Inkjet printer
By using the bendable first support wall and the adjustment screw rotary guide in the printer, the problems of complex structure and increased weight in the prior art are solved, and the accuracy and stability of angle adjustment are improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2021099635
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-06-15
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-10
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-06-15
AI Technical Summary
In the prior art, when adjusting the angle between the sliding shaft and the guide rail, the angle adjustment mechanism needs to move the entire sliding shaft, resulting in complex structure and increased weight, which in turn affects the adjustment accuracy and tracking ability.
By providing a pair of sliding shafts on the base member and providing a bendable first support wall on one side thereof, the first support wall is bent forward and backward by using adjustment screws to rotate the guide rail and adjust the angle between it and the sliding shaft.
It realizes simple adjustment of the angle between the sliding shaft and the guide rail, reduces structural complexity and weight, improves the accuracy and stability of angle adjustment, and is suitable for applications of large printers.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to inkjet printers. [Background technology]
[0002] Inkjet printers that print images on a recording medium by an inkjet method have been known for some time. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an inkjet printer that includes a guide rail extending in a main scanning direction, a carriage slidably mounted on the guide rail, an ink head mounted on the carriage, and a table unit having a table on which a recording medium is placed and movable in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction in a plan view. In the printer of Patent Document 1, the ink head ejects ink onto the recording medium placed on the table while moving in the main scanning direction. Thereafter, the table unit moves in the sub-scanning direction, so that the recording medium placed on the table moves in the sub-scanning direction. By repeating this process, a predetermined image is printed on the recording medium.
[0003] Incidentally, the sub-scanning direction, which is the direction in which the table on which the recording medium is placed moves, must be perpendicular to the main scanning direction, which is the direction in which the carriage on which the ink head is mounted moves. However, due to errors in the dimensions and arrangement of each component when assembling the printer, the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction may not be perpendicular to each other. That is, the guide rail on which the carriage is slidably mounted and the slide shaft on which the table unit is movably mounted may not be perpendicular to each other. In such a case, there is a risk that the landing position of the ink ejected onto the recording medium will be shifted, resulting in a deterioration in the quality of the formed image. In order to solve this problem, Patent Document 1 discloses an angle adjustment mechanism that adjusts the angle of the ink head relative to the guide rail on which the ink head is slidably mounted by adjusting the angle of the shaft (corresponding to the slide shaft) on which the table is slidably mounted. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-121712 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] However, in the angle adjustment mechanism for adjusting the angle of the slide shaft as described in Patent Document 1, the entire slide shaft needs to be moved relative to the base part to which the guide rail is fixed, which means that the fixed member to which the slide shaft is fixed becomes large. Furthermore, when the printer becomes large, the weight of the fixed member to which the slide shaft is fixed and the table unit supported by the slide shaft increases, which reduces the tracking ability of the fixed member when adjusting the angle of the fixed member, which can cause the problem that fine angle adjustment relative to the guide rail is difficult.
[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet printer that can achieve angle adjustment between the slide shaft and the guide rail with a simpler structure. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] The inkjet printer according to the present invention has a base member, a pair of slide shafts provided on the base member and extending in a sub-scanning direction, and a table unit on which a recording medium is placed, the table unit being supported by the slide shafts and movable in the sub-scanning direction along the slide shafts, a first support wall fixed to the base member, positioned on one side of the table unit in the main scanning direction, and formed in a plate shape extending in the main scanning direction and in a vertical direction, and a second support wall fixed to the base member, positioned on the other side of the table unit in the main scanning direction, and formed in a plate shape extending in the main scanning direction and in a vertical direction. the first support wall being supported by the second support wall, a support member located above the table unit, extending in the main scanning direction and spanning between the first support wall and the second support wall, a guide rail provided on the support member and extending in the main scanning direction, a carriage slidably provided on the guide rail and movable in the main scanning direction, an ink head provided on the carriage and ejecting ink onto the recording medium placed on the table, and an adjustment mechanism having a pressing portion that presses the first support wall to one side or the other side in the sub-scanning direction and that adjusts the angle of the guide rail with respect to the slide shaft.
[0008] According to the inkjet printer of the present invention, the adjustment mechanism has a pressing part that presses the first support wall to one side or the other side in the sub-scanning direction. By pressing the first support wall with the pressing part, the first support wall can be deflected in the sub-scanning direction. As a result, the support member that is spanned across the first support wall rotates around the second support wall side. That is, the guide rail provided on the support member rotates around the second support wall side. In this way, the adjustment mechanism can adjust the angle of the guide rail with respect to the slide shaft by rotating the guide rail to change the position of the guide rail. As described above, in the inkjet printer of the present invention, the angle of the guide rail can be adjusted with reference to the slide shaft, and the adjustment of the angle of the guide rail can be easily achieved by deflecting the first support wall. Note that since the position on the slide shaft side does not change, the adjustment mechanism itself does not become larger even if the printer becomes larger and the weight of the table unit, etc. increases. Effect of the Invention
[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an inkjet printer that can achieve angle adjustment between the slide shaft and the guide rail with a simpler structure. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front oblique view of the printer with the main body case removed according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 is a front view of a printer with a main body case removed according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the printer with the main body case removed according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a rear oblique view of the printer with the main body case removed according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a side view of a printer with a main body case removed according to an embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a structure around a first support wall and an adjustment mechanism according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4, showing a state in which a first pressing portion is pressing a first support wall. FIG. [Figure 9] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4, showing a state in which the second pressing portion is pressing the first support wall. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] An inkjet printer (hereinafter simply referred to as a "printer") according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described here is, of course, not intended to limit the present invention in any particular way. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for members and parts that perform the same functions, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer 10 according to the present embodiment. In the following description, when the printer 10 is viewed from the front, the side away from the printer 10 is the front, and the side approaching the printer 10 is the rear. The terms left, right, top, and bottom refer to the left, right, top, and bottom of the printer 10 when viewed from the front. The symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings refer to the front, back, left, right, top, and bottom, respectively. The symbol Y in the drawings indicates the main scanning direction. Here, the main scanning direction Y is the left-right direction. The symbol X indicates the sub-scanning direction. Here, the sub-scanning direction X is the front-back direction, and is perpendicular to the main scanning direction Y in a plan view. The symbol Z indicates the up-down direction. However, the above directions are merely defined for the convenience of description, and do not limit the installation mode of the printer 10, nor limit the present invention.
[0013] The printer 10 is an inkjet printer. The printer 10 is a so-called large printer that is longer in the main scanning direction Y compared to a home printer. For example, the printer 10 is a printer for commercial use. In this embodiment, the printer 10 prints an image on a recording medium 5.
[0014] The recording medium 5 used in this embodiment may be, for example, a flat sheet such as recording paper or transfer paper, or may be a three-dimensional object such as various cases such as mobile phone cases, small electronic devices, small parts such as key holders, photo frames, and pens, daily necessities, accessories, etc. The material forming the recording medium 5 may be not only paper such as plain paper or inkjet printing paper, but also resins such as polyvinyl chloride, acrylic resin, polycarbonate, polystyrene, and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymer, metals such as aluminum and stainless steel, carbon, pottery, ceramic, glass, rubber, leather, wood, etc.
[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 includes a base member 60, a main body case 12 (see FIG. 1) attached to the base member 60, a carriage moving mechanism 20, an ink head unit 30, a table moving mechanism 38, and a table unit 40.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the base member 60 has a base plate 61, a front frame 62, a rear frame 63, a left side frame 64, and a right side frame 65. The base plate 61 has a central base portion 61A formed in a plate shape and located in the center, a left base portion 61B disposed to the left of the central base portion 61 and formed in a plate shape, and a right base portion 61C disposed to the right of the central base portion 61 and formed in a plate shape. The left base portion 61B supports a first support wall 71 described later. The right base portion 61C supports a second support wall 72 described later. As shown in FIG. 4, the central base portion 61A, the left base portion 61B, and the right base portion 61C are formed so that the length in the sub-scanning direction X is longer than the length in the main scanning direction Y. The length in the sub-scanning direction X of the central base portion 61A is longer than the length in the sub-scanning direction X of the left base portion 61B and the right base portion 61C. The front frame 62 extends upward from the front end of the central base portion 61A of the base plate 61. The front frame 62 extends in the primary scanning direction Y. The rear frame 63 extends upward from the rear end of the base plate 61. That is, the rear frame 63 extends upward from the rear end of the central base portion 61A, the rear end of the left base portion 61B, and the rear end of the right base portion 61C. The rear frame 63 extends in the primary scanning direction Y. The left side frame 64 extends upward from the left end of the central base portion 61A. The left side frame 64 extends in the secondary scanning direction X. The left side frame 64 connects the front frame 62 and the rear frame 63. The left side frame 64 is located to the right of the left base portion 61B. The left side frame 64 supports a left side wall 76, which will be described later. The right side frame 65 extends upward from the right end of the central base portion 61A. The right side frame 65 extends in the sub-scanning direction X. The right side frame 65 connects the front frame 62 and the rear frame 63. The right side frame 65 is located to the left of the right base portion 61C. The right side frame 65 is located to the right of the left side frame 64. The right side frame 65 supports a right side wall 77, which will be described later. The base member 60 has an accommodation space 60A surrounded by a central base portion 61A of the base plate 61, the front frame 62, the rear frame 63, the left side frame 64, and the right side frame 65.The accommodation space 60A is formed in a box shape that is open at the top, and accommodates the table moving mechanism 38 and the table unit 40.
[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, a front cover 13C is provided at the center of the front of the main body case 12. A left cover 13L is provided at the left side of the front of the main body case 12. A right cover 13R is provided at the right side of the front of the main body case 12. The front cover 13C, the left cover 13L, and the right cover 13R are configured to be openable and closable with respect to the main body case 12. A window 13W is provided in the front cover 13C. The window 13W is formed of, for example, a transparent acrylic plate. An operator can view the inside of the main body case 12 from the window 13W. A base member 60 is attached to the lower part of the main body case 12. The main body case 12 is supported by the base member 60.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 includes a first support wall 71, a second support wall 72, a support member 75 spanning the first support wall 71 and the second support wall 72, a left side wall 76, and a right side wall 77. The first support wall 71 is located to the left of the table unit 40. The first support wall 71 is fixed to the left base portion 61B and the left side frame 64 of the base plate 61. The first support wall 71 has a main body portion 71L extending in the up-down direction Z and the main scanning direction Y, and a bottom surface portion 71M connected to the lower end of the main body portion 71L and extending in the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X. The bottom surface portion 71M is fixed to the left base portion 61B by a fastening member 78. The fastening member 78 is, for example, a screw. The second support wall 72 is located to the right of the table unit 40. The second support wall 72 is fixed to the right base portion 61C of the base plate 61 and the right side frame 65. The second support wall 72 has a main body portion 72L extending in the up-down direction Z and the primary scanning direction Y, and a bottom surface portion 72M connected to the lower end of the main body portion 72L and extending in the primary scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X. The bottom surface portion 72M (see also FIG. 4) is fixed to the right base portion 61C by a fastening member 78. The first support wall 71 and the second support wall 72 extend in the primary scanning direction Y and the up-down direction Z. The first support wall 71 and the second support wall 72 are formed in a plate shape. The first support wall 71 and the second support wall 72 are formed of, for example, iron (for example, SECC). As shown in FIG. 7, the first support wall 71 has a through hole 71H penetrating in the sub-scanning direction X. An adjustment screw 85 of an adjustment mechanism 80 described later is inserted into the through hole 71H. The through hole 71H is formed in the right end portion of the first support wall 71. The through hole 71H is formed above the left side frame 64.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the support member 75 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The support member 75 is located above the table unit 40. The support member 75 is fixed to the first support wall 71 and the second support wall 72. As described later, the first support wall 71 bends in the sub-scanning direction X, so that the support member 75 rotates in the sub-scanning direction X around the second support wall 72 side. As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 10 is configured so that the table unit 40 can pass through, and an opening 14H is formed that penetrates in the sub-scanning direction X. The opening 14H is formed by being surrounded by the support member 75, the first support wall 71, and the second support wall 72. The left side wall 76 is located to the left of the table unit 40 and to the right of the first support wall 71. The right side wall 77 is located to the right of the table unit 40 and to the left of the second support wall 72. As shown in FIG. 4, the left side wall 76 and the right side wall 77 extend in the sub-scanning direction X and the up-down direction Z. The left side wall 76 is fixed to the left side frame 64. The right side wall 77 is fixed to the right side frame 65. The left side wall 76 and the right side wall 77 support a support member 75, as shown in FIG.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 has a guide rail 18 provided on a support member 75. The guide rail 18 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The guide rail 18 is formed so as to protrude forward from the support member 75. The guide rail 18 is located above the table unit 40. The guide rail 18 is located above an opening 14H (see FIG. 3). A carriage 32 of the ink head unit 30, which will be described later, is slidably provided on the guide rail 18. The guide rail 18 guides the movement of the carriage 32 in the main scanning direction Y.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage movement mechanism 20 is a mechanism for moving the carriage 32 in the main scanning direction Y relative to the recording medium 5 placed on a table 48 of the table unit 40 (described later). The carriage movement mechanism 20 moves the carriage 32 in the main scanning direction Y. The configuration of the carriage movement mechanism 20 is not particularly limited. As shown in FIG. 3, the carriage movement mechanism 20 includes a left pulley 21, a right pulley 22, an endless belt 23, and a carriage motor 24. The left pulley 21 is provided to the right of the left end of the guide rail 18. The right pulley 22 is provided to the right of the right end of the guide rail 18. The left pulley 21 and the right pulley 22 are fixed to a support member 75. The belt 23 is wound around the left pulley 21 and the right pulley 22. The carriage motor 24 is connected to the right pulley 22. However, the carriage motor 24 may be connected to the left pulley 21. In this case, the carriage motor 24 is driven to rotate the right pulley 22, causing the belt 23 to run between the left pulley 21 and the right pulley 22.
[0022] 3, the ink head unit 30 is disposed above the table unit 40. The ink head unit 30 includes a carriage 32, a plurality of ink heads 34 provided on the carriage 32, a case 31 attached to the carriage 32, and a light irradiation device 35. The case 31 is formed in a box shape. The ink heads 34 are housed within the case 31.
[0023] 6, the carriage 32 is attached to the belt 23. The carriage 32 is slidably engaged with the guide rail 18. The carriage 32 is disposed above a table 48, which will be described later. The belt 23 is driven by the carriage motor 24, and the carriage 32 moves in the main scanning direction Y, whereby the ink head 34 and the light irradiation device 35 mounted on the carriage 32 move in the main scanning direction Y.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 4, the ink heads 34 are formed in a shape in which the length in the sub-scanning direction X is longer than the length in the main scanning direction Y. The ink heads 34 are formed in the same shape and size. The ink heads 34 are configured to be able to eject ink onto the recording medium 5 placed on a table 48. The ink heads 34 are provided with a plurality of nozzles (not shown) that eject ink and are arranged in the sub-scanning direction X. The ink ejected from the nozzles of the ink heads 34 is, for example, a photocurable ink. An example of the photocurable ink is an ultraviolet-curable ink. The ultraviolet-curable ink has the property of being cured when irradiated with ultraviolet rays. In this embodiment, the ink head unit 30 is provided with four ink heads 34, but is not limited thereto.
[0025] The light irradiation device 35 is a device that irradiates light (e.g., ultraviolet light) to a photocurable ink (e.g., ultraviolet curable ink) ejected onto the recording medium 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the light irradiation device 35 is disposed to the right of the ink head 34. The light irradiation device 35 is fixed to the carriage 32. In this embodiment, the light irradiation device 35 is disposed to the right of the ink head 34, but is not limited to this. The light irradiation device 35 may be disposed to the left of the ink head 34. Furthermore, the light irradiation device 35 may be provided on both the left and right of the ink head 34.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, the table unit 40 is configured to be movable in the sub-scanning direction X along a first slide rail 51 and a second slide rail 52 of the table moving mechanism 38, which will be described later. The table unit 40 includes a table 48 on which the recording medium 5 is placed, and a table carriage 49 (see FIG. 3) that supports the table 48 so as to be movable in the sub-scanning direction X. The table 48 is formed in a rectangular shape whose length in the sub-scanning direction X is shorter than its length in the main scanning direction Y. Note that the length of the table 48 in the sub-scanning direction X may be longer than its length in the main scanning direction Y, or the length of the sub-scanning direction X may be the same as the length of the main scanning direction Y. As shown in FIG. 3, the table 48 is disposed below the support member 75. The table 48 is disposed below the ink head unit 30. The table 48 is provided at the upper end of the table carriage 49. The table carriage 49 is slidably supported by the first slide rail 51 (see FIG. 4) and the second slide rail 52 (see FIG. 4). The table carriage 49 is provided to be movable in the sub-scanning direction X along a first slide rail 51 and a second slide rail 52. The table carriage 49 is configured to be able to move the table 48 in the up-down direction Z by an elevating mechanism (not shown).
[0027] The table moving mechanism 38 is a mechanism for moving the table 48 of the table unit 40 in the sub-scanning direction X. As shown in FIG. 4, the table moving mechanism 38 includes a slide rail 50 that supports the table unit 40 movably in the sub-scanning direction X, and a moving device 41 that moves the table unit 40 in the sub-scanning direction X. The slide rail 50 includes a first slide rail 51 and a second slide rail 52 that extend in the sub-scanning direction X. The second slide rail 52 is disposed to the right of the first slide rail 51. The first slide rail 51 and the second slide rail 52 are disposed in parallel. The first slide rail 51 is provided on the left side frame 64. The second slide rail 52 is provided on the right side frame 65. The slide rail 50 is an example of a slide shaft. The first slide rail 51 is an example of a first slide shaft. The second slide rail 52 is an example of a second slide shaft.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, the moving device 41 is disposed on the base member 60. The moving device 41 is accommodated in the accommodation space 60A of the base member 60. The moving device 41 includes a front pulley 42, a rear pulley 43, an endless belt 44, and a drive motor 45. The front pulley 42 is provided on the front side of the central base portion 61A. The rear pulley 43 is provided on the rear side of the central base portion 61A. The belt 44 is wound around the front pulley 42 and the rear pulley 43. The drive motor 45 is connected to the rear pulley 43. However, the drive motor 45 may be connected to the front pulley 42. Here, the drive motor 45 is driven to rotate the rear pulley 43, so that the belt 44 runs between the front pulley 42 and the rear pulley 43. A table carriage 49 (see FIG. 2) is attached to the belt 44. Therefore, when the belt 44 runs by the drive motor 45, the table carriage 49 moves in the sub-scanning direction X along the first slide rail 51 and the second slide rail 52. That is, the moving device 41 can move the table 48 in the sub-scanning direction X. Fig. 4 shows the state in which the table 48 is located at the rearmost position.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, the printer 10 includes an adjustment mechanism 80 (see also FIG. 7) that adjusts the angle α of the guide rail 18 relative to the second slide rail 52. The adjustment mechanism 80 adjusts the angle α of the guide rail 18 relative to the second slide rail 52 by bending the first support wall 71 (see FIG. 7) in the sub-scanning direction X. The adjustment mechanism 80 has a pressing part 82 (see FIG. 8) that presses the first support wall 71 to one side (here, forward) or the other side (here, rearward) in the sub-scanning direction X. As shown in FIG. 8, the adjustment mechanism 80 includes a fixed member 81 that is fixed to the base member 60 (more specifically, the left side frame 64) and has a screw hole 81H that penetrates in the sub-scanning direction X (here, the front-rear direction), and an adjustment screw 85 that is inserted into the through hole 71H and the screw hole 81H formed in the first support wall 71. The fixed member 81 is formed to have an L-shaped cross section. The fixing member 81 has a first portion 81A extending in the front-rear direction and a second portion 81B extending upward from the front end of the first portion 81A. An insertion hole 81C into which the fastening member 78 is inserted is formed in the first portion 81A, and the first portion 81A is fixed to the left side frame 64 by the fastening member 78. A screw hole 81H is formed in the second portion 81B.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 6, when the region of the main body 71L of the first support wall 71 in the vertical direction Z is divided into four equal parts from top to bottom into an upper region 71A, an upper central region 71B, a lower central region 71C, and a lower region 71D, the adjustment screw 85 is located in the upper central region 71B or the lower central region 71C. In this embodiment, the adjustment screw 85 is located in the lower central region 71C. As shown in FIG. 8, the adjustment screw 85 is a member that fastens the first support wall 71 to a fixed member 81 fixed to the base plate 61. The adjustment screw 85 has a head 85A provided on one end side of the adjustment screw 85, a threaded portion 85B provided on the other end side of the adjustment screw 85, and a nut 85C fixed to the threaded portion 85B. The threaded portion 85B is screwed into a screw hole 81H formed in the fixed member 81. The nut 85C is located forward of the fixed member 81. The pressing portion 82 is provided on the adjustment screw 85. The pressing portion 82 includes a first pressing portion 86 provided at the rear of the head 85A (i.e., on the nut 85C side) and capable of pressing the first support wall 71 rearward, and a second pressing portion 87 provided at the front of the nut 85C (i.e., on the head 85A side) and capable of pressing the first support wall 71 forward. The first pressing portion 86 is located forward of the first support wall 71. The second pressing portion 87 is located rearward of the first support wall 71.
[0031] As shown in Fig. 8, when the adjustment screw 85 is rotated in a first direction (for example, clockwise), the threaded portion 85B of the adjustment screw 85 screwed into the threaded hole 81H of the fixed member 81 moves to one side in the sub-scanning direction X (here, rearward), and the first pressing portion 86 presses the first support wall 71 with the movement, bending the first support wall 71 backward. Here, since the lower side (i.e., the bottom surface portion 71M) of the first support wall 71 is fixed to the left base portion 61B of the base plate 61 by the fastening member 78 (see Fig. 7), the upper side (i.e., the main body portion 71L) of the first support wall 71 is bent backward by being pressed by the first pressing portion 86. On the other hand, the bottom surface portion 72M (see Fig. 4) of the second support wall 72 is fixed to the right base portion 61C by the fastening member 78. Since the support member 75 provided with the guide rail 18 is fixed to the upper part of the first support wall 71 and the second support wall 72, the first support wall 71 moves, more specifically, bends backward, and the support member 75 rotates backward around the second support wall 72 side (fixed side). This adjusts the angle α of the guide rail 18 with respect to the second slide rail 52. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, when the adjustment screw 85 is rotated in the second direction (the direction opposite to the first direction, for example, counterclockwise), the threaded portion 85B of the adjustment screw 85 screwed into the threaded hole 81H of the fixed member 81 moves to the other side (here, forward) of the sub-scanning direction X, and the second pressing portion 87 presses the first support wall 71 with the movement, bending the first support wall 71 forward. Here, since the lower side (i.e., bottom surface portion 71M) of the first support wall 71 is fixed to the left base portion 61B of the base plate 61 by the fastening member 78 (see FIG. 7), the upper side (i.e., main body portion 71L) of the first support wall 71 is bent forward by being pressed by the second pressing portion 87. Meanwhile, the bottom surface portion 72M (see FIG. 4) of the second support wall 72 is fixed to the right base portion 61C by the fastening member 78. And, since the support member 75 provided with the guide rail 18 is fixed to the upper portion of the first support wall 71 and the second support wall 72, the first support wall 71 is movable, more specifically, is bent forward, and the support member 75 rotates forward about the second support wall 72 side (fixed side). As a result, the angle α of the guide rail 18 with respect to the second slide rail 52 is adjusted.In this way, by bending the first support wall 71 forward and backward using the adjustment mechanism 80, the guide rail 18 is configured to rotate around the area where the guide rail 18 and the second slide rail 52 intersect in a planar view (e.g., the left end of the second support wall 72).
[0032] As described above, according to the printer 10 of this embodiment, the adjustment mechanism 80 has a pressing portion 82 that presses the first support wall 71 to one side (here, forward) or the other side (here, rearward) in the sub-scanning direction X. By pressing the first support wall 71 with the pressing portion 82, the first support wall 71 can be bent in the sub-scanning direction X. As a result, the support member 75 that is bridged across the first support wall 71 rotates around the second support wall 72 side. That is, the guide rail 18 provided on the support member 75 rotates around the second support wall 72 side. In this way, the adjustment mechanism 80 can adjust the angle α of the guide rail 18 with respect to the second slide rail 52 by rotating the guide rail 18 to change the position of the guide rail 18. As described above, in the printer 10 of this embodiment, the angle α of the guide rail 18 can be adjusted with reference to the second slide rail 52, and the adjustment of the angle α of the guide rail 18 can be easily achieved by bending the first support wall 71. Since the position on the second slide rail 52 side does not change, even if the printer 10 becomes larger and the weight of the table unit 40 and the like increases, the adjustment mechanism 80 itself does not become larger.
[0033] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the first support wall 71 is formed with a through hole 71H penetrating in the sub-scanning direction X, and the adjustment mechanism 80 is fixed to the left side frame 64 of the base member 60 and includes a fixed member 81 having a screw hole 81H penetrating in the sub-scanning direction X, and a pressing portion 82 and an adjustment screw 85 inserted into the through hole 71H and the screw hole 81H. The pressing portion 82 is located forward of the first support wall 71 and is positioned in front of the first support wall 71. and a second pressing portion 87 located rearward of the first support wall 71 and capable of pressing the first support wall 71. When the adjustment screw 85 is rotated in a first direction, the first pressing portion 86 presses the first support wall 71, bending the first support wall 71 rearward, and when the adjustment screw 85 is rotated in a second direction, the second pressing portion 87 presses the first support wall 71, bending the first support wall 71 forward. In this way, the first support wall 71 can be bent in the front-rear direction by a simple configuration of changing the direction in which the adjustment screw 85 is rotated. In addition, since the amount of bending of the first support wall 71 changes depending on the amount of rotation of the adjustment screw 85, the angle α of the guide rail 18 with respect to the second slide rail 52 can be adjusted with higher accuracy.
[0034] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, when the area of the main body 71L of the first support wall 71 in the vertical direction Z is divided into four equal parts from top to bottom into an upper area 71A, an upper central area 71B, a lower central area 71C, and a lower area 71D, the adjustment screw 85 is located in the upper central area 71B or the lower central area 71C. When the adjustment screw 85 is located in the lower area 71D of the first support wall 71, the first support wall 71 does not bend much even when the adjustment screw 85 is turned, and when the adjustment screw 85 is located in the upper area 71A of the first support wall 71, the first support wall 71 bends significantly even when the adjustment screw 85 is turned only slightly, so that it is somewhat difficult to adjust the amount of bending of the first support wall 71 by the adjustment screw 85. However, by positioning the adjustment screw 85 in the upper central region 71B or the lower central region 71C, the relationship between the amount of rotation of the adjustment screw 85 and the amount of deflection of the first support wall 71 becomes more appropriate, and the angle α of the guide rail 18 relative to the second slide rail 52 can be adjusted more precisely.
[0035] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the through hole 71H of the first support wall 71 is formed at the right end of the first support wall 71. This makes it possible to ensure a larger amount of displacement of the support member 75. In other words, the amount of displacement of the angle α of the guide rail 18 relative to the second slide rail 52 can be made larger.
[0036] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the slide rail 50 includes a first slide rail 51 extending in the sub-scanning direction X and a second slide rail 52 extending in the sub-scanning direction X and positioned to the right of the first slide rail 51, and the guide rail 18 is configured to rotate about the area where the guide rail 18 and the second slide rail 52 intersect in a plan view. This allows the angle α between the second slide rail 52 (and the first slide rail 51) and the guide rail 18 to be adjusted more accurately.
[0037] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention can be embodied in various other forms.
[0038] In the above-described embodiment, the adjustment mechanism 80 is configured to adjust the angle α of the guide rail 18 relative to the second slide rail 52 by bending the first support wall 71 in the sub-scanning direction X, but is not limited to this. For example, the adjustment mechanism 80 may be configured to adjust the angle of the guide rail 18 relative to the first slide rail 51 by bending the second support wall 72 in the sub-scanning direction X. [Explanation of symbols]
[0039] 5 Recording media 10 Printer (inkjet printer) 18 Guide rail 32 Carriage 34 Ink head 40 Table Unit 48 Tables 50 Slide rail (slide shaft) 51 First slide rail (first slide axis) 52 Second slide rail (second slide axis) 60 Base material 71 1st support wall 71H through hole 72 Second support wall 75 Support member 80 Adjustment mechanism 81 Fixing member 81H screw hole 85 Adjustment screw 86 First pressing part 87 Second pressing part
Claims
1. A base member; A pair of slide shafts provided on the base member and extending in a sub-scanning direction; a table unit having a table on which a recording medium is placed, the table unit being supported by the slide shaft and movable in the sub-scanning direction along the slide shaft; a first support wall that is fixed to the base member, that is located on one side of the table unit in the main scanning direction, and that is formed in a plate shape extending in the main scanning direction and in the up-down direction; a second support wall that is fixed to the base member, that is located on the other side of the table unit in the main scanning direction, and that is formed in a plate shape extending in the main scanning direction and in the up-down direction; a support member located above the table unit, extending in the main scanning direction, and spanning the first support wall and the second support wall; a guide rail provided on the support member and extending in the main scanning direction; a carriage slidably provided on the guide rail and movable in the main scanning direction; an ink head provided on the carriage and configured to eject ink onto the recording medium placed on the table; an adjustment mechanism having a pressing portion that presses the first support wall to one side or the other side in the sub-scanning direction and that adjusts an angle of the guide rail with respect to the slide shaft.
2. a through hole penetrating the first support wall in the sub-scanning direction; The adjustment mechanism includes: a fixing member fixed to the base member and having a screw hole penetrating therethrough in the sub-scanning direction; an adjustment screw having the pressing portion and inserted into the through hole and the screw hole; The pressing portion is a first pressing portion located on one side of the first support wall in the sub-scanning direction and capable of pressing the first support wall; a second pressing portion located on the other side of the first support wall in the sub-scanning direction and capable of pressing the first support wall, 2. The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein when the adjustment screw is rotated in a first direction, the first pressing portion presses the first support wall, causing the first support wall to bend toward the other side in the sub-scanning direction, and when the adjustment screw is rotated in a second direction, the second pressing portion presses the first support wall, causing the first support wall to bend toward the one side in the sub-scanning direction.
3. The first support wall includes a bottom surface portion fixed to the base member and a main body portion extending upward from the bottom surface portion, 3. The inkjet printer according to claim 2, wherein when the vertical region of the main body is divided into four equal parts, from top to bottom, into an upper region, an upper central region, a lower central region, and a lower region, the adjustment screw is located in the upper central region or the lower central region.
4. 4. The inkjet printer according to claim 2, wherein the through hole is formed at an end of the first support wall on the other side in the main scanning direction.
5. the slide shaft includes a first slide shaft extending in the sub-scanning direction and a second slide shaft extending in the sub-scanning direction and positioned on the other side in the main scanning direction relative to the first slide shaft, The inkjet printer according to claim 1 , wherein the guide rail is configured to rotate about a region where the guide rail and the second slide shaft intersect in a plan view.
Citation Information
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