Liquid dispensing device

Abstract

To provide a liquid discharge device which enables a liquid to be discharged from a discharge port to a liquid receiving surface or a contact part to contact with the discharge port without moving the discharge port to the side of the liquid receiving surface or the contact part and prevents the liquid receiving surface or the contact part from colliding with an object.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device 1000 includes: nozzles 302 which discharge an ink to a drawn object 100; a wiper unit 4 retaining an ink receiving surface 24 which receives the ink discharged from the nozzles 302 and a wiper 3 which contacts with the nozzles 302, the wiper unit 4 being movable between a position where the ink receiving surface 24 or the wiper 3 faces the nozzles 302 and a position where the ink receiving surface 24 and the wiper 3 do not face the nozzles 302; and a Z axis rail 103 or a housing 8 which retains the nozzles 302 in a manner that the nozzles 302 can move in the Z axis direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an inkjet printer in which when a driving gear 33 rotates, a carriage retraction mechanism 12 retracts and a capping lever 16 rotates, and a cleaner 20 cleans deposits such as ink and debris adhering to the nozzle surface of a print head 7, and a cap abuts against the nozzle to prevent ink drying.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes a device that ejects a liquid, in which a carriage 5 has a jam detection sensor 16 that detects contact with a recording medium P, and lifting means that moves a recording head 10 to vary the distance between the recording head 10 and the recording medium P, and when the detection means detects contact, the detection means simultaneously performs an operation of stopping the scanning of the carriage 5 by scanning means and an operation of increasing the distance between the recording head 10 and the recording medium P by the lifting means.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] [[ID=z5]] An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejection device that can eject a liquid from a discharge port to a liquid receiving surface or can bring a contact portion into contact with the discharge port without moving the discharge port to the liquid receiving surface or the contact portion side, and that avoids the liquid receiving surface or the contact portion from colliding with an object.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The liquid dispensing device according to the present invention comprises a head having a discharge port for dispensing liquid toward an object, a liquid holding section for storing the liquid supplied to the head, a movable section that holds a liquid receiving surface or a contact section that contacts the discharge port for receiving the liquid discharged from the discharge port, and is movable between a position where the liquid receiving surface or the contact section faces the discharge port and a position where the liquid receiving surface or the contact section does not face the discharge port, a liquid dispensing unit having the head and the movable section, and a guide section that holds the liquid dispensing unit so as to be movable separately from the liquid holding section, wherein the movable section is movable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of discharge with respect to the discharge port. When the moving part moves from a position where the liquid receiving surface or the contact part does not face the discharge port to a position where it faces the discharge port, it moves in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction while moving in the direction of discharge, and when the moving part moves from a position where the liquid receiving surface or the contact part faces the discharge port to a position where it does not face the discharge port, it moves in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction while moving in the direction opposite to the discharge direction. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a liquid dispensing device that can dispense liquid from a discharge port to a liquid receiving surface or bring a contact part into contact with the discharge port without moving the discharge port toward the liquid receiving surface or contact part, while also avoiding collision of the liquid receiving surface or contact part with an object. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram of a liquid dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a front view of the carriage in the same embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a plan view illustrating the carriage in the same embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a side view of the carriage in the same embodiment. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram of the control system in the same embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating one nozzle portion for explaining an example of a head in the same embodiment. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the drive voltage used to explain the operation of the head in the same embodiment. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram of the liquid supply system to the head in the same embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart illustrating the control of the drawing operation in the same embodiment. [Figure 10] This is an explanatory diagram of the carriage movement path in the same embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a flowchart illustrating the control during scanning in the same embodiment. [Figure 12] This is an explanatory diagram of the wiper unit in the same embodiment. [Figure 13] This is a diagram illustrating a part of the wiper unit in the same embodiment. [Figure 14] This is a flowchart illustrating the control of maintenance operations in the same embodiment. [Figure 15] This figure illustrates the maintenance operation in the same embodiment. [Figure 16] This is a perspective view of a wiper unit according to a modified example of the same embodiment. [Figure 17] This is a perspective view of the carriage in the modified configuration. [Figure 18] This is a plan view of the carriage in a modified example. [Figure 19] A perspective view of the cylinder in a modified example. [Figure 20] This is a perspective view of the carriage during maintenance operation in a modified example. [Figure 21] This is a plan view of the carriage at the start of maintenance operation in the modified example. [Figure 22] This is a plan view of the carriage during maintenance operation in a modified example. [Figure 23] This is a perspective view of a wiper unit according to a second modified example of the same embodiment. [Figure 24] This is a flowchart illustrating the control of maintenance operations in the second modified example. [Figure 25] This figure illustrates the maintenance procedure in the second modified example. [Figure 26] This is another figure used to illustrate the maintenance operation in the second modified example. [Figure 27]This is a perspective explanatory view when an aircraft is drawn as a drawing object using the liquid ejection device according to the third modification of the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 28] This is a perspective explanatory view of the liquid ejection device according to the third modification. [Figure 29] This is a perspective explanatory view of the liquid ejection device according to the fourth modification of the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 30] This is a perspective explanatory view of the drive unit of the liquid ejection device according to the fourth modification. [Figure 31] This is an explanatory view of the process according to the fourth modification.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0009] FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of the liquid ejection device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1(a) is a right side view of the liquid ejection device, and FIG. 1(b) is a plan view of the liquid ejection device.

[0010] The liquid ejection device 1000 is provided to face a drawn object 100 which is an example of an object, and includes a carriage 1 that ejects ink which is an example of a liquid toward the drawn object 100. The carriage 1 is an example of a liquid ejection unit that ejects a liquid toward an object.

[0011] The liquid ejection device 1000 includes a Z-axis rail 103 that holds the carriage 1 movably in the Z-axis direction, an X-axis rail 101 that holds the Z-axis rail 103 movably in the X-axis direction, and a Y-axis rail 102 that holds the X-axis rail 101 movably in the Y-axis direction. The X-axis rail 101, the Y-axis rail 102, and the Z-axis rail 103 are examples of a guide unit and a holding unit that hold the carriage 1 movably.

[0012] Furthermore, the liquid dispensing device 1000 includes a Z-direction drive unit 92 that moves the carriage 1 along the Z-axis rail 103 in the Z-direction direction, an X-direction drive unit 72 that moves the Z-axis rail 103 along the X-axis rail 101 in the X-direction direction, and a Y-direction drive unit 82 that moves the X-axis rail 101 along the Y-axis rail 102 in the Y-direction direction.

[0013] This allows the liquid dispensing device 1000 to dispense ink onto the object to be drawn 100 while moving the carriage 1 in the X, Y, and Z axes. Although the object to be drawn 100 is shown as a flat plate in Figure 1, it can also be a curved surface, such as the body of a vehicle like a car, truck, or aircraft, as long as it is a nearly vertical surface or a surface with a large radius of curvature.

[0014] Figure 2 is a front view of the carriage in this embodiment. Figure 3 is a top view of the carriage in the same embodiment. Figure 4 is a side view of the carriage in the same embodiment.

[0015] The carriage 1 includes heads 300Y, 300M, 300C, and 300K that eject inks of the colors Y, M, C, and K, respectively. Each of the heads 300Y, 300M, 300C, and 300K has a nozzle surface 302a having multiple nozzles 302. A nozzle 302 is an example of an ejection port that ejects liquid toward an object, and a nozzle surface 302 is an example of a liquid ejection surface.

[0016] The carriage 1 includes head fixing plates 7 that fix the heads 300Y, 300M, 300C, and 300K such that the nozzle surface 302a intersects the horizontal plane and the arrangement direction of the multiple nozzles 302 is inclined with respect to the X axis. As a result, the nozzles 302 eject ink in a direction intersecting the direction of gravity.

[0017] Specifically, the heads 300Y, 300M, 300C, and 300K are positioned so that the nozzle surface 302a is perpendicular to the horizontal plane, thereby causing the nozzle 302 to eject ink horizontally.

[0018] The carriage 1 further comprises a wiper unit 4 having an ink receiving surface 24, a wiper 3, a cleaning fluid supply unit 5, and a cleaning fluid recovery member 6.

[0019] The ink receiving surface 24 is an example of a liquid receiving surface that receives ink ejected from the nozzle 302.

[0020] The wiper 3 is an example of a contact portion that comes into contact with the nozzle 302 and the nozzle surface 302a when the wiper unit 4 moves with the ink receiving surface 24 facing the nozzle 302, and extends in a direction parallel to the nozzle surface 302a. The wiper 3 is also an example of a protruding portion that, with the ink receiving surface 24 facing the nozzle 302, protrudes toward the nozzle 302 side of the ink receiving surface 24 and extends in a direction parallel to the ink receiving surface 24.

[0021] The cleaning fluid supply unit 5 receives cleaning fluid from a flexible pipe, the cleaning fluid supply tube 11, and supplies the cleaning fluid to the wiper 3 and the ink receiving surface 24 from above. The cleaning fluid recovery member 6 is positioned below the ink receiving surface 24 and is an example of a liquid holding unit that holds the ink received by the ink receiving surface 24. The cleaning fluid recovery member 6 is also an example of a cleaning fluid holding unit that holds the cleaning fluid supplied to the wiper 3 and the ink receiving surface 24. The cleaning fluid recovery member 6 then discharges the ink and cleaning fluid through a flexible pipe, the cleaning fluid recovery tube 12.

[0022] The carriage 1 comprises an upper guide plate 8H fixed to the upper part of the head fixing plate 7, a lower guide plate 8L fixed to the lower part of the head fixing plate 7, an upper plate 4H fixed to the upper part of the wiper unit 4, and a lower plate 4L fixed to the lower part of the wiper unit 4. The head fixing plate 7, guide plates 8H and 8L are examples of housings that hold the nozzle 302 and movably support the wiper unit 4.

[0023] A guide groove 9 is formed in the upper guide plate 8H, and a similar guide groove is formed in the lower guide plate 8L. Pins 10 are provided on the upper plate 4H and the lower plate 4L, respectively, protruding toward the upper guide plate 8H and the lower guide plate 8L.

[0024] Furthermore, the carriage 1 includes a motor 13, a roller 13A that rotates coaxially with the motor 13, a belt 14A wrapped around the roller 13A, a roller 16A around which the belt 14A is wrapped, a rotating shaft 16 that coaxially supports the roller 16A, a roller 16B that is coaxially supported by the rotating shaft 16, a belt 14B wrapped around the roller 16B, rollers 15B and 18B around which the belt 14B is wrapped, and an upper mounting portion 4B that connects the upper plate 4H of the wiper unit 4 to the belt 14B.

[0025] Furthermore, the carriage 1 includes a roller 16C coaxially supported on the rotating shaft 16, a belt 14C wrapped around the roller 16C, rollers 15C and 18C around which the belt 14C is wrapped, and a lower mounting portion 4C that connects the lower plate 4L of the wiper unit 4 to the belt 14C.

[0026] The carriage 1 includes a sensor 17a that detects when the upper mounting portion 4B is located at the right end (negative side in the X-axis direction) and a sensor 17b that detects when the lower mounting portion 4C is located at the left end (positive side in the X-axis direction). In this embodiment, the sensor 17a detects when the wiper unit 4 is in the standby position (home position), and the sensor 17b detects when the wiper unit 4 is in the end position (reversal position).

[0027] With the above configuration, when the motor 13 is driven, rotational driving force is transmitted to belts 14B and 14C via belt 14A, causing the wiper unit 4 connected to belts 14B and 14C to move. At that time, the pin 10 slides along the inside of the guide groove 9, causing the wiper unit 4 to move along a trajectory that follows the shape of the guide groove 9.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, the wiper unit 4 moves horizontally (without changing its position in the Y-axis direction) so that its posture does not change when it moves in the left-right direction (X-axis direction). In other words, the wiper unit 4 moves in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) so that its inclination with respect to the horizontal plane does not change and its height does not change. Here, since the cleaning fluid recovery member 6 is fixed in position relative to the wiper unit 4, when the wiper unit 4 moves in the left-right direction (X-axis direction), the cleaning fluid recovery member 6 does not change its inclination with respect to the horizontal plane and its height does not change.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, the guide groove 9 is formed such that as the wiper unit 4 moves from the right side to the left side (positive X-axis direction), the wiper unit 4 moves from the back side to the front side (positive Z-axis direction).

[0030] In the standby position, the wiper unit 4 is located behind the nozzle 302 (negative side in the Z-axis direction) and does not face the nozzle 302.

[0031] As the wiper unit 4 moves to the left (positive X-axis direction), it moves in front of the nozzle 302 (positive Z-axis direction), and then moves further to the left (positive X-axis direction), so that it faces the nozzle 302. In this state, the wiper 3 comes into contact with the nozzle surface 302a, and the ink receiving surface 24 becomes able to receive the ink ejected from the nozzle 302.

[0032] As the wiper unit 4 moves to the left (positive side in the X-axis direction) while facing the nozzle 302, the wiper 3 wipes and cleans the nozzle surface 302a and the nozzle 302.

[0033] Furthermore, when the wiper unit 4 moves to the left (positive X-axis direction), it no longer faces the nozzle 302.

[0034] Then, once the wiper unit 4 has reached its end position, it moves to the right (negative side in the X-axis direction) and returns to its standby position.

[0035] In other words, the wiper unit 4 is an example of a movable part that can move between a position where the wiper 3 and the ink receiving surface 24 face the nozzle 302 and a position where the wiper 3 and the ink receiving surface 24 do not face the nozzle 302. Furthermore, the wiper unit 4 is movable so that the wiper 3 moves horizontally when the wiper 3 is facing the nozzle surface 302a.

[0036] As described above, the carriage 1 comprises a nozzle 302 that ejects ink toward the object to be drawn 100, an ink receiving surface 24 that receives the ink ejected from the nozzle 302, a cleaning fluid recovery member 6 that holds the ink received by the ink receiving surface, and a movable wiper unit 4 that holds the ink receiving surface 24 and the cleaning fluid recovery member 6, and ensures that the inclination of the cleaning fluid recovery member 6 with respect to the horizontal plane does not change between a position where the ink receiving surface 24 faces the nozzle 302 and a position where the ink receiving surface 24 does not face the nozzle 302.

[0037] As a result, the ink receiving surface 24 moves to a position facing the nozzle 302, allowing ink to be ejected from the nozzle 302 to the ink receiving surface 24 without the nozzle 302 moving towards the ink receiving surface 24. Furthermore, when the ink receiving surface 24 moves to a position that does not face the nozzle 302, the amount of ink received by the ink receiving surface 24 that shakes and overflows from the cleaning fluid recovery member 6 is reduced.

[0038] The liquid dispensing device 1000 includes a carriage 1 and, as described in Figure 1, an X-axis rail 101, a Y-axis rail 102, and a Z-axis rail 103 that movably hold the carriage 1.

[0039] This allows the carriage 1 to eject ink toward the object to be drawn 100 while moving in the X, Y, and Z axes. Furthermore, regardless of the position of the carriage 1 within the liquid ejection device 1000, the ink receiving surface 24 can move to a position facing the nozzle 302 when needed, so that ink can be ejected from the nozzle 302 to the ink receiving surface 24 without the nozzle 302 moving toward the ink receiving surface 24, i.e., without the carriage 1 moving.

[0040] In other words, compared to the case where the carriage 1 moves toward the ink receiving surface 24 which is in a fixed position, the time it takes for the carriage 1 to move can be reduced, allowing for continuous high-quality drawing with minimal downtime.

[0041] The wiper unit 4 is movable so as not to change the height of the cleaning fluid recovery member 6. As a result, when the wiper unit 4 moves, the ink held by the cleaning fluid recovery member 6 is not subjected to vertical forces, making it less prone to shaking and less likely to overflow from the cleaning fluid recovery member 6.

[0042] The nozzle 302 ejects ink in a direction intersecting the direction of gravity, and the cleaning fluid recovery member 6 is positioned below the ink receiving surface 24. This allows the cleaning fluid recovery member 6 to hold the ink that has been ejected toward the ink receiving surface and then fallen due to gravity.

[0043] The cleaning fluid recovery member 6 holds the cleaning fluid supplied to the ink receiving surface 24. This allows the ink receiving surface 24 to be cleaned, and prevents the cleaning fluid received by the ink receiving surface 24 from overflowing from the cleaning fluid recovery member 6 when the ink receiving surface 24 moves to a position where it does not face the nozzle 302.

[0044] The wiper unit 4 includes a cleaning fluid supply unit 5 that supplies cleaning fluid to the ink receiving surface 24. This ensures that cleaning fluid is reliably supplied to the ink receiving surface 24, thereby ensuring that the ink receiving surface 24 is thoroughly cleaned.

[0045] Furthermore, the carriage 1 includes a nozzle surface 302a having a nozzle 302 that ejects ink toward the object to be drawn 100, a wiper 3 that contacts the nozzle surface 302a and extends in a direction parallel to the nozzle surface 302a, a cleaning fluid recovery member 6 that holds the cleaning fluid supplied to the wiper 3, and a movable wiper unit 4 that holds the wiper 3 and the cleaning fluid recovery member 6, and prevents the inclination of the cleaning fluid recovery member 6 with respect to the horizontal plane from changing between a position where the wiper 3 faces the nozzle surface 302a and a position where the wiper 3 does not face the nozzle surface 302a.

[0046] As a result, when the wiper 3 moves to a position facing the nozzle surface 302a, the nozzle surface 302a does not move towards the wiper 3, and the wiper 3, supplied with cleaning fluid, comes into contact with the nozzle surface 302a and wipes and cleans it. In addition, when the wiper 3 moves to a position that does not face the nozzle surface 302a, the amount of cleaning fluid that shakes and overflows from the cleaning fluid collection member 6 is reduced.

[0047] The liquid dispensing device 1000 includes a carriage 1 and, as described in Figure 1, an X-axis rail 101, a Y-axis rail 102, and a Z-axis rail 103 that movably hold the carriage 1.

[0048] This allows the carriage 1 to eject ink toward the object to be drawn 100 while moving in the X, Y, and Z axes. Furthermore, regardless of the position of the carriage 1 within the liquid ejection device 1000, when needed, the wiper 3 moves to a position facing the nozzle surface 302a, so that the nozzle surface 302a does not move toward the wiper 3, i.e., the carriage 1 does not move, and the wiper 3 supplied with cleaning fluid comes into contact with and wipes the nozzle surface 302a for cleaning.

[0049] In other words, compared to the case where carriage 1 moves toward wiper 3 which is in a fixed position, the time it takes for carriage 1 to move can be reduced, allowing for continuous high-quality rendering with less downtime.

[0050] The wiper unit 4 is movable so as not to change the height of the cleaning fluid collection member 6. As a result, when the wiper unit 4 moves, the cleaning fluid held by the cleaning fluid collection member 6 is not subjected to vertical forces, making it less prone to shaking and less likely to overflow from the cleaning fluid collection member 6.

[0051] The wiper unit 4 is movable so as not to change the height of the cleaning fluid collection member 6. As a result, when the wiper unit 4 moves, the cleaning fluid held by the cleaning fluid collection member 6 is not subjected to vertical force, making it less likely to overflow from the cleaning fluid collection member 6.

[0052] The carriage 1 includes a head fixing plate 7, guide plates 8H and 8L (an example of a housing) that hold the nozzle surface 302a and movably support the wiper unit 4.

[0053] The wiper unit 4 includes a cleaning fluid supply unit 5 that supplies cleaning fluid to the wiper 3. This ensures that cleaning fluid is reliably supplied to the wiper 3, allowing the nozzle surface 302a to be reliably wiped and cleaned.

[0054] The nozzle surface 302a is positioned to intersect with the horizontal plane, the wiper 3 extends downward, and the cleaning fluid supply unit 5 supplies cleaning fluid from above the wiper 3. This ensures that cleaning fluid is reliably supplied below the wiper 3 using gravity, allowing for thorough wiping and cleaning of the area below the nozzle surface 302a.

[0055] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of the control system in this embodiment.

[0056] The liquid dispensing device 1000 includes a compressor 230 and an air regulator 332 for supplying pressurized air, and an ink tank 330 for storing ink 311. This allows pressurized air to be supplied from the compressor 230 and the air regulator 332 to the ink tank 330. Here, the compressor 230 is an example of a pressurized air supply unit, and the ink tank 330 is an example of a liquid holding unit.

[0057] Furthermore, the liquid discharge device 1000 includes an air regulator 232 connected to the compressor 230, a cleaning liquid tank 221 for storing the cleaning liquid 220, and an on / off valve 234 provided between the cleaning liquid tank 221 and the cleaning liquid supply unit 5. This allows pressurized air to be supplied from the compressor 230 and the air regulator 232 to the cleaning liquid tank 221.

[0058] Furthermore, the liquid discharge device 1000 includes a vacuum generator 242, a solenoid valve 244 connected to the pressurizing ports of the compressor 230 and the vacuum generator 242, and a waste liquid tank 240 connected to the drain port of the vacuum generator 242. A cleaning liquid recovery tube 12 is connected to the suction port of the vacuum generator 242. The vacuum generator 242 is an example of a negative pressure generating unit, and the waste liquid tank 240 is an example of a cleaning liquid recovery unit.

[0059] The liquid dispensing device 1000, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, includes a control unit 500 that controls the motor 13 based on detection signals from sensors 17a and 17b, and a concentration detection unit 335 that detects the vapor concentration of flammable solvents such as acetone contained in the ink. The control unit 500 receives the solvent vapor concentration detected by the concentration detection unit 335 as input and controls the X-direction drive unit 72, Y-direction drive unit 82, and Z-direction drive unit 92 shown in Figure 1 to move the carriage 1 in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions, as well as controlling the head 300, the on / off valve 234, and the solenoid valve 244.

[0060] The control unit 500 is composed of, for example, a CPU that controls the overall system, a ROM that stores programs for causing the CPU to perform control operations such as drawing, and other fixed data, a RAM that temporarily stores drawing data, and an I / F for sending and receiving data and signals used when receiving drawing data from a host such as a PC.

[0061] In the above configuration, the control unit 500 controls the head 300, thereby supplying pressurized ink from the ink tank 330 to the head 300.

[0062] Furthermore, when the control unit 500 opens the on / off valve 234, pressurized cleaning fluid is supplied from the cleaning fluid tank 221 to the cleaning fluid supply unit 5.

[0063] Then, when the control unit 500 opens the solenoid valve 244, the compressor 230 sends pressurized air to the vacuum generator 242, creating negative pressure at the suction port of the vacuum generator 242. This causes the liquid in the cleaning liquid recovery member 6 to be sucked in through the cleaning liquid recovery tube 12 and discharged into the waste liquid tank 240.

[0064] As described above, the liquid dispensing device 1000 includes a waste liquid tank 240 connected to the cleaning liquid recovery member 6 via a cleaning liquid recovery tube 12. This allows the cleaning liquid held by the cleaning liquid recovery member 6 to be recovered by the waste liquid tank 240 regardless of the position of the carriage 1 relative to the object to be drawn 100.

[0065] The liquid discharge device 1000 is equipped with a vacuum generator 242 that generates negative pressure between the cleaning liquid recovery tube 12 and the waste liquid tank 240. This ensures that the cleaning liquid held by the cleaning liquid recovery member 6 is reliably recovered by the waste liquid tank 240.

[0066] The liquid dispensing device 1000 includes a compressor 230 that supplies pressurized air, and an ink tank 330 that receives pressurized air from the compressor 230 and supplies pressurized ink to the nozzle 302. The vacuum generator 242 generates negative pressure using the pressurized air received from the compressor 230. This allows the cleaning liquid held by the cleaning liquid recovery member 6 to be reliably recovered by the waste liquid tank 240 using the compressor 230 for supplying ink.

[0067] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating one nozzle portion as an example of a head in this embodiment. Figure 6(a) shows the nozzle in the closed state, and Figure 6(b) shows the nozzle in the open state.

[0068] The head 300 is equipped with a hollow housing 304 that has a nozzle 302 at its tip for discharging liquid, and an inlet 303 near the nozzle 302 into which liquid is injected.

[0069] The housing 304 contains a piezoelectric element 305 that expands and contracts in response to an applied external voltage, a valve body 307 that opens and closes the nozzle 302, and a valve body moving means 308 that is positioned between the valve body 307 and the piezoelectric element 305 and moves the valve body 307 forward and backward relative to the nozzle 302.

[0070] The piezoelectric element 305 is housed in a case 315, and a pair of wiring members 310a and 310b for voltage application are connected to it and brought out to the outside. The piezoelectric element 305 drives the valve body 307 via the valve body moving means 308.

[0071] A sealing member 306 is positioned between the valve body 307 and the housing 304 to prevent the pressurized liquid injected from the inlet 303 from entering the piezoelectric element 305. This forms a liquid chamber 309 into which the pressurized liquid is injected from the inlet 303. In other words, the liquid chamber 309 is housed in the housing 304. The valve body 307 is also an example of an opening and closing member that opens and closes the flow path between the liquid chamber 309 and the nozzle 302.

[0072] The housing 304 is a cylindrical or rectangular tubular body, and is closed except for the nozzle 302 and the injection port 303. The nozzle 302 is an opening at the tip of the housing 304 that dispenses ink 311. The injection port 303 is provided on the side of the housing 304 near the nozzle 302, and pressurized liquid is continuously supplied to it.

[0073] The piezoelectric element 305 is formed using zirconia ceramics or the like. A drive waveform (drive voltage) is applied to the piezoelectric element 305 via wiring members 310a and 310b.

[0074] The sealing member 306 is, for example, a packing or an O-ring. By fitting the sealing member 306 onto the valve body 307, it prevents liquid from flowing from the inlet 303 side to the piezoelectric element 305 side.

[0075] The valve body moving means 308 has a deformable portion 308a with a substantially trapezoidal cross-section, formed from a resilient and deformable elastic member made of rubber, soft resin, thin metal plate, etc. The connecting portion 308e, which corresponds to the upper side of the substantially trapezoidal cross-section of the deformable portion 308a, is fixed to the base end surface of the valve body 307. The long side, which corresponds to the bottom side of the substantially trapezoidal cross-section of the deformable portion 308a, is connected to the bent side portion 308d. The radial center of the bent side portion 308d is connected to the guide portion 308c, and the space between the radial center and the end is connected to the fixed portion 312, one end of which is connected to the case 315.

[0076] As shown in Figure 6(b), when a predetermined voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 305, the guide portion 308c moves toward the nozzle 302 by, for example, a distance e, and the central part of the bent edge portion 308d is pushed in.

[0077] At this time, the bent side portion 308d is connected to the fixing portion 312 on its outer circumference, so it is displaced in the direction of the arrow, with the connection to the fixing portion 312 as the starting point. As the bent side portion 308d is displaced in the direction of the arrow, the deformed portion 308a expands, and the connection portion 308e with the valve body 307 is pulled in in the direction of the arrow.

[0078] The deformation of the deformable portion 308a of the valve body moving means 308 causes the valve body 307, which is fixed to the connecting portion 308e of the deformable portion 308a, to be retracted by a distance d, and the nozzle 302 opens.

[0079] In other words, as the piezoelectric element 305 extends, the guide portion 308c moves a distance e toward the nozzle 302, causing the valve body 307 to move a distance in the opposite direction to the direction of movement of the guide portion 308 (the direction of extension of the piezoelectric element 305).

[0080] Here, by adjusting the distance between the connection portion 308e with the valve body 307 and the bent side portion 308d in the deformed portion 308a of the valve body moving means 308, and the length of the bent side portion 308d, the amount of movement of the valve body 307 can be made longer than the amount of displacement of the piezoelectric element 305.

[0081] In other words, the valve body moving means 308 can amplify the displacement of the piezoelectric element 305 and reduce the displacement of the piezoelectric element 305, thereby enabling miniaturization of the piezoelectric element 305.

[0082] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the drive voltage used to explain the operation of the head in this embodiment.

[0083] When no voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 305 in the head 300, the piezoelectric element 305 is in a contracted state, so no force is applied to the valve body moving means 308 by the piezoelectric element 305. At this time, the deformable portion 308a of the valve body moving means 308 is in an expanded state (normal state), as shown in Figure 7(a), and the valve body 307 is biased toward the nozzle 302 by the elastic force of the deformable portion 308a. Therefore, the nozzle 302 is closed by the end face of the valve body 307, and ink 311 is not ejected from the nozzle 302.

[0084] Here, by applying a voltage (+EV) of waveform P1 to the piezoelectric element 305 as shown in Figure 7(a), the piezoelectric element 305 expands, and as described above, the deformation portion 308a of the valve body moving means 308 deforms, pulling the valve body 307 in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 6(b). As a result, the valve body 307 opens the nozzle 302, and the pressurized liquid injected from the inlet 303 is discharged from the nozzle 302.

[0085] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 7(b), a waveform P2 with a voltage (+EV) that disappears midway may be applied to the piezoelectric element 305, or, as shown in Figure 7(c), the voltage of the waveform that should be applied may not be applied to the piezoelectric element 305 due to a power outage or the like.

[0086] At this time, the piezoelectric element 305 maintains its contracted state, so the deformed portion 308a of the valve body moving means 308 returns to the normal state shown in Figure 6(a). Therefore, the valve body 307 maintains the nozzle 302 closed, and the ink 311 is not ejected from the nozzle 302.

[0087] This reduces the risk of ink 311 inadvertently leaking from the nozzle 302 or nozzle clogging occurring, even in the event of a power outage.

[0088] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram of the liquid supply system to the head in this embodiment.

[0089] Next, the liquid supply system for head 300 will be explained with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram of the liquid supply system.

[0090] Here, an ink tank 330 (330Y~330K) is provided as a sealed container containing ink 311 of each color ejected from each head 300 (300Y~300K). The ink tank 330 and the ink inlet 303 of the head 300 are connected via tubes 333.

[0091] Meanwhile, the ink tank 330 is connected to the compressor 230 via a pipe 331 that includes an air regulator 332, and is supplied with pressurized air from the compressor 230.

[0092] As a result, pressurized ink 311 of each color is supplied to the injection port 303 of each head 300, and as described above, the ink 311 is ejected from the nozzle 302 in accordance with the opening and closing of the valve body 307.

[0093] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the control of the drawing operation in the same embodiment. Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram of the carriage's movement path in the same embodiment. Figure 10(a) is a front view, and Figure 10(b) is a top view. The movement trajectory of carriage 1 is shown as 1R.

[0094] When the control unit 500 receives a drawing command, it controls the X-direction drive unit 72, the Y-direction drive unit 82, and the Z-direction drive unit 92 shown in Figure 1 to move the carriage 1 to the drawing start standby position 110 shown in Figure 10(a) (PS1).

[0095] This drawing start waiting position 110 is located a certain distance away in the -X direction from the drawing area of ​​the object to be drawn 100, and is further away in the Z direction from the drawing surface of the object to be drawn 100 than it is at the time of drawing.

[0096] The control unit 500 performs maintenance operations at this position (PS2). Details of the maintenance operations will be described later.

[0097] The control unit 500 then controls the X-direction drive unit 72 and the Z-direction drive unit 92 to move the carriage 1 in the +X direction while bringing it closer to the drawing surface, as shown in Figure 10(b), and performs a drawing operation based on the image information (PS3). That is, the control unit 500 ejects ink from the nozzle 302 while moving the carriage 1 in the +X direction.

[0098] When the carriage 1 leaves the drawing area, the control unit 500 controls the X-direction drive unit 72 and the Z-direction drive unit 92 to move the carriage 1 in the direction away from the drawing surface (-Z direction) while moving it in the +X direction, and stops it at the inversion position 111.

[0099] Here, the control unit 500 determines whether drawing is complete (PS4). If there is drawing data, it controls the Y-direction drive unit 82 to move the carriage 1 in the Y-direction (PS5), and then performs the operations of PS2 to PS4 again.

[0100] The control unit 500 continues the operations of PS2 to PS5 until drawing is complete. If the control unit 500 determines in step PS4 that drawing is complete, it performs maintenance operations (PS6) in the same way as in step PS2. This allows the operation to end with residual ink and other substances removed from the nozzle surface 302a.

[0101] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating the control during scanning in the same embodiment.

[0102] In step PS3 of Figure 9, the control unit 500 moves the carriage 1 in the +X direction while bringing it closer to the drawing surface and performs the drawing operation based on the image information, and performs the following control.

[0103] The control unit 500 checks whether the acetone vapor concentration detected by the concentration detection unit 335 is equal to or greater than the reference value of 1 (PS31), and terminates the process if it is less than the reference value of 1. The reference value of 1 is an example of a first threshold value.

[0104] The control unit 500 controls the X-direction drive unit 72 to stop moving the carriage 1 in the +X direction and controls the head 300 to stop ejecting ink from the nozzle 302 if the acetone vapor concentration is equal to or greater than the reference value of 1 (PS32). An acetone vapor concentration of equal to or greater than the reference value of 1 is an example of satisfying the first condition.

[0105] Next, the control unit 500 controls the Z-direction drive unit 92 to move the carriage 1 in the -Z direction, thereby moving the head 300 and wiper unit 4 together in the -Z direction (PS33).

[0106] The control unit 500 performs maintenance operations at this position in the same manner as step PS2 in Figure 9 (PS33).

[0107] As explained in Figures 2 and 3, the control unit 500 drives the motor 13 to move the wiper unit 4 so that the wiper 3 faces the nozzle surface 302a and the ink receiving surface 24 faces the nozzle 302. Then, with the wiper 3 facing the nozzle surface 302a, the control unit 500 further moves the wiper unit 4 so that the wiper 3 wipes the nozzle surface 302a and ejects ink from the nozzle 302 toward the ink receiving surface 24. Details of the maintenance operation will be described later.

[0108] The control unit 500 checks whether the acetone vapor concentration detected by the concentration detection unit 335 is less than the reference value 2 (PS35). Reference value 2 is an example of a second threshold value and is set to a value lower than reference value 1.

[0109] If the acetone vapor concentration is not below the standard value of 2, the control unit 500 checks if a predetermined time has elapsed since the maintenance operation (PS36). If the predetermined time has elapsed, it returns to step PS33 and performs the maintenance operation again.

[0110] When the acetone vapor concentration falls below a reference value of 2, the control unit 500 controls the Z-direction drive unit 92 to move the carriage 1 in the +Z direction, thereby moving the head 300 and wiper unit 4 together in the +Z direction (PS37). An acetone vapor concentration of less than a reference value of 2 is an example of satisfying the second condition.

[0111] Then, the control unit 500 controls the X-direction drive unit 72 to resume moving the carriage 1 in the +X direction from the stop position where the carriage 1 stopped moving in step PS32, and also controls the head 300 to resume ejecting ink from the nozzle 302 (PS38).

[0112] In this embodiment, the carriage 1, as described in Figures 2 and 3, includes a wiper unit 4 that holds an ink receiving surface 24 and a wiper 3 and is movable between a position where the ink receiving surface 24 or wiper 3 faces the nozzle 302 and a position where the ink receiving surface 24 or wiper 3 does not face the nozzle 302, and the liquid dispensing device 1000, as described in Figure 1, includes a Z-axis rail 103 that holds the carriage 1, including the nozzle 302, so as to be movable in the Z-axis direction.

[0113] As a result, as explained in step PS24, the ink receiving surface 24 moves to a position facing the nozzle 302, allowing the nozzle 302 to receive the dry ink discharged from the nozzle 302 without moving toward the ink receiving surface 24. Also, as the wiper 3 moves to a position facing the nozzle 302, the wiper 3 can come into contact with the nozzle 302 and wipe and clean it without the nozzle 302 moving toward the wiper 3.

[0114] Then, as described in step PS33, when the ink receiving surface 24 and wiper 3 move to a position facing the nozzle 302, the nozzle 302 and wiper unit 4 are moved in advance in the opposite direction to the direction of discharge, thereby preventing the ink receiving surface 24 and wiper 3 from colliding with the object to be drawn 100.

[0115] As described in Figure 1, the liquid dispensing device 1000 includes an X-axis rail 101, a Y-axis rail 102, and a Z-axis rail 103, and holds the carriage 1 so that it can move in the Z-axis, X-axis, and Y-axis directions.

[0116] This allows the carriage 1 to eject ink toward the object to be drawn 100 while moving in the X-axis direction. Regardless of the position of the carriage 1 relative to the object to be drawn 100, the ink receiving surface 24 moves to a position facing the nozzle 302 when needed, so that the nozzle 302 can receive the ejected ink by discharging dry ink from the nozzle 302 without moving toward the ink receiving surface 24.

[0117] Furthermore, regardless of the position of the carriage 1 relative to the object to be drawn 100, the wiper 3 can move to a position facing the nozzle surface 302a when needed, so that the wiper 3 can come into contact with the nozzle surface 302a and wipe and clean it without the nozzle surface 302a moving toward the wiper 3.

[0118] In other words, compared to the case where the carriage 1 moves toward the ink receiving surface 24 or wiper 3, which are in a fixed position, the time the carriage 1 moves can be shortened, allowing for continuous high-quality drawing with minimal downtime. Furthermore, by pre-moving the carriage 1 toward the negative side of the Z-axis, collisions with the object to be drawn 100 can be avoided when the ink receiving surface 24 or wiper 3 moves toward the nozzle 302.

[0119] If the acetone vapor concentration detected by the concentration detection unit 335 becomes 1 or greater while the nozzle 302 is moving in the X-axis direction (an example of satisfying the first condition), the control unit 500 stops moving the nozzle 302 in the X-axis direction and stops ejecting ink from the nozzle 302. Subsequently, if the acetone vapor concentration detected by the concentration detection unit 335 becomes less than 2 (an example of satisfying the second condition), the control unit 500 resumes moving the nozzle 302 in the X-axis direction from the stopping position where the nozzle 302 stopped moving in the X-axis direction, and resumes ejecting ink from the nozzle 302.

[0120] This allows the acetone vapor concentration to rise by stopping ink ejection when it increases, and to continue high-quality drawing with minimal downtime by restarting the movement of the nozzle 302 and ink ejection when the acetone vapor concentration decreases.

[0121] In this embodiment, an example of when the first condition is met is given as the case when the acetone vapor concentration reaches a standard value of 1 or higher. However, the case when any malfunction occurs may also be considered when the first condition is met. Furthermore, the case when any malfunction is resolved may be considered when the second condition is met.

[0122] This allows for continuous high-quality drawing with minimal downtime by stopping ink ejection to resolve any malfunctions, and then resuming the movement of nozzle 302 and ink ejection once the malfunction is resolved.

[0123] When the control unit 500 stops moving the nozzle 302 in the X-axis direction, it moves the nozzle 302 to the negative side in the Z-axis direction and moves the wiper unit 4 so that the ink receiving surface 24 and the wiper 3 are in a position facing the nozzle 302, thereby ejecting ink from the nozzle 302 toward the ink receiving surface 24.

[0124] This allows for effective use of the period when the nozzle 302 is stationary in the X-axis direction to discharge dried ink from the nozzle 302 and clean it. Furthermore, it reduces the time the nozzle 302 moves compared to when the nozzle 302 moves toward the fixed ink receiving surface 24 or wiper 3, while avoiding collision between the ink receiving surface 24 or wiper 3 and the object to be drawn 100. As a result, high-quality drawing can be continued with minimal downtime.

[0125] Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram of the wiper unit in the same embodiment. Figure 13 is a partial explanatory diagram of the wiper unit in the same embodiment.

[0126] Figure 12(a) is a rear view of the wiper unit, Figure 12(b) is a side view of the wiper unit, Figure 13(a) is a top front view of the wiper unit, Figure 13(b) is a bottom front perspective view of the wiper unit, and Figure 13(c) is a bottom rear perspective view of the wiper unit.

[0127] The wiper unit 4 includes a protrusion 23 that extends beyond the ink receiving surface 24 in the direction normal to the ink receiving surface 24 and extends downward in a direction parallel to the ink receiving surface 24 and vertically, and a pressurizing mechanism 3P that pressurizes the wiper 3 from the back side. Here, the wiper 3 and the protrusion 23 are examples of protrusions that extend beyond the ink receiving surface 24 toward the nozzle 302 when the ink receiving surface 24 is facing the nozzle 302.

[0128] Furthermore, the wiper 3 and the protrusion 23 are positioned horizontally on either side of the ink receiving surface 24 and are both formed to extend vertically downward. As explained in Figures 2-4, since the wiper unit 4 moves horizontally, the wiper 3 and the protrusion 23 are examples of first and second protrusions positioned on either side of the ink receiving surface 24 in the direction in which the wiper unit 4 moves and extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the wiper unit 4 moves.

[0129] Furthermore, the wiper 3 has a shape in which all four sides are inclined, with the side facing the nozzle surface 302a being the highest point.

[0130] The cleaning fluid supply unit 5 is positioned above the wiper 3 and the ink receiving surface 24, and includes a wiper-side supply port 21 for supplying cleaning fluid from above the wiper 3 and a receiving surface-side supply port 22 for supplying cleaning fluid from above the ink receiving surface 24. The cleaning fluid recovery member 6 is positioned below the wiper 3 and the ink receiving surface 24, and has a wall surface 6W surrounding the space above the bottom surface, with an opening 6A formed at the top.

[0131] As described above, the wiper unit 4 includes a protrusion 23 or wiper 3 that extends parallel to the ink receiving surface 24 and protrudes toward the nozzle 302 when the ink receiving surface 24 is facing the nozzle 302. This reduces the scattering of ink received by the ink receiving surface 24 around the ink receiving surface 24.

[0132] Furthermore, the wiper unit 4 includes a convex portion 23 and a wiper 3 positioned on either side of the ink receiving surface 24 in the direction in which the wiper unit 4 moves, and the first and second protrusions extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the wiper unit 4 moves. This reliably reduces the scattering of ink received by the ink receiving surface 24 around the ink receiving surface 24.

[0133] Figure 14 is a flowchart illustrating the control of the maintenance operation in the same embodiment. Figure 15 is a diagram illustrating the maintenance operation in the same embodiment.

[0134] The control unit 500 checks whether the wiper unit 4 is in the home position based on the detection signal from the sensor 17a (MS1).

[0135] The control unit 500 opens the on / off valve 234 to supply cleaning fluid 220 from the cleaning fluid supply unit 5, and also opens the solenoid valve 244 to activate the vacuum generator 242, putting the cleaning fluid recovery member 6 into a suction state (MS2).

[0136] The control unit 500 drives the motor 13 to move the wiper unit 4 in the +X direction as shown in Figures 2 and 3, so that the wiper 3 faces the nozzle surface 302a (MS3).

[0137] The control unit 500 moves the wiper unit 4 in the +X direction while the wiper 3 is facing the nozzle surface 302a, so that the wiper 3 wipes the nozzle surface 302a (MS4).

[0138] Based on the detection signal from the sensor 17b, the control unit 500 determines that the wiper unit 4 has reached its final movement position and stops the motor 13 to stop the movement of the wiper unit 4 (MS5).

[0139] Next, the control unit 500 drives the motor 13 in the reverse direction to move the wiper unit 4 in the reverse direction (-X direction) so that the wiper 3 faces the nozzle surface 302a and the ink receiving surface 24 faces the nozzle 302 (MS6).

[0140] The control unit 500 moves the wiper unit 4 in the -X direction while the wiper 3 is facing the nozzle surface 302a, wiping the nozzle surface 302a with the wiper 3 and ejecting ink from the nozzle 302 toward the ink receiving surface 24 after the wiper 3 has passed (MS7). However, when the control unit 500 performs the maintenance operation in step PS34 of Figure 11, in order to suppress the rise in acetone vapor concentration, it only wipes the nozzle surface 302a with the wiper 3 and does not eject ink from the nozzle 302 toward the ink receiving surface 24.

[0141] Specifically, as shown in Figure 15, the control unit 500 ejects ink from nozzle 302C toward the ink receiving surface 24, as indicated by arrow A, after the wiper 3 has passed nozzle 302C and before the protrusion 23 has passed nozzle 302C. On the other hand, in the state shown in Figure 15, nozzle 302B is being wiped by wiper 3, and nozzle 302A is not yet being wiped by wiper 3, and neither is facing the ink receiving surface 24, so the control unit 500 does not eject ink from nozzle 302A and nozzle 302B.

[0142] Based on the detection signal from the sensor 17a, the control unit 500 determines that the wiper unit 4 has reached the home position and stops the motor 13 to stop the movement of the wiper unit 4 (MS8).

[0143] The control unit 500 closes the on / off valve 234 to stop the supply of cleaning fluid 220 from the cleaning fluid supply unit 5, and also closes the solenoid valve 244 to stop the suction state of the cleaning fluid recovery member 6 (MS9).

[0144] As described above, when the wiper unit 4 moves with the ink receiving surface 24 facing the nozzle 302, the wiper 3 comes into contact with the nozzle 302 and the nozzle surface 302a having the nozzle 302. As a result, when the wiper unit 4 moves, the wiper 3 comes into contact with the nozzle 302 and cleans it by wiping.

[0145] Furthermore, the liquid dispensing device 1000 includes a control unit 500 that, when the wiper unit 4 moves, dispenses ink from the nozzle 302 toward the ink receiving surface 24 after the wiper 3 has passed the nozzle 302. This ensures that foreign matter and other debris are removed from the nozzle 302 and that ink is reliably dispensed toward the ink receiving surface 24.

[0146] Figure 16 is a perspective view of a modified wiper unit according to this embodiment.

[0147] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the wiper unit 4 moved along a trajectory that followed the shape of the guide groove 9. However, in the modified example shown in Figure 16, the wiper unit 4 moves along a guide rail 9R fixed to the frame 80 in a direction parallel to the X-axis.

[0148] In the modified example, as shown in Figure 3, when the motor 13 is driven, the wiper unit 4 moves along a trajectory that follows the guide rail 9R.

[0149] Figure 17 is a perspective view of the carriage in the modified example. Figure 18 is a plan view of the carriage in the modified example. Figure 19 is a perspective view of the cylinder in the modified example.

[0150] In this modified example, the carriage 1 comprises a head unit 70 to which the left wall portion 7L, the right wall portion 7R, and the head fixing plate 7 are fixed, a housing 8 that holds the head unit 70 so as to be movable in the Z-axis direction, and a cylinder 93 that moves the head unit 70 in the Z-axis direction relative to the housing 8.

[0151] The left wall portion 7L is positioned on the positive X-axis side of the head fixing plate 7, and the right wall portion 7R is positioned on the negative X-axis side of the head fixing plate 7. On the positive Z-axis side, the ends of the left wall portion 7L and the right wall portion 7R are formed to be at the same position as the ends of the head 300.

[0152] The housing 8 is an example of a holding part that holds the nozzle 302 of the head 300, which is provided on the head fixing plate 7, so that it can move in the Z-axis direction, and the wiper unit 4 is held in the housing 8 so that it can move in the X-axis direction via the frame 80 shown in Figure 16.

[0153] The cylinder 93 comprises a cylinder body 93A, a piston 93B that can move back and forth in the Z-axis direction relative to the cylinder body 93A, and a mounting portion 93C for attaching the cylinder body 93A to the housing 8. The piston 93B is fixed to a support plate 70A that supports the head unit 70. The cylinder 93 is controlled by the control unit 500, which moves the piston 93B back and forth in the Z-axis direction, thereby moving the head unit 70 and the head 300 in the Z-axis direction relative to the wiper unit 4.

[0154] Figures 17 and 18 show the state in which the head 300 is positioned on the positive Z-axis side relative to the wiper unit 4. In this state, the control unit 500 ejects ink from the nozzle 302 while moving the carriage 1 in the +X direction, as described in step PS3 of the flow diagram in Figure 9.

[0155] When the control unit 500 detects that the left wall portion 7L or the right wall portion 7R has collided with the object to be drawn 100 while the carriage 1 is moving in the +X direction, it controls the cylinder 93 to move the head unit 70 toward the negative side of the Z axis direction together with the piston 93B to avoid the collision between the left wall portion 7L or the right wall portion 7R and the object to be drawn 100.

[0156] Figure 20 is a perspective view of the carriage during maintenance operation in the modified example. Figure 21 is a plan view of the carriage at the start of maintenance operation in the modified example.

[0157] In step PS33 of the flowchart explained in Figure 11, the control unit 500 controls the Z-direction drive unit 92 to move the carriage 1 in the -Z direction, thereby moving the head 300 and wiper unit 4 together in the -Z direction. However, in this modified example, from the state shown in Figures 17 and 18, the control unit 500 controls the cylinder 93 to move the head unit 70 together with the piston 93B to the negative Z-axis direction, thereby moving the head 300 to the negative Z-direction relative to the wiper unit 4. This allows the head 300 to be moved to the negative Z-direction relative to the wiper unit 4 with better responsiveness compared to moving the entire carriage 1.

[0158] Figures 20 and 21 show the state after the head 300 has been moved to the negative side in the Z direction relative to the wiper unit 4, where the head 300 is positioned to the negative side in the Z-axis direction relative to the wiper unit 4.

[0159] Figure 22 is a plan view of the carriage during maintenance operation in a modified example.

[0160] Similar to step PS34 in the flowchart explained in Figure 11, the control unit 500 drives the motor 13 to move the wiper unit 4 in the X-axis direction, so that the wiper 3 faces the nozzle surface 302a and the ink receiving surface 24 faces the nozzle 302. Figure 22 shows the state after the wiper unit 4 has moved to the positive side in the X-axis direction from the state in Figures 20 and 21.

[0161] Then, the control unit 500 moves the wiper unit 4 further so that the wiper 3 is facing the nozzle surface 302a, wiping the nozzle surface 302a with the wiper 3 and ejecting ink from the nozzle 302 toward the ink receiving surface 24.

[0162] Then, in step PS37 of the flowchart explained in Figure 11, the control unit 500 controls the Z-direction drive unit 92 to move the carriage 1 in the +Z direction, thereby moving the head 300 and wiper unit 4 together in the +Z direction. However, in this modified example, the control unit 500 controls the cylinder 93 from the state shown in Figures 20 and 21 to move the head unit 70 together with the piston 93B in the positive Z-axis direction, thereby moving the head 300 in the positive Z-direction relative to the wiper unit 4, returning to the state shown in Figures 17 and 18. As a result, the head 300 can be moved in the positive Z-direction relative to the wiper unit 4 with better responsiveness compared to moving the entire carriage 1.

[0163] As described above, in this modified example, the carriage 1 includes a wiper unit 4 that holds the ink receiving surface 24 and the wiper 3 and is movable between a position where the ink receiving surface 24 or the wiper 3 faces the nozzle 302 and a position where the ink receiving surface 24 or the wiper 3 does not face the nozzle 302, and a housing 8 that holds the nozzle 302 so as to be movable in the Z-axis direction.

[0164] As a result, the ink receiving surface 24 moves to a position facing the nozzle 302, allowing the nozzle 302 to receive the dry ink discharged from the nozzle 302 without moving toward the ink receiving surface 24. Additionally, by moving the wiper 3 to a position facing the nozzle 302, the wiper 3 can clean the nozzle 302 by making contact with it without the nozzle 302 moving toward the wiper 3.

[0165] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 20 and 21, when the ink receiving surface 24 and wiper 3 move to a position facing the nozzle 302, by pre-moving the nozzle 302 to the negative side in the Z-axis direction relative to the wiper unit 4, it is not necessary to move the wiper unit 4 in the discharge direction, and collision with the object to be drawn 100 can be avoided when the ink receiving surface 24 and wiper 3 move toward the nozzle 302.

[0166] Figure 23 is a perspective view of a wiper unit according to a second modified example of this embodiment.

[0167] In the embodiment shown in Figure 13, the wiper unit 4 comprises a wiper 3 and a protrusion 23 arranged horizontally on either side of the ink receiving surface 24. However, in the modified example shown in Figure 23, the wiper unit 4 comprises a first wiper 3A and a second wiper 3B arranged horizontally on either side of the ink receiving surface 24.

[0168] The first wiper 3A and the second wiper 3B are examples of first and second protrusions that are positioned on either side of the ink receiving surface 24 in the direction in which the wiper unit 4 moves, and that extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the wiper unit 4 moves. The first and second protrusions may be provided on a single wiper 3 rather than on separate members, as in the case of the first wiper 3A and the second wiper 3B.

[0169] The first wiper 3A and the second wiper 3B each have an upper end surface 3H that is inclined such that the ink receiving surface 24 side is positioned higher than the nozzle surface 302a side. That is, the upper end surface 3H is inclined such that the nozzle surface 302a side is positioned lower than the surface perpendicular to the nozzle surface 302a.

[0170] The wiper-side supply port 21 includes a first supply port 21A facing the upper end surface 3H of the first wiper 3A, and a second supply port 21B facing the upper end surface 3H of the second wiper 3B. This allows the cleaning fluid to flow easily towards the nozzle surface 302a of the wiper 3.

[0171] The first supply port 21A and the second supply port 21B are positioned on either side of the receiving surface side supply port 22 in the direction in which the wiper unit 4 moves.

[0172] As described above, the upper end surface 3H of the wiper 3 is formed inclined so that the nozzle surface 302a side is positioned lower than the ink receiving surface 24 side. This ensures that the cleaning fluid received by the upper end surface 3H of the wiper 3 is reliably supplied to the nozzle surface 302a side of the wiper 3, allowing the nozzle surface 302a to be reliably wiped and cleaned.

[0173] Figure 24 is a flowchart illustrating the control of the maintenance operation in the second modified example. Figure 25 is a diagram illustrating the maintenance operation in the second modified example.

[0174] The control unit 500 checks whether the wiper unit 4 is in the home position based on the detection signal from the sensor 17a (MS11).

[0175] The control unit 500 opens the on / off valve 234 to supply cleaning fluid 220 from the cleaning fluid supply unit 5, and also opens the solenoid valve 244 to activate the vacuum generator 242, putting the cleaning fluid recovery member 6 into a suction state (MS12).

[0176] The control unit 500 drives the motor 13 to move the wiper unit 4 in the +X direction so that the wiper 3 faces the nozzle surface 302a and the ink receiving surface 24 faces the nozzle 302 (MS13).

[0177] The control unit 500 moves the wiper unit 4 in the +X direction while the wiper 3 is facing the nozzle surface 302a, wiping the nozzle surface 302a with the wiper 3 and ejecting ink from the nozzle 302 toward the ink receiving surface 24 after the wiper 3 has passed (MS14). However, when the control unit 500 performs the maintenance operation in step PS34 of Figure 11, in order to prevent the acetone vapor concentration from rising, it only wipes the nozzle surface 302a with the wiper 3 and does not eject ink from the nozzle 302 toward the ink receiving surface 24.

[0178] Specifically, as shown in Figure 25, the control unit 500 ejects ink from the nozzle 302B toward the ink receiving surface 24, as indicated by arrow A, after the second wiper 3B has passed the nozzle 302B and before the first wiper 3A has passed the nozzle 302B.

[0179] On the other hand, in the state shown in Figure 25, nozzle 302A has been wiped by the first wiper 3A, and nozzle 302C has not been wiped by the second wiper 3B. Neither nozzle faces the ink receiving surface 24, so the control unit 500 does not eject ink from nozzles 302A and 302C.

[0180] Based on the detection signal from the sensor 17b, the control unit 500 determines that the wiper unit 4 has reached its final movement position and stops the motor 13 to stop the movement of the wiper unit 4 (MS15).

[0181] Next, the control unit 500 drives the motor 13 in the reverse direction to move the wiper unit 4 in the reverse direction (-X direction) so that the wiper 3 faces the nozzle surface 302a and the ink receiving surface 24 faces the nozzle 302 (MS16).

[0182] Similar to step MS14, the control unit 500 moves the wiper unit 4 in the -X direction while the wiper 3 is facing the nozzle surface 302a, wiping the nozzle surface 302a with the wiper 3 and ejecting ink from the nozzle 302 toward the ink receiving surface 24 after the wiper 3 has passed (MS17). However, when the control unit 500 performs the maintenance operation in step PS34 of Figure 11, in order to suppress the increase in acetone vapor concentration, it only wipes the nozzle surface 302a with the wiper 3 and does not eject ink from the nozzle 302 toward the ink receiving surface 24.

[0183] Based on the detection signal from the sensor 17a, the control unit 500 determines that the wiper unit 4 has reached the home position and stops the motor 13 to stop the movement of the wiper unit 4 (MS18).

[0184] The control unit 500 closes the on / off valve 234 to stop the supply of cleaning fluid 220 from the cleaning fluid supply unit 5, and also closes the solenoid valve 244 to stop the suction state of the cleaning fluid recovery member 6 (MS19).

[0185] Figure 26 is another diagram illustrating the maintenance operation in the second modified example.

[0186] Figure 26(a) corresponds to step MS13 of the flow diagram shown in Figure 24, and shows the wiper unit 4 not facing the nozzle surface 302a.

[0187] Figures 26(b) to (d) correspond to step MS13 of the flow chart shown in Figure 24, and show the wiper unit 4 facing the nozzle surface 302a.

[0188] In the state shown in Figure 26(b), the second wiper 3B is facing the nozzle surface 302a and nozzle 302A, and cleans the nozzle surface 302a and nozzle 302A by wiping them while moving in the positive direction of the X axis.

[0189] On the other hand, the second wiper 3A is passing over nozzle 302B, and the second wiper 3B is not yet passing over nozzle 302A, and neither is facing the ink receiving surface 24, so the control unit 500 does not eject ink from nozzles 302A and 302B.

[0190] In the state shown in Figure 26(c), the second wiper 3B and the first wiper 3A are facing the nozzle surface 302a and wipe and clean the nozzle surface 302a while moving in the positive direction of the X axis. Also, since the nozzle 302A is facing the ink receiving surface 24, the control unit 500 ejects ink from the nozzle 302A.

[0191] On the other hand, since the nozzle 302B is before the second wiper 3B has passed through and is not facing the ink receiving surface 24, the control unit 500 does not eject ink from the nozzle 302B.

[0192] In the state shown in Figure 26(d), the second wiper 3B is facing the nozzle surface 302a and nozzle 302B, and cleans them by wiping them while moving in the positive X-axis direction. The first wiper 3A is also facing the nozzle surface 302a and nozzle 302A, and cleans them by wiping them while moving in the positive X-axis direction.

[0193] On the other hand, the second wiper 3B is passing over nozzle 302B, and the first wiper 3A is passing over nozzle 302A, and neither is facing the ink receiving surface 24, so the control unit 500 does not eject ink from nozzles 302A and 302B.

[0194] As described above, in synchronization with the movement of the wiper unit 4, the nozzles 302 facing the ink receiving surface 24 sequentially eject ink toward the ink receiving surface 24.

[0195] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 26(b), the surface environment of the nozzle 302A can be temporarily cleaned by wiping the nozzle 302A before it ejects ink onto the ink receiving surface 24.

[0196] Next, as shown in Figure 26(c), ink is ejected from the nozzle 302A onto the ink receiving surface 24, thereby discharging the dried ink from the nozzle 302A.

[0197] Then, as shown in Figure 26(d), wiping the nozzle 302A after it has dispensed ink onto the ink receiving surface 24 allows for the removal of discharged dried ink and final cleaning of the nozzle 302A. Furthermore, performing this process twice, once on the forward and once on the return journey, ensures that the nozzle 302 remains in a stable, normal state.

[0198] Figure 27 is a perspective view illustrating the use of a liquid dispensing device according to a third modified embodiment of the present invention when drawing an aircraft as the object to be drawn. Figure 28 is a perspective view illustrating the use of a liquid dispensing device according to a third modified embodiment.

[0199] The liquid dispensing device 1000 includes a linear rail 404 that moves the carriage 1 back and forth in a straight line, and an articulated robot 405 that moves the linear rail 404 to a predetermined position as appropriate and holds it in that position.

[0200] The articulated robot 405 is equipped with a robotic arm 405a that has multiple joints, allowing it to move freely like a human arm, and the tip of the robotic arm 405a can be moved freely and positioned precisely.

[0201] As the articulated robot 405, for example, a 6-axis controlled industrial robot equipped with 6 axes, i.e., 6 joints, can be used. With a 6-axis articulated robot, by teaching information about the movement in advance, the linear rail 404 can be positioned very accurately and quickly relative to the predetermined location on the object to be drawn 702 (aircraft). The robot 405 is not limited to 6 axes; an articulated robot with an appropriate number of axes, such as 5 axes or 7 axes, can be used.

[0202] The robot arm 405a of this robot 405 is equipped with a bifurcated, fork-shaped support member 424. A vertical linear rail 423a is attached to the tip of the left branch 424a of the support member 424, and a vertical linear rail 423b is attached to the tip of the right branch 424b, so that they are parallel to each other.

[0203] The linear rail 404, which movably holds the carriage 1, is supported at both ends by being spanned across two vertical linear rails 423a and 423b, respectively.

[0204] The carriage 1 includes a head 300 as described in Figure 2, etc., or a plurality of heads 300 that eject liquids of each color, such as black, cyan, magenta, yellow, and white, or a head 300 having a plurality of nozzle rows. Each head 300 or each nozzle row of the head 300 of the carriage 1 is supplied with liquid of each color under pressure from the ink tank 330 in the same manner as the liquid supply system described in Figure 8.

[0205] In this liquid dispensing device 1000, the robot 405 moves the linear rail 404 to a position opposite the required drawing area of ​​the object to be drawn 702, and the carriage 1 moves along the linear rail 404 according to the drawing data, while the head 300 is driven to perform drawing.

[0206] Then, when the drawing of one line is completed, the head 300 of carriage 1 is moved from one line to the next by driving the vertical linear rails 423a and 423b.

[0207] By repeating this operation, the required drawing area of ​​the object 702 can be drawn.

[0208] In this case, the travel distance of the carriage 1 (head 300) increases, but the carriage 1 is equipped with a wiper 3 that can wipe and clean the nozzle surface 302a of the head 300 as needed.

[0209] In this embodiment as well, nozzle wiping is performed before and after drawing one line. This allows for continuous high-quality rendering with minimal downtime.

[0210] Figure 29 is a perspective view illustrating a liquid dispensing device according to a fourth modified embodiment of the present invention. Figure 30 is a perspective view illustrating the drive unit of the liquid dispensing device according to the fourth modified embodiment.

[0211] The liquid dispensing device 1000 includes a movable frame unit 802 that is installed facing a drawing target object 702 having a curved surface, such as the hood of a vehicle. A movable unit 813 is attached to the left and right frame members 810 and 811 that make up the frame unit 802 so as to be able to move up and down vertically (in the Y direction), spanning across the frame members 810 and 811.

[0212] The movable unit 813 is equipped with a drive unit 803 that incorporates a motor arranged to move back and forth horizontally (X direction) on the movable unit 813, and a carriage 1 attached to the drive unit 803 that discharges liquid toward the object to be drawn 702.

[0213] The system also includes a controller 805 that controls the discharge of liquid from the carriage 1, the reciprocating movement of the drive unit 803, and the raising and lowering of the movable unit 813, and an information processing device 806, such as a PC (personal computer), that gives instructions to the controller 805. A database unit (DB unit) 807 is connected to the information processing device 806 to record and store information about the drawing target object 702, such as its shape and size.

[0214] The frame unit 802 includes upper and lower left and right frame members 808, 809, 810, and 811 formed from metal columnar bodies or the like, and left and right leg members 812a and 812b attached perpendicularly and horizontally to both sides of the lower frame member 809 in order to make the frame unit 802 self-supporting.

[0215] The movable unit 813, which is spanned between the left and right frame members 810 and 811, is configured to be able to move up and down while supporting the drive unit 803.

[0216] The object to be drawn 702 is positioned perpendicular to the liquid discharge direction (Z direction), that is, facing the plane formed by the top, bottom, left, and right frame members 808, 809, 810, and 811 of the frame unit 802.

[0217] In this case, the object to be drawn 702 can be positioned at a predetermined location where drawing should be performed, for example, by using a chuck attached to the tip of the arm of a multi-jointed robotic arm to hold the back side of the drawing area of ​​the object to be drawn 702 by suction. By using a multi-jointed robotic arm, it becomes possible to accurately position the object to be drawn 702 at the print position, and the orientation of the object to be drawn 702 can also be changed as needed.

[0218] As shown in Figure 30, the drive unit 803 is arranged to be able to reciprocate horizontally (in the X direction) on the movable unit 813. The movable unit 813 is composed of a rail 830 horizontally arranged so as to span across the left and right frame members 810 and 811 of the frame unit 802, a rack gear 831 arranged parallel to the rail 830, a linear guide 832 fitted onto a part of the rail 830 and moving by sliding, a pinion gear unit 833 connected to the linear guide 832 and meshing with the rack gear 831, a motor 834 with a reduction gear 836 that rotationally drives the pinion gear unit 833, and a rotary encoder 835 for detecting the position of the drawing point.

[0219] By driving the motor 834 (forward or reverse rotation), the carriage 1 is moved to the right or left along the movable unit 813. The drive unit 803 functions as a drive mechanism for the carriage 1 in the X direction. Limit switches 837a and 837b are mounted on both sides of the housing of the reduction gear 836.

[0220] The carriage 1 includes a head 300 as described in Figure 2, etc., or a plurality of heads 300 that eject liquids of each color, such as black, cyan, magenta, yellow, and white, or a head 300 having a plurality of nozzle rows. Each head 300 or each nozzle row of the head 300 of the carriage 1 is supplied with liquid of each color under pressure from the ink tank 330 in the same manner as the liquid supply system described in Figure 8.

[0221] In this liquid dispensing device 1000, the movable unit 813 is moved in the Y direction and the carriage 1 is moved in the X direction to draw the required image on the object to be drawn 702.

[0222] In this case, the travel distance of the carriage 1 (head 300) increases, but the carriage 1 is equipped with a wiper 3 that can wipe and clean the nozzle surface 302a of the head 300 as needed.

[0223] This allows for continuous high-quality rendering with minimal downtime.

[0224] Figure 31 is an explanatory diagram of the process relating to the fourth modified example.

[0225] In the fourth modification, a patterned coating is formed on a drawing target object 702, such as an automobile body, which has a base coat and an intermediate coating sequentially formed on the substrate, by a liquid dispensing device 1000.

[0226] The substrates used are not limited to any substrates that can be used for automobile bodies. Examples include metal substrates such as steel plates, aluminum plates, galvanized steel plates, and iron-zinc alloy plated steel plates, as well as chemically treated metal substrates obtained by applying chemical treatments such as chromate treatment, zinc phosphate treatment, and iron phosphate treatment to these metal substrates, and plastic substrates such as FRP.

[0227] To form a primer film on a substrate, the primer paint can be applied to the substrate by known methods such as spray painting, dipping, or brush painting. However, when the substrate is a conductive substrate such as a metal substrate or a chemically treated metal substrate, it is preferable to use an electrodeposition paint as the primer paint to form an electrodeposition film (step S1).

[0228] To form an electrodeposited coating, the substrate is immersed in an electrodeposition bath by a known method and then electrodeposited. Either a known anionic or cationic electrodeposition bath can be used as the electrodeposition bath.

[0229] Examples of the base resin component of the electrodeposition bath include one or more types of epoxy resin, acrylic resin, polybutadiene resin, alkyd resin, polyester resin, and silicone resin. In an anionic electrodeposition bath, the base resin component has acidic groups such as carboxyl groups, and in a cationic electrodeposition bath, the base resin component has basic groups such as amino groups, ammonium groups, sulfonium groups, phosphonium groups, and other onium bases. These groups can be neutralized and ionized to make the bath aqueous.

[0230] The thickness of the undercoat film is typically 5 to 40 μm, preferably 15 to 30 μm, in terms of dry thickness.

[0231] After applying the primer coat, the surface is washed with water as needed, and then, after air drying or curing by baking, the intermediate coat is applied (step S2). The intermediate coat can be water-based paint, organic solvent-based paint, or powder coating, and various resin-based paints can be used, such as alkyd resin, polyester resin, acrylic resin, polyurethane resin, or vinyl resin. Among these, alkyd resin is the most common.

[0232] In the fourth modification, the automobile body, which has the above-mentioned undercoat and intermediate coats formed sequentially, is coated with a paint film of a predetermined pattern set in advance on the information processing device 806 using the liquid dispensing device 1000 (step S3).

[0233] The patterned coating is usually a thin film of about 1 to 10 μm, and in order to conceal it with a thin film, it is necessary to contain a large amount of pigment. If left as is, the gloss will be low and the appearance of the coated surface will deteriorate, and weather resistance and chemical resistance will be reduced. In the fourth modification, a clear coating is applied on top of the patterned coating to solve these problems (step S4).

[0234] The clear coatings mentioned above can be any clear coating with good weather resistance, including organic solvent-based coatings, water-based coatings, and powder coatings, without any restrictions. Various resins can be used as resins, such as acrylic resins, polyester resins, alkyd resins, silicone resins, and fluororesins, and they may be thermosetting or cured by active light such as ultraviolet rays or electron beams. Clear coatings used as topcoats for automobiles are preferably used, and among these, thermosetting acrylic resin-based clear coatings are particularly suitable.

[0235] As described above, the liquid dispensing device 1000 according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a nozzle 302 (an example of a dispensing port) that dispenses ink (an example of a liquid) toward an object to be drawn on 100 (an example of an object), a wiper unit 4 (an example of a movable part) that holds an ink receiving surface 24 (an example of a liquid receiving surface) that receives the ink dispensed from the nozzle 302 and a wiper 3 (an example of a contact part) that contacts the nozzle 302, and is movable between a position where the ink receiving surface 24 or the wiper 3 faces the nozzle 302 and a position where the ink receiving surface 24 and the wiper 3 do not face the nozzle 302, and a Z-axis rail 103 or housing 8 (an example of a holding part) that holds the nozzle 302 so as to be movable in the Z-axis direction (an example of a dispensing direction). The wiper unit 4 may hold only one of the ink receiving surface 24 or the wiper 3.

[0236] As a result, the ink receiving surface 24 moves to a position facing the nozzle 302, allowing the nozzle 302 to discharge dry ink and receive the ejected ink without moving towards the ink receiving surface 24. Furthermore, by moving the nozzle 302 in the opposite direction to the ejection direction when the ink receiving surface 24 moves to a position facing the nozzle 302, it is possible to avoid the ink receiving surface 24 colliding with the object to be drawn 100.

[0237] Then, as the wiper 3 moves to a position facing the nozzle 302, the nozzle 302 does not move toward the wiper 3, and the wiper 3, supplied with cleaning fluid, comes into contact with the nozzle 302 and wipes and cleans it. In addition, by moving the nozzle 302 in the opposite direction to the discharge direction beforehand when the wiper 3 moves to a position facing the nozzle 302, it is possible to avoid the wiper 3 colliding with the object to be drawn 100.

[0238] The liquid dispensing device 1000 includes a head fixing plate 7, guide plates 8H and 8L (an example of a housing) or a housing 8 that hold the nozzle 302 and movably support the wiper unit 4. The housing 8 is a holding part that movably holds the nozzle 302 relative to the wiper unit 4 in the Z-axis direction.

[0239] This allows the nozzle 302 to move in the Z-axis direction with better responsiveness compared to when the nozzle 302 is moved in the Z-axis direction as an integrated unit with the wiper unit 4.

[0240] The liquid dispensing device 1000 includes a carriage 1 (an example of a liquid dispensing unit) having a nozzle 302 and a wiper unit 4, and the X-axis rail 101, Y-axis rail 102, and Z-axis rail 103 (an example of a holding part) hold the carriage 1 so that it can move in the Z-axis direction (an example of the dispensing direction), the X-axis direction, and the Y-axis direction (an example of a direction perpendicular to the dispensing direction).

[0241] Alternatively, the liquid dispensing device 1000 includes a carriage 1 (an example of a liquid dispensing unit) having a nozzle 302, a wiper unit 4, and a housing 8 (an example of a holding part), and the X-axis rail 101 and Y-axis rail 102 (an example of a guide part) hold the carriage 1 so that it can move in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction (an example of a direction perpendicular to the dispensing direction).

[0242] This allows the carriage 1 to eject ink toward the object to be drawn 100 while moving in the X-axis direction. Regardless of the position of the carriage 1 relative to the object to be drawn 100, the ink receiving surface 24 moves to a position facing the nozzle 302 when needed, so that the nozzle 302 can receive the ejected ink by discharging dry ink from the nozzle 302 without moving toward the ink receiving surface 24.

[0243] Furthermore, regardless of the position of the carriage 1 relative to the object to be drawn 100, the wiper 3 can move to a position facing the nozzle surface 302a when needed, so that the wiper 3 can come into contact with the nozzle surface 302a and wipe and clean it without the nozzle surface 302a moving toward the wiper 3.

[0244] In other words, compared to the case where the carriage 1 moves toward the ink receiving surface 24 or wiper 3 which are in a fixed position, the time it takes for the carriage 1 to move can be reduced, allowing for continuous high-quality drawing with minimal downtime.

[0245] Furthermore, by pre-moving the nozzle 302 together with the carriage 1 or to the negative side in the Z-axis direction relative to the carriage 1, it is possible to avoid collisions with the object to be drawn 100 when the ink receiving surface 24 or wiper 3 moves toward the nozzle 302.

[0246] The liquid dispensing device 1000 includes a control unit 500 that dispenses ink from the nozzle 302 while moving the nozzle 302 in the X-axis direction (an example of a movement direction perpendicular to the dispensing direction). The control unit 500 stops moving the nozzle 302 in the X-axis direction and stops dispensing ink from the nozzle 302 if the acetone vapor concentration detected by the concentration detection unit 335 becomes 1 or greater (an example of satisfying the first condition). Subsequently, if the acetone vapor concentration detected by the concentration detection unit 335 becomes less than 2 (an example of satisfying the second condition), the control unit 500 resumes moving the nozzle 302 in the X-axis direction from the stop position where the nozzle 302 stopped moving in the X-axis direction, and resumes dispensing ink from the nozzle 302.

[0247] This allows for continuous high-quality drawing with minimal downtime by stopping ink ejection to resolve any malfunctions, and then resuming the movement of nozzle 302 and ink ejection once the malfunction is resolved.

[0248] If the control unit 500 stops moving the nozzle 302, it moves the nozzle 302 to the negative side of the Z-axis direction (an example of the direction opposite to the ejection direction) and moves the wiper unit 4 so that the ink receiving surface 24 or wiper 3 is in a position facing the nozzle 302.

[0249] This allows for effective use of the time when the nozzle 302 is stationary to discharge dried ink from the nozzle 302 and clean it. Furthermore, it reduces the time the nozzle 302 moves compared to when the nozzle 302 moves toward the ink receiving surface 24 or wiper 3, which are fixed in position, while avoiding collision between the ink receiving surface 24 or wiper 3 and the object to be drawn 100. As a result, high-quality drawing can be continued with minimal downtime.

[0250] The carriage 1 comprises a head 300 having a nozzle surface 302a with a nozzle 302, and the head 300 comprises a housing 304 that houses a liquid chamber 309, a valve body 307 which is an example of an opening and closing member that opens and closes the flow path between the liquid chamber 309 and the nozzle 302, and a piezoelectric element 305 that drives the valve body 307. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0251] 1000 liquid dispensing device 1. Carriage (an example of a liquid dispensing unit) 3. Wiper (Example of protruding part, contact part) 3A First wiper (an example of the first protrusion) 3B Second wiper (an example of a second protrusion) 3H Upper end surface 4. Wiper unit (an example of a moving part) 5. Cleaning fluid supply unit 6. Cleaning liquid recovery member (liquid holding section, example of cleaning liquid holding section) 7. Head fixing plate, 8H, 8L guide plate (example of housing) 8. Housing (Example of a holding part) 12. Washing solution recovery tube (an example of a flexible tube) 23. Convex portion (an example of a protruding portion) 24. Ink receiving surface (an example of a liquid receiving surface) 93 cubic 100 Objects to be drawn (Examples of objects) 101 X-axis rail, 102 Y-axis rail, 103 Z-axis rail (example of holding part and guide part) 230 Compressor (Example of a pressurized air supply unit) 240 Waste liquid tank (an example of a cleaning liquid recovery unit) 242 Vacuum Generator (Example of a negative pressure generating unit) 300 heads 302 Nozzle (Example of a discharge port) 302a Nozzle surface (an example of a liquid discharge surface) 330 Ink Tank (An example of a liquid-holding unit) 335 Concentration detection unit 500 Control Unit 702 Object to be drawn 830 rails [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0252] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-52372 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-001715

Claims

1. A head having a discharge port for dispensing liquid toward an object, A liquid holding section for storing the liquid supplied to the head, A movable part holds a liquid receiving surface or a contact portion that contacts the discharge port, which receives the liquid discharged from the discharge port, and which is movable between a position where the liquid receiving surface or the contact portion faces the discharge port and a position where the liquid receiving surface or the contact portion does not face the discharge port. A liquid dispensing unit having the head and the moving part, A guide section that holds the liquid dispensing unit separately from the liquid holding section so as to be movable, Equipped with, The movable part is movable in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction with respect to the discharge port, When the moving part moves from a position where the liquid receiving surface or the contact part does not face the discharge port to a position where it faces the discharge port, it moves in the direction of discharge while moving in a direction perpendicular to the direction of discharge. The moving part is a liquid dispensing device that moves in a direction perpendicular to the dispensing direction while moving in the opposite direction to the dispensing direction when the liquid receiving surface or the contact part moves from a position facing the discharge port to a position not facing the discharge port.

2. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the movable part holds the liquid receiving surface and the contact part.

3. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid dispensing unit further has a holding part that holds the dispensing port so as to be movable in the direction of dispensing.

4. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion holds the liquid dispensing unit so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the dispensing direction.

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