JP7031363B2 - Wiping member for liquid discharge device, wiping device for liquid discharge head, wiping method for liquid discharge head, and liquid discharge device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a wiping member for a liquid discharge device, a wiping device for a liquid discharge head, a method for wiping the liquid discharge head, and a liquid discharge device.

A liquid ejection device represented by an inkjet printer ejects droplets from a liquid ejection head to form an image on a recording medium. In such a liquid ejection device, foreign matter adhering to the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejection head causes problems such as ejection failure, so it is necessary to periodically clean the nozzle forming surface.

As such a cleaning method, there is known a method of wiping a fixed ink formed by drying the adhered ink by combining a cleaning liquid and a wiping member typified by a non-woven fabric.
For example, as a member for wiping off the liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface, it has a first layer on the nozzle forming surface side and a second layer on the opposite side to the nozzle forming surface side, and droplets are spread from the first layer to the second layer. A wiping member capable of achieving an efficient wiping effect by absorbing in the second layer of the guide has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Further, there has been proposed an inkjet recording device having a wiping device provided with an ink absorbent having a three-layer structure in which the absorption action becomes larger toward the bottom side when mounted on a casing (see, for example, Patent Document 2). ).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is a wiping member for a liquid discharge device, which is excellent in wiping property without damaging the liquid discharge head, can save space when mounted on the liquid discharge device, and can reduce the amount of the wiping member used. The purpose is to provide.

The wiping member for a liquid discharge device of the present invention as a means for solving the above-mentioned problems wipes the liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface of the liquid discharge head by relatively moving the liquid discharge head and the wiping member. A wiping member for a liquid discharge device, the wiping member has at least a surface layer, an isolation layer under the surface layer, and an absorption layer under the isolation layer from the side in contact with the nozzle forming surface. Assuming that the layer thickness of the surface layer is t (sur), the layer thickness of the isolation layer is t (iso), and the layer thickness of the absorption layer is t (abs), the following equation, t (sur) ≦ t (Abs) ≤ t (iso).

According to the present invention, wiping for a liquid discharge device is excellent in wiping property without damaging the liquid discharge head, space can be saved when mounted on the liquid discharge device, and the amount of the wiping member used can be reduced. Members can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of a wiping member for a liquid discharge device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an example of the wiping device for the liquid discharge head of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of the liquid discharge device of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an example of a liquid discharge head in the liquid discharge device of the present invention.

(Wipe member for liquid discharge device)
The wiping member for a liquid discharge device of the present invention is a wiping member for a liquid discharge device that wipes off excess liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface of the liquid discharge head by relatively moving the liquid discharge head and the wiping member. The wiping member has at least a surface layer, an isolation layer under the surface layer, and an absorption layer under the isolation layer from the side in contact with the nozzle forming surface, and the layer thickness of the surface layer is t. Assuming that (sur), the layer thickness of the isolation layer is t (iso), and the layer thickness of the absorption layer is t (abs), the following equation, t (sur) ≤ t (abs) ≤ t (iso), And, if necessary, have other members.
In other words, the wiping member has an isolation layer between the surface layer and the absorption layer, the layer thickness of the surface layer is t (sur), and the layer thickness of the isolation layer is t (iso). Assuming that the layer thickness of the absorption layer is t (abs), the following equation, t (sur) ≤ t (abs) ≤ t (iso), is satisfied, and if necessary, other members are provided.
In addition, "liquid discharge" discharges a droplet.

In the conventional technique, the wiping member for a liquid ejection device of the present invention may damage the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejection head by the operation of removing the ink adhering to the nozzle and the nozzle forming surface in the cleaning method. In particular, it is based on the finding that the water-repellent film provided on the surface may be damaged or peeled off.
Further, in the wiping member for a liquid discharge device of the present invention, in the prior art, the wiping member made of a non-woven fabric or the like is often mounted on the liquid discharge device in a wound form. In addition to the cost, there is also the problem of the space required by the liquid discharge device, and it is based on the finding that it is desired to reduce the amount of the wiping member used.

In the present invention, the surface layer (also referred to as "first layer") and the isolation layer (also referred to as "second layer") under the surface layer are provided from the side in contact with the nozzle forming surface as a wiping member. By forming a multi-layer structure having at least three or more layers having an absorption layer (also referred to as a "third layer") under the isolation layer, the wiping ability is achieved by functionally separating the scraping of the object and the absorption operation. Can be enhanced.

<Surface layer>
The surface layer has a function of pressing against the nozzle forming surface of the liquid ejection head, which is the object of wiping, to scrape off the fixed ink, or to take in the ink dissolved by the cleaning liquid.
The shape, material, size, structure, etc. of the surface layer are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose.
The shape and size of the surface layer can be appropriately selected according to the object to be wiped.
The material of the surface layer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, in the case of non-woven fabric, semi-synthetic fiber cupra, synthetic fiber polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene Examples thereof include a porous body made of (PE), nylon (Ny), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and the like, a woven fabric, and a knitted fabric.
As the surface layer, one appropriately manufactured may be used, or a commercially available product may be used. Examples of the commercially available product include NE107 (cellulose) and NE507 (cellulose) (all manufactured by Asahi Kasei Corporation); M1020-8T (PET), M2028-8T (PET), H2070-7S (PET) (all). , Toray Industries, Inc.), etc., and those that match the layer thickness, porosity, and fiber diameter when applied to the surface layer can be selected.
As a method for manufacturing the surface layer, for example, in the case of a non-woven fabric, there are methods such as a dry type, a wet type, and an air layer type as a web process, and a chemical bond type, a thermal bond type, a needle punch type, and the like as a binding process. Be done.

<Isolation layer>
The isolation layer has a function of taking in and holding swelled ink fragments from the ink taken in by the surface layer from the surface layer, further sending the melted ink to the absorption layer, and preventing bleeding from the absorption layer. ..
The shape, material, size, structure, etc. of the isolation layer are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose.
The shape and size of the isolation layer can be appropriately selected according to the object to be wiped.
The material of the isolation layer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, in the case of non-woven fabric, semi-synthetic fiber cupra, synthetic fiber polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene Examples thereof include a porous body made of (PE), nylon (Ny), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and the like, a woven fabric, and a knitted fabric.
As the isolation layer, one appropriately manufactured may be used, or a commercially available product may be used. Examples of the commercially available product include NE107 (cellulose) and NE507 (cellulose) (all manufactured by Asahi Kasei Corporation); M1020-8T (PET), M2028-8T (PET), H2070-7S (PET) (all). , Toray Industries, Inc.), etc., and those that match the layer thickness, porosity, and fiber diameter when applied to the isolation layer can be selected.
As a method for manufacturing the isolation layer, for example, in the case of a non-woven fabric, there are a dry type, a wet type, an air raid type and the like as a web process, and a chemical bond type, a thermal bond type, a needle punch type and the like as a binding process as in the surface layer. Method etc. can be mentioned.

<Absorption layer>
The absorbent layer has a function of absorbing the ink that has reached the absorbent layer and continuing to hold the ink in the absorbent layer as it is.
The shape, material, size, structure, etc. of the absorbent layer are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose.
The shape and size of the absorption layer can be appropriately selected according to the object to be wiped.
The material of the absorbent layer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, in the case of non-woven fabric, semi-synthetic fiber cupra, synthetic fiber polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene Examples thereof include a porous body made of (PE), nylon (Ny), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and the like, a woven fabric, and a knitted fabric.
As the absorption layer, one appropriately manufactured may be used, or a commercially available product may be used. Examples of the commercially available product include NE107 (cellulose) and NE507 (cellulose) (all manufactured by Asahi Kasei Corporation); M1020-8T (PET), M2028-8T (PET), H2070-7S (PET) (all). , Toray Industries, Inc.), etc., and those that match the layer thickness, porosity, and fiber diameter when applied to the absorption layer can be selected.
As a method for manufacturing an absorbent layer, for example, in the case of a non-woven fabric, there are methods such as a dry type, a wet type, and an air raid type as a web process, and a chemical bond type, a thermal bond type, and a needle as a binding process, as in the surface layer and the isolation layer. Examples include a punch type method.

In the present invention, the surface layer preferably has a small surface layer thickness in order to easily give a force to scrape the fixed ink and to move the captured dissolved ink to the absorption layer side in a short time. .1 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less is more preferable.
The isolation layer must be moved to the absorption layer so that the dissolved ink does not return to the surface layer side, and the dissolved ink on the surface layer side needs to be sent to the absorption layer, and therefore, either the surface layer or the absorption layer. It is preferably thicker and the layer thickness does not exceed 0.7 mm, more preferably 0.2 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less.
The layer thickness of the absorption layer is preferably an intermediate value between the layer thickness of the surface layer and the layer thickness of the isolation layer, and more preferably 0.2 mm or more and 0.4 mm or less.
Therefore, assuming that the layer thickness of the surface layer is t (sur), the layer thickness of the isolation layer is t (iso), and the layer thickness of the absorption layer is t (abs), the following equation, t (sur) ≤ t (abs). ) ≤ t (iso). As a result, the space can be saved when the liquid is mounted on the liquid discharge device without damaging the liquid discharge head, and the amount of the wiping member used can be reduced.

The thickness of each of the surface layer, the isolation layer, and the absorption layer can be measured as follows.
An aluminum disc with a diameter of 20 mm and a thickness of 1.5 mm is placed on the part where the wiping member is placed on the optical surface plate and the layer thickness of each layer is to be calculated. Measure as.
For the measurement, a laser ranging sensor (HG-C1030 manufactured by Panasonic Corporation) was used to measure the distance from the top of the aluminum disc to the surface of the optical surface plate, and the thickness of the aluminum disc was measured from the obtained distance. The layer thickness of the wiping member is calculated by subtracting 5 mm. The layer thickness of each layer can be obtained by separately measuring the sample before laminating or by separating the laminated ones.

By the comprehensive operation of these three layers (surface layer, isolation layer, and absorption layer), the stuck ink or the like can be stably removed from the nozzle forming surface.
The absorption layer retains the dissolved ink removed from the nozzle forming surface, but the total thickness of the laminate affects the size of the wiping member when it is wound up, so the required length of the wiping member and wiping The thickness will be limited due to the space for accommodating the members. It is preferable that the thickness is larger than that of the surface layer because of the appropriate amount of absorption by the wiping member.

In the present invention, the porosities of the surface layer, the isolation layer, and the absorption layer are set to those values so that the wiping operation can be performed satisfactorily. The porosity can be considered based on the absorption in the absorption layer.
The porosity of the surface layer, the isolation layer, and the absorption layer is preferably 50% or more, more preferably 50% or more and 90% or less, from the viewpoint of appropriately retaining the dissolved ink removed from the nozzle forming surface. If the porosity is less than 50%, the scraped ink may not be absorbed inside. On the other hand, if the porosity exceeds 90%, the action of the capillary force becomes weak when absorbing liquid ink or the like, and the absorbability may decrease.
Further, in the surface layer, the dissolved ink is moved to the adjacent isolation layer, and in the same isolation layer, the dissolved ink is moved to the adjacent absorption layer, and the ink is not allowed to flow back from the absorption layer. It is preferable that the absorption layer, the surface layer, and the isolation layer become larger in this order.
That is, assuming that the porosity of the surface layer is p (sur), the porosity of the isolation layer is p (iso), and the porosity of the absorption layer is p (abs), the following equation, p (abs) ≦ It is preferable to satisfy p (sur) ≤ p (iso).

For the porosity, the bulk density of each layer of the wiping member is calculated from the layer thickness of each layer when the wiping member is pressed and the weight per area. The layer thickness of each layer was measured as described above.
The porosity of each layer per volume is calculated from the ratio of the calculated bulk density to the true density of the material of the wiping member.

The fiber diameters of the surface layer, the isolation layer, and the absorption layer are preferably 5 μm or more and 20 μm or less from the viewpoint of maintaining the wiping ability. This is because the larger the fiber diameter, the stronger the so-called waist of one fiber and the easier it is to maintain voids against compression, the easier it is to remove deposits from the object by the fibers, and the more it tries to absorb the liquid. This is because it is easy to obtain the effect by reducing the fiber diameter when trying to increase the capillary force at the time of doing so.
The fiber diameters of the surface layer, the isolation layer, and the absorption layer are preferably increased in the order of the absorption layer, the surface layer, and the isolation layer. That is, assuming that the fiber diameter of the surface layer is d (sur), the fiber diameter of the isolation layer is d (iso), and the fiber diameter of the absorption layer is d (abs), the following equation, d (abs) ≦ It is preferable to satisfy d (sur) ≦ d (iso).

For the fiber diameter of each layer constituting the wiping member, the shape of the cross section or surface of each layer of the target wiping member was measured using a laser microscope OLS4100 manufactured by Olympus Co., Ltd., and the fiber diameter was measured from five points of the fiber portion in the visual field. Is calculated, and the average value thereof is taken as the fiber diameter of each layer of the wiping member.
In addition to the method of measuring by magnifying and observing directly with a microscope, the fiber diameter is customarily denier (the mass of a thread of 9,000 meters expressed in grams) or tex (9,000 meters as defined by denier). Is a unit of 1,000 meters) and is associated with the fiber diameter from the material (density) of the fiber.

In the present invention, the characteristic values (layer thickness, porosity, fiber diameter) of the absorption layer, the surface layer, and the isolation layer can be compatible in a more desirable range. In addition, by using a liquid-absorbent material for the layer of the multi-layer structure that is not the wiping surface, the absorbency of the liquid ink is improved, and the absorbed ink is re-transferred to the nozzle forming surface to reduce the cleaning efficiency. Can be prevented from doing so.

Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of a wiping member for a liquid discharge device of the present invention. The liquid ejection device wiping member 110 of FIG. 1 has three layers having a surface layer 111, an isolation layer 112 under the surface layer, and an absorption layer 113 under the isolation layer from the side in contact with the nozzle forming surface. It is a structure. The surface layer 111 side is a surface that comes into contact with the nozzle forming surface.

(Liquid discharge head wiping device and liquid discharge head wiping method)
The liquid discharge head wiping device of the present invention is a liquid discharge head wiping device that wipes the liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface of the liquid discharge head.
As the wiping member, the wiping member for the liquid discharge device of the present invention is provided.
It is preferable to impregnate the wiping member for the liquid discharge device with a cleaning liquid and wipe it in a wet state.
The wiping operation is performed by applying a certain amount of cleaning liquid to the wiping member and then moving the wiping device of the liquid discharge head and the liquid discharge head relatively while the wiping member is pressed against the nozzle forming surface.

-Cleaning solution-
The cleaning liquid applied at the time of wiping dissolves and swells the fixed ink to facilitate wiping, and also acts as a lubricant at the time of wiping. The sticking ink that has been scraped off and the pigment contained in the ink act on the abrasive during wiping, which is one of the causes of deteriorating the water-repellent film on the nozzle-forming surface. By setting the amount of the cleaning liquid to 90% by mass or more with respect to the amount of ink existing on the nozzle forming surface, deterioration of the water repellent film on the nozzle forming surface at the time of wiping can be suppressed by the lubricating action.
The amount of cleaning liquid can be appropriately adjusted according to the configuration of the wiping member. The residue of the cleaning liquid on the nozzle forming surface after wiping may be examined and adjusted.
Examples of the cleaning liquid include a lower alcohol and a solution using a lower alcohol as a solvent. Examples of the lower alcohol include ethylene glycol.
A solution using a lower alcohol or a lower alcohol as a solvent has good solubility of a dried product such as ink and is highly volatile. Therefore, a high cleaning effect can be obtained by using it as a cleaning liquid and it remains on the nozzle forming surface. It is difficult to do, and a sufficient wiping effect can be obtained.

The method for wiping the liquid discharge head of the present invention is a method for wiping the liquid discharge head that wipes the liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface of the liquid discharge head.
As the wiping member, the wiping member for the liquid discharge device of the present invention is used, and the wiping member for the liquid discharge device is brought into contact with the nozzle forming surface for wiping.

Here, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the wiping device for the liquid discharge head of the present invention. The liquid discharge head wiping device 300 of FIG. 2 presses the liquid discharge device wiping member 320 of the present invention, the delivery roller 410 that sends out the roll-shaped wiping member, and the sent out wiping member against the nozzle forming surface 310. It is composed of a pressing roller 400 and a winding roller 420 for collecting the wiping member used for wiping.
The pressing roller 400 can adjust the pressing force by adjusting the distance between the wiping member 320 and the nozzle forming surface 310 by using a spring. Further, the tension applied to the wiping member can be adjusted by adjusting the winding condition of the feeding roller 410 and the winding roller 420. The pressing force and tension are adjusted so that the characteristic values of the wiping member are within a desired range, and the wiping operation is performed. The pressing may be performed according to the width of the nozzle forming surface 310, and for example, when pressing with a width of 3 cm, a pressing force of 2N to 4N is set. If the pressing force is small, wiping may not be performed well, and if it is large, wiping may cause rubbing deterioration on the nozzle forming surface. Therefore, it is preferable to set an appropriate pressing force. ..

The wiping operation is performed by applying a certain amount of cleaning liquid to the wiping member and then moving the liquid discharge head and the wiping member relative to each other while the wiping member is pressed against the nozzle forming surface.
The moving speed is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but is preferably set in the range of, for example, 30 mm / s to 100 mm / s.
The smaller the moving speed, the more effective the wiping can be, but it is preferable to set it comprehensively in consideration of productivity.

(Liquid discharge device)
The liquid discharge device of the present invention has the liquid discharge head wiping device of the present invention, and further has other means as needed.
Examples of the other means include heating means, control means, and the like.

Here, the liquid discharge device provided with the liquid discharge head wiping device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 3 shows an example of a serial type image forming apparatus as a liquid ejection device. The carriage 3 is movably held by a main guide member 1 and a slave guide member (not shown) that are laid horizontally on the left and right side plates (not shown). Then, the main scanning motor 5 reciprocates in the main scanning direction (carriage moving direction) via the timing belt 8 bridged between the drive pulley 6 and the driven pulley 7.
The carriage 3 is equipped with recording heads 4a and 4b (referred to as "recording head 4" when not distinguished) composed of a liquid discharge head. The recording head 4 ejects ink droplets of each color of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K), for example. Further, the recording head 4 has a nozzle 4n composed of a plurality of nozzles arranged in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, and is mounted with the drop ejection direction facing downward.

As shown in FIG. 4, the recording head 4 has two nozzle rows Na and Nb in which a plurality of nozzles 4n are arranged.
As the liquid discharge head constituting the recording head 4, for example, a piezoelectric actuator such as a piezoelectric element or a thermal actuator that utilizes a phase change due to boiling of a liquid film using an electric heat conversion element such as a heat generating resistor can be used. ..
On the other hand, in order to transport the paper 10, the transport belt 12 is provided as a transport means for electrostatically adsorbing the paper 10 and transporting the paper 10 at a position facing the recording head 4. The transport belt 12 is an endless belt and is hung between the transport roller 13 and the tension roller 14.
Then, the transport belt 12 orbits in the sub-scanning direction by rotationally driving the transport roller 13 via the timing belt 17 and the timing pulley 18 by the sub-scanning motor 16. The transport belt 12 is charged (charged) by a charging roller (not shown) while moving around.
Further, on one side of the carriage 3 in the main scanning direction, a maintenance / recovery mechanism 20 for maintaining / recovering the recording head 4 is arranged on the side of the transport belt 12, and on the other side, the recording head 4 is arranged on the side of the transport belt 12. Empty discharge receivers 21 that perform empty discharge from the air are arranged.

The maintenance / recovery mechanism 20 is, for example, a cap member 20a that caps the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 4, a wiping device for the liquid discharge head of the present invention (not shown), and a droplet that does not contribute to image formation is not shown. It consists of an empty discharge receiver and the like.
Further, the discharge detection unit 100 is arranged in an area outside the recording area between the transport belt 12 and the maintenance / recovery mechanism 20 and capable of facing the recording head 4. On the other hand, the carriage 3 is provided with a cleaning unit 200 for cleaning the electrode plate of the discharge detection unit 100.
Further, an encoder scale 23 forming a predetermined pattern is attached between the plates on both sides along the main scanning direction of the carriage 3, and the carriage 3 is an encoder sensor 24 composed of a transmissive photo sensor that reads the pattern of the encoder scale 23. Is provided. These encoder scales 23 and encoder sensors 24 constitute a linear encoder (main scanning encoder) that detects the movement of the carriage 3.
Further, a chord wheel 25 is attached to the shaft of the transport roller 13, and an encoder sensor 26 composed of a transmissive photo sensor for detecting a pattern formed on the chord wheel 25 is provided. These code wheels 25 and an encoder sensor 26 constitute a rotary encoder (secondary scanning encoder) that detects the movement amount and movement position of the transfer belt 12.

In the serial type image forming apparatus as the liquid ejection device configured as described above, the paper 10 is fed onto the charged transport belt 12 from a paper feed tray (not shown) and is adsorbed, and the paper 10 is moved around the transport belt 12. The paper 10 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction.
Therefore, by driving the recording head 4 in response to the image signal while moving the carriage 3 in the main scanning direction, ink droplets are ejected onto the stopped paper 10 and one line is recorded. Then, after transporting a predetermined amount of the paper 10, the next line is recorded.
When the recording end signal or the signal that the rear end of the paper 10 reaches the recording area is received, the recording operation is ended and the paper 10 is discharged to a paper output tray (not shown).
When maintaining and recovering the recording head, the carriage is moved to the maintenance and recovery mechanism 20 while waiting for printing (recording), and cleaning is performed by the maintenance and recovery mechanism 20.

As shown in FIG. 4, the recording head 4 shown in FIG. 3 has two nozzle rows Na and Nb in which a plurality of nozzles 4n are arranged. One nozzle row Na of the recording head 4a ejects a droplet of black K, and the other nozzle row Nb ejects a droplet of cyan C. One nozzle row Na of the recording head 4b ejects a droplet of magenta M, and the other nozzle row Nb ejects a droplet of yellow Y.

Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.
The layer thickness, porosity, and fiber diameter of each layer of the wiping member were measured as follows.

-Thickness-
An aluminum disc with a diameter of 20 mm and a thickness of 1.5 mm is placed on the part where the wiping member is placed on the optical surface plate and the thickness is to be calculated, and the thickness of the wiping member is measured 10 seconds after the stacking. did.
For the measurement, a laser ranging sensor (HG-C1030 manufactured by Panasonic Corporation) was used to measure the distance from the top of the aluminum disc to the surface of the optical surface plate, and the thickness of the aluminum disc was measured from the obtained distance. The thickness of the wiping member was calculated by subtracting 5 mm. For the layer thickness of each layer, the layer thickness of each layer was determined by separately measuring the sample before laminating.

-Porosity-
For the porosity, the bulk density of each layer of the wiping member was calculated from the layer thickness of each layer when the wiping member was pressed and the weight per area. The layer thickness of each layer was measured as described above.
The porosity of each layer per volume was calculated from the ratio of the calculated bulk density to the true density of the material of the wiping member.

-Fiber diameter-
For the fiber diameter of each layer constituting the wiping member, the shape of the cross section or surface of each layer of the target wiping member was measured using a laser microscope OLS4100 manufactured by Olympus Co., Ltd., and the fiber diameter was measured from five points of the fiber portion in the visual field. Was obtained, and the average value thereof was taken as the fiber diameter of each layer of the wiping member.

(Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Example 2)
<Manufacturing of wiping member>
The wiping members of Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Example 2 were prepared as evaluation samples having a width of 30 mm and a length of 100 cm from a prototype sheet of 50 cm × 100 cm as follows.
According to the layer thickness (mm), porosity (%), fiber diameter (μm), and material of each layer shown in Table 1, the surface layer and the isolation layer under the surface layer are provided from the side in contact with the nozzle forming surface. An absorption layer was formed under the isolation layer by a thermal bond method.

(Comparative Example 1)
Similarly, the wiping member of Comparative Example 1 was used as an evaluation sample having a width of 30 mm and a length of 100 cm from a prototype sheet of 50 cm × 100 cm, and the layer thickness (mm), porosity (%), and fiber diameter (μm) of each layer shown in Table 1 were used. And, according to the material, a surface layer and an absorption layer under the surface layer were formed by a thermal bond method from the side in contact with the nozzle forming surface.

(Comparative Example 3)
A commercially available single-layer cellulose non-woven fabric manufactured by Asahi Kasei Corporation was used as a sample. The layer thickness (mm), porosity (%), and fiber diameter (μm) were as shown in Table 1. Further, as in the examples, an evaluation sample having a width of 30 mm and a length of 100 cm was used.

<Wipeability evaluation>
-Printing-
The printer (IPSiO SG3100, manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.) was modified so that it could print on a glass plate manufactured by Tempax, which has a length of 75 mm, a width of 25 mm, and a height of 1 mm.
The printing pattern was printed on a uniform surface of 10 mm × 10 mm so as to have a density equivalent to 50% gray, and after printing, it was dried at room temperature (25 ° C.) for 15 hours.

-Wipe method and evaluation-
Using each wiping member for the printed plate manufactured under a 15% RH environment at 10 ° C., wipe it with the following wiping method, obtain the wiping rate by quantifying the removal area ratio of the print pattern, and wipe it with the following evaluation criteria. Was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 1.
[Wipe method]
As a wiping method, a wiping device for the liquid discharge head shown in FIG. 2 is used, and a semi-cylindrical polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) pressing member having a diameter of 10 mm and a length of 30 mm is used for wiping the printing plate. Was pressed with a load of 3N and moved at a speed of 50 mm / s to repeat wiping three times. Prior to wiping, 50 μL of ethylene glycol was dropped onto the wiping member as a cleaning liquid.
[Evaluation criteria]
◯: Wiping rate 60% or more △: Wiping rate 20% or more and less than 60% ×: Wiping rate less than 20%

Examples of aspects of the present invention are as follows.
<1> A wiping member for a liquid discharge device that wipes liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface of the liquid discharge head by relatively moving the liquid discharge head and the wiping member.
The wiping member has at least a surface layer, an isolation layer under the surface layer, and an absorption layer under the isolation layer from the side in contact with the nozzle forming surface.
Assuming that the layer thickness of the surface layer is t (sur), the layer thickness of the isolation layer is t (iso), and the layer thickness of the absorption layer is t (abs), the following equation, t (sur) ≤ t ( It is a wiping member for a liquid discharge device, characterized in that abs) ≦ t (iso).
<2> Assuming that the porosity of the surface layer is p (sur), the porosity of the isolation layer is p (iso), and the porosity of the absorption layer is p (abs), the following equation, p (abs). The wiping member for a liquid discharge device according to <1>, which satisfies ≦ p (sur) ≦ p (iso).
<3> Assuming that the fiber diameter of the surface layer is d (sur), the fiber diameter of the isolation layer is d (iso), and the fiber diameter of the absorption layer is d (abs), the following equation, d (abs) The wiping member for a liquid discharge device according to any one of <1> to <2>, which satisfies ≦ d (sur) ≦ d (iso).
<4> In the liquid discharge head wiping device that wipes the liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface of the liquid discharge head.
The liquid discharge head wiping device is characterized by having the liquid discharge device wiping member according to any one of <1> to <3> as the wiping member.
<5> The liquid discharge head wiping device according to <4>, wherein the wiping member for a liquid discharge device is impregnated with a cleaning liquid to wipe the nozzle-forming surface in a wet state.
<6> In the method of wiping the liquid discharge head, which wipes the liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface of the liquid discharge head.
As the wiping member, the wiping member for the liquid discharge device according to any one of <1> to <3> is used, and the wiping member for the liquid discharge device is brought into contact with the nozzle forming surface for wiping. This is a method of wiping the liquid discharge head.
<7> The method for wiping a liquid discharge head according to <6>, wherein the wiping member for a liquid discharge device is impregnated with a cleaning liquid to wipe the nozzle-forming surface in a wet state.
<8> A liquid discharge device comprising the liquid discharge head wiping device according to any one of <4> to <5>.
<9> A wiping member for a liquid discharge device that wipes liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface of the liquid discharge head by relatively moving the liquid discharge head and the wiping member.
The wiping member has at least a first layer, a second layer under the first layer, and a third layer under the second layer from the side in contact with the nozzle forming surface. ,
Assuming that the layer thickness of the first layer is t (sur), the layer thickness of the second layer is t (iso), and the layer thickness of the third layer is t (abs), the following equation, t. (Sur) ≤ t (abs) ≤ t (iso), which is a wiping member for a liquid discharge device.
<10> A wiping member for a liquid discharge device that wipes liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface of the liquid discharge head by relatively moving the liquid discharge head and the wiping member.
The wiping member has at least a surface layer, an isolation layer under the surface layer, and an absorption layer under the isolation layer from the side in contact with the nozzle forming surface.
The wiping member has an isolation layer between the surface layer and the absorption layer, the layer thickness of the surface layer is t (sur), the layer thickness of the isolation layer is t (iso), and the absorption layer. It is a wiping member for a liquid discharge device characterized by satisfying the following equation, t (sur) ≤ t (abs) ≤ t (iso), where t (abs) is the layer thickness of.

The liquid discharge device wiping member according to any one of <1> to <3> and <9> to <10>, and the liquid discharge head wiping device according to any one of <4> to <5>. According to the method for wiping the liquid discharge head according to any one of <6> to <7> and the liquid discharge device according to <8>, the conventional problems are solved and the object of the present invention is achieved. be able to.

4 Recording head 110 Wiping member for liquid discharge device 111 Surface layer 112 Isolation layer 113 Absorption layer 300 Liquid discharge head wiping device 310 Nozzle forming surface 320 Wiping member

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-188900 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-169120

Claims (8)

A wiping member for a liquid discharge device that wipes liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface of the liquid discharge head by relatively moving the liquid discharge head and the wiping member.
The wiping member has at least a surface layer, an isolation layer under the surface layer, and an absorption layer under the isolation layer from the side in contact with the nozzle forming surface.
Assuming that the layer thickness of the surface layer is t (sur), the layer thickness of the isolation layer is t (iso), and the layer thickness of the absorption layer is t (abs), the following equation, t (sur) ≤ t ( A wiping member for a liquid discharge device, which satisfies abs) ≦ t (iso). Assuming that the porosity of the surface layer is p (sur), the porosity of the isolation layer is p (iso), and the porosity of the absorption layer is p (abs), the following equation, p (abs) ≤ p ( The wiping member for a liquid discharge device according to claim 1, wherein sur) ≤ p (iso) is satisfied. Assuming that the fiber diameter of the surface layer is d (sur), the fiber diameter of the isolation layer is d (iso), and the fiber diameter of the absorption layer is d (abs), the following equation, d (abs) ≦ d ( The wiping member for a liquid discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, which satisfies sur) ≤ d (iso). In the liquid discharge head wiping device that wipes the liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface of the liquid discharge head.
A liquid discharge head wiping device comprising the wiping member for the liquid discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, as the wiping member. The liquid discharge head wiping device according to claim 4, wherein the wiping member for the liquid discharge device is impregnated with a cleaning liquid to wipe the nozzle-forming surface in a wet state. In the method of wiping the liquid discharge head, which wipes the liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface of the liquid discharge head.
As the wiping member, the wiping member for a liquid discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is used, and the wiping member for the liquid discharge device is brought into contact with the nozzle forming surface for wiping. How to wipe the head. A liquid discharge device comprising the liquid discharge head wiping device according to any one of claims 4 to 5. A wiping member for a liquid discharge device that wipes liquid adhering to the nozzle forming surface of the liquid discharge head by relatively moving the liquid discharge head and the wiping member.
The wiping member has at least a first layer, a second layer under the first layer, and a third layer under the second layer from the side in contact with the nozzle forming surface. ,
Assuming that the layer thickness of the first layer is t (sur), the layer thickness of the second layer is t (iso), and the layer thickness of the third layer is t (abs), the following equation, t. (Sur) ≤ t (abs) ≤ t (iso), a wiping member for a liquid discharge device.

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