JP2001018404A - Cleaning mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely wipe ink stuck to a portion in the vicinity of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles formed on an ink ejection face. SOLUTION: When a blade table 52 is lifted, a rib 54a of a lift table 54 is brought into contact with a guide rib 42 of a carriage 20 or a restriction plate 44 to be inserted therebetween. As the rib 54a is inserted between the guide rib 42 and restriction plate 44, the lift table 54 moves in a direction of arrow X along with the movement. As a result, a position of a wiping blade 50 in the direction of arrow X is determined, then the wiping blade 50 reaches a wiping position where the wiping blade 50 can surely rub an ink ejection face 22k.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet type image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium by discharging ink from an ink discharge surface formed on a print head. The present invention relates to a wiping cleaning mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As one of output devices of computers and workstations, there is known an ink jet type image forming apparatus which forms an image on a recording medium such as recording paper by discharging ink. This ink jet type image forming apparatus usually has a print head on which an ink ejection surface from which ink is ejected, a carriage on which the print head is mounted and which reciprocates in a predetermined main scanning direction, and which are orthogonal to the predetermined direction. And a recording medium transport device that transports the recording medium in the direction (recording medium transport direction). A plurality of ink ejection ports arranged in one or more rows are formed on the ink ejection surface, and ink is ejected from each of the ink ejection ports. Further, the carriage is movably fixed to a guide rail attached to the main body of the inkjet type image forming apparatus.

When an image is formed on a recording sheet, the recording sheet being conveyed by the recording medium conveying device is temporarily stopped, and the carriage is reciprocated in the above-mentioned predetermined direction to generate an image signal carrying image information. Ink is ejected from the ink ejection surface (any one of the plurality of ink ejection ports) based on the ink ejection surface, and an image for one band is formed on a portion of the recording paper located in the image forming area facing the ink ejection surface. Thereafter, the paper is conveyed by the width of one band and stopped, and the ink is discharged from the ink discharge surface based on the image signal while the carriage is reciprocated again in the above-described predetermined direction. An image is formed in a portion newly located in the formation area. By repeating such an operation, an image is formed on the recording paper.

In an image forming apparatus such as the above-described ink jet type image forming apparatus which discharges ink, when an image is continuously formed (printed), the ink adheres to the ink discharge surface. When the amount of ink attached to the ink ejection surface increases, a part of the ink ejection port may be blocked by the ink. When a part of the ink discharge port is blocked with ink in this manner, the ink is bent and discharged from the ink discharge port, and there is a possibility that the quality of the image formed on the recording medium may be degraded.

Therefore, a rubber wiping blade is disposed at a position outside the image forming area, and the ink adhering to the ink ejection surface is wiped at a predetermined timing by the wiping blade. The wiping blade is configured to move up and down to contact the ink ejection surface or to separate from the ink ejection surface. When wiping the ink with a wiping blade, a technique is known in which a carriage on which a print head is mounted is kept stationary and the wiping blade moves the ink ejection surface so as to rub the ink ejection surface. Conversely, a technique is also known in which a wiping blade is fixed at a predetermined position and the carriage is moved so that the ink ejection surface is rubbed by the wiping blade.

[0006]

When wiping the ink with a wiping blade, the ink is removed from all the periphery of a plurality of ink ejection ports formed on the ink ejection surface in a line or in a plurality of lines. There is a need to. For this purpose, the wiping blade, the print head, and the like must be accurately positioned at the wiping position where the wiping blade rubs the ink ejection surface. However, the carriage, the print head, the device for moving the wiping blade up and down, and the like are composed of many components, and it is difficult to accurately position the wiping blade, the print head, and the like at the wiping position. Therefore, the wiping blade, the print head, and the like may be shifted from the wiping position.

In order to remove the ink from all the periphery of the plurality of ink ejection ports even if there is such a "displacement", the width of the wiping blade is made wider than the width of the ink ejection surface. It is necessary to rub the entire ink ejection surface with a wiping blade. In this case, if the surface of the ink ejection surface on which the plurality of ink ejection ports are formed is flat (flat), it is easy to remove ink from all the periphery of the plurality of ink ejection ports. However, the surface on which the plurality of ink ejection ports are formed may not be flat, and it may not be possible to remove ink from all the periphery of the plurality of ink ejection ports.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a cleaning mechanism capable of reliably wiping ink adhered around a plurality of ink ejection ports formed on an ink ejection surface.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cleaning mechanism having a print head having an ink ejection surface on which ink is ejected, the cleaning head being substantially parallel to the ink ejection surface. An ink jet type image forming apparatus which comprises a carriage which reciprocates in a predetermined main scanning direction, and which ejects ink from the ink ejection surface to form an image on a recording medium while reciprocating the carriage in the main scanning direction. (1) A wiping position at which the wiping blade slides on the ink ejection surface, wherein the wiping blade moves in a vertical direction substantially perpendicular to the ink ejection surface and includes a wiping blade for wiping ink attached to the ink ejection surface. So that the wiping blade is located at a position substantially orthogonal to both the vertical direction and the main scanning direction. Wherein the orienting wiping blade or further comprising a positioning means for relatively moving the carriage is characterized in.

Here, the positioning means includes: (2) a blade base on which the wiping blade is fixed at an upper portion and which moves in the vertical direction and the positioning direction;
A guide portion formed on the carriage, which guides the blade base so that the wiping blade is located at the wiping position; and (4) the wiping blade located at the wiping position is not displaced from the wiping position. The carriage may be provided with a carriage restricting portion formed on the carriage for regulating the blade base.

The positioning means includes: (5) a blade base fixed to an upper portion of the wiping blade and moving in the vertical direction and the positioning direction; and (6) the wiping blade is located at the wiping position. And a carriage rail formed on the carriage for guiding the blade base as described above.

Further, the blade stand may have (7) a blade stand regulating portion for regulating the print head and the wiping blade from moving in the vertical direction.

Further, the cleaning mechanism includes (8)
A drive source for moving the carriage in the main scanning direction and moving the blade base in the vertical direction may be provided.

In order to achieve the above object, a second cleaning mechanism of the present invention is provided with a print head having an ink ejection surface on which ink is ejected, and a predetermined main unit substantially parallel to the ink ejection surface. An ink jet image forming apparatus, comprising: a carriage that reciprocates in a scanning direction, and ejects ink from the ink ejection surface to form an image on a recording medium while reciprocating the carriage in the main scanning direction. A cleaning mechanism including a wiping blade that moves in a vertical direction substantially orthogonal to the direction, and that wipes ink adhered to the ink ejection surface,
(9) The wiping blade or the print head in a positioning direction substantially perpendicular to both the vertical direction and the main scanning direction so that the wiping blade is located at a wiping position where the wiping blade slides on the ink ejection surface. Is provided with positioning means for relatively moving.

Here, the positioning means includes: (10) a blade base on which the wiping blade is fixed at an upper part and which moves in the vertical direction and the positioning direction;
1) a guide portion formed on the print head that guides the blade base so that the wiping blade is located at the wiping position; and (12) the wiping blade located at the wiping position deviates from the wiping position. And a print head restricting portion formed on the print head for restricting the blade base so as not to be restricted.

Further, the positioning means comprises: (13) a blade base fixed to an upper portion of the wiping blade and moving in the vertical direction and the positioning direction;
4) A print head rail formed on the print head for guiding the blade base so that the wiping blade is located at the wiping position may be provided.

Further, the blade base may have a blade base restricting portion for restricting the print head and the wiping blade from moving in the vertical direction.

Further, the cleaning mechanism includes (1)
6) A drive source for moving the carriage in the main scanning direction and moving the blade table in the vertical direction may be provided.

In order to achieve the above object, a third cleaning mechanism of the present invention is provided with a print head having an ink ejection surface on which ink is ejected, and a predetermined cleaning device substantially parallel to the ink ejection surface. An ink jet image forming apparatus, comprising: a carriage that reciprocates in a scanning direction, and ejects ink from the ink ejection surface to form an image on a recording medium while reciprocating the carriage in the main scanning direction. A cleaning mechanism including a wiping blade that moves in a vertical direction substantially orthogonal to the direction, and that wipes ink adhered to the ink ejection surface,
(17) a blade base on which the wiping blade is fixed at an upper portion, the blade base moving between a wiping position at which the wiping blade rubs the ink ejection surface and a non-wiping position deviated from the wiping position;
Moving means for moving the blade base so that the wiping blade moves to the wiping position as the carriage approaches the blade base.

Here, the moving means includes: (19) a pressing plate fixed to the carriage, which pushes the blade table toward the wiping position as the carriage approaches the blade table. There may be.

[0021] The blade table may be moved toward the non-wiping position as the carriage moves away from the blade table.

Further, the cleaning mechanism may include (21) urging means for urging the blade base toward the non-wiping position.

Further, the cleaning mechanism includes (2)
2) Positioning means for determining the position of the blade table and the position of the carriage or the print head so that the wiping blade is located at the wiping position may be provided.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a cleaning mechanism according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a plotter incorporating the cleaning mechanism of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a plotter in which the cleaning mechanism of the present invention is incorporated.

The plotter 10 has a platen 14 on which the recording paper 12 conveyed in the direction of arrow A is placed. Above the platen 14, two scanning rails (guide rails) 16 are extended in parallel with the platen 14. The scanning rail 16 is reciprocated by a motor (not shown) and a belt 18 in the directions of arrows B and C (a direction orthogonal to the direction of arrow A and an example of the main scanning direction in the present invention). Carriage 20 is a slide bearing 17
(See FIG. 3).

The carriage 20 has four print heads 22K (black) and 22C (cyan) each having an ink discharge surface on which an ink discharge port (a nozzle outlet, not shown) for discharging ink is formed. , 22M (magenta) and 22Y (yellow). In front of the ink ejection surface is an image forming area 23 where an image is formed. Ink is ejected from the ink ejection port to a portion of the recording paper 12 located in the image forming area 23, and thereby,
An image is formed in this portion.

On one side of the range in which the carriage 20 can move, the position is separated (off) from the image forming area 23.
A recovery device 30 that forcibly sucks ink from the nozzles, cleans an ink supply path, nozzles, and the like formed in the print head 22 and sets the ink discharge state of the print head 22 to an initial discharge state is provided.

In forming an image on the recording paper 12 such as a roll paper, the recording paper 12 is placed on the platen 14, and a transport roller exposing a part of the outer peripheral surface from an opening formed in the platen 14. 24 and a pinch roller 26 that presses both ends of the recording paper 12 from above, while holding the recording paper 12 by a transport motor (not shown).
4, the recording paper 12 is conveyed.

The carriage 20 is reciprocated in the directions of arrows B and C above the recording paper 12 based on image signals transmitted from the head controller (not shown) to the print heads 22K, 22C, 22M and 22Y. By discharging ink from the nozzles, an image is formed on a portion of the recording paper 12 located in the image forming area 23. When it becomes necessary to suck ink from the nozzles in order to clean the nozzles and the like, the carriage 20 is moved above the recovery device 30. When the image formation is completed, the cutter (not shown) mounted on the carriage 20 is protruded to a predetermined position to cut the recording paper 12 into a predetermined size.

The recovery device 30 includes four print heads 22.
Four rubber caps 32K, 32 that removably cover the respective outlets of the nozzles K, 22C, 22M, 22Y.
C, 32M, and 32Y. Each cap 32K,
One end of a tube (not shown) is connected to 32C, 32M, and 32Y, and the other end of the tube is connected to a suction pump (not shown). Four caps 32
K, 32C, 32M, and 32Y are fixed to the cap base 32. Further, a part of the cleaning mechanism 40 of the present invention is disposed slightly upstream of the cap 32K in the direction of arrow C. The carriage 20 is also provided with members constituting the cleaning mechanism 40 of the present invention.

The details of the cleaning mechanism 40 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing a carriage on which a print head is mounted, and shows an example in which five print heads are mounted. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the cleaning mechanism before the wiping blade reaches the wiping position. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the cleaning mechanism in which the wiping blade is located at the wiping position. In these drawings, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 2, the length of the carriage 20 (in the directions of arrows B and C) is provided on the downstream side in the direction of arrow C of the bottom surface of the carriage 20 (the surface facing the image forming area 23 shown in FIG. 1). The length of the guide rib 42 (which is an example of the guide portion according to the present invention) is approximately one-seventh the length of the guide portion 42 and extends in the directions of arrows B and C. On the bottom surface of the carriage 20, the part slightly distant from the guide ribs 42 is substantially the same as the length of the carriage 20 and has an arrow B,
A regulating plate 44 (which is an example of a carriage regulating portion according to the present invention) extending in the direction C is formed. In addition, a portion of the bottom surface of the carriage 20 opposite to the regulating plate 44 includes:
The regulating plate 46 having substantially the same length as the regulating plate 44 is
4 are formed substantially in parallel with each other. These guide ribs 42,
The regulating plates 44 and 46 are directed downward (the image forming area 2 shown in FIG. 1).
(Towards 3). In addition, these guide ribs 42
The regulating plates 44 and 46 are members constituting the cleaning mechanism 40.

The carriage 20 is attached to the scanning rail 16 via the slide bearing 17 as described above. In attaching the carriage 20 to the scanning rail 16, in order to maintain good print quality, the carriage 20 is moved in the arrow X direction (an example of the positioning direction in the present invention) and the arrow Z direction to be attached. The position is adjusted, and the carriage 20 is fixed so as to move only in the directions of arrows B and C. In this case, since the carriage 20 is moved in the arrow X direction, the print head 22 in the arrow X direction is moved.
The relative position between the K ink ejection surface 22k and the wiping blade 50 may be shifted. The cleaning mechanism of the present invention can correct this shift. A configuration for such a correction will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning mechanism 40
Is provided with a blade base 52 on which a rubber wiping blade 50 is fixed. This blade base 52
Is mounted on a lift table 54 that moves up and down in the direction of arrow Z and is detachably fixed. When replacing the wiping blade 50, the blade table 52 is removed from the lift table 54. At the lower end of the lift table 54, the upper ends of two lift sliders 56 extending in the direction of arrow Z are
6a and 56b. Two shafts 56
a and 56b are fitted into and penetrate a long hole 56c extending in the arrow X direction. Therefore, the lift table 54 can freely move in the arrow X direction without changing its posture. The lift table 54 includes a rib 54 a that is substantially parallel to the arrow Z direction and is higher than the wiping blade 50.
The rib 54 slightly higher than the rib 54a opposing the rib 54a.
b is formed. The guide rib 42 and the regulating plate 4 described above.
The positioning means according to the present invention is constituted by the ribs 4 and 46 and the ribs 54a and 54b. The rib 54
“a” and “54b” are examples of the blade base regulating unit according to the present invention.

At the lower ends of the two lift sliders 56,
One end of an L-shaped lift lever 58 is connected via a shaft 56d. A solenoid 60 is connected to the other end of the lift lever 58 via a shaft 60a. When the solenoid 60 is driven, the lift lever 58
3, the shaft 56d of the lift slider 56 is raised (moved upward in the direction of the arrow Z), whereby the lift slider 56 is also raised. Note that the solenoid 60 and the carriage 20 are driven by the same drive source.

When images are formed on a large number of recording papers by the plotter 10 (see FIG. 1), ink starts to adhere to the ink ejection surface. In order to remove this ink, the carriage 20 moves the wiping blade 50 at a predetermined timing.
It moves up. The solenoid 60 is driven when the guide rib 42 formed on the carriage 20 reaches just above the blade table 52. Thereby, the blade table 52
Begins to rise, first, the rib 54a of the lift table 54 contacts the guide rib 42 or the regulating plate 44 of the carriage 20,
It fits between them. Since the rib 54a fits between the guide rib 42 and the regulating plate 44, the lift table 54 moves in the direction of the arrow X following this movement. As a result, the position of the wiping blade 50 in the direction of arrow X is determined, and the wiping blade 50
This reaches the wiping position where 2k is reliably rubbed.

After the wiping blade 50 reaches the wiping position, the carriage 20 is moved in the direction of arrow C (in FIGS. 3 and 4, the direction is orthogonal to the directions of arrows X and Z, and is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing). . During this movement, as shown in FIG. 4, since the ribs 54a and 54b are restricted by the restriction plates 44 and 46 and cannot move in the arrow X direction, the position of the wiping blade 50 in the arrow X direction does not change. Therefore, the carriage 20 moves in the direction of arrow C while the wiping blade 50 remains at the wiping position where the ink ejection surface 22k is reliably rubbed. As a result, the ink adhering to the ink ejection surface 22k is reliably wiped off by the wiping blade 50, and the ink ejection surface 22k is cleaned. Therefore, after this cleaning, the ink is favorably ejected from the ink ejection surface 22k. Since the upper ends of the ribs 54a and 54b abut against the bottom of the carriage 20, the position of the wiping blade 50 in the arrow Z direction is also determined.

Another example of the cleaning mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view showing a carriage on which a part of members constituting a cleaning mechanism of another example is formed, and FIG. 6 is a side view showing the carriage of FIG.

This embodiment is characterized in that the guide ribs 42, the regulating plate 4
The difference is that a carriage 70 on which carriage rails 72 and 74 are formed is used instead of the carriage 20 on which the carriages 4 and 46 are formed (see FIG. 2).

On the bottom surface of the carriage 70 (the surface facing the image forming area 23 shown in FIG. 1), groove-like carriage rails 72 and 74 extending in the directions of arrows B and C are formed on the surfaces at both ends in the direction of arrow X. Have been. A rib 54a is fitted into the carriage rail 72, and the carriage rail 74
The rib 54b fits into the groove. Carriage rails 72, 7
Reference numeral 4 denotes one of the members constituting the cleaning mechanism 80.

The carriage rail 72 is formed between two rail plates 72a and 72b facing each other. Of the two rail plates 72a and 72b, the downstream (front end) portions in the direction of arrow C are open outward so as to be separated from each other. For this reason, the downstream (front end) portion 72c in the direction of arrow C of the carriage rail 72 is wider than the other portions.

The carriage rail 74 is formed between two rail plates 74a and 74b facing each other. Of the two rail plates 74a and 74b, the downstream (front end) portions in the direction of arrow C are open outward so as to be separated from each other. For this reason, the downstream (front end side) portion 74c in the direction of arrow C of the carriage rail 74 is wider than the other portions.

When images are formed on a large number of recording sheets by the plotter 10 (see FIG. 1), the ink starts to adhere to the ink ejection surface. In order to remove this ink, the carriage 70 moves the wiping blade 50 at a predetermined timing.
It moves up. The solenoid 60 is driven when the downstream portions 72c, 74c of the carriage rails 72, 74 reach just above the blade table 52. As a result, the blade table 52 starts to rise, and first, the ribs 54a, 54b of the lift table 54 fit into the downstream portions 72c, 74c of the carriage rails 72, 74.

After the ribs 54a and 54b are fitted into the downstream portions 72c and 74c, the carriage 70 is moved in the direction of arrow C (in FIG. 6, the direction perpendicular to the directions of arrows X and Z, and the direction perpendicular to the paper surface). Move to By this movement, the ribs 54a and 54b move the carriage rails 72,
74 fits into a narrow portion (a portion other than the downstream portions 72c and 74c) of the lift table 54 following this movement.
Moves in the arrow X direction. As a result, the position of the wiping blade 50 in the arrow X direction is determined, and the wiping blade 50 is located at the wiping position where the wiping blade 50 reliably rubs the ink ejection surface 22k.

While the carriage 70 is moving, as shown in FIG. 6, the ribs 54a and 54b
Since the wiping blade 50 cannot move in the direction of the arrow X due to the restriction by the rails 2a and 72b and the rail plates 74a and 74b, the position of the wiping blade 50 in the direction of the arrow X does not change. Therefore,
The carriage 70 moves in the direction of arrow C while the wiping blade 50 remains at the wiping position where the ink ejection surface 22k is reliably rubbed. As a result, the ink adhering to the ink ejection surface 22k is removed by the wiping blade 50.
Thus, the ink ejection surface 22k is cleaned. Therefore, after this cleaning, the ink is favorably ejected from the ink ejection surface 22k. The upper ends of the ribs 54a and 54b are
2, 74, the position of the wiping blade 50 in the direction of arrow Z is also determined.

Another example of the cleaning mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7A is a side view showing a print head on which a part of a member constituting a cleaning mechanism of another example is formed, and FIG. 7B is a bottom view of FIG. FIG. 8 is a side view showing the cleaning mechanism before the wiping blade reaches the wiping position. FIG. 9 is a side view showing the cleaning mechanism in which the wiping blade is located at the wiping position. In these drawings, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

This embodiment is characterized in that the carriage rails 72, 7
4 instead of the carriage 70 (see FIG. 6) on which
Print head 9 having groove-shaped print head rail 92 formed
0 and a rib 110a to be fitted to the print head rail 92 (an example of a guide section according to the present invention).
Is that the lift table 110 on which is formed is used. In addition,
The carriage 98 on which the print head 90 is mounted is the same as the conventional one.

The bottom of the print head 90 (the surface facing the image forming area 23 shown in FIG. 1) is located at one end in the direction of arrow X (the front side of the plotter 10 shown in FIG. 1) in the directions of arrows B and C. And a groove-shaped print head rail 92 extending in the direction shown in FIG. A rib 110 a formed on the lift table 110 fits into the print head rail 92. The print head rail 92 and the rib 110 a
0 is one of the members.

The print head rail 92 has two rail plates 94 and 96 facing each other and extending in parallel in the direction of arrow B.
It is formed sandwiched between. Two rail plates 94, 96
Of these, tapered portions 94a and 96a inclined outward are formed at the lower ends of the surfaces facing each other. Further, the lift table 1 on which the blade table 52 is detachably fixed.
The basic configuration of 10 is the same as the lift table 54 shown in FIG. The lift table 110 is different from the lift table 54 in that a rib 110 a that is substantially parallel to the arrow Z direction and that is higher than the wiping blade 50 is formed. The rib 110a is formed at one end of the upper surface of the lift table 110 in the direction of the arrow X (the front side of the plotter 10 shown in FIG. 1).

When an image is formed on a large number of recording papers by the plotter 10, the ink ejection surface 95 of the print head 90 is formed.
Begins to adhere to the ink. In order to remove the ink, the print head 90 together with the carriage 98 moves above the wiping blade 50 at a predetermined timing.

When one end of the print head rail 92 (the end on the upstream side in the direction of arrow C) reaches just above the blade base 52, the solenoid 60 is driven. As a result, the blade table 52 starts to rise, and first, the rib 1 of the lift table 110
10a is a tapered portion 94 of the two rail plates 94, 96.
a and 96a and fit into the print head rail 92. As a result, the wiping blade 50 is located at the wiping position where the ink ejection surface 95 is reliably rubbed.

After the rib 110a is fitted into the print head rail 92 in this manner, the carriage 98 is moved in the direction of arrow C (in FIGS. 8 and 9, the direction perpendicular to the directions of arrows X and Z, and the direction perpendicular to the paper surface). ). Rib 11
Since 0a moves while being fitted into the print head rail 92, the lift table 110 moves in the arrow X direction following this movement. As a result, the position of the wiping blade 50 in the arrow X direction is determined, and the wiping blade 5
0 remains at the wiping position where the ink ejection surface 95 is reliably rubbed.

While the carriage 98 is moving, as shown in FIG. 9, the rib 110a is restricted by the rail plates 94 and 96 and cannot move in the arrow X direction. Does not change.
Therefore, the carriage 98 moves in the direction of arrow C while the wiping blade 50 remains at the wiping position where the ink ejection surface 95 is reliably rubbed. As a result, the ink adhering to the ink ejection surface 95 is reliably wiped off by the wiping blade 50, and the ink ejection surface 95 is cleaned. Therefore, after this cleaning,
Ink is ejected favorably from the ink ejection surface 95. Since the upper end of the rib 110a is in contact with the bottom wall of the print head rail 92, the position of the wiping blade 50 in the arrow Z direction is also determined.

Another example of the cleaning mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing the cleaning mechanism before the wiping blade reaches the wiping position, and FIG. 11 is a plan view of FIG. FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a state where the push plate has begun to contact the slide table. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a state where the wiping blade is located at the wiping position by the pressing plate pressing the slide base. FIG. 14 is a side view of FIG.
In these figures, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

On a bottom surface of the carriage 130 (a surface facing the image forming area 23 shown in FIG. 1), a push plate 132 (an example of a moving means according to the present invention) extending in a direction of about 45 ° with respect to the arrow X ′ direction is provided. Is fixed. The push plate 132 is one member of the cleaning mechanism 120. The cleaning mechanism 120 includes a blade base 140 on which a rubber wiping blade 50 is fixed. The blade table 140 is fixed to an L-shaped slide table 150. Slide stand 150
One end 162 of the tension coil spring 160 is fixed to the downstream end in the direction of the arrow X ′. The other end 164 of the tension coil spring 160 is connected to the plotter 10 (FIG. 1).
See)). For this reason, the slide table 150 is constantly urged in the direction of the arrow X '. Push plate 13
The rib 142, the tension coil spring 160, and the like constitute an example of the positioning means according to the present invention.

The slide table 150 is fixed to a rail 170 extending in the arrow X direction so as to freely slide in the arrow X direction. The downstream side in the direction of the arrow X ′ is the non-wiping position according to the present invention. When the slide table 150 is located at the non-wiping position, the wiping blade 50 separates without contacting the ink ejection surface 22k. I have. On the other hand, the upstream side in the direction of the arrow X ′ is the wiping position according to the present invention, and when the slide table 150 is located at this wiping position, the wiping blade 50
Comes in contact with the ink ejection surface 22k, and the carriage 130 moves in the direction of arrow C, so that the wiping blade 5
0 and the ink ejection surface 22k relatively slide.

When images are formed on a large number of recording papers by the plotter 10, ink starts to adhere to the ink ejection surface 22k. To remove this ink, the carriage 1
30 approaches the recovery device 30 at a predetermined timing. When the carriage 130 is separated from the recovery device 30, the push plate 132 is separated from the rib 142 formed on the blade base 140 as shown in FIG.

When the carriage 130 approaches the recovery device 30, the push plate 132 starts to contact the rib 142 as shown in FIG. When the carriage 130 further approaches the recovery device 30, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the urging force of the tension coil spring 160 is overcome and the push plate 132
42 is pushed in the direction opposite to the arrow X 'direction (upstream in the arrow X' direction). Thus, the wiping blade 50 reaches a wiping position where the wiping blade 50 reliably rubs the ink ejection surface 22k. At this time, the blade base 140 is urged by the extension coil spring 160 in the direction of arrow X '. Therefore, the position of the blade table 140 is regulated by the push plate 132 and the coil spring 160, and as a result, the carriage 130 moves in the direction of arrow C while the wiping blade 50 remains at the wiping position. As a result, the ink adhering to the ink ejection surface 22k is reliably wiped off by the wiping blade 50, and the ink ejection surface 22k is cleaned. Therefore, after this cleaning, the ink is favorably ejected from the ink ejection surface 22k.

[0064]

As described above, in the first cleaning mechanism of the present invention, the wiping blade or the carriage is relatively moved in the positioning direction by the positioning means, and the wiping blade rubs the ink discharge surface. . Therefore, all of the ink adhering to the ink ejection surface is reliably wiped by the wiping blade, and the ink ejection surface is cleaned. As a result,
Ink is favorably ejected from the ink ejection surface.

Here, the positioning means comprises: a blade base having the wiping blade fixed to an upper part thereof and moving in the vertical direction and the positioning direction; and a blade base such that the wiping blade is positioned at the wiping position. A guide portion formed on the carriage, and a carriage restricting portion formed on the carriage that regulates the blade base so that the wiping blade located at the wiping position does not deviate from the wiping position. In the case where the wiping blade is provided, the wiping blade is reliably located at the wiping position by the guide portion and the carriage regulating portion, so that the ink ejection surface is more reliably cleaned. Further, a positioning means having a simple configuration can be obtained.

Further, the positioning means comprises: a blade base fixed to an upper part of the wiping blade and moving in the vertical direction and the positioning direction; and a blade base such that the wiping blade is positioned at the wiping position. In the case where the carriage is provided with a carriage rail formed on the carriage, the blade base is guided by the carriage rail, and the wiping blade is located at the wiping position, so that the ink ejection surface is more reliably cleaned. . Further, a positioning means having a simple configuration can be obtained.

Further, in the case where the blade base has a blade base restricting portion for restricting the print head and the wiping blade from moving in the vertical direction, the print head and the wiping blade are connected to the blade base restricting portion. , The amount of penetration of the wiping blade into the ink ejection surface is constant. For this reason, the ink adhering to the ink ejection surface is more reliably wiped off.

Further, when the cleaning mechanism has a drive source for moving the carriage in the main scanning direction and moving the blade base in the vertical direction, the carriage and the blade base are moved by one drive source. The number of parts can be reduced.

Further, according to the second cleaning mechanism of the present invention, the wiping blade or the print head relatively moves in the positioning direction by the positioning means, and the wiping blade rubs the ink ejection surface.
Therefore, the ink adhering to the ink ejection surface is wiped off by the wiping blade, and the ink ejection surface is cleaned. As a result, the ink is favorably ejected from the ink ejection surface.

Here, the positioning means comprises: a blade base fixed to the upper part, the wiping blade moving in the vertical direction and the positioning direction; and the blade base so that the wiping blade is located at the wiping position. And a guide portion formed on the print head, and a print head restriction formed on the print head, which restricts the blade base so that the wiping blade located at the wiping position does not deviate from the wiping position. In this case, since the wiping blade is reliably positioned at the wiping position by the guide portion and the print head regulating portion, the ink ejection surface is more reliably cleaned. Further, a positioning means having a simple configuration can be obtained.

Further, the positioning means comprises: a blade base fixed to an upper part of the wiping blade and moving in the vertical direction and the positioning direction; and a blade base so that the wiping blade is located at the wiping position. When the print head rail is provided with a guide head formed on the print head, the blade base is guided by the print head rail, and the wiping blade is located at the wiping position. Will be cleaned. Further, a positioning means having a simple configuration can be obtained.

Further, when the blade base has a blade base restricting portion for restricting the print head and the wiping blade from moving in the vertical direction, the print head and the wiping blade are connected to the blade base restricting portion. , The amount of penetration of the wiping blade into the ink ejection surface is constant. For this reason, the ink adhering to the ink ejection surface is more reliably wiped off.

Further, when the cleaning mechanism has a drive source for moving the carriage in the main scanning direction and moving the blade stand in the vertical direction, the carriage and the blade stand can be moved by one drive source. Because it can be moved, the number of parts can be reduced.

Further, according to the third cleaning mechanism of the present invention, the wiping blade moves to the wiping position by the moving means, and the wiping blade rubs the ink ejection surface. Therefore, the ink adhering to the ink ejection surface is wiped off by the wiping blade, and the ink ejection surface is cleaned. As a result, the ink is favorably ejected from the ink ejection surface.

Here, when the moving means has a pressing plate fixed to the carriage, the moving means pushes the blade base toward the wiping position as the carriage approaches the blade base. Since the pressing plate pushes the blade table toward the wiping position as the carriage approaches the blade table, the wiping blade is reliably positioned at the wiping position. Therefore, the ink ejection surface is more reliably cleaned. Further, a moving means having a simple configuration can be obtained.

When the carriage moves toward the non-wiping position as the carriage moves away from the blade carriage, the blade mechanism becomes an easy-to-use cleaning mechanism.

Further, when the cleaning mechanism includes an urging means for urging the blade base toward the non-wiping position, the wiping blade is located at the non-wiping position when the ink ejection surface is not cleaned. Therefore, an easy-to-use cleaning mechanism can be obtained.

Further, when positioning means for determining the position of the blade base and the position of the carriage or the print head so that the wiping blade is located at the wiping position is provided, the wiping blade is moved by the positioning means to the wiping position. Therefore, the ink ejection surface is more reliably cleaned.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a plotter in which a cleaning mechanism of the present invention is incorporated.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing a carriage on which a print head is mounted.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the cleaning mechanism before the wiping blade reaches a wiping position.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing the cleaning mechanism in which a wiping blade is located at a wiping position.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view showing a carriage on which a part of members constituting a cleaning mechanism of another example is formed.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the carriage of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7A is a side view showing a print head on which a part of members constituting a cleaning mechanism of another example is formed, and FIG. 7B is a bottom view of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing the cleaning mechanism before the wiping blade reaches a wiping position.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a cleaning mechanism in which a wiping blade is located at a wiping position.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing the cleaning mechanism before the wiping blade reaches a wiping position.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the cleaning mechanism of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a state where the push plate has begun to contact the slide table.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a state in which the wiping blade is located at the wiping position by the pressing plate pressing the slide base.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing the cleaning mechanism of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 plotter 20, 70, 130 carriage 22K, 90 print head 22k ink discharge surface 40, 120 cleaning mechanism 42 guide rib 44, 46 regulating plate 50 wiping blade 52, 140 blade base 54, 110 lift base 54a, 54b, 110a, 142 Rib 56 Lift slider 60 Solenoid 72, 74 Carriage rail 92 Print head rail 132 Push plate 150 Slide base 160 Tension coil spring

Claims (15)

[Claims] A print head having an ink ejection surface on which ink is ejected, a carriage reciprocating in a predetermined main scanning direction substantially parallel to the ink ejection surface, and the carriage being moved in the main scanning direction. In an ink-jet image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink from the ink ejection surface while reciprocating, the ink moves vertically in a direction substantially perpendicular to the ink ejection surface and adheres to the ink ejection surface. A cleaning mechanism including a wiping blade for wiping ink, wherein the wiping blade is positioned at a wiping position at which the wiping blade slides on the ink ejection surface, so that the wiping blade is positioned at a position substantially orthogonal to both the vertical direction and the main scanning direction. To move the wiping blade or the carriage relatively in the direction Cleaning mechanism, characterized in that with a defined unit. 2. The positioning means comprises: a blade base fixed to an upper part of the wiping blade, the blade base moving in the vertical direction and the positioning direction; and the blade base so that the wiping blade is located at the wiping position. A guide portion formed on the carriage for guiding, and a carriage regulating portion formed on the carriage for regulating the blade base so that the wiping blade located at the wiping position does not deviate from the wiping position. The cleaning mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning mechanism is a cleaning mechanism. 3. The positioning means comprises: a blade base fixed to an upper part of the wiping blade, the blade base moving in the vertical direction and the positioning direction; and the blade base being positioned at the wiping position. The cleaning mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a carriage rail formed on the carriage for guiding. 4. The blade platform according to claim 2, wherein the blade platform has a blade platform regulating portion that regulates the print head and the wiping blade from moving in the vertical direction. Cleaning mechanism. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a drive source for moving the carriage in the main scanning direction and moving the blade table in the vertical direction. The cleaning mechanism as described. 6. A carriage having a print head on which an ink ejection surface from which ink is ejected is mounted and reciprocating in a predetermined main scanning direction substantially parallel to the ink ejection surface, wherein the carriage is moved in the main scanning direction. In an ink-jet image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink from the ink ejection surface while reciprocating, the ink moves vertically in a direction substantially perpendicular to the ink ejection surface and adheres to the ink ejection surface. In a cleaning mechanism including a wiping blade for wiping ink, a positioning substantially orthogonal to both the vertical direction and the main scanning direction such that the wiping blade is located at a wiping position where the wiping blade rubs the ink ejection surface. To move the wiping blade or the print head relative to the Cleaning mechanism, characterized in that with a defined unit. 7. The positioning means, wherein the wiping blade is fixed to an upper part and moves in the vertical direction and the positioning direction; and the blade base is positioned so that the wiping blade is located at the wiping position. A guide portion formed on the print head for guiding, and a print head restricting portion formed on the print head for restricting the blade base so that the wiping blade located at the wiping position does not deviate from the wiping position. 7. The cleaning mechanism according to claim 6, comprising: 8. The positioning means, wherein the wiping blade is fixed to an upper part and moves in the vertical direction and the positioning direction; and the blade base is positioned so that the wiping blade is positioned at the wiping position. 7. The cleaning mechanism according to claim 6, further comprising a print head rail formed on the print head for guiding. 9. The blade stand according to claim 7, wherein the blade stand has a blade stand restricting portion that restricts the print head and the wiping blade from moving in the vertical direction. Cleaning mechanism. 10. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a drive source for moving the carriage in the main scanning direction and moving the blade base in the vertical direction. The cleaning mechanism as described. 11. A carriage mounted with a print head on which an ink ejection surface for ejecting ink is formed, and reciprocating in a predetermined main scanning direction substantially parallel to the ink ejection surface, wherein the carriage is moved in the main scanning direction. In an ink-jet image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink from the ink ejection surface while reciprocating, the ink moves vertically in a direction substantially perpendicular to the ink ejection surface and adheres to the ink ejection surface. In a cleaning mechanism provided with a wiping blade for wiping ink, the wiping blade moves between a wiping position where the wiping blade slides on the ink ejection surface and a non-wiping position deviated from the wiping position, wherein the wiping blade is fixed to an upper portion. Blade carriage, and as the carriage approaches the blade carriage, Cleaning mechanism whose serial wiping blade is characterized in that a moving means for moving the blade platform to move in the wiping position. 12. The moving means has a pressing plate fixed to the carriage, which pushes the blade base toward the wiping position as the carriage approaches the blade base. The cleaning mechanism according to claim 11, wherein 13. The cleaning mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the blade table moves toward the non-wiping position as the carriage moves away from the blade table. 14. The cleaning mechanism according to claim 11, further comprising an urging means for urging the blade base toward the non-wiping position. 15. A device according to claim 11, further comprising positioning means for determining a position of said blade base and a position of said carriage or said print head so that said wiping blade is located at said wiping position.
The cleaning mechanism according to any one of claims 4 to 4.