Capping device, liquid ejection device

Abstract

To provide a cap device and a liquid discharge device which can reduce burden on a worker.SOLUTION: A cap device includes a cap 20 which can form a closed space where nozzles are opened by being brought into contact with a liquid discharge head 18 capable of discharging a liquid from the nozzles in a first direction D1 containing a horizontal direction X component and a gravity direction Z component, and a cap moving part 21 capable of moving the cap 20 in a second direction D2 different from the first direction D1 in the state of holding the cap 20, wherein the second direction D2 contains the gravity direction Z component, and the cap moving part 21 has a guide part 58 extending in the second direction D2, the cap 20 has a guided part 63 guided by the guide part 58, and is configured so as to be detachable to the cap moving part 21 from the upper end side of the guide part 58.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printer, which is an example of a liquid ejection device, that includes a line head, which is an example of a liquid ejection head, and a cap member, which is an example of a cap. The line head prints on a medium being transported by ejecting liquid from multiple nozzles onto the medium. The cap member blocks the multiple nozzles by coming into contact with the line head.

[0003] The cap member is removable by removing a cover provided on the housing and a detachable unit provided behind the cover. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-175275 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The cover in Patent Document 1 is located on a side of the printer that is not the front, and is lower than the center of the printer. That is, when removing the cap member in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to pull the cap member out to the side at a low position. When installing the cap member in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to push the cap member in to the side at a low position. This places a great burden on the worker installing and removing the cap member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A cap device that solves the above problem comprises a cap that can form a closed space in which a nozzle opens by coming into contact with a liquid ejection head that can eject liquid from a nozzle in a first direction that includes a horizontal component and a gravity component, and a cap moving unit that can move the cap in a second direction that is different from the first direction while holding the cap, wherein the second direction includes a gravity component, the cap moving unit has a guide portion that extends in the second direction, the cap has a guided portion that is guided by the guide portion, and is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the cap moving unit from the upper end side of the guide portion.

[0007] A liquid ejection device that solves the above problem comprises a liquid ejection head capable of ejecting liquid from a nozzle in a first direction including a horizontal component and a gravity component, a cap device of the above configuration, and a housing that houses the liquid ejection head and the cap device, wherein the housing has a cover that can open and close at least a portion of the top surface of the housing, the liquid ejection head can be positioned at a separated position where it is separated from the cap, and a contact position where it moves from the separated position in the first direction and contacts the cap, and the cap is configured to be detachable from the cap moving part when the cover is open and the liquid ejection head is in the separated position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a liquid ejection device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a liquid ejection head and a capping device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cap device as viewed in a first direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Embodiment] An embodiment of a capping device and a liquid ejection device will be described below with reference to the drawings. The liquid ejection device of this embodiment is, for example, an inkjet printer that prints by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as paper.

[0010] In the drawings, the liquid discharger 11 is placed on a horizontal plane, with the direction of gravity indicated by the Z axis, and directions along the horizontal plane indicated by the X and Y axes. The X, Y, and Z axes are perpendicular to one another. In the following description, the direction parallel to the X axis is also referred to as the horizontal direction X, the direction parallel to the Y axis is also referred to as the depth direction Y, and the direction parallel to the Z axis is also referred to as the gravity direction Z.

[0011] <Liquid discharge device> As shown in FIG. 1 , the liquid ejection device 11 includes a housing 12. The liquid ejection device 11 may include a medium storage unit 13 and a feeding unit 14. The liquid ejection device 11 may include a plurality of medium storage units 13 and the same number of feeding units 14 as the medium storage units 13. The liquid ejection device 11 may include a transport unit 15, a stacker 16, and a head moving unit 17. The liquid ejection device 11 includes a liquid ejection head 18 and a capping device 19. The capping device 19 includes a cap 20 and a cap moving unit 21.

[0012] 1, a transport path 24 along which the medium 23 is transported is indicated by a dashed line. The transport path 24 connects the medium storage unit 13 and the stacker 16. The stacker 16 receives the transported medium 23.

[0013] The housing 12 accommodates various components of the liquid ejection device 11. The housing 12 accommodates the liquid ejection head 18 and the capping device 19. The housing 12 may have a top surface 25, a maintenance hole 26, and a cover 27.

[0014] The upper surface 25 is located above the cap device 19. The upper surface 25 has a horizontal direction X component and a depth direction Y component. The stacker 16 may be provided on the upper surface 25. The maintenance hole 26 is provided on the top surface 25. The maintenance hole 26 may also be provided on the stacker 16.

[0015] The cover 27 may constitute at least a part of the stacker 16. The cover 27 can open and close at least a part of the top surface 25 of the housing 12. The cover 27 may be rotatable about an axis (not shown). When the cover 27 of this embodiment is positioned in the closed position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, it closes the maintenance hole 26 and constitutes a part of the stacker 16. When the cover 27 of this embodiment is positioned in the open position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, it opens the maintenance hole 26. By positioning the cover 27 in the open position, an operator can perform maintenance on the conveying unit 15, the liquid ejection head 18, the capping device 19, and the like through the maintenance hole 26. Maintenance includes part replacement, cleaning, inspection, and the like.

[0016] The medium container 13 may be capable of containing a plurality of media 23 in a stacked state. The feeding unit 14 feeds out the media 23 stored in the corresponding medium storage unit 13 from the corresponding medium storage unit 13. The feeding unit 14 may include a feeding roller 29 and a separating unit 30. The feeding roller 29 feeds out the media 23 stored in the medium storage unit 13. The separating unit 30 separates the media 23 one by one. The feeding unit 14 feeds out the media 23 stored in the medium storage unit 13 to the transport path 24 one by one.

[0017] The transport unit 15 transports the medium 23 along the transport path 24. The transport unit 15 may include a transport roller 32, an endless transport belt 33, and a pair of pulleys 34. The transport unit 15 may include a plurality of transport rollers 32. The transport rollers 32 transport the medium 23 by rotating while sandwiching the medium 23. The transport unit 15 discharges the transported medium 23 into the stacker 16.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the conveyor belt 33 is stretched over a pair of pulleys 34. The conveyor belt 33 has a conveying surface 36 that conveys the medium 23. The conveying surface 36 is a flat surface on the outer circumferential surface of the conveyor belt 33 that supports the medium 23 by, for example, electrostatic adsorption. The conveying surface 36 forms the conveying path 24. The conveyor belt 33 may be provided with the conveying surface 36 inclined relative to the horizontal plane. In this embodiment, the direction along the conveying surface 36 that conveys the medium 23 is referred to as the conveying direction Dc. The conveyor belt 33 conveys the medium 23 in the conveying direction Dc by rotating with the medium 23 supported on the conveying surface 36.

[0019] The liquid ejection head 18 may have a nozzle surface 39 in which the nozzles 38 open. The liquid ejection head 18 may also include a positioning portion 40. The liquid ejection head 18 may also include a plurality of positioning portions 40. The liquid ejection head 18 of this embodiment includes a pair of positioning portions 40 provided on both sides of the nozzle surface 39 in the depth direction Y. The positioning portions 40 may be cylindrical.

[0020] The liquid ejection head 18 may be provided so that the nozzle surface 39 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane. The liquid ejection head 18 may be provided so that the nozzle surface 39 is parallel to the transport surface 36. The liquid ejection head 18 is capable of ejecting liquid from the nozzles 38 in a first direction D1. The first direction D1 in this embodiment is a direction perpendicular to the transport surface 36 and the nozzle surface 39. The first direction D1 includes a horizontal direction X component and a gravity direction Z component.

[0021] The liquid ejection head 18 prints on the medium 23 by ejecting liquid from the nozzles 38. The liquid ejection head 18 prints on the medium 23 supported by the conveyor belt 33. The liquid ejection head 18 of this embodiment is a line type that prints by ejecting liquid onto the conveyed medium 23 while stationary.

[0022] The head moving section 17 may have a first drive gear 42 and a first driven tooth 43. The head moving section 17 may have a plurality of sets of the first drive gear 42 and the first driven tooth 43. The first driven tooth 43 is, for example, a rack. The liquid ejection head 18 and the first driven tooth 43 move in accordance with the rotation of the first drive gear 42.

[0023] The head moving unit 17 moves the liquid ejection head 18 in a movement direction Dm that intersects with the nozzle surface 39. The movement direction Dm is the direction in which the liquid ejection head 18 moves away from the conveyor belt 33. In other words, the liquid ejection head 18 is provided so as to be movable relative to the conveyor surface 36. The movement direction Dm in this embodiment is the direction opposite to the first direction D1. When the liquid ejection head 18 moves along a curved guide (not shown), the movement direction Dm may be the direction along the curved guide.

[0024] The head moving unit 17 moves the liquid ejection head 18 in the movement direction Dm as a result of the forward rotation of the first drive gear 42. The head moving unit 17 moves the liquid ejection head 18 in the first direction D1 as a result of the reverse rotation of the first drive gear 42.

[0025] The liquid ejection head 18 may be capable of being positioned at a printing position Pp shown in Fig. 1, a separation position Ps shown by a two-dot chain line in Fig. 2, and a contact position Pt shown by a solid line in Fig. 2. The printing position Pp is a position where the liquid ejection head 18 ejects liquid to print on the medium 23. The separation position Ps is a position moved from the printing position Pp in the movement direction Dm. The contact position Pt is a position between the separation position Ps and the printing position Pp.

[0026] The cap 20 can form a closed space in which the nozzles 38 are open when it comes into contact with the liquid ejection head 18. The formation of a closed space by the cap 20 is also referred to as capping. The cap 20 can be positioned at a retracted position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2 and a capping position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2. The cap 20 positioned at the capping position moves in a second direction D2 to be positioned at the retracted position. The second direction D2 includes a component in the direction of gravity Z. The second direction D2 in this embodiment includes a component in the direction opposite to the horizontal direction X and a component in the direction of gravity Z. The second direction D2 may be a direction opposite to the transport direction Dc, or may be a direction parallel to the transport surface 36 and the nozzle surface 39.

[0027] The retracted position is a position outside the movement area of ​​the liquid ejection head 18. When the cap 20 is in the retracted position, the liquid ejection head 18 can move from the printing position Pp to the separated position Ps.

[0028] The cap 20 positioned at the capping position caps the liquid ejection head 18 positioned at the contact position Pt. The cap 20 positioned at the capping position is positioned between the liquid ejection head 18 positioned at the separation position Ps and the transport surface 36. In other words, the separation position Ps of the liquid ejection head 18 is a position away from the cap 20 positioned at the capping position. The contact position Pt of the liquid ejection head 18 is a position where the liquid ejection head 18 moves from the separation position Ps in the first direction D1 and comes into contact with the cap 20.

[0029] The capping device 19 may include a discharge flow path 45, a waste liquid storage section 46, a moisture flow path 47, and a moisture storage section 48. The discharge flow path 45 and the moisture flow path 47 may each include a joint section 50, a first flow path 51, and a second flow path 52.

[0030] The capping device 19 may include a plurality of discharge flow paths 45. The capping device 19 may include a plurality of moisture retention flow paths 47. The plurality of joint parts 50 may be formed integrally. The first flow path 51 and the second flow path 52 are connected to the joint part 50, thereby enabling liquid to flow from the first flow path 51 to the second flow path 52. The second flow path 52 is connected to the first flow path 51 via the joint part 50.

[0031] The discharge flow path 45 is capable of discharging the liquid inside the cap 20. That is, the discharge flow path 45 allows the liquid to flow from the cap 20, which is upstream, to the waste liquid storage section 46, which is downstream. The waste liquid storage section 46 stores the liquid discharged from the cap 20 as waste liquid.

[0032] The first flow path 51 of the discharge flow path 45 has a first upstream end 51u connected to the cap 20 and a first downstream end 51d connected to the joint part 50. The second flow path 52 of the discharge flow path 45 has a second upstream end 52u connected to the joint part 50 and a second downstream end 52d connected to the waste liquid storage part 46. At least the first flow path 51 of the discharge flow path 45 may be detachable from the joint part 50.

[0033] The moisture flow path 47 is capable of supplying moisture into the cap 20. That is, the moisture flow path 47 allows the moisture to flow from the moisture container 48 located upstream to the cap 20 located downstream. The moisture container 48 stores the moisture.

[0034] The first flow path 51 of the moisture retention flow path 47 has a first upstream end 51u connected to the moisture reservoir 48 and a first downstream end 51d connected to the joint 50. The second flow path 52 of the moisture retention flow path 47 has a second upstream end 52u connected to the joint 50 and a second downstream end 52d connected to the cap 20. At least the second flow path 52 of the moisture retention flow path 47 may be detachable from the joint 50.

[0035] 3 and 4, the joint portion 50 is provided on the cap moving portion 21. The joint portion 50 may be provided above the cap 20 in the second direction D2. When viewed in the second direction D2, the joint portion 50 may be provided at a position that does not overlap with the cap 20. The joint portion 50 may be provided alongside the cap 20 in the first direction D1.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, the cap moving part 21 may have a pair of guide plates 54 , a beam part 55 , a protrusion part 56 , a pressing member 57 , and a guide part 58 . The beam portion 55 supports the pair of guide plates 54 and the cap 20. The beam portion 55 may have a plurality of protrusions 56 extending in the second direction D2. By providing the protrusions 56 on the beam portion 55, friction between the beam portion 55 and the cap 20 can be reduced.

[0037] The pressing member 57 is, for example, a roller pressed by a spring, and presses the cap 20 in the removal direction Dr. The guide portions 58 are protrusions provided on the pair of guide plates 54, respectively.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, the guide portion 58 extends in the second direction D2. The liquid ejection device 11 may include a second drive gear 60. The cap moving portion 21 may have a second driven tooth 61.

[0039] The pair of guide plates 54 may each have a second driven tooth 61. The second driven tooth 61 is, for example, a rack. The second driven tooth 61 moves the cap moving portion 21 in accordance with the rotation of the second drive gear 60, thereby moving the cap 20. When the second drive gear 60 rotates forward, the cap moving portion 21 moves in the second direction D2, and positions the cap 20 at the retracted position. When the second drive gear 60 rotates backward, the cap moving portion 21 moves in the removal direction Dr, which is opposite to the second direction D2, and positions the cap 20 at the capping position.

[0040] The cap 20 has a guided portion 63. In this embodiment, the guided portion 63 is a groove extending in the second direction D2. The guided portion 63 is guided by the guide portion 58. The guided portion 63 is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the upper end side of the guide portion 58 with respect to the cap moving portion 21. In other words, the cap 20 is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the upstream end of the guide portion 58 with respect to the cap moving portion 21.

[0041] The cap 20 may have positioned portions 65. The cap 20 may have the same number of positioned portions 65 as the positioning portions 40. The positioned portions 65 are capable of contacting the positioning portions 40 of the liquid ejection head 18. The positioned portions 65 are located below the positioning portions 40 in the second direction D2. The pressing member 57 presses the cap 20 from below. The pressing member 57 presses the cap 20 in the second direction D2 in a direction in which the positioned portions 65 come into contact with the positioning portions 40.

[0042] 5, the multiple positioned portions 65 may have different shapes. Of the two positioned portions 65, one positioned portion 65 may have a curved surface that contacts one positioning portion 40, and the other positioned portion 65 may have a flat surface that contacts the other positioning portion 40. The two positioning portions 40 and the two positioned portions 65 of this embodiment position the cap 20 relative to the liquid ejection head 18 in the second direction D2 and the depth direction Y.

[0043] The cap 20 may have a gripping portion 67, a receiving portion 68, and a connecting portion 69. The cap 20 is movable relative to the cap moving portion 21 in a second direction D2 and a removal direction Dr opposite to the second direction D2. The cap 20 of this embodiment is provided so that its longitudinal direction coincides with the depth direction Y.

[0044] The cap 20 may include multiple gripping portions 67. The cap 20 of this embodiment has two gripping portions 67. The two gripping portions 67 may be provided at an interval from each other in the longitudinal direction of the cap 20. The gripping portion 67 may be provided at an upper portion in the second direction D2. In other words, the gripping portion 67 may be located forward of the receiving portion 68 in the removal direction Dr.

[0045] The cap 20 may include a plurality of receiving portions 68. A connecting portion 69 connects the plurality of receiving portions 68 that are lined up in the depth direction Y. In this embodiment, the receiving portions 68 are box-shaped. Each receiving portion 68 comes into contact with the nozzle surface 39, and an opening is blocked by the nozzle surface 39 to form a closed space. The discharge flow path 45 and the moisture retention flow path 47 are connected to the receiving portions 68. One discharge flow path 45 and one moisture retention flow path 47 may branch out and be connected to a plurality of receiving portions 68.

[0046] The receiving section 68 may receive the liquid discharged from the nozzles 38 in association with maintenance of the liquid ejection head 18. Specifically, the receiving section 68 may receive the liquid ejected from the nozzles 38 in association with flushing.

[0047] When flushing is performed, the head moving unit 17 first positions the liquid ejection head 18 at the separation position Ps. Then, the cap moving unit 21 positions the cap 20 at the cleaning position. The head moving unit 17 moves the liquid ejection head 18 in the first direction D1 and stops the liquid ejection head 18 just before the contact position Pt. The cap moving unit 21 moves the cap 20 in the movement direction Dm to bring the positioning unit 40 into contact with the positioned unit 65. The liquid ejection head 18 ejects liquid while positioned relative to the cap 20 to perform flushing.

[0048] The receiving section 68 may receive the liquid that is discharged from the nozzles 38 in association with pressure cleaning. Pressure cleaning is a maintenance method in which the liquid inside the liquid ejection head 18 is pressurized to cause the liquid to be discharged from the nozzles 38.

[0049] <Operation of the embodiment> The operation of this embodiment will be described. The cap 20 is configured to be detachable from the cap moving part 21 when the cover 27 is open and the liquid ejection head 18 is in the separated position Ps.

[0050] When replacing the cap 20, the worker may place the cap 20 in the capping position. The worker can then remove the cap 20 by disconnecting the first flow path 51 of the discharge flow path 45 and the second flow path 52 of the moisture retention flow path 47 from the joint portion 50.

[0051] The worker removes the cap 20 from the cap moving part 21 by gripping the gripping part 67 and moving the cap 20 in the removal direction Dr. The worker attaches the cap 20 to the cap moving part 21 by moving the cap 20 in the second direction D2 while aligning the guided part 63 of the cap 20 with the guide part 58. The worker connects the first flow path 51 of the discharge flow path 45 and the second flow path 52 of the moisture retention flow path 47 to the joint part 50.

[0052] <Effects of the embodiment> The effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The cap 20 is configured to be detachable from the upper end side of the guide portion 58. Therefore, the worker can easily attach and detach the cap 20 from above. This reduces the burden on the worker.

[0053] (2) The first flow path 51 is detachable from the joint part 50. Therefore, the cap 20 can be removed by removing the first flow path 51 from the joint part 50. Therefore, the cap 20 can be easily attached and detached.

[0054] (3) The joint part 50 is provided above the cap 20. Therefore, when removing the cap 20 from above, the worker can easily remove the first flow path 51 from the joint part 50. When attaching the cap 20 from above, the worker can easily connect the first flow path 51 to the joint part 50.

[0055] (4) The joint part 50 and the cap 20 do not overlap when viewed in the second direction D2. That is, the joint part 50 is located in a position that does not hinder movement of the cap 20 in the second direction D2. This makes it easy to attach and detach the cap 20.

[0056] (5) The liquid ejection head 18 has a positioning portion 40. The cap 20 has a positioned portion 65. The pressing member 57 presses the cap 20 to bring the positioned portion 65 into contact with the positioning portion 40. Therefore, the cap 20 can be positioned relative to the liquid ejection head 18 with a simple configuration.

[0057] (6) The cap 20 has a grip portion 67. The grip portion 67 is provided at an upper portion in the second direction D2. Therefore, when attaching or detaching the cap 20 from above, an operator can hold the grip portion 67 to attach or detach the cap 20. This further improves the ease of attaching or detaching the cap 20.

[0058] (7) The liquid ejection head 18 can be positioned at a separated position Ps away from the cap 20. Therefore, by making the cap 20 detachable when the liquid ejection head 18 is at the separated position Ps, it is possible to reduce the risk of the cap 20 hitting the liquid ejection head 18 when it is being attached or detached. The cover 27 can open and close the top surface 25 of the housing 12. Because the cap 20 is configured to be detachable when the cover 27 is open, an operator can easily attach or detach the cap 20 from above. This reduces the burden on the operator.

[0059] [Example of change] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0060] The second direction D2 may be parallel to the direction of gravity Z. That is, the cap moving unit 21 may move the cap 20, which has an opening parallel to the nozzle surface 39, in the direction of gravity Z and in the direction opposite to the direction of gravity Z.

[0061] The grip portion 67 is not limited to a cantilevered lever shape, but may be formed into any shape such as a handle, a recess, or a protrusion. The gripping portion 67 may be provided at the same position as the receiving portion 68 in the second direction D2. The gripping portion 67 may be provided below the receiving portion 68.

[0062] The positioned portion 65 may be located above the positioning portion 40 in the second direction D2. In this case, the positioned portion 65 may be positioned relative to the positioning portion 40 by the weight of the cap 20 itself.

[0063] The joint part 50 may be provided at a position overlapping with the cap 20 when viewed in the second direction D2. The joint part 50 may be provided so as to be detachable or movable with respect to the cap moving part 21. The joint part 50 may be provided on the cap 20 and be detachable together with the cap 20.

[0064] The joint part 50 may be provided at the same position as the cap 20 in the second direction D2. The joint part 50 may be provided below the cap 20 in the second direction D2. The second flow path 52 may be detachable from the joint part 50 .

[0065] The first flow path 51 of the discharge flow path 45 may be detachable from the cap 20. The second flow path 52 of the discharge flow path 45 may be detachable from the waste liquid storage portion . The first flow path 51 of the moisture flow path 47 may be detachable from the moisture container 48. The second flow path 52 of the moisture flow path 47 may be detachable from the cap 20.

[0066] The exhaust flow path 45 and the moisture retention flow path 47 may be configured by, for example, a single tube without the joint portion 50. The shapes of the guide portion 58 and the guided portion 63 may be reversed. That is, the guided portion 63 of the cap 20 may be formed in a convex shape, and the guide portion 58 of the cap moving portion 21 may be formed in a groove shape.

[0067] The liquid ejection device 11 may be a liquid ejection device that ejects or discharges liquids other than ink. The liquid ejected as minute droplets from the liquid ejection device may be in the form of granules, tears, or strings. The liquid referred to here may be any material that can be ejected from the liquid ejection device. For example, the liquid may be in any liquid phase, including fluids such as high or low viscosity liquids, sols, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals, and metal melts. The liquid may refer not only to a single state of matter, but also to solid functional material particles, such as pigments and metal particles, dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent. Typical examples of liquids include inks and liquid crystals, as described in the above embodiments. Here, ink encompasses various liquid compositions, such as general water-based inks and oil-based inks, as well as gel inks and hot-melt inks. Specific examples of liquid ejection devices include devices that eject liquids containing dispersed or dissolved materials such as electrode materials and color materials used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, electroluminescent displays, surface-emitting displays, and color filters. The liquid ejection device may be a device that ejects bioorganic materials used in biochip manufacture, a device used as a precision pipette to eject sample liquids, a textile printing device, a microdispenser, or the like. The liquid ejection device may be a device that ejects lubricating oil with pinpoint accuracy onto precision machinery such as watches and cameras, or a device that ejects transparent resin liquids such as ultraviolet-curing resins onto substrates to form micro-hemispherical lenses, optical lenses, and the like used in optical communication elements. The liquid ejection device may also be a device that ejects etching liquids such as acids or alkalis to etch substrates, etc.

[0068] [Note] The technical concepts and effects that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described below.

[0069] (A) The cap device comprises a cap that can form a closed space in which the nozzle opens by contacting a liquid ejection head that can eject liquid from a nozzle in a first direction that includes a horizontal component and a gravity component, and a cap moving unit that can move the cap in a second direction that is different from the first direction while holding the cap, wherein the second direction includes a gravity component, the cap moving unit has a guide portion that extends in the second direction, the cap has a guided portion that is guided by the guide portion, and is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the cap moving unit from the upper end side of the guide portion.

[0070] According to this configuration, the cap is detachable from the upper end of the guide portion, which allows the operator to easily attach and detach the cap from above, thereby reducing the burden on the operator.

[0071] (B) The cap device further includes a discharge flow path capable of discharging liquid from the cap, the discharge flow path having a joint portion provided in the cap moving portion, a first flow path having a first upstream end connected to the cap and a first downstream end connected to the joint portion, and a second flow path having a second upstream end connected to the joint portion and connected to the first flow path via the joint portion, and at least the first flow path may be detachable from the joint portion.

[0072] According to this configuration, the first flow path is detachable from the joint portion. Therefore, the cap can be removed by removing the first flow path from the joint portion. Therefore, it is possible to easily attach and detach the cap.

[0073] (C) In the cap device, the joint portion may be provided above the cap in the second direction. According to this configuration, the joint is provided above the cap. Therefore, when removing the cap from above, the worker can easily disconnect the first flow path from the joint. When attaching the cap from above, the worker can easily connect the first flow path to the joint.

[0074] (D) In ​​the cap device, when viewed in the second direction, the joint portion may be provided at a position that does not overlap with the cap. With this configuration, the joint part and the cap do not overlap when viewed in the second direction. That is, the joint part is positioned so as not to hinder movement of the cap in the second direction. This makes it easy to attach and detach the cap.

[0075] (E) In the cap device, the cap may have a positioned portion that can contact a positioning portion of the liquid ejection head, the positioned portion being located lower than the positioning portion in the second direction, and the cap moving portion may have a pressing member that presses the cap in the second direction in a direction in which the positioned portion contacts the positioning portion.

[0076] According to this configuration, the liquid ejection head has a positioning portion. The cap has a positioned portion. The pressing member presses the cap to bring the positioned portion into contact with the positioning portion. Therefore, the cap can be positioned relative to the liquid ejection head with a simple configuration.

[0077] (F) In the cap device, the cap may have a grip portion on an upper portion thereof in the second direction. According to this configuration, the cap has a grip portion. The grip portion is provided at the upper portion in the second direction. Therefore, when attaching or detaching the cap from above, an operator can hold the grip portion to attach or detach the cap. This further improves the ease of attaching or detaching the cap.

[0078] (G) A liquid ejection device comprises a liquid ejection head capable of ejecting liquid from a nozzle in a first direction including a horizontal component and a gravity component, a capping device of the above configuration, and a housing that houses the liquid ejection head and the capping device, wherein the housing has a cover that can open and close at least a portion of the top surface of the housing, the liquid ejection head can be positioned at a spaced position away from the cap, and a contact position where it moves from the spaced position in the first direction and contacts the cap, and the cap is configured to be detachable from the cap moving part when the cover is open and the liquid ejection head is in the spaced position.

[0079] According to this configuration, the liquid ejection head can be positioned in a spaced position away from the cap. Therefore, by making the cap detachable when the liquid ejection head is in the spaced position, the risk of the cap hitting the liquid ejection head when it is detached can be reduced. The cover can open and close the top surface of the housing. Because the cap is detachable when the cover is open, the worker can easily attach and detach the cap from above. Therefore, the burden on the worker can be reduced. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 11...liquid ejection device, 12...casing, 13...medium storage section, 14...feed section, 15...transport section, 16...stacker, 17...head moving section, 18...liquid ejection head, 19...capping device, 20...cap, 21...cap moving section, 23...medium, 24...transport path, 25...upper surface, 26...maintenance hole, 27...cover, 29...feed roller, 30...separation section, 32...transport roller, 33...transport belt, 34...pulley, 36...transport surface, 38...nozzle, 39...nozzle surface, 40...positioning section, 42...first drive gear, 43...first driven tooth, 45...discharge flow path, 46...waste liquid storage section, 47...moisture flow path , 48...moisturizing liquid storage section, 50...joint section, 51...first flow path, 51d...first downstream end, 51u...first upstream end, 52...second flow path, 52d...second downstream end, 52u...second upstream end, 54...guide plate, 55...beam section, 56...convex section, 57...pressing member, 58...guide section, 60...second drive gear, 61...second driven tooth, 63...guided section, 65...positioned section, 67...gripping section, 68...receiving section, 69...connecting section, D1...first direction, D2...second direction, Dc...conveying direction, Dm...moving direction, Dr...removal direction, Pp...printing position, Ps...separating position, Pt...contact position, X...horizontal direction, Y...depth direction, Z...gravity direction.

Claims

1. a cap that can form a closed space in which the nozzles are open by contacting the liquid ejection head that can eject liquid from the nozzles in a first direction including a horizontal direction component and a gravity direction component; a cap moving unit that can move the cap in a second direction different from the first direction while holding the cap; Equipped with the second direction includes a component in the direction of gravity, the cap moving portion has a guide portion extending in the second direction, The cap device is characterized in that the cap has a guided portion that is guided by the guide portion, and is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the upper end side of the guide portion relative to the cap moving portion.

2. a discharge flow path capable of discharging liquid from within the cap; The discharge flow path is a joint portion provided on the cap moving portion; a first flow path having a first upstream end connected to the cap and a first downstream end connected to the joint portion; a second flow path that is connected to the first flow path via the joint portion by connecting a second upstream end to the joint portion; and The capping device according to claim 1 , wherein at least the first flow path is detachable from the joint portion.

3. The cap device according to claim 2 , wherein the joint portion is provided above the cap in the second direction.

4. The cap device according to claim 3 , wherein the joint portion is provided at a position that does not overlap with the cap when viewed in the second direction.

5. the cap has a positioned portion that can come into contact with a positioning portion of the liquid ejection head, the positioned portion is located lower than the positioning portion in the second direction, A cap device described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cap moving portion has a pressing member that presses the cap in the second direction in a direction in which the positioned portion contacts the positioning portion.

6. The capping device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cap has a gripping portion at an upper portion in the second direction.

7. a liquid ejection head capable of ejecting liquid from a nozzle in a first direction including a horizontal component and a gravity component; A capping device according to any one of claims 1 to 6; a housing that houses the liquid ejection head and the capping device; Equipped with the housing has a cover that can open and close at least a part of the top surface of the housing; the liquid ejection head is positionable between a spaced position where the liquid ejection head is separated from the cap and a contact position where the liquid ejection head moves from the spaced position in the first direction and contacts the cap; The liquid ejection device is characterized in that the cap is configured to be detachable from the cap moving part when the cover is open and the liquid ejection head is in the separated position.

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