Liquid discharge device

Abstract

To provide a technique related to a cap.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device includes: a cap for capping a discharge port surface of a discharge head for discharging a liquid; an absorber provided inside the cap to face the discharge port surface; a supply means for supplying the liquid to the absorber via a supply port provided inside the cap; and a drainage means for draining the liquid absorbed by the absorber via an outlet provided inside the cap. The supply port is formed at a position higher than the outlet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device. [Background technology]

[0002] In a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid such as ink, a technique is known in which the ejection port surface is capped with a cap in order to maintain or recover the ejection performance of the ejection head (for example, Patent Document 1). Also known is a device in which an absorber that absorbs liquid is provided in the cap (for example, Patent Document 2). In a device equipped with an absorber, for example, the absorber can be brought into contact with the liquid on the ejection port surface to absorb the liquid on the ejection port surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-109331 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2022-30421 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In an apparatus equipped with an absorbent body, the absorbent body becomes soiled with use. Although it is possible to clean the absorbent body by supplying a cleaning liquid to the absorbent body and then discharging it, the time required to clean the absorbent body is undesirable in terms of the operating efficiency of the apparatus.

[0005] The present invention provides a technique relating to a cap. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present invention, a cap for capping an ejection port surface of an ejection head that ejects liquid; an absorber provided in the cap so as to face the discharge port surface; A supply means for supplying liquid to the absorbent body through a supply port provided in the cap; and a discharge means for discharging the liquid absorbed in the absorbent body through a discharge port provided in the cap, The supply port is formed at a higher position than the discharge port. A liquid ejection device is provided. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, a technique relating to a cap can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1A is a front view of the liquid ejection system, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of a liquid ejection device constituting the system of FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram of a carriage and a maintenance unit, and FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram of the ejection port surface of an ejection head. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] Cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 3. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] 4(A) and (B) are diagrams showing how an absorbent body is washed. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control unit of the liquid ejection device. [Figure 9] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by a control unit. [Figure 10] 4A to 4D are explanatory diagrams showing an example of the operation of the maintenance unit. [Figure 11] 4A to 4D are explanatory diagrams showing an example of the operation of the maintenance unit. [Figure 12] FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the operation of the maintenance unit, and FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the cap unit. [Figure 13]FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a full-line type ejection head. [Figure 14] 1A to 1C are explanatory diagrams of a cap unit compatible with a full-line type ejection head. [Figure 15] 13A and 13B are explanatory views showing another example of the cap unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0010] First Embodiment Fig. 1(A) is a front view of the liquid ejection system 1. In each figure, arrows X, Y, and Z indicate directions that intersect with each other, and in this embodiment, are perpendicular to each other. When the system 1 is placed on a horizontal surface, the left-right direction is the X direction, the front-back direction is the Y direction, and the up-down direction is the Z direction.

[0011] The liquid ejection system 1 of this embodiment is a recording system that includes a liquid ejection device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a liquid supply device 7, and ejects ink onto a recording medium such as paper to record an image. The liquid ejection device 2 and the liquid supply device 7 are arranged side by side in the X direction. The liquid that the liquid supply device 7 supplies to the liquid ejection device 2 is ink, and the liquid ejection device 2 is a recording device that ejects ink onto a recording medium. However, the present invention is not limited to recording devices, and can be applied to various liquid ejection devices intended for ejecting liquid onto a medium.

[0012] In addition, "recording" includes not only the formation of meaningful information such as characters and figures, but also the formation of images, patterns, and the like on a recording medium, whether meaningful or insignificant, or the processing of the medium, regardless of whether it is manifested in a way that can be visually perceived by humans. In addition, although a sheet of paper is assumed as the "recording medium" in this embodiment, it may also be cloth, plastic film, etc.

[0013] <Liquid supply device> The liquid supplying device 7 is a device that supplies ink to the liquid ejecting device 2 to be ejected from the ejection head 14 of the liquid ejecting device 2. Casters 7b are provided on the bottom surface of the liquid supplying device 7, allowing the liquid supplying device 7 to be moved relatively easily across the floor. The liquid supplying device 7 has a plurality of storage sections 7a in which containers for storing ink are stored. Each container is connected to the liquid ejecting device 2 via a tube, and the ink in the container is supplied to the ejection head 14 via the tube.

[0014] The liquid supply device 7 is stored adjacent to the stand 4 below one end of the liquid supply device 7 in the X direction (the portion in which the maintenance unit 8 is built in). This allows for a reduction in the size of the liquid ejection system 1. The liquid supply device 7 can be moved to a position in the X direction where it comes into contact with the stand 4.

[0015] <Liquid discharge device> A liquid ejection device 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 1(B) in addition to FIG. 1(A). FIG. 1(B) is an explanatory diagram of the internal structure of the liquid ejection device 2. The liquid ejection device 2 includes a pair of left and right stands 4, and a main body 3 supported on the pair of stands 4. Each stand 4 is provided with casters 4a, allowing the liquid ejection device 2 to be moved relatively easily on the floor. A feeding unit 13 and a winding unit 5 are disposed below the main body 3. In this embodiment, the recording medium M is roll paper, and the feeding unit 13 has a shaft around which the recording medium M is wound. The winding unit 5 has a shaft for winding up the recording medium M. In this embodiment, roll paper is exemplified as the recording medium M, but cut paper may also be used.

[0016] The main body 3 is provided with a transport unit 11. The transport unit 11 has a drive roller and a driven roller extending in the X direction, and the recording medium M fed from the feeding unit 13 is sandwiched in the nip between these rollers. The recording medium M is transported in the Y direction onto the platen 12 by the rotation of the drive roller. Opposing the platen 12, an ejection head 14 mounted on the carriage 6 is disposed. The ejection head 14 is a recording head that ejects liquid ink to form an image. An image is recorded on the recording medium M by ejecting ink from the ejection head 14 onto the recording medium M transported onto the platen 12. The recording medium M on which the image has been recorded is taken up by the winding unit 5. The recording medium M on which the image has been recorded may be cut by a user with scissors or the like, or may be automatically cut by a cutter (not shown).

[0017] A maintenance unit 8 is disposed in the main body 3. The maintenance unit 8 is disposed outside the recording area (outside the ejection area) of the ejection head 14, and performs processes related to recovery and maintenance of the ejection performance of the ejection head 14. Examples of such processes include preliminary ejection that ejects a predetermined amount of ink before and after a recording operation, and a process of suctioning remaining ink and the like from the ejection openings of the ejection head 14. When such processes become necessary, the ejection head 14 is moved onto the maintenance unit 8 as shown in FIG. 1(A).

[0018] In this embodiment, the stand 4 is disposed at a position slightly outside the width of the recording medium M in the X direction in order to support the main body 3 while also supporting the heavy feeding unit 13 and the winding unit 5. The main body 3 has a portion that protrudes outward in one direction in the X direction from the stand 4, and a maintenance unit 8 is disposed (built-in) in this protruding portion. The main body 3 also has a portion that protrudes outward from the recording medium M in the other direction in the X direction, and a waste liquid cartridge 9 is disposed below the protruding portion. Waste liquid (waste ink, etc.) sucked by the maintenance unit 8 flows into the waste liquid cartridge 9 and is collected. The waste liquid cartridge 9 may be disposed near the maintenance unit 8. However, in this embodiment, the waste liquid cartridge 9 is disposed in an empty space below the end of the main body 3, thereby reducing the installation area of ​​the liquid ejection device 2.

[0019] The structure relating to the ejection head 14 and the maintenance unit 8 will be described with reference to Figures 2(A) and 2(B). Figure 3(A) is a plan view of the inside of the main body 3, and in particular is an explanatory diagram of the carriage 6 and the maintenance unit 8. Figure 3(B) is an explanatory diagram of the ejection port surface 140 of the ejection head 14.

[0020] The ejection head 14 is mounted on the carriage 6. In this embodiment, three ejection heads, 14A to 14C, are mounted on the carriage 6 as the ejection head 14. The three ejection heads 14A to 14C are arranged in the X direction. Each of the ejection heads 14A to 14C ejects a different type of ink. For example, the ejection head 14A ejects a reaction liquid. The ejection heads 14B and 14C eject color ink. There are nine types of color ink including, for example, black, cyan, yellow, and magenta. In this case, for example, the ejection head 14B ejects six types of ink, and the ejection head 14C ejects the remaining three types of ink.

[0021] The ejection heads 14A to 14C each have an ejection port surface 140 on their bottom surface. A plurality of ejection ports 140a for ejecting ink are formed in the ejection port surface 140. The ejection ports 140a form an ejection port row arranged in the Y direction. Each ejection port 140a is provided with an ejection energy generating element such as an electrothermal conversion element (heater) or a piezoelectric element. When an electrothermal conversion element is used, the ink is bubbled by the heat generated, and the bubbling energy is utilized to eject ink from the ejection port 140a.

[0022] The printing method of this embodiment is a serial scan method. The carriage 6 is reciprocated in the X direction (a direction crossing the recording medium M) by the carriage moving unit 10. The carriage moving unit 10 is, for example, a belt transmission mechanism, and includes a pair of pulleys spaced apart in the X direction, an endless belt wound around the pair of pulleys, a carriage motor that rotates one of the pulleys, and a guide member that guides the movement of the carriage 6 in the X direction. The carriage 6 is fixed to the endless belt, and moves by the running of the endless belt. The ejection head 14 ejects ink while moving in the X direction, which is called a printing scan. An image is printed on the recording medium M by alternately repeating the conveying operation of the recording medium M and the printing scan of the ejection head 14.

[0023] The maintenance unit 8 includes a capping device 80. The capping device 80 includes cap units 80A to 80C corresponding to the ejection heads 14A to 14C. The cap units 80A to 80C are arranged in the X direction corresponding to the arrangement of the ejection heads 14A to 14C in the X direction. The capping device 80 includes a lifting unit 84 that lifts and lowers the cap units 80A to 80C. The lifting unit 84 lifts and lowers the cap units 80A to 80C in the Z direction between a capping position and a retreated position that is lower than the capping position. The capping position is a position where a cap 20, which will be described later, abuts against the ejection port surface 140 to cover the ejection port 140a, and the retreated position is a position where the cap 20 is separated from the ejection port surface 140.

[0024] The maintenance unit 8 also includes a supply unit 81, a liquid tank 82, and a discharge unit 83. The supply unit 81 is a mechanism that supplies the liquid contained in the liquid tank 82 to the cap units 80A to 80C. The discharge unit 83 is a unit that sucks and discharges the liquid from the cap units 80A to 80C.

[0025] <Cap unit> Of the cap units 80A to 80C, the structure of the cap unit 80B will be described as a representative. The cap units 80A and 80C have substantially the same structure. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the cap unit 80B. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the cap unit 80B. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cap unit 80B taken along line AA in Fig. 3. In Fig. 5, the position of the ejection head 14B relative to the cap unit 80B when the cap unit 80B is in the capping position is indicated by a dashed line.

[0026] The cap unit 80B is a laminate of an absorber 21, a flow path forming member 22, a cap 20, a support plate 23, and a holder 24. The ejection head 14B has two ejection port surfaces 140 (FIG. 2(B)). Correspondingly, the cap unit 80B has two pairs of an absorber 21 and a flow path forming member 22, and the cap 20 has two recesses 200 for accommodating the absorber 21 and the flow path forming member 22.

[0027] The absorbent 21 is made of a material capable of absorbing liquid (e.g., a porous material). The absorbent 21 is provided in the cap 20 so as to face the discharge port surface 140 during capping. The absorbent 21 in this embodiment has a front surface (upper surface) 21a and a back surface (lower surface) 21b, and is a rectangular, plate-like or strip-like member as a whole, with the front surface 21a facing the discharge port surface 140. The arrows DL, DS, and DT indicate the longitudinal direction, width direction, and thickness direction of the absorbent 21, respectively. The absorbent 21 has a rectangular shape that is long in the DL direction and short in the DS direction. In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction DL is the Y direction, the width direction DS is the X direction, and the thickness direction DT is the Z direction.

[0028] The cap 20 is formed of an elastic material such as rubber or resin. The cap 20 has a recess 200 that opens on the side (upper side) of the discharge port surface 140, and the peripheral wall of the recess 200 forms a lip portion 201. The lip portion 201 protrudes toward the discharge port surface 140 in the DT direction from the surface 21a of the absorber 21. The lip portion 201 abuts against the discharge port surface 140 during capping, thereby forming an airtight space inside the recess 200. The inner peripheral wall of the recess 400 is provided with a plurality of holding pieces 203 to prevent the absorber 21 from falling off. The bottom 202 of the recess 200 is formed with an attachment hole 204 and piping holes 205 and 206 so as to penetrate the cap 20.

[0029] The holder 24 has a recess 240 that opens on the side (upper side) of the discharge port surface 140, and the absorber 21, the flow path forming member 22, the cap 20, and the support plate 23 are held therein. A mounting hole 242 corresponding to the mounting hole 204 is formed in a bottom 241 of the recess 240 so as to penetrate the holder 24. In addition, a cylindrical supply pipe 243 and a discharge pipe 244 are formed in the bottom 241. The support plate 23 is, for example, a metal plate, and is a base plate that supports the cap 20. The support plate 23 has a mounting hole 231 corresponding to the mounting hole 204, and pipe holes 232 and 233 through which the supply pipe 243 and the discharge pipe 244 pass.

[0030] The flow path forming member 22 has a horizontal, flat mounting surface 220 on which the absorber 21 is placed. The flow path forming member 22 also has a boss portion having a screw hole 223 on the back surface (the lower surface of the flow path forming member 22) of the mounting surface 220. By threading a screw 25 through the mounting hole 242 of the holder 24, the mounting hole 231 of the support plate 23, and the mounting hole 204 of the cap 20 and into the screw hole 223, the flow path forming member 22, the cap 20, the support plate 23, and the holder 24 are fixed together.

[0031] A discharge hole 221 penetrating the flow path forming member 22 is opened at one end of the mounting surface 220 in the Y direction, and a discharge pipe 244 of the holder 24 passes through a pipe hole 233 of the support plate 23, a pipe hole 206 of the cap 20, and the discharge hole 221 of the flow path forming member 22 to reach the back surface 21b of the absorber 21. An opening at the tip of the discharge pipe 244 forms a discharge outlet EP for the liquid, and the periphery of the discharge outlet EP (the tip surface of the discharge pipe 244) abuts against the back surface 21b of the absorber 21.

[0032] At the other end of the flow path forming member 22 in the Y direction, a supply port forming portion 222 is formed so as to protrude upward from the mounting surface 220. The supply port forming portion 222 forms a supply port SP for liquid. The supply port forming portion 222 has walls W1, W2 spaced apart in the Y direction, and these walls W1, W2 define the supply port SP. The walls W1, W2 extend in the X direction. While the discharge port EP is a circular spot-shaped opening, the supply port SP is a slot-shaped opening extended in the X direction.

[0033] The flow path forming member 22 has a flow path 224 communicating with the supply port SP, and the flow path 224 opens on the back surface (the lower surface of the flow path forming member 22) of the flow placement surface 220. The supply pipe 243 of the holder 24 passes through the pipe hole 232 of the support plate 23 and the pipe hole 205 of the cap 20 to reach the opening at the lower end of the flow path 224, and the supply pipe 243 communicates with the supply port SP via the flow path 224.

[0034] The supply unit 81 has a pump P1 that pumps liquid. In this embodiment, the liquid tank 82 contains cleaning liquid CL for cleaning the absorbent body 21. By driving the pump P1, the cleaning liquid CL is pumped from the liquid tank 82 through the pipes 81a and 81b to the supply pipe 243. As a result, the cleaning liquid CL is supplied to the absorbent body 21 through the supply port SP.

[0035] The pipe 81a branches into pipes 81b and 81c. The pipe 81c is an atmosphere communication part that is open to the atmosphere. In this embodiment, the supply port SP is used both as a supply port for the cleaning liquid CL and as a communication port that communicates the inside of the cap 20 with the atmosphere. This simplifies the structure compared to a configuration in which these are provided separately. The switching unit 85 is a valve unit that switches the communication destination of the supply port SP between the pipe 81c that communicates with the atmosphere and the pipe 81b that communicates with the supply unit 81. In this embodiment, the switching unit 85 includes a supply valve V1 that opens and closes (connects and closes) the pipe 81b, and an atmosphere communication valve V2 that opens and closes (connects and closes) the pipe 81c. The communication destination of the supply port SP can be switched by a combination of opening and closing the supply valve V1 and the atmosphere communication valve V2.

[0036] The discharge unit 83 has a pump P2 that pressure-feeds liquid. The pump P2 is in communication with a discharge pipe 244 via a pipe 83a. By driving the pump P2, it is possible to suck the liquid absorbed in the absorber 21 via the discharge port EP and pressure-feed it to the waste liquid cartridge 9. The discharged liquid is the ink and cleaning liquid CL absorbed in the absorber 21. In addition, by driving the pump P2 during capping, it is also possible to negatively pressure-suck and discharge the ink remaining in the ejection head 14 via the absorber 21.

[0037] <Cleaning of absorbent body> The cleaning of the absorbent 21 with the cleaning liquid CL will be described. The absorbent 21 becomes soiled with ink from the ejection head 14. Therefore, cleaning of the absorbent 21 is necessary. In the case of this embodiment, the cleaning liquid CL is supplied to the absorbent 21 from the supply port SP, and the cleaning liquid CL absorbed in the absorbent 21 is discharged from the discharge port EP, thereby cleaning the absorbent 21. It is desirable to clean the absorbent 21 quickly in terms of improving the productivity of the liquid ejection device 2. In this embodiment, a structure is adopted that allows the cleaning liquid CL to penetrate the absorbent 21 in a shorter time.

[0038] Mainly refer to FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the supply port SP is formed at a higher position than the discharge port EP. More specifically, the discharge port EP is located on (in contact with) the back surface 21b of the absorbent body 21, whereas the supply port SP is located near the front surface 21a. By supplying the cleaning liquid CL to the absorbent body 21 from a higher position, the cleaning liquid CL can be efficiently permeated into the absorbent body 21 with the help of gravity. In addition, since the discharge port EP and the supply port SP are provided separately, it is possible to quickly switch from supplying to discharging the cleaning liquid CL, or to perform an operation in which the supply time and the discharge time of the cleaning liquid CL partially overlap each other.

[0039] Diffusion of the cleaning liquid CL into the absorbent 21 is promoted by the cleaning liquid CL flowing on the surface of the absorbent 21, rather than inside the absorbent 21. By forming the supply port SP at a position where at least a part of the liquid from the supply port SP flows directly onto the surface 21a of the absorbent 21 without passing through the inside of the absorbent 21, the flow of the cleaning liquid CL on the surface 21a of the absorbent 21 is promoted. In addition, the surface 21a of the absorbent 21 is where ink received from the ejection head 14 accumulates, and by supplying and cleaning the surface 21a with the cleaning liquid CL, the accumulation of ink can be reduced.

[0040] In this regard, in this embodiment, the height H1 of the wall W1 is designed to be the same height as the surface 21a of the absorbent body 21. Therefore, the supply port SP is located at the same height as the surface 21a in the thickness direction DT of the absorbent body 21, and liquid from the supply port SP flows onto the surface 21 of the absorbent body 21 without passing through the inside of the absorbent body 21. The cleaning liquid CL can be quickly supplied over the entire area of ​​the absorbent body 21. Note that the supply port SP may be formed at a position higher than the surface 21a.

[0041] Furthermore, the discharge port EP is located in a position covered by the absorbent body 21, while the supply port SP is not covered by the absorbent body 21. In other words, in a plan view of the cap unit 80B (when viewed from above in the DT direction of the absorbent body 21), the supply port SP and the surface 21a of the absorbent body 21 are exposed, which promotes the flow of the cleaning liquid CL along the surface 21a. On the other hand, the action of gravity and discharge at the discharge port EP make it easier for the cleaning liquid CL to flow downward within the absorbent body 21. The cleaning liquid CL can be permeated throughout the entire area of ​​the absorbent body 21.

[0042] In this embodiment, the height H1 in the Z direction of the wall W1 located on the absorbent body 21 side in the DL direction is lower than the height H2 of the wall W2 located on the opposite side. This makes it easier for the cleaning liquid CL from the supply port SP to flow toward the absorbent body 21, and the cleaning liquid CL can be supplied to the absorbent body 21 more quickly.

[0043] In this embodiment, the supply port SP and the discharge port EP are spaced apart in the DL direction. In particular, the discharge port EP is located at one end of the placement surface 220 in the DL direction, and the supply port SP is located on the other end side of the placement surface 220, outside the absorbent body 21. In the DL direction intermediate region of the absorbent body 21, not only is the supply of the cleaning liquid CL improved by diffusion from the supply port SP, but the cleaning liquid is drawn toward the discharge port EP by being discharged from the discharge port EP. This allows the entire absorbent body 21 to be washed efficiently. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the supply port SP has a slot shape extending in the DS direction. This makes it easier for the cleaning liquid CL to permeate the absorbent body 21 not only in the DL direction but also in the DS direction.

[0044] An example of the cleaning operation of the absorbent body 21 will be described with reference to Figures 6, 7(A) and 7(B). These figures are schematic diagrams showing the flow of the cleaning liquid CL when the absorbent body 21 is cleaned.

[0045] State ST1 in Fig. 6 shows the state before cleaning. When the pump P1 of the supply unit 81 is driven, the cleaning liquid CL is pumped to the supply pipe 243 as shown in state ST2. The pump P2 of the discharge unit 83 is stopped. Eventually, the cleaning liquid CL starts to flow out from the supply port SP onto the absorbent 21 as shown in state ST3.

[0046] The inside of the absorbent body 21 has flow resistance, and the permeation speed is slow, but the cleaning liquid CL flowing on the surface 21a of the absorbent body 21 flows faster. For this reason, as shown in state ST4, the diffusion of the cleaning liquid CL in the DL direction is fast, and the permeation of the cleaning liquid in the DT direction is relatively slow. Velocity V1 indicates the flow speed of the cleaning liquid CL in the DL direction on the surface 21a, and velocity V2 indicates the permeation speed of the cleaning liquid CL in the DT direction inside the absorbent body 21. There is a relationship of V1>V2. FIG. 7(A) is a plan view of the absorbent body 21. As described above, the supply port SP is extended in the DS direction, so the cleaning liquid CL flows not only in the DL direction but also in the DS direction.

[0047] As shown in state ST5 in Fig. 7(B), the cleaning liquid CL also permeates in the DL and DS directions inside the absorbent body 21. Velocity V3 indicates the permeation speed of the cleaning liquid CL in the DL or DS direction inside the absorbent body 21. Due to the effect of gravity, velocity V2 is faster than velocity V3. The relationship is V1>V2>V3.

[0048] State ST6 shows a state in which the absorbent 21 is generally filled with the cleaning liquid CL. Whether the absorbent 21 is filled with the cleaning liquid CL can be determined, for example, from the supply time of the cleaning liquid CL (the driving time and rotation speed of the pump P1, etc.). Thereafter, as shown in state ST7, the pump P1 of the supply unit 81 is stopped, and the pump P2 of the discharge unit 83 is driven. The cleaning liquid CL that has permeated the absorbent 21 is discharged via the discharge port EP and the discharge pipe 244. Completion of the discharge can be determined from the driving time and rotation speed of the pump P2.

[0049] This completes the cleaning of the absorbent body 21. In the example of Fig. 7(B), the pump P2 of the discharge unit 83 is driven when the absorbent body 21 is generally filled with the cleaning liquid CL, but for example, the pump P2 may be driven at an intermediate stage (for example, at the stage of state ST4 or the stage of state ST5), or the pump P2 of the discharge unit 83 may be driven simultaneously with the start of driving the pump P1 of the supply unit 81. That is, the supply period and the discharge period may at least partially overlap. The cleaning liquid CL can penetrate the absorbent body 21 in a shorter time.

[0050] <Control unit> The configuration of the control system of the liquid ejection device 2 will be described. Fig. 8 is a block diagram of the control unit 15. The control unit 15 is a control circuit that controls the entire liquid ejection device 2. The control unit 15 includes a CPU 151, which is a processor that controls the entire device, a storage device 152 such as a semiconductor memory, and a sensor / motor control circuit 155 that controls each sensor and each motor. The CPU 151, the sensor / motor control circuit 155, and the storage device 152 are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0051] The storage device 152 stores the programs executed by the CPU 151 and various information. The sensor motor control circuit 155 controls a transport motor 156, a carriage motor 157, a capping motor 158, a cleaning liquid pump motor 159, a discharge pump motor 160, and a valve solenoid 161. The transport motor 156 is a drive source for the transport unit 11, and the carriage motor 157 is a drive source for the carriage moving unit 10. The capping motor 158 is a drive source for the lifting unit 84. The cleaning liquid pump motor 159 is a drive source for the pump P1 of the supply unit 81, and the discharge pump motor 160 is a drive source for the pump P2 of the discharge unit 83. The valve solenoid 161 is a drive source for the switching unit 85, and is the solenoid for each of the supply valve V1 and the atmosphere communication valve V2.

[0052] Furthermore, the sensor motor control circuit 155 controls the ejection of ink from the ejection head 14 via the head control circuit 153 based on the detection result of an encoder sensor 154 that detects the position of the carriage 6 in the X direction.

[0053] Image data sent from the host device 100 is converted into ejection signals by the CPU 151, and ink is ejected from the ejection head 14 in accordance with the ejection signals to perform an operation of recording an image on the recording medium M00.

[0054] The CPU 151 includes, as its functional blocks, for example, a driver section, a sequence control section, an image processing section, a timing control section, and a head control section. The sequence control section controls the overall recording control, specifically, starts and stops the image processing section, the timing control section, and the head control section, controls the transportation of the recording medium, and controls the movement of the carriage 6. The control of each functional block is executed by the sequence control section reading and executing various programs from the storage device 152. The driver section generates control signals for the sensor motor control circuit 155, the storage device 152, the head control circuit 153, etc. based on commands from the sequence control section, and also transmits input signals from each block to the sequence control section.

[0055] The image processing unit performs image processing to separate and convert color of input image data from the host device 100 and convert it into print data that can be printed by the ejection head 14. The timing control unit transfers the print data converted and generated by the image processing unit to the head control unit in conjunction with the position of the carriage 6. The timing control unit also controls signals synchronized with the ejection from each ejection port 140a to determine the ejection state of droplets. The head control unit converts the print data input from the timing control unit into an ejection signal and outputs it. The head control circuit 153 generates a drive pulse according to the ejection signal input from the head control unit and applies it to the ejection head 14.

[0056] <Control example> An example of control of the maintenance unit 8 by the control unit 15 will be described with reference to Fig. 9 to Fig. 12(A). Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the control unit 15. Figs. 10(A) to 12(A) are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the maintenance unit 8.

[0057] The operations of the maintenance unit 8 include a storage operation, a cleaning operation, a discharge operation, and a preliminary ejection operation.

[0058] The storage operation is an operation for the purpose of preventing the discharge port surface 140 from drying out and maintaining the discharge performance of the discharge head 14 when the discharge head 14 is not in use, and involves supplying liquid to the absorber 21 and capping the discharge port surface 140 with the cap 20. Here, the cleaning liquid CL is used as the storage liquid.

[0059] The cleaning operation is an operation aimed at cleaning the absorbent body 21, and the cleaning liquid CL is supplied to the absorbent body 21 by the supply unit 81 to clean the absorbent body 21. The outline of the operation is as described with reference to Figs. 5 to 7(B).

[0060] The discharge operation is an operation aimed at recovering the performance of the discharge head 14, and involves discharging the liquid inside the discharge head from the discharge port surface 140 via the absorber 21 by the discharge unit 83. The preliminary discharge operation is an operation aimed at maintaining or recovering the performance of the discharge head 14, and involves discharging ink from the discharge head 14 into the absorber 21.

[0061] In this embodiment, these operations are performed using a common cap 20. Providing separate caps specialized for each purpose leads to an increase in size of the liquid ejection device 2. In this embodiment, by performing these operations using a common cap 20, it is possible to miniaturize the device.

[0062] 9 is executed, for example, when the ink ejection amount (dot count) of the ejection head 14 reaches a predetermined amount, or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous recording operation. Below, the control of the ejection head 14B and the cap unit 80B will be representatively described, but the same applies to the other ejection heads and cap units.

[0063] In S1, the cap is closed for the ejection head 14B. Here, the ejection head 14B is moved onto the cap unit 80B, and then the lifting unit 84 is driven to move the cap unit 80B to the capping position. The ejection port surface 140 of the ejection head 14B is capped by the cap 20 of the cap unit 80B. FIG. 10(A) shows the cap closed state. The lip portion 201 of the cap 20 abuts against the ejection port surface 140, and the ejection port 140a is airtightly covered by the cap 20. The ejection port 140a is prevented from drying. If ink is attached to the ejection port surface 140, the attached ink comes into contact with the absorber 21 and is absorbed by the absorber 21. Different types of ink are prevented from mixing on the ejection port surface 140. The supply valve V1 and the atmosphere communication valve V2 are in a closed state.

[0064] In S2 of Fig. 9, the pump P2 of the discharge unit 83 starts to be driven. Fig. 10(B) shows this state. The inside of the cap 20 is suctioned through the discharge port EP. Ink is sucked from the discharge port surface 140 of the discharge head 14B through the absorber 21 by the pump P2 and discharged (head nozzle suction). This head nozzle suction has the effect of discharging thickened ink from the discharge port 140a.

[0065] In S3 in Fig. 9, the atmosphere communication valve V2 is switched to an open state. This allows the inside of the cap 20 to communicate with the atmosphere, and idle suction is performed to suck the liquid inside the cap 20 without sucking ink from the ejection head 14B. Fig. 10(C) shows this state. By taking in air into the cap 20, the outflow of ink from the ejection head 14B stops, and the ink inside the cap 20 is discharged.

[0066] In S4 of Fig. 9, ink is ejected from the ejection head 14B to the absorber 21 (idle suction and preliminary ejection). Fig. 10(D) shows this state. By sucking inside the cap 20 while performing preliminary ejection, the ink inside the cap 20 can be discharged and mixing of different types of ink on the ejection port surface 140 can be suppressed. Note that the process of S4 may be omitted, and the process may proceed to S5 after S3.

[0067] In S5 of Fig. 9, the pump P2 of the discharge unit 83 is stopped. In S6, the cap is opened for the discharge head 14B. Here, the lifting unit 84 is driven to move the cap unit 80B to the retracted position. The cap 20 of the cap unit 80B is separated from the discharge port surface 140 of the discharge head 14B. Fig. 11(A) shows the cap open state.

[0068] Next, the absorbent body 21 is washed. In S7 of Fig. 9, the atmosphere communication valve V2 is switched to a closed state, and in S8, the supply valve V1 is switched to an open state. In S9, the pump P1 of the supply unit 81 is driven for a predetermined time and then stopped. The driving of the pump P1 supplies the cleaning liquid CL to the absorbent body 21. Fig. 11(B) shows this state. The inside of the cap 20 and the absorbent body 21 are filled with the cleaning liquid CL. At this time, the cleaning liquid CL permeates the absorbent body 21 in a short time, as described in Figs. 5 to 7(B).

[0069] In S10 of Fig. 9, the supply valve V1 is switched to a closed state, and in S11, the pump P2 of the discharge unit 83 is driven. Fig. 11(C) shows this state. The cleaning liquid CL absorbed in the absorber 21 and the cleaning liquid in the cap 20 are discharged by the pump P2 through the discharge port EP. The cleaning of the cleaning liquid CL and the cap 20 is completed.

[0070] It should be noted that the processes of S8 to S11 can be repeated to further improve the cleaning effect of the absorbent body 21. The cleaning operation may be performed with the cap closed. In this case, the atmosphere communication valve V2 may be opened while the cleaning liquid is being discharged (empty suction + cleaning liquid discharge).

[0071] 9, it is determined whether or not there is a recording job to be executed. If there is a recording job, the control process for the maintenance unit 8 is ended and the process proceeds to execute the recording job. If there is no recording job, the process proceeds to S13. A storage operation is performed in S13 to S16.

[0072] In S13, the supply valve V1 is switched to an open state. In S14, the pump P1 of the supply unit 81 is driven for a predetermined time and then stopped. Figure 11(D) shows this state. The inside of the cap 20 and the absorbent body 21 are filled with cleaning liquid CL as a moisturizing liquid. The amount of cleaning liquid CL supplied may be less than that during cleaning.

[0073] In S15 of Fig. 9, the supply valve V1 is switched to a closed state, and in S16, the cap is closed for the discharge head 14B. Here, the lifting unit 84 is driven to move the cap unit 80B to the capping position. Fig. 12(A) shows this state. The discharge port surface 140 of the discharge head 14B is capped by the cap 20 of the cap unit 80B. The lip portion 201 of the cap 20 abuts against the discharge port surface 140, and the discharge port 140a is airtightly covered by the cap 20. Since the cap 20 is filled with the cleaning liquid CL as a moisturizing liquid, the discharge head 14B can be stored while preventing the discharge port surface 140 from drying out. It is to be noted that only the cap may be closed without filling the cleaning liquid CL as a moisturizing liquid (dry storage).

[0074] Second Embodiment When the ejection port surface 140 of the ejection head 14 is not horizontal but inclined, the cap units 80A to 80C can also be inclined accordingly. Figure 12(B) is a schematic diagram of a cap unit 80B showing one example.

[0075] The absorbent body 21 and the cap 20 are provided at an incline such that the thickness direction DT of the absorbent body 21 has an angle with respect to the Z direction. The supply port SP is provided on the upper end side of the absorbent body 21, and the discharge port EP is provided on the lower end side of the absorbent body 21. When the cleaning liquid CL flows out from the supply port SP, the flowability in the DL direction in the absorbent body 21 increases due to the action of weight, and the cleaning liquid CL can penetrate the absorbent body 21 more quickly.

[0076] <Third embodiment> The above-mentioned cap unit configuration can also be applied to a full-line type discharge head. Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus configuration using a full-line type discharge head 14F. The discharge port surface 140 of the discharge head 14F faces the recording medium M. Discharge ports are arranged on the discharge port surface 140 over a range covering the width (length in the X direction) of the maximum size of the recording medium M that can be used.

[0077] Figures 14(A) to 14(C) are schematic diagrams of a cap unit 80F corresponding to the ejection head 14. Figure 14(A) shows a cross-sectional view of the cap unit 80F, and Figure 14(B) shows a plan view. Figure 14(C) is a plan view of the cap unit 80F with the absorber 21 removed.

[0078] The cap 20 has a size sufficient to cover the entire area of ​​the ejection port surface 140 of the ejection head 14F, and an absorbent 21 is disposed inside the cap 20. In the illustrated example, a plurality of absorbents 21 are arranged in the X direction, so that the absorbents 21 cover the entire area of ​​the ejection port surface 140. However, a single absorbent 21 that is long in the X direction may also be used.

[0079] A plurality of supply ports SP are provided. In the present embodiment, two supply ports SP are provided spaced apart in the DL direction. One supply port SP is disposed on one end side in the DL direction of the plurality of absorbents 21, and the other supply port SP is disposed on the other end side. A plurality of discharge ports EP are also provided. In the present embodiment, each discharge port EP is disposed between the two supply ports SP in the DL direction.

[0080] With this configuration, even if the absorbent body 21 is disposed over a wide range in the DL direction, the cleaning liquid CL can be quickly supplied and quickly discharged when cleaning the absorbent body 21. In either case where the cap unit 80F is in an inclined position or is installed in an inclined position, the supply ports SP are provided at two locations spaced apart in the DL direction, so that the cleaning liquid CL can be smoothly supplied to the absorbent body 21.

[0081] <Fourth embodiment> The location of the supply port SP is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Figures 15(A) and 15(B) show another example of the supply port SP in the cap unit 80B. Of course, this is also applicable to the cap units 80A and 80C.

[0082] 15(A), a supply port SP is provided at the tip of the supply pipe 243A, and the supply port SP is located inside the absorbent body 21 and at a position lower than the surface 21a. In a plan view, the supply port SP is covered by the absorbent body 21. However, the height Hs of the supply port SP is higher than the height He of the discharge port EP. Since the supply port SP is located close to the surface 21a, the cleaning liquid flowing out from the supply port SP tends to diffuse downward in the absorbent body 21 due to the action of gravity, but also tends to well up above the surface 21a, quickly flowing over the surface 21a and permeating a wide area.

[0083] The example in Fig. 15(B) is an example in which the supply port SP opens into the peripheral wall portion of the cap 20. The supply pipe 243B is arranged so as to penetrate the peripheral wall portion of the cap 20, and the supply port SP is located at a position higher than the front surface 21a of the absorbent body 21. Also, in the example in Fig. 15(B), the discharge port EP is spaced apart from the back surface 21b of the absorbent body 21. Such a configuration can also be adopted.

[0084] <Other embodiments> The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for realizing one or more functions of the above-mentioned 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. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) for realizing one or more functions.

[0085] <Disclosure of the embodiment> The above embodiment discloses the following inventions.

[0086] Item 1. a cap for capping an ejection port surface of an ejection head that ejects liquid; an absorber provided in the cap so as to face the discharge port surface; A supply means for supplying liquid to the absorbent body through a supply port provided in the cap; and a discharge means for discharging the liquid absorbed in the absorbent body through a discharge port provided in the cap, The supply port is formed at a higher position than the discharge port. A liquid ejection device comprising:

[0087] Item 2. The liquid ejection device according to item 1, The supply port is formed at a position where at least a portion of the liquid from the supply port flows onto the surface of the absorbent body. A liquid ejection device comprising:

[0088] Item 3. The liquid ejection device according to item 1 or 2, The supply port is provided at a position equal to or higher than the surface of the absorbent body in the thickness direction of the absorbent body. A liquid ejection device comprising:

[0089] Item 4. A liquid ejection device according to any one of items 1 to 3, The outlet is provided at a position covered by the absorbent body, The supply port is provided at a position not covered by the absorbent body. A liquid ejection device comprising:

[0090] Item 5. A liquid ejection device according to any one of items 1 to 4, When the cap is viewed from above in the thickness direction of the absorbent body, a surface of the absorbent body and the supply port are exposed. A liquid ejection device comprising:

[0091] Item 6. Item 2. The liquid ejection device according to item 2, A speed at which the liquid from the supply port flows along the surface of the absorbent body is defined as a first speed; The speed at which the liquid from the supply port flows through the absorbent body in its thickness direction is defined as a second speed, If the speed at which the liquid from the supply port flows through the absorbent body in a direction intersecting the thickness direction is defined as a third speed, The relationship is first speed > second speed > third speed. A liquid ejection device comprising:

[0092] Item 7. A liquid ejection device according to any one of items 1 to 6, The absorbent body is Long in a first direction intersecting the thickness direction of the absorbent body, Short in a second direction intersecting the thickness direction and the first direction, The supply port is provided on the outer side of the absorbent body in the first direction. A liquid ejection device comprising:

[0093] Item 8. Item 7. The liquid ejection device according to item 7, The supply port extends in the second direction. A liquid ejection device comprising:

[0094] Item 9. The liquid ejection device according to item 7 or 8, a first wall portion on the absorbent body side that defines the supply opening; a second wall opposed to the first wall defining the supply port; The first wall portion is lower than the second wall portion in a thickness direction of the absorbent body. A liquid ejection device comprising:

[0095] Item 10. A liquid ejection device according to any one of items 1 to 9, The supply port and the discharge port are spaced apart from each other in a direction intersecting the thickness direction of the absorbent body. A liquid ejection device comprising:

[0096] Item 11. A liquid ejection device according to any one of items 1 to 10, The absorbent body is Long in a first direction intersecting the thickness direction of the absorbent body, a length that is short in a direction intersecting the thickness direction and the first direction; The supply port and the discharge port are spaced apart in the first direction. A liquid ejection device comprising:

[0097] Item 12. Item 12. The liquid ejection device according to item 11, The absorbent body has a first end and a second end opposite the first end in the first direction, The supply port is provided on the side of the first end, The outlet is provided on the second end side. A liquid ejection device comprising:

[0098] Item 13. A liquid ejection device according to any one of items 1 to 12, The peripheral edge of the discharge port is in contact with the absorbent body. A liquid ejection device comprising:

[0099] Item 14. A liquid ejection device according to any one of items 1 to 13, the cap has a lip portion that is formed to surround the absorbent body and abuts against the discharge port surface, the lip portion protrudes toward the discharge port surface from the surface of the absorbent body in the thickness direction of the absorbent body; A liquid ejection device comprising:

[0100] Item 15. The liquid ejection device according to item 1, A first supply port and a second supply port are provided as the supply port, The absorbent body is Long in a first direction intersecting the thickness direction of the absorbent body, a length that is short in a direction intersecting the thickness direction and the first direction; The absorbent body has a first end and a second end opposite the first end in the first direction, The first supply port is provided on the side of the first end portion, The second supply port is provided on the side of the second end portion. A liquid ejection device comprising:

[0101] Item 16. Item 16. The liquid ejection device according to item 15, A plurality of exhaust ports are provided as the exhaust port, The plurality of exhaust ports are provided between the first supply port and the second supply port in the first direction. A liquid ejection device comprising:

[0102] Item 17. A liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, The absorbent body and the cap are provided at an angle such that a thickness direction of the absorbent body has an angle with respect to a vertical direction, The supply port is provided on the side of the upper end of the absorbent body. A liquid ejection device comprising:

[0103] Item 18. A liquid ejection device according to any one of items 1 to 17, a storage operation in which the supply means supplies liquid to the absorbent body and the discharge port surface is capped with the cap; A cleaning operation of cleaning the absorbent body with the liquid from the supply port as a cleaning liquid; and a discharge operation in which the discharge means discharges the liquid in the discharge head from the discharge port surface via the absorber; A control means for controlling A liquid ejection device comprising:

[0104] Item 19. Item 18. A liquid ejection device according to item 18, The control means further controlling a preliminary ejection operation of ejecting liquid from the ejection head onto the absorbent body; A liquid ejection device comprising:

[0105] Item 20. A liquid ejection device according to any one of items 1 to 19, A switching means is provided for switching the communication destination of the supply port between a pipe communicating with the atmosphere and a pipe communicating with the supply means. A liquid ejection device comprising:

[0106] Item 21. A liquid ejection device according to any one of items 1 to 20, the ejection head is a recording head that ejects ink onto a recording medium, The liquid ejection apparatus is a recording apparatus that records an image on a recording medium. A liquid ejection device comprising:

[0107] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 2 liquid discharge device, 14 discharge head, 20 cap, SP supply port, EP discharge port

Claims

1. a cap for capping an ejection port surface of an ejection head that ejects liquid; an absorber provided in the cap so as to face the discharge port surface; a supply means for supplying liquid to the absorbent body through a supply port provided in the cap; and a discharge means for discharging the liquid absorbed in the absorbent body through a discharge port provided in the cap, The supply port is formed at a higher position than the discharge port. A liquid ejection device comprising:

2. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , The supply port is formed at a position where at least a portion of the liquid from the supply port flows onto the surface of the absorbent body. A liquid ejection device comprising:

3. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , The supply port is provided at a position equal to or higher than the surface of the absorbent body in the thickness direction of the absorbent body. A liquid ejection device comprising:

4. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , The outlet is provided at a position covered by the absorbent body, The supply port is provided at a position not covered by the absorbent body. A liquid ejection device comprising:

5. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , When the cap is viewed from above in the thickness direction of the absorbent body, a surface of the absorbent body and the supply port are exposed. A liquid ejection device comprising:

6. The liquid ejection device according to claim 2, A speed at which the liquid from the supply port flows along the surface of the absorbent body is defined as a first speed; The speed at which the liquid from the supply port flows through the absorbent body in its thickness direction is defined as a second speed, If the speed at which the liquid from the supply port flows through the absorbent body in a direction intersecting the thickness direction is defined as a third speed, The relationship is first speed > second speed > third speed. A liquid ejection device comprising:

7. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , The absorbent body is Long in a first direction intersecting the thickness direction of the absorbent body, short in a second direction intersecting the thickness direction and the first direction, The supply port is provided on the outer side of the absorbent body in the first direction. A liquid ejection device comprising:

8. The liquid ejection device according to claim 7, The supply port extends in the second direction. A liquid ejection device comprising:

9. The liquid ejection device according to claim 7, a first wall portion on the absorbent body side that defines the supply opening; a second wall opposed to the first wall defining the supply port; The first wall portion is lower than the second wall portion in a thickness direction of the absorbent body. A liquid ejection device comprising:

10. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , The supply port and the discharge port are spaced apart from each other in a direction intersecting the thickness direction of the absorbent body. A liquid ejection device comprising:

11. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , The absorbent body is Long in a first direction intersecting the thickness direction of the absorbent body, a length that is short in a direction intersecting the thickness direction and the first direction; The supply port and the discharge port are spaced apart in the first direction. A liquid ejection device comprising:

12. The liquid ejection device according to claim 11, The absorbent body has a first end and a second end opposite the first end in the first direction, The supply port is provided on the side of the first end, The outlet is provided on the second end side. A liquid ejection device comprising:

13. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , The peripheral edge of the discharge port is in contact with the absorbent body. A liquid ejection device comprising:

14. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , the cap has a lip portion that is formed to surround the absorbent body and abuts against the discharge port surface, the lip portion protrudes toward the discharge port surface from the surface of the absorbent body in the thickness direction of the absorbent body; A liquid ejection device comprising:

15. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , A first supply port and a second supply port are provided as the supply port, The absorbent body is Long in a first direction intersecting the thickness direction of the absorbent body, a length that is short in a direction intersecting the thickness direction and the first direction; The absorbent body has a first end and a second end opposite the first end in the first direction, The first supply port is provided on the side of the first end portion, The second supply port is provided on the side of the second end portion. A liquid ejection device comprising:

16. The liquid ejection device according to claim 15, A plurality of exhaust ports are provided as the exhaust port, The plurality of exhaust ports are provided between the first supply port and the second supply port in the first direction. A liquid ejection device comprising:

17. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , The absorbent body and the cap are provided at an angle such that a thickness direction of the absorbent body has an angle with respect to a vertical direction, The supply port is provided on the side of the upper end of the absorbent body. A liquid ejection device comprising:

18. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , a storage operation in which the supply means supplies liquid to the absorbent body and the discharge port surface is capped with the cap; A cleaning operation of cleaning the absorbent body with the liquid from the supply port as a cleaning liquid; and a discharge operation in which the discharge means discharges the liquid in the discharge head from the discharge port surface via the absorber; A control means for controlling A liquid ejection device comprising:

19. 20. The liquid ejection device according to claim 18, The control means further comprises: controlling a preliminary ejection operation of ejecting liquid from the ejection head onto the absorbent body; A liquid ejection device comprising:

20. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , A switching means is provided for switching the communication destination of the supply port between a pipe communicating with the atmosphere and a pipe communicating with the supply means. A liquid ejection device comprising:

21. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , the ejection head is a recording head that ejects ink onto a recording medium, The liquid ejection apparatus is a recording apparatus that records an image on a recording medium. A liquid ejection device comprising:

Images