Patent ID: 8061802
Filing Date: 2011-11-22
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A maintenance device mounted in a liquid ejection apparatus having a liquid ejection head including a nozzle forming surface in which a plurality of nozzle groups ejecting liquid are formed, the maintenance device doing maintenance of the liquid ejection head, the device comprising: a plurality of caps each corresponding to one of the nozzle groups, wherein each cap selectively contacts the liquid ejection head so as to encompass the corresponding nozzle group; a plurality of wipers each corresponding to one of the nozzle groups, wherein the wipers are capable of wiping the nozzle forming surface; a wiper driving portion that drives the wipers; a suction portion that is capable of independently applying suction to each cap; a selecting portion that selects a cap corresponding to a nozzle group to be subjected to selective suction such that suction of the suction portion is applied to the cap, wherein the selecting portion also selects a wiper corresponding to the nozzle group to be subjected to selective suction such that the nozzle group can be wiped; and a drive source that drives the selecting portion, the suction portion, and the wiper driving portion, wherein the selecting portion has a plurality of movable bodies each corresponding to one of the nozzle groups, wherein each movable body is driven by the drive source so as to be movable between a selection position and a non-selection position, wherein, when arranged at the selection position, each movable body allows the suction portion to apply suction to the cap corresponding to the movable body and allows the wiper corresponding to the movable body to perform wiping, and wherein, when arranged at the non-selection position, each movable body inhibits the suction portion from applying suction to the cap corresponding to the movable body and inhibits the wiper corresponding to the movable body from performing wiping, wherein the suction portion includes a suction drive source and a plurality of valve portions, each valve portion corresponding to one of the caps, wherein each valve portion is switchable between an open position, at which the valve portion connects the corresponding cap to the suction drive source, and a closed position, at which the valve portion disconnects the corresponding cap from the suction drive source, wherein when any of the movable body is located at the selection position, the selecting portion arranges the corresponding valve portion at the open position, and wherein, when any of the movable body is located at the non-selection position, the selecting portion arranges the corresponding valve portion at the closed position, and wherein when any of the movable body is located at the selection position, the movable body contacts with the corresponding wiper so that the corresponding wiper pivots and contacts the nozzle forming surface, and when located at the non-selection position, the movable body does not contact the corresponding wiper so that the corresponding wiper does not contact the nozzle forming surface.