Recording device, control method and program

Abstract

To reduce the size of a recording device.SOLUTION: A recording device has cleaning means having a plurality of cleaning mechanisms for cleaning a recording head for discharging a liquid, in which each of the plurality of cleaning mechanisms can scan in a predetermined direction while being in contact with the recording head, a movement mechanism capable of moving each of the plurality of cleaning mechanisms between a first height at which each of the plurality of cleaning mechanisms is contactable with the recording head and a second height where each of the plurality of cleaning mechanisms is not contactable with the recording head, a driving source of the movement mechanism, and contacting / separating means for making the driving source and the movement mechanism contact with each other and separated from each other, wherein the one or plurality of cleaning mechanisms out of the plurality of cleaning mechanisms are moved at the first height by the movement mechanism connected to the driving source, after the one or plurality of cleaning mechanisms have been moved at the first height, connection between the driving source and the movement mechanism is released by the contacting / separating means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 22

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for cleaning a print head of a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Inkjet recording apparatuses are known as recording apparatuses that eject ink onto a recording medium, such as a continuous sheet wound around a roll, to record characters, images, and the like.

[0003] In inkjet recording devices, a problem is known in which ink ejected from a nozzle during the process of recording characters, images, etc. does not land on a sheet, but instead floats as a mist and adheres to the nozzle, causing subsequently ejected ink droplets to become distorted, resulting in a deterioration in image quality.

[0004] As a solution to this problem, a configuration is known in which the ejection nozzle surface is wiped with an elastic blade to restore the ejection nozzle surface to its pre-ejection state and maintain ejection performance. However, when the ink adheres strongly to the nozzle surface of the ejection head, wiping with a blade does not provide the necessary removal power, and it becomes necessary to install a cleaning mechanism with a stronger removal power than a blade.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration for cleaning the nozzle surface by combining wiping with a blade and wiping with a web. In detail, the configuration discloses a configuration in which a single drive source selectively moves a first cleaning mechanism equipped with a blade that wipes the nozzle surface, and a second cleaning mechanism equipped with a web that wipes the nozzle surface, between a wiping position where the nozzle surface is wiped and a retracted position separated from the nozzle surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2019-162862 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in Patent Document 1, the drive source for switching the position is always connected to the cleaning mechanism consisting of the first cleaning mechanism and the second cleaning mechanism, so when the cleaning mechanism is moved relative to the head to clean it, the drive source and the drive connection part must also move together. Therefore, it is necessary to secure an area in which the cleaning mechanism and the parts related to the drive of the cleaning mechanism can move together, which increases the size of the recording device.

[0008] In view of the above problems, an object of the present disclosure is to reduce the size of a recording device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] One embodiment of the present invention is a recording device comprising a cleaning means having a plurality of cleaning mechanisms for cleaning a recording head that ejects liquid, each of the plurality of cleaning mechanisms being capable of scanning in a predetermined direction while in contact with the recording head, a moving mechanism capable of moving each of the plurality of cleaning mechanisms between a first height at which it is in contact with the recording head and a second height at which it is not in contact with the recording head, a drive source for the moving mechanism, and a separation means for separating the drive source from the moving mechanism, wherein the moving mechanism connected to the drive source moves one or more of the plurality of cleaning mechanisms to the first height, and after the one or more cleaning mechanisms have moved to the first height, the separation means releases the connection between the drive source and the moving mechanism. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the size of the recording device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of a recording apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a housing of a sheet conveying unit of a recording unit; [Diagram 3] A perspective view of a recording head lifting mechanism [Figure 4] A perspective view of a recording head [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a maintenance tray and a recording head positioned relative to the maintenance tray; [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the positioning operation of the recording head with respect to the maintenance tray. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the maintenance tray and the recording head are separated from each other. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which the positioning operation of the recording head with respect to the maintenance tray is completed. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 illustrates a recording head positioned relative to a maintenance tray. [Figure 10] Schematic diagram showing the cleaning start position of the cleaning liquid application unit [Figure 11] Schematic diagram showing the start position for cleaning the liquid removal unit [Figure 12] Schematic diagram showing the cleaning start position of the negative pressure applying unit [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the maintenance unit is in a first position in the y direction (a position where the height can be changed) and is retracted from the print head. [Figure 14] Diagram showing the cam mechanism of the maintenance unit [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which, in a first position, the cleaning liquid deposition unit is in contact with the nozzle formation surface of the recording head (at a head contact height); [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the liquid removal unit is at a head contact height in a first position. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the negative pressure applying unit is at a head contact height in a first position. [Figure 18] Schematic diagram showing the maintenance unit at the second position in the y direction [Figure 19] A schematic diagram showing the state in which the maintenance unit in the maintenance tray is at the extreme end of its movable range in the y direction. [Figure 20]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the maintenance unit in the innermost position in the maintenance tray; [Figure 21] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a maintenance unit and a driving source are connected to each other; [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the maintenance unit is separated from the drive source. [Diagram 23] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the liquid removal unit and the cleaning liquid application unit are at head contact height. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a state where cleaning of the liquid removal unit and the cleaning liquid application unit begins; [Diagram 25] Normal cleaning flow chart [Figure 26] Flowchart for normal cleaning (after printing on coated paper) [Figure 27] Ink refill cleaning flow chart DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, elements having the same function or purpose are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof may be omitted.

[0013] [First embodiment] <Recording device configuration> Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of recording device 1. The up-down direction in Fig. 1 is defined as the "height direction", the left-right direction in Fig. 1 as the "longitudinal direction", and the direction perpendicular to the height direction and the longitudinal direction (the direction from the front of the paper to the back in Fig. 1) as the "sheet width direction". In the following, recording device 1 will be described as a printer that records images using ink on a continuous sheet wound in a roll, and as a high-speed line printer capable of high-speed recording.

[0014] 1, the recording device 1 has therein the following units: an unwinding roll unit 2, a first dancer unit 3, a first main transport unit 4, a meandering correction unit 5, a transport detection unit 6, a mark sensor unit 7, and a recording unit 8. The recording device 1 also has the following units as subsequent units to the recording unit 8: a first scanner unit 9, a first drying unit 10, a second drying unit 11, a cooling unit 12, a second scanner unit 13, a second main transport unit 14, a second dancer unit 15, a take-up roll unit 16, and a maintenance tray 17. The sheet S is transported along a sheet transport path indicated by a solid line in the figure, and the sheet S is processed in each of the aforementioned units.

[0015] The unwinding roll unit 2 is a unit for holding and supplying a continuous sheet wound in a roll shape. The unwinding roll unit 2 is configured to store an unwinding roll and pull out and supply the sheet S. Although one roll can be stored in FIG. 1, the number of rolls that can be stored is not limited to one, and two or three or more rolls may be stored and the sheet S may be selectively pulled out and supplied from one of the multiple rolls.

[0016] The first dancer section 3 is a unit for applying a constant sheet tension between the unwinding roll section 2 and the first main conveyor section 4. In the first dancer section 3, tension is applied to the sheet by a tension applying means (not shown).

[0017] The first main conveyor 4 is a unit for feeding the sheet S to a subsequent unit, and for applying a predetermined tension to the sheet in cooperation with the second main conveyor 14. The first main conveyor 4 rotates by driving a motor (not shown), and conveys the sheet S while applying tension to the sheet S.

[0018] The meandering correction unit 5 is a unit for correcting meandering in the sheet width direction when the sheet S to which tension is applied is transported. The meandering correction unit 5 has a meandering correction roller 5a and a meandering detection sensor (not shown) that detects meandering of the sheet S. The meandering correction roller 5a can change the inclination of the sheet S by a motor (not shown), and corrects the meandering of the sheet S based on the measurement result of the meandering detection sensor. At this time, the meandering correction function can be improved by wrapping the sheet S around the meandering correction roller 5a. The meandering correction unit 5 can return the transport direction of the meandering sheet S to the normal transport direction.

[0019] The transport detection unit 6 is a unit for detecting tension when a tensioned sheet is transported between the first main transport unit 4 and the second main transport unit 14. The transport detection unit 6 is also a unit for detecting the speed of the sheet S in order to control the recording timing of the recording unit 8.

[0020] The mark sensor section 7 is a unit for detecting a mark recorded on the sheet S in advance in order to control the recording timing of the recording section 8.

[0021] The recording section 8 is a unit for recording on the transported sheet S, and records an image by performing a recording process (specifically, ink ejection process, etc.) on the sheet S from above using a recording head 22. The transport path in the recording section 8 is formed by a plurality of guide rollers 23 arranged to form an upwardly convex arc shape, and a certain tension is applied to the sheet S to ensure a clearance with the recording head 22. The recording head 22 has a plurality of recording heads arranged along the transport direction. The recording device 1 of this example has a total of eight line-type recording heads corresponding to the reaction liquid and three special colors in addition to the four colors of Bk (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan). The number of colors is not limited to four, and the number of recording heads is not limited to eight. As the inkjet method applied to the recording head 22, a method using a heating element, a method using a piezoelectric element, a method using an electrostatic element, a method using a MEMS element, etc. can be adopted. Ink of each color is supplied to the recording head 22 from a corresponding ink tank (not shown) through an ink tube.

[0022] 2, a plurality of recording head positioning members 811 for positioning the recording head are provided in the sheet transport unit housing 81 of the recording unit 8. More specifically, three recording head positioning members 811 are provided for one recording head 22. These three recording head positioning members 811 are in a relationship in which they sandwich the sheet S at different positions in the y direction, with one provided on the front side (-y side) of the figure and two provided on the back side (+y side) of the figure.

[0023] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a lifting mechanism for the recording head 22. As shown in Fig. 3, the recording head 22 is supported from below by a recording head holding part 26 for holding the recording head 22 and lifting it up and down via a recording head support shaft 27. The recording head holding part 26 is lifted up and down along a recording head lifting rail 29 provided in a recording head lifting frame 28 by a drive mechanism (not shown) provided inside.

[0024] 4 is a perspective view of the recording head 22, showing the nozzle forming surface 223. The nozzle forming surface 223 facing the sheet is provided with a plurality of nozzle plates 224, and each of the plurality of nozzle plates 224 is provided with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink droplets onto the sheet S.

[0025] Referring again to Fig. 1, the components in the figure will be described. The first scanner unit 9 is a unit for reading an image recorded on a sheet S by the recording unit 8 and detecting misalignment and density of the image. The detection results of the first scanner unit 9 are used for correction, such as position correction and color correction.

[0026] The first drying section 10 and the second drying section 11 are units for reducing the liquid content contained in the ink applied onto the sheet S by the recording section 8, and improving the fixation of the ink to the sheet S. The second drying section 11 is disposed downstream of the first drying section 10 in the sheet conveying direction. The first drying section 10 and the second drying section 11 heat the recorded sheet S to dry the applied ink. Inside the first drying section 10 and the second drying section 11, hot air is applied to at least the ink application surface side of the passing sheet S, thereby drying the ink application surface. As for the drying method, in addition to the method of applying hot air, a method of irradiating the surface of the sheet S with electromagnetic waves (ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, etc.) and a conductive heat transfer method by contact with a heating element may be combined.

[0027] The winding guide roller 31 is a roller that winds the surface of the sheet S opposite to the ink application surface at a constant winding angle on the downstream side of the recording unit 8 in the transport direction for the purpose of blocking the influence of hot air generated in the first drying unit 10 on the recording unit 8. In this example, two winding guide rollers 31 are arranged between the first scanner unit 9 and the first drying unit 10, and the sheet S is folded back so as to be approximately parallel between the top and bottom of the device. The first drying unit 10 is arranged below the recording unit 8, and the second drying unit 11 is arranged below the transport detection unit 6 and the mark sensor unit 7.

[0028] The cooling section 12 cools the sheet S on which the ink has been fixed in the first drying section 10 and the second drying section 11, solidifies the softened ink, and suppresses temperature changes in the sheet S across the processes of each unit downstream in the transport direction of the recording device 1. Inside the cooling section 12, air having a lower temperature than the sheet S is blown onto at least the ink-applied surface side of the passing sheet S, thereby cooling the ink-applied surface of the sheet S. Note that the cooling method is not limited to the method of blowing air, and may be a conductive heat transfer method using contact with a heat dissipating member, or a combination of these methods.

[0029] The second scanner unit 13 is a unit for reading a test image recorded on the sheet S by the recording unit 8 before the actual printing, and detecting the misalignment and density of the image. The detection result of the second scanner unit 13 is used for correction in the actual printing after the printing of the test image.

[0030] The second main conveyor 14 is a unit that functions by operating together with the first main conveyor 4, and is a unit for conveying the sheet S while applying tension to the sheet S and adjusting the tension of the sheet S. The second main conveyor 14 rotates by being driven by a motor (not shown). The tension of the sheet S is adjusted by a clutch (not shown) that can control the torque connected to the drive based on a tension value detected by a tension control unit (not shown). Note that, as an additional configuration for adjusting the tension of the sheet S, a configuration for controlling the speed of the second main conveyor 14 based on the detection result of the conveyor detection unit 6 may be added. As a method for realizing this configuration, it is considered to use either a torque control method for controlling the value of the torque transmitted from the clutch or a speed control method for controlling the roller speed of the second main conveyor 14. Alternatively, these two methods may be used in a switched manner according to the purpose, or both may be used simultaneously.

[0031] The second dancer section 15 is a unit for applying a constant tension between the second main transport section 14 and the winding roll section 16. In the second dancer section 15, a constant tension is applied to the sheet by a tension applying means (not shown).

[0032] The winding roll unit 16 is a unit for winding the sheet S after the recording process onto a core. Although one collectable roll is shown in FIG. 1, the number of collectable rolls is not limited to one, and the unit may have two or three or more cores and selectively switch between them to collect the sheet S. Depending on the content of the post-recording processing, the unit may cut the continuous sheet using a cutter and stack the cut sheets S, instead of winding the sheet S onto a core.

[0033] The control unit 21 is a unit that controls each unit of the recording device 1. The control unit 21 includes a CPU, a storage device, a controller equipped with various control units, an external interface, and an operation unit 24 through which a user performs input and output. The operation of the recording device 1 is controlled based on commands input via the operation unit 24 or commands from a host device 25 such as a host computer connected to the controller via an external interface.

[0034] The maintenance tray 17 is a unit equipped with a mechanism for recovering the ejection performance of the recording head 22. Examples of such mechanisms include a cap mechanism for protecting the ink ejection surface of the recording head 22, a wiping mechanism (so-called wiping mechanism) for wiping the ink ejection surface using a blade or the like, and a suction mechanism for negatively sucking ink in the nozzles from the ink ejection surface.

[0035] <Maintenance tray configuration> 5 is a perspective view of a maintenance tray and a recording head positioned on the maintenance tray. As shown in FIG. 5, the maintenance tray 17 includes a maintenance unit 40 corresponding to each recording head 22, and also includes a plurality of spherical recording head positioning members 171 for positioning the recording head 22 relative to the maintenance unit 40. The plurality of recording head positioning members 171 corresponding to a certain recording head 22 are arranged in front and behind each other in the device depth direction (y direction) inside the maintenance tray 17, and are held by a beam member 180 extending along the sheet conveying direction (x direction). In this example, three balls are required for the recording head positioning member 171 to position one recording head 22 relative to the maintenance tray 17, and one ball is arranged on the front beam 180a and two balls are arranged on the back beam 180b inside the maintenance tray 17. The arrangement of the balls used for positioning is not limited to this, and may be two on the front side and one on the back side, or one ball may be arranged on the front side and one on the back side, and the posture of the recording head 22 may be determined at different positions. The arrangement for positioning is not limited to a configuration using a spherical positioning member. For example, a configuration in which a part of the recording head 22 is butted against the inside of the maintenance tray 17, or a configuration in which the recording head 22 is positioned using holes and pins provided in the maintenance tray 17 and the recording head 22 may be adopted.

[0036] <Positioning of the recording head relative to the maintenance tray> 6 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of positioning the recording head 22 with respect to the maintenance tray 17. During the recording operation, the maintenance tray 17 is retracted to the paper feed side of the recording device 1 with respect to the recording unit 8.

[0037] When performing maintenance operations on the recording head 22, the recording head 22 is moved above the sheet transport unit housing 81 by the recording head lifting mechanism described above, and the maintenance tray 17 is moved to a position retracted from the recording head (shown in FIG. 6(a) (referred to as the retracted position)).

[0038] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6B, the maintenance tray 17 is moved from the retracted position to below the recording head 22 by a drive mechanism and rails (not shown).

[0039] The maintenance tray 17 is provided with a recording head positioning member 171, and a positioning member 221 for the recording head 22 is provided below the recording head 22. When the recording head 22 is lowered, the recording head 22 is positioned with respect to the maintenance tray 17, as shown in FIG.

[0040] Fig. 7(a) and Fig. 7(b) respectively show a state in which the positioning member 221 of the recording head 22 is separated from the recording head positioning member 171 of the maintenance tray 17. Meanwhile, Fig. 8(a) and Fig. 8(b) respectively show a state in which the positioning of the positioning member 221 with respect to the recording head positioning member 171 is completed. Note that Fig. 7(a) and Fig. 8(a) are views seen from the rear side of the device, and Fig. 7(b) and Fig. 8(b) are views seen from the front side of the device. As shown in the figures, the positioning member 221 includes a conical recess 221a, a V-shaped groove 221b, and a flat portion 221c.

[0041] 7(a) and 7(b) and 8(a) and 8(b), as the recording head holding part 26 descends, the positioning member 221 of the recording head 22 comes into contact with the paired recording head positioning member 171 of the maintenance tray 17. As the recording head holding part 26 descends further, the first pin 27a of the recording head 22 moves away from the first hole 261 of the recording head holding part 26, the second pin 27b moves away from the second hole 262, and the third pin 27c moves away from the third hole 263. At this time, the positioning member 221 of the recording head 22 is balanced by the paired recording head positioning member 171, and the recording head 22 is positioned with respect to the maintenance tray 17 with high accuracy.

[0042] <Maintenance unit configuration> 9 shows a state in which the recording head 22 is positioned on the maintenance tray 17. The nozzle forming surface 223 of the recording head 22 is cleaned by a maintenance unit 40 having various cleaning functions. Also, the area below (the -z direction side) the nozzle forming surface 223 is defined as a recording area A (or a projection area A). An example of the configuration of the maintenance unit 40 will be described later. The maintenance unit is also called a "cleaning means."

[0043] 10(a) and 10(b) are enlarged views showing the positional relationship between the recording head 22 positioned in the maintenance tray 17 and the maintenance unit 40 stopped in front of the maintenance tray 17. The maintenance unit 40 has a cleaning liquid applying section 50, a liquid removing section 60, and a negative pressure applying section 70. The cleaning liquid applying section 50 is a mechanism for applying cleaning liquid to the nozzle forming surface 223 of the recording head 22, and FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) show the cleaning start position of the cleaning liquid applying section 50 (details will be described later). The liquid removing section 60 is a mechanism for removing ink, paper powder, cleaning liquid, etc. attached to the recording head 22. The negative pressure applying section 70 is a mechanism for applying negative pressure to the nozzle plate 224 of the recording head 22 to remove ink stuck to the nozzle section and bubbles in the ink flow path. The cleaning liquid deposition unit 50, the liquid removal unit 60, and the negative pressure application unit 70 are each capable of scanning in the y direction while being in contact with the nozzle formation surface 223 of the recording head 22.

[0044] Here, a series of maintenance operations by the maintenance unit 40 will be described. First, the cleaning liquid is applied to the nozzle forming surface 223 by the cleaning liquid application unit 50. Then, the adhesion of the ink adhered to the nozzle forming surface 223 is reduced by the effect of the applied cleaning liquid. Then, the adhered ink and cleaning liquid are removed from the nozzle forming surface 223 by wiping by the liquid removal unit 60. Then, the negative pressure application unit 70 acts on the nozzle plate 224 to suck the ink adhered to the nozzle portion and the minute bubbles in the ink flow path are removed. Here, the three cleaning mechanisms described above are described as cleaning mechanisms constituting the maintenance unit, but the types of cleaning mechanisms are not limited to these three. Other cleaning mechanisms may be arranged, such as a configuration in which a wiping web is brought into contact with the nozzle forming surface 223 to clean it or a configuration in which a porous body is brought into contact with the nozzle forming surface.

[0045] <Cleaning start positions of each cleaning mechanism that composes the maintenance unit> Hereinafter, the cleaning start positions corresponding to the respective cleaning mechanisms constituting the maintenance unit will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0046] FIG. 10(a) shows an example of the cleaning start position of the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50. The cleaning liquid deposition unit 50 has a cleaning liquid deposition member 51 whose contact portion with the nozzle forming surface 223 is flexible, and a biasing member 55. The cleaning start position of the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50 is within the recording area A below the nozzle forming surface 223. The recording head 22 moves in the -z direction and contacts the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50 waiting at the cleaning start position. Then, as shown in FIG. 10(b), a pressure is applied in the -z direction to the cleaning liquid deposition member 51 having flexibility at the tip of the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50, and a repulsive force in the spring biasing direction (+z direction) is applied by the biasing member 55. This makes it possible to make the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50 have an appropriate posture at the start of cleaning. After the start of cleaning, the maintenance unit 40 advances in the +y direction.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 10(c), the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50 has a 1 mm cutout in the Z direction on the rear side of the rubber in the scanning direction in order to stably deposit the liquid on the recording head. Fig. 10(c) shows a configuration in which the maintenance unit 40 including the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50 scans in the +y direction from the front to the back while depositing the cleaning liquid by the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50, but is not limited to this configuration. The maintenance unit 40 may also be configured to scan in the -y direction while depositing the cleaning liquid by the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50. However, in this configuration, the position of the cutout is on the +y direction side of the non-cutout.

[0048] FIG. 11(a) shows an example of the cleaning start position of the liquid removal unit 60. The liquid removal unit 60 has a flexible blade 61. The number of blades 61 may be one or more. The cleaning start position of the liquid removal unit 60 is, as shown in FIG. 11(a), outside the recording area A below the nozzle forming surface 223, and at a position where the blade 61 does not contact other components. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11(b), when the maintenance unit 40 advances in the -y direction after the start of cleaning and the blade 61 enters the recording area A, the bending direction of the blade 61 that abuts against the nozzle forming surface 223 becomes uniform (the opposite direction to the advancement direction of the maintenance unit 40). Therefore, good removability is ensured.

[0049] FIG. 12(a) shows an example of the cleaning start position of the negative pressure applying unit 70. The negative pressure applying unit 70 has a negative pressure applying member 71 whose contact portion with the nozzle forming surface 223 is flexible, and a biasing member 75. The cleaning start position of the negative pressure applying unit 70 is within the recording area A below the nozzle forming surface 223. The recording head 22 moves in the -z direction and contacts the negative pressure applying unit 70 waiting at the cleaning start position. Then, as shown in FIG. 12(b), a pressure is applied in the -z direction to the negative pressure applying member 71 having flexibility at the tip of the negative pressure applying unit 70, and a repulsive force in the spring biasing direction (+z direction) is applied by the biasing member 75. This makes it possible to make the posture of the negative pressure applying unit 70 at the start of cleaning an appropriate posture. After the start of cleaning, the maintenance unit 40 advances in the +y direction. The negative pressure applying unit 70 scans while sucking with negative pressure, so it scans while strongly adhering to the nozzle plate. Therefore, if it advances in a direction that rides up against the acute angle portion 233 of the nozzle plate 224 shown in FIG. 12(c), the rubber forming the negative pressure applying unit 70 is easily scraped off. If the rubber of the negative pressure applying unit 70 is scraped off, it is necessary to replace the rubber. In order to advance in a direction that does not ride up against the acute angle portion 233 of the nozzle plate 224, the maintenance unit 40 scans in the +y direction from the front to the back. The negative pressure applying part 70 is designed not to come into contact with the acute angle part 232 of the nozzle plate 224. This is the result of taking into consideration that the sealant 231 that protects the wires connected to the nozzle plate is shaped to rise about 0.3 mm from the nozzle plate 224. In other words, if the negative pressure applying part 70 were to ride over the sealant 231, the leakage of negative pressure would increase and the necessary negative pressure would not be able to be applied to the nozzle plate, so the negative pressure applying part 70 is designed to ride over part of the sealant 231.

[0050] <Moving mechanism for moving (raising and lowering) each cleaning mechanism that constitutes the maintenance unit> 13 shows a state in which the recording head 22 is positioned by the recording head positioning member 171 held by the beam member 180, and the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50, the liquid removal unit 60, and the negative pressure application unit 70 are retracted in the -z direction relative to the height of the nozzle forming surface 223. In this state, none of the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50, the liquid removal unit 60, or the negative pressure application unit 70 can act on the nozzle forming surface 223. When any of the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50, the liquid removal unit 60, or the negative pressure application unit 70 is to act on the nozzle forming surface 223, it is necessary to move (raise) the cleaning mechanism (functional unit) to be acted on to a position (head abutment position) where it can come into contact with the nozzle forming surface 223.

[0051] FIG. 14 shows a cam mechanism using a cam as an example of a lifting configuration for lifting and lowering the above-mentioned three cleaning mechanisms. FIGS. 15 to 17 show a state where any one of these three cleaning mechanisms is moved to a height where it contacts the nozzle forming surface 223 of the recording head 22 (this height is defined as the "head contact height"). The maintenance unit 40 shown in FIGS. 15 to 17 is located at a standby position in the y direction, and the negative pressure applying part 70 at the standby position is located at a position where it overlaps with the nozzle forming surface 223 in the y direction. As shown in FIG. 15 and other figures, when each cleaning mechanism is lifted and lowered, the recording head 22 is retracted to a position at a predetermined distance from the recording head positioning member 171 in the +z direction. This prevents the negative pressure applying part 70 from contacting the nozzle forming surface 223 of the recording head 22 during the lifting and lowering of each cleaning mechanism of the maintenance unit 40, so that each cleaning mechanism can be lifted and lowered smoothly.

[0052] 15 shows a state in which the cleaning liquid deposition part 50 has been moved to the head contact height when the maintenance unit 40 is positioned in the y direction at a position (standby position) where the height of each cleaning mechanism in the maintenance unit 40 can be changed (this y direction position is defined as the "first position"). The cleaning liquid deposition part 50 can be raised and lowered by following a first cam 91 attached to a shaft 90 provided at the bottom of the maintenance unit 40.

[0053] 16 shows a state in which the liquid removal part 60 has been moved to the head contact height when the maintenance unit 40 is in the first position. The liquid removal part 60 can be raised and lowered by the coordinated operation of a first cam 91 attached to a shaft 90 provided at the bottom of the maintenance unit 40 and a second cam 92 disposed below the liquid removal part 60 and following the first cam 91.

[0054] 17 shows a state in which the negative pressure applying part 70 has been moved to the head contact height when the maintenance unit 40 is in the first position. The negative pressure applying part 70 can be raised and lowered by the cooperation of a first cam 91 attached to a shaft 90 provided at the bottom of the maintenance unit 40 and a third cam 93 disposed below the negative pressure applying part 70 and following the first cam 91.

[0055] As described above, this embodiment employs a configuration in which each cleaning mechanism of the maintenance unit 40 is raised and lowered using the first cam 91 attached to one shaft 90. With this configuration, it is possible to realize the raising and lowering of multiple cleaning mechanisms with one driving source, and therefore it is possible to raise and lower multiple cleaning mechanisms in a space-saving manner.

[0056] Up to now, with reference to Figs. 15 to 17, a case has been described in which the position at which the height of each cleaning mechanism in the maintenance unit 40 can be changed is the first position on the front side of the apparatus. However, in addition to the first position, it is also possible to configure the height of each cleaning mechanism to be changeable at a second position on the rear side of the apparatus. This will be described with reference to Fig. 18. The "second position" is a position in the y direction at which the height of each cleaning mechanism in the maintenance unit 40 can be changed, and is a position different from the first position. The first position and the second position are both outside the recording area A of the recording head 22 in the depth direction.

[0057] Fig. 18 shows a state in which the maintenance unit 40 in the maintenance tray 17 is stopped at the second position at the rear side of the device. The second position is inside the maintenance tray 17 and at the rear side of the recording area A of the recording head 22. As shown in Fig. 18, a gear train that transmits driving force to a second drive motor 98 and the maintenance unit 40 is also provided at the rear side of the device as a configuration for raising and lowering each cleaning mechanism in the maintenance unit 40.

[0058] The advantage of being able to change the height of each cleaning mechanism in the maintenance unit 40 at two locations, the front side and the back side of the recording area A, is as follows. That is, with this configuration, it becomes possible to clean the nozzle forming surface 223 using different cleaning mechanisms when the maintenance unit 40 moves from the front of the device to the back (in the +y direction) and when it moves from the back of the device to the front (in the -y direction). Therefore, when cleaning the nozzle forming surface 223 using multiple cleaning mechanisms, it is possible to shorten the cleaning time. <Blade cleaner placement> The nozzle forming surface 223 is cleaned by the maintenance unit 40, and a blade cleaner 65 (see FIG. 16) may be required as a configuration for removing liquid, paper dust, etc. adhering to the blade 61 and restoring the removability of the blade 61. The blade 61 attached to the liquid removing unit 60 passes through the blade cleaner 65 in the +y direction or the -y direction, so that liquid droplets, paper dust, etc. adhering to the blade 61 can be removed from the blade 61. If the blade cleaner 65 is provided as part of the cleaning mechanism and the user needs to clean the blade cleaner 65, it is desirable that the blade cleaner 65 be disposed in an easily accessible position in the maintenance tray 17. Therefore, in this example, the blade cleaner 65 is disposed on the front side of the device.

[0059] <Layout (order) of each cleaning mechanism that composes the maintenance unit> The order of the cleaning mechanisms within the maintenance unit 40 should desirably be determined taking into consideration the cleaning start positions of the cleaning liquid application section 50, the liquid removal section 60, and the negative pressure application section 70, as well as the accessibility to the blade cleaner 65.

[0060] Furthermore, after the blade 61 passes through the blade cleaner 65, there is a possibility that ink may splash from the blade 61. Therefore, when a cleaning mechanism other than the liquid removal unit 60, such as the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50 or the negative pressure deposition unit 70, is disposed in the direction of ink splash, it should be considered that the other cleaning mechanism may be contaminated by splashed liquid droplets.

[0061] First, the arrangement of the liquid removal unit 60 will be described. In this embodiment, the arrangement of the liquid removal unit 60 is determined based on the positional relationship with the blade cleaner 65, taking into consideration the scattering of liquid droplets when the liquid removal unit 60 comes into contact with the blade cleaner 65. Here, it should be noted that in a recording device that provides excellent access from the front side of the device, it is desirable to arrange the blade cleaner 65 on the front side of the device, and such an arrangement ensures excellent accessibility to the blade cleaner 65 for the user.

[0062] When the blade cleaner 65 is disposed at the front side, it is desirable to dispose the liquid removal unit 60 at the front side of the three cleaning mechanisms in the maintenance tray 17, so that the blade 61 and the blade cleaner 65 come into contact when scanning from the back side to the front side (in the -y direction). The scattering direction of droplets generated when the liquid removal unit 60 scanning in the -y direction passes the blade cleaner 65 is the -y direction. Therefore, by disposing the liquid removal unit 60 at the front side, it is possible to suppress the scattering of droplets to other cleaning mechanisms such as the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50 and the negative pressure application unit 70 disposed at the back side (+y direction) of the liquid removal unit 60. In this way, with regard to the arrangement of the liquid removal unit 60 among the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50, the liquid removal unit 60, and the negative pressure application unit 70, it is desirable to dispose the liquid removal unit 60 at the outermost side so that the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50 and the negative pressure application unit 70 do not pass the y direction position of the blade cleaner 65.

[0063] Next, the arrangement order of the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50 and the negative pressure deposition unit 70 will be described with reference to Figures 19 and 20. Figure 19(a) shows a state in which the maintenance unit 40 is in a first position, which is the frontmost position in the maintenance tray 17. Also, Figure 19(b) shows a state in which the maintenance unit 40 is in a second position, which is the backmost position in the maintenance tray 17. Furthermore, Figure 20 is an enlarged oblique view of the maintenance unit 40 in the second position.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 20, the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50 deposits the cleaning liquid over the entire nozzle forming surface 223, and therefore requires an X-direction width equivalent to that of the nozzle forming surface 223. In contrast, the negative pressure deposition unit 70 is a cleaning mechanism for the nozzle plate 224, and therefore the X-direction width can be shorter than that of the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50. As shown in FIG. 19(b), when the maintenance unit 40 needs to move to a position sufficient to get under the rear beam 180b, the negative pressure deposition unit 70 is disposed at the rearmost position among the three cleaning mechanisms. With this arrangement, as shown in FIG. 19(b) and FIG. 20, the amount of cutout of the rear beam 180b to avoid interference can be reduced compared to when the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50 is disposed at the rearmost position. This allows the maintenance tray 17 to be configured with high strength.

[0065] Incidentally, as an example of the arrangement of the cleaning mechanisms that make up the maintenance unit 40, the liquid removal section 60, the cleaning liquid application section 50, and the negative pressure application section 70 are shown as being arranged from the front of the device, but the arrangement of the cleaning mechanisms is not limited to this order.

[0066] <Configuration regarding transmission of driving force for raising and lowering each cleaning mechanism in the maintenance unit> In order to raise and lower each cleaning mechanism in the maintenance unit 40, a driving force needs to be supplied from a driving source connected to the maintenance unit 40. In this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which a driving motor 96 is used as the driving source and a gear train is used as the driving force transmission means. This configuration will be described with reference to Figs. 21 and 22.

[0067] FIG. 21 shows a driving force transmission path from the drive motor 96 to the shaft 90 for raising and lowering each cleaning mechanism in the maintenance unit 40. As shown in FIG. 21, the gear train has a configuration in which a pendulum gear 95 is included as a part thereof, and by rotating the drive motor 96, the shaft 90 is rotated, and any cleaning mechanism in the maintenance unit 40 can be moved to the abutment position. Also, as shown in FIG. 22, when the maintenance unit 40 is in the first position, if the rotation direction of the drive motor 96 is reversed, the pendulum gear 95 is separated from the shaft gear 97. Similarly, when the maintenance unit 40 is in the second position, if the rotation direction of the second drive motor 98 is reversed, the pendulum gear is separated from the shaft gear 97 (see FIG. 18). Note that even if the shaft gear 97 is disconnected from the drive source for raising and lowering the maintenance unit 40, the state in which a specific cleaning mechanism is raised in the maintenance unit 40 is maintained.

[0068] When the control unit 21 controls the drive motor 96 to move the desired cleaning mechanism to the contact position of the nozzle forming surface 223 to perform the cleaning operation, it is necessary to scan the maintenance unit 40 in the +y direction or the -y direction. When the maintenance unit 40 scans in the y direction, a configuration is also conceivable in which the drive motor 96 for raising and lowering the cleaning mechanism moves while connected to the maintenance unit 40. However, with such a configuration, in addition to the drive motor 96, the drive connection part also moves in the +y direction or the -y direction. Therefore, when the maintenance unit 40 scans, the size of the group of units (including the maintenance unit 40, the drive motor 96, and the drive connection part in this case) that move along the y direction becomes large.

[0069] On the other hand, as described above, by separating the drive motor 96 and the gear train for transmitting the driving force from the maintenance unit 40, it is possible to reduce the size of the group of units that move along the y direction (in this case, not including the drive motor 96 and the drive connection part), which contributes to reducing the size of the recording device.

[0070] In this embodiment, the pendulum gear 95 is used as a connection / disconnection means for switching between a state in which a driving force is transmitted to the maintenance unit 40 (connected state) and a state in which a driving force is not transmitted (disconnected state), but the connection / disconnection means is not limited to the pendulum gear 95.

[0071] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment, only one arbitrary cleaning mechanism in the maintenance unit 40 is moved to the head contact height, and only the moved one cleaning mechanism acts on the nozzle forming surface 223. In contrast, in the present embodiment, any of a plurality of cleaning mechanisms in the maintenance unit 40 is moved to the head contact height, and the moved plurality of cleaning mechanisms act on the nozzle forming surface 223 simultaneously.

[0072] 23 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the liquid removing unit 60 and the cleaning liquid depositing unit 50 are at the head contact height. In this state, the recording head 22 is lowered and positioned by the recording head positioning member 171.

[0073] 23, in this embodiment, a cam having a different shape from that of the first embodiment is adopted for the first cam 91 disposed below the maintenance unit 40. Specifically, a cam shape is adopted that allows both the liquid removal part 60 and the cleaning liquid deposition part 50 to move to the head abutment height. By adopting such a cam, it becomes possible to simultaneously move the liquid removal part 60 and the cleaning liquid deposition part 50 to the head abutment height.

[0074] Fig. 24(a) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the recording head 22 has moved in the -z direction and been positioned on the maintenance tray 17 relative to the liquid removal unit 60 and the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50, which are waiting at the cleaning start position. Fig. 24(b) shows the state immediately after the maintenance unit 40 starts to move in the direction of arrow G.

[0075] The cleaning start position of the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50 is within the recording area A below the nozzle forming surface 223. The recording head 22 moves in the -z direction to come into contact with the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50 waiting at the cleaning start position. Then, as shown in FIG. 24(a), pressure is applied in the -z direction to the flexible cleaning liquid deposition member 51 at the tip of the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50, and a repulsive force in the spring biasing direction (+z direction) is applied by the biasing member 55. This makes it possible to set the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50 in the correct posture at the start of cleaning.

[0076] The cleaning start position of the liquid removal unit 60 is outside the recording area A below the nozzle forming surface 223, and at a position where the blade 61 does not come into contact with other components. With this configuration, when the blade 61 enters the recording area A after cleaning starts, the bending direction of the blade 61 that comes into contact with the nozzle forming surface 223 is opposite to the moving direction of the maintenance unit 40, ensuring good removability.

[0077] After the cleaning liquid is applied to the nozzle forming surface 223, if the recording operation is started without removing the cleaning liquid from the nozzle forming surface 223, the droplets of the cleaning liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface 223 may adhere to the recording medium. Therefore, the droplets adhering to the nozzle forming surface 223 need to be removed before the next recording operation, and for this purpose, a liquid removal operation by the liquid removal unit 60 is required. In this embodiment, in the G direction in which the maintenance unit 40 scans, the cleaning liquid application unit 50 is disposed on the downstream side, and the liquid removal unit 60 is disposed on the upstream side, and the cleaning liquid application unit 50 and the liquid removal unit 60 are simultaneously applied to the nozzle forming surface 223. This makes it possible to shorten the time required to clean the recording head 22 compared to the case in which the cleaning liquid application unit 50 and the liquid removal unit 60 are applied independently and sequentially.

[0078] In addition to the above-mentioned configuration in which the cleaning liquid applying unit 50 and the liquid removing unit 60 are simultaneously applied to the recording head 22, a configuration in which the cleaning liquid applying unit 50 and the negative pressure applying unit 70 are simultaneously applied is also conceivable. This configuration is also effective in shortening the cleaning time of the recording head 22. When the negative pressure applying unit 70 is applied to the nozzle forming surface 223, since the flexible negative pressure applying member 71 slides against the nozzle forming surface 223, it is desirable to arrange the cleaning liquid applying unit 50 downstream of the negative pressure applying unit 70 in the direction in which the maintenance unit 40 scans. With this arrangement, the cleaning liquid is interposed between the nozzle forming surface 223 and the negative pressure applying member 71, thereby reducing the sliding resistance and stabilizing the negative pressure applying operation. After the cleaning liquid applying unit 50 and the negative pressure applying unit 70 are simultaneously applied, the liquid removing unit 60 is applied to the nozzle forming surface 223. As a result, droplets of the cleaning liquid remaining on the nozzle forming surface 223 are removed.

[0079] A configuration in which the liquid removal unit 60 and the negative pressure application unit 70 are simultaneously operated is also conceivable. This configuration is also effective in shortening the cleaning time of the recording head 22. In this configuration, after the cleaning liquid application unit 50 is applied to the nozzle forming surface 223, the liquid removal unit 60 and the negative pressure application unit 70 are simultaneously applied to the nozzle forming surface 223, so that the ejection performance of the recording head 22 can be restored. In addition, in the direction in which the maintenance unit 40 moves during the cleaning operation, the liquid removal unit 60 is disposed on the downstream side, and the negative pressure application unit 70 is disposed on the upstream side. This makes it possible to remove droplets of the cleaning liquid attached to the nozzle forming surface 223 by the liquid removal unit 60, and the attachment of droplets to the negative pressure application unit 70 can be suppressed.

[0080] The above-described configuration makes it possible to maintain the cleaning ability of the recording head 22 for a long period of time.

[0081] [Other embodiments] The order in which the three cleaning mechanisms are performed will be described below. During a printing operation, paper dust may be generated from the recording medium and adhere to the print head. Therefore, when the printing time, the number of sheets of paper passed, or the number of ink ejected (the number of dots) during printing exceeds a predetermined threshold, cleaning of the print head is performed. 25 is a flowchart of cleaning (normal cleaning) that is periodically performed during the above-mentioned recording operation. When the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50 performs the liquid deposition operation first, paper powder adheres to the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50. This causes paper powder to accumulate on the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50, which eventually leads to a decrease in the cleaning liquid deposition performance. First, in step S2501, a cleaning operation is performed by the liquid removal unit 60 to remove paper dust. Then, in step S2502, a liquid application operation is performed by the cleaning liquid application unit 50. Then, in step S2503, a cleaning operation is performed by the liquid removal unit 60 to remove the stuck ink and cleaning liquid from the nozzle forming surface 223. Then, in step S2504, cleaning is performed by the negative pressure application unit 70 to remove the stuck ink near the nozzles. Although FIG. 25 shows normal cleaning assuming that a recording medium that easily generates paper dust is used, normal cleaning with a different flow may be performed after recording on a recording medium that does not easily generate paper dust. Generally, since the surface of coated paper is coated, the filler of the paper rarely falls off during transportation, and very little paper dust is generated during recording. On the other hand, since uncoated paper is not coated, more paper dust is generated during recording. Therefore, after recording on coated paper, less paper dust adheres to the recording head compared to after recording on uncoated paper. Therefore, when coated paper is selected in the recording medium settings during recording, or after recording on coated paper, normal cleaning (after recording on coated paper) shown in FIG. 26 is performed. As described above, after recording on coated paper, there is little paper dust adhering to the recording head, so even if the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50 performs the liquid deposition operation first, paper dust is unlikely to adhere to the liquid deposition unit 60. Therefore, in step S2601, the cleaning operation by the liquid removal unit 60 is not performed, and the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50 performs the liquid deposition operation from the beginning. Then, in step S2602, the cleaning operation by the liquid removal unit 60 is performed. Then, in step S2603, cleaning by the negative pressure application unit 70 is performed. Note that the cleaning shown in FIG. 26 is performed when the printing time, the number of sheets passed, or the number of ink ejections (dots) during recording exceed a predetermined threshold value, as in FIG. 25, but only when the recording medium recorded after the previous cleaning is only coated paper. When the recording medium recorded after the previous cleaning is a mixture of coated paper and uncoated paper, the normal cleaning shown in FIG. 25 may be performed. FIG. 27 is a flowchart of cleaning that is performed when ink is filled into the print head after the printing apparatus is installed (hereinafter referred to as ink filling cleaning), rather than the regular cleaning that is performed periodically. In step S2701, the print head is filled with ink by pressurizing the supply pump connected to the print head and suctioning the negative pressure pump through a cap that seals the print head. In this case, a large amount of ink is discharged from the nozzles, and a large amount of ink adheres to the nozzle forming surface 223. Therefore, in step S2702, the liquid removal unit 60 performs a liquid removal operation. Next, in step S2703, the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50 performs a liquid deposition operation. Next, in step S2704, the liquid removal unit 60 performs a cleaning operation. Next, in step S2705, cleaning is performed by the negative pressure deposition unit 70. 25 to 27, the liquid application operation, the liquid removal operation, and the negative pressure application operation are performed only once, but each operation may be performed multiple times. For example, in the flow shown in FIG 27, if there is a large amount of ink adhering to the nozzle formation surface after the cap suction, the liquid removal operation (S2702) may be performed multiple times. The present disclosure can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0082] [Technical Features of the Disclosure] The present disclosure includes the following configurations.

[0083] (Configuration 1) A recording device comprising: a cleaning means having a plurality of cleaning mechanisms for cleaning a recording head that ejects liquid, each of the plurality of cleaning mechanisms being capable of scanning in a predetermined direction while in contact with the recording head; a moving mechanism capable of moving each of the plurality of cleaning mechanisms between a first height at which it is in contact with the recording head and a second height at which it is not in contact with the recording head; a drive source for the moving mechanism; and a separation means for connecting and disconnecting the drive source and the moving mechanism, wherein the moving mechanism connected to the drive source moves one or more of the plurality of cleaning mechanisms to the first height, and after the one or more cleaning mechanisms have moved to the first height, the connection between the drive source and the moving mechanism is released by the separation means. (Configuration 2) The recording device according to configuration 1, wherein the predetermined direction is a depth direction perpendicular to a height direction and a conveying direction of the recording medium. (Configuration 3) The recording apparatus according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of cleaning mechanisms include a first cleaning mechanism that applies cleaning liquid, a second cleaning mechanism that removes cleaning liquid, and a third cleaning mechanism that applies negative pressure. (Configuration 4) The recording device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that, when a direction from the front side to the back side in the depth direction is defined as a first depth direction, the second cleaning mechanism, the first cleaning mechanism, and the third cleaning mechanism are arranged in this order from the upstream side in the first depth direction. (Configuration 5) The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, further comprising a cleaner that cleans the second cleaning mechanism, the cleaner being provided on the front side in the depth direction. (Configuration 6) A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 5, characterized in that when the first cleaning mechanism scans in the depth direction, it does not pass through the position of the cleaner, when the second cleaning mechanism scans in the depth direction, it passes through the position of the cleaner, and when the third cleaning mechanism scans in the depth direction, it does not pass through the position of the cleaner. (Configuration 7) The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the width of the third cleaning mechanism in the transport direction is shorter than the width of the first cleaning mechanism in the transport direction. (Configuration 8) The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the moving mechanism raises and lowers each of the plurality of cleaning mechanisms at a first position on the front side in the depth direction. (Configuration 9) In the recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, the connection between the drive source and the moving mechanism is released by the connecting / disconnecting means at the first position. (Configuration 10) The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the moving mechanism raises and lowers each of the plurality of cleaning mechanisms at a second position on the far side in the depth direction. (Configuration 11) In the recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, the connection between the drive source and the moving mechanism is released by the connecting / disconnecting means at the second position. (Configuration 12) The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein the first position and the second position are each outside a recording area of ​​the recording head in the depth direction. (Configuration 13) The recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 12, characterized in that the drive source includes a first drive motor corresponding to the first position and a second drive motor corresponding to the second position, and the separating / attaching means includes a first pendulum gear corresponding to the first position and a second pendulum gear corresponding to the second position. (Configuration 14) The recording apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 13, wherein the first cleaning mechanism and the second cleaning mechanism moved to the first height act simultaneously on the nozzle formation surface of the recording head. (Configuration 15) The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 14, wherein the first cleaning mechanism and the third cleaning mechanism moved to the first height act simultaneously on the nozzle formation surface of the recording head. (Configuration 16) The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 15, wherein the second cleaning mechanism and the third cleaning mechanism moved to the first height act simultaneously on the nozzle formation surface of the recording head. (Configuration 17) The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 16, wherein each of the plurality of cleaning mechanisms is connected to the same driving source. (Configuration 18) The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 17, further comprising a control means for controlling the driving source. (Configuration 19) A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 18, characterized in that after the first cleaning mechanism moved to the first height scans in the predetermined direction while in contact with the recording head, the second cleaning mechanism scans in the predetermined direction while in contact with the recording head. (Configuration 20) A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 19, characterized in that after the first cleaning mechanism moved to the first height scans in the predetermined direction while in contact with the recording head, the third cleaning mechanism scans in the predetermined direction while in contact with the recording head. (Configuration 21) A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 20, characterized in that after the second cleaning mechanism moved to the first height scans in the predetermined direction while in contact with the recording head, the first cleaning mechanism scans in the predetermined direction while in contact with the recording head. (Configuration 22) The recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 21, characterized in that the first cleaning mechanism, the second cleaning mechanism, and the third cleaning mechanism moved to the first height scan in the specified direction while contacting the recording head a plurality of times. (Control Method 1) A control method for a recording device having a cleaning means having a plurality of cleaning mechanisms for cleaning a recording head that ejects liquid, each of the plurality of cleaning mechanisms being capable of scanning in a predetermined direction while in contact with the recording head, a moving mechanism capable of moving each of the plurality of cleaning mechanisms between a first height at which it is in contact with the recording head and a second height at which it is not in contact with the recording head, a drive source for the moving mechanism, and a separation means for separating the drive source from the moving mechanism, the control method comprising the steps of: moving one or more of the plurality of cleaning mechanisms to the first height by the moving mechanism connected to the drive source; and, after the one or more cleaning mechanisms have moved to the first height, releasing the connection between the drive source and the moving mechanism by the separation means. (Program 1) A program for causing a computer to execute a control method for a recording device having a cleaning means having a plurality of cleaning mechanisms for cleaning a recording head that ejects liquid, each of the plurality of cleaning mechanisms being capable of scanning in a predetermined direction while in contact with the recording head, a moving mechanism capable of moving each of the plurality of cleaning mechanisms between a first height at which it is in contact with the recording head and a second height at which it is not in contact with the recording head, a drive source for the moving mechanism, and a separation means for separating the drive source from the moving mechanism, the control method comprising the steps of: moving one or more of the plurality of cleaning mechanisms to the first height by the moving mechanism connected to the drive source; and releasing the connection between the drive source and the moving mechanism by the separation means after the one or more cleaning mechanisms have moved to the first height. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1 Recording device 22 Recording head 40 Maintenance Unit 90 Shaft 95 Pendulum Gear 96 Drive motor 97 Shaft Gear

Claims

1. a cleaning device having a plurality of cleaning mechanisms for cleaning a recording head that ejects liquid, the cleaning device being capable of scanning in a predetermined direction while in contact with the recording head; a moving mechanism that can move each of the plurality of cleaning mechanisms between a first height at which the cleaning mechanisms contact the recording head and a second height at which the cleaning mechanisms do not contact the recording head; A drive source of the movement mechanism; a connecting / disconnecting unit for connecting / disconnecting the driving source and the moving mechanism; having The moving mechanism connected to the driving source moves one or more of the cleaning mechanisms to the first height, After the one or more cleaning mechanisms are moved to the first height, the connection between the drive source and the moving mechanism is released by the connection / disconnection means. A recording apparatus comprising:

2. The predetermined direction is a depth direction perpendicular to a height direction and a conveying direction of the recording medium.

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1,

3. The plurality of cleaning mechanisms include a first cleaning mechanism that applies a cleaning liquid, a second cleaning mechanism that removes the cleaning liquid, and a third cleaning mechanism that applies a negative pressure.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2.

4. With respect to the depth direction, when a direction from a front side to a back side is defined as a first depth direction, the second cleaning mechanism, the first cleaning mechanism, and the third cleaning mechanism are disposed in this order from an upstream side in the first depth direction.

4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The cleaning device further includes a cleaner for cleaning the second cleaning mechanism, The cleaner is provided on the front side in the depth direction.

5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4.

6. When the first cleaning mechanism scans in the depth direction, the first cleaning mechanism does not pass through the position of the cleaner, When the second cleaning mechanism scans in the depth direction, the second cleaning mechanism passes through the position of the cleaner, When the third cleaning mechanism scans in the depth direction, the third cleaning mechanism does not pass through the position of the cleaner.

6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5.

7. a width of the third cleaning mechanism in the transport direction is shorter than a width of the first cleaning mechanism in the transport direction; 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording medium.

8. At a first position on the front side in the depth direction, the moving mechanism moves each of the plurality of cleaning mechanisms up and down.

5. The recording apparatus according to claim 3 or 4.

9. At the first position, the connection between the driving source and the moving mechanism is released by the connection / disconnection means.

9. The recording apparatus according to claim 8.

10. At a second position on the far side in the depth direction, the moving mechanism moves each of the plurality of cleaning mechanisms up and down.

10. The recording apparatus according to claim 9.

11. At the second position, the connection between the drive source and the moving mechanism is released by the connection / disconnection means.

11. The recording apparatus according to claim 10.

12. the first position and the second position are each located outside a recording area of ​​the recording head in the depth direction; 12. The recording apparatus according to claim 11.

13. the drive source includes a first drive motor corresponding to the first position and a second drive motor corresponding to the second position; The separation and attachment means includes a first pendulum gear corresponding to the first position and a second pendulum gear corresponding to the second position.

13. The recording apparatus according to claim 12.

14. the first cleaning mechanism and the second cleaning mechanism moved to the first height simultaneously act on a nozzle forming surface of the recording head; 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 3 or 4.

15. the first cleaning mechanism and the third cleaning mechanism moved to the first height simultaneously act on a nozzle forming surface of the recording head; 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 3 or 4.

16. the second cleaning mechanism and the third cleaning mechanism moved to the first height simultaneously act on the nozzle forming surface of the recording head; 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 3 or 4.

17. Each of the plurality of cleaning mechanisms is connected to the same driving source.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording medium.

18. Further comprising a control means for controlling the driving source.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording medium.

19. the first cleaning mechanism moved to the first height scans in the predetermined direction while in contact with the recording head, and then the second cleaning mechanism scans in the predetermined direction while in contact with the recording head; 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3.

20. the first cleaning mechanism moved to the first height scans in the predetermined direction while in contact with the recording head, and then the third cleaning mechanism scans in the predetermined direction while in contact with the recording head; 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3.

21. the second cleaning mechanism moved to the first height scans in the predetermined direction while in contact with the recording head, and then the first cleaning mechanism scans in the predetermined direction while in contact with the recording head; 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3.

22. the number of times that the first cleaning mechanism, the second cleaning mechanism, and the third cleaning mechanism, which have been moved to the first height, scan the recording head in the predetermined direction while in contact with the recording head, includes a plurality of times; 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3.

23. a cleaning device having a plurality of cleaning mechanisms for cleaning a recording head that ejects liquid, the cleaning device being capable of scanning in a predetermined direction while in contact with the recording head; a moving mechanism that can move each of the plurality of cleaning mechanisms between a first height at which the cleaning mechanisms contact the recording head and a second height at which the cleaning mechanisms do not contact the recording head; A drive source of the movement mechanism; a connecting / disconnecting unit for connecting / disconnecting the driving source and the moving mechanism; A method for controlling a recording device comprising: moving one or more of the cleaning mechanisms among the plurality of cleaning mechanisms to the first height by the moving mechanism coupled to the driving source; After the one or more cleaning mechanisms are moved to the first height, the connection between the driving source and the moving mechanism is released by the connecting / disconnecting means; having A control method comprising:

24. A program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 23.

Images