Liquid dispensing device

Abstract

To provide a small mechanism capable of moving a head.SOLUTION: An image recording device 100 includes: a housing 30; a head module 49 which discharges an ink; a fixed frame 201; a movable frame 202 supporting the head module 49; a cross link mechanism 204 which connects the fixed frame 201 with the movable frame 202; and a link mechanism 205 connected to the cross link mechanism 204.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Liquid ejection devices include inkjet image recording devices, which eject ink from nozzles in a recording head onto a sheet. These devices have an elevation mechanism that raises and lowers the recording head relative to a capping member, for example, for recovery of the recording head (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The lifting device 10 disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes four screw shafts 22 provided at each corner of a recording head support member 10B along the direction of vertical movement of the recording heads 6Y to 6T. A pulley 24 is threadedly engaged with each screw shaft 22. When the pulley 24 rotates due to rotation of a stepping motor 36, the recording head support member 10B moves up and down. Accordingly, the recording heads 6Y to 6T supported by the recording head support member 10B move up and down. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-307668 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the lifting device 10 disclosed in Patent Document 1, the screw shaft 22 is long enough relative to the lifting range of the recording head support member 10B so that the pulley 24 does not fall off the screw shaft 22. Therefore, the screw shaft 22 protrudes upward from the recording head support member 10B by a distance greater than the lifting range. As a result, it is necessary to provide space above the recording head support member 10B, which tends to increase the size of the device.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a compact mechanism capable of moving a head. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) A liquid ejection device according to the present invention comprises a main body, a head for ejecting liquid, a movable frame supporting the head and having a first support hole and a first guide hole, a fixed frame having a second support hole and a second guide hole and fixed to the main body, a cross-link mechanism connecting the movable frame and the fixed frame, and a link mechanism. The cross link mechanism includes a first shaft inserted through the first support hole, a second shaft inserted through the first guide hole and movable along the first guide hole and parallel to the first shaft, a third shaft inserted through the second support hole and parallel to the first shaft, a fourth shaft inserted through the second guide hole and movable along the second guide hole and parallel to the first shaft, a first link connecting the first shaft and the fourth shaft, a second link connecting the second shaft and the third shaft, and a fifth shaft connecting the first link and the second link and parallel to the first shaft. The movable frame further has a third support hole. The link mechanism is inserted through the third support hole and includes a sixth shaft parallel to the second shaft, a seventh shaft parallel to the second shaft, a third link connecting the second shaft and the seventh shaft, and a fourth link connecting the sixth shaft and the seventh shaft. The first shaft extends in a first direction. The movable frame moves in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0008] The head moves as the movable frame moves relative to the fixed frame due to the undulations of the cross link mechanism. The link mechanism maintains the parallelism of the first shaft and the second shaft. As a result, tilt of the head is suppressed when the movable frame moves.

[0009] (2) The movable frame may have a plate body having a main surface along the first direction and a guide plate extending from the plate body along the second direction, and the guide plate may have the first guide hole and the third support hole.

[0010] By forming the first guide hole and the third support hole in the guide plate, dimensional errors are minimized, and as a result, tilting of the head during movement of the movable frame is suppressed.

[0011] (3) The fixed frame may be provided with a detection member for detecting the position of the movable frame in the second direction, and the detection member may be located at the center of the head in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction in the outer shape of the movable frame.

[0012] When detecting the position of the movable frame in the second direction, the influence of backlash around the first direction can be reduced.

[0013] (4) The liquid ejection device may further include a wiper that wipes a nozzle surface on which openings for ejecting liquid are located in the head while moving in the third direction relative to the nozzle surface.

[0014] The wiper wipes away liquid adhering to the nozzle surface of the head. By accurately detecting the position of the head in the second direction, the wiper can stably contact the nozzle surface.

[0015] (5) The liquid ejection device may further include a lead screw rotatably supported on the fixed frame and extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, a slide member threaded onto the lead screw and movable along the third direction, a connecting member connecting the slide member and the fourth shaft, a first abutment member abutting one end of the lead screw in the third direction, and a second abutment member abutting the other end of the lead screw in the third direction.

[0016] When the lead screw is rotated by the actuator, the slide member moves in the third direction. The movement of the slide member is transmitted to the second shaft via the connecting member, causing the distance between the third shaft and the fourth shaft to fluctuate, causing the cross link mechanism to rise and fall. Wobble of the lead screw in the third direction is suppressed by contact with the first contact member and the second contact member. This allows the cross link mechanism to move the head in the second direction with precision.

[0017] (6) The head may be supported on the movable frame via a head holder, the head holder having a positioning member that enters a hole formed in the main body, and the liquid ejection device may further include an abutment direction in which the positioning member abuts against a wall that defines the hole in the first direction, and an elastic member that urges the movable frame upward in the second direction.

[0018] The elastic member biases the movable frame in the abutting direction, thereby positioning the head in the first direction, and the elastic member biases the movable frame upward, thereby reducing the load when the cross link mechanism moves the movable frame upward.

[0019] (7) The third link may be located at both ends of the first direction and have a pair of first arm portions extending along the second direction and a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and a first connecting portion extending along the first direction to connect the pair of first arm portions, and the fourth link may be located at both ends of the first direction and have a pair of second arm portions extending along the second direction and the third direction, and a second connecting portion extending along the first direction to connect the pair of second arm portions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, a compact mechanism capable of moving a head can be realized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an image recording device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the II-II cross section of FIG. 1, and shows a state in which the head unit 38 is at the recording position, the first support mechanism 51 is at the first rotation position, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is at the standby position. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the head unit 38. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the first support mechanism 51 and the second support mechanism 52 in the second rotation position. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a front view of the first support mechanism 51 and the maintenance mechanism 60 in the second rotation position. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the maintenance mechanism 60. As shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the maintenance mechanism 60. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the exterior of the lifting mechanism 48. As shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the exterior of the lifting mechanism 48. As shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the lifting mechanism 48. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the appearance of the movable frame 202, the cross link mechanism 204, and the link mechanism 205. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the exterior of the movable frame 202, the cross link mechanism 204, and the link mechanism 205. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the XIII-XIII cross section of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the XIV-XIV cross section of FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a right side view of the lifting mechanism 48. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a right side view of the lifting mechanism 48. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a block diagram of the image recording device 100. As shown in FIG. [Figure 18]FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the II-II cross section of FIG. 1, and shows a state in which the head unit 38 is at the recording position, the first support mechanism 51 is at the second rotation position, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is at the standby position. [Figure 19] Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the II-II section of Figure 1, and shows the state in which the head unit 38 is in the recording position, the first support mechanism 51 is in the second rotation position, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is in a position between the standby position and the maintenance position. [Figure 20] Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the II-II section of Figure 1, and shows the state in which the head unit 38 is in the recording position, the first support mechanism 51 is in the second rotation position, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is in a position supported by the first support mechanism 51. [Figure 21] Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view showing the II-II section of Figure 1, and shows the state in which the head unit 38 is in the capped position, the first support mechanism 51 is in the first rotation position, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is in the maintenance position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Note that this embodiment is merely one embodiment of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment can be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In the following description, the direction from the start point of an arrow to the end point is expressed as a direction, and the movement on the line connecting the start point and end point of an arrow is expressed as a direction. In the following description, the up-down direction 7 (an example of a second direction) is defined based on the state in which the image recording device 100 is installed and ready for use (the state in FIG. 1 ). The front-rear direction 8 (an example of a third direction) is defined with the side where the discharge port 33 is provided as the near side (front face). The left-right direction 9 (an example of a first direction) is defined when the image recording device 100 is viewed from the near side (front face).

[0023] [External Configuration of Image Recording Device 100] The image recording apparatus 100 (an example of a liquid ejection apparatus) shown in FIG. 1 records an image on a sheet S forming a roll body 37 (see FIG. 2) by an inkjet recording method.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the image recording device 100 includes a housing 30 (an example of a main body). The housing 30 includes an upper housing 31 and a lower housing 32. The upper housing 31 and the lower housing 32 are generally rectangular parallelepiped in shape overall, and are large enough to be placed on a table. In other words, the image recording device 100 is suitable for use while being placed on a table. Of course, the image recording device 100 may also be used while being placed on the floor or a rack. Note that a frame for supporting each component may be provided inside the housing 30 as appropriate.

[0025] 2 and 3, upper housing 31 is rotatably supported by lower housing 32. Upper housing 31 is rotatable about a rotation shaft 15 provided at the lower rear end and extending in the left-right direction 9 between a closed position shown in Fig. 2 and an open position shown in Fig. 3. The rotation of upper housing 31 is not limited to by rotation shaft 15, and it may be rotated by a hinge, for example.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 2, when the upper housing 31 is in the closed position, the internal space 31A of the upper housing 31 and the internal space 32A of the lower housing 32 are shielded from the outside. As shown in Fig. 3, when the upper housing 31 is in the open position, the internal space 31A of the upper housing 31 and the internal space 32A of the lower housing 32 are exposed to the outside.

[0027] 1, a slit-shaped discharge opening 33 that is long in the left-right direction 9 is formed on a front surface 32F of the lower housing 32. From the discharge opening 33, a sheet S (see FIG. 2) on which an image has been recorded is discharged.

[0028] An operation panel 44 is provided on the front surface 31F of the upper housing 31. A user inputs to the operation panel 44 to operate the image recording device 100 and to confirm various settings.

[0029] [Internal configuration of image recording device 100] 2, the internal spaces 31A and 32A are provided with a holder 35, a tensioner 45, a pair of transport rollers 36, a pair of transport rollers 40, a head unit 38, a first support mechanism 51, a second support mechanism 52, an ink tank 34, a cleaning liquid tank 76, a waste liquid tank 77, and a maintenance mechanism 60. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the internal space 32A is provided with a controller 130 shown in FIG. 17. The controller 130 controls the operation of the image recording device 100.

[0030] In the internal space 32A, downstream of the head unit 38 in the conveying direction 8A, a fixing unit, an image sensor, a cutter, and the like (not shown) are located. The fixing unit is a heater or an ultraviolet irradiation device, and fixes the ink on the sheet S to the sheet S. If the fixing unit is a heater, the ink contains a resin that forms a film on the sheet S by heat. If the fixing unit is an ultraviolet irradiation device, the ink contains a resin that hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light. The image sensor optically reads the image recorded on the sheet S and outputs image data indicating the reading result to the controller 130. The cutter cuts the sheet S after the image has been recorded.

[0031] A partition wall 41 is provided in the internal space 32A. The partition wall 41 divides the rear lower part of the internal space 32A to define a seat accommodating space 32C. The seat accommodating space 32C is surrounded by the partition wall 41 and the lower housing 32, and is a space isolated from the head unit 38 and the like.

[0032] A roll 37 is accommodated in the sheet storage space 32C. The roll 37 has a core tube and a long sheet S. The sheet S is wound around the core tube in a roll shape in the circumferential direction of the core tube's axis. The sheet S can have a width ranging from the minimum width to the maximum width at which the image recording device 100 can record an image. That is, the sheet storage space 32C can accommodate a variety of rolls 37 with different widths. Note that the roll 37 may not have a core tube, and the sheet S may be wound in a roll shape so that it can be attached to the holder 35. The sheet storage space 32C may also be capable of accommodating fanfold paper. As shown in FIG. 1, a right cover 35A is located on the right surface 32R of the lower housing 32. Opening and closing the right cover 35A exposes or covers the holder 35 and other components located in the sheet storage space 32C.

[0033] 2, the sheet storage space 32C opens upward at the rear. Specifically, a gap 42 is formed between the partition wall 41 and the rear surface 32B, i.e., above the rear end of the roll body 37. As the conveying roller pair 36, 40 rotates, the sheet S is pulled upward from the rear end of the roll body 37 and guided to the tensioner 45 via the gap 42.

[0034] The tensioner 45 is located at the rear of the internal space 32A and above the partition wall 41. The tensioner 45 has an outer peripheral surface 45A facing outward from the lower housing 32. The outer peripheral surfaces 45A are equal to or larger than the maximum width of the sheet in the left-right direction 9 and have shapes that are symmetrical with respect to the center of the sheet passage (the center of the sheet S in the left-right direction 9). The upper end of the outer peripheral surface 45A is located at approximately the same vertical position as the nip D of the conveying roller pair 36 in the up-down direction 7.

[0035] The sheet S pulled out from the roll body 37 is hung on and contacts the outer peripheral surface 45A. The sheet S curves forward along the outer peripheral surface 45A, extends in the conveying direction 8A, and is guided by the conveying roller pair 36. The conveying direction 8A is forward along the front-rear direction 8. The tensioner 45 applies tension to the sheet S by a well-known method.

[0036] The pair of conveying rollers 36 is located in front of the tensioner 45. The pair of conveying rollers 36 includes a conveying roller 36A and a pinch roller 36B. The conveying roller 36A and the pinch roller 36B abut on the outer peripheral surface 45A at approximately the same vertical position as the upper end of the outer peripheral surface 45A.

[0037] A conveying roller pair 40 is located in front of the conveying roller pair 36. The conveying roller pair 40 has a conveying roller 40A and a pinch roller 40B. The conveying roller 40A and the pinch roller 40B abut at approximately the same vertical position as the upper end of the outer circumferential surface 45A.

[0038] The conveying rollers 36A, 40A are rotated by a driving force transmitted from a conveying motor 53 (see FIG. 17). The conveying roller pair 36 rotates while nipping the sheet S extending from the tensioner 45 in the conveying direction 8A, thereby feeding the sheet in the conveying direction 8A along the conveying surface 43A. The conveying roller pair 40 rotates while nipping the sheet S fed from the conveying roller pair 36, thereby feeding the sheet in the conveying direction 8A. Furthermore, due to the rotation of the conveying roller pair 36, 40, the sheet S is drawn from the sheet storage space 32C through the gap 42 toward the tensioner 45.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 2, a conveying path 43 is formed in the internal space 32A, extending from the upper end of the outer peripheral surface 45A to the discharge port 33. The conveying path 43 extends substantially linearly along the conveying direction 8A, and is a space through which the sheet S can pass. Specifically, the conveying path 43 extends in the conveying direction 8A and the left-right direction 9 and extends along a conveying surface 43A that is long in the conveying direction 8A. In Fig. 2, the conveying surface 43A is indicated by a two-dot chain line that indicates the conveying path 43. The conveying path 43 is partitioned by a guide member (not shown), a head unit 38, a conveying belt 101, and the like, which are positioned apart in the up-down direction 7.

[0040] The head unit 38 is located above the conveying path 43 and downstream of the pair of conveying rollers 36 in the conveying direction 8A. The head unit 38 has a plurality of nozzles 38A. Ink is ejected downward from the plurality of nozzles 38A toward the sheet S supported by the conveying belt 101. In this way, an image is recorded on the sheet S. The detailed configuration of the head unit 38 will be described later.

[0041] The first support mechanism 51 is located below the conveying path 43 and downstream of the conveying roller pair 36 in the conveying direction 8A. The first support mechanism 51 faces the head unit 38 below the head unit 38. The first support mechanism 51 has a conveying belt 101 and a support portion 104. The conveying belt 101 supports the sheet S that has been conveyed by the conveying roller pair 36 in the conveying direction 8A and is located directly below the head unit 38. The conveying belt 101 conveys the supported sheet S in the conveying direction 8A. The support portion 104 is capable of supporting the maintenance mechanism 60. A detailed configuration of the first support mechanism 51 will be described later.

[0042] The second support mechanism 52 is located below the pair of conveying rollers 40, and is supported by the lower housing 32 and thereby fixed inside the lower housing 32. The second support mechanism 52 is capable of supporting the maintenance mechanism 60. The detailed configuration of the second support mechanism 52 will be described later.

[0043] The ink tank 34 stores ink. The ink is a liquid containing pigments and the like. The ink has a viscosity suitable for uniformly dispersing the pigments. The pigments determine the color of the ink. The ink is supplied from the ink tank 34 to the head unit 38 through a tube (not shown).

[0044] The cleaning liquid tank 76 stores cleaning liquid. The cleaning liquid is used when cleaning the nozzles 38A of the head unit 38. The waste liquid tank 77 stores the cleaning liquid after cleaning the nozzles 38A as waste liquid.

[0045] The maintenance mechanism 60 is used to perform maintenance on the head unit 38. The maintenance mechanism 60 is configured to be movable, and is moved to directly below the head unit 38 when maintenance on the head unit 38 is to be performed (see FIG. 21).

[0046] Maintenance of the head unit 38 includes purging, immersion, and wiping. As shown in FIG. 21 , the purging process is a process in which the nozzles 38A are covered with caps 62 (described later) of the maintenance mechanism 60, and then ink is sucked from the nozzles 38A using a suction pump. The immersion process is a process in which the nozzles 38A are covered with the caps 62 and then immersed in cleaning liquid supplied to the caps 62. The wiping process is a process in which a sponge wiper 64 (described later) and a rubber wiper 63 (described later) of the maintenance mechanism 60 wipe the lower surface 50 (an example of a nozzle surface) of a head module 49 (described later) of the head unit 38. The configuration of the maintenance mechanism 60 will be described in detail later.

[0047] [Head Unit 38] The head unit 38 shown in Figures 2 and 3 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the left-right direction 9. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the head unit 38 includes a lifting mechanism 48 and three head modules 49A, 49B, and 49C (examples of heads). Hereinafter, the three head modules 49A, 49B, and 49C will also be collectively referred to as head module 49. Note that the number of head modules 49 is not limited to three and may be, for example, one. The detailed configuration of the lifting mechanism 48 will be described later.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the head module 49 is supported by the lifting mechanism 48. The head module 49 is disposed facing the conveying path 43 in the left-right direction 9. The head modules 49A and 49B are disposed at the same position in the conveying direction 8A. The head modules 49A and 49B are disposed with an interval in the left-right direction 9. The head module 49C is disposed downstream of the head modules 49A and 49B in the conveying direction 8A. The head module 49C is disposed between two head modules 49A and 49B that are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction 9. The left end of the head module 49C is located to the left of the right end of the head module 49A. The right end of the head module 49C is located to the right of the left end of the head module 49B. In other words, the end of the head module 49C overlaps with the end of the head modules 49A and 49B in the left-right direction 9.

[0049] Each of the head modules 49A, 49B, and 49C includes a plurality of nozzles 38A. The nozzles 38A are open to a lower surface 50 of the head modules 49A, 49B, and 49C. The lower surface 50 is a surface that extends in the front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9. As described above, ink is ejected downward from the plurality of nozzles 38A toward the sheet S supported by the conveyor belt 101 of the first support mechanism 51, thereby recording an image on the sheet S. Note that the arrangement and number of the plurality of nozzles 38A are not limited to those shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0050] The head module 49 is moved by the lifting mechanism 48 in the vertical direction 7 to a recording position, a capped position, a wiping position, and an upper retracted position. The recording position is the position of the head unit 38 when an image is recorded on a sheet S supported by the conveyor belt 101. The capped position is the position of the head unit 38 when the head module 49 is covered by a cap 62 of the maintenance mechanism 60. The capped position is a position above the recording position (a position farther from the first support mechanism 51 than the recording position). The wiping position is the position of the head unit 38 when the sponge wiper 64 and the rubber wiper 63 of the maintenance mechanism 60 wipe the lower surface 50 of the head module 49. The wiping position is a position above the capped position. The upper retracted position is the position of the head unit 38 when the head unit 38 is completely separated from the maintenance mechanism 60. The upper retracted position is a position above the wiping position. The detailed configuration of the lifting mechanism 48 will be explained later.

[0051] [First support mechanism 51] 2, 4, and 5, the first support mechanism 51 includes a conveyor belt 101, a drive roller 102, a driven roller 103, a support portion 104, a gear 105, and a gear 106. Note that in each drawing, the teeth of the gears 105 and 106 are not shown.

[0052] The drive roller 102 and the driven roller 103 are rotatably supported by a support portion 104. The drive roller 102 and the driven roller 103 are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction 8 (conveying direction 8A). The conveyor belt 101 is an endless belt. The conveyor belt 101 is stretched around the drive roller 102 and the driven roller 103. The conveyor belt 101 is arranged within the conveying path 43 in the left-right direction 9.

[0053] The drive roller 102 rotates by a driving force applied by a conveying motor 53 (see FIG. 17 ), causing the conveying belt 101 to rotate. The rotation of the conveying belt 101 causes the driven roller 103 to rotate. The conveying belt 101 has a conveying surface 108. The conveying surface 108 is an upper portion of the outer circumferential surface of the conveying belt 101, and extends along the conveying direction 8A. The conveying surface 108 faces the nozzles 38A of the head unit 38 across the conveying path 43. The drive roller 102 rotates so that the conveying surface 108 moves in the conveying direction 8A. The conveying surface 108 also applies a conveying force to the sheet S while supporting the sheet S conveyed between the pair of conveying rollers 36 and 40 from below. As a result, the conveying belt 101 conveys the sheet S located on the conveying path 43 in the conveying direction 8A along the conveying surface 108.

[0054] 2 and 4, the support portion 104 includes a shaft 109A. The shaft 109A is rotatably supported by the lower housing 32. The shaft 109A extends in the left-right direction 9 (a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction 8A and parallel to the lower surface 50 of the head module 49). The shaft 109A is provided upstream of the drive roller 102 in the conveying direction 8A. The shaft 109A is located below the pair of conveying rollers 36.

[0055] The shaft 109A rotates by receiving a driving force from the shaft motor 59 (see FIG. 17). When the shaft 109A rotates, the support portion 104 rotates around the shaft 109A. When the support portion 104 rotates, the conveyor belt 101, the drive roller 102, the driven roller 103, the gear 105, and the gear 106 also rotate. In other words, the first support mechanism 51 rotates. The rotation tip 51A of the first support mechanism 51 is located downstream of the shaft 109A in the conveying direction 8A.

[0056] The first support mechanism 51 is rotatable between a first rotation position shown in FIGS. 2 and 21 and a second rotation position shown in FIGS.

[0057] 2, when the first support mechanism 51 is in the first rotation position, the conveying surface 108 of the conveying belt 101 extends along the front-rear direction 8. This allows the conveying belt 101 to convey the sheet S positioned on the conveying path 43 forward.

[0058] 18 to 20, when the first support mechanism 51 is in the second rotation position, the rotation tip 51A of the first support mechanism 51 is positioned lower than when it is in the first rotation position (see FIG. 2). As a result, the conveying surface 108 of the conveyor belt 101 extends along an inclined direction 6 that slopes downward as it extends forward. The inclined direction 6 is perpendicular to the left-right direction 9 and intersects with the conveying direction 8A.

[0059] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the support part 104 includes a main body 109 and standing walls 110 and 111. In the following description of the support part 104, it is assumed that the first support mechanism 51 is in the second rotation position. The main body 109 is a generally plate-shaped member and includes a shaft 109A. The standing wall 110 stands upward from the left end of the main body 109. The standing wall 111 stands upward from the right end of the main body 109. The standing walls 110 and 111 extend along the inclination direction 6.

[0060] The standing walls 110 and 111 are disposed outside the conveying path 43 in the left-right direction 9. The standing walls 110 and 111 support the driving roller 102 and the driven roller 103 so that they can rotate.

[0061] The standing wall 110 has an upper surface 110A. The standing wall 111 has a first upper surface 111A and a second upper surface 111B. The second upper surface 111B is located at a different position from the first upper surface 111A in the left-right direction 9. The upper surface 110A and the first upper surface 111A support the maintenance mechanism 60 and guide the movement of the maintenance mechanism 60. The second upper surface 111B is located at a position where it can face a rack 154 (described below) of the maintenance mechanism 60. An opening 112 is formed in the second upper surface 111B. A portion of the gear 105A protrudes upward from the opening 112. The gear 105A can mesh with the rack 154 located at the opposite position.

[0062] Grooves 113, 114, and 115 (examples of holes) extending along the front-rear direction 8 are formed in the top surface 110A, the first top surface 111A, and the second top surface 111B. Groove 115 is a single groove formed in the top surface 110A and extending in the front-rear direction 8. Groove 113 is a single groove formed in the first top surface 111A and extending in the front-rear direction 8. Groove 114 is a single groove formed in the second top surface 111B and extending in the front-rear direction 8. Groove 113 and groove 114 are aligned along the front-rear direction 8 with gear 105A in between. Positioning pins 208 of the lifting mechanism 48 enter grooves 113, 114, and 115.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 5, gears 105 and 106 are rotatably supported by a support portion 104 of the first support mechanism 51. The gear 105 is composed of gears 105A and 105B arranged along the left-right direction 9. The gears 105A and 105B are arranged coaxially with each other. The gear 105A rotates integrally with the gear 105B. The gear 105A may have play in the rotational direction relative to the gear 105B. The gear 105B meshes with the gear 106. The gear 106 is connected to a first motor 55 (see FIG. 17, an example of a motor) directly or via another gear, and receives driving force from the first motor 55.

[0064] [Second support mechanism 52] As shown in FIG. 2, the second support mechanism 52 is disposed so as to extend in the inclined direction 6 as a whole. It is placed there.

[0065] 2 and 4, the second support mechanism 52 includes a main body 115, standing walls 116 and 117, and gears 118, 119, and 120. Note that the teeth of the gears 118, 119, and 120 are not shown in the drawings.

[0066] The main body 115 is a generally plate-shaped member and is fixed to the lower housing 32. The standing wall 116 stands upward from the left end of the main body 115. The standing wall 117 stands upward from the right end of the main body 115. The standing walls 116 and 117 extend along the inclination direction 6.

[0067] The standing wall 116 is located at the same position in the left-right direction 9 as the standing wall 110 of the first support mechanism 51. The standing wall 117 is located at the same position in the left-right direction 9 as the standing wall 111 of the first support mechanism 51.

[0068] The standing wall 116 has an upper surface 116A. The standing wall 117 has a first upper surface 117A and a second upper surface 117B. The second upper surface 117B is located at a different position in the left-right direction 9 from the first upper surface 117A.

[0069] When the first support mechanism 51 is in the second pivot position, the first upper surface 117A is aligned with the first upper surface 111A of the standing wall 111 of the first support mechanism 51 along the inclination direction 6 and is on the same plane as the first upper surface 111A. In other words, the first upper surface 117A and the first upper surface 111A are aligned linearly. When the first support mechanism 51 is in the second pivot position, the second upper surface 117B is aligned with the second upper surface 111B of the standing wall 111 of the first support mechanism 51 along the inclination direction 6 and is on the same plane as the second upper surface 111B. In other words, the second upper surface 117B and the second upper surface 111B are aligned linearly.

[0070] The top surface 116A and the first top surface 117A support the maintenance mechanism 60 and guide the movement of the maintenance mechanism 60. The second top surface 117B is positioned so as to face the rack 154 of the maintenance mechanism 60. As shown in FIG. 4, openings 123 and 124 are formed in the second top surface 117B. The opening 124 is positioned forward of the opening 123. A portion of the gear 118 protrudes upward from the opening 123. A portion of the gear 119 protrudes upward from the opening 124. The gears 118 and 119 can mesh with the rack 154 which is positioned opposite to them.

[0071] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, gears 118, 119, and 120 are rotatably supported by main body 115 of second support mechanism 52. Gear 118 is composed of gears 118A and 118B arranged along left-right direction 9. Gear 118A and gear 118B are arranged coaxially with each other. Gear 118A rotates integrally with gear 118B. Gear 118A may have play in the rotational direction relative to gear 118B. Gear 119 is composed of gears 119A and 119B arranged along left-right direction 9. Gear 119A and gear 119B are arranged coaxially with each other. Gear 119A rotates integrally with gear 119B. Gear 119A may have play in the rotational direction relative to gear 119B. Gear 120 meshes with gears 118B and 119B. As a result, when gear 120 rotates, gears 118 and 119 rotate in the same direction. Gear 120 is connected to second motor 56 directly or via another gear, and receives driving force from second motor 56.

[0072] [Maintenance Organization 60] 5 and 6, the maintenance mechanism 60 includes a support 61, a sponge wiper 64, a rubber wiper 63, and a cap 62. In the following description of the maintenance mechanism 60, it is assumed that the maintenance mechanism 60 is supported by the first support mechanism 51 and the second support mechanism 52 in the second rotation position.

[0073] [Support 61] The support body 61 has a base 61A, a main body 61B placed on the base 61A, and a wiper holder 61C that holds the sponge wiper 64 and the rubber wiper 63 on the main body 61B. The base 61A has a box-like shape that is open at the top.

[0074] The lower surface 121 of the base 61A can abut from above against the upper surface 110A of the standing wall 110 and the first upper surface 111A of the standing wall 111 of the first support mechanism 51. This allows the maintenance mechanism 60 to be supported by the first support mechanism 51. The lower surface 121 can also abut from above against the upper surface 116A of the standing wall 116 and the first upper surface 117A of the standing wall 117 of the second support mechanism 52. This allows the maintenance mechanism 60 to be supported by the second support mechanism 52.

[0075] The base 61A includes a rack 154. The rack 154 is formed on the right end of the lower surface 121 of the base 61A. As shown in FIG. 7, the rack 154 extends along the inclined direction 6 on the lower surface 121. The rack 154 can be opposed to the second upper surface 111B of the standing wall 111 of the first support mechanism 51 in the vertical direction (see FIG. 5).

[0076] The rack 154 can mesh with the gear 105A. When the gear 105A rotates while the rack 154 and the gear 105A are meshed with each other, the maintenance mechanism 60 slides along the upper surface 110A and the first upper surface 111A relative to the first support mechanism 51. In other words, the movement of the maintenance mechanism 60 is guided by the upper surface 110A and the first upper surface 111A of the first support mechanism 51.

[0077] The rack 154 can be opposed to the second upper surface 117B of the standing wall 117 of the second support mechanism 52 in the vertical direction. The rack 154 can mesh with the gear 118A and the gear 119A. When the gear 105A rotates while the rack 154 is meshed with at least one of the gears 118A and 119A, the maintenance mechanism 60 slides along the upper surface 116A and the first upper surface 117A relative to the second support mechanism 52. In other words, the movement of the maintenance mechanism 60 is guided by the upper surface 116A and the first upper surface 111A of the second support mechanism 52.

[0078] This allows the maintenance mechanism 60 to move to a standby position shown in Fig. 2 and a maintenance position shown in Fig. 21, as will be described later. The maintenance mechanism 60 in the maintenance position and the wiping position faces the lower surface 50 of the head module 49 of the head unit 38 in the up-down direction 7.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 6, the main body 61B has a generally box-like shape with an open top. The main body 61B is smaller than the base 61A. The main body 61B is placed on the base 61A and fixed to it. Although not shown in the figures, the main body 61B has a flow path through which the cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid tank 76 can flow. The cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid tank 76 to the flow path through a supply tube 175, and is returned from the flow path to the cleaning liquid tank 76 through a return tube 176. The cleaning liquid is circulated between the flow path and the cleaning liquid tank 76 by a suction pump (not shown). The cleaning liquid is supplied to the sponge wiper 64 through the flow path.

[0080] The wiper holder 61C holds three sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C, three rubber wipers 63A, 63B, and 63C, and three caps 62A, 62B, and 62C. The sponge wipers 64 are formed of sponge, which is a porous material that absorbs and retains liquid. In this embodiment, three sponge wipers 64 (64A, 64B, and 64C) are provided. The number of sponge wipers 64 is not limited to three and is set according to the number of head modules 49 of the head unit 38. Hereinafter, the three sponge wipers 64A, 64B, and 64C will be collectively referred to as sponge wipers 64. The sponge wiper 64 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape whose length in the left-right direction 9 is longer than its lengths in the inclined direction 6 and the up-down direction 7. The length of the sponge wiper 64 in the up-down direction 7 is longer than its length in the inclined direction 6. The lower part of the sponge wiper 64 enters the flow path of the main body 61B.

[0081] The rubber wiper 63 is made of rubber, which is an elastic body that does not absorb or retain liquid. In this embodiment, three rubber wipers 63 (63A, 63B, 63C) are provided. The number of rubber wipers 63 is not limited to three and is set according to the number of head modules 49 of the head unit 38 described above. Hereinafter, the three rubber wipers 63A, 63B, 63C will also be collectively referred to as rubber wipers 63.

[0082] The rubber wiper 63 is formed in a flat plate shape that extends in the up-down direction 7 and the left-right direction 9. The length of the rubber wiper 63 in the inclined direction 6 is shorter than the length of the sponge wiper 64 in the inclined direction 6. This makes the rubber wiper 63 more likely to bend when it comes into contact with the lower surface 50 of the head module 49 during wiping processing. The length of the rubber wiper 63 in the left-right direction 9 is slightly longer than the length of the sponge wiper 64 in the left-right direction 9.

[0083] The cap 62 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or silicone. The cap 62 has a box shape that is open at the top. In this embodiment, the cap 62 is made up of three caps 62A, 62B, and 62C. The number of caps 62 is not limited to three and is set according to the number of head modules 49 of the head unit 38 described above. Hereinafter, the three caps 62A, 62B, and 62C will be collectively referred to as caps 62.

[0084] The bottom plate 69 of the cap 62 is formed with an inlet (not shown) through which the cleaning liquid L flows into the cap 62 and an outlet (not shown) through which the cleaning liquid L flows out of the cap 62. One end of a supply tube 175 is connected to the inlet. The other end of the supply tube 175 is connected to the cleaning liquid tank 76. One end of a waste liquid tube 178 is connected to the outlet. The other end of the waste liquid tube 178 is connected to the waste liquid tank 77. When a suction pump (not shown) is driven, the liquid is sucked from the outlet of the cap 62 to the waste liquid tank 77.

[0085] [Lifting mechanism 48] The lifting mechanism 48 supports the head module 49 and moves the head module 49 in the up and down direction 7. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 , the lifting mechanism 48 includes a fixed frame 201, a movable frame 202, a head holder 203, a cross link mechanism 204, a link mechanism 205, and a sensor 206.

[0086] The fixed frame 201 is made by bending a metal plate, and is fixed to the lower housing 32. The fixed frame 201 has a generally rectangular base plate 210 that extends in the front-to-rear direction 8 and the left-to-right direction 9, and protrusions 211, 212 that extend downward are formed on both ends of the rear side of the base plate 210 in the left-to-right direction 9. The protrusions 211, 212 are positioned with a gap between them in the left-to-right direction 9. The protrusions 211, 212 each extend along the front-to-rear direction 8. The protrusions 211, 212 are each formed with second guide holes 213, 214 that penetrate in the left-to-right direction 9. The second guide holes 213, 214 are elongated holes whose dimension in the front-to-rear direction 8 is longer than their dimension in the up-down direction 7.

[0087] The substrate 210 has a bent portion 215 whose front end is bent downward. Projections 216, 217 that extend rearward are formed on both ends of the bent portion 215 in the left-right direction 9. The projections 216, 217 are positioned with a gap between them in the left-right direction 9. The projections 216, 217 each extend along the front-rear direction 8. The projections 216, 217 each have second support holes 218, 219 (see FIG. 10 ) that penetrate in the left-right direction 9.

[0088] A detection member 220 is attached to the substrate 210 near the center in the front-rear direction 8. The detection member 220 has a fixed portion 221 fixed to the substrate 210 and a detectable portion 222 extending downward from the fixed portion 221. The detectable portion 222 has a detectable piece 223 (an example of a detection member) protruding to the right. The detectable piece 223 has right ends at different positions in the up-down direction 7 and has light-shielding portions 223A and 223B located apart in the up-down direction 7, and a light-transmitting portion 223C which is a space between the light-shielding portions 223A and 223B. The light-shielding portions 223A and 223B are located between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the sensor 206 supported by the movable frame 202 and can block infrared light. The light-transmitting portion 223C is located between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the sensor 206 and can transmit infrared light. The sensor 206 detects the upper and lower ends of the light-shielding portions 223A and 223B, and thus can detect four positions of the head module 49 raised and lowered by the lifting mechanism 48 while the movable frame 202 moves in the up-down direction 7. The four positions detected by the sensor 206 are the recording position, the capped position, the wiping position, and the upper retracted position, respectively.

[0089] The detected portion 222 has an abutting piece 224. The abutting piece 224 is located rearward and away from the detected piece 223. The abutting piece 224 turns the switch 207 supported by the movable frame 202 on or off by abutting against or separating from the switch 207. As shown in FIG. 15 , when the movable frame 202 is in the uppermost position, i.e., the upper retracted position, the abutting piece 224 abuts against the lever 207A of the switch 207, causing the lever 207A to rotate downward and turn on the switch 207. At this time, the light-shielding portion 223A is below the optical path of the sensor 206, causing the sensor 206 to output a high-level signal. The controller 130 determines that the movable frame 202 is in the upper retracted position based on the fact that the switch 207 is on and the sensor 206 is outputting a high-level signal.

[0090] 16, the abutment piece 224 separates from the lever 207A of the switch 207, causing the lever 207A to rotate upward and switch 207 to turn off. When the movable frame 202 subsequently reaches the capped position, the light-shielding portion 223A enters the optical path of the sensor 206, causing the sensor 206 to output a low-level signal. As the movable frame 202 further moves downward and reaches the wiped position, the light-shielding portion 223A passes through the optical path of the sensor 206, and the light-transmitting portion 223C is positioned in the optical path of the sensor 206. This causes the sensor 206 to output a high-level signal. As the movable frame 202 further moves downward and reaches the recording position, the light-shielding portion 223B enters the optical path of the sensor 206, causing the sensor 206 to output a low-level signal. In this way, based on the signal from the switch 207 and the signal from the sensor 206 , the controller 130 determines the position of the movable frame 202 , that is, the position of the head module 49 .

[0091] 10, the detected piece 223 is located at the center in the front-rear direction 8 of the outer shape of the movable frame 202. The detected piece 223 is also located slightly to the right of the center in the left-right direction 9 of the outer shape of the movable frame 202.

[0092] The movable frame 202 is made by bending a metal plate and is connected to the fixed frame 201 by a cross link mechanism 204. The movable frame 202 has a generally rectangular base plate 230 (an example of a plate) with a main surface extending in the front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9. Portions of the rear side of the base plate 230 spaced apart in the left-right direction 9 are cut out and raised to form upwardly extending protrusions 231 and 232 (an example of a guide plate). The protrusions 231 and 232 are positioned with a gap between them in the left-right direction 9. The protrusions 231 and 232 each extend along the front-rear direction 8. The protrusions 231 and 232 are each formed with a first guide hole 233 and 234 that penetrates them in the left-right direction 9. The first guide holes 233 and 234 are elongated holes whose dimension in the front-rear direction 8 is longer than their dimension in the up-down direction 7. The protruding pieces 231 and 232 are formed with third support holes 235 and 236, respectively, which penetrate the protruding pieces 231 and 232 in the left-right direction 9 behind the first guide holes 233 and 234.

[0093] Protrusions 237, 238 extending upward are formed on both ends in the left-right direction 9 of the front end of the base plate 230. The protrusions 237, 238 are positioned with a gap between them in the left-right direction 9. The protrusions 237, 238 each extend along the front-rear direction 8. First support holes 239, 240 penetrating in the left-right direction 9 are formed in the protrusions 237, 238, respectively.

[0094] A head holder 203 is fixed to the underside of the movable frame 202. The head holder 203 is a molded product made of synthetic resin that supports the head module 49. The head holder 203 has a box-like shape with roughly the same rectangular outer shape as the movable frame 202, and the head module 49 is exposed downward from a through-hole formed in the underside. A plurality of positioning pins 208 (positioning members) that protrude downward from the underside are provided at both ends of the head holder 203 in the left-right direction 9. In this embodiment, three positioning pins 208 are positioned on the right side of the head holder 203 at intervals in the front-rear direction 8, and two positioning pins 208 are positioned on the left side of the head holder 203 at intervals in the front-rear direction 8. Each positioning pin 208 enters one of the recessed grooves 113, 114, or 115 (see FIG. 4).

[0095] [Cross-link mechanism 204] The configuration of the cross link mechanism 204 and the link mechanism 205 will be explained below with reference to Figures 8 to 16. In Figures 8 to 16, reference numbers are omitted when they cannot be indicated due to overlapping of components, etc.

[0096] The fixed frame 201 and the movable frame 202 are connected by a cross link mechanism 204. As shown in Figures 8 to 12, the cross link mechanism 204 has a first shaft 251, a second shaft 252, a third shaft 253, a fourth shaft 254, a fifth shaft 255, a first link 256, and a second link 257.

[0097] The first shaft 251 is rotatably inserted through the first support holes 239, 240 of the movable frame 202 and extends in the left-right direction 9. The inner diameters of the first support holes 239, 240 are approximately the same as the outer diameter of the first shaft 251.

[0098] The second shaft 252 is inserted through the first guide holes 233, 234 of the movable frame 202 and extends along the left-right direction 9. The second shaft 252 is guided by the first guide holes 233, 234 and is movable in the front-rear direction 8.

[0099] The third shaft 253 is rotatably inserted through the second support holes 218, 219 of the fixed frame 201 and extends in the left-right direction 9. The inner diameters of the second support holes 218, 219 are approximately the same as the outer diameter of the third shaft 253.

[0100] The fourth shaft 254 is inserted through the second guide holes 213, 214 of the fixed frame 201 and extends along the left-right direction 9. The fourth shaft 254 is guided by the second guide holes 213, 214 and is movable in the front-rear direction 8.

[0101] The fifth shaft 255 is rotatably inserted through a through hole 277 of the first link 256 and a through hole 278 of the second link 257, and extends along the left-right direction 9. The first shaft 251, the second shaft 252, the third shaft 253, the fourth shaft 254, and the fifth shaft 255 are parallel to each other.

[0102] The first link 256 has arm portions 260, 261 located at both ends in the left-right direction 9 and extending along the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8, and a connecting portion 262 extending along the left-right direction 9 and connecting the arm portions 260, 261.

[0103] The arm portions 260, 261 are spaced apart in the left-right direction 9 and extend parallel to each other. In this embodiment, the arm portions 260, 261 are inclined upward toward the rear. Through holes 263, 264 are formed at the front ends of the arm portions 260, 261, respectively. A first shaft 251 is rotatably inserted through the through holes 263, 264. Through holes 265, 266 are formed at the rear ends of the arm portions 260, 261, respectively. A fourth shaft 254 is rotatably inserted through the through holes 265, 266. As a result, the first link 256 connects the first shaft 251 and the fourth shaft 254. Through holes 267, 268 are formed near the centers of the arm portions 260, 261 in the front-rear direction 8, respectively. A fifth shaft 255 is rotatably inserted through the through holes 267, 268.

[0104] The connecting portion 262 is connected to the front portions of the arm portions 260, 261. There is no connecting portion 262 at the rear portions of the arm portions 260, 261, and the second link 257 is located between the arm portions 260, 261 in the left-right direction 9.

[0105] The second link 257 has arm portions 270, 271 located at both ends in the left-right direction 9 and extending along the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8, and a connecting portion 272 extending along the left-right direction 9 and connecting the arm portions 270, 271.

[0106] The arm portions 270, 271 are spaced apart in the left-right direction 9 and extend parallel to each other. In this embodiment, the arm portions 260, 261 are inclined downward as they extend rearward. Through holes 273, 274 are formed at the front ends of the arm portions 270, 271, respectively. The third shaft 253 is rotatably inserted through the through holes 273, 274. Through holes 275, 276 are formed at the rear ends of the arm portions 270, 271, respectively. The second shaft 252 is rotatably inserted through the through holes 275, 276. As a result, the second link 257 connects the second shaft 252 and the third shaft 253. Through holes 277, 278 are formed near the centers of the arm portions 270, 271 in the front-rear direction 8, respectively. The fifth shaft 255 is rotatably inserted through the through holes 277, 278. The first link 256 and the second link 257 are connected by the fifth shaft 255, and the arm portions 260, 261 and the arm portions 270, 271 intersect with each other.

[0107] 8 to 10, 13, and 14, a support piece 241 is formed by bending the front end of the fixed frame 201 downward. A cut is made near the center of the fixed frame 201 in the front-to-rear direction 8 and bending it downward to form a support piece 242. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the support pieces 241, 242 are positioned apart in the front-to-rear direction 8 and rotatably support a lead screw 243 extending along the front-to-rear direction 8. A gear 244 is fixed to the front end of the lead screw 243. When a driving force from the head motor 54 (see FIG. 17) is transmitted to the gear 244, the gear 244 rotates about an axis in the front-to-rear direction 8, and the lead screw 243 rotates together with the gear 244 about an axis in the front-to-rear direction 8.

[0108] A support piece 245 (an example of a first abutment member) is attached to the front side of the fixed frame 201. The support piece 245 is bent downward and faces the support piece 241 in front of the support piece 241. The support piece 245 abuts against the front end of the lead screw 243, and positions the lead screw 243 in the front-rear direction 8.

[0109] A support piece 246 (an example of a second abutment member) is attached to an opening formed by bending the support piece 242 in the fixed frame 201. The support piece 246 is bent downward to face the support piece 242 at the rear of the support piece 242. The support piece 246 abuts against the rear end of the lead screw 243, and positions the lead screw 243 in the front-rear direction 8.

[0110] A male thread is formed on the outer periphery of the lead screw 243, and a cylindrical slide member 247, which has a female thread formed on its inner periphery that screws onto the male thread, is threadedly engaged with the lead screw 243. The slide member 247 is connected to the fourth shaft 254 by a connecting member 248 that extends in the front-rear direction 8 below the fixed frame 201.

[0111] When the driving force of the head motor 54 is transmitted and the lead screw 243 rotates, the slide member 247 moves in the front-rear direction 8. When the slide member 247 moves forward from the position shown in FIG. 13, the fourth shaft 254 also moves forward along the second guide holes 213, 214 and rotates around the first shaft 251 so that the first link 256 stands up (counterclockwise in FIG. 13). The fifth shaft 255 moves forward in conjunction with the rotation of the first shaft 251. As a result, the second shaft 252 also moves forward along the first guide holes 233, 234 and rotates around the third shaft 253 so that the second link 257 stands up (clockwise in FIG. 13). As a result, the movable frame 202 moves downward relative to the fixed frame 201, and the head module 49 moves downward along with the movable frame 202.

[0112] When the reverse driving force of the head motor 54 is transmitted and the slide member 247 moves rearward from the position shown in FIG. 14, the fourth shaft 254 also moves rearward along the second guide holes 213, 214, and the first link 256 rotates around the first shaft 251 so as to tilt (clockwise in FIG. 14). The rotation of the first shaft 251 causes the fifth shaft 255 to move rearward. As a result, the second shaft 252 also moves rearward along the first guide holes 233, 234, and the second link 257 rotates around the third shaft 253 so as to tilt (counterclockwise in FIG. 14). As a result, the movable frame 202 moves upward relative to the fixed frame 201, and the head module 49 moves upward along with the movable frame 202.

[0113] [Link mechanism 205] The link mechanism 205 includes a sixth shaft 280 , a seventh shaft 281 , a third link 282 , and a fourth link 283 .

[0114] The sixth shaft 280 is rotatably inserted through the third support holes 235, 236 of the movable frame 202 and extends in the left-right direction 9. The inner diameters of the third support holes 235, 236 are approximately the same as the outer diameter of the sixth shaft 280.

[0115] The seventh shaft 281 is rotatably inserted through the through holes 290, 291 of the third link 282 and the through holes 295, 296 of the fourth link 283, and extends in the left-right direction 9. The sixth shaft 280 and the seventh shaft 281 are parallel to the second shaft 252.

[0116] The third link 282 has arm portions 285, 286 (an example of a first arm portion) located at both ends in the left-right direction 9 and extending along the up-down direction 7 and the front-to-back direction 8, and a connecting portion 287 (an example of a first connecting portion) extending along the left-right direction 9 and connecting the arm portions 285, 286.

[0117] The arm portions 285, 286 are spaced apart in the left-right direction 9 and extend parallel to each other. In this embodiment, the arm portions 285, 286 are inclined upward as they extend rearward. Through holes 288, 289 are formed at the front ends of the arm portions 285, 286, respectively. The second shaft 252 is rotatably inserted through the through holes 288, 289. Through holes 290, 291 are formed at the rear ends of the arm portions 285, 286, respectively. The seventh shaft 281 is rotatably inserted through the through holes 290, 291. In this way, the third link 282 connects the second shaft 252 and the seventh shaft 281.

[0118] The fourth link 283 has arm portions 292, 293 (an example of a second arm portion) located at both ends in the left-right direction 9 and extending along the up-down direction 7 and the front-to-back direction 8, and a connecting portion 294 (an example of a second connecting portion) extending along the left-right direction 9 and connecting the arm portions 292, 293.

[0119] The arm portions 292, 293 are spaced apart in the left-right direction 9 and extend parallel to each other. In this embodiment, the arm portions 292, 293 are inclined downward as they extend rearward. Through holes 295, 296 are formed at the front ends of the arm portions 292, 293, respectively. A seventh shaft 281 is rotatably inserted through the through holes 295, 296. Through holes 297, 298 are formed at the rear ends of the arm portions 292, 293, respectively. A sixth shaft 280 is rotatably inserted through the through holes 297, 298. In this way, the fourth link 283 connects the sixth shaft 280 and the seventh shaft 281.

[0120] The positions of the third link 282 and the fourth link 283 change in response to a change in the distance between the second shaft 252 and the sixth shaft 280. As shown in FIG. 13 , when the second shaft 252 is located near the rear ends of the first guide holes 233 and 234, the third link 282 rotates around the second shaft 252 so as to stand up, and the fourth link 283 rotates around the sixth shaft 280 so as to stand up. As shown in FIG. 14 , when the second shaft 252 is located near the front ends of the first guide holes 233 and 234, the third link 282 rotates around the second shaft 252 so as to lie down, and the fourth link 283 rotates around the sixth shaft 280 so as to lie down. During this movement of the second shaft 252, the third link 282 and the fourth link 283 maintain the second shaft 252 in a position parallel to the sixth shaft 280. That is, the second shaft 252 is prevented from tilting in the left-right direction 9.

[0121] As shown in FIGS. 8 to 14, a coil spring 209 is stretched between the fixed frame 201 and the second link 257. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the upper end of the coil spring 209 is engaged with a hook 249 formed on the fixed frame 201. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a hook 279 is formed on the connecting portion 272 of the second link 257. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the lower end of the coil spring 209 is engaged with the hook 279. The coil spring 209 biases the second link 257 upward and rightward relative to the fixed frame 201. The rightward bias of the coil spring 209 also biases the movable frame 202 rightward (an example of an abutting direction) via the second link 257. As a result, the positioning pin 208 abuts against the wall defining the left ends of the recessed grooves 113, 114, and 115.

[0122] [Controller 130] 17, the controller 130 includes a CPU 131, a ROM 132, a RAM 133, an EEPROM 134, and an ASIC 135, which are connected by an internal bus 137. The ROM 132 stores programs for controlling various operations of the CPU 131. The RAM 133 is used as a storage area for temporarily recording data, signals, etc. used when the CPU 131 executes the programs, or as a working area for data processing. The EEPROM 134 stores settings, flags, etc. that should be retained even after the power is turned off.

[0123] To the ASIC 135, a transport motor 53, a head motor 54 (an example of an actuator), a first motor 55, a second motor 56, a first pump motor 58, and an axis motor 59 are connected.

[0124] The ASIC 135 generates drive signals for rotating each motor and controls each motor based on these drive signals. Each motor rotates forward or reverse based on the drive signals from the ASIC 135. The controller 130 controls the drive of the transport motor 53 to rotate the holder 35, transport roller 36A, transport roller 40A, and drive roller 102. The controller 130 controls the drive of the head motor 54 to rotate the lead screw 243 and move the head module 49 in the up-down direction 7. The controller 130 controls the drive of the first motor 55 to rotate the gear 106 of the first support mechanism 51. The controller 130 controls the drive of the second motor 56 to rotate the gear 120 of the second support mechanism 52. The controller 130 controls the drive of the shaft motor 59 to rotate the first support mechanism 51.

[0125] A piezoelectric element 57 is also connected to the ASIC 135. The piezoelectric element 57 is operated by being supplied with power by the controller 130 via a drive circuit (not shown). The controller 130 controls the supply of power to the piezoelectric element 57, causing ink droplets to be selectively ejected from the plurality of nozzles 38A.

[0126] [Movement of Maintenance Organization 60] The maintenance mechanism 60 is supported by the second support mechanism 52 and can move along the inclined direction 6 to the standby position and the cleaning end position by sliding relative to the second support mechanism 52. In other words, the second support mechanism 52 can move between the standby position, the cleaning end position, and the The maintenance mechanism 60 can be supported between these two positions.

[0127] 2, the maintenance mechanism 60 in the standby position is located forward of the rotation tip 51A of the first support mechanism 51 (downstream in the conveying direction 8A). In other words, the maintenance mechanism 60 in the standby position is located on the opposite side of the shaft 109A of the first support mechanism 51 from the rotation tip 51A of the first support mechanism 51. The maintenance mechanism 60 in the standby position is supported by the second support mechanism 52. At this time, the rack 154 is engaged with both gears 118 and 119.

[0128] The maintenance mechanism 60 can be moved between a standby position and a maintenance position by being transferred between the second support mechanism 52 and the first support mechanism 51 at the second rotation position. The standby position is a position retracted from the maintenance position.

[0129] The shaft motor 59 is driven, and the first support mechanism 51 is placed in the second rotation position as shown in FIG. 18 . At this time, the first upper surface 117A of the second support mechanism 52 is aligned with the first upper surface 111A of the first support mechanism 51 along the inclination direction 6, the second upper surface 117B of the second support mechanism 52 is aligned with the second upper surface 111B of the first support mechanism 51 along the inclination direction 6, and the upper surface 116A of the second support mechanism 52 is aligned with the upper surface 110A of the first support mechanism 51 along the inclination direction 6. In this state, when the second motor 56 is driven and the gear 120 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 18 , the gears 118 and 119 rotate clockwise in FIG. 18 . As a result, the maintenance mechanism 60 in the standby position moves to the rearward inclination direction 4 as shown in FIG. 19 .

[0130] As shown in Fig. 20, when the maintenance mechanism 60 is supported only by the first support mechanism 51, the shaft motor 59 is driven to rotate the first support mechanism 51 from the second rotation position to the first rotation position. As a result, as shown in Fig. 21, the maintenance mechanism 60 is located at the maintenance position. The maintenance mechanism 60 at the maintenance position is located between the head unit 38 and the first support mechanism 51 at the first rotation position. Note that when the maintenance mechanism 60 moves from the maintenance position to the standby position, the reverse operation to the above is performed.

[0131] The maintenance mechanism 60 is supported by the first support mechanism 51 at the first rotation position and can move between the maintenance position and the wiping position by sliding relative to the first support mechanism 51. The wiping position is a position forward of the maintenance position (toward the standby position). In other words, the first support mechanism 51 can support the maintenance mechanism 60 at the maintenance position, the wiping position, and a position between the maintenance position and the wiping position.

[0132] [Image recording processing] The process when an image is recorded on the sheet S (image recording process) will be described below.

[0133] When an image recording process is not being performed, the image recording device 100 is in a standby state. In the standby state, as shown in Fig. 21, the head unit 38 is located in the capped position, the first support mechanism 51 is located in the first rotation position while supporting the maintenance mechanism 60, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is located in the maintenance position. At this time, the cap 62 covers the nozzle 38A.

[0134] When the controller 130 receives a command to record an image on the sheet S from an external device such as the operation panel 44 or an information processing device connected to the image recording device 100 via a LAN or the like, the controller 130 moves the maintenance mechanism 60 from the maintenance position to the standby position. Then, the controller 130 rotates the first support mechanism 51 from the second rotation position to the first rotation position.

[0135] Next, the controller 130 moves the head unit 38 downward, thereby moving it from the capped position to the recording position. Then, conveyance of the sheet S begins, and ink is ejected from the nozzles 38A when the sheet S is positioned directly below the head unit 38. This causes an image to be recorded on the sheet S.

[0136] [Purge Process] The purging process for sucking ink from the nozzle 38A will be described below.

[0137] When an image recording process is not being performed, the image recording device 100 is in a standby state. In the standby state, as shown in Fig. 21, the head unit 38 is located in the capped position, the first support mechanism 51 is located in the first rotation position while supporting the maintenance mechanism 60, and the maintenance mechanism 60 is located in the maintenance position. At this time, the cap 62 covers the nozzle 38A.

[0138] When the image recording device 100 is in a standby state, the controller 130 executes a purge process at a predetermined timing or when an external command is received. The following describes the process when the controller 130 receives an external command to execute a purge process when the image recording device 100 is in a standby state.

[0139] In the purge process, the controller 130 drives the suction pump, which sucks the ink out of the nozzles 38A and discharges it from the space formed by the cap 62 and the lower surface 50 of the head module 49 through the waste liquid tube 178 into the waste liquid tank 77. This prevents the nozzles 38A from clogging due to solidification of the ink.

[0140] [Immersion treatment] After the purging process, the controller 130 executes an immersion process in which the nozzles 38A of the head module 49 are immersed in the cleaning liquid L. Specifically, the controller 130 drives the suction pump 74. As a result, the cleaning liquid L is supplied from the cleaning liquid tank 76 to the caps 62A, 62B, and 62C through the supply tube 175, and the nozzles 38A of the head module 49 are immersed in the cleaning liquid L. As a result, the ink adhering to the nozzles 38A is dissolved in the cleaning liquid L and discharged into the waste liquid tank 77 together with the cleaning liquid L.

[0141] [Wiping process] After the immersion process, the controller 130 executes a wiping process in which the sponge wiper 64 and the rubber wiper 63 wipe the lower surface 50 of the head module 49 of the head unit 38. Specifically, the controller 130 first moves the head unit 38 upward, thereby moving it from the capped position to the wiped position. This separates the cap 62 from the lower surface 50 of the head module 49.

[0142] Next, the controller 130 drives the suction pump, which supplies the cleaning liquid L from the cleaning liquid tank 76 through the supply tube 175 to the sponge wiper 64.

[0143] Next, the controller 130 moves the maintenance mechanism 60 from the maintenance position to the wiping position. In the process of the maintenance mechanism 60 moving from the maintenance position to the wiping position, the tips (upper ends) of the sponge wiper 64 and the rubber wiper 63 come into contact with the lower surface 50 of the head module 49 and slide against the lower surface 50. This causes the lower surfaces 50 of each of the head modules 49A, 49B, and 49C to be wiped. As a result, liquids and foreign matter adhering to the lower surfaces 50 are removed.

[0144] Next, the controller 130 moves the head unit 38 upward from the wiped position to the upper retracted position. As a result, the lower surface 50 of the head module 49A is positioned above the sponge wiper 64 and the rubber wiper 63.

[0145] Next, the controller 130 moves the maintenance mechanism 60 backward along the front-rear direction 8, thereby moving the maintenance mechanism 60 from the wiping position to the maintenance position.

[0146] [Effects of this embodiment] According to this embodiment, the head module 49 moves as the movable frame 202 moves relative to the fixed frame 201 due to the ups and downs of the cross link mechanism 204. The link mechanism 205 maintains the first shaft 251 and the second shaft 252 in parallel. As a result, tilting of the head module 49 when the movable frame 202 moves is suppressed.

[0147] Furthermore, by forming the first guide holes 233, 234 and the third support holes 235, 236 in the protruding pieces 231, 232, dimensional errors are minimized, and as a result, tilting of the head module 49 when the movable frame 202 moves is suppressed.

[0148] Furthermore, since the detected piece 223 is located at the center of the outer shape of the movable frame 202 in the front-rear direction 8, the influence of backlash around the front-rear direction 8 on detecting the position of the movable frame 202 in the up-down direction 7 can be reduced.

[0149] Furthermore, when the rubber wiper 63 and the sponge wiper 64 wipe away ink and cleaning liquid adhering to the underside 50 of the head module 49, the position of the head module 49 in the vertical direction 7 is detected with high accuracy, so that the rubber wiper 63 and the sponge wiper 64 come into stable contact with the underside 50 of the head module 49.

[0150] Furthermore, when the lead screw 243 is rotated by the head motor 54, the slide member 247 moves in the front-to-back direction 8. The movement of the slide member 247 is transmitted to the second shaft 252 via the connecting member 248, thereby varying the distance between the third shaft 253 and the fourth shaft 254 and causing the cross link mechanism 204 to rise and fall. Wobble of the lead screw 243 in the front-to-back direction 8 is suppressed by contact with the support pieces 241, 242. This allows the cross link mechanism 204 to move the head module 49 in the up-and-down direction 7 with precision.

[0151] In addition, the coil spring 209 biases the movable frame 202 to the right, thereby positioning the head module 49 in the left-right direction 9, and the coil spring 209 biases the movable frame 202 upward, thereby reducing the load when the cross link mechanism 204 moves the movable frame 202 upward.

[0152] [Variations] Although the image recording device 100 is equipped with a rubber wiper 63 and a sponge wiper 64 as wipers, it is not necessary to have two types of wipers. Furthermore, the direction in which the maintenance mechanism 60 moves during the wiping process is not limited, and the head unit 38 may move relative to the stopped maintenance mechanism 60. Furthermore, the maintenance mechanism 60 that moves for maintenance of the head module 49 is one example, and the direction in which the maintenance mechanism moves and the configuration may be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0153] 30···Case (main body) 49 Head module (head) 50... Bottom surface (nozzle surface) 63 Rubber wiper (wiper) 64···Sponge wiper (wiper) 100 Image recording device (liquid ejection device) 112, 113, 114... Groove (hole) 201···Fixed Frame 202···Movable frame 203 Head holder 204 Cross-link mechanism 205 Link mechanism 206··Sensor 208···Locating pin 209 Coil spring 213, 214... Second guide hole 218,219...Second support hole 223... Detectable piece (detection member) 230... Substrate (plate) 231, 232... Projection piece (guide plate) 233, 234 First guide hole 235,236...Third support hole 239,240...1st support hole 241, 242 Support piece (first contact member, second contact member) 243 Lead screw 247 Slide member 248... Connecting member 251···First shaft 252...Second shaft 253···Third shaft 254···Fourth shaft 255···5th shaft 256···First link 257···Second link 280···6th shaft 281···7th shaft 282···Third link 283···4th link 285···Arm section (first arm section) 286···Arm section (first arm section) 287...Connection part (1st connection part) 292 Arm section (second arm section) 293 Arm section (second arm section) 294...Connection part (second connection part)

Claims

1. The main body and a head that ejects liquid; a movable frame supporting the head and having a first support hole and a first guide hole; a fixed frame having a second support hole and a second guide hole and fixed to the main body; a cross link mechanism connecting the movable frame and the fixed frame; a link mechanism; The cross-link mechanism is a first shaft inserted through the first support hole; a second shaft that is inserted into the first guide hole and is movable along the first guide hole, and that is parallel to the first shaft; a third shaft that is inserted through the second support hole and is parallel to the first shaft; a fourth shaft that is inserted into the second guide hole and is movable along the second guide hole, and that is parallel to the first shaft; a first link connecting the first shaft and the fourth shaft; a second link connecting the second shaft and the third shaft; a fifth shaft connecting the first link and the second link and being parallel to the first shaft; the movable frame further has a third support hole, The link mechanism is a sixth shaft that is inserted through the third support hole and is parallel to the second shaft; a seventh shaft parallel to the second shaft; a third link connecting the second shaft and the seventh shaft; a fourth link connecting the sixth shaft and the seventh shaft, The first shaft extends in a first direction, The movable frame moves in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

2. the movable frame includes a plate having a main surface along the first direction and a guide plate extending from the plate along the second direction, The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , wherein the guide plate has the first guide hole and the third support hole.

3. a detection member that detects the position of the movable frame in the second direction is provided on the fixed frame, 3. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the detection member is positioned at the center of the head in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction in the outer shape of the movable frame.

4. The liquid ejection device according to claim 3 , further comprising a wiper that wipes a nozzle surface on which openings for ejecting liquid are located in the head while moving in the third direction relative to the nozzle surface.

5. a lead screw rotatably supported by the fixed frame and extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction; a slide member that is threadedly engaged with the lead screw and is movable along the third direction; a connecting member that connects the slide member and the fourth shaft; a first abutment member that abuts against one end of the lead screw in the third direction; 5. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second abutting member that abuts against the other end of the lead screw in the third direction.

6. the head is supported by the movable frame via a head holder, the head holder has a positioning member that enters a hole formed in the main body, A liquid ejection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an elastic member that urges the movable frame in an abutment direction in which the positioning member abuts against a wall that defines the hole in the first direction, and upward in the second direction.

7. The third link above is a pair of first arm portions located at both ends in the first direction and extending along the second direction and a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction; a first connecting portion extending along the first direction and connecting the pair of first arm portions, The fourth link above is a pair of second arm portions located at both ends in the first direction and extending along the second direction and the third direction; The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a second connecting portion extending along the first direction and connecting the pair of second arm portions.

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