Printing apparatus, fixing method, and fixing device
The printing device secures the movable body with opposite-direction locking portions on a fastener to maintain print quality by preventing unintended movement during impacts, addressing the issue of positional accuracy degradation.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2022-03-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
Printing devices face issues with maintaining high positional accuracy and preventing unintentional movement of printing heads due to impacts, which can cause damage and degrade print quality.
A printing device with a movable body and non-movable body, secured by a fixing device featuring opposite-direction locking portions on a fastener, which locks onto receiving portions on both bodies to prevent unintended movement during impacts.
Maintains print quality by preventing the movable body from unintentional movement, ensuring high-quality printing even when subjected to impacts.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device, a fixing method, and a fixture.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, a printing device (nail printing device) for printing designs (nail designs) on fingernails and the like is known. In such a printing device, it is assumed that printing is performed while moving a printing head or the like that performs a printing operation in the X direction or the Y direction in the XY plane (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such devices, high positional accuracy is required for the printing head and the like so that there are no problems during the printing operation. For example, when the device is being transported or when the printing operation is not being performed, it is preferable that the printing head and the like are held so that they do not move freely.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] However, if the printing device is accidentally dropped or some other impact is applied to the device, there is a risk that the printing head or the like will move unintentionally. If the printing head or the like moves due to an impact, excessive force may be applied to the printing head and each part of the mechanism that moves it, which may cause damage. Also, the printing accuracy may decrease if the position of the printing head or the like is displaced. If the accuracy of the printing head decreases, it becomes difficult to achieve high-quality printing.
[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a printing device, a fixing method, and a fixture that can maintain the printing quality even when an impact is applied to the device. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] To solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention One aspect The printing device is A movable body that is capable of moving in a first direction and has a first locking receiving portion, A non-movable body having a second locking receiving portion, The device comprises at least one fastener including a first locking portion on the first end side for locking the first locking receiving portion provided on the movable body, and a second locking portion on the second end side for locking the second locking receiving portion provided on the non-moving body. 、 The movable body includes a printing means having a third locking receiving portion and capable of printing on a printing target and moving in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the fixing device further includes a third locking portion on the first end side for locking the third locking receiving portion provided on the printing means. It is characterized by the following. A printing apparatus in another aspect of the present invention is: A movable body that is capable of moving in a first direction and has a first locking receiving portion, A non-movable body having a second locking receiving portion, A fixing device comprising at least one fixing device including a first locking portion on the first end side for locking the first locking receiving portion provided on the movable body, and a second locking portion on the second end side for locking the second locking receiving portion provided on the non-moving body, Equipped with, The direction in which the first locking portion hooks onto the first locking receiver and the direction in which the second locking portion hooks onto the second locking receiver are opposite directions. It is characterized by the following. [Effects of the Invention]
[0007] According to the present invention, the print quality can be maintained even when the device is subjected to impact. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0008] [Figure 1] This is a plan view showing the main components inside the printing apparatus with the top surface removed. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a magnified perspective view of the front left side of the printing apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a magnified perspective view of the front and right side of the printing apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the fastener in this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of one modified example of a fixing device. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a printing apparatus to which a fixture is attached. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part, which is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 6. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0009] An embodiment of a printing apparatus, a fixing method, and a fixture according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a moving body 40 that can move in a "first direction" (the "Y direction" in the embodiment), a non-moving body that does not move, and at least one fixture 7 that connects the moving body 40 and the non-moving body (in the present embodiment, a fixing device 70 is constituted by a pair of fixtures 7). In the following embodiments, the printing apparatus 1 to which the fixture 7 (fixing device 70) is attached will be described by taking, for example, a printing apparatus (nail printing apparatus) that prints on a nail such as a finger of a hand as a printing target. However, the printing apparatus 1 may be one that prints on something other than a nail, such as the surface of a nail tip or various accessories. In addition, although various technically preferable limitations are imposed on the following embodiments for carrying out the present invention, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an internal configuration of a main part of a printing apparatus (nail printing apparatus) in the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the upper part of the housing 2 is removed to show the internal configuration. In the following embodiments, left and right, front and back refer to the directions shown in FIG. 1. Also, the X direction and the Y direction refer to the directions shown in FIG. 1.
[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 1 has a housing 2 and a device main body 3 housed in the housing 2. The housing 2 is generally formed in a substantially box shape. An opening 21 is formed at approximately the center in the width direction of the device (X direction in FIG. 1) on the front side of the device in the housing 2 (the front side in FIG. 1). The opening 21 serves as an insertion port when inserting fingers (none of which are shown) corresponding to the claws to be printed into the device. The housing 2 may be provided with an operation unit (operation buttons) for operating the printing device, display, etc.
[0012] The device main body 3 includes a base 31 and a chassis 35 assembled on the base 31, etc. The chassis 35 is formed, for example, by bending sheet metal, etc., and is fixed on the base 31 with screws, etc. The base 31 and the chassis 35 are "non-movable bodies" that do not move freely within the device. A notch 32 is formed at approximately the center in the left-right direction (X direction) on the front side of the device in the base 31, where a finger placement portion (not shown) is arranged. The finger placement portion is for placing and holding the finger (the finger corresponding to the claw to be printed, none of which are shown) inserted into the device from the opening 21. When the finger is arranged at a predetermined position in the finger placement portion, the surface of the claw of the finger (the printing target surface) is held at a position suitable for printing by the printing mechanism 4 described later.
[0013] The device main body 3 also has a printing mechanism 4 for performing printing. Although the device main body 3 may have other various functional parts such as a photographing unit, etc., in this embodiment, they are omitted from the illustration and description. The printing mechanism 4 performs printing on the claws (printing targets) of the fingers arranged in the finger placement portion, and includes a print head 41 as a printing means and a moving mechanism for moving the print head 41, etc. As shown in FIG. 1, the print head 41 is mounted on the carriage 42. The print head 41 may also be mounted on the carriage 42 while being held by a holder (not shown), etc. In this embodiment, the carriage 42 including the print head 41 is movable in a first direction (in this embodiment, the Y direction in Figure 1, the front-to-back direction of the device is defined as the "first direction"; in Figure 1, the "first direction" is also indicated by a white arrow) by a moving mechanism described later, and is a "movable body" (movable body 40 shown enclosed by a dashed line in Figure 1, etc.) configured to move in the "first direction".
[0014] In this embodiment, the print head 41 has an ink ejection surface (not shown) on the surface facing the base 31 (the lower surface) that ejects ink, and is an inkjet head that atomizes the ink and sprays it directly onto the nail surface from the ink ejection surface to print. In this embodiment, the print head 41 is capable of performing, for example, multi-pass printing, and is configured to enable delicate printing on the surface of nails, etc. The configuration of the print head 41 is not particularly limited, but for example, it is a cartridge-integrated head in which the ejection mechanism, such as the ink ejection surface, and the ink cartridge that stores the ink are integrated into one unit. The print head 41 is capable of ejecting colored inks such as cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). The type and number of print heads 41 are not particularly limited. For example, in addition to print heads that eject the above-mentioned colored inks, it may also include print heads for printing a base liquid before printing the design. In this embodiment, the print head 41 is moved in two axes, the X direction and the Y direction, by a moving mechanism.
[0015] The moving mechanism includes a Y-direction moving mechanism for moving the print head 41 in the Y direction ("first direction") and an X-direction moving mechanism for moving the print head 41 in the X direction ("second direction"). The Y-direction movement mechanism includes a pair of guide shafts 46 arranged parallel to each other along the Y-direction on both the left and right ends of the device, a drive belt (not shown) provided along each guide shaft 46, and a Y-direction movement motor (not shown) that operates the drive belt. For example, a stepping motor is used as the Y-direction movement motor. In this embodiment, both ends of the guide shaft 46 in the Y direction (shaft ends 461) are fixed to the chassis 35 on the base 31, and together with the base 31 and chassis 35, constitute a "non-moving body". In this embodiment, the shaft ends 461 are pulled up by a coil spring 462 and abut against the upper side of an insertion hole (not shown) in the chassis 35 through which the guide shaft 46 is inserted, thereby positioning and fixing the guide shaft 46.
[0016] A carriage 42, extending in a second direction (the X direction in Figure 1, the left-right direction of the device), is spanned across a pair of left and right guide shafts 46 of the Y-direction movement mechanism, bridging them in the left-right direction. Sheet metal members 421 are provided at both ends of the carriage 42 in the X direction (left-right direction), and the carriage 42 is held on the guide shafts 46 by movably attaching these sheet metal members 421 to the guide shafts 46. The carriage 42 (print head 41 mounted on the carriage 42) is movable along the guide shafts 46 in the Y direction ("first direction") by the operation of the Y-direction movement motor.
[0017] A pair of sheet metal members 421, provided on both the left and right ends of the carriage 42, are each fixed to the ends of a guide shaft 422 that is arranged along the X direction. In this embodiment, an X-direction movement mechanism is configured to move the print head 41 within the carriage 42 in the X-direction ("second direction") which intersects (orthogonal in this embodiment) with the Y-direction ("first direction"), including a guide shaft 422, a drive belt (not shown) provided along the guide shaft 422, and an X-direction movement motor (not shown) that operates the drive belt. For example, a stepping motor is used as the X-direction movement motor.
[0018] Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of the left end of the device in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of the right end of the device in Figure 1. As described above, in this embodiment, the print head 41 and the carriage 42 including the print head 41 become a movable body 40 that can move in the "first direction" (in this embodiment, the Y direction in Figure 1, the front-to-back direction of the device). As shown in Figures 2 and 3, each of the left and right sheet metal members 421 is provided with a first locking receiving portion 423 (a locking receiving portion on the movable body 40 side). In this embodiment, the first locking receiving portion 423 is a hole into which the first locking portion 71 of the fixing device 7, which will be described later, can be locked. In the illustrated example, the first locking receiving portion 423 is a hole that penetrates the inside and outside of the sheet metal member 421, and when the first locking portion 71 is locked, a part of the first locking portion 71 protrudes to the outside of the sheet metal member 421. However, the first locking receiving portion 423 is not limited to this. The first locking receiving portion 423 only needs to be capable of locking the first locking portion 71, and may be, for example, a recess that does not penetrate.
[0019] In this embodiment, the shaft ends 461 that protrude from the chassis 35 located on the left and right sides of the base 31 are projections capable of engaging the second locking portion 72 of the fixing device 7, and function as second locking receiving portions (locking receiving portions on the non-moving body side). The portion of the shaft end 461 that protrudes as the second locking receiver is located at or near the end of the device body 3 in the "first direction" (Y direction).
[0020] The fixing device 70 consists of a pair of left and right fixing devices 7, each of which is attached to both the left and right sides of the device body 3 as shown in Figure 1. The position where each fixing device 7 is attached is not limited to the illustrated example, but it is preferable to fix the movable body 40 as close as possible to the end of the device body 3 in the "first direction" (Y direction) so that the movement of the movable body 40 in one direction (forward direction in the case of Figures 2 and 3) can be reliably restricted, resulting in a firm fixation with almost no rattle and strong resistance to impact. The pair of left and right fixing devices 7 connect the movable body 40 to a non-movable body (such as the base 31 or chassis 35) at both of its left and right ends. This fixes the movable body 40 to the non-movable body at two locations in the "second direction" (X direction). The non-movable body to which the movable body 40 is connected via the fixing devices 7 can be any part that does not move, such as the base 31 or chassis 35, but in this embodiment, as described later, it is connected to and fixed to the shaft end 461, which is part of the non-movable body.
[0021] Now, with reference to Figure 4, the details of the fixing device 7 that constitutes the fixing device 70 will be explained. The fastener 7 is, for example, a wire spring, and as shown in Figure 4, it has a first locking portion 71 on the first end and a second locking portion 72 on the second end (the other end of the first end). Furthermore, the area around the first locking portion 71 is shaped in the Y direction to prevent the fasteners 7 from easily coming off due to impact or other reasons. The first locking portion 71 is locked to the first locking receiving portion 423 provided on the movable body 40 (i.e., the sheet metal member 421 of the carriage 42). Furthermore, the second locking portion 72 is locked to a second locking receiver provided on a non-moving body (such as the base 31 or chassis 35). In this embodiment, as described above, the second locking portion 72 is locked to the shaft end portion 461 fixed to the chassis 35.
[0022] The first locking portion 71 and the second locking portion 72 are both hook-shaped portions formed by bending a wire spring into a hook shape. As shown in Figure 2, the first locking portion 71 on the left side of the device is locked to the first locking receiving portion 423, which is a hole formed in the sheet metal member 421, by hooking it through from the right side to the left side of the device. The second locking portion 72 is locked to the shaft end 461 by hooking it around the shaft end 461 from the left side to the right side of the device.
[0023] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the first locking portion 71 on the right side of the device is locked to the first locking receiving portion 423, which is a hole formed in the sheet metal member 421, by hooking it through from the left side to the right side of the device, in the opposite way to the case shown in Figure 2. The second locking portion 72 is locked to the shaft end 461 by hooking it around the shaft end 461 from the right side to the left side of the device. In this way, by reversing the direction in which the first locking portion 71 and the second locking portion 72 hook onto the locking receiving portion on the non-moving body side (the first locking receiving portion 423 and the shaft end portion 461 which serves as the second locking receiving portion), tension is applied between the first locking portion 71 and the second locking portion 72, causing the first locking portion 71 and the second locking portion 72 to lock onto the first locking receiving portion 423 and the second locking receiving portion (the shaft end portion 461 in this embodiment), making it difficult for the fastener 7 to come off.
[0024] The fastener 7 is also provided with a gripping portion 73 that can be gripped by the user when removing it. In this embodiment, the gripping portion 73 is provided below the second locking portion 72. Without a part to grip the fastener 7, the user will have difficulty applying force to remove the fastener, making it difficult to detach. In other words, as described above, the fastener 7 in this embodiment is attached so that tension is applied between the first locking part 71 and the second locking part 72, making it difficult to detach. Therefore, if it is difficult to hold, it may be troublesome to remove. For this reason, by providing a gripping part 73 in a position that is easy for the user to hold, it becomes easier to apply force, and removal (attachment) becomes possible. The position and shape of the gripping portion 73 are not particularly limited. In the example shown in Figure 4, the gripping portion 73 is rounded and U-shaped, but for example, it may be bent into a ring shape to make it easier to hook fingers onto, or the gripping portion 73 may be made T-shaped or the like to make it easier to hook two fingers onto and pull.
[0025] Next, the operation of the fixing device 70, which is composed of a pair of left and right fixing devices 7 in this embodiment, will be described. During shipment, transportation, etc., as shown in Figure 1, the movable parts 40 are connected to non-movable parts (such as the base 31) via fixing devices 7 on both the left and right sides of the main body 3 of the device, and are fixed in place so as not to move freely. This prevents damage to the various components of the printing device 1 and prevents the print head 41 included in the movable part 40 from becoming misaligned even if it is subjected to impact during transportation, etc.
[0026] When using the printing device 1, the user removes the fixing device 7 by holding the grip portion 73 of the fixing device 7. For example, when removing the fixing device 7 attached to the left side of the device (see Figure 2), the user holds the grip portion 73 and first pulls the fixing device 7 to the left in the X direction, while removing the second locking portion 72 from the shaft end portion 461, which is the second locking receiving portion. This releases the tension on the fixing device 7, and the user then removes the first locking portion 71 from the right side of the first locking receiving portion 423, which is the hole.
[0027] Furthermore, to remove, for example, the fixing device 7 (see Figure 3) attached to the right side of the device, the user first pulls the fixing device 7 to the right in the X direction while holding the gripping part 73, and then removes the second locking part 72 from the shaft end 461, which is the second locking receiving part. This releases the tension on the fixing device 7, and the user then removes the first locking part 71 from the left side of the first locking receiving part 423, which is the hole.
[0028] In this embodiment, the fastener 7 can be easily removed by the user by holding the gripping part 73 and pulling it, without using any tools such as a screwdriver to remove the screws. By removing the pair of fixing devices 7 from the main body 3 in this manner, the connection between the movable body 40 and the non-moving body is released. This allows the movable body 40 to move in the "first direction" (Y direction), enabling printing using the printing device 1. Furthermore, the fixing device 70 (a pair of fixing devices 7) removed from the main body 3 of the device may be discarded. In this embodiment, since the fixing devices 70 are made by bending wire springs, they can be disposed of without taking up much space, and can be disposed of more easily compared to cases where the movable body 40 is fixed with foam material or the like.
[0029] Furthermore, the removed fasteners 7 (the fastening device 70, which consists of a pair of left and right fasteners 7) can be reused instead of being discarded. For example, if you want to take the printing device 1 from your home, where it was originally delivered, to another location for use, you move the movable body 40 to the front end of the device in the "first direction" (Y direction, front-to-back direction of the device), and then fix the movable body 40 in place in this position.
[0030] Fixing the movable body 40 is done in the reverse order of removing the fixing device 7. That is, while holding the gripping part 73, the user first hooks the first locking part 71 onto the first locking receiving part 423, which is the hole, and then hooks the second locking part 72 onto the shaft end part 461, which is the second locking receiving part. As a result, both the left and right sides of the movable body 40 are connected to the chassis 35 of the non-movable base 31 (the shaft ends 461 fixed to the chassis 35) via a pair of fixing devices 7, and are locked (fixed) so as not to move freely. Even in this case, there is no need to use tools such as screws or screwdrivers to fix the movable body 40, and it can be easily fixed.
[0031] In this embodiment, the movable body 40 can be connected to and fixed to the non-moving body at two points on the left and right sides of the device. Therefore, even if the printing device 1 is subjected to an impact, such as when the device is accidentally dropped, the movable body 40 will not move unintentionally, and printing accuracy can be maintained.
[0032] As described above, according to this embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 comprises a movable body 40 that is movable in a "first direction" (Y direction) and has a first locking receiving portion 423, a non-movable body having a shaft end portion 461 as a second locking receiving portion, and at least one fixing device 7 including a first locking portion 71 on the first end side that locks the first locking receiving portion 423 provided on the movable body 40, and a second locking portion 72 on the second end side that locks the shaft end portion 461 as a second locking receiving portion provided on the non-movable body. This allows the movable body 40, which includes the print head 41 and carriage 42, to be easily locked to a non-moving base 31, etc. Therefore, when the printing device 1 is subjected to an impact, the movable body 40 is prevented from moving unintentionally, and the print head 41 and other components of the printing mechanism 4 do not become misaligned. As a result, the printing device 1 can be maintained in a state capable of achieving high-quality printing.
[0033] In particular, in this embodiment, at least one pair of fixing devices 7 are provided, each having a first locking receiving portion 423 at both ends in the "second direction" (X direction) that intersects the "first direction" (Y direction) of the movable body 40, and a second locking receiving portion shaft end 461 at both ends in the "second direction" (X direction) of the non-moving body, and each pair of fixing devices 7 fixes the movable body 40 by locking both ends of the movable body 40 in the "second direction" (X direction) with the first locking portion 71 and the second locking portion 72. In this way, the movable body 40, which consists of a carriage 42 including the print head 41, is securely locked to a non-moving base 31 at both ends in the X direction. This prevents the movable body 40 from tilting or becoming distorted in the Y direction when the printing device 1 is subjected to an impact. As a result, the print head 41 and other components of the printing mechanism 4 are kept in the correct position without misalignment, and a state capable of achieving high-quality printing is maintained.
[0034] In this embodiment, the mobile body 40 also includes a print head 41, which is a printing means for printing on a printing target (e.g., a fingernail). Printing components such as the print head 41 are susceptible to misalignment when subjected to impact, and such misalignment can degrade print quality. However, by securing the movable components 40, such as the carriage 42 on which the print head 41 is mounted, to the base 31, the print head 41 can be protected from impact. This improves the impact resistance of the printing apparatus 1, preventing a decrease in print quality even when subjected to impacts such as drops.
[0035] In this embodiment, the first locking receiving portion 423 is a hole capable of locking the first locking portion 71, and the shaft end portion 461, which serves as the second locking receiving portion, is a projection capable of locking the second locking portion 72. This makes it possible to easily implement a configuration for locking the fastener 7 without increasing the size of the printing device 1 by adding a fixing mechanism using a solenoid or the like.
[0036] In this embodiment, either the first locking portion 71 or the second locking portion 72 is a hook-shaped portion. This allows for easy attachment and detachment of the first locking part 71 and the second locking part 72, both when locking and when removing them. Furthermore, the movable body 40 can be fixed with a relatively simple configuration of hooking and locking the hook-shaped part, eliminating the need for tools such as screws, making it easy for the user to handle. In addition, the simple configuration reduces the cost and effort of manufacturing the fixing device 7, as well as the effort required to attach and detach the fixing device 7.
[0037] In this embodiment, the fastener 7 also has a gripping portion 73 that is gripped by the user when attaching or removing it. This makes it easier for the user to apply force when attaching or removing the fastener 7, and allows for easy removal.
[0038] In this embodiment, the shaft end portion 461, which serves as the second locking receiver, is provided at the end position in the "first direction" (Y direction) of the non-moving body. As a result, the movable body 40, such as the carriage 42, is fixed by abutting against its end position in the "first direction". Therefore, the movable body 40 can be fixed more securely than if it were locked in the middle part of the "first direction", and unintended movement due to impacts, etc., can be suppressed.
[0039] In this embodiment, the fastener 7 is a wire spring. This allows the fastener 7 to be easily removed without the use of tools. Furthermore, if the fastener 7 is made of a wire spring, it can be slightly deformed, so when the printing device 1 is subjected to an impact such as a fall, it can absorb the shock, improving its impact resistance. In addition, the cost of manufacturing the fastener 7 and the effort involved in installation are reduced.
[0040] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0041] For example, the configuration of the fastener is not limited to that shown in Figure 4. Figure 5 shows a perspective view of one modified example of the fastener. As shown in Figure 5, the fastener 7a has a first locking portion 71a, a second locking portion 72, and a gripping portion 73, similar to the fastener 7 described in the above embodiment, and also has a hook-shaped third locking portion 74 on the first end side where the first locking portion 71a is provided, which is bent in the opposite direction to the first locking portion 71a (to the left in the illustrated example).
[0042] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a printing apparatus in which a moving body is secured to a non-moving body using the fixing device shown in the modified example in Figure 5. Note that in Figure 6, the upper part of the housing 2 has been removed to reveal the interior. Furthermore, Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a key part, which is a magnified view of a portion of Figure 6 (the area around the holder). For example, as shown in Figure 6, in addition to the second locking receiver 423 formed on the sheet metal member 421 of the carriage 42 as a locking receiver on the movable body 40 side, a recess or the like may be provided as a third locking receiver 431 on the side of the print head 41 (holder 43 that holds the print head 41), and the third locking receiver 74 may be locked to the third locking receiver 431. Note that in Figures 6 and 7, the print head 41 is omitted from the illustration to make it easier to see how the third locking receiver 431 is locked to the third locking receiver 431.
[0043] In Figures 6 and 7, the third locking receiving portion 431 is shown as a recess formed on the outer surface of the side wall of the holder 43 and does not penetrate to the inside of the holder 43. However, the third locking receiving portion 431 is not limited to a recess and can be anything that can lock the third locking portion 74. For example, the third locking receiving portion 431 may be a hole that penetrates the inside and outside of the side wall of the holder 43, and when the third locking portion 74 is locked, a part of the third locking portion 74 may protrude to the inside of the holder 43. Alternatively, the third locking receiving portion 431 may be provided not on the holder 43, but on a part of the print head 41 held within the holder 43. In this way, when the print head 41 (the holder 43 that holds the print head 41) is also secured by the fixing device 7a, the movable body 40 that moves within the device can be fixed not only in the Y direction but also in the X direction, which has the further advantage of allowing the movable body 40 to be fixed more securely without increasing the size of the device. Note that the shapes of the third locking part 74 and the third locking receiving part 431, etc. are not limited to the illustrated example and can be changed as appropriate.
[0044] Figure 6 illustrates an example in which only one of the pair of fasteners (the fastener located on the right side of the device in the illustrated example) is a fastener 7a equipped with a third locking portion 74. A print head 41 (holder 43 that holds the print head 41) is provided once within the carriage 42. When the print head 41 (holder 43 that holds the print head 41) is locked to the fixing device 71a, it is locked at either the left or right end. However, both left and right fixing devices may be fixed devices 7a equipped with a third locking portion 74, and third locking receiving portions 431 may be provided on both the left and right sides of the print head 41 (holder 43 that holds the print head 41), so that the print head 41 (holder 43 that holds the print head 41) can be locked by the third locking portion 74 at either the left or right position within the carriage 42.
[0045] Furthermore, for example, if both the first locking portion 71 and the second locking portion 72 of the fastener 7 are hook-shaped portions as in this embodiment, the first locking receiving portion and the second locking receiving portion may both be holes or recesses, or the first locking receiving portion and the second locking receiving portion may both be projections. The first and second locking receivers only need to be capable of hooking onto the first and second locking parts 71 and 72 of the fixing device 7, and this offers greater design flexibility compared to, for example, the case where the movable body 40 is fixed using block-shaped foam material (e.g., polystyrene foam).
[0046] Furthermore, for example, the first locking portion 71 and the second locking portion 72 only need to be able to lock onto the first locking receiving portion 423 and the second locking receiving portion (shaft end portion 461 in this embodiment), and the shape of the fixing device 7 is not limited to the illustrated example. For example, if the first locking receiver 423 and the second locking receiver are L-shaped projections, the first locking receiver 71 and the second locking receiver 72 may be formed in a ring shape or a T-shape to hook onto the projection.
[0047] Furthermore, it is not essential that the fixing device 7 includes a gripping portion 73; it does not need to include a gripping portion 73. For example, if the fastener 7 can be removed by cutting it with scissors or the like, rather than by pulling it off by hand, then there is no need to provide a part for the user to grasp the fastener 7. Furthermore, the fastener 7 is not limited to a wire spring, but may be made of resin or the like. If it is made of resin or the like, it may be easily cut with scissors or the like.
[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second locking receiver is exemplified as being a shaft end 461 located at the front end position in the "first direction" (Y direction), but the second locking receiver is not limited to this. For example, the second locking receiver may be the shaft end located at the rear end position in the "first direction" (Y direction). Furthermore, the second locking receiver may be provided on the base 31 or chassis 35 at an intermediate position in the "first direction" (Y direction). The position of the second locking receiver on the non-moving body side is not particularly limited, as long as the movable body 40 can be connected to and fixed to the non-moving body via the fixing device 7.
[0049] Furthermore, although this embodiment illustrates a case where the first locking receiving portion 423 is a hole formed in the sheet metal member 421 of the carriage 42, the position and shape of the first locking receiving portion are not limited to the illustrated example. The first locking receiver can be provided on any component of the movable body 40. For example, a hole or projection serving as the first locking receiver may be provided on the bottom surface of the carriage 42, and the first locking receiver 71 may be locked to it.
[0050] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but includes the scope of the invention as described in the claims and its equivalents. The invention described in the claims initially attached to the application for this patent is listed below. The claim numbers listed below are the same as those in the claims initially attached to the application for this patent. [Note] <Claim 1> A movable body that is capable of moving in a first direction and has a first locking receiving portion, A non-movable body having a second locking receiving portion, The device comprises at least one fastener including a first locking portion on the first end side for locking the first locking receiving portion provided on the movable body, and a second locking portion on the second end side for locking the second locking receiving portion provided on the non-moving body. A printing apparatus characterized by the following features. <Claim 2> The moving body has the first locking receiving portion at both ends in a second direction intersecting the first direction, The non-moving body has second locking receiving portions at both ends in the second direction, At least one pair of the aforementioned fasteners is provided. Each of the pair of fasteners fixes the moving body by locking both ends of the moving body in the second direction with the first locking portion and the second locking portion. The printing apparatus according to feature 1. <Claim 3> The first locking receiving portion is any of a hole, projection, or recess capable of locking the first locking portion. The second locking receiving portion is one of a hole, projection, or recess into which the second locking portion can be locked. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the features described above. <Claim 4> At least one of the first locking portion and the second locking portion is a hook-shaped portion. A printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the features described above. <Claim 5> The fastener has a gripping portion that is grasped by the user when attaching or removing it. A printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the features described above. <Claim 6> The second locking receiver is provided at the end of the non-moving body in the first direction, A printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the following: <Claim 7> The moving body includes a printing means having a third locking receiver and capable of printing on a printing target and moving in a second direction intersecting the first direction, The fastener further includes a third locking portion on the first end side for locking the third locking receiving portion provided on the printing means, The printing apparatus according to feature 1. <Claim 8> A fixing device is detachably attached to a printing apparatus that includes a movable body having a first locking receiving portion and a non-movable body having a second locking receiving portion, and the fixing device includes a first locking portion on the first end side for locking the first locking receiving portion provided on the movable body, and a second locking portion on the second end side for locking the second locking receiving portion provided on the non-movable body, and the movable body is fixed by locking the first locking portion and the second locking portion. A fixing method characterized by the following. <Claim 9> A printing device comprising a movable body that is movable in a first direction and has a first locking receiver, and a non-movable body that has a second locking receiver, is detachably attached to the device. The first end side includes a first locking portion for locking the first locking receiving portion provided on the movable body, and the second end side includes a second locking portion for locking the second locking receiving portion provided on the non-moving body, A fastening device characterized by the following features. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0051] 1 Printing device 4 Printing mechanism 40 Mobile Units 41 Print head (printing means) 42 Carriage 7 Fixtures 70 Fixation device
Claims
1. A movable body that is capable of moving in a first direction and has a first locking receiving portion, A non-movable body having a second locking receiving portion, A fixing device comprising at least one fixing device including a first locking portion on the first end side for locking the first locking receiving portion provided on the movable body, and a second locking portion on the second end side for locking the second locking receiving portion provided on the non-moving body, Equipped with, The moving body includes a printing means having a third locking receiver and capable of printing on a printing target and moving in a second direction intersecting the first direction, The fastener further includes a third locking portion on the first end side for locking the third locking receiving portion provided on the printing means, A printing apparatus characterized by the following features.
2. A movable body that is capable of moving in a first direction and has a first locking receiving portion, A non-movable body having a second locking receiving portion, A fixing device comprising at least one fixing device including a first locking portion on the first end side for locking the first locking receiving portion provided on the movable body, and a second locking portion on the second end side for locking the second locking receiving portion provided on the non-moving body, Equipped with, The direction in which the first locking portion hooks onto the first locking receiver and the direction in which the second locking portion hooks onto the second locking receiver are opposite directions. A printing apparatus characterized by the following features.
3. The first locking portion is locked to the first locking receiving portion by hooking it through from one side to the other side in a second direction intersecting the first direction, The second locking portion is locked to the second locking receiving portion by hooking it onto the other side in the second direction and wrapping it around to the one side. The printing apparatus according to feature 2.
4. The moving body includes a printing means having a third locking receiver and capable of printing on a printing target and moving in a second direction intersecting the first direction, The fastener further includes a third locking portion on the first end side for locking the third locking receiving portion provided on the printing means, The printing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3.
5. The moving body has the first locking receiving portion at both ends in a second direction intersecting the first direction, The non-moving body has the second locking receiving portion at both ends in the second direction, At least one pair of the aforementioned fasteners is provided. Each of the pair of fasteners fixes the moving body by locking both ends of the moving body in the second direction with the first locking portion and the second locking portion. A printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
6. The first locking receiving portion is any of a hole, projection, or recess into which the first locking portion can be locked. The second locking receiving portion is any of a hole, projection, or recess into which the second locking portion can be locked. A printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the features described above.
7. At least one of the first locking portion and the second locking portion is a hook-shaped portion. A printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
8. The fastener has a gripping portion that is grasped by the user when attaching or removing it. A printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the features described above.
9. The second locking receiver is provided at the end of the non-moving body in the first direction, A printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
10. A fixing device is detachably attached to a printing apparatus that includes a movable body having a first locking receiving portion and a non-movable body having a second locking receiving portion, and the fixing device includes a first locking portion on the first end side for locking the first locking receiving portion provided on the movable body, and a second locking portion on the second end side for locking the second locking receiving portion provided on the non-movable body, and the movable body is fixed by locking the first locking portion and the second locking portion. The moving body includes a printing means having a third locking receiver and capable of printing on a printing target and moving in a second direction intersecting the first direction, The fastener further includes a third locking portion on the first end side for locking the third locking receiving portion provided on the printing means, A fixing method characterized by the following.
11. A printing apparatus comprising a movable body that is movable in a first direction and has a first locking receiver, and a non-movable body that has a second locking receiver, is detachably attached to the apparatus. It includes a first locking portion on the first end side for locking the first locking receiving portion provided on the movable body, and a second locking portion on the second end side for locking the second locking receiving portion provided on the non-moving body, The moving body includes a printing means having a third locking receiver and capable of printing on a printing target and moving in a second direction intersecting the first direction, The fastener further includes a third locking portion on the first end side for locking the third locking receiving portion provided on the printing means, A fastening device characterized by the following features.