Recording device

Abstract

To provide a recording device which can reduce driving force when moving a recording head without increasing a device width.SOLUTION: A recording device includes: a circulation unit which has first liquid moving means for supplying liquid to a recording head and second liquid moving means for discharging liquid which circulates in the recording head and is not discharged from a discharge port to the outside of the recording head; a head unit which has the recording head and a holding section for holding the recording head; and head moving means which can move the head unit in a first direction. The circulation unit overlaps a projection surface of the head unit and is not moved by the head moving means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a recording device. [Background technology]

[0002] Inkjet recording devices (hereinafter also referred to as recording devices) that perform recording by ejecting liquid from a recording head include devices that are provided with a configuration for circulating the ink supplied to the recording head. Recording devices equipped with multiple recording heads are also known. In such recording devices, multiple ink circulation paths are required, and the flow paths within the device become complicated, which results in an increase in the width of the device.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid circulation module that integrates a print head and an ink circulation path. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-193081 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In Patent Document 1, when the recording head is moved, for example, to a maintenance position for maintenance, the weight of the recording head increases because the recording head is integrated with the ink circulation path, which results in a large driving force being required to move the recording head, and there is a risk of the cost increasing due to the increase in size of the actuator.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a recording apparatus capable of reducing the driving force required to move the recording head without increasing the width of the apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A recording apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a circulation unit including a first liquid moving means for supplying liquid to a recording head and a second liquid moving means for discharging liquid that has circulated within the recording head and not been ejected from an ejection port to the outside of the recording head, a head unit including the recording head and a holding portion for holding the recording head, and a head moving means capable of moving the head unit in a first direction, wherein the circulation unit overlaps with a projection surface of the head unit and is not moved by the head moving means. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a recording device capable of reducing the driving force required to move the recording head without increasing the width of the device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a recording apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a recording head. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a liquid circulation path. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of a head unit and a liquid circulation unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of a head unit and a liquid circulation unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of a head unit and a liquid circulation unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of a head unit and a liquid circulation unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of a head unit and a liquid circulation unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of a head unit and a liquid circulation unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of a head unit and a liquid circulation unit. [Figure 11]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of a head unit and a liquid circulation unit. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of a head unit and a liquid circulation unit. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a liquid circulation path. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of a head unit and a liquid circulation unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the present disclosure, and not all combinations of features described in the following embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present disclosure. Note that the same reference numbers are used for the same components.

[0011] <<First embodiment>> <Overall configuration of the recording device> The overall configuration of the recording device 10 in this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, arrows x and y indicate horizontal directions perpendicular to each other, and arrow z indicates the up-down direction. The x direction is the overall conveying direction in which a sheet S, which is a recording medium, is conveyed inside the recording device 10, and corresponds in particular to the conveying direction in which the sheet S is conveyed in the recording unit 2300. In addition, in FIG. 1, the top of the device is defined as the top, the right to left as the longitudinal direction, and the front to back of the paper surface perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction as the sheet width direction, with the front side of the paper surface being the front side of the device and the back side of the paper surface being the rear side of the device.

[0012] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a recording apparatus 10. The recording apparatus 10 is a sheet-fed recording apparatus that forms an ink image on a sheet S using two types of liquid, a reaction liquid and ink, to produce a recorded matter. The recording apparatus 10 of this embodiment has a paper feed module 1000, a print module 2000, a drying module 3000, a fixing module 4000, a cooling module 5000, an inversion module 6000, and a discharge stacking module 7000. A cut-paper-like sheet S supplied from the paper feed module 1000 is transported along a transport path, processed in each module, and discharged to the discharge stacking module 7000.

[0013] The paper feed module 1000 is provided with three storage containers 1100a-c for storing sheets S. The storage containers 1100a-c are each configured to be able to be pulled out to the front side of the device (the front side of the page). The sheets S are fed one by one in each of the storage containers 1100a-c by a separation belt and a transport roller, and are transported to the print module 2000. The number of storage containers 1100a-c is not limited to three, and the configuration may include one, two, or four or more.

[0014] The print module 2000 has a pre-imaging registration correction section (not shown), a print belt unit 2200, and a recording section 2300. The sheet S conveyed from the paper feed module 1000 has its inclination and position corrected by the pre-imaging registration correction section, and is conveyed to the print belt unit 2200. The recording section 2300 is disposed at a position facing the print belt unit 2200 with respect to the conveyance path of the sheet S. The recording section 2300 performs a recording process (printing process) on the conveyed sheet S from above using a recording head 21 (see FIG. 2) to form an image. The sheet S is attracted and conveyed by the print belt unit 2200, thereby ensuring a clearance with the recording head 21. A plurality of recording heads 21 are arranged along the conveyance direction (x direction).

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the recording head 21. The recording unit 2300 of this embodiment has a plurality of recording heads 21, and FIG. 2 shows one of the recording heads 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the recording head 21 has a recording head support shaft 23. The recording head 21 is supported by the recording head holding unit 22, which holds the recording head 21 and moves it up and down, such that the recording head holding unit 22 supports the recording head support shaft 23 from below. The recording head holding unit 22 moves up and down (z direction) along a lift rail 25 provided in a recording head lift frame 24 by a drive mechanism, which is a head moving means (not shown) provided inside. Hereinafter, the recording head 21 and the recording head holding unit 22 are collectively referred to as a head unit 20.

[0016] The position to which the head unit 20 descends is the recording position where the recording head 21 performs recording. A position higher than the recording position is the retracted position to which the recording head 21 retracts. Between the recording position and the retracted position, there is a maintenance position where maintenance of the recording head 21 is performed. In this embodiment, the head unit 20 is configured to be movable to three positions, but it may be configured to be movable to two or more positions. For example, the retracted position and the maintenance position may be the same position.

[0017] Continuing with the explanation of FIG. 1. The recording unit 2300 of this embodiment has a total of five line-type recording heads 21 corresponding to the reaction liquid in addition to the four colors of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and Bk (black). The number of colors and the number of recording heads are not limited to five. As the inkjet method, a method using a heating element, a method using a piezoelectric element, a method using an electrostatic element, or a method using a MEMS element can be adopted. Ink of each color is supplied to the recording head 21 from an ink tank (not shown) via an ink tube.

[0018] The sheet S recorded by the recording unit 2300 is transported by the print belt unit 2200. An in-line scanner (not shown) arranged downstream in the transport direction of the recording unit 2300 can detect the misalignment and color density of the image formed on the sheet S and correct the printed image.

[0019] The drying module 3000 has a decoupling section 3200, a drying belt unit 3300, and a hot air blowing section 3400. The drying module 3000 is a unit that reduces the liquid component contained in the ink applied to the sheet S in the recording section 2300 and enhances the fixation of the sheet S and the ink. The sheet S recorded in the recording section 2300 of the print module 2000 is transported to the decoupling section 3200 arranged in the drying module 3000. The decoupling section 3200 can transport the sheet S from above by air pressure and friction of the belt, and by weakly holding and transporting the sheet S on the belt, it prevents the sheet S from shifting on the print belt unit 2200 on which the ink image is formed. The sheet S transported from the decoupling section 3200 is adsorbed and transported by the drying belt unit 3300, and at the same time, hot air is applied from the hot air blowing section 3400 arranged above the belt. This dries the ink-applied surface of the sheet S. In addition to the method of applying hot air, the drying method may be a combination of a method of irradiating the surface of the sheet S with electromagnetic waves (ultraviolet rays or infrared rays, etc.) or a conductive heat transfer method using contact with a heating element.

[0020] The fixing module 4000 has a fixing belt unit 4100. The fixing belt unit 4100 has an upper belt unit and a lower belt unit. By passing the sheet S conveyed from the drying module 3000 between the heated upper belt unit and the lower belt unit, the ink can be fixed to the sheet S.

[0021] The cooling module 5000 has a plurality of cooling units 5100. The cooling units 5100 cool the high-temperature sheet S transported from the fixing module 4000. The cooling units 5100 take in outside air into the cooling box with a fan to increase the pressure in the cooling box, and cool the sheet S by blowing air from nozzles formed in the transport guide onto the sheet S. The cooling units 5100 are arranged on both sides of the transport path, and can cool the sheet S from both sides. The cooling module 5000 also has a transport path switching unit, and can switch the transport path of the sheet S depending on whether the sheet S is transported to the inversion module 6000 or to a double-sided transport path used during double-sided printing. During double-sided printing, the sheet S is transported to the transport path below the cooling module 5000, and is further transported along the double-sided transport path of the fixing module 4000, the drying module 3000, the print module 2000, and the paper feed module 1000. The sheet S is then conveyed again to the pre-imaging registration correction unit of the print module 2000, the print belt unit 2200, and the recording unit 2300, where recording is performed. The double-sided conveying unit of the fixing module 4000 is provided with an inversion unit 1 (4200) that inverts the sheet S from front to back.

[0022] The inversion module 6000 has an inversion unit 2 (6400), which can be used to invert the front and back of the sheet S being transported, and can freely change the front and back orientation of the sheet S to be discharged.

[0023] The discharge stacking module 7000 has a top tray 7200 and a stacking section 7500, and aligns and stacks the sheets S conveyed from the reversing module 6000.

[0024] <Explanation of the head unit and liquid circulation unit> FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a liquid circulation path including the head unit 20 and the liquid circulation unit 100. FIG. 3(a) is a schematic diagram showing a detailed configuration of the liquid circulation unit 100 for supplying ink to the recording head 21. In the following, a recording head that ejects ink will be described as an example, but the same applies to a recording head that ejects a reaction liquid. The liquid circulation unit 100 of this embodiment has a first pump 101 that is a first liquid moving means, and a second pump 102 that is a second liquid moving means. The liquid circulation unit 100 also has a degassing module 105 that is a degassing means, a first damper 106 that is a first pulsation damping means, and a second damper 107 that is a second pulsation damping means. The buffer tank 108 is a storage section in which ink supplied from an ink tank (not shown) is stored. A supply flow path 200 for supplying ink to the recording head 21 is connected to the buffer tank 108. Furthermore, the buffer tank 108 is connected to a recovery flow path 300 for recovering ink that has not been ejected from the ejection ports of the print head 21. The arrows in Fig. 3 indicate the direction in which the liquid flows (circulation direction).

[0025] In the supply flow path 200, a heat exchanger 103, a degassing module 105, a first pump 101, and a first damper are arranged in this order from the buffer tank 108 side (primary side).

[0026] The heat exchanger 103 adjusts the temperature of the ink together with the temperature adjustment device 104, and exchanges heat between the ink and a constant temperature medium inside the heat exchanger 103. The constant temperature medium circulates between the heat exchanger 103 and the temperature adjustment device 104, and the temperature of the ink is adjusted by the temperature adjustment device 104.

[0027] The degassing module 105 is an ink degassing means, and is connected to a decompression pump (not shown) that is arranged outside the liquid circulation unit 100. The degassing module 105 includes a porous hollow fiber membrane inside, and is capable of decompressing the inside of the hollow fiber membrane by driving the decompression pump. When ink flows into the degassing module 105 with the hollow fiber membrane decompressed by the decompression pump, the dissolved gas (dissolved oxygen) is sucked into the hollow fiber membrane and collected to the outside by the decompression pump. In this way, degassed ink is supplied to the recording head 21.

[0028] The first pump 101 is, for example, a diaphragm pump, and is an ink moving means that supplies ink from a buffer tank 108 to the recording head 21. The first damper 106 is, for example, a damper having a diaphragm, and is a pulsation damping means for the ink supplied to the recording head 21.

[0029] In the recovery passage 300, a second damper 107 and a second pump 102 are arranged in this order from the recording head 21 side (primary side).

[0030] The second damper 107 is, for example, a damper having a diaphragm, and is a means for attenuating pulsation of ink discharged from the recording head 21. The second pump 102 is, for example, a diaphragm pump, and is an ink moving means for recovering ink from the recording head 21 to a buffer tank 108.

[0031] The configuration of the liquid circulation unit 100 is not limited to the configuration described in this embodiment, and may include a heat exchanger 103. Furthermore, the liquid circulation unit 100 may include, for example, a filter, a solenoid valve, a check valve, a pressure sensor, or a temperature sensor. Each component is connected directly or via a resin or metal pipe.

[0032] FIG. 3(b) is a schematic diagram showing an ink circulation path in the recording head 21 in this embodiment. The ink in the buffer tank 108 is supplied to the liquid supply unit 620 of the recording head 21 through the liquid connection part 511 by the first pump 101 in the liquid circulation unit 100. After that, the ink, which is adjusted to two different negative pressures (high pressure and low pressure) by the negative pressure control unit 630 connected to the liquid supply unit 620, is separated into two flow paths, a high pressure side and a low pressure side. The ink in the recording head 21 is circulated inside the recording head 21 by the action of the second pump 102 in the liquid circulation unit 100, and is collected from the recording head 21 to the buffer tank 108 through the liquid connection part 511. In this way, the liquid circulated inside the recording head is discharged to the outside of the recording head by the second pump 102.

[0033] The second pump 102 in the liquid circulation unit 100 draws liquid from the liquid connection 511 of the recording head 21 and flows it to the buffer tank 108. The second pump 102 is preferably a volumetric pump having a quantitative liquid delivery capacity. In this embodiment, a diaphragm pump is used, but a constant flow rate may be ensured by arranging a general constant flow valve or a relief valve at the pump outlet. When the recording head 21 is driven, the second pump 102 is operated to cause ink to flow at a predetermined flow rate in the common supply flow path 611 and the common recovery flow path 612. By flowing ink in this manner, the temperature of the recording head 21 during recording is maintained at an optimal temperature. The predetermined flow rate when the recording head 21 is driven is preferably set to a flow rate that can be maintained to a degree that the temperature difference between the recording element substrates 510 in the recording head 21 does not affect the recording image quality. However, if the flow rate is set too large, the negative pressure difference between the recording element substrates 510 becomes large due to the influence of pressure loss in the flow path in the liquid ejection unit 700, resulting in uneven density of the image. For this reason, it is preferable to set the flow rate while taking into consideration the temperature difference and negative pressure difference between the recording element substrates 510.

[0034] The negative pressure control unit 630 is provided in a path between the first damper 106 in the liquid circulation unit 100 and the liquid ejection unit 700. This negative pressure control unit 630 operates to maintain the pressure downstream of the negative pressure control unit 630 (i.e., the liquid ejection unit 700 side) at a preset constant pressure even when the flow rate of ink in the circulation system fluctuates due to the difference in the ejection amount per unit area or the like. As the two pressure adjustment mechanisms of the high pressure side (H) and the low pressure side (L) constituting the negative pressure control unit 630, any mechanism may be used as long as it can control the pressure downstream of the negative pressure control unit 630 to fluctuate within a certain range centered on a desired set pressure. As an example, a mechanism similar to a so-called "pressure reducing regulator" can be adopted. In the ink circulation flow path in this embodiment, the first pump 101 pressurizes the upstream side of the negative pressure control unit 630 via the liquid supply unit 620. This makes it possible to suppress the effect of the head pressure on the print head 21 due to the liquid level of the ink contained in the buffer tank 108, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in the layout of the buffer tank 108 in the printing apparatus.

[0035] The first pump 101 may be a turbo pump or a positive displacement pump, etc., as long as it has a head pressure equal to or greater than a certain pressure within the range of the ink circulation flow rate used when driving the recording head 21. In this embodiment, a diaphragm pump is used, but instead, for example, a head tank arranged with a certain head difference relative to the negative pressure control unit 630 may also be used.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3B, the negative pressure control unit 630 includes two pressure adjustment mechanisms H and L, each of which is set to a different control pressure. Of the two pressure adjustment mechanisms, the one set to a relatively high pressure (indicated as H in FIG. 3B) is connected to a common supply flow path 611 in the liquid ejection unit 700. Of the two pressure adjustment mechanisms, the one set to a relatively low pressure (indicated as L in FIG. 3B) is connected to a common recovery flow path 612 in the liquid ejection unit 700 via the liquid supply unit 620. The liquid ejection unit 700 is provided with the common supply flow path 611, the common recovery flow path 612, and individual flow paths 615 (individual supply flow paths 613 and individual recovery flow paths 614) that communicate with each recording element substrate 510. The pressure adjustment mechanism H is connected to the common supply flow path 611, and the pressure adjustment mechanism L is connected to the common recovery flow path 612, respectively, to generate a pressure difference between the two common flow paths. Since the individual flow paths 615 are connected to the common supply flow path 611 and the common recovery flow path 612, a flow (arrow in FIG. 3(b)) occurs in which a part of the liquid flows from the common supply flow path 611 through the internal flow path of the recording element substrate 510 to the common recovery flow path 612. The two pressure adjustment mechanisms H, L are each connected to a path from the liquid connection part 511 via a filter 621.

[0037] In this way, in the liquid ejection unit 700, a flow occurs in which the liquid flows through the common supply flow path 611 and the common recovery flow path 612, while a part of the liquid passes through each recording element substrate 510. Therefore, heat generated in each recording element substrate 510 can be discharged to the outside of the recording element substrate 510 by the ink flowing through the common supply flow path 611 and the common recovery flow path 612. In addition, with this configuration, when recording is performed by the recording head 21, a flow of ink can be generated even in the ejection ports and pressure chambers that are not ejecting. This reduces the viscosity of the ink that has thickened in the ejection ports, thereby suppressing the increase in the viscosity of the ink. In addition, the thickened ink and foreign matter in the ink can be discharged to the common recovery flow path 612. Therefore, the recording head 21 of this embodiment is capable of high-speed, high-quality recording.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the head unit 20 and the liquid circulation unit 100 at the recording position. FIG. 4(a) is a diagram seen from the x direction (the conveying direction of the sheet S). FIG. 4(b) is a diagram seen from the y direction (the direction of the ejection port row in which the ejection ports of the recording head 21 are arranged). FIG. 4(c) is a diagram seen from the z direction (above the device). Here, the liquid circulation unit 100 is shown as a whole. The relationship between the head unit 20 and the liquid circulation unit 100 in FIG. 4 is approximately the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 3(a). That is, the liquid circulation unit 100 is arranged such that the supply flow path 200 and the recovery flow path 300 are arranged in the y direction, and the components of each flow path are arranged in the z direction.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the head unit 20 and the liquid circulation unit 100. FIG. 5(a) is a diagram showing the arrangement of the head unit 20 and the liquid circulation unit 100 at the maintenance position. FIG. 5(b) is a diagram showing the arrangement of the head unit 20 and the liquid circulation unit 100 at the retracted position. At the retracted position shown in FIG. 5(b), the recording head 21 is positioned above the recording position shown in FIG. 4(a) by the recording head lifting frame 24. At the maintenance position shown in FIG. 5(a), the recording head 21 is positioned above the recording position shown in FIG. 4(a) by the recording head lifting frame 24 and below the retracted position shown in FIG. 5(b). As described above, the recording head 21 is moved by the driving mechanism 26 provided inside the recording head holding part 22.

[0040] 4(a) to (c), the liquid circulation unit 100 of this embodiment overlaps with the projection surface of the head unit 20 in the x direction, which is the short side width direction of the head unit 20, and each component is installed so as to reduce the unit width in the x direction. Furthermore, the liquid circulation units 100 are arranged so as to be aligned in the y direction of the head unit 20. As a result, it is possible to reduce the device width in the x direction of the recording device 10 (print module 2000). Note that the installation position of the liquid circulation unit 100 is not limited to this.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the head unit 20 and the liquid circulation unit 100. FIG. 6(a) is a diagram seen from the x direction (the conveying direction of the sheet S). FIG. 6(b) is a diagram seen from the y direction (the direction of the ejection port row in which the ejection ports of the recording head 21 are arranged). FIG. 6(c) is a diagram seen from the z direction (above the device). Note that the viewpoints from (a) to (c) in FIG. 7 to FIG. 11 described later are the same as the example of FIG. 6. In the example of FIG. 4, an example was described in which the liquid circulation unit 100 overlaps with the projection surface of the head unit 20 in the x direction, which is the short width direction of the head unit 20. In the example of FIG. 6, the liquid circulation unit 100 is arranged so as to overlap with the projection surface of the head unit 20 in the y direction, which is the long width direction of the head unit 20. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, the liquid circulation units 100 are arranged so as to be aligned in the x direction of the head unit 20. By arranging as in FIG. 6, it is possible to reduce the width of the device in the y direction.

[0042] In addition, the liquid circulation unit 100 is disposed so as not to move even when the head unit moves to the retracted position, the maintenance position, or the recording position. Therefore, the driving mechanism 26 only needs to move the head unit 20 without moving the liquid circulation unit 100, so it is possible to reduce the driving force. Therefore, by suppressing the actuator performance, it is possible to reduce the size and the cost. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the flow path from the first pump 101 and the second pump 102 to the head unit 20, so it is possible to suppress the pump performance, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of the head unit 20 and the liquid circulation unit 100. FIG. 7 shows an example in which the liquid circulation units 100 are arranged in the same number as the number of recording heads 21 possessed by the recording device 10 in this embodiment. That is, FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a state in which five types of head units 20, a recording head lifting frame 24, and a liquid circulation unit 100 are arranged. In FIG. 7, an extension space 400 is provided between the first head unit 20 and the second head unit 20 from the upstream side in the x direction. The extension space 400 is a space used when an additional head unit 20 is attached.

[0044] The liquid circulation units 100 are unitized for each corresponding head unit 20. That is, the liquid circulation units 100 are unitized for each type (color) of liquid discharged from the head unit 20. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the liquid circulation units 100 may be arranged side by side in the x direction, similar to the head units 20 and the recording head lifting frame 24. In this embodiment, the liquid circulation units 100 corresponding to each head unit 20 are arranged in the above-mentioned positional relationship with respect to the projection surface of the head unit 20. As a result, the device width in the x direction can be reduced. The installation positions of the multiple liquid circulation units 100 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 7.

[0045] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of head unit 20 and liquid circulation units 100. Unlike Fig. 7, Fig. 8 shows an example in which liquid circulation units 100 are arranged so as to overlap with a projection plane in the y direction, which is the longitudinal width direction of head unit 20, and five types are arranged together in the X direction.

[0046] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of the head unit 20 and the liquid circulation unit 100. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which the liquid circulation unit 100 and the head unit 20 are arranged side by side in the x direction for each type of liquid, with the liquid circulation unit 100 overlapping a projection plane in the y direction, which is the longitudinal width direction of the head unit 20.

[0047] In the examples shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the device width in the y direction can be reduced. In addition, in any of the configurations shown in Figs. 7 to 9, the liquid circulation unit 100 is not moved by the driving mechanism 26, which is the head moving means, as described above. Therefore, the driving mechanism 26 only needs to move the head unit 20 without moving the liquid circulation unit 100, so it is possible to reduce the driving force. Therefore, by suppressing the actuator performance, it is possible to reduce the size and cost. Furthermore, even in the case of multiple colors, it is possible to arrange each liquid circulation unit 100 in the vicinity of the corresponding head unit 20. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the flow path from the first pump 101 and the second pump 102 to the head unit 20, so it is possible to suppress the pump performance, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

[0048] Furthermore, since each liquid circulation unit 100 can be configured in the same way, it is possible to prepare similar parts and assemble them in the same assembly procedure, which improves manufacturing efficiency. In addition, the flow path lengths connecting the liquid circulation unit 100 to the head unit 20 can be arranged to be the same length, which also improves assembly. In addition, even when adding a special feature, it is only necessary to additionally install a head unit 20 and a liquid circulation unit 100 corresponding to the special feature without changing the arrangement of the existing head unit 20 and the liquid circulation unit 100, so that the expandability is good. For example, in this embodiment, it is possible to add an additional head unit 20 and a liquid circulation unit 100 to the expansion space 400.

[0049] In this embodiment, the drive mechanism 26, which is the head moving means, is provided inside the recording head holding part 22, but this is not limited to this example. For example, the drive mechanism 26, which is the head moving means, may be provided outside the recording head holding part 22, such as on the recording head lifting frame 24. In this embodiment, the head unit moves in the up and down direction (z direction), but may move in a direction perpendicular to the sheet S, for example, when the conveying direction is not horizontal. Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example in which the head unit 20 has three operating positions has been described, but this is not limited to this example. For example, the operating positions of the head unit 20 may be two positions, a recording position and a maintenance position, or the head unit 20 may be configured to move to more than three positions.

[0050] 4 shows an example in which the liquid circulation unit 100 is disposed on the right side of the head unit 20 when viewed from the upstream side in the transport direction (x direction) of the sheet S, but it may be disposed on the left side. Furthermore, the liquid circulation units 100 may be mixed, with some disposed on the right side of the head unit 20 and others disposed on the left side when viewed from the upstream side in the transport direction of the sheet S. In addition, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the liquid circulation units 100 are disposed so as to overlap with the projection plane in the x direction, which is the short width direction of the head unit 20, at both the recording position and the retracted position of the head unit 20. However, it may be configured so as to overlap with the projection plane of the head unit 20 at either one of the positions.

[0051] In the example shown in FIG. 4, the liquid circulation unit 100 overlaps with the projection surface of the head unit 20 in the x direction. Here, the liquid circulation unit 100 overlaps with the projection surface of the head unit 20 means that at least a portion of the liquid circulation unit 100 overlaps with at least a portion of the projection surface of the head unit 20. For example, the liquid circulation unit 100 may be disposed so as to completely encompass the projection surface of the head unit 20. Alternatively, the liquid circulation unit 100 may overlap a small portion of an edge of the projection surface of the head unit 20. In any case, by disposing the liquid circulation unit 100 at a position overlapping with the projection surface of the head unit 20, the device can be made smaller.

[0052] <<Second embodiment>> Next, a second embodiment will be described. This embodiment is an example in which the arrangement of the liquid circulation unit 100 is different from that of the first embodiment. That is, in this embodiment, the arrangement of the liquid circulation unit 100 with respect to the head unit 20 and the recording head lifting frame 24 is different. Since the other configurations are similar to those described in the first embodiment, their description will be omitted. In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the liquid circulation unit 100 overlaps with the projection surface of the head unit 20 in a direction intersecting the direction in which the recording head 21 can move. In this embodiment, an example is described in which the liquid circulation unit 100 overlaps with the projection surface of the head unit in a direction in which the recording head 21 can move.

[0053] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of the head unit 20 and the liquid circulation unit 100. FIG. 10 shows an example in which the liquid circulation unit 100 overlaps with the projection plane in the x direction, which is the short width direction of the head unit 20, and is arranged above the head unit 20. That is, an example is shown in which the liquid circulation unit 100 also overlaps with the projection plane in the z direction, which is the ejection direction of the head unit 20. In addition, an ink receiving member 410 is arranged between the liquid circulation unit 100 and the head unit 20. This makes it possible to suppress the contamination of the members located below, such as the head unit 20 and the sheet S, even if ink leaks from the liquid circulation unit 100. The arrangement of this embodiment can also be expected to have the same effect as the first embodiment.

[0054] In this embodiment, the liquid circulation unit 100 is disposed above the head unit 20, but it may be disposed below. In that case, the liquid circulation unit 100 is disposed below the transport path of the sheet S. In any case, in this embodiment, the projection planes of the liquid circulation unit 100 in a plurality of directions overlap with the head unit 20.

[0055] <<Third embodiment>> Next, a third embodiment will be described. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the head moving means for moving the head unit 20. Other than that, it is the same as the example described in the first embodiment, so the description will be omitted.

[0056] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of the head unit 20 and the liquid circulation unit 100. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of the head unit 20 at the printing position, the print head horizontal movement frame 424, and the liquid circulation unit 100.

[0057] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of the head unit 20 and the liquid circulation unit 100. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a schematic arrangement of the head unit 20 in the retracted position, the print head horizontal movement frame 424, and the liquid circulation unit 100. The head unit 20 moves in the left-right direction along a rail for horizontal movement provided in the print head horizontal movement frame 424 by the drive mechanism 26, which is a head moving means provided inside the print head holding part 22. The same effect as in the first embodiment can be expected with the head unit movement direction of this embodiment.

[0058] In this embodiment, an example in which the head unit 20 moves in one direction has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and the head unit 20 may be configured to be movable in a plurality of directions.

[0059] <<Other embodiments>> 3 described in the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the liquid circulation unit 100 includes a first pump 101, a second pump 102, a degassing module 105, a first damper 106, and a second damper 107. As described in the first embodiment, the liquid circulation unit 100 is not limited to the example shown in FIG 3. For example, the liquid circulation unit 100 may include a heat exchanger 103. Furthermore, the liquid circulation unit 100 may include a buffer tank 108.

[0060] 3. That is, the liquid circulation unit 100 may have a configuration including the first pump 101 and the second pump 102. As described above, a head tank may be used instead of the first pump 101. That is, the head tank may also be a liquid moving means for supplying liquid to the recording head 21.

[0061] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a liquid circulation path including the head unit 20 and the liquid circulation unit 100. In addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 3(a), FIG. 13 includes a filter 109, a recovery valve 110, a temperature sensor 111, and a pressure sensor 112 provided downstream of the first damper 106 of the supply flow path 200. Also, a check valve 113 and a flow rate sensor 114 are provided downstream of the second pump 102 in the recovery flow path 300. The filter 109 is used to remove foreign matter and the like. The recovery valve 110 is an electromagnetic valve used when sucking ink from the recording head 21. The temperature sensor 111 measures the temperature of the ink. The pressure sensor 112 measures the pressure in the flow path. The check valve 113 is a check valve for preventing backflow. The flow rate sensor 114 measures the flow rate in the flow path. The liquid circulation unit 100 may have the configuration shown in FIG. 13, or may have some of the configurations shown in FIG. 13 omitted.

[0062] In the example of FIG. 7, the five liquid circulation units 100 are all overlapped on the projection surface of the corresponding head unit 20. However, this is not limited to this example. Any one of the liquid circulation units 100 may be arranged so as to overlap the projection surface of the corresponding head unit 20. The effects of the above-mentioned embodiment are more advantageous when all of the liquid circulation units 100 are overlapped on the projection surface of the corresponding head unit 20 as shown in FIG. However, the effects of the above-mentioned embodiment can be obtained even if any one of the liquid circulation units 100 is overlapped on the projection surface of the head unit 20.

[0063] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the head unit 20 and the liquid circulation unit 100, similar to FIG. 7. In the example of FIG. 14, some of the liquid circulation units 100 are arranged so as to overlap the projection plane of the head unit 20 of the other ink. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14(b), the liquid circulation unit 100 on the -x direction side of the expansion space 400 overlaps the projection plane of the x direction of the corresponding head unit 20. On the other hand, the liquid circulation unit 100 on the +x direction side of the expansion space 400 overlaps the projection plane of the x direction of the head unit 20 of the other ink. The example shown in FIG. 7 is arranged so that the flow path lengths connecting the liquid circulation unit 100 to the head unit 20 can be made the same length, which can improve the ease of assembly. However, the example shown in FIG. 14 can also achieve miniaturization of the device.

[0064] The disclosure of this embodiment includes configurations typified by the following recording apparatus examples.

[0065] <Configuration 1> a circulation unit including a first liquid moving means for supplying liquid to a recording head, and a second liquid moving means for discharging liquid that has circulated within the recording head and not been ejected from the ejection openings to the outside of the recording head; a head unit including the recording head and a holder that holds the recording head; a head moving means capable of moving the head unit in a first direction; Equipped with 2. A recording apparatus comprising: a head unit that is arranged to project a recording medium onto a recording medium; a head unit that is arranged to project a recording medium onto the recording medium;

[0066] <Configuration 2> 2. The recording device according to configuration 1, wherein at least a portion of the circulation unit overlaps with a projection plane of the head unit.

[0067] <Configuration 3> 2. The recording apparatus according to configuration 1, wherein all of the circulation units overlap with a projection plane of the head unit.

[0068] <Configuration 4> a plurality of the head units and the circulation units are provided, 4. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein each of the circulation units overlaps with a projection surface of a corresponding one of the head units.

[0069] <Component 5> a plurality of the head units and the circulation units are provided, 4. The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein at least a portion of the circulating units overlaps with a projection surface of a corresponding one of the head units.

[0070] <Component 6> 6. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the circulation unit overlaps with a projection plane of the head unit in a direction intersecting with the first direction.

[0071] <Component 7> 6. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the circulation unit overlaps with a projection plane of the head unit in the first direction.

[0072] <Component 8> 6. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the circulation unit overlaps with a plurality of projection planes of the head unit.

[0073] <Component 9> 9. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the circulation unit further includes a degassing means for degassing the liquid, the degassing means being disposed upstream of the first liquid moving means in a circulation direction in which the liquid circulates.

[0074] <Component 10> The circulation unit includes: a first damper between the recording head and the first liquid moving means; a second damper between the recording head and the second liquid moving means; 10. The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, further comprising:

[0075] <Component 11> 11. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, wherein the head moving means is configured to be able to move the head unit in a direction perpendicular to the recording medium.

[0076] <Component 12> 11. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, wherein the head moving means is configured to be able to move the head unit in a horizontal direction relative to the recording medium.

[0077] <Component 13> 13. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, wherein the head moving means is configured to be able to move the head unit to a recording position where recording is performed and to a retracted position where recording is not performed.

[0078] <Component 14> 14. The recording apparatus according to configuration 13, wherein the head moving means is configured to be able to move the head unit to a maintenance position where maintenance is performed, which is different from the recording position and the retracted position. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 10 Recording Device 20 Head Unit 21 Recording head 22 Recording head holder 100 Liquid Circulation Unit 101 First Pump 102 Second Pump

Claims

1. a circulation unit including a first liquid moving means for supplying liquid to a recording head, and a second liquid moving means for discharging liquid that has circulated within the recording head and not been ejected from the ejection openings to the outside of the recording head; a head unit including the recording head and a holder that holds the recording head; a head moving means capable of moving the head unit in a first direction; Equipped with 2. A recording apparatus comprising: a head unit that is arranged to project a recording medium onto a recording medium; a head unit that is arranged to project a recording medium onto the recording medium;

2. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the circulation unit overlaps with a projection plane of the head unit.

3. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the entire circulation unit overlaps with a projection plane of the head unit.

4. a plurality of the head units and the circulation units are provided, 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the circulation units overlaps with a projection surface of a corresponding one of the head units.

5. a plurality of the head units and the circulation units are provided, 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the circulating units overlaps with a projection surface of a corresponding one of the head units.

6. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the circulation unit overlaps with a projection plane of the head unit in a direction intersecting the first direction.

7. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the circulation unit overlaps with a projection plane of the head unit in the first direction.

8. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circulation unit overlaps a plurality of projection planes of the head unit.

9. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circulation unit further includes a degassing unit that degasses the liquid, the degassing unit being disposed upstream of the first liquid moving unit in a circulation direction of the liquid.

10. The circulation unit comprises: a first damper between the recording head and the first liquid moving means; a second damper between the recording head and the second liquid moving means; 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

11. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the head moving means is configured to be able to move the head unit in a direction perpendicular to the recording medium.

12. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the head moving means is configured to be able to move the head unit in a horizontal direction relative to the recording medium.

13. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the head moving device is configured to be able to move the head unit to a recording position where recording is performed and a retracted position where recording is not performed.

14. 14. The recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the head moving device is configured to be able to move the head unit to a maintenance position, which is different from the recording position and the retracted position and where maintenance is performed.

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