Printing apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides a printing device which solves the problem that the size of the printing device is likely to become large. The printing apparatus includes: a medium support unit that supports a medium; a head that ejects a liquid from a nozzle toward the medium supported by the medium support unit; a carriage that holds the head and is movable in a scanning direction; and a gland unit that covers the head and seals the nozzle, in which a part of the carriage is suspended on the medium support section in a plan view in a state in which the gland unit covers the head.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a printing apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, as shown in Patent Document 1, there was a known printing apparatus that included a head mounted on a carriage and maintenance units disposed on both sides of a media support, and was configured such that the maintenance units included a cover unit for covering the head.

[0003] However, in the aforementioned printing apparatus, there is room for improvement in terms of space efficiency, such as the head only reaching the capping unit after the carriage has passed the media support section, and there is a possibility of increasing the size.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-59073 Summary of the Invention

[0005] The printing apparatus is characterized by comprising: a media support for supporting a media; a head for spraying liquid from a nozzle onto the media supported on the media support; a carriage for holding the head and being movable in the scanning direction; and a capping unit for capping the head and sealing the nozzle, wherein, when viewed from above with the capping unit capping the head, a portion of the carriage is suspended on the media support. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram representing a printing apparatus.

[0007] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the main parts of the printing unit and maintenance unit viewed from above.

[0008] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the main parts of the printing unit and maintenance unit from the front. Detailed Implementation

[0009] 1. Printing apparatus

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the directions in the drawings will be explained using a three-dimensional coordinate system. For ease of explanation, the positive direction of the Z-axis will be referred to as the upward direction or simply upward, and the negative direction as the downward direction or simply downward; the positive direction of the X-axis will be referred to as the right direction or simply right, and the negative direction as the left direction or simply left; and the positive direction of the Y-axis will be referred to as the forward direction or simply forward, and the negative direction as the backward direction or simply backward.

[0011] like Figure 1 As shown, the printing apparatus 1 houses the printing unit 10, maintenance unit 20, etc., inside the outer casing 40, which serves as the housing. The outer casing 40 is supported by left and right legs 43. The maintenance unit 20 is located on the right side of the printing apparatus 1.

[0012] A cover 42 is installed on the outer casing 40 to cover the central portion of the printing apparatus 1 and to allow visual inspection of the printing unit 10 during printing. Furthermore, an opening and closing cover 41 is installed on the outer casing 40 to allow opening and closing of the maintenance unit 20 from the top and right. As described later, sufficient space is ensured above and to the right when the user opens the opening and closing cover 41 to work on the maintenance unit 20.

[0013] The medium P is conveyed along the conveying direction F from rear to front by a conveying mechanism including a conveying motor, conveying rollers, etc. (all not shown in the figure). The medium P can be, for example, paper or resin such as film.

[0014] Alternatively, the medium P can be configured to be a long strip and placed behind the printing apparatus 1 in a wound-up state. In this case, the printing apparatus 1 can also be configured to have a winding section (not shown) at the front, and to wind up the medium P that has been conveyed in the conveying direction F by the conveying mechanism and printed by the printing unit 10.

[0015] The medium P is dried by a heating unit 44, such as an infrared heater, which dries the liquid that has been applied during printing. Alternatively, if drying the medium P is not required, the printing apparatus 1 may not include a heating unit 44.

[0016] Furthermore, the printing apparatus 1 includes an input / output unit 50 mounted on a control board (not shown). The input / output unit 50 is a user interface for the user.

[0017] The input / output unit 50 is, for example, a touch panel display. The input / output unit 50 includes a display panel as an output unit for displaying various types of information, and a detection panel as an input unit. Furthermore, in the input / output unit 50, the input unit can be a keyboard, mouse, buttons, etc., and the output unit can be a vertical LCD monitor, etc.

[0018] The control board also includes a processor (not shown) that reads the stored program and performs comprehensive control over the various parts of the printing apparatus 1.

[0019] The processor can control printing performed by the printing unit 10, maintenance performed by the maintenance unit 20, etc., based on inputs to the input / output unit 50 performed by the user.

[0020] Furthermore, the printing apparatus 1 is, for example, a large-format liquid ejection device, i.e., an inkjet printer, capable of printing on media P of A1 size or larger. The printing apparatus 1 is externally equipped with an ink tank and a waste liquid tank (both omitted from the figure) for supplying liquid ink.

[0021] 2. Printing unit and maintenance unit

[0022] In reference Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 At the same time, the printing unit 10 and the maintenance unit 20 will be explained.

[0023] like Figure 2 As shown, the medium P is conveyed along the conveying direction F and guided by the medium support 30 and the paper guide 31.

[0024] The printing unit 10 includes a head 12, a carriage 11, and a sensor 14. The carriage 11 holds the head 12 and the sensor 14.

[0025] Carriage 11 can be moved along by a carriage motor (not shown) Figure 3 The carriage shaft 15 shown moves in the scanning direction S, which is the left-right direction. The direction in which the carriage shaft 15 extends is also the scanning direction S. The head 12 is mounted on the carriage 11 and can spray liquid ink from above onto the medium P supported on the media support 30 for printing while moving together. The head 12 that prints while moving in this way is called a serial head. In addition, in the media support 30, the end on the side of the maintenance unit 20 and the right side in the scanning direction S is designated as the media support end 30a.

[0026] As described above, the printing unit 10 moves in the scanning direction S via a carriage motor. At the same time, the head 12, carriage 11, and sensor 14 mounted on the printing unit 10 also move in the scanning direction S. For simplicity, the following description assumes that only one component moves in the scanning direction S.

[0027] like Figure 2 As shown, in the scanning direction S, the area where the head 12 of the printing unit 10 can print on the medium P supported on the medium support 30 is defined as the printing area PA. The printing area PA is narrower than the width of the medium support 30 in the scanning direction S. Therefore, the right end of the printing area PA is located to the left of the end 30a of the medium support.

[0028] The right end of the printing area PA is the rightmost position where printing device 1 can perform printing. Figure 2 as well as Figure 3In the example, this position is set as a reference position so that the right end of the medium P is aligned when the user places the medium P. That is, the right end of the medium P is located at the rightmost end of the printing area PA. In the printing area PA, the position where the head 12 of the printing unit 10 can print on the medium P is set as printing position 10A.

[0029] In addition, the maintenance unit 20 is positioned on the right side of the printing apparatus 1 compared to the reference position when the medium P is placed.

[0030] On the other hand, such as Figure 3 As shown, the area where the head 12 of the printing unit 10 can be maintained by the maintenance unit 20 in the scanning direction S is designated as the maintenance area PB.

[0031] The maintenance area PB is the area to the right of the printing area PA. Furthermore, within the maintenance area PB, the position where head 12 can be maintained via maintenance unit 20 is designated as maintenance position 10B.

[0032] The head 12 has a nozzle 13 for spraying liquid ink onto the medium P. When the head 12 has multiple nozzles 13, it can spray ink of various colors. In this case, in addition to CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) ink, the head 12 can also spray white ink, etc.

[0033] Nozzle surface 13a is the surface in the head 12 where a nozzle 13 is formed, and is the surface where the nozzle 13 opens. Nozzle surface 13a faces downward and can be opposed to each unit of the media support 30 and the maintenance unit 20.

[0034] The carriage 11 is equipped with a sensor 14, which serves as a detection sensor capable of detecting the medium P. The sensor 14 is, for example, a light sensor that emits detection light downwards.

[0035] The sensor 14, mounted on the carriage 11, can detect the medium P supported on the medium support 30 from above. For example, the sensor 14 can detect whether the medium P is being conveyed in a forward-backward direction. In this case, the sensor 14 can detect the front and rear ends of the conveyed medium P. That is, the sensor 14 can detect the length of the medium P.

[0036] Furthermore, sensor 14 can move in the scanning direction S together with carriage 11 to detect the presence or absence of medium P. At this time, sensor 14 can detect the right and left ends of medium P. That is, sensor 14 can detect the width of medium P. Thus, sensor 14 can detect the position and size of medium P.

[0037] The maintenance unit 20 includes, in order from left to right in the scanning direction S and starting from the right side of the media support portion 30a, a first cover unit 21, a rinsing unit 22, a degassing unit 23, a second cover unit 24, and a wiping unit 25.

[0038] These components are mounted on the frame 45. Furthermore, the aforementioned carriage shaft 15, media support 30, and paper guide 31 are also mounted on the frame 45.

[0039] The head 12 of the printing unit 10 moves together with the carriage 11 from the printing area PA to the maintenance area PB. The head 12 can receive various maintenance actions at a position that can be opposite to each unit constituting the maintenance unit 20.

[0040] Additionally, the degassing unit 23 is a unit that degasses the gas contained in the ink in the ink supply channel to the head 12 by means of a pressure reducing pump (not shown). The degassing unit 23 does not directly perform maintenance on the head 12, but its configuration within the maintenance unit 20 is variable. Furthermore, since the degassing unit 23 is not a necessary structure according to the printing apparatus 1, it may be omitted, and its description will be omitted below.

[0041] In the scanning direction S, a first pressure cap unit 21 is arranged at the position closest to the medium support portion 30 and to the right of the medium support portion end 30a.

[0042] The first capping unit 21 has a first cap 21a and a first cap lifting mechanism (not shown). The first cap 21a can seal the nozzle 13 by covering the nozzle surface 13a of the head 12 from below. The first cap lifting mechanism is configured to include a first cap motor (not shown) for lifting the first cap 21a.

[0043] In addition, the situation where the first cover 21a covers the nozzle surface 13a is also referred to as a capping or pressing cap. Furthermore, the first pressing cap unit 21 is also simply referred to as a pressing cap unit.

[0044] like Figure 3 As shown, the head 12 of the printing unit 10 can reach the first cap position 10C at the maintenance position 10B via the carriage 11. The first cap position 10C is the position where the head 12 is opposite the first cap 21a of the first capping unit 21.

[0045] When the head 12 is in the first capping position 10C, the first cap 21a is raised by the first cap lifting mechanism of the first capping unit 21. As a result, the first cap 21a can cap the nozzle surface 13a as a maintenance action.

[0046] Alternatively, when the head 12 has multiple nozzle rows, the first cover 21a can also be configured to have multiple covers for each nozzle row. Furthermore, a structure can also be configured where one first cover 21a covers multiple nozzle rows.

[0047] The printing apparatus 1 seals the nozzle surface 13a of the head 12 with the first cover 21a of the first capping unit 21 when printing stops, when not in use, or when the power is off. In this case, the first cover 21a is also called a placement cover.

[0048] The nozzle 13 is sealed by the capping action performed by the first capping unit 21. As a result, ink thickening in the nozzle 13 can be suppressed, thereby preventing clogging of the nozzle 13.

[0049] When printing begins after capping, the first cap 21a is lowered by the first cap lifting mechanism, causing the first cap 21a to leave the nozzle surface 13a of the head 12. The head 12 can then move in the scanning direction S.

[0050] In the scanning direction S, the rinsing unit 22 is positioned to the right of the first capping unit 21.

[0051] As a maintenance operation, the rinsing unit 22 can receive the liquid, i.e., ink, ejected from the nozzle 13 of the head 12. The rinsing unit 22 has an absorber 22a that receives the ink ejected from the nozzle 13 through rinsing. The absorber 22a faces upward. Rinsing refers to the operation of forcibly removing foreign matter, air bubbles, deteriorated ink, thickened ink, etc., that cause poor ink ejection by ejecting ink from the nozzle 13.

[0052] At maintenance position 10B, when the head 12 reaches the position opposite the rinsing unit 22 via the carriage 11, it is rinsed toward the absorber 22a. The rinsed ink is collected from the absorber 22a through a hose or the like into an external waste tank.

[0053] In the scanning direction S, the second capping unit 24 is positioned to the right of the rinsing unit 22.

[0054] The second capping unit 24 includes a second cap 24a and a second cap lifting mechanism (not shown). The second cap 24a is capable of capping the nozzle surface 13a of the head 12 from below. The second cap lifting mechanism is configured to include a second cap motor (not shown) for lifting the second cap 24a.

[0055] At maintenance position 10B, when the head 12 reaches the position opposite the second cover 24a of the second capping unit 24 via the slide 11, the second cover 24a rises via the second cover lifting mechanism. As a result, the second cover 24a of the second capping unit 24 can cap the nozzle surface 13a of the head 12.

[0056] Furthermore, the second capping unit 24 has a suction pump (not shown) that communicates with the second cap 24a.

[0057] As a maintenance operation, the second capping unit 24 can perform suction cleaning by capping the nozzle surface 13a of the head 12 with the second cap 24a and by suction pumping out the ink inside the nozzle 13 of the head 12. Suction cleaning refers to the action of suctioning out air bubbles, foreign objects, etc., that may cause poor spraying from the nozzle 13 along with the ink. The ink that has been suctioned out and cleaned is collected from the suction pump through a hose or the like into an external waste tank.

[0058] In addition, the second capping unit 24 is also referred to as the suction unit, and the second cap 24a is also referred to as the suction cap.

[0059] Furthermore, when the head 12 has multiple nozzle rows, the printing apparatus 1 repeatedly performs the movement of the carriage 11 and the suction cleaning action of the second capping unit 24 while changing the relative position of the second capping unit 24 and the nozzle rows. In this way, when the head 12 has multiple nozzle rows, the second capping unit 24 can perform suction cleaning on each nozzle row.

[0060] At the end of the suction cleaning process, the second capping unit 24 lowers the second cap 24a via the second cap lifting mechanism, thereby causing the second cap 24a to leave the nozzle surface 13a of the head 12. The head 12 can then move in the scanning direction S.

[0061] In the scanning direction S, the wiping unit 25 is positioned to the right of the second cover unit 24.

[0062] The wiping unit 25 includes a wiper 25a and a moving mechanism (not shown) serving as a retraction part. The wiper 25a can wipe the nozzle surface 13a of the head 12 from below. The moving mechanism can move the wiper 25a.

[0063] For example, the moving mechanism is configured to include a track and a moving motor (both omitted from the diagram). The track can mount the wiper 25a and extends in a forward-backward direction intersecting the scanning direction S of the head 12. The moving motor can move the wiper 25a mounted on the track in a forward-backward direction.

[0064] At maintenance position 10B, the head 12 reaches a position via the carriage 11 that is able to face the wiper 25a of the wiping unit 25. Meanwhile, at this point, the wiping unit 25 has already retracted to the retracted position 25A, described later.

[0065] As a maintenance action, the wiping unit 25 moves the wiper 25a in a back-and-forth direction via a moving mechanism, thereby wiping the nozzle surface 13a of the head 12. Wiping refers to the action of brushing away ink, dust, and other contaminants that adhere to the nozzle surface 13a and cause poor spraying.

[0066] like Figure 2 As shown, the wiping unit 25 retracts to the retraction position 25A when not wiping. The retraction position 25A is a position where the wiping unit 25 moves forward from a position where it can face the nozzle surface 13a of the head 12. The wiping unit 25 in the retraction position 25A does not interfere with the printing unit 10 moving in the scanning direction S.

[0067] That is, the wiping unit 25 can retract in a direction intersecting the scanning direction S via a moving mechanism. Alternatively, the wiping unit 25 can also retract to a rearward position.

[0068] When the wiping unit 25 is in the retracted position 25A, the head 12 of the carriage 11 can move in the scanning direction S without contacting the wiper 25a of the wiping unit 25.

[0069] In other words, when wiping is performed by the wiping unit 25, the carriage 11 can move to a position where the nozzle surface 13a of the head 12 can be opposite the wiping unit 25, and to a position before the wiping unit 25 is retracted by the moving mechanism.

[0070] That is, the nozzle surface 13a of the head 12 can be moved to a position that can contact the wiper 25a of the wiping unit 25 by means of the carriage 11.

[0071] The wiper 25a is made of fabric such as non-woven fabric. The wiper 25a may also be a long strip of fabric wound into a roll. In this case, the wiping unit 25 has a winding section (not shown) for winding up the wiper 25a.

[0072] The wiping unit 25 can take up the used wiper 25a that has wiped the ink on the nozzle surface 13a through the take-up section, and unwind the new wiper 25a for the next wiping.

[0073] Alternatively, the wiper 25a may also be made of a scraper-shaped rubber or the like.

[0074] Wiping by the wiping unit 25 is performed, for example, after a printing operation. In addition, since ink may sometimes remain on the nozzle surface 13a of the head 12 after suction cleaning by the second capping unit 24, wiping is preferred.

[0075] In addition, wiping can sometimes disturb the meniscus (the ink surface that bends into a concave shape) formed within the nozzle 13. Preferably, the maintenance unit 20 performs rinsing by the rinsing unit 22 after wiping, thereby adjusting the meniscus within the nozzle 13.

[0076] Here, the configuration within the maintenance unit 20 will be further described. As described above, the maintenance unit 20 is configured facing to the right of the scanning direction S in the order of first cover unit 21, rinsing unit 22, second cover unit 24, and wiping unit 25.

[0077] That is, the first capping unit 21 is disposed between the media support portion 30 and the rinsing unit 22 in the scanning direction S. Furthermore, the rinsing unit 22 is disposed between the first capping unit 21 and the wiping unit 25 in the scanning direction S.

[0078] Printing begins after the head 12 is rinsed by the rinsing unit 22. Sometimes, the carriage 11 requires acceleration by a carriage motor. In this case, for example, the acceleration region in the scanning direction S is set from the position of the rinsing unit 22 to the position of the media support end 30a on the left side of the media support portion 30. After being accelerated, the head 12 can print on the media P supported on the media support portion 30.

[0079] As described above, a first capping unit 21 is disposed between the media support portion 30, which serves as the acceleration zone, and the rinsing unit 22. That is, the carriage motor can utilize the distance in the scanning direction S generated by the arrangement of the first capping unit 21 as the acceleration zone. Since the printing apparatus 1 can utilize the acceleration zone to arrange the first capping unit 21, it is not necessary to re-secure space for the acceleration implemented by the carriage motor, thereby reducing the size of the scanning direction S.

[0080] Alternatively, it is preferable that the carriage motor sets the moving speed of the carriage 11 to a constant speed during printing performed by the head 12.

[0081] Furthermore, the units constituting the maintenance unit 20 are centrally arranged on the right side of the printing apparatus 1. As a result, the unused space within the printing apparatus 1 that would have been created by dispersing the units can be reduced, thereby reducing the overall size of the printing apparatus 1.

[0082] Furthermore, this configuration minimizes user movement when operating the various units within the maintenance unit 20, as will be described later. Additionally, the user input / output unit 50 is also positioned on the maintenance unit 20 side of the printing apparatus 1, further suppressing user movement.

[0083] Figure 3 This indicates the printing unit 10 located at the first capping position 10C. At this time, the first capping unit 21 raises the first cap 21a via the first cap lifting mechanism, thereby sealing the head 12.

[0084] However, in the maintenance unit 20, the first cover unit 21 is located closest to the media support 30, the printing area PA, and the media P in the scanning direction S and the maintenance area PB.

[0085] At the first capping position 10C, when the first capping unit 21 is in the state of sealing the head 12, the slide end 11a, which is the left end of the slide 11, is located to the left of the media support end 30a of the media support part 30 in the scanning direction S. That is, at this time, in the scanning direction S, the media support end 30a is located to the right of the slide end 11a and inside the slide 11.

[0086] In other words, when the carriage 11 is in the first pressure cover position 10C, the media support end 30a, which is part of the media support 30, and the carriage end 11a, which is part of the carriage 11, are in a position that overlaps with each other in the scanning direction S.

[0087] Furthermore, when the carriage 11 moves toward the first capping unit 21 on the right side of the scanning direction S, it can reach the first capping position 10C before passing the media support end 30a of the media support 30.

[0088] That is, when viewed from above, i.e., when viewed from above, with the first capping unit 21 covering the head 12, a portion of the carriage 11 is positioned such that it is suspended on the medium support 30.

[0089] As a result, the distance between the media support end 30a of the media support portion 30 and the first capping unit 21 can be shortened in the scanning direction S. This structure improves the space efficiency within the printing apparatus 1, thereby reducing the size of the printing apparatus 1 in the scanning direction S.

[0090] The printing apparatus 1 is positioned, for example, when printing is stopped, when not in use, or when the power is off. At this time, the printing unit 10 is in the first capping position 10C, and the head 12 is capped by the first capping unit 21.

[0091] However, in the printing area PA side of the printing apparatus 1, foreign matter such as paper dust and ink mist of the medium P sometimes floats. By positioning the printing unit 10 in the first capping position 10C, the printing unit 10 and the first capping position 10C can become a so-called wall that separates the space between the printing area PA side and the maintenance area PB side in the scanning direction S.

[0092] This wall effectively suppresses the intrusion of foreign matter from the printing area PA side to the maintenance area PB side. As a result, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of foreign matter into each unit constituting the maintenance unit 20.

[0093] Furthermore, at the first pressure cap position 10C, the sensor 14 mounted on the slide 11 is located to the left of the media support end 30a of the media support 30 in the scanning direction S. In the scanning direction S, the sensor 14 is located to the left of the media support end 30a and inside the media support 30.

[0094] That is, with the first capping unit 21 sealing the head 12, when viewed from above (top view), the sensor 14 is positioned above the medium support 30. In this position, the sensor 14 can detect the medium P supported on the medium support 30.

[0095] Even before printing begins, when the first capping unit 21 is sealing the head 12, the sensor 14 can detect whether there is a medium P being transported in the forward and backward direction, and can detect the front and rear ends of the transported medium P. The printing apparatus 1 can shorten the time required for initial actions before printing begins.

[0096] Reference Figure 1 As described above, the outer casing 40 has an opening / closing cover 41 that allows the maintenance unit 20, which is located on the right side of the printing apparatus 1, to be opened and closed. Furthermore, the outer casing 40 has an opening 41a at its boundary with the opening / closing cover 41. In other words, the outer casing 40 has an opening / closing cover 41 that covers the opening 41a.

[0097] The opening and closing cover 41 can be opened and closed from the top and right side of the maintenance unit 20, which is located on the right side of the printing apparatus 1. That is, when the opening and closing cover 41 is opened, the opening 41a exposes the top and right side of the maintenance unit 20. The user can easily operate the maintenance unit 20 from the top and right, and can also easily obtain sufficient light.

[0098] In addition, the outer casing 40 also has... Figure 2 as well as Figure 3The frame 45 shown is stored in the enclosure. The outer fitting 40 on the right side of the opening 41a can cover the frame 45 from the right side.

[0099] Here, the explanation will focus on the wiping unit 25 in order to illustrate the operation performed by the user on the wiping unit 25. Users may sometimes perform operations such as replacing the wiper 25a of the wiping unit 25.

[0100] The wiping unit 25 is located at the far right of the maintenance unit 20. The outer casing 40 at least houses the wiping unit 25. The opening 41a of the outer casing 40 is exposed relative to the scanning direction S of the maintenance unit 20, which is at least to the right. That is, the outer casing 40 has an opening 41a at a position relative to the wiping unit 25 in the scanning direction S.

[0101] As a result, when the cover 41 is opened, the opening 41a can open in the scanning direction S, which is to the right, relative to the wiping unit 25. Sufficient space can be ensured when the user operates the wiping unit 25 from the right.

[0102] Furthermore, when the cover 41 is opened, the opening 41a also opens above the maintenance unit 20, including the wiping unit 25. This ensures sufficient space when the user performs operations on the maintenance unit 20, including the wiping unit 25, from above.

[0103] Additionally, at this time, the wiping unit 25 has been retracted to the retracted position 25A. The wiping unit 25 is positioned so as not to obstruct the user's work from the right.

[0104] The user can operate the input / output unit 50 to pre-move the printing unit 10 to the position of the wiping unit 25 side of the maintenance area PB via the carriage 11. The user can approach and operate the printing unit 10 from the right side of the opening 41a. The user can also perform predetermined operations such as cleaning the head 12, carriage 11, sensor 14, etc., installed on the printing unit 10. Since the wiping unit 25 has been retracted to the retracted position 25A, sufficient space is ensured under the printing unit 10, and in particular, operations on the nozzle surface 13a become easier.

[0105] As described above, the printing apparatus 1 includes: a media support 30 that supports a media P; a head 12 that sprays liquid from a nozzle 13 onto the media P supported on the media support 30; a carriage 11 that holds the head 12 and is movable in the scanning direction S; and a first capping unit 21 that caps the head 12 and seals the nozzle 13. When viewed from above with the first capping unit 21 capping the head 12, a portion of the carriage 11 is suspended on the media support 30.

[0106] With this structure, the distance between the media support end 30a of the media support portion 30 and the first cover unit 21 can be shortened in the scanning direction S, thereby improving the space efficiency within the printing apparatus 1 and reducing the size of the printing apparatus 1 in the scanning direction S.

[0107] Although the embodiments have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the specific structure is not limited to the embodiments. As long as it does not depart from the spirit of the present invention, changes, substitutions, deletions, etc. can be made.

[0108] For example, although the maintenance unit 20 is configured on the right side of the printing device 1 as described above, it could also be configured on the left side. In this case, the left and right positions described above would be reversed.

[0109] Symbol Explanation

[0110] 1… Printing apparatus; 10… Printing unit; 10A… Printing position; 10B… Maintenance position; 10C… First capping position; 11… Carriage; 11a… Carriage end; 13… Nozzle; 13a… Nozzle face; 14… Sensor; 20… Maintenance unit; 21… First capping unit; 21a… First cap; 22… Rinsing unit; 24… Second capping unit; 24a… Second cap; 25… Wiping unit; 25A… Retreat position; 25a… Wiper; 30… Media support; 30a… Media support end; 40… Outer component; 41… Opening / closing cover; 41a… Opening; F… Conveying direction; P… Media; PA… Printing area; PB… Maintenance area; S… Scanning direction.

Claims

1. A printing apparatus, characterized in that, have: The medium support section supports the medium; The head sprays liquid from the nozzle onto the medium supported on the medium support. A carriage that holds the head and is movable in the scanning direction; A capping unit that caps the head and seals the nozzle. When viewed from above with the capping unit covering the head, a portion of the carriage is suspended on the medium support.

2. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, It includes a rinsing unit that receives the liquid sprayed from the nozzle of the head. The capping unit is disposed between the media support and the rinsing unit in the scanning direction.

3. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, It includes a wiping unit that wipes the surface on which the nozzle is formed. The rinsing unit is positioned between the capping unit and the wiping unit in the scanning direction.

4. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that, The wiping unit has a retraction section that retracts relative to a direction intersecting the scanning direction. The carriage can move to a position before the wiping unit retracts due to the retraction portion.

5. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that, It has at least an external component for housing the wiping unit. The outer casing has an opening at a position relative to the wiping unit in the scanning direction.

6. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that, The outer casing has an opening and closing cover that covers the opening.

7. The printing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The carriage is equipped with a detection sensor capable of detecting the medium. When viewed from above with the capping unit covering the head, the detection sensor is located above the medium support.

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