Patent Description:
The inkjet input-output device described in Patent Document <NUM> is known as a liquid discharging device that ejects liquid from the nozzles of a head and prints on a sheet, for example. The inkjet recording device of Patent Document <NUM> has capping means for capping a nozzle opening of the head. The inkjet recording device caps the nozzle openings after cleaning the inside of channels of the capping means with a cleaning liquid when the power is shut off. Patent Document <NUM> relates to a liquid discharge apparatus, which comprises a head, a maintenance mechanism which has a cap and which is movable to a maintenance position and a waiting position, a first support mechanism which supports the maintenance mechanism disposed at the maintenance position, and a second support mechanism which supports the maintenance mechanism disposed at the waiting position. One of the first and second support mechanisms is relatively movable to a first position and a second position with respect to the other.

Liquid ejected from the nozzle of the head can adhere to caps and the like. For example, liquid may remain in the internal space or channels of the cap, or liquid may adhere to a part of the cap that comes in contact with the nozzle surface. Patent Document <NUM> does not take into account that the optimal cleaning method can be achieved depending on the location that liquid is adhered in the cap.

An object of the present invention is to provide means to achieve optimal maintenance for caps and wipers to which liquid ejected from a nozzle adheres.

The present invention can perform optimal maintenance for caps and wipers to which a liquid ejected from a nozzle adheres.

In the following description, the vertical direction <NUM> is defined based on the state in which the image recording device <NUM> is installed for use (the state in <FIG>), the front-to-back direction <NUM> is defined with the side on which the discharge port <NUM> is provided as the close side (front side), and the left-right direction <NUM> is defined as viewed from the close side (front) of the image recording device <NUM>.

An image recording device <NUM> (an example of a liquid discharging device) illustrated in <FIG> records an image on a sheet S forming a rolled body <NUM> (see <FIG>) by an inkjet recording method.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the image recording device <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> has an upper housing <NUM> and a lower housing <NUM>. The upper housing <NUM> and the lower housing <NUM> are generally a rectangular body as a whole, and are large enough to be placed on a desk. In other words, the image recording device <NUM> is suitable for use while being placed on a desk. Of course, the image recording device <NUM> may be placed on the floor or on a rack for use.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> is divided into an internal space 31A inside the upper housing <NUM> and an internal space 32A inside the lower housing <NUM>, as seen from the outside.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the upper housing <NUM> is rotatably supported by the lower housing <NUM>. The upper housing <NUM> is rotatable around a rotation shaft <NUM> that is provided on a rear lower end part and extends in the left-right direction <NUM>, between a closed position illustrated in <FIG> and an open position illustrated in <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a slit-shaped discharge port <NUM> elongated in the left-right direction <NUM> is formed in the front surface 32F of the lower housing <NUM>. A sheet S on which an image has been recorded (see <FIG>) is discharged from the discharge port <NUM>.

An operating panel <NUM> is provided on the front surface 31F of the upper housing <NUM>. The user provides inputs to the operating panel <NUM> to operate the image recording device <NUM> and confirms various settings. The operating panel <NUM> has a display part 44A for indicating that a lid member <NUM>, which will be described later, is mounted on the support member <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the internal spaces 31A and 32A include a holder <NUM>, a tensioner <NUM>, a transport roller pair <NUM>, a transport roller pair <NUM>, a head <NUM>, a first support mechanism <NUM>, a heater <NUM>, a support part <NUM>, a second support mechanism <NUM>, CIS <NUM>, a cutter unit <NUM>, an ink tank <NUM>, a cleaning liquid tank <NUM>, a waste liquid tank <NUM>, a maintenance mechanism <NUM>, a wiper cleaning mechanism <NUM>, and a controller <NUM> (see <FIG>). Although not illustrated in <FIG>, the controller <NUM> is provided in the internal space 32A (see <FIG>). The controller <NUM> controls operation of the image recording device <NUM>.

A partition wall <NUM> is provided in the internal space 32A. The partition wall <NUM> partitions the rear lower portion of the internal space 32A to define the sheet storage space 32C. The sheet storage space 32C is enclosed by the partition wall <NUM> and the lower housing <NUM>.

A roll body <NUM> is stored in the sheet storage space 32C. The roll body <NUM> has a core tube and a long sheet S. The sheet S is wound around the core tube in a roll shape in the circumferential direction of the axis of the core tube.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a holder <NUM> extending in the left-right direction <NUM> is positioned in the sheet storage space 32C. When mounted, the holder <NUM> supports the roll body <NUM> so that the axis of the core tube of the roll body <NUM> is in the left-right direction <NUM> and the roll body <NUM> is rotatable around the axis in the circumferential direction. The holder <NUM> is rotated by a driving force transmitted from a transport motor <NUM> (see <FIG>). As the holder <NUM> rotates, the roll body <NUM> supported by the holder <NUM> also rotates.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the sheet storage space 32C opens upward at a rear portion. A gap <NUM> is formed between the partition wall <NUM> and the rear surface 32B, that is, above a rear end of the roll body <NUM>. As the transport roller pairs <NUM> and <NUM> rotate, the sheet S is drawn upward from the rear end of the roll body <NUM> and guided to the tensioner <NUM> through the gap <NUM>.

The tensioner <NUM> is positioned above the partition wall <NUM> in the rear portion of the internal space 32A. The tensioner <NUM> has an outer peripheral surface 45A facing the outside of the lower housing <NUM>. The upper end of the outer peripheral surface 45A is positioned at substantially the same vertical position as a nip D of the transport roller pair <NUM> in the vertical direction <NUM>.

The sheet S pulled out from the roll body <NUM> is caught on and abuts against the outer peripheral surface 45A. The sheet S curves forward along the outer peripheral surface 45A, extends in the transport direction 8A, and is guided by the transport roller pair <NUM>. The transport direction 8A is forward along the front-to-back direction <NUM>.

The transport roller pair <NUM> is positioned in front of the tensioner <NUM>. The transport roller pair <NUM> has a transport roller 36A and a pinch roller 36B. The transport roller 36A and the pinch roller 36B form a nip D by contacting each other at substantially the same vertical position as the upper end of the outer peripheral surface 45A.

A transport roller pair <NUM> is positioned in front of the transport roller pair <NUM>. The transport roller pair <NUM> has a transport roller 40A and a pinch roller 40B. The transport roller 40A and the pinch roller 40B contact each other at substantially the same vertical position as the upper end of the outer peripheral surface 45A to form a nip.

The transport rollers 36A, 40A are rotated by a driving force transmitted from the transport motor <NUM> (see <FIG>). The transport roller pair <NUM> nips and rotates the sheet S extending from the tensioner <NUM> in the transport direction 8A, thereby feeding the sheet S along the transport surface 43A of the transport path <NUM>, described below, in the transport direction 8A. The transport roller pair <NUM> nips and rotates the sheet S fed from the transport roller pair <NUM> to feed the sheet S in the transport direction 8A. Furthermore, the sheet S is pulled out from the sheet storage space 32C toward the tensioner <NUM> through the gap <NUM> due to the rotation of the transport roller pairs <NUM> and <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a transport path <NUM> extending from the upper end of the outer peripheral surface 45A to the discharge port <NUM> is formed in the internal space 32A. The transport path <NUM> extends substantially linearly along the transport direction 8A, and is a space through which the sheet S can pass. Specifically, the transport path <NUM> is along the transport direction 8A and the transport surface 43A extending in the left-right direction <NUM> and extending in the transport direction 8A. Note that in <FIG>, the transport surface 43A is indicated by a two-pointed chain line indicating the transport path <NUM>. The transport path <NUM> is partitioned by guide members (not illustrated) which are positioned spaced apart in the vertical direction <NUM>, a head <NUM>, a transport belt <NUM>, a support part <NUM>, a heater <NUM>, and the like. In other words, the head <NUM>, the transport belt <NUM>, the supporting part <NUM>, and the heater <NUM> are positioned along the transport path <NUM>.

The head <NUM> is positioned above the transport path <NUM> and downstream of the transport roller pair <NUM> in the transport direction 8A. The head <NUM> has a plurality of nozzles 38A that open on a nozzle surface <NUM> (see <FIG>). Ink (one example of the liquid) is ejected downward from the plurality of nozzles 38A toward the sheet S supported by the transport belt <NUM>. Thus, an image is recorded on the sheet S. The configuration of the head <NUM> will be described later.

The first support mechanism <NUM> is positioned downstream of the transport roller pair <NUM> in the transport direction 8A and below the transport path <NUM>. The first support mechanism <NUM> faces the head <NUM> and is below the head <NUM>. The first support mechanism <NUM> has a transport belt <NUM> and a support member <NUM>. The transport belt <NUM> supports the sheet S which is transported in the transport direction 8A by the transport roller pair <NUM> and positioned immediately below the head <NUM>. The transport belt <NUM> transports the supported sheet S in the transport direction 8A. The support member <NUM> can support the maintenance mechanism <NUM>. The configuration of the first support mechanism <NUM> is described later.

The heater <NUM> is positioned downstream of the head <NUM> in the transport direction 8A and upstream of the transport roller pair <NUM> in the transport direction 8A below the transport path <NUM>. The heater <NUM> is supported by the frame in front of the first support mechanism <NUM> and extends in the left-right direction <NUM>. The heater <NUM> has a heat transfer plate (not illustrated) and a film heater (not illustrated). The heat transfer plate is composed of metal, and has support surfaces extending in the front, rear, left, and right directions at substantially the same vertical positions as the transport surface <NUM> of the transport belt <NUM>. The sheet S delivered from the first support mechanism <NUM> is transported forward on the support surface of the heat transfer plate. A film heater is fixed to the lower surface of the heat transfer plate and generates heat as controlled by the controller <NUM>. This heat is transferred to the sheet S on the heat transfer plate via the heat transfer plate. In addition, heat from the heater <NUM> is recovered by a duct <NUM> provided above the heater <NUM>.

The duct <NUM> is provided above the transport path <NUM>, downstream of the head <NUM> in the transport direction 8A and upstream of the transport roller pair <NUM>.

The support part <NUM> is positioned below the transport path <NUM>. The support part <NUM> is positioned downstream of the head <NUM> and the first support mechanism <NUM> in the transport direction 8A. A heater <NUM> is positioned on a rear portion of the support part <NUM>. A front portion of the support part <NUM> faces the transport roller 40A. The support part <NUM> is positioned upstream of the cutter unit <NUM> in the transport direction 8A.

The support part <NUM> is supported by the lower housing <NUM> so as to be rotatable about a shaft (not illustrated) extending in the left-right direction <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the upper housing <NUM> is in the open position, the support part <NUM> can be rotated between a horizontal position indicated by the solid line in <FIG> and the vertical position indicated by the dashed line in <FIG>.

When the support part <NUM> is in the horizontal position, the pivot tip end 46B of the support part <NUM> is positioned forward (downstream in the transport direction 8A) of the pivot base end 46A. When the support part <NUM> is in the horizontal position, the support part <NUM> constitutes a portion of the transport path <NUM> and can support the sheet S transported in the transport direction 8A by the transport belt <NUM>. When the support part <NUM> is in the vertical position, the pivot tip end 46B of the support part <NUM> is positioned higher than when the support part <NUM> is in the horizontal position, such that the maintenance mechanism <NUM> can be exposed to the outside. The shaft of the support part <NUM> is provided at the rear end part of the support part <NUM> and extends in the left-right direction <NUM>.

The second support mechanism <NUM> is supported by the lower housing <NUM> so as to be movable in an orthogonal direction <NUM> orthogonal to the sloping direction <NUM> and the left-right direction <NUM>. The second support mechanism <NUM> can support the maintenance mechanism <NUM>. The configuration of the second support mechanism <NUM> is described later.

The CIS <NUM> is positioned above the transport path <NUM> and downstream of the transport roller pair <NUM> in the transport direction 8A. The CIS <NUM> can read an image on a printed surface of a sheet.

The cutter unit <NUM> is positioned above the transport path <NUM> and downstream of the CIS <NUM> in the transport direction 8A. The cutter unit <NUM> has a cutter <NUM> mounted on a cutter carriage <NUM>. Movement of the cutter <NUM> cuts the sheet S positioned on the transport path <NUM> along the left-right direction <NUM>.

The ink tank <NUM> stores ink. Ink is a liquid containing pigments and the like. Ink is supplied from the ink tank <NUM> to the head <NUM> through a tube not illustrated in the drawings. The tube connecting the ink tank <NUM> to the head <NUM> is provided with an ink valve <NUM> (see <FIG>). The ink valve <NUM> opens and closes the channel which is the internal space of the tube.

The cleaning liquid tank <NUM> stores the second maintenance liquid. The second maintenance liquid is used to clean the nozzle 38A and nozzle surface <NUM> of the head <NUM>. The cleaning liquid tank <NUM> is positioned below the second support mechanism <NUM>, as described later. The cleaning liquid tank <NUM> has an atmospheric connecting channel <NUM> (see <FIG>) that connects an air layer formed in the tank to the outside. The cleaning liquid tank <NUM> has a cleaning liquid distribution valve that opens and closes the atmospheric connecting channel <NUM>. The waste liquid tank <NUM> is a container where the second maintenance liquid is discharged.

The maintenance mechanism <NUM> is for performing maintenance on the head <NUM>. The maintenance mechanism <NUM> is configured to be movable, and is moved directly below the head <NUM> when maintenance of the head <NUM> is performed (see <FIG>).

Maintenance of the head <NUM> includes a purge process, cap cleaning, wiping, and the like. Purge process is, as illustrated in <FIG>, a process of covering the nozzle surface <NUM> with a cap <NUM> of the maintenance mechanism <NUM>, which will be described later, and then sucking ink from the nozzles 38A using a suction pump <NUM>. The cap cleaning process is a process of cleaning the nozzle surface <NUM> of the head <NUM> with the second maintenance liquid sent into the internal spaces 67A, 67B, and 67C (see <FIG>) of the cap <NUM> while the nozzle surface <NUM> is covered with the cap <NUM>. Wiping is a process of wiping the nozzle surface <NUM> of the head <NUM> with a sponge wiper (one example of the water-absorbent second wiper) <NUM> of the maintenance mechanism <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. The configuration of the maintenance mechanism <NUM> will be described later.

The wiper cleaning mechanism <NUM> is for cleaning the rubber wiper (one example of the first wiper) <NUM> of the maintenance mechanism <NUM>. The maintenance mechanism <NUM> is moved directly below the wiper cleaning mechanism <NUM> when the rubber wiper <NUM> is to be cleaned. The configuration of the wiper cleaning mechanism <NUM> is described later.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the head <NUM> has a substantially rectangular body shape elongated in the left-right direction <NUM>. The head <NUM> includes a frame <NUM> and three ejecting modules 49A, 49B, 49C. Hereinafter, the three ejecting modules 49A, 49B, and 49C are also collectively referred to as ejecting module <NUM>. Note that the number of ejecting modules <NUM> is not limited to three, and may be, for example, one.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the ejecting module <NUM> is supported by the frame <NUM>. The lower surface of the ejecting module <NUM> is exposed downward. The ejecting module <NUM> is arranged in the transport path <NUM> in the left-right direction <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the ejecting modules 49A and 49B are provided at the same position in the transport direction 8A. The ejecting modules 49A and 49B are arranged with a space therebetween in the left-right direction <NUM>. The ejecting module 49C is arranged downstream of the ejecting modules 49A and 49B in the transport direction 8A. The ejecting module 49C is provided between the two adjacent ejecting modules 49A and 49B in the left-right direction <NUM>. The left end of the ejecting module 49C is positioned leftward from the right end of the ejecting module 49A. The right end of the ejecting module 49C is positioned right from the left end of the ejecting module 49B. In other words, in the left-right direction <NUM>, the end part of the ejecting module 49C and the end part of the ejecting modules 49A and 49B overlap.

Each ejecting module 49A, 49B, 49C contains a plurality of nozzles 38A. Each nozzle 38A is opened on the nozzle surface <NUM> of each ejecting module 49A, 49B, 49C. The nozzle surface <NUM> is a surface extending in the front-to-back direction <NUM> and the left-right direction <NUM>. As described above, ink is ejected downward from the plurality of nozzles 38A toward the sheet S supported by the transport belt <NUM> of the first support mechanism <NUM>, and an image is recorded on the sheet S.

The head <NUM> is illustrated along the vertical direction <NUM>, and moves to the recording position illustrated in <FIG>, the capped position illustrated in <FIG>, the wiping position illustrated by the solid lines in <FIG>, and the uncapped position illustrated by the dashed line in <FIG>. The recording position is the position of the head <NUM> when recording an image on the sheet S supported by the transport belt <NUM>. The capped position is the position of the head <NUM> when the ejecting module <NUM> is covered with the cap <NUM> of the maintenance mechanism <NUM>. The capped position is a position above the recording position (a position farther from the first support mechanism <NUM> than the recording position). The wiping position is the position of the head <NUM> when the sponge wiper <NUM> of the maintenance mechanism <NUM> wipes the nozzle surface <NUM> of the ejecting module <NUM>. The wiping position is a position higher than the capped position. The uncapped position is the position of the head <NUM> when the head <NUM> is completely separated from the maintenance mechanism <NUM>. The uncapped position is a position above the wiping position.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the head <NUM> is moved by the ball screw <NUM>. The ball screw <NUM> has a screw shaft 29A and a nut member 29B. The screw shaft 29A is supported by the lower housing <NUM> so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the vertical direction <NUM>. The screw shaft 29A rotates when a driving force is transmitted from a head motor <NUM> (see <FIG>). The nut member 29B moves upward by the forward rotation of the screw shaft 29A, and moves downward by the reverse rotation of the screw shaft 29A. Note that the configuration for vertically moving the head <NUM> is not limited to the configuration using the ball screw <NUM>, and various other known configurations can be adopted.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the first support mechanism <NUM> includes a transport belt <NUM>, a drive roller <NUM>, a driven roller <NUM>, a support member <NUM>, a gear <NUM>, and a gear <NUM>. Note that the teeth of the gears <NUM> and <NUM> are omitted in the figures.

The drive roller <NUM> and the driven roller <NUM> are rotatably supported by a support member <NUM>. The drive roller <NUM> and the driven roller <NUM> are separated from each other in the front-to-back direction <NUM> (transport direction 8A). The transport belt <NUM> is an endless belt. A transport belt <NUM> is stretched over the drive roller <NUM> and the driven roller <NUM>. The transport belt <NUM> is arranged in the transport path <NUM> in the left-right direction <NUM>.

The drive roller <NUM> is rotated by a driving force provided by the transport motor <NUM> (see <FIG>) to rotate the transport belt <NUM>. As the transport belt <NUM> rotates, the driven roller <NUM> rotates. The transport belt <NUM> has a transport surface <NUM>. The transport surface <NUM> is the upper portion of the outer peripheral surface of the transport belt <NUM> and extends along the transport direction 8A. The transport surface <NUM> faces the nozzles 38A of the head <NUM> with the transport path <NUM> interposed therebetween. The transport surface <NUM> applies a transport force to the sheet S while supporting the sheet S transported between the pair of transport rollers <NUM> and <NUM> from below. As a result, the transport belt <NUM> transports the sheet S positioned on the transport path <NUM> in the transport direction 8A along the transport surface <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the support member <NUM> has a shaft <NUM> A. The shaft 109A is rotatably supported by the lower housing <NUM>. The shaft 109A extends in the left-right direction <NUM> (direction perpendicular to the transport direction 8A and parallel to the nozzle surface <NUM> of the ejecting module <NUM>). The shaft 109A is provided upstream of the drive roller <NUM> in the transport direction 8A. The shaft 109A is positioned below the transport roller pair <NUM>.

The shaft 109A is rotated by a driving force transmitted from a shaft motor <NUM> (see <FIG>). As the shaft 109A rotates, the support member <NUM> rotates around the shaft 109A. The pivot tip end 51A of the first support mechanism <NUM> is positioned downstream in the transport direction 8A from the shaft 109A.

The support member <NUM> has a first orientation parallel to the nozzle surface <NUM> of the ejecting module <NUM> (see <FIG>), and a second orientation where the support member <NUM> is oblique around the shaft 109A as the center from the first orientation, and a pivot tip end 51A is positioned below the shaft <NUM>, such that the orientation can be altered (see <FIG>).

As illustrated in <FIG>, the transport surface <NUM> of the transport belt <NUM> extends along the front-to-back direction <NUM> when the first support mechanism <NUM> is in the first orientation. As a result, the transport belt <NUM> can transport the sheet S positioned on the transport path <NUM> forward to the support part <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> to <FIG>, when the first support mechanism <NUM> is in the second orientation, the transport surface <NUM> of the transport belt <NUM> extends along a downward sloping direction <NUM> toward the front. Note that the sloping direction <NUM> is perpendicular to the left-right direction <NUM> and intersects the transport direction 8A.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the support member <NUM> has a main body <NUM> and vertical walls <NUM>, <NUM>. Note that in the following description of the support member <NUM>, it is assumed that the first support mechanism <NUM> is in the second orientation. The main body <NUM> is a generally a plate-shaped member, and has a shaft 109A. The vertical wall <NUM> rises upward from the left end part of the main body <NUM>. The vertical wall <NUM> rises upward from the right end part of the main body <NUM>. The vertical walls <NUM>, <NUM> extend along a sloping direction <NUM>.

The vertical walls <NUM>, <NUM> are provided outside the transport path <NUM> in the left-right direction <NUM>. The vertical walls <NUM>, <NUM> rotatably support the drive roller <NUM> and driven roller <NUM>.

The vertical wall <NUM> has an upper surface 110A. The vertical wall <NUM> has a first upper surface 111A and a second upper surface 111B. The second upper surface 111B is in a different position in the left-right direction <NUM> than the first upper surface 111A. The upper surface 110A and the first upper surface 111A support the maintenance mechanism <NUM> to slidably support the movement of the maintenance mechanism <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the second upper surface 111B is in a position that can face the rack <NUM>, described later, in the maintenance mechanism <NUM>. An opening <NUM> is formed in the second upper surface 111B. A portion of gear 105A protrudes upward from the opening <NUM>. Gear 105A can engage with the rack <NUM> which is in an opposing position.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, gears <NUM> and <NUM> are rotatably supported by the support member <NUM> of first support mechanism <NUM>. The gear <NUM> includes gears 105A and 105B, aligned along the left-right direction <NUM>. Gear 105A and gear 105B are arranged to be mutually coaxial. Gear 105A rotates in unison with gear 105B. Gear 105B is engaged with gear <NUM>. The gear <NUM> is connected to the first motor <NUM> (see <FIG>) directly or via another gear or the like, and is driven by a driving force from the first motor <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the second support mechanism <NUM> is provided in an overall sloping direction <NUM> and can be moved in an orthogonal direction <NUM> by a ball screw <NUM>. The ball screw <NUM> has a screw shaft <NUM> and a nut member <NUM>. Note that the ball screw <NUM> that drives the second support mechanism <NUM> is illustrated only in <FIG>, and is omitted in the other drawings.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the second support mechanism <NUM> includes the main body <NUM>, vertical walls <NUM>, <NUM>, and gears <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Note that the teeth of the gears <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are omitted in the figures.

The main body <NUM> is a generally a plate-shaped member. The screw shaft <NUM> of the ball screw <NUM> is fixed to the main body <NUM>, and is screwed to a nut member <NUM> fixed to a lower housing <NUM>. The screw shaft <NUM> rotates when a driving force is transmitted from vertical drive motor <NUM> (see <FIG>). Thereby, the main body <NUM> can move in the orthogonal direction <NUM>. Note that the configuration for vertically moving the head <NUM> is not limited to the configuration using the ball screw <NUM>, and various other known configurations can be adopted.

The vertical wall <NUM> rises upward from the left end part of the main body <NUM>. The vertical wall <NUM> rises upward from the right end part of the main body <NUM>. The vertical walls <NUM>, <NUM> extend along a sloping direction <NUM>.

The vertical wall <NUM> is in the same position in the left-right direction <NUM> as the vertical wall <NUM> of the first support mechanism <NUM>. The vertical wall <NUM> is in the same position in the left-right direction <NUM> as the vertical wall <NUM> of the first support mechanism <NUM>.

The vertical wall <NUM> has an upper surface 116A. The vertical wall <NUM> has a first upper surface 117A and a second upper surface 117B. The second upper surface 117B is in a different position in the left-right direction <NUM> than the first upper surface 117A.

When the first support mechanism <NUM> is in the second orientation, the first upper surface 117A is aligned with the first upper surface 111A of the vertical wall <NUM> of the first support mechanism <NUM> along the sloping direction <NUM>, and is on the same plane as the first upper surface 111A. In other words, the first upper surface 117A and the first upper surface 111A are aligned linearly. When the first support mechanism <NUM> is in the second orientation, the second upper surface 117B is aligned with the second upper surface 111B of the vertical wall <NUM> of the first support mechanism <NUM> along the sloping direction <NUM>, and is on the same plane as the second upper surface 111B. In other words, the second upper surface 117B and the second upper surface 111B are aligned linearly.

The upper surface 116A and the first upper surface 117A support the maintenance mechanism <NUM> to slidably support the movement of the maintenance mechanism <NUM>. The second upper surface 117B is at a position that can face the rack <NUM> of the maintenance mechanism <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the second upper surface 117B has openings <NUM>, <NUM>. The opening <NUM> is positioned forward of the opening <NUM>. A portion of the gear <NUM> protrudes upward from the opening <NUM>. A portion of the gear <NUM> protrudes upward from the opening <NUM>. The gears <NUM>, <NUM> can engage with the rack <NUM> which is in an opposing position.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, gears <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are rotatably supported by the main body <NUM> of second support mechanism <NUM>. The gear <NUM> includes gears 118A and 118B, aligned along the left-right direction <NUM>. Gear 118A and gear 118B are arranged to be mutually coaxial. Gear 118A rotates in unison with gear 118B. The gear <NUM> includes gears 119A and 119B, aligned along the left-right direction <NUM>. Gear 119A and gear 119B are arranged to be mutually coaxial. Gear 119A rotates in unison with gear 119B. Gear <NUM> engages with gears 118B and 119B. Therefore, when gear <NUM> rotates, gears <NUM> and <NUM> rotate in the same direction. The gear <NUM> is connected to the second motor <NUM> (see <FIG>) directly or via another gear or the like, and is driven by a driving force from the second motor <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the maintenance mechanism <NUM> includes a support base <NUM>, a sponge wiper <NUM> (an example of a second wiper), a rubber wiper <NUM> (an example of a first wiper), and a cap <NUM>. Note that in the following description of the maintenance mechanism <NUM>, it is assumed that the maintenance mechanism <NUM> is supported by the first support mechanism <NUM> in the second orientation and the second support mechanism <NUM>.

The support base <NUM> has a base 61A, a main body 61B placed on the base 61A, and a wiper holder 61C that holds the sponge wiper <NUM> and the rubber wiper <NUM> on the main body 61B. The base 61A has a box shape with an open top. The base 61A includes a first bottom plate <NUM>, a first edge plate <NUM> standing vertical from the peripheral edge of the first bottom plate <NUM>, an extending piece <NUM>, and a rack <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The first bottom plate <NUM> has a flat plate shape extending in the sloping direction <NUM> and the left-right direction <NUM>. The upper and lower surfaces of the first bottom plate <NUM> are formed in a rectangular shape that is longer in the left-right direction <NUM> than the sloping direction <NUM>. The lower surface of the first bottom plate <NUM> can contact the upper surface 110A of the vertical wall <NUM> of the first support mechanism <NUM> from above. The lower surface of the first bottom plate <NUM> can contact the first upper surface 111A of the vertical wall <NUM> from above. Thereby, the maintenance mechanism <NUM> can be supported by the first support mechanism <NUM>. The lower surface of the first bottom plate <NUM> can contact the upper surface 116A of the vertical wall <NUM> of the second support mechanism <NUM> from above. The lower surface of the first bottom plate <NUM> can contact the first upper surface 117A of the vertical wall <NUM> of the second support mechanism <NUM> from above. Thereby, the maintenance mechanism <NUM> can be supported by the second support mechanism <NUM>.

The first edge plate <NUM> has a rectangular frame shape in plan view. The extending piece <NUM> extends rightward from the lower end part of the right wall of the first edge plate <NUM>. The extending piece <NUM> extends from one end of the right wall of the first edge plate <NUM> in the sloping direction <NUM> to the other end.

The rack <NUM> is formed on the lower surface of the extending piece <NUM>. The rack <NUM> extends from one end part of the extending piece <NUM> in the sloping direction <NUM> to the vicinity of the other end part, as illustrated in <FIG>. The rack <NUM> can vertically face the second upper surface 111B of the vertical wall <NUM> of the first support mechanism <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The rack <NUM> can engage with the gear 105A protruding from the opening <NUM> of the second upper surface 111B. The maintenance mechanism <NUM> slides along the upper surface 110A and the first upper surface 111A with regard to the first support mechanism <NUM> by rotating the gear 105A in a condition where the rack <NUM> is engaged with the gear 105A. In other words, the movement of the maintenance mechanism <NUM> is guided by the upper surface 110A and the first upper surface 111A of the first support mechanism <NUM>.

The rack <NUM> can vertically face the second upper surface 117B of the vertical wall <NUM> of the second support mechanism <NUM>. The rack <NUM> can engage with the gear 118A that protrudes from the opening <NUM> on the second upper surface 117B and the gear 119A that protrudes from the opening <NUM> of the second upper surface 117B. The maintenance mechanism <NUM> slides along the upper surface 116A and the first upper surface 117A with regard to the second support mechanism <NUM> by rotating the gear 105A in a condition where the rack <NUM> is engaged with at least one of the gear 118A and the gear 119A. In other words, the movement of the maintenance mechanism <NUM> is guided by the upper surface 116A and the first upper surface 111A of the second support mechanism <NUM>.

As a result, the maintenance mechanism <NUM> can move to a standby position as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a retracted position as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> (an example of the retracted position), a maintenance position as illustrated in <FIG> (an example of a covered position), and a wiping position as illustrated in <FIG>, as will be described later. The maintenance mechanism <NUM> at the maintenance position and at the wiping position faces the nozzle surface <NUM> of the ejecting module <NUM> of the head <NUM> in the vertical direction <NUM>. The maintenance mechanism <NUM> at the standby position and at the retracted position is separated from the nozzle surface <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the main body 61B has a substantially box-like shape with an open top. The main body 61B is fixed to the base 61A. The main body 61B includes a second bottom plate <NUM>, a second edge plate <NUM> standing vertical from the second bottom plate <NUM>, and a liquid channel <NUM> for circulating the second maintenance liquid stored in the cleaning liquid tank <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the second bottom plate <NUM> has a flat plate shape extending in the sloping direction <NUM> and the left-right direction <NUM>. The upper and lower surfaces of the second bottom plate <NUM> are formed in a rectangular shape that is longer in the left-right direction than the sloping direction <NUM>. The second edge plate <NUM> has a rectangular frame shape in plan view.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the liquid channel <NUM> is formed on the upper surface of the second bottom plate <NUM>. The liquid channel <NUM> is a recessed groove that is recessed downward from the upper surface of the second bottom plate <NUM> and opens upward. The liquid channel <NUM> has a continuous U-shape that extends in the left-right direction <NUM> and turns back to make a U-turn in plan view. The liquid channel <NUM> extends to connect in series the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C arranged in a concave groove. The liquid channel <NUM> has a first channel 153A, an intermediate channel 153B, and a second channel 153C.

The first channel 153A is positioned upstream in the liquid channel <NUM> in the second maintenance liquid flow direction. The first channel 153A is a portion that extends in the left-right direction <NUM> on the front side of the main body 61B.

An intermediate channel 153B is positioned downstream of the first channel 153A in the second maintenance liquid flow direction. The intermediate channel 153B extends in the forward sloping direction <NUM> from the downstream end of the first channel 153A to a middle portion in the sloping direction <NUM> of the main body 61B.

The second channel 153C is positioned downstream in the liquid channel <NUM> in the second maintenance liquid flow direction. The second channel 153C extends rightward from the downstream end of the intermediate channel 153B.

As illustrated in <FIG>, an inflow port <NUM> through which the second maintenance liquid flows into the first channel 153A is opened in the inner wall surface of the groove at the upstream end of the first channel 153A. One end of a first supply tube <NUM> is connected to the inflow port <NUM>. The other end of the first supply tube <NUM> extends to the outside of the first support mechanism <NUM>, is connected to the cleaning liquid tank <NUM>, and opens at a position lower than the water surface of the second maintenance liquid stored in the cleaning liquid tank <NUM>.

An outflow port <NUM> through which the second maintenance liquid flows out is opened in the inner wall surface at the downstream end of the second channel 153C. One end of a return tube <NUM> is connected to the outflow port <NUM>. The other end of the return tube <NUM> extends to the outside of the first support mechanism <NUM>, is connected to the cleaning liquid tank <NUM>, and opens at a position higher than the water surface of the second maintenance liquid stored in the cleaning liquid tank <NUM>. A return pump <NUM> is provided on the return tube <NUM> (see <FIG>). Driving of the return pump <NUM> is controlled by the controller <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the wiper holder 61C has a sponge wiper <NUM> and a rubber wiper <NUM>. The sponge wiper <NUM> and the rubber wiper <NUM> are supported on the main body 61B by a wiper holder 61C.

The sponge wiper <NUM> is made of sponge. In the present embodiment, three sponge wipers <NUM> (64A, 64B, 64C) are provided. Hereinafter, the three sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C are also collectively referred to as the sponge wiper <NUM>. The sponge wiper <NUM> is formed in the shape of a rectangular body whose length in the left-right direction <NUM> is longer than the length in the sloping direction <NUM> and the vertical direction <NUM>. The length of the sponge wiper <NUM> in the vertical direction <NUM> is longer than the length in the sloping direction <NUM>.

The sponge wiper 64A and sponge wiper 64B are arranged in first channel 153A of the liquid channel <NUM>. The sponge wiper 64A is arranged upstream of the sponge wiper 64B. The sponge wiper 64C is arranged in the second channel 153C of the liquid channel <NUM>.

The sponge wiper 64A, sponge wiper 64B, and sponge wiper 64C respectively correspond to ejecting module 49A, ejecting module 49B, and ejecting module 49C in the vertical direction <NUM>. The sponge wiper 64A and sponge wiper 64B are positioned apart from each other in the left-right direction <NUM>. The sponge wiper 64C is positioned spaced in a forward sloping direction <NUM> from the sponge wipers 64A and 64B. The sponge wiper 64C is positioned in the middle between the sponge wiper 64A and the sponge wiper 64B in the left-right direction <NUM>.

The sponge wiper 64A corresponds to the ejecting module 49A, and can face the ejecting module 49A in the vertical direction <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the sponge wiper 64A is arranged on the right side of the center in the left-right direction <NUM> of the first channel 153A.

The rubber wiper <NUM> is made of rubber. In the present embodiment, three rubber wipers <NUM> (63A, 63B, 63C) are provided. Hereinafter, the three rubber wipers 63A, 63B, and 63C are also collectively referred to as the rubber wiper <NUM>.

The rubber wiper <NUM> is formed in a flat plate shape extending in the vertical direction <NUM> and the left-right direction <NUM>. The length of the rubber wiper <NUM> in the sloping direction <NUM> is shorter than the length of the sponge wiper <NUM> in the sloping direction <NUM>. As a result, the rubber wiper <NUM> is easily bent when coming into contact with the nozzle surface <NUM> of the ejecting module <NUM> during the wiping process. The length of the rubber wiper <NUM> in the left-right direction <NUM> is slightly longer than the length of the sponge wiper <NUM> in the left-right direction <NUM>. The length of the rubber wiper <NUM> from the support base <NUM> is longer than the length of the sponge wiper <NUM> from the support base <NUM>. The rubber wiper <NUM> is positioned outside in the left-right direction <NUM> relative to both ends of the sponge wiper <NUM> in the left-right direction <NUM>. The upper end part of the rubber wiper <NUM> is tapered. This facilitates the upper end part of the rubber wiper <NUM> coming into contact with the nozzle surface <NUM> of the ejecting module <NUM> during the wiping process.

Rubber wiper 63A and rubber wiper 63B are arranged outside of the liquid channel <NUM>. The rubber wiper 63A, rubber wiper 63B, and rubber wiper 63C respectively correspond to ejecting module 49A, ejecting module 49B, and ejecting module 49C in vertical direction <NUM>. The rubber wiper 63A, the rubber wiper 63B, and the rubber wiper 63C are arranged on the support base <NUM> at intervals in a rearward sloping direction <NUM> from the sponge wiper 64A, the sponge wiper 64B, and the sponge wiper 64C, respectively.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the cap <NUM> is supported by the support base <NUM>. A plurality of caps <NUM> are provided. In the present embodiment, the cap <NUM> is composed of three caps 62A, 62B, 62C. Hereinafter, the three caps 62A, 62B, and 62C are also collectively referred to as the cap <NUM>.

The cap <NUM> is made of an elastic material such as rubber or silicon. The cap <NUM> has a box shape with an open top.

The caps 62A, 62B, and 62C can face the ejecting module 49A, the ejecting module 49B, and the ejecting module 49C in the vertical direction <NUM>, respectively. Cap 62A, cap 62B and cap 62C are spaced in the forward sloping direction <NUM> from sponge wiper 64A, sponge wiper 64B and sponge wiper 64C, respectively. Lips 66A, 66B, and 66C of the caps 62A, 62B, and 62C abut against the nozzle surface <NUM> to seal internal spaces 67A, 67B, and 67C when the maintenance mechanism <NUM> is positioned at the maintenance position. The caps 62A, 62B and 62C respectively have cap channels 68A, 68B and 68C that facilitate communication between the internal spaces 67A, 67B and 67C and the outside. The cap channels 68A, 68B, 68C are composed of the supply channels 20A, 20B, 20C through which the second maintenance liquid flows into the internal spaces 67A, 67B, 67C of the cap <NUM>, and the discharge channels 21A, 21B, and 21C through which the second maintenance liquid flows out from the internal spaces 67A, 67B, 67C of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C.

Hereinafter, the three lips 66A, 66B, and 66C will also be collectively referred to as lip <NUM>. Furthermore, the internal spaces 67A, 67B, 67C, the cap channels 68A, 68B, 68C, the supply channels 20A, 20B, 20C, and the discharge channels 21A, 21B, 21C are also referred to as internal spaces <NUM>, cap channels <NUM>, supply channels <NUM>, and discharge channels <NUM>, respectively.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the cap 62A corresponds to the ejecting module 49A and can face the ejecting module 49A in the vertical direction <NUM>. The cap 62A is spaced in the forward sloping direction <NUM> from the sponge wiper 64A. The bottom plate <NUM> of the cap 62A is formed with a supply channel 20A through which the second maintenance liquid flows into the cap 62A and a discharge channel 21A through which the second maintenance liquid flows out from the cap 62A. One end of a second supply tube <NUM> is connected to the supply channel 20A of the cap 62A. The other end of the second supply tube <NUM> extends outside the maintenance mechanism <NUM> and is connected to the cleaning liquid tank <NUM> (see <FIG>). One end of a first waste liquid tube <NUM> is connected to the discharge channel 21A. The other end of the first waste liquid tube <NUM> extends to outside of the maintenance mechanism <NUM> and is connected to the waste liquid tank <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The cap 62B corresponds to the ejecting module 49B and can face the ejecting module 49B in the vertical direction <NUM>. The cap 62B is spaced in the forward sloping direction <NUM> from the sponge wiper 64B. The bottom plate <NUM> of the cap 62B is formed with a supply channel 20B through which the second maintenance liquid flows into the cap 62B and a discharge channel 21B through which the second maintenance liquid flows out from the cap 62B. One end of a third supply tube <NUM> branched from the second supply tube <NUM> is connected to the supply channel 20B. One end of the second waste liquid tube <NUM> is connected to the discharge channel 21B. The other end of the second waste liquid tube <NUM> merges with the first waste liquid tube <NUM> outside the maintenance mechanism <NUM>.

The cap 62C corresponds to the ejecting module 49C and can face the ejecting module 49C in the vertical direction <NUM>. The cap 62C is spaced in the forward sloping direction <NUM> from the sponge wiper 64C. The bottom plate <NUM> of the cap 62C is formed with a supply channel 20C through which the second maintenance liquid flows into the cap 62C and a discharge channel 21C through which the second maintenance liquid flows out from the cap 62C. One end of a fourth supply tube <NUM> branched from the second supply tube <NUM> is connected to the supply channel 20C. One end of the third waste liquid tube <NUM> is connected to the discharge channel 21C. The other end of the third waste liquid tube <NUM> merges with the first waste liquid tube <NUM> outside the maintenance mechanism <NUM>.

A cap cleaning valve <NUM> (see <FIG>) is provided on the upstream side of the branch point for the third supply tube <NUM> and the fourth supply tube <NUM> in the second supply tube <NUM>. The opening and closing of the cap cleaning valve <NUM> is controlled by the controller <NUM>.

The second waste liquid tube <NUM> and the third waste liquid tube <NUM> in the first waste liquid tube <NUM> are both provided with a suction pump <NUM> (see <FIG>) on the upstream side of the junction. The three suction pumps <NUM> are driven by one suction pump motor <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The total Ta of the volume of the supply channel 20A, the volume of the discharge channel 21A, the volume upstream of the suction pump <NUM> in the first waste liquid tube <NUM>, and the volume of the internal space of the cap 62A is equivalent to the total Tb of the volume of the supply channel 20B, the volume of the discharge channel 21B, the volume upstream of the suction pump <NUM> in the second waste liquid tube <NUM>, and the volume of the internal space of the cap 62B, and equivalent to the total Tc of the volume of the supply channel 20C, the volume of the discharge channel 21C, the volume upstream of the suction pump <NUM> in the third waste liquid tube <NUM>, and the volume of the internal space of the cap 62C (total Ta = total Tb = total Tc).

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the wiper cleaning mechanism <NUM> is positioned below the support part <NUM>, and includes a support member <NUM> and a lid member <NUM>. The wiper cleaning mechanism <NUM> is connected to the lower part of the support part <NUM> via an elastic member <NUM>. The wiper cleaning mechanism <NUM> is supported by the support part <NUM> in an oscillating manner along the orthogonal direction <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the support member <NUM> generally has a flat plate shape. The support member <NUM> has a removable lid member <NUM>. The support member <NUM> has a facing surface 81A facing the mounted lid member <NUM>, a left edge wall 84A extending downward from the left side edge, a right edge wall 84B extending downward from the right side edge, a left inner wall 84C extending downward at the right side in the left-right direction <NUM> of the left edge wall 84A, a right inner wall 84D extending downward at the left in the left-right direction <NUM> of the right edge wall 84B, and a control shaft <NUM>.

The facing surface 81A is the lower side surface of the support member <NUM>. The left inner wall 84C has a support piece 85A and a guide surface 86A. The support piece 85A is a projection protruding from the left inner wall 84C to the right in the left-right direction <NUM>. A plurality of support pieces 85A are arranged along the sloping direction <NUM>.

The guide surface 86A is a protruding part that guides the attachment of the lid member <NUM> to the support member <NUM>. The guide surface 86A protrudes from the left inner wall 84C to the right in the left-right direction <NUM>. The guide surface 86A is positioned more to a forward sloping direction <NUM> than the support piece 85A. The guide surface 86A extends at one end side in a rearward sloping direction <NUM> and the other end side extends so as to separate from the facing surface 81A when moving towards the forward sloping direction <NUM>.

The right inner wall 84D, similar to the left inner wall 84C, has a support piece 85B and a guide surface 86B. The support piece 85B of the right inner wall 84D has the same configuration as the support piece 85A, except for protruding from the right inner wall 84D to the left in the left-right direction <NUM>. The support piece 85A and support piece 85B support the lid member <NUM> from below. The guide surface 86B of the right inner wall 84D has the same configuration as the guide surface 86A, except for protruding from the right inner wall 84D to the left in the left-right direction <NUM>.

The control shaft <NUM> controls the movement of the mounted lid member <NUM> in the rearward sloping direction <NUM>. The control shaft <NUM> is formed as an axis on the facing surface 81A. The control shaft <NUM> is positioned at the center position in the left-right direction <NUM> at the front of the support member <NUM>.

The support member <NUM> has a mounting sensor <NUM> that detects that the lid member <NUM> is mounted (see <FIG> and <FIG>).

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the lid member <NUM> faces the maintenance mechanism <NUM>, which is in the retracted position when mounted on the support member <NUM>. The lid member <NUM> is generally flat plate-shaped, and has a lower surface <NUM>, an upper surface <NUM>, and a notch part <NUM>.

The lid member <NUM> has a holding member <NUM> (an example of a cleaning member) at the lower surface <NUM>. The holding member <NUM> is formed by a sponge, and holds the first maintenance liquid. The holding member <NUM> contacts the lip <NUM> and the rubber wiper <NUM> in the retracted position (see <FIG>). As a result, the holding member <NUM> wipes the ink adhering to the lip <NUM> and the rubber wiper <NUM>. The holding member <NUM> seals the internal space <NUM> of the cap <NUM> in the retracted position.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the lid member <NUM> has a rib <NUM> protruding toward the support member <NUM> at the upper surface <NUM>, a left operating part 92A disposed in the left side region of the upper surface <NUM>, and a right operating part 92B disposed in the right side region of the upper surface <NUM>. The left operating part 92A and the right operation part 92B are arranged to be separate in the left-right direction <NUM> on the forward sloping direction <NUM> side of the upper surface <NUM>, as a pair of operating parts 92A and 92B. The operating parts 92A, 92B are members that disengage the lid member <NUM> from the support member <NUM>.

The rib <NUM> is detectable by the mounting sensor <NUM> when the lid member <NUM> is attached to the support member <NUM>. The rib <NUM> is positioned on the left side region, which is the center of the upper surface <NUM> in the sloping direction <NUM>. The rib <NUM> is flat plate-shaped and extends along the sloping direction <NUM>.

The left operating part 92A is flat plate-shaped, and extends along the sloping direction <NUM> on the upper surface <NUM>. The left operating part 92A is integrally formed with the rib <NUM>. The left operating part 92A has an end part on the rearward sloping direction <NUM> side that is fixed to the upper surface. In other words, the left operating part <NUM> can pivot in the left-right direction <NUM> using the end part on the rearward sloping direction <NUM> side as a fulcrum. The left operating part 92A has a left engaging part 93A protruding toward the left at the center position in the sloping direction <NUM>.

The left engaging part 93A is formed on the left side surface of the left operating part 92A. The left engaging part 93A has a left contact surface 95A which is a surface that extends in the left-right direction <NUM> and the orthogonal direction <NUM>, and a left inclined surface 94A that slopes leftward from the left side surface of the left operating part 92A toward the forward sloping direction <NUM> and connects to the left contact surface 95A.

The right operating part 92B has the same configuration as the left operating part 92A except that a right engaging part 93B protrudes toward the right at the center position in the sloping direction <NUM>.

The right engaging part 93B is formed on the right side surface of the right operating part 92B. The right engaging part 93B includes a right contact surface 95B that is a surface that extends in the left-right direction <NUM> and the orthogonal direction <NUM>, and a right inclined surface 94B that inclines rightward from the right side surface of the right operating part 92B toward the forward sloping direction <NUM>, and is connected to the right contact surface 95B. The left engaging part 93A and the right engaging part 93B are a pair of engaging parts 93A, 93B that engage with a locking part <NUM> formed on the support member <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>).

The notch part <NUM> contacts the control shaft <NUM> and restricts the movement of the lid member <NUM> with respect to the support member <NUM> in the rearward sloping direction <NUM>. The notch part <NUM> is positioned at the center position in the left-right direction <NUM> at the front of the lid member <NUM>. The notch part <NUM> is open in the rearward sloping direction <NUM>.

When the lid member <NUM> attached to the support member <NUM> slides in the forward sloping direction <NUM> with respect to the support member <NUM>, the contact surfaces 95A and 95B come into contact with the locking parts <NUM> formed on the support member <NUM>, in order to restrict movement. The user can disengage the engaging parts 93A and 93B from the locking part <NUM> by moving the left operating part 92A to the right in the left-right direction <NUM> and moving the right operating part 92B to the left in the left-right direction <NUM>. In this state, the user can slide the lid member <NUM> in the forward sloping direction <NUM> in order to release it from the support member <NUM>.

The user can attach the lid member <NUM> to the support member <NUM> by moving the insertion tip end of the lid member <NUM> in the rearward sloping direction <NUM> along the guide surfaces 86A and 86B. Specifically, when the lid member <NUM> is inserted into the support member <NUM>, the left engaging part 93A is pushed to the right by the locking part <NUM>, the left operating part 92A is deformed to the right, the right engaging part 93B is pushed leftward by the locking part <NUM>, and the right operating part 92B deforms to the left. When the lid member <NUM> is pushed further in the rearward sloping direction <NUM>, the engaging parts 93A, 93B overcome the locking part <NUM>, and then the contacting surfaces 95A, 95B engage the locking part <NUM>. At this time, the notch part <NUM> contacts the control shaft <NUM>, so that the lid member <NUM> is also controlled in the rearward sloping direction <NUM> with respect to the support member <NUM>. Note that the operating parts 92A and 92B, the engaging parts 93A and 93B, the locking part <NUM>, the notch part <NUM>, and the control shaft <NUM> can restrict movement of the lid member <NUM> attached to the support member <NUM> in the sloping direction <NUM>, but other known means may be adopted.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the controller <NUM> has a CPU <NUM>, ROM <NUM>, RAM <NUM>, EEPROM <NUM> and ASIC <NUM>, which are connected by an internal bus <NUM>. The ROM <NUM> stores programs and the like for controlling various operations of the CPU <NUM>. The RAM <NUM> is used as a storage region for temporarily recording data, signals, and the like, used when the CPU <NUM> executes the above programs, or used as a working region for data processing. The EEPROM <NUM> stores settings, flags, and the like that should be retained even after the power is turned OFF.

The ASIC <NUM> is connected to the transport motor <NUM>, head motor <NUM>, first motor <NUM>, second motor <NUM>, return pump motor <NUM>, suction pump motor <NUM>, shaft motor <NUM>, vertical drive motor <NUM>, valve motor <NUM>, operating panel <NUM>, mounting sensor <NUM>, and display part 44A.

The ASIC <NUM> generates a drive signal for rotating each motor, and controls each motor based on this drive signal. Each motor rotates forward or backward according to a drive signal from the ASIC <NUM>. The controller <NUM> controls driving of the transport motor <NUM> to rotate the holder <NUM>, the transport roller 36A, the transport roller 40A, and the drive roller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> controls driving of the head motor <NUM> to rotate the screw shaft 29A and move the head <NUM> along the vertical direction <NUM>. The controller <NUM> controls driving of the shaft motor <NUM> to rotate the first support mechanism <NUM>. The controller <NUM> controls driving of the first motor <NUM> to rotate the gear <NUM> of the first support mechanism <NUM>. The controller <NUM> controls driving of the vertical drive motor <NUM> to rotate the screw shaft <NUM> and move the second support mechanism <NUM> along the orthogonal direction <NUM>. The controller <NUM> controls driving of the second motor <NUM> to rotate the gear <NUM> of the second support mechanism <NUM>. The controller <NUM> controls the drive of the return pump motor <NUM> to drive the return pump <NUM>. The controller <NUM> controls the drive of the suction pump motor <NUM> to drive the three suction pumps <NUM>. The controller <NUM> controls the drive of the valve motor <NUM> to open and close the cap wash valve <NUM>. The controller <NUM> controls the drive of the valve motor <NUM> to open and close the cleaning liquid distribution valve <NUM>. The controller <NUM> controls the drive of the valve motor <NUM> to open and close the ink valve <NUM>.

The ASIC <NUM> is connected to the operating panel <NUM>, the display part 44A, and a piezoelectric element (not illustrated in the drawings). The operating panel <NUM> outputs an operating signal to the controller <NUM> based on the operation by the user. The operating panel <NUM> may have, for example, push buttons, or may have a touch sensor superimposed on the display. The display part 44A displays that the lid member <NUM> is attached to the support member <NUM>. The piezoelectric element operates by being powered by the controller <NUM> via a drive circuit (not illustrated). The controller <NUM> controls power supplied to the piezoelectric element to selectively eject ink droplets from the plurality of nozzles 38A.

The ASIC <NUM> is electrically connected to the mounting sensor <NUM>. The controller <NUM> detects the insertion and removal of the lid member <NUM> via the mounting sensor <NUM>.

Details of the ink are described below. The ink contains resin microparticles, a colorant, an organic solvent, a surfactant, and water. The ink is a water-based ink in which resin microparticles, a colorant, and an organic solvent are dissolved in water.

The ink is wet-able to hydrophobic recording media such as coated paper, plastic, film, OHP sheet, and the like, but this is not a limitation. Image recording media other than hydrophobic recording media such as normal paper, glossy paper, matte paper, and the like may be suitable, for example. "Coated paper" refers to plain paper containing mainly pulp, such as high-grade printing paper and intermediate-grade printing paper, coated with a coating agent to improve smoothness, whiteness, gloss, and the like. Specific examples include high-grade coated paper, intermediate-grade coated paper, and the like.

For example, the resin microparticles may contain at least one of methacrylic acid or acrylic acid as a monomer, including commercially available products, for example. The resin microparticles may further contain, for example, styrene, vinyl chloride, and the like as monomers. The resin microparticles may be included in an emulsion, for example. The emulsion is composed of, for example, resin microparticles and a dispersing medium (such as water or the like). The resin microparticles are not dissolved in the dispersing medium, but are within a specific particle size range when dispersed. Examples of resin microparticles include acrylic acid resins, maleic acid ester resins, vinyl acetate resins, carbonate resins, polycarbonate resins, styrene resins, ethylene resins, polyethylene resins, propylene resins, polypropylene resins, urethane resins, polyurethane resins, polyester resins, copolymer resins thereof, and the like, but acrylic resins are preferred.

As the resin microparticles, for example, a resin having a glass transition temperature (Tg) in the range of <NUM>° C or higher and <NUM>° C or lower is used. More preferably, the glass transition temperature (Tg) is <NUM> or higher and <NUM> or lower, and still more preferably <NUM> or higher and <NUM> or lower.

The emulsion may be a commercially available product, for example. Commercially available products include, for example, "Superflex (registered trademark) <NUM>" (Tg: <NUM>), and "Superflex (registered trademark) <NUM>" (Tg: <NUM>) manufactured by DKS Co. ; "Mowinyl (registered trademark) <NUM>" (Tg: -<NUM>) and "Mowinyl (registered trademark) DM774" (Tg: <NUM>) manufactured by Japan Coating Resin Corporation; "Polysol (registered trademark) AP-3270N" (Tg: <NUM>) manufactured by Showa Denko K. ; "Hirose-X (registered trademark) KE-<NUM>" (Tg: <NUM>) and "Hirose-X (registered trademark) QE-<NUM>" (Tg: <NUM>) manufactured by Seiko PMC Corporation; and the like.

The average particle size of the resin microparticles is, for example, within a range of <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. The average particle size can be measured as the arithmetic mean diameter using, for example, an LB-<NUM> dynamic light scattering particle size analyzer manufactured by HORIBA, Ltd.

The content (R) of resin microparticles in the total amount of the ink is, for example, preferably in a range of <NUM> wt% or higher and <NUM> wt% or lower, more preferably in a range of <NUM> wt% or higher and <NUM> wt% or lower, and particularly preferably within a range of <NUM> wt% or higher and <NUM> wt% or lower. One type of resin microparticles may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in combination.

The colorant is a water dispersible pigment, for example, by means of a resin for pigment dispersion (resin dispersing agent). Examples of colorants include carbon black, inorganic pigments, organic pigments, and the like. Examples of carbon black include furnace black, lamp black, acetylene black, channel black, and the like. Examples of inorganic pigments include titanium dioxide, iron oxide inorganic pigments, carbon black inorganic pigments, and the like. Examples of the aforementioned organic pigments include: azo pigments such as azo lakes, insoluble azo pigments, condensed azo pigments, and chelated azo pigments; polycyclic pigments such as phthalocyanine pigments, perylene and perinone pigments, anthraquinone pigments, quinacridone pigments, dioxazine pigments, thioindigo pigments, isoindolinone pigments, quinophthalone pigments, and the like; dye lake pigments such as basic dye-type lake pigments and acid dye-type lake pigments; nitro pigments; nitroso pigments; aniline black daylight fluorescent pigments; and the like.

The solid content of the colorant in the total amount of ink is not particularly limited, and can be determined as appropriate depending on, for example, the desired optical density or chroma. The solid content of the colorant is, for example, preferably in a range of <NUM> wt% or more and <NUM> wt% or less, more preferably in a range of <NUM> wt% or more and <NUM> wt% or less. The solid content of the colorant is the weight of the pigment only, and does not include the weight of the resin microparticles. One type of colorant may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in combination.

Organic solvents are solvents that can blend uniformly when the solvent and water are blended at a <NUM>:<NUM> ratio. Any organic solvent can be used without any particular limitation. Examples of organic solvents include propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, <NUM>,<NUM>-butanediol, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether, <NUM>,<NUM>-hexanediol, <NUM>,<NUM>-hexanediol, and the like, but glycol ethers having a propylene oxide group are preferred. Examples of other organic solvents include: alkyl alcohols having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, sec-butyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol, and the like; alkylene glycols where the alkylene group contains <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, triethylene glycol, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-hexanetriol, thiodiglycol, hexylene glycol, and diethylene glycol; lower alkyl ethers of alkylene glycols such as glycerin, ethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl, propyl, butyl) ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl, propyl, butyl) ether, triethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl, propyl, butyl, hexyl) ether, tetraethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl, propyl, butyl, hexyl) ether, propylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl, propyl, butyl) ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl, propyl, butyl) ether, tripropylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl, propyl, butyl) ether, tetrapropylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl) ether, and the like; as well as N-methyl-<NUM>-pyrrolidone, <NUM>-pyrrolidone, <NUM>,<NUM>-dimethyl-<NUM>-imidazolidinone and the like.

The organic solvent content to the total amount of ink is, for example, preferably in the range of <NUM> wt% or more and <NUM> wt% or less, more preferably in a range of <NUM> wt% or more and <NUM> wt% or less.

The water is preferably ion-exchanged water or pure water. The water content in the total amount of ink is, for example, preferably in the range of <NUM> wt% or more and <NUM> wt% or less, more preferably in a range of <NUM> wt% or more and <NUM> wt% or less. The water content may, for example, be the remainder with regards to other components.

The ink may also contain conventionally known additives as needed. Additives include, for example, surfactants, pH adjusters, viscosity adjusters, surface tension adjusters, preservatives, antifungal agents, leveling agents, antifoaming agents, light stabilizers, antioxidants, nozzle drying inhibitors, polymer components such as emulsions, dyes, and the like. Surfactants may further include cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, or nonionic surfactants. Commercially available products, for example, may be used as these surfactants. Commercially available products include, for example, "OLFINE (registered trademark) E1010", "OLFINE (registered trademark) E1006", and "OLFINE (registered trademark) E1004" manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co. , and the like. The amount of surfactant in the total amount of ink is, for example, <NUM>% by weight or less, <NUM>% by weight or less, or <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight. Examples of the viscosity adjusters include polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose, water-soluble resins, and the like.

The ink can be produced by, for example, uniformly mixing resin microparticles, colorants, organic solvent, water, and, if necessary, other additives by a conventionally known method, and then removing insoluble matter with a filter or the like.

Note that the ink may be fixed to the recording medium by UV irradiation, instead of containing resin microparticles that are fixed to the recording medium by heating. In this case, the ink has a UV curing agent, resin component, colorant, organic solvent, surfactant, and water. UV curing agents include photopolymerization initiators and polymeric compounds.

Photopolymerization initiators are water-soluble compounds that cause polymerization reactions of polymeric compounds by UV irradiation. The photopolymerization initiator is dissolved in water. A state where the photopolymerization initiator is dissolved in water refers to a state in which <NUM> wt% or more of the photopolymerization initiator is dissolved in <NUM> of water. Photopolymerization initiators include, for example, lithium phenyl-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-trimethylbenzoylphosphinate. Other examples of photopolymerization initiators include <NUM>-[<NUM>-(<NUM>-hydroxyethoxy)-phenyl] - <NUM>-hydroxy-<NUM>-methyl-<NUM>-propan-<NUM>-one, <NUM>-hydroxy-<NUM>-methyl <NUM>-phenyl-propan-<NUM>-one, hydroxyalkylphenone initiators, acetophenone initiators, benzophenone initiators, benzoin initiators, benzoin ether initiators, aminoalkylphenone initiators, xanthone initiators, oxime initiators, and the like. Examples of hydroxyalkylphenone initiators include <NUM>-hydroxycyclohexylphenyl ketone, <NUM>-(<NUM>- isopropylphenyl)-<NUM>-hydroxy-<NUM>-methylpropan-<NUM> -on, and the like. Examples of acetophenone initiators include acetophenone, <NUM>,<NUM>-diethoxyacetophenone, p-dimethylaminoacetophene, and the like. Examples of benzophenone initiators include benzophenone, <NUM>-chlorobenzophenone, p,p'-dichlorobenzophene, p,p'-bis-diethylaminobenzophenone, Michler ketones, and the like. Examples of benzoin initiators and benzoin ether initiators include benzoin, benzoin methyl ether, benzoin ethyl ether, benzoin isopropyl ether, benzoin n-propyl ether, benzoin isobutyl ether, benzoin n-butyl ether, and the like. The solid amount of photopolymerization initiators in the total amount of ink is, for example, preferably in a range of <NUM> wt% or higher and <NUM> wt% or lower, more preferably in a range of <NUM> wt% or higher and <NUM> wt% or lower, and particularly preferably within a range of <NUM> wt% or higher and <NUM> wt% or lower.

Polymeric compounds are water-soluble compounds that undergo a polymerization reaction by photopolymerization initiators irradiated with ultraviolet light. The polymeric compounds are dissolved in water. A state where the polymeric compounds are dissolved in water refers to a state in which <NUM> wt% or more of the polymeric compounds are dissolved in <NUM> of water. Examples of polymeric compounds include N,N'-<NUM>,<NUM>-ethanediylbis{N -[<NUM>-(acryloylamino)ethyl]acrylamide}, N,N'-(((<NUM>-acrylamido-<NUM>((<NUM>-(buta-<NUM>,<NUM>-dien-<NUM>-ylamino)propoxy-<NUM>,<NUM>-diyl)bis(oxy)) bis(propan-<NUM>,<NUM>-diyl))diacrylamide, N,N-bis(<NUM>-acrylamidethyl)acrylamide, and N,N'-{oxybis(<NUM>,<NUM>-ethanediyloxy-<NUM>,<NUM>-propanediyl)}bisacrylamide. The solid amount of polymeric compounds in the total amount of ink is, for example, preferably in a range of <NUM> wt% or higher and <NUM> wt% or lower, more preferably in a range of <NUM> wt% or higher and <NUM> wt% or lower, and particularly preferably within a range of <NUM> wt% or higher and <NUM> wt% or lower.

The first maintenance liquid is held in the holding member <NUM> of the wiper cleaning mechanism <NUM>. The first maintenance liquid contains a water-soluble organic solvent, a surfactant, and water.

Any water-soluble organic solvent can be used without any particular limitation. Examples of water-soluble organic solvents include propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, <NUM>,<NUM>-butanediol, propylene glycol propyl ether, dipropylene glycol propyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, <NUM>,<NUM>-hexanediol, and the like, but propylene glycol and <NUM>,<NUM>-butanediol are preferred. Examples of other organic solvents include: alkyl alcohols having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, sec-butyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol, and the like; alkylene glycols where the alkylene group contains <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, triethylene glycol, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-hexanetriol, thiodiglycol, hexylene glycol, and diethylene glycol; lower alkyl ethers of alkylene glycols such as glycerin, ethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl, propyl, butyl) ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl, propyl, butyl) ether, triethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl, propyl, butyl, hexyl) ether, tetraethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl, propyl, butyl, hexyl) ether, propylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl, propyl, butyl) ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl, propyl, butyl) ether, tripropylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl, propyl, butyl) ether, tetrapropylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl) ether, and the like; as well as N-methyl-<NUM>-pyrrolidone, <NUM>-pyrrolidone, <NUM>,<NUM>-dimethyl-<NUM>-imidazolidinone and the like.

The water-soluble organic solvent may be used alone, or in a combination of two or more types The amount of water-soluble organic solvent in the total amount of first maintenance liquid is, for example, preferably in a range of <NUM> wt% or more and <NUM> wt% or less, more preferably in a range of <NUM> wt% or more and <NUM> wt% or less.

Common cationic, anionic, or nonionic surfactants are used as the surfactants, and commercial products may be used. Examples of commercially available nonionic surfactants include OLFINE (registered trademark) manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co. and "EMULGEN (registered trademark)" manufactured by Kao Corporation.

One type of surfactant may be used alone, or a combination of two or more types may be used. The amount of surfactant in the total amount of first maintenance liquid is, for example, preferably in a range of <NUM> wt% or more and <NUM> wt% or less, more preferably in a range of <NUM> wt% or more and <NUM> wt% or less.

The water is preferably ion-exchanged water or pure water. The water content in the total amount of the first maintenance liquid is, for example, <NUM>% to <NUM>% by mass, or <NUM>% to <NUM>% by mass. The water content may, for example, be the remainder with regards to other components.

The first maintenance liquid preferably does not contain a coloring agent, but may contain a coloring agent. If the first maintenance liquid contains a coloring agent, the amount is preferably an amount that does not affect the recorded image.

The first maintenance liquid may also contain conventionally known additives as needed. Examples of the additives include pH adjusters, viscosity adjusters, surface tension adjusters, antifungal agents, and the like. Examples of the viscosity adjusters include polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose, water-soluble resins, and the like.

The first maintenance liquid can be prepared by, for example, uniformly mixing a water-soluble organic solvent, a surfactant, and water by a conventionally known method.

The second maintenance liquid is stored in the cleaning liquid tank <NUM>. The second maintenance liquid contains a water-soluble organic solvent, a surfactant, and water.

The water-soluble organic solvent may be used alone, or in a combination of two or more types. The amount of water-soluble organic solvent in the total amount of the second maintenance liquid is, for example, preferably in a range of <NUM> wt% or more and <NUM> wt% or less, more preferably in a range of <NUM> wt% or more and <NUM> wt% or less.

Standard cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, and nonionic surfactants can be used as the surfactants, or a commercial product can be used. Examples of commercially available nonionic surfactants include OLFINE (registered trademark) manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co. and "EMULGEN (registered trademark)" manufactured by Kao Corporation.

One type of surfactant may be used alone, or a combination of two or more types may be used. The amount of surfactant in the total amount of the second maintenance liquid is, for example, preferably in a range of <NUM> wt% or more and <NUM> wt% or less, more preferably in a range of <NUM> wt% or more and <NUM> wt% or less.

The water is preferably ion-exchanged water or pure water. The water content in the total amount of the second maintenance liquid is, for example, <NUM>% to <NUM>% by mass, or <NUM>% to <NUM>% by mass. The water content may, for example, be the remainder with regards to other components.

The second maintenance liquid preferably does not contain a coloring agent, but may contain a coloring agent. If the second maintenance liquid contains a coloring agent, the amount is preferably an amount that does not affect the recorded image.

The second maintenance liquid may also contain conventionally known additives as needed. Examples of the additives include pH adjusters, viscosity adjusters, surface tension adjusters, antifungal agents, and the like. Examples of the viscosity adjusters include polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose, water-soluble resins, and the like.

The second maintenance liquid can be prepared by, for example, uniformly mixing a water-soluble organic solvent, a surfactant, and water by a conventionally known method.

The viscosity V1 of the first maintenance liquid is preferably greater than the viscosity V2 of the second maintenance liquid (V1 > V2). Specifically, the viscosity V1 of the first maintenance liquid is, for example, preferably within a range of <NUM> mPa • s or more and <NUM> mPa • s or less, and even more preferably in the range of <NUM> mPa • s to <NUM> mPa • s, and especially preferably in the range of <NUM> mPa • s or higher to <NUM> mPa • s or less. The viscosity V2 of the second maintenance liquid is, for example, preferably <NUM> mPa • s or more to <NUM> mPa • s or less, and more preferably within a range of <NUM> mPa • s or more to <NUM> mPa • s or less. The internal space of the cap <NUM>, the discharge channels 21A, 21B, and 21C, the internal space of the first waste liquid tube <NUM>, the second waste liquid tube <NUM>, and the third waste liquid tube <NUM> can easily be cleaned by the second maintenance liquid if the viscosity V1 of the first maintenance liquid is higher than the viscosity V2 of the second maintenance liquid. In addition, the viscosity V1 of the first maintenance liquid, the viscosity V2 of the second maintenance liquid, and the viscosity V3 of the ink are preferably in a relationship where viscosity V1 > viscosity V3 > viscosity V2. Note that the viscosity can be measured, for example, by a cone-plate rotational viscometer.

The evaporation rate E1 of the first maintenance liquid is preferably less than the evaporation rate E2 of the second maintenance liquid (E1 < E2). Specifically, the evaporation rate E1 of the first maintenance liquid is, for example, preferably in a range of <NUM>% or more and <NUM>% or less, more preferably in a range of <NUM>% or more and <NUM>% or less, and especially preferably in a range of <NUM>% or more and <NUM>% or less. The evaporation rate E2 of the second maintenance liquid is preferably in the range of, for example, <NUM>% or more and <NUM>% or less, even more preferably within a range of <NUM>% or more and <NUM>% or less. The evaporation rate E1 of the first maintenance liquid is lower than the evaporation rate E2 of the second maintenance liquid; therefore, the first maintenance liquid does not easily evaporate from the holding member <NUM> of the wiper cleaning mechanism <NUM>. In addition, the evaporation rate E1 of the first maintenance liquid, the evaporation rate E2 of the second maintenance liquid, and the evaporation rate E3 of the ink are preferably in a relationship where evaporation rate E3 > evaporation rate E2 > evaporation rate E1.

Note that the evaporation rate can be measured by the following test. <NUM> of the first maintenance liquid or the second maintenance liquid was placed in a standard glass bottle (No. <NUM>) with a volume of <NUM>, weighed, and left uncovered in a constant temperature bath at a temperature of <NUM> degrees and a humidity of <NUM>% for <NUM> hours. Afterwards, the difference when weighed again is expressed as a percentage (%) divided by the initial sample weight (<NUM>).

The water-soluble organic solvent having the maximum amount in the first maintenance liquid is preferably the same as the water-soluble organic solvent having the maximum amount in the second maintenance liquid. Therefore, when the first maintenance liquid and the second maintenance liquid are mixed, agglomeration or the like will not readily occur.

The surface tension T1 of the first maintenance liquid is preferably greater than the surface tension T3 of the ink. The surface tension T2 of the second maintenance liquid is preferably greater than the surface tension T3. Specifically, the surface tension T1 of the first maintenance liquid is, for example, within a range of <NUM> mN/m or more to <NUM> mN/m or less, and more preferably <NUM> mN/m or more to <NUM> mN/m or less. The surface tension T2 of the second maintenance liquid is, for example, within a range of <NUM> mN/m or more to <NUM> mN/m or less, and more preferably <NUM> mN/m or more to <NUM> mN/m or less. The surface tension T3 of the ink is, for example, within a range of <NUM> mN/m or more to <NUM> mN/m or less, more preferably <NUM> mN/m or more to <NUM> mN/m or less, and particularly preferably within a range of <NUM> mN/m or more to <NUM> mN/m or less. Note that the surface tension can be measured, for example, by the Wilhelmy method.

The operation of the maintenance mechanism <NUM> will be described below together with the purge process, the cleaning process, the wiping process, and the image recording process. In the present embodiment, the second maintenance liquid is supplied and discharged in conjunction with the above processing.

The image recording device <NUM> is in a standby state when the image recording process is not being executed. In the standby state, as illustrated in <FIG>, the head <NUM> is positioned at the capped position, the first support mechanism <NUM> is positioned at the first orientation while supporting the maintenance mechanism <NUM>, and the maintenance mechanism <NUM> is positioned at the maintenance position. At this time, the cap <NUM> covers the nozzle surface <NUM>.

In the standby state, the controller <NUM> performs the purge process at prescribed timing or upon receiving an external command. The process when the controller <NUM> receives an external command to execute the purge process while the image recording device <NUM> is in the standby state will be described below.

During the purge process, the controller <NUM> closes the cap cleaning valve <NUM>, and drives the suction pump <NUM>. As a result, the ink inside the nozzle 38A is suctioned out and the ink is discharged from the internal spaces 67A, 67B, 67C of the cap <NUM> through the discharge channels 21A, 21B, 21C, through the first waste liquid tube <NUM>, the second waste liquid tube <NUM>, and the third waste liquid tube <NUM>, to the waste liquid tank <NUM>. At this time, since the cap cleaning valve <NUM> is closed, the second maintenance liquid is not supplied from the cleaning liquid tank <NUM> to the caps 62A, 62B, 62C through the second supply tube <NUM>, the third supply tube <NUM>, and the fourth supply tube <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> executes the cleaning process (second maintenance process) at prescribed timing, or when an external command has been received. The process when the controller <NUM> executes the cleaning process, after the purge process is performed and while the image recording device <NUM> is in the standby state will be described below.

In the cleaning process, the controller <NUM> drives the suction pump <NUM> with the cap cleaning valve <NUM> open and the ink valve <NUM> closed. As a result, the second maintenance liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid tank <NUM> through the second supply tube <NUM>, the third supply tube <NUM>, and the fourth supply tube <NUM> to the internal spaces of the caps 62A, 62B, and 62C. Since the ink valve <NUM> is closed, no ink is discharged from the nozzle 38A of the head <NUM> into the internal spaces of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C.

Next, the controller <NUM> moves the head <NUM> to the uncapped position, and drives the suction pump <NUM> with the cap cleaning valve <NUM> closed. As a result, the second maintenance liquid is discharged from the internal spaces 67A, 67B, 67C of the cap <NUM> through the discharge channels 21A, 21B, 21C, through the first waste liquid tube <NUM>, the second waste liquid tube <NUM>, and the third waste liquid tube <NUM>, to the waste liquid tank <NUM>. As a result, ink remaining in the internal spaces 67A, 67B, 67C of the cap <NUM>, the discharge channels 21A, 21B, 21C, the first waste liquid tube <NUM>, the second waste liquid tube <NUM>, and the third waste liquid tube <NUM> is washed away by the second maintenance liquid.

The controller <NUM> drives the cleaning liquid distribution valve <NUM> to keep the atmospheric connecting channel <NUM> open and drives the return pump <NUM>. Thereby, the second maintenance liquid discharged from the outflow port <NUM> is returned to the cleaning liquid tank <NUM> through the return tube <NUM>.

Furthermore, the image recording device <NUM> is in a standby state when the image recording process is not being executed, but when entering standby state, the controller <NUM> executes the cleaning liquid supplying process (an example of the third maintenance process) by driving the suction pump <NUM> in a condition where the cap cleaning valve <NUM> is open, but the ink valve <NUM> is closed. The second maintenance liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid tank <NUM> through the second supply tube <NUM>, the third supply tube <NUM>, and the fourth supply tube <NUM> to the internal spaces of the caps 62A, 62B, and 62C in the cleaning liquid supply process. Since the ink valve <NUM> is closed, no ink is discharged from the nozzle 38A of the head <NUM> into the internal spaces of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C.

In the cleaning process, the controller <NUM> drives the suction pump <NUM> to ensure that the second maintenance liquid flows into the internal spaces of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C at a flow velocity of F1. In the cleaning liquid supplying process, the controller <NUM> drives a suction pump <NUM> to ensure that the second maintenance liquid flows into the internal spaces of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C at a flow velocity of F2. The flow velocity F2 is slower than the flow velocity F1 (F2 < F1).

The controller <NUM> performs the wiping process with the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, 64C impregnated with the second maintenance liquid, and executes the wiping process (an example of the fourth maintenance process). The wiping process is described below.

In the wiping process, the controller <NUM> drives the cleaning liquid distribution valve <NUM> to close the atmospheric connecting channel <NUM>, and drives the return pump <NUM>. As a result, the second maintenance liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid tank <NUM> to the support base <NUM> through the first supply tube <NUM>. The second maintenance liquid supplied to the support base <NUM> flows into the first channel 153A in the liquid channel <NUM> through the inflow port <NUM>. The second maintenance liquid that has flowed into the first channel 153A flows through the intermediate channel 153B and the second channel 153C in order, and is discharged from the outflow port <NUM>. At this time, the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C are impregnated with the second maintenance liquid, and the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C are in a state of containing sufficient second maintenance liquid. The controller <NUM> drives the cleaning liquid distribution valve <NUM> to keep the atmospheric connecting channel <NUM> open and drives the return pump <NUM>. Thereby, the second maintenance liquid is discharged from the liquid channel <NUM> to the cleaning liquid tank <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> moves the head <NUM> downward from the uncapped position indicated by the dashed line to the wiping position indicated by the solid line in <FIG>.

The maintenance mechanism <NUM> at the maintenance position is supported by the first support mechanism <NUM>, and at this time, the rack <NUM> is engaged with the gear <NUM>. When the first motor <NUM> is driven in this state and the gear <NUM> rotates clockwise in <FIG>, the gear <NUM> rotates counterclockwise in <FIG>. As a result, the maintenance mechanism <NUM> at the maintenance position moves forward (downstream in the transport direction 8A) along the front-to-back direction <NUM> (transport direction 8A) and reaches the wiping position (see <FIG>).

In the process of moving the maintenance mechanism <NUM> from the maintenance position to the wiping position, the tip end parts (upper end parts) of the sponge wiper <NUM> and the rubber wiper <NUM> contact the nozzle surface <NUM> and slide against the nozzle surface <NUM> of the ejecting module <NUM>. Specifically, the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, 64C and the rubber wipers 63A, 63B, 63C slide in contact with the nozzle surfaces <NUM> of the ejecting modules 49A, 49B, 49C. As a result, the nozzle surfaces <NUM> of the ejecting modules 49A, 49B, 49C are wiped by the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, 64C, impregnated with the second maintenance liquid, and then wiped by the rubber wipers 63A, 63B, 63C. As a result, the foreign matter that has adhered to the nozzle surface <NUM> and the nozzles 38A opened in the nozzle surface <NUM> is removed, and the second maintenance liquid that has adhered to the nozzle surface <NUM> is also removed.

When the maintenance mechanism <NUM> is at the wiping position, the first motor <NUM> is driven to rotate the gear <NUM> counterclockwise in <FIG>, which causes the gear <NUM> to rotate clockwise in <FIG>. As a result, the maintenance mechanism <NUM> at the wiping position moves back (upstream in the transport direction 8A) and reaches the maintenance position (see <FIG>).

The controller <NUM> drives the shaft motor <NUM> to change the orientation of the first support mechanism <NUM> from the first orientation to the second orientation (see <FIG>).

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the maintenance mechanism <NUM> can move to the standby position along the sloping direction <NUM> by sliding and moving with regard to the first support mechanism <NUM> in the second orientation and the second support mechanism <NUM> while being supported by the first support mechanism <NUM> and the second support mechanism <NUM> (example of first maintenance process). In other words, the first support mechanism <NUM> and the second support mechanism <NUM> can support the maintenance mechanism <NUM> at the maintenance position, the standby position, and at a position between these two positions.

Specifically, the controller <NUM> first drives the first motor <NUM>. Therefore, the gear <NUM> rotates in the clockwise direction in <FIG>, so the gear <NUM> rotates counterclockwise, and the maintenance mechanism <NUM> at the maintenance position moves in the forward sloping direction <NUM> and is received on the second support mechanism <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The controller <NUM> drives the second motor <NUM>. Therefore, the gear <NUM> rotates in the clockwise direction in <FIG>, so gears <NUM> and <NUM> rotate counterclockwise, and the maintenance mechanism <NUM> that has slid from the first support mechanism <NUM> arrives at the standby position on the second support mechanism <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The controller <NUM> drives the vertical drive motor <NUM>. Thereby, the screw shaft <NUM> rotates in order to move the second support mechanism <NUM> upward from the standby position along the orthogonal direction (an example of the direction intersecting with the surface of the holding member <NUM>) <NUM>, so that the maintenance mechanism <NUM> reaches the retracted position (see <FIG>). At this time, the support member <NUM> biases the lid member <NUM> toward the caps 62A, 62B, 62C by the elastic member <NUM>. The holding member <NUM> is in contact with the lips 66A, 66B, 66C of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C and the rubber wipers 63A, 63B, 63C. The first maintenance liquid adheres to the lips 66A, 66B, 66C of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C and the rubber wipers 63A, 63B, 63C through the holding member <NUM>, so the ink does not easily solidify. Note that the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C are separated from the holding member <NUM>.

In addition, the caps 62A, 62B, 62C overlap the area occupied by the heater <NUM> in the transport direction 8A of the sheet S. More specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, a range P1 occupied by the heater <NUM> in the transport direction 8A (front-to-back direction <NUM>) (hereinafter referred to as the range of the heater <NUM>) overlaps with a range P2 from the front side of the cap 62C in the sloping direction <NUM> to the back side of the cap 62B in the sloping direction <NUM> (hereinafter also referred to as the range of the cap <NUM>). With the present embodiment, a case of partial overlap is where the front side portion of the range P1 of the heater <NUM> overlaps with the rear side portion of the range P2 of the cap <NUM>. At this time, the wiper cleaning mechanism <NUM> is positioned between the caps 62A, 62B, 62C and the heater <NUM>. Therefore, the heat from the heater <NUM> is shielded by the wiper cleaning mechanism <NUM>, and is not easily transferred to the caps 62A, 62B, 62C.

The process (image recording process) when an image is recorded on the sheet S will be described below.

When the controller <NUM> receives a command to record an image on the sheet S from an external device such as the operating panel <NUM> or an information processing device connected to the image recording device <NUM> via a LAN or the like, the controller <NUM> moves the maintenance mechanism <NUM> as described above from the maintenance position to the standby position. The controller <NUM> then drives the vertical drive motor <NUM> to move the maintenance mechanism <NUM> from the standby position to the retracted position. The controller <NUM> drives the shaft motor <NUM> to change the orientation of the first support mechanism <NUM> from the second orientation to the first orientation (see <FIG>).

The controller <NUM> then moves the head <NUM> downward from the capped position to the recording position (see <FIG>). Furthermore, the sheet S begins to move, and the ink is ejected from the nozzles 38A while the sheet S is positioned directly below the head <NUM>. Thus, an image is recorded on the sheet S. The ink that has adhered to the sheet S is fixed to the sheet S by being heated when passing through the heater <NUM>. Furthermore, after the CIS <NUM> checks the recorded image, the transported sheet S is cut into a prescribed size by the cutter unit <NUM>, and discharged.

After the image recording process on the sheet S, a process that is the reverse of that described above is performed when the maintenance mechanism <NUM> moves to the maintenance position.

Specifically, first, the controller <NUM> drives the vertical drive motor <NUM>. As a result, the screw shaft <NUM> rotates, so the second support mechanism <NUM> moves from the retracted position downward along the orthogonal direction <NUM>, and the maintenance mechanism <NUM> reaches the standby position. At this time, the lips 66A, 66B, 66C of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C, the rubber wipers 63A, 63B, 63C, and the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, 64C are separated from the holding member <NUM> of the lid member <NUM> (see <FIG>).

Next, the controller <NUM> drives the shaft motor <NUM> to change the orientation of the first support mechanism <NUM> from the first orientation to the second orientation (see <FIG>). At this time, the maintenance mechanism <NUM> is supported by the second support mechanism <NUM>. In this state, the rack <NUM> is engaged with both gears <NUM>, <NUM>. When the second motor <NUM> (see <FIG>) is driven in this state and the gear <NUM> rotates counterclockwise in <FIG>, and the gears <NUM>, <NUM> rotate clockwise in <FIG>. Thereby, the maintenance mechanism <NUM> in the standby position is moved in the rearward sloping direction <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The controller <NUM> drives the first motor <NUM>. Therefore, the gear <NUM> rotates in the counterclockwise direction in <FIG>, so the gear <NUM> rotates clockwise, and the maintenance mechanism <NUM> that has slid from the second support mechanism <NUM> arrives at the first support mechanism <NUM> (see <FIG>).

With the maintenance mechanism <NUM> supported by the first support mechanism <NUM>, the first support mechanism <NUM> is rotated from the second orientation to the first orientation by driving the shaft motor <NUM> (see <FIG>). Furthermore, the head <NUM> is moved from the wiping position to the capped position. Thereby, the maintenance mechanism <NUM> is positioned in the maintenance position (see <FIG>). The maintenance mechanism <NUM> at the maintenance position is positioned between the head <NUM> and the first support mechanism <NUM> in the first orientation.

In the present embodiment, the first maintenance liquid cleans the lips 66A, 66B, 66C of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C and the rubber wipers 63A, 63B, 63C, and the second maintenance liquid washes away the ink remaining in the internal spaces 67A, 67B, 67C of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C, the discharge channels 21A, 21B, 21C, the first waste liquid tube <NUM>, the second waste liquid tube <NUM>, and the third waste liquid tube <NUM>. Therefore, suitable maintenance is achieved for each member to which the ink ejected from the nozzle 38A has adhered.

The second maintenance liquid is supplied to the internal spaces 67A, 67B, 67C of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C that contact the nozzle surface <NUM> at the maintenance position, such that the internal spaces 67A, 67B, 67C are kept at high humidity, and thus the ink does not easily dry in the nozzles 38A.

In addition, the flow velocity F2 at which the second maintenance liquid is supplied to the internal spaces 67A, 67B, 67C of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C when the head <NUM> is in the uncapped position is slower than the flow velocity F1 at which the second maintenance liquid is supplied to the internal spaces 67A, 67B, 67C of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C in the cleaning process, and therefore the second maintenance liquid does not easily overflow from the internal spaces 67A, 67B, 67C of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C.

In addition, in the wiping process, the nozzle surface <NUM> of each ejecting module 49A, 49B, 49C is wiped by the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, 64C, and then wiped by the rubber wipers 63A, 63B, 63C, so that the foreign material that has adhered to the nozzle surface <NUM> and the nozzle 38A that opens on the nozzle surface <NUM> is removed.

In addition, the total Ta of the volume of the supply channel 20A, the volume of the discharge channel 21A, the volume upstream of the suction pump <NUM> in the first waste liquid tube <NUM>, and the volume of the internal space of the cap 62A is equal to the total Tb of the volume of the supply channel 20B, the volume of the discharge channel 21B, the volume upstream of the suction pump <NUM> in the second waste liquid tube <NUM>, and the volume of the internal space of the cap 62B, and the total Tc of the volume of the supply channel 20C, the volume of the discharge channel 21C, the volume upstream of the suction pump <NUM> in the third waste liquid tube <NUM>, and the volume of the internal space of the cap 62C (total Ta = total Tb = total Tc). Therefore, although the suction pump motor <NUM> for driving the three suction pumps <NUM> is in common, the operation of the three suction pumps <NUM> equalizes the amount of the second maintenance liquid flowing into the internal spaces 67A, 67B, 67C of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C.

Furthermore, the viscosity V2 of the second maintenance liquid is smaller than the viscosity V1 of the first maintenance liquid; therefore, the internal spaces 67A, 67B, 67C of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C, the discharge channels 21A, 21B, 21C, the first waste liquid tube <NUM>, the second waste liquid tube <NUM>, and the third waste liquid tube <NUM> can easily be cleaned by the second maintenance liquid.

Furthermore, the evaporation rate E1 of the first maintenance liquid is lower than the evaporation rate E2 of the second maintenance liquid; therefore, the first maintenance liquid does not easily evaporate from the holding member <NUM> of the maintenance mechanism <NUM>. The rubber wipers 63A, 63B, 63C are in contact with the holding member <NUM> impregnated with the first maintenance liquid; therefore, even if a small amount of ink has adhered to the rubber wipers 63A, 63B, 63C during the wiping process, fixing of the ink on the rubber wipers 63A, 63B, 63C is suppressed. In addition, the evaporation rate E2 of the second maintenance liquid is higher than the evaporation rate E1 of the first maintenance liquid; therefore, the second maintenance liquid tends to evaporate in the internal space <NUM> of the cap <NUM> in the cap position, and the internal space <NUM> is maintained at a high humidity.

Furthermore, the water-soluble organic solvent having the maximum amount in the first maintenance liquid and the water-soluble organic solvent having the maximum amount in the second maintenance liquid are the same, so the first maintenance liquid and the second maintenance liquid will not easily agglomerate when mixed.

In the image recording device <NUM>, sponge wiper <NUM> has three sponge wipers 64A, 64B, 64C, but the number of sponge wipers <NUM> is not limited to three, so long as the number corresponds to the number of ejecting modules 49A. For example, the number of sponge wipers <NUM> may be four or more, or two or less. Furthermore, a sponge wiper <NUM> is not necessarily provided. In the absence of a sponge wiper <NUM>, the nozzle surface <NUM> is sprayed or contacted with the second maintenance liquid by a mechanism such as a nozzle that sprays the second maintenance liquid or a sponge impregnated with the second maintenance liquid, for example. The second maintenance liquid that has adhered to the nozzle surface <NUM> is then wiped off by the rubber wiper <NUM>.

In the image recording device <NUM>, the support base <NUM> is provided with the three rubber wipers 63A, 63B, and 63C, but the number of rubber wipers <NUM> is not particularly limited as long as it corresponds to the number of the ejecting modules 49A. For example, the number of rubber wipers <NUM> may be four or more, or two or less. Furthermore, the rubber wiper <NUM> may be omitted. In the absence of a rubber wiper <NUM>, the nozzle surface <NUM> may be wiped by a sponge wiper <NUM>, for example.

In the image recording device <NUM>, a holding member <NUM> is provided on the lower surface <NUM> of the lid member <NUM>, but the holding member <NUM> may be omitted. In the absence of a holding member <NUM>, for example, the first maintenance liquid may be brought into contact with and then wiped by the lips 66A, 66B, 66C of the caps 62A, 62B, 62C and the rubber wipers 63A, 63B, 63C, by a mechanism such as a nozzle that sprays the first maintenance liquid or a sponge that is impregnated with the first maintenance liquid.

In the image recording device <NUM>, the support base <NUM> is provided with the three caps 62A, 62B, and 62C, but the number of caps <NUM> is not particularly limited as long as it corresponds to the number of the ejecting modules 49A. For example, the number of caps <NUM> may be four or more, or two or less.

In the image recording device <NUM>, the maintenance mechanism <NUM> moved to the wiping position by moving forward from the maintenance position, but can move to the wiping position by moving rearward from the maintenance position. In this case, the sponge wiper <NUM> may be positioned behind the rubber wiper <NUM>.

With the image recording device <NUM>, in the wiping process, the sponge wiper <NUM> and the rubber wiper <NUM> moved relative to the head <NUM> while the head <NUM> was at the wiping position, but the head <NUM> may move relative to the sponge wiper <NUM> and the rubber wiper <NUM> when the positions of the sponge wiper <NUM> and the rubber wiper <NUM> are fixed.

The case was described as an example of an image recording device <NUM> where the maintenance mechanism <NUM> is supported by the first support mechanism <NUM> and the second support mechanism <NUM>, and when the maintenance mechanism <NUM> moves between the maintenance position and the standby position, the maintenance mechanism is passed between the first support mechanism <NUM> and the second support mechanism <NUM>. However, the configuration is not limited to this case. The first support mechanism <NUM> and the second support mechanism <NUM> may, for example, be formed as a single unit and be capable of changing orientation between the first orientation and the second orientation, and thereby the maintenance mechanism <NUM> may be supported.

Claim 1:
A liquid discharging device (<NUM>), comprising:
ahead (<NUM>) configured to eject liquid from a nozzle (38A) which is an opening in a nozzle surface (<NUM>) of the head (<NUM>),
a cap (<NUM>, 62A, 62B, 62C) configured to abut against the nozzle surface (<NUM>) at a covered position and to separate from the nozzle surface (<NUM>) in a retracted position,
a first wiper (<NUM>) configured to wipe the nozzle surface (<NUM>),
a discharge channel (<NUM>) connecting an internal space (67A, 67B, 67C) of the cap (<NUM>, 62A, 62B, 62C) to the outside of the cap (<NUM>, 62A, 62B, 62C), and
a controller (<NUM>),
characterized in that the controller (<NUM>) executes:
a first maintenance process in which a first maintenance liquid is brought into contact with the cap (<NUM>, 62A, 62B, 62C) in the retracted position and the first wiper (<NUM>), and
a second maintenance process in which a second maintenance liquid different from the first maintenance liquid is distributed to the internal space (67A, 67B, 67C) of the cap (<NUM>, 62A, 62B, 62C) and the discharge channel.