Liquid dispensing device

Abstract

To provide a liquid discharge device which can cool a moving liquid discharge head.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device includes: a print part 21 having a liquid discharge head 19 which discharges a liquid to a medium 13 and a head holder 20 forming an air cooling passage 57; and a cooling mechanism 39 which causes air in the air cooling passage 57 to flow to air-cool the liquid discharge head 19. The print part 21 is provided so as to be movable relative to a transport path 16 in which the medium 13 is transported. The cooling mechanism 39 includes a first air hole 41 and a second air hole 42 which may be connected to the air cooling passage 57. The air cooling passage 57 is connected to one of the first air hole 41 and the second air hole 42 according to a position of the print part 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device such as a printer. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is an inkjet printing device that is an example of a liquid ejection device that ejects ink, which is an example of a liquid, from an inkjet head, which is an example of a liquid ejection head, to print on paper, which is an example of a medium. The inkjet printing device includes a head holder and a cooling unit, which is an example of a cooling mechanism. The cooling unit cools the inkjet head by generating cooling air within the head holder. Specifically, the cooling unit blows air from an inlet formed in the head holder, and sucks in air from an outlet formed in the head holder. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-150490 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, when the inkjet head and head holder move, the positions of the inlet and outlet and the cooling portion become misaligned, and there is a risk that the inkjet head cannot be cooled. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A liquid ejection device that solves the above problem comprises a printing unit having a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid onto a medium and a head holder that forms an air cooling path, and a cooling mechanism that cools the liquid ejection head by circulating air within the air cooling path, wherein the printing unit is provided movably relative to a transport path along which the medium is transported, and the cooling mechanism has a first air hole and a second air hole that can be connected to the air cooling path, and the air cooling path connects to one of the first air hole or the second air hole depending on the position of the printing unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a liquid ejection device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a cooling mechanism included in the liquid ejection device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the printing unit and the cooling mechanism located at the printing position. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the printing unit and cooling mechanism located at the maintenance position. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the printing unit pushing the interlocking mechanism in the movement direction. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 4. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a linkage mechanism included in a liquid ejection device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the shutter closes the first air vent. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic front view of a third embodiment of a liquid ejection device. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cooling mechanism when the shutter is located at a first position. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cooling mechanism when the shutter is located at a second position. [Figure 15] 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F15-F15 in FIG. 13. [Figure 16] FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a head holder and a connecting member. [Figure 18] FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a printing unit and a cooling mechanism included in a liquid ejection device according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of a liquid ejection device will be described below with reference to the drawings. The liquid ejection device of this embodiment is, for example, an inkjet printer that ejects ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as paper to perform printing.

[0008] In the drawings, the liquid discharger 11 is placed on a horizontal plane, the direction of gravity is indicated by the Z axis, and the directions along the horizontal plane are indicated by the X and Y axes. The X, Y, and Z axes are perpendicular to each other. In the following description, the direction parallel to the Y axis is also referred to as the depth direction Y, and the direction parallel to the Z axis is also referred to as the vertical direction Z.

[0009] 1, liquid ejection device 11 may include a housing 12, a medium storage unit 14 capable of storing medium 13, and a feeding unit 15 that feeds medium 13. Liquid ejection device 11 may also include a transport unit 17 that transports medium 13 along a transport path 16 shown by a dashed dotted line in the drawing, and a stacker 18 that receives medium 13. Transport path 16 is a path that connects medium storage unit 14 and stacker 18.

[0010] The liquid ejection device 11 includes a printing unit 21 having a liquid ejection head 19 that ejects liquid onto the medium 13, and a head holder 20. The liquid ejection device 11 may also include a moving mechanism 22 that moves the printing unit 21, and a maintenance unit 23 that performs maintenance on the liquid ejection head 19.

[0011] The medium storage unit 14 can store multiple media 13 in a stacked state. The liquid ejection device 11 may include multiple medium storage units 14 and the same number of feeding units 15 as the medium storage units 14. The feeding units 15 may include a feeding roller 24 that feeds the media 13 stored in the medium storage unit 14, and a separation unit 25 that separates the media 13 one by one. The feeding units 15 send out the media 13 stored in the medium storage unit 14 to a transport path 16.

[0012] The transport unit 17 may include a transport roller 27, an endless transport belt 28, and a pair of pulleys 29 around which the transport belt 28 is stretched. The transport unit 17 may include a plurality of transport rollers 27. The transport rollers 27 transport the medium 13 by rotating while sandwiching the medium 13 therebetween.

[0013] The conveyor belt 28 has a conveying surface 28a that conveys the medium 13. The conveying surface 28a is a flat surface of the outer circumferential surface of the conveyor belt 28 that supports the medium 13 by, for example, electrostatic adsorption. The conveying surface 28a constitutes a part of the conveying path 16. The conveyor belt 28 may be provided with the conveying surface 28a tilted relative to the horizontal plane. In this embodiment, the direction along the conveying surface 28a that conveys the medium 13 is referred to as the conveying direction Dc. The conveyor belt 28 conveys the medium 13 in the conveying direction Dc by rotating with the medium 13 supported on the conveying surface 28a.

[0014] The liquid ejection head 19 has a nozzle surface 32 in which the nozzles 31 open. The nozzle surface 32 is constituted by a nozzle plate in which the nozzles 31 open. The liquid ejection head 19 ejects liquid from the nozzles 31 and prints on the medium 13. The liquid ejection head 19 may be provided with the nozzle surface 32 inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. The liquid ejection head 19 of this embodiment is a line type capable of ejecting liquid across the width direction of the medium 13. The liquid ejection head 19 is provided so that the longitudinal direction of the liquid ejection head 19 coincides with the depth direction Y.

[0015] The moving mechanism 22 may have a driving gear 34 and a driven tooth 35 provided on the printing unit 21. The driven tooth 35 is a rack. The printing unit 21 and the driven tooth 35 move with the rotation of the driving gear 34. The moving mechanism 22 moves the printing unit 21 in a moving direction Dm that intersects with the nozzle surface 32. The moving direction Dm is a direction in which the printing unit 21 moves away from the conveyor belt 28. In other words, the printing unit 21 is provided so as to be movable with respect to the conveying path 16 along which the medium 13 is conveyed. The moving direction Dm may be a direction perpendicular to the nozzle surface 32. The moving direction Dm in this embodiment includes a component perpendicular to the nozzle plate and is a direction perpendicular to the conveying surface 28a. The moving direction Dm includes a component in the vertical direction Z and a component in the horizontal direction.

[0016] The movement mechanism 22 moves the printing unit 21 in the movement direction Dm by rotating the drive gear 34 forward. The movement mechanism 22 moves the printing unit 21 in the direction opposite to the movement direction Dm by rotating the drive gear 34 backward. The liquid ejection head 19 is movable to a printing position Pp shown in FIG. 1 and a maintenance position Pm shown in FIG. 4. The printing position Pp is a position where the liquid ejection head 19 ejects liquid to print on the medium 13. The maintenance position Pm is a position where the maintenance unit 23 performs maintenance on the liquid ejection head 19. The printing unit 21 may wait at the maintenance position Pm when not printing.

[0017] The maintenance unit 23 in this embodiment is a cap that performs capping, which is an example of maintenance. The maintenance unit 23 comes into contact with the liquid ejection head 19 located at the maintenance position Pm, and forms a closed space surrounding the nozzles 31. The maintenance unit 23 may be a wiper that performs wiping, which is an example of maintenance, or may be a receiving unit that receives liquid discharged by flushing, which is an example of maintenance.

[0018] The liquid ejection device 11 includes a control unit 37 that controls various operations executed by the liquid ejection device 11. The control unit 37 may be configured as a circuit including: α: one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program; β: one or more dedicated hardware circuits, such as application specific integrated circuits, that execute at least a part of the various processes; or γ: a combination thereof. The processor includes a CPU and memory, such as RAM and ROM, and the memory stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. The memory, i.e., computer-readable medium, includes any readable medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0019] <Cooling mechanism> 2, the liquid ejection device 11 includes a cooling mechanism 39 that cools the liquid ejection head 19. The cooling mechanism 39 is fixed to a frame (not shown) of the liquid ejection device 11. The liquid ejection device 11 may include an interlocking mechanism 40 that is interlocked with the movement of the printing unit 21. The cooling mechanism 39 may include a duct 43 in which a first air hole 41 and a second air hole 42 are formed. At least a portion of the interlocking mechanism 40 may be provided inside the duct 43.

[0020] In the present embodiment, the duct 43 is formed with a first hole 44 and a second hole 45 that expose a part of the interlocking mechanism 40. Specifically, a first hook 46 of the interlocking mechanism 40 protrudes from the first hole 44, and a second hook 47 of the interlocking mechanism 40 protrudes from the second hole 45.

[0021] In this embodiment, the first hole 44 and the second hole 45 are rectangular holes whose longitudinal direction coincides with the movement direction Dm. The first air hole 41 and the second air hole 42, the first hole 44 and the second hole 45, and the first hook 46 and the second hook 47 are each aligned at intervals from each other in the movement direction Dm.

[0022] The cooling mechanism 39 may include a rail 49 that guides the printing unit 21 in the movement direction Dm. The cooling mechanism 39 of this embodiment includes two rails 49. The first air hole 41 and the second air hole 42 open between the two rails 49. The rail 49 may be provided on the outer surface of the duct 43, or may be formed by fixing a rail forming member on which the rail 49 is formed to the duct 43.

[0023] The head holder 20 may include a protrusion 51. The protrusion 51 is located between the first hook 46 and the second hook 47 in the movement direction Dm. The protrusion 51 moves in the movement direction Dm or in the direction opposite to the movement direction Dm in association with the movement of the printing unit 21, and can transmit the power for moving the printing unit 21 to the interlocking mechanism 40.

[0024] 3, the liquid ejection head 19 may have a driving element 53, a signal generating circuit 54, and a heat sink 55. The head holder 20 of this embodiment also functions as a cover that covers the signal generating circuit 54 and the heat sink 55.

[0025] The liquid ejection head 19 may have a plurality of driving elements 53 corresponding to the plurality of nozzles 31, respectively. The driving elements 53 are driven to eject liquid from the nozzles 31. A signal generating circuit 54 generates a driving waveform signal Com to be applied to the driving elements 53. The driving elements 53 have, for example, a piezoelectric element, and eject liquid from the nozzles 31 by deforming the piezoelectric element based on the driving waveform signal Com.

[0026] The heat sink 55 is provided so as to be capable of transferring heat between the heat sink 55 and the signal generating circuit 54. The heat sink 55 may be made of, for example, a metal having a low thermal resistance. The heat sink 55 has a shape that increases the surface area, such as a plurality of fins, and makes it easier to dissipate the heat transferred from the signal generating circuit 54.

[0027] The head holder 20 forms an air cooling path 57 for flowing air between the head holder 20 and the liquid ejection head 19. The head holder 20 has a connection hole 58 opening at a position forward of the center in the depth direction Y, and a suction hole 59 opening at a position rearward of the center. The air cooling path 57 connects the suction hole 59 and the connection hole 58. The signal generating circuit 54 and the heat sink 55 are provided within the air cooling path 57. Specifically, the signal generating circuit 54 and the heat sink 55 are provided between the suction hole 59 and the connection hole 58 in the depth direction Y.

[0028] The suction holes 59 take in outside air into the air-cooling passage 57. The suction holes 59 may be formed in the upper wall 20a of the head holder 20. By forming the suction holes 59 at a position away from the nozzle surface 32 and facing in the opposite direction to the nozzle surface 32, the air flow passing through the suction holes 59 is less likely to affect the liquid discharged from the nozzles 31.

[0029] <Internal configuration of the cooling mechanism> 3, the cooling mechanism 39 may include a shutter 61 capable of closing the first air hole 41 or the second air hole 42, and a fan 62 that draws air from the air cooling path 57. The cooling mechanism 39 includes the first air hole 41 and the second air hole 42 that can be connected to the air cooling path 57. The air cooling path 57 connects to one of the first air hole 41 and the second air hole 42 depending on the position of the printing unit 21. Specifically, the air cooling path 57 connects a connection hole 58, which is an end of the air cooling path 57, to the first air hole 41 or the second air hole 42.

[0030] The duct 43 has an air passage 64 through which air can flow. The first air hole 41 and the second air hole 42 each open the air passage 64 to the outside. The shutter 61 may have a first wall 66 capable of closing the ventilation passage 64, and a second wall 67 capable of closing the first air hole 41. The shutter 61 closes either the first air hole 41 or the second air hole 42 while the other is connected to the air cooling passage 57. In this embodiment, the closed state refers to a state in which the flow of air is restricted compared to the open state.

[0031] 3 and 4, the shutter 61 of this embodiment is provided movably within the duct 43. The shutter 61 located at the first position P1 shown in FIG. 3 closes the gap between the first air hole 41 and the second air hole 42, thereby restricting the flow of air through the second air hole 42. Therefore, it can be said that the shutter 61 located at the first position P1 closes the second air hole 42. When the shutter 61 is located at the first position P1, the ventilation passage 64 connects the first air hole 41 and the fan 62.

[0032] 4 closes the first air hole 41. When the shutter 61 is located at the second position P2, the ventilation passage 64 connects the second air hole 42 and the fan 62.

[0033] The distance between the fan 62 and the first air hole 41 may be shorter than the distance between the fan 62 and the second air hole 42. In other words, the length of the ventilation path 64 connecting the first air hole 41 and the fan 62 may be shorter than the length of the ventilation path 64 connecting the second air hole 42 and the fan 62.

[0034] <Interlocking mechanism> 5, the interlocking mechanism 40 may include a connecting portion 69 that connects the first hook 46 and the second hook 47, a first transmission portion 70, and a first rack 71. The interlocking mechanism 40 may include a second rack 72, a pinion 73 that meshes with the first rack 71 and the second rack 72, and a second transmission portion 74.

[0035] The first hook 46, the second hook 47, the connecting portion 69, the first transmission portion 70, and the first rack 71 are provided so as to be movable as a unit. The connecting portion 69, the first transmission portion 70, and the first rack 71 move together with the printing unit 21 when the first hook 46 or the second hook 47 is pressed by the protruding portion 51. The second rack 72, the second transmission portion 74, and the shutter 61 are provided so as to be movable as a unit. That is, the second rack 72 moves together with the shutter 61.

[0036] The operation of this embodiment will be described. 3 and 6, when the printing unit 21 is located at the printing position Pp, the first air hole 41 is connected to the air-cooling path 57. When the fan 62 is driven, air flows through the air-cooling path 57 and the ventilation path 64 shown by the dashed line in FIG. 3. Specifically, air that has flowed into the air-cooling path 57 from the suction hole 59 passes through the signal generating circuit 54 and the heat sink 55, and is exhausted to the outside by the fan 62 through the connection hole 58, the first air hole 41, and the ventilation path 64. The cooling mechanism 39 cools the liquid ejection head 19 by circulating the air in the air-cooling path 57.

[0037] 7, when the printing unit 21 located at the printing position Pp moves in the movement direction Dm, the protrusion 51 pushes the second hook 47. As a result, the first hook 46, the second hook 47, the connecting portion 69, the first transmission portion 70, and the first rack 71 move in the movement direction Dm, and the pinion 73 rotates forward. When the pinion 73 rotates forward, the second rack 72, the second transmission portion 74, and the shutter 61 move in the direction opposite to the movement direction Dm. In other words, the interlocking mechanism 40 moves the shutter 61 in conjunction with the movement of the printing unit 21. The shutter 61 moves in the direction opposite to the movement direction Dm in which the printing unit 21 moves.

[0038] When the shutter 61 moves, the ventilation passage 64 is opened to the outside through the first air hole 41 and the second air hole 42. Therefore, the fan 62 may stop operating while the printing unit 21 is moving.

[0039] 4 and 8, when the printing unit 21 moves to the maintenance position Pm, the shutter 61 is located at the second position P2. When the printing unit 21 is located at the maintenance position Pm, the second air hole 42 is connected to the air cooling path 57. When the fan 62 is driven, air flows through the air cooling path 57 and the ventilation path 64 shown by the dashed line in FIG. 4. Specifically, air that flows into the air cooling path 57 from the suction hole 59 passes through the signal generating circuit 54 and the heat sink 55, and passes through the connection hole 58, the second air hole 42, and the ventilation path 64 before being discharged to the outside by the fan 62.

[0040] The control unit 37 may control the driving of the fan 62 depending on the position of the printing unit 21. Specifically, the fan 62 may cause the air in the air-cooling path 57 to flow at a first flow velocity when the first air hole 41 is connected to the air-cooling path 57, and may cause the air in the air-cooling path 57 to flow at a second flow velocity when the second air hole 42 is connected to the air-cooling path 57. The first flow velocity is faster than the second flow velocity.

[0041] When the printing unit 21, which is located at the maintenance position Pm, moves in the direction opposite to the movement direction Dm, the protrusion 51 presses the first hook 46. As a result, the first hook 46, the second hook 47, the connecting portion 69, the first transmission portion 70, and the first rack 71 move in the direction opposite to the movement direction Dm, and the pinion 73 rotates in the reverse direction. When the pinion 73 rotates in the reverse direction, the second rack 72, the second transmission portion 74, and the shutter 61 move in the movement direction Dm.

[0042] The effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The air cooling path 57 is connected to one of the first air hole 41 and the second air hole 42 depending on the position of the printed unit 21. That is, when the printed unit 21 is located at a position corresponding to the first air hole 41, the air cooling path 57 is connected to the first air hole 41. When the printed unit 21 is located at a position corresponding to the second air hole 42, the air cooling path 57 is connected to the second air hole 42. The cooling mechanism 39 can cause the air in the air cooling path 57 to flow via one of the first air hole 41 and the second air hole 42 to which the air cooling path 57 is connected. Therefore, the cooling mechanism 39 can cool the moving liquid ejection head 19.

[0043] (2) The first air hole 41 is connected to the air cooling path 57 when the printing unit 21 is located at the printing position Pp. The second air hole 42 is connected to the air cooling path 57 when the printing unit 21 is located at the maintenance position Pm. Therefore, the cooling mechanism 39 can cool the liquid ejection head 19 located at the printing position Pp and the maintenance position Pm.

[0044] (3) One of the first air hole 41 and the second air hole 42 is connected to the air cooling path 57, and the other is closed by the shutter 61. Therefore, leakage of air from the air hole that is not connected to the air cooling path 57 can be suppressed.

[0045] (4) The cooling mechanism 39 includes a fan 62 that draws in air from the air-cooling path 57. That is, the fan 62 cools the liquid ejection head 19 by circulating the air taken into the air-cooling path 57 from the suction holes 59. The printing unit 21 that is located at the printing position Pp and performs printing is more likely to generate heat than when the printing unit 21 is located at the maintenance position Pm and undergoes maintenance. In this regard, the fan 62 is provided at a position closer to the first air hole 41 than the second air hole 42. Therefore, the printing unit 21 that is located at the printing position Pp and connected to the first air hole 41 can be cooled more efficiently than when the printing unit 21 is located at the maintenance position Pm and connected to the second air hole 42.

[0046] (5) Mist, which is a mist-like liquid, may float around the liquid ejection head 19. When air is sucked in through the first air hole 41 and the second air hole 42, there is a risk that the mist will be sucked in along with the air. In this regard, the fan 62 stops operating while the printing unit 21 is moving. In other words, the fan 62 stops operating until the air-cooling path 57 is connected to one of the first air hole 41 and the second air hole 42 and the shutter 61 closes the other, thereby reducing the risk of sucking in mist through the first air hole 41 and the second air hole 42.

[0047] (6) The air-cooling path 57 is connected to the first air hole 41 when the printing unit 21 is located at the printing position Pp, and is connected to the second air hole 42 when the printing unit 21 is located at the maintenance position Pm. The fan 62 causes the air in the air-cooling path 57 to flow at a faster speed when the printing unit 21 is located at the printing position Pp than when the printing unit 21 is located at the maintenance position Pm. Therefore, the printing unit 21 located at the printing position Pp can be efficiently cooled.

[0048] (7) The interlocking mechanism 40 interlocks the movement of the printing unit 21 with the movement of the shutter 61. Therefore, compared to a case where the user moves the shutter 61, for example, the effort required by the user can be reduced.

[0049] (8) The interlocking mechanism 40 includes a first rack 71 and a second rack 72 that mesh with one pinion 73. When the first rack 71 moves, the second rack 72 moves in the opposite direction to the first rack 71. Therefore, the printing unit 21 in which the first rack 71 is provided and the shutter 61 in which the second rack 72 is provided can be moved in opposite directions with a simple configuration.

[0050] (9) At least a portion of interlocking mechanism 40 is provided inside duct 43. Therefore, compared to a case in which interlocking mechanism 40 is entirely provided outside duct 43, the space occupied by interlocking mechanism 40 can be made smaller.

[0051] (10) The liquid ejection head 19 includes a driving element 53 and a signal generating circuit 54. Therefore, the driving element 53 and the signal generating circuit 54 can be located closer to each other than when the signal generating circuit 54 is provided separately from the printing unit 21, for example.

[0052] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the liquid ejection device will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the interlocking mechanism. Since the second embodiment is otherwise almost the same as the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and a duplicated description will be omitted.

[0053] 9, the interlocking mechanism 40 may include a belt 76 that connects the printing unit 21 and the shutter 61. For example, the belt 76 may be looped and hung around a first driven pulley 77 and a second driven pulley 78. A first transmission unit 70 and a second transmission unit 74 may be fixed to the belt 76. The belt 76 may transmit power for moving the printing unit 21 to the shutter 61, and move the shutter 61 in a direction opposite to the movement direction Dm in which the printing unit 21 moves.

[0054] The operation of this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, when the printing unit 21 is located at the printing position Pp, the shutter 61 is located at the first position P1.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 10, when the printing unit 21 moves from the printing position Pp in the movement direction Dm, the second hook 47 is pushed by the protrusion 51 and moves in the movement direction Dm, causing the belt 76 to rotate clockwise in Fig. 10. This causes the shutter 61 to move in the direction opposite to the movement direction Dm. When the printing unit 21 is located at the maintenance position Pm, the shutter 61 is located at the second position P2.

[0056] 9, when the printing unit 21 moves from the maintenance position Pm in the direction opposite to the movement direction Dm, the first hook 46 is pushed by the protrusion 51 and moves in the direction opposite to the movement direction Dm, moving the belt 76 in the counterclockwise direction in Fig. 9. This causes the shutter 61 to move in the movement direction Dm.

[0057] The effects of this embodiment will be described. (11) The moving mechanism 22 transmits the power for moving the printing unit 21 to the shutter 61 via the belt 76. By using a deformable belt 76, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the moving mechanism 22 can be increased.

[0058] Third embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the liquid ejection device will be described with reference to the drawings. The third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in that it includes a connecting member. In other respects, the third embodiment is substantially the same as the first and second embodiments, so that the same components are given the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted. In the following description, the direction parallel to the X-axis is also referred to as the width direction X.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 11, the liquid ejection device 11 may include an operation unit 79 and a scanner 80. The operation unit 79 is provided on the front side of the liquid ejection device 11. The operation unit 79 enables operation of the liquid ejection device 11. The operation unit 79 may have a touch panel that can be operated by touching a screen, or may have buttons that can be operated by pressing them.

[0060] The scanner 80 is capable of reading images such as characters and photographs recorded on an original (not shown). The scanner 80 of this embodiment is provided above the stacker 18 and spaced apart from the stacker 18.

[0061] The medium 13 transported by the transport unit 17 is discharged from the discharge outlet 82. In this embodiment, the discharge outlet 82 is provided between the scanner 80 and the stacker 18 in the vertical direction Z. The discharged medium 13 is loaded onto the stacker 18.

[0062] The liquid ejection device 11 may include a driving source 84. The driving source 84 drives the moving mechanism 22. The moving mechanism 22 transmits the power of the driving source 84 to the printing unit 21 to move the printing unit 21.

[0063] The liquid ejection device 11 may have an exhaust path 86 and an exhaust port 87. The exhaust path 86 is an air passage connecting the fan 62 and the exhaust port 87. The exhaust path 86 may be formed by a pipe or may be formed by combining a plurality of members. The exhaust port 87 exhausts the air sent through the exhaust path 86. The exhaust port 87 may be formed at a position shifted from the exhaust port 82 in the depth direction Y. The exhaust port 87 of this embodiment is located between the exhaust port 82 and the operation unit 79 in the depth direction Y. If the exhaust port 87 is located behind the operation unit 79, the exhaust port 87 can be hidden by the operation unit 79.

[0064] <Duct> 12, the duct 43 may form at least a part of the exhaust path 86. That is, the duct 43 may have the ventilation path 64 and the exhaust path 86. The ventilation path 64 and the exhaust path 86 may be provided at different positions in the width direction X.

[0065] The duct 43 may have a front wall 89 and a rear wall 90 . The front wall 89 is located forward of the fan 62 in the depth direction Y. The front wall 89 forms a part of the exhaust path 86. The front wall 89 may be approximately parallel to the rear wall 90.

[0066] The rear wall 90 is located rearward of the fan 62 in the depth direction Y. The rear wall 90 forms a part of the ventilation passage 64. A first air hole 41 is formed in the rear wall 90. A second air hole 42 shown in FIG. 2 may be formed in the rear wall 90.

[0067] The fan 62 is located between the rear wall 90 and the front wall 89 in the depth direction Y. The fan 62 may have blades 92. The blades 92 rotate about a rotation axis A. The fan 62 sends air from the ventilation path 64 to the exhaust path 86 by rotating the blades 92.

[0068] In the present embodiment, the fan 62 has a first dimension S1 in a direction along the rotation axis A which is smaller than a second dimension S2 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis A. The fan 62 may be provided so that the rotation axis A is oblique to the rear wall 90 and the front wall 89. Specifically, the fan 62 in the present embodiment is provided so that the rotation axis A is oblique to the X-axis and Y-axis. The fan 62 may be provided so that the rotation axis A is perpendicular to the Z-axis. The fan 62 may blow air obliquely against the front wall 89.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 13, the duct 43 may have a third hole 94. The shutter 61 may have a first wall 66, a second wall 67, a third wall 95, and a third rack 96. The third wall 95 may have an upper surface 97 and a lower surface 98. The upper surface 97 is the surface opposite to the lower surface 98. The first wall 66 and the second wall 67 are provided on the upper surface 97. The third rack 96 is provided on the lower surface 98. A part of the lower surface 98 and the third rack 96 are exposed to the outside of the duct 43 from the third hole 94. The third wall 95 may be larger than the third hole 94 in the movement direction Dm and the depth direction Y. The third wall 95 closes the third hole 94, thereby reducing air leakage from the third hole 94.

[0070] <Power transmission mechanism> 13, the liquid ejection device 11 may include a power transmission mechanism 100. The power transmission mechanism 100 transmits the power of a driving source 84 to the shutter 61 to move the shutter 61. That is, the driving source 84 in this embodiment transmits power to both the power transmission mechanism 100 and the movement mechanism 22.

[0071] The power transmission mechanism 100 may have at least one transmission gear 101. The power transmission mechanism 100 may have a shaft or a belt that transmits power. One transmission gear 101 meshes with the third rack 96. The power transmission mechanism 100 moves the shutter 61 to a first position P1 shown in FIG. 13 and to a second position P2 shown in FIG. 14. The direction in which the power transmission mechanism 100 moves the shutter 61 is opposite to the direction in which the movement mechanism 22 moves the printing unit 21.

[0072] 13, the shutter 61 located at the first position P1 closes the gap between the first air hole 41 and the second air hole 42, similar to the first embodiment. As a result, the shutter 61 located at the first position P1 closes the second air hole 42. In other words, when the shutter 61 is located at the first position P1, the ventilation passage 64 connecting the second air hole 42 and the fan 62 is closed. When the shutter 61 is located at the first position P1, the ventilation passage 64 connects the first air hole 41 and the fan 62.

[0073] 14, the shutter 61 located at the second position P2 closes the first air hole 41, similar to the first embodiment. In other words, when the shutter 61 is located at the second position P2, the ventilation passage 64 connecting the first air hole 41 and the fan 62 is closed. When the shutter 61 is located at the second position P2, the ventilation passage 64 connects the second air hole 42 and the fan 62.

[0074] 15, the liquid discharger 11 may include a connection member 103 and a pressing member 104. The pressing member 104 presses the connection member 103 against the cooling mechanism 39. In this embodiment, the direction in which the pressing member 104 presses the connection member 103 is also referred to as a pressing direction Dp. The pressing direction Dp in this embodiment is the same direction as the depth direction Y.

[0075] The cooling mechanism 39 may have a first surface 106, a second surface 107, and an intermediate surface 108. In this embodiment, the rear wall 90 has the first surface 106, the second surface 107, and the intermediate surface 108. The first surface 106, the second surface 107, and the intermediate surface 108 are capable of contacting the connecting member 103. The pressing member 104 presses the connecting member 103 against the first surface 106, the second surface 107, and the intermediate surface 108.

[0076] The rear wall 90 may be formed by combining a plurality of members. For example, the rear wall 90 may be formed by stacking a plate member having a first surface 106, a second surface 107, and an intermediate surface 108 on a flat plate. The rear wall 90 may be formed by connecting a member having the first surface 106, a member having the second surface 107, and a member having the intermediate surface 108.

[0077] The first surface 106 is provided around the first air hole 41. The second surface 107 is provided around the second air hole 42. In other words, the first air hole 41 opens to the first surface 106. The second air hole 42 opens to the second surface 107. The intermediate surface 108 is provided between the first surface 106 and the second surface 107 in the movement direction Dm. The first surface 106 and the second surface 107 may be flat. The rear wall 90 may be gently recessed between the first air hole 41 and the second air hole 42. The intermediate surface 108 in this embodiment is a surface of a portion recessed with respect to the first surface 106 and the second surface 107.

[0078] In the pressing direction Dp, a first distance D1 between the first surface 106 and the head holder 20 may be the same as or smaller than a second distance D2 between the second surface 107 and the head holder 20. In the pressing direction Dp, the first distance D1 may be smaller than a third distance D3 between the intermediate surface 108 and the head holder 20.

[0079] <Head holder> 16, the head holder 20 may have a first holder 20f and a second holder 20s. The first holder 20f covers the signal generating circuit 54 and the heat sink 55. A suction hole 59 is opened in the first holder 20f. The suction hole 59 may be opened at a position rearward of the signal generating circuit 54 and the heat sink 55 in the depth direction Y.

[0080] 17, the second holder 20s may be fixed to the first holder 20f by at least one screw 109. The second holder 20s may be fixed to a position forward of the signal generating circuit 54 and the heat sink 55 in the depth direction Y. The connection hole 58 in this embodiment opens to the second holder 20s. In this embodiment, an air-cooling path 57 is formed by the first holder 20f and the second holder 20s.

[0081] <Connection parts> 17, the connection member 103 connects the printing unit 21 and the cooling mechanism 39. Specifically, the connection member 103 connects the head holder 20 of the printing unit 21 and the cooling mechanism 39. The connection member 103 of this embodiment is inserted into the second holder 20s through the connection hole 58. The connection member 103 is provided to be movable in the pressing direction Dp relative to the head holder 20.

[0082] The air cooling path 57 in this embodiment is connected to one of the first air hole 41 and the second air hole 42 via the connecting member 103. That is, when the printing unit 21 is located at the printing position Pp, the air cooling path 57 is connected to the first air hole 41 via the connecting member 103. When the printing unit 21 is located at the maintenance position Pm, the air cooling path 57 is connected to the second air hole 42 via the connecting member 103.

[0083] The connecting member 103 may have a cylindrical portion 110 , a flange 111 , and a first receiving portion 112 . 18, the tube portion 110 of this embodiment is a square pipe having a substantially rectangular cross section. The first receiving portion 112 supports an end of the pressing member 104. The first receiving portion 112 may be provided in the center of the tube portion 110.

[0084] 18 and 19, the flange 111 is provided at the end of the tubular portion 110 and protrudes in an annular shape from the tubular portion 110. The flange 111 is larger than the first air hole 41 and the second air hole 42. The flange 111 has a square annular flat surface that can come into contact with the cooling mechanism 39. By bringing the flange 111 into contact with the cooling mechanism 39, the area of ​​contact between the connection member 103 and the cooling mechanism 39 becomes larger compared to, for example, when the tubular portion 110 comes into contact with the cooling mechanism 39. Therefore, air leakage is reduced.

[0085] 19 and 20, the connection member 103 may have one or more claws 113. The connection member 103 of this embodiment has two claws 113. The second holder 20s may be provided with limiting portions 114 in the same number as the claws 113.

[0086] The restricting portion 114 restricts the connection member 103 from coming off the second holder 20s by hitting the claw 113. The connection member 103 may be moved in the pressing direction Dp in a state in which the connection member 103 is deformed so that the claw 113 does not hit the restricting portion 114, thereby being removed from the second holder 20s. That is, the connection member 103 may be provided detachably on the head holder 20. When removing the connection member 103, the connection member 103 and the second holder 20s may be removed from the first holder 20f, and then the connection member 103 may be removed from the second holder 20s.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 20, the second holder 20s may have a second receiving portion 116. The second receiving portion 116 supports an end of the pressing member 104. That is, one end of the pressing member 104 is supported by the first receiving portion 112, and the other end is supported by the second receiving portion 116. The pressing member 104 in this embodiment is a compression spring. The pressing member 104 presses the first receiving portion 112 so that the first receiving portion 112 moves away from the second receiving portion 116. The second receiving portion 116 and the first receiving portion 112 are aligned in the pressing direction Dp.

[0088] The operation of this embodiment will be described. 15, when the printing unit 21 is located at the printing position Pp, the shutter 61 is located at the first position P1. The connection member 103 connects the first air hole 41 to the air-cooling path 57.

[0089] When the driving source 84 is driven in the forward direction, the printing unit 21 moves in the movement direction Dm, and the shutter 61 moves in the direction opposite to the movement direction Dm. The power transmission mechanism 100 may move the shutter 61 from the first position P1 to the second position P2 while the printing unit 21 moves from the printing position Pp to the maintenance position Pm. When the printing unit 21 reaches the maintenance position Pm, the shutter 61 may reach the second position P2. When the printing unit 21 is located at the maintenance position Pm, the shutter 61 is located at the second position P2. The connecting member 103 connects the air cooling path 57 to the second air hole 42.

[0090] When the drive source 84 is driven in the reverse direction, the printing unit 21 moves in the direction opposite to the movement direction Dm, and the shutter 61 moves in the movement direction Dm. The power transmission mechanism 100 may move the shutter 61 from the second position P2 to the first position P1 while the printing unit 21 moves from the maintenance position Pm to the printing position Pp.

[0091] The effects of this embodiment will be described. (12) The power of the drive source 84 is transmitted to the printing unit 21 by the moving mechanism 22 and also transmitted to the shutter 61 by the power transmission mechanism 100. Therefore, the load on the printing unit 21 can be reduced compared to when power is transmitted to the shutter 61 via the printing unit 21, for example.

[0092] (13) If the positional accuracy of the printed unit 21 having the air-cooling path 57 and the cooling mechanism 39 having the first air hole 41 and the second air hole 42 is low, there is a risk of air leaking between the printed unit 21 and the cooling mechanism 39. In this regard, the air-cooling path 57 is connected to the first air hole 41 or the second air hole 42 via a connecting member 103. Therefore, even if the positional accuracy of the cooling mechanism 39 and the printed unit 21 is low, this can be compensated for by the connecting member 103, and air leakage can be easily reduced.

[0093] (14) The pressing member 104 presses the connection member 103 against the cooling mechanism 39. Therefore, the sealing between the connection member 103 and the cooling mechanism 39 can be improved. (15) The first distance D1 between the first surface 106 and the head holder 20 is smaller than the third distance D3 between the intermediate surface 108 and the head holder 20. Therefore, the pressing member 104 presses the connecting member 103 against the first surface 106 with a force larger than the force pressing the connecting member 103 against the intermediate surface 108. Therefore, the sealing performance between the connecting member 103 and the first surface 106 can be improved.

[0094] (16) The connection member 103 is provided on the head holder 20. Therefore, the connection member 103 can be moved together with the printing unit 21, and the connection destination of the air cooling path 57 can be easily switched. Because the connection member 103 is detachable, maintenance of the connection member 103 and the printing unit 21 can be easily performed.

[0095] (17) The third distance D3 between the intermediate surface 108 and the head holder 20 is larger than the first distance D1 between the first surface 106 and the head holder 20 and the second distance D2 between the second surface 107 and the head holder 20. Therefore, the force with which the pressing member 104 presses the connecting member 103 against the intermediate surface 108 is smaller than the force with which the pressing member 104 presses the connecting member 103 against the first surface 106 or the second surface 107. This reduces the frictional force between the connecting member 103, which moves together with the printing unit 21, and the cooling mechanism 39, making it easier to move the printing unit 21.

[0096] (18) For example, when the rotation axis A of the fan 62 is parallel to the Y axis, the fan 62 blows air perpendicularly to the front wall 89. In this case, the air bounces off the front wall 89, making it difficult for the air to reach the exhaust port 87. In contrast, the fan 62 blows air obliquely to the front wall 89, allowing for smooth exhaust.

[0097] (19) The first dimension S1 of the fan 62 in the direction along the rotation axis A is smaller than the second dimension S2 in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis A. For this reason, by providing the fan 62 so that the rotation axis A is inclined with respect to the X-axis and Y-axis, the area occupied by the fan 62 in the depth direction Y can be made smaller than when, for example, the rotation axis A of the fan 62 is provided parallel to the X-axis.

[0098] (Fourth embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the liquid ejection device will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment in the configuration of the connection member. Since the fourth embodiment is otherwise substantially the same as the first to third embodiments, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted.

[0099] 21, the liquid ejection device 11 may include a plurality of connecting members. The liquid ejection device 11 of this embodiment includes a first connecting member 118, which is an example of a connecting member, and a second connecting member 119, which is also an example of a connecting member. The liquid ejection device 11 may include a pressing mechanism 120. The pressing mechanism 120 presses the first connecting member 118 and the second connecting member 119 against the printing unit 21. The pressing direction Dp of this embodiment is the direction in which the pressing mechanism 120 presses the first connecting member 118 and the second connecting member 119, respectively.

[0100] The first connecting member 118 and the second connecting member 119 may be provided in the cooling mechanism 39. The first connecting member 118 and the second connecting member 119 may be provided to be detachable from the cooling mechanism 39. The first connecting member 118 of the present embodiment is inserted into the first air hole 41, and is provided to be movable in the pressing direction Dp with respect to the cooling mechanism 39. The second connecting member 119 is inserted into the second air hole 42, and is provided to be movable in the pressing direction Dp with respect to the cooling mechanism 39.

[0101] The pressing mechanism 120 may move the first connecting member 118 between a connected position shown by a solid line in FIG. 21 and a closed position shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 21. The pressing mechanism 120 may move the second connecting member 119 between a connected position shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 21 and a closed position shown by a solid line in FIG. 21. The pressing mechanism 120 may be configured to have at least one of a gear, a cam, an actuator, a spring, a motor, and the like. The pressing mechanism 120 may move the first connecting member 118 and the second connecting member 119 in conjunction with the movement of the printing unit 21. The pressing mechanism 120 may move the first connecting member 118 and the second connecting member 119 under the control of the control unit 37.

[0102] The connection position is a position that connects the air-cooling path 57 and the ventilation path 64. The first connection member 118 located at the connection position connects the printing unit 21 located at the printing position Pp and the cooling mechanism 39. The second connection member 119 located at the connection position connects the printing unit 21 located at the maintenance position Pm and the cooling mechanism 39.

[0103] The closed position is a position away from the printing unit 21. The closed position may be a position that closes the ventilation passage 64. The first connecting member 118 and the second connecting member 119 of the present embodiment may function as a shutter.

[0104] The first connection member 118 in the closed position may restrict the flow of air through the first air hole 41 by closing the gap between the first air hole 41 and the fan 62. That is, the first connection member 118 may close the first air hole 41 by being in the closed position.

[0105] The second connection member 119 in the closed position may restrict the flow of air through the second air hole 42 by closing the gap between the second air hole 42 and the fan 62. That is, the second connection member 119 may close the second air hole 42 by being in the closed position.

[0106] The operation of this embodiment will be described. When the printing unit 21 is located at the printing position Pp, the pressing mechanism 120 positions the first connection member 118 in the connected position. That is, the air-cooling path 57 is connected to the first air hole 41 via the first connection member 118. At this time, the pressing mechanism 120 positions the second connection member 119 in the closed position. When the fan 62 is driven, air flows in from the suction hole 59, and air is sent from the air-cooling path 57 to the ventilation path 64 via the first connection member 118.

[0107] When the printing unit 21 is located at the maintenance position Pm, the pressing mechanism 120 positions the second connection member 119 in the connected position. That is, the air-cooling path 57 is connected to the second air hole 42 via the second connection member 119. At this time, the pressing mechanism 120 positions the first connection member 118 in the closed position. When the fan 62 is driven, air flows in from the suction hole 59, and air is sent from the air-cooling path 57 to the ventilation path 64 via the second connection member 119.

[0108] The effects of this embodiment will be described. (20) The pressing mechanism 120 presses the first connecting member 118 and the second connecting member 119 against the printed unit 21. This can improve the sealing between the first connecting member 118 and the second connecting member 119 and the printed unit 21.

[0109] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that there is no technical contradiction. In the second embodiment, the interlocking mechanism 40 may transmit power using a wire instead of the belt 76.

[0110] In the second embodiment, the belt 76 does not have to be circular. That is, the first transmission unit 70 may be fixed to one end of the belt 76, the belt 76 may be wound around the first driven pulley 77, and the second transmission unit 74 may be fixed to the other end of the belt 76. In this case, the interlocking mechanism 40 may not include the second driven pulley 78. When the printing unit 21 moves the second hook 47 in the movement direction Dm, the shutter 61 may move in the direction opposite to the movement direction Dm by its own weight. When the printing unit 21 moves the first hook 46 in the direction opposite to the movement direction Dm, the shutter 61 may move in the movement direction Dm so as to be pulled up by the belt 76.

[0111] The rail 49 may be curved. The movement direction Dm may be a direction along the curved rail. The fan 62 may be provided in the printing unit 21. For example, the fan 62 may be provided in any one of the air-cooling passage 57, the suction hole 59, and the connection hole 58.

[0112] The signal generating circuit 54 may be provided separately from the liquid ejection head 19 . The interlocking mechanism 40 may be provided outside the duct 43. The liquid ejection device 11 may not include the interlocking mechanism 40. For example, the liquid ejection device 11 may include a drive unit that moves the shutter 61. The control unit 37 may control the drive of the drive unit in accordance with the movement of the printing unit 21 to move the shutter 61.

[0113] The fan 62 may cause the air in the air-cooling passage 57 to flow at the same flow rate regardless of the position of the printing unit 21. The fan 62 may continue to operate while the printing unit 21 is moving.

[0114] The fan 62 may send air into the ventilation passage 64. In this case, the air flows from the ventilation passage 64 into the air-cooling passage 57 and cools the liquid ejection head 19. The distance between the fan 62 and the first air hole 41 may be longer than the distance between the fan 62 and the second air hole 42, or may be the same as the distance between the fan 62 and the second air hole 42.

[0115] The shutter 61 may be movable between a first position P1 where the second wall 67 closes the first air hole 41 and a position where the second wall 67 closes the second air hole 42. The liquid ejection device 11 may include a plurality of shutters 61. For example, the liquid ejection device 11 may include a first shutter capable of opening and closing the first air vent 41, and a second shutter capable of opening and closing the second air vent 42.

[0116] The shutter 61 may be provided outside the duct 43. When the liquid ejection device 11 includes a plurality of shutters 61, each shutter 61 may move in a direction different from the movement direction Dm to open and close the first air hole 41 and the second air hole 42.

[0117] The printing unit 21 may be movable to a position different from the printing position Pp and the maintenance position Pm. In this case, the cooling mechanism 39 may include a duct 43 having air holes formed therein corresponding to the different positions.

[0118] The printing unit 21 may be movable to a plurality of maintenance positions Pm. Specifically, the printing unit 21 may be movable to a capping position where it is capped with a cap, a wiping position where it is wiped with a wiper, a flushing position where flushing is performed, and the like. In this case, the cooling mechanism 39 may include a duct 43 in which air holes are formed corresponding to the capping position, wiping position, flushing position, and the like.

[0119] In the third embodiment, the pressing member 104 may be made of an elastic member such as rubber, sponge, a leaf spring, etc. The pressing member 104 may be provided outside the connection member 103. For example, the pressing member 104 may press the flange 111.

[0120] In the third embodiment, the first surface 106, the second surface 107, and the intermediate surface 108 may be in the same plane. The first distance D1, the second distance D2, and the third distance D3 may be the same.

[0121] In the third embodiment, the second surface 107 and the intermediate surface 108 may be flush with each other. The second distance D2 and the third distance D3 may be the same. The first distance D1 may be smaller than the second distance D2 and the third distance D3.

[0122] In the third embodiment, the inner dimension of the connection member 103 may be larger than the outer dimension of the second holder 20s. The connection member 103 may be attached so as to cover the second holder 20s.

[0123] In the third embodiment, the connection member 103 may be formed of an elastic member such as a resin sheet. In this case, the connection member 103 may be fixed to the second holder 20s. The connection member 103 may be in close contact with the cooling mechanism 39 due to its own elasticity.

[0124] In the third embodiment, the movement mechanism 22 and the power transmission mechanism 100 may each have a clutch. The movement mechanism 22 and the power transmission mechanism 100 may move the printing unit 21 and the shutter 61 at different times.

[0125] In the fourth embodiment, the liquid ejection device 11 may be configured to include either the first connecting member 118 or the second connecting member 119. In the fourth embodiment, the liquid ejection device 11 may include a plurality of pressing mechanisms 120. For example, the liquid ejection device 11 may include a pressing mechanism 120 that moves the first connection member 118 and a pressing mechanism 120 that moves the second connection member 119, separately.

[0126] The liquid ejection device 11 may be a liquid ejection device that ejects or ejects liquid other than ink. The state of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection device as minute droplets includes granular, teardrop, and thread-like tails. The liquid here may be any material that can be ejected from the liquid ejection device. For example, the liquid may be any state in which the substance is in a liquid phase, and includes fluids such as high or low viscosity liquids, sols, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals, and metal melts. The liquid includes not only liquids as one state of matter, but also particles of functional materials made of solids such as pigments and metal particles dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent. Representative examples of liquids include inks and liquid crystals as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink includes various liquid compositions such as general water-based inks and oil-based inks, as well as gel inks and hot melt inks. Specific examples of the liquid ejection device include a device that ejects a liquid containing materials such as electrode materials and color materials in a dispersed or dissolved form, which are used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, electroluminescence displays, surface-emitting displays, and color filters. The liquid ejection device may be a device that ejects biological organic matter used in the manufacture of biochips, a device that ejects liquid as a sample used as a precision pipette, a textile printing device, a microdispenser, or the like. The liquid ejection device may be a device that ejects lubricating oil at a pinpoint onto precision machinery such as a watch or camera, or a device that ejects transparent resin liquid such as ultraviolet curing resin onto a substrate to form a micro hemispherical lens, optical lens, or the like used in optical communication elements. The liquid ejection device may be a device that ejects an etching liquid such as an acid or alkali to etch a substrate or the like.

[0127] The technical ideas and effects obtained from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described below. (A) A liquid ejection device includes a printing unit having a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid onto a medium and a head holder that forms an air cooling path, and a cooling mechanism that circulates air within the air cooling path to cool the liquid ejection head, wherein the printing unit is movably provided relative to a transport path along which the medium is transported, and the cooling mechanism includes a first air hole and a second air hole that can be connected to the air cooling path, and the air cooling path connects to one of the first air hole or the second air hole depending on the position of the printing unit.

[0128] According to this configuration, the air cooling path connects to one of the first air hole and the second air hole depending on the position of the printed part. That is, when the printed part is located at a position corresponding to the first air hole, the air cooling path connects to the first air hole. When the printed part is located at a position corresponding to the second air hole, the air cooling path connects to the second air hole. The cooling mechanism can cause air to flow in the air cooling path via one of the first air hole and the second air hole to which the air cooling path connects. Therefore, the cooling mechanism can cool the moving liquid ejection head.

[0129] (B) In a liquid ejection device, the printing unit may be movable between a printing position where the printing unit prints on the medium and a maintenance position where maintenance is performed, and when the printing unit is located at the printing position, the first air hole may be connected to the air cooling path, and when the printing unit is located at the maintenance position, the second air hole may be connected to the air cooling path.

[0130] According to this configuration, the first air hole is connected to the air cooling path when the printing unit is located at the printing position. The second air hole is connected to the air cooling path when the printing unit is located at the maintenance position. Therefore, the cooling mechanism can cool the liquid ejection head when it is located at the printing position and the maintenance position.

[0131] (C) In the liquid ejection device, the cooling mechanism may include a duct in which the first air hole and the second air hole are formed, and a shutter capable of closing the first air hole or the second air hole, and the shutter may close one of the first air hole and the second air hole while the other is connected to the air cooling path.

[0132] According to this configuration, one of the first air hole and the second air hole is connected to the air cooling path and the other is closed by the shutter, which makes it possible to prevent air from leaking from the air hole that is not connected to the air cooling path.

[0133] (D) In ​​a liquid ejection device, the air cooling path connects a suction hole that takes in outside air and a connection hole that is connected to the first air hole or the second air hole, and the cooling mechanism includes a fan that draws air from the air cooling path, and the distance between the fan and the first air hole is shorter than the distance between the fan and the second air hole.

[0134] According to this configuration, the cooling mechanism includes a fan that draws in air from the air-cooling path. That is, the fan cools the liquid ejection head by circulating the air taken into the air-cooling path from the suction hole. The printing unit that is located at the printing position and performs printing is more likely to generate heat than when the printing unit is located at the maintenance position and maintenance is performed. In this regard, the fan is provided at a position closer to the first air hole than the second air hole. Therefore, the printing unit that is located at the printing position and connected to the first air hole can be cooled more efficiently than when the printing unit is located at the maintenance position and connected to the second air hole.

[0135] (E) In the liquid ejection device, the fan may stop operating while the printing unit is moving. Mist, which is a mist-like liquid, may float around the liquid ejection head. When air is sucked in through the first air hole and the second air hole, there is a risk that the mist will be sucked in along with the air. In this regard, with this configuration, the fan stops operating while the printing unit is moving. That is, the fan stops operating until the air cooling path is connected to one of the first air hole and the second air hole and the shutter closes the other, thereby reducing the risk of sucking in mist through the first air hole and the second air hole.

[0136] (F) In the liquid ejection device, when the first air hole is connected to the air cooling path, the fan causes air in the air cooling path to flow at a first flow velocity, and when the second air hole is connected to the air cooling path, the fan causes air in the air cooling path to flow at a second flow velocity, the first flow velocity being faster than the second flow velocity.

[0137] According to this configuration, the air-cooling path is connected to the first air hole when the printing unit is in the printing position, and is connected to the second air hole when the printing unit is in the maintenance position. When the printing unit is in the printing position, the fan causes air to flow through the air-cooling path at a faster speed than when the printing unit is in the maintenance position. Therefore, the printing unit in the printing position can be efficiently cooled.

[0138] (G) The liquid ejection device may further include a linkage mechanism that moves the shutter in conjunction with the movement of the printing unit. According to this configuration, the interlocking mechanism interlocks the movement of the printing unit with the movement of the shutter, which reduces the effort required by the user compared to when the user moves the shutter, for example.

[0139] (H) In the liquid ejection device, the interlocking mechanism may include a first rack that moves with the printing unit, a second rack that moves with the shutter, and a pinion that meshes with the first rack and the second rack, and the shutter may move in a direction opposite to the direction in which the printing unit moves.

[0140] According to this configuration, the interlocking mechanism includes a first rack and a second rack that mesh with one pinion. When the first rack moves, the second rack moves in the opposite direction to the first rack. Therefore, the printing unit in which the first rack is provided and the shutter in which the second rack is provided can be moved in opposite directions with a simple configuration.

[0141] (I) In the liquid ejection device, the linkage mechanism may include a belt connecting the printing unit and the shutter, and the belt may transmit power to move the printing unit to the shutter, moving the shutter in a direction opposite to the direction in which the printing unit moves.

[0142] According to this configuration, the movement mechanism transmits the power for moving the printing unit to the shutter by the belt. By using a deformable belt, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the movement mechanism.

[0143] (J) In the liquid ejection device, at least a portion of the interlocking mechanism may be provided inside the duct. According to this configuration, at least a portion of the interlocking mechanism is provided inside the duct, which makes it possible to reduce the space occupied by the interlocking mechanism compared to a case in which the entire interlocking mechanism is provided outside the duct.

[0144] (K) The liquid ejection device may include a drive source, a moving mechanism that transmits the power of the drive source to the printing unit to move the printing unit, and a power transmission mechanism that transmits the power of the drive source to the shutter to move the shutter.

[0145] According to this configuration, the power of the drive source is transmitted to the printing unit by the movement mechanism and also to the shutter by the power transmission mechanism, which reduces the load on the printing unit compared to when power is transmitted to the shutter via the printing unit.

[0146] (L) In the liquid ejection device, the liquid ejection head may have a drive element that is driven to eject the liquid, and a signal generating circuit that generates a drive waveform signal to be applied to the drive element.

[0147] According to this configuration, the liquid ejection head includes the drive element and the signal generating circuit, and therefore the drive element and the signal generating circuit can be located closer to each other than in the case where the signal generating circuit is provided separately from the printing unit, for example.

[0148] (M) The liquid ejection device may further include a connection member that connects the printing unit and the cooling mechanism, and the air cooling path may be connected to one of the first air hole and the second air hole via the connection member.

[0149] If the positional accuracy of the printed part having the air cooling path and the cooling mechanism having the first air hole and the second air hole is low, there is a risk of air leaking between the printed part and the cooling mechanism. In this regard, with this configuration, the air cooling path is connected to the first air hole or the second air hole via a connecting member. Therefore, even if the positional accuracy of the cooling mechanism and the printed part is low, it can be compensated for by the connecting member, and air leakage can be easily reduced.

[0150] (N) The liquid discharge device may further include a pressing member that presses the connection member against the cooling mechanism. According to this configuration, the pressing member presses the connection member against the cooling mechanism, which improves the sealing performance between the connection member and the cooling mechanism.

[0151] (O) In a liquid ejection device, the cooling mechanism has a first surface provided around the first air hole, a second surface provided around the second air hole, and an intermediate surface provided between the first surface and the second surface, and in a pressing direction in which the pressing member presses the connecting member, the distance between the first surface and the head holder may be smaller than the distance between the intermediate surface and the head holder.

[0152] According to this configuration, the distance between the first surface and the head holder is smaller than the distance between the intermediate surface and the head holder, so the pressing member presses the connecting member against the first surface with a force greater than the force pressing the connecting member against the intermediate surface, thereby improving the sealing performance between the connecting member and the first surface.

[0153] (P) In the liquid ejection device, the connection member may be detachably provided to the head holder. According to this configuration, the connection member is provided on the head holder. Therefore, the connection member can be moved together with the printing unit, and the connection destination of the air cooling path can be easily switched. Since the connection member is detachable, maintenance of the connection member and the printing unit can be easily performed.

[0154] (Q) The liquid ejection device may further include a pressing mechanism that presses the connection member against the printing section. According to this configuration, the pressing mechanism presses the connection member against the printed portion, thereby improving the sealing performance between the connection member and the printed portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0155] 11...liquid ejection device, 12...housing, 13...medium, 14...medium storage section, 15...feed section, 16...transport path, 17...transport section, 18...stacker, 19...liquid ejection head, 20...head holder, 20a...upper wall, 20f...first holder, 20s...second holder, 21...printing section, 22...movement mechanism, 23...maintenance section, 24...feed roller, 25...separation section, 27...transport roller, 28...transport belt, 28a...transport surface, 29...pulley, 31...nozzle, 32...nozzle surface, 34...driving gear, 35...follower tooth, 37...control section, 39...cooling mechanism, 40...linkage mechanism, 41...first air hole, 42...second air hole, 43...duct, 44...first hole, 45...second hole, 46...first hook, 47...second hook, 49...rail, 51...projection, 53...driving element, 54...signal generating circuit, 55...heat sink, 57...air cooling path, 58...connection hole, 59...suction hole, 61...shutter, 62...fan, 64...ventilation path, 66...first wall, 67...second wall, 69...connection section, 70...first transmission section, 71...first rack, 72 ...Second rack, 73...pinion, 74...second transmission part, 76...belt, 77...first driven pulley, 78...second driven pulley, 79...operation part, 80...scanner, 82...exhaust port, 84...driving source, 86...exhaust path, 87...exhaust port, 89...front wall, 90...rear wall, 92...blade, 94...third hole, 95...third wall, 96...third rack, 97...upper surface, 98...lower surface, 100...power transmission mechanism, 101...transmission gear, 103...connecting member, 104...pressing member, 106...first surface, 107...second surface, 108...intermediate surface, 109...screw, 110...tubular portion, 111...flange, 112...first receiving portion, 113...claw, 114...limiting portion, 116...second receiving portion, 118...first connecting member, 119...second connecting member, 120...pressing mechanism, A...rotating shaft, D1...first interval, D2...second interval, D3...third interval, Dc...conveying direction, Dm...moving direction, Dp...pressing direction, P1...first position, P2...second position, Pm...maintenance position, Pp...printing position, S1...first dimension, S2...second dimension, X...width direction, Y...depth direction, Z...vertical direction.

Claims

1. A liquid ejection head that ejects liquid onto a medium, and a head holder that forms an air cooling path; A printing unit having a cooling mechanism that circulates air within the air-cooling path to air-cool the liquid ejection head; Equipped with the printing unit is provided to be movable relative to a transport path along which the medium is transported, The cooling mechanism includes: a first air hole and a second air hole connectable to the air cooling path; a duct in which the first air hole and the second air hole are formed; a shutter capable of closing the first air hole and the second air hole; Equipped with The air cooling path is provided through one of the first air hole and the second air hole depending on the position of the printing unit. Connect to The shutter is closing the second air hole while the first air hole is connected to the air cooling path; The first air hole is closed while the second air hole is connected to the air cooling path. A liquid ejection device comprising:

2. The printing unit has a print position where printing is performed on the medium and a maintenance It is movable to the position and When the printing unit is located at the printing position, the first air hole is connected to the air cooling path, When the printing unit is located at the maintenance position, the second air hole is connected to the air cooling path.

2. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The air cooling path includes a suction hole for taking in outside air and the first air hole or the second air hole. a connection hole connected to the hole; The cooling mechanism includes a fan that draws air from the air cooling path, The distance between the fan and the first air hole is shorter than the distance between the fan and the second air hole.

2. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejection device is a liquid ejection device.

4. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fan stops operating while the printing unit is moving.

4. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The fan is When the first air hole is connected to the air cooling passage, the air in the air cooling passage is caused to flow at a first flow rate. height, When the second air hole is connected to the air cooling passage, the air in the air cooling passage is caused to flow at a second flow rate. height, 5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the first flow rate is greater than the second flow rate. A liquid ejection device.

6. Further comprising a linkage mechanism for moving the shutter in conjunction with the movement of the printing unit. The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that:

7. The interlocking mechanism includes: A first rack that moves together with the printing unit; A second rack that moves together with the shutter; a pinion that meshes with the first rack and the second rack; Equipped with The shutter moves in a direction opposite to a direction in which the printing unit moves. The liquid ejection device according to claim 6 .

8. the interlocking mechanism includes a belt that connects the printing unit and the shutter, The belt transmits the power for moving the printing unit to the shutter, and the printing unit 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the shutter is moved in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the shutter. The liquid ejection device described herein.

9. The interlocking mechanism is at least partially provided inside the duct. The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

10. A driving source; a moving mechanism that transmits the power of the drive source to the printing unit to move the printing unit; A power transmission mechanism that transmits the power of the drive source to the shutter to move the shutter. and, The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: 。

11. The liquid ejection head includes: A drive element that is driven to eject the liquid; a signal generating circuit for generating a drive waveform signal to be applied to the drive element; The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising: Place.

12. a connecting member that connects the printing unit and the cooling mechanism; The air cooling passage is connected to one of the first air hole and the second air hole via the connecting member. The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising:

13. The present invention relates to a cooling device and a cooling mechanism for cooling a cooling member.

13. The liquid ejection device according to claim 12.

14. The cooling mechanism includes: a first surface provided around the first air hole; a second surface provided around the second air hole; and an intermediate surface provided between the first surface and the second surface; having In a pressing direction in which the pressing member presses the connection member, the first surface and the head holder The distance between the intermediate surface and the head holder is smaller than the distance between the intermediate surface and the head holder.

14. The liquid ejection device according to claim 13.

15. The connecting member is detachably provided on the head holder. The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 12 to 14.

16. The present invention is characterized in that the connecting member is further provided with a pressing mechanism for pressing the connecting member against the printing unit. Item 13. A liquid ejection device according to item 12.

17. The shutter is characterized in that it moves in a direction opposite to a direction in which the printing unit moves. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 .

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