Liquid dispensing device

Abstract

To solve a problem that a liquid receiving section may not receive ink ejected properly when the liquid receiving section for receiving the ink ejected as waste liquid from nozzles of a liquid ejection section is provided over a depth direction of a base section.SOLUTION: A liquid ejection device 100 includes: a base section 101; a liquid ejection section 10 that ejects ink from nozzles N onto a medium M in a printing area PA; an ejection section movement mechanism 40 that holds the liquid ejection section 10 in a manner that the liquid ejection section 10 may move in a depth direction and a scanning direction of the base section 101; a liquid receiving section 81 that is provided at the ejection section movement mechanism 40 so as to be movable over a depth direction of the printing area PA and receives the ink ejected as waste liquid from the nozzles N; and a liquid tray 85 that is provided below the liquid receiving section 81 and receives the ink discharged from the liquid receiving section 81. The liquid receiving section 81 is provided below the liquid ejection section 10 as viewed from a direction along the scanning direction, and the liquid tray 85 is provided over a depth direction of a movement area RA in which the liquid receiving section 81 moves.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus. [[Background Art]]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a droplet ejecting apparatus that ejects functional droplets from nozzles of a functional droplet ejecting head toward a workpiece. The functional droplets are an example of a liquid, the functional droplet ejecting head is an example of a liquid ejecting unit, and the droplet ejecting apparatus is an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus. Ejection of functional droplets onto a workpiece is performed while moving the functional droplet ejecting head in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to a main scanning direction, relative to the workpiece placed on a work table that moves in the main scanning direction. The main scanning direction is an example of a depth direction, and the sub-scanning direction is an example of a scanning direction. The workpiece is an example of a medium, and the work table is an example of a medium supporting unit. It is also disclosed that the droplet ejecting apparatus includes a flushing box that receives functional droplets ejected from the functional droplet ejecting head for performing function recovery of the functional droplet ejecting head. The flushing box is an example of a liquid receiving unit. It is also disclosed that the flushing box is provided to extend across the main scanning direction of the work table, and an absorbing member is laid inside the flushing box. [[Prior Art Literature]] [[Patent Literature]]

[0003] [[Patent Document 1]] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-119139 [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0004] However, as in Patent Document 1, if the flushing box is provided along the main scanning direction of the work table, the absorbent member is also provided along the main scanning direction of the work table. As a result, areas with a small amount of functional droplets to be received tend to occur on the absorbent member. In areas with a small amount of functional droplets to be received, the discharged functional droplets dry and solidify on the absorbent member. Consequently, there is a risk that the flushing box will not be able to properly receive the discharged functional droplets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The liquid dispensing device comprises a base portion, a liquid dispensing portion that performs printing by dispensing liquid from a nozzle onto a medium, a dispensing portion moving mechanism provided on the base portion which holds the liquid dispensing portion so as to be movable in the depth direction of the base portion and in a scanning direction intersecting the depth direction, a medium support portion provided on the base portion which supports the medium in the printing area where the liquid dispensing portion performs the printing, a liquid receiving portion provided on the dispensing portion moving mechanism so as to be movable across the depth direction of the printing area which has an absorbent member for receiving the liquid discharged from the nozzle as waste liquid, and a liquid tray provided below the liquid receiving portion for receiving the liquid discharged from the liquid receiving portion, wherein the liquid receiving portion is provided at a position below the liquid dispensing portion when viewed from a direction along the scanning direction, and the liquid tray is provided across the depth direction of the moving area where the liquid receiving portion moves. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] A schematic plan view showing the external appearance of a liquid dispensing device as one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] A schematic plan view showing the general configuration of a liquid dispensing device. [Figure 3] A schematic plan view showing a liquid dispensing device with the liquid dispensing unit in the standby position. [Figure 4] A schematic plan view showing a liquid dispensing device with the liquid dispensing section located within the printing area. [Figure 5] A schematic plan view showing a liquid dispensing device in which the liquid dispensing section faces the liquid receiving section. [Figure 6] A schematic plan view showing a liquid dispensing device in which the liquid dispensing section faces the cleaning section. [Figure 7] A schematic plan view showing the liquid dispensing device in the position before the liquid dispensing section is wiped clean. [Figure 8] A schematic plan view showing the liquid dispensing device in the position after the liquid dispensing section has been wiped clean. [Figure 9] A perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a maintenance unit as one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] A side view showing the general configuration of the maintenance unit. [Figure 11] A schematic diagram showing the flow of liquid in the cleaning section and the liquid receiving section. [Figure 12] A cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a liquid receiving section as one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] A cross-sectional view showing a wiping body in a wiping position as one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] A cross-sectional view showing the wiping body in a detached position. [Figure 15] A perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the ink supply unit. [Figure 16] A schematic cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the liquid tray. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The present disclosure will be described below based on embodiments. In each figure, the same reference numerals are used for the same components, and redundant descriptions will be omitted. In this specification, "same," "identical," and "simultaneous" do not mean exactly the same. For example, in this specification, "same," "identical," and "simultaneous" include cases where they are the same considering measurement errors.

[0008] Furthermore, for example, in this specification, "same," "identical," and "simultaneous" include cases where they are the same considering manufacturing variations of the components. Furthermore, for example, in this specification, "same," "identical," and "simultaneous" include cases where they are the same to the extent that the function is not impaired. Therefore, for example, "the dimensions of both are the same" means that, considering measurement errors and manufacturing variations of the components, the difference in dimensions between the two is within ±5 percent of the dimension of one, and particularly preferably within ±3 percent.

[0009] Furthermore, in each figure, X, Y, and Z represent three mutually orthogonal spatial axes. In this specification, the directions along these axes are referred to as the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction. When specifying directions, a positive direction is denoted as "+" and a negative direction as "-", and positive and negative signs are used in the direction notation. In each figure, the direction pointed to by the arrow is described as the + direction, and the opposite direction of the arrow is described as the - direction.

[0010] Furthermore, the Z-axis direction indicates the direction of gravity, the +Z direction indicates vertically downward, and the -Z direction indicates vertically upward. Also, a plane containing the X and Y axes is described as the XY plane, a plane containing the X and Z axes is described as the XZ plane, and a plane containing the Y and Z axes is described as the YZ plane. The XY plane is also the horizontal plane. In addition, the three spatial axes of X, Y, and Z, which are not limited to positive and negative directions, are described as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis.

[0011] 1. Embodiment 1 In this embodiment, the liquid ejection device 100 is configured as an inkjet printer and ejects ink onto the medium M to form an image. Ink is an example of a liquid. The medium M is not limited to paper, but may also be plastic film, board material, rigid panel or cardboard, or even cloth or clothing such as a T-shirt.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 includes a flat plate-shaped base portion 101 forming a rectangular box-shaped housing, an exterior member 102, and an upper cover 104. The upper cover 104 is attached to the exterior member 102 so as to be capable of assuming an open state allowing access to the inside of the housing and a closed state. The liquid ejecting apparatus 100 includes, inside the housing, a liquid ejecting portion 10, an ink supplying portion 20, a medium supporting mechanism 30, an ejecting portion moving mechanism 40, a maintenance portion MP, and a control portion 300.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid ejecting portion 10 has a nozzle surface 11 provided with a plurality of nozzle rows 12 that eject ink in the +Z direction. The liquid ejecting portion 10 is mounted on a carriage 15, which will be described later, in an orientation where the nozzle surface 11 is along the X-Y plane.

[0014] The nozzle row 12 is formed by arranging a plurality of nozzles N in the Y-axis direction. In a printing area PA, the liquid ejecting portion 10 drives and controls unillustrated ejecting elements to eject ink in the +Z direction from the plurality of nozzles N constituting the nozzle row 12, thereby performing printing on a medium M. In the present embodiment, the plurality of nozzle rows 12 include a nozzle row 12a, a nozzle row 12b, a nozzle row 12c, a nozzle row 12d, a nozzle row 12e, a nozzle row 12f, a nozzle row 12g, and a nozzle row 12h.

[0015] In the present embodiment, the inks ejected from the nozzles N are a total of five colors: black, cyan, magenta, yellow, and white, and each ink is ejected from the eight nozzle rows 12a to 12h. For example, black ink is ejected from the nozzle row 12f, cyan ink is ejected from the nozzle row 12c, magenta ink is ejected from the nozzle row 12d, and yellow ink is ejected from the nozzle row 12e. White ink is ejected from the nozzle rows 12a, 12b, 12g, and 12h. Alternatively, white ink may be ejected from the nozzle rows 12a and 12b. In this case, the nozzle rows 12g and 12h are not used. It should be noted that inks of any color, such as light cyan, light magenta, and gray, are not limited to the above five colors, and may be ejected from the nozzle rows 12a to 12h.

[0016] The media support mechanism 30 supports the medium M in the printing area PA where the liquid discharge unit 10 prints on the medium M. The media support mechanism 30 has a media support section 31 that supports the medium M. The media support section 31 has a media support surface 32 that supports the medium M, and a pair of sliding sections 33L and 33R that are spaced apart in the X-axis direction.

[0017] The media support mechanism 30 supports the media support section 31 so that it can move between the printing position shown in Figure 2 and the setting position shown in Figure 1. The setting position is the position where the media M can be set on the media support section 31. The printing position is the position where the liquid discharge section 10 prints on the media M supported by the media support section 31. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the printing area PA is the range of the media support surface 32 of the media support section 31 at the printing position when the liquid discharge device 100 is viewed from the -Z direction. In Figure 2, the printing area PA is the range shown by the dot pattern. The setting position is in the +Y direction relative to the printing position and is located on the +Y side of the front surface 103 of the exterior member 102. In Figure 1, the media support section 31 at the printing position is shown by a dashed line.

[0018] The media support mechanism 30 has a pair of guide rails 34L and 34R that guide the sliding parts 33L and 33R of the media support section 31 so that they can slide in the Y-axis direction. The media support mechanism 30 also has a conveyor belt 35 to which the sliding part 33R is fixed, a conveyor motor 36, and a pulley 37. The guide rails 34L and 34R are attached to the base section 101. Therefore, the media support section 31 is movably attached to the base section 101. The conveyor belt 35 is wrapped between the conveyor motor 36 and the pulley 37. When the conveyor motor 36 is driven and controlled, the conveyor belt 35 moves back and forth in the Y-axis direction.

[0019] As the transport motor 36 is driven and controlled, the media support unit 31, to which the sliding part 33R is fixed to the transport belt 35, also reciprocates in the Y-axis direction. As a result, the media support unit 31 reciprocates in the Y-axis direction between the printing position, where the media support surface 32 is located in the printing area PA, and the setting position.

[0020] The discharge unit moving mechanism 40 includes, in addition to the carriage 15 described above, a carriage support 41, a conveyor belt 42, a moving motor 43, and a pulley 44. The carriage support 41 has a pair of sliding parts 45L and 45R that are spaced apart in the X-axis direction. The carriage 15 mounts the liquid discharge unit 10 with the nozzle surface 11 aligned with the XY plane and capable of dispensing ink from the nozzle N in the +Z direction. The carriage 15 is attached to the conveyor belt 42. The conveyor belt 42 is wrapped between the moving motor 43 and the pulley 44.

[0021] The discharge unit moving mechanism 40 also includes a pair of guide shafts 46L and 46R that guide the sliding parts 45L and 45R of the carriage support 41 so that they can slide in the Y-axis direction, a conveyor belt 47, a moving motor 48, and a pulley 49. The guide shafts 46L and 46R are attached to the base 101. Therefore, the discharge unit moving mechanism 40 is provided on the base 101. The sliding part 45R of the carriage support 41 is attached to the conveyor belt 47. The conveyor belt 47 is wrapped between the moving motor 48 and the pulley 49.

[0022] The transport motor 43 is driven and controlled, causing the conveyor belt 42 to reciprocate in the X-axis direction. As the conveyor belt 42 reciprocates in the X-axis direction, the carriage 15 attached to the conveyor belt 42 and the liquid discharge unit 10 mounted on the carriage 15 also reciprocate in the X-axis direction. The X-axis direction is an example of a scanning direction. In this embodiment, the scanning directions are the +X direction and the -X direction.

[0023] Furthermore, the carriage support section 41 is provided with a receiving section mounting section 41h to which the liquid receiving section 81 of the liquid receiving section 80, which will be described later, is detachably attached. The receiving section mounting section 41h is positioned in the scanning area in the X-axis direction, on the +X side of the printing area PA, within the scanning area in the X-axis direction, where the liquid discharge section 10 mounted on the carriage 15 reciprocates in the X-axis direction.

[0024] As the moving motor 48 is driven and controlled, the conveyor belt 47 reciprocates in the Y-axis direction. As the moving motor 48 is driven and controlled, the carriage support section 41 to which the sliding part 45R is attached to the conveyor belt 47 also reciprocates in the Y-axis direction. As a result, the carriage 15 attached to the carriage support section 41 via the conveyor belt 42 and the liquid discharge section 10 mounted on the carriage 15 also reciprocate in the Y-axis direction. In addition, as a result, the liquid receiving section 81 attached to the receiving section mounting section 41h of the carriage support section 41 also reciprocates in the Y-axis direction.

[0025] Therefore, by controlling the movement motors 43 and 48, the liquid discharge unit 10 reciprocates in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. In other words, the discharge unit movement mechanism 40 holds the liquid discharge unit 10 so that it can move in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. This allows the liquid discharge unit 10 to move in the printing area PA, the area on the -X side of the printing area PA in the X-axis direction, and the -Z side of the area on the +X side of the printing area PA in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, the liquid discharge unit 10 can move in the area on the -Y side of the printing area PA in the Y-axis direction, and the -Z side of the area on the +Y side of the printing area PA in the Y-axis direction.

[0026] The ink supply unit 20 supplies ink to the liquid discharge unit 10. The ink supply unit 20 includes a supply channel 22 and a liquid container mounting section 29 to which a liquid container 21 and a cleaning liquid container 251 can be mounted. The liquid container mounting section 29 is an example of a mounting section. As shown in Figures 1 to 8, the liquid container mounting section 29 is attached to the base section 101. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the liquid container mounting section 29 is provided in the region on the -X side of the printing area PA in the X-axis direction. In other words, the liquid container mounting section 29 is provided in the region on the opposite side of the printing area PA from the maintenance area MA, which will be described later, in the X-axis direction.

[0027] The liquid container mounting section 29 is provided so that the liquid container 21 can be attached and detached from the front surface 103 of the exterior member 102, which is on the +Y direction side in the Y-axis direction. The liquid container mounting section 29 in this embodiment has six mounting slots for attaching and detaching the liquid container 21 and the cleaning liquid container 251. The six mounting slots are arranged in line in the Z-axis direction. The Y-axis direction is an example of the depth direction of the base section 101. In this embodiment, the depth direction is the +Y direction and the -Y direction. The +Y direction side is an example of the front side of the base section 101, and the -Y direction side is an example of the rear side of the base section 101.

[0028] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 15, the plurality of liquid containers 21 include a liquid container 21a that contains black ink. The plurality of liquid containers 21 also includes a liquid container 21b that contains cyan ink. The plurality of liquid containers 21 also includes a liquid container 21c that contains magenta ink. The plurality of liquid containers 21 also includes a liquid container 21d that contains yellow ink. The plurality of liquid containers 21 also includes a liquid container 21e that contains white ink.

[0029] In this embodiment, the cleaning liquid container 251, liquid container 21b, liquid container 21c, liquid container 21d, liquid container 21a, and liquid container 21e are mounted in the liquid container mounting section 29 in the Z-axis direction, in order from the +Z direction side.

[0030] In this embodiment, the multiple liquid containers 21 and the cleaning liquid container 251 are mounted in the Z-axis direction relative to the liquid container mounting section 29, but they may also be mounted in the X-axis direction relative to the liquid container mounting section 29, for example. Furthermore, although the liquid container 21 in this embodiment is a replaceable cartridge-type tank, it may also be an extension-type tank equipped with an injection section into which ink can be injected and a storage chamber for storing the ink injected from the injection section. In this case, the ink supply section 20 includes the liquid containers 21 and the cleaning liquid container 251.

[0031] The supply channel 22 connects the liquid container mounting section 29 and the liquid discharge section 10 so that the ink contained in the liquid container 21 mounted in the liquid container mounting section 29 flows toward the liquid discharge section 10. The supply channel 22 connects the liquid container 21 mounted in the liquid container mounting section 29 to the liquid discharge section 10 provided on the carriage 15. In this embodiment, the supply channel 22 is made of, for example, a flexible resin tube.

[0032] As shown in Figure 15, the supply channel 22 has a mounting end 22g, a first deformable section 22h, an intermediate section 22k, a second deformable section 22m, and a discharge end 22n. The mounting end 22g is a region fixed to the liquid container mounting section 29 so as to be connectable to the liquid container 21 mounted on the liquid container mounting section 29. The first deformable section 22h is a region that can deform to follow the movement of the liquid discharge section 10 in the Y-axis direction, which is attached to the carriage support section 41 via the carriage 15. The first deformable section 22h extends in the -Y direction from the mounting end 22g, extends in the -Z direction by a curved section, changes direction in the +Y and +Z directions, and then continues to the intermediate section 22k.

[0033] The intermediate section 22k has a portion extending in the +X direction from the first deformable section 22h which is fixed to the carriage support section 41 of the discharge section movement mechanism 40. The second deformable section 22m is a region that can deform to follow the movement of the liquid discharge section 10 in the X-axis direction, which is attached to the carriage support section 41 via the carriage 15 and the conveyor belt 42. The second deformable section 22m continues from the intermediate section 22k in the -X direction, extends in the -Z direction by a curved section, changes direction in the +X direction, and then continues to the discharge section side end 22n. The discharge section side end 22n extends diagonally forward from the second deformable section 22m toward the liquid discharge section 10 in the +Y direction and is fixed to the liquid discharge section 10.

[0034] When the liquid ejection device 100 performs printing by ejecting ink from nozzles N onto a medium M, the ejection unit moving mechanism 40 is driven while the medium support unit 31, which supports the medium M, is in the printing position. As a result, as shown in Figure 4, the liquid ejection device 100 moves the liquid ejection unit 10 to a position where one of the nozzles N constituting the nozzle row 12 faces the medium M located in the printing area PA. The liquid ejection device 100 then performs printing by repeatedly moving the liquid ejection unit 10 back and forth in the X-axis direction and moving the liquid ejection unit 10 in the +Y direction, thereby ejecting ink from nozzles N onto the medium M.

[0035] The maintenance unit MP performs maintenance on the liquid discharge unit 10. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the maintenance unit MP is located in the base unit 101 in the region on the +X side of the printing area PA in the X-axis direction. The maintenance unit MP includes a wiping unit 50, a cleaning unit 60, a standby unit 70, a liquid receiving unit 80, and a waste liquid storage unit 90.

[0036] As shown in Figures 2 to 10, the wiping unit 50, the cleaning unit 60, and the standby unit 70 are arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction. In this embodiment, the wiping unit 50, the cleaning unit 60, and the standby unit 70 are arranged in the order of standby unit 70, cleaning unit 60, and wiping unit 50, from the -Y direction to the +Y direction in the Y-axis direction.

[0037] As shown in Figures 1 to 11, the waste liquid containment section 90 comprises a waste liquid containment body 91 and a waste liquid containment body mounting section 99. The waste liquid containment body 91 is capable of containing ink discharged from the liquid discharge section 10 as waste liquid. As shown in Figure 10, the waste liquid containment body mounting section 99 is attached to the base section 101. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the waste liquid containment body mounting section 99 is located on the +X side of the printing area PA in the X-axis direction, and on the +Y side of the center of the base section 101 in the Y-axis direction.

[0038] The waste liquid container mounting section 99 is provided so that the waste liquid container 91 can be detachably attached to it from the front surface 103 of the exterior member 102 on the +Y direction side in the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, when viewed from a direction along the Z-axis direction, at least a part of the waste liquid container mounting section 99 is positioned to overlap with the wiping body 51 of the wiping section 50, which will be described later. The waste liquid container mounting section 99 is equipped with a discharge pipe 97 that is connected to the waste liquid container 91 to which it is attached, and discharges ink as waste liquid into the waste liquid container 91.

[0039] The liquid receiving section 80 receives the ink discharged as waste liquid from the liquid discharge section 10. As shown in Figures 2 to 9, 11 and 12, the liquid receiving section 80 has a liquid receiving section 81 and a liquid tray 85. The liquid receiving section 81 is attached to the receiving section mounting section 41h provided on the carriage support section 41 of the discharge section moving mechanism 40. Note that Figure 9 shows the liquid receiving section 81 in the position shown in Figure 8. Also, Figures 11 and 12 show the liquid receiving section 81 in the position shown in Figure 5.

[0040] The liquid receiving section 81, which is attached to the receiving section mounting section 41h, is located on the +X side of the printing area PA in the X-axis direction. The liquid receiving section 81 attached to the receiving section mounting section 41h is located directly below the liquid discharge section 10 in the +Z direction when viewed from a direction along the X-axis. Furthermore, the liquid receiving section 81 attached to the receiving section mounting section 41h is movable in the depth direction, which is the Y-axis direction of the printing area PA.

[0041] Hereafter, the region in which the liquid receiving section 81 moves in the Y-axis direction as the carriage support section 41 moves in the Y-axis direction, as shown in Figures 2 to 8, will be referred to as the movement region RA. In addition, the region between the movement region RA and the printing region PA in the X-axis direction will be referred to as the maintenance region MA. The wiping section 50, cleaning section 60, standby section 70, and waste liquid storage section 90 are located in the maintenance region MA.

[0042] The liquid receiving section 81 comprises a mounting section 82, an absorbent member 83, and an absorbent member holding section 84. The mounting section 82 has a tapered flow path 82t on the +Z direction side and an outlet 82d that penetrates in the Z-axis direction. The tapered flow path 82t connects the side wall of the mounting section 82 to the outlet 82d. The tapered flow path 82t has a tapered shape in which the cross-sectional area becomes smaller in the +Z direction toward the outlet 82d.

[0043] The absorbent member 83 is formed of an absorbent material capable of holding ink and through which ink can pass in the +Z direction. The absorbent member 83 is formed, for example, of a nonwoven fabric capable of absorbing ink. The absorbent member holder 84 holds the absorbent member 83. The absorbent member holder 84 is attached to the mounting portion 82 such that the absorbent member 83 covers the tapered flow path 82t and the -Z side of the discharge port 82d. The absorbent member holder 84 is provided with a plurality of through holes located on the -Z side of the absorbent member 83 so that the absorbent member 83 can receive ink discharged from the liquid discharge portion 10.

[0044] The liquid receiving section 81 receives the ink discharged as waste liquid from the liquid discharge section 10. The liquid receiving section 81 temporarily holds the received ink in the absorbent member 83. When the amount of ink received by the liquid receiving section 81 exceeds the amount of ink that the absorbent member 83 can hold, the ink is discharged in the +Z direction from the discharge port 82d via the tapered flow path 82t.

[0045] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the dimensions of the area in which the liquid receiving section 81 can receive ink ejected from the liquid dispensing section 10 are set to be larger than the dimension between nozzle row 12a and nozzle row 12h in the X-axis direction. However, the dimensions of the area in which the liquid receiving section 81 can receive ink ejected from the liquid dispensing section 10 may be smaller than the dimension between nozzle row 12a and nozzle row 12h in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, the dimensions of the area in which the liquid receiving section 81 can receive ink ejected from the liquid dispensing section 10 are set to be larger than the Y-axis width of nozzle row 12 in the Y-axis direction.

[0046] As shown in Figures 9 to 12, the liquid tray 85 is provided on the +Z side of the liquid receiving section 81 and receives the ink discharged from the liquid receiving section 81. The liquid tray 85 is fixed to a fixing member 151 which is attached to the waste liquid container mounting section 99. The liquid tray 85 is fixed to the base section 101 via the fixing member 151 and the waste liquid container mounting section 99. The liquid tray 85 has a liquid receiving chamber 89 capable of receiving ink discharged from the liquid receiving section 81 in the +Z direction, which is vertically below the movement region RA. The liquid receiving chamber 89 opens toward the -Z direction so as to be able to receive the ink discharged from the liquid receiving section 81.

[0047] As shown in Figures 7, 11, and 12, the -Y direction end of the opening of the liquid receiving chamber 89 is located -Y direction from the printing area PA. Also, the +Y direction end of the opening of the liquid receiving chamber 89 is located +Y direction from the printing area PA. In other words, the opening of the liquid receiving chamber 89 of the liquid tray 85 is provided in the Y-axis direction, extending along the Y-axis direction of the moving area RA. Furthermore, a partition wall 88p is provided in the liquid receiving chamber 89. The partition wall 88p is located -Y direction from the printing area PA.

[0048] The outlet 82d of the liquid receiving section 81 is inserted into the liquid receiving chamber 89 through the opening of the liquid receiving chamber 89. In other words, the +Z direction end of the outlet 82d of the liquid receiving section 81 is positioned inside the liquid receiving chamber 89 of the liquid tray 85. The X-axis dimension of the opening of the liquid receiving chamber 89 is set to be larger than the X-axis external dimension of the outlet 82d. However, in this embodiment, the X-axis dimension of the opening of the liquid receiving chamber 89 is set to be smaller than the X-axis dimension of the liquid receiving section 81.

[0049] As shown in Figures 9, 11, and 12, the liquid receiving chamber 89 is provided with an outlet section 87 through which ink flows out of the liquid receiving chamber 89 via a second waste liquid tube 69, which will be described later. As shown in Figure 7, the outlet section 87 is located on the -Y side of the partition wall 88p. That is, the outlet section 87 is located on the -Y side of the printing area PA. As shown in Figures 9, 11, and 12, the bottom surface 88 of the liquid receiving chamber 89, which extends in the Y-axis direction, is composed of the tray bottom surface 88s and the outlet section 87. The bottom wall of the outlet section 87 is provided with an outlet 87p to which the second waste liquid tube 69 is connected. In addition, the side wall of the outlet section 87 on the +Y side is provided with an inlet 87r to which the cleaning liquid discharge channel 204, which will be described later, is connected. As a result, cleaning liquid flows from the cap cleaning section 200 to the outlet section 87 via the cleaning liquid discharge channel 204 and the inlet 87r.

[0050] When the liquid ejection device 100 performs flushing, ejecting ink as waste liquid from the nozzle N of the liquid ejection unit 10 toward the liquid receiving unit 81 of the liquid receiving unit 80, it drives and controls the movement motor 43 of the ejection unit movement mechanism 40. By controlling the drive of the movement motor 43, the liquid ejection unit 10 is moved to a position where one of the nozzle rows 12a to 12h that performs flushing faces the liquid receiving unit 81. In Figure 5, the nozzle rows 12a to 12h face the liquid receiving unit 81.

[0051] The liquid dispensing device 100 then performs flushing by dispensing ink from the nozzle N of the liquid dispensing unit 10. During flushing, the liquid receiving unit 81 receives the ink dispensed from the nozzle N of the liquid dispensing unit 10 into the absorbent member 83. The ink received by the absorbent member 83 of the liquid receiving unit 81 is discharged from the discharge port 82d into the liquid receiving chamber 89 of the liquid tray 85.

[0052] The wiping unit 50 is provided in the maintenance area MA of the base unit 101 so as to be able to wipe the nozzle surface 11 on which the nozzle N of the liquid discharge unit 10 is provided. As shown in Figures 2, 9, and 10, the wiping unit 50 comprises a wiping body 51, a wiping body mounting part 59, a wiping unit drive mechanism 57, and a wiping unit motor 58. The wiping unit 50 is provided on the -Z direction side of the waste liquid storage unit 90. The wiping unit 50 is fixed to the base unit 101 via the waste liquid storage unit mounting part 99.

[0053] The wiping body mounting section 59 is located in the Y-axis direction, on the +Y side of the center of the base section 101. The wiping body mounting section 59 is positioned vertically below the upper cover 104 in the +Z direction. The wiping body 51 can be attached and detached from the wiping body mounting section 59 from above, on the -Z side, by opening the upper cover 104.

[0054] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the wiping body 51 is composed of a strip-shaped member 52, an unwinding shaft 53, a winding shaft 54, a pressing member 55, and a case 56. The unwinding shaft 53, the winding shaft 54, and the pressing member 55 are rotatably mounted on the case 56. The winding shaft 54 ​​is located on the +Y side of the unwinding shaft 53. The pressing member 55 is located between the unwinding shaft 53 and the winding shaft 54 ​​in the Y-axis direction, and on the -Z side of the unwinding shaft 53 and the winding shaft 54 ​​in the Z-axis direction.

[0055] The strip-shaped member 52 is formed of a sheet-like absorbent capable of absorbing liquid. The dimensions of the strip-shaped member 52 in the X-axis direction are preferably set to be larger than the dimensions of the nozzle surface 11 in the X-axis direction, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, but may also be smaller than the dimensions of the nozzle surface 11 in the X-axis direction. As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the strip-shaped member 52 is housed in the case 56 so as it is unwound from the unwinding shaft 53 and wound onto the winding shaft 54, it is pressed in the -Z direction by the pressing member 55. In this embodiment, with the strip-shaped member 52 in contact with the nozzle surface 11 of the liquid discharge section 10, the liquid discharge section 10 moves in the Y-axis direction relative to the wiping section 50, thereby wiping the nozzle surface 11.

[0056] The wiping unit drive mechanism 57 controls the wiping unit motor 58 to move the wiping body mounting section 59 and the wiping body 51 mounted on the wiping body mounting section 59 to a wiping-enabled position and a separation position. The wiping-enabled position is the position in which the strip-shaped member 52 exposed in the -Z direction from the case 56 can contact the nozzle surface 11, as shown in Figure 13, and the separation position is the position in which the strip-shaped member 52 does not contact the nozzle surface 11, as shown in Figure 14. The wiping unit drive mechanism 57 also controls the wiping unit motor 58 to wind up the strip-shaped member 52 that has been unwound from the unwinding shaft 53 and used to wipe the nozzle surface 11 onto the winding shaft 54.

[0057] When the liquid dispensing device 100 wipes the nozzle surface 11 with the wiping section 50, it drives the wiping section drive mechanism 57 to move the wiping body 51 to a wiping position. Then, the liquid dispensing device 100 drives the dispensing section moving mechanism 40 to move the liquid dispensing section 10 to a position on the -Y side of the strip-shaped member 52, as shown in Figure 7. Furthermore, the liquid dispensing device 100 moves the liquid dispensing section 10 in the +Y direction to bring the nozzle surface 11 into contact with the strip-shaped member 52 in the wiping position, as shown in Figure 13. Finally, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 13, the liquid dispensing device 100 moves the liquid dispensing section 10 in the +Y direction to wipe the nozzle surface 11 with the wiping section 50.

[0058] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the liquid dispensing device 100 moves the nozzle surface 11 of the liquid dispensing section 10 to the wiping completion position, which is on the +Y direction side of the strip-shaped member 52, and completes wiping of the nozzle surface 11. After wiping the nozzle surface 11, for example, when moving the liquid dispensing section 10 in the -Y direction from the wiping completion position shown in Figure 8 toward the standby position SP shown in Figure 3, the liquid dispensing device 100 drives the wiping section drive mechanism 57. As a result, the liquid dispensing device 100 moves the wiping body mounting section 59 and the wiping body 51 mounted on the wiping body mounting section 59 from the wiping-possible position to a separated position, as shown by the white arrows in Figure 14. Then, the liquid dispensing device 100 drives the dispensing section moving mechanism 40 to move the liquid dispensing section 10 in the -Y direction, passing through the -Z direction side, which is vertically above the wiping section 50.

[0059] The cleaning unit 60 is located in the maintenance area MA. The cleaning unit 60 is located on the base unit 101 so as to be able to perform cleaning that forcibly discharges ink from the nozzle N of the liquid discharge unit 10. As shown in Figures 2, 9, and 10, the cleaning unit 60 comprises a suction cap 61, a suction cap holder 62, a cleaning unit drive mechanism 63, a cleaning unit motor 64, a suction pump 65, and a cap cleaning unit 200. The suction pump 65 is an example of a suction unit. The cleaning unit 60 is located on the -Z side of the waste liquid storage unit 90. The cleaning unit 60 is fixed to the base unit 101 via a waste liquid storage unit mounting part 99.

[0060] The suction cap 61 is positioned so as to overlap with the wiping body 51 of the wiping unit 50 when viewed from a direction along the Y-axis. In Figure 6, the suction cap 61 is positioned opposite the nozzle rows 12g and 12h of the liquid discharge unit 10, which are located on the +X side from the center of the nozzle row 12. At this time, the suction cap 61 is positioned in a region on the +X side with respect to the printing area PA so that the nozzle surface 11 does not face the printing area PA. As a result, the dimension between the suction cap 61 and the printing area PA in the X-axis direction is greater than the dimension of the nozzle surface 11 in the X-axis direction.

[0061] As shown in Figures 9 and 11, the suction cap 61 has a recess 66 that contacts the nozzle surface 11 of the liquid discharge section 10, thereby forming a space through which multiple nozzles N open. The suction cap 61 is an example of a cap CP that can form a space through which nozzles N open. The portion of the suction cap 61 located at the -Z direction end and in contact with the nozzle surface 11 of the liquid discharge section 10 is also called the lip portion. As shown in Figures 2, 9, and 10, the suction cap 61 is held by the suction cap holder 62.

[0062] As shown in Figures 2, 10 to 12, the suction cap 61 is connected to a waste liquid container 91 that contains ink as waste liquid via a first waste liquid tube 68, a fitting 95, and a third waste liquid tube 96. The first waste liquid tube 68 connects the discharge section 67 (see Figure 11) of the suction cap 61 to the fitting 95. The second waste liquid tube 69 connects the outlet 87p of the outflow section 87 in the liquid tray 85 to the fitting 95. The fitting 95 connects the first waste liquid tube 68 and the second waste liquid tube 69 to the third waste liquid tube 96, which is connected to the discharge pipe 97 of the waste liquid container mounting section 99.

[0063] The cleaning unit drive mechanism 63 controls the cleaning unit motor 64 to move the suction cap holder 62 in the Z-axis direction. As the suction cap holder 62 moves in the Z-axis direction, the suction cap 61 moves between a non-capping position where it does not contact the nozzle surface 11 and a suction-enabled position where it contacts the nozzle surface 11. The cleaning unit drive mechanism 63 also controls the cleaning unit motor 64 to cause the suction pump 65 to perform a suction operation.

[0064] The suction pump 65 of this embodiment is a tube pump in which rollers rotate around an axis while crushing the first waste liquid tube 68 and the second waste liquid tube 69, and has a first suction section 65A and a second suction section 65B. The first suction section 65A is provided on the first waste liquid tube 68 so as to be able to suction the space formed by the suction cap 61. The second suction section 65B is provided on the second waste liquid tube 69 so as to be able to suction the liquid receiving chamber 89 of the liquid receiving section 80. The first suction section 65A and the second suction section 65B are provided side by side in the X-axis direction, but in Figure 11 the configuration of the cleaning section 60 is conceptually shown to illustrate the flow of ink from the suction cap 61 to the waste liquid container 91.

[0065] When cleaning is performed by the cleaning unit 60, the liquid dispensing device 100 drives the dispensing unit moving mechanism 40 with the suction cap 61 in the non-capping position. This causes the liquid dispensing device 100 to move the liquid dispensing unit 10 to a position where one of the nozzle rows 12a to 12h faces the suction cap 61. In Figure 6, the liquid dispensing unit 10 is in a position where nozzle rows 12g and 12h face the suction cap 61.

[0066] Then, by driving the cleaning unit drive mechanism 63, the suction cap 61 moves from the non-capping position to the suction-enabled position. As shown in Figure 11, a space is formed through which multiple nozzles N constituting the nozzle rows 12g and 12h open. Furthermore, by driving the cleaning unit drive mechanism 63, the first suction section 65A and the second suction section 65B of the suction pump 65 rotate as indicated by the white arrows, and the suction pump 65 performs a suction operation.

[0067] As the suction pump 65 performs a suction operation, the first suction section 65A draws in the space through which the nozzle N opens, and ink is discharged from the multiple nozzles N constituting the nozzle rows 12g and 12h into the recess 66 of the suction cap 61. The ink received by the recess 66 of the suction cap 61 as waste liquid flows into the waste liquid container 91 via the first waste liquid tube 68, the fitting 95, the third waste liquid tube 96, and the discharge pipe 97 of the waste liquid container mounting section 99, as shown by the arrows in Figure 11, and is then contained within it.

[0068] Furthermore, when the suction pump 65 performs a suction operation, the second suction section 65B draws water into the liquid receiving chamber 89. The ink in the outflow section 87 of the liquid receiving chamber 89 flows into the waste liquid container 91 via the outlet 87p, the second waste liquid tube 69, the fitting 95, the third waste liquid tube 96, and the discharge pipe 97 of the waste liquid container mounting section 99, as shown by the arrows in Figures 11 and 12, and is contained as waste liquid. The second waste liquid tube 69 is an example of an outflow path, and the second suction section 65B is an example of an outflow pump.

[0069] The cap cleaning unit 200 is provided in the cleaning unit 60 so that the suction cap 61 can be cleaned. As shown in Figures 2, 9 to 11, the cap cleaning unit 200 includes a cleaning liquid supply channel 201, a cleaning liquid supply unit 202, a cleaning liquid tray 203, and a cleaning liquid discharge channel 204.

[0070] The cleaning fluid supply channel 201 connects the cleaning fluid container 251, which is mounted on the liquid container mounting section 29, to the suction cap 61. The cleaning fluid supply section 202 is located in the middle of the cleaning fluid supply channel 201 and supplies the cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid container 251 to the suction cap 61. The cleaning fluid supply section 202 is, for example, a feed pump located in the middle of the cleaning fluid supply channel 201. As the feed pump, a diaphragm pump that sucks in and discharges the cleaning fluid by changing the volume of the pump chamber located in the middle of the cleaning fluid supply channel 201, or a tube pump similar to the suction pump 65 can be used.

[0071] The cleaning solution tray 203 is positioned on the +Z side of the suction cap 61 and receives the cleaning solution supplied to the suction cap 61 and overflowing from it. As shown in Figure 11, the cleaning solution discharge channel 204 connects the cleaning solution tray 203 and the liquid tray 85 so that the cleaning solution overflowing from the suction cap 61 can be discharged from the cleaning solution tray 203.

[0072] When the liquid dispensing device 100 cleans the suction cap 61 using the cap cleaning unit 200, it drives the cleaning liquid supply unit 202 of the cleaning liquid supply unit 202 while the suction cap 61 is in the non-capping position. This causes the liquid dispensing device 100 to allow the cleaning liquid contained in the cleaning liquid container 251 to flow into the suction cap 61. The flow of cleaning liquid into the suction cap 61 cleans the inside of the suction cap 61.

[0073] If the supply of cleaning solution to the suction cap 61 continues, the cleaning solution will overflow from the suction cap 61 via the lip portion of the suction cap 61. The cleaning solution overflows from the suction cap 61 while cleaning the lip portion and is received in the cleaning solution tray 203. The cleaning solution tray 203 is located on the -Z side of the outlet portion 87 of the liquid receiving chamber 89 in the liquid tray 85. That is, the cleaning solution tray 203 and the outlet portion 87 of the liquid receiving chamber 89 are positioned to have a difference in water head. As a result, the cleaning solution received by the cleaning solution tray 203 is discharged through the cleaning solution discharge channel 204 to the outlet portion 87 of the liquid receiving chamber 89 in the liquid tray 85.

[0074] The standby unit 70 is provided in the maintenance area MA. The standby unit 70 is provided in the base unit 101 so as to be able to form a space through which the nozzle N of the liquid discharge unit 10 opens. As shown in Figures 2, 9, and 10, the standby unit 70 includes a standby cap 71, a standby cap holder 72, a standby cap lifting mechanism 73, and a standby unit motor 74. The standby unit 70 is provided on the -Y side of the printing area PA in the Y-axis direction.

[0075] In this embodiment, the standby cap 71 includes a standby cap 71a corresponding to nozzle rows 12a and 12b. The standby cap 71 also includes a standby cap 71b corresponding to nozzle rows 12c and 12d. Furthermore, the standby cap 71 includes a standby cap 71c corresponding to nozzle rows 12e and 12f. Finally, the standby cap 71 includes a standby cap 71d corresponding to nozzle rows 12g and 12h. As shown in Figure 9, the standby cap 71 has a recess 76 that, by contacting the nozzle surface 11 of the liquid discharge unit 10, can form a space through which multiple nozzles N open. The standby caps 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d are examples of caps CP capable of forming a space through which nozzles N open. Of the standby caps 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d, the portion located at the -Z direction end and in contact with the nozzle surface 11 of the liquid discharge unit 10 is also called the lip portion.

[0076] The standby cap holder 72 holds the standby caps 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d. The standby cap lifting mechanism 73 moves the standby cap holder 72 in the Z-axis direction by driving and controlling the standby motor 74. As the standby cap holder 72 moves in the Z-axis direction, the standby cap 71 moves between a non-capping position where it does not contact the nozzle surface 11 and a capping position where it contacts the nozzle surface 11.

[0077] The standby caps 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d, located in the capping position, come into contact with the nozzle surface 11 of the liquid discharge unit 10. As a result, the standby caps 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d, located in the capping position, form a space through which the nozzles N constituting the corresponding nozzle rows 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f, 12g, and 12h open. This type of capping, in which the standby caps 71 form a space through which the nozzles N open, is called standby capping. By standby capping, evaporation of water from the ink in the liquid discharge unit 10 via the nozzles N can be suppressed.

[0078] The standby caps 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d are positioned in the X-axis direction between the printing area PA and the moving area RA. Furthermore, the standby caps 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d are positioned so as to overlap with the wiping body 51 of the wiping unit 50 when viewed from a direction along the Y-axis direction. The standby caps 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d are positioned in the Y-axis direction on the -Y side of the printing area PA. Note that the standby cap 71 may be configured to surround and cap all nozzles N constituting the nozzle rows 12a to 12h.

[0079] When printing is not performed by the liquid ejection unit 10, the liquid ejection device 100 performs standby capping using the standby unit 70. In this case, the liquid ejection device 100 drives the ejection unit moving mechanism 40 with the standby cap 71 in the non-capping position. As a result, the liquid ejection device 100 moves the liquid ejection unit 10 to a position where the nozzle rows 12a to 12h face the standby caps 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d, as shown in Figure 3.

[0080] Then, by driving the standby cap lifting mechanism 73, the standby cap 71 moves from the non-capping position to the capping position. This creates four spaces through which multiple nozzles N, which make up each nozzle row 12a to 12h, open. The standby position SP of the carriage 15 and the liquid ejection unit 10 when not printing is the position where standby capping is performed. Therefore, the standby cap 71 is provided in the base unit 101 at a position corresponding to the standby position SP where the liquid ejection unit 10 is in standby. In other words, when not printing, the carriage 15 and the liquid ejection unit 10 are positioned at the standby position SP where the standby cap 71 of the standby unit 70 can form spaces through which the nozzles N open.

[0081] As shown in Figure 1, the control unit 300 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 310 and a storage unit 320. The CPU 310 can execute various programs stored in the storage unit 320 and can make various decisions and issue various commands. The storage unit 320 stores various programs, such as a program for maintaining the liquid dispensing unit 10, and various tables. The control unit 300 controls the entire liquid dispensing device 100.

[0082] For example, when cleaning the suction cap 61, the control unit 300 drives the cleaning fluid supply unit 202 while the suction cap 61 is in the non-capping position. This causes the control unit 300 to allow the cleaning fluid contained in the cleaning fluid container 251 to flow into the suction cap 61. The inside of the suction cap 61 is then cleaned by the influx of cleaning fluid. When cleaning the suction cap 61, the position of the carriage 15 is, for example, such that the bottom surface of the carriage 15 faces the lip portion of the suction cap 61.

[0083] If the supply of cleaning solution to the suction cap 61 continues, the cleaning solution will overflow from the suction cap 61 through the lip portion of the suction cap 61. The cleaning solution overflows from the suction cap 61 while cleaning the lip portion and is received in the cleaning solution tray 203. When the control unit 300 has supplied a predetermined amount of cleaning solution to the suction cap 61, it stops driving the cleaning solution supply unit 202.

[0084] The cleaning liquid received by the cleaning liquid tray 203 is discharged through the cleaning liquid discharge channel 204 to the outlet section 87 in the liquid receiving chamber 89 of the liquid tray 85. The cleaning liquid discharged to the outlet section 87 is stored in the outlet section 87. When cleaning of the suction cap 61 is performed, the control unit 300 controls the discharge section moving mechanism 40 to move the liquid discharge section 10 to the standby position SP. Then, the control unit 300 controls the standby cap lifting mechanism 73 to move the standby cap 71 from the non-capping position to the capping position, and standby capping is performed by the standby section 70.

[0085] When the liquid dispensing unit 10 is in the standby position SP, the outlet 82d of the liquid receiving unit 81 is located vertically above the outflow unit 87 in the -Z direction. Therefore, when the liquid dispensing unit 10 is in the standby position SP, the ink discharged from the outlet 82d of the liquid receiving unit 81 falls toward the outflow unit 87 of the liquid receiving chamber 89. In other words, the liquid tray 85 stores the cleaning liquid flowing in through the cleaning liquid discharge channel 204 in the outflow unit 87 of the liquid receiving chamber 89, and receives the ink discharged from the outlet 82d of the liquid receiving unit 81 toward the outflow unit 87 of the liquid receiving chamber 89.

[0086] Furthermore, the time the liquid dispensing unit 10 is in the standby position SP is longer than the time the liquid dispensing unit 10 is in any position other than the standby position SP. Therefore, the time the discharge port 82d of the liquid receiving unit 81 is located vertically above the outflow unit 87 is longer than the time the discharge port 82d of the liquid receiving unit 81 is located in any position on the tray bottom surface 88s of the liquid receiving chamber 89. Consequently, the amount of ink discharged from the discharge port 82d to the outflow unit 87 is greater than the amount of ink discharged from the discharge port 82d to any position on the tray bottom surface 88s of the liquid receiving chamber 89.

[0087] Furthermore, for example, when printing on a medium M, the control unit 300 controls the medium support mechanism 30 to move the medium support unit 31, on which the medium M is set, from the set position to the printing position, and places the medium M in the printing area PA. Next, the control unit 300 controls the standby unit 70 to move the standby cap 71 from the capping position to the non-capping position, and releases the standby capping.

[0088] Next, the control unit 300 controls the ejection unit movement mechanism 40 to move the liquid ejection unit 10 from the standby position SP to a position where one of the nozzles N faces the medium M. Then, the control unit 300 controls the ejection unit movement mechanism 40 to repeatedly move the liquid ejection unit 10 back and forth in the X-axis direction and then move the liquid ejection unit 10 in the +Y direction. As a result, the control unit 300 performs printing by having the liquid ejection unit 10 eject ink from the nozzles N onto the medium M.

[0089] Furthermore, if a predetermined time has elapsed during printing, for example, the control unit 300 controls the ejection unit movement mechanism 40 to move the liquid ejection unit 10 to a position facing the liquid receiving unit 81 of the liquid receiving unit 80. The control unit 300 then performs flushing, ejecting ink from the nozzle N of the liquid ejection unit 10 toward the liquid receiving unit 81.

[0090] Furthermore, when performing maintenance on the liquid discharge unit 10, the control unit 300 controls the discharge unit movement mechanism 40 while the suction cap 61 is in the non-capping position. This causes the control unit 300 to move the liquid discharge unit 10 to a position where one of the nozzle rows 12a to 12h faces the suction cap 61. The control unit 300 then controls the cleaning unit drive mechanism 63 to move the suction cap 61 to the suction-enabled position and causes the suction pump 65 to perform a suction operation. Finally, the control unit 300 controls the cleaning unit drive mechanism 63 to move the suction cap 61 from the suction-enabled position to the non-capping position.

[0091] Next, the control unit 300 controls the wiping unit drive mechanism 57 to move the wiping body 51 to a wiping position. Then, the control unit 300 controls the discharge unit movement mechanism 40 to move the liquid discharge unit 10 to a position on the -Y direction side of the strip-shaped member 52. Furthermore, the control unit 300 moves the liquid discharge unit 10 in the +Y direction to wipe the nozzle surface 11 with the wiping unit 50.

[0092] Next, the control unit 300 controls the ejection unit moving mechanism 40 to move the liquid ejection unit 10 to a position facing the liquid receiving unit 81 of the liquid receiving unit 80, and performs flushing by ejecting ink from the nozzle N of the liquid ejection unit 10. When maintenance of the liquid ejection unit 10 is complete, the control unit 300 controls the ejection unit moving mechanism 40 to move the liquid ejection unit 10 to the standby position SP. Then, the control unit 300 controls the standby cap lifting mechanism 73 to move the standby cap 71 from the non-capping position to the capping position, and performs standby capping by the standby unit 70.

[0093] As described above, the liquid dispensing device 100 according to Embodiment 1 provides the following effects.

[0094] The liquid ejection device 100 comprises a base portion 101 and a liquid ejection unit 10 that performs printing by ejecting ink from a nozzle N onto a medium M. The liquid ejection device 100 also includes an ejection unit moving mechanism 40 provided on the base portion 101, which holds the liquid ejection unit 10 so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction and in the X-axis direction intersecting the Y-axis direction of the base portion 101. The liquid ejection device 100 also includes a medium support portion 31 provided on the base portion 101, which supports the medium M in the printing area PA where the liquid ejection unit 10 performs printing. The liquid ejection device 100 also includes a liquid receiving portion 81 provided on the ejection unit moving mechanism 40 so as to be movable along the Y-axis direction of the printing area PA, which has an absorbent member 83 that receives ink ejected from the nozzle N as waste liquid. The liquid ejection device 100 also includes a liquid tray 85 provided below the liquid receiving portion 81 for receiving ink discharged from the liquid receiving portion 81. The liquid receiving section 81 is positioned below the liquid dispensing section 10 when viewed from a direction along the X-axis, and the liquid tray 85 is provided along the Y-axis of the movable region RA on which the liquid receiving section 81 moves. As a result, since the liquid receiving section 81 is provided to be movable along the Y-axis with the liquid dispensing section 10, areas with a large amount of ink and areas with a small amount of ink are less likely to occur in the absorbent member 83. Therefore, the ink dispensed to the liquid receiving section 81 is less likely to dry and thicken or solidify in the absorbent member 83, and the ink dispensed by flushing can be properly received by the liquid receiving section 81.

[0095] The liquid dispensing device 100 includes a standby cap 71 on the base portion 101 that can form a space through which the nozzle N opens. The standby cap 71 is positioned in the X-axis direction between the printing area PA and the moving area RA. This prevents mist generated by flushing toward the liquid receiving portion 81 from adhering to the printing area PA.

[0096] The liquid dispensing device 100 includes a second waste liquid tube 69 connecting the liquid tray 85 and a waste liquid container 91 capable of containing the ink received by the liquid tray 85. The liquid dispensing device 100 also includes a second suction section 65B provided on the second waste liquid tube 69, which causes the ink to flow from the liquid tray 85 towards the waste liquid container 91. This allows the ink received in the liquid tray 85 to be discharged towards the waste liquid container 91.

[0097] The liquid dispensing device 100 includes a suction cap 61 on its base portion 101 that forms a space through which the nozzle N opens. The liquid dispensing device 100 also includes a cleaning liquid discharge channel 204 for discharging cleaning liquid to clean the suction cap 61, and the liquid tray 85 receives the cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning liquid discharge channel 204. This allows the cleaning liquid used to clean the suction cap 61 to flow through the liquid tray 85, thereby suppressing ink accumulation within the liquid tray 85.

[0098] The liquid tray 85 stores the cleaning fluid that flows in through the cleaning fluid discharge channel 204 and receives the ink discharged from the liquid receiving section 81. This prevents the ink discharged from the liquid receiving section 81 from accumulating in the liquid tray 85.

[0099] The liquid dispensing device 100 according to the above embodiment of this disclosure is based on having the configuration described above, but it is of course possible to make partial changes or omissions to the configuration without departing from the gist of this disclosure. Furthermore, the above embodiment and the other embodiments described below can be combined and implemented to the extent that they do not contradict the technical context. Other embodiments will be described below.

[0100] In the above embodiment, the liquid receiving chamber 89 does not need to have a partition wall 88p. Also, the tray bottom surface 88s that constitutes the bottom surface 88 of the liquid receiving chamber 89 may be inclined in the +Z direction as it moves from the +Y direction end of the liquid receiving chamber 89 toward the outlet 87p on the -Y direction side. In this case, the tray bottom surface 88s is an example of an inclined portion. In this case, it can be said that the tray bottom surface 88s is inclined in the Y-axis direction as it moves from the +Y direction end of the liquid receiving chamber 89 toward the standby position SP on the -Y direction side.

[0101] In this case, the liquid dispensing device 100 may also allow the ink received as waste liquid by the suction cap 61 or the cleaning liquid supplied to the suction cap 61 to flow into the liquid receiving chamber 89. For example, as shown in Figure 16, the liquid receiving chamber 89 is provided with an inlet 86 that allows ink to flow into the liquid receiving chamber 89 via the first waste liquid tube 68. The inlet 86 is located in the Y-axis direction between the +Y side end of the tray bottom surface 88s and the outlet 87, and is provided on the side wall of the liquid tray 85 in the +X direction. As a result, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 16, the ink flowing from the inlet 86 into the liquid receiving chamber 89 flows along the tray bottom surface 88s toward the outlet 87. The inlet 86 is also located in the Z-axis direction, toward the -Z side of the outlet 87. In this case, the joint 95 connects the second waste liquid tube 69 and the third waste liquid tube 96, which is connected to the discharge pipe 97 of the waste liquid container mounting section 99. The suction cap 61 is connected to the waste liquid container 91 via the first waste liquid tube 68, the liquid receiving chamber 89, the second waste liquid tube 69, the fitting 95, the third waste liquid tube 96, and the discharge pipe 97.

[0102] The liquid dispensing device 100, which includes a tray bottom surface 88s as an example of the inclined section described above, provides the following advantages. The liquid tray 85 of the liquid dispensing device 100 includes an outlet 87p for discharging ink received from the liquid receiving section 81 and a bottom surface 88 extending in the Y-axis direction. The bottom surface 88 also has a tray bottom surface 88s that slopes downward toward the outlet 87p. This allows the ink received in the liquid tray 85 to be properly discharged from the liquid tray 85.

[0103] Furthermore, the liquid dispensing device 100 is equipped with a standby cap 71 on the base portion 101 that can form a space through which the nozzle N opens. The standby cap 71 is provided on the base portion 101 at a position corresponding to the standby position SP where the liquid dispensing unit 10 is in standby position. The tray bottom surface 88s is inclined downward in the Y-axis direction toward the standby position SP. As a result, more ink is discharged to the side of the liquid tray 85 closer to the standby cap 71, so that the ink received in the liquid tray 85 can be efficiently discharged from the liquid tray 85.

[0104] Furthermore, the liquid dispensing device 100 includes a suction cap 61 capable of forming a space through which the nozzle N opens, and which receives the ink discharged from the nozzle N during cleaning as waste liquid. The liquid tray 85 receives the ink discharged from the suction cap 61. This allows the ink discharged by suction cleaning to flow in the liquid tray 85, thereby suppressing ink accumulation within the liquid tray 85.

[0105] In the above embodiment, the tray bottom surface 88s may be positioned between the cleaning fluid tray 203 and the outlet 87 in the Z-axis direction. This positions the tray bottom surface 88s to the +Z side of the cleaning fluid tray 203. It also positions the tray bottom surface 88s to the -Z side of the outlet 87. Furthermore, the cleaning fluid discharged to the outlet 87 during the cleaning of the suction cap 61 may be stored in the liquid receiving chamber 89, which includes the outlet 87 and the tray bottom surface 88s. In this case, the ink discharged from the outlet 82d of the liquid receiving section 81 falls towards the cleaning fluid stored in the liquid receiving chamber 89. In other words, the liquid tray 85 stores the cleaning fluid flowing in through the cleaning fluid discharge channel 204 in the liquid receiving chamber 89, and receives the ink discharged from the outlet 82d of the liquid receiving section 81 into the liquid receiving chamber 89.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the liquid receiving portion 80 does not have to be positioned on the +X side of the maintenance area MA in the X-axis direction. For example, the liquid receiving portion 80 may be positioned between the printing area PA and the maintenance area MA in the X-axis direction. In this case, the moving area RA becomes the area between the printing area PA and the maintenance area MA in the X-axis direction.

[0107] In the above embodiment, the standby unit 70 does not have to be located between the printing area PA and the moving area RA in the X-axis direction. For example, the standby unit 70 may be located in a position that overlaps with the printing area PA in the X-axis direction.

[0108] In the above embodiment, the standby unit 70, cleaning unit 60, and wiping unit 50 do not necessarily have to be arranged in the order of standby unit 70, cleaning unit 60, and wiping unit 50 from the -Y direction to the +Y direction in the Y-axis direction. For example, the standby unit 70, cleaning unit 60, and wiping unit 50 may be arranged in the order of cleaning unit 60, standby unit 70, and wiping unit 50 from the -Y direction to the +Y direction in the Y-axis direction.

[0109] In the above embodiment, the wiping body 51 does not need to include the strip-shaped member 52 as long as it can wipe the nozzle surface 11 of the liquid discharge section 10. For example, the wiping body 51 may include a strip-shaped elastomer member as a wiping member, with the Y-axis direction as the thickness direction.

[0110] In the above embodiment, the wiping body 51 does not necessarily have to be detachable from the -Z direction side. For example, the wiping body 51 may be detachably provided from the front surface 103 of the exterior member 102, which is on the +Y direction side in the Y axis direction.

[0111] In the above embodiment, the wiping body 51 does not need to be detachable. In this case, the wiping body mounting section 59 does not need to be present. In this case, for example, the standby section 70, cleaning section 60, and wiping section 50 may be arranged in the order of wiping section 50, standby section 70, and cleaning section 60 from the -Y direction to the +Y direction in the Y-axis direction. Also, in this case, when viewed from a direction along the Z-axis direction, the wiping body 51 does not need to be in a position that overlaps with the waste liquid container mounting section 99.

[0112] In the above embodiment, the waste liquid container 91 does not need to be detachable. In this case, the waste liquid container mounting portion 99 is not necessary.

[0113] In the above embodiment, the liquid dispensing device 100 may also include a cleaning liquid container mounting section for attaching and detaching a cleaning liquid container 251, separate from the liquid container mounting section 29. In this case, the liquid container mounting section 29 does not need to have a mounting slot for attaching and detaching the cleaning liquid container 251.

[0114] In the above embodiment, the cleaning liquid container 251 does not need to be detachable. In this case, the liquid container mounting section 29 does not need to have a mounting slot for attaching or detaching the cleaning liquid container 251.

[0115] In the above embodiment, a leak receptacle may be provided below each connection point between the multiple liquid containers 21 mounted in the liquid container mounting section 29 and the supply channel 22 to receive ink leaking from the connection point. Furthermore, a leak receptacle for collecting leaked ink may be provided below the liquid container mounting section 29, and a conduit may be provided to guide the ink received by the leak receptacle in each mounting slot to the leak receptacle. In this case, the positions of the mounting slots are set such that the liquid containers 21 containing ink that is prone to solidification are lower than the liquid containers 21 containing ink that is not prone to solidification. This makes it possible to suppress the accumulation of ink received by the leak receptacle into the leak receptacle due to ink solidification in the conduit.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the cap cleaning unit 200 may be capable of cleaning the standby cap 71. In this case, the cap cleaning unit 200 may include a cleaning liquid supply channel SC1, a cleaning liquid tray SC3, and a cleaning liquid discharge channel SC4 (not shown). The cleaning liquid supply channel SC1 connects the cleaning liquid supply unit 202 to the standby caps 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d. The cleaning liquid tray SC3 is positioned on the +Z side of the standby caps 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d. The cleaning liquid tray SC3 receives the cleaning liquid supplied to the standby caps 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d and the cleaning liquid that overflows from them. The cleaning liquid discharge channel SC4 connects the cleaning liquid tray SC3 to the liquid tray 85 so that the cleaning liquid that overflows from the standby caps 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d can be discharged from the cleaning liquid tray SC3. According to this, the standby caps 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d can be cleaned with the cleaning solution. Furthermore, since the cleaning solution used to clean the standby caps 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d can be flowed into the liquid tray 85, ink accumulation within the liquid tray 85 can be suppressed.

[0117] In this case, the liquid tray 85 receives the ink discharged from the liquid receiving section 81 while storing the cleaning fluid that flows in through the cleaning fluid discharge channel SC4. This prevents the ink discharged from the liquid receiving section 81 from accumulating in the liquid tray 85. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0118] 10...Liquid discharge section, 11...Nozzle surface, 12,12a,12b,12c,12d,12e,12f,12g,12h...Nozzle row, 15...Carriage, 20...Ink supply section, 21,21a,21b,21c,21d,21e...Liquid container, 22...Supply channel, 22g...Mounting section side end, 22h...First deformation section, 22k...Intermediate section, 22m...Second deformation section, 2 2n...Discharge end, 29...Liquid container mounting section, 30...Media support mechanism, 31...Media support section, 32...Media support surface, 33L, 33R...Sliding section, 34L, 34R...Guide rail, 35...Conveyor belt, 36...Conveyor motor, 37...Pulley, 40...Discharge movement mechanism, 41...Carriage support section, 41h...Receiving section mounting section, 42...Conveyor belt, 43...Movement Motor for use, 44...Pulley, 45L, 45R...Sliding part, 46L, 46R...Guide shaft, 47...Conveyor belt, 48...Movement motor, 49...Pulley, 50...Wiping part, 51...Wiping body, 52...Strip-shaped member, 53...Unwinding shaft, 54...Winding shaft, 55...Pressing member, 56...Case, 57...Wiping part drive mechanism, 58...Wiping part motor, 59...Wiping body mounting part, 60...Cleaning part, 61...Suction cap, 62...Suction cap holding part, 63...Cleaning part drive mechanism, 64...Cleaning part motor, 65...Suction pump, 65A...First suction part, 65B...Second suction part, 66...Recess, 67...Discharge part, 68...First waste liquid tube, 69...Second waste liquid tube, 70...Standby part, 71, 71a, 71b, 71c,71d…Standby cap, 72…Standby cap holder, 73…Standby cap lifting mechanism, 74…Standby motor, 76…Recess, 80…Liquid receiving section, 81…Liquid receiving section, 82…Mounting section, 82d…Discharge port, 82t…Tapered flow path, 83…Absorbing member, 84…Absorbing member holder, 85…Liquid tray, 86…Inlet, 87…Outlet section, 87p…Outlet, 87r…Inlet, 88…Bottom surface, 88p…Partition wall, 88s…Tray bottom surface, 89…Liquid receiving chamber, 90…Waste liquid storage section, 91…Waste liquid container, 95…Fitting, 96…Third waste liquid tube, 97…Discharge pipe, 99…Waste liquid container attachment Section, 100...Liquid dispensing device, 101...Base section, 102...Exterior member, 103...Front, 104...Upper cover, 151...Fixing member, 200...Cap cleaning section, 201...Cleaning liquid supply channel, 202...Cleaning liquid supply section, 203...Cleaning liquid tray, 204...Cleaning liquid discharge channel, 251...Cleaning liquid container, 300...Control unit, 310...CPU, 320...Storage unit, CP...Cap, M...Media, MA...Maintenance area, MP...Maintenance section, PA...Printing area, RA...Movement area, SC1...Cleaning liquid supply channel, SC3...Cleaning liquid tray, SC4...Cleaning liquid discharge channel, SP...Standby position.

Claims

1. The base part, A liquid ejection unit that performs printing by ejecting liquid from a nozzle onto a medium, A dispensing unit moving mechanism provided on the base portion, the dispensing unit moving mechanism which holds the liquid dispensing unit so as to be movable in the depth direction of the base portion and in a scanning direction intersecting the depth direction, A media support portion provided on the base portion, wherein the liquid discharge portion supports the media in the printing area where the printing is performed, A liquid receiving section provided on the discharge mechanism so as to be movable over the depth direction of the printing area, the liquid receiving section having an absorbent member for receiving the liquid discharged from the nozzle as waste liquid, A liquid tray provided below the liquid receiving portion for receiving the liquid discharged from the liquid receiving portion, Equipped with, The liquid receiving portion is provided at a position below the liquid dispensing portion when viewed from a direction along the scanning direction, The liquid tray is provided in the depth direction of the movable region in which the liquid receiving portion moves. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

2. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, The base portion is provided with a standby cap capable of forming a space through which the nozzle opens. The standby cap is provided at a position between the printing area and the moving area in the scanning direction. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

3. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, An outflow channel connecting the liquid tray and a waste liquid container capable of containing the liquid received by the liquid tray, An outflow pump provided in the outflow channel for flowing the liquid from the liquid tray toward the waste liquid container, Equipped with, A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

4. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, A cap provided on the base portion, capable of forming a space through which the nozzle opens, A cleaning fluid discharge channel for discharging a cleaning fluid for cleaning the cap, comprising the cleaning fluid discharge channel for discharging the cleaning fluid that has overflowed from the cap, Equipped with, The liquid tray receives the cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning liquid discharge channel. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

5. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 4, The liquid tray, while storing the cleaning liquid that flows in through the cleaning liquid discharge channel, receives the liquid discharged from the liquid receiving section. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

6. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, The liquid tray comprises an outlet for discharging the liquid received from the liquid receiving section and a bottom surface extending in the depth direction. The bottom surface has an inclined portion that slopes downward toward the outlet. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

7. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 6, The base portion is provided with a standby cap capable of forming a space through which the nozzle opens. The standby cap is provided in the base portion at a position corresponding to the standby position where the liquid discharge unit is in standby mode. The inclined portion is inclined downward in the depth direction toward the standby position. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

8. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, A suction cap capable of forming a space through which the nozzle opens, comprising the suction cap that receives the liquid discharged from the nozzle as waste liquid during cleaning, The liquid tray receives the liquid discharged from the suction cap. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

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