Liquid dispensing device

Abstract

To provide a liquid discharge device configured so that liquid is prevented from drying in an internal space of a cap.SOLUTION: An image recording device comprises: a head that discharges ink from a nozzle opening to a nozzle surface; a cap that contacts the nozzle surface at a position to be covered and separates from the nozzle surface at a stand-by position; a cap flow path through which an internal space of the cap is communicated with the outside; a lid member that contacts the cap positioned at the stand-by position to seal the internal space of the cap; and a heater positioned above the cap positioned at the stand-by position. The lid member is positioned between the heater and the cap in a vertical direction, while sealing the internal space of the cap.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

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 input / output device disclosed in Patent Document 1. The inkjet input / output device in Patent Document 1 has a cap that caps the ink ejection port formation surface of the recording head, and a pressing member that is pressed against the pressing surface of the cap.

[0003] In the inkjet printer of Patent Document 2, a heater is attached to the underside of the flat portion of the platen, and ink droplets that do not land on the sheet but adhere to the platen are dried by the heater. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-16246 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-83362 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When ink is forcibly discharged from the head into the cap during head maintenance, ink accumulates in the cap's internal space. The ink is discharged from the cap's internal space through the flow path, but ink droplets remain in the cap's internal space. If the heater and cap are located relatively close to each other within the housing of the liquid ejection device, heat from the heater may be transferred to the cap, causing ink to dry and solidify in the cap's internal space and the flow path. This can result in the problem of the solidified ink clogging the flow path.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejection device in which the liquid is less likely to dry out in the internal space of the cap even when the heater and the cap are disposed relatively close to each other. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The liquid ejection device according to the present invention comprises a head that ejects liquid from nozzles that open onto a nozzle face, a cap that abuts against the nozzle face in a covering position and is spaced apart from the nozzle face in a retracted position, a liquid flow path that connects the internal space of the cap with the outside, a lid member that abuts against the cap when it is in the retracted position and seals the internal space of the cap, and a heater that is located above the cap when it is in the retracted position, and the lid member is located between the heater and the cap in the vertical direction when the internal space of the cap is sealed.

[0008] With the above configuration, when the cap is in the retracted position, the lid member abuts against the cap, sealing the internal space, so the heat from the heater located above the cap is blocked by the lid member. The internal space of the cap is also sealed by the lid member. Therefore, although the cap is heated by the heat from the heater, the cap is sealed by the lid member, making it difficult for the liquid to evaporate, and clogging of the flow path inside the cap can be suppressed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the liquid in the internal space of the cap is less likely to dry out. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [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 fluid flow path 153 of the support base 61 cut along a plane parallel to the flow direction of the fluid flow path 153. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the caps 62A, 62B, and 62C in the maintenance position. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the wiper cleaning mechanism 80 as viewed obliquely from below. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the support member 81. As shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the cover member 82. As shown in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the wiper cleaning mechanism 80. As shown in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the engaging portion 93 and the operating portion 92 of the cover member 82. As shown in FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the image recording device 100. As shown in FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 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 18] FIG. 18 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 19] Figure 19 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 20] Figure 20 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 21] FIG. 21 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 22] FIG. 22 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 retracted position. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 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 retracted position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] 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).

[0012] [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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 1, a slit-shaped discharge opening 33 that is long in the left-right direction 9 is formed on the front surface 32F of the lower housing 32. A sheet S (an example of a medium, see FIG. 2) on which an image has been recorded is discharged from the discharge opening 33.

[0017] An operation panel 44 is provided on the front surface 31F of the upper housing 31. A user inputs data to the operation panel 44 to operate the image recording device 100 and to confirm various settings. The operation panel 44 has a display unit 44A that indicates that a cover member 82, which will be described later, is attached to the support member 81.

[0018] [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 portion 46, a second support mechanism 52, a CIS 25, a cutter unit 26, an ink tank 34, an impregnating liquid tank 76, a waste liquid tank 77, a maintenance mechanism 60, a wiper cleaning mechanism 80, and a controller 130 (see Fig. 16). Although not shown in Fig. 2, the internal space 32A is also provided with a controller 130 (see Fig. 16). The controller 130 controls the operation of the image recording device 100.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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 (see FIG. 16) 53. As the holder 35 rotates, the roll 37 supported by the holder 35 also rotates.

[0022] 2, the sheet storage space 32C opens upward at the rear. 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] The conveying rollers 36A, 40A are rotated by a driving force transmitted from a conveying motor 53 (see FIG. 16). 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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 (an example of liquid) 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 later.

[0030] 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 later.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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 is located upstream of the cutter unit 26 in the conveying direction 8A.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] The second support mechanism 52 is supported by the lower housing 32 so as to be movable in an orthogonal direction 10 perpendicular to the tilt direction 6 and the left-right direction 9. The second support mechanism 52 is capable of supporting a maintenance mechanism 60. The configuration of the second support mechanism 52 will be described later.

[0037] The CIS 25 is located above the conveying path 43 and downstream of the conveying roller pair 40 in the conveying direction 8A. The CIS25 is capable of reading images on the printed surface of a sheet.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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).

[0040] The impregnation liquid tank 76 stores the impregnation liquid L. The impregnation liquid L is used to clean the nozzle 38A of the head 38. The impregnation liquid tank 76 is located below the second support mechanism 52, which will be described later. The impregnation liquid tank 76 is formed with an atmosphere communication passage 140 (see FIG. 2) that connects the air layer formed in the tank to the outside. The impregnation liquid tank 76 has an impregnation liquid circulation valve 141 that opens and closes the atmosphere communication passage 140. The waste liquid tank 77 is a container from which the impregnation liquid L is discharged.

[0041] 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. 17).

[0042] Maintenance of the head 38 includes a purging process, a cap cleaning process, and a wiping process. As shown in FIG. 17, 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. The cap cleaning process is a process in which the nozzle surface 50 of the head 38 is cleaned with impregnating liquid L sent into internal spaces 67A, 67B, and 67C of the cap 62, with the nozzle surface 50 covered by the cap 62. As shown in FIG. 18, the wiping process is a process in which the nozzle surface 50 of the head 38 is wiped with 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 later.

[0043] The wiper cleaning mechanism 80 is for cleaning the rubber wiper (an example of a non-water-absorbent wiper) 63 of the maintenance mechanism 60. The maintenance mechanism 60 is moved directly below the wiper cleaning mechanism 80 when cleaning the rubber wiper 63. The configuration of the wiper cleaning mechanism 80 will be described later.

[0044] [Head 38] 2 and 4, the head 38 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the left-right direction 9. 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.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the dispensing module 49 is supported by a frame 48. The lower surface of the discharge module 49 is exposed downward. The discharge module 49 is disposed within the transport path 43 in the left-right direction 9.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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, and an image is recorded on the sheet S.

[0048] The head 38 moves along the vertical direction 7 to a recording position shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, a capped position shown in FIG. 17, a wiping position shown by a solid line in FIG. 18, and an uncapped position shown by a dashed line in FIG. 18. 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.

[0049] 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. 16). The nut member 29B moves upward as the screw shaft 29A rotates forward, and moves downward as the screw shaft 29A rotates reversely. 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.

[0050] [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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] The drive roller 102 rotates by a driving force applied by a conveying motor 53 (see FIG. 16 ), 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 conveying surface 108 applies a conveying force to the sheet S while supporting the sheet S conveyed between the pair of conveying rollers 36, 40 from below. This allows the conveying belt 101 to convey the sheet S located on the conveying path 43 in the conveying direction 8A along the conveying surface 108.

[0053] 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.

[0054] The shaft 109A is rotated by a driving force transmitted from a shaft motor 59 (see FIG. 16). 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.

[0055] 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 19) in which it is tilted from the first position around the axis 109A and the pivot tip 51A is positioned below the axis 109.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 2 and 19 to 21, 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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. 16) directly or via another gear, and receives driving force from the first motor 55.

[0062] [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. The second support mechanism 52 is mounted on the support shaft 161 and is movable in the orthogonal direction 10 by a ball screw 160. The ball screw 160 has a screw shaft 161 and a nut member 162. The ball screw 160 that drives the second support mechanism 52 is shown only in FIG. 2 and is omitted in the other drawings.

[0063] 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.

[0064] The main body 115 is a generally plate-shaped member. A screw shaft 161 of a ball screw 160 is fixed to the main body 115, and is threadedly engaged with a nut member 162 fixed to the lower housing 32. The screw shaft 161 rotates when a driving force is transmitted from a vertical drive motor 163 (see FIG. 16 ). This allows the main body 115 to move in the orthogonal direction 10. Note that the configuration for moving the head 38 up and down is not limited to a configuration using the ball screw 160, and various known configurations can be used.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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. 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 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. In other words, the second upper surface 117B and the second upper surface 111B are aligned linearly.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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. 16) directly or via another gear, and receives a driving force from the second motor 56.

[0071] [Maintenance Organization 60] 6 and 7, the maintenance mechanism 60 includes a support base 61, a sponge wiper 64, a rubber wiper 63, 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.

[0072] [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).

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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).

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 2 and 21, a retracted position shown in Figures 22 and 23, a maintenance position (an example of a covering position) shown in Figure 17, and a wiping position shown in Figure 18, as will be described later. 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. The maintenance mechanism 60 in the standby position and the retracted position is spaced apart from the nozzle surface 50.

[0079] 7, the main body 61B has a generally box-like shape with an open top. The main body 61B is fixed to 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 fluid flow path 153 that circulates the impregnating liquid L stored in the impregnating liquid tank 76.

[0080] 7 and 9, the second bottom plate 151 is a flat plate extending in the inclination direction 6 and the left-right direction 9. The upper and lower surfaces of the second bottom plate 151 are formed in a rectangular shape that is longer in the left-right direction than in the inclination direction 6. The second edge plate 152 is a rectangular frame shape in a plan view.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 9, the fluid flow path 153 is formed on the upper surface of the second bottom plate 151. The fluid flow path 153 is a groove recessed downward from the upper surface of the second bottom plate 151 and opens upward. In a plan view, the fluid flow path 153 has a continuous U-shape that extends in the left-right direction 9 and then makes a U-turn. The fluid flow path 153 extends so as to connect in series the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C that are arranged on the groove. The fluid flow path 153 has a first flow path 153A, an intermediate flow path 153B, and a second flow path 153C.

[0082] The first flow path 153A is located on the upstream side of the fluid flow path 153 in the flow direction of the impregnation liquid L. The first flow path 153A is a portion that extends in the left-right direction 9 on the front side of the main body 61B.

[0083] 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 extends in a forward inclined direction 5 (an example of a forward direction) from the downstream end of the first flow path 153A to a middle part of the inclined direction 6 of the main body 61b.

[0084] The second flow path 153C is located downstream in the flow direction of the impregnation liquid L in the fluid flow path 153. The second flow path 153C extends rightward from the downstream end of the intermediate flow path 153B.

[0085] 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.

[0086] An outlet 174 through which the impregnating liquid L flows out is opened on the inner wall surface at the downstream end of the second flow path 153C. One end of a return tube 176 is connected to the outlet 174. The other end of the return tube 176 reaches the outside of the first support mechanism 51, is connected to the impregnating liquid tank 76, and opens at a position higher than the water surface of the impregnating liquid L stored in the impregnating liquid tank 76. A return pump 75 is provided on the return tube 176 (see FIG. 2). The driving of the return pump 75 is controlled by the controller 130.

[0087] 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.

[0088] [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.

[0089] The sponge wiper 64A and the sponge wiper 64B are disposed in a first flow path 153A of the fluid 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 fluid flow path 153.

[0090] 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.

[0091] The sponge wiper 64A corresponds to the discharge module 49A and can face the discharge module 49A in the up-down direction 7. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the sponge wiper 64A is disposed to the right of the center of the first flow path 153A in the left-right direction 9.

[0092] [Rubber wiper 63] The rubber wiper 63 is made of rubber. In this embodiment, three rubber wipers 63 (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] Rubber wiper 63A and rubber wiper 63B are arranged outside fluid flow path 153. 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.

[0095] [Cap 62] 7, the cap 62 is supported by a support base 61. A plurality of caps 62 are provided. In this embodiment, the cap 62 is composed of three caps 62A, 62B, and 62C. Hereinafter, the three caps 62A, 62B, and 62C will also be collectively referred to as caps 62.

[0096] The cap 62 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or silicone, and has a box-like shape with an open top.

[0097] Cap 62A, cap 62B, and cap 62C can face discharge module 49A, discharge module 49B, and discharge module 49C, respectively, in the up-down direction 7. Cap 62A, cap 62B, and cap 62C are arranged at intervals in the forward oblique direction 5 from sponge wiper 64A, sponge wiper 64B, and sponge wiper 64C, respectively. When maintenance mechanism 60 is located in the maintenance position, lips 66A, 66B, and 66C of cap 62A, cap 62B, and cap 62C abut against nozzle surface 50, sealing internal spaces 67A, 67B, and 67C. Cap 62A, cap 62B, and cap 62C have cap flow paths (examples of liquid flow paths) 68A, 68B, and 68C that connect internal spaces 67A, 67B, and 67C to the outside, respectively. The cap flow paths 68A, 68B, 68C have inflow flow paths 20A, 20B, 20C through which the impregnating liquid L flows into the internal spaces 67A, 67B, 67C of the cap 62, and outflow flow paths 21A, 21B, 21C through which the impregnating liquid L flows out from the internal spaces 67A, 67B, 67C of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C.

[0098] Hereinafter, the three lips 66A, 66B, and 66C will also be collectively referred to as lip 66. Similarly, the internal spaces 67A, 67B, and 67C, the cap flow paths 68A, 68B, and 68C, the inflow paths 20A, 20B, and 20C, and the outflow paths 21A, 21B, and 21C will also be referred to as internal space 67, cap flow path 68, inflow path 20, and outflow path 21, respectively.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 10 , 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 a forward tilting direction 5. An inflow channel 20A through which the impregnating liquid L flows into the cap 62A and an outflow channel 21A through which the impregnating liquid L flows out of the cap 62A are formed in a bottom plate 69 of the cap 62A. One end of a second supply tube 177 is connected to the inflow channel 20A of the cap 62A. The other end of the second supply tube 177 extends outside the maintenance mechanism 60 and is connected to the impregnating liquid tank 76 (see FIG. 2 ). One end of a first waste liquid tube 178 is connected to the outflow channel 21A. 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 (see FIG. 2 ).

[0100] 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. An inflow channel 20B through which the impregnating liquid L flows into the cap 62B and an outflow channel 21B through which the impregnating liquid L flows out of the cap 62B are formed in a bottom plate 69 of the cap 62B. One end of a third supply tube 179 branched from the second supply tube 177 is connected to the inflow channel 20B. One end of a second waste liquid tube 180 is connected to the outflow channel 21B. The other end of the second waste liquid tube 180 joins with the first waste liquid tube 178 outside the maintenance mechanism 60.

[0101] 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. An inflow channel 20C through which the impregnating liquid L flows into the cap 62C and an outflow channel 21C through which the impregnating liquid L flows out of the cap 62C are formed in a bottom plate 69 of the cap 62C. One end of a fourth supply tube 201 branched from the second supply tube 177 is connected to the inflow channel 20C. One end of a third waste liquid tube 202 is connected to the outflow channel 21C. The other end of the third waste liquid tube 202 joins with the first waste liquid tube 178 outside the maintenance mechanism 60.

[0102] A cap cleaning valve 72 (see FIG. 16) is provided on the second supply tube 177 upstream of the branch point of the third supply tube 179 and the fourth supply tube 201. Opening and closing of the cap cleaning valve 72 is controlled by the controller .

[0103] 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.

[0104] [Wiper cleaning mechanism 80] 2 and 14, the wiper cleaning mechanism 80 is located below the support portion 46 and includes a support member 81 and a cover member 82. The wiper cleaning mechanism 80 is connected to the lower side of the support portion 46 via an elastic member 83. The wiper cleaning mechanism 80 is supported so as to be swingable relative to the support portion 46 in the orthogonal direction 10.

[0105] 11 and 12 , the support member 81 is generally flat. The cover member 82 can be attached to and detached from the support member 81. The support member 81 has an opposing surface 81A that faces the attached cover member 82, a left edge wall 84A extending downward from the left edge, a right edge wall 84B extending downward from the right edge, a left inner wall 84C extending downward to the right of the left edge wall 84A in the left-right direction 9, a right inner wall 84D extending downward to the left of the right edge wall 84B in the left-right direction 9, and a restricting shaft 97.

[0106] The opposing surface 81A is the lower surface of the support member 81.

[0107] The left inner wall 84C has a support piece 85A and a guide surface 86A.

[0108] The support piece 85A is a protrusion that protrudes rightward in the left-right direction 9 from the left inner wall 84C. A plurality of support pieces 85A are arranged along the inclination direction 6.

[0109] The guide surface 86A is a protrusion that guides the attachment of the cover member 82 to the support member 81. The guide surface 86A protrudes from the left inner wall 84C to the right in the left-right direction 9. The guide surface 86A is disposed in a position that is more forward inclined direction 5 than the support piece 85A. One end of the guide surface 86A extends in the rearward inclined direction 4, and the other end extends in the forward inclined direction 5 so as to move away from the opposing surface 81A.

[0110] The right inner wall 84D, like the left inner wall 84C, has a support piece 85B and a guide surface 86B.

[0111] The support piece 85B of the right inner wall 84D has the same configuration as the support piece 85A described above, except that it protrudes from the right inner wall 84D to the left in the left-right direction 9. The support pieces 85A and 85B support the cover member 82 from below.

[0112] The guide surface 86B of the right inner wall 84D has the same configuration as the above-described guide surface 86A, except that it protrudes leftward in the left-right direction 9 from the right inner wall 84D.

[0113] The restricting shaft 97 restricts movement of the attached cover member 82 in the rearward inclined direction 4. The restricting shaft 97 is formed in a shaft shape on the opposing surface 81A. The restricting shaft 97 is disposed at the center position in the left-right direction 9 on the front side of the support member 81.

[0114] Furthermore, the support member 81 has an attachment sensor 87 (see FIGS. 12 and 14, an example of a sensor) that detects that the cover member 82 has been attached.

[0115] 2, 11, 13, and 14, the cover member 82 faces the maintenance mechanism 60, which is located in the retracted position, when attached to the support member 81. The cover member 82 is generally flat, and has a lower surface 88, an upper surface 89, and a notch 98.

[0116] The cover member 82 has a retaining member 90 on its underside 88. The retaining member 90 is made of sponge and is capable of retaining ink. The retaining member 90 abuts against the lip 66 and the rubber wiper 63 when they are in the retracted position (see FIG. 14). As a result, the retaining member 90 wipes ink off the lip 66 and the rubber wiper 63. The retaining member 90 seals the internal space 67 of the cap 62 when it is in the retracted position.

[0117] 13, 14, and 15, the cover member 82 has a rib 91 that protrudes from the top surface 89 toward the support member 81, a left operating part 92A that is disposed in the left region of the top surface 89, and a right operating part 92B that is disposed in the right region of the top surface 89. The left operating part 92A and the right operating part 92B are disposed as a pair of operating parts 92A, 92B that are spaced apart in the left-right direction 9 on the forward inclined direction 5 side of the top surface 89. The operating parts 92A, 92B are members that release the engagement of the cover member 82 with the support member 81.

[0118] The rib 91 can be detected by the attachment sensor 87 when the cover member 82 is attached to the support member 81. The rib 91 is located in the center, left side region in the inclination direction 6 of the upper surface 89. The rib 91 is flat and extends along the inclination direction 6.

[0119] The left operating part 92A is flat and extends on the upper surface 89 along the inclination direction 6. The left operating part 92A is formed integrally with the rib 91. The end of the left operating part 92A on the rearward inclination direction 4 side is fixed to the upper surface. In other words, the left operating part 92A can swing in the left-right direction 9 with the end on the rearward inclination direction 4 side as a fulcrum. The left operating part 92A has a left engagement part 93A that protrudes leftward at a central position in the inclination direction 6.

[0120] The left engagement portion 93A is formed on the left surface of the left operating portion 92A. The left engagement portion 93A has a left abutment surface 95A that is a surface that extends in the left-right direction 9 and the perpendicular direction 10, and a left inclined surface 94A that inclines leftward from the left surface of the left operating portion 92A toward the forward inclination direction 5 and is connected to the left abutment surface 95A.

[0121] The right operating part 92B has the same configuration as the left operating part 92A except that it has a right engaging part 93B that protrudes rightward at the center position in the tilt direction 6, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0122] The right engagement portion 93B is formed on the right surface of the right operating portion 92B. The right engagement portion 93B has a right abutment surface 95B that extends in the left-right direction 9 and the perpendicular direction 10, and a right inclined surface 94B that inclines rightward from the right surface of the right operating portion 92B toward the forward inclination direction 5 and connects to the right abutment surface 95B. The left engagement portion 93A and the right engagement portion 93B are a pair of engagement portions 93A, 93B that engage with a lock portion 96 (see FIGS. 12 and 15) formed on the support member 81.

[0123] The notch 98 abuts against the restricting shaft 97 to restrict movement of the cover member 82 in the rearward tilt direction 4 relative to the support member 81. The notch 98 is disposed at a central position in the left-right direction 9 on the front side of the cover member 82. The notch 98 is open in the rearward tilt direction 4.

[0124] When lid member 82 attached to support member 81 slides in the forward tilt direction 5 relative to support member 81, abutment surfaces 95A, 95B abut against locking portions 96 formed on support member 81, thereby restricting movement. The user can disengage engagement portions 93A, 93B from locking portions 96 by moving left operating portion 92A to the right in the left-right direction 9 and right operating portion 92B to the left in the left-right direction 9. In this state, the user can slide lid member 82 in the forward tilt direction 5 to detach it from support member 81.

[0125] The user can attach the lid member 82 to the support member 81 by moving the insertion tip of the lid member 82 along the guide surfaces 86A and 86B in the rearward tilt direction 4. Specifically, when the lid member 82 is inserted into the support member 81, the left engagement portion 93A is pushed rightward by the lock portion 96, causing the left operation portion 92A to deform rightward, and the right engagement portion 93B is pushed leftward by the lock portion 96, causing the right operation portion 92B to deform leftward. When the lid member 82 is further pushed in the rearward tilt direction 4, the engagement portions 93A and 93B climb over the lock portion 96, and then the abutment surfaces 95A and 95B engage with the lock portion 96. At this time, the notch portion 98 abuts against the restriction shaft 97, so that the movement of the lid member 82 in the rearward tilt direction 4 relative to the support member 81 is also restricted. The operating portions 92A, 92B, engaging portions 93A, 93B, locking portion 96, notch portion 98, and regulating shaft 97 may be any that can regulate the movement of the cover member 82 attached to the support member 81 in the inclined direction 6, and other known ones may also be used.

[0126] [Controller 130] 16, 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.

[0127] The ASIC 135 is connected to the conveying 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 up / down drive motor 163, the valve motor 71, the operation panel 44, the mounting sensor 87, and the display unit 44A.

[0128] The ASIC 135 generates drive signals for rotating each motor and controls each motor based on these drive signals. Each motor rotates forward or backward according to the drive signals from the ASIC 135. The controller 130 controls the drive of the conveyance motor 53 to rotate the holder 35, conveyance roller 36A, conveyance 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 along the vertical direction 7. 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 first motor 55 to rotate the gear 106 of the first support mechanism 51. The controller 130 controls the drive of the vertical drive motor 163 to rotate the screw shaft 161 and move the second support mechanism 52 along the orthogonal direction 10. The controller 130 controls the driving of the second motor 56 to rotate the gear 120 of the second support mechanism 52. The controller 130 controls the driving of the return pump motor 78 to drive the return pump 75. The controller 130 controls the driving of the suction pump motor 58 to drive the suction pump 74. The controller 130 controls the driving of the valve motor 71 to open and close the cap washing valve 72. The controller 130 controls the driving of the valve motor 73 to open and close the impregnation liquid distribution valve 141.

[0129] The ASIC 35 is also connected to an operation panel 44, a display unit 44A, and a piezoelectric element (not shown). The operation panel 44 outputs an operation signal to the controller 130 in response to an operation by a user. The operation panel 44 may have, for example, a push button or a touch sensor superimposed on a display. The display unit 44A displays that the cover member 82 is attached to the support member 81. The piezoelectric element operates when power is supplied from the controller 130 via a drive circuit (not shown). The controller 130 controls the power supply to the piezoelectric element to selectively eject ink droplets from the multiple nozzles 38A.

[0130] Furthermore, an attachment sensor 87 is electrically connected to the ASIC 35. The controller 130 detects the insertion and removal of the cover member 82 through the attachment sensor 87.

[0131] The operation of the maintenance mechanism 60 will be described below along with the purging process, immersion process, wiping process, and image recording process. In this embodiment, the impregnation liquid L is supplied and discharged in addition to the above processes.

[0132] [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. 17, 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.

[0133] 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.

[0134] In the purging process, the controller 130 drives the suction pump 74 while the cap cleaning valve 72 is closed. This causes the ink in the nozzle 38A to be sucked out and discharged from the internal spaces 67A, 67B, and 67C of the cap 62 through the outflow channels 21A, 69B, and 69C, 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.

[0135] 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.

[0136] 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 nozzles 38A of the ejection module 49 are 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 into the waste liquid tank 77 together with the impregnating liquid L.

[0137] 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 141 to close the atmosphere communication passage 140 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 fluid 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 is impregnated into the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C, and the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C become sufficiently saturated with the impregnating liquid L. When the head 38 moves to the uncapped position, the impregnating liquid L adheres to the lips 66A, 66B, and 66C.

[0138] The controller 130 drives the impregnating liquid circulation valve 141 to open the atmosphere communication passage 140 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.

[0139] [Wiping process] The controller 130 executes the wiping process in a state where the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C are impregnated with the impregnation liquid L. The wiping process will be described below.

[0140] The controller 130 moves the head 38 downward from the uncapped position shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 18 to the wiped position shown by the solid lines.

[0141] Meanwhile, the maintenance mechanism 60 at the maintenance position is supported by the first support mechanism 51, and 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. 17, the gear 105 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 17. As a result, the maintenance mechanism 60 at the maintenance position moves forward (downstream in the conveying direction 8A) along the front-to-rear direction 8 (conveying direction 8A) and reaches the wiping position (see FIG. 18).

[0142] 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 abutting against 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 adhering to the nozzle surface 50 and the nozzles 38A opening in the nozzle surface 50 is removed.

[0143] When the maintenance mechanism 60 is at the wiping position, the first motor 55 is driven to rotate the gear 106 counterclockwise in Fig. 18, which causes the gear 105 to rotate clockwise in Fig. 18. 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. 17).

[0144] The controller 130 drives the shaft motor 59 to change the position of the first support mechanism 51 from the first position to the second position (see FIG. 19).

[0145] [Movement of Maintenance Organization 60] 19 to 21, 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.

[0146] Specifically, the controller 130 first drives the first motor 55. This causes the gear 106 to rotate clockwise in FIG. 19, which causes 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. 20).

[0147] The controller 130 drives the second motor 56. As a result, the gear 120 rotates clockwise in FIG. 20, 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. 21).

[0148] The controller 130 drives the vertical drive motor 163. This rotates the screw shaft 161, causing the second support mechanism 52 to move upward from the standby position along the orthogonal direction 10 (an example of a direction intersecting with the surface of the holding member 90), and the maintenance mechanism 60 reaches the retracted position (see FIG. 22). At this time, the support member 81 biases the lid member 82 toward the caps 62A, 62B, and 62C using the elastic member 83. The holding member 90 comes into contact with the lips 66A, 66B, and 66C of the caps 62A, 62B, and 62C and the rubber wipers 63A, 63B, and 63C. The sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C come into a state of being separated from the holding member 90.

[0149] 22, in the conveyance direction 8A (front-rear direction 8), a range P1 occupied by the heater 39 (hereinafter also referred to as the range of the heater 39) and a range P2 occupied from the front side of the cap 62C in the tilt direction 6 to the rear side of the cap 62B in the tilt direction 6 (hereinafter also referred to as the range of the cap 62) overlap. In this embodiment, a partial overlap occurs when a front portion of the range P1 of the heater 39 overlaps with a rear portion of the range P2 of the cap 62. In this case, the wiper cleaning mechanism 80 is located between the caps 62A, 62B, 62C and the heater 39, and therefore heat from the heater 39 is blocked by the wiper cleaning mechanism 80, making it difficult for heat to be transmitted to the caps 62A, 62B, 62C. [Image recording processing] The process when an image is recorded on the sheet S (image recording process) will be described below.

[0150] 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 as described above. Then, the controller 130 drives the vertical drive motor 163 to move the maintenance mechanism 60 from the standby position to the retracted position. 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 (see FIG. 23).

[0151] Next, the controller 130 moves the head 38 downward, thereby moving it from the capped position to the recording position (see FIG. 23). 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 being irradiated with infrared rays as the sheet passes through the heater 39. The conveyed sheet S is then checked for the image recorded by the CIS 25, and then cut to a predetermined size by the cutter unit 26 and discharged.

[0152] 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.

[0153] Specifically, first, the controller 130 drives the vertical drive motor 163. This rotates the screw shaft 161, moves the second support mechanism 52 downward from the retracted position along the orthogonal direction 10, and the maintenance mechanism 60 reaches the standby position. At this time, the lips 66A, 66B, 66C of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C, the rubber wipers 63A, 63B, 63C, and the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, 64C are separated from the holding member 90 of the lid member 82 (see FIG. 21).

[0154] Next, the controller 130 drives the shaft motor 59 to change the position of the first support mechanism 51 from the first position to the second position (see FIG. 21). At this time, the maintenance mechanism 60 is supported by the second support mechanism 52. In this state, the rack 154 is engaged with both gears 118 and 119. When the second motor 56 (see FIG. 16) is driven and the gear 120 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 21, the gears 118 and 119 rotate clockwise in FIG. 21. As a result, the maintenance mechanism 60 in the standby position moves to the rearward tilt orientation 4 (see FIG. 20).

[0155] The controller 130 drives the first motor 55. As a result, the gear 106 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 20, 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. 19).

[0156] With the maintenance mechanism 60 supported by the first support mechanism 51, the shaft motor 59 (see FIG. 16) 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. 17). The maintenance mechanism 60 at the maintenance position is located between the head 38 and the first support mechanism 51 in the first position.

[0157] [Effects of the embodiment] When the cap 62 is in the retracted position, the lid member 82 abuts against it, sealing the internal space 67, so the heat from the heater 39 located above the cap 62 is blocked by the lid member 82. The internal space 67 of the cap 62 is also sealed by the lid member 82. Therefore, the cap 62 is heated by the heat from the heater 39, but because the cap 62 is sealed by the lid member 82, the ink is less likely to evaporate, and clogging of the cap flow path 68 can be suppressed.

[0158] When the cap 62 is in the retracted position, the ink adhering to the lip 66 of the cap 62 is held by the holding member 90, so that the ink does not dry and harden on the lip 66 of the cap 62.

[0159] Because the lid member 82 is detachable from the support member 81, the lid member 82 can be replaced and the holding member 90 can always be kept in a state where it can hold ink when the lip 66 of the cap 62 abuts against the holding member 90. This allows the lip 66 of the cap 62 to be kept clean.

[0160] The cover member 82 can be removed from the support member 81 by sliding it in the forward inclined direction 5 relative to the housing 30 of the image recording device 100. Therefore, the operation of replacing the cover member 82 is simple.

[0161] Since the lid member 82 can be attached along the guide surface 86 of the support member 81, the lid member 82 can be easily attached to the support member 81.

[0162] Since the cover member 82 can be disengaged from the support member 81 by operating the operating portion 92, the cover member 82 can be easily removed from the support member 81.

[0163] Since the attachment sensor 87 detects that the lid member 82 has been attached to the support member 81, the user can confirm whether the lid member 82 has been securely attached to the support member 81.

[0164] When the cap 62 is in the retracted position, the lid member 82 is biased toward the cap 62 by the elastic member 83, so that the lid member 82 is tightly attached to the cap 62.

[0165] When the lid member 82 is in a state in which it seals the internal space 67 of the cap 62, the rubber wiper 63 comes into contact with the holding member 90 and absorbs ink, but the sponge wiper 64 does not come into contact with the holding member 90 and therefore does not absorb ink. Therefore, ink adhering to the rubber wiper 63 can be wiped away by the holding member 90, and the impregnating liquid L moves from the sponge wiper 64 to the holding member 90, increasing the amount of impregnating liquid L contained in the holding member 90, thereby preventing the impregnating liquid L from dripping downward from the holding member 90.

[0166] The maintenance mechanism 60 moves so that the rubber wiper 63 does not slide while in contact with the holding member 90, and therefore the ink absorbed and held in the holding member 90 by the movement of the maintenance mechanism 60 is prevented from being squeezed out by the rubber wiper 63 coming into contact with the holding member 90.

[0167] [Variations] In the image recording device 100, the fluid 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 fluid flow path 153 can come into contact with the sponge wiper 64. The fluid flow path 153 may be formed, for example, in a straight line that extends in the left-right direction 9.

[0168] 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.

[0169] 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.

[0170] In the image recording device 100, three caps 62A, 62B, and 62C are provided on the support base 61, but the number of caps 62 is not particularly limited as long as it corresponds to the number of discharge modules 49A. For example, the number of caps 62 may be four or more, or two or less.

[0171] 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.

[0172] 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.

[0173] 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.

[0174] In the image recording device 100, the case where the cover member 82 can be removed from the support member 81 by sliding it in the forward tilt direction 5 relative to the housing 30 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The cover member 82 may be removable in a direction intersecting the up-down direction 7, for example.

[0175] In the image recording device 100, the case where the range P1 of the heater 39 and the range P2 of the cap 62 overlap in the conveyance direction 8A has been described as an example. However, specifically, the range P1 of the heater 39 and the range P2 of the cap 62 may partially overlap or completely coincide. In the present embodiment, the case where the front portion of the range P1 of the heater 39 overlaps with the rear portion of the range P2 of the cap 62 has been described as an example of partial overlap. However, the front portion of the range P2 of the cap 62 may overlap with the rear portion of the range P1 of the heater 39. Furthermore, the entire range P1 of the heater 39 may be included in the range P2 of the cap 62, or the entire range P1 of the heater 39 may be included in the range P2 of the cap 62. [Explanation of symbols]

[0176] 30... Enclosure 31A... (Enclosure) internal space 32F...Front 33...Discharge port 38...head 38A Nozzle 39. Heater 50 Nozzle surface 60 Maintenance mechanism (moving member) 62···Cap 63A, 63B, 63C (63) Rubber wiper (non-absorbent wiper) 64A, 64B, 64C (64) ···Sponge wiper (water-absorbent wiper) 66A, 66B, 66C (66) Lip 67A, 67B, 67C (67) ···Inner space of the cap 68A, 68B, 68C (68) Cap flow path (liquid flow path) 81 Support member 82 Cover member 83 Elastic member 85...Support piece 86 Guide surface 87···Wearing sensor (sensor) 90....Retaining member 92...Operation unit 93 Engagement part 100 Image recording device (liquid ejection device)

Claims

1. a head that ejects liquid from nozzles that open on a nozzle surface; a cap that contacts the nozzle face at a covering position and is separated from the nozzle face at a retracted position; a liquid flow path that connects the internal space of the cap with the outside; a cover member having a holding member that contacts the lip of the cap located at the retracted position and seals the internal space of the cap; a heater located above the cap located at the retracted position, The holding member holds a liquid, The liquid ejection device, wherein the lid member is positioned between the heater and the cap in the vertical direction when the holding member seals the internal space of the cap.

2. 2. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein an area occupied by the cap and an area occupied by the heater overlap in the direction of transport of the medium.

3. The device further includes a support member that supports the lid member, The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the cover member is detachable from the support member.

4. the head, the cap, the lid member, and the heater are housed in an internal space of a housing, the housing has a discharge port on a front surface for discharging a medium to which the liquid ejected from the head adheres, 4. The liquid ejection device according to claim 3, wherein the cover member is detached from the support member by sliding it forward relative to the support member.

5. 5. The liquid ejection device according to claim 3, wherein the support member has a support piece that supports the lid member, and a guide surface that extends rearward toward the support piece.

6. 6. The liquid ejection device according to claim 3, wherein the cover member has an engaging portion that engages with the support member when the cover member is supported by the support member, and an operating portion for releasing the engagement of the engaging portion.

7. 7. The liquid ejection device according to claim 3, further comprising a sensor for detecting the lid member attached to the support member.

8. 8. The liquid ejection device according to claim 3, wherein the support member further comprises an elastic member that urges the lid member toward the cap when the cap is in the retracted position.

9. an absorbent wiper; a non-absorbent wiper; a moving member that supports the cap, the water-absorbent wiper, and the non-water-absorbent wiper and moves the cap to the retracted position and the covering position, 9. A liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein when the lid member seals the internal space of the cap, the absorbent wiper is spaced apart from the holding member and the non-absorbent wiper is in contact with the holding member.

10. The liquid ejection device according to claim 9 , wherein the moving member moves in a direction intersecting with the surface of the holding member to move the cap to the retracted position and the covering position.

Images