Liquid dispensing device

Abstract

In a configuration that wipes the head surface, the goal is to suppress contact between the media and the head surface while keeping the cost of the device down. [Solution] The liquid dispensing device comprises a liquid dispensing head, a member for wiping the head surface on which a nozzle is provided in the liquid dispensing head, a wiper that wipes the head surface by moving relative to the head surface, and a member integrally provided with the liquid dispensing head, at least one contact member that can come into contact with a medium being conveyed between the head surface and an opposing part, wherein the contact member is displaceable between a first position and a second position which are relative positions with respect to the head surface, the first position being a position which can interfere with the wiper and is in contact with the medium, and the second position being a position which does not interfere with the wiper.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device that ejects a liquid onto a medium.

Background Art

[0002] In a printer, which is an example of a liquid ejection device, conventionally, a technique for suppressing contact of a sheet with the head surface of an inkjet head has been adopted. As an example thereof, Patent Document 1 discloses a printer using a line-type inkjet head in which a plurality of head units and a plurality of platen rollers are alternately arranged along a predetermined direction. The platen roller suppresses warping of the recording paper by pressing the recording paper.

[0003] Further, the printer of Patent Document 1 includes a wiper that wipes the ink ejection surface of the head unit. A plurality of these wipers are provided on a support member corresponding to each ink ejection surface. The support member is retracted to a position away from the inkjet head during normal times. During wiping, the inkjet head rises, and the support member having the wiper moves to a predetermined space facing the ink ejection surface of the inkjet head. Then, the inkjet head descends, and in a state where the ink ejection surface and the wiper are in contact, the support member moves along the main scanning direction, whereby the wiper wipes off the ink adhering to the ink ejection surface.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the printer described in Patent Document 1, multiple head units and multiple spurs are arranged alternately along a predetermined direction, requiring multiple wipers to be provided to correspond to each ink ejection surface, which increases the cost of the device. In addition, with such a configuration, the labor time and parts cost become significantly higher when replacing the wipers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a liquid dispensing device comprising: a liquid dispensing head having a plurality of nozzles for dispensing liquid onto a medium; an opposing part disposed opposite to the liquid dispensing head; a member for wiping the head surface on which the nozzles are provided on the liquid dispensing head, the wiper wiping the head surface by moving relative to the head surface; and a member integrally provided with the liquid dispensing head, the at least one contact member capable of contacting the medium being conveyed between the head surface and the opposing part, wherein the contact member is displaceable between a first position and a second position relative to the head surface, the first position being a position that can interfere with the wiper and is capable of contacting the medium, and the second position being a position that does not interfere with the wiper. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the entire media transport path in a printer. [Figure 2] A diagram showing the drive mechanism for raising and lowering the line head. [Figure 3] A diagram illustrating the operation of the windshield wipers. [Figure 4] A perspective view of the line head from below. [Figure 5] Plan view of the head surface. [Figure 6A] A diagram showing a displacement mechanism for displacing a contact member, with the line head in the recording position. [Figure 6B] A diagram showing a displacement mechanism for displacing a contact member, where the line head is positioned between the recording position and the retracted position. [Figure 6C] A diagram showing a displacement mechanism for displacing a contact member, with the line head in a retracted position. [Figure 7] Plan view of the head surface. [Figure 8] A perspective view of the line head from below. [Figure 9A] A diagram showing a displacement mechanism for displacing a contact member, with the line head in the recording position. [Figure 9B] A diagram showing a displacement mechanism for displacing a contact member, where the line head is positioned between the recording position and the retracted position. [Figure 9C] A diagram showing a displacement mechanism for displacing a contact member, where the line head is positioned between the recording position and the retracted position. [Figure 9D] A diagram showing a displacement mechanism for displacing a contact member, with the line head in a retracted position. [Figure 10] A diagram showing a displacement mechanism for displacing a contact member, with a configuration including a cleaning member. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The present invention will be described in general terms below. A liquid dispensing device according to the first embodiment comprises a liquid dispensing head having a plurality of nozzles for dispensing liquid onto a medium; an opposing part disposed opposite to the liquid dispensing head; a member for wiping the head surface on which the nozzles are provided on the liquid dispensing head, the wiper wiping the head surface by moving relative to the head surface; and a member integrally provided with the liquid dispensing head, the at least one contact member capable of contacting a medium being conveyed between the head surface and the opposing part, wherein the contact member is displaceable between a first position and a second position which are relative positions with respect to the head surface, the first position being a position which can interfere with the wiper and is capable of contacting the medium, and the second position being a position which does not interfere with the wiper.

[0009] According to this embodiment, by positioning the contact member in the first position, contact of the medium with the head surface can be suppressed. Furthermore, by positioning the contact member in the second position, it is possible to prevent the contact member from interfering with the wiper when wiping the head surface. Therefore, it is not necessary to arrange multiple wipers to avoid the contact member, and the cost of the device can be reduced. In addition, when replacing the wiper, the labor time and parts costs can be kept from increasing significantly.

[0010] A second embodiment is an embodiment dependent on the first embodiment, wherein the liquid discharge head is displaceable between a recording position for recording on a medium and a retracted position which is a position further away from the opposing part than the recording position and which receives the wiper between the head surface and the opposing part, and when the liquid discharge head is in the recording position, the contact member is in the first position, and when the liquid discharge head is in the retracted position, the contact member is in the second position, and the displacement mechanism for displacing the contact member converts the displacement operation of the liquid discharge head into the displacement operation of the contact member, and when the liquid discharge head is displaced from the recording position to the retracted position, the contact member is displaced from the first position to the second position, and when the liquid discharge head is displaced from the retracted position to the recording position, the contact member is displaced from the second position to the first position.

[0011] According to this embodiment, the displacement motion of the liquid discharge head is converted into the displacement motion of the contact member. When the liquid discharge head is displaced from the recording position to the retracted position, the contact member is displaced from the first position to the second position. When the liquid discharge head is displaced from the retracted position to the recording position, the contact member is displaced from the second position to the first position. As a result, a power source for displacing the contact member is not required, and the cost increase of the device can be suppressed.

[0012] The third aspect is an aspect dependent on the second aspect, wherein the contact member is displaced between the first position and the second position by moving in a direction intersecting the head surface.

[0013] According to this aspect, since the contact member is configured to move in a direction intersecting the head surface, an increase in the size of the liquid ejection head in the conveyance direction can be suppressed as compared with a configuration in which the contact member moves along the conveyance direction of the medium. Note that this aspect is not limited to the second aspect, and may be dependent on the first aspect.

[0014] The fourth aspect is an aspect dependent on the third aspect, wherein the displacement mechanism includes a support member that supports the contact member and can change its posture between a first rotation posture in which the contact member is in the first position and a second rotation posture in which the contact member is in the second position by rotating, and a cam member that is provided independently of the liquid ejection head and can engage with the support member. The cam member guides the support member from the first rotation posture to the second rotation posture when the liquid ejection head is displaced from the recording position to the retracted position, and guides the support member from the second rotation posture to the first rotation posture when the liquid ejection head is displaced from the retracted position to the recording position.

[0015] According to this aspect, the contact member can be displaced in conjunction with the displacement operation of the liquid ejection head with a simple configuration including the support member and the cam member. Note that this aspect is not limited to the third aspect, and may be dependent on the second aspect.

[0016] The fifth aspect is an aspect dependent on the second aspect, wherein the contact member is displaced between the first position and the second position by moving in a direction along the conveyance direction of the medium.

[0017] According to this embodiment, since the contact member is configured to move in a direction along the conveying direction of the medium, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the liquid discharge head in the intersecting direction compared to a configuration in which the contact member moves in a direction intersecting the head surface. Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to the second embodiment described above, but may also be subordinate to the first embodiment described above.

[0018] The sixth aspect is an aspect dependent on the fifth aspect, wherein the displacement mechanism comprises: a support member that supports the contact member and moves in a direction along the medium transport direction to switch the contact member between the first position and the second position; a pressing member that presses the contact member toward the second position; and a cam member provided independently of the liquid discharge head, which is engageable with the support member when the liquid discharge head is in the recording position and separates from the support member when the liquid discharge head is in the retracted position, and the liquid discharge When the discharge head is in the recording position, the cam member holds the contact member in the first position against the pressing force of the pressing member; when the liquid discharge head is displaced from the recording position to the retracted position, the support member separates from the cam member, and the contact member is displaced from the first position to the second position by the pressing force of the pressing member; when the liquid discharge head is displaced from the retracted position to the recording position, the cam member presses the support member against the pressing force of the pressing member, and the contact member is displaced from the second position to the first position.

[0019] According to this embodiment, the contact member can be displaced in conjunction with the displacement movement of the liquid discharge head with a simple configuration consisting of the support member, the pressing member, and the cam member. Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to the fifth embodiment described above, but may also be dependent on the second embodiment described above.

[0020] The seventh aspect is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of contact members when viewed from a width direction intersecting the medium transport direction, and the plurality of contact members include a first contact member and a second contact member located downstream of the first contact member in the transport direction.

[0021] According to this embodiment, a plurality of contact members are provided when viewed from the width direction intersecting the transport direction, and the plurality of contact members include a first contact member and a second contact member located downstream of the first contact member in the transport direction, thereby effectively suppressing contact of the medium with the head surface. Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to the first embodiment described above, but may be dependent on any of the second to sixth embodiments described above.

[0022] The eighth aspect is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, wherein the liquid discharge head comprises a plurality of head tips having the nozzles on the head surface, the plurality of head tips are alternately arranged at upstream and downstream positions in the transport direction along a width direction intersecting the transport direction of the medium, the head surface is provided with a relief portion to avoid the head tips at least on the upstream and downstream side in the transport direction, and the contact member enters the relief portion when in the first position.

[0023] According to this embodiment, the head surface is provided with a relief portion on at least one of the upstream and downstream sides in the transport direction to avoid the head chip, and when the contact member is in the first position, it enters the relief portion, so that the contact member can be brought closer to the center position of the head surface in the transport direction. As a result, contact of the medium with the head surface can be suitably suppressed. Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to the first embodiment described above, but may be dependent on any of the second to seventh embodiments described above.

[0024] The ninth aspect is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, wherein the liquid discharge head is a line head equipped with the nozzle along a width direction intersecting the medium transport direction, and the wiper wipes the head surface by moving from one end to the other end of the liquid discharge head in the width direction and further moving to a position away from the head surface.

[0025] According to this embodiment, the wiper moves from one end to the other end of the liquid discharge head in the width direction, and further moves to a position where it is away from the head surface, thereby wiping the head surface, and thus it is possible to suppress the liquid adhering to the wiper from remaining on the head surface. Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to the first embodiment described above, but may be dependent on any of the second to eighth embodiments described above.

[0026] The tenth embodiment is characterized in that, in any of the first to ninth embodiments, the contact member is a roller that is rotatable in contact with a medium and is a toothed roller having teeth on its outer circumference.

[0027] According to this embodiment, the contact member is a roller that can rotate in contact with the medium and is a toothed roller having teeth on its outer circumference, so that the liquid does not adhere to the contact member and re-adhere to the medium.

[0028] The eleventh embodiment is an embodiment dependent on the tenth embodiment, characterized in that a cleaning member for cleaning the contact member is provided at a position that can contact the contact member. According to this embodiment, since a cleaning member for cleaning the contact member is provided at a position that can contact the contact member, it is possible to further suppress liquid from adhering to the contact member and then re-adhering to the medium.

[0029] The present invention will be described in detail below. The following describes an inkjet printer 1 as an example of a recording device that records data onto a medium. Hereafter, the inkjet printer 1 will simply be referred to as printer 1. In each figure, the XYZ coordinate system is such that the X-axis direction corresponds to the device width direction and the width direction of the recording medium. From the perspective of the operator of printer 1, the +X direction is to the left and the -X direction is to the right. Hereafter, the X-axis direction may be referred to as the medium width direction or simply the width direction. The Y-axis direction is the depth direction of the device and is aligned with the media transport direction during recording. The +Y direction is from the back of the device toward the front, and the -Y direction is from the front of the device toward the back. In this embodiment, of the sides that make up the perimeter of the printer 1, the side in the +Y direction is the front of the device, and the side in the -Y direction is the back of the device. The Z-axis direction is aligned with the vertical direction and corresponds to the height of the device. The +Z direction is vertically upward, and the -Z direction is vertically downward. In the following, the direction in which the medium is sent will be referred to as "downstream," and the opposite direction as "upstream."

[0030] The media transport path of printer 1 will be described below with reference to Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, printer 1 is equipped with a media storage cassette 2 at the bottom of the device. The symbol P indicates the media stored in the media storage cassette 2. One example of media is recording paper. The media storage cassette 2 is detachably mounted from the front of the device.

[0031] A pick roller 3, driven by a motor (not shown), is provided on the top of the media storage cassette 2. The pick roller 3 is movable back and forth relative to the media stored in the media storage cassette 2, and rotates in contact with the media stored in the media storage cassette 2 to feed the media out of the media storage cassette 2 in the +Y direction. Downstream from the media-containing cassette 2, there is a feed roller 5 driven by a motor (not shown) and a separation roller 6 to which rotational torque is applied by a torque limiter (not shown). The media sent out from the media-containing cassette 2 is separated by being nipped by the feed roller 5 and the separation roller 6, and then sent further downstream.

[0032] Downstream from the feeding roller 5 and the separating roller 6, there is a reversing roller 8 driven by a motor (not shown). A first nip roller 9 and a second nip roller 10 are provided around the reversing roller 8. The medium is nipped by the reversing roller 8 and the first nip roller 9, and then nipped again by the reversing roller 8 and the second nip roller 10 before being transported. The transport direction of the medium is reversed by the reversing roller 8 from the +Y direction to the -Y direction and then transported downstream.

[0033] Downstream of the reversing roller 8, there is a first conveyor roller pair 15 comprising a drive roller 16 driven by a motor (not shown) and a driven roller 17 that can rotate while being driven. The medium is conveyed by the first conveyor roller pair 15 to a position facing the line head 40. Furthermore, the printer 1 has a media supply path from the media storage cassette 2, as well as a media supply path from the media support unit 12. The media support unit 12 supports the media in an inclined position, and the supported media is transported to the first transport roller pair 15 by a supply roller 13 driven by a motor (not shown). Reference numeral 14 denotes a separation roller to which rotational torque is applied by a torque limiter (not shown).

[0034] The line head 40 is an example of a liquid ejection head that ejects ink, an example of a liquid, onto a medium for recording. The line head 40 is a liquid ejection head in which multiple nozzles 44 that eject ink are arranged to cover the entire width of the medium. The line head 40 is elongated in the width of the medium and is configured as a liquid ejection head that can record across the entire width of the medium without movement in the width of the medium. Reference numeral 42a denotes the head surface, which is the surface facing the medium. The head surface 42a can also be called the liquid discharge surface or nozzle surface. The head surface 42a is formed by a plate member 42 (see Figures 4 and 5), which will be described later. The head surface 42a is parallel to the medium transport direction, i.e., the Y-axis direction, at the position facing the line head 40.

[0035] Printer 1 is equipped with an ink storage unit (not shown), and ink ejected from line head 40 is supplied to line head 40 from the ink storage unit via an ink tube (not shown).

[0036] A facing portion 45 is provided at a position opposite the head surface 42a of the line head 40, and the gap between the medium and the head surface 42a is defined by supporting the medium with the facing portion 45. Hereafter, the gap between the facing portion 45 and the head surface 42a may be referred to as the platen gap.

[0037] Downstream of the line head 40 is a second transport roller pair 19 comprising a drive roller 20 driven by a motor (not shown) and a driven roller 21 that can rotate while being driven. The recorded medium is sent downstream by the second transport roller pair 19. A third pair of transport rollers 27 is provided downstream of the second pair of transport rollers 19, and a discharge roller pair 28 is provided further downstream of the third pair of transport rollers 27. The space between the third pair of transport rollers 27 and the discharge roller pair 28 is configured as a face-down discharge path, and the recorded medium is discharged to the discharge tray 29 by the discharge roller pair 28 with the most recent recorded surface facing downwards.

[0038] Next, we will explain the raising and lowering operation of the line head 40. The line head 40 is provided so as to be movable in the direction of advancing and retracting relative to the opposing part 45, that is, in the direction of adjusting the platen gap. In this embodiment, the direction of adjusting the platen gap is parallel to the Z-axis direction. Hereafter, movement of the line head 40 in the +Z-axis direction may be referred to as "upward," and movement in the -Z direction may be referred to as "downward."

[0039] Figure 2 shows the platen gap adjustment mechanism. Reference numeral 81 denotes the head movement motor, which is the drive source for raising and lowering the line head 40. Reference numeral 80 denotes the control unit that controls the head movement motor 81. The control unit 80 is the control unit that oversees the control of the entire printer 1. A motor gear 82 is mounted on the motor shaft of the head moving motor 81, and the motor gear 82 transmits driving force to the pinion gear 85 via gears 83 and 84. Gears 84 and the pinion gear 85 are fixed to the shaft 86.

[0040] The line head 40 is held in a position to be displaceable in the Z-axis direction by a guide member (not shown). A rack portion 41d is formed on the line head 40 along the Z-axis direction, and a pinion gear 85 meshes with the rack portion 41d to form a rack and pinion mechanism. The rotation of the head moving motor 81 causes the pinion gear 85 to rotate, which in turn causes the line head 40 to move up and down. Furthermore, the rack and pinion mechanism, which consists of the rack section 41d and the pinion gear 85, is provided near both ends of the line head 40 in the media width direction.

[0041] When the line head 40 rises, it comes into contact with an upward restricting section (not shown), and further upward movement is restricted. The control unit 80 can determine that the line head 40 is at its upper limit position by detecting the increase in the motor drive current value when the line head 40 comes into contact with the upward restricting section. Furthermore, the head movement motor 81 is equipped with an encoder sensor (not shown), allowing the control unit 80 to detect the amount of rotation of the head movement motor 81. This allows the control unit 80 to detect the amount of movement of the line head 40 from its upper limit position, that is, to determine the current position of the line head 40.

[0042] The control unit 80 adjusts the platen gap by raising and lowering the line head 40 according to the thickness of the medium, based on the type of medium included in the received print data. For example, if the position of the line head 40 when recording on plain paper is defined as the first recording position, then when recording on special paper that is thicker than plain paper, the line head 40 is positioned at a second recording position, which is higher than the first recording position.

[0043] Furthermore, the movement range of the line head 40 includes, as described above, multiple recording positions, as well as a cap position, which is the position when the head is capped by a cap portion (not shown), and a retracted position, which is the position when the head surface 42a is wiped by the wiper 36, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the above-described positions of the line head 40 are, in order in the +Z direction, the cap position, the first recording position, the second recording position, and the retracted position.

[0044] Next, I will explain wiper 36. As shown in Figure 3, the printer 1 is equipped with a wiper carriage 35 that moves in the X-axis direction by a motor (not shown). In this embodiment, the wiper carriage 35 has its home position at the position shown in Figure 3, i.e., the end position in the +X direction. The wiper carriage 35 is formed in a box shape with an open top and is equipped with a wiper 36. The wiper 36 is made of an elastic material such as rubber and moves in the media width direction while elastically contacting the head surface 42a, thereby wiping the head tip 43 (see Figures 4 and 5), which will be described later, of the head surface 42a. The ink removed by wiping is stored inside the wiper carriage 35.

[0045] A fitting hole 35a is provided at the -X end of the wiper carriage 35. A check valve (not shown) is provided in the fitting hole 35a, and the system is configured to prevent ink stored in the wiper carriage 35 from leaking out. An ink recovery unit 37 is provided at the -X end of the wiper carriage 35 in its movement range. The ink recovery unit 37 has a suction unit 37a, which can be fitted into a fitting hole 35a of the wiper carriage 35. When the wiper carriage 35 moves to the -X end, the suction unit 37a fits into the fitting hole 35a. When the suction unit 37a fits into the fitting hole 35a, the check valve opens. In this state, a pump (not shown) provided in the ink recovery unit 37 is driven, and the ink stored in the wiper carriage 35 is sucked out.

[0046] State ST1 in Figure 3 shows the state where the line head 40 is in the recording position. When wiping the head surface 42a with the wiper 36 from this state, the line head 40 is raised to the retracted position as shown in the change from state ST1 to state ST2 in Figure 3. This creates a gap between the wiper carriage 35 and the opposing part 45, and allows the wiper 36 to contact the head surface 42a. In this state, by moving the wiper carriage 35 as indicated by the arrow Wm, the wiper 36 wipes the head surface 42a. Furthermore, when the wiper 36 moves to the end in the -X direction, that is, when the wiper 36 wipes the head surface 42a, the wiper carriage 35 moves in the +X direction to return to its home position at the +X direction end. Prior to this operation, the line head 40 may be slightly raised so that the wiper 36 does not come into contact with the head surface 42a.

[0047] As described above, the wiper 36 moves from one end of the line head 40 to the other in the media width direction, and further moves to a position away from the head surface 42a, thereby wiping the head surface 42a. This prevents ink adhering to the wiper 36 from remaining on the head surface 42a.

[0048] Next, the line head 40 and contact members will be described with reference to Figures 4 and onward. As shown in Figure 4, the line head 40 is equipped with a plate member 42 on a base 41. The base 41 is a structure in which a flow path is provided for supplying ink from an ink storage section (not shown) to the head chip 43. The plate member 42 is a metal plate and forms the head surface 42a. Multiple head tips 43 are provided on the plate member 42. Multiple nozzles 44 (see Figure 1) are provided on the head tips 43 along the width direction of the media. The plate member 42 and the head tips 43 are arranged to be flush with each other.

[0049] In this embodiment, the line head 40 is provided with two plate members 42 along the media width direction. On one plate member 42, the head chips 43 are alternately arranged at upstream and downstream positions along the X-axis direction, i.e., the media width direction. On one plate member 42, two head chips 43 are provided at the upstream position along the media width direction, and two head chips 43 are provided at the downstream position along the media width direction. As a result, the line head 40 is provided with four head chips 43 at the upstream position along the media width direction, and four head chips 43 at the downstream position along the media width direction.

[0050] The multiple head chips 43 are arranged to overlap along the media width direction. In Figure 5, the reference numeral Lp2 denotes the amount of overlap when two of the four head chips 43 provided on one plate member 42 overlap. In this embodiment, the amount of overlap when two of the four head chips 43 provided on one plate member 42 overlap is constant at Lp2. However, in this embodiment, the overlap amount Lp1 when head chips 43 provided on different plate members 42 overlap is different from Lp2. The overlap amount Lp1 is the amount of overlap when two head chips 43 overlap as two plate members 42 provided along the media width direction overlap in the media width direction. In this embodiment, the overlap amount Lp1 is greater than the overlap amount Lp2. However, the overlap amount Lp1 may be the same as the overlap amount Lp2, or it may be less than the overlap amount Lp2.

[0051] Next, the line head 40 has an upstream relief section 42b and a downstream relief section 42c on its head surface 42a. The upstream relief section 42b and the downstream relief section 42c are formed as spaces having a predetermined height in the +Z direction from the head surface 42a. In this embodiment, two upstream relief sections 42b are provided upstream of a single plate member 42 in the media transport direction. In a single plate member 42, one upstream relief section 42b is provided between two adjacent head chips 43 in the media width direction. In a single plate member 42, the other upstream relief section 42b is provided in the +X direction relative to the head chip 43 located in the +X direction.

[0052] Similarly, in this embodiment, two downstream relief sections 42c are provided downstream of a single plate member 42 in the media transport direction. In a single plate member 42, one downstream relief section 42c is provided between two adjacent head chips 43 in the media width direction. In another single plate member 42, the other downstream relief section 42c is provided in the -X direction relative to the head chip 43 located in the -X direction.

[0053] Next, we will describe the contact member that is provided integrally with the line head 40. The medium passing between the line head 40 and the opposing portion 45 may be contaminated, particularly at the ends in the medium width direction, as the leading and trailing ends may curl and lift up, coming into contact with the head surface 42a. For this reason, it is preferable to provide the line head 40 with a contact member that contacts the medium to suppress contact of the medium with the head surface 42a.

[0054] In this embodiment, the contact members include an upstream fixed roller 47, a downstream fixed roller 48, an upstream movable roller 53, and a downstream movable roller 60. All of these rollers are toothed rollers with teeth on their outer circumference, which prevents ink from adhering to the rollers and then re-adhering to the medium. In the following, when the term "contact member" is used, it refers to the upstream movable roller 53 and the downstream movable roller 60.

[0055] The upstream fixed roller 47 and the downstream fixed roller 48 protrude from the head surface 42a in the -Z direction, i.e., toward the opposing part 45, regardless of the position of the line head 40, as shown in Figures 6A to 6C. This prevents the media from coming into contact with the head surface 42a.

[0056] As shown in Figure 4, the line head 40 is equipped with an upstream frame 50 on the side facing the +Y direction, i.e., the media transport direction, and a downstream frame 51 on the side facing the -Y direction, i.e., the media transport direction. The upstream fixed roller 47 is rotatably supported by the upstream frame 50. Multiple upstream fixed rollers 47 are provided on the upstream frame 50 along the media width direction. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the upstream fixed roller 47 is located upstream of the plate member 42 in the +Y direction, i.e., in the media transport direction. Note that, for illustrative purposes, the upstream frame 50 and downstream frame 51 are omitted from the illustration in Figure 5.

[0057] As shown in Figure 4, the downstream fixed roller 48 is rotatably supported by the downstream frame 51. Multiple downstream fixed rollers 48 are provided on the downstream frame 51 along the media width direction. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the downstream fixed roller 48 is located downstream of the plate member 42 in the -Y direction, i.e., in the media transport direction.

[0058] Next, the upstream movable roller 53 and the downstream movable roller 60, which are contact members, are displaceable to a first position and a second position, which are relative positions with respect to the head surface 42a. Figure 6A shows the first position of the contact member. The first position is a position where the contact member can interfere with the wiper 36 and can come into contact with the medium. In other words, the first position of the contact member is a position inside the movement trajectory of the wiper 36 wiping the head surface 42a and can come into contact with the medium. In this embodiment, the first position of the contact member is a position that protrudes from the head surface 42a in the -Z direction. The second position of the contact member is a position that does not interfere with the wiper 36. Specifically, the second position of the contact member is a position that is retracted in the +Z direction from the head surface 42a. Figure 6C shows the second position of the contact member.

[0059] By positioning the contact member in the first position, contact of the medium with the head surface 42a can be suppressed. Furthermore, by positioning the contact member in the second position, it is possible to prevent the contact member from interfering when the wiper 36 wipes the head surface 42a. Consequently, there is no need to arrange multiple wipers 36 to avoid the contact member, which can suppress an increase in the cost of the device. In addition, when replacing the wiper 36, it is possible to suppress a significant increase in labor time and parts costs.

[0060] Next, the displacement mechanism for displacing the contact member between the first and second positions will be explained, mainly with reference to Figures 6A to 6C. For illustrative purposes, Figures 6A to 6C primarily show the configurations of the upstream displacement mechanism 52 and the downstream displacement mechanism 59 with solid lines, while other configurations are shown with dashed lines. In this embodiment, the displacement mechanism for displacing the contact member between a first position and a second position includes an upstream displacement mechanism 52 for displacing the upstream movable roller 53 and a downstream displacement mechanism 59 for displacing the downstream movable roller 60. The basic configuration of the upstream displacement mechanism 52 and the downstream displacement mechanism 59 is the same, and as shown in Figures 6A to 6C, the upstream displacement mechanism 52 and the downstream displacement mechanism 59 form a symmetrical structure when viewed from the medium width direction.

[0061] The upstream displacement mechanism 52 comprises an upstream support member 54 and an upstream cam member 56. The upstream support member 54 is a member that rotatably supports the upstream movable roller 53 and can change its orientation between a first rotational orientation (Figure 6A) in which the upstream movable roller 53 is in a first position and a second rotational orientation (Figure 6C) in which the upstream movable roller 53 is in a second position by rotating around a pivot axis 54a. In this embodiment, the axial centerline of the pivot axis 54a is parallel to the X-axis direction. The pivot axis 54a is supported by an upstream frame 50 (see Figure 4).

[0062] Furthermore, the upstream support member 54 is pressed by a coil spring 55 acting as a pressing member in the counterclockwise direction shown in Figures 6A to 6C, that is, in the direction that the upstream movable roller 53 moves toward the first position. Alternatively, the pressing force of the coil spring 55 can be adjusted so that the upstream movable roller 53 retracts when it comes into contact with a stiff medium such as cardboard. This prevents contact between a soft medium and the head surface 42a, and also prevents jams and damage to the medium caused by stiff media contacting the upstream movable roller 53. Furthermore, if the upstream support member 54 can return from the second rotational position to the first rotational position by its own weight, the coil spring 55 may be omitted. Furthermore, the upstream support member 54 has a cam follower portion 54b that can engage with the upstream cam member 56.

[0063] The upstream cam member 56 is a member provided independently of the line head 40 and is engageable with the upstream support member 54. The upstream cam member 56 is provided on a frame (not shown). The upstream support member 54 is movable relative to the upstream cam member 56 in the Z-axis direction as the line head 40 moves up and down. The upstream cam member 56 has a horizontal cam surface 56b aligned with the XY plane and a vertical cam surface 56c aligned with the XZ plane.

[0064] The downstream displacement mechanism 59 comprises a downstream support member 61 and a downstream cam member 63. The downstream support member 61 is a member that rotatably supports the downstream movable roller 60 and can change its orientation between a first rotational orientation (Figure 6A) in which the downstream movable roller 60 is in a first position and a second rotational orientation (Figure 6C) in which the downstream movable roller 60 is in a second position by rotating around a pivot axis 61a. In this embodiment, the axial centerline of the pivot axis 61a is parallel to the X-axis direction. The pivot axis 61a is supported by a downstream frame 51 (see Figure 4). Furthermore, the downstream support member 61 is pressed by the coil spring 62, which acts as a pressing member, in the clockwise direction shown in Figures 6A to 6C, that is, in the direction that the downstream movable roller 60 moves toward the first position. Furthermore, the pressing force of the coil spring 62 may be adjusted so that the downstream movable roller 60 retracts when it comes into contact with a stiff medium such as cardboard. This suppresses contact between a soft medium and the head surface 42a, and also suppresses jams and damage to the medium caused by stiff media coming into contact with the downstream movable roller 60. Furthermore, if the downstream support member 61 can return from the second rotational position to the first rotational position by its own weight, the coil spring 62 may be omitted. Furthermore, the downstream support member 61 has a cam follower portion 61b that can engage with the downstream cam member 63.

[0065] The downstream cam member 63 is a member provided independently of the line head 40 and is engageable with the downstream support member 61. The downstream cam member 63 is provided on a frame (not shown). The downstream support member 61 is movable relative to the downstream cam member 63 in the Z-axis direction as the line head 40 moves up and down. The downstream cam member 63 has a horizontal cam surface 63b aligned with the XY plane and a vertical cam surface 63c aligned with the XZ plane.

[0066] Figure 6A shows the state in which the line head 40 is in the recording position, the contact members, i.e., the upstream movable roller 53 and the downstream movable roller 60, are in the first position, and the upstream support member 54 and the downstream support member 61 are in the first rotation position. When the head surface 42a is wiped by the wiper 36 (see Figure 3) from this state, the line head 40 rises toward the retracted position. As the line head 40 rises, the horizontal cam surface 56b guides the upstream support member 54 toward the second rotation position, and the horizontal cam surface 63b guides the downstream support member 61 toward the second rotation position, as shown in the change from Figure 6A to Figure 6B.

[0067] As the line head 40 rises further, the cam follower portion 54b of the upstream support member 54 moves from the horizontal cam surface 56b to the vertical cam surface 56c, as shown in Figure 6C, and the line head 40 rises while the second rotational position of the upstream support member 54 is maintained. Similarly, the cam follower portion 61b of the downstream support member 61 moves from the horizontal cam surface 63b to the vertical cam surface 63c, and the line head 40 rises while the second rotational position of the downstream support member 61 is maintained. When the line head 40 moves to the retracted position shown in Figure 6C, the upstream movable roller 53 and the downstream movable roller 60 move away from the head surface 42a, making it possible to wipe the head surface 42a with the wiper 36.

[0068] As described above, the upstream cam member 56 has a horizontal cam surface 56b that changes the posture of the upstream support member 54, as well as a vertical cam surface 56c that maintains the posture of the upstream support member 54. Therefore, the amount of rotation of the upstream support member 54 can be minimized. In other words, the amount of upward movement of the upstream movable roller 53 can be minimized, so the space required in the line head 40 to receive the upstream movable roller 53 can be minimized, and the size of the line head 40 can be suppressed. Similarly, since the downstream cam member 6361a has a horizontal cam surface 63b that changes the posture of the downstream support member 61, as well as a vertical cam surface 63c that maintains the posture of the downstream support member 61, the amount of rotation of the downstream support member 61 can be minimized. In other words, the amount of upward movement of the downstream movable roller 60 can be minimized, so the space required in the line head 40 to accommodate the downstream movable roller 60 can be minimized, and the size of the line head 40 can be suppressed.

[0069] Furthermore, when the line head 40 descends toward the recording position from the state shown in Figure 6C, the opposite state change occurs, with the upstream cam member 56 guiding the upstream support member 54 from the second rotation position to the first rotation position, and the downstream cam member 63 guiding the downstream support member 61 from the second rotation position to the first rotation position. As a result, the upstream movable roller 53 and the downstream movable roller 60 are displaced from the second position to the first position.

[0070] As described above, with this simple configuration consisting of the upstream support member 54 and the upstream cam member 56, and the downstream support member 61 and the downstream cam member 63, the contact members can be displaced in conjunction with the displacement movement of the line head 40. Furthermore, as described above, the displacement mechanisms that displace the contact members, namely the upstream displacement mechanism 52 and the downstream displacement mechanism 59, convert the displacement motion of the line head 40 into the displacement motion of the contact members. When the line head 40 is displaced from the recording position to the retracted position, the contact members are displaced from the first position to the second position, and when the line head 40 is displaced from the retracted position to the recording position, the contact members are displaced from the second position to the first position. This eliminates the need for a power source to displace the contact members, thereby suppressing an increase in the cost of the device.

[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the contact member is displaced between a first position and a second position by moving in a direction intersecting the head surface 42a. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the size of the line head 40 in the media transport direction compared to a configuration in which the contact member moves along the media transport direction.

[0072] Now, let's return to Figure 5 and explain the relationship between the media size and the position of each roller. In Figure 5, range P1 represents the range through which the smallest size media expected to be used passes, for example, the short side dimension of a half-letter size media (approximately 140 mm). Range P2 corresponds to the short side dimension of an A5 size media (148 mm). Range P3 corresponds to the short side dimension of a B5 size media (182 mm). Range P4 corresponds to the short side dimension of an A4 size media (approximately 210 mm). For media corresponding to ranges P1, P2, and P3, contact with the head surface 42a is suppressed at the +X direction end by the upstream fixed roller 47 and the downstream movable roller 60, and contact with the head surface 42a is suppressed at the -X direction end by the upstream movable roller 53 and the downstream fixed roller 48. For media corresponding to or larger than range P4, contact between the +X end and the head surface 42a is suppressed by the upstream movable roller 53 and the downstream fixed roller 48, and contact between the -X end and the head surface 42a is suppressed by the upstream fixed roller 47 and the downstream movable roller 60.

[0073] Both the upstream movable roller 53 and the downstream movable roller 60 are positioned close to the center position Yc of the head surface 42a in the media transport direction. This is because the upstream movable roller 53 is positioned within the upstream relief section 42b, and the downstream movable roller 60 is positioned within the downstream relief section 42c. As a result, in this embodiment, both the upstream movable roller 53 and the downstream movable roller 60 are positioned between the upstream head tip 43 and the downstream head tip 43 in the media transport direction. Therefore, this effectively prevents the edges of the media in the media width direction from coming into contact with the head surface 42a.

[0074] In this embodiment, a downstream fixed roller 48 is positioned downstream of the upstream movable roller 53, and an upstream fixed roller 47 is positioned upstream of the downstream movable roller 60. Furthermore, a downstream fixed roller 48 is positioned downstream of the three upstream fixed rollers 47 located in the central region in the media width direction. With the above configuration, as the media corresponding to ranges P1, P2, and P3 are transported, contact with the head surface 42a is first suppressed by the upstream fixed roller 47, then contact with the head surface 42a is suppressed by the upstream movable roller 53 located in the -X direction and the downstream movable roller 60 located in the +X direction, and then contact with the head surface 42a is suppressed by the downstream fixed roller 48. As the medium corresponding to range P4 is transported, its contact with the head surface 42a is first suppressed by the upstream fixed roller 47, then by the two upstream movable rollers 53 and the two downstream movable rollers 60, and finally by the downstream fixed roller 48. With the above configuration, contact of the medium with the head surface 42a is effectively suppressed.

[0075] Next, other embodiments will be described with reference to Figure 7 and subsequent figures. Note that components identical to those already described will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be avoided. Furthermore, variations of components already described will be distinguished by adding the letter "A" to their numerical reference numerals. In the embodiment described above, the upstream movable roller 53 and the downstream movable roller 60 are configured to be displaced in a direction intersecting the head surface 42a. However, in the embodiment described below, the upstream movable roller 53 and the downstream movable roller 60 are configured to be displaced along the media transport direction.

[0076] In this embodiment, the line head 40A comprises one plate member 42A. Head chips 43 are alternately arranged on the plate member 42A in the X-axis direction, i.e., the media width direction, at upstream and downstream positions. As shown in Figure 7, three head chips 43 are provided at the upstream position along the media width direction on the plate member 42A, and four head chips 43 are provided at the downstream position along the media width direction. The multiple head chips 43 are arranged to overlap along the media width direction.

[0077] Figure 7 shows the upstream movable roller 53 and the downstream movable roller 60 in the first position. The base 41A of the line head 40 is provided with two upstream notches 41e spaced apart in the media width direction on the upstream side. The upstream notches 41e are formed at the position of the upstream relief section 42b in the media width direction (see also Figure 8). The base 41A of the line head 40 is also provided with two downstream notches 41f spaced apart in the media width direction on the downstream side. The downstream notches 41f are formed at the position of the downstream relief section 42c in the media width direction (see also Figure 8). The upstream notch 41e and the downstream notch 41f are formed as spaces having a predetermined height in the +Z direction from the head surface 42a.

[0078] Next, the displacement mechanism for displacing the contact member between the first and second positions will be explained, mainly with reference to Figures 9A to 9D. For illustrative purposes, Figures 9A to 9D primarily show the configurations of the upstream displacement mechanism 52A and the downstream displacement mechanism 59A with solid lines, while other configurations are shown with dashed lines. In this embodiment, the displacement mechanism for displacing the contact member between a first position and a second position is provided, which includes an upstream displacement mechanism 52A for displacing the upstream movable roller 53 and a downstream displacement mechanism 59A for displacing the downstream movable roller 60. The basic configuration of the upstream displacement mechanism 52A and the downstream displacement mechanism 59A is the same, and as shown in Figures 9A to 9D, the upstream displacement mechanism 52A and the downstream displacement mechanism 59A have a symmetrical structure when viewed from the medium width direction.

[0079] The upstream displacement mechanism 52A comprises an upstream support member 54A and an upstream cam member 56A. The upstream support member 54A is a member that rotatably supports the upstream movable roller 53. The upstream support member 54A switches the upstream movable roller 53 between a first position (see Figures 9A and 9B) and a second position (see Figure 9D) by moving along the media transport direction. Furthermore, the upstream support member 54A is pressed in the +Y direction, that is, in the direction that the upstream movable roller 53 moves toward the second position, by the coil spring 67 acting as a pressing member. Furthermore, the upstream support member 54 has an inclined surface 54c and a vertical surface 54d as portions that can engage with the upstream cam member 56A.

[0080] The upstream cam member 56A is a member provided independently of the line head 40 and is engageable with the upstream support member 54A. The upstream cam member 56A is provided on the upstream support frame 65. The upstream support member 54A is movable relative to the upstream cam member 56A in the Z-axis direction as the line head 40 moves up and down. The upstream cam member 56A has a vertical cam surface 56d and an inclined cam surface 56e. As will be explained in more detail later, the upstream cam member 56A can engage with the upstream support member 54A when the line head 40 is in the recording position, and separates from the upstream support member 54A when the line head 40 is in the retracted position.

[0081] The downstream displacement mechanism 59A comprises a downstream support member 61A and a downstream cam member 63A. The downstream support member 61A is a member that rotatably supports the downstream movable roller 60. The downstream support member 61A moves along the media transport direction to switch the downstream movable roller 60 between a first position (see Figures 9A and 9B) and a second position (see Figure 9D). Furthermore, the downstream support member 61A is pressed in the -Y direction, that is, in the direction in which the downstream movable roller 60 moves toward the second position, by the coil spring 67 acting as a pressing member. Furthermore, the downstream support member 61 has an inclined surface 61c and a vertical surface 61d as portions that can engage with the downstream cam member 63A.

[0082] The downstream cam member 63A is a member provided independently of the line head 40 and is engageable with the downstream support member 61A. The downstream cam member 63A is provided on the downstream support frame 66. The downstream support member 61A is movable relative to the downstream cam member 63A in the Z-axis direction as the line head 40 moves up and down. The downstream cam member 63A has a vertical cam surface 63d and an inclined cam surface 63e. As will be explained in more detail later, the downstream cam member 63A can engage with the downstream support member 61A when the line head 40 is in the recording position, and separates from the downstream support member 61A when the line head 40 is in the retracted position.

[0083] Figure 9A shows the line head 40 in the recording position, with the contact members, namely the upstream movable roller 53 and the downstream movable roller 60, in the first position. In this state, the upstream cam member 56A holds the upstream movable roller 53 in the first position against the pressing force of the coil spring 67, and the downstream cam member 63A holds the downstream movable roller 60 in the first position against the pressing force of the coil spring 67.

[0084] From this state, when the wiper 36 (see Figure 3) wipes the head surface 42a, the line head 40 rises toward the retracted position. As the line head 40 rises, the upstream support member 54A rises with its vertical surface 54d pressing against the vertical cam surface 56d of the upstream cam member 56A, as shown in the change from Figure 9A to Figure 9B. Also, the downstream support member 61A rises with its vertical surface 61d pressing against the vertical cam surface 63d of the downstream cam member 63A.

[0085] As the line head 40 rises further, the upstream support member 54A disengages from the vertical cam surface 56d of the upstream cam member 56A, as shown in Figure 9C, and the upstream support member 54A moves in the +Y direction due to the pressing force of the coil spring 67. At this time, the inclined surface 54c of the upstream support member 54A is guided in the +Y direction by the inclined cam surface 56e of the upstream cam member 56A. Furthermore, the downstream support member 61A disengages from the vertical cam surface 63d of the downstream cam member 63A, and the downstream support member 61A moves in the -Y direction due to the pressing force of the coil spring 67. At this time, the inclined surface 61c of the downstream support member 61A is guided in the -Y direction by the inclined cam surface 63e of the downstream cam member 63A.

[0086] When the line head 40 moves to the retracted position shown in Figure 9D, the upstream support member 54A moves away from the upstream cam member 56A, and the pressing force of the coil spring 67 causes the upstream support member 54A to move further in the +Y direction, displacing the upstream movable roller 53 to the second position. Also, the downstream support member 61A moves away from the downstream cam member 63A, and the pressing force of the coil spring 67 causes the downstream support member 61A to move further in the -Y direction, displacing the downstream movable roller 60 to the second position. In this manner, the upstream movable roller 53 and the downstream movable roller 60 move away from the first position where they could interfere with the wiper 36 and move to the second position, thereby enabling the wiper 36 to wipe the head surface 42a.

[0087] Furthermore, when the line head 40 descends toward the recording position from the state shown in Figure 9D, the opposite state change occurs, and the upstream cam member 56A presses the upstream support member 54A in the -Y direction against the pressing force of the coil spring 67, causing the upstream movable roller 53 to displace from the second position to the first position. Also, the downstream cam member 63A presses the downstream support member 61A in the +Y direction against the pressing force of the coil spring 67, causing the downstream movable roller 60 to displace from the second position to the first position.

[0088] As described above, with this simple configuration consisting of the upstream support member 54A and the upstream cam member 56A, and the downstream support member 61A and the downstream cam member 63A, the contact members can be displaced in conjunction with the displacement movement of the line head 40. Furthermore, as described above, the displacement mechanisms that displace the contact members, namely the upstream displacement mechanism 52A and the downstream displacement mechanism 59A, convert the displacement motion of the line head 40 into the displacement motion of the contact members. When the line head 40 is displaced from the recording position to the retracted position, the contact members are displaced from the first position to the second position, and when the line head 40 is displaced from the retracted position to the recording position, the contact members are displaced from the second position to the first position. This eliminates the need for a power source to displace the contact members, thereby suppressing an increase in the cost of the device.

[0089] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the contact member is displaced between a first position and a second position by moving in a direction intersecting the head surface 42a. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the size of the line head 40 in the media transport direction compared to a configuration in which the contact member moves along the media transport direction.

[0090] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upstream movable roller 53 and the downstream movable roller 60, i.e., the contact members, are displaced between the first and second positions by moving in a direction along the media transport direction. Compared to a configuration in which the contact members move in a direction intersecting the head surface 42a, this configuration can suppress an increase in the size of the line head 40 in the intersecting direction.

[0091] The positions of each roller in this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 7. For media corresponding to ranges P1, P2, and P3, contact between the media widthwise end and the head surface 42a is suppressed by the upstream fixed roller 47 and the downstream movable roller 60. For media corresponding to range P4 or larger media, contact between the media's widthwise edges and the head surface 42a is suppressed by the upstream movable roller 53 and the downstream fixed roller 48.

[0092] Furthermore, the upstream movable roller 53 in the first position is positioned to overlap with the upstream head tip 43 in the media transport direction. Also, the downstream movable roller 60 in the first position is positioned to overlap with the downstream head tip 43 in the media transport direction. This is because the upstream movable roller 53 is positioned in the upstream relief section 42b, and the downstream movable roller 60 is positioned in the downstream relief section 42c. Therefore, this effectively prevents the edges of the media in the media width direction from coming into contact with the head surface 42a.

[0093] In this embodiment, a downstream fixed roller 48 is positioned downstream of the upstream movable roller 53, and an upstream fixed roller 47 is positioned upstream of the downstream movable roller 60. Furthermore, a downstream fixed roller 48 is positioned downstream of the two upstream fixed rollers 47 located within range P1. With the above configuration, the media corresponding to ranges P1, P2, and P3 are first prevented from contacting the head surface 42a by the upstream fixed roller 47 during transport, and then prevented from contacting the head surface 42a by the downstream movable roller 60. As the medium corresponding to range P4 is transported, its contact with the head surface 42a is first suppressed by the upstream fixed roller 47, then by the two upstream movable rollers 53 and the two downstream movable rollers 60, and finally by the downstream fixed roller 48. With the above configuration, contact of the medium with the head surface 42a is effectively suppressed.

[0094] The following describes other features of each of the above embodiments. In each of the above embodiments, as shown in Figures 6A to 6C and 9A to 9D, a plurality of contact members are provided when viewed from the media width direction, and the plurality of contact members include an upstream movable roller 53 as a first contact member and a downstream movable roller 60 as a second contact member located downstream of the first contact member in the media transport direction. This effectively suppresses contact of the media with the head surface 42a.

[0095] The line head 40 also has a plurality of head tips 43, each having a nozzle 44, on its head surface 42a. The plurality of head tips 43 are arranged alternately along the width direction at upstream and downstream positions in the media transport direction. The head surface 42a is provided with an upstream relief section 42b to avoid the head tips 43 upstream in the media transport direction, and a downstream relief section 42c to avoid the head tips 43 downstream in the media transport direction. When the contact member is in the first position, it enters the upstream relief section 42b and the downstream relief section 42c. This allows the contact member to be brought closer to the center of the head surface 42a in the media transport direction. As a result, contact of the media with the head surface 42a can be effectively suppressed. Furthermore, the relief section may be provided with only one of either the upstream relief section 42b or the downstream relief section 42c. In other words, the upstream movable roller 53 and the downstream movable roller 60 may be provided with only one of them.

[0096] Furthermore, it is also preferable to provide a cleaning member for cleaning the contact member at a position that can contact the contact member. Figure 10 shows such an embodiment, where reference numeral 70 denotes a cleaning roller, which is an example of a cleaning member. The cleaning roller 70 can be made of an ink-absorbing material, such as felt. The cleaning roller 70 rotates in contact with the upstream movable roller 53 and the downstream movable roller 60, respectively, thereby absorbing the ink adhering to the upstream movable roller 53 and the downstream movable roller 60. This configuration makes it possible to suppress ink from adhering to the contact member and then re-adhering to the medium.

[0097] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments and modifications described above, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention as described in the claims, and these are also included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1... Inkjet printer, 2... Media storage cassette, 3... Pick roller, 5... Feeding roller, 6... Separation roller, 8... Reversing roller, 9... First nip roller, 10... Second nip roller, 12... Media support section, 13... Feeding roller, 14... Separation roller, 15... First transport roller pair, 16... Drive roller, 17... Driven roller, 19... Second transport roller pair, 20... Drive roller, 21... Driven roller, 27... Third transport roller pair, 28... Discharge 29...Discharge tray, 35...Wiper carriage, 35a...Matching hole, 36...Wiper, 37...Ink recovery section, 37a...Suction section, 40...Line head, 41...Base, 41d...Rack section, 41e...Upstream notch, 41f...Downstream notch, 42...Plate member, 42a...Head surface, 42b...Upstream relief section, 42c...Downstream relief section, 43...Head tip, 44...Nozzle, 45...Opposite section, 47...Upstream fixed roller, 48...Downstream fixed roller, 5 0…Upstream frame, 51…Downstream frame, 52, 52A…Upstream displacement mechanism, 53…Upstream movable roller, 54…Upstream support member, 54a…Rotating shaft, 54b…Cam follower section, 54c…Inclined surface, 54d…Vertical surface, 55…Coil spring, 56, 56A…Upstream cam member, 56a…Cam section, 56b…Horizontal cam surface, 56c…Vertical cam surface, 56d…Vertical cam surface, 56e…Inclined cam surface, 59, 59A…Downstream displacement mechanism, 60…Downstream movable roller, 61…Downstream support member, 61 a...Rotating shaft, 61b...Cam follower section, 61c...Inclined surface, 61d...Vertical surface, 62...Coil spring, 63, 63A...Downstream cam member, 63a...Cam section, 63b...Horizontal cam surface, 63c...Vertical cam surface, 63d...Vertical cam surface, 64e...Inclined cam surface, 65...Upstream support frame, 66...Downstream support frame, 67...Coil spring, 70...Cleaning roller, 80...Control unit, 81...Head moving motor, 82...Motor gear, 83, 84...Gears, 85...Pinion gear, 86...Shaft

Claims

1. A liquid dispensing head equipped with multiple nozzles for dispensing liquid onto a medium, A facing portion positioned opposite the liquid discharge head, A member for wiping the head surface on which the nozzle is provided in the liquid discharge head, comprising a wiper that wipes the head surface by moving relative to the head surface, A member provided integrally with the liquid dispensing head, comprising at least one contact member capable of contacting the medium being conveyed between the head surface and the opposing portion, Equipped with, The contact member is displaceable between a first position and a second position, which are relative positions to the head surface. The first position is a position that can interfere with the wiper and can come into contact with the medium. The second position is a position that does not interfere with the wiper. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

2. In the liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, The aforementioned liquid dispensing head is The recording location where the data is recorded on the medium, A position further away from the opposing part than the recording position, and a retracted position between the head surface and the opposing part that receives the wiper, It is displaceable, When the liquid discharge head is in the recording position, the contact member is in the first position. When the liquid discharge head is in the retracted position, the contact member is in the second position. The displacement mechanism for displacing the contact member converts the displacement motion of the liquid discharge head into the displacement motion of the contact member, and when the liquid discharge head is displaced from the recording position to the retracted position, it displaces the contact member from the first position to the second position, and when the liquid discharge head is displaced from the retracted position to the recording position, it displaces the contact member from the second position to the first position. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

3. In the liquid dispensing device according to claim 2, The contact member moves in a direction intersecting the head surface, thereby being displaced between the first position and the second position. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

4. In the liquid dispensing device according to claim 3, The displacement mechanism is, A support member that supports the contact member, and which can change its orientation by rotation to a first rotational orientation in which the contact member is in the first position and a second rotational orientation in which the contact member is in the second position, A member provided independently of the liquid discharge head, and a cam member that can engage with the support member, Equipped with, The cam member guides the support member from the first rotational position to the second rotational position when the liquid discharge head is displaced from the recording position to the retracted position, and guides the support member from the second rotational position to the first rotational position when the liquid discharge head is displaced from the retracted position to the recording position. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

5. In the liquid dispensing device according to claim 2, The contact member moves in a direction along the medium transport direction, thereby being displaced between the first position and the second position. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

6. In the liquid dispensing device according to claim 5, The displacement mechanism is, A support member that supports the contact member and moves in a direction along the conveying direction of the medium to switch the contact member between the first position and the second position, A pressing member that presses the contact member toward the second position, A member provided independently of the liquid discharge head, the cam member being able to engage with the support member when the liquid discharge head is in the recording position, and separating from the support member when the liquid discharge head is in the retracted position, Equipped with, When the liquid discharge head is in the recording position, the cam member holds the contact member in the first position against the pressing force of the pressing member. When the liquid discharge head is displaced from the recording position to the retracted position, the support member separates from the cam member, and the contact member is displaced from the first position to the second position by the pressing force of the pressing member. When the liquid discharge head is displaced from the retracted position to the recording position, the cam member presses the support member against the pressing force of the pressing member, and the contact member is displaced from the second position to the first position. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

7. In the liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, The system comprises multiple contact members when viewed from the width direction intersecting the medium transport direction, The multiple contact members are, First contact member and A second contact member located downstream of the first contact member in the conveying direction, including, A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

8. In the liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, The liquid dispensing head is provided with a plurality of head tips having the nozzles on the head surface. Multiple head chips are arranged alternately at upstream and downstream positions in the transport direction along the width direction intersecting the transport direction of the medium. The head surface is provided with a relief portion on at least one of the upstream and downstream sides in the transport direction to avoid the head chip. When the contact member is in the first position, it enters the relief portion. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

9. In the liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, The liquid discharge head is a line head equipped with the nozzle along the width direction intersecting the medium transport direction, The wiper moves from one end to the other end of the liquid discharge head in the width direction, and further moves to a position where it is away from the head surface, thereby wiping the head surface. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

10. In a liquid dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The contact member is a roller that can rotate in contact with a medium, and is a toothed roller having teeth on its outer circumference. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

11. In the liquid dispensing device according to claim 10, A cleaning member for cleaning the contact member is provided at a position where it can come into contact with the contact member. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

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