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 the rotation direction with 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 rotation direction with 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 the direction in which the positioning portion and the contact surface contact is disposed between the head holding member and the intermediate member.

[0004] In the inkjet printer described in Patent Document 1, when the inkjet head is replaced, the two inkjet heads, which are fixed to the head holding member, are replaced together with the head holding member. In this inkjet printer, the inclination of the intermediate member with respect to the base member in the rotational direction, with the vertical direction being the axis of rotation, remains unchanged before and after the replacement of the inkjet head.

[0005] Furthermore, in the inkjet printer described in Patent Document 1, when replacing the inkjet head, the biasing force of the leaf spring causes the contact surface of the newly installed head holding member to come into contact with the positioning portion of the intermediate member, thereby positioning the head holding member and the inkjet head with respect to the intermediate member in the horizontal direction. Therefore, in this inkjet printer, there is no need to adjust the tilt of the inkjet head relative to the base member when replacing the inkjet head. Consequently, this inkjet printer makes it possible to shorten the inkjet head replacement time. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-188759 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] In the inkjet printer described in Patent Document 1, when replacing the inkjet head, the contact surface of the newly installed head holding member is brought into contact with the positioning portion of the intermediate member by the biasing force of the leaf spring, thereby positioning the head holding member and the inkjet head with respect to the intermediate member in the horizontal direction, thus shortening the time required to replace the inkjet head. However, the inkjet printer described in Patent Document 1 requires a leaf spring to bias the head holding member, which complicates the configuration of the inkjet printer.

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet printer that simplifies its configuration while also being able to shorten the time required to replace the inkjet head, in an inkjet printer comprising an inkjet head and a carriage on which the inkjet head is mounted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve the above problems, the inkjet printer of the present invention uses ink In the media An inkjet head that ejects ink, a head holding member that holds the inkjet head, and the head holding member of mounted and scan the medium The carriage and, Adjust the direction of rotation of the inkjet head relative to the carriage, with the vertical axis being the axis. It is equipped with a tilt adjustment mechanism for adjusting the tilt, The inkjet head and the head holding member are formed with protrusions or recesses for positioning the inkjet head. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] Book In this invention, an inkjet printer comprising an inkjet head and a carriage on which the inkjet head is mounted can be simplified while also reducing the time required to replace the inkjet head. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of an inkjet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the inkjet printer shown. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the inkjet head and carriage, etc. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a plan view of the inkjet head and carriage, etc. [Figure 5] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the inkjet head removed from the carriage, etc. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view showing the inkjet head shown in FIG. 3 from the bottom side.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] In this embodiment of the inkjet printer, if the tilt of the head holding member relative to the carriage is adjusted by the tilt adjustment mechanism, then when replacing the inkjet head, if only the inkjet head is replaced, it is possible to maintain the tilt of the head holding member relative to the carriage in the first rotation direction before and after the inkjet head replacement. Furthermore, in this embodiment, in this case, a protrusion is formed on either the inkjet head or the head holding member for positioning the inkjet head relative to the head holding member in the horizontal direction, and a recess is formed on either the inkjet head or the head holding member that engages with the protrusion. Therefore, when replacing the inkjet head, engaging the protrusion with the recess positions the inkjet head relative to the head holding member in the horizontal direction.

[0014] Therefore, in this embodiment, it becomes unnecessary to adjust the tilt of the inkjet head relative to the carriage when replacing the inkjet head, and as a result, the inkjet head replacement time can be shortened. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the inkjet head is positioned horizontally relative to the head holding member by the convex and concave portions, the leaf spring described in Patent Document 1 is unnecessary. Therefore, in this embodiment, even though the inkjet head replacement time can be shortened, the configuration of the inkjet printer can be simplified.

[0015] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the tilt of the inkjet head relative to the head holding member is adjusted by the tilt adjustment mechanism, a protrusion is formed on either the head holding member or the carriage for positioning the head holding member relative to the carriage in the horizontal direction, and a recess is formed on either the head holding member or the carriage with which the protrusion engages. Therefore, in this embodiment, when replacing the inkjet head, if the inkjet head, whose tilt relative to the head holding member in the first rotation direction has been pre-adjusted, is attached to the carriage together with the head holding member, and the protrusion is engaged with the recess to position the head holding member relative to the carriage in the horizontal direction, it becomes possible to eliminate the need to adjust the tilt of the inkjet head relative to the carriage when replacing the inkjet head.

[0016] Therefore, this embodiment makes it possible to shorten the inkjet head replacement time. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the head holding member is positioned horizontally relative to the carriage by the convex and concave portions, the leaf spring described in Patent Document 1 becomes unnecessary. As a result, in this embodiment, even though it is possible to shorten the inkjet head replacement time, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the inkjet printer.

[0017] In the case of this type of inkjet printer, for example, when assembling the inkjet printer at the factory, ink is ejected from the inkjet head incorporated into the printer to perform various tests. After the various tests are completed and the assembly is finished, the inkjet printer is either stored in a warehouse for a predetermined period before being shipped, or shipped directly from the factory. For example, if the storage period of the inkjet printer in the warehouse is long, or if the inkjet printer shipped directly from the factory is transported to a remote location such as overseas, the period from the completion of assembly of the inkjet printer to its installation at the destination will be longer.

[0018] If, during the assembly of an inkjet printer, a new inkjet head is installed and various tests are performed, and the assembly is completed with the inkjet head still installed, then if there is a long period between the completion of the inkjet printer assembly and its installation at the customer's location, there is a risk of ink ejection failure from the inkjet head occurring in the installed inkjet printer. In contrast, if, for example, during the inspection of the inkjet printer at the factory, a test inkjet head (or a test inkjet head and head holder) is installed and tested, then the test inkjet head (or the test inkjet head and head holder) is removed, and the inkjet printer assembly is completed without an inkjet head installed, and a new inkjet head (or a new inkjet head and head holder) is installed when the inkjet printer is installed at the customer's location, then even if there is a long period between the completion of the assembly and its installation at the customer's location, it becomes possible to prevent ink ejection failure from the inkjet head in the installed inkjet printer.

[0019] In this configuration, by engaging the protrusion with the recess, the inkjet head can be installed without adjusting the tilt of the inkjet head relative to the carriage. Therefore, even if the inkjet printer assembly is completed without the inkjet head installed, and a new inkjet head (or a new inkjet head and head retaining member) is installed at the destination, the inkjet head can be installed quickly, easily, and accurately at the destination. In other words, in this configuration, a new inkjet head (or a new inkjet head and head retaining member) can be installed with minimal effort at the destination of the inkjet printer, even if there is a long period between the completion of assembly and the installation of the inkjet printer at the destination. Furthermore, by installing a new inkjet head (or a new inkjet head and head retaining member) at the destination of the inkjet printer, even if there is a long period between the completion of assembly and the installation of the inkjet printer at the destination, it is possible to prevent ink ejection failures from the inkjet head in the installed inkjet printer, and it is also possible to install a new inkjet head (or a new inkjet head and head retaining member) with minimal effort at the destination of the inkjet printer.

[0020] In this embodiment, for example, a protrusion is formed on either the inkjet head or the head holding member, and a recess is formed on the other of the inkjet head or the head holding member. That is, in this embodiment, for example, the tilt of the head holding member relative to the carriage is adjusted by a tilt adjustment mechanism. In this case, for example, when replacing the inkjet head, only the inkjet head is replaced. Therefore, it becomes possible to reduce the number of parts that are replaced when replacing the inkjet head.

[0021] In this embodiment, the inkjet printer is equipped with a carriage drive mechanism that moves the carriage in a main scanning direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, for example, and the inkjet head has an ink ejection surface on which multiple nozzles for ejecting ink are arranged, and convex or concave portions are formed on both sides of the ink ejection surface in the main scanning direction. In this case, it becomes possible to miniaturize the inkjet head in directions perpendicular to the vertical direction and the main scanning direction.

[0022] In this configuration, the inkjet printer is equipped with, for example, one inkjet head. In this case, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the inkjet printer and reduce its cost. In addition, in this case, the replacement of the inkjet head becomes easier.

[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 a commercial inkjet printer that prints on a medium 2 such as paper, fabric, or resin film. The medium 2 is formed in a long, narrow strip shape. The printer 1 comprises an inkjet head 3 (hereinafter referred to as "head 3") that ejects 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 the main scanning direction (Y direction in Figure 1, etc.) which is perpendicular to the vertical direction (vertical direction, Z direction in Figure 1, etc.), a Y bar 6 that holds the carriage 4 movably, a medium transport mechanism 7 that transports the medium 2, and a platen 8 on which the medium 2 is placed.

[0025] In this configuration, the printer 1 is equipped with one head 3, and the carriage 4 is fitted with one head 3. That is, the printer 1 is equipped with only one head 3, and the carriage 4 is fitted with only one head 3. The head 3 ejects ink downwards. Multiple nozzles for ejecting ink are formed on the underside of the head 3. Multiple nozzle rows are also formed on the underside of the head 3, arranged in the main scanning direction. The nozzle rows consist of numerous nozzles arranged in directions perpendicular to the vertical direction and the main scanning direction. The head 3 is equipped with a piezoelectric element (piezo element) that ejects ink from the nozzles. The carriage drive mechanism 5 includes, for example, two pulleys, a belt that is stretched between the two pulleys and partly fixed to the carriage 4, and a motor that rotates the pulleys.

[0026] The media transport mechanism 7 includes a transport roller for transporting the media 2, a roller drive mechanism for driving the transport roller, and a plurality of pinch rollers that are biased toward the transport roller and sandwich the media 2 between themselves and the transport roller. The platen 8 is positioned below the carriage 4. The media 2 is placed on the platen 8 during printing. As described above, in this embodiment, since there is only one head 3 mounted on the carriage 4, the width of the platen 8 in the transport direction of the media 2 is narrow. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the parts cost of the platen 8. In addition, because the width of the platen 8 in the transport direction of the media 2 is narrow, it is easy to adjust the mounting position of the platen 8.

[0027] In the following explanation, the main scanning direction (Y direction) will be referred to as the "left-right direction," and the X direction, as shown in Figure 1, which is perpendicular to both the up-down and left-right directions, will be referred to as the "front-back direction." Furthermore, one side of the left-right direction, the Y1 direction side in Figure 1, will be referred to as the "right" side, the opposite side of the right side, the Y2 direction side in Figure 1, will be referred to as the "left" side, one side of the front-back direction, the X1 direction side in Figure 1, will be referred to as the "front" side, and the opposite side of the front side, the X2 direction side in Figure 1, will be referred to as the "back" side. In this embodiment, the left-right direction (Y direction) is the width direction of the medium 2. The up-down direction (Z direction) is the thickness direction of the medium 2 during printing, which is placed on the platen 8, and the front-back direction (X direction) is the transport direction of the medium 2 moving on the platen 8, as well as the sub-scanning direction.

[0028] Furthermore, the printer 1 is equipped with a maintenance unit 9 to prevent clogging of the multiple nozzles formed on the underside of the print head 3. The maintenance unit 9 cleans the print head 3 to prevent clogging of the multiple nozzles of the print head 3. For example, the maintenance unit 9 performs purging, which forcibly sucks out the ink from inside the nozzles of the print head 3; flushing, which forcibly ejects ink from the nozzles of the print head 3; and wiping, which wipes the underside of the print head 3 with a predetermined wiper member. The maintenance unit 9 is located 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 a tilt adjustment mechanism 11 for adjusting the inclination of the head 3 relative to the carriage 4 in the rotational direction with the vertical direction as the axis of rotation (more specifically, the inclination of the nozzle row formed on the lower surface of the head 3) (see Figures 3 and 4, etc.). The specific configurations of the head 3, carriage 4, head holding member 10, and tilt adjustment mechanism 11 will be described below.

[0030] (Configuration of inkjet head, carriage, head holder, and tilt adjustment mechanism) Figure 3 is a perspective view of the head 3 and carriage 4 shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a plan view of the head 3 and carriage 4 shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the head 3 removed from the carriage 4 shown in Figure 3. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the head 3 shown in Figure 3 from the bottom. In Figure 4, the head holding member 10 is shown with a dashed line for convenience.

[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 screw members 15. For example, the head 3 is fixed to the head holding member 10 by three screw members 15. The screw members 15 are, for example, stepped knurled screws with knurling on the head, making it possible to tighten or loosen the screw members 15 by hand without using tools. The head holding member 10 is attached to the carriage 4. The head holding member 10 is attached to the carriage 4 so that it can rotate with respect to the carriage 4 in the vertical direction as the axis of rotation.

[0032] If the rotation direction with the vertical direction as the axis of rotation is defined as the "first rotation direction," then in this embodiment, the tilt of the head 3 relative to the carriage 4 is adjusted by the tilt adjustment mechanism 11 in the first rotation direction. The tilt adjustment mechanism 11 includes an eccentric cam 16 for adjusting the tilt of the head holding member 10 relative to the carriage 4 in the first rotation direction, a pivot point 17 (see Figure 4) which serves as the pivot point (center) for the rotation of the head holding member 10 relative to the carriage 4, and a compression coil spring 18 which biases the head holding member 10 to one side in the first rotation direction.

[0033] The carriage 4 includes a base portion 4a that forms the lower end of the carriage 4. When viewed from above, the outer shape of the base portion 4a is rectangular. When viewed from above, 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-back direction. An opening is formed in the base portion 4a that penetrates the base portion 4a in the vertical direction. The lower end of the head 3 is positioned inside this opening.

[0034] The head holding member 10 is mounted on the base portion 4a. When viewed from above, the head holding member 10 has a roughly rectangular shape. The head holding member 10 has a smaller shape than the base portion 4a. When viewed from above, two of the four sides of the roughly rectangular head holding member 10 are parallel to the left-right direction, and the remaining two sides are parallel to the front-back direction. The head holding member 10 has a contact portion 10a that contacts the eccentric cam 16 and the compression coil spring 18. The contact portion 10a is located at the right front end of the head holding member 10. The contact portion 10a protrudes forward.

[0035] The head holding member 10 has an opening 10b (see Figure 5) that penetrates the head holding member 10 in the vertical direction, and a screw engagement portion 10c into which the screw portion of the screw member 15 engages. The opening 10b is formed in the central part of the head holding member 10 in the left-right direction. The lower end of the head 3 is positioned inside the opening 10b. The screw engagement portions 10c are formed in three locations on the right front side, the left front side, and the left rear end of the head holding member 10.

[0036] Furthermore, the head holding member 10 has protrusions 10e and 10f formed on it for positioning the head 3 relative to the head holding member 10 in the horizontal direction (see Figure 5). Specifically, two protrusions 10e and 10f are formed on the head holding member 10. The protrusions 10e and 10f are formed in a cylindrical shape with the vertical direction as the axis. The protrusions 10e and 10f are formed on both sides of the opening 10b in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the protrusion 10e is located on the left side of the opening 10b, and the protrusion 10f is located on the right side of the opening 10b. The protrusions 10e and 10f are also formed in a hole 10g that is recessed downwards from the top surface of the head holding member 10. The hole 10g is a round hole whose shape is circular when viewed from the top or bottom. The protrusions 10e and 10f rise upwards from the center of the bottom surface of the hole 10g.

[0037] Two cam levers 19 are fixed to the base portion 4a for fixing the head holding member 10 to the base portion 4a. One of the two cam levers 19 is fixed to the right rear end of the base portion 4a, and the other cam lever 19 is fixed to the left front end of the base portion 4a. The lever portion 19a of the cam lever 19 is positioned above the head holding member 10. The lever portion 19a is rotatable relative to the base portion 4a with the horizontal direction as the axis of rotation. As shown in Figure 3, when the lever portion 19a is lowered, the head holding member 10 is fixed so that it does not rotate relative 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 relative to the base portion 4a in the first rotation direction.

[0038] The eccentric cam 16 is positioned on the upper 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 able to rotate relative to the base portion 4a in the first rotation direction, and the eccentric cam 16 is able to rotate relative 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 of the base portion 4a. The outer circumferential surface (cam surface) of the eccentric cam 16 is in contact with the right side of the contact portion 10a of the head holding member 10.

[0039] The lever portion 20a of the cam lever 20 is positioned above the eccentric cam 16. The lever portion 20a is rotatable relative to the base portion 4a with the horizontal direction as the axis of rotation. As shown in Figure 3, when the lever portion 20a is tilted, the eccentric cam 16 is fixed so that it does not rotate relative to the base portion 4a in the first rotation direction. On the other hand, when the lever portion 20a is raised, it becomes possible to rotate the eccentric cam 16 relative to the base portion 4a in the first rotation direction.

[0040] The pivot point 17 is located at the rear end of the base portion 4a. The pivot point 17 is also located in the center of the base portion 4a in the left-right direction. The compression coil spring 18 is located in the front portion of the base portion 4a. The left end of the compression coil spring 18 abuts against the spring contact portion formed on the base portion 4a, and the right end of the compression coil spring 18 contacts the left side 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 pivot point 17 as the pivot point.

[0041] When adjusting the tilt of the head holding member 10 relative to the carriage 4 in the first rotation direction using the tilt adjustment mechanism 11, the printer operator raises the lever portions 19a and 20a of the cam levers 19 and 20, and then rotates the eccentric cam 16 in this state. When the eccentric cam 16 is rotated, the head holding member 10 rotates around the pivot point 17, and the tilt of the head holding member 10 relative to the carriage 4 is adjusted.

[0042] The print head 3 is mounted on the print head holder 10. When viewed from above, the print head 3 has a rectangular shape. The print head 3 is smaller than the print head holder 10. When viewed from above, two of the four sides of the rectangular print head 3 are parallel to the left-right direction, and the remaining two sides are parallel to the front-back direction. As described above, multiple nozzles for ejecting ink are formed on the lower surface of the print head 3. The lower surface of the print head 3 is an ink ejection surface 3a where the multiple nozzles are arranged.

[0043] As shown in Figure 6, in this embodiment, an ink ejection portion 3b is formed at the lower end of the head 3, projecting downwards, and the lower surface of the ink ejection portion 3b is the ink ejection surface 3a. The ink ejection portion 3b is located within the opening of the base portion 4a and the opening 10b of the head holding member 10. The head 3 also has through holes 3g into which a portion of the shaft of the screw member 15 is positioned. The through holes 3g are formed in three locations on the right front end, left front end, and left rear end of the head 3. The head of the screw member 15 is positioned above the head 3.

[0044] The sides of the ink ejection section 3b in the left-right direction are planes perpendicular to the vertical direction. As shown in Figure 6, projections 3c and 3d are formed on both sides of the ink ejection section 3b in the left-right direction, projecting downwards. In this embodiment, projection 3c is located on the left side of the ink ejection section 3b, and projection 3d is located on the right side of the ink ejection section 3b. Projection 3c is formed in a cylindrical shape with the vertical direction as its axis. Projection 3d is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with the vertical direction as its axis. When viewed from above, the outer shape of projection 3d is an elongated oval shape that is long in the left-right direction.

[0045] The inner circumference of projection 3c is a recess 3e into which the convex portion 10e of the head holding member 10 engages. The inner circumference of projection 3d is a recess 3f into which the convex portion 10f of the head holding member 10 engages. In other words, the head 3 has recesses 3e and 3f into which the convex portions 10e and 10f engage. In addition, recesses 3e and 3f are formed on both sides of the nozzle discharge surface 3a in the left-right direction, so the head 3 has two recesses 3e and 3f. In this embodiment, the head 3 is positioned relative 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 above. The inner diameter of the recess 3e is equal to the outer diameter of the protrusion 10e. The recess 3f is an elongated hole whose shape is oblong when viewed from above. The recess 3f is an elongated hole whose longitudinal direction is left to right. The width of the recess 3f in the short direction (width in the front-to-back direction) is equal to the outer diameter of the protrusion 10f. The protrusion 10e is inserted into the recess 3e. The protrusion 10f is inserted into the recess 3f. The projections 3c and 3d are inserted into the hole 10g. The inner diameter of the hole 10g is larger than the outer diameter of the projection 3c and the longitudinal width (width in the left-to-right direction) of the projection 3d.

[0047] In printer 1, when replacing the head 3 mounted on carriage 4, only the head 3 is replaced. Specifically, first, the three screw members 15 are loosened and removed, and then the old head 3 is removed from the head holding member 10. At this time, the screw members 15 and the head 3 are removed from the upward direction. After that, the new head 3 is placed on the head holding member 10 from above, and then the three screw members 15 are tightened to fix the head 3 to the head holding member 10.

[0048] (Forms of inkjet printers during inspection and shipment) When this type of printer 1 is assembled at the factory, a test head 3 is attached to the head holder member 10. Ink is also ejected from the test head 3 to perform various tests. After the tests, the test head 3 is removed from the head holder member 10, and the assembly of the printer 1 is completed with the head 3 not attached. At the time of shipment of the printer 1, the head 3 is not attached to the head holder member 10. At the destination of the shipped printer 1, a worker attaches a new head 3 to the head holder member 10 when installing the printer 1.

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

[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tilt of the head 3 relative to the carriage 4 is adjusted by the tilt adjustment mechanism 11, which adjusts the tilt of the head holding member 10 relative to the carriage 4 in the first rotational direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, it becomes unnecessary to adjust the tilt of the head 3 relative to the carriage 4 when replacing the head 3, and as a result, the replacement time for the head 3 can be shortened. In addition, in this embodiment, the head 3 is positioned relative to the head holding member 10 in the horizontal direction by the convex portions 10e, 10f and concave portions 3e, 3f, so the leaf spring described in Patent Document 1 above is unnecessary. Therefore, in this embodiment, even though the replacement time for the head 3 can be shortened, the configuration of the printer 1 can be simplified.

[0051] In this configuration, when replacing the head 3 mounted on the carriage 4, only the head 3 is replaced. Therefore, this configuration makes it possible to reduce the number of parts that are replaced when replacing the head 3. In addition, in this configuration, since the printer 1 has only one head 3, 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 easier.

[0052] In this configuration, the print head 3 is not attached to the print head holder 10 when the printer 1 is shipped, and a new print head 3 is attached to the print head holder 10 when the printer 1 is installed at the shipping destination. Therefore, in this configuration, even if there is a long period between the completion of the assembly of the printer 1 and its installation at the shipping destination, it is possible to prevent ink ejection failures from the print head 3 in the installed printer 1. Furthermore, in this configuration, by engaging the protrusions 10e and 10f with the recesses 10e and 10f, it is possible to attach the print head 3 without adjusting the tilt of the print head 3 relative to the carriage 4. Therefore, even if a new print head 3 is attached to a printer 1 that does not have the print head 3 attached at the time of shipment, it is possible to attach the print head 3 quickly, easily, and accurately at the shipping destination. In other words, in this configuration, it is possible to attach a new print head 3 to a printer 1 that does not have the print head 3 attached with little effort at the shipping destination.

[0053] (Other embodiments) The above-described embodiment is merely one example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not limited thereto. Various modifications can be made without altering the essence 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. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the head 3 may have a protrusion formed on it for positioning the head 3 with respect to the head holding member 10 in the horizontal direction, and the head holding member 10 may have a recess formed on it that engages with the protrusion of the head 3. In this case, for example, the head 3 has two protrusions and the head holding member 10 has two recesses. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when the printer 1 is assembled at the factory, a new head 3 may be attached to the head holding member 10, and the printer 1 may be shipped with the new head 3 already attached.

[0055] In the above-described configuration, the tilt of the head 3 relative to the carriage 4 may be adjusted by adjusting the tilt of the head 3 relative to the head holding member 10 in the first rotational direction using the tilt adjustment mechanism 11. In this case, for example, the tilt adjustment mechanism 11 includes an eccentric cam for adjusting the tilt of the head 3 relative to the head holding member 10 in the first rotational direction, a pivot point that serves as the pivot point for the rotation of the head 3 relative to the head holding member 10, and a compression coil spring that biases the head 3 to one side in the first rotational direction.

[0056] In this case, when replacing the head 3 mounted on the carriage 4, the head holding member 10 is also replaced along with the head 3. When replacing the head 3, the head 3, whose inclination relative to the head holding member 10 in the first rotational direction has been pre-adjusted, is attached to the carriage 4 together with the head holding member 10. In this case, either the head holding member 10 or the carriage 4 has a protrusion formed on it for positioning the head holding member 10 relative to the carriage 4 in the horizontal direction, and the other of the head holding member 10 or the carriage 4 has a recess formed on it that engages with the protrusion. For example, the carriage 4 has two protrusions and the head holding member 10 has two recesses.

[0057] In this case, when replacing the head 3, the protrusion engages with the recess to position the head holding member 10 relative to the carriage 4 in the horizontal direction, eliminating the need to adjust the tilt of the head 3 relative to the carriage 4 when replacing the head 3. Therefore, the replacement time for the head 3 can be shortened. Furthermore, since the head holding member 10 is positioned relative to the carriage 4 in the horizontal direction by the protrusion and recess, the leaf spring described in Patent Document 1 becomes unnecessary. As a result, even though the replacement time for the head 3 can be shortened, the configuration of the printer 1 can be simplified.

[0058] In this case, for example, when printer 1 is assembled at the factory, the test head 3 and head retaining member 10 are attached to the carriage 4. Ink is also ejected from the test head 3 to perform various tests. After the tests, the test head 3 and head retaining member 10 are removed from the carriage 4, and the assembly of printer 1 is completed with the head 3 and head retaining member 10 not attached. When printer 1 is shipped, the head 3 and head retaining member 10 are not attached to the carriage 4. At the destination of printer 1, workers attach new head 3 and head retaining member 10 to the carriage 4 when installing printer 1.

[0059] In the above-described configuration, the printer 1 may have 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 has 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. Also, in the above-described configuration, 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 feeding mechanism that moves the table in the front-back direction. Furthermore, the inkjet printer to which the present invention is applied may also be a 3D printer. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] 1. Printer (inkjet printer) 3 heads (inkjet heads) 3a Ink ejection surface 3e, 3f recess 4 carriages 5. Carriage drive mechanism 10 Head holding member 10e, 10f convex part 11. Tilt adjustment mechanism Y Main scanning direction Z vertical direction

Claims

1. The system comprises an inkjet head for ejecting ink onto a medium, a head holding member for holding the inkjet head, a carriage on which the head holding member is mounted and which scans the medium, and a tilt adjustment mechanism for adjusting the tilt of the inkjet head by adjusting the direction of rotation of the inkjet head about the vertical axis relative to the carriage. An inkjet printer characterized in that the inkjet head and the head holding member have protrusions or recesses formed on them for positioning the inkjet head.

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

3. The aforementioned inkjet head has an ink ejection surface formed for ejecting ink. The inkjet printer according to claim 2, characterized in that recesses as defined in claim 2 are formed on both the left and right sides of the ink ejection surface.

4. The inkjet printer according to claim 1, characterized in that the tilt adjustment mechanism comprises an eccentric cam that rotates the head holding member relative to the carriage, a pivot point for the head holding member, and a compression coil spring that biases the head holding member toward the eccentric cam.

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