Liquid ejection unit and liquid ejection device

Abstract

To provide a liquid discharge unit capable of maintaining stable movement of a wiping member with respect to a nozzle surface.SOLUTION: This liquid discharge unit comprises: a nozzle surface having a nozzle for discharging a liquid; a wiping member that moves on a plane parallel to the nozzle surface and wipes the nozzle surface; and a guide member that guides the movement of the wiping member. The guide member is provided with washing liquid supply means for supplying a washing liquid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection unit and a liquid ejection apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a liquid ejection device (1000) equipped with a carriage (1) having a nozzle surface (302a) having nozzles that eject ink toward an object to be drawn, a wiper (3) that contacts the nozzle surface and extends in a direction parallel to the nozzle surface, a cleaning liquid recovery member (6) that retains cleaning liquid supplied to the wiper, and a wiper unit (4) that retains the wiper and the cleaning liquid recovery member and is movable between a position where the wiper faces the nozzle surface and a position where the wiper does not face the nozzle surface without changing the inclination of the cleaning liquid recovery member relative to the horizontal plane. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] In conventional technology, a portion of the liquid ejected from the nozzles becomes mist and floats, and the mist of the liquid adheres to a guide member that guides the movement of a wiping member such as a wiper. When the mist of the liquid adheres to the guide member, it interferes with the movement of the wiping member, preventing the wiping member from wiping the nozzle surface. In particular, if the liquid dries quickly, the liquid that adheres to the guide member tends to accumulate, which can cause greater interference with the movement of the wiping member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The present invention provides a liquid ejection unit including a nozzle surface having nozzles for ejecting liquid, a wiping member that moves on a plane parallel to the nozzle surface and wipes the nozzle surface, and a guide member that guides the movement of the wiping member, the liquid ejection unit including a cleaning liquid supply means that supplies cleaning liquid to the guide member. The cleaning liquid supplying means supplies cleaning liquid to a guide member installed vertically below the position of the nozzle surface, and includes a member vertically below the position of the wiping member that has a passage through which the cleaning liquid can pass, and supplies the cleaning liquid used in cleaning the wiping member to the guide member via the member. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0005] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a liquid ejection unit that can maintain stable movement of the wiping member relative to the nozzle surface. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall perspective view of a liquid ejection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is an overall perspective view of the carriage at the retracted position. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the carriage at a liquid ejection position. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a head position according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a head and a cleaning device and its surroundings according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the head and the cleaning device and its surroundings according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a comparative explanatory diagram of the effect of removing adhering ink. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a head and a cleaning device and its surroundings according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an application example of a liquid ejection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another application example of the liquid ejection device according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0008] <Outline of liquid ejection device> First, an outline of a liquid ejection device will be described using Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is an overall perspective view of a liquid ejection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The liquid ejection device illustrated here is a printing device that forms an image on the side of a truck body or the like.

[0009] In FIG. 1, the printing device 1000 is installed facing an object 100, such as the side of a truck body. The printing device 1000 includes an X-axis rail 101, a Y-axis rail 102 that intersects with the X-axis rail 101, and a Z-axis rail 103 that intersects with the X-axis rail 101 and the Y-axis rail 102. The Y-axis rail 102 holds the X-axis rail 101 so that the X-axis rail 101 can move in the Y direction (positive and negative sides). The X-axis rail 101 holds the Z-axis rail 103 so that the Z-axis rail 103 can move in the X direction (positive and negative sides). The Z-axis rail 103 holds the carriage 1 so that the carriage 1 can move in the Z direction (positive and negative sides). Here, the carriage 1 is an example of a "liquid ejection unit."

[0010] The printing device 1000 includes a first Z-direction drive unit 92 that moves the carriage 1 in the Z direction along the Z-axis rail 103, and an X-direction drive unit 72 that moves the Z-axis rail 103 in the X direction along the X-axis rail 101. The printing device 1000 also includes a Y-direction drive unit 82 that moves the X-axis rail 101 in the Y direction along the Y-axis rail 102, and a second Z-direction drive unit 93 that moves the head holder 70 in the Z direction relative to the carriage 1.

[0011] In the printing device 1000 configured as described above, the carriage 1 moves back and forth on the X-rail 101 from side to side (negative and positive sides in the X direction) every time the X-rail 101 moves down to the negative side in the Y direction at regular intervals. As the carriage 1 moves back and forth, the head provided on the head holder 70 ejects ink, which is an example of a liquid, while scanning the object 100, thereby forming an image, which is an example of a liquid ejection process, on the object 100.

[0012] Here, the movement of the carriage 1 and head holder 70 in the Z direction does not necessarily mean that it is parallel to the Z direction, and it may be an oblique movement as long as it includes at least a component in the Z direction. Although the surface shape of the object 100 is shown as a flat surface in the figure, the surface shape of the object 100 may also be a nearly vertical surface, a surface with a large radius of curvature, or a surface with some unevenness. Furthermore, the system configuration is not limited to one in which the head is moved relative to the object 100. It is sufficient that the head and object 100 are capable of moving relative to each other, and the object 100 may also be configured to move relative to the head.

[0013] <Carriage configuration> Next, the configuration of the carriage will be explained using Figures 2 and 3. Figures 2 and 3 are overall perspective views of the carriage in the printing device shown in Figure 1, with Figure 2 showing the carriage in a retracted position on the Z axis. Figure 3 shows the carriage and head in an ink ejection position on the Z axis.

[0014] 2, the carriage 1 includes a head holder 70. The carriage 1 is movable in the Z direction along a Z-axis rail 103 by power from a first Z-direction drive unit 92. The head holder 70 also holds a head 300, and is movable in the Z direction relative to the carriage 1 by power from a second Z-direction drive unit 93 shown in FIG. 1. Regarding the head 300, this embodiment illustrates a configuration in which six heads 300a to 300f are arranged in a stacked manner on the head holder 70.

[0015] Each of the heads 300a to 300f has a nozzle surface 302a with a plurality of nozzles 302. The types and number of ink colors used by the heads 300a to 300f may be different for each head, or may all be the same color. For example, if the printing device 1000 is a device that uses a single color, the inks used by the heads 300a to 300f may be the same color. Furthermore, the number of heads constituting the head 300 is not limited to six. It may be more or less than six.

[0016] As shown in the figure, the heads 300 are fixed to the head holder 70 so that the nozzle surface 302a of each head intersects with the horizontal plane (XZ plane) and the arrangement direction of the multiple nozzles 302 is inclined with respect to the X axis. This causes the nozzles 302 to eject ink in the horizontal direction (Z direction).

[0017] The carriage 1 also includes a cleaning device 4 that cleans the head 300. The carriage 1 supports a frame 2 that is provided so as to surround the periphery of the head holder 70. The frame 2 includes a guide rod 3 that is made up of a shaft member that extends in the X direction, and the cleaning device 4 is attached to the guide rod 3 so as to be movable along the guide rod 3 in the X direction, that is, in a direction that intersects the horizontal direction (Z direction) and the vertical direction (Y direction).

[0018] The frame 2 contains a drive motor for moving the cleaning device 4 along the guide rod 3, a position sensor for detecting the position of the cleaning device 4 in the X direction (standby position, return position), etc. As a result, the drive motor transmits power to the power transmission belt 5, and the cleaning device 4 connected to the power transmission belt 5 moves along the guide rod 3 in the positive X direction.

[0019] The cleaning device 4 then cleans the nozzle surface 302a and the nozzles 302 of the head 300. When the cleaning device 4 moves further in the positive X direction and reaches the turning back position, the movement direction of the cleaning device 4 switches to the negative X direction, and the cleaning device 4 returns to the standby position.

[0020] When ink is ejected (printed) onto an object 100 such as the side of a truck body, the head holder 70 moves in the positive Z direction relative to the carriage 1 (advancing toward the object 100) as shown in Figure 3. Note that the Z direction position of the carriage 1 when ejecting ink is not always constant. The Z direction position of the carriage 1 when ejecting ink varies in accordance with the surface shape of the side of the vehicle body 100.

[0021] <Positional relationship between the head and cleaning device> Next, the positional relationship between the head and the cleaning device will be explained using Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the head position in an embodiment of the present invention, with Fig. 4(a) showing the head in the liquid ejection position, Fig. 4(b) showing the head in the cleaning position, and Fig. 4(c) showing the head in the retracted position. Note that in the following explanation, the number of heads is assumed to be four (300a to 300d), and the explanation will be simplified.

[0022] The head 300 is connected to a slide mechanism 90 via a head holder 70. The slide mechanism 90 corresponds to the first Z-direction drive unit 92 and second Z-direction drive unit 93 shown in Fig. 1, and for convenience, they will be described collectively here. This slide mechanism 90 enables the head 300 to move to a liquid ejection position, a cleaning position, and a retracted position in the normal direction (Z direction) of the nozzle surface 302a.

[0023] 4(a), the head 300 protrudes further in the positive X-direction than the cleaning device 4, and prints by ejecting ink from the head 300 while maintaining an appropriate distance between the vehicle side surface 100 and the head 300 shown in FIG. 1. By having the head 300 protrude further in the positive X-direction than the cleaning device 4, interference between the vehicle side surface 100 and the cleaning device 4 during printing is prevented, and an appropriate distance can be maintained between the nozzle surface 302a and the vehicle side surface 100.

[0024] In the cleaning position, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the head 300 is positioned further back in the negative X direction than the cleaning device 4, and the wiper 41 is positioned so as to abut against the head 300 with an appropriate amount of penetration.

[0025] 4(c), the head 300 is further retracted toward the negative X-direction than the cleaning position, and the wiper 41 does not come into contact with the head 300. Note that even in this state, the cleaning device 4 can still move in the X-direction (positive and negative).

[0026] <Configuration of the head and cleaning device> Next, the configuration of the head and the cleaning device and its surroundings will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the head and the cleaning device and its surroundings according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a schematic side view of the head and the cleaning device and its surroundings according to the same embodiment.

[0027] 5, frame 2 constituting carriage 1 is provided with guide rods 3a and 3b at its upper and lower parts. Guide rods 3a and 3b hold cleaning device 4 via bushings 44. The upper part of cleaning device 4 is connected to power transmission belt 5 provided above guide rod 3a, and cleaning device 4 moves in the X direction (positive and negative sides) along guide rods 3a and 3b by power from power transmission belt 5. Cleaning device 4 is provided with wiper 41, cleaning liquid supply member 42, and cleaning liquid recovery member 43.

[0028] The wiper 41 is made of an elastic material such as sponge or low-hardness rubber, and is adjusted so that it deforms when it comes into contact with the nozzle surface 302a and wipes away ink stains and the like adhering to the surface of the nozzle surface 302a during wiping. As the cleaning device 4 moves in the X direction, the wiper 41 wipes the nozzle surface 302a of the head 300 (300a to 300d) fixed to the head holder 70, removing stains from the nozzle surface 302a. Here, the wiper 41 is an example of a "wiping member."

[0029] The cleaning liquid supply member 42 is located above the wiper 41 (positive side in the Y direction) and supplies cleaning liquid from above the wiper 41 downward (negative side in the Y direction). The cleaning liquid collection member 43 is located below the wiper 41 (negative side in the Y direction) and collects excess cleaning liquid. The cleaning liquid supply member 42 and the cleaning liquid collection member 43 are connected by piping to a cleaning liquid supply source or a cleaning liquid collection destination, respectively, so that cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid supply source to the cleaning liquid supply member 42 and waste liquid from the cleaning liquid collection member 43 is collected at the cleaning liquid collection destination.

[0030] In the above configuration, when cleaning the nozzle surface 302a, the head 300 and cleaning device 4 are positioned as shown in Fig. 4(b), and the wiper 41 wipes the nozzle surface 302a as the cleaning device 4 moves in the positive X direction. Once the wiper 41 has passed the nozzle surface 302a and wiping of the nozzle surface 302a is complete, the head 300 and cleaning device 4 are positioned as shown in Fig. 4(c), and the cleaning device 4 is moved in the negative X direction so that the wiper 41 does not come into contact with the head 300. This returns the cleaning device 4 to its initial position.

[0031] Additionally, adjacent to the bushings 44 provided at the top and bottom of the cleaning device 4 are a guide cleaning member 46 and a second cleaning liquid supply member 45 that supplies cleaning liquid to the guide cleaning member 46. The guide cleaning member 46 has a hollow cylindrical cross section, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, and the guide rods 3a and 3b pass through the hollow portion. The second cleaning liquid supply member 45 is provided so as to contact or face part of the outer circumferential surface of the guide cleaning member 46. Here, the guide rods 3a and 3b are an example of a "guide member," and the second cleaning liquid supply member 45 is an example of a "cleaning liquid supply means."

[0032] Some of the ink ejected from the nozzles 302 floats in the form of a mist, and the mist of ink may adhere to the surfaces of the guide rods 3a and 3b (the guide surfaces that guide the movement of the cleaning device 4). If the mist of ink adheres to the guide rods 3a and 3b, it may interfere with the movement of the cleaning device 4 in the wiping direction and may hinder the wiping operation of the wiper 41 on the nozzle surface 302a. In particular, if the ink is quick-drying ink, the ink that adheres to the guide rods 3a and 3b tends to accumulate, which may cause greater interference with the wiping operation of the wiper 41. Therefore, in this embodiment, a second cleaning liquid supply member 45 and a guide cleaning member 46 are provided to prevent interference with the wiping operation.

[0033] Specifically, a guide cleaning member 46 made of felt or the like is fixed to the side of the bushing 44 so that the surfaces of the guide rods 3a, 3b can be cleaned in accordance with the X-direction movement of the bushing 44 fitted to the guide rods 3a, 3b. A second cleaning liquid supply member 45 supplies cleaning liquid from above the guide cleaning member 46. With the above configuration, the guide cleaning member 46 moves in the wiping direction along the guide rods 3a, 3b while dissolving ink adhering to the guide rods 3a, 3b with cleaning liquid, thereby keeping the guide rods 3a, 3b clean.

[0034] <Comparison of ink removal effects> Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram for comparing the effectiveness of removing adhering ink, showing an enlarged view of the guide rod portion. Figure 7(a) shows a configuration without a guide rod cleaning means, Figure 7(b) shows a configuration with only a guide cleaning member, and Figure 7(c) shows a configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] In the case of Figure 7(a), no cleaning means for cleaning the guide rod 3 is provided, so ink A adhering to the guide rod 3 hinders movement of the bush 44 in the X direction (wiping direction). In the case of Figure 7(b), a guide cleaning member 47 for cleaning the guide rod 3 is provided, so it is possible to remove ink A that has just adhered to the guide rod 3 with the guide cleaning member 47, but it is not possible to completely remove ink A that has dried and adhered to the guide rod 3.

[0036] 7(c) includes a second cleaning liquid supply member 45 that supplies cleaning liquid to the guide cleaning member 46, making it possible to redissolve ink A that has dried and adhered to the guide rod 3 with the cleaning liquid. Specifically, the second cleaning liquid supply member 45 contacts a portion of the outer periphery of the guide cleaning member 46, and the cleaning liquid supplied by the second cleaning liquid supply member 45 permeates the guide cleaning member 46 as indicated by arrow a, allowing the guide cleaning member 46 to retain the cleaning liquid. As the bushing 44 moves in the X direction, the guide cleaning member 46 redissolves ink A that has dried and adhered to the guide rod 3 with the cleaning liquid it retains, removing the ink A from the guide rod 3 and thereby not interfering with the movement of the bushing 44. The second cleaning liquid supply member 45 may be provided with its own storage compartment for storing cleaning liquid, or may be connected to a tank or the like that stores cleaning liquid via piping.

[0037] As described above, the first embodiment is a carriage 1 that includes a nozzle surface 302a having nozzles 302 that eject ink, a wiper 41 that moves on a plane parallel to the nozzle surface 302a and wipes the nozzle surface 302a, and guide rods 3a, 3b that guide the movement of the wiper 41, and also includes a second cleaning liquid supply member 45 that supplies cleaning liquid to the guide rods 3a, 3b. This allows ink that has adhered to the guide rods 3a, 3b to be dissolved by the cleaning liquid, and the ink is removed from the guide rods 3a, 3b, so that stable movement of the wiper 41 relative to the nozzle surface 302a can be maintained.

[0038] <Second embodiment> A modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a schematic side view of the head and the cleaning device and its surroundings according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] The ink floating in mist flows downward due to its own weight, and more ink adheres to the guide member installed vertically below the position of the nozzle surface 302a of the head 300 (on the negative Y-axis side in the drawing). For this reason, the cleaning liquid supplying means in the second embodiment supplies cleaning liquid to the guide member installed vertically below the position of the nozzle surface 302a.

[0040] In this embodiment, the guide member installed vertically below the position of the nozzle surface 302a is a guide rail 3c with a U-shaped cross section and a groove in the X direction on its upper surface. A member 47 having a through-hole 47a penetrating in the Y direction is provided below the cleaning liquid recovery member 43 of the cleaning device 4. Furthermore, a sliding member 48 is provided below the member 47, and the sliding member 48 is configured to engage with the groove in the guide rail 3c.

[0041] The sliding member 48 is made of, for example, a bearing having a rotation axis parallel to the Y direction, and the outer peripheral surface of the bearing is fitted into a groove in the guide rail 3c, so that the guide rail 3c holds the lower end of the cleaning device 4. The through hole 47a of the member 47 is provided so as to be roughly opposite to the contact position between the groove in the guide rail 3c and the sliding member 48. The guide rail 3c also has a through hole 3d that penetrates in the Y direction in a part of it, and is connected to a drainage section 3f via a pipe 3e.

[0042] In the second embodiment configured as described above, a cleaning liquid supply member 42 provided on the top of the cleaning device 4 supplies cleaning liquid to the wiper 41, and the wiper 41 cleans the nozzle surface 302a using the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply member 42. The cleaning liquid used to clean the nozzle surface 302a then flows down the wiper 41 and is collected by the cleaning liquid collection member 43. The cleaning liquid collected by the cleaning liquid collection member 43 passes through a through hole 47a provided in the member 47 and falls onto the guide rail 3c.

[0043] As described above, the through-hole 47a is positioned so as to be roughly opposite the contact position between the groove of the guide rail 3c and the sliding member 48. Therefore, the cleaning liquid that falls onto the guide rail 3c dissolves and washes away ink adhering to the inner surface of the groove of the guide rail 3c. Furthermore, the cleaning liquid that collects in the groove of the guide rail 3c flows from the through-hole 3d through the pipe 3e to the drainage section 3f. The drainage section 3f collects the cleaning liquid that collects in the groove of the guide rail 3c, thereby preventing the cleaning liquid from overflowing from the guide rail 3c. In the second embodiment, the cleaning liquid supply member 42 is an example of a "cleaning liquid supply means," the member 47 is an example of a "member having a passage through which the cleaning liquid can pass," and the through-hole 47a is an example of a "passage." Furthermore, the through-hole 3d, the pipe 3e, and the drainage section 3f are examples of a "drainage means."

[0044] As described above, in the second embodiment, the cleaning liquid supply member 42 supplies cleaning liquid to the guide rail 3c that is installed vertically below the position of the nozzle surface 302a. Also, as described above, a member 47 having through-holes 47a through which the cleaning liquid can pass is provided vertically below the position of the wiper 41, and the cleaning liquid used to clean the wiper 41 is supplied to the guide rail 3c via the member 47. This eliminates the need to provide a dedicated cleaning liquid supply means for supplying cleaning liquid to the guide rail 3c, thereby simplifying the piping configuration for supplying the cleaning liquid.

[0045] Furthermore, as described above, the guide rail 3c is provided with the through-hole 3d, the piping 3e, and the drainage section 3f for discharging the cleaning liquid from the guide rail 3c, which allows the collection and drainage of the cleaning liquid to be concentrated in the guide rail 3c, simplifying the piping configuration on the collection and drainage sides.

[0046] <Application example> An application example of the present invention will be described below.

[0047] 9A and 9B are schematic diagrams showing an application example of a liquid ejection device according to an embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 9A is an overall diagram and FIG. 9B is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 9A.

[0048] The illustrated liquid ejection device is, for example, a printing device that forms an image on the side of an aircraft fuselage. The printing device 2000 includes a linear rail 404 that supports a carriage 1 so that it can move linearly back and forth, and an articulated robot 405 that moves the linear rail 404 to a predetermined position as needed and holds it in that position. The articulated robot 405 includes a robot arm 405a that has multiple joints that allow it to move freely like a human arm, and the tip of the robot arm 405a can be moved freely and positioned accurately.

[0049] For example, a six-axis controlled industrial robot having six axes, i.e., six joints, can be used as the articulated robot 405. With a six-axis articulated robot, by teaching information regarding its operation in advance, it is possible to very accurately and quickly position the linear rail 404 at a predetermined position on the machine body 702. The robot 405 is not limited to a six-axis robot, and an articulated robot having an appropriate number of axes, such as five axes or seven axes, can be used.

[0050] The robot arm 405a of the robot 405 is equipped with a fork-shaped support member 424. A vertical linear rail 423a is attached to the tip of the left branch 424a of this support member 424, and a vertical linear rail 423b is attached to the tip of the right branch 424b so that they are parallel to each other. The two vertical linear rails 423a, 423b support both ends of the linear rail 404, which movably holds the carriage 1.

[0051] The carriage 1 has the configuration described in the first or second embodiment above, and is equipped with a head that ejects liquid toward the body 702. The head may be the head 300 described above, a plurality of heads 300 that eject liquid of each color, such as yellow, magenta, cyan, black, and white, or a head 300 that has a plurality of nozzle rows. Liquid of each color is supplied from an ink tank 400 to each head 300 or each nozzle row of the head 300 of the carriage 1.

[0052] Carriage 1 moves in a first direction by moving on linear rail 404, and can move in a second direction intersecting the first direction by moving linear rail 404 on vertical linear rails 423a and 423b. Carriage 1 also includes a first slide mechanism that moves carriage 1 in a third direction (in this example, the direction of liquid ejection toward body 702) intersecting the first and second directions. Carriage 1 also includes a second slide mechanism that moves the head relative to carriage 1 in the third direction.

[0053] The printing device 2000 uses the robot 405 to move the linear rail 404 to the image formation area of ​​the machine body 702, and drives the head 300 while moving the carriage 1 along the linear rail 404 according to the image data to form an image. Then, when printing of one line is completed, the vertical linear rails 423a and 423b are driven to move the head 300 of the carriage 1 from one line to the next. By repeating this operation, it becomes possible to form an image in the required image formation area of ​​the machine body 702.

[0054] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing another application example of the liquid ejection device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] The illustrated liquid ejection device is an unmanned vehicle-type printing device, such as a wall-climbing robot. The printing device 7000 is capable of moving by driving a roller 710 while sucking an object 100 (a building wall in this example) at the bottom of the printing device 7000. The printing device 7000 is equipped with a liquid ejection unit 720 including a head that ejects liquid such as ink and a cleaning device, and supplies liquid contained in a liquid tank 730 to the liquid ejection unit 720 via a cable 740. The printing device 7000 then ejects liquid from the head provided in the liquid ejection unit 720 toward the object 100, applying the liquid to a coating portion P of the object 100.

[0056] In this example, the liquid tank 730 is installed on the ground, and liquid is supplied from the liquid tank 730 to the liquid ejection unit 720 via the cable 740, but the liquid tank 730 may also be provided in the printing apparatus 7000. By providing the liquid tank 730 in the printing apparatus 7000, it is possible to eliminate the restriction on the movement range imposed by the cable 740, and it becomes possible to move the printing apparatus 7000 freely.

[0057] The effects of the present invention can also be obtained when the configuration described in the first or second embodiment is applied to the liquid ejection unit 720 of such a printing apparatus 7000.

[0058] In the present invention, the liquid may be a solution, suspension, emulsion, or the like containing a solvent such as water or an organic solvent, a colorant such as a dye or pigment, a polymerizable compound, a resin, a surfactant, or the like, a functionalizing material, a biocompatible material such as DNA, amino acids, proteins, or calcium, an edible material such as a natural colorant, etc. These can be used, for example, as inkjet ink, paint, surface treatment liquid, a liquid for forming components of electronic elements or light-emitting elements or electronic circuit resist patterns, a material liquid for 3D modeling, etc.

[0059] The above description is merely an example, and the present invention provides unique effects for each of the following aspects.

[0060] [First aspect] The first aspect is a liquid ejection unit (e.g., carriage 1) comprising a nozzle surface (e.g., nozzle surface 302a) having nozzles that eject liquid, a wiping member (e.g., wiper 41) that moves on a surface parallel to the nozzle surface and wipes the nozzle surface, and a guide member (e.g., guide rods 3a, 3b in the first embodiment, guide rail 3c in the second embodiment) that guides the movement of the wiping member, and is characterized by comprising a cleaning liquid supply means (e.g., second cleaning liquid supply member 45 in the first embodiment, cleaning liquid supply member 42 in the second embodiment) that supplies cleaning liquid to the guide member.

[0061] According to the first aspect, it is possible to provide a liquid ejection unit that can maintain stable movement of the wiping member relative to the nozzle surface.

[0062] [Second mode] The second aspect is characterized in that in the first aspect, the cleaning liquid supply means (e.g., the cleaning liquid supply member 42 in the second embodiment) supplies cleaning liquid to a guide member (e.g., the guide rail 3c in the second embodiment) installed vertically below the position of the nozzle surface (e.g., the nozzle surface 302a).

[0063] [Third aspect] The third aspect is characterized in that in the second aspect, a member (e.g., member 47) having a passage (e.g., through hole 47a) through which the cleaning liquid can pass is provided vertically below the position of the wiping member (e.g., wiper 41), and the cleaning liquid used to clean the wiping member is supplied to the guide member (e.g., guide rail 3c in the second embodiment) via the member.

[0064] According to the second and third aspects, there is no need to provide a dedicated cleaning liquid supply means for supplying the cleaning liquid to the guide member, and therefore it is possible to simplify the piping configuration for supplying the cleaning liquid.

[0065] [Fourth aspect] The fourth aspect is characterized in that in the second or third aspect, the guide member (e.g., the guide rail 3c in the second embodiment) is provided with drainage means (e.g., a through hole 3d, a pipe 3e, and a drainage section 3f) for discharging the cleaning liquid from the guide member.

[0066] According to the fourth aspect, the collection and discharge of the cleaning liquid are concentrated in the guide member, and the piping configuration on the collection and discharge sides can be simplified. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1 carriage 300 head 302 Nozzle 302a Nozzle surface 3a Guide rod 3b Guide rod 3c Guide rail 3d through hole 3e Piping 3f Drainage section 4 Cleaning device 41 wiper 42 Cleaning liquid supply member 43 Cleaning fluid recovery member 45 Second cleaning liquid supply member 47 Components 47a Through hole [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0068] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-146702

Claims

1. a nozzle surface having nozzles for ejecting liquid; a wiping member that moves on a surface parallel to the nozzle surface and wipes the nozzle surface; a guide member that guides the movement of the wiping member, a cleaning liquid supply means for supplying a cleaning liquid to the guide member; the cleaning liquid supplying means supplies cleaning liquid to a guide member that is installed vertically below the position of the nozzle surface; A liquid ejection unit characterized in that it includes a member having a passage through which the cleaning liquid can pass, located vertically below the position of the wiping member, and the cleaning liquid used to clean the wiping member is supplied to the guide member via the member.

2. A liquid ejection unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that the guide member is provided with a drainage means for discharging the cleaning liquid from the guide member.

3. A liquid ejection device comprising the liquid ejection unit according to claim 1 or 2.

4. 4. The liquid ejection device according to claim 3, wherein the nozzle surface is provided parallel to a vertical direction, and the liquid is ejected in a direction intersecting the vertical direction.

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