Jig for restricting the opening of a suction cap, device for discharging liquid

Abstract

To provide a jig for restricting an opening of a suction cap which enables batch suction and local suction by the suction cap, and to provide a unit comprising multiple jigs for restricting the opening of the suction cap and a liquid discharge device.SOLUTION: An opening restriction jig 600 is removably attached to a suction cap 10 of a printer 1 including a head 10 which discharges a liquid and a suction cap 61 which seals a nozzle surface 10a of the head 10. The opening restriction jig 600 has an opening hole 610 leading to an opening 61a of the suction cap 61 when the opening restriction jig 600 is attached to the suction cap 61. An opening area of the opening hole 610 is smaller than an opening area of the opening 61a of the suction cap 61.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention is a jig for restricting the opening of a suction cap. ,liquid This relates to a device for expelling bodies. [Background technology]

[0002] In some devices that use a liquid ejection head (hereinafter simply referred to as a "head") that ejects liquid, the nozzle surface of the head is capped with a cap, and the liquid is sucked out of the head by suction from inside the cap, thereby maintaining and restoring the performance of the head.

[0003] Conventionally, there is known a device in which the opening of a cap that caps a nozzle surface is divided into a plurality of openings, and the divided openings can be selectively sucked (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-149031 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, even when local suction is not required, it is not possible to suction the nozzle surface of the head or the nozzle surfaces of all the heads at once, which poses the problem that maintenance and recovery take a long time.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to enable collective suction and local suction using a cap. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the jig for regulating the opening of a suction cap according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises: a liquid ejection means for ejecting a liquid; a suction cap that seals a nozzle surface of the liquid ejection means, a plurality of opening holes that communicate with the opening of the suction cap when the device is attached to the suction cap; a shutter member that opens and closes the plurality of openings, The surface side is made of an elastic material, and the side attached to the suction cap is made of a material having higher rigidity than the elastic material, an opening area of ​​the plurality of opening holes is smaller than an opening area of ​​the opening of the suction cap; The elastic member is replaceable for each area corresponding to the opening hole. The composition was as follows. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, collective suction and local suction are possible using a cap. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is an explanatory diagram of a portion relating to suction of a maintenance unit (maintenance and recovery mechanism) in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the nozzle surface of the head and the suction cap in the embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is an explanatory view illustrating a jig (opening restriction jig) that restricts the opening of the cap in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is an explanatory view illustrating an opening restriction jig and a unit of the opening restriction jig according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of a portion relating to suction of a maintenance unit (maintenance and recovery mechanism) in a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the nozzle surface of the head and the suction cap in the embodiment. [Figure 11]10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of an opening restriction jig and an opening restriction jig included in a unit of the opening restriction jig in the embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is an explanatory view illustrating the relationship between the opening restriction jig and the opening of the suction cap. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a suction cap to which an opening restricting jig is attached, illustrating a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is an explanatory plan view illustrating an eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a ninth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. A printing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is an explanatory perspective view of the printing device, Figure 2 is an explanatory plan view of the same, and Figure 3 is an explanatory front view of the same.

[0011] The printing device 1 is equipped with a carriage 11 that mounts a head 10, which is a liquid ejection means that ejects liquid. Guide members 12 and 13 hold the carriage 11 so that it can move back and forth in a main scanning direction X. The carriage 11 is connected to a timing belt 17 that is wound around a drive pulley 15 and a driven pulley 16 that are rotated by a main scanning motor 14, and the carriage 11 moves back and forth in the main scanning direction X by driving the main scanning motor 14.

[0012] The encoder sheet 18 is arranged along the main scanning direction X. Periodic slits are provided in the encoder sheet 18. The carriage 11 has a reading sensor that reads the slits in the encoder sheet 18, and the position of the carriage 11 in the main scanning direction X can be detected from the reading result of the reading sensor.

[0013] The controller board 50 controls the ejection of ink, which is liquid, from the head 10 by adjusting the timing from the carriage position obtained from the reading result of the reading sensor of the carriage 11 to the ejection position.

[0014] Four heads 10 are mounted on a carriage 11. Each head 10 has two rows of nozzles in which nozzles that eject liquid are arranged. The carriage 11 also has a sub-tank that temporarily stores the liquid to be supplied to the heads 10. Liquid of the required color is sent from the main tank 21 to the sub-tank by a liquid supply pump via a supply tube.

[0015] The printing apparatus 1 is equipped with a platen member 40, which is a holding member that holds fabric 400 as an object to which liquid is to be applied (a printing object). The platen member 40 is mounted on an elevating mechanism 41 so that its height in the vertical direction Z can be adjusted. The elevating mechanism 41 for the platen member 40 is mounted on a slider 42. The slider 42 is movably mounted on a slide rail 43 that extends in a sub-scanning direction Y that is perpendicular to the main scanning direction X.

[0016] The slider 42 is reciprocated in the sub-scanning direction Y by a sub-scanning drive mechanism via a timing belt 45. When the slider 42 is reciprocated in the sub-scanning direction Y, the platen member 40 is also reciprocated in the sub-scanning direction Y.

[0017] At one end in the main scanning direction, a maintenance unit 60 is arranged as a maintenance and recovery mechanism for maintaining and recovering the head 10. The maintenance unit 60 is equipped with a suction cap 61 that caps the nozzle surface of the head 10, a moisture retention cap 62 that caps the nozzle surface of the head 10 to retain moisture, and a wiping member 63 that wipes the nozzle surface of the head 10. A suction means is connected to the suction cap 61.

[0018] At the other end in the main scanning direction, a discharge receiver 66 is disposed. The controller board 50 performs maintenance and recovery of the head 10 by causing the head 10 to discharge liquid into the discharge receiver 66 during printing.

[0019] Furthermore, a light emitting section 80A and a light receiving section 80B of height detecting means 80 that detects the fabric 400 on the platen member 40 are disposed on one end side and the other end side in the main scanning direction. The height detecting means 80 is attached to the frame 2.

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

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

[0022] When the platen member 40 is retracted, the height detection means 80 detects whether or not the fabric 400 on the platen member 40 interferes with the head 10. If the head 10 and the fabric 400 collide at this time, the retraction of the platen member 40 is stopped, or the platen member 40 is returned to the position where the fabric 400 is set.

[0023] When the retraction of the platen member 40 is completed, the printer 1 enters a print data standby state. At this point, the printing operation begins when the printer 1 receives print data from an external information processing device. Alternatively, if print data has been stored in the controller board 50 in advance, the printing operation begins by selecting the print data on the operation unit 71.

[0024] When the printing operation starts, the platen member 40 is moved to the print start position via the slider 42. Then, the carriage 11 is moved and liquid is ejected from the head 10 to print one line. After one line has been printed, the platen member 40 is moved one line via the slider 42. By repeating one scan of the carriage 11 and intermittent movement of the slider 42, printing is performed on the desired area of ​​the fabric 400. After printing is complete, the platen member 40 is returned to the front of the device, and printing is completed.

[0025] Next, the maintenance unit (maintenance and recovery mechanism) in the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of the suction-related portion of the maintenance unit, and Figure 5 is an explanatory plan view of the nozzle surface of the head and the suction cap in this embodiment.

[0026] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5(a), the head 10 has a total of ten nozzle rows 111, each row having a plurality of nozzles 110 for ejecting liquid, two rows for each of five colors. Here, the five colors are black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and white (W), but this is not limitative. Alternatively, as described in the printing device 1, a configuration may be adopted in which a head is provided for each color.

[0027] 5(b), the suction cap 61 that caps (seals) the nozzle surface 10a of the head 10 has an opening 61a, and the opening 61a has an opening area large enough to cover the two nozzle rows 111. Therefore, in this embodiment, suction is performed for each of the two nozzle rows 111 of each color.

[0028] A suction pump 65 as a suction means is connected to the suction cap 61 via a discharge path 66 , which is connected to a waste liquid tank 67 .

[0029] When the maintenance unit 60 performs suction on the head 10, the suction cap 61 is moved from a decapped state in which it is separated from the nozzle surface 10a of the head 10 as shown in FIG. 4(a) to a raised state in which it caps the areas of the two nozzle rows 111 on the nozzle surface 10a of the head 10 as shown in FIG. 4(b).

[0030] Then, the suction pump 65 is driven to suck the inside of the suction cap 61 to create a negative pressure, thereby sucking and discharging the liquid from the nozzles 110 of the two nozzle rows 111 of the head 10 into the suction cap 61 .

[0031] Next, a jig for restricting the opening of the cap in this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as an "opening restriction jig") will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the opening restriction jig, where (a) is a plan explanatory view and (b) is a cross-sectional explanatory view taken along line AA in (a).

[0032] The opening restriction jig 600 is a jig that is removably attached to the opening 61a side of the suction cap 61. The opening restriction jig 600 has an opening hole 610 that communicates with the opening 61a of the suction cap 61 when attached to the suction cap 61, and the opening area of ​​the opening hole 610 is smaller than the opening area of ​​the opening 61a of the suction cap 61.

[0033] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation.

[0034] 6 and 7, when suction is performed using the opening restriction jig 600, the opening restriction jig 600 is attached to and covers the opening 61a side of the suction cap 61. As a result, the opening 61a of the suction cap 61 is locally opened only at the portion of the opening hole 610 of the opening restriction jig 600.

[0035] Therefore, by driving the suction pump 65 to suck and create negative pressure inside the suction cap 61, liquid is sucked and discharged into the suction cap 61 from the nozzle 110 of the two nozzle rows 111 of the head 10 that faces the opening hole 610 of the opening control jig 600.

[0036] In this way, by attaching the opening control jig 600 to the suction cap 61, some of the nozzles 110 in the nozzle row 111 can be sucked locally, and when the opening control jig 600 is removed, all of the nozzles 110 in the nozzle row 111 can be sucked in all at once.

[0037] By using a plurality of opening restriction jigs 600 in which the positions of the opening holes 610 differ in the direction along the nozzle row 111, it is possible to perform local suction multiple times while replacing the opening restriction jigs 600, thereby suctioning all of the nozzles 110 in the nozzle row 111. Alternatively, even when one opening restriction jig 600 is used, if the maintenance unit 60 or the head 10 can be made to move relatively in the sub-scanning direction, it is possible to perform local suction multiple times and suction all of the nozzles 110 in the nozzle row 111.

[0038] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is an explanatory view for explaining an opening restriction jig and a unit of the opening restriction jig according to the second embodiment.

[0039] In this embodiment, the opening restriction jig 600A and the opening restriction jig 600B are provided as a unit (assembly).

[0040] The opening restriction jig 600A has an opening hole 610 facing an area corresponding to approximately 1 / 3 of the nozzle row 111, and the opening hole 610 is arranged at approximately the center in the longitudinal direction which is the direction along the nozzle row 111.

[0041] The opening restriction jig 600B has an opening hole 610 facing an area corresponding to approximately 1 / 3 of the nozzle row 111, and the opening hole 610 is arranged at an end in the longitudinal direction along the nozzle row 111.

[0042] As shown in Figures 8(b1) and (b2), this opening control jig 600B can be rotated 180 degrees when attached to the suction cap 61, so that the opening hole 610 faces one end of the nozzle row 111, and the opening hole 610 faces the other end of the nozzle row 111.

[0043] This allows the nozzles 110 in two different regions to be sucked by one opening restriction jig 600B.

[0044] That is, the opening hole 610 of the opening restriction jig 600A faces approximately the center in the longitudinal direction, which is the direction along the nozzle row 111, when attached to the suction cap 61. On the other hand, the opening hole 610 of the opening restriction jig 600B faces the end in the longitudinal direction, which is the direction along the nozzle row 111, when attached to the suction cap 61. That is, the opening hole 610 of the opening restriction jig 600A and the opening hole 610 of the opening restriction jig 600B are arranged in different positions when attached to the suction cap 61, and communicate with different nozzles 110 in the longitudinal direction.

[0045] By using such opening control jigs 600A and 600B, it is possible to repeatedly perform local suction on all of the nozzles 110 in the nozzle row 111. The opening area of ​​the opening hole 610 in the opening control jig 600A may be different from the opening area of ​​the opening hole 610 in the opening control jig 600B.

[0046] Next, a maintenance unit (maintenance and recovery mechanism) according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram of the suction-related portion of the maintenance unit, and Figure 10 is an explanatory plan view of the nozzle surface of the head and the suction cap in this embodiment.

[0047] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 10(a), the head 10 has a total of ten nozzle rows 111 in which a plurality of nozzles 110 for ejecting liquid are arranged, two rows for each of five colors. Here, the five colors are black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and white (W), but this is not limitative. Also, as described in the printing device 1, it is possible to configure the head to have a head for each color.

[0048] 10(b), the suction cap 61 that caps (seals) the nozzle surface 10a of the head 10 has an opening 61a, and the opening 61a has an opening area large enough to cover all of the nozzle rows 111. Therefore, in this embodiment, the nozzle rows 111 of each color are suctioned simultaneously.

[0049] A suction pump 65 as a suction means is connected to the suction cap 61 via a discharge path 66 , which is connected to a waste liquid tank 67 .

[0050] When the maintenance unit 60 performs suction on the head 10, the suction cap 61 is in a decapped state in which it is separated from the nozzle surface 10a of the head 10, as shown in Figure 9(a), and then, as shown in Figure 9(b), the suction cap 61 is raised to cap the area of ​​all nozzle rows 111 on the nozzle surface 10a of the head 10.

[0051] Then, the suction pump 65 is driven to suck the inside of the suction cap 61 to create a negative pressure, thereby sucking and discharging the liquid from the nozzles 110 of all the nozzle rows 111 of the head 10 into the suction cap 61 .

[0052] Next, the opening restriction jig and the unit of the opening restriction jig in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12. Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram of the opening restriction jig included in the unit, and Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the relationship between the opening restriction jig and the opening of the suction cap.

[0053] In this embodiment, five opening restriction jigs 600A to 600E are provided as a unit (a group). As shown in Fig. 12, the five opening restriction jigs 600A to 600E have opening holes 610 arranged so as to face areas A to I of the opening 61a of the suction cap 61 which is divided into nine sections (three columns x three rows).

[0054] The opening restriction jig 600A has an opening hole 610 arranged at a position corresponding to the region E of the opening 61a of the suction cap 61. When the opening restriction jig 600A is attached to the suction cap 61, the opening hole 610 of the opening restriction jig 600A faces the longitudinal centers of the central two nozzle rows 111 of the ten nozzle rows 111 shown in FIG.

[0055] By rotating the opening restriction jig 600B by 180 degrees, the opening holes 610 are arranged at positions corresponding to the region B or the region H of the opening 61a of the suction cap 61. When the opening restriction jig 600B is attached to the suction cap 61, the opening holes 610 of the opening restriction jig 600B face one end or the other end in the longitudinal direction of the central two nozzle rows 111 out of the ten nozzle rows 111 shown in FIG.

[0056] By rotating the opening restriction jig 600C by 180 degrees, the opening holes 610 are arranged at positions corresponding to the region A or the region I of the opening 61a of the suction cap 61. When the opening restriction jig 600C is attached to the suction cap 61, the opening holes 610 of the opening restriction jig 600C face one longitudinal end of the four nozzle rows 111 on the left side of the ten nozzle rows 111 shown in FIG. 10(a) or the other longitudinal end of the four nozzle rows 111 on the right side.

[0057] By rotating the opening restriction jig 600D by 180 degrees, the opening holes 610 are arranged at positions corresponding to the region D or the region F of the opening 61a of the suction cap 61. When the opening restriction jig 600D is attached to the suction cap 61, the opening holes 610 of the opening restriction jig 600D face the longitudinal centers of the four nozzle rows 111 on the left side or the longitudinal centers of the four nozzle rows 111 on the right side of the ten nozzle rows 111 shown in FIG.

[0058] By rotating the opening restriction jig 600E by 180 degrees, the opening holes 610 are arranged at positions corresponding to the region G or the region C of the opening 61a of the suction cap 61. When the opening restriction jig 600E is attached to the suction cap 61, the opening holes 610 of the opening restriction jig 600E face the other longitudinal end portions of the four nozzle rows 111 on the left side of the ten nozzle rows 111 shown in FIG. 10(a) or one longitudinal end portion of the four nozzle rows 111 on the right side.

[0059] Therefore, a desired area can be locally suctioned by selecting one of the opening restriction jigs 600A to 600E depending on the area to be suctioned on the nozzle surface 10a of the head 10, attaching it to the suction cap 61, and performing suction. That is, by selecting one of the opening restriction jigs 600A to 600E, attaching it to the suction cap 61, and performing suction, the plurality of nozzles 600 included in the ten nozzle rows 111 shown in FIG. 10(a) can be divided in the longitudinal direction and selectively suctioned.

[0060] In this way, by interchangeably attaching the opening control jigs 600A to 600E to the suction cap 61, some of the nozzles 110 on the nozzle surface 10a can be sucked locally, and when the opening control jigs 600A to 600E are removed, all of the nozzles 110 on the nozzle surface 10a can be sucked in all at once.

[0061] The suction area of ​​nozzle surface 10a by opening hole 610 of opening control jig 600A and the suction area of ​​nozzle surface 10a by opening hole 610 of opening control jig 600B may partially overlap in the longitudinal direction of nozzle row 111. Furthermore, the suction area of ​​nozzle surface 10a by opening hole 610 of opening control jig 600C, the suction area of ​​nozzle surface 10a by opening hole 610 of opening control jig 600D, and the suction area of ​​nozzle surface 10a by opening hole 610 of opening control jig 600E may partially overlap in the longitudinal direction of nozzle row 111.

[0062] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining this embodiment, where (a) is a plan view of the suction cap portion, and (b) is an explanatory diagram of a nozzle check chart.

[0063] 13(a), the openings 61a of the suction cap 61 are divided into eight columns, from the first column to the eighth column, and each column is divided into three rows, from row A to row C. In this case, a plurality of opening restriction jigs 600 are provided, in which opening holes 610 are arranged so as to correspond to each of the 8 × 3 = 24 regions specified by the columns and rows. Note that the "columns" refer to the arrangement direction of the plurality of nozzle columns 111, and the "rows" refer to the arrangement direction of the nozzles 110.

[0064] The outside of the suction cap 61 is marked with numbers "1" to "8" and letters "A" to "C" as markers indicating the areas to which the opening holes 610 of the opening restriction jig 600 correspond.

[0065] Therefore, when printing the nozzle check pattern, as shown in Figure 13(b), eight columns of check patterns 300 are printed, and the numbers "1" to "8" are printed as markers on each check pattern 300. In addition, the letters "A" to "C" are printed in the row direction.

[0066] With this configuration, the markings of the locations where local suction is desired based on the combination of columns and rows obtained from the nozzle check pattern 300 are compared with the markings on the suction cap 61, and the opening control jig 600 having the corresponding opening hole 610 is selected and attached to the suction cap 61.

[0067] This allows efficient local suction.

[0068] Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a state in which an opening restricting jig is attached to a suction cap used to explain this embodiment.

[0069] In this embodiment, the opening control jig 600 is composed of an elastic member 601 on the surface side that abuts against the nozzle surface 10a of the head 10, and a jig body 602 that is more rigid than the elastic member 601 on the side that fits into the suction cap 61.

[0070] The elastic member 601 may be a gel-like material or may be an adhesive material.

[0071] As a result, when the opening restriction jig 600 is attached to the suction cap 61 to cap the nozzle surface 10a of the head 10, it is possible to prevent the nozzle surface 10a from being damaged.

[0072] Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the sixth embodiment, where (a) is a plan explanatory diagram and (b) is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram taken along line BB in (a).

[0073] The opening restriction jig 600 of this embodiment has three opening holes 610 in the direction along the nozzle row 111 (longitudinal direction), and is equipped with three shutter members 620 that open and close the three opening holes 610, respectively.

[0074] When using this opening restriction jig 600, the opening restriction jig 600 is attached to the suction cap 61, and the shutter member 620 is operated to open the opening hole 610 corresponding to the area to be locally suctioned. Note that the operation of the shutter member 620 and the attachment of the opening restriction jig 600 can be performed in any order.

[0075] In this manner, in this embodiment, one opening restriction jig 600 can locally suck a plurality of different regions.

[0076] Moreover, by adjusting the position of the shutter member 620, it is also possible to suck only one of the two nozzle rows 111.

[0077] Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining this embodiment.

[0078] The opening restriction jig 600 of this embodiment has nine opening holes 610 and three shutter members 620 that open and close each of the three opening holes 610 in one row.

[0079] As a result, in this embodiment as well, one opening restriction jig 600 can locally suck a plurality of different regions.

[0080] Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 17. Fig. 17 is an explanatory plan view for explaining this embodiment.

[0081] The opening control jig 600 of this embodiment, like the sixth embodiment, has three opening holes 610 in the direction (longitudinal direction) along the nozzle row 111, and is equipped with three shutter members 620 that open and close the three opening holes 610, respectively.

[0082] The elastic member 601 is divided into three parts corresponding to the openings 610 .

[0083] This allows only the deteriorated elastic member 601 to be replaced.

[0084] Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 18. Fig. 18 is an explanatory cross-sectional view for explaining this embodiment.

[0085] In the opening restriction jig 600 of this embodiment, a portion 602a of the jig body 602 facing the opening hole 610 has a curved shape (or may have a tapered shape) that widens toward the opening 61a side.

[0086] This makes it easier to suck up the liquid.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the printing device has been described as a device that ejects liquid onto a member to which the liquid is applied, which is fabric, but the device that ejects liquid is not limited to this.

[0088] In the present application, the liquid to be ejected may have a viscosity and surface tension that allows it to be ejected from the head, and is not particularly limited, but preferably has a viscosity of 30 mPa·s or less at room temperature and normal pressure, or upon heating or cooling. More specifically, 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 biocompatible material such as DNA, amino acids, proteins, or calcium, or an edible material such as a natural colorant, and the like. These liquids can be used, for example, as inkjet inks, surface treatment liquids, liquids for forming components of electronic devices or light-emitting elements, or electronic circuit resist patterns, and material liquids for 3D modeling.

[0089] Energy sources for ejecting liquid include piezoelectric actuators (laminated piezoelectric elements and thin-film piezoelectric elements), thermal actuators that use electrothermal conversion elements such as heating resistors, and electrostatic actuators consisting of a vibration plate and an opposing electrode.

[0090] The "liquid ejecting device" can also include means for feeding, transporting, and discharging items onto which liquid can be attached, as well as pre-processing devices and post-processing devices.

[0091] For example, "liquid ejecting devices" include image forming devices that eject ink to form an image on paper, three-dimensional modeling devices (3D modeling devices) that eject modeling liquid onto a powder layer formed from layers of powder in order to create a three-dimensional object (a three-dimensional model), and three-dimensional modeling devices that eject model material and support material onto a stage to perform additive manufacturing.

[0092] Furthermore, the term "liquid ejection device" is not limited to devices that use ejected liquid to visualize meaningful images such as letters and figures. For example, it also includes devices that form patterns that have no meaning in themselves, and devices that create three-dimensional images.

[0093] The above-mentioned "object onto which a liquid can adhere" means an object onto which a liquid can adhere at least temporarily, an object onto which the liquid can adhere and stick, an object onto which the liquid can penetrate, etc. Specific examples include media such as paper, recording paper, film, and cloth, electronic circuit boards, electronic components such as piezoelectric elements, powder layers, organ models, and test cells, and unless otherwise specified, includes all objects onto which a liquid can adhere.

[0094] Furthermore, the "liquid ejection device" may be a device in which a liquid ejection head and an object onto which liquid can be attached move relatively, but is not limited to this. Specific examples include a serial type device in which a liquid ejection head moves, and a line type device in which a liquid ejection head does not move. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 1. Printing device (device that ejects liquid) 10 head (liquid ejection means) 11 Carriage 40 Platen member 60 Maintenance Unit 61 Suction Cap 61a opening 400 Fabric (Granted) 600 Opening restriction jig 601 Elastic member 602 Jig body 610 Opening hole 620 Shutter member

Claims

1. a liquid ejection means for ejecting a liquid; a suction cap that seals a nozzle surface of the liquid ejection means, a plurality of opening holes that communicate with the opening of the suction cap when the device is attached to the suction cap; a shutter member that opens and closes the plurality of openings, The surface side is made of an elastic material, and the side attached to the suction cap is made of a material having higher rigidity than the elastic material, an opening area of ​​the plurality of opening holes is smaller than an opening area of ​​the opening of the suction cap; The elastic member is replaceable for each area corresponding to the opening hole. A jig for regulating the opening of a suction cap.

2. The elastic member has adhesiveness.

2. A jig for restricting the opening of the suction cap according to claim 1.

3. The elastic member is a gel-like member.

3. A jig for restricting the opening of the suction cap according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the suction cap has a side surface along a direction intersecting the nozzle surface, The side surface is attached to cover the side surface. A jig for restricting the suction cap according to claim 1.

5. A jig for restricting the opening of the suction cap according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is provided. A liquid ejection device comprising:

6. a suction cap to which a jig for restricting the opening of the suction cap according to any one of claims 1 to 4 can be attached, A marking is provided around the suction cap to identify the area to be opened by a jig that restricts the opening of the suction cap. A liquid ejection device comprising:

7. a liquid ejection means for ejecting a liquid; a suction cap that seals the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection means, the suction cap is capable of removably mounting a jig having an opening hole with an opening area smaller than that of the opening of the suction cap; the opening of the suction cap communicates with the opening hole of the jig when the jig is attached; A mark is attached around the suction cap to identify the area that will be opened by the opening hole of the jig when the jig is attached. A liquid ejection device comprising:

Images