Maintenance device and image recording device

Abstract

To provide means capable of effectively suppressing contact between a form and a nozzle surface of a head, even if a distance between the form and the head is made short.SOLUTION: A maintenance device 50 of a printer 10 includes: a flushing foam 52 for absorbing ink discharged from nozzles 44 of a head 42; a flushing box 51 which does not have an upper surface and stores the flushing foam 52; and a plate-like member 53 which covers the upper part of the flushing box 51. The plate-like member 53 has an opening 58 for exposing a part of the upper surface of the flushing foam 52, in a state of being engaged with the flushing box 51.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus equipped with a head having nozzles for ejecting liquid, and a maintenance device for the image recording apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known an image recording device that includes a head and a carriage on which the head is mounted, and that ejects ink from the nozzles of the head when the carriage moves in a predetermined direction. In order to prevent clogging of the nozzles, the image recording device moves the carriage to a predetermined position (hereinafter referred to as the flushing position) and performs a flushing process in which ink is ejected from the nozzles. A flushing box containing foam is positioned below the carriage that has been moved to the flushing position. The foam is made of, for example, a porous material, and absorbs the ink ejected from the nozzles of the head during flushing.

[0003] If the distance between the foam and the head during flushing is too far, the ink ejected from the nozzles of the head will become fine mist and spread inside the image recording device, and may adhere to the parts or inner walls of the image recording device and dry at that position. From this point of view, it is preferable that the distance between the foam and the head is short. On the other hand, if the distance between the foam and the head is too short, a problem may occur in which the foam comes into contact with the nozzle surface of the head.

[0004] Patent document 1 describes a liquid injection device that includes a liquid receptor that receives liquid injected from a nozzle of a head, a liquid absorbent material placed in the liquid receptor, and a suppression member made of a wire or mesh material that suppresses the liquid absorbent material from floating up. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-168525 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the liquid ejecting device described in Patent Document 1, the suppression member is made of a wire or mesh material, so that ink ejected from the nozzles of the head during flushing adheres to the suppression member and dries on the suppression member, which can cause a problem in which the ink adhering to the suppression member comes into contact with the nozzle surface of the head.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a means that can effectively suppress contact between the foam and the nozzle surface of the head even when the distance between the foam and the head is shortened. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) A maintenance device according to the present invention is a maintenance device for an image recording device equipped with a head having a nozzle for discharging a liquid, and includes a foam for absorbing the liquid discharged from the nozzle, a container having no upper surface and for accommodating the foam, and a plate-like member covering an upper portion of the container box, the plate-like member having an opening for exposing a portion of the upper surface of the foam when the plate-like member is engaged with the container box.

[0009] According to the above-mentioned maintenance device, by covering the upper part of the storage box with a plate-like member having an opening, the foam can be pressed downward while exposing a part of the upper surface of the foam. Therefore, even if the distance between the foam and the head is appropriately maintained and the distance between the foam and the head is shortened, contact between the foam and the nozzle surface of the head can be effectively suppressed.

[0010] (2) Preferably, the plate-like member has the opening corresponding to at least one nozzle row of the head.

[0011] (3) Preferably, the plate-like member has the openings corresponding to at least all the nozzles of the head.

[0012] (4) Preferably, the inner bottom surface of the storage box has ribs that support the bottom surface of the foam.

[0013] (5) Preferably, the inner bottom surface of the storage box has a recess that is recessed in a direction that expands the inner space of the storage box.

[0014] (6) Preferably, a first end of the plate-shaped member is fixed to the storage box via a leaf spring, and a second end of the plate-shaped member opposite the first end is engaged with the storage box via a hook structure, and the leaf spring biases the plate-shaped member in a direction away from the upper part of the storage box.

[0015] (7) Preferably, the cleaning device further includes a supply unit for supplying a cleaning liquid to the container.

[0016] (8) Preferably, the plate member applies a downward force to the foam when engaged with the storage box.

[0017] (9) Preferably, the plate-like member is made of metal.

[0018] (10) An image recording device according to the present invention includes a head having nozzles that eject liquid, a carriage that carries the head and moves, and any one of the maintenance devices described above. Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to the maintenance device and image recording device of the present invention, even if the distance between the foam and the head is shortened, contact between the foam and the nozzle surface of the head can be effectively suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of a printer 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the movement range of the carriage 41. As shown in FIG. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 100 and elements connected to the control unit 100. As shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of a maintenance device 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 5A is a top view of the maintenance device 50, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the maintenance device 50 taken along line BB. [Figure 6] 6A is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the maintenance device 50 taken along the line AA, and FIG. 6B is a rear side view of the maintenance device 50. As shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the inside of the flushing box 51 and the storage tank 54. As shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the image recording process of the control unit 100. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] A maintenance device 50 and a printer 10 (an example of an image recording device) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Note that the embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be modified as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention. In the following description, the direction is expressed as the progress from the starting point of the arrow to the end point, and the movement on the line connecting the starting point and the end point of the arrow is expressed as the direction. In addition, the up-down direction 7 is defined based on the state in which the printer 10 is installed and ready for use (the state in FIG. 1), the front-rear direction 8 is defined with the surface where the discharge port 13 is provided as the front surface, and the left-right direction 9 is defined when the printer 10 is viewed from the front. The up-down direction 7, the front-rear direction 8, and the left-right direction 9 are perpendicular to each other.

[0022] [Overall configuration of Printer 10] The printer 10 shown in Fig. 1 is an image recording device that records an image on a sheet S by an inkjet recording method. The sheet S is a long sheet of paper wound in a roll. To load the sheet S into the printer 10, a through hole is formed in the center of the winding of the sheet S. The recording medium may be sticker paper, fanfold paper, cut paper, cloth, or the like.

[0023] The printer 10 has a housing 11 that is roughly rectangular. The housing 11 is sized to be able to be placed on a table, a floor, a rack, or the like. A slit-shaped discharge opening 13 extending in the left-right direction 9 is located in a front wall 12 of the housing 11. A sheet S on which an image is recorded by the printer 10 is discharged from the discharge opening 13. The discharged sheet S is taken up, for example, by a winding device (not shown) attached to the printer 10.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 includes a holder 21, a tensioner 22, a pair of conveying rollers 23, a pair of discharge rollers 24, a platen 25, four tanks 26A to 26D, a carriage 41, and a head 42 in a housing 11. The head 42 is mounted on the carriage 41. As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 further includes two guide rails 37, 38, and a maintenance device 50 in the housing 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 10 further includes a control unit 100, a holder driving motor 111, a conveying motor 112, a carriage driving motor 113, a wiper driving motor 114, and a pump driving motor 115 in the housing 11. The printer 10 may further include various sensors, caps, and the like in addition to the above-mentioned elements.

[0025] [Tanks 26A~26D] The tanks 26A-26D store yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks (examples of liquids), respectively. The inks are so-called latex inks, and contain pigments, resin particles, and additives. The inks have a viscosity suitable for uniformly dispersing the pigments and resin particles. The pigments give the ink its color. The resin particles are for adhering the pigments to the sheet S, and are, for example, synthetic resins whose glass transition temperature is exceeded by heating with a heater (not shown).

[0026] It is sufficient that the printer 10 includes at least one tank. The tank may store a liquid other than ink. The liquid stored in the tank may be, for example, a pretreatment liquid. The pretreatment liquid may contain a cationic polymer, a polyvalent metal salt (for example, a magnesium salt), or the like. The pretreatment liquid has a function of preventing ink bleeding or strike-through by agglomerating or precipitating the components in the ink. The pretreatment liquid may also have a function of improving the color development and quick drying properties of the ink.

[0027] [Sheet S transport mechanism] A pair of side frames (not shown) extending in the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8 are positioned inside the housing 11. The holder 21 has a rotating shaft 31 supporting the sheet S. The rotating shaft 31 extends in the left-right direction 9, and both ends of the rotating shaft 31 are fixed to the side frames. Power of a holder drive motor 111 (see FIG. 3) is transmitted to the rotating shaft 31. This power rotates the holder 21 in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 31. In FIG. 1, the rotation direction of the holder 21 is counterclockwise. The rotation of the holder 21 also rotates the roll body supported by the holder 21. The sheet S is pulled upward from the rear end of the roll body by the rotation of the conveying roller pair 23 and the discharge roller pair 24, and is guided to the tensioner 22.

[0028] The tensioner 22, the conveying roller pair 23, and the discharge roller pair 24 each extend in the left-right direction 9 between the side frames, and are attached to be rotatable in the circumferential direction of a rotation shaft parallel to the left-right direction 9. A rearward biasing force is applied to the tensioner 22 by a biasing member such as a spring. The tensioner 22 comes into contact with the sheet S pulled out from the roll body, and guides the sheet S so as to curve forward.

[0029] The conveying roller pair 23 has a drive roller 32 and a pinch roller 33, and is located in front of the tensioner 22. The discharge roller pair 24 has a drive roller 34 and a pinch roller 35, and is located further in front of the conveying roller pair 23. The lower end positions of the drive rollers 32, 34 roughly coincide with the upper end position of the tensioner 22 in the up-down direction 7. The pinch roller 33 abuts on the drive roller 32 from below. The pinch roller 35 abuts on the drive roller 34 from below.

[0030] The power of a conveying motor 112 (see FIG. 3) is transmitted to the driving rollers 32 and 34. This power rotates the driving rollers 32 and 34. As a result, the driving rollers 32 and 34 convey the sheet S in a conveying direction 6 while nipping the sheet S between the driving rollers 32 and 34 and the pinch rollers 33 and 35. In this embodiment, the conveying direction 6 is forward.

[0031] [Platen 25] The platen 25 is attached to the side frames at a position between the pair of conveying rollers 23 and the pair of discharge rollers 24 in the front-rear direction 8. The platen 25 extends in the left-right direction 9 between the side frames and has a support surface 36 for the sheet S that expands in the front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9. The support surface 36 is the upper end surface of the platen 25. The vertical position of the support surface 36 roughly coincides with the upper end position of the tensioner 22. The platen 25 may be an adhesive platen that adhesively attaches the sheet S to the support surface 36.

[0032] [Carriage 41 and Head 42] As shown in FIG. 2, the guide rails 37, 38 extend parallel to each other in the left-right direction 9. The positions of the guide rails 37, 38 in the up-down direction 7 are the same. The guide rail 38 is located behind the guide rail 37 in the front-rear direction 8. Both ends of the guide rails 37, 38 are fixed to side frames. The carriage 41 is supported by the guide rails 37, 38. The power of a carriage drive motor 113 (see FIG. 3) is transmitted to a carriage drive mechanism (not shown). The carriage 41 moves in the left-right direction 9 while supported by the guide rails 37, 38 by the action of the carriage drive mechanism.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the head 42 is mounted on a carriage 41. The lower surface of the head 42 is referred to as a nozzle surface 43. A plurality of nozzles 44 that eject ink are formed on the nozzle surface 43. The tanks 26A to 26D and the head 42 are connected via ink flow paths (not shown). The ink stored in the tanks 26A to 26D is supplied to the head 42 via the ink flow paths. While the carriage 41 is moving in the left-right direction 9, the ink supplied to the head 42 is ejected from the nozzles 44. In this way, an image is recorded on the sheet S.

[0034] [Control unit 100] As shown in Fig. 3, the control unit 100 has a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, an EEPROM 104, and an ASIC 105. The ROM 102 stores various data and the like necessary for the operation of the control unit 100. The RAM 103 is a working memory for the CPU 101. The EEPROM 104 stores a control program and the like executed by the CPU 101. Before the printer 10 executes image recording, the control program stored in the EEPROM 104 is copied to the RAM 103. The CPU 101 executes the control program stored in the RAM 103. As a result, the control unit 100 executes the image recording process described later.

[0035] The control unit 100 is electrically connected to the holder driving motor 111, the conveying motor 112, the carriage driving motor 113, the wiper driving motor 114, the pump driving motor 115, and the head 42 via the ASIC 105. The holder driving motor 111, the conveying motor 112, the carriage driving motor 113, the wiper driving motor 114, and the pump driving motor 115 rotate and generate power under the control of the control unit 100. The head 42 ejects ink onto the sheet S conveyed on the platen 25 under the control of the control unit 100.

[0036] The holder 21 rotates by the power from the holder driving motor 111. The driving rollers 32 and 34 rotate by the power from the conveying motor 112. The sheet S is conveyed in the conveying direction 6 by the power from the conveying motor 112. The carriage 41 moves in the left-right direction 9 by the power from the carriage driving motor 113. The wiper unit 55 included in the maintenance device 50 performs an operation described later by the power from the wiper driving motor 114. The pumps 122 and 126 included in the maintenance device 50 perform an operation described later by the power from the pump driving motor 115. Note that the holder driving motor 111, the conveying motor 112, the carriage driving motor 113, the wiper driving motor 114, and a part of the pump driving motor 115 may be realized by a common motor. Also, the motor that drives the pump 122 and the motor that drives the pump 126 may be different.

[0037] [Carriage 41 movement range] As shown in FIG. 2, the platen 25 has a shape that is long in the left-right direction 9, and is located below the carriage 41 in the up-down direction 7 (see FIG. 1). The left end of the platen 25 is located near the left ends of the guide rails 37, 38 in the left-right direction 9. The right end of the platen 25 is located to the right of the center of the guide rails 37, 38 in the left-right direction 9. The maintenance device 50 is located to the right of the platen 25 in the left-right direction 9. While the printer 10 is performing image recording, the carriage 41 moves in the left-right direction 9 within the range of the platen 25. While the printer 10 is not performing image recording, the carriage 41 is located to the right of the maintenance device 50 (hereinafter referred to as the standby position).

[0038] [Maintenance Equipment 50] As shown in Fig. 4, the maintenance device 50 includes a flushing box 51, a flushing foam 52, a plate-shaped member 53, a storage tank 54, a wiper unit 55, and two wipers 56 and 57. As shown in Fig. 6(A), the maintenance device 50 further includes pumps 122 and 126, a waste liquid tank 124, and a cleaning liquid tank 128. The flushing box 51, the flushing foam 52, the plate-shaped member 53, the pump 122, and the waste liquid tank 124 are elements for the flushing process. The storage tank 54, the wiper unit 55, the wipers 56 and 57, the pump 126, and the cleaning liquid tank 128 are elements for the wiping process.

[0039] 4, 5(A), 6(A), and 7, the storage tank 54 is adjacent to the flushing box 51 and located to the right of the flushing box 51. The flushing box 51 and the storage tank 54 are integrally formed. FIG. 7 shows the inside of the flushing box 51 and the storage tank 54 without the flushing foam 52, the plate-like member 53, the wiper unit 55, and the wipers 56 and 57.

[0040] [Flushing Box 51] As shown in Fig. 7, the flushing box 51 has a box-like shape without an upper surface. As shown in Fig. 5(B) and Fig. 6(A), the flushing box 51 accommodates a flushing foam 52 therein. The flushing foam 52 is made of a porous material. The flushing foam 52 is, for example, a sponge. The flushing foam 52 is an example of a foam. The flushing box 51 is an example of a storage box.

[0041] 4 and 5(A), the plate-shaped member 53 covers the upper part of the flushing box 51. The plate-shaped member 53 has an opening 58 in the center that exposes a part of the upper surface of the flushing foam 52 when the plate-shaped member 53 is engaged with the flushing box 51. The plate-shaped member 53 covers the entire upper part of the flushing box 51 except for the position of the opening 58. When the plate-shaped member 53 is engaged with the flushing box 51, the plate-shaped member 53 applies a downward force to the flushing foam 52 housed in the flushing box 51.

[0042] When performing the flushing process, the control unit 100 moves the carriage 41 above the flushing box 51. The opening 58 is formed so that all the nozzles 44 of the head 42 face the flushing foam 52 at this time. The plate-like member 53 has openings 58 corresponding to at least all the nozzles 44 of the head 42. The shape of the opening 58 is preferably the same as the shape of the arrangement area of ​​the nozzles 44 in the head 42. The size of the opening 58 is preferably the same as or slightly larger than the size of the arrangement area of ​​the nozzles 44 in the head 42. The flushing foam 52 housed in the flushing box 51 absorbs ink ejected from the nozzles 44 of the head 42 during the flushing process.

[0043] 7, the flushing box 51 has a bottom wall 61, a front wall 62, a left wall 63, a rear wall 64, and a partition 65. When the partition 65 is extended upward to form a virtual right wall facing the left wall 63, the bottom wall 61, the front wall 62, the left wall 63, the rear wall 64, and the right wall define the internal space of the flushing box 51.

[0044] The front wall 62 has two ribs 66a, 66b protruding toward the internal space of the flushing box 51. The rear wall 64 has two ribs 66c, 66d protruding toward the internal space of the flushing box 51. The bottom surfaces of the ribs 66a to 66d are fixed to the inner surface of the lower wall 61 (the surface facing the internal space of the flushing box 51).

[0045] An annular rib 71 is located in the center of the inner surface of the lower wall 61, protruding toward the internal space of the flushing box 51. The planar shape of the rib 71 is approximately rectangular. When the flushing foam 52 is placed in the flushing box 51 without the plate-like member 53 covering the upper part of the flushing box 51, the bottom surface of the flushing foam 52 abuts against the upper surface of the rib 71 without being deformed. After that, when the plate-like member 53 covers the upper part of the flushing box 51, the part of the bottom surface of the flushing foam 52 housed in the flushing box 51 that abuts against the upper surface of the rib 71 is deformed, and a part of the rib 71 bites into the flushing foam 52. In this state, the rib 71 supports the bottom surface of the flushing foam 52. In this way, the inner bottom surface of the flushing box 51 has the rib 71 that supports the bottom surface of the flushing foam 52 while deforming a part of the bottom surface of the flushing foam 52.

[0046] A recess 72 is located in a portion of the inner surface of the lower wall 61 surrounded by the ribs 71. The recess 72 is a portion that is increasingly separated outward from the internal space of the flushing box 51 the closer it is to the center, and is formed by four triangular inclined walls 73. An exhaust port 74 is located in the center of the recess 72. In this way, the inner bottom surface of the flushing box 51 has the recess 72 that is recessed in a direction that expands the internal space of the flushing box 51.

[0047] [Space 75 and Pump 122] 5(B) and 6(A), a space 75 is formed by the bottom surface of the flushing foam 52, the inner side surface of the rib 71, and the portion of the inner surface of the bottom wall 61 of the flushing box 51 surrounded by the rib 71 (including the four inclined walls 73). When the flushing foam 52 is regarded as a single solid body, the space 75 is an enclosed space.

[0048] 6(A), the space 75 is connected to one end of a pump 122 via the exhaust port 74 and a tube 121. The other end of the pump 122 is connected to one end of a tube 123, and a waste liquid tank 124 is located at the other end of the tube 123. The pump 122 applies a negative pressure to the space 75 when driven by a pump drive motor 115 (see FIG. 3).

[0049] [Plate-shaped member 53] The plate-shaped member 53 is a metal plate (hereinafter referred to as a metal plate) having an opening 58 formed therein and each end of the metal plate being processed. As shown in FIG. 6(A), a vertical portion 81a is formed at the left end of the plate-shaped member 53, and a vertical portion 81b is formed at the right end of the plate-shaped member 53. The vertical portion 81a is formed by bending one end (the portion that will become the left end) of the metal plate so as to be perpendicular to the upper surface of the plate-shaped member 53. The vertical portion 81b is formed by bending one opposing end (the portion that will become the right end) of the metal plate so as to be perpendicular to the upper surface of the plate-shaped member 53. The vertical portions 81a and 81b prevent the plate-shaped member 53 from shifting in the left-right direction 9 when the plate-shaped member 53 is engaged with the flushing box 51.

[0050] 5(B), a vertical portion 82 and a horizontal portion 83 are formed at the rear end of plate-shaped member 53. Vertical portion 82 is formed by bending the other end (the portion that will become the rear end) of the metal plate so as to be perpendicular to the upper surface of plate-shaped member 53. Horizontal portion 83 is formed by further bending the bent portion of the metal plate outward (in a direction away from the center of plate-shaped member 53) so as to be parallel to the upper surface of plate-shaped member 53.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 6(B), the rear wall 64 of the flushing box 51 is fixed to the housing 84 of the maintenance device 50. As shown in FIG. 7, the rear wall 64 of the flushing box 51 has an opening 85 for passing the tip 83a of the horizontal part 83 of the plate-like member 53. The tip 83a of the horizontal part 83 is inserted into the opening 85. The tip 83a of the horizontal part 83 has an opening (not shown) for passing the upper part of the leaf spring 86. The upper part of the leaf spring 86 is inserted into the opening of the tip 83a of the horizontal part 83. As shown in FIG. 6(B), the lower part of the leaf spring 86 is fixed to the housing 84 of the maintenance device 50. The leaf spring 86 biases the upper part in a direction away from the rear wall 64 of the flushing box 51. In this way, the rear end of the plate-like member 53 is fixed to the flushing box 51 via the leaf spring 86. The leaf spring 86 biases the plate-shaped member 53 in a direction away from the upper portion of the flushing box 51. The rear end of the plate-shaped member 53 is an example of a first end of the plate-shaped member 53.

[0052] As shown in Figures 5(A) and 5(B), an operating part 87 and a hook 88 are formed at the front end of the plate-shaped member 53. The operating part 87 is a portion narrower than the front end of the plate-shaped member 53. The operating part 87 has a width suitable for a user of the printer 10 to lift it upward with his or her fingers. The hook 88 is formed by bending a metal plate narrower than the metal plate constituting the plate-shaped member 53 in the 90° direction and the 60° direction. The hook 88 is fixed to the front end of the plate-shaped member 53.

[0053] 7, a hook receiving portion 89 is located on the outer side of the front wall 62 of the flushing box 51. The position of the hook receiving portion 89 is close to the hook 88 when the plate-shaped member 53 covers the upper part of the flushing box 51. When the plate-shaped member 53 covers the upper part of the flushing box 51, the hook 88 engages with the hook receiving portion 89, and the plate-shaped member 53 is locked to the flushing box 51. In this manner, the front end of the plate-shaped member 53 is locked to the flushing box 51 via the hook structure. The front end of the plate-shaped member 53 is an example of a second end of the plate-shaped member 53 that faces the rear end of the plate-shaped member 53.

[0054] When the flushing process is repeated, it becomes necessary to replace the flushing foam 52. When replacing the flushing foam 52, the user of the printer 10 lifts the operation unit 87 upward until the hook 88 is released from the hook receiving portion 89. When the hook 88 is released from the hook receiving portion 89, the urging force of the leaf spring 86 causes the plate-shaped member 53 to rotate about its rear end side and move away from the upper surface of the flushing box 51. At this time, the plate-shaped member 53 moves away from the upper surface of the flushing box 51 so that the angle that the plate-shaped member 53 makes with the upper surface of the flushing box 51 is within a range of, for example, about 10° to about 45°.

[0055] [Storage tank 54 and wiper unit 55] As shown in Fig. 7, the storage tank 54 has a box-like shape without an upper portion. As shown in Fig. 6(A), the storage tank 54 stores a cleaning liquid L therein. The cleaning liquid L is a liquid suitable for removing unnecessary matters adhering to the nozzle surface 43 of the head 42. For example, glycerin is used as the cleaning liquid L.

[0056] The wipers 56 and 57 are attached to the wiper unit 55 so that their tips are located outside the storage tank 54. The wiper 56 is not impregnated with the cleaning liquid L and deforms in response to an external force while maintaining its shape to some extent. On the other hand, the wiper 57 is impregnated with the cleaning liquid L and deforms with a high degree of freedom in response to an external force. The wiper 56 is made of, for example, a rubber material. The wiper 57 is made of, for example, a porous material.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 4, wiper unit 55 has a rotating shaft 59. As shown in Fig. 7, a front wall 91 of storage tank 54 has a support portion 93, and a rear wall 92 of storage tank 54 has a support portion 94. Support portion 93 supports one end of rotating shaft 59 of wiper unit 55, and support portion 94 supports the other end of rotating shaft 59. Thus, wiper unit 55 is supported by storage tank 54 to be rotatable about rotating shaft 59.

[0058] When the power of the wiper drive motor 114 (see FIG. 3) is transmitted to the wiper drive mechanism (not shown), the rotary shaft 59 of the wiper unit 55 rotates half a turn, and accordingly, the wiper unit 55 and the wipers 56, 57 rotate half a turn about the rotary shaft 59. As a result, the wiper unit 55 moves between a position where the tips of the wipers 56, 57 face upward (the position shown in FIG. 6(A) ; hereinafter referred to as the upward position) and a position where the tips of the wipers 56, 57 face downward (not shown; hereinafter referred to as the downward position).

[0059] When the wiper unit 55 is in the upward position, the wipers 56, 57 are not immersed in the cleaning liquid L stored in the storage tank 54, and are located in positions where they can come into contact with the nozzle surface 43 of the head 42. When the wiper unit 55 is in the downward position, a portion of the wiper 56 and a portion of the wiper 57 are immersed in the cleaning liquid L stored in the storage tank 54, and the wipers 56, 57 are located in positions where they cannot come into contact with the nozzle surface.

[0060] [Cleaning solution L supply section] As shown in Figures 6(A) and 7, the lower wall of the storage tank 54 is made up of two inclined walls 95, 96. The inclined wall 95 extends in the front-rear direction 8 and is located to the right of the flushing box 51. The inclined wall 96 extends in the front-rear direction 8 and is located further to the right of the inclined wall 95. The right end of the inclined wall 95 and the left end of the inclined wall 96 are located at the same height and are tightly connected to each other so that the cleaning liquid L does not leak. The left end of the inclined wall 95 is located at a position slightly higher than the right end of the inclined wall 95. The right end of the inclined wall 96 is located at a position higher than the left end of the inclined wall 96. A supply port 97 for the cleaning liquid L is located at a position near the rear wall 92 in the connection portion of the inclined walls 95, 96.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 6(A), the supply port 97 is connected to one end of a pump 126 via a tube 125. The other end of the pump 126 is connected to a cleaning liquid tank 128 via a tube 127. The cleaning liquid tank 128 stores unused cleaning liquid. When the pump 126 is driven by a pump drive motor 115 (see FIG. 3), the pump 126 supplies unused cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid tank 128 to the storage tank 54. The cleaning liquid L stored in the storage tank 54 is supplied from the cleaning liquid tank 128 by using the pump 126. The storage tank 54 and the pump 126 are an example of a supply unit that supplies cleaning liquid to the flushing box 51.

[0062] 6(A) and 7, the flushing box 51 and the storage tank 54 are separated by a partition 65. The partition 65 is lower than the front wall 62, the left wall 63, and the rear wall 64. When the pump 126 operates and the cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid tank 128 to the storage tank 54, a part of the cleaning liquid L stored in the storage tank 54 flows into the flushing box 51 over the partition 65. The cleaning liquid that has flowed into the flushing box 51 flows in the space outside the rib 71 and surrounds the outside of the rib 71. The cleaning liquid L located outside the rib 71 is absorbed by the flushing foam 52 and diffuses into the flushing foam 52.

[0063] [Image recording processing] 8, the image recording process by the control unit 100 will be described. When the control unit 100 reaches S11, the carriage 41 is in the standby position, and the wiper unit 55 is in the downward position. At this time, a part of the wiper 56 and a part of the wiper 57 are immersed in the cleaning liquid L stored in the storage tank 54.

[0064] The control unit 100 receives an image recording instruction from an operation unit (not shown) (S11). Specifically, the control unit 100 waits in S11 until it receives the image recording instruction. When the control unit 100 receives the image recording instruction in S11, it controls the wiper drive motor 114 to move the wiper unit 55 to the upward position (S12).

[0065] Next, the control unit 100 executes the wiping process (S13). In S13, the control unit 100 controls the carriage drive motor 113 to move the carriage 41 leftward from the standby position above the wiper unit 55. At this time, the carriage 41 moves leftward while the wipers 56 and 57 are in contact with the nozzle surface 43 of the head 42. The control unit 100 controls the carriage drive motor 113 to move the carriage 41 to a position where the wipers 56 and 57 are not in contact with the nozzle surface 43 of the head 42. At this point, the control unit 100 ends the wiping process. Next, the control unit 100 controls the wiper drive motor 114 to move the wiper unit 55 to a downward position (S14).

[0066] Next, the control unit 100 controls the carriage drive motor 113 to move the carriage 41 leftward to the recording start position (S15). The recording start position is a predetermined position where the carriage 41 faces the platen 25. Next, the control unit 100 controls the holder drive motor 111 and the conveyance motor 112 to convey the sheet S to the recording start position (S16). Note that the control unit 100 may execute S16 in parallel with all or part of S12 to S15.

[0067] Next, the control unit 100 executes image recording on the sheet S (S17). In S17, the control unit 100 controls the carriage drive motor 113 to move the carriage 41 in the left-right direction 9 (leftward or rightward). While the carriage 41 is moving in the left-right direction 9, the control unit 100 controls the head 42 to eject an amount of ink according to image data from the nozzles 44 of the head 42.

[0068] Next, the control unit 100 judges whether image data remains (S18). If the control unit 100 judges in S18 that image data remains (S18: Yes), the control unit 100 proceeds to S19. In this case, the control unit 100 controls the conveying motor 112 to convey the sheet S by a predetermined amount (S19). After that, the control unit 100 proceeds to S17.

[0069] If the control unit 100 determines in S18 that no image data remains (S18: No), the control unit 100 proceeds to S20. In this case, the control unit 100 controls the conveying motor 112 to discharge the sheet S to a predetermined position (S20). Next, the control unit 100 controls the carriage driving motor 113 to move the carriage 41 rightward to a standby position (S21). Thereafter, the control unit 100 proceeds to S11 to execute the next image recording.

[0070] [Flushing process] The control unit 100 determines that flushing processing is necessary when, for example, the time elapsed since the previous flushing processing is performed exceeds a threshold value or when an instruction is received from the user of the printer 10. The control unit 100 performs flushing processing in response to determining that flushing processing is necessary.

[0071] As described above, when the control unit 100 performs the flushing process, the control unit 100 controls the carriage drive motor 113 to move the carriage 41 above the flushing box 51. The opening 58 is formed so that all the nozzles 44 of the head 42 face the flushing foam 52 at this time. The control unit 100 controls the head 42 to eject an amount of ink suitable for the flushing process from the nozzles 44. The flushing foam 52 housed in the flushing box 51 absorbs the ink ejected from the nozzles 44 of the head 42 during the flushing process.

[0072] Since the flushing foam 52 is impregnated with the cleaning liquid, the ink absorbed in the flushing foam 52 moves downward within the flushing foam 52 together with the cleaning liquid, and reaches a space 75 formed below the bottom surface of the flushing foam 52.

[0073] While performing the flushing process or after performing the flushing process, the control unit 100 drives the pump drive motor 115 (see FIG. 3) to operate the pump 122. The pump 122 applies negative pressure to the space 75. Therefore, the ink and cleaning liquid in the flushing foam 52 are sucked and move quickly downward, and the ink and cleaning liquid that reach the space 75 are sucked and move to the waste liquid tank 124.

[0074] [Effects of the embodiment] As described above, the maintenance device 50 according to this embodiment includes the flushing foam 52 for absorbing ink ejected from the nozzles 44 of the head 42, the flushing box 51 that has no upper surface and that houses the flushing foam 52, and the plate-like member 53 that covers the upper part of the flushing foam 52. The plate-like member 53 has an opening 58 that exposes a part of the upper surface of the flushing foam 52 when engaged with the flushing box 51.

[0075] According to the maintenance device 50 of this embodiment, by covering the upper part of the flushing box 51 with a plate-like member 53 having an opening 58, the flushing foam 52 can be pressed downward while exposing a part of the upper surface of the flushing foam 52. Therefore, the distance between the flushing foam 52 and the head 42 can be appropriately maintained, and contact between the flushing foam 52 and the nozzle surface 43 of the head 42 can be effectively prevented. The same effect can be obtained with the printer 10 of this embodiment.

[0076] The printer 10 records images using latex ink. For this reason, compared to printers that use general ink, the printer 10 is more susceptible to problems such as ink adhering to the member covering the flushing box coming into contact with the nozzle surface of the head. Even in such a case, the flushing foam 52 is pressed downward by the plate-like member 53, maintaining an appropriate distance between the flushing foam 52 and the head 42, and preventing contact between the flushing foam 52 and the nozzle surface 43 of the head 42. The present invention is particularly effective when recording images using latex ink.

[0077] Furthermore, the plate-like member 53 has openings corresponding to at least all of the nozzles 44 of the head 42. Therefore, the ink ejected from all of the nozzles 44 of the head 42 can be absorbed by the flushing foam 52 without adhering to the plate-like member 53. Furthermore, the inner bottom surface of the flushing box 51 has a rib 71 that supports the bottom surface of the flushing foam 52 while deforming a part of the bottom surface of the flushing foam 52. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the bulging of the upper surface of the flushing foam 52 pressed by the plate-like member 53.

[0078] Moreover, the inner bottom surface of the flushing box 51 has a recess 72 recessed in a direction that expands the inner space of the flushing box 51. Therefore, the ink absorbed in the flushing foam 52 can be collected in the recess 72 of the flushing box 51. Moreover, when the height of the rib 71 is not sufficient, the flushing foam 52 can be made to escape into the recess 72, so that the upper surface of the flushing foam 52 can be made flat.

[0079] Further, the rear end of the plate-shaped member 53 is fixed to the flushing box 51 via a leaf spring 86, and the front end of the plate-shaped member 53 is engaged with the flushing box 51 via a hook structure including a hook 88 and a hook receiving portion 89. The leaf spring 86 biases the plate-shaped member 53 in a direction away from the upper portion of the flushing box 51. Therefore, the plate-shaped member 53 can be engaged with the flushing box 51 by engaging the hook 88. When the hook 88 is released, the plate-shaped member 53 rotates about the rear end side due to the action of the leaf spring 86, and moves away from the upper portion of the flushing box 51. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user of the printer 10 from neglecting to engage the plate-shaped member 53 with the flushing box 51 when replacing the flushing foam 52.

[0080] The maintenance device 50 also has a supply unit that supplies cleaning liquid to the flushing box 51. Therefore, the cleaning liquid supplied from the supply unit is stored in the flushing box 51 and is impregnated into the flushing foam 52 contained in the flushing box 51. Therefore, the action of the cleaning liquid impregnated into the flushing foam 52 can prevent the ink ejected from the nozzles 44 of the head 42 from remaining in the flushing foam 52.

[0081] Furthermore, the plate-like member 53 covers the entire upper part of the flushing box 51 except for the position of the opening 58, and the size of the opening 58 is approximately the same as the size of the arrangement area of ​​the nozzles 44 in the head 42. Therefore, the ink discharged from the nozzles 44 of the head 42 during the flushing process is absorbed by the flushing foam 52 without adhering to the plate-like member 53, while evaporation of the cleaning liquid stored in the flushing box 51 can be suppressed.

[0082] [Variations] Various modifications of the maintenance device 50 according to the present embodiment can be configured. In the maintenance device 50, the plate-like member 53 has openings 58 corresponding to at least all the nozzles 44 of the head 42. In the maintenance device according to the modification, the head 42 has one or more nozzle rows in which a plurality of nozzles 44 are arranged in the front-rear direction 8 or the left-right direction 9 on the nozzle surface 43, and the plate-like member 53 may have an opening corresponding to at least one nozzle row of the head 42. In this case, the control unit 100 performs the flushing process while moving the carriage 41. According to the maintenance device according to the modification, the ink discharged from the nozzles 44 in the nozzle row of the head 42 can be absorbed by the flushing foam 52 without adhering to the plate-like member 53.

[0083] In the maintenance device 50, the rib 71 is annular. In the maintenance device according to the modified example, the shape of the rib 71 does not necessarily have to be annular. In the maintenance device 50, the inner bottom surface of the flushing box 51 has a recess 72. In the maintenance device according to the modified example, the inner bottom surface of the flushing box 51 does not necessarily have to have a recess 72.

[0084] In the maintenance device 50, the rear end of the plate-shaped member 53 is fixed to the flushing box 51 via the plate spring 86, and the front end of the plate-shaped member 53 is engaged with the flushing box 51 via a hook structure. In a maintenance device according to a modified example, the plate-shaped member 53 may be engaged with the flushing box 51 by other methods. For example, the front and rear ends of the plate-shaped member 53 may be engaged with the flushing box 51 via a hook structure. In addition, all four ends of the plate-shaped member 53 may be engaged with the flushing box 51. In addition, one or more ends of the plate-shaped member 53 may be engaged with the flushing box 51 by means other than the hook structure.

[0085] In the maintenance device 50, the flushing box 51 and the storage tank 54 are formed integrally. In a maintenance device according to a modified example, the flushing box 51 and the storage tank 54 may be formed separately. The maintenance device according to the modified example does not need to have elements for wiping (storage tank 54, wiper unit 55, and wipers 56, 57). In this case, the maintenance device according to the modified example only needs to have a supply unit that supplies cleaning liquid to the flushing box 51 without passing through the storage tank 54. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 10 Printer (image recording device) 42 Head 44 Nozzle 50 Maintenance equipment 51···Flushing box (storage box) 52···Flushing foam (foam) 53 Plate-shaped member 54 Storage tank (part of the supply section) 58...Aperture 71 Rib 72 Recess 86... Leaf spring 88 Hook (part of hook structure) 89 Hook receiving part (part of hook structure) 126 Pump (part of the supply section)

Claims

1. A maintenance device for an image recording device equipped with a head having a nozzle for ejecting liquid, comprising: a foam for absorbing liquid discharged from the nozzle; a container having no top surface for containing the foam; A plate-like member that covers an upper portion of the storage box, the plate-like member has an opening through which a portion of an upper surface of the foam is exposed when the plate-like member is engaged with the storage box; A maintenance device in which the inner bottom surface of the storage box has ribs that support the bottom surface of the foam.

2. A maintenance device for an image recording device equipped with a head having a nozzle for ejecting liquid, comprising: a foam for absorbing liquid discharged from the nozzle; a container having no top surface for containing the foam; A plate-like member that covers an upper portion of the storage box, the plate-like member has an opening through which a portion of an upper surface of the foam is exposed when the plate-like member is engaged with the storage box; The maintenance device has an inner bottom surface of the storage box having a recess that is recessed in a direction that expands the internal space of the storage box.

3. A maintenance device for an image recording device equipped with a head having a nozzle for ejecting liquid, comprising: a foam for absorbing liquid discharged from the nozzle; a container having no top surface for containing the foam; A plate-like member that covers an upper portion of the storage box, the plate-like member has an opening through which a portion of an upper surface of the foam is exposed when the plate-like member is engaged with the storage box; a first end of the plate-like member is fixed to the housing box via a leaf spring; a second end of the plate-like member opposite to the first end is engaged with the storage box via a hook structure; The leaf spring is a maintenance device that biases the plate-shaped member in a direction away from the upper portion of the storage box.

4. A maintenance device for an image recording device equipped with a head having a nozzle for ejecting liquid, comprising: a foam for absorbing liquid discharged from the nozzle; a container having no top surface for containing the foam; A plate-like member covering an upper portion of the storage box; a supply unit for supplying a cleaning liquid to the storage box, The plate-like member is a maintenance device having an opening that exposes a portion of the upper surface of the form when engaged with the storage box.

5. 5. The maintenance device according to claim 1, wherein the plate-like member has the opening corresponding to at least one nozzle row of the head.

6. 6. The maintenance device according to claim 1, wherein the plate-like member has the openings corresponding to at least all of the nozzles of the head.

7. The maintenance device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plate-like member applies a downward force to the form when engaged with the storage box.

8. 8. The maintenance device according to claim 1, wherein the plate-like member is made of metal.

9. A head having a nozzle for ejecting liquid; a carriage which carries the head and moves; 9. An image recording device comprising: a maintenance device according to claim 1.

Images