Cleaning device, liquid ejection unit, and liquid ejection device

Abstract

To provide a cleaning device which enable stable liquid discharge from a liquid discharge surface.SOLUTION: A cleaning device which cleans a discharge surface from which a liquid is discharged, includes a suction processing part which applies suction processing to the discharge surface, a cleaning liquid application processing part which applies processing of providing a cleaning liquid to the discharge surface after the suction processing, and a re-suction processing part which applies re-suction processing to the discharge surface after the cleaning liquid application processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning device , liquid a body discharge unit and a liquid discharge device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an inkjet head cleaning device that includes a contact member (10) positioned at a position in contact with a nozzle surface of an inkjet head (3) having a nozzle surface (6) provided with discharge holes (8) and discharging ink as ink droplets from the discharge holes, the contact member being provided so as to be movable along the nozzle surface, a suction unit (31) for sucking ink droplets adhering to the nozzle surface, and a first movement drive unit (11) for relatively moving the inkjet head and the contact member, and the contact member has a groove portion (35) provided on a contact surface in contact with the nozzle surface and extending in its moving direction.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device that enables stable liquid discharge from a liquid discharge surface.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The present invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning a discharge surface that discharges liquid. In the cleaning device for cleaning a discharge surface that discharges liquid, The head unit in which a plurality of liquid ejection heads having the ejection surface are arranged in a staggered manner, the it includes a suction processing unit that performs a suction process on the discharge surface, a cleaning liquid application processing unit that performs a process of applying a cleaning liquid to the discharge surface after the suction process, and a re-suction processing unit that performs a re-suction process on the discharge surface after the cleaning liquid application process. , the suction process, the cleaning liquid application process, and the re-suction process are executed while the cleaning device moves relative to the ejection surface, and for two or more of the head units arranged side by side in the short side direction of the head unit, a cleaning liquid storage unit connected to the cleaning liquid application processing unit and a waste liquid recovery unit connected to the suction processing unit and the re-suction processing unit are set to a number less than the number of head units, and the direction in which the cleaning device moves relative to the ejection surface is the longitudinal direction of the head unit This is the gist of the invention.

Effects of the Invention

[0005] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cleaning device that enables stable liquid discharge from a liquid discharge surface.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the main part showing an embodiment of a liquid discharge unit equipped with the cleaning device of the present invention. FIG. 1(a) is a top view, and FIG. 1(b) is a side view.

[0009] The liquid discharge unit 100 includes a head unit 1 and a cleaning device 2. The cleaning device 2 includes a cleaning unit 21, a cleaning liquid storage unit 22, and a waste liquid recovery unit 23, and the cleaning unit 21 cleans the liquid discharge surface 10a (hereinafter referred to as the discharge surface) of the head unit 1.

[0010] The cleaning unit 21 includes two suction ports 211 and 212 formed to face the discharge surface 10a of the head unit 1, and a cleaning liquid applicator 213 is installed between the suction port 211 and the suction port 212. The cleaning liquid applicator 213 is connected to the cleaning liquid storage unit 22 via a cleaning liquid supply tube 22a. When cleaning the discharge surface 10a of the head unit 1, the cleaning liquid applicator 213 receives the supply of the cleaning liquid Lc from the cleaning liquid storage unit 22.

[0011] The cleaning liquid applicator 213 is not particularly limited as long as it can apply the cleaning liquid Lc to the discharge surface 10a in a state facing the discharge surface 10a of the head unit 1. However, in terms of applying the cleaning liquid Lc evenly to the discharge surface 10a with a small amount of cleaning liquid, it is preferable that the cleaning liquid applicator 213 uses a spray nozzle, an ultrasonic element, etc., and is configured to apply the cleaning liquid Lc in a mist form to the discharge surface 10a.

[0012] The suction ports 211 and 212 are connected to the waste liquid recovery unit 23 via the suction hose 23a, and suck purge droplets Lp and the like from the discharge surface 10a of the head unit 1. The waste liquid recovery unit 23 includes a cyclone suction separator 231, and the suction force at the suction ports 211 and 212 is generated by this cyclone suction separator 231. Then, the purge droplets Lp and the like sucked at the suction ports 211 and 212 move through the suction hose 23a by the suction of the cyclone suction separator 231, and the waste liquid recovery unit 23 recovers them as waste liquid Lw. Also, the air in the waste liquid recovery unit 23 is purified by the cyclone suction separator 231 and discharged from the exhaust port 232.

[0013] Here, the suction ports 211, the suction hose 23a, the waste liquid recovery unit 23, and the cyclone suction separator 231 are an example of a suction processing unit. Also, the cleaning liquid applicator 213, the cleaning liquid supply tube 22a, and the cleaning liquid storage unit 22 are an example of a cleaning liquid application processing unit. Furthermore, the suction port 212, the suction hose 23a, the waste liquid recovery unit 23, and the cyclone suction separator 231 are an example of a re-suction processing unit. Next, the operation of the cleaning device 2 will be described.

[0014] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation example of the cleaning device.

[0015] The cleaning of the discharge surface 10a of the head unit 1 is performed while the cleaning device 2 moves relative to the head unit 1. In the present embodiment, based on the case where the cleaning device 2 is moved in the direction of the arrow with respect to the head unit 1 stopped at the cleaning position to clean the discharge surface 10a, the following description will be given.

[0016] In the cleaning operation, first, the suction port 211 of the cleaning unit 21 sucks up most of the purge droplets Lp adhering to the ejection surface 10a (Fig. 2(a)). While moving in the arrow direction of the cleaning device 2, the suction port 211 continues to move along the ejection surface 10a while sucking up the purge droplets Lp still adhering to the ejection surface 10a.

[0017] Next, the ejection surface 10a passed by the suction port 211 faces the cleaning liquid applicator 213, and the cleaning liquid applicator 213 sprays mist-like cleaning liquid Lc onto the ejection surface 10a. Thereby, the residue Lr that could not be removed by the previous suction floats up from the ejection surface 10a due to the action of the cleaning liquid Lc (or the residue Lr is diluted), making it easier to remove the residue Lr from the ejection surface 1a (Fig. 2(b)). While moving in the arrow direction of the cleaning device 2, the suction port 211 and the cleaning liquid applicator 213 continue to move along the ejection surface 10a while sucking up the purge droplets Lp from the ejection surface 10a and spraying the cleaning liquid Lc.

[0018] Next, the ejection surface 10a passed by the cleaning liquid applicator 213 faces the suction port 212, and the suction port 212 sucks up the mixed liquid Lx (a mixture of the residue Lr and the cleaning liquid Lc) etc. adhering to the ejection surface 10a (Fig. 2(c)). The movement of the cleaning device 2 in the arrow direction continues until the suction port 212 passes through the ejection surface 10a (Fig. 2(d)). Then, when the suction port 212 passes through the ejection surface 10a, the cleaning operation ends.

[0019] By performing the above cleaning operation, it is possible to remove even the residue Lr that remained slightly on the ejection surface 10a after the first suction. Even if the residue Lr remains on the ejection surface 10a, since the residue Lr is in a state of being mixed with the high-boiling cleaning liquid Lc, it will not dry and adhere on the ejection surface 10a and can be removed in the subsequent cleaning operations.

[0020] Further, the suction ports 211 and 212 are provided at positions separated from each other in the moving direction of the relative movement between the head unit 1 and the cleaning device 2, and a cleaning liquid applicator 213 is provided between the suction port 211 and the suction port 212. Thereby, each member of the suction port 211, the cleaning liquid applicator 213, and the suction port 212 is arranged in the process order of the cleaning operation along the moving direction of the relative movement, so that the operation of each member during cleaning can also be simplified.

[0021] As described above, the cleaning device of the present embodiment does not require essential wiping members, wiper members, etc. for cleaning the discharge surface 10a, and the consumables in the cleaning device can be only the cleaning liquid. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the cleaning function by replenishing the cleaning liquid, and the running cost can be significantly reduced.

[0022] Figure 3 is a flowchart of the cleaning operation.

[0023] When starting the cleaning operation on the discharge surface 10a of the head unit 1, the cleaning device 2 executes a suction process on the discharge surface 10a (step S1). In this suction process, the purge droplets Lp attached to the discharge surface 10a are sucked by the suction port 211 of the cleaning unit 21 constituting the cleaning device 2. The suction port 211 moves along the discharge surface 10a as the cleaning device 2 moves, and continues to suck the purge droplets Lp attached to the discharge surface 10a during this movement.

[0024] Next, a cleaning liquid application process is executed on the discharge surface 10a passed by the suction port 211 (step S2). In the cleaning liquid application process, the cleaning liquid applicator 213 of the cleaning unit 21 sprays the cleaning liquid Lc onto the discharge surface 10a after the suction process. Due to the action of the cleaning liquid Lc, the residue Lr that could not be removed by the suction process floats up from the discharge surface 10a (or dilutes the residue Lr), making it easier to remove the residue Lr from the discharge surface 10a. The suction port 211 and the cleaning liquid applicator 213 move along the discharge surface 10a as the cleaning device 2 moves, and continue to suck the purge droplets Lp from the discharge surface 10a and spray the cleaning liquid Lc during this movement.

[0025] Next, a re-suction process is performed on the discharge surface 10a that has passed through the cleaning liquid applicator 213 (step S3). In the re-suction process, the suction port 212 of the cleaning unit 21 sucks up the mixed liquid Lx (a mixture of the residue Lr and the cleaning liquid Lc) attached to the discharge surface 10a. The movement of the cleaning device 2 continues until the suction port 212 passes through the discharge surface 10a, and when the suction port 212 has passed through the discharge surface 10a, the cleaning operation ends.

[0026] As described above, in this embodiment, in the cleaning device 2 that cleans the discharge surface 10a that discharges liquid, a suction port 211, a suction hose 23a, a waste liquid recovery unit 23, and a cyclone suction separator 231 (an example of a suction processing unit) that perform a suction process on the discharge surface 10a, a cleaning liquid applicator 213, a cleaning liquid supply tube 22a, and a cleaning liquid storage unit 22 (an example of a cleaning liquid application processing unit) that perform a process of applying the cleaning liquid Lc to the discharge surface 10a after the suction process, and a suction port 212, a suction hose 23a, a waste liquid recovery unit 23, and a cyclone suction separator 231 (an example of a re-suction processing unit) that perform a re-suction process on the discharge surface 10a after the cleaning liquid application process are provided.

[0027] Thereby, stable liquid discharge from the discharge surface 10a can be maintained over a long period.

[0028] Also, as described above, the suction process, the cleaning liquid application process, and the re-suction process are executed while the cleaning device 2 moves relative to the discharge surface 10a.

[0029] Also, as described above, the suction port 211 and the suction port 212 are provided at positions separated from each other in the moving direction of the relative movement, and the cleaning liquid applicator 213 is provided between the suction port 211 and the suction port 212.

[0030] Thereby, each member of the suction port 211, the cleaning liquid applicator 213, and the suction port 212 is arranged in the order of the cleaning operation steps along the moving direction of the relative movement, so that the operations of the members during cleaning can be simplified.

[0031] Also, as described above, the cleaning liquid applicator 213 includes an ultrasonic element.

[0032] As a result, the cleaning liquid applicator 213 can apply the cleaning liquid Lc to the ejection surface 10a in the form of a mist, and can apply the cleaning liquid Lc to the ejection surface 10a evenly with a small amount of the cleaning liquid.

[0033] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a modification of the present invention.

[0034] This modification does not include the suction port 212 and has only the suction port 211. In the case of this modification, during the period when the cleaning device 2 moves in the forward path, the suction process by the suction port 211 and the cleaning liquid application process by the cleaning liquid applicator 213 are performed, and when the cleaning liquid application process is completed, the moving direction of the cleaning device 2 is switched to the opposite direction. Then, during the period when the cleaning device 2 moves in the return path, a re-suction process is performed using the suction port 211.

[0035] As described above, in this modification, the suction process and the re-suction process are executed at the same suction port 211.

[0036] As a result, the configuration of the cleaning unit 21 can be further simplified, and the cost of the device can be reduced.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a main part showing another embodiment of the liquid ejection unit including the cleaning device of the present invention, FIG. 5(a) is a top view, and FIG. 5(b) is a side view. Note that members substantially equivalent to the members shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1, and the description thereof is omitted here.

[0038] The liquid ejection unit 110 of the present embodiment is different from the liquid ejection unit 100 of FIG. 1 in that it includes a plurality of head units 1 each having an ejection surface 10a. A configuration such as that of the present embodiment is applied, for example, to a full-color inkjet printing device equipped with a plurality of color print heads. When a plurality of head units 1 are provided, the same number of cleaning devices 2 as the number of head units 1 are also required. Therefore, simply arranging a plurality of the liquid ejection devices 100 shown in FIG. 1 would result in a considerably large-sized device.

[0039] Therefore, in the present embodiment, among the cleaning unit 21, the cleaning liquid storage unit 22, and the waste liquid recovery unit 23 that constitute the cleaning device 2, the cleaning liquid storage unit 22 and the waste liquid recovery unit 23 are made common to a plurality of head units 1. That is, the cleaning liquid Lc is supplied to each cleaning liquid applicator 213 through a cleaning liquid supply tube 22a branched from one cleaning liquid storage unit 22. Further, through a suction hose 23a branched from one waste liquid recovery unit 23, purge droplets Lp, a mixed liquid Lx, etc. sucked at the suction ports 211 and 212 of each cleaning unit 21 are recovered as waste liquid Lw in the waste liquid recovery unit 23.

[0040] As described above, in the present embodiment, for two or more head units 1 provided with a discharge surface 10a, the cleaning liquid storage unit 22 and the waste liquid recovery unit 23 are set to a number less than the number of head units 1. In the present embodiment, a configuration in which one cleaning liquid storage unit 22 and one waste liquid recovery unit 23 are provided for a plurality of head units 1 is illustrated.

[0041] Thereby, when configuring a liquid discharge device having a plurality of head units 1 such as a full-color inkjet printing device, the size of the device can be reduced.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus as an example of the liquid discharge device according to the present invention.

[0043] The image forming apparatus 1000 includes a loading unit 50, a printing unit 60, a drying unit 70, and an unloading unit 80. The image forming apparatus 1000 applies a liquid to a sheet material P loaded from the loading unit 50 in the printing unit 60 to perform required printing, dries the liquid adhering to the sheet material P in the drying unit 70, and then discharges the sheet material P to the unloading unit 80.

[0044] The loading unit 50 includes a loading tray 51 on which a plurality of sheet materials P can be stacked, a feeding device 52 that separates and feeds out the sheet materials P one by one from the loading tray 51, and a registration roller pair 53 that feeds the sheet materials P into the printing unit 60.

[0045] The feeding device 52 can use any feeding device such as a device using rollers or rollers, or a device using air suction. After the sheet material P sent out from the loading tray 11 by the feeding device 52 reaches the registration roller pair 53 at its leading end, the registration roller pair 53 is driven at a predetermined timing, and the sheet material P moves to the printing unit 60. Here, the sheet material P is an example of a recording medium.

[0046] The printing unit 60 includes a conveyance drum 61 that holds and conveys the sheet material P on its outer peripheral surface, and a liquid discharge unit 62 that discharges liquid toward the sheet material P held by the conveyance drum 61. Further, the printing unit 60 includes a transfer cylinder 63 for receiving the sheet material P from the registration roller pair 53 and delivering it to the conveyance drum 61, and a transfer cylinder 64 for receiving the sheet material P from the conveyance drum 61 and delivering it to the drying unit 70.

[0047] The transfer cylinder 63 is configured to grip the leading end portion of the sheet material P by a sheet gripper provided on the transfer cylinder 63, and conveys the sheet material P toward the conveyance drum 61 as the transfer cylinder 63 rotates. Then, the transfer cylinder 63 delivers the sheet material P to the conveyance drum 61 at the position facing the conveyance drum 61.

[0048] The conveyance drum 61 also includes a sheet gripper and is configured to be able to grip the leading end portion of the sheet material P. Further, the conveyance drum 61 is provided with a plurality of suction holes formed dispersedly on its surface, and a suction airflow directed toward the inside of the conveyance drum 61 is generated in each suction hole by a suction device 65.

[0049] Then, the conveyance drum 61 grips the sheet material P that has moved from the transfer cylinder 63 to the conveyance drum 61 with the sheet gripper, adsorbs it to the surface of the conveyance drum 61 by the suction airflow of the suction device 65, and conveys the sheet material P.

[0050] The liquid ejection unit 62 includes head units 1 (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D). For example, the head unit 1A ejects cyan (C) liquid, the head unit 1B ejects magenta (M) liquid, the head unit 1C ejects yellow (Y) liquid, and the head unit 1D ejects black (K) liquid, respectively. In addition, if necessary, a head unit for ejecting special liquids such as white, gold, and silver, or treatment liquids such as surface coating liquids can also be provided. Here, each head unit 1 of the liquid ejection unit 62 corresponds to the head unit 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, and as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, each head unit 1 constitutes a liquid ejection unit 100 together with the cleaning device 2.

[0051] Each head unit 1 of the liquid ejection unit 62 performs an ejection operation according to a drive signal corresponding to the print information. When the sheet material P held by the conveyance drum 61 passes through the facing area with the liquid ejection unit 62, the head unit 1 ejects liquids of various colors and prints an image corresponding to the print information on the sheet material P.

[0052] The drying unit 70 includes a drying mechanism unit 71 for drying the liquid adhering to the sheet material P in the printing unit 60, and a suction conveyance mechanism unit 72 for conveying the sheet material P sucked from the printing unit 60. The sheet material P received by the suction conveyance mechanism unit 72 passes through the drying mechanism unit 71 and moves to the unloading unit 80. When passing through the drying mechanism unit 71, the drying mechanism unit 71 performs a drying process on the liquid on the sheet material P. As a result, the liquid components such as moisture in the liquid evaporate, the colorant contained in the liquid is fixed on the sheet material P, and the curling of the sheet material P is suppressed. Then, the drying unit 70 unloads the dried sheet material P to the unloading unit 80.

[0053] The unloading unit 80 includes an unloading tray 81 on which a plurality of sheet materials P can be stacked, and the unloading tray 81 sequentially stacks and holds the sheet materials P from the drying unit 70. In this embodiment, the feeding device 52, the registration roller pair 53, the transfer cylinder 63, the conveyance drum 61, the transfer cylinder 64, and the suction conveyance mechanism unit 72 are examples of conveyance means.

[0054] Note that, for the image forming apparatus 1000, for example, a preprocessing unit that performs preprocessing on the sheet material P may be arranged upstream of the printing unit 60, or a postprocessing unit that performs postprocessing on the sheet material P to which liquid has adhered may be arranged between the drying unit 70 and the discharging unit 80.

[0055] Examples of the preprocessing unit include those that perform a precoating process of applying a treatment liquid that reacts with a liquid to suppress bleeding to the sheet material P. Examples of the postprocessing unit include those that perform a sheet inversion conveyance process for inverting the sheet printed by the printing unit 60 and sending it back to the printing unit 60 again to print on both sides of the sheet material P, a process of binding a plurality of sheets, and the like.

[0056] FIG. 7 is a main part plan explanatory view showing an example of the head unit.

[0057] The head unit 1 has a plurality of heads 10 each having a discharge surface 10a provided with a nozzle row 10b in which a plurality of nozzles for discharging liquid are arranged, and the plurality of heads 10 are arranged in a staggered manner on the base member 11.

[0058] Among the arrangements of the heads 10 arranged in a staggered manner, the rows of heads 10 arranged in a line in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet material P are defined as the first head row 12 and the second head row 13, respectively.

[0059] In the present invention, 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 a pigment, a polymerizable compound, a resin, a functional group-providing material such as a surfactant, a biocompatible material such as DNA, an amino acid, a protein, or calcium, an edible material such as a natural pigment, and the like.

[0060] These can be used, for example, in applications such as inkjet ink, coating paint, surface treatment liquid, components of electronic elements and light-emitting elements, liquid for forming an electronic circuit resist pattern, and material liquid for three-dimensional modeling.

[0061] What has been described above is an example, and the present invention exhibits specific effects for each of the following aspects.

[0062] The first aspect is a cleaning device (e.g., cleaning device 2) for cleaning a liquid discharge surface (e.g., liquid discharge surface 10a) that discharges liquid, which includes a suction processing unit (e.g., suction port 211, suction hose 23a, waste liquid recovery unit 23, and cyclone suction separator 231) that performs a suction process on the liquid discharge surface, a cleaning liquid application processing unit (e.g., cleaning liquid applicator 213, cleaning liquid supply tube 22a, and cleaning liquid storage unit 22) that performs a process of applying a cleaning liquid to the liquid discharge surface after the suction process, and a re-suction processing unit (suction port 212, suction hose 23a, waste liquid recovery unit 23, and cyclone suction separator 231) that performs a re-suction process on the liquid discharge surface after the cleaning liquid application process.

[0063] According to the first aspect, it is possible to provide a cleaning device that enables stable liquid discharge from a liquid discharge surface.

[0064] Further, in the second aspect, in the first aspect, the suction process, the cleaning liquid application process, and the re-suction process are performed while the cleaning device (e.g., cleaning device 2) moves relative to the liquid discharge surface (e.g., liquid discharge surface 10a).

[0065] Further, in the third aspect, in the first aspect or the second aspect, the suction port (e.g., suction port 211) of the suction processing unit and the suction port (e.g., suction port 212) of the re-suction processing unit are provided at positions separated from each other in the moving direction of the relative movement (e.g., the arrow direction in FIG. 2), and a cleaning liquid applicator (e.g., cleaning liquid applicator 213) of the cleaning liquid application processing unit is provided between the suction port of the suction processing unit and the suction port of the re-suction processing unit.

[0066] According to the second and third aspects, each member of the suction port of the suction processing unit, the cleaning liquid applicator, and the suction port of the re-suction processing unit is arranged in the order of the cleaning operation steps along the moving direction of the relative movement, and the operations of each member during cleaning can be simplified.

[0067] Further, a fourth aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect or the second aspect, the suction process and the re-suction process are executed at the same suction port (for example, suction port 211).

[0068] According to the fourth aspect, the configuration of the cleaning unit can be further simplified, and the cost of the apparatus can be reduced.

[0069] Further, a fifth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, for two or more head units (for example, head unit 1) provided with the discharge surface (for example, discharge surface 10a), a cleaning liquid storage unit (for example, cleaning liquid storage unit 22) connected to the cleaning liquid application processing unit and a waste liquid recovery unit (for example, waste liquid recovery unit 23) connected to the suction processing unit and the re-suction processing unit are set to a number less than the number of the head units.

[0070] According to the fifth aspect, when configuring a liquid discharge apparatus including a plurality of head units, the apparatus can be miniaturized.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0071] 1 Head unit 10 Liquid discharge head 2 Cleaning device 21 Cleaning unit 22 Cleaning liquid storage unit 23 Waste liquid recovery unit 211 Suction port 212 Suction port 213 Cleaning liquid applicator

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0072]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. In a cleaning device for cleaning a liquid ejection surface that ejects liquid, a suction processing unit that performs a suction process on the liquid ejection surface of a head unit in which a plurality of liquid ejection heads having the liquid ejection surface are arranged in a staggered manner; a cleaning liquid application processing unit that performs a process of applying a cleaning liquid to the liquid ejection surface after the suction process; and a re-suction processing unit that performs a re-suction process on the liquid ejection surface after the cleaning liquid application process, wherein the suction process, the cleaning liquid application process, and the re-suction process are executed while the cleaning device moves relative to the liquid ejection surface, for two or more of the head units arranged side by side in the short side direction of the head unit, a cleaning liquid storage unit connected to the cleaning liquid application processing unit and a waste liquid recovery unit connected to the suction processing unit and the re-suction processing unit are provided in a number less than the number of head units, A cleaning device, wherein a direction in which the cleaning device moves relative to the liquid ejection surface is a longitudinal direction of the head unit.

2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein a suction port of the suction processing unit and a suction port of the re-suction processing unit are provided at positions separated from each other in a moving direction of the relative movement, and a cleaning liquid applicator of the cleaning liquid application processing unit is provided between the suction port of the suction processing unit and the suction port of the re-suction processing unit.

3. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the suction process and the re-suction process are executed at the same suction port.

4. The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cleaning liquid application processing unit includes an ultrasonic element.

5. A liquid ejection unit, comprising: a plurality of head units in which liquid ejection heads having a liquid ejection surface for ejecting liquid are arranged in a staggered manner; and the cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. transport means for transporting a recording medium; a plurality of head units in which liquid ejection heads having a liquid ejection surface for ejecting liquid onto the recording medium are arranged in a staggered manner; and a liquid ejection device, comprising: the cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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