JP5723728B2 - Liquid ejection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus, a liquid ejection apparatus, and an inkjet head cleaning method, and more particularly to an inkjet head cleaning technique configured by connecting a plurality of head units.

  2. Description of the Related Art An ink jet recording apparatus that forms a color image on a recording medium has a configuration including a full line type ink jet head in which nozzles are provided over a length corresponding to the entire width of the recording medium. In a configuration including a full-line type inkjet head, a color image is formed over the entire image forming area of the recording medium by relatively moving the recording medium and the inkjet head only once. Image formation is possible.

  The full line type inkjet head has a form in which a plurality of head modules (head units) are connected. Such an inkjet head is expected to improve manufacturing accuracy and manufacturing yield, and if it fails in inspection during manufacturing, or if it needs to be replaced due to the occurrence of a failure or its life, There is also an advantage that each module can be exchanged.

  On the other hand, in an ink jet head configured by connecting a plurality of head head modules, a gap due to a manufacturing error for each head module and a positioning error at the time of assembly occurs at a connecting portion where the head modules are connected.

  On the nozzle surface (ink ejection surface) on which the nozzles of the inkjet head are formed, dirt such as ink (ink mist) and paper dust adheres due to the operation of the inkjet head. In particular, if dirt adheres to the vicinity of the nozzle, it causes a discharge abnormality. Therefore, the cleaning process of the nozzle surface is appropriately executed, and the dirt attached to the nozzle surface is removed.

  The nozzle surface cleaning process includes a mode in which a cleaning liquid is applied to the nozzle surface, dirt is removed from the nozzle surface by the action of the cleaning liquid, and the cleaning liquid adhering to the nozzle surface is wiped by a wiping member such as a blade. In this configuration, if the cleaning liquid enters the gap between the head modules due to the capillary force, it becomes difficult to remove the cleaning liquid that has entered the gap even if the nozzle surface is wiped.

  Patent Document 1 includes a wiping member for wiping the nozzle forming surface in a line head liquid ejection apparatus configured by connecting a plurality of head units, and an absorption member (porous member) for absorbing and removing liquid, A configuration is disclosed in which after the nozzle surface is wiped by the wiping member, the absorbing member is brought into contact with the gap between the head units, and the cleaning liquid in the gap is absorbed and removed.

JP 2010-5857 A

  However, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, after the nozzle forming surface is wiped by the wiping member, the cleaning liquid that has entered the gap between the head units is removed by the absorbing member, and the nozzle is formed when the cleaning liquid is removed. The absorbing member is brought into contact with the surface. Then, although the cleaning liquid that has entered the gap between the head units is removed, the liquid is drawn out from the nozzle opening provided on the nozzle forming surface.

  If a long time elapses in a state where the liquid is drawn from the nozzle, the liquid drawn from the nozzle in the vicinity of the nozzle is solidified, and there is a concern that abnormal discharge may occur. Further, if the solidified liquid is to be wiped and removed by the blade, the solidified liquid is pushed into the nozzle, and there is a concern about nozzle clogging. Furthermore, there is a concern that the nozzle forming surface is polished by the solidified ink, the liquid repellency of the nozzle forming surface is lowered, and the life of the head is shortened.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a cleaning device and a liquid discharge device in which the cleaning liquid entering the gap between the head modules is efficiently removed, and the removed cleaning liquid is prevented from remaining on the liquid discharge surface. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for cleaning an inkjet head.

In order to achieve the above object, a cleaning apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an inkjet head configured by connecting a plurality of head modules in a longitudinal direction, a cleaning apparatus for cleaning the inkjet head, and the inkjet Moving means for relatively moving the inkjet head and the cleaning device in the longitudinal direction of the head, and the cleaning device is adjacent to the cleaning liquid applying means for applying a cleaning liquid to the liquid ejection surface of the inkjet head. A scraping member having a tip portion having a shape that can be inserted into a gap in the longitudinal direction between the head modules , and after the cleaning liquid is applied to the liquid discharge surface by the cleaning liquid applying means , and the cleaning device The cleaning liquid is applied in the relative movement direction of the inkjet head with reference to During application of the cleaning liquid to the head module adjacent to the upstream side of the head module, the head of the cleaning solution has been applied to the relative movement direction of the inkjet head relative to the said cleaning device and a head module, wherein the cleaning liquid is applied the distal end portion by inserted into the gap between the head module adjacent to the downstream side of the module, a scraping member for scraping off the cleaning liquid in the gap, wherein the tip is inserted, with reference to the cleaning device wherein the relative moving direction of the ink-jet head is a wiping member which is disposed downstream of said scraping member, after the cleaning liquid in the gap, wherein the tip is inserted is scraped off by the scraping member, the comprising a wiping member for wiping the liquid ejection surface, wherein the cleaning apparatus, only forward in the relative movement between the ink jet head Or cleaning the ink jet head only backward in the relative movement between the ink jet head.

  According to the present invention, when cleaning the liquid ejection surface of an inkjet head having a structure in which a plurality of head modules are connected together, the tip of the scraping member enters the gap between adjacent head modules, and the gap By destroying the meniscus of the cleaning liquid formed in the cleaning liquid, the cleaning liquid is scraped from the gap, and further, the cleaning liquid scraped from the gap is wiped off by the wiping member, so that the cleaning liquid remains in the gap. The occurrence of dripping of the cleaning liquid from the gap is prevented.

1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the inkjet head shown in FIG. 1 viewed from the nozzle surface. Explanatory drawing which illustrated typically the cleaning process of the nozzle surface by the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. Explanatory drawing which illustrated typically the scraping process which scrapes off the washing | cleaning liquid from the clearance gap between the head modules in the inkjet head shown in FIG. The perspective view which shows schematic structure of the wiping part of the washing | cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. Explanatory drawing which illustrated typically the relationship between the full length of the nozzle plate 30, the full length of a scraping member, and the full length of a wiping member in the transversal direction of an inkjet head. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the control system of the washing | cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of the washing process of the nozzle surface of the inkjet head by the washing | cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. The perspective view which shows the other aspect of the scraping member shown in FIG. The perspective view which shows the further another aspect of the scraping member shown in FIG. The perspective view which shows the further another aspect of the scraping member shown in FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus provided with the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the arrangement | positioning relationship between the printing part and a maintenance process part in the inkjet recording device shown in FIG. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the control system of the inkjet recording device shown in FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the wiping part in the washing | cleaning apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the wiping part in the washing | cleaning apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing explaining operation | movement of the wiping part shown in FIG. The top view which looked at the inkjet head which has a structure different from the inkjet head shown in FIG. 2 from the nozzle surface 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus having another configuration to which the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is applied. Explanatory drawing which illustrated typically the washing | cleaning liquid provision process in the washing | cleaning apparatus with which the inkjet recording device shown in FIG. 19 is equipped. Explanatory drawing which illustrated typically the wiping process (scraping process) of the nozzle surface in the washing | cleaning apparatus with which the inkjet recording device shown in FIG. 19 is equipped.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Overall configuration of cleaning equipment]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a cleaning apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cleaning apparatus 10 shown in the figure includes a cleaning liquid applying unit 20 that applies a cleaning liquid to the nozzle surface 14A of the inkjet head 14 having a structure in which a plurality of head modules 12 are arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction, and the nozzle surface 14A. A wiping unit 22 for wiping the cleaning liquid, and a guide 24 for supporting the cleaning liquid applying unit 20 and the wiping unit 22 are provided.

  The cleaning apparatus 10 shown in this example is fixedly arranged, and the inkjet head 14 is moved in the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head 14, and the cleaning process is performed when the nozzle surface 14 </ b> A of the inkjet head 14 passes the processing region of the cleaning apparatus 10. Applied.

  The cleaning liquid application unit 20 has a cleaning liquid film holding surface 21 on which a cleaning liquid film (shown by reference numeral 34 in FIG. 3) is formed. The cleaning liquid film holding surface 21 is supplied with a cleaning liquid as a cleaning liquid film. A cleaning liquid supply port (not shown) is provided.

  For example, if the cleaning liquid is continuously supplied from the cleaning liquid supply port at 5 milliliters per second, a 2 mm cleaning liquid film is formed on the cleaning liquid film holding surface 21. When the nozzle surface 14A and the cleaning liquid film holding surface 21 are brought close to each other such that the clearance between the nozzle surface 14A and the cleaning liquid film holding surface 21 is 1 millimeter or less, the space between the nozzle surface 14A and the cleaning liquid film holding surface 21 is reached. The cleaning liquid can be applied to the nozzle surface 14A while wetting and spreading the cleaning liquid.

  The area of the cleaning liquid film holding surface 21 of the cleaning liquid application unit 20 may be less than the area of the nozzle surface 14A of one head module 12, or may correspond to the area of the nozzle surface 14A of one head module 12. It may correspond to the area of the nozzle surface 14 </ b> A of the plurality of head modules 12.

  The cleaning liquid has a function of dissolving fixed matters derived from ink. As an example of the cleaning liquid, a liquid containing water and diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (DEGmBE) as main components can be given.

  The wiping unit 22 is a scraping member 26 that scrapes off the cleaning liquid that has entered the gap 16 between the head modules 12 of the inkjet head 14, and a wiping member (blade) 28 that contacts the nozzle surface 14A to wipe the nozzle surface 14A. Are provided.

  The wiping unit 22 has the scraping member 26 and the wiping member 28 disposed so that the scraping member 26 comes into contact with the nozzle surface 14 </ b> A before the wiping member 28, and is scraped off by the scraping member 26. The cleaning liquid is wiped off by the wiping member 28 so that the cleaning liquid does not remain on the nozzle surface 14A.

  The scraping member 26 and the wiping member 28 are made of a material that elastically deforms when brought into contact with the nozzle surface 14A. Examples of materials applicable to the scraping member 26 and the wiping member 28 include silicon, hydrogen nitrile rubber (HNBR), nitrile rubber (NBR), ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM), polyurethane, and the like, and compatibility with ink and cleaning liquid ( Determined by physical properties).

  By making the material applied to the scraping member 26 and the material applied to the wiping member 28 the same material, it is possible to minimize the influence of chemical changes caused by ink or cleaning liquid. Moreover, even if it makes contact with the nozzle surface 14A, there is no adverse effect.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of the inkjet head 14 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the nozzle surface 14A. As described above, the inkjet head 14 has a structure in which a plurality of head modules 12 are connected in the longitudinal direction. Each head module 12 has a nozzle plate 30 in which nozzle openings (not shown) are formed, and covers 32A and 32B are provided on both sides of the ink jet head 14 of each head module 12 in the short direction.

  In addition, the arrangement of the nozzle openings provided in the nozzle plate 30 shown in FIG. 2 can be applied in the form of being arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head 14, the two lines of staggered arrangement, and the matrix arrangement.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a gap 16 for adjusting the position of each nozzle opening is provided between adjacent head modules 12. The length of the gap 16 in the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head 14 is adjusted to 300 micrometers ± 25 micrometers (range of 275 micrometers to 325 micrometers). The adjustment range (accuracy) of the gap 16 is determined according to the nozzle arrangement density.

[Description of nozzle surface cleaning process]
FIGS. 3A and 3B are explanatory views schematically showing the cleaning process of the nozzle surface 14A by the cleaning apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 3A and 3B, the moving direction of the inkjet head 14 is the direction indicated by the arrow line (from left to right in the figure).

  In FIG. 3A, the cleaning liquid film 34 is brought into contact with the nozzle surface 14A of the second head module 12-2 from the right in the drawing, and the scraping member 26 and the wiping are applied to the nozzle surface 14A of the rightmost head module 12-1. A state in which the member 28 is in contact is illustrated.

  In the state shown in the figure, the cleaning liquid 35 applied from the cleaning liquid applying unit 20 to the gap (right end gap) 16-1 between the right end head module 12-1 and the second right head module 12-2. Has entered. As described in the problem of the prior art, when the gap 16 between the head modules 12 passes through the processing region of the cleaning liquid application unit 20, the cleaning liquid enters the gap 16 by the action of capillary force.

  FIG. 3B shows the tip of the scraping member 26 in the gap 16-1 (not shown in FIG. 3B, and shown by reference numeral 26A in FIGS. 4A to 4C). A state in which the cleaning liquid is inserted and removed from the gap 16-1 is illustrated. Further, the nozzle surface 14A of the rightmost head module 12-1 is wiped by the wiping member 28 following the scraping member 26, and the cleaning liquid is removed from the nozzle surface 14A of the rightmost head module 12-1.

  Since the scraping member 26 is longer than the wiping member 28 and has a large amount of contact with the nozzle surface 14A, the wiping member 28 is elastically deformed even when the tip portion 26A of the scraping member 26 is inserted into the gap 16, and the nozzle It contacts the surface 14A. That is, the cleaning liquid is scraped off from the gap 16 and the nozzle surface 14A is wiped simultaneously.

  The gap (second gap 16-2 from the right) between the second head module 12-2 from the right and the third head module 12-3 from the right is located in the processing region of the cleaning liquid application unit 20. Therefore, the cleaning liquid 35 enters the second clearance 16-2 from the right. The cleaning liquid that has entered the gap 16-2 is scraped off by the scraping member 26 when the gap 16-2 is moved to the processing position of the scraping member 26.

  FIGS. 4A to 4C are explanatory views schematically showing a scraping process for scraping the cleaning liquid from the gap 16 between the adjacent head modules 12 in the inkjet head shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4A shows that the scraping member 26 and the wiping member 28 come into contact with the nozzle surface 14A of the head module 12 on the downstream side in the moving direction of the inkjet head 14 (the direction from the left to the right illustrated by the arrow line). It is in a state of moving (wiping). As shown in FIG. 4A, the scraping member 26 has its tip 26A elastically deformed and slides with respect to the nozzle surface 14A. Sliding.

  In the state shown in FIG. 4A, about 3 millimeters are brought into contact (contact) with the nozzle surface 14A from the tip of the scraping member 26. Further, about 1 millimeter is brought into contact with the nozzle surface 14A from the tip of the wiping member 28.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, when the ink jet head 14 further moves, the tip end portion 26A of the scraping member 26 sliding on the nozzle surface 14A of the head module 12 on the upstream side in the movement direction (right side in the figure). Is inserted into the gap 16 by the restoring force of elastic deformation, and the meniscus of the cleaning liquid 35 in the gap 16 is destroyed by the action of the restoring force.

  Note that the shape (height) of the tip end portion 26 </ b> A of the scraping member 26 is determined so that the tip end does not contact the deepest portion of the gap 16 in the state of being inserted into the gap 16.

As shown in FIG. 4 (b), the longitudinal front end portion 26A of the thickness of the scraping member 26 in the direction (the minimum value of the thickness) _{T 1} of the ink jet head 14 is less than the width _{D n} of the gap 16 in the same direction, Of the tip portion 26A of the scraping member 26, the length of the portion (wrap portion) 27 that comes into contact with the nozzle surface 14A and bends is less than the width D _{n of the} gap 16, and the tip portion 26A of the scraping member 26 is , And has a shape that can be inserted into the gap 16.

When the relationship between the thickness (minimum value) T ₁ of the tip end portion 26A of the scraping member 26 and the width D _{n of the} gap 16 is T ₁ <(D _n / 2), the tip end portion of the scraping member 26 26A can easily enter through the gap 16.

The “tip portion 26 </ b _{> A} ” of the scraping member 26 is a portion of the scraping member 26 in which the thickness T ₁ in the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head 14 is less than the width D _n of the gap 16 in the same direction. In other words, the “tip portion 26A” of the scraping member 26 has a length obtained by removing the length corresponding to the clearance between the surface on which the scraping member 26 is supported and the nozzle surface 14A from the entire length of the scraping member 26. It is a portion near the tip having.

  As shown in FIG. 4C, when the meniscus of the cleaning liquid 35 in the gap 16 is broken, the cleaning liquid 35 is discharged from the gap 16. Further, when the inkjet head 14 moves in the same direction, the cleaning liquid 35 ′ scraped and discharged by the scraping member 26 and the cleaning liquid 35 ′ adhering to the nozzle surface 14 A is removed from the nozzle surface 14 A by the wiping member 28 following the scraping member 26. Removed.

  Although a cleaning liquid meniscus is also formed between the wiping member 28 and the nozzle surface 14A, the amount of the cleaning liquid is very small, and the cleaning liquid meniscus is not formed in the gap 16 again.

[Detailed description of wiping section]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the wiping portion 22 of the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. In the wiping portion 22 shown in the figure, a scraping member 26 and a wiping member 28 are fixedly supported on a support base 29, and the support base 29 is a guide (not shown) (shown with reference numeral 24 in FIG. 1). Is supported by.

  The distal end portion 26A of the scraping member 26 has a comb-like shape in which a plurality of cutout portions 26B are formed at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the scraping member 26 (that is, the short direction of the inkjet head 14). . As described above, the scraping member 26 needs to have a function of destroying the meniscus of the cleaning liquid that has entered the gap 16 between the head modules 12 and discharging the cleaning liquid from which the meniscus has been destroyed from the gap 16.

  That is, the tooth part 26C has a function of destroying the meniscus of the cleaning liquid, and the notch part 26B has a function of discharging the cleaning liquid. The meniscus of the cleaning liquid may be formed in a part of the gap 16 in the short direction of the head module 12, and it is unclear at which position in the same direction the meniscus of the cleaning liquid is formed.

  Therefore, when the plurality of tooth portions 26C are formed at the distal end portion 26A of the scraping member 26 and the arrangement pitch of the plurality of tooth portions 26C is made smaller, the cleaning liquid meniscus is not dependent on the position where the cleaning liquid meniscus is formed. The tooth part 26C can be applied.

On the other hand, it from the viewpoint of reliably discharged washing liquid 35 from the gap 16, and a longer length in the direction of the notch 26B, the shorter the length L _C in the same direction of the tooth portion 26C.

Relationship between the length _{L B} in the same direction of length _{L C} and the notch 26B in the same direction of the tooth portion 26C _is preferably set to L C _{<L B.} In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the length L _B in the same direction of the notch 26B is made approximately 1.5 times the length L _C in the same direction of the tooth portion 26C. The length L _C in the same direction of the tooth portion 26C, the ratio of the length L _B in the same direction of the notch 26B is the physical properties of the cleaning liquid is appropriately determined by conditions such as the material of the scraping member 26.

Incidentally, the scraping width _{T 1} of the distal end portion 26A of the member 26 is sufficiently smaller than the interval _{D n} of the gap 16, for example, the width _{T 1} of the distal end portion 26A of the scraping member 26 is distance _{D n} of the gap 16 1 / 2 or less, and if the cleaning liquid can be discharged along the surface of the tip end portion 26A of the scraping member 26, the notch portion 26B is not formed in the tip end portion 26A of the scraping member 26, and a flat plate shape is formed. It is also possible.

On the other hand, when the view of obtaining rigidity required to break the meniscus in the gap 16, can not be sufficiently smaller than the interval D _n of the width T ₁ of the gap 16 of the tip portion 26A of the scraping member 26, FIG. The aspect which makes the front-end | tip part 26A of the scraping member 26 illustrated in FIG.

The height (length in the direction perpendicular to the support surface) from the upper surface of the support base 29 of the scraping member 26 (support surface) height of the H _1, from the upper surface of the support base 29 of the wiping member 28 The relationship with H ₂ is H ₁ > H ₂ .

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the thickness _{T 1} of the distal end portion 26A of the scraping member 26 is, the thickness _{T 2} of the wiping member 28 (the thickness of the wiping member 28 is uniform) is not more than.

Scraping member 26 shown in FIG. 5 is a shape entirely having a uniform thickness T _1, the thickness T ₁ is has a width less than D _n of the gap 16 (see Figure 4 (b)). On the other hand, the wiping member 28 is only required to have a rigidity that can be uniformly wipe the nozzle face 14A, the thickness T ₂ of the wiping member 28 may be the thickness above T ₁ of the scraping member 26.

The total length L ₁ in the longitudinal direction of the scraping member 26 only needs to correspond to the total length of the gap 16 in the short direction of the inkjet head 14. Also, the total length L ₂ in the longitudinal direction of the wiping member 28 has only to correspond to the entire length of the nozzle face 14A in the lateral direction of at least the inkjet head 14.

6, a total length L _n of the nozzle plate 30 in the lateral direction (the vertical direction in the drawing) of the ink jet head 14, the overall length L ₁ in the longitudinal direction of the scraping member 26, the total length in the longitudinal direction of the wiping member 28 L ₂ is an explanatory view schematically showing a relation, an enlarged view of a portion of FIG.

When the cleaning liquid adheres only to the nozzle plate 30 (nozzle surface 14A) (for example, when there is a step between the covers 32A and 32B and the nozzle surface 14A, and the nozzle surface 14A protrudes from the covers 32A and 32B). The total length of the gap 16 in the same direction is the total length L _n of the nozzle plate 30.

Then, L _n ≦ L ₁ and L _n ≦ L ₂ are satisfied. The relationship between the total length L _{1 in} the longitudinal direction of the scraping member 26 and the total length L ₂ in the longitudinal direction of the wiping member 28 is that the cleaning liquid scraped off by the scraping member 26 is reliably removed by the wiping member 28. In consideration, it is preferable to satisfy L ₁ <L ₂ . Note that L ₁ = L ₂ may be set.

  In consideration of the amount of bending (elastic deformation amount) of the scraping member 26, the scraping member 26A and the wiping member 28 are not contacted with each other when the scraping member 26 is elastically deformed. The arrangement | positioning space | interval of 26 and the wiping member 28 is determined.

  The scraping member 26 described above has a length in the same direction corresponding to the length of the gap 16 in the short direction of the inkjet head 14, but has a short length less than the length of the gap 16 in the same direction. A mode in which a plurality of scraping members are provided over the length of the gap 16 in the same direction is also possible.

  For example, it is possible to arrange a plurality of short scraping members in a staggered manner while overlapping in the same direction. A single long scraping member may be bent in the same direction because the rigidity is reduced when the thickness is reduced. Then, it is assumed that the scraping member is not inserted into the gap 16.

  Therefore, by arranging a plurality of short scraping members that are difficult to be bent over the length of the gap 16 in the same direction, even a scraping member having a small thickness can be surely inserted into the gap 16.

[Control system configuration]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system of the cleaning apparatus 10 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the cleaning apparatus 10 is totally controlled by a system control unit 50. That is, the system control unit 50 controls the pump 54 for supplying the cleaning liquid via the cleaning liquid application control unit 52 and also controls the opening and closing of the valve 56 provided in the flow path of the cleaning liquid.

  Further, the system control unit 50 sends a command signal to each part of the apparatus based on the detection signal sent from the sensor 60. Examples of the sensor 60 include a liquid amount detection sensor that detects a liquid amount (flow velocity) in the cleaning liquid flow path, a remaining amount sensor provided in a cleaning liquid tank in which the cleaning liquid is stored, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the cleaning liquid, and the inkjet head 14. And a sensor for detecting the position of.

  For example, if it is determined that the flow rate is insufficient based on the detection result of the flow rate (flow rate) of the cleaning liquid, the rotational speed of the pump 54 is increased from the system control unit 50 to the cleaning liquid application control unit 52 to increase the flow rate. A command signal is sent out.

  Further, when position information of the inkjet head 14 (information for determining which head module 12 is subjected to the cleaning process) is acquired, on / off of the pump 54 and on / off of the valve 56 are appropriately switched.

  The memory 62 is applied to a means for storing system parameters, a means for accumulating detection results of the sensor 60, a primary storage area of data used for various processes, and the like. Note that the configuration illustrated in FIG. 7 is an example, and the configuration can be changed, added, or deleted as appropriate.

  In this example, the mode in which the inkjet head 14 is moved in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head 14 and the cleaning process is performed on the nozzle surface 14A is shown. The cleaning device 10 may be moved with respect to the fixed inkjet head 14, or both the inkjet head 14 and the cleaning device 10 may be moved.

  In the aspect of moving the cleaning device 10, the cleaning device 10 includes a moving mechanism that moves the cleaning device 10, a motor connected to the moving mechanism, and controls the operation of the motor from the system control unit 50 shown in FIG. 7. A command signal is sent to the motor control unit.

[Description of control of cleaning process]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the cleaning process of the nozzle surface 14 </ b> A of the inkjet head 14 by the cleaning device 10.

  When the cleaning process of the nozzle surface 14A of the inkjet head 14 is started (step S10), the inkjet head 14 is moved at a constant speed in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head 14 (step S12).

  When the nozzle surface 14A of the head module 12 to be processed reaches the processing region of the cleaning liquid application unit 20, the supply of the cleaning liquid to the cleaning liquid film holding surface 21 of the cleaning liquid application unit 20 shown in FIG. 1 is started (step S14 in FIG. 8). ). Further, when the inkjet head 14 moves and the nozzle surface 14A to which the cleaning liquid is applied reaches the processing region of the wiping unit 22, the scraping member 26 and the wiping member 28 come into contact with the nozzle surface 14A and elastically deform. The nozzle surface 14A is wiped off (step S16).

  In step S18, the elapsed time from the start of supply of the cleaning liquid is monitored. That is, it is determined whether or not a cleaning liquid film is formed on the cleaning liquid film holding surface 21 of the cleaning liquid application unit 20 based on the elapsed time from the start of supply of the cleaning liquid. If it is determined in step S18 that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the start of the supply of the cleaning liquid (No determination), the supply of the cleaning liquid is continued.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S18 that a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of supply of the cleaning liquid (Yes determination), the supply of the cleaning liquid is stopped (step S20). During the execution of step S18 and step S20, the movement of the inkjet head 14 is continued. When the gap 16 between the head modules 12 reaches the position of the scraping member 26, the cleaning liquid is scraped off from the gap 16, and the cleaning liquid is scraped off from the gap 16. The removed cleaning liquid and the cleaning liquid adhering to the nozzle surface 14A are wiped and removed by the wiping member 28 (step S16).

  In step S <b> 22, it is determined whether or not the next processing target head module 12 has reached the processing area of the cleaning liquid application unit 20. When the next processing target head module 12 reaches the processing region of the cleaning liquid application unit 20 (Yes determination), the processing from step S14 to step S20 is repeated while continuing the movement of the inkjet head 14.

  If it is determined in step S22 that the cleaning process for the last head module 12 has been completed (No determination), the movement of the inkjet head 14 is stopped (step S24), and the cleaning process is terminated (step S26).

[Modification of scraping member]
9 to 11 are perspective views showing other modes of the scraping member 26 shown in FIG. In the following description, parts that are the same as or similar to the parts described so far are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

The wiping portion 22 ′ shown in FIG. 9 has a brush-like scraping member 70. That is, the scraping member 70 is provided with a plurality of pins (columns) 72 having a substantially cylindrical shape or a substantially conical shape over a length corresponding to the entire length of the gap 16 in the short direction of the inkjet head 14. It has a structure. The maximum value of the diameter of the tip 72A of the pin 72 inserted into the gap 16 between the head modules 12 is less than the width D _n of the gap 16 in the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head 14.

  The number of pins 72, the arrangement interval, and the arrangement pattern are easy to insert into the gap 16, easy to discharge the cleaning liquid from the gap 16, and where the meniscus of the cleaning liquid is likely to be formed in the gap 16. It is decided from.

  The scraping member 80 of the wiping portion 22 '' shown in FIG. 10 has a plane at the tip end portion 26A of the scraping member 26 shown in FIG. 5 at an acute angle or a plane that is sufficiently smaller than the entire thickness of the scraping member 26. In this embodiment, taper shapes (inclined surfaces) 82A and 82B are formed on both surfaces of the distal end portion 80A of the scraping member 80. The scraping member 80 ′ shown in FIG. Only the surface on the wiping member 28 side is tapered (inclined surface) 82 ′, and the tip of the scraping member 80 ′ has an acute angle.

  That is, the scraping member 80 shown in FIG. 10 has a triangular shape (isosceles triangle) as a cross-sectional shape along a cross-sectional line along the thickness direction, or a trapezoidal shape (isosceles) whose upper base is sufficiently smaller than the lower base. Trapezoid).

  Further, the scraping member 80 ′ shown in FIG. 11 has a cross-sectional shape by a cross-sectional line along the thickness direction of a right triangle, or the length of the upper base is sufficiently smaller than the length of the lower base, and the upper and lower bases. Is a trapezoidal shape in which one of the corners formed by the side connecting the bottom and the bottom is a right angle.

  In this way, the tip 80A (80A ') of the scraping member 80 (80') enters the gap 16 by forming the inclined surface at the tip 80A (80A ') of the scraping member 80 (80'). It becomes easy, and it becomes easy to discharge the cleaning liquid scraped off from the gap 16. In consideration of wiping by the wiping member 28, at least the surface on the wiping member 28 side is preferably formed with an inclined surface.

  According to the cleaning apparatus 10 configured as described above, the scraping member 26 having the tip portion 26 </ b> A having a shape that can be inserted into the gap 16 between the head modules 12 is provided, and the scraping member 26 is inserted into the gap 16. As a result, the meniscus of the cleaning liquid is destroyed, and the cleaning liquid in the gap 16 is scraped off.

  Further, since the wiping member 28 is provided on the rear side of the scraping member 26, the cleaning liquid scraped off from the gap 16 is wiped and removed by the wiping member 28.

The maximum value _{T 1} of the thickness of the front end portion 26A of the scraping member 26 that is less than the width _{D n} of the gap 16, the tip portion 26A of the scraping member 26 is likely to enter into the gap 16. Further, by making the length of the scraping member 26 larger than the length of the wiping member 28, the tip 26A of the scraping member 26 enters the gap 16 even when the wiping member 28 is in contact with the nozzle surface 14A. It becomes easy.

  Further, by making the scraping member 70 into a brush shape, the tip 72A of the pin 72 constituting the brush can easily enter the gap 16, and the cleaning liquid can be easily discharged from the gap 16. Further, by forming an inclined surface at the distal end portions 80A and 80A ′ like the scraping members 80 and 80 ′ and making the distal end have an acute angle, the distal end portions 80A and 80A ′ can easily enter the gap 16, and the gap It becomes easy to discharge the cleaning liquid from 16.

[Example of application to inkjet recording apparatus]
Next, an application example of the cleaning apparatus 10 will be described.

(overall structure)
FIG. 12 is an overall configuration diagram of the ink jet recording apparatus 100 including the cleaning device 10. The inkjet recording apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 has a recording medium conveyance unit 104 that holds and conveys a recording medium 102, and a recording medium 102 that is held by the recording medium conveyance unit 104. ), A printing unit 106 including inkjet heads 106K, 106C, 106M, and 106Y that discharge color inks corresponding to M (magenta) and Y (yellow).

  The recording medium conveyance unit 104 includes an endless conveyance belt 108 in which a large number of suction holes (not shown) are provided in a recording medium holding area where the recording medium 102 is held, and a conveyance roller (drive) around which the conveyance belt 108 is wound. Rollers and driven rollers) 110 and 112 and the back side of the conveyance belt 108 in the recording medium holding area (the surface opposite to the recording medium holding surface on which the recording medium 102 is held) are provided in the recording medium holding area. A chamber 114 that generates a negative pressure in a suction hole (not shown) and a vacuum pump 116 that generates a negative pressure in the chamber 114 are included.

  The carry-in unit 118 into which the recording medium 102 is carried is provided with a pressing roller 120 for preventing the recording medium 102 from floating, and the discharge roller 122 from which the recording medium 102 is discharged is also provided with a pressing roller 124. It has been.

  The recording medium 102 carried in from the carry-in unit 118 is applied with negative pressure from the suction holes provided in the recording medium holding area, and is held in the recording medium holding area of the conveyance belt 108.

  On the conveyance path of the recording medium 102, a temperature adjusting unit 126 for adjusting the surface temperature of the recording medium 102 to a predetermined range is provided on the upstream side of the printing unit 106 (upstream side in the recording medium conveyance direction), and the printing unit. A reading device (reading sensor) 128 for reading an image recorded on the recording medium 102 is provided on the rear side of the recording medium 106 (on the downstream side in the recording medium conveyance direction).

  The recording medium 102 carried in from the carry-in section 118 is sucked and held in the recording medium holding area of the conveyor belt 108 and is subjected to temperature adjustment processing by the temperature adjustment section 126, and then image recording is performed in the printing section 106.

  The recording medium 102 on which the image is recorded is ejected from the ejecting unit 122 after the recorded image (test pattern) is read by the reading device 128.

(Composition of printing part)
The inkjet heads 106K, 106C, 106M, and 106Y provided in the printing unit 106 are full-line inkjet heads in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged over a length that exceeds the entire width of the recording medium 102. The inkjet heads 106K, 106C, 106M, and 106Y have a structure in which a plurality of head modules are connected in the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 2).

  The inkjet heads 106K, 106C, 106M, and 106Y shown in FIG. 1 are arranged in this order from the upstream side in the recording medium conveyance direction. A recorded image can be recorded over the entire area of the recording medium 102 by a single-pass method in which the full-line inkjet heads 106K, 106C, 106M, and 106Y and the recording medium 102 are relatively moved once.

  The printing unit 106 is not limited to the above-described form. For example, the inkjet head 106 corresponding to LC (light cyan) or LM (light magenta) may be provided. Further, the arrangement order of the inkjet heads 106K, 106C, 106M, and 106Y can be changed as appropriate.

  The ink jet recording apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 12 includes an ink supply unit (not shown). The ink supply unit includes an ink tank for storing ink supplied to the inkjet heads 106K, 106C, 106M, and 106Y for each color (for each head). Each of the ink tanks for each color and the inkjet heads 106K, 106C, 106M, and 106Y communicate with each other through an ink supply path (not shown).

  Further, the ejection method of the inkjet heads 106K, 106C, 106M, and 106Y is not limited. A piezoelectric method using the bending deformation of the piezoelectric element or a thermal method using the ink film boiling phenomenon can be applied.

(Description of maintenance processing section)
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement relationship between the printing unit 107 and the maintenance processing unit 130 in the inkjet recording apparatus 100 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, the maintenance processing unit 130 horizontally moves the inkjet heads 106K, 106C, 106M, and 106Y from the image forming position on the recording medium conveying unit 104 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveying direction of the recording medium 102. It is arranged at the position.

  The maintenance processing unit 130 includes the cleaning device 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11 and a cap unit 132 that performs suction processing and purge processing on the inkjet heads 106K, 106C, 106M, and 106Y. ing. In FIG. 13, the cleaning device 10 and the cap unit 132 for one head are illustrated, but the cleaning device 10 and the cap unit 132 are provided for each inkjet head by the number of inkjet heads.

  In order to move the inkjet heads 106K, 106C, 106M, and 106Y from the image forming position to the maintenance position, the inkjet heads 106K, 106C, 106M, and 106Y are temporarily retracted upward from the image forming position on the recording medium conveyance unit 104, and further Then, the recording medium 102 is horizontally moved in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction. When the inkjet heads 106K, 106C, 106M, and 106Y reach the processing region of the cleaning device 10, the cleaning device 10 is moved upward (or the inkjet heads 106K, 106C, 106M, and 106Y are moved downward) and the nozzles The cleaning process of the surface 14A (see FIG. 1) is performed.

  When the cleaning process of the nozzle surface 14A is completed, the inkjet heads 106K, 106C, 106M, and 106Y are moved to the processing area of the cap unit 132, and the cap unit 132 is brought into close contact with the nozzle surface 14A to perform the suction process or the purge process. The

  The cap unit 132 communicates with the waste ink tank 136 via the discharge channel 134, and a pump 138 is provided in the discharge channel 134. When the pump 138 is operated with the cap portion 132 in close contact with the nozzle surface 14A, ink in the inkjet heads 106K, 106C, 106M, and 106Y is sucked through the nozzles.

  In this way, when the maintenance process of the inkjet heads 106K, 106C, 106M, and 106Y is completed, the inkjet heads 106K, 106C, 106M, and 106Y move to the image forming positions.

  As a moving mechanism that moves the inkjet heads 106K, 106C, 106M, and 106Y in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, well-known horizontal conveyance mechanisms and vertical conveyance mechanisms can be applied.

(Control system configuration)
FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control system of the inkjet recording apparatus 100. As shown in the figure, the inkjet recording apparatus 100 includes a communication interface 170, a system control unit 172, a conveyance control unit 174, an image processing unit 176, a head drive unit 178, and an image memory 180 and a ROM 182.

  The communication interface 170 is an interface unit that receives raster image data sent from the host computer 184. As the communication interface 170, a serial interface such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) may be applied, or a parallel interface such as Centronics may be applied. The communication interface 170 may include a buffer memory (not shown) for speeding up communication.

  The system control unit 172 includes a central processing unit (CPU) and its peripheral circuits, and functions as a control device that controls the entire inkjet recording apparatus 100 according to a predetermined program, and also functions as an arithmetic device that performs various calculations. Further, it functions as a memory controller for the image memory 180 and the ROM 182.

  That is, the system control unit 172 controls each unit such as the communication interface 170 and the conveyance control unit 174, performs communication control with the host computer 184, read / write control of the image memory 180 and ROM 182 and the like. A control signal to be controlled is generated.

  Image data sent from the host computer 184 is taken into the ink jet recording apparatus 100 via the communication interface 170, and is subjected to predetermined image processing by the image processing unit 176.

  The image processing unit 176 has a signal (image) processing function for performing various processing and correction processes for generating a print control signal from the image data. The generated print data (dot data) is transferred to the head drive unit. 178 is a control unit for supplying to 178.

  When required signal processing is performed in the image processing unit 176, the ejection droplet amount (droplet ejection amount) and ejection of the inkjet head 140 via the head driving unit 178 based on the print data (halftone image data). Timing control is performed. The head driving unit 178 may be composed of a plurality of blocks for each head module 12.

  Thereby, a desired dot size and dot arrangement are realized. Note that the head drive unit 178 shown in FIG. 17 may include a feedback control system for keeping the drive conditions of the inkjet head 140 constant.

  The conveyance control unit 174 controls the conveyance timing and conveyance speed of the recording medium 102 (see FIG. 16) based on the print data generated by the image processing unit 176. 14 includes a motor that drives the drive roller 110 (112) of the recording medium transport unit 104 that transports the recording medium 102, and the transport control unit 174 functions as a driver of the motor. Yes.

  An image memory (temporary storage memory) 180 functions as temporary storage means for temporarily storing image data input via the communication interface 170, a development area for various programs stored in the ROM 182 and a calculation work area for the CPU. (For example, a work area of the image processing unit 176). As the image memory 180, a volatile memory (RAM) capable of sequential reading and writing is used.

  The ROM 182 stores programs executed by the CPU of the system control unit 172, various data necessary for control of each unit of the apparatus, control parameters, and the like, and data is read and written through the system control unit 172. The ROM 182 is not limited to a memory made of a semiconductor element, and a magnetic medium such as a hard disk may be used. Alternatively, a removable storage medium that includes an external interface may be used.

  The maintenance control unit 188 can apply the configuration shown in FIG. In addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 7, an inkjet head movement control unit that controls the movement of the inkjet heads 106K, 106C, 106M, and 106Y between the image forming position and the maintenance position is provided.

  Furthermore, the maintenance control unit 188 includes a detection unit (sensor 60 in FIG. 7) that detects the positions of the inkjet heads 106K, 106C, 106M, and 106Y, and the inkjet heads according to the positions of the inkjet heads 106K, 106C, 106M, and 106Y. The moving speeds of 106K, 106C, 106M, and 106Y are adjusted, and the supply start timing and supply stop timing of the cleaning liquid are determined.

  The parameter storage unit 190 stores various control parameters necessary for the operation of the inkjet recording apparatus 100. The system control unit 172 appropriately reads out parameters necessary for control and updates (rewrites) various parameters as necessary.

  The program storage unit 192 is a storage unit that stores a control program for operating the inkjet recording apparatus 100. When the system control unit 172 (or each unit of the device) executes control of each unit of the device, a necessary control program is read from the program storage unit 192, and the control program is appropriately executed.

  7 can be shared with the system control unit 172 of FIG. 14, and the memory 62 of FIG. 7 can be shared with the parameter storage unit 190 and the program storage unit 192 of FIG. Can do.

  Maintenance of the inkjet heads 106K, 106C, 106M, and 106Y may be performed periodically during an interval between jobs or at the start of a job, or by receiving input from an operator using a user interface (not shown). May be.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a cleaning apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, parts that are the same as or similar to the cleaning apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the wiping unit 222 in the cleaning device 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the wiping unit 222 shown in the figure, an ultrasonic transducer 202 is provided on a support base 229A that supports the scraping member 26. The support base 229B that supports the wiping member 28 is separate from the support base 229A that supports the scraping member 26.

  When a driving voltage is applied to the ultrasonic vibrator 202 from a driving circuit (not shown) via the wirings 204 and 206, the scraping member 26 and the support base 229 </ b> A are moved in synchronization with the vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator 202. Can be vibrated at a frequency of

  When the ultrasonic vibrator 202 is operated at the timing when the scraping member 26 is inserted into the gap 16 between the head modules 12, the meniscus of the cleaning liquid in the gap 16 can be efficiently destroyed.

  For the ultrasonic vibrator 202, a piezoelectric element that can freely vary the vibration frequency according to the frequency of the drive voltage and can freely vary the amplitude of vibration according to the voltage of the drive voltage can be applied. The vibration frequency and amplitude of the ultrasonic vibrator 202 are appropriately determined depending on conditions such as the physical properties of the cleaning liquid and the width of the gap 16.

  Further, the vibration of the scraping member 26 by the ultrasonic transducer 202 may be in a direction parallel to the horizontal plane or in a direction (vertical direction) orthogonal to the horizontal plane. When the scraping member 26 is vibrated in parallel with the horizontal plane, the scraping member 26 may be vibrated in the longitudinal direction or in the lateral direction.

  Further, the scraping member 26 may be divided in the longitudinal direction, and the ultrasonic vibrator 202 may be provided for each divided unit and may be vibrated for each divided unit.

  According to the cleaning device 200 according to the second embodiment, by applying vibration to the cleaning liquid in the gap 16, the meniscus of the cleaning liquid in the gap 16 can be efficiently destroyed, and the cleaning liquid from the gap 16 is efficiently removed. can do.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a cleaning apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the wiping unit 322 in the cleaning device 300 according to the third embodiment of the invention. Moreover, FIG. 17 is explanatory drawing explaining operation | movement of the wiping part shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the wiping portion 322 is provided with a scraping member 326 having a hollow cylindrical shape over the entire length of the gap 16 in the short direction of the inkjet head 14 (see FIG. 2).

As shown in FIG. 17, the diameter (outer diameter) T ₁₁ of the tip of the scraping member 326 is less than the width D _n of the gap 16 in the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head 14, and the tip (gap 16) of the scraping member 326. The maximum value of the diameter of the portion to be inserted into the gap 16 is less than the width D _n of the gap 16 in the same direction.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the support base 329A that supports the scraping member 326 is provided with a suction channel (not shown) that communicates with the hollow portion 327 of the scraping member 326. 329A communicates with a manifold (decompression chamber) 302 provided on the surface opposite to the scraping member 326. The manifold 302 may be provided inside the support base 329A.

  The manifold 302 is connected to the suction pump 308 via the joint 304 and the tube 306. When the suction pump 308 is operated, the inside of the manifold 302 becomes negative pressure, and negative pressure is generated in the hollow portion 327 of the scraping member 326. Can be made.

  When the suction pump of FIG. 16 is operated at the timing when the tip portion 326A of the scraping member 326 is inserted into the gap 16 between the head modules 12, the cleaning liquid in the gap 16 is passed through the hollow portion 327 of the scraping member 326. Can be removed by suction.

  The number of scraping members 326, the arrangement interval, and the arrangement pattern are determined according to the ease of insertion into the gap 16, the ease of discharge of the cleaning liquid from the gap 16, and the position of the cleaning liquid meniscus. It is decided from the viewpoint of whether it is easy. The suction pressure of the suction pump 308 is appropriately determined according to conditions such as the physical properties of the cleaning liquid and the width of the gap 16.

  According to the cleaning apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment, the cleaning liquid in the gap 16 can be removed by suction, and the cleaning liquid from the gap 16 can be efficiently removed. FIG. 17 illustrates an example in which the tip portion 326A of the scraping member 326 is inserted into the gap 16 and the cleaning liquid in the gap 16 is sucked and removed, but the tip portion 326A of the scraping member 326 is placed in the gap 16. The cleaning liquid in the gap 16 can be removed by suction without being inserted into the gap 16.

[Application example]
18 is a plan view showing a nozzle surface of an inkjet head having a structure different from that of the inkjet head shown in FIG. In the inkjet head 14 ′ shown in FIG. 18, the planar shape of the head module 12 ′ (nozzle plate 30 ′) is a parallelogram, and the gap 16 ′ between the head modules 12 ′ is in the short direction of the inkjet head 14 ′. Will be diagonal.

  With respect to the ink jet head 14 ′ having such a structure, the scraping member 26 ′ is inclined obliquely with respect to the short direction of the ink jet head 14 ′ and is disposed so as to be substantially parallel to the gap 16 ′.

  The wiping member 28 may be arranged in parallel with the short direction of the inkjet head 14 ′, or may be inclined obliquely with respect to the short direction of the inkjet head 14 ′ in the same manner as the scraping member 26 ′. You may arrange | position so that it may be substantially parallel to 16 '.

  That is, the scraping member 26 ′ is disposed so as to be inclined with respect to the short direction of the inkjet head 14 ′ so as to be substantially parallel to the direction of the gap 16 ′ between the head modules 12 ′. Can be easily inserted into the gap 16 '.

  Even if the direction of the scraping member 26 ′ is slightly deviated from the direction of the gap 16 ′, it is sufficient that the scraping member 26 ′ can be inserted into the gap 16 ′.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a cleaning apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(Overall configuration of inkjet recording apparatus)
FIG. 19 is an overall configuration diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a cleaning device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The ink jet recording apparatus 400 shown in the figure employs an impression cylinder transport method in which a recording medium 414 is transported while being held on the outer peripheral surface of the impression cylinder.

  Also, the inkjet heads 448M, 448K, 448C, and 448Y that discharge ink onto the recording medium 414 are oblique to the horizontal plane so that the nozzle surface is orthogonal to the normal line of the outer peripheral surface of the impression cylinder (drawing cylinder 444). Tilt to be arranged.

  An ink jet recording apparatus 400 shown in FIG. 19 includes a maintenance processing unit (not shown) that performs maintenance processing on the ink jet heads 448M, 448K, 448C, and 448Y (see FIG. 13).

  The maintenance processing unit includes a cleaning device (shown with reference numeral 412 in FIG. 20) that applies a cleaning liquid to the nozzle surfaces of the inkjet heads 448M, 448K, 448C, and 448Y and cleans the nozzle surfaces.

  An ink jet recording apparatus 400 shown in FIG. 19 includes a recording medium storage unit 420 that stores a recording medium 414 before image formation, and a processing liquid application unit that applies a processing liquid to the recording medium 414 sent out from the recording medium storage unit 420. 430, a drawing unit 440 that discharges color ink to the recording medium 414 coated with the treatment liquid to form a desired color image, and a drying processing unit 450 that dries the recording medium 414 on which the color image is formed. A fixing processing unit 460 that performs a fixing process on the recording medium 414 after the drying process and a discharge unit 470 that discharges the recording medium 414 after the fixing process are provided.

  The recording medium 414 transferred to the transfer cylinder 432 via the paper feed tray 422 is sandwiched at the front ends by the grippers 480A and 480B of the processing liquid cylinder 434, supported by the processing liquid cylinder 434, and the processing liquid cylinder 434. It is conveyed along the outer peripheral surface of the processing liquid cylinder 434 as it rotates.

  When the recording medium 414 rotated and conveyed by the processing liquid cylinder 434 reaches the processing area of the processing liquid coating device 436 disposed at a position facing the outer peripheral surface of the processing liquid cylinder 434, the processing liquid is formed on the surface on which the image is formed. Is applied. The treatment liquid applied by the treatment liquid application device 436 has a function of reacting with the color ink ejected from the ink jet heads 448M, 448K, 448C, and 448Y to aggregate or insolubilize the colorant contained in the color ink. Yes.

  The recording medium 414 coated with the treatment liquid is transferred to the drawing cylinder 444 via the transfer cylinder 442, held on the outer peripheral surface of the drawing cylinder 444, and rotated and conveyed along the outer peripheral surface of the drawing cylinder 444.

  A sheet pressing roller 446 is disposed immediately before the inkjet heads 448M, 448K, 448C, and 448Y on the upstream side in the recording medium conveyance direction, and the sheet pressing roller 446 immediately before entering the inkjet heads 448M, 448K, 448C, and 448Y. Thus, the recording medium 414 is configured to be in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drawing cylinder 444.

  On the recording medium 414 rotated and conveyed by the drawing cylinder 444, color ink is ejected from the inkjet heads 448M, 448K, 448C, and 448Y, and a color image is formed on the image forming surface to which the processing liquid is applied.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 18, the inkjet heads 448M, 448K, 448C and 448Y have a plurality of head modules 12 (12 ′) connected in a line along the longitudinal direction of the inkjet heads 448M, 448K, 448C and 448Y. It has a combined structure.

  The recording medium 414 on which the color image is formed is transferred to the drying cylinder 454 via the transfer cylinder 452, supported by the outer peripheral surface of the drying cylinder 454, and along the outer peripheral surface of the drying cylinder 454 according to the rotation of the drying cylinder 454. Is rotated and conveyed.

  The recording medium 414 rotated and conveyed by the drying drum 454 is subjected to a drying process from the drying processing device 456. For the drying process, heating by a heater, blowing of drying air (heating air) by a fan, or a combination thereof is applied.

  The recording medium 414 that has been subjected to the drying process is transferred to the fixing cylinder 464 via the transfer cylinder 462. The recording medium 414 transferred to the fixing cylinder 464 is held on the outer peripheral surface of the drying cylinder 454 and is rotated and conveyed along the outer peripheral surface of the drying cylinder 454 as the drying cylinder 454 rotates.

  The image formed on the recording medium 414 rotated and conveyed by the drying drum 454 is subjected to heat treatment by the heater 466 and pressure treatment by the fixing roller 468. An inline sensor 482 provided on the downstream side of the fixing roller 468 in the recording medium conveyance direction is a unit that images the recording medium 414 (image) that has been subjected to fixing processing by heating and pressurization, and is based on the imaging result of the inline sensor 482. Thus, the ejection abnormality of the inkjet heads 448M, 448K, 448C, 448Y is determined.

  The recording medium 414 that has passed the imaging area by the inline sensor 482 is sent to the discharge unit 470. The discharge unit 470 is configured to convey the recording medium 414 to the stocker 476 by a chain 474 wound around the stretching rollers 472A and 472B.

  The ink jet recording apparatus 400 illustrated in FIG. 19 has the ink jet heads 448M, 448K, 448C, and 448Y disposed at positions away from the drawing unit 440 in a direction orthogonal to the recording medium conveyance direction (a direction that penetrates the paper surface of FIG. 19). A maintenance processing unit for performing maintenance processing is arranged (see FIG. 13).

  As the configuration of the maintenance processing unit, the same configuration as the maintenance processing unit 130 shown in FIG. 13 can be applied, and a cleaning device described below is provided. Note that the apparatus configuration illustrated in FIG. 19 can be appropriately deleted, changed in configuration, and added with other configurations.

(Description of cleaning device)
FIG. 20 is an explanatory view schematically showing a cleaning liquid application process in the cleaning apparatus shown in this example. Moreover, FIG. 21 is explanatory drawing which illustrated typically the wiping process (scraping process) of the nozzle surface in the washing | cleaning apparatus shown in this example.

  The cleaning device 410 described below includes a cleaning liquid applying unit 402 (shown in FIG. 20) that applies a cleaning liquid to the nozzle surface 448A of the ink jet head 448 (the ink jet heads 448M, 448K, 448C, and 448Y of FIG. 19 are collectively shown). And the cleaning device 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14 in that it includes a wiping unit 404 (shown in FIG. 21) for wiping the cleaning liquid adhering to the nozzle surface 448A.

  On the other hand, the cleaning device 410 is different from the cleaning device 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14 in that it corresponds to the nozzle surface 448A of the inkjet head 448 inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. Hereinafter, differences from the cleaning apparatus 10 described mainly with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 20, in the cleaning device 410, the cleaning liquid film holding surface 412A of the cleaning liquid applying unit 402 is parallel to the nozzle surface 448A in response to the nozzle surface 448A of the inkjet head 448 being inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. It is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane so as to face each other.

  The cleaning liquid supply port 413 for supplying the cleaning liquid to the cleaning liquid film holding surface 412A is an upper part of the inclination of the cleaning liquid film holding surface 412A (a position corresponding to the uppermost part of the inclination of the nozzle plate 448B or a position further above the uppermost part). The cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid supply port 413 between the nozzle surface 448A and the cleaning liquid film holding surface 412A forms a cleaning liquid film while spreading between the nozzle surface 448A and the cleaning liquid film holding surface 412A. Then, the cleaning liquid film holding surface 412A flows down from the upper part of the slope to the lower part.

  Although not shown in the drawings, a cleaning liquid recovery unit that recovers the cleaning liquid that has flowed down the cleaning liquid film holding surface 412A is provided at the bottom of the inclination of the cleaning liquid film holding surface 412A. The cleaning liquid recovered in the cleaning liquid recovery unit can be reused after being subjected to reuse processing such as removal of dirt.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the scraping member 416 and the wiping member 417 provided in the wiping portion 404 are inclined with respect to the horizontal plane so that the tip portion (tip surface) is substantially parallel to the nozzle surface 448A. Yes. The scraping member 416 has a length in the same direction that is less than the length of the gap between the head modules in the short direction of the inkjet head 448, and scrapes corresponding to the cleaning liquid supply port 413 (see FIG. 20). The member 416 is disposed above the inclination of the support surface on which the member 416 is supported.

  The scraping member 416 illustrated in FIG. 21 has a length that is ½ of the length of the gap between the head modules in the short direction of the inkjet head 448. Since the cleaning liquid easily enters the position corresponding to the cleaning liquid supply port 413 in the gap between the head modules (the vicinity of the uppermost inclination of the gap), the vicinity of the uppermost inclination of the gap corresponding to the cleaning liquid supply port 413 in the gap between the head modules. A scraping member 416 is arranged in accordance with the position.

  When the meniscus of the cleaning liquid is destroyed at the position near the top of the inclination of the gap, the cleaning liquid flows down along the inclination of the gap, so that the cleaning liquid can be effectively discharged from the gap. The shapes of the scraping members 70, 80, and 80 'illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11 can be applied to the scraping member 416 illustrated in FIG. Also, the configuration shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 can be applied.

  According to the cleaning device 410 according to the fourth embodiment, when cleaning the nozzle surface 448A of the inkjet head 448 disposed so as to be inclined so that the nozzle surface 448A is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, from the gap between the head modules. The scraping member 416 that scrapes the cleaning liquid is disposed in the vicinity of the uppermost part of the slope of the gap where the cleaning liquid easily enters, so that the cleaning liquid that has entered the gap can be efficiently discharged.

  In addition, by making the length of the scraping member 416 in the short direction of the inkjet head shorter than the total length of the gap in the same direction, the area where the scraping member 416 slides on the nozzle surface 448A can be made smaller. The damage of the nozzle surface 448A due to the sliding of the scraping member 416 can be further reduced.

  The application range of the present invention is not limited to an ink jet recording apparatus that forms a color image on a recording medium. For example, it is widely applied to pattern forming devices that form a predetermined pattern (mask pattern, wiring pattern) with functional liquid containing resin particles and metal particles, and liquid ejecting devices that eject liquid onto a medium by an ink jet method. Is possible.

[Appendix]
As will be understood from the description of the embodiments of the invention described in detail above, the present specification includes disclosure of various technical ideas including at least the following aspects.

  (First Aspect): A cleaning device according to a first aspect includes a cleaning liquid applying unit that applies a cleaning liquid to a liquid discharge surface of an inkjet head configured by connecting a plurality of head modules in the longitudinal direction, and between adjacent head modules. A tip portion having a shape that can be inserted into the gap in the longitudinal direction, and after the cleaning liquid is applied to the liquid discharge surface by the cleaning liquid application means, the tip portion is inserted into the gap and the gap is inserted. And a wiping member for wiping the liquid discharge surface after the cleaning liquid in the gap is scraped off by the scraping member.

  According to the first aspect, when cleaning the liquid ejection surface of the inkjet head having a structure in which a plurality of head modules are connected together, the tip of the scraping member enters the gap between adjacent head modules, By destroying the meniscus of the cleaning liquid formed in the gap, the cleaning liquid is scraped from the gap, and the cleaning liquid scraped from the gap is wiped off by the wiping member, so that the cleaning liquid remains in the gap. This prevents the occurrence of dripping of the cleaning liquid from the gap.

  (2nd aspect): The cleaning apparatus which concerns on a 2nd aspect WHEREIN: When the said scraping member and the said wiping member are made to contact | abut to the said liquid discharge surface, the contact amount to the said liquid discharge surface of the said scraping member Exceeds the amount of contact of the wiping member with the liquid ejection surface.

  According to this aspect, even if the wiping member is in contact with the liquid ejection surface, the scraping member can be inserted into the gap.

  In other words, the scraping member and the wiping member are configured to be longer than the wiping member in a state where the scraping member and the wiping member are not in contact with the liquid ejection surface and are not deformed.

  (Third Aspect): In the cleaning device according to the third aspect, the tip of the scraping member has a length in the same direction that is less than the maximum value of the length in the longitudinal direction of the gap.

  According to this aspect, the scraping member can be made smaller by making the length in the same direction (thickness of the scraping member) of the tip of the scraping member smaller than the length of the gap in the longitudinal direction (width of the gap). It becomes easy to insert the tip into the gap.

  (Fourth aspect): In the cleaning device according to the fourth aspect, the scraping member is a flat plate-like member, and the tip portion has a comb-like shape provided with one or more cutouts.

  According to this aspect, by providing the notch at the tip of the flat scraping member, the cleaning liquid can be easily discharged from the notch.

  (5th aspect): As for the washing | cleaning apparatus which concerns on 5th, the cross-sectional shape by the cross-sectional line along the said longitudinal direction has the substantially triangular shape or the substantially trapezoid shape at the front-end | tip part of the said scraping member.

  According to this aspect, by making the tip of the scraping member thinner, the tip of the scraping member can be easily inserted into the gap.

  (Sixth aspect): In the cleaning device according to the sixth aspect, the scraping member has a structure in which one or more pins having a substantially cylindrical shape or a substantially conical shape are provided.

  In such an aspect, by making the scraping member into a so-called brush shape, the tip of the scraping member can be easily inserted into the gap, and the cleaning liquid can be easily discharged from the gap.

  (7th aspect): The washing | cleaning apparatus which concerns on 7 is provided with the vibration means to vibrate the said scraping member.

  According to this aspect, the meniscus of the cleaning liquid formed in the gap can be efficiently destroyed by vibrating the scraping member in a state where the tip of the scraping member is inserted into the gap.

  (Eighth aspect): In the cleaning device according to the eighth aspect, the scraping member is provided with a suction port for sucking the cleaning liquid from the gap at the tip, and a suction channel communicating with the suction port. And a suction means for generating a suction pressure at the suction port via the suction flow path.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to efficiently remove the cleaning liquid in the gap by sucking the cleaning liquid from the tip of the scraping member in a state where the tip of the scraping member is inserted into the gap.

(Ninth aspect): The liquid ejection apparatus according to the ninth aspect includes an inkjet head configured by connecting a plurality of head modules in the longitudinal direction, and a cleaning apparatus that cleans the inkjet head, and the cleaning apparatus includes cleaning liquid applying means for applying a cleaning liquid to the liquid ejection surface of the inkjet head, comprising a tip having an insertable shape in the gap in the longitudinal direction between adjacent head modules, the liquid by the cleaning liquid applying means After the cleaning liquid is applied to the discharge surface, a scraping member that inserts the tip portion into the gap and scrapes the cleaning liquid in the gap, and the cleaning liquid in the gap is scraped off by the scraping member. And a wiping member for wiping the liquid discharge surface.

  (10th aspect): The 10th liquid discharge apparatus is provided with the moving means which moves the said inkjet head, the said cleaning apparatus, the said scraping member, and the said wiping member relatively about the longitudinal direction of the said inkjet head. ing.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to scrape the cleaning liquid in the gap while relatively moving the inkjet head, the scraping member, and the wiping member, and adhere to the scraped cleaning liquid and the liquid discharge surface. The cleaning liquid can be removed.

  (Eleventh aspect): In the eleventh aspect, in the liquid ejection device according to the eleventh aspect, the scraping member is configured integrally with the wiping member, and the moving unit includes the inkjet head, the scraping member, and the wiping member. Relative movement in the longitudinal direction.

  In this aspect, the positions of the scraping member and the wiping member are determined so that the scraping member and the wiping member do not come into contact with each other when the scraping member contacts the liquid ejection surface.

  (Twelfth aspect): A twelfth aspect of the present invention is the liquid discharge apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, wherein the ink jet head has a liquid discharge surface inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, and the scraping member corresponds to the liquid discharge surface with respect to the horizontal plane. The gap has a length in the same direction that is less than the total length in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the gap, and is inserted at the top of the slope of the gap.

  According to this aspect, the scraping member that is shorter than the entire length of the gap is inserted into the uppermost part of the gap with respect to the gap between the head modules on the liquid ejection surface that is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. It is possible to reduce damage to the liquid discharge surface due to sliding of the scraping member without reducing the efficiency of removing the cleaning liquid.

(Thirteenth aspect): In the liquid discharge apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, the cleaning liquid application unit is provided with a cleaning liquid film holding surface on which a film of the cleaning liquid is formed so as to be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane corresponding to the inclination of the liquid discharge surface. And a cleaning liquid supply unit that supplies a cleaning liquid to the cleaning liquid film holding surface from an inclined upper portion of the cleaning liquid film holding surface, and the cleaning liquid film formed on the cleaning liquid film holding surface is brought into contact with the liquid discharge surface. The cleaning liquid is applied to the liquid discharge surface, and the scraping member is inserted into the gap corresponding to the position where the cleaning liquid is supplied by the cleaning liquid supply unit.

  According to this aspect, the cleaning liquid can be efficiently removed from the gap by inserting the scraping member into the position of the gap corresponding to the cleaning liquid supply unit in which the cleaning liquid easily enters.

  (Fourteenth aspect): In a fourteenth liquid ejection apparatus, the cleaning apparatus includes the cleaning apparatus described in any one of the second to eighth aspects.

(15th aspect): The inkjet head cleaning method according to the 15th aspect is adjacent to a cleaning liquid application step for applying a cleaning liquid to a liquid discharge surface of an inkjet head configured by joining a plurality of head modules in the longitudinal direction. After having provided a tip having a shape that can be inserted into the gap in the longitudinal direction between the head modules, and after the cleaning liquid is applied to the liquid ejection surface by the cleaning liquid application means for applying the cleaning liquid to the liquid ejection surface of the inkjet head , A scraping step of scraping the cleaning liquid in the gap by inserting the tip of the scraping member into the gap, and the liquid discharge surface after the cleaning liquid in the gap is scraped off by the scraping member And a wiping step for wiping off.

(Sixteenth aspect): The method of cleaning an ink jet head according to the sixteenth, the cleaning liquid applying step, while a front Kiarai solution purification imparted hand stage and the inkjet head is relatively moved in the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head The scraping step is performed while relatively moving the inkjet head and the scraping member in the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head, and the wiping step is the liquid in the inkjet head and the wiping step. and a wiping member for wiping the ejection surface, the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head Ru is performed while relatively moving.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,200,300,410 ... Cleaning apparatus, 12, 12 '... Head module, 14, 14', 106, 448 ... Inkjet head, 14A ... Nozzle surface, 16 ... Gap, 20 ... Cleaning liquid application part, 21 ... Cleaning liquid film Holding surface, 22 ... wiping part, 26, 26 ', 70, 80, 80', 326, 416 ... scraping member, 26A, 72A, 80A, 80A '326' ... tip part, 26B ... notch part, 26C ... Tooth part 28 ... Wiping member 50, 172 ... System control part 52 ... Cleaning liquid application control part 188 ... Maintenance control part 202 ... Ultrasonic vibrator 302 ... Manifold 306 ... Tube 308 ... Suction pump

Claims (17)

An inkjet head configured by connecting a plurality of head modules in the longitudinal direction;
A cleaning device for cleaning the inkjet head;
Moving means for relatively moving the inkjet head and the cleaning device in the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head;
With
The cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning liquid applying unit that applies a cleaning liquid to a liquid discharge surface of the inkjet head;
A scraping member having a tip portion having a shape that can be inserted into a gap in the longitudinal direction between adjacent head modules , and after the cleaning liquid is applied to the liquid discharge surface by the cleaning liquid applying means , and the cleaning The head module to which the cleaning liquid is applied and the cleaning device during application of the cleaning liquid to the head module adjacent to the upstream side of the head module to which the cleaning liquid is applied in the relative movement direction of the inkjet head with respect to the apparatus. wherein by insert the tip into the gap between the head module, wherein the relative moving direction of the ink-jet head cleaning fluid is adjacent the downstream side of the head module granted as a reference, a gap in which the tip is inserted A scraping member for scraping the cleaning liquid in
Wherein the relative moving direction of the ink-jet head is a wiping member which is disposed downstream of said scraping member, the cleaning liquid in the gap, wherein the tip is inserted by the scraping member scraping referenced to the cleaning device A wiping member for wiping the liquid ejection surface after being taken, and
Comprising
The liquid ejecting apparatus , wherein the cleaning device cleans the ink jet head only in a forward path in relative movement with the ink jet head or only in a return path in relative movement with the ink jet head . When the scraping member and the wiping member are brought into contact with the liquid ejection surface, the amount of contact of the scraping member with the liquid ejection surface is the amount of contact of the wiping member with the liquid ejection surface. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The tip of the scraping member is preceded Symbol longitudinally liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has a maximum length of less than value of the length of the gap. 4. The liquid according to claim 1, wherein the scraping member is a flat plate member, and the tip portion has a comb-teeth shape in which one or more cutouts are provided. Discharge device. An inkjet head configured by connecting a plurality of head modules in the longitudinal direction;
A cleaning device for cleaning the inkjet head;
Moving means for relatively moving the inkjet head and the cleaning device in the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head;
With
The cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning liquid applying unit that applies a cleaning liquid to a liquid discharge surface of the inkjet head;
A scraping member having a tip portion having a shape that can be inserted into a gap in the longitudinal direction between adjacent head modules, and after the cleaning liquid is applied to the liquid discharge surface by the cleaning liquid applying means, and the cleaning The head module to which the cleaning liquid is applied and the cleaning device during application of the cleaning liquid to the head module adjacent to the upstream side of the head module to which the cleaning liquid is applied in the relative movement direction of the inkjet head with respect to the apparatus. The tip part is inserted into a gap between the head module adjacent to the downstream side of the head module to which the cleaning liquid is applied in the relative movement direction of the inkjet head as a reference, and the gap in which the tip part is inserted is inserted. A scraping member for scraping the cleaning liquid therein,
A wiping member disposed downstream of the scraping member with respect to the relative movement direction of the inkjet head with respect to the cleaning device, and the cleaning liquid in the gap into which the tip portion is inserted is scraped off by the scraping member. A wiping member for wiping the liquid ejection surface after being taken, and
Comprising
The liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein the scraping member is a flat plate member, and the distal end portion has a comb-teeth shape provided with one or more notches. The tip of the scraping member, the liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the longitudinal direction along section line by cross-sectional shape and having a substantially triangular shape or a substantially trapezoidal shape . An inkjet head configured by connecting a plurality of head modules in the longitudinal direction;
A cleaning device for cleaning the inkjet head;
Moving means for relatively moving the inkjet head and the cleaning device in the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head;
With
The cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning liquid applying unit that applies a cleaning liquid to a liquid discharge surface of the inkjet head;
A scraping member having a tip portion having a shape that can be inserted into a gap in the longitudinal direction between adjacent head modules, and after the cleaning liquid is applied to the liquid discharge surface by the cleaning liquid applying means, and the cleaning The head module to which the cleaning liquid is applied and the cleaning device during application of the cleaning liquid to the head module adjacent to the upstream side of the head module to which the cleaning liquid is applied in the relative movement direction of the inkjet head with respect to the apparatus. The tip part is inserted into a gap between the head module adjacent to the downstream side of the head module to which the cleaning liquid is applied in the relative movement direction of the inkjet head as a reference, and the gap in which the tip part is inserted is inserted. A scraping member for scraping the cleaning liquid therein,
A wiping member disposed downstream of the scraping member with respect to the relative movement direction of the inkjet head with respect to the cleaning device, and the cleaning liquid in the gap into which the tip portion is inserted is scraped off by the scraping member. A wiping member for wiping the liquid ejection surface after being taken, and
Comprising
The tip of the scraping member has a substantially triangular shape or a substantially trapezoidal shape in cross section taken along a cross sectional line along the longitudinal direction . 4. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the scraping member has a structure in which one or more pins having a substantially cylindrical shape or a substantially conical shape are provided. 5. An inkjet head configured by connecting a plurality of head modules in the longitudinal direction;
A cleaning device for cleaning the inkjet head;
Moving means for relatively moving the inkjet head and the cleaning device in the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head;
With
The cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning liquid applying unit that applies a cleaning liquid to a liquid discharge surface of the inkjet head;
A scraping member having a tip portion having a shape that can be inserted into a gap in the longitudinal direction between adjacent head modules, and after the cleaning liquid is applied to the liquid discharge surface by the cleaning liquid applying means, and the cleaning The head module to which the cleaning liquid is applied and the cleaning device during application of the cleaning liquid to the head module adjacent to the upstream side of the head module to which the cleaning liquid is applied in the relative movement direction of the inkjet head with respect to the apparatus. The tip part is inserted into a gap between the head module adjacent to the downstream side of the head module to which the cleaning liquid is applied in the relative movement direction of the inkjet head as a reference, and the gap in which the tip part is inserted is inserted. A scraping member for scraping the cleaning liquid therein,
A wiping member disposed downstream of the scraping member with respect to the relative movement direction of the inkjet head with respect to the cleaning device, and the cleaning liquid in the gap into which the tip portion is inserted is scraped off by the scraping member. A wiping member for wiping the liquid ejection surface after being taken, and
Comprising
The liquid ejection apparatus, wherein the scraping member has a structure in which one or more pins having a substantially cylindrical shape or a substantially conical shape are provided. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 9, characterized in that it comprises a vibrating means for vibrating said scraping member. An inkjet head configured by connecting a plurality of head modules in the longitudinal direction;
A cleaning device for cleaning the inkjet head;
Moving means for relatively moving the inkjet head and the cleaning device in the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head;
With
The cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning liquid applying unit that applies a cleaning liquid to a liquid discharge surface of the inkjet head;
A scraping member having a tip portion having a shape that can be inserted into a gap in the longitudinal direction between adjacent head modules, and after the cleaning liquid is applied to the liquid discharge surface by the cleaning liquid applying means, and the cleaning The head module to which the cleaning liquid is applied and the cleaning device during application of the cleaning liquid to the head module adjacent to the upstream side of the head module to which the cleaning liquid is applied in the relative movement direction of the inkjet head with respect to the apparatus. The tip part is inserted into a gap between the head module adjacent to the downstream side of the head module to which the cleaning liquid is applied in the relative movement direction of the inkjet head as a reference, and the gap in which the tip part is inserted is inserted. A scraping member for scraping the cleaning liquid therein,
A wiping member disposed downstream of the scraping member with respect to the relative movement direction of the inkjet head with respect to the cleaning device, and the cleaning liquid in the gap into which the tip portion is inserted is scraped off by the scraping member. A wiping member for wiping the liquid ejection surface after being taken, and
Comprising
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising a vibrating means for vibrating the scraping member. The scraping member is provided with a suction port for sucking the cleaning liquid from the gap at the tip, and a suction flow path communicating with the suction port is provided.
Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a suction means for generating a suction pressure to the suction port through the suction flow path. An inkjet head configured by connecting a plurality of head modules in the longitudinal direction;
A cleaning device for cleaning the inkjet head;
Moving means for relatively moving the inkjet head and the cleaning device in the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head;
With
The cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning liquid applying unit that applies a cleaning liquid to a liquid discharge surface of the inkjet head;
A scraping member having a tip portion having a shape that can be inserted into a gap in the longitudinal direction between adjacent head modules, and after the cleaning liquid is applied to the liquid discharge surface by the cleaning liquid applying means, and the cleaning The head module to which the cleaning liquid is applied and the cleaning device during application of the cleaning liquid to the head module adjacent to the upstream side of the head module to which the cleaning liquid is applied in the relative movement direction of the inkjet head with respect to the apparatus. The tip part is inserted into a gap between the head module adjacent to the downstream side of the head module to which the cleaning liquid is applied in the relative movement direction of the inkjet head as a reference, and the gap in which the tip part is inserted is inserted. A scraping member for scraping the cleaning liquid therein,
A wiping member disposed downstream of the scraping member with respect to the relative movement direction of the inkjet head with respect to the cleaning device, and the cleaning liquid in the gap into which the tip portion is inserted is scraped off by the scraping member. A wiping member for wiping the liquid ejection surface after being taken, and
Comprising
The scraping member is provided with a suction port for sucking the cleaning liquid from the gap at the tip, and a suction flow path communicating with the suction port is provided.
A liquid ejection apparatus comprising: suction means for generating suction pressure at a suction port through the suction channel . The ink jet head has a liquid ejection surface inclined with respect to a horizontal plane,
The scraping member is disposed to be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane corresponding to the liquid ejection surface, and has a length in the same direction that is less than the total length in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the gap, and the liquid ejection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it is inserted into the top of the slope of the gap. An inkjet head configured by connecting a plurality of head modules in the longitudinal direction;
A cleaning device for cleaning the inkjet head;
Moving means for relatively moving the inkjet head and the cleaning device in the longitudinal direction of the inkjet head;
With
The cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning liquid applying unit that applies a cleaning liquid to a liquid discharge surface of the inkjet head;
A scraping member having a tip portion having a shape that can be inserted into a gap in the longitudinal direction between adjacent head modules, and after the cleaning liquid is applied to the liquid discharge surface by the cleaning liquid applying means, and the cleaning The head module to which the cleaning liquid is applied and the cleaning device during application of the cleaning liquid to the head module adjacent to the upstream side of the head module to which the cleaning liquid is applied in the relative movement direction of the inkjet head with respect to the apparatus. The tip part is inserted into a gap between the head module adjacent to the downstream side of the head module to which the cleaning liquid is applied in the relative movement direction of the inkjet head as a reference, and the gap in which the tip part is inserted is inserted. A scraping member for scraping the cleaning liquid therein,
A wiping member disposed downstream of the scraping member with respect to the relative movement direction of the inkjet head with respect to the cleaning device, and the cleaning liquid in the gap into which the tip portion is inserted is scraped off by the scraping member. A wiping member for wiping the liquid ejection surface after being taken, and
Comprising
The ink jet head has a liquid ejection surface inclined with respect to a horizontal plane,
The scraping member is disposed to be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane corresponding to the liquid ejection surface, and has a length in the same direction that is less than the total length in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the gap, and The liquid ejection device is inserted into the uppermost part of the slope of the gap. The cleaning liquid application means includes a cleaning liquid film holding surface that is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane corresponding to the inclination of the liquid discharge surface, and on which a cleaning liquid film is formed. A cleaning liquid supply unit configured to supply a cleaning liquid to the film holding surface, bringing the cleaning liquid film formed on the cleaning liquid film holding surface into contact with the liquid discharge surface, and applying the cleaning liquid to the liquid discharge surface;
16. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the scraping member is inserted into a position of the gap corresponding to a position where the cleaning liquid is supplied by the cleaning liquid supply unit. The scraping member is configured integrally with the wiping member,
It said moving means, a liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the said ink-jet head scraping member and said wiping member is relatively moved for the longitudinal direction.

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