Printing device

Abstract

To solve the problem that a space for drawing out a maintenance part has to be secured in front of a printing device, which may make it difficult to perform work for replacing a cap unit.SOLUTION: A printer 1 comprises a line head 40, a cover part 84 and a discharge tray 21. The line head 40 performs recording on a medium M by discharging ink K from an inclined discharge surface 42. The cover part 84 is provided to be movable between an opposing position at which the part opposes to the line head 40 and a non-opposing position positioned lower than the opposing position, which maintains the line head 40 at the opposing position. The discharge tray 21 is provided to be attachable to and detachable from a device main body 2, above the cover part 84, on which the medium M is placed while the tray is attached to the device main body 2. In the printer 1, the cover part 84 can be taken out upward with the discharge tray 21 detached from the device main body 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] The inkjet recording device of Patent Document 1 includes a recording head, a cap unit having a cap that can contact the recording head, and a cap moving mechanism that moves the cap unit. The cap unit is movable toward the front of the device and is removable. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-89851 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the inkjet recording device described in Patent Document 1, space must be secured in front of the inkjet recording device to pull out the cap unit, and if there is not enough space to install the inkjet recording device, it may be difficult to replace the cap unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, the printing device of the present invention comprises a recording unit that records on a medium by ejecting liquid from an ejection surface that is inclined along a transverse direction that intersects with the vertical direction, a maintenance unit that is movable between an opposing position that faces the recording unit and a non-opposing position that is a position retreated from the ejection surface and located lower than the opposing position and that maintains the recording unit at the opposing position, and a placement section that is detachably provided above the maintenance unit with respect to a device main body that includes the recording unit and the maintenance unit, and on which the ejected medium is placed when the device is attached to the device main body, and is characterized in that when the placement section is detached from the device main body, the maintenance unit can be removed upward. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a medium transport path of the printer according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure around a line head of the printer according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a line head of the printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing one side frame of the printer according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of each part when the line head of the printer according to the embodiment is in a recording position. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of each part when the line head of the printer according to the embodiment is in a first maintenance position. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a wiper unit of the printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a drive unit of the printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of each part when the line head of the printer according to the embodiment is in a second maintenance position. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the movement directions of a line head, a cap unit, and a wiper unit of a printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the cover is being removed through a removal portion of the printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the length of each part of the printer according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] The present invention will now be briefly described. A printing device according to a first aspect comprises a recording unit which records on a medium by ejecting liquid from an ejection surface which is inclined along a transverse direction which intersects with a vertical direction, a maintenance unit which is movable between an opposing position which faces the recording unit and a non-opposing position which is a position where the maintenance unit is retracted from the ejection surface and is located lower than the opposing position and which maintains the recording unit at the opposing position, and a placement section which is detachably provided above the maintenance unit with respect to a device main body which includes the recording unit and the maintenance unit, and on which the ejected medium is placed when the device is attached to the device main body, and which is characterized in that the maintenance unit can be removed upward when the placement section is detached from the device main body. According to this aspect, in the printing device, a space exists above the placement unit into which the medium recorded by the recording unit is discharged. Then, when the placement unit is detached from the device body, the maintenance unit in the opposing position is exposed when viewed from the space. In this way, the maintenance unit can be removed by utilizing the space above the placement unit of the printing device without having to secure a working space in the periphery of the printing device, making it easier to replace the maintenance unit.

[0008] The printing device of the second aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the maintenance unit is a first maintenance unit, the second maintenance unit maintains the recording unit, and a first guide and a second guide guide the second maintenance unit in a third direction that intersects both the first direction in which the recording unit is moved and the second direction in which the first maintenance unit is moved, the second guide is positioned above the first guide, and the first maintenance unit can be removed upward from between the recording unit and the second guide. According to this aspect, even in a configuration including the second maintenance part that is different from the first maintenance part, the first maintenance part can be removed through the space between the recording part and the second guide.

[0009] The printing device of the third aspect is characterized in that, in the second aspect, the first maintenance unit is positioned between the first guide and the second guide when placed in the opposing position. According to this aspect, since the first maintenance part is located between the first guide and the second guide when disposed at the opposing position, the first maintenance part can be removed from between the first guide and the second guide. This makes it easier to remove the first maintenance part compared to a configuration in which the first maintenance part is moved to a position different from the opposing position and then the first maintenance part is removed.

[0010] The printing device of the fourth aspect is characterized in that, in the second or third aspect, the length from the second guide to the central position of the ejection surface is longer than the length from the first guide to the central position. According to this aspect, the second guide is located above the first guide in the vertical direction. The length from the second guide to the center position of the ejection surface is longer than the length from the first guide to the center position. This ensures a larger gap between the recording unit and the second guide compared to a configuration in which the first guide is located above the second guide, making it easier to remove the first maintenance unit.

[0011] A printing device according to a fifth aspect is characterized in that, in the fourth aspect, a drive unit is provided that drives the second maintenance unit in the third direction, the second maintenance unit has a guided portion that is guided by the first guide, and the guided portion receives a driving force from the drive unit. According to this aspect, the guided portion is located lower in the vertical direction than the portion guided by the second guide. The guided portion receives a driving force from the driving portion, which causes the second maintenance portion to move in the third direction. This reduces interference between the configuration in which a driving force is transmitted from the driving portion to the guided portion and the first maintenance portion to be removed, compared to a configuration in which a driving force acts on the portion guided by the second guide, making it easier to remove the first maintenance portion.

[0012] The printing device of the sixth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the second to fifth aspects, the length corresponding to the shortest distance from the recording unit to the second guide is longer than the length corresponding to the width of the maintenance unit in the first direction. According to this aspect, the maintenance unit can be removed from between the recording unit and the second guide without having to move the recording unit far away.

[0013] A printing device according to a seventh aspect is any one of the first to sixth aspects, characterized in that the recording unit is movable between a recording position where recording on the medium is possible and a retreat position away from the recording position, and the movement path of the maintenance unit overlaps with at least a portion of the movement path of the recording unit. According to this aspect, it is possible to position the maintenance unit and the recording unit closer to each other compared to a configuration in which the movement path of the maintenance unit does not overlap with the movement path of the recording unit, thereby making it possible to reduce the size of the printing device.

[0014] The following describes in detail a printer 1 as an embodiment of a printing device according to the present invention. 1, the printer 1 is configured as an inkjet device that performs recording by ejecting ink K, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium M, which is typically recording paper. Note that the XYZ coordinate system shown in each figure is a Cartesian coordinate system. The X direction is the horizontal direction and is the device width direction as seen by the operator of the printer 1. Within the X direction, the direction toward the left is the +X direction, and the direction toward the right is the -X direction. The Y direction is the width direction of the medium M that intersects with the transport direction of the medium M and the direction toward the depth of the device, and is a horizontal direction. The Y direction also intersects with both the A direction and the B direction described below. The direction toward the front of the Y direction is the +Y direction, and the direction toward the back is the -Y direction. Furthermore, the Y direction is an example of a third direction in which a wiper unit 90 described below moves, and intersects with the Z direction and the A direction and B direction described below. The Z direction is the device height direction, and as an example, is the vertical direction. The upward Z direction is the +Z direction, and the downward Z direction is the -Z direction. In this embodiment, "upward" means a direction that includes an upward component in the vertical direction. "Downward" means a direction that includes a downward component in the vertical direction.

[0015] In the printer 1, the medium M is transported through a transport path T represented by a dashed line. The AB coordinate system shown on the XZ plane is an orthogonal coordinate system. The A direction is the transport direction of the medium M in the region of the transport path T facing the line head 40 described later. The direction toward the upstream of the A direction is the -A direction, and the direction toward the downstream is the +A direction. The A direction is also an example of a cross direction that crosses the Z direction. Furthermore, the A direction is also an example of a second direction in which the cap unit 80 described later moves. In this embodiment, the A direction is inclined so that the position in the +A direction of the transport path T is located in the +Z direction from the position in the -A direction. Specifically, the A direction is inclined in the range of 20° to 40° with respect to the Z direction, and more specifically, is inclined by approximately 30°. In other words, the A direction is inclined by approximately 60° with respect to the X direction.

[0016] The B direction is an example of an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the ejection surface 42 described later, and is the direction in which the line head 40 described later advances and retreats relative to the transport unit 10 described later. The B direction is also an example of a first direction in which the line head 40 moves. Furthermore, the B direction is a direction intersecting the Z direction. In the B direction, the direction in which the line head 40 approaches the transport unit 10 is the +B direction, and the direction in which the line head 40 moves away from the transport unit 10 is the -B direction. The B direction is a direction inclined such that the position in the -B direction is located in the +Z direction relative to the position in the +B direction.

[0017] The printer 1 has a device main body 2. The device main body 2 includes a housing that serves as an outer shell. In the +Z direction from the center in the Z direction of the device main body 2, an ejection section 3 is formed that includes a space into which recorded media M is ejected. In addition, the device main body 2 is provided with a plurality of media cassettes 4. The plurality of media cassettes 4 store media M. The media M stored in each media cassette 4 is transported along a transport path T by a pick roller 6 and transport roller pairs 7 and 8. At the transport path T, a transport path T1 along which the medium M is transported from an external device and a transport path T2 along which the medium M is transported from a manual feed tray 9 provided in the device main body 2 join together.

[0018] Arranged on the transport path T are a transport unit 10, multiple transport roller pairs 11 that transport the medium M, multiple flaps 12 that switch the path along which the medium M is transported, and a medium width sensor 13 that detects the width of the medium M in the Y direction. The transport unit 10 has two pulleys 14, an endless transport belt 15 wound around the two pulleys 14, and a motor (not shown) that drives one of the pulleys 14. The medium M is attracted to the belt surface of the transport belt 15 and transported in the +A direction through a position facing a line head 40 (described later). The transport path T extends in the +A direction from the medium width sensor 13. On the transport path T, downstream of the transport unit 10, there are provided a transport path T3 and a transport path T4 toward the discharge unit 3, and a reversing path T5 for reversing the medium M upside down.

[0019] Also provided within the device body 2 are an ink tank 23 that contains ink K, a waste liquid storage unit 16 that stores waste liquid of ink K, and a control unit 26 that controls the operation of each part of the printer 1. The ink tank 23 supplies ink K to the line head 40 via a tube (not shown). The waste liquid storage unit 16 stores ink K as waste liquid collected in the wiper unit 90 or the cap unit 80 (described below). The control unit 26 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a It is configured to include a RAM (Random Access Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and storage, and controls the transportation of the medium M in the printer 1 and the operation of each part including the line head 40 and the wiper unit 90.

[0020] 2, a side frame 32 and a side frame 34, which are an example of a pair of side walls, are provided inside the apparatus body 2. The side frame 32 and the side frame 34 are disposed opposite each other with a gap in between in the Y direction. The side frame 32 is, for example, made of sheet metal, and stands upright along the AB plane inside the device body 2. The side frame 32 is disposed in the -Y direction with respect to the center of the device body 2 in the Y direction. The side frame 32 is formed with a through hole 36 that penetrates in the Y direction. The size and shape of the through hole 36 are set to a size and shape that allows a wiper unit 90, which will be described later, to pass through the through hole 36 in the Y direction.

[0021] The side frame 34 is, for example, made of sheet metal and stands upright along the AB plane inside the device body 2. The side frame 34 is disposed in the +Y direction with respect to the center of the device body 2 in the Y direction. No through-holes are formed in the side frame 34. The side frames 32 and 34 are connected by horizontal frames 38A and 38B extending in the Y direction and other horizontal frames (not shown). A line head 40 is disposed in the space between the side frames 32 and 34.

[0022] As an example, the printer 1 includes an ejection tray 21 (FIG. 1), a guide portion 33 (FIG. 6), a line head 40, a drive unit 50, a rail portion 62, a wiper unit 90, a removal portion 120 (FIG. 11), and a cap unit 80 (FIG. 1).

[0023] 1, the discharge tray 21 is detachably provided above a cover unit 84 (FIG. 5) of the device main body 2 including the line head 40 and the cover unit 84 described below. The discharge tray 21 is an example of a mounting section, and when attached to the device main body 2, the medium M discharged from the transport paths T3, T4 is placed thereon. The discharge tray 21 also constitutes the bottom of the discharge section 3 as the space into which the medium M is discharged. The surface of the discharge tray 21 on which the medium M is placed is referred to as the mounting surface 21A. The mounting surface 21A is inclined so that the end in the +X direction is located further in the +Z direction than the end in the -X direction. With the discharge tray 21 detached from the apparatus body 2, a cover portion 84 (FIG. 5), which will be described later, can be removed upward.

[0024] 2, the line head 40 is an example of a recording unit, and is provided in the apparatus body 2 so as to be movable between a recording position and a retreat position, which will be described later. The line head 40 is moved in the B direction by a head moving unit 66, which will be described later. The recording position of the line head 40 means the position (FIG. 5) at which the line head 40 stops when the line head 40 is capable of recording information on the medium M. Note that there are one or more recording positions of the line head 40 because the position can be adjusted in direction B by an adjustment unit (not shown). The retreat position of the line head 40 means a stop position of the line head 40 when it moves away from the recording position in the -B direction. The retreat positions of the line head 40 include a standby position where the line head 40 can be moved to the recording position again, a replacement position (not shown) where the line head 40 can be removed to the outside of the device body 2, and a maintenance position when the line head 40 is subjected to maintenance. Furthermore, the maintenance positions of the line head 40 include a first maintenance position (FIG. 9) which is a position when the line head 40 is maintained by the cap unit 80 (FIG. 1), and a second maintenance position (FIG. 10) which is a position when the line head 40 is cleaned by the wiper unit 90.

[0025] 3, the line head 40 has an ejection surface 42. The ejection surface 42 is a surface that is inclined along the A direction intersecting the Z direction, and is disposed along the AY plane. The ejection surface 42 also has a plurality of nozzles N from which ink K is ejected. The plurality of nozzles N cover the entire area of ​​the medium M in the Y direction. The line head 40 records on the medium M by ejecting ink K from the plurality of nozzles N of the ejection surface 42 toward the medium M at the recording position. In this way, the line head 40 is configured as an ink ejection head capable of recording over the entire area of ​​the medium M in the Y direction without movement in the Y direction of the medium M. However, the configuration of the ink ejection head is not limited to the line head 40, and may be a serial type configuration that is mounted on a carriage and ejects ink while moving in the Y direction of the medium M.

[0026] The line head 40 extends in the Y direction. One support frame 43 is attached to each of both ends of the line head 40 in the Y direction. The support frame 43 is configured as a side plate along the AB surface, and extends from the line head 40 in the -B direction. The pair of support frames 43 are connected by a connection frame 45 extending in the Y direction. The line head 40 and the support frame 43 are disposed between the side frame 32 and the side frame 34 (FIG. 2). That is, the line head 40 is movable in the B direction between the side frame 32 and the side frame 34.

[0027] Each of the two support frames 43 is provided with two protrusions 44 that protrude outward in the Y direction. The protrusions 44 have a shaft 46 that extends outward in the Y direction from the support frame 43, and a bearing 48 rotatably provided at the tip of the shaft 46. In the support frame 43, the length corresponding to the distance between the bearing 48 in the -B direction and the bearing 48 in the +B direction is longer than the length corresponding to the width of the through hole 36 (FIG. 2) in the B direction.

[0028] 2, a rack 57 is provided on the support frame 43. The rack 57 is a plate-shaped member whose thickness direction is in the Y direction and extends in the B direction. A plurality of teeth 57A aligned in the B direction are formed on the end of the rack in the -A direction. The head moving unit 66 is an example of a moving mechanism that moves the line head 40. The head moving unit 66 is configured to be able to move the line head 40 between a recording position and a retreat position so that the line head 40 advances and retreats in direction B relative to the conveyor belt 15 (FIG. 1). In other words, the head moving unit 66 moves the line head 40 in direction B so that the moving direction of the line head 40 intersects both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The head moving unit 66 includes a pinion 67 and a motor (not shown) that rotates the pinion 67, and the driving of the head moving unit 66 is controlled by the control unit 26 (FIG. 1). Teeth 67A formed on the outer circumferential surface of the pinion 67 mesh with teeth 57A. As a result, when the pinion 67 is rotated in the forward direction, the line head 40 is moved to the recording position, and when the pinion 67 is rotated in the reverse direction, the line head 40 is moved to the retracted position.

[0029] 4, the side frame 32 is provided with a rail portion 62 that guides the line head 40 (FIG. 1) in direction B. The rail portion 62 is divided into a -B direction portion and a +B direction portion by the through hole 36. Specifically, the rail portion 62 is composed of a first rail member 64 and a second rail member 72. The first rail member 64 is provided on the side frame 32 at a portion on the −B direction side with respect to the through hole 36. The first rail member 64 also has a vertical rail 65 and a sub-rail 69 connected to the vertical rail 65.

[0030] The vertical rail 65 is open in the +Y direction toward the line head 40, and is formed with a U-shaped cross section when viewed from the B direction. The vertical rail 65 extends substantially linearly with the B direction as the guide direction. The sub-rail 69 has a U-shaped cross section that opens in the +Y direction, and has the same width as the vertical rail 65. The sub-rail 69 also extends in the +Z direction from the junction with the vertical rail 65. Here, the line head 40 can be detached from the first rail member 64 in the +Z direction by the two bearings 48 (FIG. 3) in the -Y direction being guided by the vertical rail 65 and the sub-rail 69.

[0031] The second rail member 72 is provided at a location on the +B direction side of the through hole 36 of the side frame 32. The second rail member 72 further includes a vertical rail 73 and a horizontal rail 74. The vertical rail 73 extends in the direction B. The horizontal rail 74 extends in the direction A. In other words, the vertical rail 73 and the horizontal rail 74 are perpendicular to each other. The horizontal rail 74 is formed with a U-shaped cross section that opens in the +Y direction toward the cap unit 80 (FIG. 1), and extends linearly with the A direction as the guide direction. The horizontal rail 74 is also divided at the intersection with the vertical rail 73. The vertical rails 65 and 73 guide the bearing 48 (FIG. 3) in the direction B. That is, the vertical rails 65 and 73 guide the line head 40 in the direction B. The horizontal rail 74 guides the cap unit 80 in the direction A.

[0032] A guide member (not shown) is provided on the side frame 34 (FIG. 3). This guide member is configured to be substantially symmetrical with the rail portion 62 with respect to a virtual plane (not shown) that passes through the center of the device body 2 in the Y direction and is perpendicular to the Y direction, except for the absence of the through hole 36. For this reason, illustration and description of the guide member of the side frame 34 will be omitted.

[0033] 5, the cap unit 80 is provided on the device body 2 so as to be movable along the direction A toward an opposing position described below. Specifically, the cap unit 80 is capable of reciprocating in the direction A by a drive mechanism (not shown) including a rack and pinion. When the line head 40 is moved to the recording position, the cap unit 80 is retracted in the -A direction relative to the line head 40. When the line head 40 is in a retracted position described below, the cap unit 80 is moved in the +A direction to cover the multiple nozzles N, and performs maintenance on the line head 40 at the opposing position described below. As an example of a maintenance operation, the cap unit 80 performs an operation of recovering the ink K ejected from the multiple nozzles N. The ink K recovered by the cap unit 80 is sent to the waste liquid storage section 16 (FIG. 1).

[0034] Specifically, the cap unit 80 includes a movable frame 82, a cover portion 84 detachably provided on the movable frame 82, and a connection tube 86. The movable frame 82 is formed in an L-shape when viewed from the Y direction. Both end faces of the movable frame 82 in the Y direction are provided with protruding portions (not shown) that protrude outward in the Y direction. These protruding portions are guided along the A direction by horizontal rails 74 (FIG. 4). In addition, a recovery path (not shown) through which the recovered ink K flows is formed in a part of the movable frame 82.

[0035] The cover part 84 is an example of a maintenance part and a first maintenance part, and is formed in a box shape that opens in the -B direction. The bottom part of the cover part 84 in the +B direction is attached to the movable frame 82 by engaging with a part of the movable frame 82. In addition, the cover part 84 can be detached from the movable frame 82 by releasing the engagement with the part of the movable frame 82. The connection tube 86 is a flexible cylindrical member, and is connected to the internal space of the cover portion 84. The connection tube 86 guides the ink K inside the cover portion 84 to a recovery path (not shown) of the movable frame 82. One axial end of the connection tube 86 is attached to the movable frame 82 by engaging with a part of the movable frame 82. One axial end of the connection tube 86 can be detached from the movable frame 82 by releasing the engagement with the part of the movable frame 82.

[0036] 6, the position of the cover part 84 when it faces the line head 40 in the retracted position in the direction B is defined as the facing position. The position where the cover part 84 is retracted from the ejection surface 42 and is lower than the facing position is defined as the non-facing position. The cover part 84 is provided so as to be movable between the facing position and the non-facing position. The cover part 84 performs maintenance on the line head 40 in the facing position. At the opposing position, the cover portion 84 covers the nozzles N. In this state, the ink K ejected from the nozzles N is collected inside the cover portion 84. By periodically ejecting the ink K from the nozzles N, thickening of the ink K in the nozzles N is suppressed. Moreover, when the cover portion 84 is disposed in the opposing position, it is located between a first guide rail 35 and a second guide rail 37, which will be described later. Furthermore, the cover portion 84 can be removed upward from between the line head 40 and the second guide rail 37.

[0037] 5, a position where the cover part 84 is away from the facing position in the -A direction is defined as a non-facing position of the cover part 84. At the non-facing position of the cover part 84, the line head 40 and the cover part 84 do not interfere with each other, and therefore the line head 40 can move in the +B direction toward the transport unit 10.

[0038] 7, the device body 2 is provided with a guide portion 33 that guides the wiper unit 90 in the Y direction. As an example, the guide portion 33 includes a first guide rail 35 and a second guide rail 37 that are arranged parallel to each other along the Y direction. The first guide rail 35 is an example of a first guide, and extends along the Y direction. The first guide rail 35 also functions as a main shaft that guides the wiper unit 90 in the Y direction. Specifically, the first guide rail 35 is made of sheet metal having an L-shaped cross section on the AB plane, and has a plate portion 35A and a plate portion 35B. The plate portion 35A has a predetermined thickness in the direction B, and extends in the direction Y along the AY plane. An end portion of the plate portion 35A in the -A direction is integrally formed with the previously described horizontal frame (not shown). Plate portion 35B extends in the +B direction from the end of plate portion 35A in the +A direction. Plate portion 35B has a predetermined thickness in the A direction and extends in the Y direction along the BY plane. The length of plate portion 35B in the B direction is shorter than the length of plate portion 35A in the A direction.

[0039] The second guide rail 37 is an example of a second guide, and is disposed at a distance from the first guide rail 35 and extends along the Y direction. The second guide rail 37 is disposed in a position in the +A direction and +B direction with respect to the first guide rail 35. In other words, the second guide rail 37 is located in the +Z direction, i.e., above the first guide rail 35 in the Z direction. The second guide rail 37 also functions as a countershaft that guides the wiper unit 90 in the Y direction. Specifically, the second guide rail 37 is made of sheet metal having an L-shaped cross section on the AB plane, and has an attachment portion 37A and a plate portion 37B. The mounting portion 37A has a predetermined thickness in the A direction, and extends in the Y direction along the BY plane. An end of the mounting portion 37A in the +B direction is fixed to the horizontal frame 38B, for example. The plate portion 37B extends in the -A direction from the end of the mounting portion 37A in the -B direction. The plate portion 37B has a predetermined thickness in the B direction and extends in the Y direction along the AY plane. The length of the plate portion 37B in the A direction is shorter than the length of the mounting portion 37A in the B direction.

[0040] The wiper unit 90 is an example of a second maintenance unit that maintains the line head 40 (FIG. 1), and functions as an example of a cleaning unit that cleans the ejection surface 42 (FIG. 3). The wiper unit 90 is provided to be movable in the Y direction by the drive unit 50 (FIG. 8). When the line head 40 is moved to the recording position, the wiper unit 90 is retracted in the -Y direction relative to the line head 40. In addition, while the line head 40 is in the retracted position, the wiper unit 90 is once moved in the +Y direction, and then cleans the ejection surface 42 while being moved in the -Y direction. In this manner, the wiper unit 90 scrapes off the ink K adhering to the ejection surface 42 from the ejection surface 42.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 8, the drive unit 50 is an example of a drive section, and drives the wiper unit 90 in the Y direction. Specifically, the drive unit 50 has a pair of pulleys 54, a timing belt 56, and a motor section 58 that rotates one of the pulleys 54. Note that in Fig. 8, the other pulley 54 is shown, and the illustration of the one of the pulleys 54 is omitted. The timing belt 56 is wound around the two pulleys 54. A portion of the timing belt 56 is fixed to a first guided portion 108 (Fig. 7) of the wiper carriage 98 described later.

[0042] When the motor unit 58 rotates one of the pulleys 54 in the forward direction, the wiper unit 90 is driven in the +Y direction. When the motor unit 58 rotates one of the pulleys 54 in the reverse direction, the wiper unit 90 is driven in the -Y direction. In this manner, the wiper unit 90 is movable along the Y direction between a cleaning position (FIG. 9) where the wiper unit 90 is capable of cleaning the line head 40 (FIG. 3) and a non-cleaning position (FIG. 4) that is a position away from the cleaning position. The wiper unit 90 is disposed in an inclined state along the A direction perpendicular to the B direction when viewed in the Y direction.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, when the line head 40 is moved to the recording position, the wiper unit 90 is retracted in the -Y direction relative to the line head 40, and is thereby disposed at the non-maintenance position.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 9, with the line head 40 in the retracted position, the wiper unit 90 is once moved in the +Y direction, and then moved in the −Y direction until it reaches the maintenance position and cleans the ejection surface 42.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 7, the wiper unit 90 includes a blade unit 92 and a wiper carriage 98 . The blade unit 92, for example, is configured to include a unit body 94 and a blade 96. The unit body 94 has an ink containing section 95. Here, the ink K scraped off from the ejection surface 42 (FIG. 3) by the blade 96 is contained in the ink containing section 95. The wiper carriage 98 supports the blade unit 92 in the direction B. Specifically, the wiper carriage 98 includes a first frame member 102 and a second frame member 116. The first frame member 102 has a mounting portion 104, a first guided portion 108, an arm portion 112, and a second guided portion 114. The first guided portion 108 and the second guided portion 114 are collectively referred to as a guided portion 106. The guided portion 106 is guided in the Y direction by contact with the guide portion 33.

[0046] The blade unit 92 is mounted on the mounting portion 104 . The first guided portion 108 is an example of a guided portion, and stands upright in the -B direction from the end of the mounting portion 104 in the -A direction. A part of the timing belt 56 (FIG. 8) is attached to the first guided portion 108. In other words, the first guided portion 108 receives a driving force from the drive unit 50 (FIG. 8). Furthermore, the first guided portion 108 is moved along the Y direction by being guided by the first guide rail 35. The arm portion 112 extends in the +A direction from the end portion of the mounting portion 104 in the +A direction.

[0047] The second guided portion 114 is formed at the end of the arm portion 112 in the +A direction. A roller 118 that comes into contact with the second guide rail 37 is rotatably provided on the second guided portion 114. The second guided portion 114 is guided by the second guide rail 37. The second frame member 116 is attached to the first guided portion 108, thereby sandwiching a part of the first guide rail 35 in the B direction together with the first guided portion 108. In this manner, the wiper carriage 98 is configured to be movable in the Y direction with the blade unit 92 mounted thereon.

[0048] FIG. 10 shows the relative positions of the line head 40, the cap unit 80, and the wiper unit 90. The line head 40 is moved along the B direction between a recording position and a retracted position. With the line head 40 in the retracted position, the cap unit 80 is moved to the facing position and the non-facing position along the direction A. With the cap unit 80 in the facing position, the line head 40 is moved to the first maintenance position, so that the ejection surface 42 and the cover portion 84 face each other in the direction B. The wiper unit 90 is moved between a cleaning position and a non-cleaning position along the Y direction in a state in which the line head 40 is in the second maintenance position described above.

[0049] The path along which the center of the line head 40 moves in the Y direction and is represented by a line segment connecting the recording position and the retracted position is defined as the movement path TB of the line head 40. The path along which the center of the cover part 84 moves in the Y direction and is represented by a line segment connecting the facing position and the non-facing position is defined as the movement path TA of the cover part 84. The path along which the center of the wiper unit 90 moves in the A direction and is represented by a line segment connecting the cleaning position and the non-cleaning position is defined as the movement path TY of the wiper unit 90. Here, the movement paths TA, TB, and TY partially overlap each other. In FIG. 10, the overlap of the movement paths TA, TB, and TY is represented by an intersection point Q.

[0050] 11, the removal section 120 is provided in the device body 2. The removal section 120 is an example of a space that is opened when the discharge tray 21 (FIG. 1) is detached from the device body 2. Furthermore, when the removal section 120 is in an open state, the removal section 120 allows the cover section 84 to be removed from the aforementioned opposing position toward the discharge section 3. The take-out section 120 is a part of the space between the side frame 32 and the side frame 34 (FIG. 3), and includes the space between the line head 40 and the second guide rail 37. The take-out section 120 further includes the space between the first guide rail 35 and the second guide rail 37.

[0051] With the line head 40 retracted to the retracted position, the discharge tray 21 is detached from the device body 2, thereby exposing at least a portion between the first guide rail 35 and the second guide rail 37. In other words, a portion of the first guide rail 35 and the second guide rail 37 becomes visible from the discharge unit 3. In addition, the cover unit 84 becomes accessible from the discharge unit 3.

[0052] As shown in Figure 12, when viewed from the Y direction, when the line head 40 is in the retracted position, the length L2 [mm] from the tip position E of the second guide rail 37 to the central position C of the ejection surface 42 in the A direction is longer than the length L1 [mm] from the tip position D of the first guide rail 35 to the central position C. The tip position D is the end position of the +B direction of the plate portion 35B. The tip position E is the end position of the -A direction of the plate portion 37B. Note that in FIG. 12, the wiper unit 90 (FIG. 9) is omitted from illustration. Furthermore, a length L3 (mm) corresponding to the shortest distance from the line head 40 in the retracted position to the tip position E of the second guide rail 37 is longer than a length L4 (mm) corresponding to the width of the cover portion 84 in the B direction.

[0053] Next, the operation of the printer 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 12. Note that the individual figure numbers will not be included. In the printer 1, when the line head 40 is in the retracted position and the wiper unit 90 is in the non-cleaning position, the cap unit 80 is disposed in the opposing position. In this state, when the discharge tray 21 is removed from the apparatus body 2, the removal section 120 is opened and the cover section 84 is exposed. The cover portion 84 detached from the movable frame 82 is taken out to the discharge portion 3 through the removal portion 120 .

[0054] As described above, according to the printer 1, above the discharge tray 21 there is the discharge section 3, which serves as a space into which the medium M recorded by the line head 40 is discharged. In other words, a space is originally provided above the discharge tray 21. Then, by removing the discharge tray 21 from the device body 2, the cover section 84, which is located in an opposing position when viewed from the discharge section 3, is exposed. In this way, the cover section 84 can be removed by utilizing the space above the discharge tray 21 of the printer 1 without having to provide a working space around the printer 1, making it easier to replace the cover section 84.

[0055] According to the printer 1, even if the printer 1 is configured to include the wiper unit 90 that is separate from the cover portion 84, the cover portion 84 can be removed through the space between the line head 40 and the second guide rail 37. Furthermore, according to the printer 1, the cover portion 84 is positioned between the first guide rail 35 and the second guide rail 37 when arranged in the opposing position, so that the cover portion 84 can be removed from between the first guide rail 35 and the second guide rail 37. Therefore, the operation of removing the cover portion 84 can be made easier than in a configuration in which the cover portion 84 is removed after being moved to a position different from the opposing position.

[0056] According to the printer 1, the second guide rail 37 is positioned higher in the Z direction than the first guide rail 35. Furthermore, when the line head 40 is in the retracted position, the length L2 from the second guide rail 37 to the center position C of the ejection surface 42 is longer than the length L1 from the first guide rail 35 to the center position C. This ensures a larger gap between the line head 40 and the second guide rail 37 compared to a configuration in which the first guide rail 35 is positioned higher than the second guide rail 37, making it easier to remove the cover part 84.

[0057] According to the printer 1, the first guided portion 108 is positioned lower in the Z direction than the second guided portion 114, which is guided by the second guide rail 37. The first guided portion 108 receives a driving force from the drive unit 50, causing the cover portion 84 to move in the Y direction. This reduces interference between the configuration in which the driving force is transmitted from the drive unit 50 to the first guided portion 108 and the cover portion 84 being removed, compared to a configuration in which the driving force acts on the second guided portion 114, making it easier to remove the cover portion 84.

[0058] According to the printer 1, the cover portion 84 can be removed from between the line head 40 and the second guide rail 37 without having to move the line head 40, which is in the retracted position, any further. According to the printer 1, it is possible to position the cover part 84 and the line head 40 closer to each other than in a configuration in which the movement path TA of the cover part 84 does not overlap with the movement path TB of the line head 40, so the printer 1 can be made more compact.

[0059] The printer 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is based on the configuration described above, but it is of course possible to modify or omit parts of the configuration without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0060] In the printer 1, the removal section 120 does not have to include the space between the line head 40 and the guide section 33. Furthermore, the removal section 120 does not have to include the space between the first guide rail 35 and the second guide rail 37. The cover portion 84 does not have to be located between the first guide rail 35 and the second guide rail 37 when disposed in the opposing position. The length L2 may be the same as or less than the length L1. The portion that receives the driving force from the drive unit 50 is not limited to the first guided portion 108, but may be the second guided portion 114. The length L3 may be the same as the length L4 or may be shorter than the length L4. In this case, for example, the size of the extraction portion 120 may be expanded by moving the line head 40 in the −B direction.

[0061] The wiper unit 90 may be retracted in the +Y direction instead of the -Y direction. The maintenance portion is not limited to the cover portion 84, and may be the entire cap unit 80. The maintenance portion may also be the wiper unit 90. When the wiper unit 90 or another unit is used as the first maintenance part, the second maintenance part may be the cover part 84 or the cap unit 80. The discharge tray 21 is not limited to being detachable from the apparatus body 2, but may be slid to be retracted from above the cover portion 84 and slid to be positioned above the cover portion 84. The travel path TA may overlap the entire travel path TB. The line head 40 may not be movable in the direction B. In other words, the line head 40 may be fixed inside the housing 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1... printer, 2... housing, 3... ejection section, 4... media cassette, 6... pick roller, 7... conveyor roller pair, 8... conveyor roller pair, 9... manual feed tray, 10... conveyor unit, 11: conveying roller pair; 12: flap; 13: media width sensor; 14: pulley; 15: conveyor belt; 16: waste liquid storage section; 21: discharge tray; 21A: placement surface; 23: ink tank; 26: control unit; 32: side frame; 33: guide unit; 34... side frame, 35... first guide rail, 35A... plate portion, 35B... plate portion, 36... through hole, 37... second guide rail, 37A... mounting portion, 37B... plate portion, 38A: Horizontal frame, 38B: Horizontal frame, 40: Line head, 42: Discharge surface, 43...support frame, 44...protrusion, 45...connection frame, 46...shaft, 48...bearing, 50...drive unit, 54...pulley, 56...timing belt, 57...rack, 57A...tooth portion, 58...motor portion, 62...rail portion, 64: first rail member; 65: vertical rail; 66: head moving unit; 67: pinion; 67A...tooth portion, 69...sub-rail, 72...second rail member, 73...vertical rail, 74... horizontal rail, 80... cap unit, 82... movable frame, 84... cover portion, 86...connecting tube, 90...wiper unit, 92...blade unit, 94: unit body, 95: ink storage section, 96: blade, 98: wiper carriage; 102: first frame member; 104: mounting portion; 106... Guided part, 108... First guided part, 112... Arm part, 114... Second guided part, 116: second frame member; 118: roller; 120: removal portion; C: center position; D...tip position, E...tip position, K...ink, L1...length, L2...length, L3...length, L4: Length, M: Medium, N: Nozzle, Q: Intersection, T1: Transport path, T2: Transport path, T3...Transport path, T4...Transport path, T5...Reversal path, TA...Movement path, TB...Movement path, TY…Travel route

Claims

1. 1. A printing device comprising: a recording unit that records on a medium by ejecting liquid from an ejection surface that is inclined along a direction that intersects a vertical direction; a maintenance unit that maintains the recording unit at an opposing position that faces the recording unit; a moving mechanism that moves the maintenance unit between the opposing position and a non-opposing position that is retracted from the opposing position; and a mounting section that is detachably provided above the maintenance unit with respect to a device main body that includes the recording unit and the maintenance unit, and on which the ejected medium is placed when the device is attached to the device main body; and when the mounting section is detached from the device main body, the maintenance unit can be removed upward.

2. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the maintenance unit is detachable from the moving mechanism and can be removed upward.

3. 3. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit is movable between a recording position where recording on the medium is possible and a retreat position away from the recording position, and the movement path of the maintenance unit overlaps with at least a portion of the movement path of the recording unit.

4. 4. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein, when the placement unit is detached from the device body, the maintenance unit can be removed upward from a space that is opened by detaching the placement unit from the device body.

5. 5. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the maintenance unit performs maintenance on the recording unit by covering the ejection surface at the opposing position.

6. 5. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the maintenance unit cleans the ejection surface while moving along the ejection surface at the facing position.

7. 6. A printing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: a second maintenance unit that maintains the recording unit using the maintenance unit as a first maintenance unit; and a first guide and a second guide that guide the second maintenance unit in a third direction that intersects both a first direction in which the recording unit is moved and a second direction in which the first maintenance unit is moved, wherein the second guide is positioned above the first guide, and the first maintenance unit can be removed upward from between the recording unit and the second guide.

8. 8. The printing device according to claim 7, wherein the first maintenance unit is located between the first guide and the second guide when the first maintenance unit is disposed at the opposing position.

9. 9. The printing device according to claim 7, wherein a length from the second guide to a central position of the ejection surface is longer than a length from the first guide to the central position.

10. 10. The printing device according to claim 7, wherein a length corresponding to the shortest distance from the recording unit to the second guide is longer than a length corresponding to a width of the maintenance unit in the first direction.

11. 11. The printing device according to claim 7, further comprising a drive unit configured to drive the second maintenance unit in the third direction, the second maintenance unit having a guided portion that is guided by the first guide, and the guided portion receiving a driving force from the drive unit.

12. 12. The printing device according to claim 7, wherein the second maintenance unit is removable upward when the placement unit is detached from the device body.

13. 13. The printing device according to claim 7, wherein the recording unit is movable between a recording position where recording on the medium is possible and a retreat position away from the recording position, and at least a portion of the movement path of the maintenance unit, at least a portion of the movement path of the second maintenance unit, and at least a portion of the movement path of the recording unit overlap.

14. 14. The printing device according to claim 7, wherein the second maintenance unit cleans the ejection surface while moving in the third direction.

Images