Liquid discharge device

Abstract

To provide a liquid discharge device capable of improving usability of a person accessing a maintenance unit and the like.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device includes a liquid discharge part 22, a maintenance unit 30, and a lifting mechanism 50. The liquid discharge part 22 can discharge a liquid. The maintenance unit 30 performs maintenance of the liquid discharge part 22. The lifting mechanism 50 moves the maintenance unit 30 up / down between a first position P1 and a second position P2 which has descended from the first position P1. The lifting mechanism 50 includes a weight 51 and a connection part 53. In the connection part 53, both ends are connected to connection destinations in such a manner that the weight 51 and the maintenance unit 30 are moved up / down in the opposite directions from each other via a pulley 52.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection apparatus equipped with a maintenance unit that performs maintenance on a liquid ejection section that ejects liquid. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid ejection device (e.g., a recording device) that prints on a medium such as paper by ejecting a liquid from a liquid ejection unit (e.g., a recording head) that can eject a liquid such as ink. This liquid ejection device is equipped with a maintenance unit that performs maintenance on the liquid ejection unit. The maintenance unit includes a wiping device that performs maintenance (e.g., wiping) on ​​the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection unit using a cleaning cloth (e.g., a wiping member) fed from a roll of cloth. This type of wiping device is equipped with a payout unit and a take-up unit. When the take-up unit takes up the cleaning cloth, a new area of ​​cloth is paid out from the cloth roll. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-12259 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the liquid ejection device described in Patent Document 1, once the entire cloth roll in the feeding section is fed out, a replacement operation is required: the used cloth roll wound in the take-up section is removed and a new cloth roll is set in the feeding section. Alternatively, the maintenance unit itself needs to be replaced with a new one. However, the liquid ejection device described in Patent Document 1 leaves room for improvement in the replaceability of consumables used for maintenance. Furthermore, maintenance using consumables such as cloth is not limited to wiping, but also includes cleaning and other operations. Furthermore, in addition to replacing consumables, users, service personnel, and other personnel may need to access the maintenance unit to perform tasks such as part replacement and cleaning. Thus, there is room for improvement in the accessibility of the maintenance unit when personnel perform specific operations. Therefore, there is a demand for improving the ease of use for personnel accessing the maintenance unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A liquid ejection device that solves the above problem includes a liquid ejection section capable of ejecting liquid, a maintenance unit that performs maintenance on the liquid ejection section, and a lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the maintenance unit between a first position and a second position lowered from the first position, wherein the lifting mechanism has a weight and a connection section that has both ends connected to connection destinations so as to raise and lower the weight and the maintenance unit in opposite directions via pulleys. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a liquid ejection device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partial side view showing the liquid ejection device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the maintenance unit and the lifting mechanism. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the maintenance unit and the lifting mechanism. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a side view showing the maintenance unit and the lifting mechanism. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a rear view showing the maintenance unit and the lifting mechanism raised to the first position. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a rear view showing the maintenance unit and the lifting mechanism lowered to the second position. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the maintenance unit and the lifting mechanism slid to the working position. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a front view showing the maintenance unit and the lifting mechanism raised to the first position. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a partial rear view of the maintenance unit regulated to the first position by the second regulating portion. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a front view illustrating the operation of the positioning assist mechanism. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a front view illustrating the operation of the positioning assist mechanism. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a rear view illustrating the operation of the holding portion. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a rear view illustrating the operation of the holding portion. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view showing the maintenance unit and the lifting mechanism sliding to the working position. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a side view showing a wiping unit and an elevating mechanism, which are examples of a maintenance unit. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a maintenance unit and a lifting mechanism in a modified example. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a maintenance unit and a lifting mechanism in a modified example different from that in FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing a maintenance unit and a lifting mechanism in a modified example different from that in FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a maintenance unit and a lifting mechanism in a modified example different from that in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a liquid ejection device will be described with reference to the drawings. The liquid ejection device 11 in this embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is an inkjet printer that prints images such as characters and photographs by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as paper or fabric.

[0008] <Liquid discharge device 11> In the liquid ejection device 11 shown in FIG. 1, three directions that intersect with one another (for example, perpendicular to one another) are shown in an XYZ coordinate system, and are referred to as the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, respectively. The X direction and Y direction intersect with one another (for example, perpendicular to one another) in a horizontal plane, for example. The X direction is the scanning direction in which the liquid ejection unit 22 moves in the liquid ejection device 11, and is therefore also referred to as the scanning direction X. The X direction is also the direction in which the liquid ejection unit 22 ejects liquid and transports the portion of the medium 99 on which printing is performed. The Y direction is a direction that intersects with (for example, is perpendicular to) the scanning direction X in a horizontal plane. The Z direction is a direction parallel to the vertical direction, and is therefore also referred to as the vertical direction Z. The vertical direction Z includes an upward direction +Z and a downward direction -Z.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid ejection device 11 includes a housing 12. The liquid ejection device 11 includes a medium feeding unit 13. The medium feeding unit 13 is configured to feed out a medium 99. The medium feeding unit 13 is housed in, for example, the housing 12. The medium feeding unit 13 has a feeding spindle 14. The feeding spindle 14 rotatably holds a roll body 90 on which the medium 99 is wound. The feeding spindle 14 holds the medium 99 before printing. As the feeding spindle 14 rotates, the medium 99 is fed out from the medium feeding unit 13. The feeding spindle 14 may be driven to rotate by a motor, or may be rotated by being pulled by the medium 99.

[0010] The liquid ejection device 11 includes a medium take-up unit 15. The medium take-up unit 15 is configured to take up the medium 99. The medium take-up unit 15 is housed in, for example, the housing 12. The medium take-up unit 15 has a take-up shaft 16. The take-up shaft 16 rotatably holds the roll body 90, similar to the payout shaft 14. The take-up shaft 16 holds the medium 99 after printing. As the take-up shaft 16 rotates, the medium take-up unit 15 takes up the medium 99. The take-up shaft 16 is driven to rotate by, for example, a motor.

[0011] The liquid ejection device 11 includes a medium support unit 17. The medium support unit 17 supports the medium 99. The medium support unit 17 is housed in, for example, the housing 12. The medium support unit 17 supports the medium 99 from below, for example. The medium support unit 17 supports the medium 99 from the time the medium 99 is fed from the medium feed unit 13 to the time it is taken up by the medium take-up unit 15. Printing is performed on the area of ​​the medium 99 that is supported by the medium support unit 17.

[0012] The medium support unit 17 may be, for example, a platen having a rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the scanning direction X. The platen may have a plurality of ribs that support the medium 99. The platen may have an absorbing member that can absorb liquid such as ink that is ejected from the liquid ejection head 23 to a location other than the medium 99.

[0013] The liquid ejection device 11 includes a conveying unit 18. The conveying unit 18 is configured to convey a medium 99. The conveying unit 18 is housed in, for example, the housing 12. The conveying unit 18 conveys the medium 99 from the medium feeding unit 13 toward the medium winding unit 15. The conveying unit 18 conveys the medium 99 in a first direction A1 on the medium support unit 17, for example. The conveying unit 18 conveys the medium 99 intermittently, for example. Specifically, the conveying unit 18 stops while liquid is being ejected onto an area of ​​the medium 99 supported by the medium support unit 17. The conveying unit 18 conveys the medium 99 after liquid has been ejected onto an area of ​​the medium 99 supported by the medium support unit 17. The conveying unit 18 may convey a single sheet of medium 99, not limited to a long medium 99 continuous from the roll body 90.

[0014] The transport unit 18 has one or more transport rollers 19. The transport rollers 19 are located, for example, inside the housing 12. The transport rollers 19 transport the medium 99 by rotating. The medium 99 is wound around the transport rollers 19. The transport rollers 19 may sandwich the medium 99. The medium 99 is transported by the rotation of the transport rollers 19. The transport rollers 19 include, for example, rollers that are driven to rotate by a motor. The transport rollers 19 form a transport path for the medium 99 inside the housing 12.

[0015] The liquid ejection device 11 includes a drying unit 21. The drying unit 21 is configured to dry the medium 99 after printing. The drying unit 21 dries the medium 99 as it is transported from the medium support unit 17 to the medium winding unit 15. The drying unit 21 is located, for example, inside the housing 12. The drying unit 21 is located, for example, directly below the medium support unit 17. The drying unit 21 may include a heater that heats the medium 99. The drying unit 21 may include a blower that blows gas onto the medium 99.

[0016] The liquid ejection device 11 includes a liquid ejection section 22. The liquid ejection section 22 is configured to be able to eject liquid. The liquid ejection section 22 ejects liquid onto a medium 99. The liquid ejection section 22 includes a liquid ejection head 23. The liquid ejection head 23 has a plurality of nozzles 24. The liquid ejection head 23 has a nozzle surface 25 that can face the support surface (e.g., the upper surface) of the medium support section 17. A plurality of nozzles 24 open in the nozzle surface 25.

[0017] The liquid discharger 22 of this embodiment moves back and forth in the scanning direction X. The liquid discharger 22 has a carriage 26 configured to move back and forth in the scanning direction X. The liquid discharge head 23 is mounted on the carriage 26. By moving back and forth in the scanning direction X, the liquid discharger 22 passes through a position facing the medium support unit 17. The liquid discharger 22 is located, for example, above the medium support unit 17.

[0018] The scanning direction X includes a first direction A1 and a second direction A2. The second direction A2 is the opposite direction to the first direction A1. In the liquid ejection device 11, the direction in which the carriage 26 moves coincides with the direction in which the medium 99 moves on the medium support unit 17. Therefore, the liquid ejection device 11 is a lateral printer. In the case of a lateral printer, the carriage 26 may also be able to move in a sub-scanning direction Y that is perpendicular to the scanning direction X (main scanning direction X). Note that the liquid ejection device 11 may also be a serial printer in which the medium 99 is transported in a direction different from the scanning direction X. The liquid ejection device 11 may also be a serial printer in which the scanning direction in which the carriage 26 moves is different from the X direction in which the medium 99 is transported.

[0019] 2, the liquid ejection unit 22 performs printing on the medium 99 by ejecting liquid onto the medium 99. The liquid ejection unit 22 has a nozzle surface 25 on which one or more nozzles 24 open. The liquid ejection unit 22 ejects the liquid from the nozzles 24.

[0020] The liquid ejection unit 22 has one or more piezoelectric elements 27. The liquid ejection unit 22 has the same number of piezoelectric elements 27 as the nozzles 24. When a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric elements 27, the pressure inside the nozzles 24 changes. When the piezoelectric elements 27 change the pressure inside the nozzles 24, liquid is ejected from the nozzles 24.

[0021] The piezoelectric element 27 can change the pressure inside the nozzle 24 so that the liquid is not ejected from the nozzle 24. In other words, by changing the pressure inside the nozzle 24, the piezoelectric element 27 can vibrate the liquid inside the nozzle 24 so that the liquid is not ejected from the nozzle 24. In this way, the liquid ejection unit 22 can perform micro-vibrations that vibrate the liquid inside the nozzle 24. The micro-vibrations agitate the liquid inside the nozzle 24. As a result, thickening of the liquid inside the nozzle 24 is eliminated. The liquid ejection unit 22 performs micro-vibrations as appropriate, for example, before printing or during printing. The micro-vibrations are performed while the liquid ejection unit 22 is stopped.

[0022] The liquid discharger 22 discharges liquid onto an area of ​​the medium 99 that is supported by the medium support unit 17. The liquid discharger 22 is, for example, a line head that can discharge liquid simultaneously across the width of the medium 99. The liquid discharger 22 moves back and forth in the scanning direction X together with the carriage 26. This allows the liquid discharger 22 to discharge liquid across the entire area of ​​the medium 99 that is supported by the medium support unit 17.

[0023] The liquid discharger 22 is displaced to a plurality of positions by moving in the scanning direction X. The liquid discharger 22 is not limited to a position facing the medium support unit 17, but can also be displaced to a position not facing the medium support unit 17. The liquid discharger 22 may move back and forth between a position facing the medium support unit 17 during printing, or may move back and forth to a position not facing the medium support unit 17 during an operation separate from printing.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid ejection device 11 includes a pressurizing unit 28. The pressurizing unit 28 is configured to apply pressure inside the liquid ejection unit 22. The pressurizing unit 28 is connected to the liquid ejection unit 22. The pressurizing unit 28 is, for example, a pump. The pressurizing unit 28 supplies liquid to a flow path (not shown) communicating with the nozzle 24 by applying pressure. The liquid ejection unit 22 is connected to a liquid supply source (not shown) such as an ink cartridge or ink tank through a flow path. The pressurizing unit 28 supplies liquid from the liquid supply source by applying pressure to the flow path (not shown) communicating with the nozzle 24 to make up for the amount of liquid consumed when the liquid ejection unit 22 ejects liquid from the nozzle 24.

[0025] The flow path applied by the pressurizing unit 28 may be a circulation flow path that passes through the liquid ejection unit 22. In this case, the pressurizing unit 28 may perform a circulation operation to circulate the liquid in the circulation flow path. The liquid, such as ink, contains a colorant. The colorant is, for example, a pigment or a dye. Depending on the type of liquid, the colorant (for example, a pigment) may be prone to settling over time. When using a liquid in which the colorant is prone to settling, a circulation operation may be performed to circulate the liquid through the circulation flow path. The circulation operation agitates the colorant in the liquid, thereby suppressing settling of the colorant.

[0026] The liquid ejection device 11 includes a maintenance unit 30. The maintenance unit 30 performs maintenance on the liquid ejection section 22. The maintenance performed by the maintenance unit 30 on the liquid ejection section 22 is, for example, cleaning. The maintenance unit 30 in this embodiment is a cleaning unit 31 that performs cleaning as maintenance. The cleaning unit 31 receives liquid that is ejected or discharged from the nozzles 24 when the liquid ejection section 22 performs cleaning. Note that cleaning in this embodiment is an operation in which the liquid ejection section 22 ejects or discharges liquid from the nozzles 24 to prevent or resolve ejection defects (clogging, etc.) of the nozzles 24. Receiving the liquid that has been ejected or discharged from the nozzles 24 due to cleaning in a receiving member 32 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, is also included as part of cleaning.

[0027] The liquid ejection unit 22 may perform a liquid ejection operation, which forcibly ejects liquid from the nozzles 24, as an example of cleaning. The liquid ejection unit 22 may also perform flushing as an example of cleaning. Flushing is a process of ejecting droplets of liquid unrelated to printing from all of the nozzles 24. In other words, cleaning includes at least one of a liquid ejection process and flushing. Cleaning in this embodiment includes, for example, both a liquid ejection process and flushing. Note that cleaning may be only a liquid ejection process or only flushing. In this specification, the time when the liquid ejection operation is performed is referred to as the cleaning time, and the time when flushing is performed is referred to as the flushing time. The control unit 100 manages the cleaning time and the flushing time.

[0028] When it is time for cleaning, the liquid discharger 22 moves to the discharge position EP. The discharge position EP is, for example, a position shifted in the second direction A2 from the position facing the medium support unit 17. At the discharge position EP, the liquid discharger 22 forcibly discharges liquid from the nozzles 24 toward the maintenance unit 30. The maintenance unit 30 receives the liquid discharged from the nozzles 24. When it is time for flushing, the liquid discharger 22 moves to the discharge position EP. At the discharge position EP, the liquid discharger 22 discharges liquid from the nozzles 24 toward the maintenance unit 30. When cleaning is a liquid discharge operation, for example, air bubbles and foreign matter present in the liquid in the nozzles 24 are discharged along with the liquid (ink). When cleaning is flushing, for example, thickened liquid (thickened ink) present in the liquid in the nozzles 24 is discharged from the nozzles 24. In this way, the nozzles 24 are cleaned by the liquid discharge operation or flushing, thereby preventing or eliminating discharge problems in the nozzles 24.

[0029] The liquid ejection device 11 includes a wiping unit 40. The wiping unit 40 wipes the nozzle surface 25 by coming into contact with the nozzle surface 25. When the wiping unit 40 wipes the nozzle surface 25, liquid adhering to the nozzle surface 25 is removed. In other words, the wiping unit 40 wipes the liquid ejection unit 22. The wiping unit 40 wipes the nozzle surface 25 after cleaning, for example. When cleaning is performed, liquid is discharged from the nozzles 24, causing liquid to adhere to the nozzle surface 25. Therefore, it is preferable that the wiping unit 40 wipes the nozzle surface 25 after cleaning. This removes liquid adhering to the nozzle surface 25.

[0030] The liquid discharger 22 is displaced to a removal position RP opposite the wiping unit 40. The removal position RP is a position where the liquid adhering to the nozzle surface 25 is removed. The removal position RP is a position where the liquid discharger 22 is shifted in the second direction A2 from the position where the liquid discharger 22 faces the medium support unit 17, for example.

[0031] The wiping unit 40 is aligned with the maintenance unit 30 in the scanning direction X, for example. In one example, the wiping unit 40 is disposed at a position shifted in the second direction A2 from the maintenance unit 30. When the liquid discharger 22 is located at the removal position RP, for example, the liquid discharger 22 faces the wiping unit 40. The wiping unit 40 comes into contact with the nozzle surface 25 by approaching the liquid discharger 22 at the removal position RP, for example. Note that the wiping unit 40 may come into contact with the nozzle surface 25 by the liquid discharger 22 at the removal position RP approaching the wiping unit 40. The wiping unit 40 wipes the nozzle surface 25 by moving relative to the liquid discharger 22 in a direction along the nozzle surface 25 while in contact with the nozzle surface 25.

[0032] The liquid ejection device 11 includes a contact portion 45. The contact portion 45 moisturizes the nozzles 24 by contacting the nozzle surface 25. The contact portion 45 is, for example, a cap 45C. The contact portion 45 contacts the nozzle surface 25 to form a space that communicates with the nozzles 24. In other words, the contact portion 45 caps the liquid ejection portion 22. The capping keeps the nozzles 24 moist. As a result, the risk of clogging of the nozzles 24 is reduced.

[0033] The liquid discharger 22 may wait at a retracted position CP facing the contact unit 45 until printing starts. During this wait, the liquid discharger 22 is displaced to the retracted position CP facing the contact unit 45. The retracted position CP is a position where the liquid discharger 22 stops when not printing, for example, when waiting for input of a start signal for a print job. The liquid discharger 22 waits at the retracted position CP when not printing. In other words, the retracted position CP is the home position of the liquid discharger 22. The retracted position CP is, for example, a position shifted in the second direction A2 from a position facing the medium support unit 17. When printing starts, for example, when a start signal for a print job is input, the liquid discharger 22 is displaced from the retracted position CP in the first direction A1 toward the position of the medium support unit 17.

[0034] The liquid ejection unit 22 moves back and forth in the scanning direction X. The medium support unit 17 is positioned at a position offset in the first direction A1 from the maintenance unit 30, the wiping unit 40, and the contact unit 45. During printing, the liquid ejection unit 22 moves in the first direction A1 from the retracted position CP. The liquid ejection unit 22 moves in the first direction A1 and the second direction A2 within a range facing the medium support unit 17. For example, while the liquid ejection unit 22 moves back and forth within a range facing the medium support unit 17, it ejects droplets of ink or the like from the nozzles 24 to print on the portion of the medium 99 supported by the medium support unit 17.

[0035] The pressurizing unit 28 also forcibly discharges the liquid from the nozzles 24. That is, the pressurizing unit 28 applies pressure inside the liquid discharge unit 22 to perform cleaning, which forcibly discharges the liquid from the nozzles 24 of the liquid discharge unit 22. Cleaning is a maintenance process in which air bubbles, foreign matter, and the like are discharged from the nozzles 24 along with the liquid by forcibly discharging the liquid from the nozzles 24. Therefore, the pressurizing unit 28 causes the liquid discharge unit 22 to perform cleaning as maintenance.

[0036] 1, the liquid ejection device 11 includes a control unit 100. The control unit 100 controls the liquid ejection device 11. The control unit 100 controls, for example, the medium feeding unit 13, the medium winding unit 15, the conveying unit 18, the drying unit 21, the liquid ejection unit 22, the pressurizing unit 28, the maintenance unit 30, the wiping unit 40, the contact unit 45, and the like.

[0037] The control unit 100 may control the pressurizing unit 28 to perform a circulation operation at predetermined time intervals, circulating the liquid in the circulation flow path that passes through the liquid ejection unit 22. The circulation operation effectively eliminates settling of coloring matter (e.g., pigment) in the liquid. The control unit 100 may also perform the circulation operation after printing is completed. This allows the next printing to be performed smoothly. The control unit 100 may also perform the circulation operation when the power of the liquid ejection device 11 is switched from off to on. When the power is switched from off to on, the liquid often stagnates for a long period of time. Therefore, the circulation operation can agitate the coloring matter that has settled in the liquid. The control unit 100 may change the length of time for which the circulation operation continues or the circulation strength.

[0038] The control unit 100 may receive a print job from a host device (not shown), which is an example of an external device. The host device may be, for example, a personal computer. The liquid ejection device 11 may also be equipped with an operation panel. A print job may be sent to the control unit 100 by a user operating an operation unit of the operation panel. The control unit 100 executes the received print job.

[0039] Also provided within the housing 12 is a linear encoder (not shown) for detecting the position of the liquid ejector 22 (carriage 26) in the scanning direction X. The linear encoder outputs a detection signal including a number of pulses proportional to the amount of movement of the liquid ejector 22 in the scanning direction X. The control unit 100 counts the number of pulse edges of the detection signal input from the linear encoder using a counter (not shown). The counter is reset when the liquid ejector 22 is at the origin position in the scanning direction X. The control unit 100 obtains the position of the liquid ejector 22 from the count value of the counter. The control unit 100 controls the position and speed of the liquid ejector 22 based on the detection signal from the linear encoder and the count value of the counter. By controlling the position and speed of the liquid ejector 22, the control unit 100 performs printing on the medium 99, maintenance of the liquid ejector 22 at the maintenance position MP, and the like.

[0040] <Configuration of the maintenance unit 30, wiping part 40, and contact part 45> Next, the configurations of the maintenance unit 30, the wiping part 40, and the contact part 45 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0041] The maintenance unit 30 has a receiving member 32. The receiving member 32 is a member that absorbs liquid. The receiving member 32 is, for example, a cloth. The receiving member 32 receives the liquid discharged or ejected from the nozzle 24 and absorbs the received liquid.

[0042] The maintenance unit 30 receives liquid ejected from the nozzles 24 by, for example, flushing. Flushing is maintenance in which liquid is ejected from the nozzles 24 to prevent clogging of the nozzles 24. Flushing causes, for example, thickened liquid (e.g., thickened ink) to be discharged from the nozzles 24. Flushing is performed by applying a voltage to the piezoelectric element 27. Therefore, the maintenance unit 30 receives liquid discharged by flushing as maintenance. The amount of liquid discharged into the maintenance unit 30 by flushing is smaller than the amount of liquid discharged into the maintenance unit 30 by cleaning.

[0043] The maintenance unit 30 is aligned with the medium support section 17 in the scanning direction X, for example. In one example, the maintenance unit 30 is positioned in the second direction A2 relative to the medium support section 17. The maintenance unit 30 receives the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge section 22 when the liquid discharge section 22 is positioned opposite the maintenance unit 30. More specifically, the maintenance unit 30 receives the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge section 22 when the liquid discharge section 22 is positioned at the discharge position EP. The discharge position EP is the position where the liquid discharge section 22 faces the maintenance unit 30.

[0044] Flushing may be performed while the liquid discharger 22 is stopped at the discharge position EP. Flushing may be performed while the liquid discharger 22 is moving in the first direction A1 during printing. In other words, flushing may be performed while the liquid discharger 22 is passing through the discharge position EP during printing.

[0045] The maintenance unit 30 has, for example, a pair of holding rollers 33 and one or more guide rollers 34. The receiving member 32 is wound around the pair of holding rollers 33. The pair of holding rollers 33 hold the receiving member 32. The area of ​​the receiving member 32 held between the pair of holding rollers 33 faces the nozzle surface 25. The receiving member 32 receives liquid ejected or discharged into this area. Furthermore, the guide roller 34 guides the receiving member 32 together with the pair of holding rollers 33. This allows the receiving member 32 to be guided along a predetermined feed path.

[0046] The maintenance unit 30 has a feeding section 35 and a winding section 36. The feeding section 35 supplies unused receiving member 32 by feeding it out. The winding section 36 collects used receiving member 32 by winding it up. For example, the feeding section 35 and the winding section 36 rotate each time the receiving member 32 receives a certain amount of liquid through flushing. More specifically, the control section 100 controls the feed amount per unit of the receiving member 32 by controlling the maintenance unit 30. The liquid discharge section 22 moves to the discharge position EP when flushing is required. At the discharge position EP, the liquid discharge section 22 discharges liquid from all of the nozzles 24 toward the receiving member 32.

[0047] The control unit 100 controls the feeding of the receiving member 32 in the maintenance unit 30. The control unit 100 manages the amount of liquid discharged or ejected from the liquid ejection unit 22 during cleaning by the liquid ejection unit 22. This allows the control unit 100 to manage the amount of liquid received in the receiving area of ​​the receiving member 32, which is held horizontally between a pair of holding rollers 33. The control unit 100 controls the winding unit 36 ​​when the amount of liquid received in the receiving area of ​​the receiving member 32 exceeds a predetermined threshold. This causes the winding unit 36 ​​to wind up the receiving member 32 by a predetermined feed amount. The force of this winding of the receiving member 32 causes the same feed amount of the receiving member 32 to be unwound from the unwinding unit 35. In this way, the receiving member 32 is intermittently fed at predetermined times when the amount of liquid received in the receiving area exceeds the threshold. This allows the used area of ​​the receiving member 32 to be switched to an unused area at predetermined times.

[0048] The time interval between cleaning periods is significantly longer than the time interval between flushing periods. The viscosity of the liquid in the nozzles 24 increases in proportion to the print length or print time. Therefore, the control unit 100 causes the liquid ejection unit 22 to perform flushing each time the print length reaches a predetermined unit length or each time the print time reaches a predetermined unit time during printing. For example, during periods when no liquid ejection operation is performed during printing, the control unit 100 causes the liquid ejection unit 22 to perform flushing once per unit print length. The control unit 100 performs a feeding operation to advance the receiving member 32 once each time the number of flushing operations reaches a predetermined threshold number. The control unit 100 also manages the print length and elapsed time, for example, starting from the end of the previous liquid ejection operation. The control unit 100 causes the liquid ejection unit 22 to perform a liquid ejection operation each time either the print length or the elapsed time reaches its respective threshold. If the total amount of liquid received, which is the sum of the liquid receiving capacity received in the receiving area of ​​the receiver member 32 and the liquid receiving capacity resulting from the current liquid discharging operation, is equal to or less than a threshold value, the control unit 100 causes the liquid discharge unit 22 to perform the liquid discharging operation. On the other hand, if the total amount of liquid received exceeds the threshold value, the control unit 100 causes the winding unit 36 ​​to advance the receiver member 32, and then causes the liquid discharge unit 22 to perform the liquid discharging operation. Note that the control unit 100 may manage only one of the print length and the elapsed time. Also, if the medium 99 is a single sheet such as cut paper, the control unit 100 may manage the number of printed sheets instead of the print length. In this case, the control unit 100 may cause the liquid discharge unit 22 to perform the liquid discharging operation when the number of printed sheets reaches a predetermined threshold value, as the time for cleaning.

[0049] During capping, the nozzles 24 communicate with a substantially closed space formed by the nozzle surface 25 and the cap 45C. During capping, the nozzles 24 are moistened by the vapor of the liquid remaining in the cap 45C. This prevents the liquid in the nozzles 24 from thickening. During printing, the liquid ejection unit 22 is in an uncapped state, so the liquid in the nozzles 24 is exposed to the atmosphere. The liquid in the nozzles 24 thickens as the solvent evaporates or volatilizes. During printing, droplets may be ejected from some of the nozzles 24 selected based on image data from all the nozzles 24. The ejection of droplets refreshes the liquid in the nozzles 24. Meanwhile, the viscosity of the liquid in the non-ejecting nozzles 24 increases. The viscosity of the liquid in the non-ejecting nozzles 24 increases over the printing length or elapsed time during printing.

[0050] Therefore, the control unit 100 manages the flushing timing based on the print length or elapsed time during printing. The control unit 100 causes the liquid ejection unit 22 to perform flushing each time the flushing timing is reached. For example, when the flushing timing is managed by time, the flushing timing occurs every time a predetermined time within a range of 5 to 30 seconds (for example, 20 seconds) has elapsed. Flushing may also be performed before or after printing. In this case, the timing before or after printing becomes the flushing timing.

[0051] The wiping unit 40 has a wiping member 41. The wiping member 41 is a member that comes into contact with the nozzle surface 25. The wiping member 41 is, for example, a cloth. The wiping member 41 absorbs liquid adhering to the nozzle surface 25, thereby removing the liquid from the nozzle surface 25. The wiping unit 40 has, for example, one or more pressing rollers 42. The pressing roller 42 is a roller that presses the wiping member 41 against the nozzle surface 25. This allows the wiping member 41 to closely contact the nozzle surface 25. The wiping unit 40 has, for example, a feeding unit 43 and a winding unit 44. The feeding unit 43 feeds out an unused wiping member 41 before it is used for wiping. The winding unit 44 winds up and collects the used wiping member 41 after it has been used for wiping. For example, the feeding unit 43 and the winding unit 44 rotate each time the wiping member 41 wipes the nozzle surface 25 a predetermined number of times.

[0052] The contact portion 45 is aligned with the wiping portion 40 in the scanning direction X, for example. In one example, the contact portion 45 is disposed at a position shifted in the second direction A2 from the wiping portion 40. The contact portion 45 faces the nozzle surface 25, for example, when the liquid ejection portion 22 is located at the retracted position CP. In this state, the contact portion 45 approaches the liquid ejection portion 22, causing the contact portion 45 to come into contact with the nozzle surface 25. Note that the liquid ejection portion 22 may approach the contact portion 45, causing the contact portion 45 to come into contact with the nozzle surface 25.

[0053] The contact portion 45 is, for example, a cap 45C that can come into contact with the nozzle surface 25. The cap 45C receives the liquid that is forcibly discharged from the nozzles 24 of the liquid ejection unit 22 during cleaning. When the cap 45C comes into contact with the nozzle surface 25, a substantially closed space that communicates with the nozzles 24 is formed between the nozzle surface 25 and the cap 45C. Capping the liquid ejection unit 22 with the cap 45C moistens the nozzles 24 that communicate with the substantially closed space surrounded by the nozzle surface 25 and the cap 45C. This moisturizing effect prevents the liquid in the nozzles 24 from thickening or drying. The cap 45C may contain, for example, an absorbent member (not shown) that absorbs moisturizing liquid. The moisturizing liquid may be a dedicated moisturizing liquid or a liquid such as ink that is ejected or discharged from the nozzles 24 by the liquid ejection unit 22.

[0054] Alternatively, one of the liquid discharging operation and flushing may be performed toward the cap 45C. For example, the liquid discharging operation may be performed toward the cap 45C. In this case, the liquid discharging operation may be, for example, pressure cleaning, in which the pressurizing unit 28 pressurizes the liquid discharge unit 22, thereby forcibly discharging the liquid from the nozzles 24. The cap 45C is connected to a waste liquid storage unit (not shown) through a discharge tube (not shown). By driving a suction pump (not shown) provided midway through this discharge tube, the liquid (waste liquid) received by the cap 45C is collected in the waste liquid storage unit through the discharge tube. Note that, instead of pressure cleaning by the pressurizing unit 28, the liquid discharging operation may be suction cleaning, which is performed by driving a suction pump in a capped state. In suction cleaning, a substantially closed space formed by the nozzle surface 25 and the cap 45C is subjected to negative pressure by driving the suction pump, thereby forcibly discharging the liquid from the nozzles 24.

[0055] In this way, when the liquid discharging operation is performed toward the cap 45C, the maintenance unit 30 receives only the liquid discharged by flushing. When the liquid discharging operation is not performed toward the cap 45C, the maintenance unit 30 also receives the liquid discharged by the liquid discharging operation. In the latter case, when it is time for cleaning, the liquid discharger 22 moves to the discharge position EP. In this state, the pressurizing unit 28 pressurizes the liquid discharger 22, forcibly discharging the liquid from the nozzle 24. The maintenance unit 30 receives this discharged liquid. Note that FIG. 2 shows only some of the main components of the maintenance unit 30, and the overall detailed configuration will be described later.

[0056] <Configuration of maintenance unit 30> Next, with reference to Figures 3 and 4, the configuration of a maintenance system 30S including a maintenance unit 30 will be described in detail. The liquid ejection device 11 is equipped with the maintenance system 30S shown in Figures 3 and 4. The maintenance system 30S includes a maintenance unit 30 and a lifting mechanism 50. In other words, the liquid ejection device 11 is equipped with the lifting mechanism 50. Note that Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the maintenance unit 30 and the lifting mechanism 50 in schematic form. The location and detailed configuration of the lifting mechanism 50 will be described later together with the maintenance unit 30. Here, in addition to describing the general configuration of the lifting mechanism 50, the following will describe how the maintenance unit 30 is configured to be able to move up and down within the lifting area LA by the lifting mechanism 50.

[0057] 3, the lifting mechanism 50 raises and lowers the maintenance unit 30. Specifically, the lifting mechanism 50 raises and lowers the maintenance unit 30 between a first position P1 and a second position P2 that is lowered from the first position P1. The Z direction in which the maintenance unit 30 rises and lowers is also referred to as the lifting direction Z.

[0058] 3, the maintenance unit 30 is located at a first position P1 raised by the lifting mechanism 50. In FIG. 4, the maintenance unit 30 is located at a second position P2 lowered by the lifting mechanism 50 from the first position P1.

[0059] The lifting mechanism 50 has a weight 51 and a connection part 53, both ends of which are connected to destinations so as to lift and lower the weight 51 and the maintenance unit 30 in opposite directions via a pulley 52. ​​The pulley 52 may be a fixed pulley as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In this case, the connection part 53 connects the weight 51 and the maintenance unit 30 via the pulley 52. ​​That is, both ends of the connection part 53 are connected to the weight 51 and the maintenance unit 30. This embodiment is an example in which both ends of the connection part 53 are connected to the weight 51 and the maintenance unit 30. The lifting mechanism 50 of this embodiment has the weight 51, pulley 52, and connection part 53 configured as described above.

[0060] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a plurality of pulleys 52 may be provided. As an example, the number of pulleys 52 is two. One of the two pulleys 52 is located above the connection point where the connection part 53 for suspending the maintenance unit 30 is connected to the maintenance unit 30. The other of the two pulleys 52 is located above the connection point where the connection part 53 for suspending the weight 51 is connected to the weight 51. In this way, the maintenance unit 30 and the weight 51 are fixed in a suspended state to both ends of the connection part 53 via the two pulleys 52. The number of pulleys 52 is not limited to two, and may be three or more.

[0061] In this embodiment, the weight of the weight 51 is large enough to lift the maintenance unit 30 against the weight of the maintenance unit 30. The weight of the weight 51 may be greater than the weight of the maintenance unit 30. The weight 51 may include a member made of metal.

[0062] The connection part 53 is a linear member that has a predetermined length and is flexible. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the connection part 53 is a wire. That is, the connection part 53 is a wire that is an example of a linear member that is flexible. The connection part 53 passes through a plurality of pulleys 52, and both ends of the connection part 53 are connected to the maintenance unit 30 and the weight 51, respectively. The connection part 53 has sufficient strength to withstand being pulled from both ends by the gravity caused by the weights of the maintenance unit 30 and the weight 51, respectively.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 3 , the maintenance unit 30 includes a support part 37 and a maintenance part 38. The maintenance part 38 is supported by the support part 37. In this embodiment, the maintenance unit 30 is configured by the support part 37 and the maintenance part 38 supported by the support part 37. The support part 37 is connected to one end of the connection part 53. The support part 37 has the shape of a support table, for example. The maintenance part 38 is placed on the support part 37.

[0064] The weight 51 is connected to a first end of the connection part 53, and the support part 37 is connected to a second end, which is the end opposite the first end. The support part 37 is configured to be able to move up and down by raising and lowering the weight 51. A maintenance part 38 is supported on the support part 37. The support part 37 is, for example, a support stand. The maintenance part 38 is placed on the support part 37, which is made of a support stand.

[0065] The weight of the maintenance unit 30, which includes the support part 37 and the maintenance part 38, is applied to the second end side of the connection part 53. When the weight 51 rises, the maintenance unit 30 descends. When the weight 51 descends, the maintenance unit 30 rises.

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the maintenance unit 30 of this embodiment includes a support portion 37 that is raised and lowered by an elevating mechanism 50, and a maintenance portion 38 that is supported by the support portion 37. The maintenance unit 30 of this embodiment includes the support portion 37 on which the maintenance portion 38 is supported. The weight of the maintenance unit 30 is represented by the sum of the weight of the maintenance portion 38 and the weight of the support portion 37. The maintenance portion 38 includes a receiving member 32 that is intermittently fed along a predetermined path from the payout portion 35 toward the winding portion 36. Therefore, the weight of the maintenance portion 38 includes the weight of the receiving member 32. Comparing the weight of the maintenance unit 30 with that of the weight 51 fixed to both ends of the connection portion 53 via the pulley 52, the weight of the weight 51 is greater than the weight of the maintenance unit 30.

[0067] That is, in this embodiment, the weight of the weight 51 is greater than the weight indicated by the sum of the weight of the support portion 37 and the weight of the maintenance portion 38. The weight of the maintenance portion 38 also includes the weight of the liquid received by the receiving member 32 as a result of maintenance (cleaning). Therefore, the weight of the weight 51 may be greater than the total weight of the maintenance unit 30 and the liquid added as part of the weight of the maintenance unit 30 as a result of maintenance.

[0068] The weight of the maintenance unit 30 also includes the weight of the various parts assembled to the support part 37. From the above points, the weight of the maintenance unit 30 is defined as the entire unit on which the weight is applied to the end of the connection part 53 opposite to the connection side of the weight 51. This entire unit includes the weight of the various parts attached to the maintenance part 38, as well as the weight of the various parts attached to the support part 37.

[0069] Therefore, it is possible to raise the maintenance unit 30 from the second position P2 to the first position P1 using only the weight of the weight 51. In other words, it is possible to automatically raise the maintenance unit 30 from the second position P2 to the first position P1 without any manual operating force. Note that the maintenance unit 30 may be configured with only the maintenance part 38 by eliminating the support part 37. In this case, the weight of the weight 51 is greater than the weight of the maintenance unit 30 made up of the maintenance part 38.

[0070] Therefore, a user, serviceman, or other person can lower the maintenance unit 30 from the first position P1 to the second position P2 with a small force. The small force is a force that resists the weight of the maintenance unit 30 based on the difference between the weight of the weight 51 and the weight of the maintenance unit 30. In other words, the small force is a force that can lower the maintenance unit 30 against the weight of the weight 51 based on the difference between the weight of the maintenance unit 30 and the weight of the weight 51.

[0071] When the maintenance unit 30 is lowered to perform a predetermined task on it, it can be lowered with little force due to the weight of the weight 51. Also, when the maintenance unit 30 is raised, it can be raised without applying force due to the weight of the weight 51. Also, since no drive source is used to raise and lower the maintenance unit 30, no power is used and no control is required. Therefore, the maintenance system 30S can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0072] In this way, the maintenance unit 30 can be raised and lowered within the lifting area LA by the lifting mechanism 50. In other words, the maintenance unit 30 is configured to be able to rise and lower between a first position P1 and a second position P2 within the lifting area LA. The lifting area LA is an area in which the maintenance unit 30 can rise and lower.

[0073] 3 is a maintenance position MP where the maintenance unit 30 performs maintenance. The maintenance position MP is a position where the maintenance unit 30 performs maintenance on the liquid ejection portion 22. The maintenance unit 30 performs maintenance on the liquid ejection portion 22 at the first position P1, which is a raised position. The maintenance unit 30 is positioned at the first position P1 (raised position), which is the maintenance position MP, during printing, etc.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 4, at least a portion of the maintenance unit 30 is slidable horizontally from a lifting area LA in which the maintenance unit 30 moves up and down. In the example shown in FIG. 4, at least a portion of the maintenance unit 30 is slidable horizontally from a second position P2. At least a portion of the maintenance unit 30 moves to a working position WP by this sliding. The working position WP is a position where a person, such as a user or a service technician, performs a predetermined task on at least a portion of the maintenance unit 30. The working position WP is a position where a person, for example, performs a predetermined task, such as replacing or replenishing consumables of the maintenance unit 30. In this embodiment, the user performs the predetermined task, for example, replacing the receiving member 32 (see FIGS. 2 and 5).

[0075] In FIG. 4, the maintenance part 38 is supported by the support part 37. Therefore, the maintenance part 38 is slidable horizontally relative to the support part 37. In other words, the maintenance part 38, which is part of the maintenance unit 30, is slidable horizontally relative to the support part 37. The maintenance part 38 can be pulled out from the support part 37 to the working position WP by sliding horizontally from the second position P2 relative to the support part 37. This pulling direction is parallel to the Y direction, and is therefore also referred to as the pulling direction Y. In addition, the Y direction is also an intersecting direction that intersects with the lifting direction Z, and is therefore also referred to as the intersecting direction Y.

[0076] <Configuration of the 30S Maintenance System> Next, the detailed configuration of the maintenance system 30S will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 9. Fig. 5 shows a side view of the maintenance system 30S when it is pulled out horizontally. Fig. 6 shows the state in which the maintenance unit 30 has risen to the first position P1. Fig. 7 shows the state in which the maintenance unit 30 has descended to the second position P2. Fig. 8 shows the state in which the maintenance part 38 has been pulled out to the working position WP by sliding the maintenance part 38 horizontally from the support part 37.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 5, the maintenance unit 30 has a feeding section 35 in which a receiving member 32 that receives a liquid is set, and a winding section 36 that winds up the receiving member 32. The receiving member 32 receives the liquid that is discharged or ejected from the liquid ejection section 22. The liquid that is discharged from the liquid ejection section 22 is the liquid that is ejected from the liquid ejection section 22 by flushing. The receiving member 32 receives the liquid that is discharged from the liquid ejection section 22 by flushing. The liquid that is ejected from the liquid ejection section 22 is the liquid that is ejected from the liquid ejection section 22 by cleaning. The receiving member 32 receives the liquid that is ejected from the liquid ejection section 22 by cleaning.

[0078] The maintenance section 38 includes a frame 38A. The feeding section 35 and the winding section 36 are assembled to the frame 38A. The feeding section 35 and the winding section 36 may be arranged one above the other. In this case, the winding section 36 may be arranged above the feeding section 35. Conversely, the feeding section 35 may be arranged above the winding section 36. By arranging the feeding section 35 and the winding section 36 one above the other, the maintenance unit 30 is consolidated into a vertically long shape. For example, this can contribute to the miniaturization of the liquid ejection device 11 in the scanning direction X.

[0079] A roll R1 (see FIG. 9) of the receiving member 32 is set in the unwinding unit 35. The receiving member 32 is fed from the unwinding unit 35 to the winding unit 36. The winding unit 36 ​​winds up the receiving member 32 fed from the unwinding unit 35 along a predetermined feed path. The receiving member 32 is guided along the predetermined feed path by a pair of holding rollers 33 and multiple guide rollers 34 supported by a frame 38A. The portion of the receiving member 32 guided by the pair of holding rollers 33 forms a receiving area 32A consisting of a horizontal surface. The liquid discharge unit 22 discharges or ejects liquid into the receiving area 32A of the receiving member 32. When the receiving area 32A receives a liquid exceeding a threshold, the winding unit 36 ​​is driven, and the receiving member 32 is fed a predetermined feed amount. This feeding operation of the receiving member 32 changes the receiving area 32A to a new surface.

[0080] The winding unit 36 ​​winds up the receiving member 32 into a roll after it has been used by receiving the liquid discharged or ejected from the liquid discharge unit 22. The winding unit 36 ​​winds up the used receiving member 32 to form a used roll body R2 (see FIG. 9).

[0081] <Detailed Configuration of the Lifting Mechanism 50> Next, the detailed configuration of the lifting mechanism 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the lifting mechanism 50 is disposed on the rear side of the maintenance unit 38, opposite the work surface side where the user performs the replacement work. As described above, the lifting mechanism 50 includes the weight 51, the pulley 52, and the connecting part 53. The pulley 52 is positioned at a height lower than the height of the surface of the receiving area 32A. This prevents interference with the liquid discharge part 22. The connecting part 53 for the maintenance unit 30 is connected to the support part 37, so that the pulley 52 is positioned at a position lower than the surface of the receiving area 32A.

[0082] 6 and 7, for example, two pulleys 52 may be arranged horizontally in the Y direction. The pulleys 52 are supported in predetermined positions by a support member (not shown). In this way, the pulleys 52 may be fixed pulleys.

[0083] The weight 51 has a storage section 51A, a weight 51W, and a first connector 51B. The storage section 51A is configured to be able to store multiple weights 51W. The weights 51W are, for example, weight plates made of a material with a high specific gravity, such as metal. The weight of the weight 51 can be adjusted by selecting the number of weights 51W to be stored in the storage section 51A. The first connector 51B may be, for example, a U-shaped metal fitting fixed to the upper surface of the storage section 51A. A first end of the connector 53 is connected to the first connector 51B of the weight 51.

[0084] 6 and 7, the support portion 37 is supported by the lift rails 55 in a state in which it can be raised and lowered. The support portion 37 is an elongated member extending in the Y direction. The support portion 37 may be supported by the pair of lift rails 55 at two positions on both sides in the Y direction.

[0085] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , a connecting member 56 is fixed to the back surface of the support portion 37. The connecting member 56 is fixed to the center of the support portion 37 in the Y direction. The connecting member 56 has a second connecting tool 56A. The second connecting tool 56A may be, for example, a U-shaped metal fitting. A second end of the connecting portion 53 is connected to the second connecting tool 56A of the connecting member 56 fixed to the support portion 37.

[0086] One side of the weight 51 is engaged with a guide rail 54 extending in the vertical direction Z. The weight 51 moves up and down along the vertical direction Z while being guided by the guide rail 54. The weight 51 is heavier than the maintenance unit 30. The weight of the weight 51 causes the maintenance unit 30 to rise to the first position P1 without the user applying any force to the maintenance unit 30. In other words, the first position P1 is a stable position for the maintenance unit 30. The first position P1 is set as the maintenance position MP. This allows the maintenance unit 30 to stably perform maintenance on the liquid discharger 22.

[0087] When the receiving member 32 for the roll R1 set in the unwinding section 35 runs out, the user replaces the consumable rolls R1 and R2. The maintenance unit 30 has an operation unit 39. The operation unit 39 is provided, for example, on the side surface of the frame 38A of the maintenance section 38 on the pull-out direction Y side. The user, for example, operates the operation unit 39 to apply a downward force to the maintenance unit 30. If a downward force greater than the force corresponding to the difference between the weight of the maintenance unit 30 and the weight of the weight 51 is applied, the maintenance unit 30 will descend. Here, the weight of the weight 51 is defined as W1, and the weight of the maintenance unit 30 is defined as W2. The difference ΔW (W1 - W2) is a predetermined value, for example, within a range of 0.1 to 5 kgf. The difference ΔW may be, for example, 1 kgf.

[0088] The user lowers the maintenance unit 30 from the first position P1, which is the maintenance position MP, to the second position P2. The maintenance unit 30 descends from the first position P1 to the second position P2 shown in Fig. 6. At this time, the weight 51 rises due to the weight of the maintenance unit 30 and the downward force applied by the user.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 8, the user moves the maintenance unit 30 from the second position P2 to the working position WP by sliding it in the pull-out direction Y. As shown in FIG. 8, the support section 37 has a support plate 37A at its bottom. The maintenance section 38 has a bottom plate 38B at its bottom. The support section 37 has a pair of first rails 91 on both sides of the support plate 37A in the X direction. The maintenance section 38 has a pair of second rails 92 on both sides of the bottom plate 38B in the X direction. The first rails 91 and the second rails 92 are engaged with each other so as to be slidable in the Y direction. When the maintenance section 38 is in the working position WP, the unwinding section 35 and the winding section 36 are aligned vertically. This facilitates the user's replacement of consumables by removing the roll R2 from the winding section 36 and installing a new roll R1 in the unwinding section 35.

[0090] <Positioning the maintenance unit 30 at the first position P1> As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the liquid ejection device 11 includes a restricting portion 60 that restricts the maintenance unit 30 from rising from the first position P1.

[0091] 6 and 7, the maintenance system 30S of this embodiment includes two types of restriction units 60. The two types of restriction units 60 are a first restriction unit 61 and a second restriction unit 62. The first restricting portion 61 restricts the maintenance unit 30 from rising above the first position P1. The first restricting portion 61 includes a positioning pin 63 fixed at a predetermined height and a stopper 64 extending horizontally from both side surfaces of the maintenance unit 30 in the Y direction. As the maintenance unit 30 rises to the first position P1, the stopper 64 comes into contact with the positioning pin 63 when it reaches the first position P1. This restricts the maintenance unit 30 from rising any further above the first position P1. The positioning pin 63 is supported by the tip of a support member 67 (see FIG. 9) fixed to a frame (not shown).

[0092] At least three first restricting portions 61 are provided. In this embodiment, two first restricting portions 61 are provided at positions corresponding to both ends of the intersecting direction Y that intersects with the lifting direction Z of the maintenance unit 30. In other words, four first restricting portions 61 are provided. This allows for reliable positioning.

[0093] The first restricting portion 61 may be provided at least three positions, including two positions corresponding to both ends of the intersecting direction Y intersecting the lifting direction Z of the maintenance unit 30. The at least three positions may be defined, for example, as follows: Here, an imaginary plane intersecting (e.g., perpendicular to) the lifting direction Z is assumed. The imaginary plane may be a plane parallel to the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid ejection portion 22. The at least three positions are positions where, when projected onto the imaginary plane intersecting the lifting direction Z, the at least three projected positions correspond to the vertices of a polygon on the imaginary plane. In other words, the first restricting portion 61 may restrict the maintenance unit 30 at at least three positions that can form a polygon with the respective projected points as vertices when projected onto the imaginary plane. If the first restricting portion 61 can restrict the maintenance unit 30 from further lifting from the first position P1 at at least three positions, the maintenance unit 30 can be positioned at the first position P1 without tilting relative to the horizontal plane.

[0094] In the example shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the first restricting portions 61 are provided at four positions: two positions corresponding to both ends of the intersecting direction Y intersecting the lifting direction Z of the maintenance unit 30, and two positions at different positions in the X direction. The four positions are positions where the four projected positions when projected onto an imaginary plane intersecting the lifting direction Z correspond to the vertices of a rectangle on the imaginary plane. The first restricting portions 61 restrict the maintenance unit 30 at four positions that can form a rectangle with the respective projected points as vertices when projected onto the imaginary plane. This makes it possible to accurately position the maintenance unit 30 with respect to the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid ejection unit 22. For example, it is possible to position the maintenance unit 30 so that the surface of the receiving region 32A is parallel to the nozzle surface 25.

[0095] The second restricting portion 62 positions the maintenance unit 30 at the first position P1 while absorbing impact. The second restricting portion 62 includes, for example, a shock absorber 65. More specifically, the second restricting portion 62 includes the shock absorber 65 and a restricting plate 66 formed on the support portion 37. The support portion 37 has the restricting plate 66 at a position corresponding to the shock absorber 65. At least one second restricting portion 62 is provided. In this embodiment, two second restricting portions 62 are provided at positions corresponding to both ends of the intersecting direction Y that intersects with the lifting direction Z of the maintenance unit 30. This makes it possible to restrict the lifting of the maintenance unit 30 while reliably absorbing impact.

[0096] Of the two types of restricting parts 61, 62, one performs primary positioning and the other performs secondary positioning. That is, the second restricting part 62 absorbs the impact when the maintenance unit 30 is positioned at the first position P1 and restricts further upward movement. On the other hand, the first restricting part 61 restricts the maintenance unit 30, which is in the process of deceleration after the impact has been absorbed by the second restricting part 62, to the first position P1.

[0097] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the maintenance system 30S also includes a positioning assist mechanism 70 that assists in lifting the maintenance unit 30 until it reaches the first position P1. The positioning assist mechanism 70 assists in lifting the maintenance unit 30 to the first position P1, where lifting is restricted by the first restricting portion 61. In this embodiment, the maintenance unit 30 is lifted by the gravity of the weight 51 without the user applying any force. Meanwhile, the difference ΔW is small so that the downward operating force required by the user to lower the maintenance unit 30 is relatively small. Therefore, the force required to lift the maintenance unit 30 solely due to the gravity of the weight 51 is relatively small, corresponding to the difference ΔW. Furthermore, during the lifting process of the maintenance unit 30, forces such as sliding friction that hinder lifting are generated. This may result in the maintenance unit 30 not fully lifting to the first position P1. Therefore, in this embodiment, the positioning assist mechanism 70 assists in lifting the maintenance unit 30 to the first position P1. Details of the positioning assist mechanism 70 will be described later.

[0098] <Holding the maintenance unit 30 at the second position P2> The liquid discharger 11 is provided with a holding part 80 that holds the maintenance unit 30 at the second position P2 to prevent it from rising from the second position P2. The holding part 80 is provided with two types: a first holding part and a second holding part. The first holding part is, for example, a roll catch 81. The second holding part is, for example, a lift-up prevention member 82.

[0099] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, when the maintenance unit 30 is slid relative to the support part 37 to be pulled out, the support part 37 needs to be locked in the second position P2 to prevent the support part 37 from rising due to the weight of the weight 51. The roll catch 81 holds (locks) the support part 37 in the second position P2. The roll catch 81 is composed of a first member 83 and a second member 84 that can engage with each other. The first member 83 is fixed at a predetermined height by a support member (not shown). The second member 84 is fixed at a predetermined position on the support part 37 corresponding to the first member 83.

[0100] The lift-up prevention member 82 prevents the maintenance unit 38 from lifting up when the maintenance unit 38 is in the process of sliding from the second position P2 to the working position WP or when the maintenance unit 38 is in the working position WP. The detailed configurations of the roll catch 81 and the lift-up prevention member 82 will be described later.

[0101] <Configuration of the maintenance unit 38> Next, the configuration of the maintenance unit 38 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. The unwinding unit 35 has a friction mechanism 35F at an end located outside the rotating portion where the roll R1 is set. The friction mechanism 35F generates rotational friction when the unwinding unit 35 rotates. The winding unit 36 ​​has a motor 36M as a drive source. The winding unit 36 ​​rotates in the winding direction by the driving force of the motor 36M. The receiving member 32 is wound into the roll R2 by the winding force of the winding unit 36. The receiving member 32 is unwound from the roll R1 set in the unwinding unit 35 by the winding force of the winding unit 36. At this time, tension is applied to the receiving member 32 by the rotational friction generated by the friction mechanism 35F. The winding force of the winding unit 36 ​​causes the receiving member 32 to be intermittently fed by a predetermined amount in the feed direction while being tensioned.

[0102] <Configuration of second restricting portion 62> Next, the configuration of the second restriction portion 62 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 10, the second restriction portion 62 is configured with a shock absorber 65 and a restriction plate 66, as described above. The shock absorber 65 includes a cylinder 65A and a contact portion 65B fixed to the tip of a rod biased in a protruding direction from the cylinder 65A. The shock absorber 65 elastically biases the contact portion 65B in the protruding direction by a biasing force of a spring (not shown) or compressed air inside the cylinder 65A. When the contact portion 65B of the shock absorber 65 abuts against the restriction plate 66, the rod of the cylinder 65A elastically contracts against the biasing force in the protruding direction. Therefore, when the abutment portion 65B abuts against the restriction plate 66, the shock generated at the time of abutment is alleviated, and the maintenance unit 30 is restricted from rising from the first position P1.

[0103] <Configuration of the first restricting portion 61 and the positioning assist mechanism 70> Next, the configurations of the first restricting portion 61 and the positioning assist mechanism 70 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. The liquid ejection device 11 includes a positioning assist mechanism 70 including a positioning member 72 that pushes the maintenance unit 30 to a restricting position where it is restricted by the restricting portion 60. In this embodiment, the restricting position is the first position P1. This is because the first position P1 is the maintenance position MP. The maintenance position MP is the position where maintenance is performed on the liquid ejection portion 22. If the height of the maintenance position MP is shifted in the vertical direction Z, maintenance of the liquid ejection portion 22 may not be performed properly. For example, if the gap between the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid ejection portion 22 and the receiving member 32 is large, the proportion of liquid ejected or discharged from the nozzle 24 that scatters as mist and cannot be received may increase. The scattered liquid contaminates the inside of the housing 12. On the other hand, if the height position of the liquid ejection portion 22 at the first position P1 is shifted upward in the +Z direction, which narrows the gap, the liquid ejection portion 22 and the receiving member 32 may come into contact. If the liquid is color ink, this contact may cause color mixing or damage to the liquid ejection head 23. For this reason, it is necessary to accurately position the maintenance unit 30 at the first position P1.

[0104] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 , the positioning assistance mechanism 70 includes an arm 71, a positioning member 72, and a motor 73 as a drive source. The arm 71 is connected to the output shaft of the motor 73. The positioning member 72 is supported at the tip of the arm 71. Driven by the motor 73, the arm 71 rotates around a rotation shaft 71A within a predetermined angular range. The positioning member 72 may be, for example, a roller rotatably supported at the tip of the arm 71. The arm 71 and the positioning member 72 are positioned in the retracted position shown in FIG. 11 at least for a predetermined period of time while the maintenance unit 30 is positioned within a predetermined range immediately before reaching the first position P1 during the upward movement.

[0105] For example, as shown in Fig. 11, the maintenance unit 30 may stop just before reaching the first position P1 where the stopper 64 abuts against the positioning pin 63 due to a force that prevents it from moving upward, such as sliding friction. When a position sensor (not shown) detects that the maintenance unit 30 is positioned within a predetermined range during the upward movement, the control unit 100 drives the motor 73 of the positioning assistance mechanism 70. Driving this motor 73 causes the arm 71 and the positioning member 72 to rotate in the pushing direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 11. This causes the positioning member 72 to perform a pushing operation in which the stopper 64 is pushed upward.

[0106] 12, when the positioning member 72 performs a pushing operation from the retracted position indicated by the two-dot chain line, the stopper 64 is pushed up to the restricting position where it abuts against the positioning pin 63. As a result, the maintenance unit 30 is more reliably positioned at the first position P1.

[0107] <Structure and operation of the roll catch 81> Next, the configuration and operation of the roll catch 81 will be described with reference to Figures 13 and 14. Figure 13 shows a separated state in which the first member 83 and the second member 84 that make up the roll catch 81 are not engaged. Figure 14 shows a retained state in which the first member 83 and the second member 84 that make up the roll catch 81 are engaged.

[0108] 13, the second member 84 has a main body 84A and a protruding portion 84B protruding from the main body 84A. The protruding portion 84B protrudes with a bulging tip, and the bulging portion is formed in a tapered shape that narrows toward the tip on the first member 83 side.

[0109] The first member 83 has a main body 83A, a pair of swinging members 831, a pair of rollers 832, a pair of support shafts 833, and a spring 834. The pair of swinging members 831 are rotatably assembled to the main body 83A. The pair of rollers 832 are rotatably attached to the tip ends of the pair of swinging members 831. The pair of rollers 832 are rotatable about support shafts 833 fixed to the tip ends of the pair of swinging members 831. The spring 834 biases the pair of swinging members 831 in a closing direction in which they approach each other. The spring 834 is, for example, a torsion coil spring. Therefore, when the roll catch 81 is in the separated state shown in FIG. 13, the pair of rollers 832 is in a closed state. The spring 834 may be a leaf spring or the like. Furthermore, instead of the support shaft 833, a rotation shaft that can rotate together with the roller 832 may be used, and the rotation shaft may be rotatably supported by the swing member 831.

[0110] When the maintenance unit 30 is in the first position P1, the roll catch 81 is in the separated state shown in FIG. 13. When the user lowers the maintenance unit 30 from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the roll catch 81 enters the retained state as shown in FIG. 14. That is, the protrusion 84B of the second member 84 pushes apart the pair of rollers 832, which are in the closed state shown in FIG. 13, and inserts them between them. The pair of rollers 832 clamp the narrow portion of the protrusion 84B, located closer to the base than the bulging portion, with the biasing force of the spring 834. In this way, the first member 83 and the second member 84 engage as shown in FIG. 14. To release this engagement, a force is required to push the pair of rollers 832 apart to a position wider than the width of the bulging portion of the protrusion 84B. This force is sufficiently greater than the force f (= ΔW * g) that lifts the maintenance unit 30 due to the weight of the weight 51. Here, g is the acceleration due to gravity. Therefore, when the roll catch 81 is in the holding state shown in FIG. 14, the maintenance unit 30 is held in the second position P2 without the user applying any force.

[0111] When the user applies an upward force in the +Z direction to the maintenance unit 30 while the roll catch 81 is in the held state shown in Fig. 14, the protrusion 84B of the second member 84 comes off the pair of rollers 832. In other words, the roll catch 81 changes from the held state shown in Fig. 14 to the separated state shown in Fig. 13. With the roll catch 81 in this separated state, the maintenance unit 30 can rise from the second position P2 to the first position P1.

[0112] <Configuration and Operation of the Floating Prevention Member 82> Next, the configuration and operation of the anti-lifting member 82 will be described with reference to FIG. 15. As shown in FIG. 15, the anti-lifting member 82 holds the support part 37 at the second position P2. The anti-lifting member 82 prevents the support part 37 from lifting upward in the +Z direction when the user slides the maintenance unit 30 in the intersecting direction Y intersecting the lifting direction Z from the second position P2. The anti-lifting member 82 is disposed at a position horizontally out of the lifting area LA (see FIG. 3) in which the maintenance unit 30 moves up and down. Therefore, the anti-lifting member 82 does not interfere with the lifting and lowering of the maintenance unit 30. The anti-lifting member 82 is also disposed at a position on the pull-out direction Y side of the support part 37.

[0113] The anti-lifting member 82 has a holding plate 85 at its lower end. The lower surface of the holding plate 85 may be formed as a horizontal holding surface, for example. The holding plate 85 is located at a position slightly higher than the height of the upper surface of a portion of the maintenance unit 38 when the maintenance unit 38 is in the second position P2. If the maintenance unit 38 attempts to lift up, the holding plate 85 abuts against that portion, thereby preventing the maintenance unit 38 from lifting up. The portion of the maintenance unit 38 that abuts against the holding plate 85 may be a member located at a height that allows it to abut against the holding plate 85 and that extends in the drawing direction Y. In this embodiment, the portion of the maintenance unit 38 is, for example, rails 92 that are fixed to both ends of the bottom plate 38B of the maintenance unit 38 in the X direction and extend in the drawing direction Y. The anti-lifting member 82 prevents the maintenance unit 38 from lifting up by abutting the rails 92 against the holding plate 85, regardless of the position of the maintenance unit 38 within the sliding range. Therefore, the anti-lifting member 82 prevents the maintenance part 38 from lifting up over the entire sliding range from a position horizontally outside the second position P2 to the working position WP.

[0114] For example, when a user performs a predetermined task such as replacing the receiving member 32, the user slides the maintenance part 38, which is in the second position P2, horizontally relative to the support part 37. Even if the roll catch 81 is released for some reason while the maintenance part 38 is midway through sliding or is in the work position WP, the lift-up prevention member 82 prevents the maintenance part 38 from floating up. This prevents the maintenance unit 30 from floating up.

[0115] The amount by which the maintenance part 38 can slide relative to the support part 37 is limited to a value that keeps a portion of the maintenance part 38 supported by the support part 37. In other words, even when the maintenance part 38 is in the work position WP, a portion of the maintenance part 38 remains resting on the support part 37. For this reason, even if the roll catch 81 comes off when the maintenance part 38 is in the work position WP, the support part 37 comes into contact with the maintenance part 38, whose upward movement is restricted by the lift-up prevention member 82, and is thereby prevented from lifting up from the second position P2. In other words, even if the roll catch 81 comes off when the maintenance part 38 is in the work position WP, the maintenance unit 30 is prevented from lifting up from the second position P2.

[0116] <Actions and Effects of the Embodiment> According to this embodiment, the following actions and effects can be obtained. (1) The liquid ejection device 11 includes a liquid ejection section 22, a maintenance unit 30, and an elevating mechanism 50. The liquid ejection section 22 is capable of ejecting liquid. The maintenance unit 30 performs maintenance on the liquid ejection section 22. The elevating mechanism 50 elevates the maintenance unit 30 between a first position P1 and a second position P2, which is lowered from the first position P1. The elevating mechanism 50 includes a weight 51 and a connecting section 53. Both ends of the connecting section 53 are connected to their respective destinations via a pulley 52 so that the weight 51 and the maintenance unit 30 are raised and lowered in opposite directions. With this configuration, the weight of the weight 51 allows the maintenance unit 30 to be lowered with little or no force. Furthermore, the weight of the weight 51 allows the maintenance unit 30 to be raised with little or no force. This improves usability for people accessing the maintenance unit 30. For example, ease of use for the user can be improved when the maintenance unit 30 is moved by lowering or raising from the maintenance position MP where maintenance of the liquid discharger 22 is performed to the work position WP where the user performs work. Also, for example, when no drive source is used, no power is used and no control is required, so this can be achieved with a simple configuration.

[0117] (2) Both ends of the connecting portion 53 are connected to the weight 51 and the maintenance unit 30. With this configuration, the pulley 52 is a fixed pulley, and the lifting mechanism 50 can be easily realized with a simple configuration. Also, for example, the lifting strokes of the weight 51 and the maintenance unit 30 can be made the same. For example, if the pulley 52 includes a movable pulley, one of the weight 51 and the maintenance unit 30 is connected to the movable pulley. In this case, the lifting stroke of one of the weight 51 and the maintenance unit 30 becomes longer, or the weight of the weight 51 becomes heavier. However, this liquid discharger 11 can avoid these problems.

[0118] (3) The weight of the weight 51 is large enough to lift the maintenance unit 30 against the weight of the maintenance unit 30. With this configuration, the user can lower the maintenance unit 30 from the first position P1 with a small force. Also, when lifting the maintenance unit 30 from the second position P2, the weight of the weight 51 lifts the maintenance unit 30 without applying any force. This improves usability for the user.

[0119] (4) The weight of the weight 51 is greater than the weight of the maintenance unit 30. With this configuration, the weight of the weight 51 is greater than the weight of the maintenance unit 30, so the user can lower the maintenance unit 30 with little force. Furthermore, the maintenance unit 30 in the second position P2 rises due to the weight of the weight 51 without the application of force. This improves usability for the user.

[0120] (5) The liquid ejection device 11 includes a restricting portion 60 that restricts the maintenance unit 30 from rising from the first position P1. With this configuration, the maintenance unit 30 that has risen due to the weight of the weight 51 can be positioned in the correct position.

[0121] (6) The first restricting portion 61, an example of the restricting portion 60, is provided at at least three positions, including two positions corresponding to both ends of the intersecting direction Y intersecting the lifting direction Z of the maintenance unit 30. The at least three positions are positions where, when projected onto an imaginary plane intersecting the lifting direction Z, the three projected positions correspond to the vertices of a polygon on the imaginary plane. This configuration ensures reliable positioning of the maintenance unit 30. In particular, the maintenance unit 30 can be accurately positioned with respect to the nozzle surface 25, which is the surface of the liquid ejection portion 22 to be maintained. For example, the maintenance unit 30 can be positioned at the first position P1 (maintenance position MP) with the surface of the receiving area 32A parallel to the nozzle surface 25. In other words, tilting of the surface of the receiving area 32A with respect to the nozzle surface 25 can be prevented. This prevents maintenance problems, such as the receiving area 32A coming into contact with the nozzle surface 25, caused by the surface of the receiving area 32A being tilted with respect to the nozzle surface 25.

[0122] (7) A positioning assist mechanism 70 is provided, which includes a positioning member 72 that pushes the maintenance unit 30 to a restricted position where it is restricted by a first restricting portion 61, which is an example of a restricting portion 60. With this configuration, the positioning member 72 can reliably push the maintenance unit 30 to a position where it abuts against the first restricting portion 61. Therefore, the maintenance unit 30 can be more reliably positioned at the first position P1.

[0123] (8) The liquid ejection device 11 includes a holding portion 80 that holds the maintenance unit 30 so that it does not rise from the second position P2. With this configuration, when the maintenance unit 30 descends, the maintenance unit 30 can be held at the second position P2. In other words, the positioning accuracy of the maintenance unit 30 when it descends can be improved.

[0124] (9) The maintenance unit 30 has an operating part 39. With this configuration, the maintenance unit 30 can be raised and lowered by operating the operating part 39, which improves usability for the user. (10) The maintenance unit 30 has a feeding section 35 and a winding section 36. The receiving member 32 that receives liquid is set in the feeding section 35. The winding section 36 winds up the receiving member 32. With this configuration, a roll of the receiving member 32 can be set in the feeding section 35, so the length of the receiving member 32 set in the feeding section 35 can be increased. This reduces the frequency of replacing or replenishing the receiving member 32. Furthermore, with a roll configuration, the length of the receiving member 32 can be increased, which makes it easy for the maintenance unit 30 to become larger and heavier. Nevertheless, the above configuration improves usability for the user.

[0125] (11) The receiving member 32 receives the liquid discharged from the liquid discharger 22. According to this configuration, the receiving member 32 that receives the liquid discharged from the liquid discharger 22 needs to be replaced, and therefore, the above configuration improves usability for the user.

[0126] (12) The first position P1 is the maintenance position MP where the maintenance unit 30 performs maintenance. According to this configuration, the maintenance unit 30 can be easily accessed by lowering the maintenance unit 30 to a position lowered from the maintenance position MP.

[0127] (13) At least a portion of the maintenance unit 30 is slidable horizontally from the lifting area LA in which the maintenance unit 30 moves up and down. With this configuration, at least a portion of the maintenance unit 30 can be pulled out horizontally by sliding. For example, this makes it easier for the user to work on at least a portion of the maintenance unit 30.

[0128] (14) At least a portion of the maintenance unit 30 moves to the working position WP by sliding horizontally from the second position P2. With this configuration, at least a portion of the maintenance unit 30 can be pulled out by sliding. For example, this makes it easier for the user to work on at least a portion of the maintenance unit 30.

[0129] (15) The maintenance unit 30 includes a support part 37 and a maintenance part 38. The support part 37 is raised and lowered by an elevating mechanism 50. The maintenance part 38 is supported by the support part 37. The maintenance part 38 is slidable horizontally relative to the support part 37. With this configuration, the maintenance part 38, which is a part of the maintenance unit 30, can be moved horizontally more smoothly by sliding the maintenance part 38 relative to the support part 37 than by raising and lowering and sliding the maintenance unit 30 including the support part 37.

[0130] <Example of change> The above embodiment can be modified as follows. Furthermore, the above embodiment and the modified examples shown below can be implemented in combination with each other within the scope of technical compatibility. Furthermore, the modified examples shown below can be implemented in appropriate combination with each other.

[0131] The maintenance unit 30 is not limited to the cleaning unit 31. The maintenance unit 30 may be a wiping unit 40U (wiping unit) including a wiping unit 40 shown in FIG. 16. That is, the maintenance unit 30 is not limited to the cleaning unit 31, but may be the wiping unit 40U. In this case, as shown in FIG. 16, the liquid ejection device 11 includes a liquid ejection unit 22 and a maintenance system 30S. The maintenance system 30S includes a wiping unit 40U and an elevation mechanism 50. The wiping unit 40U may include a wiping unit 40 as an example of a maintenance unit 38 and a support unit 37. The support unit 37 supports the wiping unit 40. The receiving member 32 is a wiping member 41 that wipes liquid adhering to the liquid ejection unit 22. The wiping unit 40U performs wiping to wipe the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid ejection unit 22 as maintenance using the wiping unit 40. The wiping unit 40 includes a feed-out unit 43 and a take-up unit 44. The feed-out unit 43, the take-up unit 44, the pressure roller 42, and the like are rotatably supported on a frame 40A of the wiping unit 40. The wiping member 41 is pressed upward by the pressure roller 42 along a portion of the path from the feed-out unit 43 to the take-up unit 44, thereby forming a wiping portion capable of wiping the nozzle surface 25. The wiping unit 40U wipes the nozzle surface 25 with the wiping member 41. The wiping unit 40 may include an elevation unit 40B. The elevation unit 40B raises and lowers the wiping member 41. This may enable the wiping member 41 to come into contact with the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid ejection unit 22. Alternatively, the liquid ejection unit 22 may be lowered at the discharge position EP, thereby bringing the nozzle surface 25 into contact with the wiping member 41.

[0132] 16, the configuration of the lifting mechanism 50 is the same as that of the above-described embodiment. The lifting mechanism 50 lifts and lowers the wiping unit 40U between a first position P1 and a second position P2, which is lowered from the first position P1. That is, the wiping unit 40U lifts and lowers in a lifting area LA (see FIG. 3). The lifting mechanism 50 includes a weight 51 and a connecting portion 53, both ends of which are connected to other connecting portions via a pulley 52 so as to lift and lower the weight 51 and the wiping unit 40U in opposite directions. Both ends of the connecting portion 53 are connected to the weight 51 and the wiping unit 40U via the pulley 52. ​​The pulley 52 may be, for example, a fixed pulley. If the wiping unit 40U includes a support portion 37 that supports the wiping part 40, a second end of the connecting portion 53 may be connected to the support portion 37. The weight of the weight 51 may be greater than, less than, or the same as the weight of the wiping unit 40U. For example, the weight of the weight 51 may be greater than the weight of the wiping unit 40U. With this configuration, the user can lift the wiping unit 40U to the first position P1 without applying force to the wiping unit 40U. The first position P1 is a maintenance position MP where the wiping unit 40U wipes the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid ejection unit 22. The maintenance system 30S may be configured similarly to the above-described embodiment, except that the maintenance unit 38 is the wiping unit 40. That is, the maintenance system 30S may include the regulating unit 60, the positioning assistance mechanism 70, the holding unit 80, and the operating unit 39, similar to the above-described embodiment. In this case, the regulating unit 60 may include two types of members: a first regulating unit 61 and a second regulating unit 62. The holding unit 80 may include two types of members: a roll catch 81 and a lift-up prevention member 82. Furthermore, the maintenance unit 30 may be slidable horizontally from the lifting area LA where the maintenance unit 30 moves up and down. That is, the wiping part 40 may be supported by rails 91, 92 so as to be slidable relative to the support part 37. According to the configuration of this modified example, the wiping member 41 that wipes the liquid adhering to the liquid discharge part 22 needs to be replaced, and therefore, the above configuration can improve usability for the user.

[0133] The maintenance position MP is not limited to the first position P1. For example, as shown in FIG. 17 , the maintenance position MP may be a position outside the lifting area LA. In this example, the maintenance position MP is outside the lifting area LA and at the same height as the first position P1. The maintenance unit 30 is configured to be slidable horizontally relative to the lifting area LA. A user may position the maintenance unit 30 at the first position P1 by sliding the maintenance unit 30 horizontally from the maintenance position MP. Furthermore, the position at which the maintenance unit 30 descends from the first position P1 to the second position P2 may be the working position WP. For example, the weight of the weight 51 may be greater than the weight of the maintenance unit 30. In this case, the user can lower the maintenance unit 30 to the second position P2, which is the working position, with a relatively small downward operating force. Furthermore, because the maintenance unit 30 ascends without applying force, it is easy to position the maintenance unit 30 at the first position P1 and the maintenance position MP.

[0134] As shown in FIG. 18 , the maintenance position MP may be the second position P2. That is, in the process of moving the maintenance unit 30 from the maintenance position MP to the work position WP, the maintenance unit 30 may be raised from the second position P2 to the first position P1. In this case, the weight of the weight 51 may be smaller than the weight of the maintenance unit 30. The user applies an upward force to raise the maintenance unit 30 from the second position P2, which is the maintenance position MP, to the first position P1. The user then slides the maintenance unit 30 horizontally from the first position P1. This positions the maintenance unit 30 at the work position WP. In this way, the work position WP to which the maintenance unit 30 is slid relative to the lifting area LA may be at the same height as the first position P1.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 19, the maintenance position MP may be outside the lifting area LA and at the same height as the second position P2. That is, similar to FIG. 18, the maintenance unit 30 may be raised from the second position P2 to the first position P1 in the process of moving the maintenance unit 30 from the maintenance position MP to the working position WP. In FIG. 19, the maintenance unit 30 is raised from the second position P2 to the first position P1, and then slid horizontally from the first position P1 to be placed at the working position WP. The weight of the weight 51 may be smaller than the weight of the maintenance unit 30. This allows the user to raise the maintenance unit 30 with a relatively small operating force.

[0136] In the above-described embodiment and the modified examples shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the maintenance unit 38 may not slide horizontally relative to the lifting area LA. In this case, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the second position P2 may be the working position WP. In the modified example shown in FIG. 18, the first position P1 may be the working position WP. In the modified example shown in FIG. 19, the second position P2 may be the working position WP.

[0137] At least one of the pulleys 52 may be a movable pulley. For example, as shown in FIG. 20 , the maintenance system 30S includes multiple pulleys 52 and 57. At least one of them (e.g., one) is a movable pulley 57. For example, the movable pulley 57 is connected to the maintenance unit 30. The connection part 53 is provided to raise and lower the weight 51 and the maintenance unit 30 in opposite directions via the pulleys 52 and 57. In the example shown in FIG. 20 , a first end of the connection part 53 is connected to the weight 51 via the pulleys 52 and 57, and a second end, which is the end opposite the first end via the pulleys 52 and 57, is fixed to a predetermined fixed object. The fixed object is, for example, a frame or a support member within the housing 12. In the example shown in FIG. 20 , the second end of the connection part 53 is fixed to the fixed object at a position higher than the highest position of the movable pulley 57 (e.g., the position shown in FIG. 20 ). The weight of the weight 51 may be greater than half the weight of the maintenance unit 30. In this case, the weight of the movable pulley 57 may be included in the weight of the maintenance unit 30. In other words, the weight of the weight 51 may be heavier than the weight of the weight 51 when the weight 51 and the maintenance unit 30 are balanced via the pulleys 52, 57, and the connection portion 53. With this configuration, the maintenance unit 30 can be raised to the first position P1 by the weight of the weight 51 without applying force. Furthermore, only a small force is required to lower the maintenance unit 30 from the first position P1. Furthermore, the weight of the weight 51 can be reduced to approximately half of the weight of the weight 51 in the above-described embodiment. For example, the total weight of the maintenance system 30S can be reduced. Consequently, the total weight of the liquid discharger 11 can be reduced. Although the lifting stroke of the weight 51 is longer than in the above-described embodiment, the maintenance unit 30 has a vertically elongated shape in which the feeding portion 35 and the winding portion 36 are arranged one above the other, making it easier to ensure sufficient lifting space.

[0138] 20, the movable pulley 57 may be fixed to the weight 51. With this configuration, although the weight of the weight 51 increases, the lifting stroke can be made shorter than in the above embodiment. Note that the lifting mechanism 50 may be configured to include two movable pulleys 57 to which both the weight 51 and the maintenance unit 30 are fixed.

[0139] In the modification shown in FIG. 20, the maintenance position MP and the work position WP may be changed as in the modifications shown in FIGS. 16 is not limited to a cloth wiper that wipes the nozzle surface 25 with a wiping member 41 made of cloth, which is an example of the receiving member 32, but may be configured to wipe the nozzle surface 25 with a wiper blade. In this case, adjustment, repair, or replacement of the wiper blade may be performed as a predetermined task at the work position WP.

[0140] The maintenance system 30S in the embodiment and the modified examples shown in Figures 16 to 20 and the like may include at least one of the restricting unit 60, the positioning assist mechanism 70, the holding unit 80, and the operating unit 39. For example, it may include only one of these, or a plurality of these, such as two, three, or four. The restricting unit 60 may include at least one of a first restricting unit 61 and a second restricting unit 62. The holding unit 80 may include at least one of a roll catch 81 and a lift-up prevention member 82.

[0141] In the above-described embodiment and the modified examples shown in Figures 16 to 20, etc., it is sufficient that at least three first restriction portions 61 are provided. The number of first restriction portions 61 may be three, or five or more. In either case, it is sufficient that the polygon having vertices defined by at least three projection points of at least three positions projected onto an imaginary plane is a polygon with three or more sides. The polygon may be a triangle or a pentagon. Even with these configurations, the maintenance unit 30 can be positioned with high precision and little tilt relative to the nozzle surface 25.

[0142] In the above-described embodiment and the modified examples shown in FIGS. 16 to 20, etc., a configuration may be provided in which only one restricting portion 60 is provided. In this case, one restricting portion 60 may be provided at a position corresponding to the center of the maintenance unit 30 in the transverse direction Y. Furthermore, three restricting portions 60 may be provided, one at each side of the maintenance unit 30 in the transverse direction Y and one at a position corresponding to the center of the maintenance unit 30 in the transverse direction Y. When the maintenance unit 30 is a strong rigid body or is configured to perform maintenance that does not require high positioning accuracy with respect to the nozzle surface 25 of the liquid ejection portion 22, the number of first restricting portions 61 may be one or two. Furthermore, the number of second restricting portions 62 may be one or three.

[0143] In the above-described embodiment and the modified examples shown in Figures 16 to 20, etc., two holding parts 80 may be provided. In this case, the two holding parts 80 may be provided at positions corresponding to both sides of the maintenance unit 30 in the cross direction Y. For example, two or three roll catches 81 may be provided at different positions in the cross direction Y of the maintenance unit 30. Furthermore, two or three lift-up prevention members 82 may also be provided at different positions in the cross direction Y of the maintenance unit 30.

[0144] The positioning assist mechanism 70 may be configured to assist in positioning the maintenance unit 30 at the second position P2. In this case, the positioning assist mechanism 70 may assist in positioning the maintenance unit 30 at the second position P2 by pressing down the stopper 64 as a pushing operation. This configuration is particularly effective when the second position P2 is the maintenance position MP. In this way, the pushing by the positioning assist mechanism 70 is not limited to pushing up, but may also be pushing down.

[0145] In the above embodiment and each modified example, the maintenance unit 30 is not limited to a configuration in which it slides horizontally relative to the lifting area LA, and may be configured not to slide and may not have a slide mechanism.

[0146] In the above embodiment, the receiving member 32, which is an example of a consumable item, is replaced at the work position WP, but the entire maintenance unit 38 may also be replaced. In particular, in a small or medium-sized liquid ejection device 11, the maintenance unit 38 is small, so the maintenance unit 38 may be a disposable, replaceable type. In this case, replacement work such as roll replacement is not required, and the replacement work is simple.

[0147] The maintenance unit 30 may be configured to be slidable in the horizontal direction relative to the lifting area LA. For example, the pulley 52 may be configured to be movable in the pull-out direction Y in conjunction with the sliding of the maintenance unit 30.

[0148] The first position P1 is not limited to being the maintenance position MP. The second position P2 may be the maintenance position MP. The work position WP may also be a position to which a person or the like has raised or lowered the maintenance unit 30 from the maintenance position MP. The work position WP may be a work position to which the maintenance unit 30 has been moved from the maintenance position MP along a predetermined path, or the maintenance position MP itself may be the work position.

[0149] The subject performing the specified work at the work position WP is not limited to a user, serviceman, or other person, but can also be a work robot. In this case, the force required of the work robot can be reduced. For example, the work robot can be made smaller, lighter, and consume less power.

[0150] The pulley is not limited to a fixed pulley, but may include a movable pulley. A combination pulley that combines a fixed pulley and a movable pulley may also be used. The connecting portion 53 is not limited to a wire. The connecting portion 53 may be a rope, a chain, a chain, or the like. In the case of a chain, the pulley 52 may be a sprocket that can engage with the chain.

[0151] The receiving member 32 provided as a consumable item in the maintenance unit 30 is not limited to cloth. For example, the receiving member 32 may be a liquid-absorbing member made of paper or synthetic resin fiber. The maintenance unit 30 may not be provided with a consumable item such as the receiving member 32. In this case, the maintenance position MP may be configured to perform predetermined tasks such as maintenance, inspection, or part replacement of the maintenance unit 30.

[0152] The weight 51 may be substituted with a liquid supply source. In other words, the weight 51 may include a liquid supply source. The liquid supply source may be a replacement or refill liquid supply source prepared in advance for when the liquid supply source currently in use, which supplies liquid to the liquid ejection unit 22, runs out of liquid. Examples of replacement liquid supply sources include ink cartridges. Examples of refill liquid supply sources include ink bottles. In a configuration in which the liquid ejection device 11 includes an ink tank as a liquid supply source, the user refills the ink tank with liquid (ink) from the ink bottle when the ink in the ink tank reaches a level below the end. The ink cartridge or ink bottle that is part of the weight 51 may be, for example, new. However, even if it is not new, it is sufficient that the weight of the weight 51 is within a required range. In this embodiment, the required range is, for example, a range in which the weight of the weight 51 is greater than the weight of the maintenance unit 30. In this manner, a configuration in which a spare liquid supply source is stored as part of the weight 51 saves storage space for the spare liquid supply source. Alternatively, the object stored as part of the weight 51 may be a spare consumable item required for printing by the liquid ejection device 11. An example of a consumable item is a spare medium 99. In this way, by substituting a liquid supply source such as an ink cartridge for the weight 51, the available space can be used effectively.

[0153] The direction intersecting the lifting direction Z of the maintenance unit 30 may be the X direction instead of the Y direction. In this case, at least three first restricting parts 61 may be provided in at least three positions including two positions corresponding to both ends of the maintenance unit 30 in the X direction. Two second restricting parts 62 may be provided in positions corresponding to both ends of the maintenance unit 30 in the X direction.

[0154] In the above embodiment, instead of the maintenance part 38, the maintenance unit 30 may be configured to slide horizontally relative to the lifting area LA. For example, a slider may be disposed on which the lowered maintenance unit 30 can be placed at the second position P2, and the slider on which the maintenance unit 30 is placed may move horizontally. In this case, one of the pulleys 52 corresponding to the maintenance unit 30 may move horizontally together with the maintenance unit 30. Furthermore, the lifting mechanism 50 may also slide horizontally together with the slider.

[0155] The pull-out direction Y of the maintenance unit 38 may be the −Y direction, which is the direction opposite to the Y direction, or the A1 direction or the A2 direction. The payout units 35, 43 constituting the maintenance unit 30 may be either driven or active. That is, the payout units 35, 43 may be driven by a drive source such as a motor to actively pay out the receiving member 32, or may be driven to pay out the receiving member 32 by the winding force of the winding units 36, 44.

[0156] The liquid discharger 11 may be provided with a drive source for raising and lowering the maintenance unit 30. Even with this configuration, the drive source requires less power. Therefore, a small drive source is sufficient, making it possible to reduce the size and cost of the maintenance system 30S. Furthermore, the user can raise and lower the maintenance unit 30 without applying any operating force, improving usability for the user. With this configuration, the user can, for example, slide at least a portion of the maintenance unit 30 horizontally without applying any operating force, improving usability for the user.

[0157] The liquid discharger 11 may include a drive source that slides at least a part of the maintenance unit 30 (for example, the maintenance part 38) along the horizontal direction relative to the lifting area LA.

[0158] The liquid ejection device 11 may be equipped with a nozzle inspection unit that detects ejection defects of the nozzles 24. When the nozzle inspection unit detects an ejection defect of the nozzles 24, this may be considered as one of the times for cleaning. The nozzle inspection unit, for example, drives the piezoelectric element 27 to an extent that droplets are not ejected from the nozzles 24, and detects an ejection defect of the nozzles 24 based on residual vibrations remaining in the liquid in the liquid chamber that communicates with the nozzles 24. The nozzle inspection unit detects foreign matter, air bubbles, thickened liquid (e.g., thickened ink), etc. in the liquid in the nozzles 24 as ejection defects of the nozzles 24. Note that the drive element that ejects droplets from the nozzles 24 is not limited to the piezoelectric element 27, and may also be an electrostatic element or a heater element.

[0159] The medium 99 is not limited to paper, but may be an envelope, cardboard, fabric, synthetic resin film, laminated medium, clothing, or the like. When the liquid ejection device 11 is a printer, it is not limited to the lateral type or serial type described in the above embodiment, but may also be a line type. In the case of a line type, the liquid ejection unit 22 includes a liquid ejection head 23 that extends in the width direction of the medium 99. Printing is performed on the medium 99 by ejecting liquid simultaneously from the nozzles 24 of the long liquid ejection head 23 toward the medium 99, which is transported at a constant speed.

[0160] The liquid ejection device 11 is not limited to an inkjet printer that ejects liquids such as ink. The liquid ejection device 11 may also eject liquids other than ink. The liquid ejected from the liquid ejection unit 22 of the liquid ejection device 11 may be in the form of granules, tears, or strings. The term "liquid" as used herein refers to any material that can be ejected from the liquid ejection device 11. For example, the term "liquid" refers to any material in a liquid phase, including fluids such as high or low viscosity liquids, sols, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, and liquid metals (metal melts). The term "liquid" also refers to not only liquids as a single state of matter, but also to solids such as pigments, metal particles, or particles of functional materials dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent. Here, "ink" encompasses various liquid compositions, including general water-based inks and oil-based inks, as well as gel inks and hot-melt inks. Specific examples of the liquid ejection device 11 include a liquid ejection device that ejects a liquid containing dispersed or dissolved materials such as electrode materials and color materials used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, electroluminescence (EL) displays, surface-emitting displays, and color filters. The liquid ejection device 11 may also be a liquid ejection device that ejects bioorganic materials used in biochip manufacture, a liquid ejection device used as a precision pipette to eject sample liquids, a textile printing device, a microdispenser, or the like. Furthermore, the liquid ejection device 11 may be a liquid ejection device that ejects lubricating oil with pinpoint accuracy onto precision machinery such as watches and cameras, or a liquid ejection device that ejects transparent resin liquid such as ultraviolet-curable resin onto a substrate to form micro-hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements, or the like. The liquid ejection device 11 may also be a liquid ejection device that ejects an etching solution such as an acid or alkali to etch a substrate, etc.

[0161] <Additional Notes> The technical concepts and effects that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described below. (A) A liquid ejection device includes a liquid ejection section capable of ejecting liquid, a maintenance unit that performs maintenance on the liquid ejection section, and an elevator mechanism that raises and lowers the maintenance unit between a first position and a second position lowered from the first position. The elevator mechanism includes a weight and a connector, both ends of which are connected to connectors so that the weight and the maintenance unit are raised and lowered in opposite directions via a pulley. With this configuration, the maintenance unit can be lowered with little or no force due to the weight of the weight. Furthermore, the maintenance unit can be raised with little or no force due to the weight of the weight. This improves usability for people accessing the maintenance unit. For example, when the maintenance unit is moved from a maintenance position where maintenance is performed on the liquid ejection section to a work position where the user performs work by lowering or raising it, user usability can be improved. Furthermore, for example, if a drive source is not used, no power is used and no control is required, resulting in a simple configuration.

[0162] (B) In the liquid ejection device described in (A) above, both ends of the connection part may be connected to the weight and the maintenance unit. With this configuration, a fixed pulley is sufficient for the pulley, making it easy to realize a lifting mechanism with a simple configuration. Furthermore, for example, the lifting strokes of the weight and the maintenance unit can be made the same. For example, if the pulley includes a movable pulley, one of the weight and the maintenance unit is connected to the movable pulley. In this case, the lifting stroke of one of the weight and the maintenance unit may become longer, or the weight of the weight may become heavier. However, this liquid ejection device can avoid these problems.

[0163] (C) In the liquid ejection device described in (A) above, the weight of the weight may be large enough to lift the maintenance unit against the weight of the maintenance unit. With this configuration, the user can lower the maintenance unit from the first position with a small force. Furthermore, when lifting the maintenance unit from the second position, the weight of the weight allows it to be lifted without the need for force. This improves usability for the user.

[0164] (D) In ​​the liquid ejection device described in (B) above, the weight of the weight may be greater than the weight of the maintenance unit. With this configuration, the weight of the weight is greater than the weight of the maintenance unit, so the user can lower the maintenance unit with little force. Also, the maintenance unit in the second position rises due to the weight of the weight without the application of force. This improves usability for the user.

[0165] (E) The liquid ejection device according to any one of (A) to (D) above may further include a restricting portion that restricts the maintenance unit from rising from the first position. With this configuration, the maintenance unit that has risen due to the weight of the weight can be positioned in the correct position.

[0166] (F) In the liquid ejection device described in (E) above, the regulating portion may be provided at at least three positions, including two positions corresponding to both ends of a direction intersecting the lifting direction of the maintenance unit, and the at least three positions may be positions such that when projected onto an imaginary plane intersecting the lifting direction, the at least three projected positions correspond to vertices of a polygon on the imaginary plane. This configuration allows the maintenance unit to be reliably positioned. For example, the maintenance unit can be accurately positioned relative to the surface of the liquid ejection portion to be maintained.

[0167] (G) The liquid ejection device described in (E) or (F) above may further include a positioning assistance mechanism including a positioning member that pushes the maintenance unit to a regulated position where it is regulated by the regulating portion. With this configuration, the positioning member can reliably push the maintenance unit to a position where it abuts on the regulating portion. Therefore, the maintenance unit can be more reliably positioned at the first position.

[0168] (H) The liquid ejection device according to any one of (A) to (G) above may further include a holding section that holds the maintenance unit so that it does not rise from the second position. With this configuration, when the maintenance unit descends, it can be held in the second position. In other words, it is possible to improve the positioning accuracy when the maintenance unit descends.

[0169] (I) In the liquid ejection device described in any one of (A) to (H) above, the maintenance unit may have an operation part. With this configuration, the maintenance unit can be raised and lowered by operating the operation part, improving usability for the user.

[0170] (J) In the liquid ejection device described in any one of (A) to (I) above, the maintenance unit may have a feed section in which a receiving member for receiving liquid is set, and a take-up section that winds up the receiving member. With this configuration, a roll of the receiving member can be set in the feed section, allowing the length of the receiving member set in the feed section to be increased. This reduces the frequency of replacing or replenishing the receiving member. Furthermore, with a roll configuration, the length of the receiving member can be increased, which tends to increase the size and weight of the maintenance unit. Nevertheless, the above configuration improves user convenience.

[0171] (K) In the liquid ejection device described in (J) above, the receiving member may receive the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection unit. According to this configuration, since the receiving member that receives the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection unit needs to be replaced, the above configuration can improve usability for the user.

[0172] (L) In the liquid ejection device described in (J) or (K) above, the receiving member may be a wiping member that wipes away liquid adhering to the liquid ejection unit. With this configuration, since the wiping member that wipes away liquid adhering to the liquid ejection unit needs to be replaced, the above configuration can improve usability for users.

[0173] (M) In the liquid ejection device described in any one of (A) to (L) above, the first position may be a maintenance position where the maintenance unit performs the maintenance. With this configuration, the maintenance unit can be easily accessed by lowering it from the maintenance position to a lowered position.

[0174] (N) In the liquid ejection device described in any one of (A) to (M) above, at least a portion of the maintenance unit may be slidable horizontally from a lifting area where the maintenance unit is raised and lowered. With this configuration, at least a portion of the maintenance unit can be pulled out horizontally by sliding. For example, this makes it easier for a user to work on at least a portion of the maintenance unit.

[0175] (O) In the liquid ejection device described in (N) above, at least a portion of the maintenance unit may be moved to the working position by sliding from the second position along the horizontal direction. With this configuration, at least a portion of the maintenance unit can be pulled out by sliding. For example, this makes it easier for a user to work on at least a portion of the maintenance unit.

[0176] (P) In the liquid ejection device described in (N) or (O) above, the maintenance unit may include a support part that is raised and lowered by the lifting mechanism, and a maintenance part that is supported by the support part, and the maintenance part may be slidable in the horizontal direction relative to the support part. With this configuration, the maintenance part, which is a part of the maintenance unit, can be moved horizontally more smoothly if the maintenance part, which is the target of the user's work, slides relative to the support part, rather than the maintenance unit including the support part being raised and lowered and slid. [Explanation of symbols]

[0177] 11...liquid ejection device, 12...housing, 13...medium feeding section, 14...feeding shaft, 15...medium winding section, 16...winding shaft, 17...medium support section, 18...conveying section, 19...conveying roller, 21...drying section, 22...liquid ejection section, 23...liquid ejection head, 24...nozzle, 25...nozzle surface, 26...carriage, 27...piezoelectric element, 28...pressure section, 30...maintenance unit, 30S...maintenance system, 31...cleaning unit, 32...receiving member, 32A...receiving area, 33...holding roller, 34...guide roller, 35...feeding section, 35F... friction mechanism, 36... winding section, 36M... motor, 37... support section, 37A... support plate, 38... maintenance section, 38A... frame, 38B... bottom plate, 39... operation section, 40... wiping section, 40U... wiping unit, 40B... lifting section, 41... wiping member, 42... pressure roller, 43... feeding section, 44... winding section, 45... contact section, 45C... cap, 50... lifting mechanism, 51... weight, 51A... storage section, 51B... first connector, 51W... weight, 52... pulley, 53... connection section, 54... guide rail, 55... lifting rail, 56... Connecting member, 56A...second connecting device, 57...pulley (movable pulley), 60...regulating portion, 61...first regulating portion, 62...second regulating portion, 63...positioning pin, 64...stopper, 65...shock absorber, 65A...cylinder, 65B...contact portion, 66...regulating plate, 70...positioning assistance mechanism, 71...arm, 72...positioning member, 73...motor, 80...holding portion, 81...roll catch, 82...lift-up prevention member, 83...first member, 83A...main body, 831...oscillating member, 832...roller, 833...support shaft, 834...spring, 84... Second member, 84A...main body, 84B...protrusion, 85...holding plate, 90...roll body, 91...first rail, 92...second rail, 99...medium, 100...control unit, CP...retraction position, EP...discharge position, RP...removal position, LA...lifting area, P1...first position, P2...second position, MP...maintenance position, WP...working position, R1...roll body, R2...roll body, X...scanning direction, A1...first direction, A2...second direction, Y...intersecting direction (pull-out direction, sub-scanning direction), Z...lifting direction (vertical direction), +Z...upward direction, -Z...downward direction, ΔW...difference.

Claims

1. a liquid ejection unit capable of ejecting liquid; a maintenance unit that performs maintenance on the liquid ejection unit; a lifting mechanism that lifts and lowers the maintenance unit between a first position and a second position lowered from the first position, The lifting mechanism includes: Weights and a connecting portion having both ends connected to connecting destinations so as to raise and lower the weight and the maintenance unit in opposite directions via pulleys.

2. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , The liquid ejection device is characterized in that both ends of the connection part are connected to the weight and the maintenance unit.

3. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , A liquid ejection device, wherein the weight of the weight is large enough to lift the maintenance unit against the weight of the maintenance unit.

4. The liquid ejection device according to claim 2, The liquid ejection device, wherein the weight of the weight is greater than the weight of the maintenance unit.

5. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , The liquid ejection device further comprises a restricting portion that restricts the maintenance unit from rising from the first position.

6. The liquid ejection device according to claim 5 , the restricting portion is provided at least at three positions including two positions corresponding to both ends in a direction intersecting with the lifting direction of the maintenance unit, A liquid ejection device characterized in that the at least three positions are positions where, when projected onto an imaginary plane that intersects the lifting direction, the at least three projected positions correspond to vertices of a polygon on the imaginary plane.

7. The liquid ejection device according to claim 5 , The liquid ejection device further comprises a positioning assist mechanism including a positioning member that pushes the maintenance unit to a regulated position where the maintenance unit is regulated by the regulating portion.

8. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , The liquid ejection device further comprises a holding portion that holds the maintenance unit so that it does not rise from the second position.

9. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , The liquid ejection apparatus is characterized in that the maintenance unit has an operation unit.

10. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , The maintenance unit includes: a delivery section in which a receiving member for receiving a liquid is set; a winding section that winds up the receiving member.

11. The liquid ejection device according to claim 10, The liquid ejection device is characterized in that the receiving member receives the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection portion.

12. The liquid ejection device according to claim 10, The liquid ejection device is characterized in that the receiving member is a wiping member that wipes off liquid adhering to the liquid ejection portion.

13. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , The liquid ejection apparatus is characterized in that the first position is a maintenance position where the maintenance unit performs the maintenance.

14. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , A liquid ejection device, wherein at least a portion of the maintenance unit is slidable in a horizontal direction from a lifting area where the maintenance unit moves up and down.

15. The liquid ejection device according to claim 14, The liquid ejection device, wherein at least a part of the maintenance unit moves to a working position by sliding from the second position along the horizontal direction.

16. 16. The liquid ejection device according to claim 14 or 15, the maintenance unit includes a support part that is raised and lowered by the lifting mechanism, and a maintenance part that is supported by the support part, The liquid ejection device, wherein the maintenance part is slidable in the horizontal direction relative to the support part.

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