JP2006218715A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of dropping waste ink into a waste ink tank opening from a cleaning member without enlarging the waste ink tank opening, even if the cleaning member is tilted. <P>SOLUTION: Two guide grooves 161, 162, which guide the ink flowing down the ink flow lower face 146f of the cleaning member 146 to near the lower end center part (dropping region T, hereafter) facing the width direction center of the waste ink tank opening, are provided to the ink flow lower face 146f of the cleaning member 146. Thereby, the ink flowing into regions other than the dropping region T is forced to enter into either the guide groove 161 or 162. The ink entered into the guide groove is guided into the guide groove as it is to flow down into the dropping region T of the cleaning member 146. Then, the ink drops from the dropping region T of a second cleaning member 146 onto near the width direction center of the waste ink tank opening 100a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a wiper member that cleans a discharge surface of a head, a cleaning member that removes ink adhering to the wiper member, and a waste ink tank that collects ink dripped from the cleaning member. is there.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an ink jet printer including a wiper blade that wipes off ink adhering to an ejection surface of a head that ejects ink (for example, Patent Document 1). Ink jet printers that include a cleaning member that removes ink adhering to the wiper blade are also known (for example, Patent Documents 2 to 4).

JP 2002-79692 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-220813 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-71723 JP 2000-141672 A

  FIG. 19 is an example of an image forming apparatus including a blade cleaning unit 445 that cleans the wiper blade 444. As shown in FIG. 19A, the blade cleaning means 445 includes a blade-shaped first cleaning member 445 a that abuts on one side surface of the wiper blade 444 and a blade-shaped first member that abuts on the other side surface of the wiper blade 444. 2 cleaning members 445b. The wiper blade 444 is configured to move up and down. When wiping off ink or the like adhering to the ejection surface 13a of the head, the wiper blade 444 moves up to a position where the wiper blade 444 contacts the head ejection surface 13a. When the wiper blade 444 is lifted, as shown in FIG. 19B, the first cleaning member 445a comes into contact with one surface of the wiper blade 444, and the second cleaning member 445b is contacted with the other surface of the wiper blade 444. Abut. The wiper blade 444 moves up while being sandwiched between the first cleaning member 445a and the second cleaning member 445b. At this time, the ink h adhered to the side surface of the wiper blade 444 is scraped off by the first cleaning member 445a and the second cleaning member 445b. Thereby, the ink adhering to the wiper blade 244 is removed. The ink adhering to the first cleaning member 445a and the second cleaning member 445b flows down the ink flow lower surface X of each cleaning member and drops from the lower end portion of each cleaning member to the opening 100a of the waste ink tank.

  However, the cleaning member 445a (445b) may be inclined in the width direction as shown in FIG. 20 due to an assembly error of the apparatus or a manufacturing error of the cleaning member. The ink adhering to the inclined cleaning member 445a (445b) flows down the flow surface X while moving in the inclined direction (right side in FIG. 20). Then, as shown in FIG. 20, the ink flows into the side surface of the cleaning member 445a (445b) and drops from the lower right end of the cleaning member 445a (445b) to the vicinity of the widthwise end of the opening 100a of the waste ink tank. To come. At this time, when the opening 100a is displaced from the normal mounting position shown by the dotted line in FIG. 20 in the direction opposite to the inclination direction of the cleaning member (left side in the drawing) due to the mounting error of the waste ink tank 100, Ink sometimes does not drip from the lower right end of the cleaning member 445a (445b) into the opening 100a of the waste ink tank. As a result, there has been a problem that the apparatus is soiled by ink dripped from the lower right end of the cleaning member 445a (445b).

  Therefore, it is conceivable to enlarge the opening 100a of the waste ink tank, but the apparatus becomes large. In addition, when the waste ink tank is replaced, waste ink is easily spilled from the opening 100a, and the maintainability of the waste ink tank is deteriorated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to eliminate the waste ink tank opening from the cleaning member without enlarging the opening of the waste ink tank even when the cleaning member is inclined. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of dripping ink.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is a blade-like wiper member that cleans the ejection surface of a head that ejects ink from an ejection port; a cleaning member that removes ink adhering to the wiper member; In an image forming apparatus including a waste ink tank for collecting ink of the cleaning member, the ink that is removed by the cleaning member and flows down on the surface of the cleaning member is at the lower end of the cleaning member and is disposed of the waste ink. The present invention is characterized in that it is provided with guide means for guiding ink to flow down to a portion other than the portion corresponding to the central portion in the width direction of the opening of the tank.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the guide means is provided at a central portion in the width direction of the opening of the waste ink tank of the cleaning member provided on the ink flow lower surface of the cleaning member. It is a guide groove extending toward a corresponding location.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the guide means is provided at a central portion in the width direction of the opening of the waste ink tank of the cleaning member provided on the ink flow lower surface of the cleaning member. It is a guide protrusion extended toward the corresponding location, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second or third aspect, the guide means is provided at the center in the width direction of the opening of the waste ink tank of the cleaning member provided on the ink flow lower surface of the cleaning member. It consists of a guide groove extending toward a portion corresponding to the portion, and a guide protrusion provided adjacent to the guide groove.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a plurality of the guide means are provided.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect, the guide means extends radially upward from a position corresponding to a central portion in the width direction of the opening of the waste ink tank of the cleaning member. It is characterized by.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the portion corresponding to the central portion in the width direction of the opening of the waste ink tank of the cleaning member is the central portion in the width direction of the lower end portion. It is characterized by being.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the wiper member is movable up and down, and the wiper member is raised when cleaning the ejection surface of the head. The wiper member is controlled to be lowered after the head cleaning is completed, and the cleaning member removes ink adhering to the wiper member when the wiper member is raised. .
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the wiper member is movable up and down, and the wiper member is raised when cleaning the ejection surface of the head. The wiper member is controlled to be lowered after the head cleaning is completed, and the cleaning member removes ink adhering to the wiper member when the wiper member is lowered. .

According to the first to ninth aspects of the present invention, the ink that is about to flow down is guided to the above-mentioned location by the guiding means other than the location corresponding to the central portion in the width direction of the opening of the waste ink tank at the lower end of the cleaning member. As a result, the ink that the cleaning member is inclined to flow to other than the above part is guided to the above part by the guiding means and flows down toward the center in the width direction of the opening of the waste ink tank. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the ink adhering to the cleaning member from flowing down from the cleaning member toward the vicinity of the end of the waste ink tank opening. As a result, even if there is a mounting error of the waste ink tank and the opening of the waste ink tank is shifted in the width direction, the ink flowing down from the cleaning member is not collected in the waste ink tank and soils the device. Is suppressed.
Further, the ink flowing down from the cleaning member can be collected in the waste ink tank without increasing the width of the waste ink tank opening in the width direction in consideration of the mounting error of the waste ink tank. Therefore, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the maintainability of the waste ink tank, such as an increase in the size of the apparatus and spilling of waste ink from the opening when the waste ink tank is replaced.

Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described.
First, the basic configuration of the image forming apparatus will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a carriage 9 and can be inserted and removed from the image forming unit 2 for forming an image and from the front side (the front side in FIG. 1) of the apparatus main body 1, and a large number of sheets P are stacked and stored. A paper feed cassette 50 is provided. An image reading unit 60 that reads a document is disposed above the apparatus main body 1.

  Further, the apparatus main body includes a cartridge loading unit 35 that accommodates ink cartridges 34Y, 34M, 34C, 34Bk-1, and 34Bk-2. Each color ink cartridge 34 is detachably attached to the cartridge loading section 35.

  The image reading unit 60 includes a first traveling body 66 including a document illumination light source 64 and a mirror 65 for scanning a document (not shown) placed on the contact glass 61, and two mirrors 67. , 68 is disposed so as to be reciprocally movable. Image information scanned by the reading traveling bodies 66 and 69 is read as an image signal into an image reading element 63 such as a CCD installed behind the lens 62. The read image signal is digitized and subjected to image processing. An image is formed on the paper P by the image forming unit 2 based on the image-processed signal.

  The image forming apparatus 1 can receive image data formed by the image forming unit 2 from an external device via a communication cable or a network, and can process the received image data to form an image. Examples of the external device that inputs image data formed by the image forming unit 2 include an information processing device such as a personal computer, an image reading device such as an image scanner, and an imaging device such as a digital camera.

  FIG. 2A is a front view of the carriage 9, and FIG. 2B is a bottom view of the carriage 9. As shown in FIG. 2A, the carriage 9 has 13C, 13Bk-1, 13Bk-2, 13M, and 13Y (hereinafter referred to as C, Bk-1, Bk-2, M, and Y as appropriate). Are omitted). As shown in FIG. 2B, each head 13 is provided with two rows of 192 ejection ports 13a.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the image forming unit 2. As shown in FIG. 3, a guide rod 31 that supports the carriage 9 penetrates the carriage 9 and is horizontally mounted on the front side surface 1a and the back side surface 1b of the main body. The carriage 9 has a carriage support member (not shown) extending in parallel with the guide rod 31 at a predetermined interval. The carriage 9 can be translated in the main scanning line direction by the guide rod 31 and the carriage support member. It is supported. The carriage 9 has sub tanks 32C, 32Bk-1, 32Bk-2, 32M, 32Y (hereinafter referred to as C, Bk) for supplying ink liquids of the respective colors to the heads 13C, 13Bk-1, 13Bk-2, 13M, 13Y. -1, Bk-2, M, and Y are omitted as appropriate). In each sub-tank 32, supply tubes 33C, 33Bk-1, 33Bk-2, 33M, 33Y corresponding to the respective colors (hereinafter, the color display of C, Bk-1, Bk-2, M, Y of each color is omitted as appropriate). ) Is connected at one end. The other end of the ink droplet supply tube 33 is connected to each color ink cartridge 34C, 34Bk-1, 34Bk-2, 34M, 34Y (hereinafter referred to as C, Bk-1, Bk-2, M, Y) shown in FIG. The color display is appropriately omitted) and is connected to a supply pump (not shown) of the cartridge loading unit 35 containing the cartridge. Then, the supply pump is appropriately driven to supply the ink liquid in the ink cartridge 34 to the sub tank 32 via the supply tube 33. A harness 47 is attached to the carriage 9 to connect to a control unit of a printer (not shown).

  On the back side (upper side in the figure) of the image forming unit 2, moisturizing caps 41C, 41Bk-1, 41Bk-2, 41M, 41Y (hereinafter referred to as C, Bk-1, Bk-2) corresponding to the heads 13 of the respective colors. , M and Y are omitted as appropriate) and a recovery / maintenance device 40 having a suction cap 42 is provided. The recovery / maintenance device 40 also includes a first idle discharge receiver 43, a wiper blade 44, and blade cleaning means 45. The moisturizing cap 41 caps the ejection port 13a of each head 13 during non-image formation, and keeps the ejection port 13a in a wet state. Although not shown, the moisturizing cap 41 has a small communication hole communicating with the atmosphere, so that the pressure in the moisturizing chamber is always kept at atmospheric pressure, and the meniscus of the discharge port 13a is kept constant. ing. The suction cap 42 provided on the front side (lower side in FIG. 3) of the moisture retention cap 41 is provided with a suction hole 42a, and suction means is attached to the suction hole 42a. The suction cap 42 has a function of sucking out bubbles and dust adhering to the discharge port 13a together with ink by the suction means of the suction cap 42 to improve the discharge failure. The first idle discharge receiver 43 is provided in order to maintain a stable discharge performance by adjusting the meniscus of the discharge port 13a by empty discharge, for example, before the start of recording. The wiper blade 44 is provided for cleaning the ink liquid adhering to the surface of the head 13 having the ejection port 13a. The blade cleaning means 45 is provided for scraping off dirt on the wiper blade 44. Each moisturizing cap 41, suction cap 42, wiper blade 44, and blade cleaning means 45 can be moved up and down by a cam shaft (not shown). The details of the blade cleaning means 45 will be described later.

  On the near side of the image forming unit 2 (lower side in FIG. 3), second idle discharge receptacles 46C, 46Bk-1, 46Bk-2, 46M, 46Y corresponding to the heads 13 of the respective colors are provided. The second idle discharge receptacle 46 is provided in order to maintain the same viscosity as the used color ink for the color ink that was not used for image formation during the image formation. Specifically, the ink having the same viscosity as the ink of the used color can be maintained by discharging the ink of the color not used for the image formation to the second empty discharge receiver 46 during the image formation.

Next, an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described.
First, an original is set on the contact glass 61 of the image reading unit 60 shown in FIG. 1, and a start switch (not shown) is pushed. Then, the first traveling body 66 and the second traveling body 69 travel, and the first traveling body 66 emits light from the light source 64 and further reflects the reflected light from the document surface toward the second traveling body 69. . The reflected light from the original surface directed to the second traveling body 69 is reflected by the mirrors 67 and 68 of the second traveling body 69, is put into the image reading element 63 through the lens 62, the original content is read, and the image data Is generated. Alternatively, image data as image information is sent from an external device such as a personal computer (not shown) via a communication cable or the like.

  Next, the paper P is fed out from the paper feed cassette 50 and separated and conveyed one by one by the separation roller 52 and the friction pad 51. The conveyed paper P is conveyed to the image forming unit 2 by a pair of paper feed rollers 53. The paper P transported to the image forming unit 2 is pressed against the transport belt 12 by the pressing roller 16. The surface of the conveyor belt 12 is charged by the charging roller 14 and electrostatically adsorbs the paper P. The sheet P electrostatically attracted is transported to a position facing the carriage 9 by the transport belt 12. When the paper P reaches a position facing the carriage 9, the movement of the conveyor belt 12 is stopped.

Before the image signal is input, the carriage 9 is positioned on the recovery / maintenance device 40 shown in FIG. 3 (hereinafter referred to as a home position). Before the image signal is input, the carriage 9 is positioned at the home position, and the head 13 and the moisturizing cap 41 come into contact with each other to keep the discharge port 13a in a wet state. When the image signal is input, the moisturizing cap 41 is lowered and starts moving the carriage 9 in the main scanning line direction. Each time the head 13 corresponding to each color is positioned on the first idle ejection receiver 43, the movement of the carriage 9 is stopped, and several drops of ink are ejected toward the first idle ejection receiver 43. When the idle ejection of the heads 13 for each color is completed, the carriage 9 starts to move in the main scanning line direction again. Then, while the carriage 9 moves on the paper P in the main scanning line direction according to the image signal, a predetermined ink liquid is ejected to a predetermined position of the stopped paper P to form an image for one line on the paper P. Here, one line means a range in the sub scanning line direction in which the head 13 can record on a sheet. After the image for one line is formed, the carriage 9 is moved to the position of the second idle ejection receptacle 46 as necessary, and several drops of ink colors that have not been used in the second idle ejection receptacle 46 are ejected. When the recording for one line on the paper P in the main scanning line direction is completed, the conveyor belt 12 is driven for a predetermined time, and the paper P is moved in the paper discharge direction for one line and stopped. When the movement of the conveying belt 12 is stopped, as described above, the carriage 9 forms an image for one line while moving on the paper P in the main scanning line direction according to the image signal. Such a process is repeated a predetermined number of times to print a desired image on the paper P. When an image is formed on a sheet by repeatedly conveying and stopping the sheet P, the sheet is electrostatically attracted to the conveyance belt 12, so that the sheet can be stably conveyed to a position facing the head 13. it can. Further, since the sheet is pressed against the conveyance belt 12 by the pressing roller 13, the sheet can be reliably electrostatically adsorbed to the conveyance belt 12. The paper P on which a desired image is formed is conveyed to the paper discharge tray 7 by a pair of paper discharge rollers 74, 75, 76, 77 including a paper discharge roller and a spur.
When the image formation is completed, the carriage 9 is again moved to the home position on the recovery / maintenance device 40. Then, the moisturizing cap 41 is raised to keep the discharge port 13a of the head 13 moisturized.

  Next, the blade cleaning means 45 will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a perspective view around the blade cleaning means 45 of the maintenance / recovery device 40. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the blade cleaning means 45. As shown in FIG. 4, the blade cleaning means 45 includes a first cleaning member 145, a second cleaning member 146, a holder 147, and a pressure member 148.

  The first cleaning member 145 includes a tip end portion 145 a that comes into contact with one surface of the wiper blade 44 and a holder attachment portion 145 b attached to the holder 147. Further, in order to prevent the rotation of the first cleaning member 145, an anti-rotation protrusion 145c that contacts the side surface of the holder 147 is provided.

  The holder 147 includes an attachment hole 147a to which the holder attachment portion 145b of the first cleaning member 145 is attached, and an attachment protrusion 147d to which the pressure member 148 is attached. The holder 147 includes a first arm portion 147f extending to the right side in the drawing and a second arm portion 147g extending to the left side in the drawing. A first gear 147b is provided at the tip of the first arm portion 147f. A second gear 147c is provided at the tip of the second arm portion 147g as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the holder 147 is rotatably attached to the side surface of the frame body 40 a of the maintenance / recovery device 40. Further, the holder 147 includes a spring holding portion 147e on the first arm portion 147f, and one end of the spring 149 is held by the spring holding portion 147e. The other end of the spring 149 is held by a spring holding projection 40b provided on the frame 40a. The spring 149 biases the holder 147 toward the front side in the drawing. As a result, the first cleaning member 145 held by the holder 147 is biased by the spring 149 in a direction away from the wiper blade 44.

  The second cleaning member 146 includes a tip end portion 146 a that contacts the other surface of the wiper blade 44. Further, a first arm portion 146d extends on the right side surface of the second cleaning member 146 in the figure, and a first gear 146b is provided at the tip thereof. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a second arm portion 146e extends on the left side surface of the second cleaning member 146 in the drawing, and a second gear 146c is provided at the tip thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the second cleaning member 146 is configured such that the first gear 146 b of the second cleaning member 146 meshes with the first gear 147 b of the holder 147, and the second gear 146 c of the second cleaning member 146 is the first of the holder 147. It is rotatably attached to the side surface of the frame body 40a so as to mesh with the gear 147c. The second cleaning member 146 is engaged with the first gear 147b and the second gear 147c of the holder 147 so as to be separated from the wiper blade during the non-cleaning operation.

  The pressure member 148 includes a protrusion 148a, an attachment recess 148b attached to the attachment protrusion 147d of the holder 147, and a protrusion 148e supported by the pressure member support 147h of the holder 147.

  The frame 40 a of the recovery / maintenance device 40 is provided with a drive gear 151 connected to a cam shaft (not shown), a cam gear 152, and a driven gear 153 that transmits the drive force from the drive gear 151 to the cam gear 152. ing. The convex portion 152a provided on the cam gear 152 abuts on the protruding portion 148a of the pressure member 148 and pushes the pressure member 148 upward.

  A torsion spring 150 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the recess 148b of the pressure member 148, and urges the pressure member 148 downward in the drawing. One end of the torsion spring 150 is supported by a spring support portion 148d of the pressure member 148. Further, the other end of the torsion spring 150 is supported by a spring support protrusion 147 i provided on the second arm portion 147 g of the holder 147. Further, the biasing force of the torsion spring 150 is larger than the biasing force of the spring 149. Thereby, when the convex part 152a of the cam gear pushes up the pressure member 148, the pressure member 148 does not rotate around the concave part 148b against the torsion spring 150, and the holder 147 rotates against the spring 149. Move. Further, even when the contact pressure of the cleaning member 145 against the wiper blade 44 exceeds a certain value, when the cam gear convex portion 152a pushes up the pressurizing member 148, it resists the biasing force of the torsion spring 150. Thus, the pressure member 148 rotates around the recess 148b. As a result, the contact pressure of the cleaning member 145 against the wiper blade 44 does not exceed a certain value.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a main portion around the waste ink tank 100 and the suction cap 42 of the maintenance / recovery device 40. As shown in FIG. 6, the ink sucked by the suction cap 42, the ink discharged to the first idle discharge receiver 43, the ink adhering to the wiper blade 44, and the blade cleaning means 45 are kept in the maintenance / recovery device 40. The ink is stored in a waste ink tank 100 disposed on the lower side.

  A suction means 42c is connected to the suction cap 42 via a suction tube, and ink sucked by the suction means 42c of the suction cap 42 drops from the tube 42d to the opening 100a of the waste ink tank. The first empty discharge receiver 43 has no bottom surface, and the ink discharged from the head 13 passes through the first empty discharge receiver 43 and drops directly to the opening 100a of the waste ink tank. Further, the ink adhered to the wiper blade 44 after cleaning the head 13 hangs down as it is and drops to the opening 100a of the waste ink tank. The tip end portion 44a that contacts the nozzle surface of the head of the wiper blade 44 has a wedge shape in cross section, and the top surface is inclined. Since the top surface is inclined in this way, waste ink attached to the top surface easily flows to the side surface of the wiper blade, and it is possible to prevent the waste ink from remaining on the blade top surface.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the waste ink tank 100 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body through an opening 1d provided on the back side surface of the image forming apparatus.

  Next, the cleaning mode will be described. The cleaning mode is a mode that is executed by the user when, for example, the printer is provided with a selection unit such as a cleaning mode selection button in advance and the user looks at the printed image and confirms the deterioration of the image. This mode is executed when the number of prints exceeds a certain number. When the cleaning mode is executed, bubbles and dust adhering to the discharge port 13a are sucked out together with ink by the suction means of the suction cap 42, thereby improving the discharge failure.

  The operation in the cleaning mode will be described below with reference to FIG. When the cleaning mode is executed, as shown in FIG. 8A, first, the moisturizing cap 41 that has moisturized the carriage 9 is lowered. Then, the carriage 9 is moved so that the head 13 </ b> C is positioned on the suction cap 42. When the head 13C is positioned on the suction cap 42, the movement of the carriage 9 is stopped. Next, the suction cap 42 is raised and brought into contact with the head 13, and bubbles and dust attached to the discharge ports 13a are sucked out together with ink by the suction means 42c. When the suction operation is finished, the suction cap 42 is lowered as shown in FIG. At the same time as the suction cap 42 is lowered, the wiper blade 44 is raised.

  At this time, the drive gear 151 shown in FIG. 5 is driven, and the cam gear 152 is rotationally driven. Then, the convex part 152a of the cam gear 152 comes into contact with the protruding part 148a of the pressure plate 148 and pushes the pressure plate 148 upward. When the pressure plate 148 is pushed up, the holder 147 attached with the pressure plate 148 rotates toward the wiper blade 44 against the urging force of the spring 149. Then, the first cleaning member 145 attached to the holder 147 also rotates on the wiper blade 44 side, and the tip end portion 145 a of the first cleaning member 1 comes into contact with one surface of the wiper blade 44.

  On the other hand, the second cleaning member 146 is rotated together with the holder 147 by the gears 146b and 146c of the second cleaning member 146 engaged with the gears 147b and 147c of the holder, and the leading end 146a of the second cleaning member 146 is Abuts against the other surface.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 8B, the wiper blade 44 is raised to a position where the wiper blade 44 comes into contact with the head 13 </ b> C while being sandwiched between the first cleaning member 145 and the second cleaning member 146. At this time, the residual ink adhering to the wiper blade is scraped off by the first cleaning member 145 and the second cleaning member 146 to clean the wiper blade.

  When the wiper blade 44 is raised, the carriage 9 is moved as shown in FIG. 8C to slide the head 13C against the wiper blade 44. By the movement of the carriage 9, the wiper blade 44 removes ink droplets that are rubbed and attached to the C-color head 13 </ b> C. When the ink droplets on the head 13C are removed, the wiper blade 44 is lowered.

  When the wiper blade 44 is lowered, the carriage 9 is moved to position the head 13C on the first idle discharge receiver 43 as shown in FIG. When the head 13C is positioned on the first idle discharge receiver 43, the idle discharge is performed on the first idle discharge receiver 43.

  Such a series of operations is similarly performed on the heads 13Bk-1, 13Bk-2, 13M, and 13Y of the other colors, so that the ejection defects of the heads 13 of each color and the ink droplets attached to the heads 13 of each color are removed. Can be cleaned.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the wiper blade 44 is cleaned immediately before the head 13 is cleaned. When a highly viscous ink such as a pigment-based ink is used, the speed of flowing down the wiper blade 44 is slower than that of a low-viscosity ink such as a dye-based ink. For this reason, it takes time until the ink attached to the top surface of the wiper blade 44 flows into the side surface. When the ink attached to the wiper blade 44 immediately after the cleaning of the head 13 is cleaned by the cleaning members 145 and 146, the ink attached to the top surface has not yet flowed to the side surface and may not be removed by the cleaning members 145 and 146. is there. If there is ink that cannot be removed in this way, the ink that could not be removed may adhere to the head 13 during the next head cleaning. However, cleaning the wiper blade 44 immediately before the wiper blade 44 cleans the head 13 has the following advantages. That is, even if high-viscosity ink adheres to the top surface of the wiper blade using the high-viscosity ink, the high-viscosity ink that adheres to the top surface until the next head cleaning is performed. 44, the ink on the wiper blade 44 can be reliably removed by the cleaning members 145 and 146. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the ink adhering to the wiper blade 44 from adhering to the head 13.

  In the present embodiment, the first cleaning member 145 and the second cleaning member 146 sandwich the wiper blade 44 to clean the ink attached to the wiper blade 44. When high viscosity ink such as pigment-based ink is used, fluidity may be lost and the wiper blade 44 may be fixed. However, as described above, the wiper blade 44 is sandwiched between the first cleaning member 145 and the second cleaning member 146, so that the ink attached to the wiper blade 44 is scraped by contact with the wiper blade 44 with a high contact pressure. Remove. As a result, ink that has lost its fluidity and has adhered to the wiper blade 44 can be reliably cleaned.

  Next, feature points of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. There may be a case where one end of the cleaning member becomes lower than the other end and is inclined with respect to the width direction due to an assembly error of the apparatus or play of the cleaning members 145 and 146. In this way, when the cleaning member is inclined with respect to the width direction, the scraped ink moves to the lower end portion, and the ink drops from the width direction end portion of the cleaning member. In some cases, the ink drops dripping near the end of the waste ink tank opening 100a in the width direction. Depending on the manufacturing error of the waste ink tank or the mounting error of the waste ink tank 100, the ink dropped from the end in the width direction may not be dropped on the opening 100a of the waste ink tank and may contaminate the apparatus. Further, when the arm portion 146d (146e) extending from the side surface to the outside of the frame body 40a is provided like the second cleaning member 146, the ink that has flowed to the side surface is transferred from the arm portion 146d (146e) to the gear 146b (146c). ) And drop from the gear. Since the ink dripped from the gear is dripped from outside the frame of the maintenance / recovery device 40, there is a high possibility that the device will be stained without being collected in the waste ink tank 100. Therefore, in the present embodiment, even if the cleaning member 145 (146) is inclined with respect to the width direction, the waste ink adhered to the cleaning member so that the scraped ink is surely dropped onto the opening 100a of the waste ink tank. Guiding means for guiding is provided.

  In the following description, the second cleaning member 146 will be described, but the first cleaning member 145 has the same configuration. Also, in the second cleaning member 146 shown below, the arm portions 146d and 146e, the first gear 146b, and the second gear 146c are omitted as appropriate. FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing the second cleaning member 146 having the characteristic points of the present embodiment. The second cleaning member 146 in FIG. 9 has two guide grooves as guide means for guiding the scraped ink to the vicinity of the center of the lower end (hereinafter referred to as the dropping region T) facing the center in the width direction of the waste ink tank opening. 161 and 162 are provided on the ink flow lower surface 146 f of the cleaning member 146. The first guide groove 161 extends from the vicinity of the upper right end of the cleaning member 146 in the width direction to the dropping region T, and the second guide groove 162 extends from the vicinity of the left end of the cleaning member 146 in the upper width direction in the drawing. It extends to the dropping region T. The length L from the starting point A at the top of the first guide groove 161 to the starting point B at the top of the second guide groove 161 is longer than the length in the width direction of the wiper blade 44.

  FIG. 10 illustrates the movement of ink flowing down the flow surface 146f when the second cleaning member 146 is tilted to the right side in the drawing due to the backlash of the apparatus and the right end portion is lower than the left end portion. It is a figure to do. As shown in FIG. 10, the ink M that scrapes off the ink adhering to the wiper blade 44 and adheres to the tip portion 146a flows down to the right end portion of the second cleaning member 146 in the drawing while moving under its own weight. Go. Then, the ink flowing down the flow surface 146f flows into the first guide groove 161. The ink that has flowed into the first guide groove 161 is guided to the first guide groove 161 as it is, and flows down to the dropping region T of the second cleaning member 146. Then, it drops from the dropping region T of the second cleaning member 146 to the vicinity of the central portion in the width direction of the opening 100a of the waste ink tank. In addition, when the second cleaning member 146 is inclined to the left side opposite to FIG. 10, the ink flowing down the flow surface 146 f flows into the second guide groove 162 and is directly guided to the second guide groove 162. It flows down to the dripping region T of the second cleaning member 146. Further, as described above, the length L from the starting point A at the top of the first guide groove 161 to the starting point B at the top of the second guide groove 162 is longer than the length in the width direction of the wiper blade 44. . Therefore, the ink scraped off from the wiper blade 44 adheres to a range of a length L from the starting point A of the first guide groove 161 of the cleaning member 146 to the starting point B of the upper portion of the second guide groove 162. As a result, the ink moving on the flow surface 146f toward the end side can be caught by the guide grooves 161 and 162, and the ink can be prevented from flowing into the side surface.

  As described above, the second cleaning member 146 of the present embodiment catches the ink flowing down while moving to one of the end portions in the width direction and guides it to the dropping region T by the guide grooves 161 and 162. Thereby, the ink dripped from the cleaning member can be dripped near the central portion in the width direction of the waste ink tank opening 100a even if the cleaning member is inclined. This prevents the ink dropped from the cleaning member from being collected in the waste ink tank even if the width direction end of the opening 100a of the waste ink tank is located inside the end of the cleaning member due to mounting errors or the like. can do. Further, the guide grooves 161 and 162 prevent the ink flowing down the flow surface 146f from moving to the side surface of the cleaning member 146. Therefore, ink does not flow to the arm portions 146d and 146e provided on the side surface of the cleaning member 146, and the ink does not drip outside the frame body 40a, so that the apparatus is not soiled.

  In FIG. 9, the ink that flows down the flow surface 146 f is guided to the dropping region T of the cleaning member 146 by the guide grooves 161 and 162, but is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, guide protrusions 163 and 164 may be used instead of the guide grooves 161 and 162. In the cleaning member 164 provided with the guide protrusions 163 and 164 shown in FIG. 11, the ink that flows down the flow surface 146f while moving to one of the ends in the width direction is transferred in the width direction by the guide protrusions 163 or 164. Is guided to the dripping region T while blocking the movement to.

  Not limited to this, as shown in FIG. 12 (a), guide grooves 161 and 162 extending to the eaves portion 146g connecting the tip end portion 146a and the flow surface 146f, or as shown in FIG. 12 (b). The protrusions 163 and 164 may be used. Thus, by extending the guide grooves 161 and 162 or the guide protrusions 163 and 164 to the eaves portion 146g, the ink moving in the width direction can be reliably captured by the guide protrusions 163 and 164 or the guide grooves 161 and 162. . Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the ink from flowing into the side surface.

  Moreover, the guide protrusion and the guide groove as the guide means can have various shapes. As shown in FIG. 13, the shape of the guide groove as the guide means and the cross-sectional shape of the guide protrusion can be a substantially triangular groove or a substantially triangular peak as shown in FIGS. . Moreover, as shown to FIG.13 (c) (d), it can also be set as a substantially semicircle-shaped groove | channel or a substantially semicircle-shaped peak. Also, as shown in (e), a combination of a substantially triangular groove and a substantially triangular peak, or a combination of a substantially semicircular groove and a substantially radial peak as shown in (f). be able to. As shown in FIGS. 13E and 13F, by combining the protrusion and the groove, the ink is poured into the guide groove 161 and guided, and the protrusion 163 prevents the ink from moving in the width direction. I can guide you. Therefore, it is possible to reliably guide the ink to the vicinity of the central portion at the lower end.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, a plurality of guide grooves 171 to 174 may be provided so as to extend radially from the dropping region T. As described above, by providing a plurality of guide grooves 171 to 174, even if the ink cannot be caught and guided by the groove inside the flow surface, the ink can be caught by the protruding groove on the outside. Thereby, the ink can be reliably guided to the dropping region T.

  Further, by providing guide grooves or guide protrusions radially, it is possible to reliably catch ink flowing down the flow surface 146f, and to reliably guide ink to the drop region T with the guide grooves or guide protrusions. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the lower end surface of the second cleaning member 146 is an inclined surface 146h that descends from the end in the width direction toward the center, and the ink that has flowed to the side surface by the inclined surface 146h is dropped onto the cleaning member 146. You may make it collect in the area | region T. FIG. In this case, as shown in FIG. 15, the first arm portion 146d and the second arm portion 146e are provided on the surface (back surface) opposite to the flow surface 146f, and the ink that has flowed down to the side surface is supplied to the arm portions 146d and 146e. Do not flow.

  In the above, as shown in FIG. 8, the embodiment applied to the cleaning members 146 and 145 of the blade cleaning means 45 for removing ink remaining on the wiper blade 44 when the wiper blade 44 is lifted. Although explained, it is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 16, the present invention can also be applied to cleaning members 255 and 256 of blade cleaning means 245 that removes ink remaining on the wiper blade 44 when the wiper blade 44 moves down after cleaning the head 13. In this case, the cleaning members 145 and 146 that remove ink when the wiper blade 44 is raised and the flow surface are reversed. For this reason, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, a guide protrusion 261 and a guide groove 262 are provided on the surface opposite to the cleaning member 146 that removes ink when the wiper blade 44 is raised.

  The present invention is not limited to this, and the wiper blade may be cleaned by the blade cleaning means immediately after the head cleaning of the wiper blade 44 and immediately before the cleaning. In this case, both side surfaces of the cleaning member 355 become the ink flow lower surface, and guide protrusions 361a and 361b are provided on both side surfaces as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 18B, guide grooves 362a and 362b are provided on both side surfaces, respectively.

  Further, in the above, ink is dripped from the cleaning member and the ink of the cleaning member is stored in the waste ink tank, but this is not limitative. For example, an absorber such as a sponge that absorbs ink may be provided in the waste ink tank, and the ink flowing down the flow surface of the cleaning member may be absorbed by the absorber. Specifically, a part of this absorber is protruded from the opening of the waste ink tank, and this protrusion is brought into contact with the lower end of the cleaning member. As a result, the ink flowing down to the lower end of the cleaning member is absorbed by the absorber and collected in the waste ink tank. In the waste ink tank provided with such an absorber, the waste ink tank may be mounted so as to be offset, and the end of the cleaning member may not contact the end of the absorber. At this time, if the cleaning member is inclined and the ink flows down to the end side not in contact with the absorber, the ink is not absorbed by the absorber and the apparatus is soiled. However, as described above, the guide protrusions are provided to guide the ink flowing down the flow surface of the cleaning member to a location facing the center in the width direction of the waste ink tank opening, so that the ink on the cleaning member can be reliably supplied. It can be absorbed by the absorber.

  Next, the ink used in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment will be described. The ink liquid used in the image forming apparatus is a water-based ink having a high viscosity by increasing the components of the colorant. This water-based ink is obtained by dispersing a colorant in an aqueous dispersion mainly composed of water. This water-based ink has an ink surface tension of 35 [mN / cm] or less and an ink viscosity of 5 [mPa · sec] at 25 ° C. or more. By setting the ink surface tension of the ink liquid to 35 [mN / cm] or less, the penetration speed into the paper can be increased. Further, by setting the ink viscosity at 25 ° C. to 5 [mPa · sec] or more, an ink having excellent quick drying properties can be obtained. In addition, since it is difficult to blur, a sharp image can be obtained.

  As the colorant, hydrophobic dyes and pigments can be used, and organic pigments and carbon black are particularly preferable.

  The aqueous dispersion is preferably an aqueous dispersion of polymer fine particles, and examples of the polymer used include a vinyl polymer, a polyester polymer, and a polyurethane polymer. Among the polymers, vinyl polymers are preferable.

  Further, a wetting agent is added to the ink liquid of the present embodiment so that the ink surface tension of the ink liquid is 35 [mN / cm] or less. Examples of the wetting agent include glycerin, 1,3-butanediol, triethylene glycol, 1,6-hexanediol, propylene glycol, 1,5-pentanediol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, trimethylolpropane, and trimethylolethane. At least one kind is added to the ink liquid.

  Furthermore, a polyol or glycol ether having 8 to 11 carbon atoms, an anion or a nonionic surfactant is added to the ink liquid of this embodiment.

    Examples thereof include 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, and substances having the following structures (I) to (VII).

（Ｒ１：炭素数６〜１４の分岐してもよいアルキル基、ｍ：３〜１２、 Ｍ：アルカリ金属イオン、第４級アンモニウム、第４級ホスホニウム、アルカノールアミン）

(R1: alkyl group having 6 to 14 carbon atoms which may be branched, m: 3 to 12, M: alkali metal ion, quaternary ammonium, quaternary phosphonium, alkanolamine)

（Ｒ２：炭素数５〜１６の分岐したアルキル基、Ｍ：アルカリ金属イオン、第４級アンモニウム、第４級ホスホニウム、アルカノールアミン）

(R2: branched alkyl group having 5 to 16 carbon atoms, M: alkali metal ion, quaternary ammonium, quaternary phosphonium, alkanolamine)

（Ｒは分岐しても良い６〜１４の炭素鎖、ｋ：５〜２０）

(R may be branched 6-14 carbon chain, k: 5-20)

（Ｒは分岐しても良い炭素数６から１４の炭素鎖、ｎ：５〜２０）

(R is a carbon chain having 6 to 14 carbon atoms which may be branched, n: 5 to 20)

（Ｒは炭素数６から１４の炭素鎖、ｍ，ｎ：ｍ、ｎ≦２０）

(R is a carbon chain having 6 to 14 carbon atoms, m, n: m, n ≦ 20)

（Ｒは炭素数６から１４の炭素鎖、ｍ，ｎ：ｍ、ｎ≦２０）

(R is a carbon chain having 6 to 14 carbon atoms, m, n: m, n ≦ 20)

（ｐ、ｑは０〜４０）

(P and q are 0 to 40)

  As a method of obtaining the ink liquid, after dissolving the polymer in an organic solvent, adding a pigment, water, a wetting agent, a surfactant and the like to knead to make a paste, the paste is diluted with water as necessary, A method of distilling off the organic solvent to form an aqueous system is preferred.

  Examples of the ink liquid will be described below, but are not limited thereto.

[Cyan ink]
An ink composition having the following formulation was prepared and adjusted with a 10% aqueous solution of lithium hydroxide so that the pH was 9. Then, it filtered with the membrane filter with an average hole diameter of 0.8 micrometer, and obtained the ink composition.
Phthalocyanine pigment-containing polymer fine particles 10.0 wt% (as solids)
1,3-butanediol 25.0 wt%
Glycerol 8.5wt%
_{CH 3 (CH 2) 12 O} (CH 2 CH 2 O) 3 CH 2 COOH
Active agent 2.0wt%
2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol 1.8wt%
Proxel LV (preservative) 0.1wt%
Defoamer 0.05wt%
Residual amount of ion-exchanged water Thus, a C-color water-based ink liquid was obtained as an aqueous dispersion of polymer fine particles containing a dimethylquinacridone pigment.

[Magenta ink]
An ink composition was prepared in the same manner as the cyan ink except that the following composition was used, and the pH was adjusted to 9 with sodium hydroxide.
Dimethylquinacridone pigment-containing polymer fine particles 0.5wt% (as solids)
1,3-butanediol 22.0 wt%
Glycerol 7.0wt%
Polyoxyalkylene derivative Dispanol TOC 2.0wt%
2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol 2.0wt%
Proxel LV (preservative) 0.05wt%
Defoamer 0.1wt%
Residual amount of ion-exchanged water As a result, an M-color aqueous ink liquid was obtained as an aqueous dispersion of polymer fine particles containing a dimethylquinacridone pigment.

[Yellow ink]
An ink composition was prepared in the same manner as the cyan ink except that the following composition was used, and the pH was adjusted to 9 with lithium hydroxide.
Monoazo yellow pigment-containing polymer fine particles 10.0wt% (as solids)
1,3-butanediol 23.5 wt%
Glycerol 7.5wt%
Polyoxyalkylene derivative Dispanol TOC 2.0wt%
2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol 2.0wt%
Proxel LV (preservative) 0.05wt%
Antifoam KM72F 0.1wt%
Residual amount of ion-exchanged water As a result, a Y-color aqueous ink liquid was obtained as a polymer fine particle water dispersion containing a monoazo yellow pigment.

[Black ink]
An ink composition was prepared in the same manner as the cyan ink except that the following composition was used, and the pH was adjusted to 9 with sodium hydroxide.
Carbon black dispersion treated with diazo compound 10.0wt%
1,3-butanediol 22.5 wt%
Glycerol 7.5wt%
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone 2.0wt%
_{CH 3 (CH 2) 12 O} (CH 2 CH 2 O) 3 CH 2 COOH
Active agent 2.0wt%
2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol 2.0wt%
Proxel LV (preservative) 0.2wt%
Defoamer 0.1wt%
Residual amount of ion-exchanged water Thereby, a Bk color water-based ink liquid was obtained as a polymer fine particle water dispersion containing carbon black.

The physical properties of these inks are as shown in Table 1.

  When an image was formed on plain paper using the ink having the above physical properties, a good image could be obtained without blurring of characters and color boundaries. In particular, the complex kanji, slanted lines and curved lines were recorded smoothly and naturally. Moreover, even if it was allowed to stand for 2 to 3 days, there was no nozzle clogging despite the high viscosity, and stable printing performance was obtained.

  Further, when the cleaning state of the wiper blade when the ink having the above physical properties was used in the image forming apparatus provided with the blade cleaning unit 45 of the present embodiment was confirmed, there was no ink adhesion to the wiper blade, and the wiper blade 44 satisfactorily. No cleaning was done.

(1)
As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the cleaning member is inclined and guides the ink that is about to flow outside the portion (dropping region) corresponding to the central portion in the width direction of the waste ink tank opening at the lower end of the cleaning member. Therefore, even if the cleaning member is inclined, the ink can be dropped from the cleaning member onto the central portion in the width direction of the waste ink tank opening. Therefore, it is possible to prevent ink adhering to the cleaning member from dropping from the cleaning member to the vicinity of the end portion of the waste ink tank. As a result, even if there is a mounting error of the waste ink tank and the opening of the waste ink tank is shifted in the width direction, the ink dripped from the cleaning member is not collected in the waste ink tank and stains the device. Is suppressed.
Further, the ink dropped from the cleaning member can be collected in the waste ink tank without increasing the width of the waste ink tank opening in the width direction in consideration of the mounting error of the waste ink tank. Therefore, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the maintainability of the waste ink tank, such as an increase in the size of the apparatus and spilling of waste ink from the opening when the waste ink tank is replaced.
(2)
Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the guide means is a guide groove extending to the dropping area. Ink that moves to other than the dropping region flows into the guide groove, and the ink that flows into the guide groove is guided to the guide groove as it is and flows down to the dropping region of the cleaning member 146. In this way, the ink moving to other than the dropping region is caught by the guide groove and guided to the dropping region, so that the ink attached to the cleaning member moves to the dropping region even if the cleaning member is inclined. Therefore, even if the cleaning member is inclined, the ink attached to the cleaning member can be dropped onto the central portion in the width direction of the waste ink tank opening.
(3)
Further, the guide means may be a guide protrusion extending toward the dropping region. With this guide protrusion, the ink moving to other than the dropping area can be moved to the dropping area by its own weight while blocking the ink. Therefore, even if the cleaning member is inclined, the ink attached to the cleaning member can be dropped onto the central portion in the width direction of the waste ink tank opening.
(4)
Further, the guide means may be constituted by a guide groove extending toward the dropping region and a guide protrusion provided adjacent to the guide groove. Thereby, the cleaning member is inclined in the width direction, and the ink moving to other than the dropping region is blocked by the guide protrusion and moved to the dropping region, and can be captured by the guide groove and moved to the dropping region. Thereby, the ink which moves to other than a dripping area | region can be reliably moved to a dripping area | region.
(5)
In addition, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, a plurality of the guide means are provided. As a result, even if the ink that moves outside the dropping area can be caught (dammed) by the inner guiding means and cannot be guided to the dropping area, the ink is detected by the guiding means that is closer to the end in the width direction than the inner guiding means. It can be caught (dammed) and guided to the dropping area. Thereby, the ink which moves to other than a dripping area | region can be reliably moved to a dripping area | region.
(6)
Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the guide protrusions or the guide grooves extend radially upward from the dropping region. Thus, the ink flowing down the flow surface 146f can be reliably captured, and the ink can be reliably guided to the dropping region T by the guide groove or the guide protrusion.
(7)
Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the dropping region is the central portion in the width direction of the lower end. As a result, the central portion in the width direction of the cleaning member faces the center in the width direction of the waste ink tank opening. As a result, the cleaning member and the opening of the waste ink tank can be disposed at substantially the same position in the width direction, and the apparatus can be made compact.
(8)
Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, when the wiper blade is raised, the ink attached to the wiper blade is removed by the cleaning member. Thereby, the ink adhering to the wiper blade immediately before the wiper blade cleans the head can be removed by the cleaning member. When a highly viscous ink such as a pigment-based ink is used, the speed of flowing down the wiper blade is slower than that of an ink having a low viscosity. For this reason, it takes time until the ink adhering to the top surface flows into the side surface. When the ink attached to the wiper member is cleaned by the cleaning member immediately after the head cleaning is finished, the ink attached to the top surface has not yet flowed to the side surface and may not be removed by the cleaning member. If there is ink that cannot be removed in this way, the ink that could not be removed may adhere to the head. However, cleaning the wiper blade immediately before the wiper blade cleans the head has the following advantages. That is, even if high-viscosity ink is attached to the top surface using high-viscosity ink, it flows into the side surface until the next head cleaning, so the ink is surely removed from the wiper blade. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the ink adhering to the wiper blade from adhering to the head from adhering to the head.
(9)
Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the ink attached to the wiper blade is removed by the cleaning member when the wiper blade is lowered. Thereby, it is possible to remove ink attached to the wiper blade immediately after the head is cleaned. If the ink attached to the wiper blade is not removed immediately after the head is cleaned, the ink attached to the wiper blade may be firmly fixed to the wiper blade and cannot be removed by the cleaning member if the ink is not used for a long time. There is. However, in the present embodiment, since the ink attached to the wiper blade is removed immediately after the head is cleaned, it is possible to prevent the ink from being firmly fixed to the wiper blade.

1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus. (A) is a front view of a carriage. (B) is a bottom view of the carriage. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming unit. Disassembled perspective view of blade cleaning means Perspective view around the blade cleaning means of the maintenance / recovery device FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main part around a suction cap of the waste ink tank 100 and the maintenance / recovery device 40. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state where a waste ink tank is inserted into an image forming apparatus. The figure explaining operation | movement at the time of cleaning mode. The principal part block diagram of the 2nd cleaning member provided with the guide groove in the flow lower surface. The figure explaining the motion of the ink which flows down on the flow surface when the 2nd cleaning member inclines. The principal part block diagram of the 2nd cleaning member provided with the guide protrusion on the flow surface. (A) is a principal part block diagram of the 2nd cleaning member which provided the guide groove in the flow lower surface and the eaves part. (B) is a principal part block diagram of the 2nd cleaning member which provided the guide protrusion in the flow lower surface and the eaves part. The figure which shows the cross-sectional shape of the guide means provided in the flow lower surface of a 2nd cleaning member. The principal part block diagram of the 2nd cleaning member provided with two or more guide protrusions on the flow surface. The figure which made the guide means of the 2nd cleaning member the inclined surface which descend | falls toward the center from an edge part. The schematic block diagram of the blade cleaning means which cleans a wiper blade when a wiper blade descends. (A) is a figure which shows the structure which provided the guide protrusion on the flow surface of the cleaning member of the blade cleaning means which cleans a wiper blade when a wiper blade descend | falls. FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a configuration in which guide grooves are provided on the flow surface of the cleaning member of the blade cleaning unit that cleans the wiper blade when the wiper blade descends. (A) is a figure which shows the structure which provided the guide protrusion on the flow surface of the cleaning member of the blade cleaning means which cleans a wiper blade when a wiper blade descend | falls and raises. (B) is a figure which shows the structure which provided the guide groove in the flow surface of the cleaning member of the blade cleaning means which cleans a wiper blade when a wiper blade descend | falls and raises. The figure which shows an example of a blade cleaning means. The figure which shows a mode when the cleaning member inclines in the width direction.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Image forming unit 7 Paper discharge tray 9 Carriage 12 Conveyor belt 13 Head 40 Maintenance / recovery device 42 Suction cap 43 First empty discharge receiver 44 Wiper blade 45 Blade cleaning means 46 Second empty discharge receiver 50 Supply Paper tray 100 Waste ink tank 145 First cleaning member 146 Second cleaning member 147 Holder 148 Pressure plate 149 Spring 150 Torsion spring 151 Drive gear 152 Cam gear 153 Driven gear

Claims (9)

A blade-like wiper member that cleans the ejection surface of a head that ejects ink from an ejection port, a cleaning member that removes ink adhering to the wiper member, and a waste ink tank that collects ink from the cleaning member In the image forming apparatus,
Of the ink that is removed by the cleaning member and flows down on the surface of the cleaning member, the ink tends to flow toward a portion other than the lower end portion of the cleaning member and the portion corresponding to the central portion in the width direction of the opening of the waste ink tank. An image forming apparatus comprising guide means for guiding ink to the portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the guide means is a guide groove provided on an ink flow lower surface of the cleaning member and extending toward a portion corresponding to a central portion in the width direction of the opening of the waste ink tank of the cleaning member. apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The image forming apparatus characterized in that the guide means is a guide protrusion provided on an ink flow lower surface of the cleaning member and extending toward a position corresponding to a central portion in the width direction of the opening of the waste ink tank of the cleaning member. apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 or 3,
The guide means is provided on the ink flow lower surface of the cleaning member, and extends adjacent to the guide groove extending toward the central portion in the width direction of the opening of the waste ink tank of the cleaning member. An image forming apparatus comprising a guide protrusion provided. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An image forming apparatus comprising a plurality of the guide means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the guide means extends radially upward from a position corresponding to a central portion in the width direction of the opening of the waste ink tank of the cleaning member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the cleaning member corresponding to a central portion in the width direction of the opening of the waste ink tank is a central portion in the width direction of the lower end portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The wiper member is movable up and down, and is controlled to raise the wiper member when cleaning the ejection surface of the head and to lower the wiper member after the head cleaning is completed. The image forming apparatus, wherein the ink attached to the wiper member is removed when the wiper member is raised. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The wiper member is movable up and down, and is controlled to raise the wiper member when cleaning the ejection surface of the head and to lower the wiper member after the head cleaning is completed. The image forming apparatus, wherein the ink attached to the wiper member is removed when the wiper member descends.

Images