Recording apparatus

Abstract

To eliminate a risk of giving damage to a nozzle surface.SOLUTION: A recording apparatus 1 includes: a recording unit 10 having a nozzle surface 11 in which a nozzle N for discharging ink Li toward a medium P is opened; an injector 71 configured to spray a cleaning liquid Lc in a droplet state toward the nozzle surface 11; and a cleaning member 61 configured to, at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the nozzle surface 11, contact a discharge liquid Lw adhering to the nozzle surface 11 to thereby collect the discharge liquid Lw.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a recording device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid ejection device including an ejection head having a nozzle surface on which nozzles for ejecting liquid are formed, a liquid storage member, a moving means, and a wiping means. The liquid storage member has a liquid holding surface to which liquid is supplied. The moving means moves the liquid storage member while bringing the liquid on the liquid holding surface into contact with the nozzle surface. The wiping means wipes the nozzle surface, which has been moistened by the liquid supplied to the liquid storage member, while moving following the liquid storage member, and removes any deposits adhering to the nozzle surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-140018 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the liquid ejection device of Patent Document 1, when wiping the nozzle surface, the wiping means comes into contact with the nozzle surface, which may damage the nozzle surface. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The recording device comprises a recording unit having a nozzle surface on which nozzles for ejecting ink onto a medium are opened, an ejection body that ejects cleaning liquid in droplet form toward the nozzle surface, and a cleaning body that collects the liquid by coming into contact with the liquid adhering to the nozzle surface at a position a predetermined distance from the nozzle surface. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing the general configuration of a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a maintenance unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a maintenance unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a maintenance unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a maintenance unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a maintenance unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the S7-S7 cross section shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a maintenance unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a maintenance unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a maintenance unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a maintenance unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a maintenance unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a maintenance unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a maintenance unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a maintenance unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a maintenance unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a maintenance unit according to another embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a maintenance unit according to another embodiment. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for performing maintenance on a recording unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described based on embodiments. In each drawing, the same components are assigned the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted. In this specification, the terms "same," "identical," and "simultaneous" do not only refer to being completely the same. For example, in this specification, "same," "identical," and "simultaneous" are intended to include cases where the components are the same, taking into account measurement errors. For example, in this specification, "same," "identical," and "simultaneous" are intended to include cases where the components are the same, taking into account manufacturing variations.

[0008] For example, in this specification, "the same," "identical," and "simultaneous" include cases where the same is true to the extent that the functionality is not impaired. Therefore, for example, "the dimensions of both are the same" means that, taking into account measurement errors and manufacturing variations of components, the difference in the dimensions of both is within ±5% of one dimension, and more preferably within ±3%.

[0009] 1. Embodiment 1 In this embodiment, the recording device 1 is configured as an inkjet printer, and forms an image by ejecting ink Li onto recording paper, which is an example of a medium P. The ink Li is an example of a liquid. Note that instead of recording paper, any type of medium P, such as a resin film or fabric, may be used as the target onto which the ink Li is ejected. The recording device 1 will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] In each figure, X, Y, and Z represent three spatial axes that are orthogonal to each other. In this specification, the directions along these axes are referred to as the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction.

[0011] When specifying a direction, the positive direction is indicated by "+" and the negative direction by "-", and both positive and negative signs are used to indicate the direction, with the direction toward which the arrow in each diagram is pointing being the + direction and the direction opposite the arrow being the - direction.

[0012] The Z-axis direction indicates the direction of gravity, the +Z direction indicates the vertical upward direction, and the -Z direction indicates the vertical downward direction. The plane containing the X-axis and Y-axis is explained as the XY plane, the plane containing the X-axis and Z-axis is explained as the XZ plane, and the plane containing the Y-axis and Z-axis is explained as the YZ plane. The XY plane is a horizontal plane.

[0013] The three spatial axes X, Y, and Z, which are not limited to the positive and negative directions, will be described as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis.

[0014] The Y-axis direction is the depth direction of the recording device 1. The +Y direction is the direction from the front to the back of the recording device 1, and the -Y direction is the direction from the back to the front of the recording device 1. In this embodiment, of the side surfaces that make up the periphery of the recording device 1, the side surface in the -Y direction is the front surface of the recording device 1, and the side surface in the +Y direction is the back surface of the recording device 1.

[0015] The X-axis direction is the width direction of the recording device 1 and the width direction of the medium P. When viewed from the front side, which is the side of the recording device 1 in the -Y direction, the +X direction is the right side and the -X direction is the left side.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the recording apparatus 1 includes a recording unit 10, a supply unit 20, a transport mechanism 30, a movement mechanism 40, a maintenance unit 50, and a control unit 90.

[0017] The recording unit 10 is a so-called inkjet head. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the recording unit 10 has a nozzle plate 14 (see FIG. 2) in which nozzles N that eject ink Li are provided, ejection elements 15 (see FIG. 2) that eject ink Li from the nozzles N, and a head cover 13. The head cover 13 covers the −Z direction side of the nozzle plate 14. The head cover 13 has an opening that exposes a nozzle surface 11, which is the surface of the nozzle plate 14 on the −Z direction side.

[0018] The contact surface 13c, which is the surface on the -Z direction side of the head cover 13, forms an outer region that surrounds the nozzle surface 11. The contact surface 13c is a protruding surface that protrudes in the -Z direction from the nozzle surface 11 by the thickness of the head cover 13. In this case, a step equal to the thickness of the head cover 13 is formed between the nozzle surface 11 and the contact surface 13c. The thickness of the head cover 13 is, for example, 1 mm.

[0019] The multiple nozzles N opening in the nozzle surface 11 form multiple nozzle rows 12. The nozzle rows 12 are formed by arranging the multiple nozzles N in the Y-axis direction. The recording unit 10 drives the ejection elements 15 to eject ink Li in the -Z direction from the multiple nozzles N opening in the nozzle surface 11, thereby forming an image on the medium P. In this embodiment, the multiple nozzle rows 12 include nozzle rows 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d.

[0020] The ink Li to be ejected may be, for example, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, a total of four colors, and each ink Li may be ejected from each of the nozzle rows 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, and 12 d. Note that the ink Li is not limited to the four colors mentioned above, and any color, such as white or metallic, may be ejected.

[0021] The ink Li may be a pigment ink containing a pigment, which is an example of a solid material. In pigment ink, many pigment particles are dispersed in a liquid used as a dispersion medium. In the case of water-based pigment ink, many pigment particles are dispersed in water, which is the dispersion medium.

[0022] The cyan, magenta, and yellow pigments are organic pigments with an average particle size of about 100 nm, while the black pigment is an inorganic pigment with an average particle size of about 120 nm, such as carbon black.

[0023] Examples of white pigments include white inorganic pigments such as titanium oxide, zinc oxide, zinc sulfide, antimony oxide, magnesium oxide, and zirconium oxide. Examples of white pigments that can be used include white organic pigments such as white hollow resin particles and polymer particles. Examples of metallic pigments include particles composed of aluminum, silver, gold, platinum, nickel, chromium, tin, zinc, indium, titanium, copper, and the like, either alone or as alloys.

[0024] A liquid-repellent film is formed on the surfaces of the nozzle surface 11 and the head cover 13 by applying a liquid-repellent treatment that makes them more likely to repel liquid. As a result, the liquid-repellent properties of the nozzle surface 11 and the contact surface 13c are enhanced. The liquid-repellent film of this embodiment is a water-repellent film that has the function of repelling water-based liquids.

[0025] The liquid-repellent film may be composed of a thin film underlayer whose main material is, for example, polyorganosiloxane containing an alkyl group, and a liquid-repellent film layer made of a metal alkoxide having a long-chain polymer group containing fluorine. The liquid-repellent film may be a liquid-repellent coating film or a liquid-repellent monomolecular film. The film thickness of the liquid-repellent film and the liquid-repellent treatment method can be selected arbitrarily.

[0026] 1, the recording unit 10 is mounted on a carriage 42 (described later) of a moving mechanism 40, and moves back and forth in the main scanning direction together with the movement of the carriage 42. In this embodiment, the main scanning direction is the +X direction and the −X direction.

[0027] The supply unit 20 supplies ink Li to the recording unit 10. The supply unit 20 includes a holding unit 24 that holds a liquid supply source 21, a supply flow path 25, and a pressure adjustment unit 26. As the liquid supply source 21, a top-up type tank that includes an injection unit 22 into which the ink Li can be injected and a storage chamber 23 that stores the ink Li injected from the injection unit 22 can be used.

[0028] The liquid supply source 21 may be a replaceable cartridge-type tank that is detachably provided in the holding unit 24. A cleaning liquid cartridge 98 may be detachably provided in the holding unit 24. The cleaning liquid cartridge 98 contains the cleaning liquid Lc that is sprayed from the cleaning liquid spraying unit 70, which will be described later.

[0029] In this embodiment, a plurality of liquid supply sources 21 are provided in the holding portion 24. The plurality of liquid supply sources 21 include liquid supply sources 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d.

[0030] The supply flow path 25 connects the liquid supply source 21 held in the holding portion 24 to the recording unit 10 so that the ink Li contained in the liquid supply source 21 can flow toward the recording unit 10. The supply flow path 25 includes a plurality of supply flow paths 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d connected to the liquid supply sources 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d, respectively.

[0031] A pressure adjusting unit 26 is provided in the supply flow path 25. The pressure adjusting unit 26 adjusts the pressure of the ink Li supplied to the recording unit 10 mounted on the carriage 42. The pressure adjusting unit 26 includes a plurality of pressure adjusting units 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d provided in each of the supply flow paths 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d.

[0032] The pressure adjustment unit 26a adjusts the pressure of the ink Li supplied to the nozzles N that make up the nozzle row 12a. The pressure adjustment unit 26b adjusts the pressure of the ink Li supplied to the nozzles N that make up the nozzle row 12b. The pressure adjustment unit 26c adjusts the pressure of the ink Li supplied to the nozzles N that make up the nozzle row 12c. The pressure adjustment unit 26d adjusts the pressure of the ink Li supplied to the nozzles N that make up the nozzle row 12d.

[0033] The pressure adjustment unit 26 is configured, for example, with a feed pump (not shown) that is provided to allow the ink Li to flow within the supply flow path 25, and a pressure sensor (not shown) that detects the pressure of the ink Li supplied to the nozzles N. The control unit 90 controls the drive of the feed pump based on the pressure of the ink Li detected by the pressure sensor, thereby adjusting the pressure of the ink Li supplied to the nozzles N.

[0034] When the recording unit 10 ejects ink Li from the nozzles N to record on the medium P, the pressure of the ink Li supplied to the nozzles N is adjusted to a negative pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, for example, −0.5 kPa to −3 kPa. When ink Li is discharged from the nozzles N during pressurized cleaning performed for the purpose of maintenance of the recording unit 10, the pressure of the ink Li supplied to the nozzles N is adjusted to a positive pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, for example, +1 kPa to +50 kPa.

[0035] The transport mechanism 30 transports the medium P in the sub-scanning direction. The sub-scanning direction is a direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction, which is the main scanning direction, and in this embodiment, is the +Y direction and the -Y direction. The transport mechanism 30 includes a transport rod 34 on which a transport roller 32 is provided, and a transport motor 36 that rotates and drives the transport rod 34.

[0036] The transport motor 36 rotates the transport rod 34, causing the plurality of transport rollers 32 to rotate and transport the medium P in the -Y direction. Note that the transport mechanism 30 may be a so-called belt transport mechanism that transports the medium P by rotating an endless belt wound around a pair of pulleys.

[0037] The movement mechanism 40 includes the carriage 42 described above, as well as a conveyor belt 44, a movement motor 46, and a pulley 47. The carriage 42 carries the recording unit 10 and the pressure adjustment unit 26 in a state where the ink Li can be ejected. The carriage 42 is attached to the conveyor belt 44. The conveyor belt 44 is looped around the movement motor 46 and the pulley 47.

[0038] The conveyor belt 44 moves back and forth in the main scanning direction as the movement motor 46 rotates, and the carriage 42 attached to the conveyor belt 44 also moves back and forth in the main scanning direction.

[0039] The maintenance unit 50 performs maintenance on the recording unit 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the maintenance unit 50 has a liquid receiving unit 67, a cap unit 51, a cleaning unit 60, and a cleaning liquid spraying unit 70. The maintenance unit 50 has a waste liquid tube 56, a suction pump 57, a waste liquid collection unit 58, and a tube switching unit 59. The maintenance unit 50 is provided in an area adjacent to the area in which the medium P is transported on the +X direction side.

[0040] The liquid receiving section 67, cap section 51, cleaning section 60, and cleaning liquid spraying section 70 are provided on the -Z direction side, vertically below the movement area of ​​the recording section 10. The movement area of ​​the recording section 10 is the area in which the recording section 10 is mounted on the carriage 42 and moves along the X-axis direction. In this embodiment, the liquid receiving section 67, cap section 51, cleaning section 60, and cleaning liquid spraying section 70 are provided lined up in this order from the -X direction side to the +X direction side.

[0041] The cap unit 51 performs maintenance of the recording unit 10 by applying negative pressure to the ink Li in the recording unit 10 through the nozzle N. The cap unit 51 collects the ink Li discharged from the recording unit 10 during maintenance of the recording unit 10 as discharged liquid Lw. The cap unit 51 has a cap 52, a cap holding unit 53, and a cap moving unit 54.

[0042] The cap 52 has a box shape with a bottom that opens in the +Z direction. The cap 52 is made of an elastic material such as rubber. When the cap 52 is positioned at a space forming position, it forms a suction space in which the multiple nozzles N are open. The space forming position includes a contact position and a close position.

[0043] The contact position is a position where the lip surface 52c of the cap 52 contacts the contacted surface 13c of the recording unit 10. The lip surface 52c is the outer peripheral edge of the opening of the cap 52 on the +Z direction side. The approach position is a position where the cap 52 approaches the contacted surface 13c of the recording unit 10 while maintaining a slight gap between the cap 52 and the contacted surface 13c (see FIG. 3). At the contact position and approach position, the cap 52 does not contact the nozzle surface 11.

[0044] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cap 52 is held by the cap holding unit 53. The cap holding unit 53 moves in the Z-axis direction by driving the cap moving unit 54. The cap 52 moves in the Z-axis direction by moving the cap holding unit 53 in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, by driving the cap moving unit 54, the cap 52 can move to a space forming position including a contact position and an approach position, and to a standby position (see Figure 2) that is space forming position separated in the -Z direction from the space forming position.

[0045] The cap holder 53 holds the cap 52 via a compression coil spring 53s. This allows the cap 52 to be pressed against the contact surface 13c with a predetermined load by moving the cap holder 53 a predetermined amount in the +Z direction after the cap 52 comes into contact with the contact surface 13c. Furthermore, this makes it easy to adjust the position of the cap holder 53 in the Z-axis direction when positioning the cap 52 at the contact position.

[0046] 1, the cap 52 is provided so as to be connectable to a waste liquid collecting unit 58 that collects waste liquid via a waste liquid tube 56. A tube switching unit 59 and a suction pump 57 are provided on the waste liquid tube 56.

[0047] The tube switching unit 59 switches the connection destination of the waste liquid tube 56 to any one of the cap 52, the liquid receiving unit 67, the mounting unit 63 of the cleaning unit 60, and the cover 75 of the cleaning liquid spraying unit 70. The suction pump 57 sucks the inside of the connection destination switched by the tube switching unit 59.

[0048] When performing maintenance on the recording unit 10 using the cap unit 51, the tube switching unit 59 switches the connection destination of the waste liquid tube 56 to the cap 52. As shown in FIG. 2, with the cap 52 in the standby position, the carriage 42 moves to move the recording unit 10 to a position where the nozzle rows 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d face the cap 52.

[0049] 3, a suction space is formed in which the plurality of nozzles N constituting the nozzle rows 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d are open. The suction pump 57 sucks the suction space, thereby applying a negative pressure to the ink Li in the recording unit 10 through the nozzles N.

[0050] Suction of the suction space by the suction pump 57 with the cap 52 in the contact position is performed when ink Li is discharged from the plurality of nozzles N that make up the nozzle rows 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d. Suction of the suction space by the suction pump 57 with the cap 52 in the approach position is performed when adjusting the meniscus formed in the nozzle N during maintenance of the recording unit 10.

[0051] The suction pump 57 sucks the suction space, and the ink Li, cleaning liquid Lc, mist, foreign matter, etc. present in the suction space are collected in the waste liquid collection section 58 via the waste liquid tube 56. The suction space includes a storage section 52a, which is the internal space of the cap 52.

[0052] 1 and 12, the liquid receiving portion 67 has a box shape with a bottom that opens in the +Z direction. The liquid receiving portion 67 receives the ink Li discharged from the nozzles N by flushing in a storage portion 67a. Flushing is an operation of discharging the ink Li from the nozzles N by driving the ejection elements 15, which is performed for the purpose of maintenance of the recording unit 10. The liquid receiving portion 67 may also receive the ink Li discharged from the nozzles N by pressurized cleaning, which is performed for the purpose of maintenance of the recording unit 10.

[0053] When flushing or pressurized cleaning is performed, the tube switching unit 59 switches the connection destination of the waste liquid tube 56 to the liquid receiving unit 67. By moving the carriage 42, the recording unit 10 is moved to a position where one of the nozzle rows 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d faces the liquid receiving unit 67. In FIG. 12, the nozzle row 12a faces the storage portion 67a of the liquid receiving unit 67.

[0054] When flushing is performed, the ejection elements 15 corresponding to the nozzles N constituting the nozzle row 12 facing the liquid receiving section 67 are driven. This causes the ink Li to be ejected by flushing from the nozzles N toward the reservoir 67a of the liquid receiving section 67. The ink Li received by the liquid receiving section 67 is collected in the waste liquid collection section 58 via the waste liquid tube 56 by driving the suction pump 57.

[0055] The cleaning unit 60 has a cleaning body 61, an attachment unit 63, an attachment unit holding unit 64, and a cleaning unit moving unit 65. The cleaning unit 60 performs maintenance on the recording unit 10 by collecting the discharged liquid Lw adhering to the nozzle surface 11. The cleaning body 61 of the cleaning unit 60 collects the discharged liquid Lw by coming into contact with the discharged liquid Lw adhering to the nozzle surface 11 at a collection position that is a predetermined distance away from the nozzle surface 11. The discharged liquid Lw is an example of a liquid.

[0056] The cleaning element 61 collects the discharged liquid Lw by coming into contact with the discharged liquid Lw adhering to the nozzle surface 11. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 7 to 11, the cleaning element 61 has a rectangular thin plate shape. The cleaning element 61 is attached to the attachment part 63 so as to extend in the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. A collecting end 61t, which is the end of the cleaning element 61 on the +Z direction side, extends along the Y-axis direction and has a rounded shape when viewed from the direction along the Y-axis direction.

[0057] The cleaning element 61 is made of a material that does not substantially swell with the ink Li. "Substantially not swelling" means, for example, that the volume of the cleaning element 61 increases by less than 5% after the cleaning element 61 is immersed in the ink Li and left to stand. In this embodiment, the liquid repellency of the surface of the cleaning element 61 is set to be lower than that of the nozzle surface 11. In other words, the surface of the cleaning element 61 has a higher wettability than the nozzle surface 11.

[0058] The cleaning body 61 may be made of rubber materials such as butyl rubber, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, fluororubber, etc. The cleaning body 61 may be made of resin materials such as fluororesins such as polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene, polybutylene terephthalate, etc. The cleaning body 61 may be made of metal materials such as stainless steel.

[0059] The cleaning element 61 is provided with a guide portion 62. The guide portion 62 defines a collection position by contacting an upper end 62c, which is the end of the guide portion 62 on the +Z direction side, with the contacted surface 13c of the recording unit 10. The collection end 61t of the cleaning element 61 at the collection position is a predetermined distance away from the nozzle surface 11 of the recording unit 10 in the -Z direction.

[0060] The guide portion 62 is provided at a position sandwiching the collecting end 61t of the cleaning element 61 in the Y-axis direction. The upper end 62c of the guide portion 62 is located on the +Z direction side of the collecting end 61t of the cleaning element 61. This causes the collecting end 61t of the cleaning element 61 to come into contact with the discharged liquid Lw adhering to the nozzle surface 11 at a collection position that is a predetermined distance away from the nozzle surface 11 in the -Z direction. The predetermined distance is, for example, preferably 0.3 mm or more and 5 mm or less, and more preferably 1 mm or more and 3 mm or less.

[0061] The guide part 62 is made of a material that does not substantially swell with the ink Li, similar to the cleaning element 61. The guide part 62 may be made integral with the cleaning element 61 or may be made separately. When the guide part 62 is made separately from the cleaning element 61, the above-mentioned resin material or metal material that can be used as the material for the cleaning element 61 can be used as the material for the guide part 62.

[0062] Alternatively, the guide portion 62 may be integrally formed with the attachment portion 63. In this case, the guide portion 62 and the attachment portion 63 may be made of the same resin material as that used for the cleaning body 61.

[0063] The liquid repellency of the surface of the guide portion 62 is preferably set lower than that of the contact surface 13c. In other words, the surface of the guide portion 62 is preferably more wettable than the contact surface 13c. This prevents, for example, the discharge liquid Lw adhering to the guide portion 62 from moving to the contact surface 13c when the guide portion 62 comes into contact with the contact surface 13c.

[0064] The attachment part 63 has a box shape with a bottom that opens toward the +Z direction. The attachment part 63 has a storage part 63a that can store the discharged liquid Lw collected by the cleaning element 61. The cleaning element 61 is attached to a convex part that protrudes from the bottom surface, which is the surface on the -Z direction side of the storage part 63a.

[0065] The attachment portion 63 is held by an attachment portion holding portion 64. The attachment portion holding portion 64 moves in the Z-axis direction by driving the cleaning portion moving portion 65. The attachment portion 63 moves in the Z-axis direction by moving the attachment portion holding portion 64 in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, by driving the cleaning portion moving portion 65, the cleaning body 61 and the guide portion 62 move in the Z-axis direction, and can be moved to a collection position (see FIGS. 9 to 11) and a standby position (see FIGS. 2, 7, and 8) that is away from the collection position in the -Z direction.

[0066] The attachment portion holder 64 holds the attachment portion 63 via a compression coil spring 64s. This allows the attachment portion holder 64 to move a predetermined amount in the +Z direction after the upper end 62c of the guide portion 62 comes into contact with the contact surface 13c. This makes it easy to adjust the position of the attachment portion holder 64 in the Z-axis direction when positioning the cleaning body 61 at the collection position.

[0067] For example, suppose the collecting end 61t of the cleaning element 61 in the collecting position comes into contact with the discharged liquid Lw (see FIG. 9) adhering to the nozzle surface 11. In this case, the discharged liquid Lw adhering to the nozzle surface 11 moves in the -Z direction from the collecting end 61t of the cleaning element 61 along the side surface of the cleaning element 61, as shown in FIG. 10. As a result, the discharged liquid Lw adhering to the nozzle surface 11 is collected in the storage portion 63a of the attachment portion 63 as shown in FIG. 11 due to the contact of the cleaning element 61.

[0068] 1 and 7, the storage section 63a of the attachment section 63 is provided so as to be connectable to the waste liquid collection section 58 via the waste liquid tube 56. Thus, by driving the suction pump 57 with the tube switching section 59 switching the connection destination of the waste liquid tube 56 to the cleaning section 60, the discharged liquid Lw stored in the storage section 63a is collected in the waste liquid collection section 58.

[0069] The cleaning liquid ejecting unit 70 performs maintenance of the recording unit 10 by ejecting the cleaning liquid Lc in droplet form toward the nozzle surface 11 of the recording unit 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 to 6, the cleaning liquid ejecting unit 70 has an ejector 71, a pressure pump 74, a cover 75, a cover holding unit 76, and a cleaning liquid ejecting unit moving unit 77.

[0070] The ejection body 71 has a plurality of cleaning liquid nozzles 72. The cleaning liquid nozzles 72 open to an ejection surface 71c, which is the surface of the ejection body 71 on the +Z direction side. The ejection body 71 is provided in the storage section 75a of the cover 75 so as to be able to eject the cleaning liquid Lc from the cleaning liquid nozzles 72 toward the nozzle surface 11 of the recording unit 10.

[0071] The ejector 71 is provided at a position in the reservoir 75a that ensures a distance that allows the cleaning liquid Lc ejected from the cleaning liquid nozzle 72 to reach the nozzle surface 11 in droplet form. A cleaning liquid tube 73 is connected to the ejector 71. This allows the cleaning liquid Lc contained in the cleaning liquid cartridge 98 to be supplied to the cleaning liquid nozzle 72.

[0072] The cleaning liquid Lc is preferably made to have the same main solvent as the ink Li used. In this embodiment, since the ink Li uses an aqueous ink in which the solvent is water, pure water is used as the cleaning liquid Lc. For example, if the solvent of the ink Li is a solvent, it is preferable to use the same solvent as the ink Li as the cleaning liquid Lc. The cleaning liquid Lc may contain a preservative. It is preferable that the preservative contained in the cleaning liquid Lc is the same as the preservative contained in the ink Li.

[0073] The pressure pump 74 is provided on the cleaning liquid tube 73 that connects the cleaning liquid cartridge 98 held in the holder 24 to the spray body 71. By controlling the drive of the pressure pump 74, it is possible to change the pressure of the cleaning liquid Lc supplied to the cleaning liquid nozzle 72. By adjusting the pressure of the cleaning liquid Lc supplied to the cleaning liquid nozzle 72, it is possible to make the cleaning liquid Lc sprayed from the cleaning liquid nozzle 72 into droplets.

[0074] For example, it is possible to supply the cleaning liquid Lc onto the ejection surface 71c by setting the pressure of the cleaning liquid Lc supplied to the cleaning liquid nozzle 72 to a positive pressure that is such that the cleaning liquid Lc is not ejected in droplet form from the cleaning liquid nozzle 72.

[0075] The cover 75 has a box shape with a bottom that opens in the +Z direction. The cover 75 is made of an elastic material such as rubber. When the cover 75 is positioned at a space forming position, it forms a space in which the multiple nozzles N are open. The space forming position includes a contact position and a close position.

[0076] 6, the contact position is the position where the lip surface 75c of the cover 75 contacts the contacted surface 13c of the recording unit 10 (see FIG. 6). The lip surface 75c is the outer periphery of the opening of the cover 75 on the +Z direction side. When the cover 75 is positioned at the contact position, it forms a closed space that includes the nozzle surface 11 of the recording unit 10 and the ejection body 71.

[0077] This closed space is formed by the nozzle surface 11 and the contacted surface 13c of the recording unit 10, and the storage portion 75a of the cover 75. The storage portion 75a is the internal space of the cover 75 that forms this closed space.

[0078] The close position is a position where the cover 75 is close to the contact surface 13c of the recording unit 10 while maintaining a slight gap between the cover 75 and the contact surface 13c. The cover 75 does not come into contact with the nozzle surface 11 at the contact position and close position.

[0079] The cover 75 is held by a cover holding unit 76. The cover holding unit 76 moves in the Z-axis direction by driving a cleaning liquid spraying unit moving unit 77. The cover 75 moves in the Z-axis direction by moving the cover holding unit 76 in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, by driving the cleaning liquid spraying unit moving unit 77, the cover 75 can be moved to a contact position (see FIG. 6), a space forming position including an approach position (not shown), and a standby position (see FIGS. 4 and 5) that is space forming position separated in the -Z direction from the space forming position.

[0080] The distance in the Z-axis direction between the lip surface 75c and the ejection body 71 is set to the distance in the Z-axis direction between the contacted surface 13c and the ejection body 71 when the cleaning liquid Lc is ejected from the cleaning liquid nozzle 72 toward the nozzle surface 11. As a result, in this embodiment, by moving the cover 75 to the contact position, the ejection body 71 is positioned at the position when the cleaning liquid Lc is ejected from the cleaning liquid nozzle 72 toward the nozzle surface 11.

[0081] In other words, the cleaning liquid spraying unit moving unit 77 is an example of an adjustment unit that adjusts the relative position between the nozzle surface 11 and the ejecting body 71. Furthermore, the cleaning liquid spraying unit moving unit 77 adjusts the relative position between the nozzle surface 11 and the ejecting body 71 by bringing the lip surface 75c into contact with the contacted surface 13c provided in the recording unit 10. The contacted surface 13c is an example of a contacted part provided in the recording unit 10. The lip surface 75c is an example of a positioning unit.

[0082] The cover holding portion 76 holds the cover 75 via a compression coil spring 76s. This allows the cover 75 to be pressed against the contacted surface 13c with a predetermined load by moving the cover holding portion 76 a predetermined amount in the +Z direction after the lip surface 75c of the cover 75 comes into contact with the contacted surface 13c. Furthermore, this makes it easy to adjust the position of the cover holding portion 76 in the Z-axis direction when positioning the cover 75 at the contact position.

[0083] 1 and 4, the reservoir 75a of the cover 75 is connectable to the waste liquid collection unit 58 via the waste liquid tube 56. Thus, by driving the suction pump 57 with the tube switching unit 59 switching the connection destination of the waste liquid tube 56 to the cleaning liquid spray unit 70, the discharged liquid Lw stored in the reservoir 75a is collected in the waste liquid collection unit 58.

[0084] When the cover 75 is in the contact position, negative pressure can be applied to the closed space by driving the suction pump 57 while the tube switching unit 59 has switched the connection destination of the waste liquid tube 56 to the cleaning liquid spray unit 70. The suction pump 57 is connected to the reservoir 75a of the cover 75 and is an example of a suction unit that creates negative pressure in the closed space.

[0085] The cover 75 is provided with a communication portion 79 for inserting the cleaning liquid tube 73 from the outside of the cover 75 to a storage portion 75a, which is the internal space of the cover 75. The communication portion 79 is, for example, a circular through-hole that penetrates the side wall of the cover 75. The communication portion 79 communicates the storage portion 75a, which is the internal space of the cover 75, with the outside of the cover 75.

[0086] A sealing member 78 is provided in the communication portion 79. The sealing member 78 is provided between the communication portion 79 and the cleaning liquid tube 73 that is inserted into the communication portion 79. The sealing member 78 is formed of an elastic member such as rubber. The sealing member 78 has, for example, a circular pipe portion that is fixed to the cleaning liquid tube 73, and a deformed portion that continues from the circular pipe portion and extends to the outside of the cover 75.

[0087] The deforming portion of sealing member 78 is, for example, a conical thin film whose diameter increases as it gets farther away from communicating portion 79. When storage portion 75a reaches a predetermined negative pressure, the deforming portion of sealing member 78 deforms in a direction that seals the gap between communicating portion 79 and cleaning liquid tube 73. As a result, sealing member 78 closes communicating portion 79 when storage portion 75a reaches a predetermined negative pressure.

[0088] For example, suppose that the cleaning liquid ejecting unit 70 ejects cleaning liquid Lc from the cleaning liquid nozzle 72 toward the nozzle surface 11 of the recording unit 10. In this case, with the cover 75 in the standby position as shown in Fig. 4, the carriage 42 moves to move the recording unit 10 to a position where the nozzle surface 11 faces the ejection surface 71c as shown in Fig. 5.

[0089] Next, the cleaning liquid ejection unit moving unit 77 is driven to move the cover 75 to the contact position. Next, the pressure pump 74 is driven. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, a closed space is formed that includes the nozzle surface 11 and the ejection body 71, and the cleaning liquid Lc is ejected in droplets from the cleaning liquid nozzle 72 toward the nozzle surface 11 of the recording unit 10.

[0090] The control unit 90 may be configured as a circuit including one or more processors, one or more dedicated hardware circuits such as application specific integrated circuits that execute at least some of the various processes, or a combination thereof.

[0091] The processor executes various processes according to a computer program. The processor includes a CPU and memory such as RAM and ROM. The memory stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. The memory, i.e., computer-readable medium, includes any readable medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0092] The control unit 90 comprehensively controls the recording device 1. For example, the control unit 90 controls the recording unit 10, the supply unit 20, the transport mechanism 30, and the movement mechanism 40 to eject ink Li onto the transported medium P to form an image. For example, the control unit 90 controls the maintenance unit 50 to perform maintenance on the recording unit 10.

[0093] 19, we will now explain the flow of processing executed by the control unit 90 when performing maintenance on the recording unit 10, including maintenance on the nozzle surface 11. When maintenance on the recording unit 10 begins, the recording unit 10 is assumed to be in the position shown in FIG. 1, and the cap 52, cleaning body 61, and cover 75 of the maintenance unit 50 are assumed to be in the standby position.

[0094] In step S110, the control unit 90 executes the ejection of the cleaning liquid Lc onto the nozzle surface 11. Specifically, first, the control unit 90 controls the movement mechanism 40 to move the carriage 42 in the +X direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 90 moves the recording unit 10 to a position where the nozzle surface 11 faces the ejection surface 71c.

[0095] Next, the control unit 90 controls the cleaning liquid spraying unit moving unit 77 to move the cover 75 to the contact position shown in Fig. 6. Next, the control unit 90 controls the pressure pump 74 to supply the cleaning liquid Lc toward the cleaning liquid nozzle 72. As a result, with a closed space including the nozzle surface 11 and the spray body 71 formed, the cleaning liquid Lc is sprayed in droplets from the cleaning liquid nozzle 72 toward the nozzle surface 11 of the recording unit 10.

[0096] At this time, the control unit 90 may control the pressure adjustment unit 26 to make the pressure of the ink Li in the nozzle N higher than the normal pressure. This prevents air bubbles and the like from entering through the nozzle N when the cleaning liquid Lc is being sprayed toward the nozzle surface 11.

[0097] After the cleaning liquid Lc has been sprayed from the cleaning liquid nozzle 72 for a set time, the control unit 90 stops driving the pressure pump 74. If the pressure of the ink Li in the nozzle N has been changed, the control unit 90 controls the pressure adjustment unit 26 to adjust the pressure of the ink Li in the nozzle N to the normal pressure. Next, the control unit 90 controls the cleaning liquid spray unit movement unit 77 to move the cover 75 to the standby position shown in FIG.

[0098] Next, the control unit 90 drives the suction pump 57 while the tube switching unit 59 switches the connection destination of the waste liquid tube 56 to the cleaning liquid spray unit 70. As a result, the discharged liquid Lw stored in the storage unit 75a is collected in the waste liquid collection unit 58.

[0099] In this case, the discharged liquid Lw includes the ink Li that has adhered to the nozzle surface 11 and become thickened, and the cleaning liquid Lc that has dropped into the reservoir 75a after reaching the nozzle surface 11. The control unit 90 may drive the suction pump 57 in parallel with the spraying of the cleaning liquid Lc from the cleaning liquid nozzle 72 while the tube switching unit 59 has switched the connection destination of the waste liquid tube 56 to the cleaning liquid spraying unit 70.

[0100] This allows not only the discharged liquid Lw stored in the storage section 75a but also the mist of the cleaning liquid Lc generated by the spraying of the cleaning liquid Lc from the cleaning liquid nozzle 72 to be collected in the waste liquid collection section 58. After driving the suction pump 57 for a set time, the control section 90 stops driving the suction pump 57. After completing the processing of step S110, the control section 90 proceeds to the processing of step S120.

[0101] In step S120, the control unit 90 causes the cleaning unit 60 to collect the discharged liquid Lw from the nozzle surface 11. Specifically, first, the control unit 90 controls the movement mechanism 40 to move the carriage 42 in the −X direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 90 moves the recording unit 10 to a position where the contacted surface 13c faces the upper end 62c of the guide unit 62 and the collecting end 61t of the cleaning element 61.

[0102] 9, the control unit 90 controls the cleaning unit movement unit 65 to move the attachment unit 63 in the +Z direction, thereby causing the control unit 90 to move the cleaning element 61 to the collection position.

[0103] Next, the control unit 90 controls the movement mechanism 40 to move the carriage 42 in the -X direction. As a result, the nozzle surface 11 passes a position facing the cleaning element 61. As a result, the collection end 61t of the cleaning element 61 at the collection position comes into contact with the discharged liquid Lw (see FIG. 9) adhering to the nozzle surface 11. As a result, the discharged liquid Lw adhering to the nozzle surface 11 flows down the cleaning element 61 and is stored in the storage portion 63a of the attachment part 63, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

[0104] Next, the control unit 90 drives the suction pump 57 with the tube switching unit 59 switching the connection destination of the waste liquid tube 56 to the cleaning unit 60. As a result, the discharged liquid Lw stored in the storage unit 63a is collected in the waste liquid collection unit 58. After driving the suction pump 57 for a set time, the control unit 90 stops driving the suction pump 57. After completing the processing of step S120, the control unit 90 proceeds to the processing of step S130.

[0105] In step S130, the control unit 90 executes collection of the discharged liquid Lw by the suction pump 57. Specifically, first, the control unit 90 controls the movement mechanism 40 to move the carriage 42 in the −X direction. As a result, the control unit 90 moves the recording unit 10 to a position where the nozzle rows 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d face the cap 52.

[0106] Next, the control unit 90 controls the cap moving unit 54 to move the cap 52 in the +Z direction. As a result, the control unit 90 moves the cap 52 to the approach position (see FIG. 3).

[0107] Next, the control unit 90 drives the suction pump 57 with the tube switching unit 59 switching the connection destination of the waste liquid tube 56 to the cap 52. As a result, the ink Li, cleaning liquid Lc, mist, foreign matter, etc. present in the suction space including the storage unit 52a are collected in the waste liquid collection unit 58.

[0108] At this time, the control unit 90 may control the pressure adjustment unit 26 to make the pressure of the ink Li in the nozzle N higher than the normal pressure. As a result, air bubbles in the recording unit 10, cleaning liquid Lc that has entered through the nozzle N, ink Li of a different color, etc. are expelled from the nozzle N. This also causes the meniscus formed in the nozzle N to be straightened.

[0109] When the suction pump 57 has been driven for a set time, the control unit 90 stops driving the suction pump 57. When the pressure of the ink Li in the nozzle N has been changed, the control unit 90 controls the pressure adjustment unit 26 to adjust the pressure of the ink Li in the nozzle N to the normal pressure.

[0110] Next, the control unit 90 controls the cap moving unit 54 to move the cap 52 in the -Z direction. As a result, the control unit 90 moves the cap 52 to the standby position. After completing the process of step S130, the control unit 90 proceeds to step S140.

[0111] In step S140, similarly to step S120, the control unit 90 causes the cleaning unit 60 to collect the discharged liquid Lw from the nozzle surface 11. In step S140, first, the control unit 90 may move the recording unit 10 to a position where the contacted surface 13c located on the +X direction side of the nozzle surface 11 faces the upper end 62c of the guide unit 62 and the collecting end 61t of the cleaning body 61.

[0112] Next, the control unit 90 moves the cleaning element 61 to the collection position. Next, the control unit 90 moves the carriage 42 in the +X direction. As a result, the nozzle surface 11 passes a position facing the cleaning element 61. As a result, if the discharged liquid Lw is attached to the nozzle surface 11, the discharged liquid Lw flows down the cleaning element 61 and is stored in the storage portion 63a of the attachment portion 63.

[0113] As in step S120, the control unit 90 controls the driving of the tube switching unit 59 and the suction pump 57, so that the discharged liquid Lw stored in the storage unit 63a is collected in the waste liquid collection unit 58. After driving the suction pump 57 for a set time, the control unit 90 stops driving the suction pump 57. After completing the processing of step S140, the control unit 90 proceeds to step S150.

[0114] In step S150, the control unit 90 executes flushing. Specifically, first, the control unit 90 controls the movement mechanism 40 to move the carriage 42 in the −X direction. As a result, the nozzle rows 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d pass through a position facing the liquid receiving portion 67 in this order.

[0115] The control unit 90 drives the ejection elements 15 corresponding to the nozzle rows 12 that are located opposite the reservoir 67a among the nozzle rows 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d. This causes the ink Li to be ejected by flushing from the nozzles N that pass a position opposite the liquid receiving section 67 toward the reservoir 67a of the liquid receiving section 67. As a result, the ink Li is ejected sequentially by flushing from the nozzles N that make up the nozzle rows 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d.

[0116] As a result, ink Li of a different color that has entered through the nozzle N during maintenance of the recording unit 10 is discharged together with the ink Li being ejected from the nozzle N. Furthermore, as a result, the meniscus formed in the nozzle N is adjusted.

[0117] Next, the control unit 90 drives the suction pump 57 with the tube switching unit 59 switching the connection destination of the waste liquid tube 56 to the liquid receiving unit 67. As a result, the ink Li stored in the storage unit 67a is collected in the waste liquid collection unit 58 as the discharged liquid Lw. After driving the suction pump 57 for a set time, the control unit 90 stops driving the suction pump 57.

[0118] When the process of step S150 is completed, the control unit 90 ends the process for maintenance of the recording unit 10, including the maintenance of the nozzle surface 11.

[0119] As described above, the recording device 1 according to the first embodiment can provide the following effects.

[0120] The recording apparatus 1 includes a recording unit 10 having a nozzle surface 11 in which nozzles N for ejecting ink Li onto a medium P are opened. The recording apparatus 1 includes an ejection body 71 that ejects cleaning liquid Lc in droplet form toward the nozzle surface 11. The recording apparatus 1 also includes a cleaning body 61 that comes into contact with the discharged liquid Lw adhering to the nozzle surface 11 at a position a predetermined distance away from the nozzle surface 11, thereby collecting the discharged liquid Lw.

[0121] This makes it possible to prevent damage to the nozzle surface 11 when the cleaning element 61 collects the discharged liquid Lw from the nozzle surface 11.

[0122] The recording apparatus 1 further includes a cover 75 that forms a closed space that includes the nozzle surface 11 and the ejecting body 71 when the ejecting body 71 ejects the cleaning liquid Lc toward the nozzle surface 11. This makes it possible to prevent the cleaning liquid Lc ejected toward the nozzle surface 11 from scattering.

[0123] The recording apparatus 1 further includes a suction pump 57 connected to the cover 75, which creates a negative pressure in the closed space. This makes it possible to collect the ink Li removed from the nozzle surface 11, the discharged liquid Lw containing the cleaning liquid Lc sprayed toward the nozzle surface 11, and mist and the like in the closed space.

[0124] Recording device 1 further includes sealing member 78 provided in communication part 79 that connects storage part 75a of cover 75, which forms a closed space, with the outside of cover 75. Sealing member 78 closes communication part 79 when storage part 75a reaches a predetermined negative pressure. This is expected to improve the airtightness of storage part 75a.

[0125] The recording apparatus 1 includes a cleaning liquid ejecting unit moving unit 77 that adjusts the relative position between the nozzle surface 11 and the ejecting body 71. This allows the cleaning liquid Lc ejected from the ejecting body 71 to reach the nozzle surface 11 in the form of droplets.

[0126] The cleaning liquid ejecting unit moving unit 77 adjusts the relative position by bringing the lip surface 75c into contact with the contacted surface 13c provided on the recording unit 10. This makes it easy to adjust the relative position between the nozzle surface 11 and the ejecting body 71.

[0127] The cleaning element 61 is made of a material that does not swell with the ink Li. This prevents the cleaning element 61 from coming into contact with the nozzle surface 11 due to swelling of the cleaning element 61.

[0128] The ink Li contains a solid material. This allows the recording apparatus 1 to eject the ink Li containing the solid material onto the medium P. In this case as well, according to this embodiment, damage to the nozzle surface 11 can be suppressed when the cleaning element 61 collects the discharged liquid Lw from the nozzle surface 11.

[0129] 2. Embodiment 2 13 to 16, in the recording apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, the cleaning liquid spraying unit 70 of the maintenance unit 50 includes a cleaning unit 60. The cleaning unit 60 according to the second embodiment includes a cleaning element 61 having the guide unit 62 in the first embodiment. In the recording apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, the maintenance unit 50 does not include the liquid receiving unit 67, the cap unit 51, or the tube switching unit 59. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is easy to reduce the size of the recording apparatus 1.

[0130] Other configurations of the recording device 1 according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the recording device 1 according to the first embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same numbers, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0131] In this embodiment, the cleaning element 61 is provided on the ejection element 71 of the cleaning liquid ejection unit 70, as shown in Fig. 13. The ejection element 71 is held by the cover 75 via a compression coil spring 75s.

[0132] 14 and 15, the cover holding part 76 can move in the +Z direction from when the upper end 62c of the guide part 62 contacts the contact surface 13c until the lip surface 75c of the cover 75 contacts the contact surface 13c. As a result, the cleaning liquid spraying part moving part 77 can move the cover 75 to the contact position and the approach position while keeping the cleaning body 61 in the collection position.

[0133] The distance in the Z-axis direction between the upper end 62c of the guide part 62 and the ejecting body 71 is set to the distance in the Z-axis direction between the contacted surface 13c and the ejecting body 71 when the cleaning liquid Lc is ejected from the cleaning liquid nozzle 72. As a result, in this embodiment, by moving the cleaning body 61 to the collection position, the ejecting body 71 is positioned at the time when the cleaning liquid Lc is ejected from the cleaning liquid nozzle 72 toward the nozzle surface 11.

[0134] In other words, the cleaning liquid spraying unit moving unit 77 is an example of an adjusting unit that adjusts the relative position between the nozzle surface 11 and the spraying body 71. Furthermore, the cleaning liquid spraying unit moving unit 77 adjusts the relative position between the nozzle surface 11 and the spraying body 71 by bringing the upper end 62c of the guide unit 62 into contact with the contacted surface 13c provided in the recording unit 10. In this case, the contacted surface 13c is an example of a contacted part provided in the recording unit 10. The cleaning unit 61 on which the guide unit 62 is provided is an example of a positioning unit.

[0135] 19, a description will be given of the processing executed by the control unit 90 in this embodiment when performing maintenance on the recording unit 10, including maintenance on the nozzle surface 11. It is assumed that when maintenance on the recording unit 10 is started, the recording unit 10 is in the position shown in FIG. 1, and the cover 75 of the maintenance unit 50 is in the standby position.

[0136] In step S110, the process performed by the control unit 90 when spraying the cleaning liquid Lc onto the nozzle surface 11 is the same as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the control unit 90 controls the cleaning liquid spraying unit moving unit 77 to move the cover 75 to the contact position, as shown in FIG. 15 . At this time, the cleaning element 61 is located at the collection position. Therefore, the spraying element 71 is located at a position where the cleaning liquid Lc is sprayed from the cleaning liquid nozzle 72 toward the nozzle surface 11.

[0137] In step S120, when the cleaning unit 60 is to collect the discharged liquid Lw from the nozzle surface 11, the control unit 90 first controls the cleaning liquid spraying unit moving unit 77 to move the cover 75 to an approach position that is on the -Z direction side of the contact position, as shown in Fig. 14. The approach position of the cover 75 is the same as the approach position of the cover 75 in the first embodiment, where the cover 75 approaches the contacted surface 13c of the recording unit 10 while maintaining a slight gap between the cover 75 and the contacted surface 13c.

[0138] When the cover 75 moves to the approach position, a suction space is formed in which the plurality of nozzles N constituting the nozzle rows 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d are open. When the suction pump 57 sucks the suction space, a negative pressure is applied to the ink Li in the recording unit 10 via the nozzles N. In this embodiment, when the cover 75 is located at the approach position, the cleaning element 61 is located at the collection position.

[0139] Next, the control unit 90 controls the movement mechanism 40 to move the carriage 42 in the −X direction. As a result, the nozzle surface 11 passes a position facing the cleaning element 61. As a result, the collection end 61t of the cleaning element 61, which is in the collection position, comes into contact with the discharged liquid Lw adhering to the nozzle surface 11. As a result, the discharged liquid Lw adhering to the nozzle surface 11 flows down the cleaning element 61 and is stored in the storage portion 75a of the cover 75.

[0140] In step S130, when collection of the discharged liquid Lw by the suction pump 57 is executed, the control unit 90 controls the movement mechanism 40 and the cleaning liquid sprayer movement unit 77 to position the cover 75 at the approach position shown in FIG.

[0141] Next, the control unit 90 drives the suction pump 57. As a result, the ink Li, cleaning liquid Lc, mist, foreign matter, etc. present in the suction space including the storage unit 75a are collected in the waste liquid collection unit 58.

[0142] In step S140, the control unit 90 causes the cleaning unit 60 to collect the discharged liquid Lw from the nozzle surface 11, similar to step S120.

[0143] In step S150, when flushing is performed, first, the control unit 90 controls the cleaning liquid ejection unit moving unit 77 to move the cover 75 to the standby position shown in Fig. 13. Next, the control unit 90 drives the ejection elements 15. As a result, ink Li is ejected by flushing from the nozzles N that make up the nozzle rows 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d toward the reservoir 75a of the cover 75.

[0144] 16, before driving the ejection element 15 in step S150, the control unit 90 may drive the pressure pump 74 to supply the cleaning liquid Lc onto the ejection surface 71c. This prevents the ink Li caused by flushing from entering the cleaning liquid nozzle 72.

[0145] Next, the control unit 90 drives the suction pump 57. As a result, the ink Li stored in the storage unit 75a is collected as the discharged liquid Lw in the waste liquid collection unit 58. After driving the suction pump 57 for a set time, the control unit 90 stops driving the suction pump 57.

[0146] When the process of step S150 is completed, the control unit 90 ends the process of maintenance of the recording unit 10, including the maintenance of the nozzle surface 11.

[0147] As described above, the recording device 1 according to the second embodiment can provide the following effects.

[0148] The cleaning liquid jetting unit moving unit 77 uses the cleaning body 61 as a positioning unit, whereby the relative position between the nozzle surface 11 and the jetting body 71 can be easily adjusted.

[0149] The recording device 1 according to the above embodiment of the present disclosure is basically configured as described above, but it is of course possible to modify or omit parts of the configuration without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. The above embodiment and other embodiments described below can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility. Other embodiments will be described below.

[0150] In the above embodiment, the maintenance unit 50 may be provided with an absorbing unit 80 that collects the discharged liquid Lw remaining on the nozzle surface 11 despite the operation of the cleaning unit 60 to collect the discharged liquid Lw from the nozzle surface 11. In this case, for example, as shown in Figures 17 and 18, the absorbing unit 80 has an absorbing member 89, a case 81, a pressing member 86, a case holding unit 87, and an absorbing unit moving unit 88.

[0151] The case 81 is provided with an unwinding shaft 82, a winding shaft 83, a winding roller 84, a pair of guide rollers 85, and a pressing member 86. The unwinding shaft 82, the winding shaft 83, the winding roller 84, and the guide roller 85 are provided in the case 81 so as to be rotatable around an axis along the Y-axis direction. The pair of guide rollers 85 are provided in the case 81 with a gap between them in the X-axis direction. The gap between the guide rollers 85 in the X-axis direction is wider than the dimension of the nozzle surface 11 in the X-axis direction.

[0152] The absorbing member 89 is a strip-shaped member capable of absorbing liquids such as ink Li, cleaning liquid Lc, discharge liquid Lw, etc. The absorbing member 89 is held by the unwinding shaft 82 in a rolled state, and is unwound from the unwinding shaft 82 and wound onto the winding shaft 83.

[0153] The pair of guide rollers 85 are provided on the case 81 with a gap therebetween in the X-axis direction. The gap between the guide rollers 85 in the X-axis direction is wider than the dimension of the nozzle surface 11 in the X-axis direction. The absorbing portion of the absorbing member 89 unwound from the unwinding shaft 82 before being wound onto the winding shaft 83 is wound around the pair of guide rollers 85.

[0154] The pressing member 86 is provided on the case 81 so as to press the absorbing portion of the absorbing member 89 in the +Z direction, thereby enabling the absorbing portion to come into contact with the nozzle surface 11. For this reason, the absorbing unit 80 is provided at a position where the absorbing portion of the absorbing member 89, the pressing member 86, and the pair of guide rollers 85 are located on the -Z direction side, vertically below the movement area of ​​the recording unit 10.

[0155] The absorbing member 89 unwound from the unwinding shaft 82 may be wound around the winding roller 84 between the unwinding shaft 82 and one of the guide rollers 85 and between the other guide roller 85 and the winding shaft 83 .

[0156] The case 81 is held by a case holding part 87. The case holding part 87 moves in the Z-axis direction by driving the absorbing part moving part 88. The case 81 moves in the Z-axis direction by moving the case holding part 87 in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, by driving the absorbing part moving part 88, the case 81 can be moved between an absorbing position (see FIG. 18) and a standby position (see FIG. 17) that is away from the absorbing position in the -Z direction.

[0157] The absorbing position is a position where the absorbing portion of the absorbing member 89 pressed by the pressing member 86 contacts the nozzle surface 11, and the absorbing member 89 wound around the guide roller 85 contacts the contacted surface 13c. The standby position is a position where the absorbing portion of the absorbing member 89 pressed by the pressing member 86 is located in the -Z direction from the recording unit 10 and does not contact the recording unit 10.

[0158] The pressing member 86 is held by the case 81 via the compression coil spring 81s. As a result, the absorbing portion moving portion 88 can move the case 81 in the +Z direction from the time when the absorbing portion of the absorbing member 89 pressed by the pressing member 86 comes into contact with the nozzle surface 11 until the absorbing member 89 wound around the guide roller 85 comes into contact with the contacted surface 13c.

[0159] The case holding portion 87 holds the case 81 via a compression coil spring 87s. This allows the case holding portion 87 to move a predetermined amount in the +Z direction after the absorbing member 89 wound around the guide roller 85 comes into contact with the contacted surface 13c.

[0160] When removing the discharged liquid Lw remaining on the nozzle surface 11 from the nozzle surface 11 by having the absorbing member 89 absorb it, the control unit 90 first controls the movement mechanism 40 to move the carriage 42 in the X-axis direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 17 , the control unit 90 causes the nozzle surface 11 of the recording unit 10 to face the absorbing portion of the absorbing member 89 held in the case 81 at the standby position.

[0161] Next, the control unit 90 controls the absorption unit movement unit 88 to move the case 81 to the absorption position shown in Fig. 18. As a result, the absorption portion of the absorption member 89 comes into contact with the nozzle surface 11, and the discharged liquid Lw remaining on the nozzle surface 11 is absorbed by the absorption portion of the absorption member 89.

[0162] Next, the control unit 90 drives the winding shaft 83 to wind the absorbing member 89 onto the winding shaft 83 until the absorbing portion that has absorbed the discharged liquid Lw is positioned closer to the winding shaft 83 than the pressing member 86. Note that it is desirable that the removal of the discharged liquid Lw remaining on the nozzle surface 11 by the absorbing unit 80 be performed when the meniscus formed on the nozzle N is stable.

[0163] In the above embodiment, the maintenance unit 50 may be provided so as to be detachable from the recording device 1. As a result, for example, the maintenance unit 50 may be used as a maintenance device that is used when installing or repairing the recording device 1.

[0164] In the above embodiment, when the contact surface 13c is located on the −Z side of the nozzle surface 11, the upper end 62c of the guide portion 62 of the cleaning element 61 does not have to be located on the +Z side of the collecting end 61t of the cleaning element 61. For example, in the Z-axis direction, the position of the upper end 62c may be the same as the position of the collecting end 61t.

[0165] In the above embodiment, the cleaning element 61 does not need to include the guide portion 62, as long as it is possible to contact the discharged liquid Lw adhering to the nozzle surface 11 at a position away from the nozzle surface 11 in the Z axis direction. For example, the recording apparatus 1 may include a sensor that can detect the distance in the Z axis direction between the nozzle surface 11 and the collecting end 61t of the cleaning element 61.

[0166] In this case, the control unit 90 controls the cleaning unit moving unit 65 in embodiment 1 or the cleaning liquid spraying unit moving unit 77 in embodiment 2 based on the detection value of the sensor. As a result, the control unit 90 may bring the cleaning body 61 into contact with the discharged liquid Lw adhering to the nozzle surface 11 at a position away from the nozzle surface 11 in the Z axis direction.

[0167] In the above embodiment, the collection position does not have to be determined by the upper end 62c of the guide portion 62 of the cleaning element 61 coming into contact with the contacted surface 13c of the recording unit 10. For example, a protruding surface extending along the X-axis direction may be provided on the carriage 42 at a position adjacent to both ends of the nozzle surface 11 in the Y-axis direction. This protruding surface may be located in the -Z direction from the nozzle surface 11. The collection position may then be determined by the upper end 62c of the guide portion 62 of the cleaning element 61 coming into contact with the protruding surface of the carriage 42. In this case, the protruding surface of the carriage 42 is an example of a contacted portion provided on the carriage 42 to which the recording unit 10 is attached.

[0168] In the above embodiment, the carriage 42 may be equipped with a recording unit lifting mechanism that can move the recording unit 10 provided on the carriage 42 in the Z axis direction. In this embodiment, the control unit 90 may adjust the relative position in the Z axis direction between the nozzle surface 11 and the ejecting body 71 by controlling the recording unit lifting mechanism. In this case, the recording unit lifting mechanism is an example of an adjustment unit that adjusts the relative position in the Z axis direction between the nozzle surface 11 and the ejecting body 71. Furthermore, in this case, the control unit 90 may adjust the relative position in the Z axis direction between the nozzle surface 11 and the cleaning body 61 by controlling the recording unit lifting mechanism.

[0169] In the above embodiment, if there is no gap between the communication portion 79 and the cleaning liquid tube 73, the communication portion 79 does not need to be provided with the sealing member 78. In this case, the cover 75 may be provided with a through-hole provided in the side wall of the cover 75 at a position different from the communication portion 79, and a one-way valve that opens and closes this through-hole. This one-way valve closes when the pressure in the reservoir 75a becomes lower than atmospheric pressure, which is the pressure outside the cover 75, and opens when the pressure becomes higher than atmospheric pressure. An umbrella valve, a duckbill valve, or the like can be used as this one-way valve.

[0170] In the above embodiment, the ink Li may not contain a solid material. In this case, for example, the ink Li may be a dye ink in which the coloring component is a dye.

[0171] In the above embodiment, the ejection body 71 of the cleaning liquid ejection unit 70 may eject the cleaning liquid Lc from the cleaning liquid nozzle 72 toward the nozzle surface 11 of the recording unit 10, causing the cleaning liquid Lc in droplet form to fly obliquely toward the nozzle surface 11 and adhere to the nozzle surface 11.

[0172] In the above embodiment, the control unit 90 may drive the pressure pump 74 to supply the cleaning liquid Lc to the storage portion 75a of the cover 75 and clean the storage portion 75a. In this case, the control unit 90 may drive the pressure pump 74 until the liquid level of the cleaning liquid Lc supplied to the storage portion 75a is positioned in the +Z direction above the ejection surface 71c. In this way, the control unit 90 may clean the cleaning liquid nozzle 72.

[0173] In the second embodiment, the control unit 90 may drive the pressure pump 74 to spray the cleaning liquid Lc from the cleaning liquid nozzle 72, thereby cleaning the cleaning element 61. [Explanation of symbols]

[0174] 1... Recording device, 10... Recording unit, 11... Nozzle surface, 12, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d... Nozzle row, 13... Head cover, 13c... Contact surface, 14... Nozzle plate, 15... Discharge element, 20... Supply unit, 21, 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d... Liquid supply source, 22... Injection unit, 23... Storage chamber, 24... Holding unit, 25, 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d... Supply flow path, 26, 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d... Pressure adjustment unit, 30... Conveyance mechanism, 32...transport roller, 34...transport rod, 36...transport motor, 40...movement mechanism, 42...carriage, 44...transport belt, 46...movement motor, 47...pulley, 50...maintenance unit, 51...cap unit, 52...cap, 52a...storage unit, 52c...lip surface, 53...cap holding unit, 54...cap moving unit, 56...waste liquid tube, 57...suction pump, 58...waste liquid collection unit, 59...tube switching unit, 60...cleaning unit Cleaning unit, 61... cleaning body, 61t... collection end, 62... guide portion, 62c... upper end, 63... mounting portion, 63a... storage portion, 64... mounting portion holding portion, 65... cleaning unit moving portion, 67... liquid receiving portion, 67a... storage portion, 70... cleaning liquid spray unit, 71... spray body, 71c... spray surface, 72... cleaning liquid nozzle, 73... cleaning liquid tube, 74... pressure pump, 75... cover, 75a... storage portion, 75c... lip surface, 76... cover holding portion, 77... cleaning liquid spray unit moving portion, 7 8...sealing member, 79...communicating portion, 80...absorption portion, 81...case, 82...unwinding shaft, 83...winding shaft, 84...winding roller, 85...guide roller, 86...pressure member, 87...case holding portion, 88...absorption portion moving portion, 89...absorption member, 90...control portion, 98...cleaning liquid cartridge, Lc...cleaning liquid, Li...ink, Lw...discharged liquid, N...nozzle, P...medium, S110, S120, S130, S140, S150...steps.

Claims

1. a recording unit having a nozzle surface on which nozzles for ejecting ink onto a medium are opened; an ejector that ejects the cleaning liquid in droplets toward the nozzle surface; a cleaning element that comes into contact with the liquid adhering to the nozzle surface at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the nozzle surface to collect the liquid; Equipped with A recording device characterized by:

2. a cover that forms a closed space that includes the nozzle surface and the ejection body when the ejection body ejects the cleaning liquid toward the nozzle surface, 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording medium.

3. a suction unit connected to the cover and configured to create a negative pressure in the closed space; 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2.

4. a sealing member provided at a communication portion that communicates an internal space of the cover that forms the closed space with the outside of the cover, the sealing member closing the communication portion when the internal space reaches a predetermined negative pressure; 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2.

5. Further provided is an adjustment unit that adjusts the relative position between the nozzle surface and the ejection body.

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording medium.

6. the adjustment unit adjusts the relative position by bringing a positioning unit into contact with a contacted portion provided in the recording unit.

6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5.

7. the adjustment unit uses the cleaning element as the positioning unit; 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6,

8. the cleaning element is made of a material that does not swell with the ink; 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording medium.

9. the ink comprises a solid material; 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording medium.

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