Head cap device, liquid ejection device, and head capping method

Abstract

To provide a head cap device that is able to manually prevent drying of the nozzle of a head, and a device for ejecting a liquid.SOLUTION: A head cap device includes: a plurality of caps 601 each of which caps a nozzle surface 20a of a head 20; and a holder member 602 holding two cap holders 612 holding the plurality of caps 601. The holder member 602 has a hook portion 621 that detachably engages with a projection 121 provided on an exterior of a carriage 11 on which the head 20 is mounted. If the nozzle surface 20a cannot be capped with caps 61, 62 of a maintenance device 60 due to a malfunction of a printer 1, the head cap device 600 is attached to the carriage 11 to cap the nozzle surface 20a of the head 20 with the cap 601.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a head cap device, a liquid ejection device, and a head capping method. [Background technology]

[0002] Devices that use a head to eject liquid are equipped with a maintenance means (maintenance and recovery mechanism) that includes a cap for capping the nozzle surface and a wiping member for wiping the nozzle surface in order to maintain and recover the performance of the head.

[0003] Conventionally, a maintenance tool for manually performing head maintenance has been known that has a plate-shaped member that covers the nozzle surface, including the nozzles, when placed over the nozzle surface of the ejection head, and the plate-shaped member is provided with an exposure portion that exposes the maintenance portion, which is the part of the ejection head that should be subjected to maintenance (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-136162 A DISCLOSURE OF THEINVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, even if a head maintenance device is provided, there are cases where the device breaks down and the head cannot be moved to the maintenance position by the maintenance device. In this case, the nozzles of the head are left exposed to the atmosphere, and the liquid in the nozzles thickens and hardens, which may make it impossible to recover and require the head to be replaced.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to make it possible to manually prevent the nozzles of a head from drying out. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a head cap device according to the present invention comprises: A cap for capping the nozzle surface of the head; a holder member for holding the cap, The holder member is a member for mounting the head. Ruki It is detachable from the guide member that guides the reciprocating movement of the carriage. The composition was as follows. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to manually prevent the nozzles of the head from drying out. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a printing apparatus as a liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a head cap device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective explanatory view of the same as that of FIG. 4, seen from a different direction. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a front view of the cap in the capping state. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional explanatory view taken along the direction in which the caps are arranged. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the head cap device attached to a carriage. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a holder member of a head cap device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 11 is a perspective explanatory view of the holder member as viewed from a different direction from that in FIG. 10. [Figure 12]13 is a perspective view illustrating a process of mounting the holder member to the guide member. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the holder member attached to the guide member; [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective explanatory view similarly seen from a different direction from that of FIG. 13. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. An example of a printing device as a device for ejecting liquid in the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the printing device, Figure 2 is a plan view of the same, and Figure 3 is a front view of the same.

[0011] The printing device 1 is a device that ejects liquid, and includes a plurality of heads 20 (20A to 20D) that are liquid ejection means that eject liquid, and a carriage 11 that mounts a sub-tank, etc. The heads 20 have a plurality of nozzle rows, and eject liquids such as black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) colors, white ink, and clear ink.

[0012] Guide members 12 and 13 (omitted from FIG. 3) hold the carriage 11 so that it can move back and forth in the main scanning direction X. The carriage 11 is connected to a timing belt 17 that is wound around a drive pulley 15 and a driven pulley 16 that are rotated by a main scanning motor 14, and the carriage 11 is moved back and forth in the main scanning direction X by driving the main scanning motor 14.

[0013] The encoder sheet 18 is disposed along the main scanning direction X. Periodic slits are provided in the encoder sheet 18. The carriage 11 has a reading sensor that reads the slits in the encoder sheet 18, and the position of the carriage 11 in the main scanning direction X can be detected from the reading result of the reading sensor.

[0014] The controller board 50 controls the ejection of liquid ink from the head 20 by adjusting the timing from the carriage position obtained by the reading result of the reading sensor of the carriage 11 to the ejection position.

[0015] Sub-tanks for temporarily storing liquid to be supplied to the heads 20A to 20C are mounted integrally with the heads 20A to 20C on the carriage 11, and liquid stored in a main tank 32 is supplied to the sub-tanks.

[0016] The printing device 1 is equipped with a platen 40, which is a holding member that holds fabric 400 as a printing target (a target to which liquid is to be applied). The platen 40 is mounted on a lifting mechanism 41 so that its height in the vertical direction Z can be adjusted. The lifting mechanism 41 for the platen 40 is mounted on a slider 42. The slider 42 is movably mounted on a slide rail 43 that extends in a sub-scanning direction Y perpendicular to the main scanning direction X.

[0017] The slider 42 is reciprocated in the sub-scanning direction Y by a sub-scanning drive mechanism via a timing belt 45. When the slider 42 is reciprocated in the sub-scanning direction Y, the platen 40 is also reciprocated in the sub-scanning direction Y.

[0018] A maintenance device 60 is disposed on one end side in the main scanning direction to maintain and recover the head 20. The maintenance device 60 is equipped with a suction cap 61 that caps the nozzle surface of the head 20, a moisture retention cap 62 that caps the nozzle surface of the head 20 to retain moisture, and a wiper 63 which is a wiping member that wipes the nozzle surface of the head 20. A suction pump is connected to the suction cap 61.

[0019] At the other end in the main scanning direction, a discharge receiver 66 is disposed. During printing, liquid is discharged from the head 20 to the discharge receiver 66, thereby performing maintenance and recovery of the head 20.

[0020] The printing device 1 also includes a power button 70, an operation unit 71, a power unit 72, and the like.

[0021] In this printing device 1, when printing on a fabric (printing target) such as a T-shirt, the fabric 400 is set on the platen 40. After that, by operating the operation unit 71, the platen 40 is completely retracted to the rear inside the device via the slider 42.

[0022] When the retraction of the platen 40 is completed, the printer 1 enters a print data standby state. At this point, the printing operation is started when the printer 1 receives print data from an external information processing device. Alternatively, if print data has been stored in the controller board 50 in advance, the printing operation is started by selecting the print data with the operation unit 71.

[0023] When the printing operation starts, the platen 40 is moved to a printing start position via the slider 42. Then, the carriage 11 is moved and liquid is ejected from the head 20 to print one line. After one line has been printed, the platen 40 is moved one line via the slider 42. By repeating one scan of the carriage 11 and intermittent movement of the slider 42, printing is performed in a desired area of ​​the fabric 400. After printing is completed, the platen 40 is returned to the front of the device and printing ends.

[0024] Next, a head cap device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 4 to Fig. 9. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the head cap device, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the same from a different direction than Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is a front view of the caps in the capping state, Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view along the arrangement direction of the caps, Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the same, and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the head cap device mounted on a carriage.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 6, the head cap device 600 includes a plurality of caps 601 for capping the nozzle surface 20a of the head 20 mounted on the carriage 11, and a holder member 602 for holding the plurality of caps 601.

[0026] The insides of the plurality of caps 601 provided on the holder member 602 are sealed during capping.

[0027] In this embodiment, at least one cap 601 among the plurality of caps 601 has a passage 611, as shown in FIG. 6, and the passage 611 is closed by a sealing portion 611a.

[0028] That is, in this embodiment, the cap configuration of the head cap device 600 is common to the suction cap 61 and the moisture retention cap 62 provided in the maintenance device 60 of the printing apparatus 1 described above.

[0029] At this time, for the cap 601 corresponding to the suction cap 61, the passage 611 connected to the suction means is closed by the sealing portion 611a so that the inside of the cap 601 is sealed during capping, similar to the cap 601 corresponding to the moisturizing cap 62. In other words, by closing the passage 611 of the cap 601 corresponding to the suction cap 61 by the sealing portion 611a, the cap of the head cap device 600 can be made common to the suction cap 61 and moisturizing cap 62 provided in the maintenance device 60 of the printing device 1.

[0030] Moreover, in the cap 601 corresponding to the suction cap 61, the passage 611 connected to the suction means is closed by the sealing portion 611a, so that even if the moisturizing liquid is filled, leakage through the passage 611 is prevented.

[0031] The multiple caps 601 are held in pairs in a cap holder 612. An elastic member 613 such as a spring is disposed between the cap 601 and the cap holder 612 so that the cap 601 is pressed against the nozzle surface 20a when the nozzle surface 20a is capped with the cap 601.

[0032] The holder member 602 is provided at both ends in the cap arrangement direction with hooks (claws) 621 as engagement parts that are detachably attached to protrusions 121 (see FIG. 9) as engagement parts provided on the exterior of the carriage 11. The hooks 621 as engagement parts of the head cap device 600 engage with the protrusions 121 of the carriage 11 so as to be able to maintain the mounted state.

[0033] The holder member 602 has guide portions 622 at its four corners, which serve as guides and positioning portions when the holder member 602 is attached to the carriage 11 .

[0034] The holder member 602 has a positioning portion 623 that regulates the positional relationship between the cap 601 and the nozzle surface 20a in the longitudinal direction of the cap 601. The positioning portions 623 are arranged at a ratio of one to the cap holder 612.

[0035] Furthermore, within the holder member 602, an absorbing member 603 for absorbing liquid is disposed below the cap holder 612.

[0036] Next, head capping using the head cap device 600 of this embodiment will be described.

[0037] There are cases where the printing device 1 stops due to a malfunction or the like, and the carriage 11 cannot be moved to the capping position (maintenance position) by the maintenance device 60. In this case, the nozzles of the head 20 are exposed to the atmosphere until repairs, etc., are completed by a service technician or the like. This causes the water in the ink or other liquid in the nozzles to evaporate, thickening the ink and possibly even solidifying it.

[0038] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9(a), the head cap device 600 is lifted from below while aligning the guide portion 622 of the head cap device 600 with the exterior of the carriage 11, which is stopped midway.

[0039] 9B, the head cap device 600 is attached to the carriage 11 by engaging the hook portion 621 of the head cap device 600 with the protrusion 121 of the carriage 11.

[0040] At this time, the cap 601 of the head cap device 600 comes into contact with the nozzle surface 20a of the head 20 to cap the nozzle surface 20a. The cap 601 is biased toward the nozzle surface 20a by the elastic member 613, sealing the nozzle surface 20a.

[0041] As a result, the nozzle surface 20a of the head 20 is shielded from the outside air, so that evaporation of moisture is suppressed more than in the case where the head 20 is not capped, and thickening and adhesion are prevented.

[0042] In this way, even if the head 20 cannot be capped by the maintenance means (maintenance device 60), the use of the head cap device 600 according to this embodiment makes it possible to manually prevent the nozzles of the head 20 from drying out.

[0043] Here, when capping with the cap 601 of the head cap device 600, the nozzle surface 20a including the nozzles can be kept moist by capping with the cap 601 filled with moisturizing liquid including cleaning liquid, etc. This more reliably suppresses evaporation of moisture and prevents thickening and adhesion.

[0044] In this case, cleaning of the nozzle surface 20a can be performed at the same time by filling the nozzle surface 20a with a cleaning liquid that also functions as a moisturizing liquid so that the cleaning liquid comes into contact with the nozzle surface 20a when the nozzle surface 20a is capped with the cap 601. Even if the moisturizing liquid filled in the cap 601 spills during capping, it is absorbed by the absorbing member 603 and can be prevented from soiling the inside of the device.

[0045] Here, if the carriage 11 stops during printing, the carriage 11 is in a position facing the platen 40, making it difficult to attach the head cap device 600 to the carriage 11.

[0046] Therefore, in such a case, the head capping method first involves moving the platen 40, which is a member that holds the object to which liquid is applied from the head 20, from a position facing the head 20 to a position that does not face the head 20.

[0047] Thereafter, the holder member 602 of the head cap device 600 is attached to the carriage 11, and a process of capping the nozzle surface 20a of the head 20 with the cap 601 is performed.

[0048] In this way, since the member that holds the target to which the liquid is applied is movable relative to the carriage, the capping operation by the head cap device 600 can be easily performed.

[0049] Next, a head cap device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 10 to Fig. 14. Fig. 10 is a perspective explanatory view of a holder member of the head cap device, and Fig. 11 is a perspective explanatory view of the holder member as viewed from a different direction than Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a perspective explanatory view of the process of mounting the holder member to a guide member, Fig. 13 is a perspective explanatory view of the holder member mounted on the guide member, and Fig. 14 is a perspective explanatory view of the holder member as viewed from a different direction than Fig. 13.

[0050] The holder member 602 of this embodiment includes an engagement portion 631 that engages with the guide member 12 serving as a guide member, and an engagement portion 632 that engages with the guide member 13 serving as a guide member.

[0051] The engaging portion 631 has a substantially semicircular recess (fitting portion) 631a that conforms to the peripheral surface of the guide member 12. The engaging portion 632 has arm portions 632a and 632b that can be folded at a hinge portion 633.

[0052] When the holder member 602 of this head cap device is attached to the guides 12 and 13 serving as guiding members, the arm portions 632a and 632b of the engagement portion 632 are folded as shown in Fig. 12. This allows the holder member 602 to pass between the guide members 12 and 13.

[0053] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, the holder member 602 is passed between the guide members 12 and 13 and the recessed portion 631a of the engagement portion 631 is hooked onto the peripheral surface of the guide member 12.

[0054] Next, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the arm portions 632a, 632b of the engaging portion 632 of the holder member 602 are put in an expanded form, and the engaging portion 632 is placed on the guide member 13.

[0055] As a result, the holder member 602 is attached to the guide members 12 and 13, and the head cap device is attached to the guide members.

[0056] In this embodiment, the holder member 602 also has the engagement portion (hook portion 621) described in the first embodiment. This allows the holder member 602 to be attached to either the carriage or the guide member. However, the holder member 602 does not necessarily have to have the engagement portion described in the first embodiment.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the liquid ejecting device to which the head cleaning device can be detachably connected is described as a printing device that prints on fabric as a liquid application target, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to a liquid ejecting device that ejects liquid onto a sheet material as a liquid application target.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the hook portion as the engaging portion is provided on the head cap device, but the hook portion as the engaging portion may be provided on the carriage or the guide member (guide member). Furthermore, the engaging portion may be configured to be other than the hook portion (claw), and may be configured to be detachable using a magnet or the like.

[0059] In this application, the term "liquid ejection device" refers to a device equipped with a liquid ejection head or a liquid ejection unit. The liquid ejection head is driven to eject liquid. The device is not only capable of discharging liquid onto objects to which the liquid can be attached, but also capable of applying liquid to objects to which the liquid can be attached. This also includes devices that eject into air or liquid.

[0060] This "liquid ejection device" is a device that is used for the feeding, transporting, and ejection of items to which liquid can be attached. It may also include stages, pre-treatment devices, post-treatment devices, etc.

[0061] For example, an example of a "liquid ejecting device" is a device that ejects ink to form an image on paper. The image forming device is a device that forms powder into layers to create a three-dimensional object. There is a three-dimensional modeling device that ejects modeling liquid onto a formed powder layer.

[0062] In addition, the "liquid ejection device" is a device that ejects liquid to produce meaningful images such as letters and figures. For example, the putter that does not have meaning in itself is not limited to being visualized. This also includes those that form objects such as mirrors and three-dimensional images.

[0063] The above-mentioned "object to which liquid can adhere" means an object to which liquid can adhere at least temporarily, and to which the liquid adheres and sticks, or to which the liquid adheres and penetrates, etc. Specific examples include media such as paper, recording paper, film, cloth, and other recording media, electronic boards, electronic components such as piezoelectric elements, powder layers, organ models, and test cells, and unless otherwise specified, includes all objects to which liquid can adhere.

[0064] The material of the above-mentioned "object to which liquid can adhere" may be any material to which liquid can adhere even temporarily, such as paper, thread, fiber, cloth, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, and ceramics.

[0065] The "liquid" may be any liquid having a viscosity and surface tension that allows it to be discharged from the head, and is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the viscosity of the liquid is 30 mPa·s or less at room temperature and pressure, or by heating or cooling. More specifically, the liquid may be a solution, suspension, emulsion, etc., containing a solvent such as water or an organic solvent, a colorant such as a dye or pigment, a functionalizing material such as a polymerizable compound, a resin, or a surfactant, a biocompatible material such as DNA, amino acids, proteins, or calcium, an edible material such as a natural dye, etc., and these can be used for applications such as inkjet ink, surface treatment liquid, a liquid for forming a component of an electronic element or a light-emitting element, an electronic circuit resist pattern, a material liquid for three-dimensional modeling, etc.

[0066] Furthermore, the "liquid ejection device" may be a device in which a liquid ejection head and an object to which liquid can be attached move relatively, but is not limited to this. Specific examples include a serial type device in which a liquid ejection head moves, a line type device in which a liquid ejection head does not move, etc.

[0067] In addition, "liquid ejecting devices" are also used for purposes such as modifying the surface of paper. A processing liquid applicator that applies processing liquid to the paper surface, and a processing liquid applicator that dissolves the raw materials. A spray granulation device that sprays the composition liquid dispersed in liquid through a nozzle to granulate the raw material particles. There are places like this. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1 Printing device (device that ejects liquid) 11 Carriage 12, 13 Guide member 20 Head 40 Platen member 60 Maintenance Equipment 400 Fabric (Eligible) 600 Head Cap Device 601 Cap 602 Holder member 603 Absorbing material 621 Hook (engagement) 631 Engagement part 632 Engagement part

Claims

1. A cap for capping the nozzle surface of the head; a holder member for holding the cap, The holder member is detachably attached to a guide member that guides the reciprocating movement of a carriage carrying the head. A head cap device.

2. The holder member includes an absorbent member for absorbing liquid.

2. The head cap device according to claim 1.

3. The absorbing member is disposed below the cap.

3. The head cap device according to claim 2.

4. the holder member includes a plurality of the caps; The insides of the caps are sealed during capping.

4. The head cap device according to claim 1, wherein the head cap device is a head cap device.

5. The holder member has an engagement portion that is detachably attached to the carriage or the guide member.

5. The head cap device according to claim 1,

6. The engaging portion of the holder member is a hook portion.

6. The head cap device according to claim 5.

7. The engaging portion of the holder member engages with the carriage or the guide member so as to be able to maintain a mounted state.

7. The head cap device according to claim 5 or 6.

8. A carriage carrying a head; a guide member for guiding the reciprocating movement of the carriage, The head cap device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an engagement portion to which the head cap device can be detachably attached. A liquid ejection device comprising:

9. A maintenance device is provided that has a cap that caps the nozzle surface of the head and a wiping member that wipes the nozzle surface of the head.

9. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 8.

10. At least one of the caps included in the maintenance device has a passage connected to a suction means, The passage connected to the passage suction means is provided with a sealing portion for closing the passage.

10. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 9.

11. The liquid ejected from the head is applied to a fabric.

11. The liquid ejection device according to claim 8, wherein the liquid ejection device is a liquid ejection device.

12. a member for holding a target onto which the liquid ejected from the head is applied, The member for holding the target is movable between a position facing the head and a position not facing the head.

12. A liquid ejection device according to claim 8, wherein the liquid ejection device is a liquid ejection device.

13. a step of moving a member that holds a target to which liquid is applied from a head from a position facing the head to a position not facing the head; a step of attaching a head cap device, which includes a cap for capping the nozzle surface of the head and a holder member for holding the cap, to a guide member for guiding the reciprocating movement of a carriage carrying the head, and capping the nozzle surface of the head with the cap. A head capping method comprising the steps of:

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