Liquid dispensing device, head maintenance method, head cleaning jig

Abstract

To provide a device which achieves improvement of a cleaning function of a head side surface.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device includes: a head 10 which discharges a liquid to a cloth 400; and a head cleaning jig 600 which may be detachably attached to a receiving member 49 in place of a platen member 40 for holding the cloth 400. The head cleaning jig 600 includes a first cleaning member 602 which cleans the head 10 on a jig body 601. The first cleaning member 602 has a convex shape on a cross section along a main scanning direction X, has a stepped shape on a cross section along a head moving direction, and simultaneously contacts with a longitudinal side surface 110b and a longitudinal surface 110a of the cover member 110 during cleaning.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for discharging a liquid, a method for maintaining a head, and a head cleaning jig.

Background Art

[0002] As an apparatus for discharging a liquid, there is known one in which a cleaning member is attached to a holding member that holds a member to which the liquid is applied, and the holding member and the liquid discharge head are relatively moved to clean the liquid discharge head with the cleaning member (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Disclosure of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, since it is a cleaning member on a flat plate, there is a problem that the side surface of the head cannot be completely cleaned.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to improve the cleaning property with respect to the side surface of the head.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the apparatus for discharging a liquid according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a head for discharging a liquid, a holding member that holds a member to which the liquid is applied, a receiving member that detachably holds the holding member, and a cleaning jig for cleaning the head, where the cleaning jig has a first cleaning member, The first cleaning member has a protrusion that simultaneously contacts the side surface and the nozzle surface of the head, The first cleaning member of the cleaning jig attached to the receiving member is brought into contact with the head, and the receiving member and the head are moved relative to each other to clean the head with the first cleaning member. The first cleaning member contacts the side surface and the nozzle surface of the head simultaneously during cleaning. This was the structure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is: Dispense liquid multiple, arranged in a row The head and, A holding member that holds the component to which liquid is applied, A receiving member that detachably holds the aforementioned holding member, The system comprises a cleaning jig for cleaning the head, The cleaning jig has a first cleaning member, The first cleaning member has a protrusion that simultaneously contacts the side surface and the nozzle surface of the head, The protrusion of the first cleaning member is movable between adjacent heads. The first cleaning member of the cleaning jig attached to the receiving member is brought into contact with the head, and the receiving member and the head are moved relative to each other to clean the head with the first cleaning member. The first cleaning member simultaneously contacts the side surface and the nozzle surface of the head during cleaning. death, The protrusion of the first cleaning member cleans adjacent heads simultaneously. This was the structure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view illustrating an example of a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is also a plan view diagram. [Figure 3] This is also a front view diagram. [Figure 4]It is a perspective explanatory drawing used for explaining a head cleaning jig according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional explanatory drawing along the main scanning direction X showing the first cleaning member of the head cleaning jig together with the head. [Figure 6] It is a plan explanatory drawing used for explaining the cleaning operation by the first cleaning member. [Figure 7] It is also a cross-sectional explanatory drawing. [Figure 8] It is a plan explanatory drawing used for explaining the cleaning operation by the second cleaning member. [Figure 9] It is an explanatory drawing along the sub-scanning direction used for explaining the detailed cleaning operation by the first cleaning member. [Figure 10] It is also an explanatory drawing along the sub-scanning direction. [Figure 11] It is also a plan explanatory drawing. [Figure 12] It is also a plan explanatory drawing. [Figure 13] It is a plan explanatory drawing used for explaining the arrangement positions of the first cleaning member and the second cleaning member of the head cleaning jig in the sub-scanning direction Y. [Figure 14] It is a plan explanatory drawing used for explaining the operations of the head cleaning jig and the carriage in the cleaning operation by the second cleaning member. [Figure 15] It is also a plan explanatory drawing. [Figure 16] It is also a plan explanatory drawing. [Figure 17] It is a perspective explanatory drawing used for explaining another different example of the first cleaning member. [Figure 18] It is a front explanatory drawing used for explaining still another different example of the first cleaning member. [Figure 19] It is a plan explanatory drawing used for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. A printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the printing apparatus, Figure 2 is a plan view, and Figure 3 is a front view.

[0010] The printing apparatus 1 includes a carriage 11 on which a head 10, which is a liquid ejection means for ejecting liquid, is mounted. Guide members 12 and 13 hold the carriage 11 so that it can reciprocate in the main scanning direction X. The carriage 11 is connected to a timing belt 17 which is wrapped around a drive pulley 15 and a driven pulley 16 that are rotated by the main scanning motor 14, and the carriage 11 is moved back and forth in the main scanning direction X by driving the main scanning motor 14.

[0011] The encoder sheet 18 is arranged along the main scanning direction X. The encoder sheet 18 is provided with periodic slits. The carriage 11 has a reading sensor that reads the slits of the encoder sheet 18, and the position of the carriage 11 in the main scanning direction X can be detected from the reading result of the reading sensor.

[0012] The controller board 50 has a controller mounted on it and controls the ejection of liquid ink from the head 10 at the right timing, based on the carriage position obtained from the reading sensor on the carriage 11 and the ejection position.

[0013] The carriage 11 is equipped with four heads 10. Each head 10 has two rows of nozzles arranged to dispense liquid. The carriage 11 also has a sub-tank for temporarily storing the liquid supplied to the heads 10. Liquid of the required color is supplied from the main tank 21 to the sub-tank via a supply tube by a liquid transfer pump.

[0014] The printing apparatus 1 includes a platen member 40, which is a holding member that holds the fabric 400, which is the object to be coated with liquid (the object to be printed).

[0015] The platen member 40 is detachably held by the receiving member 49. The receiving member 49 is attached to the lifting mechanism 41. This allows the height of the platen member 40 to be adjusted in the vertical direction Z by the lifting mechanism 41. The lifting mechanism 41 of the platen member 40 is mounted on a slider 42. The slider 42 is movably mounted on a slide rail 43 that extends in the sub-scanning direction Y, which is perpendicular to the main scanning direction X.

[0016] The slider 42 is reciprocated in the sub-scanning direction Y by the sub-scanning drive mechanism via the timing belt 45. As the slider 42 reciprocates in the sub-scanning direction Y, the platen member 40 is also reciprocated in the sub-scanning direction Y.

[0017] A maintenance unit 60 for maintaining and restoring the head 10 is located at one end of the main scanning direction. The maintenance unit 60 includes a suction cap 61 for capping the nozzle surface of the head 10, a moisturizing cap 62 for capping the nozzle surface of the head 10 for moisturizing, and a wiping member 63 for wiping the nozzle surface of the head 10. As shown in Figure 3, it also includes a suction pump 64 as a suction means connected to the suction cap 61. The controller board 50 can detect, record, and manage the operating time, number of operations, and operating interval of the suction pump 64.

[0018] An ejection receiver 66 is located on the other end of the main scanning direction. The controller board 50 maintains and restores the head 10 by ejecting liquid from the head 10 to the ejection receiver 66 during printing.

[0019] Furthermore, at one end and the other end of the main scanning direction, a light-emitting section 80A and a light-receiving section 80B of a height detection means 80 for detecting the fabric 400 on the platen member 40 are arranged. The height detection means 80 is attached to the frame 2.

[0020] The printing device 1 also includes a power button 70, an operating unit 71, a power supply unit 72, and the like.

[0021] In this printing apparatus 1, when printing on a fabric (printing target) such as a T-shirt, the fabric 400 is set on the platen member 40. Then, by operating the control unit 71, the platen member 40 is completely pulled back into the rear of the apparatus via the slider 42.

[0022] When the platen member 40 is retracted, the height detection means 80 detects whether the fabric 400 on the platen member 40 interferes with the head 10. If the head 10 and the fabric 400 collide, the retraction of the platen member 40 is stopped, or the platen member 40 is returned to the position where the fabric 400 is set.

[0023] When the platen member 40 has been fully retracted, the printer enters a print data standby state. At this point, printing begins when the printer 1 receives print data from an external information processing device. Alternatively, if print data has been stored in the controller board 50 beforehand, printing begins when the printer selects the print data using the operation unit 71.

[0024] When the printing operation starts, the platen member 40 is moved to the printing start position via the slider 42. Then, the carriage 11 moves and liquid is dispensed from the head 10 to print one line. Once one line is printed, the platen member 40 is moved one line via the slider 42. By repeating the cycle of one scan of the carriage 11 and the intermittent movement of the slider 42, printing is performed on the desired area of ​​the fabric 400. After printing is complete, the platen member 40 is returned to the front of the device and printing ends.

[0025] Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating a head cleaning jig according to the said embodiment, and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the main scanning direction X showing the first cleaning member of the head cleaning jig together with the head.

[0026] The head cleaning jig 600 can be detachably attached to the receiving member 49 in place of the platen member 40.

[0027] The head cleaning jig 600 has a first cleaning member 602 and a second cleaning member 603 interchangeably mounted on the jig body 601 for cleaning the head 10. The first cleaning member 602 is positioned on the jig body 601 with the sub-scanning direction Y as its longitudinal direction, and the second cleaning member 603 is positioned on the jig body 601 with the main scanning direction X as its longitudinal direction. In other words, the head cleaning jig 600 includes a second cleaning member 603 positioned in a direction intersecting the first cleaning member 602.

[0028] The first cleaning member 602 is made of an absorbent material. The first cleaning member 602 is formed by laminating a flat plate-shaped absorbent 622, which has a convex portion with a width in the short direction (main scanning direction X) narrower than that of the absorbent 621, onto a flat plate-shaped absorbent 621 that serves as the base, and integrating them together. The cross-sectional shape along the main scanning direction X is convex. In other words, the cleaning member 602 has a stepped shape in the cross-sectional shape along the direction of movement of the head.

[0029] In this embodiment, the head 10 is equipped with a cover member 110 that covers the peripheral edge of the nozzle surface 10a.

[0030] The upper surface 602a of the flat absorbent 621 of the first cleaning member 602 is in contact with the surface 110a of the outer surface of the portion of the cover member 110 that covers the peripheral edge of the nozzle surface 10a, in the portion aligned with the sub-scanning direction Y (hereinafter referred to as the "longitudinal surface"). The side surface 602b of the flat absorbent 622 of the first cleaning member 602 in the main scanning direction X is in contact with the surface 110b of the outer surface of the portion of the cover member 110 that covers the side of the head 10, in the portion aligned with the sub-scanning direction Y (hereinafter referred to as the "longitudinal side surface").

[0031] In other words, the first cleaning member 602 can simultaneously contact the longitudinal side surface 110b of the cover member 110, which serves as the side surface of the head 10, and the longitudinal surface 110a of the cover member 110, which serves as the nozzle surface of the head 10, during cleaning.

[0032] In this case, the width of the flat absorbent 621 is wider than the width of the flat absorbent 622 in the shorter direction, so that the upper surface 602a of the flat absorbent 621 of the first cleaning member 602 is formed. The width of the flat absorbent 622 is such that it contacts the longitudinal side surfaces 110b of both heads 10, 10 between the heads 10, 10.

[0033] The second cleaning member 603 is made of an absorbent material. The second cleaning member 603 is a rectangular parallelepiped member with a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The second cleaning member 603 may have a stepped shape in the cross-sectional shape along the direction of head movement, or it may have a stepped shape in the cross-sectional shape along the direction perpendicular to the direction of head movement (sub-scanning direction Y). The second cleaning member 603 can contact the surface 110c of the outer surface of the part of the cover member 110 that covers the peripheral edge of the nozzle surface 10a, the part that is aligned with the main scanning direction X as shown in Figure 8, which will be described later (hereinafter referred to as the "short-side surface").

[0034] Next, an overview of the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 8. Figure 6 is a plan view illustrating the cleaning operation by the first cleaning member, Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the same, and Figure 8 is a plan view illustrating the cleaning operation by the second cleaning member. Note that Figures 6 and 8 are shown in a transparent state.

[0035] As described above, the head 10 is equipped with a cover member 110 that covers the peripheral edge of the nozzle surface 10a. Waste liquid that cannot be completely removed by the maintenance operation of the head 10 adheres to the cover member 110, dries and hardens, and can gradually accumulate as a solidified substance 700, as shown in Figure 7(a).

[0036] First, the cleaning operation of the head cleaning jig 600 by the first cleaning member 602 will be described. In the cleaning operation by the first cleaning member 602, the longitudinal side surface 110b and the longitudinal surface 110a of the cover member 110 of the head 10 are cleaned simultaneously.

[0037] Specifically, as shown in Figures 6 and 7(a), the head cleaning jig 600 is raised upward in the vertical direction Z, and as shown in Figure 7(b), the absorbent body 622, which forms the protrusion of the first cleaning member 602, is pushed between the heads 10, 10. At this time, the upper surface 602a of the absorbent body 621 of the first cleaning member 602, including a part of the nozzle surface 10a, comes into contact with the longitudinal surface 110a of the cover member 110.

[0038] Then, as shown in Figure 6, the head cleaning jig 600 is moved back and forth in the sub-scanning direction Y. As a result, the longitudinal side surfaces 110b and longitudinal surface 110a of the cover member 110 of the head 10 are simultaneously cleaned by the two sides 602b of the absorber 622 of the first cleaning member 602 in the main scanning direction X and the upper surface 602a of the absorber 621.

[0039] Thus, the first cleaning member 602 has a convex shape with a step in its cross-sectional shape, and by making it a shape that contacts both the side surface and the nozzle surface of the head simultaneously, the adhering material 700 to the side of the head 10 can be reliably removed, improving the cleanability of the side of the head 10.

[0040] Next, the cleaning operation using the second cleaning member 603 will be described. In the cleaning operation using the second cleaning member 603, the surface 110c of the outer surface of the part of the cover member 110 of the head 10 that covers the peripheral edge of the nozzle surface 10a (hereinafter referred to as the "short-side surface") is cleaned along the inner-X direction.

[0041] Specifically, as shown in Figure 8, the second cleaning member 603 of the head cleaning jig 600 is pressed against one of the short-side surfaces 110c of the cover member 110 of the head 10, and the head 10 is moved back and forth in the main scanning direction X. As a result, one of the short-side surfaces 110c of the cover member 110 of the head 10 is cleaned by the upper surface of the second cleaning member 603.

[0042] Next, the head cleaning jig is moved in the sub-scanning direction Y, and the second cleaning member 603 of the head cleaning jig 600 is pressed against the other short-side surface 110c of the cover member 110 of the head 10, and the head 10 is moved back and forth in the main scanning direction X. As a result, the upper surface of the second cleaning member 603 cleans the other short-side surface 110c of the cover member 110 of the head 10.

[0043] Here, we will explain how to control the cleaning operation by the first cleaning means.

[0044] In this embodiment, the controller board 50 also serves as a means for controlling the cleaning operation by the first cleaning means 602. The controller board 50 counts the number of times the suction pump 64 has sucked the nozzle surface 10a with the suction cap 61, and when the number of suctions reaches a predetermined number, it controls the cleaning of the head 10 with the first cleaning member 602.

[0045] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, for example, the system includes detection means 90, such as an imaging means or a reflective light sensor, to detect when the amount of dirt adhering to (fixed state of) the cover member 110 of the head 10 reaches an amount that requires cleaning.

[0046] Furthermore, when the detection result of the detection means 90 reaches an amount that indicates cleaning is necessary, the controller board 50 can be configured to control the cleaning of the head 10 with the first cleaning member 602.

[0047] In the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the detection means 90 can be positioned between the maintenance unit 60 and the platen scanning area which is the printing range, or between the ejection receiver 66 and the platen scanning area (either of the positions shown by dashed lines in Figure 3).

[0048] Furthermore, the detection of contamination by the detection means 90 can also be performed, for example, by counting the number of times the suction pump 64 has sucked up, and when the number of suctions reaches a predetermined number. Alternatively, the detection of contamination by the detection means 90 can be performed each time the amount of liquid discharged from the head 10 reaches a predetermined amount.

[0049] Then, the detection means 90 detects the cover member 110, and when it detects a dirt level exceeding a predetermined amount, the controller board 50 (controlling means) displays a message on the operation panel 71 prompting cleaning by the first cleaning member 602 of the head cleaning jig 600. Subsequently, when cleaning is instructed to begin, the controller board 50 (controlling means) starts the cleaning operation by the first cleaning member 602.

[0050] Next, the details of the cleaning operation by the first cleaning member will be explained with reference to Figures 9 to 12. Figures 9 and 10 are explanatory diagrams along the sub-scanning direction used to explain the cleaning operation, and Figures 11 and 12 are plan diagrams. In the plan diagrams, the carriage and head are shown transparently to the first cleaning member.

[0051] First, as shown in Figure 9, the head cleaning jig 600 is mounted on the receiving member 49. At this time, the absorber 622 of the first cleaning member 602 of the cleaning jig 601 is located below the detection position 80c of the light-emitting part 80A and light-receiving part 80B of the height detection means 80.

[0052] Furthermore, when viewing the device from above, as shown in Figure 11, the absorbent body 622 of the first cleaning member 602 of the head cleaning jig 600 is in a position detectable by the height detection means 80 in the sub-scanning direction Y, and is not in contact with the head 10.

[0053] From this state, as shown in Figure 10(a), the cleaning jig 601 is raised in the +Z direction in the vertical direction X (hereinafter simply referred to as the "+Z direction") until the absorbent body 622 of the first cleaning member 602 is at the height of the detection position 80c of the light-emitting part 80A and light-receiving part 80B of the height detection means 80. Furthermore, since the distance between the detection position 80c and the nozzle surface 10 of the head 10 is a predetermined distance 80d, as shown in Figure 10(b), the height of the absorbent body 622 of the first cleaning member 602 is moved from the position of the detection position 80c to the height of the accurate cleaning position taking into account the predetermined distance 80d.

[0054] Next, the head cleaning jig 600 is moved from the position shown in Figure 11 to the position shown in Figure 12(a) in the +Y direction in the sub-scanning direction Y (hereinafter simply referred to as the "+Y direction") to the position where cleaning of the cover member 110 begins.

[0055] Then, as shown in Figure 12(b), the head cleaning jig 600 is moved in the +Y direction to clean the longitudinal side surface 110b and longitudinal surface 110a of the cover member 110. At this time, the head cleaning jig 600 is moved in the +Y direction until the first cleaning member 602 is in a position that protrudes beyond the longitudinal direction of the head 10.

[0056] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 12(c), the head cleaning jig 600 is moved in the -Y direction in the sub-scanning direction Y (hereinafter simply referred to as the "-Y direction"). At this time, the head cleaning jig 600 is moved in the -Y direction until the first cleaning member 602 is in a position that protrudes beyond the longitudinal direction of the head 10.

[0057] During the cleaning operation, the cover member 110 is cleaned by repeatedly moving the first cleaning member 602 between the position shown in Figure 12(b) and the position shown in Figure 12(c) a required number of times.

[0058] When cleaning is complete, as shown in Figure 11, the head cleaning jig 600 and carriage 11 are moved and retracted to a position where the first cleaning member 602 and the second cleaning member 603 do not interfere with the head 10, and the cleaning work is finished.

[0059] Here, the repeated reciprocating motion of the first cleaning member 602, which is the cleaning operation, is performed by detecting a predetermined number of times on the controller board 50 so that the attached material adhering to the cover member 110 can be wiped away.

[0060] Furthermore, the controller board 50 can detect the temperature and humidity environment, and the predetermined number of repetitive back-and-forth movements for cleaning can be changed according to the temperature and humidity environment. In addition, the controller board 50 can detect the operating time, number of operations, and operating interval of the suction pump 64 that sucks ink from the head 10, and the predetermined number of cleaning operations can be changed according to the operating interval of the suction pump 64.

[0061] Here, the arrangement positions of the first and second cleaning members of the head cleaning jig in the sub-scanning direction Y will be explained with reference to Figure 13. Figure 13 is a plan view illustrating this explanation.

[0062] First, as shown in Figure 12(b) above, when the first cleaning member 602 is in the stopping position in the +Y direction, the second cleaning member 603 is positioned such that a gap Ga is created between the second cleaning member 603 and the head 10.

[0063] As a result, when the first cleaning member 602 is cleaning the cover member 110, the second cleaning member 603 does not interfere with the head 10.

[0064] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13, when four heads 10 are arranged in a line on the carriage 11 in the main scanning direction, when cleaning multiple cover members 110, as shown in Figure 13(a), the head cleaning jig 600 is moved to a position where the first cleaning member 602 does not interfere with the heads 10, and then the carriage 11 is moved in the +X direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the "+X direction") in the main scanning direction X. The carriage 11 is moved by the encoder 18 to the appropriate position where the cover member 110 to be cleaned comes into contact with the first cleaning member 602.

[0065] As a result, as shown in Figure 13(b), the cover member 110 can be cleaned as needed.

[0066] For example, when four heads 10 are arranged in parallel, the cover member 110 has five cleaning points in the X direction, X1 to X5, as shown in Figure 13(b). Furthermore, the second cleaning member 603 does not come into contact with any of the cover members 110 when cleaning.

[0067] Next, the operation of the head cleaning jig and carriage during the cleaning operation by the second cleaning member will be explained with reference to Figures 14 to 16. Figures 14 to 16 are plan diagrams used for this explanation. In the plan diagrams, the carriage and head are shown transparently to the second cleaning member.

[0068] First, as shown in Figure 14(a), in order to clean one of the short-side surfaces 110c of the cover member 110 of the head 10 by the cleaning operation of the second cleaning member 603, the head cleaning jig 600 is moved in the +Y direction so that the second cleaning member 603 can come into contact with the cover member 110. The carriage 11 is also moved in the +X direction so that the head 10 is retracted to a position where it does not interfere with the second cleaning member 603.

[0069] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 14(b), the carriage 11 is moved in the -X direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the "-X direction") in the main scanning direction X to the cleaning start position where the second cleaning member 603 is in contact with the cover member 110.

[0070] Then, as shown in Figure 15(a), the carriage 11 is moved further in the -X direction to clean the short-side surface of the cover member 110, and is moved in the -X direction until the second cleaning member 603 protrudes from the end of the head 10 on the cleaning completion position side and is stopped.

[0071] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 15(b), the carriage 11 is moved further in the +X direction to clean the short-side surface of the cover member 110, and is moved in the +X direction until the second cleaning member 603 protrudes from the end of the head 10 on the cleaning start position side and then stopped.

[0072] The short-side surface 110c of the cover member 110 is cleaned by repeatedly moving the carriage 11 back and forth a predetermined number of times so that the carriage 11 is in the carriage position shown in Figures 15(a) and 15(b), thereby wiping away and removing any adhering material from the cover member 110.

[0073] In this case, the arrangement of the first cleaning member 602 and the second cleaning member 603 is as shown in Figure 15(a), such that even when the cover member 110 is being cleaned by the second cleaning member 603, there is a gap Gb between the head 10 and the first cleaning member 603 so that they do not interfere with each other.

[0074] Next, as shown in Figure 16, the second cleaning member 603 is moved in the sub-scanning direction Y to a position where it contacts and cleans the other short-side surface 110c of the cover member 110. At this time, the carriage 11 is retracted to a position where the head 10 does not interfere with the second cleaning member 603.

[0075] Therefore, the carriage 11 is moved back and forth a predetermined number of times in the main scanning direction X, similar to the operation described above for cleaning one of the short-side surfaces 110c, to clean the other short-side surface 110c of the cover member 110.

[0076] In this embodiment, the head cleaning jig 600, including the first cleaning member 602, is detachably attached to the receiving member 49. However, the first cleaning member 602 can also be fixed in place within the printing device 1 as a cleaning means.

[0077] In other words, the device is equipped with a cleaning means for cleaning the head, the cleaning means having a first cleaning member 602, and the first cleaning member 602 of the cleaning means is brought into contact with the side surface and the nozzle surface of the head 10 simultaneously, and the first cleaning member 602 and the head 10 are moved relative to each other, thereby simultaneously cleaning the side surface and the nozzle surface of the head 10 with the first cleaning member 602.

[0078] Next, other different examples of the first cleaning member will be described with reference to Figure 17. Figure 17 is a perspective view illustrating this.

[0079] In the first example shown in Figure 17(a), the first cleaning member 602 has an I-shape in plan view, and the cross-sectional shape does not have steps at both ends of the convex portion (absorber 622) in the longitudinal direction (sub-scanning direction Y).

[0080] In the second example shown in Figure 17(b), the first cleaning member 602 has a shape in which, in a plan view, the convex portions (absorbers 622) expand toward both ends in the longitudinal direction (sub-scanning direction Y).

[0081] The first cleaning member 602 in the third example shown in Figure 17(c) has a shape in which a plurality of recesses 623 are provided on both sides in the short direction of the protrusion (absorbent body 622).

[0082] Next, yet another different example of the first cleaning member will be described with reference to Figure 18. Figure 18 is a front explanatory view for the same explanation.

[0083] The first cleaning member 602 in the fourth example shown in Figure 18(a) consists of a first cleaning section 602A for cleaning the side surface of the head and a second cleaning section 602B for cleaning the nozzle surface, and is attached to the jig body 601 with a gap 602C between the first cleaning section 602A and the second cleaning section 602B.

[0084] In this case, the first cleaning member 602, when combined with the first cleaning section 602A and the second cleaning section 602B, has a protrusion that simultaneously contacts the side surface and the nozzle surface of the head 10. In other words, the protrusion that simultaneously contacts the side surface and the nozzle surface of the head 10 may include a portion that contacts the side surface and a portion that contacts the nozzle surface of the head 10 that are separate.

[0085] The second cleaning unit 602B can also be positioned on both sides of the first cleaning unit 602A.

[0086] In the fifth example shown in Figure 18(b), the first cleaning member 602 is formed of an absorbent with a curved peripheral shape in the short-side direction.

[0087] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 19. Figure 19 is a plan view illustrating this embodiment.

[0088] In this embodiment, the second cleaning member 603 has a stepped shape in its cross-sectional shape in the direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the head 10 (sub-scanning direction). Here, the second cleaning member 603 is provided on a narrow flat plate-shaped absorbent 632 on a flat plate-shaped absorbent 631, and has a convex shape similar to the cross-sectional shape of the first cleaning member 602.

[0089] On the other hand, multiple heads 10 are arranged at required intervals in the sub-scanning direction on two co-moving carriages 11 (or one carriage 11).

[0090] In this case, because the second cleaning member 603 has a convex shape in the cross-sectional shape in the sub-scanning direction, one short-side surface 110c and the other short-side surface 110c of each row of heads 10 can be cleaned simultaneously. In addition, the opposing sides (short-side surfaces) of each row of heads 10 in the sub-scanning direction can be cleaned simultaneously.

[0091] Furthermore, the width of the absorbent 632 of the second cleaning member 603 in the sub-scanning direction is made wider than the gap between the heads 10, 10 of each row, and the width of the absorbent 631 in the sub-scanning direction is set to be such that it contacts the entire short-side surface 110c of the cover members 110 of the two heads 10 that are aligned in the sub-scanning direction.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the printing apparatus described as a device that dispenses liquid, where the component to which the liquid is applied is fabric, is not limited to this. Furthermore, the head cleaning jig is not limited to one that cleans the head of the printing apparatus.

[0093] In this application, the discharged liquid is not particularly limited as long as it has a viscosity and surface tension that can be discharged from the head, but it is preferable that its viscosity becomes 30 mPa·s or less at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, or when heated or cooled. More specifically, it is a solution, suspension, emulsion, etc. containing a solvent such as water or an organic solvent, a colorant such as a dye or pigment, a polymerizable compound, a resin, a functional material such as a surfactant, a biocompatible material such as DNA, amino acids or proteins, calcium, or an edible material such as a natural pigment. These can be used, for example, as inkjet inks, surface treatment liquids, liquids for forming components of electronic elements and light-emitting elements or electronic circuit resist patterns, and material liquids for 3D molding.

[0094] The energy source for discharging liquid includes piezoelectric actuators (multilayer piezoelectric elements and thin-film piezoelectric elements), thermal actuators using electrothermal conversion elements such as heating resistors, and electrostatic actuators consisting of a diaphragm and a counter electrode.

[0095] "Apparatus for dispensing liquid" may include means for feeding, transporting, and dispensing paper onto materials to which liquid can adhere, as well as pre-treatment devices, post-treatment devices, etc.

[0096] For example, "devices that dispense liquids" include image forming machines that dispense ink to form images on paper, three-dimensional modeling machines that dispense a molding liquid onto a powder layer formed in layers to create three-dimensional objects, and three-dimensional modeling machines that dispense model material and support material onto a stage for additive manufacturing.

[0097] Furthermore, "devices that dispense liquid" are not limited to those that visualize meaningful images such as letters or figures through the dispensed liquid. For example, devices that form patterns that do not have meaning in themselves, or devices that create three-dimensional images, are also included.

[0098] The term "materials to which liquid can adhere" above refers to materials to which liquid can adhere, at least temporarily, including materials that adhere and solidify, or materials that adhere and penetrate. Specific examples include recording media such as paper, recording paper, film, and cloth; electronic components such as electronic circuit boards and piezoelectric elements; powder layers; organ models; and inspection cells. Unless otherwise specified, it includes all materials to which liquid can adhere.

[0099] Furthermore, "liquid dispensing devices" include devices in which the liquid dispensing head and the surface to which the liquid can adhere move relative to each other, but are not limited to these. Specific examples include serial-type devices in which the liquid dispensing head moves, and line-type devices in which the liquid dispensing head does not move. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0100] 1. Printing device (device that dispenses liquid) 10 Head (liquid dispensing means) 11 Carriage 40 Platen component 49 Receiving member 110 Cover component 110a Longitudinal surface (nozzle side surface) 110b Longitudinal side (side surface) 400 Fabric (Eligible for Grant) 600 Head Cleaning Jig 601 Jig body 602 First Cleaning Member 603 Second Cleaning Member 621, 622 absorbers

Claims

1. Multiple heads arranged in a row for dispensing liquid, A holding member that holds the component to which liquid is applied, A receiving member that detachably holds the aforementioned holding member, The system comprises a cleaning jig for cleaning the head, The cleaning jig has a first cleaning member, The first cleaning member has a protrusion that simultaneously contacts the side surface and the nozzle surface of the head, The protrusion of the first cleaning member is movable between adjacent heads. The first cleaning member of the cleaning jig attached to the receiving member is brought into contact with the head, and the receiving member and the head are moved relative to each other to clean the head with the first cleaning member. The first cleaning member simultaneously contacts the side surface and the nozzle surface of the head during cleaning. The protrusion of the first cleaning member cleans adjacent heads simultaneously. A device for dispensing liquid characterized by the following.

2. Multiple heads arranged in a row for dispensing liquid, A holding member that holds the component to which liquid is applied, A receiving member that detachably holds the aforementioned holding member, The head is equipped with a cleaning means for cleaning the head, The cleaning means includes a first cleaning member, The first cleaning member has a protrusion that simultaneously contacts the side surface and the nozzle surface of the head, The protrusion of the first cleaning member is movable between adjacent heads. The first cleaning member of the cleaning means is brought into contact with the side surface and the nozzle surface of the head simultaneously, and the cleaning means and the head are moved relative to each other to clean the side surface and the nozzle surface of the head simultaneously with the first cleaning member. The protrusion of the first cleaning member cleans adjacent heads simultaneously. A device for dispensing liquid characterized by the following.

3. The cleaning means is detachable from the receiving member. The apparatus for dispensing liquid according to feature 2.

4. The first cleaning member is positioned such that its longitudinal direction aligns with a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the heads are arranged. A device for dispensing liquid according to any one of the features 1 to 3.

5. A cap that caps the nozzle surface of the head, A suction means for sucking air from inside the cap, The system includes means for controlling the cleaning of the head with the first cleaning member when the number of times the suction means has performed suction with the nozzle surface capped by the cap reaches a predetermined number of times. A device for dispensing liquid according to any one of features 1 to 4.

6. A method for maintaining the head of a liquid dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The state of adhesion of the liquid to at least one of the surfaces of the discharge surface and side of the head is detected. Based on the detection result, when the operation of discharging the liquid from the head is not being performed, the first cleaning member cleans the head. A method for maintaining a head, characterized by the following features.

7. A method for maintaining the head of a liquid dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The number of suction cycles performed by the suction means that sucks inside the cap that caps the nozzle surface of the head is detected. Based on the detection result, when the operation of discharging the liquid from the head is not being performed, the first cleaning member cleans the head. A method for maintaining a head, characterized by the following features.

8. Multiple dispensing heads arranged in a row for dispensing liquid, A holding member that holds the member to which the liquid is applied, A head cleaning jig that is detachably attached to the receiving member of a device comprising a receiving member that detachably holds the holding member, Having a first cleaning member, The first cleaning member has a protrusion that simultaneously contacts the side surface and the nozzle surface of the head, The protrusion of the first cleaning member is movable between adjacent heads. When the first cleaning member comes into contact with adjacent heads, the receiving member and the heads move relative to each other, causing the protrusions of the first cleaning member to clean adjacent heads simultaneously. The first cleaning member has a stepped shape in its cross-sectional shape along the direction of movement of the head. A head cleaning jig characterized by the following features.

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