Inkjet printer

Abstract

To provide an inkjet printer capable of simplifying the structure even if the inkjet printer enables reduction of the replacement time of an inkjet head.SOLUTION: An inkjet printer includes: a head holding member 10 configured to hold an inkjet head; a carriage 4 equipped with the head holding member 10; and an inclination adjustment mechanism 11 for adjusting the inclination of the inkjet head relative to the carriage 4 in a direction of rotation whose axial direction is set to a vertical direction. The inclination adjustment mechanism 11 adjusts the inclination of the head holding member 10 relative to the carriage 4 to adjust the inclination of the inkjet head relative to the carriage 4. In the head holding member 10, protruding parts 10e, 10f for positioning the inkjet head relative to the head holding member 10 in a horizontal direction are formed. The inkjet head is provided with recessed parts into which the protruding parts 10e, 10f engage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inkjet printer including an inkjet head and a carriage on which the inkjet head is mounted.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an inkjet printer that ejects ink to perform printing on a medium has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The inkjet printer described in Patent Document 1 includes an inkjet head that ejects ink, a head holding mechanism that holds two inkjet heads, and a carriage on which the inkjet head and the head holding mechanism are mounted. The head holding mechanism includes a head holding member to which two inkjet heads are fixed, a base member fixed to the carriage, an intermediate member movably attached to the base member and to which the head holding member is fixed, and a fixing lever for fixing the head holding member to the intermediate member.

[0003] In the inkjet printer described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to adjust the inclination of the intermediate member with respect to the base member in a rotational direction having the vertical direction as the axial direction of rotation. In this inkjet printer, by adjusting the inclination of the intermediate member with respect to the base member, the inclination of the inkjet head with respect to the base member in the rotational direction having the vertical direction as the axial direction of rotation is adjusted. Further, in this inkjet printer, the head holding member is positioned horizontally with respect to the intermediate member by a positioning portion formed on the intermediate member and a contact surface formed on the head holding member. A leaf spring that biases the head holding member with respect to the intermediate member in a direction in which the positioning portion and the contact surface come into contact is disposed between the head holding member and the intermediate member.

[0004] In the inkjet printer described in Patent Document 1, when replacing the inkjet head, two inkjet heads fixed to the head holding member are replaced together with the head holding member. In this inkjet printer, before and after the replacement of the inkjet head, the inclination of the intermediate member with respect to the base member does not change in the rotation direction with the vertical direction as the axial direction of rotation.

[0005] Also, in the inkjet printer described in Patent Document 1, when replacing the inkjet head, if the contact surface of the newly attached head holding member is brought into contact with the positioning portion of the intermediate member by the biasing force of the leaf spring, the head holding member and the inkjet head are positioned with respect to the intermediate member in the horizontal direction. Therefore, in this inkjet printer, it is not necessary to adjust the inclination of the inkjet head with respect to the base member when replacing the inkjet head. Therefore, in this inkjet printer, it is possible to shorten the replacement time of the inkjet head.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In the inkjet printer described in Patent Document 1, when replacing the inkjet head, if the contact surface of the newly attached head holding member is brought into contact with the positioning portion of the intermediate member by the biasing force of the leaf spring, the head holding member and the inkjet head are positioned with respect to the intermediate member in the horizontal direction. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the replacement time of the inkjet head. However, in the inkjet printer described in Patent Document 1, a leaf spring for biasing the head holding member is required, so the configuration of the inkjet printer becomes complicated.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet printer including an inkjet head and a carriage on which the inkjet head is mounted, the inkjet printer being capable of shortening the replacement time of the inkjet head and simplifying the configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] To solve the above problems, an inkjet printer of the present invention includes an inkjet head that discharges ink, a head holding member that holds the inkjet head, a carriage on which the head holding member is mounted, and an inclination adjustment mechanism for adjusting the inclination of the inkjet head with respect to the carriage in a first rotation direction that is a rotation direction with the vertical direction as the axial direction of rotation. When the inclination of the head holding member with respect to the carriage in the first rotation direction is adjusted by the inclination adjustment mechanism, the inclination of the inkjet head with respect to the carriage is adjusted, or when the inclination of the inkjet head with respect to the head holding member in the first rotation direction is adjusted by the inclination adjustment mechanism, the inclination of the inkjet head with respect to the carriage is adjusted. When the inclination of the head holding member with respect to the carriage is adjusted by the inclination adjustment mechanism, a convex portion for positioning the inkjet head with respect to the head holding member in the horizontal direction is formed on either the inkjet head or the head holding member, and a concave portion for engaging with the convex portion is formed on the other of the inkjet head and the head holding member. When the inclination of the inkjet head with respect to the head holding member is adjusted by the inclination adjustment mechanism, a convex portion for positioning the head holding member with respect to the carriage in the horizontal direction is formed on either the head holding member or the carriage, and a concave portion for engaging with the convex portion is formed on the other of the head holding member and the carriage.

[0010] In the inkjet printer of the present invention, when the inclination of the head holding member with respect to the carriage is adjusted by the inclination adjusting mechanism, when replacing the inkjet head, if only the inkjet head is replaced, it is possible to maintain the inclination of the head holding member with respect to the carriage in the first moving direction before and after the replacement of the inkjet head. Further, in the present invention, in this case, a convex portion for positioning the inkjet head with respect to the head holding member in the horizontal direction is formed on either the inkjet head or the head holding member, and a concave portion with which the convex portion engages is formed on the other of the inkjet head and the head holding member. Therefore, when replacing the inkjet head, if the convex portion is engaged with the concave portion, the inkjet head is positioned with respect to the head holding member in the horizontal direction.

[0011] Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to eliminate the need to adjust the inclination of the inkjet head with respect to the carriage when replacing the inkjet head, and as a result, it is possible to shorten the replacement time of the inkjet head. Further, in the present invention, since the inkjet head is positioned with respect to the head holding member in the horizontal direction by the convex portion and the concave portion, the leaf spring described in Patent Document 1 becomes unnecessary. Therefore, in the present invention, even if it is possible to shorten the replacement time of the inkjet head, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the inkjet printer.

[0012] In the present invention, when the inclination of the inkjet head with respect to the head holding member is adjusted by the inclination adjusting mechanism, a convex portion for positioning the head holding member with respect to the carriage in the horizontal direction is formed on either the head holding member or the carriage, and a concave portion with which the convex portion engages is formed on the other of the head holding member and the carriage. Therefore, in the present invention, when replacing the inkjet head, the inkjet head whose inclination with respect to the head holding member has been adjusted in advance in the first rotation direction is attached to the carriage together with the head holding member, and the convex portion is engaged with the concave portion to position the head holding member with respect to the carriage in the horizontal direction, so that it becomes possible to eliminate the need to adjust the inclination of the inkjet head with respect to the carriage when replacing the inkjet head.

[0013] Therefore, in the present invention, it becomes possible to shorten the replacement time of the inkjet head. Further, in the present invention, since the head holding member is positioned with respect to the carriage in the horizontal direction by the convex portion and the concave portion, the leaf spring described in Patent Document 1 becomes unnecessary. As a result, in the present invention, even though it is possible to shorten the replacement time of the inkjet head, it becomes possible to simplify the configuration of the inkjet printer.

[0014] In the case of the inkjet printer of the present invention, for example, when assembling the inkjet printer at the factory, ink is ejected from the inkjet head incorporated in the inkjet printer to perform various inspections. The assembled inkjet printer after completion of various inspections is stored in a warehouse for a predetermined period and then shipped, or shipped directly from the factory. For example, when the storage period of the inkjet printer in the warehouse becomes long, or when the inkjet printer shipped directly from the factory is transported to a remote location such as overseas, the period from the completion of the assembly of the inkjet printer until the inkjet printer is installed at the destination becomes long.

[0015] When assembling an inkjet printer, after attaching a new inkjet head and performing various inspections, if the assembly of the inkjet printer is completed with the inkjet head still attached, if the period from the completion of the assembly of the inkjet printer to the installation of the inkjet printer at the destination is long, there is a risk of causing poor ink ejection from the inkjet head in the inkjet printer after installation. On the other hand, for example, when inspecting the inkjet printer at the factory, after attaching an inspection inkjet head (or an inspection inkjet head and a head holding member) and performing the inspection, the inspection inkjet head (or the inspection inkjet head and the head holding member) is removed, and the assembly of the inkjet printer is completed with the inkjet head not attached. When installing the inkjet printer at the destination, if a new inkjet head (or a new inkjet head and a head holding member) is attached, even if the period from the completion of the assembly to the installation of the inkjet printer at the destination is long, it becomes possible to prevent poor ink ejection from the inkjet head in the inkjet printer after installation.

[0016] In the present invention, by engaging the convex portion with the concave portion, it becomes possible to attach the inkjet head without adjusting the inclination of the inkjet head with respect to the carriage. Therefore, the assembly of the inkjet printer can be completed in a state where the inkjet head is not attached, and when installing the inkjet printer at the destination, even if a new inkjet head (or a new inkjet head and a head holding member) is attached, at the destination, it becomes possible to easily and accurately attach the inkjet head in a short time. That is, in the present invention, it becomes possible to attach a new inkjet head (or a new inkjet head and a head holding member) to an inkjet printer in a state where the inkjet head is not attached with a small burden at the destination. Therefore, in the present invention, by attaching a new inkjet head (or a new inkjet head and a head holding member) to an inkjet printer in a state where the inkjet head is not attached at the destination, even if the period from after the completion of assembly until the inkjet printer is installed at the destination becomes long, in the installed inkjet printer, it becomes possible to prevent poor ink ejection from the inkjet head, and at the same time, it becomes possible to attach a new inkjet head (or a new inkjet head and a head holding member) with a small burden at the destination.

[0017] In the present invention, for example, a convex portion is formed on either one of the inkjet head and the head holding member, and a concave portion is formed on the other one of the inkjet head and the head holding member. That is, in the present invention, for example, the inclination of the head holding member with respect to the carriage is adjusted by an inclination adjusting mechanism. In this case, for example, only the inkjet head is replaced when replacing the inkjet head. Therefore, it becomes possible to reduce the number of parts to be replaced when replacing the inkjet head.

[0018] In the present invention, an inkjet printer includes, for example, a carriage drive mechanism that moves a carriage in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. An ink ejection surface on which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink are arranged is formed on the inkjet head, and convex portions or concave portions are formed on both sides of the ink ejection surface in the main scanning direction. In this case, it is possible to reduce the size of the inkjet head in a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and the main scanning direction.

[0019] In the present invention, an inkjet printer includes, for example, one inkjet head. In this case, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the inkjet printer and reduce the cost of the inkjet printer. Also, in this case, the replacement operation of the inkjet head becomes easier.

Effects of the Invention

[0020] As described above, in the present invention, in an inkjet printer including an inkjet head and a carriage on which the inkjet head is mounted, even if it is possible to shorten the replacement time of the inkjet head, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the inkjet printer.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023] (Overall Configuration of Inkjet Printer) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inkjet printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the inkjet printer 1 shown in FIG. 1.

[0024] The inkjet printer 1 of this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "printer 1") is an inkjet printer for business use and performs printing on a medium 2 such as paper, cloth, or a resin film. The medium 2 is formed in a long shape (elongated strip shape). The printer 1 includes an inkjet head 3 (hereinafter referred to as "head 3") that discharges ink toward the medium 2, a carriage 4 on which the head 3 is mounted, a carriage drive mechanism 5 that moves the carriage 4 in a main scanning direction (Y direction in FIG. 1 etc.) orthogonal to the vertical direction (Z direction in FIG. 1 etc.), a Y bar 6 that movably holds the carriage 4, a medium conveyance mechanism 7 that conveys the medium 2, and a platen 8 on which the medium 2 is placed.

[0025] The printer 1 of this embodiment includes one head 3, and one head 3 is mounted on the carriage 4. That is, the printer 1 includes only one head 3, and only one head 3 is mounted on the carriage 4. The head 3 discharges ink downward. A plurality of nozzles for discharging ink are formed on the lower surface of the head 3. Also, a plurality of nozzle rows arranged in the main scanning direction are formed on the lower surface of the head 3. The nozzle row is composed of a number of nozzles arranged in a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction and the main scanning direction. The head 3 includes a piezoelectric element (piezo element) for discharging ink from the nozzles. The carriage drive mechanism 5 includes, for example, two pulleys, a belt that is stretched between the two pulleys and a part of which is fixed to the carriage 4, and a motor for rotating the pulley.

[0026] The medium conveyance mechanism 7 includes a conveyance roller for conveying the medium 2, a roller drive mechanism for driving the conveyance roller, and a plurality of pinch rollers that are biased toward the conveyance roller and sandwich the medium 2 therebetween. The platen 8 is disposed below the carriage 4. The medium 2 at the time of printing is placed on the platen 8. As described above, in this embodiment, since the number of heads 3 mounted on the carriage 4 is one, the width of the platen 8 in the conveyance direction of the medium 2 is narrow. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the component cost of the platen 8. Also, since the width of the platen 8 in the conveyance direction of the medium 2 is narrow, the adjustment of the mounting position of the platen 8 is facilitated.

[0027] In the following description, the main scanning direction (Y direction) is referred to as the "left - right direction", and the X direction in FIG. 1 etc. which is orthogonal to the up - down direction and the left - right direction is referred to as the "front - back direction". Also, the Y1 - direction side in FIG. 1 etc. which is one side of the left - right direction is referred to as the "right" side, the Y2 - direction side in FIG. 1 etc. which is the opposite side of the right side is referred to as the "left" side, the X1 - direction side in FIG. 1 etc. which is one side of the front - back direction is referred to as the "front" side, and the X2 - direction side in FIG. 1 etc. which is the opposite side of the front side is referred to as the "back" side. The left - right direction (Y direction) of this embodiment is the width direction of the medium 2. Also, the up - down direction (Z direction) is the thickness direction of the medium 2 during printing when placed on the platen 8, and the front - back direction (X direction) is the conveyance direction of the medium 2 moving on the platen 8 and is also the sub - scanning direction.

[0028] Further, the printer 1 includes a maintenance unit 9 for preventing clogging of a plurality of nozzles formed on the lower surface of the head 3. In the maintenance unit 9, the head 3 is cleaned so that clogging does not occur in the plurality of nozzles of the head 3. For example, in the maintenance unit 9, purging for forcibly sucking the ink in the nozzles of the head 3, flushing for forcibly discharging the ink from the nozzles of the head 3, and wiping the lower surface of the head 3 with a predetermined wiper member are performed. The maintenance unit 9 is arranged at the right end of the printer 1.

[0029] Furthermore, the printer 1 includes a head holding member 10 that holds the head 3 and is mounted on the carriage 4, and an inclination adjustment mechanism 11 for adjusting the inclination of the head 3 with respect to the carriage 4 in the rotation direction with the up - down direction as the axial direction of rotation (more specifically, the inclination of the nozzle row formed on the lower surface of the head 3) (see FIGS. 3, 4, etc.). Hereinafter, the specific configurations of the head 3, the carriage 4, the head holding member 10, and the inclination adjustment mechanism 11 will be described.

[0030] (Configuration of Inkjet Head, Carriage, Head Holding Member, and Inclination Adjustment Mechanism) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the head 3 and the carriage 4 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the head 3 and the carriage 4 shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the state where the head 3 is removed from the carriage 4 shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the head 3 shown in FIG. 3 from the bottom surface side. In FIG. 4, for convenience, the head holding member 10 is shown by a broken line.

[0031] The head 3 is attached to the head holding member 10. In this embodiment, the head 3 is fixed to the head holding member 10 by the screw member 15. For example, the head 3 is fixed to the head holding member 10 by three screw members 15. The screw member 15 is, for example, a stepped socket screw having a knurled process on the head, and it is possible to tighten or loosen the screw member 15 manually without using a tool. The head holding member 10 is attached to the carriage 4. The head holding member 10 is attached to the carriage 4 so as to be rotatable with the vertical direction as the axial direction of rotation.

[0032] When the rotation direction with the vertical direction as the axial direction of rotation is defined as the "first rotation direction", in this embodiment, the inclination of the head holding member 10 with respect to the carriage 4 in the first rotation direction is adjusted by the inclination adjustment mechanism 11, so that the inclination of the head 3 with respect to the carriage 4 is adjusted. The inclination adjustment mechanism 11 includes an eccentric cam 16 for adjusting the inclination of the head holding member 10 with respect to the carriage 4 in the first rotation direction, a fulcrum portion 17 (see FIG. 4) that serves as a fulcrum (center) of the rotation of the head holding member 10 with respect to the carriage 4, and a compression coil spring 18 that biases the head holding member 10 to one side in the first rotation direction.

[0033] The carriage 4 includes a base portion 4a that constitutes the lower end portion of the carriage 4. The outer shape of the base portion 4a when viewed from the vertical direction is rectangular. When viewed from the vertical direction, two of the four sides of the rectangular base portion 4a are parallel to the left-right direction, and the remaining two sides are parallel to the front-rear direction. An opening that penetrates the base portion 4a in the vertical direction is formed in the base portion 4a. The lower end portion of the head 3 is disposed in this opening.

[0034] The head holding member 10 is placed on the base portion 4a. The outer shape of the head holding member 10 when viewed from the vertical direction is substantially rectangular. The outer shape of the head holding member 10 is smaller than the outer shape of the base portion 4a. When viewed from the vertical direction, two of the four sides of the substantially rectangular head holding member 10 are parallel to the left-right direction, and the remaining two sides are parallel to the front-rear direction. The head holding member 10 includes a contact portion 10a with which the eccentric cam 16 and the compression coil spring 18 come into contact. The contact portion 10a is disposed at the right front end portion of the head holding member 10. The contact portion 10a protrudes toward the front side.

[0035] An opening 10b (see FIG. 5) that penetrates the head holding member 10 in the vertical direction and a screw engaging portion 10c with which the screw portion of the screw member 15 engages are formed in the head holding member 10. The opening 10b is formed in the central portion of the head holding member 10 in the left-right direction. The lower end portion of the head 3 is disposed in the opening 10b. The screw engaging portion 10c is formed at three locations: the right front side portion, the left front side portion, and the left rear end portion of the head holding member 10.

[0036] Further, the head holding member 10 is formed with convex portions 10e and 10f for positioning the head 3 with respect to the head holding member 10 in the horizontal direction (see FIG. 5). Specifically, two convex portions 10e and 10f are formed on the head holding member 10. The convex portions 10e and 10f are formed in a columnar shape with the vertical direction as the axial direction. The convex portions 10e and 10f are formed on both sides in the left-right direction of the opening 10b. In this embodiment, the convex portion 10e is disposed on the left side of the opening 10b, and the convex portion 10f is disposed on the right side of the opening 10b. Further, the convex portions 10e and 10f are formed in a hole 10g that is recessed downward from the upper surface of the head holding member 10. The hole 10g is a round hole whose shape is circular when viewed from the vertical direction. The convex portions 10e and 10f rise upward from the center of the bottom surface of the hole 10g.

[0037] Two cam levers 19 for fixing the head holding member 10 to the base portion 4a are fixed to the base portion 4a. One of the two cam levers 19 is fixed to the right rear end portion of the base portion 4a, and the other cam lever 19 is fixed to the left front end portion of the base portion 4a. The lever portion 19a of the cam lever 19 is disposed above the head holding member 10. The lever portion 19a is rotatable with respect to the base portion 4a with the horizontal direction as the axial direction of rotation. As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, when the lever portion 19a is tilted down, the head holding member 10 is fixed so that the head holding member 10 does not rotate with respect to the base portion 4a in the first rotation direction. On the other hand, when the lever portion 19a is raised, it becomes possible to rotate the head holding member 10 with respect to the base portion 4a in the first rotation direction.

[0038] The eccentric cam 16 is disposed on the upper surface side of the base portion 4a. The eccentric cam 16 is fixed to the cam lever 20. The cam lever 20 is attached to the base portion 4a so as to be rotatable with respect to the base portion 4a in the first rotation direction, and the eccentric cam 16 is rotatable with respect to the base portion 4a in the first rotation direction. The eccentric cam 16 and the cam lever 20 are attached to the right front end portion of the base portion 4a. The outer peripheral surface (cam surface) of the eccentric cam 16 is in contact with the right side surface of the contact portion 10a of the head holding member 10.

[0039] The lever portion 20a of the cam lever 20 is disposed above the eccentric cam 16. The lever portion 20a is rotatable with respect to the base portion 4a with the horizontal direction as the axial direction of rotation. As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, when the lever portion 20a is tilted down, the eccentric cam 16 is fixed so that the eccentric cam 16 does not rotate with respect to the base portion 4a in the first rotation direction. On the other hand, when the lever portion 20a is raised, the eccentric cam 16 can be rotated with respect to the base portion 4a in the first rotation direction.

[0040] The fulcrum portion 17 is disposed at the rear end portion of the base portion 4a. Further, the fulcrum portion 17 is disposed at the central portion of the base portion 4a in the left-right direction. The compression coil spring 18 is disposed at the front side portion of the base portion 4a. The left end of the compression coil spring 18 abuts against a spring abutting portion formed on the base portion 4a, and the right end of the compression coil spring 18 abuts against the left side surface of the contact portion 10a of the head holding member 10. The compression coil spring 18 biases the head holding member 10 toward the eccentric cam 16 with the fulcrum portion 17 as a fulcrum.

[0041] When adjusting the inclination of the head holding member 10 with respect to the carriage 4 in the first rotation direction by the inclination adjusting mechanism 11, the operator of the printer 1 raises the lever portions 19a, 20a of the cam levers 19, 20 and then rotates the eccentric cam 16 in this state. When the eccentric cam 16 is rotated, the head holding member 10 rotates about the fulcrum portion 17, and the inclination of the head holding member 10 with respect to the carriage 4 is adjusted.

[0042] The head 3 is placed on the head holding member 10. When viewed from the vertical direction, the outer shape of the head 3 is rectangular. The outer shape of the head 3 is smaller than the outer shape of the head holding member 10. When viewed from the vertical direction, two of the four sides of the rectangular head 3 are parallel to the left-right direction, and the remaining two sides are parallel to the front-back direction. As described above, a plurality of nozzles for discharging ink are formed on the lower surface of the head 3. The lower surface of the head 3 is an ink discharge surface 3a on which the plurality of nozzles are arranged.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, an ink discharge portion 3b protruding downward is formed at the lower end portion of the head 3, and the lower surface of the ink discharge portion 3b is the ink discharge surface 3a. The ink discharge portion 3b is disposed in the opening of the base portion 4a and the opening 10b of the head holding member 10. Further, a through hole 3g in which a part of the shaft portion of the screw member 15 is disposed is formed in the head 3. The through holes 3g are formed at three locations, namely, the right front end portion, the left front end portion, and the left rear end portion of the head 3. The head of the screw member 15 is disposed above the head 3.

[0044] Both sides of the ink discharge portion 3b in the left-right direction are planes perpendicular to the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 6, protruding portions 3c and 3d protruding downward are formed on both sides of the ink discharge portion 3b in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the protruding portion 3c is disposed on the left side of the ink discharge portion 3b, and the protruding portion 3d is disposed on the right side of the ink discharge portion 3b. The protruding portion 3c is formed in a cylindrical shape with the vertical direction as the axial direction. The protruding portion 3d is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with the vertical direction as the axial direction. When viewed from the vertical direction, the outer shape of the protruding portion 3d is an oval shape that is long in the left-right direction.

[0045] On the inner peripheral side of the protrusion 3c, there is a recess 3e with which the convex portion 10e of the head holding member 10 engages. On the inner peripheral side of the protrusion 3d, there is a recess 3f with which the convex portion 10f of the head holding member 10 engages. That is, on the head 3, there are formed recesses 3e and 3f with which the convex portions 10e and 10f engage. Further, the recesses 3e and 3f are formed on both sides of the nozzle ejection surface 3a in the left - right direction, and two recesses 3e and 3f are formed on the head 3. In this embodiment, the head 3 is positioned with respect to the head holding member 10 in the horizontal direction by the convex portions 10e and 10f and the recesses 3e and 3f.

[0046] The recess 3e is a round hole whose shape is circular when viewed from the up - down direction. The inner diameter of the recess 3e is equal to the outer diameter of the convex portion 10e. The recess 3f is a long hole whose shape is oval when viewed from the up - down direction. Further, the recess 3f is a long hole with its longitudinal direction in the left - right direction. The width in the short - hand direction (front - rear direction) of the recess 3f is equal to the outer diameter of the convex portion 10f. The convex portion 10e is inserted into the recess 3e. The convex portion 10f is inserted into the recess 3f. The protrusions 3c and 3d are inserted into the hole 10g. The inner diameter of the hole 10g is larger than the outer diameter of the protrusion 3c and the width in the longitudinal direction (left - right direction) of the protrusion 3d.

[0047] When replacing the head 3 mounted on the carriage 4 in the printer 1, only the head 3 is replaced. Specifically, first, the three screw members 15 are loosened and removed, and then the head 3 before replacement is removed from the head holding member 10. At this time, the screw members 15 and the head 3 are removed upward. Then, after placing a new head 3 on the head holding member 10 from above, the three screw members 15 are tightened to fix the head 3 to the head holding member 10.

[0048] (In the form during inspection and shipment of the inkjet printer, etc.) When assembling the printer 1 of this embodiment at the factory, the inspection head 3 is attached to the head holding member 10. Also, ink is ejected from the inspection head 3 to perform various inspections. After the inspection, the inspection head 3 is removed from the head holding member 10, and the assembly of the printer 1 is completed with the head 3 not attached. When the printer 1 is shipped, the head 3 is not attached to the head holding member 10. At the destination where the printer 1 is shipped, an operator attaches a new head 3 to the head holding member 10 when installing the printer 1.

[0049] (Main effects of this embodiment) As described above, in this embodiment, only the head 3 is replaced when replacing the head 3 mounted on the carriage 4. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to maintain the inclination of the head holding member 10 with respect to the carriage 4 in the first rotation direction before and after the replacement of the head 3. Further, in this embodiment, convex portions 10e, 10f for positioning the head 3 with respect to the head holding member 10 in the horizontal direction are formed on the head holding member 10, and concave portions 3e, 3f with which the convex portions 10e, 10f engage are formed on the head 3. Therefore, when replacing the head 3, if the convex portions 10e, 10f are engaged with the concave portions 3e, 3f, the head 3 is positioned with respect to the head holding member 10 in the horizontal direction.

[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inclination of the head holding member 10 with respect to the carriage 4 in the first rotation direction is adjusted by the inclination adjustment mechanism 11, so that the inclination of the head 3 with respect to the carriage 4 is adjusted. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to eliminate the need to adjust the inclination of the head 3 with respect to the carriage 4 when replacing the head 3, and as a result, it is possible to shorten the head 3 replacement time. Also, in this embodiment, since the head 3 is positioned with respect to the head holding member 10 in the horizontal direction by the convex portions 10e, 10f and the concave portions 3e, 3f, the leaf spring described in the above Patent Document 1 is unnecessary. Therefore, in this embodiment, even though it is possible to shorten the head 3 replacement time, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the printer 1.

[0051] In this embodiment, only the head 3 is replaced when replacing the head 3 mounted on the carriage 4. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the number of parts to be replaced when replacing the head 3. Further, in this embodiment, since the number of heads 3 of the printer 1 is only one, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the printer 1 and reduce the cost of the printer 1, and the replacement work of the head 3 becomes easy.

[0052] In this embodiment, the head 3 is not attached to the head holding member 10 in the printer 1 at the time of shipment, and a new head 3 is attached to the head holding member 10 when the printer 1 is installed at the destination of shipment of the printer 1. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the period from the completion of the assembly of the printer 1 to the installation of the printer 1 at the destination of shipment becomes long, it is possible to prevent ink ejection failure from the head 3 in the printer 1 after installation. In this embodiment, by engaging the convex portions 10e and 10f with the concave portions 10e and 10f, it is possible to attach the head 3 without adjusting the inclination of the head 3 with respect to the carriage 4. Therefore, even when a new head 3 is attached when installing the printer 1 with the head 3 not attached at the time of shipment at the destination of shipment, it is possible to attach the head 3 easily and accurately in a short time at the destination of shipment. That is, in this embodiment, it is possible to attach a new head 3 to the printer 1 in a state where the head 3 is not attached with a small burden at the destination of shipment.

[0053] (Other embodiments) The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, the head 3 may be fixed to the head holding member 10 by fixing means other than the screw member 15. Further, in the above-described embodiment, a convex portion for positioning the head 3 with respect to the head holding member 10 in the horizontal direction may be formed on the head 3, and a concave portion with which the convex portion of the head 3 engages may be formed on the head holding member 10. In this case, for example, two convex portions are formed on the head 3, and two concave portions are formed on the head holding member 10. Further, in the above-described embodiment, when assembling the printer 1 at the factory, a new head 3 may be attached to the head holding member 10, and the printer 1 in a state where the new head 3 is attached may be shipped.

[0055] In the above-described embodiment, the inclination of the head 3 with respect to the head holding member 10 in the first rotation direction is adjusted by the inclination adjustment mechanism 11, so that the inclination of the head 3 with respect to the carriage 4 may be adjusted. In this case, for example, the inclination adjustment mechanism 11 includes an eccentric cam for adjusting the inclination of the head 3 with respect to the head holding member 10 in the first rotation direction, a fulcrum portion serving as a fulcrum for the rotation of the head 3 with respect to the head holding member 10, and a compression coil spring that biases the head 3 toward one side in the first rotation direction.

[0056] In this case, when replacing the head 3 mounted on the carriage 4, the head holding member 10 is also replaced together with the head 3. Further, when replacing the head 3, the head 3 whose inclination with respect to the head holding member 10 has been adjusted in advance in the first rotation direction is attached to the carriage 4 together with the head holding member 10. Further, in this case, a convex portion for positioning the head holding member 10 with respect to the carriage 4 in the horizontal direction is formed on either one of the head holding member 10 and the carriage 4, and a concave portion with which the convex portion engages is formed on the other of the head holding member 10 and the carriage 4. For example, two convex portions are formed on the carriage 4, and two concave portions are formed on the head holding member 10.

[0057] In this case, when replacing the head 3, if the convex part is engaged with the concave part to position the head holding member 10 with respect to the carriage 4 in the horizontal direction, it becomes possible to eliminate the need to adjust the inclination of the head 3 with respect to the carriage 4 when replacing the head 3. Therefore, it becomes possible to shorten the replacement time of the head 3. Further, since the head holding member 10 is positioned with respect to the carriage 4 in the horizontal direction by the convex part and the concave part, the leaf spring described in Patent Document 1 above becomes unnecessary. As a result, even if it is possible to shorten the replacement time of the head 3, it becomes possible to simplify the configuration of the printer 1.

[0058] In this case, for example, when assembling the printer 1 at the factory, the inspection head 3 and the head holding member 10 are attached to the carriage 4. Further, ink is ejected from the inspection head 3 to perform various inspections. After the inspection, the inspection head 3 and the head holding member 10 are removed from the carriage 4, and the assembly of the printer 1 is completed with the head 3 and the head holding member 10 not attached. When the printer 1 is shipped, the head 3 and the head holding member 10 are not attached to the carriage 4. At the shipping destination of the printer 1, an operator attaches a new head 3 and a head holding member 10 to the carriage 4 when installing the printer 1.

[0059] In the above-described embodiment, the printer 1 may include two or more heads 3. That is, two or more heads 3 may be mounted on the carriage 4. In this case, for example, the printer 1 includes the same number of head holding members 10 as the number of heads 3, and one head 3 is fixed to one head holding member 10. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the medium 2 does not have to be formed in a long shape. In this case, the printer 1 includes, for example, a table on which the medium 2 is placed and a table feed mechanism that moves the table in the front-rear direction. Further, the inkjet printer to which the present invention is applied may be a 3D printer.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0060] 1 Printer (Inkjet Printer) 3 Head (Inkjet Head) 3a Ink ejection surface 3e, 3f Recessed portions 4 Carriage 5 Carriage drive mechanism 10 Head holding member 10e, 10f Protrusions 11 Tilt adjustment mechanism Y Main scanning direction Z Vertical direction

Claims

1. an inkjet head that ejects ink, a head holding member that holds the inkjet head, a carriage on which the head holding member is mounted, and a tilt adjustment mechanism that adjusts a tilt of the inkjet head with respect to the carriage in a first rotation direction that is a rotation direction with a vertical direction as an axial direction of the rotation, the tilt adjustment mechanism adjusts the tilt of the head holding member relative to the carriage in the first rotation direction, thereby adjusting the tilt of the inkjet head relative to the carriage, or the tilt adjustment mechanism adjusts the tilt of the inkjet head relative to the head holding member in the first rotation direction, thereby adjusting the tilt of the inkjet head relative to the carriage, when the inclination of the head holding member with respect to the carriage is adjusted by the inclination adjustment mechanism, a convex portion for positioning the inkjet head with respect to the head holding member in the horizontal direction is formed on one of the inkjet head and the head holding member, and a concave portion with which the convex portion engages is formed on the other of the inkjet head and the head holding member, an inkjet printer characterized in that, when the tilt of the inkjet head relative to the head holding member is adjusted by the tilt adjustment mechanism, a convex portion for positioning the head holding member relative to the carriage in the horizontal direction is formed on either the head holding member or the carriage, and a concave portion with which the convex portion engages is formed on the other of the head holding member or the carriage.

2. the protrusion is formed on either the inkjet head or the head holding member, 2. The ink-jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the recess is formed in the other of the ink-jet head and the head holding member.

3. a carriage drive mechanism that moves the carriage in a main scanning direction perpendicular to a vertical direction; 3. The inkjet printer according to claim 2, wherein the inkjet head has an ink ejection surface on which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink are arranged, and the convex portion or the concave portion is formed on both sides of the ink ejection surface in the main scanning direction.

4. 4. The ink-jet printer according to claim 1, further comprising one ink-jet head.

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