JP2004025488A - Liquid injection device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to reduce the intrusion of liquid between a liquid ejecting head and an inclined plate, and to prevent the liquid from penetrating to other parts when the liquid enters between the liquid ejecting head and an inclined plate. Provided is a liquid ejecting apparatus that can be used.
An inclined plate (23) is provided on a carriage (14) on which a recording head (20) is mounted, with the recording head (20) and a space (S) therebetween. The inclined plate 23 has an inclined surface 23f that rises as the distance from the recording head 20 increases, and a projection 23a that is the lowermost portion when attached to the carriage 14 is provided on the recording head 20 side. The opening G of the space S is defined as a narrow gap S1 and the upper portion thereof is defined as a wide gap S2 by the protrusion 23a.
[Selection diagram] FIG.

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus, and more particularly, to a liquid ejecting apparatus which mounts a liquid ejecting head for ejecting liquid on a carriage, and moves the carriage relative to a target to eject the liquid to the target. is there.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, as an apparatus for ejecting a very small amount of liquid to a target, there is an ink jet printer that ejects and prints a plurality of ink droplets. This type of printer includes a recording head in which a plurality of nozzles having minute openings are formed, and discharges each ink droplet from the opening of each nozzle. Further, the printer is provided with a wiping member for maintenance cleaning. The wiping member slides on the lower surface of the recording head at the end of the maintenance cleaning, wipes off the ink adhered to the opening of the nozzle and its surroundings, and removes excess ink adhered to the lower surface. It has a role in adjusting the meniscus of the ink at the nozzle tip.
[0003]
Further, the wiping member is usually formed of an elastic member, and bends (in order to sufficiently remove ink) when sliding on the opening of the nozzle. Therefore, when the wiping member is removed from the recording head by wiping the opening of the nozzle, the wiping member returns to its original state by its restoring force. That is, when returning from the warped state, the ink that has been wiped and adhered to the tip of the wiping member scatters around the periphery, and the periphery, that is, the inside of the printer is contaminated.
[0004]
In order to reduce the contamination caused by the ink scattered from the tip of the wiping member, a printer has been provided in which a carriage is provided with an inclined plate for gradually returning the wiping member having wiped the recording head to its original shape. That is, the inclined plate has an inclined surface, and the wiping member slowly returns to the original shape along the inclined surface, so that the scattering of ink can be reduced.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the inclined plate is attached to the carriage with a gap from the recording head in order to facilitate its assembly. Therefore, the tip of the wiping member may enter the gap to return to the original shape, and the ink may be scattered over a wide range in the gap between the inclined plate and the recording head. Therefore, when the gap is narrowed so that the wiping member does not enter between the inclined plate and the recording head, the capillary force acts due to the narrow gap, and the ink that has entered the gap due to the movement of the wiping member. In some cases, the noise may be transmitted to the upper portion and transmitted to other portions, such as a substrate of a printer, to cause a problem.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and reduces intrusion of liquid between a liquid ejecting head and an inclined plate. It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus which can be prevented from transmitting to a part.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 includes a liquid ejecting head in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid are formed on a lower surface, the liquid ejecting head mounted thereon, and an opening of the nozzle. A carriage that is relatively movable in the horizontal direction with respect to the wiping member to be wiped, and has an inclined surface that rises as the distance from the liquid ejecting head increases, and is mounted on the carriage with a predetermined space from the liquid ejecting head. In the liquid ejecting apparatus including the inclined plate, a projection is provided on at least one of the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate so that the space has a narrow opening on the lower side and an enlarged upper part. The gist is that it has been done.
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the first aspect, a lower surface of the inclined plate on the liquid ejecting head side is substantially flush with a lower surface of the liquid ejecting head on the inclined plate side. The gist is that
[0009]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the first or second aspect, a gap between the openings is smaller than a width of the wiping member in the horizontal direction.
[0010]
The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that a discharge hole communicating the space and the outside is formed in the inclined plate so as to penetrate a base end of the protruding portion and a lower surface thereof. I do.
[0011]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid ejecting head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid formed on a lower surface, and a wiping member mounted with the liquid ejecting head and wiping an opening of the nozzle in a horizontal direction. A liquid having a slope that is inclined relative to the liquid ejecting head and rises as the distance from the liquid ejecting head increases, and includes a liquid ejecting head and an inclined plate mounted on the carriage at a predetermined space. In the ejecting apparatus, a gist is provided in which at least one of the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate is provided with an intrusion preventing protrusion for attaching or repelling the liquid entering the space.
[0012]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the intrusion preventing protrusion is provided on the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate, and at least prevents the liquid ejecting head from intruding. The projection may cover the gap between the intrusion prevention protrusion of the inclined plate and the liquid ejecting head, or the intrusion prevention protrusion of the inclined plate may be configured to cover the intrusion prevention protrusion of the liquid ejection head. The gist is that the liquid jet head and the inclined plate are provided so as to cover a gap between the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 7 is directed to a liquid ejecting head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid formed on a lower surface, and a wiping member mounted with the liquid ejecting head and wiping an opening of the nozzle in a horizontal direction. A liquid having a slope that is inclined relative to the liquid ejecting head and rises as the distance from the liquid ejecting head increases, and includes a liquid ejecting head and an inclined plate mounted on the carriage at a predetermined space. The gist of the injection device is that an absorbent is provided in the space.
[0014]
(Action)
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the opening of the predetermined space between the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate is narrow, so that it is difficult for the liquid to enter the space through the opening. Also, since the opening is narrow and the gap at the top is wide, the liquid that has entered the space can be transmitted to the top of the predetermined space by capillary force and cause problems in other parts. Few. Therefore, it is possible to reduce problems caused by the liquid that has entered the space between the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate, while easily attaching the inclined plate to the carriage.
[0015]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the lower surface of the inclined plate on the liquid ejecting head side is substantially flush with the lower surface of the inclined plate of the liquid ejecting head. Therefore, there is almost no step between the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate, and when the wiping member moves from the liquid ejecting head to the inclined plate, the liquid attached to the tip due to the impact of the step is less likely to be scattered. Therefore, the possibility that the liquid enters the space due to the scattering can be further reduced.
[0016]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the gap between the openings of the predetermined space is smaller than the horizontal width of the wiping member, the wiping member fits into the gap and removes the liquid attached to the tip thereof by the predetermined amount. The possibility of scattering in space can be reduced. Therefore, the possibility that the liquid enters the predetermined space can be further reduced.
[0017]
According to the invention as set forth in claim 4, the inclined plate is formed with the discharge hole communicating the space and the outside so as to penetrate the base end of the protrusion and the lower surface thereof. When a large amount of liquid has entered, the liquid that has entered can be discharged to the outside through the discharge hole. Therefore, a large amount of liquid that has entered the space is easily and smoothly discharged through the discharge hole, so that a problem that occurs when the liquid is transmitted to the upper part of the liquid can be further reduced.
[0018]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the liquid that attempts to enter the predetermined space between the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate adheres or rebounds to the intrusion prevention projection, so that the liquid that enters the upper part of the space Can be prevented as much as possible. Therefore, the liquid is less likely to enter through the gap formed between the inclined plate and the liquid ejecting head for ease of assembly, and the liquid is transmitted to the upper part of the space, causing a problem in other parts. Less. Therefore, it is possible to reduce problems caused by the liquid that has entered the space between the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate, while easily attaching the inclined plate to the carriage.
[0019]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the liquid that enters through the gap between the intrusion prevention protrusion of the inclined plate and the liquid ejection head enters the intrusion prevention protrusion of the liquid ejection head. The liquid that intrudes through the gap between the prevention protrusion and the inclined plate adheres or rebounds to the protrusion of the inclination plate to prevent the liquid from entering the upper part of the space. it can.
[0020]
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the absorbent is disposed in the space, the liquid that has entered from the space is adsorbed by the absorbent. Therefore, the liquid can be prevented from entering the upper part of the space as much as possible, and in order to facilitate the assembling, the liquid that has entered the space between the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate moves to another part, and the other part moves. It is possible to minimize the occurrence of inconvenience in the portion.
[0021]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(1st Embodiment)
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a liquid ejecting apparatus embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 1, an ink jet printer (hereinafter, referred to as a printer) 11 as a liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present embodiment has a platen 13 laid on a frame 12 thereof, and a paper feed mechanism (not shown) places the platen 13 on the platen 13. Paper P as a target is fed. A carriage 14 is supported by the frame 12 via a guide member 15 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the platen 13, and is reciprocated in the X direction (horizontal direction) via a timing belt 17 by a carriage motor 16.
[0023]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a recording head 20 as a liquid ejecting head is mounted on the carriage 14. The recording head 20 has a plurality of nozzles, and has a nozzle plate portion 21 in which the openings of the nozzles are gathered in the center of the lower surface. The recording head 20 ejects ink droplets from the openings of the nozzles by driving a piezoelectric element (not shown).
[0024]
On the lower surface of the carriage 14, an inclined plate 23 is attached on the right side of FIG. 2 with a gap S1 (for example, about 3 mm) from the recording head 20. The inclined plate 23 has an inclined surface 23f on the lower surface, and the inclined surface 23f has an inclination that rises as the distance from the recording head 20 in the horizontal direction increases (toward the right side in FIG. 2). Further, the inclined plate 23 is provided with a projection 23a projecting obliquely downward at the lowermost portion thereof. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the projecting portion 23a of the inclined plate 23 projects toward the lower surface of the recording head 20 and faces the recording head 20 with a small gap S2 (for example, 0.5 mm or less). Thus, the leading end is substantially the same height as the lower surface of the recording head 20. Thus, the inclined plate 23 partitions the space S of the gap S1 having the opening G of the gap S2 between the recording plate 20 and the recording head 20. In the inclined plate 23, a plurality of circular discharge holes 24 for communicating the space S with the outside are formed so as to penetrate through the base end of the protruding portion 23a and the lower surface of the inclined plate 23.
[0025]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 14 is provided at the right end of the inclined plate 23 with an engaging portion 14a protruding rightward.
As shown in FIG. 1, ink cartridges 25 and 26 are detachably mounted on the carriage 14, and ink is supplied to the recording head 20 from these ink cartridges 25 and 26. The ink cartridge 25 contains black ink. Further, the ink cartridge 26 is a color ink cartridge, and the inside is partitioned into three chambers, and each of these chambers stores three color inks of cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively.
[0026]
Accordingly, while the carriage 14 moves in the X direction along the platen 13, ink is ejected from the recording head 20 onto the paper P by driving a piezoelectric element (not shown) based on print data, and printing is performed. Is
[0027]
On the other hand, a head cleaning mechanism 30 is disposed in a non-printing area on the right side of the frame 12 in FIG. The head cleaning mechanism 30 includes a cap mechanism 31, a suction pump 32, and a wiping member 33.
[0028]
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, a slider 35 slidably supported is provided on a frame F of the cap mechanism 31, and a cap holder 36 is supported on the slider 35. The slider 35 is provided with an engaging portion 35a extending upward, and a spring member 37 is stretched below the slider 35 between the slider 35 and the frame F. Therefore, the slider 35 swings upward and rightward about the pin 38 against the spring member 37 by engaging the engagement portion 35 a with the engagement portion 14 a of the carriage 14. When the engagement of the engagement portion 14 a with the engagement portion 14 a is released, the restoring force of the spring member 37 causes the pin 38 to swing downward and left around the pin 38. Thereby, the cap holder 36 supported by the slider 35 can be moved up and down.
[0029]
Further, on the upper surface of the cap holder 36, a square frame-shaped cap member 39 is protruded. The cap member 39 can be opposed to the nozzle plate portion 21 of the recording head 20 at a predetermined interval, and seals the opening of the nozzle of the nozzle plate portion 21 as the cap holder 36 rises. . An opening hole 39a is formed in the center of the cap member 39. The cap member 39 is connected to the suction pump 32 disposed below the slider 35 as shown in FIG. 1 through the opening 39a. Further, the suction pump 32 is connected to a waste ink tank 40 disposed in parallel with the platen 13 via a suction pipe (not shown). Therefore, the suction pump 32 applies a negative pressure to the internal space of the cap member 39 in a state where the nozzle openings of the recording head 20 are sealed by the cap holder 36, and the recording head 20 dries (thickens). The ink is sucked and discharged to the waste ink tank 40.
[0030]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the wiping member 33 is provided on the left side of the cap holder 36 so as to be substantially perpendicular to the X direction which is the moving direction of the carriage 14 and to protrude above the cap holder 36. Have been. The wiping member 33 is made of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped elastic material, and has a width L1 in the X direction of, for example, 3 mm, which is larger than the gap S2 of the opening G of the space S. Therefore, the wiping member 33 slides on the recording head 20 and the inclined plate 23 to wipe and clean the lower surfaces thereof. The wiping member 33 is movable in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2. When the carriage 14 moves from the printing area to the non-printing area of FIG. You.
[0031]
Next, the cleaning operation of the printer 11 will be described.
When a cleaning switch (not shown) is pressed, the printer 11 starts a cleaning process. First, as shown in FIG. 4, the printer 11 moves the carriage 14 to the right, raises the cap holder 36, and covers the recording head 20 with the cap member 39. Subsequently, the printer 11 drives the suction pump 32 to suck and discharge the ink in each nozzle to the waste ink tank 40 through the opening 39a.
[0032]
When the suction pump 32 is driven for a predetermined time, the printer 11 stops the suction pump 32 and moves the carriage 14 to the left. When the carriage 14 moves to the left, as shown in FIG. 3, a wiping member 33 projecting above the cap mechanism 31 is pressed against the recording head 20 to wipe the lower surface of the recording head 20. Subsequently, when the wiping of the recording head 20 is completed, the wiping member 33 moves to the inclined plate 23 and wipes the lower surface of the inclined plate 23. When moving from the recording head 20 to the inclined plate 23, the lower surface of the recording head 20 and the lower surface of the projecting portion 23a of the inclined plate 23 are at the same height. Since the gap S2 is very small, the wiping member 33 does not enter the space S. Further, if the ink adhering to the wiping member 33 enters the space S from the opening G, the space S is widened with the gap S1 at the upper part, and the ink may rise due to the capillary force. rare.
[0033]
Further, when a large amount of ink enters the space S and reaches the base end of the protruding portion 23a, the ink is discharged to the outside through the discharge hole 24. The ink discharged to the outside through the discharge holes 24 is wiped together when the piezoelectric element 22 wipes the discharge holes 24 of the inclined plate 23.
[0034]
When the wiping member 33 is returned to the original shape according to the inclination of the inclined surface 23f while wiping the inclined surface 23f of the inclined plate 23, the wiping member 33 moves in a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. Then, it is retracted from the path of the carriage 14. Thereafter, when the carriage 14 is returned to the right (to the position shown in FIG. 2), the wiping member 33 is returned to the path of the carriage 14 again. Thus, the cleaning operation ends.
[0035]
According to the printer 11 of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) In the present embodiment, a projection 23a is provided at the lowermost part of the inclined plate 23, so that the upper part of the space S between the recording head 20 and the inclined plate 23 has a wide gap S1 so that the opening G is formed. The gap S2 is narrowed. That is, since the opening G at the lower part of the space S is a minute gap S2, it is less likely that the ink enters the space S through the opening G. Further, since the gap S2 is large above the space S, even if the ink enters the space S, the ink does not rise due to the capillary force. Further, since the inclined plate 23 is disposed on the carriage 14 so that there is a gap between the inclined plate 23 and the carriage 14, the assembling accuracy may not be strict. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the risk that the ink will travel through the space S and cause problems to other parts while the assembling of the inclined plate 23 is facilitated.
[0036]
(2) In the present embodiment, the lower surface of the recording head 20 and the tip of the projection 23a of the inclined plate 23 have substantially the same height. That is, since there is almost no step when moving from the recording head 20 to the inclined plate 23, when the wiping member 33 moves from the recording head 20 to the inclined plate 23, the ink attached to the tip due to the impact of the step is scattered. There is almost no problem, and defects due to contamination can be further reduced.
[0037]
(3) In the present embodiment, the gap S1 below the space S is smaller than the width L1 of the wiping member 33. Therefore, it is unlikely that the tip of the wiping member 33 enters the gap S2 and suddenly returns to the original shape and scatters ink over a wide range. Therefore, the risk of ink entering the space S can be further reduced.
[0038]
(4) In the present embodiment, the discharge hole 24 is provided at the base end of the projection 23a of the inclined plate 23. Therefore, when a large amount of ink enters the space S, the ink can be discharged to the outside through the discharge holes 24.
[0039]
(2nd Embodiment)
Next, a printer 11 as a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the following embodiments, the same parts as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, only the portions related to the recording head 20 and the inclined plate 23 are different from those in the first embodiment.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 5, on the left side of the inclined plate 23, ridges 23b and 23c having the same width as the width in the Y direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 5) are provided at intervals. ing. The protrusion 23b is provided at the lowermost portion on the recording head 20 side, instead of the protrusion 23a of the first embodiment. On the right side of the recording head 20, a ridge 20a having the same width as that in the Y direction is provided so as to protrude rightward. The ridge 20a is located between the ridge 23b and the ridge 23c of the inclined plate 23, and is arranged at a sufficient interval from the ridges 23b and 23c. Therefore, the ridge 20a of the recording head 20 covers the opening G between the ridge 23b of the inclined plate 23 and the recording head 20, and the ridge 23c of the inclined plate 23 The end portions e1 and e2 are arranged so as to cover between the ridge portion 20a and the inclined plate 23, that is, to overlap the respective end portions e1 and e2.
[0041]
That is, the ink that is going to enter through the opening G between the ridge 23b of the inclined plate 23 and the recording head 20 adheres or rebounds to the ridge 20a. Even if there is ink that has passed through the opening G, this ink adheres or rebounds to the ridge 23c between the ridge 20a of the recording head 20 and the inclined plate 23.
[0042]
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects (2) and (3) of the above embodiment.
(5) In the present embodiment, since the ridges 20a, 23b, and 23c are provided in the space S, even if the ink attempts to enter the space S, the ink adheres or rebounds to the ridges 20a, 23b, and 23c, and the space S Intrusion is prevented. Therefore, the ink does not propagate to the upper part of the space S, and the risk that the ink will propagate in the space S and cause a problem to other parts can be reduced.
[0043]
(6) In the present embodiment, the ridge 20a of the recording head 20 covers between the ridge 23b of the inclined plate 23 and the recording head 20, and the ridge 23b of the inclined plate 23 is It was provided so as to cover between the ridge 20a and the inclined plate 23. That is, the ridges 20a of the recording head 20 and the ridges 23b of the inclined plate 23 are arranged alternately so that their ends overlap. Therefore, even if the ink attempts to enter the space S, the ink adheres or rebounds to the ridges 23b and 23c of the inclined plate 23 or the ridge 20a of the recording head 20, and the intrusion is almost prevented. . Therefore, the possibility that the ink is transmitted to the upper portion of the space S can be further reduced.
[0044]
(7) In the present embodiment, the ridge 20a and the ridges 23b and 23c are arranged at a wider interval than the opening G, so that no capillary force is generated here. It is possible to further prevent the ink from being transmitted above the space S.
[0045]
(Third embodiment)
Next, a printer as a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0046]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a holding projection 23d is formed at the lower end of the inclined plate 23 on the recording head 20 side instead of the projection 23a of the first embodiment. . Further, the inclined plate 23 is provided on the carriage 14 such that the holding projection 23 d is substantially the same height as the lower surface of the recording head 20.
[0047]
Further, in the space S, a sponge 27 as an absorbing material is disposed in the space S between the recording head 20 and the inclined plate 23. The sponge 27 is made of, for example, a porous material such as a sponge, and has a trapezoidal shape with a large lower cross section in a free state. Therefore, the sponge 27 is supported by the holding projection 23d in a state in which the lower part is contracted, and the ink adsorbed by the sponge 27 gathers in the lower part contracted by the capillary force.
[0048]
That is, when the ink adhering to the tip of the wiping member 33 scatters and tries to enter the space S, the ink is adsorbed by the sponge 27, that is, stays in the sponge 27. In addition, the ink stagnant in the sponge 27 gathers at the lower portion due to the capillary force.
[0049]
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects (2) and (3).
(8) In the present embodiment, since the sponge 27 is provided below the space S between the recording head 20 and the inclined plate 23, the ink that has entered the space S is absorbed by the sponge 27. Therefore, even if the ink enters the space S, dirt does not spread to other parts such as the substrate of the printer 11, and the occurrence of problems can be reduced as much as possible.
[0050]
(9) In the present embodiment, since the lower part of the sponge 27 disposed in the space S is compressed, the sponge 27 gathers in the lower part by the capillary force adsorbed by the sponge 27. Therefore, the ink that has entered the space S collects in the lower portion when it is adsorbed by the sponge 27, so that the ink does not further propagate to the upper portion of the space S, and the occurrence of defects can be further reduced.
[0051]
(Example of change)
In addition, this embodiment may be changed as follows.
In the above embodiments, the lower surface of the recording head 20 and the lowermost portion of the inclined plate 23 are flush with each other, but a slight step may be formed between them.
[0052]
In the first embodiment, the protruding portion 23a that narrows the gap between the openings G of the space S is provided integrally with the inclined plate 23. Alternatively, the recording head 20 and the inclined plate 23 may be provided on the carriage 14 separately from the projection 23 a alone, and then the projection 23 a may be provided in close contact with the inclined plate 23.
[0053]
In the first embodiment, the protrusion 23a is provided on the inclined plate 23. Of course, a projection is provided on the recording head 20 or provided on both the recording head 20 and the inclined plate 23 so as to define a space S having a shape that narrows the gap of the opening G and widens the gap above the opening G. You may.
[0054]
In the first embodiment, the plurality of circular discharge holes 24 are provided. However, the discharge holes 24 may have another shape, for example, a rectangular slit shape.
In the second embodiment, the projections for preventing intrusion are provided on both the recording head 20 and the inclined plate 23, but may be provided only on the inclined plate 23.
[0055]
In the second embodiment, the protrusions 20a and the protrusions 23b having the same width as the width of the recording head 20 and the inclined plate 23 in the Y direction are provided as the protrusions, but at predetermined intervals in the Y direction. It is better to provide a plurality of projections arranged.
[0056]
In the third embodiment, the sponge 27 is provided as an absorbing material in the space S, but another absorbing material (for example, cotton or paper) may be provided.
In the third embodiment, rubber may be contracted in the space S instead of the sponge 27 of the absorbent. In this case, if a rubber longer than the gap S1 of the space S is provided on the holding protrusion 23d, the rubber can be contracted even if the mounting accuracy of the inclined plate 23 is not strict, and the ink in the space S can be penetrated. Can be further prevented.
[0057]
In each of the above embodiments, a printer (a printing apparatus including a facsimile, a copier, etc.) that ejects ink has been described as a liquid ejecting apparatus, but a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects another liquid may be used. For example, as a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a liquid such as an electrode material and a coloring material used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL display and a surface emitting display, a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a biological organic material used for manufacturing a biochip, and a precision pipette. May be used.
[0058]
Next, technical ideas that can be grasped from the above embodiment and other examples will be additionally described below together with their effects.
(A) The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the absorbing material is made of a porous material, and a lower portion thereof is contracted and disposed in the space.
[0059]
Therefore, according to the invention described in (A), the absorbent disposed in the space is made of a porous material, and is disposed in a state where the lower part thereof is compressed. It is gathered at the lower part by capillary force. Therefore, the liquid that has entered the space is less likely to spread to other portions, and the occurrence of problems can be further reduced.
[0060]
(B) a liquid ejecting head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid on its lower surface, and a carriage mounted with the liquid ejecting head and movable in a horizontal direction relative to a wiping member for wiping an opening of the nozzle. A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: a liquid ejecting head, and an inclined plate mounted on the carriage with a predetermined space therebetween, the liquid ejecting apparatus having an inclined surface having a slope rising as the distance from the liquid ejecting head increases. A liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein a sealing material is provided on the liquid ejecting apparatus.
[0061]
Therefore, according to the invention described in (B), since the sealing material is provided in the predetermined space, the liquid that has entered from the predetermined space is prevented from entering by the sealing material. Therefore, the liquid can be prevented from entering the upper part of the space as much as possible, and in order to facilitate the assembling, the liquid that has entered the space between the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate moves to another part, and the other part moves. It is possible to minimize the occurrence of inconvenience in the portion.
[0062]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first to fourth aspects of the invention, the gap between the opening of the space between the liquid jet head and the inclined plate is narrowed and the upper part thereof is widened, so that it is difficult for the liquid to enter the space via the opening. The liquid is less likely to be transmitted to the upper part of the space by the capillary force. Therefore, it is possible to reduce as much as possible that the liquid that has entered the space between the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate is transmitted to other parts and causes problems.
[0063]
According to the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, since the projection for preventing intrusion is provided in the space between the liquid jet head and the inclined plate, it is possible to prevent the liquid from invading the upper part of the space as much as possible. Therefore, it is possible to reduce as much as possible that the liquid that has entered the space between the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate is transmitted to other parts and causes problems.
[0064]
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the absorbing material is disposed in the space between the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate, the liquid that has entered from the space is absorbed by the absorbing material, so that the liquid is placed above the space. Can be prevented as much as possible. Therefore, it is possible to reduce as much as possible that the liquid that has entered the space between the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate is transmitted to other parts and causes problems.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall schematic perspective view of a printer according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a front view of a main part of a head cleaning mechanism of the printer in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of a main part for describing an operation of a wiping member of the head cleaning mechanism of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a front view of a main part during a suction operation showing a positional relationship between a recording head and a wiping member.
FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged sectional view of a main part of a wiping member of a printer according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged sectional view of a main part of a wiping member of a printer according to a third embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
G opening
S space
L1 width
S1 Upper gap
S2 Opening gap
11 Printer as liquid ejecting device
14 Carriage
20 Recording head as liquid ejecting head
20a ridge as a projection for preventing intrusion
23 Inclined plate
23a Projection
23b, 23c Ridges as protrusions for preventing intrusion
23f slope
24 discharge holes
27 Sponge as an absorbent
33 Wiping member

Claims (7)

A liquid ejecting head in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid are formed on a lower surface,
A carriage mounted with the liquid ejecting head and relatively movable in a horizontal direction with respect to a wiping member for wiping an opening of the nozzle;
A liquid ejecting apparatus having an inclined surface having an inclination that rises as the distance from the liquid ejecting head is increased, and including the liquid ejecting head and an inclined plate mounted on the carriage at a predetermined space.
A liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein a projection is provided on at least one of the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate such that the space has a narrow opening on a lower side and a wider upper part. 2. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a lower surface of the inclined plate on the liquid ejecting head side is substantially flush with a lower surface of the liquid ejecting head on the inclined plate side. 3. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a gap between the openings is smaller than a width of the wiping member in the horizontal direction. 4. The inclined plate according to claim 1, wherein a discharge hole communicating the space with the outside is formed so as to penetrate through a base end of the protrusion and a lower surface thereof. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1. A liquid ejecting head in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid are formed on a lower surface,
A carriage mounted with the liquid ejecting head and relatively movable in a horizontal direction with respect to a wiping member for wiping an opening of the nozzle;
A liquid ejecting apparatus having an inclined surface having an inclination that rises as the distance from the liquid ejecting head is increased, and including the liquid ejecting head and an inclined plate mounted on the carriage at a predetermined space.
A liquid ejecting apparatus, characterized in that at least one of the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate is provided with an intrusion preventing protrusion for adhering or repelling the liquid entering the space. The intrusion prevention projection is provided on the liquid jet head and the inclined plate,
At least the intrusion prevention projection of the liquid ejecting head covers the gap between the intrusion prevention protrusion of the inclined plate and the liquid ejecting head, or the intrusion prevention protrusion of the inclined plate is To cover the gap between the intrusion prevention projection of the liquid jet head and the inclined plate,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the liquid ejecting head and the inclined plate are provided. A liquid ejecting head in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid are formed on a lower surface,
A carriage mounted with the liquid ejecting head and relatively movable in a horizontal direction with respect to a wiping member for wiping an opening of the nozzle;
A liquid ejecting apparatus having an inclined surface having an inclination that rises as the distance from the liquid ejecting head is increased, and including the liquid ejecting head and an inclined plate mounted on the carriage at a predetermined space.
A liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein an absorbent is provided in the space.

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