Printing apparatus and cleaning solution supply method

Abstract

To provide a cleaning liquid supply method that can supply clean washing liquid to a cap member and a cleaning member respectively.SOLUTION: A washing liquid supply mechanism 9 (a washing liquid discharge unit) discharges washing liquid Q to one object to be discharge of a cleaning roller 81 (a cleaning member) and a cap 53 (a cap member). In particular, the washing liquid supply mechanism 9 switches the object to be discharged between the cap 53 and the cleaning roller 81 to discharge the washing liquid Q to the object to be discharged (first discharge operation / second discharge operation). In other words, when the cap 53 is the object to be discharged, the washing liquid supply mechanism 9 directly discharges washing liquid to the cap 53 that is the object to be discharged, and when the cleaning roller 81 is the object to be discharged, the washing liquid supply mechanism 9 directly discharges washing liquid to the cleaning roller 81 that is the object to be discharged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to a technique for supplying a cleaning liquid to a cap member that performs capping while abutting against a print head while facing an ink nozzle of the print head that discharges ink from the ink nozzle, and a cleaning member that cleans the cap member by contacting the cap member. 【Background Art】 【0002】 In a printing apparatus that performs printing by a print head that discharges ink from an ink nozzle, a cap member that caps the ink nozzle is used for maintenance of the print head. Since such a cap member is contaminated by ink, it is necessary to appropriately clean the cap member. Further, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a cleaning liquid can be used for cleaning the cap member. For example, in Patent Document 1, the cleaning liquid is fed from a cleaning liquid tank to a liquid storage recess of the cap member, and the liquid storage recess of the cap member is cleaned by this cleaning liquid. Further, in Patent Document 2, the cap member is cleaned using a cleaning roller. Specifically, the cleaning liquid is dropped onto a cap sheet disposed inside the cap member, and the cleaning roller presses the cap sheet while rotating. Thereby, the cleaning roller to which the cleaning liquid adheres cleans the inside and the upper surface of the cap member. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0003】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-168798 【Patent Document 2】 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015-217593 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】[[ID=三十五]] 【0004】 Incidentally, when cleaning with a cleaning solution attached to a cleaning component such as a cleaning roller, it is preferable to supply a clean cleaning solution to the cleaning component. However, according to the method in Patent Document 2, the cleaning solution is supplied to the cleaning component (cleaning roller) via a cap sheet. Therefore, the cleaning solution supplied to the cleaning component contains ink or other substances that have dissolved from the cap sheet. Thus, there has been a need for a technology that can supply a clean cleaning solution to both the cap component and the cleaning component. 【0005】 This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to enable the supply of a clean cleaning solution to both the cap member and the cleaning member. [Means for solving the problem] 【0006】 The printing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a print head that ejects ink from an ink nozzle, a cap member that performs capping by contacting the print head while facing the ink nozzle, a cleaning member that cleans the cap member by contacting it, and a cleaning liquid dispensing unit that dispenses cleaning liquid to one of the target objects among the cleaning member and the cap member, wherein the cleaning liquid dispensing unit can switch the target object between the cap member and the cleaning member and dispense cleaning liquid to the target object. 【0007】 The cleaning liquid supply method according to the present invention is a cleaning liquid supply method that supplies cleaning liquid to a cap member that performs capping by contacting the print head while facing the ink nozzle of the print head that ejects ink from the ink nozzle, and a cleaning member that cleans the cap member by contacting the cap member, and comprises the steps of discharging cleaning liquid from a cleaning liquid discharging unit that discharges cleaning liquid to one of the discharging targets among the cleaning member and the cap member, and switching the discharging target between the cap member and the cleaning member. 【0008】 In the present invention (printing apparatus, cleaning liquid supply method) configured as described above, the cleaning liquid dispensing unit dispenses cleaning liquid to one of the target components, either a cleaning member or a cap member. In particular, this cleaning liquid dispensing unit switches the target component between the cap member and the cleaning member to dispense cleaning liquid to the target component. That is, when the cap member is the target component, the cleaning liquid is dispensed directly from the cleaning liquid dispensing unit to the target cap member, and when the cleaning member is the target component, the cleaning liquid is dispensed directly from the cleaning liquid dispensing unit to the target cleaning member. Here, "dispensing cleaning liquid directly from the cleaning liquid dispensing unit to the target component" means that the cleaning liquid dispensed from the cleaning liquid dispensing unit reaches the target component without passing through any other component. In this way, the present invention makes it possible to supply clean cleaning liquid to both the cap member and the cleaning member. 【0009】 Furthermore, the printing apparatus may be configured to include a drive unit that drives at least one of the cleaning member and the cap member to move the cap member relative to the cleaning member in a predetermined direction of movement, so that the cleaning member, from which cleaning liquid is discharged from a cleaning liquid discharge unit, comes into contact with the cap member, which is moved relative to the cap member in the direction of movement by the drive unit, thereby cleaning the cap member. In such a configuration, the cap member can be cleaned by the cleaning member from which clean cleaning liquid is discharged. 【0010】 Furthermore, the cleaning fluid dispensing unit can select the discharge destination of the cleaning fluid from a first position where the cleaning member is positioned and a second position different from the first position in the direction of movement. The printing apparatus may be configured such that when the cleaning fluid dispensing unit discharges cleaning fluid to the first position, cleaning fluid is discharged to the cleaning member, and when the drive unit positions the cap member to the second position, the cleaning fluid dispensing unit discharges cleaning fluid to the second position, discharging cleaning fluid to the cap member. In such a configuration, by switching the discharge destination of the cleaning fluid from a first position where the cleaning member is positioned and a second position different from the first position in the direction of movement, clean cleaning fluid can be supplied to both the cap member and the cleaning member. 【0011】 Furthermore, the cleaning fluid discharge unit includes a liquid supply pipe for supplying cleaning fluid, a solenoid valve connected to the liquid supply pipe, a first cleaning fluid nozzle connected to the solenoid valve, and a second cleaning fluid nozzle connected to the solenoid valve, wherein the first cleaning fluid nozzle faces a first position, and the second cleaning fluid nozzle faces a second position, and the solenoid valve is capable of selectively performing a first flow path connection operation, which connects the liquid supply pipe and the first cleaning fluid nozzle via a flow path and shuts off the liquid supply pipe and the second cleaning fluid nozzle to supply cleaning fluid from the liquid supply pipe to the first cleaning fluid nozzle, and a second flow path connection operation, which connects the liquid supply pipe and the second cleaning fluid nozzle via a flow path and shuts off the liquid supply pipe and the first cleaning fluid nozzle to supply cleaning fluid from the liquid supply pipe to the second cleaning fluid nozzle, and the printing apparatus may be configured such that when the solenoid valve performs the first flow path connection operation, cleaning fluid is discharged from the first cleaning fluid nozzle to the first position, and when the solenoid valve performs the second flow path connection operation, cleaning fluid is discharged from the second cleaning fluid nozzle to the second position. In this configuration, by switching the connection point of the fluid supply piping that delivers the cleaning fluid between the first cleaning fluid nozzle and the second cleaning fluid nozzle using a solenoid valve, clean cleaning fluid can be supplied to both the cap member and the cleaning member. 【0012】 Furthermore, the cleaning fluid discharge unit may be configured such that it includes a cleaning fluid nozzle for discharging cleaning fluid and a posture changing unit that changes the posture of the cleaning fluid nozzle between a first posture in which the cleaning fluid discharged from the cleaning fluid nozzle faces a first position and a second posture in which the cleaning fluid discharged from the cleaning fluid nozzle faces a second position, and the printing apparatus is configured such that when the posture changing unit positions the cleaning fluid nozzle in the first posture, cleaning fluid is discharged from the cleaning fluid nozzle to the first position, and when the posture changing unit positions the cleaning fluid nozzle in the second posture, cleaning fluid is discharged from the cleaning fluid nozzle to the second position. In such a configuration, by switching the posture of the cleaning fluid nozzle for discharging cleaning fluid between the first posture and the second posture using the posture changing unit, clean cleaning fluid can be supplied to both the cap member and the cleaning member. 【0013】 Furthermore, the cleaning fluid discharge unit may be configured such that it includes a cleaning fluid nozzle for discharging cleaning fluid and a flow rate changing unit that changes the flow rate of cleaning fluid discharged from the cleaning fluid nozzle between a first flow rate at which the cleaning fluid discharged from the cleaning fluid nozzle moves toward a first position and a second flow rate at which the cleaning fluid discharged from the cleaning fluid nozzle moves toward a second position, and the printing apparatus is configured such that the flow rate changing unit causes the cleaning fluid to be discharged from the cleaning fluid nozzle at the first flow rate, thereby discharging cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid nozzle to a first position, and the flow rate changing unit causes the cleaning fluid to be discharged from the cleaning fluid nozzle at the second flow rate, thereby discharging cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid to a second position. In such a configuration, by switching the flow rate of the cleaning fluid discharged from the cleaning fluid nozzle between the first flow rate and the second flow rate using the flow rate changing unit, clean cleaning fluid can be supplied to both the cap member and the cleaning member. 【0014】 Alternatively, the printing apparatus may be configured such that the cleaning component is a cleaning roller that rotates in accordance with the relative movement of the cap component in the direction of movement. In such a configuration, the cap component can be cleaned by the cleaning roller from which a clean cleaning solution is discharged. 【0015】 Alternatively, the cleaning member may have a liquid-retaining member that absorbs the cleaning solution and holds it, and the printing apparatus may be configured such that the liquid-retaining member comes into contact with the cap member to clean the cap member. In such a configuration, the cap member can be cleaned with the clean cleaning solution held by the liquid-retaining member. 【0016】 Furthermore, various specific configurations of the liquid-retaining member are conceivable. For example, the liquid-retaining member may be a porous material, and the porous material may be a sponge. 【0017】 Alternatively, the printing apparatus may be configured such that the cap member has a storage portion that opens to the print head and a peripheral portion provided around the opening of the storage portion, and when capping is performed, the opening of the storage portion faces the ink nozzle and the peripheral portion contacts the print head, the cleaning member cleans the peripheral portion by contacting the peripheral portion of the cap member, and the cleaning liquid discharge unit discharges cleaning liquid to the storage portion of the cap member. In such a configuration, the storage portion of the cap member can be cleaned by the clean cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning liquid discharge unit to the storage portion of the cap member, and the peripheral portion of the cap member can be cleaned by the clean cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning liquid discharge unit to the cleaning member. 【0018】 Alternatively, the printing apparatus may be configured such that the capping member stores the cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning liquid discharge unit in a reservoir while capping is performed. In this configuration, the ink nozzle can be kept moist by the cleaning liquid stored in the reservoir during capping. 【0019】 Furthermore, the printing apparatus may be configured such that the cap member receives ink ejected from the ink nozzles of the print head by having a storage section that stores cleaning fluid discharged from the cleaning fluid discharge unit. In this configuration, the ink ejected from the ink nozzles adheres to the wall surface of the storage section of the cap member, thereby preventing contamination of the storage section. 【0020】 The printing apparatus may also be configured to further include a wiper that wipes ink from the print head, and a wiper sliding part that drives at least one of the wiper and the print head to slide the wiper against the print head, wherein the cleaning liquid discharge unit discharges cleaning liquid to the cleaning member while the wiper sliding part is in contact with the cleaning member, and the cleaning liquid discharged to the cleaning member reaches the wiper via the cleaning member. In such a configuration, the wiper can be cleaned by supplying cleaning liquid to it. 【0021】 Furthermore, it may be configured with a bat having a bottom surface where the cap member is disposed, and the cleaning liquid discharge unit discharges the cleaning liquid at the second position with the drive unit positioning the bottom surface of the bat at the second position, so that the cleaning liquid is discharged onto the bottom surface of the bat. With such a configuration, a clean cleaning liquid can be supplied to the bottom surface of the bat. 【Effects of the Invention】 【0022】 As described above, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to supply a clean cleaning liquid to each of the cap member and the cleaning member. 【Brief Description of the Drawings】 【0023】 [Figure 1] A front view schematically showing an example of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 2] A bottom view schematically showing the configuration of a print head. [Figure 3] A perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a maintenance unit. [Figure 4] A schematic diagram for explaining the function of the maintenance unit. [Figure 5] A perspective view showing the structure of a head unit. [Figure 6] A side view showing the structure and operation of a head unit. [Figure 7] A diagram showing the configuration of a cleaning unit. [Figure 8] A diagram schematically showing a cleaning liquid supply mechanism for supplying a cleaning liquid. [Figure 9] A diagram schematically showing the operation of the cleaning liquid supply mechanism of FIG. 8. [Figure 10A] A diagram schematically showing the configuration of a cleaning liquid nozzle used for discharging a cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid supply mechanism of FIG. 8. [Figure 10B] A diagram schematically showing the configuration of a cleaning liquid nozzle used for discharging a cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid supply mechanism of FIG. 8. [Figure 11] A block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit of a printing apparatus. [Figure 12] A flowchart showing an example of a cleaning operation executed by a printing apparatus. [Figure 13A] This diagram schematically illustrates the actions performed according to the flowchart in Figure 12. [Figure 13B] This diagram schematically illustrates the actions performed according to the flowchart in Figure 12. [Figure 13C] This diagram schematically illustrates the actions performed according to the flowchart in Figure 12. [Figure 13D] This diagram schematically illustrates the actions performed according to the flowchart in Figure 12. [Figure 13E] This diagram schematically illustrates the actions performed according to the flowchart in Figure 12. [Figure 13F] This diagram schematically illustrates the actions performed according to the flowchart in Figure 12. [Figure 13G] This diagram schematically illustrates the actions performed according to the flowchart in Figure 12. [Figure 13H] This diagram schematically illustrates the actions performed according to the flowchart in Figure 12. [Figure 14] A schematic diagram showing the first modified example of the cleaning fluid discharge section. [Figure 15] A schematic diagram showing a second modified example of the cleaning fluid discharge section. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0024】 Figure 1 is a schematic front view showing an example of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. In Figure 1 and the following figures, the horizontal direction (X direction), the horizontal direction perpendicular to the X direction (Y direction), and the vertical direction (Z direction) are indicated as appropriate. The printing apparatus 1 transports a long, strip-shaped web (substrate) W within the housing 100 using a roll-to-roll method, and prints an image onto the web W by ejecting ink onto the web W using an inkjet method. The material of the web W is paper or film, and the web W is flexible. The printing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10 that comprehensively controls the entire apparatus, and the control required for printing operations on the web W is performed by the control unit 10. This control unit 10 is composed of a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). 【0025】 The printing apparatus 1 includes a transport unit 2 for transporting the web W. The transport unit 2 has an unwinding roller 21 and a winding roller 22, and transports the web W roll-to-roll by winding up the web W unwinding from the unwinding roller 21 with the winding roller 22. The transport unit 2 includes a take-up unit 23 between the unwinding roller 21 and the winding roller 22 to take in the web W unwinding from the unwinding roller 21. The take-up unit 23 has two drive rollers 231, two nip rollers 232, and an edge position adjustment unit 234 provided between the two drive rollers 231. Each drive roller 231 drives the web W by rotating with the driving force of a motor while winding the web W around it. The two nip rollers 232 are each provided corresponding to the two drive rollers 231, and each nip roller 232 holds the web W between itself and the corresponding drive roller 231. The edge position adjustment unit 234 adjusts the position of the edge of the web W in the X direction, which is the width direction of the web W. 【0026】 Furthermore, the transport unit 2 has a plurality of support rollers 24 that support the web W between the intake unit 23 and the winding roller 22. These support rollers 24 support the web W, from which ink is ejected in the inkjet method, from below, while transporting the web W in the Y direction. In particular, the plurality of support rollers 24 are arranged at an inclination such that the support rollers 24 downstream in the transport direction (Y direction) of the web W are located at a higher position. Therefore, the web W transported by these support rollers 24 is transported at an inclination so that it rises as it moves toward the Y direction. 【0027】 Furthermore, the conveying unit 2 has a plurality of support rollers 25 that support the web W between the support rollers 24 and the winding roller 22, and a drying unit 26 positioned between the support rollers 25 and the winding roller 22. The drying unit 26 has a heat drum 261 and support rollers 262 that support the web W moving from the heat drum 261 towards the winding roller 22. The heat drum 261 is rotationally driven in accordance with the conveying of the web W and dries the web W by heating it with a built-in heater. The conveying unit 2 also has a plurality of support rollers 27 that support the web W moving from the drying unit 26 towards the winding roller 22. Furthermore, the conveying unit 2 has a drive roller 281 and a nip roller 282 positioned between the support rollers 27 and the winding roller 22. The drive roller 281 drives the web W by rotating with the driving force of a motor while winding the web W around it. The nip roller 282 holds the web W between itself and the drive roller 281. 【0028】 In this manner, the transport unit 2 forms a transport path for the web W using a combination of multiple rollers and transports the web 2 along this transport path. Most of the transport path is formed in the internal space SP within the housing 100, but a portion of it, for example, at least one of the feed roller 21 and the winding roller 22, may be provided outside the housing 100. This improves the ease of attaching and detaching the roll-shaped web W to and from the feed roller 21 and the winding roller 22. 【0029】 The printing apparatus 1 has multiple head units 3 facing a web W supported by multiple support rollers 24 within a housing 100 from above. As will be described in detail later, each head unit 3 is equipped with a print head 30 that ejects ink downward from an ejection port (nozzle) located at its bottom, and adheres the ink to the web W being transported below. For example, color printing is achieved when the print heads 30 provided in each head unit 3 eject ink of different colors from each other. In this example, six head units 3 are arranged along the transport path, but the number of head units 3 is not limited to this and can be any number. Also, the combination of ink types ejected from each print head 30 can be any number. 【0030】 Figure 2 is a schematic bottom view showing the configuration of the print head 30. The print head 30 has a plurality of nozzle blocks 31 (five in this example). The plurality of nozzle blocks 31 are arranged in a so-called staggered arrangement in two rows in the X direction. In other words, a nozzle block row C1 consisting of three nozzle blocks 31 arranged parallel to the X direction and a nozzle block row C2 consisting of two nozzle blocks 31 arranged parallel to the X direction are provided at a predetermined interval in the Y direction. Each nozzle block 31 has a nozzle opening plane 31P that faces the web W from above, and a plurality of nozzles N open on the nozzle opening plane 31P. The plurality of nozzles N are arranged in a staggered pattern in the X direction and eject ink onto the web W in an inkjet manner. The print head 30 also has a holding member 32 that holds each nozzle block 31. The holding member 32 has a plurality of insertion holes 321 drilled corresponding to the plurality of nozzle blocks, and the plurality of nozzle blocks 31 are fixed to the holding member 32 when inserted into their respective insertion holes 321. Such a retaining member 32 can be made of an inelastic material such as metal or resin. 【0031】 As shown in Figure 1, the orientation of each of the multiple head units 3 is set according to the inclination of the web W supported by the multiple support rollers 24. In other words, the head units 3 are arranged such that the head unit 3 further upstream in the web W transport direction has a greater inclination with respect to the Z direction. However, the head unit 3 furthest downstream in the web W transport direction (Y direction) is positioned horizontally and is not inclined with respect to the Z direction, while the head units 3 other than the furthest downstream head unit 3 are inclined to be higher in the direction of web W transport. 【0032】 Furthermore, each head unit 3 is provided with a maintenance section 50 that covers the lower part of the print head 30, as will be explained below. Its role is to keep the nozzles N of the print head 30 clean, prevent clogging, and maintain a state in which the print head 30 can be quickly put into print operation when needed. Although each head unit 3 is arranged at a different inclination angle as shown in Figure 1, its configuration itself can be basically the same. Therefore, in the following explanation of the head unit 3, these head units 3 will not be particularly distinguished. 【0033】 Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the maintenance unit 50. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the function of the maintenance unit 50, and in Figures 4(a) to (c), the maintenance unit 50 is shown in cross-section. In both figures and the following figures, the (+X) direction toward the arrow in the X direction and the (-X) direction toward the opposite side of the (+X) direction are indicated as appropriate. The maintenance unit 50 is provided in each of the multiple head units 3. However, except for the orientation of the maintenance unit 50, the configuration of the maintenance unit 50 is common to all of the multiple head units 3. Therefore, the following description will focus on one maintenance unit 50. 【0034】 The maintenance unit 50 has a base member 51 that is elongated in the X direction and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Box-shaped bats 52 and 57 with open tops are attached to this base member 51 to receive ink and various processing liquids ejected from the print head 31. The bats 52 and 57 are arranged in the X direction, with the larger bat 52 positioned on the (+X) side of the smaller bat 57. 【0035】 The vat 52 has a bottom plate 521 which is rectangular in plan view, and side walls 522 which are erected from the periphery of the bottom plate 521. The side walls 522 are frames which are rectangular in plan view. Elastic members 523 are attached around the entire circumference of the upper end of the side walls 522. Thus, the vat 52 is provided with a storage chamber 524 which is enclosed by the bottom plate 521 and the side walls 522 and opens upward. Multiple caps 53 are arranged on the bottom plate 521 of the vat 52. The multiple caps 53 are arranged corresponding to the multiple nozzle blocks 31 in the print head 30 and are arranged in a staggered pattern in the X direction. The cap 53 has a box-shaped cap body 531 which corresponds to the outer shape of the nozzle block 31, and the cap body 531 has a storage chamber 531a which opens upward (towards the nozzle block 31). Furthermore, the cap 53 has a sealing member 532 which surrounds the opening of the storage chamber 531a. The sealing member 532 is a component made of, for example, rubber, formed in a roughly rectangular ring shape. The maintenance section 50 also has elastic members 56 provided corresponding to each cap 53, and each elastic member 56 biases the corresponding cap 53 upward against the bottom plate 521 of the butt 52. This elastic member 56 is, for example, a compression spring. 【0036】 As will be described later using Figure 6, the maintenance unit 50 moves in the X direction between a maintenance position Lm facing the print head 30 from below and a retracted position Le moving away from the maintenance position Lm in the (+X) direction. When the maintenance unit 50 is in the maintenance position Lm, as shown in Figure 4(a) or (b), each of the multiple caps 53 faces the corresponding nozzle block 31 from below. Furthermore, the print head 30 is movable in the Z direction relative to the multiple caps 53 of the maintenance unit 50. Specifically, the print head 30 moves in the Z direction between a retracted height He (Figure 4(a) or (c)) that is away from the cap 53 and a capping height Hc (Figure 4(b)) that is lower than the retracted height He that contacts the cap 53. 【0037】 As shown in Figure 4(b), when the print head 30 is positioned at the capping height Hc, the area around each nozzle block 31 is covered by the cap 53. Specifically, with the nozzle block 31 positioned inside the sealing member 532, the sealing member 532 comes into contact with the print head 30 (capping). During this capping, the sealing member 532 is pressed against the print head 30 by the biasing force of the elastic member 56 and deforms elastically. In this way, the space around the nozzle block 31 is closed by the sealing member 532, and the drying of ink around each nozzle N (Figure 2) of the nozzle block 31 is suppressed. Furthermore, while capping is performed, a purging process can be carried out to eject ink from each nozzle N. Incidentally, both the capping and purging processes are performed with the cleaning liquid Q stored in the storage chamber 531a of the cap 53. The operation of supplying the cleaning liquid Q to the cap 53 will be described in detail later. 【0038】 The ink and cleaning fluid Q dispensed into the cap 53 are discharged via a discharge mechanism (not shown). Such a mechanism and the purging process realized therein can be suitably applied, for example, the one described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-052195, previously disclosed by the applicant. Therefore, a detailed explanation of this mechanism and purging process will be omitted. Furthermore, in the state shown in Figure 4(b), the elastic member 523 of the bat 52 contacts the lower surface of the print head 30. 【0039】 The bat 57 has a rectangular bottom plate 571 in plan view and side walls 572 erected from the periphery of the bottom plate 571. The side walls 572 are rectangular frames in plan view. Thus, the bat 57 is provided with a storage chamber 573 that is enclosed by the bottom plate 571 and the side walls 572 and opens upward. Two lifting mechanisms 58 are arranged in the Y direction on the bottom plate 571 of the bat 57. Furthermore, two wiper blades 59 are provided corresponding to the two lifting mechanisms 58, and each lifting mechanism 58 moves the corresponding wiper blade 59 in the Z direction. These two wiper blades 59 are provided corresponding to two rows of nozzle blocks C1 and C2, and each wiper blade 59 performs wiping on a nozzle block 31 that constitutes one of the corresponding nozzle block rows C1 and C2. 【0040】 Since the wiping process using two wiper blades 59 is the same, here we will explain the wiping process using one wiper blade 59 with reference to Figure 4(c). Figure 4(c) shows how the wiper blade 59 wipes three nozzle blocks 31 belonging to nozzle block row C1. The print head 30 is at a retracted height He, and the wiper blade 59 is positioned by the lifting mechanism 58 at a wiping height Zw for wiping the nozzle opening plane 31P of the nozzle block 31. The upper end of the wiper blade 59 at the wiping height Zw is slightly above the nozzle opening plane 31P of the nozzle block 31. The cap 53 is also spaced downwards from the print head 30. In this state, the maintenance unit 50 moves in the (+X) direction, causing the upper end of the wiper blade 59 to slide against the nozzle opening plane 31P of the nozzle block 31 (wiping). As a result, the ink adhering to the nozzle opening plane 31P is wiped away by the wiper blade 59 and falls into the storage chamber 573 of the bat 57. The wiping by the wiper blade 59 is performed sequentially on the nozzle opening plane 31P of each of the three nozzle blocks 31, starting from the upstream side in the (+X) direction. 【0041】 Next, the structure of the head unit 3 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the structure of the head unit. More specifically, Figure 5(a) is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the head unit 3, and Figure 5(b) is an external perspective view showing the frame 70 of the head unit 3. The head unit 3 has a structure in which various parts are attached to the frame 70 shown in Figure 5(b). In order to clearly show the frame structure that is obscured by these parts, Figure 5(b) shows the structure of the frame 70 with some parts attached before the main parts are assembled. Figure 6 is a side view showing the structure and operation of the head unit. 【0042】 As shown in Figure 5(b), the frame 70 has a structure in which a pair of frame members 71 extending parallel to each other with the X direction as the longitudinal direction are connected by several horizontal members 72 extending in the Y direction. The shape of the frame members 71 and the shape, arrangement, and number of horizontal members 72 are not limited to those shown and are arbitrary. However, as will be described later, since the maintenance unit 50 moves back and forth between the opposingly arranged frame members 71, it is desirable to have a structure that does not hinder this movement. 【0043】 On the (-X) side of the frame member 71, two horizontal members 72 (72a, 72b) are arranged at a predetermined distance in the X direction. This distance is greater than the X-direction length of the print head 30. Head support side plates 73, 73 are attached to the upper surfaces of these horizontal members 72a, 72b to support the print head 30 so that it can move up and down. 【0044】 Specifically, as shown in Figure 6(a), the head support side plates 73, 73 are each provided with a lifting mechanism 74, 74. The lifting mechanism 74 is, for example, a ball screw mechanism, and comprises a ball screw 741 extending in the vertical direction, a motor 742 that rotates it, and a lifting block 743 having a nut engaged with the ball screw 741. The lifting block 743 is attached to both ends of the print head 30 in the X direction. Therefore, in response to a control command from the control unit 10, the motors 742, 742 rotate in sync, causing the lifting blocks 743, 743 to move up and down, thereby causing the print head 30 to move up and down relative to the frame member 71. 【0045】 As shown in Figure 5(b), guide rails 751 extending in the X direction are attached to the opposing surfaces of a pair of frame members 71. A slider 752 is engaged with these guide rails 751 so as to be movable in the X direction, and a motor 753 is coupled to it as a drive source to drive the slider 752 along the guide rails 751 in the X direction. A maintenance unit 50 is attached to this slider 752. 【0046】 Therefore, as shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b), the maintenance unit 50 moves in the X direction along the guide rail 751 between a pair of frame members 71 when the motor 753 is activated in response to a control command from the control unit 10. In other words, the guide rail 751, slider 752, and motor 753 function as a linear motion mechanism 75 that moves the maintenance unit 50 in the X direction. Such a linear motion mechanism 75 can be selected and used from an appropriate source, such as a linear motor, ball screw mechanism, air cylinder, or belt drive mechanism. 【0047】 In a head unit 3 having such a structure, the motor 742 can change the position (i.e., height) of the print head 30 in the Z direction. In other words, the print head 30 moves in the Z direction between a retracted height He (Figures 6(a), (b)), which is retracted above the movement range of the maintenance unit 50, and a print height Hp (Figure 6(c)), which is located below the retracted height He and is close to the web W. During the printing operation, when ink is ejected onto the web W in order to print on the web W, the print head 30 is located at the print height Hp. On the other hand, when the maintenance unit 50 moves in the X direction, the print head 30 is located at the retracted height He. Also, as described above with reference to Figure 4, during capping, the print head 30 is located at the capping height Hc. Furthermore, by driving the maintenance unit 50 in the X direction with the motor 753, the maintenance unit 50 can be moved between a maintenance position Lm (Figure 6(a)) facing the maintenance unit 50 from below at the retracted height He, and a retracted position Le (Figure 6(b)) retracted to the (+X) direction from the maintenance position Lm. 【0048】 Returning to Figure 5, let's continue the explanation of the head unit 3. An electrical box 76 is attached to the (+X) side of the frame member 71. The electrical box 76 houses various devices necessary for the proper operation of the head unit 3, such as a control circuit for controlling the print head 30 and the linear motion mechanism 75, a pump for supplying ink to the print head 30, and a power supply circuit for supplying power to these devices. By attaching the electrical box 76, which contains these devices, integrally with the print head 30 to the frame member 71, the length of piping and cables to the print head 30 can be reduced, thereby achieving stable operation. 【0049】 In the head unit 3, a cleaning section 80 is further provided on the (+X) side of the print head 30. As will be described later, the cleaning section 80 is provided for the purpose of wiping the cap 53 and wiper blade 59 provided on the maintenance section 50 and removing any ink remaining on them. 【0050】 Figure 7 shows the configuration of the cleaning unit 80. As shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the cleaning unit 80 has cleaning rollers 81 positioned on the movement path when the maintenance unit 50 moves in the (+X) direction. As shown by the dashed line in Figure 7(b), the length of the cleaning rollers 80 in the Y direction is set to include the entire distribution range in the Y direction of the objects to be cleaned, namely the cap 53 and the wiper blade 59. Furthermore, in the height direction, the cleaning rollers 80 are positioned to overlap with the trajectories of the upper ends of the cap 53 and the wiper blade 59, respectively, when the maintenance unit 50 moves in the (+X) direction. 【0051】 The cleaning roller 81 has a surface layer 811 on its outer circumferential surface. The surface layer 811 is a porous sponge material, possessing liquid-retaining properties and elasticity. Specifically, the cleaning roller 81 has a cylindrical metal core 812 parallel to the Y direction, and the cylindrical surface layer 811 is arranged around the core 812. A rotating shaft 813 is provided coaxially with the center of the core 812, and both ends of the rotating shaft 813 are rotatably supported by a pair of bearing members 82, 82. The bearing members 82 are fixed to either the frame member 71 or a member integrally connected thereto. In the example shown in Figure 7(c), a pair of protrusions 731, 731 for attaching the bearing members 82 are provided on the (+X) side of the head support side plate 73 located on the (+X) side of a pair of head support side plates 73. The pair of bearing members 82, 82 are fastened to the pair of protrusions 731, 731 by fastening members 83, such as screws. With this structure, the cleaning unit 80 moves integrally with the print head 30 in the X direction. Furthermore, if the fixing member 83 is detachably attached to the protruding portion 731, it becomes easier to replace the cleaning roller 81 with the head support side plate 73. 【0052】 Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the cleaning fluid supply mechanism 9 that supplies cleaning fluid, Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the cleaning fluid supply mechanism 9 in Figure 8, and Figures 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams of the configuration of the cleaning fluid nozzle used for discharging cleaning fluid in the cleaning fluid supply mechanism in Figure 8. 【0053】 The cleaning fluid supply mechanism 9 includes a cleaning fluid storage section 91, a fluid delivery section 92 that delivers cleaning fluid Q sucked from the cleaning fluid storage section 91, and a cleaning fluid discharge section 93 that discharges the cleaning fluid Q delivered from the cleaning fluid storage section 91 by the fluid delivery section 92. The cleaning fluid storage section 91 has a storage tank 911 located on the (-X) side of a pair of head support side plates 73, and the cleaning fluid Q is stored in the storage tank 911. 【0054】 The liquid supply unit 92 has a liquid supply pipe 921 that extends from the (-X) direction side to the (+X) direction side of a pair of head support side plates 73. A suction port 922 opens at one end of the liquid supply pipe 921 located on the (-X) direction side of the pair of head support side plates 73. This end of the liquid supply pipe 921 is inserted into the storage tank 911, and the suction port 922 of the liquid supply pipe 921 opens in the cleaning liquid Q stored in the storage tank 911. A discharge port 923 opens at the other end of the liquid supply pipe 921 located on the (+X) direction side of the pair of head support side plates 73. Furthermore, the liquid supply unit 92 has a liquid supply pump 924 attached to the liquid supply pipe 921, which drives the cleaning liquid Q in the liquid supply pipe 921 from the suction port 922 to the discharge port 923. Therefore, when the liquid transfer pump 924 drives the cleaning liquid Q, the cleaning liquid Q stored in the storage tank 911 is drawn into the liquid transfer pipe 921 from the suction port 922 and sent by the liquid transfer pipe 921 to the discharge port 923. 【0055】 The cleaning fluid discharge unit 93 is located on the (+X) side of a pair of head support side plates 73. This cleaning fluid discharge unit 93 has a solenoid valve 94 attached to the outlet 923 of the liquid supply piping 921. The solenoid valve 94 has an inlet port 940, a first output port 941, and a second output port 942 (Figure 9), and the outlet 923 of the liquid supply piping 921 is attached to the inlet port 940 of the solenoid valve 94. This solenoid valve 94 selectively performs either a first flow path connection operation, which connects the inlet port 940 and the first output port 941 while blocking the inlet port 940 and the second output port 942, or a second flow path connection operation, which connects the inlet port 940 and the second output port 942 while blocking the inlet port 940 and the first output port 941. 【0056】 Furthermore, the cleaning fluid discharge section 93 has a pipe 931 with one end connected to the first output port 941 of the solenoid valve 94, and a pipe 932 with the other end connected to the second output port 942 of the solenoid valve 94. In addition, the cleaning fluid discharge section 93 has a cleaning fluid nozzle 951 connected to the other end of the pipe 931, and a cleaning fluid nozzle 952 connected to the other end of the pipe 932. The cleaning fluid nozzle 951 faces the first position L1 where the cleaning roller 81 is located from above, and the cleaning fluid nozzle 952 faces the second position L2 on the (+X) side of the first position L1 from above. 【0057】 As shown in Figure 10A, the cleaning liquid nozzle 951 has a discharge port 951a extending in the Y direction. This discharge port 951a faces the first position L1 from above and discharges the cleaning liquid Q to the cleaning roller 81 located at the first position L1. Also, as shown in Figure 10B, the cleaning liquid nozzle 952 has a discharge port 952a extending in the Y direction. This cleaning liquid nozzle 952a faces the second position L2 from above and discharges the cleaning liquid Q to the bat 52 and cap 53 that pass through the second position L2. Incidentally, inside the bat 52, in a side view from the X direction, two caps 53 are arranged in the Y direction, and in the Y direction, these two bats 52 are located between the ends of the discharge port 952a. 【0058】 In this cleaning fluid supply mechanism 9, the liquid transfer pump 924 drives the cleaning fluid Q, and the solenoid valve 94 performs a first flow path connection operation, causing the cleaning fluid Q to be discharged from the cleaning fluid nozzle 951 toward a first position L1 (first discharge operation in Figure 9). In this first discharge operation, the discharge of cleaning fluid Q from the cleaning fluid nozzle 952 is prohibited by the solenoid valve 94, and the cleaning fluid nozzle 952 does not discharge cleaning fluid Q. On the other hand, while the liquid transfer pump 924 drives the cleaning fluid Q, the solenoid valve 94 performs a second flow path connection operation, causing the cleaning fluid Q to be discharged from the cleaning fluid nozzle 952 toward a second position L2 (second discharge operation in Figure 9). In this second discharge operation, the discharge of cleaning fluid Q from the cleaning fluid nozzle 951 is prohibited by the solenoid valve 94, and the cleaning fluid nozzle 951 does not discharge cleaning fluid Q. Thus, the cleaning fluid supply mechanism 9 can selectively perform either a first discharge operation, which discharges cleaning fluid Q from the cleaning fluid nozzle 951 to a first position L1, or a second discharge operation, which discharges cleaning fluid Q from the cleaning fluid nozzle 952 to a second position L2. In other words, the cleaning fluid supply mechanism 9 can switch the discharge destination of the cleaning fluid Q between the first position L1 and the second position L2, which are different in the X direction. 【0059】 Figure 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control unit of a printing device. The control unit 10, which is a processor, internally configures the motor control unit 11, the lifting mechanism control unit 12, the pump control unit 13, and the discharge destination switching control unit 14 by executing a predetermined program. The motor control unit 11 controls the motor 753 that drives the maintenance unit 50 in the X direction. The lifting mechanism control unit 12 controls the lifting mechanism 58 that drives the wiper blade 59 in the Z direction. The pump control unit 13 controls the liquid transfer pump 924 that sends cleaning liquid Q from the storage tank 911 to the cleaning liquid discharge unit 93. The discharge destination switching control unit 14 controls the solenoid valve 94 that switches the discharge destination of the cleaning liquid Q between a first position L1 and a second position L2. 【0060】 Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a cleaning operation performed by the printing device, and Figures 13A to 13H are schematic diagrams showing the operation performed according to the flowchart in Figure 12. The cleaning operation in Figure 12 is performed by the control of the control unit 10. 【0061】 At the start of the cleaning operation shown in Figure 12, the print head 30 is at the retracted height He, and the maintenance unit 50 is stopped at the maintenance position Lm (Figure 13A). The cleaning roller 81 is located on the (+X) side of the maintenance unit 50. Furthermore, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 13A, in the height direction (Z direction), the upper end of the cap 53 (more specifically the upper end of the sealing member 532) and the upper end of the wiper blade 59 are located within the roller contact range R81 between the lower and upper ends of the surface layer 811 of the cleaning roller 81. In particular, the lifting mechanism control unit 12 controls the lifting mechanism 58 to position the wiper blade 59 at the wiping height Zw. The wiping height Zw is located within the roller contact range R81. 【0062】 In step S101, the discharge destination switching control unit 14 causes the solenoid valve 94 to perform a first flow path connection operation, thereby setting the discharge destination of the cleaning liquid Q to the first position L1. In step S102, the pump control unit 13 starts the liquid transfer pump 924. As a result, the cleaning liquid Q sent from the storage tank 911 to the cleaning liquid discharge unit 93 by the liquid transfer pump 924 is discharged from the cleaning liquid nozzle 951 to the cleaning roller 81 at the first position L1 (Figure 13B). Then, when a predetermined cleaning liquid supply time has elapsed (if "YES" is selected in step S103), the pump control unit 13 stops the liquid transfer pump 924 (step S104). As a result, the discharge of cleaning liquid Q from the cleaning liquid nozzle 951 to the cleaning roller 81 at the first position L1 stops. As described above, the surface layer 811 of the cleaning roller 81 is a porous sponge and has liquid retention properties that allow it to hold liquid. In contrast, the cleaning solution supply time in step S103 is set to allow a sufficient amount of cleaning solution Q to be absorbed and retained in the surface layer 811. 【0063】 In step S105, the motor control unit 11 instructs the motor 753 to start moving the maintenance unit 50 from the maintenance position Lm to the retracted position Le. As the maintenance unit 50 starts moving in step S105, the surface layer 811 of the cleaning roller 81 comes into contact with the sealing member 532 of the cap 53, which is moving in the X direction (Figure 13C, etc.). Also, since the cleaning roller 81 is rotatable around a rotation axis parallel to the Y direction, it rotates in accordance with the movement of the sealing member 532 in the X direction. In this way, the sealing member 532 of the cap 53 is cleaned by the surface layer 811 of the cleaning roller 81, which holds the cleaning fluid Q. 【0064】 Furthermore, as the maintenance unit 50 begins to move in step S105, wiping is performed by sliding the upper end of the wiper blade 59 in the X direction relative to the nozzle opening plane 31P (Figures 13C, 13D, etc.). This wiping removes the ink adhering to the nozzle opening plane 31P, which is then wiped away by the wiper blade 59 and falls into the storage chamber 573 of the bat 57. 【0065】 In step S106, the discharge destination switching control unit 14 causes the solenoid valve 94 to perform a second flow path connection operation, thereby setting the discharge destination of the cleaning fluid Q to the second position L2. Then, in step S107, it is monitored whether the maintenance unit 50 has reached the second position L2. In this example, it is monitored whether the inside of the bat 52 (specifically, the bottom plate 521 of the bat 52) ​​of the maintenance unit 50 has reached the second position L2. When the inside of the bat 52 reaches the second position L2 (YES in step S107), the pump control unit 13 starts the liquid transfer pump 924 (step S108). 【0066】 As a result, the cleaning liquid Q sent from the storage tank 911 to the cleaning liquid discharge section 93 by the liquid transfer pump 924 is discharged from the cleaning liquid nozzle 952 onto the bottom plate 521 of the bat 52, passing through the second position L2 (Figure 13E). The cleaning liquid Q discharged onto the bottom plate 521 of the bat 52 is then stored inside the bat 52. A porous material such as a sponge may be placed on the bottom plate 521 of the bat 52. In this case, the cleaning liquid Q is absorbed and retained by the porous material. 【0067】 Furthermore, as the maintenance unit 50 moves from the maintenance position Lm to the retracted position Le, the multiple caps 53 positioned on the bottom plate 521 of the bat 52 pass through the second position L2 in sequence. In response, the cleaning liquid Q discharged from the cleaning liquid nozzle 952 is discharged to the caps 53 as they pass through the second position L2 (Figure 13F). As a result, the cleaning liquid Q is stored in the storage chamber 531a of the caps 53 (Figures 3 and 4). 【0068】 When the maintenance unit 50 reaches the retracted position Le (YES in step S109), the motor control unit 11 instructs the motor 753 to stop the maintenance unit 50 (step S110). As the maintenance unit 50 moves through steps S105 to S110, the cleaning fluid Q is supplied to the cap 53 and the bat 52. Furthermore, wiping is performed as the maintenance unit 50 moves. That is, the upper end of the wiper blade 59 slides sequentially over the nozzle opening plane 31P of each of the multiple nozzle blocks 31, so that the ink adhering to each nozzle opening plane 31P is wiped away by the wiper blade 59 and collected in the bat 57 (wiping). Also, when the maintenance unit 50 is stopped in the retracted position Le in step S110, as shown in Figure 13G, the surface layer 811 of the cleaning roller 81 comes into contact with the wiper blade 59. 【0069】 In step 111, the discharge destination switching control unit 14 causes the solenoid valve 94 to perform a first flow path connection operation, thereby setting the discharge destination of the cleaning fluid Q to the first position L1. As a result, the cleaning fluid Q sent from the storage tank 911 to the cleaning fluid discharge unit 93 by the liquid transfer pump 924 is discharged from the cleaning fluid nozzle 951 to the cleaning roller 81 at the first position L1 (Figure 13H). This supplies the cleaning fluid Q to the surface layer 811 of the cleaning roller 81, where it is held. Any cleaning fluid Q that cannot be held by the surface layer 811 reaches the wiper blade 59 and is then collected in the storage chamber 573 of the bat 57. 【0070】 In step S112, the lifting mechanism control unit 12 moves the wiper blade 59 up and down using the lifting mechanism 58, causing the wiper blade 59 to slide against the surface layer 811 of the cleaning roller 81 (wiper cleaning). During this wiper cleaning, the upper end of the wiper blade 59 moves up and down within the roller contact range R81 while in contact with the cleaning roller 81. When a predetermined wiper cleaning time has elapsed (if "YES" is answered in step S113), the lifting mechanism control unit 12 stops the lifting and lowering of the wiper blade 59 using the lifting mechanism 58 (step S114), and the pump control unit 13 stops the supply of cleaning fluid Q using the supply pump 924 (step S115). 【0071】 When the cleaning operation shown in Figure 12 is completed, the cleaning fluid Q is stored in the storage chamber 531a and the bat 52 of the cap 53 of the maintenance unit 50, which is located in the retracted position Le. From this state, the capping and purging processes described above can be performed using Figure 4(b) by moving the maintenance unit 50 from the retracted position Le to the maintenance position Lm. 【0072】 In the embodiment configured as described above, the cleaning fluid supply mechanism 9 (cleaning fluid discharge unit) discharges cleaning fluid Q to one of the discharge targets, either the cleaning roller 81 (cleaning member) or the cap 53 (cap member). In particular, the cleaning fluid supply mechanism 9 switches the discharge target between the cap 53 and the cleaning roller 81 to discharge cleaning fluid Q to the target (first discharge operation / second discharge operation). That is, when the cap 53 is the discharge target, the cleaning fluid is discharged directly from the cleaning fluid supply mechanism 9 to the target cap 53 (Figure 13F), and when the cleaning roller 81 is the discharge target, the cleaning fluid is discharged directly from the cleaning fluid supply mechanism 9 to the target cleaning roller 81 (Figures 13B, 13H). Here, "discharged directly from the cleaning fluid supply mechanism 9 to the discharge target" means that the cleaning fluid Q discharged from the cleaning fluid supply mechanism 9 reaches the discharge target without passing through any other member. In this way, it is possible to supply clean cleaning fluid Q to both the cap 53 and the cleaning roller 81. 【0073】 Furthermore, the device is equipped with a motor 753 (drive unit) that drives the cap 53 (maintenance unit 50) to move the cap 53 in the X direction (movement direction) relative to the cleaning roller 81. The cleaning roller 81, from which cleaning fluid Q is discharged from the cleaning fluid supply mechanism 9, comes into contact with the cap 53, which is moved in the X direction by the motor 753, thereby cleaning the cap 53. With this configuration, the cap 53 can be cleaned by the cleaning roller 81 from which clean cleaning fluid Q is discharged. 【0074】 Furthermore, the cleaning fluid supply mechanism 9 selects the discharge destination of the cleaning fluid Q from a first position L1 where the cleaning roller 81 is positioned, and a second position L2 which is different from the first position L1 in the X direction (Figure 9). Then, the cleaning fluid supply mechanism 9 discharges the cleaning fluid Q to the first position L1, causing the cleaning fluid Q to be discharged to the cleaning roller 81 (Figures 13B and 13H). On the other hand, with the motor 753 positioning the cap 53 at the second position L2, the cleaning fluid supply mechanism 9 discharges the cleaning fluid Q to the second position L2, causing the cleaning fluid Q to be discharged to the cap 53 (Figure 13F). In this configuration, by switching the discharge destination of the cleaning fluid Q from the first position L1 and the second position L2, clean cleaning fluid Q can be supplied to both the cap 53 and the cleaning roller 81. 【0075】 Furthermore, the cleaning fluid supply mechanism 9 includes a fluid supply pipe 921 for supplying the cleaning fluid Q, a solenoid valve 94 connected to the fluid supply pipe 921, a cleaning fluid nozzle 951 (first cleaning fluid nozzle) connected to the solenoid valve 94, and a cleaning fluid nozzle 952 (second cleaning fluid nozzle) connected to the solenoid valve 94. The cleaning fluid nozzle 951 faces a first position L1, and the cleaning fluid nozzle 952 faces a second position L2. In response to this, the solenoid valve 94 can selectively perform a first flow path connection operation, which connects the liquid supply pipe 921 and the cleaning liquid nozzle 951 via a flow path and shuts off the liquid supply pipe 921 and the cleaning liquid nozzle 952 to send cleaning liquid Q from the liquid supply pipe 921 to the cleaning liquid nozzle 951, and a second flow path connection operation, which connects the liquid supply pipe 921 and the cleaning liquid nozzle 952 via a flow path and shuts off the liquid supply pipe 921 and the cleaning liquid nozzle 951 to send cleaning liquid Q from the liquid supply pipe 921 to the cleaning liquid nozzle 952 (Figure 9). When the solenoid valve 94 performs the first flow path connection operation, cleaning liquid Q is discharged from the cleaning liquid nozzle 951 to a first position L1, and when the solenoid valve 94 performs the second flow path connection operation, cleaning liquid Q is discharged from the cleaning liquid nozzle 952 to a second position L2. In this configuration, the flow path connection destination of the liquid supply pipe 921 that delivers the cleaning liquid Q is switched between the cleaning liquid nozzle 951 and the cleaning liquid nozzle 952 by the solenoid valve 94, thereby supplying clean cleaning liquid Q to the cap 53 and the cleaning roller 81, respectively. 【0076】 Furthermore, the cleaning roller 81 rotates in accordance with the movement of the cap 53 in the X direction. In this configuration, the cap 53 can be cleaned by the cleaning roller 81 from which a clean cleaning solution Q is discharged. 【0077】 Furthermore, the cleaning roller 81 has a surface layer 811 (sponge, liquid-retaining member) that absorbs and retains the cleaning liquid Q, and the cap 53 is cleaned when the surface layer 811 comes into contact with the cap 53. With this configuration, the cap 53 can be cleaned by the clean cleaning liquid Q retained by the surface layer 811 of the cleaning roller 81. 【0078】 Furthermore, the cap 53 has a storage chamber 531a (storage section) that opens toward the print head 30, and a sealing member 532 (peripheral section) provided around the opening of the storage chamber 531a. When capping is performed, the opening of the storage chamber 531a faces the nozzle N (ink nozzle) and the sealing member 532 contacts the print head 30 (Figure 4(b)). In response, the cleaning roller 81 cleans the sealing member 532 by contacting it with the sealing member 532 of the cap 53 (Figures 13C and 13F). The cleaning liquid supply mechanism 9 also discharges cleaning liquid Q into the storage chamber 531a of the cap 53. In this configuration, the storage chamber 531a of the cap 53 can be cleaned by the clean cleaning liquid Q discharged from the cleaning liquid supply mechanism 9 into the storage chamber 531a, and the sealing member 532 of the cap 53 can be cleaned by the clean cleaning liquid Q discharged from the cleaning liquid supply mechanism 9 to the cleaning roller 81. 【0079】 Furthermore, the cap 53 performs capping while the cleaning liquid Q discharged from the cleaning liquid supply mechanism 9 is stored in the storage chamber 531a (Figure 4(b)). In this configuration, the nozzle N can be kept moist by the cleaning liquid Q stored in the storage chamber 531a during capping. 【0080】 Furthermore, the cap 53 receives ink ejected from the nozzles N of the print head 30 during the purging process through a storage chamber 531a that stores the cleaning fluid Q discharged from the cleaning fluid supply mechanism 9. In this configuration, the ink ejected from the nozzles N adheres to the walls of the storage chamber 531a of the cap 53, thereby preventing contamination of the storage chamber 531a. 【0081】 Furthermore, the device is equipped with a wiper blade 59 (wiper) that wipes ink from the print head 30, and a motor 753 (wiper sliding part) that drives the wiper blade 59 (maintenance part 50) to slide the wiper blade 59 against the print head 30. In contrast, the cleaning fluid supply mechanism 9 discharges cleaning fluid Q onto the cleaning roller 81 when the motor 753 is in contact with the wiper blade 59 (i.e., when the maintenance part 50 is in the retracted position Le), and the cleaning fluid Q discharged onto the cleaning roller 81 reaches the wiper blade 59 via the cleaning roller 81 (Figure 13H). With this configuration, the wiper blade 59 can be cleaned by supplying cleaning fluid Q to it. 【0082】 Furthermore, the device is equipped with a bat 52 having a bottom plate 521 on which a cap 53 is positioned. When the motor 753 positions the bottom plate 521 of the bat 52 in the second position L2, the cleaning fluid supply mechanism 9 discharges cleaning fluid Q to the second position L2, thereby discharging cleaning fluid Q onto the bottom plate 521 of the bat 52 (Figures 13E and 13G). With this configuration, a clean cleaning fluid Q can be supplied to the bottom plate 521 of the bat 52. 【0083】 As described above, in this embodiment, the printing device 1 corresponds to an example of the "printing device" of the present invention, the print head 30 corresponds to an example of the "print head" of the present invention, the bat 52 corresponds to an example of the "bat" of the present invention, the bottom plate 521 corresponds to an example of the "bottom surface" of the present invention, the cap 53 corresponds to an example of the "cap member" of the present invention, the storage chamber 531a corresponds to an example of the "storage section" of the present invention, the sealing member 532 corresponds to an example of the "peripheral section" of the present invention, the wiper blade 59 corresponds to an example of the "wiper" of the present invention, the motor 753 corresponds to an example of the "drive section" of the present invention, the motor 753 corresponds to an example of the "wiper sliding section" of the invention, the cleaning roller 81 corresponds to an example of the "cleaning roller" of the present invention, and the cleaning The layer 81 corresponds to an example of the "cleaning member" of the present invention, the surface layer 811 corresponds to an example of the "liquid retention member" of the present invention, the cleaning liquid supply mechanism 9 corresponds to an example of the "cleaning liquid discharge unit" of the present invention, the liquid supply piping 921 corresponds to an example of the "liquid supply piping" of the present invention, the solenoid valve 94 corresponds to an example of the "solenoid valve" of the present invention, the cleaning liquid nozzle 951 corresponds to an example of the "first cleaning liquid nozzle" of the present invention, the cleaning liquid nozzle 952 corresponds to an example of the "second cleaning liquid nozzle" of the present invention, the first position L1 corresponds to an example of the "first position" of the present invention, the second position L2 corresponds to an example of the "second position" of the present invention, the nozzle N corresponds to an example of the "ink nozzle" of the present invention, the cleaning liquid Q corresponds to an example of the "cleaning liquid" of the present invention, and the X direction corresponds to an example of the "movement direction" of the present invention. 【0084】 It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the configuration of the cleaning fluid discharge unit 93, which changes the discharge destination of the cleaning fluid Q between the first position L1 and the second position L2, is not limited to the example in Figure 9 using a solenoid valve 94. 【0085】 Figure 14 schematically shows a first modified example of the cleaning fluid discharge section. In the cleaning fluid discharge section 93 of Figure 14, a single cleaning fluid nozzle 951 is flow-connected to the fluid supply pipe 921. Therefore, the cleaning fluid Q sent from the storage tank 911 along the fluid supply pipe 921 by the fluid supply pump 924 is discharged from the cleaning fluid nozzle 951. 【0086】 Furthermore, the cleaning fluid nozzle 951 is pivotally supported so as to be rotatable in a rotational direction about a rotation axis parallel to the Y direction. In contrast, the cleaning fluid discharge unit 93 has a nozzle drive unit 96 that drives the cleaning fluid nozzle 951 in the rotational direction. The nozzle drive unit 96 has an actuator 961 and a rod 962 that is driven in the X direction by the actuator 961. In addition, an engagement slot 951b is provided on the circumferential surface of the cleaning fluid nozzle 951, and the tip of the rod 962 engages with the engagement slot 951b. Therefore, by driving the cleaning fluid nozzle 951, the nozzle drive unit 96 can change the posture of the cleaning fluid nozzle 951 between a first posture and a second posture rotated by an angle θ from the first posture. The cleaning fluid nozzle 951 in the first posture discharges cleaning fluid Q to a first position L1, and the cleaning fluid nozzle 951 in the second posture discharges cleaning fluid Q to a second position L2. Incidentally, the driving of the cleaning fluid nozzle 951 by the nozzle drive unit 96 is controlled by the discharge destination switching control unit 14. 【0087】 In this first modified example, the cleaning fluid supply mechanism 9 includes a cleaning fluid nozzle 951 that discharges cleaning fluid Q, and a nozzle drive unit 96 (position changing unit) that changes the position of the cleaning fluid nozzle 951 between a first position in which the cleaning fluid Q discharged from the cleaning fluid nozzle 951 moves toward a first position L1 and a second position in which the cleaning fluid Q discharged from the cleaning fluid nozzle 951 moves toward a second position L2. When the nozzle drive unit 96 positions the cleaning fluid nozzle 951 in the first position, cleaning fluid Q is discharged from the cleaning fluid nozzle 951 to the first position L1, and when the nozzle drive unit 96 positions the cleaning fluid Q in the second position, cleaning fluid Q is discharged from the cleaning fluid nozzle 951 to the second position L2. In this configuration, by switching the position of the cleaning fluid nozzle 951 that discharges cleaning fluid Q between the first position and the second position using the nozzle drive unit 96, clean cleaning fluid Q can be supplied to the cap 53 and the cleaning roller 81, respectively. 【0088】 Figure 15 schematically shows a second modified example of the cleaning fluid discharge section. In the cleaning fluid discharge section 93 of Figure 15, a single cleaning fluid nozzle 951 is flow-connected to the fluid supply pipe 921. Therefore, the cleaning fluid Q sent from the storage tank 911 along the fluid supply pipe 921 by the fluid supply pump 924 is discharged from the cleaning fluid nozzle 951. 【0089】 Furthermore, the pump control unit 13 changes the flow rate of the cleaning liquid Q discharged from the cleaning liquid nozzle 951 by the liquid transfer pump 924 between a first flow rate and a second flow rate. The cleaning liquid Q discharged from the cleaning liquid nozzle 951 at the first flow rate is discharged to the first position L1. On the other hand, the cleaning liquid Q discharged from the cleaning liquid nozzle 951 at the second flow rate is discharged to the second position L2. 【0090】 In this second modified example, the cleaning fluid supply mechanism 9 includes a cleaning fluid nozzle 951 that discharges cleaning fluid Q, and a liquid transfer pump 924 (flow rate changing unit) that changes the flow rate of cleaning fluid Q discharged from the cleaning fluid nozzle 951 between a first flow rate at which the cleaning fluid Q discharged from the cleaning fluid nozzle 951 moves toward a first position L1 and a second flow rate at which the cleaning fluid Q discharged from the cleaning fluid nozzle 951 moves toward a second position L2. The liquid transfer pump 924 discharges cleaning fluid Q from the cleaning fluid nozzle 951 at the first flow rate, causing cleaning fluid Q to be discharged from the cleaning fluid nozzle 951 toward a first position L1, and the liquid transfer pump 924 discharges cleaning fluid Q from the cleaning fluid nozzle 951 at the second flow rate, causing cleaning fluid Q to be discharged toward a second position L2. In this configuration, the flow rate of the cleaning fluid Q discharged from the cleaning fluid nozzle 951 is switched between a first flow rate and a second flow rate by the liquid transfer pump 924, thereby supplying clean cleaning fluid to both the cap 53 and the cleaning roller 81. 【0091】 Furthermore, the specific configuration of the cleaning member for cleaning the cap 53 may be changed as appropriate. In other words, instead of the cleaning roller 81, a brush (liquid-retaining member) capable of holding the cleaning liquid Q discharged from the cleaning liquid discharge section 93 may be provided. 【0092】 Furthermore, the specific configuration for moving the maintenance unit 50 relative to the cleaning roller 81 in the X direction is not limited to the example described above. In other words, instead of driving the maintenance unit 50 in the X direction, the cleaning roller 81 may be driven in the X direction. In short, relative movement between the cleaning roller 81 and the maintenance unit 50 can be achieved by driving at least one of them. 【0093】 Furthermore, the relationship between the flow rate of cleaning liquid Q discharged to the first position L1 and the flow rate of cleaning liquid Q discharged to the second position L2 can be appropriately set. In other words, variations such as the former and the latter being equal, the former being less than the latter, or the former being more than the latter are possible. In particular, when the flow rate of cleaning liquid Q discharged to the first position L1 is less than the flow rate of cleaning liquid Q discharged to the second position L2, the following advantages are available. That is, cleaning liquid Q is discharged to the cleaning roller 81 located at the first position L1 at a low flow rate. As a result, the discharge flow rate of cleaning liquid Q to the cleaning roller 81 becomes excessive compared to the rate at which the cleaning roller 81 absorbs the cleaning liquid Q, and a large amount of cleaning liquid Q is not retained by the cleaning roller 81 but falls off, thus preventing excessive consumption of cleaning liquid Q. In addition, cleaning liquid Q is discharged to the cap 53 or bat 52 at the second position L2 at a high flow rate, so a sufficient amount of cleaning liquid Q can be supplied to them quickly. 【0094】 Alternatively, the cleaning roller 81 may be configured to move (i.e., move up and down) in the Z direction together with the print head 30 driven by the motor 742. In this configuration, the operation of sliding the wiper blade 59 against the cleaning roller 81 in step S113 may be performed by raising and lowering the cleaning roller 81. Alternatively, the wiper blade 59 may be slid against the cleaning roller 81 by performing the raising and lowering of the wiper blade 59 by the lifting mechanism 58 and the raising and lowering of the cleaning roller 81 by the motor 742 in combination. 【0095】 Furthermore, the specific configuration of the cleaning fluid supply mechanism 9 may be changed as appropriate. For example, the cleaning fluid reservoir 91 may be placed on the (+X) side of the print head 30 instead of the (-X) side. 【0096】 Alternatively, two cleaning solution nozzles 952 may be provided corresponding to two caps 53 (Figure 10B) located in the Y direction. In this case, each cleaning solution nozzle 952 faces the corresponding cap 53 from above and discharges the cleaning solution Q onto the cap 53. Furthermore, the discharge of the cleaning solution Q onto the bottom plate 521 of the bat 52 can be performed by each of the two cleaning solution nozzles 952. 【0097】 Furthermore, the timing of each operation in the cleaning operation shown in Figure 12 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the movement of the maintenance unit in step S105 may be started before the stopping of the liquid transfer pump in step S104. Also, setting the discharge destination to the second position in step S106 may be performed after confirming in step S107 that the inside of the maintenance unit 50 has reached the second position L2. In addition, the timing of other operations may be changed as needed. [Industrial applicability] 【0098】 The present invention is applicable to all technologies for supplying cleaning fluid to a capping member that performs capping by contacting the print head while facing the ink nozzles of the print head that eject ink from the ink nozzles, and a cleaning member that cleans the capping member by contacting the capping member. [Explanation of symbols] 【0099】 1...Printing device 30...Print head 52... Bat 521...Bottom 53…Cap (Cap component) 531a...Storage Room 532...Sealing member (peripheral portion) 59… Wiper blade (wiper) 753...Motor (drive unit, wiper sliding part) 81…Cleaning roller (cleaning component) 811...Surface layer (sponge, liquid-retaining material) 9…Cleaning fluid supply mechanism (cleaning fluid discharge unit) 921... Fluid transfer piping 94... Solenoid valve 951... Cleaning solution nozzle (first cleaning solution nozzle) 952... Cleaning solution nozzle (second cleaning solution nozzle) L1…1st position L2…2nd position N... Nozzle (ink nozzle) Q... Cleaning solution X…X direction (movement direction)

Claims

[Claim 1] A print head that ejects ink from ink nozzles, A cap member that performs capping while facing the ink nozzle and contacting the print head, A cleaning member that cleans the cap member by contacting the cap member, A cleaning liquid dispensing unit that dispenses cleaning liquid to one of the cleaning member and the cap member, and Equipped with, The cleaning liquid dispensing unit is a printing apparatus capable of dispensing the cleaning liquid to the target of dispensing by switching the target of dispensing between the cap member and the cleaning member. [Claim 2] The system further includes a drive unit that drives at least one of the cleaning member and the cap member to move the cap member relative to the cleaning member in a predetermined direction of movement, The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning member from which the cleaning liquid is discharged from the cleaning liquid discharge unit comes into contact with the cap member which is moved relative to the cap member in the direction of movement by the drive unit, thereby cleaning the cap member. [Claim 3] The cleaning fluid discharge unit is capable of selecting the discharge destination of the cleaning fluid from a first position where the cleaning member is positioned and a second position that is different from the first position in the direction of movement. The cleaning liquid discharge unit discharges the cleaning liquid to the first position, thereby discharging the cleaning liquid to the cleaning member. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the drive unit positions the cap member in the second position, and the cleaning liquid dispensing unit dispenses the cleaning liquid to the second position, thereby dispensing the cleaning liquid to the cap member. [Claim 4] The cleaning fluid discharge unit comprises a fluid supply pipe for supplying the cleaning fluid, a solenoid valve connected to the fluid supply pipe, a first cleaning fluid nozzle connected to the solenoid valve, and a second cleaning fluid nozzle connected to the solenoid valve. The first cleaning solution nozzle is positioned opposite the first position, The second cleaning solution nozzle is positioned opposite the second position, The solenoid valve is capable of selectively performing a first flow path connection operation, which connects the liquid supply pipe and the first cleaning liquid nozzle via a flow path and shuts off the liquid supply pipe and the second cleaning liquid nozzle to send the cleaning liquid from the liquid supply pipe to the first cleaning liquid nozzle, and a second flow path connection operation, which connects the liquid supply pipe and the second cleaning liquid nozzle via a flow path and shuts off the liquid supply pipe and the first cleaning liquid nozzle to send the cleaning liquid from the liquid supply pipe to the second cleaning liquid nozzle. When the solenoid valve performs the first flow path connection operation, the cleaning liquid is discharged from the first cleaning liquid nozzle to the first position. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the solenoid valve performs the second flow path connection operation, thereby discharging the cleaning liquid from the second cleaning liquid nozzle to the second position. [Claim 5] The cleaning fluid discharge unit includes a cleaning fluid nozzle for discharging the cleaning fluid, and a posture changing unit for changing the posture of the cleaning fluid nozzle between a first posture in which the cleaning fluid discharged from the cleaning fluid nozzle faces the first position and a second posture in which the cleaning fluid discharged from the cleaning fluid nozzle faces the second position. The posture changing unit positions the cleaning liquid nozzle to the first posture, so that the cleaning liquid is discharged from the cleaning liquid nozzle to the first position. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the posture changing unit positions the cleaning liquid nozzle to the second posture, thereby discharging the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid nozzle to the second position. [Claim 6] The cleaning liquid discharge unit includes a cleaning liquid nozzle for discharging the cleaning liquid, and a flow rate changing unit that changes the flow rate of the cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning liquid nozzle between a first flow rate at which the cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning liquid nozzle moves toward the first position and a second flow rate at which the cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning liquid nozzle moves toward the second position. The flow rate changing unit causes the cleaning liquid to be discharged from the cleaning liquid nozzle at the first flow rate, so that the cleaning liquid is discharged from the cleaning liquid nozzle to the first position. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the flow rate changing unit causes the cleaning liquid to be discharged from the cleaning liquid nozzle at the second flow rate, thereby causing the cleaning liquid to be discharged from the cleaning liquid to the second position. [Claim 7] The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the cleaning member is a cleaning roller that rotates in accordance with the relative movement of the cap member in the direction of movement. [Claim 8] The cleaning member has a liquid-retaining member that absorbs the cleaning liquid and holds the cleaning liquid, The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid-retaining member cleans the cap member by contacting the cap member. [Claim 9] The printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the liquid-retaining member is a porous member. [Claim 10] The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the porous member is a sponge. [Claim 11] The cap member has a storage portion that opens to the print head and a peripheral portion provided around the opening of the storage portion. During the capping process, the opening of the storage unit faces the ink nozzle, while the peripheral edge contacts the print head. The cleaning member cleans the peripheral edge of the cap member by contacting it. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning liquid dispensing unit dispenses the cleaning liquid into the storage portion of the cap member. [Claim 12] The printing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the cap member performs the capping while the cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning liquid discharge unit is stored in the storage section. [Claim 13] The printing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the cap member receives ink discharged from the ink nozzle of the print head by the storage section which stores the cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning liquid discharge unit. [Claim 14] A wiper for wiping ink from the print head, A wiper sliding part that drives at least one of the wiper and the print head to slide the wiper against the print head. Furthermore, The cleaning fluid dispensing unit dispenses the cleaning fluid to the cleaning member while the wiper sliding portion is in contact with the cleaning member. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning liquid discharged to the cleaning member reaches the wiper via the cleaning member. [Claim 15] The bat further comprises a bottom surface on which the cap member is arranged, The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cleaning liquid discharge unit discharges the cleaning liquid to the second position while the drive unit has positioned the bottom surface of the bat at the second position, thereby discharging the cleaning liquid to the bottom surface of the bat. [Claim 16] A cleaning liquid supply method comprising supplying cleaning liquid to a cap member that performs capping by contacting the print head while facing the ink nozzle of the print head that ejects ink from the ink nozzle, and a cleaning member that cleans the cap member by contacting the cap member, A step of discharging cleaning liquid from a cleaning liquid discharging unit to one of the cleaning member and the cap member to be discharged, A step of switching the target of discharge between the cap member and the cleaning member. A cleaning solution supply method comprising the following:

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