one example, the maintenance unit 30 is located in the return movement direction A2 relative to the media support 17. The maintenance unit 30 receives liquid discharged from the liquid ejection section 22 when the liquid ejection section 22 is in a position opposite to itself. Specifically, the maintenance unit 30 receives liquid discharged from the liquid ejection section 22 when the liquid ejection section 22 is in the discharge position EP. The discharge position EP is the position where the liquid ejection section 22 is opposite to the maintenance unit 30.

[0069] Rinsing can also be performed when the liquid ejection section 22 is stopped at the discharge position EP. Rinsing can also be performed during the printing process as the liquid ejection section 22 moves in the forward direction A1. That is, rinsing can also be performed during the printing process while the liquid ejection section 22 passes the discharge position EP.

[0070] like Figure 2 As shown, the liquid receiving section 31 includes, for example, a pair of retaining rollers 33 and one or more guide rollers 34. A fabric 32 is wound onto the pair of retaining rollers 33. The pair of retaining rollers 33 hold the fabric 32. The area of ​​the fabric 32 held between the pair of retaining rollers 33 faces the nozzle surface 25. The fabric 32 receives liquid sprayed or discharged onto this area. Furthermore, the guide rollers 34, together with the pair of retaining rollers 33, guide the fabric 32. Thus, the fabric 32 is guided along a predetermined feed path.

[0071] The liquid receiving section 31 has an unwinding section 35 and a winding section 36. The feeding section 35 supplies unused fabric 32 by unwinding it. The winding section 36 recycles used fabric 32 by winding it up. For example, the unwinding section 35 and the winding section 36 rotate whenever the fabric 32 receives a certain amount of liquid. Specifically, the control unit 100 controls the feed rate of the fabric 32 by controlling the maintenance unit 30. The liquid spraying section 22 moves to the discharge position EP when cleaning or rinsing is required. At the discharge position EP, the liquid spraying section 22 sprays liquid from all nozzles 24 toward the fabric 32. The maintenance unit 30 can be moved (e.g., raised or lowered) to replace the liquid receiving section 31. The maintenance unit 30 has a moving mechanism 50 (see reference) that moves the replaced liquid receiving section 31 to the maintenance position. Figure 3 The liquid receiving part 31 is positioned at a maintenance position opposite to the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid ejection part 22 by means of the moving mechanism 50.

[0072] The control unit 100 implements feed control for feeding the fabric 32 of the liquid receiving section 31. The control unit 100 manages the amount of liquid discharged from the liquid ejection section 22 during cleaning or during rinsing. In other words, the control unit 100 manages the amount of liquid received by the fabric 32 of the liquid receiving section 31 in the liquid receiving area. When the amount of liquid received exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control unit 100 feeds a predetermined amount of fabric 32 by driving the winding section 36, thereby replacing the fabric 32 in the liquid receiving area with new fabric 32. When the winding section 36 winds up the fabric 32 at a predetermined feed amount, the same amount of fabric 32 is unwound from the release section 35 by the winding force. Thus, by intermittently feeding the fabric 32 whenever the amount of liquid received in the liquid receiving area exceeds the threshold at predetermined intervals, the used fabric 32 in the liquid receiving area is replaced with unused fabric 32.

[0073] The time interval for cleaning is much longer than the time interval for rinsing. The control unit 100 can also determine the cleaning period based on either the length of printing performed on the medium 99 since the last cleaning, i.e., the printing length, or the time of printing performed on the medium 99, i.e., the printing time. The control unit 100 may also manage only one of the printing length or the printing time. Furthermore, the control unit 100 can also manage the rinsing period based on the elapsed time since the last rinsing. As an example, the elapsed time for determining the rinsing period can be a predetermined value within the range of 10 to 30 seconds. Additionally, when the medium 99 is a single-sheet medium such as a single sheet of paper, the control unit 100 can manage the number of sheets printed instead of the printing length. In this case, the control unit 100 can also set a cleaning period when the number of sheets printed reaches a predetermined threshold.

[0074] The wiping section 40 includes a brushing section 41. The brushing section 41 is a component that contacts the nozzle surface 25. The brushing section 41 is, for example, a cloth. The wiping section 40 is movable to a retracted position where the brushing section 41 is separated from the nozzle surface 25 and to a brushing position where the nozzle surface 25 can be brushed. The wiping section 40 is positioned in the brushing position where the nozzle surface 25 can be brushed by moving in a first direction D1 from the retracted position toward the nozzle surface 25.

[0075] The wiping section 40, for example, has one or more pressing rollers 42. The pressing rollers 42 are rollers that press the wiping section 41 against the nozzle surface 25. Thus, the wiping section 41 can adhere tightly to the nozzle surface 25. By wiping the nozzle surface 25 with the wiping section 41, liquid adhering to the nozzle surface 25 is removed. The wiping section 41 absorbs the liquid removed from the nozzle surface 25. The wiping section 40, for example, has an unwinding section 43 and a winding section 44. The unwinding section 43 unwinds unused cloth to the wiping section 41, and the winding section 44 winds up used cloth from the wiping section 41. Thus, the cloth in the wiping section 41 is replaced with unused cloth. For example, the unwinding section 43 and the winding section 44 rotate whenever the wiping section 41 wipes the nozzle surface 25 a predetermined number of times. At least one of the unwinding section 43 and the winding section 44 has a drive unit as a drive source.

[0076] The cap portion 45 is, for example, parallel to the wiping portion 40 in the scanning direction X. In one example, the cap portion 45 is positioned offset from the wiping portion 40 in the return movement direction A2. The cap portion 45 is, for example, opposite the nozzle surface 25 when the liquid ejection portion 22 is in the retracted position CP. The cap portion 45 has, for example, a cover 45C that can contact the nozzle surface 25. The cover 45C contacts the nozzle surface 25 by moving the cap portion 45 in a first direction D1 toward the liquid ejection portion 22. Alternatively, the cover portion 45C can also contact the nozzle surface 25 by moving the liquid ejection portion 22 toward the cap portion 45 in a direction opposite to the first direction D1.

[0077] The cap 45C contacts the nozzle surface 25, thereby forming a substantially enclosed space between the nozzle surface 25 and the cap 45C that communicates with the nozzle 24. The liquid ejection section 22 is covered by the cap 45C, thus moisturizing the nozzle 24, which communicates with the substantially enclosed space formed by the nozzle surface 25 and the cap 45C. This moisturizing effect prevents the thickening or drying of the liquid within the nozzle 24. An absorbent component (not shown) for absorbing the moisturizing liquid may also be housed within the cap 45C. The moisturizing liquid can be a dedicated moisturizing liquid or a solvent component, such as water, in a liquid like ink ejected or discharged from the nozzle 24 of the liquid ejection section 22.

[0078] Alternatively, cleaning and rinsing can be performed towards the cap 45C. For example, cleaning can be performed towards the cap 45C. In this case, cleaning can be, for example, pressurized cleaning, where the liquid ejection section 22 is pressurized by the pressurizing section 28, forcibly discharging the liquid from the nozzle 24. The cap 45C can also be connected to a waste liquid collection section (not shown) via a discharge pipe (not shown). For example, by driving a suction pump (not shown) located midway in the discharge pipe, the liquid (waste liquid) received by the cap 45C is recovered into the waste liquid collection section through the discharge pipe. Alternatively, cleaning can be performed instead of pressurized cleaning by driving a suction pump while the cap is pressed. In suction cleaning, the suction pump creates a negative pressure in the substantially enclosed space formed by the nozzle surface 25 and the cap 45C, forcibly discharging the liquid from the nozzle 24.

[0079] For example, when cleaning is performed towards the cover 45C, the maintenance unit 30 may only receive the liquid during rinsing. Furthermore, when rinsing is performed towards the cover 45C, the maintenance unit 30 may only receive the liquid during cleaning.

[0080] When the liquid ejection section 22 is a row-type head, the cloth 32 in the maintenance unit 30, facing the nozzle surface 25, has a length in the Y direction corresponding to the elongated shape of the nozzle surface 25 in the Y direction. Similarly, the wiping section 41 of the wiping section 40 has a length in the Y direction corresponding to the elongated shape of the nozzle surface 25 in the Y direction. The cap 45C of the capping section 45 also has a length in the Y direction corresponding to the elongated shape of the nozzle surface 25 in the Y direction. The liquid ejection section 22 can also be structured such that multiple rows of nozzles extending in directions intersecting at acute angles relative to the scanning direction X are arranged in the Y direction, thereby arranging nozzles 24 capable of ejecting a predetermined color of liquid in the Y direction at a predetermined nozzle spacing. In this case, it is also possible to have a structure in which multiple caps 45C arranged in the Y direction cap the nozzle surface 25. In addition, in Figure 2 In this paper, maintenance unit 30 only shows a portion of the main structural elements; the detailed structure of the whole will be described later.

[0081] Structure of maintenance unit 30 Next, refer to Figures 3 to 8 The detailed structure of maintenance unit 30 will now be explained. Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the maintenance unit 30 as observed from an obliquely upward angle. Furthermore, the Y direction includes both the +Y and -Y directions. The +Y direction is the direction from the back of the liquid ejection device 11 towards the front, and the -Y direction is the direction from the front of the liquid ejection device 11 towards the back.

[0082] like Figure 3 As shown, the liquid ejection device 11 includes a main frame 20 constituting the frame 12. The main frame 20 has a bottom component 20A, a column component 20B, an upper component 20C, and a beam component 20D. Each component 20A to 20D is constructed, for example, from a square tube. The main frame 20 has a column-beam structure assembled from the components 20A to 20D. The upper component 20C extends in the scanning direction X. Scanning tracks 29 extending in the scanning direction X are fixed to the upper surfaces of the two upper components 20C. Liquid ejection section 22 (see reference) Figure 2 Guided by two scanning tracks 29, it moves in the scanning direction X. The height of the liquid ejection section 22 is determined according to the height of the upper surface of the main frame 20 to which the scanning tracks 29 are fixed.

[0083] like Figure 3 As shown, the maintenance unit 30 includes a maintenance section 38, a moving mechanism 50, and a positioning section 70. The maintenance section 38 is disposed on a liquid ejection section 22 that moves along the scanning track 29 in the scanning direction X (see reference). Figure 2Below the movement path of the maintenance unit 38. The maintenance unit 38 controls the liquid ejection unit 22 located at the discharge position EP (refer to...). Figure 2 Maintenance is performed on the maintenance section 38. The maintenance section 38 is composed of a liquid receiving section 31 that receives the ejected or discharged liquid. The maintenance section 38 is positioned in the area between two upper members 20C on which two scanning tracks 29 are fixed. The liquid ejection section 22, which stops at the discharge position EP, faces the opposing section 32A, which constitutes the upper surface of the maintenance section 38, in the first direction D1. The opposing section 32A is a liquid receiving area where the cloth 32 faces the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid ejection section 22. The opposing section 32A is located at the top of the movement path of the cloth 32 from the unwinding section 35 until it is wound up by the winding section 36.

[0084] Maintenance unit 38 is positioned at maintenance position MP (see reference) via moving mechanism 50 and positioning unit 70. Figure 4 With the maintenance unit 38 positioned in the maintenance position MP, the nozzle surface 25 of the opposing unit 32A and the liquid ejection unit 22 (see reference) Figure 2 They are positioned at a predetermined distance.

[0085] Figure 3 The moving mechanism 50 shown directs the maintenance section 38 toward the liquid ejection section 22 (see reference). Figure 2 The moving mechanism 50 includes a drive unit 51 and a moving platform 37 that can move in the first direction D1 by the power of the drive unit 51. The maintenance unit 38 is disposed on the moving platform 37. Therefore, the maintenance unit 38 moves along the first direction D1 while being mounted on the moving platform 37 by the power of the drive unit 51. The first direction D1 is the direction in which the maintenance unit 38 moves toward the liquid ejection section 22 located at the discharge position EP. In this embodiment, the first direction D1 is the upward direction + Z. That is, the moving mechanism 50 of this embodiment is a lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the maintenance unit 38.

[0086] The moving mechanism 50 includes a power transmission mechanism 52 that transmits power from the drive unit 51 to the moving platform 37. The drive unit 51 is, for example, a cylinder composed of an electric cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder. Furthermore, the moving mechanism 50 includes a pair of guide rails 53 that guide the moving platform 37 in the first direction D1. The maintenance unit 38 moves along the pair of guide rails 53 via the moving platform 37 in the first direction D1, thereby moving together with the moving platform 37 in the first direction D1. Additionally, the moving mechanism 50 includes a second limiting unit 64 that limits the descent position of the moving platform 37 when it descends. Furthermore, in the following text, to distinguish it from the second drive unit 72, which is described later as a drive unit of the positioning unit 70, the drive unit 51 will also be referred to as the "first drive unit 51".

[0087] Regarding the function and location of the positioning unit 70 Here, the position of the positioning unit 70 will be explained. The positioning unit 70, powered by the first drive unit 51, further moves the maintenance unit 38, which has moved along with the moving stage 37 in the first direction D1, to a positioning position in the first direction D1, thereby positioning the maintenance unit 38. Multiple positioning units 70 are provided. When each of the multiple positioning units 70 is projected onto an XY plane orthogonal to the first direction D1 along a direction parallel to the first direction D1, the projected position of each positioning unit 70 will be a different position on the XY plane.

[0088] Here, the number of positioning units 70 is set to N (where N is a natural number). When the N positioning units 70 are projected onto an imaginary plane formed by XY planes orthogonal to the first direction D1 along a direction parallel to the first direction D1, the N projected positions will become N different positions on the imaginary plane. That is, the N projected positions are different in at least one of the X and Y directions on the imaginary plane, and there is no configuration in which more than three projected positions are arranged in a straight line on the imaginary plane.

[0089] like Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, N is, for example, four. The four projection positions formed by projecting the four positioning parts 70 onto the imaginary plane are located at positions that depict a quadrilateral with the points (projection points) of these four projection positions as its four vertices. The quadrilateral is, for example, a rectangle. Thus, four positioning parts 70 are arranged at the four positions of the vertices of the quadrilateral formed by the four projection positions on the imaginary plane. By using the four positioning parts 70 to position the four engaging parts 81, parallel alignment of the liquid receiving surface 32B, which is the surface of the opposing part 32A, with respect to the nozzle surface 25 can be achieved when the maintenance part 38 is positioned in the maintenance position MP. Furthermore, the detailed structure of the positioning parts 70 will be described later.

[0090] Regarding maintenance location MP Figure 4 The front of the maintenance unit 30 is shown when the maintenance section 38 is in the maintenance position MP. Figure 4 In the text, the scanning track 29 is omitted. Figure 4 The maintenance position MP shown refers to the height position of the maintenance part 38 after being positioned by the aforementioned N positioning parts 70. The maintenance position MP is the height position of the maintenance part 38 when the liquid ejection part 22 sprays or discharges liquid toward the opposing part 32A of the cloth 32.

[0091] like Figure 4As shown, when the maintenance section 38 is in the maintenance position MP, the opposing section 32A is located above the upper surface of the upper component 20C of the main frame 20. That is, the upper end of the maintenance section 38, including the opposing section 32A, is located above the upper surface of the upper component 20C. This is achieved by scanning the track 29 (see reference). Figure 3 The guided liquid ejection section 22 moves along the scanning direction X at a height position above the upper surface of the upper component 20C, where the lower surface of the scanning track 29 is fixed. The maintenance section 38 is positioned in the maintenance position MP such that the distance between the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid ejection section 22, located at the discharge position EP in the scanning direction X, and the opposing section 32A in the first direction D1 is a predetermined distance. In other words, the maintenance section 38 is positioned in the maintenance position MP such that the distance between the liquid receiving surface 32B, which is the surface of the opposing section 32A, and the nozzle surface 25 is a predetermined distance.

[0092] The specified distance is, for example, a distance suitable for rinsing. This distance is achieved by rinsing from the nozzle 24 of the liquid ejection section 22 (see reference). Figure 2 When liquid is ejected, mist is generated. The greater the distance between the liquid receiving surface 32B and the nozzle surface 25 (whichever is greater than a predetermined distance), the higher the likelihood that the mist will not reach the liquid receiving surface 32B and will remain suspended. The suspended mist will adhere to the nozzle surface 25. Furthermore, the shorter the distance between the liquid receiving surface 32B and the nozzle surface 25 (whichever is less than a predetermined distance), the more the liquid ejected from the nozzle 24 will bounce when it hits the liquid receiving surface 32B. The bounced droplets are more likely to adhere to the nozzle surface 25. The liquid adhering to the nozzle surface 25 will affect the ejection performance of the liquid ejected from the nozzle 24. For example, the liquid adhering to the periphery of the nozzle 24 comes into contact with the liquid ejected from the nozzle 24, thereby causing the flight direction of the liquid to bend. In this case, since the drop position of the ejected liquid deviates from the expected position, the printing accuracy is reduced.

[0093] Furthermore, if a large amount of liquid adheres to the nozzle surface 25 during rinsing, subsequent printing or other processes can cause mist to adhere to the nozzle surface 25, making it easier for the wetted and spreading liquid to reach the nozzle 24. The liquid reaching the nozzle 24 affects the meniscus of the liquid formed within the nozzle 24. The amount (size) of the liquid (droplets) ejected from the nozzle 24 is controlled based on the predetermined shape of the meniscus within the nozzle 24. If liquid is ejected from the nozzle 24 when the meniscus is not in the predetermined shape, liquid of a size larger or smaller than the intended size will be ejected from the nozzle 24. In this case, since the size of the spot that lands on the medium 99 differs from the intended size, the print quality is reduced.

[0094] Therefore, it is important to maintain the printing quality at a certain level in order to keep the distance between the liquid receiving surface 32B (which is the surface of the opposing part 32A) and the nozzle surface 25 within a predetermined range. In this embodiment, the height position of the maintenance part 38 in the first direction D1 when it is positioned in the maintenance position MP is positioned by using the moving mechanism 50 and the positioning part 70, thereby setting the distance between the opposing part 32A and the nozzle surface 25 within a predetermined range.

[0095] Regarding the parallelism between nozzle face 25 and liquid receiving face 32B Next, the parallelism between the nozzle surface 25 and the liquid receiving surface 32B will be explained. When the nozzle surface 25 and the liquid receiving surface 32B are not parallel, the distances from the nozzles 24 located on the nozzle surface 25 to the liquid receiving surface 32B will vary. In this case, the distance from some of the nozzles 24 to the liquid receiving surface 32B may exceed the specified range. For the portion of nozzles 24 that deviate from the appropriate distance, concerns arise regarding the various problems described above, namely, a decrease in print quality caused by flight bends, dot size deviations, etc.

[0096] Therefore, for all nozzles 24 on the nozzle surface 25, the parallelism between the nozzle surface 25 and the liquid receiving surface 32B is ensured in a manner that satisfies an appropriate distance from the liquid receiving surface 32B. The positioning part 70 positions the maintenance part 38 in a manner that ensures parallelism between the nozzle surface 25 and the liquid receiving surface 32B within a certain range.

[0097] Here, when the liquid ejector 22 is assembled onto the main frame 20 via the scanning track 29, it is positioned such that the nozzle surface 25 is held at a predetermined level. For example, the liquid ejector 22 is assembled onto the main frame 20 in such a way that parallelism relative to the media support 17 is ensured within a certain range.

[0098] In this embodiment, the maintenance unit 38, when moved to the maintenance position MP, is positioned relative to the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid ejection unit 22 assembled in this manner by the positioning unit 70. The positioning unit 70 positions the maintenance unit 38 such that the nozzle surface 25 is parallel to the liquid receiving surface 32B and the distance between the nozzle surface 25 and the liquid receiving surface 32B is within a predetermined range.

[0099] In this embodiment, multiple positioning units 70 position multiple parts of the maintenance unit 38, thereby positioning the attitude of the liquid receiving surface 32B in a manner that ensures parallelism within a certain range with respect to the nozzle surface 25. Therefore, the multiple positioning units 70 are arranged to satisfy the conditions for projected position relative to the XY plane described above. Other structures of the positioning units 70 used to ensure the parallelism of the liquid receiving surface 32B with respect to the nozzle surface 25 will be described later.

[0100] Detailed structure of the moving mechanism 50, etc. Next, refer to Figure 5 The detailed structure of the moving mechanism 50 will now be explained. Figure 5 The image shows the state where the maintenance unit 38 is pulled out from the maintenance unit 30 to the work position DP.

[0101] like Figure 5 As shown, the moving mechanism 50 includes a first drive unit 51, a power transmission mechanism 52, a moving platform 37, a guide rail 53, a first limiting unit 62, and a second limiting unit 64. Figure 3 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 These components are assembled onto the assembly plate 54. The assembly plate 54 is fixed relative to the two bottom components 20A, the two column components 20B, and the two upper components 20C that constitute the main frame 20, with the surface of its plate orthogonal to the scanning direction X.

[0102] The first drive unit 51, as described above, is a cylinder and has a cylinder body 51A and a piston rod 51B. The piston rod 51B has a connecting portion 51C at its top end. The first drive unit 51, which is a cylinder, is driven, for example, in a direction parallel to the first direction D1, with a predetermined stroke.

[0103] The power transmission mechanism 52 is, for example, a wire rope type. The power transmission mechanism 52 includes multiple pulleys 55, 56, and 57, end fittings 58, a wire rope 59, and a connecting fitting 60. The first end of the wire rope 59 is fixed to the end fitting 58, which is fixed to the assembly plate 54. The second end of the wire rope 59 is fixed to the connecting fitting 60, which is fixed to the upper part of the moving platform 37. The wire rope 59 is wound around the multiple pulleys 55, 56, and 57. In this embodiment, the number of pulleys 55, 56, and 57 is three as an example. Both ends of the wire rope 59 are fixed to the end fitting 58 and the connecting fitting 60 via the three pulleys 55, 56, and 57.

[0104] The pulley 55 is, for example, a movable pulley. The pulley 55 is connected to the top end of the piston rod 51B. The piston rod 51B has a connecting portion 51C at its top end. A retaining member 61 is connected to the connecting portion 51C. The pulley 55 is supported by the retaining member 61. The retaining member 61 is capable of tilting relative to the connecting portion 51C about an axis parallel to the Y direction. According to the extension and retraction drive of the first drive unit 51, the piston rod 51B extends and retracts relative to the cylinder body 51A. The pulley 55 is held in a state with minimal change in posture by tilting and retracting according to the piston rod 51B via the retaining member 61.

[0105] Two pulleys 56 and 57 are fixed in different positions relative to the assembly plate 54. Pulley 56 is positioned between itself and the end metal fitting 58 so that pulley 55 can be suspended by wire rope 59. Therefore, pulleys 55 and 56 are positioned so that their outer peripheries, on which wire rope 59 is wound, are approximately adjacent when viewed from above. Pulley 57 is positioned so that the moving platform 37 can be suspended by wire rope 59. Pulley 57 is located above the connecting metal fitting 60. The connecting metal fitting 60 is fixed, for example, to a position near the center of the moving platform 37 in the width direction. The fixing position of the connecting metal fitting 60 is, for example, a position that allows for weight balance in the Y direction of the moving platform 37 and the maintenance unit 38.

[0106] The pulley 55 is a movable pulley whose position in the first direction D1 changes according to the extension and retraction of the piston rod 51B when the drive unit 51, which is composed of cylinder 2, is driven. The displacement of the movable pulley 55 in the first direction D1 is equal to the movement of the piston rod 51B when the drive unit 51 is driven. The moving table 37 moves in a direction parallel to the first direction D1 by approximately twice the movement of the pulley 55.

[0107] like Figure 5 As shown, the first limiting part 62 is fixed at a predetermined height position approximately at the center of the assembly plate 54. The first limiting part 62 has one or more impact buffers 63. The impact buffers 63 are installed with the stop facing downwards. A limiting plate 66C extending horizontally from the back of the moving stage 37 is located below the impact buffers 63. Figure 5 In the example shown, two limiting plates 66C are located below two impact buffers 63. The first limiting part 62 limits the position of the moving platform 37 during its ascent by causing the two impact buffers 63 to contact the two limiting plates 66C when the moving platform 37 rises.

[0108] Figure 7The second limiting part 64 shown is fixed at a predetermined height position on the lower side region of the assembly plate 54. The second limiting part 64 has one or more impact buffers 65. The impact buffers 65 are installed with the stop facing upwards. A limiting plate (not shown) extending horizontally from the back of the moving platform 37 is located above the impact buffers 65. In addition, the limiting plate 66C can also serve as a limiting plate for the impact buffers 65 to abut against when the moving platform 37 descends. The second limiting part 64 limits the position of the moving platform 37 during descent by causing the two impact buffers 65 to contact the two limiting plates 66C when the moving platform 37 descends.

[0109] The movable platform 37 is composed of a base 66 and a sliding platform 67. The base 66 has a platform portion 66A and a back plate portion 66B. A connecting metal fitting 60, for example, to which a steel wire rope 59 is fixed, is fixed to the back plate portion 66B of the base 66. The back plate portion 66B is composed of a plate material that is vertically erected on the back of the base 66.

[0110] The moving mechanism 50 may also have a slide rail 68 that moves the maintenance section 38 along a second direction +D2 orthogonal to the first direction D1. In a top-down view (viewed from the direction -Z, opposite to the first direction D1), the slide rail 68 can, for example, move the maintenance section 38 to a position where, during maintenance, the opposing portion 32A does not overlap with the main frame 20. Specifically, in this top-down view, the slide rail 68 can, for example, move the maintenance section 38 until at least the opposing portion 32A of the maintenance section 38 is positioned outward compared to the upper component 20C to which the scanning track 29 is fixed. Furthermore, in this top-down view, the slide rail 68 can, for example, move the maintenance section 38 to a position where at least the opposing portion 32A does not overlap with the liquid ejection portion 22 when in the discharge position EP. In other words, the slide rail 68, in this viewing direction (top view), allows the maintenance section 38 to move to a position where at least the opposing portion 32A of the maintenance section 38 does not overlap with the frame 12. By ensuring that the working position DP of the pulled-out maintenance section 38 meets the above conditions, the main frame 20 (upper part 20C), the frame 12, the scanning track 29 of the liquid ejection section 22, etc., are less likely to become obstacles during the replacement of the maintenance section 38 or the replacement of the roll bodies R1 and R2.

[0111] The operator can move at least the opposing portion 32A of the maintenance section 38 to a position where it does not overlap with the main frame 20 when viewed from above (planar top view). The position where it does not overlap with the main frame 20 refers to the position where the opposing portion 32A of the maintenance section 38 is positioned outside the main frame 20 when viewed from above. Figure 5As shown, at least the opposing portion 32A of the maintenance unit 38, which is pulled out to the working position DP, is located outside the main frame 20 when viewed from above. In other words, the maintenance unit 38 only needs to have at least the portion of the fabric 32 positioned outside the main frame 20 when viewed from above. This is because the main frame 20 is less likely to become an obstacle during the replacement of the fabric 32.

[0112] In this embodiment, the sliding table 67, on which the maintenance unit 38 is mounted, is guided by a slide rail 68 in a manner that allows it to slide along the Y direction. The slide rail 68 is, for example, fixed to the base 66. Specifically, two slide rails 68 may be fixed to the platform portion 66A in the base 66 and one slide rail may be fixed to the back plate portion 66B, for a total of three slide rails. The number of slide rails 68 can be either one or two, as long as they can guide the sliding table 67 in a slidable manner relative to the base 66.

[0113] The sliding table 67 may also have a table portion 67A and a back plate portion 67B. A maintenance unit 38 is mounted on the table portion 67A of the sliding table 67. The back plate portion 67B of the sliding table 67 may also have a height more than half the height of the maintenance unit 38. By sliding the sliding table 67 relative to the base 66 in the second direction +D2, the maintenance unit 38 mounted on the sliding table 67 can be pulled out to the working position DP. The operator performs replacement operations on the roll bodies R1 and R2 or on the maintenance unit 38 pulled out to the working position DP. The working position DP is the replacement operation position where the operator replaces the used fabric 32 with a new fabric 32 for the maintenance unit 38.

[0114] The moving mechanism 50 has a support portion 80 that moves in the first direction D1 by power from the first drive portion 51. The support portion 80 may also be mounted on the sliding table 67. The pair of support portions 80 may also support the maintenance portion 38 in a state where it is sandwiched between the two sides in the Y direction. The pair of support portions 80 may also be made of a plate fixed to the back plate portion 67B.

[0115] The maintenance part 38 has an engaging part 81 that can engage with the positioning part 70. The maintenance part 38 may also have the same number of engaging parts 81 as the positioning part 70. The maintenance part 38 in this embodiment may also have four engaging parts 81. The engaging parts 81 may also protrude outward through a pair of support parts 80.

[0116] The positioning part 70 can also be fixed to the main frame 20 that supports the liquid ejection part 22. The positioning part 70 can also be fixed to the upper part 20C, which is a component on which the scanning track 29 is fixed. Multiple positioning parts 70 are arranged at positions corresponding to multiple engaging parts 81. By engaging with multiple (N) engaging parts 81, multiple (N) positioning parts 70 can position the maintenance part 38, which has moved along the first direction D1, at multiple locations (N locations). The maintenance part 38 is positioned by the positioning parts 70. Figure 4 The maintenance location shown is MP.

[0117] like Figure 5 As shown, the moving mechanism 50 includes a detection unit 69 fixed at a predetermined height on the assembly plate 54. On the back side of the back plate portion 66B of the base 66, a detection part (not shown) is fixed at a position in the Y direction corresponding to the detection unit 69. The detection unit 69, powered by the first drive unit 51, moves the maintenance part 38, which is mounted on the moving stage 37, in the first direction D1 to a first moving position SP (see reference). Figure 9 , Figure 13 The detection unit 69 detects the part being tested when the impact buffer 63 of the first limiting unit 62 touches the limiting plate 66C. The height position of the part being tested is set such that the detection unit 69 detects the part being tested at the position where the impact buffer 63 of the first limiting unit 62 touches the limiting plate 66C. When the control unit 100 inputs a detection signal from the detection unit 69, it stops the drive of the first drive unit 51. Therefore, the maintenance unit 38 stops at the first moving position SP. The first moving position SP where the maintenance unit 38 stops when the detection unit 69 detects the signal is the position from which the subsequent positioning of the maintenance unit 38 is handed over to the positioning unit 70. The positioning unit 70 can perform a positioning operation on the maintenance unit 38 that has moved to the first moving position SP.

[0118] Structure of Maintenance Section 38 Next, refer to Figure 6 The structure of maintenance section 38 will now be explained. Additionally... Figure 6 The diagram shows a pair of support portions 80 arranged on both sides of the maintenance section 38. The maintenance section 38 is mounted on the sliding table 67 via the pair of support portions 80.

[0119] The maintenance unit 38 has an unwinding section 35 and a winding section 36. The unwinding section 35 houses a roll R1 with unused fabric 32 wound on it, and the winding section 36 winds up the fabric 32 unwound from the roll R1. The maintenance unit 38 includes a frame 38A. The unwinding section 35 and the winding section 36 are assembled on the frame 38A. The unwinding section 35 and the winding section 36 can also be arranged vertically. Figure 6As shown, the take-up section 36 can also be positioned above the unwind section 35. Conversely, the unwind section 35 can also be positioned above the take-up section 36. By arranging the unwind section 35 and the take-up section 36 vertically, the maintenance section 38 is brought together into an elongated shape. This elongated shape of the maintenance section 38 facilitates miniaturization in the scanning direction X of the liquid ejection device 11.

[0120] like Figure 6 As shown, the maintenance unit 38 includes a feed roller 35A for winding the fabric 32 into a roll shape and a take-up roller 36A for winding the fabric 32 from the feed roller 35A. The maintenance unit 38 includes a motor 36M as an example of a third drive unit that drives the take-up roller 36A.

[0121] Feed rollers 35A are provided on the unwinding section 35. The unwinding section 35 may also have a pair of feed rollers 35A on both sides in the axial direction. A roll body R1 of fabric 32 is placed on the unwinding section 35. The roll body R1 has a tube (not shown) and a roll of fabric 32 wound around the outer periphery of the tube. The roll body R1 is placed on the unwinding section 35 by inserting a pair of feed rollers 35A from both sides in the axial direction of the tube.

[0122] A take-up roller 36A is provided on the take-up section 36. The take-up section 36 may also have a pair of take-up rollers 36A on both sides of the axial direction. The take-up section 36 supports the tube by inserting a pair of take-up rollers 36A from both sides of the tube's axial direction. The take-up rollers 36A are driven to rotate by the driving force of the motor 36M. The roll body R1 supported by the pair of take-up rollers 36A is rotated in the take-up direction by the driving force of the motor 36M. The take-up section 36 takes up the used fabric 32 used during maintenance as the roll body R2.

[0123] The fabric 32, unwound from the roll body R1 of the unwinding section 35, is wound up by the winding section 36 as a roll body R2 via a predetermined feed path. The fabric 32 is guided along the predetermined feed path by a pair of holding rollers 33 supported by the frame 38A and a plurality of guide rollers 34.

[0124] The maintenance section 38 has a counter section 32A, which is the portion of the fabric 32 opposite to the liquid ejection section 22. The counter section 32A is the portion of the fabric 32 guided by a pair of retaining rollers 33. The pair of retaining rollers 33 are arranged at the same height at two different positions in the scanning direction X. The liquid receiving surface 32B, which is the surface of the counter section 32A, is a horizontal surface.

[0125] The liquid receiving surface 32B is used for the maintenance of the liquid ejection section 22. The maintenance section 38 uses the liquid receiving surface 32B to receive liquid. The liquid receiving surface 32B receives the liquid ejected from the nozzle 24 of the liquid ejection section 22 during rinsing as maintenance of the liquid ejection section 22. When the maintenance unit 30 is also used for cleaning, the liquid receiving surface 32B receives the liquid discharged from the nozzle 24 of the liquid ejection section 22 during cleaning as maintenance. When the liquid receiving surface 32B receives an amount of liquid exceeding a threshold, the winding section 36 is driven, thereby feeding the cloth 32 at a predetermined feed rate. Through this feeding action of the cloth 32, the liquid receiving surface 32B is changed to the unused side of the cloth 32. The winding section 36 winds the cloth 32, which has become used due to the reception of liquid ejected or discharged from the liquid ejection section 22, into a roll shape, thereby forming a roll body R2.

[0126] like Figure 6 As shown, the unwinding section 35 has a friction mechanism 35F at its outer end, located outside the rotating portion including the roll body R1 mounted on a pair of feed rollers 35A. The friction mechanism 35F generates rotational friction when the unwinding section 35 rotates. The winding section 36 has a friction mechanism 36F at its outer end, located outside the rotating portion that rotates together with the roll body R2. The fabric 32 is unwound from the roll body R1 mounted on the unwinding section 35 by the winding force of the winding section 36. The winding section 36 takes the fabric 32 unwound from the roll body R1 by the winding force and winds it back as the roll body R2. At this time, the rotational friction generated by the friction mechanisms 35F and 36F applies tension to the fabric 32 within a certain range. The fabric 32 is intermittently fed along the feed direction in a predetermined amount each time under tension by the winding force of the winding section 36 and the friction applied by the friction mechanisms 35F and 36F.

[0127] The maintenance section 38 has an engaging portion 81 at a predetermined height. The engaging portion 81 is located at a height position more than halfway along the vertical Z-direction of the maintenance section 38. As an example, the engaging portion 81 is located in the first direction D1 between the feed roller 35A and the take-up roller 36A, on the side closer to the opposing portion 32A. In the maintenance section 38 of this embodiment, the roller closer to the opposing portion 32A in the first direction D1 is the take-up roller 36A. The engaging portion 81 is located between the take-up roller 36A and the opposing portion 32A.

[0128] The engaging portion 81 is used for positioning the maintenance portion 38 by engaging with the positioning portion 70. The positioning portion 70, by engaging with the engaging portion 81, positions the opposing portion 32A (liquid receiving surface 32B) located at the upper end of the maintenance portion 38 in the first direction D1. The engaging portion 81 is positioned relatively close to the opposing portion 32A, which is the object to be positioned in the maintenance portion 38, in the first direction D1. Therefore, compared to a structure where the engaging portion 81 is located further away from the opposing portion 32A in the first direction D1, higher positioning accuracy of the opposing portion 32A can be easily obtained.

[0129] The maintenance part 38 has a bottom 38B at its lower end. When the maintenance part 38 is placed on the sliding table 67, a pair of support parts 80 mounted on the sliding table 67 are assembled on both sides of the maintenance part 38 in the Y direction. The support parts 80 have openings 80A at positions corresponding to the engaging parts 81. The maintenance part 38 has two engaging parts 81 extending in the Y direction on each side in the Y direction. The engaging parts 81 extend outward in the Y direction through the openings 80A. Furthermore, details regarding the engaging parts 81 and the openings 80A will be described later.

[0130] Action of the moving mechanism 50 Next, refer to Figure 7 , Figure 8 The operation of the moving mechanism 50 will be explained. Figure 7 The image shows the movable stage 37, which constitutes the movable mechanism 50, in the lowered position. Figure 8 The image shows the movable stage 37, which constitutes the movable mechanism 50, in the raised position.

[0131] like Figure 7 As shown, the first drive unit 51 is in an extended state, causing the piston rod 51B to extend. Since the pulley 55 connected to the top of the piston rod 51B is in an elevated position, the portion of the steel cable 59 hanging from the pulley 57 becomes longer, thereby causing the moving platform 37 suspended on the steel cable 59 to descend. The moving platform 37 is in the descending position. The moving platform 37 descends along two guide rails 53 positioned at different locations in the Y direction while maintaining a horizontal state. The moving platform 37 is positioned in the descending position by the contact between the limiting plate 66C of the moving platform 37 and the impact buffer 65 of the second limiting unit 64. A pair of support portions 80 are mounted on the back plate portion 67B of the sliding table 67 within the moving platform 37. The maintenance portion 38, mounted on the moving platform 37, is supported from both sides by the pair of support portions 80. At least one of the pair of support portions 80 is installed in a detachable state. When the maintenance portion 38 (see reference...) is... Figure 5 , Figure 6When supported on the moving table 37, at least one of the pair of support parts 80 is removed, and the maintenance part 38 is supported in a state of being clamped in the Y direction by the pair of support parts 80.

[0132] like Figure 8 As shown, the first drive unit 51 is in a contracted state, causing the piston rod 51B to retract. Since the pulley 55 connected to the top of the piston rod 51B is in a lowered position, the portion of the steel cable 59 hanging from the pulley 57 shortens, thereby causing the movable platform 37 suspended on the steel cable 59 to rise. The movable platform 37 is in the raised position. The movable platform 37 rises along the two guide rails 53 while maintaining a horizontal state. The movable platform 37 is positioned in the raised position by the contact between the limiting plate 66C of the movable platform 37 and the impact buffer 63 of the first limiting unit 62. When the movable platform 37 reaches the raised position, the detection unit 69 detects the part to be detected (not shown) mounted on the movable platform 37. When the detection unit 69 is in the detection state, the control unit 100 stops the drive of the first drive unit 51. The movable platform 37 stops at the raised position with the limiting plate 66C in contact with the impact buffer 63. The maintenance unit 38 mounted on the movable platform 37 (see reference) Figure 5 , Figure 6 Together with the moving platform 37, it moves to the raised position in the first direction D1. The pair of support parts 80 that support the sides of the maintenance part 38 move in the first direction D1 to a position equivalent to the height of the positioning part 70.

[0133] like Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown, three or more positioning units 70 are provided. These three or more positioning units 70 are configured to have three or more different projection positions onto an imaginary plane orthogonal to the first direction D1. In this embodiment, four positioning units 70 are provided. These four positioning units 70 are configured to have four different projection positions onto an imaginary plane orthogonal to the first direction D1.

[0134] Four positioning parts 70 are configured at four different positions in at least one of the scanning directions X and Y. The four positioning parts 70 are configured with a total of four engaging parts 81 (see reference) extending two on each side from a pair of support parts 80 that pass through and sandwich the maintenance part 38 in the raised position in the Y direction. Figure 5 (Corresponding to the four positions in front, back, left, and right.)

[0135] Regarding the structure of the engaging part 81 of the maintenance part 38 and the opening 80A of the support part 80. Next, refer to Figure 9 , Figure 10The structure of the maintenance section 38 and the support section 80 will be explained below. Figure 9 As shown, the support portion 80 has an opening 80A through which the engaging portion 81 passes. The engaging portion 81 protrudes outward from the support portion 80 when inserted into the opening 80A. Figure 9 The maintenance unit 38 shown is in a retracted position (i.e., a lowered position) that has moved from the maintenance position MP toward the first direction D1, or in a state where it is moving from the lowered position toward the first direction D1 via the moving mechanism 50. The engaging part 81 engages with the support part 80 that moves in the first direction D1. With the support part 80 supporting the maintenance unit 38 via the engaging part 81, it moves together with the maintenance unit 38 toward the first direction D1.

[0136] A locking portion 81 is disposed between the take-up roller 36A and the opposing portion 32A in the first direction D1. A pair of locking portions 81 are fixed to the frame 38A. Specifically, the pair of locking portions 81 extend outward from the side portions of the frame 38A that constitute the maintenance portion 38 in the Y direction. The maintenance portion 38 is supported at the height of the upper side portion by engaging with the support portion 80 through the locking portions 81. Therefore, the posture of the maintenance portion 38, which is moving along the first direction D1, is easily stabilized.

[0137] Mobile station 37 via mobile mechanism 50 (refer to) Figure 7 , Figure 8 When moving in the first direction D1, the maintenance unit 38, mounted on the moving platform 37, moves the same distance in the first direction D1 along with the moving platform 37. The support unit 80, which is part of the moving mechanism 50, also moves in the first direction D1 along with the maintenance unit 38. When the movement of the maintenance unit 38 in the first direction D1 via the moving mechanism 50 ends, the engaging part 81 is positioned... Figure 9 The positioning part 70, indicated by the double-dotted line, is at a height position where it can engage. That is, the engaging part 81 is positioned on the rod 71 of the positioning part 70 (see reference). Figure 7 , Figure 8 (The height position where it can be engaged)

[0138] like Figure 10 As shown, in the first direction D1, the length L1 of the opening 80A is longer than the length L2 of the engaging portion 81. The engaging portion 81 is, for example, a shaft component 81A (see also...). Figure 13In the first direction D1, the length L1 of the opening 80A is longer than the thickness L2 of the shaft member 81A. The shaft member 81A may, for example, be a rod having a cross-sectional shape formed by partially cutting the upper part of a circle. The shaft member 81A has a restrained surface 81B at its upper part, formed by a plane orthogonal to the first direction D1. Alternatively, the shaft member 81A may be a rod of a polygonal prism, such as a triangular prism or a quadrangular prism, arranged as one surface of the restrained surface 81B in an orientation orthogonal to the first direction D1.

[0139] The support portion 80 is mounted relative to the maintenance portion 38 with the engaging portion 81 (shaft member 81A) positioned within the opening 80A at a position offset in the direction opposite to the first direction D1 (-Z direction). In other words, the engaging portion 81 is offset downwards within the opening 80A. Since lengths L1 and L2 satisfy L1 > L2, the engaging portion 81 can be displaced relative to the opening 80A in the first direction D1. Therefore, after the maintenance portion 38 has moved in the first direction D1 along with the moving table 37 via the moving mechanism 50, the engaging portion 81 can be displaced relative to the support portion 80 in the first direction D1. The engaging portion 81 can be displaced relative to the support portion 80 in the first direction D1 within the range of (L1-L2).

[0140] Structure of Positioning Part 70 Next, refer to Figure 11 , Figure 12 The structure of the positioning unit 70 will now be explained. The liquid ejection device 11 is equipped with a positioning mechanism for the maintenance unit 38. Figure 11 , Figure 12 The positioning part 70 shown.

[0141] exist Figure 11 The image shows the lever 71 in a positioned state. Figure 12 The image shows the lever 71 in its released state. The positioning part 70 positions the maintenance part 38 relative to the liquid ejection part 22 by moving the engaging part 81 relative to the support part 80 in the first direction D1. The positioning part 70 has the lever 71 as an example of a movable part.

[0142] Rod 71 can change the attitude to Figure 12 The release state RP shown is Figure 11 The positioning state PP is shown. Rod 71 can be moved to [position state] by rotating about the rotation axis 76. Figure 12 The release state RP shown is Figure 11 The positioning state PP is shown. Rod 71 is in the position shown. Figure 12In the released state RP shown, the extension direction of lever 71 is towards the -Z direction. Lever 71 is in the... Figure 11 When the positioning state PP is shown, the extension direction of the lever 71 is towards the -Y direction. The movement direction of the engaging part 81 is the first direction D1 (e.g., the +Z direction). When the lever 71 is in the... Figure 12 In the released state RP shown, the extension direction of lever 71 is towards the direction of movement along the engaging portion 81, i.e., the first direction D1. Lever 71 is in the... Figure 11 When in the positioning state PP as shown, the extension direction of rod 71 is towards the direction intersecting with the movement direction of engaging part 81, i.e., the first direction D1. Rod 71 is in... Figure 12 When in the release state RP shown, it is in the movement path TR from the engaging part 81 (refer to...). Figure 13 The lever 71 is in a retreating state. Figure 11 When the positioning state PP is shown, it is in the state of entering the movement path TR of the engaging part 81.

[0143] In detail, lever 71 is able to move to a released state RP that does not engage with engaging part 81 (see reference). Figure 12 , Figure 13 ) and the positioning state PP in which the engaging part 81 is engaged with the engaging part 81 and positioned in the first direction D1 (refer to Figure 11 , Figure 14 It is configured in such a way that the lever 71 engages with the engaging part 81 during the process of moving (rotating) from the released state RP to the positioned state PP.

[0144] After the maintenance unit 38, together with the moving platform 37, completes its movement in the first direction D1 via the moving mechanism 50, the positioning unit 70 pushes the engaging part 81 upward along the first direction D1 via the lever 71, thereby positioning the maintenance unit 38 in the first direction D1. Multiple (e.g., four) levers 71 push their respective engaging parts 81 upward to their individually set predetermined positions. Thus, the maintenance unit 38 is positioned in the maintenance position MP with the liquid receiving surface 32B parallel to the nozzle surface 25.

[0145] Here, the position of the engaging part 81 when the maintenance unit 38 stops moving in the first direction D1 via the moving mechanism 50 is the target position P1 of the engaging part 81 achieved by the moving mechanism 50 (refer to...). Figure 13 The lever 71 can engage with the engaging part 81 that has moved to the target position P1.

[0146] The positioning unit 70 has a second drive unit 72. When the engaging part 81 is moved from the target position P1 to the first direction D1 for positioning, the second drive unit 72 moves the lever 71 from the released state RP to the positioning state PP. The second drive unit 72 is, for example, a motor. The lever 71 is connected to the output shaft of the second drive unit 72. The lever 71 may also be connected to the output shaft of the second drive unit 72 via a gear mechanism. Alternatively, the second drive unit 72 may be replaced by a solenoid or a cylinder, etc., instead of a motor.

[0147] The rotating shaft 76 is, for example, fitted into the output shaft of the second drive unit 72. A rod 71 is fixed to the rotating shaft 76. The rod 71 is mounted to the rotating shaft 76 such that the rotating shaft 76 is inserted into a circular hole formed in its base. The rod 71 is in a state where it is prevented from rotating relative to the rotating shaft 76. The rod 71 can rotate integrally with the rotating shaft 76.

[0148] like Figure 11 , Figure 12 As shown, the positioning part 70 may also include a limiting part 73. The limiting part 73 restricts the movement of the engaging part 81 in the first direction D1. That is, the limiting part 73 restricts further movement of the engaging part 81 by abutting against the engaging part 81, which has been pushed upward in the first direction D1 by the lever 71.

[0149] The limiting part 73 functions as a stop for the engaging part 81. The limiting part 73 is positioned along the movement path TR of the engaging part 81 (see reference). Figure 13 The limiting part 73 is positioned to abut against the engaging part 81, which is displaced in the first direction D1 by the rod 71. The lower end of the limiting part 73 functions as a stop. The limiting part 73 may also have a spherical abutment portion at its lower end. The positioning part 70 can also position the maintenance part 38 by abutting the engaging part 81 against the limiting part 73.

[0150] The positioning part 70 has a mounting component 74 and an assembly component 75. The mounting component 74 is a plate-shaped component. The mounting component 74 is used to mount the positioning part 70 to the main frame 20 (see reference). Figure 5 The mounting member 75 is a plate-shaped component extending from one face of the mounting member 74 in a vertical direction (e.g., the Y direction). The second drive unit 72 is mounted on the mounting member 75. The positioning unit 70 has an extension member 77 extending from the surface of the mounting member 74 in a vertical direction (e.g., the Y direction). The extension member 77 extends in a direction parallel to the extension direction of the mounting member 75. The extension member 77 is located directly above the rod 71. A limiting part 73 is mounted on the top end of the extension member 77.

[0151] The positioning part 70 may also include an adjustment part 78. The adjustment part 78 is configured to adjust the position of the limiting part 73 in the first direction D1. The adjustment part 78 is assembled on the top end of the extension member 77. The adjustment part 78 may also include a threaded part 73A provided on the limiting part 73 and a nut member 78A that engages with the threaded part 73A. The nut member 78A may be fixed to the extension member 77 or may be coupled to the extension member 77 by engaging with the threaded part 73A of the limiting part 73. By adjusting the engagement position of the threaded part 73A relative to the nut member 78A located on the upper surface of the extension member 77, the adjustment part 78 can adjust the position of the limiting part 73 in the first direction D1.

[0152] The lever 71 rotates within a predetermined angle range around the rotation axis 76 by the driving force of the second drive unit 72. The lever 71 can rotate between the released state RP and the positioned state PP. During the rotation of the lever 71 from the released state RP toward the positioned state PP, it engages with the engaging part 81 at the target position P1, thereby allowing the engaging part 81 to be displaced from the target position P1 toward the first direction D1.

[0153] The predetermined angle range can be, for example, 30 degrees or more and 180 degrees or less. The predetermined angle range can be, for example, 50 degrees or more and 150 degrees or less. The predetermined angle range can also be, for example, 60 degrees or more and 120 degrees or less. In this embodiment, the predetermined angle range is approximately 90 degrees as an example. Furthermore, the predetermined angle range can also be an angle range other than those described above. In short, the predetermined angle range is simply the range within which, during the movement from the release state RP (where it is not engaged with the engaging part 81 moving towards the target position P1) to the positioning state PP, the engaging part 81 engages with the engaging part 81 at the target position P1 and can be displaced in the first direction D1 by the amount of movement required for the positioning of the maintenance part 38.

[0154] The rotation axis 76 of lever 71 is, for example, parallel to the scanning direction X. Lever 71 rotates around an axis parallel to the scanning direction X. The axial direction (X direction) of the rotation axis 76 is orthogonal to the protruding direction (Y direction) of the engaging part 81. Therefore, lever 71 in the released state RP will not interfere with the movement path TR of the engaging part 81 moving in the first direction D1. Lever 71 rotating from the released state RP to the positioning state PP can engage with the engaging part 81 at the target position P1 after completing its movement in the first direction D1.

[0155] The positioning of the maintenance unit 38 is achieved by the mobile mechanism 50 and the positioning unit 70. Next, refer to Figures 13 to 15The structure related to the positioning of the maintenance unit 38, which is implemented by the moving mechanism 50 and the positioning unit 70, will be explained.

[0156] The positioning part 70 is movable together with the support part 80 in the first direction D1. Figure 13 The engaging part 81 shown engages. (As shown) Figure 13 As shown, the engaging portion 81 is formed by the two ends of the rod 82 that passes through the maintenance portion 38. The rod 82 is fixed to a pair of frames 38A by a fixing member 83, and the engaging portions 81 at both ends of the rod 82 protrude outward from the pair of frames 38A in the Y direction.

[0157] The positioning unit 70 has a lever 71, as an example of a movable component, which can engage with an engaging part 81 that has moved to a target position P1. When the positioning unit 70 positions itself by moving the engaging part 81 from the target position P1 towards a first direction D1, it moves the lever 71 from a released state RP to a positioned state PP by driving the second drive unit 72. Figure 13 , Figure 14 ).

[0158] The positioning part 70 moves the engaging part 81 relative to the support part 80 in a direction parallel to the first direction D1, thereby positioning the maintenance part 38 relative to the liquid ejection part 22 (see reference). Figure 2 , Figure 4 Positioning is performed by lever 71 from... Figure 13 The release state RP shown Figure 14 During the rotation of the positioning state shown, PP engages with the engaging part 81, and pushes the engaging part 81 upward along the first direction D1 to the positioning position P2 (see reference). Figure 14 , Figure 15 In this embodiment, the relative movement of the engaging portion 81 with respect to the support portion 80 in a direction parallel to the first direction D1 (e.g., the vertical direction Z) is the relative movement of the engaging portion 81 with respect to the support portion 80 in the first direction D1 (upward direction + Z). That is, the positioning portion 70 positions the maintenance portion 38 by displacing the engaging portion 81, which is at the target position P1, upward relative to the support portion 80.

[0159] Control unit 100 moves the device to the descending position LP (refer to) which is the retraction position. Figure 9When the maintenance part 38 moves to the maintenance position MP and is positioned, the control unit 100 performs the following control: When the maintenance part 38 is in the lowered position LP, the control unit 100 drives the first drive unit 51. After the drive of the first drive unit 51 begins, when the detection unit 69 detects that the support part 80 has moved to a position that would move the engaging part 81 to the target position P1, the control unit 100 stops the drive of the first drive unit 51. Next, the control unit 100 drives the second drive unit 72, thereby using the lever 71 to move the engaging part 81 from the target position P1 to the positioning position P2. Specifically, the lever 71 changes its attitude from the released state RP to the positioning state PP, and during this attitude change, the lever 71, which engages with the engaging part 81, pushes the engaging part 81 upwards until it touches the limiting part 73. The engaging part 81, by touching the limiting part 73, is positioned at the positioning position P2 along the first direction D1. Figure 14 ).

[0160] In the four positioning parts 70, the height of the limiting part 73 is adjusted individually. The four limiting parts 73 are set such that when they respectively touch the corresponding engaging part 81, the liquid receiving surface 32B of the opposing part 32A is parallel to the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid ejection part 22 in the discharge position EP.

[0161] like Figure 13 As shown, the engaging portion 81, which passes through the opening 80A of the support portion 80, moves along the moving path TR together with the support portion 80 in the first direction D1. The engaging portion 81 moves along the moving path TR from the lowered position when the maintenance portion 38 is in the lowered position LP to... Figure 13 The target location P1 is shown.

[0162] In Figure 13 In the released state RP shown, lever 71 retracts to the outside of the movement path TR of the engaging part 81. The engaging part 81 moves along the movement path TR in the first direction D1 without interfering with lever 71. Figure 13 As shown, the engaging part 81 moves to the target position P1 without interfering with the rod 71.

[0163] like Figure 13 As shown, after the engaging part 81 moves to the target position P1, the lever 71 moves from... Figure 13 The release state RP shown Figure 14 The positioning state PP is rotated. During the rotation, rod 71 engages with engaging part 81, and pushes engaging part 81 upward to the positioning position P2 where it abuts against limiting part 73. Figure 14The engaging part 81 is restricted from further movement in the first direction D1 by abutting against the limiting part 73. The engaging part 81 is positioned at the positioning position P2 where it abuts against the limiting part 73.

[0164] exist Figure 14 The diagram shows one of the four positioning parts 70. The other three positioning parts 70 are configured in the same manner and perform the same positioning operation. In the four positioning parts 70, the four engaging parts 81 are positioned at individually set height positions by abutting against the limiting parts 73, which are individually height-adjustable. The four engaging parts 81 are positioned at positioning positions P2 at individually set heights. The height of the maintenance part 38 and its parallelism with the nozzle surface 25 are determined by the positioning positions P2 of the four engaging parts 81. The maintenance part 38 is positioned with the liquid receiving surface 32B parallel to the nozzle surface 25 and a predetermined distance between the liquid receiving surface 32B and the nozzle surface 25. The predetermined distance is a distance (gap) within an appropriate range that can suppress the adhesion of liquid to the nozzle surface 25 caused by liquid rebound and mist suspension at the liquid receiving surface 32B during rinsing and cleaning.

[0165] Electrical structure of maintenance unit 30 Next, the electrical structure involved in the positioning of the maintenance unit 30 will be explained. As mentioned above, the maintenance unit 30 includes a control unit 100 (see...). Figure 1 ) and Testing Department 69 (refer to) Figure 5 The maintenance unit 30 includes a first drive unit 51 that serves as the drive source for the moving mechanism 50 (see reference). Figure 5 ) and the second drive unit 72, which serves as the drive source for the positioning unit 70 (see reference 72). Figure 11 The detection unit 69 detects when the engaging part 81 and the support part 80 move together along the first direction D1 to the target position P1. When the engaging part 81 moves together with the support part 80 along the first direction D1 to the target position P1 by being driven by the first drive unit 51, the detection unit 69 detects the part to be detected (not shown) set on the moving stage 37. The control unit 100 inputs the detection signal output by the detection unit 69 when the part to be detected is detected.

[0166] The control unit 100 sets the first drive unit 51 and the second drive unit 72 as controlled objects. The positioning unit 70 has a lever 71 that can engage with the engaging part 81 that has moved to the target position P1. The second drive unit 72 can drive the lever 71 to move from the released state RP to the positioning state PP. The control unit 100 detects the movement of the engaging part 81 to the target position P1 based on a detection signal from the detection unit 69.

[0167] When positioning the maintenance unit 38 relative to the liquid ejection unit 22, the control unit 100 performs the following (A) to (C).

[0168] (A) The first drive unit 51 is driven in the drive direction that moves the maintenance unit 38 in the first direction D1.

[0169] (B) When the detection unit 69 detects that the engaging part 81 has moved to the target position P1, the drive of the first drive unit 51 is stopped.

[0170] (C) By driving the second drive unit 72, the locking part 81 is moved from the target position P1 to the positioning position P2 by using the lever 71.

[0171] In detail, in (A) above, when the maintenance unit 38 is in a lowered position LP, which is in a direction opposite to the first direction D1 (-D1) relative to the maintenance position MP, the first drive unit 51 is driven. Driven by the first drive unit 51, the moving platform 37 and the support unit 80 of the moving mechanism 50 move together with the maintenance unit 38 along the first direction D1. In (B) above, the detection unit 69 detects the engagement part 81 moving to the target position P1 by detecting the part to be detected mounted on the moving platform 37. When the detection unit 69 detects that the engagement part 81 has moved to the target position P1, it stops the drive of the first drive unit 51, thus stopping the engagement part 81 at the target position P1. In (C) above, the second drive unit 72 is driven, causing the lever 71 to move from the released state RP towards the positioning state PP. The lever 71 engages with the engaging part 81, and the engaging part 81 is positioned at the positioning position P2 by moving the engaging part 81 from the target position P1 to the positioning position P2 in the first direction D1.

[0172] Furthermore, the control unit 100 can also manage the amount of cloth 32 used. Each time the cloth 32 is replaced, the operator notifies the control unit 100 of the completion of the replacement by operating a button on the control panel. The control unit 100 feeds the cloth 32 by driving the motor 36M at predetermined intervals during the printing operation of the liquid ejection device 11. The control unit 100 manages the amount of liquid received on the liquid receiving surface 32B, and feeds the cloth 32 at a predetermined amount by driving the motor 36M whenever the amount of liquid received exceeds a predetermined threshold. Each time the cloth 32 is fed, the control unit 100 sets a counter (not shown) to count to a value corresponding to the amount of cloth 32 fed. When the counter reaches a value indicating the replacement period, the control unit 100 displays information indicating this on the display section of the control panel, prompting the operator to replace the cloth 32. The operator, upon seeing the message prompting replacement displayed on the display unit, instructs the control unit 100 to perform the replacement operation by operating the buttons on the operation panel.

[0173] When the control unit 100 receives an instruction to replace the fabric 32, it drives the first drive unit 51 and the second drive unit 72, thereby moving the maintenance unit 38 from the maintenance position MP to the lowered position LP. The operator pulls the lowered maintenance unit 38 out to the work position DP in the second direction +D2 (+Y direction), which is orthogonal to the first direction D1. When the fabric 32 replacement operation is completed for the maintenance unit 38, the operator pushes the maintenance unit 38 back into the lowered position LP. The operator instructs the control unit 100 to move the maintenance unit 38 to the maintenance position MP by operating the buttons on the operation panel.

[0174] The role of the implementation method Next, the movement and positioning of the maintenance unit 38 from the lowered position LP to the maintenance position MP will be described. The maintenance unit 38 is mounted on the moving table 37 constituting the moving mechanism 50 and is supported by a pair of support parts 80. Figure 9 As shown, the maintenance part 38 is supported with the engaging part 81 positioned at its lower end relative to a pair of support parts 80 within the opening 80A. The engaging part 81 is in a state where it can move relative to the pair of support parts 80A along the first direction D1. Figure 10 ).

[0175] The operator instructs the control unit 100 to move the maintenance unit 38 to the maintenance position MP by operating the buttons on the control panel of the liquid dispensing device 11. Upon receiving the instruction from the operator via button operation, the control unit 100 activates the first drive unit 51. The first drive unit 51, which is a cylinder, is activated from an extended state to a retracted state.

[0176] Driven by the first drive unit 51, the maintenance unit 38 moves together with the mobile station 37 along the first direction D1. When the maintenance unit 38 moves along the first direction D1 to the first moving position SP (refer to...), the maintenance unit 38 moves to the first moving position SP (refer to...). Figure 13 When the detection unit 69 detects the part being detected, the control unit 100 stops the drive of the first drive unit 51 based on the detection signal from the detection unit 69. As a result, the maintenance unit 38 stops after moving to the first moving position SP.

[0177] During the movement of the maintenance unit 38 to the first moving position SP, the lever 71 of the positioning unit 70 is in the downward-facing released state RP. Figure 13 The lever 71 is in a position that avoids the movement path TR of the engaging part 81. The engaging part 81 moves along the movement path TR in the first direction D1 to the target position P1 without interfering with the lever 71. When the maintenance part 38 stops at the first movement position SP, the engaging part 81 has moved to... Figure 13 The target location P1 is shown.

[0178] During the movement to the first moving position SP of the maintenance section 38, a force in the first direction D1 can be applied from the pair of support sections 80 to the engaging section 81 that passes through the opening 80A. Alternatively, the engaging section 81 can move along the first direction D1 together with the maintenance section 38 without being subjected to a force in the first direction D1 from the support sections 80. Since the maintenance section 38 is supported by the pair of support sections 80 at the height position of the engaging section 81 via the engaging section 81 when the force in the first direction D1 is applied from the pair of support sections 80, the posture of the maintenance section 38 is more stable when moving in the first direction D1.

[0179] When the first drive unit 51 is stopped, the control unit 100 then drives the second drive unit 72. Driven by the second drive unit 72, the lever 71 is released from the release state RP. Figure 13 Rotate to the positioning state PP ( Figure 14 ).like Figure 14 As shown, during this rotation, rod 71 engages with engaging part 81, and engaging part 81 is pushed upward along the first direction D1 to abut against limiting part 73. As a result, engaging part 81 is positioned at position P2, abutting against limiting part 73. Figure 14 , Figure 15 Each of the N (e.g., four) positioning portions 70 has its position individually adjusted in the first direction D1 by means of the adjustment portion 78. Each of the restriction portions 73 is adjusted to a position where the gap between the liquid receiving surface 32B (which is the surface of the opposing portion 32A) and the nozzle surface 25 is within a predetermined distance and parallelism is maintained.

[0180] Each engaging part 81, pushed up by N levers 71, is positioned at the location where it contacts its corresponding limiting part 73. As a result, the maintenance part 38 is positioned in the maintenance position MP with a gap within a specified distance and a parallelism within a certain range between the liquid receiving surface 32B and the nozzle surface 25.

[0181] Therefore, it is possible to suppress situations where liquid sprayed from the nozzle 24 of the liquid ejection section 22 bounces off the liquid receiving surface 32B and adheres to the nozzle surface 25 during cleaning and rinsing, and where a portion of the liquid remains suspended as mist and adheres to the nozzle surface 25. Furthermore, since the nozzle surface 25 and the liquid receiving surface 32B are maintained at a certain parallelism, excessive differences in the gaps between the multiple nozzles 24 and between the nozzles 24 and the liquid receiving surface 32B can be avoided. Therefore, cleaning or rinsing of the liquid receiving surface 32B can be performed using all the nozzles 24 with appropriate gaps.

[0182] Alternatively, the distance between the liquid receiving surface 32B and the nozzle surface 25 can be set to different values ​​during cleaning and rinsing. Generally, the liquid discharged from the nozzle 24 during cleaning has a stronger impact force compared to the liquid ejected from the nozzle 24 during rinsing. Therefore, the liquid discharge tends to have a larger rebound amplitude on the liquid receiving surface 32B and is less prone to misting. Therefore, during cleaning, the first moving position SP of the maintenance part 38 can be set to the maintenance position MP by positioning the engaging part 81 at the target position P1. Furthermore, the positioning position P2 where the positioning part 70 positions the engaging part 81 can be set for both cleaning and rinsing purposes. For example, both cleaning and rinsing purposes can be provided for the rod 71 and the limiting part 73.

[0183] When the fabric 32 on the roll body R1 placed on the unwinding section 35 is not consumed, a message indicating this is displayed on the display section. The operator instructs the control unit 100 to perform a fabric change operation, for example, by operating the buttons on the operation panel. When the control unit 100 receives the instruction for a fabric change operation from the operation panel, it controls the first drive unit 51 and the second drive unit 72 with the opposite action to that during positioning. The control unit 100 first drives the second drive unit 72 and moves the lever 71 from the positioning state PP ( Figure 14 ) to release state RP ( Figure 13 (It rotates.)

[0184] Next, the control unit 100 drives the first drive unit 51 from the retracted state to the extended state. As a result, the maintenance unit 38, together with the moving stage 37, descends from the maintenance position MP to the lowered position LP. At this time, the engaging part 81 moves along... Figure 13The movement path TR shown indicates that the device moves in the opposite direction to the first direction D1, -D1 (-Z). The descent of the maintenance unit 38 to the lowered position LP can also be detected by a detection unit (not shown). When the maintenance unit 38 descends to the lowered position LP, the control unit 100 stops the drive of the first drive unit 51. At this lowered position LP, the impact upon stopping is mitigated by causing the limiting plate 66C to contact the impact buffer 65 on its lower side.

[0185] Next, the operator grips the handle (not shown) and pulls the maintenance unit 38 out in the second direction +D2 (+Y direction). Figure 5 As shown, the maintenance section 38, together with the sliding table 67, is guided by the slide rail 68 relative to the base 66 and then pulled out in the second direction +D2 (+Y direction). The operator can pull out the maintenance section 38 to the working position DP, where the liquid receiving surface 32B does not overlap with the main frame 20 when viewed from above. With the maintenance section 38 in the working position DP, the operator can replace the drum bodies R1 and R2 or replace the maintenance section 38.

[0186] The role and effect of the implementation method According to this embodiment, the following functions and effects can be obtained.

[0187] (1) The maintenance unit 30 is used in the liquid dispensing device 11 having a liquid dispensing section 22. The maintenance unit 30 includes a maintenance section 38 for maintaining the liquid dispensing section 22, a moving mechanism 50, and a positioning section 70. The moving mechanism 50 moves the maintenance section 38 toward the liquid dispensing section 22 in a first direction D1. The maintenance section 38 has an engaging section 81 that can engage with the positioning section 70. The moving mechanism 50 has a driving section 51 and a support section 80 that moves in the first direction D1 by the power of the driving section 51. The positioning section 70 engages with the engaging section 81, which moves together with the support section 80 in the first direction D1. The positioning section 70 positions the maintenance section 38 relative to the liquid dispensing section 22 by moving the engaging section 81 relative to the support section 80 in a direction parallel to the first direction D1. According to this structure, the support portion 80 and the maintenance portion 38 are moved in the first direction D1 by the moving mechanism 50, and the positioning portion 70 engages with the engaging portion 81 to move the maintenance portion 38 relative to the support portion 80 in the first direction D1, thereby positioning the maintenance portion 38 relative to the liquid ejection portion 22. Therefore, the amount of movement of the maintenance portion 38 can be ensured, and the maintenance portion 38 can be positioned relative to the liquid ejection portion 22 with high precision. For example, the distance between the maintenance portion 38 and the liquid ejection portion 22 in the first direction D1 can be specified with high precision.

[0188] (2) The positioning part 70 is fixed on the main frame 20, which supports the liquid ejection part 22. With this structure, the distance between the maintenance part 38 and the liquid ejection part 22 can be specified with higher precision.

[0189] (3) The engaging part 81 engages with the support part 80 that moves along the first direction D1. According to this structure, since the support part 80 that moves along the first direction D1 causes the maintenance part 38 to move in the first direction D1 via the engaging part 81, it is easy to stabilize the posture of the maintenance part 38 during the movement.

[0190] (4) The positioning part 70 positions the maintenance part 38 relative to the liquid ejection part 22 by moving the engaging part 81 relative to the support part 80 in the first direction D1. According to this structure, when the positioning part 70 moves the engaging part 81 in the first direction D1, it is not necessary to move the support part 80 of the moving mechanism 50 in the first direction D1.

[0191] (5) The engaging portion 81 is a shaft member 81A. The support portion 80 has an opening 80A through which the engaging portion 81 passes. In the first direction D1, the length L1 of the opening 80A is larger than the thickness L2 of the shaft member 81A. According to this structure, when the positioning portion 70 moves the engaging portion 81 along the first direction D1, it is not necessary to move the support portion 80 of the moving mechanism 50 along the first direction D1.

[0192] (6) The positioning part 70 has a rod 71 as an example of a movable member, which can be moved to a released state RP in which it does not engage with the engaging part 81, and a positioning state PP in which it engages with the engaging part 81 to position the engaging part 81 in the first direction D1. The rod 71 engages with the engaging part 81. According to this structure, it is possible to configure the rod 71 to a position that does not interfere with the movement path TR of the engaging part 81, and to move the rod 71 while it is engaged with the engaging part 81.

[0193] (7) An example of a movable part is a lever 71 that changes the posture to a released state RP and a positioned state PP. According to this structure, when the lever 71, as an example of a movable part, is in the released state RP, it does not interfere with the movement path of the engaging part 81, which moves along the first direction D1. When the lever 71 is in the positioned state PP, by engaging with the engaging part 81, the distance between the liquid ejection part 22 and the maintenance part 38 can be defined. Since the movable part is the lever 71, the released state RP and the positioned state PP can be easily implemented with a relatively simple structure and a small configuration space.

[0194] (8) Three or more positioning parts 70 are provided. Three or more positioning parts 70 are arranged at positions where the projection onto an imaginary plane orthogonal to the first direction D1 is at three or more different positions. According to this structure, since it is supported at three or more different positions on the imaginary plane, the opposing part 32A of the maintenance part 38 can be positioned parallel to the imaginary plane. Therefore, it is easy to ensure the parallelism between the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid ejection part 22 and the opposing part 32A of the maintenance part 38. In particular, in this embodiment, four positioning parts 70 are provided. The four positioning parts 70 are arranged at positions where the projection onto an imaginary plane orthogonal to the first direction D1 is at four different positions. Therefore, the maintenance part 38 is more stable by being supported in the front, back, left, and right directions.

[0195] (9) The positioning part 70 includes a limiting part 73 and an adjusting part 78, wherein the limiting part 73 restricts the movement of the engaging part 81 in the first direction D1, and the adjusting part 78 can adjust the position of the limiting part 73 in the first direction D1.

[0196] According to this structure, not only can the upper limit position of the engaging part 81 be limited by the stop, but its upper limit position can also be adjusted.

[0197] (10) The maintenance unit 30 includes a control unit 100 and a detection unit 69, wherein the detection unit 69 detects when the engaging part 81 and the support part 80 move together in the first direction D1 to the target position P1. The drive unit 51 is designated as the first drive unit 51. The positioning unit 70 includes a rod 71 as an example of a movable member and a second drive unit 72, wherein the rod 71 is capable of engaging with the engaging part 81 that has moved to the target position P1, and the second drive unit 72 moves the rod 71 from the released state RP to the positioned state PP when the engaging part 81 moves from the target position P1 to the first direction D1 for positioning. The control unit 100 drives the first drive unit 51 from the state where the maintenance unit 38 is in the retracted position. After the drive of the first drive unit 51 begins, when the detection unit 69 detects that the support unit 80 has moved to the position that moves the engaging part 81 to the target position P1, the control unit 100 stops the drive of the first drive unit 51 and drives the second drive unit 72, thereby using the lever 71, which is an example of a movable member, to move the engaging part 81 from the target position P1 to the positioning position P2. According to this structure, by coordinating the movement of the support unit 80 achieved by the drive of the first drive unit 51 with the movement of the engaging part 81 achieved by the drive of the second drive unit 72, the maintenance unit 38 can be quickly positioned relative to the liquid ejection part 22 at a predetermined position.

[0198] (11) The moving mechanism 50 has a slide rail 68 that allows the maintenance section 38 to move along a second direction +D2 orthogonal to the first direction D1. In an observation direction from the opposite direction to the first direction D1, the slide rail 68 allows the maintenance section 38 to move to a portion of the maintenance section 38 that is opposite to the liquid ejection section 22 during maintenance, i.e., at least the opposing portion 32A does not overlap with the main frame 20. With this structure, the replacement of the maintenance section 38, or the replacement of used consumables in the maintenance section 38 with unused consumables, becomes easier. In the latter case, for example, the replacement of the roll bodies R1 and R2 becomes easier.

[0199] (12) The maintenance unit 38 includes a feed roller 35A for winding the cloth 32 into a roll, a take-up roller 36A for winding the cloth 32 from the feed roller 35A, and a motor 36M as an example of a drive unit for driving the take-up roller 36A. According to this structure, not only can the cloth 32 be used for maintenance of the liquid spraying part 22, but also good maintenance can be continued by replacing the part of the cloth 32 that has become dirty due to maintenance with an unused part of the cloth 32.

[0200] (13) The maintenance part 38 has an opposing part 32A, which is the part of the fabric 32 that faces the liquid ejection part 22. The engaging part 81 is provided in the first direction D1 between the feed roller 35A and the take-up roller 36A on the side closer to the opposing part 32A and the opposing part 32A. According to this structure, since the engaging part 81 is positioned close to the opposing part 32A, it is easy to keep the liquid ejection part 22 parallel to the opposing part 32A.

[0201] (14) The liquid ejection device 11 includes a maintenance unit 30 and a liquid ejection section 22. According to this structure, in the liquid ejection device 11, the amount of movement of the maintenance section 38 in the maintenance unit 30 can be ensured, and the distance between the maintenance section 38 and the liquid ejection section 22 can be specified with high precision.

[0202] (15) The liquid ejection device 11 includes a maintenance unit 30 and a liquid ejection section 22. When positioned relative to the liquid ejection section 22, the maintenance unit 38 performs maintenance by receiving the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection section 22 using a cloth 32. With this structure, the amount of movement of the maintenance unit 38 in the maintenance unit 30 can be ensured in the liquid ejection device 11, and the distance between the maintenance unit 38 and the liquid ejection section 22 can be precisely defined. Maintenance by receiving the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection section 22 using a cloth 32 can be appropriately performed.

[0203] (16) The maintenance unit 30 is used in a liquid dispensing device 11 having a liquid dispensing section 22, which has a nozzle surface 25. The maintenance unit 30 includes a maintenance section 38, a moving mechanism 50, and an engaging section 81. The maintenance section 38 includes a feed roller 35A for winding the fabric 32 into a roll, a take-up roller 36A for winding the fabric 32 from the feed roller 35A, and a motor 36M as an example of a drive unit for driving the take-up roller 36A. Furthermore, the maintenance section 38 includes an opposing section 32A that faces the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid dispensing section 22, which is an example of a maintenance surface of the fabric 32. The moving mechanism 50 moves the liquid receiving surface 32B toward the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid dispensing section 22 in a first direction D1. The engaging section 81 is provided in a manner that allows it to move integrally with the opposing section 32A and engages with the moving mechanism 50. In the first direction D1, the engaging portion 81 is disposed between the feed roller 35A and the take-up roller 36A on the side closer to the opposing portion 32A. According to this structure, since the engaging portion 81 is disposed in a position closer to the opposing portion 32A, it is easy to maintain the parallelism between the nozzle surface 25 and the liquid receiving surface 32B.

[0204] Change Example The above-described embodiments can also be modified as shown below. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and the modifications shown below can be combined with each other to implement them without technical inconsistencies. In addition, the modifications shown below can be appropriately combined with each other for implementation.

[0205] ·like Figure 16 , Figure 17 As shown, an introduction member 79 may also be provided on the rod 71, which is an example of a movable part. The introduction member 79 has an inclined surface 79A that guides the engaging portion 81 in a direction orthogonal to the first direction D1. Figure 16 , Figure 17 In the example shown, the introduction member 79 can guide the engaging portion 81 in the scanning direction X via the inclined surface 79A. The release state RP and positioning state PP of the lever 71 are the same as in the embodiment described above. The attitude of the lever 71 and the introduction member 79 changes from the release state RP (and the positioning state PP) Figure 12 and Figure 13 The same angular position is changed to the positioning state PP. During this process, the lever 71 pushes the engaging part 81 introduced by the introducing part 79 up to the position where it touches the limiting part 73. Figure 17The relative positions of the limiting part 73 and the engaging part 81 with respect to the lever 71 and the guide member 79 are shown. Before positioning, the limiting part 73 and the engaging part 81 are in the position shown by the double-dotted line. During the process of the lever 71 and the guide member 79 changing the posture from the released state RP to the positioned state PP, the engaging part 81, indicated by the double-dotted line, is guided along the inclined surface 79A, thereby introducing the engaging part 81 to an appropriate position in the scanning direction X. Then, the lever 71 pushes the engaging part 81 upward to a position that touches the limiting part 73. Therefore, the engaging part 81 abuts against the limiting part 73 at a position where the offset in the scanning direction X is minimized. Therefore, while maintaining the parallelism between the opposing part 32A and the nozzle surface 25, the maintenance part 38 can be positioned with high precision at the desired height position. In this way, by means of the lever 71 and the guide member 79, the engaging part 81 can be positioned in the first direction D1 and in the direction orthogonal to the first direction D1 (e.g., the scanning direction X). Therefore, it is easy to ensure the parallelism between the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid ejection section 22 and the opposing section 32A of the maintenance section 38. In addition, the direction in which the insertion member 79 inserts the engaging section 81 is only required to be a direction intersecting the first direction D1, and is not limited to the scanning direction X, but can also be the Y direction.

[0206] The maintenance unit 30 is not limited to a structure where the liquid receiving part 31 is configured as the maintenance part 38. The maintenance unit 30 may also be configured to... Figure 18 The wiping section 40 shown is configured as a maintenance section 38. That is, the maintenance unit 30 is not limited to a cleaning unit that uses a liquid receiving section 31 as a maintenance section 38; it can also be a wiping unit that uses a wiping section 40 as a maintenance section 38. The maintenance unit 30, as a wiping unit, includes... Figure 18 The wiping part 40, the moving mechanism 50, and the positioning part 70 are basically the same as those in the embodiment described above. For example... Figure 18 As shown, the wiping section 40 has a brushing section 41 as an example of a opposing section that can face the nozzle surface 25. The wiping section 40 performs maintenance by brushing the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid ejection section 22 using the brushing section 41. The surface of the brushing section 41 that brushes the nozzle surface 25, i.e., the brushing surface, is an example of a maintenance surface.

[0207] The wiping section 40 includes a frame 38A, an unwinding section 43, a winding section 44, and a pressure roller 42. The fabric 32 is pushed upwards along the first direction D1 by the pressure roller 42 at a midpoint of the path from the unwinding section 43 to the winding section 44, thereby forming a convex wiping section 41. The wiping section 40 may also include a lifting section 40A. The lifting section 40A raises and lowers the wiping section 41. Thus, the wiping section 41 can be configured to contact the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid ejection section 22. Alternatively, it can be configured such that the nozzle surface 25 contacts the wiping section 41 by lowering the liquid ejection section 22. It can be configured such that the wiping section 41 wipes the nozzle surface 25 by moving the liquid ejection section 22 in the scanning direction X, or it can be configured such that the wiping section 41 wipes the nozzle surface 25 by moving the wiping section 41 in the scanning direction X.

[0208] like Figure 18 As shown, the sides of the maintenance section 38 (wiping section 40) in the Y direction are supported by a pair of support sections 80. The support sections 80 have a structure that is substantially the same as in the embodiment described above. The support section 80 has an opening 80A at a position corresponding to the engaging section 81. Multiple engaging sections 81 protruding from the sides of the maintenance section 38 are inserted through the opening 80A. The engaging section 81 is disposed in the first direction D1 between the feed roller of the unwinding section 43 and the take-up roller of the take-up section 44 on the side closer to the wiping section 41 and the wiping section 41. The wiping section 40, which moves to the target position P1 in the first direction D1 by being driven by the first drive section 51, pushes the engaging section 81 up to the position of touching the limiting section 73 by the rods 71 ​​of N (e.g., four) positioning sections 70, thereby being individually positioned at multiple locations by means of the N positioning sections 70. Therefore, the wiping part 40 can be positioned while the wiping part 41 is in contact with the nozzle surface 25 with a certain range of wiping pressure and maintains a certain range of parallelism.

[0209] • As an example of a movable part, the rotation direction of rod 71 is not limited to a rotation direction in which the axis of rotation 76 is set to intersect the first direction D1. For example... Figure 19 As shown, the rotation direction of the rod 91, as an example of a movable part, can also be a rotation direction in which the axial direction of the rotation axis 92 is set to be parallel to the first direction D1. Figure 19In the diagram, a double-dotted line represents lever 91A in the released state RP, and a solid line represents lever 91C in the positioned state PP. Furthermore, a double-dotted line represents lever 91(91B) in an angled position between the released state RP and the positioned state PP. Lever 91 has a guide surface 93 at its tip, formed by an inclined surface, the height of which gradually decreases in the direction of rotation of lever 91 from the released state RP to the positioned state PP. Figure 19 As shown, during the rotation of lever 91 from the released state RP to the positioned state PP, guide surface 93 engages with engaging portion 81 (represented by the double-dotted line), and pushes engaging portion 81 from the position indicated by the double-dotted line to the positioning position (represented by the solid line) where it contacts limiting portion 73. Thus, the rotation direction of lever 91 can be set to any direction as long as it allows the engaging portion 81 to displace in the first direction D1.

[0210] · Figure 18 The wiping unit 40 shown is not limited to a cloth wiper that uses a wiping part 41 made of cloth 32 to wipe the nozzle surface 25, but may also be a structure that uses a wiping scraper to wipe the nozzle surface 25. In this case, at the working position DP, the wiping scraper may be adjusted, repaired, or replaced instead of replacing the cloth 32 or the wiping unit 40, as a pre-defined operation.

[0211] In the described embodiments and various modifications, to ensure the parallelism between the nozzle surface 25 and the opposing portion 32A, at least three positioning portions 70 need to be provided. The number of positioning portions 70 is not limited to four; it can be three or more. In any case, it is sufficient that at least three positions projected along the first direction D1 onto an imaginary plane orthogonal to the first direction D1 are at least three different positions. For example, it is sufficient that the polygon with the projection position of the positioning portion 70 and the engaging portion 81 (engaging point), i.e., the projection point, is a polygon with three or more sides. The polygon can also be a triangle or a pentagon. In these structures, the opposing portion 32A of the maintenance portion 38 can be positioned with high accuracy in the first direction D1 while maintaining a high degree of parallelism with respect to the nozzle surface 25.

[0212] • The number of positioning parts can also be two. For example, there can be two rods as an example of movable parts. Even if there are two positioning parts 70 or two rods 71, the positioning of the maintenance part 38 can still be performed. Moreover, the positioning part 70 is not limited to multiple, and can also be one. For example, there can be one rod 71 as an example of movable parts.

[0213] The engaging portion 81 can also be positioned in the first direction D1 at a location other than the position between the opposing portion 32A and the take-up roller 36A. For example, the engaging portion 81 can be positioned in the first direction D1 at the same position as the take-up roller 36A, between the feed roller 35A and the take-up roller 36A, or at the same position as the feed roller 35A. The engaging portion 81 can also be positioned at a position that accounts for more than half or more than two-thirds of the total length of the maintenance portion 38 in the first direction D1, facing the opposing portion 32A. Furthermore, as long as the engaging portion 81 does not interfere with the scanning path of the liquid ejection portion 22, it can also be positioned in the first direction D1 at the same position as the opposing portion 32A or at a position closer to the opposing portion 32A in the first direction D1.

[0214] The movable member of the positioning unit 70 is not limited to the rod 71. The movable member can also be a structure capable of linear movement in two directions. For example, it can be a structure in which the movable member can move in a direction parallel to the XY plane (i.e., the first linear direction) driven by the power of the first linear drive unit, and move in a direction parallel to the Z direction (i.e., the second linear direction) driven by the power of the second linear drive unit. According to this structure, it is also possible to perform a positioning action (e.g., an upward push) of the movable member to a release state RP where it is not engaged with the engaging part 81, and to further move the engaging part 81, which has moved to the target position P1, to the positioning position P2. In this case, the first linear drive unit and the second linear drive unit are equivalent to the second drive unit.

[0215] The rotation direction of the rod in the positioning unit 70 is not limited to a rotation direction in which the axis of rotation 76 is set to the X direction. It can also be a rotation direction in which the axis of rotation 76 is set to the Y direction. Thus, the axis of rotation 76 only needs to be either the X or Y direction, or a direction intersecting the first direction D1. Furthermore, when the maintenance unit 30 has multiple positioning units 70, multiple rods 71 ​​with different axis directions of rotation 76 can also coexist.

[0216] The engaging portion 81 is not limited to the shaft member 81A. The engaging portion 81 can also be an engaging recess, a hole, or a cutout. For example, it can be structured such that the positioning portion 70 has a shaft member as a movable member, and engages with the engaging portion 81 by inserting the shaft member into the recess of the engaging portion 81, which is composed of engaging recesses, etc. In this case, after the movable member is inserted into the engaging portion 81, which is composed of engaging recesses, etc., it is displaced along the first direction D1, thereby moving the engaging portion 81 to the positioning position P2 in the first direction D1.

[0217] The first direction D1 is not limited to the +Z direction, which is the upward direction. The first direction D1 can also be a direction that intersects the +Z direction at an acute angle. Furthermore, the first direction D1 can also be the -Z direction, or a direction that intersects the -Z direction at an acute angle. Moreover, the first direction D1 can also be a direction without a Z-direction component. For example, the first direction D1 can be either the X or Y direction, or a direction that intersects the X or Y direction at an acute angle on the XY plane. Thus, the direction in which the maintenance part 38 is moved by the moving mechanism 50 when positioning the maintenance part 38 relative to the liquid ejection part 22, i.e., the first direction D1, can be any direction.

[0218] • In the described embodiment, the support portion 80 may not have an opening 80A. Instead, it may be a recess or a cutout. Such an opening 80A, recess, or cutout allows the engaging portion 81 to move relative to the support portion 80 in the first direction D1 while guiding the engaging portion 81.

[0219] Although in the described embodiment, the engaging portion 81 is designed to engage with the support portion 80 of the moving mechanism 50, it is also possible to have an engaging portion 81 that engages with the support portion 80 of the moving mechanism 50 and an engaging portion 81 that does not engage with the support portion 80 of the moving mechanism 50. In this case, the positioning portion 70 may also be designed to engage with the engaging portion 81, which does not engage with the support portion 80. That is, the maintenance portion 38 may also have an engaging portion 81 that engages with the support portion 80 when moving along the first direction D1, and an engaging portion 81 that engages with the positioning portion 70 when positioning the maintenance portion 38 that has moved along the first direction D1.

[0220] • The support portion 80 may also be configured not to be positioned corresponding to the engaging portion 81, and the engaging portion 81 may also be configured not to be guided by the support portion 80. For example, the support portion 80 may be configured to support the side of the maintenance portion 38 at a position lower than the engaging portion 81.

[0221] • Alternatively, the support portion 80 that supports the side of the maintenance portion 38 may not be provided. In this case, the movable stage 37 that supports the maintenance portion 38, which moves along the first direction D1, is equivalent to an example of the support portion. Thus, the support portion is not limited to a structure that supports the side of the maintenance portion 38, as long as it is a structural element of the moving mechanism 50 that moves together with the maintenance portion 38 along the first direction D1.

[0222] In the described embodiment, the support portion 80 may also be configured as a guide portion capable of relative movement in the first direction D1 along with the maintenance portion 38 relative to the moving stage 37. The guide portion is structured such that the support portion 80 can move relative to the moving stage 37 and via a guide rail in the first direction D1. The guide portion moves relative to the moving stage 37 along with the maintenance portion 38 while supporting the side of the maintenance portion 38. When the positioning portion 70 moves the engaging portion 81 along the first direction D1, the guide portion moves relative to the maintenance portion 38 along with the moving stage 37 in the first direction D1, thereby moving to the positioning position P2. In this case, the moving stage 37 is equivalent to an example of the support portion. In this configuration, the guide portion can also be fixed to the side of the maintenance portion 38, thus allowing the maintenance portion 38 to move in a stable posture along the first direction D1.

[0223] The position and number of engaging parts 81 can also be appropriately changed. For example, the position of engaging parts 81 is not limited to the positions of the two sides in the length direction when viewed from above the maintenance part 38; it can also be the positions of the two sides in the short side direction, or the positions of two or more different sides selected from the two sides in the long side direction and the two sides in the short side direction. In addition, the position and number of positioning parts 70 can also be appropriately changed according to the position of engaging parts 81.

[0224] • The structure may also lack the slide rail 68. For example, the lowering position where the maintenance unit 38 descends from the maintenance position MP can also be the working position DP. For example, if the maintenance unit 30 is located at the end inside the frame 12, then when the door on the end side of the frame 12 is opened, replacement work can be performed on the maintenance unit 38, which is in the lowering position. Furthermore, if the first direction D1 is a direction intersecting the vertical direction Z, and a portion of the maintenance unit 38 protrudes outward from the frame 12 when it is moved from the maintenance position MP in the direction opposite to the first direction D1, then this position can also be designated as the working position DP.

[0225] The positioning part 70 is not limited to a structure fixed to the main frame 20 that supports the liquid ejection part 22. The positioning part 70 may also be fixed to a frame different from the main frame 20. In short, the positioning part 70 can be fixed to a frame or component that can position the maintenance part 38 relative to the liquid ejection part 22. Furthermore, multiple positioning parts 70 may be fixed to different frames or different components.

[0226] Although in the described embodiment, the engaging portion 81 is pushed upward by the rod 71 constituting the positioning portion 70, the positioning portion 70 can also pull the engaging portion 81 upward by a movable member. For example, the positioning portion 70 may have an arm as an example of a movable member at a position above the engaging portion 81 which is in the target position P1, and the arm hooks onto the engaging portion 81 and pulls it upward.

[0227] The positioning part 70 may also be a structure without movable parts such as the rod 71. For example, the positioning part 70 may be a structure that includes a force-applying member that applies force to the engaging part 81 in the first direction within the opening 80A, and a limiting part (stop) that limits the upper limit position of the engaging part 81 when a predetermined distance is specified between the liquid ejection part 22 and the maintenance part 38. According to this structure, the engaging part 81, upon contact with the limiting part, overcomes the force applied by the force-applying member and moves in the opposite direction -D1 to the first direction D1, thereby positioning the maintenance part 38 in the first direction D1. Thus, the positioning part 70 may also be constructed by a limiting part and a force-applying member assembled on the support part 80. In this case, the positioning unit 70 can position the maintenance unit 38 in the maintenance position MP by moving the support unit 80 in the first direction D1 by the moving mechanism 50, and by moving the engaging part 81, which moves to the target position P1 by the moving part 50, relative to the support unit 80 in the opposite direction D1 to the force applied by the force-applying member.

[0228] • The positioning part 70 may also be a structure without the limiting part 73 (stop). For example, it may be a structure in which the control part 100 controls the driving amount of the second drive part 72 for each positioning part 70, thereby determining the positioning position P2 where the movable member moves the engaging part 81 along the first direction D1.

[0229] • The maintenance unit 30 can also be a component specifically for rinsing. For example, the liquid discharge operation can also discharge liquid into the cover 45C. In this case, the cleaning as the liquid discharge operation can be either pressurized cleaning or negative pressure cleaning. Pressurized cleaning is cleaning in which the liquid in the liquid ejection section 22 is pressurized to force the liquid out of the nozzle 24. Negative pressure cleaning is cleaning in which the liquid is forcibly drawn out of the nozzle 24 by using a suction pump connected to the cover 45C via a pipe to create a negative pressure in the substantially enclosed space formed by the cover 45C in the capped state and the nozzle surface 25 communicating with the nozzle 24.

[0230] • Although the pulleys constituting the power transmission mechanism 52 include movable pulleys, they may also be fixed pulleys only. In addition, multiple movable pulleys may also be included.

[0231] • The power transmission mechanism 52 can also use ropes, chains, or lock chains instead of the structure using wire rope 59. When using chains, sprockets that can engage with chains can be used instead of pulleys.

[0232] • The drive unit 51 is not limited to a cylinder, but can also be an electric motor or a linear actuator.

[0233] The power transmission mechanism 52, which transmits power from the drive unit 51 to the moving table 37 and the support unit 80, is not limited to a wire rope type power transmission mechanism. It can also be a belt type power transmission mechanism, a gear and rack type power transmission mechanism, etc. Moreover, it can also be a cam type power transmission mechanism of the prior art.

[0234] • The second direction +D2, which is the direction of pulling out the maintenance unit 38, can be either the -Y direction, which is the opposite direction to the +Y direction, or the forward movement direction A1 or the return movement direction A2.

[0235] The liquid supply method for supplying liquid to the liquid ejection section 22 is not limited to pressurization. For example, it can also be a water level difference method that uses a water level difference to supply liquid.

[0236] • In the described implementation method and Figure 18 In the illustrated modification, the cloth 32, an example of a consumable item, can be replaced at the work position DP, or it can be replaced together with the maintenance unit 38. In particular, in small or medium-sized liquid dispensing devices 11, since the maintenance unit 38 is small, it can also be designed as a disposable replacement. In this case, replacement operations such as rewinding are unnecessary, thus simplifying the replacement process.

[0237] The maintenance component included in the maintenance unit 38 as a consumable is not limited to the cloth 32. For example, the maintenance component may also be a liquid-absorbing component made of paper or synthetic resin fiber.

[0238] • The maintenance unit 38 may also be a structure that does not have consumables like cloth 32. In this case, it may also be a structure in which scheduled operations such as maintenance, inspection or parts replacement of the maintenance unit 38 are performed at the work position DP.

[0239] • The entity that performs the scheduled task at the work location DP is not limited to users, service personnel, or other operators; it can also be a work robot.

[0240] The liquid ejection device 11 may also include a nozzle inspection unit for detecting ejection defects in the nozzle 24. The detection of ejection defects in the nozzle 24 by the nozzle inspection unit can also be considered as one of the cleaning periods for performing a liquid discharge operation. The nozzle inspection unit, for example, drives the piezoelectric element 27 to a level where no droplets are ejected from the nozzle 24, and detects ejection defects in the nozzle 24 based on residual vibrations in the liquid remaining in the liquid chamber communicating with the nozzle 24. The nozzle inspection unit detects foreign objects, air bubbles, thickening liquids (e.g., thickening inks) in the liquid within the nozzle 24 as evidence of ejection defects in the nozzle 24.

[0241] • The actuator that specifies the ejection method of the liquid ejection section 22 may also be a piezoelectric actuator (layered piezoelectric element and thin film piezoelectric element), a thermal actuator using an electrothermal conversion element such as a heating resistor, or an electrostatic actuator consisting of a vibrating plate and a counter electrode.

[0242] • Medium 99 is not limited to paper such as rolls or sheets, but can also be envelopes, cardboard, labels, etc. Furthermore, Medium 99 is not limited to paper, but can also be cloth, synthetic resin films, laminated media, metal foil, clothing, etc.

[0243] • When the liquid ejection device 11 is a printer, it is not limited to a horizontal printer or a serial printer, but can also be a line printer.

[0244] The liquid ejection device 11 is not limited to inkjet printers that eject liquids such as ink. The liquid ejection device 11 can also be a device that ejects liquids other than ink. The state of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection section 22 of the liquid ejection device 11 can include granular, teardrop-shaped, or filamentous tail-like forms. Furthermore, the liquid referred to here can be any material that can be ejected from the liquid ejection device 11. For example, the liquid can be any material in a liquid phase state, including liquids with high or low viscosity, sols, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, and liquid metals (molten metal). In addition, the liquid is not only a liquid as a substance, but also includes particles of functional materials composed of solids such as pigments or metal particles dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent. Here, ink includes general water-based inks and oil-based inks, as well as various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot-melt inks. Specific examples of the liquid ejection device 11 include, for instance, a liquid ejection device that ejects materials such as electrode materials or color materials used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescent) displays, surface-emitting displays, and color filters in a dispersed or dissolved form. Furthermore, it can also be a liquid ejection device for ejecting biological organic matter used in biochip manufacturing, a liquid ejection device for ejecting liquids used as samples in precision pipettes, a dyeing apparatus, or a micro-dispenser. Moreover, it can also be a liquid ejection device for ejecting lubricating fluid into precision instruments such as watches and cameras using a needle tip, or a liquid ejection device for ejecting transparent resin liquids such as UV-curable resins onto a substrate to form micro-hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication components. Additionally, it can also be a liquid ejection device for ejecting etching solutions such as acidic or alkaline solutions to etch substrates.

[0245] definition • The term "at least one" as used in this specification means "more than one" of the desired options. As an example, the term "at least one" as used in this specification means, if the number of options is two, "only one option" or "both of the two options". As another example, the term "at least one" as used in this specification means, if the number of options is three or more, "only one option" or "any combination of two or more options".

[0246] Technical ideas Hereinafter, the technical ideas and effects of the embodiments and their modifications will be described together.

[0247] [1] The maintenance unit is used in a liquid ejection device having a liquid ejection section, and includes: a maintenance section for maintaining the liquid ejection section; a moving mechanism for moving the maintenance section toward the liquid ejection section in a first direction; and a positioning section, wherein the maintenance section has a engaging portion capable of engaging with the positioning section, the moving mechanism has a driving section and a supporting section, the supporting section moves in the first direction by the power of the driving section and supports the maintenance section, the positioning section engages with the engaging portion of the maintenance section which moves in the first direction together with the supporting section, and the maintenance section is positioned relative to the liquid ejection section by moving the maintenance section relative to the supporting section in a direction parallel to the first direction. According to this structure, since the moving mechanism moves the maintenance section in the first direction via the supporting section, the amount of movement of the maintenance section can be ensured. The positioning section positions the maintenance section relative to the liquid ejection section by engaging with the engaging portion of the maintenance section which moves in the first direction, causing the maintenance section to move relative to the supporting section in a direction parallel to the first direction. Therefore, the amount of movement of the maintenance section can be ensured, and the maintenance section can be positioned relative to the liquid ejection section with high precision. For example, the distance between the maintenance section and the liquid ejection section in the first direction can be specified with high precision.

[0248] [2] In the maintenance unit described in [1] above, the positioning part may also be fixed to the main frame, and the main frame supports the liquid ejection part. According to this structure, the maintenance part can be positioned relative to the liquid ejection part with higher precision. For example, the distance between the maintenance part and the liquid ejection part can be specified with higher precision.

[0249] [3] In the maintenance unit described in [1] or [2] above, the engaging part may also engage with the support part that moves along the first direction. According to this structure, since the support part that moves along the first direction causes the maintenance part to move in the first direction via the engaging part, it is easy to stabilize the posture of the maintenance part during the movement.

[0250] [4] In any of the maintenance units described in [1] to [3] above, the positioning part may be configured to position the maintenance part relative to the liquid ejection part by moving the engaging part relative to the support part in the first direction. According to this structure, when the positioning part moves the engaging part in the first direction, it is not necessary to move the support part of the moving mechanism in the first direction D1.

[0251] [5] In any of the maintenance units described in [1] to [4] above, the engaging part may be a shaft component, and the support part may have an opening through which the engaging part passes, wherein the length of the opening is larger than the thickness of the shaft component in the first direction. According to this structure, when the positioning part moves the engaging part in the first direction, it is not necessary to move the support part of the moving mechanism in the first direction.

[0252] [6] In any of the maintenance units described in [1] to [5] above, the positioning part may also be configured such that the positioning part has a movable member, which can be moved to a released state where it does not engage with the engaging part, and to a positioning state where it engages with the engaging part to position the engaging part in the first direction, wherein the movable member engages with the engaging part. According to this structure, it is possible to configure the movable member to a position that does not interfere with the movement path of the engaging part, and to move the movable member that engages with the engaging part.

[0253] [7] In any of the maintenance units described in [1] to [6] above, the movable part may also be a rod that changes its posture in a manner that is either in the released state or the positioned state. According to this structure, when the rod is in the released state, it will not interfere with the movement path of the engaging part that moves in the first direction through the support. When the rod is in the positioned state, by engaging with the engaging part, the distance between the liquid ejection part and the maintenance part can be specified. Since the movable part is a rod, it is easy to realize the released state and the positioned state with a relatively simple structure and a small configuration space.

[0254] [8] In any of the maintenance units described in [1] to [7] above, it may also be configured such that three or more positioning parts are provided, and the three or more positioning parts are arranged at positions such that the projection positions along the first direction D1 onto an imaginary plane orthogonal to the first direction are three or more different positions. According to this structure, since it is supported at three or more different positions on the imaginary plane, the opposing part of the maintenance part can be positioned in a manner that is parallel to the imaginary plane. Therefore, it is easy to ensure the parallelism between the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection part and the opposing part of the maintenance part.

[0255] [9] In any of the maintenance units described in [1] to [8] above, it may also be provided that the movable part has an introduction member, the introduction member having an inclined surface that can guide the engaging part in a direction orthogonal to the first direction. According to this structure, in addition to the first direction, the position where the engaging part is lifted by the rotating rod can also be positioned in a direction orthogonal to the first direction. Therefore, it is easy to ensure the parallelism between the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection part and the opposing part of the maintenance part.

[0256]

[10] In any of the maintenance units described in [1] to [9] above, the positioning part may also include: a limiting part that limits the movement of the engaging part in the first direction; and an adjusting part that can adjust the position of the limiting part in the first direction. According to this structure, not only can the upper limit position of the engaging part be limited by the limiting part, but its upper limit position can also be adjusted.

[0257]

[11] In any of the maintenance units described in [1] to

[10] above, it may also be configured to further include a control unit and a detection unit. The detection unit detects when the engaging part and the support part move together in the first direction to the target position. When the drive unit is configured as the first drive unit, the positioning unit has a movable member capable of engaging with the engaging part that has moved to the target position, and a second drive unit that moves the movable member from the released state to the positioning state. The control unit performs the following processing: (A) drives the first drive unit in the drive direction that moves the maintenance unit in the first direction; (B) when the detection unit detects that the engaging part has moved to the target position, the drive of the first drive unit is stopped; (C) by driving the second drive unit, the engaging part is moved from the target position to the positioning position by means of the movable member. According to this structure, by coordinating the movement of the support portion driven by the first drive unit with the movement of the engaging portion driven by the second drive unit, the maintenance portion can be quickly positioned relative to the liquid ejection portion at a predetermined position.

[0258]

[12] In any of the maintenance units described in [2] to

[11] above, the moving mechanism may also be configured such that the sliding mechanism has a slide rail that allows the maintenance part to move along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and the slide rail enables movement of the maintenance part toward a position where at least the opposing part does not overlap with the main frame in an observation direction from which the maintenance part is observed from the opposite direction to the first direction, wherein the opposing part is the portion of the maintenance part that is opposite the liquid ejection part during maintenance. According to this structure, replacement of the maintenance part becomes easier.

[0259]

[13] In any of the maintenance units described in [1] to

[12] above, the maintenance unit may also be configured to include: a feed roller that winds the cloth into a roll; a take-up roller that takes the cloth from the feed roller; and a third drive unit that drives the take-up roller. According to this structure, not only can the liquid spray section be maintained by the cloth, but good maintenance can also be continued by changing the part of the cloth that has become dirty due to maintenance to an unused part of the cloth.

[0260]

[14] In the maintenance unit described in

[13] above, the maintenance part may also be configured such that the maintenance part has an opposing part that is the part of the fabric opposite to the liquid ejection part, and the engaging part is provided in the first direction between the roller closer to the opposing part and the roller of the feed roller and the take-up roller. According to this structure, since the engaging part is positioned close to the opposing part, it is easy to maintain the parallelism between the liquid ejection part and the opposing part.

[0261]

[15] The liquid ejection device includes: a maintenance unit as described in any one of [1] to

[14] above, and the liquid ejection part. According to this structure, in the liquid ejection device, the amount of movement of the maintenance part in the maintenance unit can be ensured, and the distance between the maintenance part and the liquid ejection part can be specified with high precision.

[0262]

[16] The liquid ejection device includes: a maintenance unit as described in

[13] or

[14] above, and the liquid ejection section, wherein the maintenance unit, in a state where it is positioned relative to the liquid ejection section, performs the maintenance of receiving the liquid ejected by the liquid ejection section using the cloth. According to this structure, in the liquid ejection device, the amount of movement of the maintenance unit in the maintenance unit can be ensured, and the distance between the maintenance unit and the liquid ejection section can be precisely defined. The maintenance of receiving the liquid ejected by the liquid ejection section using the cloth can be appropriately implemented.

[0263]

[17] A maintenance unit is used in a liquid dispensing device having a liquid dispensing section having a nozzle surface and comprising: a maintenance section having a feed roller for winding fabric into a roll, a take-up roller for winding the fabric from the feed roller, a drive section for driving the take-up roller, and a counter section for positioning the maintenance surface of the fabric against the nozzle surface of the liquid dispensing section; a moving mechanism for moving the maintenance surface toward the nozzle surface of the liquid dispensing section in a first direction; and an engaging section provided in a manner that allows it to move integrally with the counter section and engages with the moving mechanism. In the first direction, the engaging section is provided between the feed roller and the take-up roller on the side closer to the counter section and the counter section. According to this structure, since the engaging section is provided in a position close to the counter section, it is easy to maintain the parallelism between the nozzle surface and the maintenance surface.

[0264] Symbol Explanation 11…Liquid ejection device; 12…Frame; 13…Media unwinding section; 14…Unwinding shaft; 15…Media winding section; 16…Wound shaft; 17…Media support section; 18…Conveying section; 19…Conveying roller; 20…Main frame; 20A…Bottom component; 20B…Column component; 20C…Upper component; 20D…Beam component; 21…Drying section; 22…Liquid ejection section; 23…Liquid ejection head; 24…Nozzle; 25…Nozzle surface; 26…Carriage; 27…Piezoelectric element; 28…Pressure section; 29…Scanning track; 30…Maintenance unit; 31…Liquid receiving section; 32…Fabric; 32A…Opposing section; 32B…Liquid receiving surface; 33…Holding roller; 34…Guide roller; 35…Unwinding section; 35A…Feed-out roller; 3 5F…Friction mechanism; 36…Take-up section; 36A…Take-up roller; 36F…Friction mechanism; 36M…Motor as an example of the third drive section; 37…Moving table; 38…Maintenance section; 38A…Frame; 38B…Bottom; 40…Wiping section; 40A…Lifting section; 41…Brushing section; 42…Pressure roller; 43…Unwinding section; 44…Take-up section; 45…Covering section; 45C…Cover; 50…Moving mechanism; 51…Drive section (first drive section); 51A…Cylinder body; 51B…Piston rod; 51C…Connecting section; 52…Power transmission mechanism; 53…Guide rail; 54…Assembly plate; 55…Pulley; 56…Pulley; 57…Pulley; 58…End metal fitting; 59…Wire rope; 60…Connecting metal fitting ; 61…Retaining component; 62…First limiting part; 63…Impact buffer; 64…Second limiting part; 65…Impact buffer; 66…Base; 66A…Stage; 66B…Back plate; 66C…Limiting plate; 67…Sliding stage; 67A…Stage; 67B…Back plate; 68…Slide rail; 69…Detection part; 70…Positioning part; 71…Rod; 72…Second drive part; 73…Limiting part; 73A…Threaded part; 74…Mounting component; 75…Assembly component; 76…Rotating shaft; 77…Extended component; 78…Adjusting part; 78A…Nut component; 79…Introducing component; 79A…Inclined surface; 80…Support part; 80A…Opening part; 81…Engaging part; 81A…Shaft component; 81B…Restricted surface; 82… Rod; 83…fixed component; 90…spool body; 91…rod; 92…rotating shaft; 93…guide surface; 99…medium; 100…control unit; A1…forward movement direction; A2…return movement direction; EP…discharge position; WP…wiping position; CP…retreat position; D1…first direction; D2…second direction; DP…working position; L1…length; L2…length (thickness); LP…descending position; SP…first movement position; MP…maintenance position; P1…target position; P2…positioning position; RP…release state; PP…positioning state; R1…spool body; R2…spool body; TR…movement path; X…scanning direction; Y…sub-scanning direction; Z…vertical direction; +Z…upward direction; -Z…downward direction.

Claims

1. A maintenance unit, characterized in that, It is used in liquid ejection devices having a liquid ejection section and has the following features: A maintenance department that maintains the liquid ejection section; A moving mechanism that moves the maintenance part toward the liquid ejection part in a first direction; Positioning Department The maintenance part has an engaging part that can engage with the positioning part. The moving mechanism has a driving part and a supporting part. The supporting part moves in the first direction by the power of the driving part and supports the maintenance part. The positioning part engages with the engagement part of the maintenance part, which moves together with the support part in the first direction, and the maintenance part is positioned relative to the liquid ejection part by moving relative to the support part in a direction parallel to the first direction.

2. The maintenance unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The positioning part is fixed to the main frame, and the main frame supports the liquid ejection part.

3. The maintenance unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The engaging portion engages with the support portion, which moves along the first direction.

4. The maintenance unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The positioning part positions the maintenance part relative to the liquid ejection part by moving the engaging part relative to the support part in the first direction.

5. The maintenance unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The engaging part is a shaft component, and the supporting part has an opening through which the engaging part passes. In the first direction, the length of the opening is relatively large compared to the thickness of the shaft component.

6. The maintenance unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The positioning part has a movable component that can move to a released state where it is not engaged with the engaging part, and a positioning state where it engages with the engaging part to position the engaging part in the first direction. The movable part engages with the engaging part.

7. The maintenance unit as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The movable component is a lever that changes its posture in a manner that allows it to be in the released state and the positioned state.

8. The maintenance unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The positioning part is provided in three or more parts. The three or more positioning parts are configured at positions such that the projection positions along the first direction D1 onto an imaginary plane orthogonal to the first direction are three or more different positions.

9. The maintenance unit as described in claim 6, characterized in that, An introduction member is provided on the movable member, the introduction member having an inclined surface capable of guiding the engaging portion in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.

10. The maintenance unit as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The positioning unit includes: A limiting part that restricts the movement of the engaging part in the first direction; An adjustment unit is provided, which is capable of adjusting the position of the limiting unit in the first direction.

11. The maintenance unit as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a control unit and a detection unit, the detection unit detecting when the engaging part and the supporting part move together along the first direction to the target position. When the driving unit is set as the first driving unit The positioning part has a movable member capable of engaging with the engaging part that moves to the target position, and a second driving part that moves the movable member from the released state to the positioning state. The control unit performs the following processing: (A) The first drive unit is driven along the drive direction that moves the maintenance unit in the first direction; (B) When the detection unit detects that the engaging part has moved to the target position, the driving of the first driving unit is stopped; (C) By driving the second drive unit, the movable member is used to move the engaging part from the target position to the positioning position.

12. The maintenance unit as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The moving mechanism has a slide rail that allows the maintenance unit to move along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The slide rail enables movement of the maintenance section toward a position where at least the opposing portion does not overlap with the main frame, in an observation direction from which the maintenance section is observed from the opposite direction to the first direction. The opposing portion is the part of the maintenance section that is opposite the liquid ejection portion during maintenance.

13. The maintenance unit as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The maintenance department has: The feed roller winds the fabric into a roll; A take-up roller that takes up the fabric from the feed roller; The third drive unit drives the take-up roller.

14. The maintenance unit as described in claim 13, characterized in that, The maintenance section has an opposing portion that is part of the fabric opposite to the liquid ejection section. The engaging portion is disposed in the first direction between the feed roller and the take-up roller on the side closer to the opposing portion.

15. A liquid ejection device, characterized in that, have: The maintenance unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 14; and The liquid ejection section.

16. A liquid ejection device, characterized in that, have: The maintenance unit as described in claim 13 or claim 14; and The liquid ejection section, When the maintenance unit is positioned relative to the liquid ejection unit, it performs maintenance by using the cloth to receive the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection unit.

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