Patent Application
20240246347
The present application is based on, and claims priority from JP Application Serial Number 2023-006946, filed Jan. 20, 2023, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
The present disclosure relates to a printing device.
For example, JP-A-2014-156062 discloses a printing device that performs printing on a medium such as a T-shirt. In such a printing device, by placing the medium on a support surface of a medium support unit outside a housing and then moving the medium support unit on which the medium is placed in a horizontal direction, the medium can be moved from the outside of the housing to an inside of the housing. Thus, it is possible to perform printing on the medium moved from the outside of the housing to the inside of the housing after the medium has been placed on the support surface outside the housing.
However, in such a printing device, the medium support unit has to be moved to the outside of the housing at the time of placing the medium, which results in an increase in a size of the printing device. In addition, although it is conceivable to place the medium on the support surface of the medium support unit inside the housing, there is a risk that the medium may be contaminated with a liquid when the medium is placed on the support surface.
A printing device for solving the above problems includes: a medium support unit including a support surface configured to support at least a printing region of a medium; a medium accommodating unit configured to accommodate a region of the medium not supported by the support surface; a head configured to discharge a liquid onto the medium supported by the support surface; a first head moving unit configured to move the head in a first direction parallel to the support surface; a second head moving unit configured to move the head in a second direction that is parallel to the support surface and intersects the first direction; a maintenance unit that is disposed at a position in the first direction of the medium support unit, at which the maintenance unit is configured to face the head in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and performs maintenance of the head; and a maintenance cover configured to cover a side of the maintenance unit in the third direction configured to face the head in the maintenance unit.
An embodiment of a printing device will be described below. In the following description, a direction intersecting (for example, orthogonal to) a vertical direction Z is referred to as a width direction X, and a direction intersecting the vertical direction Z and the width direction X is referred to as a front to rear direction Y. One side in the width direction X is referred to as a first width direction X1, and the other side in the width direction X is referred to as a second width direction X2. One side in the front to rear direction Y is referred to as a front side Y1, and the other side in the front to rear direction Y is referred to as a rear side Y2. The upper side in the vertical direction Z is referred to as an upper side Z1, and the lower side in the vertical direction Z is referred to as a lower side Z2. The width direction X corresponds to an example of a first direction. The front to rear direction Y corresponds to an example of a second direction. The vertical direction Z corresponds to an example of a third direction.
As showing in
The printing device 10 includes a housing 11. The housing 11 may be rectangular. The housing 11 includes a front surface 12 facing the front side Y1. The housing 11 includes a back surface 13 facing the rear side Y2. The housing 11 includes a left side surface 14 facing in the second width direction X2. The housing 11 includes a right side surface 15 facing in the first width direction X1. The housing 11 includes a top surface 16 facing the upper side Z1. The housing 11 includes a bottom surface 17 facing the lower side Z2.
The housing 11 is configured to accommodate various members included in the printing device 10. In particular, the housing 11 accommodates a medium support unit 28, a liquid supply unit 31, a printing unit 32, and a maintenance unit 40, which will be described later.
The housing 11 includes a housing frame 18. The housing frame 18 forms an exterior of the housing 11. The housing frame 18 includes an opening portion 19. That is, the housing 11 includes the opening portion 19. The opening portion 19 is configured to expose the various members accommodated in the housing 11. In particular, the opening portion 19 is configured to expose a support surface 29 of the medium support unit 28, which will be described later.
The opening portion 19 includes a first opening portion 20 and a second opening portion 21. The first opening portion 20 is provided at the top surface 16. The second opening portion 21 is provided at the front surface 12. The first opening portion 20 and the second opening portion 21 are provided to be continuous with each other. That is, the opening portion 19 is provided across the top surface 16 and the front surface 12.
The housing 11 includes an opening and closing cover 22. The opening and closing cover 22 can open and close the opening portion 19. The opening and closing cover 22 may be made of a sheet metal to ensure rigidity. The opening and closing cover 22 includes a first opening and closing cover 23. The first opening and closing cover 23 has a flat plate shape. The first opening and closing cover 23 can open and close the first opening portion 20.
The opening and closing cover 22 includes a second opening and closing cover 24. The second opening and closing cover 24 has a flat plate shape. The second opening and closing cover 24 can open and close the second opening portion 21. The second opening and closing cover 24 includes a grip unit 25. The grip unit 25 can be gripped by the user.
The printing device 10 includes a display unit 26 and an operation unit 27. The display unit 26 is configured to display information. The operation unit 27 is configured to be operable by the user. The display unit 26 and the operation unit 27 may be integrally configured as a touch panel, or may be separately configured. The display unit 26 and the operation unit 27 are provided on the top surface 16, but are not limited thereto.
The printing device 10 includes the medium support unit 28. The medium support unit 28 is configured to support the medium. The medium support unit 28 includes the support surface 29. The support surface 29 is a surface facing the upper side Z1. The support surface 29 is configured to support the medium. In particular, the support surface 29 is a surface that supports at least a printing region of the medium.
The medium support unit 28 is configured not to move in the horizontal direction parallel to the support surface 29. That is, the support surface 29 is configured not to move in the horizontal direction. The medium support unit 28 can adjust a position of the support surface 29 in the vertical direction Z.
The printing device 10 includes a medium accommodating unit 30. The medium accommodating unit 30 is accommodated in the housing 11. The medium accommodating unit 30 is provided in at least the width direction X of the support surface 29, and may also be provided in the front to rear direction Y. When a partial region of the medium is supported by the support surface 29, the medium accommodating unit 30 can accommodate a partial region of the medium that is not supported by the support surface 29.
The printing device 10 includes the liquid supply unit 31. The liquid supply unit 31 is provided on a side in the second width direction X2 from the medium support unit 28 and the medium accommodating unit 30. The liquid supply unit 31 may be provided along an inner wall surface of the left side surface 14. The liquid supply unit 31 is configured to contain the liquid and to supply the contained liquid to a head 33, which will be described later. The liquid supply unit 31 may be of a removable cartridge type, or may be of a tank type that can be replenished with liquid. A top surface of the liquid supply unit 31 may be a flat surface.
The printing device 10 includes the printing unit 32. The printing unit 32 is configured to perform printing on the medium. In particular, the printing unit 32 is configured to perform printing on the medium supported by the support surface 29.
The printing unit 32 includes the head 33. The head 33 can discharge the liquid onto the medium supported by the support surface 29. The head 33 includes a plurality of nozzles (not shown) that can discharge liquids. The head 33 includes a nozzle surface (not shown) on which the plurality of nozzles are open. The nozzle surface is a surface facing the lower side Z2.
The printing unit 32 includes a carriage 34. The carriage 34 is configured to support the head 33. The head 33 is configured as a serial type. In the serial type, printing is performed while the head 33 moves in the width direction X.
The printing unit 32 includes a head moving unit 35. The head moving unit 35 is configured to move the carriage 34. That is, the head moving unit 35 is configured to move the head 33. The head moving unit 35 is configured to move the head 33 in the horizontal direction. Specifically, the head moving unit 35 is configured to move the head 33 in the width direction X and the front to rear direction Y.
The head moving unit 35 includes a first head moving unit 36. The first head moving unit 36 is configured to move the carriage 34 in the width direction X. That is, the first head moving unit 36 is configured to move the head 33 in the width direction X parallel to the support surface 29.
The first head moving unit 36 includes a first guide unit 37. The first guide unit 37 is configured to extend in the width direction X across the support surface 29. The first guide unit 37 guides the carriage 34 to be movable in the width direction X.
The head moving unit 35 includes a second head moving unit 38. The second head moving unit 38 is configured to support the first head moving unit 36. The second head moving unit 38 is configured to move the first head moving unit 36 in the front to rear direction Y. That is, the second head moving unit 38 is configured to move the head 33 in the front to rear direction Y parallel to the support surface 29.
The second head moving unit 38 includes a pair of second guide units 39. The pair of second guide units 39 are provided in the first width direction X1 and the second width direction X2 of the medium support unit 28, with the medium support unit 28 interposed therebetween. Each of the pair of second guide units 39 is configured to extend in the front to rear direction Y.
In this manner, the head moving unit 35 carries the head 33 and is movable in the horizontal direction across the medium support unit 28. The head moving unit 35 is configured in a gate shape in a front view. The head moving unit 35 is able to move the head 33 within a movement range. The movement range of the head 33 includes a facing position and a retracted position. The facing position is a position at which the nozzle surface of the head 33 faces the support surface 29. The retracted position is a position at which the nozzle surface of the head 33 does not face the support surface 29. The retracted positions include a standby position. The standby position is a position at which the head 33 is disposed when printing is not being performed. The standby position may be located, within the movement range, on a side in the first width direction X1 and on the rear side Y2. Further, the retracted position includes a maintenance position. The maintenance position is a position at which the nozzle surface of the head 33 faces the maintenance unit 40, which will be described later. That is, the movement range of the head 33 includes the maintenance position.
The printing device 10 includes the maintenance unit 40. The maintenance unit 40 is provided on a side in the first width direction X1 from the medium support unit 28 and the medium accommodating unit 30. The maintenance unit 40 is configured to extend in the front to rear direction Y. The maintenance unit 40 is disposed at a position at which it does not overlap the medium support unit 28 and the medium accommodating unit 30 in the vertical direction Z. The maintenance unit 40 is disposed at a position at which it can face the head 33 toward the upper side Z1. The maintenance unit 40 is configured to perform maintenance of the head 33.
The maintenance unit 40 includes a flushing unit 41. The flushing unit 41 is configured to receive the liquid discharged from the head 33. The flushing unit 41 is configured to be movable in the front to rear direction Y together with the head 33, but may be configured to extend in the front to rear direction Y. The flushing unit 41 may be moved in the front to rear direction Y by the same power source as the second head moving unit 38, or may be moved in the front to rear direction Y by a power source different from the second head moving unit 38. The flushing unit 41 is disposed at a position at which it does not overlap the medium support unit 28 and the medium accommodating unit 30 in the vertical direction Z.
The maintenance unit 40 includes a wiping unit 42. The wiping unit 42 can wipe the nozzle surface. The wiping unit 42 is disposed at a position at which it does not overlap the medium support unit 28 and the medium accommodating unit 30 in the vertical direction Z.
The maintenance unit 40 includes a suction unit 43. The suction unit 43 is configured to suck the liquid from the head 33. The suction unit 43 may include a suction pump that sucks the liquid from the head 33. The suction unit 43 is disposed at a position at which it does not overlap the medium support unit 28 and the medium accommodating unit 30 in the vertical direction Z.
Also, the maintenance unit 40 may include a waste liquid tank (not shown). The waste liquid tank is configured to store the liquid received by the flushing unit 41. The waste liquid tank is configured to store the liquid sucked by the suction unit 43. The waste liquid tank is disposed at a position at which it does not overlap the medium support unit 28 and the medium accommodating unit 30 in the vertical direction Z.
As shown in
The printing device 10 includes a cover accommodating unit 45. The cover accommodating unit 45 is provided between the medium support unit 28, the medium accommodating unit 30, and the maintenance unit 40 in the width direction X. The cover accommodating unit 45 can accommodate the maintenance cover 44.
In this way, the maintenance cover 44 is movable between a cover position shown in
The printing device 10 includes a control unit 46. The control unit 46 controls the printing device 10. The control unit 46 controls various operations executed by the printing device 10. The control unit 46 may be configured as a circuit including α: one or more processors that execute various processes in accordance with a computer program, β: one or more dedicated hardware circuits that execute at least some of the various processes, or γ: a combination thereof. The hardware circuit is, for example, an application-specific integrated circuit. A processor includes a CPU and a memory such as a RAM or a ROM, and the memory stores program codes or instructions configured to cause the CPU to perform processing. The memory, that is, a computer-readable medium, includes any readable medium that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer.
Here, a detailed configuration of the maintenance cover 44 will be described with reference to
As shown in
The maintenance cover 44 includes a positioning reference unit 48. The positioning reference unit 48 is provided on the upper surface 47. A dimension of the positioning reference unit 48 can be specified on the upper surface 47, and the positioning reference unit 48 has a grid shape, but may have a scale. When the maintenance cover 44 is disposed at the cover position, the positioning reference unit 48 can be visually recognized by the user as a reference position of the medium placed on the support surface 29. In this way, when the maintenance cover 44 is disposed at the cover position, the positioning reference unit 48 serves as a guide for placing the medium on the support surface 29. In addition, the positioning reference unit 48 may also be provided on a top surface of the liquid supply unit 31 on a side in the second width direction X2 of the medium support unit 28.
As shown in
The first cover unit 51 is a member whose longitudinal direction is the front to rear direction Y. The first cover unit 51 has a thin plate shape. The first cover unit 51 includes a first upper surface 51A. The first upper surface 51A forms a part of the upper surface 47. The first cover unit 51 includes a first back surface 51B. The first back surface 51B is a surface opposite to the first upper surface 51A.
The first cover unit 51 is located on the upper side Z1 of the second cover unit 52. The first cover unit 51 is pivotally attached to the first shaft 54 at one end portion 51C thereof on the lower side Z2. The first cover unit 51 is rotatably coupled to the second cover unit 52 via the first shaft 54 at the one end portion 51C.
The first cover unit 51 includes a first slider unit 51D. The first slider unit 51D is configured to extend in a direction perpendicular to the first back surface 51B on the first back surface 51B. The first slider unit 51D is fixed to the first back surface 51B. The first slider unit 51D includes a first slider 51E. The first slider 51E is provided at a tip portion of the first slider unit 51D.
The second cover unit 52 is a member whose longitudinal direction is the front to rear direction Y. The second cover unit 52 has a thin plate shape. The second cover unit 52 includes a second upper surface 52A. The second upper surface 52A forms a part of the upper surface 47. The second cover unit 52 includes a second back surface 52B. The second back surface 52B is a surface opposite to the second upper surface 52A.
The second cover unit 52 is located on the upper side Z1 from the third cover unit 53. The second cover unit 52 is rotatably attached to the first shaft 54 at one end portion 52C thereof on the upper side Z1. The second cover unit 52 is rotatably coupled to the first cover unit 51 via the first shaft 54 at the one end portion 52C. The second cover unit 52 is rotatably attached to the second shaft 55 at the other end portion 52D thereof on the lower side Z2. The second cover unit 52 is rotatably coupled to the third cover unit 53 via the second shaft 55 at the other end portion 52D.
The second cover unit 52 includes a protruding portion 52E. The protruding portion 52E is configured to protrude from the second back surface 52B. The protruding portion 52E includes an opening 52F. The opening 52F is provided at a tip portion of the protruding portion 52E. The protruding portion 52E is a member for moving the maintenance cover 44.
The third cover unit 53 is a member whose longitudinal direction is the front to rear direction Y. The third cover unit 53 has a thin plate shape. The third cover unit 53 includes a third upper surface 53A. The third upper surface 53A forms a part of the upper surface 47. The third cover unit 53 includes a third back surface 53B. The third back surface 53B is a surface opposite to the third upper surface 53A.
The third cover unit 53 is located on the lower side Z2 from the second cover unit 52. The third cover unit 53 is pivotally attached to the second shaft 55 at one end portion 53C thereof on the upper side Z1. The third cover unit 53 is rotatably coupled to the second cover unit 52 via the second shaft 55 at the one end portion 53C.
The first shaft 54 is configured to extend in the front to rear direction Y. The first shaft 54 is pivotally attached to the first cover unit 51. The first shaft 54 is rotatably attached to the second cover unit 52. The second shaft 55 is configured to extend in the front to rear direction Y. The second shaft 55 is pivotally attached to the third cover unit 53. The second shaft 55 is rotatably attached to the second cover unit 52.
The maintenance cover 44 includes a second slider unit 56. The second slider unit 56 is configured to protrude from the first back surface 51B and the second back surface 52B. The second slider unit 56 may be fixed to both end portions of the first shaft 54. In this way, an angle of the second slider unit 56 with respect to the first cover unit 51 is constant, and an angle of the second slider unit 56 with respect to the second cover unit 52 rotatable with respect to the first cover unit 51 can be changed. The second slider unit 56 includes a second slider 56A. The second slider 56A is provided at a tip portion of the second slider unit 56.
The maintenance cover 44 includes a third slider unit 57. The third slider unit 57 is configured to protrude from the second back surface 52B and the third back surface 53B. The third slider unit 57 may be fixed to both end portions of the second shaft 55. In this way, an angle of the third slider unit 57 with respect to the third cover unit 53 is constant, and an angle of the third slider unit 57 with respect to the second cover unit 52 rotatable with respect to the third cover unit 53 can be changed. The third slider unit 57 includes a third slider 57A. The third slider 57A is provided at a tip portion of the third slider unit 57.
The first cover unit 51 has a length L1 in the vertical direction Z. The second cover unit 52 has a length L2 in the vertical direction Z. The third cover unit 53 has a length L3 in the vertical direction Z. The length L1 may be longer than the length L2. The length L2 may be longer than the length L3. In this way, a cover portion closer to the cover accommodating unit 45 has a shorter length than a cover portion farther from the cover accommodating unit 45. Thus, when the maintenance cover 44 moves from the accommodation position to the cover position, a space in the upper side Z1 can be reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to save space in the vertical direction Z.
In
Next, a detailed configuration of the cover accommodating unit 45 will be described with reference to
As shown in
The side wall 60 includes a pair of first holding units 61. The pair of first holding units 61 are located on the front side Y1 and the rear side Y2 in the front to rear direction Y. The pair of first holding units 61 are configured to rotatably hold an interlocking shaft 72, which will be described later.
The side wall 60 includes a pair of pulley holding units 62. The pair of pulley holding units 62 are located on the front side Y1 and the rear side Y2 in the front to rear direction Y. The pair of pulley holding units 62 are configured to rotatably hold second pulleys 74, which will be described later.
The side wall 60 includes a pair of guide grooves 63. The pair of guide grooves 63 are located on the front side Y1 and the rear side Y2 in the front to rear direction Y. Each of the pair of guide grooves 63 is configured to extend in the vertical direction Z. Each of the pair of guide grooves 63 is a groove for guiding elevating units 76, which will be described later.
As shown in
The front wall 64 includes a guide rail 65. The first slider 51E, the second slider 56A, and the third slider 57A penetrate through the guide rail 65. The guide rail 65 extends from the lower side Z2 to the upper side Z1 in the vertical direction Z, forms an arc shape on the upper side Z1, and extends in the first width direction X1. In this way, the guide rail 65 extends to change its orientation. Thus, a space for accommodating the maintenance cover 44 can be secured and space saving can be achieved.
Also, the cover accommodating unit 45 includes a rear wall (not shown). The rear wall is located on the rear side Y2 of the cover accommodating unit 45. The rear wall is configured in the same manner as the front wall 64. The rear wall includes a guide rail in the same way as the front wall 64.
As shown in
The cover moving unit 49 may include a cover drive unit 70. The cover drive unit 70 is a drive source for moving the maintenance cover 44. The cover drive unit 70 may be a motor.
The cover drive unit 70 operates based on an instruction from the control unit 46. Specifically, when an accommodating condition is satisfied, the cover drive unit 70 moves the maintenance cover 44 from the cover position to the accommodation position based on an instruction from the control unit 46. When a cover condition is satisfied, the cover drive unit 70 moves the maintenance cover 44 from the accommodation position to the cover position based on an instruction from the control unit 46.
The accommodating condition may be satisfied when the head 33 is disposed at the standby position and there is a print instruction. The accommodating condition may be satisfied when the head 33 is disposed at the standby position and the opening and closing cover 22 is closed. The cover condition may be satisfied when printing based on the print instruction is completed. The cover condition may be satisfied when the opening and closing cover 22 is open.
The cover moving unit 49 includes a driving gear 71 and the interlocking shaft 72. The driving gear 71 engages with the cover drive unit 70. The driving gear 71 is pivotally attached to the interlocking shaft 72. The driving gear 71 transmits power from the cover drive unit 70 to the interlocking shaft 72. The interlocking shaft 72 is located to extend in the front to rear direction Y. The interlocking shaft 72 is rotatable about an axis extending in the front to rear direction Y.
The cover moving unit 49 includes a pair of first pulleys 73, a pair of second pulleys 74, and a pair of elevating belts 75. The pair of first pulleys 73 are located on the front side Y1 and the rear side Y2 in the front to rear direction Y. Each of the pair of first pulleys 73 is pivotally attached to the interlocking shaft 72.
The pair of second pulleys 74 are located on the front side Y1 and the rear side Y2 in the front to rear direction Y. The pair of second pulleys 74 are respectively located on the upper side Z1 of the pair of first pulleys 73. Each of the pair of second pulleys 74 is rotatably held by the pulley holding unit 62.
The pair of elevating belts 75 are located on the front side Y1 and the rear side Y2 in the front to rear direction Y. The pair of elevating belts 75 are respectively wound around the pair of first pulleys 73 and the pair of second pulleys 74.
The cover moving unit 49 includes a pair of elevating units 76. The pair of elevating units 76 are located on the front side Y1 and the rear side Y2 in the front to rear direction Y. The pair of elevating units 76 are respectively fixed to the pair of elevating belts 75. The pair of elevating units 76 are slidable respectively along the pair of guide grooves 63. Each of the pair of elevating units 76 includes a coupling unit 76A. The coupling unit 76A is inserted into the opening 52F. The pair of elevating units 76 can raise and lower the maintenance cover 44 via the second cover unit 52.
In this way, in the cover moving unit 49, the power from the cover drive unit 70 is transmitted to the pair of elevating units 76 via the driving gear 71, the interlocking shaft 72, the pair of first pulleys 73, and the pair of elevating belts 75, and thus the maintenance cover 44 can be raised and lowered.
Also, the cover moving unit 49 can move the maintenance cover 44 along the guide rail 65. In particular, the cover moving unit 49 can switch a moving direction of the maintenance cover 44 between moving in the vertical direction Z and moving in the width direction X. That is, the cover moving unit 49 moves the maintenance cover 44 to change an orientation of the maintenance cover 44 between the cover position and the accommodation position.
The printing device 10 includes a cover detection unit 50. The cover detection unit 50 detects that the maintenance cover 44 is accommodated in the cover accommodating unit 45. The cover detection unit 50 may detect that the maintenance cover 44 is accommodated in the cover accommodating unit 45 by detecting that the elevating units 76 located on the rear side Y2 are disposed at a predetermined height.
Operations of the first embodiment will be described.
As shown in
When the accommodating condition is satisfied, the cover drive unit 70 is driven. Thus, the power from the cover drive unit 70 is transmitted to the interlocking shaft 72 via the driving gear 71, and the interlocking shaft 72 starts to rotate. Further, with the rotation of the interlocking shaft 72, the pair of elevating belts 75 are interlocked to move the pair of elevating units 76 from the upper side Z1 to the lower side Z2.
The second cover unit 52 is coupled to the pair of elevating units 76, and the second slider 56A moves along the guide rail 65. The first cover unit 51 is coupled to the second cover unit 52, and the first slider 51E moves along the guide rail 65. The third cover unit 53 is coupled to the second cover unit 52, and the third slider 57A moves along the guide rail 65.
Thus, as shown in
After that, as shown in
Effects of the first embodiment will be described.
The embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows. The embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a range in which no technical contradictions arise.
The technical ideas and effects obtained from the above-described embodiments and modifications will be described below.
(A) A printing device includes: a medium support unit including a support surface configured to support at least a printing region of a medium; a medium accommodating unit configured to accommodate a region of the medium not supported by the support surface; a head configured to discharge a liquid onto the medium supported by the support surface; a first head moving unit configured to move the head in a first direction parallel to the support surface; a second head moving unit configured to move the head in a second direction that is parallel to the support surface and intersects the first direction; a maintenance unit that is disposed at a position in the first direction of the medium support unit, at which the maintenance unit is configured to face the head in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and performs maintenance of the head; and a maintenance cover configured to cover a side of the maintenance unit in the third direction configured to face the head in the maintenance unit.
According to this configuration, at least the printing region of the medium is supported by the support surface, and the head that can discharge the liquid onto the medium supported by the support surface is moved in the direction parallel to the support surface. For this reason, there is no need to provide a configuration for moving the support surface in the direction parallel to the support surface. Accordingly, the size of the printing device can be reduced.
In addition to this, the side of the maintenance unit in the third direction that can face the head can be covered by the maintenance cover. For this reason, when the medium is placed on the support surface, even if the medium is located in the third direction of the maintenance unit, contamination of the medium with the liquid can be inhibited.
(B) The printing device may include a cover accommodating unit configured to accommodate the maintenance cover.
According to this configuration, the maintenance cover can be accommodated when maintenance of the head is performed.
Thus, contamination of the medium with the liquid when the medium is placed on the support surface can be inhibited, and printing quality can be improved due to the maintenance of the head.
(C) In the printing device, the cover accommodating unit may be provided between the medium support unit and the maintenance unit in the first direction.
According to this configuration, by providing the cover accommodating unit between the medium support unit and the maintenance unit in the first direction, the liquid sprayed from the printing region can be made difficult to enter the maintenance unit. In addition, there is no need to provide a partition other than the cover accommodating unit between the medium support unit and the maintenance unit in the first direction, and space saving can be achieved.
(D) The printing device may include a cover moving unit configured to move the maintenance cover, in which the cover moving unit may move the maintenance cover between a cover position and an accommodation position, the cover position may be a position at which the side of the maintenance unit in the third direction is covered, and the accommodation position may be a position at which the a position at which the is accommodated in the cover accommodating unit without covering the side of the maintenance unit in the third direction.
According to this configuration, the maintenance cover can be moved between the cover position and the accommodation position. Thus, the maintenance cover can be easily switched between the cover position and the accommodation position.
(E) In the printing device, the cover moving unit may move the maintenance cover to change an orientation of the maintenance cover between the cover position and the accommodation position.
According to this configuration, by changing the orientation of the maintenance cover between the cover position and the accommodation position, space saving for accommodating the maintenance cover can achieved. (F) The printing device may include a cover detection unit that detects that the maintenance cover is accommodated in the cover accommodating unit.
According to this configuration, it is possible to detect that the maintenance cover is accommodated in the cover accommodating unit. Thus, reliability of the accommodation of the maintenance cover can be improved.
(E) In the printing device, the maintenance unit may include a flushing unit configured to receive the liquid discharged from the head, and the flushing unit may extend in the second direction.
According to this configuration, assuming a configuration in which the flushing unit extends in the second direction, the maintenance cover is provided between the medium support unit and the maintenance unit in the first direction. Thus, the maintenance cover can be moved smoothly and space saving can be achieved.
(E) In the printing device, the maintenance unit may include a flushing unit configured to receive the liquid discharged from the head, and the flushing unit may move in the second direction together with the head.
According to this configuration, assuming a configuration in which the flushing unit moves in the second direction, the maintenance cover is provided between the medium support unit and the maintenance unit in the first direction. Thus, the maintenance cover can be moved smoothly and space saving can be achieved.
(I) In the printing device, the maintenance cover may include a positioning reference unit serving as a guide for placing the medium on the support surface at a position for covering the side of the maintenance unit in the third direction.
According to this configuration, by visually recognizing the positioning reference unit at the position at which the maintenance cover covers the side of the maintenance unit in the third direction, it can be used as a guide for placing the medium on the support surface. Thus, the medium can be accurately placed on the support surface. Accordingly, printing quality can be improved.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-006946 | Jan 2023 | JP | national |
