Recording device

Abstract

To suppress a recording head part from being large-sized and also to suppress a second control board from getting out of order.SOLUTION: A recording device 1 comprises: a recording part 50 which records on a medium 2 while reciprocally moving in a width direction crossing the conveyance direction F of the medium 2; a first control board 3 which controls the operation of the recording part 50; a second control board 4 which is arranged between the first control board 3 and recording part 50, and relays the signal from the first control board 3; and a linear part 7 which has a U-shaped part T electrically connecting the recording part 50 and second control board 4 and changing in attitude as the recording part 50 moves, and a non-displacement region 8 having no change in attitude as the recording part 50 moves. The second control board 4 is arranged in the non-displacement part 8.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] As an example of this type of apparatus, a printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 can be cited. Patent Document 1 describes the following. As a flexible flat cable for electrically connecting between a reciprocating print head and a main board, a first flexible flat cable and a second flexible flat cable are provided. The control unit controls the liquid ejection state from the print head by a control signal transmitted to the print head via the second flexible flat cable. The print head is also referred to as a recording head hereinafter.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In order to accurately transmit the drive signal of the recording head from the main board to the recording head, it is necessary to install a drive board (DRV board) between the main board and the recording head. In other words, since the drive signal attenuates when the drive board is located away from the recording head, it is desirable to dispose the drive board close to the recording head. Therefore, when the drive substrate is installed on the upper part of the carriage for moving the recording head, a cooling processing unit is required to prevent the heat generated by the drive substrate from being transmitted to the recording head. Adding the drive substrate and further the cooling processing unit to the carriage increases the size of the carriage portion. That is, the head unit composed of the recording head and the carriage becomes larger as a whole, and there is also a problem that the weight increases. The increase in the weight leads to an increase in the power required for the movement of the head unit. However, Patent Document 1 does not describe considering the above problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, a recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a recording unit that performs recording on a medium while reciprocating in a width direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the medium, a first control board that controls the operation of the recording unit, a second control board disposed between the first control board and the recording unit and relaying signals from the first control board, and a linear portion that electrically connects the recording unit and the second control board and has a displacement portion whose posture changes as the recording unit moves and a non-displacement portion whose posture does not change as the recording unit moves. The second control board is characterized in that it is disposed at the non-displacement portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, the present invention will be schematically described first. A first aspect of the recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a recording unit that performs recording on a medium while reciprocating in a width direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the medium, a first control board that controls the operation of the recording unit, a second control board that is disposed between the first control board and the recording unit and relays signals from the first control board, and a linear part that electrically connects the recording unit and the second control board and has a displacement part whose posture changes as the recording unit moves and a non-displacement part whose posture does not change as the recording unit moves, wherein the second control board is disposed at the non-displacement part.

[0008] According to this aspect, the second control board is disposed at a non-displacement part of the linear part where the posture does not change even when the recording unit of the linear part moves. Thereby, since the second control board is not disposed on the carriage that moves the recording head, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the recording head portion. Further, the second control board is disposed at the non-displacement part where the posture does not change even when the linear part repeatedly changes its posture due to the reciprocating movement of the recording head. That is, the second control board is disposed at a position where the posture of the linear part does not change. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the linear part from hitting the second control board and malfunctioning due to the reciprocating movement of the recording unit.

[0009] A second aspect of the recording apparatus according to the present invention is an aspect subordinate to the first aspect, and includes a heating unit that heats the medium on which recording has been performed by the recording unit, a duct that is connected to the outside air and has a fan and is located above the heating unit, wherein the second control board is disposed inside the duct, and the air sent by the fan is discharged downward.

[0010] According to this aspect, the second control board is disposed inside the duct located above the heating unit, and the air sent by the fan is discharged downward to the position where the heating unit is disposed. Thereby, it becomes possible to cool the heating unit located below, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the temperature of the outer surface of the heating unit. In addition, since the air sent by the fan is discharged downward, it can play an auxiliary role in drying the medium. In addition, since the second control board is disposed in the duct, there is little risk of ink mist adhering and causing contamination.

[0011] A third aspect of the recording apparatus according to the present invention is an aspect subordinate to the first aspect, characterized in that the second control board is disposed at the center of the range in which the recording unit reciprocates. Note that this aspect can also be made subordinate to the second aspect.

[0012] According to this aspect, the second control board is disposed at the center of the range in which the recording unit reciprocates. The center is the position closest to the recording head within the range in which the recording head reciprocates. Thereby, attenuation of the drive signal transmitted from the second control board via the linear portion can be suppressed.

[0013] A fourth aspect of the recording apparatus according to the present invention is an aspect subordinate to the first aspect, in which an ink tube for supplying ink to the recording unit is connected, the ink tube is fixed in position at the non-displacing portion, and a portion between the non-displacing portion and the recording unit changes its posture together with the linear portion as the recording unit moves. Note that this aspect can also be made subordinate to the second aspect or the third aspect.

[0014] According to this aspect, the ink tube is fixed in position at the non-displacing portion, and a portion between the non-displacing portion and the recording unit changes its posture together with the linear portion as the recording unit moves. Thereby, the non-displacing portion can be also used as a base end portion where the posture of the ink tube that changes its posture due to the reciprocating movement of the recording unit does not change.

[0015] A fifth aspect of the recording apparatus according to the present invention is an aspect subordinate to the first aspect, characterized in that a heat insulating material is disposed between the second control board and the heating unit. Furthermore, this aspect can also be made dependent on any one of the second to fourth aspects.

[0016] According to this aspect, the heat of the heating unit can be suppressed from being transmitted to the second control board by the heat insulating material.

[0017] A sixth aspect of the recording apparatus according to the present invention is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, wherein the second control board is arranged on the front side of the recording apparatus. Furthermore, this aspect can also be made dependent on any one of the second to fifth aspects.

[0018] According to this aspect, since the second control board is arranged on the front side of the recording apparatus, access is easy when replacing the second control board or the like.

[0019] [Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. In the following description, as shown in each figure, three axes orthogonal to each other are defined as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, respectively. The directions indicated by the arrows of the three axes (X, Y, Z) are the + directions of the respective directions, and the opposite directions are the - directions. The Z-axis direction corresponds to the vertical direction, i.e., the direction in which gravity acts, the +Z direction indicates vertically upward, and the -Z direction indicates vertically downward. The X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction correspond to the horizontal direction. The +Y direction indicates the front direction of the recording apparatus, and the -Y direction indicates the rear direction of the apparatus. The +X direction indicates the right direction of the apparatus, and the -X direction indicates the left direction of the apparatus.

[0020] [Embodiment 1] The recording apparatus of Embodiment 1 is a digital resist printing machine in which the medium is a fabric. This recording apparatus gives an appropriate tension to the fabric in a conveyance method called the Roll to Reel conveyance method to make the recording range float. The medium after recording is heated and dried by a heating unit arranged in the conveyance path and wound up by a winding unit. Hereinafter, the recording apparatus of the present embodiment will be specifically described.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a recording unit 50 that performs recording on the medium 2 while reciprocating in the X-axis direction, which is the width direction intersecting the conveyance direction F (FIG. 4) of the medium 2. Further, the recording apparatus 1 includes a first control board 3 that controls the operation of the recording unit 50, and a second control board 4 disposed between the first control board 3 and the recording unit 50. The second control board 4 relays the drive signal from the first control board 3 and sends it to the recording unit 50. In the present embodiment, the first control board 3 is the main board described above, and the second control board 4 is the drive board (DRV board) described above. The recording unit 50 and the second control board 4 are electrically connected by a linear portion 7. The linear portion 7 changes its posture as the recording unit 50 reciprocates in the X-axis direction. The second control board 4 is disposed at a non-displacement portion 8 whose posture does not change even when the recording unit 50 of the linear portion 7 moves.

[0022] In the present embodiment, the second control board 4 creates a second signal, for example, how much rotation amount is required for a motor (not shown), which is a drive source, to move the recording unit 50 to the above position, based on the first signal from the first control board 3, for example, a drive signal such as at what timing and at what position the recording unit 50 should be located. The first control board 3 and the second control board 4 create the drive signal under the control of a control unit (not shown). The control unit includes a CPU, a flash ROM, and a RAM. The CPU performs various arithmetic processes according to the program stored in the flash ROM and controls the operation of the entire image reading apparatus 1. The flash ROM, which is an example of the storage means, is a non-volatile memory that can be read and written. Various information is temporarily stored in the RAM, which is an example of the storage means.

[0023] <Linear portion> The recording unit 50 includes a recording head 5 and a carriage 42 (FIG. 4). The recording head 5 is reciprocated in the X-axis direction by the carriage 42. The linear portion 7 is a flexible flat cable whose posture can change as the recording unit 50 moves. The linear portion 7 is connected to the recording unit 50 via a U-shaped portion T (Fig. 2). The end of the linear portion 7 on the side opposite to the recording unit 50 is held, that is, fixed, by a fixed portion 14 that forms a non-displacement portion 8. The second control board 4 is connected to a portion 70 (Fig. 2) that extends from the fixed portion 14 of the linear portion 7 toward the first control board 3 side. In other words, the second control board 4 is disposed in the vicinity of the fixed portion 14.

[0024] The first control board 3 and the second control board 4 are connected by a connection line 40 (Fig. 2). Here, a flexible flat cable is also used for the connection line 40. As shown in Fig. 2, when the recording unit 50 reciprocates in the X-axis direction, the U-shaped portion T of the linear portion 7 moves. The linear portion 7 changes its posture with the fixed portion 14 as the base point position due to the movement of the U-shaped portion T. The U-shaped portion T is an example of a displacement portion.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 4, in this embodiment, a roll body R1 of the medium 2 is rotatably supported on the feeding shaft of the feeding unit 31. The medium 2 drawn out from the roll body R1 is conveyed through the recording range of the recording unit 50 by an intermediate roller 43 and an intermediate roller 44 that constitute a conveyance path. Further, it is conveyed through the heating range of the heating unit 6 disposed at a downstream position in the conveyance direction F from the intermediate roller 44. As shown in Fig. 1, the medium 2 dried by the heating unit 6 is guided by a guide bar 34 (Fig. 1) in the direction of the winding unit 32 and wound around the winding unit 32. In Fig. 1, the winding unit 32 has a roll body for winding rotatably supported on a winding shaft 36, but the illustration of the roll body for winding is omitted here. In Fig. 1, reference numeral 37 indicates the leg portion of the recording apparatus 1.

[0026] <Heating unit> As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the recording apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a heating unit 6 that heats the medium 2 on which recording has been performed by the recording unit 50, as described above. As shown in Fig. 4, the heating unit 6 includes a heater 9. The heater 9 is a heat source that heats the medium 2 to dry the ink discharged from the recording head 5. The heating unit 6 has a fan 45 on the side opposite to the medium 2 of the heater 9. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the heating unit 6 further has an air intake port 30 for sucking in external air. External air is sucked in through the air intake port 30 by the fan 45, and is further sent by the fan 45 and finally blown out in the blowing direction Fb.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 4, the blowing direction Fb is obliquely downward. The air blown out in the blowing direction Fb hits the medium 2, flows downward along the surface of the medium 2, and promotes the drying of the ink. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, in this embodiment, the length of the heating unit 6 in the width direction (X-axis direction) is configured to be able to cover the entire width of the medium 2. That is, it is configured to be able to perform a drying process on the entire width direction of the medium 2. Three air intake ports 30 are provided at equal intervals in the X-axis direction.

[0028] <Duct> Furthermore, the recording apparatus 1 includes a duct 10 that is connected to external air and has a fan 12. The duct 10 is disposed above the heating unit 6. The duct 10 has an opening 13. The duct 10 is connected to external air through the opening 13. When the fan 12 operates, external air is sucked into the duct 10 through the opening 13. The second control board 4 is disposed inside the duct 10. The air sent by the fan 9 flows through the duct 10 and is discharged downward D from the blowing portion 101. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, the second control board 4 is disposed so as to overlap at least a part of the heating unit 6 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). In Fig. 3, the reference symbol K indicates the flow of air in the duct 10. The external air sucked in through the opening 13 by the fan 12 cools the second control board 4 and is discharged downward D from the blowing portion 101.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in this embodiment, the second control board 4 is disposed at the center C within the range where the recording unit 50 reciprocates. This center C does not necessarily have to be exactly at the center. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the second control board 4 is disposed slightly to the left of the exact center. Also, this center C is also the center in the X-axis direction which is the width direction of the recording apparatus 1.

[0030] Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in this embodiment, an ink tube 11 for supplying ink to the recording unit 50 is connected. The ink tube 11 is fixed in position at the non-displacement portion 8. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the ink tube 11 is held and fixed by the fixing portion 14. The portion of the ink tube 11 between the non-displacement portion 8 and the recording unit 50, that is, the portion between the fixing portion 14 and the recording unit 50, is configured to change its posture together with the linear portion 7 as the recording unit 50 moves. Incidentally, the proximal end of the ink tube 11 is connected to an ink tank (not shown).

[0031] Also, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in this embodiment, a heat insulating material 16 is disposed between the second control board 4 and the heating unit 6. Here, the heat insulating material 16 is disposed on the bottom surface of the duct 10. The heat insulating material 16 is configured to be longer than the length of the heating unit 6 in the X-axis direction. Note that since the heat insulating material 16 is for the purpose of suppressing the heat of the heating unit 6 from being transmitted to the second control board 4, within the scope of that purpose, the installation position and shape may be appropriately changed for installation.

[0032] Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in this embodiment, the second control board 4 is disposed on the front side (+Y side) of the recording apparatus 1. In other words, the second control board 4 is disposed at a position downstream of the recording unit 50 in the conveyance direction F. That is, the second control board 4 is provided above the heating unit 6 and at a position accessible from the front side of the recording apparatus 1. This is considered in view of the accessibility during replacement of the second control board and the like.

[0033] <Description of the operation of Embodiment 1> The drive signal sent from the first control board 3 is fixed at a position close to and not displaced from the recording unit 50 and relayed by the second control board and sent to the recording unit 50. The recording unit 50 receives the drive signal and executes recording by discharging ink while reciprocating in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the medium 2. The linear portion 7 changes its posture as the recording unit 50 reciprocates. The second control board 4 is arranged at the non-displaced portion 8 that is not affected by the change in the posture of the linear portion 7, so that the second control board 4 will not be hit when the linear portion 7 makes a movement to change its posture. Further, since the recording unit 50 exists separately and independently from the second control board 4, there is no increase in weight and no enlargement.

[0034] <Description of the effects of Embodiment 1> (1) In this embodiment, the second control board 4 is arranged at the non-displaced portion 8 where the posture does not change even when the recording unit 50 of the linear portion 7 moves. Thereby, since the second control board 4 is not arranged on the carriage 42 that moves the recording head 5, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the recording head 5 portion. Further, the second control board 4 is arranged at the non-displaced portion 8 where the posture does not change even when the linear portion 7 repeatedly changes its posture due to the reciprocating movement of the recording head 5. That is, the second control board 4 is arranged at a position where the posture of the linear portion 7 does not change. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the linear portion 7 from hitting the second control board 4 and malfunctioning due to the reciprocating movement of the recording unit 50.

[0035] (2) Further, in this embodiment, the second control board 4 is arranged inside the duct 10 located above the heating portion 6, and the air sent by the fan 12 is discharged toward the lower side D where the heating portion 6 is arranged. Thereby, it becomes possible to cool the heating portion 6 located at the lower side D, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the temperature of the outer surface of the heating portion 6. Thereby, when the user stands and works on the front side (+Y side) where the heating portion 6 is arranged, it is possible to suppress the temperature of the outer surface of the heating portion 6 from rising and making the work difficult. Also, since the air sent by the fan 12 is discharged toward the lower side D, it can play an auxiliary role in drying the medium 2. Further, since the second control board 4 is disposed within the duct 10, there is little risk of ink mist adhering thereto and causing contamination.

[0036] (3) Also, in the present embodiment, the second control board 4 is disposed at the center C within the range in which the recording unit 50 reciprocates. The center C is the position closest to the recording head 5 within the range in which the recording head 5 reciprocates. Thereby, attenuation of the drive signal transmitted from the second control board 4 via the linear portion 7 can be suppressed.

[0037] (4) Also, in the present embodiment, the ink tube 11 is fixed in position at the non-displacement portion 8, and the portion between the non-displacement portion 8 and the recording unit 50 changes its posture together with the linear portion 7 as the recording unit 50 moves. Thereby, the non-displacement portion 8 can be also used as the base end portion of the ink tube 11 whose posture does not change while the posture of the ink tube 11 that changes due to the reciprocating movement of the recording unit 50.

[0038] (5) Also, in the present embodiment, heat transfer from the heating unit 6 to the second control board 4 can be suppressed by the heat insulating material 16. (6) Also, in the present embodiment, since the second control board 4 is disposed on the front side of the recording apparatus 1, access thereto is easy when replacing the second control board 4 or the like.

[0039] 〔Other Embodiments〕 The recording apparatus 1 according to the present invention is basically configured as described in the above-described embodiment, but it is of course possible to make partial configuration changes, omissions, etc. without departing from the gist of the present invention. In the above embodiment, the first control board 3 is the main board and the second control board 4 is the drive board (DRV board) has been described, but it is not limited thereto. The second control board 4 may be a board that requires a cooling fan.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0040] 1... recording apparatus, 2... medium, 3... first control board, 4... second control board, 5... recording head, 6…Heating part, 7…Linear part, 8…Non-displacement part, 9…Heater, 10…Duct, 11…Ink tube, 12…Fan, 13…Opening, 14…Fixing part, 30…Air intake, 31…Feeding part, 32…Rewinding part, 34…Guide bar, 36…Rewinding shaft, 37…Leg part, 40…Connection wire, 42…Carriage, 43…Intermediate roller, 44…Intermediate roller, 45…Fan, 50…Recording part, 70…Part extending from the fixing part to the first control board side, 101…Blowing part, C…Center, D…Below, F…Conveying direction, Fb…Blowing direction, K…Air flow in the duct, R1…Roll body, T…U-shaped part

Claims

1. A recording unit that performs recording on a medium while reciprocating in a width direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the medium, a first control board that controls the operation of the recording unit, a second control board disposed between the first control board and the recording unit and relaying signals from the first control board, a linear part that electrically connects the recording unit and the second control board and has a displacement part whose posture changes as the recording unit moves and a non-displacement part whose posture does not change as the recording unit moves, wherein the second control board is disposed at the non-displacement part, A recording apparatus characterized by the above.

2. In the recording apparatus according to Claim 1, a heating unit that heats the medium on which recording has been performed by the recording unit, a duct that is connected to the outside air, has a fan, and is located above the heating unit, wherein the second control board is disposed inside the duct, and the air sent by the fan is discharged downward. A recording apparatus characterized by the above.

3. In the recording apparatus according to Claim 1, the second control board is disposed at the center of the range in which the recording unit reciprocates. A recording apparatus characterized by the above.

4. In the recording apparatus according to Claim 1, an ink tube for supplying ink to the recording unit is connected, and the ink tube has its position fixed at the non-displacement part, and the portion between the non-displacement part and the recording unit changes its posture together with the linear part as the recording unit moves. A recording apparatus characterized by the above.

5. In the recording apparatus according to Claim 1, a heat insulating material is disposed between the second control board and the heating unit. A recording apparatus characterized by the above.

6. In the recording apparatus according to Claim 1, the second control board is disposed on the front side of the recording apparatus. A recording apparatus characterized by the above.

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