Liquid ejecting system and maintenance method for liquid ejecting system

A liquid ejecting system includes: a transport portion that transports a medium in a transport direction in a state in which the medium is supported on a medium supporting surface; a liquid ejecting portion that performs printing by moving in a scanning direction and ejecting a liquid from a nozzle with respect to the medium supported on the medium supporting surface; a designation portion for an operator to designate a designation range within a scanning area, the scanning area being configured to face the liquid ejecting portion that moves in the scanning direction and to include the medium and the medium supporting surface; and a control portion that sets a flushing area based on the designated designation range and performs a flushing operation of ejecting the liquid from the nozzle to the flushing area as a maintenance operation of the liquid ejecting portion.

The present application is based on, and claims priority from JP Application Serial Number 2019-197252, filed Oct. 30, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a liquid ejecting system and a maintenance method for a liquid ejecting system.

2. Related Art

For example, as in JP-A-2015-202629, a printing apparatus is an example of a liquid ejecting system that performs printing by discharging an ink that is an example of a liquid from an ink jet head that is an example of a liquid ejecting portion. The ink jet head performs the printing by discharging the ink from a nozzle onto a recording medium that is an example of a medium transported by a transport belt. In the printing apparatus, the ink was ejected toward a flushing area on the transport belt in order to prevent clogging of the nozzle.

A flushing area is a predetermined area. Therefore, an operator's intention regarding a position for performing flushing was not reflected.

SUMMARY

A liquid ejecting system that solves the above problems includes: a transport portion that transports a medium in a transport direction in a state in which the medium is supported on a medium supporting surface; a liquid ejecting portion that performs printing by moving in a scanning direction and ejecting a liquid from a nozzle with respect to the medium supported on the medium supporting surface; a designation portion for an operator to designate a designation range within a scanning area, the scanning area being configured to face the liquid ejecting portion that moves in the scanning direction and to include the medium and the medium supporting surface; and a control portion that sets a flushing area based on the designated designation range and performs a flushing operation of ejecting the liquid from the nozzle to the flushing area as a maintenance operation of the liquid ejecting portion.

A maintenance method for a liquid ejecting system including: a transport portion that transports a medium in a transport direction in a state in which the medium is supported on a medium supporting surface; a liquid ejecting portion that moves in a scanning direction and ejects a liquid from a nozzle with respect to the medium supported on the medium supporting surface; and a designation portion for an operator to designate a designation range within a scanning area, the scanning area being configured to face the liquid ejecting portion that moves in the scanning direction and to include the medium and the medium supporting surface, the method including: setting a flushing area based on the designated designation range; and performing a flushing operation of ejecting the liquid from the nozzle to the flushing area as a maintenance operation of the liquid ejecting portion is provided.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a liquid ejecting system and a maintenance method for the liquid ejecting system will be described with reference to the drawings. The liquid ejecting system is, for example, an ink jet printer that performs printing by ejecting a liquid such as an ink onto a medium such a cloth.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, a liquid ejecting system11includes a housing12and a cover13that is attached to the housing12to be openable and closeable. The liquid ejecting system11includes a transport portion15that transports a medium14, a liquid ejecting portion16that ejects a liquid to perform printing on the medium14, a supply mechanism18that supplies a liquid accommodated in a liquid accommodating portion17to the liquid ejecting portion16, and a movement mechanism19that moves the liquid ejecting portion16. The liquid ejecting system11includes a designation portion20that enables an operator to designate setting related to the liquid ejecting system11.

In the drawing, when the liquid ejecting system11is placed on a horizontal surface, the direction of gravity is indicated as a Z axis, and directions along a surface intersecting the Z axis are indicated as an X axis and a Y axis. It is preferable that the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis be perpendicular to each other, and the X axis and the Y axis are along the horizontal plane. In the present embodiment, the X axis direction is a width direction of the medium14and is a direction in which the liquid ejecting portion16moves. In the present embodiment, the Y axis direction is a direction in which the medium14is transported in a printing position P1where the printing is performed on the medium14. In the present embodiment, the Z axis direction is a direction in which the liquid ejecting portion16ejects the liquid. In the following description, the X axis direction is referred to as a scanning direction X, the Y axis direction is referred to as a transport direction Y, and the Z axis direction is referred to as a vertical direction Z.

Next, an embodiment of the transport portion15will be described.

The transport portion15includes a transport motor21, a driving pulley22that rotates by driving of the transport motor21, and a driven pulley23that is rotatable about an axial line parallel to an axial line of the driving pulley22. The transport portion15includes an annular transport belt24hung between the driving pulley22and the driven pulley23, and a pressing roller25that presses the medium14against the transport belt24. The pressing roller25presses the medium14and the transport belt24against the driven pulley23to sandwich the medium14between the pressing roller25and the driven pulley23.

An inner peripheral surface of the transport belt24is in contact with the driving pulley22and the driven pulley23. An outer peripheral surface of the transport belt24is a medium supporting surface24athat supports the medium14. The transport belt24according to the present embodiment is an adhesive belt in which the medium supporting surface24ais coated with an adhesive, and peelably adheres to and supports the medium14. The transport belt24orbits around the driving pulley22and the driven pulley23as the transport motor21is driven, and transports the medium14in the transport direction Y in a state in which the medium14is supported on the medium supporting surface24a.

The transport portion15includes a winding portion27that winds the printed medium14and a driven roller28located between the winding portion27and the transport belt24. After being peeled off from the transport belt24, the medium14transported by the transport belt24is wound on the winding portion27through the driven roller28.

The liquid ejecting system11includes a peeling sensor30that detects the medium14peeled off from the transport belt24and a control portion31that totally controls driving of each mechanism such as the transport portion15and the liquid ejecting portion16in the liquid ejecting system11. The peeling sensor30is provided at a position between the transport belt24and the driven roller28, which is a position along a transport path of the medium14. The peeling sensor30is, for example, an optical sensor including a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, and detects a distance between the peeling sensor30and the medium14by irradiating a light beam from a direction intersecting a surface of the medium14. The control portion31detects a peeling position P2where the medium14is separated from the transport belt24, based on a result of the detection by the peeling sensor30. The control portion31controls driving of the winding portion27such that the peeling position P2is located lower than the medium14located in the printing position P1in the vertical direction Z.

The liquid ejecting system11includes a cleaning unit33for cleaning the transport belt24with a cleaning liquid and an absorption roller34that can absorb the cleaning liquid. The absorption roller34is a roller that can absorb a liquid at a portion in contact with the transport belt24and, for example, uses a cloth. The absorption roller34holds the transport belt24together with the driven pulley23, and assists in removing the cleaning liquid and the liquid adhering to the transport belt24. The cleaning unit33and the absorption roller34are provided to be movable between a position illustrated inFIG. 1where the cleaning unit33and the absorption roller34come into contact with the transport belt24by driving a not-illustrated cleaning motor and a not-illustrated position where the cleaning unit33and the absorption roller34are separated from the transport belt24.

The cleaning unit33includes a cleaning liquid accommodating portion36that accommodates the cleaning liquid, a cleaning brush37that comes into contact with the transport belt24to clean the transport belt24, and a cleaning wiper38that removes the cleaning liquid and the liquid attached to the transport belt24. The cleaning liquid is, for example, a liquid or water containing a detergent component such as a surfactant. The cleaning unit33may include a plurality of the cleaning wipers38.

Next, an embodiment of the liquid ejecting portion16and the movement mechanism19will be described.

The movement mechanism19includes a first guide shaft41and a second guide shaft42in which the scanning direction X is set as the axial direction, and a carriage motor43.

The liquid ejecting portion16includes a carriage45which can reciprocate along the first guide shaft41and the second guide shaft42and at least one liquid ejecting head46attached to a lower end portion of the carriage45. In the present embodiment, four liquid ejecting heads46are attached in the carriage45. The carriage motor43is a motor that moves the carriage45.

Each of the liquid ejecting heads46has a nozzle surface48on which a plurality of nozzles47are formed. The liquid ejecting head46is provided such that the nozzle surface48faces the transport belt24or the medium14supported on the transport belt24in the vertical direction Z. The liquid ejecting portion16moves the medium14supported by the medium supporting surface24ain the scanning direction X or a direction opposite to the scanning direction X, ejects the liquid from the plurality of nozzles47, and performs printing on the medium14.

The carriage45may include a carriage body45A to which the liquid ejecting head46is attached and a carriage base45B guided by the first guide shaft41and the second guide shaft42. The liquid ejecting portion16may include an adjustment mechanism49that adjusts a position of the carriage body45A with respect to the carriage base45B. The adjustment mechanism49includes, for example, a cam or the like. The adjustment mechanism49causes the carriage body45A to slide in the vertical direction Z or in a direction opposite to the vertical direction Z with respect to the carriage base45B, and changes a distance L between the nozzle surface48and the medium supporting surface24ain the vertical direction Z. The adjustment mechanism49may be operated by the operator or driving of the adjustment mechanism49may be controlled by the control portion31.

Next, an embodiment of the supply mechanism18will be described.

The liquid ejecting system11includes a mounting portion51on which at least one liquid accommodating portion17is detachably mounted. The liquid ejecting system11may include a plurality of the supply mechanisms18according to the number of the liquid accommodating portions17that can be mounted on the mounting portion51. In the present embodiment, four liquid accommodating portions17can be mounted on the mounting portion51, and the liquid ejecting system11includes four supply mechanisms18. Each of the supply mechanisms18supplies the liquid to the corresponding liquid ejecting head46.

The plurality of liquid accommodating portions17accommodate different liquids, respectively. When the plurality of liquid accommodating portions17accommodate inks having different colors such as cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, the liquid ejecting portion16ejects inks having a plurality of colors, supplied from the liquid accommodating portion17, to perform color printing on the medium14. The liquid accommodating portion17may accommodate, for example, inks having colors such as light magenta, light cyan, light yellow, ash, orange, and white or may accommodate a moisturizing liquid or a cleaning liquid. Kinds of the liquids ejected by the liquid ejecting portion16may include, for example, three colors such as cyan, magenta, and yellow or may include one color such as black.

The supply mechanism18includes a supply path53through which the liquid is supplied from the liquid accommodating portion17mounted on the mounting portion51to the liquid ejecting head46. The supply mechanism18causes the liquid to flow in the supply direction A from an upstream that is the liquid accommodating portion17side to a downstream that is the liquid ejecting head46side. A supply pump54that causes the liquid to flow, a filter unit55that captures air bubbles and foreign matters in the liquid, a static mixer56that changes flow of the liquid of the supply path53to stir the liquid, a liquid storing chamber57that stores the liquid, and a pressure adjusting unit58that adjusts a pressure of the liquid are provided in the supply path53in an order from an upstream of the supply direction A.

The supply pump54has a diaphragm pump60, the volume of a pump chamber of which is varied, a suction valve61disposed between the diaphragm pump60and the liquid accommodating portion17, and a discharge valve62disposed between the diaphragm pump60and the filter unit55. The suction valve61and the discharge valve62are one-way valves that allow flow of the liquid from the upstream to the downstream and block flow of the liquid from the downstream to the upstream. The supply pump54suctions the liquid from the liquid accommodating portion17through the suction valve61as the volume of the pump chamber of the diaphragm pump60increases, and discharges the liquid toward the liquid ejecting head46through the discharge valve62as the volume of the pump chamber decreases.

The filter unit55is mounted detachably with respect to the supply path53. The filter unit55is disposed at a position corresponding to the cover13and can be replaced by opening the cover13.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the liquid ejecting head46includes a bracket64for attaching the liquid ejecting head46to the carriage45, a head body66having a nozzle opening surface65on which the plurality of nozzles47are opened, and a plate67that covers a part of the nozzle opening surface65.

The plate67is, for example, made of metal such as stainless steel, and is shaped such that two rectangular shapes in which the transport direction Y is set as a lengthwise direction when viewed from the lower side are misaligned in the transport direction Y. At least one through-hole68is formed in the plate67. In the present embodiment, a first through-hole68ato a fourth through-hole68dconstituting a rectangular shape that is long in the transport direction Y are formed in the plate67. The plate67is fixed to the head body66such that the nozzles47are exposed from the through-holes68. The nozzle surface48is configured with the nozzle opening surface65exposed from the through-holes68and a lower surface67aof the plate67.

The plurality of through-holes68are formed to be shifted in the transport direction Y. The through-holes68are defined as the first through-hole68a, a second through-hole68b, a third through-hole68c, and the fourth through-hole68din an order from the downstream in the transport direction Y. The second through-hole68bis located at an intermediate position between the first through-hole68aand the third through-hole68cin the transport direction Y. The third through-hole68cis located at an intermediate position between the second through-hole68band the fourth through-hole68din the transport direction Y.

The first through-hole68aand the third through-hole68care located at the same position in the scanning direction X to be spaced apart from each other in the transport direction Y. The second through-hole68band the fourth through-hole68dare located at the same position in the scanning direction X to be spaced apart from each other in the transport direction Y. In the scanning direction X, the first through-hole68aand the third through-hole68care located in positions that are different from the position of the second through-hole68band the fourth through-hole68dto be spaced apart from the second through-hole68band the fourth through-hole68d, respectively.

The liquid ejecting head46has a first nozzle group69ato a fourth nozzle group69deach having a large number of the nozzles47arranged at a constant pitch in the transport direction Y. The first nozzle group69ais exposed from the first through-hole68a, the second nozzle group69bis exposed from the second through-hole68b, the third nozzle group69cis exposed from the third through-hole68c, and the fourth nozzle group69dis exposed from the fourth through-hole68d. The first nozzle group69aand the third nozzle group69care formed at the same position in the scanning direction X and are arranged in a row in the transport direction Y. The second nozzle group69band the fourth nozzle group69dare formed at the same position in the scanning direction X and are arranged in a row in the transport direction Y.

A part of the first nozzle group69aand a part of the second nozzle group69b, a part of the second nozzle group69band a part of the third nozzle group69c, and a part of the third nozzle group69cand a part of the fourth nozzle group69doverlap each other when viewed from the scanning direction X. That is, the first nozzle group69ato the fourth nozzle group69dconstitute a nozzle row69continuing in the transport direction Y when viewed from the scanning direction X. One nozzle row69ejects the same kind of liquid. A plurality of the nozzle rows69may be formed in the liquid ejecting head46.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, four liquid ejecting heads46are arranged in parallel to each other at a constant pitch in the scanning direction X. Configurations of the liquid ejecting heads46are the same. Therefore, the plurality of nozzle rows69are arranged in parallel to each other at a constant pitch in the scanning direction X. That is, the plurality of nozzles47are arranged on the nozzle surface48to form the plurality of nozzle rows69arranged in the scanning direction X. A plurality of different kinds of liquids can be ejected from the plurality of nozzle rows69.

The liquid ejecting system11includes a maintenance mechanism70for performing maintenance of the liquid ejecting portion16. The maintenance mechanism70maintains the liquid ejecting portion16to prevent or resolve ejection failure caused by the clogging of the nozzles47, mixing of air bubbles into the liquid ejecting head46, attachment of the foreign matters to the peripheries of the nozzles47, and the like.

The maintenance mechanism70includes a first flushing tray71and a second flushing tray72that receive the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head46, a cleaning member73that wipes and cleans the nozzle surface48, and a cleaning mechanism74that cleans the liquid ejecting head46. The first flushing tray71and the second flushing tray72may be provided at positions on both sides of the transport belt24in the scanning direction X so as to be adjacent to the transport belt24. The first flushing tray71is provided between the cleaning member73and the transport belt24in the scanning direction X. The second flushing tray72is provided opposite to the cleaning member73and the cleaning mechanism74with the transport belt24interposed therebetween.

When the printing is not performed or when power is turned off, the liquid ejecting portion16stands by at a home position where the cleaning mechanism74is disposed. When performing the printing, the liquid ejecting portion16alternately moves in the scanning direction X away from the home position and in a direction opposite to the scanning direction X, and ejects the liquid onto a printing area PA to perform the printing. An area that can face the liquid ejecting portion16that moves in the scanning direction X is referred to as a scanning area SA. The scanning area SA includes the medium14and the medium supporting surface24a. The maintenance mechanism70is provided in the scanning area SA.

As a maintenance operation of the liquid ejecting portion16, the control portion31performs a flushing operation of ejecting the liquid from the nozzle47to the flushing area FA. The flushing area FA may be set on any of the first flushing tray71, the second flushing tray72, the transport belt24, and the medium14. The control portion31may set the flushing areas FA on both sides of the printing area PA in the scanning direction X.

An area of the scanning area SA that can be set as the flushing area FA is referred to as a setting area CA. The setting area CA includes the first flushing tray71, the second flushing tray72, and an area between the first flushing tray71and the second flushing tray72.

The flushing operation is an operation of ejecting and discharging the liquid from the nozzle47separately from ejection of the liquid onto the medium14to be printed, in order to prevent or resolve clogging of the nozzles47. Foreign matters, air bubbles, and altered liquids, which cause ejection failure, can be discharged through the flushing operation. An example of the altered liquids is thickened ink. The flushing operation is executed to resolve a slight ejection failure.

The cleaning member73performs a wiping operation of wiping the nozzle surface48as the maintenance operation of the liquid ejecting head46. The cleaning member73is formed of an elastic member such as rubber or resin elastomer and is formed in a thin plate shape. At least one of the cleaning member73and the liquid ejecting head46is configured to relatively move in the vertical direction Z between a wiping position where the cleaning member73and the nozzle surface48can come into contact with each other and a retracted position where the cleaning member73is separated from the nozzle surface48in the vertical direction Z. When the liquid ejecting head46moves in the scanning direction X and passes through the cleaning member73while being located in the wiping position, the cleaning member73and the liquid ejecting head46come into contact with the nozzle surface48to wipe the nozzle surface48while the cleaning member73is elastically deformed. That is, the cleaning member73moves relatively to the liquid ejecting portion16in the scanning direction X along the nozzle surface48to wipe the nozzle surface48.

The cleaning mechanism74includes a suction cap76, a suction tube78that connects the suction cap76and a waste liquid accommodating portion77, and a suction pump79that sucks an inside of the suction cap76. The suction pump79is, for example, a tube pump provided in the middle of the suction tube78. At least one of the suction cap76and the liquid ejecting head46is configured to relatively move between a capping position in which a space where the nozzles47are opened is a closed space and a retracted position where the space where the nozzles47are opened is an opened space. The suction cap76and the liquid ejecting head46are disposed in the capping position so that capping is performed.

The suction cap76comes into contact with the liquid ejecting head46to form a closed space covering all the nozzles47at once. The cleaning mechanism74performs a cleaning operation as the maintenance operation of the liquid ejecting head46, in which the suction pump79is driven to apply a negative pressure to the closed space formed by disposing the suction cap76at the capping position, so that the liquid is sucked from the nozzles47.

The medium supporting surface24acan support the medium14at a predetermined position in the scanning direction X. For example, the medium supporting surface24amay support the medium14arranged at the center in the scanning direction X or may support the medium14arranged close to an end of the transport belt24.

In the present embodiment, among ends of the medium14in the scanning direction X, an end closer to the home position is called a first medium end14A, and an end away from the home position is called a second medium end14B. Among ends of the transport belt24in the scanning direction X, an end closer to the home position is called a first belt end24A, and an end away from the home position is called a second belt end24B. The first belt end24A is an end adjacent to the first flushing tray71, and is located between the first flushing tray71and the first medium end14A in the scanning direction X. The second belt end24B is an end adjacent to the second flushing tray72, and is located between the second medium end14B and the second flushing tray72in the scanning direction X.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, in the scanning direction X, the position of the first belt end24A is a reference position BP, the position of the second belt end24B is a belt end position EP, the position of the first medium end14A is a first medium end position MP1, and the position of the second medium end14B is a second medium end position MP2. In the printing area PA, the position of an end closer to the home position is a first printing end position PP1, and the position of an end away from the home position is a second printing end position PP2. In the setting area CA, the position of an end closer to the home position is a first setting end position CP1, and the position of an end away from the home position is the second setting end position CP2.

In the scanning direction X, the size from the first printing end position PP1to the second printing end position PP2is a printing width PW. The printing width PW is also the size of the printing area PA. In the scanning direction X, the size from the first medium end position MP1to the second medium end position MP2is a medium width MW. In the scanning direction X, the size from the reference position BP to the belt end position EP is a belt width BW. In the scanning direction X, the size from the reference position BP to the first setting end position CP1is a first setting width CW1, and the size from the reference position BP to the second setting end position CP2is a second setting width CW2.

The scanning area SA may be provided with a prohibited range NR that is not suitable as the flushing area FA. In the present embodiment, the prohibited range NR is provided by using, as ends, the reference position BP, the first medium end position MP1, the first printing end position PP1, the second printing end position PP2, the second medium end position MP2, and the belt end position EP. In other words, the prohibited range NR includes the end of the transport belt24, the end of the medium14, and the end of the printing area PA. The control portion31may set, as the prohibited range NR, an area between the first flushing tray71and the transport belt24, an area between the second flushing tray72and the transport belt24, and the printing area PA.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the designation portion20of the present embodiment may include a display portion81that displays information. The designation portion20may be a touch panel that can directly operate the display portion81or may also include an operation portion provided separately from the display portion81. The designation portion20may be provided separately from the housing12and may also be electrically coupled to the control portion31by wired or wireless communication.

As illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6, the designation portion20can designate a designation range AR in the scanning area SA by being operated by the operator. In other words, the operator can designate the designation range AR through the designation portion20. In detail, as illustrated inFIG. 5, the control portion31may display, on the display portion81, a selection button82for selecting a member that can set the flushing area FA, and the operator may designate the designation range AR by selecting the selection button82. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the control portion31may display, on the display portion81, an input portion83that can input a numerical value, and the operator may designate the designation range AR by inputting, to the input portion83, values of a flushing width FW, a flushing start position FS, and a flushing end position FE. As illustrated inFIG. 6, the designation portion20may display, on the display portion81, a selection frame84indicating a designatable range, and the operator may designate the designation range AR by selecting the selection frame84. As illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6, the display portion81may display a confirmation button85for confirming the designated designation range AR.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, the control portion31may display, on the display portion81, the designatable range excluding the prohibited range NR that cannot be designated as the designation range AR. For example, the control portion31may not display the selection frame84including the prohibited range NR. In this case, a range in which the selection frame84is displayed becomes the designatable range.

The control portion31may display a recommendation range RR that is a range recommended as the flushing area FA. The recommendation range RR is a range recommended as the flushing area FA based on printing specifications on the medium14. The control portion31may set the recommendation range RR based on the medium width MW, the printing width PW, the first printing end position PP1, the second printing end position PP2, the type of liquid, and the like. For example, the control portion31may set the recommendation range RR to be narrower when the type of the liquid is likely to thicken than when the type of the liquid is less likely to thicken or may set the recommendation range RR to be wider in the case of the printing specifications in which a large amount of the liquid is ejected onto the medium14than in the case of the printing specifications in which a small amount of the liquid is ejected onto the medium14. The control portion31may display the recommendation range RR by displaying the recommendation range RR in a solid-line selection frame84and by displaying the selection frame84in a range different from the recommendation range RR by an one dot chain line. The control portion31may display the designation range AR by changing and displaying the color of the selection frame84selected by the operator.

The designation of the designation range AR by the operator may be performed using any one of the selection button82, the input portion83, and the selection frame84or may be performed in a combination of at least two thereof. For example, the operator may roughly designate the designation range AR by selecting the selection button82or may finely designate the designation range AR by inputting a numerical value to the input portion83. The control portion31causes the operator to identify whether or not the designated designation range AR coincides with a range intended by the operator, by displaying the selection frame84based on the designation range AR designated by the selection button82and the input portion83. The control portion31may display the selection frame84indicating the designatable range based on the designation range AR roughly set by the selection button82, and cause the operator to select the selection frame84.

An operation of the present embodiment will be described.

As illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6, when the operator selects the selection button82, the control portion31of the present embodiment displays, on the display portion81, a start range SR that can be designated as the flushing start position FS and an end range ER that can be designated as the flushing end position FE according to the selected item. At this time, the control portion31may input recommendation values of the flushing start position FS and the flushing end position FE into the input portion83. The recommendation value is a value at which the designation range AR is within the recommendation range RR.

The control portion31may display, on the display portion81, a range which the operator can set as the flushing width FW. A designatable range of the flushing width FW may be set according to whether a simultaneous flushing operation of collectively ejecting the liquid from the plurality of nozzle rows69or an individual flushing operation of ejecting the liquid at different timing each for nozzle row69is performed or may be set according to the type of used liquid.

When the operator confirms the flushing width FW, the flushing start position FS, and the flushing end position FE by pressing the confirmation button85illustrated inFIG. 5, the control portion31may determine whether or not the designation range AR is within the recommendation range RR. In this case, a range between the flushing start position FS and the position obtained by adding the flushing width FW to the flushing start position FS and a range between the position obtained by subtracting the flushing width FW from the flushing end position FE and the flushing end position FE become the designation range AR.

When at least a part of the designation range AR is within the recommendation range RR, the control portion31sets the flushing area FA such that at least a part of the flushing area FA is located within the recommendation range RR. When performing the flushing operation, the control portion31ejects the liquid from the nozzle47to the set flushing area FA.

When the designation range AR is outside the recommendation range RR, the control portion31may display the selection frame84and cause the operator to identify whether or not the flushing area FA is set outside the recommendation range RR. The control portion31may set the flushing area FA to the designation range AR when the result reconfirmed by the operator is the same.

Next, a detailed example of the maintenance method for the liquid ejecting system11will be described.

In the drawing, a distance between respective positions in the scanning direction X with reference to the reference position BP is illustrated in parentheses.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the liquid ejecting system11performs printing on the medium14disposed in the center of the medium supporting surface24ain the scanning direction X. As an example, the first printing end position PP1is a position away from the reference position BP by 650 mm, the printing width PW is 600 mm, the medium width MW is 1500 mm, the belt width BW is 1900 mm, the first setting width CW1is 90 mm, the second setting width CW2is 1990 mm, and the width of each prohibited range NR is 30 mm.

As illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6, a case will be described where the operator can use, as the flushing area FA, all the first flushing tray71, the second flushing tray72, the transport belt24, and the medium14, and the flushing width FW is set to 50 mm.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the control portion31may display, on the display portion81, the start range SR, the end range ER, and the recommendation value. In detail, the start range SR is not less than the first setting end position CP1and not more than the first printing end position PP1−the width of the prohibited range NR−the flushing width FW. The end range ER that can be designated as the flushing end position FE is not less than the second printing end position PP2+the width of the prohibited range NR+the flushing width FW and not more than the second setting end position CP2. That is, in the scanning direction X with reference to the reference position BP, the start range SR is not less than −90 mm and not more than 570 mm, and the end range ER is not less than 1330 mm and not more than 1990 mm. The recommendation value of the start range SR is 570 mm which is a maximum value of the start range SR, and the recommendation value of the end range ER is 1330 mm which is a minimum value of the end range ER.

When the operator presses the confirmation button85with the recommendation value, the designation range AR is a range between the recommendation value with the recommendation value at an end and the printing area PA, and is equal to the flushing width FW.

The control portion31sets the flushing area FA based on the designated designation range AR. That is, the control portion31sets, to the flushing area FA, a range from the flushing start position FS input to the input portion83to the flushing start position FS+the flushing width FW and a range from the flushing end position FE−the flushing width FW to the flushing end position FE. Therefore, when the operator presses the confirmation button85in a state in which the flushing width FW is 50 mm, the flushing start position FS is 570 mm, and the flushing end position FE is 1330 mm, the control portion31sets, to the flushing area FA, a range from 570 mm to 620 mm and a range from 1280 mm to 1330 mm with reference to the reference position BP. When performing the flushing operation, the control portion31ejects the liquid from the nozzle47to the set flushing area FA.

FIG. 6illustrates a case where the designation range AR deviates from the recommendation range RR. When the operator presses the confirmation button85in this state, the control portion31sets the flushing area FA at a position closest to the printing area PA in the designation range AR.

As illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8, a case will be described in which the operator disables the first flushing tray71and the second flushing tray72and sets the transport belt24and the medium14to be usable. This is the recommendation setting for the liquid ejecting system11. The flushing width FW is set to 50 mm.

In this case, the start range SR is not less than the width of the prohibited range NR and not more than the first printing end position PP1−the width of the prohibited range NR−the flushing width FW. The end range ER is not less than the second printing end position PP2+the width of the prohibited range NR+the flushing width FW and not more than the belt end position EP−the width of the prohibited range NR. That is, in the scanning direction X with reference to the reference position BP, the start range SR is not less than 30 mm and not more than 570 mm, and the end range ER is not less than 1330 mm and not more than 1870 mm.

When the operator presses the confirmation button85with the recommendation value, the control portion31sets, as the flushing area FA, the range from 570 mm to 620 mm and the range from 1280 mm to 1330 mm with reference to the reference position BP.

As illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 10, a case will be described in which the operator disables the first flushing tray71, the second flushing tray72, and the transport belt24, enables the medium14, and sets the flushing width FW to 50 mm. When the designated designation range AR is only the medium14, the control portion31sets the flushing area FA to the end of the medium14and an area away from the printing area PA on the medium14.

The start range SR is not less than the first medium end position MP1+the width of the prohibited range NR and not more than the first printing end position PP1−the width of the prohibited range NR−the flushing width FW. The end range ER is not less than the second printing end position PP2+the width of the prohibited range NR+the flushing width FW and not more than the second medium end position MP2−the width of the prohibited range NR. That is, with reference to the reference position BP, the start range SR is not less than 230 mm and not more than 570 mm, and the end range ER is not less than 1330 mm and not more than 1670 mm. The recommendation value for the flushing start position FS is 570 mm, and the recommendation value for the flushing end position FE is 1330 mm.

When the operator presses the confirmation button85with the recommendation value, the control portion31sets, as the flushing area FA, the range from 570 mm to 620 mm and the range from 1280 mm to 1330 mm with reference to the reference position BP.

As illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 12, a case will be described where the operator disables the first flushing tray71, the second flushing tray72, and the medium14, enables the transport belt24, and sets the flushing width FW to 50 mm. When the designated designation range AR is only the medium supporting surface24a, the control portion31sets the flushing area FA to an area away from the medium14supported by the medium supporting surface24a. When the designated designation range AR includes the medium supporting surface24a, the control portion31sets the flushing area FA to an area away from an end of the medium supporting surface24a. That is, when the prohibited range NR set at ends of the medium14and the transport belt24is included in the designation range AR, the control portion31removes the prohibited range NR and sets the flushing area FA.

In this case, the start range SR is not less than the width of the prohibited range NR and not more than the first medium end position MP1−the width of the prohibited range NR−the flushing width FW. The end range ER is not less than the second medium end position MP2+the width of the prohibited range NR+the flushing width FW and not more than the belt end position EP−the width of the prohibited range NR. That is, with reference to the reference position BP, the start range SR is not less than 30 mm and not more than 120 mm, and the end range ER is not less than 1780 mm and not more than 1870 mm. The recommendation value for the flushing start position FS is 570 mm, and the recommendation value for the flushing end position FE is 1780 mm.

When the operator presses the confirmation button85with the recommendation value, the control portion31sets, as the flushing area FA, a range from 120 mm to 170 mm and a range from 1730 mm to 1780 mm with reference to the reference position BP.

As illustrated inFIGS. 13 and 14, a case will be described where the operator enables the first flushing tray71and the second flushing tray72, disables the medium14and the transport belt24, and sets the flushing width FW to 50 mm. The control portion31sets a maximum value of the flushing width FW to be not more than the width of each of the first flushing tray71and the second flushing tray72.

In this case, the start range SR is not less than the first setting end position CP1and not more than the reference position BP−the width of the prohibited range NR−the flushing width FW. The end range ER is not less than the belt end position EP+the width of the prohibited range NR+the flushing width FW and is not more than the second setting end position CP2. That is, with reference to the reference position BP, the start range SR is not less than −90 mm and not more than −80 mm and the end range ER is not less than 1980 mm and not less than 1990 mm. The recommendation value for the flushing start position FS is −80 mm, and the recommendation value for the flushing end position FE is 1980 mm.

When the operator presses the confirmation button85with the recommendation value, the control portion31sets, as the flushing area FA, a range from −80 mm to −30 mm and a range from 1930 mm to 1980 mm with reference to the reference position BP.

The effects of the present embodiment will be described.

(1) The control portion31sets the flushing area FA based on the designation range AR designated by the operator. Therefore, it is possible to perform flushing on the flushing area FA that reflects the intention of the operator.

(2) For example, when the liquid ejecting portion16ejects the liquid to a position different from the medium supporting surface24aand the medium14due to a flushing operation, the inside of the device may be contaminated. In this point, for example, by displaying the designatable range excluding the prohibited range NR that may contaminate the inside of the device, the operator can easily designate the designation range AR excluding the prohibited range NR.

(3) For example, when the liquid ejecting portion16ejects the liquid to the end of the transport belt24by the flushing operation, there is a concern in that an area around the transport belt24may be contaminated by the liquid splashing against the transport belt24or the liquid deviating from the transport belt24. In this point, the prohibited range NR includes the end of the transport belt24. Therefore, since the display portion81displays the designatable range with the end of the transport belt24removed, contamination around the transport belt24due to the flushing operation can be reduced.

(4) The control portion31displays the recommendation range RR on the display portion81. Therefore, the operator can easily designate the designation range AR in consideration of the recommendation range RR.

(5) The flushing area FA is set to an area away from the medium14. Therefore, contamination of the medium14due to the flushing operation can be reduced.

(6) The flushing area FA is set to an area away from the end of the medium14and the printing area PA. Therefore, it is possible to reduce contamination of the medium supporting surface24aby the liquid ejected by the liquid ejecting portion16according to the flushing operation.

(7) When the designation range AR is outside the recommendation range RR, the operator identifies whether or not the designation range AR is incorrect. Therefore, when the operator erroneously designates the designation range AR, it is possible to reduce a concern that the operator sets the flushing area FA to an unintended range. When there is no change in the designation range AR even after the confirmation with the operator, the flushing area FA is set to the designation range AR, so that the flushing operation can be performed which prioritizes an operator's intention.

The present embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows. The present embodiment and the following modification examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically consistent range.The operator may select the selection button82to enable the first flushing tray71, the second flushing tray72, and the medium14and disable the transport belt24. In this case, the control portion31may set the flushing area FA as in the case where only the medium14is usable. The operator may enable the first flushing tray71, the second flushing tray72, and the transport belt24, and may disable the medium14. In this case, the control portion31may set the flushing area FA as in the case where only the transport belt24is usable.When the designation range AR includes the prohibited range NR, the control portion31may set the size of the flushing area FA in the scanning direction X to the flushing width FW+the width of the prohibited range NR and may set the flushing area FA across the prohibited range NR. In the flushing operation, the control portion31may stop the ejection of the liquid after ejecting the liquid from the end of the flushing area FA to the end of the prohibited range NR, and restart the ejection of the liquid after exceeding the prohibited range NR.The number of the flushing areas FA set in the scanning area SA by the control portion31may be one.When the control portion31sets a plurality of the flushing areas FA, intervals from the printing area PA to each flushing area FA may be different in the scanning direction X. The control portion31may set the flushing area FA in different members. For example, the control portion31may set, on the transport belt24, the flushing area FA located between the printing area PA and the home position, and may set the other flushing area FA on the medium14.The control portion31may set the flushing area FA in the designation range AR without determining whether or not the designated designation range AR is within the recommendation range RR.When the designated designation range AR is outside the recommendation range RR, the control portion31may display a message and request identification from the operator.Even when the designated designation range AR is only the medium14, if the size of a blank space of the medium14is smaller than the size required to set the flushing area FA, the control portion31may set the flushing area FA to an area different from the medium14. In detail, when the first printing end position PP1−the first medium end position MP1−the width of the prohibited range NR−the width of the prohibited range NR is smaller than the flushing width FW, the control portion31sets the flushing area FA to the transport belt24or the first flushing tray71.Even when the designated designation range AR is only the transport belt24, if the size from the reference position BP to the first medium end position MP1is smaller than the size required to set the flushing area FA, the control portion31may set the flushing area FA in an area different from that on the transport belt24. In detail, when the first medium end position MP1−the width of the prohibited range NR−the width of the prohibited range NR is smaller than the flushing width FW, the control portion31sets the flushing area FA in the first flushing tray71.The width of the designation range AR may be changed according to the type of the medium14or the type of the liquid or may be designated by the operator. For example, when the operator sets the width of the designation range AR to 0 mm and enables only the transport belt24as the flushing area FA, the control portion31may set an area adjacent to the medium14as the flushing area FA.The control portion31may set the recommendation range RR based on a printing environment such as temperature and humidity. For example, the control portion31may set the recommendation range RR to be narrower when the printing environment is high temperature and low humidity in which the nozzle47is likely to be clogged than when the printing environment is low temperature and high humidity in which the nozzle47is less likely to be clogged.The control portion31may not display the recommendation range RR. That is, the control portion31may display the same selection frame84regardless of whether the selection frame84is within the recommendation range RR.The transport portion15that transports the medium14may include a transport roller pair that transports the medium14by rotating while sandwiching the medium14and a support portion that supports the medium14. In this case, the support portion may have a support surface that supports the medium14and a recess that is recessed with respect to the support surface, and the control portion31may set the flushing area FA on the support portion. As the flushing operation, the control portion31may eject the liquid toward a recess located in the flushing area FA.The control portion31may display the designatable range including the prohibited range NR. When the designation range AR designated by the operator includes the prohibited range NR, the control portion31may remove the prohibited range NR and set the flushing area FA.The liquid ejecting system11may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects or discharges a liquid other than an ink. Further, a state of the liquid discharged as a minute amount of the droplets from the liquid ejecting apparatus includes a grain state, a teardrop state, and a thread-like tail. The liquid mentioned herein may be any material that can be ejected from the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, the liquid may be in a state when the material is in a liquid phase state, and includes a fluid-state body such as liquid having high viscosity or low viscosity, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, an organic solvent, a solution, liquid resin, liquid metal, and metallic melt. The liquid, which is a state of a matter, includes a solution obtained by dissolving, dispersing, and mixing, in a solvent, particles of a functional material made of a solid such as a pigment or metal particles, in addition to the liquid. Representative examples of the liquid include ink, liquid crystal, and the like as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink includes various kinds of liquid compositions such as general water-based ink, oil-based ink, gel ink, and hot melt ink. As a specific example of the liquid ejecting apparatus, there is an apparatus that ejects a liquid containing, in a dispersed or dissolved form, a material such as an electrode material and a coloring material used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an electroluminescence display, a surface light emitting display, a color filter, or the like. The liquid ejecting apparatus may be an apparatus that ejects a biological organic substance used for manufacturing a biochip, an apparatus that is used as a precision pipette and ejects a liquid as a sample, a textile printing apparatus, a micro dispenser, and the like. The liquid ejecting apparatus may be an apparatus that ejects a lubricating oil to a precision machine such as a watch and a camera using a pinpoint and an apparatus that ejects a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin onto a substrate to form a micro-hemispherical lens, an optical lens, and the like used for an optical communication element. The liquid ejecting apparatus may be an apparatus that ejects an etching liquid such as acid or alkali to etch a substrate or the like.

Hereinafter, a technical spirit identified from the above-described embodiments and the modification examples and an effects thereof will be described.

A. A liquid ejecting system includes: a transport portion that transports a medium in a transport direction in a state in which the medium is supported on a medium supporting surface; a liquid ejecting portion that performs printing by moving in a scanning direction and ejecting a liquid from a nozzle with respect to the medium supported on the medium supporting surface; a designation portion for an operator to designate a designation range within a scanning area, the scanning area being configured to face the liquid ejecting portion that moves in the scanning direction and to include the medium and the medium supporting surface; and a control portion that sets a flushing area based on the designated designation range and performs a flushing operation of ejecting the liquid from the nozzle to the flushing area as a maintenance operation of the liquid ejecting portion.

According to this configuration, the control portion sets the flushing area based on the designation range designated by the operator. Therefore, the flushing can be performed in the flushing area that reflects the intention of the operator.

B. In the liquid ejecting system, the control portion may display, on a display portion included in the designation portion, a designatable range excluding a prohibited range configured not to be designated as the designation range.

For example, when the liquid ejecting portion ejects a liquid to a position different from the medium supporting surface and the medium due to the flushing operation, the inside of the device may be contaminated. In this respect, according to this configuration, for example, by displaying the designatable range excluding the prohibited range that may contaminate the inside of the device, the operator can easily designate the designation range outside the prohibited range.

C. In the liquid ejecting system, the transport portion may have a transport belt that transports the medium in the transport direction in a state in which the medium is supported on the medium supporting surface, and an end of the transport belt may be included in the prohibited range.

For example, when the liquid ejecting portion ejects the liquid to the end of the transport belt due to the flushing operation, there is a concern in that an area around the transport belt may be contaminated by the liquid splashing against the transport belt or the liquid deviating from the transport belt. In this point, according to this configuration, the prohibited range includes the end of the transport belt. Therefore, since the display portion displays the designatable range with the end of the transport belt removed, contamination around the transport belt due to the flushing operation can be reduced.

D. In the liquid ejecting system, the control portion may display, on a display portion included in the designation portion, a recommendation range recommended as the flushing area.

According to this configuration, the control portion displays the recommendation range on the display portion. Therefore, the operator can easily designate the designation range in consideration of the recommendation range.

E. A maintenance method for a liquid ejecting system including: a transport portion that transports a medium in a transport direction in a state in which the medium is supported on a medium supporting surface; a liquid ejecting portion that moves in a scanning direction and ejects a liquid from a nozzle with respect to the medium supported on the medium supporting surface; and a designation portion for an operator to designate a designation range within a scanning area, the scanning area being configured to face the liquid ejecting portion that moves in the scanning direction and to include the medium and the medium supporting surface, the method including: setting a flushing area based on the designated designation range; and performing a flushing operation of ejecting the liquid from the nozzle to the flushing area as a maintenance operation of the liquid ejecting portion may be provided. According to this method, the same effect as the liquid ejecting system can be obtained.

F. In the maintenance method of the liquid ejecting system, when the designated designation range includes the medium supporting surface, the flushing area may be set to an area spaced apart from an end of the medium supporting surface. According to this method, the same effect as the liquid ejecting system can be obtained.

G. In the maintenance method of the liquid ejecting system, when the designated designation range is only the medium supporting surface, the flushing area may be set to an area spaced apart from the medium supported by the medium supporting surface. According to this method, the flushing area is set in the area away from the medium. Therefore, the contamination of the medium due to the flushing operation can be reduced.

H. In the liquid ejecting system maintenance method, when the designated designation range is only the medium, the flushing area may be set to an area spaced apart from an end of the medium and a printing area on the medium.

According to this method, the flushing area is set in an area away from the end of the medium and the printing area. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the contamination of the medium supporting surface due to the liquid ejected by the liquid ejecting portion according to the flushing operation.

I. In the liquid ejecting system maintenance method, when the designated designation range is outside a recommendation range recommended as the flushing area based on printing specifications on the medium, and a result re-identified by an operator is the same, the flushing area may be set to the designation range.

According to this method, when the designation range is outside the recommendation range, the operator identifies whether or not the designation range is incorrect. Therefore, when the operator incorrectly designates the designation range, it is possible to reduce a risk that the operator sets the flushing area to an unintended range. When there is no change in the designation range even after the identification by the operator, the flushing area is set to the designation range, so that the flushing operation can be performed which prioritizes an operator's intention.