Head maintenance device, liquid dispensing device, and head maintenance method

Abstract

To provide a head maintenance device which can prevent the ink removal capability of an adsorption member from being reduced at an early stage.SOLUTION: A head maintenance device performing maintenance of a liquid discharge head 10 comprises: a cap member 20 which covers a nozzle surface 10a of the liquid discharge head 10 and suctions ink 40 from a nozzle 11; wiping members 70, 71 which wipe at least the nozzle surface 10a; and cleaning means which is arranged so as to be opposed to the moving cap member 20 and wiping member 70 and cleans the cap member 20. The cleaning means includes an adsorption member 30, and performs at least one of an operation of bringing the wiping member 70 into contact with the adsorption member 30 and an operation of changing the position where the cap member 20 is brought into contact with the adsorption member 30 after a cap cleaning operation of bringing an opening end surface 20a of the cap member 20 into contact with the adsorption member 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a head maintenance device, a device for discharging a liquid, and a head maintenance method.

Background Art

[0002] In a device for discharging a liquid that includes a liquid discharge head, there is known a maintenance unit (maintenance and recovery mechanism) having a suction cap that caps the nozzle surface of the head in order to maintain (maintain and recover) the state of the head. Also, there is known a device that wipes the nozzle surface of the head with a wiping member or the like.

[0003] In the suction cap, ink may adhere to the contact portion (opening end face) with the nozzle surface. If the nozzle surface is capped again without removing the ink adhering to the suction cap, the ink that has adhered to the cap and thickened due to drying will adhere to the nozzle surface again. When the nozzle surface is wiped by a wiping member in such a state, the thickened ink that could not be removed may enter the nozzle, which may cause ejection failure.

[0004] In contrast, in Patent Document 1, a technique is proposed in which contact members are arranged at a plurality of stop positions where the suction cap does not face the nozzle surface, and the suction cap is brought into contact with the contact members to remove the ink remaining in the contact portion of the suction cap with the nozzle surface.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In Patent Document 1, it is described that one of the plurality of contact members is constituted by an absorption member, and the absorption member absorbs the ink adhering to the opening peripheral edge portion of the suction cap. However, by repeatedly pressing the suction cap against the same position of the absorption member, there is a risk that the ink adheres and accumulates along the opening shape of the suction cap.

[0006] One problem is that ink accumulates only in specific areas, and over time it thickens and solidifies, causing the ink absorption capacity of those areas to decrease prematurely, and consequently, the overall ink removal capacity of the absorbent material to decline prematurely. This decline in ink removal capacity necessitates the premature replacement of the absorbent material.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a head maintenance device that can prevent the ink removal ability of the absorbent material from deteriorating prematurely. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a head maintenance device for performing maintenance on a liquid ejection head, comprising: a cap member that covers the nozzle surface of the liquid ejection head and sucks ink from the nozzle; a wiping member that wipes at least the nozzle surface; and a cleaning means disposed so as to be able to face the moving cap member and the wiping member, and for cleaning the cap member, wherein the cleaning means has an absorbent member, and after a cap cleaning operation in which the open end surface of the cap member is brought into contact with the absorbent member, it performs at least one of the following: an operation in which the wiping member is brought into contact with the absorbent member, and an operation in which the position in which the cap member is in contact with the absorbent member is changed. i. The wiping member comprises a web-shaped wiping member and a blade-shaped wiping member. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a head maintenance device that can prevent the ink removal ability of the absorbent material from deteriorating prematurely. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram showing the head maintenance device and liquid discharge head according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of ink transfer to the nozzle surface of the liquid dispensing head. [Figure 3]This figure shows ink adhering to the nozzle surface of a liquid dispensing head. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the web-shaped wiping member is wiping the nozzle surface. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which a blade-shaped wiping member is wiping the nozzle surface. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram showing the cap cleaning procedure. [Figure 7] This is a photograph showing the state of ink deposited on the absorbent material. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the wiping member is in contact with the absorbing member. [Figure 9] (A) is a photograph showing the ink before the wiping member comes into contact with the absorbent member, and (B) is a photograph showing the ink after the wiping member comes into contact with the absorbent member. [Figure 10] (A) is a photograph showing the state of the wiping member before it comes into contact with the absorbent member, and (B) is a photograph showing the state of the wiping member after it comes into contact with the absorbent member. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram of ink adhering to an absorbent material, where (A) is a conventional example, and (B) and (C) are examples where the position of contact of the cap member has been changed. [Figure 12] This is a plan view illustrating the main components of a liquid dispensing device. [Figure 13] Figure 12 is a side view illustrating the main components of the liquid dispensing device. [Figure 14] This is a schematic diagram illustrating a printing apparatus as a device for dispensing liquid. [Figure 15] Figure 14 is a plan view illustrating the ejection unit of the printing apparatus. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, a head maintenance device, a device for discharging a liquid, and a head maintenance method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and can be changed within the scope that those skilled in the art can conceive, such as other embodiments, additions, modifications, deletions, etc., and is included in the scope of the present invention as long as the functions and effects of the present invention are achieved in any aspect.

[0012] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a head maintenance device and a liquid discharge head according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the liquid discharge head is illustrated in a state where there is one. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of ink transfer onto the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the ink adhering to the nozzle surface of the liquid discharge head. In the present embodiment, although "ink" is described as an example of the "liquid", it is not limited thereto.

[0013] The head maintenance device of the present embodiment includes a cap member 20 that covers the nozzle surface 10a of the liquid discharge head 10 and sucks ink from the nozzles 11, wiping members 70 and 71 that at least wipe the nozzle surface 10a, and cleaning means that is disposed to face the moving cap member 20 and wiping members 70, and the cleaning means has an absorption member 30.

[0014] The head maintenance device of the present embodiment includes a web-shaped wiping member 70 and a blade-shaped wiping member 71 as wiping members.

[0015] The cap member (hereinafter, also referred to as "suction cap") 20 and the wiping members 70 and 71 are arranged to be movable in a direction along the nozzle surface 10a of the liquid discharge head (hereinafter, simply referred to as "head") 10. The cap member 20 has an opening sized to surround the nozzle row of the nozzle surface 10a, and is supported so as to be able to move up and down such that the opening end 20a abuts against the nozzle surface 10a.

[0016] A suction pump P is connected to the cap member 20 for drawing ink from the nozzle 11 of the liquid dispensing head 10. The ink stored inside the cap member 20 is discharged through a discharge path (not shown).

[0017] The moving mechanism 50 has the function of moving the cap member 20 and the wiping members 70 and 71 horizontally relative to the nozzle surface 10a of the liquid discharge head, as well as moving them vertically, and pressing them against the nozzle surface 10a and the absorbent member 30.

[0018] Figures 2(A) to 2(E) are explanatory diagrams showing the flow of ink 40 being transferred from the cap member 20 to the nozzle surface 10a. As shown in Figure 2(A), when performing maintenance on the liquid discharge head 10, the cap 20 is moved upward from a retracted position, where it is spaced away from the nozzle surface 10a of the liquid discharge head 10, and capping is performed. Next, as shown in Figure 2(B), the open end 20a of the cap member 20 is brought into contact with the nozzle surface 10a of the liquid discharge head 10. After the ink 40 is drawn in, the cap member 20 is moved downward and separated from the nozzle surface 10a, as shown in Figure 2(C).

[0019] During capping, ink 40 may adhere to the open end 20a of the cap member 20 that comes into contact with the nozzle surface 10a. If capping is performed again in this state, as shown in Figure 2(D), the ink 40 will be transferred to and adhere to the nozzle surface 10a, as shown in Figure 2(E).

[0020] Figure 3 schematically shows the state of the nozzle surface 10a in Figure 2(E). As shown in Figure 3, when ink 40 is repeatedly transferred and adheres to the area around the nozzle 11 along the opening shape of the cap member 20, the thickened ink will solidify. If the nozzle surface 10a is wiped by the wiping members 70 and 71 in such a state, the thickened ink 40 may spread and enter the nozzle 11, potentially leading to a dispensing failure. Therefore, the head maintenance device of this embodiment performs a cap cleaning operation to remove the ink 40 adhering to the cap member 20.

[0021] The maintenance procedure using the head maintenance device of this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figures 1 and 4 to 6. Figure 1 shows the state in which the cap member 20 covers the nozzle surface 10a and sucks ink 40 from the nozzle 11. After the open end surface 20a of the cap member 20 comes into contact with the nozzle surface 10a, the suction pump P rotates for a predetermined time to suck up the ink 40. After the suction is complete, the cap member 20 moves downward and away from the nozzle surface 10a (decapping). Then it moves to the left in the figure.

[0022] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the web-shaped wiping member 70 is wiping the nozzle surface 10a. The cap member 20 moves to the left in the figure from a position facing the liquid discharge head 10, and the web wiping unit moves to a position facing the nozzle surface 10a. The web wiping unit comprises a web-shaped wiping member 70, a supply roller 80, a winding roller 81, a pressing roller 82, and a pressing means (not shown), all of which are housed together as a single unit. The supply roller 80 feeds out the web-shaped wiping member 70, which is wound in a roll shape. With the web-shaped wiping member 70 in contact with the nozzle surface 10a, it moves to the left in the diagram at a distance approximately the same length as the nozzle surface 10a, wiping away the ink adhering to the nozzle surface 10a.

[0023] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the blade-shaped wiping member 71 is wiping the nozzle surface. After the nozzle surface 10a is wiped by the web wiping unit, the blade-shaped wiping member 71 moves to a position facing the nozzle surface 10a by continuing to move to the left in the figure. With the tip of the blade-shaped wiping member 71 in contact with the nozzle surface 10a, it moves to the left in the diagram over a distance approximately the same length as the nozzle surface 10a, wiping away any ink remaining on the nozzle surface 10a.

[0024] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the cap cleaning operation. After the nozzle surface 10a has been wiped by the blade-shaped wiping member 71, the cap member 20 moves to a position where it faces the absorbent member 30 provided by the cleaning means of the cap member 20. When the movement is complete, the cap member 20 is below the absorbent member 30 and is not in contact with the absorbent member 30, so the moving mechanism 50 raises the cap member 20. The cap member 20 moves upward and presses its open end surface 20a against the absorbent member 30, thereby absorbing (transferring) the ink 40 adhering to the open end surface 20a to the absorbent member 30 and removing it.

[0025] The absorbent material 30 is preferably made of a material that can easily absorb ink 40. Examples include foamed absorbents (sponge), nonwoven fabrics, and laminated fiber absorbents (inkjet ink absorbers). Furthermore, the absorbent member 30 is detachably held by, for example, a retaining member (not shown). The manner of retention is not particularly limited as long as it is replaceable, but examples include attaching it with adhesive or double-sided tape.

[0026] Figure 7 is a photograph showing the state of the ink 40 deposited on the absorbent material 30. Figure 7(A) shows an absorbent member 30 made of nonwoven fabric, and Figure 7(B) shows an absorbent member 30 made of sponge, in which ink 40 is attached along the opening shape of the cap member 20. The ink 40 adhering to the surface of the absorbent member 30 does not diffuse into the surrounding area, but instead adheres to the area where it adheres and accumulates. In other words, the repeated contact of the open end surface 20a of the cap member 20 with the same position on the absorbent member 30 causes the ink 40 to accumulate in the same area. As a result, the ink on the open end surface 20a becomes unusable, and the ink removal ability of the absorbent member 30 deteriorates prematurely.

[0027] In contrast, the head maintenance device of this embodiment prevents ink 40 from accumulating in the same area by performing at least one of the following operations: a cap cleaning operation in which the open end surface 20a of the cap member 20 is brought into contact with the absorbent member 30; an operation in which a wiping member (web-shaped wiping member 70) is brought into contact with the absorbent member 30; and an operation in which the position in which the cap member 20 is in contact with the absorbent member 30 is changed. This prevents the ink removal capacity of the absorbent member 30 from deteriorating prematurely and prevents the replacement cycle from being shortened.

[0028] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the web-shaped wiping member 70 is in contact with the absorbing member 30. In the cap cleaning operation shown in Figure 6, after pressing the cap member 20 against the absorbent member 30, the web wiping unit is moved to a position facing the absorbent member 30, and the web-shaped wiping member 70 is brought into contact with the absorbent member 30.

[0029] The operation of bringing the web-shaped wiping member 70 into contact with the absorbent member 30 is preferably performed multiple times while moving the web wiping unit to the left in the diagram. In the example shown in Figure 8(B), five contact operations are performed with different positions, but the number of operations is not limited to this and can be appropriately set depending on factors such as the size of the absorbent member 30, the state of the attached ink, and the elapsed time.

[0030] Alternatively, the web-shaped wiping member 70 may be moved to the left in the figure while remaining in contact with the absorbing member 30, thereby wiping the surface of the absorbing member 30.

[0031] Figure 9(A) is a photograph showing the state of the ink 40 before the web-shaped wiping member 70 comes into contact with the absorbent member 30, and Figure 9(B) is a photograph showing the state of the ink 40 after the web-shaped wiping member 70 comes into contact with the absorbent member 30. Figure 10(A) is a photograph showing the web-shaped wiping member 70 before it comes into contact with the absorbent member 30, and Figure 10(B) is a photograph showing the state of the web-shaped wiping member 70 after it comes into contact with the absorbent member 30.

[0032] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, after the web-shaped wiping member 70 is brought into contact with the absorbent member 30, it can be seen that the ink 40 that was adhering to the opening shape of the cap member 20 is spread over a wide area on the surface of the absorbent member 30. It can also be seen that the ink 40 that was adhering to the absorbent member 30 is transferred to the wiping surface of the web-shaped wiping member 70. Thus, the head maintenance device of this embodiment can reduce localized adhesion and accumulation (solidification) of ink 40 on the absorbent member 30.

[0033] The above describes an example in which a web-shaped wiping member 70 is brought into contact with the absorbent member 30 as a wiping member. However, the presence or absence of contact can be selected by adjusting the vertical position (height) of the web-shaped wiping member 70 when it moves to a position opposite the absorbent member 30.

[0034] In the operation to bring the web-shaped wiping member 70 into contact with the absorbent member 30 after the cap cleaning operation, it is preferable to bring the web-shaped wiping member 70 into contact with the absorbent member 30 two or more times, as shown in Figure 8(B). By bringing it into contact (pressing) multiple times, the ink 40 can be spread over a wide area of ​​the absorbent member 30.

[0035] Furthermore, when the web-shaped wiping member 70 is brought into contact with the absorbing member 30 two or more times, it is preferable to change the contact position to a different position from the previous contact, as shown in Figure 8(B). Furthermore, in a job in which the web-shaped wiping member 70 is brought into contact with the absorbent member 30 after the cap cleaning operation, it is preferable to change the position in which the web-shaped wiping member 70 is brought into contact with the absorbent member 30 for each job. This reduces the area where the web-shaped wiping member 70 is not in contact (not pressed against), allowing the ink 40 to be spread more uniformly over a wider area of ​​the absorbing member 30.

[0036] The web-shaped wiping member 70 may also be the part that, after wiping the nozzle surface 10a, brings the wiped portion of the nozzle surface 10a into contact with the absorbing member 30. In addition to the member used to wipe the nozzle surface 10a, there is no need to provide a separate member for contacting the absorbent member 30, thus reducing the number of parts and component costs. The web-shaped wiping member 70 is particularly preferable because it can reduce consumption.

[0037] Furthermore, with respect to the web-shaped wiping member 70 that has wiped the nozzle surface 10a, if the portion that has wiped the nozzle surface 10a is to be brought into contact with the absorbent member 30, it is preferable to bring the web-shaped wiping member 70 into contact with the absorbent member 30 after a predetermined time has elapsed since wiping the nozzle surface 10a, and the ink adhering to the surface of the web-shaped wiping member 70 has dried.

[0038] On the other hand, from the viewpoint of ink removal efficiency, it is preferable to bring the portion of the web-shaped wiping member 70 that has not wiped the nozzle surface 10a into contact with the absorbing member 30. In the web-shaped wiping member 70, the web is intermittently pulled out from its rolled state to wipe the nozzle surface 10a. However, since there are areas that are not used for wiping (areas where ink does not adhere) in the winding direction, pressing these areas against the absorbent member 30 prevents waste and also ensures a large amount of ink transfer from the absorbent member 30, which is preferable.

[0039] The head maintenance device of this embodiment may include means for applying cleaning solution to the web-shaped wiping member 70. By bringing the web-shaped wiping member 70, to which the cleaning solution has been applied, into contact with the absorbent member 30, the ink 40 adhering to the surface of the absorbent member 30 can be redispersed and easily diffused. The use of cleaning solution is particularly effective under conditions where ink dries easily, such as high temperature and low humidity environments.

[0040] Next, we will describe the operation of changing the position in which the cap member 20 contacts the absorbent member 30 after the cap cleaning operation. Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of ink adhering to the absorbent member 30, where Figure 11(A) is a conventional example, and Figures 11(B) and 11(C) are examples in which the position of contact of the cap member 20 is changed. Compared to the conventional example in Figure 11(A), by applying ink over a wide area as shown in Figures 11(B) and 11(C), it is possible to prevent the ink removal capacity of the absorbent member 30 from deteriorating prematurely, thereby preventing an accelerated replacement cycle.

[0041] After the cap cleaning operation, the operation to change the position in which the cap member 20 contacts the absorbent member 30 can be performed by changing the stopping position of the cap member 20 within its movement range. In this case, the movement of the cap member 20 can be controlled using the maintenance operation movement mechanism 50, thus avoiding complexity of the device. However, since the direction in which the movement can be changed is limited to the direction of movement of the cap member 20 as shown in Figure 11(C), areas where ink accumulation is difficult to avoid may occur. Therefore, it is preferable to also perform the operation of bringing the web-shaped wiping member 70 into contact with the absorbent member 30 as described above.

[0042] Furthermore, the system can be configured to include a moving mechanism for moving the cleaning means that holds the absorbent member 30, thereby changing the position in which the open end surface 20a of the cap member 20 contacts the absorbent member 30. Since the absorbent member 30 is a small and lightweight component, the means for moving it can also be miniaturized.

[0043] Furthermore, the system can be configured to include a means for moving either the cleaning means or the cap member 20 in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the wiping members 70 and 71, thereby changing the contact position of the open end face 20a of the cap member 20 with respect to the absorbent member 30 in a direction perpendicular to the wiping direction by the wiping members 70 and 71. With such a configuration, the ink adhering to the absorbent member 30 will take on the shape shown in Figure 11(B). By changing the positions of the wiping members 70 and 71 in the direction of movement (X direction) and the direction perpendicular thereto (Y direction), the absorbent member 30 can be used over a wider area, and the replacement cycle can be extended.

[0044] After the cap cleaning operation, the ink removal capacity of the absorbent member 30 can be prevented from decreasing prematurely by performing at least one of the following: bringing the web-shaped wiping member 70 into contact with the absorbent member 30, or changing the position in which the cap member 20 contacts the absorbent member 30. However, by performing both the action of bringing the web-shaped wiping member 70 into contact with the absorbent member 30 and the action of changing the position in which the cap member 20 contacts the absorbent member 30, the decrease in the ink removal capacity of the absorbent member 30 can be prevented more effectively.

[0045] The head maintenance method for a liquid discharge head according to the present invention is performed using the head maintenance device according to the present invention described above. The head maintenance method according to the present invention comprises a cap member 20 that covers the nozzle surface 10a of a liquid discharge head 10 and sucks ink from the nozzle 11, wiping members 70 and 71 that wipe at least the nozzle surface 10a, and a cleaning means that is disposed so as to be able to face the moving cap member 20 and wiping member 70 and cleans the cap member 20, wherein the cleaning means is a method of performing a cap cleaning operation in which the open end surface 20a of the cap member 20 is brought into contact with the absorbent member 30, followed by an operation to bring the wiping member 70 into contact with the absorbent member 30, and an operation to change the position in which the cap member 20 is in contact with the absorbent member 30.

[0046] Next, an example of a liquid dispensing device equipped with the head maintenance device described above will be explained with reference to Figures 12 and 13. Figure 12 is a plan view illustrating the main parts of the liquid dispensing device according to this embodiment, and Figure 13 is a side view illustrating the main parts thereof.

[0047] The liquid dispensing device G is of serial type, and the carriage 403 (see Figure 13) is configured to reciprocate in the main scanning direction by the main scanning movement mechanism 493. The main scanning movement mechanism 493 includes a guide member 401, a main scanning motor 405, a timing belt 408, and the like. The guide member 401 is stretched across the left and right side plates 491A and 491B, and holds the carriage 403 in a movable position. The carriage 403 is then reciprocated in the main scanning direction by the main scanning motor 405 via the timing belt 408 stretched between the drive pulley 406 and the driven pulley 407.

[0048] This carriage 403 is equipped with the aforementioned liquid ejection unit A, which integrates the liquid ejection head 10 and the head tank 441 for storing ink. The liquid ejection head 10 is configured to eject liquid (ink) of various colors, such as yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K). The liquid ejection head 10 is also configured to have a nozzle row consisting of the aforementioned multiple nozzles 11 arranged in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction, with the ejection direction facing downwards.

[0049] The supply mechanism 494 is for supplying the ink (liquid) stored in the liquid cartridge 450 to the liquid ejection head 10. The supply mechanism 494 consists of a cartridge holder 451 which is a filling section for mounting the liquid cartridge 450, a tube 456, a liquid delivery unit 452 which includes a liquid delivery pump, and the like. The liquid cartridge 450 is detachably mounted in the cartridge holder 451. Ink (liquid) is supplied to the head tank 441 via the tube 456 from the liquid cartridge 450 by the liquid supply unit 452.

[0050] The liquid dispensing device G has a transport mechanism 495 that picks up the paper 410 and positions it facing the liquid dispensing head 10. This transport mechanism 495 has an endless transport belt 412 and a sub-scanning motor 416 for driving the transport belt 412. The paper 410 can be picked up by means of electrostatic attraction or air suction, for example.

[0051] The conveyor belt 412 is stretched between the conveyor roller 413 and the tension roller 414, and rotates in the sub-scanning direction by being driven by the sub-scanning motor 416 via the timing belt 417 and timing pulley 418.

[0052] On one side of the carriage 403 in the main scanning direction, a head maintenance device C according to the present invention is positioned to the side of the conveyor belt 412 for wiping the nozzle surface 10a of the liquid discharge head 10. The main scanning movement mechanism 493, the supply mechanism 494, the head maintenance device C, and the transport mechanism 495 are mounted on a housing that includes side plates 491A, 491B, and a back plate 491C.

[0053] In the liquid dispensing device G of this embodiment, the paper 410 is fed onto the conveyor belt 412, picked up, and transported in the sub-scanning direction by the circumferential movement of the conveyor belt 412. Therefore, by moving the carriage 403 in the main scanning direction and driving the liquid ejection head 10 in accordance with the image signal, liquid (ink) is ejected onto the stationary paper 410 to form an image.

[0054] Other examples of the liquid dispensing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the apparatus, and Figure 15 is a plan view of an example of the head unit of the apparatus. Although the illustration of the head maintenance device according to this embodiment is omitted, it is arranged to be movable in the direction of the head alignment of the head unit shown in Figure 15.

[0055] The printing apparatus 500, which is a device that discharges this liquid, includes a loading means 501 for loading the continuous body 510, a guiding and transporting means 503 for guiding and transporting the continuous body 510, such as continuous paper or sheet material, loaded from the loading means 501 to the printing means 505, a printing means 505 for performing printing to form an image by discharging liquid onto the continuous body 510, a drying means 507 for drying the continuous body 510, and an unloading means 509 for unloading the continuous body 510.

[0056] The continuous body 510 is fed out from the winding roller 511 of the loading means 501, guided and transported by the rollers of the loading means 501, the guiding and transporting means 503, the drying means 507, and the unloading means 509, and then wound up by the winding roller 591 of the unloading means 509.

[0057] In the printing means 505, the continuum 510 is transported on the transport guide member 559, facing the head unit 550 and the head unit 555. An image is formed by the liquid discharged from the head unit 550, and post-processing is performed with the processing liquid discharged from the head unit 555.

[0058] Here, the head unit 550 has, for example, four full-line head arrays 551A, 551B, 551C, and 551D (hereinafter referred to as "head array 551" when color is not distinguished) arranged from the upstream side in the transport direction.

[0059] Each head array 551 is a liquid dispensing means, and each dispenses black K, cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y liquids to the conveyed continuum 510. However, the types and number of colors are not limited to these.

[0060] The head array 551 is, for example, an arrangement of liquid discharge heads (also simply called "heads") 100 according to the present invention on a base member 552 in a staggered pattern, but is not limited to this.

[0061] The liquid dispensing apparatus described above is merely one embodiment and is not limited thereto. A "liquid dispensing device" is a device equipped with a liquid dispensing head that drives the liquid dispensing head to dispense liquid. Furthermore, liquid dispensing devices include not only devices that can dispense liquid onto surfaces to which liquid can adhere, but also devices that dispense liquid into air or into liquid.

[0062] Furthermore, "devices that dispense liquid" are not limited to those that visualize meaningful images such as letters or figures through the dispensed liquid. For example, devices that form patterns that do not have meaning in themselves, or devices that create three-dimensional images, are also included.

[0063] The term "materials to which liquid can adhere" above refers to materials to which liquid can adhere, at least temporarily, including materials that adhere and solidify, or materials that adhere and penetrate. Specific examples include recording media such as paper, recording paper, film, and cloth; electronic components such as electronic circuit boards and piezoelectric elements; powder layers; organ models; and inspection cells. Unless otherwise specified, it includes all materials to which liquid can adhere.

[0064] The materials referred to as "materials to which liquid can adhere" above include paper, thread, fibers, fabrics, leather, metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramics, etc., as long as liquid can adhere to them, even temporarily. Furthermore, "liquid" also includes inks, processing solutions, DNA samples, resists, pattern materials, binders, molding fluids, or solutions and dispersions containing amino acids, proteins, calcium, etc.

[0065] Examples of the present invention are as follows: <1> A head maintenance device for performing maintenance on a liquid dispensing head, A cap member that covers the nozzle surface of the liquid dispensing head and draws ink from the nozzle, A wiping member that wipes at least the nozzle surface, The device comprises a cleaning means disposed to face the movable cap member and the wiping member, and for cleaning the cap member, The cleaning means includes an absorbent member. The head maintenance device is characterized by performing at least one of the following actions: a cap cleaning operation in which the open end surface of the cap member is brought into contact with the absorbent member; an operation in which the wiping member is brought into contact with the absorbent member; and an operation in which the position in which the cap member is in contact with the absorbent member is changed. <2> The wiping member is characterized by comprising a web-shaped wiping member and a blade-shaped wiping member. <1> This is the head maintenance device described in [reference]. <3> The above is characterized by bringing the wiping member into contact with the absorbing member two or more times after the cap cleaning operation. <1> or <2> This is the head maintenance device described in [reference]. <4> The wiping member is brought into contact with the absorbing member two or more times, and the contact position is changed to a different position than the previous time, characterized in that <3> This is the head maintenance device described in [reference]. <5> In a job in which the wiping member is brought into contact with the absorbent member after the cap cleaning operation, the position in which the wiping member is brought into contact with the absorbent member is changed for each job. <1> from <4> It is a head maintenance device as described in one of the following. <6> The wiping member is characterized in that, after wiping the nozzle surface, it brings the portion of the nozzle surface that has been wiped into contact with the absorbing member. <1> from <5> It is a head maintenance device as described in one of the following. <7> The wiping member is characterized in that, after wiping the nozzle surface, it brings the portion of the nozzle surface that has not been wiped into contact with the absorbing member. <1> from <5> It is a head maintenance device as described in one of the following. <8> The web-shaped wiping member is provided with means for applying cleaning solution, The web-shaped wiping member to which the cleaning solution has been applied is brought into contact with the absorbent member, characterized in that <2> from <7> It is a head maintenance device as described in one of the following. <9> The operation to change the position in which the cap member contacts the absorbent member after the cap cleaning operation is performed by changing the stopping position in the movement region of the cap member. <1> from <8> It is a head maintenance device as described in one of the following. <10> The cleaning means is provided with a moving means for moving the cleaning means, The cleaning means is characterized by changing the position in which the open end surface of the cap member contacts the absorbent member by moving the cleaning means. <1> from <9> It is a head maintenance device as described in one of the following. <11> The cleaning means and the cap member are provided with means for moving either of them in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the wiping member, The abutment position of the open end face of the cap member against the absorbent member is changed to a direction perpendicular to the wiping direction by the wiping member. <1> from <10> It is a head maintenance device as described in one of the following. <12> The aforementioned <1> from <11> A liquid dispensing device characterized by being equipped with a head maintenance device as described in any of the above. <13> A head maintenance method using a head maintenance device comprising: a cap member that covers the nozzle surface of a liquid discharge head and sucks ink from the nozzle; a wiping member that wipes at least the nozzle surface; and a cleaning means that is disposed so as to be able to face the moving cap member and the wiping member and cleans the cap member, wherein the cleaning means has an absorbent member. The head maintenance method is characterized by performing a cap cleaning operation in which the open end surface of the cap member is brought into contact with the absorbent member, followed by an operation in which the wiping member is brought into contact with the absorbent member, and an operation in which the position in which the cap member contacts the absorbent member is changed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 10 Liquid dispensing heads 10a Nozzle surface 11 nozzles 20 Cap component (suction cap) 20b Open end surface 30 Absorbing material 40 ink 50 Moving mechanism 60 Wiping material 70 Web-shaped wiping member 71 Blade-shaped wiping member 81 Winding roller 82 Pressing roller [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0067] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-138101

Claims

1. A head maintenance device for performing maintenance on a liquid dispensing head, A cap member that covers the nozzle surface of the liquid dispensing head and draws ink from the nozzle, A wiping member that wipes at least the nozzle surface, The device comprises a cleaning means disposed to face the movable cap member and the wiping member, and for cleaning the cap member, The cleaning means includes an absorbent member. After a cap cleaning operation in which the open end face of the cap member is brought into contact with the absorbent member, at least one of the following operations is performed: bringing the wiping member into contact with the absorbent member, and changing the position in which the cap member contacts the absorbent member. The head maintenance device is characterized in that the wiping member comprises a web-shaped wiping member and a blade-shaped wiping member.

2. A head maintenance device for performing maintenance on a liquid dispensing head, A cap member that covers the nozzle surface of the liquid dispensing head and draws ink from the nozzle, A wiping member that wipes at least the nozzle surface, The device comprises a cleaning means disposed to face the movable cap member and the wiping member, and for cleaning the cap member, The cleaning means includes an absorbent member. After a cap cleaning operation in which the open end face of the cap member is brought into contact with the absorbent member, at least one of the following operations is performed: bringing the wiping member into contact with the absorbent member, and changing the position in which the cap member contacts the absorbent member. A head maintenance device characterized in that, in a job in which the wiping member is brought into contact with the absorbent member after the cap cleaning operation, the position in which the wiping member is brought into contact with the absorbent member is changed for each job.

3. A head maintenance device for performing maintenance on a liquid dispensing head, A cap member that covers the nozzle surface of the liquid dispensing head and draws ink from the nozzle, A wiping member that wipes at least the nozzle surface, The device comprises a cleaning means disposed to face the movable cap member and the wiping member, and for cleaning the cap member, The cleaning means includes an absorbent member. After a cap cleaning operation in which the open end face of the cap member is brought into contact with the absorbent member, at least one of the following operations is performed: bringing the wiping member into contact with the absorbent member, and changing the position in which the cap member contacts the absorbent member. The head maintenance device is characterized in that, after the cap cleaning operation, the operation to change the position in which the cap member contacts the absorbent member is to change the stopping position of the cap member in the movement range.

4. A head maintenance device for performing maintenance on a liquid dispensing head, A cap member that covers the nozzle surface of the liquid dispensing head and draws ink from the nozzle, A wiping member that wipes at least the nozzle surface, The device comprises a cleaning means disposed to face the movable cap member and the wiping member, and for cleaning the cap member, The cleaning means includes an absorbent member. After a cap cleaning operation in which the open end face of the cap member is brought into contact with the absorbent member, at least one of the following operations is performed: bringing the wiping member into contact with the absorbent member, and changing the position in which the cap member contacts the absorbent member. The cleaning means and the cap member are provided with means for moving either of them in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the wiping member, A head maintenance device characterized by changing the contact position of the open end face of the cap member with respect to the absorbent member to a direction perpendicular to the wiping direction by the wiping member.

5. A head maintenance device for performing maintenance on a liquid dispensing head, A cap member that covers the nozzle surface of the liquid dispensing head and draws ink from the nozzle, A wiping member that wipes at least the nozzle surface, The device comprises a cleaning means disposed to face the movable cap member and the wiping member, and for cleaning the cap member, The cleaning means includes an absorbent member. After a cap cleaning operation in which the open end face of the cap member is brought into contact with the absorbent member, at least one of the following operations is performed: bringing the wiping member into contact with the absorbent member, and changing the position in which the cap member contacts the absorbent member. The wiping member comprises a web-shaped wiping member and a blade-shaped wiping member. A head maintenance device characterized in that, in a job in which the wiping member is brought into contact with the absorbent member after the cap cleaning operation, the position in which the wiping member is brought into contact with the absorbent member is changed for each job.

6. A head maintenance device for performing maintenance on a liquid dispensing head, A cap member that covers the nozzle surface of the liquid dispensing head and draws ink from the nozzle, A wiping member that wipes at least the nozzle surface, The device comprises a cleaning means disposed to face the movable cap member and the wiping member, and for cleaning the cap member, The cleaning means includes an absorbent member. After a cap cleaning operation in which the open end face of the cap member is brought into contact with the absorbent member, at least one of the following operations is performed: bringing the wiping member into contact with the absorbent member, and changing the position in which the cap member contacts the absorbent member. The wiping member comprises a web-shaped wiping member and a blade-shaped wiping member. The web-shaped wiping member is provided with means for applying cleaning solution, A head maintenance device characterized by bringing the web-shaped wiping member, to which the cleaning solution has been applied, into contact with the absorbent member.

7. A head maintenance device for performing maintenance on a liquid dispensing head, A cap member that covers the nozzle surface of the liquid dispensing head and draws ink from the nozzle, A wiping member that wipes at least the nozzle surface, The device comprises a cleaning means disposed to face the movable cap member and the wiping member, and for cleaning the cap member, The cleaning means includes an absorbent member. After a cap cleaning operation in which the open end face of the cap member is brought into contact with the absorbent member, at least one of the following operations is performed: bringing the wiping member into contact with the absorbent member, and changing the position in which the cap member contacts the absorbent member. The wiping member comprises a web-shaped wiping member and a blade-shaped wiping member. The head maintenance device is characterized in that, after the cap cleaning operation, the operation to change the position in which the cap member contacts the absorbent member is to change the stopping position of the cap member in the movement range.

8. A head maintenance device for performing maintenance on a liquid dispensing head, A cap member that covers the nozzle surface of the liquid dispensing head and draws ink from the nozzle, A wiping member that wipes at least the nozzle surface, The device comprises a cleaning means disposed to face the movable cap member and the wiping member, and for cleaning the cap member, The cleaning means includes an absorbent member. After a cap cleaning operation in which the open end face of the cap member is brought into contact with the absorbent member, at least one of the following operations is performed: bringing the wiping member into contact with the absorbent member, and changing the position in which the cap member contacts the absorbent member. The wiping member comprises a web-shaped wiping member and a blade-shaped wiping member. The cleaning means and the cap member are provided with means for moving either of them in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the wiping member, A head maintenance device characterized by changing the contact position of the open end face of the cap member with respect to the absorbent member to a direction perpendicular to the wiping direction by the wiping member.

9. A head maintenance device for performing maintenance on a liquid dispensing head, A cap member that covers the nozzle surface of the liquid dispensing head and draws ink from the nozzle, A wiping member that wipes at least the nozzle surface, The device comprises a cleaning means disposed to face the movable cap member and the wiping member, and for cleaning the cap member, The cleaning means includes an absorbent member. After a cap cleaning operation in which the open end face of the cap member is brought into contact with the absorbent member, at least one of the following operations is performed: bringing the wiping member into contact with the absorbent member, and changing the position in which the cap member contacts the absorbent member. The wiping member comprises a web-shaped wiping member and a blade-shaped wiping member. A head maintenance device characterized by bringing the wiping member into contact with the absorbing member two or more times after the cap cleaning operation.

10. A head maintenance device for performing maintenance on a liquid dispensing head, A cap member that covers the nozzle surface of the liquid dispensing head and draws ink from the nozzle, A wiping member that wipes at least the nozzle surface, The device comprises a cleaning means disposed to face the movable cap member and the wiping member, and for cleaning the cap member, The cleaning means includes an absorbent member. After a cap cleaning operation in which the open end face of the cap member is brought into contact with the absorbent member, at least one of the following operations is performed: bringing the wiping member into contact with the absorbent member, and changing the position in which the cap member contacts the absorbent member. The wiping member comprises a web-shaped wiping member and a blade-shaped wiping member. After the cap cleaning operation, the wiping member is brought into contact with the absorbing member two or more times. A head maintenance device characterized in that, when the wiping member is brought into contact with the absorbing member two or more times, the contact position is changed to a different position than the previous time.

11. A head maintenance device for performing maintenance on a liquid dispensing head, A cap member that covers the nozzle surface of the liquid dispensing head and draws ink from the nozzle, A wiping member that wipes at least the nozzle surface, The device comprises a cleaning means disposed to face the movable cap member and the wiping member, and for cleaning the cap member, The cleaning means includes an absorbent member. After a cap cleaning operation in which the open end face of the cap member is brought into contact with the absorbent member, at least one of the following operations is performed: bringing the wiping member into contact with the absorbent member, and changing the position in which the cap member contacts the absorbent member. The wiping member comprises a web-shaped wiping member and a blade-shaped wiping member. The head maintenance device is characterized in that the wiping member, after wiping the nozzle surface, brings the portion of the nozzle surface that has been wiped into contact with the absorbing member.

12. A head maintenance device for performing maintenance on a liquid dispensing head, A cap member that covers the nozzle surface of the liquid dispensing head and draws ink from the nozzle, A wiping member that wipes at least the nozzle surface, The device comprises a cleaning means disposed to face the movable cap member and the wiping member, and for cleaning the cap member, The cleaning means includes an absorbent member. After a cap cleaning operation in which the open end face of the cap member is brought into contact with the absorbent member, at least one of the following operations is performed: bringing the wiping member into contact with the absorbent member, and changing the position in which the cap member contacts the absorbent member. The wiping member comprises a web-shaped wiping member and a blade-shaped wiping member. The head maintenance device is characterized in that the wiping member, after wiping the nozzle surface, brings the portion of the nozzle surface that has not been wiped into contact with the absorbing member.

13. A head maintenance device for performing maintenance on a liquid dispensing head, A cap member that covers the nozzle surface of the liquid dispensing head and draws ink from the nozzle, A wiping member that wipes at least the nozzle surface, The device comprises a cleaning means disposed to face the movable cap member and the wiping member, and for cleaning the cap member, The cleaning means includes an absorbent member. After a cap cleaning operation in which the open end face of the cap member is brought into contact with the absorbent member, at least one of the following operations is performed: bringing the wiping member into contact with the absorbent member, and changing the position in which the cap member contacts the absorbent member. The wiping member comprises a web-shaped wiping member and a blade-shaped wiping member. The cleaning means is provided with a moving means for moving the cleaning means, A head maintenance device characterized by changing the position in which the open end surface of the cap member contacts the absorbent member by moving the cleaning means.

14. A liquid dispensing device characterized by comprising a head maintenance device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A head maintenance method using a head maintenance device comprising: a cap member that covers the nozzle surface of a liquid discharge head and sucks ink from the nozzle; a wiping member that wipes at least the nozzle surface; and a cleaning means that is disposed so as to be able to face the moving cap member and the wiping member and cleans the cap member, wherein the cleaning means has an absorbent member. After performing a cap cleaning operation in which the open end surface of the cap member is brought into contact with the absorbent member, at least one of the following operations is performed: bringing the wiping member into contact with the absorbent member, and changing the position in which the cap member contacts the absorbent member. A head maintenance method characterized by using a web-shaped wiping member and a blade-shaped wiping member as the wiping member.

Images