Recording device

Abstract

To provide a recording device, which is configured so that a head unit can be driven with small loads, while suppressing the head unit from rotating.SOLUTION: A recording device comprises: a head unit comprising a recording head, which can be moved between a recording position where the unit performs recording on a medium and a retreat position where the unit retreats from a medium conveyance path; a moving mechanism that moves the head unit; and a positioning part that regulates a position of the head unit in the recording position. Force applied to the head unit by the moving mechanism and reaction force received by the head unit from the positioning part generates moment for rotating the head unit. Unit pressing means, which applies force in a direction in which rotation of the head unit is canceled to the head unit when the head unit is at the recording position, presses the head unit in a direction crossing a moving direction of the head unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording device for recording on a medium. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a recording head that ejects ink in an inkjet recording device rotates between a maintenance position and a recording position. A head holder that holds the recording head has three pins in a side view, and these pins are guided along rails to rotate between the maintenance position and the recording position. One of the three pins engages with a slide member, and this slide member is connected to a slide rack gear via a spring. The slide rack gear meshes with a drive gear, and as the drive gear rotates, the slide rack gear and the slide member move up and down.

[0003] When the head holder is in the recording position, its own weight tends to cause the head holder to rotate, making the head holder's posture unstable, but the spring force of the spring interposed between the slide member and the slide rack gear acts to counteract the rotation, stabilizing the posture of the head holder. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-26071 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, if the weight of the head holder increases and its posture becomes more unstable, the posture of the head holder can be stabilized by increasing the spring force of the spring. However, because the spring force of the spring acts in the opposite direction to the direction in which the drive gear drives the slide rack gear, increasing the spring force of the spring requires that the rated output of the motor for driving the drive gear also be increased, resulting in a significant increase in costs and power consumption. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the recording device of the present invention comprises a medium transport path for transporting a medium, a recording head for recording on a medium transported along the medium transport path, a unit equipped with the recording head, a head unit that is movable between a recording position where it records on the medium and a retracted position where it retracts from the medium transport path, a moving mechanism that moves the head unit by applying a force to the head unit along the direction of movement of the head unit, and a positioning unit that abuts against a part of the head unit that moves from the retracted position toward the recording position and determines the position of the head unit at the recording position, wherein the force applied to the head unit by the moving mechanism and the reaction force that the head unit receives from the positioning unit generate a moment that rotates the head unit when viewed from the medium width direction, which is a direction intersecting the medium transport direction, and the recording device comprises a unit pressing means that applies a force to the head unit in a direction that cancels out the rotation of the head unit when the head unit is at the recording position, and the unit pressing means presses the head unit in a direction intersecting the direction of movement of the head unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a medium transport path of the printer, with the head unit in a recording position. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the medium transport path of the printer, with the head unit in the retracted position. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the head unit and the moving mechanism, showing a state in which the head unit is at a recording position. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the head unit and the movement mechanism, showing a state in which the head unit is at a recording position. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the head unit and the movement mechanism, showing a state in which the head unit is in a retracted position. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the right guide member, showing a state in which the head unit is at a recording position. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the left first guide member and the left second guide member, showing a state in which the head unit is at a recording position. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the movement area and position of the head unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a side view of the head unit and the unit pressing means, showing a state in which the head unit is located in front of the recording position. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a side view of the head unit and the unit pressing means, showing a state in which the head unit is at a recording position. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the head unit and the unit pressing means, showing a state in which the head unit is at a recording position. [Figure 13] 1A and 1B are side views of a part of the head unit and the unit pressing means, in which FIG. 1A shows a state in which the head unit is located in front of the recording position, and FIG. 1B shows a state in which the head unit is located at the recording position. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the head unit and the unit pressing means, showing a state in which the head unit is at a recording position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention will be briefly described below. A recording device according to a first aspect comprises: a medium transport path for transporting a medium; a recording head for recording on the medium transported along the medium transport path; a unit equipped with the recording head, the unit comprising a head unit movable between a recording position where the medium is recorded and a retracted position where the head unit is retracted from the medium transport path; a moving mechanism for moving the head unit by applying a force to the head unit along the direction of movement of the head unit; and a positioning unit that abuts against a part of the head unit moving from the retracted position toward the recording position and determines the position of the head unit at the recording position; the force applied to the head unit by the moving mechanism and the reaction force that the head unit receives from the positioning unit generate a moment that rotates the head unit when viewed from the medium width direction, which is a direction intersecting the medium transport direction; and a unit pressing means for applying a force to the head unit in a direction that cancels out the rotation of the head unit when the head unit is at the recording position, the unit pressing means pressing the head unit in a direction intersecting the direction of movement of the head unit.

[0009] According to this aspect, the head unit is provided with a unit pressing means that applies a force to the head unit in a direction that counteracts the rotation of the head unit when the head unit is in the recording position, thereby preventing the head unit from becoming unstable in posture due to the moment, and achieving good recording quality. The unit pressing means attempts to counteract the rotation of the head unit by pressing the head unit in a direction intersecting the direction of movement of the head unit, thereby preventing the unit pressing means from impeding the movement of the head unit, thereby preventing increases in cost and power consumption that would otherwise be associated with increasing the rated output of the motor that powers the movement of the head unit.

[0010] The second aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the head unit has a first guided portion at one end of the medium width direction, and a second guided portion and a third guided portion at the other end of the medium width direction, spaced apart in the movement direction of the head unit, the first guided portion being supported by a first guide surface extending along the movement direction of the head unit and guided in the movement direction, the second guided portion and the third guided portion being supported by a second guide surface extending along the movement direction and guided in the movement direction, and the head unit is supported at three points, the first guided portion, the second guided portion, and the third guided portion, at least when in the recording position.

[0011] According to this aspect, the head unit is configured to be supported at three points, namely the first guided portion, the second guided portion, and the third guided portion, at the recording position, so that the posture of the head unit at the recording position is stable and good recording quality can be obtained.

[0012] The third aspect is characterized in that in the second aspect, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to a plane including a first position where the first guided portion contacts the first guide surface, a second position where the second guided portion contacts the second guide surface, and a third position where the third guided portion contacts the second guide surface, the position at which the unit pressing means applies force to the head unit is within a triangular area connecting the first position, the second position, and the third position.

[0013] According to this aspect, the position at which the unit pressing means applies force to the head unit is within a triangular area connecting the first position, the second position, and the third position, so the first guided portion is appropriately pressed against the first guide surface, the second guided portion is appropriately pressed against the second guide surface, and further the third guided portion is appropriately pressed against the second guide surface, thereby stabilizing the posture of the head unit and achieving good recording quality.

[0014] The fourth aspect is characterized in that, in the third aspect, the second guided portion is in a position where it is raised from the second guide surface due to the rotation of the head unit, the third guided portion is in a position where it is pressed against the second guide surface due to the rotation of the head unit, and the position where the unit pressing means applies force to the head unit is on the side of the second position relative to an intermediate position between the first position and the second position in the medium width direction, and is on the side of the second position relative to an intermediate position between the second position and the third position in the movement direction.

[0015] According to this aspect, in a configuration in which the second guided portion is positioned so as to rise above the second guide surface due to the rotation of the head unit, the position at which the unit pressing means applies force to the head unit is closer to the second position than an intermediate position between the first position and the second position in the medium width direction, and is closer to the second position than an intermediate position between the second position and the third position in the movement direction, so that the head unit is pressed at a position close to the second guided portion, thereby appropriately suppressing the rotation of the head unit.

[0016] A fifth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the first to fourth aspects, the unit pressing means comprises a rotating member that is rotatably provided in the head unit and has a free end, a member that is provided in the head unit and a spring that presses the rotating member in a direction in which the free end moves away from the head unit, and a contact member that is provided independently of the head unit and contacts the rotating member when the head unit is in the recording position, and the spring force of the spring applies a force to the head unit in a direction that cancels out the rotation of the head unit.

[0017] According to this aspect, the unit pressing means is configured to include the rotating member, the spring, and the abutting member, so that the unit pressing means can have a simple structure.

[0018] The sixth aspect is characterized in that, in the fifth aspect, the center line of the rotation axis of the rotating member is along the medium width direction, and in the movement direction of the head unit, the free end is on the retracted position side of the rotation axis, and when the head unit moves from the retracted position to the recording position, the abutment member moves relative to the rotating member from the rotation axis toward the free end.

[0019] According to this aspect, when the head unit moves from the retracted position to the recording position, the abutment member moves relative to the rotating member from the rotation axis toward the free end, so that the force applied to the head unit by the unit pressing means gradually increases when the head unit moves from the retracted position to the recording position, thereby preventing a sudden large load from being applied to the head unit when it moves to the recording position, and allowing the head unit to move smoothly to the recording position.

[0020] A seventh aspect is the sixth aspect, characterized in that the free end of the rotating member includes a rotation restricting portion that restricts rotation of the rotating member in a direction away from the head unit. According to this aspect, the free end of the rotating member is provided with a rotation regulating portion that regulates the rotation of the rotating member in a direction away from the head unit, thereby making it possible to reduce the contact angle when the contact member contacts the rotating member, and further preventing the head unit from being suddenly subjected to a large load when it moves to the recording position.

[0021] The eighth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the first to seventh aspects, the head unit comprises a unit main body that has the recording head and abuts the positioning portion, a displacement member that is displaceable relative to the unit main body along the movement direction of the head unit, and a pressing member that is interposed between the unit main body and the displacement member and presses the unit main body toward the positioning portion when the head unit is in the recording position, and the moving mechanism applies an external force to the displacement member to move the head unit.

[0022] According to this aspect, the moving mechanism moves the head unit via the displacement member, so high stopping accuracy is not required when moving the head unit toward the recording position and stopping it with the unit body abutting the positioning portion, making it easier to control the position of the head unit.

[0023] The present invention will be specifically described below. In the following, an inkjet printer 1 that performs recording by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as recording paper will be described as an example of a recording device. In the following, the inkjet printer 1 will be abbreviated as printer 1. The XYZ coordinate system shown in each figure is an orthogonal coordinate system, with the Y axis direction being the direction that intersects with the medium transport direction, i.e., the medium width direction, and also the device depth direction. The +Y direction of the Y axis direction is the direction from the front of the device toward the rear of the device, and the -Y direction is the direction from the rear of the device toward the front of the device. In this embodiment, the Y axis direction is an example of a width direction that intersects with the V axis direction, which is the movement direction of the head unit 50, which will be described later.

[0024] The X-axis direction is the width direction of the device, and as seen from the operator of the printer 1, the +X direction is the left side and the -X direction is the right side. The Z-axis direction is the vertical direction, and is the normal direction to the surface G on which the printer 1 is placed, that is, the height direction of the device. Within the Z-axis direction, the +Z direction is the upward direction and the -Z direction is the downward direction. In the following, the direction in which the medium is transported may be referred to as "downstream," and the opposite direction may be referred to as "upstream." The medium transport path is indicated by a dashed line in Figures 1 and 2. In printer 1, the medium is transported through the medium transport path indicated by the dashed line in Figures 1 and 2.

[0025] The F-axis direction is the medium transport direction between the line head 51 and the transport belt 13 (described later), i.e., in the recording area, with the +F direction being downstream in the transport direction and the opposite -F direction being upstream in the transport direction. The V-axis direction is perpendicular to the F-axis direction and is the movement direction of the head unit 50 (described later), with the +V direction of the V-axis direction being the direction in which the head unit 50 retreats from the transport path T1 during recording and the -V direction being the direction in which the head unit 50 moves toward the transport path T1 during recording. In some drawings, the FVY coordinate system may be used instead of the XYZ coordinate system.

[0026] The media transport path in the printer 1 will be described below with reference to Figure 1. The printer 1 is configured so that an expansion unit 6 can be connected to the bottom of the device main body 2, and Figures 1 and 2 show the state when the expansion unit 6 is connected. The device main body 2 has a first media cassette 3 for storing media at the bottom, and when an extension unit 6 is connected, a second media cassette 4 and a third media cassette 5 are further provided below that.

[0027] A pick roller is provided for each medium cassette to feed the stored medium in the -X direction. Pick rollers 21, 22, and 23 are provided for the first medium cassette 3, the second medium cassette 4, and the third medium cassette 5, respectively. Each medium cassette is provided with a pair of feed rollers that feeds the medium sent in the -X direction diagonally upward. Feed roller pairs 25, 26, and 27 are provided for the first medium cassette 3, the second medium cassette 4, and the third medium cassette 5, respectively. Unless otherwise specified, hereinafter, a "roller pair" is defined as consisting of a drive roller driven by a motor (not shown) and a driven roller that rotates in contact with the drive roller.

[0028] The medium fed from the third medium cassette 5 is sent to the transport roller pair 38 by the transport roller pair 29, 28. The medium fed from the second medium cassette 4 is sent to the transport roller pair 38 by the transport roller pair 28. The medium is nipped by the transport roller pair 38 and sent to the transport roller pair 31. The medium fed from the first medium cassette 3 is transported to the transport roller pair 31 by the feed roller pair 25 without passing through the transport roller pair 38. The supply roller 19 and separation roller 20 provided near the transport roller pair 38 are a pair of rollers that feed the medium from a supply tray not shown in FIGS.

[0029] The medium receiving the feeding force from the transport roller pair 31 is sent between the line head 51, which is an example of a recording head, and the transport belt 13, that is, to a position facing the line head 51. Note that, hereinafter, the medium transport path from the transport roller pair 31 to the transport roller pair 32 is referred to as the transport path T1 during recording.

[0030] The line head 51 constitutes the head unit 50. The line head 51 performs recording by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto the surface of the medium. The line head 51 is an ink ejection head configured so that the nozzles that eject ink cover the entire area in the width direction of the medium, and is configured as an ink ejection head that can record over the entire width of the medium without moving in the width direction of the medium. However, the ink ejection head is not limited to this, and may be a type that is mounted on a carriage and ejects ink while moving in the width direction of the medium.

[0031] The head unit 50 is arranged to be able to advance and retreat relative to the recording transport path T1, and is arranged to be able to move between a recording position where it advances onto the recording transport path T1 to record on the medium, and a retreat position where it retreats from the recording transport path T1. Fig. 1 shows the state in which the head unit 50 is in the recording position, and recording is performed on the medium in this state. Fig. 2 shows the state in which the head unit 50 is in the retracted position. Fig. 2 also shows the position of the head unit 50 when wiping the ink ejection surface 51a of the line head 51.

[0032] The movement range of the head unit 50 will now be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the movement range of the head unit 50. Note that in Fig. 9, the position of the head unit 50 in the V-axis direction is based on the position of the ink ejection surface 51a in the V-axis direction. In Figure 9, position V1 is the position at which the head unit 50 advances furthest into the transport path T1 during recording, is an example of a recording position, and corresponds to the position of the head unit 50 shown in Figure 1. The recording position can be adjusted by an adjustment cam 80 (see Figure 10), which will be described later, and position V1b is the position furthest in the +V direction within the adjustment range of the recording position. In Figure 9, the line head 51 at position V1b is not shown. When the head unit 50 is at position V1, position V1b, or between positions V1 and V1b, recording is performed on the medium.

[0033] Position V4 is the position where the head unit 50 is farthest from the recording transport path T1 in the +V direction, and is an example of a retracted position. When the head unit 50 is at position V4, the head unit 50 can be attached or detached. Attaching or detaching the head unit 50 will be described later.

[0034] Position V2 is a position for wiping the ink ejection surface 51a of the line head 51, and is an example of a retracted position. Fig. 2 shows a state in which the head unit 50 is at position V2. In Fig. 2, reference numeral 43 denotes a wiper unit, and reference numeral 44 denotes a wiper provided on the wiper unit 43. The wiper 44 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer, and can press against the ink ejection surface 51a by its elasticity. The wiper unit 43 is provided so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction, which is the direction along the ink ejection surface 51a, by a motor (not shown), and the end position in the +Y direction of the movable range is set as the home position, and is located at the home position except during wiping. As the wiper unit 43 moves in the Y-axis direction, the ink ejection surface 51a is wiped by the wiper 44. Position V3 in Figure 9 is a position where the ink ejection surface 51a is capped with a cap (not shown), and is an example of a retracted position. Position V3b is a position where a flushing operation is performed on the cap (not shown), i.e., ink is ejected from all ink ejection nozzles (not shown) of the line head 51, and is also an example of a retracted position. The line head 51 at position V3b is not shown in Figure 9.

[0035] 1 and 2, reference numerals 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D denote ink storage units serving as liquid storage units. Ink ejected from the line head 51 is supplied from each ink storage unit to the line head 51 via a tube (not shown). The ink storage units 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D are detachably attached to the mounting units 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D, respectively. Reference numeral 12 denotes a waste liquid storage section that stores ink as waste liquid that is ejected from the line head 51 toward a flushing cap (not shown) for maintenance.

[0036] The conveyor belt 13 is an endless belt that is wound around pulleys 14 and 15, and rotates when at least one of the pulleys 14 and 15 is driven by a motor (not shown). The medium is conveyed to a position facing the line head 51 while being attracted to the belt surface of the conveyor belt 13. The medium can be attracted to the conveyor belt 13 by a known attraction method such as an air suction method or an electrostatic attraction method.

[0037] Here, the transport path T1 during recording, which passes through a position facing the line head 51, is configured to intersect both the horizontal and vertical directions and transport the medium upward. As a result, the V-axis direction, which is the movement direction of the head unit 50, also intersects both the horizontal and vertical directions, and the inclination angle α of the V-axis direction with respect to the horizontal direction is smaller than 45°, more specifically, approximately 15°. With this configuration, the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the space required for moving the head unit 50 can be balanced, and the device can be prevented from becoming extremely large in both the horizontal and vertical directions. The configuration is not limited to the above, and the V-axis direction may be parallel to the horizontal direction.

[0038] Additionally, an ejection tray 8 that forms a support surface 8b that supports the medium ejected from the medium transport path is provided above the head unit 50. The support surface 8b extends along the V-axis direction, which is the movement direction of the head unit 50. This prevents wasted space from being formed in the relationship between the ejection tray 8 and the movement area of ​​the head unit 50, making it possible to prevent the device from becoming larger. Furthermore, since a portion of the head unit 50 overlaps with the ink containing sections 10A to 10D in the Z-axis direction, the device dimensions in the Z-axis direction can be reduced.

[0039] Next, the medium on whose first side recording has been performed by the line head 51 is sent further upward by the pair of transport rollers 32 located downstream of the transport belt 13. A flap 41 is provided downstream of the transport roller pair 32, and the transport direction of the medium is switched by this flap 41. When the medium is to be discharged as is, the transport path of the medium is switched by the flap 41 so that it faces the upper transport roller pair 35, and the medium is discharged by the transport roller pair 35 toward the discharge tray 8.

[0040] When recording is to be performed on the second side of the medium in addition to the first side, the medium transport direction is directed toward branch position K1 by flap 41. The medium then passes through branch position K1 and enters switchback path T2. In this embodiment, switchback path T2 is the media transport path above branch position K1. Switchback path T2 is provided with transport roller pairs 36 and 37. The medium that enters switchback path T2 is transported upward by transport roller pairs 36 and 37, and when the bottom edge of the medium passes branch position K1, the rotation direction of transport roller pairs 36 and 37 is switched, causing the medium to be transported downward.

[0041] The switchback path T2 is connected to a reverse path T3. In this embodiment, the reverse path T3 is a medium transport path that extends from the branch position K1 through the transport roller pairs 33 and 34 to the transport roller pair 38. The medium conveyed downward from the branch position K1 receives a feeding force from the conveying roller pairs 33 and 34, reaches the conveying roller pair 38, is curved and reversed, and is sent to the conveying roller pair 31.

[0042] The medium is sent again to a position facing the line head 51, and the second side, which is opposite to the first side on which recording has already been performed, faces the line head 51. This makes it possible for the line head 51 to record on the second side of the medium.

[0043] Next, the movement mechanism 60 that moves the head unit 50 along the V-axis direction will be described. The movement mechanism 60 includes a right guide member 61A, a left second guide member 61B-2, a second member 63, and a first pinion 65 shown in Figures 4 and 5, and a third rack forming member 64 and a second pinion 67 shown in Figure 3, and is configured so that the first pinion 65 applies an external force in the movement direction to the second rack forming member 62 that constitutes the head unit 50. The second rack forming member 62 is an example of a displacement member, and together with the unit body 50a constitutes the head unit 50. The head unit 50 is constituted by the unit body 50a equipped with the line head 51, and the second rack forming member 62. The second rack-forming member 62 and the unit body 50a are relatively displaceable along the V-axis direction, which will be explained later.

[0044] 8 is provided in the -V direction relative to the left second guide member 61B-2. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the right guide member 61A, the left first guide member 61B-1, and the left second guide member 61B-2, they may be collectively referred to as "guide members 61." The guide member 61 is fixedly provided to a frame (not shown) of the device.

[0045] First, the configuration for guiding the head unit 50 in the V-axis direction will be described below. 3, second guided roller 52B and third guided roller 52C are provided on the -Y direction side in the Y axis direction of head unit 50, i.e., the side facing right guide member 61A. Second guided roller 52B and third guided roller 52C are each provided on a shaft 49 that protrudes in the -Y direction. Second guided roller 52B and third guided roller 52C are bearings that are provided so as to be freely rotatable on shaft 49. Second guided roller 52B and third guided roller 52C are provided at an interval along the V axis direction, and second guided roller 52B is located in the -V direction relative to third guided roller 52C. The second guided roller 52B is an example of a second guided portion, and the third guided roller 52C is an example of a third guided portion.

[0046] Furthermore, a first guided roller 52A and a fourth guided roller 52D are provided on the side of the head unit 50 in the +Y direction in the Y-axis direction, i.e., the side facing the left first guide member 61B-1 and the left second guide member 61B-2, as shown in Fig. 6. Note that Fig. 6 does not show the movement mechanism 60 shown in Fig. 3, and only shows the head unit 50. The first guided roller 52A and the fourth guided roller 52D are each mounted on a shaft 49 that protrudes in the +Y direction. The first guided roller 52A and the fourth guided roller 52D are bearings that are mounted so as to be freely rotatable on the shaft 49. The first guided roller 52A and the fourth guided roller 52D are spaced apart along the V-axis direction, and the first guided roller 52A is located in the -V direction relative to the fourth guided roller 52D. The first guided roller 52A is an example of a first guided portion.

[0047] 7, a right first guide groove 61b is formed along the V-axis direction in the right guide member 61A disposed opposite the -Y direction side of the head unit 50. The second guided roller 52B and the third guided roller 52C provided on the -Y direction side of the head unit 50 fit into the right first guide groove 61b, so that the -Y direction side of the head unit 50 is guided in the V-axis direction by the right first guide groove 61b. The reference symbol S2 denotes the lower surface of the right first guide groove 61b, which will be referred to as the second guide surface hereinafter. The second guided roller 52B and the third guided roller 52C are supported by the second guide surface S2 and receive a reaction force from the second guide surface S2.

[0048] The normal force that second guided roller 52B receives from second guide surface S2 is indicated by the arrow labeled H2 in Fig. 10. Furthermore, the normal force that third guided roller 52C receives from second guide surface S2 is indicated by the arrow labeled H3 in Fig. 10. Additionally, the arrow labeled W2 in Fig. 10 indicates the force that second guided roller 52B exerts perpendicularly against second guide surface S2 due to the weight of the head unit 50, and the arrow labeled W3 indicates the force that third guided roller 52C exerts perpendicularly against second guide surface S2 due to the weight of the head unit 50. As the inclination angle α between the V axis direction and the horizontal increases, the normal forces H2, H3 and the forces W2, W3 all become smaller.

[0049] Next, as shown in FIG. 8, a left first guide groove 61d is formed along the V-axis direction in the left first guide member 61B-1 and the left second guide member 61B-2, which are arranged opposite the +Y-direction side of the head unit 50. The left first guide member 61B-1 is located in the -V direction relative to the left second guide member 61B-2, and the left first guide member 61B-1 and the left second guide member 61B-2 are spaced apart by a distance G1 in the V-axis direction. Therefore, the left first guide groove 61d is divided within the range of the distance G1. In FIG. 8, the left first guide groove formed in the left first guide member 61B-1 is denoted by the reference symbol 61d-1, and the left first guide groove formed in the left second guide member 61B-2 is denoted by the reference symbol 61d-2. However, hereinafter, these may be collectively referred to as the left first guide groove 61d. The gap G1 is a gap for the wiper unit 43 described with reference to FIG. 2 to move in the Y-axis direction between the left first guide member 61B-1 and the left second guide member 61B-2.

[0050] The first guided roller 52A and the fourth guided roller 52D provided on the +Y side of the head unit 50 enter the left first guide groove 61d, thereby guiding the +Y side of the head unit 50 in the V-axis direction by the left first guide groove 61d. The reference symbol S1-1 denotes the lower surface of the left first guide groove 61d-1. The reference symbol S1-2 denotes the lower surface of the left first guide groove 61d-2. The surfaces S1-1 and S1-2 are hereinafter referred to as first guide surfaces. The first guide surfaces S1-1 and S1-2 are surfaces parallel to the second guide surface S2. The first guided roller 52A and the fourth guided roller 52D are supported by the first guide surface S1-1 or the first guide surface S1-2, and receive a reaction force from the first guide surface S1-1 or the first guide surface S1-2.

[0051] Here, Figure 8 shows the state in which the head unit 50 is in the recording position, and in this state, as shown, the first guided roller 52A is located inside the left first guide groove 61d-1 and is supported by the first guide surface S1-1, while the fourth guided roller 52D is located inside the gap G1 and is not supported by either the first guide surface S1-1 or S1-2.

[0052] Therefore, when the head unit 50 is in the recording position, the head unit 50 is supported at one point on the +Y side, the first guided roller 52A, and at two points on the -Y side, the second guided roller 52B and the third guided roller 52C, for a total of three points. As is clear from Figure 8, when the head unit 50 moves from the recording position toward the retracted position, the first guided roller 52A and the fourth guided roller 52D enter the left first guide groove 61d-2 and are supported by the first guide surface S1-2. Since the gap G1 is smaller than the V-axis distance between the first guided roller 52A and the fourth guided roller 52D, at least one of the first guided roller 52A and the fourth guided roller 52D is supported by the first guide surface S1-1 or the first guide surface S1-2 on the +Y-axis side of the head unit 50.

[0053] The left second guide member 61B-2 is formed with a third guide groove 61j and a fourth guide groove 61k in a direction intersecting with the left first guide groove 61d. When the head unit 50 moves to the retracted position furthest in the +V direction, the first guided roller 52A faces the third guide groove 61j, and the fourth guided roller 52D faces the fourth guide groove 61k. In this state, the first guided roller 52A can move upward along the third guide groove 61j, and the fourth guided roller 52D can move upward along the fourth guide groove 61k.

[0054] Similarly, the right guide member 61A described with reference to Figure 7 also has a third guide groove 61j and a fourth guide groove 61k formed in a direction intersecting with the right first guide groove 61b. When the head unit 50 moves to the retracted position furthest in the +V direction, the second guided roller 52B faces the third guide groove 61j, and the third guided roller 52C faces the fourth guide groove 61k. In this state, the second guided roller 52B can move upward along the third guide groove 61j, and the third guided roller 52C can move upward along the fourth guide groove 61k.

[0055] The third guide groove 61j and the fourth guide groove 61k are formed at a slight angle with respect to the F-axis direction, but are generally formed along the F-axis direction. As a result, when the head unit 50 has moved to the retracted position furthest in the +V direction, the head unit 50 can be removed upward. The head unit 50 can also be attached to the device main body 2 by reversing the procedure for removal. The third guide groove 61j and the fourth guide groove 61k function as guides that guide the head unit 50 in the attachment / detachment direction. In this way, the head unit 50 is detachable from the device main body 2, which makes maintenance and replacement of the head unit 50 easy.

[0056] 4 and 5, the guide member 61 has a first rack 61a formed along the V-axis direction on the side facing the head unit 50. Second rack forming members 62 are provided at both ends of the head unit 50 in the Y-axis direction, and second racks 62a are formed on the second rack forming members 62 along the V-axis direction. The first rack 61a and the second rack 62a face each other, and a first pinion 65 is disposed between the first rack 61a and the second rack 62a, and the first pinion 65 meshes with both the first rack 61a and the second rack 62a. The teeth of the first rack 61a, the second rack 62a, and the first pinion 65 all have a tooth width direction aligned with the F-axis direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the head unit 50.

[0057] The first pinion 65 is rotatably mounted on the second member 63. As shown in Fig. 3, lower roller support members 54 are provided on both sides of the second member 63 in the Y-axis direction, and two lower rollers 53 are provided on the lower roller support members 54 at an interval along the V-axis direction. The lower rollers 53 are driven rollers supported by the lower roller support members 54 so as to be freely rotatable.

[0058] The two lower rollers 53 provided on the -Y side of the head unit 50 enter the right second guide groove 61c formed along the V-axis direction in the right guide member 61A as shown in Figure 7, and are guided in the V-axis direction by the right second guide groove 61c. In addition, the two lower rollers 53 provided on the +Y side of the head unit 50 enter the left second guide groove 61e formed along the V-axis direction in the left second guide member 61B-2 as shown in Figure 8, and are guided in the V-axis direction by the left second guide groove 61e.

[0059] 3, a third rack-forming member 64 is provided below the second member 63, and a third rack 64a is formed below the third rack-forming member 64 along the V-axis direction. The tooth width direction of the third rack 64a is aligned with the Y-axis direction. A second pinion 67 meshes with the third rack 64a. The third rack-forming members 64 are provided on both ends in the Y-axis direction below the second member 63. The second pinion 67 is provided at a position facing the third rack 64a on a rotary shaft 68 having a rotation axis center parallel to the Y-axis direction, and the two second pinions 67 are configured to rotate simultaneously with the rotation of the rotary shaft 68. The power of the motor 59 is transmitted to the rotary shaft 68 via a gear mechanism not shown in FIG. 3.

[0060] 3, reference numeral 58 denotes a control unit that controls a motor 59. The control unit 58 can grasp the position of the head unit 50 in the V axis direction based on a signal received from a reference position sensor (not shown) and the drive amount of the motor 59.

[0061] In the above configuration, when the second pinion 67 rotates due to the power of the motor 59, the second member 63 moves along the V-axis direction. Here, the guide member 61, i.e., the first rack 61a shown in Figures 4 and 5, is fixedly provided, so the first pinion 65 provided on the second member 63, which moves in the V-axis direction, rotates based on meshing with the first rack 61a. The first pinion 65 is engaged with the second rack 62a provided on the head unit 50, and therefore, when the first pinion 65 rotates, the head unit 50 moves so as to be pushed out in the V-axis direction.

[0062] For example, when the head unit 50 is in the recording position shown in Fig. 4, if the second member 63 moves in the +V direction by the power of the motor 59, the first pinion 65 on the right side in Fig. 4 rotates counterclockwise in Fig. 4, and the first pinion 65 on the left side in Fig. 4 rotates clockwise in Fig. 4. This causes the head unit 50 to move in the +V direction. Furthermore, when the second member 63 moves in the -V direction due to the power of the motor 59 while the head unit 50 is in the retracted position shown in Fig. 5, the first pinion 65 on the right side in Fig. 5 rotates clockwise in Fig. 5, and the first pinion 65 on the left side in Fig. 5 rotates counterclockwise in Fig. 5. This causes the head unit 50 to move in the -V direction.

[0063] Strictly speaking, a force acts on the head unit 50 to move in the -V direction due to the action of gravity. This is because the -V direction includes a -Z direction component. Therefore, when the head unit 50 moves in the -V direction, the movement mechanism 60 applies a force in the +V direction to the head unit 50, restricting the movement of the head unit 50 in the -V direction due to the action of gravity. However, after the head unit 50 comes into contact with an adjustment cam 80 (see FIG. 10), which will be described later, the movement mechanism 60 applies a force in the -V direction to the head unit 50, which will be described later. When the head unit 50 moves in the +V direction, the movement mechanism 60 applies a force to the head unit 50 in the +V direction.

[0064] 4 and 5, the range in the V-axis direction indicated by the symbol M1 is the range of movement of the second member 63 based on the center of the rotation axis of the first pinion 65. Also, the range in the V-axis direction indicated by the symbol M2 in Figures 4 and 5 is the range of movement of the head unit 50 based on the -V-direction end position of the second rack-forming member 62. As described above, the head unit 50 moves in the V-axis direction due to rotation of the first pinion 65, but since the first pinion 65 itself is configured to move in the V-axis direction, the movement range M2 of the head unit 50 is larger than the movement range M1 of the second member 63. In this embodiment, the movement range M2 is approximately twice the size of the movement range M1.

[0065] As described above, the movement mechanism 60 includes a guide member 61 on which a first rack 61a is formed along the movement direction of the head unit 50; a first pinion 65 that meshes with the first rack 61a; a second rack 62a that is located on the head unit 50 opposite the first rack 61a and is a rack formed along the V-axis direction, which is the movement direction of the head unit 50, and that meshes with the first pinion 65; and a second member 63 on which the first pinion 65 is rotatably mounted and that is movable in the V-axis direction by receiving power from the motor 59. The rotation of the first pinion 65, which moves in the V-axis direction, increases the movement amount of the head unit 50 compared to the movement amount of the second member 63. In other words, because the movement amount of the head unit 50 can be secured while suppressing the movement amount of the second member 63, the mechanism for moving the second member 63 can be prevented from becoming large. Specifically, in this embodiment, the length of the third rack 64a in the V-axis direction can be suppressed. As a result, the printer 1 can be prevented from becoming large.

[0066] Furthermore, since the movement mechanisms 60 are provided on both sides of the head unit 50 in the Y-axis direction, the amount of movement in the V-axis direction can be made equal on one end side and the other end side of the head unit 50 in the Y-axis direction. This allows the head unit 50 to move in the V-axis direction while maintaining the posture of the head unit 50 appropriately.

[0067] Furthermore, the tooth width direction of the first rack 61a, the second rack 62a, and the first pinion 65 is aligned with the F-axis direction, which is generally aligned with the direction in which the head unit 50 is attached or detached. As a result, when attaching or detaching the head unit 50, the meshing of the first rack 61a, the second rack 62a, and the first pinion 65 does not interfere, and the head unit 50 can be easily attached or detached. In addition, even if the first pinion 65 vibrates in the tooth width direction when the second member 63 moves, the vibration is unlikely to be transmitted to the second rack 62a, i.e., the head unit 50, so the head unit 50 can be protected from vibration and failure of the head unit 50 can be suppressed. The tooth width direction of the first rack 61a, the second rack 62a, and the first pinion 65 is along the F-axis direction, and in this embodiment, is at a slight angle to the attachment / detachment direction of the head unit 50, but may also be parallel to the attachment / detachment direction of the head unit 50.

[0068] 3, multiple third racks 64a and multiple second pinions 67 are provided in the Y-axis direction, so the second member 63 can be moved in the V-axis direction while appropriately maintaining the posture of the second member 63. This allows the head unit 50 to be moved while also appropriately maintaining the posture of the head unit 50.

[0069] Next, the configuration of the head unit 50 will be further described. As described above, the head unit 50 includes the unit body 50a that includes the line head 51, and the second rack-forming member 62 that is an example of a displacement member. The unit body 50a has engagement pins 50d (see FIG. 10) on both sides in the Y-axis direction as portions that engage with the second rack-forming member 62. Two engagement pins 50d are provided at both sides in the Y-axis direction of the unit body 50a, spaced apart in the V-axis direction. Two guide holes 62b extending in the V-axis direction are provided at a distance along the V-axis direction in the second rack-forming member 62, and the engagement pins 50d fit into the guide holes 62b, connecting the unit body 50a and the second rack-forming member 62 while allowing them to move relatively along the V-axis direction.

[0070] A spring 55, which is an example of a pressing member, is provided between the unit main body 50a and the second rack forming member 62 (see also FIG. 6). In this embodiment, the spring 55 is a compression coil spring. However, the spring 55 is not limited to a compression coil spring, and may be a tension coil spring, a torsion coil spring, or the like, as long as it can exert a force F3 (see FIG. 11) between the unit main body 50a and the second rack forming member 62, which will be described later. 10, reference numeral 50c denotes a spring receiving portion provided on the unit main body 50a, and reference numeral 62c denotes a spring receiving portion provided on the second rack forming member 62. The spring 55 exerts a pressing force between the spring receiving portion 50c and the spring receiving portion 62c, and this pressing force acts to separate the spring receiving portion 50c and the spring receiving portion 62c.

[0071] When the head unit 50 is not in contact with the adjustment cam 80 described later, the spring 55 is in its most extended state between the spring receiving portion 50c and the spring receiving portion 62c, and the engagement pin 50d is positioned in the -V direction in the guide hole 62b.

[0072] Next, an adjustment cam 80 is provided in the -V direction relative to the head unit 50. The adjustment cam 80 is provided rotatably around an eccentric shaft 81 by receiving power from a motor (not shown). The adjustment cams 80 are provided on both sides of the head unit 50 in the Y-axis direction, as shown in Figure 14. In Figure 14, the adjustment cams 80 are hatched for ease of illustration. The head unit 50 is provided with cam contact surfaces 50b that come into contact with the adjustment cam 80. The cam contact surfaces 50b are also provided on both sides of the head unit 50 in the Y-axis direction as shown in FIG.

[0073] The recording position of the head unit 50 is determined by the cam contact surface 50b coming into contact with the adjustment cam 80. That is, the adjustment cam 80 comes into contact with a part of the head unit 50 moving from the retracted position toward the recording position, and functions as a positioning portion that determines the position of the head unit 50 at the recording position. Here, the adjustment cam 80 rotates around the eccentric shaft 81, so that the position of the cam abutment surface 50b in the V-axis direction can be adjusted by rotating the adjustment cam 80, that is, the recording position can be adjusted. The recording position is adjusted according to, for example, the thickness of the medium to be recorded on.

[0074] When the control unit 58 (see FIG. 3) drives the motor 59 to move the head unit 50 to the recording position, it further drives the motor 59 from a state in which the cam abutment surface 50b abuts the adjustment cam 80 to move the second rack forming member 62 in the -V direction. At this time, the unit main body 50a does not move in the -V direction because the cam abutment surface 50b abuts the adjustment cam 80, and only the second rack forming member 62 moves in the -V direction as shown by the change from FIG. 10 to FIG. 11. This relative movement between the unit main body 50a and the second rack forming member 62 causes the spring 55 to compress, exerting a force F3 shown in FIG. 11 on the unit main body 50a.

[0075] As described above, the head unit 50 includes the unit body 50a equipped with the line head 51, the second rack forming member 62 that is displaceable relative to the unit body 50a in the movement direction of the head unit 50, and the spring 55 that is a pressing member that is interposed between the unit body 50a and the second rack forming member 62 and presses the unit body 50a toward the adjustment cam 80 when the head unit 50 is at the recording position, and the movement mechanism 60 is configured to apply a force to the second rack forming member 62 to move the head unit 50. This does not require high stopping accuracy when the movement mechanism 60 moves the head unit 50 toward the recording position and stops it with the unit body 50a in contact with the adjustment cam 80, making it easier to control the position of the head unit 50.

[0076] 11, the first pinion 65 applies a force F1 in the −V direction to the second rack forming member 62. To maintain this state, the control unit 58 (see FIG. 3) may perform hold control of the motor 59. In this state, the unit body 50a receives a reaction force F2 in the +V direction from the adjustment cam 80 at the position of the cam contact surface 50b. Since the direction of the force F1 and the direction of the reaction force F2 are opposite and the acting positions are apart, a moment Ma that tends to rotate the head unit 50 counterclockwise in FIG. 11 is generated. Note that both force F1 and reaction force F2 act on the +Y side and the -Y side, and in this embodiment, the magnitude of force F1 acting on the +Y side and the magnitude of force F1 acting on the -Y side are approximately the same, and the magnitude of reaction force F2 acting on the +Y side and the -Y side are approximately the same. Therefore, moment Ma is also generated with approximately the same magnitude on the +Y side and the -Y side.

[0077] This moment Ma acts as a pressing force R3 that presses the third guided roller 52C against the second guide surface S2, and also acts as a lifting force R2 that lifts the second guided roller 52B from the second guide surface S2. The pressing force R3 increases the force W3 with which the third guided roller 52C contacts the second guide surface S2 due to the weight of the head unit 50, so the third guided roller 52C does not lift up from the second guide surface S2. In contrast, the lifting force R2 acts to cancel out the force W2 with which the second guided roller 52B contacts the second guide surface S2 due to the weight of the head unit 50, so when the lifting force R2 overcomes the force W2, the second guided roller 52B lifts up from the second guide surface S2. This can cause the head unit 50 to assume an improper posture, which can adversely affect recording quality. Furthermore, since the head unit 50 is supported at one point on the +Y direction side by the first guided roller 52A, the first guided roller 52A does not lift up from the first guide surface S1-1, but since it is in a state where it is easy to rotate around the first guided roller 52A as a fulcrum, the posture becomes unstable due to the influence of the moment Ma.

[0078] The moment Ma increases as the force F1 increases. The moment Ma also increases as the force F3 increases. The moment Ma also increases as the distance between the acting position of the force F1 and the acting position of the reaction force F2 increases in the F-axis direction.

[0079] In this embodiment, in order to prevent the attitude of the head unit 50 from becoming unstable due to the moment Ma, a unit pressing means 70 is provided that applies a pressing force F4 to the head unit 50 in a direction that cancels out the rotation due to the moment Ma. In this embodiment, the unit pressing means 70 is provided near the end of the head unit 50 in the -Y direction in the Y-axis direction, as shown in FIG.

[0080] 12, the unit pressing means 70 is a member rotatably provided in the head unit 50 and includes a rotating member 71 having a free end 71d, a spring 73 (see FIG. 13) that is a member provided in the head unit 50 and presses the rotating member 71 in a direction in which the free end 71d moves away from the head unit 50 (+F direction), and a driven roller 76 that is a member provided independently from the head unit 50 and comes into contact with the rotating member 71 when the head unit 50 is in the recording position. The driven roller 76 is an example of a contact member that comes into contact with the rotating member 71. In this way, the unit pressing means 70 is configured to include the rotating member 71, the spring 73, and the driven roller 76, so that the unit pressing means 70 can have a simple structure.

[0081] More specifically, the driven roller 76 is rotatably mounted on the support member 75 via a rotation shaft 77. In this embodiment, one driven roller 76 is provided at a position where it engages with the rotation member 71 in the Y-axis direction. 10 to 13, a rotation member 71 is provided in the unit body 50a so as to be rotatable around a rotation shaft 72. The axis of the rotation shaft 72 is aligned along the Y-axis direction, and a free end 71d is positioned in the +V direction relative to the rotation shaft 72. 13, the spring 73 is provided below the rotating member 71, and its free end 71d presses the rotating member 71 in a direction (+F direction) away from the head unit 50. The spring force of the spring 73 presses the rotating member 71 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 13. Note that while the spring 73 is a compression coil spring in this embodiment, it is not limited to a compression coil spring and may be a tension coil spring, a torsion coil spring, or the like, as long as it can press the rotating member 71 in the clockwise direction in FIG.

[0082] As shown in Fig. 13, the unit main body 50a is provided with a rotation restricting member 78. The rotation restricting member 78 has a protruding rotation restricting portion 78a, which fits into a window hole 71c formed in the rotating member 71. As a result, when the rotating member 71 is separated from the driven roller 76, the lower edge of the window hole 71c abuts against the rotation restricting portion 78a, as shown in Fig. 13(A), and clockwise rotation of the rotating member 71 in Fig. 13 is restricted.

[0083] When the head unit 50 moves from this state toward the recording position, the rotating member 71 comes into contact with the driven roller 76 and rotates counterclockwise, as shown by the change from Figure 13(A) to Figure 13(B). This causes the spring 73 to compress, and the spring force of the spring 73 acts on the spring bearing portion 50e that receives the spring 73. This spring force becomes the pressing force F4 shown in Figure 11. The spring force of the spring 73 is set to a magnitude that counters the lifting force R2 and prevents the second guided roller 52B from lifting up from the second guide surface S2.

[0084] As described above, the printer 1 is equipped with a unit pressing device 70 that applies a pressing force F4 (see FIG. 11) to the head unit 50 in a direction that cancels out the rotation of the head unit 50 when the head unit 50 is in the recording position. The pressing force F4 from the unit pressing device 70 presses the second guided roller 52B against the second guide surface S2 regardless of the lift-up force R2. This prevents the position of the head unit 50 from becoming unstable due to the moment Ma, and good recording quality can be obtained. Furthermore, the unit pressing means 70 attempts to cancel out the rotation of the head unit 50 by pressing the head unit 50 in a direction intersecting the movement direction of the head unit 50, thereby preventing the unit pressing means 70 from impeding the movement of the head unit 50 along the V-axis direction. As a result, it is possible to prevent increases in costs and power consumption that would otherwise be associated with increasing the rated output of the motor 59 (see FIG. 3), which is the power source for the movement of the head unit 50. In this embodiment, the pressing direction of the head unit 50 by the unit pressing means 70 is the -F direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the V-axis direction, which is the movement direction of the head unit 50, but this is not limited to this and it is sufficient if it is a direction that intersects with the V-axis direction, which is the movement direction of the head unit 50.

[0085] The head unit 50 also includes a first guided roller 52A at one end in the Y-axis direction (end in the +Y direction), and a second guided roller 52B and a third guided roller 52C at the other end in the Y-axis direction (end in the -Y direction) spaced apart in the movement direction of the head unit 50. The first guided roller 52A is supported and guided in the movement direction by first guide surfaces S1-1 and S1-2 (see FIG. 8) extending along the movement direction of the head unit 50, while the second guided roller 52B and the third guided roller 52C are supported and guided in the movement direction by a second guide surface S2 (see FIG. 7) extending along the movement direction. The head unit 50 is supported at three locations—the first guided roller 52A, the second guided roller 52B, and the third guided roller 52C—at least when in the recording position. This stabilizes the posture of the head unit 50 at the recording position, enabling good recording quality to be achieved.

[0086] 14, symbol Q1 denotes a first position where the first guided roller 52A contacts the first guide surface S1-1, symbol Q2 denotes a second position where the second guided roller 52B contacts the second guide surface S2, and symbol Q3 denotes a third position where the third guided roller 52C contacts the second guide surface S2. Symbol Q4 denotes a fourth position where the unit pressing means 70 applies a pressing force F4 to the head unit 50. In this embodiment, when viewed from a direction (+F direction) perpendicular to a plane including the first position Q1, the second position Q2, and the third position Q3, the fourth position Q4 is inside a triangular area At connecting the first position Q1, the second position Q2, and the third position Q3.

[0087] As a result, the first guided roller 52A is pressed appropriately against the first guide surface S1-1, the second guided roller 52B is pressed appropriately against the second guide surface S2, and further the third guided roller 52C is pressed appropriately against the second guide surface S2, resulting in a stable posture of the head unit 50 and good recording quality. However, the fourth position Q4 may be on the outer edge of the area At, or may be outside the fourth position Q4.

[0088] 14, the symbol Q5 indicates the center of gravity of the head unit 50 when viewed from a direction (+F direction) perpendicular to the plane including the first position Q1, the second position Q2, and the third position Q3. The center of gravity Q5 is located inside a triangular area At connecting the first position Q1, the second position Q2, and the third position Q3. This stabilizes the posture of the head unit 50.

[0089] As described above, the second guided roller 52B is positioned to be lifted from the second guide surface S2 due to the rotation of the head unit 50 caused by the moment Ma, and the third guided roller 52C is positioned to be pressed against the second guide surface S2 due to the rotation of the head unit 50 caused by the moment Ma. The fourth position Q4, where the unit pressing means 70 applies a pressing force F4 to the head unit 50, is located closer to the second position Q2 than the intermediate position Yc between the first position Q1 and the second position Q2 in the Y-axis direction. Also, the fourth position Q4 is located closer to the second position Q2 than the intermediate position Vc between the second position Q2 and the third position Q3 in the V-axis direction. As a result, the head unit 50 is pressed at a position close to the second guided roller 52B, and rotation of the head unit 50 is appropriately suppressed. However, the fourth position Q4 may be located on the intermediate position Yc or closer to the first position Q1 than the intermediate position Yc in the Y-axis direction, or may be located on the intermediate position Vc or closer to the third position Q3 than the intermediate position Vc in the V-axis direction.

[0090] Furthermore, the axial centerline of the rotation shaft 72 of the rotation member 71 is aligned along the Y-axis direction, and in the V-axis direction, the free end 71d is located in the +V direction, i.e., on the retracted position side, relative to the rotation shaft 72. When the head unit 50 moves from the retracted position to the recording position, the driven roller 76 moves relative to the rotation member 71 from the rotation shaft 72 toward the free end 71d. As a result, the force applied to the head unit 50 by the unit pressing means 70 gradually increases as the head unit 50 moves from the retracted position to the recording position. In other words, a sudden large load is prevented from being applied to the head unit 50 when it moves to the recording position, allowing the head unit 50 to move smoothly to the recording position. 13, the surface of the rotating member 71 that comes into contact with the driven roller 76 is made up of a first contact surface 71a and a second contact surface 71b that forms a predetermined angle with the first contact surface 71a, and when the head unit 50 moves to the recording position, the first contact surface 71a first comes into contact with the driven roller 76. When switching from the state of FIG. 13(A) to the state of FIG. 13(B), the first contact surface 71a functions to guide the driven roller 76 to the second contact surface 71b, which allows the head unit 50 to move more smoothly to the recording position.

[0091] The unit pressing means 70 also includes a rotation restricting portion 78a that restricts the rotation of the rotating member 71 in a direction in which the free end 71d of the rotating member 71 moves away from the head unit 50. This reduces the contact angle when the driven roller 76 contacts the rotating member 71, further preventing a sudden large load from being applied when the head unit 50 moves to the recording position. In this embodiment, the contact member that contacts the rotating member 71 is the driven roller 76, so the load on the rotating member 71 is reduced, but other fixed members may be used as the contact member instead of the driven roller 76.

[0092] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and it goes without saying that these modifications are also included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1...inkjet printer, 2...device main body, 3...first media cassette, 4...second media cassette, 5...third media cassette, 6...extension unit, 8...output tray, 8a...protrusion, 8b...support surface, 9...scanner unit, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D...ink storage section, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D...mounting section, 12...waste liquid storage section, 13...conveyor belt, 14, 15...pulley, 19...supply roller, 20...separation roller, 21, 22, 23...pick roller, 25, 26, 27...feed roller pair, 28 , 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38... conveying roller pair, 41... flap, 43... wiper unit, 44... wiper, 49... shaft, 50... head unit, 50a... unit main body, 50b... cam contact surface, 50c... spring receiving portion, 50d... engagement pin, 50e... spring receiving portion, 51... line head, 51a... ink ejection surface, 52A... first guided roller, 52B... second guided roller, 52C... third guided roller, 52D... fourth guided roller, 53... lower roller, 54... lower roller roller support member, 55...spring, 58...control unit, 59...motor, 60...movement mechanism, 61A...right guide member, 61B-1...left first guide member, 61B-2...left second guide member, 61a...first rack, 61b...right first guide groove, 61c...right second guide groove, 61d...left first guide groove, 61e...left second guide groove, 61j...third guide groove, 61k...fourth guide groove, 62...second rack forming member, 62a...second rack, 62b...guide hole, 62c...spring receiving portion, 63...second member, 64...third rack forming member, 64a...third 3 rack, 65...first pinion, 67...second pinion, 68...rotating shaft, 69...guide roller, 70...unit pressing means, 71...rotating member, 71a...first contact surface, 71b...second contact surface, 71c...window hole, 71d...free end, 72...rotating shaft, 73...spring, 75...support member, 76...driven roller, 77...rotating shaft, 78...rotation regulating member, 78a...rotation regulating portion, 80...adjusting cam, 81...eccentric shaft, S1-1, S1-2...first guide surface, S2...second guide surface, T1...transport path during recording, T2...switchback path, T3...reversal path

Claims

1. a medium transport path for transporting the medium; a recording head for recording on a medium transported along the medium transport path; a head unit including the recording head, the head unit being movable between a recording position where recording is performed on a medium and a retracted position where the head unit is retracted from the medium transport path; a movement mechanism that applies a force to the head unit along a movement direction of the head unit to move the head unit; a positioning portion that contacts a portion of the head unit moving from the retracted position toward the recording position and determines the position of the head unit at the recording position, a moment is generated that rotates the head unit when viewed from a medium width direction that is a direction intersecting a medium transport direction, due to a force that the moving mechanism applies to the head unit and a reaction force that the head unit receives from the positioning unit; a unit pressing means for applying a force to the head unit in a direction that cancels the rotation of the head unit when the head unit is at the recording position, the unit pressing means presses the head unit in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the head unit, the head unit includes a first guided portion at one end in the medium width direction, and a second guided portion and a third guided portion at the other end in the medium width direction, spaced apart in the movement direction of the head unit; the first guided portion is supported by a first guide surface extending along the movement direction of the head unit and is guided in the movement direction; the second guided portion and the third guided portion are guided in the movement direction while being supported by a second guide surface extending along the movement direction, the head unit is supported at three locations, namely, the first guided portion, the second guided portion, and the third guided portion, at least when the head unit is in the recording position; A recording device characterized by:

2. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to a plane including a first position where the first guided portion contacts the first guide surface, a second position where the second guided portion contacts the second guide surface, and a third position where the third guided portion contacts the second guide surface, the position at which the unit pressing means applies force to the head unit is within a triangular area connecting the first position, the second position, and the third position; A recording device characterized by:

3. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, the second guided portion is located at a position that rises above the second guide surface due to the rotation of the head unit, the third guided portion is located at a position where it is pressed against the second guide surface by the rotation of the head unit, a position at which the unit pressing means applies a force to the head unit is located closer to the second position than an intermediate position between the first position and the second position in the medium width direction, and is located closer to the second position than an intermediate position between the second position and the third position in the movement direction; A recording device characterized by:

4. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, The unit pressing means is a member rotatably provided in the head unit, the member having a free end, and a spring that is a member provided in the head unit and that presses the rotating member in a direction in which the free end moves away from the head unit; a contact member that is provided independently of the head unit and that comes into contact with the rotating member when the head unit is at the recording position; The spring force of the spring applies a force to the head unit in a direction that counteracts the rotation of the head unit. A recording device characterized by:

5. a medium transport path for transporting the medium; a recording head for recording on a medium transported along the medium transport path; a head unit including the recording head, the head unit being movable between a recording position where recording is performed on a medium and a retracted position where the head unit is retracted from the medium transport path; a movement mechanism that applies a force to the head unit along a movement direction of the head unit to move the head unit; a positioning portion that contacts a portion of the head unit moving from the retracted position toward the recording position and determines the position of the head unit at the recording position, a moment is generated that rotates the head unit when viewed from a medium width direction that is a direction intersecting a medium transport direction, due to a force that the moving mechanism applies to the head unit and a reaction force that the head unit receives from the positioning unit; a unit pressing means for applying a force to the head unit in a direction that cancels the rotation of the head unit when the head unit is at the recording position, the unit pressing means presses the head unit in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the head unit, The unit pressing means is a member rotatably provided in the head unit, the member having a free end, and a spring that is a member provided in the head unit and that presses the rotating member in a direction in which the free end moves away from the head unit; a contact member that is provided independently of the head unit and that comes into contact with the rotating member when the head unit is at the recording position; The spring force of the spring applies a force to the head unit in a direction that counteracts the rotation of the head unit. A recording device characterized by:

6. In the recording device according to claim 4 or claim 5, a center line of the rotation shaft of the rotating member is aligned along the medium width direction; In the movement direction of the head unit, the free end is located on the retracted position side with respect to the rotation shaft, When the head unit moves from the retracted position to the recording position, the contact member moves relative to the rotating member from the rotation shaft toward the free end. A recording device characterized by:

7. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, a rotation restricting portion configured to restrict the rotation of the rotating member in a direction away from the head unit; A recording device characterized by:

8. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the head unit comprises: a unit main body that includes the recording head and that abuts against the positioning portion; a displacement member that is displaceable relative to the unit body along the movement direction of the head unit; a pressing member that is interposed between the unit body and the displacement member and presses the unit body toward the positioning portion when the head unit is at the recording position, the movement mechanism applies an external force to the displacement member to move the head unit; A recording device characterized by:

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