Liquid dispensing device

Abstract

To provide a liquid discharge device configured to prevent an impregnating solution from scattering toward an enclosure and leaking out.SOLUTION: An image recording device comprises: a head 38 that discharges liquid; a sponge wiper 64; a support base 61 that supports the sponge wiper 64; a liquid passage 153 that extends along the sponge wiper 64, and opens upwardly at least in a portion thereof and through which an impregnating solution L flows; an impregnating solution tank 76 that stores the impregnating solution L; a return pump 75 that makes the impregnating solution L flow from the impregnating solution tank 76 to the liquid passage 153; a conveying motor 53 that moves the support base 61 to a standby position and a maintenance position; and a controller 130. The controller 130 locates the support base 61 at the maintenance position, drives the return pump 75 to make the impregnating solution L flow, executes wiping, and drives the return pump 75 to eject the impregnating solution L through the liquid passage 153, before moving the support base 61 from the maintenance position to the standby position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

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 inkjet printer described in Patent Document 1. The inkjet printer in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a wiping mechanism that removes ink from the nozzle surface of the ink head, and a wiper cleaning mechanism that can clean the wiper. The wiper rotates around a rotation axis and is immersed in wiper cleaning liquid to remove ink from the nozzle surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-198988 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The wiper cleaning mechanism of the inkjet printer in Patent Document 1 requires space within the housing to move the wiper relative to the cleaning liquid tank that stores the cleaning liquid. Furthermore, the movement of the wiper and the cleaning liquid tank can cause the cleaning liquid to splash or leak.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejection device in which cleaning liquid is less likely to splash onto or leak out of the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A liquid ejection device according to the present invention includes a head that ejects liquid from nozzles that open on a nozzle face, a water-absorbent wiper, a support base that supports the water-absorbent wiper, a liquid flow path that extends along the water-absorbent wiper on the support base and opens upward at least in a portion along the water-absorbent wiper to allow an impregnating liquid to flow, a tank that stores the impregnating liquid, a first pump that distributes the impregnating liquid from the tank to the liquid flow path, a drive unit that moves the support base between a standby position and a maintenance position where the water-absorbent wiper wipes the nozzle face, and a control unit. The control unit positions the support base at the maintenance position, drives the first pump to distribute the impregnating liquid through the liquid flow path, thereby performing the wiping, and drives the first pump to discharge the impregnating liquid from the liquid flow path before moving the support base from the maintenance position to the standby position.

[0007] With the above configuration, the impregnating liquid is discharged from the liquid flow path before the support base is moved from the maintenance position to the standby position, thereby preventing the impregnating liquid from leaking out of the liquid flow path due to the movement of the support base. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The liquid ejection device according to the present invention can prevent the cleaning liquid from spilling inside the housing. [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 an embodiment of the present invention. [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 posture, 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 position. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front view of the first support mechanism 51 and the maintenance mechanism 60 in the second position. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the maintenance mechanism 60. As shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the maintenance mechanism 60. As shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid flow path 153 of the support base 61 cut along a plane parallel to the flow direction of the liquid flow path 153. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the image recording device 100. As shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the II-II cross section of FIG. 1, and shows a state in which the head 38 is in the capped position, the first support mechanism 51 is in the first posture, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is in the maintenance position. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the II-II cross section of FIG. 1, and shows a state in which the head 38 is in the wiped position, the first support mechanism 51 is in the first posture, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is in the wiping position. [Figure 13] Figure 13 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 posture, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is in a position supported by the first support mechanism 51. [Figure 14] Figure 14 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 posture, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is in a position between the standby position and the maintenance position. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 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 posture, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is at the standby position. [Figure 16]FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1, showing a state in which the head 38 is at the recording position, the first support mechanism 51 is at the first posture, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is at the standby position. 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 shown in FIG. 1 records an image on a sheet S in the form of 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] As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 30 is divided from the outside into an internal space 31A inside the upper housing 31 and an internal space 32A inside the lower housing 32.

[0014] 2 and 3, upper housing 31 is rotatably supported by lower housing 32. Upper housing 31 is rotatable about rotation axis 15, which is provided at the lower rear end and extends in left-right direction 9, between a closed position shown in FIG. 2 and an open position shown in FIG. 3.

[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] 2, the internal spaces 31A, 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 portion 46, a second support mechanism 52, a CIS 25, a cutter unit 26, an ink tank 34, an impregnation liquid tank 76, a waste liquid tank 77, a maintenance mechanism 60, and a controller 130 (see FIG. 10). The controller 130 controls the operation of the image recording device 100.

[0018] The internal space 32A is provided with a partition wall 41. The partition wall 41 divides the rear lower part of the internal space 32A to define a seat accommodating space 32C. The seat accommodating space 32C is surrounded by the partition wall 41 and the lower housing 32.

[0019] The sheet storage space 32C accommodates a roll body 37. The roll body 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 axis of the core tube.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, a holder 35 extending in the left-right direction 9 is located in the sheet storage space 32C. When installed, the holder 35 supports the roll 37 so that the axis of the core tube of the roll 37 is aligned with the left-right direction 9 and the roll 37 is rotatable around the axis. The holder 35 rotates by receiving a driving force from a conveyance motor (an example of a drive unit, see FIG. 10) 53. As the holder 35 rotates, the roll 37 supported by the holder 35 also rotates.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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 that faces the outside of the lower housing 32. 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 vertical direction 7.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] The conveying rollers 36A, 40A are rotated by a driving force transmitted from a conveying motor 53 (see FIG. 10). 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 a conveying surface 43A of a conveying path 43 (described later). 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.

[0027] 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 partitioned by a guide member (not shown), a head 38, a conveying belt 101, a support portion 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 portion 46, and the heater 39 are positioned along the conveying path 43.

[0028] 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 that open in a nozzle surface 50 (see FIG. 4). 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.

[0029] The first support mechanism 51 is located below the conveying path 43 and downstream of the pair of conveying rollers 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 member 104. The conveying belt 101 supports the sheet S that has been conveyed by the pair of conveying rollers 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 member 104 is capable of supporting the maintenance mechanism 60. The configuration of the first support mechanism 51 will be described in detail later.

[0030] 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. The heat is transferred to the sheet S on the heat transfer plate via the heat transfer plate. The heat from the heater 39 is collected by a duct 145 located above the heater 39.

[0031] 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.

[0032] The support portion 46 is located below the conveying path 43. The support portion 46 is located downstream of the head 38 and the first support mechanism 51 in the conveying direction 8A. The heater 39 is located behind the support portion 46. The front portion of the support portion 46 faces the conveying roller 40A. The support portion 46 supports the sheet S conveyed in the conveying direction 8A by the conveying belt 101 of the first support mechanism 51.

[0033] The support part 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 part 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.

[0034] When the support portion 46 is in the lying position, the rotation tip 46B of the support portion 46 is located forward of the rotation base end 46A (downstream in the conveying direction 8A) relative to the rotation base end 46A. When the support portion 46 is in the lying position, the support portion 46 forms part of the conveying path 43 and is able to support the sheet S conveyed in the conveying direction 8A by the conveyor belt 101. When the support portion 46 is in the standing position, the rotation tip 46B of the support portion 46 is located higher than when the support portion 46 is in the lying position, and the maintenance mechanism 60 can be exposed to the outside. The shaft of the support portion 46 is provided at the rear end of the support portion 46 and extends in the left-right direction 9.

[0035] The second support mechanism 52 is located below the support portion 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 in the conveying direction 8A from the pair of conveying rollers 40. The CIS 25 can read an image on the printing surface of the sheet.

[0037] The cutter unit 26 is located above the conveying path 43 and downstream of the CIS 25 in the conveying direction 8A. The cutter unit 26 has a cutter 28 mounted on a cutter carriage 27. The sheet S located on the conveying path 43 is cut in the left-right direction 9 by the movement of the cutter 28.

[0038] The ink tank 34 stores ink. The ink is a liquid containing pigment, etc. The ink is supplied from the ink tank 34 to the head 38 through a tube (not shown).

[0039] The impregnation liquid tank 76 stores the impregnation liquid L. The impregnation liquid L is used to clean the nozzle surface 50 of the head 38. The impregnation liquid tank 76 is located below a second support mechanism 52, which will be described later. The impregnation liquid tank 76 is formed with an atmosphere communication passage 83 that connects an air layer formed in the tank with the outside. The impregnation liquid tank 76 has an impregnation liquid circulation valve (an example of a valve) 84 that opens and closes the atmosphere communication passage 83. The waste liquid tank 77 is a container from which the impregnation liquid L is discharged. Note that the impregnation liquid tank 76 and the waste liquid tank 77 are not shown in FIGS. 11 to 16.

[0040] 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. 11).

[0041] Maintenance of the head 38 includes a purging process, a cap cleaning process, and a wiping process. As shown in FIG. 11, the purging process is a process in which the nozzle surface 50 is covered with a cap 62 (described later) of the maintenance mechanism 60, and then ink is sucked from the nozzles 38A using a suction pump 74 (an example of a second pump). The cap cleaning process is a process in which the nozzle surface 50 of the head 38 is cleaned with an impregnating liquid L sent into the cap 62 while the nozzle surface 50 is covered with the cap 62. As shown in FIG. 12, the wiping process is a process in which the nozzle surface 50 (described later) of the head 38 is wiped using a sponge wiper (an example of an absorbent wiper) 64 (described later) of the maintenance mechanism 60. The configuration of the maintenance mechanism 60 will be described in detail later.

[0042] [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.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the dispensing 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 disposed so that its lower surface is positioned in the opening. This exposes the lower surface of each discharge module 49 downward. The discharge modules 49 are disposed 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. The nozzles 38A are open in a nozzle surface 50 of the ejection modules 49A, 49B, and 49C. The nozzle surface 50 is a surface that extends in the front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9. As described above, 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. Note that 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. 13 to 15, a capped position shown in FIG. 11, a wiping position shown by a solid line in FIG. 12, and an uncapped position shown by a dashed line in FIG. 12. 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 ejection 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 of the maintenance mechanism 60 wipes the nozzle surface 50 of the ejection module 49. The wiping position is a position above the capped position. The uncapped position is the position of the head 38 when the head 38 is completely separated from the maintenance mechanism 60. The uncapped position is a position above the wiping 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 is rotated by a driving force transmitted from a head motor 54 (see FIG. 10). Note that 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 member 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 member 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. 10 ), 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 member 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 nozzle surface 50 of the ejection 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 is rotated by a driving force transmitted from a shaft motor 59 (see FIG. 10). When the shaft 109A rotates, the support member 104 rotates around the shaft 109A. A rotation tip 51A of the first support mechanism 51 is located downstream of the shaft 109A in the conveying direction 8A.

[0053] The configuration for rotating support member 104 is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, lower housing 32 may have shaft 109A, and shaft 109A may fit into a hole provided in support member 104, causing support member 104 to rotate around shaft 109A. In this case, support member 104 has a virtual shaft.

[0054] The support member 104 can be changed between a first position (see Figure 2) parallel to the nozzle surface 50 of the ejection module 49 and a second position (see Figure 13) in which it is tilted from the first position around the axis 109A and the pivot tip 51A is positioned below the axis 109A.

[0055] 2, when the first support mechanism 51 is in the first 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 on the conveying path 43 forward to the support portion 46.

[0056] 2 and 13 to 15, when the first support mechanism 51 is in the second posture, 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.

[0057] 5 and 6, the support member 104 includes a main body 109 and standing walls 110 and 111. In the following description of the support member 104, it is assumed that the first support mechanism 51 is in the second 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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 support the maintenance mechanism 60 so that it can slide freely. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, 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.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, gears 105 and 106 are rotatably supported by a support member 104 of the first support mechanism 51. The gear 105 is composed of gears 105A and 105B arranged side by side in 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 105B meshes with the gear 106. The gear 106 is connected to the first motor 55 (see FIG. 10) directly or via another gear, and receives driving force from the first motor 55.

[0061] [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. It is placed there.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] When the first support mechanism 51 is in the second posture, 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. When the first support mechanism 51 is in the second posture, 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.

[0067] The top surface 116A and the first top surface 117A support the maintenance mechanism 60, allowing the maintenance mechanism 60 to slide freely. The second top surface 117B is located 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 located 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.

[0068] 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 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 120 is meshed with gears 118B and 119B. As a result, when gear 120 rotates, gears 118 and 119 rotate in the same direction. The gear 120 is connected to the second motor 56 (see FIG. 10) directly or via another gear, and receives driving force from the second motor 56.

[0069] [Maintenance Organization 60] 6 and 7, the maintenance mechanism 60 includes a support base 61 and a cap 62. 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 posture.

[0070] [Support stand 61] The support base 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 (see FIG. 8).

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] The rack 154 is formed on the lower surface of the extension piece 125. As shown in Fig. 8, 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).

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 2 and 15, the maintenance position shown in Fig. 11, and the wiping position shown in Fig. 12. The maintenance mechanism 60 in the maintenance position and the wiping position faces the nozzle surface 50 of the ejection module 49 of the head 38 in the up-down direction 7.

[0077] 7, 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, a second edge plate 152 standing upward from the second bottom plate 151, and a liquid flow path 153 that circulates the impregnating liquid L stored in the impregnating liquid tank 76.

[0078] 7 and 9, the second bottom plate 151 is flat and 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.

[0079] 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 first wall portion 152A is located higher than the second wall portion 152B when the support 61 is supported by the first support mechanism 51 in the second posture. The left end of the first wall portion 152A is located rightward and spaced apart from the left edge of the second bottom plate 151. The right end of the first wall portion 152A is located leftward and spaced apart from the right edge of the second bottom plate 151. Three through holes 155 are formed in the first wall portion 152A, penetrating in the inclined direction 6. The three through holes 155 are formed at equal intervals in the left-right direction 9. The three through holes 155 can be engaged with a first locking portion 194, a second locking portion 195, and a third locking portion 196 (described later) of the wiper holder 61C, respectively.

[0080] 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 second wall portion 152B is located lower than the first wall portion 152A when the support member 61 is supported by the first support mechanism 51 in the second posture. 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.

[0081] One end 156 of the liquid flow path 153 opens at a position lower than the water surface of the impregnation liquid L stored in the impregnation liquid tank 76. The other end 157 of the liquid flow path 153 opens at a position higher than the water surface of the impregnation liquid L stored in the impregnation liquid tank 76.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 9 , the liquid flow path 153 is formed on the upper surface of the second bottom plate 151. The liquid flow path 153 is a groove recessed downward from the upper surface of the second bottom plate 151 and opens upward. When the support member 104 is in the first position, the liquid flow path 153 opens upward, and when the support member 104 is in the second position, the liquid flow path 153 opens at an angle relative to the vertical direction 7. In a plan view, the liquid flow path 153 has a continuous U-shape that extends in the left-right direction 9 and then makes a U-turn. The liquid flow path 153 extends so as to connect in series the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C arranged on the groove. The liquid flow path 153 has a first flow path 153A, an intermediate flow path 153B, and a second flow path 153C.

[0083] The first flow path 153A is located on the upstream side of the liquid flow path 153 in the flow direction of the impregnation liquid L. The first flow path 153A is a portion extending in the left-right direction 9 on the front side of the main body 61B. A first inclined surface 172 is formed at the downstream end of the first flow path 153A, and the depth of the groove is inclined so that it becomes shallower toward the downstream side.

[0084] The intermediate flow path 153B is located downstream of the first flow path 153A in the flow direction of the impregnation liquid L. The intermediate flow path 153B is disposed on the left side of the main body 61B. More specifically, the intermediate flow path 153B extends in the forward oblique direction 5 from the downstream end of the first flow path 153A to the middle part of the main body 61b in the oblique direction 6. The intermediate flow path 153B is shallower than the first flow path 153A.

[0085] The second flow path 153C is located downstream in the direction of flow of the impregnation liquid L in the liquid flow path 153. The second flow path 153C has an upstream portion 153CA extending rightward from the downstream end of the intermediate flow path 153B, a connecting portion 153CB extending forward in the inclined direction 5 from the downstream end of the upstream portion 153CA, and a downstream portion 153CC extending rightward from the downstream end of the connecting portion 153CB. The upstream portion 153CA, the connecting portion 153CB, and the downstream portion 153CC are located approximately in the center of the main body 61B in the inclined direction 6. When the support base 61 is in the second posture, the upstream portion 153CA, the connecting portion 153CB, and the downstream portion 153CC are located lower in the up-down direction 7 than the first flow path 153A. The connecting portion 153CB has a second inclined surface 172A formed therein that is inclined so that the depth of the groove deepens downstream.

[0086] 9, an inlet 171 through which the impregnating liquid L flows into the first flow path 153A is opened on the inner wall surface of the recessed groove at the upstream end of the first flow path 153A. One end of a first supply tube 175 is connected to the inlet 171. The other end of the first supply tube 175 reaches the outside of the first support mechanism 51, is connected to the impregnating liquid tank 76, and opens at a position lower than the water surface of the impregnating liquid L stored in the impregnating liquid tank 76 (see FIG. 2).

[0087] An outlet 174 through which the impregnating liquid L flows out from the downstream portion 153CC is opened on the inner wall surface at the downstream end of the downstream portion 153CC of the second flow path 153C. One end of a return tube 176 is connected to the outlet 174, and the outlet 174 opens at a position higher than the water surface of the impregnating liquid L stored in the impregnating liquid tank 76 (see FIG. 2). The other end of the return tube 176 reaches the outside of the first support mechanism 51 and is connected to the impregnating liquid tank 76. A return pump 75 (an example of a first pump) is provided on the return tube 176 (see FIG. 2). The driving of the return pump 75 is controlled by the controller 130.

[0088] 7, the wiper holder 61C has a sponge wiper 64 and a rubber wiper 63. The sponge wiper 64 and the rubber wiper 63 are supported on the main body 61B by the wiper holder 61C.

[0089] [Sponge Wiper 64] The sponge wiper 64 is made of sponge. In this embodiment, three sponge wipers 64 (64A, 64B, 64C) are provided. Hereinafter, the three sponge wipers 64A, 64B, 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.

[0090] The sponge wiper 64A and the sponge wiper 64B are disposed in a first flow path 153A of the liquid flow path 153. The sponge wiper 64A is disposed upstream of the sponge wiper 64B. The sponge wiper 64C is disposed in a second flow path 153C of the liquid flow path 153.

[0091] Sponge wiper 64A, sponge wiper 64B, and sponge wiper 64C correspond to discharge module 49A, discharge module 49B, and discharge module 49C, respectively, in the up-down direction 7. Sponge wiper 64A and sponge wiper 64B are positioned at a distance from each other in the left-right direction 9. Sponge wiper 64C is positioned at a distance in the forward oblique direction 5 from sponge wipers 64A and 64B. Sponge wiper 64C is positioned midway between sponge wiper 64A and sponge wiper 64B in the left-right direction 9.

[0092] [Rubber wiper 63] The rubber wiper 63 is made of rubber. In this embodiment, three rubber wipers (63A, 63B, 63C) are provided. Hereinafter, the three rubber wipers 63A, 63B, 63C will also be collectively referred to as rubber wipers 63.

[0093] 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 it easier for the rubber wiper 63 to bend when it comes into contact with the nozzle 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. The length of the rubber wiper 63 from the support base 61 is longer than the length of the sponge wiper 64 from the support base 61. The rubber wiper 63 is positioned further outward in the left-right direction 9 than both ends of the sponge wiper 64 in the left-right direction 9. The upper end of the rubber wiper 63 is tapered. This makes it easier for the upper end of the rubber wiper 63 to come into contact with the nozzle surface 50 of the discharge module 49 during the wiping process.

[0094] The rubber wiper 63A and the rubber wiper 63B are disposed outside the first flow path 153A of the liquid flow path 153. The rubber wiper 63C is disposed outside the second flow path 153C of the liquid flow path 153.

[0095] Rubber wiper 63A, rubber wiper 63B, and rubber wiper 63C correspond to discharge module 49A, discharge module 49B, and discharge module 49C, respectively, in the up-down direction 7. Rubber wiper 63A, rubber wiper 63B, and rubber wiper 63C are arranged on support base 61 at intervals in the rearward inclined direction 4 from sponge wiper 64A, sponge wiper 64B, and sponge wiper 64C, respectively.

[0096] [Cap 62] As shown in Fig. 7, the cap 62 is supported by a support base 61. 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.

[0097] The cap 62 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or silicone, and has a box-like shape with an open top.

[0098] 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 (not shown) through which the impregnating liquid L flows into the cap 62A and an outlet through which the impregnating liquid L flows out of the cap 62A. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, one end of a second supply tube 177 is connected to the inlet. The other end of the second supply tube 177 extends outside the maintenance mechanism 60 and is connected to the impregnating liquid tank 76. One end of a first waste liquid tube 178 is connected to the outlet 69A. The other end of the first waste liquid tube 178 extends outside the maintenance mechanism 60 and is connected to the waste liquid tank 77.

[0099] 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 (not shown) through which the impregnating liquid L flows into the cap 62B and an outlet 69B through which the impregnating liquid L flows out of the cap 62B. One end of a third supply tube 179 branched from the second supply tube 177 is connected to the inlet. One end of a second waste liquid tube 180 is connected to the outlet 69B. The other end of the second waste liquid tube 180 joins with the first waste liquid tube 178 outside the maintenance mechanism 60.

[0100] 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 a forward tilting direction 5. A bottom plate 69 of the cap 62C is formed with an inlet (not shown) through which the impregnating liquid L flows into the cap 62C and an outlet 69C through which the impregnating liquid L flows out of the cap 62C. One end of a fourth supply tube 201 branched from the second supply tube 177 is connected to the inlet. One end of a third waste liquid tube 202 is connected to the outlet 69C. The other end of the third waste liquid tube 202 joins with the first waste liquid tube 178 outside the maintenance mechanism 60.

[0101] A cap cleaning valve 72 (see FIG. 10) is provided in the second supply tube 177 upstream of the branch point of the third supply tube 179 and the fourth supply tube 201. The cap cleaning valve 72 opens and closes the flow path of the second supply tube 177. The opening and closing of the cap cleaning valve 72 is controlled by the controller 130.

[0102] A suction pump 74 (see FIG. 2) is provided in the first waste liquid tube 178 downstream of the junction of the second waste liquid tube 180 and the third waste liquid tube 202. The driving of the suction pump 74 is controlled by the controller 130. Note that the suction pump 74 may be provided in each of the first waste liquid tube 178, the second waste liquid tube 180, and the third waste liquid tube 202.

[0103] [Controller 130] 10, 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.

[0104] The ASIC 135 is connected to the transport motor 53 , the head motor 54 , the first motor 55 , the second motor 56 , the return pump motor 47 , the suction pump motor 58 , the shaft motor 59 , the valve motor 71 , and the valve motor 73 .

[0105] 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 second motor 56 to rotate the gear 120 of the second support mechanism 52. The controller 130 controls the drive of the suction pump motor 58 to drive the suction pump 74. The controller 130 controls the drive of the valve motor 71 to open and close the cap cleaning valve 72. The controller 130 controls the driving of the valve motor 73 to open and close the impregnating liquid flow valve 84. The controller 130 controls the driving of the shaft motor 59 to rotate the first support mechanism 51. The controller 130 controls the driving of the return pump motor 47 to drive the return pump 75.

[0106] A piezoelectric element (not shown) is connected to the ASIC 135, and is operated by receiving power from the controller 130 via a drive circuit (not shown). The controller 130 controls the power supply to the piezoelectric element, and causes ink droplets to be selectively ejected from the plurality of nozzles 38A.

[0107] The operation of the maintenance mechanism 60 to supply and discharge the impregnating liquid L to the liquid flow path 153 will be described below, along with the operations of the maintenance mechanism 60, the first support mechanism 51, and the head 38. The supply and discharge of the impregnating liquid L to the liquid flow path 153 is performed together with the purging process, the immersion process, the wiping process, and the image recording process.

[0108] [Purging and soaking treatment] 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. 11, the head 38 is in the capped position, the first support mechanism 51 is in the first posture while supporting the maintenance mechanism 60, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is in the maintenance position. At this time, the cap 62 covers the nozzle surface 50.

[0109] When the image recording device 100 is in a standby state, the controller 130 executes a purge process at a predetermined timing or when an external command is received. The following describes the process when the controller 130 receives an external command to execute a purge process when the image recording device 100 is in a standby state.

[0110] In the purging process, the controller 130 drives the suction pump 74 with the cap cleaning valve 72 closed. This causes the ink in the nozzle 38A to be sucked out, and the ink is discharged from the space formed by the cap 62 and the nozzle surface 50 of the ejection module 49 through the first waste liquid tube 178, the second waste liquid tube 180, and the third waste liquid tube 202 into the waste liquid tank 77. At this time, because the cap cleaning valve 72 is closed, the impregnating liquid L is not supplied from the impregnating liquid tank 76 to the caps 62A, 62B, and 62C through the second supply tube 177, the third supply tube 179, and the fourth supply tube 201.

[0111] The controller 130 executes the immersion process at a predetermined timing or when an external command is received. The following describes the process when the controller 130 executes the immersion process after the purging process is performed when the image recording device 100 is in a standby state.

[0112] In the immersion process, the controller 130 drives the suction pump 74 with the cap cleaning valve 72 open. As a result, the impregnating liquid L is supplied from the impregnating liquid tank 76 to the caps 62A, 62B, and 62C through the second supply tube 177, the third supply tube 179, and the fourth supply tube 201, and the nozzle surface 50 of the ejection module 49 is immersed in the impregnating liquid L. As a result, the ink adhering to the nozzle surface 50 is dissolved in the impregnating liquid L and is discharged together with the impregnating liquid L into the waste liquid tank 77.

[0113] When the immersion process is completed, the controller 130 moves the head 38 to the uncap position and separates it from the maintenance mechanism 60 at the maintenance position. However, before this, the controller 130 drives the impregnating liquid distribution valve 84 to close the atmosphere communication passage 83 and drives the return pump 75. As a result, the impregnating liquid L is supplied from the impregnating liquid tank 76 to the support base 61 through the first supply tube 175. The impregnating liquid L supplied to the support base 61 flows into the first flow path 153A of the liquid flow path 153 through the inlet 171. The impregnating liquid L that has flowed into the first flow path 153A flows sequentially through the intermediate flow path 153B and the second flow path 153C and is discharged from the outlet 174. At this time, the impregnating liquid L impregnates the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C, and the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C become sufficiently saturated with the impregnating liquid L.

[0114] The controller 130 drives the impregnating liquid circulation valve 84 to open the atmosphere communication passage 83 and also drives the return pump 75. As a result, the impregnating liquid L discharged from the outlet 174 is returned to the impregnating liquid tank 76 through the return tube 176.

[0115] [Wiping process] The controller 130 executes the wiping process, which will be described below.

[0116] The controller 130 moves the head 38 downward from the uncapped position shown by the dashed line to the wiped position shown by the solid line in Figure 12. This separates the cap 62 from the nozzle face 50 of the ejection module 49.

[0117] The controller 130 moves the maintenance mechanism 60 from the maintenance position to the wiping position. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, 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. 11, the gear 105 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 11. 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. 12).

[0118] In the process of the maintenance mechanism 60 moving from the maintenance position to the wiping position, the tip portions (upper ends) of the sponge wiper 64 and the rubber wiper 63 slide relative to the nozzle surface 50 while contacting the nozzle surface 50 of the discharge module 49. Specifically, the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C and the rubber wipers 63A, 63B, and 63C slide in contact with the nozzle surfaces 50 of the discharge modules 49A, 49B, and 49C. This wipes the nozzle surfaces 50 of the discharge modules 49A, 49B, and 49C. As a result, foreign matter and the like are removed from the nozzle surfaces 50 and the nozzles 38A opening in the nozzle surface 50.

[0119] When the maintenance mechanism 60 is at the wiping position, the first motor 55 is driven to rotate the gear 106 counterclockwise in Fig. 12, which causes the gear 105 to rotate clockwise in Fig. 12. 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. 11).

[0120] The controller 130 drives the axial motor 59 to change the position of the first support mechanism 51 from the first position to the second position, causing the impregnating liquid L in the liquid flow path 153 to flow from the first flow path 153A to the second flow path 153C and accumulate in the second flow path 153C.

[0121] The controller 130 drives the impregnating liquid circulation valve 84 to open the atmosphere communication passage 83 and also drives the return pump 75. As a result, the impregnating liquid L stored in the second flow path 153C is discharged from the outlet 174 through the return tube 176 to the impregnating liquid tank 76.

[0122] [Movement of Maintenance Organization 60] 13 to 15, the maintenance mechanism 60, while supported by the first support mechanism 51 and the second support mechanism 52, can move to a standby position along the inclined direction 6 by sliding relative to the first support mechanism 51 and the second support mechanism 52 in the second posture. In other words, the first support mechanism 51 and the second support mechanism 52 can support the maintenance mechanism 60 at the maintenance position, the standby position, and between these positions.

[0123] Specifically, the controller 130 first drives the first motor 55. This causes the gear 106 to rotate clockwise in FIG. 13, causing the gear 105 to rotate counterclockwise, and the maintenance mechanism 60 at the maintenance position moves in the forward tilt direction 5 and is transferred onto the second support mechanism 52 (see FIG. 14).

[0124] The controller 130 drives the second motor 56. As a result, the gear 120 rotates clockwise in FIG. 14, and therefore the gears 118 and 119 rotate counterclockwise, and the maintenance mechanism 60, which has slid from the first support mechanism 51, reaches the standby position on the second support mechanism 52 (see FIG. 15).

[0125] [Image recording processing] The process when an image is recorded on the sheet S (image recording process) will be described below.

[0126] When the controller 130 receives a command to record an image on the sheet S from an external device such as the operation panel 44 or 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 as described above.

[0127] The controller 130 drives the shaft motor 59 to change the position of the first support mechanism 51 from the second position to the first position.

[0128] Next, the controller 130 moves the head 38 downward, thereby moving it from the capped position to the recording position (see FIG. 16). 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 heat from the heater 39. The conveyed sheet S is then checked for the recorded image by the CIS 25, and then cut to a predetermined size by the cutter unit 26 and discharged.

[0129] After the image recording process on the sheet S, when the maintenance mechanism 60 moves to the maintenance position, the above-mentioned steps are performed in reverse.

[0130] Specifically, first, the controller 130 drives the axial motor 59 to change the position of the first support mechanism 51 from the first position to the second position (see FIG. 15). At this time, the maintenance mechanism 60 is supported by the second support mechanism 52, and the rack 154 is engaged with both gears 118 and 119. In this state, when the second motor 56 (see FIG. 10) is driven and the gear 120 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 15, the gears 118 and 119 rotate clockwise in FIG. 15. As a result, the maintenance mechanism 60 in the standby position moves to the rearward tilt orientation 4 (see FIG. 14).

[0131] The controller 130 drives the first motor 55. As a result, the gear 106 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 14, and the gear 105 rotates clockwise, and the maintenance mechanism 60, which has slid from the second support mechanism 52, reaches above the first support mechanism 51 (see FIG. 13).

[0132] With the maintenance mechanism 60 supported by the first support mechanism 51, the shaft motor 59 (see FIG. 10) is driven to rotate the first support mechanism 51 from the second position to the first position. Then, the head 38 is moved from the wiped position to the capped position. As a result, the maintenance mechanism 60 is positioned at the maintenance position (see FIG. 11). The maintenance mechanism 60 at the maintenance position is located between the head 38 and the first support mechanism 51 in the first position.

[0133] [Effects of the embodiment] Before the support base 61 is moved from the maintenance position where the sponge wiper 64 wipes the nozzle surface 50 to the standby position, the return pump 75 is driven to discharge the impregnating liquid L from the liquid flow path 153. This makes it possible to prevent the impregnating liquid L from leaking out of the liquid flow path 153 when the support base 61 moves.

[0134] When the support base 61 is moved from the maintenance position to the standby position, the return pump 75 is driven to discharge the impregnating liquid L from the liquid flow path 153, thereby allowing the impregnating liquid L in the liquid flow path 153 to be discharged after a certain period of time. This makes it possible to prevent the impregnating liquid L from remaining in the liquid flow path 153.

[0135] By opening and closing the impregnating liquid circulation valve 84 to connect the impregnating liquid tank 76 to the outside or to close it from the outside, it is possible to switch between circulating the impregnating liquid L between the impregnating liquid tank 76 and the liquid flow path 153 and discharging the impregnating liquid L from the liquid flow path 153 to the impregnating liquid tank 76.

[0136] A plurality of sponge wipers 64 can be connected in series by a single liquid flow path 153, and the impregnating liquid L can be supplied to a plurality of sponge wipers 64 at once.

[0137] By setting the posture of the support base 61 to the second posture by the first support mechanism 51, the support base 61 can be slid in the inclined direction.

[0138] The first support mechanism 51 is changed to the second position to discharge the impregnating liquid L from the liquid flow path 153 of the support base 61 in an inclined state, thereby preventing the impregnating liquid L from leaking out from the liquid flow path 153 when the support base 61 moves in an inclined state.

[0139] By placing the first support mechanism 51 in the second posture, the second flow path 153C of the support base 61 is positioned lower than the first flow path 153A, and therefore the impregnating liquid L in the liquid flow path 153 flows from the first flow path 153A to the second flow path 153C. As the impregnating liquid L accumulates in the second flow path 153C, the impregnating liquid L is discharged to the impregnating liquid tank 76 by the return pump 75 located in the second flow path 153C without remaining.

[0140] Since the impregnating liquid L is supplied to the sponge wiper 64 before the support base 61 moves to the uncap position, it is possible to ensure sufficient time for the sponge wiper 64 to be immersed in the impregnating liquid L. This ensures that the sponge wiper 64 is immersed in the impregnating liquid L before wiping the nozzle surface 50. Furthermore, in the purging process, the impregnating liquid L is supplied before the support base 61 moves to the uncap position, so that the sponge wiper 64 is immersed in the impregnating liquid L reliably.

[0141] [Variations] In the image recording device 100, the liquid flow path 153 is formed in a U-shape that extends in the left-right direction 9 and makes a U-turn, but the shape is not limited to a U-shape as long as the impregnating liquid L flowing through the liquid flow path 153 can come into contact with the sponge wiper 64. The liquid flow path 153 may be formed, for example, in a straight line that extends in the left-right direction 9.

[0142] 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.

[0143] In the image recording device 100, three rubber wipers 63A, 63B, and 63C are provided on the support base 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. Furthermore, the rubber wipers 63 may be omitted.

[0144] 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.

[0145] 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.

[0146] In the image recording device 100, the maintenance mechanism 60 is supported by the first support mechanism 51 and the second support mechanism 52, and when the maintenance mechanism 60 moves between the maintenance position and the standby position, the case has been described as an example in which the maintenance mechanism 60 is handed over between the first support mechanism 51 and the second support mechanism 52, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The first support mechanism 51 and the second support mechanism 52 may be formed integrally and be capable of changing their positions between the first position and the second position, and the maintenance mechanism 60 may be supported thereby. [Explanation of symbols]

[0147] 38...head 38A Nozzle 50 Nozzle surface 51 First support mechanism (support member) 53 Transport motor (drive unit) 61...Support stand 62···Cap 64···Sponge wiper (water-absorbent wiper) 74 Suction pump (second pump) 75 Return pump (first pump) 76 Impregnation liquid tank (tank) 77 Waste liquid tank 100 Image recording device (liquid ejection device) 130 Controller (control unit) 83. Air communication passage 84 Impregnation liquid flow valve (valve) 153 Liquid flow path 153A···First flow path 153C Second flow path 178···First waste liquid tube (waste liquid flow path) L...Impregnation liquid

Claims

1. a head that ejects liquid from nozzles that open on a nozzle surface; an absorbent wiper; a support base for supporting the water-absorbent wiper; a liquid flow path extending along the absorbent wiper on the support base and opening upward at least in a portion along the absorbent wiper, through which the impregnating liquid flows; a tank for storing the impregnation liquid; a first pump that causes the impregnation liquid to flow from the tank to the liquid flow path; a drive unit that moves the support base between a standby position and a maintenance position where the water-absorbent wiper wipes the nozzle surface; a control unit; and The control unit positioning the support base at the maintenance position, driving the first pump to circulate the impregnating liquid through the liquid flow path, and performing the wiping; before moving the support base from the maintenance position to the standby position, driving the first pump to discharge the impregnating liquid from the liquid flow path; The liquid discharge device moves the support base from the maintenance position to the standby position, and drives the first pump to discharge the impregnating liquid from the liquid flow path.

2. a valve for opening and closing an atmosphere communication passage that connects the tank with the outside, the liquid flow path is a flow path for circulating the impregnation liquid to the tank, The control unit 2. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the valve is opened when the impregnating liquid is discharged from the liquid flow path to the tank, and the valve is closed when the impregnating liquid is supplied from the tank to the liquid flow path.

3. A head that ejects liquid from nozzles that open on a nozzle surface; an absorbent wiper; a support base for supporting the water-absorbent wiper; a liquid flow path extending along the absorbent wiper on the support base and opening upward at least in a portion along the absorbent wiper, through which the impregnating liquid flows; a tank for storing the impregnation liquid; a first pump that causes the impregnation liquid to flow from the tank to the liquid flow path; a drive unit that moves the support base between a standby position and a maintenance position where the water-absorbent wiper wipes the nozzle surface; a valve for opening and closing an atmosphere communication passage that connects the tank with the outside; a control unit; and the liquid flow path is a flow path for circulating the impregnation liquid to the tank, The control unit positioning the support stand at the maintenance position, closing the valve, and driving the first pump to circulate the impregnating liquid through the liquid flow path, thereby performing the wiping; a liquid discharge device that opens the valve and drives the first pump to discharge the impregnating liquid from the liquid flow path to the tank before moving the support base from the maintenance position to the standby position;

4. The apparatus further includes a support member that slidably supports the support base, 4. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the support member changes its position between a first position in which the opening of the liquid flow path faces upward and a second position in which the opening of the liquid flow path is inclined relative to the vertical direction.

5. A head that ejects liquid from nozzles that open on a nozzle surface; an absorbent wiper; a support base for supporting the water-absorbent wiper; a liquid flow path extending along the absorbent wiper on the support base and opening upward at least in a portion along the absorbent wiper, through which the impregnating liquid flows; a tank for storing the impregnation liquid; a first pump that causes the impregnation liquid to flow from the tank to the liquid flow path; a drive unit that moves the support base between a standby position and a maintenance position where the water-absorbent wiper wipes the nozzle surface; a support member that slidably supports the support base; a control unit; and The control unit positioning the support base at the maintenance position, driving the first pump to circulate the impregnating liquid through the liquid flow path, and performing the wiping; before moving the support base from the maintenance position to the standby position, driving the first pump to discharge the impregnating liquid from the liquid flow path; The liquid ejection device wherein the support member changes its position between a first position in which the opening of the liquid flow path faces upward and a second position in which the opening of the liquid flow path is inclined relative to the up-down direction.

6. 6. The liquid ejection device according to claim 4, wherein the control unit changes the position of the support member from the first position to the second position, and drives the first pump to discharge the impregnation liquid from the liquid flow path.

7. the liquid flow path includes a first flow path upstream of the water-absorbent wiper and a second flow path downstream of the water-absorbent wiper; the support base is inclined in the second attitude so that the second flow path is positioned lower than the first flow path, 7. The liquid ejection device according to claim 4, wherein the first pump is located in the second flow path.

8. The support base supports a plurality of the absorbent wipers, 8. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid flow path extends so as to connect a plurality of the water-absorbent wipers in series.

9. a cap supported by the support base; a second pump that discharges the impregnating liquid from inside the cap; A waste tank; a waste liquid flow path connecting the cap and the waste liquid tank, the support base is movable between a cap position where the cap comes into contact with the nozzle face of the head and an uncapped position where the cap is separated from the nozzle face of the head, The control unit moving the support base to the cap position and performing a purge process by driving the second pump; 9. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the first pump is driven to supply the impregnation liquid to the liquid flow path before the support base is moved to the uncapped position.

10. A head that ejects liquid from nozzles that open on a nozzle surface; an absorbent wiper; a support base for supporting the water-absorbent wiper; a liquid flow path extending along the absorbent wiper on the support base and opening upward at least in a portion along the absorbent wiper, through which the impregnating liquid flows; a tank for storing the impregnation liquid; a first pump that causes the impregnation liquid to flow from the tank to the liquid flow path; a drive unit that moves the support base between a standby position and a maintenance position where the water-absorbent wiper wipes the nozzle surface; a cap supported by the support base; a second pump that discharges the impregnating liquid from inside the cap; A waste tank; a waste liquid flow path connecting the cap and the waste liquid tank; a control unit; and the support base is movable between a cap position where the cap comes into contact with the nozzle face of the head and an uncapped position where the cap is separated from the nozzle face of the head, The control unit moving the support base to the cap position and performing a purge process by driving the second pump; before moving the support base to the uncapped position, driving the first pump to supply the impregnating liquid to the liquid flow path; positioning the support base at the maintenance position, driving the first pump to circulate the impregnating liquid through the liquid flow path, and performing the wiping; The liquid discharge device drives the first pump to discharge the impregnating liquid from the liquid flow path before moving the support base from the maintenance position to the standby position.

Images