Recording device, control method of recording device, and program

Abstract

To prevent scattering of ink without increasing the size of a recording device.SOLUTION: A recording device includes: a recording head that discharges liquid including a nozzle forming surface on which a nozzle is formed, the nozzle forming surface including a nozzle region in which the nozzle is provided and a non-nozzle region in which the nozzle is not provided; a wiping unit that wipes the liquid attached to the nozzle forming surface by moving a wiper in a predetermined direction while abutting on the nozzle forming surface; and control means. The control means sets a moving speed when the wiping unit moves in the predetermined direction such that a speed when the abutment and the non-abutment between the nozzle forming surface and the wiper are switched is slower than a speed when the wiper abuts on the nozzle region and wipes the liquid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for cleaning a print head of a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Inkjet recording apparatuses are known as recording apparatuses that record characters, images, and the like by ejecting ink onto a recording medium such as a continuous sheet wound around a roll.

[0003] In inkjet recording devices, when recording characters or images, the ink ejected from the nozzles does not land on the sheet but floats as a mist and adheres to the nozzles, causing the ink droplets ejected thereafter to become distorted, resulting in a deterioration in image quality.

[0004] One known solution to this problem is to wipe the ejection nozzle surface with an elastic blade, restoring the ejection nozzle surface to its pre-ejection state and maintaining ejection performance. However, when the blade that wipes the ejection nozzle surface moves past the ejection nozzle surface, ink adhering to the blade may scatter to the surrounding area.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which the gap between the ejection head and the blade increases when the blade attached to the belt member passes over the ejection nozzle face of the ejection head. This configuration makes it possible to reduce the scattering of ink adhering to the blade when the blade passes over the ejection nozzle face of the ejection head. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-155623 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in Patent Document 1, a belt-driving mechanism for moving the blade must be installed, and space must be secured for this mechanism, which leads to an increase in the size of the recording device.

[0008] In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to prevent ink scattering without increasing the size of the recording apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] One embodiment of the present invention is a recording apparatus comprising: a recording head that ejects liquid, the recording head having a nozzle forming surface on which nozzles are formed, the nozzle forming surface having a nozzle region where nozzles are provided and a non-nozzle region where no nozzles are provided; a wiping unit that wipes the liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface by moving a wiper in a predetermined direction while contacting the nozzle forming surface; and a control means, wherein the control means slows down the movement speed of the wiping unit when moving in the predetermined direction, at which the nozzle forming surface and the wiper switch between contact and non-contact, compared to the speed at which the wiper contacts the nozzle region to wipe. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent ink scattering without increasing the size of the recording apparatus. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of a recording device; [Figure 2] A perspective view of a recording head [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a maintenance tray and a recording head positioned relative to the maintenance tray. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a recording head positioned relative to a maintenance tray. [Figure 5] Schematic diagram showing the blade wiping section cleaning start position [Figure 6] Schematic diagram showing the blade wiping portion entering the projection area A [Figure 7] Schematic diagram showing the blade wiping section at a position where it has passed the blade cleaner [Figure 8] Blade wiping process flowchart [Figure 9] Schematic diagram showing the blade wiping process [Figure 10] Flowchart of first wiping process [Figure 11] Schematic diagrams showing states in each step of a first wiping process. [Figure 12] Flowchart of second wiping process [Figure 13] Schematic diagrams showing the states at each step of the second wiping process. [Figure 14] Blade wiping process flowchart [Figure 15] Flowchart of third wiping process DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] [First embodiment] <Configuration of recording device> Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of recording apparatus 1. The up-down direction in Figure 1 is defined as the "height direction," the left-right direction in Figure 1 as the "longitudinal direction," and the direction perpendicular to the height direction and the longitudinal direction (the direction from the front of the page to the back in Figure 1) as the "sheet width direction." In the following, recording apparatus 1 will be described as a printer that records images using ink on a continuous sheet wound into a roll, and as a high-speed line printer capable of high-speed recording.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1, the recording device 1 has therein the following units: an unwinding roll unit 2, a first dancer unit 3, a first main conveyance unit 4, a meandering correction unit 5, a conveyance detection unit 6, a mark sensor unit 7, and a recording unit 8. The recording device 1 also has, as subsequent units to the recording unit 8, the following units: a first scanner unit 9, a first drying unit 10, a second drying unit 11, a cooling unit 12, a second scanner unit 13, a second main conveyance unit 14, a second dancer unit 15, a take-up roll unit 16, and a maintenance tray 17. The sheet S is conveyed along the sheet conveyance path indicated by the solid line in the figure, and is processed by each of the aforementioned units.

[0014] The unwinding roll unit 2 is a unit for holding and supplying a continuous sheet wound in a roll. The unwinding roll unit 2 is configured to store an unwinding roll and pull out and supply the sheet S. Although FIG. 1 shows that one roll can be stored, the number of rolls that can be stored is not limited to one, and the unit may store two, three, or more rolls and selectively pull out and supply the sheet S from one of the multiple rolls.

[0015] The first dancer section 3 is a unit for applying a constant sheet tension between the unwinding roll section 2 and the first main conveying section 4. In the first dancer section 3, tension is applied to the sheet by a tension applying means (not shown).

[0016] The first main conveying unit 4 is a unit that feeds the sheet S to the subsequent unit and applies a predetermined tension to the sheet in cooperation with the second main conveying unit 14. The first main conveying unit 4 rotates by driving a motor (not shown), and conveys the sheet S while applying tension to the sheet S.

[0017] The meandering correction unit 5 is a unit for correcting meandering in the sheet width direction when a tensioned sheet S is conveyed. The meandering correction unit 5 has a meandering correction roller 5a and a meandering detection sensor (not shown) that detects meandering of the sheet S. The meandering correction roller 5a can change the inclination of the sheet S using a motor (not shown) and corrects meandering of the sheet S based on the measurement results of the meandering detection sensor. At this time, the meandering correction function can be improved by wrapping the sheet S around the meandering correction roller 5a. The meandering correction unit 5 can return the conveying direction of the meandering sheet S to the normal conveying direction.

[0018] The transport detection unit 6 is a unit for detecting tension when a tensioned sheet is transported between the first main transport unit 4 and the second main transport unit 14. The transport detection unit 6 is also a unit for detecting the speed of the sheet S in order to control the recording timing of the recording unit 8.

[0019] The mark sensor section 7 is a unit for detecting marks recorded on the sheet S in advance in order to control the recording timing of the recording section 8.

[0020] The recording unit 8 is a unit for recording on the transported sheet S. It records an image on the sheet S by performing a recording process (specifically, ink ejection process, etc.) on the sheet S from above using a recording head 22. The transport path in the recording unit 8 is formed by multiple guide rollers 23 arranged in an upwardly convex arc shape, and a certain amount of tension is applied to the sheet S, ensuring clearance with the recording head 22. The recording heads 22 are arranged in a line along the transport direction. The recording device 1 of this example has a total of eight line-type recording heads corresponding to four colors: Bk (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan), as well as reaction liquids and three spot colors. The number of colors is not limited to four, and the number of recording heads is not limited to eight. The inkjet method applicable to the recording head 22 can be a method using a heating element, a method using a piezoelectric element, a method using an electrostatic element, a method using a MEMS element, or the like. Each color of ink is supplied to the recording head 22 from a corresponding ink tank (not shown) via an ink tube.

[0021] The first scanner unit 9 is a unit for reading the image recorded on the sheet S by the recording unit 8 and detecting misalignment and density of the image. The detection results of the first scanner unit 9 are used for correction, such as position correction and color correction.

[0022] The first drying unit 10 and the second drying unit 11 are units for reducing the liquid content of the ink applied to the sheet S by the recording unit 8 and improving the fixation of the ink to the sheet S. The second drying unit 11 is located downstream of the first drying unit 10 in the sheet conveyance direction. The first drying unit 10 and the second drying unit 11 heat the recorded sheet S to dry the applied ink. Inside the first drying unit 10 and the second drying unit 11, hot air is applied to at least the ink-applied surface of the sheet S passing through, thereby drying the ink-applied surface. Note that the drying method may be a combination of a method of applying hot air, a method of irradiating the surface of the sheet S with electromagnetic waves (such as ultraviolet or infrared rays), and a conductive heat transfer method using contact with a heating element.

[0023] The winding guide roller 31 is a roller that wraps around the surface of the sheet S opposite the ink-applied surface at a certain winding angle downstream of the recording unit 8 in the conveying direction, for the purpose of blocking the influence of hot air generated in the first drying unit 10 on the recording unit 8. In this example, two winding guide rollers 31 are arranged between the first scanner unit 9 and the first drying unit 10, and the sheet S is folded back so that it is approximately parallel at the top and bottom of the device. The first drying unit 10 is arranged below the recording unit 8, and the second drying unit 11 is arranged below the conveyance detection unit 6 and the mark sensor unit 7.

[0024] The cooling unit 12 cools the sheet S on which the ink has been fixed in the first drying unit 10 and the second drying unit 11, solidifying the softened ink, and suppressing temperature changes in the sheet S across the processes of each unit downstream in the conveyance direction of the recording device 1. Inside the cooling unit 12, air at a temperature lower than that of the sheet S is blown onto at least the ink-applied surface side of the passing sheet S, thereby cooling the ink-applied surface of the sheet S. Note that the cooling method is not limited to the method of blowing air, but may also be a conductive heat transfer method using contact with a heat dissipation member, or a combination of these methods.

[0025] The second scanner unit 13 is a unit for reading the test image recorded on the sheet S by the recording unit 8 before the actual printing, and detecting the misalignment and density of the image. The detection result of the second scanner unit 13 is used for correction in the actual printing after the test image is printed.

[0026] The second main transport unit 14 is a unit that functions by operating together with the first main transport unit 4. It transports the sheet S while applying tension to the sheet S and adjusts the tension of the sheet S. The second main transport unit 14 is rotated by a motor (not shown). The tension of the sheet S is adjusted by a clutch (not shown) that can control the torque connected to the drive shaft based on the tension value detected by a tension control unit (not shown). Note that, as an additional configuration for adjusting the tension of the sheet S, a configuration for controlling the speed of the second main transport unit 14 based on the detection result of the transport detection unit 6 may be added. To realize this configuration, it is possible to use either a torque control method that controls the value of the torque transmitted from the clutch or a speed control method that controls the roller speed of the second main transport unit 14. Alternatively, these two methods may be used interchangeably or simultaneously depending on the purpose.

[0027] The second dancer section 15 is a unit for applying a constant tension between the second main conveying section 14 and the winding roll section 16. In the second dancer section 15, a constant tension is applied to the sheet by a tension applying means (not shown).

[0028] The winding roll unit 16 is a unit for winding the sheet S after recording onto a core. Although one collectable roll is shown in FIG. 1, the number of collectable rolls is not limited to one, and the unit may have two or three or more cores, and may be configured to selectively switch between them to collect the sheet S. Depending on the content of the post-recording processing, the unit may cut the continuous sheet using a cutter and stack the cut sheets S, rather than winding the sheet S onto a core.

[0029] The control unit 21 is a unit that controls each unit of the recording device 1. The control unit 21 includes a CPU, storage devices such as ROM and RAM, a controller equipped with various control units, an external interface, and an operation unit 24 through which the user performs input and output. The operation of the recording device 1 is controlled based on commands input via the operation unit 24 or commands from a host device 25 such as a host computer connected to the controller via the external interface.

[0030] The maintenance tray 17 is a unit equipped with a mechanism for restoring the ejection performance of the recording head 22. Examples of such mechanisms include a cap mechanism for protecting the ink ejection surface of the recording head 22, a wiping mechanism (so-called wiping mechanism) for wiping the ink ejection surface using a blade or the like, and a suction mechanism for negatively sucking ink from inside the nozzles on the ink ejection surface.

[0031] <Perspective view of recording head> Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the recording head 22. As shown in Fig. 2, a nozzle forming surface 223 facing the sheet is provided with a plurality of nozzle plates 224. Each of the plurality of nozzle plates 224 is provided with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink droplets onto the sheet S.

[0032] The nozzle forming surface 223 is provided with a non-nozzle region 301a at the rear side of the maintenance tray 17, a nozzle region 301b where the nozzle plate 224 is provided, and a non-nozzle region 301c at the front side of the maintenance tray 17. On the lower side in the z direction of the nozzle forming surface 223, the region corresponding to the non-nozzle region 301c is defined as a projection region C, the region corresponding to the nozzle region 301b as a projection region B, and the region corresponding to the non-nozzle region 301a as a projection region A.

[0033] <Maintenance tray configuration> 3 is a perspective view of a maintenance tray and a recording head positioned on the maintenance tray. As shown in FIG. 3, the maintenance tray 17 includes a maintenance unit 40 corresponding to each recording head 22, and also includes a plurality of spherical recording head positioning members 171 for positioning the recording head 22 relative to the maintenance unit 40. The plurality of recording head positioning members 171 corresponding to a given recording head 22 are arranged in front and behind each other in the device depth direction (y direction) inside the maintenance tray 17, and are held by a beam member 180 extending along the sheet conveying direction (x direction). In this example, three balls of the recording head positioning members 171 are required to position one recording head 22 relative to the maintenance tray 17, and one ball is arranged on the front beam 180a and two balls are arranged on the rear beam 180b inside the maintenance tray 17. The arrangement of the balls used for positioning is not limited to this, and may be two on the front side and one on the back side, or one on the front side and one on the back side, with the attitude of the recording head 22 determined at different locations. The positioning arrangement is not limited to the use of spherical positioning members. For example, it may be possible to abut a part of the recording head 22 against the maintenance tray 17, or to position the recording head 22 using holes and pins provided in the maintenance tray 17 and the recording head 22.

[0034] <Maintenance unit configuration> 4 shows the state in which the recording head 22 is positioned on the maintenance tray 17. The recording head 22 is supported by a recording head holding section (not shown) that functions as an elevating mechanism for holding the recording head 22 and elevating it up and down, in such a way that the recording head support shaft 27 is supported from below, and the recording head 22 can be raised and lowered up and down.

[0035] The nozzle forming surface 223 of the recording head 22 is cleaned by a reciprocating scanning maintenance unit 40 that moves in the +y direction or the -y direction. The maintenance unit 40 has various cleaning functions. An example configuration of the maintenance unit 40 will be described later. The maintenance unit is also called a "cleaning device." The area below the nozzle forming surface 223 (the -z direction side) is the aforementioned projection area B, and the projection area B is also called the recording area B.

[0036] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the recording head 22 positioned within the maintenance tray 17, with the maintenance unit 40 parked at the rear of the maintenance tray 17. The maintenance unit 40 includes a cleaning liquid application unit 50, a blade wiping unit 60, and a negative pressure application unit 70. The cleaning liquid application unit 50 applies cleaning liquid to the nozzle surface 223 of the recording head 22. The blade wiping unit 60 removes ink, paper dust, and cleaning liquid adhering to the recording head 22. The negative pressure application unit 70 applies negative pressure to the nozzle plate 224 of the recording head 22 to remove ink stuck to the nozzles and bubbles in the ink flow paths. The cleaning liquid applied to the nozzle surface 223 by the cleaning liquid application unit 50 reduces the adhesion of ink stuck to the nozzle surface 223. The blade wiping unit 60 then removes the stuck ink and cleaning liquid from the nozzle surface 223. Thereafter, the negative pressure applying unit 70 acts on the nozzle plate 224, thereby removing ink that has solidified at the nozzle portion and tiny bubbles that have occurred inside the nozzle.

[0037] Here, the cleaning mechanisms constituting the maintenance unit have been described using the three cleaning mechanisms (50, 60, 70) described above as examples, but the types of cleaning mechanisms are not limited to these three. Other cleaning mechanisms may be provided, such as a cleaning mechanism that cleans the nozzle-forming surface 223 by contacting a web or a cleaning mechanism that contacts a porous body with the nozzle-forming surface. Regarding the arrangement of the cleaning liquid deposition unit 50, blade wiping unit 60, and negative pressure application unit 70, the blade wiping unit 60, cleaning liquid deposition unit 50, and negative pressure application unit 70 are arranged in this order in the +y direction in this embodiment, but this arrangement is not limited. Any arrangement of these three cleaning mechanisms in the y direction may be adopted.

[0038] <Cleaning start position by blade wiping unit 60> FIG. 5 shows an example of the cleaning start position of the blade wiping unit 60. The blade wiping unit 60 is configured to include a flexible blade 61. The number of blades 61 may be one or more. The cleaning start position of the blade wiping unit 60 is set to one end of the nozzle forming surface 223, outside the projection area A corresponding to the non-nozzle area 301a at the rear of the maintenance tray 17, and at a position where the blade 61 does not come into contact with other components. As a result, after cleaning starts, that is, when the blade 61 enters the projection area C as shown in FIG. 6, the bending direction of the blade 61 abutting against the nozzle forming surface 223 becomes uniform, and the bending direction is opposite the moving direction of the maintenance unit 40. This ensures the removability of the blade wiping unit 60.

[0039] <Blade cleaner placement> The nozzle surface 223 is cleaned by the maintenance unit 40, but a blade cleaner 65 as shown in FIG. 7 may be required as a configuration for removing liquid adhering to the blade 61. When the blade 61 in the state shown in FIG. 7 passes through the blade cleaner 65 in the +y direction, it is possible to remove droplets of liquid adhering to the blade 61 from the blade 61. Note that if the blade cleaner 65 is provided as part of the maintenance unit and the user needs to clean the blade cleaner 65, it is desirable that the blade cleaner 65 be located in a position within the maintenance tray 17 that is easily accessible to the user. Therefore, in this example, the blade cleaner 65 is provided on the front side of the recording apparatus 1.

[0040] <Blade wiping process> The blade wiping process of the nozzle surface 223 according to this embodiment will be described below. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the blade wiping process according to this embodiment. The series of processes shown in each flowchart from FIG. 8 onward are performed by the CPU of the control unit 21 by loading program code stored in the ROM of the control unit 21 into the RAM of the control unit 21 and executing the program code. Alternatively, some or all of the functions of the steps in each flow may be performed by hardware such as an ASIC or an electric circuit. For simplicity's sake, the subject of operation in each step in each flowchart below will be expressed as "the control unit 21."

[0041] First, in step S10, the control unit 21 executes a first wiping process. The first wiping process includes wiping the nozzle forming surface 223 and cleaning the blade 61, and will be described in detail later (see FIG. 10). Note that hereinafter, "step S~" will be abbreviated to "S~".

[0042] In S20, as shown in Fig. 9(a), the control unit 21 moves the blade wiping unit 60 in the +y direction at a speed V3 (described later) using a drive mechanism and rails (not shown). Specifically, the blade wiping unit 60 moves from a position where it has passed the blade cleaner 65 in the -y direction to the cleaning start position shown in Fig. 9(b).

[0043] In S30, the control unit 21 executes the first wiping process (see FIG. 10) in the same manner as in S10.

[0044] In S40, the control unit 21 again moves the blade wiping unit 60 in the +y direction from the position where the blade wiping unit 60 passes the blade cleaner 65 in the -y direction (see Figure 9(a)) to the cleaning start position (see Figure 9(b)).

[0045] In S50, the control unit 21 executes a second wiping process. The second wiping process includes wiping the nozzle forming surface 223 and cleaning the blade 61, and will be described in detail later (see FIG. 12).

[0046] Fig. 10 is a detailed flowchart of the first wiping process (S10, S30 in Fig. 8), and Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the recording head 22 and the blade wiping unit 60 at each step of the first wiping process.

[0047] In S11, as shown in FIG. 11(a), the control unit 21 moves the recording head 22 in the −z direction (the direction of the thick arrow in FIG. 11(a)) from the retracted position to the maintenance position by using the above-mentioned lifting mechanism.

[0048] In S12, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the control unit 21 moves the blade wiping unit 60 in the -y direction (the direction of the thick arrow in FIG. 11(b)) from the cleaning start position to within the projection area A at a speed V1 described later using a drive mechanism and rails not shown.

[0049] 11(c), the control unit 21 moves the blade wiping unit 60 in the −y direction at a speed V2 (described later) from within the projection area A, through the projection area B, to within the projection area C. Note that the speed V2 is greater than the speed V1 (details will be described later).

[0050] In S14, the control unit 21 stops the movement of the blade wiping unit 60 at a position where the blade wiping unit 60 is within the projection area C.

[0051] In S15, the control unit 21 moves the recording head 22 in the +z direction (the direction of the thick arrow in FIG. 11(d)) from the maintenance position to the retracted position, as shown in FIG. 11(d).

[0052] In S16, the control unit 21 moves the blade wiping unit 60 in the −y direction at a speed V1 from within the projection area A. Then, the movement of the blade wiping unit 60 is stopped at a position where the blade 61 has passed the blade cleaner 65 in the −y direction, i.e., at the position shown in FIG.

[0053] Fig. 12 is a detailed flowchart of the second wiping process (S50 in Fig. 8), and Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the recording head 22 and the blade wiping unit 60 in each step of the second wiping process.

[0054] In S51, similarly to S11, the control unit 21 moves the recording head 22 in the −z direction (the direction of the thick arrow in FIG. 13A) from the retracted position to the maintenance position, as shown in FIG. 13A.

[0055] In S52, similar to S12, the control unit 21 moves the blade wiping unit 60 in the -y direction at a speed V1 from the cleaning start position to within the projection area A (in the direction of the thick arrow in Figure 13(b)), as shown in Figure 13(b).

[0056] In S53, similarly to S13, the control unit 21 moves the blade wiping unit 60 in the -y direction at a speed V2 from within the projection area A, through the projection area B, to within the projection area C, as shown in Fig. 13(c). Note that the speed V2 is greater than the speed V1 (details will be described later).

[0057] 13(d), with the recording head 22 positioned at the maintenance position, the control unit 21 moves the blade wiping unit 60 in the -y direction from within the projection area C at a speed V1. Then, the movement of the blade wiping unit 60 is stopped at a position where the blade 61 has passed the blade cleaner 65 in the -y direction, i.e., at the position shown in FIG.

[0058] In S55, the control unit 21 moves the recording head 22 in the +z direction from the maintenance position to the retracted position. With the above processing, the blade wiping process according to this embodiment is completed (see FIG. 8).

[0059] <Blade wiping speed> The following describes the y-direction speed of the blade 61 during blade wiping of the nozzle surface 223. As described above, the blade wiping unit 60 moves at a speed V1 in steps S12, S16, S52, and S54. The blade wiping unit 60 also moves at a speed V2 in steps S13 and S53, and at a speed V3 in steps S20 and S40.

[0060] Speed ​​V1 is set to be slower than speeds V2 and V3. Speeds V2 and V3 are each set to be faster than speed V1, but speeds V2 and V3 may be the same. In this embodiment, speed V1 is 10 mm / sec, speed V2 is 80 mm / sec, and speed V3 is 90 mm / sec. However, the blade wiping speeds are not limited to these values.

[0061] In S12 and S52, the speed at which the blade wiping unit 60 moves from the cleaning start position to within the projection area A is set to a relatively low speed. By setting the speed in this manner, it is possible to reduce the resistance when the blade 61 hits the recording head 22, and it is possible to prevent the blade wiping unit 60 from stopping due to insufficient driving force.

[0062] In S16 and S54, the speed at which the blade wiping unit 60 passes through the blade cleaner 65 is set to a relatively low speed. By setting the speed in this manner, it is possible to reduce the resistance when the blade 61 hits the blade cleaner 65, and it is possible to prevent the blade wiping unit 60 from stopping due to insufficient driving force.

[0063] In S14 and S15, the recording head 22 is moved to the retracted position before the blade wiping unit 60 moves in the -y direction from the projection area A and passes through the nozzle forming surface 223. This makes it possible to prevent the ink adhering to the blade from scattering.

[0064] Before reaching S54, wiping of the nozzle surface 223 and cleaning of the blade 61 have already been performed twice (once in S10 and once in S30). Therefore, the amount of ink adhering to the blade 61 is small, and therefore almost no ink scattering occurs when the blade wiping unit 60 passes over the nozzle surface 223. Therefore, by using the flow as in this embodiment, it is possible to eliminate the waiting time from S53 onwards for stopping the movement of the blade wiping unit 60 or for moving the recording head 22 to the retracted position. As a result, the total blade wiping time can be shortened.

[0065] In S13, S20, S40 and S53, the movement speed of the blade wiping unit 60 is set to a relatively high speed, so that the time spent moving at low speed can be minimized, and the total time for blade wiping can be shortened.

[0066] As described above, in this embodiment, the speed at which the blade wiping portion moves in the -y direction when the blade switches between contact and non-contact with the nozzle forming surface is set lower than the speed at which the blade contacts and wipes the nozzle region of the nozzle forming surface, thereby making it possible to prevent ink from scattering when the blade enters or leaves the print head.

[0067] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment, the blade 61 is cleaned each time the blade wipes the nozzle surface 223. However, if there is only a small amount of ink adhering to the blade 61, it is not necessary to clean the blade 61 each time the blade wipes, and this cleaning can be omitted, and this point is taken into consideration in the present embodiment.

[0068] Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a process according to this embodiment, that is, a process that omits cleaning of blade 61 between blade wipings. Fig. 15 is a detailed flowchart of the third wiping process in S110.

[0069] First, in S110, the control unit 21 executes the third wiping process.

[0070] Here, the third wiping process in S110 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0071] In S110, the processes from S111 to S115 shown in Fig. 15 are executed. The processes from S111 to S115 are the same as the processes from S11 to S15 in the first embodiment. However, in S110, unlike S10 in the first embodiment, cleaning of the blade 61 is not executed (see S16 in Fig. 10).

[0072] In S120, the control unit 21 moves the blade wiping unit 60 in the +y direction from the projection area C to the cleaning start position at a speed V3.

[0073] In S130, the control unit 21 executes the third wiping process in the same manner as in S110.

[0074] In S140, the control unit 21 again moves the blade wiping unit 60 in the +y direction from the projection area C to the cleaning start position at a speed V3.

[0075] In S150, the control unit 21 executes the second wiping process in the same manner as in S50 of the first embodiment.

[0076] As described above, according to this embodiment, the time required to clean the blade 61 can be eliminated, and therefore the total time required for blade wiping can be reduced.

[0077] [Other embodiments] In the above embodiment, the print head is retracted (i.e., moved to the retracted position) by using an elevator mechanism to raise the print head from the maintenance position to the retracted position (i.e., moved in the +z direction). However, the print head retraction method is not limited to this. Any height distance adjustment means capable of increasing or decreasing the height distance between the print head and the maintenance unit may be used. For example, the technology disclosed herein can also be applied to a method in which, instead of raising the print head, the maintenance unit is lowered (i.e., moved in the -z direction) while the z-direction position of the print head remains unchanged.

[0078] In the above embodiment, maintenance is performed by a maintenance unit moving back and forth in the y direction relative to a stationary print head, but this is not a limitation. Any adjustment means capable of adjusting the positional relationship between the print head and the maintenance unit in the y direction may be used. For example, the technology disclosed herein can also be applied to a configuration in which the print head moves back and forth in the y direction relative to a stationary maintenance unit.

[0079] The present disclosure can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0080] [Technical Features of the Present Disclosure] The present disclosure includes the following configurations.

[0081] <Configuration 1> A recording apparatus comprising: a recording head that ejects liquid, the recording head having a nozzle forming surface on which nozzles are formed, the nozzle forming surface having a nozzle region where nozzles are provided and a non-nozzle region where no nozzles are provided; a wiping unit that wipes away the liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface by moving a wiper in a predetermined direction while contacting the nozzle forming surface; and a control means, wherein the control means sets the movement speed of the wiping unit when moving in the predetermined direction, at a time when the nozzle forming surface and the wiper switch between contact and non-contact, to be slower than the speed when the wiper contacts the nozzle region to wipe. <Configuration 2> The recording device described in Configuration 1, characterized in that the control means can switch the movement speed between a first speed and a second speed faster than the first speed, and the control means moves the wiping unit at the first speed while the wiping unit moves from a cleaning start position where it is not in contact with the nozzle forming surface to a first non-nozzle area at one end of the nozzle forming surface, and moves the wiping unit at the second speed while the wiping unit moves from the first non-nozzle area, passing through the nozzle area, to a second non-nozzle area at the other end of the nozzle forming surface. <Configuration 3> The recording apparatus according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the control means moves the wiping unit to the second non-nozzle area and then stops the wiping unit. <Configuration 4> The recording device described in any one of Configurations 1 to 3, wherein the distance between the wiping unit and the recording head is adjustable between a first distance at which the wiper contacts the nozzle forming surface and a second distance at which the wiper does not contact the nozzle forming surface, and the control means changes the distance from the first distance to the second distance when movement of the wiping unit is stopped. <Configuration 5> The recording device described in any one of Configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that the control means moves the wiping portion at the first speed when the wiping portion passes through the nozzle forming surface from the second non-nozzle region. <Configuration 6> The recording device described in any one of Configurations 1 to 5, further comprising a cleaner that removes the liquid adhering to the wiper, wherein the control means moves the wiping unit at the first speed when the wiper passes through the cleaner. <Configuration 7> The recording device described in any one of Configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that the predetermined direction is a depth direction of the recording device, and the cleaning start position, the first non-nozzle area, the nozzle area, the second non-nozzle area, and the cleaner are arranged in this order in a first direction from the back side to the front side in the depth direction. <Configuration 8> The recording device described in any one of Configurations 1 to 7, characterized in that the control means is capable of switching the movement speed among the first speed, the second speed, and a third speed faster than the first speed, and the control means moves the wiping unit at the third speed while the wiping unit moves from the position where it has passed the cleaner in the first direction to the cleaning start position. <Configuration 9> The recording device described in any one of Configurations 1 to 8, characterized in that after wiping the nozzle forming surface with the wiper in a wiping process in which the wiper wipes the nozzle forming surface, cleaning of the wiper with the cleaner is not performed. <Configuration 10> A recording apparatus comprising: a recording head that ejects liquid, the recording head having a nozzle forming surface on which nozzles are formed; a wiping unit that wipes away the liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface by moving a wiper in a predetermined direction while in contact with the nozzle forming surface; and control means, wherein the control means increases the distance between the wiping unit and the recording head before the wiper, which wipes the nozzle forming surface while moving in the predetermined direction, passes through the recording head. <Configuration 11> The recording device according to Configuration 10, wherein the control means is capable of switching the distance between a first distance at which the wiper contacts the nozzle forming surface and a second distance at which the wiper does not contact the nozzle forming surface. <Configuration 12> The recording device according to Configuration 10 or 11, characterized in that the control means stops the movement of the wiping unit before the wiper passes over the recording head, and changes the distance from the first distance to the second distance while the wiping unit is stopped. <Control Method 1> A control method for a recording device having a recording head that ejects liquid, the recording head having a nozzle forming surface where nozzles are formed, the nozzle forming surface having a nozzle region where nozzles are provided and a non-nozzle region where no nozzles are provided, a wiping unit that wipes away the liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface by moving a wiper in a predetermined direction while contacting the nozzle forming surface, and a control means, the control method comprising the step of: making the speed of the wiping unit when moving in the predetermined direction slower when the wiper switches between contact and non-contact with the nozzle forming surface than the speed when the wiper contacts the nozzle region to wipe. <Control Method 2> A control method for a recording device having a recording head that ejects liquid, the recording head having a nozzle forming surface on which nozzles are formed; a wiping unit that wipes away the liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface by moving a wiper in a predetermined direction while in contact with the nozzle forming surface; and a control means, wherein the control method includes a step of increasing a distance between the wiping unit and the recording head before the wiper, which wipes the nozzle forming surface while moving in the predetermined direction, passes through the recording head. <Program 1> A control method for a recording device having a recording head that ejects liquid, the recording head having a nozzle forming surface on which nozzles are formed, the nozzle forming surface having a nozzle region where nozzles are provided and a non-nozzle region where no nozzles are provided, a wiping unit that wipes off the liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface by moving a wiper in a predetermined direction while contacting the nozzle forming surface, and a control means, the control means comprising a step of setting a movement speed of the wiping unit when moving in the predetermined direction at which the wiper switches between contact and non-contact with the nozzle forming surface to be slower than the speed at which the wiper contacts the nozzle region to wipe. <Program 2> A program for causing a computer to execute a control method for a recording device having a recording head that ejects liquid, the recording head having a nozzle forming surface on which nozzles are formed, a wiping unit that wipes off the liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface by moving a wiper in a predetermined direction while in contact with the nozzle forming surface, and control means, the control method comprising the step of increasing a distance between the wiping unit and the recording head before the wiper, which wipes the nozzle forming surface while moving in the predetermined direction, leaves the recording head. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 21 Control Unit 22 Recording head 60 Blade wiping section 61 Blade 223 Nozzle forming surface

Claims

1. a recording head that ejects liquid, the recording head having a nozzle forming surface on which nozzles are formed, the nozzle forming surface having a nozzle region where the nozzles are provided and a non-nozzle region where the nozzles are not provided; a wiping unit that wipes away the liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface by moving a wiper in a predetermined direction while contacting the nozzle forming surface; a control means; and the control means controls the speed of the wiping portion when it moves in the predetermined direction, at which the wiper switches between contact and non-contact with the nozzle forming surface, to be slower than the speed at which the wiper comes into contact with the nozzle area to wipe. A recording device characterized by:

2. the control means is capable of switching the moving speed between a first speed and a second speed that is faster than the first speed, the control means moves the wiping unit at the first speed while the wiping unit moves from a cleaning start position where it is not in contact with the nozzle forming surface to a first non-nozzle region at one end of the nozzle forming surface, and moves the wiping unit at the second speed while the wiping unit moves from the first non-nozzle region, passing through the nozzle region, to a second non-nozzle region at the other end of the nozzle forming surface.

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

3. the control means moves the wiping unit to the second non-nozzle region and then stops the wiping unit.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2.

4. a distance between the wiping unit and the recording head is adjustable between a first distance at which the wiper contacts the nozzle forming surface and a second distance at which the wiper does not contact the nozzle forming surface, the control means changes the distance from the first distance to the second distance while the movement of the wiping unit is stopped.

4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3.

5. the control means moves the wiping portion at the first speed when the wiping portion passes through the nozzle surface from the second non-nozzle region; 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording medium.

6. a cleaner for removing the liquid adhering to the wiper; the control means moves the wiping portion at the first speed when the wiper passes the cleaner; 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5.

7. the predetermined direction is a depth direction of the recording device, the cleaning start position, the first non-nozzle region, the nozzle region, the second non-nozzle region, and the cleaner are arranged in this order in a first direction from the back side to the front side in the depth direction; 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6.

8. the control means is capable of switching the moving speed among the first speed, the second speed, and a third speed that is faster than the first speed, the control means moves the wiping unit at the third speed while the wiping unit moves from the position where it has passed through the cleaner in the first direction to the cleaning start position.

8. The recording apparatus according to claim 7,

9. a wiping process in which the wiper wipes the nozzle surface, after the nozzle surface has been wiped, the cleaning of the wiper by the cleaner is not performed; 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 8.

10. a recording head that ejects liquid, the recording head having a nozzle forming surface on which nozzles are formed; a wiping unit that wipes away the liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface by moving a wiper in a predetermined direction while contacting the nozzle forming surface; a control means; and the control means increases the distance between the wiping unit and the recording head before the wiper, which wipes the nozzle surface while moving in the predetermined direction, passes through the recording head. A recording device characterized by:

11. the control means is capable of switching the distance between a first distance at which the wiper contacts the nozzle surface and a second distance at which the wiper does not contact the nozzle surface.

11. The recording apparatus according to claim 10.

12. the control means stops the movement of the wiping unit before the wiper passes over the recording head, and changes the distance from the first distance to the second distance while the wiping unit is stopped.

12. The recording apparatus according to claim 11.

13. a recording head that ejects liquid, the recording head having a nozzle forming surface on which nozzles are formed, the nozzle forming surface having a nozzle region where the nozzles are provided and a non-nozzle region where the nozzles are not provided; a wiping unit that wipes away the liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface by moving a wiper in a predetermined direction while contacting the nozzle forming surface; a control means; A method for controlling a recording device comprising: the control means includes a step of slowing down the speed at which the wiping unit moves in the predetermined direction, when the wiper switches between contact and non-contact with the nozzle forming surface, compared to the speed at which the wiper comes into contact with the nozzle area to wipe. A control method comprising:

14. a recording head that ejects liquid, the recording head having a nozzle forming surface on which nozzles are formed; a wiping unit that wipes away the liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface by moving a wiper in a predetermined direction while contacting the nozzle forming surface; a control means; A method for controlling a recording device comprising: the control means has a step of increasing a distance between the wiping unit and the recording head before the wiper, which wipes the nozzle forming surface while moving in the predetermined direction, passes through the recording head. A control method comprising:

15. A program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 13 or 14.

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