wiper unit

Abstract

To provide a wiper unit that can simplify a mechanism.SOLUTION: A wiper unit includes: a wiping body extending as a belt-shape; a housing placing the wiping body thereon and provided so as to be movable in a predetermined direction; a carrier mechanism for moving the housing in the predetermined direction; and a transfer mechanism for transferring moving force in the predetermined direction of the housing and converting it into moving force for moving the wiping body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wiper unit. [Background technology]

[0002] In a device having an ejection head that ejects liquid, a wiper unit that wipes off the liquid adhering to the ejection head is provided. For example, a wiper unit that is movable between a standby position and a wiping position and has a rolled wiping body and a drive mechanism that unwinds the wiping body is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6014992 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide a drive system for moving the unit between the standby position and the wiping position and a drive system for extending the wiping body separately, which makes the mechanism complicated.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has an object to provide a wiper unit that can simplify the mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The wiper unit of the present invention comprises a wiping body extending in a strip shape, a housing on which the wiping body is placed and which is movable in a predetermined direction, a transport mechanism which moves the housing in the predetermined direction, and a transmission mechanism which transmits the moving force of the housing in the predetermined direction and converts it into moving force which moves the wiping body.

[0007] In the above-mentioned wiper unit, the housing has a conveying roller that fixes the tip of the wiping body and conveys the wiping body by rotating, the conveying mechanism has a rack gear arranged along the specified direction and a pinion gear that meshes with the rack gear, and the transmission mechanism enables the rotation of the pinion gear to be transmitted to the conveying roller.

[0008] In the wiper unit, the transmission mechanism has a relay portion that can switch between a transmission state in which the rotation of the pinion gear is transmitted to the transport roller and a non-transmission state in which the rotation of the pinion gear is not transmitted to the transport roller.

[0009] In the wiper unit, the transmission mechanism transmits rotation to the transport roller so as to transport the wiping body in one direction.

[0010] In the above wiper unit, the transmission mechanism has a planetary gear that is positioned in a transmission position where it transmits the rotation of the pinion gear to the conveying roller when the pinion gear rotates in a first direction, and is positioned in a non-transmission position where it does not mesh with the pinion gear when the pinion gear rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the relay part is the planetary gear.

[0011] In the above wiper unit, the housing moves in the predetermined direction between a standby position and a wiping position where a wiping operation is performed, the first direction being the rotation direction when the housing moves from the wiping position to the standby position, and the second direction being the rotation direction when the housing moves from the standby position to the wiping position.

[0012] In the wiper unit, the rotation of the transport roller is restricted when the wiping body is extended to the base end, and the wiper unit further includes a detection mechanism that detects that the rotation of the transport roller is restricted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wiper unit that can simplify the mechanism. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a wiper unit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the wiper unit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the wiping unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a winding roller and a winding-side gear. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the housing. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing a part of the configuration of the housing. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a process for replacing the wiping unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a process for replacing the wiping unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a process for replacing the wiping unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a process for replacing the wiping unit. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a process for replacing the wiping unit. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a driving mechanism. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing how the housing moves. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing how the housing moves. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the state in which the housing moves, and is a diagram showing the main parts. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the state in which the housing moves, and is a diagram showing the main parts. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the state in which the housing moves, and is a diagram showing the main parts. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transport mechanism. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the pinion gears and planetary gears as viewed from the -Y side. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the pinion gears and planetary gears as viewed from the -Y side. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the pinion gears and planetary gears as viewed from the -Y side. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the transport mechanism. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the transport mechanism. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the transport mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the wiper unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily replaceable by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[0016] In this embodiment, directions in the drawings will be described using an XYZ coordinate system. In this XYZ coordinate system, a plane parallel to the floor on which the wiper unit is placed when in use is defined as the XY plane. In this XY plane, the movement direction of the housing 20, which will be described later, is defined as the X direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X direction on the XY plane is defined as the Y direction. The direction perpendicular to the XY plane is defined as the Z direction. The X, Y, and Z directions will be described assuming that the direction of the arrow in the drawing is the + direction, and the direction opposite to the arrow is the - direction.

[0017] 1 and 2 are perspective views showing an example of a wiper unit 100 according to this embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the cover 30 is closed, and FIG. 2 shows a state in which the cover 30 is open. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wiper unit 100 includes a wiping unit 10, a housing 20, the cover 30, a drive mechanism 40, and a control unit CONT. The wiper unit 100 is mounted on a device that includes an ejection head that ejects liquid, such as a printing device, and wipes away liquid adhering to the ejection head.

[0018] The wiping unit 10 has a wiping body 11, a feed roller 12, and a take-up roller 13. The wiping unit 10 holds or absorbs liquid adhering to the ejection head. In this embodiment, the wiping body 11 is formed in a sheet shape. For example, a nonwoven fabric is used as the wiping body 11. However, other materials may also be used for the wiping body 11.

[0019] 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the wiping unit 10. The wiping body 11 is provided with a base end 11a fixed to the payout roller 12 and a tip end 11b fixed to the take-up roller 13. In an initial state, the base end 11a of the wiping body 11 is wound around the payout roller 12, and the tip end 11b is fixed without being wound around the take-up roller 13. From this state, with each wiping operation, the wiping body 11 is wound around the take-up roller 13, and accordingly the wiping body 11 is paid out from the pay-out roller 12. Note that the tip end 11b of the wiping body 11 may be a free end, for example, and may be paid out by a housing-side roller and a cover-side roller, which will be described later, and taken up by the take-up roller 13.

[0020] The wiping unit 10 can be handled as a single unit consisting of the wiping body 11, the payout roller 12, and the take-up roller. The wiping unit 10 can be attached to and detached from the housing 20 as a single unit consisting of the wiping body 11, the payout roller 12, and the take-up roller. When the wiping unit 10 is attached to the housing 20, the payout roller 12 is rotatably supported by a payout-side bearing 22 of the housing 20, which will be described later, and the take-up roller 13 is rotatably supported by a take-up-side bearing 23 of the housing 20, which will be described later.

[0021] The payout roller 12 is provided with a payout side gear 14. The payout roller 12 is rotatable integrally with the payout side gear 14. The take-up roller 13 is provided with a take-up side gear 15. The take-up roller 13 is rotatable integrally with the take-up side gear 15. The take-up side gear 15, while supported by the take-up side bearing 23, meshes with a transmission gear 25 (described later) and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the transmission gear 25.

[0022] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the take-up roller 13 and the take-up side gear 15. Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional configuration along a plane parallel to the YZ plane. As shown in Fig. 4, the take-up roller 13 has a wiping body holding portion 13a, a supported portion 13b, a tapered surface 13c, an elastic member supporting portion 13d, and an elastic member 13e.

[0023] The wiping body holding portion 13a is, for example, cylindrical or columnar, and is the portion around which the wiping body 11 is wound. The supported portion 13b is the portion supported by the take-up side bearing 23 of the housing 20. The tapered surface 13c is the portion that connects the wiping body holding portion 13a and the supported portion 13b, and has a tapered shape that decreases in diameter from the wiping body holding portion 13a toward the supported portion 13b.

[0024] The take-up gear 15 has an annular portion 15a with teeth formed on its outer periphery and a connecting portion 15b extending from the annular portion 15a toward the tapered surface 13c. The connecting portion 15b has an opposing surface 15c that faces the tapered surface 13c. The take-up gear 15 is held with the opposing surface 15c in contact with the tapered surface 13c.

[0025] Elastic member support portion 13d is, for example, plate-shaped and is provided on supported portion 13b. Elastic member 13e is supported by elastic member support portion 13d and applies an elastic force to tapered surface 13c of connection portion 15b of take-up gear 15. Take-up gear 15 is held to take-up roller 13 by the elastic force received from elastic member 13e. As take-up gear 15 rotates, frictional force is generated between opposing surface 15c and tapered surface 13c, causing take-up roller 13 to rotate.

[0026] When the wiping unit 10 is in use, tension is applied to the take-up roller 13 by the wiping body 11. Therefore, if the tension of the wiping body 11 is greater than the friction force between the opposing surface 15c and the tapered surface 13c, the take-up-side gear 15 will rotate freely relative to the take-up roller 13. For example, if the diameter of the wiping body 11 wound around the take-up roller 13 is greater than the diameter of the cover-side roller 31 (described later), and the cover-side roller 31 and the take-up roller 13 are rotated by the same angle, the movement distance of the outer periphery of the wiping body 11 wound around the take-up roller 13 will be greater than the movement distance of the outer periphery of the cover-side roller 31. As a result, the wiping body 11 will be pulled from the take-up roller 13 side. In such a case, the tension acting on the take-up roller 13 will be greater than the elastic force of the elastic member 13e, and the take-up-side gear 15 will rotate freely relative to the take-up roller 13. In this way, the rotation amount of the take-up side gear 15 and the rotation amount of the take-up roller 13 are adjusted according to the state of take-up of the wiping body 11 by the take-up roller 13.

[0027] Furthermore, the payout roller 12 and the payout side gear 14 provided on the payout roller 12 have the same configuration as the take-up roller 13 and the take-up side gear 15 described above. The rotation of the payout side gear 14 is restricted by a stopper 24 provided on the housing 20, which will be described later. This prevents the wiping body 11 from becoming loose on the payout roller 12. In this configuration, when the wiping body 11 is taken up by the take-up roller 13, tension from the wiping body 11 acts on the payout roller 12. This tension causes the payout roller 12 to rotate idly relative to the payout side gear 14, thereby paying out the wiping body 11.

[0028] The housing 20 accommodates the wiping unit 10 including the wiping body 11 in a removable manner. The housing 20 is, for example, a rectangular box shape with the longitudinal direction in the X direction, and has an opening 20a at the top end in the Z direction. The wiping unit 10 including the wiping body 11 can be inserted and removed through the opening 20a.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the housing 20. The housing 20 has a housing-side roller 21, a feed-side bearing 22, a wind-up-side bearing 23, a stopper 24, and a transmission gear 25. The housing-side roller 21 has a roller shaft 21a. The roller shaft 21a is arranged along the Y direction. Both ends of the roller shaft 21a in the Y direction protrude from the housing-side roller 21. The housing-side roller 21 is rotatably supported by the wall portions 20b at both ends of the housing 20 in the Y direction using the roller shaft 21a. The housing-side roller 21 is rotatable around a rotation axis AX1 parallel to the Y direction. The housing-side roller 21 is arranged so that a portion of it protrudes upward (in the +Z direction) from the opening 20a. The housing-side roller 21 supports the wiping body 11 with a portion of the wiping body 11 hung from above (the +Z side). The housing 20 accommodates the wiping unit 10 in a state in which a part of the wiping body 11 is hung on the housing-side roller 21 from above (+Z side).

[0030] Fig. 6 is an enlarged view showing a portion of the configuration of the housing 20. As shown in Fig. 6, the housing-side roller 21 is arranged to be movable in the Z direction, for example, with an elastic force being applied upward (in the +Z direction) to the roller shaft 21a by a linear spring 21b. The housing-side roller 21 supports the wiping body 11 in the Z direction between itself and a lid-side roller (conveyor roller) 31, which will be described later. When the housing-side roller 21 is pushed by the lid-side roller 31 and moves in the -Z direction, the linear spring 26 can apply a force in the +Z direction to the lid-side roller 31.

[0031] The delivery-side bearing 22 rotatably supports the delivery roller 12. The delivery-side bearing 22 is arranged on the wall portions 20b at both ends in the Y direction of the housing 20. The delivery-side bearing 22 has an open top (+Z side end) so that the delivery roller 12 can be inserted and removed in the Z direction.

[0032] The winding-side bearing 23 rotatably supports the winding roller 13. The winding-side bearing 23 is disposed on the wall portions 20b at both ends in the Y direction of the housing 20. The winding-side bearing 23 has an open top (+Z side end) so that the winding roller 13 can be inserted and removed in the Z direction.

[0033] The stopper 24 meshes with the delivery-side gear 14 when the delivery roller 12 is supported by the delivery-side bearing 22. The stopper 24 is fixed to the bottom 20d of the housing 20, and restricts the rotation of the delivery-side gear 14.

[0034] The transmission gear 25 meshes with the winding-side gear 15 when the winding roller 13 is supported by the winding-side bearing 23. The transmission gear 25 also meshes with the lid body roller gear 35 when the lid body 30 (described later) is in the closed state. The transmission gear 25 transmits rotation transmitted from the drive mechanism 40 (described later) to the winding-side gear 15 and the lid body roller gear 35.

[0035] The lid 30 is provided so as to be able to open and close the opening 20a of the housing 20. The lid 30 is attached to the wall 20c on the -X side of the housing 20 via a hinge 32. The lid 30 is provided so as to be rotatable around the Y axis by the hinge 32, with the wall 20c as a fulcrum. The lid 30 covers the opening 20a so as to expose the wiping body 11 hung on the housing-side roller 21 to the outside.

[0036] The lid body 30 has a lid body-side roller (transport roller) 31 that supports the wiping body 11 with the opening 20a covered. The lid body-side roller 31 is disposed below (on the -Z side of) the case-side roller 21 when the lid body 30 is in a closed state with the opening 20a covered. The lid body-side roller 31 is hooked on the +Z side surface of the wiping body 11 when supported by the case-side roller 21, i.e., the surface facing the spray surface of the spray head or the like. The lid body-side roller 31 supports the wiping body 11 and transports it toward the take-up roller 13. The surface of the lid body-side roller 31 that comes into contact with the wiping body 11 is made of a material that easily generates friction between the wiping body 11 and the roller, such as, but not limited to, a foam material such as sponge.

[0037] The lid body side roller 31 has a lid body roller gear 35 that rotates integrally with the lid body side roller 31. When the lid body 30 is in the closed state, the lid body roller gear 35 meshes with the transmission gear 25 and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the transmission gear 25.

[0038] Here, the procedure for replacing the wiping part 10 will be described. Figures 7 to 11 are diagrams showing an example of the process for replacing the wiping part 10. As shown in Figure 7, by repeatedly using the wiper unit 100, the wiping body 11 is taken up by the take-up roller 13. When the wiping body 11 is completely wound up, it needs to be replaced.

[0039] In this case, as shown in Fig. 8, the worker opens the lid 30. The lid 30 opens by rotating around the Y axis using the hinge 32, centering on the upper part of the wall 20c on the -X side of the housing 20. When the lid 30 opens, the opening 20a of the housing 20 is opened, and the lid-side roller 31, which has been pressing the wiping body 11 downward (towards the -Z side) inside the housing 20, moves away from the wiping body 11. This makes it possible to access the inside of the housing 20 through the opening 20a.

[0040] Next, the wiping unit 10 supported by the housing 20 is removed. In this case, the payout roller 12 without the wiping body 11 wound thereon is removed from the payout-side bearing 22, and the take-up roller 13 with the used wiping body 11 wound thereon is removed from the take-up-side bearing 23. Then, as shown in Fig. 9, the wiping body 11, payout roller 12, and take-up roller 13 are removed as a unit from the opening 20a.

[0041] 10, a new wiping unit 10N is attached to the housing 20. In this case, the wiping body 11N, the pay-out roller 12N, and the take-up roller 13N of the new wiping unit 10N are inserted into the housing 20 through the opening 20a as a unit. Then, the wiping body 11N is hung on the upper part of the housing-side roller 21, the pay-out roller 12N with an unused wiping body 11 wound around it is supported by the pay-out-side bearing 22, and the take-up roller 13N with no wiping body 11 wound around it is supported by the take-up-side bearing 23. In this way, the new wiping unit 10N is attached to the housing 20.

[0042] After the new wiping unit 10N is attached, the cover 30 is closed as shown in FIG. 11 . By closing the cover 30, the opening 20a is covered by the cover 30, and the wiping body 11N supported by the housing-side roller 21 protrudes upward from the opening window 30a. In this embodiment, the position of the roller shaft 21a in the vertical direction is set so that only the wiping body 11N protrudes upward from the opening window 30a on the top surface of the cover 30. Furthermore, inside the housing 20, the cover-side roller 31 of the cover 30 presses the wiping body 11N downward, creating a state in which tension is applied to the wiping body 11N. This completes the replacement of the wiping unit 10.

[0043] Here, with the lid 30 in a closed state, the lid-side roller 31 is positioned closer to the wiping unit 10 than the take-up roller 13. This applies tension to the wiping body 11N, and the lid-side roller 31 keeps the angle at which the wiping body 11 is led out from the housing-side roller 21 toward the take-up roller 13 constant. With this configuration, the wiping body 11 after wiping is carried away from the wiping unit 10 at a constant angle regardless of the take-up diameter of the take-up roller 13, eliminating the risk that the contaminated wiping body 11 after wiping will come into contact with the opening window 30a and contaminate the lid 30. Furthermore, because the contaminated wiping body 11 after wiping is quickly separated from the wiping unit 10, it is possible to reduce the risk that contaminants generated by droplets or the like from the wiping body 11 after wiping will come into contact with the spray head. The angle at which the wiping body 11 is led out from the housing-side roller 21 may be substantially vertical as shown in FIG. 7, but is preferably within ±30 degrees, more preferably ±20 degrees, relative to the vertical.

[0044] Next, the drive mechanism 40 will be described. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the drive mechanism 40. The drive mechanism 40 has a movement mechanism 41 that moves the housing 20, and a transport mechanism 42 that transports the wiping body 11. The drive mechanism 40 is provided on a base B that is disposed below the housing 20 (in the -Z direction).

[0045] The movement mechanism 41 has a motor 43, an output shaft 44, a drive gear 45, and a rack gear 46. The motor 43 rotates the output shaft 44 around the Y axis under the control of the control unit CONT. The motor 43 can rotate the output shaft 44 in opposite directions around the Y axis.

[0046] The drive gear 45 has a disk shape, is fixed to the output shaft 44, and rotates around the Y axis integrally with the output shaft 44. The drive gear 45 has a plurality of teeth 45a formed on its outer periphery along the circumferential direction.

[0047] The rack gear 46 is fixed to the bottom of the housing 20 and is formed linearly along the X direction. The rack gear 46 has a plurality of teeth 46a formed along the X direction on its lower (-Z side) surface. The teeth 46a of the rack gear 46 mesh with teeth 45a of the drive gear 45. When the drive gear 45 rotates, the rack gear 46 moves in the X direction via the teeth 45a and teeth 46a. When the rack gear 46 moves in the X direction, the housing 20 moves in the X direction.

[0048] Furthermore, the movement mechanism 41 has an optical sensor 53. The optical sensor 53 has a detection unit 53a that detects light emitted in the -Y direction from the light-emitting unit 53b. In this case, the light-emitting unit 53b is disposed on the +Y side of the detection unit 53a. The light-emitting unit 53b may be disposed on the base B or may be disposed at a position different from the base B. Note that the light-emitting unit 53b may be disposed on the optical sensor 53, and the detection unit 53a may detect reflected light of the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 53b.

[0049] A plate member 54 is provided on the bottom of housing 20. When plate member 54 is not arranged on the +Y side of detection unit 53a, light from light-emitting unit 53b reaches detection unit 53a and is detected by detection unit 53a. On the other hand, when plate member 54 is arranged on the +Y side of detection unit 53a, the light from light-emitting unit 53b is blocked by plate member 54 and does not reach detection unit 53a. The detection result of detection unit 53a is supplied to control unit CONT.

[0050] 13 and 14 are diagrams illustrating how the housing 20 moves. As shown in FIG. 13 , when the housing 20 is disposed at standby position P1, the motor 43 rotates, and the rotation of the motor 43 is transmitted to the rack gear 46 via the output shaft 44 and the drive gear 45, causing the rack gear 46 and the housing 20 to move in the +X direction. When the rack gear 46 and the housing 20 move in the +X direction, the housing 20 is disposed at wiping position P2, as shown in FIG. 14 . When the motor 43 rotates in the reverse direction, the rotation of the motor 43 is transmitted to the rack gear 46 via the output shaft 44 and the drive gear 45, causing the rack gear 46 and the housing 20 to move in the −X direction. When the rack gear 46 and the housing 20 move in the −X direction, the housing 20 is disposed at standby position P1 shown in FIG. 13 .

[0051] 15 to 17 are diagrams illustrating the movement of the housing 20, illustrating the main parts. When the housing 20 returns from the wiping position P2 to the standby position P1, the plate member 54 fixed to the bottom of the housing 20 approaches the optical sensor 53, as shown in FIG. 15. As the housing 20 moves further in the −X direction from the position shown in FIG. 15, the plate member 54 is positioned on the +Y side of the detection unit 53a of the optical sensor 53, as shown in FIG. 16. As a result, light from the light-emitting unit 53b is blocked by the plate member 54 and does not reach the detection unit 53a. As the housing 20 moves further in the −X direction from the position shown in FIG. 16, the plate member 54 moves out of the position on the +Y side of the detection unit 53a, as shown in FIG. 17. As a result, light from the light-emitting unit 53b reaches the detection unit 53a without being blocked by the plate member 54.

[0052] That is, when the housing 20 returns from the wiping position P2 to the standby position P1, the detector 53a switches from a state in which it detects light from the light-emitting unit 53b (the state in FIG. 15) to a state in which it does not detect light from the light-emitting unit 53b (the state in FIG. 16), and then switches again to a state in which it detects light from the light-emitting unit 53b (the state in FIG. 17). Therefore, the controller CONT stops driving the motor 43 at the timing when the detection result of the detector 53a switches from a state in which it does not detect light to a state in which it detects light. This allows the housing 20 to be stopped appropriately at the standby position P1.

[0053] 18 is a diagram showing an example of the transport mechanism 42. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 18, the transport mechanism 42 has a rack gear 47, a pinion gear 48, a planetary gear (relay unit) 49, a sun gear 50, a first transmission gear 51, and a second transmission gear 52.

[0054] The rack gear 47 is disposed on the base B and is formed linearly along the X direction. A plurality of teeth 47a are formed on the upper (+Z side) surface of the rack gear 47 along the X direction. The rack gear 47 is disposed at a predetermined position on the base B near the standby position P1. The rack gear 47 is provided so as to be movable in the X direction. The -X side end of the rack gear 47 is connected to an elastic member support portion 57 via an elastic member 58. When a force acts on the rack gear 47 in the -X direction and the rack gear 47 moves in the -X direction, the elastic member 58 allows the rack gear 47 to move and also applies an elastic force to the rack gear 47 in the +X direction. When no force is applied to the rack gear 47 in the X direction, the elastic member 58 keeps the rack gear 47 positioned at the predetermined position.

[0055] The pinion gear 48, the planet gear 49, the sun gear 50, the first transmission gear 51, and the second transmission gear 52 are supported by the housing 20 in a state in which they can rotate about the Y axis. The pinion gear 48, the planet gear 49, the sun gear 50, the first transmission gear 51, and the second transmission gear 52 can move in the X direction integrally with the housing 20. The planet gear 49, the sun gear 50, the first transmission gear 51, and the second transmission gear 52 constitute a transmission mechanism 60 that transmits the rotation of the pinion gear 48 to the lid body side roller 31.

[0056] The pinion gear 48 is disposed at a position corresponding to the rack gear 47 in the X and Y directions. Specifically, the rack gear 47 and the pinion gear 48 are disposed so that, when the housing 20 returns from the wiping position P2 to the standby position P1, the teeth 48a of the pinion gear 48 mesh with the teeth 47a of the rack gear 47 from a position just before the standby position P1 to the standby position P1. Note that in this configuration, when the housing 20 moves in the opposite direction to the above, that is, when the housing 20 moves from the standby position P1 toward the wiping position P2, the teeth 48a of the pinion gear 48 also mesh with the teeth 47a of the rack gear 47 from the movement start position to the position past the standby position P1.

[0057] The planet gear 49 is disposed on the −Y side of the pinion gear 48. The sun gear 50 is provided so as to be coaxial with the pinion gear 48. The sun gear 50 has a plurality of teeth 50a formed on its outer periphery along the circumferential direction.

[0058] 19 to 21 are diagrams showing an example of the pinion gear 48 and the planetary gear 49 as viewed from the -Y side. Note that FIGS. 19 to 21 also show the sun gear 50. As shown in FIG. 19, the planetary gear 49 is housed in a recess 48b provided on the -Y side of the pinion gear 48. The recesses 48b are arranged at a plurality of locations (three locations in this embodiment) along the outer periphery of the sun gear 50. For example, the clockwise end of the recess 48b in FIG. 19 is arranged at a position where it contacts the sun gear 50, and the counterclockwise end is arranged at a position radially spaced apart from the sun gear 50.

[0059] The planetary gear 49 moves inside the recessed portion 48b in accordance with the rotation of the pinion gear 48. As shown in Fig. 20, when the pinion gear 48 rotates clockwise, the planetary gear 49 is disposed in the recessed portion 48b at a non-transmission position P4 away from the sun gear 50, and rotates counterclockwise in accordance with the rotation of the pinion gear 48. In this case, the teeth 49a of the planetary gear 49 do not mesh with the teeth 50a of the sun gear 50, and the sun gear 50 does not rotate. Therefore, the rotation of the pinion gear 48 is not transmitted to the lid body side roller 31 (non-transmission state).

[0060] 21, when the pinion gear 48 rotates counterclockwise, the planetary gear 49 is disposed at a transmission position P3 in the recess 48b where the planetary gear 49 contacts the sun gear 50, and rotates clockwise in accordance with the rotation of the pinion gear 48. In this case, the teeth 49a of the planetary gear 49 mesh with the teeth 50a of the sun gear 50, and the sun gear 50 rotates counterclockwise. In other words, when meshing with the planetary gear 49, the sun gear 50 rotates in the same direction (counterclockwise) as the rotation direction of the pinion gear 48. Therefore, a state is reached in which the rotation of the pinion gear 48 is transmitted to the lid body side roller 31 (transmission state).

[0061] The first transmission gear 51 is fixed to the sun gear 50. The first transmission gear 51 is provided coaxially with the pinion gear 48 and the sun gear 50, and rotates integrally with the sun gear 50. The first transmission gear 51 has a plurality of teeth 51a formed along the circumferential direction on its outer periphery.

[0062] The second transmission gear 52 is disposed above the first transmission gear 51. A portion of the second transmission gear 52 penetrates the bottom of the housing 20 and is disposed inside the housing 20. The second transmission gear 52 is disposed rotatably around the Y axis. The second transmission gear 52 has a plurality of teeth 52a formed along the circumferential direction on its outer periphery. The second transmission gear 52 is disposed so that its lower side meshes with the first transmission gear 51 and its top side meshes with the lid roller gear 35 provided on the lid 30 described above.

[0063] The transport mechanism 42 also has an optical sensor 55. The optical sensor 55 has a detection unit 55a that detects light emitted in the +Y direction from the light-emitting unit 55b. In this case, the light-emitting unit 55b is disposed on the -Y side of the detection unit 55a. The light-emitting unit 55b may be disposed on the base B or may be disposed at a position different from the base B. Note that the light-emitting unit 55b may be disposed in the optical sensor 55, and the detection unit 55a may detect reflected light of the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 55b.

[0064] A light-blocking member 56 is provided on the rack gear 47. If the light-blocking member 56 is not arranged on the -Y side of the detection unit 55a, light from the light-emitting unit 55b reaches the detection unit 55a and is detected by the detection unit 55a. On the other hand, if the light-blocking member 56 is arranged on the -Y side of the detection unit 55a, the light from the light-emitting unit 55b is blocked by the light-blocking member 56 and does not reach the detection unit 55a. The detection result of the detection unit 55a is supplied to the control unit CONT. As will be described later, the optical sensor 55 and the light-blocking member 56 constitute a detection mechanism 61 that detects that the rotation of the cover body side roller 31 has been restricted.

[0065] 22 to 24 are diagrams showing an example of the operation of the transport mechanism 42. FIGS. 22 to 24 show the state as viewed from the -Y side. As shown in FIG. 22, when the housing 20 moves from the standby position P1 to the wiping position P2, the teeth 48a of the pinion gear 48 mesh with the teeth 47a of the rack gear 47, and the pinion gear 48 rotates in a clockwise direction. When the pinion gear 48 rotates in a clockwise direction, the planet gear 49 is positioned in the recess 48b at a non-transmission position P4 away from the sun gear 50. Therefore, the teeth 49a of the planet gear 49 do not mesh with the teeth 50a of the sun gear 50, and the sun gear 50 does not rotate. Therefore, the transmission mechanism 60 is in a non-transmission state, and the wiping body 11 is not transported.

[0066] 23, when the housing 20 returns from the wiping position P2 to the standby position P1, the teeth 48a of the pinion gear 48 mesh with the teeth 47a of the rack gear 47 from a position just before the standby position P1 to the standby position P1, and the pinion gear 48 rotates counterclockwise. When the pinion gear 48 rotates counterclockwise, the planet gear 49 is disposed at a transmission position P3 where it contacts the sun gear 50, and rotates clockwise. Therefore, the teeth 49a of the planet gear 49 mesh with the teeth 50a of the sun gear 50, and the sun gear 50 rotates counterclockwise. Therefore, the transmission mechanism 60 is in a transmission state.

[0067] As the sun gear 50 rotates counterclockwise, the first transmission gear 51 rotates counterclockwise integrally with the sun gear 50. As a result, the second transmission gear 52 rotates clockwise, and the lid body roller gear 35, which meshes with the second transmission gear 52, rotates counterclockwise. The rotation of the lid body roller gear 35 rotates the lid body side roller 31, and the wiping body 11 is transported toward the take-up roller 13. The rotation of the lid body side roller 31 generates tension in the wiping body 11, and the pay-out roller 12 rotates counterclockwise, that is, in the direction in which the wiping body 11 is paid out. As a result, the wiping body 11 is paid out by a predetermined length from the pay-out roller 12.

[0068] Furthermore, as the cover body roller gear 35 rotates, the transmission gear 25 that meshes with the cover body roller gear 35 rotates clockwise, and the take-up side gear 15 that meshes with the transmission gear rotates counterclockwise. The rotation of the take-up side gear 15 causes the take-up roller 13 to rotate counterclockwise, rotating in the direction that takes up the wiping body 11. As a result, the wiping body 11 transported from the cover body side roller 31 is taken up by the take-up roller 13.

[0069] 24, when the take-up roller 13 has completely wound up the wiping body 11, the wiping body 11 is in a tensioned state between the supply roller 12 and the take-up roller 13. This restricts the rotation of the take-up roller 13, and the take-up side gear 15 enters a non-rotating state. Accordingly, the transmission gear 25, the cover body roller gear 35, the second transmission gear 52, the first transmission gear 51, the sun gear 50, the planet gear 49, and the pinion gear 48, which mesh directly or indirectly with the take-up side gear 15, remain meshed with one another and do not rotate.

[0070] Therefore, when the housing 20 attempts to move in the -X direction, the rack gear 47 remains engaged with the pinion gear 48 and moves in the -X direction together with the housing 20, including the pinion gear 48. When the housing 20 moves to the standby position P1, the movement of the rack gear 47 causes the elastic member 58 to contract, and the light-blocking member 56 is positioned on the +Y side of the detection unit 55a of the optical sensor 55. Therefore, light from the light-emitting unit 55b is blocked by the light-blocking member 56 and does not reach the detection unit 55a. The control unit CONT can determine the timing to replace the wiping unit 10 based on the detection result of the detection unit 55a of the optical sensor 55. In other words, when the detection unit 55a switches from a state in which it detects light from the light-emitting unit 55b to a state in which it does not detect light, it can determine that the time to replace the wiping unit 10 has arrived. The control unit CONT can output or notify the determination result. In this way, the optical sensor 55 and the light blocking member 56 constitute a detection mechanism 61 that detects that the rotation of the lid body side roller 31 has been restricted.

[0071] As described above, the wiper unit 100 of this embodiment comprises a wiping section 10 having a roll-shaped wiping body 11, a housing 20 having an opening 20a at the top through which the wiping section 10 can be inserted and removed, and a housing-side roller 21 arranged so that a portion of the wiping body 11 protrudes upward from the opening 20a, and accommodating the wiping section 10 with a portion of the wiping body 11 hung on the housing-side roller 21 from above, and a cover body 30 having a cover-side roller 31 that covers the opening 20a so that the wiping body 11 hung on the housing-side roller 21 is exposed to the outside, and transports the wiping body 11 with the opening 20a covered.

[0072] This configuration allows the wiping unit 10 to be inserted into and removed from the housing 20 through the opening 20a. This means that the components required for the wiping operation do not need to be handled in cassette units, and the wiping unit 10 can be replaced individually, thereby reducing running costs.

[0073] In the wiper unit 100 according to this embodiment, the wiping section 10 includes a pay-out roller 12 that is rotatably supported by the housing 20, a base end of the wiping body 11 that is fixed thereto, and pays out the wiping body 11 relative to a housing-side roller 21, and a take-up roller 13 that is rotatably supported by the housing 20, a tip end of the wiping body 11 that is fixed thereto, and takes up the wiping body 11 from the housing-side roller 21. With this configuration, the wiping section 10, which is an integrated unit of the wiping body 11, pay-out roller 12, and take-up roller 13, can be easily replaced by inserting and removing it.

[0074] In the wiper unit 100 according to this embodiment, the take-up roller 13 has a take-up side gear 15 that can rotate integrally with the take-up roller 13, and the cover body side roller 31 has a cover body roller gear 35 that rotates integrally with the cover body side roller 31 and is connected to rotate in conjunction with the take-up side gear 15. With this configuration, the conveying operation of the wiping body 11 by the cover body side roller 31 and the winding operation of the wiping body 11 by the wind-up roller 13 can be linked.

[0075] In the wiper unit 100 according to this embodiment, the housing 20 is further provided with a rack gear 47 that is movable in a predetermined direction and that is arranged along the predetermined direction, a pinion gear 48 that meshes with the rack gear 47, and a transmission mechanism 60 that is capable of transmitting the rotation of the pinion gear 48 to the cover body roller gear 35. With this configuration, the movement of the housing 20 can be linked with the transport operation and winding operation of the wiping body 11.

[0076] In the wiper unit 100 according to this embodiment, the wiping body 11 is made of nonwoven fabric, which allows for efficient wiping operation.

[0077] In the wiper unit 100 according to this embodiment, the cover 30 is attached to the housing 20 via a hinge 32. This allows the cover 30 to be easily opened and closed.

[0078] In addition, the wiper unit 100 of this embodiment includes a wiping body 11 extending in a strip shape, a housing 20 on which the wiping body 11 is placed and which is movable in a predetermined direction, a conveying mechanism 42 which moves the housing 20 in the predetermined direction, and a transmission mechanism 60 which transmits the moving force of the housing 20 in the predetermined direction and converts it into a moving force which moves the wiping body 10.

[0079] With this configuration, the movement of the housing 20 can be linked with the transport operation and winding operation of the wiping body 11 by the transmission mechanism 60. Therefore, it is possible to provide a wiper unit 100 that can simplify the mechanism.

[0080] In the wiper unit of this embodiment, the housing 20 has a cover-side roller 31 that fixes the tip of the wiping body 10 and transports the wiping body 10 by rotating, the transport mechanism 42 has a rack gear 47 arranged along a predetermined direction and a pinion gear 48 that meshes with the rack gear 47, and the transmission mechanism 60 enables the rotation of the pinion gear 48 to be transmitted to the cover-side roller 31.

[0081] In the wiper unit 100 according to this embodiment, the transmission mechanism 60 has a relay part that can switch between a transmission state in which the rotation of the pinion gear 48 is transmitted to the cover body side roller 31 and a non-transmission state in which the rotation of the pinion gear 48 is not transmitted to the cover body side roller 31. With this configuration, it is possible to switch between a state in which the wiping body 11 is caused to perform the transport operation and the winding operation, and a state in which the wiping body 11 is not caused to perform the transport operation and the winding operation.

[0082] In the wiper unit 100 according to this embodiment, the transmission mechanism 60 transmits rotation to the cover-side roller 31 so as to transport the wiping body 11 in one direction. This configuration allows the wiping body 11 to be transported and used efficiently.

[0083] In the wiper unit 100 according to this embodiment, the transmission mechanism 60 has a planetary gear 49 that is disposed at a transmission position P3 where the rotation of the pinion gear 48 is transmitted to the cover body side roller 31 when the pinion gear 48 rotates in a first direction, and is disposed at a non-transmission position P4 where the pinion gear 48 does not mesh with the pinion gear 48 when the pinion gear 48 rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the relay portion is the planetary gear 49. In this configuration, the planetary gear 49 can efficiently switch between the transmission state and the non-transmission state.

[0084] In the wiper unit 100 according to this embodiment, the housing 20 moves in a predetermined direction between a standby position P1 and a wiping position P2 where the wiping operation is performed, with the first direction being the rotation direction when the housing 20 moves from the wiping position P2 to the standby position P1, and the second direction being the rotation direction when the housing 20 moves from the standby position P1 to the wiping position P2. With this configuration, the wiping body 11 is transported when the housing 20 returns to the standby position P1. This allows for stable operation the next time the housing 20 moves to the wiping position P2.

[0085] In the wiper unit 100 according to this embodiment, the rotation of the cover-side roller 31 is restricted when the wiping body 11 is extended to the base end, and the wiper unit 10 further includes a detection mechanism 61 that detects that the rotation of the cover-side roller 31 has been restricted. With this configuration, it is possible to efficiently detect the timing for replacing the wiping part 10.

[0086] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the transport mechanism 42 includes a rack gear 47 and a pinion gear 48, and the transmission mechanism 60 transmits the rotation of the pinion gear 48 to the cover-side roller 31. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Any other configuration may be used as long as the transmission mechanism is capable of transmitting a moving force of the housing 20 in a predetermined direction and converting the force into a moving force that moves the wiping body 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] B-Base P1 Standby position P2 Wiping position P3 Transmission position P4 Non-transmitting position AX1 Rotation Axis CONT control section 10,10N wiping section 11,11N Wiping body 11a Proximal end 11b Tip 12,12N Delivery roller 13,13N Winding roller 13a wiping body holding portion 13b Supported part 13c Tapered surface 13d, 57 Elastic member support part 13e, 58 Elastic members 14 Output gear 15 Winding gear 15a Circular section 15b Connection 15c Opposite side 20 Case 20a opening 20b,20c wall part 20d bottom 21 Housing side roller 21b, 26 Wire spring 22 Output bearing 23 Winding side bearing 24 Stopper 25 Transmission gear 30 Lid 30a Opening window 31 Lid side roller 32 Hinge 35 Lid roller gear 40 Drive mechanism 41 Moving mechanism 42 Transport mechanism 43 Motor 44 Output shaft 45 Drive gear 45a, 46a, 47a, 48a, 49a, 50a, 51a, 52a Teeth 46,47 Rack gear 48 Pinion gear 48b Recess 49 Planetary Gear 50 Sun Gear 51 First transmission gear 52 Second transmission gear 53,55 Optical sensor 53a, 55a Detector 53b, 55b Light-emitting part 54 Plate members 56 Light blocking material 60 Transmission Mechanism 61 Detection mechanism 100 wiper unit

Claims

1. A wiping body extending in a strip shape; a housing on which the wiping body is placed and which is provided so as to be movable in a predetermined direction; a transport mechanism that moves the housing in the predetermined direction; a transmission mechanism that transmits the moving force of the housing in the predetermined direction and converts it into moving force that moves the wiping body; Equipped with the housing moves in the predetermined direction between a standby position and a wiping position where the housing performs a wiping operation; the housing has a transport roller that fixes a tip of the wiping body and rotates to transport the wiping body; the transport mechanism includes a rack gear arranged along the predetermined direction and a pinion gear that meshes with the rack gear, the transmission mechanism is capable of transmitting rotation of the pinion gear to the conveying roller; The rotation of the conveying roller is restricted when the wiping body is extended to the base end, the rack gear is provided so as to be movable in the predetermined direction toward the opposite side to the wiping position, and an end portion thereof opposite to the wiping position in the predetermined direction is connected to an elastic member support portion via an elastic member, the elastic member is provided in a state in which an elastic force is applied to the rack gear toward the wiping position in the predetermined direction, The apparatus further includes a detection mechanism that detects movement of the rack gear when the rack gear moves integrally with the housing in the predetermined direction opposite to the wiping position side while the rotation of the conveying roller is restricted. Wiper unit.

2. The transmission mechanism has a relay portion that can switch between a transmission state in which the rotation of the pinion gear is transmitted to the transport roller and a non-transmission state in which the rotation of the pinion gear is not transmitted to the transport roller. The wiper unit according to claim 1 .

3. The transmission mechanism transmits rotation to the transport roller so as to transport the wiping body in one direction. The wiper unit according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the transmission mechanism includes a planetary gear that is disposed at a transmission position where the rotation of the pinion gear is transmitted to the conveyance roller when the pinion gear rotates in a first direction, and that is disposed at a non-transmission position where the pinion gear does not mesh with the planetary gear when the pinion gear rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, The relay portion is the planetary gear. The wiper unit according to claim 2 .

5. The first direction is a rotation direction when the housing moves from the wiping position to the standby position, The second direction is a rotation direction when the housing moves from the standby position to the wiping position. The wiper unit according to claim 4.

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