Liquid dispensing device

Abstract

To provide a liquid discharge device which enables sufficient cleaning of a head for discharging a liquid and further enables reduction of the replacement frequency of a waste liquid tank.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device 100 includes: a head 38 which discharges a liquid from nozzles 38A which are open on a nozzle surface 50; and a support 61 which supports a cap 62 and a water absorptive wiper 64 and may move relative to the head 38; a cleaning tank 76 in which a cleaning fluid L is stored; a waste liquid tank 77 to which the cleaning fluid L is discharged; a cap passage 177 connected from the cleaning tank 76 to the waste liquid tank 77 through the cap 62; a wiper passage 175 in which the cleaning fluid L returns between the cleaning tank 76 and the water absorptive wiper 64; a cap pump 74 which causes the cleaning fluid L to flow from the cleaning tank 76 to the waste liquid tank 77 at the cap passage 177; a wiper pump 75 which circulates the cleaning fluid L from the cleaning tank 76 to the water absorptive wiper 64 at the wiper passage 175; and a control unit 130 which controls driving of the cap pump 74 and the wiper pump 75.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid from nozzles in a head to print on a sheet. [Background technology]

[0002] A known example of a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid from nozzles in a head to print on a sheet is the cleaning device for a liquid ejection head described in Patent Document 1. In the cleaning device described in Patent Document 1, cleaning liquid is supplied from a cleaning liquid tank to a blade pool, and the blade mechanism that wipes the ejection surface of the inkjet head is immersed in the cleaning liquid in the blade pool. This cleans the blade mechanism and removes ink adhering to the blade mechanism. The cleaning liquid in the blade pool is then discharged into a waste liquid tank. Meanwhile, cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid tank to a cap pool, and the ink adhering to the ejection surface of the inkjet head is cleaned by the cleaning liquid in the cap pool. The cleaning liquid in the cap pool is then discharged into a waste liquid tank. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-193160 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the cleaning device of Patent Document 1, both the cleaning liquid supplied to the blade pool and the cleaning liquid supplied to the cap pool are discharged into a waste liquid tank, which requires frequent replacement of the waste liquid tank.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejection device that can thoroughly clean a head that ejects liquid and that can reduce the frequency of replacing a waste liquid tank. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The liquid ejection device of the present invention comprises a head that ejects liquid from nozzles opened on a nozzle surface, a support that supports a cap and an absorbent wiper and is movable relative to the cap and the absorbent wiper, a cleaning tank that stores cleaning liquid, a waste tank from which the cleaning liquid is discharged, a cap flow path that connects the cleaning tank to the waste tank via the cap, a wiper flow path that circulates between the cleaning tank and the absorbent wiper, a cap pump that flows cleaning liquid from the cleaning tank to the waste tank in the cap flow path, a wiper pump that circulates cleaning liquid from the cleaning tank to the absorbent wiper in the wiper flow path, and a control unit that controls the operation of the cap pump and the wiper pump.

[0007] When the control unit drives the cap pump, cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning tank to the cap through the cap flow path, allowing the nozzles to be cleaned with the cleaning liquid supplied to the cap. The cleaning liquid that has cleaned the nozzles in the cap is then discharged into the waste liquid tank. When the control unit drives the wiper pump, cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning tank to the absorbent wiper through the wiper flow path, allowing the absorbent wiper to absorb the cleaning liquid. This allows the nozzle surface to be thoroughly cleaned. The cleaning liquid supplied to the absorbent wiper is then returned to the cleaning tank through the wiper flow path, allowing it to be used repeatedly. This reduces the amount of cleaning liquid consumed compared to when both the cleaning liquid supplied to the cap and the cleaning liquid supplied to the absorbent wiper are discharged into the waste liquid tank, thereby reducing the frequency with which the waste liquid tank needs to be replaced. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The liquid ejection device according to the present invention can thoroughly clean the head that ejects the liquid, and can also reduce the frequency of replacing the waste liquid tank. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an image recording device 100 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the II-II cross section of FIG. 1, and shows a state in which the head 38 is at the recording position, the first support mechanism 51 is at the first rotation position, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is at the standby position. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the upper housing 31 in FIG. 2 is in the open position. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the head 38. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the first support mechanism 51 and the second support mechanism 52 in the second rotation position. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front view of the first support mechanism 51 and the maintenance mechanism 60 in the second rotation position. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the maintenance mechanism 60. As shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the support 61 of the maintenance mechanism 60. As shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the support 61 of the maintenance mechanism 60. As shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the II-II cross section of FIG. 1, and shows a state in which the head 38 is at the recording position, the first support mechanism 51 is at the second rotation position, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is at the standby position. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the II-II section of Figure 1, and shows the state in which the head 38 is in the recording position, the first support mechanism 51 is in the second rotation position, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is in a position between the standby position and the maintenance position. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the II-II section of Figure 1, and shows the state in which the head 38 is in the recording position, the first support mechanism 51 is in the second rotation position, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is in a position supported by the first support mechanism 51. [Figure 13]FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the II-II cross section of FIG. 1, and shows the state in which the head 38 is in the capped position, the first support mechanism 51 is in the first pivot position, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is in the maintenance position. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the II-II cross section of FIG. 1, and shows a state in which the head 38 is at the wiped position, the first support mechanism 51 is at the first rotation position, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is at the wiping position. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a block diagram of the image recording device 100. As shown in FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the purging process, the immersion process, and the wiping process of the controller 130. As shown in FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining the cleaning liquid supply process of the controller 130. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a maintenance mechanism 60 of an image recording apparatus according to the second embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a block diagram of an image recording apparatus according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Note that this embodiment is merely one embodiment of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment can be modified without departing from the gist 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 image recording device 100 is installed and ready for use (the state in FIG. 1 ), the front-rear direction 8 is defined with the side where the discharge port 33 is provided as the near side (front), and the left-right direction 9 is defined when viewing the image recording device 100 from the near side (front).

[0011] [External Configuration of Image Recording Device 100] The image recording apparatus 100 (an example of a liquid ejection apparatus) shown in FIG. 1 records an image on a sheet S forming a roll body 37 (see FIG. 2) by an inkjet recording method.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, the image recording device 100 includes a housing 30. The housing 30 includes an upper housing 31 and a lower housing 32. The upper housing 31 and the lower housing 32 are generally rectangular parallelepiped in shape and are large enough to be placed on a table. In other words, the image recording device 100 is suitable for use while being placed on a table. Of course, the image recording device 100 may also be used while being placed on the floor or a rack.

[0013] 2 and 3, upper housing 31 is rotatably supported by lower housing 32. Upper housing 31 is rotatable about a rotation shaft 15 provided at the lower rear end and extending in the left-right direction 9 between a closed position shown in Fig. 2 and an open position shown in Fig. 3. The rotation of upper housing 31 is not limited to by rotation shaft 15, and it may be rotated by a hinge, for example.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 2, when the upper housing 31 is in the closed position, the internal space 31A of the upper housing 31 and the internal space 32A of the lower housing 32 are shielded from the outside. As shown in Fig. 3, when the upper housing 31 is in the open position, the internal space 31A of the upper housing 31 and the internal space 32A of the lower housing 32 are exposed to the outside.

[0015] 1, a slit-shaped discharge opening 33 that is long in the left-right direction 9 is formed on a front surface 32F of the lower housing 32. From the discharge opening 33, a sheet S (see FIG. 2) on which an image has been recorded is discharged.

[0016] An operation panel 44 is provided on the front surface 31F of the upper housing 31. A user inputs to the operation panel 44 to operate the image recording device 100 and to confirm various settings.

[0017] [Internal configuration of image recording device 100] As shown in Fig. 2, the internal spaces 31A and 32A are provided with a holder 35, a tensioner 45, a pair of conveying rollers 36, a pair of conveying rollers 40, a head 38, a first support mechanism 51, a heater 39, a support member 46, a second support mechanism 52, a CIS 25, a cutter unit 26, an ink tank 34, and a maintenance mechanism 60. Although not shown in Fig. 2, a controller 130 (an example of a control unit) is provided in the internal space 32A (see Fig. 15). The controller 130 controls the operation of the image recording device 100.

[0018] A partition wall 41 is provided in the internal space 32A. The partition wall 41 divides the rear lower part of the internal space 32A to define a sheet storage space 32C. The sheet storage space 32C is surrounded by the partition wall 41 and the lower housing 32, and is a space isolated from the head 38 and the like.

[0019] A roll 37 is accommodated in the sheet storage space 32C. The roll 37 has a core tube and a long sheet S. The sheet S is wound around the core tube in a roll shape in the circumferential direction of the core tube's axis. The sheet S can have a width ranging from the minimum width to the maximum width at which the image recording device 100 can record an image. That is, the sheet storage space 32C can accommodate a variety of rolls 37 with different widths. Note that the roll 37 may not have a core tube, and the sheet S may be wound in a roll shape so that it can be attached to the holder 35. The sheet storage space 32C may also be capable of accommodating fanfold paper. As shown in FIG. 1, a right cover 35A is located on the right surface 32R of the lower housing 32. Opening and closing the right cover 35A exposes or covers the holder 35 and other components located in the sheet storage space 32C.

[0020] 2, the sheet storage space 32C opens upward at the rear. Specifically, a gap 42 is formed between the partition wall 41 and the rear surface 32B, i.e., above the rear end of the roll body 37. As the conveying roller pair 36, 40 rotates, the sheet S is pulled upward from the rear end of the roll body 37 and guided to the tensioner 45 via the gap 42.

[0021] The tensioner 45 is located at the rear of the internal space 32A and above the partition wall 41. The tensioner 45 has an outer peripheral surface 45A facing outward from the lower housing 32. The outer peripheral surfaces 45A are sized to be equal to or larger than the maximum width of the sheet in the left-right direction 9 and have shapes that are symmetrical with respect to the center of the sheet passage. The upper end of the outer peripheral surface 45A is located at approximately the same vertical position as the nip D of the conveying roller pair 36 in the up-down direction 7.

[0022] The sheet S pulled out from the roll body 37 is hung on and contacts the outer peripheral surface 45A. The sheet S curves forward along the outer peripheral surface 45A, extends in the conveying direction 8A, and is guided by the conveying roller pair 36. The conveying direction 8A is forward along the front-rear direction 8. The tensioner 45 applies tension to the sheet S by a well-known method.

[0023] The pair of conveying rollers 36 is located in front of the tensioner 45. The pair of conveying rollers 36 includes a conveying roller 36A and a pinch roller 36B. The conveying roller 36A and the pinch roller 36B come into contact with each other at a vertical position roughly coincident with the upper end of the outer peripheral surface 45A, forming a nip D.

[0024] A conveying roller pair 40 is positioned in front of the conveying roller pair 36. The conveying roller pair 40 has a conveying roller 40A and a pinch roller 40B. The conveying roller 40A and the pinch roller 40B come into contact with each other at a vertical position roughly coincident with the upper end of the outer peripheral surface 45A, forming a nip.

[0025] The conveying rollers 36A, 40A are rotated by a driving force transmitted from a conveying motor 53 (see FIG. 15). The conveying roller pair 36 rotates while nipping the sheet S extending from the tensioner 45 in the conveying direction 8A, thereby feeding the sheet in the conveying direction 8A along the conveying surface 43A. The conveying roller pair 40 rotates while nipping the sheet S fed from the conveying roller pair 36, thereby feeding the sheet in the conveying direction 8A. Furthermore, due to the rotation of the conveying roller pair 36, 40, the sheet S is drawn from the sheet storage space 32C through the gap 42 toward the tensioner 45.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, a conveying path 43 is formed in the internal space 32A, extending from the upper end of the outer peripheral surface 45A to the discharge port 33. The conveying path 43 extends substantially linearly along the conveying direction 8A, and is a space through which the sheet S can pass. Specifically, the conveying path 43 extends in the conveying direction 8A and the left-right direction 9 and is along a conveying surface 43A that is long in the conveying direction 8A. Note that in FIG. 2, the conveying surface 43A is indicated by a two-dot chain line indicating the conveying path 43. The conveying path 43 is defined by a guide member (not shown), a head 38, a conveying belt 101, a support member 46, a heater 39, and the like, which are positioned apart in the up-down direction 7. That is, the head 38, the conveying belt 101, the support member 46, and the heater 39 are positioned along the conveying path 43.

[0027] The head 38 is located above the conveying path 43 and downstream of the pair of conveying rollers 36 in the conveying direction 8A. The head 38 has a plurality of nozzles 38A. Ink is ejected downward from the plurality of nozzles 38A toward the sheet S supported by the conveying belt 101. In this way, an image is recorded on the sheet S. The configuration of the head 38 will be described in detail later.

[0028] The first support mechanism 51 is located below the conveying path 43 and downstream of the conveying roller pair 36 in the conveying direction 8A. The first support mechanism 51 faces the head 38 below the head 38. The first support mechanism 51 has a conveying belt 101 and a support portion 104. The conveying belt 101 supports the sheet S that has been conveyed by the conveying roller pair 36 in the conveying direction 8A and is positioned directly below the head 38. The conveying belt 101 conveys the supported sheet S in the conveying direction 8A. The support portion 104 is capable of supporting the maintenance mechanism 60. The configuration of the first support mechanism 51 will be described in detail later.

[0029] The heater 39 is located below the conveying path 43, downstream of the head 38 in the conveying direction 8A and upstream of the pair of conveying rollers 40 in the conveying direction 8A. The heater 39 is supported by a frame forward of the first support mechanism 51 and extends in the left-right direction 9. The heater 39 has a heat transfer plate (not shown) and a film heater (not shown). The heat transfer plate is made of metal and has a support surface that extends in the front-rear and left-right directions at approximately the same vertical position as the conveying surface 108 of the conveyor belt 101. The sheet S sent out from the first support mechanism 51 is conveyed forward on the support surface of the heat transfer plate. The film heater is fixed to the lower surface of the heat transfer plate and generates heat under the control of the controller 130. This heat is transferred to the sheet S on the heat transfer plate via the heat transfer plate.

[0030] Heat from the heater 39 is collected by a duct 145 disposed above the heater 39. The duct 145 is disposed above the transport path 43, downstream of the head 38 in the transport direction 8A and upstream of the transport roller pair 40.

[0031] The support member 46 is located below the conveying path 43. The support member 46 is located downstream of the head 38 and the first support mechanism 51 in the conveying direction 8A. A heater 39 is located behind the support member 46. A front portion of the support member 46 faces the conveying roller 40A. The support member 46 supports the sheet S conveyed in the conveying direction 8A by the conveying belt 101 of the first support mechanism 51.

[0032] The support member 46 is supported by the lower housing 32 so as to be rotatable around an axis (not shown) extending in the left-right direction 9. As shown in Fig. 3, when the upper housing 31 is in the open position, the support member 46 is rotatable between a laid-down position indicated by a solid line in Fig. 3 and an upright position indicated by a dashed line in Fig. 3.

[0033] When the support member 46 is in the laid-down position, the rotation tip 46B of the support member 46 is located forward of the rotation base end 46A (downstream in the conveying direction 8A). When the support member 46 is in the laid-down position, the support member 46 forms part of the conveying path 43 and can support the sheet S conveyed in the conveying direction 8A by the conveyor belt 101. When the support member 46 is in the upright position, the rotation tip 46B of the support member 46 is located higher than when the support member 46 is in the laid-down position, and the maintenance mechanism 60 can be exposed to the outside.

[0034] In this embodiment, the shaft of the support member 46 is provided at the rear end of the support member 46 and extends in the left-right direction 9, but the shaft is not limited to this configuration. For example, the shaft of the support member 46 may be provided at the front end of the support member 46 and extend in the left-right direction 9. Furthermore, for example, the shaft of the support member 46 may extend in the front-rear direction 8.

[0035] The second support mechanism 52 is located below the support member 46 and is supported by the lower housing 32, thereby being fixed inside the lower housing 32. The second support mechanism 52 is capable of supporting the maintenance mechanism 60. The configuration of the second support mechanism 52 will be described in detail later.

[0036] The CIS 25 is located above the conveying path 43 and downstream of the pair of conveying rollers 40 in the conveying direction 8A. The CIS 25 receives light from a light source such as an LED and reflects it off the sheet. The light is then focused onto a line sensor by a gradient index lens, and the line sensor outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the reflected light. This allows the CIS 25 to read the image on the printed surface of the sheet. The CIS 25 is positioned so that the reading line is in the left-right direction 9.

[0037] Cutter unit 26 is located above conveying path 43 and downstream of CIS 25 in conveying direction 8A. Cutter unit 26 has cutter 28 mounted on cutter carriage 27. Cutter carriage 27 moves in left-right direction 9 along conveying path 43 by a belt drive mechanism (not shown) or the like. Cutter 28 is located so as to cross conveying path 43 in up-down direction 7, and moves in left-right direction 9 along conveying path 43 as cutter carriage 27 moves. As cutter 28 moves, sheet S located along conveying path 43 is cut in left-right direction 9.

[0038] The ink tank 34 stores ink. The ink is a liquid containing pigments and the like. The ink has a viscosity suitable for uniformly dispersing the pigments. The pigments determine the color of the ink. The ink is supplied from the ink tank 34 to the head 38 through a tube (not shown).

[0039] The maintenance mechanism 60 is used to perform maintenance on the head 38. The maintenance mechanism 60 is configured to be movable, and is moved to a position directly below the head 38 when maintenance on the head 38 is to be performed (see FIG. 13).

[0040] Maintenance of the head 38 includes purging, immersion, and wiping. As shown in FIG. 13, the purging process is a process in which the nozzles 38A are covered with caps 62 (described later) of the maintenance mechanism 60, and then ink is sucked from the nozzles 38A using a cap pump 74. The immersion process is a process in which the nozzles 38A are covered with the caps 62 and then immersed in cleaning liquid supplied to the caps 62. As shown in FIG. 14, the wiping process is a process in which a sponge wiper 64 (described later as an example of an absorbent wiper) and a rubber wiper 63 (described later) of the maintenance mechanism 60 are used to wipe the lower surface 50 (an example of a nozzle surface) of an ejection module 49 (described later) of the head 38. The configuration of the maintenance mechanism 60 will be described in detail later.

[0041] [Head 38] The head 38 shown in Figures 2 and 4 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the left-right direction 9. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the head 38 includes a frame 48 and three discharge modules 49A, 49B, and 49C. Hereinafter, the three discharge modules 49A, 49B, and 49C will also be collectively referred to as discharge modules 49. Note that the number of discharge modules 49 is not limited to three and may be, for example, one.

[0042] The frame 48 is fixed to the lower housing 32. As shown in Fig. 4, the frame 48 is disposed from the right of the conveying path 43 to the left of the conveying path 43.

[0043] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the discharge module 49 is supported by a frame 48. Three openings are formed in the lower surface 48A of the frame 48. Each of the discharge modules 49A, 49B, and 49C is arranged so that its lower surface is located in one of the openings. This exposes the lower surface of each discharge module 49 downward. The discharge module 49 is arranged within the conveying path 43 in the left-right direction 9.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, the discharge modules 49A and 49B are arranged at the same position in the conveying direction 8A. The discharge modules 49A and 49B are arranged with an interval in the left-right direction 9. The discharge module 49C is arranged downstream of the discharge modules 49A and 49B in the conveying direction 8A. The discharge module 49C is arranged between two adjacent discharge modules 49A and 49B in the left-right direction 9. The left end of the discharge module 49C is located to the left of the right end of the discharge module 49A. The right end of the discharge module 49C is located to the right of the left end of the discharge module 49B. In other words, the end of the discharge module 49C overlaps with the end of the discharge modules 49A and 49B in the left-right direction 9.

[0045] Each of the ejection modules 49A, 49B, and 49C includes a plurality of nozzles 38A. Each nozzle 38A opens to a lower surface 50 of the corresponding ejection module 49A, 49B, or 49C. The lower surface 50 extends in the front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9. The lower surface 50 is formed of metal. This facilitates the formation of an ink meniscus on the lower surface 50 during a flushing process after a wiping process, which will be described later. The flushing process is a process of ejecting ink toward the cap 62. Ink is ejected downward from the plurality of nozzles 38A toward the sheet S supported by the conveyor belt 101 of the first support mechanism 51, thereby recording an image on the sheet S. The arrangement and number of the plurality of nozzles 38A are not limited to those shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

[0046] The head 38 moves along the vertical direction 7 to a recording position shown in FIGS. 2 and 10 to 12, a capped position shown in FIG. 13, a wiping position shown by a solid line in FIG. 13, and an upper retracted position shown by a dashed line in FIG. 14. The recording position is the position of the head 38 when recording an image on a sheet S supported by the conveyor belt 101. The capped position is the position of the head 38 when the discharge module 49 is covered by a cap 62 of the maintenance mechanism 60. The capped position is a position above the recording position (a position farther from the first support mechanism 51 than the recording position). The wiping position is the position of the head 38 when the sponge wiper 64 and the rubber wiper 63 of the maintenance mechanism 60 wipe the lower surface 50 of the discharge module 49. The wiping position is a position above the capped position. The upper retracted position is the position of the head 38 when the head 38 is completely separated from the maintenance mechanism 60. The upper retracted position is a position above the wiped position.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 2, the head 38 is moved by a ball screw 29. The ball screw 29 includes a screw shaft 29A and a nut member 29B. The screw shaft 29A is supported by the lower housing 32 so as to be rotatable about an axis along the up-down direction 7. The screw shaft 29A rotates by receiving a driving force from a head motor 54 (see FIG. 15). The nut member 29B is threadedly engaged with the screw shaft 29A. The nut member 29B is fixed to the head 38. The nut member 29B moves upward as the screw shaft 29A rotates forward and moves downward as the screw shaft 29A rotates backward. The head 38 moves up and down integrally with the nut member 29B. Note that to prevent the head 38 from rotating due to the rotation of the ball screw 29, a pair of plates that sandwich the head 38 are disposed in the internal space 32A. The configuration for moving the head 38 up and down is not limited to a configuration using the ball screw 29, and various known configurations can be employed.

[0048] [First support mechanism 51] 2, 5, and 6, the first support mechanism 51 includes a conveyor belt 101, a drive roller 102, a driven roller 103, a support portion 104, a gear 105, and a gear 106. Note that the teeth of the gears 105 and 106 are not shown in the drawings.

[0049] The drive roller 102 and the driven roller 103 are rotatably supported by a support portion 104. The drive roller 102 and the driven roller 103 are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction 8 (conveying direction 8A). The conveyor belt 101 is an endless belt. The conveyor belt 101 is stretched around the drive roller 102 and the driven roller 103. The conveyor belt 101 is arranged within the conveying path 43 in the left-right direction 9.

[0050] The drive roller 102 rotates by a driving force applied by a conveying motor 53 (see FIG. 15 ), causing the conveying belt 101 to rotate. The rotation of the conveying belt 101 causes the driven roller 103 to rotate. The conveying belt 101 has a conveying surface 108. The conveying surface 108 is an upper portion of the outer circumferential surface of the conveying belt 101, and extends along the conveying direction 8A. The conveying surface 108 faces the nozzles 38A of the head 38 across the conveying path 43. The drive roller 102 rotates so that the conveying surface 108 moves in the conveying direction 8A. The conveying surface 108 also applies a conveying force to the sheet S while supporting the sheet S conveyed between the pair of conveying rollers 36 and 40 from below. As a result, the conveying belt 101 conveys the sheet S located on the conveying path 43 in the conveying direction 8A along the conveying surface 108.

[0051] 2 and 5, the support portion 104 includes a shaft 109A. The shaft 109A is rotatably supported by the lower housing 32. The shaft 109A extends in the left-right direction 9 (a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction 8A and parallel to the lower surface 50 of the discharge module 49). The shaft 109A is provided upstream of the drive roller 102 in the conveying direction 8A. The shaft 109A is located below the pair of conveying rollers 36.

[0052] The shaft 109A rotates by receiving a driving force from the shaft motor 59 (see FIG. 15). When the shaft 109A rotates, the support portion 104 rotates around the shaft 109A. When the support portion 104 rotates, the conveyor belt 101, the drive roller 102, the driven roller 103, the gear 105, and the gear 106 also rotate. In other words, the first support mechanism 51 rotates. The rotation tip 51A of the first support mechanism 51 is located downstream of the shaft 109A in the conveying direction 8A.

[0053] The first support mechanism 51 is rotatable between a first rotation position shown in FIGS. 2, 13, and 14, and a second rotation position shown in FIGS.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 2, when the first support mechanism 51 is in the first rotation position, the conveying surface 108 of the conveying belt 101 extends along the front-rear direction 8. This allows the conveying belt 101 to convey the sheet S located in the conveying path 43 forward and send it to between the heater 39 and the support member 46. As shown in FIG. 2, when the first support mechanism 51 is in the first posture, the conveying surface 108 of the conveying belt 101 extends along the front-rear direction 8. This allows the conveying belt 101 to convey the sheet S located in the conveying path 43 forward and send it to the support member 46.

[0055] 10 to 12, when the first support mechanism 51 is in the second rotation position, the rotation tip 51A of the first support mechanism 51 is positioned lower than when it is in the first rotation position (see FIG. 2). As a result, the conveying surface 108 of the conveyor belt 101 extends along an inclined direction 6 that slopes downward as it extends forward. The inclined direction 6 is perpendicular to the left-right direction 9 and intersects with the conveying direction 8A.

[0056] 5 and 6, the support part 104 includes a main body 109 and standing walls 110 and 111. In the following description of the support part 104, it is assumed that the first support mechanism 51 is in the second rotation position. The main body 109 is a generally plate-shaped member and includes a shaft 109A. The standing wall 110 stands upward from the left end of the main body 109. The standing wall 111 stands upward from the right end of the main body 109. The standing walls 110 and 111 extend along the inclination direction 6.

[0057] The standing walls 110 and 111 are disposed outside the conveying path 43 in the left-right direction 9. The standing walls 110 and 111 support the driving roller 102 and the driven roller 103 so that they can rotate.

[0058] The standing wall 110 has an upper surface 110A. The standing wall 111 has a first upper surface 111A and a second upper surface 111B. The second upper surface 111B is located at a different position from the first upper surface 111A in the left-right direction 9. The upper surface 110A and the first upper surface 111A support the maintenance mechanism 60 and guide the movement of the maintenance mechanism 60. The second upper surface 111B is located at a position where it can face a rack 154 (described below) of the maintenance mechanism 60. An opening 112 is formed in the second upper surface 111B. A portion of the gear 105A protrudes upward from the opening 112. The gear 105A can mesh with the rack 154 located at the opposite position.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 6, gears 105 and 106 are rotatably supported by a support portion 104 of the first support mechanism 51. The gear 105 is composed of gears 105A and 105B arranged along the left-right direction 9. The gears 105A and 105B are arranged coaxially with each other. The gear 105A rotates integrally with the gear 105B. The gear 105A may have play in the rotational direction relative to the gear 105B. The gear 105B meshes with the gear 106. The gear 106 is connected to a first motor 55 (see FIG. 15, an example of a motor) directly or via another gear, and receives driving force from the first motor 55.

[0060] [Second support mechanism 52] As shown in FIG. 2, the second support mechanism 52 is disposed so as to extend in the inclined direction 6 as a whole.

[0061] 2 and 5, the second support mechanism 52 includes a main body 115, standing walls 116 and 117, and gears 118, 119, and 120. Note that the teeth of the gears 118, 119, and 120 are not shown in the drawings.

[0062] The main body 115 is a generally plate-shaped member and is fixed to the lower housing 32. The standing wall 116 stands upward from the left end of the main body 115. The standing wall 117 stands upward from the right end of the main body 115. The standing walls 116 and 117 extend along the inclination direction 6.

[0063] The standing wall 116 is located at the same position in the left-right direction 9 as the standing wall 110 of the first support mechanism 51. The standing wall 117 is located at the same position in the left-right direction 9 as the standing wall 111 of the first support mechanism 51.

[0064] The standing wall 116 has an upper surface 116A. The standing wall 117 has a first upper surface 117A and a second upper surface 117B. The second upper surface 117B is located at a different position in the left-right direction 9 from the first upper surface 117A.

[0065] When the first support mechanism 51 is in the second pivot position, the first upper surface 117A is aligned with the first upper surface 111A of the standing wall 111 of the first support mechanism 51 along the inclination direction 6 and is on the same plane as the first upper surface 111A. In other words, the first upper surface 117A and the first upper surface 111A are aligned linearly. When the first support mechanism 51 is in the second pivot position, the second upper surface 117B is aligned with the second upper surface 111B of the standing wall 111 of the first support mechanism 51 along the inclination direction 6 and is on the same plane as the second upper surface 111B. In other words, the second upper surface 117B and the second upper surface 111B are aligned linearly.

[0066] The top surface 116A and the first top surface 117A support the maintenance mechanism 60 and guide the movement of the maintenance mechanism 60. The second top surface 117B is positioned so as to face the rack 154 of the maintenance mechanism 60. As shown in FIG. 5, openings 123 and 124 are formed in the second top surface 117B. The opening 124 is positioned forward of the opening 123. A portion of the gear 118 protrudes upward from the opening 123. A portion of the gear 119 protrudes upward from the opening 124. The gears 118 and 119 can mesh with the rack 154 located opposite them.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, gears 118, 119, and 120 are rotatably supported by main body 115 of second support mechanism 52. Gear 118 is composed of gears 118A and 118B arranged along left-right direction 9. Gear 118A and gear 118B are arranged coaxially with each other. Gear 118A rotates integrally with gear 118B. Gear 118A may have play in the rotational direction relative to gear 118B. Gear 119 is composed of gears 119A and 119B arranged along left-right direction 9. Gear 119A and gear 119B are arranged coaxially with each other. Gear 119A rotates integrally with gear 119B. Gear 119A may have play in the rotational direction relative to gear 119B. Gear 120 meshes with gears 118B and 119B. As a result, when gear 120 rotates, gears 118 and 119 rotate in the same direction. Gear 120 is connected to second motor 56 directly or via another gear, and receives driving force from second motor 56.

[0068] [Maintenance Organization 60] 7 to 9, the maintenance mechanism 60 includes a support 61, a sponge wiper 64, a rubber wiper 63, a cap 62, a cleaning tank 76, a waste liquid tank 77, a wiper flow path 175, a wiper pump 75, a cap flow path 177, and a cap pump 74. In the following description of the maintenance mechanism 60, it is assumed that the maintenance mechanism 60 is supported by the first support mechanism 51 and the second support mechanism 52 in the second rotation position.

[0069] [Support 61] The support body 61 has a base 61A, a main body 61B placed on the base 61A, and a wiper holder 61C that holds the sponge wiper 64 and the rubber wiper 63 on the main body 61B. The base 61A has a box-like shape that is open at the top. The base 61A includes a first bottom plate 121, a first edge plate 122 that extends upward from the periphery of the first bottom plate 121, an extension piece 125, and a rack 154.

[0070] The first bottom plate 121 has a flat plate shape that extends in the inclination direction 6 and the left-right direction 9. The upper and lower surfaces of the first bottom plate 121 are formed in a rectangular shape that is longer in the left-right direction 9 than in the inclination direction 6. The lower surface of the first bottom plate 121 can abut from above against an upper surface 110A of the standing wall 110 of the first support mechanism 51. The lower surface of the first bottom plate 121 can abut from above against a first upper surface 111A of the standing wall 111. This allows the maintenance mechanism 60 to be supported by the first support mechanism 51. The lower surface of the first bottom plate 121 can abut from above against an upper surface 116A of the standing wall 116 of the second support mechanism 52. The lower surface of the first bottom plate 121 can abut from above against a first upper surface 117A of the standing wall 117 of the second support mechanism 52. This allows the maintenance mechanism 60 to be supported by the second support mechanism 52.

[0071] The first edge plate 122 has a rectangular frame shape in a plan view. The extension piece 125 extends rightward from the lower end of the right wall of the first edge plate 122. The extension piece 125 extends from one end to the other end of the right wall of the first edge plate 122 in the inclination direction 6.

[0072] The rack 154 is formed on the lower surface of the extension piece 125. As shown in Fig. 9, the rack 154 extends from one end of the extension piece 125 in the inclination direction 6 to near the other end. The rack 154 can be opposed to the second upper surface 111B of the standing wall 111 of the first support mechanism 51 in the vertical direction (see Fig. 6).

[0073] The rack 154 can mesh with the gear 105A protruding from the opening 112 in the second upper surface 111B. When the gear 105A rotates while the rack 154 and the gear 105A are meshed with each other, the maintenance mechanism 60 slides along the upper surface 110A and the first upper surface 111A relative to the first support mechanism 51. In other words, the movement of the maintenance mechanism 60 is guided by the upper surface 110A and the first upper surface 111A of the first support mechanism 51.

[0074] The rack 154 can be opposed to the second upper surface 117B of the standing wall 117 of the second support mechanism 52 in the vertical direction. The rack 154 can mesh with a gear 118A protruding from an opening 123 in the second upper surface 117B and a gear 119A protruding from an opening 124 in the second upper surface 117B. When the gear 105A rotates while the rack 154 is meshed with at least one of the gears 118A and 119A, the maintenance mechanism 60 slides along the upper surface 116A and the first upper surface 117A relative to the second support mechanism 52. In other words, the movement of the maintenance mechanism 60 is guided by the upper surface 116A and the first upper surface 111A of the second support mechanism 52.

[0075] 2 and 10, a maintenance position shown in Fig. 13, and a wiping position shown in Fig. 14. The maintenance mechanism 60 in the maintenance position and the wiping position faces the lower surface 50 of the ejection module 49 of the head 38 in the up-down direction 7.

[0076] 8, the main body 61B has a generally box-like shape with an open top. The main body 61B is smaller than the base 61A. The main body 61B is fixed to the base 61A while being placed on the upper surface of the first bottom plate 121 of the base 61A. The main body 61B includes a second bottom plate 151 and a second edge plate 152 extending upward from the second bottom plate 151.

[0077] The second bottom plate 151 has a flat plate shape that extends in the tilt direction 6 and the left-right direction 9. The upper and lower surfaces of the second bottom plate 151 are formed into a rectangular shape that is longer in the left-right direction than in the tilt direction 6. The second edge plate 152 has a rectangular frame shape in a plan view. The second edge plate 152 has a first wall portion 152A, a second wall portion 152B, a third wall portion 152C, and a fourth wall portion 152D.

[0078] The first wall portion 152A extends along the left-right direction 9 from the edge of the second bottom plate 151 on the rearward inclined direction 4 side. The left end of the first wall portion 152A is located to the right and spaced apart from the left edge of the second bottom plate 151. The right end of the first wall portion 152A is located to the left and spaced apart from the right edge of the second bottom plate 151.

[0079] The second wall portion 152B extends along the left-right direction 9 from the edge of the second bottom plate 151 on the forward inclined direction 5. The left end of the second wall portion 152B is located to the right and spaced apart from the left edge of the second bottom plate 151. The right end of the second wall portion 152B is located to the left and spaced apart from the right edge of the second bottom plate 151. The third wall portion 152C connects the left end of the first wall portion 152A to the left end of the second wall portion 152B. The fourth wall portion 152D connects the right end of the first wall portion 152A to the right end of the second wall portion 152B.

[0080] The wiper holder 61C is a member that holds the three sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C and the three rubber wipers 63A, 63B, and 63C on the main body 61B. The wiper holder 61C is attached to the upper surface of the second bottom plate 151 of the main body 61B with the three sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C and the three rubber wipers 63A, 63B, and 63C attached.

[0081] [Sponge Wiper 64] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the sponge wiper 64 is supported on the upper surface of the second bottom plate 151 of the main body 61B. The sponge wiper 64 is formed of a sponge, which is a porous material that absorbs and retains liquid. In this embodiment, three sponge wipers 64 (64A, 64B, and 64C) are provided. The number of sponge wipers 64 is not limited to three and is set according to the number of ejection modules 49 of the head 38 described above. Hereinafter, the three sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C will be collectively referred to as sponge wipers 64. The sponge wiper 64 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape whose length in the left-right direction 9 is longer than its lengths in the inclined direction 6 and the up-down direction 7. The length of the sponge wiper 64 in the up-down direction 7 is longer than its length in the inclined direction 6.

[0082] The sponge wiper 64A corresponds to the discharge module 49A and can face the discharge module 49A in the up-down direction 7. The sponge wiper 64B corresponds to the discharge module 49B and can face the discharge module 49B in the up-down direction 7. The sponge wiper 64B is arranged to the left of and spaced apart from the sponge wiper 64A. The sponge wiper 64C corresponds to the discharge module 49C and can face the discharge module 49C in the up-down direction 7. The sponge wiper 64C is arranged in a forward-inclined direction 5 with a space between it and the sponge wipers 64A and 64B. The sponge wiper 64C is located between the sponge wipers 64A and 64B in the left-right direction 9.

[0083] [Rubber wiper 63] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the rubber wiper 63 is supported on the upper surface of the second bottom plate 151 of the main body 61B. The rubber wiper 63 is made of rubber, which is an elastic body that does not absorb or retain liquid. In this embodiment, three rubber wipers 63 (63A, 63B, 63C) are provided. Note that the number of rubber wipers 63 is not limited to three and is set according to the number of ejection modules 49 of the head 38 described above. Hereinafter, the three rubber wipers 63A, 63B, 63C will be collectively referred to as rubber wipers 63.

[0084] The rubber wiper 63 is formed in a flat plate shape extending in the up-down direction 7 and the left-right direction 9. The length of the rubber wiper 63 in the inclined direction 6 is shorter than the length of the sponge wiper 64 in the inclined direction 6. This makes the rubber wiper 63 more likely to bend when it comes into contact with the lower surface 50 of the discharge module 49 during the wiping process. The length of the rubber wiper 63 in the left-right direction 9 is slightly longer than the length of the sponge wiper 64 in the left-right direction 9.

[0085] The rubber wiper 63A corresponds to the discharge module 49A and can face the discharge module 49A in the up-down direction 7. The rubber wiper 63A is arranged on the upper surface of the second bottom plate 151 of the main body 61B at a distance from the sponge wiper 64A in the rearwardly inclined direction 4. Both ends of the rubber wiper 63A in the left-right direction 9 are positioned further outward in the left-right direction 9 than both ends of the sponge wiper 64A in the left-right direction 9. The height of the rubber wiper 63A is the same as the height of the sponge wiper 64A. The upper end of the rubber wiper 63A is tapered. This makes it easier for the upper end of the rubber wiper 63A to come into contact with the lower surface 50 of the discharge module 49A during wiping.

[0086] The rubber wiper 63B corresponds to the discharge module 49B and can face the discharge module 49B in the up-down direction 7. The rubber wiper 63B is arranged on the upper surface of the second bottom plate 151 of the main body 61B at a distance from the sponge wiper 64B in the rearwardly inclined direction 4. Both ends of the rubber wiper 63B in the left-right direction 9 are positioned further outward in the left-right direction 9 than both ends of the sponge wiper 64B in the left-right direction 9. The height of the rubber wiper 63B is the same as the height of the sponge wiper 64B. The upper end of the rubber wiper 63B is tapered. This makes it easier for the upper end of the rubber wiper 63B to come into contact with the lower surface 50 of the discharge module 49B during wiping.

[0087] The rubber wiper 63C corresponds to the discharge module 49C and can face the discharge module 49C in the up-down direction 7. The rubber wiper 63C is arranged on the upper surface of the second bottom plate 151 of the main body 61B at a distance from the sponge wiper 64C in the rearwardly inclined direction 4. Both ends of the rubber wiper 63C in the left-right direction 9 are positioned further outward in the left-right direction 9 than both ends of the sponge wiper 64C in the left-right direction 9. The height of the rubber wiper 63C is the same as the height of the sponge wiper 64C. The upper end of the rubber wiper 63C is tapered. This makes it easier for the upper end of the rubber wiper 63C to come into contact with the lower surface 50 of the discharge module 49C during wiping.

[0088] [Cap 62] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the cap 62 is supported on the upper surface of the second bottom plate 151 of the main body 61B. A plurality of caps 62 are provided. In this embodiment, the caps 62 are composed of three caps 62A, 62B, and 62C. The number of caps 62 is not limited to three and is set according to the number of ejection modules 49 of the head 38 described above. Hereinafter, the three caps 62A, 62B, and 62C will be collectively referred to as caps 62.

[0089] The cap 62 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or silicone, and has a box-like shape with an open top.

[0090] The cap 62A corresponds to the discharge module 49A and can face the discharge module 49A in the up-down direction 7. The cap 62A is disposed at a distance from the sponge wiper 64A in the forward tilt direction 5. A bottom plate 69 of the cap 62A is formed with an inlet through which the cleaning liquid flows into the cap 62A and an outlet through which the cleaning liquid L flows out of the cap 62A.

[0091] The cap 62B corresponds to the discharge module 49B and can face the discharge module 49B in the up-down direction 7. The cap 62B is disposed at a distance from the sponge wiper 64B in the forward tilt direction 5. A bottom plate 69 of the cap 62B is formed with an inlet through which the cleaning liquid L flows into the cap 62B and an outlet through which the cleaning liquid L flows out of the cap 62B.

[0092] The cap 62C corresponds to the discharge module 49C and can face the discharge module 49C in the up-down direction 7. The cap 62C is disposed at a distance from the sponge wiper 64C in the forward tilt direction 5. A bottom plate 69 of the cap 62C is formed with an inlet through which the cleaning liquid L flows into the cap 62C and an outlet through which the cleaning liquid L flows out of the cap 62C.

[0093] [Cleaning Tank 76] The cleaning tank 76 is disposed in the internal space 32A of the housing 30 (see FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 7, the cleaning tank 76 stores cleaning liquid L. The cleaning liquid L is used when cleaning the nozzles 38A of the head 38. The cleaning tank 76 is connected to a storage tank 307 through a tank communication passage 308. The storage tank 307 stores cleaning liquid L that replenishes the cleaning tank 76 with cleaning liquid L. A cleaning liquid supply valve 309 (an example of a second opening / closing valve) that opens and closes the tank communication passage 308 is disposed in the tank communication passage 308. The cleaning liquid supply valve 309 is connected to a second valve motor 402 (see FIG. 15) directly or via another gear or the like, and is provided with driving force from the second valve motor 402.

[0094] The cleaning tank 76 is provided with a remaining amount sensor 290 (an example of a sensor) for detecting the remaining amount of cleaning liquid L in the cleaning tank 76 (see FIG. 15). The remaining amount sensor 290 outputs an empty signal to the controller 130 when the liquid level of the cleaning liquid L in the cleaning tank 76 reaches a first predetermined position. The first predetermined position is set, for example, to the liquid level when the remaining amount of cleaning liquid L in the cleaning tank 76 is 20%. The remaining amount sensor 290 outputs a full signal (an example of a detection signal) to the controller 130 when the liquid level of the cleaning liquid L in the cleaning tank 76 reaches a second predetermined position (an example of a predetermined position). The second predetermined position is set, for example, to the liquid level when the amount of cleaning liquid L in the cleaning tank 76 is full. The remaining amount sensor 290 is not particularly limited as long as it can detect the liquid level of the cleaning liquid L at both the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position. For example, remaining amount sensor 290 may be provided with a prism whose light transmittance changes depending on whether it is in contact with cleaning liquid L or not, and when the level of cleaning liquid L reaches a first predetermined position, it may detect light that has passed through the prism that is no longer in contact with cleaning liquid L. Alternatively, remaining amount sensor 290 may be provided with a float whose position in the vertical direction changes depending on the position of the level of cleaning liquid L, and it may detect the float when the level of cleaning liquid L reaches a second predetermined position.

[0095] An atmosphere communication passage 301 that connects the inside of the cleaning tank 76 to the outside is connected to the cleaning tank 76. The atmosphere communication passage 301 connects to the outside via the ink chamber 34A of the ink tank 34. Specifically, the atmosphere communication passage 301 has a first atmosphere communication portion 301A that connects the cleaning tank 76 to the ink tank 34 and a second atmosphere communication portion 301B that connects the ink tank 34 to the atmosphere. One end of the first atmosphere communication portion 301A opens to the top wall 76B of the cleaning tank 76. The other end of the first atmosphere communication portion 301A opens to the top surface 34AA of the ink chamber 34A of the ink tank 34. One end of the second atmosphere communication portion 301B opens to the top surface 34AA of the ink chamber 34A at a position different from the other end of the first atmosphere communication portion 301A. The other end of the second atmosphere communication portion 301B opens to the atmosphere.

[0096] An atmosphere release valve 302 (an example of a first opening / closing valve) that opens and closes the first atmosphere communication part 301A is disposed in the first atmosphere communication part 301A. The atmosphere release valve 302 is connected to a first valve motor 303 (see FIG. 15) directly or via another gear, and is provided with a driving force from the first valve motor 303.

[0097] The first atmosphere communication part 301A is provided with a branch passage 304 that branches off from the atmosphere release side of the atmosphere release valve 302. The branch passage 304 is connected to the downstream end of a first waste liquid tube 177D (described later). A suction pump 305 that sucks air from inside the cleaning tank 76 through the first atmosphere communication part 301A is disposed in the branch passage 304. The air sucked by the suction pump 305 is discharged to the atmosphere through the first atmosphere communication part 301A, the branch passage 304, the first waste liquid tube 177D, and the waste liquid tank 77. The suction pump 305 is connected to a fourth pump motor 306 (see FIG. 15) directly or via another gear or the like, and is provided with driving force from the fourth pump motor 306.

[0098] [Waste Tank 77] The waste liquid tank 77 is disposed in the internal space 32A of the housing 30 (see FIG. 2). The waste liquid tank 77 is for storing the cleaning liquid L used to clean the nozzle 38A as waste liquid. The waste liquid tank 77 is open to the atmosphere.

[0099] [Wiper channel 175] The wiper flow path 175 is a flow path through which the cleaning liquid L circulates between the cleaning tank 76 and the sponge wiper 64. Specifically, the wiper flow path 175 has a first supply tube 175A, a flow path 175B, and a return tube 175C. The first supply tube 175A connects the cleaning tank 76 and the flow path 175B. One end of the first supply tube 175A has a supply port 175AA that opens into the cleaning tank 76. The other end of the first supply tube 175A is connected to an upstream end 175BA of the flow path 175B.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 7, the flow path 175B is formed in the main body 61B of the support 61. The flow path 175B is a recessed groove recessed downward from the upper surface of the second bottom plate 151 of the main body 61B. In a plan view, the flow path 175B has a continuous U-shape that extends in the left-right direction 9 and then makes a U-turn. On the flow path 175B, sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C are lined up in this order from the upstream side. In other words, the flow path 175B extends in series with the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C. The cleaning liquid L flowing through the flow path 175B comes into contact with the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C. In other words, the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C are supported on the upper surface of the second bottom plate 151 of the main body 61B so as to come into contact with the cleaning liquid L flowing through the flow path 175B.

[0101] The return tube 175C connects the flow path 175B and the cleaning tank 76. One end of the return tube 175C is connected to the downstream end 141C of the flow path 175B. The other end of the return tube 175C has a return port 175CC that opens into the cleaning tank 76. The return port 175CC of the return tube 175C is farther from the bottom surface 76A of the cleaning tank 76 than the supply port 175AA of the first supply tube 175A. In other words, the supply port 175AA of the first supply tube 175A is closer to the bottom surface 76A of the cleaning tank 76 than the return port 175CC of the return tube 175C.

[0102] [Wiper Pump 75] The wiper pump 75 is disposed in the wiper flow path 175. The wiper pump 75 circulates the cleaning liquid L between the cleaning tank 76 and the sponge wiper 64 through the wiper flow path 175. The wiper pump 75 has a supply pump 75A disposed in the first supply tube 175A and a return pump 75B disposed in the return tube 175C. The supply pump 75A and the return pump 75B are, for example, diaphragm pumps.

[0103] The supply pump 75A is connected to the second pump motor 401 (see FIG. 15) directly or via another gear, and receives driving force from the second pump motor 401. The supply pump 75A generates a pressure force that transfers the cleaning liquid L from the cleaning tank 76 toward the sponge wiper 64 through the first supply tube 175A and the flow path 175B. The pressure force is the pressure when the flow rate of the cleaning liquid L flowing through the wiper flow path 175 becomes constant by driving the supply pump 75A and the return pump 75B. The pressure force is measured by a pressure sensor (not shown) located downstream of the supply pump 75A in the first supply tube 175A. The pressure sensor outputs a signal corresponding to the measured pressure to the controller 130. The pressure force and drive of the supply pump 75A are controlled by the controller 130.

[0104] The return pump 75B is connected to the third pump motor 47 (see FIG. 15) directly or via another gear, and receives driving force from the third pump motor 47. The return pump 75B generates a suction pressure that transports the cleaning liquid L from the sponge wiper 64 through the flow path 175B and the return tube 175C toward the cleaning tank 76. The suction pressure is the pressure when the flow rate of the cleaning liquid L flowing through the wiper flow path 175 becomes constant by driving the supply pump 75A and the return pump 75B. The suction pressure is measured by a pressure sensor (not shown) located upstream of the return pump 75B in the return tube 175C. The pressure sensor outputs a signal corresponding to the measured pressure to the controller 130. The suction pressure of the return pump 75B is set to be equal to or greater than the pressure applied by the supply pump 75A. In other words, the pressure applied by the supply pump 75A is set to be equal to or less than the suction pressure of the return pump 75B. The suction pressure and drive of the return pump 75B are controlled by the controller 130.

[0105] [Cap Channel 177] The cap flow path 177 is a flow path that connects the cleaning tank 76 to the waste liquid tank 77 via the cap 62. Specifically, the cap flow path 177 has a second supply tube 177A, a third supply tube 177B, a fourth supply tube 177C, a first waste liquid tube 177D, a second waste liquid tube 177E, and a third waste liquid tube 177F.

[0106] The second supply tube 177A connects the cleaning tank 76 and the cap 62A. One end of the second supply tube 177A is connected to the inlet of the cap 62A. The other end of the second supply tube 177A is connected to the cleaning tank 76. A cap cleaning valve 72 is disposed in the second supply tube 177A. The cap cleaning valve 72 is located upstream of the branch point of the third supply tube 177B and the fourth supply tube 177C in the second supply tube 177A. The cap cleaning valve 72 is connected to a third valve motor 71 (see FIG. 15) directly or via another gear, and is provided with a driving force from the third valve motor 71. The opening and closing of the cap cleaning valve 72 is controlled by the controller 130.

[0107] The third supply tube 177B branches off from the second supply tube 177A and is connected to the inlet of the cap 62B. The fourth supply tube 177C branches off from the second supply tube 177A and is connected to the inlet of the cap 62C.

[0108] The first waste liquid tube 177D connects the cap 62A and the waste liquid tank 77. One end of the first waste liquid tube 177D is connected to the outlet of the cap 62A. The other end of the first waste liquid tube 177D is connected to the waste liquid tank 77.

[0109] The second waste liquid tube 177E joins the first waste liquid tube 177D from the cap 62B. One end of the second waste liquid tube 177E is connected to the outlet of the cap 62B. The other end of the second waste liquid tube 177E is connected to the first waste liquid tube 177D.

[0110] The third waste liquid tube 177F joins the first waste liquid tube 177D from the cap 62C. One end of the third waste liquid tube 177F is connected to the outlet of the cap 62C. The other end of the third waste liquid tube 177F is connected to the first waste liquid tube 177D.

[0111] [Cap Pump 74] The cap pump 74 is disposed in the cap flow path 177. The cap pump 74 discharges the cleaning liquid L from the cleaning tank 76 through the cap 62 to the waste liquid tank 77 via the cap flow path 177. The cap pump 74 is, for example, a tube pump. The cap pump 74 includes a first waste liquid pump 74A disposed in the first waste liquid tube 177D, a second waste liquid pump 74B disposed in the second waste liquid tube 177E, and a third waste liquid pump 74C disposed in the third waste liquid tube 177F. By driving the first waste liquid pump 74A, the second waste liquid pump 74B, and the third waste liquid pump 74C, the cleaning liquid L can be sucked evenly from the caps 62A, 62B, and 62C. Note that hereinafter, the first waste liquid pump 74A, the second waste liquid pump 74B, and the third waste liquid pump 74C are collectively referred to as the cap pump 74.

[0112] The first waste liquid pump 74A, the second waste liquid pump 74B, and the third waste liquid pump 74C are connected to the first pump motor 58 (see FIG. 15) via a plurality of gears, and receive driving force from the first pump motor 58.

[0113] The first waste liquid pump 74A generates a suction pressure that transfers the cleaning liquid L from the cleaning tank 76 through the second supply tube 177A and the first waste liquid tube 177D to the waste liquid tank 77 via the cap 62A. The suction pressure of the first waste liquid pump 74A is the pressure when the flow rate of the cleaning liquid L flowing through the cap flow path 177 becomes constant by driving the first waste liquid pump 74A, the second waste liquid pump 74B, and the third waste liquid pump 74C. The suction pressure of the first waste liquid pump 74A is measured by a pressure sensor (not shown) located upstream of the first waste liquid pump 74A in the first waste liquid tube 177D. The pressure sensor outputs a signal corresponding to the measured pressure to the controller 130. The suction pressure and drive of the first waste liquid pump 74A are controlled by the controller 130.

[0114] The second waste liquid pump 74B generates a suction pressure that transfers the cleaning liquid L from the cleaning tank 76 through the second supply tube 177A, the third supply tube 177B, the third waste liquid tube 177E, and the first waste liquid tube 177D to the waste liquid tank 77 via the cap 62B. The suction pressure of the second waste liquid pump 74B is the pressure when the flow rate of the cleaning liquid L flowing through the cap flow path 177 becomes constant by driving the first waste liquid pump 74A, the second waste liquid pump 74B, and the third waste liquid pump 74C. The suction pressure of the second waste liquid pump 74B is measured by a pressure sensor (not shown) located upstream of the second waste liquid pump 74B in the second waste liquid tube 177E. The pressure sensor outputs a signal corresponding to the measured pressure to the controller 130. The suction pressure and drive of the second waste liquid pump 74B are controlled by the controller 130.

[0115] The third waste liquid pump 74C generates a suction pressure that transfers the cleaning liquid L from the cleaning tank 76 through the second supply tube 177A, the fourth supply tube 177C, the fourth waste liquid tube 177F, and the first waste liquid tube 177D to the waste liquid tank 77 via the cap 62C. The suction pressure of the third waste liquid pump 74C is the pressure when the flow rate of the cleaning liquid L flowing through the cap flow path 177 becomes constant by driving the first waste liquid pump 74A, the second waste liquid pump 74B, and the third waste liquid pump 74C. The suction pressure of the third waste liquid pump 74C is measured by a pressure sensor (not shown) located upstream of the third waste liquid pump 74C in the third waste liquid tube 177F. The pressure sensor outputs a signal corresponding to the measured pressure to the controller 130. The suction pressure and drive of the third waste liquid pump 74C are controlled by the controller 130.

[0116] The suction pressures of the first waste liquid pump 74A, the second waste liquid pump 74B, and the third waste liquid pump 74C are set to a pressure higher than the suction pressure of the return pump 75B. In other words, the suction pressure of the return pump 75B is lower than the suction pressures of the first waste liquid pump 74A, the second waste liquid pump 74B, and the third waste liquid pump 74C.

[0117] [Controller 130] 15, the controller 130 includes a CPU 131, a ROM 132, a RAM 133, an EEPROM 134, and an ASIC 135, which are connected by an internal bus 137. The ROM 132 stores programs for controlling various operations of the CPU 131. The RAM 133 is used as a storage area for temporarily recording data, signals, etc. used when the CPU 131 executes the programs, or as a working area for data processing. The EEPROM 134 stores settings, flags, etc. that should be retained even after the power is turned off.

[0118] The ASIC 135 is connected to the conveying motor 53, the head motor 54, the first motor 55, the second motor 56, the first pump motor 58, the shaft motor 59, the first pump motor 58, the third pump motor 47, the second pump motor 401, the fourth pump motor 306, the first valve motor 303, the second valve motor 402, and the third valve motor 71. The ASIC 135 is capable of receiving a maintenance signal output from a cap sensor 501. The cap sensor 501 outputs a maintenance signal to the ASIC 135 when the maintenance mechanism 60 is in the maintenance position and the head 38 is in the capped position, i.e., when the cap 62 covers the nozzle 38A.

[0119] The ASIC 135 generates drive signals for rotating each motor and controls each motor based on these drive signals. Each motor rotates forward or reverse based on the drive signals from the ASIC 135. The controller 130 controls the drive of the transport motor 53 to rotate the holder 35, transport roller 36A, transport roller 40A, and drive roller 102. The controller 130 controls the drive of the head motor 54 to rotate the screw shaft 29A and move the head 38 in the up-down direction 7. The controller 130 controls the drive of the first motor 55 to rotate the gear 106 of the first support mechanism 51. The controller 130 controls the drive of the shaft motor 59 to rotate the first support mechanism 51. The controller 130 controls the drive of the second motor 56 to rotate the gear 120 of the second support mechanism 52.

[0120] The controller 130 controls the driving of the first pump motor 58 to drive the cap pump 74. The controller 130 controls the driving of the third pump motor 47 to drive the return pump 75B. The controller 130 controls the driving of the second pump motor 401 to drive the supply pump 75A. The controller 130 controls the driving of the fourth pump motor 306 to drive the suction pump 305. The controller 130 controls the driving of the first valve motor 303 to open and close the atmosphere release valve 302. The controller 130 controls the driving of the second valve motor 402 to drive the cleaning liquid supply valve 309. The controller 130 controls the driving of the third valve motor 71 to open and close the cap cleaning valve 72.

[0121] The controller 130 can receive a timing signal output from the timer 502. The timer 502 measures the elapsed time of the purging process, the immersion process, and the wiping process. The timer 502 outputs a timing signal corresponding to the elapsed time to the ASIC 135. The controller 130 may include the timer 502 built therein.

[0122] A piezoelectric element 57 is also connected to the ASIC 135. The piezoelectric element 57 is operated by being supplied with power by the controller 130 via a drive circuit (not shown). The controller 130 controls the supply of power to the piezoelectric element 57, causing ink droplets to be selectively ejected from the plurality of nozzles 38A.

[0123] [Movement of Maintenance Organization 60] The maintenance mechanism 60, while supported by the second support mechanism 52, can move to the standby position along the inclined direction 6 by sliding relative to the second support mechanism 52. In other words, the second support mechanism 52 can support the maintenance mechanism 60 located at the standby position.

[0124] 2, the maintenance mechanism 60 in the standby position is located forward (downstream in the conveying direction 8A) of the rotation tip 51A of the first support mechanism 51. In other words, the maintenance mechanism 60 in the standby position is located on the opposite side of the axis 109A of the first support mechanism 51 from the rotation tip 51A of the first support mechanism 51.

[0125] The maintenance mechanism 60 can be moved between a standby position and a maintenance position by being transferred between the second support mechanism 52 and the first support mechanism 51 at the second rotation position. The standby position is a position retracted from the maintenance position.

[0126] As shown in FIG. 2, the second support mechanism 52 supports the maintenance mechanism 60 in the standby position. As shown in FIG. 13, the first support mechanism 51 supports the maintenance mechanism 60 in the maintenance position. As shown in FIG. 11, when the maintenance mechanism 60 is transferred between the second support mechanism 52 and the first support mechanism 51 in the second rotation position, it is supported by both the first support mechanism 51 and the second support mechanism 52. On the other hand, the maintenance mechanism 60 cannot be transferred between the second support mechanism 52 and the first support mechanism 51 in the first rotation position. In other words, when the first support mechanism 51 is in the first rotation position, the maintenance mechanism 60 is not supported by both the first support mechanism 51 and the second support mechanism 52 simultaneously.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 2, the maintenance mechanism 60 in the standby position is supported by the second support mechanism 52. At this time, the rack 154 is engaged with both gears 118 and 119. In this state, when the second motor 56 (see FIG. 15) is driven and the gear 120 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 2, the gears 118 and 119 rotate clockwise in FIG. 2. As a result, the maintenance mechanism 60 in the standby position moves to the rearward tilt orientation 4.

[0128] As described above, when the first support mechanism 51 is in the second rotation position, the second support mechanism 52 The first upper surface 117A of the second support mechanism 52 is aligned with the first upper surface 111A of the first support mechanism 51 along the inclination direction 6, the second upper surface 117B of the second support mechanism 52 is aligned with the second upper surface 111B of the first support mechanism 51 along the inclination direction 6, and the upper surface 116A of the second support mechanism 52 is aligned with the upper surface 110A of the first support mechanism 51 along the inclination direction 6.

[0129] With the maintenance mechanism 60 supported only by the first support mechanism 51, the shaft motor 59 (see FIG. 15) is driven to rotate the first support mechanism 51 from the second rotation position to the first rotation position. As a result, the maintenance mechanism 60 is located at the maintenance position (see FIG. 13). The maintenance mechanism 60 at the maintenance position is located between the head 38 and the first support mechanism 51 at the first rotation position.

[0130] When the maintenance mechanism 60 moves from the maintenance position to the standby position, the reverse operation to the above is performed. That is, first, the shaft motor 59 (see FIG. 15) is driven to rotate the first support mechanism 51 from the first rotation position to the second rotation position (see FIG. 12). Next, the first motor 55 and the second motor 56 (see FIG. 15) are driven to rotate the gears 106 and 120 clockwise in FIG. 10, causing the gears 105, 118, and 119 to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 10. As a result, the maintenance mechanism 60 supported by the first support mechanism 51 in the second rotation position moves in the forward tilt direction 5 and reaches the standby position (see FIG. 10).

[0131] The maintenance mechanism 60 is supported by the first support mechanism 51 at the first pivot position and can slide relative to the first support mechanism 51 to move between a maintenance position (an example of the first position) and a wiping position (an example of the second position). The wiping position is a position forward of the maintenance position (toward the standby position). In other words, the first support mechanism 51 can support the maintenance mechanism 60 at the maintenance position, the wiping position, and a position between the maintenance position and the wiping position.

[0132] As shown in Fig. 13, the maintenance mechanism 60 at the maintenance position is supported by the first support mechanism 51. At this time, the rack 154 is engaged with the gear 105. In this state, when the first motor 55 is driven and the gear 106 rotates clockwise in Fig. 13, the gear 105 rotates counterclockwise in Fig. 13. As a result, the maintenance mechanism 60 at the maintenance position moves forward (downstream in the conveying direction 8A) along the front-rear direction 8 (conveying direction 8A) and reaches the wiping position (see Fig. 14).

[0133] In the process of the maintenance mechanism 60 moving from the maintenance position to the wiping position, the sponge wiper 64 and the rubber wiper 63 move while successively coming into contact with the lower surface 50 of the discharge module 49 of the head 38. In other words, the sponge wiper 64 and the rubber wiper 63 slide against the lower surface 50. As a result, the sponge wiper 64 and the rubber wiper 63 wipe the lower surface 50 of the discharge module 49.

[0134] When the maintenance mechanism 60 is at the wiping position, the first motor 55 is driven to rotate the gear 106 counterclockwise in Fig. 14, which causes the gear 105 to rotate clockwise in Fig. 14. As a result, the maintenance mechanism 60 at the wiping position moves backward (upstream in the conveying direction 8A) and reaches the maintenance position (see Fig. 13).

[0135] [Image recording processing] The process when an image is recorded on the sheet S (image recording process) will be described below.

[0136] When the image recording process is not being performed, the image recording device 100 is in a standby state. In the standby state, as shown in FIG. 13, the head 38 is located at the capped position, and the first support mechanism 51 is located at the first rotation position while supporting the maintenance mechanism 60. The maintenance mechanism 60 is in the maintenance position, and the cap 62 covers the nozzle 38A.

[0137] When the controller 130 receives a command to record an image on the sheet S from the operation panel 44 or an external device such as an information processing device connected to the image recording device 100 via a LAN or the like, it moves the maintenance mechanism 60 from the maintenance position to the standby position. More specifically, the controller 130 rotates the first support mechanism 51 from the first rotation position to the second rotation position (see FIG. 12), and then moves the maintenance mechanism 60 in the forward tilt direction 5, thereby moving the maintenance mechanism 60 to the standby position (see FIG. 10).

[0138] Next, the controller 130 rotates the first support mechanism 51 from the second rotation position to the first rotation position.

[0139] Next, the controller 130 moves the head 38 downward, thereby moving it from the capped position to the recording position (see FIG. 2). Then, conveyance of the sheet S begins, and ink is ejected from the nozzles 38A when the sheet S is positioned directly below the head 38. This causes an image to be recorded on the sheet S. The ink adhering to the sheet S is fixed to the sheet S by the heat of the heater 39 as the sheet passes through the heater 39. The sheet S is further conveyed, and after the image recorded thereon is checked by the CIS 25, it is cut to a predetermined size by the cutter unit 26 and discharged.

[0140] [Head 38 maintenance] The following describes maintenance of the head 38. Specifically, the following describes a purge process that sucks ink from the nozzles 38A, an immersion process that immerses the nozzles 38A of the ejection modules 49 in cleaning liquid L, and a wiping process that uses the sponge wiper 64 and rubber wiper 63 to wipe the lower surface 50 of the ejection modules 49 of the head 38.

[0141] When an image recording process is not being performed, the image recording device 100 is in a standby state. In the standby state, as shown in Fig. 13, the head 38 is located in the capped position, the first support mechanism 51 is located in the first rotation position while supporting the maintenance mechanism 60, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is located in the maintenance position. At this time, the cap 62 covers the nozzle 38A. Also, at this time, the atmosphere release valve 302 and the cleaning liquid supply valve 309 are closed.

[0142] When the controller 130 is in a standby state and receives an external command to perform maintenance on the head 38, or at a predetermined timing, the controller 130 performs the purging process, the immersion process, and the wiping process. The process performed when the controller 130 receives an external command to perform maintenance on the head 38 will be described below with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0143] First, the controller 130 determines whether the nozzle 38A is covered by the cap 62 based on a maintenance signal from the cap sensor 501 (step S1). If the controller 130 has not received a maintenance signal from the cap sensor 501 (NO), the controller 130 determines that the nozzle 38A is not covered by the cap 62, and waits until it receives a signal from the cap sensor 501. If the controller 130 has received a signal from the cap sensor 501 (YES), the controller 130 determines that the nozzle 38A is covered by the cap 62, and the process proceeds to step S2.

[0144] [Purge Process] In step S2, the purge process is started. Specifically, the controller 130 first drives the third valve motor 71 (see FIG. 15) in the forward rotation direction to close the cap cleaning valve 72. Next, in step S3, the controller 130 drives the first pump motor 58 (see FIG. 15) to drive the cap pump 74. This causes ink to be sucked from the nozzles 38A, and the ink is discharged from the space formed by the cap 62 and the lower surface 50 of the ejection module 49 through the first waste liquid tube 177D, the second waste liquid tube 177E, and the third waste liquid tube 177F to the waste liquid tank 77. At this time, because the cap cleaning valve 72 is closed, cleaning liquid is not supplied from the cleaning tank 76 to the caps 62A, 62B, and 62C through the second supply tube 177A, the third supply tube 177B, and the fourth supply tube 177C.

[0145] In step S4, controller 130 causes timer 502 to start timing. In step S5, controller 130 determines whether a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds) has elapsed based on the timing signal from timer 502. If controller 130 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO), it waits until the predetermined time has elapsed. If controller 130 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed (YES), it proceeds to step S6.

[0146] [Immersion treatment] In step S6, the controller 130 ends the purging process and starts the immersion process. Specifically, the controller 130 drives the third valve motor 71 in the reverse rotation direction to open the cap cleaning valve 72. As a result, the cleaning liquid L is supplied to the caps 62A, 62B, and 62C from the cleaning tank 76 through the second supply tube 177A, the third supply tube 177B, and the fourth supply tube 177C, and the nozzle 38A of the discharge module 49 is immersed in the cleaning liquid L.

[0147] In step S7, the controller 130 stops driving the first pump motor 58 and stops the cap pump 74. In step S8, the controller 130 causes the timer 502 to start timing. In step S9, the controller 130 determines whether a predetermined time (e.g., 30 seconds) has elapsed based on the timing signal from the timer 502. If the controller 130 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO), the controller 130 waits until the predetermined time has elapsed. As a result, the ink adhering to the nozzles 38A in the caps 62A, 62B, and 62C is dissolved in the cleaning liquid L. If the controller 130 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed (YES), the controller 130 proceeds to step S10. In step S10, the controller 130 drives the first pump motor 58 and drives the cap pump 74. As a result, the ink dissolved in the cleaning liquid L in the caps 62A, 62B, and 62C is discharged together with the cleaning liquid L into the waste liquid tank 77. In step S11, the controller 130 stops driving the first pump motor 58, stops the cap pump 74, and closes the cap cleaning valve 72. This ends the immersion process.

[0148] [Wiping process] In step S12, the controller 130 starts the wiping process. Specifically, the controller 130 first drives the head motor 54 (see FIG. 15) to rotate the screw shaft 29A in the forward direction. This causes the head 38 to move upward from the capped position to the wiped position. As a result, the cap 62 moves away from the lower surface 50 of the discharge module 49.

[0149] Next, in step S13, the controller 130 drives the second pump motor 401 and the third pump motor 47 (see FIG. 15) to drive the supply pump 75A and the return pump 75B. As a result, the cleaning liquid L is supplied from the cleaning tank 76 to the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C through the first supply tube 175A and the flow path 175B. As a result, the cleaning liquid L is sucked into the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C, and the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C become sufficiently saturated with the cleaning liquid L. Any cleaning liquid L not sucked into the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C is returned to the cleaning tank 76 through the return tube 175C.

[0150] In step S14, the controller 130 causes the timer 502 to start timing. In step S15, the controller 130 determines whether a predetermined time (e.g., 40 seconds) has elapsed based on the timing signal from the timer 502. If the controller 130 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO), it waits until the predetermined time has elapsed. If the controller 130 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed (YES), it proceeds to step S16.

[0151] In step S16, the controller 130 drives the first motor 55 (see FIG. 15) to rotate the gear 106 clockwise. As a result, the gears 105B and 105A rotate counterclockwise, and the maintenance mechanism 60 moves forward. In the process of the maintenance mechanism 60 moving from the maintenance position to the wiping position, the tips (upper ends) of the sponge wiper 64 and the rubber wiper 63 come into contact with the lower surface 50 of the discharge module 49 and slide relative to the lower surface 50. As a result, the lower surfaces 50 of the discharge modules 49A, 49B, and 49C are wiped by the sponge wiper 64 and the rubber wiper 63. As a result, foreign matter adhering to the lower surface 50 and the nozzles 38A opening in the lower surface 50 is removed.

[0152] In step S17, the controller 130 moves the head 38 upward from the wiped position indicated by the solid line in Fig. 14 to the upper retracted position indicated by the dashed line in Fig. 14. Specifically, the controller 130 rotates the screw shaft 29A in the forward direction by driving the head motor 54. As a result, the lower surface 50 of the discharge module 49A moves to the upper retracted position above the sponge wiper 64 and the rubber wiper 63.

[0153] In step S18, the controller 130 drives the first motor 55 to rotate the gear 106 counterclockwise, causing the gears 105B and 105A to rotate clockwise, and the maintenance mechanism 60 moves backward from the wiping position to the maintenance position.

[0154] In step S19, the controller 130 drives the first valve motor 303 (see FIG. 15) to open the atmosphere release valve 302. This opens the cleaning tank 76 to the atmosphere through the atmosphere communication passage 301. As a result, the cleaning liquid L flowing through the first supply tube 175A, the flow path 175B, and the return tube 175C, and the cleaning liquid L sucked into the sponge wiper 64, are returned to the cleaning tank 76 by the suction pressure of the return pump 75B. This allows the cleaning liquid L supplied to the sponge wiper 64 to be reused. At this time, the cleaning liquid refill valve 309 is closed, so the cleaning liquid L is not replenished from the storage tank 307 to the cleaning tank 76 through the tank communication passage 308.

[0155] Finally, in step S20, the controller 130 stops the second pump motor 401 and the third pump motor 47, and stops the supply pump 75A and the return pump 75B, thereby ending the wiping process.

[0156] [Cleaning fluid replenishment process] Next, a cleaning liquid supply process for supplying the cleaning liquid L from the storage tank 307 to the cleaning tank 76 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 17. The cleaning liquid supply process can be performed during the immersion process and the wiping process.

[0157] First, in step S21, the controller 130 determines whether the remaining amount of cleaning liquid L in the cleaning tank 76 is less than a predetermined amount based on the empty signal from the remaining amount sensor 290. If the controller 130 has not received an empty signal from the remaining amount sensor 290, it determines that the remaining amount of cleaning liquid L is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount (NO), and waits until it receives an empty signal from the remaining amount sensor 290. If the controller 130 receives an empty signal from the remaining amount sensor 290 (YES), it determines that the remaining amount of cleaning liquid L is less than a predetermined amount, and proceeds to step S22.

[0158] In step S22, the controller 130 drives the first valve motor 303 (see FIG. 15) to open the atmosphere release valve 302, and drives the second valve motor 402 (see FIG. 15) to open the cleaning liquid supply valve 309. In step S23, the controller 130 drives the fourth pump motor 306 (see FIG. 15) to drive the suction pump 305. This causes air in the cleaning tank 76 to be released to the atmosphere through the first atmosphere communicating part 301A, the branch passage 304, the first waste liquid tube 177D, and the waste liquid tank 77. As a result, a negative pressure is created in the cleaning tank 76, and this negative pressure causes the cleaning liquid L to be supplied from the storage tank 307 to the cleaning tank 76.

[0159] In step S24, the controller 130 causes the timer 502 to start timing. In step S25, the controller 130 determines whether the replenishment of the cleaning liquid L is complete based on whether a charge signal has been received from the remaining amount sensor 290. If the controller 130 has not received a charge signal from the remaining amount sensor 290 (NO), the controller 130 determines that the replenishment of the cleaning liquid L is not complete, and proceeds to step S26. If the controller 130 has received a charge signal from the remaining amount sensor 290 (YES), the controller 130 determines that the replenishment of the cleaning liquid L is complete, and proceeds to step S27.

[0160] In step S26, the controller 130 determines whether a predetermined time (e.g., 20 seconds) has elapsed based on the timing signal from the timer 502. If the controller 130 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO), the process returns to step S25. If the controller 130 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed (YES), the controller 130 determines that the cleaning liquid L in the storage tank 307 is empty, and the process proceeds to step S28.

[0161] In step S27, the controller 130 stops driving the first valve motor 303, the second valve motor 402, and the fourth pump motor 306, closes the atmosphere release valve 302 and the cleaning liquid supply valve 309, and stops the suction pump 305. This completes the cleaning liquid supply process.

[0162] In step S28, the controller 130 performs the same process as in step S27. That is, the controller 130 closes the atmosphere release valve 302 and the cleaning liquid supply valve 309, and stops the suction pump 305.

[0163] In step S29, the controller 130 displays on the operation panel 44 that the cleaning liquid L in the storage tank 307 is empty. This allows the operator to know that the cleaning liquid L in the storage tank 307 is empty.

[0164] [Effects of the first embodiment] In the image recording device 100, when the controller 130 drives the cap pumps 74 (first waste liquid pump 74A, second waste liquid pump 74B, third waste liquid pump 74C), cleaning liquid L is supplied from the cleaning tank 76 to the caps 62A, 62B, 62C through the second supply tube 177A, third supply tube 177B, and fourth supply tube 177C, so that the nozzles 38A can be cleaned with the cleaning liquid L supplied to the caps 62, 62B, 62C. Then, the cleaning liquid L that has cleaned the nozzles 38A in the caps 62, 62B, 62C is discharged into the waste liquid tank 77 through the first waste liquid tube 177D, second waste liquid tube 177E, and third waste liquid tube 177F. When the controller 130 drives the wiper pump 75 (supply pump 75A and return pump 75B), cleaning liquid L is supplied from the cleaning tank 76 to the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C through the first supply tube 175A and the flow path 175B, and the cleaning liquid L is sucked into the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C. This allows the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C to thoroughly clean the underside 50 of the discharge module 49. The cleaning liquid L supplied to the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C is returned to the cleaning tank 76 through the return tube 175C and is therefore repeatedly used. This reduces the amount of cleaning liquid L consumed compared to when both the cleaning liquid L supplied to the cap 62 and the cleaning liquid L supplied to the sponge wiper 64 are discharged into the waste liquid tank 77. This reduces the frequency with which the waste liquid tank 77 needs to be replaced.

[0165] In the image recording device 100, the flow paths 175B extend in series to the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C, and therefore a flow path 175B is not provided for each of the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C. This allows the support 61 to be made smaller.

[0166] In image recording device 100, supply port 175AA of first supply tube 175A is closer to bottom surface 76A of cleaning tank 76 than return port 175CC of return tube 175C. Therefore, even if the amount of cleaning liquid L stored in cleaning tank 76 decreases, cleaning liquid L easily flows into first supply tube 175A, making it easier to supply cleaning liquid L to sponge wiper 64.

[0167] In the image recording device 100, the suction pressure of the return pump 75B of the wiper pump 75 is smaller than the suction pressure of the cap pump 74, so the cleaning liquid L circulates more slowly through the wiper flow path 175 than when it flows through the cap flow path 177. This makes it difficult for the cleaning liquid L to overflow from the flow path 175B, and the cleaning liquid L supplied to the cap 62 can be quickly discharged into the waste liquid tank 77.

[0168] In the image recording device 100, the wiping process is performed after the immersion process. Therefore, the sponge wiper 64 cleans the nozzles 38A after they have been cleaned with the cleaning liquid L supplied to the cap 62, so that even if the cleaning liquid L supplied to the sponge wiper 64 is returned to the cleaning tank 76, ink is less likely to flow into the cleaning tank 76.

[0169] In image recording device 100, the pressure of supply pump 75A is equal to or less than the suction pressure of return pump 75B, so the flow rate of liquid flowing into flow path 175B through first supply tube 175A is equal to or less than the flow rate of liquid flowing from flow path 175B to return tube 175C. This makes it difficult for cleaning liquid L to overflow from flow path 175B.

[0170] In the image recording device 100, when the wiper pump 75 is driven with the atmosphere release valve 302 open, the air in the cleaning tank 76 is discharged to the outside through the first atmosphere communication part 301A, the atmosphere release valve 302, the ink tank 34, and the second atmosphere communication part 301B, so that no pressure is generated to circulate the cleaning liquid L between the cleaning tank 76 and the sponge wiper 64. Therefore, by driving the wiper pump 75, the cleaning liquid L in the wiper flow path 175 and the cleaning liquid L sucked into the sponge wiper 64 can be collected into the cleaning tank 76. Therefore, the image recording device 100 is more compact than when a cleaning liquid collection pump is provided separately from the wiper pump 75.

[0171] In the image recording device 100, one end of the first atmosphere communication portion 301A of the atmosphere communication passage 301 opens to the upper wall 76B of the cleaning tank 76, so that the cleaning liquid L in the cleaning tank 76 is unlikely to be discharged to the outside through the atmosphere communication passage 301.

[0172] In the image recording device 100, the second atmosphere communication section 301B, the other end of which in the atmosphere communication passage 301 opens to the atmosphere, is shared between the cleaning tank 76 and the ink tank 34, thereby reducing the size of the image recording device 100. The first atmosphere communication section 301A of the atmosphere communication passage 301 opens to the top surface of the ink chamber 34A of the ink tank 34, so that the cleaning liquid L in the cleaning tank 76 is prevented from flowing into the ink tank 34 through the first atmosphere communication section 301A.

[0173] In the image recording device 100, when the tank communication passage 308 is opened by the cleaning liquid supply valve 309, it becomes possible to supply cleaning liquid L from the storage tank 307 to the cleaning tank 76. On the other hand, when the wiper pump 75 is driven with the tank communication passage 308 closed by the cleaning liquid supply valve 309 and the atmosphere communication passage 301 opened by the atmosphere release valve 302, the cleaning liquid L in the wiper flow path 175 and the cleaning liquid L sucked into the sponge wiper 64 are collected in the cleaning tank 76, while the cleaning liquid L is prevented from being supplied from the storage tank 307 to the cleaning tank 76 through the tank communication passage 308.

[0174] In the image recording device 100, when the first atmosphere communication section 301A of the atmosphere communication passage 301 is opened by the atmosphere communication valve and the tank communication passage 308 is opened by the cleaning liquid supply valve 309, and the suction pump 305 is driven, a negative pressure is created inside the cleaning tank 76, and cleaning liquid L is supplied from the storage tank 307 to the cleaning tank 76 by this negative pressure.

[0175] In the image recording device 100, when the amount of cleaning liquid L in the cleaning tank 76 becomes full within a predetermined time after the start of replenishment of cleaning liquid L, the controller 130 receives a charge signal from the remaining amount sensor 290. Therefore, when the controller 130 does not receive a charge signal from the remaining amount sensor 290 within a predetermined time after the start of replenishment of cleaning liquid L, this means that the amount of cleaning liquid L in the cleaning tank 76 did not become full, and the controller 130 can determine that the cleaning liquid L in the storage tank 307 is empty. Therefore, a sensor for detecting the remaining amount of cleaning liquid L in the storage tank 307 is omitted, and the image recording device 100 is made smaller.

[0176] [Modification of the first embodiment] In the image recording device 100, the wiping process is performed after the immersion process, but it may also be started during the purging process or the immersion process. In this case, the series of processes from step S13 to step S15 of the wiping process may be started, for example, during step S3 of the purging process or during step S6 of the immersion process. In this case, step S12 of the wiping process and steps S16 to S20 of the wiping process are performed after the immersion process. In this way, the cleaning liquid L can be absorbed into the sponge wiper 64 while the purging process or the immersion process is being performed.

[0177] In the image recording device 100, the flow path 175B of the wiper flow path 175 extends in series to the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C, but for example, it may extend in parallel to the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C, or one flow path may be provided for each of the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C.

[0178] In the image recording device 100, the supply port 175AA of the first supply tube 175A is closer to the bottom surface 76A of the cleaning tank 76 than the return port 175CC of the return tube 175C, but the supply port 175AA and the return port 175CC may be the same distance from the bottom surface 76A of the cleaning tank 76, or the return port 175CC may be closer to the bottom surface 76A of the cleaning tank 76 than the supply port 175AA.

[0179] In the image recording apparatus 100, the suction pressure of the return pump 75B of the wiper pump 75 is lower than the suction pressure of the cap pump 74, but it may be equal to or higher than the suction pressure of the cap pump 74.

[0180] In the image recording apparatus 100, the pressure of the supply pump 75A is equal to or lower than the suction pressure of the return pump 75B, but it may be higher than the suction pressure of the return pump 75B.

[0181] In the image recording device 100, the sponge wipers 64 include three sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C, but the number of sponge wipers 64 is not limited to three as long as it corresponds to the number of discharge modules 49A. For example, the number of sponge wipers 64 may be four or more, or two or less.

[0182] In the image recording device 100, three rubber wipers 63A, 63B, and 63C are provided on the support body 61, but the number of rubber wipers 63 is not particularly limited as long as it corresponds to the number of discharge modules 49A. For example, the number of rubber wipers 63 may be four or more, or two or less. Also, the rubber wipers 63 may be omitted.

[0183] In the image recording device 100, the maintenance mechanism 60 moves from the maintenance position to the wiping position by moving forward, but it may also move from the maintenance position to the wiping position by moving backward. In this case, the sponge wiper 64 may be disposed behind the rubber wiper 63.

[0184] In the image recording device 100, during the wiping process, the sponge wiper 64 and the rubber wiper 63 move relative to the head 38 while the head 38 is in the wiped position, but the head 38 may also move relative to the sponge wiper 64 and the rubber wiper 63 while the positions of the sponge wiper 64 and the rubber wiper 63 are fixed.

[0185] [Second embodiment] Next, an image recording apparatus according to a second embodiment will be described. Elements in the second embodiment that correspond to those in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0186] In the image recording device of the first embodiment, the return pump 75B of the wiper pump 75 and the cap pump 74 are driven separately by the third pump motor 47 and the first pump motor 58, but in the image recording device of the second embodiment, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, the return pump 75B of the wiper pump 75 and the cap pump 74 are driven by a single fifth pump motor 601. In this case, the supply pump 75A is omitted.

[0187] The return pump 75B and the cap pump 74 are connected to the motor shaft 601A of the fifth pump motor 601 via a plurality of gears 701. The number of gears 701 that transmit drive from the fifth pump motor 601 to the return pump 75B is different from the number of gears 701 that transmit drive from the fifth pump motor 601 to the cap pump 74. In this embodiment, the number of gears 701 that transmit drive from the fifth pump motor 601 to the return pump 75B is four. The number of gears 701 that transmit drive from the fifth pump motor 601 to the cap pump 74 is three. As a result, drive forces in opposite directions are transmitted from the fifth pump motor 601 to the return pump 75B and the cap pump 74.

[0188] The return pump 75B and the cap pump 74 are configured so that their driving can be switched between forward and reverse rotation of the fifth pump motor 601.

[0189] The return pump 75B is a tube pump that runs idle when the fifth pump motor 601 rotates in the forward direction. Specifically, the return pump 75B includes a tube through which the cleaning liquid L flows, a rotor having a rotation shaft, and a roller. A gear 701 is connected to the rotor's rotation shaft 75BB. The roller revolves around the rotation shaft 75BB while pressing against the tube as the rotor rotates in one direction. This conveys the cleaning liquid L in the tube. When the rotor rotates in the other direction, the roller moves to an open position away from the tube and revolves around the rotation shaft 75BB in the open position. In other words, because the return pump 75B runs idle, the cleaning liquid L in the tube is not conveyed.

[0190] The cap pump 74 is a tube pump that runs idle when the fifth pump motor 601 rotates in the reverse direction. Specifically, the tube pump 74 includes a tube through which the cleaning liquid L flows, a rotor having a rotation shaft 74AA, and a roller. A gear 701 is connected to the rotation shaft 74AA of the rotor. The roller revolves around the rotation shaft 74AA while pressing against the tube as the rotor rotates in the other direction. This conveys the cleaning liquid L in the tube. When the rotor rotates in one direction, the roller moves to an open position away from the tube and revolves around the rotation shaft 74AA in the open position. In other words, because the cap pump 74 runs idle, the cleaning liquid L in the tube is not conveyed.

[0191] Specifically, when the fifth pump motor 601 is rotated in the forward direction, the return pump 75B runs idle and the cap pump 74 is driven. As a result, the cleaning liquid L is supplied from the cleaning tank 76 to the caps 62A, 62B, and 62C through the second supply tube 177A, the third supply tube 177B, and the fourth supply tube 177C. The cleaning liquid L supplied to the caps 62A, 62B, and 62C is discharged to the waste liquid tank 77 through the first waste liquid tube 177D, the second waste liquid tube 177E, and the third waste liquid tube 177F.

[0192] When the fifth pump motor 601 is rotated in the reverse direction, the cap pump 74 runs idle and the return pump 75B is driven. As a result, the cleaning liquid L is supplied from the cleaning tank 76 to the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C through the first supply tube 175A and the flow path 175B, and the cleaning liquid L is sucked into the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C. The cleaning liquid L that is not sucked into the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C is returned to the cleaning tank 76 through the return tube 175C.

[0193] The forward and reverse rotation of the fifth pump motor 601 is controlled by the controller 130 .

[0194] [Effects of the second embodiment] In the image recording apparatus of the second embodiment, the cap pump 74 and the return pump 75B are driven by a single fifth pump motor 601, and therefore the image recording apparatus of the second embodiment is made compact.

[0195] In the image recording apparatus of the second embodiment, the supply path of the cleaning liquid L can be switched between the cap 62 and the sponge wiper 64 simply by rotating the fifth pump motor 601 forward or backward.

[0196] In the image recording device of the second embodiment, the cap pump 74 is a tube pump that runs idly when the fifth pump motor 601 rotates in the reverse direction, and the return pump 75B is a tube pump that runs idly when the fifth pump motor 601 rotates in the forward direction, so that it is easy to switch the supply path of the cleaning liquid L between the cap 62 and the sponge wiper 64.

[0197] In the image recording device of the second embodiment, the number of gear trains that transmit drive from the fifth pump motor 601 to the return pump 75B is different from the number of gear trains that transmit drive from the fifth pump motor 601 to the cap pump 74, so the switching operation of the supply path of the cleaning liquid L between the cap 62 and the sponge wiper 64 can be performed with a simple structure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0198] 34 Ink tank 34A Ink chamber 34AA...Top surface 38...head 38A Nozzle 50...Bottom surface 61...Support 62···Cap 64···Sponge wiper 74···Cap pump 75···Wiper pump 75A supply pump 75B... Return pump 76 Cleaning tank 76A...Bottom 76B...Top wall 77 Waste liquid tank 100 Image recording device 130 Controller 175···Wiper passage 175AA... Supply port 175cc return port 177···Cap flow channel 301 Atmospheric communication passage 302 Atmospheric release valve 305···Suction pump 308 Tank connecting passage 601···5th pump motor 701 Gear L... cleaning solution

Claims

1. a head that ejects liquid from nozzles opened on a nozzle surface; a support that supports a cap and an absorbent wiper and is movable relative to the head; a cleaning tank in which a cleaning liquid is stored; a waste tank into which the cleaning liquid is discharged; a cap flow path that is connected from the cleaning tank to the waste liquid tank via the cap; a wiper flow path that circulates between the cleaning tank and the water-absorbent wiper; a cap pump that causes the cleaning liquid to flow from the cleaning tank to the waste liquid tank in the cap flow path; a wiper pump that circulates the washer fluid from the washer tank to the water-absorbent wiper in the wiper flow path; a control unit that controls driving of the cap pump and the wiper pump.

2. 2. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the wiper channel extends in series on the support member to the plurality of water-absorbent wipers.

3. the wiper flow path has a supply port and a return port that open to the cleaning tank; 3. The liquid ejection device according to claim 2, wherein the supply port is closer to the bottom surface of the cleaning tank than the return port.

4. 4. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the suction pressure of the wiper pump is lower than the suction pressure of the cap pump.

5. the support is movable to a first position where the cap abuts against the head to cover the nozzles, and a second position where the absorbent wiper abuts against the nozzle face; 5. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit drives the cap pump and then drives the wiper pump on condition that the support is in the first position.

6. the wiper pump includes a supply pump located upstream of the support body in the wiper flow path, and a return pump located downstream of the support body in the wiper flow path, 6. The liquid ejection device according to claim 2, wherein the pressure of the supply pump is equal to or less than the suction pressure of the return pump.

7. 6. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, further comprising a motor that drives the cap pump and the wiper pump.

8. The cap pump is driven by the forward rotation of the motor, 8. The liquid ejection device according to claim 7, wherein the wiper pump is driven by the rotation of the motor in the reverse direction.

9. the cap pump is a tube pump that runs idle when the motor rotates in the reverse direction, 9. The liquid discharge device according to claim 8, wherein the wiper pump is a tube pump that runs idle when the motor rotates in the forward direction.

10. 10. The liquid ejection device according to claim 9, wherein the number of gears that transmit drive from the motor to the wiper pump is different from the number of gears that transmit drive from the motor to the cap pump.

11. a first opening / closing valve for opening and closing an atmosphere communication passage that connects the inside and outside of the cleaning tank; 11. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit opens the atmosphere communication passage by the first opening / closing valve when driving the wiper pump.

12. The liquid ejection device according to claim 11, wherein the atmosphere communication passage is open to an upper wall of the cleaning tank.

13. the air communication passage communicates with the outside via an ink chamber of an ink tank that stores ink to be supplied to the head; 13. The liquid ejection device according to claim 12, wherein the atmosphere communication passage opens to an upper surface of the ink chamber.

14. a storage tank for storing the cleaning liquid; a second opening / closing valve for opening and closing a tank communication passage that communicates between the storage tank and the cleaning tank, The control unit 14. The liquid discharge device according to claim 11, wherein the wiper pump is driven in a state in which the tank communication passage is closed by the second opening / closing valve and the atmosphere communication passage is opened by the first opening / closing valve.

15. The cleaning tank further includes a suction pump that sucks air from the cleaning tank through the atmosphere communication passage, The control unit 15. The liquid discharge device according to claim 14, wherein the suction pump is driven in a state in which the atmosphere communication passage is opened by the first opening / closing valve and the tank communication passage is opened by the second opening / closing valve.

16. The cleaning device further includes a sensor for detecting the level of the cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning tank, The sensor outputs a detection signal to the control unit when the level of the cleaning liquid reaches a predetermined position, The liquid ejection device according to claim 15, wherein the control unit determines that the cleaning liquid in the storage tank is empty if the detection signal is not received from the sensor within a predetermined time after the second opening / closing valve opens the tank communication passage.

Images