JP2011161652A - Liquid jetting device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a liquid ejecting apparatus capable of preventing liquid particles such as paper dust from adhering to a nozzle surface and performing highly reliable liquid ejecting.
A transport device that transports a recording medium, a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid from a nozzle onto the recording medium transported by the transport device, and a wiping that wipes a nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head. The droplet discharge device 1 includes a member 30 and a grounding unit 12 that grounds the nozzle forming surface using the wiping member 30 when the liquid ejecting head 2 is in the liquid ejecting mode.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus.

  As a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid, for example, an ink jet recording apparatus that records characters and images on a recording medium is known. An ink jet recording apparatus is configured to perform recording on a recording medium by ejecting ink onto the recording medium from a nozzle provided in an ejection head while conveying the recording medium.

  Incidentally, the recording medium may come into contact with the nozzle surface of the ejection head during conveyance. At this time, the nozzle surface may be charged by rubbing against the recording medium. Further, in recording paper generally used as a recording medium, foreign matters such as paper dust adhere to the edge and the surface which are the cut surface of the recording paper. When the recording medium and the ejection head are charged to different potentials, the foreign matter may adhere to the charged nozzle surface, leading to ejection failure.

  On the other hand, a technique is known in which foreign matter is removed by rubbing the surface of a recording sheet in the middle of conveyance below the nozzle surface with a static elimination needle member (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, a technique is known in which a voltage is applied to a platen for feeding recording paper and electrostatic force is used to prevent foreign matters such as paper dust from adhering to the nozzle surface (for example, Patent Documents). 2).

JP 2003-220695 A JP-A-10-147035

  However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a possibility that paper dust is more likely to be generated by contact between the electrostatic brush and the paper surface. In addition, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 is not reliable because paper dust and foreign matter may adhere to the print area due to the airflow of the driven roller when the paper supply / discharge speed is high. .

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a liquid ejecting apparatus that can prevent foreign matters such as paper dust from adhering to the nozzle surface and perform highly reliable liquid ejecting. For the purpose.

  In order to solve the above problems, a liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention includes a transport device that transports a recording medium, a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid from nozzles onto the recording medium transported by the transport device, and the liquid A wiping member for wiping the nozzle formation surface of the ejection head, and a grounding means for grounding the nozzle formation surface using the wiping member when the liquid ejection head is in a liquid ejection mode. Features.

  According to the liquid ejecting apparatus of the invention, it is possible to ground the nozzle formation surface charged by the contact of the recording medium being conveyed, thereby eliminating the charge on the nozzle formation surface. Therefore, for example, paper dust generated when paper is used as the recording medium is prevented from being attracted to the charged nozzle forming surface and attached as foreign matter. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of liquid ejection failure due to foreign matters adhering to the nozzle forming surface, and to provide a highly reliable apparatus that can eject liquid from the nozzle with high accuracy.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the grounding means includes the wiping member having conductivity and a holding unit that holds the wiping member and has conductivity and is grounded.
According to this configuration, since the wiping member itself has conductivity, the nozzle forming surface and the holding portion can be conducted through the wiping member, and the nozzle forming surface can be neutralized.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the grounding unit includes a holding unit that holds the wiping member having a conductive film on one surface and has conductivity and is grounded.
According to this configuration, the nozzle formation surface and the holding portion can be electrically connected via the conductive film, and the nozzle formation surface can be neutralized.

Further, in the liquid ejecting apparatus, the grounding unit includes a holding unit that holds the wiping member and has conductivity and is grounded, and wiping the nozzle forming surface on which the liquid adheres, thereby wiping the wiping member. It is preferable that the nozzle forming surface and the holding portion are electrically connected through the liquid adhered to the surface.
According to this configuration, by wiping the nozzle forming surface, the nozzle forming surface and the holding portion can be conducted through the liquid attached to the surface of the wiping member, and the nozzle forming surface can be neutralized.

Further, in the liquid ejecting apparatus, when the wiping member wipes the nozzle forming surface, the wiping member adjusts the position of the wiping member so as to be separated from the nozzle forming surface in the nozzle region where the nozzle is formed. It is preferable to provide position adjusting means.
According to this configuration, since the wiping member position adjusting unit separates the wiping member from the nozzle region, the wiping member does not contact the nozzle region. Therefore, it can be prevented that the wiping member breaks the meniscus in the nozzle or the wiping paper powder is pushed into the nozzle to cause ejection failure.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the wiping member is formed in a state where a position corresponding to a nozzle region in which the nozzle is formed on the nozzle forming surface is recessed.
According to this configuration, the wiping member does not contact the nozzle region. Therefore, it can prevent that the wiping member destroys the meniscus in a nozzle.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the wiping member wipes the nozzle forming surface with a weak force compared to a wiping operation for wiping the nozzle forming surface during cleaning of the liquid ejecting head.
According to this configuration, since the wiping member wipes the nozzle forming surface with a weak force compared to the wiping operation during cleaning, the wiping member can be prevented from destroying the meniscus in the nozzle.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the recording medium is paper.
When paper is used as the recording medium, the generation of paper dust cannot be avoided. However, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent paper dust from adhering to the nozzle forming surface being grounded. Therefore, it is possible to prevent liquid ejection failure caused by paper dust.

1 is an external perspective view showing a printer. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a recording head. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a printer. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of a grounding mechanism. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of a grounding mechanism. It is a figure which shows the structure of the grounding mechanism which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement and effect of a grounding mechanism. It is a figure which shows the structure of the grounding mechanism which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the grounding mechanism which concerns on 4th Embodiment, and its periphery structure. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of a grounding mechanism. It is a figure which shows the structure of the wiper which concerns on 5th Embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the liquid ejecting apparatus of the invention will be described. The present embodiment is specifically described for better understanding of the gist of the invention, and does not limit the invention unless otherwise specified. In addition, in the drawings used in the following description, in order to make the features of the present invention easier to understand, there is a case where a main part is shown in an enlarged manner for convenience, and the dimensional ratio of each component is the same as the actual one. Not necessarily.
Hereinafter, as an embodiment of the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention, an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer) will be exemplified.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a printer (liquid ejecting apparatus) of the invention. The printer (liquid ejecting apparatus) 1 includes a recording head (fluid ejecting head) 2 that is a kind of fluid ejecting head, and a carriage 4 that holds an ink cartridge 3. The ink cartridge 3 stores ink (liquid) ejected from the recording head 2 and needs only to be detachably attached to the carriage 4.

  The printer (liquid ejecting apparatus) 1 is a carriage that is arranged below the recording head 2 and moves the platen 5 and the carriage 4 for conveying the recording paper (recording medium) 6 along the paper width direction of the recording paper 6. A moving mechanism 7 and a paper feeding mechanism (conveying device) 8 for conveying the recording paper 6 in the paper feeding direction are provided. The paper width direction here refers to the main scanning direction (head scanning direction: X direction in the figure). Further, the paper feed direction is the sub-scanning direction (direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction: Y direction in the figure).

  In the printer 1 of the present embodiment, for example, magenta, yellow, and cyan inks are supplied from the ink cartridge 3 to the recording head 2. In addition to this, for example, ink such as white or black may be further provided.

  Further, the ink cartridge 3 is not only mounted on the carriage 4 as in this embodiment, but is mounted on the housing side of the printer 1 and supplies ink to the recording head 2 via an ink supply tube, for example. There may be.

  The carriage 4 is movably attached to the guide rod 9. The guide rod 9 constitutes a support member that is installed along the main scanning direction X. The carriage 4 is moved along the main scanning direction X along the guide rod 9 by the carriage moving mechanism 7.

  The printer 1 is provided with a linear encoder 10. The linear encoder 10 detects the position of the carriage 4 in the main scanning direction X. The detected signal is transmitted as position information to a control unit (not shown). A control device 58, which will be described later, recognizes the scanning position of the recording head 2 based on the position information detected by the linear encoder 10, and controls the recording operation (discharge operation) by the recording head 2.

  Of the moving range along the main scanning direction X of the recording head 2, a home position serving as a scanning starting point of the recording head 2 is set in an area outside the platen 5. A cleaning mechanism 11 is provided at the home position. The cleaning mechanism 11 seals the nozzle opening forming surface of the recording head 2 with the cap member 11a to prevent the ink solvent from evaporating. The cleaning mechanism 11 is also used for a cleaning operation for applying a negative pressure to the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 2 in a sealed state to forcibly suck and discharge ink.

  In addition, the cleaning mechanism 11 includes a wiper portion 11 b that wipes the ejection surface on which the nozzle openings of the recording head 2 are formed. When the recording head 2 moves from the region of the platen 5 toward the cleaning mechanism 11 along the main scanning direction X, the wiper unit 11b slides the wiper unit 11b on the entire ejection surface of the recording head 2 to thereby make the nozzle Wipe off ink adhering to the periphery of the opening. The wiper part 11b is comprised from elastic members, such as an elastomer, for example.

  The printer 1 also includes a grounding mechanism (grounding means) 12 for neutralizing the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 2. The grounding mechanism 12 has a moving mechanism (not shown), and can move along the X direction shown in FIG. 1 together with the recording head 2 mounted on the carriage 4.

  The grounding mechanism 12 includes a wiper 30 that wipes the ejection surface 23 (see FIG. 2) on which the nozzles 24 of the recording head 2 are formed. The wiper 30 wipes the nozzle forming surface for a purpose different from that of the wiper 30 in the cleaning mechanism 11, and the configuration and operation of the wiper 30 will be described in detail later.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a recording head (liquid ejecting head).
The recording head 2 includes a head body 48 and a flow path forming unit 42 including a vibration plate 19, a flow path substrate 20, and a nozzle substrate 21. The nozzle 24 is formed on the nozzle substrate 21.

  The flow path forming unit 42 is a unit in which the diaphragm 19, the flow path substrate 20, and the nozzle substrate 21 are laminated and joined together with an adhesive or the like. The recording head 2 is used as a so-called line head in which a number of nozzles 24 are arranged over a length (maximum recording paper width) of the maximum size recording paper (recording medium) targeted by the printer 1. You may do it.

  The recording head 2 includes an accommodation space 63 formed in the head main body 48 and a drive unit 44 disposed in the accommodation space 63. The drive unit 44 includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements 65, a fixing member 26 that supports the upper end of the piezoelectric element 65, and a flexible cable 27 that supplies a drive signal to the piezoelectric element 65. The piezoelectric element 65 is provided so as to correspond to each of the plurality of nozzles 24.

  The recording head 2 is formed inside the head main body 48, and includes an internal flow path 68 through which ink (liquid) supplied from an ink cartridge through an ink supply tube flows, a vibration plate 19, a flow path substrate 20, and A common ink chamber 29 formed by the flow path forming unit 42 including the nozzle substrate 21 and connected to the internal flow path 68; an ink supply port 40 formed by the flow path forming unit 42 and connected to the common ink chamber 29; And a pressure chamber 41 formed by the flow path forming unit 42 and connected to the ink supply port 40. A plurality of pressure chambers 41 are provided so as to correspond to the plurality of nozzles 24. Each of the plurality of nozzles 24 is connected to each of the plurality of pressure chambers 41.

  The head main body 48 may be made of, for example, a synthetic resin. The diaphragm 19 may be any one obtained by laminating an elastic film on a metal support plate such as stainless steel. An island portion 42 that is joined to the lower end of the piezoelectric element 65 is formed at a portion corresponding to the pressure chamber 41 of the diaphragm 19. At least a part of the diaphragm 19 is elastically deformed according to the driving of the piezoelectric element 65. A compliance portion 43 is formed between the diaphragm 19 and the vicinity of the lower end of the internal flow path 68.

  The flow path substrate 20 has recesses for forming spaces for the common ink chamber 29, the ink supply port 40, and the pressure chamber 41 that connect the lower end of the internal flow path 68 and the nozzle 24. The flow path substrate 20 is obtained, for example, by anisotropically etching silicon.

  The nozzle substrate 21 has a plurality of nozzles 24 formed at a predetermined interval (pitch) in a predetermined direction. The nozzle substrate 21 of the present embodiment is a plate-like member formed of a metal such as stainless steel. The lower surface of the nozzle substrate 21 constitutes an ejection surface (nozzle formation surface) 23 in which the open ends of the plurality of nozzles 24 are exposed as will be described later. The plurality of nozzles 24 are arranged in a predetermined number (see FIG. 9). For example, in this embodiment, the nozzles 24 are collectively formed for each predetermined number as the nozzle groups (nozzle regions) A, B, and C. From these nozzle groups A, B, and C, magenta, yellow, and cyan inks are ejected, respectively.

  The printer 1 configured as described above has an ink cartridge (not shown) as an ink storage part (fluid storage part) for storing ink, and the ink supplied from the ink cartridge via the ink supply tube is shown in FIG. It is comprised so that it may flow into the upper end of the internal flow path 68 shown. The lower end of the internal flow path 68 is connected to the common ink chamber 29, and the ink that has flowed from the ink cartridge into the upper end of the internal flow path 68 via the ink supply tube (not shown) flows through the internal flow path 68. Thereafter, the ink is supplied to the common ink chamber 29. The ink supplied to the common ink chamber 29 is supplied so as to be distributed to each of the plurality of pressure chambers 41 via the ink supply port 40.

  When a drive signal is input to the piezoelectric element 65 via the cable 27, the piezoelectric element 65 expands and contracts. Then, the diaphragm 19 is deformed (moved) in a direction toward and away from the pressure chamber 41. As a result, the volume of the pressure chamber 41 changes, and the pressure of the pressure chamber 41 containing ink fluctuates. Ink is ejected (discharged) from the nozzles 24 due to this pressure fluctuation. Thus, the piezoelectric element 65 varies the pressure of the pressure chamber 41 connected to the nozzle 24 based on the input drive signal in order to eject ink from the nozzle 24.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the above-described printer (liquid ejecting apparatus).
The printer 1 includes a control device 58 that controls the operation of the entire printer 1. Connected to the control device 58 are an input device 59 for inputting various information relating to the operation of the printer 1 and a storage device 60 storing various information relating to the operation of the printer 1.

  Further, the carriage 58, the paper feed mechanism 8, the cleaning mechanism 11, the grounding mechanism 12, and the like are connected to the control device 58. Further, a drive signal generator 62 that generates a drive signal to be input to the piezoelectric element 65 is connected to the control device 58.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the grounding mechanism 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the grounding mechanism 12 includes a wiper 30 that wipes the ejection surface 23 of the recording head 2 and a wiper holding member 31 that holds the wiper 30. The wiper holding member 31 is provided with a drive mechanism (not shown), and the wiper 30 is movable with respect to the ejection surface 23 of the recording head 2.

  The wiper 30 is provided with conductivity by mixing carbon black into an elastomer. The surface of the wiper 30 is subjected to lyophilic treatment that exhibits lyophilicity with respect to the ink. The wiper holding member 31 is made of a metal such as SUS, for example, and has conductivity. The wiper holding member 31 is connected to the frame portion 1 a of the printer 1 via a lead wire 32. The frame portion 1a is grounded. That is, the wiper 30 connected to the frame portion 1a via the lead wire 32 is grounded via the wiper holding member 31 having conductivity.

  Incidentally, in the printer 1, the recording paper 6 fed by the paper feeding mechanism 8 may come into contact with the ejection surface 23 of the recording head 2. At this time, the ejection surface 23 is charged by friction when the recording paper 6 and the nozzle substrate 21 including the ejection surface 23 rub against each other. As a result, the paper dust from the recording paper 6 may adhere as a foreign matter to the opening end of the nozzle 24 of the jetting surface 23 that has been charged, which may cause ink ejection failure.

  On the other hand, the printer 1 according to this embodiment uses the grounding mechanism 12 to neutralize the ejection surface 23. The grounding mechanism 12 neutralizes the ejection surface 23 when the recording head 2 is in the ink ejection mode. Here, the ink ejection mode means a state in which ink can be ejected from the nozzles 24 of the recording head 2 to the recording paper 6. The timing of discharging in the ink ejection mode includes a timing immediately before starting printing on the recording paper 6 and a timing during the continuous printing process on the recording paper 6.

  For example, when printing is continuously performed on a large number of recording papers 6, the printer 1 periodically performs a flushing process for each predetermined number of sheets in order to maintain the discharge accuracy at the nozzles 24. The grounding mechanism 12 neutralizes the ejection surface 23 at every such regular flushing. Note that, during the continuous printing of a large number of sheets as described above, the frequency of contact between the recording head 2 and the recording paper 6 increases, so that the ejection surface 23 is easily charged. Therefore, the ejection surface 23 may be neutralized by the grounding mechanism 12 for each sheet of recording paper or for each paper feed by the paper feed mechanism 8. Thereby, it is possible to reliably prevent the ejection surface 23 from being charged.

  The grounding mechanism 12 wipes the ejection surface 23 of the recording head 2 by the wiper 30 as shown in FIG. 5 by moving the wiper holding member 31 relative to the ejection surface 23 of the recording head 2. At this time, the conductive wiper 30 is electrically connected to the frame portion 1a via the wiper holding member 31 and the lead wire 32, thereby removing the charge charged on the ejection surface 23 via the grounded frame portion 1a. be able to.

  The wiper 30 desirably wipes the entire area of the ejection surface 23. In the present embodiment, the pressing pressure that the grounding mechanism 12 presses the wiper 30 against the ejection surface 23 is weaker than the pressing pressure that presses the wiper portion 11 b of the cleaning mechanism 11 against the ejection surface 23. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the ink meniscus in the nozzle 24 from being destroyed due to the wiper 30 being excessively pressed against the ejection surface 23. Therefore, after the wiping operation of the ejection surface 23 by the wiper 30 of the grounding mechanism 12, the ink can be ejected favorably from the nozzle 24.

  As described above, according to the printer 1 according to the present embodiment, the ejection surface 23 charged by the grounding mechanism 12 can be neutralized, so that the paper dust from the recording paper 6 is prevented from adhering as a foreign substance due to electrostatic force. can do. Therefore, it is possible to provide a highly reliable printer that can prevent ejection failure of ink due to foreign matter adhering to the ejection surface 23 and can eject liquid from the nozzles with high accuracy.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a configuration according to the second embodiment of the printer will be described. The difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is only the configuration of the grounding mechanism, and the other configurations are the same. In the following description, the same components and members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted or simplified.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the grounding mechanism 112 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation and effects of the grounding mechanism 112. As shown in FIG. 6, in the grounding mechanism 112 of the present embodiment, a conductive film 130 a is provided on one side of the wiper 130. The wiper 130 is made of an elastomer, and the conductive film 130a is a film in which carbon black is mixed into the elastomer to provide conductivity.

  The wiper 130 provided with the conductive film 130a on one surface is held by the same wiper holding member 31 as in the first embodiment. Further, the wiper holding member 31 is connected to the grounded frame portion 1a through a lead wire 32.

  Also in the printer 1 according to this embodiment, the ejection surface 23 can be neutralized by using the grounding mechanism 112. The grounding mechanism 112 wipes the ejection surface 23 of the recording head 2 with the wiper 30 by moving the wiper holding member 31 relative to the ejection surface 23 of the recording head 2 as shown in FIG. At this time, the conductive film 130a formed on the wiper 30 is electrically connected to the frame portion 1a via the wiper holding member 31 and the lead wire 32, thereby charging the ejection surface 23 via the grounded frame portion 1a. Charge is removed.

  In the present embodiment, the wiper 130 can be used instead of the wiper portion 11b of the cleaning mechanism 11 and used for a wiping operation for wiping ink adhering to the ejection surface 23 by a suction operation or the like. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7B, the wiper 130 is wiped on the ejection surface 23 of the recording head 2 by moving the wiper 130 relative to the ejection surface 23 of the recording head 2. At this time, the surface of the wiper 130 on which the conductive film 130 a is not provided is brought into contact with the ejection surface 23. Therefore, the wiper 130 can wipe off the ink L adhering to the ejection surface 23 satisfactorily.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a configuration according to the third embodiment of the printer will be described. The difference between the present embodiment and the first and second embodiments is only the configuration of the grounding mechanism, and the other configurations are the same. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations and the same members as those in the above embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted or simplified.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the grounding mechanism 212 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the operation and effect of the grounding mechanism 212. As shown in FIG. 8, the grounding mechanism 212 of this embodiment includes a wiper 230 and a wiper holding member 31. The wiper 230 is made of a flexible member such as an elastomer. Unlike the above-described embodiment, the wiper 230 itself has no conductivity, and only the wiper holding member 31 has conductivity. It has become a thing.

  Also in the printer 1 according to this embodiment, the ejection surface 23 can be neutralized by using the grounding mechanism 212. The grounding mechanism 212 according to the present embodiment uses the ink L attached to the ejection surface 23 by the ink ejection operation.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the grounding mechanism 212 wipes the ejection surface 23 of the recording head 2 with the wiper 230 by moving the wiper holding member 31 relative to the ejection surface 23 of the recording head 2. At this time, a part of the ink L wiped off from the ejection surface 23 is transmitted through the surface of the wiper 230 so that the wiper holding member 31 and the ejection surface 23 are electrically connected via the ink L. Therefore, the charge charged on the ejection surface 23 can be removed through the grounded frame portion 1a.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a configuration according to the fourth embodiment of the printer will be described. The difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is only that the grounding mechanism is provided with a wiper position adjusting means to be described later, and the rest of the configuration is the same. In the following description, the same components and members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted or simplified.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the grounding mechanism 12 according to the present embodiment and its peripheral configuration, and FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the grounding mechanism 12. As shown in FIG. 9, the grounding mechanism 12 of this embodiment includes a wiper position adjusting unit (wiping member position adjusting unit) 33 that adjusts the position of the wiper 30.

  Plate members 34, 34 along the main scanning direction X of the recording head 2 are provided on both sides of the ejection surface 23 along the sub-scanning direction Y of the recording head 2. These plate-like members 34 are formed with cam grooves 35, 35 that extend along the main scanning direction X (horizontal direction) of the recording head 2 and bend the path in the vertical direction Z.

  The wiper holding member 31 according to the present embodiment is formed with an engaging portion 38 that engages with the cam groove 35. A wiper position adjusting means 33 is constituted by the engaging portions 38 and 38 and the plate-like members 34 and 34. The wiper 30 is slidably contacted by engagement members 38, 38 extending like arms so as to sandwich the plate-like members 34, 34 from the outside. The wiper position adjusting means 33 slides the wiper 30 against the ejection surface 23 of the recording head 2 that moves toward the home position along the main scanning direction X, and wipes the ejection surface 23 of the recording head 2. The interval between the wiper 30 and the ejection surface 23, that is, the position in the vertical direction Z is changed.

  In order to adjust the position of the wiper portion 12 in the vertical direction Z, the cam grooves 35, 35 are arranged in the vertical direction so as to form a plurality of operation positions in the middle of the path extending in the main scanning direction X (horizontal direction). The path is bent along Z. As a result, when the recording head 2 moves toward the home position, the engaging members 38 and 38 and the cam grooves 35 and 35 are engaged, and the engaging members 38 and 38 start from one end of the cam grooves 35 and 35. During the relative movement to the other end, it moves between a plurality of operating positions along the vertical direction Z.

  The cam grooves 35, 35 are arranged on the basis of the operating position L 1 in the horizontal direction Z that maintains a predetermined distance from the ejection surface 23 of the recording head 2 in the region where the nozzle groups A, B, C are formed. , B, and C are bent to the action position L2 closer to the ejection surface 23 along the horizontal direction Z than to the action position L1 (see FIG. 10). In addition, it is preferable that the both ends of the cam grooves 35 and 35 are widened along the horizontal direction Z so that the engaging members 38 and 38 are led out and inserted without being caught by the cam grooves 35 and 35. .

  FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing stepwise the movement when the wiper 30 wipes the ejection surface 23 in the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation of the printer 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the recording head 2 moves from the recording area facing the recording paper toward the home position and reaches the position where the wiper 30 is formed, the engaging member 38 engages with the cam groove 35 (see FIG. 10A). In this state, the cam groove 35 is at the operating position L2 in the horizontal direction Z, and the wiper 30 held by the wiper holding member 31 is held at a position where the tip thereof is in contact with the ejection surface 23 of the recording head 2.

  When the recording head 2 moves along the main scanning direction X and reaches the position where the wiper 30 and the nozzle group A face each other, the cam groove 35 is bent to the operating position L1, and the engaging member 38 is ejected following this. It separates from the surface 23 (refer FIG.10 (b)). As a result, the wiper 30 is separated from the ejection surface 23. As a result, the wiper 30 is brought into a non-contact state with the ejection surface 23, and the meniscus of ink in each nozzle 24 of the nozzle group A is prevented from being destroyed.

  When the wiper 30 deviates from the position facing the nozzle group A, the wiper 30 returns to the operating position L2 again following the bending of the cam groove 35. Then, the wiper 30 moves while wiping the non-formation region of the nozzle 24. Further, when the recording head 2 moves along the main scanning direction X and reaches a position where the wiper 30 and the nozzle group B face each other, the cam groove 35 is bent again to the operation position L1, and the engagement member follows this. 38 is separated from the ejection surface 23. As a result, the wiper 30 is separated from the ejection surface 23, and the wiper 30 is not in contact with the ejection surface 23, thereby preventing the ink meniscus in each nozzle 24 of the nozzle group B from being destroyed. Is done.

  Thereafter, similarly, when the wiper 30 moves away from the position facing the nozzle group B, the wiper 30 returns to the operating position L2 (see FIG. 10C), and when the wiper 30 reaches the position facing the nozzle group C. The wiper 30 moves again to the operating position L1, and the wiper 30 is separated from the ejection surface 23. When the wiper 30 moves away from the position facing the nozzle group C, the wiper 30 returns to the operating position L2, and the wiper 30 moves while wiping the non-formation region of the nozzle 24.

  As described above, the printer 1 according to this embodiment includes the wiper at the position facing the area where the nozzle 24 has the open end, that is, the area where the nozzle groups A, B, and C are formed, on the ejection surface 23 of the recording head 2. The wiper 30 can be selectively separated from the recording head 2 only when there is 30, and the wiper 30 can wipe the ejection surface 23 in the area where the nozzle groups A, B, and C are not formed.

As described above, according to the configuration according to the present embodiment, the wiper 30 directly wipes the nozzle 24 to prevent the ink meniscus in the nozzle 24 from being destroyed. Therefore, after the wiping operation of the ejection surface 23 by the wiper 30 of the grounding mechanism 12, the ink can be ejected favorably from the nozzle 24.
In the present description, the configuration in which the wiper position adjusting means is provided in the first embodiment has been described. However, the wiper position adjusting means may be provided in the configurations according to the second and third embodiments.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, the configuration according to the fifth embodiment of the printer will be described. The difference between the present embodiment and the first to third embodiments is only the shape of the wiper of the grounding mechanism, and the other configurations are the same. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations and the same members as those in the above embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted or simplified. In addition, about structures other than the shape of a wiper, the structure in any one of the said 1st-3rd earthing | grounding mechanism is applicable.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of the wiper according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11A, the wiper 330 in the present embodiment wipes the ejection surface 23 along the arrangement direction (Y direction in the figure) of the nozzle groups A, B, and C of the recording head 2. ing.

  The wiper 330 has a lateral width corresponding to the X direction of the ejection surface 23 and is provided with a recess 330a at a position corresponding to the nozzle groups A, B, and C. As a result, the wiper 330 creates a gap between the wiper 330 and the nozzles 24 of the nozzle groups A, B, and C when the wiper 330 contacts the ejection surface 23 as shown in FIG. Can do. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of the problem that the ink meniscus in the nozzle 24 is destroyed when the wiper 330 contacts the nozzle 24.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the liquid ejecting apparatus is an ink jet printer has been described as an example. However, the liquid ejecting apparatus is not limited to the ink jet printer, and may be a recording apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the liquid ejecting apparatus ejects a liquid (liquid material) such as ink has been described as an example. However, the present invention ejects or discharges fluid other than ink. The present invention can be applied to a liquid ejecting apparatus. Fluids that can be ejected by the liquid ejecting apparatus include liquids, liquids in which particles of functional materials are dispersed or dissolved, gel-like fluids, solids that can be ejected as fluids, and powders (toners, etc.) .

  In addition, since the present invention can neutralize the ejection surface 23 of the recording head 2 as described above, ink ejection failure occurs when dust or mist generated during ink ejection adheres to the ejection surface 23. Can be prevented. Therefore, electrode materials and colors used in the manufacture of recording media that do not generate paper dust, such as film, liquid crystal display, EL (electroluminescence) display, and surface emitting display (FED) The present invention is applicable to a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid (liquid material) in which a material such as a material is dispersed (dissolved) in a predetermined dispersion medium (solvent).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer (liquid ejecting apparatus), 2 ... Recording head (liquid ejecting head), 8 ... Paper feed mechanism (conveyance apparatus), 12 ... Grounding mechanism (grounding means), 23 ... Ejecting surface (nozzle forming surface), 24 ... Nozzle, 30 ... wiper (wiping member), 31 ... wiper holding member (holding portion), 33 ... wiper position adjusting means (wiping member position adjusting means), 112, 212 ... grounding mechanism, 130, 230, 330 ... wiper, 330a ... Recess, 130a ... Conductive film, A, B, C ... Nozzle group (nozzle formation region)

Claims (8)

A transport device for transporting the recording medium;
A liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid from nozzles onto the recording medium transported by the transport device;
A wiping member for wiping the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejecting head, and a grounding means for grounding the nozzle forming surface using the wiping member when the liquid ejecting head is in a liquid ejecting mode. A liquid ejecting apparatus.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the grounding unit includes the wiping member having conductivity, and a holding unit that holds the wiping member and has conductivity and is grounded.   2. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the grounding unit includes a holding unit that holds the wiping member provided with a conductive film on one surface, has conductivity, and is grounded. 3.   The grounding means includes a holding portion that holds the wiping member, has conductivity, and is grounded, and wipes the nozzle forming surface to which the liquid has adhered to the surface of the wiping member via the liquid. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle forming surface is electrically connected to the holding unit.   When the wiping member wipes the nozzle forming surface, the wiping member includes a wiping member position adjusting means for adjusting the position of the wiping member so as to be separated from the nozzle forming surface in the nozzle region where the nozzle is formed. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The said wiping member is formed in the state in which the position corresponding to the nozzle area | region in which the said nozzle was formed among the said nozzle formation surfaces was dented, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Liquid ejector.   5. The wiping member wipes the nozzle forming surface with a weak force as compared with a wiping operation of wiping the nozzle forming surface when cleaning the liquid ejecting head. The liquid ejecting apparatus described.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is paper.

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