JP2001018406A - Inkjet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a small-sized inkjet printer capable of performing quick and reliable wiping while reducing a load. SOLUTION: The nozzle head 15 can be maintained by forcibly ejecting ink from a nozzle head 15 positioned at a maintenance position MTP toward an ink receiving member 25, and the nozzle head 15 (16) is maintained after the maintenance of the nozzle head 15 is completed. After the position is changed from the position MTP to the nozzle head wiping position RWP, the nozzle head 15 can be wiped by the nozzle head wiper 48 while moving the wiper carrier 30 forward, and the nozzle head 15 (16) can be moved to the nozzle head wiping position NW.
After the position is changed from P to the ink receiving member wiping position RWP, the ink receiving member 25 can be wiped by the ink receiving member wiper 58 while the wiper carrier 30 is moved backward.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a nozzle head having a large number of ink jet nozzles arranged in the main scanning direction and selectively located at different ink receiving member wiping positions, nozzle head wiping positions and maintenance positions in the vertical direction. In addition to being formed so as to be positionable, the upper nozzle head positioned at the maintenance position is forcibly ejected from the upper nozzle head toward the lower ink receiving member to form the nozzle head so that maintenance is possible. And an ink jet printer capable of executing wiping of an ink receiving member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A nozzle head for each color, in which an ink cassette is mounted, is reciprocated over the entire length in a row direction, and printing is performed during each forward movement to print one line (or 1 / N line). Compared to a so-called serial type ink jet printer in which a printing medium (plain paper, OHP paper, etc.) is fed one line in the column direction after printing one line (or 1 / N line) and repeating these, the printing speed is greatly increased. The present applicant has proposed an inkjet printer that can achieve continuous printing operation over a large number of sheets and can achieve a significant reduction in size as compared with a so-called laser printer of an electrophotographic system (for example,
JP-A-10-138516).

In FIG. 18, which shows an ink jet printer similar to the case of the above proposal, a print medium (paper) sent from a paper cassette 101 (or a manual feed tray 102) is rotated by a feed roller 103 at a predetermined timing. 110 and the rotating drum 11
0 is wound and held on the outer peripheral surface (printing surface). Rotating drum 1
Reference numeral 10 is rotated about the axis Z and in the rotation (R) direction, for example, at 120 RPM.

In addition, each color has a large number of ink jet nozzles and is integrated (or integrated with a plurality of nozzle head elements arranged in the row direction) over the entire length in the row direction (printing direction--perpendicular to the paper surface). Nozzle heads 15C, 15
Each color ink (cyan C, magenta M, yellow Y, black K) can be ejected (jetted) from M, 15Y, 15K. In addition, the nozzle head 15 for each color
C, 15M, 15Y, and 15K are mounted on the nozzle head unit 10 at right angles to the printing surface (110).

Thus, the nozzle head unit 10 (1
5C, 15M, 15Y, and 15K) are reciprocated by a predetermined distance (for example, the pitch between inkjet nozzles) in the printing (row) direction by the reciprocating moving means, and are printed in the row direction on the rotating rotating drum 110, that is, the print medium. At the same time, printing in the column direction can be performed while utilizing the rotation of the rotating drum 110.

That is, since the row-direction printing and the column-direction printing can proceed simultaneously by utilizing the high-speed rotation of the rotary drum 110, the printing speed is greatly increased (for example, 20 PPM).
Can be achieved. When printing of one page is completed, the nozzle head unit 10 is moved backward to return to the original position, and thereafter, the forward movement of the next page is started.

The printed print medium is supplied to a rotating drum 110
And is discharged to the stack portion 106 on the upper side of the main body case 100 by the discharge roller 104. The nozzle head unit 10 includes the ink cassette 1
12, each color ink is supplied from an ink supply means including an ink supply pump 113 and the like.

In order to carry out continuous printing operation on such a large number of printing media, the nozzle heads 15C, 15M, 15
It is desirable to perform maintenance of Y and 15K (prevention of clogging, etc.) at predetermined time intervals. Thus, the main body case 10
By moving up and down means 111 including a pinion on the 0 side, a rack on the nozzle head unit 10 side, etc., the nozzle head unit 10 is separated from the rotary drum 110 to the upper non-printing position in FIG. 18 and interposed therebetween. Using the maintenance means 20, the nozzle heads 15C, 15C for each color are used.
M, 15Y, and 15K are formed for maintenance.

That is, each color nozzle head 15C, 1
This is performed by forcibly ejecting ink from 5M, 15Y, and 15K toward the ink receiving member below. After the maintenance is completed, the maintenance means 20 is returned to the retracted position inclined as shown in FIG.
To the lower printing position (original position) to establish a gap (for example, 1 mm) between the nozzle tip surface of each color nozzle head 15C, 15M, 15Y, and 15K and the printing surface (the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 110). And it is formed so that it can be maintained.

By the way, there is a case where ink adheres to the front end surface (lower surface) of each color nozzle head 15C, 15M, 15Y, 15K after maintenance. If left unattended, the paper may be soiled at the time of next printing. Therefore, after the maintenance is completed, the reciprocating mechanism provided on the maintenance means 20 side is driven to move the wiper carrier 30 which forms a part of the wiping means incorporated in the maintenance means 20 into the nozzle heads 15C, 15M, 15Y, 15Y,
The nozzle head is reciprocated in the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction) of 15K, and the tip surface of each nozzle head is wiped with each nozzle head wiper mounted on the wiper carrier so that the attached ink can be wiped off.

Further, in order to quickly and surely discharge waste ink discharged at the time of maintenance and received by the ink receiving member to the outside (for example, a waste ink tank) and to prevent solidification of the waste ink, the wiper carrier is used. An ink receiving member wiper is also provided so that the ink adhering on the ink receiving member side can be wiped off as well as the ink adhering on the nozzle tip surface. That is, after the maintenance, the wiper carrier is moved in the main scanning direction, and wiping is performed using the tip surfaces of the nozzle heads 15C, 15M, 15Y, and 15K and the respective wipers brought into contact with the respective ink receiving members. Have been.

[0012]

By the way, each tip head of each nozzle head 15C, 15M, 15Y, 15K is brought into contact with each nozzle head wiper, and each ink receiving member is brought into contact with each ink receiving member wiper. In a structure in which wiping of each tip surface and each ink receiving member is performed collectively and simultaneously, a wiping load is increased. Therefore, a lead constituting a reciprocating mechanism for reciprocating the wiper carrier 30 in the main scanning direction. The screw and nut members and the drive source (motor, etc.) become large and costly. This leads to an increase in the size of the maintenance means 20 and, consequently, the size of the entire printer.

Further, as the load increases, the lead angle of the lead screw must be reduced, which hinders high-speed wiping. That is, high-speed printing is hindered as a result. The greater the size of the print media that is adapted, the more disadvantageous it is.

An object of the present invention is to provide a small-sized ink jet printer capable of performing quick and reliable wiping while reducing the load.

[0015]

According to the present invention, a nozzle head having a large number of ink jet nozzles arranged in the main scanning direction is selected in a vertically different ink receiving member wiping position, a nozzle head wiping position and a maintenance position. A nozzle head wiper is mounted on the upper side of a wiper carrier that is reciprocally movable in the main scanning direction of the nozzle head, and an ink receiving member wiper is mounted on the lower side. The nozzle head is forcibly ejected from the nozzle head toward the ink receiving member on the lower side to form the nozzle head for maintenance, and after the maintenance of the nozzle head, the nozzle head is moved from the lower maintenance position to the upper nozzle head. In the wiping position Decided changeable and the nozzle head wiping capable formed in the nozzle head wiper while forward wiper carrier after this positioning change end,
After the wiping of the nozzle head is completed, the position of the nozzle head can be changed from the lower nozzle head wiping position to the upper ink receiving member wiping position, and after the completion of the positioning change, the ink receiving member is wiped by the ink receiving member wiper while returning the wiper carrier. Is an ink jet printer formed so as to be capable of wiping.

In this invention, maintenance of the nozzle head is performed while forcibly ejecting ink from the upper nozzle head positioned at the maintenance position toward the lower ink receiving member. At this time, the wiper carrier waits at a position (for example, a home position) away from the nozzle head in the main scanning direction.

After the maintenance of the nozzle head is completed, the nozzle head is moved from the lower maintenance position to the upper nozzle head wiping position, and the wiper carrier is moved forward after the completion of the positioning change. Then, the nozzle head wiper attached to the upper side of the wiper carrier is moved to the tip (lower end face) of the nozzle head.
And the nozzle heads move relative to each other, so that the respective nozzle heads can be wiped to wipe off the attached ink.

After the wiping of the nozzle head is completed, the position of the nozzle head is changed from the lower nozzle head wiping position to the upper ink receiving member wiping position, and the wiper carrier is moved back after the completion of the positioning change. Then, the ink receiving member wiper attached to the lower side of the wiper carrier comes into contact with the ink receiving member and relatively moves, so that the ink receiving member wiper can be wiped to wipe off the attached ink.

Thus, when the nozzle head wiper on the upper side of the wiper carrier makes contact with the tip (lower end surface) of the nozzle head by utilizing the vertical position change of the nozzle head, the ink receiver on the lower side of the wiper carrier can be used. It is easy to construct so that the member wiper contacts the ink receiving surface (upper surface) of the ink receiving member.

Therefore, since the load during wiping can be greatly reduced, the size and weight of the lead screw and the like can be reduced, and the lead angle of the lead screw can be increased, so that the speed of wiping can be increased.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 12, the present ink jet printer is configured to move a nozzle head 15 having a large number of ink jet nozzles arranged in the main scanning direction (X direction) to different ink receiving member wiping positions RWP in the vertical direction and a nozzle head. Wiping position NWP
The nozzle head wiper 48 is attached to the upper side of the wiper carrier 30 which is formed so as to be selectively positionable at the maintenance position MTP and can reciprocate in the main scanning direction of the nozzle head 15, and the ink receiving member wiper 58 is attached to the lower side. The ink is forcibly ejected from the upper nozzle head 15 positioned at the maintenance position MTP toward the lower ink receiving member 25 so that the nozzle head 15 can be maintained. Nozzle head 15
The position of (16) can be changed from the lower maintenance position MTP to the upper nozzle head wiping position RWP.
Is formed so that the nozzle head 15 can be wiped by the nozzle head wiper 48 while moving the nozzle head 15 forward.
Can be changed from the lower nozzle head wiping position NWP to the upper ink receiving member wiping position RWP after the end of this wiping, and after the end of the positioning change, the wiper carrier 3 can be used.
The ink receiving member 25 can be wiped by the ink receiving member wiper 58 while returning 0.

The ink jet printer has the same configuration and function as those of the previously proposed case (FIG. 18).
Nozzle heads 15C, 1 each having a large number of inkjet nozzles arranged in the main scanning direction (X direction in FIG. 13).
5M, 15Y, and 15K are supplied with the respective color inks, and the ink is ejected from the selected inkjet nozzles. The ink can be printed on a print medium (paper or the like) wound around the rotary drum 110 and fed in the feed (R) direction. Is formed.

In this embodiment, the nozzle head 15
It is formed from the above four colors (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) (15C, 15M, 15Y, 15K), and is capable of color printing on A4 paper at a high speed of 20 PPM, for example.

As in the case of the previous proposal (FIG. 18), the rotating drum 110 constituting the rotating body rotates at a high speed in the rotational direction (feeding direction) around the axis Z, that is, in the R direction (for example, 12
0 RPM). The outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum 110 forms a printing surface, and the printing medium (paper or the like) is wound and held on the printing surface by medium holding means (not shown) and rotates synchronously with the printing surface.

The lifting / lowering means 110 disposed on the upper right side of the main body case 100 (see FIG. 18)
The nozzle head unit 10 (nozzle heads 15C, 15) including a (stationary side) motor, a worm gear, a worm wheel, a rack member, and the like, and connected via a connecting member.
M, 15Y, 15K) are moved up and down between the ink receiving member wiping position RWP, the nozzle head wiping position NWP, the maintenance position MTP, and the printing position PRP shown in FIG. Positioning can be changed.

The maintenance means 20 shown in FIGS.
The rotary drum 11 is rotated by tilt rotation means (not shown).
An ink receiving member 25C partitioned by a partition wall 24 and a main body 21 which can be selectively rotated between an evacuation position shown in FIG. 8 and a maintenance position shown in FIG. , 25M, 25Y, 25K, the waste ink reservoir 27, etc., and each nozzle head 15C, 15 positioned at the maintenance position MTP shown in FIG.
At the time of maintenance (prevention of clogging) of M, 15Y, and 15K, ink is forcibly ejected from each of the nozzle heads 15C, 15M, 15Y, and 15K, and the waste ink tube 28 of FIG. (Not shown)
Discharge to

The ink receiving members 25C, 25M, 25Y,
The ink receiving members 25C, 25M, 25Y, 2K are wiped by a relatively large amount of ink adhering on the surface 25K with the ink receiving member wipers 58C, 58M, 58Y, 58K.
To enable efficient and smooth discharge on one side of the 5K main scanning direction, a large waste ink reservoir 27 is provided on the right side in FIG. 13 to which a waste ink tube 28 is connected. The left ink reservoir 27 is small.

Further, in this embodiment, the ink receiving members 25C, 25M, 25Y, 25K and each nozzle head 1
5C, 15M, 15Y, and 15K, and between the front end surfaces 16 (see FIG. 14) using the ink being discharged.
5 and 25, an ink fluidized layer is formed between each nozzle head 1
The paper dust adhering to each of the tip surfaces 16 of 5C, 15M, 15Y and 15K is formed so as to be removable. Also in this sense, it is necessary to reliably prevent the ink remaining in the ink receiving members 25C, 25M, 25Y, and 25K from solidifying. That is, wiping is important.

In FIG. 1, 26 is a waste ink escape hole, 22 is a bearing bracket of the lead screw 61, and 23 is a guide surface of the slider 34 on the wiper carrier 30 side.

Here, the wiper carrier 30 is slidably guided on the guide surface 23 integrated with the maintenance means 20 (main body 21) via a bracket 36 (slider 34) on the right side (front side) in FIG. It is slidably carried by a reciprocating mechanism 60 (such as a lead screw 61) via left side (depth side) brackets 36A and 36B (see FIG. 5).

As shown in FIG. 5, the reciprocating mechanism 60 is a mechanism for reciprocating the wiper carrier 30 constituting the wiping means in the main scanning direction. A pair of brackets 36A and 36B spaced apart from each other, and a pair of through holes 3 formed concentrically in the brackets 36A and 36B.
7A and 37B, and includes a lead screw 61 rotatably connected to a power source (including a motor or the like not shown) and a nut member 63 mounted between the brackets 36A and 36B. The load (load) of the carrier 30 is formed so as to be directly supported by the lead screw 61 side. That is, the outer peripheral surface of the lead screw has a load. The spacer 63 of the conventional example (FIGS. 19 and 20)
It is different from indirect loading via PB or the like.

The nut member 63 includes a lead screw 61
And an engagement groove 64 that can be engaged with the rotation preventing member 36L on the wiper carrier 30 side on the outer peripheral surface side. That is, the nut member 63 includes the engagement groove 64 and the rotation prevention member 3.
The rotation of the lead screw 61 along with the wiper carrier 30 causes the lead screw 61 to move in the longitudinal direction (main scanning direction) together with the wiper carrier 30.

The reciprocating mechanism 60 is assembled as follows. Referring to FIG. 5, nut member 63 is inserted between a pair of brackets 36A and 36B. At this time, the engaging groove 64 on the outer peripheral surface side of the nut member 63 is engaged with the detent member 36L, and the detent of the nut member 63 is established. After a while, each bracket 36A, 36B
The lead screw 61 is passed through a through hole (for example, 37B) on one side concentrically drilled and screwed to the nut member 63.

Then, the lead screw 61 is advanced while rotating, and penetrates the through hole 37A on the other side. Further, the leading and trailing ends of the lead screw 61 are supported by a pair of bearing brackets 22 in the main scanning direction shown in FIG.

Thus, the draft (63PH) is applied to the load screw (load) on the lead screw 61 side via the spacer 63PB shown in FIG. 19 (the spacers 63PB1 and 63PB2 shown in FIG. 20).
In this embodiment, the draft 63H can be made smaller and smaller as shown in FIG. 6, as compared with the conventional example in which the diameter is larger and the diameter is larger. It is possible to increase the lead pitch and to speed up wiping.

In other words, there is no need to increase the diameter of the nut member 63 due to the restriction of the draft angle and to adopt a structure that requires press-fitting of a spacer (63PB or the like) or pin-punching. The wiper carrier 30 can be reliably and stably reciprocated in the X1 direction (main scanning direction) shown in FIG. 15 and the X2 direction (main scanning direction) shown in FIG. The structure of the wiping means (30, etc.), the maintenance means 20, and thus the entire printer can be simplified and downsized.

Furthermore, the load on the wiper carrier 30 can be directly carried by the lead screw 61 during the forward movement and the backward movement of the wiper carrier 30, so that the press-fitting may be loosened depending on the load state at the time of wiping. The conventional problem that the spacer is dropped off can be eliminated.

As a whole, a nozzle head 15 having a large number of ink jet nozzles arranged in the main scanning direction
The nozzle head wipers C, 15M, 15Y, and 15K can be positioned at the nozzle head wiping position NWP shown in FIG. 16 in the up-down direction and the nozzle head wipers 30 can be reciprocated in the main scanning direction of the nozzle heads 15C, 15M, 15Y, and 15K. The holding members 40 are vertically movably mounted within a certain range, and springs 45, 45 for urging the nozzle head wiper holding members 40 upward are provided between the wiper carrier 30 and the nozzle head wiper holding members 40, Moreover, the nozzle head wipers 48C, 48M, 48Y, and 48K, which extend in the sub-scanning direction and are elastically deformable in the main scanning direction, are separated from the nozzle head wiper holding member 40 in the sub-scanning direction, and are spaced apart from the nozzle head side (the bottom surface of the unit base). 12 (guide rail 13)] and a pair of wiper contacts Angle adjustment roller (roller 44,
44), the wiper carrier 30 is moved in the main scanning direction, and the nozzle head wipers 48C, 48
The nozzle head is formed so as to be capable of wiping while keeping the contact angle of the M, 48Y, and 48K with the tip surface (head lower surface) 16 constant.

That is, the nozzle head wiper holding member 40 is held in a floating state by the wiper carrier 30 to secure the freedom in the up-down direction, and the rollers 44, 4
4 to the unit base lower surface 12 [nozzle head 1
Tip surface of 5C, 15M, 15Y, 15K (head lower surface)
16], the nozzle head wiper holding member 40 (nozzle head wipers 48C, 48M, 48Y, 48K) is urged upward by a spring 45 to thereby provide a nozzle head wiper 48C. , 48M, 48Y, and 48K are formed so as to be able to elastically deform so that the contact pressure with respect to the distal end surface 16 can be made constant. That is, the rollers 44, 44 function as wiper contact angle adjusting rollers.

The nozzle heads 15C, 15M, 15
After maintenance of Y and 15K is completed, the nozzle head 15
C, 15M, 15Y, 15K (Nozzle head unit 1
0) can be changed from the lower maintenance position MTP to the upper nozzle head wiping position NWP, and after the completion of the positioning change, the wiper carrier 30 is moved forward while the nozzle head wipers 48C, 48M, 48 are moved.
Nozzle heads 15C, 15M, 15Y, 1 at Y, 48K
Each of the 5K tip surfaces 16 is formed so as to be capable of wiping, and after the wiping of the nozzle heads 15C, 15M, 15Y, and 15K (16) is completed, the nozzle head 15 [10 (12)].
Can be changed from the lower nozzle head wiping position NWP to the upper ink receiving member wiping position RWP, and after the completion of the positioning change, the wiper carrier 30 is moved back while the ink receiving member wipers 58C, 5C are being moved.
8M, 58Y, 58K, ink receiving members 25C, 25
M, 25Y, and 25K are formed so that wiping is possible.

That is, the nozzle heads 15C, 15M, 1
The nozzle head wipers 48C, 48M, 48Y, 48 are used when the wiper carrier 30 moves forward by utilizing the vertical position change of the 5Y, 15K (nozzle head unit 10).
K is used to wipe the respective end surfaces 16 of the nozzle heads 15C, 15M, 15Y, 15K, and the ink receiving member wipers 58C, 58M, 58 when the wiper carrier 30 moves back.
Y, 58K, ink receiving members 25C, 25M, 25Y,
25K is wiped, and the load at the time of wiping can be greatly reduced.

More specifically, the nozzle head wiper holding mechanism (40, 41, 4) incorporated in the wiper carrier 30
4, 44, 45 etc.) are the nozzle heads 15C, 15M,
The nozzle head wipers 48C, 48M, 15Y and 15K (12) are positioned at the nozzle head wiping position NWP shown in FIGS. 11 and 14 and while the wiper carrier 30 is moving forward (moving in the X1 direction in FIG. 14). 48
Y and 48K are used for the nozzle heads 15C, 15M, 15Y,
15K can be held in contact with each tip surface 16.

However, the nozzle heads 15C, 15M, 1
5Y and 15K (12) are positioned at the ink receiving member wiping position RWP shown in FIGS. 9 and 16, and the wiper carrier 30 is moving backward (moving in the X2 direction in FIG. 17).
Include nozzle head wipers 48C, 48M, 48Y,
48K for each nozzle head 15C, 15M, 15Y, 15
K is formed so as to be held in a non-contact state on each end surface 16.

That is, the wiper carrier 30 is
As shown in FIG. 2, the box-shaped storage space 31 having a width W is provided. A pair of bosses 32, 32 are erected in the storage space 31, and a pair of position regulating members 33,
33 are provided in opposition. Also, the left bracket 3
6 (36A, 36B... See FIG. 5) have through holes 37A, 3A.
7B is provided, and the slider 34 is mounted on the right bracket 36.

On the front side of the wiper carrier 30, a pair of brackets 38, 38 with pins 39 are disposed opposite to each other in the left-right direction (sub-scanning direction).
A plurality of convex portions 35 forming a stopper portion between 8, 38
Is provided.

The nozzle head wiper holding member 40 has a width W1 shown in FIG. 3, and has a width W (W ≧ W1).
1 is mounted so as to be displaceable in the left-right direction and the up-down direction. Specifically, the long holes 41, 41 which are long in the vertical direction are fitted to the bosses 32, 32, and the position regulating pins (projections) 43, 43 provided in the front-rear direction (main scanning direction) and on the outside correspond. It is fitted in the position regulating members 33, 33.

Then, the nozzle head wiper holding member 4
0 is biased upward by springs (biasing means) 45 fitted to the bosses 32, 32, and the upper limit position is restrained by hooks 46, 46 on the wiper carrier 30 side shown in FIG. In addition, the self (nozzle head wiper holding member 4)
0) of a spring 45, via rollers 44, 44 rotatably mounted on roller shafts 42, 42 shown in FIG.
By applying a downward external force against the urging force of 45,
It can be lowered in the wiper carrier 30. That is, the rollers 44 function as nozzle head wiper lowering rollers.

Nozzle head 15 (unit base 11)
Is positioned above the nozzle head wiping position NWP, the nozzle head wiper holding member 40 can be engaged with the position regulating member 33 on the wiper carrier 30 side and positioned at the center of the wiper carrier 30 in the sub-scanning direction. Is formed.

That is, the nozzle head wiper holding member 4
The position regulation in the left-right direction of 0 is performed by the difference in diameter between the bosses 32, 32 and the elongated holes (stutter holes) 41, 41, that is, the position regulation pins 43.
And the lower wide groove 33SL of the position regulating member 33 shown in FIG.
Within the width of That is, the nozzle head wiper holding member 40 is held in a floating state in the sub-scanning direction.

However, when the wiper carrier 30 is at the home position shown in FIG. 13 and the nozzle head wiper holding member 40 is urged upward by the springs 45, 45 in FIG. 4 is pushed into the upper side narrow groove 33SS side of the position restricting member 33, so that the position restricting member 33 can be restricted (constrained) within a range narrower than the width of the wide groove 33SL.

That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the center of the wiper carrier 30 in the left-right direction (the center of the nozzle head 15..., The middle between the magenta color 15M and the yellow color 15Y), Center of nozzle head wiper 48... 48 for magenta color in FIG.
(Between M and 48Y for yellow). In this embodiment, by adjusting the mounting position of the projection 33U in FIG. 4 in the up-down direction, the center of alignment can be finely adjusted.

The technical meaning is that the wiper carrier 30
13 is moved from the home position of FIG. 13 to the first stop position of FIG. 14, and then the nozzle head unit 10 (15) is moved downward from the upper ink receiving member wiping position RWP shown in FIG. When the roller 44 is lowered to the position NWP, the right roller 44 shown in FIG. 11 is securely and accurately engaged with the downwardly directed triangular guide rail 13 provided on the lower surface 12 of the nozzle head unit 10 (unit base 11). That is.

That is, a downward triangular guide rail 13 extending in the main scanning direction is provided on one side (the right side in this embodiment) of the nozzle head 15 in the sub-scanning direction, and the nozzle head wiper holding member 40 is provided on the wiper carrier 30.
Is mounted so as to be displaceable within a certain range in the sub-scanning direction, and the wiper contact angle adjusting roller (roller 44) is positioned at the nozzle head wiping position NWP while the wiper carrier 30 is moving. Is formed so as to be capable of rolling engagement.
Thus, the wiper carrier 30 can be directly moved (reciprocated) accurately in the main scanning direction.

In this embodiment, the wiper carrier 30
The wiper carrier 30 can wait at a selected position (first stop position) in the main scanning direction so as to be able to follow a change in the assembly accuracy of the dies and the positioning accuracy at the first stop position (FIG. 14). And guide rail 1
3 is provided on the side of the selection position (first stop position) 3 where the leading end is wide and the base end is as narrow as the guide rail 13 as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the left roller 44 comes into contact with the flat unit base lower surface 12. That is, only one of the guide rails 13 is provided with a triangular guide rail 13. The guide rail 13 is parallel to the lead screw 61. A wide guide rail may be provided on the left side. If constructed as in the case of this embodiment, mechanical work is simple.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the nozzle head wiper holding members 40 have nozzle head wipers 48C, 48 for the respective colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black).
M, 48Y and 48K are attached using a wiper bracket 49 and screws. That is, the nozzle head wiper 48 is mounted on the upper side of the wiper carrier 30.

That is, the nozzle head wipers 48C, 48M, 48Y, 4 extending in the sub-scanning direction and elastically deformable in the main scanning direction are provided on the nozzle head wiper holding member 40.
8K and a pair of wiper contact angle adjusting rollers (rollers 44, 44) which are spaced apart in the sub-scanning direction and can be rolled and engaged on the nozzle head side [12 (13)]. The nozzle head wipers 48C, 48M, 48Y, 48K are moved in the scanning direction.
The nozzle heads 15C, 15M, 15Y, and 15K are formed so as to be capable of wiping while maintaining a constant contact angle with the tip surface 16 of the nozzle head.

On the other hand, the ink receiving member wiper 5
8C, 58M, 58Y and 58K are wiper carriers 3
0 is attached to the lower side. Specifically, it is attached using an ink receiving member wiper holding member 50, a wiper bracket 59, and screws.

Here, the ink receiving member wiper holding mechanism (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, etc.)
As shown in FIG. 15, the nozzle head 15 is positioned at the nozzle head wiping position NWP, and holds the ink receiving member wiper 58 in a non-contact state with the ink receiving member 25 while the wiper carrier 30 is moving forward (moving in the X1 direction). I do.

However, as shown in FIG. 17, when the nozzle head 15 is positioned at the ink receiving member wiping position RWP and the wiper carrier 30 is moving backward (moving in the X2 direction), the ink receiving member wiper 58 It is formed so that it can be held in contact with the member 25.

This ink receiving member wiper holding member 50
The pin holes 51, 51 on both sides are mounted on the both side pins 39, 39 of the wiper carrier 30 so as to be rotatable around the pins 39, 39. In addition, this rotation center (39, 3
9) a torsion spring (biasing means)
5 is attached. Further, a roller 54 (see FIGS. 9 and 12) is rotatably mounted on the link portion 53 projecting upward using a stud 52.

The link 53, the roller 54, and the torsion spring 55 may be provided on the left side in FIG.

The ink receiving member wipers 58 (58C, 5
8M, 58Y, 58K) are provided with an ink receiving member wiper holding member 50 using a wiper bracket 59 and a screw.
3 is attached to the front side.

Thus, the roller 5 shown in FIGS.
In a normal state where no external force is applied to the wiper 4, the ink receiving member wiper holding member 50 is urged to rotate clockwise about the pins 39, 39 and the overhang portion 56 of the wiper carrier 30 in FIG. Is held in the posture locked by the convex portion 35 forming the stopper portion shown in FIG. Thus, the ink receiving member wiper 58 (58
C, 58M, 58Y, 58K) to the ink receiving member 25.
(25C, 25M, 25Y, 25K).

When an external force is applied to the roller 54, that is, when the roller 54 is pushed down by the nozzle head unit 10 (the unit base lower surface 12) (see FIG. 14), the urging force of the torsion spring 55 is resisted. By rotating in the direction opposite to the clockwise direction, the ink receiving member wipers 58 (58C, 58M, 58Y, 58K) can be held in a non-contact state from the ink receiving members 25 (25C, 25M, 25Y, 25K). . The roller 54 is
Acts as a state switch roller.

In the embodiment having such a configuration, the nozzle unit 10 (nozzle head 15), more specifically, the lower surface 12 of the unit base 11, is positioned at the ink receiving member wiping position RWP shown in FIG. 9 (this position may be higher than this position RWP). In this state, the tilt rotation unit is driven to position the maintenance unit 20 from the retracted position shown in FIG. 8 to the maintenance position shown in FIG.

At this time, the wiper carrier 30 is
In the main scanning direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 13) shown in FIG. 13, the nozzle unit 10 (nozzle head 15) is in a state of waiting at a home position away from the nozzle unit 10 to the right.

Next, the elevation unit 111 (see FIG. 18) is driven to position the nozzle unit 10 (nozzle head 15) at the maintenance position MTP shown in FIGS. 10 and 13.

Then, each of the nozzle heads 15C, 15M,
The maintenance is performed by forcibly ejecting each color ink from 15Y and 15K. The ejected ink is applied to the partition wall 24 shown in FIGS.
Ink receiving members 25C, 25M, 25Y,
It can be received at 25K. These inks fall down through the respective waste ink escape holes 26, and the right side of the waste ink reservoir 2
7, and is discharged from the waste ink tube 28 to, for example, a waste ink bottle (not shown).

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 13, nozzle head wiper holding mechanism (40, 41, 44, 44, 45, etc.)
Works as follows: The nozzle head wiper holding member 40 is urged by springs 45, and its vertical position is regulated by hooks 46, 46 on the wiper carrier 30 side.

The nozzle head wiper holding member 40
As shown in FIG. 4, the position regulating pin 43 is pushed into the narrow groove 33SS on the upper side of the position regulating member 33, so that the relative position of the wiper carrier 30 and the sub-scanning direction is kept constant. The nozzle head wiper 48 is in an upright state.

On the other hand, the ink receiving member wiper holding mechanisms (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, etc.)
It works as follows. Ink receiving member Wiper holding member 5
Reference numeral 0 denotes a state in which the torsion spring 55 is urged to rotate in the clockwise direction (clockwise direction) in FIG. 13 and the projection 56 forming the stopper is locked to the projection 35 on the wiper carrier 30 side. I have. Therefore, the ink receiving member wiper 58 is in a vertical state.

Here, the nozzle head 15 (10) is shown in FIG.
After changing the position to the ink receiving member wiping position RWP on the upper side shown in, the wiping means (30, 40, 5)
0), the wiper carrier 30 is moved from the home position shown in FIGS. 1 and 13 to the first stop position shown in FIG. 14 in the X1 direction and stopped.

Thereafter, the nozzle head 15 (10) is moved from the ink receiving member wiping position RWP of FIG.
Is lowered to the nozzle head wiping position NWP shown in FIG. During this lowering, the rollers 44, 44 shown in FIG.
Is pushed below the unit base lower surface 12. Therefore, the nozzle head wiper holding member 40 sinks downward against the urging force of the springs 45, 45.

When the nozzle head 15 (10) further descends, the right roller 44 in FIG. 12 engages with the introduction guide portion (wide portion) 14 of the guide rail 13 as shown in FIG. When the nozzle further moves down, the position regulating pin 43 moves to the wide groove 33SL on the lower side of the position regulating member 33, so that the nozzle head wiper holding member 40 is moved with respect to the wiper carrier 30 and in the sub-scanning direction (the horizontal direction in FIG. ) Causes a floating state. In addition, each nozzle head wiper 15 remains in an upright state.

On the other hand, when the roller 54 is pushed downward on the unit base surface 12 as shown in FIG. 14, the ink receiving member wiper holding member 50
14 counterclockwise in FIG. That is, the stopper portions (56, 35) are released. Therefore, the ink receiving member wiper 58 is inclined and is kept in a non-contact state with the ink receiving member 25.

Here, the lead screw 61 of the reciprocating mechanism 60 shown in FIG.
0 is moved forward from the first stop position in FIG. 14 in the main scanning direction (X1 direction) as shown in FIG. The roller 44 on the right side of FIG. 12 is rollingly engaged with the narrow downward guide rail 13 from the wide introduction guide portion 14 as shown in FIG. Since the nozzle head wiper holding member 40 is in a floating state in the sub-scanning direction, the nozzle head wiper holding member 40 can smoothly engage and roll.

The roller 44 on the left side in FIG. 14 is a flat unit base 1 as shown in FIGS.
2 is in rolling engagement.

Thus, each nozzle head wiper 48
As shown in FIG. 11, C, 48M, 48Y, and 48K come into contact with the tip surfaces 16 of the nozzle heads 18C, 18M, 18Y, and 18K.

Further, the distance (gap) between each end face 16 (specifically, the lower surface 12 of the unit base) and the wiper carrier 30 is held constant by rollers 44, 44 and is held via the nozzle head wiper holding member 40. And the nozzle head wipers 48C, 48M, 48Y, 4
Since 8K is elastically deformable in the main scanning direction, the respective nozzle head wipers 48C, 48M, 48Y, 48K can be brought into contact with the respective front end surfaces 16 at a constant inclination angle and a constant pressure. Therefore, uniform and stable wiping can be performed without unevenness (variation) in the main scanning direction.

Further, wiping in the sub-scanning direction can be performed uniformly and stably without unevenness (variation) since one (right) roller 44 is rollingly engaged with the guide rail 13. Nozzle heads 15C, 15M, 15Y, 1
The ink wiped from the 5K (each end face 16) is the lower ink receiving member 25C, 25M, 25Y, 25K.
fall into.

During the wiping operation, the ink receiving member wipers 58C, 58M, 58Y, and 58K are in a non-contact state with the ink receiving members 25C, 25M, 25Y, and 25K. 60 can be reduced in size.

Thus, the wiper carrier 30 is shown in FIG.
When reaching the second stop position shown in FIG. 16, the nozzle head unit 10 (nozzle head 15) is moved from the nozzle head wiping position NWP to the ink receiving member wiping position R.
Change the positioning to WP.

Then, since both rollers 44, 44 are separated from the unit base lower surfaces 12, 12, (13), the respective nozzle head wipers 48C, 48M, 48Y, 48K stand up as in the case of FIG.

Here, since the roller 58 is released from the lower surface 12 of the unit base, the ink receiving member wiper holding member 50 is urged by the torsion spring 55 and rotates clockwise in FIG. Stopper part (56, 35)
Works, and the respective ink receiving member wipers 58C, 58M, 5
8Y and 58K are held in a vertical state.

In this state, the reciprocating mechanism 60 is operated in reverse to move the wiper carrier 30 back in the main scanning direction (X2 direction) as shown in FIG. Each of the ink receiving member wipers 58C, 58M, 58Y, and 58K is elastically deformable, and thus is inclined and deformed in the main scanning direction.

That is, each ink receiving member wiper 58
C, 58M, 58Y, 58K to the respective ink receiving members 2
5C, 25M, 25Y, and 25K can be contacted at a constant inclination angle and at a constant pressure using the urging force of the torsion spring 55. Therefore, uniform and stable wiping can be performed without unevenness (variation) in the main scanning direction.

In particular, each of the ink receiving members 25C, 25M,
Since a relatively large amount of adhered ink on 25Y and 25K can be scraped into one side in the main scanning direction, that is, the waste ink reservoir 27 on the right side to which the waste ink tube 28 is connected in FIG. Can be performed reliably and easily, and the structure is simple.

During the wiping operation, since the nozzle head wipers 48C, 48M, 48Y, 48K are not in contact with the respective nozzle heads 15C, 15M, 15Y, 15K, the wiping load can be reduced by half and the reciprocating mechanism 60 can be moved. From this point, the size can be reduced.

When the wiper carrier 30 reaches the home position shown in FIG. 13, the maintenance means 20 is rotated from the state shown in FIG. 9 to return to the retracted position shown in FIG. Thereafter, the elevation unit 111 is operated to position the nozzle head unit 10 (15) from the ink receiving member wiping position RWP in FIG. 9 to the printing position PRP shown in FIG. Thus, printing can be resumed.

Thus, according to this embodiment, the nozzle head 15 is formed so as to be selectively positionable at the ink receiving member wiping position RWP, the nozzle head wiping position NWP, and the maintenance position MTP which are different in the vertical direction, and is located at the maintenance position. Ink is forcibly ejected from the positioned upper nozzle head 15 toward the lower ink receiving member 25 so that the nozzle head can be maintained, and after the maintenance is completed, the nozzle head 15 is moved from the maintenance position NWP to the nozzle head wiping position. After the positioning is changed to RWP, the nozzle head is formed so as to be able to be wiped by the nozzle head wiper 48 while moving the wiper carrier 30 forward, and after the wiping of the nozzle head 15 is completed, the nozzle head 15 is moved to the nozzle head wiping position. After the positioning is changed from NWP to the ink receiving member wiping position RWP, the ink receiving member 25 can be wiped by the ink receiving member wiper 58 while moving the wiper carrier 30 backward, so that the load at the time of wiping can be greatly reduced. Accordingly, the size and weight of the lead screw 61 and the like can be reduced, and the lead angle of the lead screw 61 can be increased, so that wiping can be performed at high speed.

Further, the nozzle head wiper 48 and the ink receiving member wiper 58 are mounted on the wiper carrier 30 which can reciprocate in the main scanning direction, and the nozzle head wiper 48 is moved to the nozzle head 15 (16) during the forward movement of the wiper carrier 30. The ink receiving member wiper 58 is formed so as to be contactable and non-contacting with the ink receiving member 25,
During the backward movement of the wiper carrier 30, the nozzle head wiper 48 is formed so as not to contact the nozzle head 15 (16), and the ink receiving member wiper 58 is contactable to the ink receiving member 25. Since the ink receiving member 25 is formed so that the head 15 (16) can be wiped and the ink receiving member 25 can be wiped during the backward movement, uniform and reliable wiping can be performed without leaving any wiping while reducing the load at the time of wiping. Since a relatively large amount of ink on the member 25 can be raked to one side in the main scanning direction, waste ink can be smoothly collected, and the size and cost can be reduced.

Further, the nozzle head wiper holding mechanism can hold the nozzle head wiper 48 in contact with the nozzle head 15 (16) during the forward movement of the wiper carrier 30, and does not contact the nozzle head 15 (16) during the backward movement. The ink receiving member wiper holding mechanism is configured to be able to hold the ink receiving member wiper 58 in a non-contact state with the ink receiving member 25 during the forward movement of the wiper carrier 30 and to hold the ink receiving member wiper 58 during the backward movement. Since the nozzle head 15 is formed so as to be held in contact with the nozzle head 15, the structure is simple.
(16) Adjustment of the relative position with respect to the ink receiving member 25 can be easily performed.

Further, the nozzle head wiper holding mechanism comprises a nozzle head wiper holding member 40 and a spring 45.
And a nozzle head wiper lowering roller (44), which can maintain a constant vertical gap between the nozzle head 15 (16) and the nozzle head wiper holding member 40, and presses the nozzle head wiper 48 at a predetermined pressure. Since the nozzle head 15 is formed so as to be in contact with the nozzle head 15, the wiping can be performed more uniformly over the entire area of the nozzle head 15 in the main scanning direction.

Further, the nozzle head wiper holding member 4
0 is displaceably mounted on the wiper carrier 30 within a certain range in the sub-scanning direction, and the nozzle head wiper lowering roller (44) can roll and engage with the triangular guide rail 13 during forward movement of the wiper carrier 30. As a result, the wiping can be performed more uniformly over the entire area of the nozzle head 15 in the sub-scanning direction.

Further, when the nozzle head 15 (12) is above the nozzle head wiping position NWP and the nozzle head wiper holding member 40 is pushed upward by the urging force of the spring 45, the position regulating pin 4
3 is formed in the upper narrow groove 33SS of the position regulating member 33 so as to be positioned so that the center of the nozzle head wiper holding member 40 can be positioned at the center of the wiper carrier 30 in the sub-scanning direction. Carrier 3
The relative position in the sub-scanning direction between 0 and the nozzle head wiper holding member 40 can be held constant with the center as the center. Therefore, each nozzle head 15 (16) and each ink receiving member 25 can be wiped without leaving any wiping, and the nozzle head wiper lowering roller (44) is attached to the triangular guide rail 13 on the nozzle head 15 (10) side. Rolling engagement can be more easily and reliably performed.

Further, the ink receiving member wiper holding mechanism includes an ink receiving member wiper holding member 50, a torsion spring 55, stopper portions (35, 56), and a state switching roller (54). Since the ink receiving member 58 is formed so as to be able to contact the ink receiving member 25 at a predetermined pressure, the ink adhered on the ink receiving member 25 can be efficiently wiped.

Further, a nozzle head wiper 48 which extends in the sub-scanning direction and is elastically deformable in the main scanning direction, is spaced apart from the nozzle head wiper holding member 40 in the sub-scanning direction, and is in rolling contact with the nozzle head lower surface 16. And a pair of wiper contact angle adjusting rollers (44, 44) capable of moving the wiper carrier 30 in the main scanning direction and maintaining a constant contact angle of the nozzle head wiper 48 with the lower surface of the nozzle head. Therefore, the ink adhering to the nozzle head 15 can be uniformly and reliably wiped without variation in the main scanning direction and no remaining wiping.

Further, the nozzle head wiper holding member 40 is mounted on the wiper carrier 30 so as to be displaceable within a certain range in the sub-scanning direction, and the wiper contact angle adjusting rollers (44, 4) are moved during movement of the wiper carrier.
4) a triangular guide rail 13 on the nozzle head side positioned at the nozzle head wiping position NWP
Since it is formed so as to be capable of rolling engagement, there is no variation in the sub-scanning direction and no ink remains.

Further, the wiper carrier 30 is formed so as to be able to stand by at a selected position in the main scanning direction, and the leading end is wide and the base end is the same narrow as the guide rail on the selected position side of the guide rail 13. Introduction guide part 14
Is provided, the wiper carrier 30 can be accurately and linearly moved along the guide rail 13, so that the wiping in the sub-scanning direction can be further reduced and the remaining ink can be wiped out.

Further, on condition that the nozzle head 15 is located above the nozzle head wiping position NWP, the nozzle head wiper holding member 40 is engaged with the position regulating member 33 on the wiper carrier 30 side and the wiper in the sub-scanning direction. Since it is formed so as to be positionable at the center of the carrier 30, the wiper contact angle adjusting rollers (44, 44) can be accurately engaged with the guide rail 13 only by positioning the nozzle head 15 at the nozzle head wiper position NWP.

Further, the reciprocating mechanism includes a pair of brackets 36A, 36B and a pair of through holes 37A, 37B.
And a lead screw 6 rotatably connected to a power source
1 and a nut member 63 having an engagement groove 64 which can be screwed to the lead screw between both brackets and which can engage with the rotation preventing member 36L on the wiper carrier 50 side on the outer peripheral surface side.
Is formed so that the load (load) of the wiper carrier 30 can be directly carried on the lead screw 61 side.
This eliminates the conventional problem of spacers falling off. Therefore, the lead screw 61 and the nut member 6
Stable wiping can be guaranteed while reducing the load of 3,
In addition, since the lead of the lead screw 61 can be enlarged, the speed of wiping can be increased, and the structure and simplification of the wiping unit, the maintenance unit 20 and the entire printer can be simplified.

[0103]

According to the present invention, the nozzle head is formed so that it can be selectively positioned at the ink receiving member wiping position, the nozzle head wiping position, and the maintenance position which are different in the vertical direction, and the upper nozzle positioned at the maintenance position. The ink is forcibly ejected from the head toward the lower ink receiving member to form the nozzle head so that maintenance is possible, and after the maintenance of the nozzle head is completed, the nozzle head is moved from the maintenance position to the nozzle head wiping position, and then the wiper carrier is moved. The nozzle head can be wiped with the nozzle head wiper while moving forward, and after the nozzle head wiping is completed, the nozzle head is moved from the nozzle head wiping position to the ink receiving member wiping position and then wiped. The ink-jet printer is formed so that the ink receiving member can be wiped by the ink receiving member wiper while moving the rear, so that the load during wiping can be greatly reduced. Since the lead angle of the screw can be increased, the speed of wiping can be increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view illustrating a maintenance unit and a wiper carrier located at a home position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view for explaining a maintenance unit and a wiper carrier located at a second stop position.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a relationship among a wiper carrier, a nozzle head wiper holding member, and an ink receiving member wiper holding member.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a position regulating member.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the reciprocating mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining the reciprocating mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state in which the nozzle head unit is positioned at the nozzle head wiping position.

FIG. 8 is a front view for explaining a state in which the nozzle head unit is positioned at a printing position.

FIG. 9 is a front view for explaining a state in which the nozzle head unit is positioned at the ink receiving member wiping position.

FIG. 10 is a front view for explaining a state in which the nozzle head unit is positioned at the maintenance position.

FIG. 11 is a front view for explaining a state in which the nozzle head unit is positioned at the nozzle head wiping position.

FIG. 12 is a front view for explaining the positioning state of the wiper carrier in the left-right direction and the up-down direction when the nozzle head unit is positioned at the nozzle head wiping position.

FIG. 13 is a side view for explaining a state in which the wiper carrier is located at a home position.

FIG. 14 is a side view for explaining a state in which the nozzle unit is positioned at the nozzle head wiping position after the wiper carrier is stopped at the first stop position.

FIG. 15 is a side view for explaining a wiping operation of the nozzle head during the forward movement of the wiper carrier.

FIG. 16 is a side view illustrating a state where the nozzle unit is positioned at the ink receiving member wiping position after the wiper carrier is stopped at the second stop position.

FIG. 17 is a side view for explaining the wiping operation of the ink receiving member during the return movement of the wiper carrier.

FIG. 18 is a front view for explaining a previously proposed inkjet printer.

FIG. 19 is a view for explaining a conventional reciprocating mechanism (1).

FIG. 20 is a view for explaining a conventional reciprocating mechanism (2).

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 nozzle unit 11 unit base 12 unit base lower surface 15C, 15M, 15Y, 15K nozzle head 16 tip surface (head lower surface) 20 maintenance means 25 ink receiving member 30 wiper carrier 33 position regulating member 40 nozzle head wiper holding member 43 position Control pin 44 Roller 45 Spring 48 Nozzle head wiper 50 Ink receiving member Wiper holding member 54 Roller 55 Torsion spring 58 Ink receiving member wiper 60 Reciprocating movement mechanism 61 Lead screw 63 Nut member 100 Body case 110 Rotary drum 111 Lifting / lowering means MTP Maintenance position RWP Ink receiving member wiping position NWP nozzle head wiping position PTP printing position

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A nozzle head having a large number of ink jet nozzles arranged and arranged in the main scanning direction is formed so as to be selectively positionable in different ink receiving member wiping positions, nozzle head wiping positions and maintenance positions in a vertical direction. The nozzle head wiper is attached to the upper side of the wiper carrier that can reciprocate in the main scanning direction of the nozzle head, and the ink receiving member wiper is attached to the lower side. The ink from the upper nozzle head positioned at the maintenance position to the lower ink The nozzle head is formed to be maintainable by forcibly ejecting ink toward the receiving member, and after the maintenance of the nozzle head is completed, the nozzle head can be repositioned from the lower maintenance position to the upper nozzle head wiping position. Rank After the setting change, the nozzle head is formed so that the nozzle head can be wiped with the nozzle head wiper while moving the wiper carrier forward, and after the nozzle head wiping is completed, the nozzle head is moved from the lower nozzle head wiping position to the upper ink receiving member wiping position. An ink jet printer in which the position of the ink receiving member can be changed and the ink receiving member can be wiped by the ink receiving member wiper while the wiper carrier is moved back after the completion of the positioning change.