# US 8,770,712 B2 · Droplet ejection apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,770,712 B2 - Document ID: US8770712B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/221,339 - Filed: 2011-08-30 - Published: 2012-03-01 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2010-08-31 - Assignees: FUJIFILM Corporation - Applicants: Hiroshi Inoue - Inventors: Hiroshi Inoue - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770712B2 ## CPC - B41J 2/16585: {for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads} - B41J 2/16535: {using wiping constructions (B41J2/16552 takes precedence)} - B41J 2002/1655: {with wiping surface parallel with nozzle plate and mounted on reels, e.g. cleaning ribbon cassettes} - B41J 2025/008: {comprising a plurality of print heads placed around a drum} - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS ## Abstract A droplet ejection apparatus includes: a droplet ejection head having a nozzle surface in which a nozzle aperture is formed; and a wiping device which wipes the nozzle surface of the droplet ejection head by moving relatively to the droplet ejection head. The wiping device includes: a wiping device main body which moves relatively to the droplet ejection head; a drive source which is arranged on the wiping device main body; and wiping units configured to be interchangeably installed on the wiping device main body. The wiping units respectively have wiping members configured to be pressed against the nozzle surface to perform respectively different wiping operations to the nozzle surface. When each of the wiping units is installed on the wiping device main body, a corresponding one of the wiping members receives drive force from the drive source to perform a corresponding one of the wiping operations to the nozzle surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A droplet ejection apparatus, comprising: a droplet ejection head having a nozzle surface in which a nozzle aperture is formed, the droplet ejection head ejecting droplets through the nozzle aperture; and a wiping device which wipes the nozzle surface of the droplet ejection head by moving relatively with respect to the droplet ejection head, wherein the wiping device includes: a wiping device main body which moves relatively with respect to the droplet ejection head; a drive source which is arranged on the wiping device main body; and a plurality of wiping units configured to be interchangeably installed on the wiping device main body, the wiping units respectively having wiping members configured to be pressed against the nozzle surface to perform respectively different wiping operations to the nozzle surface, the wiping units respectively having driving mechanisms configured to drive the wiping members, wherein: the drive source includes a motor; when each of the wiping units is installed on the wiping device main body, a corresponding one of the driving mechanisms of the wiping members receives obtains rotational drive force from the motor of the drive source to perform a corresponding one of the wiping operations to the nozzle surface; and one of the wiping units includes a wiping pad which serves as the wiping member and is configured to rotate on an axis perpendicular to the nozzle surface, and the one of the wiping units wipes the nozzle surface by causing the wiping pad to rotate by the rotational drive force obtained from the motor, while pressing the rotating wiping pad against the nozzle surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The droplet ejection apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein one of the wiping units includes: a band-shaped wiping web which serves as the wiping member; and a pair of reels between which the wiping web travels, wherein the one of the wiping units wipes the nozzle surface by causing the wiping web to travel by rotating at least one of the reels by the rotational drive force obtained from the motor, while pressing the travelling wiping web against the nozzle surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The droplet ejection apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the wiping pad is arranged so as to be advanceable and retractable with respect to the nozzle surface, and is impelled toward the nozzle surface by an impelling device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The droplet ejection apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the wiping pad is replaceable. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The droplet ejection apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein one of the wiping units includes a wiping pad which serves as the wiping member and reciprocally moves, and the one of the wiping units wipes the nozzle surface by causing the wiping pad to perform reciprocal movement by converting the rotational drive force obtained from the motor into the reciprocal movement, while pressing the reciprocally moving wiping pad against the nozzle surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The droplet ejection apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the wiping pad is arranged so as to be advanceable and retractable with respect to the nozzle surface, and is impelled toward the nozzle surface by an impelling device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The droplet ejection apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the wiping pad is replaceable. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The droplet ejection apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the wiping units is installed detachably by being inserted vertically into a recessed installation section arranged in the wiping device main body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The droplet ejection apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the droplet ejection head is arranged such that the nozzle surface thereof is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane. ### Claim 10 A droplet ejection apparatus comprising: a droplet ejection head having a nozzle surface in which a nozzle aperture is formed, the droplet ejection head ejecting droplets through the nozzle aperture; and a wiping device which wipes the nozzle surface of the droplet ejection head by moving relatively with respect to the droplet ejection head, wherein the wiping device includes: a wiping device main body which moves relatively with respect to the droplet ejection head; a drive source which is arranged on the wiping device main body; and a plurality of wiping units configured to be interchangeably installed on the wiping device main body, the wiping units respectively having wiping members configured to be pressed against the nozzle surface to perform respectively different wiping operations to the nozzle surface, the wiping units respectively having driving mechanisms configured to drive the wiping members, wherein: when each of the wiping units is installed on the wiping device main body, a corresponding one of the driving mechanisms of the wiping members receives drive force from the drive source to perform a corresponding one of the wiping operations to the nozzle surface; the wiping units respectively have cases in which the respective driving mechanisms are contained; and the cases of the wiping units are configured to be detachably installed on the wiping device main body. ### Claim 11 A droplet ejection apparatus comprising: a droplet ejection head having a nozzle surface in which a nozzle aperture is fouled, the droplet ejection head ejecting droplets through the nozzle aperture; and a wiping device which wipes the nozzle surface of the droplet ejection head by moving relatively with respect to the droplet ejection head, wherein the wiping device includes: a wiping device main body which moves relatively with respect to the droplet ejection head; a drive source which is arranged on the wiping device main body; and a plurality of wiping units configured to be interchangeably installed on the wiping device main body, the wiping units respectively having wiping members configured to be pressed against the nozzle surface to perform respectively different wiping operations to the nozzle surface the wiping units respectively having driving mechanisms configured to drive the wiping members, wherein: the drive source includes a motor; when each of the wiping units is installed on the wiping device main body, a corresponding one of the driving mechanisms of the wiping members obtains rotational drive force from the motor of the drive source to perform a corresponding one of the wiping operations to the nozzle surface; each of the wiping units is installed detachably by being inserted vertically into a recessed installation section arranged in the wiping device main body; the wiping units respectively have cases in which the respective driving mechanisms are contained; and the cases of the wiping units are configured to be detachably installed on the wiping device main body.