Recording device

Abstract

To enable a structure for moving a recording unit along a shaft to deal with swelling of the shaft to improve operation accuracy of a recording device.SOLUTION: A recording device includes: a medium support unit for supporting a medium; a recording unit which is configured to be movable along a first axis and performs recording on the medium; a movable part which supports the recording unit and may move relative to the medium support unit; and a movement mechanism which moves the movable part and the medium support unit relative to each other. The movement mechanism includes: a guide shaft disposed along a second axis intersecting with the first axis; and bearing parts which contact with the guide shaft. Each bearing part has one or multiple first members which receive a load of the movable part or the medium support unit; and a second member which contacts with the first member and slides on the guide shaft. The first member and the second member make point contact with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a recording device that performs recording on a medium in which a medium support unit that supports the medium and a recording unit that performs recording are moved relatively along a predetermined axis (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a moving unit that mounts a recording unit is supported by a first leg and a second leg, and the first leg moves along a first guide axis, and the second leg moves along a second guide axis. The first leg and the second leg support the load of the moving unit with a plurality of bearings that slide on the guide axes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-103589 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As in Patent Document 1, when moving an object along an axis, a configuration in which multiple sliding bearings abut against a single axis allows the object to maintain its posture during movement. However, it is difficult to make the axis perfectly straight; the axis may have undulations, or the state of undulation may vary depending on the part of the axis. In such cases, the multiple bearings may displace in different ways in response to the undulations of the axis, causing fluctuations in the sliding load between the axis and the bearings and tilting of the bearings. This raises concerns that this may hinder improvements in the operating accuracy and recording quality of recording devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is a recording device comprising: a medium support section that supports a medium; a recording section that is configured to be movable along a first axis and records on the medium; a moving section that supports the recording section and is movable relative to the medium support section; and a moving mechanism that moves the moving section and the medium support section relative to each other, wherein the moving mechanism comprises a guide shaft that is arranged along a second axis that intersects the first axis, and a bearing section that contacts the guide shaft, and the bearing section has one or more first members that receive the load of the moving section or the medium support section, and a second member that abuts the first members and slides on the guide shaft, wherein the first members and the second members are in point contact. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of the overall configuration of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of a moving mechanism and a driving mechanism. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a leg portion. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part including a leg portion and a first guide shaft. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a support structure in a bearing portion. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a support structure in a bearing portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0008] [1. Overall structure] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of the overall configuration of a recording apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the recording device 1 includes a recording head 89a and a medium support unit 30. The medium support unit 30 supports a recording medium M. The recording head 89a forms an image on the recording medium M by ejecting a liquid such as ink. In other words, the recording device 1 is a device that forms an image on the recording medium M by ejecting a liquid from the recording head 89a. The recording head 89a corresponds to an example of a recording unit. The recording medium M is an example of a medium.

[0009] The recording medium M is a sheet, a cloth, or a three-dimensional object. The sheet may be made of paper or a synthetic resin. The cloth may be any of nonwoven fabric, knitted fabric, and woven fabric. The three-dimensional object includes ornaments such as clothes and shoes, everyday items, machine parts, and various other objects. There is no limitation on the type of liquid that the recording device 1 ejects onto the recording medium M, as long as it has fluidity. For example, the recording device 1 is a printing device that performs color printing on the recording medium M by ejecting ink of one or more colors onto the surface of the recording medium M using the recording head 89a.

[0010] Each of FIGS. 1 to 9 shows an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are perpendicular to one another and indicate directions in the recording device 1. When the recording device 1 is installed, the Z-axis corresponds to the up-down direction, the X-axis corresponds to the left-right direction of the recording device 1, and the Y-axis corresponds to the front-rear direction of the recording device 1. When the recording device 1 is installed on a horizontal surface, the XY plane is horizontal. In the following description, the positive direction of the Z-axis is the upward direction, the positive direction of the X-axis is the leftward direction, and the positive direction of the Y-axis is the forward direction. In this embodiment, the X-axis corresponds to an example of the first axis, and the Y-axis corresponds to an example of the second axis.

[0011] The recording device 1 includes a bottom plate 13, a pair of base members 15, a pair of guide shafts 51, and a medium support unit 30. The base member 15 is a member that extends in the left-right direction. The two base members 15 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction on the bottom plate 13 and fixed to the bottom plate 13. The guide shaft 51 is an axis that extends in the front-rear direction parallel to the Y axis. The recording device 1 includes two guide shafts 51 that are arranged side by side in the left-right direction so as to straddle the two base members 15. These will be referred to below as a first guide shaft 51A and a second guide shaft 51B. The first guide shaft 51A is arranged on the right side of the medium support unit 30, and the second guide shaft 51B is arranged on the left side of the medium support unit 30.

[0012] The medium support unit 30 supports the recording medium M. The medium support unit 30 includes a table 31 and a height movement mechanism 32. The table 31 is positioned between a pair of base members 15 in the front-to-rear direction. Guide shafts 51 are located on both the left and right sides of the table 31. The table 31 has a support surface 31m that supports the recording medium M. The support surface 31m is, for example, a horizontal plane, and the recording medium M to be printed is placed on the support surface 31m.

[0013] The table 31 has protrusions 31n that protrude from the four corners of the support surface 31m below the support surface 31m in a plan view. The protrusions 31n are connected to a lifting mechanism 39, which will be described later, and are raised and lowered together with the table 31 by the operation of the lifting mechanism 39. By raising and lowering the table 31, the recording medium M placed on the support surface 31m can be moved in the height direction. This makes it possible to adjust the distance between the recording head 89a, which will be described later, and the recording medium M.

[0014] The height movement mechanism 32 is a mechanism for raising and lowering the table 31 up and down, and includes a lifting motor 33, a lifting belt 37, and a lifting mechanism 39. The lifting mechanism 39 has a ball screw arranged in the vertical direction, a nut that screws onto the ball screw, and a pulley. The ball screw of the lifting mechanism 39 is rotatably supported by the base member 15. The nut of the lifting mechanism 39 is fixed to a protrusion 31n of the table 31. The pulley of the lifting mechanism 39 is fixed to an upper part of the ball screw. When the pulley of the lifting mechanism 39 rotates, the ball screw rotates, and as the ball screw rotates, the protrusion 31n moves up and down together with the nut.

[0015] The lift motor 33 rotates under the control of a control unit (not shown). The rotation direction of the lift motor 33 can be switched between a forward direction to move the table 31 upward and a reverse direction to move the table 31 downward. The control unit controls the start, stop, rotation direction, and rotation amount of the lift motor 33. The lift belt 37 is a circular belt that is stretched between the output shaft of the lift motor 33 and pulleys provided in each of the four lift mechanisms 39. As the lift motor 33 rotates, the lift belt 37 is driven in a circular motion, rotating the four pulleys of the lift mechanism 39. In the lift mechanism 39, a ball screw rotates together with the pulleys, moving the table 31 up and down. In this way, the recording device 1 raises and lowers the table 31 by operating the lift motor 33.

[0016] The recording apparatus 1 includes a carriage 89. The carriage 89 has a recording head 89a and an irradiation unit 89b mounted thereon, and moves in a predetermined direction relative to the table 31. In this embodiment, a configuration in which the carriage 89 moves along the X axis is exemplified.

[0017] The carriage 89 is supported by the main frame 71 and a carriage guide shaft 83 attached to the main frame 71. The main frame 71 is a linear rigid body that extends along the X axis, i.e., in the left-right direction of the recording device 1. Legs 73 are attached to the left and right ends of the main frame 71, and this pair of legs 73 supports the main frame 71 from below. The carriage guide shaft 83 is an axis that is provided along the main frame 71, and guides the left-right movement of the bearing part 80.

[0018] The carriage 89 is positioned above the range in which the table 31 moves up and down. Specifically, the lower end of the carriage 89 is positioned higher than the height of the support surface 31m when the table 31 is at its highest position. Therefore, even when the table 31 is moved up and down, the support surface 31m does not interfere with the carriage 89.

[0019] A carriage drive belt 85, a carriage drive pulley 86, and a carriage drive motor 87 are mounted on the main frame 71. The carriage drive motor 87 is a drive source that moves the carriage 89 along the X-axis, and in this embodiment is located at the right end of the main frame 71. The carriage drive pulley 86 is a pulley that is rotatably attached to the main frame 71, and is located at the left end of the main frame 71. The carriage drive belt 85 is an endless belt that is stretched between the output shaft of the carriage drive motor 87 and the carriage drive pulley 86.

[0020] A carriage 89 is connected to the carriage drive belt 85. Therefore, when the carriage drive belt 85 moves due to the power of the carriage drive motor 87, the carriage 89 moves left and right together with the carriage drive belt 85. The start, stop, rotation direction, and rotation amount of the carriage drive motor 87 are controlled by a control unit (not shown). By operating the carriage drive motor 87, the control unit moves the carriage 89 along the X-axis at a predetermined speed and stops the carriage 89 at an appropriate position.

[0021] The recording head 89a has a plurality of nozzles (not shown) that open downward from the bottom end surface of the carriage 89. The recording head 89a operates piezo actuators mounted on the recording head 89a under the control of a control unit (not shown) to eject liquid from each nozzle toward the support surface 31m. The liquid ejected from the recording head 89a lands on the recording medium M to form an image on the recording medium M. The liquid ejected from the nozzles by the recording head 89a is, for example, ink that hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light.

[0022] The irradiation unit 89b includes a light source that emits ultraviolet light and a light-transmitting irradiation window that is installed facing downward from the lower end surface of the carriage 89. The irradiation unit 89b irradiates the support surface 31m with the ultraviolet light emitted from the light source through the irradiation window. The light source mounted in the irradiation unit 89b is, for example, a UV-LED (Ultraviolet Light Emitting Diode). The recording device 1 causes ink to adhere to the recording medium M using the recording head 89a, and then fixes the ink adhered to the recording medium M by irradiating it with ultraviolet light using the irradiation unit 89b.

[0023] The main frame 71, the carriage drive belt 85, the carriage drive pulley 86, the carriage drive motor 87, and the carriage 89 mounted on the main frame 71 are movable along the Y axis relative to the table 31. To enable this movement, the recording apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a movement mechanism 70 and a drive mechanism 50 that operates the movement mechanism 70.

[0024] [2. Configuration of the moving mechanism and driving mechanism] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the drive mechanism 50. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of the movement mechanism 70 and the drive mechanism 50.

[0025] The movement mechanism 70 includes a first movement mechanism 70A provided on the right side of the recording device 1 and a second movement mechanism 70B provided on the left side of the recording device 1. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the first movement mechanism 70A and the second movement mechanism 70B have the same configuration, but the second movement mechanism 70B may be configured symmetrically to the first movement mechanism 70A.

[0026] One of a pair of legs 73 provided on the main frame 71 is referred to as leg 73A, and the other is referred to as leg 73B. Leg 73A is included in the first moving mechanism 70A, and leg 73B is included in the second moving mechanism 70B. When there is no need to distinguish between leg 73A and leg 73B, they will be referred to as leg 73. Leg 73A corresponds to an example of a first leg, and leg 73B corresponds to an example of a second leg.

[0027] The first movement mechanism 70A includes a first guide shaft 51A that guides the movement of the leg 73A, and a first frame 75A that supports the first guide shaft 51A. The second movement mechanism 70B includes a second guide shaft 51B that guides the movement of the leg 73B, and a second frame 75B that supports the second guide shaft 51B. The first guide shaft 51A and the second guide shaft 51B are formed of pipes or pillars that extend in the front-to-rear direction and have a circular cross section.

[0028] The first frame 75A is a U-shaped case in a front view that uses a plate-like member to cover the sides and below of the first guide shaft 51A, and the lower part of the leg 73A and the first guide shaft 51A are housed inside the first frame 75A. The second frame 75B is a U-shaped case in a front view that uses a plate-like member to cover the sides and below of the second guide shaft 51B, and the lower part of the leg 73B and the second guide shaft 51B are housed inside the second frame 75B.

[0029] The drive mechanism 50 moves the main frame 71 in the front-to-rear direction by pulling the legs 73A and 73B along the Y axis. The drive mechanism 50 has a leg drive motor 61 and a transmission structure 60 that transmits the drive force generated by the leg drive motor 61 to the legs 73A and 73B.

[0030] The leg drive motor 61 is disposed in front of the table 31. The recording device 1 uses a control unit (not shown) to control the start and stop of rotation, as well as the direction and amount of rotation of the leg drive motor 61. The driving force of the leg drive motor 61 is transmitted to the legs 73 via the transmission structure 60.

[0031] The transmission structure 60 has a drive shaft 62 connected to the leg drive motor 61, and a first transmission structure 60A and a second transmission structure 60B connected to the drive shaft 62.

[0032] The drive shaft 62 is connected to the output shaft of the leg drive motor 61 via a gear train 61A. The gear train 61A has multiple gears, and transmits the rotation of the output shaft of the leg drive motor 61 to the drive shaft 62 after reducing the rotation at a predetermined reduction ratio. This causes the drive shaft 62 to rotate in conjunction with the operation of the leg drive motor 61. The drive shaft 62 is a shaft that extends along the X-axis, and the right end of the drive shaft 62 is connected to the first transmission structure 60A, and the left end of the drive shaft 62 is connected to the second transmission structure 60B.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, the first transmission structure 60A includes a first pulley 621A, a composite pulley 65A, and a first belt 63. The first pulley 621A is fixed to the right end of the drive shaft 62. The composite pulley 65A includes a third pulley 652A rotatably supported on the first frame 75A above the first pulley 621A, and a fourth pulley 653 coaxially connected to the third pulley 652A and rotating synchronously with the third pulley 652A. The third pulley 652A and the fourth pulley 653 are rotatably supported by a rotation shaft 651. The first belt 63 is looped around the first pulley 621A and the third pulley 652A.

[0034] With this configuration, when the drive shaft 62 rotates, the rotation is transmitted from the first pulley 621A via the first belt 63 to the third pulley 652A, causing the third pulley 652A and the fourth pulley 653 to rotate.

[0035] A second belt 67A is passed around the fourth pulley 653. The second belt 67A is an endless belt disposed along the first guide shaft 51A. The second belt 67A is passed around the fourth pulley 653 at the front end of the first guide shaft 51A, and is passed around a pulley (not shown) at the rear end of the first guide shaft 51A. When the third pulley 652A rotates, the fourth pulley 653 rotates together with the third pulley 652A, thereby driving the second belt 67A to circulate along the first guide shaft 51A.

[0036] The leg 73A is connected to the second belt 67A. Therefore, when the second belt 67A is driven, the leg 73A moves in the front-rear direction together with the movement of the second belt 67A. In this way, the power of the leg drive motor 61 moves the leg 73 in the front-rear direction, i.e., along the first guide shaft 51A.

[0037] The first transmission structure 60A, which is provided at the left end of the drive shaft 62, includes a first pulley 621B, a composite pulley 65B, and a first belt 63. The first pulley 621B is fixed to the right end of the drive shaft 62. The composite pulley 65B includes a third pulley 652 rotatably supported on the second frame 75B above the first pulley 621B, and a fourth pulley 653 coaxially connected to the third pulley 652 and rotating synchronously with the third pulley 652. The first belt 63 is wound around the first pulley 621B and the third pulley 652B. With this configuration, when the drive shaft 62 rotates, the rotation is transmitted from the first pulley 621B to the third pulley 652B via the first belt 63, causing the third pulley 652B and the fourth pulley 653 to rotate.

[0038] With this configuration, when the drive shaft 62 rotates, the rotation is transmitted from the first pulley 621B to the third pulley 652B via the first belt 63, causing the third pulley 652B and the fourth pulley 653 to rotate.

[0039] A second belt 67B is wound around the fourth pulley 653. The second belt 67B is an endless belt disposed along the second guide shaft 51B. The second belt 67B is wound around the fourth pulley 653 at the front end of the second guide shaft 51B, and is wound around a pulley (not shown) at the rear end of the second guide shaft 51B. When the third pulley 652B rotates, the fourth pulley 653 rotates together with the third pulley 652B, thereby driving the second belt 67B to circulate along the second guide shaft 51B.

[0040] The leg 73B is connected to the second belt 67B. Therefore, when the second belt 67B is driven, the leg 73B moves in the front-rear direction together with the movement of the second belt 67B. In this way, the power of the leg drive motor 61 moves the leg 73B in the front-rear direction, i.e., along the second guide shaft 51B.

[0041] Therefore, the transmission structure 60 moves the legs 73A and 73B in the same direction and by the same amount in the front-to-rear direction via the drive shaft 62 that rotates with the power of the leg drive motor 61. In other words, the recording device 1 moves the two legs 73 in the front-to-rear direction in synchronization. This allows the recording device 1 to move the main frame 71 in the front-to-rear direction stably without tilting to the left or right.

[0042] In the second transmission structure 60B, the diameter of the third pulley 652B and the diameter of the fourth pulley 653B can be different sizes. Therefore, the movement of the first belt 63B is decelerated by the reduction ratio between the diameter of the third pulley 652B and the diameter of the fourth pulley 653B, causing the second belt 67B to move. The same is true for the first transmission structure 60A. Therefore, the amount of rotation of the leg drive motor 61 is adjusted by the reduction ratio between the gear train 61A and the transmission structures 60A and 60B to move the leg 73, so that the leg 73 can be moved in the forward and backward directions with a sufficiently strong driving force.

[0043] [3. Leg structure] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the main part including the leg portion 73 and the first guide shaft 51A, and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the leg portion 73. The configuration of the leg portion 73 will be described with reference to these figures. Here, leg portion 73A will be described, but since leg portion 73B has the same configuration as leg portion 73A, its description will be omitted. Note that leg portion 73B may be configured symmetrically to leg portion 73A.

[0044] The leg portion 73 includes a first leg member 731, a second leg member 732, and a third leg member 733. The first leg member 731 is a rigid body that supports the load of the main frame 71, and is made of, for example, hard plastic. The first leg member 731 may be formed with lattice-like ribs that protrude in its thickness direction to ensure strength.

[0045] An upper end portion 731A of the first leg member 731 is formed in a flat shape, and the right end portion of the main frame 71 is fixed to the upper end portion 731A. A bearing portion 80 that slides on the first guide shaft 51A is disposed at the lower end portion of the first leg member 731.

[0046] The second leg member 732 is a plate-like member that covers most of the right side surface of the first leg member 731. The third leg member 733 is a plate-like member that covers most of the left side surface of the first leg member 731. The second leg member 732 and the third leg member 733 are metal plates made of, for example, stainless steel, and are fixed to the side surface of the first leg member 731 with bolts or the like. The second leg member 732 and the third leg member 733 can be said to be reinforcing members that improve the strength of the legs 73.

[0047] A first opening BH is formed in the front end surface of the first leg member 731, i.e., the end surface in the +Y direction. An opening similar to the first opening BH is provided in the rear end surface of the first leg member 731, and the second belt 67 passes between this opening and the first opening BH. A connecting portion (not shown) that connects the first leg member 731 and the second belt 67 is provided inside the first leg member 731.

[0048] A recess DP is formed at the rear end of the leg 73. The recess DP is a recess for preventing interference between the leg 73 and a pulley (not shown) around which the second belt 67 is wound at the rear of the recording apparatus 1.

[0049] The second leg member 732 is provided with a detection rib 735A that protrudes laterally from the leg portion 73. The detection rib 735A is a plate-like protrusion that does not transmit light, and is formed, for example, by bending a part of the second leg member 732 to the right.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 4, two detectors S are disposed on the frame 75 at different positions in the Y-axis direction. The detector S on the front side of the recording device 1 is referred to as detector SS, and the detector S on the rear side of the recording device 1 is referred to as detector SE. The detectors SS and SE are optical sensors of either a light transmission type or a light reflection type. The detector SE detects the detection rib 735A when the detection rib 735A reaches the position of the detector SE in the direction along the Y-axis. The same is true for the detector SS. Using these two detectors S, the recording device 1 can detect the position of the leg 73 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0051] A bearing 80 is disposed at a position where the leg 73 comes into contact with the guide shaft 51. The bearing 80 is fixed to the lower end of the first leg member 731, rests on the guide shaft 51, and supports the load of the leg 73. The leg 73 is provided with a plurality of bearings 80, and in this embodiment, it is provided with two bearings: 80A and 80B. The bearings 80A and 80B are provided at different positions along the longitudinal direction of the guide shaft 51, i.e., along the Y-axis. Specifically, the bearing 80A is located at the front of the first leg member 731, and the bearing 80B is located at the rear of the first leg member 731.

[0052] In the recording device 1, the main frame 71 and the carriage 89 mounted on the main frame 71 constitute a moving unit. The moving unit includes a recording head 89a and an irradiation unit 89b mounted on the carriage 89. The moving unit also includes a carriage drive belt 85, a carriage drive pulley 86, and a carriage drive motor 87, which are provided on the main frame 71. The moving mechanism 70 moves the moving unit relative to the table 31 along the Y axis.

[0053] The movement mechanism 70 includes a leg portion 73A and a leg portion 73B, and these leg portions 73A and 73B have a bearing portion 80. The bearing portion 80 abuts against the guide shaft 51 to support the load of the movement portion, and slides against the guide shaft 51 to allow the movement of the movement portion in a stable manner. The bearing portion 80 is a so-called sliding bearing.

[0054] [4. Bearing structure] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of bearing portion 80. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the support structure of bearing portion 80, and Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing the support structure of bearing portion 80. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the support structure of bearing portion 80. The configuration of bearing portion 80 will be described with reference to these figures. Here, bearing portion 80A will be described, but since bearing portion 80B is configured in the same way as bearing portion 80A, its description will be omitted.

[0055] 6, the bearing unit 80A includes a case 801, a first member 861, and a second member 841. The first member 861 is a rigid body that receives the load of the moving unit. The second member 841 is a member that abuts against the first member 861 and slides on the guide shaft 51.

[0056] The case 801 is fixed to the lower end of the leg 73, and an accommodation section 803, which is a space for accommodating the second member 841, is formed in approximately the center of the case 801 in the front-to-rear direction. In other words, the case 801 is a frame-shaped member that surrounds the second member 841 in the front-to-rear direction. The case 801 does not transmit the load of the first leg member 731 to the guide shaft 51. For example, the case 801 does not abut against the guide shaft 51. The case 801 corresponds to an example of a holding member.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the second member 841 has a shape obtained by cutting out a portion of a cylinder, and its cross section is approximately fan-shaped. An inner circumferential surface 843, which is the inner surface of the second member 841, is formed as a curved surface that overlaps the outer circumferential surface of the guide shaft 51, and a protruding surface 845 that protrudes inward from the curved surface is formed. The second member 841 is disposed so that the inner circumferential surface 843 overlaps the outer circumferential surface of the guide shaft 51, and the outer circumferential surface of the guide shaft 51 abuts against the protruding surface 845. The second member 841 has a pair of protruding surfaces 845 formed at positions symmetrical about the axis of the guide shaft 51. As shown in FIG. 8 , the protruding surface 845 has a length that is approximately the same as the entire length of the second member 841 in the front-rear direction of the recording device 1, but this is just one example. For example, the protruding surface 845 may be formed as multiple protrusions aligned in the front-rear direction. To reduce friction with the guide shaft 51, the protruding surface 845 may be formed as a smooth curved surface or made of a low-friction material such as fluororesin.

[0058] Case 801 supports second member 841 in the front-to-rear direction by front support portion 805 located in front of storage portion 803, i.e., on the +Y side, and rear support portion 807 located behind storage portion 803, i.e., on the -Y side.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 8 , in the direction along the Y-axis, the end face of the second member 841 in the +Y direction is defined as a front end face 851. The front end face 851 faces the front support portion 805. The surface of the front support portion 805 facing the front end face 851 is provided with a contact face 805A and a clearance face 805B. The contact face 805A contacts the front end face 851. The clearance face 805B is located above the contact face 805A and is inclined away from the front end face 851. Therefore, the front support portion 805 and the second member 841 contact each other only at the contact face 805A. With this configuration, the contact area between the front support portion 805 and the second member 841 is small, which has the effect of suppressing rattling of the second member 841 during movement of the leg portion 73.

[0060] In the direction along the Y-axis, the end face of the second member 841 in the -Y direction is defined as a rear end face 853. The rear end face 853 faces a support surface 807A of the rear support part 807. The support surface 807A is flat, and an elastic support member 809 is disposed between the support surface 807A and the rear end face 853. The elastic support member 809 is made of an elastic material. An upper part of the elastic support member 809 is defined as a fixed part 809A, and a lower part of the elastic support member 809 is defined as a spring part 809B. The fixed part 809A is fixed to the support surface 807A with a screw or the like. The spring part 809B is a leaf spring that can bend in the direction along the Y-axis, and biases the rear end face 853 and the support surface 807A in a direction separating them.

[0061] In this manner, the second member 841 is pressed against the abutment surface 805A in the direction along the Y axis by the biasing force of the spring portion 809B. While the leg portion 73 is traveling, the power of the drive mechanism 50 is transmitted to the leg portion 73 by the movement mechanism 70, and the leg portion 73 moves forward or backward. The second member 841 moves forward or backward while sliding on the guide shaft 51 in response to the movement of the leg portion 73. If the sliding load between the second member 841 and the guide shaft 51 changes during this movement, short-period fluctuations occur in the movement speed of the second member 841. The fluctuations in the movement speed of the second member 841 may cause rattling in the movement of the leg portion 73. However, in this embodiment, the second member 841 is held in the front-rear direction by the case 801 via the elastic support member 809. In other words, the case 801 restricts the movement of the second member 841 in a direction different from the vertical direction in which the load of the moving part is applied from the first member 861 to the second member 841. Therefore, even if a discrepancy occurs between the movement of the second member 841 and the movement of the leg 73, this discrepancy can be absorbed by the elastic deformation of the spring 809B. Therefore, even if the sliding load between the second member 841 and the guide shaft 51 fluctuates, the leg 73 can be moved smoothly. This effect is common to both the leg 73A and the leg 73B. Therefore, the moving part can move smoothly in the front-rear direction in conjunction with the drive of the drive mechanism 50.

[0062] The first member 861 is placed on the second member 841. As shown in FIG. 6, the first member 861 is a cylindrical member, and a fixing hole 865 is formed in the upper end surface. As shown in FIG. 8, a protrusion protruding from the lower end of the first leg member 731 fits into the fixing hole 865. This fixes the first member 861 to the leg 73 so that it does not move in the front-rear or left-right directions. The load of the moving part is applied to the first member 861 from above via the first leg member 731. The leg 73 has a pair of first members 861 that rest on the second member 841. One of them is referred to as first member 861A, and the other is referred to as first member 861B, and when there is no need to distinguish between them, they will be referred to as first member 861.

[0063] The first member 861A and the first member 861B are arranged side by side along the X-axis direction and abut against the outer peripheral surface 847 of the second member 841. The center of the outer peripheral surface 847 in the direction along the X-axis is the highest part of the outer peripheral surface 847, i.e., the apex. The first member 861A is located to the left of the apex of the second member 841, and the first member 861B is located to the right of the apex of the second member 841, and are arranged symmetrically with respect to the apex of the second member 841. Therefore, the first member 861A and the first member 861B are arranged to face each other. In other words, the apex of the second member 841 is located in the center between the first member 861A and the first member 861B.

[0064] In this configuration, when the load of the first leg member 731 is applied to both the first member 861A and the first member 861B, the load is applied evenly in the X-axis direction to the second member 841. Therefore, the second member 841 is pressed against the guide shaft 51 in the vertical direction along the Z-axis without tilting, and therefore moves stably along the guide shaft 51 when the leg portion 73 moves.

[0065] Because first member 861A is a cylinder facing the left-right direction and outer peripheral surface 847 is a surface that is curved in the XZ plane, first member 861A and outer peripheral surface 847 are in point contact. Here, the portion where first member 861A and outer peripheral surface 847 are in contact is referred to as contact point 867A. Similarly, first member 861B is a cylinder facing the left-right direction and outer peripheral surface 847 is a surface that is curved in the XZ plane, so first member 861B and outer peripheral surface 847 are in point contact. The portion where first member 861B and outer peripheral surface 847 are in contact is referred to as contact point 867B.

[0066] Since first member 861A and first member 861B are disposed opposite each other with the top of second member 841 in between, contact point 867A and contact point 867B are at the same position on the Y axis. An imaginary line AX connecting contact point 867A and contact point 867B is an axis that intersects with the Y axis and is parallel to the X axis in this embodiment.

[0067] That is, the second member 841 is pressed from above at contact points 867A and 867B by the load applied from the leg portion 73, but no load is applied from other directions by other members. As described above, the second member 841 is movable in the front-rear direction of the recording device 1 within the range in which the elastic support member 809 elastically deforms. Furthermore, because the second member 841 is fitted onto the guide shaft 51, it does not move in the left-right direction of the recording device 1.

[0068] Therefore, the second member 841 is displaceable in a rotational direction around the imaginary straight line AX as an axis, as shown by an arrow W in FIG. It is preferable that the guide shaft 51 is straight. However, in reality, the guide shaft 51 is not an ideal straight line, and may be slightly deformed due to factors such as the elasticity and toughness of the material of the guide shaft 51, the structure for supporting the guide shaft 51 on the frame 75, and the weight of the moving part. Specifically, the guide shaft 51 may have deflection, twisting, undulation, or other deformation in its axial direction.

[0069] The deformation of the guide shaft 51 increases the sliding load between the second member 841 and the guide shaft 51, and increases the load on the drive mechanism 50. For this reason, in order to ensure stable travel of the moving part, the drive mechanism 50 needs to be configured to exert a stronger drive force.

[0070] In this embodiment, the second member 841 is displaceable in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the guide shaft 51. The second member 841 rotates in the direction of arrow W around the imaginary straight line AX in response to deformation of the guide shaft 51, and maintains a state of abutting against the guide shaft 51. Therefore, when the second member 841 moves through a portion of the guide shaft 51 where deformation has occurred, the second member 841 can follow the deformation of the guide shaft 51. Therefore, even if deformation of the guide shaft 51 occurs, the resistance due to friction between the second member 841 and the guide shaft 51 is not increased, and the moving part can move smoothly.

[0071] 5, the leg 73 is provided with two bearings 80A and 80B along the direction of movement of the moving part. Each of these bearings 80A and 80B is displaceable in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the guide shaft 51, following the deformation of the guide shaft 51. This allows the leg 73 to operate more stably while the moving part moves along the guide shaft 51. The bearing 80B may be provided on the leg 73 in the same orientation as the bearing 80A, or may be provided on the leg 73 with the front-to-back direction opposite to that of the bearing 80A.

[0072] Furthermore, in leg 73B, similar to leg 73A, a plurality of bearings 80 are arranged on the lower part of first leg member 731, and these bearings 80 fit onto guide shaft 51 and function as sliding bearings. Therefore, the two legs 73 supporting the moving part suppress fluctuations in the sliding load with guide shaft 51, and the moving part can be moved stably without tilting or movement difference in the left-right direction of the moving part.

[0073] When printing on the recording medium M, the recording device 1 moves the main frame 71 along the Y axis to a predetermined printing position and stops it. Then, with the main frame 71 stopped, the carriage drive motor 87 is operated to move the carriage 89 to a printing position including above the recording medium M. During this movement of the carriage 89, the recording head 89a and the irradiation unit 89b are driven to fix the ink on the recording medium M. The recording device 1 prints a predetermined area on the recording medium M by repeatedly moving the main frame 71 and the carriage 89. In this case, the recording device 1 intermittently moves the moving unit, including the main frame 71, along the Y axis. That is, the moving unit intermittently moves and stops in the Y axis direction. In this operation, by suppressing increases and fluctuations in the sliding load between the bearing unit 80 and the guide shaft 51, the movement accuracy of the moving unit can be improved, thereby improving the operating accuracy of the recording device 1.

[0074] [5. Effects, etc.] As described above, the recording device 1 of the present disclosure includes a medium support unit 30 that supports a recording medium M, a recording head 89a that is configured to be movable along a first axis and performs recording on the recording medium M, and a moving unit that supports the recording head 89a and is movable relative to the medium support unit 30. The recording device 1 includes a moving mechanism 70 that moves the moving unit and the medium support unit 30 relative to each other. The moving mechanism 70 includes a guide shaft 51 that is disposed along a second axis that intersects with the first axis, and a bearing unit 80 that contacts the guide shaft 51. The bearing unit 80 has one or more first members 861 that receive the load of the moving unit or the medium support unit 30, and a second member 841 that contacts the first member 861 and slides on the guide shaft 51. In the recording device 1, the first member 861 and the second member 841 are in point contact.

[0075] According to this, by configuring the second member 841 to be displaceable relative to the first member 861, the second member 841 can follow the deformation of the guide shaft 51 while the moving part is moving. Therefore, even if deformation such as undulation occurs in the guide shaft 51, it is possible to suppress an increase or fluctuation in the sliding load between the guide shaft 51 and the second member 841. Therefore, it is possible to increase the accuracy of the relative movement between the medium support part 30 and the moving part, and improve the operating accuracy of the recording device 1. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce wear due to friction between the second member 841 and the guide shaft 51, thereby extending the life of the parts.

[0076] In the recording device 1, the bearing unit 80 includes a plurality of first members 861. An imaginary line AX connecting contact points 867 where the first members 861 contact the second member 841 is a line that intersects with the second axis.

[0077] This allows the second member 841 to be displaced about an imaginary straight line AX that intersects with the axial direction of the guide shaft 51. Therefore, even if the guide shaft 51 is deformed in a direction that intersects with the axial direction, an increase or fluctuation in the sliding load between the guide shaft 51 and the second member 841 can be suppressed.

[0078] In the recording apparatus 1, a plurality of first members 861 are arranged side by side in a direction intersecting the second axis. This makes it possible to realize, with a simple structure, a state in which the contact points 867 of the plurality of first members 861 form an imaginary straight line AX that intersects with the second axis.

[0079] In the recording device 1, the first member 861 is a cylindrical rigid body, and the second member 841 has a cylindrical surface that abuts against the first member 861. The first member 861 is disposed in a direction such that the axial direction of the first member 861 intersects with the axial direction of the cylindrical surface of the second member 841, and the circumferential surface of the first member 861 and the cylindrical surface are in point contact.

[0080] According to this, by contacting the cylindrical first member 861 with the surface of the second member 841, a state in which the contact points of the multiple first members 861 form an imaginary straight line AX that intersects with the second axis can be achieved with a simple structure.

[0081] In the recording apparatus 1, a plurality of bearings 80 are arranged in the axial direction of the guide shaft 51.

[0082] This makes it possible to stabilize the relative movement between the medium support section 30 and the moving section, and improve the operation accuracy of the recording device 1.

[0083] In the recording device 1, the movement mechanism 70 includes, as guide shafts 51, a first guide shaft 51A and a second guide shaft 51B parallel to the first guide shaft 51A. The movement mechanism 70 also includes legs 73A and 73B that support the load of the movement unit or medium support unit 30. The leg 73A includes a bearing 80 at the contact point with the first guide shaft 51A. The leg 73B includes a bearing 80 at the contact point with the second guide shaft 51B.

[0084] This makes it possible to suppress an increase or fluctuation in the sliding load between the leg parts 73A and 73B that move along the guide shaft 51 and the guide shaft 51. This makes it possible to further improve the movement accuracy when the medium support part 30 and the moving part are moved relative to each other.

[0085] In the recording device 1, the bearing unit 80 includes a case 801 that holds the second member 841. The case 801 restricts movement of the second member 841 in a direction different from the third direction in which the load of the moving unit is applied from the first member 861 to the second member 841. The third direction is, for example, a direction along the Z axis.

[0086] This allows the second member 841 to be displaced while preventing the second member 841 from deviating from the guide shaft 51, and allows the medium support section 30 and the moving section to move relative to each other in a stable manner.

[0087] The recording device 1 intermittently performs relative movement between the moving unit and the medium support unit 30.

[0088] This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of movement when movement along the guide shaft 51 is performed intermittently, and to improve the operating accuracy of the recording device 1.

[0089] 6. Other Embodiments The above-described embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0090] In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which two cylindrical first members 861 are in contact with the second member 841, and a load is supported via the first members 861. This is just one example, and a configuration in which, for example, a member of a shape other than cylindrical is in contact with the first member 861 to support the load of the first leg member 731 may also be used. For example, a configuration in which multiple members in contact with the second member 841 have spherical surfaces, and these spherical surfaces are in point contact with the outer circumferential surface 847 may also be used. Alternatively, a configuration in which a protrusion on a member fixed to the first leg member 731 is in point contact with the outer circumferential surface 847 may also be used.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the support surface 31m and the recording head 89a are moved relatively to each other has been described, in which the table 31 does not move in the directions along the X-axis and Y-axis, but the recording head 89a moves along the guide shaft 51 and the carriage guide shaft 83. This is just one example, and the table 31 may be configured to be movable along at least one of the X-axis and Y-axis. In this case, for example, a support structure that supports the table 31 from below may be provided with a structure similar to the legs 73 and guide shaft 51. By employing the bearing 80 in this support structure, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above embodiment.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the recording device 1 has been described as a device that prints by ejecting ultraviolet-curable ink from the recording head 89a, but this is just one example. The recording device 1 may also be a device that prints on the recording medium M using other methods, and the printing method is not limited. Furthermore, in a recording device 1 that prints using ink, there is no limit to the type or number of colors of ink used.

[0093] 7. Configurations Described by the Embodiments The above embodiment describes the following configuration.

[0094] (Configuration 1) A recording device comprising: a medium support section that supports a medium; a recording section that is configured to be movable along a first axis and records on the medium; a moving section that supports the recording section and is movable relative to the medium support section; and a moving mechanism that moves the moving section and the medium support section relative to each other, wherein the moving mechanism comprises a guide shaft that is arranged along a second axis that intersects with the first axis, and a bearing section that contacts the guide shaft, and the bearing section has one or more first members that receive the load of the moving section or the medium support section, and a second member that abuts against the first member and slides on the guide shaft, wherein the first member and the second member are in point contact. This allows the second member to be displaceable relative to the first member, allowing the second member to follow deformation of the guide shaft during movement of the moving unit. Therefore, even if deformation such as undulation occurs in the guide shaft, it is possible to suppress increases and fluctuations in the sliding load between the guide shaft and the second member. This increases the accuracy of the relative movement between the medium support unit and the moving unit, improving the operating accuracy of the recording device. Furthermore, wear due to friction between the second member and the guide shaft is reduced, extending the life of the components.

[0095] (Configuration 2) The recording device described in Configuration 1, wherein the bearing portion includes a plurality of the first members, and an imaginary line connecting the contact points where each of the first members contacts the second member is a line that intersects with the second axis. This allows the second member to be displaced around a virtual line that intersects with the axial direction of the guide shaft, thereby suppressing an increase or fluctuation in the sliding load between the guide shaft and the second member even if the guide shaft is deformed in a direction that intersects with the axial direction.

[0096] (Configuration 3) The recording device according to configuration 2, wherein a plurality of the first members are arranged side by side in a direction intersecting the second axis. This makes it possible to realize, with a simple structure, a state in which a virtual straight line intersecting the second axis is formed by the contact points of the plurality of first members.

[0097] (Configuration 4) A recording device described in Configuration 3, wherein the first member is a cylindrical rigid body, the second member has a cylindrical surface that abuts against the first member, the first member is arranged in an orientation in which the axial direction of the first member intersects with the axial direction of the cylindrical surface of the second member, and the circumferential surface of the first member and the cylindrical surface are in point contact. This makes it possible to realize, with a simple structure, a state in which the contact points of the plurality of first members form an imaginary straight line that intersects with the second axis by bringing the cylindrical first member into contact with the surface of the second member.

[0098] (Configuration 5) The recording device according to configuration 2, wherein a plurality of the bearing portions are arranged in the axial direction of the guide shaft. This makes it possible to stabilize the relative movement between the medium support section and the moving section, thereby improving the operating precision of the recording device.

[0099] (Configuration 6) A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the moving mechanism includes a first guide shaft and a second guide shaft parallel to the first guide shaft as the guide shafts, and includes a first leg and a second leg that support the load of the moving section or the medium support section, the first leg having the bearing section at the contact portion with the first guide shaft, and the second leg having the bearing section at the contact portion with the second guide shaft. This makes it possible to suppress increases and fluctuations in the sliding load between the first and second legs that move along the guide shaft and the guide shaft, thereby further improving the movement accuracy when the medium support unit and the moving unit are moved relative to each other.

[0100] (Configuration 7) A recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the bearing portion includes a holding member that holds the second member, and the holding member restricts movement of the second member in a direction different from a third direction in which the load of the moving portion is applied from the first member to the second member. This allows the second member to be displaced while preventing the second member from deviating from the guide shaft, and allows the medium support section and the moving section to move relative to each other in a stable manner.

[0101] (Configuration 8) The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the relative movement between the moving unit and the medium support unit is performed intermittently. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of movement when movement along the guide shaft is performed intermittently, thereby improving the operating accuracy of the recording device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1...recording device, 13...bottom plate, 15...base member, 30...medium support portion, 31...table, 31m...support surface, 31n...protrusion, 32...height movement mechanism, 33...lifting motor, 37...lifting belt, 39...lifting mechanism, 50...driving mechanism, 51...guide shaft, 51A...first guide shaft, 51B...second guide shaft, 60...transmission structure, 60A...first transmission structure, 60B...second transmission structure, 61...leg drive motor, 61A...gear train, 62...drive shaft, 63, 63B...first belt, 65A, 65B...composite pulley, 67, 67A, 67B...second belt, 70...movement mechanism, 70A...first movement mechanism, 70B...second movement mechanism, 71...main frame (movement part), 73...leg, 73A...leg (first leg), 73B...leg (second leg), 75...frame, 75A...first frame, 75B...second frame, 80, 80A, 80B...bearing part, 83...carriage guide shaft, 85...carriage drive belt, 86...carriage Ridge drive pulley, 87...carriage drive motor, 89...carriage (moving part), 89a...recording head (recording part), 89b...irradiation part, 621A, 621B...first pulley, 651...rotating shaft, 652, 652A, 652B...third pulley, 653, 653B...fourth pulley, 731...first leg member, 731A...upper end, 732...second leg member, 733...third leg member, 735A...detection rib, 801...case (holding member), 803 ...accommodating portion, 805...front support portion, 805A...contact surface, 805B...flank surface, 807...rear support portion, 807A...support surface, 809...elastic support member, 809A...fixing portion, 809B...spring portion, 841...second member, 843...circumferential surface, 845...protruding surface, 847...outer circumferential surface, 851...front end surface, 853...rear end surface, 861, 861A, 861B...first member, 865...fixing hole, 867, 867A, 867B...contact point, AX...imaginary straight line, M...recording medium (medium).

Claims

1. a medium support section that supports the medium; a recording unit configured to be movable along a first axis and performing recording on the medium; a moving unit that supports the recording unit and is movable relative to the medium supporting unit; a movement mechanism that moves the movement unit and the medium support unit relative to each other, The moving mechanism includes: a guide shaft disposed along a second axis intersecting the first axis; a bearing portion in contact with the guide shaft, the bearing portion includes one or more first members that receive the load of the moving portion or the medium support portion, and a second member that abuts against the first members and slides on the guide shaft; A recording device in which the first member and the second member are in point contact.

2. the bearing portion includes a plurality of the first members, 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an imaginary line connecting the contact points where the first members contact the second members is a line that intersects with the second axis.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein a plurality of the first members are arranged side by side in a direction intersecting the second axis.

4. the first member is a cylindrical rigid body; the second member has a cylindrical surface that abuts against the first member, the first member is disposed in an orientation in which an axial direction of the first member intersects with an axial direction of the cylindrical surface of the second member; The recording apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the peripheral surface of the first member and the cylindrical surface are in point contact with each other.

5. The recording apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein a plurality of the bearing portions are arranged in the axial direction of the guide shaft.

6. the movement mechanism includes, as the guide shafts, a first guide shaft and a second guide shaft parallel to the first guide shaft, and includes a first leg portion and a second leg portion that support the load of the movement unit or the medium support unit; 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first leg portion includes the bearing portion at a contact portion with the first guide shaft, and the second leg portion includes the bearing portion at a contact portion with the second guide shaft.

7. the bearing portion includes a holding member that holds the second member, The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the holding member restricts movement of the second member in a direction different from a third direction in which the load of the moving portion is applied from the first member to the second member.

8. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the relative movement between the moving section and the medium support section is performed intermittently.

Images