Recording device

Abstract

To facilitate re-mounting of a recording head 6 to a device body 7 in a state where the movement of the recording head can be normally controlled.SOLUTION: A recording device includes: a conveyance path 3 mounted on a device body 7 to convey a medium; a recording part 5 movable in a direction approaching to or separating from the conveyance path; and a rack pinion mechanism 9 moving the recording part in the approaching or separated direction. The rack pinion mechanism 9 is provided with: a rack 11 mounted on the recording part 5 and formed along the moving direction of the recording part; and a pinion 13 mounted on the device body 7 and engaged with the rack 11. The recording part can be attached / detached to / from the device body. The recording part and the device body are provided with a positioning part 19 performing positioning so that a reference gear 15 of the pinion and a reference groove 17 of the rack 11 are engaged with each other when the recording part is returned to the attached state from the detached state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus such as an inkjet printer.

Background Art

[0002] As an example of this type of recording apparatus, there is one described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses a recording apparatus configured to be able to move a recording head between a recording execution position and a wiping position using a rack and pinion mechanism.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] It is desirable that the recording head be detachable due to failures, maintenance, etc. That is, it is desirable to configure a head unit having the recording head to be detachable from the apparatus main body. However, in a structure in which the recording head is moved using a rack and pinion mechanism, when the head unit is detached from the apparatus main body, that is, removed, and then attached to the apparatus main body again, that is, mounted, it is necessary to mount it so that the reference teeth of the pinion and the reference groove of the rack mesh. If the reference teeth of the pinion and the reference groove of the rack are misaligned and mounted, that is, mounted with a phase shift, there is a risk that the control of the movement of the recording head cannot be performed normally. However, Patent Document 1 does not have a description considering this point.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve the above problems, the recording device according to the present invention comprises a transport path provided on the main body of the device for transporting a medium, a recording unit that is movable in a direction approaching and moving away from the transport path, and a rack and pinion mechanism for moving the recording unit in the direction approaching and moving away, wherein the rack and pinion mechanism comprises a rack provided on the recording unit and formed along the direction of movement of the recording unit, and a pinion provided on the main body of the device that meshes with the rack, wherein the recording unit is detachable from the main body of the device, and the recording unit and the main body of the device are provided with positioning parts that position the recording unit so that the reference teeth of the pinion mesh with the reference grooves of the rack when returning the recording unit from the detached state to the attached state. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram of the overall configuration of the recording device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] A schematic perspective view of the main part showing the "on" state of the recording unit in Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] A schematic perspective view of the main part showing the "de-recorded" state of the recording unit in Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] Schematic perspective views (A) and (B) illustrating the meshing of the reference teeth of the pinion and the reference groove of the rack. [Figure 5] (A)(B)(C) are diagrams illustrating the re-installation of the recording unit in Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] A schematic diagram of the main components of the recording section of the recording device according to Embodiment 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The present invention will now be described in general terms. To solve the above problems, a recording device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a transport path provided on the device body for transporting a medium, a recording unit that is movable in a direction approaching and moving away from the transport path, and a rack and pinion mechanism for moving the recording unit in the direction approaching and moving away, wherein the rack and pinion mechanism comprises a rack provided on the recording unit and formed along the direction of movement of the recording unit, and a pinion provided on the device body that meshes with the rack, wherein the recording unit is detachable from the device body, and the recording unit and the device body are provided with positioning parts that position the recording unit so that the reference teeth of the pinion and the reference groove of the rack mesh when returning the recording unit from the detached state to the attached state.

[0008] According to this embodiment, the recording unit and the device body are provided with a positioning unit that positions the recording unit, which is detachable from the device body, so that the reference teeth of the pinion and the reference groove of the rack engage when returning the recording unit from the detached state to the attached state. As a result, when the recording unit is removed from the device body and reattached, the rack and the pinion engage in a state where the reference teeth of the pinion and the reference groove of the rack are engaged by the positioning unit. Therefore, the recording unit can be easily reattached to the device body in a state where the movement of the recording head can be controlled normally.

[0009] A recording device according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, is characterized in that the positioning unit comprises a protrusion disposed on one of the recording unit and the device body, and a guide unit disposed on the other of the recording unit and the device body, which guides the protrusion to perform the positioning when returning to the attached state.

[0010] According to this embodiment, the positioning unit is configured to include the protrusion and a guide portion that guides the protrusion to perform the positioning when returning to the attached state. This makes it possible to realize the positioning unit with a simple structure.

[0011] A recording device according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, is characterized in that the guide portion releases the state of guiding the protrusion when the recording portion is in the state of being attached. Here, in the phrase "the guide unit releases the state of guiding the protrusion when the recording unit is in the state of being attached," "releases the state of guiding the protrusion" means that the rack becomes movable due to the rotation of the pinion.

[0012] According to this embodiment, the guide portion releases its guidance of the protrusion when the recording portion is in the attached state. This allows the rack to move by the rotation of the pinion, and the movement of the recording portion can be controlled.

[0013] A recording device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the second or third aspect, the protrusion and the guide are arranged to be visible from upstream in the landing direction when the recording unit is moved in the landing direction.

[0014] According to this embodiment, the protrusion and the guide are positioned so as to be visible from upstream in the landing direction when the recording unit is moved in the landing direction. This allows the protrusion to be guided to the guide while being visually observed, and the position of the protrusion relative to the guide can be easily performed.

[0015] A recording device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the second to fourth aspects, the rack is arranged on the side surface in the width direction intersecting the movement direction of the recording unit, and the pinion is arranged in a position that engages with the rack.

[0016] According to this embodiment, since the rack and the pinion mesh with each other on the side surface of the recording unit, the size of the recording unit can be made smaller in relation to the media transport direction.

[0017] The recording apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the second to fifth aspects, the rack and pinion mechanism and the positioning unit are arranged on both side surfaces in the width direction intersecting the moving direction of the recording unit.

[0018] According to this aspect, the rack and pinion mechanism is provided on both side surfaces of the recording unit. Thereby, the recording unit can be moved in the moving direction while appropriately maintaining the posture during the movement of the recording unit.

[0019] The recording apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the second to sixth aspects, one of the convex portion and the guide portion is integrally formed with the member on which the rack is formed, and the other of the convex portion and the guide portion is detachable from the apparatus main body.

[0020] According to this aspect, since one of them is integrally formed with the member on which the rack is formed, the number of components can be reduced and the assembly variation can be reduced. Further, since the other is detachable from the apparatus main body, it is easy to change the fixed position. Also, since the parts can be replaced, the part variation can be canceled.

[0021] The recording apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the second to seventh aspects, a second positioning unit having the same function as the positioning unit is provided on the opposite side of the positioning unit with respect to the rack.

[0022] According to this aspect, since the second positioning unit is further provided, when the removed recording unit is reinstalled on the apparatus main body, it is possible to suppress the recording unit from rotating with the guide portion as a rotation fulcrum as compared with the case of guiding with one positioning unit.

[0023] The recording apparatus according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the eighth aspect, the second positioning unit has a different height position from the positioning unit.

[0024] According to this embodiment, since the second positioning unit is at a different height from the first positioning unit, it is possible to prevent the recording unit from being reattached in an inclined position relative to the main body of the device. This makes it possible to suppress misalignment of the meshing between the rack and the pinion.

[0025] A recording device according to the tenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the eighth or ninth aspect, the second positioning unit is arranged on both sides of the recording unit in the width direction intersecting the movement direction.

[0026] According to this embodiment, since the second positioning portion is provided on both sides of the recording portion, when the detached recording portion is reattached to the main body of the device, it is possible to further suppress the recording portion from rotating with the guide portion as a pivot point.

[0027] [Embodiment 1] The liquid dispensing device according to Embodiment 1 will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. In the following explanation, the three mutually orthogonal axes will be referred to as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, as shown in each figure. The Z-axis direction corresponds to the vertical direction, i.e., the direction in which gravity acts. The X-axis and Y-axis directions correspond to the horizontal direction. In each figure, the direction indicated by the arrows on the three axes (X, Y, Z) is the positive direction for each axis, and the opposite direction is the negative direction.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, the recording device 1 of this embodiment is an inkjet printer that prints by ejecting liquid ink onto a medium S such as paper. The medium S is housed in the medium storage unit 2. The medium S is picked up by a pick roller (not shown) and sent to the transport path 3, where it is transported in the transport direction F by a plurality of transport rollers 4 arranged along the transport path 3. In Figure 1, only a portion of the transport rollers 4 are shown to avoid complicating the drawing. The medium S then passes through the recording area of ​​the recording unit 5 located along the transport path 3, and recording is performed.

[0029] The recording unit 5 has a recording head 6 that ejects ink. In this embodiment, the recording head 6 is a line head, but is not limited to a line head. A platen 8 with an endless belt structure is located opposite the recording head 6. The platen 8 creates the recording area between itself and the recording head 6. The recording medium S, on which recording has been performed by the recording head 6, is transported along the transport path 3 by the transport rollers 4 and discharged into the discharge tray 10. Reference numeral 12 denotes the ink storage section.

[0030] In this embodiment, the transport path 3 is positioned to be supported by structural members (not shown) on the main body of the device 7. The recording unit 5 is provided so as to be movable in directions approaching and moving away from the transport path 3. In Figure 1, the recording unit 5 shown by the solid line is in a position close to the transport path 3, and the recording unit 5 shown by the dashed line is in a position away from the transport path 3. The recording unit 3 performs recording at the close position. At the position away from the transport path 3, the recording head 6 is maintained by a maintenance unit (not shown).

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the recording unit 3 moves in the approaching direction C and the moving direction D relative to the transport path 3 by a rack and pinion mechanism 9. The rack and pinion mechanism 9 includes a rack 11 provided on the recording unit 5 and formed along the movement directions C and D of the recording unit 5, and a pinion 13 provided on the device body 7 that meshes with the rack 11. The rack 11 and the pinion 13 are made of synthetic resin material. The rack 11 is positioned on the side of the recording unit 5 in the width direction (X-axis direction) that intersects with the movement directions C and D. The pinion 13 is positioned to mesh with the rack 11.

[0032] In this embodiment, the rack and pinion mechanism 9 is arranged on both sides of the recording unit 5 in the width direction (X-axis direction) that intersects the movement directions C and D. In describing the rack and pinion mechanism 9, when distinguishing between the rack and pinion mechanisms 9 located on both sides, they will be referred to as rack and pinion mechanism 9a, 9b, etc., with the designations a and b added to the numbers. When no such distinction is made, they will not be described with a and b. This method of distinction will also apply to other components in the following description. Specifically, the recording unit 3 moves in the approaching direction C and the moving away direction D relative to the transport path 3 by a pair of rack and pinion mechanisms 9a and 9b. Rack and pinion mechanism 9a comprises a rack 11a provided on the recording unit 5 and a pinion 13a provided on the main body of the device 7. Rack and pinion mechanism 9b comprises a rack 11b provided on the recording unit 5 and a pinion 13b provided on the main body of the device 7.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the recording unit 5 is configured to be detachable from the main body 7 in the attachment / detachment direction T. Figure 2 shows the recording unit 5 in the "attached" state, and Figure 3 shows the recording unit 5 in the "detached" state. In this "detached" state, the rack 11 and the pinion 13 are not engaged. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the attachment / detachment direction T in this embodiment is slightly inclined with respect to the vertical Z-axis direction. However, since this inclination is not a practical problem during the attachment / detachment process, for the sake of simplicity, in the explanation using Figure 2 and subsequent figures, the attachment / detachment direction T will be described as being the Z-axis direction. As shown in Figure 3, the recording unit 5 can be detached from the main body of the device 7, i.e., put into the "detached" state, which allows for troubleshooting of the recording unit 5, such as in the case of a malfunction. Once troubleshooting is complete, the recording unit 5 is reattached to the main body of the device 7, i.e., returned to the "attached" state.

[0034] The recording unit 5 and the main body of the device 7 are provided with a positioning unit 19 that, when returning the recording unit 5 from the detached state (Figure 3) to the attached state (Figure 2), positions the reference teeth 15 of the pinion 13 and the reference groove 17 of the rack 11 so that they mesh, as shown in Figure 4(A). Figure 4(B) shows a state in which the reference teeth 15 of the pinion 13 are not properly meshed with the reference groove 17 of the rack 11, that is, they are misaligned. The reason why the reference teeth 15 of the pinion 13 and the reference groove 17 of the rack 11 must mesh correctly is due to the need for movement control of the recording unit 5 by the rack and pinion mechanism 9. If the teeth of the pinion 13 and the groove of the rack 11 mesh at an arbitrary position, the aforementioned movement control cannot be performed correctly.

[0035] <Positioning section> In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the positioning unit 19 is also positioned on both sides in the width direction (X-axis direction) that intersects with the movement directions C and D of the recording unit 5, just like the rack and pinion mechanism 9. The positioning section 19a on the rack and pinion mechanism 9a side and the positioning section 19b on the rack and pinion mechanism 9b side are arranged symmetrically. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of simplifying design and manufacturing, the positioning section 19a and the positioning section 19b are made with the same structure. Of course, however, they are not limited to having the same structure.

[0036] In this embodiment, the positioning unit 19 includes a protrusion 21 located on the main body of the device 7 and a guide unit 23 located on the recording unit 5, which guides the protrusion 21 to perform the positioning when returning to the "attached" state. Alternatively, the positioning unit 19 may have a reversed configuration, with the guide unit 23 located on the main body of the device 7 and the protrusion 21 located on the recording unit 5. Specifically, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the protrusion 21 is integrally formed with a fixing plate 16 fixed to a base portion 14 which forms part of the main body 7 of the device. The shape of the protrusion 21 is not limited to the cylindrical shape with a circular cross-section shown in the figures, and may be a U-shaped cross-section with a downward-facing cross-section and a curved outer surface, or any other shape.

[0037] The guide section 23 is integrally molded with the member on which the rack 11, located in the recording section 5, is formed. The guide section 23 protrudes from the surface 30 (Figures 2 and 3) on which the rack 11 is not formed. The guide portion 23 has a slit 22 (Figure 5) for guiding the protrusion 21 through. In this embodiment, the slit 22 is made of a pair of opposing plates 18 and 20. Of course, the slit 22 is not limited to a structure made of opposing plates 18 and 20. The convex portion 21 passes through the slit 22 of the guide portion 23 in the Z-axis direction, thereby providing the positioning guidance, and this guidance is configured to cause the reference teeth 15 of the pinion 13 and the reference groove 17 of the rack 11 to mesh. In Figures 2 and 3, the pair of opposing plates 18 and 20 forming the guide portion 23 are depicted as simple plate shapes. However, as shown in Figure 5, it is preferable to have a shape with an inversely tapered enlarged diameter portion 24 below the slit 22 (in the -Z direction). This is because the enlarged diameter portion 24 allows the convex portion 21 to be easily guided into the slit 22.

[0038] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5(C), the guide portion 23 is configured to release the state of guiding the convex portion 21 when the recording portion 5 is in the "attached" state. Specifically, after the convex portion 21 passes through the slit 22 of the guide portion 23 in the -Z direction, it is configured to be in a positional relationship with one of the opposing plates 18 forming the guide portion 23 in the height direction, as shown in Figure 5(C). That is, in the state of 5(C), the rack 11 is in a state where it can move in the -Y direction by the rotation of the pinion 13.

[0039] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the guide portion 23 is integrally molded with the member on which the rack 11 is formed. The protrusion 21 is detachably formed on the main body of the device 7. Specifically, the fixing plate 16 on which the protrusion 21 is integrally provided is detachably attached from its back surface to the base portion 14, which forms part of the main body of the device 7. Alternatively, the guide portion 23 may be detachably attached to the base portion 14, and the protrusion portion 21 may be integrally molded with the member on which the rack 11 is formed. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the protrusion 21 and the guide portion 23 are positioned so that they can be seen from upstream in the "attachment" direction when the recording unit 5 is moved in the "attachment" direction.

[0040] <Second positioning unit> In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the rack 11 is provided with a second positioning section 119 on the opposite side of the positioning section 19, which has the same function as the positioning section 19. Since the second positioning section 119 has the same function as the positioning section 19, it has components that have similar functions to the components that make up the positioning section 19, such as the protrusions 21 and guides 23. Therefore, in the following explanation, each member of the second positioning unit 119 will be indicated by a numerical code obtained by adding 100 to the numerical code of each member of the positioning unit 19, that is, it will be indicated in relation to each member of the positioning unit 19. For example, the protrusion 121 of the second positioning part 119 corresponds to the protrusion 21 of the positioning part 19. This explains that the protrusion 121 is provided with the same function as the protrusion 21, and a similar explanation that has already been given is omitted. Similarly, the guide part 123 of the second positioning part 119 corresponds to the guide part 23 of the positioning part 19. This explains that the guide part 123 is provided with the same function as the guide part 23, and a similar explanation that has already been given is omitted. The same applies to the other components. Furthermore, while the corresponding components of both the second positioning section 119 and the positioning section 19 have common functions, their shapes do not need to be identical.

[0041] The second positioning unit 119 is located on both sides of the recording unit 5, similar to the positioning unit 19. That is, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the second positioning unit 119a and the second positioning unit 119b are located there. In this embodiment, the second positioning unit 119 is arranged in the opposite way to the positioning unit 19, with the guide unit 123 positioned on the device body 7 and the protrusion 121 positioned on the recording unit 5. Of course, it is also possible to have a structure where the protrusion 121 is positioned on the device body 7 and the guide unit 123 is positioned on the recording unit 5, just like the positioning unit 19. In this embodiment, since the protrusion 121 is located on the recording unit 5 side, after the protrusion 121 passes through the slit 122 in the -Z direction and reaches the state shown in Figure 5(C), the recording unit 5 is configured to move in the -Y direction as follows: That is, the portion of the opposing plate 118 below the part that constitutes the slit 122 is configured not to interfere with the protrusion 121. In other words, in the state of 5(C), the rack 11 is in a state where it can move in the -Y direction by the rotation of the pinion 13.

[0042] In this embodiment, the second positioning section 119 is configured to be at a different height from the positioning section 19. Here, as shown in Figure 5, the second positioning section 119 is positioned higher than the positioning section 19. The height of the positioning section 19 is at the position of the protrusion 21, and the height of the second positioning section 119 is at the position of the slit 122. The second positioning unit 119 may also be positioned at the same height as the positioning unit 19.

[0043] In Figures 2 and 3, the pair of opposing plates 118 and 120 forming the guide section 123 are depicted as simple plate shapes. However, as shown in Figure 5, it is preferable to have a shape with an inverted tapered enlarged diameter portion 124 above the slit 122 (in the +Z direction). This is because the enlarged diameter portion 124 allows the convex portion 121 to be easily guided into the slit 122.

[0044] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the pinion 13 is also engaged with another rack 26. If the position of the rack 26 is fixed and the pinion 13 is configured to be movable, when the pinion 13 rotates, it moves the rack 11 on the recording unit 5 side in the -Y direction, and at the same time the pinion 13 moves on the other rack 26 in the -Y direction. This increases the distance that the recording unit 5 can move in the -Y direction. In this structure, it is necessary for the reference teeth 15 of the pinion 13 and the reference groove 17 of the rack 11 to mesh correctly. When controlling the movement of the recording unit 5 by the rack and pinion mechanism 9, if the teeth of the pinion 13 and the groove of the rack 11 do not mesh correctly as shown in Figure 4(A), but instead mesh in a misaligned position as shown in Figure 4(B), the movement control will not be performed correctly. Specifically, a problem will arise in which the movement distance of the recording unit 5 in the -Y direction will change for the same amount of rotation of the pinion 13.

[0045] <Reattaching the recording unit after removing it> In Figure 1, the top surface 28 of the main body 7 of the device is opened, and the recording unit 5 is lifted upward (in the T direction) and removed. After the repair of the recording unit 5 is completed, the operator moves the recording unit 5, which is in the "detached" state as shown in Figures 3 and 5(A), downward (in the -Z direction). As shown in Figure 5(B), the positioning unit 19 positions the rack 11 portion of the recording unit 5 before it engages with the pinion 13 on the device body 7. Specifically, the enlarged diameter portion 24 of the guide portion 23 on the recording unit 5 side contacts the protrusion 21 on the device body 7 side, guiding the protrusion 21 into the slit 22. This causes the reference teeth 15 of the pinion 13 to engage with the reference groove 17 of the rack 11. Alternatively, the rack 11 and pinion 13 may engage simultaneously with the positioning by the positioning unit 19. Moving the recording unit 5 further downwards returns it to its original "attached" state as shown in Figure 5(C). In this "attached" state, the guide unit 23 releases its ability to guide the convex portion 21. That is, in state 5(C), the rack 11 becomes capable of moving in the -Y direction due to the rotation of the pinion 13.

[0046] The second positioning unit 119 operates in the same manner as the positioning unit 19. That is, the second positioning unit 119 is configured to start positioning at the same time as the positioning unit 19. However, the timing does not need to be exactly the same. As shown in Figure 5(B), the rack 11 portion of the recording unit 5 is positioned by the positioning unit 119 before it engages with the pinion 13 on the device body 7. Specifically, the protrusion 121 on the recording unit 5 side contacts the enlarged diameter portion 124 of the guide portion 123 on the device body 7 side, guiding the convex portion 121 into the slit 122. This causes the reference teeth 15 of the pinion 13 to engage with the reference groove 17 of the rack 11. Alternatively, the rack 11 and pinion 13 may engage simultaneously with the positioning performed by the second positioning unit 119. Moving the recording unit 5 further downwards returns it to its original "attached" state as shown in Figure 5(C). In this "attached" state, the guide unit 123 releases its ability to guide the convex portion 121. That is, in state 5(C), the rack 11 becomes capable of moving in the -Y direction due to the rotation of the pinion 13. Although not shown in the diagram, bearings are provided on both sides of the recording unit 5, and guide rails are provided on the main body of the device 7. When the recording unit 5 is reinstalled, before positioning by the positioning unit 19, etc., is initiated, the recording unit 5 is supported so that the bearings are guided by the guard rails and it can move in the direction of movement. The recording unit 5 is guided by the guard rails and the bearings, which makes it easier for positioning by the positioning unit 19, etc. to be initiated.

[0047] <Description of the effects of the embodiment> (1) According to this embodiment, the recording unit 5 and the device body 7 are provided with a positioning unit 19 that positions the recording unit 5, which is detachable from the device body 7, so that the reference teeth 15 of the pinion 13 and the reference groove 17 of the rack 11 engage when returning the recording unit 5 from the "detached" state to the "attached" state. As a result, when the recording unit 5 is removed from the device body 7 and reattached, the rack 11 and the pinion 13 engage in a position where the reference teeth 15 of the pinion 13 and the reference groove 17 of the rack 11 engage with each other, as positioned by the positioning unit 19. Therefore, the recording unit 5 can be easily reattached to the device body 7 in a state where the movement of the recording head 6 can be controlled normally.

[0048] (2) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the positioning unit 19 is configured to include a protrusion 21 and a guide portion 23 that guides the protrusion 21 to perform the positioning when returning to the "attached" state. This makes it possible to realize the positioning unit 19 with a simple structure. (3) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the guide portion 23 releases its guidance of the convex portion 21 when the recording portion 5 is in the "attached" state. This allows the rack 11 to move by the rotation of the pinion 13, and enables control of the movement of the recording portion 5.

[0049] (4) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the protrusion 21 and the guide portion 23 are positioned so that they can be seen from upstream in the "attachment" direction when the recording unit 5 is moved in the "attachment" direction. This allows the protrusion 21 to be guided to the guide portion 23 while being visually observed, and makes it easy to align the protrusion 21 with respect to the guide portion 23. (5) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the rack 11 and the pinion 13 mesh on the side surface of the recording unit 5, the size of the recording unit 5 can be made smaller with respect to the media transport direction F.

[0050] (6) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the rack and pinion mechanism 19 is provided on both sides of the recording unit 5. This makes it possible to move the recording unit 5 in the movement directions C and D while appropriately maintaining the posture of the recording unit 5 during movement. (7) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since one of the protrusions 21 and the guide portion 23 is integrally molded with the member on which the rack 11 is formed, the number of parts can be reduced and assembly variations can be minimized. Also, since the other of the protrusions 21 and the guide portion 23 is detachable from the device body 7, the fixing position can be easily changed. In addition, since parts can be replaced, variations in parts can be canceled out.

[0051] (8) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the second positioning unit 119 is also provided, when the removed recording unit 5 is reattached to the device body 7, it is possible to suppress the recording unit 5 from rotating with the guide unit 23 as a pivot point, compared to when it is guided by one positioning unit. (9) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the second positioning unit 119 is at a different height from the positioning unit 19, it is possible to prevent the recording unit 5 from being reattached in an inclined position relative to the device body 7. This makes it possible to suppress misalignment of the meshing between the rack 11 and the pinion 13. (10) Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the second positioning section 119 is provided on both sides of the recording section 5, when the detached recording section 5 is reattached to the device body 7, it is possible to further suppress the recording section 5 from rotating with the guide section 123 as the pivot point.

[0052] [Other embodiments] The recording device according to the present invention is based on having the configuration of the embodiments described above, but it is of course possible to make partial changes or omissions to the configuration without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the above embodiment, a structure comprising a positioning unit 19 and a second positioning unit 119 has been described, but the invention is not limited to this, and a structure comprising only one of the positioning unit 19 and the second positioning unit 119 is also acceptable. Furthermore, the specific structure of the positioning portion 19 is not limited to the structure of the convex portion 21 and the guide portion 23 described above. Any structure that can position the pinion 13 so that the reference teeth 15 and the reference groove 17 of the rack 11 mesh together is acceptable. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1...Recording device, 2...Media storage unit, 3...Transport path, 4...Transport roller, 5...Recording unit, 6...Recording head, 7...Device body, 8...Platen, 9...Rack and pinion mechanism 10... Output tray, 11... Rack, 12... Ink reservoir, 13... Pinion 14...Base part, 15...Reference tooth, 16, 116...Fixing plate, 17...Reference groove, 18, 118... Opposing plate, 19, 119... Positioning part, 20, 120... Opposing plate, 21, 121... protrusions, 22, 122... slits, 23, 123... guide sections, 24, 124... Enlarged diameter section, 30... Surface where a rack is not formed, C…approaching direction, D…disrupting direction, F…transporting direction, S…media, T…removing direction

Claims

1. A transport path provided in the main body of the device for transporting the medium, A recording unit that can move in directions approaching and moving away from the transport path, The recording unit is equipped with a rack and pinion mechanism for moving it in the direction of approaching and separating from each other, The aforementioned rack and pinion mechanism is A rack provided in the recording unit and formed along the direction of movement of the recording unit, The device body is provided with a pinion that meshes with the rack, The recording unit is detachable from the main body of the device. The recording unit and the main body of the device are provided with a positioning unit that positions the recording unit so that the reference teeth of the pinion and the reference groove of the rack engage when returning the recording unit from the detached state to the attached state. The positioning part is, A protrusion is disposed on either the recording unit or the main body of the device, The device comprises a recording unit and a guide unit positioned on the other side of the device body, which guides the protrusion to perform the positioning when returning to the attached state, The convex portion and the guide portion are positioned so as to be visible from upstream in the landing direction when the recording portion is moved in the landing direction. A recording device characterized by the following features.

2. A transport path provided in the main body of the device for transporting the medium, A recording unit that can move in directions approaching and moving away from the transport path, The recording unit is equipped with a rack and pinion mechanism for moving it in the direction of approaching and separating from each other, The aforementioned rack and pinion mechanism is A rack provided in the recording unit and formed along the direction of movement of the recording unit, The device body is provided with a pinion that meshes with the rack, The recording unit is detachable from the main body of the device. The recording unit and the main body of the device are provided with a positioning unit that positions the recording unit so that the reference teeth of the pinion and the reference groove of the rack engage when returning the recording unit from the detached state to the attached state. The positioning part is, A protrusion is disposed on either the recording unit or the main body of the device, The device comprises a recording unit and a guide unit positioned on the other side of the device body, which guides the protrusion to perform the positioning when returning to the attached state, One of the protrusions and the guide is integrally molded with the member on which the rack is formed. The other of the aforementioned protrusion and the aforementioned guide portion is detachable from the main body of the device. A recording device characterized by the following features.

3. In the recording device according to claim 1 or claim 2, The guide portion releases the state of guiding the protrusion when the recording portion is in the aforementioned state. A recording device characterized by the following features.

4. In the recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The rack is positioned on the side surface in the width direction intersecting the movement direction of the recording unit. The pinion is positioned to engage with the rack. A recording device characterized by the following features.

5. A recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The rack and pinion mechanism and the positioning unit are arranged on both sides of the recording unit in the width direction intersecting the direction of movement. A recording device characterized by the following features.

6. A transport path provided in the main body of the device for transporting the medium, A recording unit that can move in directions approaching and moving away from the transport path, The recording unit is equipped with a rack and pinion mechanism for moving it in the direction of approaching and separating from each other, The aforementioned rack and pinion mechanism is A rack provided in the recording unit and formed along the direction of movement of the recording unit, The device body is provided with a pinion that meshes with the rack, The recording unit is detachable from the main body of the device. The recording unit and the main body of the device are provided with a positioning unit that positions the recording unit so that the reference teeth of the pinion and the reference groove of the rack engage when returning the recording unit from the detached state to the attached state. The rack is provided with a second positioning section on the opposite side of the positioning section, having the same function as the positioning section. The second positioning unit has a different height position from the positioning unit. A recording device characterized by the following features.

7. In the recording device according to claim 6, The second positioning unit is arranged on both sides of the recording unit in the width direction intersecting the movement direction, A recording device characterized by the following features.

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