Printing equipment

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention is a printing apparatus comprising: a printhead including a nozzle that ejects ink for printing on a printing medium conveyed in a transport direction; a carriage on which the printhead is mounted and which reciprocates in a main scanning direction; a sliding member attached to the carriage such that the carriage can change its position in a vertical direction; and a guide member including a first surface contacted by the sliding member and a second surface as a back surface of the first surface and guiding movement of the carriage in the main scanning direction, wherein the sliding member includes a first limiting unit facing the second surface at a predetermined distance away from the second surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a printing apparatus that prints images onto a printing medium via a printhead mounted on a carriage that can move along the printing medium, and more particularly to a printing apparatus capable of switching the distance between the printhead and the printing medium. Background Technology

[0002] Inkjet printing equipment is known as an image forming device such as a printer, fax machine, and copier. Inkjet printing equipment includes a recovery unit that maintains and restores the inkjet reliability for forming an image by ejecting ink from a printhead. Furthermore, inkjet printing equipment includes a guide rail and a sliding member for scanning a carriage on which the printhead is mounted. Additionally, inkjet printing equipment includes a switching mechanism that switches the distance between the print media and the printhead (so-called head-to-paper pitch) according to the type of print media.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-61768 discloses a construction in which a printing device having a structure for switching the head-to-paper spacing between the printhead and the printing medium performs a printhead recovery operation with a simple and inexpensive construction. Specifically, a limiting unit is provided on the carriage to restrict the movement of the carriage in the vertically upward direction. The limiting unit is disposed on the back side of the guide rail, and once the carriage moves in the vertically upward direction, the movement of the carriage is restricted when the limiting unit contacts the back side of the guide rail. Summary of the Invention

[0004] However, in printing equipment with a design that switches the head-to-paper pitch between the printhead and the printing media, changing the head-to-paper pitch alters the gap between the limiting unit and the guide rail. When the gap between the back of the limiting unit and the guide rail is large and the cover pressure exceeds the weight of the carriage, the carriage rises during the recovery operation, preventing a sufficient recovery process.

[0005] In addition, there is a risk that the carriage may detach from the guide rail, for example, if the user lifts the carriage to deal with a blockage that occurred during printing or if the printing equipment is accidentally dropped during logistics.

[0006] Therefore, in view of the above problems, the object of this disclosure is to provide a printing device having a structure capable of suppressing carriage lifting and carriage detachment.

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention is a printing apparatus comprising: a printhead including a nozzle that ejects ink for printing on a printing medium conveyed in a transport direction; a carriage on which the printhead is mounted and which reciprocates in a main scanning direction; a sliding member attached to the carriage such that the carriage can change its position in a vertical direction; and a guide member including a first surface contacted by the sliding member and a second surface as the back surface of the first surface and guiding the movement of the carriage in the main scanning direction, wherein the sliding member includes a first limiting unit facing the second surface at a predetermined distance away from the second surface.

[0008] Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional diagram illustrating the schematic structure of an inkjet printing device;

[0010] Figure 2 It is a 3D view of the area around the carriage;

[0011] Figure 3A This is a 3D view of the rear of the carriage unit; Figure 3B This is a 3D view of the back of the carriage. Figure 3C This is a three-dimensional view of the back of the sliding component. Figure 3D This is a three-dimensional view of the back of the switching component;

[0012] Figure 4A This is a side view of the carriage unit and guide rail unit. Figure 4B This is a side view of the carriage. Figure 4C This is a side view of the sliding component. Figure 4D This is the side view of the switching component;

[0013] Figure 5 This is a zoomed-in side view of the surrounding components;

[0014] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional view of the rear side of the surrounding components;

[0015] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view of the front side of the component surrounding the switch;

[0016] Figure 8 This is an enlarged side view of the surrounding area of ​​the switching component when the distance from the head to the paper is short;

[0017] Figure 9 It is a cross-sectional view of the rear side of the switching component when the distance from the head to the paper is short;

[0018] Figure 10This is a cross-sectional view of the front side of the switching component when the distance from the head to the paper is short;

[0019] Figure 11 This is an enlarged side view of the surrounding area of ​​the switching component when the distance from the top of the paper is long;

[0020] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of the rear side of the switching component when the distance from the head to the paper is long;

[0021] Figure 13 This is a cross-sectional view of the front side of the switching component when the distance from the head to the paper is long;

[0022] Figure 14 This is a side view of the surrounding components during the sealing process;

[0023] Figures 15A to 15E This diagram illustrates the assembly steps of the carriage unit. Figure 15F This is a zoomed-in side view of the surrounding components;

[0024] Figure 16A This is a side view of the guide rail and the surrounding switching components. Figure 16B This is an enlarged side view of the area around the guide rail;

[0025] Figure 17 This is a side view of the carriage unit and guide rail unit.

[0026] Figure 18A This is a yz-plane diagram illustrating the relationship between the forces acting on the carriage element. Figures 18B to 18D It is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the forces acting on the carriage unit;

[0027] Figure 19 This is a yz-plane diagram illustrating the relationship between the forces acting on the carriage unit during sealing;

[0028] Figure 20 This is a yz-plane diagram illustrating the relationship between the forces acting on the carriage unit during sealing;

[0029] Figure 21A and Figure 21B It is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the sliding surface of the guide rail and the first limiting unit. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the invention according to the claims. Furthermore, although multiple features are described in the following embodiments, not all of these features are necessarily essential to solving the problem; rather, multiple features can be combined as needed. Additionally, in the drawings, the same or similar constructions may be given the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions may be omitted herein.

[0031] In this specification, "printing" refers to the formation of meaningful information such as characters and graphics. However, it is not limited to this case; "printing" also means the extensive formation of images, designs, patterns, etc., on a printing medium or the processing of the medium, regardless of whether they are meaningful or meaningless and regardless of whether they are visually perceptible to people.

[0032] Furthermore, "printing media" includes not only sheet paper used in general image forming equipment, but also roll paper. Moreover, "printing media" includes any medium that can be conveyed via a conveying device included in the printing equipment, such as cloth, plastic film (OHP), metal sheets, glass, ceramics, wood, and leather.

[0033] Furthermore, the term "ink" can be interpreted as broadly as the definition of "printing" mentioned above. In this specification, ink refers to a liquid that is applied to a printing medium and used for the formation of images, designs, patterns, etc., for the processing of the printing medium, or for the processing of the ink (e.g., the solidification or insolubility of the color material in the ink applied to the printing medium).

[0034] In addition, the distance between the platen supporting the printing media and the printhead is called the "head-to-paper distance". The distance between the back side of the limiting unit and the sliding surface of the guide member is called the "gap distance".

[0035] Furthermore, when printing on plain paper, the vertical position of the carriage unit is referred to as the "normal position." In the normal position, the head-to-paper distance is referred to as the "normal head-to-paper distance." Additionally, when printing on thick paper such as envelopes, the vertical position of the carriage unit (where the print head is away from the printing medium) is referred to as the "thick paper position." Furthermore, when printing on special paper, the vertical position of the carriage unit (where the print head is close to the printing medium) is referred to as the "special paper position." Note that the three types of positions described above are used as examples in the following explanation; however, the number of position types is not limited to three, and multiple types are acceptable.

[0036] [First Implementation Method]

[0037] <Structure of Inkjet Printing Equipment>

[0038] First, refer to Figure 1 The structure of the inkjet printing device according to this embodiment is described. Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an inkjet printing apparatus 1 (hereinafter referred to as printing apparatus 1) according to this embodiment. Printing apparatus 1 includes a printhead 3 and an ink reservoir 13. The printhead 3 has nozzles formed therein for spraying ink onto the printing medium 2, and the ink reservoir 13 stores the ink supplied to the printhead 3. Furthermore, printing apparatus 1 includes a supply pipe 14, which forms an ink supply channel for supplying ink from the ink reservoir 13 to the printhead 3. A drive belt 6, between the drive pulley 5a and the idler pulley 5b of the motor 4, is locked to a carriage 500, and the carriage 500 reciprocates along the X direction due to the rotation of the drive belt 6. The printhead 3 is detachably mounted on the carriage 500. Note that the directions of reciprocating movement of the carriage 500 (in other words, the +X direction and the -X direction) are collectively referred to as the "main scanning direction," "reciprocating movement direction," etc.

[0039] The printing apparatus 1 includes a transport unit 40 that feeds a printing medium 2 in sheet form, and the transport unit 40 transports the printing medium 2 in a +Y direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction of the carriage 500 on which the printhead 3 is mounted. Note that the +Y direction in which the printing medium 2 is transported is referred to as the "transport direction". Furthermore, a platform 42 is positioned below the movement range of the printhead 3, facing the printhead 3. An image is printed while the carriage 500 moves along the main scanning direction and the printhead 3 is driven synchronously with this movement. Afterward, a predetermined amount of paper is fed via a transport roller 41. Printing an image on the entire printing medium 2 is performed by alternately repeating the reciprocating movement of the carriage 500 and the paper feeding as described above.

[0040] Furthermore, the printing device 1 is provided with a recovery unit 30, which prevents the nozzles in the printhead 3 from becoming clogged and also maintains and restores the printing characteristics of the nozzles (specifically, the ink ejection performance). The printing device 1 performs the recovery operation by pressing the printhead 3 from below in the vertical direction (Z direction) with the cover unit 30.

[0041] <Construction of the carriage unit>

[0042] Next, refer to Figures 2 to 4C Explain the construction of the carriage unit. Figure 2 It is a perspective view illustrating the platform 42, the cover unit 31, and the guide member that allows the carriage 500 to reciprocate along the main scanning direction.

[0043] Figure 3A From Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the rear of the carriage unit as seen from the direction of arrow Y1. Figure 3B This is a 3D view of the back of the Carriage 500. Figure 3CThis is a three-dimensional view of the back of the sliding component 530. Figure 3D This is a three-dimensional view of the back of the switching component 540.

[0044] In comparison, Figure 4A From Figure 2 The side view of the carriage unit and guide rail unit viewed in the direction of arrow X1. Figure 4B This is a side view of the carriage 500. Figure 4C This is a side view of the sliding member 530. Figure 4D This is a side view of the switching component 540.

[0045] The carriage 500 includes an upper slider 501 (third sliding member) and a front slider 502 (second sliding member) (there are two front sliders, one at different positions in the X direction). The upper slider 501 (third sliding member) contacts the sliding surface 511 (fifth surface) of the main frame 510. The front slider 502 (second sliding member) contacts the sliding surface 512 (third surface) of the main frame 510. Using the configuration described above, the position of the print head 3 relative to the transport direction of the printing medium 2 is determined. The sliding surface of the upper slider 501 (third sliding member) is 501a, and the sliding surface of the front slider 502 (second sliding member) is 502a. Note that the upper slider 501 (third sliding member) and the front slider 502 (second sliding member) may not be integrated with the carriage 500, but may be separate components attached to the carriage 500.

[0046] In addition, the carriage 500 also includes a sliding member 530 and a switching member 540. For example... Figure 4A or Figure 4C As shown, the sliding member 530 includes a sliding surface 531 that contacts a sliding surface 521 (first surface) that is inclined at an angle θ relative to the horizontal plane of the guide rail 520 attached to the main frame 510, and this determines the head-to-paper distance. A switching member 540 is disposed between the carriage 500 and the sliding member 530 and is capable of changing the head-to-paper distance. Two sliding surfaces 531 are formed at positions corresponding to the two ends of the carriage.

[0047] The switching lever 7, which can move forward and backward in the Y direction, enters the switching contact portion 548 formed on the switching member 540, and moves the carriage 500 in the X direction; thus, the switching member 540 slides proportionally toward the carriage 500. Therefore, the distance from the paper head to the paper can be changed.

[0048] Since the paper head distance greatly affects the image quality in the printing device 1, the guide rail 520 is configured to move proportionally in the vertical direction relative to the main frame 510, and is configured to adjust the paper head distance.

[0049] <Constructions related to the switching of head-to-paper distance>

[0050] Next, refer to Figures 5 to 13 The construction of the sliding member 530 and the switching member 540 used to switch the distance between the head and the paper is described.

[0051] Figure 5 yes Figure 3A Enlarged side view of the carriage 500, sliding member 530 and switching member 540. Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 The cross-sectional view of the rear side taken by section line VI-VI in the diagram. Figure 7 It is along Figure 5 The cross-sectional view taken along section line VII-VII is the front section view. Note that the cross-sectional view taken along section line VI-VI is called the "back section view", and the cross-sectional view taken along section line VII-VII is called the "front section view".

[0052] Figure 8 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 These are enlarged side views, rear cross-sectional views, and front cross-sectional views when the distance from the paper tip to the paper is small (short). On the other hand, Figure 11 , Figure 12 and Figure 13 These are enlarged side views, rear cross-sectional views, and front cross-sectional views when the distance from the paper to the top is large (long).

[0053] Figures 8 to 10 The illustration shows a specific paper position where the carriage 500 is lowered vertically, approaching the guide rail 520. On the other hand, Figures 11 to 13 The illustration shows the position of the carriage 500 in the vertical direction, which is higher and farther away from the guide rail 520.

[0054] The printing medium 2, which is the object of printing, comes in various types and has a wide range of thicknesses. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a switching member 540 between the carriage 500 and the sliding member 530 to appropriately change the distance between the printing medium 2 and the print head 3. The receiving surface 505 of the carriage 500 is positioned to contact the CR support portion 544 of the switching member 540, and the CR support portion 544 supports the carriage 500 at two points. Furthermore, the contact portion of the switching member 540, which is positioned to contact the switching support portion 534 of the sliding member 530, has a stepped shape 541, which includes three planar portions: a high portion 541a, a middle portion 541b, and a low portion 541c. Separated in the X direction, there is also a pair of switching support portions 534 and three planar portions.

[0055] The sliding member 530 is proportionally mounted to the carriage in a vertically movable manner and is held by a front holding part 507 and a rear holding part 508. The front holding part 507, which holds the front side, is formed at both ends of the carriage in the X direction, and the rear holding part 508 holds the rear side.

[0056] The position of the switching support 534 in the Y direction is the same as that of the CR support 544 in the Y direction, so as to suppress the rotation of the switching member 540 about the X axis.

[0057] When the printing medium 2 is plain paper, the printing operation on the plain paper printing medium 2 and the recovery operation for the print head 3 are performed when the carriage 500 is in its normal position, with the switching support 534 in contact with the middle part 541b. On the other hand, when printing on photo paper requiring high image quality (when the printing medium 2 is photo paper), the head-to-paper distance needs to be short to suppress ink droplet drop deviation. Therefore, in this case, the printing operation on the printing medium 2 and the recovery operation for the print head 3 are performed when the switching support 534 is in contact with the lower part 541c (in other words, the carriage 500 is in the special paper position). Furthermore, when printing on thick paper or easily curlable materials (when the printing medium 2 is thick paper, etc.), the head-to-paper distance needs to be long to prevent friction between the printing medium 2 and the print head 3. Therefore, in this case, with the switching support 534 in contact with the high position 541a (in other words, the carriage 500 is in the thick paper position), the printing operation on the printing medium 2 and the recovery operation for the print head 3 are performed.

[0058] like Figure 7 , Figure 10 and Figure 13 As shown, by sliding and moving the switching member 540 in proportion to the carriage 500 in the main scanning direction, the carriage 500 can be displaced in the vertical direction and the head-to-paper distance can be appropriately changed. Assuming the direction orthogonal to both the main scanning direction (X direction) and the vertical direction (Z direction) (Y direction) is the transport direction, as... Figure 8 and Figure 11 As shown, even when the distance from the paper head to the paper changes, the vertical position and the conveying direction position of the sliding member 530 relative to the guide rail 520 do not change.

[0059] In addition, such as Figure 6 , Figure 9 and Figure 12As shown, the sliding member 530 includes a fourth limiting unit 532 that restricts the upward displacement of the switching member 540, and the switching member 540 has a stepped shape 542. Like the stepped shape 541, the stepped shape 542 also includes three planar portions: a high portion 542a, a middle portion 542b, and a low portion 542c. The fourth limiting unit 532 restricts the upper side of each portion of the stepped shape 542 in the vertical direction. The carriage 500 includes a fifth limiting unit 503, the switching member 540 includes a limiting surface 543, and the upward displacement of the fifth limiting unit 503 in the vertical direction is limited by the limiting surface 543.

[0060] The portion of the switching member 540 that includes the stepped shape 542 and the limiting surface 543 is referred to as the "clamped portion 545". For example... Figure 5 As shown, when the print head 3 is not covered (such as during printing), the fourth limiting unit 532 forms an upper gap 545a with the clamped part 545, and the fifth limiting unit 503 forms a lower gap 545b with the clamped part 545.

[0061] like Figure 6 As shown, the fifth limiting unit 503 and the fourth limiting unit 532 are paired and adjacent to each other in the X direction. Another pair, different from the above pair, is configured with the stepped shape 542 at a span S that stabilizes the carriage's posture. The closer the span S is to the width of the carriage in the X direction, the better.

[0062] Figure 14 This is an enlarged side view of the carriage 500, sliding member 530, and switching member 540 in their normal positions during capping. During capping, the print head 3 is pressed vertically downwards by the cap unit 31 (the force F generated during capping acts as pressure), lifting the carriage 500, and the fifth limiting unit 503 of the carriage contacts the limiting surface 543. The clamped portion 545 is lifted by the fifth limiting unit 503, causing the switching member 540 to lift and contact the fourth limiting unit 532. A gap 540a is formed between the CR support portion 544 and the receiving surface 505, and a gap 540b is formed between the switching support portion 534 and the center portion 541b. The gap distance of the upper gap 545a is the same as the gap distance of the gap 540b, and the gap distance of the lower gap 545b is the same as the gap distance of the gap 540a (see...). Figure 5 and Figure 14 ).

[0063] Once the sliding member 530 is lifted, the first limiting unit 533 contacts the surface 522 (second surface) on the back side of the sliding surface 521 (first surface) of the guide rail 520. The clamped part 545 is clamped between the fifth limiting unit 503 and the fourth limiting unit 532 to hold the switching member 540 and thus suppress positional displacement of the switching member 540 relative to the carriage 500. Once the cover is released, the original contact state and the gap state are regained due to gravity.

[0064] The gap distance of the upper gap 545a remains constant even when the paper-to-head distance changes, and the gap distance of the lower gap 545b also remains constant even when the paper-to-head distance changes. In all paper-to-head distances, the stepped shape 542 is limited by the fourth limiting unit 532, and the fifth limiting unit 503 is limited by the limiting surface 543; therefore, a relationship is achieved where the clamped portion 545 is clamped from both above and below. Utilizing the relationship described above, a structure is achieved where the sliding member 530 and the switching member 540 do not detach from the carriage 500.

[0065] Assembly Steps

[0066] Next, refer to Figures 15A to 15F Explain the assembly steps of the carriage unit. Figures 15A to 15E This is a diagram showing the steps of assembling the switching member 540 and the sliding member 530 into the carriage 500, viewed from the rear. Figure 15F This is a side view of the periphery of the switching member 540, with the switching member 540 and the sliding member 530 assembled into the carriage 500. The steps described below are explained.

[0067] like Figure 15A As shown, the position of the fifth limiting unit 503 of the carriage 500 is aligned with the position of the assembly slot 547 of the switching member 540, and the switching member 540 is assembled into the carriage 500 from bottom to top.

[0068] like Figure 15B As shown, the switching component 540 is switched from Figure 15B Slightly slide from right to left.

[0069] like Figure 15C As shown, the position of the assembly slot 547 is aligned with the position of the fourth limiting unit 532 of the sliding member 530, and the sliding member 530 is assembled into the carriage 500 from bottom to top.

[0070] like Figure 15D As shown, the switching member 540 is slid from right to left.

[0071] like Figure 15E As shown, the carriage unit is now complete. Note that a stop 546 is formed at the end of the switching member 540 (see Figure 546). Figure 15A ), thus becoming the holding part of the switching member 540.

[0072] like Figure 15F As shown, when the carriage 500 is raised, although gravity acts on the sliding member 530 and the switching member 540, the sliding member 530 and the switching member 540 will not fall because the fifth limiting unit 503 and the fourth limiting unit 532 hold the clamped portion 545. Therefore, when the carriage unit is raised to assemble the carriage unit to the main frame or the like, it is possible to prevent the sliding member 530 and the switching member 540 from falling.

[0073] Construction of Restricted Units

[0074] As mentioned above, it is necessary to prevent the carriage 500 from detaching from the main frame 510 and the guide rail 520 in order to properly implement recovery operations at all head-to-paper distances, or to prepare for situations where it is subjected to falling impacts during logistics.

[0075] However, when the limiting unit is positioned such that it varies vertically relative to the guide rail 520 as the paper head distance changes, the gap between the limiting unit and the guide rail also varies with the paper head distance. In this case, the shorter the paper head distance, the wider the gap between the limiting unit and the guide rail 520, and there is a risk that the carriage may not be able to fall off.

[0076] To address this situation, in this embodiment, such as Figure 5 As shown, the first limiting unit 533, which is provided to the sliding member 530, is positioned facing and away from the surface 522 (second surface) on the back side of the sliding surface 521 (first surface) of the guide rail 520 at a predetermined distance. Even when the paper head distance changes, the position of the sliding member 530 does not change relative to the vertical direction and the conveying direction of the guide rail 520, so the gap between the surface 522 (second surface) and the first limiting unit 533 remains constant. By using the configuration described above, carriage detachment can be suppressed at all paper head distances.

[0077] like Figure 5 As shown, when the second limiting unit 504 is provided to the carriage 500, the second limiting unit 504 is positioned facing the surface 513 (fourth surface) on the back side of the sliding surface 512 (third surface) of the main frame 510 and at a predetermined distance away from the surface 513 (fourth surface). In addition, as... Figure 4A As shown, the third limiting unit 506 is positioned facing the surface 514 (sixth surface) on the back side of the sliding surface 511 (fifth surface) and at a predetermined distance away from the surface 514 (sixth surface). By using the configuration described above, it is possible to further suppress carriage detachment.

[0078] like Figure 14 As shown, during sealing, the carriage 500 can tilt due to the overall lifting and slight rotation of the carriage 500, switching member 540, and sliding member 530 in the direction of arrow M. As an example, in the configuration, the first limiting unit 533 contacts surface 522 (second surface), the second limiting unit 504 contacts surface 513 (fourth surface), and the third limiting unit 506 contacts surface 514 (sixth surface). Figure 14 The illustration shows the contact between the first limiting unit 533, the second limiting unit 504, and the third limiting unit 506 and their respective surfaces; however, this situation is not necessarily obtained when the carriage 500 is tilted. Depending on the distance between the limiting units, the clearance between each limiting unit and the main frame 510 or the guide rail 520, the coefficient of friction between each sliding surface and the main frame 510 or the guide rail 520, and the tilt angle of the guide rail 520, one or two limiting units in the illustration can be made to contact their respective surfaces.

[0079] In addition, such as Figure 14 As shown, in the case of the inclined configuration of the sliding surface 521 (first surface), the Y-direction component force V of the force received from the surface 522 (second surface) acts on the first limiting unit 533, and the sliding member 530 is pressed in the Y direction. As a result, the moment of contact with the second limiting unit 504 is advanced, and this has the effect of stabilizing the posture of the carriage 500.

[0080] <Effects of this implementation method>

[0081] According to the above-described embodiment, a printing device with a structure capable of suppressing carriage lifting and carriage detachment can be provided.

[0082] [Second Implementation]

[0083] In the first embodiment described above, a printing apparatus 1 with a structure in which the sliding surface 521 (first surface) and surface 522 (second surface) of the guide rail 520 are inclined relative to the horizontal plane was illustrated as an example. However, as Figure 16A As shown, the technology of this disclosure is also applicable to the printing device 1 in which the aforementioned surface of the guide rail 520 is formed by a non-inclined horizontal plane.

[0084] Figure 16A The diagram shows the case where surface 522 of guide rail 520 is horizontal. Figure 16B This is an enlarged view of the periphery of the first limiting unit 533 when the surface 522 of the guide rail 520 is tilted at an angle θ, and is used for... Figure 16AComparative diagram. δ = g / cos(θ), where the length of the gap between the first limiting unit 533 and the surface 522 (second surface) is the gap distance g, and the vertical distance between the first limiting unit 533 and the surface 522 (second surface) is the distance δ; therefore, the distance δ > the gap distance g. Thus, if the compared structures have the same gap distance g, the amount by which the carriage 500 is raised (lifting amount) when the cover is closed in the structure where the surface 522 of the guide rail 520 is horizontal can be less than the amount of lifting in the structure where the surface 522 is inclined.

[0085] <Effects of this implementation method>

[0086] According to the above-described embodiment, a printing device with a reduced carriage lifting amount compared to the first embodiment can be provided.

[0087] [Third Implementation Method]

[0088] like Figure 17 As shown, a configuration can be applied that includes a guide rail 520 (510) in which the guide member and the main frame are integrally implemented. In this case, the front slider 502 (second sliding member) and the second limiting unit 504 are integrally formed with the sliding member 530.

[0089] <Effects of this implementation method>

[0090] According to this embodiment, it is possible to miniaturize the printing equipment and reduce the number of parts.

[0091] [Fourth Implementation Method]

[0092] Reference Figures 18A to 21B This implementation method is described below. Figure 18A It is a diagram on the yz plane illustrating the relationship between the forces acting on the carriage 500, switching member 540, sliding member 530, main frame 510, and guide rail 520 when the cover is not closed. Figures 18B to 18D This is a diagram illustrating the relationship between forces as viewed from the back of carriage 500. For simplicity, the relationship between forces has a symmetrical shape with respect to the center CNT of carriage 500. Furthermore, half the force is applied to each of the two parts supported by different components in the X direction. Half the force is... Figures 18B to 18D The figure is denoted by * / 2 (* represents N, Q, or P), but in the yz plane ( Figure 18A In ), it is represented as a force that converges at one point.

[0093] Figure 19 It is a diagram of the yz plane, which illustrates the relationship between the forces acting on the carriage 500, switching member 540, sliding member 530, main frame 510 and guide rail 520 that cause the first limiting unit 533 to contact when the cover is closed. Figure 20It is a diagram of the yz plane, which illustrates the relationship between the forces acting on the carriage 500, switching member 540, sliding member 530, main frame 510 and guide rail 520 that bring the first limiting unit 533, the second limiting unit 504 and the third limiting unit 506 into contact when the lid is closed. Figure 21A The diagram illustrates the contact state of the sliding member 530 during printing. Figure 21B The diagram illustrates the contact state of the sliding member 530 during the sealing process.

[0094] The following reference numerals and dimensions are used in the above figures.

[0095] F: Cover pressure (force, solid arrow) received by the carriage 500 from the cover unit 31 via the print head 3.

[0096] W: Gravity (force, solid arrow) of the carriage unit including printhead 3 and supply tube 14.

[0097] P1: The force (solid arrow) received by the carriage 500 from the main frame 510 via the front slider 502 (second sliding member) when the cover is not on. At two positions at both ends of the carriage 500 in the X direction.

[0098] P2: The force (solid arrow) received by the carriage 500 from the main frame 510 via the front slider 502 (second sliding member) during sealing. At two positions at both ends of the carriage 500 in the X direction.

[0099] P3: The force (solid arrow) received by the carriage 500 from the main frame 510 via the second limiting unit 504 during sealing. At two positions at both ends of the carriage 500 in the X direction.

[0100] Q: The force (solid arrow) received by the front retaining portion 507 or the rear retaining portion 508 of the carriage 500 from the sliding member 530, or the force (dashed arrow) received by the sliding member 530 from the front retaining portion 507 or the rear retaining portion 508 due to its reaction. At two positions at both ends of the carriage 500 in the X direction.

[0101] R1: The force (solid arrow) received by the carriage 500 from the main frame 510 via the upper slider 501 (third sliding member) when the cover is not closed.

[0102] R2: The force (solid arrow) received by the carriage 500 from the main frame 510 via the upper slider 501 (third sliding member) during sealing.

[0103] R3: The force received by the carriage 500 from the main frame 510 via the third limiting unit 506 during sealing (solid arrow).

[0104] N: The force received by the carriage 500 from the switching member 540 (solid arrow), or the force received by the sliding member 530 from the switching member 540, or the force received by the sliding member 530 from the guide rail 520 (dashed arrow). At two positions at both ends of the carriage 500 in the X direction.

[0105] L: The force received by the carriage 500 from the switching member 540 (solid arrow), or the force received by the sliding member 530 from the switching member 540, or the force received by the first limiting unit 533 from the guide rail 520 (dashed arrow). At two positions at both ends of the carriage 500 in the X direction.

[0106] b: The distance in the Y direction from the boundary 507a of the front side where the sliding member 530 and the front retaining part 507 are positioned to contact each other to the CR support part 544.

[0107] c: The distance in the Y direction from boundary 507a to the first limiting unit 533.

[0108] d: The distance in the Z direction from the receiving surface 505 to the upper slider 501 (third sliding member).

[0109] e: The distance in the Z direction from the receiving surface 505 to the force Q acting on the boundary 507a.

[0110] f: The distance in the Z direction from the receiving surface 505 to the front slider 502 (second sliding member).

[0111] h: The distance in the Z direction from the receiving surface 505 to the force Q acting on the boundary 508a.

[0112] i: The distance in the Y direction from the boundary 507a to the sliding surface 531 of the sliding member 530.

[0113] j: The distance in the Y direction from boundary 507a to the point of application of the cover pressure.

[0114] k: The distance in the Y direction from boundary 507a to the center of gravity of the carriage.

[0115] m: The distance in the Y direction from the boundary 507a to the clamped part.

[0116] In addition to the above, the region between boundary 507a and boundary 508a is denoted by dimension a. In the following text, reference will be made to the above definitions. Figure 18A Gain force P1.

[0117] The balance of carriage 500 can be represented as P1=R1 in the Y direction and W=N in the Z direction.

[0118] With point A as the center, the torque balance equation of carriage 500 can be expressed as R1×d+P1×f+Q×e=N×b+W×k+Q×h.

[0119] The force balance equation for sliding member 530 is omitted because it is an obvious reaction equation.

[0120] The equilibrium equation for the couple of sliding member 530 can be expressed as Q×(he)=N×(ib).

[0121] Based on the above, the solution for force P1 can be expressed using the following equation (1):

[0122] P1=W×(i+k) / (d+f)...Equation (1).

[0123] Next, refer to Figure 19 Gain power P2. For simplicity, with Figure 18B Similarly, force P2 is symmetrical in the X direction; in other words, force P2 has a symmetrical shape with respect to the center CNT of carriage 500.

[0124] The force balance equation for carriage 500 can be expressed as P2=R2 in the Y direction and W+L=F in the Z direction.

[0125] With point A as the center, the torque balance equation of carriage 500 can be expressed as R2×d+P2×f+Q×e+F×j+L×m=W×k+Q×h.

[0126] The force balance equation for sliding member 530 is omitted because it is an obvious reaction equation.

[0127] The equilibrium equation for the couple of sliding member 530 can be expressed as Q×(eh)=L×(cm).

[0128] Based on the above, the solution for force P2 can be expressed using the following equation (2):

[0129] P2={-(FW)×c+W×kF×j} / (d+f)...Equation (2).

[0130] Finally, refer to Figure 20 Gain power P3. For simplicity, with... Figure 18B Similarly, force P3 is symmetrical in the X direction; in other words, force P3 has a symmetrical shape with respect to the center CNT of carriage 500.

[0131] The force balance equation for carriage 500 can be expressed as P3=R3 in the Y direction and W+L=F in the Z direction.

[0132] With point A as the center, the torque balance equation of carriage 500 can be expressed as -R3×d-P3×f+Q×e+F×j+L×m=W×k+Q×h.

[0133] The force balance equation for sliding member 530 is omitted because it is an obvious reaction equation.

[0134] The equilibrium equation for the couple of sliding member 530 can be expressed as Q×(eh)=L×(cm).

[0135] Based on the above, the solution for force P3 can be expressed using the following equation (3):

[0136] P3={(FW)×cW×k+F×j} / (d+f)...Equation (3).

[0137] Force P1 needs to be equal to or greater than a predetermined value to allow the front slider 502 (second sliding member) to move along the main frame 510 against the oscillation disturbances acting during scanning of the carriage 500 and the tilt of the entire printing device. Furthermore, force P2 preferably resists the Y-direction load received by the print head 3 from the cap unit 31 during capping and the tilt of the entire printing device, and force P2 needs to be equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Force P3 preferably resists the Y-direction load received by the print head 3 from the cap unit 31 during capping and the tilt of the entire printing device, and force P3 needs to be equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0138] It can be seen that the dimension b, which is the distance in the Y direction from the boundary 507a to the CR support 544, and the dimension m, which is the distance in the Y direction from the boundary 507a to the clamped part 545, do not affect P1, P2, and P3. These dimensions can be appropriately configured within the dimension a of the holding part of the carriage 500.

[0139] Here, we focus on the dimension i, which is the distance in the Y direction from the boundary 507a to the sliding surface 531, and the dimension c, which is the distance in the Y direction from the boundary 507a to the first limiting unit 533. According to equation (1), the larger the dimension i, the larger the force P1. According to equation (2), the smaller the dimension c, the larger the force P2. According to equation (3), the larger the dimension c, the larger the force P3. The difference between equations (2) and (3) is based on the difference between the positions where the limiting units are in contact. When the weight W of the carriage unit is located in the +Y direction in the conveying direction of the cover pressure F, the front slider 502 (second sliding member), the upper slider 501 (third sliding member), and the first limiting unit 533 are in contact when the cover is closed. In this case, the first limiting unit 533 is placed close to the side of the front holding part 507 ( Figure 21AWhen the weight W of the carriage unit is located in the -Y direction in the conveying direction of the cover pressure F, the first limiting unit 533, the second limiting unit 504, and the third limiting unit 506 contact each other during cover sealing. In this case, the first limiting unit 533 is positioned close to the rear holding part 508 side. Figure 21B Therefore, the posture during capping was stabilized.

[0140] Finally, the concept of this disclosure is implemented by appropriately combining the contents of the above embodiments.

[0141] Other embodiments

[0142] The embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by providing software (programs) that perform the functions of the above embodiments to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer or central processing unit (CPU) or microprocessor unit (MPU) of the system or device reads out and executes the program.

[0143] According to this disclosure, a printing apparatus may be provided having a structure capable of suppressing carriage lifting and carriage detachment.

[0144] While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the appended claims should be given the broadest interpretation to cover all such variations and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A printing device, comprising: frame, A printhead, comprising a nozzle that ejects ink for printing on a printing medium conveyed in a transport direction; A carriage, on which the printhead is mounted and which reciprocates along the main scanning direction; A sliding mechanism is disposed on the upstream side of the carriage on the conveyor and includes a sliding surface; A switching mechanism is disposed between the carriage and the sliding surface, and switches the position of the carriage in the vertical direction; A second sliding mechanism is disposed upstream of the carriage in the conveying direction and is separated from the sliding mechanism in the conveying direction. A guide rail, attached to the frame, includes (1) a first inclined surface in contact with the sliding surface and (2) a second inclined surface directly behind the first inclined surface, the first inclined surface being linearly raised relative to the horizontal plane as the guide rail extends downstream in the transport direction, the guide rail guiding the movement of the carriage in the main scanning direction, and A first limiting mechanism is disposed in the sliding mechanism and includes a limiting surface facing the second inclined surface at a predetermined distance away from the second inclined surface during the carriage scanning. The frame includes a third surface extending in the vertical direction, and the second sliding mechanism contacts the third surface. When viewed along the conveying direction, a portion of the first inclined surface and a portion of the second sliding mechanism overlap. When the position of the carriage in the vertical direction is changed by the switching mechanism, the gap between the limiting surface and the second inclined surface remains unchanged.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein, The switching mechanism switches the position of the carriage relative to the guide rail in the vertical direction.

3. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein, The switching mechanism is mounted so that it can slide between the carriage and the sliding mechanism along the main scanning direction.

4. The printing device according to claim 1, further comprising: A second sliding mechanism, which is attached to the carriage, wherein... The guide rail includes (1) a third surface that is in contact with the second sliding mechanism and (2) a fourth surface that serves as the back surface of the third surface. The carriage includes a second restraining mechanism facing the fourth surface at a predetermined distance away from the fourth surface.

5. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: A third sliding mechanism, which is attached to the carriage, wherein... The guide rail includes (1) a fifth surface that is in contact with the third sliding mechanism and (2) a sixth surface that serves as the back surface of the fifth surface. The carriage includes a third restraining mechanism facing the sixth surface at a predetermined distance away from the sixth surface.

6. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, The sliding mechanism includes a fourth limiting mechanism that restricts the upward displacement of the switching mechanism in the vertical direction, and The carriage includes a fifth limiting mechanism that restricts upward displacement in the vertical direction.

7. The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, The switching mechanism includes a clamping part, which has a stepped shape and a limiting surface, and The clamped portion is held by the fourth limiting mechanism of the sliding mechanism and the fifth limiting mechanism of the carriage.

8. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, in, One of the fourth limiting mechanisms is provided, and another of the fifth limiting mechanisms is provided, such that the fourth limiting mechanism and the fifth limiting mechanism form a pair, and another fourth regulating structure and another fifth regulating mechanism form another pair, and The length between the two pairs in the main scanning direction is approximately equal to the width of the carriage in the main scanning direction.

9. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The cover unit performs a recovery operation on the printhead.

10. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, When the conveying direction is defined such that the side to which the printing medium is conveyed is the front side and the side to which the conveying begins is the rear side, If the weight of the carriage unit, including the carriage, is located behind the cover pressure from the cover unit, then the first limiting mechanism approaches the retaining portion located on the front side of the carriage, and If the gravity is located in front of the cover pressure, the first limiting mechanism approaches the retaining part located at the rear of the carriage.

11. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The position of the support portion supporting the carriage in the conveying direction is the same as the position of the support portion supporting the switching mechanism in the conveying direction.

12. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The conveying direction is orthogonal to both the main scanning direction and the vertical direction.

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