Recording device

Abstract

To appropriately move a head unit to a positioning position while suppressing rotation of the head unit.SOLUTION: A recording device comprises: a moving mechanism that moves a recording unit along a moving direction to a recording position where recording is performed on a medium and a retracted position retracted from the recording position; a positioning unit that determines a position in the moving direction of the recording unit as a positioning position; and pressing means for, in a state where a part of the recording unit is in contact with the positioning unit, pressing the recording unit so as to cancel out a moment generated in the recording unit by forces received from the positioning unit and the moving mechanism. The pressing means includes: a first advancing / retracting member that is provided independently of the recording unit and is capable of advancing and retracting relative to the recording unit; a first pressing member that is provided independently of the recording unit and presses the first advancing / retracting member toward the recording unit; a second advancing / retracting member that is provided at the recording unit and is capable of advancing and retracting relative to the first advancing / retracting member; and a second pressing member that is provided at the recording unit and presses the second advancing / retracting member toward the first advancing / retracting member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a recording device in which a head unit including a recording head is configured to be movable between a recording position and a retracted position. In this recording device, the recording position is determined by a portion of the head unit abutting against a positioning portion. A rotational moment is generated in the head unit due to a force applied to the head unit by a movement mechanism that moves the head unit and a reaction force that the head unit receives from the positioning portion. Because this rotational moment destabilizes the posture of the head unit, the recording device described in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a unit pressing means that applies a force to the head unit in a direction that counteracts the rotation of the head unit when the head unit is in the recording position. The unit pressing means presses the head unit in a direction that intersects the movement direction of the head unit.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, the unit pressing means is composed of a portion on the head unit side and a portion independent of the head unit. The portion on the head unit side is a rotatable member and is composed of a rotating member having a free end and a spring that presses the rotating member in a direction where the free end moves away from the head unit. The portion independent of the head unit is composed of a driven roller that abuts against the rotating member when the head unit is in the recording position. When the head unit moves from the retracted position toward the recording position, the rotating member engages with the driven roller and rotates, and the head unit is pressed by the reaction force that the rotating member receives from the driven roller. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-076882 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As described above, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, when the head unit moves from the retracted position to the recording position, it receives a pressing force from the unit pressing means, which acts as a load when moving to the recording position. Therefore, there are cases where the head unit cannot move appropriately to the recording position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a recording device of the present invention includes a recording unit that records on a medium, a moving mechanism that moves the recording unit along a movement direction between a recording position where the recording is performed on the medium and a retracted position retracted from the recording position, a positioning unit that abuts against a part of the recording unit moving in the first direction, with one of the movement directions being a direction from the retracted position toward the recording position and a direction from the recording position toward the retracted position defined as a first direction and the opposite direction being a second direction, and determines the position of the recording unit in the movement direction as a positioning position, and a positioning mechanism that abuts against a part of the recording unit when the part of the recording unit abuts against the positioning unit. and a pressing means for pressing the recording unit so as to cancel out a moment generated in the recording unit by forces received from the positioning unit and the moving mechanism when the recording unit is in the pressed position, wherein the pressing means has a first advancing / retreating member that is provided independently of the recording unit and can move forward and backward relative to the recording unit, a first pressing member that is provided independently of the recording unit and presses the first advancing / retreating member toward the recording unit, a second advancing / retreating member that is provided in the recording unit and can move forward and backward relative to the first advancing / retreating member, and a second pressing member that is provided in the recording unit and presses the second advancing / retreating member toward the first advancing / retreating member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a medium transport path of the printer, with the head unit in a recording position. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the medium transport path of the printer, with the head unit in the retracted position. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a medium transport path of the printer, illustrating a state in which the ink ejection surface is capped with a cap member. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the head unit and the moving mechanism, showing a state in which the head unit is at a recording position. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the head unit and the movement mechanism, showing a state in which the head unit is at a recording position. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the head unit and the movement mechanism, showing a state in which the head unit is in a retracted position. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the right guide member, showing a state in which the head unit is at a recording position. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the left first guide member and the left second guide member, showing a state in which the head unit is at a recording position. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the movement area and position of the head unit. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a side view of the head unit and the unit pressing means, showing a state in which the head unit is located in front of the recording position. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a side view of the head unit and the unit pressing means, showing a state in which the head unit is at a recording position. [Figure 13] FIG. [Figure 14A] FIG. 4 is a side view of a part of the head unit and the unit pressing means, showing a state in which the head unit is located in front of the recording position. [Figure 14B] FIG. 4 is a side view of a part of the head unit and the unit pressing means, showing a state in which the head unit is at a recording position. [Figure 14C] FIG. 4 is a side view of a part of the head unit and the unit pressing means, showing a state in which the head unit is at a recording position. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the head unit and the unit pressing means, showing a state in which the head unit is at a recording position. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram including a schematic diagram of a head unit and various sensors, showing a state in which the head unit is in a home position. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a control block diagram including a schematic diagram of a head unit and various sensors, showing a state in which the head unit abuts against an adjustment cam. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a control block diagram including a schematic diagram of the head unit and various sensors, showing a state in which the head unit has moved further after contacting the adjustment cam. [Figure 19] 6 is a timing chart showing an example of operation timing of a detection timing motor for the first sensor, the second sensor, and the home position. [Figure 20] 4 is a timing chart showing an example of detection timings of the first sensor, the second sensor, and the home position, and operation timings of the motor. [Figure 21] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of an initial detection operation when a head unit is replaced. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of operations when moving from the evacuation position to the recording position. [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a retry operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention will be briefly described below. A recording device according to a first aspect includes a recording unit that records on a medium, a moving mechanism that moves the recording unit along a movement direction between a recording position where the recording is performed on the medium and a retracted position retracted from the recording position, a positioning unit that comes into contact with a part of the recording unit moving in the first direction, with one of the movement directions being a direction from the retracted position toward the recording position and a direction from the recording position toward the retracted position defined as a first direction, and the opposite direction being a second direction, and determines the position of the recording unit in the movement direction as a positioning position, and a positioning mechanism that determines the position of the recording unit in the movement direction as a positioning position when a part of the recording unit comes into contact with the positioning unit. and a pressing means for pressing the recording unit so as to cancel out a moment generated in the recording unit by forces received from the positioning unit and the moving mechanism, wherein the pressing means has a first advancing / retreating member provided independently from the recording unit and capable of advancing and retracting relative to the recording unit, a first pressing member provided independently from the recording unit and pressing the first advancing / retreating member toward the recording unit, a second advancing / retreating member provided in the recording unit and capable of advancing and retracting relative to the first advancing / retreating member, and a second pressing member provided in the recording unit and pressing the second advancing / retreating member toward the first advancing / retreating member.

[0009] According to this aspect, a pressing means is provided that presses the recording unit so as to cancel out the moment generated in the recording unit by the forces received from the positioning unit and the moving mechanism when a portion of the recording unit abuts the positioning unit, thereby suppressing the moment and stabilizing the posture of the recording unit. According to this aspect, the pressing means includes a first advancing / retreating member that is provided independently of the recording unit and that can advance and retreat relative to the recording unit, and a first pressing member that is provided independently of the recording unit and that presses the first advancing / retreating member toward the recording unit. Therefore, compared to a conventional configuration in which the first advancing / retreating member is provided fixedly and does not advance and retreat, it is possible to reduce the load when the recording unit moves in the first direction, and the recording unit can be appropriately moved to the positioning position.

[0010] A second aspect is a dependent aspect of the first aspect, characterized in that the recording unit has a main body portion equipped with a recording head and a slide member that can slide relative to the main body portion along the movement direction, and the movement mechanism presses the main body portion in the first direction by moving the slide member in the first direction while the main body portion abuts against the positioning portion.

[0011] According to this aspect, the moving mechanism moves the slide member in the first direction while the main body portion is in contact with the positioning portion, thereby pressing the main body portion in the first direction, thereby improving the positioning accuracy of the recording head.

[0012] A third aspect is a dependent aspect of the second aspect, and is characterized in that the recording unit has a first receiving portion provided on the slide member, a second receiving portion provided on the main body portion, and a pressing member provided between the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion, which presses the second receiving portion in the first direction when the slide member moves in the first direction with the main body portion abutting the positioning portion. According to this aspect, the position of the recording head is stabilized by the third pressing member, and appropriate recording quality can be obtained.

[0013] The fourth aspect is a dependent aspect of the second or third aspect, and is characterized in that it includes a detection unit that detects the relative displacement between the slide member and the main body unit when the recording unit moves in the first direction.

[0014] When the recording unit moves in the first direction, the sliding member and the main body unit may be displaced relative to each other in the following first and second cases. In the first case, the main body unit properly abuts against the positioning unit. In the second case, before a part of the main body unit properly abuts against the positioning unit, the movement of the main body unit in the first direction is hindered by the pressing force of the pressing means, and the main body unit stops before abutting against the positioning unit. The detection unit can detect that the main body portion has properly abutted against the positioning portion by detecting the first case. The second case can be suppressed by the effect of the first aspect described above, so the detection unit can detect that the main body portion has properly abutted against the positioning portion.

[0015] A fifth aspect is a mode dependent on the second or third aspect, characterized in that the movement mechanism moves the recording unit in the movement direction by a rack and pinion mechanism, and a rack constituting the rack and pinion mechanism is provided on the slide member. According to this aspect, the rack and pinion mechanism allows the recording unit to be moved with a simple structure.

[0016] A sixth aspect is a dependent aspect of the fourth aspect, characterized in that the movement mechanism moves the recording unit in the movement direction by a rack and pinion mechanism, a rack constituting the rack and pinion mechanism is provided on the slide member, and the detection unit detects the relative movement between the main body unit and the slide member.

[0017] According to this aspect, the rack and pinion mechanism allows the recording unit to be moved with a simple structure. Furthermore, due to the effect of the fourth aspect described above, the detection section can properly detect that the main body section has properly abutted against the positioning section.

[0018] A seventh aspect is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, characterized in that the first pressing member and the second pressing member are both springs, and the spring constant of the first pressing member is different from the spring constant of the second pressing member.

[0019] According to this aspect, since the spring constant of the first pressing member is different from the spring constant of the second pressing member, when the first advancing / retreating member and the second advancing / retreating member engage with each other, the member pressed by the member with the smaller spring constant can easily retract. As a result, the load when the recording unit moves in the first direction can be appropriately reduced, and the recording unit can more appropriately move to the positioning position. Furthermore, when a part of the recording unit is in contact with the positioning unit, the pressing force for pressing the recording unit so as to cancel the moment is obtained by the compression of the spring with the smaller spring constant, which makes it possible to suppress variations in the pressing force and easily obtain an appropriate pressing force. Furthermore, when the second advancing / retreating member abuts the first advancing / retreating member during the process of the recording unit moving toward the recording position, even if the member pressed by the spring with the relatively smaller spring constant cannot be temporarily retracted, the member pressed by the spring with the relatively larger spring constant can be temporarily retracted, allowing the recording unit to move appropriately to the positioning position. It should be noted that this aspect is not limited to the first aspect, and may be subordinate to any of the second to sixth aspects.

[0020] The eighth aspect is a dependent aspect of the first aspect, characterized in that the second advancing / retreating member is rotatable and moves forward and backward relative to the first advancing / retreating member by rotating, the center line of the rotation axis of the second advancing / retreating member is along a width direction intersecting with the movement direction, the free end of the second advancing / retreating member when rotating is located in the second direction relative to the rotation axis, and when the recording unit moves in the first direction, the first advancing / retreating member moves relative to the second advancing / retreating member from the rotation axis toward the free end.

[0021] According to this aspect, when the recording unit moves in the first direction, the first advancing / retracting member moves relative to the second advancing / retracting member from the rotation axis toward the free end, thereby gradually increasing the pressing force applied to the recording unit by the pressing means, thereby preventing a sudden load from being applied to the recording unit. It should be noted that this aspect is not limited to the first aspect, and may be subordinate to any of the second to seventh aspects.

[0022] A ninth aspect is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, characterized in that the recording unit has a first guided portion at one side end in a width direction intersecting the movement direction, and a second guided portion and a third guided portion at the other side end in the width direction and spaced apart in the movement direction, the first guided portion is guided in the movement direction by a first guide portion extending along the movement direction, the second guided portion and the third guided portion are guided in the movement direction by a second guide portion extending along the movement direction, and the recording unit is supported at three points, the first guided portion, the second guided portion, and the third guided portion, when at least in the positioning position.

[0023] According to this aspect, the recording unit is configured to be supported at three points, namely the first guided portion, the second guided portion, and the third guided portion, at the positioning position, thereby stabilizing the posture of the recording unit at the positioning position. It should be noted that this aspect is not limited to the first aspect, and may be subordinate to any of the second to eighth aspects.

[0024] The tenth aspect is a dependent aspect of the ninth aspect, and is characterized in that, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to a plane including a first position where the first guided portion contacts the first guide portion, a second position where the second guided portion contacts the second guide portion, and a third position where the third guided portion contacts the second guide portion, the position at which the pressing means applies force to the recording portion is within a triangular area connecting the first position, the second position, and the third position.

[0025] According to this aspect, the position at which the pressing means applies force to the recording unit is within a triangular area connecting the first position, the second position, and the third position, so the first guided portion is appropriately pressed against the first guide surface, the second guided portion is appropriately pressed against the second guide portion, and further the third guided portion is appropriately pressed against the second guide portion, thereby stabilizing the posture of the recording unit at the positioning position.

[0026] An eleventh aspect is a dependent aspect of the tenth aspect, characterized in that the second guided portion is in a position where it tends to lift off the second guide portion due to the moment, the third guided portion is in a position where it is pressed against the second guide portion due to the moment, and the position where the pressing means applies force to the recording portion is on the side of the second position relative to an intermediate position between the first position and the second position in the width direction, and is on the side of the second position relative to an intermediate position between the second position and the third position in the movement direction.

[0027] According to this aspect, in a configuration in which the second guided portion is at a position where it tends to rise from the second guide portion due to the moment, the position at which the pressing means applies force to the recording portion is closer to the second position than an intermediate position between the first position and the second position in the width direction, and is closer to the second position than an intermediate position between the second position and the third position in the movement direction. This causes the recording portion to be pressed at a position close to the second guided portion, and the moment is appropriately suppressed.

[0028] A twelfth aspect is a dependent aspect of the first aspect, characterized in that the positioning portion is a cam portion that determines the distance between the recording portion and the medium, and the positioning position is the recording position.

[0029] According to this aspect, the positioning portion is a cam portion that determines the distance between the recording portion and the medium, and since the positioning position is the recording position, the position and posture of the recording portion are stable at the recording position, and good recording results are obtained. It should be noted that this aspect is not limited to the first aspect, and may be subordinate to any of the second to eleventh aspects.

[0030] The thirteenth aspect is a dependent aspect of the first aspect, and is characterized in that it further comprises a maintenance unit that performs maintenance on the recording unit, the movement area of ​​the recording unit includes a maintenance position where maintenance on the recording unit is performed, the positioning unit is the maintenance unit, and the positioning position is the maintenance position.

[0031] According to this aspect, the positioning unit is the maintenance unit, and the positioning position is the maintenance position, so that the position and posture of the recording unit are stable at the maintenance position, and good maintenance results can be obtained. It should be noted that this aspect is not limited to the first aspect, and may be subordinate to any of the second to eleventh aspects.

[0032] The present invention will be specifically described below. In the following, an inkjet printer 1 that performs recording by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as recording paper will be described as an example of a recording device. In the following, the inkjet printer 1 will be abbreviated as printer 1. The XYZ coordinate system shown in each figure is an orthogonal coordinate system, with the Y axis direction being the direction that intersects with the medium transport direction, i.e., the medium width direction, and also the device depth direction. The +Y direction of the Y axis direction is the direction from the front of the device toward the rear of the device, and the -Y direction is the direction from the rear of the device toward the front of the device. In this embodiment, the Y axis direction is an example of a width direction that intersects with the V axis direction, which is the movement direction of the head unit 50, which will be described later.

[0033] The X-axis direction is the width direction of the device, and as seen from the operator of the printer 1, the +X direction is the left side and the -X direction is the right side. The Z-axis direction is the vertical direction, and is the normal direction to the surface G on which the printer 1 is placed, that is, the height direction of the device. Within the Z-axis direction, the +Z direction is the upward direction and the -Z direction is the downward direction. In the following, the direction in which the medium is transported will be referred to as "downstream," and the opposite direction will be referred to as "upstream." The medium transport path is indicated by a dashed line in Figures 1, 2, and 3. In printer 1, the medium is transported through the medium transport path indicated by the dashed line in Figures 1, 2, and 3.

[0034] The F-axis direction is the medium transport direction between the line head 51 and the transport belt 13 (described later), i.e., in the recording area, with the +F direction being downstream in the transport direction and the opposite -F direction being upstream in the transport direction. The V-axis direction is perpendicular to the F-axis direction and is the movement direction of the head unit 50 (described later), with the +V direction of the V-axis direction being the direction in which the head unit 50 retreats from the transport path T1 during recording and the -V direction being the direction in which the head unit 50 moves toward the transport path T1 during recording. In some drawings, the FVY coordinate system may be used instead of the XYZ coordinate system.

[0035] The media transport path in the printer 1 is described below with reference to Figure 1. The printer 1 is configured so that an expansion unit 6 can be connected to the bottom of the device main body 2, and Figures 1, 2, and 3 show the state when the expansion unit 6 is connected. The device main body 2 has a first media cassette 3 for storing media at the bottom, and when an extension unit 6 is connected, a second media cassette 4 and a third media cassette 5 are further provided below that.

[0036] A pick roller is provided for each medium cassette to feed the stored medium in the -X direction. Pick rollers 21, 22, and 23 are provided for the first medium cassette 3, the second medium cassette 4, and the third medium cassette 5, respectively. Each medium cassette is provided with a pair of feed rollers that feeds the medium sent in the -X direction diagonally upward. Feed roller pairs 25, 26, and 27 are provided for the first medium cassette 3, the second medium cassette 4, and the third medium cassette 5, respectively. Unless otherwise specified, hereinafter, a "roller pair" is defined as consisting of a drive roller driven by a motor (not shown) and a driven roller that rotates in contact with the drive roller.

[0037] The medium fed from the third medium cassette 5 is sent to the transport roller pair 38 by the transport roller pair 29, 28. The medium fed from the second medium cassette 4 is sent to the transport roller pair 38 by the transport roller pair 28. The medium is nipped by the transport roller pair 38 and sent to the transport roller pair 31. The medium fed from the first medium cassette 3 is transported to the transport roller pair 31 by the feed roller pair 25 without passing through the transport roller pair 38. The supply roller 19 and separation roller 20 provided near the transport roller pair 38 are a pair of rollers that feed the medium from a supply tray not shown in FIGS.

[0038] The medium receiving the feeding force from the transport roller pair 31 is sent between the line head 51, which is an example of a recording head, and the transport belt 13, that is, to a position facing the line head 51. Note that, hereinafter, the medium transport path from the transport roller pair 31 to the transport roller pair 32 is referred to as the transport path T1 during recording.

[0039] The line head 51 constitutes the head unit 50. The head unit 50 is an example of a recording unit that records on a medium. The line head 51 performs recording by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto the surface of the medium. The line head 51 is an ink ejection head configured so that the nozzles that eject ink cover the entire area in the width direction of the medium, and is configured as an ink ejection head that can record over the entire width of the medium without moving in the width direction of the medium. However, the ink ejection head is not limited to this, and may be a type that is mounted on a carriage and ejects ink while moving in the width direction of the medium.

[0040] The head unit 50 is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat relative to the transport path T1 during recording. The head unit 50 is provided so as to be able to move between a recording position where it advances onto the transport path T1 during recording to record on the medium, and a retracted position where it retracts from the transport path T1 during recording. In this embodiment, the V axis direction is the movement direction of the head unit 50, the -V direction is an example of a first direction from the retracted position toward the recording position, and the +V direction is an example of a second direction from the recording position toward the retracted position. However, the +V direction may be the first direction, and the -V direction may be the second direction. Fig. 1 shows the state in which the head unit 50 is in the recording position, and recording is performed on the medium in this state. Figs. 2 and 3 show the state in which the head unit 50 is in the retracted position. Fig. 2 shows the position of the head unit 50 when wiping the ink ejection surface 51a of the line head 51. Fig. 3 shows the position of the head unit 50 when the ink ejection surface 51a is capped with the cap member 46.

[0041] The movement range of the head unit 50 will now be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the movement range of the head unit 50. Note that in Fig. 10, the position of the head unit 50 in the V-axis direction is based on the position of the ink ejection surface 51a in the V-axis direction. In Figure 10, position V1 is the position at which the head unit 50 advances furthest into the transport path T1 during recording, is an example of a recording position, and corresponds to the position of the head unit 50 shown in Figure 1. The recording position can be adjusted by an adjustment cam 80 (see Figure 11), which will be described later, and position V1b is the position furthest in the +V direction within the adjustment range of the recording position. In Figure 10, the line head 51 at position V1b is not shown. When the head unit 50 is at position V1, position V1b, or between positions V1 and V1b, recording is performed on the medium.

[0042] Position V4 is the position where the head unit 50 is farthest from the recording transport path T1 in the +V direction, and is an example of a retracted position. When the head unit 50 is at position V4, the head unit 50 can be attached or detached. Attaching or detaching the head unit 50 will be described later.

[0043] Position V2 is a position for wiping the ink ejection surface 51a of the line head 51, and is an example of a retracted position. Fig. 2 shows a state in which the head unit 50 is at position V2. In Fig. 2, reference numeral 43 denotes a wiper unit, and reference numeral 44 denotes a wiper provided on the wiper unit 43. The wiper 44 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer, and can press against the ink ejection surface 51a by its elasticity. The wiper unit 43 is provided so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction, which is the direction along the ink ejection surface 51a, by a motor (not shown), and the end position in the +Y direction of the movable range is set as the home position, and is located at the home position except during wiping. As the wiper unit 43 moves in the Y-axis direction, the ink ejection surface 51a is wiped by the wiper 44.

[0044] Position V3 in Figure 10 is a position where the ink ejection surface 51a is capped by the cap member 46 (see Figure 3), and is an example of a retracted position. Position V3b is a position where a flushing operation is performed on the cap member 46, i.e., ink is ejected from all ink ejection nozzles (not shown) of the line head 51, and is also an example of a retracted position. The line head 51 at position V3b is not shown in Figure 10. 3, the cap member 46 is provided on the cap unit 45. The cap unit 45 is provided so as to be movable along the F axis direction, and is moved in the F axis direction by receiving power from a power source (not shown). By moving along the F axis direction, the cap unit 45 moves between a capping position where the cap member 46 can face the ink ejection surface 51a of the line head 51, and a spaced position where the cap member 46 does not face the ink ejection surface 51a of the line head 51, as shown in FIG. The cap member 46 is formed from an elastic material, and is formed from a rubber material as an example.

[0045] 1 to 3, reference numerals 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D denote ink storage units serving as liquid storage units. Ink ejected from the line head 51 is supplied from each ink storage unit to the line head 51 via a tube (not shown). The ink storage units 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D are detachably attached to the mounting units 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D, respectively. Further, reference numeral 12 denotes a waste liquid storage section that stores ink as waste liquid that is discharged from the line head 51 toward the cap member 46 for maintenance.

[0046] The conveyor belt 13 is an endless belt that is wound around pulleys 14 and 15, and rotates when at least one of the pulleys 14 and 15 is driven by a motor (not shown). The medium is conveyed to a position facing the line head 51 while being attracted to the belt surface of the conveyor belt 13. The medium can be attracted to the conveyor belt 13 by a known attraction method such as an air suction method or an electrostatic attraction method.

[0047] Here, the transport path T1 during recording, which passes through a position facing the line head 51, is configured to intersect both the horizontal and vertical directions and transport the medium upward. As a result, the V-axis direction, which is the movement direction of the head unit 50, also intersects both the horizontal and vertical directions, and the inclination angle α of the V-axis direction with respect to the horizontal direction is smaller than 45°, more specifically, approximately 15°. With this configuration, the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the space required for moving the head unit 50 can be balanced, and the device can be prevented from becoming extremely large in both the horizontal and vertical directions. The configuration is not limited to the above, and the V-axis direction may be parallel to the horizontal direction.

[0048] Additionally, an ejection tray 8 that forms a support surface 8b that supports the medium ejected from the medium transport path is provided above the head unit 50. The support surface 8b extends along the V-axis direction, which is the movement direction of the head unit 50. This prevents wasted space from being formed in the relationship between the ejection tray 8 and the movement area of ​​the head unit 50, making it possible to prevent the device from becoming larger. Furthermore, since a portion of the head unit 50 overlaps with the ink containing sections 10A to 10D in the Z-axis direction, the device dimensions in the Z-axis direction can be reduced.

[0049] Next, the medium on whose first side recording has been performed by the line head 51 is sent further upward by the pair of transport rollers 32 located downstream of the transport belt 13. A flap 41 is provided downstream of the transport roller pair 32, and the transport direction of the medium is switched by this flap 41. When the medium is to be discharged as is, the transport path of the medium is switched by the flap 41 so that it faces the upper transport roller pair 35, and the medium is discharged by the transport roller pair 35 toward the discharge tray 8.

[0050] When recording is to be performed on the second side of the medium in addition to the first side, the medium transport direction is directed toward branch position K1 by flap 41. The medium then passes through branch position K1 and enters switchback path T2. In this embodiment, switchback path T2 is the media transport path above branch position K1. Switchback path T2 is provided with transport roller pairs 36 and 37. The medium that enters switchback path T2 is transported upward by transport roller pairs 36 and 37, and when the bottom edge of the medium passes branch position K1, the rotation direction of transport roller pairs 36 and 37 is switched, causing the medium to be transported downward.

[0051] The switchback path T2 is connected to a reverse path T3. In this embodiment, the reverse path T3 is a medium transport path that extends from the branch position K1 through the transport roller pairs 33 and 34 to the transport roller pair 38. The medium conveyed downward from the branch position K1 receives a feeding force from the conveying roller pairs 33 and 34, reaches the conveying roller pair 38, is curved and reversed, and is sent to the conveying roller pair 31.

[0052] The medium is sent again to a position facing the line head 51, and the second side, which is opposite to the first side on which recording has already been performed, faces the line head 51. This makes it possible for the line head 51 to record on the second side of the medium.

[0053] Next, the movement mechanism 60 that moves the head unit 50 along the V-axis direction will be described. The movement mechanism 60 includes a right guide member 61A, a left second guide member 61B-2, a second member 63, and a first pinion 65 shown in Figures 5 and 6, and a third rack-forming member 64 and a second pinion 67 shown in Figure 4, and is configured so that the first pinion 65 applies an external force in the movement direction to the second rack-forming member 62 that constitutes the head unit 50, i.e., a rack and pinion mechanism. The second rack forming member 62 is an example of a slide member, and together with the main body 50a constitutes the head unit 50. The head unit 50 is constituted by the main body 50a equipped with the line head 51, and the second rack forming member 62. The second rack-forming member 62 and the main body portion 50a are relatively displaceable along the V-axis direction, which will be explained later.

[0054] 9 is provided in the -V direction relative to the left second guide member 61B-2. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the right guide member 61A, the left first guide member 61B-1, and the left second guide member 61B-2, they may be collectively referred to as "guide members 61." The guide member 61 is fixedly provided to a frame (not shown) of the device.

[0055] First, the configuration for guiding the head unit 50 in the V-axis direction will be described below. 4, second guided roller 52B and third guided roller 52C are provided on the -Y direction side in the Y axis direction of head unit 50, i.e., the side facing right guide member 61A. Second guided roller 52B and third guided roller 52C are each provided on a shaft 49 that protrudes in the -Y direction. Second guided roller 52B and third guided roller 52C are bearings that are provided so as to be freely rotatable on shaft 49. Second guided roller 52B and third guided roller 52C are provided at an interval along the V axis direction, and second guided roller 52B is located in the -V direction relative to third guided roller 52C. The second guided roller 52B is an example of a second guided portion, and the third guided roller 52C is an example of a third guided portion.

[0056] Furthermore, a first guided roller 52A and a fourth guided roller 52D are provided on the side of the head unit 50 in the +Y direction in the Y-axis direction, i.e., the side facing the left first guide member 61B-1 and the left second guide member 61B-2, as shown in Fig. 7. Note that Fig. 7 does not show the movement mechanism 60 shown in Fig. 4, and only shows the head unit 50. The first guided roller 52A and the fourth guided roller 52D are each mounted on a shaft 49 that protrudes in the +Y direction. The first guided roller 52A and the fourth guided roller 52D are bearings that are mounted so as to be freely rotatable on the shaft 49. The first guided roller 52A and the fourth guided roller 52D are spaced apart along the V-axis direction, and the first guided roller 52A is located in the -V direction relative to the fourth guided roller 52D. The first guided roller 52A is an example of a first guided portion.

[0057] 8, a right first guide groove 61b is formed along the V-axis direction in the right guide member 61A disposed opposite the -Y direction side of the head unit 50. The second guided roller 52B and the third guided roller 52C provided on the -Y direction side of the head unit 50 fit into the right first guide groove 61b, and as a result, the -Y direction side of the head unit 50 is guided in the V-axis direction by the right first guide groove 61b. The reference symbol S2 denotes the lower surface of the right first guide groove 61b, which will be referred to as the second guide surface hereinafter. The second guided roller 52B and the third guided roller 52C are supported by the second guide surface S2 and receive a reaction force from the second guide surface S2.

[0058] The normal force that second guided roller 52B receives from second guide surface S2 is indicated by the arrow labeled H2 in Fig. 11. Similarly, the normal force that third guided roller 52C receives from second guide surface S2 is indicated by the arrow labeled H3 in Fig. 11. Additionally, the arrow labeled W2 in Fig. 11 indicates the force that second guided roller 52B exerts perpendicularly against second guide surface S2 due to the weight of the head unit 50, and the arrow labeled W3 indicates the force that third guided roller 52C exerts perpendicularly against second guide surface S2 due to the weight of the head unit 50. As the inclination angle α between the V axis direction and the horizontal increases, the normal forces H2, H3 and the forces W2, W3 all become smaller.

[0059] Next, as shown in FIG. 9, a left first guide groove 61d is formed along the V-axis direction in the left first guide member 61B-1 and the left second guide member 61B-2, which are arranged opposite the +Y-direction side of the head unit 50. The left first guide member 61B-1 is located in the -V direction relative to the left second guide member 61B-2, and the left first guide member 61B-1 and the left second guide member 61B-2 are spaced apart by a distance G1 in the V-axis direction. Therefore, the left first guide groove 61d is divided within the range of the distance G1. In FIG. 9, the left first guide groove formed in the left first guide member 61B-1 is denoted by the reference symbol 61d-1, and the left first guide groove formed in the left second guide member 61B-2 is denoted by the reference symbol 61d-2. However, hereinafter, these may be collectively referred to as the left first guide groove 61d. The gap G1 is a gap for the wiper unit 43 described with reference to FIG. 2 to move in the Y-axis direction between the left first guide member 61B-1 and the left second guide member 61B-2.

[0060] The first guided roller 52A and the fourth guided roller 52D provided on the +Y side of the head unit 50 enter the left first guide groove 61d, thereby guiding the +Y side of the head unit 50 in the V-axis direction by the left first guide groove 61d. The reference symbol S1-1 denotes the lower surface of the left first guide groove 61d-1. The reference symbol S1-2 denotes the lower surface of the left first guide groove 61d-2. The surfaces S1-1 and S1-2 are hereinafter referred to as first guide surfaces. The first guide surfaces S1-1 and S1-2 are surfaces parallel to the second guide surface S2. The first guided roller 52A and the fourth guided roller 52D are supported by the first guide surface S1-1 or the first guide surface S1-2, and receive a reaction force from the first guide surface S1-1 or the first guide surface S1-2.

[0061] Here, Figure 9 shows the state in which the head unit 50 is in the recording position, and in this state, as shown, the first guided roller 52A is located inside the left first guide groove 61d-1 and is supported by the first guide surface S1-1, while the fourth guided roller 52D is located inside the gap G1 and is not supported by either the first guide surface S1-1 or S1-2.

[0062] Therefore, when the head unit 50 is in the recording position, the head unit 50 is supported at one point on the +Y side, the first guided roller 52A, and at two points on the -Y side, the second guided roller 52B and the third guided roller 52C, for a total of three points. As is clear from Figure 9, when the head unit 50 moves from the recording position toward the retracted position, the first guided roller 52A and the fourth guided roller 52D enter the left first guide groove 61d-2 and are supported by the first guide surface S1-2. Since the gap G1 is smaller than the V-axis distance between the first guided roller 52A and the fourth guided roller 52D, at least one of the first guided roller 52A and the fourth guided roller 52D is supported by the first guide surface S1-1 or the first guide surface S1-2 on the +Y-axis side of the head unit 50.

[0063] The left second guide member 61B-2 is formed with a third guide groove 61j and a fourth guide groove 61k in a direction intersecting with the left first guide groove 61d. When the head unit 50 moves to the retracted position furthest in the +V direction, the first guided roller 52A faces the third guide groove 61j, and the fourth guided roller 52D faces the fourth guide groove 61k. In this state, the first guided roller 52A can move upward along the third guide groove 61j, and the fourth guided roller 52D can move upward along the fourth guide groove 61k.

[0064] Similarly, the right guide member 61A described with reference to Figure 8 also has a third guide groove 61j and a fourth guide groove 61k formed in a direction intersecting with the right first guide groove 61b. When the head unit 50 moves to the retracted position furthest in the +V direction, the second guided roller 52B faces the third guide groove 61j, and the third guided roller 52C faces the fourth guide groove 61k. In this state, the second guided roller 52B can move upward along the third guide groove 61j, and the third guided roller 52C can move upward along the fourth guide groove 61k.

[0065] The third guide groove 61j and the fourth guide groove 61k are formed at a slight angle with respect to the F-axis direction, but are generally formed along the F-axis direction. As a result, when the head unit 50 has moved to the retracted position furthest in the +V direction, the head unit 50 can be removed upward. The head unit 50 can also be attached to the device main body 2 by reversing the procedure for removal. The third guide groove 61j and the fourth guide groove 61k function as guides that guide the head unit 50 in the attachment / detachment direction. In this way, the head unit 50 is detachable from the device main body 2, which makes maintenance and replacement of the head unit 50 easy.

[0066] 5 and 6, the guide member 61 has a first rack 61a formed along the V-axis direction on the side facing the head unit 50. Second rack forming members 62 are provided at both ends of the head unit 50 in the Y-axis direction, and second racks 62a are formed on the second rack forming members 62 along the V-axis direction. The first rack 61a and the second rack 62a face each other, and a first pinion 65 is disposed between the first rack 61a and the second rack 62a, and the first pinion 65 meshes with both the first rack 61a and the second rack 62a. The teeth of the first rack 61a, the second rack 62a, and the first pinion 65 all have a tooth width direction aligned with the F-axis direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the head unit 50.

[0067] The first pinion 65 is rotatably mounted on the second member 63. Lower roller support members 54 are provided on both sides of the second member 63 in the Y-axis direction as shown in Fig. 4, and two lower rollers 53 are provided on the lower roller support members 54 at an interval along the V-axis direction. The lower rollers 53 are driven rollers supported by the lower roller support members 54 so as to be freely rotatable.

[0068] The two lower rollers 53 provided on the -Y side of the head unit 50 enter the right second guide groove 61c formed along the V-axis direction in the right guide member 61A as shown in Figure 8, and are guided in the V-axis direction by the right second guide groove 61c. In addition, the two lower rollers 53 provided on the +Y side of the head unit 50 enter the left second guide groove 61e formed along the V-axis direction in the left second guide member 61B-2 as shown in Figure 9, and are guided in the V-axis direction by the left second guide groove 61e.

[0069] 4, a third rack forming member 64 is provided below the second member 63, and a third rack 64a is formed below the third rack forming member 64 along the V-axis direction. The tooth width direction of the third rack 64a is aligned with the Y-axis direction. A second pinion 67 meshes with the third rack 64a. The third rack-forming members 64 are provided on both ends in the Y-axis direction below the second member 63. The second pinion 67 is provided at a position facing the third rack 64a on a rotary shaft 68 having a rotation axis center parallel to the Y-axis direction, and the two second pinions 67 are configured to rotate simultaneously with the rotation of the rotary shaft 68. The power of the motor 59 is transmitted to the rotary shaft 68 via a gear mechanism not shown in FIG. 4.

[0070] 4, reference numeral 58 denotes a control unit that controls a motor 59. The control unit 58 can grasp the position of the head unit 50 in the V axis direction based on a signal received from a reference position sensor (not shown) and the drive amount of the motor 59.

[0071] In the above configuration, when the second pinion 67 rotates due to the power of the motor 59, the second member 63 moves along the V-axis direction. Here, the guide member 61, i.e., the first rack 61a shown in Figures 5 and 6, is fixedly provided, so the first pinion 65 provided on the second member 63, which moves in the V-axis direction, rotates based on meshing with the first rack 61a. The first pinion 65 is engaged with the second rack 62a provided on the head unit 50, and therefore, when the first pinion 65 rotates, the head unit 50 moves so as to be pushed out in the V-axis direction.

[0072] For example, when the head unit 50 is in the recording position shown in Fig. 5, if the second member 63 moves in the +V direction due to the power of the motor 59, the first pinion 65 on the right side of Fig. 5 rotates counterclockwise in Fig. 5, and the first pinion 65 on the left side of Fig. 5 rotates clockwise in Fig. 5. This causes the head unit 50 to move in the +V direction. Furthermore, when the second member 63 moves in the -V direction due to the power of the motor 59 while the head unit 50 is in the retracted position shown in Fig. 6, the first pinion 65 on the right side in Fig. 6 rotates clockwise in Fig. 6, and the first pinion 65 on the left side in Fig. 6 rotates counterclockwise in Fig. 6. This causes the head unit 50 to move in the -V direction.

[0073] Strictly speaking, a force acts on the head unit 50 to move in the -V direction due to the action of gravity. This is because the -V direction includes a -Z direction component. Therefore, when the head unit 50 moves in the -V direction, the movement mechanism 60 applies a force in the +V direction to the head unit 50, restricting the movement of the head unit 50 in the -V direction due to the action of gravity. However, after the head unit 50 abuts against the adjustment cam 80 (see FIG. 11), which will be described later, the movement mechanism 60 applies a force in the -V direction to the head unit 50, which will be described later. When the head unit 50 moves in the +V direction, the movement mechanism 60 applies a force to the head unit 50 in the +V direction.

[0074] 5 and 6, the range in the V-axis direction indicated by the symbol M1 is the range of movement of the second member 63 based on the center of the rotation axis of the first pinion 65. Also, the range in the V-axis direction indicated by the symbol M2 in Figures 5 and 6 is the range of movement of the head unit 50 based on the -V-direction end position of the second rack-forming member 62. As described above, the head unit 50 moves in the V-axis direction due to rotation of the first pinion 65, but since the first pinion 65 itself is configured to move in the V-axis direction, the movement range M2 of the head unit 50 is larger than the movement range M1 of the second member 63. In this embodiment, the movement range M2 is approximately twice the size of the movement range M1.

[0075] As described above, the movement mechanism 60 includes a guide member 61 on which a first rack 61a is formed along the movement direction of the head unit 50; a first pinion 65 that meshes with the first rack 61a; a second rack 62a that is located on the head unit 50 opposite the first rack 61a and is a rack formed along the V-axis direction, which is the movement direction of the head unit 50, and that meshes with the first pinion 65; and a second member 63 on which the first pinion 65 is rotatably mounted and that is movable in the V-axis direction by receiving power from the motor 59. The rotation of the first pinion 65, which moves in the V-axis direction, increases the movement amount of the head unit 50 compared to the movement amount of the second member 63. In other words, because the movement amount of the head unit 50 can be secured while suppressing the movement amount of the second member 63, the mechanism for moving the second member 63 can be prevented from becoming large. Specifically, in this embodiment, the length of the third rack 64a in the V-axis direction can be suppressed. As a result, the printer 1 can be prevented from becoming large.

[0076] Furthermore, since the movement mechanisms 60 are provided on both sides of the head unit 50 in the Y-axis direction, the amount of movement in the V-axis direction can be made equal on one end side and the other end side of the head unit 50 in the Y-axis direction. This allows the head unit 50 to move in the V-axis direction while maintaining the posture of the head unit 50 appropriately.

[0077] Furthermore, the tooth width direction of the first rack 61a, the second rack 62a, and the first pinion 65 is aligned with the F-axis direction, which is generally aligned with the direction in which the head unit 50 is attached or detached. As a result, when attaching or detaching the head unit 50, the meshing of the first rack 61a, the second rack 62a, and the first pinion 65 does not interfere, and the head unit 50 can be easily attached or detached. In addition, even if the first pinion 65 vibrates in the tooth width direction when the second member 63 moves, the vibration is unlikely to be transmitted to the second rack 62a, i.e., the head unit 50, so the head unit 50 can be protected from vibration and failure of the head unit 50 can be suppressed. The tooth width direction of the first rack 61a, the second rack 62a, and the first pinion 65 is along the F-axis direction, and in this embodiment, is at a slight angle to the attachment / detachment direction of the head unit 50, but may also be parallel to the attachment / detachment direction of the head unit 50.

[0078] 4, multiple third racks 64a and multiple second pinions 67 are provided in the Y-axis direction, so the second member 63 can be moved in the V-axis direction while appropriately maintaining the posture of the second member 63. This allows the head unit 50 to be moved while also appropriately maintaining the posture of the head unit 50.

[0079] Next, the configuration of the head unit 50 will be further described. As described above, the head unit 50 includes the main body portion 50a that includes the line head 51, and the second rack-forming member 62 that is an example of a sliding member. The main body 50a has engagement pins 50d (see FIG. 11) on both sides in the Y-axis direction as sites for engaging with the second rack forming member 62. Two engagement pins 50d are provided at both sides in the Y-axis direction of the main body 50a, spaced apart in the V-axis direction. The second rack forming member 62 is provided with two guide holes 62b extending in the V-axis direction, spaced apart along the V-axis direction, and when the engagement pins 50d fit into the guide holes 62b, the main body 50a and the second rack forming member 62 are connected while being able to move relatively along the V-axis direction.

[0080] A spring 55, which is an example of a third pressing member, is provided between the main body 50a and the second rack forming member 62 (see also FIG. 7). In this embodiment, the spring 55 is a compression coil spring. However, the spring 55 is not limited to a compression coil spring, and may be a tension coil spring, a torsion coil spring, or the like, as long as it can exert a force F3 (see FIG. 12) between the main body 50a and the second rack forming member 62, which will be described later. 11, reference numeral 50c denotes a second receiving portion provided on the main body portion 50a, and reference numeral 62c denotes a first receiving portion provided on the second rack forming member 62. The spring 55 exerts a pressing force between the second receiving portion 50c and the first receiving portion 62c, and this pressing force acts to separate the second receiving portion 50c and the first receiving portion 62c.

[0081] When the head unit 50 is not in contact with the adjustment cam 80 described later, the spring 55 is in its most extended state between the second receiving portion 50c and the first receiving portion 62c, and the engagement pin 50d is positioned in the -V direction in the guide hole 62b.

[0082] Next, an adjustment cam 80 is provided in the -V direction relative to the head unit 50. The adjustment cam 80 is provided rotatably around an eccentric shaft 81 by receiving power from a motor (not shown). The adjustment cams 80 are provided on both sides of the head unit 50 in the Y-axis direction, as shown in Figure 15. In Figure 15, the adjustment cams 80 are hatched for ease of illustration. The head unit 50 is provided with cam contact surfaces 50b that come into contact with the adjustment cam 80. The cam contact surfaces 50b are also provided on both sides of the head unit 50 in the Y-axis direction as shown in FIG.

[0083] The recording position of the head unit 50 is determined by the cam contact surface 50b contacting the adjustment cam 80. That is, the adjustment cam 80 contacts a part of the head unit 50 moving from the retracted position toward the recording position, and functions as a positioning part that determines the position of the head unit 50 at the recording position. The recording position is an example of a position determined by the adjustment cam 80. Here, the adjustment cam 80 rotates around the eccentric shaft 81, so that the position of the cam abutment surface 50b in the V-axis direction can be adjusted by rotating the adjustment cam 80, that is, the recording position can be adjusted. The recording position is adjusted according to, for example, the thickness of the medium to be recorded on.

[0084] When the control unit 58 (see FIG. 4) drives the motor 59 to move the head unit 50 to the recording position, it further drives the motor 59 from a state in which the cam abutment surface 50b abuts against the adjustment cam 80 to move the second rack forming member 62 in the -V direction. At this time, the cam abutment surface 50b of the main body 50a is abutting against the adjustment cam 80 and does not move in the -V direction, so only the second rack forming member 62 moves in the -V direction as shown by the change from FIG. 17 to FIG. 18. This relative movement between the main body 50a and the second rack forming member 62 causes the spring 55 to compress, exerting a force F3 shown in FIG. 12 on the main body 50a.

[0085] As described above, the head unit 50 includes a main body 50a equipped with the line head 51, a second rack forming member 62 that is displaceable relative to the main body 50a in the movement direction of the head unit 50, and a spring 55 that is interposed between the main body 50a and the second rack forming member 62 and presses the main body 50a toward the adjustment cam 80 when the head unit 50 is at the recording position. The movement mechanism 60 is configured to apply a force to the second rack forming member 62 to move the head unit 50. This does not require high stopping accuracy when the movement mechanism 60 moves the head unit 50 toward the recording position and stops it with the main body 50a in contact with the adjustment cam 80, making it easier to control the position of the head unit 50.

[0086] 12, the first pinion 65 applies a force F1 in the -V direction to the second rack-forming member 62. To maintain this state, the control unit 58 (see FIG. 4) may perform hold control of the motor 59. By applying the force F1 in this manner, the spring 55 contracts, and a force F3 in the -V direction can be applied to the main body 50a. In this state, the main body 50a receives a reaction force F2 in the +V direction from the adjustment cam 80 at the position of the cam contact surface 50b. Since the direction of the force F1 and the direction of the reaction force F2 are opposite and the acting positions are apart, a moment Ma that tends to rotate the head unit 50 counterclockwise in FIG. 12 is generated. Note that both force F1 and reaction force F2 act on the +Y side and the -Y side, and in this embodiment, the magnitude of force F1 acting on the +Y side and the magnitude of force F1 acting on the -Y side are approximately the same, and the magnitude of reaction force F2 acting on the +Y side and the -Y side are approximately the same. Therefore, moment Ma is also generated with approximately the same magnitude on the +Y side and the -Y side.

[0087] This moment Ma acts as a pressing force R3 that presses the third guided roller 52C against the second guide surface S2, and also acts as a lifting force R2 that lifts the second guided roller 52B from the second guide surface S2. The pressing force R3 increases the force W3 with which the third guided roller 52C contacts the second guide surface S2 due to the weight of the head unit 50, so the third guided roller 52C does not lift up from the second guide surface S2. In contrast, the lifting force R2 acts to cancel out the force W2 with which the second guided roller 52B contacts the second guide surface S2 due to the weight of the head unit 50, so when the lifting force R2 overcomes the force W2, the second guided roller 52B lifts up from the second guide surface S2. This can cause the head unit 50 to assume an improper posture, which can adversely affect recording quality. Furthermore, since the head unit 50 is supported at one point on the +Y direction side by the first guided roller 52A, the first guided roller 52A does not lift up from the first guide surface S1-1, but since it is in a state where it is easy to rotate around the first guided roller 52A as a fulcrum, the posture becomes unstable due to the influence of the moment Ma.

[0088] Note that moment Ma increases as force F1 increases. Moment Ma also increases as force F3 increases. Forces F1 and F3 are proportional to each other, so as force F1 increases, force F3 increases. Furthermore, reaction force F2 depends on the weight of main body 50a and force F3 (force F1), and therefore increases as force F3 (force F1) increases. As reaction force F2 increases, moment Ma also increases. Moment Ma also increases as the position where force F1 acts and the position where reaction force F2 act increase in the F-axis direction. In this embodiment, the second rack-forming member 62 and the main body 50a are engaged with each other via two guide holes 62b and two engagement pins 50d (see FIG. 12), and are configured to be unable to rotate relative to each other in the XZ plane. However, if there is play between the guide holes 62b and the engagement pins 50d, for example, and the second rack-forming member 62 and the main body 50a are able to rotate relative to each other to some extent in the XZ plane, a moment Ma will be generated on the main body 50a by the force F3 and the reaction force F2. This may result in an inappropriate posture of the main body 50a, adversely affecting recording quality.

[0089] In this embodiment, in order to prevent the attitude of the head unit 50, particularly the attitude of the main body portion 50a, from becoming unstable due to the moment Ma, a pressing means 70 is provided that applies a pressing force F4 to the head unit 50, particularly the main body portion 50a, in a direction that cancels out the rotation due to the moment Ma. The pressing means 70 will be explained later.

[0090] Next, the control when the head unit 50 is moved from the retracted position toward the recording position will be described. 15, the main body 50a of the head unit 50 is provided with a first sensor 86A and a second sensor 86B on either side of an intermediate position Yc between the first position Q1 and the second position Q2 in the Y-axis direction. In this embodiment, the distance between the intermediate position Yc and the first sensor 86A and the distance between the intermediate position Yc and the second sensor 86B in the Y-axis direction are equal. In this embodiment, both the first sensor 86A and the second sensor 86B are optical sensors.

[0091] 7, a detected portion 62d is provided on the second rack forming member 62. The detected portion 62d of the second rack forming member 62 provided in the -Y direction is switchable between a state in which it blocks the optical axis of the first sensor 86A (On state) and a state in which it does not block the optical axis of the first sensor 86A (Off state) in accordance with the relative movement between the main body 50a and the second rack forming member 62. Similarly, the detected portion 62d of the second rack forming member 62, which is arranged in the +Y direction, can be switched between a state in which it blocks the optical axis of the second sensor 86B (On state) and a state in which it does not block the optical axis of the second sensor 86B (Off state) in accordance with the relative movement between the main body portion 50a and the second rack forming member 62.

[0092] In this manner, the first sensor 86A and the second sensor 86B constitute a detection unit 86 for detecting relative movement between the main body 50a and the second rack forming member 62. As a result, the control unit 58, which receives the detection signals from the first sensor 86A and the second sensor 86B, can detect the relative movement between the main body 50a and the second rack forming member 62.

[0093] Next, the main body 50a is provided with a detection target 50f as shown in Fig. 15. In this embodiment, the detection target 50f is provided at an intermediate position Yc between a first position Q1 and a second position Q2 in the Y-axis direction as shown in Fig. 15. As shown in Figures 16 to 18, a home position sensor 85 is provided in the device body 2 of the printer 1 at a position independent from the head unit 50. Hereinafter, the home position sensor will be abbreviated as the "HP sensor." In this embodiment, the HP sensor 85 is an optical sensor. The detected portion 50f of the main body 50a is switchable between a state in which it blocks the optical axis of the HP sensor 85 (On state) and a state in which it does not block the optical axis of the HP sensor 85 (Off state) as the head unit 50 moves. As a result, the control unit 58, which receives the detection signal from the HP sensor 85, can detect that the head unit 50 is located at the home position. In this embodiment, the home position of the head unit 50 is set to position V3b shown in Figure 10, i.e., the position where the flushing operation is performed.

[0094] The motor 59, which is the driving source for moving the head unit 50, is provided with an encoder sensor 59a, and the control unit 58 can detect the amount of drive of the motor 59, in other words, the amount of movement of the head unit 50, based on the detection signal from this encoder sensor 59a.

[0095] Next, the control when the head unit 50 is removed and then attached will be described with reference to Fig. 21. Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing the flow of the initial detection operation when replacing the head unit 50. Note that the control after the head unit 50 is attached will be described later with reference to Figs. 22 and 23. 21 in response to the attachment or detachment of head unit 50, the control unit 58 determines the tilt of head unit 50, as described below, and also acquires lower limit thresholds SL1 and SL2 and upper limit thresholds SH1 and SH2. Note that the operator can input information about the attachment or detachment of head unit 50 via an operation panel (not shown), and the control unit 58 can execute the control shown in FIG. 21 based on this information. When the head unit 50 is removed and then attached, the head unit 50 is in the retracted position. In this state, the control unit 58 starts driving the motor 59 to move the head unit 50 in the -V direction (step S101), and monitors the change in the state of the HP sensor 85 (step S102).

[0096] When the head unit 50 reaches the home position from the retracted position and then passes through the home position, causing the HP sensor 85 to switch from the Off state to the On state and then back to the Off state (Yes in step S102), the control unit 58 sets the variable Xp, which indicates the drive amount of the motor 59, to a reference value, i.e., zero (step S103). Hereinafter, the variable Xp will be referred to as the motor drive amount Xp. The motor drive amount Xp can be obtained by the encoder sensor 59a (see FIGS. 16 to 18).

[0097] Next, the control unit 58 monitors changes in the state of the first sensor 86A and the second sensor 86B, and when both the first sensor 86A and the second sensor 86B switch from the Off state to the On state (Yes in step S104), it sets the value X1 to the motor drive amount Xp when the first sensor 86A switches from the Off state to the On state, and sets the value X2 to the motor drive amount Xp when the second sensor 86B switches from the Off state to the On state (step S105).

[0098] Then, it is determined whether the absolute value of the difference between the values ​​X1 and X2 exceeds the difference threshold (step S106). If the absolute value of the difference between the values ​​X1 and X2 exceeds the difference threshold, it can be said that the longitudinal direction of the head unit 50 is not aligned with the Y-axis direction and that it may be installed at an angle. Therefore, in this case, the control unit 58 determines that there is an error in the tilt of the head unit 50 (Yes in step S106). Due to this error, for example, the worker may perform the work of attaching and detaching the head unit 50 again.

[0099] If the absolute value of the difference between value X1 and value X2 is equal to or less than the difference threshold (No in step S106), control unit 58 obtains lower limit threshold SL1 by subtracting value X1 from the reference threshold, obtains lower limit threshold SL2 by subtracting value X2 from the reference threshold, obtains upper limit threshold SH1 by adding value X1 to the reference threshold, and obtains upper limit threshold SH2 by adding value X1 to the reference threshold (step S107). The lower limit thresholds SL1 and SL2 and the upper limit thresholds SH1 and SH2 will be described later. The difference threshold and the reference threshold are stored in advance in a storage means (not shown) provided in the control unit 58. The lower limit thresholds SL1 and SL2 and the upper limit thresholds SH1 and SH2 are stored in a storage means (not shown) provided in the control unit 58. 21 is stored in advance in a storage means (not shown) provided in the control unit 58.

[0100] Next, among the controls when the head unit 50 is attached, the control when the head unit 50 is moved from the home position toward the recording position will be described with reference to FIG. 22 and other figures as appropriate. First, the control unit 58 sets the variable Rn, which indicates the number of retries, to zero (step S201). Next, the motor 59 starts to drive, and the head unit 50 moves in the -V direction, i.e., toward the recording position (step S202, timing t0 in FIG. 19). FIG. 16 shows the state at the time when the motor 59 starts to drive. In this state, the HP sensor 85 is in the On state, and the first sensor 86A and the second sensor 86B are in the Off state. The spring length of the spring 55 is also in its longest state, and the length ds1 indicates the spring length at this time.

[0101] The control unit 58 monitors the change in the state of the HP sensor 85, and when the HP sensor 85 switches from the On state to the Off state (Yes in step S203, timing t1 in FIG. 19), it sets the motor driving amount Xp to the reference value, that is, zero (step S204). Thereafter, the control unit 58 drives the motor 59 until both the first sensor 86A and the second sensor 86B switch from the Off state to the On state (Yes in step S206). During this process, if the motor drive amount Xp exceeds a predetermined limit but both the first sensor 86A and the second sensor 86B do not switch from the Off state to the On state (Yes in step S205), the control unit 58 determines that an abnormality has occurred and performs error processing. This error processing may, for example, stop driving the motor 59 and display a notification on an operation panel (not shown) that an abnormality has occurred.

[0102] 17 shows the state at the point when the cam contact surface 50b of the main body 50a contacts the adjustment cam 80. In this state, the spring length of the spring 55 remains at length ds1. In addition, the first sensor 86A and the second sensor 86B are both in the Off state. As the motor 59 is further driven from this state, the second rack forming member 62 moves in the -V direction while the main body 50a remains stationary. When the second rack forming member 62 moves in the -V direction while the main body 50a remains stationary, the spring length of the spring 55 becomes length ds2, which is shorter than length ds1, as shown in FIG. 18, and the first sensor 86A and the second sensor 86B switch from the Off state to the On state. However, as shown in FIG. 19, there may be a discrepancy between the timing t2 when the first sensor 86A switches from the Off state to the On state and the timing t3 when the second sensor 86B switches from the Off state to the On state.

[0103] When both the first sensor 86A and the second sensor 86B switch from the Off state to the On state (Yes in step S206, timing t3 in Figure 19), the control unit 58 sets the value X1 to the motor drive amount Xp when the first sensor 86A switches from the Off state to the On state, and sets the value X2 to the motor drive amount Xp when the second sensor 86B switches from the Off state to the On state (step S207).

[0104] Next, the control unit 58 determines whether the value X1 is less than the lower limit threshold value SL1 or whether the value X2 is less than the lower limit threshold value SL2, and if the value X1 is less than the lower limit threshold value SL1 or if the value X2 is less than the lower limit threshold value SL2 (Yes in step S208), a retry operation is performed. The retry operation is performed based on the determination process in FIG. 23, which will be described later. The control unit 58 also determines whether the value X1 exceeds the upper threshold SH1 or whether the value X2 exceeds the upper threshold SH2, and if the value X1 exceeds the upper threshold SH1 or the value X2 exceeds the upper threshold SH2 (Yes in step S209), performs a retry operation. The retry operation is performed based on the determination process in FIG. 23, which will be described later.

[0105] The timing chart shown in FIG. 20 illustrates an example in which the value X1 is less than the lower threshold value SL1 and the value X2 is less than the lower threshold value SL2. In such a case, it can be determined that the relative movement between the main body 50a and the second rack forming member 62 is caused by a factor other than the contact between the cam contact surface 50b of the main body 50a and the adjustment cam 80, such as a disturbance. In such a case, even if the motor 59 is driven as is, it can be determined that the cam contact surface 50b of the main body 50a may not properly contact the adjustment cam 80. Therefore, a retry operation is performed as described below, or error processing is performed. Note that if the first sensor 86A or the second sensor 86B switches from the Off state to the On state multiple times while being less than the lower threshold value, the first switch from the Off state to the On state is used (step S208).

[0106] Although not shown in the timing chart, if the value X1 exceeds the upper threshold SH1 or the value X2 exceeds the upper threshold SH2, it can be determined that some abnormality has occurred, and a retry operation is performed as described below, or error processing is performed.

[0107] Returning to FIG. 22 , if the answers to steps S208 and S209 are No, it can be determined that the cam abutment surface 50b of the main body 50a has properly abutted against the adjustment cam 80. In this case, the process proceeds to step S210, where the motor 59 is driven a specified amount. Driving the motor 59 by this specified amount further presses the second rack forming member 62 in the −V direction. As a result, the spring force of the spring 55 presses the cam abutment surface 50b of the main body 50a against the adjustment cam 80 more reliably.

[0108] If the answer is Yes in step S208 or step S209 in Fig. 22, the process proceeds to position A in Fig. 23. Fig. 23 shows a process decision for performing a retry operation, in which the control unit 58 stops driving the motor 59 (step S301), increments a variable Rn indicating the number of retries (step S302), and then determines whether the variable Rn has reached its upper limit (step S303). If the variable Rn has reached its upper limit (Yes in step S303), an error process is performed. This error process may involve notifying an operation panel (not shown) that an abnormality has occurred.

[0109] If the variable Rn has not reached the upper limit (No in step S303), the head unit 50 is returned to the home position (step S304). Then, the process moves to position B in FIG. 22, and step S202 and subsequent steps are performed again. The above-mentioned limit amount (step S205 in FIG. 22), specified amount (step S210 in FIG. 22), and upper limit value (step S303 in FIG. 23) are stored in advance in a storage means (not shown) provided in the control unit 58. 22 and 23 is stored in advance in a storage means (not shown) provided in the control unit 58.

[0110] Next, the pressing means 70 that applies a pressing force F4 to the head unit 50 in a direction that cancels the moment Ma described with reference to FIG. 12 will be described. In this embodiment, the pressing means 70 is provided near the end of the head unit 50 in the −Y direction in the Y-axis direction, as shown in FIG. In Figure 13, the pressing means 70 includes a driven roller 92 which is an example of a first advancing / retreating member, a first pressing member 97 (see Figure 14A), a rotating member 71 which is an example of a second advancing / retreating member, and a second pressing member 73 (see Figure 14A). The driven roller 92 and the first pressing member 97 are members provided independently from the head unit 50. The rotating member 71 and the second pressing member 73 are members provided in the main body 50a of the head unit 50.

[0111] The driven roller 92 is rotatably mounted on a support member 94 via a rotation shaft 93. The axial center line of the rotation shaft 93 is aligned with the Y-axis direction. The support member 94 is held by a holding member 95 so as to be displaceable along the F-axis direction. A guide groove 95a (see FIG. 13) is formed in the holding member 95 along the F-axis direction. A guided portion 94b (see FIG. 13) is formed in the support member 94, and the guided portion 94b fits into the guide groove 95a and is guided in the F-axis direction. Furthermore, the -F-direction end of the guide groove 95a restricts displacement of the guided portion 94b in the -F direction. As described above, the driven roller 92 is mounted so as to be able to advance and retreat relative to the head unit 50.

[0112] 14A, a first pressing member 97 is provided inside the holding member 95. In this embodiment, the first pressing member 97 is a compression coil spring. 13, the holding member 95 is attached to a spring receiving frame 96, and the spring receiving frame 96 is attached to a mounting frame 98. A protrusion 96a is formed on the underside of the spring receiving frame 96 as shown in FIG. 14A, and the position of the first pressing member 97 is held by the protrusion 96a and a protrusion 94a formed on the upper part of the support member 94. The first pressing member 97 presses the support member 94, i.e., the driven roller 92, in the -F direction toward the rotating member 71, which will be described later. Note that, although the first pressing member 97 is a compression coil spring in this embodiment, it is not limited to a compression coil spring and may be a tension coil spring, a torsion coil spring, or the like, as long as it can press the driven roller 92 in the -F direction.

[0113] 13 and 14A, rotation member 71 is provided in main body 50a so as to be rotatable around rotation shaft 72. The axial center line of rotation shaft 72 is along the Y-axis direction, and free end 71d is positioned in the +V direction relative to rotation shaft 72. 14A, the second pressing member 73 is provided below the rotating member 71, and presses the rotating member 71 in a direction (+F direction) in which the free end 71d of the rotating member 71 moves away from the head unit 50. The pressing force of the second pressing member 73 presses the rotating member 71 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 14A. Note that, although the second pressing member 73 is a compression coil spring in this embodiment, it is not limited to a compression coil spring, and may be a tension coil spring, torsion coil spring, or the like, as long as it can press the rotating member 71 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 14A.

[0114] The main body 50a is provided with a rotation restricting member 78. The rotation restricting member 78 has a protruding rotation restricting portion 78a, which fits into a window hole 71c formed in the rotation member 71. As a result, when the rotation member 71 is separated from the driven roller 92, the lower edge of the window hole 71c abuts against the rotation restricting portion 78a as shown in Fig. 14A, and clockwise rotation of the rotation member 71 in Fig. 14A is restricted.

[0115] When the head unit 50 moves from this state toward the recording position, the rotating member 71 comes into contact with the driven roller 92 and rotates counterclockwise, as shown by the change from Fig. 14A to Fig. 14B. This causes the second pressing member 73 to contract, and the pressing force of the second pressing member 73 acts on the spring bearing portion 50e that receives the second pressing member 73. This pressing force becomes the pressing force F4 shown in Fig. 12. The pressing force of the second pressing member 73 is set to a magnitude that counteracts the lifting force R2 and prevents the second guided roller 52B from lifting up from the second guide surface S2.

[0116] In this embodiment, the spring constants are different between the first pressing member 97 and the second pressing member 73. Specifically, in this embodiment, when the head unit 50 has moved to the recording position as shown in Fig. 14B, the pressing force with which the driven roller 92 presses the rotating member 71 in the -F direction is greater than the pressing force with which the rotating member 71 presses the driven roller 92 in the +F direction.

[0117] As described above, the printer 1 is equipped with a pressing device 70 that applies a pressing force F4 (see FIG. 12) to the head unit 50 in a direction that cancels out the rotation of the head unit 50, i.e., the moment Ma (see FIG. 12), when the head unit 50 is in the recording position. The pressing force F4 from the pressing device 70 presses the second guided roller 52B against the second guide surface S2, regardless of the lift-up force R2. This prevents the position of the head unit 50 from becoming unstable due to the moment Ma, and ensures good recording quality. This is the first effect of the pressing device 70.

[0118] Furthermore, the pressing means 70 attempts to cancel out the rotation of the head unit 50 by pressing the head unit 50 in a direction intersecting the movement direction of the head unit 50, thereby preventing the pressing means 70 from impeding the movement of the head unit 50 along the V-axis direction. As a result, it is possible to prevent increases in costs and power consumption that would otherwise be associated with increasing the rated output of the motor 59 (see FIG. 4), which is the power source for the movement of the head unit 50. In this embodiment, the pressing direction of the head unit 50 by the pressing means 70 is the -F direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the V-axis direction, which is the movement direction of the head unit 50, but this is not limited to this and it is sufficient if it is a direction that intersects with the V-axis direction, which is the movement direction of the head unit 50.

[0119] The head unit 50 also includes a first guided roller 52A at one end in the Y-axis direction (end in the +Y direction), and a second guided roller 52B and a third guided roller 52C at the other end in the Y-axis direction (end in the -Y direction) spaced apart in the movement direction of the head unit 50. The first guided roller 52A is supported and guided in the movement direction by first guide surfaces S1-1 and S1-2 (see FIG. 9) extending along the movement direction of the head unit 50, while the second guided roller 52B and the third guided roller 52C are supported and guided in the movement direction by a second guide surface S2 (see FIG. 8) extending along the movement direction. The head unit 50 is supported at three locations—the first guided roller 52A, the second guided roller 52B, and the third guided roller 52C—at least when in the recording position. This stabilizes the posture of the head unit 50 at the recording position, allowing for good recording quality.

[0120] 15, symbol Q1 denotes a first position where the first guided roller 52A contacts the first guide surface S1-1, symbol Q2 denotes a second position where the second guided roller 52B contacts the second guide surface S2, and symbol Q3 denotes a third position where the third guided roller 52C contacts the second guide surface S2. Symbol Q4 denotes a fourth position where the pressing means 70 applies a pressing force F4 to the head unit 50. In this embodiment, when viewed from a direction (+F direction) perpendicular to a plane including the first position Q1, the second position Q2, and the third position Q3, the fourth position Q4 is inside a triangular area At connecting the first position Q1, the second position Q2, and the third position Q3.

[0121] As a result, the first guided roller 52A is pressed appropriately against the first guide surface S1-1, the second guided roller 52B is pressed appropriately against the second guide surface S2, and further the third guided roller 52C is pressed appropriately against the second guide surface S2, resulting in a stable posture of the head unit 50 and good recording quality. However, the fourth position Q4 may be on the outer edge of the area At, or may be outside the area At.

[0122] 15, the symbol Q5 indicates the center of gravity of the head unit 50 when viewed from a direction (+F direction) perpendicular to the plane including the first position Q1, the second position Q2, and the third position Q3. The center of gravity Q5 is located inside a triangular area At connecting the first position Q1, the second position Q2, and the third position Q3. This stabilizes the posture of the head unit 50.

[0123] As described above, the second guided roller 52B is positioned to be lifted from the second guide surface S2 due to the rotation of the head unit 50 caused by the moment Ma, and the third guided roller 52C is positioned to be pressed against the second guide surface S2 due to the rotation of the head unit 50 caused by the moment Ma. The fourth position Q4, where the pressing means 70 applies a pressing force F4 to the head unit 50, is located closer to the second position Q2 than the intermediate position Yc between the first position Q1 and the second position Q2 in the Y-axis direction. Also, the fourth position Q4 is located closer to the second position Q2 than the intermediate position Vc between the second position Q2 and the third position Q3 in the V-axis direction. As a result, the head unit 50 is pressed at a position close to the second guided roller 52B, and rotation of the head unit 50 is appropriately suppressed. However, the fourth position Q4 may be located on the intermediate position Yc or closer to the first position Q1 than the intermediate position Yc in the Y-axis direction, or may be located on the intermediate position Vc or closer to the third position Q3 than the intermediate position Vc in the V-axis direction.

[0124] Furthermore, the axial centerline of the rotation shaft 72 of the rotation member 71 is aligned along the Y-axis direction, and in the V-axis direction, the free end 71d is located in the +V direction, i.e., on the retracted position side, relative to the rotation shaft 72. When the head unit 50 moves from the retracted position to the recording position, the driven roller 92 moves relative to the rotation member 71 from the rotation shaft 72 toward the free end 71d. This causes the force that the pressing means 70 applies to the head unit 50 to gradually increase as the head unit 50 moves from the retracted position to the recording position. In other words, a sudden large load is prevented from being applied to the head unit 50 when it moves to the recording position, allowing the head unit 50 to move smoothly to the recording position. 14A and 14B, the surface of the rotating member 71 that comes into contact with the driven roller 92 is made up of a first contact surface 71a and a second contact surface 71b that forms a predetermined angle with the first contact surface 71a, and when the head unit 50 moves to the recording position, the first contact surface 71a first comes into contact with the driven roller 92. When switching from the state of FIG. 14A to the state of FIG. 14B, the first contact surface 71a functions to guide the driven roller 92 to the second contact surface 71b, which allows the head unit 50 to move even more smoothly to the recording position.

[0125] The pressing means 70 also includes a rotation restricting portion 78a that restricts the rotation of the rotating member 71 in a direction in which the free end 71d of the rotating member 71 moves away from the head unit 50. This reduces the contact angle when the driven roller 92 contacts the rotating member 71, further preventing a sudden large load from being applied when the head unit 50 moves to the recording position. In this embodiment, the first advancing / retreating member that contacts the rotating member 71 is the driven roller 92, which reduces the load on the rotating member 71, but the first advancing / retreating member may be another non-rotating member instead of the driven roller 92.

[0126] The pressing means 70 is provided independently of the head unit 50 and includes a driven roller 92 that can move forward and backward relative to the head unit 50, and a first pressing member 97 that is provided independently of the head unit 50 and presses the driven roller 92 toward the head unit 50. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the driven roller 92 is fixed and does not move forward or backward, the load when the head unit 50 moves in the -V direction can be reduced, and the head unit 50 can be moved appropriately to the positioning position. This is the second effect of the pressing means 70.

[0127] In particular, if the driven roller 92 is fixedly provided, and the driven roller 92 comes into contact with the vicinity of the rotation shaft 72 of the rotating member 71 when the head unit 50 moves toward the recording position, the rotating member 71 cannot retreat in the -F direction. As a result, the main body 50a cannot move any further in the -V direction, and there is a risk that the cam contact surface 50b of the main body 50a will not be able to properly contact the adjustment cam 80.

[0128] In this embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 15 , the fourth position Q4, where the pressing means 70 applies a pressing force F4 to the main body portion 50a, is located closer to the second position Q2 in the Y-axis direction than the intermediate position Yc between the first position Q1 and the second position Q2. Therefore, when the driven roller 92 obstructs the movement of the main body portion 50a in the -V direction, the end of the main body portion 50a facing the +Y direction moves first in the -V direction, resulting in the main body portion 50a tilting within the YV plane. This can sometimes be detected by the value X1 falling below the lower threshold value SL1 in step S208 shown in FIG. 22 . However, even if the value X1 falls between the lower threshold value SL1 and the upper threshold value SH1, the cam contact surface 50b of the main body portion 50a may not properly contact the adjustment cam 80. This can also be considered a false detection by the first sensor 86A. In this case, the line head 51 will not be in an appropriate position or posture, and the gap between the ink ejection surface 51a and the conveyor belt 13 will become inappropriate, resulting in a decrease in recording quality.

[0129] However, as described above, since the driven roller 92 can move forward and backward relative to the head unit 50, even if the driven roller 92 abuts near the rotation shaft 72 of the rotating member 71, the driven roller 92 moves in the +F direction, allowing the main body 50a to move appropriately in the -V direction, and ultimately allowing the cam abutment surface 50b of the main body 50a to abut appropriately against the adjustment cam 80. As a result, the line head 51 is in an appropriate position and posture, and the gap between the ink ejection surface 51a and the conveyor belt 13 is appropriate, resulting in good recording quality. Furthermore, false detection by the first sensor 86A can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the impact when the rotating member 71 comes into contact with the driven roller 92 is reduced, it is possible to prevent the meniscus of the nozzle that ejects ink from being broken.

[0130] In this embodiment, the head unit 50 has a main body 50a equipped with a recording head, and a second rack forming member 62 that is slidable relative to the main body 50a along the V-axis direction. The movement mechanism 60 presses the main body 50a in the -V direction by moving the second rack forming member 62 in the -V direction while the main body 50a is in contact with the adjustment cam 80. This improves the positioning accuracy of the line head 51. Furthermore, by pressing the main body portion 50a in the -V direction, the reaction force that the main body portion 50a receives from the adjustment cam 80 increases, and the moment Ma shown in Figure 12 increases; however, the first action effect of the pressing means 70 described above can suitably suppress the moment Ma.

[0131] In addition, in this embodiment, the head unit 50 has a first receiving portion 62c provided on the second rack forming member 62, a second receiving portion 50c provided on the main body portion 50a, and a spring 55 which is a pressing member provided between the first receiving portion 62c and the second receiving portion 50c and which presses the second receiving portion in the -V direction when the second rack forming member 62 moves in the -V direction with the main body portion 50a in contact with the adjustment cam 80. In this configuration, the spring 55 stabilizes the position of the main body 50a, that is, the line head 51, and appropriate recording quality is obtained.

[0132] In this embodiment, the printer 1 also includes a detection unit 86 that detects the relative displacement between the second rack forming member 62 and the main body unit 50a when the head unit 50 moves in the -V direction. When the head unit 50 moves in the -V direction, the second rack forming member 62 and the main body portion 50a may be displaced relative to each other in the following first and second cases. In the first case, the cam abutment surface 50b of the main body portion 50a properly abuts against the adjustment cam 80. In the second case, before the cam abutment surface 50b of the main body portion 50a properly abuts against the adjustment cam 80, the pressing force of the pressing means 70 prevents the main body portion 50a from moving in the -V direction, causing the cam abutment surface 50b of the main body portion 50a to stop before abutting against the adjustment cam 80. The detection unit 86, which includes the first sensor 86A and the second sensor 86B, detects the first case and can thereby detect that the cam contact surface 50b of the main body 50a has properly contacted the adjustment cam 80. In the second case, occurrence can be suppressed by the second action effect of the pressing means 70 described above, so the detection unit 86 can detect that the main body 50a has properly contacted the adjustment cam 80.

[0133] Furthermore, the movement mechanism 60 moves the head unit 50 in the movement direction by a rack and pinion mechanism, and the second rack 62a, which is a rack that constitutes the rack and pinion mechanism, is provided on the second rack forming member 62. In this way, the rack and pinion mechanism allows the head unit 50 to be moved with a simple structure. Furthermore, due to the effect of the pressing means 70 described above, the detection unit 86 including the first sensor 86A and the second sensor 86B can properly detect that the main body 50a has properly contacted the adjustment cam 80.

[0134] In this embodiment, the first pressing member 97 and the second pressing member 73 are both springs, and the spring constant of the first pressing member 97 and the spring constant of the second pressing member 73 are different. This allows the member pressed by the member with the relatively smaller spring constant to easily retract when driven roller 92 and rotating member 71 engage with each other. As a result, the load when head unit 50 moves in the -V direction can be appropriately reduced, allowing head unit 50 to move more appropriately to the positioning position. In this case, when a part of the head unit 50 is in contact with the adjustment cam 80, a force F4 (see FIG. 12) that presses the head unit 50 so as to cancel out the moment Ma (see FIG. 12) is obtained by the compression of the spring with the relatively smaller spring constant. This makes it possible to suppress variations in the force F4, and to easily obtain an appropriate force F4. Even if the rotating member 71, which is pressed by the spring with a relatively small spring constant, cannot temporarily retract when the rotating member 71 abuts against the driven roller 92 during the process of moving the head unit 50 toward the recording position, the driven roller 92, which is pressed by the spring with a relatively large spring constant, temporarily retracts, allowing the head unit 50 to move appropriately to the recording position. An example of a case in which the rotating member 71 cannot temporarily retract is when the driven roller 92 abuts against the vicinity of the rotation shaft 72 of the rotating member 71, as described above.

[0135] In this embodiment, as described above, when the head unit 50 is moved to the recording position as shown in Figure 14B, the pressure force with which the driven roller 92 presses the rotating member 71 in the -F direction is greater than the pressure force with which the rotating member 71 presses the driven roller 92 in the +F direction. In this configuration, the pressing force with which the rotating member 71 presses the driven roller 92 in the +F direction is set based on the force F4 shown in Fig. 12. Even if the rotating member 71 comes into contact with the driven roller 92 in a state where it cannot retract in the -F direction while the head unit 50 is moving toward the recording position, the driven roller 92, which has a relatively large pressing force, temporarily retracts, allowing the head unit 50 to move appropriately to the recording position. An example of a case where the rotating member 71 cannot temporarily retract is when the driven roller 92 comes into contact with the vicinity of the rotation shaft 72 of the rotating member 71, as described above. Then, when the head unit 50 has moved to the recording position, the rotation member 71, which has a relatively small pressing force, moves in the -F direction, making it possible to easily obtain an appropriate force F4.

[0136] However, this is not limited to this, and the configuration may also be such that when the head unit 50 is moved to the recording position as shown in Figure 14C, the pressing force with which the driven roller 92 presses the rotating member 71 in the -F direction is lower than the pressing force with which the rotating member 71 presses the driven roller 92 in the +F direction. However, in a configuration in which the rotating member 71 has the first contact surface 71a and the second contact surface 71b as in this embodiment, the driven roller 92 can press the second contact surface 72b straight in the -F direction in the case shown in Fig. 14B. This makes it possible to prevent the force with which the driven roller 92 presses the head unit 50 from acting in a way that hinders the movement of the head unit 50.

[0137] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second advancing / retreating member is a rotating member 71 that is rotatable and moves forward and backward relative to the first pressing member 97 as it rotates. When the rotating member 71 rotates, the free end 71d is located in the +V direction with respect to the rotation shaft 72. When the head unit 50 moves in the -V direction, the driven roller 92 moves relative to the rotating member 71 from the rotation shaft 72 toward the free end 71d. This causes the pressing force that the pressing means 70 applies to the head unit 50 to gradually increase, making it possible to prevent a sudden load from being applied to the head unit 50.

[0138] In the embodiment described above, the rotating member 71 is provided in the head unit 50, and the driven roller 92 is provided at a position independent from the head unit 50, but the reverse may also be true. In addition, in this embodiment, the second advancing / retreating member is a rotating member 71 that is rotatable and moves forward and backward relative to the first pressing member 97 by rotating, but the second advancing / retreating member may also be a member that moves forward and backward relative to the first pressing member 97 without rotating. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, one first pressing member 97 for pressing the driven roller 92 is provided, but a plurality of first pressing members may be provided so as to surround the protrusions 94a and 96a (see FIG. 14A) in the YV plane.

[0139] In this embodiment, the positioning unit that determines the position of the head unit 50 is the adjustment cam 80, which is a cam that defines the distance between the head unit 50 and the medium, and the positioning position is the recording position. This allows for appropriate recording results. However, the positioning portion may be the cap member 46 as the maintenance portion, and the positioning position may be the cap position, which will provide good maintenance results.

[0140] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and it goes without saying that these modifications are also included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0141] 1...inkjet printer, 2...device main body, 3...first media cassette, 4...second media cassette, 5...third media cassette, 6...extension unit, 8...output tray, 8a...protrusion, 8b...support surface, 9...scanner unit, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D...ink storage section, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D...mounting section, 12...waste liquid storage section, 13...conveyor belt, 14, 15...pulley, 19...supply roller, 20...separation roller, 21, 22, 23...pick roller, 25, 26, 27...feed roller pair, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34 4, 35, 36, 37, 38... conveying roller pair, 41... flap, 43... wiper unit, 44... wiper, 45... cap unit, 46... cap member, 49... shaft, 50... head unit, 50a... main body, 50b... cam abutment surface, 50c... second receiving portion, 50d... engagement pin, 50e... spring receiving portion, 51... line head, 51a... ink ejection surface, 52A... first guided roller, 52B... second guided roller, 52C... third guided roller, 52D... fourth guided roller, 53... lower roller, 54... lower roller support member, 55...spring, 58...control unit, 59...motor, 60...movement mechanism, 61A...right guide member, 61B-1...left first guide member, 61B-2...left second guide member, 61a...first rack, 61b...right first guide groove, 61c...right second guide groove, 61d...left first guide groove, 61e...left second guide groove, 61j...third guide groove, 61k...fourth guide groove, 62...second rack forming member, 62a...second rack, 62b...guide hole, 62c...first receiving portion, 63...second member, 64...third rack forming member, 64a...third rack, 65...first pinion, 67...second pinion cam, 68...rotating shaft, 69...guide roller, 70...pressing means, 71...rotating member, 71a...first contact surface, 71b...second contact surface, 71c...window hole, 71d...free end, 72...rotating shaft, 73...second pressing member, 78...rotation restricting member, 78a...rotation restricting portion, 80...adjusting cam, 81...eccentric shaft, 86...detecting portion, 86A...first sensor, 86B...second sensor, 92...following roller, 93...rotating shaft, 94...support member, 94a...protrusion, 94b...guided portion, 95...holding member, 96...spring receiving frame, 96a...protrusion, 97...first pressing member, 98...mounting frame, S1-1, S1-2...first guide surface, S2...second guide surface, T1...transport path during recording, T2...switchback path, T3...reversal path

Claims

1. a recording unit that records on the medium; a moving mechanism that moves the recording unit along a moving direction between a recording position where recording is performed on a medium and a retreat position where the recording unit is retreated from the recording position; a positioning unit that abuts against a part of the recording unit moving in the first direction, with either a direction from the retracted position toward the recording position or a direction from the recording position toward the retracted position being defined as a first direction among the movement directions, and defines the opposite direction as a second direction, and determines the position of the recording unit in the movement direction as a positioning position; a pressing means for pressing the recording unit so as to cancel a moment generated in the recording unit by a force received from the positioning unit and the moving mechanism while a part of the recording unit is in contact with the positioning unit; Equipped with The pressing means is a first advancing / retreating member provided independently of the recording unit and capable of advancing / retreating with respect to the recording unit; a first pressing member provided independently of the recording unit and configured to press the first advancing / retreating member toward the recording unit; a second advancing / retracting member provided in the recording unit and capable of advancing / retracting relative to the first advancing / retracting member; a second pressing member provided in the recording unit and configured to press the second advancing / retracting member toward the first advancing / retracting member; having A recording device characterized by:

2. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, The recording unit a main body portion including a recording head; a slide member that is slidable relative to the main body along the movement direction; and the moving mechanism presses the main body in the first direction by moving the slide member in the first direction with the main body in contact with the positioning portion. A recording device characterized by:

3. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, The recording unit a first receiving portion provided on the slide member; a second receiving portion provided on the main body portion; a third pressing member that is provided between the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion and presses the second receiving portion in the first direction when the slide member moves in the first direction with the main body portion in contact with the positioning portion; and having A recording device characterized by:

4. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: a detection unit that detects a relative displacement between the slide member and the main body unit when the recording unit moves in the first direction; A recording device characterized by:

5. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: the moving mechanism moves the recording unit in the moving direction by a rack and pinion mechanism, The rack constituting the rack and pinion mechanism is provided on the slide member. A recording device characterized by:

6. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, the moving mechanism moves the recording unit in the moving direction by a rack and pinion mechanism, a rack constituting the rack and pinion mechanism is provided on the slide member, The detection unit detects relative movement between the main body unit and the slide member. A recording device characterized by:

7. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, the first pressing member and the second pressing member are both springs, The spring constant of the first pressing member is different from the spring constant of the second pressing member. A recording device characterized by:

8. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, the second advancing / retreating member is rotatable and moves forward and backward relative to the first advancing / retreating member by rotating; an axial center line of the rotation shaft of the second advancing / retreating member is aligned along a width direction intersecting with the movement direction, a free end of the second advancing / retreating member when the second advancing / retreating member rotates in the second direction relative to the rotation axis; When the recording unit moves in the first direction, the first advancing / retracting member moves relatively to the second advancing / retracting member from the rotation shaft toward the free end. A recording device characterized by:

9. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, the recording unit includes a first guided portion at one end in a width direction intersecting with the movement direction, and a second guided portion and a third guided portion at the other end in the width direction, spaced apart in the movement direction; the first guided portion is guided in the movement direction by a first guide portion extending along the movement direction, the second guided portion and the third guided portion are guided in the movement direction by a second guide portion extending along the movement direction, the recording unit is supported at three locations, namely, the first guided portion, the second guided portion, and the third guided portion, at least when the recording unit is in the positioning position; A recording device characterized by:

10. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to a plane including a first position where the first guided portion contacts the first guide portion, a second position where the second guided portion contacts the second guide portion, and a third position where the third guided portion contacts the second guide portion, the position at which the pressing means applies force to the recording portion is within a triangular area connecting the first position, the second position, and the third position; A recording device characterized by:

11. 11. The recording apparatus according to claim 10, the second guided portion is in a position where it tends to rise up from the second guide portion due to the moment, the third guided portion is at a position where it is pressed against the second guide portion by the moment, a position at which the pressing means applies a force to the recording unit is located closer to the second position than an intermediate position between the first position and the second position in the width direction, and is located closer to the second position than an intermediate position between the second position and the third position in the movement direction; A recording device characterized by:

12. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, the positioning portion is a cam portion that defines a distance between the recording portion and the medium, the positioning position is the recording position; A recording device characterized by:

13. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a maintenance unit that performs maintenance on the recording unit, a movement area of ​​the recording unit includes a maintenance position where maintenance of the recording unit is performed; the positioning unit is the maintenance unit, the positioning position is the maintenance position; A recording device characterized by:

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