LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS

A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a wiping portion which wipes a nozzle forming surface by relatively moving in a main scanning direction with respect to a recording head; and a controller which moves at least one of the recording head and the wiping member. The controller selects and performs at least one of first wiping processing for wiping the nozzle forming surface until the wiping portion is separated from the nozzle forming surface in the main scanning direction, and second wiping processing for separating the wiping portion from the nozzle forming surface in a retracting direction different from the main scanning direction after wiping the nozzle forming surface until the wiping portion comes into contact with a defined position of the nozzle forming surface.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus including a wiping portion which wipes a nozzle forming surface of a liquid ejecting head.

2. Related Art

As an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus, an ink jet type printer which performs printing on a medium, such as a paper sheet, by ejecting ink which is an example of a liquid from a nozzle of a liquid ejecting head is widely known. In such a printer, wiping of the nozzle forming surface is performed by relatively moving the wiping portion which is in contact with the nozzle forming surface with respect to the liquid ejecting head in a wiping direction which is a direction along the nozzle forming surface.

In JP-A-2007-152940, an example of a wiping method of a nozzle forming surface is described. In the wiping method, wiping of the nozzle forming surface is started by relatively moving the wiping portion in the wiping direction with respect to the liquid ejecting head. In addition, in a state where the wiping portion is in contact with the nozzle forming surface, the direction of the relative movement of the wiping portion is changed from the wiping direction to a direction substantially orthogonal to the nozzle forming surface. Accordingly, the wiping portion separates from the nozzle forming surface. Next, after the ink is removed from the wiping portion separated from the nozzle forming surface by a removing member, the wiping portion is again brought into contact with the nozzle forming surface. In addition, by relatively moving the wiping portion which is in contact with the nozzle forming surface again in the wiping direction, the wiping portion is separated from the nozzle forming surface in the wiping direction, and wiping is completed. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress scattering of ink from the wiping portion when the deflection of the wiping portion is eliminated by the separation from the nozzle forming surface as much as the amount of ink adhering to the wiping portion at the end of wiping becomes small.

For example, in a situation where the amount of ink adhering to the nozzle forming surface is small, even when the wiping portion is relatively moved in the wiping direction until passing through the nozzle forming surface, the amount of ink adhering to the wiping portion by wiping the nozzle forming surface is small. Therefore, when the wiping portion is separated from the nozzle forming surface in the wiping direction and the deflection of the wiping portion is eliminated, the amount of ink scattering from the wiping portion is small. In other words, the ink is unlikely to be scattered from the wiping portion at the end of wiping, without wiping the nozzle forming surface by the above-described wiping method.

However, in the printer described in JP-A-2007-152940, wiping of the nozzle forming surface is performed by the wiping method even in a situation where the amount of ink adhering to the nozzle forming surface is small. In this case, the time required for wiping the nozzle forming surface becomes unnecessarily long. In other words, it is not possible to wipe the nozzle forming surface according to the situation.

SUMMARY

An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus which can wipe the nozzle forming surface according to the situation.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus including: a liquid ejecting head having a nozzle which ejects a liquid and a nozzle forming surface on which the nozzle is opened; a wiping portion which wipes the nozzle forming surface by relatively moving in a wiping direction which is a direction along the nozzle forming surface with respect to the liquid ejecting head; a moving device which moves at least one of the liquid ejecting head and the wiping portion; and a wiping controller which controls the moving device. The wiping controller selects and performs at least one of first wiping processing for operating the moving device so as to wipe the nozzle forming surface until the wiping portion is separated from the nozzle forming surface in the wiping direction, and second wiping processing for operating the moving device so as to separate the wiping portion from the nozzle forming surface in a retracting direction which is a direction different from the wiping direction after wiping the nozzle forming surface until the wiping portion comes into contact with the nozzle forming surface at a defined position.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a liquid ejecting apparatus will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 13.

InFIG. 1, a part of a configuration in a housing11of an ink jet type printer10which is an example of the liquid ejecting apparatus of the embodiment is schematically illustrated. As illustrated inFIG. 1, in the housing11, a carriage12which moves in a main scanning direction X which is a leftward-and-rightward direction in the drawing, and a recording head13which is an example of a liquid ejecting head mounted on the carriage12, are provided. The recording head13includes: a nozzle forming surface131which opposes a printing surface Ma of a medium M when printing on a medium M, such as a paper sheet supported by a medium supporting portion14; and a plurality of nozzles132which ejects ink which is an example of liquid. In the example illustrated inFIG. 1, a nozzle forming surface131is formed on the lower surface of the recording head13in the drawing. In addition, each of the nozzle132respectively is opened on the nozzle forming surface131.

In addition, in the housing11, a linear encoder15for detecting a position of the carriage12in the main scanning direction X is provided. The linear encoder15includes an elongated detection tape151disposed further on a far side than the carriage12in a direction orthogonal to the paper surface; and a detection system (not illustrated) provided in the carriage12.

Furthermore, on the outside from the medium supporting portion14in the main scanning direction X, that is, on the right side from the medium supporting portion14inFIG. 1, a maintenance device20for performing various maintenance of the printer10is provided. Here, a region where the maintenance device20is disposed out of both regions positioned on the outside from the medium supporting portion14in the main scanning direction X is referred to as “home position HP”. Here, as the maintenance, for example, cleaning for forcibly discharging the ink from each of the nozzles132and wiping on a nozzle forming surface131can be employed.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 3, the maintenance device20includes: a cap23in which a liquid absorbing member22is accommodated on the inside thereof; and a suction pump24which operates to generate a negative pressure in the cap23. In other words, when cleaning, the suction pump24is operated in a state where a closed space is formed by the nozzle forming surface131of the recording head13and the cap23. Then, the closed space becomes a negative pressure by the operation of the suction pump24, and the ink is forcibly discharged from each of the nozzles132of the recording head13into the cap23. In addition, the ink discharged into the cap23is discharged into a waste liquid tank (not illustrated) via a suction tube25. Therefore, in the embodiment, cleaning corresponds to “liquid discharge processing” for discharging the ink from each of the nozzles132of the recording head13. In addition, the cap23, the suction pump24, and the suction tube25configure a cleaning device21which is an example of “liquid discharge processing unit” used when cleaning (liquid discharge processing) is performed.

In addition, the maintenance device20is provided with a wiping device30used when wiping the nozzle forming surface131. The wiping device30includes a wiping member31which is an example of a wiping portion disposed on the medium supporting portion14side in the main scanning direction X from the cap23. The wiping member31is configured of a flexible material, such as a synthetic resin or rubber. Therefore, in a case where an upper end portion311of the wiping member31comes into contact with the nozzle forming surface131, the wiping member31is deflected.

The wiping member31extends in a direction along the nozzle forming surface131, that is, in a retracting direction Y which is a direction different from the main scanning direction X. In other words, the retracting direction Y is a direction different from the wiping direction (that is, the main scanning direction X) which is a direction in which the wiping member31relatively moves with respect to the recording head13when wiping the nozzle forming surface131. In the embodiment, the retracting direction Y is orthogonal to the main scanning direction X. In addition, when the retracting direction Y is a direction along the nozzle forming surface131, that is, a direction different from the main scanning direction X, the retracting direction Y may not be orthogonal to the main scanning direction X.

In addition, the wiping device30includes: an operating mechanism32for moving the wiping member31in the retracting direction Y which is also an extending direction of the wiping member31; and a wiping motor (not illustrated) which is a power source of the operating mechanism32. In other words, the wiping device30is one configuration element of an example of “moving device” which moves at least one of the recording head13and the wiping member31. In the wiping device30, by driving the wiping motor, it is possible to move the wiping member31between a wiping position illustrated inFIG. 3and a retraction position illustrated inFIG. 2. The wiping position is a position where the upper end portion311of the wiping member31can be brought into contact with the nozzle forming surface131of the recording head13that moves in the main scanning direction X. Meanwhile, the retraction position is a position at which the upper end portion311of the wiping member31cannot be brought into contact with the nozzle forming surface131, and inFIG. 1, for example, is set further on a near side of the paper surface than the recording head13.

In addition, the wiping device30is provided with a removing member35which is an example of a removing unit that comes into contact with the wiping member31when the wiping member31is moved from the wiping position to the retraction position. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 11, when the wiping member31moves the wiping member31in the retracting direction Y toward the retraction position from the wiping position in a state where the wiping member31comes into contact with the nozzle forming surface131, and as illustrated inFIG. 12, the wiping member31comes into contact with the removing member35before the wiping member31is separated from the nozzle forming surface131. Specifically, a linear distance L1between the recording head13disposed at a position at which the nozzle forming surface131can be wiped off and the removing member35is shorter than a length L2in the retracting direction Y of the wiping member31. In addition, by bringing the removing member35into contact with the wiping member31which moves in the retracting direction Y in this manner, it is possible to remove an adhering material, such as ink, from the wiping member31.

Next, with reference toFIG. 4, a control configuration of the printer10will be described. As illustrated inFIG. 4, a control device100of the printer10includes a printing controller101, a cleaning controller102, and a wiping controller103, as functional units.

When printing is performed on the medium M, the printing controller101controls the recording head13, a medium transport device40, and a carriage moving device50. The medium transport device40is a device that operates to transport the medium M. The carriage moving device50is a device which operates to move the carriage12in the main scanning direction X. In other words, the carriage moving device50is one of the configuration elements of the “moving device”.

The cleaning controller102controls the carriage moving device50and the cleaning device21of the maintenance device20when cleaning is performed.

The wiping controller103controls the carriage moving device50and the wiping device30of the maintenance device20when wiping the nozzle forming surface131.

In addition, when controlling the carriage moving device50, each of the controllers101to103operates the carriage moving device50based on the position in the main scanning direction X of the carriage12detected based on a detection signal from the linear encoder15.

Next, with reference toFIG. 5, a processing routine executed by the cleaning controller102will be described. The processing routine is a processing routine executed when the cleaning execution condition is satisfied. For example, when at least one of a case where the elapsed time after the last cleaning has is performed, the defined time or more, a case where the ink cartridge of the printer10is exchanged, and a case where a user of the printer10urges to perform the cleaning, is satisfied, the processing routine is executed assuming that the cleaning execution condition is satisfied.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, in the processing routine, the cleaning controller102sets a cleaning permission flag FLG1to ON (step S11). The cleaning permission flag FLG1is a flag in which ON is set so as to inform the wiping controller103that cleaning is to be performed. Next, the cleaning controller102determines whether ON is set to a wiping flag FLG2to be described later (step S12).

In addition, in a case where the wiping flag FLG2is set to OFF (step S12: NO), the cleaning controller102repeats the determination of step S12until the wiping flag FLG2is set to ON. Meanwhile, in a case where the wiping flag FLG2is set to ON (step S12: YES), the cleaning controller102performs the cleaning (step S13). In other words, the cleaning controller102operates the carriage moving device50so that the recording head13is disposed at a position at which the cleaning can be performed. In addition, when the movement of the recording head13in the main scanning direction X is completed, the cleaning controller102operates the cleaning device21to bring the cap23into contact with the recording head13, and in this state, the ink is forcibly discharged from each of the nozzles132in the cap23.

When completing the cleaning, the cleaning controller102sets the cleaning permission flag FLG1to OFF (step S14). After this, the cleaning controller102ends the processing routine.

Next, with reference toFIG. 6, a processing routine executed by the wiping controller103will be described. In addition, the processing routine is executed each time a predetermined time has elapsed after the end of the execution of the previous processing routine.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, in the processing routine, it is determined that the wiping controller103sets the above-described cleaning permission flag FLG1to ON (step S21). In a case where the cleaning permission flag FLG1is set to ON, it can be determined that the wiping execution condition of the nozzle forming surface131is satisfied in accordance with the execution of cleaning. Meanwhile, in a case where the cleaning permission flag FLG1is set to OFF, it cannot be determined that the wiping execution condition of the nozzle forming surface131is satisfied in accordance with the execution of cleaning.

In addition, in a case where the cleaning permission flag FLG1is set to OFF (step S21: NO), the wiping controller103determines whether or not the wiping execution condition of the nozzle forming surface131is satisfied in a situation where the cleaning is not performed (Step S22). When performing the printing on the paper sheet as an example of the medium M, there is a concern that foreign matters, such as paper dust scattered from the paper sheet may adhere to the nozzle forming surface131. Therefore, for example, in a case where the printing is continuously performed on a plurality of media M, and in a case where the printing on a predetermined number of media M is completed, it may be determined that the wiping execution condition of the nozzle forming surface131is satisfied. In addition, it is preferable that the predetermined number be a positive number (for example, 10) which is 2 or more.

In a case where the wiping execution condition is not satisfied (step S22: NO), the wiping controller103temporarily ends the processing routine. Meanwhile, in a case where the wiping execution condition is satisfied (step S22: YES), the wiping controller103executes first wiping processing (step S23) which will be described later. In addition, after the completion of the first wiping processing, the wiping controller103shifts the processing to step S30which will be described later.

Meanwhile, in a case where the cleaning permission flag FLG1is set to ON (step S21: YES), the wiping controller103determines whether or not the elapsed time TM from the end of the previous cleaning execution is equal to or longer than a defined time TMTh (Step S24). The ink adhering to the nozzle forming surface131is volatilized with the lapse of time. In addition, when the volatilization progresses to some extent, it can be determined that the viscosity of the ink adhering to the nozzle forming surface131is high.

Here, in a case where the elapsed time TM is equal to or longer than the defined time TMTh (step S24: YES), it can be determined that the viscosity of the ink adhering to the nozzle forming surface131has increased, and thus, the wiping controller103selects and performs the first wiping processing (step S25). In addition, after the completion of the first wiping processing, the wiping controller103shifts the processing to step S27which will be described later. Meanwhile, in a case where the elapsed time TM is less than the defined time TMTh (step S24: NO), it can be determined that the viscosity of the ink adhering to the nozzle forming surface131has not increased, and thus, the wiping controller103selects and performs second wiping processing different from the first wiping processing (step S26). The second wiping processing will also be described later. In addition, after the completion of the second wiping processing, the wiping controller103shifts the processing to step S27which will be described later.

In step S27, the wiping controller103sets the wiping flag FLG2to ON. In other words, in the embodiment, when cleaning is performed, the nozzle forming surface131is wiped before the cleaning is performed. In addition, while the wiping flag FLG2is a flag which is set to OFF when the wiping prior to cleaning is not completed, and which is set to ON when wiping prior to cleaning is completed. Next, the wiping controller103determines whether the cleaning by the cleaning controller102has been completed (step S28). For example, in a case where the cleaning permission flag FLG1is set to OFF, it can be determined that the cleaning execution has finished. In a case where the execution of the cleaning has not been completed yet (step S28: NO), the wiping controller103repeats the determination of step S28. Meanwhile, in a case where the cleaning is completed (step S28: YES), the wiping controller103executes the second wiping processing (step S29). After the completion of the second wiping processing, the wiping controller103shifts the processing to the next step S30.

In step S30, the wiping controller103sets the wiping flag FLG2to OFF. After this, the wiping controller103ends the processing routine. Next, with reference toFIGS. 7 to 9, the first wiping processing will be described.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, in a situation where the wiping member31is disposed at the wiping position, the wiping controller103starts the first wiping processing in a state where the recording head13is positioned further on a side opposite to the home position HP (that is, on the medium supporting portion14side) in the main scanning direction X (wiping direction) than the wiping member31. In addition, the wiping controller103moves the recording head13to the home position HP side in the main scanning direction X by the operation of the carriage moving device50. Accordingly, as illustrated inFIG. 8, the upper end portion311of the wiping member31comes into contact with the nozzle forming surface131of the recording head13. After this, when the recording head13passes through the wiping member31and the recording head13is positioned on the side opposite to the medium supporting portion14in the main scanning direction X from the wiping member31as illustrated inFIG. 9, the wiping member31is separated from the nozzle forming surface131in the main scanning direction X, and thus, the wiping controller103stops the movement of the recording head13by controlling the operation of the carriage moving device50. In other words, the first wiping processing is processing for operating the carriage moving device50(one of the configuration elements of the moving device) so as to wipe the nozzle forming surface131until the wiping member31is separated from the nozzle forming surface131in the main scanning direction X.

Next, with reference toFIGS. 10 to 13, the second wiping processing will be described.

In a situation where the wiping member31is disposed at the wiping position, the wiping controller103starts the second wiping processing in a state (refer toFIG. 7) where the recording head13is positioned further on a side opposite to the home position HP (that is, on the medium supporting portion14side) in the main scanning direction X (wiping direction) than the wiping member31. In addition, the wiping controller103moves the recording head13to the home position HP side in the main scanning direction X by the operation of the carriage moving device50. In addition, as illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 11, when the wiping member31comes into contact with a defined position Pt on the nozzle forming surface131, the wiping controller103stops the movement of the recording head13in the main scanning direction X by controlling the operation of the carriage moving device50. In the embodiment, the defined position Pt is set between a nozzle row132G positioned on the side (the left side inFIG. 11) opposite to the most home position HP in the main scanning direction X among a plurality of nozzle rows132G arranged in the main scanning direction X, and an edge portion on the side opposite to the home position HP in the main scanning direction X of the nozzle forming surface131(the left side edge portion inFIG. 11).

Next, in the second wiping processing, the wiping controller103moves the wiping member31in the retracting direction Y as illustrated inFIG. 12by the operation of the wiping device30. In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 13, when the wiping member31is separated from the nozzle forming surface131and reaches the retraction position, the wiping controller103stops the movement of the wiping member31by controlling the operation of the wiping device30. In other words, in the second wiping processing, after wiping the nozzle forming surface131until the wiping member31comes into contact with the defined position Pt of the nozzle forming surface131, the carriage moving device50and the wiping device30(moving device) are operated such that the wiping member31is separated from the nozzle forming surface131in the retracting direction Y.

Next, with reference toFIGS. 7 to 13, an action when wiping the nozzle forming surface131will be described. In a case where the first wiping processing is performed, as illustrated inFIGS. 7 to 9, with respect to the wiping member31disposed at the wiping position, the recording head13moves toward the home position HP side from the medium supporting portion14side than the wiping member31in the main scanning direction X. In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 8, the nozzle forming surface131is wiped by bringing the upper end portion311of the wiping member31into contact with the nozzle forming surface131. In addition, in a case where the wiping member31comes into contact with the nozzle forming surface131, the wiping member31is deflected. In addition, the deflection of the wiping member31is eliminated when the wiping member31is separated from the nozzle forming surface131in the main scanning direction X as illustrated inFIG. 9.

In a case where the second wiping processing is performed, with respect to the wiping member31disposed at the wiping position, the recording head13moves toward the home position HP side from the medium supporting portion14side than the wiping member31in the main scanning direction X. In addition, the nozzle forming surface131is wiped by moving the recording head13in the main scanning direction X in a state where the nozzle forming surface131is in contact with the upper end portion311of the wiping member31. When the wiping member31comes into contact with the defined position Pt of the nozzle forming surface131as illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 11, the movement of the recording head13in the main scanning direction X is stopped. In other words, when wiping of the forming part of all of the nozzles132on the nozzle forming surface131is completed, the movement of the recording head13is stopped although the wiping member31is still in contact with the nozzle forming surface131.

After this, in a state where the wiping member31is in contact with the defined position Pt of the nozzle forming surface131and is still deflected, as illustrated inFIGS. 12 and 13, the wiping member31moves toward the retraction position in the retracting direction Y. In a case where the wiping member31moves in the retracting direction Y in this manner, in the wiping member31, the deflection of the part that does not come into contact with the nozzle forming surface131is gradually eliminated. In a case where a part of the wiping member31is still in contact with the nozzle forming surface131in this manner, a force which suppresses elimination of deflection acts on a part that does not come into contact with the nozzle forming surface131in the wiping member31. Therefore, compared to a case where the contact between the wiping member31and the nozzle forming surface131is eliminated all at once similar to a case of the first wiping processing, the deflection of the wiping member31is smoothly eliminated.

In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 12, in a case where the wiping member31moves toward the retraction position, at a stage where the wiping member31is still in contact with the nozzle forming surface131, the removing member35comes into contact with the wiping member31. Therefore, by using the movement of the wiping member31to the retraction position, removal of the adhering material, such as ink, from the wiping member31by the removing member35is performed.

Above, according to the embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) In the embodiment, when wiping the nozzle forming surface131, any one of the first wiping processing and the second wiping processing is selected. Therefore, by selecting the wiping processing in accordance with the situation at this time, it is possible to wipe the nozzle forming surface131in accordance with the situation at this time.

(2) In the second wiping processing, the wiping member31is moved in the retracting direction Y at a stage where the wiping member31is still in contact with the nozzle forming surface131. In other words, by moving the wiping member31in the retracting direction Y, the wiping member31is separated from the nozzle forming surface131. Therefore, when separating the wiping member31from the nozzle forming surface131, deflection of the wiping member31is smoothly eliminated compared to a case where the first wiping processing is performed. Accordingly, compared to a case where the first wiping processing is performed, it is possible to reduce the amount of ink scattering from the wiping member31due to the elimination of the deflection of the wiping member31.

(3) In addition, the direction of the relative movement of the wiping member31when the wiping member31is separated from the nozzle forming surface131by the second wiping processing, is different from the direction of the relative movement of the wiping member31when separating the wiping member31from the nozzle forming surface131by the first wiping processing. Therefore, when performing the second wiping processing, the position of the ink scattering from the wiping member31is different from the position of the ink scattering from the wiping member31and adhering to the inside of the housing11when performing the first wiping processing. Therefore, it is also possible to suppress the local contamination of a part in the housing11.

(4) When performing the second wiping processing, at a stage where the wiping member31which moves in the retracting direction Y is in contact with the nozzle forming surface131, that is, before the wiping member31is separated from the nozzle forming surface131, it is possible to start the removal of the adhering material from the wiping member31by the removing member35. Therefore, compared to a case where the adhering material is removed from the wiping member31after the wiping member31does not come into contact with the nozzle forming surface131, the time required for the second wiping processing can be shortened.

In addition, in a case where the adhering material is removed from the wiping member31by the removing member35after the wiping member31is separated in the retracting direction Y from the nozzle forming surface131, it is necessary to lengthen the distance between the recording head13and the removing member35in the retracting direction Y. In this case, the size of the housing11increases, and eventually, the size of the printer10increases. In this regard, in the embodiment, the removing member35is disposed at a position at which the removing member35can come into contact with the wiping member31at a stage where a part of the wiping member31is still in contact with the nozzle forming surface131. In other words, the distance between the recording head13and the removing member35in the retracting direction Y may not be lengthened. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the increase in size of the printer10.

(5) In a case where the removing member35is brought into contact with the wiping member31at a stage where the removing member35is still in contact with the nozzle forming surface131, depending on the disposing position of the removing member35, it is possible to bring the removing member35into contact with a part of which the deflection is not eliminated in the wiping member31. In this case, it is possible to reduce the amount of ink adhering to the wiping member31when the deflection of the wiping member31is eliminated. Therefore, it is possible to further enhance the suppression effect of scattering of the ink from the wiping member31when performing the second wiping processing.

(6) When the cleaning is performed, there is a possibility that a lot of ink adheres to the nozzle forming surface131. Therefore, when the nozzle forming surface131is wiped after the cleaning is completed, a lot of ink adheres to the wiping member31. In addition, when the wiping member31is separated from the nozzle forming surface131in a state where the amount of ink adhering is large, the amount of ink scattering from the wiping member31is likely to increase in accordance with elimination of deflection of the wiping member31. In this regard, in the embodiment, when the cleaning is completed, the second wiping processing is performed. As a result, compared to a case where the first wiping processing is performed after the cleaning is completed, it is possible to make it difficult to scatter the adhering material from the wiping member31when the deflection of the wiping member31is eliminated, and further, it is possible to make it difficult to contaminate the inside of the housing11. Therefore, it is possible to wipe the nozzle forming surface131in accordance with a situation where the amount of ink adhering to the nozzle forming surface131is large.

(7) Meanwhile, when the cleaning is not performed, there is a possibility that the amount of ink adhering to the nozzle forming surface131is small. In this case, even when the nozzle forming surface131is wiped off, the amount of ink adhering to the wiping member31is not large. Therefore, the first wiping processing is performed. As a result, compared to a case where the second wiping processing is performed even when the cleaning is not performed, it is possible to shorten the time required for wiping the nozzle forming surface131. Therefore, it is possible to wipe the nozzle forming surface131in accordance with a situation where the amount of ink adhering to the nozzle forming surface131is small.

(8) In the embodiment, when the cleaning is performed, wiping processing is performed even before the cleaning is performed. However, when the elapsed time TM from the end of the last cleaning operation is less than the defined time TMTh, there is a possibility that the viscosity of the ink adhering to the nozzle forming surface131is low. When the ink having low viscosity adheres to the wiping member31, the ink is likely to scatter from the wiping member31when the deflection of the wiping member31is eliminated. Therefore, the second wiping processing is performed instead of the first wiping processing. Therefore, compared to a case where the first wiping processing is performed when the viscosity of the ink adhering to the nozzle forming surface131is low, it is possible to make it difficult to scatter ink from the wiping member31when eliminating the deflection of the wiping member31.

Meanwhile, when the elapsed time TM is equal to or longer than the defined time TMTh, there is a possibility that the viscosity of the ink adhering to the nozzle forming surface131is high. In this case, even when the ink adheres to the wiping member31by wiping the nozzle forming surface131, the ink is unlikely to scatter from the wiping member31when the deflection of the wiping member31is eliminated. Accordingly, when the elapsed time TM is equal to or longer than the defined time TMTh, the first wiping processing is performed instead of the second wiping processing, and thus, the wiping of the nozzle forming surface131can be completed early.

Therefore, it is possible to wipe the nozzle forming surface131in accordance with the viscosity of the ink adhering to the nozzle forming surface131.

Second Embodiment

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the liquid ejecting apparatus will be described with reference toFIGS. 14 to 20. In addition, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in a fact that a deflection reducing portion16is provided in the carriage12, the content of the wiping processing by providing the deflection reducing portion16, and the like. Here, in the following description, parts different from the first embodiment will mainly be described, and the same reference numerals will be given to parts having the same or corresponding configurations, and overlapping description thereof will be omitted.

As illustrated inFIG. 14, the carriage12is provided with the deflection reducing portion16on the side opposite to the wiping member31sandwiching the recording head13in the main scanning direction X. In the example illustrated inFIG. 14, by moving the recording head13from the medium supporting portion14side (left side inFIG. 14) to the home position HP side (right side inFIG. 14) in the main scanning direction X, it is possible to wipe the nozzle forming surface131by the wiping member31. In other words, by relatively moving the wiping member31with respect to the recording head13in the leftward direction in the drawing, it is possible to wipe the nozzle forming surface131. In other words, inFIG. 14, in the leftward-and-rightward direction, the right side corresponds to the upstream side in the wiping direction and the left side corresponds to the downstream side in the wiping direction. Therefore, in the embodiment, the deflection reducing portion16is disposed on the downstream side from the recording head13in the wiping direction.

In the main scanning direction X, the deflection reducing portion16has an inclined surface161that gradually inclines vertically upward (that is, being separated from the medium supporting portion14) as being separated from the recording head13. In a case where the direction orthogonal to the nozzle forming surface131is defined as the upward-and-downward direction, the position in the upward-and-downward direction of an end on a side near the recording head13on the inclined surface161is equal to the position in the upward-and-downward direction of the nozzle forming surface131. In addition, the position in the upward-and-downward direction at the end on the side near the recording head13on the inclined surface161may be substantially equal to the position in the upward-and-downward direction of the nozzle forming surface131, and may be slightly different from the position in the upward-and-downward direction of the nozzle forming surface131.

In addition, between the recording head13and the deflection reducing portion16in the main scanning direction X, a holding groove17which is capable of holding liquid, such as ink, is provided. The width of the holding groove17, which is the length of the holding groove17in the main scanning direction X, is set to a width with which the liquid, such as ink, can be held by a capillary force, and the ink that flows toward a lower end161aon the inclined surface161, it is possible to hold in the holding groove17by the capillary force.

Next, with reference toFIGS. 14 to 16, the first wiping processing will be described.

In a situation where the wiping member31is disposed at the wiping position, the wiping controller103starts the first wiping processing in a state (refer toFIG. 14) where the recording head13is positioned on the medium supporting portion14side in the main scanning direction X (wiping direction) from the wiping member31. In addition, the wiping controller103moves the recording head13from the medium supporting portion14side to the home position HP side in the main scanning direction X by the operation of the carriage moving device50. Accordingly, the upper end portion311of the wiping member31comes into contact with the nozzle forming surface131of the recording head13. After this, when the recording head13passes through the wiping member31, as illustrated inFIG. 15, the wiping member31is separated from the nozzle forming surface131in the main scanning direction X, but the upper end portion311of the wiping member31comes into contact with the inclined surface161of the deflection reducing portion16. In addition, when the upper end portion311is separated from the inclined surface161, and the wiping member31is positioned on the side opposite to the recording head13sandwiching the deflection reducing portion16in the main scanning direction X as illustrated inFIG. 16, the wiping controller103stops the movement of the recording head13by controlling the operation of the carriage moving device50. In other words, in the embodiment, the first wiping processing is processing for operating the carriage moving device50(one of the configuration elements of the moving device) such that the wiping member31comes into contact with the deflection reducing portion16after wiping the nozzle forming surface131, and after this, the wiping member31is separated in the main scanning direction X (wiping direction) from the deflection reducing portion16.

Next, with reference toFIGS. 17 to 20, the second wiping processing will be described.

In a situation where the wiping member31is disposed at the wiping position, the wiping controller103starts the second wiping processing in a state (refer toFIG. 14) where the recording head13is positioned on the medium supporting portion14side in the main scanning direction X (wiping direction) from the wiping member31. In addition, the wiping controller103moves the recording head13from the medium supporting portion14side to the home position HP side in the main scanning direction X by the operation of the carriage moving device50. Accordingly, the upper end portion311of the wiping member31comes into contact with the nozzle forming surface131of the recording head13. After this, when the recording head13passes through the wiping member31, as illustrated inFIGS. 17 and 18, the wiping member31is separated from the nozzle forming surface131in the main scanning direction X, but the upper end portion311of the wiping member31comes into contact with the inclined surface161of the deflection reducing portion16. In a state where the upper end portion311is in contact with the inclined surface161and the wiping member31is deflected in this manner, the wiping controller103stops the movement of the recording head13in the main scanning direction X by controlling the operation of the carriage moving device50.

Next, the wiping controller103moves the wiping member31in the retracting direction Y as illustrated inFIG. 19by the operation of the wiping device30. In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 20, when the wiping member31is separated from the nozzle forming surface131and reaches the retraction position, the wiping controller103stops the movement of the wiping member31by controlling the operation of the wiping device30. In other words, the second wiping processing is processing for operating the carriage moving device50and the wiping device30(moving device) such that the wiping member31is separated from the deflection reducing portion16in the retracting direction Y after the wiping member31wipes the nozzle forming surface131and comes into contact with the deflection reducing portion16.

Next, with reference toFIGS. 14 to 20, an action when wiping the nozzle forming surface131will be described.

In a case where the first wiping processing is performed, with respect to the wiping member31disposed at the wiping position, the recording head13moves toward the home position HP side from the medium supporting portion14side than the wiping member31in the main scanning direction X. In addition, the nozzle forming surface131is wiped by bringing the wiping member31into contact with the nozzle forming surface131. In addition, in a case where the wiping member31comes into contact with the nozzle forming surface131, the wiping member31is deflected.

In addition, when the wiping member31is separated from the nozzle forming surface131in the main scanning direction X, the upper end portion311of the wiping member31comes into contact with the inclined surface161of the deflection reducing portion16as illustrated inFIG. 15. Then, due to the movement of the recording head13in the main scanning direction X, the deflection amount of the wiping member31gradually decreases. In addition, when the upper end portion311is separated from the inclined surface161in the main scanning direction X, the deflection of the wiping member31is eliminated as illustrated inFIG. 16. After this, the movement of the recording head13in the main scanning direction X is stopped.

In a case where the second wiping processing is performed, with respect to the wiping member31disposed at the wiping position, the recording head13moves toward the home position HP side from the medium supporting portion14side than the wiping member31in the main scanning direction X. In addition, the nozzle forming surface131is wiped by moving the recording head13in the main scanning direction X in a state where the nozzle forming surface131is in contact with the upper end portion311of the wiping member31.

In addition, when the wiping member31is separated from the nozzle forming surface131in the main scanning direction X, the upper end portion311of the wiping member31comes into contact with the inclined surface161of the deflection reducing portion16. Then, due to the movement of the recording head13in the main scanning direction X, the deflection amount of the wiping member31gradually decreases. In the embodiment, the movement of the recording head13in the main scanning direction X is stopped in a state in which the upper end portion311is still in contact with the inclined surface161as illustrated inFIG. 17.

In a state where the wiping member31is in contact with the inclined surface161in this manner and the wiping member31is still deflected, as illustrated inFIG. 19, the wiping member31moves toward the retraction position in the retracting direction Y. In a case where the wiping member31moves in the retracting direction Y in this manner, in the wiping member31, the deflection of the part that does not come into contact with the inclined surface161is gradually eliminated. In a case where a part of the wiping member31is still in contact with the inclined surface161in this manner, a force which suppresses elimination of deflection acts on a part that does not comes into contact with the inclined surface161in the wiping member31.

In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 19, in a case where the wiping member31moves toward the retraction position, at a stage where the wiping member31is still in contact with the inclined surface161, the removing member35comes into contact with the wiping member31. Therefore, by using the movement of the wiping member31to the retraction position, removal of the adhering material, such as ink, from the wiping member31by the removing member35is performed.

After this, as illustrated inFIG. 20, when the wiping member31is separated from the deflection reducing portion16in the retracting direction Y and the wiping member31moves to the retraction position, the movement of the wiping member31is stopped. Above, according to the embodiment, in addition to the same effects as (1) and (5) to (8) in the above-described embodiment, the following effects can further be obtained.

(9) When performing the first wiping processing, the upper end portion311of the wiping member31comes into contact with the inclined surface161of the deflection reducing portion16after passing through the nozzle forming surface131. In other words, by bringing the upper end portion311of the wiping member31into contact with the inclined surface161after wiping the nozzle forming surface131, it is possible to suppress the deflection of the wiping member31from being eliminated all at once. Therefore, even at the end of the first wiping processing, it is possible to make it difficult to scatter the adhering material from the wiping member31.

(10) In the second wiping processing, the wiping member31is moved in the retracting direction Y at a stage where the wiping member31is still in contact with the inclined surface161. In other word, by moving the wiping member31in the retracting direction Y, the wiping member31is separated from the inclined surface161. Therefore, when separating the wiping member31from the inclined surface161, deflection of the wiping member31is smoothly eliminated compared to a case where the first wiping processing is performed. Accordingly, compared to a case where the first wiping processing is performed, it is possible to reduce the amount of ink scattering from the wiping member31due to the elimination of the deflection of the wiping member31.

(11) In addition, the direction of the relative movement of the wiping member31when the wiping member31is separated from the inclined surface161by the second wiping processing, is different from the direction of the relative movement of the wiping member31when separating the wiping member31from the inclined surface161by the first wiping processing. Therefore, when performing the second wiping processing, the position of the ink scattering from the wiping member31is different from the position of the ink scattering from the wiping member31and adhering to the inside of the housing11when performing the first wiping processing. Therefore, it is also possible to suppress the local contamination of a part in the housing11.

(12) When performing the second wiping processing, at a stage where the wiping member31which moves in the retracting direction Y is in contact with the inclined surface161, it is possible to start the removal of the adhering material from the wiping member31by the removing member35. Therefore, compared to a case where the adhering material is removed from the wiping member31after the wiping member31is completely separated from the inclined surface161, the time required for the second wiping processing can be shortened.

In addition, in a case where the adhering material is removed from the wiping member31by the removing member35after the wiping member31is separated in the retracting direction Y from the inclined surface161, it is necessary to lengthen the distance between the recording head13and the removing member35in the retracting direction Y. In this case, the size of the housing11increases, and eventually, the size of the printer10increases. In this regard, in the embodiment, the removing member35is disposed at a position at which the removing member35can come into contact with the wiping member31at a stage where a part of the upper end portion311of the wiping member31is still in contact with the inclined surface161. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the increase in size of the printer10.

(13) As the wiping member31comes into contact with the inclined surface161, there is a case where the ink adhering to the wiping member31adheres to the inclined surface161. The ink adhering to the inclined surface161moves toward the lower end161aof the inclined surface161. In addition, the ink that has reached the lower end161ais held in the holding groove17between the deflection reducing portion16and the recording head13by a capillary force. Since the ink is held in the holding groove17in this manner, it is possible to suppress adhesion of the ink to the medium M after performing the wiping processing.

(14) In the second wiping processing performed in the embodiment, after the wiping member31is separated from the nozzle forming surface131in the main scanning direction X, the wiping member31is moved in the retracting direction Y. Therefore, unlike the second wiping processing of the first embodiment, the entire nozzle forming surface131can be wiped. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of ink remaining on the nozzle forming surface131after the completion of wiping.

In addition, each of the above-described embodiments may be modified as follows.

In the printer10, a waste liquid recovery tank for recovering waste ink recovered by the maintenance device20may be provided in an attachable and detachable state. There is a case where the waste liquid recovery tank is disposed near the maintenance device20. In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 21, in a case where the waste liquid recovery tank36is provided on one side (upper side in the drawing) in the retracting direction Y of the maintenance device20, in the second wiping processing, as illustrated by a two-dot chain line inFIG. 21, by moving the wiping member31to the other side (lower side in the drawing) in the retracting direction Y, the wiping member31may be separated from the nozzle forming surface131or the inclined surface161. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the ink scattering from the wiping member31from adhering to the waste liquid recovery tank36by the elimination of the deflection of the wiping member31that moves in the retracting direction Y. Therefore, in a case where the waste liquid recovery tank36is detached from the housing11, it is possible to suppress adhesion of ink to the hand of a user.

There is a case where connection portions of various wirings are disposed near the maintenance device20in the housing11. For example, in a case where the connection portion is provided on one side in the retracting direction Y of the maintenance device20, in the second wiping processing, by moving the wiping member31to the other side in the retracting direction Y, the wiping member31may be separated from the nozzle forming surface131or the inclined surface161. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the ink scattering from the wiping member31from adhering to the connection portion by the elimination of the deflection of the wiping member31that moves in the retracting direction Y.

The removing member35may be disposed at a position at which the upper end portion311comes into contact with the wiping member31after being separated from the nozzle forming surface131or the inclined surface161in the retracting direction Y.

The removing member35may not be provided.

In the second embodiment, when it is possible to reduce the deflection amount of the wiping member31when the wiping member31comes into contact with the deflection reducing portion16to be smaller than the deflection amount of the wiping member31when the wiping member31comes into contact with the nozzle forming surface131, the deflection reducing portion16may be of any shape. For example, the deflection reducing portion16may have a contact surface parallel to the nozzle forming surface131. In this case, by disposing the contact surface at a position farther from the wiping member31than the nozzle forming surface131in the upward-and-downward direction which is the direction orthogonal to the nozzle forming surface131, it is possible to reduce the deflection amount of the wiping member31when the wiping member31is in contact with the contact surface to be smaller than the deflection amount of the wiping member31when the wiping member31is in contact with the nozzle forming surface131.

In a case where the wiping the nozzle forming surface131is performed before the cleaning, the first wiping processing may be performed regardless of whether or not the elapsed time TM is equal to longer than the defined time TMTh.

Even in a case of wiping the nozzle forming surface131in a situation where the cleaning is not performed, the first wiping processing is performed when the elapsed time TM is equal to or longer than the defined time TMTh, and the second wiping processing may be performed when the elapsed time TM is less than the defined time TMTh.

In the second embodiment, the holding groove17may not be provided between the recording head13and the deflection reducing portion16. In other words, the deflection reducing portion16may be in contact with the recording head13.

An extending direction of the wiping member31may not be identical to the retracting direction Y. For example, the retracting direction Y may be a direction along the nozzle forming surface131and may also be a direction intersecting with both of the extending direction and the wiping direction of the wiping member31.

In addition, the retracting direction Y may be a rotation direction around an axial line that extends in the direction orthogonal to the nozzle forming surface131. In this case, even when the wiping member31is moved in the retracting direction Y, the nozzle forming surface131or the inclined surface161can be wiped. In other words, it is possible to reduce the amount of ink remaining on the nozzle forming surface131or the inclined surface161after performing the second wiping processing.

In each of the above-described embodiments, in a case of wiping the nozzle forming surface131, the recording head13is moved in the main scanning direction X in a state where the wiping member31is fixed at the wiping position. However, the nozzle forming surface131may be wiped by moving the wiping member31in the main scanning direction without moving the recording head13.

In addition, in a case where the wiping member31is separated from the nozzle forming surface131in the retracting direction Y when the performing the second wiping processing, the wiping member31may be separated from the nozzle forming surface131in the retracting direction Y by moving the recording head13in the retracting direction Y without moving the wiping member31.

In a case of wiping the nozzle forming surface131by moving the wiping member31without moving the recording head13, the device for moving the wiping member31corresponds to an example of the “moving device”.

In a case of wiping the nozzle forming surface131by moving the recording head13without moving the recording head13, the device for moving the wiping member31corresponds to an example of the “moving device”.

The recording head13may include the nozzle132which ejects pigment ink and the nozzle132which ejects dye ink. In this case, on the nozzle forming surface131, the wiping may be performed separately in a region where the nozzle132which ejects the pigment ink is opened and a region where the nozzle132which ejects the dye ink is opened.

InFIGS. 22 and 23, an example of a case of wiping the nozzle forming surface131of the recording head13including the nozzle132which ejects the pigment ink and the nozzle132which ejects the dye ink, is illustrated. InFIGS. 22 and 23, among the nozzle rows132G, the nozzle row positioned on the rightmost side in the drawing is a pigment nozzle row132Ga configured of the nozzles132which eject the pigment ink. In addition, among each of the nozzle rows132G, each of nozzle rows other than the pigment nozzle row132Ga is dye nozzle rows132Gb,132Gc,132Gd, and132Ge configured of the nozzle132which ejects the dye ink.

In the example, a first defined position Pt1is set between the pigment nozzle row132Ga and the dye nozzle row132Gb in the main scanning direction X, and a second defined position Pt2is set between the dye nozzle row132Ge and the edge portion on the side separated from the pigment nozzle row132Ga, are set. Therefore, in a case of wiping the nozzle forming surface131, the second wiping processing is performed first. In other words, as illustrated inFIG. 22, when the recording head13moves in the main scanning direction X until the wiping member31comes into contact with the first defined position Pt1of the nozzle forming surface131, the movement of the recording head13in the main scanning direction X is stopped. In this state, as illustrated inFIG. 23, the wiping member31disposed at the wiping position moves in the retracting direction Y toward the retraction position. In this case, since the removing member35comes into contact with the wiping member31when the wiping member31is moving in the retracting direction Y, the adhering material, such as ink, is removed from the wiping member31.

In addition, when the wiping member31reaches the retraction position, the recording head13is moved to the position when starting the wiping of the nozzle forming surface131. After this, the second wiping processing is started after moving the wiping member31to the wiping position. In the second wiping processing in this case, when the recording head13moves in the main scanning direction X until the wiping member31comes into contact with the second defined position Pt2of the nozzle forming surface131, the movement of the recording head13in the main scanning direction X is stopped. In this state, as illustrated inFIG. 24, the wiping member31moves in the retracting direction Y toward the retraction position. In this case, since the removing member35comes into contact with the wiping member31when the wiping member31is moving in the retracting direction Y, the adhering material, such as ink, is removed from the wiping member31.

Accordingly, on the nozzle forming surface131, before wiping the region where each of the nozzles132which eject the dye ink is opened, it is possible to reduce the amount of the pigment ink adhering to the nozzle forming surface131. Therefore, on the nozzle forming surface131, when wiping the region where each of the nozzles132which eject the dye ink is opened, it is possible to suppress mixing of the pigment ink and the dye ink.

In addition, on the nozzle forming surface131, after wiping the region where each of the nozzles132which eject the dye ink is opened by the second wiping processing, the first wiping processing may be performed to wipe the entire nozzle forming surface131. In addition, after performing the cleaning, the second wiping processing may be performed, and in a case where the cleaning is not performed, the first wiping processing may be performed.

As the printer10, there is a printer having a function of detecting ejection failure of ink from the nozzle132. In the printer10, when the ejection failure of ink from the nozzle132is detected due to the foreign matters, such as paper dust that flows into the nozzle132, the first wiping processing may be selected and performed. Meanwhile, when bubbles that exist in the nozzle132and the ejection failure of ink from the nozzle132due to thickening of the ink in the nozzle132are detected, the second wiping processing may be selected and performed.

In addition, as the function, for example, a function of driving a driving element (for example, a piezoelectric element) which operates to eject ink from the nozzle132to the extent that the ink is not ejected from the nozzle132, and based on residual vibration of a cavity, determining whether or not foreign matters are mixed in the nozzle132, whether or not the bubbles exist in the nozzle132, and whether or not the ink in the nozzle132increases in viscosity, can be employed.

The liquid discharge processing may be processing other than the cleaning as long as the processing is not the ejection of ink from the nozzle132toward the medium M. For example, the liquid discharge processing may be flushing in which the ink is ejected from each of the nozzles132into the cap23or an ink receiving unit. In this case, the cap23or the ink receiving unit for receiving the ink ejected from each of the nozzles132when performing flushing, function as an example of “liquid discharge processing unit”.

When the direction of the relative movement of the wiping member31with respect to the recording head13when separating the wiping member31from the nozzle forming surface131or the inclined surface161by the second wiping processing is a direction intersecting with the main scanning direction X (that is, the wiping direction), the direction may be a direction intersecting with the nozzle forming surface131. In this case, in the middle of performing the second wiping processing, by moving the removing member35when separating the wiping member31from the nozzle forming surface131or the inclined surface161, and by bringing the removing member35into contact with the wiping member31before the removing member35is separated from the nozzle forming surface131or the inclined surface161, the adhering material is removed from the wiping member31.

The printer is not a serial type described in the above-described embodiment but may be a lateral type in which the carriage can move in two directions of the main scanning direction and the transport direction of the medium, or a liquid ejecting head may be a line type that extends in the width direction of the medium.

In the above-described embodiment, the liquid ejecting apparatus may be a liquid ejecting apparatus which ejects or discharges liquid other than the ink. In addition, examples of a state of the liquid discharged as a minute amount of liquid droplets from the liquid ejecting apparatus include grain, teardrop, thread-like tails. In addition, the liquid referred here may be any material as long as the liquid can be ejected from the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, any state may be employed as long as the substance is in a liquid phase, and a fluid body, such as a liquid material having high or low viscosity, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvent, organic solvent, solution, liquid resin, or liquid metal (metallic melt) may be employed. In addition, not only a liquid as one state of a substance but also a substance in which particles of a functional material composed of a solid material, such as a pigment and metal particles are dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent, and the like are also included. Representative examples of the liquid include ink, liquid crystal, and the like as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink includes various types of liquid compositions, such as general water-based ink and oil-based ink, gel ink, hot melt ink and the like. A specific example of the liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting apparatus which ejects the liquid containing dispersed or dissolved materials, such as electrode materials or coloring materials used for manufacturing liquid crystal displays, electroluminescence (EL) displays, surface emitting displays, or color filters. In addition, the liquid ejecting apparatus may be a liquid ejecting apparatus which ejects a bioorganic material used for biochip production, a liquid ejecting apparatus which ejects a liquid that serves as a sample used as a precision pipette, a textile printing apparatus, a micro dispenser, or the like. Furthermore, the liquid ejecting apparatus may be a liquid ejecting apparatus which ejects lubricating oil pinpointing to a precision machine, such as a timepiece or a camera, or a liquid ejecting apparatus which ejects a transparent resin liquid, such as an ultraviolet curing resin, onto the substrate for forming a micro hemispherical lens (optical lens) used for an optical communication element or the like. In addition, the liquid ejecting apparatus may be a liquid ejecting apparatus which ejects an etching solution, such as acid or alkali to etch a substrate or the like.

Hereinafter, the technical idea grasped from the embodiment and the modification examples described above and the effects thereof will be described.

A liquid ejecting apparatus including: a liquid ejecting head having a nozzle which ejects a liquid and a nozzle forming surface on which the nozzle is opened; a wiping portion which wipes the nozzle forming surface by relatively moving in a wiping direction which is a direction along the nozzle forming surface with respect to the liquid ejecting head; a moving device which moves at least one of the liquid ejecting head and the wiping portion; and a wiping controller which controls the moving device, in which the wiping controller selects and performs at least one of first wiping processing for operating the moving device so as to wipe the nozzle forming surface until the wiping portion is separated from the nozzle forming surface in the wiping direction, and second wiping processing for operating the moving device so as to separate the wiping portion from the nozzle forming surface in a retracting direction which is a direction different from the wiping direction after wiping the nozzle forming surface until the wiping portion comes into contact with the nozzle forming surface at a defined position.

In the above-described configuration, plural types of wiping processing having a different aspect of the relative movement of the wiping portion with respect to the liquid ejecting head are prepared, and any one wiping processing is selected and performed from each wiping processing. Therefore, by selecting the wiping processing in accordance with the situation at this time, it is possible to wipe the nozzle forming surface in accordance with the situation at this time.

The liquid ejecting apparatus according to “Idea 1”, in which the retracting direction is a direction along the nozzle forming surface and is different from the wiping direction.

In a situation where the nozzle forming surface is wiped by relatively moving the wiping portion with respect to the liquid ejecting head in the wiping direction, in the wiping portion, the part which comes into contact with the nozzle forming surface is called a contact part. According to the above-described configuration, by relatively moving the wiping portion in the retracting direction when performing the second wiping processing, the region which does not come into contact with the nozzle forming surface gradually increases at the contact part of the wiping portion. Therefore, the deflection of the wiping portion is gradually eliminated, and an event that the deflection of the wiping portion is eliminated all at once is unlikely to be generated. Therefore, when separating the wiping portion from the nozzle forming surface, it is possible to reduce the amount of liquid scattering from the wiping portion in accordance with the elimination of deflection of the wiping portion.

The liquid ejecting apparatus according to “Idea 1” or “Idea 2”, further including: a removing unit which removes the liquid from the wiping portion by coming into contact with the wiping portion, in which, in the second wiping processing, the removing unit comes into contact with the wiping portion before the wiping portion relatively moves in the retracting direction with respect to the liquid ejecting head and is separated from the nozzle forming surface.

According to the above-described configuration, when performing the second wiping processing, it is possible to remove the liquid from the wiping portion by the removing unit at the stage where the wiping portion is still in contact with the nozzle forming surface. In other words, it is possible to bring the removing unit into contact with the part that is still deflected in the wiping portion, and to remove the liquid from the part. Therefore, it is possible to suppress scattering of liquid from the wiping portion when the deflection of the wiping portion is eliminated.

A liquid ejecting apparatus including: a liquid ejecting head having a nozzle which ejects a liquid and a nozzle forming surface on which the nozzle is opened; a wiping portion which wipes the nozzle forming surface by relatively moving in a wiping direction which is a direction along the nozzle forming surface with respect to the liquid ejecting head; a deflection reducing portion which is disposed on the downstream side in the wiping direction from the liquid ejecting head, and is configured such that a deflection amount of the wiping portion becomes smaller than that when the wiping portion comes into contact with the nozzle forming surface; and a moving device which moves at least one of the liquid ejecting head and the wiping portion; and a wiping controller which controls the moving device, in which the wiping controller selects and performs at least one of first wiping processing for operating the moving device so as to bring the wiping portion into contact with the deflection reducing portion after wiping the nozzle forming surface, and then separate the wiping portion from the deflection reducing portion in the wiping direction, and second wiping processing for operating the moving device so as to separate the wiping portion from the deflection reducing portion in a retracting direction which is a direction along the nozzle forming surface and is different from the wiping direction after the wiping portion wipes the nozzle forming surface and comes into contact with the deflection reducing portion.

In the above-described configuration, plural types of wiping processing having a different aspect of the relative movement of the wiping portion with respect to the liquid ejecting head are prepared, and any one wiping processing is selected and performed from each wiping processing. Therefore, by selecting the wiping processing in accordance with the situation at this time, it is possible to wipe the nozzle forming surface in accordance with the situation at this time.

In addition, when performing the first wiping processing, the wiping portion comes into contact with the deflection reducing portion after wiping the nozzle forming surface. The deflection amount of the wiping portion in a case where the wiping portion is in contact with the deflection reducing portion is less than the deflection amount of the wiping portion in a case where the wiping portion is in contact with the nozzle forming surface. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult to scatter liquid from the wiping portion when nothing is in contact with the contact part of the wiping portion and the deflection of the wiping portion is eliminated.

When performing the second wiping processing, by relatively moving the wiping portion in the retracting direction, the region which does not come into contact with the deflection reducing portion gradually increases at the contact part of the wiping portion. Therefore, the deflection of the wiping portion is gradually eliminated, and an event that the deflection of the wiping portion is eliminated all at once is unlikely to be generated. Therefore, at the end of the second wiping processing, it is possible to make it difficult to scatter liquid from the wiping portion.

The liquid ejecting apparatus according to “Idea 4”, in which the deflection reducing portion has an inclined surface which is inclined so as to be gradually positioned higher as being separated from the liquid ejecting head in the wiping direction, and a holding groove which is capable of holding the liquid between the liquid ejecting head and the deflection reducing portion in the wiping direction.

According to the above-described configuration, by bringing the inclined surface into contact with the wiping portion which relatively moves in the wiping direction, the deflection amount of the wiping portion can be gradually reduced.

In addition, when performing the second wiping processing, the relative movement of the wiping portion in the retracting direction is started in a state where the wiping portion is in contact with the inclined surface, and thus, there is a case where a part of the liquid adhering to the wiping portion adheres to the inclined surface. In this respect, in the above-described configuration, a holding groove is provided between the deflection reducing portion and the liquid ejecting head. Therefore, the liquid adhering to the inclined surface moves toward the lower end of the inclined surface, and when the liquid reaches the lower end, the liquid is held in the holding groove by the capillary force. Therefore, after performing the wiping processing, it is possible to suppress the flowing down of the liquid adhering to the inclined surface.

The liquid ejecting apparatus according to “Idea 4” or “Idea 5”, further including: a removing unit which removes the liquid adhering to the wiping portion by coming into contact with the wiping portion, in which, in the second wiping processing, the removing unit comes into contact with the wiping portion before the wiping portion relatively moves in the retracting direction with respect to the liquid ejecting head and is separated from the deflection reducing portion.

According to the above-described configuration, when performing the second wiping processing, it is possible to remove the liquid from the wiping portion by the removing unit at the stage where the wiping portion is still in contact with the deflection reducing portion. In other words, it is possible to bring the removing unit into contact with the part that is still deflected in the wiping portion, and to remove the liquid from the part. Therefore, it is possible to suppress scattering of liquid from the wiping portion when the deflection of the wiping portion is eliminated.

The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of “Idea 1” to “Idea 6”, further including: a liquid discharge processing unit which is used when liquid discharge processing for discharging the liquid from the nozzle of the liquid ejecting head is performed, in which the wiping controller selects and performs the second wiping processing when the liquid discharge processing is performed, and selects and performs the first wiping processing when the liquid discharge processing is not performed.

When the liquid discharge processing is performed, a lot of liquid may adhere to the nozzle forming surface. In this case, by wiping the nozzle forming surface, a lot of liquid adheres to the wiping portion. Therefore, when liquid discharge processing is performed, a second wiping processing is performed. As a result, even in a case where a lot of liquid adheres to the wiping portion, it is possible to make it difficult to scatter liquid from the wiping portion when the deflection of the wiping portion is eliminated.

Meanwhile, when the liquid discharge processing is not performed, there is a possibility that the amount of liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface is small. In this case, since a lot of liquid does not adhere to the wiping portion even when wiping the nozzle forming surface, when the deflection of the wiping portion is eliminated, liquid is not likely to scatter from the wiping portion in the first place. Therefore, the first wiping processing is performed. Therefore, compared to a case where the second wiping processing is performed even when the liquid discharge processing is not performed, the time required for wiping the nozzle forming surface can be shortened.

The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of “Idea 1” to “Idea 6”, further including: a liquid discharge processing unit which is used when the liquid discharge processing for discharging the liquid from the nozzle of the liquid ejecting head is performed, in which, when the liquid discharge processing is performed, the wiping controller selects and performs the first wiping processing in a case of wiping the nozzle forming surface before performing the liquid discharge processing, and selects and performs the second wiping processing in a case of wiping the nozzle forming surface after performing the liquid discharge processing, and when the liquid discharge processing is not performed, the wiping controller selects and performs the first wiping processing.

According to the above-described configuration, before the liquid discharge processing is performed, there is a possibility that the amount of liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface is smaller than that after the liquid discharge processing is performed. In this case, since a lot of liquid does not adhere to the wiping portion even when wiping the nozzle forming surface, when the deflection of the wiping portion is eliminated, liquid is not likely to scatter from the wiping portion in the first place. Therefore, when the nozzle forming surface is wiped before the liquid discharge processing is performed, a first wiping processing is performed. As a result, compared to a case where the second wiping processing is performed even before the liquid discharge processing is performed, the time required for wiping the nozzle forming surface can be shortened, and further, the liquid discharge processing can be started early.

In addition, after the liquid discharge processing is performed, there is a possibility that the amount of liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface is small. Therefore, when wiping the nozzle forming surface is wiped after the liquid discharge processing is performed, since a lot of liquid adheres to the wiping portion, liquid is easily scattered from the wiping portion when the deflection of the wiping portion is eliminated. Here, according to the above-described configuration, the second wiping processing is performed after the liquid discharge processing is performed. As a result, compared to a case where the first wiping processing is performed, it is possible to make it difficult to scatter liquid from the wiping portion when the deflection of the wiping portion is eliminated.

In addition, when the liquid discharge processing is not performed, there is a possibility that the amount of liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface is small, and thus, the first wiping processing is performed. Therefore, compared to a case where the second wiping processing is performed even when the liquid discharge processing is not performed, the time required for wiping the nozzle forming surface can be shortened.

Therefore, according to the above-described configuration, wiping processing according to the amount of liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface can be performed.

The liquid ejecting apparatus according to “Idea 8”, in which, when the liquid discharge processing is performed, the wiping controller selects and performs the second wiping processing instead of the first wiping processing on a condition that the elapsed time after performing the previous liquid discharge processing in a case of wiping the nozzle forming surface before performing the liquid discharge processing is less than the defined time.

Since the liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface volatilizes with the lapse of time, the longer the elapsed time since the liquid adheres to the nozzle forming surface, the higher the viscosity of the liquid. In addition, the higher the viscosity of the liquid adhering to the wiping portion by wiping the nozzle forming surface, the more difficult it is to scatter the liquid from the wiping portion when the deflection of the wiping portion is eliminated. In other words, when the elapsed time since the liquid adheres to the nozzle forming surface is short, the viscosity of the liquid is not high, and thus, the liquid is likely to scatter from the wiping portion when the deflection of the wiping portion is eliminated.

In this respect, according to the above-described configuration, in a case of wiping the nozzle forming surface before the liquid discharge processing is performed, when the elapsed time after performing the previous liquid discharge processing is less than the defined time, since there is a possibility that the viscosity of the liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface is low, the second wiping processing is performed instead of the first wiping processing. Therefore, compared to a case where the first wiping processing is performed when the viscosity of the liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface is low, it is possible to make it difficult to scatter liquid from the wiping portion when eliminating the deflection of the wiping portion.

A liquid ejecting apparatus including: a liquid ejecting head having a nozzle which ejects a liquid and a nozzle forming surface on which the nozzle is opened; a wiping portion which wipes the nozzle forming surface by relatively moving in a wiping direction which is a direction along the nozzle forming surface with respect to the liquid ejecting head; a moving device which moves at least one of the liquid ejecting head and the wiping portion; and a wiping controller which controls the moving device, in which the wiping controller performs wiping processing for operating the moving device so as to start the relative movement with respect to the liquid ejecting head of the wiping portion in a retracting direction which is a direction along the nozzle forming surface and is different from the wiping direction in a state where the wiping portion is still deflected after the wiping portion wipes the nozzle forming surface, and then to separate the wiping portion from the liquid ejecting head in the retracting direction.

According to the above-described configuration, by performing the wiping processing when the amount of liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface is large, even when a lot of liquid adheres to the wiping portion by wiping the nozzle forming surface, it is possible to make it difficult to scatter liquid from the wiping portion when eliminating the deflection of the wiping portion. Therefore, it is possible to wipe the nozzle forming surface in accordance with a situation where the amount of liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface is large.

The liquid ejecting apparatus according to “Idea 10”, further including: a removing unit which removes the liquid adhering to the wiping portion by coming into contact with the wiping portion, in which, in the wiping processing, the removing unit comes into contact with the wiping portion before the wiping portion relatively moves in the retracting direction with respect to the liquid ejecting head and the deflection of the wiping portion is eliminated.

According to the above-described configuration, when performing the wiping processing, the liquid can be removed from the wiping portion by the removing unit while the deflection of the wiping portion is being eliminated. In other words, it is possible to bring the removing unit into contact with the part that is still deflected in the wiping portion, and to remove the liquid from the part. Therefore, it is possible to suppress scattering of liquid from the wiping portion when the deflection of the wiping portion is eliminated.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-093010, filed May 9, 2017 is expressly incorporated by reference herein.