Patent ID: 8770712
Filing Date: 2014-07-08
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A droplet ejection apparatus, comprising: a droplet ejection head having a nozzle surface in which a nozzle aperture is formed, the droplet ejection head ejecting droplets through the nozzle aperture; and a wiping device which wipes the nozzle surface of the droplet ejection head by moving relatively with respect to the droplet ejection head, wherein the wiping device includes: a wiping device main body which moves relatively with respect to the droplet ejection head; a drive source which is arranged on the wiping device main body; and a plurality of wiping units configured to be interchangeably installed on the wiping device main body, the wiping units respectively having wiping members configured to be pressed against the nozzle surface to perform respectively different wiping operations to the nozzle surface, the wiping units respectively having driving mechanisms configured to drive the wiping members, wherein: the drive source includes a motor; when each of the wiping units is installed on the wiping device main body, a corresponding one of the driving mechanisms of the wiping members receives obtains rotational drive force from the motor of the drive source to perform a corresponding one of the wiping operations to the nozzle surface; and one of the wiping units includes a wiping pad which serves as the wiping member and is configured to rotate on an axis perpendicular to the nozzle surface, and the one of the wiping units wipes the nozzle surface by causing the wiping pad to rotate by the rotational drive force obtained from the motor, while pressing the rotating wiping pad against the nozzle surface.