Recording device

Abstract

To facilitate maintenance work of a member by a user.SOLUTION: A recording device includes: maintenance means which performs maintenance of a recording head for discharging liquid; and a unit which is provided corresponding to the recording head, has a negative pressure tank which is used for suction of the maintenance means and a pump for generating negative pressure, and can be removed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a recording device. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a line head type recording device that performs recording by ejecting droplets from the recording head in conjunction with the transport of the recording medium while the recording head does not move relative to the main body. In such a recording device, the ink ejected from the nozzle during the image formation process may not land on the sheet but may float as a mist and adhere to the nozzle. This may cause the ejected ink droplets to become distorted, resulting in a deterioration of image quality.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a crane component that wipes the discharge nozzle surface with an elastic blade to restore the discharge nozzle surface to its pre-discharge state and maintain discharge performance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-58338 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a recording apparatus having a plurality of recording heads and a plurality of cleaning components, a plurality of pumps and opening / closing valves may be arranged to perform negative pressure suction to each cleaning component. As a result, the arrangement space may increase. Furthermore, when attempting to arrange components such as the various pumps and opening / closing valves in a limited space, it becomes difficult for users to access those components. As a result, it becomes difficult for users to perform maintenance operations on the components, including replacement operations in the event of accidental failure.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to facilitate maintenance work on components by users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A recording apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in having a removable unit including a maintenance means for performing maintenance on a recording head that ejects liquid, a negative pressure tank provided corresponding to the recording head and used for suction of the maintenance means, and a pump for generating negative pressure. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to facilitate maintenance work on components by users. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a recording apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a recording head. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a cap tray. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a cleaning tray. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow path configuration in a print module. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the print module as viewed from the rear side of the apparatus. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit. [Figure 8] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating removal of the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit. [Figure 9] 4 is a perspective view of a capping liquid supply passage in the cap tray. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cap upstream three-way valve. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the cap upstream three-way valve and the three-way valve support member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the present disclosure, and not all combinations of features described in the following embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present disclosure. Note that the same reference numbers are used for the same components.

[0011] <<First embodiment>> <Overall configuration of the recording device> The overall configuration of the recording device 10 in this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, arrows x and y indicate horizontal directions perpendicular to each other, and arrow z indicates the up-down direction. The x direction is the overall conveying direction in which a sheet S, which is a recording medium, is conveyed inside the recording device 10, and corresponds in particular to the conveying direction in which the sheet S is conveyed in the recording unit 2300. In addition, in FIG. 1, the top of the device is defined as the top, the right to left as the longitudinal direction, and the front to back of the paper surface perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction as the sheet width direction, with the front side of the paper surface being the front side of the device and the back side of the paper surface being the rear side of the device.

[0012] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a recording apparatus 10. The recording apparatus 10 is a sheet-fed recording apparatus that forms an ink image on a sheet S using two types of liquid, a reaction liquid and ink, to produce a recorded matter. The recording apparatus 10 of this embodiment has a paper feed module 1000, a print module 2000, a drying module 3000, a fixing module 4000, a cooling module 5000, an inversion module 6000, and a discharge stacking module 7000. A cut-paper-like sheet S supplied from the paper feed module 1000 is transported along a transport path, processed in each module, and discharged to the discharge stacking module 7000.

[0013] The paper feed module 1000 is provided with three storage containers 1100a-c for storing sheets S. The storage containers 1100a-c are each configured to be able to be pulled out to the front side of the device (the front side of the page). The sheets S are fed one by one in each of the storage containers 1100a-c by a separation belt and a transport roller, and are transported to the print module 2000. The number of storage containers 1100a-c is not limited to three, and the configuration may include one, two, or four or more.

[0014] The print module 2000 has a pre-imaging registration correction section (not shown), a print belt unit 2200, a recording section 2300, and a maintenance unit 17. The sheet S conveyed from the paper feed module 1000 has its inclination and position corrected by the pre-imaging registration correction section, and is conveyed to the print belt unit 2200. The recording section 2300 is disposed at a position facing the print belt unit 2200 with respect to the conveyance path of the sheet S. The recording section 2300 performs a recording process (printing process) on the conveyed sheet S from above using a recording head 22 (see FIG. 2) to form an image. The sheet S is attracted and conveyed by the print belt unit 2200, thereby ensuring a clearance with the recording head 22. A plurality of recording heads 22 are arranged along the conveyance direction (x direction).

[0015] The recording unit 2300 of this embodiment has a total of five line-type recording heads 22 corresponding to P (reaction liquid) in addition to the four colors of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and Bk (black). The number of colors and the number of recording heads are not limited to five. As the inkjet method, a method using a heating element, a method using a piezoelectric element, a method using an electrostatic element, or a method using a MEMS element can be adopted. Ink of each color is supplied to the recording head 22 from an ink tank (not shown) via an ink tube.

[0016] The sheet S recorded by the recording unit 2300 is transported by the print belt unit 2200. An in-line scanner (not shown) arranged downstream in the transport direction of the recording unit 2300 can detect the misalignment and color density of the image formed on the sheet S and correct the printed image.

[0017] The drying module 3000 has a decoupling section 3200, a drying belt unit 3300, and a hot air blowing section 3400. The drying module 3000 is a unit that reduces the liquid component contained in the ink applied to the sheet S in the recording section 2300 and enhances the fixation of the sheet S and the ink. The sheet S recorded in the recording section 2300 of the print module 2000 is transported to the decoupling section 3200 arranged in the drying module 3000. The decoupling section 3200 can transport the sheet S from above by air pressure and friction of the belt, and by weakly holding and transporting the sheet S on the belt, it prevents the sheet S from shifting on the print belt unit 2200 on which the ink image is formed. The sheet S transported from the decoupling section 3200 is adsorbed and transported by the drying belt unit 3300, and at the same time, hot air is applied from the hot air blowing section 3400 arranged above the belt. This dries the ink-applied surface of the sheet S. In addition to the method of applying hot air, the drying method may be a combination of a method of irradiating the surface of the sheet S with electromagnetic waves (ultraviolet rays or infrared rays, etc.) or a conductive heat transfer method using contact with a heating element.

[0018] The fixing module 4000 has a fixing belt unit 4100. The fixing belt unit 4100 has an upper belt unit and a lower belt unit. By passing the sheet S conveyed from the drying module 3000 between the heated upper belt unit and the lower belt unit, the ink can be fixed to the sheet S.

[0019] The cooling module 5000 has a plurality of cooling units 5001. The cooling units 5001 cool the high-temperature sheet S transported from the fixing module 4000. The cooling units 5001 take in outside air into the cooling box with a fan to increase the pressure in the cooling box, and cool the sheet S by blowing air from nozzles formed in the transport guide onto the sheet S. The cooling units 5001 are arranged on both sides of the transport path, and can cool the sheet S from both sides. The cooling module 5000 also has a transport path switching unit that can switch the transport path of the sheet S depending on whether the sheet S is transported to the inversion module 6000 or to a double-sided transport path used during double-sided printing. During double-sided printing, the sheet S is transported to the transport path below the cooling module 5000, and is further transported along the double-sided transport paths of the fixing module 4000, the drying module 3000, the print module 2000, and the paper feed module 1000. In the print module 2000, the sheet S is transported along a double-sided transport path 2500. Then, the sheet S is transported again to the pre-imaging registration correction unit, print belt unit 2200, and recording unit 2300 of the print module 2000, where recording is performed. The double-sided transport unit of the fixing module 4000 is provided with an inversion unit 1 (4200) that inverts the sheet S from front to back.

[0020] The inversion module 6000 has an inversion unit 2 (6400), which can be used to invert the front and back of the sheet S being transported, and can freely change the front and back orientation of the sheet S to be discharged.

[0021] The discharge stacking module 7000 has a top tray 7200 and a stacking section 7500, and aligns and stacks the sheets S conveyed from the reversing module 6000.

[0022] The maintenance unit 17 is a unit equipped with a mechanism for recovering the ejection performance of the recording head. Examples of such mechanisms include a cap mechanism for protecting the ink ejection surface of the recording head 22, a wiper mechanism for wiping the ink ejection surface, and a suction mechanism for negatively sucking the ink in the recording head from the ink ejection surface. The maintenance unit 17 is equipped with a drive mechanism and rails (not shown). The maintenance unit 17 is capable of reciprocating horizontally along the rails, and moves to a position directly below the recording head when performing maintenance on the recording head 22, and moves to a position retreated from directly below the recording head when maintenance is not performed. The maintenance unit 17 has a cap tray 18 including a cap mechanism, and a cleaning tray 19 including a wiper mechanism and a suction mechanism. The cap tray 18 and the cleaning tray 19 are configured to be able to reciprocate horizontally independently of each other by a drive mechanism and rails (not shown). When the recording head 22 is capped by the cap mechanism, only the cap tray 18 may move, or the entire maintenance unit 17 including the cleaning tray 19 may move.

[0023] <Recording head configuration> FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the recording head 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the recording head 22 has a nozzle plate 223 having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink aligned in the recording head longitudinal direction (sheet width direction, y direction). The recording head 22 has positioning portions 221 at both ends. Specifically, the recording head 22 has a first contact portion 221a formed of a recess having a cone-shaped inclined surface at the head longitudinal front side (-y direction side). In addition, the recording head 22 has a second contact portion 221b formed of a groove portion having two V-shaped flat surfaces and a third contact portion 221c formed of a flat surface at the head longitudinal rear side (+y direction side).

[0024] <Maintenance unit configuration> Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the cap tray 18. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the cleaning tray 19. The configuration of the maintenance unit 17 will be described below with reference to Figs. 3 and 4.

[0025] In this embodiment, the maintenance unit 17 includes a cap tray 18 on which a cap mechanism 181 (see FIG. 3) is arranged, and a cleaning tray 19 on which a cleaning mechanism 191 (see FIG. 4) is arranged. The cap tray 18 and the cleaning tray 19 are configured to be movable in the device longitudinal direction (x direction) by a drive motor (not shown) and rails provided on the housing. In this embodiment, since a total of five recording heads 22 are provided, a total of five cap mechanisms 181 and five cleaning mechanisms 191 are provided corresponding to the recording heads 22.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, each cap mechanism 181 in the cap tray 18 includes a plurality of spherical recording head positioning members 182 for positioning the recording head 22. The recording head positioning members 182 are disposed in the front and rear of the cap mechanism 181 in the sheet width direction (y direction). There are three recording head positioning members 182 used for positioning one recording head 22 with respect to the cap mechanism 181, one disposed on the front side (-y direction side) of the cap mechanism 181 and two disposed on the rear side (+y direction side). The recording head 22 and the cap mechanism 181 are positioned by the positioning portions 221 provided on both ends of the recording head 22 mentioned above coming into contact with the recording head positioning members 182 of the cap mechanism 181. The cap mechanism 181 can protect the nozzle plate 223 of the recording head 22 by being positioned with the recording head 22, and can perform negative pressure suction by a negative pressure suction mechanism described later.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, the cleaning tray 19 includes a plurality of spherical recording head positioning members 192 for positioning a plurality of recording heads 22. The recording head positioning members 192 are arranged in the cleaning tray 19 at the front and rear of the sheet width direction (y direction) and are held by beam members 193a and 193b arranged in the sheet conveying direction (x direction). Three recording head positioning members 192 are provided for use in positioning one recording head 22 with respect to the cleaning tray 19. One recording head positioning member 192 is arranged on the front beam member 193a (-y direction side) in the cleaning tray 19, and two recording head positioning members 192 are arranged on the rear beam member 193b (+y direction side). The recording heads 22 and the cleaning tray 19 are positioned when the positioning portions 221 provided on both ends of the recording heads 22 mentioned above come into contact with the recording head positioning members 192 of the cleaning tray 19.

[0028] The positioning configuration is not limited to the configuration using a spherical positioning member, and may be a configuration in which a part of the recording head 22 is abutted against the inside of the cleaning tray 19. Alternatively, the positioning configuration may be a configuration in which the positioning is performed using holes and pins provided in the cleaning tray 19 and the recording head 22.

[0029] As described above, five cleaning mechanisms 191 are provided in the cleaning tray 19 in accordance with the number of the recording heads 22. Each cleaning mechanism 191 has a cleaning liquid applying unit 50, a liquid removing unit 60, and a negative pressure applying unit 70. The cleaning liquid applying unit 50 is an applying unit that applies cleaning liquid to the nozzle plate 223 of the recording head 22. The liquid removing unit 60 is a wiper mechanism for removing ink, paper powder, and cleaning liquid attached to the nozzle plate 223 of the recording head 22. The negative pressure applying unit 70 is a suction mechanism that applies negative pressure to the nozzle plate 223 of the recording head 22 to remove ink stuck to the nozzle portion and remove bubbles in the ink flow path. As shown in FIG. 4, the cleaning tray 19 has a moving mechanism (not shown) that moves the cleaning mechanism 191 along a wiping direction D perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction (x direction). The cleaning mechanism 191 removes ink and dust from the nozzle surface of the recording head 22 by combining the use of a cleaning liquid deposition unit 50 , a liquid removal unit 60 , and a negative pressure application unit 70 .

[0030] <Flow path configuration> FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flow path configuration in the print module 2000 of this embodiment. Using FIG. 5, a cleaning liquid supply path, a negative pressure suction path, and a waste liquid path will be described. Each configuration shown in FIG. 5 is provided in the print module 2000. A cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 is provided corresponding to each recording head 22. For simplification, FIG. 5 shows the internal configuration of only the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 for yellow (Y). Similarly, a cap mechanism 181, a cleaning liquid deposition unit 50, and a negative pressure deposition unit 70 are provided corresponding to each recording head 22, but for simplification, FIG. 5 shows only the configuration for some of the recording heads 22. The cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 has a cleaning liquid supply pump 104, opening and closing valves 105 to 107, a negative pressure tank 205, a negative pressure suction pump 206, opening and closing valves 207 to 209, and a filter 220.

[0031] The cleaning liquid is sent from the cleaning liquid pack 101 by a liquid sending pump 102 to a cleaning liquid subtank 103, which is a storage tank for storing the cleaning liquid. A cleaning liquid supply pump 104 is provided in the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 (Y, M, C, Bk, P) corresponding to each recording head 22. The cleaning liquid can be sent from the cleaning liquid subtank 103 to the cap mechanism 181, cleaning liquid deposition unit 50, and negative pressure application unit 70 of the corresponding recording head 22 by the cleaning liquid supply pump 104. For example, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid subtank 103 can be sent by the cleaning liquid supply pump 104 for Y to the cap mechanism 181, cleaning liquid deposition unit 50, and negative pressure application unit 70 corresponding to the recording head 22 for Y.

[0032] Moreover, by using the opening and closing valves 105 to 107 in the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500, the timing of supplying the cleaning liquid to the capping mechanism 181, the cleaning liquid deposition part 50, and the negative pressure deposition part 70 can be controlled.

[0033] The application of negative pressure to the capping mechanism 181 and the negative pressure application unit 70 is performed by a negative pressure suction pump 206 connected to a negative pressure tank 205. Negative pressure can be applied to the capping mechanism 181 and the negative pressure application unit 70 through the negative pressure tank 205 and the provided opening and closing valves 207 to 209. Since the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 is provided corresponding to each recording head 22, negative pressure application can also be performed independently for each recording head 22.

[0034] When negative pressure is applied by the cap mechanism 181 and the negative pressure application unit 70, the waste liquid sucked from the recording head 22 is collected in the drain sub-tank 203, which is a storage tank for storing the waste liquid, by the first discharge pump 204 from the negative pressure tank 205. Then, the waste liquid is further stored in the waste liquid tank 201 by the second discharge pump 202.

[0035] Also provided is a recovery tray 300 for recovering the cleaning liquid overflowing from the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50. The cleaning liquid recovered in the recovery tray 300 is sent to the drain sub-tank 203 by the third discharge pump 210.

[0036] When the capacity of the waste liquid tank 201 approaches the upper limit, this is detected by a waste liquid tank detection sensor (not shown), and the user is prompted to replace the waste liquid tank 201.

[0037] The waste liquid from the reaction liquid (P) head is collected in a drain sub-tank 303 for the reaction liquid by a fourth discharge pump 304, separately from the waste liquid flow path from the color ink head (COL: Y to Bk). It is further stored in a waste liquid tank 301 for the reaction liquid by a fifth discharge pump 302. The collection tray 300 is partitioned between the color ink head and the reaction liquid head, and the cleaning liquid used for the reaction liquid head collected in the collection tray 300 is sent to the drain sub-tank 303 by a sixth discharge pump 310. Therefore, the reaction liquid (P) and the color inks (Y to Bk) do not mix in the waste liquid flow path, so that it is possible to prevent the ink from solidifying in the flow path and blocking the flow path. The configuration of the collection tray 300 is not limited to this, and it may be configured to be provided separately for the color inks (Y to Bk) and the reaction liquid (P).

[0038] As described above, a cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 (Y, M, C, Bk, P) is provided corresponding to each head. Each cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 is provided with a cleaning liquid supply pump 104 and opening and closing valves 105-107 for controlling the supply of cleaning liquid to each flow path. Each cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 is also provided with a negative pressure tank 205, a negative pressure suction pump 206 for negative pressure suction, and opening and closing valves 207-209 for controlling the application of negative pressure to each part. In this way, in this embodiment, the necessary electric devices and opening and closing valves are unitized for each cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 (Y, M, C, Bk, P) corresponding to each print head.

[0039] <Configuration of cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit> Next, the configuration of the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0040] 6 is a view of the print module 2000 of FIG. 1 as seen from the rear side (+y direction side). As shown in FIG. 6, a cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 (Y, M, C, Bk, P) is disposed on the rear side and the lower side of the print module 2000. Similarly, a cleaning liquid sub-tank 103 and a liquid feed pump 102, as well as a drain sub-tank 203, a second discharge pump 202, a first discharge pump 204, and a third discharge pump 210 are disposed on the rear side and the lower side of the print module 2000. Similarly, a drain sub-tank 303 for reaction liquid, a fifth discharge pump 302, a fourth discharge pump 304, and a sixth discharge pump 310 are disposed on the rear side and the lower side of the print module 2000. These are generally disposed in line in the longitudinal direction of the print module 2000.

[0041] A space 500X is provided between the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500P and the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500Y. The space 500X is a space in which an additional cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit can be arranged when the number of recording heads 22 is greater than the five in this embodiment. Further, below where these cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply units 500 (Y, M, C, Bk, P) are arranged, is a space in which a duplex conveying path 2500 (FIG. 1) is arranged, along which the sheet S is conveyed during duplex printing.

[0042] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500. FIG. 7 shows the arrangement of the negative pressure tank 205 and various pumps arranged inside the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500. As shown in FIG. 7, in each cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500, the negative pressure tank 205 is arranged on the lower side of the unit in the gravity direction. Also, the cleaning liquid supply pump 104, the negative pressure suction pump 206, the opening and closing valves 105 to 107, and the opening and closing valves 207 to 209 are arranged on the upper side of the negative pressure tank 205. That is, the cleaning liquid supply pump 104 and the negative pressure suction pump 206, which are electric components, are arranged above the negative pressure tank 205 in the gravity direction. Therefore, even if liquid leakage occurs from the negative pressure tank 205 that stores the ink or reaction liquid, it is possible to reduce the risk of these electric components being splashed with the ink or reaction liquid and breaking down. In addition, the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 is provided with an attachment / detachment handle 610 on the rear side (+y direction side) of the print module 2000. As will be described later, a user can pull out the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 from the print module 2000 by using the attachment / detachment handle 610.

[0043] Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining the removal of the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500. In Fig. 8, the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500Y is disposed inside the apparatus body of the print module 2000. On the other hand, the adjacent cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500M and cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500C are shown in a removed state.

[0044] The first liquid tube 520 connected to the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500Y is connected from the side (521) of the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500Y through the rear part (522) of the apparatus body to the connection destination. The first liquid tube 520 corresponds to the flow path connecting the cleaning liquid sub-tank 103 and the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 shown in FIG. 5 and the flow path connecting the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 and the drain sub-tank 203. Note that the flow path in FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram. In the example of FIG. 8, four first liquid tubes 520 are provided to supply the cleaning liquid to the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500. In addition, three suction tubes are provided to discharge the ink sucked in the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500, and one first liquid tube 520 is provided as a discharge flow path of the negative pressure suction pump 206.

[0045] Thus, in the example of FIG. 8, eight first liquid tubes 520 are connected to the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500Y. Note that FIG. 8 shows an example in which similar liquid tubes are provided for the magenta and cyan cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply units 500 that have been removed. Tube joints 523 and 524 are provided at the ends of the first liquid tubes 520. As shown in FIG. 8, all of the eight first liquid tubes 520 connected to the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 are configured to pass through the rear part (522) of the apparatus body and the side (521) of the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500. In addition, second liquid tubes 540 connected to the tube joints 523 and 524 are provided at the rear part of the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500. These second liquid tubes 540 are connected to the negative pressure tank 205, various pumps, and various opening and closing valves arranged inside the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500, as described above.

[0046] The first liquid tube 520 is held by a holding member 550 extending from a rear portion 522 of the main body to the rear side (+y direction side). The holding member 550 is configured to be able to hold the first liquid tubes 520 for the two cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply units 500. Note that the holding member 550 indicated with a reference numeral in Fig. 8 is arranged with a liquid tube for the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 to be added to the space 500X, and therefore, in Fig. 8, only one first liquid tube 520 for the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 is arranged therein. When viewed from the rear side (+y direction side) of the device, the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 and the holding member 550 including the first liquid tube 520 and tube joints 523, 524 are arranged so as not to overlap with each other. Therefore, when the second liquid tube 540 is removed from the tube joints 523, 524, the holding member 550 and the tube joints 523, 524 do not hinder removal of the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 in the removal direction (arrow E).

[0047] Furthermore, an electric cable 530 for connecting to electric components of the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500Y is connected to the apparatus body via electric connectors 532, 533 on the upper surface (531) of the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500Y.

[0048] When the user removes the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500Y from the apparatus body, the user removes the tube joints 523, 524 from the side (521) of the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500Y. Also, the user removes the electrical connectors 532, 533 from the top (531) of the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500Y. This allows the liquid connection and electrical connection between the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500Y and the apparatus body to be easily released. Furthermore, the user removes the screws 600 that secure the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500Y to the apparatus body from the front side (apparatus rear side) of the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500Y. Then, the user can remove the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500Y from the apparatus body by holding the attachment / detachment handle 610 and pulling it in the direction of the arrow E (apparatus rear side). At this time, the first liquid tube 520 and the electric cable 530 connected to the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500Y are arranged at a position that does not hinder removal in the removal direction (arrow E) of the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500. That is, the first liquid tube 520 and the electric cable 530 are arranged on the rear part (522) of the apparatus body, and the side (521) and top surface (531) of the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500. That is, when the direction in which the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 is removed from the apparatus body is the front, the first liquid tube 520 and the electric cable 530 are connected to the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 at a position other than the front side of the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500. Therefore, the first liquid tube 520 and the electric cable 530 do not hinder removal of the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500, and the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 can be easily removed.

[0049] In addition, a liquid leakage prevention tray 510 is arranged on the lower surface where the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 is arranged. A leakage detection sensor (not shown) is arranged in the liquid leakage prevention tray 510. As shown in FIG. 8, the liquid leakage prevention tray 510 is provided in a manner that covers the entire lower surface of all the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply units 500. Therefore, even if a liquid leak occurs from the negative pressure tank 205 that stores the ink or reaction liquid, the leaked ink or reaction liquid is stored in the liquid leakage prevention tray 510. Furthermore, the liquid in the liquid leakage prevention tray 510 can be detected by the leakage detection sensor (not shown), and when the liquid is detected, appropriate processing such as immediately stopping the device can be performed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the ink or reaction liquid from leaking to the double-sided conveying path 2500 that is arranged below the arrangement part of the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500.

[0050] The connection of the first liquid tube 520 and the electric cable 530 to the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 is not limited to the side and top of the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500, but may be, for example, the bottom. That is, when the direction in which the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 is removed from the apparatus body is the front, the first liquid tube 520 and the electric cable 530 may be connected to the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 at a position other than the front side of the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500. This allows the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 to be easily removed without hindering removal of the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500.

[0051] In this way, the recording apparatus of this embodiment can facilitate the maintenance work of the members by the user. In the recording apparatus of this embodiment, the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 is a unit in which the cleaning liquid supply pump 104, the opening and closing valves 105 to 107, the negative pressure tank 205, the negative pressure suction pump 206, and the opening and closing valves 207 to 209 are all unitized. That is, the cleaning liquid supply pump, the negative pressure suction pump, the negative pressure tank, the opening and closing valves, etc., corresponding to the cleaning configuration of each recording head are unitized, and it is possible to remove each unit from the apparatus main body. Therefore, it is possible to easily remove the parts corresponding to the cleaning configuration of each head, and to perform replacement work and maintenance work. Furthermore, the liquid tube and the electric cable are not arranged in the removal direction (arrow E). That is, the first liquid tube 520 and the electric cable 530 connected to the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 are connected at a position that does not hinder removal in the removal direction (arrow E) of the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500. Therefore, it is possible to easily remove the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 and perform maintenance work.

[0052] <Configuration of the three-way valve of the capping liquid supply flow path> Next, the configuration of the three-way valve of the capping liquid supply flow path that supplies the cleaning liquid to the capping mechanism 181 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0053] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the capping liquid supply flow path 183 in the cap tray 18, which is a cap support member. That is, FIG. 9 is a view of the components related to the capping liquid supply flow path 183 in the cap tray 18 in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 9, the capping liquid supply flow path 183 of the cap mechanism 181 corresponding to each recording head 22 includes a plurality of cap upstream three-way valves 184, and has a three-way valve upstream flow path 183a and a three-way valve downstream flow path 183b. In this embodiment, since five recording heads 22 are provided, five cap upstream three-way valves 184 are also provided corresponding to the recording heads 22. The upstream side (the cleaning liquid sub-tank 103 side) of each cap upstream three-way valve 184 is the three-way valve upstream flow path 183a, and the downstream side is the three-way valve downstream flow path 183b. The plurality of cap upstream three-way valves 184 are supported by a three-way valve support member 185 by a fixing method not shown.

[0054] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cap upstream three-way valve 184. As shown in FIG. 10, the cap upstream three-way valve 184 has a three-way valve inlet 184a, a three-way valve supply outlet 184b, and a three-way valve atmosphere communication port 184c. The three-way valve inlet 184a is connected to the three-way valve upstream flow path 183a, and the three-way valve supply outlet 184b is connected to the three-way valve downstream flow path 183b. The cap upstream three-way valve 184 is configured to be switchable between a cap supply state and a cap atmosphere communication state. The cap supply state is a state in which the three-way valve inlet 184a and the three-way valve supply outlet 184b are connected and the three-way valve atmosphere communication port 184c is closed. The cap atmosphere communication state is a state in which the three-way valve inlet 184a is closed and the three-way valve supply outlet 184b and the three-way valve atmosphere communication port 184c are connected.

[0055] In the cap supply state, the three-way valve upstream flow path 183a and the three-way valve downstream flow path 183b are connected, so that the cleaning liquid can be supplied from the cleaning liquid supply pump 104 to the cap mechanism 181. In the cap atmosphere communication state, the three-way valve downstream flow path 183b and the three-way valve atmosphere communication port 184c are connected, so that the inside of the cap mechanism 181 can be opened to the atmosphere. As a result, after the recording head 22 is negatively pressure-sucked by the cap mechanism 181 or the negative pressure applying unit 70, the negative pressure in the cap mechanism 181 can be released, so that the load of the operation of separating the cap mechanism 181 from the recording head 22 can be reduced.

[0056] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the cap upstream three-way valve 184 and the three-way valve support member 185. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram seen from the front side of the device. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 11, the three-way valve support member 185 is arranged at one end of the recording device in the cap tray 18. Specifically, the three-way valve support member 185 is arranged at the end on the right side in the longitudinal direction (-x direction side) in the cap tray 18. As a result, when the recording head 22 is capped by the cap mechanism 181, a space is formed on the one end side, so that the three-way valve support member 185 can be attached and detached, and maintenance work can be performed on the cap upstream three-way valve 184. That is, various maintenance work can be performed on the three-way valve support member 185 in the cap tray 18 with the recording head 22 capped.

[0057] As described above, the cap tray 18 and the cleaning tray 19 are configured as the maintenance unit 17. Here, as shown in Fig. 11, when the recording head 22 is capped by the cap mechanism 181, a space is formed in the horizontal direction on the cap upstream three-way valve 184 side of the cap tray 18 and above the cleaning tray 19. This makes it easy to perform maintenance work on the cleaning mechanism 191.

[0058] 11, in the cap upstream three-way valve 184, the three-way valve atmosphere communication port 184c is disposed at a position higher than the cap surface that caps the recording head 22 in the capping mechanism 181. This makes it possible to prevent ink or cleaning liquid remaining in the three-way valve downstream flow path 183b from spilling over from the three-way valve atmosphere communication port 184c when the negative pressure in the capping mechanism 181 is released through the three-way valve atmosphere communication port 184c.

[0059] In this embodiment, the three-way valve support member 185 is disposed at the right end of the cap tray 18 in the longitudinal direction of the device (the end on the -x direction side), but it may be disposed at the end on the front side of the device (the -y direction) of the cap tray 18. In this case, the size of the cap tray 18 will be enlarged in the device front direction, but it is possible to reduce the size on the right side of the device.

[0060] As described above, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to facilitate maintenance work on components by users.

[0061] <<Other embodiments>> 8, an example has been described in which the second liquid tube 540 connected to the tube joints 523 and 524 is provided on the rear surface of the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500. Then, an example has been described in which the second liquid tube 540 is connected to the negative pressure tank 205, various pumps, and various on-off valves, etc., that are arranged inside the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500. However, this is not limited to this example. When the connecting parts of the negative pressure tank 205, the pump, and the on-off valve are provided at positions corresponding to the tube joints 523 and 524, the negative pressure tank 205, the pump, or the on-off valve may be directly connected to the tube joints 523 and 524.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the cleaning liquid and negative pressure supply unit 500 has been taken as an example of the unit. That is, a unit that supplies cleaning liquid and performs suction cleaning has been taken as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the unit may include a negative pressure tank used for suction in the maintenance unit and a pump for generating negative pressure.

[0063] The disclosure of this embodiment includes configurations typified by the following recording apparatus examples.

[0064] <Configuration 1> a maintenance unit for performing maintenance on a recording head that ejects liquid; a removable unit including a negative pressure tank provided in correspondence with the recording head and used for suctioning the maintenance unit and a pump for generating negative pressure; A recording apparatus comprising:

[0065] <Configuration 2> Further comprising a tube connected to the unit; The recording device according to configuration 1, characterized in that, when the direction in which the unit is removed from the device body is the front, a joint for connecting the tube to the unit is provided in a position other than the front side.

[0066] <Configuration 3> 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the tube communicates with the negative pressure tank and the pump via the joint.

[0067] <Configuration 4> 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the tube communicates with a storage tank that stores waste liquid.

[0068] <Component 5> 5. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the maintenance means includes a negative pressure applying section that communicates with the pump of the unit and faces a nozzle forming surface of the recording head to perform suction cleaning.

[0069] <Component 6> 6. The recording apparatus according to configuration 5, wherein the unit includes a second pump for supplying a cleaning liquid used in the suction cleaning to the maintenance means.

[0070] <Component 7> A second storage tank that stores a cleaning liquid to be supplied to the maintenance means; a second tube communicating with the second storage tank and connected to the unit; and The recording device according to configuration 6, characterized in that, when the direction in which the unit is removed from the device body is defined as the front, a joint for connecting the second tube to the unit is provided at a position other than the front side.

[0071] <Component 8> 8. The recording apparatus according to configuration 6 or 7, wherein the maintenance means includes a liquid applying section that communicates with the second pump of the unit and applies cleaning liquid to a nozzle formation surface of the recording head.

[0072] <Component 9> 9. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the unit further includes a valve for opening and closing the flow path.

[0073] <Component 10> 10. The recording apparatus according to configuration 9, wherein the negative pressure tank is disposed lower in a direction of gravity than the valve and the pump.

[0074] <Component 11> The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, characterized in that an electric cable connected to the unit is connected to the unit at a position other than the front side when the direction in which the unit is removed from the device body is considered to be the front.

[0075] <Component 12> 12. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein the unit has a handle on a front side when the direction in which the unit is removed from the apparatus body is defined as the front.

[0076] <Component 13> the maintenance unit has a cap support member that supports a plurality of cap mechanisms for protecting the nozzle forming surfaces of the plurality of recording heads, The cap support member is a plurality of supply flow paths that supply liquid from a second storage tank that stores a cleaning liquid to each of the plurality of capping mechanisms by a third pump; a three-way valve provided between the supply flow path and the capping mechanism and configured to switch between supplying liquid to the capping mechanism and communicating the capping mechanism with the atmosphere; a valve support member for supporting a plurality of the three-way valves provided corresponding to the cap mechanism; Including, 13. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, wherein the valve support member is disposed at one end of the cap support member.

[0077] <Component 14> 14. The recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a space is formed on one end side of the cap support member where the valve support member is disposed when the recording head is protected by the cap mechanism.

[0078] <Component 15> 15. The recording apparatus according to configuration 13 or 14, wherein the three-way valve has an atmosphere vent port, and the atmosphere vent port is provided above a cap surface of the cap mechanism in a gravitational direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 10 Recording Device 22 Recording head 17 Maintenance Department 500 Cleaning solution and negative pressure supply unit

Claims

1. a maintenance unit for performing maintenance on a recording head that ejects liquid; a removable unit including a negative pressure tank provided in correspondence with the recording head and used for suctioning the maintenance unit and a pump for generating negative pressure; A recording apparatus comprising:

2. Further comprising a tube connected to the unit; 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the direction in which the unit is removed from the apparatus body is defined as the front, a joint for connecting the tube to the unit is provided at a position other than the front side.

3. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the tube communicates with the negative pressure tank and the pump via the joint.

4. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the tube communicates with a storage tank that stores the waste liquid.

5. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the maintenance device includes a negative pressure applying section that communicates with the pump of the unit and faces a nozzle forming surface of the recording head to perform suction cleaning.

6. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the unit includes a second pump for supplying the cleaning liquid used in the suction cleaning to the maintenance means.

7. A second storage tank that stores a cleaning liquid to be supplied to the maintenance means; a second tube communicating with the second storage tank and connected to the unit; and 7. The recording device according to claim 6, wherein when the direction in which the unit is removed from the device body is defined as the front, a joint for connecting the second tube to the unit is provided at a position other than the front side.

8. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the maintenance device includes a liquid applying section that communicates with the second pump of the unit and applies cleaning liquid to a nozzle forming surface of the recording head.

9. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unit further includes a valve for opening and closing a flow path.

10. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the negative pressure tank is disposed lower in the direction of gravity than the valve and the pump.

11. 9. A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an electric cable connected to the unit is connected to the unit at a position other than the front side when the direction in which the unit is removed from the main body of the apparatus is defined as the front.

12. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unit has a handle on a front side when the direction in which the unit is removed from the apparatus body is defined as the front side.

13. the maintenance unit has a cap support member that supports a plurality of cap mechanisms for protecting the nozzle forming surfaces of the plurality of recording heads, The cap support member is a plurality of supply flow paths that supply liquid to the plurality of capping mechanisms from a second storage tank that stores a cleaning liquid by a third pump; a three-way valve provided between the supply flow path and the capping mechanism and configured to switch between supplying liquid to the capping mechanism and communicating the capping mechanism with the atmosphere; a valve support member for supporting a plurality of the three-way valves provided corresponding to the cap mechanism; Including, 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the valve support member is disposed at one end of the cap support member.

14. 14. The recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a space is formed on one end side of the cap support member where the valve support member is disposed, in a state where the recording head is protected by the cap mechanism.

15. 14. The recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the three-way valve has an atmosphere vent port, and the atmosphere vent port is provided above a cap surface of the cap mechanism in a gravitational direction.

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