The present application is based on, and claims priority from JP Application Serial Number 2020-014812, filed Jan. 31, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
The present disclosure relates to a recording apparatus.
A recording apparatus including a head portion in which a plurality of recording heads is disposed and a maintenance apparatus configured to perform maintenance of the head portion is known from the related art, and an example of the recording apparatus is described in JP-A-2010-214780.
The recording apparatus described in JP-A-2010-214780 performs the maintenance by using the maintenance apparatus after changing a position of the head portion in an up-down direction.
In the recording apparatus described in JP-A-2010-214780, the up-down direction in which a recording portion serving as the head portion moves is a vertical direction in which gravity acts, and therefore the influence of gravity becomes largest when the recording portion is moved. In other words, a load that acts on a moving mechanism portion configured to move the recording portion may increase.
In order to solve the above problem, a recording apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a support portion configured to support a medium during transport, a recording portion disposed so as to face the support portion at one or more recording positions of recording on the medium and configured to perform recording on the medium, and a moving mechanism portion configured to move the recording portion to one or more retreat positions that are away from the support portion with respect to the recording position, and the moving mechanism portion moves the recording portion in a moving direction intersecting both a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.
Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be schematically described.
A recording apparatus according to a first aspect includes a support portion configured to support a medium during transport, a recording portion disposed so as to face the support portion at one or more recording positions of recording on the medium and configured to perform recording on the medium, and a moving mechanism portion configured to move the recording portion to one or more retreat positions that are away from the support portion with respect to the recording position, and the moving mechanism portion moves the recording portion in a moving direction intersecting both a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.
According to the present aspect, the moving mechanism portion moves the recording portion in the moving direction. Gravity acting in the vertical direction on the recording portion is resolved into a component force along the moving direction and a component force along a direction orthogonal to the moving direction. Here, when the component force acting on the recording portion in the moving direction becomes smaller than the gravity acting on the recording portion in the vertical direction, a force required for moving the recording portion decreases, and thus an increase in load acting on the moving mechanism portion can be suppressed as compared with a configuration in which the recording portion is moved in the vertical direction.
A recording apparatus according to a second aspect is the recording apparatus according to the first aspect, in which a transport direction of the medium in a region that further includes the support portion and at which recording is performed by the recording portion is an inclined direction intersecting both the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and the moving direction is a direction orthogonal to the transport direction.
According to the present aspect, when a length of a transport path of the medium is the same and installation areas of the transport path are compared, a width required in the horizontal direction is smaller than that in a case where the transport direction is the horizontal direction. Further, a height required in the vertical direction is lower than that in a case where the transport direction is the vertical direction. As described above, the recording apparatus can be reduced in size both in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction.
A recording apparatus according to a third aspect is the recording apparatus according to the first aspect or the second aspect that further includes a plurality of the recording positions along the moving direction, and an adjustment portion configured to adjust the recording positions.
According to the present aspect, since the plurality of the recording positions is provided along the moving direction and the adjustment portion configured to adjust the recording positions is included, the recording portion can be located at a more appropriate position according to a thickness of the medium.
A recording apparatus according to a fourth aspect is the recording apparatus according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, in which a mounting member on which the medium discharged from a transport path is mounted is provided downstream of the support portion in the transport path of the medium and on an upper side with respect to the recording portion in the vertical direction, a mounting surface of the mounting member on which the medium is mounted has an inclination obliquely upward along a medium discharge direction, and the moving direction is directed obliquely upward along a direction in which the recording portion is away from the support portion.
According to the present aspect, since the recording portion and the mounting member can be arranged close to each other, a size of the recording apparatus in the vertical direction can be reduced.
A recording apparatus according to a fifth aspect is the recording apparatus according to the fourth aspect, in which a first angle formed between the moving direction and the horizontal direction is larger than a second angle formed between an inclination direction of the mounting surface and the horizontal direction.
According to the present aspect, since the first angle is larger than the second angle, the recording portion moved in a direction away from the recording position approaches the mounting member, and thus the recording portion can be moved to a peripheral portion of the mounting member. Here, since a space portion is present in a peripheral portion of the mounting member in order to take out the medium from the mounting member, an operation can be performed on the recording portion through the space portion, and since the recording portion approaches the space portion during the operation, the operation can be easily performed.
A recording apparatus according to a sixth aspect is the recording apparatus according to any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect that further includes at least one maintenance unit configured to perform maintenance of the recording portion, in which the maintenance unit is advanced between the recording portion and the support portion when the recording portion is located at the retreat position, and the maintenance unit is retreated from between the recording portion and the support portion before the recording portion is located at the recording position from the retreat position.
According to the present aspect, when the recording portion is located at the retreat position, the maintenance unit is advanced between the recording portion and the support portion. Then, the maintenance unit performs the maintenance of the recording portion. As described above, since the maintenance unit performs the maintenance of the recording portion, drop-off of the recording portion to the maintenance unit can be suppressed during the maintenance.
A recording apparatus according to a seventh aspect is the recording apparatus according to the sixth aspect, in which the recording portion is configured to eject liquid from an ejecting portion to perform recording on the medium, the maintenance unit includes a first maintenance unit including a cap portion configured to cover the ejecting portion and a receiving portion configured to cover the ejecting portion and configured to receive the liquid ejected from the ejecting portion, and a second maintenance unit including a cleaning portion configured to clean the ejecting portion, and the retreat positions of the recording portion include a first position where the cap portion is configured to cover the ejecting portion, a second position where the receiving portion is configured to cover the ejecting portion, and a third position where the cleaning portion is configured to clean the ejecting portion.
According to the present aspect, the first maintenance unit is advanced in a state where the moving mechanism portion moves the recording portion to the first position, so that the cap portion covers the ejecting portion.
In addition, in a state where the moving mechanism portion moves the recording portion to the second position, the first maintenance unit is advanced, so that the receiving portion covers the ejecting portion. The liquid ejected from the ejecting portion in this state is received by the receiving portion.
Further, the second maintenance unit is advanced in a state in which the moving mechanism portion moves the recording portion to the third position, so that it becomes possible for the cleaning portion to clean the ejecting portion. In this state, the ejecting portion is cleaned by the cleaning portion.
As described above, since a position of the recording portion changes according to the cap portion, the receiving portion, and the cleaning portion, appropriate maintenance for the recording portion can be performed, compared to a configuration in which the position of the recording portion is set at the same position regardless of the maintenance unit.
A recording apparatus according to an eighth aspect is the recording apparatus according to the seventh aspect, in which before causing the recording portion to be located at any one of the first position, the second position, and the third position, the moving mechanism portion causes the recording portion to be located at a standby position away from the support portion.
According to the present aspect, the moving mechanism portion causes the recording portion to be located at the standby position before causing the recording portion to be located at any one of the first position, the second position, and the third position. Accordingly, when the maintenance unit advances, it becomes possible to form a gap between the recording portion and the maintenance unit, and thus it is possible to prevent the maintenance unit from moving in contact with the recording portion.
A recording apparatus according to a ninth aspect is the recording apparatus according to any one of the first aspect to the eighth aspect, in which the retreat positions of the recording portion include a replacement position farthest from the support portion, and the recording portion is detachable from the moving mechanism portion at the replacement position.
According to the present aspect, since the recording portion is replaced at the replacement position farthest from the transport path of the medium, it is possible to suppress a stain on the transport path of the medium and the support portion due to a recording material such as liquid during a replacement operation of the recording portion.
A recording apparatus according to a first example includes a support portion configured to support a medium during transport, a recording portion disposed so as to face the support portion at one or more recording positions of recording on the medium, and configured to perform recording on the medium, and a moving mechanism portion configured to move the recording portion to one or more retreat positions that are away from the support portion with respect to the recording position, and the moving mechanism portion moves the recording portion in a moving direction intersecting both a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.
A recording apparatus according to a second example is the recording apparatus described in the first example, in which a transport direction of the medium in a region that includes the support portion and at which recording is performed by the recording portion is an inclined direction intersecting both the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.
A recording apparatus according to a third example is the recording apparatus described in the second example, in which the moving direction is a direction orthogonal to the transport direction.
A recording apparatus according to a fourth example is the recording apparatus described in the second to third examples, in which the moving mechanism portion stops the recording portion at a plurality of the recording positions and a plurality of the retreat positions in the moving direction, the recording portion performs recording on the medium at the plurality of the recording positions, and the recording portion does not perform recording on the medium at the plurality of the retreat positions.
A recording apparatus according to a fifth example is the recording apparatus described in the fourth example that includes at least one maintenance unit configured to perform maintenance of the recording portion, in which the plurality of the retreat positions includes a position at which the maintenance is performed by the maintenance unit and a standby position at which the maintenance is not performed by the maintenance unit.
A recording apparatus according to a sixth example is the recording apparatus described in the fifth example, in which the maintenance unit moves so as to advance between the recording portion and the support portion, and completes the movement when the recording portion is standing by at the standby position.
A recording apparatus according to a seventh example is the recording apparatus described in the fifth or sixth example, in which the maintenance unit includes a first maintenance unit including a cap portion configured to cover the ejecting portion, and a second maintenance unit including a cleaning portion configured to clean the ejecting portion, the plurality of the retreat positions includes a first position where the cap portion configured to cover the ejecting portion and a third position where the cleaning portion configured to clean the ejecting portion, and the first position is closer to the support portion in the moving direction than the third position.
A recording apparatus according to an eighth example is the recording apparatus described in any one of the fourth to seventh examples, in which a mounting member on which the medium discharged from a transport path is mounted is provided downstream of the support portion in the transport path of the medium and on an upper side in the vertical direction with respect to the plurality of retreat positions.
A recording apparatus according to a ninth example is the recording apparatus described in any one of the first to eighth examples that includes a plurality of the recording positions along the moving direction, and an adjustment portion configured to adjust the recording positions.
A recording apparatus according to a tenth example is the recording apparatus described in the ninth example, in which the adjustment portion includes an eccentric cam configured to contact the recording portion located at the recording position, and a motor configured to rotate the eccentric cam according to the recording position.
A recording apparatus according to an eleventh example is the recording apparatus described in the tenth example, in which the eccentric cam does not contact the recording portion located at the retreat position.
A recording apparatus according to a twelfth example is the recording apparatus described in any one of the first to eleventh examples, in which a mounting member on which the medium discharged from a transport path is mounted is provided downstream of the support portion in the transport path of the medium and on an upper side with respect to the recording portion in a vertical direction, a mounting surface of the mounting member on which the medium is mounted has an inclination obliquely upward along a medium discharge direction, and the moving direction is directed obliquely upward along a direction in which the recording portion is away from the support portion.
A recording apparatus according to a thirteenth example is the recording apparatus described in the twelfth example, in which a first angle formed between the moving direction and the horizontal direction is larger than a second angle formed between an inclination direction of the mounting surface and the horizontal direction.
A recording apparatus according to a fourteenth example is the recording apparatus described in any one of the first to thirteenth examples that includes at least one maintenance unit configured to perform maintenance of the recording portion, in which the maintenance unit is advanced between the recording portion and the support portion when the recording portion is located at the retreat position, and the maintenance unit is retreated from between the recording portion and the support portion before the recording portion is located at the recording position from the retreat position.
A recording apparatus according to a fifteenth example is the recording apparatus described in the fourteenth example, in which the recording portion is configured to eject liquid from an ejecting portion to perform recording on the medium, the maintenance unit includes a first maintenance unit including a cap portion configured to cover the ejecting portion and a receiving portion configured to cover the ejecting portion and configured to receive the liquid ejected from the ejecting portion, and a second maintenance unit including a cleaning portion configured to clean the ejecting portion, and the retreat positions of the recording portion include a first position where the cap portion is configured to cover the ejecting portion, a second position where the receiving portion is configured to cover the ejecting portion, and a third position where the cleaning portion is configured to clean the ejecting portion.
A recording apparatus according to a sixteenth example is the recording apparatus described in the fifteenth example, in which the moving mechanism portion causes the recording portion to be located at a standby position away from the support portion before causing the recording portion to be located at any one of the first position, the second position, and the third position.
A recording apparatus according to a seventeenth example is the recording apparatus described in any one of the first to sixteenth examples, in which the retreat positions of the recording portion include a replacement position farthest from the support portion, and the recording portion is detachable from the moving mechanism portion at the replacement position.
A recording apparatus according to an eighteenth example is the recording apparatus described in the seventeenth example, in which the moving mechanism portion includes a guide rail configured to guide the recording portion to the recording position, the retreat position, and the replacement position.
A recording apparatus according to a nineteenth example is the recording apparatus described in the eighteenth example, in which a mounting member on which the medium discharged from a transport path is mounted is provided downstream of the support portion in the transport path of the medium and on an upper side in the vertical direction with respect to the replacement position.
A recording apparatus according to a twentieth example is the recording apparatus described in the nineteenth example that includes an eccentric cam configured to contact the recording portion located at the recording position and a motor configured to rotate the eccentric cam according to the recording position, in which the eccentric cam does not contact the recording portion located at the replacement position.
Hereinafter, a printer 1 according to Embodiment 1 as an example of a recording apparatus according to the present disclosure will be described in detail.
A Y direction corresponds to a medium width direction and an apparatus depth direction that intersect a transport direction of the medium, and is, for example, a horizontal direction. In addition, the Y direction is an example of the apparatus depth direction intersecting both an A direction and a B direction, which will be described later. A direction toward the front in the Y direction is referred to as a +Y direction, and a direction toward the back is referred to as a −Y direction.
An X direction corresponds to an apparatus width direction, and is, for example, a horizontal direction. A direction toward the left in the X direction as viewed from an operator of the printer 1 is referred to as a +X direction, and a direction toward the right is referred to as a −X direction.
A Z direction corresponds to an apparatus height direction, and is, for example, a vertical direction. An upward direction in the Z direction is referred to as a +Z direction, and a downward direction is referred to as a −Z direction.
In the printer 1, the medium P is transported through a transport path T indicated by broken lines.
An A-B coordinate system illustrated in an X-Z plane is an orthogonal coordinate system. An A direction is a transport direction of the medium P in a region facing a line head 20, which will be described later, in the transport path T. An upstream direction in the A direction is referred to as a −A direction, and a downstream direction is referred to as a +A direction. In the present embodiment, the A direction is an inclined direction such that the +A direction is located more in the +Z direction than the −A direction. Specifically, the A direction is inclined in a range from 50° to 70° with respect to the horizontal direction, and more specifically, the A direction is inclined by approximately 60°. The B direction is an example of the moving direction, and is the moving direction in which the line head 20, which will be described later, advances or retreats with respect to a transport unit 10, which will be described later. A direction in which the line head 20 approaches the transport path T in the B direction is referred to as a +B direction, and a direction in which the line head 20 is away from the transport path T is referred to as a −B direction. In the present embodiment, the B direction is a direction inclined such that the −B direction is located more in the +Z direction than the +B direction, and the B direction is orthogonal to the A direction.
In this way, the transport direction of the medium P in a region that includes the transport unit 10 and at which recording is performed by the line head 20 is an inclined direction intersecting both the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.
The printer 1 includes a housing 2 as an example of a main body of the apparatus. A discharge portion 3 forming a space portion to which the medium P on which information has been recorded is to be discharged is formed in the +Z direction from the center in the Z direction of the housing 2. In addition, the housing 2 is provided with a plurality of medium cassettes 4.
The medium P is accommodated in each of the plurality of medium cassettes 4. The medium P accommodated in each medium cassette 4 is transported along the transport path T by a pick roller 6 and pairs of transport rollers 7 and 8. Into the transport path T, a transport path T1 in which the medium P is transported from an external apparatus and a transport path T2 in which the medium P is transported from a manual feed tray 9 provided in the housing 2 are merged.
In addition, the transport unit 10, which will be described later, a plurality of pairs of transport rollers 11 configured to transport the medium P, a plurality of flaps 12 configured to switch a path through which the medium P is transported, and a medium width sensor 13 configured to detect a width of the medium P in the Y direction are arranged in the transport path T.
The transport path T is curved in a region facing the medium width sensor 13, and extends obliquely upward from the medium width sensor 13, that is, in the A direction. A transport path T3 and a transport path 14 toward the discharge portion 3 and an inversion path T5 for reversing front and back sides of the medium P are provided downstream of the transport unit 10 in the transport path T. A discharge tray (not illustrated) is provided in the discharge portion 3 corresponding to the transport path 14.
Further, in the housing 2, ink containers 23 configured to store ink, a waste liquid reservoir 16 configured to store waste liquid of ink, and a controller 26 configured to control an operation of each portion of the printer 1. The ink containers 23 supply ink to the line head 20 through tubes (not illustrated). The waste liquid reservoir 16 stores ink as waste liquid discharged from the line head 20 toward a flushing portion 66 (see
The controller 26 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and a storage, which are not illustrated, and controls transport of the medium P in the printer 1 and an operation of recording information on the medium P by the line head 20.
As illustrated in
Specifically, the discharge tray 21 extends in an oblique direction such that a portion in the +X direction is located more in the +Z direction than a portion in the −X direction. In other words, in the transport direction of the medium P, a downstream end portion of the discharge tray 21 is located more in the +Z direction than an upstream end portion. The mounting surface 21A has an inclination obliquely upward along a discharge direction of the medium P. The B direction is directed obliquely upward along a direction in which the line head 20, which will be described later, is away from the transport unit 10, which will be described later. Note that, in
When viewed from the Y direction, an angle formed by the B direction and the X direction (an example of the horizontal direction) is referred to as a first angle θ1. Further, an angle formed by an inclination direction of the mounting surface 21A and the X direction is referred to as a second angle θ2. The second angle θ2 is expressed as an angle formed by the mounting surface 21A and a virtual plane K along the X direction. The first angle θ1 is, for example, larger than the second angle θ2. The B direction is an example of the moving direction in which the line head 20, which will be described later, faces the transport unit 10.
The printer 1 includes, as a main portion, the transport unit 10 that transports the medium P, the line head 20 that records information on the medium P, and a head moving unit 30 that moves the line head 20 in the B direction.
As illustrated in
The line head 20 is an example of the recording portion. Further, the line head 20 has nozzles N configured to eject ink as an example of the liquid. The nozzle N is an example of the ejecting portion. Additionally, the line head 20 is disposed so as to face the transport unit 10 in the B direction at a recording position, which will be described later, and records information on the medium P by ejecting the ink from the nozzles N. The line head 20 is an ink ejecting head that is configured such that the nozzles N configured to eject the ink cover the entire region in the Y direction as the width direction of the medium P. Further, a nozzle surface on which the nozzles N are arranged is disposed along the A direction and the Y direction.
Further, the line head 20 is configured as the ink ejecting head that can perform recording on the entire region in the width direction of the medium P without moving in the width direction of the medium P. However, the ink ejecting head is not limited to this type, and may be a type that is mounted on a carriage and ejects ink while moving in the width direction of the medium P.
As illustrated in
The support frame 22 is configured as a side plate along an A-B plane, and extends in the −B direction with respect to the line head 20. Respective columnar support pins 24 extending in the +Y direction and the −Y direction are provided at both end portions in the B direction of an outer surface of the support frame 22 in the Y direction. An annular roller 25 is rotatably provided on the support pin 24.
Further, on an inner surface in the Y direction of the support frame 22, support pins 27, a rack 28, and a coil spring 29 are provided. The support pins 27 protrude in the Y direction from the support frame 22.
The rack 28 is a plate-shaped member having a thickness direction in the Y direction, and extends in the B direction. A plurality of tooth portions 28A arranged in the B direction is formed on an end portion of the rack 28 in the −A direction. Further, the rack 28 has elongated holes 28B each of which penetrates in the Y direction and extends in the B direction. The support pin 27 is inserted into the elongated hole 28B. Accordingly, the rack 28 can relatively move with respect to the support frame 22 in the B direction.
One end portion of the coil spring 29 is attached to the support frame 22. The other end portion of the coil spring 29 is attached to the rack 28. As a result, the coil spring 29 applies an elastic force to the rack 28 in the B direction.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The main body frame 32 is included in the housing 2. That is, the main body frame 32 is included in an example of the main body of the apparatus. Specifically, the main body frame 32 has a side frame 33 and a side frame 34, and a plurality of lateral frames 35.
Each of the side frames 33 and 34 is configured as a side plate along the A-B plane, and the side frames 33 and 34 are arranged so as to face each other at an interval in the Y direction. The side frame 33 is arranged in the +Y direction, and the side frame 34 is arranged in the −Y direction. The side frame 34 is formed with a through-hole 34A for moving a second maintenance unit 72 (see
The plurality of lateral frames 35 couples the side frames 33 and 34 in the Y direction. In addition, the line head 20 is disposed in a space surrounded by the plurality of lateral frames 35.
The guide member 36 is an example of the guide portion, and one guide member 36 is provided on each of the side frames 33 and 34. Note that the two guide members 36 are substantially symmetrically arranged with respect to the center in the Y direction of the main body frame 32. For this reason, the guide member 36 in the −Y direction will be described, and description of the guide member 36 in the +Y direction will be omitted.
As illustrated in
Note that an end portion of the guide rail 37 in the −B direction is bent toward the +Z direction (see
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The shaft 42 extends in the Y direction. Both end portions of the shaft 42 are rotatably supported by the side frame 33 (see
The pinion 43 is attached to each of both end portions of the shaft 42 in the Y direction. Tooth portions 43A configured to engage with the tooth portions 28A (see
The motor 41 rotates the shaft 42 and the pinions 43 in one direction or in the reverse direction via a gear portion (not illustrated). As described above, the drive unit 40 rotationally drives the pinions 43, thereby moving the line head 20 in the B direction.
As illustrated in
The cam shaft 47 is a member long in the Y direction, and extends from the side frame 33 to the side frame 34.
The two eccentric cams 48 are attached to the cam shaft 47. Further, outer peripheral surfaces of the two eccentric cams 48 are in contact with portions in the +B direction of the plate portions 20A of the line head 20. As a result, by rotating the two eccentric cams 48 along with the rotation of the cam shaft 47, the position of the line head 20 is adjusted in the B direction.
The motor 49 is provided on the side frame 34. Further, the motor 49 is driven and controlled by the controller 26 (see
As illustrated in
The bracket 52 is attached to a portion of the side frame 33 in the −B direction with respect to the holder 51. In addition, the bracket 52 has a support plate 52A that rotatably supports the adjustment screw 53. An end portion of the adjustment screw 53 in the +B direction is engaged with a screw hole of the holder 51. Accordingly, by rotating the adjustment screw 53 to move the holder 51 up and down, it is possible to adjust the position of the cam shaft 47 in the B direction and the position of the line head 20 (see
The member to be detected 54 is attached to an end portion of the cam shaft 47 in the +Y direction. In addition, the member to be detected 54 has a fan-shaped portion 54A that is projected in a radial direction from the cam shaft 47.
The position sensor 55 is attached to the holder 51. Additionally, the position sensor 55 is, for example, an optical sensor including a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion (not illustrated), and light is blocked by the fan-shaped portion 54A. That is, the position sensor 55 detects an angle of rotation of the cam shaft 47 based on whether or not light is blocked.
As illustrated in
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The maintenance unit 60 is an example of a storage portion that stores the nozzles N and that performs maintenance of the nozzles N. Further, the maintenance unit 60 is provided so as to be movable in the A direction by the drive unit 80, which will be described later. Specifically, the maintenance unit 60 includes a first maintenance unit 62 configured to cover the nozzles N and the second maintenance unit 72 (see
The first maintenance unit 62 is an example of a cap unit. Further, the first maintenance unit 62 includes a cover body 63, a cap portion 64 configured to cover the nozzles N, and a flushing portion 66 configured to cover the nozzles N and configured to receive ink ejected from the nozzles N.
Further, the first maintenance unit 62 is provided with the cap portion 64 and the flushing portion 66 along the A direction, and moves in the A direction to switch between a state in which the cap portion 64 faces the nozzles N and a state in which the flushing portion 66 faces the nozzles N.
Further, the first maintenance unit 62 has a standby position upstream of the line head 20 in the A direction, and has the standby position, an ejecting position, and a cap position in this order from upstream to downstream in the A direction.
The ejecting position is a position of the first maintenance unit 62 when the flushing portion 66 faces the nozzles N.
The cap position is a position of the first maintenance unit 62 when the cap portion 64 covers the nozzles N.
As illustrated in
A partition wall 67 is provided inside the cover body 63. The partition wall 67 partitions a space in the cover body 63 into a space in the +A direction and a space in the −A direction. The cap portion 64 is arranged in the space in the −A direction of the partition wall 67, and the flushing portion 66 is arranged in the space in the +A direction of the partition wall 67.
The cap portion 64 has a size and a shape that cover the ejecting surface NA (see
The flushing portion 66 is an example of the receiving portion, and is provided in the opening 65. Further, the flushing portion 66 is disposed downstream of the cap portion 64 in the A direction. In other words, in a state where the first maintenance unit 62 is disposed at the standby position, the flushing portion 66 is disposed at a position closer to the line head 20 than the cap portion 64 in the A direction. Further, the flushing portion 66 is configured as a flushing box that is opened in the −B direction and that has porous fiber such as felt. Then, the flushing portion 66 captures the ink ejected from the nozzles N. Note that the flushing portion 66 can cover the nozzles N when the line head 20 is located at the retreat position.
In the nozzles N, when the viscosity of the ink increases, the viscosity of the ink is maintained within a set range by ejecting the ink toward the flushing portion 66. Accordingly, ejection failure of the ink from the nozzles N is suppressed.
The second maintenance unit 72 includes a main body portion 74 and a blade 76 as an example of the cleaning portion. The main body portion 74 is formed in a box shape that opens in the −B direction.
The blade 76 is made of, for example, rubber having a rectangular plate shape. Further, the blade 76 is provided in the main body portion 74 in a state where a portion that wipes the nozzles N (see
The second maintenance unit 72 is configured to advance and retreat in the Y direction by a drive unit (not illustrated). The drive unit (not illustrated) includes, as an example, a belt to which a motor and the second maintenance unit 72 are attached, and is configured to move the second maintenance unit 72 in the Y direction by rotating and moving the belt due to the rotation of the motor. Note that the second maintenance unit 72 is retreated in the −Y direction with respect to the side frame 34 (see
The drive unit 80 is an example of the drive portion that advances or retreats the maintenance unit 60 in the A direction. Specifically, the drive unit 80 has a gear 82 having tooth portions 82A configured to engage with the tooth portions 69A of the rack 69, and a motor 84 configured to rotate the gear 82. The drive control of the drive unit 80 is performed by the controller 26 (see
When the line head 20 (see
As illustrated in
Specifically, the lid unit 90 has a plate-shaped portion 91, a projecting portion 92 projecting from the plate-shaped portion 91 in the B direction, pin portions 93 formed in the plate-shaped portion 91, and side plates 94 disposed in the +Y direction and the −Y direction with respect to the plate-shaped portion 91. Further, the lid unit 90 has torsion springs 96, a cover member 97, brackets 98 (see
The plate-shaped portion 91 is an example of a lid member. Further, the plate-shaped portion 91 is a member that closes the opening 65 (see
The projecting portion 92 is a portion projecting from an end portion in the +A direction of the plate-shaped portion 91 toward the +B direction. Further, the projecting portion 92 is located in the +A direction with respect to the maintenance unit 60 (see
The two pin portions 93 are an example of the protruding portion, and protrude in the +Y direction and the −Y direction from both end portions in the Y direction of the plate-shaped portion 91. In addition, each of the two pin portions 93 is formed in a columnar shape having an axial direction in the Y direction. Further, the two pin portions 93 are located so as to be spaced apart from each other in the A direction.
The side plate 94 is an example of a side portion, and is formed in a plate shape having a thickness direction in the Y direction. A support shaft portion 94A that has a columnar shape and that protrudes toward each outer side in the Y direction is formed at end portion in the +B direction at an end portion in the +A direction of the side plate 94. A central axis of the support shaft portion 94A corresponds to the rotation axis G. Further, the support shaft portion 94A is supported by a frame (not illustrated) provided in the housing 2 (see
The two guide grooves 95 are formed at an interval in the A direction, and penetrate through the side plate 94 in the Y direction. In addition, each of the two guide grooves 95 includes, for example, a first groove portion 95A and a second groove portion 95B. Each of the first groove portion 95A and the second groove portion 95B is formed as an elongated hole having a size that allows the pin portion 93 to be inserted. Further, the first groove portion 95A and the second groove portion 95B support and guide the pin portion 93.
The first groove portion 95A extends in the A direction at a portion in the +B direction of the side plate 94 when viewed from the Y direction.
When viewed from the Y direction, the second groove portion 95B extends in an oblique direction so as to be located in the −B direction from an end portion in the +A direction of the first groove portion 95A toward the −A direction.
When the pin portion 93 is supported and guided in the first groove portion 95A, arrangement is in a state closest to the transport unit 10 (see
Here, in the lid unit 90, the side plate 94 supports the pin portions 93 such that the plate-shaped portion 91 approaches the opening 65 (see
The torsion spring 96 biases the lid unit 90 by attaching one end portion to the side plate 94 and attaching the other end portion to a frame (not illustrated) in a state in which the support shaft portion 94A is inserted. Accordingly, the posture of the lid unit 90 is the closed posture in which the plate-shaped portion 91 is along the A direction.
The cover member 97 couples portions in the −A direction with respect to the centers of the two side plates 94 in the A direction, along the Y direction. Further, the cover member 97 covers a portion in the −A direction with respect to the center of the plate-shaped portion 91 in the A direction, from the −B direction. Cutout portions 97A open toward the −A direction are formed in an end portion in the −A direction at both end portions of the cover member 97 in the Y direction. Further, in an end portion in the +A direction of the cover member 97, hook portions 97B (see
As illustrated in
One end portion of the tension spring 99 is hooked on the hook portion 97B. Additionally, the other end portion of the tension spring 99 is hooked on the hook portion 98A, even though the tension spring 99 and the hook portion 98A are separated from each other in
The rotation mechanism portion 100 illustrated in
Specifically, the rotation mechanism portion 100 includes a portion to be contacted 102 provided in the line head 20, and a contact portion 106 provided in the lid unit 90 and configured to change a contact position with the portion to be contacted 102 along with a moving operation of the line head 20 to the recording position to rotate the lid unit 90.
When the line head 20 is at a rising position in the −B direction, the lid unit 90 is disposed along the A direction. When the line head 20 is at a lowering position in the +B direction, the lid unit 90 is inclined and disposed such that the contact portion 106 is located more in the −Z direction than the support shaft portion 94A with the support shaft portion 94A serving as a rotation axis.
As illustrated in
The surface to be contacted 103 is formed as a side surface in the +A direction on the inside in the Y direction with respect to the plate portion 20A (see
The guide surface 104 is formed in the +B direction on a side where the transport unit 10 (see
The contact portion 106 is configured of, for example, a rotating member 107. The rotating member 107 has a shaft portion 108 having a columnar shape and extending in the Y direction, and an annular portion 109 projecting in a radial direction from a central portion of the shaft portion 108 in the Y direction.
The shaft portion 108 is rotatably provided on the side plates 94 with the Y direction serving as an axial direction.
The annular portion 109 protrudes outward from the cutout portion 97A (see
The rotating member 107 rotates by contact with the surface to be contacted 103 and contact with the guide surface 104.
The respective positions in the B direction when the line head 20 illustrated in
As illustrated in
The retreat position of the line head 20 means a stop position of the line head 20 when the line head 20 is separated in the −B direction from the transport unit 10, compared with the recording position. The retreat position of the line head 20 includes the first position, the second position, the third position, the standby position, and the replacement position, which will be described later.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As described above, as an example, the head moving unit 30 is provided so as to be able to move the line head 20 to any one position of the recording position, the retreat position, the first position, the second position, the third position, the standby position, and the replacement position. Further, the head moving unit 30 is configured to cause the line head 20 to be located at the standby position before causing the line head 20 to be located at any one of the first position, the second position, and the third position.
1. As illustrated in
2. As illustrated in
3. As illustrated in
4. As illustrated in
5. As illustrated in
6. As illustrated in
7. As illustrated in
In addition, as illustrated in
Further, as illustrated in
As described above, since the position of the line head 20 changes according to the cap portion 64, the flushing portion 66, and the blade 76, appropriate maintenance for the line head 20 can be performed, compared to a configuration in which the position of the line head 20 is set at the same position regardless of the maintenance unit 60.
8. As illustrated in
9. As illustrated in
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As illustrated in
10. As illustrated in
11. According to the printer 1, in the configuration in which the maintenance unit 60 has the cap portion 64 and the flushing portion 66, when the cap portion 64 covers the nozzles N, the lid unit 90 covers the flushing portion 66, and thus it is possible to suppress drying of the flushing portion 66.
12. According to the printer 1, when the maintenance unit 60 is at the standby position, the flushing portion 66 is at a position closer to the line head 20 than the cap portion 64. As a result, when ink is ejected from the nozzles N to the flushing portion 66 in the middle of a recording job, the time for moving the maintenance unit 60 becomes shorter, and therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in recording throughput.
13. As illustrated in
14. According to the printer 1, the contact portion 106 is guided to the surface to be contacted 103 by coming into contact with the guide surface 104, and thus it is possible to suppress that the contact portion 106 is caught by the portion to be contacted 102.
Further, since the rotating member 107 moves while being rotated by contact with the portion to be contacted 102, a frictional force generated by contact between the contact portion 106 and the portion to be contacted 102 can be reduced, as compared with a configuration in which the contact portion 106 does not include the rotating member 107.
15. As illustrated in
Next, a printer 110 according to Embodiment 2 as an example of the recording apparatus according to the present disclosure will be described. Note that portions common to the printer 1 according to Embodiment 1 (see
As illustrated in
The rotation mechanism portion 112 is provided so as to be movable in the Y direction, and includes a wiper portion 114 as an example of the cleaning portion configured to clean the ejecting surface NA (see
The wiper portion 114 includes the main body portion 74, the blade 76, a support frame 115 configured to support the main body portion 74, an endless belt 116, and a motor 117.
The support frame 115 is formed with a cylindrical portion 115A that opens in the Y direction and a pinching portion 115B that pinches a part of the belt 116. The cylindrical portion 115A is guided in the Y direction by the guide shaft 113.
The belt 116 is formed with a plurality of tooth portions on its inner surface, and by rotating a gear engaging with the tooth portions by the motor 117, the belt 116 is rotated and moved.
The pinching portion 115B is linearly moved in the Y direction along with the rotation movement of the belt 116 by pinching the part of the belt 116.
As described above, the main body portion 74, the blade 76, and the support frame 115 are integrally formed, and are movable in the Y direction by the rotation of the motor 117.
The conversion portion 120 includes the gear portion 111 of the side plate 94, a cylindrical member 118, a shaft member 122, which will be described later, and a gear portion 124.
The cylindrical member 118 has a portion to be guided 118A having a plate shape and a cylindrical portion 118B integrated with the portion to be guided 118A. A through-hole 119 is formed in the portion to be guided 118A. The guide shaft 113 is inserted into the through-hole 119. That is, the cylindrical member 118 is movable in the Y direction along the guide shaft 113. A protrusion (not illustrated) protruding inward in a radial direction is formed inside the cylindrical portion 118B.
The cylindrical portion 118B is configured separately from and independently of the wiper portion 114, is movable in the Y direction along the shaft member 122, and is pressed in the +Y direction by a spring (not illustrated). Further, the cylindrical portion 118B is configured to be engageable with the wiper portion 114.
The shaft member 122 is a columnar member, and extends in the Y direction. In addition, the shaft member 122 is rotatably supported by a bracket (not illustrated). A cam groove 123 having a spiral shape is formed on an outer peripheral surface of a portion of the shaft member 122 in the −Y direction with respect to the center in the Y direction of the shaft member 122. The protrusion (not illustrated) formed inside the cylindrical portion 118B is inserted into the cam groove 123.
A gear portion 124 having a semicircular shape is formed in a portion of the shaft member 122 in the +Y direction with respect to the center in the Y direction of the shaft member 122. The gear portion 124 has a plurality of tooth portions 125. The plurality of tooth portions 125 is engaged with the plurality of tooth portions 111A.
When the cylindrical member 118 moves in the Y direction, the protrusion (not illustrated) formed inside the cylindrical portion 118B moves in the cam groove 123 that has the spiral shape and that is formed in the shaft member 122, and thus the shaft member 122 rotates. When the shaft member 122 rotates, the lid unit 90 rotates.
Here, the wiper portion 114 has a home position at an end portion in the −Y direction, and when the wiper portion 114 is at the home position, the wiper portion 114 pushes the cylindrical member 118 in the −Y direction, and whereby the lid unit 90 assumes the closed posture (see
As described above, the conversion portion 120 is configured to convert the linear motion along the Y direction of the wiper portion 114 into the rotational motion for rotating the lid unit 90.
As illustrated in
Next, a printer 130 according to Embodiment 3 as an example of the recording apparatus according to the present disclosure will be described. Note that portions common to the printer 1 (see
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The slide member 134 is supported by a bracket (not illustrated), and is movable in the Y direction. Further, the slide member 134 is disposed in the −Y direction with respect to the protruding portion 115C, and when the support frame 115 is moved toward a storage position in the −Y direction, the slide member 134 is moved in the −Y direction by coming into contact with the protruding portion 115C. Further, the slide member 134 pinches one end portion of the wire 133.
The winding portion 135 is a columnar portion having an axial direction in the B direction, and is rotatably provided by a bracket (not illustrated).
The hook portion (not illustrated) and the pinching portion 136 are formed on the side plate 94.
The wire 133 is extended in the Y direction in a state in which one end is pinched by the slide member 134, is wound around the winding portion 135, and is extended in the B direction. Further, the wire 133 is bent by hooking the portion extended in the B direction on the hook portion (not illustrated). Then, the other end of the wire 133 is pinched by the pinching portion 136. Note that the lid unit 90 is rotatable in a similar manner to that in Embodiment 1.
As described above, in the rotation mechanism portion 132, the wire 133 is pulled or loosened along with the movement of the wiper portion 114 in the Y direction, so that the lid unit 90 is rotated.
The state illustrated in
As described above, in the printer 130, since a drive source for rotating the lid unit 90 may not be separately provided, and an installation space for the drive source may not be secured, it is possible to suppress an increase in size of the printer 130.
Next, a printer 140 according to Embodiment 4 as an example of the recording apparatus according to the present disclosure will be described. Note that portions common to the printer 1 (see
As illustrated in the upper and lower diagrams of
The drive unit 142 is an example of the drive portion that advances or retreats the maintenance unit 60 in the A direction. Specifically, the drive unit 142 includes a main body portion 143, a drive motor 144, arm portions 145 and 146, and a portion to be driven 147. Note that the maintenance unit 60 is supported by one pair of guide shafts 148 so as to be movable in the A direction.
A pinion and a gear (not illustrated) are provided in the main body portion 143. The pinion and the gear (not illustrated) are rotated by the drive motor 144 with the B direction serving as an axial direction.
The arm portion 145 and the arm portion 146 extend in the +A direction from the main body portion 143. Further, each of the arm portion 145 and the arm portion 146 is provided in the main body portion 143 so as to be rotatable with the B direction serving as the axial direction. Further, the arm portion 145 and the arm portion 146 are configured so as to be rotated in a direction approaching each other or in a direction being separated from each other by rotation of the pinion and the gear (not illustrated). A pin 151 is formed toward the +B direction at each of a free end of the arm portion 145 and a free end of the arm portion 146.
The portion to be driven 147 is formed at an end portion of the maintenance unit 60 in the −A direction. Specifically, the portion to be driven 147 is formed in a rectangular shape elongated in the Y direction. Further, two groove portions 147A are formed in the portion to be driven 147 at an interval in the Y direction. The two groove portions 147A are opened toward the −B direction. Further, the two groove portions 147A extend in the Y direction. One pin 151 is inserted into each of the two groove portions 147A. As described above, the drive unit 142 is configured as a link mechanism portion. The drive control of the drive unit 142 is performed by the controller 26 (see
As illustrated in the upper diagram of
As illustrated in the lower diagram of
As described above, by performing the advancing and retreating movement of the maintenance unit 60 by using the drive unit 142 as the link mechanism unit, it is not necessary to form a rack long in the A direction in the maintenance unit 60.
Next, a printer 150 according to Embodiment 5 as an example of the recording apparatus according to the present disclosure will be described. Note that portions common to the printer 1 (see
As illustrated in
The convex portion 153 is formed on the side plate 94, and protrudes from the side plate 94 in the −B direction.
The plate portion 154 is protruded in the −A direction from the side surface in the −A direction of the line head 20, and is disposed with the B direction serving as the thickness direction. Note that the convex portion 153 is located in a moving region of the plate portion 154.
The bracket 155 is attached to a main body frame (not illustrated) so as to face the lid unit 90 in the B direction.
The tension spring 156 couples the side plate 94 and the bracket 155. In a state where a length of the tension spring 156 is a natural length, a free end portion of the lid unit 90 is pulled up so as to be located more in the −B direction than the support shaft portion 94A.
Here, the lid unit 90 is disposed upstream of the line head 20 in the A direction. The maintenance unit 60 of Embodiment 5 has the standby position upstream of the line head 20 in the A direction. Further, the maintenance unit 60 has only the cap portion 64. Then, the maintenance unit 60 moves between the standby position and the cap position at which the cap portion 64 covers the nozzles N.
As illustrated in
Specifically, when the line head 20 moves to the recording position in the state where the maintenance unit 60 is moved to the retreat position in the −A direction, the plate portion 154 presses the convex portion 153 in the +B direction. Accordingly, the lid unit 90 closes the opening 65 of the maintenance unit 60.
As described above, even when the maintenance unit 60 is configured so as to have only the cap portion 64, the opening 65 can be closed by the lid unit 90.
Next, a printer 160 according to Embodiment 6 as an example of the recording apparatus according to the present disclosure will be described. Note that portions common to the printer 1 (see
As illustrated in
The rotation mechanism portion 162 has a portion to be contacted 164 provided in the line head 20 and a contact portion 168 provided in the lid unit 90.
The portion to be contacted 164 has a sliding surface 165 as an example of the surface to be contacted, and a guide surface 166 that is formed in a portion closer to the transport unit 10 (see
The contact portion 168 is brought into contact with the portion to be contacted 164 along with the movement of the line head 20 to the recording position, and rotates the lid unit 90. Further, the contact portion 168 has a curved surface 169 that contacts the guide surface 166 and the sliding surface 165. The curved surface 169 is formed in a circular arc shape when viewed from the Y direction.
As illustrated in
The printers 1, 110, 130, 140, 150, and 160 according to Embodiments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the present disclosure basically have the above-described configuration, but it is needless to say that modifications, omissions of partial configurations, and the like can also be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
In the printer 1, the adjustment unit 46 may not be provided.
The B direction may be a direction inclined such that an end portion of the discharge tray 21 far from the transport unit 10 is located below an end portion close to the transport unit 10 in the Z direction.
The first angle θ1 may be equal to or smaller than the second angle θ2 in magnitude.
The printer 1 may not include the maintenance unit 60. In addition, the printer 1 may not include the second maintenance unit 72. Further, the printer 1 may be configured to attach and detach the line head 20 in the Y direction. Further, the flushing portion 66 may be disposed upstream of the cap portion 64 in the A direction.
The head moving unit 30 may not cause the line head 20 to be located at the standby position before causing the line head 20 to be located at any one of the first position, the second position, and the third position.
Only one of the surface to be contacted 103 and the guide surface 104 may be provided.
The transport path T of the medium P in the region in which the line head 20 and the transport unit 10 face each other is not limited to the path in the A direction, and may be a path in the horizontal direction.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2020-014812 | Jan 2020 | JP | national |