JP7786249B2 - liquid discharge device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid from nozzles in a head to print on a sheet.

An inkjet printer, such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, is a known example of a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid from the nozzles of a head to print on a sheet. The inkjet printer in Patent Document 1 includes an ink head that ejects ink onto a recording medium, and a wiper that wipes the nozzle surface of the ink head. The wiper is rotated by a wiper movement mechanism and immersed in cleaning liquid stored in a cleaning liquid tank. The wiper, immersed in the cleaning liquid, is positioned at a cleaning position by the wiper movement mechanism. In this state, the carriage carrying the ink head moves, causing the wiper to scrape off dirt and other debris from the nozzle surface of the ink head.

JP 2018-83342 A

The inkjet printer in Patent Document 1 has a cleaning fluid tank and wiper movement mechanism for each wiper, which makes the device prone to becoming large.

The object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejection device that can fully immerse the absorbent wiper in cleaning liquid while reducing the size of the device.

The liquid ejection device according to the present invention comprises a head that ejects liquid from nozzles opened on a nozzle face, a water-absorbent wiper, and a support that supports the water-absorbent wiper. The support is movable relative to the head between a first position where the water-absorbent wiper abuts the nozzle face and a second position where the water-absorbent wiper is spaced apart from the nozzle face. The support has a flow path through which cleaning liquid flows. The water-absorbent wiper absorbs cleaning liquid from below by coming into contact with the cleaning liquid flowing through the flow path.

When the cleaning fluid flowing through the flow path comes into contact with the absorbent wiper, the cleaning fluid is absorbed into the absorbent wiper from below, so the absorbent wiper is sufficiently saturated with cleaning fluid without the need to rotate the wiper.

This invention makes it possible to create a compact device in which an absorbent wiper is impregnated with cleaning liquid.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an image recording apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1, showing the state in which the head 38 is at the recording position, the first support mechanism 51 is at the first rotation position, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is at the standby position. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the upper housing 31 in FIG. 2 is in the open position. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the head 38. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the first support mechanism 51 and the second support mechanism 52 in the second rotation position. FIG. 6 is a front view of the first support mechanism 51 and the maintenance mechanism 60 in the second rotation position. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the maintenance mechanism 60. As shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the maintenance mechanism 60. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the flow path 132 of the main body 61B cut along a plane parallel to the flow direction of the flow path 132. 10A is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 9, and FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 10A. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in FIG. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the wiper holder 61C. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1, showing the state in which the head 38 is at the recording position, the first support mechanism 51 is at the second rotation position, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is at the standby position. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the II-II section of Figure 1, and shows the state in which the head 38 is in the recording position, the first support mechanism 51 is in the second rotation position, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is in a position between the standby position and the maintenance position. Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the II-II section of Figure 1, and shows the state in which the head 38 is in the recording position, the first support mechanism 51 is in the second rotation position, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is in a position supported by the first support mechanism 51. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1, showing the state in which the head 38 is in the capped position, the first support mechanism 51 is in the first pivot position, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is in the maintenance position. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1, showing the state in which the head 38 is in the wiped position, the first support mechanism 51 is in the first rotation position, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is in the wiping position. FIG. 18 is a block diagram of the image recording device 100.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Note that this embodiment is merely one implementation of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the implementation can be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the following description, the direction from the start point of an arrow to the end point is expressed as a direction, and the movement along the line connecting the start point and end point of an arrow is expressed as a direction. In the following description, the up-down direction 7 is defined based on the state in which the image recording device 100 is installed and ready for use (the state shown in Figure 1), the front-to-rear direction 8 is defined with the side where the discharge outlet 33 is located as the near side (front), and the left-to-right direction 9 is defined when looking at the image recording device 100 from the near side (front).

[External Configuration of Image Recording Device 100]
The image recording apparatus 100 (an example of a liquid ejection apparatus) shown in FIG. 1 records an image on a sheet S in the form of a roll body 37 (see FIG. 2) by an inkjet recording method.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image recording device 100 includes a housing 30. The housing 30 includes an upper housing 31 and a lower housing 32. The upper housing 31 and the lower housing 32 are generally rectangular parallelepiped in shape overall, and are large enough to be placed on a table. In other words, the image recording device 100 is suitable for use while placed on a table. Of course, the image recording device 100 may also be used while placed on the floor or in a rack.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the upper housing 31 is rotatably supported by the lower housing 32. The upper housing 31 can rotate about a rotation shaft 15 provided at the lower rear end and extending in the left-right direction 9 between a closed position shown in Figure 2 and an open position shown in Figure 3. Note that the rotation of the upper housing 31 is not limited to the rotation shaft 15, and it may also rotate by a hinge, for example.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the upper housing 31 is in the closed position, the internal space 31A of the upper housing 31 and the internal space 32A of the lower housing 32 are shielded from the outside. As shown in FIG. 3, when the upper housing 31 is in the open position, the internal space 31A of the upper housing 31 and the internal space 32A of the lower housing 32 are exposed to the outside.

As shown in FIG. 1, a slit-shaped discharge opening 33 that is long in the left-right direction 9 is formed on the front surface 32F of the lower housing 32. A sheet S (see FIG. 2) with an image recorded on it is discharged from the discharge opening 33.

An operation panel 44 is provided on the front surface 31F of the upper housing 31. The user uses the operation panel 44 to input commands to operate the image recording device 100 and to confirm various settings.

[Internal configuration of image recording device 100]
As shown in Fig. 2, the internal spaces 31A and 32A are provided with a holder 35, a tensioner 45, a pair of conveying rollers 36, a pair of conveying rollers 40, a head 38, a first support mechanism 51, a heater 39 (an example of a fixing unit), a support member 46, a second support mechanism 52, a CIS 25, a cutter unit 26, an ink tank 34, a cleaning liquid tank 76, a waste liquid tank 77, and a maintenance mechanism 60. Although not shown in Fig. 2, a controller 130 is provided in the internal space 32A (see Fig. 18). The controller 130 controls the operation of the image recording device 100.

A partition wall 41 is provided in the internal space 32A. The partition wall 41 divides the lower rear section of the internal space 32A to define the sheet storage space 32C. The sheet storage space 32C is surrounded by the partition wall 41 and the lower housing 32, and is isolated from the head 38 and other components.

A roll 37 is accommodated in the sheet storage space 32C. The roll 37 has a core tube and a long sheet S. The sheet S is wound around the core tube in a roll shape in the circumferential direction of the core tube's axis. The sheet S can be of any width from the minimum width to the maximum width at which the image recording device 100 can record an image. In other words, the sheet storage space 32C can accommodate multiple types of rolls 37 with different widths. Note that the roll 37 may not have a core tube, and the sheet S may be wound in a roll shape so that it can be attached to the holder 35. The sheet storage space 32C may also be capable of accommodating fanfold paper. As shown in FIG. 1, a right cover 35A is located on the right surface 32R of the lower housing 32. Opening and closing the right cover 35A exposes or covers the holder 35 and other components located in the sheet storage space 32C.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet storage space 32C opens upward at the rear. More specifically, a gap 42 is formed between the partition 41 and the rear surface 32B, i.e., above the rear end of the roll body 37. As the conveying roller pair 36, 40 rotates, the sheet S is pulled upward from the rear end of the roll body 37 and guided to the tensioner 45 via the gap 42.

The tensioner 45 is located at the rear of the internal space 32A, above the partition wall 41. The tensioner 45 has an outer peripheral surface 45A facing the outside of the lower housing 32. The outer peripheral surfaces 45A are larger than the maximum width of the sheet in the left-right direction 9 and have shapes that are symmetrical with respect to the center of the paper feed. The upper end of the outer peripheral surface 45A is located at approximately the same vertical position as the nip D of the conveying roller pair 36 in the up-down direction 7.

The sheet S pulled out from the roll body 37 is hung on and contacts the outer peripheral surface 45A. The sheet S curves forward along the outer peripheral surface 45A, extends in the conveying direction 8A, and is guided by the conveying roller pair 36. The conveying direction 8A is forward along the front-to-rear direction 8. The tensioner 45 applies tension to the sheet S using a well-known method.

A conveying roller pair 36 is located in front of the tensioner 45. The conveying roller pair 36 includes a conveying roller 36A and a pinch roller 36B. The conveying roller 36A and the pinch roller 36B abut against each other at a vertical position roughly flush with the upper end of the outer peripheral surface 45A, forming a nip D.

The conveying roller pair 40 is located in front of the conveying roller pair 36. The conveying roller pair 40 includes a conveying roller 40A and a pinch roller 40B. The conveying roller 40A and the pinch roller 40B come into contact with each other at a vertical position roughly coincident with the upper end of the outer peripheral surface 45A, forming a nip.

The conveying rollers 36A, 40A are rotated by a driving force transmitted from the conveying motor 53 (see Figure 18). The conveying roller pair 36 rotates while nipping the sheet S extending from the tensioner 45 in the conveying direction 8A, thereby sending the sheet in the conveying direction 8A along the conveying surface 43A. The conveying roller pair 40 rotates while nipping the sheet S sent out from the conveying roller pair 36, thereby sending the sheet in the conveying direction 8A. Furthermore, the rotation of the conveying roller pairs 36, 40 pulls the sheet S from the sheet storage space 32C through the gap 42 toward the tensioner 45.

As shown in FIG. 2, a transport path 43 is formed in the internal space 32A, extending from the upper end of the outer peripheral surface 45A to the discharge opening 33. The transport path 43 extends substantially linearly along the transport direction 8A, allowing the sheet S to pass through. Specifically, the transport path 43 extends in the transport direction 8A and the left-right direction 9 and is aligned with a transport surface 43A that is long in the transport direction 8A. Note that in FIG. 2, the transport surface 43A is indicated by a two-dot chain line representing the transport path 43. The transport path 43 is defined by a guide member (not shown), a head 38, a transport belt 101, a support member 46, a heater 39, and other components that are spaced apart in the vertical direction 7. That is, the head 38, the transport belt 101, the support member 46, and the heater 39 are positioned along the transport path 43.

The head 38 is located above the transport path 43 and downstream of the transport roller pair 36 in the transport direction 8A. The head 38 has multiple nozzles 38A. Ink is ejected downward from the multiple nozzles 38A toward the sheet S supported by the transport belt 101. This causes an image to be recorded on the sheet S. The configuration of the head 38 will be described in detail later.

The first support mechanism 51 is located below the conveying path 43 and downstream of the conveying roller pair 36 in the conveying direction 8A. The first support mechanism 51 faces the head 38 below it. The first support mechanism 51 has a conveying belt 101 and a support portion 104. The conveying belt 101 supports the sheet S that has been conveyed in the conveying direction 8A by the conveying roller pair 36 and is positioned directly below the head 38. The conveying belt 101 conveys the supported sheet S in the conveying direction 8A. The support portion 104 is capable of supporting the maintenance mechanism 60. The configuration of the first support mechanism 51 will be described in detail later.

The heater 39 is located below the conveying path 43, downstream of the head 38 in the conveying direction 8A and upstream of the conveying roller pair 40 in the conveying direction 8A. The heater 39 is supported by a frame forward of the first support mechanism 51 and extends in the left-right direction 9. The heater 39 has a heat transfer plate (not shown) and a film heater (not shown). The heat transfer plate is made of metal and has a support surface that extends forward, backward, left-right, and at approximately the same vertical position as the conveying surface 108 of the conveyor belt 101. The sheet S sent out from the first support mechanism 51 is conveyed forward on the support surface of the heat transfer plate. The film heater is fixed to the underside of the heat transfer plate and generates heat under the control of the controller 130. This heat is transferred to the sheet S on the heat transfer plate via the heat transfer plate.

Heat from the heater 39 is collected by a duct 145 located above the heater 39. The duct 145 is located above the conveying path 43, downstream of the head 38 in the conveying direction 8A and upstream of the conveying roller pair 40.

The support member 46 is located below the conveying path 43. The support member 46 is located downstream of the head 38 and the first support mechanism 51 in the conveying direction 8A. The heater 39 is located at the rear of the support member 46. The front of the support member 46 faces the conveying roller 40A. The support member 46 supports the sheet S conveyed in the conveying direction 8A by the conveying belt 101 of the first support mechanism 51.

The support member 46 is supported by the lower housing 32 so as to be rotatable around an axis (not shown) extending in the left-right direction 9. As shown in FIG. 3, when the upper housing 31 is in the open position, the support member 46 can be rotated between a lying position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 3 and an upright position indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 3.

When the support member 46 is in the reclined position, the pivot tip 46B of the support member 46 is located forward of the pivot base 46A (downstream in the conveying direction 8A). When the support member 46 is in the reclined position, the support member 46 forms part of the conveying path 43 and is able to support the sheet S conveyed in the conveying direction 8A by the conveyor belt 101. When the support member 46 is in the upright position, the pivot tip 46B of the support member 46 is located higher than when the support member 46 is in the reclined position, allowing the maintenance mechanism 60 to be exposed to the outside.

In this embodiment, the shaft of the support member 46 is provided at the rear end of the support member 46 and extends in the left-right direction 9, but the shaft is not limited to this configuration. For example, the shaft of the support member 46 may be provided at the front end of the support member 46 and extend in the left-right direction 9. Also, for example, the shaft of the support member 46 may extend in the front-rear direction 8.

The second support mechanism 52 is located below the support member 46 and is supported by the lower housing 32, thereby being fixed inside the lower housing 32. The second support mechanism 52 is capable of supporting the maintenance mechanism 60. The configuration of the second support mechanism 52 will be described in detail later.

CIS 25 is located above conveying path 43 and downstream of conveying roller pair 40 in conveying direction 8A. CIS 25 uses a gradient index lens to focus light reflected by the sheet onto a line sensor, which then outputs an electrical signal according to the intensity of the reflected light. This allows CIS 25 to read the image on the printed surface of the sheet. CIS 25 is positioned so that the reading line is in the left-right direction 9.

The cutter unit 26 is located above the conveying path 43 and downstream of the CIS 25 in the conveying direction 8A. The cutter unit 26 comprises a cutter 28 mounted on a cutter carriage 27. The cutter carriage 27 moves in the left-right direction 9 along the conveying path 43 by a belt drive mechanism (not shown) or the like. The cutter 28 is positioned so as to cross the conveying path 43 in the up-down direction 7, and moves in the left-right direction 9 along the conveying path 43 as the cutter carriage 27 moves. The movement of the cutter 28 cuts the sheet S positioned on the conveying path 43 along the left-right direction 9.

The ink tank 34 stores ink. The ink is a liquid containing pigments and other ingredients. The ink has a viscosity suitable for uniformly dispersing the pigments. The pigments determine the color of the ink. The ink is supplied from the ink tank 34 to the head 38 through a tube (not shown).

The cleaning liquid tank 76 stores cleaning liquid. The cleaning liquid is used to clean the nozzles 38A of the head 38. The waste liquid tank 77 stores the cleaning liquid used to clean the nozzles 38A as waste liquid.

The maintenance mechanism 60 is used to perform maintenance on the head 38. The maintenance mechanism 60 is configured to be movable, and is moved to a position directly below the head 38 when maintenance is to be performed on the head 38 (see Figure 16).

Maintenance of the head 38 includes purging, immersion, and wiping. As shown in FIG. 16, purging involves covering the nozzles 38A with the caps 62 (described later) of the maintenance mechanism 60, and then using the first suction pump 74 to suck ink from the nozzles 38A. As shown in FIG. 17, wiping involves wiping the underside 50 (an example of a nozzle surface) of the ejection modules 49 (described later) of the head 38 with the sponge wiper 64 (an example of an absorbent wiper) and rubber wiper 63 (described later) of the maintenance mechanism 60. The configuration of the maintenance mechanism 60 will be described in detail later.

[Head 38]
The head 38 shown in Figures 2 and 4 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the left-right direction 9. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the head 38 includes a frame 48 and three ejection modules 49A, 49B, and 49C. Hereinafter, the three ejection modules 49A, 49B, and 49C will also be collectively referred to as the ejection modules 49. Note that the number of ejection modules 49 is not limited to three and may be, for example, one.

The frame 48 is fixed to the lower housing 32. As shown in FIG. 4, the frame 48 is positioned from the right of the transport path 43 to the left of the transport path 43.

As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the discharge module 49 is supported by a frame 48. Three openings are formed in the lower surface 48A of the frame 48. Each discharge module 49A, 49B, and 49C is positioned so that its lower surface is positioned in one of the openings. This exposes the lower surface of the discharge module 49 downward. The discharge module 49 is positioned within the conveying path 43 in the left-right direction 9.

As shown in FIG. 4, the discharge modules 49A and 49B are arranged at the same position in the conveying direction 8A. The discharge modules 49A and 49B are arranged with a gap between them in the left-right direction 9. The discharge module 49C is arranged downstream of the discharge modules 49A and 49B in the conveying direction 8A. The discharge module 49C is arranged between two adjacent discharge modules 49A and 49B in the left-right direction 9. The left end of the discharge module 49C is located to the left of the right end of the discharge module 49A. The right end of the discharge module 49C is located to the right of the left end of the discharge module 49B. In other words, the end of the discharge module 49C overlaps with the ends of the discharge modules 49A and 49B in the left-right direction 9.

Each ejection module 49A, 49B, 49C has a plurality of nozzles 38A. Each nozzle 38A opens to the bottom surface 50 of the corresponding ejection module 49A, 49B, 49C. The bottom surface 50 is a surface that extends in the front-to-rear direction 8 and the left-to-right direction 9. As described above, ink is ejected downward from the plurality of nozzles 38A toward the sheet S supported by the conveyor belt 101 of the first support mechanism 51, thereby recording an image on the sheet S. Note that the arrangement and number of the plurality of nozzles 38A are not limited to those shown in Figures 2 and 4.

The head 38 moves along the vertical direction 7 to the recording position shown in Figures 2, 13 to 15, and 18, the capped position shown in Figure 16, the wiping position shown by solid lines in Figure 17, and the upper retracted position shown by dashed lines in Figure 17. The recording position is the position of the head 38 when recording an image on a sheet S supported by the conveyor belt 101. The capped position is the position of the head 38 when the ejection module 49 is covered by the cap 62 of the maintenance mechanism 60. The capped position is a position above the recording position (a position farther from the first support mechanism 51 than the recording position). The wiping position is the position of the head 38 when the sponge wiper 64 and rubber wiper 63 of the maintenance mechanism 60 wipe the underside 50 of the ejection module 49. The wiping position is a position above the capped position. The upper retracted position is the position of the head 38 when it is completely separated from the maintenance mechanism 60. The upper retracted position is above the wiping position.

As shown in FIG. 2, the head 38 is moved by a ball screw 29. The ball screw 29 includes a screw shaft 29A and a nut member 29B. The screw shaft 29A is supported by the lower housing 32 so as to be rotatable about an axis along the vertical direction 7. The screw shaft 29A rotates by receiving driving force from a head motor 54 (see FIG. 18). The nut member 29B is threaded onto the screw shaft 29A. The nut member 29B is fixed to the head 38. The nut member 29B moves upward as the screw shaft 29A rotates forward and moves downward as the screw shaft 29A rotates reversely. The head 38 moves up and down together with the nut member 29B. To prevent the head 38 from rotating due to the rotation of the ball screw 29, a pair of plates sandwiching the head 38 are disposed in the internal space 32A. The configuration for moving the head 38 up and down is not limited to a configuration using the ball screw 29, and various known configurations can be used.

[First support mechanism 51]
2, 5, and 6, the first support mechanism 51 includes a conveyor belt 101, a drive roller 102, a driven roller 103, a support portion 104, a gear 105, and a gear 106. Note that the teeth of the gears 105 and 106 are not shown in the drawings.

The drive roller 102 and driven roller 103 are rotatably supported by a support portion 104. The drive roller 102 and driven roller 103 are spaced apart from each other in the front-to-rear direction 8 (conveying direction 8A). The conveying belt 101 is an endless belt. The conveying belt 101 is stretched over the drive roller 102 and driven roller 103. The conveying belt 101 is disposed within the conveying path 43 in the left-to-right direction 9.

The drive roller 102 rotates due to the driving force provided by the conveying motor 53 (see Figure 18), causing the conveying belt 101 to rotate. The rotation of the conveying belt 101 causes the driven roller 103 to rotate. The conveying belt 101 has a conveying surface 108. The conveying surface 108 is the upper portion of the outer circumferential surface of the conveying belt 101 and extends along the conveying direction 8A. The conveying surface 108 faces the nozzle 38A of the head 38 across the conveying path 43. The drive roller 102 rotates so that the conveying surface 108 moves in the conveying direction 8A. The conveying surface 108 also applies a conveying force to the sheet S while supporting the sheet S from below as it is conveyed between the pair of conveying rollers 36, 40. As a result, the conveying belt 101 conveys the sheet S located on the conveying path 43 in the conveying direction 8A along the conveying surface 108.

As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the support portion 104 has a shaft 109A. The shaft 109A is rotatably supported by the lower housing 32. The shaft 109A extends in the left-right direction 9 (a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction 8A and parallel to the lower surface 50 of the ejection module 49). The shaft 109A is located upstream of the drive roller 102 in the conveying direction 8A. The shaft 109A is located below the conveying roller pair 36.

The shaft 109A rotates when a driving force is transmitted from the shaft motor 59 (see Figure 18). As the shaft 109A rotates, the support part 104 rotates around the shaft 109A. As the support part 104 rotates, the conveyor belt 101, drive roller 102, driven roller 103, gear 105, and gear 106 also rotate. In other words, the first support mechanism 51 rotates. The rotation tip 51A of the first support mechanism 51 is located downstream of the shaft 109A in the conveying direction 8A.

The first support mechanism 51 can rotate between a first rotation position shown in Figures 2 and 16 to 18 and a second rotation position shown in Figures 13 to 15.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the first support mechanism 51 is in the first rotation position, the conveying surface 108 of the conveying belt 101 extends along the front-to-rear direction 8. This allows the conveying belt 101 to convey the sheet S positioned in the conveying path 43 forward and send it between the heater 39 and the support member 46.

As shown in Figures 13 to 15, when the first support mechanism 51 is in the second rotation position, the rotation tip 51A of the first support mechanism 51 is positioned lower than when it is in the first rotation position (see Figure 2). As a result, the conveying surface 108 of the conveyor belt 101 extends along an inclined direction 6 that slopes downward as it moves forward. Note that the inclined direction 6 is perpendicular to the left-right direction 9 and intersects with the conveying direction 8A.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the support part 104 includes a main body 109 and standing walls 110 and 111. In the following description of the support part 104, it is assumed that the first support mechanism 51 is in the second rotation position. The main body 109 is a generally plate-shaped member and includes a shaft 109A. The standing wall 110 extends upward from the left end of the main body 109. The standing wall 111 extends upward from the right end of the main body 109. The standing walls 110 and 111 extend along the inclination direction 6.

The standing walls 110 and 111 are positioned outside the conveying path 43 in the left-right direction 9. The standing walls 110 and 111 rotatably support the drive roller 102 and the driven roller 103.

The standing wall 110 has an upper surface 110A. The standing wall 111 has a first upper surface 111A and a second upper surface 111B. The second upper surface 111B is located at a different position from the first upper surface 111A in the left-right direction 9. The upper surface 110A and the first upper surface 111A support the maintenance mechanism 60 and guide the movement of the maintenance mechanism 60. The second upper surface 111B is located in a position that can face a rack 154 (described below) of the maintenance mechanism 60. An opening 112 is formed in the second upper surface 111B. A portion of the gear 105A protrudes upward from the opening 112. The gear 105A can mesh with the rack 154 located in the opposing position.

As shown in FIG. 6, gears 105 and 106 are rotatably supported by support portion 104 of first support mechanism 51. Gear 105 is composed of gears 105A and 105B aligned in the left-right direction 9. Gears 105A and 105B are arranged coaxially. Gear 105A rotates integrally with gear 105B. Gear 105A may have some play in the rotational direction relative to gear 105B. Gear 105B meshes with gear 106. Gear 106 is connected to first motor 55 (see FIG. 18, an example of a motor) directly or via another gear, and receives driving force from first motor 55.

[Second support mechanism 52]
As shown in FIG. 2 , the second support mechanism 52 is disposed so as to extend in the inclined direction 6 as a whole.

As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the second support mechanism 52 includes a main body 115, vertical walls 116 and 117, and gears 118, 119, and 120. Note that the teeth of gears 118, 119, and 120 are not shown in each figure.

The main body 115 is a generally plate-shaped member and is fixed to the lower housing 32. The standing wall 116 extends upward from the left end of the main body 115. The standing wall 117 extends upward from the right end of the main body 115. The standing walls 116 and 117 extend along the inclination direction 6.

The standing wall 116 is located at the same position in the left-right direction 9 as the standing wall 110 of the first support mechanism 51. The standing wall 117 is located at the same position in the left-right direction 9 as the standing wall 111 of the first support mechanism 51.

The standing wall 116 has an upper surface 116A. The standing wall 117 has a first upper surface 117A and a second upper surface 117B. The second upper surface 117B is located at a different position in the left-right direction 9 from the first upper surface 117A.

When the first support mechanism 51 is in the second pivot position, the first upper surface 117A is aligned with the first upper surface 111A of the standing wall 111 of the first support mechanism 51 along the tilt direction 6 and is on the same plane as the first upper surface 111A. In other words, the first upper surface 117A and the first upper surface 111A are aligned linearly. When the first support mechanism 51 is in the second pivot position, the second upper surface 117B is aligned with the second upper surface 111B of the standing wall 111 of the first support mechanism 51 along the tilt direction 6 and is on the same plane as the second upper surface 111B. In other words, the second upper surface 117B and the second upper surface 111B are aligned linearly.

Top surface 116A and first top surface 117A support maintenance mechanism 60 and guide its movement. Second top surface 117B is positioned so as to face rack 154 of maintenance mechanism 60. As shown in FIG. 5, openings 123 and 124 are formed in second top surface 117B. Opening 124 is located forward of opening 123. A portion of gear 118 protrudes upward from opening 123. A portion of gear 119 protrudes upward from opening 124. Gears 118 and 119 can mesh with rack 154, which is positioned opposite.

As shown in Figures 2 and 5, gears 118, 119, and 120 are rotatably supported by the main body 115 of the second support mechanism 52. Gear 118 is composed of gears 118A and 118B aligned along the left-right direction 9. Gears 118A and 118B are arranged coaxially. Gear 118A rotates integrally with gear 118B. Gear 118A may have play in the rotational direction relative to gear 118B. Gear 119 is composed of gears 119A and 119B aligned along the left-right direction 9. Gears 119A and 119B are arranged coaxially. Gear 119A rotates integrally with gear 119B. Gear 119A may have play in the rotational direction relative to gear 119B. Gear 120 meshes with gears 118B and 119B. As a result, when gear 120 rotates, gears 118 and 119 rotate in the same direction. Gear 120 is connected to second motor 56 directly or via another gear, and is provided with driving force from second motor 56.

[Maintenance mechanism 60]
6 and 7, the maintenance mechanism 60 includes a support body 61, a sponge wiper 64, a rubber wiper 63, and a cap 62. In the following description of the maintenance mechanism 60, it is assumed that the maintenance mechanism 60 is supported by the first support mechanism 51 and the second support mechanism 52 in the second rotation position.

[Support 61]
The support 61 has a base 61A, a main body 61B placed on the base 61A, and a wiper holder 61C that holds the sponge wiper 64 and the rubber wiper 63 on the main body 61B. The base 61A has a box-like shape with an open top. The base 61A includes a first bottom plate 121, a first edge plate 122 extending upward from the periphery of the first bottom plate 121, an extension piece 125, and a rack 154.

The first bottom plate 121 is flat and extends in the tilt direction 6 and the left-right direction 9. The upper and lower surfaces of the first bottom plate 121 are rectangular and longer in the left-right direction 9 than in the tilt direction 6. The lower surface of the first bottom plate 121 can abut from above against the upper surface 110A of the standing wall 110 of the first support mechanism 51. The lower surface of the first bottom plate 121 can abut from above against the first upper surface 111A of the standing wall 111. This allows the maintenance mechanism 60 to be supported by the first support mechanism 51. The lower surface of the first bottom plate 121 can abut from above against the upper surface 116A of the standing wall 116 of the second support mechanism 52. The lower surface of the first bottom plate 121 can abut from above against the first upper surface 117A of the standing wall 117 of the second support mechanism 52. This allows the maintenance mechanism 60 to be supported by the second support mechanism 52.

The first edge plate 122 has a rectangular frame shape in a plan view. The extension piece 125 extends to the right from the lower end of the right wall of the first edge plate 122. The extension piece 125 extends from one end of the right wall of the first edge plate 122 in the inclination direction 6 to the other end.

The rack 154 is formed on the underside of the extension piece 125. As shown in FIG. 8, the rack 154 extends from one end of the extension piece 125 in the inclination direction 6 to near the other end. The rack 154 can be positioned vertically opposite the second upper surface 111B of the standing wall 111 of the first support mechanism 51 (see FIG. 6).

The rack 154 can mesh with the gear 105A protruding from the opening 112 in the second upper surface 111B. When the gear 105A rotates while the rack 154 and the gear 105A are meshed, the maintenance mechanism 60 slides along the upper surface 110A and the first upper surface 111A relative to the first support mechanism 51. In other words, the movement of the maintenance mechanism 60 is guided by the upper surface 110A and the first upper surface 111A of the first support mechanism 51.

The rack 154 can be positioned vertically opposite the second upper surface 117B of the standing wall 117 of the second support mechanism 52. The rack 154 can mesh with a gear 118A protruding from an opening 123 in the second upper surface 117B, and with a gear 119A protruding from an opening 124 in the second upper surface 117B. When the gear 105A rotates while the rack 154 is meshed with at least one of the gears 118A and 119A, the maintenance mechanism 60 slides along the upper surface 116A and first upper surface 117A relative to the second support mechanism 52. In other words, the movement of the maintenance mechanism 60 is guided by the upper surface 116A and first upper surface 111A of the second support mechanism 52.

As a result, the maintenance mechanism 60 can be moved to the standby position shown in Figures 2 and 13, the maintenance position shown in Figure 16, and the wiping position shown in Figure 17, as described below. The maintenance mechanism 60 in the maintenance position and wiping position faces the lower surface 50 of the ejection module 49 of the head 38 in the up-down direction 7.

As shown in Figures 7 and 9, the main body 61B has a generally box-like shape with an open top. The main body 61B is smaller than the base 61A. The main body 61B is fixed to the base 61A while being placed on the upper surface of the first bottom plate 121 of the base 61A. The main body 61B includes a second bottom plate 151, a second edge plate 152 extending upward from the second bottom plate 151, and a flow path 153 through which the cleaning liquid L stored in the cleaning liquid tank 76 can flow.

The second bottom plate 151 is flat and extends in the tilt direction 6 and the left-right direction 9. The upper and lower surfaces of the second bottom plate 151 are rectangular and longer in the left-right direction than in the tilt direction 6. The second edge plate 152 has a rectangular frame shape in a plan view. The second edge plate 152 has a first wall portion 152A, a second wall portion 152B, a third wall portion 152C, and a fourth wall portion 152D.

The first wall portion 152A extends along the left-right direction 9 from the edge of the second bottom plate 151 on the rearward inclined direction 4. The left end of the first wall portion 152A is located to the right and spaced apart from the left edge of the second bottom plate 151. The right end of the first wall portion 152A is located to the left and spaced apart from the right edge of the second bottom plate 151. Three through holes 155 that penetrate in the inclined direction 6 are formed in the first wall portion 152A. The three through holes 155 are formed at equal intervals in the left-right direction 9. The three through holes 155 can be engaged with the first locking portion 194, second locking portion 195, and third locking portion 196 of the wiper holder 61C, which will be described later.

The second wall portion 152B extends along the left-right direction 9 from the edge of the second bottom plate 151 on the forward inclined direction 5. The left end of the second wall portion 152B is located to the right and spaced apart from the left edge of the second bottom plate 151. The right end of the second wall portion 152B is located to the left and spaced apart from the right edge of the second bottom plate 151. The third wall portion 152C connects the left end of the first wall portion 152A to the left end of the second wall portion 152B. The fourth wall portion 152D connects the right end of the first wall portion 152A to the right end of the second wall portion 152B.

As shown in FIG. 9, the flow path 153 is formed on the upper surface of the second bottom plate 151. The flow path 153 is a recessed groove recessed downward from the upper surface of the second bottom plate 151. In a plan view, the flow path 153 has a continuous U-shape that extends in the left-right direction 9 (an example of one direction) and then makes a U-turn. Specifically, the flow path 153 has a first flow path section 153A, a second flow path section 153B, and a third flow path section 153C.

10(A), the first flow path section 153A has a recess 141, a support surface 142 (an example of a first end surface), a first barrier wall 143 (an example of a barrier wall), and a second barrier wall 144. The recess 141 is a portion recessed downward from the upper surface of the second bottom plate 151. The recess 141 is formed in an upward U-shape in a cross section cut along a plane perpendicular to the flow direction of the flow path 153. The bottom surface 141A of the recess 141 is an example of a second end surface. The recess 141 extends leftward from an upstream end 141B located near the rear end of the fourth wall section 152D to near the rear end of the third wall section 152C. The depth of the recess 141 is set so that the water surface WS of the cleaning liquid L flowing through the recess 141 is higher than the support surface 142 and lower than the upper end of the first barrier wall 143 when the second suction pump 75 (described below) is driven. Additionally, the width of the recess 141 is longer than the inner diameter of the inlet 171 (described below). This ensures that the flow of cleaning liquid L within the recess 141 is not impeded.

The support surface 142 is located at the upper end of the recess 141. The support surface 142 is formed by a portion of the upper surface of the second bottom plate 151. The support surface 142 is a flat surface that extends from the upper end of the recess 141 in the inclined direction 6 and the left-right direction 9. In this embodiment, the support surface 142 extends from the upper end of the recess 141 on the forward inclined direction 5 side in the forward inclined direction 5 and the left-right direction 9. The support surface 142 extends from the upstream end 141B of the recess 141 to near the downstream end. Note that the support surface 142 may also extend from the upper end of the recess 141 on the rearward inclined direction 4 side in the rearward inclined direction 4 and the left-right direction 9.

The first barrier wall 143 extends upward from the edge of the support surface 142 on the opposite side of the bottom surface 141A in the inclination direction 6. The first barrier wall 143 extends from the upstream end of the support surface 142 to the left of the downstream end of the support surface 142 (to the downstream end of the recess 141 of the first flow path section 153A). The second barrier wall 144 extends upward from the upper end of the recess 141 on the opposite side of the inclination direction 6 from the first barrier wall 143. The second barrier wall 144 extends from the upstream end 141B of the recess 141 to the downstream end. The height of the second barrier wall 144 is the same as the height of the first barrier wall 143. The inner wall surface of the second barrier wall 144 is flush with the inner wall surface of the recess 141.

As shown in Figures 9 and 10(B), a first inclined surface 172 is formed near the downstream end of the recess 141 of the first flow path section 153A (downstream of the location of the sponge wiper 64B in the direction of flow of the cleaning liquid L). The first inclined surface 172 is a flat surface that slopes upward in the left-right direction 9. The cleaning liquid L flowing through the recess 141 passes over the first inclined surface 172 and flows into the second flow path section 153B. Note that the sponge wiper 64 is omitted from Figure 10(B).

As shown in Figures 9 and 11, the second flow path section 153B differs from the first flow path section 153A in that it does not have a support surface 142 and the depth of the recess 141 is shallower than the recess 141 of the first flow path section 153A. The second flow path section 153B has a recess 141, a second barrier wall 144, and a third barrier wall 145. Note that elements of the second flow path section 153B that correspond to those of the first flow path section 153A are given the same reference numerals as those of the first flow path section 153A.

The recess 141 of the second flow path section 153B extends in a forward inclined direction 5 from the downstream end of the recess 141 of the first flow path section 153A to the middle of the second bottom plate 151 in the inclination direction 6. The upstream end of the recess 141 of the second flow path section 153B is connected to the downstream end of the recess 141 of the first flow path section 153A. The upstream end of the second barrier wall 144 of the second flow path section 153B is connected to the downstream end of the second barrier wall 144 of the first flow path section 153A. The downstream end of the second barrier wall 144 of the second flow path section 153B extends to the downstream end of the recess 141 of the second flow path section 153B. The third barrier wall 145 of the second flow path section 153B is located at the upper right end of the recess 141. The inner wall surface of the third partition wall 145 of the second flow path section 153B is flush with the inner wall surface of the recess 141 of the second flow path section 153B. The upstream end of the third partition wall 145 of the second flow path section 153B is connected to the downstream end of the first partition wall 143 of the first flow path section 153A. The downstream end of the third partition wall 145 of the second flow path section 153B extends to the downstream end of the recess 141 of the second flow path section 153B.

The third flow path section 153C has an upstream section 153CA that does not have a support surface 142 and a downstream section 153CB that has a support surface 142. The upstream section 153CA of the third flow path section 153C has a configuration similar to that of the second flow path section 153B. That is, the upstream section 153CA of the third flow path section 153C has a recess 141, a second barrier wall 144, and a third barrier wall 145. Note that elements in the upstream section 153CA of the third flow path section 153C that correspond to those in the second flow path section 153B are given the same reference numerals as those in the second flow path section 153B.

The recess 141 of the upstream portion 153CA extends rightward from the downstream end of the recess 141 of the second flow path portion 153B to a position slightly to the left of the midpoint in the left-right direction 9 of the second bottom plate 151. The upstream end of the recess 141 of the upstream portion 153CA is connected to the downstream end of the recess 141 of the second flow path portion 153B. The downstream end of the recess 141 of the upstream portion 153CA opens in a forward-sloping direction 5. The upstream end of the second barrier wall 144 of the upstream portion 153CA is connected to the downstream end of the second barrier wall 144 of the second flow path portion 153B. The downstream end of the second barrier wall 144 of the upstream portion 153CA extends to the downstream end of the recess 141 of the upstream portion 153CA. The upstream end of the third partition wall 145 of the upstream section 153CA is connected to the downstream end of the third partition wall 145 of the second flow path section 153B. The downstream end of the third partition wall 145 of the upstream section 153CA extends to the downstream end of the recess 141 of the upstream section 153CA.

The downstream portion 153CB of the third flow path portion 153C has the same configuration as the first flow path portion 153A, except that the depth of the recess 141 is shallower than the recess 141 of the first flow path portion 153A. That is, the downstream portion 153CB of the third flow path portion 153C has the recess 141, the support surface 142, the first barrier wall 143, and the second barrier wall 144. Note that elements in the downstream portion 153CB of the third flow path portion 153C that correspond to those in the first flow path portion 153A are given the same reference numerals as those in the first flow path portion 153A.

The recess 141 of the downstream portion 153CB extends rightward from the downstream end of the recess 141 of the upstream portion 153CA to a position that is more to the right of the midpoint in the left-right direction 9 of the second bottom plate 151. The upstream end of the recess 141 of the downstream portion 153CB opens in a rearwardly inclined direction 4 and is connected to the downstream end of the recess 141 of the upstream portion 153CA. The support surface 142 of the downstream portion 153CB extends from the upstream end of the recess 141 of the downstream portion 153CB to near its downstream end. The upstream end of the first fence wall 143 of the downstream portion 153CB is connected to the downstream end of the second fence wall 144 of the upstream portion 153CA. The downstream end of the first fence wall 143 of the downstream portion 153CB extends to the downstream end of the recess 141 of the downstream portion 153CB. The upstream end of the second barrier wall 144 of the downstream section 153CB is connected to the downstream end of the third barrier wall 145 of the upstream section 153CA. The downstream end of the second barrier wall 144 of the downstream section 153CB extends to the downstream end of the recess 141 of the downstream section 153CB.

A second inclined surface 173 is formed near the downstream end of the recess 141 of the downstream portion 153CB. The second inclined surface 173 is a flat surface that slopes downward in the left-right direction 9.

As shown in FIG. 9 , an inlet 171 through which cleaning liquid L flows into the recess 141 of the first flow path section 153A is opened on the inner wall surface at the upstream end 141B of the recess 141 of the first flow path section 153A. One end of a first supply tube 175 is connected to the inlet 171. The other end of the first supply tube 175 reaches the outside of the maintenance mechanism 60 and is connected to the cleaning liquid tank 76.

An outlet 174, through which cleaning liquid L flows out from the recess 141 of the downstream section 153CB, opens on the inner wall surface at the downstream end 141C of the third flow path section 153C. One end of a return tube 176 is connected to the outlet 174. The other end of the return tube 176 extends to the outside of the maintenance mechanism 60 and is connected to the cleaning liquid tank 76. A second suction pump 75 is provided on the return tube 176 (see Figure 2). The operation of the second suction pump 75 is controlled by the controller 130.

As shown in FIG. 12, the wiper holder 61C has a first retaining portion 181, a second retaining portion 182, and a third retaining portion 183, which respectively hold three sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C and three rubber wipers 63A, 63B, and 63C. The first retaining portion 181 and the second retaining portion 182 are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction 9. The third retaining portion 183 is spaced apart from the first retaining portion 181 and the second retaining portion 182 in the forward tilt direction 5. The third retaining portion 183 is located midway between the first retaining portion 181 and the second retaining portion 182 in the left-right direction 9. The first retaining portion 181, the second retaining portion 182, and the third retaining portion 183 have the same shape. Therefore, the following description will only focus on the first retaining portion 181 out of the first retaining portion 181, the second retaining portion 182, and the third retaining portion 183. Elements of the second holding portion 182 and the third holding portion 183 that correspond to those of the first holding portion 181 are given the same reference numerals as those of the first holding portion 181, and their description will be omitted.

The first holding portion 181 has a box-like shape that is open at the bottom. The length of the first holding portion 181 in the left-right direction 9 is slightly longer than the length of the rubber wiper 63 in the left-right direction 9. The first holding portion 181 has an upper wall 181A, a front wall 181B, a rear wall 181C, a left wall 181D, and a right wall 181E.

The upper wall 181A is flat and extends in the tilt direction 6 and the left-right direction 9. A slit 187 is formed in the upper wall 181A, penetrating it in the up-down direction. The slit 187 extends in the left-right direction 9. The size of the slit 187 is large enough to allow the rubber wiper 63 to be inserted. The dimension of the slit 187 in the left-right direction 9 is approximately the same as the dimension of the rubber wiper 63 in the left-right direction 9. The dimension of the slit 187 in the tilt direction 6 is approximately the same as the dimension of the rubber wiper 63 in the tilt direction 6.

The front wall 181B extends downward from the edge of the upper wall 181A on the forward inclination direction 5. The front wall 181B is flat and extends in the left-right direction 9 and the up-down direction 7. A protrusion 191 that protrudes in the forward inclination direction 5 is formed on the front surface of the front wall 181B. The protrusion 191 has an insertion portion 191A that extends in the forward inclination direction 5 and is inserted into an insertion groove (described below) of the sponge wiper 64, and a protrusion piece 191B that protrudes from the extending end of the insertion portion 191A outward in the left-right direction 9 beyond the insertion portion 191A. In this embodiment, three protrusions 191 are provided at equal intervals in the left-right direction 9.

A pair of restricting portions 192 facing each other in the left-right direction 9 are provided on both ends of the front surface of the front wall 181B in the left-right direction 9. Each restricting portion 192 has a shape formed by bending the ends of a flat plate extending in the inclined direction 6 and the up-down direction 7. Specifically, each restricting portion 192 has an abutting portion 192A extending in the forward inclined direction 5, and a restricting piece 192B extending inward in the left-right direction 9 from the extending end of the abutting portion 192A. The distance between the two abutting portions 192A in the left-right direction 9 is approximately the same as the length of the sponge wiper 64 in the left-right direction 9. The distance between the two restricting pieces 192B in the left-right direction 9 is slightly shorter than the length of the sponge wiper 64 in the left-right direction 9.

The rear wall 181C extends downward from the edge of the upper wall 181A on the rearward inclination direction 4. The rear wall 181C is flat and extends in the left-right direction 9 and the up-down direction 7. The left wall 181D connects the left edge of the upper wall 181A, the left edge of the front wall 181B, and the left edge of the rear wall 181C. The left wall 181D is flat and extends in the inclination direction 6 and the up-down direction 7. The right wall 181E connects the right edge of the upper wall 181A, the right edge of the front wall 181B, and the right edge of the rear wall 181C. The right wall 181E is flat and extends in the inclination direction 6 and the up-down direction.

The first retaining portion 181, the second retaining portion 182, and the third retaining portion 183 are connected to one another by multiple connecting pieces 193. As a result, the wiper holder 61C is formed into a generally rectangular frame shape as a whole. The multiple connecting pieces 193 include a first connecting piece 193A, a second connecting piece 193B, a third connecting piece 193C, and a fourth connecting piece 193D.

The first connecting piece 193A is formed in a straight line connecting the first holding portion 181 and the second holding portion 182.

The second connecting piece 193B is formed in an L-shape and connects the first retaining portion 181 and the third retaining portion 183. The second connecting piece 193B has a first extending portion 193BA that extends in the forward tilt direction 5 from the left end of the front wall 181B of the first retaining portion 181, and a second extending portion 193BB that extends rightward from the end of the first extending portion 193BA on the forward tilt direction 5 side to the left wall 181D of the third retaining portion 183.

The third connecting piece 193C is formed in a roughly U-shape and connects the second retaining portion 182 and the third retaining portion 183. The third connecting piece 193C has a third extending portion 193CA extending rightward from the right wall 181E of the second retaining portion 182, a fourth extending portion 193CB extending forward in the 5-degree inclination direction from the right end of the third extending portion 193CA, and a fifth extending portion 193CC extending leftward from the end of the fourth extending portion 193CB on the forward inclination direction 5 side to the right wall 181E of the third retaining portion 183.

The fourth connecting piece 193D is formed in a linear shape that connects the third holding portion 183 and the first connecting piece 193A. The first connecting piece 193A, the second connecting piece 193B, the third connecting piece 193C, and the fourth connecting piece 193D are flat plates that extend in the tilt direction 6 and the left-right direction 9.

A first locking portion 194 is formed on the upper surface of the first connecting piece 193A, extending in the rearward inclination direction 4 beyond the rearward inclination direction 4 edge of the first connecting piece 193A. The first locking portion 194 is inserted into the through-hole 155 of the first wall portion 152A of the main body 61B and locks into the through-hole 155 (see Figure 7). A second locking portion 195 is formed on the upper surface of the third extending portion 193CA of the third connecting piece 193C, extending in the rearward inclination direction 4 beyond the rearward inclination direction 4 edge of the third extending portion 193CA. The second locking portion 195 is inserted into the through-hole 155 of the first wall portion 152A of the main body 61B and locks into the through-hole 155 (see Figure 7). A third locking portion 196 is formed on the rear wall 181C of the first retaining portion 181, extending in the rearward inclination direction 4. The third locking portion 196 is inserted into the through-hole 155 of the first wall portion 152A of the main body 61B and locks into the through-hole 155 (see Figure 7).

A first engagement piece 197 is formed on the second extension portion 193BB of the second connecting piece 193B, extending in the forward inclination direction 5 beyond the edge of the second extension portion 193BB on the forward inclination direction 5 side. The first engagement piece 197 has a first extension piece 197A and a first protrusion 197B. The first extension piece 197A is formed in an L-shape that extends in the forward inclination direction 5 and bends downward. The first extension piece 197A is flat and extends in the inclination direction 6 and the up-down direction 7. The first protrusion 197B is formed on the left surface of the first extension piece 197A. The first protrusion 197B is located at the lower end of the left surface of the first extension piece 197A. The first protrusion 197B is inserted into and engaged with an inverted U-shaped engagement hole 198 formed in the upper surface of the second bottom plate 151 of the main body 61B (see Figures 7 and 9).

A second engagement piece 199 is formed on the fifth extension portion 193CC of the third connecting piece 193C, extending in the forward inclination direction 5 beyond the edge of the fifth extension portion 193CC on the forward inclination direction 5 side. The second engagement piece 199 has a second extension piece 199A and a second protrusion 199B. The second extension piece 199A is formed in an L-shape that extends in the forward inclination direction 5 and bends downward. The second extension piece 199A is flat and extends in the inclination direction 6 and the up-down direction 7. The second protrusion 199B is formed on the right surface of the second extension piece 199A. The second protrusion 199B is located at the lower end of the right surface of the second extension piece 199A. The second protrusion 199B is inserted into and engaged with an inverted U-shaped engagement hole 198 formed on the upper surface of the second bottom plate 151 of the main body 61B. This attaches the wiper holder 61C to the main body 61B.

[Sponge Wiper 64]
The sponge wiper 64 is formed of a sponge, which is a porous material that absorbs and retains liquid. In this embodiment, three sponge wipers 64 (64A, 64B, and 64C) are provided. The number of sponge wipers 64 is not limited to three and is set according to the number of ejection modules 49 of the head 38. Hereinafter, the three sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C will be collectively referred to as sponge wipers 64. The sponge wiper 64 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape whose length in the left-right direction 9 is longer than its lengths in the tilt direction 6 and the up-down direction 7 (see FIG. 7 ). The length of the sponge wiper 64 in the up-down direction 7 is longer than its length in the tilt direction 6. An insertion groove (not shown) recessed upward is formed on the underside of the sponge wiper 64. The insertion groove extends from one end to the other end of the underside of the sponge wiper 64 in the tilt direction 6. Both ends of the insertion groove open in the tilt direction 6. In this embodiment, three insertion grooves are provided at equal intervals in the left-right direction 9.

The sponge wiper 64A corresponds to the discharge module 49A and can face the discharge module 49A in the vertical direction 7. As shown in Figures 7, 9, and 10(A), the sponge wiper 64A is positioned to the right of the center of the first flow path section 153A in the horizontal direction 9. The bottom surface of the sponge wiper 64A is supported by the support surface 142 in a state where it protrudes from the support surface 142 toward the recess 141. This makes it easier for the cleaning liquid L flowing through the recess 141 to come into contact with the bottom surface of the sponge wiper 64A.

The sponge wiper 64A is attached to the first holding portion 181 of the wiper holder 61C. Specifically, the three protrusions 191 (see Figure 12) of the first holding portion 181 are inserted into the three insertion grooves of the sponge wiper 64A in a forward tilt direction 5. In this state, the three protrusions 191B and the regulating pieces 192B of the two regulating portions 192 abut against the front surface of the sponge wiper 64A. This prevents the sponge wiper 64A from shifting in the tilt direction 6. The left and right surfaces of the sponge wiper 64A abut against the abutting portions 192A of the two regulating portions 192. This prevents the sponge wiper 64A from shifting in the left-right direction 9. As a result, the sponge wiper 64A is held on the support surface 142 of the first flow path portion 153A.

The sponge wiper 64B corresponds to the discharge module 49B and can face the discharge module 49B in the up-down direction 7. The sponge wiper 64B is arranged to the left of the sponge wiper 64A with a gap therebetween. The sponge wiper 64B is located to the left of the center of the first flow path section 153A in the left-right direction 9. The underside of the sponge wiper 64B is supported by the support surface 142 while protruding from the support surface 142 toward the recess 141. This makes it easier for the cleaning liquid L flowing through the flow path 153 to come into contact with the underside of the sponge wiper 64B. The sponge wiper 64B, like the sponge wiper 64A, is attached to the second holding portion 182 of the wiper holder 61C. This allows the sponge wiper 64B to be held on the support surface 142 of the first flow path section 153A.

The sponge wiper 64C corresponds to the discharge module 49C and can face the discharge module 49C in the up-down direction 7. As shown in Figures 7 and 9, the sponge wiper 64C is arranged in the downstream portion 153CB of the third flow path portion 153C. The bottom surface of the sponge wiper 64C is supported on the support surface 142 while protruding from the support surface 142 toward the recess 141. This makes it easier for the cleaning liquid L flowing through the recess 141 to come into contact with the bottom surface of the sponge wiper 64C. The sponge wiper 64C, like the sponge wiper 64A, is attached to the third holding portion 183 of the wiper holder 61C. As a result, the sponge wiper 64C is held on the support surface 142 of the downstream portion 153CB of the third flow path portion 153C.

[Rubber wiper 63]
The rubber wipers 63 are made of rubber, which is an elastic material that does not absorb or retain liquid. In this embodiment, three rubber wipers 63 (63A, 63B, 63C) are provided (see FIG. 7). The number of rubber wipers 63 is not limited to three and is set according to the number of ejection modules 49 of the head 38 described above. Hereinafter, the three rubber wipers 63A, 63B, 63C will be collectively referred to as rubber wipers 63.

The rubber wiper 63 is formed in a flat plate shape that extends in the vertical direction 7 and horizontal direction 9. The length of the rubber wiper 63 in the inclined direction 6 is shorter than the length of the sponge wiper 64 in the inclined direction 6. This makes the rubber wiper 63 more likely to bend when it comes into contact with the underside 50 of the discharge module 49 during wiping. The length of the wiper 63 in the horizontal direction 9 is slightly longer than the length of the sponge wiper 64 in the horizontal direction 9.

The rubber wiper 63A corresponds to the discharge module 49A and can face the discharge module 49A in the up-down direction 7. As shown in Figures 7 and 10(A), the rubber wiper 63A is arranged on the upper surface of the second bottom plate 151 of the main body 61B, spaced apart in the rearwardly inclined direction 4 from the sponge wiper 64A. The rubber wiper 63A is located outside the first flow path section 153A. Both ends of the rubber wiper 63A in the left-right direction 9 are located further outward in the left-right direction 9 than both ends of the sponge wiper 64A in the left-right direction 9. The height of the rubber wiper 63A is the same as the height of the sponge wiper 64A. The upper end of the rubber wiper 63A is tapered. This makes it easier for the upper end of the rubber wiper 63A to come into contact with the lower surface 50 of the discharge module 49A during wiping.

The rubber wiper 63A is inserted into the slit 187 of the first holding portion 181 of the wiper holder 61C. The rubber wiper 63A protrudes upward from the slit 187. The rubber wiper 63A is prevented from slipping out of the slit 187 by contacting the underside of the upper wall 181A of the first holding portion 181. As a result, the rubber wiper 63A is held on the upper surface of the second bottom plate 151 by the first holding portion 181.

The rubber wiper 63B corresponds to the discharge module 49B and can face the discharge module 49B in the up-down direction 7. The rubber wiper 63B is arranged on the upper surface of the second bottom plate 151 of the main body 61B, spaced apart in the rearward tilt direction 4 from the sponge wiper 64B. The rubber wiper 63B is located outside the first flow path section 153A. Both ends of the rubber wiper 63B in the left-right direction 9 are located further outward in the left-right direction 9 than both ends of the sponge wiper 64B in the left-right direction 9. The height of the rubber wiper 63B is the same as the height of the sponge wiper 64B. The upper end of the rubber wiper 63B is tapered. This makes it easier for the upper end of the rubber wiper 63B to come into contact with the underside 50 of the discharge module 49B during wiping.

The rubber wiper 63B is inserted into the slit 187 of the second holding portion 182 of the wiper holder 61C. The rubber wiper 63B protrudes upward from the slit 187. The rubber wiper 63B is prevented from slipping out of the slit 187 by contacting the underside of the upper wall 181A of the second holding portion 182. As a result, the rubber wiper 63A is held on the upper surface of the second bottom plate 151 by the first holding portion 181.

The rubber wiper 63C corresponds to the discharge module 49C and can face the discharge module 49C in the up-down direction 7. The rubber wiper 63C is arranged on the upper surface of the second bottom plate 151 of the main body 61B, spaced apart in the rearwardly inclined direction 4 from the sponge wiper 64C. The rubber wiper 63C is located outside the downstream portion 153CB of the third flow path section 153C. Both ends of the rubber wiper 63C in the left-right direction 9 are located further outward in the left-right direction 9 than both ends of the sponge wiper 64C in the left-right direction 9. The height of the rubber wiper 63C is the same as the height of the sponge wiper 64C. The upper end of the rubber wiper 63C is tapered. This makes it easier for the upper end of the rubber wiper 63C to come into contact with the underside 50 of the discharge module 49C during wiping.

The rubber wiper 63C is inserted into the slit 187 of the third holding portion 183 of the wiper holder 61C. The rubber wiper 63C protrudes upward from the slit 187. The rubber wiper 63C is prevented from slipping out of the slit 187 by contacting the underside of the upper wall 181A of the third holding portion 183. As a result, the rubber wiper 63C is held on the upper surface of the second bottom plate 151 by the third holding portion 183.

[Cap 62]
7 and 9, the cap 62 is supported on the upper surface of the second bottom plate 151 of the main body 61B. A plurality of caps 62 are provided. In this embodiment, the caps 62 are composed of three caps 62A, 62B, and 62C. The number of caps 62 is not limited to three and is set according to the number of ejection modules 49 of the head 38 described above. Hereinafter, the three caps 62A, 62B, and 62C will be collectively referred to as caps 62.

The cap 62 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or silicone. The cap 62 has a box-like shape with an open top.

The cap 62A corresponds to the discharge module 49A and can face the discharge module 49A in the up-down direction 7. The cap 62A is disposed at a distance 5 from the sponge wiper 64A in a forward tilt direction. The bottom plate 69 of the cap 62A is formed with an inlet (not shown) through which the cleaning liquid L flows into the cap 62A and an outlet 69A through which the cleaning liquid L flows out of the cap 62A. As shown in Figures 2 and 9, one end of a second supply tube 177 is connected to the inlet. The other end of the second supply tube 177 extends outside the maintenance mechanism 60 and is connected to the cleaning liquid tank 76. One end of a first waste liquid tube 178 is connected to the outlet 69A. The other end of the first waste liquid tube 178 extends outside the maintenance mechanism 60 and is connected to the waste liquid tank 77.

The cap 62B corresponds to the discharge module 49B and can face the discharge module 49B in the up-down direction 7. The cap 62B is disposed at a distance 5 from the sponge wiper 64B in a forward tilt direction. The bottom plate 69 of the cap 62B is formed with an inlet (not shown) through which the cleaning liquid L flows into the cap 62B and an outlet 69B through which the cleaning liquid L flows out of the cap 62B. One end of a third supply tube 179 branching off from the second supply tube 177 is connected to the inlet. One end of a second waste liquid tube 180 is connected to the outlet 69A. The other end of the second waste liquid tube 180 joins the first waste liquid tube 178 outside the maintenance mechanism 60.

The cap 62C corresponds to the discharge module 49C and can face the discharge module 49C in the up-down direction 7. The cap 62C is disposed at a distance 5 from the sponge wiper 64C in a forward tilt direction. The bottom plate 69 of the cap 62C is formed with an inlet (not shown) through which the cleaning liquid L flows into the cap 62C and an outlet 69C through which the cleaning liquid L flows out of the cap 62C. One end of a fourth supply tube 201 branching off from the second supply tube 177 is connected to the inlet. One end of a third waste liquid tube 202 is connected to the outlet 69A. The other end of the third waste liquid tube 202 joins the first waste liquid tube 178 outside the maintenance mechanism 60.

A cap cleaning valve 72 (see Figure 18) is provided on the second supply tube 177 upstream of the branching point of the third supply tube 179 and the fourth supply tube 201. The opening and closing of the cap cleaning valve 72 is controlled by the controller 130.

A first suction pump 74 (see Figure 2) is provided in the first waste liquid tube 178 downstream of the confluence of the second waste liquid tube 180 and the third waste liquid tube 202. The operation of the first suction pump is controlled by the controller 130. Note that the first suction pump 74 may be provided in each of the first waste liquid tube 178, the second waste liquid tube 180, and the third waste liquid tube 202.

[Controller 130]
18, the controller 130 includes a CPU 131, a ROM 132, a RAM 133, an EEPROM 134, and an ASIC 135, which are connected by an internal bus 137. The ROM 132 stores programs for controlling various operations of the CPU 131. The RAM 133 is used as a storage area for temporarily recording data, signals, etc. used when the CPU 131 executes the programs, or as a work area for data processing. The EEPROM 134 stores settings, flags, etc. that should be retained even after the power is turned off.

The ASIC 135 is connected to the transport motor 53, head motor 54, first motor 55, second motor 56, first pump motor 58, and shaft motor 59.

The ASIC 135 generates drive signals to rotate each motor and controls each motor based on these drive signals. Each motor rotates forward or reverse based on the drive signal from the ASIC 135. The controller 130 controls the drive of the transport motor 53 to rotate the holder 35, transport roller 36A, transport roller 40A, and drive roller 102. The controller 130 controls the drive of the head motor 54 to rotate the screw shaft 29A and move the head 38 in the vertical direction 7. The controller 130 controls the drive of the first motor 55 to rotate the gear 106 of the first support mechanism 51. The controller 130 controls the drive of the second motor 56 to rotate the gear 120 of the second support mechanism 52. The controller 130 controls the drive of the first pump motor 58 to drive the first suction pump 74. The controller 130 controls the driving of the valve motor 71 to open and close the cap cleaning valve 72. The controller 130 controls the driving of the shaft motor 59 to rotate the first support mechanism 51. The controller 130 controls the driving of the second pump motor 47 to drive the second suction pump 75.

A piezoelectric element 57 is also connected to the ASIC 135. The piezoelectric element 57 operates when power is supplied from the controller 130 via a drive circuit (not shown). The controller 130 controls the power supply to the piezoelectric element 57, causing ink droplets to be selectively ejected from the multiple nozzles 38A.

[Movement of the maintenance mechanism 60]
The maintenance mechanism 60, while supported by the second support mechanism 52, can move to the standby position along the inclined direction 6 by sliding relative to the second support mechanism 52. In other words, the second support mechanism 52 can support the maintenance mechanism 60 located at the standby position.

As shown in FIG. 2, the maintenance mechanism 60 in the standby position is located forward of the rotation tip 51A of the first support mechanism 51 (downstream in the conveying direction 8A). In other words, the maintenance mechanism 60 in the standby position is located on the opposite side of the axis 109A of the first support mechanism 51 from the rotation tip 51A of the first support mechanism 51.

The maintenance mechanism 60 can be moved between a standby position and a maintenance position by being transferred between the second support mechanism 52 and the first support mechanism 51 in the second rotation position. The standby position is a position retracted from the maintenance position.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second support mechanism 52 supports the maintenance mechanism 60 in the standby position. As shown in FIG. 16, the first support mechanism 51 supports the maintenance mechanism 60 in the maintenance position. As shown in FIG. 14, when the maintenance mechanism 60 is transferred between the second support mechanism 52 and the first support mechanism 51 in the second pivot position, it is supported by both the first support mechanism 51 and the second support mechanism 52. On the other hand, the maintenance mechanism 60 cannot be transferred between the second support mechanism 52 and the first support mechanism 51 in the first pivot position. In other words, when the first support mechanism 51 is in the first pivot position, the maintenance mechanism 60 is not supported by both the first support mechanism 51 and the second support mechanism 52 simultaneously.

As shown in Figure 2, the maintenance mechanism 60 in the standby position is supported by the second support mechanism 52. At this time, the rack 154 is engaged with both gears 118 and 119. In this state, when the second motor 56 (see Figure 18) is driven and the gear 120 rotates counterclockwise in Figure 2, the gears 118 and 119 rotate clockwise in Figure 2. As a result, the maintenance mechanism 60 in the standby position moves to the rearward tilt orientation 4.

Here, as described above, when the first support mechanism 51 is in the second pivot position, the first upper surface 117A of the second support mechanism 52 is aligned with the first upper surface 111A of the first support mechanism 51 along the tilt direction 6, the second upper surface 117B of the second support mechanism 52 is aligned with the second upper surface 111B of the first support mechanism 51 along the tilt direction 6, and the upper surface 116A of the second support mechanism 52 is aligned with the upper surface 110A of the first support mechanism 51 along the tilt direction 6.

With the maintenance mechanism 60 supported only by the first support mechanism 51, the shaft motor 59 (see Figure 18) is driven to rotate the first support mechanism 51 from the second rotation position to the first rotation position. This positions the maintenance mechanism 60 at the maintenance position (see Figure 16). The maintenance mechanism 60 at the maintenance position is located between the head 38 and the first support mechanism 51 at the first rotation position.

When the maintenance mechanism 60 moves from the maintenance position to the standby position, the reverse of the above operation is performed. That is, first, the shaft motor 59 (see FIG. 18) is driven to rotate the first support mechanism 51 from the first pivot position to the second pivot position (see FIG. 15). Next, the first motor 55 and the second motor 56 (see FIG. 18) are driven to rotate the gears 106 and 120 clockwise in FIG. 13, causing the gears 105, 118, and 119 to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 13. As a result, the maintenance mechanism 60, supported by the first support mechanism 51 in the second pivot position, moves in the forward tilt direction 5 and reaches the standby position (see FIG. 13).

The maintenance mechanism 60 is supported by the first support mechanism 51 in the first rotation position and can slide relative to the first support mechanism 51 to move between a maintenance position (an example of the first position) and a wiping position (an example of the second position). The wiping position is a position forward of the maintenance position (toward the standby position). In other words, the first support mechanism 51 can support the maintenance mechanism 60 at the maintenance position, the wiping position, and any position between the two positions.

As shown in FIG. 16, the maintenance mechanism 60 in the maintenance position is supported by the first support mechanism 51. At this time, the rack 154 is engaged with the gear 105. In this state, when the first motor 55 is driven and the gear 106 rotates clockwise in FIG. 16, the gear 105 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 16. As a result, the maintenance mechanism 60 in the maintenance position moves forward (downstream in the conveying direction 8A) along the front-to-rear direction 8 (conveying direction 8A) and reaches the wiping position (see FIG. 17).

As the maintenance mechanism 60 moves from the maintenance position to the wiping position, the sponge wiper 64 and rubber wiper 63 move while successively contacting the underside 50 of the ejection module 49 of the head 38. In other words, the sponge wiper 64 and rubber wiper 63 slide against the underside 50. This allows the sponge wiper 64 and rubber wiper 63 to wipe the underside 50 of the ejection module 49.

When the maintenance mechanism 60 is in the wiping position, the first motor 55 is driven, causing the gear 106 to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 15, which in turn causes the gear 105 to rotate clockwise in FIG. 15. As a result, the maintenance mechanism 60 in the wiping position moves backward (upstream in the conveying direction 8A) and reaches the maintenance position (see FIG. 16).

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

When no image recording process is being performed, the image recording device 100 is in a standby state. In the standby state, as shown in FIG. 16, the head 38 is in the capped position, the first support mechanism 51 is in the first rotation position while supporting the maintenance mechanism 60, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is in the maintenance position. At this time, the cap 62 covers the nozzle 38A.

When the controller 130 receives a command to record an image on the sheet S from an external device, such as the operation panel 44 or an information processing device connected to the image recording device 100 via a LAN or the like, it moves the maintenance mechanism 60 from the maintenance position to the standby position. More specifically, the controller 130 rotates the first support mechanism 51 from the first rotation position to the second rotation position (see FIG. 15), and then moves the maintenance mechanism 60 in the forward tilt direction 5, thereby moving the maintenance mechanism 60 to the standby position (see FIG. 13).

Next, the controller 130 rotates the first support mechanism 51 from the second rotation position to the first rotation position.

Next, the controller 130 moves the head 38 downward, moving it from the capped position to the recording position (see Figure 18). Then, conveyance of the sheet S begins, and ink is ejected from the nozzles 38A when the sheet S is positioned directly below the head 38. This records an image on the sheet S. The ink adhering to the sheet S is fixed to the sheet S by the heat of the heater 39 as it passes through the heater 39. The conveyed sheet S is then checked for the recorded image by the CIS 25, and then cut to a specified size by the cutter unit 26 and discharged.

[Purge process]
The purging process for sucking ink from the nozzle 38A will be described below.

When no image recording process is being performed, the image recording device 100 is in a standby state. In the standby state, as shown in FIG. 16, the head 38 is in the capped position, the first support mechanism 51 is in the first rotation position while supporting the maintenance mechanism 60, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is in the maintenance position. At this time, the cap 62 covers the nozzle 38A.

When in standby mode, the controller 130 executes the purge process at a predetermined timing or when an external command is received. The following describes the process that occurs when the image recording device 100 is in standby mode and the controller 130 receives an external command to execute the purge process.

During the purge process, the controller 130 drives the first suction pump 74 with the cap cleaning valve 72 closed. This causes ink to be sucked from the nozzle 38A and discharged from the space formed by the cap 62 and the underside 50 of the ejection module 49 through the first waste liquid tube 178, the second waste liquid tube 180, and the third waste liquid tube 202 into the waste liquid tank 77. This prevents clogging of the nozzle 38A due to solidification of the ink. At this time, because the cap cleaning valve 72 is closed, cleaning liquid L is not supplied from the cleaning liquid tank 76 to the caps 62A, 62B, and 62C through the second supply tube 177, the third supply tube 179, and the fourth supply tube 201.

[Immersion treatment]
After the purging process, the controller 130 executes an immersion process in which the nozzles 38A of the ejection module 49 are immersed in the cleaning liquid L. Specifically, the controller 130 drives the first suction pump 74 with the cap cleaning valve 72 open. This causes the cleaning liquid L to be supplied from the cleaning liquid tank 76 to the caps 62A, 62B, and 62C through the second supply tube 177, the third supply tube 179, and the fourth supply tube 201, and the nozzles 38A of the ejection module 49 are immersed in the cleaning liquid L. As a result, the ink adhering to the nozzles 38A is dissolved in the cleaning liquid L and discharged into the waste liquid tank 77 together with the cleaning liquid L.

[Wiping process]
After the immersion process, the controller 130 executes a wiping process in which the sponge wiper 64 and the rubber wiper 63 wipe the lower surface 50 of the discharge module 49 of the head 38. Specifically, the controller 130 first moves the head 38 upward from the capped position (see FIG. 16 ) to the wiped position shown by the solid line in FIG. 17 . This separates the cap 62 from the lower surface 50 of the discharge module 49.

The controller 130 then drives the second suction pump 75. This causes cleaning liquid L to be supplied from the cleaning liquid tank 76 to the support 61 through the first supply tube 175. The cleaning liquid L supplied to the support 61 flows into the recess 141 of the first flow path section 153A in the flow path 153 through the inlet 171. The cleaning liquid L that has flowed into the recess 141 of the first flow path section 153A flows sequentially through the recess 141 of the second flow path section 153B and the recess 141 of the third flow path section 153C, and is discharged from the outlet 174.

At this time, when the water surface WS of the cleaning liquid L in the recess 141 of the first flow path section 153A reaches the position of the underside of the sponge wipers 64A and 64B, the cleaning liquid L comes into contact with the underside of the sponge wipers 64A and 64B and is sucked into the sponge wipers 64A and 64B (see Figure 10(A)). As a result, the sponge wipers 64A and 64B become sufficiently saturated with the cleaning liquid L. Similarly, when the water surface WS of the cleaning liquid L in the recess 141 of the third flow path section 153C reaches the position of the underside of the sponge wiper 64C, the cleaning liquid L comes into contact with the underside of the sponge wiper 64C and is sucked into the sponge wiper 64C. As a result, the sponge wiper 64C becomes sufficiently saturated with the cleaning liquid L. The second suction pump 75 may be driven during the purging process or the soaking process. In this way, the sponge wiper 64 can be saturated with cleaning liquid L while the purging or immersion process is being performed.

In addition, at this time, the cleaning liquid L is blocked by the first inclined surface 172, so the water surface WS tends to be high in the recess 141 of the first flow path portion 153A. This makes it easier for the cleaning liquid L to come into contact with the sponge wipers 64A and 64B. This makes it easier for the sponge wipers 64A and 64B to be sufficiently saturated with cleaning liquid L.

The cleaning solution L discharged from the outlet 174 is returned to the cleaning solution tank 76 through the return tube 176.

Next, the controller 130 moves the maintenance mechanism 60 from the maintenance position to the wiping position. More specifically, the controller 130 moves the maintenance mechanism 60 forward along the front-to-rear direction 8, thereby moving the maintenance mechanism 60 to the wiping position (see Figure 17).

As the maintenance mechanism 60 moves from the maintenance position to the wiping position, the tips (upper ends) of the sponge wiper 64 and rubber wiper 63 contact and slide against the underside 50 of the discharge module 49. Specifically, the sponge wiper 64A and rubber wiper 63A slide against the underside 50 of the discharge module 49A, the sponge wiper 64B and rubber wiper 63B slide against the underside 50 of the discharge module 49B, and the sponge wiper 64C and rubber wiper 63C slide against the underside 50 of the discharge module 49C. This wipes the underside 50 of each discharge module 49A, 49B, and 49C. As a result, liquids and foreign matter adhering to the underside 50 are removed.

Next, the controller 130 moves the head 38 upward from the wiped position shown by the solid line in FIG. 17 to the upper retracted position shown by the dashed line in FIG. 17. As a result, the lower surface 50 of the ejection module 49A is positioned above the sponge wiper 64 and the rubber wiper 63.

Next, the controller 130 moves the maintenance mechanism 60 backward along the front-rear direction 8, thereby moving the maintenance mechanism 60 from the wiping position to the maintenance position. Next, the controller 130 opens the cleaning liquid tank 76 to the atmosphere by opening an air release valve (not shown) connected to the cleaning liquid tank 76. As a result, the cleaning liquid L circulating through the first supply tube 175, the flow path 153, and the return tube 176, and the cleaning liquid L sucked into the sponge wiper 64, are returned to the cleaning liquid tank 76 by the suction pressure of the second suction pump 75. Finally, the controller 130 stops driving the second suction pump 75.

[Effects of the embodiment]
In the image recording device 100, the cleaning liquid L flowing through the flow path 153 comes into contact with the lower surface of the sponge wiper 64 and is sucked into the sponge wiper 64, so that the sponge wiper 64 sufficiently absorbs and holds the cleaning liquid L. Therefore, the image recording device 100 can be made smaller than when a cleaning liquid tank for immersing the sponge wiper 64 in the cleaning liquid L and a wiper movement mechanism are provided.

In the image recording device 100, the sponge wiper 64 is not positioned within the recess 141 of the flow path 153, ensuring the flow of cleaning liquid L in the recess 141. The lower surface of the sponge wiper 64 is supported by the support surface 142 located at the upper end of the recess 141, allowing the cleaning liquid L to come into contact with the sponge wiper 64.

In the image recording device 100, the flow path 153 has a first barrier wall 143 extending upward from the support surface 142 on the side opposite the bottom surface 141A1 of the recess 141 on the support surface 142. Therefore, even if the water surface WS of the cleaning liquid L becomes higher than the support surface 142, the first barrier wall 143 prevents the cleaning liquid L from overflowing outside the flow path 153.

In the image recording device 100, the rubber wiper 63, which is located on the support body 61 outside the flow path 153, abuts the underside 50 of the discharge module 49 at the wiping position. This allows the cleaning liquid L to be wiped from the underside 50 cleaned by the sponge wiper 64, and also wipes away foreign matter such as dust that the sponge wiper 64 was unable to wipe from the underside 50. This prevents foreign matter wiped from the underside 50 by the rubber wiper 63 from entering the flow path 153.

In the image recording device 100, the water surface WS of the cleaning liquid L flowing through the flow path 153 is higher than the support surface 142 and lower than the upper end of the first barrier wall 143, making it easier for the cleaning liquid L to come into contact with the sponge wiper 64 and less likely for the cleaning liquid L to overflow from the flow path 153.

In the image recording device 100, a first inclined surface 172 is formed downstream of the sponge wiper 64B in the recess 141 of the first flow path portion 153A in the direction of flow of the cleaning liquid L. The first inclined surface 172 increases in height from the bottom surface 141A of the recess 141 toward the downstream side in the direction of flow of the cleaning liquid L. Therefore, the flow of the cleaning liquid L flowing through the recess 141 of the first flow path portion 153A is blocked by the first inclined surface 172, which tends to increase the water surface WS of the cleaning liquid L in the recess 141 of the first flow path portion 153A. As a result, even if the recess 141 of the first flow path portion 153A is deep, the cleaning liquid L contacts the undersides of the sponge wipers 64A and 64B. Furthermore, by increasing the depth of the recess 141 of the first flow path portion 153A, it is possible to prevent the cleaning liquid L from flowing out of the flow path 153 when the cleaning liquid L flows into the recess 141 of the first flow path portion 153A.

In the image recording device 100, the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C come into contact with the cleaning liquid L in the flow path 153, so simply by circulating the cleaning liquid L through the flow path 153, the cleaning liquid L is absorbed and held in the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C. This makes the image recording device 100 more compact than if a cleaning liquid L tank and wiper movement mechanism were provided for each of the sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C.

In the image recording device 100, the flow path 153 has a U-shape that extends in the left-right direction 9 and then makes a U-turn, so that multiple sponge wipers 64 that are spaced apart in the conveyance direction 8A can be impregnated with cleaning liquid L using a single flow path 153. Therefore, the area occupied by the flow path 153 in the main body 61B of the support 61 is small, allowing the support 61 to be made smaller.

[Variations]
In the image recording device 100, the flow path 153 has a support surface 142 that supports the sponge wiper 64, but the support surface 142 may be omitted. In this case, the flow path 153 may be a groove formed in an upward U-shape in a cross section cut along a plane perpendicular to the flow direction. The lower surface of the sponge wiper 64 may be supported by the upper end of the groove in a state where it protrudes from the upper end of the groove toward the recess 141.

In the image recording device 100, the first inclined surface 172 is formed, but the first inclined surface 172 may be omitted. In this case, the second inclined surface 173 may be omitted. In other words, the depth of the recess 141 in the flow path 153 may be constant from the upstream end 141B to the downstream end 141C, as long as the cleaning liquid L flowing through the recess 141 can contact the sponge wiper 64.

In the image recording device 100, the flow path 153 is formed in a U-shape that extends in the left-right direction 9 and then makes a U-turn, but the shape is not limited to a U-shape as long as the cleaning liquid L flowing through the flow path 153 can contact the sponge wiper 64. The flow path 153 may also be formed, for example, in a straight line that extends in the left-right direction 9.

In the image recording device 100, the sponge wipers 64 include three sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C, but the number of sponge wipers 64 is not limited to three as long as it corresponds to the number of ejection modules 49A. For example, the number of sponge wipers 64 may be four or more, or two or less.

In the image recording device 100, three rubber wipers 63A, 63B, and 63C are provided on the support body 61, but the number of rubber wipers 63 is not particularly limited as long as it corresponds to the number of ejection modules 49A. For example, the number of rubber wipers 63 may be four or more, or two or less. Furthermore, the rubber wipers 63 may be omitted.

In the image recording device 100, the maintenance mechanism 60 moves from the maintenance position forward to the wiping position, but it may also move from the maintenance position backward to the wiping position. In this case, the sponge wiper 64 may be positioned behind the rubber wiper 63.

In the image recording device 100, during the wiping process, the sponge wiper 64 and rubber wiper 63 move relative to the head 38 while the head 38 is in the wiped position. However, the head 38 may also move relative to the sponge wiper 64 and rubber wiper 63 while the positions of the sponge wiper 64 and rubber wiper 63 are fixed.

38...head 38A...nozzle 50...underside 61...support 63...rubber wiper 64...sponge wiper 100...image recording device 141A...bottom surface 142...support surface 143...first barrier wall 153...flow path L...cleaning liquid WS...water surface

Claims (7)

a head that ejects liquid from nozzles opened on a nozzle surface;
a plurality of absorbent wipers;
a support for supporting the plurality of absorbent wipers,
the support is movable relative to the head between a first position where the plurality of water-absorbent wipers contact the nozzle face and a second position where the plurality of water-absorbent wipers are spaced apart from the nozzle face;
the support has a U-shaped flow path that extends in one direction and then turns back to make a U-turn, and the flow path is through which a cleaning liquid flows;
Each of the plurality of water-absorbing wipers is in contact with the cleaning liquid flowing through the flow path, thereby absorbing the cleaning liquid from below. The flow path is a recessed groove having a first end surface and a second end surface located below the first end surface ,
2. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of water-absorbent wipers are supported on the first end surface. a head that ejects liquid from nozzles opened on a nozzle surface;
an absorbent wiper;
a support for supporting the water-absorbent wiper,
the support is movable relative to the head between a first position where the water-absorbent wiper contacts the nozzle face and a second position where the water-absorbent wiper is spaced from the nozzle face;
the support has a flow path through which a cleaning liquid flows,
The flow path is a recessed groove having a first end surface and a second end surface located below the first end surface,
The water-absorbing wiper is supported on the first end surface, and is a liquid discharge device that absorbs the cleaning liquid from below by coming into contact with the cleaning liquid flowing through the flow path. 4. The liquid ejection device according to claim 2, wherein the recessed groove has a barrier wall extending upward from the first end surface on the side of the first end surface opposite to the second end surface. The support further includes a wiper positioned outside the flow path,
The liquid ejection device according to claim 4 , wherein the wiper abuts against the nozzle face at the first position. 6. The liquid ejection device according to claim 4 , wherein the surface of the cleaning liquid flowing through the flow path is higher than the first end surface and lower than the top end of the barrier wall. A liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 2 to 6 , wherein the groove has an inclined surface downstream of the absorbent wiper in the direction of flow of the cleaning liquid, the height of which from the second end surface increases as the groove moves downstream in the direction of flow.