Printing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a printing device with excellent maintainability. [Solution] The printing apparatus comprises a table on which media is placed, a head that ejects ink from multiple nozzles toward the table, a relative movement mechanism that moves the table and the head relative to each other in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction along the table, and an ink supply unit located below the front side of the table that supplies ink to the head. The ink supply unit has a stage that slides in and out of the table on the front side in the sub-scanning direction by sliding, and a plurality of container mounting parts provided on the upper surface of the stage to which ink containers can be attached and detached. The plurality of container mounting parts are arranged in a configuration where multiple rows are arranged in the main scanning direction and multiple rows are arranged in the sub-scanning direction.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] As a printing apparatus for printing on a medium, for example, an inkjet printing apparatus that ejects droplets from a head onto a medium is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such a printing apparatus includes a table on which a medium is placed, a head that discharges ink toward the table from a plurality of nozzles, a relative movement mechanism that relatively moves the table and the head in a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction along the table, and a plurality of ink bottles that supply ink to the head.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] [[ID=3']] In the above-described printing apparatus, the plurality of ink bottles need to be arranged at appropriate positions in consideration of maintenance work such as replacement.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a printing apparatus having excellent maintainability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The printing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a table on which media is placed, a head that ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles toward the table, a relative movement mechanism that moves the table and the head relative to each other in a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction along the table, and an ink supply unit located below the front side of the table that supplies ink to the head. The ink supply unit has a stage that slides in and out of the table on the front side in the sub-scanning direction by sliding, and a plurality of container mounting parts provided on the upper surface of the stage to which ink containers can be attached and detached. The plurality of container mounting parts are arranged in a configuration where a plurality of rows are arranged in the main scanning direction and a plurality of rows are arranged in the sub-scanning direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a printing apparatus with excellent maintainability can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram (front view) showing a schematic configuration example of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a diagram (plan view) showing a schematic example of the configuration of a printing apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment (side view from the +Y side). [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing an example of an ink supply unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of the stage in the X direction (positioned in the storage location). [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of the stage in a state where it has been moved in the X direction (positioned in a protruding location). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily substituted or substantially identical to those that are easily substituted by those skilled in the art.

[0010] In this embodiment, directions in the figure will be explained using the XYZ coordinate system. In this XYZ coordinate system, the plane parallel to the floor on which the printing device 100 is placed is defined as the XY plane. In this XY plane, the main scanning direction, which is the direction of head movement, is denoted as the Y direction, and the sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the X direction on the XY plane is denoted as the X direction. The direction perpendicular to the XY plane (height direction) is denoted as the Z direction. In the X, Y, and Z directions, the direction of the arrow in the figure is considered the + direction, and the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow is considered the - direction. In this embodiment, the +X direction may be referred to as the front direction (front side), the -X direction as the back direction (back side), the +Y direction as the left side, the -Y direction as the right side, the +Z direction as the top side, and the -Z direction as the bottom side.

[0011] A printing apparatus according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figures 1 to 3 are diagrams showing a schematic configuration example of a printing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment. Figure 1 is a front view, Figure 2 is a top view, and Figure 3 is a view from the +Y side. In Figure 2, the table 10 is shown with a dashed line and is shown with transparency on the lower side to make the lower part of the table 10 easier to see. Also, in Figure 3, the +Y side configuration of the ink supply mechanism 40 is omitted to make the ink supply mechanism 40 easier to see. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in this embodiment, the printing apparatus 100 will be described using an image forming apparatus as an example, which forms an image on a media M such as a film or plate material. As shown in Figure 1, the printing apparatus 100 includes a table 10, a head 20, a head moving mechanism 30, an ink supply unit 40, a control panel 50, and a control unit 60.

[0012] The table 10 supports the media M and the head movement mechanism 30. The table 10 has a mounting surface 10a on which the media M is placed. The table 10 is rectangular in shape. An inclined portion 10b for arranging the control panel 50 is formed at the front end of the table 10. The table 10 is supported by a plurality of legs 11. The plurality of legs 11 are provided, for example, at positions corresponding to the four corners of the table 10 in a plan view.

[0013] The print head 20 has a nozzle surface 21 facing the mounting surface 10a. The nozzle surface 21 is, for example, planar. The nozzle surface 21 is provided with a plurality of nozzles (not shown) for ejecting ink. Examples of inks include ultraviolet-curable inks. As for the type of ultraviolet-curable ink, depending on the colors of the image to be formed on the media M, white ink, colored inks such as cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), transparent ink, etc., can be used as appropriate. The print head 20 is electrically connected to the control unit 60, and its drive is controlled by the control unit 60. The print head 20 is connected to an ink supply device (not shown) and receives ink from the ink supply device. The print head 20 is movable in the main scanning direction together with the carriage 22. The print head 20 ejects ink toward the mounting surface 10a while reciprocating along the main scanning direction. In a configuration where UV-curable ink is ejected from the head 20, the carriage 22 is equipped with a UV irradiation device (not shown) that irradiates the UV-curable ink with ultraviolet light.

[0014] The head movement mechanism 30 is supported by the table 10 and moves the head 20 in the X and Y directions along the mounting surface 10a of the table 10. The head movement mechanism 30 moves the head 20 relative to the table 10 in the X and Y directions, thereby causing relative movement between the table 10 and the head 20. The head movement mechanism 30 has a main scanning movement unit 31 and a sub-scanning movement unit 32.

[0015] The main scanning movement unit 31 has a Y bar 33. The Y bar 33 is arranged parallel to the Y direction. The Y bar 33 guides the carriage 22 in the Y direction. The main scanning movement unit 31 has a drive source (not shown) such as a motor, for example, and a transmission mechanism (not shown) such as a belt that transmits the driving force of the drive source to the carriage 22.

[0016] The sub-scanning movement unit 32 has an X guide 36. The X guide 36 is provided on both side surfaces in the Y direction of the table 10. The X guide 36 extends in the X direction. The sub-scanning movement unit 32 has a drive source such as a motor, for example, and a transmission mechanism that transmits the driving force of the drive source to the Y bar 33.

[0017] The control unit 60 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that functions as a controller for executing various processes, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that functions as a memory for storing various information, a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like.

[0018] The ink supply unit 40 supplies ink to the head 20. The ink supply unit 40 is arranged below the front side of the table 10. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the ink supply unit 40. The ink supply unit 40 has a stage 41, a stage guide portion 42, and a container mounting portion 43.

[0019] The stage 41 holds a plurality of ink containers 70. The stage 41 is slidable so as to reciprocate in the X direction, which is the sub-scanning direction. FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams showing an example of the state where the stage 41 is moved in the X direction. FIG. 5 shows an example arranged at a storage position P1 described later, and FIG. 6 shows an example arranged at a protruding position P2 described later.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the stage 41 is slidable in the X direction between the storage position P1 and the protruding position P2. The storage position P1 is a position where the stage 41 is stored below the table 10. The protruding position P2 is a position where the stage 41 protrudes from the front side of the table 10.

[0021] The stage 41 is in the shape of a rectangular box and is formed using a magnetic material such as iron. The stage 41 is guided and slides in the X direction by the stage guide 42.

[0022] The stage guide 42 guides the stage 41 in the X direction. The stage guide 42 has a guide rail 44 and a stopper 45. The guide rail 44 and the stopper 45 are arranged on the base member 57. The guide rail 44 extends along the X direction and two are arranged in the Y direction. The stage 41 is provided with a slide mechanism (not shown) such as wheels that can slide on the guide rail 44.

[0023] The stopper 45 is arranged at both ends on both sides of the movement range of the stage 41 in the X direction, that is, at the position corresponding to the accommodation position P1 and at the position corresponding to the protruding position P2. Note that the stopper 45 may be arranged at one end of the movement range of the stage 41 in the X direction. Hereinafter, when distinguishing the stoppers 45, the stopper 45 arranged at the position corresponding to the accommodation position P1 is denoted as the stopper 45A, and the stopper 45 arranged at the position corresponding to the protruding position P2 is denoted as the stopper 45B. The stopper 45A restricts the movement of the stage 41 in the -X direction. The stopper 45B restricts the movement of the stage 41 in the +X direction.

[0024] A magnet 46 is provided on the stopper 45. Specifically, a magnet 46A is arranged at the +X side end of the stopper 45A. The magnet 46A attracts to the outer surface (-X side end face) 41Wa of the -X side wall portion 41W of the stage 41 when the stage 41 reaches the accommodation position P1 which is the -X side end of the movement range.

[0025] Also, a magnet 46B is arranged at the -X side end of the stopper 45B. The magnet 46B attracts to the inner surface (+X side end face) 41Wb of the -X side wall portion 41W of the stage 41 when the stage 41 reaches the protruding position P2 which is the +X side end of the movement range.

[0026] Multiple container mounting sections 43 are arranged on the upper surface 41U of the stage 41. The container mounting sections 43 are substantially rectangular in plan view. Each container mounting section 43 is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is inclined with respect to the X direction. This arrangement allows for saving space in the X direction on the stage 41. The container mounting sections 43 can be arranged at equal intervals in the X and Y directions, for example, but are not limited to this arrangement. Multiple container mounting sections 43 are provided in a configuration where multiple rows formed in the Y direction are arranged in multiple rows in the X direction. In this embodiment, the multiple container mounting sections 43 are configured so that four rows in the Y direction are arranged in two rows in the X direction.

[0027] The ink container 70 is a container in which ink is stored. The ink container 70 is, for example, cylindrical, but is not limited to this shape. The ink container 70 is detachable from the container mounting section 43 of the stage 41. When the ink container 70 is mounted on the container mounting section 43, it is connected to the flow pipe 48.

[0028] In this embodiment, the stage 41 is positioned on one side of the area below the table 10 in the Y direction (for example, the -Y side). Conversely, one end of the cable chain 47 is positioned on the +Y side end face 41S of the stage 41. The cable chain 47 protects the flow tube 48 connected to the ink container 70. The cable chain 47 and the flow tube 48 deform in accordance with the movement of the stage 41. The other end of the cable chain 47 is positioned on the base member 57.

[0029] The flow tube 48 is a flexible, tubular member through which ink from the ink container 70 flows. A flow tube 48 is provided for each ink container 70. One end of the flow tube 48 is connected to the container mounting section 43. The other end of the flow tube 48 is connected to the ink relay mechanism 49 (see Figures 1 and 2). Note that in Figure 4, the other end of the flow tube 48 is shown cut in the middle.

[0030] The ink relay mechanism 49 is located on the other side of the Y-direction (e.g., the +Y side) of the area below the table 10. The ink relay mechanism 49 is connected to the flow pipe 48 and distributes ink from the flow pipe 48 to the head 20. The ink relay mechanism 49 has a drive source (not shown), such as a pump, for dispensing ink. A relay pipe 52 is connected to the ink relay mechanism 49. The relay pipe 52 dispenses ink from the ink relay mechanism 49 to the head 20. The relay pipe 52 is connected to the Y-bar 33 via a cable chain 51. The relay pipe 52 is housed in the cable chain 51. The cable chain 51 and the relay pipe 52 deform to follow the movement of the Y-bar 33. The relay pipe 52 is connected to the head 20 on the Y-bar 33 side.

[0031] The control unit 60 controls the operation of the ink relay mechanism 49. Under the control of the control unit 60, ink from the ink container 70 is supplied to the head 20 via the flow pipe 48 and relay pipe 52 through the ink relay mechanism 49. The control unit 60 controls the operation of the head 20. Under the control of the control unit 60, ink is ejected from the nozzles of the head 20.

[0032] Furthermore, ultraviolet light is emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation device under the control of the control unit 60. The control unit 60 controls the operation of the head movement mechanism 30. Under the control of the control unit 60, the carriage 22 moves in the Y direction, which is the main scanning direction. Also, under the control of the control unit 60, the Y bar 33 moves in the X direction, which is the sub-scanning direction.

[0033] In the printing apparatus 100 with the above configuration, when performing maintenance such as replacing the ink container 70, the stage 41 is pulled out from the storage position P1 towards the front by releasing the attraction between the stage 41 and the magnet 46A, and moved to the protruding position P2. By moving to the protruding position P2, the stage 41 is attracted to the magnet 46B and its position is fixed, and the ink supply unit 40 protrudes to the front side of the table 10 (as shown in Figure 6).

[0034] In this state, the operator can easily perform tasks such as replacing the ink container 70. Since the ink supply unit 40 is located below the table 10, ink does not come into contact with the operator when replacing the ink container 70. Alternatively, printing may be performed with the ink supply unit 40 in the protruding position P2.

[0035] Furthermore, once maintenance is complete, the stage 41 is pushed from the protruding position P2 towards the rear side to release the attraction between the stage 41 and the magnet 46B, and moved to the storage position P1. By moving to the storage position P1, the stage 41 is attracted to the magnet 46A and its position is fixed, and the ink supply unit 40 is housed below the table 10 (as shown in Figure 5).

[0036] In this embodiment, since the ink container 70 is positioned or housed below the table 10, when UV-curable ink is ejected from the head 20, the effects of ultraviolet light irradiated from an UV irradiation device (not shown) located on the carriage 22 are mitigated by the table 10.

[0037] As described above, the printing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment comprises a table 10 on which media is placed, a head 20 that ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles toward the table 10, a head moving mechanism 30 that moves the table 10 and the head 20 relative to each other in the Y and X directions along the table 10, and an ink supply unit 40 that is located below the front side of the table 10 and supplies ink to the head 20. The ink supply unit 40 has a stage 41 that slides in and out on the front side of the table 10 in the X direction by sliding in the X direction, and a plurality of container mounting parts 43 provided on the upper surface of the stage 41 on which ink containers 70 can be attached and detached. The plurality of container mounting parts 43 are provided in a state in which a plurality of rows arranged in the Y direction are arranged in a plurality of rows in the X direction.

[0038] With this configuration, the ink supply unit 40 is positioned below the front side of the table 10, and by sliding the stage 41 in the X direction, it can be extended and retracted from the front side of the table 10 in the X direction. Therefore, during maintenance, the ink supply unit 40 can be extended to the front side of the table 10 for work, and when not undergoing maintenance, the ink supply unit 40 can be retracted below the table 10. This makes it possible to provide a printing apparatus 100 with excellent maintainability.

[0039] In the printing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, the ink supply unit 40 is located at at least one end of the movement range of the stage 41 in the X direction and has a stopper 45 that restricts the movement of the stage 41.

[0040] With this configuration, the stopper 45 can appropriately restrict the movement of the stage 41, thereby preventing the stage 41 from falling off or other such issues.

[0041] In the printing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, the stage 41 is formed using a magnetic material, and the stopper 45 has a magnet 46 that can be attracted to the stage 41 when the stage 41 has reached the end of its range of motion.

[0042] With this configuration, the magnet 46 can fix the stage 41 at the edge of its range of motion, thereby appropriately restricting the movement of the stage 41.

[0043] In the printing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, the stage 41 is arranged on one side in the Y direction, and on the outer surface 41S, which is the other end face of the stage 41 in the Y direction, a flexible flow pipe 48 connected to the container mounting section 43 and a cable chain 47 protecting the flow pipe 48 are arranged.

[0044] This configuration allows for the efficient arrangement of the stage 41, the distribution pipe 48, and the cable chain 47.

[0045] In the printing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, the legs 11 supporting the table 10 are arranged on both sides of the table 10 in the X direction, and the stage 41 is slidable in the X direction between a housing position P1 where it is housed in the table 10 and a protruding position P2 where it protrudes from the front side of the table 10, and the protruding position P2 is set such that when the stage 41 is positioned at the protruding position P2, the container mounting section 43, which is located on the rearmost side, is positioned more in front of the front legs 11.

[0046] With this configuration, when the stage 41 is positioned at the protruding position P2, maintenance can be easily performed on any of the container mounting sections 43.

[0047] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in the above embodiments, a configuration in which a magnet 46 is provided on the stopper 45 was described as an example, but the invention is not limited to this configuration, and the stage 41 may be attracted by a configuration other than the magnet 46. Furthermore, a configuration corresponding to the magnet 46 may not be provided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] M...Media, P1...Storage position, P2...Protruding position, 10...Table, 10a...Mounting surface, 10b...Inclined section, 11...Legs, 20...Head, 21...Nozzle surface, 22...Carriage, 30...Head movement mechanism, 31...Main scanning movement section, 32...Sub-scanning movement section, 33...Y-bar, 36...X-guide, 40...Ink supply section, 41...Stage, 41S...End face, 41U...Top surface, 41W...Wall section, 41Wa...Outer surface, 41Wb...Inner surface, 42...Stage guide section, 43...Container mounting section, 44...Guide rail, 45,45A,45B...Stopper, 46,46A,46B...Magnet, 47,51...Cable chain, 48...Flow tube, 49...Ink relay mechanism, 50...Control panel, 52...Relay tube, 57...Base member, 60...Control unit, 70...Ink container, 100...Printing device

Claims

1. A table for placing media, A head that ejects ink from multiple nozzles toward the table, A relative movement mechanism for moving the table and the head relative to each other in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction along the table, An ink supply unit is located below the front side of the table and supplies ink to the head. Equipped with, The ink supply unit includes a stage that slides in the sub-scanning direction to extend and retract from the table on the front side in the sub-scanning direction, and a plurality of container mounting sections provided on the upper surface of the stage from which ink containers can be attached and detached. Multiple container mounting sections are provided in such a state that multiple rows are arranged in the main scanning direction and multiple rows are arranged in the sub-scanning direction. Printing device.

2. The ink supply unit is positioned at at least one end of the movement range of the stage in the sub-scanning direction and has a stopper that restricts the movement of the stage. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned stage is formed using a magnetic material, The stopper has a magnet that can be attracted to the stage when the stage reaches the end of its range of motion. The printing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The stage is positioned on one side of the main scanning direction, On the other end face of the stage in the main scanning direction, a flexible flow tube connected to the container mounting section and a cable chain protecting the flow tube are arranged. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The legs supporting the table are arranged on both sides of the table in the sub-scanning direction. The stage is slidable in the sub-scanning direction between a housing position where it is housed in the table and a protruding position where it protrudes from the front side of the table. The stage is positioned such that, when placed in the protruding position, the container mounting portion located on the rearmost side is positioned further forward than the front-facing legs. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

Images