printer

Abstract

It suppresses nozzle dispensing failures. [Solution] The ink head 30 of the printer 10 moves in a first direction Y. The ink head 30 has a first nozzle row 33A, which is a row of multiple first nozzles 32A arranged in a second direction X, and a second nozzle row 33B, which is a row of multiple second nozzles 32B arranged in a second direction X and located on one side of the first direction Y relative to the first nozzle row 33A. The control device 90 includes a flushing control unit 95 that performs flushing by ejecting ink from the ink head 30 to a receiving member 80. When flushing is started, if the ink head 30 is moving in a forward direction Y1 from one side of the first direction Y to the other, the flushing control unit 95 ejects ink from the second nozzle row 33B to perform flushing, and then ejects ink from the first nozzle row 33A to perform flushing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer.

Background Art

[0002] For example, the inkjet printer disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a discharge head movable in the X-axis direction and a receiving portion that receives ink discharged from the discharge head during flushing. The discharge head has a plurality of nozzle arrays in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in the Y-axis direction. The plurality of nozzle arrays are arranged in the X-axis direction.

[0003] During flushing, the discharge head moves in the X-axis direction with respect to the receiving portion. Then, ink is discharged from the nozzles included in the nozzle array to the receiving portion in the order of the nozzle arrays facing the receiving portion among the plurality of nozzle arrays, thereby performing flushing on the discharge head.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the inkjet printer disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, the nozzle array that is flushed first is taken as the first nozzle array, and the nozzle array that is flushed immediately after the flushing of the first nozzle array is taken as the second nozzle array. When flushing is performed on the first nozzle array, mist may fly. Therefore, flushing may be performed on the second nozzle array while the mist is flying. As a result, the mist adheres to the droplets of the ink discharged from the second nozzle array, causing streaks, and the streaked droplets may adhere near the nozzles. The adhered droplets dry and thicken, which may cause poor discharge of the nozzles.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and its purpose is to provide a printer that can suppress the occurrence of nozzle ejection failure caused by mist during flushing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The printer according to the present invention comprises an ink head for ejecting ink, a moving mechanism for moving the ink head in a first direction, a receiving member for receiving ink ejected from the ink head during flushing, and a control device. The ink head has a first nozzle row, which is a row of multiple first nozzles arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a second nozzle row, which is a row of multiple second nozzles arranged in the second direction and positioned on one side of the first direction relative to the first nozzle row. The control device comprises a moving control unit for moving the ink head in the first direction by the moving mechanism, and a flushing control unit for ejecting ink from the ink head to the receiving member to perform flushing when the ink head is moving in the first direction. When the direction from one side of the first direction to the other is defined as the forward direction, if the ink head is moving in the forward direction when flushing is started, the flushing control unit ejects ink from at least some of the second nozzles in the second nozzle row to perform flushing, and then ejects ink from at least some of the first nozzles in the first nozzle row to perform flushing.

[0008] According to the above printer, when the ink head is moving in the forward direction, the first nozzle row and then the second nozzle row reach the receiving material in that order. At this time, by performing flushing on the second nozzle row, which arrives later, flushing is not performed on the first nozzle row in the space where the mist generated by the flushing of the second nozzle row is dispersed. Therefore, when flushing is performed on the first nozzle row, the mist is less likely to adhere to the ink droplets, and smearing is less likely to occur. Consequently, since smeared droplets are less likely to adhere near the first nozzle, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of ejection failures at the first nozzle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printer that can suppress nozzle ejection failures caused by mist during flushing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic front view showing a printer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the printer in section II-II of Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram of the printer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a schematic bottom view diagram showing the configuration of the carriage's base. [Figure 5] This is a schematic front view of the cap unit. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the order in which ink is ejected from odd-numbered nozzle rows and even-numbered nozzle rows during flushing in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the order in which ink is ejected from the first to eighth nozzle rows during flushing in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] In the second embodiment, this figure, corresponding to Figure 6, schematically shows the order in which ink is ejected from odd-numbered nozzle rows and even-numbered nozzle rows during flushing. [Figure 9] In the second embodiment, this figure, corresponding to Figure 7, schematically shows the order in which ink is ejected from the first to eighth nozzle rows during flushing. [Figure 10] In the third embodiment, this figure, corresponding to Figure 6, schematically shows the order in which ink is ejected from odd-numbered nozzle rows and even-numbered nozzle rows during flushing. [Figure 11A] In the third embodiment, this figure, corresponding to Figure 7, schematically shows the order in which ink is ejected from the first to eighth nozzle rows during flushing. [Figure 11B] In the third embodiment, this figure, corresponding to Figure 7, schematically shows the order in which ink is ejected from the first to eighth nozzle rows during flushing. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Naturally, the embodiment described herein is not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for members and parts that perform the same function, and redundant explanations are omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0012] <First Embodiment> Figure 1 is a schematic front view of the printer 10 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the printer 10 in the II-II section of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a block diagram of the printer 10. In the drawings, the symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D indicate the front, back, left, right, top, and bottom of the printer 10, respectively. The symbol Y indicates the main scanning direction. The symbol X indicates the sub-scanning direction. The symbol Z indicates the height direction. In this embodiment, the main scanning direction Y is the left-right direction. The sub-scanning direction X intersects the main scanning direction Y in a plan view, and more specifically, is perpendicular to the main scanning direction Y. The sub-scanning direction X is, for example, the front-back direction. In this embodiment, the main scanning direction Y is an example of a first direction. The sub-scanning direction X is an example of a second direction that intersects the first direction. In this embodiment, one side of the main scanning direction Y is the right side, and the other side of the main scanning direction Y is the left side. The direction from one side to the other in the main scanning direction Y (here, the direction from the right to the left) is called the forward direction Y1. The direction from the other side to the one side in the main scanning direction Y (here, the direction from the left to the right) is called the return direction. However, one side of the main scanning direction Y may be the left side and the other side may be the right side. In this case, the forward direction Y1 may be the direction from the left to the right, and the return direction Y2 may be the direction from the right to the left. The height direction Z is, for example, the up and down direction. However, these directions are merely defined for the sake of explanation and do not limit the installation configuration of the printer 10 in any way, nor do they limit the present invention in any way.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the printer 10 prints onto the medium 5. The medium 5 is, for example, a roll of recording paper, or so-called roll paper. However, the type of medium 5 is not particularly limited. The medium 5 may be plain paper or inkjet printing paper, or it may be a resin sheet or film made of polyvinyl chloride or polyester, a board material, a fabric such as woven or nonwoven fabric, or any other medium.

[0014] Printer 10 is an inkjet printer, that is, a so-called inkjet printer. Also, printer 10 is a so-called roll-to-roll type printer, configured to move only the medium 5 supported by a support base 20 (see FIG. 2) described later in the sub-scanning direction X and move an ink head 30 (see FIG. 2) described later in the main scanning direction Y. However, printer 10 may be a so-called flatbed type printer, and may be configured such that the medium 5 moves in the sub-scanning direction X together with the support base 20. Also, printer 10 may be a so-called gantry type printer, and may be configured to move the ink head 30 with respect to the support base 20 in the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X.

[0015] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, printer 10 includes a housing 11 and an operation panel 15. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 11 is hollow and has an internal space 12 inside. In FIG. 1, in order to illustrate the internal configuration of printer 10, illustration of a part of the housing 11 (here, the central part of the front of the housing 11) is omitted. Here, legs 13 for supporting the housing 11 are provided on the housing 11. The legs 13 extend downward from the bottom surface of the housing 11. In FIG. 2, illustration of the legs 13 is omitted.

[0016] The operation panel 15 shown in FIG. 1 is for a user to perform operations related to printing. The operation panel 15 is provided, for example, at the right front part of the housing 11. The operation panel 15 has, for example, a display screen 16 on which information related to printing such as resolution and ink density and the status of printer 10 during printing are displayed, and input means 17 for inputting information related to printing. In the present embodiment, the input means 17 is constituted by physically provided buttons, but may be, for example, a touch panel provided on the display screen 16.

[0017] Next, the internal configuration of the printer 10 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 2, the printer 10 is equipped with a support base 20. The support base 20 supports the medium 5. The support base 20 is a so-called platen. Here, the support base 20 has a support surface 21, a first apron 22, and a second apron 23. The support surface 21 constitutes the upper surface of the central part of the support base 20 in the sub-scanning direction X. The support surface 21 is a flat surface that extends in the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X. The support surface 21 supports the medium 5. Printing on the medium 5 is performed on the support surface 21. The first apron 22 is positioned behind the support surface 21. The first apron 22 is formed, for example, in a cross-sectional arc shape and curves downward as it moves further back from the support surface 21. The second apron 23 is positioned in front of the support surface 21. The second apron 23 is formed, for example, in a circular arc shape in cross-section, and curves downward as it moves further forward from the support surface 21.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the printer 10 comprises a guide rail 25, a carriage 28, and an ink head 30 (see Figure 2). As shown in Figure 2, the guide rail 25 is located in the internal space 12 of the housing 11 and is fixed to the housing 11. As shown in Figure 1, the guide rail 25 is located above the support base 20 and extends in the main scanning direction Y. The carriage 28 is slidably engaged with the guide rail 25. The carriage 28 is configured to be movable along the guide rail 25 in the main scanning direction Y.

[0019] The ink head 30 ejects ink. In this case, the ink head 30 ejects ink toward the medium 5 supported on the support base 20 during printing. The ink head 30 is mounted on the carriage 28. The ink head 30 is configured to move along the guide rail 25 in the main scanning direction Y together with the carriage 28. The number of ink heads 30 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, there is one ink head 30, but there may be multiple. If there are multiple ink heads 30, the multiple ink heads 30 are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction Y.

[0020] Figure 4 is a schematic bottom view showing the configuration of the bottom surface of the carriage 28. As shown in Figure 4, the ink head 30 has a nozzle surface 31 and a plurality of nozzles 32. The nozzle surface 31 constitutes the bottom surface of the ink head 30. The nozzles 32 eject ink. The plurality of nozzles 32 are formed on the nozzle surface 31. In this embodiment, the plurality of nozzles 32 are arranged in a line in the sub-scanning direction X. Here, a row of the plurality of nozzles 32 arranged in the sub-scanning direction X is called a nozzle row 33. In this embodiment, the number of nozzle rows 33 for one ink head 30 is eight. However, the number of nozzle rows 33 for one ink head 30 is not particularly limited.

[0021] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the ink head 30 has nozzle rows 33A to 8th nozzle rows 33H. Here, the first nozzle row 33A constitutes the leftmost nozzle row 33 among the multiple nozzle rows 33. The second nozzle row 33B is positioned adjacent to the first nozzle row 33A on one side (in this case, the right side) of the main scanning direction Y. The third nozzle row 33C is positioned adjacent to the second nozzle row 33B on one side of the main scanning direction Y, and the fourth nozzle row 33D is positioned adjacent to the third nozzle row 33C on one side of the main scanning direction Y. Similarly, the fifth nozzle row 33E, sixth nozzle row 33F, seventh nozzle row 33G, and eighth nozzle row 33H are positioned adjacent to the fourth nozzle row 33D, fifth nozzle row 33E, sixth nozzle row 33F, and seventh nozzle row 33G on one side of the main scanning direction Y, respectively. In this embodiment, the nozzle rows are arranged in the order from left to right, from the first nozzle row 33A to the eighth nozzle row 33H.

[0022] In this embodiment, the nozzle 32 of the first nozzle row 33A is also referred to as the first nozzle 32A. The nozzle 32 of the second nozzle row 33B is also referred to as the second nozzle 32B. Furthermore, the nozzle 32 of the third nozzle row 33C is also referred to as the third nozzle 32C, and the nozzle 32 of the fourth nozzle row 33D is also referred to as the fourth nozzle 32D. Similarly, the nozzles 32 of the fifth nozzle row 33E, the sixth nozzle row 33F, the seventh nozzle row 33G, and the eighth nozzle row 33H are also referred to as the fifth nozzle 32E, the sixth nozzle 32F, the seventh nozzle 32G, and the eighth nozzle 32H, respectively.

[0023] In this embodiment, when the multiple nozzle rows 33 are counted from one side to the other (from left to right) in the main scanning direction Y, odd-numbered nozzle rows 33 are also called odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a, and even-numbered nozzle rows 33 are also called even-numbered nozzle rows 35b. Here, odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a include the first nozzle row 33A, the third nozzle row 33C, the fifth nozzle row 33E, and the seventh nozzle row 33G. Even-numbered nozzle rows 35b include the second nozzle row 33B, the fourth nozzle row 33D, the sixth nozzle row 33F, and the eighth nozzle row 33H.

[0024] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, a pair of odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a and even-numbered nozzle rows 35b adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction Y is called a nozzle group 36. The number of nozzle groups 36 is the same as the number of odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a or the number of even-numbered nozzle rows 35b, which in this case is four. A nozzle group 36 has a first nozzle group 36A to a fourth nozzle group 36D. The first nozzle groups 36A to the fourth nozzle group 36D are arranged in this order from left to right in the main scanning direction Y. In this embodiment, the first nozzle group 36A includes the first nozzle row 33A and the second nozzle row 33B. The second nozzle group 36B includes the third nozzle row 33C and the fourth nozzle row 33D. The third nozzle group 36C includes the fifth nozzle row 33E and the sixth nozzle row 33F. The fourth nozzle set 36D includes the seventh nozzle row 33G and the eighth nozzle row 33H. In this embodiment, the odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a and even-numbered nozzle rows 35b included in one nozzle set 36 constitute a single chip and are controlled on a chip-by-chip basis.

[0025] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the distance in the main scanning direction Y between odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a and even-numbered nozzle rows 35b in each nozzle set 36 is the same. That is, the distance L11 in the main scanning direction Y between the first nozzle row 33A and the second nozzle row 33B, the distance L12 in the main scanning direction Y between the third nozzle row 33C and the fourth nozzle row 33D, the distance L13 in the main scanning direction Y between the fifth nozzle row 33E and the sixth nozzle row 33F, and the distance L14 in the main scanning direction Y between the seventh nozzle row 33G and the eighth nozzle row 33H are the same. In the following description, the distance in the main scanning direction Y between two nozzle rows 33 adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction Y refers to the distance in the main scanning direction Y at the centers of two nozzles 32 adjacent to each other in the main scanning direction Y.

[0026] In this embodiment, the distance in the main scanning direction Y between two adjacent nozzle sets 36 is the same. Here, the distance in the main scanning direction Y between two adjacent nozzle sets 36 is the distance in the main scanning direction Y between the even-numbered nozzle row 35b of the left nozzle set 36 and the odd-numbered nozzle row 35a of the right nozzle set 36. For example, the distance in the main scanning direction Y between the first nozzle set 36A and the second nozzle set 36B is the distance L21 in the main scanning direction Y between the second nozzle row 33B and the third nozzle row 33C. In this embodiment, the distance in the main scanning direction Y between two adjacent nozzle sets 36 in the main scanning direction Y is the same. That is, the distance L21 between the second nozzle row 33B and the third nozzle row 33C, the distance L22 between the fourth nozzle row 33D and the fifth nozzle row 33E, and the distance L23 between the sixth nozzle row 33F and the seventh nozzle row 33G are the same.

[0027] In this embodiment, the distance in the main scanning direction Y between two adjacent nozzle sets 36 in the main scanning direction Y is longer than the distance in the main scanning direction Y between an odd-numbered nozzle row 35a and an even-numbered nozzle row 35b in each nozzle set 36. In other words, the distances L21, L22, and L23 between two adjacent nozzle sets 36 are longer than the distances L11, L12, L13, and L14 in each nozzle set 36. For example, the distance L21 between the second nozzle row 33B and the third nozzle row 33C is longer than the distance L11 between the first nozzle row 33A and the second nozzle row 33B, and longer than the distance L12 between the third nozzle row 33C and the fourth nozzle row 33D. For example, the distances L11, L12, L13, and L14 are three times or more, preferably five times or more, and particularly preferably seven times or more, than the distances L21, L22, and L23. For example, distances L11, L12, L13, and L14 are each 1018 μm, and distances L21, L22, and L23 are each 7100 μm.

[0028] In this embodiment, inks of different colors are ejected from multiple nozzle rows 33. However, the inks ejected from some of the nozzle rows 33 may be of the same color. In the following description, "ejecting ink from a nozzle row 33" means "ejecting ink from multiple nozzles 32 that the nozzle row 33 has." Here, the ink ejected from the nozzle row 33 is, for example, one color of ink from among process color inks and spot color inks. Here, process color inks include, for example, cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink. Spot color inks are inks of colors other than process color inks. Spot color inks include, for example, white ink, clear ink, gloss ink, primer ink, fluorescent ink, metallic ink, orange ink, red ink, violet ink, blue ink, and green ink. Here, one color of ink is ejected from one nozzle row 33. There are no limitations on the ink material, and various materials that have been conventionally used as ink materials for inkjet printers and the like can be used. The above ink may be, for example, a solvent-based pigment ink or a water-based pigment ink. Alternatively, the above ink may be a water-based dye ink or a UV-curing ink that hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light.

[0029] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the printer 10 includes a moving mechanism 50 and a transport mechanism 60. The moving mechanism 50 is a mechanism that moves the ink head 30 in the main scanning direction Y relative to the medium 5 supported on the support base 20. The configuration of the moving mechanism 50 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the moving mechanism 50 includes, for example, left and right pulleys 51a and 51b, a belt 52, and a scan motor 53. The left pulley 51a is provided around the left end of the guide rail 25. The right pulley 51b is provided around the right end of the guide rail 25. The belt 52 is, for example, an endless belt and is wrapped around the left and right pulleys 51a and 51b. A carriage 28 is attached and fixed to the belt 52. The scan motor 53 is connected to, for example, the right pulley 51b. Here, the right pulley 51b rotates when the scan motor 53 is driven. As the right pulley 51b rotates, the belt 52 travels between the left and right pulleys 51a and 51b. As a result, the carriage 28 and ink head 30 reciprocate along the guide rail 25 in the forward direction Y1 and the return direction Y2 of the main scanning direction Y.

[0030] The transport mechanism 60 is a mechanism that transports the medium 5 supported on the support base 20 in the sub-scanning direction X relative to the ink head 30. The configuration of the transport mechanism 60 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the transport mechanism 60 includes a grid roller 61 provided on the support base 20 so as to be partially exposed, a pinch roller 62 that presses down on the medium 5 above the grid roller 61, and a feed motor 63 connected to the grid roller 61. Here, with the medium 5 sandwiched between the grid roller 61 and the pinch roller 62, the feed motor 63 is driven, causing the grid roller 61 to rotate. As the grid roller 61 rotates, the medium 5 supported on the support base 20 is transported in the sub-scanning direction X.

[0031] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the printer 10 includes a cap unit 70 and a flushing stage 80. The cap unit 70 is used for cleaning the ink head 30, etc. The cap unit 70 is positioned so as not to overlap with the support base 20 in the main scanning direction Y. Here, the cap unit 70 is positioned below the right end of the guide rail 25. Also, the cap unit 70 is positioned on one side (here, the right side) of the main scanning direction Y relative to the support base 20. However, the cap unit 70 may also be positioned on the other side (here, the left side) of the main scanning direction Y relative to the support base 20. In this embodiment, the cap unit 70 is positioned at the so-called home position HP. Here, the home position HP is the position where the carriage 28 and ink head 30 are waiting during print standby, and here it is set around the right end of the guide rail 25.

[0032] The configuration of the cap unit 70 is not particularly limited. Figure 5 is a schematic front view of the cap unit 70. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the cap unit 70 includes a cap 71, a capping mechanism 72, and a suction pump 73. The cap 71 covers a plurality of nozzles 32 (here, the first nozzle 32A to the eighth nozzle 32H) of the ink head 30 (see Figure 4). In this embodiment, there is one cap 71, and one cap 71 covers the first nozzle row 33A to the eighth nozzle row 33H of the ink head 30 together. However, the number of caps 71 is not particularly limited and may be multiple. For example, a cap 71 may be provided for each nozzle row 33. Multiple caps 71 may be provided to cover each nozzle row 33. Also, a cap 71 may be provided for each nozzle set 36 (i.e., a pair of adjacent odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a and even-numbered nozzle rows 35b). Multiple caps 71 may be provided for each nozzle assembly 36 so as to cover two nozzle rows 33 that make up the nozzle assembly 36. The caps 71 are attached to the ink head 30. For example, the caps 71 are attached to the ink head 30 when it is in the home position HP when it is waiting to print. In this embodiment, the caps 71 are attached to the ink head 30 (e.g., the nozzle surface 31) so as to cover a plurality of nozzles 32 formed on the nozzle surface 31 of the ink head 30. The caps 71 are box-shaped with an open top. An absorbent member 75 is provided inside the caps 71. The absorbent member 75 is a member that receives ink when ink is ejected from the ink head 30 toward the caps 71. The ink received by the absorbent member 75 is absorbed by the absorbent member 75. The absorbent member 75 is made of, for example, a sponge.

[0033] The capping mechanism 72 is a mechanism that brings the cap 71 into contact with and away from the ink head 30. Here, the capping mechanism 72 raises and lowers the cap 71. For example, when the cap 71 is positioned below the ink head 30, as shown by the arrow in Figure 5, the cap 71 rises, attaching the cap 71 to the ink head 30. When the cap 71 is lowered while the ink head 30 is attached to the cap 71, the cap 71 separates from the ink head 30. The capping mechanism 72 includes, for example, a support member 76 that supports the cap 71 and a lifting motor 77 connected to the support member 76. Here, when the lifting motor 77 is driven, the cap 71 rises and falls together with the support member 76.

[0034] The suction pump 73 shown in Figure 5 is used to draw ink from inside the cap 71 and from the ink head 30 attached to the cap 71. The suction pump 73 is connected to the cap 71. In this embodiment, a tube 78 is connected to the cap 71. The suction pump 73 is located in the middle of the tube 78. Here, one end of the tube 78 is connected to the cap 71, and the other end of the tube 78 is connected to, for example, a waste liquid tank (not shown). For example, when the suction pump 73 is driven with the cap 71 attached to the ink head 30, ink is drawn out from the nozzle 32 shown in Figure 4. The ink drawn into the suction pump 73 is discharged from inside the cap 71 through the tube 78 to the waste liquid tank.

[0035] The flushing stage 80 shown in Figure 1 is a component that receives ink ejected from the ink head 30 when flushing is performed on the ink head 30. In this embodiment, the flushing stage 80 is an example of a receiving component. Here, flushing is performed, for example, between printing (for example, every time the ink head 30 makes one return trip in the main scanning direction Y). By performing flushing, ink can be ejected stably from the nozzle 32. The flushing stage 80 is positioned so as not to overlap with the support base 20 in the main scanning direction Y. The flushing stage 80 is positioned on one side (here, the right side) of the main scanning direction Y relative to the support base 20. However, the flushing stage 80 may also be positioned on the other side (here, the left side) of the main scanning direction Y relative to the support base 20. Here, the flushing stage 80 is positioned on the same side as the cap unit 70 relative to the support base 20. For example, when the ink head 30 moves along the guide rail 25 in the main scanning direction Y, it is configured to pass directly over the flushing stage 80. The flushing stage 80 is positioned parallel to the cap unit 70 in the main scanning direction Y. The flushing stage 80 is positioned closer to the support base 20 than the cap unit 70 (for example, the cap 71).

[0036] The configuration of the flushing stage 80 is not particularly limited. For example, the flushing stage 80, although not shown in the illustration, includes a flushing container and a flushing absorbent. The flushing container is a box-shaped object that opens upwards. The flushing absorbent is a component that receives the ink discharged from the ink head 30 during flushing. The flushing absorbent is placed inside the flushing container. In this embodiment, a tube is connected to the flushing container. One end of the tube is connected to the flushing container. The other end of the tube is connected to a waste liquid tank. Ink discharged to the flushing stage 80 that leaks from the flushing absorbent is discharged to the waste liquid tank through the tube. The waste liquid tank connected to the flushing stage 80 and the waste liquid tank connected to the tube 78 of the cap unit 70 described above may be the same or different. The flushing stage 80 does not have to be connected to a waste liquid tank. The flushing stage 80 may also be the flushing absorbent itself. The flushing absorbent does not necessarily have to be placed inside the flushing container; for example, it may be placed on a mounting member such as sheet metal. In this case, the flushing absorbent may be attached to the mounting member.

[0037] As shown in Figure 1, the printer 10 is equipped with a control device 90. The control device 90 is a device that controls printing to the medium 5. The control device 90 is also a device that controls flushing. The configuration of the control device 90 is not particularly limited. The control device 90 can be implemented by, for example, a microcomputer. The hardware configuration of the microcomputer is not particularly limited. The control device 90 includes, for example, an interface, a CPU, and a storage device (e.g., ROM, RAM). The control device 90 is located inside the enclosure 11. However, the control device 90 does not have to be located inside the enclosure 11. For example, the control device 90 may be implemented by a computer located outside the enclosure 11. In this case, the control device 90 may be connected to a circuit board (not shown) located inside the enclosure 11 via wired or wireless connection so as to be able to communicate.

[0038] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the control device 90 is communicatively connected to the operation panel 15 (specifically the display screen 16 and input means 17), the ink head 30, the moving mechanism 50 (specifically the scan motor 53), the transport mechanism 60 (specifically the feed motor 63), and the cap unit 70 (specifically the lifting motor 77 and suction pump 73 of the capping mechanism 72). The control device 90 is configured or programmed to control the operation panel 15, the ink head 30, the moving mechanism 50, the transport mechanism 60, and the cap unit 70.

[0039] Incidentally, during printing, flushing is performed on the ink head 30 at predetermined intervals (for example, every time the ink head 30 makes one round trip in the main scanning direction Y). Conventionally, flushing was performed on multiple nozzle rows 33 in the order in which each nozzle row 33 reached the flushing stage 80. In an ink head 30 configured as shown in Figure 4, for example, when flushing is performed while the ink head 30 is moving in the return direction Y2 of the main scanning direction Y, flushing is performed in the order from the rightmost 8th nozzle row 33H to the 1st nozzle row 33A. On the other hand, for example, when flushing is performed while the ink head 30 is moving in the forward direction Y1, flushing is performed in the order from the leftmost 1st nozzle row 33A to the 8th nozzle row 33H.

[0040] For example, when flushing is performed on nozzle row 33, mist may be generated when ink is ejected from nozzle row 33. As described above, when flushing is performed in the order in which nozzle row 33 reaches the flushing stage 80, ink is ejected from nozzle row 33 toward the flushing stage 80 in the space where mist is present. For example, when the ink head 30 is moving in the forward direction Y1, when ink is ejected from the first nozzle row 33A, mist remains in the space where the mist was generated, and flushing is performed when ink is ejected from the second nozzle row 33B. In this way, when flushing is performed in a space where mist is present, the mist adheres to the ink droplets, causing them to become distorted, and these distorted droplets may adhere to the vicinity of the nozzle 32 (for example, the nozzle surface 31). In particular, when the distance between nozzle row 33 is short, such as between the first nozzle row 33A and the second nozzle row 33B, distorted droplets were more likely to adhere to the vicinity of the nozzle 32. The adhering droplets could dry and thicken, potentially causing dispensing problems with the nozzle 32. Therefore, in this embodiment, the order of the nozzle row 33 that performs flushing is changed to suppress the occurrence of dispensing problems with the nozzle 32.

[0041] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the control device 90 includes a movement control unit 93 and a flashing control unit 95. The movement control unit 93 and the flashing control unit 95 may be implemented by software or by hardware. Furthermore, the movement control unit 93 and the flashing control unit 95 may be implemented by one or more processors or by circuits.

[0042] The movement control unit 93 moves the ink head 30 in the main scanning direction Y using the movement mechanism 50. Here, the movement control unit 93 drives the scan motor 53 (see Figure 1) of the movement mechanism 50 during printing. As a result, the ink head 30 moves back and forth in the forward direction Y1 and the return direction Y2 of the main scanning direction Y together with the carriage 28.

[0043] The flushing control unit 95 controls the timing of ink ejection from the nozzle row 33 in order to perform flushing on the ink head 30. Here, the flushing control unit 95 performs flushing by sequentially ejecting ink from each nozzle row 33 of the ink head 30 shown in Figure 4 to the flushing stage 80 (see Figure 1). The flushing control unit 95 performs flushing when the ink head 30 passes over the flushing stage 80 while the ink head 30 is moving in the main scanning direction Y by the movement control unit 93.

[0044] In this embodiment, the flushing control unit 95 ejects ink from each nozzle row 33 and performs flushing on each nozzle row 33. Here, flushing on a nozzle row 33 includes ejecting ink from at least some of the multiple nozzles 32 included in the nozzle row 33. When performing flushing on a nozzle row 33, ink may be ejected from all of the multiple nozzles 32 included in the nozzle row 33 toward the flushing stage 80, or ink may be ejected from some of the multiple nozzles 32 toward the flushing stage 80. The nozzles 32 that can be some of the nozzles 32 from which ink is ejected during flushing are not particularly limited. For example, among the multiple nozzles 32 arranged in the sub-scanning direction X of the nozzle row 33, ink may be ejected from nozzles 32 located at intervals of n (n is 1 or more) in the sub-scanning direction X to perform flushing on the nozzle row 33.

[0045] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the order in which ink is ejected from odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a and even-numbered nozzle rows 35b during flushing in the first embodiment. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the order in which ink is ejected from the first nozzle row 33A to the eighth nozzle row 33H during flushing in the first embodiment. In Figures 6 and 7, vertical arrows indicate the timing of ink ejection during flushing. In Figure 7, the vertical axis represents the time axis. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the flushing control unit 95 performs flushing when the ink head 30 moves in the forward direction Y1 and passes from right to left on the flushing stage 80. Here, when the ink head 30 moves back and forth in the main scanning direction Y, for example, starting from the home position HP (see Figure 1), the ink head 30 moves in the forward direction Y1. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the flushing stage 80 is located to the right of the support base 16 and to the left of the home position HP. Therefore, as the ink head 30 moves in the forward direction Y1, it moves from right to left on the flashing stage 80 while accelerating. When the ink head 30 reaches the left end of the guide rail 25, the direction of movement of the ink head 30 switches to the return direction Y2, and the ink head 30 moves in the return direction Y2. At this time, the ink head 30 moves from left to right on the flashing stage 80 while decelerating. Therefore, in this embodiment, the flashing control unit 95 performs flashing on each nozzle row 33 when the ink head 30 moves in the forward direction Y1 and passes over the flashing stage 80 while accelerating.

[0046] However, the flushing stage 80 may be positioned to the left of the support base 16. In this case, when the ink head 30 moves in the forward direction Y1, after passing the support base 16, it will move from right to left on the flushing stage 80 while decelerating. Therefore, when the flushing stage 80 is positioned to the left of the support base 16, the flushing control unit 95 performs flushing on each nozzle row 33 as the ink head 30 moves in the forward direction Y1 and passes over the flushing stage 80 while decelerating. Thus, the acceleration and deceleration of the ink head 30 during flushing is determined by the position of the flushing stage 80 relative to the support base 16. For this reason, the correspondence between the direction of movement of the ink head 30 during flushing and the acceleration and deceleration of the ink head 30 is not particularly limited.

[0047] During flushing, the flushing control unit 95 performs flushing on the multiple nozzle sets 36 in the order that the nozzle sets 36 reach the flushing stage 80. Here, when the ink head 30 is moving in the forward direction Y1, the first nozzle set 36A, the second nozzle set 36B, the third nozzle set 36C, and the fourth nozzle set 36D reach the flushing stage 80 in that order. Therefore, as shown in Figure 7, the flushing control unit 95 performs flushing on the first nozzle set 36A, the second nozzle set 36B, the third nozzle set 36C, and the fourth nozzle set 36D in that order. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, among the two nozzle rows 33 included in each nozzle set 36, flushing is performed starting with the nozzle row 33 that reaches the flushing stage 80 later. When the ink head 30 is moving in the forward direction Y1, in each nozzle set 36, the odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a reach the flushing stage 80 first, and the even-numbered nozzle rows 35b reach the flushing stage 80 later than the odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the ink head 30 is moving in the forward direction Y1, the flushing control unit 95 first ejects ink from the even-numbered nozzle rows 35b toward the flushing stage 80 in each nozzle set 36, as shown by arrow A11 in Figure 6, to perform flushing. After that, the flushing control unit 95 ejects ink from the odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a toward the flushing stage 80, as shown by arrow A12, to perform flushing.

[0048] Based on the above, in this embodiment, when the ink head 30 is moving in the forward direction Y1 as shown by arrows A21 to A28 in Figure 7, the flushing control unit 95 ejects ink in the order of the second nozzle row 33B, the first nozzle row 33A, the fourth nozzle row 33D, the third nozzle row 33C, the sixth nozzle row 33F, the fifth nozzle row 33E, the eighth nozzle row 33H, and the seventh nozzle row 33G, and performs flushing for each nozzle row 33.

[0049] As described above, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the printer 10 includes an ink head 30 (see Figure 4) that ejects ink, a moving mechanism 50 that moves the ink head 30 in the main scanning direction Y, a flushing stage 80, and a control device 90. As shown in Figure 6, the flushing stage 80 is an example of a receiving member, and is a member that receives the ink ejected from the ink head 30 during flushing. As shown in Figure 4, the ink head 30 has a first nozzle row 33A, which is a row of multiple first nozzles 32A arranged in the sub-scanning direction X, and a second nozzle row 33B, which is a row of multiple second nozzles 32B arranged in the sub-scanning direction X, and is located on one side (here, the right side) of the main scanning direction Y relative to the first nozzle row 33A. As shown in Figure 3, the control device 90 includes a moving control unit 93 and a flushing control unit 95. The moving control unit 93 moves the ink head 30 in the main scanning direction Y by the moving mechanism 50. The flushing control unit 95 performs flushing by ejecting ink from the ink head 30 to the flushing stage 80 when the ink head 30 is moving in the main scanning direction Y. Here, the direction from one side of the main scanning direction Y to the other (more specifically, from the right to the left) is defined as the forward direction Y1. As shown in Figure 7, when the ink head 30 is moving in the forward direction Y1 when flushing is started, the flushing control unit 95 first performs flushing by ejecting ink from at least some of the second nozzles 32B of the second nozzle row 33B, as indicated by arrow A21, and then performs flushing by ejecting ink from at least some of the first nozzles 32A of the first nozzle row 33A, as indicated by arrow A22.

[0050] In this embodiment, when the ink head 30 is moving in the forward direction Y1, the first nozzle row 33A and the second nozzle row 33B reach the flushing stage 80 in that order. At this time, by performing flushing on the second nozzle row 33B, which arrives later, the first nozzle row 33A moves away from the space where the mist generated by the flushing of the second nozzle row 33B is dispersed. As a result, flushing is not performed on the first nozzle row 33A in the space where the mist is dispersed. Therefore, when flushing is performed on the first nozzle row 33A, mist is less likely to adhere to the ink droplets, and smearing is less likely to occur. Consequently, smeared droplets are less likely to adhere near the first nozzle 32A, thus suppressing the occurrence of ejection failures of the nozzle 32 (especially the first nozzle 32A).

[0051] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the ink head 30 further includes a third nozzle row 33C, which is a row of multiple third nozzles 32C arranged in the sub-scanning direction X, and a fourth nozzle row 33D, which is a row of multiple fourth nozzles 32D arranged in the sub-scanning direction X, and is located on one side (here, the right side) of the main scanning direction Y relative to the third nozzle row 33C. The third nozzle row 33C is located on one side of the main scanning direction Y relative to the second nozzle row 33B. As shown in Figure 7, when the ink head 30 is moving in the forward direction Y1 when flushing is started, the flushing control unit 95 first ejects ink from at least some of the first nozzles 32A of the first nozzle row 33A as shown by arrow A22 to perform flushing, and then ejects ink from at least some of the fourth nozzles 32D of the fourth nozzle row 33D as shown by arrow A23 to perform flushing. Subsequently, the flushing control unit 95 performs flushing by ejecting ink from at least some of the fourth nozzles 32D of the fourth nozzle row 33D, as indicated by arrow A23, and then performs flushing by ejecting ink from at least some of the third nozzles 32C of the third nozzle row 33C, as indicated by arrow A24. In this embodiment, when the ink head 30 is moving in the forward direction Y1 when flushing is started, the flushing control unit 95 performs flushing in the order of the second nozzle row 33B, the first nozzle row 33A, the fourth nozzle row 33D, and the third nozzle row 33C. Here, as shown in Figure 4, the distance L21 in the main scanning direction Y between the second nozzle row 33B and the third nozzle row 33C is longer than the distance L11 in the main scanning direction Y between the first nozzle row 33A and the second nozzle row 33B, and longer than the distance L12 in the main scanning direction Y between the third nozzle row 33C and the fourth nozzle row 33D. As a result, when the ink head 30 is moving in the direction Y1, the first nozzle row 33A, the second nozzle row 33B, the third nozzle row 33C, and the fourth nozzle row 33D will reach the flushing stage 80 in that order. In this case, even if flushing is performed starting with the second nozzle row 33B and the first nozzle row 33A, which were reached first, the distance L21 between the second nozzle row 33B and the third nozzle row 33C is long, so when flushing is performed on the third nozzle row 33C, it is easier for flushing to be performed in a space where there is no mist.Therefore, when flushing is performed on the third nozzle row 33C, mist is less likely to adhere to the ink droplets, and smearing is less likely to occur. Consequently, smeared droplets are less likely to adhere near the third nozzle 32C, thus suppressing the occurrence of ejection failures at the third nozzle 32C.

[0052] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the flushing control unit 95 performs flushing on the first nozzle row 33A and the second nozzle row 33B (here, flushing on the first nozzle row 33A to the eighth nozzle row 33H) while the ink head 30 is moving in the forward direction Y1. This allows flushing to be performed on all nozzle rows 33 while the ink head 30 is moving only in the forward direction Y1 of the main scanning direction Y. Therefore, the time required to perform flushing can be shortened.

[0053] In this embodiment, the printer 10 includes a support base 20 (see Figure 1) that supports the media 5, and a cap 71 (see Figure 5) that covers at least the first nozzle 32A and the second nozzle 32B of the ink head 30 (here, covers all of the multiple nozzles 32 of the ink head 30) at least when the printer is waiting to print. The flushing stage 80 is located on the support base 20 side of the cap 71. For example, printing is performed on the media 5 supported on the support base 20 by ejecting ink from the ink head 30 toward the media 5 while the ink head 30 is moving back and forth in the main scanning direction Y. Flushing is performed, for example, at predetermined intervals during printing on the media 5 (for example, every time the ink head 30 makes one back and forth movement in the main scanning direction Y). Here, because the flushing stage 80 is located on the support base 20 side of the cap 71, the distance the ink head 30 travels from the support base 20 toward the flushing stage 80 can be shortened when flushing is performed during printing.

[0054] In this embodiment, the flushing control unit 95 performed flushing on multiple nozzle sets 36 sequentially. However, the flushing control unit 95 may perform flushing on multiple nozzle sets 36 simultaneously. In this case, for example, the flushing timing for odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a and the flushing timing for even-numbered nozzle rows 35b will be the same for each nozzle set 36. In this case, the length of the flushing stage 80 in the main scanning direction Y is preferably long enough so that all nozzle rows 33 can overlap with the flushing stage 80 in a plan view, and is preferably long enough to be long enough, for example, long enough to be for the ink head 30.

[0055] In this case, when the ink head 30 is moving in the forward direction Y1, and the even-numbered nozzle rows 35b (here, the second nozzle row 33B, the fourth nozzle row 33D, the sixth nozzle row 33F, and the eighth nozzle row 33H) of each nozzle set 36 pass over the flushing stage 80, the flushing control unit 95 ejects ink from the even-numbered nozzle rows 35b and simultaneously performs flushing on the even-numbered nozzle rows 35b. At this time, the second nozzle row 33B, the fourth nozzle row 33D, the sixth nozzle row 33F, and the eighth nozzle row 33H eject ink at the same time. Here, after flushing is performed on the even-numbered nozzle rows 35b, while the odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a in each nozzle set 36 (in this case, the first nozzle row 33A, the third nozzle row 33C, the fifth nozzle row 33E, and the seventh nozzle row 33G) remain on the flushing stage 80, the flushing control unit 95 ejects ink from the odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a and simultaneously performs flushing on the odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a. At this time, the first nozzle row 33A, the third nozzle row 33C, the fifth nozzle row 33E, and the seventh nozzle row 33G eject ink at the same time.

[0056] Even in such cases, for example, by performing flushing first on the second nozzle row 33B, which reaches the flushing stage 80 later, flushing is not performed on the first nozzle row 33A in the space where the mist generated by flushing the second nozzle row 33B is dispersed. Therefore, since the mist is less likely to adhere to the ink droplets when flushing is performed on the first nozzle row 33A, the occurrence of nozzle 32 ejection failure can be suppressed.

[0057] <Second Embodiment> In the first embodiment, flushing was performed on the ink head 30 when it was moving in the forward direction Y1. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, flushing was performed on the ink head 30 when it was moving in the return direction Y2.

[0058] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram corresponding to Figure 6, showing the order in which ink is ejected from odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a and even-numbered nozzle rows 35b during flushing in the second embodiment. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram corresponding to Figure 7, showing the order in which ink is ejected from the first nozzle row 33A to the eighth nozzle row 33H during flushing in the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the flushing control unit 95 in Figure 3 performs flushing when the ink head 30 moves in the return direction Y2 by the movement control unit 93 in Figure 3 and passes over the flushing stage 80 from left to right. Here, as described above, when the ink head 30 moves in the return direction Y2, it moves while decelerating over the flushing stage 80. Therefore, in this embodiment, the flushing control unit 95 performs flushing for each nozzle row 33 when the ink head 30 passes over the flushing stage 80 while decelerating. However, if the flushing stage 80 is located on the left side of the support base 16, the ink head 30 moves in the return direction Y2 and passes over the flushing stage 80 from left to right, accelerating as it moves over the flushing stage 80. In this case, the flushing control unit 95 performs flushing on each nozzle row 33 as the ink head 30 moves in the return direction Y2 and passes over the flushing stage 80 while accelerating.

[0059] Even in this embodiment, during flushing, the flushing control unit 95 performs flushing in the nozzle sets 36 in the order that reach the flushing stage 80. Here, when the ink head 30 is moving in the return direction Y2, the fourth nozzle set 36D, the third nozzle set 36C, the second nozzle set 36B, and the first nozzle set 36A reach the flushing stage 80 in that order. Therefore, here, as shown in Figure 9, the flushing control unit 95 performs flushing in the order of the fourth nozzle set 36D, the third nozzle set 36C, the second nozzle set 36B, and the first nozzle set 36A.

[0060] In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, in each nozzle set 36, flushing is performed starting with the nozzle row 33 that reaches the flushing stage 80 later. When the ink head 30 is moving in the return direction Y2, in each nozzle set 36, the even-numbered nozzle row 35b reaches the flushing stage 80 first, and the odd-numbered nozzle row 35a reaches the flushing stage 80 later than the even-numbered nozzle row 35b. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the ink head 30 is moving in the return direction Y2, the flushing control unit 95, as shown in Figure 8, first ejects ink from the odd-numbered nozzle row 35a toward the flushing stage 80 in each nozzle set 36, as indicated by arrow A31, to perform flushing. After flushing is performed on the odd-numbered nozzle row 35a in the same nozzle set 36, the flushing control unit 95 ejects ink from the even-numbered nozzle row 35b toward the flushing stage 80, as indicated by arrow A32, to perform flushing.

[0061] Based on the above, in this embodiment, when the ink head 30 is moving in the return direction Y2, the flushing control unit 95 ejects ink in the order of arrows A41 to A48 in Figure 9, specifically the 7th nozzle row 33G, the 8th nozzle row 33H, the 5th nozzle row 33E, the 6th nozzle row 33F, the 3rd nozzle row 33C, the 4th nozzle row 33D, the 1st nozzle row 33A, and the 2nd nozzle row 33B, and performs flushing for each nozzle row 33.

[0062] Even in this embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. That is, in this embodiment, when the ink head 30 is moving in the return direction Y2, for example, the second nozzle row 33B and the first nozzle row 33A will reach the flushing stage 80 in that order. Here, as shown by arrow A47 in Figure 9, by performing flushing on the first nozzle row 33A, which arrives later, the second nozzle row 33B moves away from the space where the mist generated by the flushing of the first nozzle row 33A has been dispersed. As a result, flushing is not performed on the second nozzle row 33B in the space where the mist has been dispersed. Therefore, when flushing is performed on the second nozzle row 33B, mist is less likely to adhere to the ink droplets, and smearing is less likely to occur. Consequently, since smeared droplets are less likely to adhere near the second nozzle 32B, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of nozzle 32 ejection failure.

[0063] In this embodiment as well, the flushing control unit 95 may perform flushing on multiple nozzle sets 36 simultaneously, similar to the first embodiment. In this case, when the ink head 30 is moving in the return direction Y2, and the odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a (here, the first nozzle row 33A, the third nozzle row 33C, the fifth nozzle row 33E, and the seventh nozzle row 33G) of each nozzle set 36 pass over the flushing stage 80, the flushing control unit 95 ejects ink from the odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a and performs flushing on the odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a simultaneously. At this time, the first nozzle row 33A, the third nozzle row 33C, the fifth nozzle row 33E, and the seventh nozzle row 33G eject ink at the same timing. Here, after flushing is performed on the odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a, while the even-numbered nozzle rows 35b in each nozzle group 36 (in this case, the second nozzle row 33B, the fourth nozzle row 33D, the sixth nozzle row 33F, and the eighth nozzle row 33H) remain on the flushing stage 80, the flushing control unit 95 ejects ink from the even-numbered nozzle rows 35b and simultaneously performs flushing on the even-numbered nozzle rows 35b. At this time, the second nozzle row 33B, the fourth nozzle row 33D, the sixth nozzle row 33F, and the eighth nozzle row 33H eject ink at the same time.

[0064] <Third Embodiment> In the first and second embodiments, flushing was performed on each nozzle row 33 when the ink head 30 was moving in either the forward direction Y1 or the return direction Y2. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, flushing is performed on the ink head 30 when it is moving in the forward direction Y1 and when it is moving in the return direction Y2. However, the nozzle row 33 that is flushed when the ink head 30 is moving in the forward direction Y1 is different from the nozzle row 33 that is flushed when the ink head 30 is moving in the return direction Y2. In the following description, we will explain the case in which flushing is performed when the ink head 30 is moving in the return direction Y2, followed by flushing when it is moving in the forward direction Y1. However, flushing may be performed when the ink head 30 is moving in the forward direction Y1, followed by flushing when it is moving in the return direction Y2.

[0065] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram corresponding to Figure 6, showing the order in which ink is ejected from odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a and even-numbered nozzle rows 35b during flushing in the third embodiment. Figures 11A and 11B are schematic diagrams corresponding to Figure 7, showing the order in which ink is ejected from the first nozzle row 33A to the eighth nozzle row 33H during flushing in the third embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 10, the flushing control unit 95 in Figure 3 performs flushing on the nozzle row 33 that reaches the flushing stage 80 later, out of the two nozzle rows 33 in each nozzle set 36, when the ink head 30 moves in the return direction Y2 and passes over the flushing stage 80 from left to right. Here, as the ink head 30 moves in the return direction Y2, the flushing control unit 95 ejects ink from the odd-numbered nozzle row 35a in each nozzle set 36, as shown by arrow A51 in Figure 10, and performs flushing on the odd-numbered nozzle row 35a. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 11A, when the ink head 30 moves in the return direction Y2, the flushing control unit 95 performs flushing in the order of the nozzle sets 36 arriving at the flushing stage 80, namely the fourth nozzle set 36D, the third nozzle set 36C, the second nozzle set 36B, and the first nozzle set 36A. Therefore, when the ink head 30 moves in the return direction Y2, the flushing control unit 95 ejects ink toward the flushing stage 80 in the order of the seventh nozzle row 33G, the fifth nozzle row 33E, the third nozzle row 33C, and the first nozzle row 33A, as shown by arrows A61 to A64 in Figure 11A, and performs flushing on the odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a.

[0066] In this embodiment, when the ink head 30 moves in the forward direction Y1 and passes over the flushing stage 80 from right to left, the flushing control unit 95 performs flushing on the even-numbered nozzle row 35b of the two nozzle rows 33 in each nozzle set 36 that reach the flushing stage 80 later, as shown by arrow A52 in Figure 10. In this embodiment, even when flushing is performed while the ink head 30 is moving in the forward direction Y1, the flushing control unit 95 performs flushing in the order of the nozzle sets 36 that reach the flushing stage 80. Here, when the ink head 30 moves in the forward direction Y1, the flushing control unit 95 performs flushing in the order of the first nozzle set 36A, the second nozzle set 36B, the third nozzle set 36C, and the fourth nozzle set 36D, as shown in Figure 11B. Therefore, during flushing when the ink head 30 moves in the forward direction Y1, the flushing control unit 95 ejects ink toward the flushing stage 80 in the order of the second nozzle row 33B, the fourth nozzle row 33D, the sixth nozzle row 33F, and the eighth nozzle row 33H, as shown by arrows A71 to A74 in Figure 11B, and performs flushing on the even-numbered nozzle rows 35b.

[0067] As described above, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 11B, the flushing control unit 95 performs flushing by ejecting ink from at least some of the nozzles 32 (here, the second nozzle 32B, the fourth nozzle 32D, the sixth nozzle 32F, and the eighth nozzle 32H) of the even-numbered nozzle rows 35b (here, the second nozzle row 33B, the fourth nozzle row 33D, the sixth nozzle row 33F, and the eighth nozzle row 33H). Also, as shown in Figure 11A, the flushing control unit 95 performs flushing by ejecting ink from at least some of the nozzles 32 (here, the seventh nozzle row 32G, the fifth nozzle row 32E, the third nozzle row 32C, and the first nozzle 32A) of the odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a (here, the seventh nozzle row 33G, the fifth nozzle row 33E, the third nozzle row 33C, and the first nozzle row 33A) when the ink head 30 is moving in the return direction Y2. In this way, by making the direction of the main scanning direction Y in which the ink head 30 moves when performing flushing different for odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a and even-numbered nozzle rows 35b, it is easier to perform flushing on the nozzle rows 33 in a space where no mist is present. Therefore, mist is less likely to adhere to the ink droplets when flushing is performed, and smearing is less likely to occur. Consequently, smeared droplets are less likely to adhere near the nozzles 32, thus suppressing the occurrence of nozzle 32 ejection failures.

[0068] In this embodiment as well, the flushing control unit 95 may perform flushing on multiple nozzle sets 36 simultaneously, similar to the first and second embodiments. In this case, when the ink head 30 is moving in the return direction Y2, and the odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a (here, the first nozzle row 33A, the third nozzle row 33C, the fifth nozzle row 33E, and the seventh nozzle row 33G) of each nozzle set 36 pass over the flushing stage 80, the flushing control unit 95 may discharge ink from the odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a and perform flushing on the odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a simultaneously. At this time, the first nozzle row 33A, the third nozzle row 33C, the fifth nozzle row 33E, and the seventh nozzle row 33G discharge ink at the same time.

[0069] Furthermore, when the ink head 30 is moving in the forward direction Y1, and the even-numbered nozzle rows 35b (here, the second nozzle row 33B, the fourth nozzle row 33D, the sixth nozzle row 33F, and the eighth nozzle row 33H) of each nozzle set 36 pass over the flushing stage 80, the flushing control unit 95 may eject ink from the even-numbered nozzle rows 35b and simultaneously perform flushing on the even-numbered nozzle rows 35b. At this time, the second nozzle row 33B, the fourth nozzle row 33D, the sixth nozzle row 33F, and the eighth nozzle row 33H eject ink at the same time.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, flushing was performed on the odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a while the ink head 30 was moving in the return direction Y2, and flushing was performed on the even-numbered nozzle rows 35b while the ink head 30 was moving in the forward direction Y1. However, flushing may also be performed on the even-numbered nozzle rows 35b while the ink head 30 is moving in the return direction Y2, and flushing may be performed on the odd-numbered nozzle rows 35a while the ink head 30 is moving in the forward direction Y1. For example, while the ink head 30 is moving in the return direction Y2, flushing may be performed in the order of the 8th nozzle row 33H, the 6th nozzle row 33F, the 4th nozzle row 33D, and the 2nd nozzle row 33B. Alternatively, while the ink head 30 is moving in the forward direction Y1, flushing may be performed in the order of the 1st nozzle row 33A, the 3rd nozzle row 33C, the 5th nozzle row 33E, and the 7th nozzle row 33G.

[0071] In each of the above embodiments, during flushing of the ink head 30, ink was ejected from the nozzle 32 toward the flushing stage 80. However, the flushing stage 80 may be omitted. In this case, the receiving member may be the cap 71 of the cap unit 70 (see Figure 5). In this case, flushing may be performed by ejecting ink from the nozzle 32 of the ink head 30 toward the cap 71. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0072] 10 Printers 20 Support stand 30 Inkheads 32 nozzles 32A Nozzle No. 1 32B Nozzle No. 2 32C Third Nozzle 32D No. 4 Nozzle 33 nozzle rows 33A First Nozzle Row 33B Second Nozzle Row 33C Third Nozzle Row 33D Fourth nozzle row 50 Moving mechanism 71 Cap 80. Flashing stage (support member) 90 Control device 93 Movement Control Unit 95 Flushing Control Unit X Sub-scanning direction (second direction) Y: Main scanning direction (first direction) Y1 Direction of travel Y2 Return direction

Claims

1. The ink head that ejects ink, A moving mechanism for moving the ink head in a first direction, During flushing, a receiving member receives the ink ejected from the ink head, Control device and Equipped with, The aforementioned ink head is A first nozzle row is a row of multiple first nozzles arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction, A second nozzle row is a row of multiple second nozzles arranged in the second direction, which is positioned on one side of the first nozzle row in the first direction, It has, The control device is A movement control unit that moves the ink head in the first direction by the movement mechanism, A flushing control unit that performs flushing by ejecting ink from the ink head to the receiving member when the ink head is moving in the first direction, Equipped with, When the direction from one side of the first direction to the other side is defined as the direction of travel, The flushing control unit, when the ink head is moving in the forward direction when flushing is started, performs flushing by ejecting ink from at least some of the second nozzles of the second nozzle row, and then performs flushing by ejecting ink from at least some of the first nozzles of the first nozzle row.

2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the flushing control unit performs flushing of the first nozzle row and flushing of the second nozzle row while the ink head is moving in the forward direction.

3. When the direction from the other side of the first direction toward the one side is defined as the return direction, The flushing control unit is, When the ink head is moving in the forward direction, ink is ejected from at least some of the second nozzles of the second nozzle row to perform flushing. The printer according to claim 1, wherein when the ink head is moving in the return direction, ink is ejected from at least some of the first nozzles of the first nozzle row to perform flushing.

4. The aforementioned ink head is A third nozzle row, which is a row of multiple third nozzles arranged in the second direction, A fourth nozzle row is a row of multiple fourth nozzles arranged in the second direction, positioned on one side of the third nozzle row in the first direction, It has, The printer according to claim 1, wherein the flushing control unit, when the ink head is moving in the forward direction when flushing is started, performs flushing by ejecting ink from at least some of the fourth nozzles of the fourth nozzle row, and then performs flushing by ejecting ink from at least some of the third nozzles of the third nozzle row.

5. The third nozzle row is arranged on one side in the first direction relative to the second nozzle row. The printer according to claim 4, wherein the distance between the second nozzle row and the third nozzle row in the first direction is longer than the distance between the first nozzle row and the second nozzle row, and longer than the distance between the third nozzle row and the fourth nozzle row in the first direction.

6. The printer according to claim 5, wherein the flushing control unit, when the ink head is moving in the forward direction when flushing is started, performs flushing by ejecting ink from at least some of the first nozzles of the first nozzle row, and then performs flushing by ejecting ink from at least some of the fourth nozzles of the fourth nozzle row.

7. A support stand for the media, At least when the print is in standby mode, a cap covers at least the first nozzle and the second nozzle of the ink head, Equipped with, The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the receiving member is positioned on the support base side of the cap.

Images