Recording device

Abstract

To solve such a problem that in such a configuration that a maintenance unit is straightly pulled out obliquely upward along an ink discharge surface, a space required for taking-out of the maintenance unit from a line head is increased and a size of a device is increased.SOLUTION: A maintenance part for maintenance of a recording part comprises: a first guided part which is guided by guide means; and a second guided part which is positioned in a first movement direction toward a maintenance position from a retreat position with respect to the first guided part. The guide means permits rotation of the maintenance part with the first guided part as a rotation axis that is accompanied by withdrawal of the second guided part from the guide means when the maintenance part moves in the first movement direction from the maintenance position, and the first guided part moves in the first movement direction after rotation of the maintenance part has been permitted, and thus, can be withdrawn from the guide means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus having a recording unit that discharges a liquid onto a medium to record. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a configuration in which a head moving unit equipped with a line head, which is a recording head, a maintenance unit equipped with a cap portion that caps the line head, and a second maintenance unit equipped with a blade that wipes the line head are movable in directions perpendicular to each other. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-121483 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The maintenance unit that maintains the recording head may need to be replaced. For example, when replacing the maintenance unit equipped with a cap in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the maintenance unit must be pulled out diagonally upwards along the ink ejection surface until it can be removed from under the line head. In this case, a large amount of space is required for the maintenance unit to be removed from under the line head, resulting in a larger device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, the recording device of the present invention comprises: a recording unit that records by ejecting liquid onto a medium; a maintenance unit that is movable along a movement path that includes a maintenance position that is a position when maintenance of the recording unit is performed and a retracted position that is retracted from the maintenance position; and a guide means that guides the maintenance unit along the movement path, wherein the maintenance unit comprises a first guided portion that is guided by the guide means, and a second guided portion that is positioned in a first movement direction that is a direction from the retracted position toward the maintenance position relative to the first guided portion and is guided by the guide means, wherein when the maintenance unit moves from the maintenance position in the first movement direction, the guide means allows the maintenance unit to rotate around the first guided portion as a rotation axis, which rotation involves the second guided portion separating from the guide means, and the first guided portion can separate from the guide means by the maintenance unit moving in the first movement direction after the rotation is allowed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a media transport path of the printer. [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the positions of the other units when the head unit is in the ink ejection position. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the positions of the other units when the head unit is in the cap position. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the positions of the other units when the head unit is in the wiping position. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the printer from the rear. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cap carriage with the cap unit attached. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one side of the cap carriage. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the other side of the cap carriage. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a side view of one side of the cap carriage when in the maintenance position. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a side view of the other side of the cap carriage when in the maintenance position. [Figure 13] 10 is a side view of one side of the cap carriage that has moved from the maintenance position in the first movement direction and is midway through rotation. FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a side view of the other side of the cap carriage that has moved from the maintenance position in the first movement direction and is midway through rotation. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a discharge tray mounting portion of the apparatus main body, showing a state in which the discharge tray is mounted. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a discharge tray mounting portion of the apparatus main body, with the discharge tray removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention will be briefly described below. A recording device according to a first aspect comprises a recording unit that records by ejecting liquid onto a medium, a maintenance unit whose movement path includes a maintenance position that is a position when maintenance of the recording unit is performed and a retracted position that is retracted from the maintenance position, and is movable along the movement path, and a guide means that guides the maintenance unit along the movement path, wherein the maintenance unit comprises a first guided portion guided by the guide means, and a second guided portion that is positioned relative to the first guided portion in a first movement direction that is a direction from the retracted position toward the maintenance position and is guided by the guide means, wherein when the maintenance unit moves from the maintenance position in the first movement direction, the guide means allows the maintenance unit to rotate around the first guided portion as a rotation axis, which rotation involves the second guided portion separating from the guide means, and the first guided portion can separate from the guide means by the maintenance unit moving in the first movement direction after the rotation is allowed.

[0008] According to this aspect, when the maintenance unit moves from the maintenance position in the first movement direction, the maintenance unit becomes rotatable around the first guided unit as a rotation axis. This rotation causes the second guided unit to first disengage from the guide means, and then the first guided unit further moves in the first movement direction, allowing it to disengage from the guide means. This reduces the space required to remove the maintenance unit and prevents the device from becoming larger, compared to a configuration in which the first guided unit and the second guided unit are disengaged from the guide means by moving the maintenance unit straight in the first movement direction.

[0009] The second aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the guide means comprises a lower guide portion that supports the first guided portion and the second guided portion at least between the retracted position and the maintenance position on the movement path, and an upper guide portion that is located above the lower guide portion, and when the maintenance portion moves from the maintenance position in the first movement direction, the second guided portion is released from the constraint of the upper guide portion, and the rotation of the maintenance portion accompanied by the upward movement of the second guided portion is permitted.

[0010] According to this aspect, when the maintenance part moves from the maintenance position in the first movement direction, the second guided part is released from the constraint of the upper guide part, and the rotation of the maintenance part, which involves the upward movement of the second guided part, is allowed, so the maintenance part can be rotated upward, i.e., the maintenance part can be removed from above, making it easier to remove the maintenance part. Incidentally, upward movement of the second guided portion does not necessarily mean a straight movement of the second guided portion in the vertically upward direction, but may mean any movement that includes a vertically upward component.

[0011] The third aspect is characterized in that, in the second aspect, the first guided portion is provided on a side of the maintenance portion in a first direction which is one direction of the intersecting direction and on a side of the maintenance portion in a second direction which is the other direction of the intersecting direction, in an intersecting direction that intersects with the movement direction of the maintenance portion, the second guided portion is provided on a side of the first direction and a side of the second direction in the intersecting direction, and the guide means is provided in the first direction and the second direction relative to the maintenance portion in the intersecting direction. According to this aspect, the first guided portion and the second guided portion are provided on both sides of the maintenance part in the intersecting direction and are guided by the guide means, so that the maintenance part can move stably along the movement path.

[0012] The fourth aspect is characterized in that, in the third aspect, the first guided portion provided on the side in the first direction has a first contact portion that contacts the guide means, and the first guided portion provided on the side in the second direction has a second contact portion that contacts the guide means, and the first contact portion and the second contact portion are in overlapping positions when viewed from the intersecting direction.

[0013] According to this aspect, the first contact portion and the second contact portion are positioned to overlap when viewed from the intersecting direction, so the maintenance portion can rotate stably when rotating around the first guided portion, i.e., the first contact portion and the second contact portion as a fulcrum. Furthermore, the space required for rotation of the first contact portion and the second contact portion can be reduced, and an increase in size can be prevented.

[0014] A fifth aspect is characterized in that, in the third or fourth aspect, the second guided portion provided on the side in the first direction and the second guided portion provided on the side in the second direction have at least one contact portion that comes into contact with the guide means, at least one of the second guided portion provided on the side in the first direction and the second guided portion provided on the side in the second direction has a plurality of contact portions, and the contact portion that constitutes the second guided portion provided on the side in the first direction and the contact portion that constitutes the second guided portion provided on the side in the second direction do not overlap when viewed from the intersecting direction.

[0015] According to this aspect, since all of the contact portions constituting the second guided portion do not overlap when viewed from the intersecting direction, the contact portions constituting the second guided portion are arranged at displaced positions along the movement direction of the maintenance unit. In other words, since the maintenance unit is supported by the guide means over a wide range along the movement direction, the posture of the maintenance unit can be stably maintained even if the maintenance unit receives an external force from the recording unit.

[0016] The sixth aspect is characterized in that, in the fifth aspect, the lower guide portion is composed of a first lower guide portion and a second lower guide portion positioned at a distance from the first lower guide portion in the first movement direction, and when the maintenance portion is in the maintenance position, the first guided portion is supported by the first lower guide portion and a portion of the second guided portion is supported by the second lower guide portion.

[0017] According to this aspect, the lower guide portion is composed of a first lower guide portion and a second lower guide portion, so there is a risk that the second guided portion will become caught between the first lower guide portion and the second lower guide portion. However, according to the fifth aspect described above, the contact portions that constitute the second guided portion are positioned at different positions along the movement direction of the maintenance unit, so it is possible to prevent the second guided portion from becoming caught between the first lower guide portion and the second lower guide portion.

[0018] The seventh aspect is characterized in that, in the fifth or sixth aspect, the maintenance unit comprises a pressed portion that receives a pressing force from the liquid ejection surface from which the recording unit ejects liquid, and a main body portion that supports the pressed portion and comprises the first guided portion and the second guided portion, and the pressed portion overlaps with a line connecting one contact portion that constitutes the second guided portion provided on the side in the first direction and one contact portion that constitutes the second guided portion provided on the side in the second direction, when viewed from the normal direction to the liquid ejection surface.

[0019] According to this aspect, when viewed from the normal direction to the liquid ejection surface, the cap portion overlaps with a line connecting one contact portion constituting the second guided portion provided on the side portion in the first direction and one contact portion constituting the second guided portion provided on the side portion in the second direction.Therefore, when the pressed portion receives a pressing force from the liquid ejection surface, the pressing force can be appropriately received by the multiple contact portions constituting the second guided portion, and the posture of the pressed portion is stabilized.

[0020] A ninth aspect is the seventh aspect, characterized in that the pressed portion is a cap portion that caps the liquid ejection surface. According to this aspect, in a configuration in which the pressed portion is a cap portion that caps the liquid ejection surface, the effects of the seventh aspect described above can be obtained.

[0021] The ninth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the second to eighth aspects, the movement path includes a vertically upward component from the retracted position toward the maintenance position, and the center of gravity position of the maintenance part in the movement direction of the maintenance part is closer to the first movement direction of the maintenance part.

[0022] According to this aspect, the movement path includes a vertically upward component from the retracted position toward the maintenance position, and the center of gravity of the maintenance part in the movement direction of the maintenance part is closer to the first movement direction of the maintenance part. Therefore, when removing the maintenance part from above, the heavier side is lifted first, making it easier to remove the maintenance part compared to the reverse case.

[0023] The tenth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the second to ninth aspects, the medium transport path that transports the medium curves downstream of the recording unit, thereby intersecting with the movement path when the movement path is extended in the first movement direction.

[0024] According to this aspect, the media transport path that transports the media curves downstream of the recording unit, thereby intersecting with the movement path that would occur if the movement path were extended in the first movement direction. Therefore, when removing the maintenance unit, there is a risk of interference between the maintenance unit and the media transport path. However, due to the effect of the first aspect described above, the maintenance unit can be removed while rotating, thereby avoiding interference between the maintenance unit and the media transport path.

[0025] The eleventh aspect is characterized in that, in any of the second to tenth aspects, a medium receiving section is provided vertically above the recording section to receive the medium that has been recorded on and ejected, and part or all of the medium receiving section is configured to be detachable or openable and closable, and by removing or opening part or all of the medium receiving section, the maintenance section can be removed outside the device.

[0026] According to this aspect, the maintenance unit can be removed from the device by removing or opening part or all of the medium receiving section, so that an opening for removing the maintenance unit from the device can be secured, and the maintenance unit can be easily removed and attached.

[0027] The twelfth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the second to eleventh aspects, a conveyor belt for conveying a medium is provided at a position opposite the recording unit, and the maintenance unit moves and rotates in a direction in which the second guided portion moves away from the conveyor belt.

[0028] According to this aspect, a conveying belt for conveying a medium is provided at a position opposite the recording unit, and the maintenance unit rotates by moving the second guided portion in a direction away from the conveying belt, thereby reducing the risk of the maintenance unit colliding with the conveying belt and damaging the conveying belt.

[0029] A thirteenth aspect is characterized in that, in any of the second to eleventh aspects, the recording unit is movable between a recording position when recording on a medium and a separation position where the recording unit is separated from the recording position so as to increase the distance between the recording unit and the medium, the recording position of the recording unit is regulated by the recording unit abutting against a position regulating member, and the maintenance unit rotates by moving the second guided portion in a direction away from the position regulating member.

[0030] According to this aspect, the maintenance part rotates by moving the second guided part in a direction away from the position regulating member, thereby reducing the risk of the maintenance part colliding with the position regulating member and damaging the position regulating member.

[0031] 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 a Cartesian coordinate system, with the Y-axis direction being the medium width direction that intersects with the medium transport direction and also the device depth direction. The +Y direction, which is the direction of the arrow in the Y-axis direction, is the direction from the front of the device to the rear of the device, and the -Y direction, which is opposite to the +Y direction, is the direction from the rear of the device to the front of the device. The Y-axis direction is also a cross direction that intersects with the movement direction of the cap carriage 60 (described later), with the -Y direction being an example of the first direction and the +Y direction being an example of the second direction. The X-axis direction is the width direction of the device, and the +X direction, in which the arrow points, is the left side as seen by the operator of the printer 1, and the opposite, -X direction, is the right side. The Z-axis direction is the vertical direction, that is, the height direction of the device, and the +Z direction, in which the arrow points, is the upward direction, and the opposite, -Z direction, is the downward direction. Unless otherwise specified below, "up" refers to the +Z direction, and "down" refers to the -Z direction.

[0032] The G-axis direction is the normal direction to the ink ejection surface 102 of the line head 101 described later, and the +G direction in which the arrow points is the direction in which the head unit 100 described later moves away from the conveying belt 13, while the opposite -G direction is the direction in which the head unit 100 moves closer to the conveying belt 13. The F axis direction is parallel to the ink ejection surface 102 and is the medium transport direction at the position facing the ink ejection surface 102. The +F direction, in which the arrow points, is the downstream transport direction, and the opposite -F direction is the upstream transport direction. Note that, below, 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 F axis direction is the movement direction of a cap carriage 60 serving as a maintenance unit, which will be described later, with the +F direction being the first movement direction and the −F direction being the second movement direction. Also, for convenience, some drawings show an FGY coordinate system instead of an XYZ coordinate system.

[0033] The medium transport path is indicated by a dashed line in Figure 1. In the printer 1, the medium is transported through the medium transport path indicated by the dashed line. The printer 1 has multiple media cassettes arranged vertically at the bottom of the device main body 2. In this embodiment, the media cassettes are arranged in order from the top, the first media cassette 3, downwards, as follows: second media cassette 4, third media cassette 5, and fourth media cassette 6. The symbol P indicates the media stored in each media cassette. Each media cassette is provided with a pick roller for feeding out the media stored therein. These pick rollers are indicated by reference numerals 21, 22, 23, and 24.

[0034] Each medium cassette is provided with a pair of feed rollers that feeds the ejected medium diagonally upward. These feed roller pairs are indicated by the reference numerals 25, 26, 27, and 28. The second medium cassette 4, the third medium cassette 5, and the fourth medium cassette 6 are provided with a pair of transport rollers that transport the medium upward. These transport roller pairs are indicated by the reference numerals 16, 17, and 18. 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.

[0035] The medium sent out from each media cassette reaches transport roller pair 29, where it receives a feeding force from transport roller pair 29 and is sent diagonally upward including a +X direction component and a +Z direction component. The media transport path downstream from transport roller pair 29 is curved so as to be convex upward, and the medium passes through this curved path to reach transport roller pair 30. The medium receiving the feeding force from transport roller pair 30 is sent in the +X direction, and passes through a curved path that is curved so as to be convex downward to reach transport roller pair 31.

[0036] The medium receiving the feeding force from the transport roller pair 31 is sent between a line head 101, which is an example of a recording unit, and the transport belt 13, that is, to a position facing the line head 101. The line head 101 performs recording by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto the surface of the medium. The line head 101 is an ink ejection head configured so that nozzles (not shown) 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 across the entire width of the medium without moving in the width direction of the medium.

[0037] Reference numeral 10 denotes an ink storage section that stores ink. Ink ejected from the line head 101 is supplied from the ink storage section 10 to the line head 101 via a tube (not shown). The ink storage section 10 is composed of multiple ink tanks arranged along the X-axis direction.

[0038] 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 101 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.

[0039] The medium transport path that passes through the position facing the line head 101 intersects both the horizontal and vertical directions and transports the medium diagonally upward. This diagonally upward transport direction includes a -X direction component and a +Z direction component in Figure 1, and this configuration makes it possible to reduce the horizontal dimension of the printer 1. In this embodiment, the medium transport path passing through a position facing the line head 101 is set at an inclination angle in the range of 50° to 70° with respect to the horizontal direction, and more specifically, at an inclination angle of 60°.

[0040] The medium on whose first side recording has been performed by the line head 101 is further sent obliquely upward by a pair of transport rollers 32 positioned downstream of the transport belt 13. A flap 41 is provided downstream of the transport roller pair 32, and this flap 41 switches the transport direction of the medium. When the medium is to be discharged as is, the flap 41 switches the transport path of the medium toward the upper transport roller pair 37. A further flap 42 is provided downstream of the transport roller pair 37, and this flap 42 switches the transport path to either discharge from discharge position A1 or transport to the transport roller pair 38 located further vertically above. When the medium is sent toward the transport roller pair 38, it is discharged from discharge position A2. The medium discharged from discharge position A1 is received by discharge tray 8, which is inclined diagonally upward including a +X direction component and a +Z direction component. Discharge tray 8 is located vertically above head unit 100. The medium discharged from discharge position A2 is received by an optional tray (not shown).

[0041] When recording is to be performed on the second side of the medium in addition to the first side, the medium is sent by flap 41 in an obliquely upward direction including a -X direction component and a +Z direction component, passes through branch position K1, and is sent from branch position K1 to an upward switchback path. A transport roller pair 39 is provided on this switchback path, and the medium that enters the switchback path is transported upward by the transport roller pair 39. When the rear end of the medium passes branch position K1, the rotation direction of the transport roller pair 39 is switched, causing the medium to be transported downward.

[0042] The medium transported downward by the transport roller pair 39 receives a feed force from the transport roller pair 33 and the transport roller pair 34 and reaches the transport roller pair 30, and is then sent again by the transport roller pair 30 to a position facing the line head 101. The medium is sent again to a position facing the line head 101, with the second side, opposite to the first side on which recording has already been performed, facing the line head 101. This makes it possible to record on the second side of the medium by the line head 101. The medium on which recording has been performed on the second side is discharged from the above-mentioned discharge position A1 or discharge position A2.

[0043] Next, the operations of the head unit 100, the cap carriage 60, and the wiper carriage 110 will be described with reference to FIGS. The head unit 100 is a unit including a line head 101, and is provided so as to be movable in the G-axis direction upon receiving power from a head movement motor 117 (see FIG. 6). The power of the head movement motor 117 is transmitted to the head unit 100 via a rack and pinion mechanism (not shown). Of course, the mechanism for moving the head unit 100 is not limited to a rack and pinion mechanism, and may be a belt drive mechanism, a lead screw mechanism, or the like. In this embodiment, the head unit 100 is configured to be movable along the G-axis direction, but this is not limiting and the head unit 100 may be fixed. In this case, for example, the conveyor belt 13 may be retracted from a position facing the line head 101, and instead, a cap carriage 60 or a wiper carriage 110 (described later) may move to a position facing the line head 101.

[0044] The cap carriage 60 is a unit including a cap 71 that covers the line head 101, and is an example of a maintenance unit that performs maintenance on the line head 101. The cap 71 is also an example of a pressed unit that receives a pressing force from the ink ejection surface 102 of the line head 101. The cap carriage 60 is provided so as to be movable in the F-axis direction by receiving power from a cap drive motor 67 (see FIGS. 11 to 14). As will be described in detail later, the movement path of the cap carriage 60 includes a retracted position and a maintenance position, and the +F direction in the F-axis direction is a first movement direction that is a direction from the retracted position toward the maintenance position. The -F direction is a second movement direction that is a direction from the maintenance position toward the retracted position.

[0045] The power of the cap drive motor 67 is transmitted to the cap carriage 60 via a rack and pinion mechanism. The rack and pinion mechanism is composed of a rack portion 63b provided on the side surface of the cap carriage 60 in the -Y direction and a pinion 66A that meshes with it (see FIGS. 11 and 13), and a rack portion 64b provided on the side surface of the cap carriage 60 in the +Y direction and a pinion 66B that meshes with it (see FIGS. 12 and 14). The pinions 66A and 66B rotate by receiving the power of the cap drive motor 67. Of course, the mechanism for moving the cap carriage 60 is not limited to a rack and pinion mechanism, but may be a belt drive mechanism, a lead screw mechanism, or the like.

[0046] The wiper carriage 110 is a unit provided with a wiper 112 that wipes the ink ejection surface 102 of the line head 101, and is provided so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction by receiving power from a wiper movement motor 116 (see FIG. 6). The power of the wiper movement motor 116 is transmitted to the wiper carriage 110 via a belt drive mechanism (not shown). Of course, the mechanism for moving the wiper carriage 110 is not limited to a belt drive mechanism, and may be a rack and pinion mechanism, a lead screw mechanism, or the like. As described above, the head unit 100, the cap carriage 60, and the wiper carriage 110 are provided so as to be movable in directions perpendicular to each other.

[0047] 2 shows the positions of each unit when recording on a medium using the line head 101. Hereinafter, the position of the head unit 100 in this state will be referred to as the ink ejection position. When the head unit 100 is in the ink ejection position, the cap carriage 60 is in a retracted position retracted in the -F direction relative to the head unit 100, and the wiper carriage 110 is in a home position set in the +Y direction.

[0048] 3 shows the positions of each unit when the ink ejection surface 102 is capped with the cap 71. Note that the wiper carriage 110 is not shown in FIG. 3 to avoid cluttering the illustration, but in this state, the wiper carriage 110 is located at its home position set in the +Y direction, just as in FIG. 2. Hereinafter, the position of the head unit 100 shown in FIG. 3 will be referred to as the cap position, and the position of the cap carriage 60 will be referred to as the maintenance position.

[0049] When the head unit 100 moves from the ink ejection position in FIG. 2 to the cap position in FIG. 3, the head unit 100 moves from the ink ejection position in FIG. 2 to a position further in the +G direction than the cap position in FIG. 3. The position of the head unit 100 at this time is called the cap standby position. With the head unit 100 in the cap standby position, the cap carriage 60 moves from the retracted position to the maintenance position, so that the ink ejection surface 102 and the cap 71 face each other. Thereafter, the head unit 100 moves slightly in the -G direction to the cap position shown in FIG. 3, and the ink ejection surface 102 is capped by the cap 71. 3, the reference symbol 60-1 indicates the cap carriage 60 before it moves to the maintenance position, i.e., the cap carriage 60 in the retracted position. The reference symbol Rt indicates the movement path of the cap carriage 60 when it moves between the retracted position and the maintenance position. The movement path Rt is located in the -G direction relative to the head unit 100 in the cap standby position, and extends along the F-axis direction.

[0050] When the line head 101 performs a flushing operation, the head unit 100 is positioned slightly in the +G direction from the state shown in Figure 3, and the ink ejection surface 102 and the cap 71 are slightly spaced apart. The position of the head unit 100 at this time is called the flushing position. The flushing position is between the cap position and the cap standby position.

[0051] 4 shows the positions of each unit when the wiper 112 is wiping the ink ejection surface 102. Hereinafter, the position of the head unit 100 in this state will be referred to as the wiping position. When the head unit 100 is in the wiping position, the cap carriage 60 is in a position retracted in the -F direction relative to the head unit 100, as shown in FIG. When the head unit 100 moves from the ink ejection position in FIG. 2 to the wiping position in FIG. 4, that is, when wiping the ink ejection surface 102, the head unit 100 moves from the ink ejection position in FIG. 2 to a position further in the +G direction than the wiping position in FIG. 4. The position of the head unit 100 at this time is called the wiping standby position. With the head unit 100 in the wiping standby position, the wiper carriage 110 moves from the home position in the +Y direction to an end position in the -Y direction. The head unit 100 then moves slightly in the -G direction to the wiping position shown in FIG. 4, and as the wiper carriage 110 moves in the +Y direction in this state, the ink ejection surface 102 is wiped by the wiper 112.

[0052] The head unit 100 can be moved further in the +G direction from the wiping position. By moving the head unit 100 further in the +G direction from the wiping position, the head unit 100 can be replaced. In other words, the head unit 100 can be moved between a replacement position furthest in the +G direction and an ink ejection position furthest in the -G direction.

[0053] The cap carriage 60 will be further described below with reference to FIG. 5 and subsequent figures. 5, the device main body 2 has a frame 43A at its end in the -Y direction and a frame 43B at its end in the +Y direction. A motion unit 45 is fixed to the frames 43A and 43B. The motion unit 45 is a unit that includes a head unit 100, a cap carriage 60, and a wiper carriage 110.

[0054] 6 and 7, the motion unit 45 includes a front frame 47 and a rear frame 48 positioned in the +Y direction relative to the front frame 47. The front frame 47 and the rear frame 48 form a frame surface along the XZ plane. The front frame 47 and the rear frame 48 are formed from metal plate material. The front frame 47 and the rear frame 48 are connected by a first connecting frame 50, a second connecting frame 51, and a third connecting frame 52, which extend in the Y-axis direction. The first connecting frame 50, the second connecting frame 51, and the third connecting frame 52 are formed by bending a metal plate material.

[0055] In this embodiment, the first connection frame 50, the second connection frame 51, and the third connection frame 52 are joined to the front frame 47 and the rear frame 48 by welding. The frame assembly 46 is configured by fixing the first connection frame 50, the second connection frame 51, and the third connection frame 52 to the front frame 47 and the rear frame 48, as shown in Fig. 7. For convenience, hereinafter, the space between the front frame 47 and the rear frame 48 may be referred to as the "inside," and the -Y direction with respect to the front frame 47 or the +Y direction with respect to the rear frame 48 may be referred to as the "outside."

[0056] The first connection frame 50, the second connection frame 51, and the third connection frame 52 are bent so that part or all of their cross sections are square, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, thereby improving the overall rigidity of the frame assembly 46, i.e., the motion unit 45.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the first connection frame 50 extends from a rectangular portion in the -G direction, then in the +F direction, and is bent again to extend in the -G direction, thereby forming an integral third guide portion 45c. The third guide portion 45c guides the wiper carriage 110 in the Y-axis direction. The second connection frame 51 is also provided with a fourth guide portion 45d, which extends from the second connection frame 51 in the +G direction and is then bent in the -F direction. The fourth guide portion 45d, like the other frames, is formed by bending a metal plate and, together with the third guide portion 45c, guides the wiper carriage 110 in the Y-axis direction. The fourth guide portion 45d is not shown in FIG. 7.

[0058] The third guide portion 45c extends to the outside of the rear frame 48 as shown in Fig. 7. That is, the main body of the first connection frame 50 extends between the front frame 47 and the rear frame 48, but only the third guide portion 45c extends to the outside of the rear frame 48. This allows the wiper carriage 110 to move to the outside of the rear frame 48. Note that, like the third guide portion 45c, the fourth guide portion 45d also extends to the outside of the rear frame 48 as shown in Fig. 6.

[0059] 6 and 7, an opening 48a is formed in the rear frame 48. The opening 48a has a shape that follows the outer shape of the wiper carriage 110 when the wiper carriage 110 is viewed from the Y-axis direction, and is formed to be larger than the outer shape of the wiper carriage 110. This allows the wiper carriage 110 to move between the inside and outside of the rear frame 48 through the opening 48a.

[0060] Head guide means are provided along the G-axis direction on the inside of the front frame 47 and the rear frame 48. In Figures 6 and 7, the head guide means provided on the front frame 47 is indicated by the reference symbol 45a, and the head guide means provided on the rear frame 48 is not visible. The head guide means 45a guides the head unit 100 in the G-axis direction. Furthermore, cap guide means are provided along the F-axis direction on the inside of the front frame 47 and the rear frame 48. In Figure 7, the cap guide means provided on the front frame 47 is indicated by the reference numeral 90, and the cap guide means provided on the rear frame 48 is not visible. The cap guide means 90 guides the cap carriage 60 in the F-axis direction. The cap guide means 90 will be described in detail later.

[0061] Next, the configuration of the cap carriage 60 will be described in detail. 8, the base of the cap carriage 60 is formed by a main body 61. The main body 61 has a shape that opens in the +F and +G directions, and caps 71a, 71b, 71c, 71d, and 71e are provided along the Y-axis direction on the main body 61. In this specification, when there is no need to distinguish between these multiple caps, they will be referred to as caps 71.

[0062] A first side frame 63 is erected at the -Y direction end of the main body 61, and a second side frame 64 is erected at the +Y direction end. A rack portion 63b is formed along the F-axis direction on the -G direction surface of the first side frame 63, i.e., the bottom surface, as shown in Figure 9. As described above, the rack portion 63b engages with the pinion 66A (see Figures 11 and 13), forming a rack and pinion mechanism. 10, a rack portion 64b is formed along the F-axis direction on the surface of the second side frame 64 facing the -G direction, i.e., on the bottom surface. As described above, the rack portion 64b engages with the pinion 66B (see FIGS. 12 and 14), forming a rack and pinion mechanism.

[0063] 8, a first positioning portion 68 is provided on the inside of the first side frame 63, and a second positioning portion 69 is provided on the inside of the second side frame 64. The first positioning portion 68 and the second positioning portion 69 each abut against a contact pin (not shown) provided on the head unit 100, thereby determining the position of the cap 71 relative to the head unit 100. Note that the engagement between the abutment pin and the first positioning portion 68 and the second positioning portion 69 can be released when the head unit 100 moves to the replacement position. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the first positioning portion 68 and the second positioning portion 69 are the portions of the cap carriage 60 that protrude most in the +G direction.

[0064] 9 and 10, a first guided portion 75 and a second guided portion 80 are provided on the -Y direction side surface of the first side frame 63 and the +Y direction side surface of the second side frame 64. The first guided portion 75 and the second guided portion 80 are portions that are guided in the F axis direction by the cap guide means 90 outlined with reference to FIG. In this way, the first guided portion 75 and the second guided portion 80 are provided on the side surface of the cap carriage 60 facing the first direction, i.e., the -Y direction, and on the side surface of the cap carriage 60 facing the second direction, i.e., the +Y direction, in the Y axis direction, which is an intersecting direction intersecting the F axis direction. This allows the cap carriage 60 to move stably along the F axis direction. The second guided portion 80 may be provided on only one of the side surface of the cap carriage 60 facing the -Y direction and the side surface of the cap carriage 60 facing the +Y direction.

[0065] In this embodiment, the first guided portion 75 is made up of a first contact portion 76 provided on the first side frame 63 and a second contact portion 77 provided on the second side frame 64. In this embodiment, the second guided portion 80 is composed of a third contact portion 81 and a fourth contact portion 82 provided on the first side frame 63, and a fifth contact portion 83 provided on the second side frame 64. Each of the first contact portion 76, the second contact portion 77, the third contact portion 81, the fourth contact portion 82, and the fifth contact portion 83 is a portion that comes into contact with the cap guide means 90, which will be described later, and in this embodiment, is configured as a driven roller that can rotate following the rotation. The center line of the rotation axis of the driven roller is parallel to the Y-axis direction. However, each of the contact portions is not limited to being a driven roller, and may be configured as a non-rotating portion.

[0066] 15, the first contact portion 76 and the second contact portion 77 that constitute the first guided portion 75 are arranged so that their positions in the F-axis direction coincide. In other words, the first contact portion 76 and the second contact portion 77 are positioned so as to overlap when viewed from the Y-axis direction. Line L1 is a line that passes through the first contact portion 76 and the second contact portion 77 and is parallel to the Y-axis direction. In contrast, the third contact portion 81, the fourth contact portion 82, and the fifth contact portion 83 are provided so that their positions in the F-axis direction do not coincide with each other. In other words, the third contact portion 81, the fourth contact portion 82, and the fifth contact portion 83 are positioned so as not to overlap when viewed from the Y-axis direction.

[0067] Next, the cap guide means 90 that guides the first guided portion 75 and the second guided portion 80 in the F axis direction will be described in detail. The cap guide means 90 is configured to include a lower guide portion that supports the first guided portion 75 and the second guided portion 80 at least between the retracted position and the maintenance position on the movement path Rt of the cap carriage 60, and an upper guide portion that is positioned above the lower guide portion.

[0068] The lower guide portion is composed of a front lower guide portion 91 located in the -Y direction (front side of the device) relative to the cap carriage 60 as shown in Figures 11 and 13, and a rear lower guide portion 92 located in the +Y direction (rear side of the device) relative to the cap carriage 60 as shown in Figures 12 and 14. 11 and 13, the front lower guide portion 91 is composed of a front first lower guide portion 91-1 and a front second lower guide portion 91-2 positioned at a distance d in the +F direction from the front first lower guide portion 91-1. Similarly, the rear lower guide portion 92 is composed of a rear first lower guide portion 92-1 and a rear second lower guide portion 92-2 positioned at a distance d in the +F direction from the rear first lower guide portion 92-1, as shown in Figures 12 and 14. The distance d is set so that the head guide means 45a (see Figure 7) can cross the cap guide means 90. In this embodiment, the front first lower guide portion 91-1 and the front second lower guide portion 91-2 are completely separated to form a gap d, but the front first lower guide portion 91-1 and the front second lower guide portion 91-2 may be connected, with recesses or holes formed in the support surfaces that support the first guided portion 75 and the second guided portion 80. The same applies to the relationship between the rear first lower guide portion 92-1 and the rear second lower guide portion 92-2.

[0069] The upper guide portion is composed of a front upper guide portion 93 located in the -Y direction (toward the front of the device) with respect to the cap carriage 60 as shown in Figures 11 and 13, and a rear upper guide portion 94 located in the +Y direction (toward the rear of the device) with respect to the cap carriage 60 as shown in Figures 12 and 14. The rear upper guide portion 94 is composed of a rear first upper guide portion 94-1 and a rear second upper guide portion 94-2 located at a distance d in the +F direction from the rear first upper guide portion 94-1.

[0070] The first guided portion 75 and the second guided portion 80, which are provided on the side of the cap carriage 60 in the -Y direction, are supported by the front lower guide portion 91 as shown in Figures 11 and 13, and are guided in the F axis direction while being sandwiched between the front lower guide portion 91 and the front upper guide portion 93 in the arrangement area of ​​the front upper guide portion 93. Similarly, the first guided portion 75 and the second guided portion 80 provided on the side surface of the cap carriage 60 in the +Y direction are supported by the rear lower guide portion 92 as shown in Figures 12 and 14, and are guided in the F axis direction while being sandwiched between the rear lower guide portion 92 and the rear upper guide portion 94 in the arrangement area of ​​the rear upper guide portion 94.

[0071] As described above, the first guided portion 75 and the second guided portion 80 are provided on the +Y side and the -Y side of the cap carriage 60 in the Y-axis direction, which is a direction intersecting the movement direction of the cap carriage 60. The cap guide means 90 is also provided on the -Y and +Y sides of the cap carriage 60 in the Y-axis direction. With this configuration, the cap carriage 60 can move stably along the movement path Rt. In this embodiment, the first guided portion 75 and the second guided portion 80 are provided on the side surface of the cap carriage 60 in the Y-axis direction, but they may be provided so as to protrude in the Y-axis direction from the bottom surface (the surface in the -G direction) of the cap carriage 60. In other words, the first guided portion 75 and the second guided portion 80 only need to be provided on both sides of the cap carriage 60 in the Y-axis direction.

[0072] 11 and 12 show the state in which the cap carriage 60 is in the maintenance position (corresponding to FIG. 3). In this state, as shown in FIG. 11, the first contact portion 76 constituting the first guided portion 75 and the third contact portion 81 constituting the second guided portion 80 are sandwiched between the front first lower guide portion 91-1 and the front upper guide portion 93. The fourth contact portion 82 constituting the second guided portion 80 is displaced from the front upper guide portion 93 in the +F direction and is supported by the front second lower guide portion 91-2. As shown in Figure 12, the second contact portion 77 that constitutes the first guided portion 75 and the fifth contact portion 83 that constitutes the second guided portion 80 are sandwiched between the rear lower guide portion 92 and the rear upper guide portion 94. As described above, when the cap carriage 60 is in the maintenance position, the cap carriage 60 cannot rotate when viewed from the Y-axis direction.

[0073] If the head unit 100 moves from this state toward the replacement position in the +G direction and then the cap carriage 60 moves in the +F direction, the third contact portion 81 will come off the front upper guide portion 93 in the +F direction, as is clear from Fig. 11, and the fifth contact portion 83 will come off the rear upper guide portion 94 (rear second upper guide portion 94-2) in the +F direction, as is clear from Fig. 12. This allows the cap carriage 60 to rotate in the direction of arrow a, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, with the first guided portion 75, i.e., the first contact portion 76 and the second contact portion 77, as the rotation axis. The rotation of the cap carriage 60 in the direction of arrow a is accompanied by the release of the second guided portion 80 from the cap guide means 90.

[0074] When the cap carriage 60 is further moved in the +F direction while rotating in the direction of arrow a, the first contact portion 76 comes off the front upper guide portion 93 in the +F direction, as is clear from Fig. 13, and the second contact portion 77 comes off the rear upper guide portion 94 (rear second upper guide portion 94-2) in the +F direction, as is clear from Fig. 14. This allows the cap carriage 60 to be pulled out upward. When attaching the cap carriage 60, the procedure for removing the cap carriage 60 is reversed.

[0075] As described above, the cap carriage 60 comprises a first guided portion 75 that is guided by the cap guide means 90, and a second guided portion 80 that is located in the +F direction relative to the first guided portion 75, which is the direction from the retracted position toward the maintenance position, and is guided by the cap guide means 90. The cap guide means 90 is configured to allow, when the cap carriage 60 moves in the +F direction from the maintenance position, the rotation of the cap carriage 60 around the first guided portion 75 as the rotation axis, which rotation is accompanied by the separation of the second guided portion 80 from the cap guide means 90. The first guided portion 75 can be separated from the cap guide means 90 by the cap carriage 60 moving in the +F direction after the rotation is allowed. In other words, compared to a configuration in which the first guided portion 75 and the second guided portion 80 are detached from the cap guide means 90 by moving the cap carriage 60 straight in the +F direction, the space required to remove the cap carriage 60 can be reduced, and the device can be kept from becoming larger.

[0076] Furthermore, when the cap carriage 60 moves in the +F direction from the maintenance position, the second guided portion 80 is released from the constraint of the front upper guide portion 93 and the rear upper guide portion 94. This allows the cap carriage 60 to rotate, accompanied by the upward movement of the second guided portion 80, so the cap carriage 60 can be rotated upward, i.e., the cap carriage 60 can be removed from above, making it easier to remove the cap carriage 60.

[0077] Furthermore, since the first contact portion 76 and the second contact portion 77 are positioned to overlap when viewed from the Y-axis direction, the cap carriage 60 can rotate stably when rotating around the first contact portion 76 and the second contact portion 77. Furthermore, the space required for the rotation of the first contact portion 76 and the second contact portion 77 can be reduced, thereby preventing the cap carriage 60 from becoming larger.

[0078] Furthermore, the third contact portion 81, fourth contact portion 82, and fifth contact portion 83 that constitute the second guided portion 80 are positioned so as not to overlap when viewed from the Y-axis direction, i.e., are arranged with their positions shifted along the F-axis direction, so that the cap carriage 60 is supported by the cap guiding means 90 over a wide range along the F-axis direction. This allows the attitude of the cap carriage 60 to be stably maintained even if the cap carriage 60 is subjected to an external force from the head unit 100. In this embodiment, the second guided portion 80 is configured with three contact portions, but it may be configured with two contact portions, or four or more contact portions. When the second guided portion 80 is configured with two contact portions, the contact portion on the side surface in the -Y direction and the contact portion on the side surface in the +Y direction may or may not overlap when viewed from the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, when the second guided portion 80 is configured with three or more contact portions, a plurality of contact portions may be provided on either or both the side surface in the -Y direction and the side surface in the +Y direction.

[0079] The front lower guide portion 91 is made up of a front first lower guide portion 91-1 and a front second lower guide portion 91-2 that is positioned at a distance d in the +F direction from the front first lower guide portion 91-1. The rear lower guide portion 92 is made up of a rear first lower guide portion 92-1 and a rear second lower guide portion 92-2 that is positioned at a distance d in the +F direction from the rear first lower guide portion 92-1. This raises the risk that the second guided portion 80 will become caught in the distance d, but because the contact portions that make up the second guided portion 80 are positioned at different positions along the F-axis direction, it is possible to prevent the second guided portion 80 from becoming caught in the distance d. Furthermore, by providing the space d, the space d can be used as a passage area for other components, and in this embodiment, it can be used as a passage area for part of the head unit 100, thereby improving the degree of freedom in design.

[0080] The cap carriage 60 also includes a cap 71 and a main body 61 that supports the cap 71 and includes a first guided portion 75 and a second guided portion 80. When viewed from the G-axis direction, which is the normal direction to the ink ejection surface 102, the cap 71 overlaps with a line L2 that connects a third contact portion 81 that constitutes the second guided portion 80 provided on the side surface in the -Y direction and a fifth contact portion 83 that constitutes the second guided portion 80 provided on the side surface in the +Y direction, as shown in FIG. As a result, when the cap 71 receives a pressing force in the −G direction from the ink ejection surface 102, the pressing force can be appropriately received by the multiple contact portions that make up the second guided portion 80, and the attitude of the cap 71 is stabilized. In this embodiment, the cap 71 is an example of a pressed part that receives a pressing force from the ink ejection surface 102 of the line head 101, but the wiper 112 can also be used as a pressed part that receives a pressing force from the ink ejection surface 102. In other words, the configuration of the cap carriage 60 can also be applied to the wiper carriage 110.

[0081] 15, line L3 is a line connecting the fourth contact portion 82 and the fifth contact portion 83. The cap 71 may overlap with line L3 instead of line L2, or may overlap with both lines L2 and L3. Also, part or all of the cap 71 may be contained within the triangular region formed by lines L2 and L3. Furthermore, if the third contact portion 81 is not provided, the line L4 connecting the fifth contact portion 83 and the first contact portion 76 may overlap the cap 71. Furthermore, part or all of the cap 71 may be contained within the triangular area formed by the lines L3 and L4.

[0082] In this embodiment, the movement path Rt of the cap carriage 60 includes a vertically upward component from the retracted position toward the maintenance position, and the center of gravity G of the cap carriage 60 in the movement direction of the cap carriage 60 is closer to the +F direction on the cap carriage 60 as shown in Figures 11 and 12. "More towards the +F direction" means that the center G is located in the +F direction relative to the center position Fc of the cap carriage 60 in the F-axis direction. With this configuration, when removing the cap carriage 60 from above, the heavier side is lifted first, making it easier to remove the cap carriage 60 than if the opposite were true. The movement path Rt of the cap carriage 60 may be along the horizontal direction.

[0083] Furthermore, the first positioning portion 68 and the second positioning portion 69, which are the portions of the cap carriage 60 that protrude most in the +G direction, are also located closer to the +F direction on the cap carriage 60. This reduces the area inside the device required to remove the cap carriage 60. Furthermore, the cap carriage 60 can be rotated at an early stage when removing it, which also reduces the space required to remove the cap carriage 60 and prevents the device from becoming larger.

[0084] 1, the medium transport path toward the discharge positions A1 and A2 curves upward downstream of the line head 101. In Fig. 3, the symbol Tr indicates the medium transport path that curves upward, and this medium transport path Tr intersects with the movement path Rt of the cap carriage 60 when the movement path Rt is extended in the +F direction. In this configuration, there is a risk of interference between the cap carriage 60 and the media transport path Tr when removing the cap carriage 60, but as described above, the cap carriage 60 can be removed while rotating, so interference between the cap carriage 60 and the media transport path Tr can be avoided.

[0085] 1, a discharge tray 8 is provided vertically above the head unit 100 as a medium receiving section that receives media that have been recorded on and discharged. As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the discharge tray 8 is detachable from the device main body 2, and in this embodiment, the entire discharge tray 8 is detachable from the device main body 2. By removing the discharge tray 8 from the device main body 2, the cap carriage 60 is exposed and can be removed. With this configuration, an opening for removing the cap carriage 60 from the apparatus can be secured, and the cap carriage 60 can be easily removed and attached. In this embodiment, the discharge tray 8 is detachable from the device main body 2, but it may be openable and closable relative to the device main body 2. In this embodiment, the entire discharge tray 8 is detachable from the device main body 2, but a part of the discharge tray 8 may be configured to be detachable from the device main body 2, or a part of the discharge tray 8 may be configured to be openable and closable relative to the device main body 2.

[0086] 13 and 14, in this embodiment, the cap carriage 60 can move and rotate in a direction in which the second guided portion 80 moves away from the conveyor belt 13. This reduces the risk of the cap carriage 60 colliding with the conveyor belt 13 and damaging the conveyor belt 13 when the cap carriage 60 is removed.

[0087] 11 to 14, reference numeral 103 denotes a position adjustment cam as a position regulating member that defines the ink ejection position of the head unit 100. The ink ejection position of the head unit 100 is defined by contacting the position adjustment cam 103. The position adjustment cam 103 is an eccentric cam, and by rotating it, the ink ejection position of the head unit 100 can be finely adjusted. The cap carriage 60 then rotates while the second guided portion 80 moves in a direction away from the position adjustment cam 103. This configuration reduces the risk of the cap carriage 60 colliding with the position adjustment cam 103 and damaging the position adjustment cam 103 when the cap carriage 60 is removed.

[0088] 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]

[0089] 1...inkjet printer, 2...device body, 3...first media cassette, 4...second media cassette, 5...third media cassette, 6...fourth media cassette, 8...output tray, 10...ink storage section, 11...waste liquid storage section, 13...conveyor belt, 14, 15...pulley, 21, 22, 23, 24...pick roller, 25, 26, 27, 28...feed roller pair, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 37, 38, 39...conveyor roller pair, 41, 42...flap, 43 A, 43B...frame, 45...motion unit, 45a...head guide means, 45b...second guide portion, 45c...third guide portion, 45d...fourth guide portion, 46...frame assembly, 47...front frame, 48...rear frame, 48a...opening, 50...first connection frame, 51...second connection frame, 52...third connection frame, 60...cap carriage, 61...main body portion, 63...first side frame, 63b...rack portion, 64...second side frame, 6 4b...rack portion, 66...pinion, 67...cap drive motor, 68...first positioning portion, 69...second positioning portion, 71, 71a, 71b, 71c, 71d, 71e...cap, 72...unit frame, 75...first guided portion, 76...first contact portion, 77...second contact portion, 80...second guided portion, 81...third contact portion, 82...fourth contact portion, 83...fifth contact portion, 90...cap guide means, 91...front lower guide portion, 91-1...front first lower guide portion, 91- 2...front second lower guide portion, 92...rear lower guide portion, 92-1...rear first lower guide portion, 92-2...rear second lower guide portion, 93...front upper guide portion, 94...rear upper guide portion, 94-1...rear first upper guide portion, 94-2...rear second upper guide portion, 100...head unit, 101...line head, 102...ink ejection surface, 103...position adjustment cam, 110...wiper carriage, 112...wiper, 116...wiper movement motor, 117...head movement motor

Claims

1. a recording unit that discharges a liquid onto a medium to record; a maintenance unit that is movable along a movement path including a maintenance position where maintenance of the recording unit is performed and a retreat position where the maintenance unit is retreated from the maintenance position; a guide means for guiding the maintenance unit along the movement path, The maintenance unit a first guided portion that is guided by the guide means; a second guided portion that is positioned in a first movement direction, which is a direction from the retracted position toward the maintenance position, relative to the first guided portion and is guided by the guide means, when the maintenance unit moves from the maintenance position in the first movement direction, the guide unit allows rotation of the maintenance unit around the first guided unit as a rotation axis, which rotation is accompanied by separation of the second guided unit from the guide unit; the first guided portion is capable of being detached from the guide means by the maintenance portion moving in the first movement direction after the rotation is permitted. A recording device characterized by:

2. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide means comprises: a lower guide portion that supports the first guided portion and the second guided portion at least between the retracted position and the maintenance position on the movement path; an upper guide portion located above the lower guide portion, When the maintenance part moves from the maintenance position in the first movement direction, the second guided part is released from the constraint of the upper guide part, and the rotation of the maintenance part, which accompanies the upward movement of the second guided part, is permitted. A recording device characterized by:

3. 3. The recording device according to claim 2, wherein the first guided portion is provided on a side portion of the maintenance portion in a first direction that is one direction of the intersecting direction intersecting with the movement direction of the maintenance portion, and on a side portion of the maintenance portion in a second direction that is the other direction of the intersecting direction, the second guided portion is provided on a side portion in the first direction and a side portion in the second direction in the intersecting direction, the guide means is provided in the first direction and the second direction relative to the maintenance unit in the intersecting direction; A recording device characterized by:

4. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first guided portion provided on the side in the first direction includes a first contact portion that comes into contact with the guide means, the first guided portion provided on the side in the second direction includes a second contact portion that comes into contact with the guide means, When viewed from the intersecting direction, the first contact portion and the second contact portion are positioned to overlap each other. A recording device characterized by:

5. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second guided portion provided on the side in the first direction and the second guided portion provided on the side in the second direction each include at least one contact portion that comes into contact with the guide means, At least one of the second guided portion provided on the side in the first direction and the second guided portion provided on the side in the second direction includes a plurality of the contact portions, the contact portion constituting the second guided portion provided on the side in the first direction and the contact portion constituting the second guided portion provided on the side in the second direction do not overlap when viewed from the intersecting direction; A recording device characterized by:

6. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the lower guide portion is composed of a first lower guide portion and a second lower guide portion positioned at a distance from the first lower guide portion in the first movement direction, When the maintenance unit is in the maintenance position, the first guided portion is supported by the first lower guide unit, and a portion of the second guided portion is supported by the second lower guide unit. A recording device characterized by:

7. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the maintenance unit comprises: a pressure receiving portion that receives a pressure from a liquid ejection surface from which the recording unit ejects liquid; a main body portion that supports the pressed portion and includes the first guided portion and the second guided portion; the pressed portion overlaps with a line connecting one contact portion constituting the second guided portion provided on the side portion in the first direction and one contact portion constituting the second guided portion provided on the side portion in the second direction, when viewed from a normal direction to the liquid ejection surface; A recording device characterized by:

8. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the pressed portion is a cap portion that caps the liquid ejection surface. A recording device characterized by:

9. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a center of gravity of the maintenance unit in the movement direction of the maintenance unit is closer to the first movement direction of the maintenance unit. A recording device characterized by:

10. 10. The recording device according to claim 2, wherein a medium transport path for transporting a medium is curved downstream of the recording unit so as to intersect with the movement path when the movement path is extended in the first movement direction. A recording device characterized by:

11. 11. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a medium receiving section disposed vertically above the recording section, the medium receiving section receiving the medium that has been recorded on and discharged, A part or the whole of the medium receiving section is configured to be detachable or openable, By removing or opening a part or all of the medium receiving section, the maintenance section can be removed to the outside of the device. A recording device characterized by:

12. 12. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a conveyor belt for conveying a medium, the conveyor belt being located opposite the recording unit; The maintenance unit rotates while moving the second guided portion in a direction away from the conveyor belt. A recording device characterized by:

13. 12. The recording device according to claim 2, wherein the recording unit is movable between a recording position when recording on a medium and a separation position at which the recording unit is separated from the recording position so as to increase the distance between the recording unit and the medium; the recording position of the recording unit is regulated by the recording unit contacting a position regulating member, The maintenance unit rotates while the second guided portion moves in a direction away from the position restricting member. A recording device characterized by:

Images