Head unit and inkjet recording apparatus

Abstract

The head unit (51) provided by the present invention includes a recording head (52), a frame (53), and an angle adjustment part (8). The frame (53) has a side wall portion (531) adjacent to the recording head (52), and the recording head (52) is rotatably connected to the frame (53). The angle adjustment part (8) includes a frame adjustment screw (81) and a head adjustment screw (82) to rotate the recording head (52). The frame adjustment screw (81) is provided on the side wall portion (531) opposite to the recording head (52) and can move back and forth relative to the recording head (52) in an approach or departure direction. The head adjustment screw (82) is provided on the side wall portion (531) opposite to the recording head (52) and can move back and forth relative to the side wall portion (531) in an approach or departure direction. The front ends of the frame adjustment screw (81) and the head adjustment screw (82) in opposite directions are in contact with each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a head unit and an inkjet recording apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] The head unit mounted on an inkjet recording device includes a recording head with multiple nozzles that eject ink onto a recording medium such as paper, thereby recording an image on the recording medium. An example of such a head unit is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The conventional inkjet recording device head assembly (head unit) disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes three recording heads. The recording heads are connected to the base member of the head assembly using connecting members.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-121514

[0006] The existing technology has the following problems: when a user encounters a malfunction while using the inkjet recording device and needs to replace the recording head, it is difficult to replace only the recording head; the entire head assembly must be replaced. This necessitates replacing components that don't need replacing, raising concerns about high costs. Furthermore, even if only the recording head could be replaced, the user cannot perform the alignment adjustment of the new recording head relative to the existing base assembly. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of the above problems, the object of the present invention is to provide a head unit and inkjet recording device that can easily replace the recording head and achieve low cost.

[0008] To address the aforementioned issues, the head unit of the present invention includes: a recording head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink onto a recording medium; a frame having a sidewall portion extending in a width direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording medium and adjacent to the recording head, the recording head being rotatably connected to the frame about a head rotation axis disposed at one end of the recording head in the width direction; and an angle adjustment portion disposed at the other end of the recording head in the width direction opposite to the head rotation axis, allowing the recording head to rotate about the head rotation axis, the angle adjustment portion including: a frame adjustment screw disposed on the sidewall portion opposite to the recording head, capable of reciprocating relative to the recording head in an approach or departure direction; and a head adjustment screw disposed on the sidewall portion opposite to the recording head, capable of reciprocating relative to the sidewall portion in an approach or departure direction, the front ends of the frame adjustment screw and the head adjustment screw in opposite directions contacting each other.

[0009] According to the present invention, when assembling the head unit, after adjusting the head adjustment screw in the recording head, the recording head is installed on the frame, and the frame adjustment screw is adjusted in the frame. This allows for easy replacement of only the recording head. Furthermore, it eliminates the need to replace unnecessary components, thus reducing costs. Moreover, when replacing the recording head, since the new recording head is installed relative to the frame with its adjustment screws already adjusted, even the user can easily perform alignment adjustments. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a simplified front view of a cross-section of an inkjet recording device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top view of the recording section of an inkjet recording device.

[0012] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A horizontal sectional view of the head unit of the recording section.

[0013] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A partial horizontal sectional view of the area surrounding the angle adjustment section of the head unit.

[0014] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of the side wall of the head unit.

[0015] Figure 6 yes Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of the recording head of the head unit.

[0016] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A partial 3D view of the area surrounding the angle adjustment section of the recording head. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a simplified cross-sectional view of the inkjet recording device 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top view of the recording unit 5 of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. The inkjet recording apparatus 1 is, for example, an inkjet recording printer. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the inkjet recording device 1 includes a main body 2, a paper feeding unit 3, a paper delivery unit 4, a recording unit 5, a drying unit 6, and a control unit 7.

[0019] The paper feeding section 3 holds multiple sheets of paper (recording media) S, and separates and feeds them out one by one during recording. The paper feeding section 4 conveys the paper S fed from the paper feeding section 3 to the recording section 5 and the drying section 6, and then discharges the recorded and dried paper S to the output section 21. In the case of double-sided recording, the paper feeding section 4 distributes the paper S recorded and dried on the first side to the flipping conveyor section 44 through the branching section 43, and then switches the conveying direction so that the paper S flipped in both directions is fed back to the recording section 5 and the drying section 6.

[0020] The paper feeding unit 4 includes a first belt conveyor 41 and a second belt conveyor 42. The first belt conveyor 41 has a first conveyor belt 411 formed in a ring shape. The second belt conveyor 42 has a second conveyor belt 421 formed in a ring shape. The first belt conveyor 41 and the second belt conveyor 42 respectively adsorb and hold the paper S on the outer surface (upper surface) on the upper side of the first conveyor belt 411 and the second conveyor belt 421 and convey it. The first belt conveyor 41 is disposed below the recording unit 5 and conveys the paper S. The second belt conveyor 42 is located downstream of the first belt conveyor 41 in the paper feeding direction, disposed in the drying unit 6 and conveys the paper S.

[0021] The recording unit 5 is positioned above the first conveyor belt 411, opposite the paper S that is adsorbed, held, and conveyed on the upper surface of the first conveyor belt 411, and spaced apart by a predetermined interval. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the recording unit 5 maintains header units 51B, 51C, 51M, and 51Y corresponding to the four colors: black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively. Header units 51B, 51C, 51M, and 51Y are arranged side-by-side along the paper feed direction Dc, with their long sides parallel to the paper width direction Dw, which is orthogonal to the paper feed direction Dc. Furthermore, the four header units 51B, 51C, 51M, and 51Y have the same basic structure; therefore, in the following description, unless specifically defined, the identification marks "B," "C," "M," and "Y" for each color may be omitted.

[0022] Each of the color head units 51 has a linear inkjet recording head 52. In each of the color head units 51, multiple recording heads 52 are arranged in an alternating pattern along the paper width direction Dw (e.g., three (52a, 52b, 52c)).

[0023] The recording head 52 has multiple ink ejection nozzles 521 at its bottom. These nozzles are arranged side-by-side along the paper width direction Dw, enabling them to eject ink across the entire recording area of ​​the paper S. In other words, the recording head 52 has multiple ink ejection nozzles 521 that eject ink onto the paper S. The recording unit 5 sequentially ejects ink from the recording heads 52 of the four-color head units 51B, 51C, 51M, and 51Y onto the paper S conveyed by the first conveyor belt 411, recording either a color image or a black-and-white image onto the paper S.

[0024] The drying section 6 is positioned downstream of the recording section 5 in the paper feeding direction and is equipped with a second conveyor belt 42. During the period when the paper S on which the ink image has been recorded in the recording section 5 is held and transported in the drying section 6 by the second conveyor belt 421, the ink is dried.

[0025] The control unit 7 includes a CPU, a storage unit, and other electronic circuits and components (not shown). Based on the control program and data stored in the storage unit, the CPU controls the operation of each component of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 and performs processing related to the function of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. The paper feed unit 3, paper delivery unit 4, recording unit 5, and drying unit 6 each receive instructions individually from the control unit 7 and simultaneously record paper S. The storage unit is, for example, a combination of non-volatile storage devices such as program ROM (Read Only Memory) and data ROM (not shown) and volatile storage devices such as RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0026] Next, in Figure 2 Based on Figure 3 The structure of the head unit 51 of the inkjet recording device 1 will be further explained. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A horizontal cross-sectional view of the head unit 51 of the recording section 5.

[0027] In addition to the recording head 52, the head unit 51 also includes a frame 53, a head rotation axis 54, and an angle adjustment unit 8.

[0028] Frame 53 holds three recording heads 52a, 52b, and 52c. The three recording heads 52a, 52b, and 52c are arranged in a staggered pattern along the paper width direction Dw. Frame 53 has a sidewall portion 531. The sidewall portion 531 extends in the vertical direction and the paper width direction Dw and is adjacent to the recording heads 52a, 52b, and 52c. The sidewall portion 531 is held by two recording heads 52a, 52c, and one recording head 52b in the paper feed direction Dc. The sidewall portion 531 faces the downstream or upstream side of each recording head 52 in the paper feed direction Dc.

[0029] The head rotation shaft 54 ​​is disposed at one end 52r of each recording head 52 in the long side direction (paper width direction Dw), for example, at the end of the recording head 52 on the back side of the recording section 5. The rotation axis of the head rotation shaft 54 ​​is in the normal direction of the upper surface of the first conveyor belt 411 and extends in the vertical direction.

[0030] The three recording heads 52 are rotatably connected to the frame 53 with respect to the head rotation axis 54. The other end 52f of the recording head 52 in the long side direction (paper width direction Dw) can rotate with respect to the head rotation axis 54 in either the rotation direction Ra which moves upstream in the paper feeding direction Dc or the rotation direction Rb which moves downstream.

[0031] An angle adjustment unit 8 is disposed on the other end 52f side of the recording head 52 opposite to the head rotation axis 54, for example, the end of the recording head 52 on the front side of the recording unit 5. The angle adjustment unit 8 causes the recording head 52 to rotate about the head rotation axis 54 in the rotation direction Ra or the rotation direction Rb. As a result, the angle adjustment unit 8 can adjust the angle of the recording head 52 relative to the frame 53 of the head unit 51, thereby enabling proper positioning of the recording head 52 relative to the head unit 51.

[0032] Next, in Figure 3 Based on Figures 4 to 7 The structure of the angle adjustment unit 8 will be explained. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A partial horizontal sectional view of the periphery of the angle adjustment part 8 of the head unit 51. Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A perspective view of the side wall portion 531 of the head unit 51. Figure 6 yes Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of the recording head 52 of the head unit 51. Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A partial three-dimensional view of the area surrounding the angle adjustment section 8 of the recording head 52.

[0033] The angle adjustment part 8 includes a frame adjustment screw 81 and a head adjustment screw 82.

[0034] A frame adjustment screw 81 is provided on the side wall portion 531 opposite to the recording head 52. The frame adjustment screw 81 is mounted perpendicular to the side wall portion 531 and extends through it, extending in a direction intersecting the axis of the head rotation shaft 54 ​​(paper feed direction Dc). The frame adjustment screw 81 is, for example, a fixing screw with a hexagonal hole or slot at its end. The frame adjustment screw 81 is capable of reciprocating relative to the recording head 52 in the approach or departure direction.

[0035] A head adjustment screw 82 is disposed on the surface of the recording head 52 opposite to the side wall portion 531. The head adjustment screw 82 is mounted perpendicularly to and passes through the side plate 522 of the recording head 52, extending in a direction intersecting the axis of the head rotation shaft 54 ​​(paper feed direction Dc). The head adjustment screw 82 is, for example, a fixing screw with a hexagonal hole or groove at its end. The head adjustment screw 82 is capable of reciprocating relative to the side wall portion 531 in the approach or departure direction.

[0036] The frame adjusting screw 81 and the head adjusting screw 82 are positioned opposite each other in a direction intersecting the axis of the head rotation shaft 54 ​​(paper feeding direction Dc). That is, the frame adjusting screw 81 and the head adjusting screw 82 are positioned opposite each other in the long side direction (paper width direction Dw) and the vertical direction of the head unit 51, and their extending directions (moving directions) are the same. Furthermore, the front ends of the frame adjusting screw 81 and the head adjusting screw 82 in their opposing directions are in contact with each other.

[0037] According to the above structure, when assembling the head unit 51, after adjusting the head adjustment screw 82 in the recording head 52, the recording head 52 is installed on the frame 53, and the frame adjustment screw 81 is adjusted in the frame 53. Therefore, only the recording head 52 can be easily replaced. Furthermore, there is no need to replace unnecessary components, thus achieving cost reduction. In addition, when replacing the recording head 52, since the new recording head 52 is installed relative to the frame 53 which has already been adjusted with the frame adjustment screw 81, even the user can easily perform alignment adjustments.

[0038] Furthermore, the head unit 51 includes a plurality of (three in this embodiment) recording heads 52 arranged side by side in the paper width direction Dw. With this structure, for example, if one recording head 52 needs to be replaced, the other two recording heads 52 can continue to be used directly without replacement. Therefore, the head unit 51 can be made cost-effective.

[0039] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the three recording heads 52a, 52b, and 52c are arranged in an alternating pattern along the paper width direction Dw (see reference). Figure 3 Two recording heads 52a and 52c are disposed upstream of the sidewall portion 531 in the paper feeding direction Dc, and one recording head 52b is disposed downstream of the sidewall portion 531 in the paper feeding direction Dc. That is, multiple recording heads 52 are disposed upstream and downstream of the sidewall portion 531 in the paper feeding direction Dc, respectively.

[0040] With the above structure, for example, angle adjustment parts 8 can be provided for the three recording heads 52a, 52b, and 52c arranged in an alternating pattern along the paper width direction Dw, respectively, using frame adjustment screws 81 and head adjustment screws 82. That is, even when the recording heads 52 are arranged side by side in the paper feed direction Dc, only the recording heads 52 can be easily replaced.

[0041] Furthermore, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes a head unit 51 with the aforementioned structure for recording images on paper S. According to this structure, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 achieves a low-cost design and allows for easy replacement of the recording head 52.

[0042] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made to implement it without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0043] Industrial applicability

[0044] This invention can be applied to head units and inkjet recording devices.

Claims

1. A head unit, characterized in that, include: A recording head has multiple nozzles that eject ink onto a recording medium; A frame having a sidewall extending in a width direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the recording medium and adjacent to the recording head, the recording head being rotatably connected to the frame about a head rotation axis disposed at one end of the single recording head in the width direction; as well as An angle adjustment unit is disposed on the opposite end of the single recording head in the width direction, opposite to the single head rotation axis, so that the single recording head rotates about the single head rotation axis. The angle adjustment unit includes: The frame adjustment screw is located on the side wall opposite the recording head and can move back and forth relative to the recording head in the approach or departure direction. as well as The head adjustment screw is located on the surface of the recording head opposite the side wall portion, and can move back and forth relative to the side wall portion in the approach or departure direction. The front ends of the frame adjusting screw and the head adjusting screw, which are opposite to each other, are in contact with each other.

2. The head unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, It includes a plurality of recording heads arranged side by side in the width direction of the recording medium.

3. The head unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The plurality of recording heads are respectively disposed upstream and downstream of the sidewall portion in the transport direction of the recording medium.

4. An inkjet recording device, characterized in that, Includes the head unit as described in claim 1.

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