Liquid discharge device

Abstract

To provide a liquid discharge device which enables reduction of accumulation of a second liquid while inhibiting increase of a period of flushing.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device includes: a first guide member disposed below first nozzles which discharge a first liquid by flushing when a liquid discharge head is in a predetermined position and having a first receiving part; a second guide member disposed below second nozzles which discharge a second liquid by flushing when the liquid discharge head is in the predetermined position and having a second receiving part; and a waste liquid storage member which stores the first liquid and the second liquid discharged from the second receiving part. The first receiving part inclines downward in a first direction, and at least a part of the second receiving part is located below an end in the first direction of the first receiving part. The second receiving part inclines downward in a second direction opposite to the first direction, receives the second liquid discharged from the second nozzles to discharge the second liquid to the waste liquid storage member, and receives the first liquid supplied from the first receiving part to discharge the first liquid to the waste liquid storage member below the first receiving part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid. [Background technology]

[0002] A known example of a conventional liquid ejection device is the liquid ejection device disclosed in Patent Document 1. This liquid ejection device includes a liquid ejection head and a head drive unit that moves the liquid ejection head. The liquid ejection head has first nozzles that eject a first liquid and second nozzles that eject a second liquid that solidifies more easily than the first liquid. The liquid ejection device also includes a waste liquid tank that stores the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection head, and a guide member that guides the liquid from the liquid ejection head to the waste liquid tank. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-68488 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the flushing process, the liquid jet head described above sprays the second liquid from the second nozzle toward the guide member, then moves the liquid jet head so that the first nozzle faces the guide member, and then sprays the first liquid from the first nozzle toward the guide member. This causes the second liquid, which tends to solidify on the guide member, to flow along with the first liquid, thereby suppressing the accumulation of the solidified second liquid on the guide member and preventing this accumulation from coming into contact with the liquid jet head. However, because the liquid jet head must be moved between the ejection of the second liquid and the ejection of the first liquid, there is a problem in that the flushing process takes a long time.

[0005] In view of such circumstances, the present disclosure aims to provide a liquid ejection device that can reduce the accumulation of the second liquid on the guide member while suppressing the prolongation of flushing caused by movement of the liquid ejection head. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A liquid ejection device according to the present disclosure includes a liquid ejection head having a plurality of first nozzles that eject a first liquid and a plurality of second nozzles that eject a second liquid that solidifies more easily than the first liquid; a first guide member that is disposed below the first nozzles that eject the first liquid by flushing when the liquid ejection head is at a predetermined position and has a first receiving portion that receives the first liquid ejected from the first nozzles; and a second guide member that is disposed below the second nozzles that eject the second liquid by flushing when the liquid ejection head is at the predetermined position and has a second receiving portion. and a waste liquid storage member that stores the first liquid and the second liquid discharged from the second receiving portion, wherein the first receiving portion is inclined downward in a first direction, at least a portion of the second receiving portion is located below an end of the first receiving portion in the first direction, and the second receiving portion is inclined downward in a second direction opposite to the first direction, receives the second liquid discharged from the second nozzle and discharges it into the waste liquid storage member, and receives the first liquid supplied from the first receiving portion below the first receiving portion and discharges it into the waste liquid storage member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, flushing causes the second liquid to be ejected from the second nozzle, received in the second receiving portion of the second guide member, flow over the second receiving portion, and discharged into the waste liquid storage member. In contrast, flushing causes the first liquid to be ejected from the first nozzle, received in the first receiving portion of the first guide member, and supplied from the first receiving portion to the second receiving portion. As the first liquid flows over the second receiving portion, it washes away the second liquid remaining on the second receiving portion, thereby reducing the solidification and accumulation of the second liquid on the second guide member.

[0008] Furthermore, by tilting the first receiving portion, the first liquid is supplied to the second receiving portion without the need to move the liquid ejection head to supply the first liquid to the second receiving portion, thereby preventing the flushing from taking longer than expected due to the movement of the liquid ejection head. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a liquid ejection device according to first and second embodiments and first to third modifications, viewed from above. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a liquid ejection device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows the liquid ejection head and the maintenance member. [Figure 4] Fig. 4A is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a maintenance member including a liquid ejection head and a main body in a first arrangement, and Fig. 4B is a top view of the maintenance member in Fig. 4A. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows a liquid ejection head and a maintenance member that includes a main body in a second arrangement. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a liquid ejection device according to the fourth modification, seen from above. [Figure 7] Fig. 7A is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the first head and first maintenance member of Fig. 6. Fig. 7B is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the second head and second maintenance member of Fig. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that, in the following, the same or corresponding elements throughout the drawings will be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) <Liquid discharge device> 1, a liquid ejection device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is a device that includes a liquid ejection head (hereinafter referred to as a head 20) and ejects liquid from the head 20. The following describes a case where a serial head type inkjet printer is used as the liquid ejection device 10. In this case, the print medium A is a medium on which an image is printed by the liquid ejection device 10, and is, for example, a sheet of paper, fabric, or the like.

[0012] The liquid ejection device 10 includes a head 20 that ejects ink. The head 20 has a first nozzle 21, a second nozzle 22, and a drive element 23 (FIG. 2). The first nozzle 21 and the second nozzle 22 open to a nozzle surface 24, which is the lower surface of the head 20.

[0013] In the following, the parallel direction in which the first nozzles 21 and the second nozzles 22 are lined up will be referred to as the left-right direction. In this left-right direction, a first direction from the first nozzles 21 toward the second nozzles 22 will be referred to as the left, and a second direction opposite to the first direction will be referred to as the right. Also, a direction that intersects (for example, is perpendicular to) the parallel direction and is parallel to the nozzle surface 24 of the head 20 will be referred to as the front-rear direction. Also, a direction that intersects (for example, is perpendicular to) the left-right direction and the front-rear direction will be referred to as the up-down direction. However, the directions related to the liquid ejection device 10 are not limited to these.

[0014] The first nozzle 21 ejects a first liquid. This first liquid is a dye ink, such as a color ink such as cyan ink, magenta ink, or yellow ink. The dye ink contains a dye and a solvent, and the dye is dissolved in the solvent. The second nozzle 22 ejects a second liquid. This second liquid is a liquid that solidifies more easily than the first liquid and contains solids and a solvent, and the solids are dispersed in the solvent. The second liquid is a pigment ink that contains a pigment as a solid component, such as a black ink that contains a black pigment. Examples of such pigments include carbon black and iron oxide.

[0015] In the head 20, the multiple first nozzles 21 for cyan ink are lined up in a row in the front-to-back direction, the multiple first nozzles 21 for magenta ink are lined up in a row in the front-to-back direction, and the multiple first nozzles 21 for yellow ink are lined up in a row in the front-to-back direction. Also, the multiple second nozzles 22 for black ink are lined up in a row in the front-to-back direction. The row of the second nozzles 22 for black ink, the row of the first nozzles 21 for cyan ink, the row of the first nozzles 21 for magenta ink, and the row of the first nozzles 21 for yellow ink are lined up in that order from left to right.

[0016] The driving elements 23 are piezoelectric elements that are provided for the first nozzles 21 and the second nozzles 22, respectively, and apply ejection energy, such as pressure, to the ink in the head 20 to eject ink from the first nozzles 21 and the second nozzles 22. Note that the driving elements 23 are not limited to piezoelectric elements, and may be heating elements, electrostatic actuators, or the like.

[0017] Furthermore, the liquid ejection device 10 includes a first tank 12 that supplies the first liquid to the first nozzles 21 of the head 20, and a second tank 13 that supplies the second liquid to the second nozzles 22 of the head 20. The first tank 12 stores the first liquid, is connected to the head 20 by a tube, and communicates with the first nozzles 21 of the head 20 to supply the first liquid to the first nozzles 21. The second tank 13 stores the second liquid, is connected to the head 20 by a tube, and communicates with the second nozzles 22 of the head 20 to supply the second liquid to the second nozzles 22.

[0018] 1, the first tank 12 has three tanks that store cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink. The first tank 12 that stores cyan ink is connected to the first nozzles 21 that eject cyan ink. The first tank 12 that stores magenta ink is connected to the first nozzles 21 that eject magenta ink. The first tank 12 that stores yellow ink is connected to the first nozzles 21 that eject yellow ink.

[0019] The liquid ejection device 10 further includes a platen 11. The platen 11 is disposed below the head 20 in the printing region B1 where the print medium A is printed by the head 20, and has a flat upper surface that faces the nozzle surface 24 of the head 20. This upper surface is disposed a predetermined distance from the nozzle surface 24, and supports the print medium A from below.

[0020] The liquid ejection device 10 further includes a maintenance member 30 for performing maintenance on the nozzles of the head 20. The maintenance member 30 is arranged in a maintenance area B2 to the left of the printing area B1. The maintenance member 30 has a first guide member 40, a second guide member 50, and a waste liquid storage member 31. The first guide member 40 is a member that supplies the first liquid ejected from the first nozzles 21 to the second guide member 50. The second guide member 50 is a member that discharges the first liquid supplied from the first guide member 40 and the second liquid ejected from the second nozzles 22 to the waste liquid storage member 31. The waste liquid storage member 31 stores the first liquid and second liquid discharged from the second guide member 50. Details of the maintenance member 30 will be described later.

[0021] The liquid ejection device 10 further includes a moving device 60 that moves the head 20 in the left-right direction. The moving device 60 includes a carriage 61, two guide rails 62, an endless belt 63, and a moving motor 64. The carriage 61 is box-shaped and carries the head 20. The two guide rails 62 extend left and right across the platen 11 located directly below it, spanning the printing area B1 and the maintenance area B2. The two guide rails 62 are spaced apart from each other in the front and rear, sandwiching all the nozzles between them, and movably support the carriage 61. The endless belt 63 is connected to the carriage 61 and is also connected to the moving motor 64 via a pulley 65 provided on the guide rails 62. When the moving motor 64 is driven to rotate, the endless belt 63 runs, moving the carriage 61 and the head 20 supported by the carriage 61 in the left-right direction along the guide rails 62, spanning the printing area B1 and the maintenance area B2.

[0022] Furthermore, the liquid ejection device 10 is equipped with a transport device 70 that transports the print medium A in the front-to-rear direction. The transport device 70 has, for example, a transport roller 71 and a transport motor 72 (FIG. 2). The transport roller 71 has a shaft that extends in the left-to-right direction, and the transport motor 72 is connected to the shaft of the transport roller 71. When the transport motor 72 is driven to rotate, the transport roller 71 rotates around its shaft, transporting the print medium A in the front-to-rear direction on the platen 11.

[0023] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the liquid ejection device 10 includes a control device 15 that controls the head 20, the moving device 60, and the transport device 70. The control device 15 is a computer and includes an arithmetic processing unit and a storage unit. The storage unit is memory accessible from the arithmetic processing unit, including, for example, RAM and ROM, and stores programs and data used therein. The arithmetic processing unit is a processor such as a CPU. By executing this program, the control device 15 controls the operation of each part of the liquid ejection device 10 and performs processes of the liquid ejection device 10, such as printing processes and maintenance processes. The control device 15 may be configured as a single device, or may be configured as multiple devices distributed in a distributed arrangement that work together to perform the operations of the control device 15.

[0024] <Printing process> The control device 15 ejects ink from the head 20 onto the print medium A while moving the carriage 61 carrying the head 20 to the right or left. The control device 15 also transports the print medium A forward. In this way, the liquid ejection device 10 alternately repeats operations including moving the head 20 and ejecting ink, and operations to transport the print medium A, to proceed with the printing process. In this way, an image is printed on the print medium A.

[0025] <Maintenance parts> 3, the maintenance member 30 is disposed below the head 20, which is disposed in a predetermined maintenance area B2. In the maintenance member 30, a first guide member 40, a second guide member 50, and a waste liquid storage member 31 are disposed in this order from top to bottom.

[0026] The first guide member 40 is, for example, a rectangular flat plate, and has a first receiving portion 41. The first receiving portion 41 is flat and constituted by the upper surface of the first guide member 40. The first receiving portion 41 faces the nozzle surface 24 of the head 20 arranged in the maintenance area B2, and all of the first nozzles 21 that open to the nozzle surface 24.

[0027] That is, in the front-to-rear direction, the front end of the first receiving portion 41 is located forward of the foremost first nozzle 21 of the multiple first nozzles 21, and the rear end of the first receiving portion 41 is located rearward of the last first nozzle 21 of the multiple first nozzles 21. In the left-to-right direction, the first left end 42, which is the left end of the first receiving portion 41, is located to the left of the leftmost first nozzle 21 of the multiple first nozzles 21, and the right end of the first receiving portion 41 is located to the right of the rightmost first nozzle 21 of the multiple first nozzles 21. This allows the first receiving portion 41 to receive the first liquid from all of the first nozzles 21 in the heads 20 arranged in the maintenance area B2.

[0028] Furthermore, the first left end 42 of the first receiving portion 41 is disposed between the leftmost first nozzle 21 and the second nozzle 22 in the left-right direction. As a result, the first receiving portion 41 does not face the second nozzle 22 that opens in the nozzle surface 24, and does not receive the second liquid from the second nozzle 22.

[0029] The first receiving portion 41 is inclined downward from right to left so that its right end is located higher than the first left end 42. The first receiving portion 41 is inclined in a planar manner at a constant angle θ1 with respect to the horizontal plane. Therefore, the first receiving portion 41 is inclined downward from the position where it receives the first liquid toward the first left end 42. Therefore, the first liquid received by the first receiving portion 41 flows down the first receiving portion 41 to the left and is supplied from the first left end 42 to the second guide member 50 below. The first receiving portion 41 may be curved so that the angle of its downward inclination with respect to the horizontal plane increases as it goes downward.

[0030] The second guide member 50 is disposed below the first receiving portion 41 and has, for example, a rectangular plate shape, a second receiving portion 51. The second receiving portion 51 is formed by the upper surface of the second guide member 50, and at least a portion of the second receiving portion 51 is located below the first left end 42 of the first receiving portion 41. The second receiving portion 51 has a protruding portion 51c that protrudes to the left from the first left end 42 of the first receiving portion 41. This protruding portion 51c faces the nozzle surface 24 of the head 20 disposed in the maintenance area B2 and all of the second nozzles 22 that open to the nozzle surface 24.

[0031] In other words, in the front-to-rear direction, the front end of the protruding portion 51c is located forward of the foremost second nozzle 22 of the multiple second nozzles 22, and the rear end of the protruding portion 51c is located rearward of the last second nozzle 22 of the multiple second nozzles 22. In the left-to-right direction, the left end of the protruding portion 51c is located left of the leftmost second nozzle 22 of the multiple second nozzles 22, and the right end of the protruding portion 51c is located right of the rightmost second nozzle 22 of the multiple second nozzles 22. As a result, the protruding portion 51c receives the second liquid from all of the second nozzles 22 in the head 20 arranged in the maintenance area B2. For this reason, the protruding portion 51c is provided with a second landing position 51d where the second liquid ejected from the second nozzles 22 during flushing lands on the second receiving portion 51.

[0032] Furthermore, the protruding portion 51c of the second receiving portion 51 is located to the left of the first left end 42 of the first receiving portion 41 in the left-right direction and below the first left end 42 in the up-down direction. Therefore, the protruding portion 51c is located downstream of the first left end 42 in the flow direction of the first liquid in the first receiving portion 41, which is inclined downward and left. As a result, the protruding portion 51c receives the first liquid supplied from the first left end 42 of the first receiving portion 41. Therefore, the protruding portion 51c is provided with a first impact position 51e where the first liquid supplied from the first left end 42 impacts on the second receiving portion 51.

[0033] In this way, the second receiving portion 51 receives the first liquid and the second liquid at its protruding portion 51c. Furthermore, the portion of the second receiving portion 51 to the right of the protruding portion 51c is disposed below the first guide member 40 with a gap between it and the first guide member 40 in the up-down direction. Therefore, the first liquid and the second liquid received by the protruding portion 51c pass through the gap between the first guide member 40 and the second receiving portion 51 and flow over the second receiving portion 51.

[0034] The second receiving portion 51 is inclined downward from left to right so that its left end is located higher than the second right end 53, which is the right end. In the third example, the second receiving portion 51 is curved so that the angle of inclination with respect to the horizontal plane increases downward. Therefore, the first liquid and the second liquid received by the second receiving portion 51 flow down the second receiving portion 51 to the right and are discharged from the second right end 53 into the waste liquid storage member 31 below. The second receiving portion 51 may also be inclined in a plane at a fixed angle with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0035] The inclination angle θ2 of the second receiving portion 51 at the second landing position 51d of the second liquid is larger than the inclination angle θ1 of the first receiving portion 41. This inclination angle θ2 is the angle of rotation from the horizontal direction 51d1 downward around the second landing position 51d of the second liquid to the tangent line 51d2 of the second receiving portion 51 at the second landing position 51d.

[0036] Furthermore, since the inclination angle of second receiving portion 51 increases downward, the inclination angle of second receiving portion 51 below second impact position 51d is greater than the inclination angle θ1 of first receiving portion 41. In this way, the large inclination angle θ2 of second receiving portion 51 allows the second liquid that has impacted at second impact position 51d to flow quickly over second receiving portion 51. Note that the inclination angle of second receiving portion 51 may be greater than the inclination angle θ1 of first receiving portion 41 throughout the entire second receiving portion 51, including the portion above second impact position 51d.

[0037] Furthermore, the inclination angle θ1 of the first receiving portion 41 is smaller than the inclination angle θ2 of the second receiving portion 51. Therefore, without increasing the distance between the nozzle surface 24 of the head 20 and the second receiving portion 51, the first left end 42 of the first receiving portion 41, which is disposed at this distance, can be positioned higher than when the inclination angle θ1 is equal to or greater than the inclination angle θ2. Therefore, the first landing position 51e of the first liquid supplied from the first left end 42 is positioned above and to the left of the second landing position 51d of the second liquid. As a result, the first liquid flows over the second receiving portion 51 from upstream of the flow of the second liquid in the second receiving portion 51. Therefore, the first liquid is washed away throughout the entire flow of the second liquid in the second receiving portion 51, and the accumulation of solidified second liquid in the second receiving portion 51 can be reduced.

[0038] The waste liquid storage member 31 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped container with an open top, and is disposed below the second right end 53 of the second guide member 50. The first liquid and the second liquid are discharged as waste liquid from the second right end 53 into the waste liquid storage member 31 and stored inside the waste liquid storage member 31. The waste liquid storage member 31 may be a waste liquid absorbent such as a porous body. Alternatively, the waste liquid storage member 31 may be a container and an absorbent stored in the container.

[0039] <Maintenance processing> In the maintenance process for maintaining the first nozzles 21 and second nozzles 22 of the head 20, the control device 15 moves the head 20 to the maintenance area B2 using the carriage 61 and places it on the first guide member 40 and the second guide member 50 in the maintenance area B2. In the maintenance area B2, which is this predetermined position, the first nozzles 21 opening into the nozzle surface 24 of the head 20 face the first receiving portions 41 of the first guide member 40, and the second nozzles 22 opening into the nozzle surface 24 face the second receiving portions 51 of the second guide member 50.

[0040] Next, the control device 15 performs flushing. In this flushing, the control device 15 drives the drive elements 23 multiple times to eject the second liquid from all of the second nozzles 22. As a result, the second liquid is ejected from the second nozzles 22 into the second receiving portion 51 and lands at the second landing position 51d of the second receiving portion 51. The second liquid then flows down the second receiving portion 51 from the second landing position 51d to the second right end 53, is discharged from the second right end 53 into the waste liquid storage member 31, and is stored in the waste liquid storage member 31.

[0041] Furthermore, during flushing, the control device 15 drives the drive elements 23 multiple times to eject the first liquid from all of the first nozzles 21. As a result, the first liquid is ejected from the first nozzles 21 into the first receiving portion 41 and flows down the first receiving portion 41 to the first left end 42. The first liquid is then supplied from the first left end 42 to the second receiving portion 51 and lands at the first landing position 51e of the second receiving portion 51. The first liquid then flows down the second receiving portion 51 from the first landing position 51e to the second right end 53, is discharged from the second right end 53 into the waste liquid storage member 31, and is stored in the waste liquid storage member 31.

[0042] In this way, the first liquid and the second liquid are discharged into the waste liquid storage member 31 via the second receiving portion 51. Because the second liquid solidifies more easily than the first liquid, the solidified second liquid may remain in the second receiving portion 51. Even in such a case, the first liquid flows through the second receiving portion 51 after the second liquid, and therefore the first liquid washes away the second liquid remaining in the second receiving portion 51, thereby removing the second liquid remaining in the second receiving portion 51 and reducing the accumulation of the solidified second liquid in the second receiving portion 51.

[0043] Furthermore, in the maintenance region B2, which is a predetermined position, the first nozzles 21 opening on the nozzle surface 24 of the head 20 face the first receiving portion 41, and the second nozzles 22 opening on this nozzle surface 24 face the second receiving portion 51. This allows the maintenance member 30 to receive the first liquid ejected from the first nozzles 21 in the first receiving portion 41 and the second liquid ejected from the second nozzles 22 in the second receiving portion 51 without moving the head 20 between the flushing of the first nozzles 21 and the flushing of the second nozzles 22. The protruding portion 51c of the second receiving portion 51 is disposed downstream of the first receiving portion 41, which is inclined downward to the left, in the flow direction of the first liquid. Therefore, the first liquid flowing over the first receiving portion 41 is supplied to the protruding portion 51c of the second receiving portion 51 without moving the head 20 to supply the first liquid from the first receiving portion 41 to the second receiving portion 51. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the flushing process from taking too long due to the movement of the head 20.

[0044] Furthermore, the inclination angle θ1 of the first receiving portion 41 with respect to the horizontal direction is smaller than the inclination angle θ2 of the second receiving portion 51 with respect to the horizontal direction. This allows the first left end 42 of the first receiving portion 41, which is disposed at this distance, to be positioned higher without increasing the distance between the head 20 and the second receiving portion 51. This allows the first landing position 51e, which receives the first liquid from the first left end 42, to be positioned higher than the second landing position 51d, which receives the second liquid from the second nozzle 22. This allows the second liquid to be removed by the first liquid throughout the entire second receiving portion 51.

[0045] Furthermore, when the inclination angle θ1 of the first receiving portion 41 close to the nozzle surface 24 is small, the distance between the nozzle surface 24 and the first receiving portion 41 can be reduced. This reduces the generation of mist of the first liquid ejected from the first nozzles 21 opening on the nozzle surface 24 to the first receiving portion 41. This prevents the floating mist of the first liquid from adhering to the nozzle surface 24, and reduces ejection defects from the first nozzles 21 caused by the adhering first liquid.

[0046] Furthermore, the second liquid contains solid components. In this way, by using a liquid containing solid components that tend to accumulate on second receiving portion 51 as the second liquid, the solid components of the second liquid on second receiving portion 51 are washed away by the first liquid. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the accumulation of solid components of the solidified second liquid on second receiving portion 51.

[0047] The second liquid is pigment ink. This pigment ink is a liquid whose solid content easily solidifies. When this pigment ink is used as the second liquid, the solid content of the pigment ink on the second receiving portion 51 is washed away by the first liquid. This makes it possible to reduce the accumulation of pigment on the second receiving portion 51.

[0048] It is only necessary that the head 20 does not move to supply the first liquid from the first receiving portion 41 to the second receiving portion 51, and that the second liquid ejected by flushing and flowing through the second receiving portion 51 be washed away by the first liquid ejected by flushing. The first liquid to be washed away may be all or a portion of the amount of the first liquid ejected by flushing. In order for the first liquid to wash away the second liquid, it is only necessary that after the second liquid ejected by flushing flows through the second receiving portion 51, at least a portion of the first liquid ejected by flushing flows through the second receiving portion 51.

[0049] For example, flushing may be performed so that the ejection of the first liquid from the first nozzle 21 and the ejection of the second liquid from the second nozzle 22 occur simultaneously. Alternatively, flushing may be performed so that at least a portion of the ejection time of the first liquid from the first nozzle 21 overlaps with the ejection time of the second liquid from the second nozzle 22. Alternatively, flushing may be performed so that the ejection of the first liquid from the first nozzle 21 occurs after the ejection of the second liquid from the second nozzle 22. In either case, if at least a portion of the first liquid flows after the second liquid has flowed in the second receiving portion 51, the first liquid can wash away the portion of the second liquid remaining in the second receiving portion 51, thereby suppressing the accumulation of solidified second liquid in the second receiving portion 51.

[0050] Furthermore, as long as the first liquid flows after the second liquid has flowed in the second receiving portion 51, the first liquid may flow over the second receiving portion 51 while the second liquid is flowing over the second receiving portion 51, or the first liquid may flow over the second receiving portion 51 after the second liquid has finished flowing over the second receiving portion 51. If the first liquid flows while the second liquid is flowing over the second receiving portion 51, the solidification time of the second liquid is shortened, and therefore accumulation of the solidified second liquid in the second receiving portion 51 can be suppressed. If the first liquid flows after the second liquid has finished flowing over the second receiving portion 51, the second liquid can be washed away by a large amount of the first liquid, and therefore accumulation of the solidified second liquid in the second receiving portion 51 can be suppressed.

[0051] <Variation 1> In the liquid ejection device 10 according to the first modification, in the first embodiment, the control device 15 ejects the first liquid from the first nozzle 21 during flushing, then ejects the second liquid from the second nozzle 22, and then ejects the first liquid from the first nozzle 21 again.

[0052] Specifically, the control device 15 executes flushing of the first nozzle 21 and then executes flushing of the second nozzle 22. As a result, the first liquid is ejected from the first nozzle 21 to the first receiving portion 41, flows down the first receiving portion 41, and is supplied from the first left end 42 to the second receiving portion 51. The first liquid then lands at the first landing position 51e of the second receiving portion 51 and flows over the second receiving portion 51. As a result, the second receiving portion 51 is covered with the first liquid. In this state, the second liquid is ejected from the second nozzle 22 to the second receiving portion 51 and flows down the second receiving portion 51. In this way, the second liquid is more likely to flow over the second receiving portion 51 covered by the first liquid, and therefore the second liquid is less likely to adhere to the second receiving portion 51.

[0053] Furthermore, the control device 15 executes flushing of the second nozzle 22 and then executes flushing of the first nozzle 21. As a result, the first liquid is discharged from the first nozzle 21 into the first receiving portion 41, flows down the first receiving portion 41, and is supplied to the second receiving portion 51 from the first left end 42. This first liquid washes away the second liquid remaining in the second receiving portion 51, and therefore, the accumulation of solidified second liquid in the second receiving portion 51 can be reduced.

[0054] In this way, it is sufficient that the first liquid flows both before and after the second liquid flows over the second receiving portion 51. Note that the first liquid may also flow while the second liquid is flowing over the second receiving portion 51. Therefore, in flushing, the ejection operation of the first liquid may be performed during the ejection operation of the second liquid and before and after the ejection operation of the second liquid. Furthermore, the ejection operation of the first liquid may not be performed during the ejection operation of the second liquid, but may be performed before and after the ejection operation of the second liquid.

[0055] <Variation 2> In the liquid ejection device 10 relating to variant example 2, in the above-mentioned embodiment 1 and variant example 1, the control device 15 obtains the amount of the first liquid stored in the multiple first tanks 12, and when ejecting the second liquid from the second nozzle 22 by flushing, the first liquid is not ejected from the first nozzle 21 connected to the first tank 12 with the smallest amount of storage among the multiple first tanks 12, but is ejected from the first nozzle 21 connected to the first tank 12 with the largest amount of storage.

[0056] Specifically, when the maintenance target is the second nozzle 22 rather than the first nozzle 21, flushing is performed to eject the second liquid from the second nozzle 22. However, to prevent the second liquid from accumulating in the second receiving portion 51, the first liquid is ejected from the first nozzle 21 during this flushing. For this purpose, first, the control device 15 acquires the amount of the first liquid stored in each of the three first tanks 12. When the first tank 12 is equipped with a sensor 14, the sensor 14 is electrically connected to the control device 15 and outputs a detection signal that detects the amount of the first liquid stored to the control device 15. The control device 15 acquires the amount of the first liquid stored in the first tank 12 based on the detection signal from the sensor 14.

[0057] The control device 15 may obtain the stored amount of the first liquid based on the ejection amount of the first liquid. In this case, when the first tank 12 is installed or replaced, the control device 15 obtains the amount of the first liquid stored in the first tank 12 as an initial value from the storage unit, input device, communication interface, etc. Furthermore, when the first liquid is ejected from the first nozzle 21 after the installation or replacement of the first tank 12, the control device 15 stores the ejection amount and number of ejections of the first liquid in the storage unit. The control device 15 calculates the total ejection amount based on the ejection amount and number of ejections of the first liquid, and obtains the difference obtained by subtracting the total ejection amount from the initial value of the first liquid as the stored amount of the first liquid.

[0058] The control device 15 then determines which first tank 12 has the smallest and which first tank 12 has the largest stored amount of the first liquid among the three first tanks 12. For example, if the stored amount of yellow ink is the smallest and the stored amount of cyan ink is the largest, the control device 15 drives the drive elements 23 to eject the second liquid from the second nozzles 22 and to eject the cyan and magenta inks from the first nozzles 21 without ejecting the yellow ink from the first nozzles 21.

[0059] As a result, the second liquid ejected from the second nozzle 22 flows through the second receiving portion 51, and further, the cyan ink and magenta ink ejected from the first nozzle 21 flow through the second receiving portion 51. At this time, the cyan ink and magenta ink wash away the second liquid remaining on the second receiving portion 51, so that the accumulation of solidified second liquid in the second receiving portion 51 can be reduced.

[0060] During this flushing, the first liquid stored in the first tank 12 in the smallest amount is not discharged from the first nozzle 21, thereby lengthening the period until the first tank 12 becomes empty and needs to be replaced, thereby reducing the frequency with which the first tank 12 needs to be replaced.

[0061] In the above description, during flushing, the first liquid (for example, magenta ink) that is neither the smallest nor the largest stored amount is ejected from the first nozzle 21 together with the first liquid (for example, cyan ink) that is the largest stored amount. However, it is also possible to eject only the first liquid that is the largest stored amount from the first nozzle 21 during flushing.

[0062] (Embodiment 2) In the liquid ejection device 10 according to the first embodiment, the first guide member 40 is fixed as shown in Fig. 3. In contrast, in the liquid ejection device 10 according to the second embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B, the first guide member 43 is of a so-called deer-intimidating type, in which the first liquid is collected and then discharged.

[0063] Specifically, the first guide member 43 has a main body 44. The main body 44 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape and has a first receiving portion 49 and a reservoir portion 45. The reservoir portion 45 has a front wall 45a, a rear wall 45b, a bottom wall 45c, a right wall 45d, and a recess 45e surrounded by these. The front wall 45a, the rear wall 45b, the bottom wall 45c, and the right wall 45d are each flat and integrally formed. The recess 45e is recessed from the top and left surfaces of the main body 44 and opens to the top and left surfaces of the main body 44. The first liquid flows into the recess 45e through the opening 45f and flows out of the recess 45e via the opening 45f.

[0064] The first receiving portion 49 is flat and is formed by the upper surface of the lower wall 45c of the reservoir portion 45. The first receiving portion 49 faces all of the first nozzles 21 that open to the nozzle surfaces 24 of the heads 20 arranged in the maintenance area B2, and receives the first liquid from these first nozzles 21. In addition, in the left-right direction, a first left end 49a, which is the left end of the first receiving portion 49, is positioned between the leftmost first nozzle 21 and the second nozzle 22. As a result, the first receiving portion 49 does not face the second nozzles 22 that open to the nozzle surface 24, and does not receive the second liquid from the second nozzles 22.

[0065] Furthermore, the first guide member 43 has a shaft 46 that rotatably supports the main body 44. The shaft 46 is, for example, cylindrical, extends in the front-to-rear direction, and supports the main body 44 from below. The main body 44 rotates about the shaft 46 between a first position (FIG. 4A) and a second position (FIG. 5).

[0066] 4A, when the main body 44 is in the first position, the first receiving portion 49 is inclined downward from left to right so that its first left end 49a is located higher than its right end. With the main body 44 in this first position, the first receiving portion 49 is inclined so that the position for receiving the first liquid is located lower than the first left end 49a. Therefore, the first receiving portion 49 receives the first liquid from the first nozzle 21, and the reservoir 45 collects the first liquid in the depression 45e.

[0067] In contrast, when the main body 44 is in the second position as shown in Figure 5, the first receiving portion 49 is inclined downward from right to left so that its first left end 49a is located lower than the right end. This first receiving portion 49 is inclined in a planar manner at a constant angle θ1 with respect to the horizontal plane. Therefore, the first receiving portion 49 is inclined downward from the position where it receives the first liquid toward the first left end 49a. Therefore, the first liquid stored in the reservoir 45 flows down the first receiving portion 49 to the left and is supplied from the first left end 49a to the second guide member 50 below.

[0068] In such a first guide member 43, the right wall 45d functions as a reservoir 45 that forms a recess 45e in which the first liquid accumulates, and also functions as a weight for the main body 44 that rotates around the shaft 46. For example, the size of the right wall 45d is determined so that when the amount of the first liquid ejected from the first nozzle 21 in one flushing operation accumulates in the recess 45e, the main body 44 rotates from the first position to the second position.

[0069] Furthermore, the first guide member 43 has locking portions 47a, 47b that limit the rotation of the main body 44 so that the rotating main body 44 does not come into contact with the nozzle surface 24, and locked portions 48a, 48b that are locked by the locking portions 47a, 47b. For example, the locking portions have a first locking portion 47a that limits the rotation of the main body 44 so that the main body 44 in the first position does not come into contact with the nozzle surface 24, and a second locking portion 47b that limits the rotation of the main body 44 so that the main body 44 in the second position does not come into contact with the nozzle surface 24. Accordingly, the locked portions have a first locked portion 48a that is locked by the first locking portion 47a, and a second locked portion 48b that is locked by the second locking portion 47b.

[0070] The first locking portion 47a is located below the main body 44 and to the right of the shaft portion 46, and is formed in a columnar shape, such as a cylindrical shape. The first locked portion 48a is formed by a portion on the underside of the main body 44 that abuts against the first locking portion 47a. When the main body 44 rotates from the second position to the first position, the left end of the main body 44 rises above the right end and approaches the nozzle surface 24. At this point, the first locked portion 48a of the main body 44 descends and abuts against the first locking portion 47a below it, thereby stopping the rotation of the main body 44. Because the left end of the main body 44 in this first position is located below the nozzle surface 24, the main body 44 does not come into contact with the nozzle surface 24, and damage to the nozzle surface 24 due to contact with the main body 44 can be prevented.

[0071] The second locking portion 47b is formed by the upper surface of the second guide member 50. The second locked portion 48b is provided on the main body 44 to the left of the front wall 45a and the rear wall 45b, and protrudes leftward from the first left end 49a of the first receiving portion 49 in the left-right direction. When the main body 44 rotates from the first position to the second position, the right end of the main body 44 rises above the left end and approaches the nozzle surface 24. At this point, the second locked portion 48b of the main body 44 descends and abuts against the second locking portion 47b below it, thereby stopping the rotation of the main body 44. Because the left corner of the right wall 45d of the main body 44 in the second position is located below the nozzle surface 24, the main body 44 does not come into contact with the nozzle surface 24, preventing damage to the nozzle surface 24 due to contact with the main body 44.

[0072] Additionally, second locked portion 48b, which protrudes leftward beyond first left end 49a of first receiving portion 49, is locked by second locking portion 47b of second guide member 50. This leaves a gap between first left end 49a and second receiving portion 51. This gap is located between first landing position 51e of the first liquid and second landing position 51d of the second liquid and second right end 53. Therefore, the first liquid and the second liquid can flow over second receiving portion 51 from their landing positions through the gap to second right end 53.

[0073] <Maintenance processing> In the maintenance process for maintaining the first nozzles 21 and second nozzles 22 of the head 20, the control device 15 moves the head 20 to the maintenance area B2 using the carriage 61. Here, the first nozzles 21 opening on the nozzle surface 24 face the first receiving portions 49 of the first guide member 43 in the first arrangement shown in FIG. 4, and the second nozzles 22 opening on the nozzle surface 24 face the second receiving portions 51 of the second guide member 50.

[0074] Next, the control device 15 performs flushing. During this flushing, the control device 15 drives the drive elements 23 multiple times to eject the second liquid from all of the second nozzles 22. As a result, the second liquid is ejected from the second nozzles 22 into the second receiving portion 51, flows down the second receiving portion 51 from the second landing position 51 d of the second receiving portion 51 to the second right end 53, and is discharged from the second right end 53 into the waste liquid storage member 31.

[0075] Furthermore, by flushing, the control device 15 drives the drive element 23 multiple times to eject the first liquid from all of the first nozzles 21. As a result, the first liquid is ejected from the first nozzles 21 into the first receiving portion 49 through the openings 45f in the main body 44 in the first position. The first liquid is received by the first receiving portion 49 and stored in the reservoir 45. When the total amount of the first liquid ejected multiple times from the multiple first nozzles 21 during one flushing reaches a predetermined amount and the predetermined amount of the first liquid is stored in the reservoir 45, the main body 44 rotates from the first position in FIG. 4 to the second position in FIG. 5. As a result, the first receiving portion 49 of the main body 44 is tilted downwardly toward the first left end 49a, and the first liquid stored in the reservoir 45 is supplied from the first left end 49a to the second receiving portion 51 of the second guide member 50. The first liquid then lands on the first landing position 51e of the second receiving portion 51, flows down from the first landing position 51e to the second right end 53 on the second receiving portion 51, and is discharged from the second right end 53 into the waste liquid storage member 31.

[0076] In this way, when a predetermined amount of the first liquid has accumulated, the first liquid is supplied all at once from the first receiving portion 49 to the second receiving portion 51, and the second liquid is easily removed from above the second receiving portion 51. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the second liquid from solidifying and accumulating on the second receiving portion 51.

[0077] Furthermore, the predetermined amount of the first liquid is the amount of the first liquid ejected from the first nozzle 21 in one flushing. In this case, by supplying the first liquid to the second receiving portion 51 for each flushing, the supply of the first liquid is carried out as quickly as possible after the second liquid is ejected into the second receiving portion 51 by flushing. This makes it easier for the second liquid to be removed from the second receiving portion 51, and makes it possible to reduce the second liquid from solidifying and accumulating on the second receiving portion 51.

[0078] Furthermore, in the maintenance region B2, which is a predetermined position, the first nozzles 21 opening into the nozzle surface 24 of the head 20 face the first receiving portion 49 of the first arrangement, and the second nozzles 22 opening into this nozzle surface 24 face the second receiving portion 51. This allows the maintenance member 30 to receive the first liquid ejected from the first nozzles 21 in the first receiving portion 49, and the second liquid ejected from the second nozzles 22 in the second receiving portion 51, without moving the head 20 between the flushing of the first nozzles 21 and the flushing of the second nozzles 22. In the main body 44 of the second arrangement, the protruding portion 51c of the second receiving portion 51 is located downstream of the first receiving portion 49, which is inclined downward and leftward, in the flow direction of the first liquid. Therefore, there is no need to move the head 20 in order to supply the first liquid from the first receiving portion 49 to the second receiving portion 51, and the first liquid that has flowed over the first receiving portion 49 is supplied to the protruding portion 51c of the second receiving portion 51. This makes it possible to prevent the flushing process from being prolonged due to the movement of the head 20.

[0079] Note that the timing of ejection from the first nozzles 21 and the second nozzles 22 by flushing is not limited as long as there is no movement of the head 20 to supply the first liquid from the first receiving portion 49 to the second receiving portion 51, and as long as at least a portion of the amount of the first liquid ejected by flushing flows after the second liquid has flowed in the second receiving portion 51. Furthermore, as long as the first liquid flows after the second liquid has flowed in the second receiving portion 51, the first liquid may flow over the second receiving portion 51 while the second liquid is flowing over the second receiving portion 51, or the first liquid may flow over the second receiving portion 51 after the second liquid has finished flowing over the second receiving portion 51.

[0080] <Variation 3> In the liquid ejection device 10 according to the third modification, the predetermined amount of the first liquid in the second embodiment is the total amount of the first liquid ejected from the first nozzles 21 by at least two flushings.

[0081] In this case, the first flushing is performed in a state where the first liquid is not stored in the reservoir 45 of the main body 44. In this flushing, the first liquid is ejected multiple times from the multiple first nozzles 21 and stored in the reservoir 45. The total amount of the stored first liquid does not reach a predetermined amount, and the main body 44 does not rotate from the first position to the second position. Then, in a state where the first liquid ejected in the first flushing is stored in the reservoir 45, the second flushing is performed. In this flushing, the first liquid is ejected multiple times from the multiple first nozzles 21 and stored in the reservoir 45.

[0082] Then, for example, when the total amount of the first liquid stored in reservoir 45 after two flushings reaches a predetermined amount, main body 44 rotates from the first position to the second position. As a result, the first liquid stored in reservoir 45 flows through first receiving portion 49 and is supplied from its first left end 49a to second receiving portion 51. Note that main body 44 may rotate from the first position to the second position when the total amount of the first liquid stored in reservoir 45 after two flushings does not reach the predetermined amount, but when the total amount of the first liquid stored in reservoir 45 after three or more flushings reaches the predetermined amount.

[0083] In this way, the liquid ejection device 10 accumulates the total amount of the first liquid ejected from the first nozzles 21 by at least two flushings, and supplies the first liquid collectively from the first receiving portion 49 to the second receiving portion 51. By supplying a large amount of the first liquid to the second receiving portion 51 in this way, the second liquid is easily removed from the second receiving portion 51, and the accumulation of solidified second liquid on the second receiving portion 51 can be reduced.

[0084] <Variation 4> In the liquid ejection device 10 according to Modification 4, in the above-described Embodiments 1 and 2 and Modifications 1 to 3, the second receiving portion 51 has a low-viscosity second receiving portion 51a for receiving the low-viscosity second liquid, and a high-viscosity second receiving portion 51b for receiving the second liquid with a higher viscosity than the low-viscosity second liquid, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. The angle of inclination θ2b of the high-viscosity second receiving portion 51b relative to the horizontal direction is greater than the angle of inclination θ2a of the low-viscosity second receiving portion 51a relative to the horizontal direction. The following describes the case where Modification 4 is applied to Embodiment 1, but Modification 4 may also be applied to Embodiment 2 and Modifications 1 to 3.

[0085] 6, the head 20 has a first head 20a and a second head 20b, and the first head 20a and the second head 20b are mounted on a carriage 61. The first head 20a has a first nozzle 21 and a second nozzle 22a, and the second head 20b has a first nozzle 21 and a second nozzle 22b. For example, the first nozzle 21 of the first head 20a and the first nozzle 21 of the second head 20b eject a first liquid such as a color dye ink.

[0086] A second liquid is ejected from the second nozzles 22a of the first head 20a and the second nozzles 22b of the second head 20b. The viscosity of the second liquid ejected from the second nozzles 22a is lower than the viscosity of the second liquid ejected from the second nozzles 22b. For example, the low-viscosity second liquid is black ink that forms an image and contains a black pigment, and the high-viscosity second liquid is white ink that forms a base for the image and contains a white pigment. Note that the second liquid is not limited to these. For example, if UV ink, white ink, and black ink can be used as the second liquid, in this case, the UV ink has a higher viscosity than the white ink, and the white ink has a higher viscosity than the black ink.

[0087] The maintenance member 30 has a first maintenance member 30a and a second maintenance member 30b. The first maintenance member 30a is arranged within the movement range of the first head 20a in the maintenance area B2, and the second maintenance member 30b is arranged within the movement range of the second head 20b in the maintenance area B2. The first maintenance member 30a has a first guide member 40, a second guide member 50a, and a waste liquid storage member 31, and the second maintenance member 30b has the first guide member 40, the second guide member 50b, and a waste liquid storage member 31.

[0088] 7A, in the first maintenance member 30a, the first guide member 40 receives, at its first receiving portion 41, the first liquid discharged from the first nozzles 21 of the first head 20a by flushing, and the second guide member 50a receives, at its second receiving portion 51a, the second liquid discharged from the second nozzles 22a of the first head 20a by flushing, and the waste liquid storage member 31 stores these liquids. As shown in FIG. 7B, in the second maintenance member 30b, the first guide member 40 receives, at its first receiving portion 41, the first liquid discharged from the first nozzles 21 of the first head 20a by flushing, and the second guide member 50b receives, at its second receiving portion 51, the second liquid discharged from the second nozzles 22b of the second head 20b by flushing, and the waste liquid storage member 31 stores these liquids.

[0089] The second receiving portion 51a of the first maintenance member 30a is a second receiving portion 51a for low viscosity and receives the low-viscosity second liquid. The second receiving portion 51b of the second maintenance member 30b is a second receiving portion 51b for high viscosity and receives the high-viscosity second liquid. The inclination angle θ2b of the second receiving portion 51b for high viscosity at the second landing position 51d of the second liquid is larger than the inclination angle θ2a of the second receiving portion 51a for low viscosity at the second landing position 51d of the second liquid.

[0090] Thus, the inclination angle θ2b of second receiving portion 51b is larger than the inclination angle θ2a of second receiving portion 51a. Therefore, even if the viscosity of the second liquid received by second receiving portion 51b is higher than the viscosity of the second liquid received by second receiving portion 51a, the second liquid with a higher viscosity tends to flow down second receiving portion 51b and is less likely to remain on second receiving portion 51b. This makes it possible to reduce the accumulation of solidified second liquid on second receiving portion 51b.

[0091] <Other variations> In all of the above embodiments and modifications, the first liquid is dye ink, but the first liquid is not limited to this. For example, the first liquid may contain no solids or may contain less solids than the second liquid. The first liquid may also contain at least one of water and a water-soluble solvent. This water-soluble solvent may contain a surfactant, and may be, for example, a cleaning liquid that can wash away solids such as pigments on the second receiving portion 51.

[0092] These first liquids easily cause the second liquid to flow on the second receiving portion 51, thereby reducing the accumulation of solidified second liquid on the second receiving portion 51. Furthermore, these first liquids are less likely to accumulate on the second receiving portion 51, thereby preventing the accumulation of solidified first liquid on the second receiving portion 51. Furthermore, although the first receiving portions 41, 49 that receive the first liquid are closer to the head 20 than the second receiving portion 51 that receives the second liquid, the first liquid is less likely to accumulate on the first receiving portions 41, 49 than the second liquid, thereby preventing the accumulation of solidified first liquid on the first receiving portions 41, 49.

[0093] In all of the above embodiments and modifications, when the first liquid is dye ink, the viscosity of the dye ink is preferably, for example, 3 mPa s or less. Dye ink with such a viscosity makes it easy to wash away the second liquid remaining on second receiving section 51, thereby reducing the accumulation of solidified solid content of the second liquid on second receiving section 51.

[0094] In all of the above embodiments and modifications, when the second liquid is pigment ink, the viscosity of the pigment ink is preferably, for example, 4 mPa·s or more and 5 mPa·s or less. Pigment ink with such a viscosity is easily washed away by the first liquid even if it remains on second receiving portion 51, and therefore, the accumulation of solidified solid content of the second liquid on second receiving portion 51 can be reduced.

[0095] The pigment ink serving as the second liquid in all of the above embodiments and modifications may further contain resin particles. For example, the resin particles may be at least one selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid resins, maleic acid ester resins, vinyl acetate resins, carbonate resins, polycarbonate resins, styrene resins, ethylene resins, polyethylene resins, propylene resins, polypropylene resins, urethane resins, polyurethane resins, and copolymer resins thereof. Even if such resin particles remain on the second receiving portion 51, they are easily washed away by the first liquid, thereby reducing the accumulation of solidified second liquid on the second receiving portion 51.

[0096] The resin particles may be contained in a resin emulsion. The resin emulsion may contain the resin particles and a dispersion medium such as water. The resin particles may be dispersed with a specific particle size in the dispersion medium, rather than being dissolved therein.

[0097] The content of resin microparticles in this pigment ink may be 0.1% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less. Furthermore, the content of resin microparticles in the pigment ink is preferably 0.5% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less, and more preferably 1% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less. By using resin microparticles with such a content in the pigment ink, the pigment contained in the pigment ink has excellent fixability to the print medium A. Furthermore, pigment ink containing resin microparticles with such a content is easily washed away by the first liquid even if it remains on the second receiving section 51, and therefore, the accumulation of solid content of the solidified second liquid on the second receiving section 51 can be reduced.

[0098] The pigment ink, which is the second liquid in all of the above embodiments and modifications, may contain solids and a humectant. The solids contain pigment. The humectant prevents the second liquid from drying in the second nozzles 22 that open to the nozzle surface 24 of the head 20. Examples of humectants include glycerin, triethylene glycol, butylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, thiodiglycol, trimethylolpropane, trimethylolethane, polyethylene glycol, and polypropylene glycol. One of these humectants may be used alone, or two or more may be used in combination as humectants.

[0099] The content of the humectant in this pigment ink may be 7.5 times or more the content of the solids in the pigment ink. In this way, when the content of the humectant relative to the content of the solids (humectant content / solids content) is 7.5 times or more, the second liquid is less likely to dry, and therefore the second liquid flows more easily on second receiving section 51, reducing the amount of solids in the second liquid remaining on second receiving section 51 and making it possible to reduce the accumulation of solids in the solidified second liquid on second receiving section 51. On the other hand, for example, when the content of the humectant is less than 3.1 times the content of the solids, the second liquid does not flow easily on second receiving section 51, making it difficult to reduce the accumulation of solids in the solidified second liquid on second receiving section 51.

[0100] For example, the first liquid is a dye ink having a viscosity of 3 mPa·s or less. The second liquid is a pigment ink having a viscosity of 4 mPa·s or more and 5 mPa·s or less. This pigment ink contains resin particles, solids, and a humectant, and the content of the resin particles in the pigment ink is 0.1% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less, and the content of the humectant in the pigment ink is 7.5 times or more the solids content in the pigment ink. By using first and second liquids that satisfy these viscosity, resin particle content, and humectant content requirements in the liquid ejection device 10, the second liquid remaining on the second receiving section 51 is more easily washed away by the first liquid than when using first and second liquids that do not satisfy at least some of these viscosity, resin particle content, and humectant content requirements, thereby reducing the accumulation of solidified second liquid on the second receiving section 51.

[0101] In all of the above embodiments and modifications, the solid content of the second liquid is a pigment, but the solid content is not limited to this. For example, the solid content may include at least one of a pigment and a polymer. Furthermore, while the second liquid is black ink, the second liquid is not limited to this. For example, the second liquid may be at least one of black ink, white ink, and UV ink. The viscosity of this UV ink may be 8 mPa·s or more and 10 mPa·s or less. UV ink with such a viscosity is easily washed away by the first liquid even if it remains on the second receiving portion 51, thereby reducing the accumulation of solidified second liquid solids on the second receiving portion 51.

[0102] The textile ink may contain a polymer as a binder that fixes coloring materials such as pigments and dyes to the print medium A when heat is applied. An example of this polymer is an acrylic resin. The white ink contains white pigments such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as solid components. Furthermore, the white ink may contain a polymer as a binder that fixes coloring materials to the print medium A.

[0103] Such ink is a liquid whose solid content easily solidifies. Because this ink is used as the second liquid, the solid content of the ink on the second receiving portion 51 is washed away by the first liquid. Therefore, the amount of solid content that accumulates on the second receiving portion 51 can be reduced.

[0104] In all of the above embodiments and modified examples, the first guide member 40 is disposed below the first nozzles 21 that eject the first liquid by flushing when the head 20 is in a predetermined position. The location below the first nozzles 21 is not limited to being directly below the first nozzles 21. For example, when the first liquid is ejected from the first nozzles 21 while the head 20 is moving by flushing, the ejected first liquid flies with an initial velocity component in the direction of movement of the head 20. For this reason, the first guide member 40 may be disposed below the first nozzles 21 so that the first receiving portions 41, 49 receive the first liquid flying in this manner.

[0105] In all of the above embodiments and modified examples, the second guide member 50 is disposed below the second nozzle 22 that ejects the second liquid by flushing when the head 20 is in a predetermined position. As with the first nozzle 21, the location below this second nozzle 22 is not limited to being directly below the second nozzle 22. For example, when the second liquid is ejected from the second nozzle 22 while the head 20 is moving by flushing, the second liquid flies with an initial velocity component in the direction of movement of the head 20. For this reason, the second guide member 50 may be disposed below the second nozzle 22 so that the second liquid flying in this manner is received by the second receiving portions 51, 59.

[0106] It should be noted that many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above description. Therefore, the above description should be construed as merely illustrative and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode for carrying out the present disclosure. Details of the structure and / or function thereof may be substantially changed without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 10:Liquid discharge device 12: First Tank 15: Control device 20: Head 21: First nozzle 22: Second nozzle 22a: Second nozzle 22b: Second nozzle 24: Nozzle surface 31: Waste liquid storage member 40: First guide member 41: First receiving part 43: First guide member 44: Main body 45: Reservoir 45f: opening 46: Shaft 47a: First locking part 47b: Second locking portion 48a: First locked part 48b: Second locked part 49: First receiving part 50: Second guide member 50a: Second guide member 50b: Second guide member 51: Second receiving part 51a: Second receiving part 51b: Second receiving part

Claims

1. a liquid ejection head having a plurality of first nozzles for ejecting a first liquid and a plurality of second nozzles for ejecting a second liquid that is more easily solidified than the first liquid; a first guide member disposed below the first nozzles that eject the first liquid by flushing when the liquid ejection head is at a predetermined position, and having a first receiving portion that receives the first liquid ejected from the first nozzles; a second guide member disposed below the second nozzle that ejects the second liquid by flushing when the liquid ejection head is at the predetermined position, and having a second receiving portion; a waste liquid storage member that stores the first liquid and the second liquid discharged from the second receiving portion; Equipped with the first receiving portion is inclined downward in a first direction, At least a portion of the second receiving portion is located below an end of the first receiving portion in the first direction, the second receiving portion is inclined downward in a second direction opposite to the first direction, receives the second liquid ejected from the second nozzle, and discharges it into the waste liquid storage member, and receives the first liquid supplied from the first receiving portion below the first receiving portion, and discharges it into the waste liquid storage member. Liquid discharge device.

2. The first liquid contains at least one of water and a water-soluble solvent. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 .

3. The water-soluble solvent contains a surfactant. The liquid ejection device according to claim 2 .

4. the first liquid is a dye ink; The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 .

5. the viscosity of the dye ink as the first liquid is 3 mPa·s or less; The liquid ejection device according to claim 4 .

6. The second liquid contains solids. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 .

7. the second liquid is a pigment ink; The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 .

8. the viscosity of the pigment ink as the second liquid is 4 mPa·s or more and 5 mPa·s or less; The liquid ejection device according to claim 7 .

9. the pigment ink as the second liquid contains resin particles, the content of the resin fine particles in the pigment ink is 0.1% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less; The liquid ejection device according to claim 7 .

10. the second liquid, a pigment ink, contains a solid and a wetting agent; the content of the humectant in the pigment ink is 7.5 times or more the content of the solids; The liquid ejection device according to claim 7 .

11. the second liquid is UV ink, the viscosity of the UV ink as the second liquid is 8 mPa·s or more and 10 mPa·s or less; The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 .

12. the first liquid is a dye ink, the second liquid is a pigment ink; The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 .

13. The viscosity of the dye ink is 3 mPa·s or less, The viscosity of the pigment ink is 4 mPa·s or more and 5 mPa·s or less, the pigment ink contains resin fine particles, solids, and a wetting agent; the content of the resin fine particles in the pigment ink is 0.1% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less, the content of the humectant in the pigment ink is 7.5 times or more the content of the solids; The liquid ejection device according to claim 12.

14. an inclination angle of the first receiving portion with respect to the horizontal direction being smaller than an inclination angle of the second receiving portion with respect to the horizontal direction; The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 .

15. the second receiving portion includes a low-viscosity second receiving portion that receives the second liquid having a low viscosity, and a high-viscosity second receiving portion that receives the second liquid having a higher viscosity than the low-viscosity second liquid, an inclination angle of the second receiving portion for high viscosity liquid relative to the horizontal direction is larger than an inclination angle of the second receiving portion for low viscosity liquid relative to the horizontal direction; The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 .

16. A control device is provided, the control device, during flushing, ejects the first liquid from the first nozzle, then ejects the second liquid from the second nozzle, and then ejects the first liquid from the first nozzle; The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 .

17. a plurality of tanks communicating with the first nozzle and storing the first liquid; a control device; The control device acquiring the amount of the first liquid stored in the plurality of tanks; When the second liquid is ejected from the second nozzle by flushing, the first liquid is ejected from the first nozzle that communicates with the tank that has the largest storage volume among the plurality of tanks, without ejecting the first liquid from the first nozzle that communicates with the tank that has the smallest storage volume. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 .

18. The first guide member is a main body including the first receiving portion and a reservoir portion that stores the first liquid received in the first receiving portion; a shaft portion that rotatably supports the main body, When a predetermined amount of the first liquid is stored in the reservoir, the main body rotates, and the first liquid is supplied from the first receiving portion to the second receiving portion. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 .

19. the liquid ejection head has a nozzle surface on which nozzles are opened; The first guide member is a locking portion that limits rotation of the main body so that the rotating main body does not come into contact with the nozzle surface; and a locked portion that is locked by the locking portion. The liquid ejection device according to claim 18.

20. the predetermined amount of the first liquid is the amount of the first liquid ejected from the first nozzle in one flushing operation. The liquid ejection device according to claim 18.

21. the predetermined amount of the first liquid is a total amount of the first liquid ejected from the first nozzle by at least two flushing operations; The liquid ejection device according to claim 18.

Images