Inkjet recording device

Abstract

To provide an inkjet recording device that is improved in capability of removing ink, while suppressing washing liquid from being consumed.SOLUTION: An inkjet recording device 1 comprises: an inkjet head 12; a cap 72 that stores a portion close to a nozzle surface 14F, of the inkjet head 12; a washing liquid supply device 13 that supplies washing liquid enough for immersing the nozzle surface 14F to the cap 72; a washing liquid supply path 13C through which washing liquid is guided from the washing liquid supply device 13 to the cap 72; and a heat heating device 12A that heats the inkjet head 12. Some section 13 of the washing liquid supply path 13C is provided along the head heating device 12A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inkjet recording apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] In an inkjet recording apparatus, it is conceivable that moisture evaporates from the ink in the nozzles of the inkjet head during a period when an image forming job is not being executed, and the nozzles become clogged due to an increase in the viscosity of the ink. Therefore, a purge process is performed to discharge the ink in the nozzles for the purpose of preventing clogging. However, if the ink remaining on the nozzle surface is left unattended, there are problems such as ink dropping onto the sheet during the execution of an image forming job or the ink sticking to the nozzle surface. Therefore, techniques for removing the ink remaining on the nozzle surface have been studied. For example, the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 immerses the nozzle surface in a cleaning liquid injected into a cleaning tank, drains the cleaning liquid, and sucks the inside of the cleaning tank. The configuration disclosed in Patent Document 2 forms a sealed space by covering the nozzle surface with a capping mechanism, introduces an atmosphere in which the humidity and temperature are adjusted into the sealed space to cause condensation on the nozzle surface, and wipes the nozzle surface with a wiping mechanism in a state where the deposits are swollen due to the condensation.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the consumption amount of the cleaning liquid increases. The configuration disclosed in Patent Document 2 is considered to have inferior ink removal performance compared to the configuration in which the nozzle surface is immersed in the cleaning liquid.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to improve the ink removal performance while suppressing the consumption amount of the cleaning liquid.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention includes an inkjet head, a cap that houses a portion on the nozzle surface side of the inkjet head, a cleaning liquid supply device that supplies an amount of cleaning liquid in which the nozzle surface is immersed to the cap, a cleaning liquid supply path that guides the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply device to the cap, and a head heating device that heats the inkjet head, and a part of a section of the cleaning liquid supply path is arranged along the head heating device.

[0007] Further, an inkjet recording apparatus according to the present invention includes an inkjet head, a cap that houses a portion on the nozzle surface side of the inkjet head, a cleaning liquid supply device that supplies an amount of cleaning liquid in which the nozzle surface is immersed to the cap, a head heating device that heats the inkjet head, and a cleaning liquid heating device that heats the cleaning liquid to a temperature equal to or higher than the temperature of the inkjet head.

[0008] The cleaning liquid heating device may be provided on the cap.

[0009] The inkjet recording apparatus includes a cleaning liquid supply path that guides the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply device to the cap, and the cleaning liquid heating device may be provided on the cleaning liquid supply path.

[0010] The cleaning liquid supply device includes a cleaning liquid tank that stores the cleaning liquid, and the cleaning liquid heating device may be provided on the cleaning liquid tank.

[0011] The cleaning liquid heating device may heat the cleaning liquid to a temperature equal to or higher than the temperature of the inkjet head and equal to or lower than 60 degrees Celsius.

[0012] The inkjet recording apparatus includes an ink supply path that guides ink to the inkjet head, and a partial section of the ink supply path may be provided along the head heating device.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the ink removal performance while suppressing the consumption amount of the cleaning liquid.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

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[0015] [First Embodiment] Hereinafter, an inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] First, the overall configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing the internal configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the inkjet head 12. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the inkjet head 12. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the ink supply unit 60. Hereinafter, the front side (front side) of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 will be the front side of the paper surface in FIG. 1, and the left and right directions will be described based on the direction when the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is viewed from the front. In each figure, U, Lo, L, R, Fr, Rr indicate up, down, left, right, front, and rear, respectively.

[0017] The inkjet recording apparatus 1 (see Fig. 1) includes a rectangular parallelepiped main body housing 3. At the lower part inside the main body housing 3, there are provided a paper feed cassette 4 for accommodating single-sheet papers such as plain paper and coated paper, and a paper feed roller 5 for feeding out the sheet S from the paper feed cassette 4 to the right. Above the paper feed cassette 4, there is provided a transport unit 7 for adsorbing the sheet S and transporting it in the Y direction. Above the transport unit 7, there is provided an image forming unit 6 for discharging ink to form an image. At the upper right part of the main body housing 3, there are provided a discharge roller 8 for discharging the sheet S on which an image is formed, and a discharge tray 9 on which the discharged sheet S is stacked.

[0018] Inside the main body housing 3, there is provided a transport path 10 that reaches the discharge roller 8 from the paper feed roller 5 through the gap between the transport unit 7 and the image forming unit 6. The transport path 10 is mainly formed by plate-like members facing each other with a gap for passing the sheet S, and transport rollers 17 for sandwiching and transporting the sheet S are provided at a plurality of locations in the transport direction Y. A registration roller 18 is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction Y from the image forming unit 6.

[0019] The transport unit 7 includes an endless transport belt 21, a support plate 23, and a suction unit 24. The transport belt 21 has a number of ventilation holes (not shown) and is wound around a drive roller 25 and a driven roller 22. The support plate 23 has a number of ventilation holes, and the upper surface is in contact with the inner surface of the transport belt 21. The suction unit 24 sucks air through the ventilation holes of the support plate 23 and the transport belt 21 to adsorb the sheet S to the transport belt 21. The drive roller 25 is driven in the counterclockwise direction by a drive unit (not shown) including a motor and a reduction gear, so that the transport belt 21 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, and the sheet S adsorbed to the transport belt 21 is transported in the Y direction.

[0020] The image forming unit 6 includes head units 11Y, 11Bk, 11C, and 11M (collectively referred to as head unit 11). The head unit 11 includes one or more inkjet heads 12, for example, three inkjet heads 12 arranged in a staggered pattern (see FIG. 2). Ink containers 20Y, 20Bk, 20C, and 20M (collectively referred to as ink container 20) filled with yellow, black, cyan, and magenta inks are connected to the head units 11Y, 11Bk, 11C, and 11M, respectively.

[0021] The inkjet head 12 (see FIG. 3) includes a rectangular parallelepiped housing 12H having a longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction, a nozzle plate 14 provided at the bottom of the housing 12H, and a socket 12S to which a pipe for supplying ink is connected. The nozzle plate 14 includes a large number of nozzles 14N arranged in the front-rear direction. The nozzle 14N includes a branch flow path 14B branched from the downstream side of the socket 12S and a discharge port 14A provided on the nozzle surface 14F which is the lower surface of the nozzle plate 14. The diaphragm 14V also serves as a part of the inner wall of the branch flow path 14B. A pressurizing element 14Z is provided on the diaphragm 14V. As the pressurizing element 14Z, a piezoelectric element, an electrostatic actuator, a heater, or the like is used. A drive circuit 12D for driving the pressurizing element 14Z is connected to the pressurizing element 14Z.

[0022] The inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes an ink supply unit 60 (see FIG. 4). In the figure, an ink supply unit 60 corresponding to one color of ink is shown, but in this embodiment, since four colors of ink are used, four similar ink supply units 60 are provided. The ink supply unit 60 includes a container mounting portion 61 on which the ink container 20 is mounted, a filter 62 for filtering the ink, a pump 63 for sucking the ink from the ink container 20 through the filter 62, and a sub-tank 64 for storing the ink sent out from the pump 63.

[0023] The liquid level in the sub-tank 64 is adjusted to be slightly lower than the nozzle surface 14F. Due to the head difference between the liquid level and the nozzle surface 14F, a negative pressure acts on the ink in the nozzle 14N, and a meniscus is formed in the nozzle 14N. After the ink is ejected from the inkjet head 12, the surface tension of the ink acts to reduce the surface area of the meniscus, and due to the resulting negative pressure, the reduced amount of ink is drawn from the sub-tank 64 into the inkjet head 12.

[0024] The control unit 2 (see FIG. 1) includes an arithmetic unit and a storage unit (not shown). The arithmetic unit is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The storage unit includes storage media such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). The arithmetic unit performs various processes by reading and executing the control program stored in the storage unit. Note that the control unit 2 may be realized by an integrated circuit that does not use software.

[0025] On the upper part of the main body housing 3, a display operation unit 19 is provided (see FIG. 1). The display operation unit 19 includes a display panel, a touch panel laminated on the display panel, and a keypad (not shown). The control unit 2 causes the display panel to display a screen representing the operation menu and status of the inkjet recording apparatus 1, and controls each part of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to the operations detected by the touch panel and the keypad.

[0026] The basic image forming operation of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 is as follows. When an image forming job is input to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 from the display operation unit 19, an external computer, etc., the paper feed roller 5 feeds the sheet S from the paper feed cassette 4 to the conveyance path 10, and the registration roller 18 whose rotation has been stopped corrects the skew of the sheet S. When the registration roller 18 feeds the sheet S to the conveyance unit 7 at a predetermined timing, the conveyance unit 7 sucks the sheet S onto the conveyance belt 21 and conveys it in the Y direction. The drive circuit 12D supplies a discharge signal corresponding to the image data to the pressure element 14Z in synchronization with the conveyance of the sheet S. Thus, ink is discharged from the nozzles 14N, and an image is formed on the sheet S. The discharge roller 8 discharges the sheet S on which the image has been formed to the discharge tray 9.

[0027] [Maintenance device] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the maintenance device 30. FIGS. 6 to 11 are perspective views showing the maintenance device 30. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the cap device 31. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the removal device 32. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the cap 72. The maintenance device 30 includes a cap device 31, a removal device 32, a frame 33, a carriage 34, a lifting device 35, and a slide device 36.

[0028] [Frame, carriage] The frame 33 (see FIG. 8) is fixed to the main body housing 3 and supports the carriage 34 and the conveyance unit 7. The carriage 34 supports the cap device 31 and the removal device 32. The cap device 31 includes a cap 72. The removal device 32 includes a blade 82.

[0029] [Removal device] The removal device 32 (see FIG. 13) includes a waste liquid tray 81 and a blade unit 84 that slides with respect to the waste liquid tray 81.

[0030] [Waste liquid tray] The waste liquid tray 81 is supported by the carriage 34. The waste liquid tray 81 includes a rectangular bottom 81B when viewed from above, and a pair of rails 81R provided parallel to the left and right edges of the bottom 81B. The upper surface of the bottom 81B is inclined so as to be lower from both front and rear ends toward the center. A discharge port (not shown) for discharging waste liquid containing ink and cleaning liquid is provided at the center of the bottom 81B. A suction pump 68 and a waste liquid tank 69 are connected to the discharge port via a pipe (see FIG. 4).

[0031] [Blade Unit] The blade unit 84 includes a blade 82 and a support plate 83 that supports the blade 82. The blade 82 is a flexible plate-like member formed of rubber or the like. A plurality (12 in this embodiment) of blades 82 are arranged in the same positional relationship as the inkjet head 12. The support plate 83 includes a bottom 83B and upright side wall portions 83S provided at both left and right ends of the bottom 83B. Wheels 83W supported by an axis with the left-right direction as the axial direction are provided near both front and rear ends of the left and right side wall portions 83S. The wheels 83W are placed on the rails 81R and roll along the rails 81R. The removing device 32 is provided with a driving device 85 (see FIG. 5) that slides the blade unit 84 in the front-rear direction. The driving device 85 is composed of, for example, a ball screw, a belt driving device, a rack and pinion, etc.

[0032] [Cap Device] The cap device 31 (see FIG. 12) includes a cap 72 and a support plate 71 that supports the cap 72. Caps 72 corresponding to each of the inkjet heads 12 are arranged in a staggered manner on the upper surface of the support plate 71. The cap device 31 is arranged above the removing device 32. The support plate 71 is supported by the carriage 34.

[0033] [Cap] The cap 72 (see FIGS. 14 and 15) has a concave shape with an opening on the inkjet head 12 side. The cap 72 is formed of resin. The cap 72 includes a bottom portion 72B and an annular side wall portion 72S provided on the upper surface of the bottom portion 72B. The side wall portion 72S includes a pair of linear portions that face each other in the left-right direction with the longitudinal direction being the front-rear direction, and a pair of arcuate portions that connect the front end portions and the rear end portions of the pair of linear portions, respectively. The cap 72 is attached to the support plate 71 via a compression spring (not shown).

[0034] [Lifting device] The conveyance unit 7 is supported by the frame 33 via a lifting device 35 (see FIG. 5). The lifting device 35 is composed of, for example, a ball screw, a belt drive device, etc. The lifting device 35 raises and lowers the conveyance unit 7 between an image forming position (see FIG. 6) when performing image formation and a lower retracted position (see FIG. 7) below the image forming position. When moving the conveyance unit 7 to the image forming position, the conveyance unit 7 is positioned so that the distance between the conveyance belt 21 and the nozzle surface 14F becomes a distance suitable for image formation. When moving the conveyance unit 7 to the lower retracted position, a space is formed between the upper surface of the conveyance belt 21 and the nozzle surface 14F where the cap device 31 and the removal device 32 can be moved.

[0035] [Slide device] The carriage 34 is supported by the frame 33 via a slide device 36 (see FIG. 5). The slide device 36 is composed of, for example, a ball screw, a belt drive device, a rack and pinion, etc. The slide device 36 slides the carriage 34 between a lateral retracted position (a position not facing the image forming unit 6 and the conveyance unit 7) and an opposing position (a position facing the image forming unit 6 and the conveyance unit 7).

[0036] The removing device 32 is supported by the carriage 34 and is slidable left and right together with the carriage 34. The cap device 31 is also supported by the carriage 34, but the cap device 31 is slidable left and right with respect to the carriage 34. With this configuration, there are a moving mode (see FIG. 8) in which the cap device 31 and the removing device 32 are moved to the opposing positions by the carriage 34, and a moving mode (see FIG. 10) in which only the removing device 32 is moved to the opposing position by the carriage 34 while leaving the cap device 31 at the side retracted position.

[0037] At the opposing positions, the cap device 31 and the removing device 32 are movable up and down using the conveyance unit 7. When the cap device 31 and the removing device 32 are located at the opposing positions (see FIG. 8), the elevating device 35 elevates the cap device 31 between the opposing position and the cap position (see FIG. 9). The cap position is the position where the cap 72 contacts the nozzle surface 14F. On the other hand, when only the removing device 32 is located at the opposing position (see FIG. 10), the elevating device 35 elevates the removing device 32 between the opposing position and the wipe position (see FIG. 11). The wipe position is the position where the upper end of the blade 82 contacts the nozzle surface 14F.

[0038] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration for supplying a cleaning liquid to the cap 72. The inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes an inkjet head 12, a cap 72 that houses a portion on the nozzle surface 14F side of the inkjet head 12, a cleaning liquid supply device 13 that supplies the cap 72 with a cleaning liquid in an amount in which the nozzle surface 14F is immersed, a cleaning liquid supply path 13C that guides the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply device 13 to the cap 72, and a head heating device 12A that heats the inkjet head 12. A partial section 13R of the cleaning liquid supply path 13C is provided along the head heating device 12A. Specifically, it is as follows.

[0039] [Inkjet head] The nozzle plate 14 (see FIGS. 3 and 15) provided in the inkjet head 12 is formed in an overall elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape in the front-rear direction, but at the front end portion and the rear end portion of the nozzle plate 14, protruding portions 14P protruding forward and backward are provided, respectively. The lower surface of the protruding portion 14P is at a position higher than the nozzle surface 14F.

[0040] [Cap] The cap 72 houses the portion on the nozzle surface 14F side of the inkjet head 12. Specifically, the portion on the nozzle surface 14F side of the inkjet head 12 is, among the nozzle plate 14, the portion below the protruding portion 14P including the nozzle surface 14F. Hereinafter, this portion is referred to as the lower part 14G of the nozzle plate.

[0041] The length of the internal space of the cap 72 in the front-rear direction is longer than the length of the lower part 14G of the nozzle plate in the front-rear direction. The width of the internal space of the cap 72 in the left-right direction is wider than the width of the lower part 14G of the nozzle plate in the left-right direction. When the lower part 14G of the nozzle plate is housed in the cap 72, the upper edge portion of the side wall portion 72S of the cap 72 contacts the lower surface of the protruding portion 14P. Further, when the lower part 14G of the nozzle plate is housed in the cap 72, a gap through which the cleaning liquid can penetrate is formed between the nozzle surface 14F and the bottom portion 72B of the cap 72.

[0042] A cleaning liquid supply port 72N penetrating in the front-rear direction is provided at the rear portion of the side wall portion 72S of the cap 72. The cleaning liquid supply port 72N is provided on the bottom portion 72B side of the side wall portion 72S in the up-down direction.

[0043] [Cleaning Liquid Supply Device] The cleaning liquid supply device 13 includes a cleaning liquid tank 13T for storing the cleaning liquid and a cleaning liquid pump 13P for sending out the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid tank 13T. The cleaning liquid pump 13P is connected to the cleaning liquid supply port 72N of the cap 72 via a cleaning liquid supply path 13C.

[0044] [Head Heating Device] The head heating device 12A is configured using, for example, a resistive heating element such as a nichrome wire. The head heating device 12A is attached to the outer surface (e.g., the upper surface) of the housing 12H of the inkjet head 12. With this configuration, the head heating device 12A transfers heat to the entire inkjet head 12 via the housing 12H, and thus the ink present inside the inkjet head 12 including the nozzle plate 14 is heated to a temperature suitable for image formation.

[0045] A partial section 65R of the ink supply path 65 that guides ink from the sub-tank 64 to the inkjet head 12 is arranged along the head heating device 12A. With this configuration, heat is efficiently transferred from the head heating device 12A to the ink.

[0046] Also, a partial section 13R of the cleaning liquid supply path 13C is arranged along the head heating device 12A. With this configuration, the cleaning liquid flowing through the cleaning liquid supply path 13C is heated to the same temperature as the ink.

[0047] Next, the operation of the maintenance device 30 will be described. The following operations are executed by the control unit 2 controlling each part of the maintenance device 30.

[0048] When executing an image formation job (see FIG. 6), the removal device 32 is arranged at the lateral retracted position, and the conveyance unit 7 is arranged at the image formation position.

[0049] The penetration process, the purge process, and the wipe process are executed at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing is, for example, when a predetermined time has elapsed after the image formation job has ended. When the predetermined timing arrives, the control unit 2 moves the conveyance unit 7 from the image formation position to the lower retracted position by the lifting device 35 (see FIG. 7), and moves the carriage 34 from the lateral retracted position to the opposing position by the slide device 36 (see FIG. 8).

[0050] Next, the control unit 2 raises the cap device 31 to the cap position by raising the conveyance unit 7 with the lifting device 35, and houses the nozzle plate lower part 14G in the cap 72 (see FIGS. 9 and 15). Subsequently, the control unit 2 supplies the cleaning liquid to the cap 72 by the cleaning liquid supply device 13 and waits for a predetermined time (penetration treatment). By the penetration treatment, the cleaning liquid penetrates into the ink remaining on the nozzle surface 14F and the ink in the nozzle 14N, and the ink with increased viscosity becomes easier to soften.

[0051] When the temperature of the cleaning liquid is lower than the temperature of the ink, the ink with increased viscosity is difficult to soften, so the ink removal performance is also difficult to improve. On the other hand, when the temperature of the cleaning liquid is equal to or higher than the temperature of the ink, the ink with increased viscosity becomes easier to soften compared to the case where the temperature of the cleaning liquid is lower than the temperature of the ink. According to the present embodiment, since the cleaning liquid is heated to the same temperature as the ink, the ink becomes easier to soften.

[0052] When the penetration treatment is completed, the control unit 2 increases the pressure in the nozzle 14N of the inkjet head 12 to eject the ink (purge treatment). Next, the control unit 2 lowers the cap device 31 from the cap position to the opposing position (see FIG. 8), slides only the cap device 31 to the side retracted position (see FIG. 10), and then raises the removal device 32 to the wipe position (see FIG. 11).

[0053] Next, the control unit 2 slides the blade unit 84 forward by the drive device 85 (wipe treatment). Then, the blade 82 is pressed against the nozzle surface 14F and advances while bending, scraping off the ink and the cleaning liquid adhering to the nozzle surface 14F. The scraped ink is diluted by the cleaning liquid and falls into the waste liquid tray 81.

[0054] Next, the control unit 2 lowers the removal device 32 from the wipe position to the opposing position (see FIG. 10), slides the cap device 31 from the side retracted position to the opposing position (see FIG. 8), raises the cap device 31 from the opposing position to the cap position (see FIG. 9), and waits until an image forming job is input. By this procedure, since the lower part 14G of the nozzle plate is housed in the cap 72, an increase in the viscosity of the ink in the nozzles 14N is suppressed.

[0055] When an image forming job is input, the control unit 2 lowers the cap device 31 from the cap position to the opposing position by the elevating device 35 (see FIG. 8), then slides the carriage 34 to the side standby position by the slide device 36 (see FIG. 7), and then raises the transport unit 7 to the image forming position by the elevating device 35 (see FIG. 6), and then executes the image forming job.

[0056] According to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment described above, an inkjet head 12, a cap 72 that houses a portion on the nozzle surface 14F side of the inkjet head 12, a cleaning liquid supply device 13 that supplies a cleaning liquid in an amount that the nozzle surface 14F is immersed in the cap 72, a cleaning liquid supply path 13C that guides the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply device 13 to the cap 72, and a head heating device 12A that heats the inkjet head 12 are provided, and a partial section 13R of the cleaning liquid supply path 13C is provided along the head heating device 12A. According to this configuration, since the cleaning liquid is heated to the same temperature as the ink, it is possible to improve the ink removal performance while suppressing the consumption amount of the cleaning liquid. Further, since it is not necessary to provide a dedicated heating device for the cleaning liquid, the cost can be suppressed.

[0057] Further, according to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, an ink supply path 65 that guides ink to the inkjet head 12 is provided, and a partial section 65R of the ink supply path 65 is provided along the head heating device 12A. According to this configuration, the ink can be efficiently heated.

[0058] [Second Embodiment] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration for supplying a cleaning liquid to the cap 72. The inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes an inkjet head 12, a cap 72 that houses a portion on the nozzle surface 14F side of the inkjet head 12, a cleaning liquid supply device 13 that supplies the cap 72 with a cleaning liquid in an amount such that the nozzle surface 14F is immersed, a head heating device 12A that heats the inkjet head 12, and a cleaning liquid heating device 13A that heats the cleaning liquid to a temperature equal to or higher than the temperature of the inkjet head 12.

[0059] Specifically, the cleaning liquid supply path 13C is connected to the cap 72 without passing through the head heating device 12A. The cleaning liquid heating device 13A is provided in the cap 72. As an example, in FIG. 16, the cleaning liquid heating device 13A is provided at the bottom 72B of the cap 72, but it may be provided on the side wall portion 72S of the cap 72, or may be provided on both the bottom 72B and the side wall portion 72S.

[0060] The cleaning liquid heating device 13A heats the cleaning liquid to a temperature equal to or higher than the temperature of the inkjet head 12 and equal to or lower than 60 degrees Celsius. For example, a sensor (not shown) for detecting the temperature of the cap 72 is provided. The control unit 2 controls the power of the cleaning liquid heating device 13A so that the temperature of the cap 72 is equal to or higher than the temperature of the inkjet head 12 and equal to or lower than 60 degrees Celsius.

[0061] According to the inkjet recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment described above, since the cleaning liquid is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the temperature of the ink, the ink with increased viscosity is likely to soften. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the ink removal performance while suppressing the consumption amount of the cleaning liquid.

[0062] Further, according to the present embodiment, since the cleaning liquid heating device 13A is provided in the cap 72, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the temperature of the cleaning liquid as compared with the case where the cleaning liquid heating device 13A is provided upstream of the cap 72 (for example, the cleaning liquid supply path 13C, the cleaning liquid tank 13T).

[0063] Further, according to the present embodiment, since the cleaning liquid heating device 13A heats the cleaning liquid to a temperature equal to or higher than the temperature of the inkjet head 12 and equal to or lower than 60 degrees Celsius, evaporation of the cleaning liquid can be suppressed.

[0064] [First Modification of the Second Embodiment] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration for supplying a cleaning liquid to the cap 72. The inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes a cleaning liquid supply path 13C that guides the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply device 13 to the cap 72, and the cleaning liquid heating device 13A is provided in the cleaning liquid supply path 13C. According to this modification, the configuration of the cap 72 can be simplified as compared with the case where the cleaning liquid heating device 13A is provided in the cap 72.

[0065] [Second Modification of the Second Embodiment] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration for supplying a cleaning liquid to the cap 72. The cleaning liquid supply device 13 includes a cleaning liquid tank 13T that stores the cleaning liquid, and the cleaning liquid heating device 13A is provided in the cleaning liquid tank 13T. According to this modification, the configuration of the cap 72 can be simplified as compared with the case where the cleaning liquid heating device 13A is provided in the cap 72.

[0066] In the above-described embodiments and modifications, an example is shown in which the cap device 31 and the removing device 32 are slid in a space formed by lowering the conveyance unit 7. However, the cap device 31 and the removing device 32 may be configured to be slid in a space formed by raising the image forming unit 6.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0067] 1 Inkjet recording apparatus 12 Inkjet head 12A Head heating device 13 Cleaning liquid supply device 13A Cleaning liquid heating device 13C Cleaning liquid supply path 13R Part of the cleaning liquid supply path 13T Cleaning liquid tank 14F Nozzle surface 65 Ink supply path Part of the section of the 65R ink supply path 72 Cap

Claims

1. An inkjet head, A cap for accommodating a portion on the nozzle surface side of the inkjet head, A cleaning liquid supply device for supplying a cleaning liquid in an amount that the nozzle surface is immersed in the cap, A cleaning liquid supply path for guiding the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply device to the cap, A head heating device for heating the inkjet head, and comprising, An inkjet recording apparatus, characterized in that a part of a section of the cleaning liquid supply path is arranged along the head heating device.

2. An inkjet head, A cap for accommodating a portion on the nozzle surface side of the inkjet head, A cleaning liquid supply device for supplying a cleaning liquid in an amount that the nozzle surface is immersed in the cap, A head heating device for heating the inkjet head, An inkjet recording apparatus, characterized by comprising a cleaning liquid heating device for heating the cleaning liquid to a temperature equal to or higher than the temperature of the inkjet head.

3. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the cleaning liquid heating device is provided in the cap.

4. Comprising a cleaning liquid supply path for guiding the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply device to the cap, The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the cleaning liquid heating device is provided in the cleaning liquid supply path.

5. The cleaning liquid supply device includes a cleaning liquid tank for storing the cleaning liquid, The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the cleaning liquid heating device is provided in the cleaning liquid tank.

6. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the cleaning liquid heating device heats the cleaning liquid to a temperature equal to or higher than the temperature of the inkjet head and equal to or lower than 60 degrees Celsius.

7. comprising an ink supply path for guiding ink to the inkjet head, The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a partial section of the ink supply path is provided along the head heating device.

Images