Recording apparatus and recording apparatus control method

Abstract

To provide a recording apparatus and a recording apparatus control method which can improve the operability of cleaning by a user.SOLUTION: A recording apparatus comprises: a recording unit 25 for executing recording to a medium 16; a conveyance unit 26 for executing conveyance of the medium 16; a cleaning unit 31 for executing cleaning of the conveyance unit 26; a movable body 32; an opening / closing cover openable / closable into an open state which makes it possible to access to the inside of the apparatus from the outside and into a closed state which makes it impossible to access to the inside of the apparatus from the outside; and a control unit. The control unit can execute a cleaning mode which makes it possible to clean a cleaning space 65 from the outside in the open state of the opening / closing cover, and moves the movable body 32 from a position included in the cleaning space 65 to the outside of the cleaning space 65.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording device such as a printer, and a control method for a recording device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is an image forming apparatus which is an example of a recording device that ejects ink droplets, which is an example of a liquid, from a recording head, which is an example of a liquid ejection head, to form an image on a recording sheet, which is an example of a medium. The image forming apparatus includes a conveyor belt and a cleaning blade, which is an example of a cleaning section. The conveyor belt conveys the recording sheet by electrostatically adsorbing it. The cleaning blade removes foreign matter such as paper powder adhering to the conveyor belt by scraping it off. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-180002 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The foreign matter scraped off from the transport unit tends to accumulate below the transport unit. If the foreign matter accumulates inside the device, it may affect recording on the medium. Therefore, there is a demand for an improved workability in cleaning up the accumulated foreign matter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A recording device that solves the above problem comprises a recording unit that records on a medium, a transport unit that transports the medium, a cleaning unit that cleans the transport unit, a movable moving body, an opening / closing cover that can be opened and closed into an open state that allows access to the inside of the device from the outside and a closed state that prevents access to the inside of the device from the outside, and a control unit, wherein the control unit is capable of executing a cleaning mode that allows the cleaning space to be cleaned from the outside when the opening / closing cover is in the open state, and in the cleaning mode, moves the moving body from a position included in the cleaning space to outside the cleaning space.

[0006] A control method for a recording device that solves the above problem is a control method for a recording device that has a recording unit that records on a medium, a transport unit that transports the medium, a cleaning unit that cleans the transport unit, a movable moving body, and an openable / closable cover, wherein the openable / closable cover can be opened and closed between an open state that allows access to the inside of the device from the outside and a closed state that prevents access to the inside of the device from the outside, and includes executing a cleaning mode in the open state that allows the cleaning space to be cleaned from the outside, and when executing the cleaning mode, moving the moving body from a position included in the cleaning space to outside the cleaning space. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a recording apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a conveyor belt and a cap according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a conveyor belt and a cap according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a conveyor belt and a cap according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] [Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a recording device and a control method for the recording device will be described with reference to the drawings. The recording device is, for example, an inkjet printer that ejects ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as paper, fabric, vinyl, plastic parts, or metal parts to record.

[0009] In the drawings, the recording device 11 is placed on a horizontal plane, the direction of gravity is indicated by the Z axis, and the directions along the horizontal plane are indicated by the X and Y axes. The X, Y, and Z axes are perpendicular to each other. In the following description, the direction parallel to the X axis is also referred to as the width direction X, the direction parallel to the Y axis is also referred to as the depth direction Y, and the direction parallel to the Z axis is also referred to as the vertical direction Z.

[0010] <Recording device> As shown in FIG. 1, the recording device 11 may include a medium container 12, a stacker 13, and a touch panel .

[0011] The medium storage unit 12 can store multiple media 16. The stacker 13 receives the recorded media 16. The touch panel 14 functions as an operation unit for operating the recording device 11. The touch panel 14 functions as a notification unit for notifying users by displaying a message, for example.

[0012] The recording device 11 includes an opening / closing cover 18. The opening / closing cover 18 may be provided on the front side of the device. The opening / closing cover 18 is openable and closable. The opening / closing cover 18 may move between a closed position shown in FIG. 1 and an open position not shown by rotating about a hinge not shown.

[0013] The open / close cover 18 in the closed position covers the maintenance hole 19. The state in which the open / close cover 18 is in the closed position is also referred to as the closed state. The closed state makes it impossible to access the inside of the device from the outside.

[0014] When the opening / closing cover 18 is in the open position, it exposes the maintenance hole 19. The state in which the opening / closing cover 18 is in the open position is also referred to as the open state. The open state allows access to the inside of the device from the outside. In the open state, the user can access the inside of the device through the maintenance hole 19.

[0015] The recording device 11 may include a detection unit 21. The detection unit 21 is capable of detecting whether the opening / closing cover 18 is open or closed. The recording device 11 includes a control unit 22. The control unit 22 comprehensively controls the driving of each mechanism in the recording device 11. The control unit 22 controls various operations executed by the recording device 11.

[0016] The control unit 22 may be configured as a circuit including: α: one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program; β: one or more dedicated hardware circuits that execute at least some of the various processes; or γ: a combination thereof. The hardware circuit is, for example, an application specific integrated circuit. The processor includes a CPU and memory such as RAM and ROM, and the memory stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. The memory, i.e., computer-readable medium, includes any readable medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0017] The control unit 22 may function as the counting unit 23 by executing a program stored in the memory. Therefore, it can be said that the recording device 11 is equipped with the counting unit 23. The counting unit 23 counts the number of recordings. The number of recordings is the number of media 16 on which recording has been performed. The counting unit 23 may count the number of media 16 sent out from the media storage unit 12 as the number of recordings. The counting unit 23 may count the number of media 16 ejected into the stacker 13 as the number of recordings.

[0018] <Internal structure> 2, the recording device 11 includes a recording unit 25 and a transport unit 26. The recording device 11 may also include a static elimination unit 27, a transport detection unit 28, a drive unit 29, a displacement mechanism 30, a cleaning unit 31, and a moving body 32. In FIG. 2, the position of the maintenance hole 19 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0019] The recording unit 25 records on the medium 16. The recording unit 25 may include a liquid ejection head 34. The liquid ejection head 34 is capable of ejecting liquid from nozzles 35. The liquid ejection head 34 may have a nozzle surface 36 in which a plurality of nozzles 35 are open. The liquid ejection head 34 may be a line type that ejects liquid while stationary toward the transported medium 16. The liquid ejection head 34 may be a serial type that ejects liquid while moving.

[0020] The transport unit 26 transports the medium 16. The transport unit 26 transports the medium 16 along a transport path 38 shown by a dashed line in FIG. 2. The transport unit 26 transports the medium 16 in a transport direction Dc. The transport direction Dc is a direction along the transport path 38. The transport unit 26 may include a transport roller 39, a transport belt 40, a drive pulley 41, a driven pulley 42, and a frame 43.

[0021] The transport unit 26 may include a plurality of transport rollers 39. The transport rollers 39 transport the medium 16 by rotating while sandwiching the medium 16 therebetween. The conveyor belt 40 is endless. The conveyor belt 40 can face the recording unit 25. The conveyor belt 40 is stretched around a driving pulley 41 and a driven pulley 42. A frame 43 rotatably supports the driving pulley 41 and the driven pulley 42. The driven pulley 42 is provided so as to be freely rotatable. The driven pulley 42 rotates in response to the rotation of the conveyor belt 40. The conveyor belt 40 conveys the medium 16 by rotating while electrostatically adsorbing the medium 16.

[0022] The charge removing unit 27 may be composed of a brush. The charge removing unit 27 contacts the conveyor belt 40. The charge removing unit 27 is capable of contacting the medium 16 supported by the conveyor belt 40. The charge removing unit 27 removes electric charges from the surface of the medium 16 being conveyed by the conveyor belt 40.

[0023] The transport detection unit 28 is capable of detecting the transported medium 16. The transport detection unit 28 may detect the medium 16 supported by the transport belt 40. The transport detection unit 28 may detect the medium 16 sandwiched between the transport belt 40 and the static electricity removal unit 27.

[0024] The drive unit 29 drives the transport unit 26. The drive unit 29 may rotate a drive pulley 41. The drive unit 29 may rotate the transport belt 40 by rotating the drive pulley 41. The drive unit 29 may rotate one or more transport rollers 39.

[0025] The displacement mechanism 30 may include a displacement motor 45, a rotating shaft 46, a first link plate 47, and a second link plate 48. The rotating shaft 46 is rotated by the drive of the displacement motor 45. One end of a first link plate 47 is fixed to the rotating shaft 46. A second link plate 48 is rotatably attached to the other end of the first link plate 47. One end of the second link plate 48 is attached to the first link plate 47. The other end of the second link plate 48 is attached to the frame body 43.

[0026] The displacement mechanism 30 may displace the conveyor belt 40 by rotating the frame 43 around the drive pulley 41. The displacement mechanism 30 displaces the conveyor belt 40 to a conveying position P1 shown in Fig. 2, a retreat position P2 shown in Fig. 3, and a processing position P3 shown in Fig. 4. The conveyor belt 40 may be movable between the conveying position P1, the retreat position P2, and the processing position P3.

[0027] 2, the transport position P1 is a position when the recording unit 25 is in a recording state where it performs recording. In the recording state, the drive pulley 41 and the driven pulley 42 are aligned in the width direction X. The transport belt 40 located at the transport position P1 faces the nozzle surface 36 with the transport path 38 in between. The transport belt 40 supports a portion of the medium 16 in a flat state. The transport belt 40 located at the transport position P1 sandwiches the medium 16 between itself and the static electricity removal unit 27.

[0028] 3, the retracted position P2 is a position when the recording unit 25 is in a standby state where it does not perform recording. In the standby state, the drive pulley 41 and the driven pulley 42 are aligned in the vertical direction Z. The retracted position P2 is a position where the conveyor belt 40 is separated from the recording unit 25.

[0029] 4, processing position P3 is a position for processing, for example, a jammed medium 16. Processing position P3 is a position between transport position P1 and evacuation position P2. The transport belt 40 located at processing position P3 is separated from the static electricity removing unit 27.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning unit 31 cleans the conveying unit 26. The cleaning unit 31 may include a blade 50 capable of contacting the conveying belt 40. The blade 50 may contact the conveying belt 40 across the depth direction Y. The blade 50 cleans the conveying belt 40 by contacting the conveying belt 40 as it rotates and scraping off foreign matter such as paper powder adhering to the conveying belt 40. The cleaning unit 31 separates the foreign matter from the conveying belt 40. The cleaning unit 31 may be movable to a conveying position P1, a retreat position P2, and a processing position P3 together with the conveying belt 40.

[0031] The movable body 32 is provided so as to be movable. The movable body 32 may include a cap 52 and a cap moving mechanism 53. The cap moving mechanism 53 is a mechanism for moving the cap 52. The cap 52 is movable to a standby position P4 shown in Fig. 2 and an advanced position P5 shown in Fig. 3. The standby position P4 is a position in the recording state. The advanced position P5 is a position in the standby state.

[0032] The cap moving mechanism 53 may include a moving motor 55 , a screw shaft 56 , a slider 57 , a first link member 58 , a second link member 59 , and a wall portion 60 . The movement motor 55 is capable of rotating in both forward and reverse directions. The screw shaft 56 is capable of rotating in both forward and reverse directions in association with the rotation of the movement motor 55. The screw shaft 56 extends in the width direction X. The slider 57 is screwed into the screw shaft 56. The slider 57 moves in the width direction X or in the direction opposite to the width direction X in association with the rotation of the screw shaft 56.

[0033] The first link member 58 connects the slider 57 and the cap 52. The second link member 59 connects the wall portion 60 and the cap 52. The second link member 59 may have a guide portion 62. The wall portion 60 may be formed with a guide rail 63. The guide portion 62 is inserted into the guide rail 63. The guide portion 62 is movable along the guide rail 63.

[0034] 2, when the movement motor 55 is driven in the forward direction while the cap 52 is in the standby position P4, the slider 57 moves away from the movement motor 55. This causes the cap 52 to rise and move to the advanced position P5. The cap movement mechanism 53 moves the cap 52 in the horizontal and vertical directions, thereby moving the cap 52 from the standby position P4 to the advanced position P5.

[0035] 3, when the movement motor 55 is driven in the reverse direction while the cap 52 is in the advanced position P5, the slider 57 moves closer to the movement motor 55. As a result, the cap 52 moves down to the standby position P4.

[0036] 3, the cap 52 is capable of capping the nozzle 35. When the cap 52 is located at the advanced position P5, the cap 52 caps the nozzle 35. A part of the cap 52 located at the advanced position P5 is located in the cleaning space 65. In the cleaning space 65, the conveyor belt 40 located at the retracted position P2 is also located.

[0037] 2, the cleaning space 65 is a space located below the conveyor belt 40 located at the conveyor position P1 in the vertical direction Z. In the drawing, the cleaning space 65 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. In the cleaning space 65, foreign matter separated from the conveyor belt 40 is likely to accumulate.

[0038] The cleaning space 65 is a space for allowing the displacement of the conveyor belt 40. The cleaning space 65 is a space for allowing the movement of the cap 52. The cleaning space 65 is connected to the maintenance hole 19. When viewed from the front side of the device, at least a part of the cleaning space 65 may overlap with the maintenance hole 19. The cap 52 located at the standby position P4 is displaced from the cleaning space 65 in the width direction X. The displacement mechanism 30 that positions the conveyor belt 40 at the conveying position P1 is displaced from the cleaning space 65 in the depth direction Y.

[0039] <How to control cleaning mode> 2, the control unit 22 causes the conveyor belt 40 and the cap 52 to be in the first configuration when recording on the medium 16. In the first configuration, the conveyor belt 40 is located at a conveying position P1. In the first configuration, the cap 52 is located at a standby position P4.

[0040] 3, the control unit 22 sets the conveyor belt 40 and the cap 52 to the second configuration during standby when recording is not being performed on the medium 16, during sleep when the function of the recording device 11 is suspended, and during power off. In the second configuration, the conveyor belt 40 is located at the retracted position P2. In the second configuration, the cap 52 is located at the advanced position P5.

[0041] 4, when medium 16 jams around recording unit 25, control unit 22 places conveyor belt 40 and cap 52 in the third configuration. In the third configuration, conveyor belt 40 is located at processing position P3. In the third configuration, cap 52 is located at standby position P4.

[0042] The control unit 22 can execute the cleaning mode. The control unit 22 may receive an instruction to execute the cleaning mode from an external device. The control unit 22 may execute the cleaning mode in response to the received execution instruction. The user may instruct the execution of the cleaning mode from an external device (not shown), such as a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet. The user may instruct the execution of the cleaning mode by operating the touch panel 14.

[0043] When recording on the medium 16, the counting unit 23 may count the number of recorded sheets. The control unit 22 may execute a notification to prompt the user to execute the cleaning mode when the counted number of recorded sheets reaches a predetermined number. The control unit 22 may execute a notification to prompt the user to execute the cleaning mode when the load on the drive unit 29 becomes greater than a threshold value. The control unit 22 may cause the touch panel 14 to issue the notification. The control unit 22 may also cause an external device to issue the notification.

[0044] The cleaning mode allows the cleaning space 65 to be cleaned from the outside when the open / close cover 18 is open. The cleaning mode is executed during standby or sleep. That is, before the cleaning mode is executed, the conveyor belt 40 is located at the retracted position P2, and the cap 52 is located at the advanced position P5.

[0045] When the cleaning mode is executed, the control unit 22 changes the conveyor belt 40 and the cap 52 from the second form to the first form. That is, in the cleaning mode, the moving body 32 is moved from an advanced position P5 included in the cleaning space 65 to outside the cleaning space 65. In the cleaning mode, the cap 52 is located at a standby position P4. In the cleaning mode, the conveyor belt 40 is located at a conveying position P1. In the cleaning mode, the cleaning space 65 can be cleaned from the outside when the opening / closing cover 18 is in the open state. The cleaning space 65 can be cleaned through the maintenance hole 19. The cleaning space 65 can be cleaned, for example, by sucking up foreign matter accumulated in the cleaning space 65 or by wiping off the foreign matter.

[0046] The control unit 22 may end the cleaning mode when a predetermined time has elapsed since the cleaning mode was executed. The predetermined time may be a time set in advance or may be a time set by the user. After the cleaning mode is executed, the detection unit 21 may detect the open and closed states of the opening / closing cover 18. After the cleaning mode is executed, the control unit 22 may end the cleaning mode when the detection unit 21 detects that the opening / closing cover 18 has been changed from the open state to the closed state. The control unit 22 may notify the end of the cleaning mode before ending the cleaning mode.

[0047] When the cleaning mode is to be ended, the control unit 22 puts the conveyor belt 40 and the cap 52 into the second form. That is, the control unit 22 moves the conveyor belt 40 to the retracted position P2. The control unit 22 moves the cap 52 to the advanced position P5.

[0048] <Control method when jam occurs> If a blockage occurs in the medium 16 during recording, the control unit 22 stops the recording. That is, the control unit 22 stops driving the drive unit 29 and discharging the liquid from the liquid discharge head .

[0049] When recording is stopped and the transport detection unit 28 detects the medium 16, the control unit 22 may cause the transport belt 40 and the cap 52 to be in the third form. The control unit 22 changes from the first form to the third form. The cap 52 waits at the standby position P4. The transport belt 40 moves from the transport position P1 to the processing position P3. The transport belt 40 located at the processing position P3 directs the medium 16 it supports toward the maintenance hole 19. In addition, the transport belt 40 located at the processing position P3 is away from the static electricity removal unit 27. Therefore, the user can easily remove the medium 16 from the maintenance hole 19 while reducing the risk of the medium 16 being torn.

[0050] <Operation of the embodiment> The operation of this embodiment will be described. The movable body 32, which is located at the advance position P5, is partially located in the cleaning space 65. When the cleaning mode is executed, the control unit 22 moves the movable body 32 to the standby position P4. The movable body 32, which may be an obstacle when cleaning the cleaning space 65, can be moved out of the cleaning space 65, allowing the user to perform cleaning.

[0051] <Effects of the embodiment> The effects of this embodiment will be described. (1-1) The moving body 32 is movable between inside and outside the cleaning space 65. When the moving body 32 is located in the cleaning space 65, the moving body 32 gets in the way of cleaning. In this regard, when the control unit 22 executes the cleaning mode, the moving body 32 moves out of the cleaning space 65. This improves the ease of cleaning by the user.

[0052] (1-2) The control unit 22 executes the cleaning mode when an instruction to execute the cleaning mode is received. Therefore, the user can execute the cleaning mode at any time. (1-3) The accumulation of foreign matter increases in proportion to the number of recorded sheets. When the number of recorded sheets reaches a predetermined number, the control unit 22 issues a notification to prompt the user to execute the cleaning mode. Therefore, the user can be made to clean the cleaning space 65 at a timing when cleaning is necessary.

[0053] (1-4) When foreign matter adheres to the drive unit 29, the load on the drive unit 29 may increase. When the load on the drive unit 29 exceeds a threshold value, the control unit 22 issues a notification to prompt the user to execute the cleaning mode. Therefore, it is possible to have the user clean the cleaning space 65 at a timing when cleaning is necessary.

[0054] (1-5) Foreign matter separated from the conveyor belt 40 by cleaning the conveyor belt 40 tends to accumulate below the conveyor belt 40. In this regard, the cleaning space 65 is located below the conveyor belt 40. Therefore, the space where foreign matter tends to accumulate can be easily cleaned.

[0055] (1-6) In the standby state, the cap 52 is located in the cleaning space 65. However, the control unit 22 executes the cleaning mode to move the cap 52 out of the cleaning space 65. Therefore, even when cleaning is performed in the standby state, the cleaning work can be easily performed.

[0056] (1-7) The conveyor belt 40 and the cap 52 are located at the same positions in both the recording state and the cleaning mode, which simplifies the mechanism compared to when different positions are set for the recording state and the cleaning mode.

[0057] (1-8) The moving body 32 includes a cap moving mechanism 53. The control unit 22 executes the cleaning mode to move the cap 52 and the cap moving mechanism 53 to the outside of the cleaning space 65. Therefore, the cleaning work can be easily performed.

[0058] (1-9) When the cap 52 is in the standby position P4, the liquid in the nozzle 35 is prone to drying. In this regard, the control unit 22 moves the cap 52 to the advanced position P5 when a predetermined time has elapsed since the cleaning mode was executed. That is, the liquid ejection head 34 can be capped by the cap 52 moved to the advanced position P5, thereby reducing drying of the liquid.

[0059] (1-10) The control unit 22 notifies the user of the end of the cleaning mode before a predetermined time has elapsed, so that the user can be informed in advance that the cap 52 will be moved. (1-11) The control unit 22 ends the cleaning mode when the openable cover 18 is closed. This improves user operability compared to a case where the user is required to end the cleaning mode by performing an operation to end the cleaning mode.

[0060] (1-12) The cleaning unit 31 includes a blade 50. The blade 50 can clean the conveyor belt 40 by scraping off foreign matter adhering to the conveyor belt 40. (1-13) The opening and closing cover 18 is provided on the front side of the device. A user can efficiently perform cleaning work from the front side.

[0061] [Example of change] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that there is no technical contradiction.

[0062] The opening / closing cover 18 may be provided at any position on the recording device 11. For example, the opening / closing cover 18 may be provided on the side of the recording device 11. The opening / closing cover 18 may be provided on the top surface of the recording device 11.

[0063] The cleaning unit 31 may include a brush that scrubs off foreign matter. The cleaning unit 31 may include a vibrator that knocks off foreign matter. The cleaning unit 31 may include a web made of fibers in a sheet form. The cleaning unit 31 may wipe off foreign matter with the web.

[0064] The cleaning unit 31 may clean the transport rollers 39 . The detection unit 21 may detect the opening / closing cover 18 in the open position. When the detection unit 21 detects that the opening / closing cover 18 has moved from the open position, the control unit 22 may end the cleaning mode.

[0065] When the cleaning mode is executed, the control unit 22 may notify the user that the cleaning mode is in progress. The control unit 22 may end the notification that the cleaning mode is in progress before ending the cleaning mode.

[0066] The cap moving mechanism 53 may reciprocate the cap 52 in the width direction X. The cap moving mechanism 53 may reciprocate the cap 52 in the depth direction Y. The cap moving mechanism 53 may reciprocate the cap 52 in the vertical direction Z.

[0067] In the cleaning mode, the conveyor belt 40 may be located at the retracted position P2. The recording device 11 may not include the displacement mechanism 30. The transport belt 40 may not be displaced from the transport position P1.

[0068] The transport unit 26 may not include the transport belt 40. The transport unit 26 may transport the medium 16 by a plurality of transport rollers 39. The cleaning space 65 may be the space below the transport rollers 39.

[0069] The moving body 32 may include a wiper that wipes the nozzle face 36 . The control unit 22 may prompt the execution of the cleaning mode when the load on the motor that moves the wipers becomes greater than a threshold value.

[0070] The cleaning unit 31 may be movable, for example, between a position in contact with the conveyor belt 40 and a position spaced apart from the conveyor belt 40. The position spaced apart from the conveyor belt 40 may be outside the cleaning space 65. When executing the cleaning mode, the control unit 22 may move the cleaning unit 31 out of the cleaning space 65.

[0071] At least one of the recording device 11 and the external device may include a notification unit capable of issuing a notification. The notification unit may have a speaker that issues a notification by emitting a sound. The notification unit may issue a notification by playing a voice, or by emitting a warning sound or the like. The notification unit may have a light that issues a notification by emitting a light. The notification unit may issue a notification by highlighting, for example, a message with the light, or by flashing the light.

[0072] The recording device 11 is not limited to an inkjet printer, but may be a laser printer, a thermal printer, a dot matrix printer, a digital printing machine, or the like. The recording device 11 may be a liquid ejection device that performs recording by ejecting or discharging a liquid other than ink. The state of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection device as minute droplets includes granular, teardrop, and thread-like tails. The liquid here may be any material that can be ejected from the liquid ejection device. For example, the liquid may be any state in which the substance is in a liquid phase, and includes fluids such as high or low viscosity liquids, sols, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals, and metal melts. The liquid includes not only liquids as one state of matter, but also particles of functional materials made of solids such as pigments and metal particles dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent. Representative examples of liquids include inks and liquid crystals as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink includes various liquid compositions such as general water-based inks and oil-based inks, as well as gel inks and hot melt inks. Specific examples of the liquid ejection device include a device that ejects a liquid containing materials such as electrode materials and color materials in a dispersed or dissolved form, which are used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, electroluminescence displays, surface-emitting displays, and color filters. The liquid ejection device may be a device that ejects biological organic matter used in the manufacture of biochips, a device that ejects liquid as a sample used as a precision pipette, a textile printing device, a microdispenser, or the like. The liquid ejection device may be a device that ejects lubricating oil at a pinpoint onto precision machinery such as a watch or camera, or a device that ejects transparent resin liquid such as ultraviolet curing resin onto a substrate to form a micro hemispherical lens, optical lens, or the like used in optical communication elements. The liquid ejection device may be a device that ejects an etching liquid such as an acid or alkali to etch a substrate or the like.

[0073] [Definition] The term "at least one" as used herein means "one or more" of the desired options. As an example, the term "at least one" as used herein means "only one option" or "both of two options" if the number of options is two. As another example, the term "at least one" as used herein means "only one option", "any combination of two options", or "any combination of three or more options" if the number of options is three or more.

[0074] [Note] The technical ideas and effects obtained from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described below.

[0075] (A) The recording device comprises a recording unit that records on a medium, a transport unit that transports the medium, a cleaning unit that cleans the transport unit, a movable moving body, an opening / closing cover that can be opened and closed into an open state that allows access to the inside of the device from the outside and a closed state that prevents access to the inside of the device from the outside, and a control unit, wherein the control unit is capable of executing a cleaning mode that allows a cleaning space to be cleaned from the outside when the opening / closing cover is in the open state, and in the cleaning mode, moves the moving body from a position included in the cleaning space to outside the cleaning space.

[0076] According to this configuration, the moving body can move inside and outside the cleaning space. When the moving body is located in the cleaning space, the moving body gets in the way of cleaning. In this regard, when the control unit executes the cleaning mode, the moving body moves outside the cleaning space. Therefore, the workability of cleaning by the user can be improved.

[0077] (B) In the recording device described in (A), the control unit may execute the cleaning mode by externally receiving a command to execute the cleaning mode. According to this configuration, the control unit executes the cleaning mode when an instruction to execute the cleaning mode is received, so that the user can execute the cleaning mode at any time.

[0078] (C) The recording device described in (A) or (B) may include a counting unit that counts the number of recorded sheets, and the control unit may execute an alert to prompt the user to execute the cleaning mode when the number of recorded sheets reaches a predetermined number.

[0079] The accumulation of foreign matter increases in proportion to the number of recorded sheets. With this configuration, when the number of recorded sheets reaches a predetermined number, the control unit issues a notification to prompt the user to execute the cleaning mode. Therefore, it is possible to have the user clean the cleaning space at a timing when it is necessary to clean the cleaning space.

[0080] (D) The recording device described in (A) to (C) may include a drive unit for driving the transport unit, and the control unit may execute a notification to prompt execution of the cleaning mode when a load on the drive unit becomes greater than a threshold value.

[0081] When foreign matter adheres to the drive unit, the load on the drive unit may increase. With this configuration, when the load on the drive unit exceeds a threshold, the control unit issues a notification to prompt the user to execute the cleaning mode. Therefore, the user can be made to clean the cleaning space at a timing when it is necessary to clean the cleaning space.

[0082] (E) In the recording device described in (A) to (D), the transport unit may include a transport belt capable of facing the recording unit, and the cleaning space may be located vertically below the transport belt.

[0083] The cleaning space is located below the conveyor belt, so that the foreign matter separated from the conveyor belt by cleaning the conveyor belt tends to accumulate below the conveyor belt. Therefore, the cleaning space can be easily cleaned, so that the space where the foreign matter tends to accumulate can be easily cleaned.

[0084] In the recording device described in (F) and (E), the recording unit includes a liquid ejection head capable of ejecting liquid from a nozzle, the movable body includes a cap capable of capping the nozzle, the conveying belt is movable between a conveying position which is located when the recording unit is in a recording state performing recording and a retracted position which is located when the recording unit is in a standby state performing no recording, and the cap is movable between a standby position which is located when the recording state is performed and an advanced position which is located when the standby state is performed, and when in the advanced position the cap caps the nozzle, and a portion of the cap located in the advanced position may be located in the cleaning space.

[0085] According to this configuration, in the standby state, the cap is located in the cleaning space. However, the control unit moves the cap out of the cleaning space by executing the cleaning mode. Therefore, even when cleaning is performed in the standby state, the cleaning work can be easily performed.

[0086] In the recording apparatus according to (G) and (F), in the cleaning mode, the transport belt may be located at the transport position, and the cap may be located at the standby position. According to this configuration, the conveyor belt and the cap are located at the same positions in both the recording state and the cleaning mode, which simplifies the mechanism compared to when different positions are set for the recording state and the cleaning mode.

[0087] In the recording device described in (H), (F) or (G), the movable body includes a cap moving mechanism for moving the cap, and the cap moving mechanism may move the cap from the standby position to the advanced position by moving the cap horizontally and vertically.

[0088] According to this configuration, the movable body includes a cap moving mechanism, and the control unit executes the cleaning mode to move the cap and the cap moving mechanism out of the cleaning space, thereby making it possible to easily perform the cleaning operation.

[0089] In the recording device described in (I)(F) to (H), when a predetermined time has elapsed since the cleaning mode was executed, the control unit may end the cleaning mode and move the cap to the advanced position.

[0090] When the cap is in the standby position, the liquid in the nozzles is prone to drying. In this regard, with this configuration, the control unit moves the cap to the advanced position when a predetermined time has elapsed since the cleaning mode was executed. In other words, the liquid ejection head can be capped with the cap moved to the advanced position, thereby reducing drying of the liquid.

[0091] In the recording device described in (J)(F) to (I), the control unit may notify the user of the end of the cleaning mode before the cleaning mode ends. According to this configuration, the control unit notifies the user of the end of the cleaning mode before the predetermined time has elapsed, so that the user can be notified in advance that the cap will be moved.

[0092] The recording device described in (K)(F) to (J) is provided with a detection unit capable of detecting the open state and the closed state of the opening / closing cover, and when the control unit detects that the opening / closing cover has been changed from the open state to the closed state by the detection unit after executing the cleaning mode, the control unit may terminate the cleaning mode and move the cap to the advanced position.

[0093] According to this configuration, the control unit ends the cleaning mode when the openable cover is closed, which improves user operability compared to a case in which the user is required to manually end the cleaning mode.

[0094] In the recording apparatus described in (L)(E) to (K), the cleaning section may include a blade capable of coming into contact with the transport belt. According to this configuration, the cleaning unit includes a blade that can clean the conveyor belt by scraping off foreign matter adhering to the conveyor belt.

[0095] In the recording device described in (M)(A) to (L), the opening and closing cover may be provided on the front side of the device. According to this configuration, the opening and closing cover is provided on the front side of the device, allowing the user to efficiently perform cleaning work from the front side.

[0096] (N) A control method for a recording device includes a recording unit that records on a medium, a transport unit that transports the medium, a cleaning unit that cleans the transport unit, a movable moving body, and an openable / closable cover, the openable / closable cover being openable and closable between an open state that allows access to the inside of the device from the outside and a closed state that prevents access to the inside of the device from the outside, the control method including executing a cleaning mode in the open state that allows a cleaning space to be cleaned from the outside, and, when executing the cleaning mode, moving the moving body from a position included in the cleaning space to outside the cleaning space.

[0097] According to this method, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above-mentioned recording device. The control method of a recording apparatus according to (O) or (N) may include receiving an instruction to execute the cleaning mode from an external device, and executing the cleaning mode in response to the instruction to execute the cleaning mode.

[0098] According to this method, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above-mentioned recording device. The control method of a recording device described in (P), (N) or (O) may include counting the number of recorded sheets, and, when the counted number of recorded sheets reaches a predetermined number, issuing an alert to prompt the user to perform the cleaning mode.

[0099] According to this method, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above-mentioned recording device. The control method of a recording device described in (Q)(N) to (P) is a control method of a recording device further including a drive unit that drives the transport unit, and may include issuing an alert to prompt execution of the cleaning mode when the load on the drive unit becomes greater than a threshold value.

[0100] According to this method, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above-mentioned recording device. In the control method for a recording device described in (R)(N) to (Q), the recording unit includes a liquid ejection head capable of ejecting liquid from a nozzle, the movable body includes a cap capable of capping the nozzle, the transport unit includes a transport belt capable of facing the recording unit, and the transport belt is movable to a transport position located when the recording unit is in a recording state performing recording and a retracted position located when the recording unit is in a standby state not performing recording, and the cap is movable to a standby position located when in the recording state and an advanced position located when in the standby state, wherein the cap caps the nozzle when in the advanced position, and a part of the cap located at the advanced position is located in the cleaning space, and when a predetermined time has elapsed since executing the cleaning mode, the cleaning mode may be terminated and the cap moved to the advanced position.

[0101] According to this method, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above-mentioned recording device. The control method of a recording apparatus according to (S), (N) to (R) may include notifying the user of the end of the cleaning mode before the cleaning mode ends.

[0102] According to this method, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above-mentioned recording device. The control method of a recording device described in (T)(N) to (S) may further include a detection unit capable of detecting the open state and the closed state of the opening / closing cover, wherein the recording device includes a liquid ejection head capable of ejecting liquid from a nozzle, the movable body includes a cap capable of capping the nozzle, the transport unit includes a transport belt capable of facing the recording device, and the transport belt is movable to a transport position where the recording device is in a recording state where it performs recording and to a retracted position where the recording device is in a standby state where it does not perform recording, and the cap is movable to a standby position where the recording device is in the recording state and an advanced position where the standby state is, wherein the cap caps the nozzle when in the advanced position and a part of the cap located at the advanced position is located in the cleaning space, and may include detecting the open state and the closed state of the opening / closing cover after executing the cleaning mode, and when the detection unit detects that the opening / closing cover has changed from the open state to the closed state, terminating the cleaning mode and moving the cap to the advanced position.

[0103] According to this method, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above-mentioned recording device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 11...recording device, 12...medium storage section, 13...stacker, 14...touch panel, 16...medium, 18...opening cover, 19...maintenance hole, 21...detection section, 22...control section, 23...counting section, 25...recording section, 26...transport section, 27...static charge removal section, 28...transport detection section, 29...driving section, 30...displacement mechanism, 31...cleaning section, 32...moving body, 34...liquid ejection head, 35...nozzle, 36...nozzle surface, 38...transport path, 39...transport roller, 40...transport belt, 41...driving pulley, 42...driven pulley, 43 ...frame, 45...displacement motor, 46...rotating shaft, 47...first link plate, 48...second link plate, 50...blade, 52...cap, 53...cap moving mechanism, 55...moving motor, 56...screw shaft, 57...slider, 58...first link member, 59...second link member, 60...wall portion, 62...guide portion, 63...guide rail, 65...cleaning space, Dc...conveying direction, P1...conveying position, P2...retraction position, P3...processing position, P4...waiting position, P5...advance position, X...width direction, Y...depth direction, Z...vertical direction.

Claims

1. a recording unit for recording on a medium; A conveying unit that conveys the medium; a cleaning unit that cleans the conveying unit; A movable vehicle; an opening / closing cover that can be opened and closed between an open state that allows access to the inside of the device from the outside and a closed state that prevents access to the inside of the device from the outside; A control unit; Equipped with The control unit is A cleaning mode that enables the cleaning space to be cleaned from the outside when the opening / closing cover is in the open state can be executed, In the cleaning mode, the moving body is moved from a position included in the cleaning space to a position outside the cleaning space.

2. 2 . The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit executes the cleaning mode by receiving a command to execute the cleaning mode from an external device.

3. A counting unit is provided for counting the number of recorded sheets, The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit issues a notification to prompt the user to execute the cleaning mode when the number of recorded sheets reaches a predetermined number.

4. A drive unit for driving the conveying unit, 2 . The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit issues a notification to prompt the user to execute the cleaning mode when a load on the drive unit exceeds a threshold value.

5. the conveying unit includes a conveying belt capable of facing the recording unit, 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning space is positioned vertically below the conveyor belt.

6. the recording unit includes a liquid ejection head capable of ejecting liquid from a nozzle; the movable body includes a cap capable of capping the nozzle, the conveyor belt is movable between a conveying position where the conveyor belt is located when the recording unit is in a recording state where recording is performed, and a retreat position where the conveyor belt is located when the recording unit is in a standby state where recording is not performed, the cap is movable between a standby position that is in the recording state and an advanced position that is in the standby state, and caps the nozzle when in the advanced position; The recording apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein a portion of the cap located at the advanced position is located in the cleaning space.

7. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein in the cleaning mode, the transport belt is located at the transport position, and the cap is located at the standby position.

8. the moving body includes a cap moving mechanism for moving the cap, 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the cap moving mechanism moves the cap from the standby position to the advanced position by moving the cap in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.

9. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit ends the cleaning mode and moves the cap to the advanced position when a predetermined time has elapsed since the cleaning mode was executed.

10. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit notifies the user of the end of the cleaning mode before the end of the cleaning mode.

11. a detection unit capable of detecting the open state and the closed state of the opening / closing cover, The recording device according to claim 6, characterized in that after executing the cleaning mode, when the control unit detects that the opening / closing cover has been changed from the open state to the closed state by the detection unit, the control unit terminates the cleaning mode and moves the cap to the advanced position.

12. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the cleaning unit includes a blade capable of coming into contact with the transport belt.

13. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening and closing cover is provided on a front side of the apparatus.

14. A method for controlling a recording device including a recording unit that records on a medium, a transport unit that transports the medium, a cleaning unit that cleans the transport unit, a movable body, and an openable / closable cover, the method comprising the steps of: the openable cover is openable between an open state that allows access to the inside of the device from the outside and a closed state that prevents access to the inside of the device from the outside; Executing a cleaning mode in which the cleaning space can be cleaned from the outside in the open state; When executing the cleaning mode, moving the movable body from a position included in the cleaning space to outside the cleaning space; 13. A method for controlling a recording apparatus comprising:

15. receiving an instruction to execute the cleaning mode from an external device; executing the cleaning mode in accordance with the execution instruction; 15. The method for controlling a recording apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising:

16. Counting the number of records; When the counted number of recorded sheets reaches a predetermined number, a notification is issued to prompt the user to execute the cleaning mode; 15. The method for controlling a recording apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising:

17. A control method for a recording apparatus further including a drive unit that drives the conveyance unit, 15. The method of controlling a recording apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising the step of: issuing a notification to prompt execution of the cleaning mode when a load on the drive unit becomes greater than a threshold value.

18. the recording unit includes a liquid ejection head capable of ejecting liquid from a nozzle; the movable body includes a cap capable of capping the nozzle, the conveying unit includes a conveying belt capable of facing the recording unit, the conveyor belt is movable between a conveying position where the conveyor belt is located when the recording unit is in a recording state where recording is performed, and a retreat position where the conveyor belt is located when the recording unit is in a standby state where recording is not performed, the cap is movable between a standby position that is in the recording state and an advanced position that is in the standby state, and caps the nozzle when in the advanced position; A portion of the cap located at the advanced position is located in the cleaning space, The control method for a recording device according to any one of claims 14 to 17, further comprising terminating the cleaning mode and moving the cap to the advanced position when a predetermined time has elapsed since the cleaning mode was executed.

19. 20. The method of controlling a recording apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising the step of notifying the user of the end of the cleaning mode before the cleaning mode ends.

20. A method for controlling a recording apparatus further including a detection unit capable of detecting the open state and the closed state of the opening / closing cover, comprising: the recording unit includes a liquid ejection head capable of ejecting liquid from a nozzle; the movable body includes a cap capable of capping the nozzle, the conveying unit includes a conveying belt capable of facing the recording unit, the conveyor belt is movable between a conveying position where the conveyor belt is located when the recording unit is in a recording state where recording is performed, and a retreat position where the conveyor belt is located when the recording unit is in a standby state where recording is not performed, the cap is movable between a standby position that is in the recording state and an advanced position that is in the standby state, and caps the nozzle when in the advanced position; A portion of the cap located at the advanced position is located in the cleaning space, detecting the open state and the closed state of the opening / closing cover after executing the cleaning mode; when the detection unit detects that the open-close cover has been changed from the open state to the closed state, the cleaning mode is terminated and the cap is moved to the advanced position; The method for controlling a recording apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 17, further comprising:

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