Patent ID: 8425002
Filing Date: 2013-04-23
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An image recording device comprising: a recording head comprising a nozzle surface formed with a plurality of nozzles configured to dispense ink onto a recording medium; a conveying unit configured to convey the recording medium to the recording head in a sub-scanning direction; a platen configured to support the recording medium conveyed by the conveying unit; a carriage configured to reciprocate across the platen in a main scanning direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction and comprising a protruding portion, wherein the recording head is positioned on the carriage such that the nozzle surface is enclosed by the protruding portion and the recording head moves with the carriage; a maintenance unit configured to clean the nozzle surface of the recording head when the recording head is in a standby position outside of one side of the platen in the main scanning direction; and a cleaning unit configured to move with the carriage in the main scanning direction and comprising a cleaning member selectively positioned in a first position in which the cleaning member is in contact with a surface of the recording medium, or a second position in which the cleaning member is separated from the surface of the recording medium, wherein the cleaning member of the cleaning unit comprises an upstream end and a downstream end in the sub-scanning direction, and the cleaning unit is coupled to the carriage at a position, such that both the upstream end and the downstream end of the cleaning member are disposed more upstream in the sub-scanning direction than each of the plurality of nozzles of the recording head positioned on the carriage, such that both the upstream end and the downstream end of the cleaning member slide along and clean the surface of the recording medium in the main scanning direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction when the cleaning member is in the first position, wherein the cleaning member of the cleaning unit is disposed at a corner portion of the protruding portion of the carriage, and wherein, when the recording head is in the standby position, the corner portion is closer to the platen than the plurality of nozzles are to the platen, and the corner portion is positioned upstream from the plurality of nozzles in the sub-scanning direction.