Liquid ejection head and liquid ejection recording apparatus

Abstract

To reduce an area required for installment of a liquid jet head positioned by a position adjustment mechanism.SOLUTION: An inkjet head 5 includes a head body 5A for jetting ink, a base member 30 which supports the head body 5A and is installed in an installation surface 29a of a carriage 29, and a position adjustment mechanism 60 for adjusting a position in a direction along the installation surface 29a of the base member 30 relative to a positioning pin 40 provided on the installation surface 29a, wherein the position adjustment mechanism 60 is supported by the base member 30, and at least a part of the position adjustment mechanism 60 is arranged inside a contour of the base member 30 in plan view when the installation surface 29a is viewed from a vertical direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid ejection head and a liquid ejection recording apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a recording head position adjustment structure for adjusting the position of a recording head with respect to a recording head mounting portion of a printer main body. This recording head position adjustment structure is provided on the recording head mounting portion in a state inclined with respect to the mounting surface of the recording head mounting portion, and includes an inclined surface inclined with respect to the surface provided on the recording head, and a frame in contact with the surface of the recording head and the inclined surface.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above positioning structure, since the position adjustment mechanism is arranged on the side of the liquid ejection head, the area (substantive footprint) required for installing the liquid ejection head becomes large, and it has been difficult to install the liquid ejection head at a high density with respect to the object to be installed. For this reason, a wide installation surface for the liquid ejection head must be secured, and in particular, there has been a problem of an increase in the size of the object to be installed in the printing width direction.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to reduce the area required for installing a liquid ejection head positioned by a position adjustment mechanism.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) A liquid ejection head according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an ejection unit that ejects a liquid, a base member that supports the ejection unit and is installed on an installation surface of an object to be installed, and a position adjustment mechanism that adjusts the position of the base member in a direction along the installation surface with respect to a convex portion provided on the installation surface. The position adjustment mechanism is supported by the base member, and at least a part of the position adjustment mechanism is disposed inside the outer shape of the base member in a plan view when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the installation surface.

[0007] According to the liquid ejection head according to this aspect, a position adjustment mechanism for positioning the liquid ejection head with respect to a convex portion provided on the installation surface of the object to be installed is supported by the base member together with the ejection unit, and at least a part of the position adjustment mechanism is disposed inside the outer shape of the base member in a plan view when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the installation surface. Therefore, the position adjustment mechanism can be arranged so as to be within the footprint of the liquid ejection head, and the area required for installing the liquid ejection head can be reduced. As a result, the length of the liquid ejection head in the printing width direction can be suppressed, and the length of the object to be installed in the printing width direction required when a plurality of liquid ejection heads are installed can be shortened.

[0008] (2) In the liquid ejection head according to the aspect of (1), the base member may have a through portion inside the outer shape of the base member, in which the convex portion is disposed.

[0009] In this case, by providing a through portion in the base member, the convex portion can be disposed within the footprint of the liquid ejection head, and the area required for installing the liquid ejection head can be made smaller.

[0010] (3) In the liquid ejection head according to the aspect of (1) or (2), the position adjustment mechanism may include a preloading mechanism that applies a preload in a direction along the installation surface with respect to the convex portion, a contact member that contacts the convex portion from a side opposite to the side on which the preloading mechanism is disposed in a direction in which the preloading mechanism applies the preload, and a displacement mechanism that displaces the contact member in a direction in which the preloading mechanism applies the preload.

[0011] In this case, by applying pre-pressure to the convex portion by the pre-pressure mechanism and displacing the contact member that contacts the convex portion in the direction of the pre-pressure, the base member can be moved following the displacement of the contact member. With this pre-pressure mechanism, it is not necessary to provide the contact member and the displacement mechanism on both sides sandwiching the convex portion, so that the structure of the position adjustment mechanism can be simplified, lightened, and space can be saved.

[0012] (4) In the liquid ejection head according to any one of aspects (1) to (3), the position adjustment mechanism may be detachably attached to the base member.

[0013] In this case, after the positioning and installation of the liquid ejection head are completed, the position adjustment mechanism can be removed from the base member and reused for positioning other liquid ejection heads, which can contribute to cost reduction.

[0014] (5) In the liquid ejection head according to any one of aspects (1) to (4), the position adjustment mechanism may include a first position adjustment mechanism that adjusts the position in a first direction along the installation surface of the base member, and a pair of second position adjustment mechanisms that are arranged at intervals in the first direction with respect to the base member and respectively adjust the positions in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction along the installation surface of the base member.

[0015] In this case, the positions in the first direction and the second direction along the installation surface of the base member can be adjusted by the first position adjustment mechanism and the second position adjustment mechanism. Further, by making the adjustment amounts of the positions in the second direction of the pair of second position adjustment mechanisms different, the rotation angle of the base member can be adjusted.

[0016] In the liquid ejection head according to the aspect (6)(5), the convex portion includes a first convex portion and a second convex portion arranged with the ejection portion therebetween in the first direction. One of the pair of second position adjustment mechanisms may adjust the position of the base member in the second direction with respect to one of the first convex portion and the second convex portion, and the other of the pair of second position adjustment mechanisms may adjust the position of the base member in the second direction with respect to the other of the first convex portion and the second convex portion.

[0017] In this case, without providing three convex portions corresponding to each of the three position adjustment mechanisms of the first position adjustment mechanism and the pair of second position adjustment mechanisms, the liquid ejection head can be positioned by two convex portions. Therefore, the number of convex portions arranged within the footprint of the liquid ejection head can be reduced, and the area required for installing the liquid ejection head can be made smaller.

[0018] In the liquid ejection head according to the aspect (7)(6), the first position adjustment mechanism may include a preloading mechanism that applies a preload in the first direction to one of the first convex portion and the second convex portion, a contact member that contacts the other of the first convex portion and the second convex portion from the side opposite to the side where the preloading mechanism is arranged in the first direction, and a displacement mechanism that displaces the contact member in the first direction.

[0019] In this case, by arranging the preloading mechanism on the side opposite to the side sandwiching the ejection portion with respect to the contact member and the displacement mechanism, the length of the base member in the printing width direction can be suppressed more than when all of the preloading mechanism, the contact member, and the displacement mechanism are arranged on one side of the ejection portion. Thereby, the degree of freedom of the installation space of the liquid ejection head can be ensured.

[0020] In the liquid ejection head according to the aspect (8)(3) or (7), a pressing portion protruding toward the side where the preloading mechanism receives a reaction force from the convex portion may be provided on the outer shape of the base member in the direction in which the preloading mechanism applies a preload.

[0021] In this case, if the accuracy of the pressing portion is high, the pressing portion can be pressed against the object to be installed by the reaction force received by the preloading mechanism from the convex portion, and the liquid ejection head can be easily positioned. Further, when there is a lack of accuracy in the pressing portion, the liquid ejection head can be positioned by displacing the contact member to the side opposite to the pressing direction of the pressing portion to adjust the position of the liquid ejection head.

[0022] (9) A liquid ejection recording apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes the liquid ejection head according to any one of aspects (1) to (8), and a carriage on which the liquid ejection head is installed as the object to be installed.

[0023] According to the liquid ejection recording apparatus according to this aspect, a liquid ejection recording apparatus that can reduce the area required for installing the liquid ejection head and can perform printing in a compact and highly accurate manner can be obtained.

[0024] (10) In the liquid ejection recording apparatus according to aspect (9), the convex portion may be detachably attached to the carriage.

[0025] In this case, after the positioning and installation of the liquid ejection head are completed, the convex portion can be removed from the carriage and used for positioning another liquid ejection head, so that the convex portion can be reused, contributing to cost reduction. Further, the base member can be fixed to the carriage using the portion where the convex portion has been removed.

[0026] (11) A liquid ejection recording apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a liquid ejection head and a carriage on which the liquid ejection head is installed. The liquid ejection head includes an ejection portion that ejects liquid, a base member that supports the ejection portion and is installed on the installation surface of the carriage, and a convex portion that protrudes from the base member toward the carriage. The carriage includes a position adjustment mechanism that adjusts the position of the convex portion in a direction along the installation surface of the base member. At least a part of the position adjustment mechanism is disposed inside the outer shape of the base member in a plan view when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the installation surface.

[0027] According to the liquid jet recording apparatus according to this aspect, a convex portion is provided on the liquid jet head, a position adjustment mechanism is provided on the carriage, and at least a part of the position adjustment mechanism is arranged inside the outer shape of the base member of the liquid jet head in a plan view when viewed from the vertical direction of the installation surface. Therefore, the position adjustment mechanism can be arranged so as to be within the footprint of the liquid jet head, and the area required for installing the liquid jet head can be reduced. As a result, the length of the liquid jet head in the printing width direction can be suppressed, and the length of the installation object in the printing width direction required when installing a plurality of liquid jet heads can be shortened.

Effect of the Invention

[0028] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the area required for installing the liquid jet head positioned by the position adjustment mechanism can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0031] In the embodiments and modified examples described below, corresponding configurations may be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof may be omitted. Further, in the following description, expressions indicating relative or absolute arrangements such as "parallel", "orthogonal", "center", "coaxial", etc. not only strictly represent such arrangements, but also represent states in which they are relatively displaced with tolerances and angles and distances that provide the same function.

[0032] In the following embodiments, an inkjet printer (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer) that performs recording on a recording medium using ink (liquid) will be described as an example. In the drawings used in the following description, the scales of the respective members are appropriately changed in order to make the respective members recognizable in size.

[0033] [Printer 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 (liquid jet recording apparatus) of the present embodiment includes a pair of transport mechanisms 2 and 3, an ink tank 4, an inkjet head 5 (liquid jet head), an ink circulation mechanism 6, and a scanning mechanism 7.

[0034] In the following description, the orthogonal coordinate system of X, Y, and Z will be used for explanation as necessary. The X direction is the conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) of the recording medium P (for example, paper or the like). The Y direction is the scanning direction (main scanning direction) of the scanning mechanism 7. The Z direction is the height direction (gravity direction) orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction. Note that the X direction is the printing width direction of the inkjet head 5.

[0035] Also, in the following description, among the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction, the side of the arrow in the figure is defined as the plus (+) side, and the side opposite to the arrow is defined as the minus (-) side for explanation. In the present embodiment, the +Z side corresponds to the upper side in the gravity direction, and the -Z side corresponds to the lower side in the gravity direction.

[0036] The conveyance mechanisms 2 and 3 convey the recording medium P to the +X side. The conveyance mechanisms 2 and 3 each include, for example, a pair of rollers 11 and 12 extending in the Y direction. A plurality of ink tanks 4 are provided, and for example, four colors of ink, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, are separately accommodated therein.

[0037] A plurality of inkjet heads 5 are provided and are configured to be able to eject four colors of ink, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively, according to the connected ink tanks 4.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the inkjet head 5 and the ink circulation mechanism 6 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ink circulation mechanism 6 circulates ink between the ink tank 4 and the inkjet head 5. Specifically, the ink circulation mechanism 6 includes a circulation flow path 23 having an ink supply pipe 21 and an ink discharge pipe 22, a pressure pump 24 connected to the ink supply pipe 21, and a suction pump 25 connected to the ink discharge pipe 22.

[0039] The pressure pump 24 pressurizes the inside of the ink supply pipe 21 and sends the ink out to the inkjet head 5 through the ink supply pipe 21. As a result, the ink supply pipe 21 side becomes a positive pressure with respect to the inkjet head 5.

[0040] The suction pump 25 reduces the pressure inside the ink discharge pipe 22 and sucks ink from the inkjet head 5 through the ink discharge pipe 22. As a result, the side of the ink discharge pipe 22 becomes negative pressure with respect to the inkjet head 5. The ink circulates between the inkjet head 5 and the ink tank 4 through the circulation channel 23 by driving the pressure pump 24 and the suction pump 25.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, the scanning mechanism 7 reciprocates the inkjet head 5 in the Y direction. The scanning mechanism 7 includes a guide rail 28 extending in the Y direction, a carriage 29 (object to be installed) movably supported by the guide rail 28, and a driving device for moving the carriage 29. The driving device is composed of, for example, a motor, a pulley, a belt, etc.

[0042] <Inkjet head 5> The inkjet head 5 is mounted on the carriage 29. The inkjet head 5 of the present embodiment is an electromechanical inkjet head that discharges ink from a head chip including an actuator plate formed of a piezoelectric element such as PZT (lead zirconate titanate).

[0043] In this inkjet head 5, to discharge ink, a voltage is applied between the electrodes of the drive wall of the discharge channel formed in the actuator plate to cause the drive wall to undergo thickness-shear deformation. As a result, the volume inside the discharge channel changes, and the ink inside the discharge channel is discharged through the nozzle hole. Note that the liquid discharge method is not limited to the above electromechanical conversion method, and may be a charge control method, a pressure vibration method, an electrothermal conversion method, an electrostatic attraction method, etc.

[0044] The charge control method is to apply charges to the material with a charging electrode, control the flying direction of the material with a deflection electrode, and discharge it from the nozzle. Also, the pressure vibration method is to apply ultra-high pressure to the material to discharge the material to the tip side of the nozzle. When no control voltage is applied, the material moves straight and is discharged from the nozzle. When a control voltage is applied, electrostatic repulsion occurs between the materials, and the materials scatter and are not discharged from the nozzle.

[0045] Also, the electrothermal conversion method is to rapidly vaporize the material by a heater provided in the space storing the material to generate bubbles, and discharge the material in the space by the pressure of the bubbles. The electrostatic attraction method is to apply a minute pressure in the space storing the material, form a meniscus of the material at the nozzle, and then apply an electrostatic attraction force to draw out the material. In addition, other techniques such as a method using the change in the viscosity of a fluid by an electric field and a method of ejecting by a discharge spark can also be applied.

[0046] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the inkjet head 5 installed on the carriage 29 according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of inkjet heads 5 are installed on the installation surface 29a of the carriage 29. The inkjet head 5 has a substantially rectangular shape extending in the X direction in plan view. On one side (+X side) in the X direction, an inlet port 5a to which the above-described ink supply pipe 21 is connected is provided, and on the other side (-X side) in the X direction, an outlet port 5b to which the above-described ink discharge pipe 22 is connected is provided.

[0047] The inkjet head 5 is installed on the installation surface 29a of the carriage 29 in a direction where the long side extends in the X direction and the short side extends in the Y direction. The inkjet heads 5 are installed on the installation surface 29a at a predetermined pitch in the X direction. On the upper surface of each inkjet head 5, a connection connector (not shown) is provided and is electrically connected to the printer 1 via a cable (not shown).

[0048] The carriage 29 is formed with an insertion hole 29b into which the lower end of the inkjet head 5 is inserted. The insertion hole 29b is a rectangular long hole extending in the X direction in a plan view, and penetrates the installation surface 29a of the carriage 29 in the thickness direction (Z direction). The insertion hole 29b is formed to be slightly larger than the lower end of the inkjet head 5, ensuring a clearance for the position adjustment of the inkjet head 5. Each of the inkjet heads 5 is adjusted in the position in the X direction, the position in the Y direction, and the rotation angle on the X - Y plane by a positioning structure 100 described below, and is fixed to the carriage 29.

[0049] <Positioning structure 100> FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a positioning structure 100 of the inkjet head 5 according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a positioning structure 100 of the inkjet head 5 according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a positioning structure 100 of the inkjet head 5 according to an embodiment. As shown in these figures, the inkjet head 5 includes a head body 5A (injection part) for injecting ink, and a base member 30 that supports the head body 5A and is installed on the installation surface 29a of the carriage 29.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 5, the head body 5A has a rectangular box shape and is provided with a nozzle row (not shown) for injecting ink on its lower surface. The base member 30 is connected to the lower end of the head body 5A. The base member 30 includes a plate part 31 placed on the installation surface 29a of the carriage 29 and a base part 32 surrounding the lower end of the head body 5A.

[0051] The base portion 32 has a rectangular box shape with an open top. A long hole (not shown) for exposing the nozzle row of the head body 5A is formed in the bottom surface of the base portion 32. The plate portion 31 has a plate shape extending from the upper opening edge of the base portion 32 to both sides in the X direction. The plate portion 31 is fixed by a screw member 101 attached to the installation surface 29a of the carriage 29 via a spring washer 101a. A fixing hole 29d for screwing the screw member 101 is provided in the installation surface 29a of the carriage 29.

[0052] In the plate portion 31 of the base member 30, a first through-hole 33 for arranging the positioning pin 40 (protrusion) and a second through-hole 34 for arranging the screw member 101 are formed. The first through-hole 33 has an elongated hole shape extending in the X direction and is formed to be slightly larger than the positioning pin 40. Further, the second through-hole 34 has an elongated hole shape extending in the X direction and is formed to be slightly larger than the shaft portion of the screw member 101.

[0053] Due to these gaps, the base member 30 can adjust the fixed position in the direction along the installation surface 29a of the carriage 29 (X - Y plane direction). Also, a plurality of fixing holes 35 for fixing a position adjustment unit 50 (to be described later) are formed between the first through-hole 33 and the second through-hole 34 in the plate portion 31. An internal thread for screwing a screw member 102 for fixing the position adjustment unit 50 is formed on the inner wall surface of the fixing hole 35.

[0054] The positioning structure 100 includes a positioning pin 40 provided on the carriage 29 and a position adjustment unit 50 provided on the inkjet head 5 for adjusting the position of the positioning pin 40 in the direction along the installation surface 29a of the carriage 29 of the base member 30. The positioning structure 100 includes, as the positioning pins 40, a first positioning pin 40A and a second positioning pin 40B arranged with the head body 5A interposed therebetween in the X direction.

[0055] The first positioning pin 40A is disposed on the +X side of the head body 5A. The second positioning pin 40B is disposed on the -X side of the head body 5A. Further, the positioning structure 100 includes, as a position adjustment unit 50, a first position adjustment unit 50A that adjusts the position of the base member 30 with respect to the first positioning pin 40A, and a second position adjustment unit 50B that adjusts the position of the base member 30 with respect to the second positioning pin 40B.

[0056] <Position adjustment unit 50> FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first position adjustment unit 50A according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second position adjustment unit 50B according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 7, the first position adjustment unit 50A includes a frame member 51 and two position adjustment mechanisms 60 in the X direction and the Y direction supported by the frame member 51. In the following description, first, based on the position adjustment mechanism 60 in the Y direction (hereinafter referred to as the second position adjustment mechanism 60B), the basic structure of the position adjustment mechanism 60 will be described.

[0057] The second position adjustment mechanism 60B adjusts the position in the Y direction along the installation surface 29a of the base member 30 with respect to the positioning pin 40 provided on the installation surface 29a of the carriage 29 described above. The second position adjustment mechanism 60B includes a preloading mechanism 70 that applies a preload in the Y direction along the installation surface 29a with respect to the positioning pin 40, a contact member 80 that contacts the positioning pin 40 from the side opposite to the side (-Y side) where the preloading mechanism 70 is disposed in the Y direction in which the preloading mechanism 70 applies the preload (+Y side), and a displacement mechanism 90 that displaces the contact member 80 in the Y direction in which the preloading mechanism 70 applies the preload.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 9, the preloading mechanism 70 includes two leaf springs 71 and 72. The leaf spring 71 is bent in a crank shape, and its tip abuts against the -Y side of the positioning pin 40. The leaf spring 72 is bent in an L shape and overlaps the back side of the leaf spring 71 to adjust the biasing force of the preloading mechanism 70. Note that multiple leaf springs 72 may be stacked on the leaf spring 71. Also, if the biasing force of the leaf spring 71 is sufficient, the leaf spring 72 may not be provided.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 7, the leaf springs 71 and 72 are fixed to the bottom 52 of the frame member 51 by screw members 103. In the vicinity of the screw member 103, a plurality of third through-holes 52a penetrating the leaf springs 71 and 72 and the bottom 52 of the frame member 51 in the Z direction are formed. As shown in Fig. 9, a screw member 102 for fixing the second position adjustment unit 50B is disposed in the third through-hole 52a. The screw member 102 is screwed into a fixing hole 35 formed in the plate portion 31 of the base member 30. That is, the second position adjustment unit 50B (two position adjustment mechanisms 60) is detachably attached to the base member 30 by the screw member 102.

[0060] The displacement mechanism 90 displaces a contact member 80 that abuts against the +Y side of the positioning pin 40 along a displacement axis O2 extending in an oblique direction intersecting the vertical direction (Z direction) of the installation surface 29a. The frame member 51 includes an attachment portion 53 to which the displacement mechanism 90 is attached. The attachment portion 53 bends at a right angle with respect to the bottom 52 and further bends from a substantially middle position in the height direction (Z direction) toward the bottom 52 side (the positioning pin 40 side) at the same angle as the displacement axis O2. An opening 54 is formed in the attachment portion 53 to avoid interference with the lower end portion of the guide portion 91 of the displacement mechanism 90. The back side of the guide portion 91 is fixed to the attachment portion 53 via a screw member 104.

[0061] The guide portion 91 is an orbital member that extends obliquely along the displacement axis O2 and guides the contact member 80. The guide portion 91 has an inclined surface that contacts the back side (+Y side) of the contact member 80. The contact member 80 has a clamping portion 82 that clamps the guide portion 91 in the direction (X direction) orthogonal to the displacement axis O2. That is, the contact member 80 can be displaced obliquely along the guide portion 91 while sliding on the inclined surface and both side surfaces of the guide portion 91.

[0062] The displacement mechanism 90 includes the above-described guide portion 91, a bolt 92, a compression spring 93, a first support portion 94, and a second support portion 95. The contact member 80 is screwed onto the bolt 92 so as to be threadably advanced. The bolt 92 extends along the displacement axis O2 and threadably advances the contact member 80 by rotation around the displacement axis O2. The first support portion 94 is provided at the upper end portion (one end portion) of the guide portion 91 and supports the head of the bolt 92. A first insertion hole 94a through which the shaft portion of the bolt 92 is inserted is formed in the first support portion 94. The first insertion hole 94a pivotally supports a portion (neck portion) of the shaft portion of the bolt 92 where no thread is formed.

[0063] The compression spring 93 is, for example, a coil spring disposed around the bolt 92 and is interposed between the first support portion 94 and the contact member 80. The compression spring 93 expands and contracts so as to fill the gap between the contact member 80 and the first support portion 94 that varies due to the thread feed of the bolt 92. The second support portion 95 is provided at the lower end portion (the other end portion) of the guide portion 91. A second insertion hole 95a through which the shaft portion of the bolt 92 is inserted is formed in the second support portion 95. The second insertion hole 95a pivotally supports the tip portion of the shaft portion of the bolt 92 where no thread is formed. The above-described guide portion 91, first support portion 94, and second support portion 95 are integrally formed and have a substantially C-shaped overall.

[0064] The positioning pin 40 stands upright perpendicular to the installation surface 29a of the carriage 29. The positioning pin 40 includes a contact portion 41, a chamfered portion 42 (see FIG. 7), and a threaded portion 43 (see FIG. 9). The threaded portion 43 is provided at the lower end of the positioning pin 40 and is screwed into a fixing hole 29c formed in the installation surface 29a of the carriage 29. As shown in FIG. 7, the chamfered portion 42 chamfers at least two parallel portions of the peripheral surface of the positioning pin 40, enabling the positioning pin 40 to be turned by screwing. That is, the positioning pin 40 is detachably attached to the carriage 29. Note that the chamfered portion 42 may be chamfered on four sides or six sides.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 7, the positioning pin 40 has a curved contact portion 41 that contacts the contact member 80. Further, the contact member 80 has a curved contact portion 81 that contacts the positioning pin 40. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 10, the relationship between the curved surface shapes of the contact portions 41 and 81 of the positioning pin 40 and the contact member 80 will be described.

[0066] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the curved surface shapes of the contact portions 41 and 81 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the contact portion 41 of the positioning pin 40 is formed in a curved surface shape with the first intersection axis O1 intersecting the installation surface 29a as the central axis. The first intersection axis O1 of the present embodiment intersects the installation surface 29a perpendicularly (at a right angle), but it may intersect the installation surface 29a obliquely.

[0067] The contact portion 41 of the present embodiment includes a first cylindrical surface with the first intersection axis O1 as the central axis. Note that the "first cylindrical surface" refers to a surface formed with a constant radius with respect to the first intersection axis O1. Also, "including the first cylindrical surface" means that at least the portion contacting the contact member 80 may be the first cylindrical surface, and there may be a flat surface (for example, the chamfered portion 42 shown in FIG. 7) or the like outside the contacting portion.

[0068] On the other hand, the contact portion 81 of the contact member 80 is formed in a curved surface shape centered on a second intersection axis O3 that is not parallel to the first intersection axis O1. The second intersection axis O3 intersects a virtual plane 110 that includes a vertical axis O4 (which may be the first intersection axis O1 in this embodiment) extending in the vertical direction of the installation surface 29a and the displacement axis O2 of the contact member 80. The second intersection axis O3 of this embodiment extends parallel to the installation surface 29a and intersects the virtual plane 110 perpendicularly (at a right angle), but it may intersect the virtual plane 110 obliquely.

[0069] The contact portion 81 of this embodiment includes a second cylindrical surface centered on the second intersection axis O3. Note that the "second cylindrical surface" refers to a surface formed with a constant radius with respect to the second intersection axis O3. Also, "including the second cylindrical surface" means that at least the portion that contacts the positioning pin 40 may be the second cylindrical surface, and there may be planes (for example, the upper and lower parallel planes and the left and right inclined surfaces of the contact portion 81 shown in FIG. 7) or the like outside the contacting portion.

[0070] Incidentally, if the positioning pin 40 is a block-shaped convex portion and the contact portion 81 of the contact member 80 is an inclined surface, and the inclined surface is brought into contact with the corner portion of the convex portion, the corner portion and the inclined surface are in line contact. However, since there are minute irregularities due to machining accuracy and the like at the corner portion and the inclined surface, the corner portion and the inclined surface are actually in multi-point contact strictly speaking. This multi-point contact state is likely to accumulate errors at each individual contact point, so it may be difficult to accurately position the inkjet head 5 with respect to the carriage 29. On the other hand, according to the above configuration, since the central axes (the first intersection axis O1 and the second intersection axis O3) of the curved surface shapes of the contact portions 41 and 81 are in a twisted positional relationship, the positioning pin 40 and the contact member 80 come into contact at a single point. By the positioning pin 40 and the contact member 80 coming into contact at a single point, errors due to multi-point contact between the positioning pin 40 and the contact member 80 can be avoided, and the inkjet head 5 can be accurately positioned with respect to the carriage 29. Further, since the displacement axis O2 extends in an oblique direction intersecting the installation surface 29a, the displacement amount of the contact member 80 along the installation surface 29a per rotation of the bolt 92 is reduced, and the contact member 80 can be micro-displaced with high precision.

[0071] The above is the basic structure of the position adjustment mechanism 60. The second position adjustment unit 50B shown in FIG. 8 is also provided with the same configuration as the Y-direction position adjustment mechanism 60 (the second position adjustment mechanism 60B) of the first position adjustment unit 50A. The X-direction position adjustment mechanism (the first position adjustment mechanism 60A) is provided with its configuration divided between the first position adjustment unit 50A and the second position adjustment unit 50B. Although details will be described later, the first position adjustment unit 50A shown in FIG. 7 is provided with the contact member 80 and the displacement mechanism 90 of the first position adjustment mechanism 60A, and the second position adjustment unit 50B shown in FIG. 8 is provided with the preloading mechanism 70 of the first position adjustment mechanism 60A. The preloading mechanism 70 of the first position adjustment mechanism 60A is composed of a single leaf spring 70A and is fixed to the side wall portion 56 erected on the -X side of the frame member 51 via a screw member 105.

[0072] <Arrangement of the positioning structure 100> As shown in FIG. 6, the positioning structure 100 includes a first position adjustment mechanism 60A that adjusts the position in the X direction (the first direction) along the installation surface 29a of the base member 30, and is arranged at an interval in the X direction with respect to the base member 30, and a pair of second position adjustment mechanisms 60B that respectively adjust the positions in the Y direction (the second direction) orthogonal to the X direction along the installation surface 29a of the base member 30.

[0073] Further, the positioning structure 100 includes a first positioning pin 40A (first convex portion) and a second positioning pin 40B (second convex portion) arranged with the head body 5A interposed therebetween in the X direction. One of the pair of second position adjustment mechanisms 60B (the second position adjustment mechanism 60B on the first position adjustment unit 50A side) adjusts the position of the base member 30 in the Y direction with respect to the first positioning pin 40A. The other of the pair of second position adjustment mechanisms 60B (the second position adjustment mechanism 60B on the second position adjustment unit 50B side) adjusts the position of the base member 30 in the Y direction with respect to the second positioning pin 40B.

[0074] The preloading mechanism 70 (leaf spring 70A) of the first position adjustment mechanism 60A is provided on the second position adjustment unit 50B side and applies a preload to the second positioning pin 40B in the X direction. The contact member 80 and the displacement mechanism 90 of the first position adjustment mechanism 60A are provided on the first position adjustment unit 50A side. The contact member 80 contacts the first positioning pin 40A from the side opposite to the side (-X side) where the preloading mechanism 70 (leaf spring 70A) is arranged in the X direction and displaces in the X direction.

[0075] Each position adjustment mechanism 60 is supported by the base member 30, and at least a part of the position adjustment mechanism 60 is arranged inside the outer shape of the base member 30 in a plan view when viewed from the vertical direction (Z direction) of the installation surface 29a. The "inside the outer shape of the base member 30" refers to the inside of the outer contour of the plate portion 31 that forms the outermost shape of the base member 30 in a plan view when viewed from the vertical direction (Z direction) of the installation surface 29a.

[0076] Also, each positioning pin 40 is arranged inside the outer shape of the base member 30. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, a first through portion 33 for arranging the positioning pin 40 is formed inside the outer shape of the base member 30 in the plate portion 31 of the base member 30. That is, the positioning pin 40 is arranged to penetrate the base member 30, and since the base member 30 supports the position adjustment mechanism 60, most of the positioning structure 100 is arranged overlappingly within the footprint of the inkjet head 5.

[0077] On the plate portion 31 of the base member 30, in the direction in which the preloading mechanism 70 applies preloading, there are provided pressing portions 36, 37 (tenons) that protrude on the side where the preloading mechanism 70 receives a reaction force from the positioning pin 40. The pressing portion 36 protrudes on the side (-Y side) where the preloading mechanism 70 receives a reaction force from the positioning pin 40 in the Y direction in which the preloading mechanism 70 of the second position adjusting mechanism 60B applies preloading. Further, the pressing portion 37 protrudes on the side (-X side) where the preloading mechanism 70 receives a reaction force from the positioning pin 40 in the X direction in which the preloading mechanism 70 of the first position adjusting mechanism 60A applies preloading.

[0078] On the other hand, the carriage 29 is provided with receiving portions 36A, 37A against which the pressing portions 36, 37 are pressed. The receiving portions 36A, 37A roughly position the inkjet head 5 with respect to the carriage 29 when the pressing portions 36, 37 are pressed. Although the positioning of the inkjet head 5 may be completed when the pressing portions 36, 37 are pressed against the receiving portions 36A, 37A, since the pressing portions 36, 37 and the receiving portions 36A, 37A need to be processed with high precision and it is costly, in most cases, fine adjustment of the inkjet head 5 is required. For this reason, it is necessary to adjust the position in the direction along the installation surface 29a of the inkjet head 5 using the positioning structure 100 described above.

[0079] <Method for Positioning the Inkjet Head 5> For example, when the inkjet head 5 shown in FIG. 6 is translated parallel to the +X side with respect to the carriage 29, the bolt 92 of the displacement mechanism 90 of the first position adjusting mechanism 60A is rotated, and the contact member 80 is displaced to the -X side with respect to the displacement mechanism 90. Then, the base member 30 to which the displacement mechanism 90 is fixed receives a reaction force from the first positioning pin 40A and translates parallel to the +X side along the installation surface 29a of the carriage 29 against the biasing force of the preloading mechanism 70. Thus, the inkjet head 5 can be translated parallel to the +X side with respect to the carriage 29.

[0080] When the inkjet head 5 is translated parallel to the -X side with respect to the carriage 29, the bolt 92 of the displacement mechanism 90 of the first position adjustment mechanism 60A is turned, and the contact member 80 is displaced to the +X side with respect to the displacement mechanism 90. Then, the base member 30 to which the displacement mechanism 90 is fixed receives a reaction force from the second positioning pin 40B due to the biasing force of the preloading mechanism 70 and is translated parallel to the -X side along the installation surface 29a of the carriage 29. Thus, the inkjet head 5 can be translated parallel to the -X side with respect to the carriage 29.

[0081] When the inkjet head 5 is translated parallel to the +Y side with respect to the carriage 29, the bolts 92 of the displacement mechanisms 90 of the pair of second position adjustment mechanisms 60B are turned, and the contact member 80 is displaced to the -Y side with respect to the displacement mechanism 90. Then, the base member 30 to which the displacement mechanism 90 is fixed receives a reaction force from each of the positioning pins 40 and is translated parallel to the +Y side along the installation surface 29a of the carriage 29 against the biasing force of the preloading mechanism 70. Thus, the inkjet head 5 can be translated parallel to the +Y side with respect to the carriage 29.

[0082] When the inkjet head 5 is translated parallel to the -Y side with respect to the carriage 29, the bolts 92 of the displacement mechanisms 90 of the pair of second position adjustment mechanisms 60B are turned, and the contact member 80 is displaced to the +Y side with respect to the displacement mechanism 90. Then, the base member 30 to which the displacement mechanism 90 is fixed receives a reaction force from the respective positioning pins 40 due to the biasing force of the preloading mechanism 70 and is translated parallel to the -Y side along the installation surface 29a of the carriage 29. Thus, the inkjet head 5 can be translated parallel to the -Y side with respect to the carriage 29.

[0083] When the inkjet head 5 is rotated with respect to the carriage 29 in the X-Y plane, the bolts 92 of the displacement mechanisms 90 of the pair of second position adjustment mechanisms 60B are turned to make the displacement amounts (adjustment amounts) in the Y direction of the respective contact members 80 different. Then, the base member 30 to which the displacement mechanism 90 is fixed receives different reaction forces from the respective positioning pins 40 and rotates along the installation surface 29a of the carriage 29. Thus, the inkjet head 5 can be rotated with respect to the carriage 29 in the X-Y plane.

[0084] As a procedure for positioning the inkjet head 5 with respect to the carriage 29, first, the spring washer 101a interposed between the screw member 101 and the base member 30 is tightened to some extent by the screw member 101, and the inkjet head 5 is temporarily fixed to the carriage 29 by the biasing force of the spring washer 101a (temporary fixing step). Next, the rotation angle of the inkjet head 5 is adjusted using the pair of second position adjustment mechanisms 60B, and then the inkjet head 5 is translated in the X direction and the Y direction using the first position adjustment mechanism 60A and the pair of second position adjustment mechanisms 60B. When the positioning of the inkjet head 5 with respect to the carriage 29 is completed, the two screw members 101 on both sides in the X direction of the inkjet head 5 are fully tightened to fix the base member 30 to the carriage 29. Thus, the installation of the inkjet head 5 with respect to the carriage 29 is completed. Note that the positioning of the inkjet head 5 in the Y direction can be adjusted at the ink ejection timing. Therefore, if the positioning of the inkjet head 5 in the Y direction is not required, the positioning is completed in two steps: the rotation of the inkjet head 5 and the translation of the inkjet head 5 in the X direction. If the positioning of the inkjet head 5 in the Y direction is required, the positioning is completed in three steps: the rotation of the inkjet head 5, the translation of the inkjet head 5 in the Y direction, and the translation of the inkjet head 5 in the X direction.

[0085] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the steps after the positioning of the inkjet head 5 according to an embodiment. Once the positioning of the carriage 29 of the inkjet head 5 is completed, as shown in FIG. 11, the positioning structure 100 may be removed. Specifically, the screw member 102 shown in FIG. 9 is removed, and the position adjustment unit 50 is removed from the base member 30. Next, the positioning pin 40 provided with the chamfered portion 42 is screwed with a tool such as a driver bit to remove the positioning pin 40 from the carriage 29. Finally, another screw member 101 is screwed into the fixing hole 29c where the positioning pin 40 was fixed, and the base member 30 is fixed to the carriage 29. The positioning structure 100 removed here can be diverted for positioning other inkjet heads 5.

[0086] The above-described positioning structure 100 can also adopt the following modification examples. In the following description, the same or equivalent components as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is simplified or omitted.

[0087] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification example of the positioning structure 100 according to an embodiment. The positioning structure 100 shown in FIG. 12 is different from the above-described positioning structure 100 in that the positioning pin 40 is provided on the base member 30 side of the inkjet head 5, and the position adjustment mechanism 60 (position adjustment unit 50) is provided on the carriage 29 side.

[0088] The base member 30 shown in FIG. 12 is fixed by a screw member 101 attached via a spring washer 101a to the installation surface 29e facing downward of the carriage 29. The carriage 29 is provided with a fourth through portion 29g through which the positioning pin 40 provided on the base member 30 is disposed in the Z direction, and a groove portion 29h that communicates with the -Z side of the fourth through portion 29g and avoids interference with the flange portion 44 of the positioning pin 40 and the screw member 106.

[0089] The positioning pin 40 has a flange portion 44 at its lower end, and this flange portion 44 is fixed to the upper surface of the base member 30 via a screw member 106. A fixing hole 38 into which the screw member 106 is screwed is formed in the base member 30. A fixing hole 29f for fixing the position adjustment unit 50 is formed in the installation surface 29a (upper surface) of the carriage 29. The position adjustment unit 50 is detachably attached to the installation surface 29a of the carriage 29 by a screw member 102 that is screwed into the fixing hole 29f. Even in the above configuration, by displacing the contact member 80 along the displacement axis O2, the position in the direction along the installation surface 29a of the base member 30 can be adjusted.

[0090] According to the present embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 6, the inkjet head 5 of the present embodiment includes a head body 5A that injects ink, a base member 30 that supports the head body 5A and is installed on the installation surface 29a of the carriage 29, and a position adjustment mechanism 60 that adjusts the position of the base member 30 in the direction along the installation surface 29a with respect to the positioning pin 40 provided on the installation surface 29a. The position adjustment mechanism 60 is supported by the base member 30, and at least a part of the position adjustment mechanism 60 is arranged inside the outer shape of the base member 30 in a plan view when the installation surface 29a is viewed from the vertical direction.

[0092] According to this configuration, the position adjustment mechanism 60 for positioning the inkjet head 5 with respect to the positioning pin 40 provided on the installation surface 29a of the carriage 29 is supported by the base member 30 together with the head body 5A, and at least a part of it is arranged inside the outer shape of the base member 30 in a plan view when the installation surface 29a is viewed from the vertical direction. Therefore, the position adjustment mechanism 60 can be arranged so as to be within the footprint of the inkjet head 5, and the area required for installing the inkjet head 5 can be reduced. As a result, the length of the inkjet head 5 in the printing width direction (X direction) can be suppressed, and the length of the carriage 29 in the printing width direction (X direction) required when installing a plurality of inkjet heads 5 can be shortened.

[0093] Also, in the inkjet head 5 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the base member 30 has a first through portion 33 in which the positioning pin 40 is disposed inside the outer shape of the base member 30. According to this configuration, by providing the first through portion 33 in the base member 30, the positioning pin 40 can be disposed within the footprint of the inkjet head 5, and the area required for installing the inkjet head 5 can be made smaller.

[0094] Also, in the inkjet head 5 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the position adjustment mechanism 60 includes a preloading mechanism 70 that applies a preload to the positioning pin 40 in a direction along the installation surface 29a, a contact member 80 that contacts the positioning pin 40 from the side opposite to the side where the preloading mechanism 70 is disposed in the direction in which the preloading mechanism 70 applies the preload, and a displacement mechanism 90 that displaces the contact member 80 in the direction in which the preloading mechanism 70 applies the preload. According to this configuration, by applying a preload to the positioning pin 40 by the preloading mechanism 70 and displacing the contact member 80 that contacts the positioning pin 40 in the direction of the preload, the base member 30 can be moved following the displacement of the contact member 80. Since it is not necessary to provide the contact member 80 and the displacement mechanism 90 on both sides of the positioning pin 40 sandwiching the preloading mechanism 70, the structure of the position adjustment mechanism 60 can be simplified, lightened, and space-saving.

[0095] Also, in the inkjet head 5 of the present embodiment, the position adjustment mechanism 60 (position adjustment unit 50) is detachably attached to the base member 30. According to this configuration, after the positioning and installation of the inkjet head 5 are completed, the position adjustment mechanism 60 (position adjustment unit 50) can be removed from the base member 30 and reused for positioning other inkjet heads 5, which can contribute to cost reduction.

[0096] Also, in the inkjet head 5 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the position adjustment mechanism 60 includes a first position adjustment mechanism 60A that adjusts the position in the X direction (first direction) along the installation surface 29a of the base member 30, and a pair of second position adjustment mechanisms 60B that are arranged at intervals in the X direction with respect to the base member 30 and adjust the positions in the Y direction (second direction) orthogonal to the X direction along the installation surface 29a of the base member 30. According to this configuration, the positions in the X direction and the Y direction along the installation surface 29a of the base member 30 can be adjusted by the first position adjustment mechanism 60A and the second position adjustment mechanism 60B. Further, by making the adjustment amounts of the positions in the Y direction of the pair of second position adjustment mechanisms 60B different, the rotation angle of the base member 30 can be adjusted.

[0097] Also, in the inkjet head 5 of the present embodiment, the positioning pins 40 include a first positioning pin 40A and a second positioning pin 40B that are arranged with the head body 5A interposed therebetween in the X direction. One of the pair of second position adjustment mechanisms 60B (the second position adjustment mechanism 60B on the first position adjustment unit 50A side) adjusts the position of the base member 30 in the Y direction with respect to one of the first positioning pin 40A and the second positioning pin 40B (the first positioning pin 40A), and the other of the pair of second position adjustment mechanisms 60B (the second position adjustment mechanism 60B on the second position adjustment unit 50B side) adjusts the position of the base member 30 in the Y direction with respect to the other of the first positioning pin 40A and the second positioning pin 40B (the second positioning pin 40B). According to this configuration, the inkjet head 5 can be positioned by two positioning pins 40 without providing three positioning pins 40 corresponding to each of the three position adjustment mechanisms 60, namely, the first position adjustment mechanism 60A and the pair of second position adjustment mechanisms 60B. Therefore, the number of positioning pins 40 arranged within the footprint of the inkjet head 5 can be reduced, and the area required for installing the inkjet head 5 can be made smaller.

[0098] Further, in the inkjet head 5 of the present embodiment, the first position adjustment mechanism 60A includes a preloading mechanism 70 that applies a preload in the X direction to one of the first positioning pin 40A and the second positioning pin 40B (the second positioning pin 40B), and in the X direction, a contact member 80 that contacts the other of the first positioning pin 40A and the second positioning pin 40B (the first positioning pin 40A) from the side opposite to the side where the preloading mechanism 70 is disposed, and a displacement mechanism 90 that displaces the contact member 80 in the X direction. According to this configuration, by disposing the preloading mechanism 70 on the side opposite to the side sandwiching the head body 5A with respect to the contact member 80 and the displacement mechanism 90, the length of the base member 30 in the printing width direction (X direction) can be suppressed more than when all of the preloading mechanism 70, the contact member 80, and the displacement mechanism 90 are disposed on one side of the head body 5A. Thereby, the degree of freedom of the installation space of the inkjet head 5 can be ensured.

[0099] Further, in the inkjet head 5 of the present embodiment, on the outer shape of the base member 30, pressing portions 36, 37 that protrude to the side where the preloading mechanism 70 receives a reaction force from the positioning pin 40 in the direction in which the preloading mechanism 70 applies a preload are provided. According to this configuration, if the accuracy of the pressing portions 36, 37 is high, the inkjet head 5 can be easily positioned by pressing the pressing portions 36, 37 against the carriage 29 by the reaction force received by the preloading mechanism 70 from the positioning pin 40. Further, when there is a lack of accuracy in the pressing portions 36, 37, the inkjet head 5 can be positioned by displacing the contact member 80 to the side opposite to the pressing direction of the pressing portions 36, 37 to adjust the position of the inkjet head 5.

[0100] The printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes the above-described inkjet head 5 and a carriage 29 as an object on which the inkjet head 5 is installed. According to this printer 1, a printer 1 that reduces the area required for installing the inkjet head 5 and enables compact and high-precision printing can be obtained.

[0101] Further, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, the positioning pin 40 is detachably attached to the carriage 29. According to this configuration, once the positioning and installation of the inkjet head 5 are completed, the positioning pin 40 can be removed from the carriage 29 and used for positioning other inkjet heads 5, so that the positioning pin 40 can be reused, contributing to cost reduction. Also, the base member 30 can be fixed to the carriage 29 using the portion where the positioning pin 40 was removed.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 12, the printer 1 according to a modification of the present embodiment includes an inkjet head 5 and a carriage 29 on which the inkjet head 5 is installed. The inkjet head 5 includes a head body 5A that jets ink, a base member 30 that supports the head body 5A and is installed on the installation surface 29e of the carriage 29, and a positioning pin 40 that protrudes from the base member 30 toward the carriage 29. The carriage 29 includes a position adjustment mechanism 60 that adjusts the position of the positioning pin 40 in a direction along the installation surface 29e of the base member 30. At least a part of the position adjustment mechanism 60 is arranged inside the outer shape of the base member 30 in a plan view when viewing the installation surface 29a from the vertical direction.

[0103] According to this printer 1, since the positioning pin 40 is provided on the inkjet head 5, the position adjustment mechanism 60 is provided on the carriage 29, and at least a part of the position adjustment mechanism 60 is arranged inside the outer shape of the base member 30 of the inkjet head 5 in a plan view when viewing the installation surface 29e from the vertical direction, the position adjustment mechanism 60 can be arranged so as to be within the footprint of the inkjet head 5, and the area required for installing the inkjet head 5 can be reduced. Thereby, the length of the inkjet head 5 in the printing width direction can be suppressed, and the length of the carriage 29 in the printing width direction required when installing a plurality of inkjet heads 5 can be shortened.

[0104] Also, according to the above-described present embodiment, the following operational effects can be obtained.

[0105] The positioning structure 100 of the present embodiment is a positioning structure 100 for positioning the inkjet head 5 with respect to the carriage 29 of the printer 1, and includes a positioning pin 40 provided on one of the carriage 29 and the inkjet head 5, and a carriage 29 and an inkjet head 5. A position adjustment mechanism 60 provided on the other side, and the position adjustment mechanism 60 adjusts the position in the direction along the installation surface 29a of the carriage 29 with respect to the positioning pin 40. The position adjustment mechanism 60 includes an abutting member 80 that abuts against the positioning pin 40, and a displacement mechanism 90 that displaces the abutting member 80 along a displacement axis O2 extending in an oblique direction intersecting the vertical direction of the installation surface 29a. One of the abutting portions 41 and 81 of the positioning pin 40 and the abutting member 80 is formed in a curved surface shape with a first intersection axis O1 intersecting the installation surface 29a as a central axis, and the other of the abutting portions 41 and 81 is perpendicular to the installation surface 29a. It intersects with respect to a virtual plane 110 (see FIG. 10) including a vertical axis O4 (first intersection axis O1) extending in the direction and a displacement axis O2, and is formed in a curved surface shape with a second intersection axis O3 that is not parallel to the first intersection axis O1 as a central axis.

[0106] According to this configuration, when the abutting member 80 is displaced in an oblique direction intersecting the vertical direction of the installation surface 29a by the displacement mechanism 90, the positioning pin 40 abutting against the abutting member 80 is pushed in the direction along the installation surface 29a, and the inkjet head 5 is displaced with respect to the carriage 29. Here, one of the abutting portions 41 and 81 is formed in a curved surface shape with a first intersection axis O1 intersecting the installation surface 29a as a central axis, and the other of the abutting portions 41 and 81 intersects with respect to a virtual plane 110 including a vertical axis extending in the vertical direction of the installation surface 29a and a displacement axis O2, and is formed in a curved surface shape with a second intersection axis O3 that is not parallel to the first intersection axis O1 as a central axis. Since the central axes of the curved surface shapes of the abutting portions 41 and 81 are in a twisted positional relationship, the positioning pin 40 and the abutting member 80 abut at one point. By the positioning pin 40 and the abutting member 80 abutting at one point, it is possible to avoid errors due to multi-point contact between the positioning pin 40 and the abutting member 80, and the inkjet head 5 can be accurately positioned with respect to the carriage 29.

[0107] Further, in the positioning structure 100 of the present embodiment, one of the contact portions 41 and 81 (contact portion 41) includes a first cylindrical surface centered on the first intersecting axis O1, and the other of the contact portions 41 and 81 (contact portion 81) includes a second cylindrical surface centered on the second intersecting axis O3. According to this configuration, one of the contact portions 41 of the positioning pin 40 has a first cylindrical surface centered on the first intersecting axis O1, and the contact portion 81 of the contact member 80 has a second cylindrical surface centered on the second intersecting axis O3. Since the central axes of both (the first intersecting axis O1 and the second intersecting axis O3) intersect each other, the positioning pin 40 and the contact member 80 can always be stably brought into contact at one point.

[0108] Further, in the positioning structure 100 of the present embodiment, the contact portion 41 of the positioning pin 40 includes a first cylindrical surface extending in the vertical direction of the installation surface 29a, and the contact portion 81 of the contact member 80 includes a second cylindrical surface extending parallel to the installation surface 29a. According to this configuration, since the contact portion 41 of the positioning pin 40 includes a first cylindrical surface extending in the vertical direction of the installation surface 29a, and the contact portion 81 of the contact member 80 includes a second cylindrical surface extending parallel to the installation surface 29a, the positioning pin 40 and the contact member 80 always stably come into contact at one point, and the contact member 80 that comes into contact with the positioning pin 40 at one point can be prevented from shifting in the direction along the installation surface 29a (X-Y plane direction) with respect to the positioning pin 40.

[0109] Further, in the positioning structure 100 of the present embodiment, the displacement mechanism 90 has a guide portion 91 that extends obliquely along the displacement axis O2 and guides the contact member 80. According to this configuration, the contact member 80 can be accurately displaced in the oblique direction along the guide portion 91.

[0110] Further, in the positioning structure 100 of the present embodiment, the contact member 80 has a clamping portion 82 that clamps the guide portion 91 in a direction orthogonal to the displacement axis O2. According to this configuration, by clamping the guide portion 91 with the clamping portion 82 provided on the contact member 80, it is possible to prevent the contact member 80 from rotating about the displacement axis O2.

[0111] Also, in the positioning structure 100 of the present embodiment, the displacement mechanism 90 extends along the displacement axis O2 and includes a bolt 92 that screw-feeds the contact member 80, a first support portion 94 provided at one end of the guide portion 91, which supports the head of the bolt 92 and has a first insertion hole 94a through which the shaft portion of the bolt 92 is inserted, and a compression spring 93 disposed between the first support portion 94 and the contact member 80. According to this configuration, when the bolt 92 serving as the displacement axis O2 is rotated, the contact member 80 having the clamping portion 82 and restricted from rotating with respect to the guide portion 91 is screw-fed. At this time, the gap between the first support portion 94 and the contact member 80 widens, but since the compression spring 93 extends to fill this gap, it is possible to prevent the head of the bolt 92 from floating from the first support portion 94.

[0112] Also, in the positioning structure 100 of the present embodiment, the displacement mechanism 90 has a second support portion 95 provided at the other end of the guide portion 91 and having a second insertion hole 95a through which the shaft portion of the bolt 92 is inserted. According to this configuration, by inserting the shaft portion of the bolt 92 into the second insertion hole 95a of the second support portion 95, both ends of the bolt 92 can be pivotally supported by the first support portion and the second support portion 95, so that the axial movement of the bolt 92 can be suppressed and the contact member 80 can be displaced with high precision.

[0113] Also, in the positioning structure 100 of the present embodiment, the position adjustment mechanism 60 includes a preloading mechanism 70 that applies a preload to the positioning pin 40 in the direction along the installation surface 29a from the side opposite to the side where the contact member 80 is disposed. According to this configuration, by applying a preload to the positioning pin 40 by the preloading mechanism 70 and displacing the contact member 80 that contacts the positioning pin 40 in the direction of the preload, the base member 30 can be moved following the displacement of the contact member 80. Since it is not necessary to provide the contact member 80 and the displacement mechanism 90 on both sides sandwiching the positioning pin 40 by this preloading mechanism 70, the structure of the position adjustment mechanism 60 can be simplified, lightened, and space can be saved.

[0114] The inkjet head 5 according to this embodiment includes either the position adjustment mechanism 60 or the positioning pin 40 of the positioning structure 100 described above. According to this inkjet head 5, an inkjet head 5 capable of performing high-precision printing can be obtained.

[0115] The printer 1 according to this embodiment includes the positioning structure 100 described above. According to this printer 1, high-precision printing can be performed.

[0116] The printer 1 according to this embodiment includes an inkjet head 5, a carriage 29 on which the inkjet head 5 is installed, and the positioning structure 100 described above that positions the inkjet head 5 with respect to the carriage 29. According to this printer 1, the inkjet head 5 can be accurately positioned with respect to the carriage 29 of the printer 1, and high-precision printing can be performed.

[0117] As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described and explained. However, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the present disclosure and should not be considered as limiting. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure should not be regarded as being limited by the foregoing description, but rather is limited by the claims.

[0118] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the detachable positioning pin 40 is exemplified as the convex portion of the positioning structure 100, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. The convex portion of the positioning structure 100 may be integrally provided on the inkjet head 5 or the carriage 29 and may be non-detachable.

[0119] Also, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the positioning unit 50 in which a part of the first position adjustment mechanism 60A and the second position adjustment mechanism 60B are unitized is exemplified, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. The first position adjustment mechanism 60A and the second position adjustment mechanism 60B may be individually attached to the inkjet head 5 or the carriage 29.

[0120] Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the contact portion 41 of the positioning pin 40 and the contact portion 81 of the contact member 80 are illustrated in a form including a cylindrical surface with each other, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. As long as the contact portions 41 and 81 are in contact with each other at a single point, they may have any curved surface shape. That is, the "curved surface shape" refers not only to a curved surface whose cross section formed at a constant radius from the central axis is a perfect circle, but also, for example, a curved surface whose cross section is an ellipse, a curved surface that can be defined by a quadratic function or the like.

[0121] Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of the liquid ejection recording apparatus, an inkjet printer has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to printers. For example, a facsimile machine, an on-demand printer, or the like may be used. In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the inkjet head moves with respect to the recording medium during printing (so-called shuttle mechanism) has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The configuration according to the present disclosure may be adopted in a configuration in which the recording medium is moved with respect to the inkjet head while the inkjet head is fixed (so-called fixed head mechanism). In the above-described embodiment, the case where the recording medium P is paper has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The recording medium P is not limited to paper, and may be a metal material, a resin material, or food. In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the liquid ejection head is mounted on the liquid ejection recording apparatus has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. That is, the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection head is not limited to that which lands on the recording medium, and may be, for example, a chemical solution to be blended in a preparation, a food additive such as a seasoning or a flavor to be added to food, an aromatic agent to be ejected into the air, or the like. In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the Z direction coincides with the gravitational direction has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration only, and the Z direction may be along the horizontal direction. In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the first direction coincides with the X direction and the second direction coincides with the Y direction has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The first direction and the second direction may be defined separately from the X direction and the Y direction.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0122] 1 … Printer (Liquid Jet Recording Device) 5 … Inkjet Head (Liquid Jet Head) 5A … Head Body (Injection Part) 29 … Carriage (Object to be Installed) 29a … Installation Surface 29e … Installation Surface 30 … Base Member 33 … First Through Hole (Through Hole) 36 … Pressing Part 37 … Pressing Part 40 … Positioning Pin (Convex Part) 40A … First Positioning Pin (First Convex Part) 40B … Second Positioning Pin (Second Convex Part) 41 … Contact Part 60 … Position Adjustment Mechanism 60A … First Position Adjustment Mechanism 60B … Second Position Adjustment Mechanism 70 … Preloading Mechanism 80 … Contact Member 81 … Contact Part 82 … Clamping Part 90 … Displacement Mechanism 91 … Guide Part 92 … Bolt 93 … Compression Spring 94 … First Support Part 94a … First Insertion Hole 95 … Second Support Part 95a … Second Insertion Hole 100 … Positioning Structure 110 … Virtual Plane O1 … First Intersecting Axis O2 … Displacement Axis O3 … Second Intersecting Axis O4 … Vertical Axis

Claims

1. An injection part for injecting a liquid, a base member that supports the injection part and is installed on the installation surface of the object to be installed, a position adjustment mechanism that is fixed to the object to be installed and adjusts the position of the base member in the direction along the installation surface with respect to a convex part that stands upright from the installation surface, and the position adjustment mechanism is supported by the base member, and at least a part of the position adjustment mechanism is arranged inside the outer shape of the base member in a plan view when viewed from the vertical direction of the installation surface. A liquid injection head characterized by this.

2. The base member has a through portion in which the convex portion is arranged inside the outer shape of the base member. The liquid injection head according to claim 1, characterized by this.

3. The position adjustment mechanism is a preloading mechanism that applies a preload to the convex part in the direction along the installation surface, a contact member that contacts the convex part from the side opposite to the side where the preloading mechanism is arranged in the direction in which the preloading mechanism applies the preload, and a displacement mechanism that displaces the contact member in the direction in which the preloading mechanism applies the preload. The liquid injection head according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by this.

4. The position adjustment mechanism is detachably attached to the base member. The liquid injection head according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by this.

5. The position adjustment mechanism is a first position adjustment mechanism that adjusts the position of the base member in a first direction along the installation surface of the base member, and a pair of second position adjustment mechanisms that are arranged at intervals in the first direction with respect to the base member and adjust the positions of the base member in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction along the installation surface of the base member, respectively. The liquid injection head according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by this.

6. The convex part includes a first convex part and a second convex part arranged with the injection part interposed therebetween in the first direction, one of the pair of second position adjustment mechanisms adjusts the position of the base member in the second direction with respect to one of the first convex part and the second convex part, the other of the pair of second position adjustment mechanisms adjusts the position of the base member in the second direction with respect to the other of the first convex part and the second convex part. The liquid injection head according to claim 5, characterized by this.

7. The first position adjustment mechanism is a preloading mechanism that applies a preload to one of the first convex part and the second convex part in the first direction, In the first direction, a contact member that contacts the other of the first convex portion and the second convex portion from the side opposite to the side where the preloading mechanism is disposed; In the first direction, a displacement mechanism that displaces the contact member, and a liquid ejection head according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises.

8. The outer shape of the base member is provided with a pressing portion that protrudes toward the side where the preloading mechanism receives a reaction force from the convex portion in the direction in which the preloading mechanism applies preloading, and the liquid ejection head according to claim 3 or 7, characterized in that it is provided.

9. A liquid ejection head according to any one of claims 1 to 8; As the installation object, a carriage on which the liquid ejection head is installed, and a liquid ejection recording apparatus, characterized in that it comprises.

10. The convex portion is detachably attached to the carriage, and the liquid ejection recording apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that it is provided.

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