Inkjet head module holding structure, inkjet recording apparatus

Abstract

To provide a holding structure that enables an inkjet head module to be held on a placement base, by elastically energizing a site positioned around a nozzle ejection surface, in a work place whose upper space is not opened.SOLUTION: A pressing member 1125 is in contact with a portion of a peripheral edge close to a placement base 1001 of an inkjet head module, so that the inkjet head module is pressed and energized against the placement base. Pressing / energizing by the pressing member 1125 and non-energizing can be switched by operation of an operation lever by an operator.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an inkjet head module holding structure that holds an inkjet head module on a mounting base, and an inkjet recording apparatus equipped with such a holding structure. [Background technology]

[0002] An inkjet head module is, for example, a combination of two head main bodies, the periphery of which is covered with an exterior body made of aluminum sheet metal, and the flow path member and bracket are integrated. The head main body has a storage section inside, and ink supplied from the flow path member is stored in the storage section, and then the ink is ejected from the nozzles on the bottom surface by heating or pressurizing. At this time, the ink is supplied from the flow path member in a heated state, and the heat of the ink causes the exterior body to thermally expand. Therefore, if the inkjet head module is firmly fixed to the mounting base by screws, the expansion and contraction of the exterior body cannot be allowed to escape.

[0003] In order to allow for expansion and contraction of the exterior body, it is necessary to mount the inkjet head module on the mounting base while leaving some play between the inkjet head module and the mounting base. In addition, if the mounting base is warped due to not only thermal expansion but also bending or machining accuracy, and the bottom plate of the inkjet head module is firmly fixed in this state, the bottom plate of the inkjet head module may warp to match the shape of the mounting base.

[0004] Therefore, in conventional inkjet recording devices, the inkjet head module is held on the mounting table by the elastic force of the coil spring and by screwing the screw in. The inkjet recording device described in Patent Document 1 uses a pressing member configured by inserting a coil spring with a diameter smaller than the head of the screw and a washer with a diameter larger than the coil spring in this order onto the screw shaft.

[0005] The inkjet head module is pressed against the mounting base by the elastic force of the coil spring, by fitting the tip of the screw into the screw hole of the mounting base while the bracket of the inkjet head module is sandwiched between the washer and the mounting base. By using such a pressing member, the inkjet head module can be held on the mounting base and the held state can be maintained while absorbing the thermal expansion of the exterior body caused by the passage of ink. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-155880 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In order to screw the screw shaft of the screw spring, which is the pressing member, into the mounting base, it is necessary to perform the screw tightening work on the mounting base with the inkjet head module mounted on it. It is preferable to perform such screw tightening work in a work space with an open top, because this allows the vertical movement of the screw spring, alignment of the screw shaft, and screw tightening to be performed smoothly.

[0008] However, when mounting an inkjet head module in an inkjet recording device, it is not possible to secure an open working space at the top. This is because the inkjet head module has a flow path member that is installed at the top of the inkjet head module and transfers ink between adjacent inkjet head modules, and the flow path member installed at the top occupies the space above the place where the screws should be tightened. Since there is no space to move the fingers holding the screws and tools up and down, the screw tightening work does not progress at all, and there is a problem of poor workability.

[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an inkjet head module holding structure and an inkjet recording device that can hold an inkjet head module on a mounting base by elastically biasing areas located around the nozzle ejection surface in a work area where the upper space is not open. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The above problem is solved by an inkjet head module holding structure that holds an inkjet head module on a mounting stand, the structure comprising a pressing section that abuts against a part of the periphery of the inkjet head module near the mounting stand and presses and urges the inkjet head module against the mounting stand, and an operation section that switches between pressing and urging of the pressing section, and the operation section is located outside the periphery of the inkjet head module during an operation of mounting the inkjet head module on the mounting stand. the operation section includes a long operation lever, the pressing section includes a pressing lever and a pressing member provided on the tip side of the pressing lever and elastically biased via an elastic member, the base end of the pressing lever is fixedly provided on the operation lever, the base end side of the operation lever is pivotally supported on a mounting base outside the periphery of the inkjet head module, and when the operation lever is swung around the axis, the pressing lever enters a space that envelops the outer edge of the inkjet head module, and the pressing member crosses the periphery of the inkjet head module and elastically presses a part of the periphery of the inkjet head module against the mounting base. The aforementioned object is achieved by an inkjet head module holding structure characterized in that:

[0013] The inkjet head module may include a head main body including a nozzle, a bracket extending from a position on the head main body near the mounting stand, and a flow path member arranged in a state of protruding laterally from above the module main body, and the space enveloping the outer edge of the inkjet head module may be rectangular in shape, enveloping the bracket and the flow path member, and the pressing lever may pass through a void within the enveloped space where the bracket and the flow path member face each other vertically.

[0014] The elastic member may be elastically compressed to a state where the pressing lever and the pressing member come into contact with each other, the pressing lever presses the peripheral edge of the inkjet head module, and then the pressing member may be in a state where it elastically biases the peripheral edge of the inkjet head module.

[0015] The operating lever may have a grip portion that is gripped by an operator, and the distance from the pivot position of the operating lever to the grip portion may be longer than the distance along the longitudinal direction of the operating lever from the pivot position to the pressing member.

[0016] The operating portion may further include a lock lever, and the lock lever may extend from a position on the operating lever that is separated from a mounting position of the pressing lever.

[0017] A locking claw may be formed on the extended end of the locking lever, and a locking portion may be formed on a component mounted horizontally on the upper part of the inkjet head module to which the locking claw of the locking lever is adjacent. When the operating lever is swung and a pressing member is used to elastically press a portion of the peripheral edge against the mounting base, the locking claw may lock into the locking portion, thereby entering a locked state.

[0018] The operating lever may be configured to be freely swingable around its base end and freely slideable, and by swinging the operating lever, the pressing lever crosses the periphery of the inkjet head module and enters a space that envelops the outer edge of the inkjet head module, and by sliding the operating lever, the pressing member elastically presses a portion of the periphery against the mounting base.

[0019] The lock lever may have a locking claw at its tip, and when the operating lever is slid downward and the pressing member presses a portion of the peripheral edge against the mounting base, the locking claw of the lock lever may be engaged with the tip of a component member mounted horizontally on the top of the inkjet head module.

[0020] The operating lever may be pivotally supported on the side of the mounting base, and the distance from the pivotal support position of the operating lever to the engagement point by the engagement claw of the lock lever may be set longer than the distance along the longitudinal direction of the operating lever from the pivotal support position to the pressing member.

[0021] The pressure lever is cylindrical and has a long lock lever inserted therethrough, and the locked state by the lock lever may be achieved by swinging the operating lever so that a portion of the periphery is elastically pressed against the mounting base by the pressing member, sliding the lock lever relative to the operating lever so that the tip of the lock lever protrudes further than the pressure lever, and inserting the lock lever into a hole opened in a reinforcing member erected from the mounting base.

[0022] The above problem is solved by an inkjet recording apparatus that conveys a recording medium and forms an image on the conveyed recording medium using an inkjet, the inkjet recording apparatus comprising: a mounting table; an inkjet head module; and an ink supply unit that supplies heated ink to the inkjet head module. ,stomach and an inkjet head module holding structure. The inkjet head module holding structure includes a pressing section that contacts a portion of the periphery of the inkjet head module near the mounting base and presses and urges the inkjet head module against the mounting base, and an operation section that switches between pressing and non-pressing of the pressing section, the operation section being located outside the periphery of the inkjet head module during an operation of mounting the inkjet head module on the mounting base, the inkjet head module including a plurality of inkjet heads and a flow path member that is provided above the mounting base and that transfers ink between adjacent inkjet head modules, an upper component member is disposed on the mounting base with a predetermined gap therebetween, the upper component member supports an upper flow path member, and the portion of the periphery that is elastically urged by the pressing section is below the upper flow path member and the upper component member. The above-mentioned problems may be solved by an inkjet recording apparatus characterized in that:

[0024] The pressing portion of the inkjet head module holding structure may be detachably attached to the mounting table.

[0025] In a structure in which a plurality of inkjet head modules are arranged in a row on a mounting table, a pair of pressing portions and operating portions may be provided for each inkjet head module so as to press both side portions in the arrangement direction of the inkjet head modules of the nozzle periphery of each inkjet head module against the mounting table.

[0026] The pair of pressing portions and each pressing portion of the operating portion may press a part of the periphery of the corresponding inkjet head module individually or in conjunction with each other.

[0027] In a structure in which multiple inkjet head modules are arranged in a row on a mounting stand, a pressing portion and an operating portion may be provided for each inkjet head module so as to press one side portion of a peripheral edge of each inkjet head module in the arrangement direction of the inkjet head modules against the mounting stand.

[0028] The inkjet head module may be elastically pressed against the mounting base and mounted on the mounting base, and a position adjustment mechanism may be provided for adjusting the mounting position of the inkjet head module with respect to the mounting base.

[0029] A pair of pins may protrude from a portion of the periphery of the inkjet head module, and the position adjustment mechanism may have a pair of insertion portions into which the pair of pins are inserted, and at least one of the pair of insertion portions may be supported on the mounting table so as to be freely slidable in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the inkjet head modules on the mounting table. Effect of the Invention

[0030] Since the pressing or non-pressing of the peripheral portion of the inkjet head module near the mounting base can be switched by an operating part located outside the outer edge of the side surface of the inkjet head module, the task of elastically pressing a portion of the peripheral portion of the inkjet head module can be efficiently performed even if the upper space of the part to be elastically pressed is not open. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus 1 equipped with a module holding structure according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] 3(a) is a perspective view showing the configuration of an inkjet head module holding structure 1100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4]Fig. 4(a) is a side view of the reinforcing wall 1010 and the tooth-like portion 1011 in the XZ plane. Fig. 4(b) shows a state in which the inkjet head module holding structure 1100 is switched to an elastically biased state. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which inkjet head module holding structures 1100 and 1200 elastically urge both sides of an inkjet head module 2100. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an inkjet head module holding structure 1100 in a second embodiment. [Figure 7] Fig. 7(a) is a side view of the tooth-like portion 1011 of the second embodiment in the XZ plane. Fig. 7(b) shows a state in which the locking claw 1131 is positioned at the upper end of the long hole 1141 and the operator turns the operation lever 1111 to bring the operation lever 1111 into a position parallel to the Z axis. Fig. 7(c) shows a state in which the shaft 1113 is slid from the upper end to the lower end of the long hole 1141 with the operation lever 1111 in a position parallel to the Z axis. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an inkjet head module holding structure 1100 in a second embodiment. [Figure 9] Fig. 9(a) is a side view of the tooth-like portion 1011 in the XZ plane according to the third embodiment. Fig. 9(b) shows a state in which a portion of the rod 1152, excluding the rod end portion 1154, is housed in the cylindrical portion of the pressing lever 1151. Fig. 9(c) shows a state in which the operating lever 1116 is in a position parallel to the Z axis, and the pressing lever 1151 is in a position parallel to the X axis. [Figure 10] 10(a) to (d) are views showing modified examples of a pressing member 1125, and FIG. 10(e) is a view showing a modified example of a lock lever 1130. As shown in FIG. [Figure 11] The nozzle holding plate 2105 attached to the bottom surface of the inkjet head module 2100 and the location where the inkjet head module 2100 is placed on the placement table 1001 are shown. [Figure 12] This shows a configuration example in which operation levers 1111, 1211 are connected by a handle to operate the ink jet head module holding structures 1100, 1200 together. [Figure 13] Fig. 13(a) shows a state in which an inkjet head module is attached to a warped mounting table 1001. Fig. 13(b) shows a state in which the inkjet head module is elastically pressed against the warped mounting table 1001 using the pressing member 1126 according to the first to third embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an inkjet head module holding structure and an inkjet recording apparatus equipped with the inkjet head module holding structure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0033] [1] Inkjet recording device The configuration of the inkjet recording device according to the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an inkjet recording device 1 equipped with a module holding structure according to the present disclosure. In this figure, the X-axis direction indicates the conveying direction of the recording medium, the Z-axis indicates the height direction, and the Y-axis indicates the depth direction. The inkjet recording device shown in this figure includes image forming units 32Y, M, C, and K which are image forming units of YMCK colors. Each of the image forming units 32Y, M, C, and K includes an arrangement of eight inkjet head modules (=4×2 units) and an ink supply unit that supplies heated ink to each inkjet head module. Each inkjet head module has, for example, 1024 nozzles, and forms a desired image on the recording medium with a resolution of 360 nozzles per inch. As the recording medium, various materials such as printing paper, cells, films, and fabrics of various thicknesses can be used.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, the top recording medium among those placed on the medium supply tray 11 is fed out and delivered to the image forming drum 31 through the rotation of the belt 23 caused by the rotation of the rollers 21 and 22 and one end of the belt 23 being gripped by the claw portion 24 .

[0035] The image forming units 32Y, M, C, and K are disposed at predetermined intervals along the rotation direction of the image forming drum 31 at positions spaced a preset distance from the outer circumferential surface of the image forming drum 31. After an image is formed by the image forming units 32Y, M, C, and K, the recording medium M is delivered to an ejection tray 44 via the rotation of the rollers 41 and 42 causing the belt 43 to move in a circular motion.

[0036] [2] Image formation unit configuration Each of the image forming units 32Y, M, C, and K has a mounting table 1001 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the mounting table 1001, in which the Y axis is the main scanning direction of the recording medium, the Z axis is the height direction, and the X axis is the conveying direction of the recording medium. The mounting table 1001 has an elongated shape, and on both sides of the short dimension, a standing wall 1006 is formed at the longitudinal end edge cut at an angle of 90° upward, and a reinforcing wall 1010 is erected along the long dimension. An upper component 1005 is installed on the reinforcing wall 1010. The upper component 1005 has a comb-tooth shape and includes tooth-like portions 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1016, 1017, 1018, and 1019 protruding in the short dimension. A predetermined distance is provided between one tooth-like portion of the upper component 1005 and an adjacent tooth-like portion in the longitudinal direction, and 4×2 inkjet head modules are disposed thereon.

[0037] In the upper component 1005, one tooth-like portion has the role of supporting the upper flow path member of each inkjet head module. Also, an ink connection path member (not shown) is formed inside each tooth-like portion, and for example, in the inkjet head module 2400 placed on the mounting base 1001 in Fig. 2, the upper flow path member 2415 and the connection path member of the tooth-like portion 1014 are communicated to transfer ink between one inkjet head module 2400 and the adjacent inkjet head module.

[0038] Being supported by the tooth-like portion 1014, the upper flow path member 2415 is in a position extending in the Y-axis direction from the head main body portion 2401. At this time, the brackets 2411 and 2421 also extend in the Y-axis direction from the lower portion in the Z-axis direction. Since the upper flow path member and the bracket extend in the Y-axis direction, the inkjet head module occupies a rectangular parallelepiped space 2300 that envelops the upper flow path member and the bracket. Even though the upper constituent member extends, there is nothing to block the movement of the pressing member in the portion where the tooth-like portion 1014 and the brackets 2411 and 2421 face each other. Therefore, in this embodiment, the inkjet head module holding structures 1100, 1200, 1300, and 1400 are provided on the standing wall 1006 of the mounting base 1001, and the inkjet head module is elastically pressed by operation from outside the space that envelops the outer edge of the inkjet head module.

[0039] [3] Configuration of the inkjet head module holding structure The inkjet head module holding structure 1100 will be described with reference to Figures 3(a) and 4(a). Figure 3(a) is a perspective view showing the configuration of the inkjet head module holding structure 1100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in these figures, the inkjet head module holding structure 1100 includes an operation unit 1110 and a pressing unit 1120. Note that the inkjet head module holding structures 1200, 1300, and 1400 have the same configuration as the inkjet head module holding structure 1100, and therefore descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0040] (3-1) Operation unit 1110 The operating section 1110 includes a long operating lever 1111, an angle bearing 1112, a shaft body 1113, and a locking member (comprised of a locking lever 1130 and a locking claw 1131). The angle bearing 1112 is attached to the vertical wall 1006 of the mounting table 1001 (see FIG. 2), and a shaft 1113 is inserted through the angle bearing 1112 and a through hole (not shown) formed at the base end of the operating lever 1111, and is supported by the shaft 1113, allowing the operating lever 1111 to swing freely. The locking member will be described later.

[0041] (3-2) Pressing part 1120 The pressing part 1120 includes a pressing lever 1121, a pin 1122, and a pressing member 1125, and presses a part of the periphery of the inkjet head module 2100. Here, the part of the periphery of the inkjet head module refers to the central position in the Y-axis direction of brackets 2111 and 2121 of the inkjet head module 2400 shown in FIG. 2 or its surroundings (hereinafter referred to as module periphery 2106).

[0042] The base end of the pressing lever 1121 is fixed at a position close to the base end of the operating lever 1111, and a pin 1122 protrudes downward in the Z-axis direction from the free end, with a pressing member 1125 provided at the tip of the pin 1122. As shown in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 3(b), the pressing member 1125 has one end face of a cylindrical portion 1127 closed by a hemispherical portion 1126 and the other end face closed by a disk body 1128, with the pin 1122 inserted through an opening 1128H of the disk body 1128.

[0043] The inside of the cylindrical portion 1127 is a space for accommodating the coil spring 1124. The tip of the pin 1122 has a flat plate shape (flat plate 1123), and the pressing member 1125 fixes the upper end of the coil spring 1124 to the flat plate 1123, and causes the elastic force of the coil spring 1124 to act in a direction that causes the pressing member 1125 to protrude. The length of the cylindrical portion 1127 is set to a value that exceeds the sum of the length of the maximally contracted coil spring 1124 and the length of the pin 1122. This is because when the coil spring 1124 is contracted, the external force applied by the operator to the pressing lever 1121 is directly applied to the module peripheral portion 2106.

[0044] (3-3) Locking member The locking member is composed of a locking lever 1130 and a locking claw 1131 .

[0045] The lock lever 1130 extends from near the free end of the operating lever 1111, and has a locking claw 1131 at its tip. The free end side of the operating lever 1111 is cut out to form a thin-walled portion 1114, and the base end of the lock lever 1130 is positioned in the thin-walled portion 1114. A pin 1115 is inserted through the thin-walled portion 1114 and the base end of the lock lever 1130, allowing the lock lever 1130 to freely swing upward from the horizontal position shown by the solid line in FIG.

[0046] The locking claw 1131 is for engaging with a locking claw 1021 (see Figures 2 and 4(a)) provided at the tip of the tooth-like portion 1011 in the X-axis direction. When the operator turns the operating lever 1111 to a position parallel to the Z-axis direction, the locking claw 1131 and the locking claw 1021 of the tooth-like portion 1011 are engaged with each other.

[0047] [4] Work performed by workers The work to be performed by the worker will be described with reference to Figs. 4(a), 4(b), and 5. The work to be performed by the worker is to place the inkjet head module 1100 on the mounting table 1001, and includes elastic biasing using the inkjet head module holding structure 1110. The initial state is as shown in Fig. 4(a) of the inkjet head module holding structure 1100, and the operation lever 1111 is tilted approximately horizontally. In Figs. 4(a) and 4(b), the mounting table 1001 and the upper component 1011 are parallel to the X-axis direction. This is just one example, and the mounting table 1001 and the upper component 1011 may be inclined at the same predetermined angle with respect to the X-axis. The same applies to Figs. 7 and 9 described below.

[0048] This state is the same for the operation lever 1111, the locking claw 1131, and the pressing member 1125, all of which are present outside the mounting base 1001. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the inkjet head module 2100 is tilted and mounted on the mounting base 1001 from diagonally above, and then the inkjet head module 2100 is brought into an upright position. When the operator turns the operation lever 1111 clockwise in the direction ro1, the pressing lever 1121 rotates accordingly, and the pressing member 1125 enters into a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped space that envelops the outer edge of the inkjet head module 2100. At this time, since the base end of the operating lever 1111 is attached to a part of the standing wall 1006 at approximately the same position in the Y-axis direction as the bracket 2111 of the inkjet head module 2100, as shown in Figure 5, the pressing member 1125 enters the space within the above-mentioned envelope space and into the space where the upper flow path member 2115 and the brackets 2111 and 2121 face each other vertically, and then rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the pressing lever 1121 to abut against the module peripheral portion 2106.

[0049] When the operating lever 1111 is further rotated clockwise ro1, the coil spring 1124 in the pressing member 1125 is compressed, and the brackets 2111 and 2121 are elastically pressed against the mounting table 1001 by the reaction force. When the operating lever 1111 is rotated until it is parallel to the Z-axis direction, the coil spring 1124 is compressed to the maximum. At this time, the disk body 1128 that fixes the upper end surface of the pressing member 1125 abuts against the lower surface of the pressing lever 1121. At the same time, the engaging claw 1131 of the lock lever 1130 advances to the engaged claw 1021 at the tip of the tooth-like portion 1011, and both are switched to an engaged state. As a result, the pressing force on the bracket 2111 caused by the compression of the coil spring 1124 is maintained unless the engaged state of the engaging claw 1131 and the engaged claw 1021 is released.

[0050] This completes the elastic biasing using the inkjet head module holding structure 1100. If a similar operation is performed for the inkjet head module holding structure 1200 as shown in Fig. 5, the inkjet head module 2100 will be elastically biased from both sides, and will be held by the mounting base 1001.

[0051] Even when printing is started by the inkjet recording device and heated ink is supplied to the inkjet head module 2100, causing the inkjet head module 2100 to thermally expand, the pressing member 1125 locked by the locking claw 1131 continues to apply an elastic force to the module peripheral portion 2106 that corresponds to the length of the coil spring 1124 when pressed by the pressing lever 1121, thereby stabilizing the posture of the inkjet head module 2100 placed on the mounting base 1001.

[0052] The operating lever 1111 is supported by the mounting base 1001 in a freely swingable manner by inserting a shaft 1113 into a through hole formed in the angle bearing 1112 and a through hole formed at the base end of the operating lever 1111. Therefore, the inkjet head module holding structure 1100 may be separated from the mounting base 1001 by removing the shaft 1113 from the angle bearing 1112 and removing the inkjet head module holding structure 1100 from the mounting base 1001.

[0053] [5] Summary As described above, according to this embodiment, the inkjet head module 2100 is elastically biased or not biased by the pressing member 1125 by operating the operation lever 1111 located outside the space occupied by the inkjet head module in the mounting base 1001, so even if the upper part of the mounting base 1001 is occupied by a flow path member, elastic biasing or not biasing by the pressing member 1125 can be switched without any hindrance, and an operator does not need to tighten screws for elastic biasing. Since the inkjet head module can be easily attached and detached from the mounting base 1001, maintenance of the nozzle ejection surface can be performed frequently, and the print quality of the inkjet recording apparatus can be improved.

[0054] [6] Second embodiment In the first embodiment, the pivoting of the operating lever 1111 provides elastic pressing by the pressing member 1125 and locking by the lock lever 1130. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the pivoting and sliding of the operating lever 1111 provide elastic pressing by the pressing member 1125 and locking by the lock lever 1130. An inkjet head module holding structure 1100 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7(a). The operating lever 1111 in the second embodiment has an elongated hole 1141 formed at its base end, and a shaft 1113 is inserted through the elongated hole 1141 and an angle bearing 1112.

[0055] An engagement lever 1142 is provided on the free end side of the operating lever 1111. The base end of the locking claw lever 1142 is axially attached to the operating lever 1111 by using a pin 1115. The length of the long hole 1141 and the length of the engagement lever 1142 are set to maintain the following relationship. That is, the operating lever 1111 is rotated from the initial state shown in FIG. 7(a) to a position parallel to the Z-axis direction, and then the operating lever 1111 is pressed down (FIG. 7(b)). When the angle bearing 1112 reaches its upper end in the long hole 1141, the locking claw of the engagement lever 1142 engages with the lower surface of the extension end of the tooth-shaped portion 1011 (FIG. 7(c)). When the operator releases his / her hand from the operating lever 1111, the engagement state is maintained by the elastic restoring force of the coil spring 1124 of the pressing member 1125.

[0056] If the lengths of the long hole 1141 and the engagement lever 1142 are set to maintain the relationship described above, the pressing operation can be performed simply by operating the operating lever 1111 outside the envelope space of the inkjet head module 2100, as in the first embodiment.

[0057] [7] Third embodiment In the first embodiment, the locking member (lock lever 1130 and engaging claw 1131 shown in FIG. 3) and the pressing lever were provided at separate positions on the operating lever 1111. In contrast, in the third embodiment, the pressing lever is cylindrical and a through hole is provided in the operating lever, and the locking member is supported by the through hole of the pressing lever and the through hole of the operating lever. An inkjet head module holding structure 1100 according to the third embodiment will be described using the perspective view of FIG. 8.

[0058] In the third embodiment, a rod-shaped member (rod 1152) is used as the locking member. The pressing lever 1151 in the third embodiment is a cylinder, and the operating lever 1116 is formed with a through hole 1116H that communicates with the through hole 1151H of the pressing lever 1151. The rod 1152 as the locking member is inserted through the through holes 1151H and 1116H.

[0059] A flange-shaped stopper 1155 is provided on the rod 1152 on the outer side (positive direction of the Z axis) of the through hole 1151H.

[0060] Similarly, a stopper ring 1156 is provided on the side of the rod 1152 protruding from the through hole 1116H (Z-axis negative direction). A coil spring 1153 is provided between the flange-shaped stopper 1155 and an upper surface 1116S of the operating lever 1116, in a state where it is fitted around the rod 1152.

[0061] The coil spring 1153 is a compression spring, and its elastic restoring force acts on a flange-shaped stopper 1155 to push the rod 1152 upward. The rod end 1154 above the flange-shaped stopper 1155 functions as an engagement portion that engages with an engagement hole (engagement hole 1025 in FIG. 9(a)) of the reinforcing wall 1010, as described below. The operation of holding an inkjet head using an inkjet head module holding structure having this configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 9(a) to (c). Initially, the inkjet head module holding structure 1100 is in a position in which the operating lever 1116 hangs down parallel to the vertical wall 1010, as shown in FIG. 9(a). At this time, an operator grips the operating lever 1116 and rotates it. If the rod end 1154 protrudes too far from the pressing lever 1152, the rod 1152 will come into contact with the teeth-like portion 1011, so the operator grasps the rear end 1157 and pulls the pressing lever 1152 toward himself as shown in Fig. 9(b) to shorten the length of the rod 1152 protruding from the pressing lever 1151. In this state, the pressing lever 1152 is rotated while avoiding contact with the teeth-like portion 1011.

[0062] When the operator releases the operating lever 1111 when the rod 1152 is parallel to the X-axis, the rod end 1154 of the rod 1152 reaches the locking hole 1025 by the biasing force of the coil spring 1153, and the rod end 1154 engages with the locking hole 1025 as shown in Fig. 9(c). The engaged state is maintained by the elastic restoring force of the coil spring 1124 of the pressing member 1125.

[0063] [8] Variations Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiment, the present invention is of course not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the following modifications are possible.

[0064] (1) In the inkjet head module holding structure 1100 of the first to third embodiments, the brackets 2111, 2112 protruding from the lower portion on both sides of the inkjet head module 2100 shown in Fig. 2 are elastically biased, but this is not limited to this. On the bottom surface of the inkjet head module 2100, the portion of the nozzle holding plate 2105 that does not overlap with the brackets may be elastically biased by a pressing member 1125.

[0065] (2) The leverage principle may be used to reduce the burden on the operator when pressing the module peripheral portion 2106. When using the leverage principle, the fulcrum is the axis of the shaft body 1113, and the point of action is the point of pressing by the pressing member 1125. In this case, if the distance from the fulcrum to the point of force is long, the force (moment) that tries to rotate the operating lever 1111 becomes large. Therefore, a gripping portion that serves as the point of force is provided at the free end 1114 of the operating lever 1111, and the operator grips the gripping portion to rotate the operating lever 1111. It is desirable to increase the moment acting on the operating lever 1111 in this way, thereby pressing down the module peripheral portion 2106 with a strong force.

[0066] (3) When the locking claw 1131 shown in Fig. 4(a) engages with the locked claw 1021, if the elastic restoring force of the coil spring 1124 is large, the moment that the coil spring 1124 tries to rotate the operating lever 1111 becomes large, and the load on the locking claw 1131 becomes large. It is desirable to reduce the load on the lock lever 1130 when the operating lever 1111 rotates by making the linear distance from the axis of the shaft body 1113 to the locking claw 1131 longer than the linear distance from the axis of the shaft body 1113 to the pressing member 1125. It is desirable to extend the life of the locking claw 1131 by reducing the load in this way.

[0067] (4) As shown in FIG. 10(a), a bottomed circular hole may be formed in the pressing lever 1121, and the bottomed circular hole may be used as a fixed spring bearing for the coil spring 1124 to bias the pressing member 1125. The tip shape of the pressing member 1125 is not limited to a hemispherical shape. It may be a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 10(b). As shown in FIG. 10(c), a spherical member biased by a spring may be used as the pressing member 1125. In FIG. 10(c), a cylinder 1127 contains a coil spring 1191, a movable spring bearing 1192, and a spherical member 1193, and a part of the spherical surface of the sphere is exposed from a cover 1194. The spherical surface exposed from the cover 1194 is exposed from the pressing lever 1121. The operating lever 1111 receives an external force from an operator and presses the module peripheral portion 2106. When the external force from the operator continues to be applied, the spherical member 1193 becomes embedded in the cylinder 1127 , and the cylinder 1127 directly presses against the module peripheral portion 2106 .

[0068] (5) In the first embodiment, the lock lever 1130 swings under its own weight to engage with the locked claw 1021. However, there is a possibility that the lock lever 1130 does not swing under its own weight to ensure that the lock claw 1131 does not securely engage with the locked claw 1021. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10(e), the operating lever 1111 and the lock lever 1130 are connected by a coil spring 1133. Since the lock lever 1130 is biased by the elastic restoring force of the coil spring 1133, the lock claw 1131 can securely engage with the locked claw 1021.

[0069] (6) The position adjustment mechanism described in Patent Document 1 may be provided on the mounting table 1001 to adjust the mounting position of the inkjet head module when it is mounted on the mounting table. FIG. 11 shows the position adjustment mechanism described in Patent Document 1. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a nozzle holding plate 2105 attached to the bottom surface of the inkjet head module 2100 and the mounting location of the inkjet head module 2100 on the mounting table 1001. In this figure, the position adjustment mechanism is composed of an adjustment plate 1033 in which a round hole 1031 and an elongated hole 1032 extending in the Y-axis direction are formed, and an adjustment screw 1035. A scale is provided on the screw head of the adjustment screw 1035, and by rotating the screw head in accordance with the scale, the adjustment plate 1033 is displaced in the X-axis direction, and the pin 2109 on one side inserted into the elongated hole 1032 moves. Since the amount of movement when the adjustment screw 1035 is turned is very small, the movement of the pin 2109 is approximated to a linear movement. Rotation of the adjustment screw 1035 causes the pin 2109 to move linearly, thereby changing the angle of the inkjet head module 2100 relative to the longitudinal direction, making it possible to adjust the position of the inkjet head module 2100.

[0070] 12, the operation levers 1111 and 1211 may be connected by a single handle 1119, and the operation levers 1111 and 1211 may be linked to each other by turning the handle 1119. In this case, turning the handle 1119 once causes the operation levers 1111 and 1211 to swing, so that the operator has to work less hard to elastically press the inkjet head module 2100 than if the operation levers 1111 and 1211 were turned.

[0071] (8) In the first and second embodiments, the tooth-like portion 1011 is provided with an interlocking portion, and the interlocking claw 1131 is interlocked at the height of the tooth-like portion 1011, but this is not limited to the above. An interlocking portion may be provided further above the upper component member, and the operating lever may be interlocked with the interlocking portion at the upper portion. The upper component member may be made higher, and the operating lever may be interlocked with the interlocking portion at a higher position.

[0072] One of the two sides of the inkjet head module 2100 may be held down by the inkjet head module holding structure of the present disclosure, while the other side may be held down by a leaf spring or by screw tightening. The elastic member is a coil spring, but is not limited to this. It may be a leaf spring or a wound spring. Also, instead of a spring, it may be a sponge. Anything that can increase force may be used. It may be an air cushion, hydraulic pressure, pneumatic pressure, or a cylinder.

[0073] (9) Any pressing force other than those disclosed in the first to third embodiments may be used as long as the member presses the substrate of the inkjet head module with a predetermined pressing force. A combination of swinging and translation (vertical movement) may be used. Also, any other mechanism may be used as long as it is a mechanism for elastically pressing the module peripheral portion 2106 of the inkjet head module by applying an external force to the operation lever 1111. For example, a clamp mechanism may be used.

[0074] (10) Any method may be used to eject ink from the inkjet head of the inkjet head module 2100. For example, there are methods that apply pressure to ink to eject it using a piezoelectric element or a heating element that generates an ejection pressure when energized, methods that eject ink by deforming a vibration plate using electrostatic force, and methods that eject ink using an electrostatic ejection method. In addition, the inkjet head module 2100 may be a harmonica chip and have a filter unit where multiple ink circulation flow paths join together.

[0075] (11) The operating lever 1111 and the pressing portion 1120 may be integrally formed. They may also be separate components, not limited to being integrally formed. In this case, it is necessary to transmit force to the positioning position. The pressing member and the operating lever 1111 may also be connected via a force multiplier mechanism.

[0076] (12) The printing method used by the inkjet recording device may be either a method (scanning method) in which the head carriage, which is the mounting base 1001, is moved back and forth in the sub-scanning direction to complete an image in several passes, or a method (single-pass method) in which the mounting base 1001 remains fixed and an image is completed in one pass on the paper being transported.

[0077] (13) As shown in Fig. 13(a), the mounting table 1001 may be warped due to bending or machining accuracy. For ease of understanding, the magnitude of the warp of the mounting table 1001 is shown extremely large in Fig. 13(a), but in reality, the warp is so small that it is not possible to visually determine whether or not there is a warp. When such a warp occurs, in the first to third embodiments, the inkjet head module 1100 can be held on the mounting table 1001 while maintaining the flatness of the inkjet head module holding plate 2105 by pressing the module peripheral portion 2106 using the pressing member 1125 with a pressing force within a range in which the module holding plate 2105 does not bend, as shown in Fig. 13(b). In contrast, if the module holding plate 210 is firmly fixed by screwing in the screws 2131 and 2132 as shown in FIG. 13( a ), the module holding plate 210 will warp to conform to the shape of the mounting base 1001 . However, such warping can be prevented by using a pressing member 1125 . [Industrial Applicability]

[0078] The present disclosure makes it easy to attach and remove an inkjet head module to and from a mounting stand, and has the potential to be used in a wide variety of industrial fields, including the office automation equipment and information equipment industries, as well as retail, rental, real estate, advertising, transportation, and publishing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1001 Placement table 1005 Upper component 1006 Standing Wall 1010 Reinforced wall 1011 Dentate 1021 Engaged claw 1025 Locking hole 1031 Round Hole 1032 Long hole 1033 Slide piece 1100 Inkjet head module holding structure 1110 Operation unit 1111 Control lever 1113 Shaft body 1114 Thin section 1115 Pin 1116 Operating lever 1120 Pressing part 1121 Press lever 1124 Coil spring 1125 Pressing member 1130 Lock lever 1131 Locking claw 1141 Long hole 1142 Locking claw lever 1200 Inkjet head module holding structure

Claims

1. An inkjet head module holding structure that holds an inkjet head module on a mounting base, a pressing portion that abuts against a part of a peripheral edge of the inkjet head module near the mounting base and presses and biases the inkjet head module against the mounting base; An operation unit for switching between pressing and non-pressing the pressing unit, the operation unit is located outside a periphery of the inkjet head module during an operation of mounting the inkjet head module on a mounting stand, The operating portion includes a long operating lever, and the pressing portion includes a pressing lever and a pressing member provided on a tip side of the pressing lever and elastically biased via an elastic member, The base end of the pressing lever is fixed on the operating lever, The base end side of the operation lever is pivotally supported on the mounting base outside the periphery of the inkjet head module, and when the operation lever is swung about the axis, the pressing lever enters a space that envelops the outer edge of the inkjet head module, and the pressing member crosses the periphery of the inkjet head module and elastically presses a part of the periphery of the inkjet head module against the mounting base.

1. An inkjet head module holding structure comprising:

2. The inkjet head module includes a head body including a nozzle, a bracket extending from a position of the head body near the mounting stand, and a flow path member provided in a state of protruding laterally from above the module body, and a space enveloping the outer edge of the inkjet head module is rectangular parallelepiped-shaped by enveloping the bracket and the flow path member, and the pressing lever passes through a void in the enveloped space where the bracket and the flow path member face each other vertically.

2. The ink jet head module holding structure according to claim 1,

3. The elastic member is elastically compressed until the pressing lever and the pressing member come into contact with each other, the pressing lever presses the periphery of the inkjet head module, and then the pressing member elastically biases the periphery of the inkjet head module.

3. The ink jet head module holding structure according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The operating lever has a grip portion that is gripped by an operator, The distance from the pivotal support position of the operating lever to the pressing member along the longitudinal direction of the operating lever is longer than the distance from the pivotal support position to the grip portion.

4. The ink jet head module holding structure according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet head module holding structure is a holding structure for holding an ink jet head module.

5. An inkjet head module holding structure that holds an inkjet head module on a mounting base, a pressing portion that abuts against a part of a peripheral edge of the inkjet head module near the mounting base and presses and biases the inkjet head module against the mounting base; An operation unit for switching between pressing and non-pressing the pressing unit, the operation unit is located outside a periphery of the inkjet head module during an operation of mounting the inkjet head module on a mounting stand, The operating portion includes a long operating lever, and the pressing portion includes a pressing lever and a pressing member provided on a tip side of the pressing lever and elastically biased via an elastic member, The base end of the pressing lever is fixed on the operating lever, The operating portion further includes a lock lever, and the lock lever extends from a position on the operating lever that is separated from a mounting position of the pressing lever.

1. An inkjet head module holding structure comprising:

6. A locking claw is formed on the extended end of the lock lever, and a locked portion is formed on a component member that is horizontally mounted on the upper portion of the inkjet head module to which the locking claw of the lock lever is adjacent. When the operating lever is swung and a pressing member is used to elastically press a portion of the periphery against the mounting base, the locking claw is engaged with the locked portion, thereby entering a locked state.

6. The ink jet head module holding structure according to claim 5,

7. The operation lever is configured to be slidable as well as swingable about a base end, and the swinging of the operation lever causes the pressing lever to cross the periphery of the inkjet head module and enter a space surrounding the outer edge of the inkjet head module, and the sliding of the operation lever causes the pressing member to elastically press a part of the periphery against the mounting base.

6. The ink jet head module holding structure according to claim 5,

8. The lock lever has a locking claw at its tip, and when the operation lever is slid downward and the pressing member presses a part of the periphery against the mounting base, the locking claw of the lock lever is engaged with the tip of a component member that is horizontally mounted on the upper part of the inkjet head module.

8. The ink jet head module holding structure according to claim 7.

9. The operating lever is pivotally supported on the side surface of the mounting base, The distance from the pivotal support position of the operating lever to the pressing member along the longitudinal direction of the operating lever is set to be longer than the distance from the pivotal support position to the engagement portion of the lock lever by the engagement claw.

9. The ink jet head module holding structure according to claim 5, wherein the ink jet head module holding structure is a holding structure for holding an ink jet head module.

10. An inkjet head module holding structure that holds an inkjet head module on a mounting base, a pressing portion that abuts against a part of a peripheral edge of the inkjet head module near the mounting base and presses and biases the inkjet head module against the mounting base; An operation unit for switching between pressing and non-pressing the pressing unit, the operation unit is located outside a periphery of the inkjet head module during an operation of mounting the inkjet head module on a mounting stand, The operating portion includes a long operating lever, and the pressing portion includes a pressing lever and a pressing member provided on a tip side of the pressing lever and elastically biased via an elastic member, The base end of the pressing lever is fixed on the operating lever, The pressing lever is cylindrical, and a long lock lever is inserted into the pressing lever. The lock state by the lock lever is achieved by swinging the operating lever and, in a state in which a part of the periphery is elastically pressed against the mounting base by the pressing member, sliding the lock lever relative to the operating lever so that the tip of the lock lever protrudes further than the pressing lever, and inserting it into a hole opened in a reinforcing member erected from the mounting base.

1. An inkjet head module holding structure comprising:

11. An inkjet recording apparatus that conveys a recording medium and forms an image on the conveyed recording medium using an inkjet, a mounting table, an inkjet head module, an ink supplying section that supplies heated ink to the inkjet head module, and an inkjet head module holding structure; Equipped with The inkjet head module holding structure includes: a pressing portion that abuts against a part of a peripheral edge of the inkjet head module near the mounting base and presses and biases the inkjet head module against the mounting base; An operation unit for switching between pressing and non-pressing the pressing unit, the operation unit is located outside a periphery of the inkjet head module during an operation of mounting the inkjet head module on a mounting stand, The inkjet head module includes a plurality of inkjet heads and a flow path member that is provided above a mounting base and transfers ink between adjacent inkjet head modules; An upper component member is disposed on the mounting table at a predetermined interval, and the upper component member supports an upper flow path member, The peripheral portion elastically biased by the pressing portion is located below the upper flow path member and the upper component member.

1. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising:

12. An inkjet recording apparatus that conveys a recording medium and forms an image on the conveyed recording medium using an inkjet, a mounting table, an inkjet head module, an ink supplying section that supplies heated ink to the inkjet head module, and an inkjet head module holding structure; Equipped with The inkjet head module holding structure includes: a pressing portion that abuts against a part of a peripheral edge of the inkjet head module near the mounting base and presses and biases the inkjet head module against the mounting base; An operation unit for switching between pressing and non-pressing the pressing unit, the operation unit is located outside a periphery of the inkjet head module during an operation of mounting the inkjet head module on a mounting stand, The pressing portion of the inkjet head module holding structure is detachably attached to a mounting base.

1. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising:

13. An inkjet recording apparatus that conveys a recording medium and forms an image on the conveyed recording medium using an inkjet, a mounting table, an inkjet head module, an ink supplying section that supplies heated ink to the inkjet head module, and an inkjet head module holding structure; Equipped with The inkjet head module holding structure includes: a pressing portion that abuts against a part of a peripheral edge of the inkjet head module near the mounting base and presses and biases the inkjet head module against the mounting base; An operation unit for switching between pressing and non-pressing the pressing unit, the operation unit is located outside a periphery of the inkjet head module during an operation of mounting the inkjet head module on a mounting stand, In a structure in which a plurality of inkjet head modules are arranged in a row on a mounting table, a pair of pressing parts and an operating part are provided for each inkjet head module so as to press both side parts in the arrangement direction of the inkjet head modules of the nozzle periphery of each inkjet head module against the mounting table.

1. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising:

14. The pair of pressing portions and each pressing portion of the operating portion press a part of the periphery of the corresponding inkjet head module individually or in conjunction with each other.

14. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 13.

15. An inkjet recording apparatus that conveys a recording medium and forms an image on the conveyed recording medium using an inkjet, a mounting table, an inkjet head module, an ink supplying section that supplies heated ink to the inkjet head module, and an inkjet head module holding structure; Equipped with The inkjet head module holding structure includes: a pressing portion that abuts against a part of a peripheral edge of the inkjet head module near the mounting base and presses and biases the inkjet head module against the mounting base; An operation unit for switching between pressing and non-pressing the pressing unit, the operation unit is located outside a periphery of the inkjet head module during an operation of mounting the inkjet head module on a mounting stand, In a structure in which a plurality of inkjet head modules are arranged in a row on a mounting table, a pressing portion and an operating portion are provided for each inkjet head module so as to press one side portion of a peripheral portion of each inkjet head module in the arrangement direction of the inkjet head modules against the mounting table.

1. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising:

16. An inkjet recording apparatus that conveys a recording medium and forms an image on the conveyed recording medium using an inkjet, a mounting table, an inkjet head module, an ink supplying section that supplies heated ink to the inkjet head module, and an inkjet head module holding structure; Equipped with The inkjet head module holding structure includes: a pressing portion that abuts against a part of a peripheral edge of the inkjet head module near the mounting base and presses and biases the inkjet head module against the mounting base; An operation unit for switching between pressing and non-pressing the pressing unit, the operation unit is located outside a periphery of the inkjet head module during an operation of mounting the inkjet head module on a mounting stand, A position adjustment mechanism is provided for adjusting the mounting position of the inkjet head module with respect to the mounting base in a state where the inkjet head module is mounted on the mounting base by being elastically pressed against the mounting base.

1. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising:

17. A pair of pins protrude from a portion of the periphery of the inkjet head module, The position adjustment mechanism has a pair of insertion portions into which a pair of pins are inserted, and at least one of the pair of insertion portions is supported on the mounting table so as to be slidable in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the inkjet head modules on the mounting table.

17. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 16,

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