Printing device

Abstract

Provided is a printing device, and the object is to appropriately protect a carriage or the like. A printing device (1) includes: a frame (2) that houses a carriage (8); a lever (92) that detects a non-seated state of the frame (2); and a lock plate (93) that restricts movement of the carriage (8) when the lever (92) detects the non-seated state of the frame (2).

Description

[0001] Citation of Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority based on Japanese patent application No. 2021-125519 filed on July 30, 2021, and this application cites the entire contents of that basic application. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a printing device. Background Art

[0004] In inkjet printers and other printing devices, the relative weight of the carriage increases as the overall device becomes increasingly compact. Therefore, if an impact, such as from dropping the device, is applied to the movable direction of the carriage, the carriage may shift, potentially damaging the carriage itself or its drive unit.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-19850 discloses an image forming apparatus equipped with a carriage fixing mechanism that locks (fixes) the carriage using a lever that rotates in conjunction with the attachment and detachment of a paper feed tray. In this image forming apparatus, the carriage is locked by removing the paper feed tray when the apparatus is moved, thereby preventing damage to the carriage. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 requires the removal of the paper feed tray in order to lock the carriage, and it is difficult to say that it fully considers the unexpected falling of the apparatus main body.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to appropriately protect a printing unit such as a carriage.

[0009] Means of solving the problem

[0010] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the printing device disclosed herein is characterized by comprising:

[0011] A frame housing the printing unit;

[0012] a detection unit for detecting a non-seated state of the frame; and

[0013] The restriction unit restricts movement of the printing unit when the detection unit detects the non-seated state.

[0014] Effects of the Invention

[0015] According to the present disclosure, the printing unit can be appropriately protected. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the main part appearance structure of the printing device of the embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 is a main part perspective view of the printing device of the embodiment in a state where the upper frame is removed.

[0018] Figure 3 is a control block diagram showing the outline of the control structure of the printing device of the embodiment.

[0019] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the device main body of the embodiment, and is a view in which the frame is in a non-seated state.

[0020] Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the printing device at the cross-sectional position of the locking mechanism in a state where the upper frame is removed, and is a view in which the frame is in a non-seated state.

[0021] Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the printing device at the cross-sectional position of the locking mechanism in a state where the upper frame is removed, and is a view in which the frame is in a seated state.

[0022] Figure 7A is a view for explaining the operation of the locking mechanism of the embodiment.

[0023] Figure 7B is a view for explaining the operation of the locking mechanism of the embodiment.

[0024] Figure 8A is a view for explaining the operation of the locking mechanism of the embodiment.

[0025] Figure 8B is a view for explaining the operation of the locking mechanism of the embodiment.

[0026] Figure 9A is a view for explaining the operation of the locking mechanism of the embodiment.

[0027] Figure 9B is a view for explaining the operation of the locking mechanism of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] REFERENCE Figure 1 One embodiment of the printing device of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0029] In addition, in the embodiments described below, various limitations that are technically preferable for implementing the present disclosure are added, but the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and the illustrated examples below.

[0030] In the following embodiments, a nail art printing device is used as an example to illustrate a printing device that prints on fingernails. However, the printing device of the present disclosure is not limited to fingernails and can also print on toenails, for example. Furthermore, the printing device can also print on surfaces other than nails, such as nail art sheets or various accessories.

[0031] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the external structure of the main parts of the printing device 1.

[0032] In the following embodiments, up and down, left and right, and front and back refer to the directions shown in the drawings. In addition, the X direction refers to the left and right direction, and the Y direction refers to the front and back direction.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, the printing device 1 includes a housing 2 formed in a substantially box shape.

[0034] The housing 2 includes an upper housing 2U as an upper half and a lower housing 2L as a lower half.

[0035] The housing 2 is on the front side (the front side of the printing device 1, Figure 1 The lower side portion of the printing device 1 has a left-right direction (lateral direction, in the printing device 1 Figure 1 An opening 21 is formed substantially over the entire surface (in the horizontal direction, the X direction) of the housing 2. A cutout 22 is formed substantially in the horizontal center of the housing 2, continuous with the upper side of the opening 21. The cutout 22 serves as an entrance and exit for loading and unloading an ink cartridge 7, described later, into and out of the device.

[0036] Although not shown, the frame 2 may include a cover member that covers the opening 21 and the cutout 22. The cover member may be separate from the frame 2 or may be attached to the frame 2 via a hinge or the like so as to be openable and closable.

[0037] The upper surface (top plate) of the housing 2 (upper housing 2U) is provided with an operating unit 12 of the printing device 1. The operating unit 12 is, for example, an operating button (power switch button) for turning the power of the printing device 1 on and off.

[0038] The shapes and arrangements of the various parts of the housing 2 are not limited to those shown in the figures and may be appropriately configured. For example, the operating unit 12 may be provided on the side or back surface rather than the top surface of the housing 2. Furthermore, the housing 2 may include various other operating buttons as the operating unit 12, and may also include various display units, indicators, and the like.

[0039] The housing 2 houses the device main body 10 .

[0040] The device main body 10 is provided with a base 11, a finger fixing portion 6 mounted to the base 11, a photographing portion 50 that photographs a nail of a print object, a printing portion 40 that performs printing on the nail of the print object, and the like.

[0041] The finger fixing portion 6 is disposed at substantially the center portion in the left-right direction (X direction) of the device front face side of the base 11, and fixes a finger (print finger) having a nail as a print object in the present embodiment in a region suitable for printing.

[0042] The finger fixing portion 6 has an opening portion 61 on the device front face side. Further, a finger fixing member 62 is provided inside the finger fixing portion 6. The finger fixing member 62 pushes up and supports a finger inserted from the opening portion 61 from the lower side, and is formed of, for example, a resin having flexibility or the like.

[0043] A window portion 63 is formed on the upper surface of the finger fixing portion 6, and the window portion 63 exposes a nail portion of a finger inserted from the opening portion 61 and held by the finger fixing member 62.

[0044] The photographing portion 50 is disposed on the inner side of the upper surface (top plate) of the upper frame body 2U and at a position above the window portion 63 of the finger fixing portion 6, and photographs and acquires an image of a nail (including a finger of the nail) exposed from the window portion 63.

[0045] The photographing portion 50 is provided with, for example, a photographing device 51 such as a camera, and an illuminating device 52 (refer to Figure 3 ) composed of a white LED or the like that illuminates a nail as a photographing object. The photographing device 51 is, for example, a small camera provided with a solid-state photographing element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type, CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) type, or the like having a pixel of 2 million or more, and a lens or the like.

[0046] Further, the photographing portion 50 can be disposed at a position at which a nail of a finger placed on the finger fixing portion 6 can be photographed, and the specific disposition is not particularly limited. For example, the photographing portion 50 can be configured to be movable in the XY direction by a moving mechanism that moves the ink cartridge 7.

[0047] Figure 2 is a main portion perspective view of the printing device 1 in a state in which the upper frame body 2U is removed.

[0048] As shown in the figure, the printing section 40 is provided with an ink cartridge 7 having a function as a print head, an ink cartridge holder 71 holding the ink cartridge 7, a carriage 8 supporting the ink cartridge holder 71 so as to be movable in the X direction, an X direction moving motor 46, a Y direction moving motor 48, and the like.

[0049] The ink cartridge 7 is an ink cartridge-integrated head that functions as a print head, and is an inkjet head that performs printing by ejecting dropletized ink from an ink ejection section on the lower surface to a print target. The ink cartridge 7 of the present embodiment is not particularly limited, and can eject, for example, each color of ink such as cyan (C: CYAN), magenta (M: MAGENTA), yellow (Y: YELLOW), and the like.

[0050] The ink cartridge holder 71 holds the ink cartridge 7 in a detachable manner.

[0051] The ink cartridge holder 71 is supported in the front portion of the carriage 8 so as to be movable in the X direction. On the carriage 8, an X direction rail 80 extending in the left-right direction is provided, and the X direction moving motor 46 is mounted. The X direction rail 80 penetrates the rear portion of the ink cartridge holder 71. By driving the X direction moving motor 46, a drive belt (omitted from the figure) is rotated, whereby the ink cartridge holder 71 is movable in the X direction along the X direction rail 80 on the carriage 8.

[0052] The carriage 8 is an example of a printing unit of the present disclosure. The carriage 8 is formed in a long rectangular box shape in the left-right direction (X direction), and both end portions are supported to the Y direction rails 81, respectively.

[0053] Each Y direction rail 81 extends in the Y direction, and supports the carriage 8 so as to be movable in the Y direction.

[0054] The synchronous belts 83 are connected via belt clamps 82 at both end portions of the carriage 8, respectively.

[0055] Each synchronous belt 83 is erected in a state of extending in the Y direction, with respect to two pulleys 84a, 84b in the front and rear. The pulley 84a on the front side is a driven pulley, and the pulley 84b on the rear side is a drive pulley.

[0056] Among the synchronous belts 83 on both sides, the synchronous belt 83 on the right side is a driving (drive) side, and is connected to the Y direction moving motor 48. Specifically, the pulley 84b (drive pulley) on the rear side on which the synchronous belt 83 on the right side is erected has a gear 86a integrally formed, and is connected to the Y direction moving motor 48 via an intermediate gear 86b engaged with the gear 86a. On the other hand, the synchronous belt 83 on the left side is a driven side, and the rotational speed and amount of the synchronous belt 83 on the left side are synchronized with the driving side by connecting the pulleys 84b on both sides via a connecting shaft (omitted from the figure).

[0057] The rear side pulley 84b is rotated by driving the Y-direction moving motor 48, and in conjunction therewith, the timing belt 83 is rotated, whereby the carriage 8 is movable in the Y-direction while being supported by the Y-direction rails 81.

[0058] The rear right side in the base 11 is an initial position Al where the ink cartridge 7 (ink cartridge holder 71) and the like waits at the time of non-printing. In the initial position Al, a cover portion (omitted from illustration) that covers the ink ejection surface of the ink cartridge 7 to protect it from drying and the like is provided. In addition, when the ink cartridge 7 is located in the initial position Al, the carriage 8 is located at the last portion in the movable range thereof in the Y-direction.

[0059] The rear left side in the base 11 becomes a maintenance area A2 where maintenance such as cleaning of the ink cartridge 7 is performed at the time of non-printing. Although omitted from illustration, the maintenance area A2 is provided with a cleaning portion that performs a cleaning (spray washing) process, a wiping portion that wipes the ink ejection surface, and a scraping portion that removes ink adhering to the wiping member of the wiping portion.

[0060] The front side portion in the base 11 and the substantially central portion in the left-right direction are an area corresponding to the window portion 63 of the finger fixing portion 6, and become a printing area A3 where the ink cartridge 7 performs a printing operation at the time of printing.

[0061] The ink cartridge 7 is movable in the XY plane at least in the areas including the initial position Al, the maintenance area A2, and the printing area A3, by movement in the X-direction on the carriage 8 and movement in the Y-direction of the carriage 8 itself.

[0062] Figure 3 is a control block diagram that shows the outline of the control structure of the printing device 1.

[0063] As shown in the figure, the printing device 1 is provided with, in addition to the operation portion 12, the printing portion 40, and the photographing portion 50 described above, a display portion 13, a communication portion 14, and a control device 30 and the like.

[0064] The display portion 13 is constituted, for example, by an LCD, an organic ELD, and other flat panel displays and the like, and displays various information according to a display instruction from the control device 30.

[0065] The communication portion 14 performs wired or wireless data communication through a network line and the like. The communication method of the communication portion 14 is not particularly limited, and for example, a network line such as the Internet can be used, and wireless communication based on a close-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi, and the like can be performed.

[0066] The control device 30 is a computer including a control unit 31 including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) not shown, and a storage unit 32 including a ROM (Read Only Memory) 321 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 322 (both not shown).

[0067] The storage unit 32 stores various programs, various data, and the like for operating the printing device 1 .

[0068] Specifically, various programs such as a print program for performing printing processing are stored in the ROM 321 of the storage unit 32 . When these programs are executed by the control device 30 , the various components of the printing device 1 are comprehensively controlled.

[0069] The control unit 31 includes various functional units such as an imaging control unit 311 , a printing control unit 312 , and a communication control unit 313 . The functions of these functional units are realized by cooperation between the CPU of the control unit 31 and programs stored in the ROM 321 of the storage unit 32 .

[0070] The imaging control unit 311 controls the imaging device 51 and the lighting device 52 of the imaging unit 50 to capture an image of the printing finger held by the finger fixing unit 6. The image data acquired by the imaging unit 50 is stored in the storage unit 32.

[0071] The print control unit 312 generates print data based on the image data. Furthermore, the print control unit 312 outputs a control signal to the print unit 40 based on the print data, thereby controlling the X-direction movement motor 46, the Y-direction movement motor 48, the ink cartridge 7, and other components of the print unit 40 to print according to the print data.

[0072] The communication control unit 313 controls the operation of the communication unit 14 and performs various data communications.

[0073] The printing device 1 can also be configured to communicate with a terminal device (not shown) serving as a user interface. Examples of the terminal device include portable devices such as smartphones and tablet computers. However, the terminal device is not particularly limited as long as it can communicate with the printing device 1. For example, it can be a notebook or desktop personal computer, a gaming terminal, etc.

[0074] Next, the lock mechanism 90 for restricting the movement of the carriage 8 will be described.

[0075] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the device body 10, Figure 5 and Figure 6is a longitudinal sectional view of the printing device 1 at the position of the cross section of the locking mechanism 90 in a state where the upper frame 2U is removed. In this figure, Figure 4 and Figure 5 is a figure in which the frame 2 (lower frame 2L) is in a non-seated state, Figure 6 is a figure in a seated state in which the lower frame 2L is seated on the substantially horizontal setting table S. In addition, FIGS. 7 to 9 are figures for explaining the operation of the locking mechanism 90.

[0076] In addition, the locking mechanism 90 is provided on both left and right sides of the device main body 10, but since the two locking mechanisms 90 are configured to be left-right symmetrical and to operate identically, the following will describe only one of the left and right locking mechanisms 90, and the description of the other will be omitted. In addition, Figure 4 FIGS. 7 to 9 each show the locking mechanism 90 on the right side of the device main body 10.

[0077] In the printing device 1, the weight of the carriage 8, which mounts the X-direction moving mechanism of the ink cartridge 7 and the like, is relatively large. Therefore, for example, in a case where an impact force caused by a fall or the like of the device is applied to the carriage 8 in the movable direction (direction in which the carriage 8 is movable along the Y-direction rail 81, Y-direction) of the carriage 8, which is in a simple stopped state at the time of non-printing, the carriage 8 can move in the Y-direction due to sudden acceleration. As a result, the driving mechanism of the carriage 8 (mechanism that supports the carriage 8 to be movable, including the Y-direction moving motor 48, the Y-direction rail 81, the belt clamp 82, and the like), and the carriage 8 itself can be damaged.

[0078] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, Figures 4 to 6 the printing device 1 of the present embodiment is provided with the locking mechanism 90 that restricts the movement of the carriage 8 in a case where the frame 2 is in a non-seated state.

[0079] The locking mechanism 90 is provided on both left and right sides of the device main body 10, and is configured to be able to stop both left and right ends of the carriage 8 to restrict the movement of the carriage 8 in the movable direction (Y-direction). Each locking mechanism 90 is disposed on the rear side in the Y-direction in the device main body 10, and is able to restrict the movement of the carriage 8 when the carriage 8 is positioned at the last part in the movable range in the Y-direction.

[0080] Specifically, each locking mechanism 90 is provided with a guide base 91, a lever 92, and a locking plate 93.

[0081] The guide base 91 is disposed on the base 11, and supports the lever 92 and the locking plate 93.

[0082] The rod 92 is arranged to extend vertically and is supported by the lower frame 2L and the guide base 91 so as to be movable vertically, so that the lower end of the rod 92 can be inserted into and out of the lower surface of the frame 2 (lower frame 2L). The rod 92 can be inserted into and out of the lower surface of the lower frame 2L when the lower end of the rod 92 protrudes a predetermined length from the lower surface of the lower frame 2L ( Figure 5 The state in which the lower end of the rod 92 is flush with the lower surface of the lower frame 2L ( Figure 6 status) within a range of

[0083] The rod 92 has a large-diameter portion 92a at an intermediate height. A coil spring 94 is disposed above the large-diameter portion 92a, wound around the rod 92. The coil spring 94 (urging member) presses the large-diameter portion 92a downward, biasing the rod 92 downward relative to the lower housing 2L. The combined force of the coil spring 94 and the forces of the two locking mechanisms 90 is set to be at least less than the weight of the device body 10.

[0084] The rod 92 is used to detect the non-seated state of the frame 2 (lower frame 2L) and is an example of a detection member disclosed in the present invention. By moving the rod 92 up and down, the seated state (the portion through which the rod 92 is inserted) of the predetermined portion of the lower surface of the lower frame 2L is detected. Figure 6 state) and the non-seating state where the part is not seated ( Figure 5 status).

[0085] The range of movement of the lever 92 corresponding to the seated state is from a state where the lower end of the lever 92 is flush with the lower surface of the lower housing 2L to a state where the lower end protrudes a certain distance from the lower surface of the lower housing 2L. In other words, the seated state includes a state where the housing 2 (printing device 1) is tilted forward and backward within a certain angle range relative to the horizontal direction.

[0086] On the other hand, the movement range (state) of the rod 92 corresponding to the non-seated state is a state in which the lower end of the rod 92 deviates from the range of the seated state and protrudes to the lower side thereof.

[0087] The lock plate 93 rotates up and down as the rod 92 moves up and down, restricts the movement of the carriage 8 , and is an example of a restriction member of the present disclosure.

[0088] The lock plate 93 has a rotation shaft 931 extending leftward and rightward at a substantially front-back center portion. The rotation shaft 931 is pivotally supported by the guide base 91 .

[0089] A locking pin 932 is provided upright on the front portion of the locking plate 93 to abut against the carriage 8 and restrict its movement. As will be described later, the locking pin 932 is configured to assume an upright position, in which it stands in front of a stopper 87 protruding from the side of the carriage 8, and a tilted position, in which it tilts down below the stopper 87, as the locking plate 93 rotates.

[0090] like Figure 7A and Figure 7B As shown, the rear portion of the lock plate 93 serves as a pressing portion 933 that abuts against the upper end of the rod 92 and is pressed from below.

[0091] The pressing portion 933 has guide holes 933b on both left and right side walls 933a. The guide holes 933b are inserted into the protrusions 92b provided on the rod 92 to guide the protrusions 92b. The protrusions 92b protrude from the upper end of the rod 92 to the left and right sides.

[0092] The guide hole 933b is configured to restrict the rotation of the locking plate 93 depending on the vertical position of the rod 92. Specifically, the guide hole 933b is formed into a U-shaped hole having a lower hole 933c with a front-to-back width substantially equal to that of the protrusion 92b, and an upper hole 933d, which communicates with the upper side of the lower hole 933c and has a larger front-to-back width than the lower hole 933c. When the locking plate 93 is in the upright position (as shown in Figures 7 and 8), the lower hole 933c is located rearward and downward of the rotation axis 931.

[0093] In the locking mechanism 90 having the above structure, when the carriage 8 is located at the rearmost portion of the movable range in the Y direction during non-printing, if the lower surface of the frame 2 (lower frame 2L) is not seated on the setting table S, the rod 92 moves downward by the force of the coil spring 94, and the non-seated state of the frame 2 is detected (see FIG. Figure 5 ).

[0094] At this time, if Figure 7A 、 Figure 7B As shown, the protrusion 92b on the upper end of the rod 92 engages with the lower hole 933c in the guide hole 933b of the locking plate 93, pulling the rear portion of the locking plate 93 downward. This causes the locking plate 93 to rotate about the rotation axis 931 in a direction that causes the front portion to rise, and the locking pin 932 is raised. In this position, the locking pin 932 is located immediately in front of the retaining portion 87 on the side of the carriage 8, thereby restricting the forward movement of the carriage 8. Furthermore, since the carriage 8 is at the rearmost end of its range of motion in the Y direction, its rearward movement is also restricted.

[0095] In this manner, the lock mechanism 90 enters a locked state in which the movement of the carriage 8 in the movable direction (Y direction) is restricted.

[0096] In this locked state, if the printing device 1 is subjected to a forward impact, such as by being dropped, the forward impact force acts on the relatively heavy carriage 8. Consequently, the impact force F from the carriage 8 is applied to the point of contact (contact portion) where the lock pin 932 abuts against the locking portion 87 of the carriage 8. This impact force F acts to tilt the lock pin 932, causing the lock plate 93 to rotate in the direction to release the lock.

[0097] However, the rotational force P exerted on the protrusion 92b of the rod 92 by the impact force F via the locking plate 93 is decomposed into a force component Py in the front-back direction and a force component Pz in the up-down direction. Then, the protrusion 92b of the lower hole 933c, which is inserted into the guide hole 933b of the locking plate 93, blocks the force component Py, thereby restricting the forward and backward movement of the locking plate 93 at the position of the lower hole 933c (a position further rearward and below the rotation axis 931).

[0098] Thus, even when an impact force F greater than the biasing force of the coil spring 94 acts, the rotation of the lock plate 93 can be restricted and the locked state can be appropriately maintained.

[0099] When the lower surface of the frame 2 approaches the setting table S from the locked state, and the rod 92 moves upward against the force of the coil spring 94, as shown in FIG. Figure 8A 、 Figure 8B As shown, the upper end (top end) of the rod 92 abuts against the pressing portion 933 of the locking plate 93. Then, the protrusion 92b of the rod 92 moves from the lower hole 933c to the upper hole 933d within the guide hole 933b of the locking plate 93. This releases the restriction on the front-rear movement of the locking plate 93 imposed by the protrusion 92b, allowing the locking plate 93 to rotate.

[0100] Here, in the locked state, the vertical distance h between the upper end of the rod 92 and the pressing portion 933 of the locking plate 93 (see Figure 7B ) and the vertical movement of the projection 92b from the lower hole 933c are set to be approximately the same length. Therefore, when the rod 92 is pushed up by approximately a distance h, the pressing portion 933 of the locking plate 93 abuts against the upper end of the rod 92, and the locking plate 93 becomes rotatable (starts to rotate).

[0101] When the lower surface of the frame 2 is seated on the installation table S etc. from this state, and the rod 92 is further moved upward and the seated state is detected, as shown in FIG. Figure 9A and Figure 9B As shown, the upper end of the lever 92 pushes up the pressing portion 933 of the lock plate 93. This causes the lock plate 93 to rotate about the rotation axis 931 in a direction that tilts the lock pin 932 forward. The lock pin 932 then tilts down to a position below the locking portion 87 of the carriage 8, thereby not hindering the forward movement of the carriage 8.

[0102] In this manner, the lock mechanism 90 enters a lock release state in which the restriction on the movement of the carriage 8 in the movable direction (Y direction) is released.

[0103] As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the unseated state of the housing 2 is detected by the lever 92 , the movement of the carriage 8 is restricted.

[0104] Therefore, unlike the conventional technology that requires removing the paper feed tray to secure the carriage, even in the event of an unexpected device drop, the unseated state of the housing 2 can be automatically detected and the carriage 8 can be secured. This allows for appropriate protection of the carriage 8. Furthermore, damage to the drive mechanism of the carriage 8 or the carriage 8 itself can be suppressed.

[0105] Furthermore, conventionally, the carriage is sometimes secured with tape or cushioning material as packaging for shipment. However, the present disclosure can eliminate the need for such tape or cushioning material, the packaging work involved, and the user's need to remove the tape or cushioning material when opening the package.

[0106] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the unseated state of the housing 2 is detected by the rod 92 supported by the lower housing 2L so as to be able to move in and out from the lower surface of the housing 2 (lower housing 2L).

[0107] Thus, the unseated state of the housing 2 can be detected with a simple structure.

[0108] In addition, according to this embodiment, the locking plate 93 is constructed to be able to achieve the following state: as the rod 92 moves downward, the pressing portion 933 drops downward, and the locking pin 932 stands upright toward the moving direction side (front side) of the slide 8; and as the rod 92 moves upward, the pressing portion 933 is pressed upward, and the locking pin 932 tilts to the lower side of the moving direction side of the slide 8.

[0109] Thus, the movement of the carriage 8 can be restricted when the housing 2 is in the unseated state, and the restriction on the movement of the carriage 8 can be released when the housing 2 is in the seated state.

[0110] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the pressing portion 933 of the locking plate 93 has a guide hole 933b for guiding the protrusion 92b at the upper end of the rod 92. The guide hole 933b includes a lower hole 933c that abuts against the protrusion 92b to restrict the rotation of the locking plate 93, and an upper hole 933d that communicates with the upper side of the lower hole 933c and does not restrict the rotation of the locking plate 93.

[0111] Therefore, in the locked state, the rod 92 moves downward and the protrusion 92b fits into the lower hole 933c. Therefore, even if a force acts on the lock pin 932 to rotate the lock plate 93 in the direction of unlocking the state, the rotation of the lock plate 93 is restricted. Therefore, the locked state is properly maintained.

[0112] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the rod 92 is biased downward by the coil spring 94 .

[0113] Thus, when the housing 2 is in the unseated state, the rod 92 is not restrained by the lower housing 2L and moves downward quickly, thereby appropriately detecting the unseated state of the housing 2.

[0114] According to the present embodiment, the carriage 8 is movable in the Y direction (front-rear direction). During non-printing, the carriage 8 is positioned at the rearmost portion of its movable range in the Y direction, and the lock plate 93 restricts forward movement of the carriage 8 .

[0115] Thus, the lock plate 93 restricts only the forward movement of the carriage 8 , and can appropriately restrict the movement of the carriage 8 in the Y direction, which is the movable direction of the carriage 8 .

[0116] In addition, according to this embodiment, the slide 8 is formed as a strip in the X direction (left-right direction) perpendicular to the movable direction, and the locking mechanism 90 (locking plate 93) is respectively provided on the left and right sides of the slide 8 to limit the movement of the slide 8 separately on the left and right sides.

[0117] Therefore, even when the carriage 8 is subjected to an impact force that causes it to deviate to the left or right, the carriage 8 can maintain left-right parallelism. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress positional deviation between the pulleys 84a, 84b and the timing belt 83 in the left-right direction (a deviation that would cause the carriage 8 to lose its left-right parallelism by causing it to jump over the pulley teeth on only one side, left or right).

[0118] Furthermore, although the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to such an embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made within a scope not departing from the gist thereof.

[0119] For example, in this embodiment, two locking mechanisms 90 are disposed on the left and right sides of the carriage 8. However, the location and number of locking mechanisms 90 are not particularly limited. For example, only one locking mechanism 90 may be disposed at the rear of the carriage 8 when not printing. However, regardless of the number of locking mechanisms 90, it is preferred that they be disposed near the center of gravity of the carriage 8 and abut against the carriage 8 at a position close to the center of gravity.

[0120] In this embodiment, the locking plate 93 is rotated so that the locking pin 932 descends when the rod 92 is raised, and the locking pin 932 ascends when the rod 92 is lowered. However, the restricting member disclosed herein is not limited to such a locking plate 93. For example, the carriage 8 may be locked when the rod 92 is lowered, and released when the rod 92 is raised.

[0121] Furthermore, the detection member of the present disclosure is not limited to a rod-shaped member (rod 92 ) that moves up and down, and any member that can detect the unseated state of the housing may be used.

[0122] Furthermore, the detection results of the detection member may be incorporated into the control of the printing device 1 by the control device 30. For example, when the housing 2 is in the unseated state (or when the movement of the carriage 8 is restricted), the control device 30 may cause the display unit 13 to output a warning display or the like.

[0123] In addition, the printing unit of the present disclosure is not limited to a so-called carriage, and includes, for example, a print head and the like.

[0124] Several embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, but the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A printing device, wherein: have: A frame housing the printing unit; a detection unit for detecting a state in which the frame body is not seated, i.e., a non-seated state, and comprising a rod-shaped member supported on the frame body so as to be movable up and down so as to be able to enter and exit from a lower surface of the frame body; as well as a restriction unit for restricting movement of the printing unit when the detection unit detects the non-seated state, The limiting unit is supported so as to be able to rotate up and down around a rotation axis. The limiting unit includes a pressing portion and a locking pin. The pressing portion abuts against the upper end of the rod-shaped member. The locking pin is erected on the opposite side of the pressing portion across the rotation axis in the limiting unit. The limiting unit is configured to be able to take the following states: As the rod-shaped member moves downward, the pressing portion moves downward, and the locking pin stands upright on the moving direction side of the printing unit; as well as As the rod-shaped member moves upward, the pressing portion is pressed upward by the rod-shaped member, and the lock pin tilts to a position below the moving direction of the printing unit.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein The rod-shaped member has a protrusion at an upper end portion protruding in a direction parallel to the rotation axis. The pressing portion has a guide hole for guiding the protrusion. The guide hole has: a lower hole abutting against the protrusion to limit the rotation of the limiting unit; and The upper hole is communicated with the upper side of the lower hole and does not restrict the rotation of the restriction unit.

3. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: A biasing unit is provided for biasing the rod-shaped member downward.

4. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The printing unit is configured to be movable in a first direction within a horizontal plane and is disposed at one end of a movable range in the first direction when not printing. The restriction unit restricts movement of the printing unit toward the other end side in the first direction.

5. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The printing unit is configured to be movable in a first direction in a horizontal plane and is formed to be longer in a second direction than in the first direction, the second direction being orthogonal to the first direction in the horizontal plane. The limiting units are respectively provided on both sides of the printing unit in the second direction, and limit movement of the printing unit individually on the two sides.

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