Liquid ejection apparatus

Provided is a liquid ejection apparatus achieving a reduction of the load applied during capping to a moving mechanism of a liquid ejection head or a cap, whichever is pressed. The inkjet ejection apparatus includes: a liquid ejection head that includes an ejection port surface in which ejection ports for ejecting a liquid are provided; a capping unit that caps the ejection port surface; a moving unit that moves the capping unit to a first position at which the capping unit is capable of capping the ejection port surface and to a second position at which the capping unit is separated from the ejection port surface; and a restriction unit that is fixed to a body of the apparatus and, when the capping unit is located at the first position, contacts the capping unit to thereby restrict movement of the capping unit in a direction different from a direction toward the second position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a liquid ejection apparatus that ejects a predetermined liquid from a liquid ejection head.

Description of the Related Art

Liquid ejection apparatuses such as inkjet printing apparatuses are provided with a cap that protects a print head, or a liquid ejection head. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-5857 discloses an inkjet printing apparatus that moves a print head in a horizontal direction to make the print head face a cap and then raises the cap to cap an ejection port surface including ink (liquid) ejection ports.

However, in a configuration as in the inkjet printing apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-5857, in which the capping is performed by moving both the cap and the print head, at least one of the print head and the cap presses the other during the capping. For this reason, during the capping, a moving mechanism of whichever is pressed is subjected to a load, and such a load may possibly damage the constituent components of the moving mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above problem and an object thereof is to provide a liquid ejection apparatus that achieves a reduction of the load applied, during capping of a liquid ejection head, to a moving mechanism of the liquid ejection head or a cap, whichever is pressed.

In the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid ejection apparatus comprising: a liquid ejection head that includes an ejection port surface in which ejection ports for ejecting a liquid are provided; a capping unit that caps the ejection port surface; a moving unit that moves the capping unit to a first position at which the capping unit is capable of capping the ejection port surface and to a second position at which the capping unit is separated from the ejection port surface; and a restriction unit that is fixed to a body of the apparatus and, when the capping unit is located at the first position, contacts the capping unit to thereby restrict movement of the capping unit in a direction different from a direction toward the second position.

In the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid ejection apparatus comprising: a liquid ejection head that includes an ejection port surface in which ejection ports for ejecting a liquid are provided; a capping unit that caps the ejection port surface; and a rotating unit that moves the capping unit, by rotating of the rotating unit, between a first position at which the capping unit is capable of capping the ejection port surface and a second position at which the capping unit is separated from the ejection port surface while maintaining a surface of the capping unit in a predetermined posture, the surface of the capping unit being a surface to be brought into contact with the ejection port surface when the capping unit is located at the first position.

With the present invention, the load applied to the moving unit by pressure during the capping of the liquid ejection head is reduced.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to drawings. Note that the following embodiment does not limit the present invention. Also, not all the combinations of the features described in this embodiment are necessarily essential for the solution to be provided by the present invention. Note that the relative arrangements, the shapes, and so on of the constituent components described in the embodiment are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention only to those. In the following embodiment, a liquid ejection apparatus including a liquid ejection head that ejects droplets will be described by taking an inkjet printing apparatus as an example.

FIG. 1is a view of the internal configuration of an inkjet printing apparatus1(hereinafter, the printing apparatus1) used in this embodiment. InFIG. 1, an x direction represents a horizontal direction, a y direction (direction normal to the sheet surface) represents a direction in which ejection ports are aligned in a later-described print head8, and a z direction represents the vertical direction.

The printing apparatus1is a multi-function peripheral including a print section2and a scanner section3and can perform various processes related to print operations and read operations with the print section2and the scanner section3individually or in combination with each other. The scanner section3includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) and a flatbed scanner (FBS) and can read a document automatically fed by the ADF and read (scan) a document placed on the FBS' document table by the user. Note that although the printing apparatus1is a multi-function peripheral including the print section2and the scanner section3in this embodiment, the printing apparatus1may be of a type without the scanner section3.FIG. 1illustrates the printing apparatus1in a standby state in which it is performing no print operation or read operation.

A first cassette5A and a second cassette5B that house print media (cut sheets) S are mounted in an attachable and detachable manner at a bottom portion of the print section2on the lower side of a housing4in the vertical direction. The first cassette5A houses relatively small print media of up to a size of A4 in the form of a flat pile. The second cassette5B houses relatively large print media of a size of up to A3 in the form of a flat pile. Near the first cassette5A, a first feed unit6A is provided which separately feeds the housed print media. Likewise, a second feed unit6B is provided near the second cassette5B. When a print operation is performed, a print medium S is fed selectively from one of the cassettes.

Transport rollers7, a discharge roller12, pinch rollers7a, spurs7b, a guide18, an inner guide19, and a flapper11are transport mechanisms that guide print media S in predetermined directions. The transport rollers7are drive rollers disposed upstream and downstream of the print head8and driven by a transport motor not illustrated. The pinch rollers7aare driven rollers that rotate while nipping a print medium S with the transport rollers7. The discharge roller12is a drive roller disposed downstream of the transport rollers7and driven by a transport motor not illustrated. The spurs7btransport a print medium S while holding it between themselves and the transport rollers7disposed downstream of the print head8and the discharge roller12.

The guide18is provided along a transport path for print media S and guides a print medium S in predetermined directions. The inner guide19is a member extending in the y direction and having a curved side surface and guides a print medium S along this side surface. The flapper11is a member that switches the direction of transport of a print medium S in a two-sided print operation. A discharge tray13is a tray on which to place and hold print media S discharged by the discharge roller12after completing their print operations.

The print head8(liquid ejection head) in this embodiment is a full line-type color inkjet print head, in which a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting inks (liquids) according to print data are aligned along the y direction inFIG. 1, the number of ejection ports corresponding to the width of the print media S. When the print head8is at a standby position, an ejection port surface8aof the print head8faces vertically downward and is covered by a cap unit10, as illustrated inFIG. 1. When a print operation is performed, a later-described printer controller202changes the posture of the print head8such that the ejection port surface8afaces a platen9. The platen9is made of a flat plate extending in the y direction and supports the back surface of a print medium S on which a print operation is to be performed by the print head8. Movement of the print head8from the standby position to a print position will be described later in detail.

An ink tank unit14stores inks of four colors to be fed to the print head8. An ink feed unit15is provided at a point along a flow channel connecting the ink tank unit14and the print head8and adjusts the pressure and flow rate of the inks inside the print head8within appropriate ranges. This embodiment employs a circulatory ink feed system. The ink feed unit15adjusts the pressure of the inks to be fed to the print head8and the flow rate of the inks collected from the print head8within appropriate ranges.

A maintenance unit16includes the cap unit10and a wiping unit17and operates them with a predetermined timing to perform a maintenance operation on the print head8. The maintenance operation will be described later in detail.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration in the printing apparatus1. The control configuration mainly includes a print engine unit200that controls the print section2, a scanner engine unit300that controls the scanner section3, and a controller unit100that controls the whole printing apparatus1. The printer controller202controls various mechanisms of the print engine unit200in accordance with instructions from a main controller101of the controller unit100. Various mechanisms of the scanner engine unit300are controlled by the main controller101of the controller unit100. Details of the control configuration will be described below.

In the controller unit100, the main controller101, configured using a CPU, controls the entire printing apparatus1by using a RAM106as a work area in accordance with programs and various parameters stored in a ROM107. For example, upon input of a print job from a host apparatus400through a host I/F102or a wireless I/F103, an image processor108performs predetermined image processing on received image data in accordance with an instruction from the main controller101. The main controller101then transmits the image data after the image processing to the print engine unit200through a print engine I/F105.

Meanwhile, the printing apparatus1may obtain image data from the host apparatus400by means of wireless communication or wired communication or from an external storage device (such as a USB memory) connected to the printing apparatus1. The communication method used for the wireless communication or the wired communication is not particularly limited. For example, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be employed as the communication method used for the wireless communication. Also, universal serial bus (USB) or the like can be employed as the communication method used for the wired communication. Further, for example, upon input of a read command from the host apparatus400, the main controller101transmits this command to the scanner section3through a scanner engine I/F109.

An operation panel104is a mechanism with which the user inputs and receives information into and from the printing apparatus1. Through the operation panel104, the user can instruct the controller unit100to perform operations such as photocopying and scanning, set a print mode, check information on the printing apparatus1, and so on.

In the print engine unit200, the printer controller202, configured using a CPU, controls various mechanisms of the print section2by using a RAM204as a work area in accordance with programs and various parameters stored in a ROM203. Upon receipt of various commands and image data through a controller I/F201, the printer controller202temporarily stores them in the RAM204. The printer controller202causes an image processing controller205to convert the stored image data into print data so that the print head8can use the stored image data in a print operation. After the print data is generated, the printer controller202causes the print head8to perform a print operation based on the print data through a head I/F206. In doing so, the printer controller202transports a print medium S by driving the feed unit6A or6B, the transport rollers7, the discharge roller12, and the flapper11, which are illustrated inFIG. 1, through a transport controller207. A print process is performed by performing a print operation with the print head8in combination with the operation of transporting the print medium S in accordance with instructions from the printer controller202.

Ahead carriage controller208changes the posture and position of the print head8in accordance with the operation state of the printing apparatus1such as a maintenance state or a print state. An ink feed controller209controls the ink feed unit15such that the pressure of the inks to be fed to the print head8fall within an appropriate range. A maintenance controller210controls the operation of the cap unit10and the wiping unit17of the maintenance unit16when a maintenance operation is performed on the print head8.

For the scanner engine unit300, the main controller101controls hardware resources in a scanner controller302by using the RAM106as a work area in accordance with programs and various parameters stored in the ROM107. As a result, various mechanisms of the scanner section3are controlled. For example, the main controller101controls hardware resources in the scanner controller302through a controller I/F301such that a document loaded on the ADF by the user is transported through a transport controller304and read by a sensor305. Then, the scanner controller302stores the read image data in an a RAM303. Meanwhile, by converting the image data thus obtained into print data, the printer controller202can cause the print head8to perform a print operation based on the image data read by the scanner controller302.

FIG. 3illustrates the printing apparatus1in a print state. In contrast to the standby state illustrated inFIG. 1, the cap unit10is separated from the ejection port surface8aof the print head8, and the ejection port surface8ais facing the platen9. In this embodiment, the plane of the platen9is tilted at approximately 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction, and the ejection port surface8aof the print head8at the print position is also tilted at approximately 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction so that the distance between the ejection port surface8aand the platen9can be kept at a fixed distance.

When the print head8is moved from the standby position illustrated inFIG. 1to the print position illustrated inFIG. 3, the printer controller202lowers the cap unit10to a retreat position illustrated inFIG. 3by using the maintenance controller210. As a result, the ejection port surface8aof the print head8is separated from a cap member10a. Then, using the head carriage controller208, the printer controller202turns the print head8by 45 degrees while adjusting its height level in the vertical direction, to thereby make the ejection port surface8aface the platen9. The printer controller202performs the reverse of the above steps when moving the print head8from the print position to the standby position after a print operation is completed.

Next, the transport paths for print media S in the print section2will be described. Upon input of a print command, the printer controller202firstly moves the print head8to the print position illustrated inFIG. 3by using the maintenance controller210and the head carriage controller208. The printer controller202then drives the first feed unit6A or the second feed unit6B based on the print command and feeds a print medium S by using the transport controller207.

FIG. 4A,FIG. 4B, andFIG. 4Care views illustrating a transport path used in a case of feeding an A4 print medium S stored in the first cassette5A. The print medium S stacked at the top in the first cassette5A is separated from the second and lower print media by the first feed unit6A and transported toward a printing region P between the platen9and the print head8while being nipped between some transport rollers7and pinch rollers7a.FIG. 4Aillustrates a transport state immediately before the leading edge of the print medium S reaches the printing region P. The direction of travel of the print medium S is changed from the horizontal direction (x direction) to a direction tilted at approximately 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction by the time the print medium S reaches the printing region P after being fed by the first feed unit6A.

At the printing region P, the inks are ejected toward the print medium S from the plurality of ejection ports provided in the print head8. The platen9supports the back surface of the region of the print medium S to which the inks are to be applied, and the distance between the ejection port surface8aand the print medium S is kept at a fixed distance. After the inks are applied, the print medium S passes the left side of the flapper11, whose tip is tilted toward the right side, and is transported upward in the vertical direction of the printing apparatus1along the guide18while being guided by some transport rollers7and spurs7b.FIG. 4Billustrates a state where the leading edge of the print medium S has passed the printing region P and is being transported upward in the vertical direction. The direction of travel of the print medium S has been changed to the vertically upward direction by the transport rollers7and spurs7bfrom the position of the printing region P, which is tilted at approximately 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction.

After being transported vertically upward, the print medium S is discharged onto the discharge tray13by some discharge rollers12and spurs7b.FIG. 4Cillustrates a state where the leading edge of the print medium S has passed the discharge roller12and is being discharged onto the discharge tray13. The print medium S after being discharged is held on the discharge tray13in a state where its surface on which the image was printed by the print head8faces down.

FIG. 5A,FIG. 5B, andFIG. 5Care views illustrating a transport path used in a case of feeding an A3 print medium S stored in the second cassette5B. The print medium S stacked at the top in the second cassette5B is separated from the second and lower print media by the second feed unit6B and transported toward the printing region P between the platen9and the print head8while being nipped between some transport rollers7and pinch rollers7a.

FIG. 5Aillustrates a transport state immediately before the leading edge of the print medium S reaches the printing region P. Pluralities of transport rollers7and pinch rollers7aand the inner guide19are disposed along the transport path from the point at which the print medium P is fed by the second feed unit6B to the point at which the print medium P reaches the printing region P. Hence, the print medium P is transported to the platen9while being curved in an S-shape.

The subsequent part of the transport path is the same as that in the case with an A4 print medium S illustrated inFIG. 4BandFIG. 4C.FIG. 5Billustrates a state where the leading edge of the print medium S has passed the printing region P and is being transported upward in the vertical direction.FIG. 5Cillustrates a state where the leading edge of the print medium S has passed the discharge roller12and is being discharged onto the discharge tray13.

FIG. 6A,FIG. 6B,FIG. 6C, andFIG. 6Dillustrate a transport path used in a case of performing a print operation on the back surface (second surface) of an A4 print medium S (two-sided printing). In the case of performing two-sided printing, printing is performed on a first surface (front surface) and thereafter a print operation is performed on a second surface (back surface). The transport steps for performing the first surface printing are the same asFIG. 4A,FIG. 4B, andFIG. 4Cand description thereof will therefore be omitted here. The transport steps followingFIG. 4Cwill be described below.

After the print operation on the first surface by the print head8is completed and the trailing edge of the print medium S passes the flapper11, the printer controller202rotates the transport rollers7in the opposite direction to thereby transport the print medium S to the inner side of the printing apparatus1. At this moment, the flapper11is controlled by an actuator not illustrated such that its tip is tilted toward the left side. Thus, the leading edge of the print medium S (the trailing edge in the print operation on the first surface) passes the right side of the flapper11and is transported downward in the vertical direction.FIG. 6Aillustrates a state where the leading edge of the print medium S (the trailing edge in the print operation on the first surface) is passing the right side of the flapper11.

Thereafter, the print medium S is transported along the curved outer circumferential surface of the inner guide19and transported to the printing region P between the print head8and the platen9again. This time, the second surface of the print medium S faces the ejection port surface8aof the print head8.FIG. 6Billustrates a transport state immediately before the leading edge of the print medium S reaches the printing region P for the print operation on the second surface.

The subsequent part of the transport path is the same as that for the first surface printing illustrated inFIG. 4BandFIG. 4C.FIG. 6Cillustrates a state where the leading edge of the print medium S has passed the printing region P and is being transported upward in the vertical direction. At this moment, the flapper11is controlled by the actuator not illustrated to move to the position at which its tip is tilted toward the right side.FIG. 6Dillustrates a state where the leading edge of the print medium S has passed the discharge roller12and is being discharged onto the discharge tray13.

Next, the maintenance operation on the print head8will be described. As also described with reference toFIG. 1, the maintenance unit16in this embodiment includes the cap unit10and the wiping unit17and operates them with a predetermined timing to perform the maintenance operation.

FIG. 7is a view of the printing apparatus1in the maintenance state. To move the print head8from the standby position illustrated inFIG. 1to a maintenance position illustrated inFIG. 7, the printer controller202moves the print head8upward in the vertical direction and moves the cap unit10downward in the vertical direction. The printer controller202then moves the wiping unit17in the rightward direction inFIG. 7from its retreat position. The printer controller202thereafter moves the print head8downward in the vertical direction to thereby move it to the maintenance position, at which the maintenance operation can be performed.

Also, to move the print head8from the print position illustrated inFIG. 3to the maintenance position illustrated inFIG. 7, the printer controller202moves the print head8upward in the vertical direction while turning it by 45 degrees. The printer controller202then moves the wiping unit17in the rightward direction from its retreat position. The printer controller202thereafter moves the print head8downward in the vertical direction to thereby move it to the maintenance position, at which the maintenance operation by the maintenance unit16can be performed.

FIG. 8Ais a perspective view illustrating the maintenance unit16at its standby position.FIG. 8Bis a perspective view illustrating the maintenance unit16at its maintenance position.FIG. 8Acorresponds toFIG. 1, andFIG. 8Bcorresponds toFIG. 7. When the print head8is at its standby position, the maintenance unit16is at its standby position illustrated inFIG. 8Aand therefore the cap unit10is moved upward in the vertical direction and the wiping unit17is housed in the maintenance unit16. The cap unit10includes the cap member10a, which is in a box shape extending in the y direction. With this brought into tight contact with the ejection port surface8aof the print head8, the cap unit10can reduce evaporation of the inks through the ejection ports. The cap unit10also has a function of collecting the inks ejected onto the cap member10afor preliminary ejection or the like and sucking the collected inks with a suction pump not illustrated.

On the other hand, at the maintenance position illustrated inFIG. 8B, the cap unit10is moved downward in the vertical direction and the wiping unit17is pulled out of the maintenance unit16. The wiping unit17includes two wiper units, namely a blade wiper unit171and a vacuum wiper unit172.

In the blade wiper unit171, blade wipers171athat wipe the ejection port surface8ain the x direction are disposed along the y direction over a length corresponding to the region along which the ejection ports are aligned. To perform a wiping operation using the blade wiper unit171, the wiping unit17moves the blade wiper unit171in the x direction with the print head8positioned at such a height level that the print head8can contact the blade wipers171a. With this movement, the blade wipers171awipe the inks and the like attached to the ejection port surface8a.

At the inlet of the maintenance unit16through which the blade wipers171aare housed, a wet wiper cleaner16ais disposed which removes the inks attached to the blade wipers171aand applies a wetting liquid to the blade wipers171a. Each time the blade wipers171aare housed into the maintenance unit16, the matters attached to the blade wipers171aare removed and the wetting liquid is applied thereto by the wet wiper cleaner16a. Then, the next time the blade wipers171awipe the ejection port surface8a, the wetting liquid is transferred onto the ejection port surface8a, thereby improving the lubricity between the ejection port surface8aand the blade wipers171a.

On the other hand, the vacuum wiper unit172includes a flat plate172awith an opening portion extending in the y direction, a carriage172bcapable of moving in the y direction within the opening portion, and a vacuum wiper172cmounted on the carriage172b. The vacuum wiper172cis disposed so as to be capable of wiping the ejection port surface8ain they direction with movement of the carriage172b. At the tip of the vacuum wiper172c, a suction port is formed which is connected to a suction pump not illustrated. Thus, by moving the carriage172bin the y direction with the suction pump actuated, the inks and the like attached to the ejection port surface8aof the print head8are wiped by the vacuum wiper172cand sucked into the suction port. In this operation, the flat plate172aand positioning pins172dprovided at opposite ends of its opening portion are used to position the ejection port surface8arelative to the vacuum wiper172c.

In this embodiment, it is possible to perform a first wiping process in which the wiping operation by the blade wiper unit171is performed but the wiping operation by the vacuum wiper unit172is not performed and a second wiping process in which both wiping processes are sequentially performed. To perform the first wiping process, the printer controller202first pulls the wiping unit17out of the maintenance unit16with the print head8retreated to above the maintenance position inFIG. 7in the vertical direction. The printer controller202then moves the print head8downward in the vertical direction to such a position that the print head8can contact the blade wipers171a, and thereafter moves the wiping unit17to the inside of the maintenance unit16. With this movement, the blade wipers171awipe the inks and the like attached to the ejection port surface8a. Specifically, the blade wipers171awipe the ejection port surface8aas they are moved from the position to which the wiping unit17has been pulled out of the maintenance unit16to the inside of the maintenance unit16.

After housing the blade wiper unit171, the printer controller202moves the cap unit10upward in the vertical direction to thereby bring the cap member10ainto tight contact with the ejection port surface8aof the print head8. The printer controller202then drives the print head8in this state to cause it to perform preliminary ejection, and sucks the inks collected in the cap member10awith the suction pump.

On the other hand, to perform the second wiping process, the printer controller202first slides the wiping unit17to pull it out of the maintenance unit16with the print head8retreated to above the maintenance position inFIG. 7in the vertical direction. The printer controller202then moves the print head8downward in the vertical direction to such a position that the print head8can contact the blade wipers171a, and thereafter moves the wiping unit17to the inside of the maintenance unit16. As a result, the wiping operation by the blade wipers171ais performed on the ejection port surface8a. Subsequently, the printer controller202slides the wiping unit17to pull it out of the maintenance unit16to a predetermined position with the print head8retreated to above the maintenance position inFIG. 7in the vertical direction again. The printer controller202then positions the ejection port surface8aand the vacuum wiper unit172relative to each other by using the flat plate172aand the positioning pins172dwhile lowering the print head8to the wiping position illustrated inFIG. 7. The printer controller202thereafter performs the above-described wiping operation by the vacuum wiper unit172. The printer controller202retreats the print head8upward in the vertical direction and houses the wiping unit17, and then performs preliminary ejection into the cap member and the operation of sucking the collected inks with the cap unit10, as in the first wiping process.

Next, the configuration of the cap unit10in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 9AtoFIG. 14B.

FIG. 9Aillustrates an explanatory view of the cap unit at a capping position, andFIG. 9Billustrates an explanatory view of the cap unit10at its retreat position. Also, FIG.9C illustrates an explanatory view of a gear train, andFIG. 9Dillustrates an explanatory view of a free-end side of a cap holder gear504.

As illustrated inFIG. 8AandFIG. 8B, the cap unit10is provided so as to be movable along with the wiping unit17relative to a mount member16-1of the maintenance unit16. The cap unit10is provided at the downstream end of the mount member16-1in the x direction. The cap unit10includes the cap member10a, which protects (caps) the ejection port surface8aof the print head8by coming into tight contact with the ejection port surface8a, and a cap holder110which holds the cap member10a. In the cap unit10, the cap member10ais configured to be movable to the capping position and to the retreat position. The capping position (first position) is a position at which the cap unit10faces the ejection port surface8aof the print head8and the ejection port surface8acan be capped by the cap member10aby moving the print head8downward in the vertical direction. The retreat position (second position) is a position to which the cap unit10is retreated from the print head8, that is, a position at which the cap unit10does not interfere with the print head8in motion (a position at which the cap unit10does not cap the ejection port surface8a). Note that in this embodiment, the retreat position is a position at which the cap member10ais housed in the mount member16-1(opening space S0). Specifically, the cap member10ais located at the capping position when the maintenance unit16is at its standby position, as illustrated inFIG. 8A, while the cap member10ais located at the retreat position when the maintenance unit16is at its maintenance position, as illustrated inFIG. 8B.

The cap unit10includes a holding member112that holds the cap holder110, and a rotating unit500that moves the cap member10athrough the holding member112to the capping position and to the retreat position by rotating. Note that in this embodiment, the cap member10aand the cap holder110function as a capping unit that moves through the holding member112to the capping position and to the retreat position by means of the rotating unit500and caps the ejection port surface8a.

At the opposite ends of the cap member10ain the longitudinal direction (y direction), the cap holder110is provided with positioning members10band10cfor positioning the cap member10arelative to the ejection port surface8aof the print head8. The positioning members10band10care provided with a predetermined gap left therebetween in the x direction. The cap member10ais positioned relative to the ejection port surface8aby fitting positioning members (not illustrated) provided to the ejection port surface8abetween the positioning members10band10c. Moreover, the holding member112is provided with a plurality of biasing members114, and the cap holder110is biased in the direction of arrow B by the biasing members114. Thus, the cap member10ais biased in the direction of arrow B (upward in the vertical direction) by the biasing member114through the cap holder110.

The holding member112extends in the y direction, and the rotating unit500is connected to its opposite ends in the longitudinal direction (y direction). Specifically, the cap holder gears504(described later) of the rotating unit500are provided at the opposite ends of the holding member112in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the cap member10ais configured to move through the holding member112and so on by means of the rotating unit500.

The rotating unit500(moving unit) includes gear trains510each including a sector gear501, a center gear502, an idler gear503, and a cap holder gear504. These gear trains510are provided symmetrically on the front side (the near side ofFIG. 9A) and the back side (the far side ofFIG. 9A) of the cap unit10, and the gear trains510on the front side and the back side are driven simultaneously by the same drive motor505.

The sector gear501(first gear) and the center gear502(second gear) have the same gear center. The sector gear501is held on a base member507in a rotatable manner whereas the center gear502is fixed to the base member507in a non-rotatable manner. The cap holder gear504(third gear) and the idler gear503(fourth gear) are held on the sector gear501in a rotatable manner, and the idler gear503is in mesh with both the center gear502and the cap holder gear504. Note that the center gear502and the cap holder gear504have the same gear specification (the same number of teeth).

Thus, as the sector gear501rotates, the idler gear503in mesh with the center gear502, which cannot rotate, revolves around the center gear502while rotating. In this action, since the center gear502and the cap holder gear504have the same specification (the same number of teeth), the amount of rotation of the center gear502relative to the idler gear503and the amount of rotation of the cap holder gear504relative to the idler gear503are equal. Accordingly, the cap holder gear504rotates by the same angle as the angle of the rotation of the sector gear501but in the opposite direction. Thus, the orientation of the cap holder gear504remains the same irrespective of the angle of the rotation of the sector gear501.

The cap holder gear504holds the holding member112. Thus, as the sector gear501rotates, the cap member10a, held on the holding member112through the cap holder110, rotates about the rotation axis of the sector gear501and moves to the capping position or the retreat position. In this action, since the orientation of the cap holder gear504remains the same irrespective of the angle of the rotation of the sector gear501, the holding member112, held on the cap holder gear504, also rotates while maintaining its orientation. Specifically, when, for example, the cap member10ais in a substantially horizontal state at the retreat position (seeFIG. 3), the cap unit10can move to the capping position (seeFIG. 1) while maintaining the substantially horizontal state. Therefore, inclination of the cap unit10can be controlled, and ink leakage from the cap unit10can be suppressed. Further, the substantially horizontal state may be a state of angle that ink leakage from the cap unit10can be suppressed.

The cap holder gear504includes a gear portion504-1where a gear that meshes with the idler gear503is formed, and an extension portion504-2extending in the x direction from the gear portion504-1. The gear portion504-1is provided with a protrusion504-1aprotruding in the y direction at the center of rotation of the cap holder gear504. This protrusion504-1afixes either end of the holding member112in the longitudinal direction on one end side thereof in the transverse direction of the holding member112(x direction). Note that when fixed by the protrusion504-1a, the holding member112can rotate by a predetermined amount about the protrusion504-1a. A protrusion504-2aprotruding in the y direction is provided on the tip side of the extension portion504-2, and a later-described spring506is connected to this protrusion504-2a. This cap holder gear504is disposed such that, for example, the extension portion504-2is substantially parallel to the x direction when the cap holder gear504is in mesh with the idler gear503. Note that in the following description, one end side of the holding member112in the x direction to which the protrusion504-1ais fixed (upstream side in the x direction) will also be referred to as the fixed-end side while the opposite end side, connected to the protrusion504-2athrough the spring506(downstream side in the x direction), will also be referred to as the free-end side.

Also, the spring506(biasing unit), which biases the free-end side of the holding member112upward, is connected to the holding member112. Specifically, for example, as illustrated inFIG. 9D, one end (upper end) of the spring506is connected to the protrusion504-2awhile the opposite end (lower end) is connected to a protrusion112bprovided on the free-end side of the holding member112. Further, the free-end side of the holding member112is biased in the direction of arrow C by biasing force from the spring506such that the holding member112can maintain a predetermined posture. Note that the predetermined posture is a posture in which the free-end side of the holding member112is tilted to be located higher than the fixed-end side (seeFIG. 11B). In this way, the free-end side will not be tilted downward unless a force in the opposite direction (downward direction) from the direction of arrow C is applied to the free-end side. As described above, the fixed-end side of the holding member112in the x direction (predetermined direction) is fixed while the free-end side in the x direction (predetermined direction) is biased upward in the vertical direction by the spring506such that the free-end side is located higher than the fixed-end side. In this way, it is possible to prevent the free-end side from being tilted downward due to the backlashes in the rotating unit500, the weight of the holding member112(including the members disposed on the holding member112), and so on. In other words, in this embodiment, the holding member112and the spring506function as a holding unit that holds the capping unit.

Also, the amount of drive of the drive motor505is controlled based on control by the maintenance controller210. The maintenance controller210controls the amount of drive of the drive motor505in accordance with instructions from the print controller202. Note that the cap unit10is configured to move the cap member10aby means of a plurality of gears, as described above. Thus, in the above description of the printing state, the standby state, and the wiping process, and so on, “moving the cap unit10upward in the vertical direction” means moving the cap unit10to move the cap member10afrom the retreat position to the capping position. Also, “moving the cap unit10downward in the vertical direction” means moving the cap unit10to move the cap member10afrom the capping position to the retreat position.

As illustrated inFIG. 8A, the cap unit10is provided in the maintenance unit16such that the cap unit10can be housed under a movement region where the wiping unit17moves in the x direction. Specifically, in the mount member16-1, the opening space S0is formed on a downstream side in the x direction and under the movement region for the wiping unit17. The cap unit10is disposed with the base members507fixed in this opening space S0. Moreover, when the cap member10ais at the retreat position, the cap unit10is in a state of being housed in the opening space S0out of contact with the wiping unit17moving in the x direction.

Here,FIG. 10illustrates a view seen in the direction of arrow A inFIG. 8A. The mount member16-1is provided with a contact member16-2vertically under the holding member112at the capping position. The contact member16-2can contact a lower surface112aof the holding member112which is rotated by pressure resulting from ascending and descending operations of the print head8. Thus, as the cap member10ais pressed downward in the vertical direction by the print head8, the lower surface112aof the holding member112contacts the contact member16-2with the ejection port surface8acapped. As a result, the holding member112is supported on the contact member16-2while also the print head8and the cap member10aare positioned in the z direction. In other words, the contact member16-2functions as a restriction unit that restricts movement of the holding member112by supporting the holding member112.

Thus, in this embodiment, the capping unit, which includes the holding member112, is supported by the mount member16-1, which is fixedly provided on the body of the apparatus, through the contact member16-2. Accordingly, the load applied to the gears of the rotating unit500is small as compared to a case where the holding member112is not supported by the mount member16-1through the contact member16-2.

Note that when the cap member10ais pressed downward in the vertical direction by the print head8, the holding member112is rotated against the biasing force from the springs506and the ejection port surface8ais capped by the cap member10a. Thus, the predetermined amount by which the holding member112can rotate is at least an amount that allows movement from the initial position of the holding member112at which the free-end side is located higher than the fixed-end side to the contact position at which the lower surface112ais brought into contact with the contact member16-2by pressure from the print head8. As described above, when capping the print head8, the cap member10ais in a state of being biased toward the ejection port surface8aby the springs506. In other words, in this embodiment, the holding unit, including the holding member112and the springs506, has a function of biasing the capping unit (the cap member10aand the cap holder110) toward the ejection port surface8a.

In this embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 10, the contact member16-2is disposed at two spots at a substantially center position in the direction of extension of the holding member112(y direction). However, the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, the contact member16-2may be disposed on the opposite end sides in the direction of extension of the holding member112. Alternatively, the contact member16-2may contact the holding member112along a predetermined region extending in the direction of extension of the holding member112. Still alternatively, the contact members16-2may contact the holding member112at one spot or three or more spots. Note that the contact member16-2is made of an elastic material, for example. Meanwhile, the contact member16-2may not be provided, and the lower surface112aof the holding member112may directly contact the mount member16-1, so that the lower surface112ais supported by the mount member16-1. In other words, the mount member16-1functions as the contact member16-2in this case.

The operation of the cap unit10in capping with the above-described configuration will be described.FIG. 11AtoFIG. 14Billustrate explanatory views for explaining the operation of the cap unit10in capping.FIG. 11Aillustrates an explanatory view illustrating the cap unit10with the cap member10aat the retreat position, andFIG. 11Billustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line XIB-XIB inFIG. 11A.FIG. 12Aillustrates an explanatory view illustrating the cap unit10with the cap member10amoving from the retreat position toward the capping position, andFIG. 12Billustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line XIIB-XIIB inFIG. 12A.FIG. 13Aillustrates an explanatory view illustrating the cap unit10with the cap member10aat the capping position, andFIG. 13Billustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line XIIIB-XIIIB inFIG. 13A.FIG. 14Ais an explanatory view illustrating a state where the ejection port surface8aof the print head8is capped by the cap member10aat the capping position, andFIG. 14Billustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line XIVB-XIVB inFIG. 14A.

For capping by the cap unit10after finishing a printing operation, for example, the print head8is moved from the printing position (seeFIG. 3) first. Specifically, using the head carriage controller208, the printer controller202turns the print head8tilted at 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction by 45 degrees while adjusting its height level in the vertical direction, to thereby make the ejection port surface8aface downward in the vertical direction.

Then, using the maintenance controller210, the print controller202drives the drive motor505(driving unit) to thereby move the cap member10ain the cap unit10from the retreat position to the capping position. Specifically, with the drive motor505, the print controller202rotates each sector gear501(seeFIG. 12A) in the direction of arrow D (seeFIG. 11A) to move the cap member10aat the retreat position to the capping position.

Note that at each gear train510, including the sector gear501, the orientation of the cap holder gear504, holding the holding member112, remains the same irrespective of the angle of rotation of the sector gear501. Thus, when the cap member10a, disposed on the holding member112through the cap holder110, is moved from the retreat position to the capping position, the cap member10ais moved while maintaining the predetermined posture (seeFIG. 11BandFIG. 12B).

Then, after moving the cap member10ato the capping position (seeFIG. 13A), the print controller202moves (lowers) the print head8downward in the vertical direction by using the head carriage controller208to bring the ejection port surface8ainto contact with the cap member10a. Note that, as illustrated inFIG. 13B, the cap member10amoved to the capping position is maintaining the same predetermined posture as when the cap member10ais at the retreat position.

As the print head8is lowered from above in the vertical direction toward the cap member10ain the predetermined posture at the capping position (seeFIG. 14A), the cap member10acontacts the ejection port surface8afirstly from the side adjacent to the free-end side of the holding member112. Then, as illustrated inFIG. 14B, as the print head8is lowered further, the holding member112is pressed downward in the vertical direction through the cap member10a, so that the free-end side of the holding member112rotates in the direction of arrow E against the biasing force from the springs506. Thus, the cap member10acomes into tight contact with the ejection port surface8aand, as illustrated inFIG. 14B, the contact member16-2comes into contact with the lower surface112aof the holding member112, thereby positioning the cap member10ain the z direction. As a result, the print head8is located at the standby position (seeFIG. 1) with the ejection port surface8acapped by the cap member10a.

As described above, during capping, the holding member112contacts the holding member112and therefore the holding member112is supported on the mount member16-1. Thus, during capping, the load applied to the gears of the rotating unit500by the pressure from the print head8is reduced. Accordingly, damage to the gears and the like are less likely to occur. Also, when the cap member10amoves from the retreat position to the capping position, the holding member112is in a state where the free-end side is located higher than the fixed-end side. This prevents the holding member112from interfering with the contact member16-2while the cap member10amoves from the retreat position to the capping position, and thereby makes the movement smooth.

Also, when moving the print head8from the standby position to the printing position, the print controller202moves the print head8and the cap unit10by using the maintenance controller210and the head carriage controller208. Specifically, first, the print controller202turns the print head8by 45 degrees while adjusting its height level in the vertical direction, to thereby make the ejection port surface8aface the platen9. As a result, the ejection port surface8ais separated from the cap member10a. In this action, the free-end side of the holding member112is raised by the biasing force from the springs506, so that the holding member112shifts into the predetermined posture, in which the free-end side is located higher than the fixed-end side. Also, in this action, the lower surface112aof the holding member112is separated from the contact member16-2.

Thereafter, the drive motor505is driven to rotate the sector gear501in the direction of arrow F (seeFIG. 13A), thereby moving the cap member10afrom the capping position to the retreat position. In this action, the cap member10amoves while maintaining the predetermined posture, and is housed into the opening space S0while maintaining the predetermined posture (seeFIG. 11BandFIG. 12B).

As described above, in the cap unit10, the capping unit, including the cap member10aand the cap holder110, is moved between the capping position and the retreat position by the rotating unit500. Also, the mount member16-1of the maintenance unit16is provided with the contact member16-2, which contacts the lower surface112a(second surface) on the opposite side from a first surface of the capping unit that comes into tight contact with the ejection port surface8aduring capping. Note that the first surface is a facing surface10aathat faces the ejection port surface8awhen the cap member10ais in tight contact with the ejection port surface8a(seeFIG. 11AandFIG. 12A).

Thus, when the print head8is lowered and the ejection port surface8ais capped by the capping unit, the lower surface112aof the holding member112contacts the contact member16-2and the capping unit is supported on the contact member16-2. This reduces the load applied during the capping to each gear train510of the rotating unit500, which moves the capping unit, and therefore prevents damage to the gears constituting the gear train510. Also, due to the configuration in which the capping unit is moved by rotating of the rotating unit500, the size can be small in the horizontal direction as compared to a configuration in which the cap is horizontally moved, as in Patent Literature 1, for example.

Also, the center gear502is provided in a non-rotatable manner to have the same gear center as the sector gear501, which is rotated by drive of the drive motor505. Moreover, there are provided the cap holder gear504, which is fixed to the sector gear501in a rotatable manner and holds the holding member112, and the idler gear503, which meshes with the center gear502and the cap holder gear504. Further, the center gear502and the cap holder gear504have the same gear specification (the same number of teeth). Furthermore, the holding member112, held by the cap holder gear504, is biased upward in the vertical direction by the spring506so as to cancel the tilt caused by the gravity such that the free-end side is located higher than the fixed-end side.

In this way, the capping unit can move between the retreat position and the capping position while maintaining the above orientation irrespective of the angle of rotation of the sector gear501. Also, since the holding member112moves while maintaining the state in which the free-end side is located higher, the holding member112can smoothly move without contacting the contact member16-2.

Other Embodiments

Note that the above-described embodiment may be modified as described in (1) to (4) below.

(1) In the above embodiment, in the predetermined posture, the free-end side of the holding member112is located higher than the fixed-end side. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, the holding member112may lie horizontally or the free-end side may be located lower than the fixed-end side as long as the cap member10acan come into tight contact with the ejection port surface8aof the lowered print head8and the holding member112does not contact the contact member16-2while moving to the retreat position and to the capping position. In other words, the predetermined posture of the holding member112may just need to be such an posture that the cap member10acan come into tight contact with the ejection port surface8aof the lowered print head8and the holding member112does not contact the contact member16-2while moving to the retreat position and to the capping position.

(2) In the above embodiment, the rotating unit500includes the gear trains510and is configured to be capable of moving the cap member10abetween the retreat position and the capping position through their gears. However, the moving mechanism is not limited to this. Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 15AandFIG. 15B, the configuration may be such that the holding member112is supported by a link mechanism, and the cap member10ais moved between the retreat position and the capping position by moving the holding member112by means of the link mechanism. In the case of using such a link mechanism, the link mechanism is driven through gears, as illustrated inFIG. 15B, for example.

(3) In the above embodiment, the cap member10ais moved between the retreat position and the capping position about the gear center of the sector gear501. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, the capping unit, including the cap member10aand the cap holder110, may be moved horizontally. Note that in this case, the capping unit may be moved in any manner as long as the configuration is such that the capping unit can be moved between the capping position and the retreat position and the load on the moving mechanism during capping is reduced by the contact member16-2.

(4) In the above embodiment, the contact member16-2is provided to the mount member16-1of the maintenance unit16. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, the contact member16-2may be provided anywhere as long as it is a member that is fixedly provided to the body of the apparatus and can withstand the pressure onto the capping unit from the print head8.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-172220 filed Sep. 7, 2017, respectively, which are hereby incorporated by reference wherein in their entirety.