JP2018164979A - Inkjet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To sufficiently clean a nozzle surface of a recording head by a wiper and improve the durability of the recording head. SOLUTION: A carriage, a recording head Hdi, a wiper sliding device including a wiper transport unit u1 and a wiper motor, a wiper wiping processing unit that wipes a nozzle surface Sd by a wiper Pt1, and a wiper transport that conveys a wiper 58. It has a processing unit, a remaining amount calculation processing unit for calculating the remaining amount of the wiper 58, and a notification processing unit. The wiper 58 does not disappear when the nozzle surface Sd is wiped. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet printer.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine, for example, an ink jet printer, a carriage is moved along a rail, and ink droplets are ejected from a recording head mounted on the carriage. By being attached to the image, an image such as a character or an image is formed, and printing is performed.

  By the way, in the ink jet printer, ink mist may adhere to the nozzle surface of the recording head and become dirty. If the nozzle surface is left dirty, the meniscus of the nozzle is damaged and the ink droplets are stabilized. It becomes impossible to discharge.

  Therefore, a maintenance device for performing maintenance of the recording head is mounted on the ink jet printer.

  The maintenance device includes a sheet member as a wiper, a pressing member that abuts the sheet member on a nozzle surface, a feeding roller that feeds out the sheet member, a take-up roller that winds up the sheet member, and the like. The nozzle surface is wiped off by contacting and moving the surface (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2014-162135 A

  However, in the conventional inkjet printer, since the remaining amount of the sheet member is not detected, the sheet member may disappear when the nozzle surface is wiped. And the seat member must be replaced with a new one.

  Therefore, by interrupting the wiping of the nozzle surface, the nozzle surface is left without being sufficiently wiped off, so that the nozzle surface cannot be sufficiently cleaned. Further, the nozzle surface may be damaged along with the replacement work of the sheet member, and in this case, the durability of the recording head is lowered.

  The present invention solves the problems of the conventional ink jet printer and provides an ink jet printer that can sufficiently clean the nozzle surface of the recording head with a wiper and improve the durability of the recording head. With the goal.

  For this purpose, in the ink jet printer of the present invention, a carriage disposed to be movable in the scanning direction, a recording head mounted on the carriage, and a wiper disposed to face the nozzle surface of the recording head. A wiper transport unit that supports the wiper, a wiper sliding device that includes a wiper motor for transporting the wiper, and a wiper wiping processing unit that wipes the nozzle surface by moving a wiping unit formed on the wiper. In order to wipe the nozzle surface by the wiping unit, the wiper motor is driven to transport the wiper by a predetermined transport amount, and the remaining amount of the wiper is calculated based on the wiper transport amount A calculation processing unit, and a notification processing unit that notifies the operator of the remaining amount of the wiper.

  According to the present invention, in the ink jet printer, the carriage disposed to be movable in the scanning direction, the recording head mounted on the carriage, and the wiper disposed to face the nozzle surface of the recording head. A wiper transport unit that supports the wiper, a wiper sliding device that includes a wiper motor for transporting the wiper, and a wiper wiping processing unit that wipes the nozzle surface by moving a wiping unit formed on the wiper. In order to wipe the nozzle surface by the wiping unit, the wiper motor is driven to transport the wiper by a predetermined transport amount, and the remaining amount of the wiper is calculated based on the wiper transport amount A calculation processing unit, and a notification processing unit that notifies the operator of the remaining amount of the wiper.

  In this case, the wiper motor is driven so that the wiper is transported by a predetermined transport amount, the remaining amount of wiper is calculated based on the transport amount of the wiper, and the operator is notified of the remaining amount of wiper. The wiper will not run out when you are.

  Therefore, since the nozzle surface is not left without being sufficiently wiped off, the nozzle surface can be sufficiently cleaned. Further, since the nozzle surface is not damaged in accordance with the wiper replacement operation, the durability of the recording head can be improved.

It is a conceptual diagram of the wipe unit in embodiment of this invention. 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the arrangement | positioning state of the wipe unit in embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the arrangement | positioning state of the pressing part in embodiment of this invention. It is a control block diagram of the inkjet printer in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the subroutine of wiper wiping, wiper conveyance, and 1st remaining amount calculation processing in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the subroutine of the 2nd remaining amount calculation process in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the winding diameter and winding length of a winding part in embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this case, an ink jet printer as an image forming apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, 10 is an ink jet printer, Fr is a main body of the ink jet printer 10, that is, a frame that supports the apparatus main body, and the frame Fr is the left end when the ink jet printer 10 is viewed from the front side (front side in the figure). Receiving plate PB arranged extending from the right end to the right end, side plate PL1 as a first main support portion formed by rising from the left end of the receiving plate PB, and rising from the right end of the receiving plate PB The side plate PR1 as the second main support portion, the frame body PL2 as the first sub-support portion formed by rising from the receiving plate PB at a predetermined distance from the side plate PL1 to the right, and the A second sub-supporting part formed by raising from the receiving plate PB to the left by a predetermined distance from the side plate PR1. Provided with a frame body PR2.

  Between the side plates PL1 and PR1, a rail 15 extends (constructs), and a carriage 17 is disposed along the rail 15 so as to be movable in the scanning direction. In the present embodiment, seven recording heads Hdi (i = 1, 2,..., 7) (FIG. 1), which will be described later, have a surface on which a plurality of nozzles open, that is, a nozzle surface Sd. Mounted downward.

  A driving pulley 18 and a driven pulley 19 on the side plate PL1 are rotatably arranged on the side plate PR1, and an endless belt 21 is stretched between the pulleys 18 and 19 so as to run freely. The carriage 17 is attached to a predetermined portion of the belt 21. A carriage motor 22 as a carriage moving drive unit is connected to the pulley 18.

  Accordingly, by driving the carriage motor 22 and running the endless belt 21, the carriage 17 can be moved in the left-right direction, and each recording head Hdi can be moved in the left-right direction as the carriage 17 moves. At this time, the ink droplets are ejected from the recording head Hdi and adhered to the recording medium P conveyed in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the carriage 17, that is, in the sub-scanning direction. An image such as an image can be formed and printed. As the recording medium P, in addition to paper, a resin film such as vinyl chloride or PET can be used.

  A linear scale 23 is disposed along the rail 15 and extending in parallel with the rail 15, and a scale of the linear scale 23 is provided by an encoder 79 (FIG. 5) described later disposed on the carriage 17. The position of the carriage 17 is detected based on the sensor output of the encoder 79. Further, the moving speed of the carriage 17 is calculated based on the change in position of the carriage 17 and the time.

  A platen 25 having a plate shape is disposed along the rail 15 and extending in parallel with the rail 15. The platen 25 is disposed between the frames PL2 and PR2 on the receiving plate PB, and supports the recording medium P conveyed on the platen 25.

  An air suction device (not shown) for drawing the recording medium P to the platen 25 by a negative pressure is disposed below the platen 25. The air suction device includes a suction fan. Air is sucked by the fan, and the recording medium P is flatly supported by the platen 25.

  A rear paper guide (not shown) serving as a first medium guiding portion is disposed behind the platen 25. The rear paper guide guides the recording medium P fed from a feeding roll (not shown) to the platen 25. For this purpose, a transport roller pair 30 as a transport member is rotatably disposed between the rear paper guide and the platen 25 in the transport direction of the recording medium P.

  The conveyance roller pair 30 is adjacent to the platen 25 and is rotated at a plurality of locations in the moving direction of the carriage 17 as a first roller that is rotatably disposed, and above the conveyance roller 31. It comprises a pinch roller 32 as a second roller that is freely disposed and presses the recording medium P against the conveying roller 31. When a conveyance motor 78 (FIG. 5) serving as a conveyance drive unit, which will be described later, is driven and the conveyance roller 31 is rotated, the pinch roller 32 is rotated together.

  As a result, the recording medium P is fed from the feed roll while being sandwiched between the transport roller 31 and the pinch roller 32, transported along the rear paper guide, and sent onto the platen 25. Then, the recording medium P and the nozzle surface Sd of the recording head Hdi are opposed to each other, and ink droplets are ejected from the recording head Hdi and attached to the recording medium P.

  In this case, by driving the transport motor 78 to transport the recording medium P for a predetermined distance, the transport motor 78 is stopped, the carriage 17 is moved in this state, and ink droplets are ejected from the recording head Hdi. One scan is performed, and an image for one line is formed. When one scan is completed, the transport motor 78 is driven again to transport the recording medium P for a predetermined distance, and then the transport motor 78 is stopped and the carriage 17 is moved in this state to eject ink droplets from the recording head Hdi. By doing so, one scan is performed and an image for one line is formed. By repeating this operation, an image is formed on the recording medium P and printing is performed.

  In this embodiment, printing is performed by a single pass method. However, when printing is performed by a multipass method, the distance for transporting the recording medium P is a nozzle (not shown) of the recording head Hdi. An image for one line is formed by performing scanning a plurality of times shorter than the column.

  A front paper guide 33 as a second medium guiding portion for guiding the recording medium P after printing to the medium discharge port Eq is disposed in front of the platen 25. The front paper guide 33 has a curved shape in order to guide the recording medium P discharged from the platen 25 in the horizontal direction downward.

  Therefore, the recording medium P supplied from a medium introduction port (not shown) is guided by the rear paper guide and sent to the platen 25. On the platen 25, the ink droplets ejected from the recording head Hdi are attached and printing is performed. After printing is performed, the paper is guided to the medium discharge port Eq by the front paper guide 33, sent to a winding device (not shown), and wound.

  By the way, ink droplets are attached to the recording medium P on which printing has been performed. When the recording medium P to which the ink droplets have been attached is discharged from the inkjet printer 10 as it is and then taken up by a take-up device, recording is performed. The medium P is soiled with ink droplets.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to dry the ink droplets on the recording medium P and fix the ink droplets on the recording medium P, a heater (not shown) as a heating element is provided on the back surface of the rear paper guide, the platen 25, and the front paper guide 33. The recording medium P conveyed on the rear paper guide, the platen 25, and the front paper guide 33 is heated by the heater.

  In the present embodiment, the rail 15 is disposed between the side plates PL1 and PR1, and the platen 25 is disposed between the frame bodies PL2 and PR2. Therefore, the carriage 17 is moved on the platen 25. In the meantime, printing by each recording head Hdi is performed, and when the carriage 17 is placed between the side plate PL1 and the frame body PL2, and when it is placed between the side plate PR1 and the frame body PR2. Are not printed by each recording head Hdi.

  In the present embodiment, a position between the side plate PL1 and the frame body PL2 is a home position for performing the origin adjustment of the position of the carriage 17, and a space between the side plate PR1 and the frame body PR2 is used for the carriage 17. A retracted position for retracting from the platen 25 is set. In the present embodiment, in the present embodiment, an operation panel 91 (FIG. 5) as an operation / display unit, which will be described later, is disposed on the side plate PR1 at the retracted position. Established. The operation panel 91 includes an operation unit (not shown) provided with operation elements such as operation buttons, and a display unit (not shown) including a display lamp, a display screen, and the like.

  A cap unit 43 is disposed at the home position so as to face the recording head Hdi. When the ink jet printer 10 is not used for a long time, the cap unit 43 covers the nozzle surface Sd of the recording head Hdi, and the viscosity of the ink in the nozzle becomes high so that the nozzle is clogged or dust or the like adheres to the nozzle. To prevent it.

  In the present embodiment, in the present embodiment, the wiper unit 41 is disposed at a predetermined position in the moving direction of the carriage 17 so as to face the recording head Hdi. The wipe unit 41 wipes the nozzle surface Sd when the mist of ink adheres and the nozzle surface Sd becomes dirty as the recording head Hdi ejects ink droplets to form an image on the recording medium P. Then, the adhered ink is removed.

  Incidentally, since the recording head Hdi forms an image by ejecting ink droplets according to the image data, there are nozzles that do not eject ink droplets over a plurality of scans of the carriage 17 depending on the image data. In that case, if the viscosity of the ink is increased in the nozzle where the ink droplet is not ejected, the ink droplet cannot be ejected smoothly from the nozzle.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the recording head Hdi is driven regularly or at a predetermined timing, and a predetermined number of ink droplets are ejected from all the nozzles. The ink viscosity is prevented from increasing.

  Therefore, a spit unit 45 is disposed between the cap unit 43 and the frame body PL2 at the home position so as to face the recording head Hdi. The spit unit 45 receives and discards ink when the recording head Hdi is placed at the home position and ink is ejected from the nozzles.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the ink in the recording head Hdi is pressurized at a predetermined timing periodically or at a predetermined timing, and the ink whose viscosity is increased in the nozzle is forcibly discharged. I have to.

  For this purpose, a purge unit 44 is arranged in a predetermined position in the moving direction of the carriage 17, in the present embodiment, between the wipe unit 41 and the frame PR2 at the retracted position so as to face the recording head Hdi. The The purge unit 44 receives and absorbs the ink when the recording head Hdi is placed at the retracted position and the ink is discharged from the nozzle, and discards it in a waste ink tank (not shown).

  As described above, when the carriage 17 is folded back at the home position and the retracted position, the ink is discharged or discharged from all the nozzles, so that the viscosity of the ink is increased in the nozzles and the ink droplets are not discharged smoothly. Can be prevented.

  Next, the wipe unit 41 will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a wipe unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an arrangement state of the wipe unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a view of a pressing portion according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows the arrangement | positioning state. In FIG. 4, only four recording heads Hdi and pressing parts 61 are shown for convenience.

  In the figure, 41 is a wipe unit, and 44 is a purge unit arranged adjacent to the wipe unit 41.

  The purge unit 44 is opposed to the purge housing 46 and the recording head Hdi, and is movably arranged in the vertical direction, and receives a plurality of inks forcibly discharged from the nozzles of the recording head Hdi. In the embodiment, two ink receiving portion accommodating portions 48, a lifting motor 70 as a lifting drive for moving the ink receiving portion accommodating portion 48 in the vertical direction, and the ink in the ink receiving portion accommodating portion 48. A suction pump Ps for sucking and discarding the liquid is provided.

  The wipe unit 41 includes a base 51 attached to the receiving plate PB (FIG. 2), a pair of rails 52 disposed on both edges of the base 51, and spans between the rails 52. A movable table 54 that is movably supported, a moving motor 55 as a moving drive unit for moving the movable table 54, and the like are provided. The gear g1 and the gear g2 attached to the output shaft sh1 of the moving motor 55 are meshed, the gear g2 and a pinion (not shown) are meshed, and between the pinion and each rail 52 on the base 51 Is engaged with the rack Rk extended to.

  When the moving motor 55 is driven to rotate the gear g 1, the pinion is rotated while meshing with the rack Rk, and the moving table 54 is moved along the rail 52.

  As described above, as the recording head Hdi is driven and ink droplets are ejected to form an image on the recording medium P, ink mist adheres to the nozzle surface Sd and the nozzle surface Sd becomes dirty. Sometimes. In that case, if the nozzle surface Sd is left dirty, the meniscus of the nozzle is damaged, and ink droplets cannot be stably ejected.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the wipe unit 41 is provided, and the nozzle surface Sd is wiped by the wipe unit 41 to remove ink attached to the nozzle surface Sd.

  For this purpose, the wipe unit 41 includes a wiper 58, which receives ink discharged from the recording head Hdi in order to adjust the meniscus of the nozzle after wiping the nozzle surface Sd.

  A wiper sliding device 56 is disposed on the moving table 54 and is moved in the sub-scanning direction as the moving table 54 moves. The wiper sliding device 56 is disposed in the wiper housing Hs having an open upper surface and the wiper housing Hs, and conveys a long sheet-like wiper 58 facing the nozzle surface Sd of the recording head Hdi. A wiper transport unit u1 and the like for supporting freely and intermittently are provided.

  The wiper transport unit u1 is rotatably disposed, and is disposed downstream of the feeding portion Ar1 that feeds the wiper 58 with the rotation, and the feeding portion Ar1 in the transport direction of the wiper 58, and the wiper 58 is locally disposed in the nozzle. A pressing portion 61 that presses against the surface Sd with a predetermined force, and a tension roller R1 that is provided on the downstream side of the pressing portion 61 in the transport direction of the wiper 58 and is provided to rotate, and tension in the transport direction of the wiper 58. The first and second wiper support rollers R2 and R3 for horizontally supporting (holding) the wiper 58, and the first and second wipers 58 in the conveying direction are disposed downstream of the roller R1 so as to be rotatable. A winder Ar2 and the like that are rotatably disposed downstream of the wiper support rollers R2 and R3 and wind the wiper 58 along with the rotation are provided.

  The pressing portion 61 is adjacent to the rear edge of the wiper housing Hs, and the first wiper support roller R2 is adjacent to the pressing portion 61 in front of the pressing portion 61, and the second wiper support roller. R3 is disposed adjacent to the front edge of the wiper housing Hs.

  In the feeding portion Ar1, a new supply roll RL1 formed by winding an unused wiper 58 in a roll shape is set on the feeding roller 63 serving as a feeding roller. A wipe liquid is infiltrated into the supply roll RL1. Thereby, not only the ink adhering to the nozzle surface Sd can be surely removed, but also the wear of the nozzle surface Sd as the wiper 58 slides on the nozzle surface Sd can be suppressed.

  Further, in the wiper 58, a wiping portion Pt1 is formed in a portion that is pressed against the nozzle surface Sd locally by the pressing portion 61, and the wiper sliding device 56 is moved to the recording head while the carriage 17 is stopped at the retracted position. When moved relative to Hdi, the wiping portion Pt1 is moved in parallel along the nozzle surface Sd, wipes the nozzle surface Sd of the recording head Hdi, and removes ink adhering to the nozzle surface Sd.

  The pressing portion 61 includes a block having an inverted “U” shape, and includes a pressing surface 61 </ b> S formed at the upper end by being bent in a semicircular shape. Since the pressing surface 61S is formed to be curved in a semicircular shape, no excessive pressure is applied to the wiper 58 when the wiper 58 is pressed against the nozzle surface Sd. Further, the wiping portion Pt1 of the wiper 58 is curved along the shape of the pressing surface 61S. Therefore, the wiper 58 can be prevented from being damaged, and the durability of the wiper 58 can be improved.

  In order to press the wiper 58 against the nozzle surface Sd, a spring (not shown) as a biasing member is disposed below the pressing portion 61 in the wiper housing Hs, and the spring pushes the wiping portion Pt1 with a predetermined biasing force. It urges toward the nozzle surface Sd (in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 4).

  When the movement motor 55 is driven and the wiper sliding device 56 is moved, the wiping portion Pt1 is brought into contact with the lower surface 17S and the nozzle surface Sd of the carriage 17, whereby the pressing portion 61 is biased by the spring. Against this, the pressing surface 61S is moved in a direction away from the nozzle surface Sd. When the wiper sliding device 56 is further moved, the wiping portion Pt1 is moved while being pressed against the nozzle surface Sd by the pressing portion 61, and wipes the nozzle surface Sd. At this time, the pressing portion 61 is moved while being pressed by the lower surface 17S of the carriage 17 and the nozzle surface Sd.

  Thus, since the pressing part 61 is moved in the direction in which the pressing surface 61S moves away from the nozzle surface Sd, the wiper 58 can be retracted from the nozzle surface Sd when an excessive force is applied to the wiper 58. As a result, the nozzle surface Sd can be prevented from being damaged, and the durability of the recording head Hdi can be improved.

  The pressing portion 61 is formed of an elastic material such as rubber, and the pressing portion 61 can be expanded and contracted to move the pressing surface 61S away from the nozzle surface Sd.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the wiper sliding device 56 is placed at a position behind the apparatus main body while the carriage 17 is moved in the scanning direction and an image is formed on the recording medium P by the recording head Hdi. It is burned. When the carriage 17 is moved to the retracted position and stopped, the wiper sliding device 56 is moved to the front position of the apparatus main body, and subsequently moved to the rear position. The nozzle surface Sd of the head Hdi is wiped off, and the ink attached to the nozzle surface Sd is removed.

  When the wiper 58 finishes wiping the nozzle surface Sd, the wiper sliding device 56 is placed at a position behind the device main body and receives ink ejected from the nozzles of the recording head Hdi.

  Thereby, not only can the nozzle surface Sd be maintained in a good state, but also the meniscus of the nozzle can be adjusted, so that ink droplets can be smoothly ejected when an image is formed.

  In the present embodiment, the wiper 58 is provided so that the nozzle surfaces Sd of all the recording heads Hdi can be wiped off and ink discharged from all the recording heads Hdi can be received simultaneously. And the width of the wipe unit 41 is set.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the lower surface 17S facing the wiper 58 of the carriage 17 and the nozzle surface Sd of each recording head Hdi are placed on substantially the same plane. 58 can wipe the lower surface 17S and the nozzle surface Sd of the carriage 17 simultaneously. Therefore, maintenance of the carriage 17 and the recording head Hdi can be performed efficiently.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pressing portion 61 is disposed at a predetermined interval in the width direction of the wiper 58 for each recording head Hdi. Although the length of each pressing portion 61 is smaller than the width of the nozzle surface Sd, since the pressing portion 61 is placed on substantially the same plane as the nozzle surface Sd of each recording head Hdi, the pressing portion 61 has the wiper 58 sufficiently on each nozzle surface Sd. Press on.

  Since no step is formed between the lower surface 17S of the carriage 17 and the nozzle surface Sd, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of turbulence near the nozzle surface Sd as the carriage 17 moves. Accordingly, since it is possible to suppress the occurrence of disturbance in the flight trajectory of the ink droplets ejected from the recording head Hdi, it is possible to improve the image quality.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, when the nozzle surface Sd is wiped by the wiping portion Pt1, the wiper 58 is conveyed by a predetermined conveyance amount, and a new wiping portion Pt1 is formed by the unused wiper 58.

  For this purpose, a wiper motor 57 as a wiper transport driving unit is disposed adjacent to the wiper housing Hs. The wiper motor 57 includes a stepping motor, and is intermittently driven and rotated by a predetermined angle as the wiping portion Pt1 wipes the nozzle surface Sd, thereby transporting the wiper 58 by a predetermined transport amount.

  A gear g3 is attached to the output shaft sh2 of the wiper motor 57, and the gear g3 and the winding portion Ar2 are connected via a gear train (not shown).

  Therefore, when the wiper motor 57 is driven, the winding portion Ar2 is rotated, and the used wiper 58 is wound around the winding roller 64 as a winding roller. Then, it is fed out from the feeding part Ar1 and conveyed by a predetermined conveyance amount.

  The used wiper 58 is sent to the winding part Ar2 by the first and second wiper support rollers R2 and R3, wound around the winding roller 64, and becomes a winding roll RL2.

  A roller unit 65 for conveying the wiper 58 is disposed in the feeding portion Ar1. The roller unit 65 includes an attachment base 153 fixed to the movable base 54, a support part (not shown) that is movably disposed with respect to the attachment base 153, and is rotatably supported by the support part. A roller 157 that is brought into pressure contact and rotated as the wiper 58 is fed, that is, rotated as the wiper 58 is conveyed, a rotary encoder 158 as a rotational speed detection unit that detects the rotational speed of the roller 157, and the mounting base 153 A spring sp1 is provided as a biasing member that is disposed between the support portion and presses the roller 157 against the supply roll RL1 with a predetermined biasing force.

  The rotary encoder 158 is disposed coaxially with the roller 157, detects the rotational speed of the roller 157, and sends the detected rotational speed to the control unit 80 (FIG. 5) described later.

  The roller 157 is pressed against the supply roll RL1 with a predetermined urging force by the spring sp1, and thus functions as a tension applying member that generates a slight frictional force with rotation. That is, when the wiper 58 is taken up by the take-up portion Ar2, the rotation of the supply roll RL1 is suppressed by the roller 157, and tension is applied to the wiper 58.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a portion of the wiper 58 between the first and second wiper support rollers R2 and R3 is opposed to the recording head Hdi on the upper surface of the wiper housing Hs, and the nozzle surface Sd. And an ink receiving portion Pt2 that receives the ink id discharged from the nozzles of the recording head Hdi.

  For this purpose, the first and second wiper support rollers R2 and R3 are disposed at the same height, and the wiper 58 and the nozzle surface Sd are extended between the first and second wiper support rollers R2 and R3. And the distance is made constant. Further, the wiping portion Pt1 is placed closer to the nozzle surface Sd than the ink receiving portion Pt2.

  In this case, the lower surface 17S and the nozzle surface Sd of the carriage 17 are placed on substantially the same plane, and the lower surface 17S and the nozzle surface Sd of the carriage 17 and the ink receiving portion Pt2 are opposed to each other in parallel. The nozzle surface Sd can be wiped by the wiping portion Pt1 and the ink id ejected from the nozzle can be received at the ink receiving portion Pt2 simply by moving 56. That is, the wipe unit 41 functions as a spit unit.

  Thus, in this embodiment, since the ink receiving portion Pt2 is formed by the wiper 58 used in the wiping portion Pt1, the wiper 58 is not consumed unnecessarily.

  In addition, since the recording head Hdi is driven and the ink id is ejected from the nozzles after the nozzle surface Sd is wiped by the wiping unit Pt1, not only the maintenance of the recording head Hdi can be performed efficiently, but also the wiper 58 Does not dry out and fluff.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a cover Cv1 is disposed in the wiper housing Hs below the ink receiving portion Pt2. The cover Cv1 is ejected from the nozzle when the recording head Hdi is placed at the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 1, and the ink id that could not be received by the ink receiving portion Pt2 falls to the bottom surface of the wiper housing Hs. To prevent it.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a cover Cv2 is disposed above the feeding portion Ar1. The cover Cv2 prevents the ink id from dropping from the nozzles of the recording head Hdi and adhering to the supply roll RL1 when the recording head Hdi is placed at the position indicated by the broken line in FIG.

  Next, the control device of the inkjet printer 10 will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of the ink jet printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, 80 is a control unit that controls the entire inkjet printer 10, 81 is a ROM as a first storage device, 82 is a RAM as a second storage device, and 83 is a set value as a third storage device. A memory, 91 is an operation panel, and 158 is a rotary encoder.

The control unit 80 includes a CPU (not shown) as an arithmetic unit, and performs various processes based on a program recorded in the ROM 81. In addition to the program, various initial values and the like are recorded in the ROM 81, and various data are temporarily recorded in the RAM 82. The RAM 82 functions as a work area when the CPU performs calculations. The set value memory 83 stores the set value used when the control unit 80 performs various processes, for example, the number of times that the wiper unit 41 (FIG. 1) wipes the nozzle surface Sd of the recording head Hdi. The number of wipes, the wiping start condition that is a condition for starting wiping, and the number of pulses (number of steps) n1 to n3 of the wiper motor 57 for transporting the wiper 58 by a predetermined transport amount each time wiping is performed are recorded. In the set value memory 83, in addition to the set values, the number of pulses nc for driving the wiper motor 57, which is set to correct the remaining amount of the wiper 58, in the present embodiment,
nc = 500 [pulse]
Is recorded. Further, in the set value memory 83, the winding diameter R of the winding roll RL2 and the winding length L of the winding portion Ar2 when the wiper motor 57 is driven at the number of pulses nc are recorded as a table.

  The control unit 80 includes a print processing unit Pr1 as a first head driving processing unit, a maintenance processing unit Pr2 as a second head driving processing unit, a transport processing unit Pr3, a carriage driving processing unit Pr4, and a wiper wiping process. Unit Pr5, wiper transport processing unit Pr6, first and second remaining amount calculation processing units Pr7, Pr8, remaining amount determination processing unit Pr9, notification processing unit Pr10, and the like.

  The print processing unit Pr1 sends image data to the recording head Hdi, drives the recording head Hdi based on the image data, forms an image, and performs printing. As described above, since the position of the carriage 17 is detected based on the sensor output of the encoder 79, ink droplets can be ejected to a desired position on the recording medium P to form a desired image.

  After the wiping of the nozzle surface Sd by the wiping unit Pt1 is completed, the maintenance processing unit Pr2 sends maintenance ink ejection data different from the image data to the recording head Hdi, and drives the recording head Hdi. Based on the ink ejection data, a predetermined number of ink droplets are ejected at a predetermined timing.

  The conveyance processing unit Pr3 drives the conveyance motor 78, rotates the conveyance roller pair 30 (FIG. 2), and conveys the recording medium P.

  The carriage drive processing unit Pr4 drives the carriage motor 22 by PWM control to move the carriage 17. For this purpose, the carriage drive processing unit Pr4 reads the target position and target speed of the carriage 17 from the ROM 81, receives the sensor output of the encoder 79, detects the position of the carriage 17, and generates a PWM control signal as a control value. To the carriage motor 22. The carriage motor 22 receives the PWM control signal, changes the rotational speed in proportion to the duty of the PWM control signal, and moves the carriage 17 to the target position at the target speed by accelerating or decelerating.

  The wiper wiping processing unit Pr5 drives the moving motor 55 to move the wiper sliding device 56 in the sub-scanning direction, thereby moving the wiping unit Pt1 along a surface parallel to the nozzle surface Sd of the recording head Hdi. To move the nozzle surface Sd.

  The wiper transport processing unit Pr6 reads the pulse numbers n1 to n3 from the set value memory 83 and drives the wiper motor 57 with the pulse numbers n1 to n3 in order to wipe the nozzle surface Sd by the wiping unit Pt1. The wiper 58 is conveyed by rotating the angle corresponding to the number of pulses n1 to n3).

  The first remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr7 calculates the remaining amount of the wiper 58 in the supply roll RL1 based on the transport amount of the wiper 58. That is, the first remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr7 drives the wiper motor 57 with the number of pulses n1 to n3 and transports the wiper 58 based on the number of rotations of the roller 157 detected by the rotary encoder 158. The feeding amount of the wiper 58 in the feeding portion Ar1, that is, the carrying amount is calculated, and the remaining amount of the wiper 58 after carrying the wiper 58 is subtracted from the remaining amount of the wiper 58 before carrying the wiper 58. Calculate the amount. Then, the first remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr7 sends the remaining amount of the wiper 58 to the notification processing unit Pr10.

  The second remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr8 is set when an old supply roll RL1 is set in the feeding unit Ar1 and the wiper 58 is wound up by a predetermined amount in the winding unit Ar2. The diameter of the supply roller RL1 is estimated based on the rotation speed of the roller 157 detected by the rotary encoder 158, and the remaining amount of the wiper 58 is calculated based on the estimation result. Then, the second remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr8 notifies the notification processing unit Pr10 of the remaining amount of the wiper 58.

  The remaining amount determination processing unit Pr9 determines whether or not the remaining amount of the wiper 58 is sufficient depending on whether or not a step-out signal is sent from the wiper motor 57 to the control unit 80. In the present embodiment, the end portion of the wiper 58 is fixed to the feeding roller 63, and when the wiper 58 of the supply roll RL1 is all fed out in the feeding portion Ar1, the output shaft sh2 is driven even if the wiper motor 57 is driven. The wiper motor 57 is stepped out without being rotated. At this time, a step-out signal is output from the wiper motor 57 and is sent to the control unit 80. Therefore, when the step-out signal is sent to the control unit 80, the remaining amount determination processing unit Pr9 is the wiper 58 in the feeding unit Ar1. Judge that the remaining amount of is not enough.

  The notification processing unit Pr10 notifies the operator by displaying the remaining amount of the wiper 58 calculated by the first and second remaining amount calculation processing units Pr7 and Pr8 on the display unit of the operation panel 91. When the remaining amount determination processing unit Pr9 determines that the remaining amount of the wiper 58 is not sufficient, the notification processing unit Pr10 notifies the display unit by displaying a message indicating that the remaining amount of the wiper 58 is not sufficient. , Prompt the operator to replace the supply roll RL1 with a new one.

  By the way, when the nozzle surface Sd is wiped off by the wiping portion Pt1, that is, when the wiper 58 disappears in the feeding portion Ar1 during the wiping operation, the wiping operation must be interrupted and the wiper 58 must be replaced with a new one. In the meantime, if the nozzle surface Sd is left without being sufficiently wiped off, the nozzle surface Sd may not be sufficiently cleaned. Further, if the nozzle surface Sd is damaged due to the replacement work of the wiper 58, the ink droplets cannot be accurately ejected from the recording head Hdi, and the image quality is deteriorated.

  Therefore, as described above, in the present embodiment, the remaining amount of the wiper 58 in the feeding portion Ar1 is calculated, it is determined whether the remaining amount of the wiper 58 is sufficient, and the remaining amount of the wiper 58 is sufficient. In such a case, the operator is notified of this.

  Next, the operation of the control unit 80 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit in the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the remaining amount determination processing unit Pr9 of the control unit 80 performs remaining amount determination processing, and determines whether or not the remaining amount of the wiper 58 is sufficient in the feeding unit Ar1.

  When the remaining amount of the wiper 58 is sufficient in the feeding unit Ar1, the wiper wiping processing unit Pr5, the wiper conveyance processing unit Pr6, and the first remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr7 perform wiper wiping / wiper conveyance / first remaining amount. Perform the calculation process.

  In the wiper wiping / wiper conveyance / first remaining amount calculation process, the wiper conveyance processing unit Pr6 is driven by the wiper motor 57 to convey the wiper 58, and the first wiper remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr7 is operated by the wiper motor 57. Based on the rotational speed of the roller 157 detected by the rotary encoder 158 when driven, the feeding amount of the wiper 58 in the feeding portion Ar1 is calculated, and the remaining amount of the wiper 58 in the supply roll RL1 is calculated based on the feeding amount. Then, the wiper wiping processing unit Pr5 moves the wiper sliding device 56 in the sub-scanning direction, and wipes the nozzle surface Sd by the wiping unit Pt1. The remaining amount of the wiper 58 calculated by the first wiper remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr7 is notified to the notification processing unit Pr10.

  On the other hand, when the remaining amount of the wiper 58 is not sufficient, the notification processing unit Pr10 displays a message on the display unit of the operation panel 91 that the remaining amount of the wiper 58 is insufficient, that is, the feeding unit Ar1 does not have the wiper 58. A message prompting the replacement of the supply roll RL1 is displayed to notify the operator.

  The notification processing unit Pr10 displays each message until the supply roll RL1 is replaced. When the supply roll RL1 is replaced, the second remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr8 performs a second remaining amount calculation process. Then, the diameter of the supply roll RL1 is estimated, and the remaining amount of the wiper 58 is calculated based on the estimated value.

  In the present embodiment, the remaining amount of the wiper 58 is different between the exchanged supply roll RL1 that is an unused new article and an old article that has been used. When the supply roll RL1 is replaced and set, a second wiper remaining amount calculation process is performed.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S1: The remaining amount determination processing unit Pr9 determines whether or not the remaining amount of the wiper 58 is sufficient. If the remaining amount of the wiper 58 is sufficient, the process proceeds to step S2, and if the remaining amount of the wiper 58 is not sufficient, the process proceeds to step S3.
Step S2: The wiper wiping processing unit Pr5, the wiper transport processing unit Pr6, and the first remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr7 perform wiper wiping, wiper transport, and first remaining amount calculation processing, and the process ends.
Step S3 The notification processing unit Pr10 prompts replacement of the supply roll RL1.
Step S4 The notification processing unit Pr10 determines whether or not the supply roll RL1 has been replaced. If the supply roll RL1 has been replaced, the process proceeds to step S5. If the supply roll RL1 has not been replaced, the process returns to step S3.
Step S5 The second remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr8 performs a second remaining amount calculation process, and returns to Step S1.

  Next, wiper wiping / wiper conveyance / first remaining amount calculation processing by the wiper wiping processing unit Pr5, the wiper conveyance processing unit Pr6, and the first remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr7 will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a subroutine of wiper wiping, wiper conveyance, and first remaining amount calculation processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the wiper wiping processing unit Pr5 has a nozzle surface wiping condition for wiping the nozzle surface Sd by scanning the carriage 17 (FIG. 2) a predetermined number of times, in this embodiment, 100 reciprocating scans. Wait for it to be established. When the carriage 17 performs 100 reciprocating scans and the nozzle surface wiping condition is satisfied, the wiper wiping processing unit Pr5 sends an instruction to the carriage driving processing unit Pr4 so that the recording head Hdi is positioned above the wiping unit 41. Is moved to the retracted position.

  Subsequently, the wiper transport processing unit Pr6 refers to the set value memory 83, reads the number of pulses n1, drives the wiper motor 57 with the number of pulses n1, and transports the wiper 58 by the first transport amount. Thereby, the unused wiper 58 infiltrated with the wiping liquid is fed from the supply roll RL1 and conveyed to the position of the pressing portion 61 to form the wiping portion Pt1.

  The first transport amount is a feed amount of the wiper 58 in the feed portion Ar1, and is calculated by the first remaining amount calculation processing portion Pr7 based on the number of rotations of the roller 157 detected by the rotary encoder 158. .

  Then, the first remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr7 determines the first remaining amount from the remaining amount of the wiper 58 before transporting the wiper 58, in this embodiment, the total length of the supply roll RL1 determined by the specification of the supply roll RL1. The remaining amount of the wiper 58 in the supply roll RL1 after transporting the wiper 58 is calculated by subtracting the transport amount.

  The wiper wiping processor Pr5 drives the wiper motor 57 to move the wiper sliding device 56 to a position in front of the apparatus main body. Thereby, the nozzle surface Sd is wiped by the wiping portion Pt1.

  Subsequently, the wiper conveyance processing unit Pr6 reads the pulse number n2, refers to the set value memory 83, drives the wiper motor 57 with the pulse number n2, and conveys the wiper 58 by the second conveyance amount. Thereby, the unused wiper 58 infiltrated with the wiping liquid is fed from the supply roll RL1 and conveyed to the position of the pressing portion 61 to form the wiping portion Pt1.

  The second transport amount is a feed amount of the wiper 58 in the feed portion Ar1, and is calculated by the first remaining amount calculation processing portion Pr7 based on the number of rotations of the roller 157 detected by the rotary encoder 158. .

  Then, the first remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr7 subtracts the second transport amount from the remaining amount of the wiper 58 before transporting the wiper 58, and the wiper 58 in the supply roll RL1 after transporting the wiper 58. The remaining amount is calculated.

  Subsequently, the wiper wiping processing unit Pr5 drives the wiper motor 57 to move the wiper sliding device 56 to the rear of the apparatus main body. Thereby, the nozzle surface Sd is wiped by the wiping portion Pt1.

  By the way, while the wiper sliding device 56 is reciprocated once, the nozzle surface Sd is wiped by the wiping portion Pt1, and when the wiper sliding device 56 moves to the front of the device main body and to the rear. When the nozzle surface Sd is wiped with the same wiper 58, dirt wiped off from the nozzle surface Sd may adhere to the nozzle surface Sd.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, before the wiper sliding device 56 is moved to the rear of the apparatus main body, the wiper 58 is conveyed, and the unused wiper 58 forms the wiping portion Pt1.

  When the nozzle surface Sd is less contaminated, the wiper sliding device 56 is moved to the front of the apparatus main body, and after the nozzle surface Sd is wiped by the wiping unit Pt1, the wiper 58 is not conveyed by the second conveyance amount. The wiper sliding device 56 is moved to the rear of the apparatus main body, and the nozzle surface Sd is wiped by the same wiper 58.

  When wiping by the wiping unit Pt1 is thus completed, the wiper transport processing unit Pr6 refers to the setting value memory 83, reads the pulse number n3, drives the wiper motor 57 with the pulse number n3, and causes the wiper 58 to move to the third Transport the transport amount. As a result, the wiper 58 that has formed the wiping portion Pt1 reaches between the first and second wiper support rollers R2 and R3 to form the ink receiving portion Pt2.

  The third transport amount is a feed amount of the wiper 58 in the feed portion Ar1, and is calculated by the first remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr7 based on the rotation speed of the roller 157 detected by the rotary encoder 158.

  Then, the first remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr7 subtracts the third conveyance amount from the remaining amount of the wiper 58 before conveying the wiper 58, and the wiper 58 in the supply roll RL1 after conveying the wiper 58. The remaining amount is calculated.

  By the way, after the wiping of the nozzle surface Sd is completed, when the wiper 58 of the portion that has formed the wiping portion Pt1 is stopped at a position where it comes into contact with the tension roller R1, the wiped dirt adheres to the tension roller R1. May end up. In that case, the wiper 58 cannot be smoothly transported thereafter.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the wiper 58 is transported by the third transport amount, so that the portion of the wiper 58 used for wiping the nozzle surface Sd is supported by the first and second wipers. It is arranged between the rollers R2 and R3. The third transport amount is calculated based on the distance between the positions of the pressing portion 61 on the wiper 58, the tension roller R1, the first and second wiper support rollers R2, R3, and the like measured in advance. The number of pulses n3 is calculated based on the third transport amount.

  Note that the portion of the wiper 58 used for wiping the nozzle surface Sd can also be positioned downstream of the second wiper support roller R3.

  Further, while a predetermined number of ink droplets are being ejected from the nozzle, the wiper sliding device 56 is moved to a position behind the device main body, and the wiping portion Pt1 is not pressed against the nozzle surface Sd. Therefore, when the ink ejection is completed, the print processing unit Pr1 can send an instruction to the carriage drive processing unit Pr4, move the carriage 17, send image data to the recording head Hdi, and start printing.

  When the carriage 17 scans 100 times again and again and the nozzle surface wiping condition is satisfied, the wiper wiping processing unit Pr5 sends an instruction to the carriage driving processing unit Pr4 so that the recording head Hdi is positioned above the wiping unit 41. Then, the carriage 17 is moved to the retracted position. Subsequently, as described above, the wiper wiping processing unit Pr5, the wiper transport processing unit Pr6, and the first remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr7 perform wiper wiping / wiper transport / first remaining amount calculation processing.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S2-1: The wiper wiping processor Pr5 moves the carriage 17 so that the recording head Hdi is positioned above the wipe unit 41.
Step S2-2: The wiper conveyance processing unit Pr6 conveys the wiper 58 by the first conveyance amount, and the first remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr7 calculates the remaining amount of the wiper 58.
Step S2-3: The wiper wiping processor Pr5 moves the wiper sliding device 56 to a position in front of the apparatus main body.
Step S2-4 The wiper conveyance processing unit Pr6 conveys the wiper 58 by the second conveyance amount, and the first remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr7 calculates the remaining amount of the wiper 58.
Step S2-5 The wiper wiping processor Pr5 moves the wiper sliding device 56 to a position behind the device main body.
Step S2-6: The wiper transport processing unit Pr6 transports the wiper 58 by the third transport amount, and the first remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr7 calculates the remaining amount of the wiper 58 and returns.

  Next, the second remaining amount calculation process by the second remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr8 will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a second remaining amount calculation processing subroutine in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the winding diameter and the winding length of the winding unit in the embodiment of the present invention. is there. In FIG. 9, the horizontal axis represents the winding diameter R representing the diameter of the winding roll RL2 in the winding portion Ar2, and the vertical axis represents the winding length L representing the winding amount of the wiper 58 in the winding portion Ar2. It is.

  By the way, when the wiper motor 57 (FIG. 3) is driven at a predetermined number of pulses, the winding length L in the winding portion Ar2 from the start to the end of the driving depends on the winding diameter R of the winding roll RL2. In contrast, the smaller the winding diameter R, the shorter the winding length L, and the larger the winding diameter R, the longer the winding length L.

  In the present embodiment, the winding diameter R and the winding length L of the winding roll RL2 when the wiper motor 57 is driven at the pulse number nc are calculated in advance by experiments, and as described above, the set value memory 83 (FIG. 5) is recorded as a table.

  In FIG. 9, Rs is the winding diameter when the supply roll RL1 is set in the feeding portion Ar1 and winding is started by the winding portion Ar2, and Re is all the wiper 58 of the supply roll RL1 is wound in the feeding portion Ar1. The winding diameter when the winding by the winding portion Ar2 is finished, Ls is the winding length during which the wiper motor 57 is driven at the pulse number nc when the winding diameter is Rs, Le is This is the winding length during which the wiper motor 57 is driven with the number of pulses nc when the winding diameter is Re.

  The second remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr8 calculates the winding diameter R based on the winding length L when the wiper motor 57 is driven, estimates the diameter of the supply roll RL1 based on the winding diameter R, and wiper 58 The remaining amount is calculated.

  For this purpose, the second remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr8 reads the pulse number nc from the set value memory 83, drives the wiper motor 57 with the pulse number nc, rotates the winding unit Ar2 by the rotation angle θc, and winds the wiper 58. take.

  Further, the second remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr8 reads the rotation number of the roller 157 detected by the rotary encoder 158 while driving the wiper motor 57 at the pulse number nc, and based on the rotation number of the roller 157, the pulse When the wiper motor 57 is driven by several nc, the feeding amount of the wiper 58 fed from the supply roll RL1, that is, the winding length Lx of the winding portion Ar2 is calculated.

  Next, the second remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr8 acquires the winding diameter Rx corresponding to the winding length Lx by referring to the table in the setting value memory 83.

Then, since the total length of the wiper 58 of the new supply roll RL1 is determined to be, for example, 10 [m] according to the specification of the supply roll RL1, the second remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr8 includes the winding unit Ar2 The diameter of the supply roll RL1 in the feeding portion Ar1 when the winding diameter of the winding roll RL2 is Rx is estimated, and the estimated value Rm
Rm = (Re−Rx) / (Re−Rs)
Is calculated.

  Subsequently, the second remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr8 determines whether the supply roll RL1 set in the feeding unit Ar1 is new based on the estimated value Rm. If the supply roll RL1 is new, The initial value determined by the specification of the supply roll RL1, that is, the total length is calculated as the remaining amount of the supply roll RL1, and when the supply roll RL1 is not new, the remaining amount is calculated based on the estimated value Rm of the diameter of the supply roll RL1.

  In the present embodiment, the winding diameter R and the winding length L are recorded in the setting value memory 83 as a table in correspondence with each other, and the winding diameter Rx corresponding to the winding length Lx is stored from the setting value memory 83. Although it is calculated by reading, a function representing the relationship between the winding diameter R and the winding length L is recorded in the set value memory 83, and the winding diameter Rx is calculated based on the winding length Lx. It can be calculated.

  In the present embodiment, the setting value memory 83 records the winding diameter R and winding length L of the winding roller RL2 as a table, but the diameter and winding of the supply roll RL1. The remaining length of the supply roll RL1 can be directly calculated on the basis of the winding length L and recorded as a table in association with the winding length L.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the supply roll RL1 set in the feeding unit Ar1 is new, but the supply roll RL1 set in the feeding unit Ar1 is new. Without determining whether or not, the remaining amount of the supply roll RL1 can be set to the estimated value Rm.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S5-1 The second remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr8 drives the wiper motor 57 with the number of pulses nc and winds up the wiper 58.
Step S5-2 The second remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr8 reads the rotational speed of the roller 157 detected by the rotary encoder 158.
Step S5-3 The second remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr8 calculates an estimated value Rm of the diameter of the supply roll RL1 based on the rotation speed.
Step S5-4 The second remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr8 determines whether or not the supply roll RL1 is new. If the supply roll RL1 is new, the process proceeds to step S5-5, and if the supply roll RL1 is not new, the process proceeds to step S5-6.
Step S5-5 The second remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr8 calculates the initial value as the remaining amount of the supply roll RL1, and then returns.
Step S5-6 The second remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr8 calculates the remaining amount of the supply roll RL1 based on the estimated value Rm and returns.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the wiper motor 57 is driven, the wiper 58 is conveyed by the first to third conveyance amounts, and the remaining amount of the wiper 58 is calculated based on the first to third conveyance amounts. Then, the operator is notified of the remaining amount of the wiper 58, so that the wiper 58 is not lost during the wiping operation.

  Therefore, since the nozzle surface Sd is not left without being sufficiently wiped off, the nozzle surface Sd can be sufficiently cleaned. Further, it is possible to prevent the nozzle surface Sd from being damaged due to the replacement work of the wiper 58, so that the durability of the recording head Hdi can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, every time the wiper 58 is transported by the wiper transport processing unit Pr6, the remaining amount of the wiper 58 is calculated by the first remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr7. As in the second remaining amount calculation process by the second remaining amount calculation processing unit Pr8, the amount of the wiper 58 fed from the supply roll RL1 when the wiper motor 57 is driven at a predetermined number of pulses nc is calculated. The diameter of the supply roll RL1 can be estimated from the relationship between the feed amount of the wiper 58 in the feed portion Ar1 and the diameter of the supply roll RL1, and the remaining amount of the wiper 58 can be calculated based on the estimated value.

  In the above-described embodiment, the ink jet printer 10 has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change variously based on the meaning of this invention, and does not exclude them from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Inkjet printer 17 Carriage 56 Wiper sliding device 57 Wiper motor 58 Wiper Hdi Recording head Pr5 Wiper wiping process part Pr6 Wiper conveyance process part Pr7, Pr8 1st, 2nd remaining amount calculation process part Pr10 Notification process part Pt1 Wiping part Sd Nozzle Surface u1 Wiper transfer unit u1

Claims (7)

(A) a carriage arranged to be movable in the scanning direction;
(B) a recording head mounted on the carriage;
(C) a wiper transport unit that supports a wiper disposed to face the nozzle surface of the recording head, and a wiper sliding device including a wiper motor for transporting the wiper;
(D) a wiper wiping unit that wipes the nozzle surface by moving a wiping unit formed on the wiper;
(E) a wiper conveyance processing unit that drives the wiper motor to convey a wiper by a predetermined conveyance amount in order to wipe the nozzle surface by the wiping unit;
(F) a remaining amount calculation processing unit for calculating the remaining amount of the wiper based on the transport amount of the wiper;
(G) An ink jet printer comprising a notification processing unit for notifying an operator of the remaining amount of wiper. (A) The wiper transport unit includes a feeding unit and a winding unit,
(B) The ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the wiper motor is driven so that the wiper is fed from a supply roll set in the feeding unit and wound on the winding unit.   The inkjet printer according to claim 2, wherein a tension applying member that is brought into pressure contact with the supply roll, suppresses rotation of the supply roll, and applies tension to the wiper is disposed.   The inkjet printer according to claim 2, wherein the remaining amount calculation processing unit calculates a remaining amount of wiper based on a wiper feeding amount from a supply roll. (A) The wiper motor is a stepping motor;
(B) The remaining amount calculation processing unit drives the wiper motor at a predetermined number of pulses, calculates the amount of wiper fed from the supply roll, the amount of wiper fed, and the winding diameter of the winding roll in the winding unit The inkjet printer according to claim 4, wherein the remaining amount of the wiper is calculated based on the winding length. (A) a roller disposed in pressure contact with a supply roll and rotatably disposed;
(B) having a rotation speed detection unit for detecting the rotation speed of the roller;
(C) The ink jet printer according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the remaining amount calculation processing unit calculates the amount of wiper fed from the supply roll based on the number of rotations of the roller.   The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein the notification processing unit notifies the operator of a message that prompts replacement of the supply roll.

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