Printing apparatus

Abstract

To solve the problem that a space for drawing out a maintenance part has to be secured in front of a printing device, which may make it difficult to perform work for replacing a cap unit.SOLUTION: A printer 1 comprises a line head 40, a cover part 84 and a discharge tray 21. The line head 40 performs recording on a medium M by discharging ink K from an inclined discharge surface 42. The cover part 84 is provided to be movable between an opposing position at which the part opposes to the line head 40 and a non-opposing position positioned lower than the opposing position, which maintains the line head 40 at the opposing position. The discharge tray 21 is provided to be attachable to and detachable from a device main body 2, above the cover part 84, on which the medium M is placed while the tray is attached to the device main body 2. In the printer 1, the cover part 84 can be taken out upward with the discharge tray 21 detached from the device main body 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] The inkjet recording device of Patent Document 1 includes a recording head unit, a cap unit having a cap that can contact the recording head unit, and a cap moving mechanism that moves the cap unit. The cap unit is movable toward the front of the device and is detachable. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-89851 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the inkjet recording device described in Patent Document 1, space must be secured in front of the inkjet recording device to pull out the cap unit, and if there is not enough space to install the inkjet recording device, it may be difficult to replace the cap unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, the printing device of the present invention comprises a recording unit that records on a medium by ejecting liquid from an ejection surface that is inclined along an intersecting direction that intersects with the vertical direction, a maintenance unit that is movable between an opposing position that faces the recording unit and a non-opposing position that is retracted from the ejection surface and is located lower than the opposing position, and that maintains the recording unit at the opposing position, and a loading unit that is detachably provided above the maintenance unit with respect to a device main body that includes the recording unit and the maintenance unit, and on which the ejected medium is loaded when attached to the device main body, and is characterized in that the maintenance unit can be removed upward when the loading unit is detached from the device main body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a medium transport path of the printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure around a line head of the printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a line head of the printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing one side frame of the printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of each part when the line head of the printer according to the embodiment is in a recording position. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of each part when the line head of the printer according to the embodiment is in a first maintenance position. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a wiper unit of the printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a drive unit of the printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of each part when the line head of the printer according to the embodiment is in a second maintenance position. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the movement directions of a line head, a cap unit, and a wiper unit of a printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the cover is being removed through the removal section of the printer according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the length of each part of the printer according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention will be briefly described below. A printing device according to a first aspect comprises a recording unit that records on a medium by ejecting liquid from an ejection surface that is inclined along a transverse direction that intersects with the vertical direction; a maintenance unit that is movable between an opposing position that faces the recording unit and a non-opposing position that is retracted from the ejection surface and is located lower than the opposing position, and that performs maintenance on the recording unit at the opposing position; and a loading section that is detachably provided above the maintenance unit with respect to a device main body that includes the recording unit and the maintenance unit, and on which the ejected medium is loaded when the device is attached to the device main body; and when the loading section is detached from the device main body, the maintenance unit can be removed upward. According to this aspect, in the printing device, a space exists above the mounting section into which the media recorded by the recording section is ejected. When the mounting section is detached from the device body, the maintenance section, which is located in the opposing position, is exposed from the space. In this way, the maintenance section can be removed by utilizing the space above the mounting section of the printing device without having to secure a working space around the printing device, making it easier to replace the maintenance section.

[0008] The printing device of the second aspect is the first aspect, further comprising: a second maintenance unit that maintains the recording unit, with the maintenance unit as the first maintenance unit; and a first guide and a second guide that guide the second maintenance unit in a third direction that intersects both the first direction in which the recording unit is moved and the second direction in which the first maintenance unit is moved, wherein the second guide is positioned above the first guide, and the first maintenance unit can be removed upward from between the recording unit and the second guide. According to this aspect, even in a configuration including the second maintenance unit that is different from the first maintenance unit, the first maintenance unit can be removed through the space between the recording unit and the second guide.

[0009] The printing device of the third aspect is characterized in that, in the second aspect, the first maintenance unit is positioned between the first guide and the second guide when placed in the opposing position. According to this aspect, the first maintenance part is located between the first guide and the second guide when disposed at the opposing position, and therefore the first maintenance part can be removed from between the first guide and the second guide. This makes it easier to remove the first maintenance part compared to a configuration in which the first maintenance part is moved to a position different from the opposing position and then removed.

[0010] The printing device of the fourth aspect is characterized in that, in the second or third aspect, the length from the second guide to the central position of the ejection surface is longer than the length from the first guide to the central position. According to this aspect, the second guide is positioned higher than the first guide in the vertical direction. The length from the second guide to the center position of the ejection surface is longer than the length from the first guide to the center position. This ensures a larger gap between the recording unit and the second guide compared to a configuration in which the first guide is positioned higher than the second guide, making it easier to remove the first maintenance unit.

[0011] A printing device according to a fifth aspect is characterized in that, in the fourth aspect, a drive unit is provided that drives the second maintenance unit in the third direction, the second maintenance unit has a guided portion that is guided by the first guide, and the guided portion receives a driving force from the drive unit. According to this aspect, the guided portion is positioned vertically lower than the portion guided by the second guide. The guided portion receives a driving force from the driving portion, which moves the second maintenance portion in the third direction. This reduces interference between the configuration that transmits a driving force from the driving portion to the guided portion and the first maintenance portion being removed, compared to a configuration in which a driving force acts on the portion guided by the second guide, making it easier to remove the first maintenance portion.

[0012] The printing device of the sixth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the second to fifth aspects, the length corresponding to the shortest distance from the recording unit to the second guide is longer than the length corresponding to the width of the maintenance unit in the first direction. According to this aspect, the maintenance unit can be removed from between the recording unit and the second guide without having to move the recording unit far.

[0013] A printing device according to a seventh aspect is any one of the first to sixth aspects, characterized in that the recording unit is movable between a recording position where recording on the medium is possible and a retracted position away from the recording position, and the movement path of the maintenance unit overlaps with at least a portion of the movement path of the recording unit. According to this aspect, it is possible to position the maintenance unit and the recording unit closer to each other compared to a configuration in which the movement path of the maintenance unit does not overlap with the movement path of the recording unit, thereby making it possible to reduce the size of the printing device.

[0014] A printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below as an example of a printing device according to the present invention. 1, the printer 1 is configured as an inkjet device that performs recording by ejecting ink K, an example of a liquid, onto a medium M, typically recording paper. Note that the XYZ coordinate system shown in each figure is a Cartesian coordinate system. The X direction is the horizontal direction and is the width direction of the device as seen by the operator of the printer 1. Within the X direction, the direction to the left is the +X direction, and the direction to the right is the -X direction. The Y direction is the width direction of the medium M and the depth direction of the device, and is a horizontal direction that intersects with the transport direction of the medium M. The Y direction also intersects with both the A direction and the B direction, which will be described later. The direction toward the front of the Y direction is the +Y direction, and the direction toward the back is the -Y direction. Furthermore, the Y direction is an example of a third direction in which the wiper unit 90, which will be described later, moves, and intersects with the Z direction and the A direction and B direction, which will be described later. The Z direction is the height direction of the device, and as an example, is the vertical direction. The upward Z direction is the +Z direction, and the downward Z direction is the -Z direction. In this embodiment, "upward" means a direction that includes an upward component in the vertical direction. "Downward" means a direction that includes a downward component in the vertical direction.

[0015] In the printer 1, the medium M is transported through a transport path T indicated by a dashed line. The AB coordinate system shown on the XZ plane is a Cartesian coordinate system. The A direction is the transport direction of the medium M in the region of the transport path T that faces the line head 40, which will be described later. The direction toward the upstream of the A direction is the -A direction, and the direction toward the downstream of the A direction is the +A direction. The A direction is also an example of a cross direction that intersects with the Z direction. Furthermore, the A direction is also an example of a second direction in which the cap unit 80, which will be described later, moves. In this embodiment, the A direction is inclined so that the position in the +A direction of the transport path T is closer to the +Z direction than the position in the -A direction. Specifically, the A direction is inclined in the range of 20° to 40° with respect to the Z direction, and more specifically, is inclined by approximately 30°. In other words, the A direction is inclined by approximately 60° with respect to the X direction.

[0016] The B direction is an example of an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the ejection surface 42, which will be described later, and is the direction in which the line head 40, which will be described later, advances and retreats relative to the transport unit 10, which will be described later. The B direction is also an example of a first direction in which the line head 40 moves. The B direction is also a direction intersecting the Z direction. In the B direction, the direction in which the line head 40 approaches the transport unit 10 is the +B direction, and the direction in which the line head 40 moves away from the transport unit 10 is the -B direction. The B direction is a direction tilted so that the position in the -B direction is closer to the +Z direction than the position in the +B direction.

[0017] The printer 1 has a device main body 2. The device main body 2 includes an outer housing. In the +Z direction from the center of the device main body 2 in the Z direction, an ejection section 3 is formed, which includes a space into which recorded media M are ejected. The device main body 2 also has multiple media cassettes 4 provided. A plurality of media cassettes 4 store media M. The media M stored in each media cassette 4 is transported along a transport path T by a pick roller 6 and transport roller pairs 7 and 8. At the transport path T, a transport path T1 along which media M is transported from an external device and a transport path T2 along which media M is transported from a manual feed tray 9 provided in the device main body 2 merge.

[0018] The transport path T is provided with a transport unit 10, multiple pairs of transport rollers 11 for transporting the medium M, multiple flaps 12 for switching the path along which the medium M is transported, and a medium width sensor 13 for detecting the width of the medium M in the Y direction. The transport unit 10 has two pulleys 14, an endless transport belt 15 wound around the two pulleys 14, and a motor (not shown) that drives one of the pulleys 14. The medium M is attracted to the belt surface of the transport belt 15 and transported in the +A direction through a position facing a line head 40 (described later). The transport path T extends in the +A direction from the medium width sensor 13. On the transport path T, downstream of the transport unit 10, there are provided transport paths T3 and T4 leading to the discharge section 3, and a reversing path T5 for reversing the medium M upside down.

[0019] Also provided within the device main body 2 are an ink tank 23 that stores ink K, a waste liquid storage unit 16 that stores waste ink K, and a control unit 26 that controls the operation of each part of the printer 1. The ink tank 23 supplies ink K to the line head 40 via a tube (not shown). The waste liquid storage unit 16 stores ink K as waste liquid collected in the wiper unit 90 or cap unit 80 (described below). The control unit 26 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a It is configured to include a memory (RAM), a random access memory (RAM), and storage, and controls the transport of the medium M in the printer 1 and the operation of each part including the line head 40 and the wiper unit 90.

[0020] 2, a side frame 32 and a side frame 34 are provided as an example of a pair of side walls inside the device main body 2. The side frame 32 and the side frame 34 are disposed opposite each other with a gap in the Y direction. The side frame 32 is made of, for example, sheet metal and stands upright along the AB plane inside the device body 2. The side frame 32 is disposed in the -Y direction with respect to the center of the device body 2 in the Y direction. A through hole 36 is formed in the side frame 32, penetrating in the Y direction. The size and shape of the through hole 36 are set to a size and shape that allows a wiper unit 90, which will be described later, to pass through the through hole 36 in the Y direction.

[0021] The side frame 34 is made of, for example, sheet metal and stands upright along the AB plane inside the device body 2. The side frame 34 is disposed in the +Y direction relative to the center of the device body 2 in the Y direction. No through-holes are formed in the side frame 34. The side frame 32 and the side frame 34 are connected by horizontal frames 38A and 38B extending in the Y direction and other horizontal frames (not shown). A line head 40 is disposed in the space between the side frame 32 and the side frame 34.

[0022] As an example, the printer 1 includes an ejection tray 21 (Figure 1), a guide section 33 (Figure 6), a line head 40, a drive unit 50, a rail section 62, a wiper unit 90, an ejection section 120 (Figure 11), and a cap unit 80 (Figure 1).

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the discharge tray 21 is detachably provided above the cover unit 84 (FIG. 5) of the device main body 2, which includes the line head 40 and the cover unit 84 described below. The discharge tray 21 is an example of a placement unit, and when attached to the device main body 2, the medium M discharged from the transport paths T3, T4 is placed thereon. The discharge tray 21 also forms the bottom of the discharge unit 3, which serves as the space into which the medium M is discharged. The surface of the discharge tray 21 on which the medium M is placed is referred to as the placement surface 21A. The placement surface 21A is inclined so that the end in the +X direction is located further in the +Z direction than the end in the -X direction. With the discharge tray 21 detached from the apparatus main body 2, a cover portion 84 (FIG. 5), which will be described later, can be removed upward.

[0024] 2, the line head 40 is an example of a recording unit, and is provided in the apparatus main body 2 so as to be movable between a recording position and a retracted position, which will be described later. The line head 40 is also moved in direction B by a head moving unit 66, which will be described later. The recording position of the line head 40 means the position (FIG. 5) at which the line head 40 stops when the line head 40 is able to record information on the medium M. Note that there are one or more recording positions of the line head 40 because the position can be adjusted in direction B by an adjustment unit (not shown). The retracted position of the line head 40 means a stopping position of the line head 40 when it moves away from the recording position in the -B direction. The retracted positions of the line head 40 include a standby position where the line head 40 can be moved to the recording position again, a replacement position (not shown) where the line head 40 can be removed to the outside of the device main body 2, and a maintenance position where the line head 40 is subjected to maintenance. Furthermore, the maintenance positions of the line head 40 include a first maintenance position (Figure 9) which is the position when the line head 40 is maintained by the cap unit 80 (Figure 1), and a second maintenance position (Figure 10) which is the position when the line head 40 is cleaned by the wiper unit 90.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the line head 40 has an ejection surface 42. The ejection surface 42 is a surface that is inclined along the A direction that intersects with the Z direction, and is disposed along the AY plane. The ejection surface 42 also has a plurality of nozzles N that eject ink K. The plurality of nozzles N cover the entire area of ​​the medium M in the Y direction. The line head 40 then records on the medium M at the recording position by ejecting ink K from the plurality of nozzles N of the ejection surface 42 toward the medium M. In this way, the line head 40 is configured as an ink ejection head that can record over the entire area of ​​the medium M in the Y direction without moving the medium M in the Y direction. However, the configuration of the ink ejection head is not limited to the line head 40, and it may be a serial type configuration that is mounted on a carriage and ejects ink while moving in the Y direction of the medium M.

[0026] The line head 40 extends in the Y direction. One support frame 43 is attached to each of both ends of the line head 40 in the Y direction. The support frame 43 is configured as a side plate along the AB plane, and extends from the line head 40 in the -B direction. The pair of support frames 43 are connected by a connection frame 45 that extends in the Y direction. The line head 40 and the support frame 43 are disposed between the side frame 32 and the side frame 34 (FIG. 2). That is, the line head 40 is movable in the direction B between the side frame 32 and the side frame 34.

[0027] Each of the two support frames 43 is provided with two protrusions 44 that protrude outward in the Y direction. The protrusions 44 have a shaft 46 that extends outward in the Y direction from the support frame 43, and a bearing 48 that is rotatably provided at the tip of the shaft 46. In the support frame 43, the length corresponding to the distance between the bearing 48 in the -B direction and the bearing 48 in the +B direction is longer than the length corresponding to the width of the through hole 36 (FIG. 2) in the B direction.

[0028] 2, a rack 57 is provided on the support frame 43. The rack 57 is a plate-shaped member whose thickness direction is in the Y direction and extends in the B direction. A plurality of teeth 57A aligned in the B direction are formed on the end of the rack in the -A direction. The head moving unit 66 is an example of a moving mechanism that moves the line head 40. The head moving unit 66 is configured to be able to move the line head 40 between a recording position and a retracted position so that the line head 40 moves forward and backward in direction B relative to the conveyor belt 15 (FIG. 1). In other words, the head moving unit 66 moves the line head 40 in direction B so that the moving direction of the line head 40 intersects both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The head moving unit 66 includes a pinion 67 and a motor (not shown) that rotates the pinion 67, and its driving is controlled by the control unit 26 (FIG. 1). Teeth 67A formed on the outer peripheral surface of the pinion 67 mesh with teeth 57A. As a result, when the pinion 67 is rotated in the forward direction, the line head 40 is moved to the recording position, and when the pinion 67 is rotated in the reverse direction, the line head 40 is moved to the retracted position.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 4, the side frame 32 is provided with a rail portion 62 that guides the line head 40 (Fig. 1) in direction B. The rail portion 62 is divided into a -B direction portion and a +B direction portion by the through hole 36. Specifically, the rail portion 62 is composed of a first rail member 64 and a second rail member 72. The first rail member 64 is provided on the side frame 32 at a location on the −B direction side with respect to the through-hole 36. The first rail member 64 also has a vertical rail 65 and a sub-rail 69 connected to the vertical rail 65.

[0030] The vertical rail 65 is open in the +Y direction toward the line head 40, and is formed with a U-shaped cross section when viewed from direction B. The vertical rail 65 extends substantially linearly with direction B as the guide direction. The sub-rail 69 has a U-shaped cross section that opens in the +Y direction, and has the same width as the vertical rail 65. The sub-rail 69 also extends in the +Z direction from the junction with the vertical rail 65. Here, the line head 40 can be detached from the first rail member 64 in the +Z direction by the two bearings 48 (FIG. 3) in the -Y direction being guided by the vertical rail 65 and the sub-rail 69.

[0031] The second rail member 72 is provided in a position on the +B direction side of the through-hole 36 of the side frame 32. The second rail member 72 also has a vertical rail 73 and a horizontal rail 74. The vertical rail 73 extends in the direction B. The horizontal rail 74 extends in the direction A. In other words, the vertical rail 73 and the horizontal rail 74 are perpendicular to each other. The horizontal rail 74 has a U-shaped cross section that opens in the +Y direction toward the cap unit 80 (FIG. 1), and extends linearly with the guide direction being the A direction. The horizontal rail 74 is divided at the intersection with the vertical rail 73. The vertical rails 65 and 73 guide the bearing 48 (FIG. 3) in the direction B. That is, the vertical rails 65 and 73 guide the line head 40 in the direction B. The horizontal rail 74 guides the cap unit 80 in the direction A.

[0032] The side frame 34 (FIG. 3) is provided with a guide member (not shown). This guide member is configured to be substantially symmetrical to the rail portion 62 with respect to an imaginary plane (not shown) that passes through the center of the device body 2 in the Y direction and is perpendicular to the Y direction, except for the absence of the through-hole 36. For this reason, illustration and description of the guide member of the side frame 34 will be omitted.

[0033] 5, the cap unit 80 is provided on the device body 2 so as to be movable along direction A toward an opposing position described below. Specifically, the cap unit 80 is capable of reciprocating in direction A by a drive mechanism (not shown) including a rack and pinion. When the line head 40 is moved to the recording position, the cap unit 80 is retracted in the -A direction relative to the line head 40. When the line head 40 is in a retracted position described later, the cap unit 80 is moved in the +A direction so as to cover the multiple nozzles N, and performs maintenance on the line head 40 at an opposing position described later. As an example of a maintenance operation, the cap unit 80 performs an operation of recovering the ink K ejected from the plurality of nozzles N. The ink K recovered by the cap unit 80 is sent to the waste liquid reservoir 16 (FIG. 1).

[0034] Specifically, the cap unit 80 includes a movable frame 82, a cover portion 84 detachably provided on the movable frame 82, and a connection tube 86. The movable frame 82 is formed in an L-shape when viewed from the Y direction. Protrusions (not shown) that protrude outward in the Y direction are provided on both end surfaces of the movable frame 82 in the Y direction. These protrusions are guided along the A direction by horizontal rails 74 (FIG. 4). In addition, a recovery path (not shown) through which the recovered ink K flows is formed in part of the movable frame 82.

[0035] The cover part 84 is an example of a maintenance part and a first maintenance part, and is formed in a box shape that opens in the -B direction. The bottom part of the cover part 84 in the +B direction is attached to the movable frame 82 by engaging with a part of the movable frame 82. In addition, the cover part 84 can be detached from the movable frame 82 by releasing the engagement with the part of the movable frame 82. The connection tube 86 is a flexible cylindrical member that is connected to the internal space of the cover portion 84. The connection tube 86 guides the ink K inside the cover portion 84 to a recovery path (not shown) of the movable frame 82. One axial end of the connection tube 86 is attached to the movable frame 82 by engaging with a part of the movable frame 82. Furthermore, one axial end of the connection tube 86 can be detached from the movable frame 82 by releasing the engagement with the part of the movable frame 82.

[0036] 6, the position of the cover part 84 when it faces the line head 40 in the retracted position in direction B is referred to as the facing position. The position of the cover part 84 when it is retracted from the ejection surface 42 and is lower than the facing position is referred to as the non-facing position. The cover part 84 is provided so as to be movable between the facing position and the non-facing position. The cover part 84 performs maintenance on the line head 40 at the facing position. At the opposing position, the cover portion 84 covers the nozzle N. In this state, the ink K ejected from the nozzle N is collected inside the cover portion 84. Note that by periodically ejecting the ink K from the nozzle N, the viscosity of the ink K inside the nozzle N is suppressed. Furthermore, the cover part 84 is located between a first guide rail 35 and a second guide rail 37, which will be described later, when arranged in the opposing position. Furthermore, the cover part 84 can be removed upward from between the line head 40 and the second guide rail 37.

[0037] 5, a position where the cover part 84 is away from the facing position in the -A direction is defined as the non-facing position of the cover part 84. At the non-facing position of the cover part 84, the line head 40 and the cover part 84 do not interfere with each other, and therefore the line head 40 can move in the +B direction toward the transport unit 10.

[0038] 7, the device body 2 is provided with a guide section 33 that guides the wiper unit 90 in the Y direction. As an example, the guide section 33 includes a first guide rail 35 and a second guide rail 37 that are arranged parallel to each other along the Y direction. The first guide rail 35 is an example of a first guide and extends along the Y direction. The first guide rail 35 also functions as a main shaft that guides the wiper unit 90 in the Y direction. Specifically, the first guide rail 35 is made of a metal plate having an L-shaped cross section on the AB plane, and has a plate portion 35A and a plate portion 35B. The plate portion 35A has a predetermined thickness in the direction B and extends in the direction Y along the AY plane. The end portion of the plate portion 35A in the -A direction is formed integrally with the previously described horizontal frame (not shown). Plate portion 35B extends in the +B direction from the end of plate portion 35A in the +A direction. Plate portion 35B has a predetermined thickness in the A direction and extends in the Y direction along the BY plane. The length of plate portion 35B in the B direction is shorter than the length of plate portion 35A in the A direction.

[0039] The second guide rail 37 is an example of a second guide, and is disposed at a distance from the first guide rail 35, extending along the Y direction. The second guide rail 37 is disposed in the +A direction and the +B direction relative to the first guide rail 35. In other words, the second guide rail 37 is positioned in the +Z direction, i.e., above the first guide rail 35, in the Z direction. The second guide rail 37 also functions as a secondary shaft that guides the wiper unit 90 in the Y direction. Specifically, the second guide rail 37 is made of sheet metal having an L-shaped cross section on the AB plane, and has an attachment portion 37A and a plate portion 37B. The mounting portion 37A has a predetermined thickness in the A direction and extends in the Y direction along the BY plane. An end portion of the mounting portion 37A in the +B direction is fixed to the horizontal frame 38B, for example. The plate portion 37B extends in the -A direction from the end of the mounting portion 37A in the -B direction. The plate portion 37B has a predetermined thickness in the B direction and extends in the Y direction along the AY plane. The length of the plate portion 37B in the A direction is shorter than the length of the mounting portion 37A in the B direction.

[0040] The wiper unit 90 is an example of a second maintenance unit that performs maintenance on the line head 40 (FIG. 1), and functions as an example of a cleaning unit that cleans the ejection surface 42 (FIG. 3). The wiper unit 90 is provided so as to be movable in the Y direction by the drive unit 50 (FIG. 8). When the line head 40 is moved to the recording position, the wiper unit 90 is retracted in the -Y direction relative to the line head 40. Furthermore, while the line head 40 is in the retracted position, the wiper unit 90 is moved once in the +Y direction, and then cleans the ejection surface 42 while being moved in the -Y direction. In this way, the wiper unit 90 scrapes off the ink K adhering to the ejection surface 42 from the ejection surface 42.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 8, the drive unit 50 is an example of a drive section, and drives the wiper unit 90 in the Y direction. Specifically, the drive unit 50 has a pair of pulleys 54, a timing belt 56, and a motor section 58 that rotates one of the pulleys 54. Note that in FIG. 8, the other pulley 54 is shown, and the one of the pulleys 54 is not shown. The timing belt 56 is wound around the two pulleys 54. A portion of the timing belt 56 is fixed to a first guided portion 108 (FIG. 7) of the wiper carriage 98, which will be described later.

[0042] When the motor unit 58 rotates one of the pulleys 54 in the forward direction, the wiper unit 90 is driven in the +Y direction. When the motor unit 58 rotates one of the pulleys 54 in the reverse direction, the wiper unit 90 is driven in the -Y direction. In this way, the wiper unit 90 is movable along the Y direction between a cleaning position (FIG. 9) where the wiper unit 90 is able to clean the line head 40 (FIG. 3) and a non-cleaning position (FIG. 4) that is spaced apart from the cleaning position. When viewed in the Y direction, the wiper unit 90 is disposed in an inclined state along the A direction, which is perpendicular to the B direction.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, when the line head 40 is moved to the recording position, the wiper unit 90 is retracted in the −Y direction relative to the line head 40, and is thereby placed in the non-maintenance position.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 9, when the line head 40 is in the retracted position, the wiper unit 90 is first moved in the +Y direction, and then moved in the −Y direction until it reaches the maintenance position and cleans the ejection surface 42.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 7, the wiper unit 90 includes a blade unit 92 and a wiper carriage 98 . The blade unit 92, for example, is configured to include a unit main body 94 and a blade 96. The unit main body 94 has an ink containing section 95. Here, the ink K scraped off from the ejection surface 42 (FIG. 3) by the blade 96 is contained in the ink containing section 95. The wiper carriage 98 supports the blade unit 92 in the direction B. Specifically, the wiper carriage 98 includes a first frame member 102 and a second frame member 116. The first frame member 102 has a mounting portion 104, a first guided portion 108, an arm portion 112, and a second guided portion 114. The first guided portion 108 and the second guided portion 114 are collectively referred to as the guided portion 106. The guided portion 106 is guided in the Y direction by contact with the guide portion 33.

[0046] The mounting portion 104 mounts the blade unit 92 . The first guided portion 108 is an example of a guided portion, and stands upright in the -B direction from the end of the mounting portion 104 in the -A direction. A part of the timing belt 56 (FIG. 8) is attached to the first guided portion 108. In other words, the first guided portion 108 receives a driving force from the drive unit 50 (FIG. 8). Furthermore, the first guided portion 108 is moved along the Y direction by being guided by the first guide rail 35. The arm portion 112 extends in the +A direction from the end of the mounting portion 104 in the +A direction.

[0047] The second guided portion 114 is formed at the end of the arm portion 112 in the +A direction. A roller 118 that comes into contact with the second guide rail 37 is rotatably provided on the second guided portion 114. The second guided portion 114 is guided by the second guide rail 37. The second frame member 116 is attached to the first guided portion 108, and thereby sandwiches a part of the first guide rail 35 in the B direction together with the first guided portion 108. In this way, the wiper carriage 98 is configured to be movable in the Y direction with the blade unit 92 mounted thereon.

[0048] FIG. 10 shows the relative positions of the line head 40, the cap unit 80, and the wiper unit 90. The line head 40 is moved along the B direction between the recording position and the retracted position. When the line head 40 is in the retracted position, the cap unit 80 is moved between the facing position and the non-facing position along direction A. When the cap unit 80 is in the facing position, the line head 40 is moved to the first maintenance position, so that the ejection surface 42 and the cover part 84 face each other in direction B. The wiper unit 90 is moved between a cleaning position and a non-cleaning position along the Y direction when the line head 40 is in the second maintenance position described above.

[0049] The path along which the center of the line head 40 moves in the Y direction and is represented by a line segment connecting the recording position and the retracted position is referred to as the movement path TB of the line head 40. The path along which the center of the cover part 84 moves in the Y direction and is represented by a line segment connecting the facing position and the non-facing position is referred to as the movement path TA of the cover part 84. The path along which the center of the wiper unit 90 moves in the A direction and is represented by a line segment connecting the cleaning position and the non-cleaning position is referred to as the movement path TY of the wiper unit 90. Here, the movement paths TA, TB, and TY partially overlap each other. In FIG. 10, the overlap of the movement paths TA, TB, and TY is represented by an intersection Q.

[0050] 11, the removal section 120 is provided in the apparatus main body 2. The removal section 120 is an example of a space that is opened when the discharge tray 21 (FIG. 1) is detached from the apparatus main body 2. Furthermore, when the removal section 120 is in an open state, the cover section 84 can be removed from the aforementioned opposing position toward the discharge section 3. The take-out section 120 is a part of the space between the side frame 32 and the side frame 34 (FIG. 3), and includes the space between the line head 40 and the second guide rail 37. The take-out section 120 further includes the space between the first guide rail 35 and the second guide rail 37.

[0051] When the line head 40 is retracted to the retracted position, the discharge tray 21 is detached from the device body 2, thereby exposing at least a portion between the first guide rail 35 and the second guide rail 37. In other words, a portion of the first guide rail 35 and the second guide rail 37 becomes visible from the discharge unit 3. In addition, the cover unit 84 becomes accessible from the discharge unit 3.

[0052] As shown in Figure 12, when viewed from the Y direction, when the line head 40 is in the retracted position, the length L2 (mm) from the tip position E of the second guide rail 37 to the central position C of the ejection surface 42 in the A direction is longer than the length L1 (mm) from the tip position D of the first guide rail 35 to the central position C. The leading edge position D is the position of the end of the plate portion 35B in the +B direction. The leading edge position E is the position of the end of the plate portion 37B in the -A direction. Note that the wiper unit 90 (FIG. 9) is not shown in FIG. Furthermore, the length L3 (mm) corresponding to the shortest distance from the line head 40 in the retracted position to the tip position E of the second guide rail 37 is longer than the length L4 (mm) corresponding to the width of the cover portion 84 in the B direction.

[0053] Next, the operation of the printer 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 12. Note that individual figure numbers will not be included. In the printer 1, when the line head 40 is in the retracted position and the wiper unit 90 is in the non-cleaning position, the cap unit 80 is disposed in the opposing position. In this state, when the discharge tray 21 is removed from the apparatus main body 2, the removal section 120 is opened and the cover section 84 is exposed. The cover portion 84 removed from the movable frame 82 is taken out to the discharge portion 3 through the take-out portion 120 .

[0054] As explained above, according to the printer 1, above the discharge tray 21 there is the discharge section 3, which serves as a space into which the medium M recorded by the line head 40 is discharged. In other words, a space is already provided above the discharge tray 21. When the discharge tray 21 is removed from the device main body 2, the cover section 84, which is located opposite the discharge section 3, is exposed. In this way, the cover section 84 can be removed by using the space above the discharge tray 21 of the printer 1 without having to provide a working space around the printer 1, making it easier to replace the cover section 84.

[0055] According to the printer 1, even if the printer 1 is configured to include a wiper unit 90 that is different from the cover part 84, the cover part 84 can be removed through the space between the line head 40 and the second guide rail 37. Furthermore, according to the printer 1, the cover portion 84 is positioned between the first guide rail 35 and the second guide rail 37 while being arranged in an opposing position, so that the cover portion 84 can be removed from between the first guide rail 35 and the second guide rail 37. Therefore, the operation of removing the cover portion 84 can be made easier compared to a configuration in which the cover portion 84 is removed after being moved to a position different from the opposing position.

[0056] According to the printer 1, the second guide rail 37 is positioned higher in the Z direction than the first guide rail 35. When the line head 40 is in the retracted position, the length L2 from the second guide rail 37 to the center position C of the ejection surface 42 is longer than the length L1 from the first guide rail 35 to the center position C. This ensures a larger gap between the line head 40 and the second guide rail 37 compared to a configuration in which the first guide rail 35 is positioned higher than the second guide rail 37, making it easier to remove the cover part 84.

[0057] According to the printer 1, the first guided portion 108 is positioned lower in the Z direction than the second guided portion 114, which is guided by the second guide rail 37. The first guided portion 108 receives a driving force from the drive unit 50, causing the cover portion 84 to move in the Y direction. This reduces interference between the configuration that transmits driving force from the drive unit 50 to the first guided portion 108 and the cover portion 84 being removed, compared to a configuration in which the driving force acts on the second guided portion 114, making it easier to remove the cover portion 84.

[0058] According to the printer 1, the cover portion 84 can be removed from between the line head 40 and the second guide rail 37 without having to move the line head 40, which is in the retracted position, any further. According to the printer 1, it is possible to position the cover part 84 and the line head 40 closer to each other than in a configuration in which the movement path TA of the cover part 84 does not overlap with the movement path TB of the line head 40, so the printer 1 can be made smaller.

[0059] The printer 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is based on the configuration described above, but it is of course possible to modify or omit parts of the configuration within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0060] In the printer 1, the removal section 120 does not have to include the space between the line head 40 and the guide section 33. Furthermore, the removal section 120 does not have to include the space between the first guide rail 35 and the second guide rail 37. The cover portion 84 does not have to be located between the first guide rail 35 and the second guide rail 37 when they are arranged in the opposing position. The length L2 may be the same as or shorter than the length L1. The portion that receives the driving force from the drive unit 50 is not limited to the first guided portion 108, but may also be the second guided portion 114. The length L3 may be the same as or shorter than the length L4. In this case, for example, the size of the extraction portion 120 may be expanded by moving the line head 40 in the −B direction.

[0061] The wiper unit 90 may be retracted in the +Y direction instead of the -Y direction. The maintenance part is not limited to the cover part 84, but may be the entire cap unit 80. The maintenance part may also be the wiper unit 90. When the wiper unit 90 or another unit is used as the first maintenance part, the second maintenance part may be the cover part 84 or the cap unit 80. The discharge tray 21 is not limited to being detachable from the apparatus main body 2, but may be slid to be retracted from above the cover portion 84 and slid to be positioned above the cover portion 84. The travel route TA may overlap the entire travel route TB. The line head 40 may not be movable in the direction B. In other words, the line head 40 may be fixed inside the housing 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1...printer, 2...casing, 3...output section, 4...media cassette, 6...pick roller 7... conveyance roller pair, 8... conveyance roller pair, 9... manual feed tray, 10... conveyance unit, 11... conveying roller pair, 12... flap, 13... media width sensor, 14... pulley, 15... conveyor belt, 16... waste liquid storage section, 21... discharge tray, 21A... placement surface, 23... ink tank, 26... control section, 32... side frame, 33... guide section, 34... Side frame, 35... First guide rail, 35A... Plate portion, 35B... Plate portion, 36...through hole, 37...second guide rail, 37A...mounting portion, 37B...plate portion, 38A...horizontal frame, 38B...horizontal frame, 40...line head, 42...discharge surface, 43...support frame, 44...protrusion, 45...connection frame, 46...shaft, 48...bearing, 50...drive unit, 54...pulley, 56...timing belt, 57... rack, 57A... tooth portion, 58... motor portion, 62... rail portion, 64...first rail member, 65...vertical rail, 66...head moving unit, 67...pinion, 67A...tooth portion, 69...sub-rail, 72...second rail member, 73...vertical rail, 74...horizontal rail, 80...cap unit, 82...movable frame, 84...cover part, 86...connecting tube, 90...wiper unit, 92...blade unit, 94... unit body, 95... ink storage section, 96... blade, 98... wiper carriage, 102... first frame member, 104... mounting portion, 106... Guided part, 108... First guided part, 112... Arm part, 114... Second guided part, 116... second frame member, 118... roller, 120... removal portion, C... center position, D...tip position, E...tip position, K...ink, L1...length, L2...length, L3...length, L4...length, M...medium, N...nozzle, Q...intersection, T1...transport path, T2...transport path, T3...Transport path, T4...Transport path, T5...Reverse path, TA...Movement path, TB...Movement path, TY...Travel route

Claims

1. a recording unit that records on a medium by ejecting liquid from an ejection surface; a first maintenance unit that performs maintenance on the recording unit at a position facing the recording unit; a second maintenance unit that performs maintenance on the recording unit; a first guide and a second guide that guide the second maintenance unit in a third direction that intersects both the first direction in which the recording unit is moved and the second direction in which the first maintenance unit is moved; an apparatus main body including the recording unit and the first maintenance unit; Equipped with a length from the second guide to a central position of the ejection surface is longer than a length from the first guide to the central position; the first maintenance unit is removable from between the recording unit and the second guide toward above the device body. A printing device characterized by:

2. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, The first maintenance part is located between the first guide and the second guide when disposed at the opposing position. A printing device characterized by:

3. 3. The printing device according to claim 1, a length corresponding to the shortest distance from the recording unit to the second guide is longer than a length corresponding to the width of the first maintenance unit in the first direction; A printing device characterized by:

4. 4. The printing device according to claim 3, a length from the second guide to a center position of the ejection surface is longer than a length corresponding to the shortest distance from the recording unit to the second guide; A printing device characterized by:

5. 5. The printing device according to claim 1, The second guide is located above the first guide. A printing device characterized by:

6. 6. The printing device according to claim 1, a drive unit that drives the second maintenance unit in the third direction is provided, the second maintenance unit has a guided portion that is guided by the first guide, The guided portion receives a driving force from the driving portion. A printing device characterized by:

7. 7. The printing device according to claim 1, a mounting section that is detachably provided above the first maintenance section with respect to a device main body that includes the recording section and the first maintenance section, and on which the ejected medium is mounted when the device is attached to the device main body; When the mounting unit is detached from the device body, the second maintenance unit can be removed upward. A printing device characterized by:

8. 8. The printing device according to claim 1, the recording unit is provided so as to be movable between a recording position where recording on the medium is possible and a retreat position away from the recording position, At least a part of the movement path of the first maintenance unit, at least a part of the movement path of the second maintenance unit, and at least a part of the movement path of the recording unit overlap with each other. A printing device characterized by:

9. 9. The printing device according to claim 1, the second maintenance unit cleans the ejection surface while moving in the third direction. A printing device characterized by:

10. 10. The printing device according to claim 1, a mounting section that is detachably provided above the first maintenance section with respect to a device main body that includes the recording section and the first maintenance section, and on which the ejected medium is mounted when the device is attached to the device main body; When the placement unit is detached from the device body, the first maintenance unit can be removed upward from a space that is opened by detaching the placement unit from the device body. A printing device characterized by:

Images