LIQUID DISCHARGE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING LIQUID DISCHARGE APPARATUS - Patent application

Abstract

To provide a liquid discharge device and an assembly method of the liquid discharge device which can improve reliability in assembly.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device includes a head, a holding portion, a first fixing member and a second fixing member. The head includes a first surface configured to discharge liquid. The holding portion holds the head. The first fixing member fixes a cap that covers the first surface in a removable manner. The second fixing member fixes the head and the holding portion. The first fixing member and the second fixing member are provided so as to face the opposite sides of each other along the thickness direction of the head.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The disclosed embodiments relate to a liquid ejection device and a method for assembling a liquid ejection device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Known liquid ejection devices include inkjet printers and inkjet plotters that use an inkjet recording method. Such inkjet liquid ejection devices are equipped with a liquid ejection head for ejecting liquid.

[0003] Among such liquid ejection heads, there are known ones in which the liquid ejection surface is protected by a cap during transportation or conveyance (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-74038 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2009-184210 A Summary of the Invention

[0005] A liquid ejection device according to one aspect of the embodiment includes a head and a holding unit. And The head has a first surface for ejecting liquid. The holding part holds the head. The head a cap for covering the first surface is removably fixed A first hole for The holding portion To Fix it and a second hole for . [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) of a liquid ejection device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) of the liquid ejection device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing a configuration of a main part of the liquid ejection device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the liquid ejection device shown in FIG. 3A, seen from a different direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a cap is removed from the liquid ejection device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cap is removed from the liquid ejection device according to the first modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a liquid ejection device according to a second modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cap is removed from the liquid ejection device shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the vicinity of the second fixing member. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the second fixing member. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the first fixing member. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a liquid ejection device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a liquid ejection device according to a modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a method for assembling the liquid ejection device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a method of assembling a liquid ejection device according to a modified example of the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, embodiments of a liquid ejection device and an assembly method for a liquid ejection device disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0008] <Printer configuration> First, an overview of a printer, which is an example of a liquid ejection device 1 according to an embodiment, will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are explanatory diagrams of the printer according to an embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of the printer, and Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the printer. The printer according to the embodiment is, for example, a color inkjet printer.

[0009] 1, the liquid ejection device 1 includes a feed roller 2, a guide roller 3, a coater 4, a head case 5, a plurality of transport rollers 6, a plurality of frames 7, a plurality of heads 8, a transport roller 9, a dryer 10, a transport roller 11, a sensor unit 12, and a recovery roller 13. The transport roller 6 is an example of a transport unit.

[0010] Furthermore, the liquid ejection device 1 includes a control unit 14 that controls the paper feed roller 2, the guide roller 3, the coater 4, the head case 5, multiple conveying rollers 6, multiple frames 7, multiple heads 8, the conveying rollers 9, the dryer 10, the conveying rollers 11, the sensor unit 12 and the recovery roller 13.

[0011] The liquid ejection device 1 records images and characters on the printing paper P by causing droplets to land on the printing paper P. The printing paper P is an example of a recording medium. Before use, the printing paper P is wound around a paper feed roller 2. The liquid ejection device 1 transports the printing paper P from the paper feed roller 2 through a guide roller 3 and an applicator 4 into the inside of a head case 5.

[0012] The coater 4 applies the coating agent evenly to the printing paper P. This makes it possible to perform a surface treatment on the printing paper P, thereby improving the printing quality of the liquid ejection device 1.

[0013] The head case 5 houses a plurality of transport rollers 6, a plurality of frames 7, and a plurality of heads 8. Inside the head case 5, a space is formed that is isolated from the outside, except for a portion that is connected to the outside, such as a portion where the printing paper P enters and exits.

[0014] At least one of control factors such as temperature, humidity, and air pressure of the internal space of the head case 5 is controlled by the control unit 14 as necessary. The transport rollers 6 transport the printing paper P inside the head case 5 to the vicinity of the head 8.

[0015] The frame 7 is a rectangular flat plate, and is positioned adjacent to and above the print paper P transported by the transport rollers 6. As shown in Fig. 2, the frame 7 is positioned so that its longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the transport direction of the print paper P. Inside the head case 5, multiple (for example, four) frames 7 are positioned along the transport direction of the print paper P.

[0016] A liquid, for example, ink, is supplied from a liquid tank (not shown) to the head 8. The head 8 is a liquid ejection head that ejects the liquid supplied from the liquid tank.

[0017] The control unit 14 controls the head 8 based on data such as images and characters, and causes the head 8 to eject liquid toward the printing paper P. The distance between the head 8 and the printing paper P is, for example, about 0.5 to 20 mm.

[0018] The head 8 is fixed to the frame 7. The head 8 is positioned so that its longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the direction in which the print paper P is transported.

[0019] That is, the liquid ejection device 1 according to the embodiment is a so-called line printer in which a head 8 is fixed inside the liquid ejection device 1. Note that the liquid ejection device 1 according to the embodiment is not limited to a line printer, and may be a so-called serial printer.

[0020] A serial printer is a printer that alternates between recording by moving the head 8 back and forth in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the printing paper P, for example in a direction approximately perpendicular to the direction, and transporting the printing paper P.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 2, multiple (e.g., five) heads 8 are fixed to one frame 7. Fig. 2 shows an example in which three heads 8 are located at the front and two at the rear in the transport direction of the print paper P, and the heads 8 are positioned such that the centers of each head 8 do not overlap in the transport direction of the print paper P.

[0022] A head group 8A is made up of multiple heads 8 positioned on one frame 7. The four head groups 8A are positioned along the transport direction of the print paper P. Ink of the same color is supplied to heads 8 belonging to the same head group 8A. This allows the liquid ejection device 1 to perform printing with four colors of ink using the four head groups 8A.

[0023] The colors of ink ejected from each head group 8A are, for example, magenta (M), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and black (K). The control unit 14 controls each head group 8A to eject ink of multiple colors onto the printing paper P, thereby printing a color image on the printing paper P.

[0024] In addition, in order to treat the surface of the printing paper P, a coating agent may be ejected onto the printing paper P from the head 8.

[0025] Furthermore, the number of heads 8 included in one head group 8A and the number of head groups 8A mounted on the liquid ejection device 1 can be changed as appropriate depending on the printing target and printing conditions. For example, if a single color is printed on the printing paper P and printing is performed in an area that can be printed with one head 8, the number of heads 8 mounted on the liquid ejection device 1 may be one.

[0026] The print paper P that has been printed inside the head case 5 is transported to the outside of the head case 5 by transport rollers 9 and passes through the inside of the dryer 10. The dryer 10 dries the print paper P that has been printed. The print paper P that has been dried in the dryer 10 is transported by transport rollers 11 and collected by collection rollers 13.

[0027] In the liquid ejection device 1, by drying the printing paper P with the dryer 10, it is possible to prevent the printing paper P that is overlapped and wound up on the recovery roller 13 from sticking to each other and to prevent the wet liquid from rubbing against each other.

[0028] The sensor unit 12 is composed of a position sensor, a speed sensor, a temperature sensor, etc. The control unit 14 can determine the state of each part of the liquid ejection device 1 based on information from the sensor unit 12 and control each part of the liquid ejection device 1.

[0029] In the liquid ejection device 1 described so far, we have shown a case where printing paper P is used as the printing target (i.e., recording medium), but the printing target in the liquid ejection device 1 is not limited to printing paper P, and the printing target may also be a roll of cloth, etc.

[0030] Furthermore, the liquid ejection device 1 may be configured to transport the print paper P on a transport belt instead of directly transporting the print paper P. By using a transport belt, the liquid ejection device 1 can print on paper sheets, cut pieces of cloth, wood, tiles, and the like.

[0031] The liquid ejection device 1 may also print wiring patterns for electronic devices by ejecting liquid containing conductive particles from the head 8. The liquid ejection device 1 may also prepare chemicals by ejecting a predetermined amount of liquid chemicals or liquid containing chemicals from the head 8 toward a reaction vessel or the like.

[0032] Furthermore, the liquid ejection device 1 may include a cleaning unit that cleans the head 8. The cleaning unit cleans the head 8 by, for example, wiping or capping.

[0033] The wiping process is a process of removing liquid adhering to the head 8 by wiping the surface of the portion from which the liquid is ejected with a flexible wiper, for example.

[0034] The capping process is performed, for example, as follows. First, a cap is placed over the area from which the liquid is discharged, for example, the first surface 23a (see FIG. 3B) of the nozzle plate 23 where the discharge holes are located (this is called capping). As a result, a substantially sealed space is formed between the first surface 23a and the cap. Next, liquid is repeatedly discharged into such a sealed space. This makes it possible to remove liquid with a higher viscosity than the standard state and foreign matter that have been clogged in the discharge holes of the first surface 23a.

[0035] The liquid ejection device 1 is not limited to the device that conveys the printing target (recording medium) as described above, but may be a device that moves the applicator (liquid ejection device) while the printing target is fixed. Such a liquid ejection device 1 may be, for example, a device equipped with a robot arm.

[0036] [First embodiment] <Configuration of Liquid Ejection Head> Next, the configuration of the liquid ejection device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B. Fig. 3A is a perspective view showing the configuration of the main part of the liquid ejection device according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3B is a perspective view of the liquid ejection device shown in Fig. 3A, seen from another direction.

[0037] The liquid ejection device 1 has a head 8, a first fixing member 31, a second fixing member 32, a frame 40, and a cap 50. The head 8 has a first surface 23a that ejects liquid. The cap 50 is attached to the head 8 using the first fixing member 31. In addition, the head 8 is fixed to the frame 40 using the second fixing member 32.

[0038] The material of the frame 40 is, for example, stainless steel or aluminum. The frame 40 is a holder that holds the head 8. The frame 40 may be a part of the frame 7 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or may be a member fixed to the frame 7.

[0039] The cap 50 is fixed to the head 8 using the first fixing member 31. The cap 50 protects the first surface 23a. The first surface 23a is an ejection surface having ejection holes through which liquid is ejected. The material of the cap 50 may be, for example, metal or resin. If made of metal, the material of the cap 50 may be, for example, stainless steel or aluminum. If made of resin, the material of the cap 50 may be, for example, a thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin that has resistance to the liquid ejected from the first surface 23a.

[0040] The first fixing member 31 and the second fixing member 32 are, for example, screw members. The first fixing member 31 and the second fixing member 32 shown in FIG. 3 are both provided toward the same side along the thickness direction of the head 8. Specifically, in the case where the head 8 is fixed from above the frame 40, the first fixing member 31 is provided from the frame 40 toward the cap 50 side (from above to below), and the second fixing member 32 is also provided in the same direction from the head 8 toward the frame 40 side (from above to below). According to this configuration, the first fixing member 31 and the second fixing member 32 are attached in the direction of gravity, which makes it easier to assemble the liquid ejection device 1, thereby improving the workability during assembly.

[0041] In addition, the first fixing member 31 is provided so as to be removable. Therefore, the cap 50 can be removed from the head 8 by removing the first fixing member 31.

[0042] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cap is removed from the liquid ejection device according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the first fixing member 31 is removably provided in the hole 21 penetrating the head 8 and the hole 51 provided in the cap 50. The first fixing member 31 can be removed in a direction away from the cap 50. By removing the first fixing member 31 in this way, the cap 50 can be removed from the liquid ejection device 1 with the head 8 fixed to the frame 40. This can improve workability, and can improve reliability in assembly by protecting the first surface 23a with the cap 50 until use.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cap is removed from the liquid ejection device according to the first modified example of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the first fixing member 31 and the second fixing member 32 are provided facing opposite sides to each other along the thickness direction of the head 8. The first fixing member 31 is removably provided in the hole 21 provided in the head 8 and the hole 51 penetrating the cap 50. In this liquid ejection device 1 as well, by removing the first fixing member 31, the liquid ejection device 1 can remove the cap 50 from the head 8 in a state in which the head 8 is fixed to the frame 40. Specifically, in the case in which the head 8 is fixed from below the frame 40, the first fixing member 31 is provided from the frame 40 toward the cap 50 side (from above to below), and the second fixing member 32 is provided from the head 8 toward the frame 40 side (from below to above) in a direction opposite to the first fixing member 31. With this configuration, the first fixing member 31 and the second fixing member 32 are inserted from the object with the greater mass to the object with the smaller mass, improving workability and also improving reliability in assembly by protecting the first surface 23a with the cap 50 until use.

[0044] Furthermore, in the liquid ejection device 1 according to this modified example, the first fixing member 31 can be removed in the direction away from the first surface 23a, which is the same direction as the cap 50. Therefore, there is no need to provide a path for removing the first fixing member 31 separate from the path for removing the cap 50, which increases the freedom of design, for example.

[0045] Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a liquid ejection device according to Modification 2 of Embodiment 1. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cap is removed from the liquid ejection device shown in Fig. 6.

[0046] The liquid ejection device 1 according to this modification has a housing 40A instead of the frame 40. The housing 40A is a holder that holds the head 8. The housing 40A has a space therein that houses a part of the head 8. The housing 40A may be, for example, a structure that separates the internal space from the external space. The liquid ejection device 1 is applied to, for example, painting applications in which a volatile liquid is ejected.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 6, the housing 40A has a hole 42 for fixing the head 8 using the second fixing member 32. The cap 50 has a through-hole 52 at a position corresponding to the hole 42. The through-hole 52 is a through-hole that penetrates the cap 50 in the thickness direction of the head 8. The through-hole 52 is used not for fixing the cap 50, but for inserting the second fixing member 32 to fix the head 8 to the housing 40A. The through-hole 52 may be, for example, located at an end of the cap 50 and shaped to penetrate the cap 50 in the thickness direction of the head 8, i.e., a notch.

[0048] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cap has been removed from the liquid ejection device shown in Fig. 6. The cap 50 can be removed from the head 8 by removing the first fixing member 31 located on the outer side of the first surface 23a in the longitudinal direction. The head 8 also has a through-portion 26 located on the outer side of the first surface 23a in the lateral direction. The through-portion 26 is used to fix the head 8 to the housing 40A using the second fixing member 32.

[0049] Here, an example of the shape of the through-hole 26 where the second fixing member 32 is located and the vicinity thereof will be described. Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the vicinity of the second fixing member. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the second fixing member. Note that the cap 50 is omitted from Fig. 8.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 9, the head 8 includes a nozzle plate 23, a flow path member 24, and a base plate 25. The nozzle plate 23 has a first surface 23a for ejecting liquid, and a second surface 23b facing the first surface 23a. The flow path member 24 is located on the second surface 23b, and has a plurality of reservoir plates stacked in the thickness direction of the head 8. The base plate 25 is located on the opposite side of the flow path member 24 from the nozzle plate 23. The base plate 25 is a member having a greater thickness than each of the reservoir plates of the flow path member 24. For example, the base plate 25 may be a metal cutting part or a resin molded part having high rigidity and strength.

[0051] Further, the flow path member 24 has a through-hole 26 penetrating in the thickness direction. As shown in Fig. 8, the through-hole 26 has a notch shape facing an end surface 27 of the flow path member 24. The through-hole 26 is located away from a second fixing member 32 shown by a dashed line, and the second fixing member 32 fastens the base plate 25 and the housing 40A to fix the head 8 to the housing 40A. Note that the through-hole 26 being located away from the second fixing member 32 means that the inner wall of the through-hole 26 is not in contact with the second fixing member 32.

[0052] Since the through-hole 26 is located away from the second fixing member 32, the flow path member 24 is not subjected to shear stress accompanying the attachment of the second fixing member 32. Since each reservoir plate constituting the flow path member 24 is thinner than the base plate 25, if it is subjected to stress accompanying the fastening of the second fixing member 32, there is a possibility that a malfunction in the discharge performance occurs due to deformation. On the other hand, according to the head 8 according to this modified example, the shear stress accompanying the attachment of the second fixing member 32 is received by the base plate 25. Since the base plate 25 is thicker than each reservoir plate of the flow path member 24, it is difficult to deform when the second fixing member 32 is attached. Therefore, according to the liquid discharge device 1 including the flow path member 24 having such a through-hole 26, for example, the durability of the head 8 is increased. In addition, it is not necessary to make the head 8 larger than necessary, which can contribute to the miniaturization of the head 8.

[0053] Next, an example of the shape of the cap 50 where the first fixing member 31 is located and the vicinity thereof will be described. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the first fixing member.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 10, the cap 50 has a hole 51. The base plate 25 has a hole 21 at a position corresponding to the hole 51. The first fixing member 31 is located inside the holes 21, 51, for example, to removably fix the base plate 25 and the cap 50. Note that, although Fig. 10 shows an example in which the first fixing member 31 is provided from the base plate 25 side, the shape of the holes 21, 51 may be changed so that the first fixing member 31 is provided from the cap 50 side.

[0055] [Second embodiment] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of a liquid ejection device according to the second embodiment. The liquid ejection device 1A shown in Fig. 11 includes a robot arm 100 that can be controlled by a control unit 140. A holding unit 101 is located at the tip of the robot arm 100.

[0056] In the liquid ejection device 1A, the robot arm 100 may be positioned so that the holding part 101 faces downward, and the head 8 held by the holding part 101 may be fixed to the holding part 101 using a second fixing member 32 facing upward from the underside of the head 8. By positioning the robot arm 100 in this manner and fixing the head 8, even in the liquid ejection device 1A equipped with the robot arm 100, the first surface 23a of the head 8 can be protected by the cap 50 until use, improving the reliability of assembly.

[0057] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of the main part of a liquid ejection device according to a modified example of the second embodiment. In the liquid ejection device 1A shown in Fig. 12, the control unit 140 may position the robot arm 100 so that the holding unit 101 faces upward, and the head 8 held by the holding unit 101 may be fixed to the holding unit 101 using the second fixing member 32 that faces downward from the upper side of the head 8. By positioning the robot arm 100 in this way and fixing the head 8, for example, the load associated with the mass of the head 8 or the second fixing member 32 is easily transmitted to the holding unit 101, improving workability, for example.

[0058] [Method of assembling the liquid ejection device] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a method for assembling the liquid ejection device according to the first embodiment. First, a cap 50 that covers the first surface 23a of the head 8 is attached using a removable first fixing member 31 (step S11). The first fixing member 31 is provided along the thickness direction of the head 8. The first fixing member 31 may be provided from above to below the head 8 as shown in the figure, or may be provided from below to above the cap 50.

[0059] Next, the frame 40 is positioned below the head 8 with the cap 50 attached (step S12), and the head 8 and the frame 40 are fixed using the second fixing member 32 (step S13). The second fixing member 32 may be provided from above to below the head 8 as shown in the figure, or may be provided from below to above the cap 50. This completes the liquid ejection device 1 with the removable cap 50 attached (step S14).

[0060] 14 is a diagram showing an example of a method for assembling a liquid ejection device according to a modified example of the first embodiment. First, a cap 50 that covers the first surface 23a of the head 8 is attached using a removable first fixing member 31 (step S21). This step S21 is similar to the above-mentioned step S11.

[0061] Next, the frame 40 is positioned above the head 8 with the cap 50 attached (step S22), and the head 8 and the frame 40 are fixed using the second fixing member 32 (step S23). The second fixing member 32 may be provided from below the cap 50 toward the top as shown in the figure, or may be provided from above the head 8 toward the bottom. This completes the liquid ejection device 1 with the removable cap 50 attached (step S24).

[0062] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the frame 40 or the housing 40A may be positioned as the holding unit 101 located at the tip of the robot arm 100 shown in FIG. 11 and / or FIG. 12.

[0063] As described above, the liquid ejection device 1 according to the embodiment includes the head 8, a holder, the cap 50, and the second fixing member 32. The head 8 has the first surface 23a that ejects liquid. The holder holds the head 8. The cap 50 is fixed to the head 8 using the removable first fixing member 31, and covers the first surface 23a. The second fixing member 32 fixes the head 8 to the holder. This allows the first surface 23a to be protected by the cap 50 until the head 8 is used, improving the reliability of the assembly of the liquid ejection device 1.

[0064] Moreover, the first fixing member 31 and the second fixing member 32 according to the embodiment are both provided toward the same side along the thickness direction of the head 8. This improves workability and improves the reliability of the assembly of the liquid ejection device 1 by protecting the first surface 23a with the cap 50 until the head 8 is used.

[0065] Moreover, the first fixing member 31 and the second fixing member 32 according to the embodiment are provided facing opposite each other along the thickness direction of the head 8. This improves workability and improves the reliability of the assembly of the liquid ejection device 1 by protecting the first surface 23a with the cap 50 until the head 8 is used.

[0066] Moreover, the first fixing member 31 according to the embodiment is provided so as to be removable from the holding portion in the direction in which the cap 50 is positioned. This improves workability and improves the reliability of assembly of the liquid ejection device 1 by protecting the first surface 23a with the cap 50 until the head 8 is used.

[0067] Moreover, the liquid ejection device 1A according to the embodiment includes a robot arm 100 having a holder 101 at its tip. As a result, even in the liquid ejection device 1A including the robot arm 100, the first surface 23a of the head 8 can be protected by the cap 50 until the head 8 is used, thereby improving the reliability of the assembly of the liquid ejection device 1.

[0068] The head 8 according to the embodiment includes a nozzle plate 23 having a first surface 23a and a second surface 23b facing the first surface 23a, a flow path member 24 located on the second surface 23b and having a plurality of reservoir plates stacked in the thickness direction of the head 8, and a base plate 25 located on the opposite side of the flow path member 24 from the nozzle plate 23 and having a thickness greater than each of the reservoir plates. The base plate 25 has a first hole for attaching a first fixing member 31 and a second hole for attaching a second fixing member 32. This increases the durability of the head 8.

[0069] Moreover, the flow path member 24 according to the embodiment has a first through portion located at a position corresponding to the second hole and away from the second fixing member 32. This increases the durability of the head 8 and also contributes to making the head 8 more compact.

[0070] Furthermore, the cap 50 according to the embodiment has a second through portion located at a position corresponding to the second hole and away from the second fixing member 32. This can improve workability.

[0071] Further advantages and modifications may readily occur to those skilled in the art. Thus, the disclosure in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Thus, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1,1A liquid discharge device 4 Coating machine 6 Conveyor roller (an example of a conveyor section) 8 Head 10 Dryer 14 Control section 23 Nozzle plate 23a 1st page 24 Flow path components 25 Base Plate 31 First fixing member 32 Second fixing member 40 frames 50 Cap

Claims

1. a head having a first surface for ejecting liquid; a holder for holding the head; Equipped with The head is a first hole for removably fastening a cap covering the first surface; a second hole located at a position different from the first hole and for fixing to the holding part; Equipped with The head is formed long in one direction, A liquid ejection device, wherein the first hole is located further outward than the second hole in the one direction of the head.

2. The second holes are located at both ends of the head in a direction perpendicular to the one direction. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 .

3. A head having a first surface for ejecting liquid; a holder for holding the head; Equipped with The head is a first hole for removably fastening a cap covering the first surface; a second hole located at a position different from the first hole and for fixing to the holding part; Equipped with the cap and the head are fixed by a first fixing member provided in the first hole, the head and the holder are fixed by a second fixing member provided in the second hole, A liquid ejection device, wherein the first fixing member and the second fixing member are provided facing opposite each other along a thickness direction of the head.

4. A head having a first surface for ejecting liquid; a holder for holding the head; Equipped with The head is a first hole for removably fastening a cap covering the first surface; a second hole located at a position different from the first hole and for fixing to the holding part; Equipped with the cap and the head are fixed by a first fixing member provided in the first hole, the head and the holder are fixed by a second fixing member provided in the second hole, The liquid ejection device, wherein the first fixing member is provided removably in a direction in which the first surface is located from the holding portion.

5. A head having a first surface for ejecting liquid; a holder for holding the head; Equipped with The head is a first hole for removably fastening a cap covering the first surface; a second hole located at a position different from the first hole and for fixing to the holding part; Equipped with A liquid ejection device comprising a robot arm having the holding portion located at a tip thereof.

6. A head having a first surface for ejecting liquid; a holder for holding the head; Equipped with The head is a first hole for removably fastening a cap covering the first surface; A second hole is located at a position different from the first hole and is used for fixing to the holding portion. a nozzle plate having the first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a flow path member located on the second surface and having a plurality of reservoir plates stacked in a thickness direction of the head; a base plate located on the opposite side of the flow path member from the nozzle plate and having a thickness greater than that of each of the reservoir plates; Equipped with the cap and the head are fixed by a first fixing member provided in the first hole, the head and the holder are fixed by a second fixing member provided in the second hole, the base plate has the first hole and the second hole, The flow path member has a first through-portion located away from the second fixing member at a position corresponding to the second hole.

7. A head having a first surface for ejecting liquid; a holder for holding the head; Equipped with The head is a first hole for removably fastening a cap covering the first surface; A second hole is located at a position different from the first hole and is used for fixing to the holding portion. a nozzle plate having the first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a flow path member located on the second surface and having a plurality of reservoir plates stacked in a thickness direction of the head; a base plate located on the opposite side of the flow path member from the nozzle plate and having a thickness greater than that of each of the reservoir plates; Equipped with the cap and the head are fixed by a first fixing member provided in the first hole, the head and the holder are fixed by a second fixing member provided in the second hole, the base plate has the first hole and the second hole, The cap has a second through-portion located away from the second fixing member at a position corresponding to the second hole.

8. a step of fixing a head having a first surface for ejecting liquid and a cap for covering the first surface to a holder; removing a cap from the head fixed to the holding portion; Including, The cap is fixed to the head using a removable first fixing member, the head is fixed to the holding portion using a second fixing member, A method for assembling a liquid ejection device, wherein the first fixing member and the second fixing member are provided facing opposite each other along a thickness direction of the head.

9. removing the first fixing member in a direction away from the cap from the first surface. A method for assembling the liquid ejection device according to claim 8.

10. A step of fixing a head having a first surface for ejecting liquid and a cap for covering the first surface to a holding part; removing a cap from the head fixed to the holding portion; Including, A method for assembling a liquid ejection device, wherein the liquid ejection device is a device equipped with a robot arm, and the holding portion is located at the tip of the robot arm.

11. positioning the robot arm so that the holding portion faces downward; a step of fixing the head located below the holding part to the holding part using a second fixing member extending upward from the head side; The method for assembling a liquid ejection device according to claim 10, comprising:

12. positioning the robot arm so that the holding portion faces upward; a step of fixing the head located above the holding part to the holding part using a second fixing member extending downward from the head side; The method for assembling a liquid ejection device according to claim 10, comprising:

Images