Liquid dispensing device

Abstract

To provide means capable of effectively executing wiping while maintaining a discharge function of liquid.SOLUTION: A controller 130 of a compound machine 10, when a liquid surface of ink 99 stored in a storage part 80 is higher than a prescribed position (S14:Yes), executes wiping to a nozzle 39 by a wiper 151 (S16) after separating a cap 70 from a head 38 (S15), and discharges ink 99 from the nozzle 39 for image recording (S17). The controller 130, when the liquid surface is not higher than the prescribed position (S14:No), discharges the ink 99 from the nozzle 39 for image recording (S17) without executing wiping (S16 is not executed) after separating the cap 70 from the head 38 (S19).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device having a head that ejects liquid supplied from a reservoir. [Background technology]

[0002] Inkjet printers require a meniscus to be maintained at the nozzles of the head in order to eject ink properly. A typical printer uses a backpressure control mechanism in the ink reservoir to maintain the meniscus. To protect the head when not printing, a movable cap is also provided to cover the nozzle face of the head.

[0003] In relation to the present invention, Patent Document 1 describes a liquid ejection device that performs recovery processing (e.g., wiping, pressurized recovery, etc.) for a liquid ejection means based on information corresponding to the environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure, etc.) surrounding the liquid ejection means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-189158 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] One way to make a printer smaller is to not provide a back pressure control mechanism in the ink reservoir. Even in a printer without a back pressure control mechanism, if certain conditions are met, the meniscus formed in the nozzle of the head can be maintained.

[0006] In printers without a back pressure control mechanism, the downward head pressure acting on the meniscus changes depending on the height of the ink level stored in the reservoir. Therefore, if the maintenance tube connected to the cap becomes blocked, the gas in the sealed space formed by the head and cap expands when the cap is separated from the head, causing a decrease in gas pressure, which can destroy the meniscus. If the meniscus is destroyed, ink clumps and adheres to the nozzle surface of the head, making it impossible to eject ink.

[0007] One possible solution to this problem is to wipe the head every time the cap is separated from the head, but this method has the problem that unnecessary wiping is performed even when there is no possibility of the meniscus being destroyed when the cap is separated from the head.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a means for effectively performing wiping while maintaining the liquid ejection function. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] (1) A liquid ejection device of the present invention includes a storage section in which liquid is stored and forms a liquid level, a head having nozzles that eject the liquid stored in the storage section, a carriage that carries the storage section and the head and moves in a first direction, a cap, a wiper, and a controller. When the liquid level is higher than a predetermined position, the controller separates the cap from the head and then wipes the nozzles with the wiper, and then ejects liquid from the nozzles for image recording. When the liquid level is not higher than the predetermined position, the controller separates the cap from the head and then ejects liquid from the nozzles for image recording without wiping.

[0010] According to the above configuration, if the liquid level stored in the storage section is higher than a predetermined level, separating the cap from the head may destroy the meniscus formed in the nozzle of the head, so the controller executes wiping. This allows the liquid ejection function to be maintained. On the other hand, if the liquid level stored in the storage section is not higher than the predetermined level, the meniscus is maintained even if the cap is separated from the head, so the controller does not execute wiping. This reduces unnecessary wiping and allows wiping to be executed effectively.

[0011] (2) Preferably, the controller may cause the wiper to eject liquid from the nozzle before performing the wiping.

[0012] According to the above configuration, by discharging liquid from the nozzles to the wiper before wiping, dry wiping of the head can be reduced.

[0013] (3) Preferably, when performing the wiping, the controller may move either the wiper or the carriage to a position where the wiper can contact the nozzle face of the head.

[0014] (4) Preferably, before wiping, the controller may cause the wiper, which is positioned so as not to come into contact with the nozzle face of the head, to eject liquid from the nozzles.

[0015] (5) Preferably, the controller performs purging while the cap covers the nozzle surface of the head, and if the elapsed time since the purging exceeds a predetermined time, the controller determines whether to perform the wiping based on the height of the liquid level, and performs the wiping in accordance with the result of the determination.

[0016] According to the above configuration, wiping is performed when the cap is separated from the head only if the elapsed time since the purging process exceeds a predetermined time. If the meniscus is maintained even when the cap is separated from the head, wiping is not performed, so wiping can be performed effectively.

[0017] (6) Preferably, when the elapsed time cannot be acquired, the controller may determine whether to execute the wiping based on the height of the liquid surface, and execute the wiping in accordance with the result of the determination.

[0018] When the time elapsed since the purging process cannot be obtained, there is a possibility that the meniscus may be destroyed when the cap is separated from the head. With the above configuration, the necessary wipe can be performed even in this case.

[0019] (7) Preferably, the storage section has an atmosphere communication hole that connects the internal space of the storage section with the outside, and the controller may move the cap away from the head with the atmosphere communication hole open.

[0020] (8) A liquid ejection device of the present invention includes a first storage section in which liquid is stored and forms a first liquid level, a second storage section in which liquid is stored and forms a second liquid level, a head having a first nozzle that ejects the liquid stored in the first storage section and a second nozzle that ejects the liquid stored in the second storage section, a carriage that carries the first storage section, the second storage section, and the head and moves in a first direction, a cap, a wiper, and a controller. When at least one of the first liquid level and the second liquid level is higher than a predetermined position, the controller separates the cap from the head, then wipes at least one of the first nozzle and the second nozzle with the wiper, and then ejects liquid from the first nozzle and the second nozzle for image recording; when the first liquid level and the second liquid level are not higher than the predetermined position, the controller separates the cap from the head, then ejects liquid from the first nozzle and the second nozzle for image recording without executing the wipe.

[0021] According to the above configuration, in a liquid ejection device having a plurality of storage sections, unnecessary wiping can be reduced and wiping can be performed effectively.

[0022] (9) Preferably, before performing the wiping, the controller may cause the wiper to eject liquid from at least one of the first nozzle and the second nozzle.

[0023] (10) Preferably, the controller may switch between ejecting liquid from the first nozzle onto the wiper and ejecting liquid from the second nozzle onto the wiper based on the height of the first liquid level and the height of the second liquid level.

[0024] According to the above configuration, before wiping, liquid is ejected onto the wiper from a nozzle that maintains a meniscus even when the cap is separated from the head, thereby reducing dry wiping of the head.

[0025] (11) Preferably, the controller may switch between performing the wipe on the first nozzle and performing the wipe on the second nozzle based on the height of the first liquid level and the height of the second liquid level.

[0026] According to the above configuration, wiping can be performed effectively by wiping the nozzle connected to a reservoir selected from among a plurality of reservoirs.

[0027] (12) Preferably, the controller may switch the wipe execution start position based on the height of the first liquid level and the height of the second liquid level.

[0028] According to the above configuration, by switching the wipe execution start position, it is possible to execute wiping on the nozzle connected to a storage unit selected from among a plurality of storage units.

[0029] (13) Preferably, the controller may switch the order in which the wipes are performed based on the height of the first liquid level and the height of the second liquid level.

[0030] According to the above configuration, the wipe execution order can be changed, thereby enabling the wipe to be executed effectively.

[0031] (14) Preferably, when performing the wiping, the controller may move either the wiper or the carriage to a position where the wiper can contact the nozzle face of the head.

[0032] (15) Preferably, before performing the wiping, the controller may cause the wiper, which is positioned so as not to contact the nozzle face of the head, to eject liquid from at least one of the first nozzles and the second nozzles.

[0033] (16) Preferably, the controller may cause the first nozzle to eject liquid onto the wiper when the first liquid level is not higher than the predetermined position, and may cause the second nozzle to eject liquid onto the wiper when the second liquid level is not higher than the predetermined position.

[0034] (17) Preferably, the controller may perform the wipe on the first nozzle when the first liquid level is higher than the predetermined position, and may perform the wipe on the second nozzle when the second liquid level is higher than the predetermined position.

[0035] (18) Preferably, when at least one of the first liquid level and the second liquid level is higher than the predetermined position, the controller may position the wiper or the carriage at a first position where the wiper can come into contact with a nozzle face of the head, and move either the carriage or the wiper. When the first liquid level is higher than the predetermined position, the wiper or the carriage may be positioned at the first position before the first nozzle and the wiper overlap in a planar view as a result of the movement, or when the first liquid level is not higher than the predetermined position and the second liquid level is higher than the processing position, the wiper or the carriage may be positioned at the first position after the first nozzle and the wiper overlap in a planar view as a result of the movement, but before the second nozzle and the wiper overlap in a planar view.

[0036] (19) Preferably, when the first liquid level is higher than the predetermined position and the second liquid level is not higher than the predetermined position, the controller positions the wiper or the carriage at a first position where the wiper can contact the nozzle face of the head, and moves either the carriage or the wiper in a direction where the wiper contacts the first nozzle before the second nozzle; and when the first liquid level is not higher than the predetermined position and the second liquid level is higher than the predetermined position, the controller positions the wiper or the carriage at the first position and moves either the carriage or the wiper in a direction where the wiper contacts the second nozzle before the first nozzle.

[0037] (20) A liquid ejection device of the present invention includes a first storage section in which liquid is stored and forms a first liquid level, a second storage section in which liquid is stored and forms a second liquid level, a head having a first nozzle that ejects the liquid stored in the first storage section and a second nozzle that ejects the liquid stored in the second storage section, a carriage that carries the first storage section, the second storage section, and the head and moves in a first direction, a cap, a first wiper that can wipe the first nozzle, a second wiper that can wipe the second nozzle, and a controller. When at least one of the first liquid level and the second liquid level is higher than a predetermined position, the controller moves the cap away from the head, and then wipes at least one of the first nozzle and the second nozzle using the first wiper and the second wiper, and then ejects liquid from the first nozzle and the second nozzle for image recording; when the first liquid level and the second liquid level are not higher than the predetermined position, the controller moves the cap away from the head, and then ejects liquid from the first nozzle and the second nozzle for image recording without executing the wipe.

[0038] According to the above configuration, in a liquid ejection device equipped with multiple storage units and multiple wipers, unnecessary wiping can be reduced and wiping can be performed effectively. By using multiple wipers, wiping can be performed on nozzles connected to storage units selected from the multiple storage units.

[0039] (21) Preferably, the controller may switch whether to perform the wiping of the first nozzle by the first wiper based on the height of the first liquid level, and may switch whether to perform the wiping of the second nozzle by the second wiper based on the height of the second liquid level.

[0040] (22) Preferably, when the first liquid level is higher than the predetermined position, the controller positions the first wiper or the carriage at a position where the first wiper can contact the nozzle face of the head, and moves either the carriage or the first wiper; and when the second liquid level is higher than the predetermined position, the controller positions the second wiper or the carriage at a position where the second wiper can contact the nozzle face of the head, and moves either the carriage or the second wiper.

[0041] (23) Preferably, the controller performs purging while the cap covers the nozzle surface of the head, and if the elapsed time since the purging exceeds a predetermined time, determines whether to perform the wiping based on the height of the first liquid level and the height of the second liquid level, and performs the wiping in accordance with the result of the determination.

[0042] (24) Preferably, when the elapsed time cannot be acquired, the controller may determine whether to perform the wipe based on the height of the first liquid level and the height of the second liquid level, and perform the wipe in accordance with the determination result.

[0043] (25) Preferably, the first storage section has a first atmosphere communication hole that connects the internal space of the first storage section to the outside, and the second storage section has a second atmosphere communication hole that connects the internal space of the second storage section to the outside, and the controller may move the cap away from the head with the first atmosphere communication hole and the second atmosphere communication hole open. [Effects of the Invention]

[0044] According to the present invention, wiping can be performed effectively while maintaining the liquid ejection function. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0045] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multifunction peripheral 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a schematic internal structure of the printer unit 11. As shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the platen 42 and the recording unit 24 cut along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction 8, and shows a state in which the carriage 40 is positioned at the standby position and the cap 70 is positioned at the covering position. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the platen 42 and the recording unit 24 cut along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction 8, and shows a state in which the carriage 40 is located at the standby position and the cap 70 is located at the separated position. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a method for performing flushing at the wiping execution position, and FIGS. 5(A) to 5(E) show the movement of the head 38 and the wiper 151 in chronological order when flushing is performed. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the multifunction device 10. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the case where the meniscus is destroyed when the cap 70 moves from the covering position to the separating position, where Figure 7(A) shows the state where the cap 70 is positioned in the covering position, Figure 7(B) shows the state where the cap 70 is in the middle of moving from the covering position to the separating position, and Figure 7(C) shows the meniscus formed at the nozzle 39. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the controller 130. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the recording unit 24 of the multifunction peripheral according to the first to fourth modifications, cut along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction 8. As shown in FIG. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a diagram showing a method of switching the wipe execution start position in a multifunction device related to the second variant, where Figure 10(A) shows the head 38 viewed from below, Figure 10(B) shows the wipe execution start position in the first case, and Figure 10(C) shows the wipe execution start position in the second case. [Figure 11]Figure 11 shows wiping using two wipers 152 and 153 in a multifunction device according to a third variant, where Figure 11(A) shows wiping by wiper 152 in the third case, and Figure 11(B) shows wiping by wiper 153 in the second case. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a diagram showing a method of switching the wipe execution order in a multifunction device related to the fourth variant, where Figure 12(A) shows the wipe execution order in the fourth case, and Figure 12(B) shows the wipe execution order in the fifth case. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the upper wall 82 of the storage section 80 according to a modified example, in which Figure 13(A) shows a case where the atmosphere communication hole 85 has a labyrinth structure 164, and Figure 13(B) shows a case where the atmosphere communication hole 85 has a labyrinth structure 164 and a semipermeable membrane 165. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Note that the embodiment described below is merely one example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In the following description, the direction from the start point of an arrow to the end point is expressed as a direction, and the movement on the line connecting the start point and end point of an arrow is expressed as a direction. In the following description, the up-down direction 7 is defined based on the state in which the multifunction device 10 is installed and ready for use (the state in FIG. 1 ), the front-rear direction 8 is defined based on the surface in which the opening 13 is provided as the front surface 23, and the left-right direction 9 is defined when the multifunction device 10 is viewed from the front. The up-down direction 7, the front-rear direction 8, and the left-right direction 9 are perpendicular to one another.

[0047] [Overall structure of the multifunction device 10] As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction device 10 (an example of a liquid ejection device) has a housing 14 having a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. A printer unit 11 is provided at the bottom of the housing 14. The multifunction device 10 has various functions such as a facsimile function and a print function. The print function of the multifunction device 10 is to record an image on one side of paper 12 (see FIG. 2) using an inkjet method. Note that the multifunction device 10 may also record images on both sides of the paper 12. An operation unit 17 is provided at the top of the housing 14. The operation unit 17 is composed of buttons that are operated to issue image recording instructions and for various settings, an LCD display that displays various information, and the like. In this embodiment, the operation unit 17 is composed of a touch panel that functions as both a button and an LCD display.

[0048] 2, the printer unit 11 includes a feed tray 20, a feed unit 16, an outer guide member 18, an inner guide member 19, a transport roller pair 59, a discharge roller pair 44, a platen 42, a recording unit 24, an encoder 35 (see FIG. 6), a rotary encoder 65 (see FIG. 6), a controller 130 (see FIG. 6), and a memory 140 (see FIG. 6). These are arranged inside the housing 14. Inside the housing 14, various status sensors (not shown) are arranged that detect the status of the multifunction device 10 and output signals according to the detection results.

[0049] [Feed Tray 20] As shown in Fig. 1, an opening 13 is formed in the front surface 23 of the printer unit 11. The feed tray 20 can be inserted into and removed from the housing 14 through the opening 13 by moving in the front-to-rear direction 8. The feed tray 20 can be moved between a feed position (the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2) where it is attached to the housing 14, and a non-feed position where it is removed from the housing 14. The feed tray 20 moves to the feed position by being inserted rearward into the housing 14, and moves to the non-feed position by being pulled forward relative to the housing 14.

[0050] The feed tray 20 is a box-shaped member that is open at the top and stores the sheets of paper 12. As shown in FIG. 2 , the sheets of paper 12 are supported in a stacked state on a bottom plate 22 of the feed tray 20. The discharge tray 21 is disposed above the front part of the feed tray 20. The sheets of paper 12 that have had images recorded on them by the recording unit 24 and have been discharged are supported on the upper surface of the discharge tray 21. When the feed tray 20 is in the feed position, the sheets of paper 12 supported by the feed tray 20 can be fed to the transport path 64.

[0051] [Feeding section 16] As shown in Figure 2, the feed unit 16 is disposed below the recording unit 24 and above the bottom plate 22 of the feed tray 20. The feed unit 16 includes a feed roller 25, a feed arm 26, a drive transmission mechanism 27, and a shaft 28. The feed roller 25 is rotatably supported at the tip of the feed arm 26. The feed arm 26 rotates in the direction of arrow 29 around the shaft 28 provided at the base end. This allows the feed roller 25 to come into contact with and separate from the feed tray 20 or the paper 12 supported by the feed tray 20.

[0052] The feed roller 25 rotates by receiving the driving force of the feed motor 102 (see FIG. 6) via a drive transmission mechanism 27 made up of multiple gears meshed together. As a result, of the sheets 12 supported on the bottom plate 22 of the feed tray 20 at the feed position, the uppermost sheet 12 in contact with the feed roller 25 is fed to the conveyance path 64. Note that the drive transmission mechanism 27 is not limited to a configuration in which multiple gears mesh together, and may be, for example, a belt stretched between the shaft 28 and the shaft of the feed roller 25.

[0053] [Transport Path 64] As shown in Figure 2, a conveying path 64 extends from the rear end of the feed tray 20. The conveying path 64 includes a curved portion 33 and a straight portion 34. The curved portion 33 extends upward, making a U-turn from rear to front. The straight portion 34 extends generally along the front-rear direction 8.

[0054] The curved portion 33 is formed by an outer guide member 18 and an inner guide member 19 that face each other at a predetermined distance. The outer guide member 18 and the inner guide member 19 extend in the left-right direction 9. The straight portion 34 is formed by the recording unit 24 and a platen 42 that face each other at a predetermined distance at the position where the recording unit 24 is located.

[0055] The paper 12 supported on the feed tray 20 is transported along the curved portion 33 by the feed roller 25 and reaches the pair of transport rollers 59. The paper 12 sandwiched between the pair of transport rollers 59 is transported forward along the straight portion 34 toward the recording unit 24. When the paper 12 reaches directly below the recording unit 24, an image is recorded by the recording unit 24. The paper 12 with the image recorded is transported forward along the straight portion 34 and discharged onto the discharge tray 21. As described above, the paper 12 is transported along the transport direction 15 indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 2.

[0056] [Transport roller pair 59 and discharge roller pair 44] 2, a pair of conveying rollers 59 is disposed in the straight section 34. A pair of discharge rollers 44 is disposed downstream of the pair of conveying rollers 59 in the straight section 34 in the conveying direction 15.

[0057] The conveying roller pair 59 includes a conveying roller 60 and a pinch roller 61 disposed below the conveying roller 60 so as to face the conveying roller 60. The pinch roller 61 is pressed against the conveying roller 60 by an elastic member (not shown) such as a coil spring. The conveying roller pair 59 can pinch the paper 12.

[0058] The discharge roller pair 44 includes a discharge roller 62 and a spur roller 63 disposed above the discharge roller 62 so as to face the discharge roller 62. The spur roller 63 is pressed toward the discharge roller 62 by an elastic member (not shown) such as a coil spring. The discharge roller pair 44 is capable of sandwiching the paper 12.

[0059] The conveying roller 60 and the discharge roller 62 are rotated by a driving force applied from a conveying motor 101 (see FIG. 6). When the conveying roller 60 rotates while the sheet 12 is sandwiched between the pair of conveying rollers 59, the sheet 12 is conveyed in the conveying direction 15 by the pair of conveying rollers 59 and conveyed onto the platen 42. When the discharge roller 62 rotates while the sheet 12 is sandwiched between the pair of discharge rollers 44, the sheet 12 is conveyed in the conveying direction 15 by the pair of discharge rollers 44 and discharged onto the discharge tray 21. Note that a common motor may be used as the conveying motor 101 and the feeding motor 102. In this case, the drive transmission path from the common motor to each roller is configured to be switchable.

[0060] It should be noted that the means for transporting the paper 12 is not limited to the above-described roller pair. For example, instead of the transport roller pair 59 and the discharge roller pair 44, a transport belt may be provided.

[0061] [Platen 42] As shown in Figure 2, the platen 42 is disposed in the straight section 34 of the transport path 64. The platen 42 faces the recording unit 24 in the up-down direction 7. The platen 42 supports the paper 12 transported along the transport path 64 from below. The paper 12 transported along the transport path 64 passes through a medium passing area 36 (see Figures 3 and 4) between the right and left ends of the platen 42 in the left-right direction 9.

[0062] [Records 24] 2, the recording unit 24 is disposed above the platen 42 and facing the platen 42. The recording unit 24 includes a carriage 40, a head 38, and a storage unit 80.

[0063] The carriage 40 is supported by two guide rails 56, 57 spaced apart in the front-rear direction 8 so as to be movable along a left-right direction 9 (an example of a first direction) perpendicular to the conveying direction 15. The carriage 40 is movable in the left-right direction 9 from the right of the medium passing area 36 to the left of the medium passing area 36. The movement direction of the carriage 40 is not limited to the left-right direction 9, and may be any direction that intersects with the conveying direction 15.

[0064] Guide rail 56 is disposed upstream of head 38 in conveying direction 15. Guide rail 57 is disposed downstream of head 38 in conveying direction 15. Guide rails 56, 57 are supported by a pair of side frames (not shown) disposed outside straight portion 34 of conveying path 64 in left-right direction 9. Carriage 40 moves when a driving force is applied from a carriage drive motor 103 (see FIG. 6).

[0065] An encoder 35 (see FIG. 6) is disposed on the guide rail 56 or the guide rail 57. The encoder 35 includes an encoder strip extending in the left-right direction 9 and an optical sensor provided at a position on the carriage 40 facing the encoder strip. The encoder strip has a pattern in which light-transmitting sections that transmit light and light-blocking sections that block light are alternately arranged at equal intervals in the left-right direction 9. A pulse signal is detected by the optical sensor detecting the light-transmitting sections and the light-blocking sections. The pulse signal is a signal that corresponds to the position of the carriage 40 in the left-right direction 9. The pulse signal is output to the controller 130 (see FIG. 6).

[0066] The head 38 is mounted on a carriage 40. A lower surface (hereinafter referred to as the nozzle surface) 68 of the head 38 is exposed downward and faces the platen 42. The head 38 includes a plurality of nozzles 39, ink flow paths 37, and piezoelectric elements 45 (see FIG. 6).

[0067] The plurality of nozzles 39 are opened in the nozzle surface 68 of the head 38. The ink flow path 37 connects the storage section 80 and the plurality of nozzles 39. The piezoelectric element 45 (see FIG. 6) ejects ink droplets downward from the nozzle 39 by deforming a part of the ink flow path 37. The piezoelectric element 45 is operated by being supplied with power by the controller 130 (see FIG. 6). In this way, the head 38 has the nozzles 39 that eject ink (an example of liquid).

[0068] The storage unit 80 is mounted on the carriage 40 together with the head 38. The storage unit 80 has an internal space 81. Ink 99 is stored in the internal space 81. In this embodiment, the recording unit 24 has one storage unit 80. Black ink 99 is stored in this one storage unit 80. Note that the color of the ink 99 stored in the storage unit 80 is not limited to black.

[0069] The storage section 80 is located above the head 38. In this embodiment, the entire storage section 80 is located above the head 38, but a portion of the storage section 80 may be located above the head 38, with the remaining portion of the storage section 80 located at a height below the head 38. The internal space 81 of the storage section 80 communicates with the plurality of nozzles 39 via the ink flow paths 37. This allows ink 99 to be supplied from the internal space 81 to the nozzles 39. In this way, the ink 99 forms a liquid surface and is stored in the storage section 80. The height of the liquid surface of the maximum amount that can be stored in the storage section 80 is located above the opening of the nozzle 39.

[0070] An air communication hole 85 that connects the internal space 81 to the outside, and an inlet (not shown) for injecting ink 99 into the internal space 81 are provided on the upper wall 82 of the storage section 80. When ink 99 is not being injected, the inlet is closed with a lid (not shown). When ink 99 is to be injected, the lid is removed from the inlet, and ink 99 is injected from a bottle (not shown) into the internal space 81 through the inlet.

[0071] [Rotary Encoder 65] The rotary encoder 65 shown in FIG. 6 is composed of an encoder disk that is attached to the shaft of the conveyor motor 101 (see FIG. 6) and rotates together with the conveyor motor 101, and an optical sensor. The encoder disk has a pattern in which light-transmitting portions and light-blocking portions are alternately arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. As the encoder disk rotates, a pulse signal is generated each time the optical sensor detects a light-transmitting portion or a non-light-blocking portion. The generated pulse signal is output to the controller 130 (see FIG. 6). The controller 130 calculates the amount of rotation of the conveyor motor 101 based on the pulse signal. The rotary encoder 65 may be attached to a device other than the conveyor motor 101, such as the feed motor 102 or the conveyor rollers 60.

[0072] [Rotating member 90] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a rotating member 90 is disposed in the internal space 81 of the ink storage unit 80. The rotating member 90 includes a float 91, a shaft 92, an arm 93, and a detectable portion 94. The float 91 is located at the bottom of the rotating member 90. The float 91 is made of a material with a specific gravity lower than that of the ink stored in the ink storage unit 80. The shaft 92 protrudes from the front and rear surfaces of the float 91 in the front-to-rear direction 8. The shaft 92 is inserted into holes (not shown) formed in the front wall 88 (see FIG. 2) and the rear wall 89 (see FIG. 2) of the ink storage unit 80. This supports the rotating member 90 so that it can rotate about the shaft 92.

[0073] The arm 93 protrudes substantially upward from the float 91. The detectable portion 94 is formed at the tip of the arm 93. The detectable portion 94 is configured in a plate shape extending in the up-down direction 7 and the left-right direction 9. The detectable portion 94 is formed from a material that blocks light output from a light-emitting portion of a liquid level sensor 95, which will be described later.

[0074] 3 and 4 show the rotating member 90 when the liquid level of the ink 99 is not higher than a predetermined position in the vertical direction 7. When the liquid level of the ink 99 is higher than the predetermined position in the vertical direction 7, the rotating member 90 is positioned in a position where the arm 93 is substantially upright due to the buoyancy acting on the float 91 (not shown). On the other hand, when the ink 99 stored in the storage section 80 is consumed and the liquid level of the ink 99 drops, and the liquid level of the ink 99 is no longer higher than the predetermined position in the vertical direction 7, the rotating member 90 rotates about the shaft 92 in accordance with the liquid level, and the arm 93 is positioned at a tilt from the vertical direction 7 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0075] [Liquid level sensor 95] The liquid level sensor 95 detects a change in the state of the rotating member 90. The liquid level sensor 95 includes a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit, and is provided outside the storage unit 80. For example, the light-emitting unit is provided on the front wall 88 (see FIG. 2) of the storage unit 80, and the light-receiving unit is provided on the rear wall 89 (see FIG. 2) of the storage unit. The positions of the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit in the up-down direction 7 and the left-right direction 9 are the same as the positions of the detected unit 94 in the up-down direction 7 and the left-right direction 9 when the arm 93 is approximately upright. When the arm 93 is approximately upright (i.e., when the liquid level of the ink 99 is higher than a predetermined position in the up-down direction 7), the detected unit 94 of the rotating member 90 is interposed between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit of the liquid level sensor 95.

[0076] The liquid level sensor 95 outputs a signal of a different level depending on whether the light output from the light-emitting unit is received by the light-receiving unit. For example, when the light output from the light-emitting unit cannot be received by the light-receiving unit (i.e., the intensity of the received light is less than a predetermined intensity), the liquid level sensor 95 outputs a low-level signal to the controller 130. On the other hand, when the light output from the light-emitting unit can be received by the light-receiving unit (i.e., the intensity of the received light is equal to or greater than a predetermined intensity), the liquid level sensor 95 outputs a high-level signal to the controller 130.

[0077] When the arm 93 is substantially upright, the detected portion 94 is interposed between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the liquid level sensor 95. Therefore, when the liquid level of the ink 99 is higher than a predetermined position in the vertical direction 7, the light emitted from the light-emitting portion cannot be received by the light-receiving portion, and the liquid level sensor 95 outputs a low-level signal to the controller 130.

[0078] On the other hand, when the arm 93 is tilted from the vertical direction 7, the detected portion 94 is in a position retracted from between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the liquid level sensor 95 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Therefore, when the liquid level of the ink 99 is not higher than a predetermined position in the vertical direction 7, the light output from the light-emitting portion can be received by the light-receiving portion, and the liquid level sensor 95 outputs a high-level signal to the controller 130. The controller 130 obtains liquid level information indicating the height of the liquid level of the ink 99 stored in the storage portion 80 based on the output signal from the liquid level sensor 95.

[0079] [Cap 70] 3 and 4, the cap 70 is provided outside the platen 42 in the left-right direction 9 (to the right of the platen 42 in this embodiment). In other words, the cap 70 is located outside the medium passing area 36 in the left-right direction 9. When the carriage 40 is located in a standby position (the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) to the right of the medium passing area 36, ​​the cap 70 is located below the carriage 40 and faces the carriage 40 (specifically, the nozzles 39 of the head 38).

[0080] The cap 70 is a box-shaped member with an open top. The cap 70 is made of an elastic material such as rubber. The cap 70 is supported on the frame 46 via a known movable mechanism 71 and can be moved up and down by the movable mechanism 71, which receives driving force from a cap drive motor 104 (see FIG. 6 ). The frame 46 is located to the right of the platen 42 and is a plate-shaped member extending in the front-to-rear direction 8 and the left-to-right direction 9. The movable mechanism 71 may be, for example, a mechanism using a ball screw or a mechanism using a cam. The cap 70 can be moved in the up-down direction 7 between a covering position shown in FIG. 3 and a separating position shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 3 , when the cap 70 is in the covering position, its upper end is pressed against the nozzle surface 68 of the head 38 from below. As a result, the cap 70 covers the multiple nozzles 39 opening in the nozzle surface 68 from below. The separating position is a position lower than the covering position. In the separated position, the cap 70 is separated from the nozzle face 68 of the head 38 .

[0081] A through-hole 72 is provided in the bottom surface 74 of the cap 70. One end of a maintenance tube 73 is connected to the through-hole 72. The other end of the maintenance tube 73 is connected to a waste ink tank 79 via a pump 77 (see FIG. 7). The maintenance tube 73 is a flexible resin tube. When the cap 70 is in the covering position and covers the nozzle surface 68, the pump 77 is driven to suck ink and foreign matter from the nozzles 39 and eject them into the cap 70. The cap 70 receives the ink and foreign matter. The ink and foreign matter received by the cap 70 is sucked into the maintenance tube 73 and discharged through the maintenance tube 73 to the waste ink tank 79. By performing the above operation, a suction purge can be performed to discharge ink and foreign matter from the nozzles 39.

[0082] [Wiper 151] 3 and 4, a wiper 151 is provided in the left-right direction 9 between the position of the platen 42 and the standby position of the carriage 40. The wiper 151 is movable in the vertical direction (up-down direction 7) between a contact position where it can contact the nozzle surface 68 of the head 38 and a non-contact position where it cannot contact the nozzle surface 68 of the head 38.

[0083] In the multifunction device 10, flushing is performed at the wiping execution position. A method for performing flushing at the wiping execution position will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIGS. 5(A) to 5(E) show the movement of the head 38 and cap 70 in chronological order when flushing is performed. Note that, for simplicity of illustration, the carriage 40 is omitted from FIG. 5.

[0084] As shown in Figure 5(A), before wiping is performed, the wiper 151 is located in a non-contact position where it cannot contact the nozzle surface 68 of the head 38, and the carriage 40 carrying the head 38 is located to the right of the planar position of the wiper 151 located in the non-contact position.

[0085] When a wiping command is issued in the state shown in Fig. 5(A), the carriage 40 carrying the head 38 moves to the left to a position where the nozzles 39 overlap the wiper 151, which is in the non-contact position, in a plan view, as shown in Fig. 5(B). At that position, flushing is performed, in which ink is ejected from the nozzles 39 onto the wiper 151 while the carriage 40 is stopped. Note that flushing may be performed while the carriage 40 is moving.

[0086] Next, as shown in FIG. 5(C), the carriage 40 carrying the head 38 moves to the right from the flushing execution position. Next, as shown in FIG. 5(D), the wiper 151 rises from the non-contact position to the contact position where it can contact the nozzle surface 68 of the head 38. Next, as shown in FIG. 5(E), the carriage 40 carrying the head 38 moves to the left again. At this time, the wiper 151 contacts the nozzle surface 68 of the head 38. This causes the nozzles 39 of the head 38 to be wiped.

[0087] In this way, before wiping, the controller 130 performs flushing by causing the wiper 151, which is positioned in a non-contact position and does not contact the nozzle surface 68 of the head 38, to eject ink 99.

[0088] [Controller 130 and Memory 140] The configurations of the controller 130 and memory 140 will be described below with reference to Fig. 6. The controller 130 controls the overall operation of the multifunction peripheral 10. The controller 130 includes a CPU 131 and an ASIC 135. The memory 140 includes a ROM 132, a RAM 133, and an EEPROM 134. The CPU 131, ASIC 135, ROM 132, RAM 133, and EEPROM 134 are connected via an internal bus 137.

[0089] The ROM 132 stores programs and the like for the CPU 131 to control various operations. The RAM 133 is used as a storage area for temporarily recording data, signals, and the like used when the CPU 131 executes the programs, or as a work area for data processing. The EEPROM 134 stores settings, flags, and the like that should be retained even after the power is turned off.

[0090] The ASIC 135 is connected to the conveyance motor 101, the feeding motor 102, the carriage drive motor 103, the cap drive motor 104, and the wiper drive motor 105. The ASIC 135 incorporates a drive circuit for controlling each motor. The CPU 131 outputs a drive signal for rotating each motor to the corresponding drive circuit. The drive circuit outputs a drive current to the corresponding motor according to the drive signal received from the CPU 131. This causes the corresponding motor to rotate. That is, the controller 130 controls the feeding motor 102 to feed the paper 12 from the feed unit 16. The controller 130 also controls the conveyance motor 101 to cause the conveyance roller pair 59 and the discharge roller pair 44 to convey the paper 12. The controller 130 also controls the carriage drive motor 103 to move the carriage 40. The controller 130 also controls the cap drive motor 104 to move the cap 70 between the covering position and the separating position. The controller 130 also controls the wiper drive motor 105 to move the wiper 151 in the vertical direction between the contact position and the non-contact position.

[0091] The ASIC 135 is also connected to an optical sensor of the rotary encoder 65. The controller 130 calculates the amount of rotation of the conveyor motor 101 based on the electrical signal received from the optical sensor of the rotary encoder 65. The ASIC 135 is also connected to an encoder 35. The controller 130 recognizes the position of the carriage 40 and whether or not it is moving based on the pulse signal received from the encoder 35.

[0092] A piezoelectric element 45 is also connected to the ASIC 135. The piezoelectric element 45 is operated by receiving power from the controller 130 via a drive circuit (not shown). The controller 130 controls the power supply to the piezoelectric element 45, causing ink droplets to be selectively ejected from the plurality of nozzles 39. A status sensor such as a liquid level sensor 95 is also connected to the ASIC 135. The controller 130 performs the image recording process and abnormality process described below based on the signal received from the status sensor.

[0093] The operation unit 17 is also connected to the ASIC 135. The ASIC 135 receives a signal indicating that a button has been pressed from the operation unit 17. The ASIC 135 outputs display data to the operation unit 17 indicating the content to be displayed on the display.

[0094] When recording an image on the paper 12, the controller 130 alternately executes a conveying process and a printing process. The conveying process is a process in which the conveying roller pair 59 and the discharge roller pair 44 convey the paper 12 by a predetermined line feed amount. The controller 130 controls the conveying motor 101 to cause the conveying roller pair 59 and the discharge roller pair 44 to execute the conveying process. The printing process is a process in which the carriage 40 moves in the left-right direction 9 while controlling the power supply to the piezoelectric element 45 to cause the head 38 to eject ink droplets from the nozzles 39. During the printing process, the carriage 40 is positioned in the medium passing area 36 and faces the platen 42.

[0095] The controller 130 stops the paper 12 for a certain period between the current transport process and the next transport process. Then, the printing process is performed while the paper 12 is stopped. That is, in the printing process, the controller 130 performs one pass in which ink droplets are ejected from the nozzles 39 while moving the carriage 40 rightward or leftward. In this way, one pass of image recording is performed on the paper 12.

[0096] The controller 130 alternately and repeatedly executes the conveying process and the printing process, thereby making it possible to record an image on the entire image recordable area of ​​the paper 12. In other words, the controller 130 causes an image to be recorded on one sheet of paper 12 in multiple passes.

[0097] The controller 130 is not limited to the above, and may be one in which only the CPU 131 performs various processes, or one in which only the ASIC 135 performs various processes, or one in which the CPU 131 and the ASIC 135 work together to perform various processes. Furthermore, the controller 130 may be one in which one CPU 131 performs processes independently, or one in which multiple CPUs 131 share the processes. Furthermore, the controller 130 may be one in which one ASIC 135 performs processes independently, or one in which multiple ASICs 135 share the processes.

[0098] [Meniscus destruction due to movement of cap 70] In order to properly record images in the multifunction device 10, it is necessary to maintain the meniscus formed at the nozzle 39 of the head 38. However, if the maintenance tube 73 becomes blocked while the cap 70 is in the covering position, there is a possibility that the meniscus formed at the nozzle 39 will be destroyed when the cap 70 moves from the covering position to the separated position.

[0099] The following describes a case where the maintenance tube 73 is blocked at position Z shown in Figures 7(A) and 7(B) while the cap 70 is in the covering position. As shown in Figures 7(A) and 7(B), a switching valve 76 and a pump 77 are provided between the maintenance tube 73 and the waste ink tank 79. The switching valve 76 switches between connecting the maintenance tube 73 to the pump 77 or connecting the maintenance tube 73 to the atmosphere communication port 78.

[0100] 7(A), when the cap 70 is in the covering position, the distance between the upper surface of the frame 46 and the lower surface of the cap 70 is L1. In this state, the upper part of the cap 70 is in contact with the nozzle surface 68 and is crushed (its height is reduced). In this state, when the maintenance tube 73 is closed at position Z, a sealed space 75 is formed by the head 38 and the cap 70. The pressure of the gas in the sealed space 75 is equal to atmospheric pressure.

[0101] FIG. 7(B) shows the state where the cap 70 is just separated from the nozzle surface 68 while moving from the covering position to the separated position. At this time, the distance between the upper surface of the frame 46 and the lower surface of the cap 70 is L2 (< L1). In this state, the upper part of the cap 70 slightly abuts on the nozzle surface 68 of the head 38 and is hardly crushed. Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 7(B), compared with the state shown in FIG. 7(A), the volume of the sealed space 75 increases by the height corresponding to the amount by which the cap 70 has been crushed (increases by the amount of the shaded portion shown in FIG. 7(B)). Therefore, during the transition from the state shown in FIG. 7(A) to the state shown in FIG. 7(B), the pressure of the gas in the sealed space 75 decreases, and a negative internal pressure is generated in the sealed space 75.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 7(C), a downward hydrostatic pressure P H , a downward internal pressure P I , and an upward meniscus pressure resistance P N act on the ink (shaded portion) at the tip of the nozzle 39. When the sum of the hydrostatic pressure P H and the internal pressure P I is below the meniscus pressure resistance P N , the meniscus formed in the nozzle 39 is maintained. On the other hand, when the sum of the hydrostatic pressure P H and the internal pressure P I is greater than the meniscus pressure resistance P N , the meniscus formed in the nozzle 39 is broken. The condition for maintaining the meniscus is given by the following formula (1), and the condition for breaking the meniscus is given by the following formula (2). P H +P I ≦P N …(1) P H +P I >P N …(2)

[0103] The internal pressure P I and the meniscus pressure resistance P N are determined by the configuration of the multifunction machine 10 and the characteristics of the ink 99, etc., and are constant during the operation of the multifunction machine 10. On the other hand, the hydrostatic pressure P Hchanges depending on the height of the liquid surface of the ink 99 stored in the storage portion 80, and becomes larger as the height of the liquid surface of the ink 99 increases. Therefore, the higher the height of the liquid surface of the ink 99 stored in the storage portion 80, the more likely it is that the meniscus formed at the nozzle 39 will be destroyed when the cap 70 moves from the covering position to the separating position.

[0104] Therefore, when the liquid level of the ink 99 stored in the storage unit 80 is higher than a predetermined position, the controller 130 of the multifunction device 10 separates the cap 70 from the head 38, wipes the nozzles 39 with the wiper 151, and then causes the nozzles 39 to eject the ink 99 for image recording. When the liquid level of the ink 99 stored in the storage unit 80 is not higher than the predetermined position, the controller 130 separates the cap 70 from the head 38, and then causes the nozzles 39 to eject the ink 99 for image recording without wiping. Specifically, in response to receiving an instruction to move the cap 70 from the covering position to the separated position, the controller 130 determines whether to execute wiping based on liquid level information indicating the height of the liquid level of the ink 99 stored in the storage unit 80, and in response to determining to execute wiping, positions the wiper 151 at the abutting position and moves the carriage 40.

[0105] [Controller 130 Operation] The operation of the controller 130 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 8. In the initial state, the carriage 40 is located in a standby position to the right of the medium passing area 36 in the left-right direction 9, and does not face the platen 42. The cap 70 is located in the covering position.

[0106] A print instruction is sent to the controller 130 from the operation unit 17 of the multifunction device 10 (see FIG. 1 ) or an external device connected to the multifunction device 10. In addition to the print instruction, the controller 130 also receives a flushing instruction without purging and a flushing instruction with purging. Flushing without purging refers to flushing without purging, and is referred to as "flushing without purging." Examples of flushing without purging include flushing that is performed periodically and flushing before printing. Flushing with purging refers to performing both purging and flushing, and is referred to as "flushing with purging." Upon receiving a print instruction, a flushing instruction without purging, or a flushing instruction with purging, the controller 130 moves the cap 70 from the covering position to the separating position, moves the carriage 40 to perform the instructed operation, moves the carriage 40 to the standby position, and moves the cap 70 from the separating position to the covering position.

[0107] 8, when the controller 130 receives an instruction (S1), it proceeds to S10 or S20 depending on the type of the received instruction (S2). Specifically, the controller 130 proceeds to S10 if the received instruction is a print instruction or a flushing instruction without purging, and proceeds to S20 if the received instruction is a flushing instruction with purging.

[0108] In S10, the controller 130 acquires the elapsed time since the purge. The elapsed time since the purge refers to the time elapsed since the previous purge. In S10, the controller 130 acquires, for example, a timer value indicating the elapsed time since the purge from a timer started in S21 after the previous purge. The timer value is an example of elapsed time information.

[0109] Next, the controller 130 determines whether the elapsed time since purging was acquired in S10 (S11). If the controller 130 determines that the elapsed time since purging was acquired (S11: Yes), the controller 130 proceeds to S12. If the controller 130 determines that the elapsed time since purging was not acquired (S11: No), the controller 130 proceeds to S13.

[0110] In S12, the controller 130 determines whether the time elapsed since the purge has exceeded a predetermined time. If the controller 130 determines that the time elapsed since the purge has exceeded the predetermined time (S12: Yes), the controller 130 proceeds to S13. If the controller 130 determines that the time elapsed since the purge has not exceeded the predetermined time (S12: No), the controller 130 proceeds to S19.

[0111] In S13, the controller 130 acquires the output signal of the liquid level sensor 95 as liquid level information (S13). Next, the controller 130 determines whether the liquid level of the ink 99 stored in the storage unit 80 is higher than a predetermined position based on the liquid level information acquired in S13 (S14). If the controller 130 determines that the liquid level is higher than the predetermined position (S14: Yes), the controller 130 proceeds to S15. If the controller 130 determines that the liquid level is not higher than the predetermined position (S14: No), the controller 130 proceeds to S19.

[0112] The controller 130 reaches S15 when (1) the time elapsed since purging exceeds a predetermined time and the liquid level of the ink 99 stored in the storage section 80 is higher than a predetermined position, or (2) the time elapsed since purging cannot be obtained and the liquid level of the ink 99 stored in the storage section 80 is higher than a predetermined position. If the time elapsed since purging exceeds a predetermined time, the maintenance tube 73 may be clogged. Even if the time elapsed since purging cannot be obtained, the time elapsed since purging may actually be long and the maintenance tube 73 may be clogged. If the height of the liquid level of the ink 99 stored in the storage section 80 is higher than a predetermined position, the head pressure P acting downward on the ink at the tip of the nozzle 39 HTherefore, if the controller 130 reaches S15, it is considered that the meniscus formed at the nozzle 39 may be destroyed when the cap 70 moves from the covering position to the separated position.

[0113] Therefore, when the controller 130 reaches S15, it moves the cap 70 from the covering position to the separating position (S15), and then causes the wiper 151 to wipe the nozzles 39 (S16). Next, the controller 130 performs printing or flushing in accordance with the instruction received in S1 (S17). Specifically, the controller 130 performs printing in response to receiving a printing instruction in S1, and performs flushing in response to receiving a flushing instruction without purging in S1. Next, the controller 130 moves the cap 70 from the separating position to the covering position (S18). After executing S18, the controller 130 proceeds to S1.

[0114] The controller 130 reaches S19 when (1) the time elapsed since purging can be acquired and the time elapsed since purging does not exceed a predetermined time, or (2) the liquid level of the ink 99 stored in the storage section 80 is not higher than a predetermined position. If the time elapsed since purging does not exceed the predetermined time, there is little possibility that the maintenance tube 73 is clogged. If the liquid level of the ink 99 stored in the storage section 80 is not higher than a predetermined position, the head pressure P acting downward on the ink at the tip of the nozzle 39 H Therefore, if the controller 130 reaches S19, it is considered that there is no possibility that the meniscus formed at the nozzle 39 will be destroyed when the cap 70 moves from the covering position to the retracted position.

[0115] Therefore, when the controller 130 reaches S19, it moves the cap 70 from the covering position to the separated position (S19), and performs printing or flushing in accordance with the instruction received in S1 without wiping the nozzles 39 (S16 not performed). Next, the controller 130 moves the cap 70 from the separated position to the covering position (S18). After executing S18, the controller 130 proceeds to S1.

[0116] In S20, the controller 130 executes purging with the cap 70 positioned at the covering position. Next, the controller 130 starts a timer that measures the elapsed time after purging (S21). Next, the controller 130 moves the cap 70 from the covering position to the separated position (S22). Next, the controller 130 wipes the nozzles 39 with the wiper 151 (S23). Next, the controller 130 executes flushing (S24). Next, the controller 130 moves the cap 70 from the separated position to the covering position (S25). After executing S25, the controller 130 proceeds to S1.

[0117] In S15, S19, and S22, the controller 130 moves the cap 70 from the covering position to the separated position while the air vent 85 is open. In S16 and S23, the controller 130 performs wiping by positioning the wiper 151 at the abutting position and moving the carriage 40. When printing is performed in S17, the controller 130 repeats the process of recording an image on one sheet of paper. In the process of recording an image on one sheet of paper, the controller 130 performs processes such as ejecting ink 99 from the nozzles 39 for image recording while moving the carriage 40 and stopping the carriage 40 to transport the paper 12 in the transport direction 15. When performing flushing in S17 and S24, the controller 130 performs flushing at the wiping execution position using the method shown in FIG. 5.

[0118] Although the case where the controller 130 normally performs image recording has been described above, the controller 130 may perform a process for detecting an abnormality and a process for when an abnormality is detected (neither of which is shown) while performing image recording. Here, the controller 130 starts a timer in S21, and acquires the timer value of the timer started in S21 as elapsed time information in S10. Alternatively, the controller 130 may store the current time in memory 140 in S21, and acquire the difference between the current time and the time stored in memory 140 as elapsed time information in S10.

[0119] [Effects of the embodiment] In the multifunction device 10 according to this embodiment, if the liquid level of the ink 99 stored in the storage unit 80 is higher than a predetermined position, there is a possibility that the meniscus formed in the nozzles 39 of the head 38 may be destroyed when the cap 70 is separated from the head 38, so the controller 130 executes wiping. This allows the ejection function of the ink 99 to be maintained. On the other hand, if the liquid level of the ink 99 stored in the storage unit 80 is not higher than the predetermined position, the meniscus is maintained even when the cap 70 is separated from the head 38, so the controller 130 does not execute wiping. This reduces unnecessary wiping and allows wiping to be executed effectively.

[0120] Before wiping, the controller 130 performs flushing by ejecting ink 99 from the wiper 151, which is positioned in a non-contact position and does not contact the nozzle surface 68 of the head 38. This reduces the need to wipe the head 38 dry.

[0121] The controller 130 performs a purge with the cap 70 covering the nozzle surface 68 of the head 38, and if the time that has elapsed since the purge exceeds a predetermined time, the controller 130 determines whether to perform a wipe based on the height of the liquid surface of the ink 99 stored in the storage section 80, and performs the wipe in accordance with the result of the determination. For this reason, wiping is performed when the cap 70 is separated from the head 38 only if the time that has elapsed since the purge process exceeds a predetermined time. If the meniscus is maintained even when the cap 70 is separated from the head 38, wiping is not performed, and therefore wiping can be performed effectively.

[0122] If the controller 130 cannot acquire the elapsed time since purging, it determines whether to perform wiping based on the liquid level of the ink 99 stored in the storage section 80, and performs wiping according to the determination result. If the elapsed time since purging cannot be acquired, there is a possibility that the meniscus formed in the nozzle 39 of the head 38 will be destroyed if the cap 70 is separated from the head 38. Even in this case, the necessary wiping can be performed.

[0123] [First to fourth modified examples] Various modifications can be made to the multifunction device 10 according to the above embodiment. In the above embodiment, the recording unit 24 is provided with only one storage unit 80, but in the multifunction devices according to the first to fourth modifications, the recording unit 24 is provided with four storage units 80M, 80C, 80Y, and 80B, as shown in FIG.

[0124] Magenta ink (not shown) is stored in storage section 80M. Cyan ink (not shown) is stored in storage section 80C. Yellow ink (not shown) is stored in storage section 80Y. Black ink (not shown) is stored in storage section 80B. Storage sections 80M, 80C, 80Y, and 80B are arranged side by side in the left-right direction 9. An air communication hole 85 is provided in each of storage sections 80M, 80C, 80Y, and 80B. Note that storage sections 80M, 80C, 80Y, and 80B may be arranged side by side in a direction other than the left-right direction 9, for example, the front-rear direction 8. Furthermore, the arrangement order of storage sections 80M, 80C, 80Y, and 80B is not limited to the order shown in FIG. 9. Furthermore, the sizes of the storage sections 80M, 80C, 80Y, and 80B may be the same or different.

[0125] Head 38 has nozzle 39M connected to storage portion 80M, nozzle 39C connected to storage portion 80C, nozzle 39Y connected to storage portion 80Y, and nozzle 39B connected to storage portion 80B. When head 38 is viewed from below, as shown in Figure 10(A), a row of nozzles 39M aligned in the front-rear direction 8, a row of nozzles 39C aligned in the front-rear direction 8, a row of nozzles 39Y aligned in the front-rear direction 8, and a row of nozzles 39B aligned in the front-rear direction 8 are aligned in the left-right direction 9.

[0126] Each of the storage sections 80M, 80C, 80Y, and 80B is provided with a rotating member 90 and a liquid level sensor 95 (not shown). The controller 130 acquires four pieces of liquid level information indicating the liquid level of the ink 99 stored in the storage sections 80M, 80C, 80Y, and 80B from the four liquid level sensors 95. The memory 140 stores a threshold value related to the liquid level of the ink 99.

[0127] In the multifunction peripheral according to the first modification, in response to receiving an instruction to move the cap 70 from the covering position to the separated position, the controller 130 determines whether to perform flushing for the nozzles 39M, 39C, 39Y, and 39B based on the four pieces of liquid level information and the threshold value stored in the memory 140. The controller 130 determines to perform flushing for the nozzles 39 for which the liquid level information indicates that the liquid level is not higher than a predetermined position and a meniscus is maintained even when the cap 70 is separated from the head 38. The controller 130 ejects ink 99 onto the wiper 151 from the nozzles 39 for which it has determined that flushing should be performed. In this way, the controller 130 switches between performing flushing, which ejects ink from the nozzles 39M, 39C, 39Y, and 39B onto the wiper 151.

[0128] Hereinafter, some of the storage sections 80M, 80C, 80Y, and 80B will be referred to as first storage sections, and all or some of the remaining storage sections will be referred to as second storage sections, and among the nozzles 39M, 39C, 39Y, and 39B, the nozzle connected to the first storage section will be referred to as the first nozzle, and the nozzle connected to the second storage section will be referred to as the second nozzle, and among the four liquid levels, the liquid level of the first storage section will be referred to as the first liquid level, and the liquid level of the second storage section will be referred to as the second liquid level.

[0129] In the multifunction peripheral according to the first modification, when at least one of the first and second liquid levels is higher than a predetermined position, the controller 130 separates the cap 70 from the head 38, wipes at least one of the first and second nozzles with the wiper 151, and then causes ink to be ejected from the first and second nozzles for image recording. When the first and second liquid levels are not higher than the predetermined position, the controller 130 separates the cap 70 from the head 38, and then causes ink to be ejected from the first and second nozzles for image recording without wiping. Furthermore, before wiping, the controller 130 causes ink to be ejected from the first and second nozzles to the wiper 151, which is positioned so as not to abut against the nozzle surface 68 of the head 38. When the first liquid level is not higher than the predetermined position, the controller 130 causes ink to be ejected from the first nozzle to the wiper 151. When the second liquid level is not higher than the predetermined position, the controller 130 causes ink to be ejected from the second nozzle to the wiper 151.

[0130] Therefore, in a liquid ejection device having multiple storage sections, unnecessary wiping can be reduced and wiping can be performed effectively. Furthermore, before wiping, flushing is performed in which ink 99 is ejected onto the wiper 151 from the nozzles 39 where the meniscus is maintained even when the cap 70 is separated from the head 38, thereby reducing the amount of dry wiping of the head 38.

[0131] In addition, the controller 130 may switch whether to eject liquid from the first nozzle onto the wiper 151 and also switch whether to eject liquid from the second nozzle onto the wiper 151 based on the height of the first liquid level and the height of the second liquid level.

[0132] In the multifunction peripheral according to the second modification, the controller 130 switches the wipe execution start position to switch whether to execute wiping for the nozzles 39M, 39C, 39Y, and 39B.

[0133] In response to receiving an instruction to move cap 70 from the covering position to the separated position, controller 130 determines whether to wipe nozzles 39M, 39C, 39Y, and 39B based on the four pieces of liquid level information. At this time, there are cases where it is determined that wiping will be performed on nozzles 39M, 39C, 39Y, and 39B (hereinafter referred to as the first case), and cases where it is determined that wiping will be performed on nozzles 39M, 39C, and 39Y but not on nozzle 39B (hereinafter referred to as the second case).

[0134] In the first case, the controller 130 moves the wiper 151 vertically from the non-contact position to the contact position before the nozzle 39B overlaps with the wiper 151 at the non-contact position in a plan view (when the wiper 151 is at the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 10B relative to the head 38). The controller 130 moves the wiper 151 vertically from the contact position to the non-contact position after the nozzle 39M overlaps with the wiper 151 at the contact position in a plan view (when the wiper 151 is at the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 10B relative to the head 38). If the carriage 40 moves leftward while the wiper 151 is at the contact position, the wiper 151 comes into contact with the nozzles 39B, 39Y, 39C, and 39M in this order. Therefore, wiping is performed on the nozzles 39B, 39Y, 39C, and 39M in this order.

[0135] In the second case, the controller 130 moves the wiper 151 vertically from the non-contact position to the contact position after the nozzle 39B overlaps with the wiper 151 at the non-contact position in plan view and before the nozzle 39Y overlaps with the wiper 151 at the non-contact position in plan view (when the wiper 151 is at the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 10C with respect to the head 38). The controller 130 moves the wiper 151 vertically from the contact position to the non-contact position after the nozzle 39M overlaps with the wiper 151 at the contact position in plan view (when the wiper 151 is at the position shown by the dashed line in FIG. 10C with respect to the head 38). If the carriage 40 moves leftward while the wiper 151 is at the contact position, the wiper 151 comes into contact with the nozzles 39Y, 39C, and 39M in that order. Therefore, wiping is performed on nozzles 39Y, 39C, and 39M in this order, and wiping is not performed on nozzle 39B.

[0136] In the multifunction peripheral according to the second modification, the controller 130 switches the wiping start position based on the height of the first liquid level and the height of the second liquid level. When at least one of the first liquid level and the second liquid level is higher than a predetermined position, the controller 130 positions the wiper 151 at an abutment position where it can abut against the nozzle surface 68 of the head 38, and moves the carriage 40. When the first liquid level is higher than the predetermined position, the wiper 151 is positioned at the abutment position before the first nozzle and the wiper 151 overlap in a planar view as a result of the movement of the carriage 40. When the first liquid level is not higher than the predetermined position and the second liquid level is higher than the predetermined position, the wiper 151 is positioned at the abutment position after the first nozzle and the wiper 152 overlap in a planar view as a result of the movement of the carriage 40, but before the second nozzle and the wiper 151 overlap in a planar view.

[0137] According to the multifunction device of the second variant, by switching the starting position of the wiping, wiping can be performed on the nozzle 39 connected to the storage section 80 selected from the multiple storage sections 80M, 80C, 80Y, and 80B, thereby enabling wiping to be performed effectively.

[0138] The controller 130 may switch not only the wipe start position but also the wipe end position based on the four pieces of liquid level information. The controller 130 may switch only the wipe end position based on the four pieces of liquid level information. The controller 130 may switch the wipe start positions or the wipe end positions of multiple wipes based on the four pieces of liquid level information. By switching the wipe start position and the wipe end position, it is possible to switch whether to perform wiping for the nozzles 39M, 39C, 39Y, and 39B. The controller 130 may switch whether to perform wiping for the first nozzle and whether to perform wiping for the second nozzle based on the height of the first liquid level and the height of the second liquid level.

[0139] In the multifunction peripheral according to the third modification, the controller 130 uses a plurality of wipers 152 and 153 to switch between whether to perform wiping on the nozzles 39M, 39C, 39Y, and 39B.

[0140] In the example shown in FIG. 11 , the wipers 152 and 153 independently move between a contact position and a non-contact position in the vertical direction and also move in the front-to-rear direction 8. The wiper 152 is capable of wiping the nozzle 39B. The wiper 153 is capable of wiping the nozzles 39M, 39C, and 39Y independently of the wiper 152. Before wiping, the controller 130 positions the carriage 40 at a position (hereinafter referred to as the wiping executable position) where the wiper 152 at the contact position contacts the nozzle 39B and the wiper 153 at the contact position contacts the nozzles 39Y, 39C, and 39M. When the carriage 40 is positioned at the wiping executable position, the wipers 152 and 153 at the non-contact position are located behind the head 38.

[0141] In response to receiving an instruction to move cap 70 from the covering position to the separated position, controller 130 determines whether to wipe nozzles 39M, 39C, 39Y, and 39B based on the four pieces of liquid level information. At this time, there are cases where it is determined that wiping should be performed on nozzle 39B only (hereinafter referred to as the third case), and cases where it is determined that wiping should be performed on nozzles 39M, 39C, and 39Y but not on nozzle 39B (the second case).

[0142] In the third case, the controller 130 positions the carriage 40 at a wiping executable position, moves the wiper 152 vertically from the non-contact position to the contact position, and moves the wiper 152 from the rear of the head 38 to the front of the head 38 (from the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 11(A) to the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 11(A)). At this time, the wiper 152 positioned at the contact position contacts the nozzle 39B. Therefore, wiping is performed on the nozzle 39B.

[0143] In the second case, the controller 130 positions the carriage 40 at a wiping executable position, moves the wiper 153 vertically from the contact position to the non-contact position, and moves the wiper 153 from the rear of the head 38 to the front of the head 38 (from the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 11(B) to the position shown by the dashed line in FIG. 11(B)). At this time, the wiper 153, which is located at the contact position, comes into contact with the nozzles 39M, 39C, and 39Y. Therefore, wiping is performed on the nozzles 39M, 39C, and 39Y.

[0144] In the multifunction peripheral according to the third modification, controller 130 switches whether wiper 152 will wipe the first nozzles based on the height of the first liquid level, and switches whether wiper 153 will wipe the second nozzles based on the height of the second liquid level. When the first liquid level is higher than a predetermined position, controller 130 positions wiper 152 at a position where it can come into contact with nozzle surface 68 of head 38 and moves wiper 152, and when the second liquid level is higher than the predetermined position, controller 130 positions wiper 153 at a position where it can come into contact with nozzle surface 68 of head 38 and moves wiper 153.

[0145] According to the multifunction peripheral of the third variant, by using multiple wipers, wiping can be performed on the nozzle 39 connected to a storage section 80 selected from multiple storage sections 80M, 80C, 80Y, and 80B, thereby enabling wiping to be performed effectively.

[0146] The multifunction peripheral may have four wipers that can independently wipe the nozzles 39M, 39C, 39Y, and 39B. By using multiple wipers, it is possible to switch between wiping the nozzles 39M, 39C, 39Y, and 39B.

[0147] In the multifunction peripheral according to the fourth modification, controller 130 switches the wipe execution order based on four pieces of liquid level information. Controller 130 determines whether there is a possibility that the meniscus formed at nozzles 39M and 39B will be destroyed based on liquid level information indicating the liquid level of ink 99 stored in storage section 80M and liquid level information indicating the liquid level of ink 99 stored in storage section 80B. At this time, there are cases where it is determined that there is a possibility that the meniscus formed at nozzle 39B will be destroyed (hereinafter referred to as the fourth case), and cases where it is determined that there is a possibility that the meniscus formed at nozzle 39M will be destroyed (hereinafter referred to as the fifth case).

[0148] In the fourth case, the controller 130 performs wiping on nozzles 39M, 39C, 39Y, and 39B in order from right to left (nozzles 39B, 39Y, 39C, and 39M). ​​In this case, the controller 130 moves the carriage 40 leftward when performing wiping. The controller 130 moves the wiper 151 vertically from the non-contact position to the contact position before nozzle 39B overlaps with the wiper 151 in the non-contact position in a planar view (when the wiper 151 is located at the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 12A with respect to the head 38). The controller 130 moves the wiper 151 vertically from the contact position to the non-contact position after nozzle 39M overlaps with the wiper 151 in the contact position in a planar view (when the wiper 151 is located at the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 12A with respect to the head 38). When the carriage 40 moves leftward while the wiper 151 is in the contact position, the wiper 151 contacts the nozzles 39B, 39Y, 39C, and 39M in this order, so that wiping is performed in the order of the nozzles 39B, 39Y, 39C, and 39M.

[0149] In the fifth case, the controller 130 performs wiping on the nozzles 39M, 39C, 39Y, and 39B in order from left to right (nozzles 39M, 39C, 39Y, and 39B). In this case, the controller 130 moves the carriage 40 rightward when performing wiping. The controller 130 moves the wiper 151 vertically from the non-contact position to the contact position before the nozzle 39M overlaps with the wiper 151 in the non-contact position in a planar view (when the wiper 151 is located at the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 12B with respect to the head 38). The controller 130 moves the wiper 151 vertically from the contact position to the non-contact position after the nozzle 39B overlaps with the wiper 151 in the contact position in a planar view (when the wiper 151 is located at the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 12B with respect to the head 38). When the carriage 40 moves rightward while the wiper 151 is in the contact position, the wiper 151 contacts the nozzles 39M, 39C, 39Y, and 39B in this order, so that wiping is performed in the order of the nozzles 39M, 39C, 39Y, and 39B.

[0150] In the multifunction peripheral according to the fourth modification, the controller 130 switches the wiping execution order based on the height of the first liquid level and the height of the second liquid level. When the first liquid level is higher than a predetermined position and the second liquid level is not higher than the predetermined position, the controller 130 positions the wiper 151 at an abutment position where it can abut against the nozzle surface 68 of the head 38 and moves the carriage 40 in a direction (to the left) where the wiper 151 abuts against the first nozzles before the second nozzles, and when the first liquid level is not higher than the predetermined position and the second liquid level is higher than the predetermined position, the controller 130 positions the wiper 151 at the abutment position and moves the carriage 40 in a direction (to the right) where the wiper 151 abuts against the second nozzles before the first nozzles.

[0151] According to the multifunction peripheral of the fourth modification, wiping can be performed effectively by switching the wipe execution order.

[0152] In the above embodiment and the first, second, and fourth modified examples, when wiping, the controller 130 positions the wiper 151 at the contact position and moves the carriage 40 in the left-right direction 9. In the third modified example, when wiping, the controller 130 positions the wipers 152 and 153 at the contact position and moves the wipers 152 and 153 in the front-rear direction 8. When wiping, the controller 130 may position the carriage 40 instead of the wiper at a position where the wiper contacts the nozzle surface 68 of the head 38. Furthermore, when wiping, the controller 130 may move the wiper instead of the carriage 40. When wiping, the controller 130 may position the wiper or the carriage 40 at a position where the wiper can contact the nozzle surface 68 of the head 38 and move either the carriage 40 or the wiper.

[0153] [Other variations] In the above embodiment, the ink storage unit 80 is attached to the carriage 40, and is replenished by injecting ink through the inlet 83. However, the ink storage unit 80 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the ink storage unit 80 may be a cartridge that is detachable from the carriage 40. In this case, when the ink stored in the cartridge becomes low or runs out, the cartridge is replaced with a new cartridge.

[0154] In the above embodiment, the liquid level sensor 95 detects changes in the state of the rotating member 90, but the liquid level sensor may also detect light reflected by a prism provided within the storage section 80, or may detect the current flowing between two electrodes provided within the storage section 80.

[0155] In the above embodiment, only the atmosphere communication hole 85 is provided on the upper wall 82 of the storage section 80, but as shown in Figures 13(A) and (B), the atmosphere communication hole 85 may be provided with a labyrinth structure or a semipermeable membrane.

[0156] 13(A), atmosphere communication hole 85 is formed in the shape of a groove in upper wall 82 of storage section 80, and the upper side is closed by film 162. One end of atmosphere communication hole 85 communicates with internal space 81 of storage section 80 via opening 163. The other end of atmosphere communication hole 85 communicates with the outside via atmosphere communication port 161 formed in upper wall 82. Air communication hole 85 has a labyrinth structure 164 that extends in left-right direction 9 while making repeated U-turns in front-rear direction 8.

[0157] In the example shown in FIG. 13(B), a semipermeable membrane 165 is attached to the atmosphere communication port 161, which communicates with the other end of the atmosphere communication hole 85, to close the atmosphere communication port 161. The semipermeable membrane 165 is a porous membrane with minute pores that blocks the passage of ink but allows the passage of gas. For example, the semipermeable membrane 165 is made of a fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer, or tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer. As a result, the ink 99 stored in the internal space 81 of the storage unit 80 is blocked by the semipermeable membrane 165 and does not flow out of the storage unit 80 through the atmosphere communication hole 85 and the atmosphere communication port 161. On the other hand, air can move freely between the internal space 81 of the storage unit 80 and the outside.

[0158] The atmosphere communication hole 85 has a semipermeable membrane 165 that closes the atmosphere communication port 161, but does not necessarily have to have the labyrinth structure 164. In this way, the atmosphere communication hole 85 may have at least either the labyrinth structure 164 or the semipermeable membrane 165.

[0159] In the above embodiment, no valve unit is provided in the atmosphere communication hole 85, but a valve unit may be provided in the atmosphere communication hole 85. This valve unit switches the internal space of the reservoir 80 between a communication state and a closed state. The controller 130 moves the cap 70 from the covering position to the separating position after putting the bubble unit into the communication state. Furthermore, various multifunction machines (liquid ejection devices) may be configured by arbitrarily combining the features of the above embodiment and the above modified examples as long as it is not contrary to the nature of the combination. [Explanation of symbols]

[0160] 8...Anteroposterior direction 9...Left and right direction (first direction) 10...Multifunction device (liquid discharge device) 38...head 39 Nozzle 40···Carriage 68 Nozzle surface 70···Cap 78, 161 Atmospheric vent 80 Storage section 85. Atmospheric vent 99···Ink (liquid) 130 Controller 151~153 Wiper

Claims

1. a storage section in which the liquid is stored and forms a liquid surface; a head having a nozzle for discharging the liquid stored in the storage section; a carriage that carries the storage unit and the head and moves in a first direction; Cap and Wipers and a controller; The above controller is If the liquid level is higher than a predetermined level, the cap is separated from the head, and then the nozzles are wiped by the wiper, and then liquid is ejected from the nozzles for image recording. If the liquid level is not higher than the predetermined position, the cap is separated from the head, and then the liquid is ejected from the nozzles for image recording without performing the wiping. Purging is performed with the cap covering the nozzle surface of the head, If the time that has elapsed since the purging has been performed exceeds a predetermined time, the liquid ejection device determines whether to perform the wiping based on the height of the liquid surface, and performs the wiping in accordance with the result of the determination.

2. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , wherein the controller ejects liquid from the nozzle to the wiper before the wiping operation is performed.

3. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein when the wiping is performed, the controller positions the wiper or the carriage in a position where the wiper can contact the nozzle face of the head, and moves either the carriage or the wiper.

4. 3. The liquid ejection device according to claim 2, wherein the controller causes the wiper, which is positioned so as not to come into contact with the nozzle face of the head, to eject liquid from the nozzle before wiping.

5. 5. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein, when the elapsed time cannot be acquired, the controller determines whether to perform the wiping based on the height of the liquid surface, and performs the wiping in accordance with the determination result.

6. the storage section has an atmosphere communication hole that communicates an internal space of the storage section with the outside, The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , wherein the controller separates the cap from the head while the atmosphere vent is open.

7. a first reservoir in which the liquid is stored and forms a first liquid level; a second reservoir in which the liquid is stored and forms a second liquid level; a head having a first nozzle that ejects the liquid stored in the first storage section and a second nozzle that ejects the liquid stored in the second storage section; a carriage that carries the first storage section, the second storage section, and the head and moves in a first direction; Cap and Wipers and a controller; The above controller is when at least one of the first liquid level and the second liquid level is higher than a predetermined position, the cap is separated from the head, and then the wiper is used to wipe at least one of the first nozzles and the second nozzles, and then liquid is ejected from the first nozzles and the second nozzles for image recording; If the first liquid level and the second liquid level are not higher than the predetermined position, after separating the cap from the head, liquid is ejected from the first nozzles and the second nozzles for image recording without performing the wiping; Before performing the wiping, liquid is ejected onto the wiper from at least one of the first nozzle and the second nozzle; The liquid ejection device switches between ejecting liquid from the first nozzle onto the wiper and ejecting liquid from the second nozzle onto the wiper based on the height of the first liquid level and the height of the second liquid level.

8. The liquid ejection device according to claim 7, wherein the controller ejects liquid from at least one of the first nozzle and the second nozzle onto the wiper positioned not in contact with the nozzle face of the head before performing the wiping.

9. The above controller is When the first liquid level is not higher than the predetermined level, liquid is ejected from the first nozzle onto the wiper; 8. The liquid ejection device according to claim 7, wherein when the second liquid level is not higher than the predetermined position, the liquid is ejected from the second nozzle onto the wiper.

10. A first storage section in which the liquid is stored and forms a first liquid level; a second reservoir in which the liquid is stored and forms a second liquid level; a head having a first nozzle that ejects the liquid stored in the first storage section and a second nozzle that ejects the liquid stored in the second storage section; a carriage that carries the first storage section, the second storage section, and the head and moves in a first direction; Cap and Wipers and a controller; The above controller is when at least one of the first liquid level and the second liquid level is higher than a predetermined position, the cap is separated from the head, and then the wiper is used to wipe at least one of the first nozzles and the second nozzles, and then liquid is ejected from the first nozzles and the second nozzles for image recording; If the first liquid level and the second liquid level are not higher than the predetermined position, after separating the cap from the head, liquid is ejected from the first nozzles and the second nozzles for image recording without performing the wiping; A liquid ejection device that switches between performing the wiping on the first nozzle and performing the wiping on the second nozzle based on the height of the first liquid level and the height of the second liquid level.

11. 11. The liquid ejection device according to claim 10, wherein the controller switches the wipe execution start position based on the height of the first liquid level and the height of the second liquid level.

12. the controller, when at least one of the first liquid level and the second liquid level is higher than the predetermined position, positions the wiper or the carriage at a first position where the wiper can come into contact with the nozzle face of the head, and moves either the carriage or the wiper; when the first liquid level is higher than the predetermined position, the wiper or the carriage is positioned at the first position before the first nozzle and the wiper overlap each other in a plan view due to the movement; A liquid ejection device as described in claim 11, wherein when the first liquid level is not higher than the predetermined position and the second liquid level is higher than the predetermined position, the wiper or the carriage is positioned at the first position after the first nozzle and the wiper overlap in a planar view due to the movement, and before the second nozzle and the wiper overlap in a planar view.

13. The above controller is When the first liquid level is higher than the predetermined position, the wipe is performed on the first nozzle. The liquid ejection device according to claim 10, wherein the wiping is performed on the second nozzle when the second liquid level is higher than the predetermined position.

14. A first storage section in which the liquid is stored to form a first liquid level; a second reservoir in which the liquid is stored and forms a second liquid level; a head having a first nozzle that ejects the liquid stored in the first storage section and a second nozzle that ejects the liquid stored in the second storage section; a carriage that carries the first storage section, the second storage section, and the head and moves in a first direction; Cap and Wipers and a controller; The above controller is when at least one of the first liquid level and the second liquid level is higher than a predetermined position, the cap is separated from the head, and then the wiper is used to wipe at least one of the first nozzles and the second nozzles, and then liquid is ejected from the first nozzles and the second nozzles for image recording; If the first liquid level and the second liquid level are not higher than the predetermined position, after separating the cap from the head, liquid is ejected from the first nozzles and the second nozzles for image recording without performing the wiping; The liquid ejection device switches the order in which the wiping is performed based on the height of the first liquid surface and the height of the second liquid surface.

15. The above controller is when the first liquid level is higher than the predetermined position and the second liquid level is not higher than the predetermined position, the wiper or the carriage is positioned at a first position where the wiper can come into contact with the nozzle face of the head, and either the carriage or the wiper is moved in a direction where the wiper comes into contact with the first nozzle before the second nozzle; A liquid ejection device as described in claim 14, wherein when the first liquid level is not higher than the predetermined position and the second liquid level is higher than the predetermined position, the wiper or the carriage is positioned at the first position and either the carriage or the wiper is moved in a direction in which the wiper abuts the second nozzle before the first nozzle.

16. A first storage section in which the liquid is stored to form a first liquid level; a second reservoir in which the liquid is stored and forms a second liquid level; a head having a first nozzle that ejects the liquid stored in the first storage section and a second nozzle that ejects the liquid stored in the second storage section; a carriage that carries the first storage section, the second storage section, and the head and moves in a first direction; Cap and Wipers and a controller; The above controller is when at least one of the first liquid level and the second liquid level is higher than a predetermined position, the cap is separated from the head, and then the wiper is used to wipe at least one of the first nozzles and the second nozzles, and then liquid is ejected from the first nozzles and the second nozzles for image recording; If the first liquid level and the second liquid level are not higher than the predetermined position, after separating the cap from the head, liquid is ejected from the first nozzles and the second nozzles for image recording without performing the wiping; Purging is performed with the cap covering the nozzle surface of the head, If the elapsed time after the purging exceeds a predetermined time, the liquid ejection device determines whether to perform the wiping based on the height of the first liquid level and the height of the second liquid level, and performs the wiping in accordance with the determination result.

17. 17. The liquid ejection device according to claim 10, wherein the controller causes the wiper to eject liquid from at least one of the first nozzles and the second nozzles before performing the wiping.

18. The liquid ejection device according to claim 17, wherein the controller switches between ejecting liquid from the first nozzle onto the wiper and ejecting liquid from the second nozzle onto the wiper based on the height of the first liquid level and the height of the second liquid level.

19. A liquid ejection device as described in any one of claims 7 to 18, wherein when the controller performs the wiping, it positions the wiper or the carriage in a position where the wiper can abut against the nozzle face of the head, and moves either the carriage or the wiper.

20. The controller: Purging is performed with the cap covering the nozzle surface of the head, A liquid ejection device as described in any one of claims 7 to 15, wherein if the elapsed time since the purging has been performed exceeds a predetermined time, a determination is made as to whether to perform the wiping based on the height of the first liquid level and the height of the second liquid level, and the wiping is performed in accordance with the determination result.

21. a first reservoir in which the liquid is stored and forms a first liquid level; a second reservoir in which the liquid is stored and forms a second liquid level; a head having a first nozzle that ejects the liquid stored in the first storage section and a second nozzle that ejects the liquid stored in the second storage section; a carriage that carries the first storage section, the second storage section, and the head and moves in a first direction; Cap and a first wiper capable of wiping the first nozzle; a second wiper capable of wiping the second nozzle; a controller; The above controller is when at least one of the first liquid level and the second liquid level is higher than a predetermined position, the cap is separated from the head, and then the first wiper and the second wiper are used to wipe at least one of the first nozzles and the second nozzles, and then liquid is ejected from the first nozzles and the second nozzles for image recording; If the first liquid level and the second liquid level are not higher than the predetermined position, after separating the cap from the head, liquid is ejected from the first nozzles and the second nozzles for image recording without performing the wiping; Purging is performed with the cap covering the nozzle surface of the head, If the elapsed time after the purging exceeds a predetermined time, the liquid ejection device determines whether to perform the wiping based on the height of the first liquid level and the height of the second liquid level, and performs the wiping in accordance with the determination result.

22. The above controller is switching whether to perform the wiping of the first nozzle by the first wiper based on the height of the first liquid level; 22. The liquid ejection device according to claim 21, wherein whether or not the second wiper performs the wiping on the second nozzle is switched based on the height of the second liquid level.

23. The above controller is when the first liquid level is higher than the predetermined level, the first wiper or the carriage is positioned at a position where the first wiper can come into contact with the nozzle face of the head, and either the carriage or the first wiper is moved; A liquid ejection device as described in claim 22, wherein when the second liquid level is higher than the predetermined position, the second wiper or the carriage is positioned so that the second wiper can abut against the nozzle surface of the head, and either the carriage or the second wiper is moved.

24. A liquid ejection device as described in any one of claims 16 and 20 to 23, wherein when the controller cannot obtain the elapsed time, it determines whether to perform the wipe based on the height of the first liquid level and the height of the second liquid level, and performs the wipe according to the determination result.

25. the first storage section has a first atmosphere communication hole that communicates an internal space of the first storage section with the outside, the second storage section has a second atmosphere communication hole that communicates an internal space of the second storage section with the outside, 25. The liquid ejection device according to claim 7, wherein the controller separates the cap from the head in a state in which the first atmosphere communication hole and the second atmosphere communication hole are open.

Images