Recording device

Abstract

To provide a recording device capable of effectively suppressing a decline in recording quality.SOLUTION: A recording device includes: a recording head which has nozzles that discharge ink toward a recording medium, and a nozzle forming surface where the nozzles open; a flow path forming part which forms a flow path including an opening facing the nozzle forming surface during a cleaning operation of the recording head; a liquid supply part which has a cleaning liquid storage chamber for storing cleaning liquid and liquid supply means for supplying the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid storage chamber to the nozzle forming surface via the flow path; a liquid removal part which slides against the nozzle forming surface to remove liquid droplets adhering to the nozzle forming surface; a suction part which has a waste liquid storage chamber and negative pressure generating means that generates negative pressure in the flow path and suctions ink remaining in the nozzles through the flow path into the waste liquid storage chamber; and a switching part which can switch between a first state in which the flow path communicates with the cleaning liquid storage chamber and a second state in which the flow path communicates with the waste liquid storage chamber.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] As a recording apparatus that discharges ink onto a continuous sheet-like recording medium wound around a roll to record characters, images, etc., an inkjet recording apparatus is known. As an inkjet recording apparatus, for example, there is a line head type recording apparatus that executes a recording operation by discharging droplets from a recording head in conjunction with the conveyance of a recording medium while the recording head does not move relative to the main body.

[0003] As a recording apparatus, in order to suppress a decrease in recording quality, a configuration for cleaning a recording head is known. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which, in a line head type recording apparatus, the inside of the nozzles of the recording head is sucked to clean the inside of the nozzles. Cleaning the inside of the nozzles contributes to suppressing nozzle clogging and the like. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which a cleaning liquid is supplied to a nozzle forming surface and the nozzle forming surface is wiped with a wiping blade to clean the nozzle forming surface. Cleaning the nozzle forming surface contributes to suppressing ink droplet spreading and the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In order to effectively suppress the deterioration of recording quality, it is preferable that the recording apparatus be configured to be capable of performing two types of cleaning operations: cleaning inside the nozzles and cleaning the nozzle forming surface. However, providing more cleaning mechanisms leads to an increase in the size and cost of the apparatus.

[0006] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus capable of effectively suppressing a decrease in recording quality.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To achieve the above object, a recording apparatus according to the present invention includes: a recording head having nozzles for ejecting ink toward a recording medium and a nozzle forming surface in which the nozzles are open; a flow path forming portion that forms a flow path including an opening facing the nozzle forming surface during a cleaning operation of the recording head; a liquid supply unit including a cleaning liquid storage chamber that stores a cleaning liquid therein and liquid supply means for supplying the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid storage chamber toward the nozzle forming surface through the flow path; a liquid removing portion that slides with respect to the nozzle forming surface to remove droplets adhering to the nozzle forming surface; and a suction unit including a waste liquid storage chamber and negative pressure generating means for generating a negative pressure in the flow path and sucking the ink remaining in the nozzles toward the waste liquid storage chamber through the flow path; The recording apparatus further includes a switching portion capable of switching between a first state in which the flow path communicates with the cleaning liquid storage chamber and a second state in which the flow path communicates with the waste liquid storage chamber.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus capable of effectively suppressing a decrease in recording quality.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, modes for carrying out the present invention will be exemplarily and specifically described based on examples. Note that the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described in this embodiment should be appropriately changed according to the configuration of the apparatus to which the invention is applied and various conditions. That is, the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited to the following embodiments.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. First, the direction from the bottom to the top of FIG. 1 is defined as the z direction, the direction from right to left is defined as the x direction, and the direction from the front to the back of the paper surface is defined as the y direction. Also, the reverse directions of each direction are -z direction, -x direction, and -y direction, respectively. The recording apparatus 1 in the following embodiments is a high-speed line printer that uses a continuous sheet wound in a roll shape, and the direction from the bottom to the top of the recording apparatus 1 is the z direction. The recording apparatus 1 conveys the sheet in a direction orthogonal to the y direction. That is, the y direction is parallel to the width direction of the sheet conveyed by the recording apparatus 1.

[0012] <First Embodiment> (Recording apparatus 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of a recording apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. The recording apparatus Inside 1, units such as an unwinding roll unit 2, a first dancer unit 3, a first main conveyance unit 4, a meandering correction unit 5, a conveyance detection unit 6, a mark sensor unit 7, a recording unit 8, and a first scanner unit 9 are provided. Inside the recording apparatus 1, further units such as a first drying unit 10, a second drying unit 11, a cooling unit 12, a second scanner unit 13, a second main conveyance unit 14, a second dancer unit 15, a winding roll unit 16, and a maintenance tray 17 are provided. The sheet S, which is a recording medium, is conveyed along the sheet conveyance path indicated by the solid line in FIG. 1 and is processed by each unit.

[0013] The unwinding roll unit 2 is a unit for holding and supplying a continuous sheet wound in a roll shape. The unwinding roll unit 2 is configured to store an unwinding roll and draw out and supply the sheet S from the unwinding roll. Note that the number of rolls that can be stored is not limited to one, and the unwinding roll unit 2 may be configured to store two or three or more rolls and selectively draw out and supply the sheet S.

[0014] The first dancer unit 3 is a unit for applying a constant tension to the sheet S between the unwinding roll unit 2 and the first main conveyance unit 4. In the first dancer unit 3, a tension is applied to the sheet S by a tension applying means (not shown).

[0015] The first main conveyance unit 4 feeds the sheet S to the meandering correction unit 5, the conveyance detection unit 6, the mark sensor unit 7, the recording unit 8, the first scanner unit 9, the first drying unit 10, the second drying unit 11, the cooling unit 12, and the second scanner unit 13, which are arranged in the following order along the conveyance path of the sheet S. Also, the first main conveyance unit 4 is a unit for applying a tension to the sheet S between it and the second main conveyance unit 14. The first main conveyance unit 4 rotates by driving a motor (not shown) to perform tension conveyance of the sheet S.

[0016] The conveyance path of the sheet S is constituted by guide rollers or the like provided between each unit or between units, and the sheet S is conveyed along the conveyance path while being guided by a plurality of guide rollers. Further, the conveyance path is a path formed by connecting the circumferential surfaces of a plurality of rollers and the tangents of adjacent rollers, and is approximately the path through which the sheet S passes inside the recording apparatus 1.

[0017] The skew correction unit 5 is a unit for correcting the skew in the y direction of the sheet S during the tension conveyance of the sheet S. The skew correction unit 5 includes a skew correction roller 5a and a skew detection sensor (not shown) for detecting the skew of the sheet S. The skew correction roller 5a can change its inclination with respect to the sheet S by a motor (not shown), and corrects the skew of the sheet S based on the measurement result of the skew detection sensor. At this time, the function of skew correction can be enhanced by winding the sheet S around the skew correction roller 5a.

[0018] The conveyance detection unit 6 is a unit for detecting the tension when performing tension conveyance between the first main conveyance unit 4 and the second main conveyance unit 14. Further, the conveyance detection unit 6 is a unit for detecting the speed of the sheet S in order to control the image formation timing of the recording unit 8.

[0019] The mark sensor unit 7 is a unit for detecting a mark printed on the sheet S in advance in order to control the image formation timing of the recording unit 8.

[0020] The recording unit 8 is a sheet processing unit that performs a recording process on the conveyed sheet S with a recording head 22 to form an image on the sheet S. The recording head 22 ejects ink approximately in the -z direction toward the sheet S. The conveyance path in the recording unit 8 is formed by a guide roller 23 arranged in an arc shape convex in the z direction, and a constant tension is applied to the sheet S to ensure a clearance with the recording head 22.

[0021] Inside the recording apparatus 1, a plurality of recording heads 22 are arranged along the conveyance direction of the sheet S In the first embodiment, the recording apparatus 1 has a total of eight line-type recording heads corresponding to the reaction liquid and three special features in addition to the four colors of Bk (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan). Note that the number of colors and the number of recording heads 22 are not limited to eight. The inkjet method can employ a method using a heating element, a method using a piezo element, a method using an electrostatic element, a method using a MEMS element, or the like. The ink of each color is supplied from an ink tank (not shown) to the recording head 22 via an ink tube respectively.

[0022] Further, the recording unit 8 has a transport unit housing 81 that includes a plurality of positioning members 811 for positioning the recording head 22. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing details of the transport unit housing 81 of the recording unit 8. The positioning members 811 are provided one on the front side (-y direction side) and two on the back side (y direction side) for each recording head 22 so as to sandwich the sheet S in the width direction of the sheet S. Further, the recording head 22 is provided with three positioned parts 221 corresponding to the positioning members 811. By engaging the positioned part 221 with the positioning member 811 as the positioning part, the recording head 22 is positioned with respect to the recording unit 8.

[0023] The recording head 22 is disposed to face the recording surface of the sheet S and is configured to be able to approach and separate from the sheet S. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the lifting mechanism of the recording head 22. The recording head 22 has a support shaft 27 that protrudes in the width direction of the sheet S. The recording head 22 is supported by the holding part 26 with the support shaft 27 being pivotally supported and moves up and down integrally with the holding part 26. The holding part 26 moves up and down along a lifting rail 29 provided in a recording head lifting frame 28 by a drive mechanism (not shown) provided inside.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the recording head 22 as viewed in the z direction. A plurality of nozzle plates 224 for discharging ink droplets onto the sheet S are provided on the nozzle forming surface 223 of the recording head 22 facing the sheet S. The recording head 22 has a plurality of nozzles arranged in an array direction parallel to the y direction, and a plurality of nozzles are arranged in the array direction on the nozzle plate 224. Further, the plurality of nozzle plates 224 are arranged in an array direction parallel to the y direction.

[0025] The first scanner unit 9 is a unit for reading an image formed on the sheet S by the recording unit 8 during printing, detecting image displacement and density, and correcting the printing.

[0026] The first drying unit 10 and the second drying unit 11 are units for reducing the liquid content contained in the ink applied onto the sheet S by the recording unit 8 and enhancing the fixing property between the sheet S and the ink. The second drying unit 11 is arranged on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction of the first drying unit 10. The first drying unit 10 and the second drying unit 11 heat the recorded sheet S to dry the applied ink. Inside the first drying unit 10 and the second drying unit 11, hot air is applied to the passing sheet S at least from the side of the ink application surface to dry the ink application surface of the sheet S. Note that, in addition to the method of applying hot air, the drying method may be configured by combining a method of irradiating the surface of the sheet S with electromagnetic waves (such as ultraviolet rays and infrared rays) or a method of conduction heat transfer by contact with a heating element.

[0027] Since the winding guide roller 31 needs to block the influence of the hot air of the first drying unit 10 on the recording unit 8, it is arranged on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording unit 8 and is a roller that winds the surface of the sheet S opposite to the ink application surface at a constant winding angle. In the first embodiment, two winding guide rollers 31 are arranged between the first scanner unit 9 and the first drying unit 10, and the sheet S is folded back substantially parallel above and below the apparatus. The first drying unit 10 is arranged below the apparatus of the recording unit 8, and the second drying unit 11 is arranged below the apparatus of the conveyance detection unit 6 and the mark sensor unit 7.

[0028] The cooling unit 12 cools the sheet S fixed in the first drying unit 10 and the second drying unit 11, solidifies the softened ink, and suppresses the temperature change amount of the sheet S in the downstream process of the recording apparatus 1. Inside the cooling unit 12, at least ink application is performed on the passing sheet S Air at a temperature lower than that of the sheet S is applied from the side of the ink application surface of the sheet S to cool the ink application surface of the sheet S. Note that the cooling method is not limited to the method of applying air, and a conduction heat transfer method by contact with a heat dissipation member or a combination thereof may be employed.

[0029] The second scanner unit 13 is a unit that reads a test image formed on the sheet S by the recording unit 8 before printing, detects image misalignment and density, and corrects the main printing.

[0030] The second main conveyance unit 14 is a unit that conveys the sheet S while applying tension to the first main conveyance unit 4 and the sheet S, and adjusts the tension of the sheet S. The second main conveyance unit 14 rotates by being driven by a motor (not shown), and the tension of the sheet S is adjusted by a clutch (not shown) that can control the driven connection torque according to the tension value detected by the conveyance detection unit 6 from a tension control unit (not shown). Note that, as an additional configuration for adjusting the tension of the sheet S, a configuration for controlling the speed of the second main conveyance unit 14 by the conveyance detection unit 6 may be added. In this case, the recording apparatus 1 has two methods of torque control for controlling the torque value transmitted from the clutch and speed control for controlling the roller speed of the second main conveyance unit 14 as tension control methods. These tension control methods can switch the tension control method according to the purpose or use both simultaneously.

[0031] The second dancer unit 15 is a unit for applying a constant sheet tension between the second main conveyance unit 14 and the take-up roll unit 16. The second dancer unit 15 has a sheet tension applied by a tension applying means (not shown).

[0032] The take-up roll unit 16 is a unit for taking up the recorded sheet S onto a core. The number of recoverable rolls is not limited to one, and the take-up roll unit 16 may have two or three or more cores and be configured to selectively switch and recover the sheet S. Depending on the post-recording processing content, instead of being configured to wind onto a core, it may be configured to cut the continuous sheet using a cutter and stack the cut sheet S.

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

[0034] The maintenance tray 17 is a unit equipped with a mechanism for recovering the ejection performance of the recording head 22. Examples of such a mechanism include a cap mechanism for protecting the ink ejection surface of the recording head 22 and a wiper mechanism for wiping the ink ejection surface.

[0035] (Maintenance tray 17) The configuration of the maintenance tray 17 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the maintenance tray 17. As shown in FIG. 5, maintenance units 40 corresponding to the respective recording heads 22 are provided on the maintenance tray 17. That is, the maintenance tray 17 functions as a support portion for supporting the maintenance units 40. The maintenance tray 17 includes a plurality of spherical positioning members 171 as positioning portions for positioning a plurality of recording heads 22. The recording head 22 is positioned with respect to the opposing maintenance unit 40 when the positioned portion 221 engages with the positioning member 171.

[0036] The positioning members 171 for the recording head 22 are respectively arranged at the front and rear ends in the y direction inside the maintenance tray 17 and are held by a beam portion 180 arranged across the x direction. The beam portion 180 is composed of a front beam 180a arranged at the end on the -y direction side of the maintenance tray 17 and a rear beam 180b arranged at the end on the y direction side. Three positioning members 171 are provided to position one recording head 22 with respect to the maintenance tray 17. In the first embodiment, one positioning member 171 is arranged on the front beam 180a in the maintenance tray 17 and two are arranged on the rear beam 180b. Note that the positioning configuration (the configuration of the positioning portion and the portion to be positioned) is not limited to the configuration using the spherical positioning member 171. For example, a configuration in which a part of the recording head 22 is abutted inside the maintenance tray 17 or a configuration in which holes and pins are provided in the maintenance tray 17 and the recording head 22 for positioning may also be used.

[0037] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the dashed-line portion in FIG. 5 as viewed from the arrow P and shows the configuration of the maintenance unit 40 arranged inside the maintenance tray 17. The maintenance unit 40 is a cleaning unit for performing nozzle formation surface cleaning for cleaning the nozzle formation surface 223 and nozzle internal cleaning for cleaning the inside of the nozzle as the cleaning operation of the recording head 22.

[0038] When the ink ejected from the nozzles of the recording head 22 lands on the sheet S without adhering and floats as mist and adheres to the nozzle forming surface 223, it may be caused by the ink droplets ejected. Also, when ink remains in the nozzles of the recording head 22 and the ink thickens and adheres due to drying, or when paper dust, dust, air bubbles, etc. are mixed into the ink in the nozzles, ink ejection failure may occur due to nozzle clogging. These problems may lead to a decrease in recording quality. Therefore, in the first embodiment, as a cleaning operation of the recording head 22, nozzle forming surface cleaning for suppressing ink droplet bleeding, etc. and nozzle internal cleaning for suppressing nozzle clogging, etc. are configured to be executable by the maintenance unit 40. In the first embodiment, the cleaning operation of the recording apparatus 1 is controlled by the control unit 21.

[0039] The maintenance unit 40 includes a liquid application unit 50 that applies a cleaning liquid to the nozzle plate 224 of the recording head 22, and a liquid removal unit 60 that removes the ink, paper dust, and cleaning liquid adhering to the recording head 22. Here, the liquid application unit 50 corresponds to the flow path forming unit of the present invention, and the liquid removal unit 60 corresponds to the liquid removal unit of the present invention.

[0040] The liquid application unit 50 is mounted on the first stage 45. The first stage 45 is arranged on the maintenance tray 17 via an air cylinder 47 that can expand and contract in the z direction and -z direction and a drive mechanism (not shown). The liquid removal unit 60 is mounted on the second stage 46. The second stage 46 is arranged on the maintenance tray 17 via a drive mechanism (not shown). The first stage 45 can change its position in two steps in the z direction by the air cylinder 47, and the control thereof is executed by the control unit 21. Also, the drive mechanism (not shown) can independently move the first stage 45 and the second stage 46 in the y direction and -y direction respectively, and the control thereof is also executed by the control unit 21. Thus, in the first embodiment, the liquid application unit 50 and the liquid removal unit 60 are configured to be movable independently of each other in the arrangement direction of the nozzles of the recording head 22. Note that the z-direction drive of the first stage 45 is not limited to a linear motion mechanism constituted by an air cylinder, and may be, for example, a linear motion mechanism in which the expansion and contraction amount of a biasing member such as a spring can be adjusted by a motor or the like.

[0041] In the maintenance unit 40, the liquid application unit 50 and the first stage 45 are configured to be movable between an initial position (first position) and a second position located above (on the z-direction side) the initial position. The initial position is the position where the air cylinder 47 is at the lower end in the z direction, that is, the position where the liquid application unit 50 descends in the -z direction within the maintenance unit 40. The second position is the position where the air cylinder 47 protrudes in the z direction, that is, the position where the liquid application unit 50 ascends in the z direction within the maintenance unit 40.

[0042] (Liquid application unit 50) Next, the configuration of the liquid application unit 50 will be described. FIGS. 7(a) and (b) are schematic views showing the configuration of the liquid application unit 50. FIG. 8 is a piping system diagram related to the cleaning operation of the liquid application unit 50. FIG. 7(a) is a perspective view of the liquid application unit 50. FIG. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 7(a) and is a view of the liquid application unit 50 seen in the -x direction.

[0043] The liquid application unit 50 includes a flexible cleaning liquid application member 51, a cleaning liquid application member holder 52 for holding the cleaning liquid application member 51, a cleaning liquid application member cover 53, a biasing member 55, and a holder guide 56. The cleaning liquid application member 51 is positioned and held such that a part thereof is sandwiched between the cleaning liquid application member holder 52 and the cleaning liquid application member cover 53. Further, the cleaning liquid application member holder 52 is held by the holder guide 56 so as to be movable in the z direction and the -z direction.

[0044] Here, for the end face 51a (upper face) of the cleaning liquid application member 51 in the z direction, a face 51b on the upstream side in the moving direction during liquid application, a face 51d on the downstream side in the moving direction, and a face 51c extending in the moving direction between the face 51b and the face 51d are respectively defined. The face 51b, the face 51c, and the face 51d may be integrally formed or may be formed independently of each other. Note that the moving direction during liquid application is the direction in which the liquid application unit 50 moves when supplying the cleaning liquid to the recording head 22, and can also be referred to as the cleaning direction. In the first embodiment, the moving direction during liquid application is the y direction, and details of the cleaning operation by the liquid application unit 50 will be described later.

[0045] The cleaning liquid application member 51 has an opening facing the nozzle formation face 223 when facing the recording head 22. The faces 51b, 51c, and 51d, which are the upper faces of the cleaning liquid application member 51, are opening formation faces constituting the peripheral edge of the opening. The opening of the cleaning liquid application member 51 is one end of a flow path formed inside the liquid application unit 50, and the cleaning liquid is supplied toward the nozzle formation face 223 through the opening.

[0046] Inside the cleaning liquid application member holder 52, a flow path connected to the cleaning liquid application member 51 is formed, and a tube 54 is connected. Thus, the flow path of the liquid application unit 50 is constituted by the flow paths formed inside the cleaning liquid application member 51 and the cleaning liquid application member holder 52. Further, a flow path switching valve 70 such as a three-way solenoid valve is connected to the tube 54.

[0047] The flow path switching valve 70 is a switching unit for switching the state of the recording apparatus 1 by switching the flow path connected to the liquid application unit 50. The flow path switching valve 70 is composed of a normally open (NO) contact that is normally in an open state, a normally closed (NC) contact that is normally in a closed state, and a common (COM) contact that is a combination of NO and NC. The cleaning liquid supply flow path of the liquid supply unit 73 is connected to the flow path switching valve 70 via NO, and the suction flow path of the suction unit 76 is connected via NC.

[0048] The liquid supply unit 73 has a cleaning liquid supply pump 71 and a cleaning liquid tank 72, and supplies the cleaning liquid to the liquid application unit 50. The cleaning liquid tank 72 constitutes a cleaning liquid storage chamber for storing the cleaning liquid therein. The cleaning liquid supply pump 71 is a liquid supply means for supplying the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid tank 72 to the nozzle forming surface 223 via the liquid application unit 50. The supply flow path of the liquid supply unit 73 is composed of the cleaning liquid supply pump 71 and the cleaning liquid tank 72. And the flow path switching valve 70 and the cleaning liquid tank 72 are connected via the cleaning liquid supply pump 71.

[0049] The suction unit 76 has a suction pump 74 and a waste liquid tank 75, and sucks waste liquid from the liquid application unit 50 The waste liquid tank 75 constitutes a waste liquid storage chamber for storing the sucked waste liquid such as ink and dust therein. The suction pump 74 is a negative pressure generating means for generating a negative pressure in the flow path of the liquid application unit 50 and sucking the waste liquid such as ink and dust remaining in the nozzles of the recording head 22 toward the waste liquid tank 75 via the liquid application unit 50. The suction flow path of the suction unit 76 is composed of the suction pump 74 and the waste liquid tank 75. And the flow path switching valve 70 and the waste liquid tank 75 are connected via the suction pump 74.

[0050] The recording apparatus 1 can switch between a first state in which the liquid application unit 50 communicates with the cleaning liquid tank 72 and a second state in which the liquid application unit 50 communicates with the waste liquid tank 75 by switching the flow path switching valve 70. Thus, the flow path switching valve 70 is a switching unit for switching the flow path connected to the tube 54 between the supply flow path of the liquid supply unit 73 and the suction flow path of the suction unit 76 in the recording apparatus 1.

[0051] The switching of the flow path switching valve 70 is controlled by the control unit 21. Normally, it is in a first state where the liquid supply unit 73 is open, the supply flow path communicates with the tube 54, and the suction unit 76 is closed and the suction flow path does not communicate with the tube 54. On the other hand, when the suction pump 74 operates, the liquid supply unit 73 is closed, the supply flow path does not communicate with the tube 54, and the suction unit 76 is opened to enter a second state where the suction flow path communicates with the tube 54. Here, the flow path switching valve 70 corresponds to the flow path switching unit of the present invention, the cleaning liquid supply pump 71 corresponds to the liquid supply means of the present invention, and the suction pump 74 corresponds to the suction means of the present invention. Note that the switching of the flow path is not limited to control by an electromagnetic valve, and it may be configured to be executable by a manual method using a ball valve.

[0052] In the first state where the liquid supply unit 73 is opened by the flow path switching valve 70, the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid tank 72 passes through the cleaning liquid applying member holder 52 and is applied to the nozzle forming surface 223 by the cleaning liquid applying member 51. Nozzle forming surface cleaning for supplying the cleaning liquid to the nozzle forming surface 223 is executed when the recording apparatus 1 is in the first state.

[0053] Also, in the second state where the suction unit 76 is opened by the flow path switching valve 70, a negative pressure is applied to the inside of the cleaning liquid applying member 51 from the tube 54 by the suction pump 74. Then, the ink and dust sucked from the nozzle forming surface 223 are sent to the waste liquid tank 75 through the cleaning liquid applying member 51 and the cleaning liquid applying member holder 52. Further, the liquid applying unit 50 has a biasing member 55, and while the negative pressure is applied, the cleaning liquid applying member 51 is pressed against the nozzle forming surface 223 by the biasing member 55. Nozzle internal cleaning for sucking ink or the like from the nozzles of the recording head 22 is executed when the recording apparatus 1 is in the second state.

[0054] Figs. 9(a) to 9(c) are explanatory views of the positional relationship between the recording head 22 and the liquid application unit 50, and are diagrams showing the arrangement positions of the nozzle forming surface 223 and the liquid application unit 50 in the z direction. Here, Fig. 9(a) shows a state where the positioning member 171 of the maintenance tray 17 and the positioned portion 221 of the recording head 22 are separated. Figs. 9(b) and 9(c) show a state where the positioned portion 221 lands on the positioning member 171 and the recording head 22 is positioned with respect to the maintenance tray 17. Further, Figs. 9(a) and 9(b) show a state where the air cylinder 47 is controlled to the initial position (first position) in the z direction. Fig. 9(c) shows a state where the air cylinder 47 is controlled to the second position where it has risen in the z direction with respect to the initial position.

[0055] When performing nozzle forming surface cleaning, the recording head 22 descends in the z direction from the state of Fig. 9(a) by an elevating mechanism provided inside the recording head holding portion 26. Then, the recording head 22 moves to a position where the positioned portion 221 abuts against the positioning member 171 of the maintenance tray 17 shown in Fig. 9(b) and stops. At that time, the air cylinder 47 is maintained at the initial position, and the first stage 45 is in a state of having moved in the -z direction within the maintenance tray 17. For this reason, there is a gap 5 7 only between the nozzle forming surface 223 of the recording head 22 and the cleaning liquid application member 51.

[0056] When performing in-nozzle cleaning, the air cylinder 47 is controlled by the control unit 21, and the first stage 45 is in a state of having risen in the z direction with respect to the initial position within the maintenance tray 17. Therefore, while the recording head 22 descends to a position where the positioned portion 221 of the recording head 22 abuts against the positioning member 171 of the maintenance tray 17, the cleaning liquid application member 51 and the nozzle forming surface 223 come into contact. After that, when the positioned portion 221 lands on the positioning member 171, as shown in Fig. 9(c), the cleaning liquid application member 51 supported by the holder guide 56 is pushed in the z direction toward the nozzle forming surface 223 by the biasing member 55. Therefore, during in-nozzle cleaning, the state where the cleaning liquid application member 51 and the nozzle forming surface 223 are in pressure contact is maintained.

[0057] In this way, when the liquid applying unit 50 is in the initial position (the first position) with the positioned part 221 and the positioning member 171 engaged, the end face 51a of the cleaning liquid applying member 51 is separated from the nozzle forming surface 223. On the other hand, when the liquid applying unit 50 is in the second position, the end face 51a of the cleaning liquid applying member 51 abuts on the nozzle forming surface 223. That is, in the first embodiment, the air cylinder 47 constitutes a moving mechanism that moves the liquid applying unit 50 between the first position and the second position.

[0058] (Liquid removing unit 60) Next, the configuration of the liquid removing unit 60 will be described. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the liquid removing unit 60. The liquid removing unit 60 is configured to be slidable with respect to the nozzle forming surface 223 of the recording head 22, and is a liquid removing unit that removes liquid droplets adhering to the nozzle forming surface 223. The liquid removing unit 60 is provided with a blade part 61 constituted by a plurality of flexible blades 61a. When the nozzle forming surface 223 has irregularities, it is possible to suppress the amount of remaining liquid on the nozzle forming surface by optimizing the width and number of the blades 61a according to the shape of the irregularities. In the first embodiment, three blades 61a are provided, but the number of the blades 61a is not limited to this, and for example, one blade or four or more blades may be used. Further, the liquid removing means is not limited to the blades 61a, and a configuration may be adopted in which a web or a porous roller is pressed against the nozzle forming surface 223 for removal.

[0059] FIG. 11 is a view of the nozzle forming surface 223 of the recording head 22 in the z direction, that is, viewed from below. Above FIG. 11, the x-direction positions of the cleaning liquid applying member 51 and the blade part 61 with respect to the nozzle forming surface 223 are shown. The x-direction width length of the cleaning liquid applying member 51 is configured to be shorter than the x-direction width length of the nozzle forming surface 223. With such a configuration, the cleaning liquid applying range with respect to the nozzle forming surface 223 is limited to the nozzle forming surface 223, and liquid does not adhere to the side surface of the recording head 22.

[0060] The x-direction width length of the blade portion 61 of the liquid removal portion 60 is formed to be wider than the x-direction width lengths of the cleaning liquid application member 51 and the nozzle forming surface 223. Note that the x-direction width length of the blade portion 61 is the distance from the x-direction end of the blade 61a located in the x direction to the -x-direction end of the blade 61a located in the -x direction. In other words, the x-direction width length of the blade portion 61 is the x-direction width length of the contact portion between the blade portion 61 and the nozzle forming surface 223. With such a configuration, the cleaning liquid applied to the nozzle forming surface 223 can be removed by the blade 61a over the entire x-direction width of the nozzle forming surface 223, so that it is possible to prevent the product from being soiled due to the remaining liquid on the nozzle forming surface 223 adhering to the product.

[0061] (Positioning of the Maintenance Tray and the Recording Head) FIGS. 12(a) to (c) are schematic views showing the positioning operation of the recording head 22 with respect to the maintenance tray 17. During the recording operation, the maintenance tray 17 is retracted in the -x direction with respect to the recording unit 8 When performing the maintenance operation of the recording head 22, the recording head 22 is moved upward with respect to the transport unit housing 81 to the retracted position shown in FIG. 12(a) by the lifting mechanism of the recording head 22 described above. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12(b), the maintenance tray 17 is moved from the retracted position to the cleaning position under the recording head 22 by a drive mechanism (not shown) and rails. Thereafter, the recording head 22 descends, and the positioning member 171 of the maintenance tray 17 and the positioned portion 221 of the recording head 22 engage with each other, so that the recording head 22 is positioned with respect to the maintenance tray 17 as shown in FIG. 12(c).

[0062] Figs. 13(a) to (d) are schematic views showing the method of positioning the recording head 22. Fig. 13(a) is a view of the state where the recording head 22 is separated from the maintenance track 17, seen from the -y direction on the back side of the recording apparatus 1. Fig. 13(b) is a view of the state where the recording head 22 is separated from the maintenance track 17, seen from the y direction on the front side of the recording apparatus 1. Fig. 13(c) is a view of the state where the recording head 22 is engaged with and positioned relative to the maintenance track 17, seen from the -y direction on the back side of the recording apparatus 1. Fig. 13(d) is a view of the state where the recording head 22 is engaged with and positioned relative to the maintenance track 17, seen from the y direction on the front side of the recording apparatus 1.

[0063] When the holding portion 26 that holds the recording head 22 descends, the to-be-positioned portion 221 of the recording head 22 abuts against the positioning member 171 of the maintenance track 17. Further, when the holding portion 26 descends, the first pin 27a, the second pin 27b, and the third pin 27c of the recording head 22 are separated from the first hole 261, the second hole 262, and the third hole 263 of the holding portion 26, respectively. At this time, the to-be-positioned portion 221 of the recording head 22 is aligned with the positioning member 171 of the maintenance track 17, and the recording head 22 is positioned with high precision relative to the maintenance track 17.

[0064] The holding portion 26 is provided with a first hole 261, a second hole 262, and a third hole 263. The first hole 261 has a surface facing in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the recording head 22 with respect to the first pin 27a, the second hole 262 has a surface facing in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the recording head 22 with respect to the second pin 27b, and the third hole 263 has a surface facing in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the recording head 22 with respect to the third pin 27c. Each of the first hole 261, the second hole 262, and the third hole 263 has a width that is widely open upward with respect to the pin, and has a portion configured with a narrow width in a groove shape into which the pin fits downward. With such a configuration, when the positioning angles of the plurality of recording heads 22 at the printing position are different from each other, the recording head 22 can be positioned at a predetermined angle by the linear movement of the holding portion 26.

[0065] (Operation of the Maintenance Unit 40) Figs. 14(a) to 14(h) are diagrams showing the operation of the maintenance unit 40, and cross-sectional views of the maintenance tray 17 and the recording head 22 in the yz plane viewed in the -x direction in each cleaning state are shown. The recording apparatus 1 is configured to be capable of performing nozzle formation surface cleaning and nozzle internal cleaning of the recording head 22 by the maintenance unit 40.

[0066] As described above, the maintenance unit 40 is divided into a first stage 45 on which the liquid application unit 50 is mounted and a second stage 46 on which the liquid removal unit 60 is mounted. Further, the first stage 45 can be changed in position in two steps in the z direction by an air cylinder 47, and the first stage 45 and the second stage 46 can be driven independently of each other in the y direction within the maintenance tray 17 by a drive mechanism (not shown).

[0067] Fig. 14(a) shows a state in which the recording head 22 is separated from the maintenance tray 17, and the liquid application unit 50 and the liquid removal unit 60 are arranged at the cleaning start positions in the cleaning direction (y direction). Also, the first stage 45 is in the initial position in the z direction, that is, in a state where the first stage 45 in the maintenance tray 17 has descended in the -z direction by the air cylinder 47.

[0068] Fig. 14(b) shows a state in which the to-be-positioned portion 221 of the recording head 22 lands on the positioning member 171 of the maintenance tray 17 and the recording head 22 is positioned on the maintenance tray 17. At this time, the z-direction position of the liquid application unit 50 is at a position separated from the nozzle formation surface 223 by the amount of the gap 57, while the z-direction position of the liquid removal unit 60 is at a height in contact with the nozzle formation surface 223. Then, the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid tank 72 is applied to the cleaning liquid application member 51 along the supply flow path of the liquid supply unit 73 until the movement of the liquid application unit 50 in the y direction is started. And the supply of the cleaning liquid to the nozzle formation surface 223 is started from the cleaning liquid application member 51 through the gap 57. The reason for providing the gap 57 between the cleaning liquid application member 51 and the nozzle formation surface 223 to supply the cleaning liquid is to uniformly apply the cleaning liquid to the nozzle formation surface 223. ​

[0069] FIG. 14(c) shows a state in which the first stage 45 and the second stage 46 have moved in the y direction and the cleaning operation for the nozzle forming surface 223 of the recording head 22 has been completed. During the cleaning of the nozzle forming surface 223, the cleaning liquid is uniformly applied to the nozzle forming surface 223 of the recording head 22 through the gap 57 of the liquid application unit 50, and then the fixing ink and the cleaning liquid are removed from the nozzle forming surface 223 by the liquid removal unit 60. After the cleaning operation is completed, the supply of the cleaning liquid to the liquid application unit 50 is stopped. Note that the cleaning operation from FIG. 14(b) to FIG. 14(c) is the nozzle forming surface cleaning in the first embodiment.

[0070] FIG. 14(d) shows a state in which the first stage 45 and the second stage 46 are in the cleaning completed position and the recording head 22 has retracted in the z direction. By moving the recording head 22 in the z direction, the to-be-positioned portion 221 is separated from the positioning member 171.

[0071] FIG. 14(e) shows a state in which the first stage 45 equipped with the liquid application unit 50 has moved to the cleaning start position. At this time, the second stage 46 is in a position retracted from the recording head 22 in the y direction and the z direction. And the liquid removal unit 60 is separated from the recording head 22 in the -y direction and the -z direction. Also, the first stage 45 is in the raised position in the z direction, that is, in a state of being raised in the z direction by the air cylinder 47 within the maintenance tray 17.

[0072] FIG. 14(f) shows a state where the recording head 22 is positioned with respect to the maintenance tray 17. As described above, in the process of the recording head 22 descending to the position where the positioned part 221 abuts against the positioning member 171, the cleaning liquid applying member 51 and the nozzle forming surface 223 come into contact. After that, when the positioned part 221 lands on the positioning member 171, the cleaning liquid applying member 51 supported by the holder guide 56 is pushed in the z direction by the biasing member 55, and the state where the cleaning liquid applying member 51 and the nozzle forming surface 223 are in pressure contact is maintained. Then, before the movement of the liquid applying part 50 in the y direction is started, the suction part 76 is opened by the flow path switching valve 70, and a negative pressure is applied to the liquid applying part 50 by the suction pump 74. Then, the ink and the like remaining inside the liquid applying part 50 are sucked by the negative pressure and move to the waste liquid tank 75.

[0073] FIG. 14(g) shows a state where the liquid applying part 50 has moved to the cleaning completion position. In the process of the first stage 45 moving in the y direction, a negative pressure is applied to the nozzle plate 224 of the nozzle forming surface 223, and the removal of the fixed ink from the nozzle plate 224 and the removal of the bubbles in the ink flow path are performed. At this time, the second stage 46 does not move and remains at the position retracted from the recording head 22. After the first stage 45 has moved to the cleaning end position, the operation of applying a negative pressure to the liquid applying part 50 is stopped.

[0074] FIG. 14(h) shows a state where the liquid applying part 50 is located at the cleaning completion position and the recording head 22 has retracted in the z direction. After the operation of applying a negative pressure to the liquid applying part 50 is stopped, the recording head 2 2 moves in the z direction, and the positioned part 221 separates from the positioning member 171. Then, the first stage 45 moves to the initial positions in the y direction and the z direction (the position in FIG. 14(a)). Note that the cleaning operation from FIG. 14(e) to FIG. 14(g) is the nozzle internal cleaning in the first embodiment.

[0075] As described above, according to the configuration of the first embodiment, since a common flow path can be used for both the in-nozzle cleaning and the nozzle formation surface cleaning, it is possible to execute two types of cleaning operations while suppressing an increase in the number of parts and a size increase of the cleaning means. As a result, without increasing the size of the recording apparatus, it is configured to be able to execute both the in-nozzle cleaning and the nozzle formation surface cleaning of the recording head, and it is possible to effectively suppress a decrease in the recording quality.

[0076] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described. The configuration of the maintenance unit 40 in the second embodiment is different from that in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, in the description of the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted, and only the characteristic configuration of the second embodiment will be described.

[0077] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the dashed line portion of FIG. 5 as viewed from the arrow P, and is a perspective view showing the configuration of the maintenance unit 40 of the second embodiment disposed in the maintenance tray 17. The maintenance unit 40 includes a liquid application unit 50 that applies a cleaning liquid to the nozzle plate 224 of the recording head 22, and a liquid removal unit 60 for removing ink, paper powder, and the cleaning liquid adhering to the recording head 22.

[0078] In the second embodiment, both the liquid application unit 50 and the liquid removal unit 60 constituting the maintenance unit 40 are mounted on the stage 44. Further, the liquid application unit 50 is disposed on the stage 44 via an air cylinder 47 that can expand and contract in the z direction. The air cylinder 47 can change the position of the liquid application unit 50 in two steps in the z direction, and the control thereof is executed by the control unit 21. Note that the z-direction drive of the liquid application unit 50 is not limited to a configuration using an air cylinder, and may be a configuration in which the expansion and contraction amount of a biasing member such as a spring is adjusted by a motor or the like.

[0079] Within the stage 44, the liquid application unit 50 is configured to be movable between an initial linear movement position (first linear movement position) and a second linear movement position located above (on the z-direction side) the initial linear movement position. The initial linear movement position is the position where the air cylinder 47 is at the lower end in the z direction, that is, the position where the liquid application unit 50 has descended in the -z direction within the stage 44. The second linear movement position is the position where the air cylinder 47 protrudes in the z direction, that is, the position where the liquid application unit 50 has ascended in the z direction within the stage 44.

[0080] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the stage 44 is disposed within the maintenance unit 40 via an air cylinder 48 that can expand and contract in the z direction. The stage 44 can change its position in two steps in the z direction by the air cylinder 48, and the control thereof is executed by the control unit 21. Note that the z-direction drive of the stage 44 is not limited to a configuration using an air cylinder, and a configuration in which the amount of expansion and contraction of a biasing member such as a spring is adjusted by a motor or the like may also be used.

[0081] Within the maintenance unit 40, the stage 44 is configured to be movable between an initial linear movement position (first linear movement position) and a second linear movement position located below (on the -z direction side) the initial linear movement position. The initial linear movement position is the position where the air cylinder 48 protrudes in the z direction, that is, the position where the stage 44 has ascended in the z direction within the maintenance unit 40. The second linear movement position is the position where the air cylinder 48 is at the lower end in the z direction, that is, the position where the stage 44 has descended in the -z direction within the maintenance unit 40.

[0082] Thus, in the second embodiment, an air cylinder 48 as a first linear motion mechanism for linearly moving the liquid application unit 50 and the liquid removal unit 60, and an air cylinder 47 as a second linear motion mechanism for linearly moving the liquid application unit 50 relative to the liquid removal unit 60 are provided. That is, the z-direction position of the liquid application unit 50 is controlled by the interlocking drive of the air cylinder 47 and the air cylinder 48. Hereinafter, the position of the liquid application unit 50 when the liquid application unit 50 is located at the initial linear motion position within the stage 44 and the stage 44 is located at the initial linear motion position within the maintenance unit 40 will be described as the initial position (first position). Similarly, the position of the liquid application unit 50 when the liquid application unit 50 is located at the second linear motion position within the stage 44 and the stage 44 is located at the second linear motion position within the maintenance unit 40 will be described as the second position.

[0083] Figs. 16(a) to (c) are explanatory views of the positional relationship between the recording head 22 and the maintenance unit 40 in the second embodiment, and are views showing the z-direction arrangement positions of the nozzle forming surface 223, the liquid application unit 50, and the liquid removal unit 60. Fig. 16(a) shows a state where the positioning member 171 of the maintenance tray 17 and the positioned portion 221 of the recording head 22 are separated. Figs. 16(b) and 16(c) show a state where the positioned portion 221 lands on the positioning member 171 and the recording head 22 is positioned with respect to the maintenance tray 17. Further, Figs. 16(a) and 16(b) show a state where the liquid application unit 50 is controlled to be at the initial position (first position) in the z direction. Fig. 16(c) shows a state where the liquid application unit 50 is controlled to be at the second position in the z direction.

[0084] During the execution of nozzle forming surface cleaning, the liquid application unit 50 is maintained at the initial position, and the liquid removal unit 60 protrudes in the z direction with respect to the liquid application unit 50.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 16(a), the recording head 22 is lowered in the z direction by the elevating mechanism until the positioned portion 221 of the recording head 22 abuts against the positioning member 171 of the maintenance tray 17. Thereafter, the maintenance unit 40 moves in the y direction, and the liquid application unit 50 is disposed below the nozzle forming surface 223 in the z direction. During the execution of the nozzle forming surface cleaning, as shown in FIG. 16(b), the nozzle forming surface 223 of the recording head 22 and the cleaning liquid application member 51 are separated from each other by a gap 57 in the z direction, and the liquid removal unit 60 is in contact with the nozzle forming surface 223.

[0086] During the execution of the in-nozzle cleaning, the liquid application unit 50 is maintained at the second position, and the liquid application unit 50 protrudes in the z direction with respect to the liquid removal unit 60. Therefore, while the recording head 22 is lowered until the positioned portion 221 of the recording head 22 abuts against the positioning member 171 of the maintenance tray 17, the cleaning liquid application member 51 and the nozzle forming surface 223 come into contact with each other. Thereafter, when the positioned portion 221 lands on the positioning member 171, the cleaning liquid application member 51 supported by the holder guide 56 is pushed into the z direction by the biasing member 55 as shown in FIG. 16(c). Therefore, during the in-nozzle cleaning, the state where the cleaning liquid application member 51 and the nozzle forming surface 223 are in pressure contact is maintained. On the other hand, during the in-nozzle cleaning, the liquid removal unit 60 is separated from the nozzle forming surface 223 in the -z direction.

[0087] Thus, in a state where the positioned portion 221 and the positioning member 171 are engaged, when the liquid application unit 50 is located at the initial position (the first position), the end face 51a of the cleaning liquid application member 51 is separated from the nozzle forming surface 223. On the other hand, when the liquid application unit 50 is located at the second position, the end face 51a of the cleaning liquid application member 51 abuts against the nozzle forming surface 223. That is, in the second embodiment, the air cylinders 47 and 48 constitute a moving mechanism that moves the liquid application unit 50 between the first position and the second position.

[0088] Figs. 17(a) to 17(h) are diagrams showing the operation of the maintenance unit 40 in the second embodiment, and are cross-sectional views of the maintenance tray 17 and the recording head 22 in the yz plane in each cleaning state. are shown.

[0089] Fig. 17(a) shows a state in which the maintenance tray 17 and the recording head 22 are separated, and the liquid application unit 50 and the liquid removal unit 60 are arranged at the cleaning start position in the y direction, which is the cleaning direction. At this time, the liquid application unit 50 is located at the initial position, and the liquid removal unit 60 protrudes in the z direction with respect to the liquid application unit 50.

[0090] Fig. 17(b) shows a state in which the positioned portion 221 of the recording head 22 lands on the positioning member 171 of the maintenance tray 17, and the recording head 22 is positioned with respect to the maintenance tray 17. At this time, the z-direction position of the liquid application unit 50 is at a height separated from the nozzle formation surface 223 by the gap 57. On the other hand, the z-direction position of the liquid removal unit 60 is at a height in contact with the nozzle formation surface 223. After that, until the maintenance unit 40 starts to move in the y direction, the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid tank 72 is applied to the cleaning liquid application member 51 along the liquid supply flow path of the liquid supply unit 73. Then, the supply of the cleaning liquid to the nozzle formation surface 223 is started through the gap 57. By providing the gap 57 between the cleaning liquid application member 51 and the nozzle formation surface 223 to supply the cleaning liquid, the cleaning liquid is uniformly applied to the nozzle formation surface 223.

[0091] Fig. 17(c) shows a state in which the maintenance unit 40 has moved in the y direction and the cleaning operation of the nozzle formation surface 223 of the recording head 22 has been completed. During the cleaning of the nozzle formation surface 223, the cleaning liquid is uniformly applied to the nozzle formation surface 223 of the recording head 22 by the liquid application unit 50, and then the fixed ink and the cleaning liquid are removed from the nozzle formation surface 223 by the liquid removal unit 60. After the cleaning operation is completed, the supply of the cleaning liquid to the liquid application unit 50 is stopped. Note that the cleaning operation from Fig. 17(b) to Fig. 17(c) is the nozzle formation surface cleaning in the second embodiment.

[0092] FIG. 17(d) shows a state where the maintenance unit 40 is in the cleaning completed position and the recording head 22 has retracted in the z direction. As the recording head 22 moves in the z direction, the positioned part 221 separates from the positioning member 171.

[0093] FIG. 17(e) shows a state where the maintenance unit 40 has moved to the cleaning start position. At this time, the air cylinder 47 and the air cylinder 48 are in the second position, and the liquid applying part 50 protrudes in the z direction with respect to the liquid removing part 60. Also, the liquid removing part 60 is in a position retracted from the recording head 22 in the y direction. More specifically, the liquid removing part 60 is separated from the recording head 22 at least in the -y direction.

[0094] FIG. 17(f) shows a state where the recording head 22 is positioned with respect to the maintenance tray 17. As described above, in the process of the recording head 22 descending to the position where the positioned part 221 abuts against the positioning member 171, the cleaning liquid applying member 51 and the nozzle forming surface 223 abut. Thereafter, when the positioned part 221 lands on the positioning member 171, the cleaning liquid applying member 51 supported by the holder guide 56 is pushed into the z direction by the biasing member 55, and the state where the cleaning liquid applying member 51 and the nozzle forming surface 223 are in pressure contact is maintained. Thereafter, the suction part 76 is opened by the flow path switching valve 70 until the liquid applying part 50 starts to move in the y direction, and a negative pressure is applied to the liquid applying part 50 by the suction pump 74. Then, the ink or the like remaining inside the liquid applying part 50 is sucked by the negative pressure and moves to the waste liquid tank 75.

[0095] FIG. 17(g) shows a state where the liquid applying part 50 has moved to the cleaning completed position. In the process of the maintenance unit 40 moving in the y direction, a negative pressure is applied to the nozzle plate 224 of the nozzle forming surface 223, and the removal of the fixed ink from the nozzle plate 224 and the removal of the bubbles in the ink flow path are performed. After the maintenance unit 40 has moved to the cleaning end position, the negative pressure application operation to the liquid applying part 50 stops. Note that the cleaning operations from FIGS. 17(e) to 17(g) are the nozzle internal cleaning in this embodiment.

[0096] FIG. 17(h) shows a state where the recording head 22 has retracted in the z direction. At this time, the air cylinders 47 and 48 are in their initial positions, that is, the liquid removal section 60 protrudes in the z direction with respect to the liquid application section 50. Thereafter, the maintenance unit 40 moves in the -y direction to the position of FIG. 17(a) which is the initial position.

[0097] As described above, according to the configuration of the second embodiment, since a common flow path can be used for both the in-nozzle cleaning and the nozzle formation surface cleaning, it is possible to execute two types of cleaning operations while suppressing an increase in the number of parts and a size increase of the cleaning means. As a result, without increasing the size of the recording apparatus, it is configured to be able to execute both the in-nozzle cleaning and the nozzle formation surface cleaning of the recording head, and it is possible to effectively suppress a decrease in recording quality. Further, in the second embodiment, since the drive mechanisms for driving the liquid application section 50 and the liquid removal section 60 in the y direction are common, compared with the first embodiment, the effect of suppressing an increase in the number of parts and a size increase of the cleaning means is high.

[0098] <Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described. The configuration of the third embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, in the description of the third embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted, and only the characteristic configuration of the third embodiment will be described.

[0099] Figs. 18(a) to 18(c) are explanatory views of the positional relationship between the recording head 22 and the maintenance unit 40 in the third embodiment, and are views showing the arrangement positions in the z direction of the nozzle forming surface 223, the liquid application unit 50, and the liquid removal unit 60. Fig. 18(a) shows a state in which the positioning member 171 of the maintenance tray 17 and the positioned portion 221 of the recording head 22 are separated. Figs. 18(b) and 18(c) show a state in which the positioned portion 221 lands on the positioning member 171 and the recording head 22 is positioned on the maintenance tray 17. Further, Figs. 18(a) and 18(b) show a state in which the liquid application unit 50 is in the initial rotation position and the stage 44 is in the initial linear movement position, and Fig. 18(c) shows a state in which the liquid application unit 50 is controlled to be in the second rotation position and the stage 44 is in the second linear movement position. Details of the initial rotation position, the second rotation position, the initial linear movement position, and the second linear movement position will be described later.

[0100] Both the liquid application unit 50 and the liquid removal unit 60 that constitute the maintenance unit 40 are mounted on the stage 44. Further, in the third embodiment, the liquid application unit 50 is arranged on the stage 44 via a shaft 49a. The shaft 49a is connected to a motor (not shown), and the liquid application unit 50 can change its position in two steps in the rotation direction around the shaft 49a extending in the x direction, and the control thereof is executed by the control unit 21. That is, the liquid application unit 50 of the third embodiment is configured to be rotatable in the yz plane.

[0101] The liquid application unit 50 is configured to be rotatable about a shaft 49a between an initial rotation position (first rotation position) and a second rotation position having a different phase from the initial rotation position. The shaft 49a is a component of a rotation mechanism that rotates the liquid application unit 50 about a rotation axis parallel to the nozzle formation surface 223, and is a rotation axis extending in the x direction. As shown in FIG. 18(a), the initial rotation position is a position where the liquid application unit 50 is inclined in the rotation direction in the yz plane. At the initial rotation position, the upstream surface 51b and the downstream surface 51d of the cleaning liquid application member 51 in the liquid application direction are at different positions in the z direction (height direction). As shown in FIG. 18(c), the second rotation position is a position where the liquid application unit 50 stands upright in the z direction. At the second rotation position, the surface 51b and the surface 51d of the cleaning liquid application member 51 are at substantially the same position in the z direction (height direction). Here, the shaft 49a and a motor (not shown) constitute the rotation mechanism of the present invention. Note that the rotation mechanism for rotating the liquid application unit 50 is not limited to a configuration using the shaft 49a and the motor, and a known rotation mechanism can be used.

[0102] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the stage 44 is disposed in the maintenance unit 40 via an air cylinder 48 that can expand and contract in the z direction. The stage 44 can be positioned in two steps in the z direction by the air cylinder 48, and the control is executed by the control unit 21. Note that the z-direction drive of the stage 44 is not limited to a configuration using an air cylinder, and a configuration in which the expansion and contraction amount of a biasing member such as a spring is adjusted by a motor or the like may also be used.

[0103] Within the maintenance unit 40, the stage 44 is configured to be movable between an initial linear movement position (first linear movement position) shown in FIG. 18(a) and a second linear movement position located below (-z direction side) the initial linear movement position shown in FIG. 18(c). The initial linear movement position is a position where the air cylinder 48 protrudes in the z direction, that is, a position where the stage 44 rises in the z direction within the maintenance unit 40. The second linear movement position is a position where the air cylinder 48 is at the lower end in the z direction, that is, a position where the stage 44 descends in the -z direction within the maintenance unit 40.

[0104] When the liquid application unit 50 is in the initial rotation position, the liquid removal unit 60 protrudes in the z direction with respect to the liquid application unit 50, and the upstream surface 51b protrudes in the z direction with respect to the downstream surface 51d in the moving direction of the cleaning liquid application member 51 during liquid application. When the liquid application unit 50 is in the second rotation position, the liquid application unit 50 protrudes in the z direction with respect to the liquid removal unit 60.

[0105] Thus, in the third embodiment, a rotation mechanism for rotating the liquid application unit 50 and an air cylinder 48 as a linear motion mechanism for linearly moving the liquid application unit 50 and the liquid removal unit 60 are provided. That is, the z-direction position of the liquid application unit 50 is controlled by the interlocking drive of the rotation mechanism and the air cylinder 48. Hereinafter, the position of the liquid application unit 50 when the liquid application unit 50 is in the initial rotation position and the stage 44 is in the initial linear motion position within the maintenance unit 40 will be described as the initial position (first position). Similarly, the position of the liquid application unit 50 when the liquid application unit 50 is in the second rotation position and the stage 44 is in the second linear motion position within the maintenance unit 40 will be described as the second position.

[0106] When performing nozzle formation surface cleaning and nozzle internal cleaning, first, from the state of FIG. 18(a), the recording head 22 descends in the z direction until the positioned portion 221 of the recording head 22 abuts against the positioning member 171 of the maintenance tray 17. Thereafter, the maintenance unit 40 moves in the y direction, and the liquid application unit 50 is disposed below the nozzle formation surface 223 in the z direction.

[0107] During the execution of nozzle formation surface cleaning, the liquid application unit 50 is maintained at the initial rotation position, and the z-direction position of the stage 44 is controlled to the initial linear movement position. Therefore, while the recording head 22 descends to the position where the positioned portion 221 of the recording head 22 abuts against the positioning member 171 of the maintenance tray 17, the surface 51b on the upstream side in the moving direction during liquid application of the cleaning liquid application member 51 comes into contact with the nozzle formation surface 223. Thereafter, when the positioned portion 221 lands on the positioning member 171, as shown in FIG. 18(b), the surface 51b on the upstream side in the moving direction during liquid application is pushed into the -z direction by the nozzle formation surface 223. Then, the cleaning liquid application member 51 biased by the biasing member 55 via the holder guide 56 is pushed into the Q direction opposite to the biasing direction of the biasing member 55 by receiving a repulsive force from the nozzle formation surface 223. Thereby, the state in which the surface 51b on the upstream side in the moving direction during liquid application and the nozzle formation surface 223 are in pressure contact is maintained.

[0108] When the liquid application unit 50 is located at the initial position, the surface 51b on the upstream side in the moving direction during liquid application of the cleaning liquid application member 51 is in pressure contact with the nozzle formation surface 223, but the surface 51d on the downstream side in the moving direction during liquid application is maintained in a state of being separated from the nozzle formation surface 223. Further, since the stage 44 is at a position where it has risen in the z direction within the maintenance unit 40, the liquid removal unit 60 also abuts against the nozzle formation surface 223.

[0109] ​During the execution of nozzle cleaning, the liquid application unit 50 is maintained at the second rotation position, and the liquid application unit 50 protrudes in the z direction with respect to the liquid removal unit 60. Also, the stage 44 is controlled to the second linear movement position, and the stage 44 is at a position lowered in the -z direction within the maintenance unit 40. Therefore, while the recording head 22 descends to a position where the positioned portion 221 of the recording head 22 abuts against the positioning member 171 of the maintenance tray 17, the cleaning liquid application member 51 and the nozzle forming surface 223 come into contact. After that, when the positioned portion 221 lands on the positioning member 171, as shown in FIG. 18(c), the cleaning liquid application member 51 supported by the holder guide 56 is pushed in the z direction by the biasing member 55. Therefore, during nozzle cleaning, the state where the cleaning liquid application member 51 and the nozzle forming surface 223 are in pressure contact is maintained. On the other hand, during nozzle cleaning, since the stage 44 is at a position lowered in the -z direction within the maintenance unit 40, the liquid removal unit 60 is separated from the nozzle forming surface 223 in the -z direction.

[0110] In this way, in a state where the positioned portion 221 and the positioning member 171 are engaged, when the liquid application unit 50 is at the initial position (the first position), only the surface 51b of the end face 51a of the cleaning liquid application member 51 abuts against the nozzle forming surface 223. On the other hand, when the liquid application unit 50 is at the second position, the entire surface of the end face 51a of the cleaning liquid application member 51 abuts against the nozzle forming surface 223. In other words, the contact area of the end face 51a with respect to the nozzle forming surface 223 when the liquid application unit 50 is at the second position is larger than the contact area when the liquid application unit 50 is at the initial position. And in the third embodiment, the rotation mechanism and the air cylinder 48 constitute a moving mechanism that moves the liquid application unit 50 between the first position and the second position.

[0111] FIGS. 19(a) to (h) are diagrams showing the operation of the maintenance unit 40 in the third embodiment, and cross-sectional views of the yz plane of the maintenance tray 17 and the recording head 22 in each cleaning state are shown.

[0112] FIG. 19(a) shows a state in which the maintenance tray 17 and the recording head 22 are separated, and the liquid application unit 50 and the liquid removal unit 60 are arranged at the cleaning start position in the y direction, which is the cleaning direction. At this time, the liquid application unit 50 is in the initial rotation position, that is, the liquid removal unit 60 protrudes in the z direction with respect to the liquid application unit 50. Also, the stage 44 is in the initial linear movement position and is in a state of rising in the z direction within the maintenance unit 40.

[0113] FIG. 19(b) shows a state in which the positioned portion 221 of the recording head 22 lands on the positioning member 171 of the maintenance tray 17 and the recording head 22 is positioned with respect to the maintenance tray 17. At this time, the surface 51b on the upstream side in the moving direction during liquid application and the z-direction position of the liquid removal unit 60 are at a height where they are in pressure contact with the nozzle forming surface 223. Then, before the maintenance unit 40 starts moving in the y direction, the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid tank 72 is applied to the cleaning liquid application member 51 along the supply flow path of the liquid supply unit 73. And the supply of the cleaning liquid to the nozzle forming surface 223 is started through the gap between the surface 51d on the downstream side in the moving direction during liquid application and the nozzle forming surface 223. By supplying the cleaning liquid through the gap, the cleaning liquid can be uniformly applied to the nozzle forming surface 223.

[0114] FIG. 19(c) shows a state in which the maintenance unit 40 has moved in the y direction and the cleaning operation of the nozzle forming surface 223 of the recording head 22 has been completed. During the cleaning of the nozzle forming surface 223, the nozzle forming surface 223 of the recording head 22 is uniformly supplied with the cleaning liquid due to the gap between the surface 51d on the downstream side in the moving direction during liquid application and the nozzle forming surface 223. Then, the fixing ink and the cleaning liquid are removed from the nozzle forming surface 223 by the liquid removal unit 60. After the cleaning operation is completed, the supply of the cleaning liquid to the liquid application unit 50 is stopped. Note that the cleaning operation from FIG. 19(b) to FIG. 19(c) is the nozzle forming surface cleaning in the third embodiment. During the cleaning of the nozzle forming surface 223, the nozzle forming surface 223 of the recording head 22 is uniformly supplied with the cleaning liquid due to the gap between the surface 51d on the downstream side in the moving direction during liquid application and the nozzle forming surface 223. Then, the fixing ink and the cleaning liquid are removed from the nozzle forming surface 223 by the liquid removal unit 60. After the cleaning operation is completed, the supply of the cleaning liquid to the liquid application unit 50 is stopped. Note that the cleaning operation from FIG. 19(b) to FIG. 19(c) is the nozzle forming surface cleaning in the third embodiment.

[0115] FIG. 19(d) shows a state in which the maintenance unit 40 is at the cleaning completion position and the recording head 22 has been retracted in the z direction. When the recording head 22 moves in the z direction, the positioned part 221 moves away from the positioning member 171.

[0116] FIG. 19(e) shows a state in which the maintenance unit 40 has moved to the cleaning start position. At this time, the liquid application unit 50 is at the second rotation position, and the liquid application unit 50 protrudes in the z direction with respect to the liquid removal unit 60. Also, the air cylinder 48 is at the second position, that is, the stage 44 has descended in the -z direction within the maintenance unit 40.

[0117] FIG. 19(f) shows a state in which the recording head 22 is positioned with respect to the maintenance tray 17. As described above, in the process of the recording head 22 descending to the position where the positioned part 221 abuts against the positioning member 171, the cleaning liquid application member 51 and the nozzle forming surface 223 come into contact. Then, when the positioned part 221 lands on the positioning member 171, the cleaning liquid application member 51 supported by the holder guide 56 is pushed in the z direction by the biasing member 55, and the state where the cleaning liquid application member 51 and the nozzle forming surface 223 are in pressure contact is maintained. Then, before the maintenance unit 40 starts moving in the y direction, the suction part 76 is opened by the flow path switching valve 70, and a negative pressure is applied to the liquid application unit 50 by the suction pump 74. Then, the ink or the like remaining inside the liquid application unit 50 is sucked by the negative pressure and moves to the waste liquid tank 75.

[0118] FIG. 19(g) shows a state in which the liquid application unit 50 has moved to the cleaning completion position. In the process of the maintenance unit 40 moving in the y direction, a negative pressure is applied to the nozzle plate 224 of the nozzle forming surface 223, and the removal of the fixed ink from the nozzle plate 224 and the removal of the bubbles in the ink flow path are performed. After the maintenance unit 40 moves to the cleaning end position, the operation of applying a negative pressure to the liquid application unit 50 stops. Note that the cleaning operations from FIG. 19(e) to FIG. 19(g) are the nozzle internal cleaning in the third embodiment.

[0119] FIG. 19(h) shows a state where the recording head 22 has retracted in the z direction. At this time, the liquid application unit 50 is in the second rotation position to the initial rotation position, that is, the liquid removal unit 60 protrudes in the z direction with respect to the liquid application unit 50. Also, the air cylinder 48 is in the initial position, that is, the stage 44 has risen in the z direction within the maintenance unit 40. Then, the maintenance unit 40 moves in the -y direction to the position of FIG. 19(a) which is the initial position.

[0120] As described above, according to the configuration of the third embodiment, since a common flow path can be used for both the in-nozzle cleaning and the nozzle formation surface cleaning, it is possible to execute two types of cleaning operations while suppressing an increase in the number of parts and a size increase of the cleaning means. As a result, without increasing the size of the recording apparatus, it is possible to configure the apparatus to execute both the in-nozzle cleaning and the nozzle formation surface cleaning of the recording head, and effectively suppress a decrease in recording quality. Further, in the third embodiment, since the cleaning liquid can be supplied to the nozzle formation surface 223 with a part of the end face 51a of the liquid application unit 50 in contact with the nozzle formation surface 223, compared with the first embodiment, the cleaning liquid can be supplied to the target position in the nozzle formation surface cleaning.

[0121] <Fourth Embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment according to the present invention will be described. The configuration of the maintenance unit 40 in the fourth embodiment is different from that in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, in the description of the fourth embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted, and only the characteristic configuration of the fourth embodiment will be described. For the same configurations as those in the first embodiment, the description will be omitted by attaching the same reference numerals, and only the characteristic configuration of the fourth embodiment will be described.

[0122] Figs. 20(a) to 20(c) are explanatory views of the positional relationship between the recording head 22 and the maintenance unit 40 in the fourth embodiment, and are views showing the arrangement positions in the z direction of the nozzle forming surface 223, the liquid application unit 50, and the liquid removal unit 60. Fig. 20(a) shows a state in which the positioning member 171 and the positioned portion 221 of the recording head 22 are separated, and Figs. 20(b) and 20(c) show a state in which the positioned portion 221 of the recording head 22 has landed on the positioning member 171 and is positioned. Further, Figs. 20(a) and 20(b) show a state in which the liquid removal unit 60 is in the initial rotation position and the stage 44 is in the initial linear movement position, and Fig. 20(c) shows a state in which the liquid removal unit 60 is controlled to be in the second rotation position and the stage 44 is in the second linear movement position. The initial rotation position, the second rotation position, the initial linear movement position, and the second linear movement position will be described later.

[0123] Both the liquid application unit 50 and the liquid removal unit 60 constituting the maintenance unit 40 are mounted on the stage 44. Further, in the fourth embodiment, the liquid removal unit 60 is arranged on the stage 44 via a shaft 49b. The shaft 49b is connected to a motor (not shown), and the liquid removal unit 60 can change its position in two steps in the rotation direction around the shaft 49b extending in the x direction, and the control thereof is executed by the control unit 21. That is, the liquid removal unit 60 of the fourth embodiment is configured to be rotatable in the yz plane.

[0124] The liquid removal unit 60 is configured to be rotatable around the shaft 49b between an initial rotation position (first rotation position) and a second rotation position having a different phase from the initial rotation position. The shaft 49b is a component of a rotation mechanism that rotates the liquid removal unit 60 around a rotation axis parallel to the nozzle forming surface 223, and is a rotation axis extending in the x direction. The initial rotation position is a position where the liquid removal unit 60 stands upright in the z direction as shown in Fig. 20(a). The second rotation position is a position where the liquid removal unit 60 is inclined in the rotation direction in the yz plane with respect to the initial rotation position as shown in Fig. 20(c). Here, the shaft 49b and the motor (not shown) constitute the rotation mechanism of the present invention. Note that the rotation mechanism for rotating the liquid removal unit 60 is not limited to a configuration using the shaft 49b and the motor, and a known rotation mechanism can be used.

[0125] Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, the stage 44 is disposed in the maintenance unit 40 via an air cylinder 48 that can expand and contract in the z direction. The stage 44 can be positioned in two steps in the z direction by the air cylinder 48, and the control thereof is executed by the control unit 21. Note that the driving of the stage 44 in the z direction is not limited to the configuration using an air cylinder, and a configuration in which the expansion and contraction amount of a biasing member such as a spring is adjusted by a motor or the like may be used.

[0126] In the maintenance unit 40, the stage 44 is configured to be movable between an initial position (first position) shown in FIG. 20(a) and a second position located above (on the z-direction side) the initial position shown in FIG. 20(c). The initial position is the position where the air cylinder 48 is at the lower end in the z direction, that is, the position where the stage 44 has descended in the -z direction in the maintenance unit 40. The second position is the position where the air cylinder 48 protrudes in the z direction, that is, the position where the stage 44 has risen in the z direction in the maintenance unit 40.

[0127] When the liquid removal unit 60 is in the initial rotation position, the liquid removal unit 60 protrudes in the z direction with respect to the liquid application unit 50. On the other hand, when the liquid removal unit 60 is in the second rotation position, the liquid application unit 50 protrudes in the z direction with respect to the liquid removal unit 60.

[0128] As described above, in the fourth embodiment, an air cylinder 48 as a linear motion mechanism for linearly moving the liquid application unit 50 and the liquid removal unit 60, and a rotation mechanism for rotating the liquid removal unit 60 are provided. That is, the position of the liquid application unit 50 in the z direction is controlled by the rotation mechanism and the air cylinder 48 being driven in conjunction. Hereinafter, the position of the liquid application unit 50 when the stage 44 is located at the initial linear motion position in the maintenance unit 40 will be described as the initial position (first position). Similarly, the position of the liquid application unit 50 when the stage 44 is located at the second linear motion position in the maintenance unit 40 will be described as the second position.

[0129] When performing nozzle forming surface cleaning and nozzle internal cleaning, first, from the state of FIG. 20(a), the recording head 22 descends in the z direction until the positioned portion 221 of the recording head 22 abuts against the positioning member 171 of the maintenance tray 17. Then, the maintenance unit 40 moves in the y direction, and the liquid application unit 50 is arranged below the nozzle forming surface 223 in the z direction.

[0130] During the execution of nozzle forming surface cleaning, the liquid removal unit 60 is maintained at the initial rotation position, and the liquid removal unit 60 protrudes in the z direction with respect to the liquid application unit 50. Also, the air cylinder 48 is controlled to the initial linear motion position, and the stage 44 is at a position where it has descended in the -z direction within the maintenance unit 40. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20(b), there is a gap 57 in the z direction between the nozzle forming surface 223 of the recording head 22 and the cleaning liquid application member 51, and the liquid removal unit 60 is in contact with the nozzle forming surface 223.

[0131] During the execution of nozzle internal cleaning, the liquid removal unit 60 is maintained at the second rotation position, and the liquid application unit 50 protrudes in the z direction with respect to the liquid removal unit 60. Also, the air cylinder 48 is controlled to the second linear motion position, and the stage 44 is at a position where it has ascended in the z direction within the maintenance unit 40. Therefore, while the recording head 22 descends until the positioned portion 221 of the recording head 22 abuts against the positioning member 171 of the maintenance tray 17, the cleaning liquid application member 51 and the nozzle forming surface 223 come into contact. After that, when the positioned portion 221 lands on the positioning member 171, as shown in FIG. 20(c), the cleaning liquid application member 51 supported by the holder guide 56 is pushed into the z direction by the biasing member 55. Therefore, during nozzle internal cleaning, the state where the cleaning liquid application member 51 and the nozzle forming surface 223 are in pressure contact is maintained. On the other hand, during nozzle internal cleaning, the liquid removal unit 60 is spaced apart from the nozzle forming surface 223 in the -z direction.

[0132] Thus, when the liquid deposition part 50 is located at the initial position (first position) in a state in which the positioned part 221 and the positioning member 171 are engaged, the end face 51a of the cleaning liquid deposition member 51 is separated from the nozzle forming surface 223. On the other hand, when the liquid deposition part 50 is located at the second position, the end face 51a of the cleaning liquid deposition member 51 abuts against the nozzle forming surface 223. That is, in the fourth embodiment, the air cylinder 48 constitutes a movement mechanism that moves the liquid deposition part 50 between the first position and the second position.

[0133] 21(a) to (h) are diagrams showing the operation of the maintenance unit 40 in the fourth embodiment, and show cross-sectional views of the maintenance tray 17 and the recording head 22 in the yz plane in each cleaning state.

[0134] 21(a) shows a state in which the maintenance tray 17 and the recording head 22 are separated, and the liquid deposition unit 50 and the liquid removal unit 60 are disposed at a cleaning start position in the y direction, which is the cleaning direction. Here, the liquid removal unit 60 is in an initial rotation position, that is, in a state in which the liquid removal unit 60 protrudes in the z direction relative to the liquid deposition unit 50. Also, the air cylinder 48 is in an initial position, that is, the stage 44 is in a state in which it has descended in the -z direction within the maintenance unit 40.

[0135] 21B shows a state in which the positioned portion 221 of the recording head 22 lands on the positioning member 171 of the maintenance tray 17, and the recording head 22 is positioned with respect to the maintenance tray 17. At this time, the z-direction position of the liquid deposition unit 50 is spaced apart from the nozzle formation surface 223. The cleaning liquid applying member 51 and the nozzle forming surface 223 are spaced apart by the gap 57. On the other hand, the z-direction position of the liquid removing portion 60 is at a height where the liquid removing portion 60 abuts against the nozzle forming surface 223. Thereafter, until the maintenance unit 40 starts moving in the y direction, the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid tank 72 is applied to the cleaning liquid applying member 51 along the supply flow path of the liquid supply portion 73. Then, the supply of the cleaning liquid to the nozzle forming surface 223 begins via the gap 57. By providing the gap 57 between the cleaning liquid applying member 51 and the nozzle forming surface 223 and supplying the cleaning liquid, the cleaning liquid is applied uniformly to the nozzle forming surface 223.

[0136] Figure 21(c) shows a state where the maintenance unit 40 has moved in the y direction and the cleaning operation for the nozzle forming surface 223 of the recording head 22 has been completed. During the cleaning of the nozzle forming surface 223, the nozzle forming surface 223 of the recording head 22 is uniformly applied with a cleaning liquid by the liquid applying unit 50, and then the fixing ink and the cleaning liquid are removed from the nozzle forming surface 223 by the liquid removing unit 60. After the cleaning operation is completed, the supply of the cleaning liquid to the liquid applying unit 50 is stopped. Note that the cleaning operation from Fig. 21(b) to Fig. 21(c) is the nozzle forming surface cleaning in the fourth embodiment.

[0137] Figure 21(d) shows a state where the maintenance unit 40 is at the cleaning completion position and the recording head 22 has retracted in the z direction. By moving the recording head 22 in the z direction, the positioned part 221 is separated from the positioning member 171.

[0138] Figure 21(e) shows a state where the maintenance unit 40 has moved to the cleaning start position. At this time, the liquid removing unit 60 is in the second moving position, that is, the liquid applying unit 50 protrudes in the z direction with respect to the liquid removing unit 60. Also, the air cylinder 48 is in the second position, that is, the stage 44 is in a position where it has risen in the z direction within the maintenance unit 40.

[0139] Figure 21(f) shows a state where the recording head 22 is positioned with respect to the maintenance tray 17. As described above, in the process of lowering the recording head 22 to the position where the positioned part 221 abuts against the positioning member 171, the cleaning liquid applying member 51 and the nozzle forming surface 223 come into contact. Then, when the positioned part 221 lands on the positioning member 171, the cleaning liquid applying member 51 supported by the holder guide 56 is pushed into the z direction by the biasing member 55, and the state where the cleaning liquid applying member 51 and the nozzle forming surface 223 are in pressure contact is maintained. Then, before the maintenance unit 40 starts to move in the y direction, the suction part 76 is opened by the flow path switching valve 70, and a negative pressure is applied to the liquid applying unit 50 by the suction pump 74. Then, the ink and the like remaining inside the liquid applying unit 50 are sucked by the negative pressure and move to the waste liquid tank 75.

[0140] FIG. 21(g) shows a state where the liquid application unit 50 has moved to the cleaning completion position. In the process of the maintenance unit 40 moving in the y direction, negative pressure is applied to the nozzle plate 224 on the nozzle forming surface 223, and the removal of the fixed ink from the nozzle plate 224 and the removal of bubbles in the ink flow path are performed. After the maintenance unit 40 has moved to the cleaning end position, the operation of applying negative pressure to the liquid application unit 50 stops. Note that the cleaning operations from FIG. 21(e) to FIG. 21(g) are the nozzle internal cleaning in the fourth embodiment.

[0141] FIG. 21(h) shows a state where the recording head 22 has retracted in the z direction. At this time, the liquid removal unit 60 moves from the second rotation position to the initial rotation position, that is, the state where the liquid removal unit 60 protrudes in the z direction with respect to the liquid application unit 50. Also, the air cylinder 48 is in the initial position, that is, the position where the stage 44 has descended in the -z direction within the maintenance unit 40. Thereafter, the maintenance unit 40 moves in the -y direction to the position of FIG. 21(a) which is the initial position.

[0142] As described above, according to the configuration of the fourth embodiment, since a common flow path can be used for the nozzle internal cleaning and the nozzle forming surface cleaning, two types of cleaning operations can be executed while suppressing an increase in the number of parts and the size of the cleaning means. As a result, without increasing the size of the recording apparatus, the cleaning operations of both the nozzle internal cleaning and the nozzle forming surface cleaning of the recording head can be configured to be executable, and a decrease in the recording quality can be effectively suppressed. Further, in the fourth embodiment, since the drive mechanism for driving the liquid application unit 50 and the liquid removal unit 60 in the y direction is common, the effect of suppressing an increase in the number of parts and the size of the cleaning means is higher compared to the first embodiment. <Fifth Embodiment>

[0143] <Fifth Embodiment> Next, a fifth embodiment according to the present invention will be described. The configuration of the fifth embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in the configuration of the maintenance unit 40. Hereinafter, in the description of the fifth embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted, and only the characteristic configuration of the fifth embodiment will be described.

[0144] Figs. 22(a) to (d) are schematic views showing the configuration of the liquid application unit 50 in the fifth embodiment. Fig. 23 is a piping system diagram related to the cleaning operation of the liquid application unit 50 in the fifth embodiment. Fig. 22(a) is a perspective view of the liquid application unit 50 in the fifth embodiment. Fig. 22(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of Fig. 22(a), and is a view of the liquid application unit 50 seen in the -y direction. Fig. 22(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of Fig. 22(a), and is a view of the liquid application unit 50 seen in the -x direction. Fig. 22(d) is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of Fig. 22(a), and is a view of the liquid application unit 50 seen in the -x direction.

[0145] The liquid application unit 50 includes a flexible cleaning liquid application member 51, a cleaning liquid application member holder 52 for holding the cleaning liquid application member 51, a cleaning liquid application member cover 53, a biasing member 55, and a holder guide 56. A part of the cleaning liquid application member 51 is positioned and held so as to be sandwiched between the cleaning liquid application member holder 52 and the cleaning liquid application member cover 53. Further, the cleaning liquid application member holder 52 is held by the holder guide 56 so as to be movable in the z direction.

[0146] As shown in Fig. 22(b), the cleaning liquid application member 51 in the fifth embodiment has an outer wall portion 51e including an end face 51a formed by faces 51b, 51c, and 51d, and an inner wall portion 51f located inside the outer wall portion 51e. The inner wall portion 51f is a wall portion rising in the z direction and is located inside the outer wall portion 51e including the end face 51a formed by faces 51b, 51c, and 51d. The end face of the inner wall portion 51f in the z direction is formed lower than the end face 51a. Here, the inner wall portion 51f corresponds to the inner wall portion of the present invention, and the outer wall portion 51e forming the faces 51b, 51c, and 51d corresponds to the outer wall portion of the present invention.

[0147] As shown in FIGS. 22(c) and 22(d), a cleaning liquid supply tube 54a and a negative pressure supply tube 54b are connected to the cleaning liquid applying member 51 in the fifth embodiment via a cleaning liquid applying member holder 52. Further, as shown in FIG. 23, a cleaning liquid tank 72 is connected to the cleaning liquid supply tube 54a via a first valve 77a and a cleaning liquid supply pump 71. Furthermore, a waste liquid tank 75 is connected to the negative pressure supply tube 54b via a second valve 77b and a suction pump 74. The switching of the first valve 77a and the second valve 77b is controlled by the control unit 21. Normally, the first valve 77a is open, but the second valve 77b is closed. When the suction pump 74 operates, the first valve 77a is closed and the second valve 77b is opened.

[0148] The liquid supply unit 73 in the fifth embodiment includes a cleaning liquid supply pump 71, a cleaning liquid tank 72, a cleaning liquid supply tube 54a, and a first valve 77a. The supply flow path of the liquid supply unit 73 is a flow path that leads from the cleaning liquid supply tube 54a through the first valve 77a and the cleaning liquid supply pump 71 to the cleaning liquid tank 72.

[0149] The suction unit 76 in the fifth embodiment includes a suction pump 74, a waste liquid tank 75, a negative pressure supply tube 54b, and a second valve 77b. The suction flow path of the suction unit 76 is a flow path that leads from the negative pressure supply tube 54b through the second valve 77b and the suction pump 74 to the waste liquid tank 75.

[0150] Thus, in the fifth embodiment, two types of flow paths are formed inside the cleaning liquid applying member holder 52. And the first valve 77a and the second valve 77b function as a switching unit for switching the flow path connected to the liquid applying unit 50 to switch the state of the recording apparatus 1. Note that the switching of the first valve 77a and the second valve 77b is not limited to the automatic control method by the control unit 21, and may be configured by a manual method using a ball valve.

[0151] FIG. 24 is a view of the nozzle forming surface 223 of the recording head 22 in the z direction, that is, as viewed from below. Note that the x-direction positions of the cleaning liquid applying member 51 and the blade portion 61 with respect to the nozzle forming surface 223 are shown above FIG. 24. Among the cleaning liquid applying member 51, the x-direction width lengths of the upstream surface 51b in the liquid application direction and the downstream surface 51d in the moving direction during liquid application are configured to be smaller than the x-direction width length of the nozzle forming surface 223. With such a configuration, the cleaning liquid application range with respect to the nozzle forming surface 223 is limited to the nozzle forming surface 223, and no liquid adheres to the side surface of the recording head 22.

[0152] The x-direction width length of the blade portion 61 of the liquid removing portion 60 is formed to be larger than the x-direction width lengths of the cleaning liquid applying member 51 and the nozzle forming surface 223. With such a configuration, the cleaning liquid applied to the nozzle forming surface 223 can be removed by the blade 61a over the entire x-direction width of the nozzle forming surface 223, so that it is possible to prevent the product from being soiled due to the remaining liquid adhering to the product on the nozzle forming surface 223.

[0153] Among the cleaning liquid applying member 51, the x-direction width length of the inner wall portion 51f is smaller than the x-direction width lengths of the upstream surface 51b in the liquid application direction and the downstream surface 51d in the moving direction during liquid application, and is configured to be equal to or greater than the x-direction width length of the nozzle plate 224. With such a configuration, the range where the inner wall portion 51f contacts the nozzle forming surface 223 is limited to only the surface of the nozzle plate 224. Further, even if there is a minute step in the z direction between the surface of the nozzle plate 224 and the nozzle forming surface 223, the upper surface of the inner wall portion 51f can easily follow the surface of the nozzle plate 224 in the z direction, so that a negative pressure can be stably applied to the nozzle plate 224.

[0154] Figs. 25(a) to 25(c) are explanatory views of the positional relationship between the recording head 22 and the maintenance unit 40 in the fifth embodiment, and are views showing the arrangement positions in the z direction of the nozzle forming surface 223, the liquid application unit 50, and the liquid removal unit 60. Fig. 25(a) shows a state in which the positioning member 171 of the maintenance tray 17 and the positioned portion 221 of the recording head 22 are separated. Figs. 25(b) and 25(c) show a state in which the positioned portion 221 lands on the positioning member 171 and the recording head 22 is positioned with respect to the maintenance tray 17. Further, Figs. 25(a) and 25(b) show a state in which the liquid application unit 50 is controlled to be in the initial position (first position) in the z direction. Fig. 25(c) shows a state in which the liquid application unit 50 is controlled to be in the second position in the z direction. The initial position and the second position will be described later.

[0155] Both the liquid application unit 50 and the liquid removal unit 60 constituting the maintenance unit 40 are mounted on the stage 44. Further, in the fifth embodiment, the liquid application unit 50 is arranged on the stage 44 via an air cylinder 47 that can expand and contract in the z direction. The air cylinder 47 allows the liquid application unit 50 to change its position in two steps in the z direction, and the control is executed by the control unit 21. Note that the driving of the liquid application unit 50 in the z direction is not limited to the configuration using an air cylinder, and a configuration in which the amount of expansion and contraction of a biasing member such as a spring is adjusted by a motor or the like may also be used.

[0156] Within the stage 44, the liquid application unit 50 is configured to be movable between an initial linear movement position (first linear movement position) and a second linear movement position located above (on the z direction side) the initial linear movement position. The initial linear movement position is the position where the air cylinder 47 is at the lower end in the z direction, that is, the position where the liquid application unit 50 descends in the -z direction within the stage 44. The second linear movement position is the position where the air cylinder 47 protrudes in the z direction, that is, the position where the liquid application unit 50 ascends in the z direction within the stage 44.

[0157] Furthermore, in the fifth embodiment, the stage 44 is disposed within the maintenance unit 40 via an air cylinder 48 that can expand and contract in the z direction. The stage 44 can be positioned in two steps in the z direction by the air cylinder 48, and the control thereof is executed by the control unit 21. Note that the drive of the stage 44 in the z direction is not limited to the configuration using an air cylinder, and may be a configuration in which the amount of expansion and contraction of a biasing member such as a spring is adjusted by a motor or the like.

[0158] Within the maintenance unit 40, the stage 44 is configured to be movable between an initial linear movement position (first linear movement position) and a second linear movement position located below the initial linear movement position (on the -z direction side). The initial linear movement position is the position where the air cylinder 48 protrudes in the z direction, that is, the position where the stage 44 rises in the z direction within the maintenance unit 40. The second linear movement position is the position where the air cylinder 48 is at the lower end in the z direction, that is, the position where the stage 44 descends in the -z direction within the maintenance unit 40.

[0159] As described above, in the fifth embodiment, an air cylinder 48 as a first linear movement mechanism for linearly moving the liquid application unit 50 and the liquid removal unit 60, and an air cylinder 47 as a fifth linear movement mechanism for linearly moving the liquid application unit 50 relative to the liquid removal unit 60 are provided. That is, the z-direction position of the liquid application unit 50 is controlled by the interlocking drive of the air cylinder 47 and the air cylinder 48. Hereinafter, the position of the liquid application unit 50 when the liquid application unit 50 is located at the initial linear movement position within the stage 44 and the stage 44 is located at the initial linear movement position within the maintenance unit 40 will be described as the initial position (first position). Similarly, the position of the liquid application unit 50 when the liquid application unit 50 is located at the second linear movement position within the stage 44 and the stage 44 is located at the second linear movement position within the maintenance unit 40 will be described as the second position.

[0160] When performing nozzle formation surface cleaning and nozzle internal cleaning, first, starting from the state shown in Fig. 25(a), the recording head 22 descends in the z direction until the positioned part 221 of the recording head 22 abuts against the positioning member 171 of the maintenance tray 17. Then, the maintenance unit 40 moves in the y direction, and the liquid application unit 50 is arranged below the nozzle formation surface 223 in the z direction.

[0161] During the execution of nozzle formation surface cleaning, the liquid application unit 50 is maintained at the initial position, the liquid removal unit 60 protrudes in the z direction with respect to the liquid application unit 50, and the stage 44 is at a position where it has risen in the z direction within the maintenance unit 40. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 25(b), there is a gap 57 in the z direction between the nozzle formation surface 223 of the recording head 22 and the cleaning liquid application member 51, and the liquid removal unit 60 abuts against the nozzle formation surface 223.

[0162] In the z direction, the end face of the inner wall portion 51f of the cleaning liquid application member 51 is at a position recessed from the end face 51a of the outer wall portion 51e. Therefore, when the cleaning liquid application member 51 of the liquid application unit 50 is not in contact with the nozzle formation surface 223, the distance between the inner wall portion 51f and the nozzle formation surface 223 is larger than the distance between the outer wall portion 51e and the nozzle formation surface 223.

[0163] During the execution of nozzle internal cleaning, the liquid application unit 50 is maintained at the second position, and the liquid application unit 50 protrudes in the z direction with respect to the liquid removal unit 60. Therefore, while the recording head 22 descends until the positioned part 221 of the recording head 22 abuts against the positioning member 171 of the maintenance tray 17, the cleaning liquid application member 51 and the nozzle formation surface 223 come into contact. More specifically, the end face 51a (face 51b, face 51c, face 51d) of the cleaning liquid application member 51 abuts against the nozzle formation surface 223. Then, when the positioned part 221 lands on the positioning member 171, as shown in Fig. 25(c), the cleaning liquid application member 51 supported by the holder guide 56 is pushed into the z direction by the biasing member 55.

[0164] ​Here, in the fifth embodiment, the cleaning liquid applying member 51 has flexibility. When the cleaning liquid applying member 51 is biased toward the nozzle forming surface 223 by the biasing member 55, the outer wall portion 51e having the surfaces 51b, 51c, and 51d as end surfaces deflects outward. Then, in a state where the outer wall portion 51e of the cleaning liquid applying member 51 is deflected and deformed, the end portion of the inner wall portion 51f in the z direction abuts against the nozzle forming surface 223. On the other hand, during nozzle cleaning, the liquid removing portion 60 is separated from the nozzle forming surface 223.

[0165] In this way, when the liquid applying portion 50 is located at the initial position (first position) in a state where the portion to be positioned 221 and the positioning member 171 are engaged, the end surface 51a of the cleaning liquid applying member 51 is separated from the nozzle forming surface 223. On the other hand, when the liquid applying portion 50 is located at the second position, both the outer wall portion 51e and the inner wall portion 51f of the cleaning liquid applying member 51 abut against the nozzle forming surface 223. That is, in the second embodiment, the air cylinders 47 and 48 constitute a moving mechanism that moves the liquid applying portion 50 between the first position and the second position.

[0166] Figs. 26(a) to (h) are diagrams showing the operation of the maintenance unit 40 in the fifth embodiment, and cross-sectional views of the maintenance tray 17 and the recording head 22 in the yz plane in each cleaning state are shown.

[0167] Fig. 26(a) shows a state where the maintenance tray 17 and the recording head 22 are separated, and the liquid applying portion 50 and the liquid removing portion 60 are arranged at the cleaning start position in the y direction, which is the cleaning direction. Here, the air cylinders 47 and 48 are in the initial position, that is, a state where the liquid removing portion 60 protrudes in the z direction with respect to the liquid applying portion 50.

[0168] FIG. 26(b) shows a state in which the positioned portion 221 of the recording head 22 lands on the positioning member 171 of the maintenance tray 17 and the recording head 22 is positioned with respect to the maintenance tray 17. At this time, the z-direction position of the liquid application unit 50 is at a height separated from the nozzle formation surface 223 by the gap 57. On the other hand, the z-direction position of the liquid removal unit 60 is at a height in contact with the nozzle formation surface 223. Thereafter, until the maintenance unit 40 starts to move in the y direction, the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid tank 72 is applied to the cleaning liquid application member 51 along the supply flow path of the liquid supply unit 73. Then, the supply of the cleaning liquid to the nozzle formation surface 223 is started through the gap 57. By providing the gap 57 between the cleaning liquid application member 51 and the nozzle formation surface 223 to supply the cleaning liquid, the cleaning liquid is uniformly applied to the nozzle formation surface 223.

[0169] FIG. 26(c) shows a state in which the maintenance unit 40 moves in the y direction and the cleaning operation of the nozzle formation surface 223 of the recording head 22 is completed. During the cleaning of the nozzle formation surface 223, the cleaning liquid is uniformly applied to the nozzle formation surface 223 of the recording head 22 by the liquid application unit 50, and then the fixed ink and the cleaning liquid are removed from the nozzle formation surface 223 by the liquid removal unit 60. After the cleaning operation is completed, the supply of the cleaning liquid to the liquid application unit 50 is stopped. Note that the cleaning operation from FIG. 26(b) to FIG. 26(c) is the nozzle formation surface cleaning in the fifth embodiment.

[0170] FIG. 26(d) shows a state in which the maintenance unit 40 is at the cleaning completion position and the recording head 22 has retreated in the z direction. By moving the recording head 22 in the z direction, the positioned portion 221 is separated from the positioning member 171.

[0171] FIG. 26(e) shows a state in which the maintenance unit 40 has moved to the cleaning start position. At this time, the liquid removal unit 60 is at a position retreated from the recording head 22. Also, the air cylinders 47 and 48 are in the second position, that is, a state in which the liquid application unit 50 protrudes in the z direction with respect to the liquid removal unit 60.

[0172] Figure 26(f) shows a state where the recording head 22 is positioned with respect to the maintenance tray 17. As described above, in the process of the recording head 22 descending to a position where the positioned part 221 abuts against the positioning member 171, the cleaning liquid applying member 51 and the nozzle forming surface 223 come into contact. Thereafter, when the recording head 22 further descends, the cleaning liquid applying member 51 supported by the holder guide 56 is pushed into the z direction by the biasing member 55, and the outer wall portion 51e including the surfaces 51b, 51c, and 51d begins to bend. When the positioned part 221 lands on the positioning member 171, the outer wall portion 51e bends further, and the inner wall portion 51f abuts against the recording head 22. Thereafter, a negative pressure is applied to the liquid applying portion 50 by the suction pump 74 until the movement in the y direction starts. Then, the ink and the like remaining inside the liquid applying portion 50 are sucked by the negative pressure and move to the waste liquid tank 75.

[0173] Figure 26(g) shows a state where the liquid applying portion 50 has moved to the cleaning completion position. In the process of the maintenance unit 40 moving in the y direction, a negative pressure is applied to the nozzle plate 224 of the nozzle forming surface 223, and the removal of the fixed ink from the nozzle plate 224 and the removal of the bubbles in the ink flow path are performed. After the maintenance unit 40 has moved to the cleaning end position, the operation of applying a negative pressure to the liquid applying portion 50 stops. Note that the cleaning operation from FIGS. 26(e) to 26(g) is the nozzle internal cleaning in the fifth embodiment.

[0174] Figure 26(h) shows a state where the recording head 22 has retracted in the z direction. At this time, the air cylinder 47 and the air cylinder 48 are in the initial positions, that is, the state where the liquid removing portion 60 protrudes in the z direction with respect to the liquid applying portion 50. Thereafter, the maintenance unit 40 moves in the -y direction to the position of FIG. 26(a) which is the initial position.

[0175] In the fifth embodiment, both the liquid application unit 50 and the liquid removal unit 60 are mounted on the stage 44. However, the liquid application unit 50 may be mounted on the first stage 45 and the liquid removal unit 60 may be mounted on the second stage 46. In that case, similar to the first embodiment, the first stage 45 may be arranged on the maintenance tray 17 via the air cylinder 47 and a drive mechanism (not shown), and the second stage 46 may be arranged on the maintenance tray 17 via a drive mechanism (not shown). Further, the first stage 45 can be positioned in two steps in the z direction by the air cylinder 47, and the control is executed by the control unit 21. Also, the drive mechanism (not shown) can move the first stage 45 and the second stage 46 independently in the y direction, and the control is also executed by the control unit 21. Furthermore, the z-direction drive of the first stage 45 is not limited to the configuration using an air cylinder, and may be a configuration in which the expansion and contraction amount of a biasing member such as a spring is adjusted by a motor or the like.

[0176] From the above, according to the configuration of the fifth embodiment, since a common flow path can be used for both the in-nozzle cleaning and the nozzle forming surface cleaning, it is possible to execute two types of cleaning operations while suppressing an increase in the number of parts and the size of the cleaning means. As a result, without increasing the size of the recording apparatus, it is possible to configure the recording head to be able to execute both the in-nozzle cleaning and the nozzle forming surface cleaning operations, and effectively suppress a decrease in the recording quality. Furthermore, in the fifth embodiment, since the drive mechanisms for driving the liquid application unit 50 and the liquid removal unit 60 in the y direction are common, compared with the first embodiment, the effect of suppressing an increase in the number of parts and the size of the cleaning means is high. Also, in the fifth embodiment, during the in-nozzle cleaning, since the end face of the inner wall portion 51f in which a flow path communicating with the waste liquid tank 75 is formed inside abuts against the nozzle forming surface 223, the ink or the like inside the nozzle can be stably sucked.

[0177] <Other Embodiments> Furthermore, the configuration and cleaning operation of the recording apparatus 1 described above are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Also, not all of the configurations of the above-described embodiments are necessarily required for the application of the present invention. In addition, the configurations of the above-described embodiments can be used in appropriate combinations. For example, similar to the fifth embodiment, the liquid application unit 50 may be configured to include the inner wall portion 51f, and similar to the first embodiment, the liquid application unit 50 and the liquid removal unit 60 may be configured to be movable independently of each other in the y direction.

[0178] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the maintenance unit 40 moves with respect to the fixed recording head 22 to perform the cleaning operation, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the recording head 22 may move with respect to the maintenance unit 40 to perform the cleaning operation. That is, the present invention is applicable to a recording apparatus having cleaning means for relatively moving along the formation direction of the nozzle row facing a part of the nozzles in the nozzle row of the recording head 22.

[0179] Also, for example, during nozzle cleaning, it may be performed in a state where a slight gap is provided between the nozzle formation surface 223 and the liquid application unit 50 to such an extent that it does not affect ink suction within the nozzle.

[0180] Also, the processing described as being performed by one apparatus may be executed in cooperation by a plurality of apparatuses. Alternatively, the processing described as being performed by different apparatuses may be executed by one apparatus. In a computer system, how each function is realized by a hardware configuration can be flexibly changed.

[0181] The disclosure of the present embodiment includes the following configurations. (Configuration 1) A recording head having a nozzle for discharging ink toward a recording medium and a nozzle formation surface in which the nozzle is open, A flow path forming portion that forms a flow path including an opening facing the nozzle formation surface during the cleaning operation of the recording head, A liquid supply unit including a cleaning liquid storage chamber for storing a cleaning liquid therein, and a liquid supply means for supplying the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid storage chamber toward the nozzle forming surface through the flow path, a liquid removing unit that slides with respect to the nozzle forming surface to remove liquid droplets adhering to the nozzle forming surface, and comprising, a suction unit including a waste liquid storage chamber, and a negative pressure generating means for generating a negative pressure in the flow path and sucking the ink remaining in the nozzle through the flow path toward the waste liquid storage chamber, a switching unit capable of switching between a first state in which the flow path communicates with the cleaning liquid storage chamber and a second state in which the flow path communicates with the waste liquid storage chamber, the recording apparatus being further characterized by this. (Configuration 2) The recording apparatus according to Configuration 1, further comprising a control unit that executes nozzle forming surface cleaning for cleaning the nozzle forming surface when the recording apparatus is in the first state and nozzle internal cleaning for cleaning the inside of the nozzle when the recording apparatus is in the second state as the cleaning operation. (Configuration 3) The recording head has a plurality of the nozzles, the plurality of nozzles are arranged in an arrangement direction on the nozzle forming surface, The recording apparatus according to Configuration 1 or 2, wherein the liquid removing unit and the flow path forming unit are configured to be movable in the arrangement direction with respect to the recording head. (Configuration 4) The recording apparatus according to Configuration 3, wherein the flow path forming unit and the liquid removing unit are configured to be movable independently of each other in the arrangement direction. (Configuration 5) The recording apparatus according to Configuration 3, wherein the flow path forming unit and the liquid removing unit are configured to be integrally movable in the arrangement direction. (Configuration 6) having a positioning unit, and comprising a support unit for supporting the flow path forming unit and the liquid removing unit, The recording head has a part to be positioned for positioning the recording head with respect to the support part by engaging with the positioning part, and the recording apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that. (Configuration 7) The flow path forming part has an end face on which the opening is formed. In a state where the positioning part and the part to be positioned are engaged, the recording apparatus according to Configuration 6, characterized in that it includes a moving mechanism for moving the flow path forming part to a first position where the end face is separated from the nozzle forming surface and a second position where the end face abuts on the nozzle forming surface. (Configuration 8) The recording apparatus according to Configuration 7, characterized in that the moving mechanism is a linear motion mechanism for linearly moving the flow path forming part in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle forming surface. (Configuration 9) The recording apparatus according to Configuration 7, characterized in that the moving mechanism includes a first linear motion mechanism for linearly moving the flow path forming part and the liquid removing part integrally in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle forming surface, and a second linear motion mechanism for linearly moving the flow path forming part relative to the liquid removing part in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle forming surface. (Configuration 10) The moving mechanism is a linear motion mechanism for linearly moving the flow path forming part and the liquid removing part integrally in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle forming surface. The recording apparatus according to Configuration 7, characterized in that it includes a rotation mechanism for rotating the liquid removing part about a rotation axis parallel to the nozzle forming surface. (Configuration 11) The flow path forming part has an end face on which the opening is formed. In a state where the positioning part and the part to be positioned are engaged, the recording apparatus according to Configuration 6, characterized in that it includes a moving mechanism for moving the flow path forming part to a first position where a part of the end face abuts on the nozzle forming surface and a second position where the contact area of the end face with respect to the nozzle forming surface is larger than that in the first position. (Configuration 12) The moving mechanism includes a rotating mechanism that rotates the flow path forming portion about a rotation axis parallel to the nozzle forming surface, and a linear motion mechanism that linearly moves the flow path forming portion and the liquid removing portion integrally in a direction perpendicular to the nozzle forming surface. The recording apparatus according to Configuration 11, characterized in that it comprises the above. (Configuration 13) The flow path forming portion is an outer wall portion including an end face on which the opening is formed, the outer wall portion having flexibility, and an inner wall portion located inside the outer wall portion when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the nozzle forming surface. In a state where the outer wall portion is not in contact with the nozzle forming surface, the distance between the inner wall portion and the nozzle forming surface is larger than the distance between the outer wall portion and the nozzle forming surface. The flow path forming portion is configured to be movable to a position where the inner wall portion contacts the nozzle forming surface in a state where the outer wall portion contacts the nozzle forming surface and deforms. The recording apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 12, characterized in that it comprises the above. (Configuration 14) A flow path communicating with one of the cleaning liquid storage chamber or the waste liquid storage chamber is formed inside the inner wall portion. A flow path communicating with the other of the cleaning liquid storage chamber and the waste liquid storage chamber is formed between the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion. The recording apparatus according to Configuration 13, characterized in that it comprises the above. (Configuration 15) In a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction, the width length of the opening is smaller than the width length of the nozzle forming surface, and the width length of the contact portion of the liquid removing portion with respect to the nozzle forming surface is larger than the width length of the nozzle forming surface. The recording apparatus according to any one of Configurations 3 to 6, characterized in that it comprises the above. (Configuration 16) The liquid removing portion and the flow path forming portion are configured to be movable in the moving direction with respect to the recording head. The recording head has a nozzle plate on which the nozzles are formed and which is provided on the nozzle forming surface. The recording apparatus according to configuration 13, wherein in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction, the width length of the outer wall portion is smaller than the width length of the nozzle forming surface, the width length of the inner wall portion is smaller than the width length of the outer wall portion, and is equal to or greater than the width length of the nozzle plate.

Explanation of Signs

[0182] 1... Recording apparatus, 22... Recording head, 50... Liquid application unit (flow path forming unit), 60... Liquid removal unit, 70... Flow path switching valve (switching unit), 73... Liquid supply unit, 76... Suction unit, 223... Nozzle forming surface

Claims

1. A recording head having a nozzle for ejecting ink toward a recording medium and a nozzle forming surface in which the nozzle opens; A flow path forming section that forms a flow path including an opening facing the nozzle forming surface during a cleaning operation of the recording head; A liquid supply section including a cleaning liquid storage chamber that stores a cleaning liquid therein, and liquid supply means for supplying the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid storage chamber toward the nozzle forming surface through the flow path; A liquid removing section that slides with respect to the nozzle forming surface to remove droplets adhering to the nozzle forming surface; Comprising; A suction section including a waste liquid storage chamber and negative pressure generating means for generating a negative pressure in the flow path and sucking the ink remaining in the nozzle through the flow path toward the waste liquid storage chamber; A recording apparatus, further comprising a switching section capable of switching between a first state in which the flow path communicates with the cleaning liquid storage chamber and a second state in which the flow path communicates with the waste liquid storage chamber.

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control section that executes nozzle forming surface cleaning for cleaning the nozzle forming surface when the recording apparatus is in the first state and nozzle inner cleaning for cleaning the inside of the nozzle when the recording apparatus is in the second state, as the cleaning operation.

3. The recording head has a plurality of the nozzles, The plurality of nozzles are arranged in an arrangement direction on the nozzle forming surface, The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid removing section and the flow path forming section are configured to be movable in the arrangement direction with respect to the recording head.

4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the flow path forming section and the liquid removing section are configured to be independently movable in the arrangement direction.

5. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the flow path forming section and the liquid removing section are configured to be integrally movable in the arrangement direction.

6. Having a positioning section and comprising a support section that supports the flow path forming section and the liquid removing section, The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head has a section to be positioned for engaging with the positioning section to position the recording head with respect to the support section.

7. The flow path forming section has an end surface in which the opening is formed, In a state where the positioning portion and the positioned portion are engaged, the recording apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a moving mechanism that moves the flow path forming portion between a first position where an end surface thereof is separated from the nozzle forming surface and a second position where the end surface abuts against the nozzle forming surface.

8. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the moving mechanism is a linear motion mechanism that linearly moves the flow path forming portion in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle forming surface.

9. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the moving mechanism includes a first linear motion mechanism that linearly moves the flow path forming portion and the liquid removing portion integrally in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle forming surface, and a second linear motion mechanism that linearly moves the flow path forming portion relative to the liquid removing portion in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle forming surface.

10. The moving mechanism is a linear motion mechanism that linearly moves the flow path forming portion and the liquid removing portion integrally in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle forming surface, The recording apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a rotation mechanism that rotates the liquid removing portion about a rotation axis parallel to the nozzle forming surface.

11. The flow path forming portion has an end surface on which the opening is formed, In a state where the positioning portion and the positioned portion are engaged, the recording apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a moving mechanism that moves the flow path forming portion between a first position where a part of the end surface abuts against the nozzle forming surface and a second position where an abutting area of the end surface against the nozzle forming surface is larger than that in the first position.

12. The recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the moving mechanism includes a rotation mechanism that rotates the flow path forming portion about a rotation axis parallel to the nozzle forming surface, and a linear motion mechanism that linearly moves the flow path forming portion and the liquid removing portion integrally in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle forming surface.

13. The flow path forming portion is an outer wall portion including an end surface on which the opening is formed, the outer wall portion having flexibility, and an inner wall portion located inside the outer wall portion when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the nozzle forming surface. When the outer wall portion is not in contact with the nozzle forming surface, a distance between the inner wall portion and the nozzle forming surface is larger than a distance between the outer wall portion and the nozzle forming surface. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flow path forming portion is configured to be movable to a position where the inner wall portion abuts on the nozzle forming surface in a state where the outer wall portion is deformed by abutting on the nozzle forming surface.

14. A flow path communicating with one of the cleaning liquid storage chamber or the waste liquid storage chamber is formed inside the inner wall portion. The recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a flow path communicating with the other of the cleaning liquid storage chamber and the waste liquid storage chamber is formed between the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion.

15. In a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction, the width length of the opening is smaller than the width length of the nozzle forming surface, and the width length of the contact portion of the liquid removing portion with respect to the nozzle forming surface is larger than the width length of the nozzle forming surface. The recording apparatus according to claim 3.

16. The liquid removing portion and the flow path forming portion are configured to be movable in the moving direction with respect to the recording head. The recording head has a nozzle plate provided on the nozzle forming surface on which the nozzles are formed. In a direction orthogonal to the moving direction, the width length of the outer wall portion is smaller than the width length of the nozzle forming surface, the width length of the inner wall portion is smaller than the width length of the outer wall portion, and is equal to or greater than the width length of the nozzle plate. The recording apparatus according to claim 13.

Images