Inkjet printer and media handling apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of inkjet printer that can also shorten the replacement time of inkjet head while simplifying structure.The inkjet printer includes: inkjet head holding member 10, inkjet head is kept;Carriage 4, for inkjet head holding member 10 is carried;And inclination adjustment mechanism 11, for adjusting the inclination of inkjet head relative to carriage 4 in the rotational direction of the axis direction that rotates above and below, by adjusting the inclination of inkjet head holding member 10 relative to carriage 4 by inclination adjustment mechanism 11, so as to adjust the inclination of inkjet head relative to carriage 4.Inkjet head holding member 10 is formed with the following convex part 10e, convex part 10f, i.e.for positioning inkjet head relative to inkjet head holding member 10 in horizontal direction Convex part 10e, convex part 10f, inkjet head is formed with the recess that engages with convex part 10e, convex part 10f.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an inkjet printer comprising an inkjet printhead and a carriage for mounting the inkjet printhead. Additionally, this invention relates to a media processing apparatus for performing prescribed processing on media. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, inkjet printers that print on media by ejecting ink were known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The inkjet printer described in Patent Document 1 includes inkjet printheads that eject ink, a printhead holding mechanism that holds two inkjet printheads, and a carriage for mounting the inkjet printheads and the printhead holding mechanism. The printhead holding mechanism includes a printhead holding member that secures the two inkjet printheads, a base member fixed to the carriage, an intermediate member movably mounted on the base member and securing the printhead holding member, and a fixing rod for securing the printhead holding member to the intermediate member.

[0003] In the inkjet printer described in Patent Document 1, the tilt of the intermediate member relative to the base member can be adjusted in a rotational direction with the vertical axis of rotation as the axis. In this inkjet printer, by adjusting the tilt of the intermediate member relative to the base member, the tilt of the inkjet printhead relative to the base member is adjusted in a rotational direction with the vertical axis of rotation as the axis. Furthermore, in this inkjet printer, the printhead holding member is positioned horizontally relative to the intermediate member by a positioning portion formed on the intermediate member and an abutment surface formed on the printhead holding member. A leaf spring is disposed between the printhead holding member and the intermediate member, and the leaf spring applies force to the printhead holding member relative to the intermediate member in the direction in which the positioning portion abuts against the abutment surface.

[0004] In the inkjet printer described in Patent Document 1, when replacing the inkjet printhead, the two inkjet printheads fixed in the printhead holding member are replaced together with the printhead holding member. In the inkjet printer, before and after replacing the inkjet printheads, the inclination of the intermediate member relative to the base member in the rotation direction with the up-down direction as the rotation axis does not change.

[0005] Furthermore, in the inkjet printer described in Patent Document 1, when replacing the inkjet printhead, if the contact surface of the newly installed printhead holding member abuts against the positioning part of the intermediate member by the force applied by the leaf spring, the printhead holding member and the inkjet printhead are positioned horizontally relative to the intermediate member. Therefore, in this inkjet printer, it is not necessary to adjust the tilt of the inkjet printhead relative to the base member when replacing the inkjet printhead. Thus, in this inkjet printer, the inkjet printhead replacement time can be shortened.

[0006] In addition, printing apparatuses that print on media by ejecting ink are known previously (see, for example, Patent Document 2). The printing apparatus described in Patent Document 2 includes an inkjet printhead that ejects ink, a carriage for mounting the inkjet printhead, a carriage drive mechanism (main scan control unit) for moving the carriage in the main scanning direction, a platen for holding the media during printing, a body frame for supporting the platen from below, two support legs for fixing the body frame to the upper end, and a transport unit for transporting the media.

[0007] In the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 2, the conveying unit includes a conveying roller (grid roller) for conveying media, a roller drive mechanism (sub-scanning drive unit) for driving the conveying roller, and multiple clamping rollers that are forceped onto the conveying roller and hold the media between the conveying roller and the conveying roller. The length of the conveying roller is the length that is integrally connected to the media in the width direction of the media. In addition, the conveying unit includes a roller adjustment mechanism for adjusting the deflection of the conveying roller. The roller adjustment mechanism is arranged at multiple locations along the axial direction of the conveying roller (the width direction of the media).

[0008] The roller adjustment mechanism includes a roller support portion that contacts and supports the conveyor roller from below, a movable portion that fixes the roller support portion to the upper surface, a fixed portion that is fixed to the main body frame, and multiple adjusting screws for moving the movable portion relative to the fixed portion in the vertical direction. The movable portion is disposed above the fixed portion. The fixed portion is fixed to the upper surface of the main body frame. In the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 2, the deflection of the conveyor roller can be adjusted by moving the roller support portion and the movable portion together relative to the fixed portion in the vertical direction at multiple locations along the axial direction of the conveyor roller using adjusting screws. Furthermore, in the printing apparatus described above, the deflection of the conveyor roller can be reduced by adjusting the deflection of the conveyor roller.

[0009] Furthermore, printing apparatuses that print on media by ejecting ink are known previously (see, for example, Patent Document 3). The printing apparatus described in Patent Document 3 includes a printing printhead that ejects ink, a carriage for mounting the printhead, a carriage drive mechanism for moving the carriage in the main scanning direction, and a media conveying mechanism for conveying the media. The media conveying mechanism includes a feed roller for conveying the media, a roller drive mechanism for driving the feed roller, and multiple pinch rollers that are forceped onto the feed roller and hold the media between the feed roller and the feed roller. The pinch rollers are movable in the main scanning direction. In the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 3, the pinch rollers are moved in the main scanning direction before printing, according to the layout of the image printed on the media.

[0010] Existing technical documents

[0011] Patent documents

[0012] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-188759

[0013] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-125272

[0014] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-142005 Summary of the Invention

[0015] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0016] In the inkjet printer described in Patent Document 1, when replacing the inkjet printhead, if the contact surface of the newly installed printhead holding member abuts against the positioning part of the intermediate member by applying force through a leaf spring, the printhead holding member and the inkjet printhead are positioned horizontally relative to the intermediate member, thus shortening the inkjet printhead replacement time. However, in the inkjet printer described in Patent Document 1, the structure of the inkjet printer becomes complex because a leaf spring is required to apply force to the printhead holding member.

[0017] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to provide an inkjet printer that includes an inkjet printhead and a carriage for mounting the inkjet printhead, wherein the inkjet printer can shorten the inkjet printhead replacement time and also simplify the structure.

[0018] Furthermore, since the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 2 includes a roller adjustment mechanism, as described above, the deflection of the transport roller can be reduced. However, in the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 2, the roller adjustment mechanism includes, in addition to the roller support, a fixing part fixed to the main frame and a moving part that fixes the roller support and can move relative to the fixing part in the vertical direction. Therefore, there are concerns that the number of structural parts of the roller adjustment mechanism increases and the cost of the printing apparatus increases.

[0019] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to provide a media handling apparatus including a conveying roller for conveying media, which can reduce the deflection of the conveying roller and also reduce costs.

[0020] In the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 3, since the pinch roller moves in the main scanning direction according to the layout of the image printed on the medium, it is necessary to know the position of the pinch roller in the main scanning direction. Therefore, in this printing apparatus, it is necessary to properly detect the position of the pinch roller in the main scanning direction. Furthermore, in the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 3, in order to properly print on the medium, it is necessary to operate the carriage mounted on the printhead with reference to the origin position in the main scanning direction. Therefore, in this printing apparatus, it is necessary to properly detect the origin position of the carriage in the main scanning direction.

[0021] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to provide a media processing apparatus comprising a carriage movable in the width direction of the medium and a pinch roller movable in the width direction of the medium, wherein the media processing apparatus is capable of appropriately detecting the position of the pinch roller in the width direction of the medium and the origin position of the carriage in the width direction of the medium, and is capable of reducing the number of parts to reduce costs.

[0022] Technical means to solve the problem

[0023] To solve the aforementioned problem, the inkjet printer of the present invention is characterized by comprising: an inkjet printhead for ejecting ink; a printhead holding member for holding the inkjet printhead; a carriage for mounting the printhead holding member; and a tilt adjustment mechanism for adjusting the tilt of the inkjet printhead relative to the carriage in a first rotation direction, where the vertical direction is the axis of rotation. The tilt adjustment mechanism adjusts the tilt of the printhead holding member relative to the carriage in the first rotation direction, thereby adjusting the tilt of the inkjet printhead relative to the carriage; or the tilt adjustment mechanism adjusts the tilt of the inkjet printhead relative to the printhead holding member in the first rotation direction, thereby adjusting the tilt of the inkjet printhead relative to the carriage. When the tilt adjustment mechanism adjusts the tilt of the printhead holding member relative to the carriage, a protrusion is formed in either the inkjet printhead or the printhead holding member for positioning the inkjet printhead relative to the printhead holding member in the horizontal direction, and a recess is formed in either the inkjet printhead or the printhead holding member to engage with the protrusion. When the tilt adjustment mechanism adjusts the tilt of the inkjet printhead relative to the printhead holding member, a protrusion is formed in either the printhead holding member or the carriage for positioning the printhead holding member relative to the carriage in the horizontal direction, and a recess is formed in either the printhead holding member or the carriage to engage with the protrusion.

[0024] In the inkjet printer of the present invention, when the tilt of the printhead holding member relative to the carriage is adjusted by the tilt adjustment mechanism, if only the printhead is replaced when changing the inkjet printhead, the tilt of the printhead holding member relative to the carriage in the first rotation direction can be maintained before and after the printhead replacement. Furthermore, in the present invention, since either the printhead or the printhead holding member has a protrusion for positioning the printhead relative to the printhead holding member in the horizontal direction, and the other printhead or the printhead holding member has a recess that engages with the protrusion, when the printhead is replaced, if the protrusion engages with the recess, the printhead is positioned relative to the printhead holding member in the horizontal direction.

[0025] Therefore, in this invention, it is not necessary to adjust the tilt of the inkjet printhead relative to the carriage when replacing the printhead, thus shortening the printhead replacement time. Furthermore, in this invention, since the inkjet printhead is positioned horizontally relative to the printhead holding member by the protrusions and recesses, the leaf spring described in Patent Document 1 is unnecessary. Therefore, in this invention, the structure of the inkjet printer can be simplified while shortening the printhead replacement time.

[0026] Furthermore, in this invention, when the tilt of the inkjet printhead relative to the printhead holding member is adjusted by the tilt adjustment mechanism, a protrusion is formed in either the printhead holding member or the carriage, namely, a protrusion for positioning the printhead holding member relative to the carriage in the horizontal direction, and a recess is formed in either the printhead holding member or the carriage that engages with the protrusion. Therefore, in this invention, when replacing the inkjet printhead, if the inkjet printhead, whose tilt relative to the printhead holding member in the first rotation direction has been pre-adjusted, is mounted together with the printhead holding member on the carriage, and the protrusion and recess engage and position the printhead holding member relative to the carriage in the horizontal direction, then it is not necessary to adjust the tilt of the inkjet printhead relative to the carriage when replacing the inkjet printhead.

[0027] Therefore, the inkjet printhead replacement time can be shortened in this invention. Furthermore, since the printhead holding member is positioned horizontally relative to the carriage by the protrusions and recesses in this invention, the leaf spring described in Patent Document 1 is unnecessary. As a result, the structure of the inkjet printer can be simplified while shortening the inkjet printhead replacement time in this invention.

[0028] Furthermore, regarding the inkjet printer of the present invention, when assembling the inkjet printer at the factory, ink is sometimes ejected from the inkjet printhead assembled in the inkjet printer for various inspections. After the various inspections are completed and the inkjet printer is assembled, it is shipped after a specified storage period in the warehouse, or it is shipped directly from the factory. For example, if the storage period of the inkjet printer in the warehouse is longer, or if the inkjet printer shipped directly from the factory is transported to a distant location such as overseas, the period from the completion of the inkjet printer assembly to the installation of the inkjet printer at the shipping destination becomes longer.

[0029] When assembling an inkjet printer, after installing a new inkjet printhead and performing various checks, the printer is assembled with the printhead still installed. However, if the time between assembly and installation at the shipping destination is prolonged, there is a concern that poor ink ejection from the printhead may occur in the installed printer. In contrast, if, for example, an inspection printhead (or a test printhead and printhead holder) is installed during factory inspection, and then removed, the printer is assembled without the printhead installed. Then, a new printhead (or a new printhead and printhead holder) is installed at the shipping destination. In this way, even if the time between assembly and installation is prolonged, poor ink ejection from the printhead can be prevented in the installed printer.

[0030] In this invention, by engaging the protrusion and the recess, the inkjet printhead can be installed without adjusting the tilt of the printhead relative to the carriage. Therefore, even if the inkjet printer is assembled without the printhead installed, and a new printhead (or a new printhead and printhead holding member) is installed at the shipping destination, the printhead can be easily and accurately installed at the shipping destination in a short time. In other words, this invention allows for the installation of a new inkjet printhead (or a new printhead and printhead holding member) at the shipping destination with minimal burden, even when the printhead is not installed. Therefore, in this invention, by installing a new inkjet printhead (or a new inkjet printhead and printhead holding member) on an inkjet printer that is not installed at the shipping destination, even if the period from the completion of assembly to the installation of the inkjet printer at the shipping destination becomes longer, it is possible to prevent poor ink ejection from the inkjet printhead in the installed inkjet printer, and it is possible to install a new inkjet printhead (or a new inkjet printhead and printhead holding member) at the shipping destination with less burden.

[0031] In this invention, for example, a protrusion is formed in either the inkjet printhead or the printhead holding member, and a recess is formed in the other. In this invention, when the tilt of the printhead holding member relative to the carriage is adjusted by the tilt adjustment mechanism, only the inkjet printhead is replaced when replacing the printhead. Therefore, the number of parts that need to be replaced when replacing the inkjet printhead can be reduced.

[0032] In this invention, the inkjet printer may also be configured to include a carriage drive mechanism that moves the carriage in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the vertical direction, an ink ejection surface formed in the inkjet printhead with a plurality of nozzles arranged for ejecting ink, and protrusions or recesses formed on both sides of the ink ejection surface in the main scanning direction. In this case, the inkjet printhead can be miniaturized in a direction orthogonal to both the vertical and main scanning directions.

[0033] In this invention, by including an inkjet printhead in the inkjet printer, the structure of the inkjet printer can be simplified, thereby reducing the cost of the inkjet printer. In addition, the replacement of the inkjet printhead becomes easier.

[0034] Furthermore, to solve the aforementioned problem, the media processing apparatus of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a conveying roller for conveying media; a roller drive mechanism for driving the conveying roller; a plurality of roller supports for supporting the conveying roller; a body frame for mounting the plurality of roller supports; support feet for fixing the body frame; and bearings for rotatably holding both ends of the conveying roller and mounted on the body frame. When a predetermined direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the conveying roller is set as a first direction, the plurality of roller supports are arranged with a gap between each other in the axial direction of the conveying roller, rotatably supporting the conveying roller from one side of the first direction and directly mounted on the body frame. The mounting position of the plurality of roller supports relative to the body frame in the first direction can be individually adjusted.

[0035] In the media processing apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of roller support portions supporting the conveying roller from one side in a first direction are arranged with a gap between each other in the axial direction of the conveying roller, and the mounting positions of the plurality of roller support portions relative to the main body frame in the first direction can be individually adjusted. Therefore, in the present invention, by individually adjusting the mounting positions of the plurality of roller support portions relative to the main body frame in the first direction, the deflection of the conveying roller can be reduced. In addition, in the present invention, since the plurality of roller support portions are directly mounted on the main body frame, the moving part and the fixing part described in Patent Document 2 are not required. Therefore, in the present invention, the number of parts of the media processing apparatus can be reduced, thereby reducing the cost of the media processing apparatus. That is, in the present invention, the cost of the media processing apparatus can be reduced while reducing the deflection of the conveying roller.

[0036] In this invention, preferably, when the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the conveying roller and the first direction is designated as the second direction, the roller support is directly mounted on one side of the body frame in the second direction by screws. Loosening the screws allows adjustment of the roller support's mounting position relative to the body frame in the first direction. With this configuration, the mounting position of the roller support relative to the body frame can be adjusted using a relatively simple structure. Therefore, the cost of the media handling apparatus can be further reduced.

[0037] In this invention, for example, the roller support may include: a support member that contacts the conveying roller; and a retaining member that holds the support member and is mounted on the body frame. The support members of a plurality of roller supports are sliding bearings, and the support members of the remaining roller supports are a pair of rollers.

[0038] In this case, for example, compared to the case where all roller support members consist of a pair of rollers, the cost of the media handling apparatus can be reduced. Furthermore, in this case, for example, compared to the case where all roller support members consist of a pair of rollers, periodic eccentricity of the conveyor roller due to roller eccentricity can be suppressed during roller rotation. Moreover, in this case, for example, compared to the case where all roller support members consist of sliding bearings, the load acting on the drive source of the roller drive mechanism during roller rotation can be reduced.

[0039] In this invention, the media handling apparatus may include, for example, three or more roller supports, with roller supports whose support members are sliding bearings and roller supports whose support members are a pair of rollers, alternately arranged in the axial direction of the conveying roller. In this case, the sliding bearings and the pair of rollers can be arranged in a balanced and good manner in the axial direction of the conveying roller.

[0040] In this invention, the roller support may also include: a support member that contacts the conveying roller; and a retaining member that holds the support member and is mounted on the body frame, wherein the support member is a sliding bearing. In this case, compared to the case where the support member is a pair of rollers, the cost of the media handling device can be reduced. Furthermore, in this case, when the conveying roller rotates, periodic eccentricity of the conveying roller due to roller eccentricity can be prevented.

[0041] In this invention, for example, the media processing apparatus may also be configured to include: an inkjet printhead for ejecting ink onto the media; a carriage for mounting the inkjet printhead; a carriage drive mechanism for moving the carriage along the axial direction of the transport roller, i.e., the main scanning direction; and a plurality of clamping rollers that are forceped onto the transport roller and clamp the media between the transport roller and the transport roller. That is, an inkjet printer is considered as a media processing apparatus, for example.

[0042] Furthermore, to address the aforementioned issues, the media processing apparatus of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a conveying roller for conveying a medium; a roller drive mechanism for driving the conveying roller; a plurality of pinch rollers for applying force to the conveying roller and pinching the medium between the conveying roller and the roller; a plurality of roller holding members for rotatably mounting the plurality of pinch rollers; a carriage capable of moving in the width direction of the medium orthogonal to the thickness direction and the conveying direction of the medium; a carriage drive mechanism for moving the carriage in the width direction of the medium; a holding frame for movably holding the carriage and for mounting the roller holding members; and a first detection member for detecting the pinch rollers. The position in the width direction of the medium; a second detected member for detecting the origin position of the carriage in the width direction of the medium; and a sensor for detecting the first detected member and the second detected member, the roller holding member being movable relative to the holding frame in the width direction of the medium, the sensor mounted on the carriage, the first detected member having a first detected part detected by the sensor and being mounted on each of the plurality of roller holding members, or being integrally formed with each of the plurality of roller holding members, the second detected member having a second detected part detected by the sensor and being mounted on the holding frame, the shape of the first detected part being different from the shape of the second detected part.

[0043] In the media processing apparatus of the present invention, the shape of the first detected portion of the first detected member used to detect the position of the pinch roller in the width direction of the media is different from the shape of the second detected portion of the second detected member used to detect the origin position of the carriage in the width direction of the media. Therefore, in the present invention, when the first detected portion and the second detected portion are detected by a common sensor mounted on the carriage, the first detected portion and the second detected portion can be distinguished and identified.

[0044] That is, in this invention, even without separately providing sensors for detecting the first detected part and sensors for detecting the second detected part, the position of the pinch roller in the width direction of the medium and the origin position of the carriage in the width direction of the medium can be appropriately detected using a shared sensor. Therefore, in this invention, the number of parts in the medium processing device can be reduced while appropriately detecting the position of the pinch roller in the width direction of the medium and the origin position of the carriage in the width direction of the medium, thereby reducing the cost of the medium processing device.

[0045] In this invention, it is preferable that the second detection portion is formed as a plate with holes, and the first detection portion is formed as a plate without holes. With this configuration, it is relatively easy to make the shapes of the first and second detection portions different.

[0046] In this invention, it is preferable that the sensor is a transmissive optical sensor having a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion facing each other in an open-circuit state. Additionally, the media processing apparatus of this invention may also include an inkjet printhead mounted on a carriage and ejecting ink onto the media. That is, the media processing apparatus may, for example, be an inkjet printer.

[0047] The effects of the invention

[0048] As described above, in the present invention, in an inkjet printer including an inkjet printhead and a carriage for mounting the inkjet printhead, the structure of the inkjet printer can be simplified while shortening the inkjet printhead replacement time.

[0049] Furthermore, as described above, in the present invention, in a media processing apparatus including a conveying roller for conveying media, the cost of the media processing apparatus can be reduced while reducing the deflection of the conveying roller.

[0050] Furthermore, as described above, in the present invention, in a media processing apparatus including a carriage that can move in the width direction of the medium and a pinch roller that can move in the width direction of the medium, the position of the pinch roller in the width direction of the medium and the origin position of the carriage in the width direction of the medium can be appropriately detected, and the number of parts of the media processing apparatus can be reduced to reduce the cost of the media processing apparatus. Attached Figure Description

[0051] [ Figure 1 [Illustration 1] is a perspective view of the inkjet printer according to the first embodiment.

[0052] [ Figure 2 [ is used for explanation] Figure 1 The diagram shows a schematic representation of the structure of an inkjet printer.

[0053] [ Figure 3 ]yes Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the inkjet printhead and carriage shown.

[0054] [ Figure 4 ]yes Figure 3 The diagram shows a plan view of the inkjet printhead and carriage, etc.

[0055] [ Figure 5 ] is from Figure 3 The diagram shows the state of the carriage and other components with the inkjet printhead removed.

[0056] [ Figure 6 [Seen from the lower surface side] Figure 3 The image shows a 3D view of the inkjet printhead.

[0057] [ Figure 7 [ ] is a perspective view of the media processing apparatus of the second embodiment.

[0058] [ Figure 8 ]yes Figure 7 The rear view of the media processing device shown.

[0059] [ Figure 9 [ is used for explanation] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of the media processing device shown.

[0060] [ Figure 10 (A) is Figure 8 (A) is an enlarged view of part E, and (B) is an enlarged view of part F of (A).

[0061] [ Figure 11 ] is used to extract from Figure 10 (A) is a cross-sectional view of the structure of the main body frame, etc., in the GG direction.

[0062] [ Figure 12 [ is used for explanation] Figure 10 The side view of the structure of the roller support shown.

[0063] [ Figure 13 [ ] is a perspective view of the media processing apparatus of the third embodiment.

[0064] [ Figure 14 ]yes Figure 13 The rear view of the media processing device shown.

[0065] [ Figure 15 [ is used for explanation] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of the structure of the media processing device shown.

[0066] [ Figure 16 [] is used to describe from the front side. Figure 13 An enlarged view of the structure of part E.

[0067] [ Figure 17 (A) is Figure 16 The plan view of the first tested component, etc., shown in (B) is Figure 16 The plan view of the second detected component, etc. shown is shown in (C), which is a side view of the second detected part and sensor from the FF direction of (B). Detailed Implementation

[0068] <First Implementation>

[0069] Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0070] (The overall structure of an inkjet printer)

[0071] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an inkjet printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 It is used for explanation Figure 1A schematic diagram of the structure of inkjet printer 1 is shown.

[0072] This inkjet printer 1 (hereinafter referred to as "printer 1") is an industrial inkjet printer that prints on media 2 such as paper, cloth, or resin film. The media 2 is formed in a long strip shape (a thin ribbon). Printer 1 includes an inkjet printhead 3 (hereinafter referred to as "printhead 3") that ejects ink to the media 2, a carriage 4 for mounting the printhead 3, and a mechanism that positions the carriage 4 in the vertical direction (vertical direction). Figure 1 The main scanning directions (equal to the Z direction) are orthogonal to each other. Figure 1 The carriage drive mechanism 5 moves in the Y direction (e.g., the Y rod 6 holds the carriage 4 in a movable manner), the medium conveying mechanism 7 conveys the medium 2, and the platform 8 for placing the medium 2.

[0073] The printer 1 of this type includes a printhead 3, which is mounted on a carriage 4. That is, the printer 1 includes only one printhead 3, and only one printhead 3 is mounted on the carriage 4. The printhead 3 ejects ink downwards. Multiple nozzles for ejecting ink are formed on the lower surface of the printhead 3. Additionally, multiple rows of nozzles arranged in the main scanning direction are formed on the lower surface of the printhead 3. Each row of nozzles consists of multiple nozzles arranged in a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and the main scanning direction. The printhead 3 includes a piezoelectric element that ejects ink from the nozzles. The carriage drive mechanism 5 includes, for example, two pulleys, a belt mounted on the two pulleys and partially fixed to the carriage 4, and a motor that rotates the pulleys.

[0074] The media conveying mechanism 7 includes a conveying roller for conveying the media 2, a roller drive mechanism for driving the conveying roller, and a plurality of clamping rollers that are forceped onto the conveying roller and clamp the media 2 between the conveying roller and the conveying roller. The table plate 8 is positioned lower than the carriage 4. The media 2 for printing is placed on the table plate 8. As described above, in this embodiment, since only one printhead 3 is mounted on the carriage 4, the width of the table plate 8 in the conveying direction of the media 2 is narrowed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the component cost of the table plate 8 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the width of the table plate 8 in the conveying direction of the media 2 is narrowed, adjusting the mounting position of the table plate 8 becomes easier.

[0075] In the following explanation, the main scanning direction (Y direction) is set as "left-right direction", and the direction orthogonal to the up-down and left-right directions is... Figure 1 The X-direction is set to the "front-back direction". Additionally, one side of the left-right direction is... Figure 1 The Y1 direction side is set as the "right" side, and the opposite side of the right side is... Figure 1 The Y2 direction side is set as the "left" side, and one side of the front-back direction is... Figure 1 The X1 direction side is set as the "front" side, and the opposite side of the front side is... Figure 1 The X2 direction side is designated as the "rear" side. In this configuration, the left-right direction (Y direction) is the width direction of the medium 2. In addition, the up-down direction (Z direction) is the thickness direction of the medium 2 when it is placed on the printing platen 8, and the front-back direction (X direction) is the transport direction of the medium 2 moving on the printing platen 8 and is also the sub-scanning direction.

[0076] Additionally, the printer 1 includes a maintenance unit 9 for preventing clogging of the multiple nozzles formed on the lower surface of the printhead 3. In the maintenance unit 9, the printhead 3 is cleaned to prevent clogging of the multiple nozzles. For example, the maintenance unit 9 performs purging (forcefully drawing ink from the nozzles of the printhead 3), flash spraying (forcibly ejecting ink from the nozzles of the printhead 3), and scraping (wiping the lower surface of the printhead 3 by a designated scraper member). The maintenance unit 9 is located at the right end of the printer 1.

[0077] Furthermore, the printer 1 includes a printhead holding member 10 that holds the printhead 3 and is mounted on the carriage 4, and a tilt adjustment mechanism 11 for adjusting the tilt of the printhead 3 relative to the carriage 4 (more specifically, the tilt of the nozzle row formed on the lower surface of the printhead 3) in a rotational direction in which the vertical direction is the axis of rotation. Figure 3 , Figure 4 (etc.). The following describes the specific structure of the nozzle 3, the carriage 4, the nozzle holding component 10, and the tilt adjustment mechanism 11.

[0078] (Structure of inkjet printhead, carriage, printhead holding component and tilt adjustment mechanism)

[0079] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The three-dimensional view of the nozzle 3 and carriage 4 shown. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 The plan view of the nozzle 3 and carriage 4 shown. Figure 5 From Figure 3 The diagram shows the state of the carriage 4 and the nozzle 3 removed. Figure 6 Shown from the lower surface side Figure 3 A perspective view of nozzle 3 is shown. Furthermore, in Figure 4 For convenience, the nozzle holding member 10 is shown in dashed lines.

[0080] The nozzle 3 is mounted on the nozzle retaining member 10. In this embodiment, the nozzle 3 is fixed to the nozzle retaining member 10 by three screw members 15. The screw members 15 are, for example, knurled screws with stepped heads, which can be tightened or loosened by hand even without tools. The nozzle retaining member 10 is mounted on the carriage 4. The nozzle retaining member 10 is mounted on the carriage 4 in a manner that allows it to rotate axially relative to the carriage 4 in the up-down direction.

[0081] When the rotation direction with the up-down direction as the axis of rotation is defined as the "first rotation direction", in this embodiment, the tilt of the nozzle 3 relative to the carriage 4 is adjusted by adjusting the tilt of the nozzle holding member 10 relative to the carriage 4 in the first rotation direction by the tilt adjustment mechanism 11. The tilt adjustment mechanism 11 includes an eccentric cam 16 for adjusting the tilt of the nozzle holding member 10 relative to the carriage 4 in the first rotation direction, and a fulcrum portion 17 that serves as the fulcrum (center) for the rotation of the nozzle holding member 10 relative to the carriage 4 (see reference). Figure 4 ), and a compression helical spring 18 that applies force to the nozzle holding member 10 on one side of the first rotation direction.

[0082] The carriage 4 includes a base 4a forming the lower end of the carriage 4. The base 4a is rectangular in shape when viewed from above. When viewed from above, two of the four sides of the rectangular base 4a are parallel to the left-right direction, and the remaining two sides are parallel to the front-back direction. An opening extending through the base 4a in the vertical direction is formed in the base 4a. The lower end of the nozzle 3 is disposed in the opening.

[0083] The nozzle retaining member 10 is mounted on the base 4a. Viewed from above, the nozzle retaining member 10 is generally rectangular in shape. The shape of the nozzle retaining member 10 is smaller than that of the base 4a. When viewed from above, two of the four sides of the generally rectangular nozzle retaining member 10 are parallel to the left-right direction, and the remaining two sides are parallel to the front-back direction. The nozzle retaining member 10 includes an eccentric cam 16 and a contact portion 10a that contacts a compression coil spring 18. The contact portion 10a is located at the right front end of the nozzle retaining member 10. The contact portion 10a protrudes forward.

[0084] An opening 10b is formed in the nozzle holding member 10 that extends through the nozzle holding member 10 in the vertical direction (see reference). Figure 5 The nozzle retainer 10 has a screw engagement portion 10c that engages with the screw portion of the screw member 15. An opening 10b is formed in the center portion of the nozzle retainer 10 in the left-right direction. The lower end of the nozzle 3 is disposed in the opening 10b. The screw engagement portion 10c is formed at three locations: the right front portion, the left front portion, and the left rear end portion of the nozzle retainer 10.

[0085] Additionally, the nozzle holding member 10 has protrusions 10e and 10f, which are used to position the nozzle 3 relative to the nozzle holding member 10 in the horizontal direction (see reference). Figure 5Specifically, two protrusions 10e and 10f are formed in the nozzle holding member 10. The protrusions 10e and 10f are cylindrical with the vertical direction as the axial direction. The protrusions 10e and 10f are formed on both sides of the opening 10b in the left-right direction. In this configuration, the protrusion 10e is located on the left side of the opening 10b, and the protrusion 10f is located on the right side of the opening 10b. Furthermore, the protrusions 10e and 10f are formed in a hole 10g that is recessed downwards from the upper surface of the nozzle holding member 10. The hole 10g is a circular hole that is circular when viewed from the vertical direction. The protrusions 10e and 10f rise upwards from the center of the bottom surface of the hole 10g.

[0086] Two cam rods 19 are fixed to the base 4a for securing the nozzle holding member 10 thereto. One of the cam rods 19 is fixed to the right rear end of the base 4a, and the other cam rod 19 is fixed to the left front end of the base 4a. The rod portion 19a of the cam rod 19 is positioned on the upper side of the nozzle holding member 10. The rod portion 19a is capable of rotating relative to the base 4a with the horizontal direction as its rotational axis. Figure 3 As shown, if the lever portion 19a is pressed down, the nozzle holding member 10 is fixed so that the nozzle holding member 10 will not rotate relative to the base 4a in the first rotation direction. On the other hand, if the lever portion 19a is lifted, the nozzle holding member 10 can rotate relative to the base 4a in the first rotation direction.

[0087] An eccentric cam 16 is disposed on the upper surface of the base 4a. The eccentric cam 16 is fixed to the cam rod 20. The cam rod 20 is mounted on the base 4a in a manner that allows it to rotate relative to the base 4a in a first rotational direction, and the eccentric cam 16 is also capable of rotating relative to the base 4a in the first rotational direction. The eccentric cam 16 and the cam rod 20 are mounted on the right front end of the base 4a. The outer peripheral surface (cam surface) of the eccentric cam 16 contacts the right side surface of the contact portion 10a of the nozzle holding member 10.

[0088] The rod portion 20a of the cam rod 20 is positioned above the eccentric cam 16. The rod portion 20a is capable of rotating relative to the base 4a with the horizontal direction as its rotational axis. For example... Figure 3 As shown, if the lever 20a is pressed down, the eccentric cam 16 is fixed so that it does not rotate relative to the base 4a in the first rotational direction. On the other hand, if the lever 20a is lifted, the eccentric cam 16 can rotate relative to the base 4a in the first rotational direction.

[0089] A fulcrum 17 is disposed at the rear end of the base 4a. Additionally, the fulcrum 17 is disposed at the center of the base 4a in the left-right direction. A compression coil spring 18 is disposed at the front of the base 4a. The left end of the compression coil spring 18 abuts against a spring abutment formed in the base 4a, and the right end of the compression coil spring 18 contacts the left side of the contact portion 10a of the nozzle holding member 10. The compression coil spring 18 applies force to the nozzle holding member 10 via the fulcrum 17 and the eccentric cam 16.

[0090] When the tilt adjustment mechanism 11 adjusts the tilt of the nozzle holding member 10 relative to the carriage 4 in the first rotation direction, the operator of the printer 1 lifts the cam rod 19, the rod portion 19a of the cam rod 20, and the rod portion 20a, and then rotates the eccentric cam 16 in this state. If the eccentric cam 16 is rotated, the nozzle holding member 10 rotates about the fulcrum portion 17, thereby adjusting the tilt of the nozzle holding member 10 relative to the carriage 4.

[0091] The printhead 3 is mounted on the printhead holding member 10. The printhead 3 has a rectangular shape when viewed from above. The shape of the printhead 3 is smaller than that of the printhead holding member 10. When viewed from above, two of the four sides of the rectangular printhead 3 are parallel to the left-right direction, and the remaining two sides are parallel to the front-back direction. As described above, multiple nozzles for ejecting ink are formed on the lower surface of the printhead 3. The lower surface of the printhead 3 is an ink ejection surface 3a for arranging the multiple nozzles.

[0092] like Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, a downwardly protruding ink ejection portion 3b is formed at the lower end of the printhead 3, and the lower surface of the ink ejection portion 3b is the ink ejection surface 3a. The ink ejection portion 3b is disposed in the opening of the base 4a and the opening 10b of the printhead holding member 10. In addition, a through hole 3g is formed in the printhead 3 for a portion of the shaft of the screw member 15 to be disposed. The through hole 3g is formed at the right front end, left front end, and left rear end of the printhead 3. The head of the screw member 15 is disposed at a position higher than the printhead 3.

[0093] The ink ejection section 3b in the left-right direction has two sides that are planes orthogonal to the up-down direction. For example... Figure 6 As shown, downwardly protruding portions 3c and 3d are formed on both sides of the ink ejection portion 3b in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the protrusion 3c is located on the left side of the ink ejection portion 3b, and the protrusion 3d is located on the right side of the ink ejection portion 3b. The protrusion 3c is formed into a cylindrical shape with the vertical direction as its axis. The protrusion 3d is formed into a generally cylindrical shape with the vertical direction as its axis. When viewed from the vertical direction, the protrusion 3d has an elongated oval shape that extends in the left-right direction.

[0094] The inner circumferential side of the protrusion 3c is a recess 3e that engages with the protrusion 10e of the nozzle holding member 10. The inner circumferential side of the protrusion 3d is a recess 3f that engages with the protrusion 10f of the nozzle holding member 10. That is, the nozzle 3 has recesses 3e and 3f that engage with the protrusions 10e and 10f. In addition, the recesses 3e and 3f are formed on both sides of the nozzle ejection surface 3a in the left-right direction. In this configuration, the nozzle 3 is positioned relative to the nozzle holding member 10 in the horizontal direction by the protrusions 10e and 10f and the recesses 3e and 3f.

[0095] The recess 3e is a circular hole that appears circular when viewed from above. The inner diameter of the recess 3e is equal to the outer diameter of the protrusion 10e. The recess 3f is an elongated hole that appears oblong when viewed from above. Furthermore, the recess 3f is an elongated hole with its long side extending to the left-right direction. The width of the recess 3f along its short side (width in the front-back direction) is equal to the outer diameter of the protrusion 10f. The protrusion 10e is inserted into the recess 3e. The protrusion 10f is inserted into the recess 3f. Protrusions 3c and 3d are inserted into the hole 10g. The inner diameter of the hole 10g is greater than the outer diameter of the protrusion 3c and the width of the protrusion 3d along its long side (width in the left-right direction).

[0096] In printer 1, when replacing the printhead 3 mounted on the carriage 4, only the printhead 3 is replaced. Specifically, first, after loosening and removing the three screw components 15, the old printhead 3 is removed from the printhead holding member 10. At this time, the screw components 15 and the printhead 3 are removed upwards. Then, the new printhead 3 is placed on the printhead holding member 10 from above, and the three screw components 15 are tightened to fix the printhead 3 to the printhead holding member 10.

[0097] (The state of the inkjet printer during inspection and shipment, etc.)

[0098] When assembling this type of printer 1 at the factory, the inspection printhead 3 is installed on the printhead holding member 10. Ink is then ejected from the inspection printhead 3 to perform various inspections. After inspection, the inspection printhead 3 is removed from the printhead holding member 10, and the printer 1 is assembled without the printhead 3 installed. When the printer 1 is shipped, the printhead 3 is not installed on the printhead holding member 10. At the destination of the printer 1, the operator installs the new printhead 3 on the printhead holding member 10 when setting up the printer 1.

[0099] (The main effects of this form)

[0100] As explained above, in this embodiment, only the nozzle 3 is replaced when replacing the nozzle 3 mounted on the carriage 4. Therefore, in this embodiment, the nozzle holding member 10 can be kept tilted relative to the carriage 4 in the first rotational direction before and after replacing the nozzle 3. In addition, in this embodiment, since the nozzle holding member 10 has protrusions 10e and 10f, which are used to position the nozzle 3 relative to the nozzle holding member 10 in the horizontal direction, and the nozzle 3 has recesses 3e and 3f that engage with the protrusions 10e and 10f, when replacing the nozzle 3, if the protrusions 10e and 10f engage with the recesses 3e and 3f, the nozzle 3 is positioned relative to the nozzle holding member 10 in the horizontal direction.

[0101] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tilt of the printhead holding member 10 relative to the carriage 4 is adjusted by the tilt adjustment mechanism 11 in the first rotational direction, thereby adjusting the tilt of the printhead 3 relative to the carriage 4. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to adjust the tilt of the printhead 3 relative to the carriage 4 when replacing the printhead 3, resulting in a shorter printhead 3 replacement time. Additionally, in this embodiment, since the printhead 3 is positioned horizontally relative to the printhead holding member 10 by the protrusions 10e and 10f and the recesses 3e and 3f, the leaf spring described in Patent Document 1 is unnecessary. Therefore, in this embodiment, the structure of the printer 1 can be simplified while shortening the printhead 3 replacement time.

[0102] In this embodiment, only the printhead 3 is replaced when replacing the printhead 3 mounted on the carriage 4. Therefore, in this embodiment, the number of parts that need to be replaced when replacing the printhead 3 can be reduced. In addition, since the printer 1 has only one printhead 3 in this embodiment, the structure of the printer 1 can be simplified to reduce the cost of the printer 1, and the replacement of the printhead 3 becomes easier.

[0103] In this embodiment, the printhead 3 is not installed on the printhead holding member 10 in the printer 1 at the time of shipment. When the printer 1 is set up at the shipment destination, the printhead 3 of the new product is installed on the printhead holding member 10. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the period from the completion of printer 1 assembly to the setting up of printer 1 at the shipment destination is longer, poor ink ejection from the printhead 3 can be prevented in the set-up printer 1. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the protrusions 10e and 10f engage with the recesses 10e and 10f, the printhead 3 can be installed without adjusting the tilt of the printhead 3 relative to the carriage 4. Therefore, even if the printhead 3 of the new product is installed when the printer 1 is set up at the shipment destination without the printhead 3 being installed at the time of shipment, the printhead 3 can be installed easily and accurately at the shipment destination in a short time. In other words, in this embodiment, the printhead 3 of the new product can be installed at the shipment destination in a printer 1 that is not in the state of having the printhead 3 installed, with minimal burden.

[0104] (Other implementation methods)

[0105] The described form is an example of a preferred form of the present invention, but it is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without changing the spirit of the present invention.

[0106] In this configuration, the printhead 3 can also be fixed to the printhead retaining member 10 by a fixing member other than the screw member 15. Furthermore, in this configuration, a protrusion may be formed on the printhead 3 for positioning the printhead 3 horizontally relative to the printhead retaining member 10, and a recess may be formed on the printhead retaining member 10 to engage with the protrusion of the printhead 3. In this case, for example, two protrusions may be formed on the printhead 3, and two recesses may be formed on the printhead retaining member 10. Moreover, in this configuration, a new printhead 3 may be installed on the printhead retaining member 10 during factory assembly of the printer 1, and the printer 1 may be shipped with the new printhead 3 installed.

[0107] In this configuration, the tilt of the nozzle 3 relative to the nozzle holding member 10 can also be adjusted by adjusting the tilt of the nozzle 3 relative to the nozzle holding member 10 in the first rotational direction using the tilt adjustment mechanism 11, thereby adjusting the tilt of the nozzle 3 relative to the nozzle holding member 10. In this case, for example, the tilt adjustment mechanism 11 includes an eccentric cam for adjusting the tilt of the nozzle 3 relative to the nozzle holding member 10 in the first rotational direction, a fulcrum portion that serves as the fulcrum for the rotation of the nozzle 3 relative to the nozzle holding member 10, and a compression coil spring that applies force to the nozzle 3 on one side of the first rotational direction.

[0108] In this case, when replacing the nozzle 3 mounted on the carriage 4, the nozzle holding member 10 is also replaced along with the nozzle 3. Furthermore, when replacing the nozzle 3, the nozzle 3, whose tilt relative to the nozzle holding member 10 has been pre-adjusted in the first rotational direction, is installed together with the nozzle holding member 10 on the carriage 4. Additionally, in this case, a protrusion is formed in either the nozzle holding member 10 or the carriage 4 for positioning the nozzle holding member 10 in the horizontal direction relative to the carriage 4, and a recess is formed in either the nozzle holding member 10 or the carriage 4 to engage with the protrusion. For example, two protrusions are formed in the carriage 4, and two recesses are formed in the nozzle holding member 10.

[0109] In this case, if the protrusion and concave portion engage to position the printhead holding member 10 horizontally relative to the carriage 4 when replacing the printhead 3, it is not necessary to adjust the tilt of the printhead 3 relative to the carriage 4 when replacing the printhead 3. Therefore, the printhead 3 replacement time can be shortened. In addition, since the printhead holding member 10 is positioned horizontally relative to the carriage 4 by the protrusion and concave portion, the leaf spring described in Patent Document 1 is not required. As a result, the structure of the printer 1 can be simplified while shortening the printhead 3 replacement time.

[0110] Furthermore, in the aforementioned case, for example, when assembling printer 1 at the factory, the inspection printhead 3 and printhead holding member 10 are installed on the carriage 4. Additionally, ink is ejected from the inspection printhead 3 to perform various inspections. After the inspection, the inspection printhead 3 and printhead holding member 10 are removed from the carriage 4, and printer 1 is assembled without the printhead 3 and printhead holding member 10 installed. When printer 1 is shipped, the printhead 3 and printhead holding member 10 are not installed on the carriage 4. At the destination of printer 1, the operator installs the new printhead 3 and printhead holding member 10 on the carriage 4 when setting up printer 1.

[0111] In this configuration, the printer 1 may also include two or more printheads 3. That is, two or more printheads 3 may be mounted on the carriage 4. In this case, for example, the printer 1 includes printhead holding members 10 in the same number as the printheads 3, with one printhead 3 fixed to one printhead holding member 10. Furthermore, in this configuration, the medium 2 may not be formed in a long strip shape. In this case, the printer 1 includes, for example, a worktable for holding the medium 2 and a worktable feed mechanism for moving the worktable in the front-back direction. Additionally, the inkjet printer using this invention can also be a 3D printer.

[0112] <Second Implementation>

[0113] Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0114] (Overall structure of the media processing device)

[0115] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the media processing apparatus 101 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 yes Figure 7 The rear view of the media processing device 101 shown. Figure 9 It is used for explanation Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of the media processing device 101 shown. Figure 10 (A) is Figure 8 An enlarged view of part E. Figure 10 (B) is Figure 10 Enlarged view of part F in (A).

[0116] The media processing device 101 of this type is used to spray ink onto the media 102 (see reference). Figure 9 This is an inkjet printer used for printing in business applications. Therefore, in this description, the media handling device 101 is referred to as "printer 101". The media 102 is, for example, printing paper, cloth, or resin film. In addition, the media 102 is formed in a long strip shape (a thin strip).

[0117] Printer 101 includes an inkjet head 103 (hereinafter referred to as "printhead 103") that ejects ink to media 102, a carriage 104 for mounting the printhead 103, and a carriage 104 positioned in the main scanning direction. Figure 7 The printer 101 includes a carriage drive mechanism 105 that moves in the Y direction (e.g., a Y-bar 106 that holds the carriage 104 in a movable manner), a media conveying mechanism 107 that conveys the media 102, and a platform 108 for holding the media 102. Additionally, the printer 101 includes a body frame 109 for supporting the platform 108 from below, and multiple support legs 110 that fix the body frame 109 to its upper end. This embodiment of the printer 101 includes two support legs 110.

[0118] The printhead 103 ejects ink downwards. Multiple nozzles for ejecting ink are formed on the lower surface of the printhead 103. The printhead 103 includes a piezoelectric element that ejects ink from the nozzles. The carriage drive mechanism 105 includes, for example, two pulleys, a belt mounted on the two pulleys and partially fixed to the carriage 104, and a motor that rotates the pulleys. The platform 108 is positioned lower than the carriage 104. The printing medium 102 is placed on the platform 108. The Y-bar 106 is formed into an elongated shape in the main scanning direction.

[0119] In the following explanation, the main scanning direction (Y direction) is set as "left-right direction", and the direction orthogonal to the up-down direction (vertical direction, Z direction) and the left-right direction is defined. Figure 7The X-direction is set to the "front-back direction". Additionally, one side of the left-right direction is... Figure 7 The Y1 direction side is set as the "right" side, and the opposite side of the right side is... Figure 7 The Y2 direction side is set as the "left" side, and one side of the front-back direction is... Figure 7 The X1 direction side is set as the "front" side, and the opposite side of the front side is... Figure 7 The X2 direction side is designated as the "rear" side. The left-right direction (Y direction) and the width direction of the medium 102, which are orthogonal to the thickness direction and the transport direction of the medium 102, are consistent. In addition, the up-down direction (Z direction) is the thickness direction of the medium 102 when it is placed on the printing platen 108, and the front-back direction (X direction) is the transport direction of the medium 102 moving on the printing platen 108 and is also the sub-scanning direction.

[0120] The media conveying mechanism 107 includes a conveying roller (grid roller) 111 for conveying the media 102. This embodiment of the media conveying mechanism 107 includes one conveying roller 111. The axial direction of the conveying roller 111 is aligned with the left-right direction, and the conveying roller 111 is capable of rotating around the left-right direction as its rotational axis. That is, in this embodiment, the left-right direction (Y direction, main scanning direction) is the axial direction of the conveying roller 111. The width of the conveying roller 111 in the left-right direction is wider than the width of the media 102. The conveying roller 111 is disposed on the rear side of the platform 108. In this embodiment, the vertical direction (Z direction) is a predetermined direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the conveying roller 111, i.e., a first direction, and the front-back direction (X direction) is a second direction orthogonal to both the axial direction of the conveying roller 111 and the first direction.

[0121] Additionally, the media conveying mechanism 107 includes a roller drive mechanism 112 that drives the conveying roller 111, a plurality of pinch rollers 113 that are forceped onto the conveying roller 111 and hold the medium 102 between the conveying roller 111 and the medium 102, and a plurality of roller holding members 114 for the plurality of pinch rollers 113 to be rotatably mounted. The media conveying mechanism 107 includes, for example, seven pinch rollers 113 and seven roller holding members 114. The roller drive mechanism 112 includes a motor and a power transmission mechanism that transmits the power of the motor to the conveying roller 111. The power transmission mechanism includes, for example, a pulley fixed to the output shaft of the motor, a pulley fixed to the left end of the conveying roller 111, and a belt mounted on the two pulleys.

[0122] The pinch roller 113 is rotatable along its axial direction in the left-right direction. The width of the pinch roller 113 in the left-right direction is narrower than the width of the conveying roller 111 in the left-right direction. The pinch roller 113 is positioned directly above the conveying roller 111, facing it from above. Furthermore, multiple pinch rollers 113 are arranged with gaps in the left-right direction. The medium 102 conveyed by the medium conveying mechanism 107 is held between the conveying roller 111 and the pinch roller 113.

[0123] A roller holding member 114 is mounted on a Y-bar 106. The roller holding member 114 is movable in the left-right direction relative to the Y-bar 106. In this configuration, the printer operator manually moves the roller holding member 114 in the left-right direction relative to the Y-bar 106 before printing on the medium 102, depending on factors such as the width of the medium 102 to be printed. A clamping mechanism is installed on the roller holding member 114 to secure it to the Y-bar 106. Furthermore, the media conveying mechanism 107 includes a clamping roller moving mechanism that moves the clamping roller 113 between a media holding position and a clearance position. In the media holding position, a portion of the medium 102 is clamped between the clamping rollers 113 and the conveying roller 111; in the clearance position, the clamping rollers 113 move away from the conveying roller 111. When media 102 is placed in printer 101, the clamping roller 113 moves to the clearance position, and when media 102 is placed in printer 101, the clamping roller 113 moves to the media holding position.

[0124] Additionally, the media conveying mechanism 107 includes two bearings 115 that rotatably hold the two ends of the conveying roller 111 (see reference). Figure 10 (A) and multiple roller supports 116 and 117 that support the conveying roller 111. The specific structure of the bearing 115 and the roller supports 116 and 117 will be described later.

[0125] The main frame 109 is slender in the left-right direction. Side plates are fixed to both ends of the main frame 109 in the left-right direction. Y-bars 106 are fixed to the side plates fixed to the main frame 109 on both sides in the left-right direction. Two support legs 110 are arranged with a gap in the left-right direction. The two support legs 110 support the two ends of the main frame 109 in the left-right direction from below. The specific structure of the main frame 109 will be described later.

[0126] Additionally, the printer 101 includes a maintenance unit 118 for preventing clogging of the plurality of nozzles formed on the lower surface of the printhead 103. In the maintenance unit 118, the printhead 103 is cleaned to prevent clogging of the plurality of nozzles. For example, the maintenance unit 118 performs cleaning by forcibly drawing ink from the nozzles of the printhead 103, flash spraying to force ink out of the nozzles of the printhead 103, and scraping by wiping the lower surface of the printhead 103 with a designated scraper member. The maintenance unit 118 is mounted on the right end of the body frame 109.

[0127] (Structure of the main frame, bearings and roller support)

[0128] Figure 11 It is used from Figure 10 (A) is a cross-sectional view of the structure of the main body frame 109, etc., in the GG direction. Figure 12 (A) is used for explanation Figure 10 The side view of the structure of the roller support 116 shown. Figure 12 (B) is used for explanation Figure 10 Side view of the structure of the roller support 117 shown.

[0129] The main body frame 109 includes a first frame 121 and a second frame 122 formed into elongated shapes in the left-right direction. The first frame 121 and the second frame 122 are formed by bending thin, flat metal plates formed into a predetermined shape.

[0130] The first frame 121 includes a flat, fixed portion 121a that is mounted and fixed to two support legs 110. The fixed portion 121a is formed into a rectangular flat plate that is elongated in the left-right direction. The thickness direction of the fixed portion 121a is consistent with the vertical direction. Additionally, the first frame 121 includes side portions 121b that rise upwards from both ends of the fixed portion 121a in the front-rear direction, and an upper surface portion 121c that extends inwards from the upper end of the side portion 121b in the front-rear direction. The side portions 121b and the upper surface portion 121c are formed into rectangular flat plates that are elongated in the left-right direction. The thickness direction of the side portion 121b is consistent with the front-rear direction, and the thickness direction of the upper surface portion 121c is consistent with the vertical direction.

[0131] The second frame 122 includes a flat upper surface portion 122a constituting the upper surface of the second frame 122. The upper surface portion 122a is formed into a rectangular flat plate that is elongated in the left-right direction. The thickness direction of the upper surface portion 122a is consistent with the vertical direction. In addition, the second frame 122 includes side portions 122b extending downward from both ends in the front-rear direction of the upper surface portion 122a, and a bottom portion 122c extending outward from the lower end of the side portions 122b in the front-rear direction. The side portions 122b and the bottom portion 122c are formed into rectangular flat plates that are elongated in the left-right direction. The thickness direction of the side portions 122b is consistent with the front-rear direction, and the thickness direction of the bottom portion 122c is consistent with the vertical direction.

[0132] The second frame 122 is disposed on the upper side of the first frame 121. The lower surface of the front portion of the bottom part 122c disposed on the front side contacts the upper surface of the upper part 121c disposed on the front side, and the lower surface of the rear portion of the bottom part 122c disposed on the rear side contacts the upper surface of the upper part 121c disposed on the rear side. The second frame 122 is fixed to the first frame 121. Specifically, the bottom part 122c that contacts the upper surface of the upper surface 121c is fixed to the upper surface of the upper surface 121c by a plurality of screws. The platform 108 is disposed on the upper side of the second frame 122. The second frame 122 includes a plurality of platform support portions 122d. The platform support portions 122d are fixed to the upper surface of the upper surface portion 122a. The upper end surface of the platform support portion 122d is a plane orthogonal to the vertical direction.

[0133] Bearing 115 is, for example, a rolling bearing comprising an annular inner ring, an annular outer ring, and a plurality of rollers or balls disposed between the inner and outer rings. One of the two bearings 115 rotatably holds the right end of the conveyor roller 111, and the other bearing 115 rotatably holds the left end of the conveyor roller 111. Bearing 115 is mounted on the body frame 10. Specifically, bearing 115 is fixed to the upper surface side of the second frame 122. Alternatively, bearing 115 may be a sliding bearing formed in an annular shape.

[0134] As described above, the media conveying mechanism 107 includes multiple roller support portions 116 and 117. Specifically, the media conveying mechanism 107 includes three or more roller support portions 116 and 117. This embodiment of the media conveying mechanism 107 includes seven roller support portions 116 and 117. Alternatively, this embodiment of the media conveying mechanism 107 includes four roller support portions 116 and three roller support portions 117. The roller support portions 116 and 117 rotatably support the conveying roller 111 from below. The seven roller support portions 116 and 117 are arranged with a gap between them in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the seven roller support portions 116 and 117 are mounted on the main body frame 109. Specifically, the seven roller support portions 116 and 117 are directly mounted on the main body frame 109.

[0135] Roller support 116 includes a support member 124 that contacts the conveying roller 111 and a retaining member 125 that holds the support member 124. Roller support 117 includes a support member 126 that contacts the conveying roller 111 and a retaining member 127 that holds the support member 126. The retaining members 125 and 127 are formed by bending a thin, flat metal plate formed into a predetermined shape. The support member 124 is a sliding bearing. The support member 126 is a pair of rollers 128. That is, in this embodiment, the support members 124 of four of the seven roller supports 116 and 117 are sliding bearings, and the support members 126 of the remaining three roller supports 117 are a pair of rollers 128.

[0136] The support member 124, serving as a sliding bearing, is formed of a resin material with excellent sliding properties. A concave curved support surface 124a is formed on the support member 124, contacting the lower portion of the outer peripheral surface of the conveying roller 111. The support surface 124a is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape. The upper portion of the outer peripheral surface of the conveying roller 111 does not contact the support member 124. The support member 124 is fixed to the retaining member 125. A pair of rollers 128 are rotatably held in the retaining member 127. The rollers 128 are rotatable along their axial direction (left-right). The pair of rollers 128 are arranged with a gap in the front-back direction. The pair of rollers 128 contact the lower portion of the outer peripheral surface of the conveying roller 111.

[0137] As described above, the seven roller supports 116 and 117 are arranged with gaps between them in the left-right direction. In this configuration, as... Figure 10 As shown in (A), the roller support portion 116 and the roller support portion 117 are alternately arranged in the left-right direction. That is, the roller support portion 116, whose support member 124 is a sliding bearing, and the roller support portion 117, whose support member 126 is a pair of rollers 128, are alternately arranged in the left-right direction.

[0138] A platform support portion 125a is formed on the upper end side of the retaining member 125. A platform support portion 127a is formed on the upper end side of the retaining member 127. The upper end surfaces of the platform support portions 125a and 127a are planes orthogonal to the vertical direction. The platform 108 is placed and fixed to the upper end surface of the platform support portion 122d of the second frame 122 and the upper end surfaces of the platform support portions 125a and 127a (see reference). Figure 11 ).

[0139] As described above, roller support portions 116 and 117 are directly mounted on the main body frame 109. Specifically, retaining members 125 and 127 are directly mounted on the main body frame 109 by screws 129. Furthermore, retaining members 125 and 127 are mounted on the rear surface of the side portion 122b disposed on the rear side of the second frame 122. That is, roller support portions 116 and 117 are directly mounted on the rear surface of the main body frame 109. Additionally, retaining members 125 and 127 are fixed to the main body frame 109 by two screws 129. The screws 129 are headed screws comprising a shaft portion for external threads and a head connected to the shaft portion. The two screws 129 are arranged with a gap in the vertical direction. A screw hole is formed on the side portion 122b disposed on the rear side to engage with the shaft portion of the screw 129. An internal thread is formed in the screw hole.

[0140] The retaining members 125 and 127 have through holes for the shaft portion of the screw 129 to pass through. In this configuration, the mounting positions of the seven roller supports 116 and 117 relative to the body frame 109 in the vertical direction can be individually adjusted. Therefore, the through holes formed in the retaining members 125 and 127 are so-called clearance holes with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the shaft portion of the screw 129. Alternatively, the through holes formed in the retaining members 125 and 127 are elongated holes that are longer in the vertical direction.

[0141] In this configuration, loosening the screw 129 allows adjustment of the vertical mounting positions of the roller support 116 and roller support 117 relative to the main frame 109. Furthermore, the screw 129 is mounted on the main frame 109 from the rear. The retaining members 125 and 127, located on the rear side of the main frame 109, have elongated holes (through holes) 125b and 127b (see reference) for loosening or tightening the screw 129. Figure 10 (B)).

[0142] (The main effects of this form)

[0143] As explained above, in this embodiment, the seven roller supports 116 and 117 that support the conveyor roller 111 from below are arranged with gaps between each other in the axial direction (left-right direction) of the conveyor roller 111. The mounting positions of the seven roller supports 116 and 117 relative to the vertical direction of the main frame 109 can be individually adjusted. Therefore, in this embodiment, by individually adjusting the mounting positions of the seven roller supports 116 and 117 relative to the vertical direction of the main frame 109, the deflection of the conveyor roller 111 can be reduced.

[0144] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the roller support 116 and roller support 117 are directly mounted on the main body frame 109, the moving part and fixing part described in Patent Document 2 are not required. Therefore, in this embodiment, the number of parts in the printer 101 can be reduced to decrease the cost of the printer 101. That is, in this embodiment, the cost of the printer 101 can be reduced while minimizing the deflection of the conveyor roller 111.

[0145] In this embodiment, roller support portions 116 and 117 are mounted on the rear surface of the main frame 109 by screws 129. Loosening the screws 129 allows adjustment of the vertical mounting positions of the roller support portions 116 and 117 relative to the main frame 109. Therefore, in this embodiment, the mounting positions of the roller support portions 116 and 117 relative to the main frame 109 can be adjusted using a relatively simple structure. Consequently, this embodiment further reduces the cost of the printer 101.

[0146] In this configuration, the support members 124 of four of the seven roller support portions 116 and 117 are sliding bearings, while the support members 126 of the remaining three roller support portions 117 are a pair of rollers 128. Therefore, in this configuration, for example, compared to the case where all roller support portions 116 and 117 have a pair of rollers 128 for their support members 124 and 126, the cost of the printer 101 can be reduced. Furthermore, for example, compared to the case where all roller support portions 116 and 117 have a pair of rollers 128 for their support members 124 and 126, periodic eccentricity of the conveyor roller 111 caused by the eccentricity of the rollers 128 can be suppressed when the conveyor roller 111 rotates. In addition, in this configuration, for example, compared to the case where all the support members 124 and 126 of the roller support portions 116 and 117 are sliding bearings, the load on the drive source (motor) of the roller drive mechanism 112 when the conveying roller 111 rotates can be reduced.

[0147] In this configuration, the roller support portion 116, which is a sliding bearing, and the roller support portion 117, which is a pair of rollers 128, are alternately arranged in the left-right direction. Therefore, in this configuration, the sliding bearing and the pair of rollers 128 can be arranged in a balanced and good manner in the left-right direction.

[0148] (Other implementation methods)

[0149] The described form is an example of a preferred form of the present invention, but it is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without changing the spirit of the present invention.

[0150] In this configuration, the roller support portion 116 and the roller support portion 117 may not be arranged alternately in the left-right direction. In addition, in this configuration, the number of roller support portions 116 is greater than the number of roller support portions 117 (that is, the number of support members 124 as sliding bearings is greater than the number of support members 126 as a pair of rollers 128), but the number of roller support portions 117 may also be greater than the number of roller support portions 116.

[0151] In this configuration, the support member 126 can also be a sliding bearing. That is, the support members 124 and 126 of all roller support portions 116 and 117 can also be sliding bearings. In this case, compared to the case where the support member 126 is a pair of rollers 128, the cost of the printer 101 can be reduced. In addition, in this case, when the conveyor roller 111 rotates, periodic eccentricity of the conveyor roller 111 due to the eccentricity of the rollers 128 can be prevented. Furthermore, in this configuration, the support member 124 can also be a pair of rollers 128. That is, the support members 124 and 126 of all roller support portions 116 and 117 can also be a pair of rollers 128.

[0152] In this configuration, the roller support portions 116 and 117 can be mounted on the main body frame 109 using a single screw 129, or using three or more screws 129. Alternatively, in this configuration, the roller support portions 116 and 117 can also be mounted on the main body frame 109 using fixing components other than screws 129. Furthermore, in this configuration, the medium 102 may not be formed in a long strip shape.

[0153] In this configuration, the predetermined direction orthogonal to the axial direction (left-right direction) of the conveyor roller 111, i.e., the first direction, may not be consistent with the vertical direction. That is, the first direction may be inclined relative to the vertical direction. In this case, the direction orthogonal to both the axial direction of the conveyor roller 111 and the first direction, i.e., the second direction, is inclined relative to the front-back direction. Furthermore, the media processing apparatus 101 to which this invention is applied may be a printer other than an inkjet printer, or a device other than a printer that performs predetermined processing on the media 102. For example, the media processing apparatus 101 may also be a cutting machine that cuts the media 102 into a predetermined shape.

[0154] <Third Implementation Method>

[0155] Hereinafter, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0156] (Overall structure of the media processing device)

[0157] Figure 13 This is a perspective view of the media processing apparatus 201 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 14 yes Figure 13 The rear view of the media processing device 201 shown. Figure 15 It is used for explanation Figure 13 A schematic diagram of the structure of the media processing device 201 shown. Figure 16 It is used to explain from the front side. Figure 13 An enlarged view of the structure of part E.

[0158] The media processing device 201 of this type is used to process the media 202 (see reference) for ink ejection. Figure 15 This is an inkjet printer used for printing in business applications. Therefore, in this description, the media handling device 201 is referred to as "printer 201". The media 202 is, for example, printing paper, cloth, or resin film. Furthermore, the media 202 is formed in a long strip shape (a thin strip). The printer 201 includes an inkjet printhead 203 (hereinafter referred to as "printhead 203") that ejects ink to the media 202, a carriage 204 for mounting the printhead 203, and a mechanism for positioning the carriage 204 in the main scanning direction (…). Figure 13 The carriage drive mechanism 205 moves in the Y direction (e.g., the Y-bar 206 is a retaining frame that holds the carriage 204 in a movable manner, the medium conveying mechanism 207 conveys the medium 202, and the platform 208 for placing the medium 202.

[0159] The printhead 203 ejects ink downwards. Multiple nozzles for ejecting ink are formed on the lower surface of the printhead 203. The printhead 203 includes a piezoelectric element that ejects ink from the nozzles. The carriage 204 is movable in the main scanning direction. The carriage drive mechanism 205 includes, for example, two pulleys, a belt mounted on the two pulleys and partially fixed to the carriage 204, and a motor that rotates the pulleys. The platform 208 is positioned lower than the carriage 204. The printing medium 202 is placed on the platform 208. The Y-bar 206 is formed into an elongated shape in the main scanning direction. Furthermore, the Y-bar 206 may be composed of a single component or multiple components.

[0160] In the following explanation, the main scanning direction (Y direction) is set as "left-right direction", and the direction orthogonal to the up-down direction (vertical direction, Z direction) and the left-right direction is defined. Figure 13 The X-direction is set to the "front-back direction". Additionally, one side of the left-right direction is... Figure 13 The Y1 direction side is set as the "right" side, and the opposite side of the right side is... Figure 13 The Y2 direction side is set as the "left" side, and one side of the front-back direction is... Figure 13 The X1 direction side is set as the "front" side, and the opposite side of the front side is... Figure 13The X2 direction side is designated as the "rear" side. The left-right direction and the width direction of the medium 202, which are orthogonal to the thickness direction and the transport direction of the medium 202, are consistent. That is, in this configuration, the left-right direction (Y direction) is the width direction of the medium 202. In addition, the up-down direction (Z direction) is the thickness direction of the medium 202 when it is placed on the printing platen 208, and the front-back direction (X direction) is the transport direction of the medium 202 moving on the printing platen 208 and is also the sub-scanning direction.

[0161] The media conveying mechanism 207 includes a conveying roller (grid roller) 211 for conveying media 202, and a roller drive mechanism 212 for driving the conveying roller 211. This embodiment of the media conveying mechanism 207 includes one conveying roller 211. Additionally, the media conveying mechanism 207 includes a plurality of pinch rollers 213 that are forceped onto the conveying roller 211 and clamp the media 202 between the pinch roller 211 and the conveying roller 211, and a plurality of roller holding members 214 for rotatably mounting the plurality of pinch rollers 213. For example, the media conveying mechanism 207 includes seven pinch rollers 213 and seven roller holding members 214.

[0162] The conveying roller 211 and the pinch roller 213 are rotatable axially in the left-right direction. The width of the conveying roller 211 in the left-right direction is wider than that of the pinch roller 213 in the left-right direction. The conveying roller 211 and the pinch roller 213 are disposed on the rear side of the platform 208. The pinch roller 213 is disposed directly above the conveying roller 211, facing the conveying roller 211 from above. In addition, a plurality of pinch rollers 213 are arranged with gaps in the left-right direction. The medium 202 conveyed by the medium conveying mechanism 207 is clamped between the conveying roller 211 and the pinch roller 213. The roller drive mechanism 212 includes a motor and a power transmission mechanism such as a belt or pulley that transmits the power of the motor to the conveying roller 211.

[0163] The roller holding member 214 is formed of resin. The roller holding member 214 is mounted on the Y-bar 206. Furthermore, the roller holding member 214 is movable in the left-right direction relative to the Y-bar 206. In this embodiment, the operator of the printer 201 manually moves the roller holding member 214 in the left-right direction relative to the Y-bar 206 before printing on the medium 202, depending on factors such as the width of the medium 202 to be printed. A clamping mechanism is installed on the roller holding member 214 to fix the roller holding member 214 to the Y-bar 206. This clamping mechanism can be switched between a clamped state where the roller holding member 214 is fixed to the Y-bar 206 and a loosened state where the roller holding member 214 can move in the left-right direction relative to the Y-bar 206. During printing on the medium 202, the clamping mechanism is in the clamped state. When the operator manually moves the roller holding member 214 in the left-right direction, the clamping mechanism is set to the loosened state.

[0164] Furthermore, the media conveying mechanism 207 includes a clamping roller moving mechanism that moves the clamping rollers 213 between a media holding position and a clearance position. In the media holding position, a portion of the media 202 is clamped between the plurality of clamping rollers 213 and the conveying roller 211. In the clearance position, the plurality of clamping rollers 213 move away from the conveying roller 211. When the media 202 is placed in the printer 201, the clamping rollers 213 move to the clearance position; when the media 202 is placed in the printer 201, the clamping rollers 213 move to the media holding position.

[0165] Additionally, printer 201 includes a maintenance unit 215 for preventing clogging of the plurality of nozzles formed on the lower surface of printhead 203. In maintenance unit 215, the printhead 203 is cleaned to prevent clogging of the plurality of nozzles. For example, maintenance unit 215 performs cleaning by forcibly drawing ink from the nozzles of printhead 203, flash spraying to force ink out of the nozzles of printhead 203, and scraping by wiping the lower surface of printhead 203 with a designated scraper member. Maintenance unit 215 is located at the right end of printer 201.

[0166] Furthermore, the printer 201 includes a first detected member 218 for detecting the position of the feed roller 213 in the left-right direction, a second detected member 219 for detecting the origin position of the carriage 204 in the left-right direction, and a sensor 220 for detecting the first detected member 218 and the second detected member 219. The structures of the first detected member 218, the second detected member 219, and the sensor 220 will be described below.

[0167] (Structure of the first component under test, the second component under test, and the sensor)

[0168] Figure 17 (A) is Figure 16 The plan view of the first tested component 218, etc., is shown. Figure 17 (B) is Figure 16 The plan view of the second tested component 219, etc., is shown. Figure 17 (C) is from Figure 17 (B) shows a side view of the second detected part 219a and the sensor 220 in the FF direction.

[0169] The sensor 220 is a transmissive optical sensor having a light-emitting portion 221 and a light-receiving portion 222 facing each other with an open gap. The sensor 220 is mounted on the carriage 204. Specifically, in this embodiment of the printer 201, a cutter unit 223 for cutting the media 202 is mounted on the carriage 204, and the sensor 220 is mounted on the cutter unit 223. That is, the sensor 220 is mounted on the carriage 204 via the cutter unit 223. Furthermore, the sensor 220 is disposed on the rear surface side of the carriage 204. The light-emitting portion 221 and the light-receiving portion 222 face each other in the vertical direction. Alternatively, the sensor 220 may be directly mounted on the carriage 204.

[0170] The first detected member 218 is integrally formed with each of the plurality of roller holding members 214. That is, the printer 201 includes the same number of first detected members 18 as the pinch roller 213 and roller holding members 214. The first detected member 218 includes a first detected portion 218a detected by the sensor 220. The first detected portion 218a is formed as a rectangular flat plate. In addition, the first detected portion 218a is formed as a flat plate without openings. The first detected portion 218a is arranged such that the thickness direction of the first detected portion 218a is aligned with the vertical direction. The first detected portion 218a is disposed on the front surface side of the roller holding member 214. In addition, the first detected portion 218a is disposed at a position that can block the light-emitting portion 221 and the light-receiving portion 222 of the sensor 220, which moves in the left-right direction together with the carriage 204.

[0171] The second detected component 219 is formed, for example, by bending a metal plate of a predetermined shape into a predetermined shape. The second detected component 219 is mounted on the Y-bar 206. In this configuration, the right end of the printer 201 is the origin of the carriage 204, and the second detected component 219 is mounted on the right end of the Y-bar 206. Furthermore, the second detected component 219 is fixed to the front surface of the Y-bar 206 by screws. The second detected component 219 includes a second detected portion 219a detected by the sensor 220. The second detected portion 219a is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate. A through hole 219b is formed in the second detected portion 219a. That is, the second detected portion 219a is formed in the shape of a plate with a hole.

[0172] The second detection portion 219a is arranged such that its thickness direction aligns with its vertical direction. The second detection portion 219a is located on the front surface side of the Y-bar 206. Furthermore, the second detection portion 219a is positioned to block the light-emitting portion 221 and the light-receiving portion 222 of the sensor 220, which moves horizontally together with the slide 204. Additionally, the second detection portion 219a is positioned to allow the optical axis from the light-emitting portion 221 to the light-receiving portion 222 to pass through the through hole 219b. As described above, the first detection portion 218a is formed as a flat plate without holes, while the second detection portion 219a is formed as a flat plate with holes. That is, the shapes of the first detection portion 218a and the second detection portion 219a are different.

[0173] When detecting the origin position of the carriage 204 in the left-right direction, the carriage 204, which is positioned further to the left of the origin position, is moved to the right. The position of the second detected part 219a detected by the sensor 220 is set as the origin position of the carriage 204 in the left-right direction. The position of the pinch roller 213 in the left-right direction is detected by moving the carriage 204 with the origin position of the carriage 204 in the left-right direction as a reference. The position of the first detected part 218a detected by the sensor 220 is the position of the pinch roller 213 in the left-right direction.

[0174] (The main effects of this form)

[0175] As explained above, in this embodiment, the shape of the first detected portion 218a of the first detected member 218 used to detect the position of the pinch roller 213 in the left-right direction (main scanning direction) is different from the shape of the second detected portion 219a of the second detected member 219 used to detect the origin position of the carriage 204 in the left-right direction. Specifically, a through hole 219b is formed in the second detected portion 219a, while no through hole is formed in the first detected portion 218a. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the first detected portion 218a and the second detected portion 219a are detected by the common sensor 220 mounted on the carriage 204, the first detected portion 218a and the second detected portion 219a can be distinguished and identified based on the presence or absence of a through hole.

[0176] That is, in this embodiment, even without separately providing sensors for detecting the first detected part 218a and the second detected part 219a, the position of the pinch roller 213 in the left-right direction and the origin position of the carriage 204 in the left-right direction can be appropriately detected by the shared sensor 220. Therefore, in this embodiment, the number of parts in the printer 201 can be reduced while appropriately detecting the position of the pinch roller 213 in the left-right direction and the origin position of the carriage 204 in the left-right direction, thereby reducing the cost of the printer 201.

[0177] In this embodiment, the second detected portion 219a is formed as a flat plate with a hole, while the first detected portion 218a is formed as a flat plate without a hole. Thus, in this embodiment, it is relatively easy to make the shape of the first detected portion 218a different from the shape of the second detected portion 219a.

[0178] (Other implementation methods)

[0179] The described form is an example of a preferred form of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without changing the spirit of the present invention.

[0180] For example, in the described configuration, as long as the shape of the first detected portion 218a is different from the shape of the second detected portion 219a, a through hole 219b may not be formed in the second detected portion 219a, but a through hole may be formed in the first detected portion 218a. Furthermore, in the described configuration, as long as the shape of the first detected portion 218a is different from the shape of the second detected portion 219a, the first detected portion 218a and the second detected portion 219a may be formed into any shape other than a rectangle.

[0181] Furthermore, in this configuration, the first detected member 218 may be formed separately from the roller holding member 214. In this case, the first detected member 218 is also mounted on each of the plurality of roller holding members 214. Additionally, in this configuration, the sensor 220 may be a reflective optical sensor, or a sensor other than an optical sensor. Furthermore, in this configuration, the medium 202 is not formed in a strip shape. Furthermore, the media processing apparatus 201 to which this invention is applied may be a printer other than an inkjet printer, or a device other than a printer that performs a prescribed processing on the medium 202. For example, the media processing apparatus 201 may also be a cutting machine that cuts the medium 202 into a prescribed shape.

[0182] Explanation of icon numbers

[0183] 1: Printer (Inkjet Printer)

[0184] 3: Printhead (Inkjet Printhead)

[0185] 3a: Ink ejection surface

[0186] 3e, 3f: concave part

[0187] 4: Carriage

[0188] 5: Carriage drive mechanism

[0189] 10: Nozzle retaining components

[0190] 10e, 10f: convex part

[0191] 11: Tilting adjustment mechanism

[0192] X: Second direction

[0193] Y: Main scanning direction, axial direction of the conveying roller, main scanning direction, width direction of the medium

[0194] Z: Up / down direction, first direction

[0195] 101: Printer (Inkjet printer, media handling device)

[0196] 102: Medium

[0197] 103: Printhead (Inkjet Printhead)

[0198] 104: Carriage

[0199] 105: Carriage drive mechanism

[0200] 109: Ontology Framework

[0201] 110: Support foot

[0202] 111: Conveying roller

[0203] 112: Roller drive mechanism

[0204] 113: Pinch roller

[0205] 115: Bearings

[0206] 116: Roller support section (roller support section with sliding bearing as the support component)

[0207] 117: Roller support section (the support component is a pair of rollers)

[0208] 124, 126: Supporting components

[0209] 125, 127: Retaining components

[0210] 128: Roller

[0211] 129: Screw

[0212] 201: Printer (Inkjet printer, media handling device)

[0213] 202: Medium

[0214] 203: Printhead (Inkjet Printhead)

[0215] 204: Carriage

[0216] 205: Carriage drive mechanism

[0217] 206: Y-bar (holding frame)

[0218] 211: Conveying roller

[0219] 212: Roller drive mechanism

[0220] 213: Pinch roller

[0221] 214: Roller holding component

[0222] 218: The first component to be tested

[0223] 218a: First inspected section

[0224] 219: Second component under inspection

[0225] 219a: Second Inspection Section

[0226] 220: Sensor

[0227] 221: Light-emitting part

[0228] 222: Light-receiving part

Claims

1. An inkjet printer, characterized in that, include: An inkjet printhead ejects ink; a printhead holder holds the inkjet printhead; a carriage mounts the printhead holder; and a tilt adjustment mechanism adjusts the tilt of the inkjet printhead relative to the carriage in a first rotational direction with the vertical direction as the axis of rotation. The tilt of the inkjet printhead relative to the carriage is adjusted by the tilt adjustment mechanism in the first rotational direction, thereby adjusting the tilt of the printhead holding member relative to the carriage; or the tilt of the inkjet printhead relative to the carriage is adjusted by the tilt adjustment mechanism in the first rotational direction, thereby adjusting the tilt of the inkjet printhead relative to the printhead holding member. When the tilt of the printhead holding member relative to the carriage is adjusted by the tilt adjustment mechanism, a protrusion is formed in either the inkjet printhead or the printhead holding member for positioning the inkjet printhead relative to the printhead holding member in the horizontal direction, and a recess is formed in either the inkjet printhead or the printhead holding member to engage with the protrusion. When the tilt of the inkjet printhead relative to the printhead holding member is adjusted by the tilt adjustment mechanism, a protrusion is formed in either the printhead holding member or the carriage, namely, a protrusion for positioning the printhead holding member relative to the carriage in the horizontal direction, and a recess is formed in either the printhead holding member or the carriage to engage with the protrusion.

2. The inkjet printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The protrusion is formed in either the inkjet printhead or the printhead holding member. The recess is formed in either the inkjet printhead or the printhead holding member.

3. The inkjet printer according to claim 2, characterized in that, Includes a carriage drive mechanism that moves the carriage in the main scanning direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The inkjet printhead has an ink ejection surface configured with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, and the protrusions or recesses are formed on both sides of the ink ejection surface in the main scanning direction.

4. The inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Includes one of the inkjet printheads.

5. A media processing apparatus, characterized in that, include: Conveying rollers are used to convey media; A roller drive mechanism drives the conveying rollers; Multiple roller support sections support the conveying rollers; The system includes a main frame for mounting multiple roller support sections; support feet for securing the main frame; and bearings for rotatably holding both ends of the conveying rollers and mounted on the main frame. When a predetermined direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the conveying roller is defined as the first direction, The plurality of roller supports are arranged with a gap between each other in the axial direction of the conveying roller, and are rotatably supported by the conveying roller from one side in the first direction and directly mounted on the body frame. The mounting positions of the plurality of roller supports relative to the main body frame in the first direction can be individually adjusted.

6. The media processing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, When the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the conveying roller and the first direction is defined as the second direction, The roller support is directly mounted on one side of the body frame in the second direction by screws. If the screw is loosened, the mounting position of the roller support relative to the body frame in the first direction can be adjusted.

7. The media processing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The roller support includes: a support member that contacts the conveying roller; and a retaining member that holds the support member and is mounted on the body frame. The support members of a plurality of the roller support portions are sliding bearings. The remaining roller support components are a pair of rollers.

8. The media processing apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, Includes three or more of the aforementioned roller support portions. The roller support portion, in which the support member is a sliding bearing, and the roller support portion, in which the support member is a pair of rollers, are alternately arranged in the axial direction of the conveying roller.

9. The media processing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The roller support includes: a support member that contacts the conveying roller; and a retaining member that holds the support member and is mounted on the body frame. The supporting component is a sliding bearing.

10. The media processing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, include: An inkjet printhead ejects ink onto the medium; A carriage for mounting the inkjet printhead; A carriage drive mechanism moves the carriage along the axial direction of the transport roller, i.e., the main scanning direction; and a plurality of clamping rollers are applied to the transport roller and clamp the medium between the transport roller and the transport roller.

11. A media processing apparatus, characterized in that, include: Conveying rollers are used to convey media; A roller drive mechanism drives the conveying rollers; A plurality of pinch rollers are applied to the conveying rollers and clamp the medium between the pinch rollers; a plurality of roller holding members are provided for rotatably mounting the pinch rollers; a carriage is movable in the width direction of the medium, orthogonal to the thickness direction and the conveying direction of the medium; a carriage drive mechanism is provided for moving the carriage in the width direction of the medium; a holding frame is provided for movably holding the carriage and for mounting the roller holding members; a first detection member is provided for detecting the position of the pinch rollers in the width direction of the medium; a second detection member is provided for detecting the origin position of the carriage in the width direction of the medium; and a sensor is provided for detecting the first detection member and the second detection member. The roller holding member is movable relative to the holding frame in the width direction of the medium. The sensor is mounted on the carriage. The first detected component has a first detected portion detected by the sensor, and is mounted on or integrally formed with each of the plurality of roller holding components. The second detected component has a second detected part detected by the sensor and is mounted on the retaining frame. The shape of the first detected part is different from the shape of the second detected part.

12. The media processing apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that, The second part to be detected is formed as a flat plate with holes. The first part to be detected is formed as a flat plate without openings.

13. The media processing apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The sensor is a transmissive optical sensor having a light-emitting part and a light-receiving part facing each other in an open-circuit state.

14. The media processing apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, Includes an inkjet printhead mounted on the carriage and ejecting ink onto the medium.

Images