Wiping module, ejection module, liquid ejection device, and wiping method using the wiping module

Abstract

To provide a wiping module that can suppress change of a contact state during cleaning, a discharge module, a liquid discharge device and a wiping method of a wiping module.SOLUTION: A wiping module comprises a wiping part 51 and a cleaning part 52. The wiping part 51 has: a wiping member 71, provided on a nozzle surface, which wipes a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid from a nozzle; a receiving support part 72 that can support the wiping member 71 and receive liquid flown through the wiping; and a moving support part that is mounted with the receiving support part 72 and can reciprocate along a wiping direction which is a direction in which the wiping is performed. The cleaning part 52 cleans the wiping member 71, and the cleaning part 52 has a cleaning member 81 and a guiding part 82 that guides the cleaning member 81. The cleaning member 81 is configured to scrape out liquid adhering to the wiping member 71 while being guided by the guiding part 82, following movement in the wiping direction of the wiping part 51.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wiping module, a discharge module, a liquid discharge device, and a wiping method of the wiping module. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, inkjet printers are known. Some printers of this type have a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the nozzle surface of the head. For example, the cleaning mechanism of Patent Document 1 has a head wiper and a rotating wiper cleaner. The head wiper wipes off the deposits adhering to the nozzle surface by sliding against the nozzle surface while moving forward. After the head wiper passes the nozzle surface forward, the wiper cleaner is pushed by the head wiper moving forward, and rotates around a predetermined rotation center while sliding against the surface of the head wiper, thereby scraping off the deposits adhering to the surface of the head wiper. The deposits are, for example, ink or paper powder. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-56889 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the cleaning mechanism of Patent Document 1, the wiper cleaner rotates while making contact with the head wiper that moves linearly. This raises concerns that the contact state between the head wiper and the wiper cleaner may change between the start and end of the head wiper cleaning. This may make it difficult to wipe the head wiper uniformly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A wiping module that solves the above problem includes a wiping member that wipes a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid from nozzles provided on a nozzle surface, a wiping unit having a receiving support part that supports the wiping member and can receive liquid from the wiping, and a moving support part that mounts the receiving support part and can move back and forth along a wiping direction in which the wiping is performed, and a cleaning unit that cleans the wiping member. The cleaning unit has a cleaning member and a guide part that guides the cleaning member. The cleaning member is configured to scrape off liquid adhering to the wiping member while being guided by the guide part in accordance with the movement of the wiping unit in the wiping direction.

[0006] The discharge module that solves the above problem includes a liquid discharge head that discharges liquid, and the above wiping module. A liquid ejection device that solves the above problem includes a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid, the above-mentioned wiping module, a connection part that can be connected to the receiving support part, and a pressure reducing mechanism that can reduce the pressure of the connection part.

[0007] A wiping method of a wiping module that solves the above problem includes a wiping member that wipes a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid from nozzles provided on a nozzle face, a wiping unit having a receiving support part that supports the wiping member and is capable of receiving liquid from the wiping, and a moving support part that mounts the receiving support part and is capable of moving back and forth along a wiping direction in which the wiping is performed, and a cleaning unit that cleans the wiping member, the cleaning unit having a cleaning member and a guide part that guides the cleaning member. The cleaning member scrapes off liquid adhering to the wiping member while being guided by the guide part in accordance with the movement of the wiping unit in the wiping direction in which the wiping is performed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a liquid ejection device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the liquid ejection head according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3]FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a receiving support according to one embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a wiping unit and a cleaning unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a wiping unit and a cleaning unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a wiping unit and a cleaning unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a front view of a first support member according to the embodiment, as viewed from the inside thereof. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first support member according to an embodiment, as viewed from the inside. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a slider according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a wiping unit and a cleaning unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a wiping unit and a cleaning unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 13] 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a control device according to an embodiment. [Figure 14] 1 is a schematic diagram of a liquid ejection device according to an embodiment, viewed from above; [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a front view of a first support member according to the embodiment, as viewed from the inside thereof. [Figure 16] 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the position of the cleaning unit when the wiping unit is located at a wiper home position according to the embodiment; FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the position of the cleaning unit when the wiping unit is located at the cleaner start position according to the embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the position of the cleaning unit when the wiping unit is located at a cleaning end position according to an embodiment. [Figure 19] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the position of the cleaning unit when the wiping unit is located at a cleaner return control position according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 20] 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams showing the posture of a liquid ejection head according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] An embodiment of a liquid ejection device will be described below. The liquid ejection device is, for example, an inkjet printer that performs printing by ejecting printing liquid, which is a liquid for printing, onto a medium that is the object of printing. The medium is, for example, paper or fabric. The printing liquid is, for example, ink.

[0010] <Liquid discharge device> 1, the liquid ejection device 10 includes an ejection module 20, a connection unit 30, a pressure reducing mechanism 40, and a control unit 50. These components are provided inside a housing (not shown).

[0011] The ejection module 20 includes a liquid ejection head 21 , a wiping module 22 , a head cap 23 , a head driving mechanism 24 , and a cap driving mechanism 25 . The liquid ejection head 21 ejects printing liquid. The liquid ejection head 21 is, for example, a line-shaped head extending in a direction along the X-axis in an orthogonal coordinate system consisting of XYZ axes. The liquid ejection head 21 ejects printing liquid from a plurality of nozzles provided on its nozzle surface 21A onto a medium, thereby forming an image on the surface of the medium. This image includes characters and figures. Incidentally, the medium is transported in a direction along the Y-axis by a transport mechanism (not shown).

[0012] The liquid ejection head 21 can move in the direction along the Z axis by driving the head driving mechanism 24. The liquid ejection head 21 moves between a set position and a retracted position. The set position is a position when printing on a medium. The retracted position is a position shifted upward along the Z axis from the set position, and is a position when cleaning of the nozzle surface 21A of the liquid ejection head 21 is performed.

[0013] The head cap 23 moves between a closed position and a retracted position through the driving of the cap driving mechanism 25. The closed position is a position that covers the nozzle surface 21A of the liquid ejection head 21. The retracted position is a position that opens the nozzle surface 21A of the liquid ejection head 21 and does not interfere with the ejection of printing liquid. When printing is not performed, the head cap 23 is held in the closed position. This prevents the nozzles of the liquid ejection head 21 from drying out. When printing is performed, the head cap 23 is moved from the closed position to the retracted position.

[0014] The wiping module 22 is a wiper unit. The wiping module 22 wipes the nozzle surface 21A of the liquid ejection head 21. The wiping module 22 has a wiping unit 51, a cleaning unit 52, and a wiper drive mechanism 53.

[0015] The wiping unit 51 can move back and forth along the X-axis by driving the wiper drive mechanism 53. The wiping unit 51 moves between a wiper home position P0 shown by a solid line in FIG. 1 and a wiper start position P1 shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1. The wiper home position P0 is a reference position when the power is turned on, for example. The wiper home position P0 is a position on the outside of the first end of the liquid ejection head 21 along the X-axis. The wiper start position P1 is a position where wiping of the nozzle surface 21A starts. The wiper start position P1 is a position on the outside of the second end of the liquid ejection head 21 along the X-axis. Incidentally, the wiping unit 51 can also move in the opposite direction to the wiper start position P1 along the X-axis based on the wiper home position P0.

[0016] The wiping unit 51 has a wiping member 71 and a discharge unit 72C. The wiping member 71 is provided so as to be able to slide against the nozzle face 21A as the wiping unit 51 moves. The wiping member 71 is a wiper. The wiping member 71 wipes the printing liquid adhering to the nozzle face 21A by sliding against the nozzle face 21A. The printing liquid wiped by the wiping member 71 is received in the wiping unit 51. The printing liquid received in the wiping unit 51 can be discharged to the outside via the discharge unit 72C.

[0017] The cleaning unit 52 is a cleaner unit. The cleaning unit 52 cleans the printing liquid adhering to the wiping member 71 of the wiping unit 51. The cleaning unit 52 can move integrally with the wiping unit 51 outside the wiping area in accordance with the movement of the wiping unit 51. The cleaning unit 52 cleans the wiping member 71 by utilizing the movement of the wiping unit 51.

[0018] The connection part 30 is provided so as to be able to connect between the wiping part 51 and the pressure reducing mechanism 40. When the wiping part 51 is located at the wiper home position P0, the discharge part 72C of the wiping part 51 is connected to the pressure reducing mechanism 40 via the connection part 30.

[0019] The pressure reducing mechanism 40 is capable of reducing the pressure in the connection part 30. The pressure reducing mechanism 40 has a pump 61, a pump drive mechanism 62, and a waste liquid tank 63. The pump drive mechanism 62 is driven, for example, when the wiping part 51 is located at the wiper home position P0. When the pump 61 is driven via the pump drive mechanism 62, the printing liquid received in the wiping part 51 is sucked through the discharge part 72C and the connection part 30. The sucked printing liquid is discharged into the waste liquid tank 63 as waste liquid.

[0020] The control unit 50 controls the operations of the head driving mechanism 24 , the cap driving mechanism 25 , the wiper driving mechanism 53 and the pump driving mechanism 62 . <Liquid ejection head> As shown in Fig. 2, the liquid ejection head 21 is supported inside the housing via a support member. The liquid ejection head 21 is formed by connecting a plurality of head units in a direction along the X-axis. When viewed from a direction along the Z-axis, a large number of nozzles 21B are provided on a nozzle surface 21A of the liquid ejection head 21. These nozzles 21B are arranged in a plurality of linear rows. The plurality of nozzle rows are aligned in a direction along the X-axis. Moreover, the nozzle rows extend in a direction intersecting at an acute angle with the direction along the X-axis.

[0021] <Wiping section> Next, the wiping portion 51 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 3, the wiping section 51 has a wiping member 71, a receiving support section 72, and a moving support section 73.

[0022] The moving support part 73 supports the receiving support part 72. The moving support part 73 has an attachment part 73A, an arm part 73B, and an abutment part 73C. The shape of the attachment part 73A is a rectangular box shape with a face along the Z axis and two faces along the X axis being open. The attachment part 73A has three side walls. The first side wall and the second side wall face each other in the direction along the Y axis. The third side wall extends in the direction along the Y axis and connects the first side wall and the second side wall to each other. The receiving support part 72 is attached inside the attachment part 73A. The arm part 73B is provided on the outer surface of the first side wall of the attachment part 73A. The arm part 73B extends in the opposite direction to the second side wall along the Y axis. The abutment part 73C is provided on the upper part of the second side wall of the attachment part 73A in the direction along the Y axis. The overall shape of the contact portion 73C is a rectangular parallelepiped. A plurality of protrusions 73D are provided on one side surface of the contact portion 73C in the direction along the X-axis.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 4, the receiving support part 72 supports the wiping member 71. The receiving support part 72 is shaped like a rectangular box with an open face along the Z-axis. The receiving support part 72 has a receiving part 72A, a communication passage 72B, and a discharge part 72C. The receiving part 72A, the communication passage 72B, and the discharge part 72C are provided by dividing the interior of the receiving support part 72 with walls. The receiving part 72A, the communication passage 72B, and the discharge part 72C are in communication with each other.

[0024] The communication passage 72B is provided at a position toward one side in the direction along the Y axis of the receiving support portion 72. The communication passage 72B is a flow path that communicates between the receiving portion 72A and the discharge portion 72C. The communication passage 72B meanders back and forth in the direction along the X axis. The direction along the X axis is the moving direction of the wiping portion 51. In other words, the communication passage 72B has a portion where the waste liquid in the receiving portion 72A flows in the direction opposite to the wiping direction WD. Incidentally, the wiping direction WD refers to the direction in which the wiping portion 51 moves from the wiper start position P1 to the wiper home position P0 along the X axis.

[0025] The discharge portion 72C is provided on a side wall of the receiving support portion 72. The discharge portion 72C opens on the side wall on the side where the wiping portion 51 moves from the wiper start position P1 to the wiper home position P0 along the X-axis. The discharge portion 72C is provided at the bottom of the receiving portion 72A, that is, at a position higher than the inner bottom surface of the receiving portion 72A.

[0026] The wiping member 71 is provided inside the receiving support portion 72. The wiping member 71 includes a nozzle face wiping member 71A and a side face wiping member 71B. The nozzle face wiping member 71A and the side face wiping member 71B are made of rubber and have a rectangular plate shape. The nozzle face wiping member 71A and the side face wiping member 71B are detachably provided inside the receiving portion 72A via a wiper base 71C. The contour shape of the outer periphery of the wiper base 71C corresponds to the contour shape of the inner periphery of the receiving portion 72A. The wiper base 71C is provided so as to cover most of the inner bottom surface of the receiving portion 72A.

[0027] The nozzle surface wiping member 71A is a main wiper. The nozzle surface wiping member 71A is for wiping the nozzle surface 21A. The nozzle surface wiping member 71A has a rectangular plate shape. The nozzle surface wiping member 71A is supported on the inner bottom surface of the receiving section 72A with two short sides aligned along the Z axis. The nozzle surface wiping member 71A extends in a direction intersecting with the direction along the X axis. When viewed from the direction along the Z axis, the direction and degree of inclination of the nozzle surface wiping member 71A relative to the direction along the X axis are the same as the direction and degree of inclination of the nozzle row relative to the direction along the X axis.

[0028] The side wiping member 71B is a sub-wiper. The side wiping member 71B is for wiping the side of the liquid ejection head 21 that intersects with the nozzle surface 21A. The side wiping member 71B has a rectangular plate shape. The length of the side wiping member 71B is shorter than the length of the nozzle surface wiping member 71A. The side wiping member 71B is supported on the inner bottom surface of the receiving portion 72A with two short sides aligned along the Z axis. The long sides of the side wiping member 71B extend in the direction along the Y axis. The side wiping member 71B is provided near the end of the nozzle surface wiping member 71A that is closer to the communication passage 72B. The side wiping member 71B is located rearward, in the opposite direction to the wiping direction WD, with respect to the end of the nozzle surface wiping member 71A that is closer to the communication passage 72B. The side wiping member 71B follows the nozzle surface wiping member 71A when the wiping unit 51 moves along the X axis from the wiper start position P1 toward the wiper home position P0. The side wiping member 71B is capable of capturing printing liquid that has fallen off the nozzle surface wiping member 71A.

[0029] <Wiper drive mechanism> Next, the wiper drive mechanism 53 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 5, the wiper drive mechanism 53 has a belt transmission mechanism consisting of a drive pulley 53A, a driven pulley 53B, and an endless timing belt 53C. The drive pulley 53A and the driven pulley 53B are rotatably supported by a support portion provided inside the housing. The drive pulley 53A and the driven pulley 53B are spaced apart in a direction along the X-axis. The distance between the drive pulley 53A and the driven pulley 53B is set to a distance longer than the moving distance between the wiper home position P0 and the wiper start position P1 of the wiping unit 51. The timing belt 53C is wound around the drive pulley 53A and the driven pulley 53B. The timing belt 53C circulates due to the rotation of the drive pulley 53A and the driven pulley 53B. Incidentally, the drive pulley 53A rotates through the operation of a drive source such as a motor (not shown).

[0030] Further, the wiper drive mechanism 53 has a guide rail 53D. The guide rail 53D is a flat plate extending in the direction along the X-axis. The length of the guide rail 53D in the direction along the X-axis is set to be longer than the movement distance between the wiper home position P0 and the wiper start position P1 of the wiping part 51. The guide rail 53D is fixed inside the housing. The guide rail 53D and the belt transmission mechanism are separated from each other in the direction along the Y-axis.

[0031] A moving support part 73 is disposed between the guide rail 53D and the belt transmission mechanism. An arm part 73B of the moving support part 73 is supported by the guide rail 53D via a guide roller 73F. The arm part 73B is guided to the guide rail 53D via the guide roller 73F. The abutment part 73C is connected to a part of the timing belt 53C located on the lower side along the Z axis via a connecting member 73E. As the timing belt 53C runs, the moving support part 73 moves in the direction along the X axis while being guided by the guide rail 53D.

[0032] <Cleaning Department> Next, the cleaning unit 52 will be described in detail. As shown in Fig. 6, the cleaning unit 52 is located above the wiping unit 51 along the Z axis, which is located at the wiper home position P0. However, the movement support unit 73 is omitted in Fig. 6. The cleaning unit 52 is for cleaning the wiping member 71.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 7, the cleaning section 52 has a cleaning member 81 and a guide section . The guide unit 82 guides the operation of the cleaning member 81. The guide unit 82 has a first support member 91, a second support member 92, a lever 93, and a slider 94. The first support member 91 and the second support member 92 have a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The first support member 91 and the second support member 92 are fixed to the inside of the housing via a fixing member such as a frame (not shown). The first support member 91 and the second support member 92 are spaced apart from each other in the direction along the Y axis. The long sides of the first support member 91 and the second support member 92 extend in the direction along the X axis.

[0034] 8, the first support member 91 has a guide groove 91A and a cam groove 91B. The guide groove 91A and the cam groove 91B are aligned in the direction along the X-axis. The guide groove 91A is located farther from the wiping part 51 located at the wiper start position P1 than the cam groove 91B is located in the direction along the X-axis. In other words, the cam groove 91B is located closer to the wiping part 51 located at the wiper start position P1 than the guide groove 91A is located in the direction along the X-axis.

[0035] The guide groove 91A penetrates the first support member 91. The guide groove 91A has a first guide groove 91A1 and a second guide groove 91A2. The first guide groove 91A1 extends in a direction intersecting the direction along the X-axis. The second guide groove 91A2 extends from an upper end of the first guide groove 91A1 in a direction away from the cam groove 91B along the X-axis. The direction away from the cam groove 91B is also the direction in which the wiping part 51 moves from the wiper start position P1 to the wiper home position P0.

[0036] A roller guide hole 91C is provided in the first support member 91. The inner surface of the first support member 91 refers to the side surface closer to the second support member 92 of two side surfaces located opposite each other in the direction along the Y axis of the first support member 91. The roller guide hole 91C is provided along the contour of the guide groove 91A and so as to surround the entire circumference of the guide groove 91A.

[0037] The cam groove 91B is provided on the inner surface of the first support member 91. The cam groove 91B has a right-angled triangular shape when viewed from the direction along the Y axis. The cam groove 91B has a first cam groove 91B1, a second cam groove 91B2, and a third cam groove 91B3.

[0038] The first cam groove 91B1 extends in the direction along the X-axis. The first cam groove 91B1 is provided at a position slightly shifted upward from the second guide groove 91A2 in the direction along the Z-axis. Here, upward refers to a direction away from the wiping part 51 in the direction along the Z-axis.

[0039] The second cam groove 91B2 extends downward along the Z axis from a first end of the first cam groove 91B1. The first end of the first cam groove 91B1 refers to the end farther from the guide groove 91A of the two ends of the first cam groove 91B1 that are located opposite each other in the direction along the X axis. Here, downward refers to the direction approaching the wiping part 51 in the direction along the Z axis.

[0040] The third cam groove 91B3 connects between the end of the second cam groove 91B2 opposite to the first cam groove 91B1 and the vicinity of the second end of the first cam groove 91B1. The second end of the first cam groove 91B1 refers to the end closer to the guide groove 91A among the two ends located opposite to each other in the direction along the X axis of the first cam groove 91B1. The third cam groove 91B3 extends in a direction intersecting with the direction along the X axis. The third cam groove 91B3 is a portion corresponding to the hypotenuse of a right triangle.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 9, the first cam groove 91B1 and the second cam groove 91B2 are set to the same depth. The inner bottom surfaces of the first cam groove 91B1 and the second cam groove 91B2 are flat surfaces that are continuous with each other. The third cam groove 91B3 has an inclined surface 91B4 and a flat surface 91B5. The inclined surface 91B4 and the flat surface 91B5 form the inner bottom surface of the third cam groove 91B3.

[0042] The inclined surface 91B4 is inclined such that the depth of the third cam groove 91B3 becomes shallower from the second cam groove 91B2 toward the first cam groove 91B1. The depth of the portion of the third cam groove 91B3 corresponding to the flat surface 91B5 is set to be slightly shallower than the depth of the first cam groove 91B1. A holding portion 91B6 is provided at the boundary between the inclined surface 91B4 and the flat surface 91B5. The holding portion 91B6 is a step portion between the inclined surface 91B4 and the flat surface 91B5.

[0043] 7, the first support member 91 has a lever accommodating portion 91D, a stopper recess 91E, and a spring hook protrusion 91F. The lever accommodating portion 91D and the stopper recess 91E are provided on the outer surface of the first support member 91. The outer surface of the first support member 91 refers to the side surface farther from the second support member 92 of two side surfaces located opposite each other in the direction along the Y axis of the first support member 91.

[0044] The lever accommodating portion 91D is a recess having a set depth. The lever accommodating portion 91D extends in a direction along the X-axis. A first end of the lever accommodating portion 91D protrudes from one of two side surfaces of the first support member 91 that are opposite to each other in the direction along the X-axis and that is farther from the wiping part 51 that is located at the wiper start position P1. A second end of the lever accommodating portion 91D is open to the outside.

[0045] The stopper recess 91E is located above the lever housing portion 91D along the Z axis. The stopper recess 91E is provided in a range that corresponds to at least the roller guide hole 91C in the direction along the X axis. The stopper recess 91E is open in the same direction as the movement direction of the wiping portion 51 from the wiper start position P1 toward the wiper home position P0 in the direction along the X axis. The unopened inner surface of the stopper recess 91E is used as a stopper surface 91E1.

[0046] The spring hook projection 91F is provided on the inner bottom surface of the lever accommodating portion 91D. The projection 91F is provided at a position close to the second end of the lever accommodating portion 91D. As shown in FIG. 7, the second support member 92 basically has the same configuration as the first support member 91. For this reason, detailed description of the second support member 92 will be omitted. The second support member 92 has a guide groove 92A and a cam groove 92B, similar to the first support member 91. The guide groove 92A and the cam groove 92B have the same configuration as the guide groove 91A and the cam groove 91B of the first support member 91. However, the second support member 92 does not have configurations equivalent to the roller guide hole 91C and the lever accommodating portion 91D.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 7, the lever 93 has a support portion 93A, a pressed portion 93B, and a connecting portion 93C. The support portion 93A has a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape. The support portion 93A extends in a direction along the X-axis. The length of the support portion 93A in the direction along the X-axis is set to be shorter than the length of the lever accommodating portion 91D in the direction along the X-axis. The support portion 93A is accommodated inside the lever accommodating portion 91D of the first support member 91. However, a portion of the support portion 93A corresponding to the stopper recess 91E protrudes outward from the lever accommodating portion 91D in the direction along the Y-axis. The support portion 93A is slidable relative to the inner wall surface of the lever accommodating portion 91D in the direction along the X-axis.

[0048] The pressed portion 93B has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The pressed portion 93B is provided on the outer surface of the support portion 93A. The pressed portion 93B is provided at a position close to a first end of the support portion 93A in the direction along the X-axis. The first end of the support portion 93A refers to the end farther from the wiping portion 51 located at the wiper start position P1, of the two ends located opposite each other in the direction along the X-axis of the support portion 93A.

[0049] The connecting portion 93C is provided on the upper surface of the portion of the support portion 93A that protrudes outward from the lever accommodating portion 91D. The connecting portion 93C has an elongated hole 93D. The elongated hole 93D extends along the Z axis. The length of the elongated hole 93D in the direction along the Z axis is set to be approximately the same as the distance L between the uppermost and lowermost portions of the inner circumferential surface of the roller guide hole 91C.

[0050] A spring-hooking projection 93E is provided inside the support portion 93A. The projection 93E is provided, for example, at a position corresponding to the pressed portion 93B. A first end of a tension coil spring 93F is connected to the projection 93E. A second end of the tension coil spring 93F is connected to the projection 91F of the first support member 91. Therefore, the lever 93 is constantly biased in the same direction as the movement direction of the wiping portion 51 from the wiper home position P0 to the wiper start position P1 by the elastic force of the tension coil spring 93F. The movement of the lever 93 in the same direction as the movement direction of the wiping portion 51 from the wiper home position P0 to the wiper start position P1 is restricted by the connection portion 93C abutting against the stopper surface 91E1.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 10, the slider 94 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The long sides of the slider 94 extend in the direction along the Y axis. A rectangular cutout 94A is provided on the side edge of the slider 94 opposite to the wiping direction WD along the X axis. A cylindrical first shaft support portion 94B1, a second shaft support portion 94B2, a third shaft support portion 94B3, and a fourth shaft support portion 94B4 are provided at the four corners of the slider 94. The first shaft support portion 94B1 and the third shaft support portion 94B3 extend in opposite directions along the Y axis. The first shaft support portion 94B1 and the third shaft support portion 94B3 are located on the same axis line extending along the Y axis. The second shaft support portion 94B2 and the fourth shaft support portion 94B4 extend in opposite directions along the Y axis. The second shaft support portion 94B2 and the fourth shaft support portion 94B4 are located on the same axis line extending along the Y axis.

[0052] The slider 94 has a first slider shaft 94C1, a second slider shaft 94C2, a third slider shaft 94C3, and a fourth slider shaft 94C4. The second to fourth slider shafts 94C2 to 94C4 are identical. The first slider shaft 94C1 is a so-called drive shaft, and its length in the direction along the Y axis is longer than the lengths of the second to fourth slider shafts 94C2 to 94C4 in the direction along the Y axis. The lengths of the second to fourth slider shafts 94C2 to 94C4 in the direction along the Y axis are all the same.

[0053] The first slider shaft 94C1 is fixed in a state where it is inserted into the first shaft support portion 94B1. The first slider shaft 94C1 has a base end and a tip end. The base end is a portion that is inserted into the first shaft support portion 94B1. The tip end is a portion that protrudes outward from the first shaft support portion 94B1. The outer diameter of the base end is larger than the outer diameter of the tip end. The outer diameter of the tip end is the same as the outer diameters of the second to fourth slider shafts 94C2 to 94C4.

[0054] The first guide roller 94E1 and the second guide roller 94E2 are attached to the tip of the first slider shaft 94C1. The first guide roller 94E1 and the second guide roller 94E2 are rotatable with respect to the tip of the first slider shaft 94C1. The first guide roller 94E1 is closer to the base end of the first slider shaft 94C1 in the direction along the Y axis than the second guide roller 94E2. That is, the first guide roller 94E1 is located between the second guide roller 94E2 and the base end of the first slider shaft 94C1. The outer diameter of the first guide roller 94E1 is approximately the same as the width of the roller guide hole 91C of the first support member 91. The width of the roller guide hole 91C refers to the length in the direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the roller guide hole 91C. The outer diameter of the second guide roller 94E2 is approximately the same as the width of the elongated hole 93D of the connecting portion 93C. The width of the elongated hole 93D refers to the length in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the elongated hole 93D.

[0055] The second slider shaft 94C2 is inserted into the second shaft support portion 94B2 in a non-removable state. The second slider shaft 94C2 is slidable in the direction along the Y-axis relative to the second shaft support portion 94B2. A compression coil spring 94D2 is interposed between the inner end of the second slider shaft 94C2 and the inner bottom of the second shaft support portion 94B2. The second slider shaft 94C2 is constantly biased in a direction protruding from the second shaft support portion 94B2 by the elastic force of the compression coil spring 94D2. The tip of the second slider shaft 94C2 is maintained in a state exposed from the second shaft support portion 94B2.

[0056] The third slider shaft 94C3 is inserted into the third shaft support portion 94B3 in a non-removable state. The third slider shaft 94C3 is slidable in the direction along the Y-axis relative to the third shaft support portion 94B3. A compression coil spring 94D3 is interposed between the inner end of the third slider shaft 94C3 and the inner bottom of the third shaft support portion 94B3. The third slider shaft 94C3 is constantly biased in a direction protruding from the third shaft support portion 94B3 by the elastic force of the compression coil spring 94D3. The third slider shaft 94C3 is maintained in a state in which its tip is exposed from the third shaft support portion 94B3.

[0057] The fourth slider shaft 94C4 is inserted into the third shaft support portion 94B3 in a non-removable state. The fourth slider shaft 94C4 is slidable in the direction along the Y-axis relative to the third shaft support portion 94B3. A compression coil spring 94D4 is interposed between the inner end of the fourth slider shaft 94C4 and the inner bottom of the fourth shaft support portion 94B4. The fourth slider shaft 94C4 is constantly biased in a direction protruding from the fourth shaft support portion 94B4 by the elastic force of the compression coil spring 94D4. The fourth slider shaft 94C4 is maintained in a state in which its tip is exposed from the fourth shaft support portion 94B4.

[0058] Two spring-hook projections 94F1 and 94F2 are provided on the upper surface of the slider 94. The projection 94F1 is provided on the same side as the first shaft support portion 94B1 and the second shaft support portion 94B2. The projection 94F1 projects in the same direction as the first shaft support portion 94B1 and the second shaft support portion 94B2 in the direction along the Y axis. The projection 94F2 is provided on the same side as the third shaft support portion 94B3 and the fourth shaft support portion 94B4. The projection 94F2 projects in the same direction as the third shaft support portion 94B3 and the fourth shaft support portion 94B4 in the direction along the Y axis.

[0059] A spring hook protrusion 91G is provided on the lower part of the inner surface of the first support member 91. A first end of the first tension coil spring 94G1 is connected to the protrusion 94F1. A second end of the first tension coil spring 94G1 is connected to the protrusion 91G. A spring hook protrusion 92G is provided on the lower part of the inner surface of the second support member 92. A first end of the second tension coil spring 94G2 is connected to the protrusion 94F2. A second end of the second tension coil spring 94G2 is connected to the protrusion 92G. Therefore, the slider 94 is constantly biased downward by the elastic forces of the first tension coil spring 94G1 and the second tension coil spring 94G2.

[0060] <Cleaning materials> As shown in FIG. 10, the cleaning member 81 is attached to the lower part of the slider 94. As shown in FIG. 11, the cleaning member 81 has a bottom wall 81A, a first side wall 81B, a second side wall 81C, and a claw 81D.

[0061] The bottom wall 81A has a right-angled triangular shape when viewed from the direction along the Z axis. Of the two mutually perpendicular sides of the bottom wall 81A, the first side extends along the Y axis, and the second side extends along the X axis. The third side, or hypotenuse, of the bottom wall 81A extends in a direction intersecting the direction along the X axis. The degree of inclination of the hypotenuse of the bottom wall 81A with respect to the direction along the X axis is the same as the degree of inclination of the nozzle row of the liquid ejection head 21 with respect to the direction along the X axis.

[0062] A fixed portion 81E and three support portions 81F1, 81F2, and 81F3 are provided on the upper surface of the bottom wall 81A. The fixed portion 81E is provided near the center of the bottom wall 81A when viewed from the direction along the Z axis. The fixed portion 81E is cylindrical. The three support portions 81F1, 81F2, and 81F3 are provided at three corners of the bottom wall 81A when viewed from the direction along the Z axis. The two support portions 81F1 and 81F2 are provided at two acute corners of the bottom wall 81A. The remaining support portion 81F3 is provided at a right-angle corner of the bottom wall 81A. The two support portions 81F1 and 81F2 are stepped cylindrical. The support portion 81F3 is stepped rectangular prism-shaped.

[0063] The first side wall 81B is provided along a first side of the bottom wall 81A. That is, the first side wall 81B extends along the Y-axis. The second side wall 81C is provided along a second side of the bottom wall 81A. That is, the second side wall 81C extends along the X-axis. The first side wall 81B and the second side wall 81C are connected to each other at positions corresponding to right-angled corners of the bottom wall 81A.

[0064] The first side wall 81B has a flow path 81G. The flow path 81G is located near the corner where the first side wall 81B and the second side wall 81C intersect, and near the boundary between the first side wall 81B and the bottom wall 81A. The flow path 81G is a rectangular hole extending in the direction along the Y-axis, and penetrates the first side wall 81B.

[0065] The claw 81D is provided on the upper surface of the bottom wall 81A. The claw 81D extends along the oblique side of the bottom wall 81A. That is, the degree of inclination of the claw 81D with respect to the direction along the X-axis is the same as the degree of inclination of the nozzle row in the liquid ejection head 21 with respect to the direction along the X-axis. The thickness of the tip of the claw 81D is thinner than the thickness of the base end of the claw 81D.

[0066] The cleaning member 81 is fixed to the slider 94 as follows. That is, a bolt (not shown) is inserted into the fixing portion 81E from below along the Z axis of the bottom wall 81A, and the bolt is fastened to the slider 94, thereby fixing the cleaning member 81 to the lower portion of the slider 94. The tips of the three support portions 81F1, 81F2, 81F3 are kept fitted in fitting holes (not shown) provided in the lower portion of the slider 94.

[0067] <Slider support structure> The slider 94 is supported as follows. 12, the third slider shaft 94C3 is inserted into the guide groove 92A of the second support member 92. The third slider shaft 94C3 is guided by the guide groove 92A. The fourth slider shaft 94C4 is inserted into the cam groove 92B of the second support member 92. The fourth slider shaft 94C4 is guided by the cam groove 92B.

[0068] The tip end of the first slider shaft 94C1 passes through the guide groove 91A of the first support member 91 and is inserted into the long hole 93D. The first slider shaft 94C1 is guided by the guide groove 91A. The second slider shaft 94C2 is inserted into the cam groove 91B of the first support member 91. The second slider shaft 94C2 is guided by the cam groove 91B.

[0069] The second guide roller 94E2 attached to the tip of the first slider shaft 94C1 is located inside the elongated hole 93D of the lever 93. The second guide roller 94E2 is guided in a rolling manner in the elongated hole 93D. Although not shown in the drawings, the first guide roller 94E1 is located inside a roller guide hole 91C provided on the inner surface of the first support member 91. The first guide roller 94E1 is guided in a roller guide hole 91C in a rolling manner.

[0070] The pressed portion 93B of the lever 93 is located on a movement trajectory along the X-axis of the contact portion 73C of the movement support portion 73. The contact portion 73C can come into contact with the pressed portion 93B of the lever 93 via a plurality of protrusions 73D.

[0071] When the moving support part 73 attempts to move further in the wiping direction WD with the contact part 73C in contact with the pressed part 93B, the lever 93 attempts to move in the wiping direction WD against the elastic force of the tension coil spring 93F. With this movement of the lever 93, the first shaft support part 94B1 is pressed in the wiping direction WD via the second guide roller 94E2 engaged with the long hole 93D of the connecting part 93C. As a result, the first shaft support part 94B1 moves in the wiping direction WD while being guided by the guide groove 91A via the first guide roller 94E1 and the second guide roller 94E2. Since the first shaft support part 94B1 is fixed to the slider 94, the first shaft support part 94B1, the slider 94, and the cleaning member 81 move in the wiping direction WD in unison in synchronization with the movement of the moving support part 73.

[0072] 5, the liquid ejection device 10 has a detection unit 50A. The detection unit 50A is fixed inside the housing. The detection unit 50A detects that the wiping unit 51 is located at a predetermined detection position.

[0073] <Connection> As shown in Fig. 5, the connection part 30 is a part of the discharge member 30A fixed inside the housing. The connection part 30 is cylindrical. The connection part 30 is located on the movement trajectory of the discharge part 72C of the receiving support part 72 along the X-axis. The connection part 30 and the discharge part 72C are located on the same axis extending along the X-axis. The connection part 30 can be inserted relatively to the discharge part 72C.

[0074] An exhaust flow path (not shown) is provided inside the discharge member 30A. This exhaust flow path is connected to the waste liquid tank 63 via a pump 61. The discharge member 30A is also provided with an absorbent storage section 30B. The absorbent storage section 30B is located below the cleaning member 81 along the Z axis. The absorbent storage section 30B is box-shaped and opens upward along the Z axis. An absorbent 30C is stored inside the absorbent storage section 30B. The absorbent 30C is capable of absorbing printing liquid.

[0075] <Control device processing procedure> Next, a process procedure of the control unit 50 when cleaning the nozzle surface 21A will be described. The wiping unit 51 is located at the wiper home position P0.

[0076] 13, when cleaning the nozzle surface 21A of the liquid ejection head 21, the control unit 50 first moves the liquid ejection head 21 from the set position to the retracted position via the head driving mechanism 24. This prevents interference between the nozzle surface 21A and the wiping member 71.

[0077] <Step S101> Next, the control unit 50 moves the wiping unit 51 from the wiper home position P0 to the cleaner start position P2 via the wiper drive mechanism 53 (step S101). The cleaner start position P2 is the position of the wiping unit 51 when the cleaning unit 52 starts cleaning the wiping member 71. The wiping unit 51 moves in the direction opposite to the wiping direction WD.

[0078] 14, the cleaner start position P2 is a position that is a predetermined distance away from the wiper home position P0 in the opposite direction to the wiping direction WD when viewed from above along the Z axis. Also, the cleaner start position P2 is a position that does not overlap with the nozzle face 21A when viewed from above along the Z axis. However, in FIG. 14, the position of the wiping part 51 indicates the position of the end of the nozzle face wiping member 71A that is located furthest in the wiping direction WD when viewed from above along the Z axis.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 15, when the wiping portion 51 is located at the wiper home position P0, the second slider shaft 94C2 is located at the first position P11 of the cam groove 91B. The first position P11 is a position where the second slider shaft 94C2 is held by the holding portion 91B6, which is a step. The slider 94 tries to move in the opposite direction to the wiping direction WD by the elastic force of the tension coil spring 93F. However, this movement of the slider 94 in the opposite direction to the wiping direction WD is restricted by the second slider shaft 94C2 being held by the holding portion 91B6. In addition, the slider 94 is constantly biased downward by the elastic forces of the first tension coil spring 94G1 and the second tension coil spring 94G2. Therefore, the second slider shaft 94C2 is maintained in a state of being pressed against the holding portion 91B6. As a result, the second slider shaft 94C2 is held at the first position P11 of the cam groove 91B. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 16, when the wiping part 51 is located at the wiper home position P0, the first slider shaft 94C1 is located in the second guide groove 91A2. Therefore, the cleaning member 81 is maintained in a state separated from the wiping member 71 in the direction along the Z axis.

[0080] Therefore, the wiping part 51 moves independently from the wiper home position P0 toward the cleaner start position P2. <Step S102> 13, the control unit 50 then controls the wiper drive mechanism 53 to move the wiping unit 51 from the cleaner start position P2 to the cleaner return control position P3 (step S102). The wiping unit 51 moves in the wiping direction WD.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 14, the cleaner return control position P3 is a position a predetermined distance away from the wiper home position P0 in the wiping direction WD when viewed from above along the Z axis.

[0082] The detection unit 50A detects that the wiping unit 51 has passed the wiper home position P0 on the way to the cleaner return control position P3. The control unit 50 resets the position of the wiping unit 51 when the wiper home position P0 of the wiping unit 51 is detected by the detection unit 50A.

[0083] Incidentally, the detection unit 50A is capable of detecting that the wiping unit 51 is located at a detection position between a cleaner start position P2, which is the position of the wiping unit 51 when the cleaning member 81 starts cleaning the wiping member 71, and a cleaner return control position P3, which is the position of the wiping unit 51 when the movement direction of the cleaning member 81 switches from the wiping direction WD to the opposite direction.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 15, as the wiping part 51 moves toward the cleaner return control position P3, the second slider shaft 94C2 moves along the third cam groove 91B3 of the cam groove 91B toward the first cam groove 91B1.

[0085] This is because the pressed portion 93B of the lever 93 is pressed in the wiping direction WD by the contact portion 73C of the movement support portion 73. By pressing the lever 93, the slider 94 moves in the wiping direction WD against the elastic force of the tension coil spring 93F. Accordingly, the second slider shaft 94C2 enters the first cam groove 91B1, and moves in the wiping direction WD while being guided by the first cam groove 91B1. Eventually, the wiping portion 51 reaches the fourth position P14 of the cam groove 91B at the timing when the wiping portion 51 reaches the cleaner return control position P3. The fourth position P14 is a position in the first cam groove 91B1, and is a position slightly closer to the wiping direction WD than the position where the first cam groove 91B1 and the third cam groove 91B3 intersect.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 19, when the wiping part 51 is located at the cleaner return control position P3, the first slider shaft 94C1 is located at the end of the second guide groove 91A2 opposite to the first guide groove 91A1. At this time, the slider 94 and the cleaning member 81 are inclined according to the difference in the positions of the first cam groove 91B1 and the second guide groove 91A2 in the direction along the Z axis. The first cam groove 91B1 is provided at a position shifted upward along the Z axis with respect to the second guide groove 91A2. Therefore, the tip side portion of the cleaning member 81 is located higher along the Z axis than the base end side portion of the cleaning member 81. The tip side portion of the cleaning member 81 refers to the portion of the cleaning member 81 on the side where the claw 81D that contacts the wiping member 71 is provided. The base end side portion of the cleaning member 81 refers to the portion opposite the claw 81D in the direction along the X axis, and the portion on the side where the flow path 81G is provided. When the wiping portion 51 is located at the cleaner return control position P3, the claw 81D of the cleaning member 81 and the nozzle face wiping member 71A are separated from each other in the direction along the Z axis.

[0087] <Step S103> 13, the control unit 50 then controls the wiper drive mechanism 53 to move the wiping unit 51 from the cleaner return control position P3 to the wiper home position P0 (step S103). The wiping unit 51 moves in the direction opposite to the wiping direction WD.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 15, the second slider shaft 94C2 moves in the opposite direction to the wiping direction WD while being guided by the first cam groove 91B1. Eventually, the second slider shaft 94C2 reaches the boundary position between the first cam groove 91B1 and the third cam groove 91B3 at the timing when the wiping part 51 reaches the wiper home position P0. At this time, the second slider shaft 94C2 does not enter the third cam groove 91B3. The second slider shaft 94C2 is supported at the boundary position between the first cam groove 91B1 and the third cam groove 91B3 by a step caused by the difference between the depth of the first cam groove 91B1 and the depth of the part of the third cam groove 91B3 where the flat surface 91B5 is provided.

[0089] The processes in steps S101 to S103 are initial processes prior to wiping the liquid ejection head 21 with the wiping member 71. <Step S104> Next, the control unit 50 moves the wiping unit 51 from the wiper home position P0 to the wiper start position P1 through the wiper drive mechanism 53 (step S104). The wiping unit 51 moves in the direction opposite to the wiping direction WD.

[0090] 14, the wiper start position P1 is a position that is a predetermined distance away from the liquid ejection head 21 in the direction opposite to the wiping direction WD when viewed from above along the Z axis. Also, the wiper start position P1 is a position that does not overlap the nozzle surface 21A when viewed from above along the Z axis. In other words, the liquid ejection head 21 is located between the wiper start position P1 and the wiper home position P0 when viewed from above along the Z axis.

[0091] The slider 94 is constantly biased in the direction opposite to the wiping direction WD by the elastic force of the tension coil spring 93F. Therefore, the slider 94 moves in the direction opposite to the wiping direction WD in response to the movement of the wiping part 51 toward the wiper start position P1.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 15, the second slider shaft 94C2 moves in the first cam groove 91B1 in the direction opposite to the wiping direction WD as the wiping part 51 moves toward the wiper start position P1. Eventually, the second slider shaft 94C2 reaches the second position P12 of the cam groove 91B. The second position P12 is a position where the first cam groove 91B1 and the second cam groove 91B2 intersect with each other in the cam groove 91B. The second slider shaft 94C2 that has reached the second position P12 moves downward while being guided by the second cam groove 91B2 by the elastic forces of the first tension coil spring 94G1 and the second tension coil spring 94G2, and eventually reaches the third position P13. The third position P13 is the lower end of the second cam groove 91B2, which is the end opposite to the second position P12. As the second slider shaft 94C2 moves downward, the slider 94 and the cleaning member 81 move downward together.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 17, when the second slider shaft 94C2 is held at the third position P13, the first slider shaft 94C1 is located at the lower end of the first guide groove 91A1. When the second slider shaft 94C2 is held at the third position P13, the slider 94 is held at a position lower than the position when the wiping part 51 is held at the wiper home position P0. The claw 81D of the cleaning member 81 is located on the movement trajectory of the nozzle surface wiping member 71A along the X-axis. That is, the claw 81D of the cleaning member 81 can contact the upper part of the nozzle surface wiping member 71A in the direction along the X-axis.

[0094] Thereafter, the control unit 50 moves the liquid ejection head 21 from the retracted position to the set position via the head driving mechanism 24. This makes it possible for the wiping member 71 to wipe the liquid ejection head 21.

[0095] <Step S105> 13, the control unit 50 then controls the wiper drive mechanism 53 to move the wiping unit 51 from the wiper start position P1 to the wiper end position P4 (step 105). The wiping unit 51 moves in the wiping direction WD.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 14, the wiper end position P4 is a position where the nozzle surface wiping member 71A has passed the nozzle surface 21A in the wiping direction WD. As the wiping unit 51 moves toward the wiper end position P4, the nozzle surface wiping member 71A slides along the X-axis relative to the nozzle surface 21A to wipe away printing liquid adhering to the nozzle surface 21A. In addition, the side surface wiping member 71B wipes the side surface of the liquid ejection head 21 that intersects with the nozzle surface 21A in the direction along the Z-axis. The side surface wiping member 71B captures printing liquid that has fallen off the nozzle surface wiping member 71A.

[0097] After the wiping unit 51 reaches the wiper end position P4, the control unit 50 controls the head driving mechanism 24 to move the liquid ejection head 21 from the set position to the retracted position. <Step S106> As shown in the flow chart of FIG. 13, next, the control unit 50 controls the wiper drive mechanism 53 to move the wiping unit 51 from the wiper end position P4 to the cleaner start position P2 (step 106).

[0098] Through execution of the process of step S104, the second slider shaft 94C2 is already held at the third position P13 of the cam groove 91B before the wiping part 51 reaches the cleaner start position P2.

[0099] 17, the claw 81D of the cleaning member 81 is located on the movement trajectory of the nozzle face wiping member 71A along the X-axis. Therefore, at the timing when the wiping part 51 reaches the cleaner start position P2, the tip of the nozzle face wiping member 71A elastically contacts the claw 81D of the cleaning member 81 in the wiping direction WD. The tip of the nozzle face wiping member 71A is maintained in a state bent in the direction opposite to the wiping direction WD. In addition, at the timing when the wiping part 51 reaches the cleaner start position P2, the abutment part 73C of the movement support part 73 abuts against the pressed part 93B of the lever 93 via the multiple protrusions 73D in the wiping direction WD.

[0100] <Step S107> As shown in the flow chart of FIG. 13, next, the control unit 50 controls the wiper drive mechanism 53 to move the wiping unit 51 from the cleaner start position P2 to the cleaner end position P5 (step 107).

[0101] The wiping part 51 moves in the wiping direction WD. As the wiping part 51 moves toward the cleaner end position P5, the connection part 30 is inserted into the discharge part 72C. As shown in FIG. 14, the cleaner end position P5 is a position between the wiper home position P0 and the cleaner return control position P3 when viewed from above along the Z axis.

[0102] 15, when the wiping part 51 is located at the cleaner finishing position P5, the second slider shaft 94C2 is located at a fifth position P15 of the cam groove 91B. The fifth position P15 is a position on the flat surface 91B5 of the third cam groove 91B3 near the boundary with the first cam groove 91B1.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 18, when the wiping part 51 is located at the cleaner finishing position P5, the first slider shaft 94C1 is located inside the second guide groove 91A2.

[0104] As the wiping part 51 moves toward the cleaner end position P5, the pressed part 93B of the lever 93 is pressed in the wiping direction WD by the contact part 73C of the movement support part 73. Accordingly, the slider 94 moves in the wiping direction WD together with the cleaning member 81 against the elastic force of the tension coil spring 93F. That is, the slider 94 moves in the wiping direction WD together with the cleaning member 81, following the wiping part 51 moving from the cleaner start position P2 toward the cleaner end position P5.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 15, as the wiping part 51 moves toward the cleaner end position P5, the second slider shaft 94C2 moves along the third cam groove 91B3 toward the first cam groove 91B1. The second slider shaft 94C2 moves toward the step-shaped holding part 91B6 while being guided by the inclined surface 91B4 of the third cam groove 91B3. At this time, the second slider shaft 94C2 is pushed into the second shaft support part 94B2 against the elastic force of the compression coil spring 94D2 according to the inclination of the inclined surface 91B4. Eventually, the second slider shaft 94C2 overcomes the holding part 91B6. Then, the second slider shaft 94C2 moves in a direction protruding from the second shaft support part 94B2 due to the elastic force of the compression coil spring 94D2. As a result, the tip end of the second slider shaft 94C2 falls into the flat surface 91B5 of the third cam groove 91B3. Eventually, the second slider shaft 94C2 reaches the fifth position P15 of the cam groove 91B at the same time that the wiping part 51 reaches the cleaner end position P5.

[0106] With the movement of the second slider shaft 94C2, the first slider shaft 94C1 rises toward the second guide groove 91A2 while being guided by the first guide groove 91A1. The second slider shaft 94C2 rises toward the holding portion 91B6 while being guided by the inclined surface 91B4. As a result, the slider 94 and the cleaning member 81 rise together along the third cam groove 91B3 and the first guide groove 91A1. That is, when the direction in which the liquid ejection head 21 ejects the printing liquid is defined as the ejection direction, the cleaning member 81 moves in the opposite direction to the ejection direction while being guided by the guide portion 82. With this movement, the claw 81D of the cleaning member 81 wipes the printing liquid adhering to the nozzle surface wiping member 71A by scraping it up. The nozzle surface wiping member 71A is cleaned by having the printing liquid adhering to itself scraped off by the claw 81D. The third cam groove 91B3 is used as a cleaning path for the cleaning member 81 when cleaning the wiping member 71.

[0107] At the timing when the second slider shaft 94C2 passes over the holding portion 91B6 and falls onto the flat surface 91B5, the first slider shaft 94C1 reaches the second guide groove 91A2. After this, the slider 94 and the cleaning member 81 tilt in the clockwise direction about the first slider shaft 94C1 according to the difference in the position of the first slider shaft 94C1 and the second slider shaft 94C2 in the direction along the Z axis. That is, as the wiping portion 51 moves toward the cleaner end position P5, the tip side portion of the cleaning member 81 that contacts the wiping member 71 rises higher than the base side portion. The tip side portion of the cleaning member 81 where the claw 81D is provided moves in the direction along the Z axis away from the nozzle face wiping member 71A.

[0108] A flow path 81G is provided in a portion on the base end side of the cleaning member 81. The printing liquid received during cleaning of the nozzle face wiping member 71A can be discharged to the outside of the cleaning member 81 via the flow path 81G. The printing liquid discharged to the outside of the cleaning member 81 falls onto the absorbent material 30C located below the cleaning member 81. This fallen printing liquid is absorbed by the absorbent material 30C.

[0109] <Step S108> As shown in the flow chart of FIG. 13, finally, the control unit 50 controls the wiper drive mechanism 53 to move the wiping unit 51 from the cleaner end position P5 to the wiper home position P0 (step 108).

[0110] The wiping portion 51 moves in the opposite direction to the wiping direction WD. The slider 94 moves in the opposite direction to the wiping direction WD following the wiping portion 51 due to the elastic force of the tension coil spring 93F.

[0111] The slider 94 is constantly biased downward by the elastic forces of the first tension coil spring 94G1 and the second tension coil spring 94G2. Therefore, as the wiping part 51 moves toward the wiper home position P0, the second slider shaft 94C2 moves from the fifth position P15 to the first position P11 while being guided by the third cam groove 91B3. The second slider shaft 94C2 is held by the holding part 91B6, which is a step.

[0112] When the wiping part 51 is held at the wiper home position P0, the connection part 30 is maintained in a state inserted into the discharge part 72C. Therefore, the waste liquid received in the receiving part 72A can be discharged into the waste liquid tank 63 by driving the pump 61.

[0113] With the above, a series of cleaning operations for the liquid ejection head 21 and the wiping member 71 is completed. When cleaning the liquid ejection head 21 and the wiping member 71 again, the processes of steps S101 to S108 are repeated. The first cam groove 91B1 and the second cam groove 91B2 are used as a return path for returning the cleaning member 81 to the third cam groove 91B3, which is the cleaning path, after cleaning the wiping member 71. The return path passes through a position higher than the cleaning path.

[0114] Incidentally, the control unit 50 may vary the movement speed of the wiping unit 51 depending on the steps of the flowchart in Fig. 13. For example, when the load acting on the wiping unit 51 is small, the control unit 50 moves the wiping unit 51 at a first movement speed. Also, when wiping performance is important or when the load acting on the wiping unit 51 is large and the wiping unit 51 needs to be stopped, the control unit 50 moves the wiping unit 51 at a second movement speed slower than the first movement speed.

[0115] A time when the load acting on the wiping unit 51 is small is, for example, when the process of step S104 is executed. A time when wiping performance is emphasized is, for example, when the process of step S105 is executed. A time when the load acting on the wiping unit 51 is large and the stopping precision of the wiping unit 51 is required is, for example, when the processes of steps S101 to S103, S107, and S108 are executed. When the process of step S106 is executed, the wiping unit 51 may be moved at a speed slower than the first movement speed and faster than the second movement speed.

[0116] <Effects of this embodiment> Therefore, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) When cleaning the nozzle face wiping member 71A, the cleaning member 81 moves upward while moving in the wiping direction WD following the wiping unit 51. As the cleaning member 81 moves, the claws 81D wipe away the printing liquid adhering to the nozzle face wiping member 71A by scraping it up. Therefore, while the cleaning member 81 is in operation, the contact state between the nozzle face wiping member 71A and the claws 81D is unlikely to change. That is, the contact state of the claws 81D against the nozzle face wiping member 71A is kept constant. The contact state also includes the strength of contact of the claws 81D against the nozzle face wiping member 71A. Therefore, the printing liquid adhering to the nozzle face wiping member 71A can be uniformly wiped away.

[0117] (2) When cleaning the nozzle surface wiping member 71A, the cleaning member 81 rises while moving in the wiping direction WD following the wiping portion 51. As the cleaning member 81 rises, the contact state between the nozzle surface wiping member 71A and the claws 81D is eventually released. This prevents waste liquid adhering to the claws 81D of the cleaning member 81 from adhering again to the nozzle surface wiping member 71A.

[0118] (3) The cleaning member 81 is operated by utilizing the driving force of the wiping unit 51. There is no need to provide a separate driving mechanism for operating the cleaning member 81. This reduces production costs. (4) When the nozzle surface wiping member 71A and the claws 81D are no longer in contact with each other, the tip end portion of the cleaning member 81 where the claws 81D are provided is positioned higher than the base end portion of the cleaning member 81. For this reason, it is possible to guide the printing liquid wiped by the claws 81D from the tip end side to the base end side of the cleaning member 81.

[0119] (5) By holding the second slider shaft 94C2 by the holding portion 91B6, the position of the slider 94 is held in a state in which the contact state between the nozzle face wiping member 71A and the claw 81D of the cleaning member 81 is released. Therefore, when the cleaning operation is not required, such as during initial operation when the power is turned on, it becomes possible to move the wiping part 51 independently.

[0120] (6) When the wiping unit 51 moves to the cleaner return control position P3, the second slider shaft 94C2 moves to the first cam groove 91B1, which is the return path to the cleaning path. Here, the return path passes through a position higher than the cleaning path. After that, when the wiping unit 51 moves in the direction opposite to the wiping direction WD, the second slider shaft 94C2 reaches a position where it can enter the third cam groove 91B3, which is the cleaning path, via the return path. Accordingly, the cleaning member 81 moves to a position where its claw 81D can come into contact with the nozzle face wiping member 71A. Therefore, when the cleaning member 81 returns to the cleaning path, it is possible to prevent the wiping unit 51 from interfering with its movement, and the cleaning operation by the cleaning member 81 can be performed only when cleaning of the nozzle face wiping member 71A is required.

[0121] (7) When the wiping part 51 is located at the wiper home position P0, the connection part 30 is maintained in a state of being connected to the discharge part 72C. Therefore, the waste liquid can be discharged by driving the pump 61. In addition, the waste liquid is more reliably guided to the waste liquid tank 63, so that the periphery of the cleaning member 81 is prevented from being contaminated by the waste liquid.

[0122] (8) The waste liquid wiped by the wiping member 71 is received in the receiving portion 72A. The discharge portion 72C is provided at a position higher than the bottom wall, which is the lowermost portion of the receiving portion 72A. Therefore, the waste liquid is efficiently collected in the receiving portion 72A.

[0123] (9) The receiving portion 72A and the discharge portion 72C are in communication with each other via a narrow communication passage 72B. The communication passage 72B has a portion through which the waste liquid received in the receiving portion 72A flows in the direction opposite to the wiping direction WD. This prevents the waste liquid stored in the receiving portion 72A from accidentally dripping from the discharge portion 72C when the wiping portion 51 decelerates.

[0124] (10) The nozzle surface wiping member 71A is inclined with respect to the wiping direction WD. The side surface wiping member 71B is located behind the rear end of the nozzle surface wiping member 71A, with the wiping direction WD as its forward direction. Therefore, after wiping by the nozzle surface wiping member 71A, the printing liquid remaining on the nozzle surface 21A can be wiped away by the side surface wiping member 71B. Therefore, the nozzle surface 21A can be kept clean.

[0125] (11) The wiping unit 51 moves sequentially through the wiper home position P0, the cleaner return control position P3, the wiper end position P4, the cleaner start position P2, and the cleaner end position P5, and then returns to the wiper home position P0. The operation of the wiping unit 51 can be used to operate the cleaning member 81. Therefore, there is no need to provide a separate drive mechanism for operating the cleaning member 81.

[0126] (12) The detection unit 50A can detect the wiping unit 51 located between the wiper home position P0 and the cleaner end position P5. Therefore, for example, during the initial operation, the initial operation of the wiping unit 51 can be performed with the cleaning member 81 separated from the wiping member 71. Furthermore, the cleaner end position P5 and the cleaner return control position P3 require positional accuracy of the wiping unit 51 in relation to the guide unit 82. The control unit 50 can grasp the position of the wiping unit 51 through the detection unit 50A. Therefore, it is possible to suppress variation in the control positions of the cleaner end position P5 and the cleaner return control position P3.

[0127] (13) For example, when the load acting on the wiping unit 51 is small, the control unit 50 moves the wiping unit 51 at a first movement speed. Also, when wiping performance is important, or when the load acting on the wiping unit 51 is large and the wiping unit 51 needs to be stopped, the control unit 50 moves the wiping unit 51 at a second movement speed slower than the first movement speed. This makes it possible to shorten the operation time of the wiping unit 51. Also, it is possible to improve the reliability of the operation of the wiping unit 51 to each position.

[0128] <Other embodiments> The present embodiment may be modified as follows: Furthermore, each embodiment and the following modified examples may be combined with each other as long as there is no technical contradiction.

[0129] 20, the liquid ejection head 21 may be configured to eject printing liquid onto the medium in a state inclined with respect to the XY plane, which is a horizontal plane. The wiping unit 51 is configured to wipe the liquid ejection head 21 in a tilted state.

[0130] <Technical philosophy> The technical ideas and effects grasped from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described below.

[0131] (A) The wiping module includes a wiping member that wipes a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid from nozzles provided on a nozzle surface, a wiping unit having a receiving support part that supports the wiping member and is capable of receiving liquid from the wiping, and a moving support part that mounts the receiving support part and is capable of reciprocating along a wiping direction in which the wiping is performed, and a cleaning unit that cleans the wiping member. The cleaning unit has a cleaning member and a guide part that guides the cleaning member. The cleaning member is configured to scrape off liquid adhering to the wiping member while being guided by the guide part in accordance with the movement of the wiping unit in the wiping direction.

[0132] According to this configuration, since the wiping member and the cleaning member move in the same direction while performing cleaning, it is possible to suppress changes in the contact state during cleaning, and therefore it is possible to uniformly wipe away liquid adhering to the wiping member.

[0133] (B) In the above wiping module, when the direction in which the liquid ejection head ejects liquid is defined as the ejection direction, the cleaning member may be guided by the guiding portion while moving in the opposite direction to the ejection direction to scrape off liquid adhering to the wiping member.

[0134] According to this configuration, since the wiping member and the cleaning member move in the same direction while cleaning the wiping member, it is possible to suppress changes in the contact state during cleaning. In addition, since the cleaning member moves in the opposite direction to the ejection direction while being guided by the guide portion, it is possible to suppress the liquid adhering to the cleaning member from adhering again to the wiping member.

[0135] (C) In the wiping module described above, the cleaning member may be configured such that a tip side that comes into contact with the wiping member rises higher than a base side as the wiping portion moves in the wiping direction.

[0136] This configuration can prevent liquid from dripping from the tip side of the cleaning member during cleaning. (D) In ​​the wiping module described above, a flow path may be provided on the base end side of the cleaning member for allowing liquid received during cleaning to flow out of the cleaning member.

[0137] With this configuration, the liquid generated during cleaning can be discharged. (E) In the wiping module described above, the guide portion may have a holding portion capable of temporarily holding the cleaning member at a position where the wiping member and the cleaning member do not come into contact with each other.

[0138] According to this configuration, when the operation of the cleaning member is not required, the wiping part can be moved independently. (F) In the above wiping module, the guide portion may have a cleaning path for the cleaning member when cleaning the wiping member, and a return path for the cleaning member after cleaning the wiping member. The return path may pass through a position higher than the cleaning path.

[0139] According to this configuration, the cleaning member can be prevented from interfering with the movement of the wiping part when it returns. (G) In the wiping module described above, the wiping member may include a nozzle face wiping member that wipes the nozzle face, and a side face wiping member that wipes a side face of the liquid ejection head that intersects with the nozzle face. When wiping the liquid ejection head, the side face wiping member may be disposed rearward of the nozzle face wiping member when the wiping direction is forward.

[0140] According to this configuration, after wiping by the nozzle surface wiping member, liquid remaining on the side surface of the liquid ejection head can be wiped away by the side surface wiping member. (H) The ejection module includes a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid, and the wiping module described above.

[0141] According to this configuration, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the wiping module described above. (I) The liquid ejection device includes a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid, the above-mentioned wiping module, a connection part that can be connected to the receiving support part, and a pressure reducing mechanism that can reduce the pressure of the connection part.

[0142] According to this configuration, the liquid received in the receiving and supporting portion can be sucked and discharged. (J) In the above liquid ejection device, the receiving and supporting part may have a receiving part for receiving liquid, a discharge part that moves toward and away from the connecting part by the movement of the wiping part, and a communication passage that communicates the receiving part and the discharge part. The discharge part may be provided at a position higher than a lowermost part of the receiving part. At least a part of the communication passage may extend in a direction opposite to the wiping direction.

[0143] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the liquid received in the receiving and supporting portion from dripping from the discharge portion when the wiping portion decelerates as it moves in the wiping direction. (K) The above liquid ejection device may further include a detection unit that detects that the wiping unit is located at a detection position between the position of the wiping unit when the cleaning member starts cleaning the wiping member and the position of the wiping unit when the cleaning member switches from moving in the wiping direction to moving in the opposite direction to the wiping direction.

[0144] According to this configuration, the position of the wiping part can be initialized every time. (L) In the above liquid ejection device, the liquid ejection head may be configured to eject liquid onto a medium in a state inclined from horizontal. The wiping unit may wipe the liquid ejection head in a tilted state.

[0145] According to this configuration, even in a liquid ejection device having an inclined liquid ejection head, the same effect as that of the above-mentioned liquid ejection device can be obtained. (M) A wiping method of a wiping module comprising: a wiping member for wiping a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid from nozzles provided on a nozzle face; a wiping unit having a receiving support part that supports the wiping member and is capable of receiving liquid from the wiping; and a moving support part that mounts the receiving support part and is capable of reciprocating along a wiping direction in which the wiping is performed; and a cleaning unit for cleaning the wiping member, the cleaning unit having a cleaning member and a guide part that guides the cleaning member. The cleaning member scrapes off liquid adhering to the wiping member while being guided by the guide part in accordance with the movement of the wiping unit in the wiping direction in which the wiping is performed.

[0146] This configuration provides the same effects as the wiping module described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0147] 10...liquid ejection device, 20...ejection module, 30...connection portion, 40...pressure reduction mechanism, 21A...nozzle surface, 21B...nozzle, 21...liquid ejection head, 22...wiping module, 50A...detection portion, 51...wiping portion, 52...cleaning portion, 71...wiping member, 71A...nozzle surface wiping member, 71B...side surface wiping member, 72...receiving support portion, 72A...receiving portion, 72B...connecting passage, 72C...discharge portion, 73...movement support portion, 81...cleaning member, 82...guide portion, 81F...flow path, 91B1...first cam groove (return path), 91B2...second cam groove (return path), 91B3...third cam groove (cleaning path), 91B6...holding portion.

Claims

1. A wiping member that wipes a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid from nozzles provided on a nozzle surface. a receiving and supporting portion that supports the wiping member and is capable of receiving liquid wiped off; The receiving and supporting part is mounted on a movable member that can move back and forth along a wiping direction in which the wiping is performed. a wiping unit having a support portion; and a cleaning unit that cleans the wiping member, The cleaning unit has a cleaning member and a guide unit that guides the cleaning member, The cleaning member is As the wiping portion moves in the wiping direction, the tip side that comes into contact with the wiping member becomes The end side is configured to rise higher than the end side, The wiping portion is guided by the guide portion in accordance with the movement of the wiping portion in the wiping direction. A wiping module configured to wipe off liquid adhering to a member.

2. The cleaning member has a base end for draining the liquid received during cleaning out of the cleaning member. The wiping module of claim 1 , further comprising a flow passage.

3. The guide portion is configured to guide a cleaning path of the cleaning member when the wiping member is used for cleaning the wiping member and a guide portion of the wiping member. a return path for the cleaning member after cleaning the cleaning member; 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the return path passes through a higher position than the cleaning path. The wiping module of claim 2 .

4. A wiping member that wipes a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid from a nozzle provided on a nozzle surface. a receiving and supporting portion that supports the wiping member and is capable of receiving liquid wiped off; The receiving and supporting part is mounted on a movable member that can move back and forth along a wiping direction in which the wiping is performed. a wiping unit having a support portion; and a cleaning unit that cleans the wiping member, The cleaning unit has a cleaning member and a guide unit that guides the cleaning member, The guide portion is configured to guide a cleaning path of the cleaning member when the wiping member is used for cleaning and a guide portion of the wiping member. a return path for the cleaning member after cleaning the cleaning member; The return path passes through a higher position than the cleaning path, The cleaning member is guided by the guide portion in accordance with the movement of the wiping portion in the wiping direction. a wiping motor configured to wipe off liquid adhering to the wiping member while Jules.

5. When the direction in which the liquid ejection head ejects liquid is defined as the ejection direction, the cleaning member is The wiping member is guided by the guide portion and moves in the opposite direction to the ejection direction. The wiping module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it scrapes off any adhering liquid.

6. The guide portion temporarily guides the cleaning member to a position where the wiping member and the cleaning member do not come into contact with each other. Any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it has a holding part that can be held effectively.

2. The wiping module according to claim 1 .

7. The wiping member includes a nozzle surface wiping member that wipes the nozzle surface and a nozzle surface wiping member that intersects with the nozzle surface. a side wiping member for wiping a side surface of the liquid ejection head, When wiping the liquid ejection head, the side wiping member is configured to have the wiping direction forward. and the nozzle surface wiping member is disposed behind the nozzle surface wiping member.

13. A wiping module according to claim 12.

8. A liquid ejection head that ejects liquid; The present invention is characterized by comprising a wiping module according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The characteristic discharge module.

9. A liquid ejection head that ejects liquid; A wiping module according to any one of claims 1 to 7; A connection part connectable to the receiving support part; a pressure reducing mechanism capable of reducing the pressure at the connection portion.

10. The receiving and supporting part includes a receiving part for receiving liquid and a connecting part for connecting the liquid to the wiping part by the movement of the wiping part. a discharge portion that is adapted to come into contact with and separate from the receiving portion, and a communication passage that communicates the receiving portion and the discharge portion, The discharge portion is provided at a position higher than the lowest portion of the receiving portion, At least a part of the communication passage extends in a direction opposite to the wiping direction. The liquid ejection device according to claim 9 .

11. a position of the wiping portion when the cleaning member starts cleaning the wiping member; The wiping direction when the movement of the wiping member is switched from the movement in the wiping direction to the movement in the opposite direction to the wiping direction and a detection unit that detects the presence of the wiping unit at a detection position between the wiping unit and the detection unit.

11. The liquid ejection device according to claim 9 or 10,

12. The liquid ejection head is configured to eject liquid onto a medium in a state inclined from the horizontal, 10. The wiping unit wipes the liquid ejection head when the liquid ejection head is in an inclined state. A liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A wiping member that wipes a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid from nozzles provided on a nozzle surface. a receiving and supporting portion that supports the wiping member and is capable of receiving liquid resulting from the wiping; The receiving and supporting part is mounted on a movable member that can move back and forth along a wiping direction in which the wiping is performed. a wiping unit having a support portion; and a cleaning unit that cleans the wiping member, The cleaning unit includes a cleaning member and a guide portion for guiding the cleaning member. The cleaning member is As the wiping portion moves in the wiping direction, the tip side that contacts the wiping member becomes the base end A wiping method for a wiping module configured to rise higher than a side, comprising: The cleaning member follows the movement of the wiping section in a wiping direction, which is a direction in which the wiping is performed. a wiper that scrapes off liquid adhering to the wiping member while being guided by the guide portion; How to wipe the module.

14. A wiping member for wiping a liquid ejection head which ejects liquid from nozzles provided on a nozzle surface. a receiving and supporting portion that supports the wiping member and is capable of receiving liquid resulting from the wiping; The receiving and supporting part is mounted on a movable member that can move back and forth along a wiping direction in which the wiping is performed. a wiping unit having a support portion; and a cleaning unit that cleans the wiping member, The cleaning unit includes a cleaning member and a guide unit that guides the cleaning member. The guide unit includes: A cleaning path of the wiping member when cleaning the wiping member and a front path of the wiping member after cleaning the wiping member a return path for the cleaning member, the return path passing through a position higher than the cleaning path. A wiping method for a wiping module, comprising: The cleaning member follows the movement of the wiping section in a wiping direction, which is a direction in which the wiping is performed. a wiper that scrapes off liquid adhering to the wiping member while being guided by the guide portion; How to wipe the module.

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