Printing device and wiping method

Abstract

To provide a printing device and a wiping method that are capable of suppressing the spread of ink on a wiping body.SOLUTION: A printing device comprises: an ejection head for ejecting ink hardened when irradiated with light, from nozzles formed in the nozzle surface; a light irradiation unit arranged alongside the ejection head and configured to irradiate light for hardening the ink; a wiper unit that includes a roll-shaped wiping body, a feed mechanism for feeding out the wiping body, and a support roller for supporting the wiping body in a manner of bringing the wiping body into contacting the nozzle surface, and that wipes the nozzle surface by moving the ejection head and the wiping body relatively to each other while the wiping body is in contact with the nozzle surface; and a control unit that performs a wiping operation to cause the wiping body of the wiper unit to wipe the nozzle surface, and a wiping body irradiation operation to feed out the wiping body in a feed direction of the wiping body so that a rear end of a portion adhered with the ink due to contact with the nozzle surface, of the wiping body is positioned above the support roller, and the light irradiation unit irradiates the rear end of the ink-adhered portion with light while the rear end of the ink-adhered portion is positioned above the support roller.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device and a wiping method. [Background technology]

[0002] A printing device having an ejection head that ejects ink is provided with a wiper unit that wipes off ink adhering to the ejection head. For example, a wiper unit that unwinds a roll-shaped wiping body to wipe the ejection head is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5899841 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the printing device described above, a configuration capable of suppressing the spread of ink on the wiping member is required.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has an object to provide a printing device and a wiping method that are capable of suppressing the spread of ink on the wiping body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A printing device according to the present invention includes an ejection head that ejects ink that hardens when irradiated with light from nozzles formed in a nozzle surface, a light irradiation unit that is arranged alongside the ejection head and that irradiates the ink with light that hardens the ink, a roll-shaped wiping body, a feed mechanism that feeds out the wiping body, and a support roller that supports the wiping body so that it comes into contact with the nozzle surface, and a wiper unit that wipes the nozzle surface by moving the ejection head and the wiping body relatively with the wiping body in contact with the nozzle surface, and a scanning unit that moves the ejection head relative to a medium in a scanning direction. a control unit that performs a printing operation in which the ink is sprayed while moving back and forth and the light is irradiated onto the medium by the light irradiating unit; a wiping operation in which the wiping body of the wiper unit wipes the nozzle surface; a sending-out operation in which the wiping body is sent out in a sending direction of the wiping body so that a rear end of a portion of the wiping body that contacts the nozzle surface is positioned above the support roller; and a wiping body irradiation operation in which the light irradiating unit irradiates the rear end of the ink-adhered portion with the light, with the rear end of the ink-adhered portion positioned above the support roller.

[0007] A wiping method according to the present invention is a wiping method for a printing device that includes: an ejection head that ejects ink that hardens when irradiated with light from nozzles formed in a nozzle face; a light irradiation unit that is arranged alongside the ejection head and irradiates the ink with light that hardens the ink; a wiper unit that has a roll-shaped wiping body, a feed mechanism that feeds out the wiping body, and a support roller that supports the wiping body so that it contacts the nozzle face, and that wipes the nozzle face by moving the ejection head and the wiping body relatively while the wiping body is in contact with the nozzle face, the ink is ejected while the ejection head is moved back and forth relatively in the scanning direction, and the light is irradiated onto the medium by the light irradiating unit; a wiping step in which the wiping body of the wiper unit is made to wipe the nozzle surface; a sending step in which the wiping body is sent out in a sending direction of the wiping body so that a rear end of a contact portion of the wiping body with the nozzle surface is positioned above the support roller; and a wiping body irradiating step in which the light irradiating unit is made to irradiate the rear end of the ink-adhered portion with the light, with the rear end of the ink-adhered portion positioned above the support roller. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the spread of ink on the wiping body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a printing apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the wiper unit according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a wiping method for a printing device according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the wiper unit in the wiping step, showing a state in which the wiping body is in contact with the nozzle surface (as viewed from the +X direction). [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the wiper unit in the wiping step, showing a state in which the wiping body is in contact with the nozzle surface (as viewed from the +Y direction). [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the wiper unit in the wiping step, showing the state after the wiper unit has moved. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the state of the wiping body in the wiping step. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the wiper unit in the sending step, showing a state in which the wiping body is separated from the nozzle surface. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the state of the wiping body in the sending step. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the wiper unit in the wiping body irradiation step, showing a state in which light is irradiated from the light irradiating section. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the state of the wiping body in the wiping body irradiating step. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of a printing device and a wiping method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily replaceable by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially identical.

[0011] In this embodiment, directions in the drawings will be explained using an XYZ coordinate system. In this XYZ coordinate system, a plane parallel to the floor on which the inkjet printer is placed is defined as the XY plane. In this XY plane, the transport direction of the recording medium 2, which will be described later, is referred to as the X direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X direction on the XY plane is referred to as the Y direction. The direction perpendicular to the XY plane is referred to as the Z direction. The X, Y, and Z directions will be explained assuming that the direction of the arrow in the drawing is the + direction, and the direction opposite to the arrow is the - direction. In this embodiment, the +Z direction may be referred to as upward.

[0012] 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a printing device 100 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 100 includes an ejection head 10, a light irradiation unit 20, a wiper unit 30, a cap 40, and a control unit 50.

[0013] The ejection head 10 and the light irradiation unit 20 are mounted on a carriage 60. The carriage 60 is movable by a guide 61 in the Y direction, which is the main scanning direction.

[0014] The ejection head 10 ejects ink toward the medium M placed in the printing area PA. A platen 15 is disposed in the printing area PA. The ejection head 10 has a nozzle surface 11. The nozzle surface 11 is, for example, flat, and has nozzles 12 formed thereon for ejecting ink. The nozzle surface 11 is treated with a water-repellent finish to ensure a meniscus of ink at the nozzles 12. A plurality of nozzles 12 are arranged, for example, in a predetermined direction. Examples of the ink include ultraviolet-curable ink. UV-curable inks include white ink, colored inks such as cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), and transparent inks, depending on the color of the image to be formed on the medium M. Inks other than ultraviolet-curable inks, such as latex inks, which tend to adhere solid matter to the nozzle surface as the ink dries and hardens, can also be used. For example, if the minimum ejection time is the time it takes for the ejection head 10 to eject ink in the main scanning direction (Y direction) and then reach a position opposite the wiping section, then the ink that can be used can be one in which the ink droplets adhering to the nozzle surface 11 solidify at least during that minimum ejection time.

[0015] The light irradiation unit 20 irradiates ultraviolet rays onto the ultraviolet curable ink ejected onto the medium M. The light irradiation unit 20 is configured, for example, with an LED module or the like capable of irradiating ultraviolet rays. The light irradiation unit 20 moves back and forth in the main scanning direction together with the ejection head 10 as the carriage 60 moves.

[0016] The wiper unit 30 and the cap 40 are provided in a maintenance area MA of the printing device 100. The maintenance area MA is located outside the printing area PA in the Y direction.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wiper unit 30 according to this embodiment. The wiper unit 30 shown in FIG. 2 wipes the nozzle surface 11 of the ejection head 10. The wiper unit 30 has a wiping body 31, a feed roller (feed-out mechanism) 32, a take-up roller (feed-out mechanism) 33, and a support roller 34. The wiper unit 30 wipes foreign matter such as ink adhering to the nozzle surface 11 of the ejection head 10. In this embodiment, the wiping body 31 is formed in a roll shape. For example, a nonwoven fabric is used as the wiping body 31. Note that other materials may also be used for the wiping body 31.

[0018] The supply roller 32 is supported with the wiping body 31 wound around it when no wiping is being performed. The take-up roller 33 is supported with the wiping body 31 wound around it when wiping is being performed. The supply roller 32 and the take-up roller 33 can rotate in conjunction with each other by a drive mechanism (not shown). The supply roller 32 and the take-up roller 33 are configured to feed out the wiping body 31.

[0019] The support roller 34 supports the wiping body 31 so that it comes into contact with the nozzle surface 11. The support roller 34 supports the wiping body 31 so that it is pressed against the nozzle surface 11. The support roller 34 is provided so that it can elastically deform when pressing the wiping body 31 against the nozzle surface 11.

[0020] 1, the cap 40 covers the nozzle surface 11 of the ejection head 10. The cap 40 is arranged such that the support roller 34 is located below the light irradiation unit 20, for example, in a state where the cap 40 covers the entire nozzle surface 11 of the ejection head 10.

[0021] The control unit 50 comprehensively controls the operation of the printing device 100. The control unit 50 includes a communication unit 51, a processing unit 52, and a storage unit 53.

[0022] The communication unit 51 performs wired or wireless communication with an external device and includes an interface such as a network interface card.

[0023] The processing unit 52 performs various types of information processing and includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0024] The processing unit 52 has a print control unit 54 and a maintenance control unit 55. The print control unit 54 controls the printing operation in the printing device 100. The print control unit 54 ejects ink while moving the ejection head 10 back and forth relative to the medium M in the scanning direction, and causes the light irradiation unit 20 to perform a printing operation in which light is irradiated onto the medium M.

[0025] The maintenance control unit 55 controls maintenance operations such as wiping operations in the printing device 100. As maintenance operations, the maintenance control unit 55 causes the wiping body 31 of the wiper unit 30 to wipe the nozzle surface 11, a sending-out operation to send out the wiping body 31 in the sending direction of the wiping body 31 so that the portion of the wiping body 31 that comes into contact with the nozzle surface 11 is positioned above the support roller 34, and a wiping body irradiation operation to irradiate the portion of the wiping body 31 that is positioned above the support roller 34 with light from the light irradiation unit 20.

[0026] In the feeding operation, the maintenance control unit 55 sets the feeding amount of the wiping body 31 based on the length of the contact portion in the feeding direction of the wiping body 31 and the length of the ink spread on the wiping body 31 over the elapsed time since the wiping operation. Furthermore, the maintenance control unit 55 sets the intensity of the light irradiated onto the wiping body 31 per scan in the wiping body irradiation operation to be stronger than the intensity of the light irradiated onto the medium M in one scan in the printing operation.

[0027] The storage unit 53 stores information such as various programs, data, etc. The storage unit 53 includes storage such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0028] The memory unit 53 stores a wiping program that causes the computer to execute, for example, a printing process in which ink is sprayed while the ejection head 10 is moved back and forth in the scanning direction relative to the medium M and light is irradiated onto the medium by the light irradiation unit 20; a wiping process in which the wiping body 31 of the wiper unit 30 wipes the nozzle surface 11; a sending process in which the wiping body 31 is sent in the sending direction of the wiping body 31 so that the rear end of the portion of the wiping body 31 that has adhered to ink due to contact with the nozzle surface 11 is positioned above the support roller 34; and a wiping body irradiation process in which light is irradiated from the light irradiation unit 20 onto the portion of the wiping body 31 that is positioned above the support roller 34.

[0029] In the control unit 50, the processor in the processing unit 52 reads out various programs and loads them into memory, thereby executing information processing corresponding to the functions of the above-mentioned units. Examples of the various programs include programs received by the communication unit 51, programs stored in the storage unit 53, and programs recorded on an external recording medium. The control unit 50 functions as an information processing device (computer) that executes various information processes. Note that the various programs may be executed by an information processing device other than the control unit 50, or the control unit 50 and the other information processing device may cooperate to execute the various programs.

[0030] Next, we will explain the operation of the printing device 100 configured as described above. The operation of the printing device 100 is performed under the control of the control unit 50. In the printing device 100, with the medium M placed in the printing area PA, the print control unit 54 of the control unit 50 ejects ink while moving the ejection head 10 back and forth relative to the medium M in the scanning direction, and irradiates light onto the medium M with the light irradiation unit 20, thereby printing on the medium M (printing operation).

[0031] In addition, in the printing device 100, the maintenance control unit 55 of the control unit 50 performs maintenance operations for the ejection head 10. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a wiping method for the printing device according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the maintenance control unit 55 performs a wiping step S10, a sending step S20, and a wiping body irradiating step S30.

[0032] In the wiping step S10, the wiping body 31 of the wiper unit 30 is caused to wipe the nozzle surface 11. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the wiper unit 30 in the wiping step S10. Fig. 4 shows a state viewed from the +X side, showing a state in which the wiping body is in contact with the nozzle surface 11. In the wiping step S10, the maintenance control unit 55 positions the ejection head 10 above the wiping body 31, and raises the support roller 34, thereby bringing the wiping body 31 into contact with the nozzle surface 11, as shown in Fig. 4.

[0033] 5 and 6 are diagrams showing an example of the operation of the wiper unit 30 in the wiping step S10. FIGS. 5 and 6 show the wiper unit 30 as viewed from the +Y side. FIG. 5 shows the wiper unit 30 in contact with the nozzle surface 11, and FIG. 6 shows the wiper unit 30 after it has moved. As shown in FIG. 5, when the wiper unit 31 is in contact with the nozzle surface 11, the support roller 34 elastically deforms. Therefore, the wiper unit 31 is in contact with the nozzle surface 11 over a predetermined range in the feed direction (longitudinal direction) of the wiper unit 31. Specifically, in a plan view, the wiper unit 31 is in contact with the nozzle surface 11 over a range on both sides of the center axis AX of the support roller 34 in the Y direction. From this state, the maintenance control unit 55 wipes the nozzle surface 11 by moving the wiper unit 30 in the +X direction as shown in FIG. 6.

[0034] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the state of the wiping body 31 in the wiping step S10. FIG. 7 shows a diagram showing a state as viewed from the side (X direction) and a diagram showing a state as viewed from above side by side. As shown in FIG. 7, in the state where the wiping step S10 has been performed, ink and the like on the nozzle surface 11 adheres to a predetermined range in the feed direction. More specifically, in a plan view, ink adheres to the wiping body 31 in a range extending on both sides in the Y direction with respect to the central axis AX of the support roller 34. As shown in an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 7, ink adheres to the contact portion 13 of the wiping body 31 in the feed direction of the wiping body 31 in the wiping step S10.

[0035] 8 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the wiper unit 30 in the sending step S20. FIG. 8 shows a state as viewed from the +Y side, and shows a state in which the wiping body 31 has been separated from the nozzle surface 11. In the sending step S20, the maintenance control unit 55 moves the wiper unit 30 in the -Z direction to separate the wiping body 31 from the nozzle surface 11, as shown in FIG. 8. Thereafter, the maintenance control unit 55 sends out the wiping body 31 so that the portion of the wiping body 31 that is in contact with the nozzle surface 11 is positioned above the support roller 34 in the sending direction of the wiping body 31. The wiping body 31 is sent out so that the portion of the wiping body 31 that is in contact with the nozzle surface 11, i.e., the rear end 14a of the adhesion portion 13 on which ink is adhered, is positioned above the support roller 34 in the sending direction of the wiping body 31.

[0036] 9 is a diagram showing an example of the state of the wiping body 31 in the sending step S20. FIG. 9 shows a diagram showing the state as seen from the side (X direction) and a diagram showing the state as seen from above side by side. As shown in FIG. 9, the wiping body 31 is sent out in the sending direction of the wiping body 31 so that the rear end 14a of the adhesion portion 14 of the wiping body 31, where ink has adhered due to contact with the nozzle surface 11, is positioned above the support roller 34. Note that the ink adhesion portion 14 includes, for example, the contact portion 13 in the wiping step S10 and a portion where the ink adhering to the contact portion 13 has spread over time since the wiping step S10.

[0037] For example, the maintenance control unit 55 can set the feed amount of the wiping body 31 based on the length D1 of the contact portion 13 in the feed direction of the wiping body 31 in the wiping step S10 and the length D2 of the ink spread on the wiping body 31 due to the elapsed time from the wiping step S10. The length D1 varies depending on the material of the support roller 34. The length D2 varies depending on the material of the wiping body 31, the type of ink, etc. Therefore, for example, by calculating reference values ​​for the lengths D1 and D2 in advance based on the material of multiple types of support roller 34, the material of the wiping body 31, the type of ink, etc., and creating a data table and storing it in the storage unit 53, the maintenance control unit 55 can select an appropriate value from the data table depending on the actual material of the support roller 34 and the type of ink to set the feed amount. For example, the maintenance control unit 55 can set the feed amount D by D=D1 / 2+D2 The feed amount D is not limited to the example shown in the above formula, and may be calculated and set by other methods.

[0038] Next, in the wiping body irradiation step S30, the maintenance control unit 55 places the ejection head 10 above the cap 40 and raises the cap 40 to cover the ejection head 10. In this state, the light irradiation unit 20 is placed above the wiping body 31. The maintenance control unit 55 causes the light irradiation unit 20 to irradiate the rear end 14a of the ink-deposited portion 14 with light when the rear end 14a of the ink-deposited portion 14 is positioned above the support roller 34. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the wiper unit 30 in the wiping body irradiation step S30. FIG. 10 shows a state viewed from the +Y side, illustrating a state in which light is irradiated from the light irradiation unit 20. As shown in FIG. 10, the maintenance control unit 55 causes the irradiation operation to be performed when the cap 40 is positioned to cover the ejection head 10. This prevents light from being irradiated onto the nozzle surface 11.

[0039] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the state of the wiping body 31 in the wiping body irradiation step S30. FIG. 11 shows a diagram showing the state as seen from the side (X direction) and a diagram showing the state as seen from above side by side. By irradiating the wiping body 31 with light, as shown in FIG. 11, it is possible to irradiate the light to a range R including the rear end 14a of the wiping body 31 in the feed direction. This allows the ink at the rear end 14a to be properly cured. This prevents ink from seeping further rearward from the rear end 14a. The maintenance control unit 55 sets the intensity of light irradiated onto the wiping body 31 per scan to be stronger than the intensity of light irradiated onto the medium M in one scan in the printing step S10. This allows the ink adhering to the wiping body 31 to be cured in a short time.

[0040] Thereafter, the maintenance control unit 55 can send out the wiping body 31 to an appropriate position to perform the next wiping operation and thereafter.

[0041] As described above, the printing device 100 according to this embodiment includes the ejection head 10 that ejects ink that hardens when irradiated with light from the nozzles 12 formed on the nozzle surface 11, the light irradiation unit 20 that is arranged alongside the ejection head 10 and that irradiates light to harden the ink, the roll-shaped wiping body 31, the feed roller 32 and take-up roller 33 that feed out the wiping body 31, and the support roller 34 that supports the wiping body 31 so that it comes into contact with the nozzle surface 11, and the wiper unit 30 that wipes the nozzle surface 11 by moving the ejection head 10 and the wiping body 31 relatively while the wiping body 31 is in contact with the nozzle surface 11, and the ejection head 10 with respect to the medium M. a printing operation in which ink is ejected while moving the wiper body 31 of the wiper unit 30 back and forth relatively in the scanning direction, and light is irradiated onto the medium M by the light irradiation unit 20; a wiping operation in which the wiper body 31 of the wiper unit 30 wipes the nozzle surface 11; a sending-out operation in which the wiper body 31 is sent in the sending direction of the wiper body 31 so that a rear end 14a of an ink-adhered portion 14 of the wiper body 31 due to contact with the nozzle surface 11 is positioned above the support roller 34; and a wiping body irradiation operation in which light is irradiated from the light irradiation unit 20 onto the rear end 14a of the ink-adhered portion 14 in a state in which the rear end 14a of the ink-adhered portion 14 is positioned above the support roller 34.

[0042] The wiping method according to this embodiment is a wiping method for a printing apparatus that includes a jetting head 10 that jets ink that hardens when irradiated with light from nozzles formed on a nozzle surface 11, a light irradiating unit 20 that is arranged alongside the jetting head 10 and irradiates light that hardens the ink, a roll-shaped wiping body 31, a feed roller 32 and a take-up roller 33 that feed the wiping body 31, and a support roller 34 that supports the wiping body 31 so that it comes into contact with the nozzle surface 11, and that wipes the nozzle surface 11 by moving the jetting head 10 and the wiping body 31 relatively while the wiping body 31 is in contact with the nozzle surface 11, and the wiping method includes a step of jetting ink onto a medium M. The method includes a printing step in which ink is sprayed while the head 10 is moved back and forth relatively in the scanning direction, and light is irradiated onto the medium M by the light irradiation unit 20; a wiping step S10 in which the wiping body 31 of the wiper unit 30 is made to wipe the nozzle surface 11; a sending step S20 in which the wiping body 31 is sent out in the sending direction of the wiping body 31 so that the rear end 14a of the ink-adhered portion 14 of the wiping body 31 due to contact with the nozzle surface 11 is positioned above the support roller 34; and a wiping body irradiation step S30 in which light is irradiated from the light irradiation unit 20 onto the rear end 14a of the ink-adhered portion 14 while the rear end 14a of the ink-adhered portion 14 is positioned above the support roller 34.

[0043] According to this configuration, after the wiping operation, a sending-out operation is performed to send the wiping body 31 so that the rear end 14a of the adhesion portion 13 of the wiping body 31 that is attached to the nozzle surface 11 is positioned above the support roller 34 in the sending direction of the wiping body 31, thereby preventing the ink from spreading rearward in the sending direction of the support roller 34 due to the influence of gravity. With the rear end 14a of the ink-adhered portion 13 positioned above the support roller 34, a wiping body irradiation operation is performed to irradiate the rear end 14a of the ink-adhered portion 14 with light from the light irradiation unit 20. This allows the ink adhering to the wiping body 31 to be irradiated with light at a portion including the rear end 14a of the adhesion portion 13, thereby hardening the rear end 14a in a short time, before the ink spreads rearward in the sending direction. This makes it possible to prevent the ink from spreading rearward in the sending direction of the wiping body 31.

[0044] In the printing device 100 according to this embodiment, the control unit 50 sets the amount of ink to be sent out of the wiping body 31 during the sending operation based on the length D1 of the adhering portion 13 in the sending direction of the wiping body 31 and the length D2 of the ink spreading over the wiping body 31 due to the elapsed time from the wiping operation.

[0045] According to this configuration, the feed amount of the wiping body 31 can be appropriately set based on the length D1 and the length D2.

[0046] In the printing device 100 according to this embodiment, the control unit 50 sets the intensity of light irradiated onto the wiping body 31 in each scan during the wiping body irradiation operation to be stronger than the intensity of light irradiated onto the media M in one scan during the printing operation.

[0047] According to this configuration, the ink adhering to the wiping body 31 can be cured efficiently in a short time.

[0048] The printing device 100 according to this embodiment further includes a cap 40 that covers the ejection head 10, and the control unit 50 causes the ejection head 10 to perform an irradiation operation when the cap 40 is in a position where it covers the ejection head 10.

[0049] This configuration can prevent light from being irradiated onto the nozzle surface 11. Therefore, ink on the nozzle surface 11 can be prevented from curing.

[0050] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which the wiping body irradiation operation is performed with the nozzle surface 11 covered by the cap 40. However, a configuration other than the cap 40, such as the platen 15, may be used as a light-blocking member that prevents light from being irradiated onto the nozzle surface 11 during the wiping body irradiation operation.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the wiping body irradiation operation is performed for each wiping operation, but this configuration is not limiting. For example, when wiping the nozzle surface 11 multiple times in succession, the sending operation and wiping body irradiation operation may be performed after the final wiping operation is completed. This allows for efficient light irradiation.

[0052] In the printing device 100 of the above embodiment, if an upper limit (e.g., 100 times) is set on the number of wiping operations of the wiping body 31 in the wiper unit 30, the sending operation and wiping body irradiation operation do not need to be performed after the wiping operation performed just before the value corresponding to the upper limit.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the case where ultraviolet curable ink is used has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this case. For example, ink that is cured by irradiation with light energy other than ultraviolet light, such as infrared light, radiant heat, or microwaves, may be used.

[0054] Furthermore, the printing device 100 may be a serial type printing device or a line type printing device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] D...feed amount, M...media, MA...maintenance area, PA...printing area, AX...center axis, 2...recording medium, 10...ejection head, 11...nozzle surface, 12...nozzle, 13...contact portion, 14...adhesion portion, 14a...rear end portion, 15...platen, 20...light irradiation portion, 30...wiper unit, 31...wiping body, 32...feed roller, 33...take-up roller, 34...support roller, 40...cap, 50...control portion, 51...communication portion, 52...processing portion, 53...storage portion, 54...printing control portion, 55...maintenance control portion, 60...carriage, 61...guide, 100...printing device

Claims

1. A spray head that ejects ink that hardens when exposed to light from a nozzle formed on the nozzle surface, A light irradiation unit is positioned alongside the spray head and irradiates light to cure the ink, A wiper unit that feeds out a roll-shaped wiping material, and moves the spray head and the wiping material relative to each other while the wiping material is in contact with the nozzle surface to wipe the nozzle surface. Equipped with, By contacting the nozzle surface, a portion of the ink adhering to the wiping body is irradiated with light from the light irradiation unit, thereby curing a portion of the ink. Printing device.

2. When irradiating a portion of the ink adhering to the wiping body by contact with the nozzle surface with light from the light irradiation unit, the wiping body is fed in such a way that the rear end of the portion of the wiping body to which the ink has adhered by contact with the nozzle surface is positioned at the top. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. A wiping method comprising: a spray head that sprays ink that hardens when irradiated with light from a nozzle formed on the nozzle surface; a light irradiation unit arranged next to the spray head and irradiating light that hardens the ink; and a roll-shaped wiping body, wherein the nozzle surface is wiped by moving the spray head and the wiping body relative to each other while the wiping body is in contact with the nozzle surface, By contacting the nozzle surface, a portion of the ink adhering to the wiping body is irradiated with light from the light irradiation unit, thereby curing a portion of the ink. Wiping method.

4. When irradiating light from the light irradiation unit, the wiping body is fed out in such a way that the rear end of the wiping body where the ink adheres due to contact with the nozzle surface is positioned at the top. The wiping method according to claim 3.

5. When dispensing the wiping body, the amount of the wiping body to be dispensed is set based on the length of the contact portion in the direction of dispensing the wiping body and the length over which the ink spreads on the wiping body. The wiping method according to claim 4.

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