Liquid dispensing device

Abstract

To solve such the problem that a movement part installed to a liquid discharge device so as to be movable is deviated from a predetermined position when being subjected to vibration or impact and a failure may occur.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device 10 includes: a movement part MP movable in a movement direction MD intersecting a horizontal direction; and a regulation member 200, 500 including a regulation part 201, 501 and capable of attaching and detaching from a position where the regulation part 201, 501 comes into contact with part of the movement part MP. The regulation member 200, 500 regulates movement of the movement part MP in the movement direction MD by the regulation part 201, 501 that comes into contact with part of the movement part MP.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid ejection device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a recording device which is an example of a liquid ejection device that records information on a medium by ejecting ink from nozzles of a line head which is an example of a recording unit. This recording device is disclosed to include a cap unit which is an example of a cap portion that covers the nozzles of the line head. Further, this recording device is disclosed to include a head movement unit that moves the line head and a movement unit that moves the cap unit to a position covering the nozzles of the line head. The line head and the cap unit are examples of moving parts that are movably provided in the recording device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the recording device of Patent Document 1, when the recording device is moved by transportation or the like and receives vibration or impact, the line head and the cap unit may shift from a predetermined position, resulting in a possibility of problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The liquid ejection device has a moving part movable in a moving direction intersecting the horizontal direction and a restricting part, and includes a detachable restricting member at a position where the restricting part contacts a part of the moving part, and the restricting member restricts the movement of the moving part in the moving direction when the restricting part contacts a part of the moving part.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing the external configuration of a liquid dispensing device as one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] A schematic front view showing the internal configuration of a liquid dispensing device. [Figure 3] A perspective view showing the motion unit. [Figure 4] A schematic plan view of the recording section and cap section as seen from direction -B. [Figure 5] A schematic front view showing the recording unit in the recording position and the cap unit in the non-capping position. [Figure 6] A schematic front view showing the recording unit in standby position and the cap unit in non-capping position. [Figure 7] A schematic front view showing the recording unit in standby position and the cap unit in capping position. [Figure 8] A schematic front view showing the recording unit in the maintenance position and the cap unit in the capping position. [Figure 9] A schematic side view of the recording unit and cap unit in the capped state, viewed from the +A direction. [Figure 10] A schematic side view illustrating the structure and wiping operation of the wiper unit. [Figure 11] A schematic side view illustrating the wiping action of the wiper unit. [Figure 12] A partial perspective view of a liquid dispensing device with the first door in the open position. [Figure 13] A partial perspective view of a liquid dispensing device where the transport path forming member is located at the transport position. [Figure 14] A partial front view of the liquid dispensing device with the second door in the open position. [Figure 15] A perspective view showing a restricting member that restricts the movement of the cap portion. [Figure 16] A perspective view showing a restricting member that restricts the movement of the cap portion. [Figure 17] A perspective view showing a restricting member that restricts the movement of the cap portion. [Figure 18]Schematic cross-sectional view showing the regulating member when it is in the storage part. [Figure 19] Schematic side view showing the fitting part. [Figure 20] Schematic side view showing the regulating member in the fitting part. [Figure 21] Schematic cross-sectional view showing the regulating member when it is in the fitting part. [Figure 22] Perspective view showing the regulating member that restricts the movement of the recording part. [Figure 23] Perspective view showing the regulating member that restricts the movement of the recording part. [Figure 24] Perspective view showing the regulating member that restricts the movement of the recording part. [Figure 25] Perspective view showing the regulating member that restricts the movement of the recording part. [Figure 26] Partial front view showing the regulating member in the storage part. [Figure 27] Partial front view showing the storage part. [Figure 28] Partial front view showing the regulating member in the insertion space. [Figure 29] Partial perspective view showing the recording part restricted by the regulating member.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described based on embodiments. The liquid ejection device 10 is, for example, a multifunction printer. The liquid ejection device 10 has a plurality of functions including a scanning function, a copying function, and a printing function. Note that the liquid ejection device 10 may be provided with a facsimile function.

[0008] In each figure, identical components are denoted by the same reference numeral, and redundant explanations are omitted. In this specification, "same," "identical," and "simultaneous" mean not only that they are completely identical, but also that they are the same when measurement errors are taken into account, when manufacturing variations of the components are taken into account, and when they are the same to the extent that their function is not impaired. For example, "the dimensions of both are the same" means that, taking into account measurement errors and manufacturing variations of the components, the difference in dimensions between the two is within ±10 percent of the dimension of one, more preferably within ±5 percent, and particularly preferably within ±3 percent.

[0009] In each figure, the liquid dispensing device 10 is assumed to be placed on a horizontal mounting surface. Of the Z-axis perpendicular to the mounting surface of the liquid dispensing device 10, the side facing the liquid dispensing device 10 is the +Z direction, and the opposite side is the -Z direction. The two axes perpendicular to the Z-axis are designated as the X-axis and Y-axis, respectively. The directions parallel to the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are referred to as the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction, respectively. The X-axis direction includes both the +X direction and the -X direction. The Y-axis direction includes both the +Y direction and the -Y direction. The Z-axis direction includes both the +Z direction and the -Z direction.

[0010] The X-axis direction is the depth direction when the liquid dispensing device 10 is viewed from the front. The X-axis direction is also the width direction of the medium M. The X-axis also represents the width direction of the recording unit 20, which will be described later. The front of the liquid dispensing device 10 is the side where the operating unit 14, which is operated by the user to give instructions to the liquid dispensing device 10, is located.

[0011] 1. Embodiment 1 As shown in Figure 1, the liquid dispensing device 10 is, for example, a multifunction printer. The liquid dispensing device 10 comprises a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped device body 11. The liquid dispensing device 10 comprises a printing unit 12 formed by the device body 11 and an image reading unit 13 positioned above the printing unit 12. The device body 11 has a transport path T (see Figure 2) for transporting a medium M such as paper.

[0012] The image reading unit 13 is configured to read the image on the document D. The image reading unit 13 comprises a reading unit 13A that reads the document D, and an automatic document feeder 13B located above the reading unit 13A. The automatic document feeder 13B feeds the document D, which is placed on the document tray 13C, to the reading unit 13A. The reading unit 13A reads the document D and discharges the scanned document D into the output tray 13D. The reading unit 13A also has a flatbed scanning function that reads the document D set on the document tray, which is exposed when the automatic document feeder 13B, which also serves as the document tray cover, is opened.

[0013] The liquid dispensing device 10 has an operating unit 14 on the main body 11. The operating unit 14 has a display unit 14A which is a touch panel. The user can give instructions to the liquid dispensing device 10 by touching the display unit 14A. The operating unit 14 may also be configured to have operating buttons.

[0014] The liquid dispensing device 10 includes a cassette 15 capable of accommodating multiple media M. The cassette 15 may be arranged in one or more stages, for example, four stages. The cassette 15 is inserted into the lower part of the device body 11 in a manner that allows it to be attached and detached by sliding in the X-axis direction. Multiple cassettes 15 may contain, for example, media M of different sizes or types. The cassette 15 has a handle 15A that a user can grip with their finger when pulling it out.

[0015] The liquid dispensing device 10 has a base frame, with a front frame 11A at the +X end of the base frame and a rear frame 11B at the -X end of the base frame. The front frame 11A and the rear frame 11B are made of metal. The base body of the liquid dispensing device 10 is formed by fixing the motion unit 30, which will be described later, to the front frame 11A and the rear frame 11B. The housing of the liquid dispensing device 10 is formed by attaching exterior members to the base body of the liquid dispensing device 10.

[0016] The liquid dispensing device 10 includes a first door 16 and a plurality of cover doors 17 on the -Y side of the device body 11. The first door 16 and the cover doors 17 constitute part of the exterior components. The first door 16 and the cover doors 17 can be opened and closed between an open state that exposes the transport path T (see Figure 2) and a closed state that covers the transport path T. The first door 16 and the cover doors 17 have handles 16A and 17A for the user to open and close them. The first door 16 includes a feed tray 16T on which a medium M can be placed. The feed tray 16T is attached to the first door 16 in a manner that allows it to be opened and closed. The feed tray 16T has a handle 16B for the user to open and close it.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the liquid dispensing device 10 has a recording unit 20 in the device body 11 that records on a medium M (see Figure 2). The recording unit 20 records on medium M supplied from, for example, a cassette 15 and medium M supplied from a supply tray 16T. The device body 11 contains a liquid storage unit 98 (see Figure 2) that stores ink, which is an example of a liquid. The recording unit 20 records on the medium M using a liquid such as ink supplied from the liquid storage unit 98.

[0018] The liquid dispensing device 10 is provided with a second door 18D on the side of the device body 11 in the +X direction. The second door 18D constitutes part of the exterior component. The second door 18D can be in an open state (see Figure 14) that allows access to the liquid storage section 98, the waste liquid storage section 99 (described later), the storage section 600 (described later), or the regulating member 500 housed in the storage section 600, and in a closed state (see Figure 1) that covers the liquid storage section 98, the waste liquid storage section 99, the storage section 600, or the regulating member 500 housed in the storage section 600. The closed state of the second door 18D can also be described as a state in which access to the liquid storage section 98, the waste liquid storage section 99, the storage section 600, or the regulating member 500 housed in the storage section 600 is impossible.

[0019] The liquid dispensing device 10 includes a discharge section 19 between the device body 11 and the image reading unit 13. The discharge section 19 includes a discharge tray 19A which forms its bottom. The discharge tray 19A is a plate-shaped member and has a mounting surface 19B on which the discharged medium M is placed. The discharge tray 19A is inclined at a predetermined angle such that the downstream side in the discharge direction from which the recorded medium M is discharged is higher than the upstream side. The discharge tray 19A is also positioned in the Z direction, which is in the +Z direction of the recording unit 20.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the liquid dispensing device 10 includes a transport path T through which the medium M to be recorded by the recording unit 20 is transported. Note that in Figure 2, the components of the liquid dispensing device 10 are shown in a simplified manner. The medium M is transported through the transport path T shown by the dashed line in Figure 2. The AB coordinate system shown in the YZ plane is a Cartesian coordinate system. Direction A is the direction intersecting the X-axis direction. Direction A is the transport direction of the medium M in the region of the transport path T facing the recording head 20H of the recording unit 20. The direction upstream in direction A is called the -A direction, and the direction downstream is called the +A direction.

[0021] In this embodiment, direction A is defined as a direction inclined such that the +A direction is located in the +Z direction more than the -A direction. Specifically, it is inclined in the range of 50° to 70° with respect to the horizontal direction, and more specifically, it is inclined at approximately 60°. Thus, at the recording position PH4 where recording is performed by the recording unit 20, the transport direction of the medium M is an inclined direction that intersects both the horizontal direction and the Z-axis direction.

[0022] The transport path T is formed by the confluence of a transport path T1 extending from an external device and a transport path T2 extending from a supply tray 16T provided on the device body 11. As shown in Figures 2, 12, and 13, the liquid dispensing device 10 is equipped with a transport path forming member 105 at the position where the transport paths T1 and T2 merge. As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the transport path forming member 105 is positioned on the +Z side of a frame 121 that extends in the X-axis direction. The frame 121 is a plate-shaped metal member positioned on the device body 11 and connecting the front frame 11A and the rear frame 11B.

[0023] Furthermore, a storage section 300 for housing the regulating member 200, which will be described later, is arranged in the frame 121. From this, it can be said that the first door 16 can take on an open state that allows access to the storage section 300 and a closed state that prevents access to the storage section 300.

[0024] The transport path forming member 105 is positioned on the device body 11 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis (not shown) along the X-axis direction. The transport path forming member 105 is displaceable between a transport position TP when the first door 16 is closed and a separation position SP when the first door 16 is open.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the transport position TP is a position where the transport path forming member 105 is located along the transport path T and where the medium M can be transported. The transport path forming member 105 at the transport position TP does not cover the storage section 300 or the regulating member 200 stored in the storage section 300.

[0026] The separation position SP is a position located away from the transport position TP in the -Z direction. As shown in Figure 12, the transport path forming member 105 at the separation position SP covers the storage section 300, or the regulating member 200 stored in the storage section 300. Therefore, when the first door 16 is open, the transport path forming member 105 is located at the separation position SP. For this reason, the regulating member 200 stored in the storage section 300 is not visible when the first door 16 is open. For example, when a service technician needs to access the storage section 300, or the regulating member 200 stored in the storage section 300, the first door 16 is opened, and the transport path forming member 105 is displaced from the separation position SP to a position that does not cover the storage section 300 and the regulating member 200, for example, the transport position TP, as shown in Figure 13.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, along the transport path T, there are multiple pickup rollers 21 for transporting media M contained in multiple cassettes 15, multiple transport roller pairs 22, 23, 26, a transport unit 25, multiple flaps 27, and a sensor SE4 for detecting the width of the media M in the X direction. The transport unit 25 supports the portion of the media M that is in the recording position facing the recording unit 20 and transports the media M. The flaps 27 have the function of switching the transport path of the media M. The pickup rollers 21 are driven by a feed motor (not shown). The transport roller pairs 22, 23, 26 and the transport unit 25 are driven by one or more transport motors (not shown).

[0028] The transport path T forms a curved section in the region facing the sensor SE4, and extends in the direction A downstream of this curved section. Downstream of the transport unit 25 in the transport path T, there are transport paths T3 and T4 leading to the discharge section 19, and a reversal path T5 for reversing the front and back sides of the medium M. The discharge section 19 is provided with a discharge tray (not shown) in accordance with the transport path T4. The reversal path T5 is the path through which the medium M, after recording on the first side has finished, is transported before recording on the second side. In this reversal path T5, the medium M is reversed and sent to the recording position again via the transport path T, just as when recording on the first side, so that recording on the second side can be performed.

[0029] The transport unit 25 supports the medium M during transport. The transport unit 25 has two pulleys 25A and an endless transport belt 25B wrapped around the two pulleys 25A. The medium M is transported to a position opposite the recording unit 20 while being attracted to the belt surface of the transport belt 25B. Methods such as air suction or electrostatic attraction can be used to attract the medium M to the transport belt 25B. In this way, the transport belt 25B supports the medium M while attracting it. The transport unit 25 is positioned opposite the recording unit 20 in the B direction.

[0030] The recording unit 20 moves in direction B, which is the direction opposite to the transport unit 25. In this embodiment, the recording unit 20 moves back and forth in direction B, which is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane. The recording unit 20 is an example of a movable unit MP that can move in direction B. Direction B is an example of the movement direction MD in which the recording unit 20 moves. Direction B is the direction in which the recording unit 20 moves forward and backward relative to the transport unit 25. In direction B, the direction in which the recording head 20H approaches the transport path T is called the +B direction, and the direction in which it moves away from the transport path T is called the -B direction. The -B direction is the direction in which the recording head 20H moves diagonally upward along the direction in which it moves away from the transport unit 25.

[0031] Direction B is the direction that displaces the recording unit 20 and includes a component in the Z direction, which is the height direction. In this embodiment, direction B is the direction inclined such that the -B direction is located in the +Z direction more than the +B direction, and is perpendicular to direction A. Direction B is also the direction that intersects with the X-axis direction.

[0032] The recording unit 20 is configured to be movable between the retracted position PH1, shown by the dashed line in Figure 2, and the recording position PH4, shown by the solid line in Figure 2. By moving in direction B, the recording unit 20 can move to multiple positions, including at least the retracted position PH1 and the recording position PH4. The direction of movement of the recording unit 20 is accompanied by displacement in the Z-axis direction and involves both upward and downward movement, so it is also called the upward and downward direction. Note that the direction of movement of the recording unit 20 is not limited to a direction that forms a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal, but may be in the horizontal direction or the Z-axis direction.

[0033] In this embodiment, the recording unit 20 rises in the -B direction and descends in the +B direction. The B direction is perpendicular to the nozzle surface 20N. In other words, the direction perpendicular to the nozzle surface 20N, which is the surface on which the nozzle N (see Figure 9) of the recording head 20H opens, is the direction in which the recording head 20H rises and falls.

[0034] When the recording unit 20 is in the recording position PH4, the recording head 20H ejects a liquid such as ink onto the medium M supported by the transport unit 25. In this way, the recording unit 20 records information such as images onto the medium M. The liquid ejection device 10 includes a sensor SE1 capable of detecting the recording unit 20 when it is in the retracted position PH1. The sensor SE1 is configured to detect the recording unit 20 when it is in the retracted position PH1. The retracted position PH1 detected by the sensor SE1 is also the origin position when measuring the position of the recording unit 20 on its movement path.

[0035] The recording unit 20 has a recording head 20H that ejects ink, which is an example of a liquid. The recording head 20H is positioned opposite the transport unit 25 in the B direction at the recording position PH4, and records information on the medium M by ejecting ink from the recording head 20H. The recording unit 20 is a line head configured such that the recording head 20H that ejects ink covers the entire area in the X direction, which is the width direction of the medium M.

[0036] Furthermore, the recording unit 20 records using a line recording method that allows recording across the entire width of the medium M without movement in the X-axis direction, which is the width direction of the medium M. The X-axis direction is an example of the width direction of the medium M, and an example of the width direction of the recording unit 20. However, the recording unit 20 is not limited to this, and may also be a serial recording type that is mounted on a carriage and ejects ink while moving in the X-axis direction. In other words, as long as the liquid ejection device 10 is configured to include the first maintenance unit 60, the recording method of the recording unit 20 can be either.

[0037] The liquid dispensing device 10 includes a first maintenance unit 60 in the device body 11 for performing maintenance on the nozzle surface 20N of the recording unit 20. As shown in Figures 5 to 8, the first maintenance unit 60 is movable between a capping position PC2 (see Figure 8) and a non-capping position PC1 (see Figure 5) which is retracted in the direction -A from the capping position PC2. The recording unit 20 is movable to a maintenance position PH3 (see Figure 8) which is a predetermined distance away in the direction -B from the recording position PH4. The first maintenance unit 60 performs maintenance on the recording head 20H located at the maintenance position PH3.

[0038] The first maintenance unit 60 is configured to move between a non-capping position PC1 and a capping position PC2 by moving in direction A. In this embodiment, the first maintenance unit 60 moves back and forth in direction A, which is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane. The first maintenance unit 60 is an example of a movable unit MP that can move in direction A. Direction A is an example of a movement direction MD in which the first maintenance unit 60 moves. The first maintenance unit 60 is a cap unit 62, which will be described later.

[0039] The first maintenance unit 60 moves from the non-capping position PC1 in the +A direction and performs maintenance on the recording head 20H at the capping position PC2. When the liquid ejection device 10 is in recording operation, the first maintenance unit 60 remains on standby at the non-capping position PC1.

[0040] The liquid dispensing device 10 is equipped with a sensor SE2 capable of detecting the first maintenance unit 60 when it is in a non-capping position PC1. The sensor SE2 is configured to detect the first maintenance unit 60 when it is in a non-capping position PC1. The first maintenance unit 60 is detected by the sensor SE2 when it moves away from the capping position PC2 in the direction -A. The non-capping position PC1 detected by the sensor SE2 is also the origin position when measuring the position of the first maintenance unit 60 on its movement path. Details of the maintenance performed by the first maintenance unit 60 will be described later.

[0041] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the liquid ejection device 10 includes, within the device body 11, a control unit 95 that controls the operation of each part of the liquid ejection device 10, a liquid storage unit 98 that stores liquid such as ink, and a waste liquid storage unit 99 that stores the ink as waste liquid. The liquid storage unit 98 supplies ink to the recording head 20H via a tube (not shown).

[0042] Next, the configuration of the motion unit 30 will be described. As shown in Figure 3, the liquid dispensing device 10 includes a motion unit 30 within the device body 11. The motion unit 30 is a unit in which a first movement mechanism 31 for moving the recording unit 20 (see Figures 5 to 8), a second movement mechanism 70 for moving the first maintenance unit 60 (see Figures 4 to 8), and a third movement mechanism 83 for moving the second maintenance unit 80 (see Figures 10 and 11) are integrated.

[0043] The first moving mechanism 31 moves the recording unit 20 in direction B, which intersects with the nozzle surface 20N (see Figure 4). The nozzle surface 20N is the surface of the recording head 20H that faces the transport path T. The second moving mechanism 70 moves the first maintenance unit 60 in direction A, which is along the nozzle surface 20N. The control unit 95 controls the operation of the first moving mechanism 31 and the second moving mechanism 70. The motion unit 30 supports the recording unit 20 so as to be movable in direction B, supports the first maintenance unit 60 so as to be movable in direction A, and further supports the second maintenance unit 80 so as to be movable in the X-axis direction.

[0044] In other words, the first maintenance unit 60 is movable in the A direction and performs first maintenance on the recording head 20H. The second maintenance unit 80 is movable in the X direction and performs second maintenance on the recording head 20H that is different from the first maintenance. In this embodiment, the direction of movement of the second maintenance unit 80 is in the X direction, but it may be in a direction other than the X direction, as long as the second maintenance can be performed without interfering with the first maintenance unit 60.

[0045] The motion unit 30 has a main body frame 33 that constitutes the main body portion. The main body frame 33 has a pair of side frames 34 that face each other at a predetermined distance apart in the X-axis direction, and a plurality of horizontal frames 35 that connect the pair of side frames 34.

[0046] As shown in Figure 3, the pair of side frames 34 are each configured as side plates along the AB surface. One side frame 34 is positioned on the +X side, and the other side frame 34 is positioned on the -X side. For example, the other side frame 34 has a through hole 34A formed therein for the movement of the second maintenance section 80.

[0047] Each of the pair of side frames 34 has one guide member 36 attached to its two opposing inner surfaces, which guides the recording unit 20 so that it can move in the B direction. The two guide members 36 are positioned approximately symmetrically with respect to the center in the X direction of the main frame 33.

[0048] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the guide member 36 has a guide rail 37 extending in the B direction and guide rails 38 and 39 branching off from the middle of the guide rail 37 and extending in the Z direction. Guide rails 37, 38 and 39 are all groove-shaped rails that open toward the center in the X direction of the main frame 33, and the guide rollers 29 of the recording unit 20 (see Figures 5 to 8 and 19) are inserted into the grooves. Guide rail 37 is an example of a guide that guides the recording unit 20 in the B direction.

[0049] The recording unit 20 is guided by the guide rail 37 to move to one or more positions away from the transport unit 25 relative to the recording position PH4. Specifically, by moving along the guide rail 37, the recording unit 20 can move to multiple stopping positions such as the retraction position PH1, the recording position PH4, the standby position PH2, and the maintenance position PH3.

[0050] When the recording unit 20 is in the retracted position PH1, it can be guided to the replacement guide rails 38 and 39. In the liquid dispensing device 10, a user or service worker can remove the recording unit 20 from the device body 11 for maintenance or replace it with a new one. When a user operates the control unit 14 (see Figure 1) to notify the liquid dispensing device 10 of the need to replace the recording unit 20, the control unit 95 moves the recording unit 20 to the retracted position PH1, which is also the replacement position. This allows the worker to replace the recording unit 20 through the input port that is exposed when the discharge tray 19A is removed.

[0051] The first maintenance unit 60 performs cleaning of the recording head 20H as the first maintenance. As shown in Figures 4, 8, and 9, the first maintenance unit 60 in this embodiment is a cap unit 62 that cleans the recording head 20H. The cap unit 62 has a cap 64 that can cover the nozzle N of the recording head 20H. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the cap unit 62 forcibly discharges waste liquid such as thickened ink and ink containing air bubbles from inside the nozzle N while the cap 64 is in contact with the recording head 20H and covering the nozzle N. As a result, the nozzle N is cleaned by the cap unit 62. This cleaning prevents or eliminates clogging of the nozzle N.

[0052] The second maintenance unit 80 maintains the recording head 20H. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the second maintenance unit 80 in this embodiment is a wiper unit 82 that performs wiping to wipe the nozzle surface 20N of the recording head 20H as a second maintenance. The wiper unit 82 has a wiper member 81, which wipes the nozzle surface 20N of the recording head 20H.

[0053] As shown in Figure 4, the recording head 20H is composed of multiple unit heads 20U arranged in the X-axis direction. The cap portion 62 comprises multiple caps 64 arranged in the X-axis direction opposite to the multiple unit heads 20U, and a cap holder 66 that holds the multiple caps 64. The caps 64 are open on the side facing the recording head 20H in the -B direction.

[0054] The cap portion 62 has a pair of racks 71 fixed to both sides in the longitudinal direction of the cap holder 66 that mesh with the pinion 72. In other words, the cap portion 62 has a pair of racks 71. Multiple guide rollers 74 are attached to both sides in the longitudinal direction of the cap holder 66. The guide rollers 74 on both sides engage with the guide rails 73 on both sides. As the guide rollers 74 rotate and are guided by the guide rails 73, the cap portion 62 is able to move in direction A. The cap portion 62 is detected by the sensor SE2 when it is in the non-capping position PC1 shown in Figure 4.

[0055] The cap holder 66 of the cap portion 62 has a pair of positioning engagement portions 69 protruding from both sides, sandwiching multiple caps 64 in the X-axis direction. The pair of engagement portions 69 protrude to a position higher in the -B direction than the upper surface of the cap 64. As the cap portion 62 moves from the non-capping position PC1 shown in Figure 4 to the capping position PC2 in the +A direction indicated by the arrow in the same figure, the pair of engagement portions 69 engage with the pair of pin portions 20G on the recording unit 20 side. As a result, the cap portion 62 is positioned at the capping position PC2 (see Figure 8) in the A direction.

[0056] Next, with reference to Figures 5 to 8, the movement paths and movements of the recording unit 20 and the cap unit 62 will be explained. Note that the second maintenance unit 80 is omitted in Figures 5 to 8.

[0057] The recording unit 20 moves in direction B to be positioned at recording position PH4 (see Figure 5), standby position PH2 (see Figure 6), maintenance position PH3 (see Figure 8), and retracted position PH1 (see Figure 2).

[0058] The recording position PH4 is the position of the recording unit 20 when recording onto the medium M. The maintenance position PH3 is the position of the recording unit 20 when the nozzle surface 20N is covered by the cap 64. In other words, it is the position of the recording unit 20 when capping is performed by the cap 64. When not recording, the recording unit 20 remains in standby mode, capped by the cap 64. The standby position PH2 is located in the -B direction from the maintenance position PH3, and the standby position PH2 is a position that has been moved out of the movement path of the cap part 62.

[0059] The retracted position PH1 is the position where the recording unit 20 performs origin setting, detecting the origin position on the movement path. The retracted position PH1 is located on the -B direction side where the recording unit 20 rises, compared to the standby position PH2. In this embodiment, the retracted position PH1 is also the replacement position when the recording unit 20 is replaced.

[0060] As shown in Figure 5, the liquid dispensing device 10 includes a first moving mechanism 31 that moves the recording unit 20 in direction B, intersecting the nozzle surface 20N. The first moving mechanism 31 is, for example, a rack and pinion system. In this example, the first moving mechanism 31 includes, for example, a pinion 43 which is a drive gear, a rack 28 which is arranged on the recording unit 20, and a lifting drive unit 41 which is a drive source that rotates a rotating shaft (not shown) to which the pinion 43 is attached.

[0061] The length of the rack 28 is set to be longer than the length of one rotation of the pinion 43. When the lifting drive unit 41 is driven, the recording unit 20 moves in direction B via the first moving mechanism 31. The recording unit 20 moves in direction B guided by the guide rail 37 which extends in direction B. The first moving mechanism 31 raises and lowers the recording unit 20 along direction B.

[0062] The lifting drive unit 41 is composed of, for example, a worm gear mechanism including a worm wheel attached to a rotating shaft to which a pinion 43 is attached, and a worm gear that rotates the worm wheel, and a drive motor to which a worm gear is attached on the output shaft. The lifting drive unit 41 in this embodiment is positioned on the -X side of the rear frame 11B, and on the +X side of an exterior member (not shown) that is located on the -X side of the rear frame 11B.

[0063] Multiple guide rollers 29, each made of a roller, are rotatably arranged on the side of the recording unit 20. The guide rollers 29 are made of metal, for example. As the multiple guide rollers 29 are guided by the guide rail 37, the recording unit 20 moves along the guide rail 37 in direction B. The guide rollers 29 are an example of a guided part that is guided by the guide rail 37.

[0064] The cap portion 62 is provided so as to be movable in direction A, which is the direction of movement MD of the cap portion 62. The cap portion 62 moves back and forth in direction A, guided by a guide rail 73 that extends in direction A.

[0065] The liquid dispensing device 10 includes a second moving mechanism 70 that moves the cap portion 62 in direction A along the nozzle surface 20N. The second moving mechanism 70 is a rack and pinion system. As shown in Figures 4 to 9 and Figure 19, the second moving mechanism 70 is composed of a rack 71 provided on the cap portion 62, a rack and pinion mechanism 70A, 70B (see Figures 4 and 9) consisting of a pinion 72 which is a drive gear, and a first slide drive unit 75 which is the drive source for the pinion 72. In this embodiment, the first slide drive unit 75 is located on the +X direction side of the front frame 11A and on the -X direction side of the exterior member (not shown) which is located on the +X direction side of the front frame 11A. For this reason, in Figures 5 to 8, the first slide drive unit 75 is shown by a dashed line.

[0066] The rack 71 may be made of metal or formed from a resin material. Examples of resin materials that can be used to form the rack 71 include POM (Polyoxymethylene) and PBT (Poly Butylene Terephthalate). The length of the rack 71 is set to be longer than the length of one rotation of the pinion 72. The second moving mechanism 70 moves the cap portion 62 in direction A, where the rack 71 extends. The first slide drive unit 75 is composed of, for example, a worm gear mechanism including a worm wheel and a worm gear that rotates the worm wheel, which are attached to a rotating shaft 76 (see Figure 4) to which the pinion 72 is attached, and a drive motor to which the worm gear is attached on the output shaft.

[0067] The cap portion 62 is reciprocally movable in direction A by the second moving mechanism 70. The cap portion 62 moves between a non-capping position PC1 (see Figures 5 and 6) and a capping position PC2 (see Figures 8 and 9) where the cap portion 62 faces the recording head 20H. The non-capping position PC1 is the position where the cap portion 62 is waiting when the recording unit 20 is recording. The capping position PC2 is the position of the cap portion 62 when capping is performed to cover the nozzle N that opens onto the nozzle surface 20N of the recording head 20H.

[0068] When capping is performed, as shown in Figure 7, the recording unit 20 moves to a standby position PH2, which is a predetermined distance away in the -B direction from the recording position PH4, in order to secure a movement path for the cap portion 62 when it moves from the non-capping position PC1 to the capping position PC2.

[0069] As shown in Figure 6, when the recording unit 20 is in the standby position PH2, the cap portion 62 moves in the +A direction from the non-capping position PC1 shown in Figures 5 and 6 to the capping position PC2 shown in Figure 7. The cap 64 in the capping position PC2 faces the recording head 20H in the standby position PH2 in the +B direction. As the recording unit 20 moves from the standby position PH2 in the +B direction, the recording head 20H and the cap 64 in the capping position PC2 come into contact with each other at a predetermined pressure. The position where the recording head 20H comes into contact with the cap 64 is the maintenance position PH3 shown in Figure 8. The cap 64 in the capping position PC2 covers the nozzle N (see Figure 9) of the recording head 20H in the maintenance position PH3.

[0070] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, when the cap portion 62 is in the capping position PC2, the cap portion 62 is away from the transport path T through which the medium M to be recorded by the recording unit 20 is transported.

[0071] As shown in Figure 9, the cap section 62 performs maintenance on the recording head 20H when the cap 64 covers the nozzle N of the recording head 20H. The cap section 62 creates negative pressure inside the cap 64 when the pump motor 79, which is the driving source for the pump 78 connected to the cap 64 through the piping 77, is driven. The cap section 62 then forcibly discharges liquid such as ink from the nozzle N of the recording head 20H into the cap 64.

[0072] The cap section 62 forcibly discharges liquid from the recording head 20H, and liquids such as ink that are discharged from the recording head 20H in standby position PH2 toward the cap 64 (see Figure 7) in capping position PC2 for maintenance purposes. These liquids are then stored as waste liquid in the waste liquid storage section 99 shown in Figure 2.

[0073] Next, the detailed configuration of the cap portion 62 will be described. Figure 9 shows the recording unit 20 and the cap portion 62 in the capped state. The cap portion 62 comprises a cap 64 that can contact the nozzle surface 20N, a cap holder 66 for holding the cap 64, and a spring 65 as an example of a biasing part provided between the cap 64 and the cap holder 66. The spring 65 pushes the cap 64 toward the nozzle surface 20N. The spring 65 pushes the cap 64 toward direction -B. The cap 64 is supported by the spring 65.

[0074] In this embodiment, the recording head 20H is composed of a plurality of unit heads 20U arranged in the X-axis direction, as shown in Figure 9. The cap portion 62 comprises a plurality of caps 64 arranged in the X-axis direction, which is the width direction of the medium M, at a position facing the plurality of unit heads 20U. The caps 64 have an opening on the -B direction side facing the recording head 20H, and have a sealing portion (not shown) made of a rubber-elastic material around the opening. When the caps 64 are pressed against the nozzle surface 20N of the unit heads 20U by the biasing force of the spring 65, at least a part of the sealing portion is elastically compressed. The cap portion 62 presses the caps 64 against the nozzle surface 20N with a predetermined pressure due to the biasing force of the spring 65 in the -B direction and the restoring force of the elastically compressed sealing portion.

[0075] The cap 64 is shaped and sized to cover all of the nozzles N on the nozzle surface 20N of the unit head 20U. When the cap portion 62 is in the capping position PC2, the cap 64 is positioned opposite the nozzle surface 20N of each unit head 20U in the B direction. The cap 64 covers the multiple nozzles N that open into the nozzle surface 20N by contacting the nozzle surface 20N of the recording head 20H with a predetermined pressure.

[0076] The cap 64 covers the nozzle surface 20N, which suppresses the increase in viscosity due to drying of liquid such as ink inside the nozzle N of the recording head 20H. When the recording unit 20 moves from the retracted position PH1 (see Figure 2) downward in direction B to a predetermined maintenance position PH3, the recording head 20H and the cap 64 come into contact with a predetermined pressure, resulting in a capped state.

[0077] The cap 64 is mounted to the cap holder 66 via a sliding portion 67 so that it can move relative to the cap holder 66 in the direction B. The elastic force of the spring 65 interposed between the bottom surface of the cap 64 and the top surface of the cap holder 66 causes the cap 64 to be pushed towards the cap holder 66 in the upward direction, -B. The spring 65 may be an elastic member such as a tension spring or a torsion coil spring, as long as it can push the cap 64 towards the -B direction.

[0078] The second moving mechanism 70 includes a pair of rack and pinion mechanisms 70A and 70B. A pair of racks 71, which constitute the rack and pinion mechanisms 70A and 70B, are fixed to both sides of the cap holder 66 in the X-axis direction. A pair of drive gears, pinions 72, which constitute the rack and pinion mechanisms 70A and 70B, are rotatably positioned on the +B direction side opposite to the teeth 71A of the pair of racks 71. The teeth 71A of the racks 71 and the teeth 72A of the pinions 72 mesh. The pair of pinions 72 are mounted on both ends of the rotation axis 76 from the center. In addition, guide rollers 74, consisting of multiple rollers that can rotate with the X-axis direction as the axis, are provided on the side walls of both sides of the cap portion 62 in the X-axis direction. The guide rollers 74 are made of metal, for example. The guide rollers 74 are guided along the A direction (see Figures 8, 19, etc.) on which the C-shaped guide rail 73 extends.

[0079] When the rotating shaft 76 rotates due to the power of the first slide drive unit 75 (see Figures 4, 9, 19, etc.), which is the drive source for the cap portion 62, the pair of pinions 72 rotate. When the first slide drive unit 75 is driven in the forward direction, the cap portion 62 moves in the +A direction via the meshing of the pinions 72 and the rack 71. On the other hand, when the first slide drive unit 75 is driven in the reverse direction, the cap portion 62 moves in the -A direction via the meshing of the pinions 72 and the rack 71.

[0080] Next, the configuration of the wiper unit 82 will be described. As shown in Figure 10, the wiper unit 82 is movable in the X-axis direction, which is perpendicular to the B-direction and the A-direction, and performs maintenance on the recording head 20H of the recording unit 20. The wiper unit 82 comprises a wiper member 81 and a slider 82A that supports the wiper member 81.

[0081] The liquid dispensing device 10 includes a sensor SE3 capable of detecting the wiper section 82 in the retracted position PW1, and a third moving mechanism 83 that reciprocates the wiper section 82 in the X-axis direction. The sensor SE3 is configured to detect the wiper section 82 when it is in the retracted position PW1. The third moving mechanism 83 includes a guide rail 84 that guides the slider 82A, an endless belt 86 wrapped around a pair of pulleys 85, and a second slide motor 87 which is a drive source that rotates one of the pulleys 85.

[0082] The guide rail 84 guides the slider 82A so that it can move along the X-axis. The pair of pulleys 85 are positioned at a predetermined distance apart in the X-axis direction. The belt 86 is wrapped around the pair of pulleys 85 so that it is positioned parallel to the nozzle surface 20N over a wider area than the movement range of the wiper member 81. The control unit 95 can also control the third movement mechanism 83. Specifically, the control unit 95 drives the second slide motor 87 in forward and reverse directions to move the wiper member 81 back and forth along the path from the retracted position PW1 to the wiping start position.

[0083] The slider 82A is fixed to a part of the belt 86. The position of the wiper unit 82 shown by the solid line in Figure 10 is the retracted position PW1. The retracted position PW1 detected by the sensor SE3 is also the origin position when measuring the position of the wiper unit 82 on its movement path. When wiping of the nozzle surface 20N is performed, the recording head 20H is positioned at the standby position PH2. The standby position PH2 is a position away from the movement path of the wiper member 81, and is a position where the wiper unit 82 and the nozzle surface 20N cannot come into contact. When the second slide motor 87 is driven in the forward direction while the wiper unit 82 is in the retracted position PW1, the wiper unit 82 moves from the retracted position PW1 in the +X direction and reaches the wiping start position shown by the dashed line in Figure 10.

[0084] After the wiper unit 82 reaches the wiping start position, the recording unit 20 descends by a predetermined amount in the +B direction, and is positioned at the wiping position PH5 shown in Figure 11. This wiping position PH5 is located closer to the retracted position PH1 than the recording position PH4 and the maintenance position PH3.

[0085] In Figure 11, the wiper unit 82, located at the leftmost position where wiping begins, moves in the -X direction when the second slide motor 87 is driven in reverse. During this movement in the -X direction, the wiper member 81 wipes the nozzle surface 20N. The wiper unit 82 can also be positioned at the wiping position PW2, where it wipes the nozzle surface 20N.

[0086] Liquid such as ink adhering to the nozzle surface 20N can cause the flight direction of the liquid such as ink ejected from the nozzle N to bend. In addition, a meniscus of liquid such as ink is formed inside the nozzle N, and if the shape of this meniscus is unstable, it can cause variations in the amount of liquid droplets ejected from the nozzle N. The wiper unit 82 wipes the nozzle surface 20N with the wiper member 81 to remove liquid adhering to the nozzle surface 20N and to straighten the shape of the meniscus formed by the liquid inside the nozzle N. By the wiper unit 82 performing a wiping operation on the nozzle surface 20N with the wiper member 81, the bending of the flight direction and variations in the amount of liquid ejected from the nozzle N are suppressed.

[0087] As shown in Figure 2, the control unit 95 is provided in the main body 11 of the device. The control unit 95 has a CPU 96 (Central Processing Unit 96) and a memory 97. The CPU 96 can execute various programs stored in the memory 97, and can perform various decisions and various commands, for example. The memory 97 stores various programs, such as a program for transporting the medium M, a program for recording information to the medium M by the recording unit 20, and a program for displaying the status of the liquid dispensing device 10 on the display unit 14A of the operation unit 14. The memory 97 also stores various counter values, such as the number of times the medium M is transported along the transport path T.

[0088] The control unit 95 controls the entire liquid ejection device 10. For example, the control unit 95 controls the recording head 20H to perform ejection control, which ejects liquid such as ink from the nozzle N of the recording head 20H. Also, for example, the control unit 95 controls the lifting drive unit 41 to perform movement control, which moves the recording unit 20 along direction B via the first moving mechanism 31. Also, for example, the control unit 95 controls the first slide drive unit 75 to perform movement control, which moves the cap unit 62 along direction A via the second moving mechanism 70.

[0089] Furthermore, for example, the control unit 95 controls the movement of the wiper unit 82 along the X-axis direction via the third moving mechanism 83 by controlling the second slide motor 87. Also, for example, the control unit 95 controls the cleaning process, which is performed by creating negative pressure inside the capped cap 64, by controlling the pump motor 79, which is the drive source for the pump 78. Also, for example, the control unit 95 feeds the media M contained in the cassette 15 one sheet at a time by controlling the feed motor to rotate the pickup roller 21.

[0090] Furthermore, for example, the control unit 95 controls the transport motor to drive the transport roller pairs 22, 23, 26 and the transport unit 25, thereby performing transport control to transport the medium M supplied from the cassette 15 along the transport path T. Also, for example, the control unit 95 controls the image reading unit 13 so that the reading unit 13A reads the image of the document D. Also, for example, the control unit 95 provides notification by displaying information regarding the status of the liquid dispensing device 10 on the display unit 14A of the operation unit 14.

[0091] Furthermore, for example, the control unit 95 controls the components of the printing unit 12 based on detection signals output from sensors SE1, SE2, SE3, and SE4. If the recording unit 20 and the cap unit 62 lose their ability to recognize their own position, the control unit 95 controls the recording unit 20 to move away from the first maintenance unit 60 along direction B, and then moves the cap unit 62 along direction A. Also, for example, the control unit 95 detects that the recording unit 20 is in the retracted position PH1 and the cap unit 62 is in the non-capping position PC1 based on the detection results of sensors SE1 and SE2.

[0092] Next, the restricting member 200 will be described. The liquid dispensing device 10 includes a restricting member 200 capable of restricting the movement of the cap portion 62 in direction A, a storage portion 300 capable of housing the restricting member 200 when the restricting member 200 does not restrict the movement of the cap portion 62, and a fitting portion 400 into which the restricting member 200 is fitted when the restricting member 200 restricts the movement of the cap portion 62. The restricting member 200 is used to restrict the movement of the cap portion 62 when transporting the liquid dispensing device 10, etc. The handling of the restricting member 200 is performed by a service technician.

[0093] First, the fitting portion 400 will be described. As shown in Figures 4, 9, and 19, the fitting portion 400 is located on the -X direction side of the side frame 34 adjacent to the front frame 11A. The fitting portion 400 is also located on the +B direction side of the rack 71 of the cap portion 62. As shown in Figure 19, the fitting portion 400 has a space HK into which the regulating member 200 is fitted. When the direction in which the regulating member 200 is fitted into space HK is defined as the fitting direction, the space HK of the regulating member 200 opens toward the -X direction side, which is the side of space HK that is in the fitting direction. In this embodiment, the fitting direction is the +X direction, which is along the X axis.

[0094] The fitting portion 400 has inner surfaces 403, 404, 405, and 406 that define the contour of space HK. Inner surfaces 404, 405, and 406 are provided along the X axis. Inner surface 403 defines the contour on the +X direction side, which is the inner side in the fitting direction of space HK. Inner surface 404 follows the B direction and defines the contour of space HK on the +A direction side. Inner surface 405 follows the B direction and defines the contour of space HK on the -A direction side. Inner surface 406 follows the A direction and defines the contour of space HK on the +B direction side. Furthermore, inner surface 406 faces the teeth portion 71A of the rack 71 (see Figure 9). Inner surface 406 is an example of a facing surface of the cap portion 62 that faces the rack 71. Note that the position of the contour on the -B direction side of space HK is defined by the rack 71 of the cap portion 62.

[0095] The restricting member 200 restricts the movement of the cap portion 62 in direction A when it is in the capping position PC2 by being fitted into the fitting portion 400. The restricting member 200 is fitted into the fitting portion 400 when the cap portion 62 is in the capping position PC2. As shown in Figures 15 to 17, 20 and 21, the restricting member 200 is box-shaped and has outer surfaces 202, 203, 204, 205, 206 and 208.

[0096] Furthermore, the restricting member 200 has a restricting portion 201 on its outer surface 202. The restricting portion 201 has a sawtooth shape with multiple protrusions arranged at equal intervals in one direction. The restricting member 200 restricts the movement of the cap portion 62 in direction A by the restricting portion 201 engaging with the rack 71 of the cap portion 62. The rack 71 is an example of a part of the cap portion 62. Of the protrusions constituting the restricting portion 201, the side that is in the +X direction from the position where the restricting member 200 engages with the rack 71 when it is in the fitting portion 400 is inclined in a direction that moves away from the rack 71 in the +B direction as it moves toward the +X direction.

[0097] The restricting member 200 may be made of a material with lower rigidity than the material forming the rack 71 with which the restricting portion 201 engages. This allows, for example, when the restricting portion 201 of the restricting member 200 and the rack 71 of the cap portion 62 are engaged, to experience vibrations or shocks exceeding expectations, by allowing the restricting portion 201 or the restricting member 200 to deform, thereby mitigating the vibrations or shocks and preventing a decrease in the performance of the rack 71 or the cap portion 62. In this embodiment, the restricting member 200 is made of PP (Polypropylene).

[0098] As shown in Figures 20 and 21, when the restricting member 200 is fitted into the fitting portion 400, the position of the restricting member 200 in the X-axis direction is defined by the contact of the outer surface 203 with the inner surface 403 of the fitting portion 400. Furthermore, the movement of the restricting member 200 in the +A direction is restricted by the contact of the outer surface 204 with the inner surface 404 of the fitting portion 400. Furthermore, the movement of the restricting member 200 in the -A direction is restricted by the contact of the outer surface 205 with the inner surface 405 of the fitting portion 400. Furthermore, the movement of the restricting member 200 in the +B direction is restricted by the contact of the outer surface 206 with the inner surface 406 of the fitting portion 400. The outer surface 206 is an example of a contact surface that faces the inner surface 406 of the fitting portion 400 when the restricting member 200 is fitted into the fitting portion 400 and is in space HK.

[0099] When the restricting member 200 is fitted into the fitting portion 400 and in space HK, the projections of the restricting member 201 contact the multiple teeth 71A of the rack 71, thereby restricting the movement of the cap portion 62 in direction A. The shape of the projections forming the restricting member 201 in this embodiment and the spacing between the projections are set to be the same as the shape of the teeth forming the teeth 71A of the rack 71, so that when the restricting member 200 is fitted into the fitting portion 400, the multiple projections of the restricting member 201 engage with the rack 71 of the cap portion 62. When the restricting member 200 is fitted into the fitting portion 400 and in space HK, the center of the recording head 20H in direction A is located between the ends of the restricting member 201 in direction A and between the ends of the inner surface 406 in direction A.

[0100] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the restricting member 200 has a projection 212. The projection 212 is located on the outer surface 204 side from the center of the restricting member 200. The projection 212 is a plate-shaped projection extending along the outer surfaces 202 and 206. As shown in Figure 21, when the restricting member 200 is fitted into the fitting portion 400 and the restricting portion 201 is engaged with the rack 71, the projection 212 protrudes from the fitting portion 400 in the -X direction. This allows, for example, a service technician to remove the restricting member 200 from the fitting portion 400 by grasping the projection 212 and pulling it in the -X direction.

[0101] Furthermore, the restricting member 200 has an outer surface 207 on the side facing the inner surface 406 of the insert portion 400 when the restricting member 200 is inserted into the insert portion 400 and is in space HK. The outer surface 207 is a rounded surface that extends from the outer surface 206 in the +X direction, which is the inner side in the inserting direction of space HK, and moves further away from the inner surface 406 as it goes in the +X direction. By providing the outer surface 207, the inner side of the restricting member 200 in the inserting direction is less likely to get caught on the insert portion 400, making it easier to insert the restricting member 200 into the insert portion 400. The outer surface 207 is an example of a non-contact surface.

[0102] Furthermore, by providing the outer surface 207, as shown by the white arrow in Figure 21, it becomes possible to remove the restricting member 200 from the fitting portion 400 while rotating the restricting member 200 with the restricting portion 201 side of the restricting member 200 as the center of rotation. Note that when the restricting member 200 is fitted into the fitting portion 400 and in space HK, the range in which the outer surface 206 of the restricting member 200 in this embodiment contacts the inner surface 406 of the fitting portion 400 is set to the -X direction side in the X-axis direction relative to the range in which the restricting portion 201 of the restricting member 200 engages with the rack 71 of the cap portion 62. For this reason, for example, a service technician can generate a moment that causes the restricting member 200 to rotate as shown by the white arrow in Figure 21 by pushing or pulling the projection 212 of the restricting member 200 in the -B direction.

[0103] As shown in Figures 16 to 18, the restricting member 200 has a deformable portion 210, engaged portions 209 and 213, and a gripping portion 211. For illustrative purposes, the gripping portion 211 is also shown as a dashed line in Figure 18. The deformable portion 210 is integrally formed with the restricting member 200. The deformable portion 210 has a thin plate shape, with the outer surface 204 side from the center of the restricting member 200 as a fixed end and extending toward the outer surface 205. Therefore, the deformable portion 210 is elastically deformable. The engaged portion 209 is provided on the tip side of the deformable portion 210, which is on the outer surface 205 side from the center of the restricting member 200. The engaged portion 209 is a cylindrical projection that protrudes from the deformable portion 210 on the side where the projection 212 protrudes from the outer surface 208. The engaged portion 209 is displaced when the deformable portion 210 elastically deforms.

[0104] The gripping portion 211 is a plate-shaped projection extending from the deformable portion 210 toward the outer surface 203, located on the tip side of the deformable portion 210. For example, if the gripping portion 211 is grasped and pulled toward the outer surface 203, the deformable portion 210 elastically deforms, and the engaged portion 209 is displaced in a direction that reduces the amount of protrusion from the outer surface 208 of the engaged portion 209. The engaged portion 213 is a plate-shaped projection extending from the projection portion 212 toward the outer surface 204. A gap is provided between the engaged portion 213 and the outer surface 208.

[0105] Next, the storage section 300 will be described. As shown in Figures 12, 13, and 18, the storage section 300 is provided on the frame 121 so that the restricting member 200 can be stored when the restricting member 200 does not restrict the movement of the cap section 62. The storage section 300 is positioned on the frame 121 in a location covered by the transport path forming member 105 at the separated position SP. Furthermore, the storage section 300 is positioned in the +X direction from the center of the frame 121 in the X-axis direction. As a result, the storage section 300 is close to the fitting section 400, and both the storage section 300 and the fitting section 400 are in a position accessible from the -Y direction when the first door 16 is open, making it easy to attach and detach the restricting member 200 to the storage section 300 and the fitting section 400.

[0106] As shown in Figure 18, the storage section 300 has engaging sections 309 and 312. Engaging section 309 engages with the engaged section 209 of the restricting member 200. Engaging section 312 engages with the engaged section 213 of the restricting member 200. Engaging section 309 is a circular through-hole located in the frame 121. The diameter of engaging section 309 is set to a size into which the engaged section 209 of the restricting member 200 can be inserted. Engaging section 312 is a through-hole located in the frame 121, away from engaging section 309 in the -X direction. Engaging section 312 is an elongated hole in the X-axis direction into which the projection 212 and the engaged section 213 of the restricting member 200 can be inserted.

[0107] As shown in Figure 18, when the regulating member 200 is in the storage section 300, the engaged portions 209 and 213 engage with the engaging portions 309 and 312 of the storage section 300, thereby fixing the regulating member 200 to the storage section 300. For example, when storing the regulating member 200 in the storage section 300, the service technician opens the first door 16 and displaces the transport path forming member 105 from the separation position SP to the transport position TP. Then, the service technician moves the regulating member 200 toward the frame 121 from a position that is in the +Z direction and on the +X direction side with respect to the position of the regulating member 200 in Figure 18, and inserts the projection 212 and the engaged portion 213 into the engaging portion 312.

[0108] Then, with the outer surface 208 of the restricting member 200 in contact with the frame 121, the restricting member 200 is slid in the -X direction. As a result, the engaged portion 209 of the restricting member 200 fits into and engages with the engaging portion 309 of the storage portion 300. Also, as a result, the frame 121 fits into the gap between the engaged portion 213 and the outer surface 208 of the restricting member 200, and the engaged portion 213 and the engaging portion 312 engage.

[0109] Furthermore, when removing the restricting member 200 fixed to the storage unit 300 from the storage unit 300, the service technician opens the first door 16 and displaces the transport path forming member 105 from the separation position SP to the transport position TP. Then, from the state shown in Figure 18, the service technician grasps the tab 211 of the restricting member 200 and pulls it in the +Z direction, thereby displacing the engaged portion 209 in the +Z direction and releasing the engagement with the engaging portion 309. Then, the service technician slides the restricting member 200 in the +X direction to release the engagement between the engaged portion 213 and the engaging portion 312. Finally, by moving the restricting member 200 in the +Z direction, the restricting member 200 is removed from the storage unit 300.

[0110] When fitting the restricting member 200 into the fitting portion 400, the service technician moves the transport unit 25, etc., which constitute the transport path T located on the -Y direction side of the fitting portion 400, to a retracted position. Then, the service technician confirms that the cap portion 62 is in the capping position PC2, and if it is not in the capping position PC2, moves it to the capping position. Then, the service technician fits the restricting member 200 into the fitting portion 400. As a result, the restricting portion 201 of the restricting member 200 engages with the rack 71 of the cap portion 62, and the restricting member 200 restricts the movement of the cap portion 62 in the A direction when it is in the capping position PC2. In this case, the position in which the restricting member 200 is fitted into the fitting portion 400 is the position in which the restricting portion 201 contacts the rack 71 of the cap portion 62. That is, the restricting member 200 is detachable from the position in which the restricting portion 201 contacts the rack 71 of the cap portion 62.

[0111] Next, the restricting member 500 will be described. The liquid dispensing device 10 includes a restricting member 500 capable of restricting the movement of the recording unit 20 in direction B, and a storage unit 600 capable of housing the restricting member 500 when the restricting member 500 is not restricting the movement of the recording unit 20. The restricting member 500 is used to restrict the movement of the recording unit 20 when transporting the liquid dispensing device 10, etc. The handling of the restricting member 500 is performed by a service technician.

[0112] First, the storage section 600 will be described. As shown in Figures 14 and 26, the storage section 600 is provided in a position within the storage casing 18C that is covered by the second door 18D when it is closed, so that the regulating member 500 can be stored when the regulating member 500 does not restrict the movement of the recording section 20. As shown in Figure 27, the storage section 600 comprises a storage space AK, engaging parts 609A and 609B, an insertion space SK, and a bottom surface 603.

[0113] The storage space AK is a space for housing the regulating member 500 and opens in the +X direction. The engaging portions 609A and 609B engage with the engaged portions 509A and 509B of the regulating member 500, which will be described later. The engaging portion 609A is a recess that opens on the inner surface of the storage portion 600, on the side that defines the contour of the storage space AK on the +Z direction side. The engaging portion 609B is a recess that opens on the inner surface of the storage portion 600, on the side that defines the contour of the storage space AK on the -Z direction side.

[0114] The insertion space SK is the space into which the restricting member 500, described later, is inserted when restricting the movement of the recording unit 20 by the restricting member 500. The insertion space SK is provided on the -X direction side of the storage space AK and opens toward the +X direction, which is the storage space AK side. The bottom surface 603 is the surface that defines the contour of the insertion space SK on the -X direction side and is the innermost surface of the storage unit 600.

[0115] Holes 601A and 601B are provided in the bottom surface 603. As shown in Figure 28, the holes 601A and 601B are through holes spaced apart in the B direction so that when the restricting member 500 is inserted into the insertion space SK, the restricting portions 501A and 501B of the restricting member 500, which will be described later, can pass through. As shown in Figure 29, the restricting portions 501A and 501B that have passed through the holes 601A and 601B protrude toward the guide rail 37 side, which is the -X direction side of the storage section 600. The restricting portions 501A and 501B that protrude toward the guide rail 37 side come into contact with the guide roller 29 of the recording section 20 at the maintenance position PH3, thereby restricting the movement of the recording section 20 in the B direction by the restricting member 500.

[0116] Therefore, as shown in Figure 27, holes 601A and 601B are positioned so as to overlap with the guide rail 37 when viewed from a direction along the X-axis. Furthermore, holes 601A and 601B are spaced apart in the B direction so that the guide roller 29 of the recording unit 20 at the maintenance position PH3 is located between holes 601A and 601B in the B direction. Thus, the insertion space SK and the storage unit 600 containing the insertion space SK are positioned so as to overlap with the guide rail 37 when viewed from a direction along the X-axis.

[0117] The restricting member 500 restricts the movement of the recording unit 20 in direction B when it is in the maintenance position PH3 by being inserted into the insertion space SK of the storage unit 600. The restricting member 500 is inserted into the insertion space SK when the recording unit 20 is in the maintenance position PH3. As shown in Figures 22 to 25, the restricting member 500 has a restricting portion 501, an extended portion 502, a base portion 503, and deformable portions 510A and 510B.

[0118] The restricting portion 501 includes a pair of restricting portions 501A and 501B. The restricting portions 501A and 501B are prismatic projections that protrude from the base portion 503. The restricting portions 501A and 501B are spaced apart, with the base portion 503 located between them. The extending portion 502 is a plate-shaped projection that extends from the base portion 503 in the opposite direction to the direction in which the restricting portions 501A and 501B protrude from the base portion 503. When the restricting member 500 is housed in the storage portion 600, the outer surface of the restricting member 500 visible from the +X direction side of the storage portion 600 is formed by the extending portion 502, the base portion 503, and the restricting portions 501.

[0119] As shown in Figures 14 and 26, when the restricting member 500 is stored in the storage section 600, the outer surface of the restricting member 500 covers the opening on the +X side of the storage space AK of the storage section 600. Also, when the restricting member 500 is stored in the storage section 600, the outer surface of the restricting member 500 becomes flush with the outer surface of the storage casing 18C on the +X side. This makes it difficult for the user to remove the restricting member 500 from the storage section 600. Furthermore, the restricting member 500 is configured such that its outer surface is the same color as the outer surface of the storage casing 18C on the +X side. As a result, when the restricting member 500 is stored in the storage section 600, the restricting member 500 blends in with the storage casing 18C, making it difficult for the user to recognize that the restricting member 500 is a separate component from the storage casing 18C.

[0120] As shown in Figures 22 to 25, the engaged portion 509 includes a pair of engaged portions 509A and 509B. The engaged portion 509A is a projection located on the tip side of the deformable portion 510A. The engaged portion 509B is a projection located on the tip side of the deformable portion 510B. The deformable portions 510A and 510B are thin plate-like projections that protrude from the opposite side of the outer surface of the restricting member 500 formed by the extended portion 502 of the restricting member 500. Therefore, the deformable portions 510A and 510B are elastically deformable. The elastic deformation of the deformable portions 510A and 510B causes the engaged portions 509A and 509B to be displaced. The engaged portion 509A and the engaged portion 509B are spaced apart so that when the regulating member 500 is stored in the storage portion 600, the engaged portion 509A engages with the engaging portion 609A of the storage portion 600, and the engaged portion 509B engages with the engaging portion 609B of the storage portion.

[0121] As shown in Figure 26, when the regulating member 500 is in the storage space AK of the storage unit 600, the engaged portions 509A and 509B of the storage unit 600 engage with the engaged portions 609A and 609B of the storage unit 600, thereby fixing the regulating member 500 to the storage unit 600. For example, when storing the regulating member 500 in the storage unit 600, a service technician opens the second door 18D, aligns the engaged portions 509A and 509B of the regulating member 500 with the engaged portions 609A and 609B of the storage unit 600, and inserts the engaged portions 509A and 509B into the storage space AK of the storage unit 600. As a result, the engaged portions 509A and 509B engage with the engaged portions 609A and 609B of the storage unit 600, and the regulating member 500 is fixed to the storage unit 600.

[0122] Furthermore, when removing the restricting member 500 fixed to the storage unit 600, the service technician opens the second door 18D and inserts tweezers or the like into the gap between the restricting member 500 and the storage unit 600 from the +X direction, deforming the deformable part 510A of the restricting member 500 in the +Z direction and the deformable part 510B in the -Z direction. This releases the engagement between the engaged parts 509A and 509B of the restricting member 500 and the engaged parts 609A and 609B of the storage unit 600. Then, by moving the restricting member 500 in the +X direction, the restricting member 500 is removed from the storage unit 600.

[0123] When inserting the regulating member 500 into the insertion space SK, the service technician opens the second door 18D. Then, as shown in Figure 27, the service technician confirms that the guide roller 29 is positioned between holes 601A and 601B in direction B. If it is not positioned between holes 601A and 601B, the service technician moves the recording unit 20 to the maintenance position PH3. Then, with the regulating part 501A facing hole 601A and the regulating part 501B facing hole 601B, the regulating member 500 is inserted into the insertion space SK. As the regulating member 500 is inserted into the storage unit 600 until its base 503 contacts the bottom surface 603 of the storage unit 600, the regulating parts 501A and 501B protrude towards the guide rail 37.

[0124] This allows the restricting parts 501A and 501B to contact the guide roller 29 of the recording unit 20 at the maintenance position PH3. The restricting member 500 can then restrict the movement of the recording unit 20 in the B direction. Specifically, when the +B direction side of restricting part 501A contacts the guide roller 29, the restricting member 500 restricts the movement of the recording unit 20 in the -B direction, and when the -B direction side of restricting part 501B contacts the guide roller 29, the restricting member 500 restricts the movement of the recording unit 20 in the +B direction. In this case, the position where the base 503 of the restricting member 500 contacts the bottom surface 603 of the storage unit 600 is the position where the restricting part 501 contacts the guide roller 29 of the recording unit 20. In other words, the restricting member 500 is detachable from the position where the restricting part 501 contacts the guide roller 29 of the recording unit 20.

[0125] The restricting member 500 may be made of a material with lower rigidity than the material that constitutes the guide roller 29 in contact with the restricting portion 501. This allows, for example, when the restricting portion 501 of the restricting member 500 and the guide roller 29 of the recording unit 20 are in contact and subjected to vibrations or shocks exceeding expectations, the restricting portion 501 or the restricting member 500 to deform, thereby mitigating the vibrations or shocks and preventing a decrease in the performance of the guide roller 29 or the recording unit 20. In this embodiment, the restricting member 500 is made of PP (Polypropylene).

[0126] As shown in Figure 27, a rib 615 protruding in the +B direction is arranged on the inner surface of the storage portion 600 that defines the contour of the insertion space SK on the -B direction side. Also, as shown in Figures 23 to 25, a groove 515 is provided in the restricting portion 501A of the restricting portion 501 of the restricting member 500, through which the rib 615 can pass when the restricting member 500 is inserted into the insertion space SK. In this embodiment, this prevents the restricting member 500 from being inserted into the insertion space SK with the restricting portion 501B facing the hole 601A and the restricting portion 501A facing the hole 601B.

[0127] As described above, the liquid dispensing device 10 according to Embodiment 1 can provide the following effects.

[0128] The liquid dispensing device 10 includes a movable part MP that is movable in a movement direction MD intersecting the horizontal direction, and regulating members 200, 500 that have regulating parts 201, 501 and are detachable at a position where the regulating parts 201, 501 contact a part of the movable part MP. The regulating members 200, 500 restrict the movement of the movable part MP in the movement direction MD by the contact of the regulating parts 201, 501 with a part of the movable part MP. As a result, since the liquid dispensing device 10 is equipped with regulating members 200, 500 that restrict the movement of the movable part MP, displacement of the movable part MP due to vibration or shock can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the regulating parts 201, 501 of the regulating members 200, 500 are not fixed to the movable part MP with screws or the like, the movement of the movable part MP can be restricted with a simple configuration, making it easy to miniaturize the liquid dispensing device 10.

[0129] The liquid dispensing device 10 includes storage sections 300 and 600 that can house the restricting members 200 and 500 when they are not restricting the movement of the movable section MP. This makes it less likely for the restricting members 200 and 500 to be lost, as they can be stored in the storage sections 300 and 600 when not in use.

[0130] The restricting members 200 and 500 are fixed to the storage sections 300 and 600 when they are in those sections. This means that when the restricting members 200 and 500 are not in use, they are stored and fixed in the storage sections 300 and 600, making it difficult to lose them.

[0131] The storage sections 300 and 600 have engaging sections 309, 312, 609A, and 609B, and the restricting members 200 and 500 have engaged sections 209, 213, 509A, and 509B that engage with the engaging sections 309, 312, 609A, and 609B. As a result, when the restricting members 200 and 500 are not in use, they are stored in the storage sections 300 and 600 and fixed by engagement, making it difficult to lose the restricting members 200 and 500.

[0132] The restricting members 200 and 500 have elastically deformable deformable portions 210, 510A, and 510B, and engaged portions 209, 509A, and 509B. This allows for the engagement and disengagement of the engaged portions 209, 213, 509A, and 509B with the engaging portions 309, 312, 609A, and 609B by deforming the deformable portions 210, 510A, and 510B.

[0133] The cap portion 62 has a rack 71, and the movement of the cap portion 62 in direction A is restricted when the restricting portion 201 of the restricting member 200 engages with the rack 71. This makes it possible to realize a suitable configuration for restricting the movement of the cap portion 62 during transport of the liquid dispensing device 10, etc.

[0134] The liquid dispensing device 10 is equipped with a fitting portion 400 into which a restricting member 200 is fitted. When the restricting member 200 is fitted into the fitting portion 400, the restricting portion 201 engages with the rack 71. The restricting member 200 has a projection 212 that protrudes from the fitting portion 400 when the restricting portion 201 is engaged with the rack 71. This makes it easy to remove the restricting member 200 from the fitting portion 400 because the projection 212 can be grasped.

[0135] The fitting portion 400 has an inner surface 406 that defines a space HK into which the restricting member 200 is fitted. The inner surface 406 faces the rack 71 along the direction in which the restricting member 200 is fitted into the fitting portion 400. The restricting member 200 has an outer surface 206 that contacts the inner surface 406 and an outer surface 207 that does not contact the inner surface 406, on the side facing the inner surface 406 when the restricting member 200 is in space HK. The outer surface 207 is a rounded surface that continues from the outer surface 206 towards the back of space HK and moves further away from the inner surface 406 towards the back. This makes it easy to fit the restricting member 200 into the fitting portion 400. It also makes it easy to remove the restricting member 200 from the fitting portion 400.

[0136] The liquid ejection device 10 includes a recording unit 20 capable of ejecting ink from a nozzle N, and a cap 64 that covers the nozzle N. The cap 64 has a cap portion 62 that can move between a capping position PC2 where the cap 64 covers the nozzle N and a non-capping position PC1 where the cap 64 is away from the capping position PC2, and the movable portion MP is the cap portion 62. This makes it possible to realize a suitable configuration that restricts the movement of the cap portion 62.

[0137] The liquid dispensing device 10 includes a storage section 300 capable of housing the restricting member 200 when the restricting member 200 does not restrict the movement of the cap section 62, and a first door 16 that can take an open state to allow access to the storage section 300 and a closed state to prevent access. The restricting member 200 is stored in the storage section 300 in a position where it is not visible when the first door 16 is open. As a result, since the restricting member 200 is stored in a position where it is not visible when the first door 16 is open, it is possible to prevent the user from handling the restricting member 200.

[0138] The liquid ejection device 10 includes a transport path forming member 105 that forms a transport path T1 through which the medium M to be recorded by the ejection of ink from the recording unit 20 is transported. The transport path forming member 105 is displaced between a separation position SP when the first door 16 is open and a transport position TP when the first door 16 is closed. The separation position SP is the position where the transport path forming member 105 covers the storage unit 300, and the transport position TP is the position where the transport path forming member 105 can transport the medium M and does not cover the storage unit 300. This allows the regulating member 200 to be stored in a position that is not visible when the first door 16 is open, without the need to provide a separate cover member to cover the storage unit 300.

[0139] The liquid dispensing device 10 includes a guide rail 37 extending in direction B, and the movable part MP has a guide roller 29 guided by the guide rail 37. The restricting member 500 restricts the movement of the movable part MP in direction B by the restricting part 501 contacting the guide roller 29. This provides a suitable configuration for restricting the movement of the movable part MP during transportation of the liquid dispensing device 10, etc.

[0140] The liquid ejection device 10 includes a recording unit 20 capable of ejecting ink from a nozzle N, and the moving unit MP is the recording unit 20. This configuration allows for a suitable arrangement that restricts the movement of the recording unit 20.

[0141] The liquid dispensing device 10 includes a storage section 600 capable of housing the restricting member 500 when the restricting member 500 does not restrict the movement of the recording unit 20. The storage section 600 has holes 601A and 601B in its bottom surface 603 and is positioned to overlap with the guide rail 37 when viewed from a direction along the X-axis. The restricting member 500 restricts the movement of the recording unit 20 by having the restricting part 501 contact the guide roller 29 through the holes 601A and 601B. This allows the restricting member 500 to be easily moved from a state where it is housed in the storage section 600 to a state where it restricts the movement of the recording unit 20. In addition, the holes 601A and 601B of the storage section 600 can be hidden by the restricting member 500 housed in the storage section 600.

[0142] The liquid dispensing device 10 is equipped with a second door 18D that can take an open state to allow access to the storage compartment 600 and a closed state to prevent access. The restricting member 500 in the storage compartment 600 becomes visible when the second door 18D is open and invisible when the second door 18D is closed. As a result, the restricting member 500 is stored in a position where it cannot be seen when the second door 18D is closed, thus preventing the user from handling the restricting member 500.

[0143] The liquid dispensing device 10 according to the above embodiment of this disclosure is based on having the configuration described above, but it is of course possible to make partial changes or omissions to the configuration without departing from the gist of this disclosure. Furthermore, the above embodiment and the other embodiments described below can be combined and implemented to the extent that they do not contradict the technical context. Other embodiments will be described below.

[0144] In the above embodiment, the restricting members 200 and 500 do not need to be fixed to the storage sections 300 and 600 when they are located in the storage sections 300 and 600. In this case, the engaged portions 209 and 213 of the restricting member 200, the engaged portions 509A and 509B of the restricting member 500, the engaged portions 309 and 312 of the storage section 300, and the engaged portions 609A and 609B of the storage section 600 may be omitted.

[0145] In the above embodiment, the storage section 300 does not have to be placed on the frame 121. For example, the storage section 300 may be placed in a position accessible by opening the first door 16, and hidden from view from the -Y direction by the members constituting the transport path T. Alternatively, for example, the storage section 300 may be placed on the first door 16. Alternatively, for example, the storage section 300 may be placed in a position covered by the closed second door 18D of the storage exterior 18C, similar to the storage section 600.

[0146] In the above embodiment, if the insertion space SK is positioned to overlap with the guide rail 37 when viewed from a direction along the X-axis, the storage section 600 does not need to be positioned to overlap with the insertion space SK when viewed from a direction along the X-axis. For example, the storage section 600 may be positioned within the storage exterior 18C at a location covered by the closed second door 18D, and on the -Z side of the insertion space SK.

[0147] In the above embodiment, the storage sections 300 and 600 do not necessarily have to be provided on the main body 11 of the device. For example, the storage sections 300 and 600 may be provided in a storage box provided by the liquid dispensing device 10, and the restricting members 200 and 500 may be stored in the storage box when they are not restricting the movement of the movable section MP.

[0148] In the above embodiment, the restricting portion 201 of the restricting member 200 does not have to be a sawtooth shape with multiple protrusions arranged at equal intervals in one direction. For example, if it engages with the rack 71 of the cap portion 62, the spacing between the multiple protrusions arranged in one direction of the restricting portion 201 does not have to be equal. Also, for example, there may be only one protrusion of the restricting portion 201 that engages with the rack 71 of the cap portion 62.

[0149] In the above embodiment, the outer surface 207 of the restricting member 200 does not have to be a rounded surface that continues from the outer surface 206 in the +X direction and moves further away from the inner surface 406 as it moves toward the +X direction when the restricting member 200 is in the fitting portion 400. For example, the outer surface 207 may be a slope that continues from the outer surface 206 in the +X direction and moves further away from the inner surface 406 as it moves toward the +X direction when the restricting member 200 is in the fitting portion 400.

[0150] In the above embodiment, the restricting member 200 does not need to restrict the movement of the cap portion 62 in direction A by having the restricting portion 201 engage with the rack 71 of the cap portion 62. For example, the restricting portion 201 may have a similar configuration to the restricting portion 501 of the restricting member 500, and the restricting member 200 may restrict the movement of the cap portion 62 in direction A by having the restricting portion 201 contact the guide roller 74 of the cap portion 62. In this case, the guide roller 74 of the cap portion 62 is an example of a part of the moving portion MP.

[0151] In the above embodiment, the restricting member 500 does not necessarily have to restrict the movement of the recording unit 20 in direction B by having the restricting portion 501 contact the guide roller 29 of the recording unit 20. For example, the restricting portion 501 may have a similar configuration to the restricting portion 201 of the restricting member 200, and the restricting member 500 may restrict the movement of the recording unit 20 in direction B by engaging the rack 28 of the recording unit 20 with the restricting portion 501.

[0152] In the above embodiment, the liquid dispensing device 10 may include a restricting member that restricts the movement of the wiper section 82 in the X-axis direction when the liquid dispensing device 10 is being transported, and a storage section that can house the restricting member when the restricting member is not restricting the movement of the wiper section 82. For example, the restricting section of the restricting member may have a similar configuration to the restricting section 501 of the restricting member 500, and the restricting section may restrict the movement of the wiper section 82 in the X-axis direction by contacting the slider 82A of the wiper section 82 in the retracted position PW1. In this case, the wiper section 82 is an example of a moving section MP, and the slider 82A of the wiper section 82 is an example of a part of the moving section MP.

[0153] In the above embodiment, when the liquid dispensing device 10 is first started, the control unit 95 may control the first movement mechanism 31 and the second movement mechanism 70 to move the recording unit 20 to the retracted position PH1 and the cap unit 62 to the non-capping position PC1. If the sensor SE1 does not detect the recording unit 20, the control unit 95 may display on the display unit 14A of the operation unit 14 that there is a possibility that the regulating member 500 is inserted into the insertion space SK. Also, if the sensor SE2 does not detect the cap unit 62, the control unit 95 may display on the display unit 14A of the operation unit 14 that there is a possibility that the regulating member 200 is fitted into the fitting part 400. [Explanation of symbols]

[0154] 10...Liquid ejection device, 11...Device body, 11A...Front frame, 11B...Rear frame, 12...Printing unit, 13...Image reading unit, 13A...Reading unit, 13B...Automatic document feeding unit, 13C...Document tray, 13D...Output tray, 14...Operation unit, 14A...Display unit, 15...Cassette, 15A,16A,16B,17A...Handle, 16...First door, 16T...Feeding tray, 17...Cover door, 18C...Storage casing, 18D...Second door, 19...Output unit, 19A...Output tray, 19B...Placement surface, 20...Recording unit, 20G...Pin unit, 20H...Recording head, 20N...Nozzle surface, 20U...Unit head 21...Pickup roller, 22,23,26...Conveyor roller pair, 25...Conveyor unit, 25A...Pulley, 25B...Conveyor belt, 27...Flap, 28...Rack, 29...Guide roller, 30...Motion unit, 31...First moving mechanism, 33...Main frame, 34...Side frame, 34A...Through hole, 35...Horizontal frame, 36...Guide member, 37,38,39...Guide rail, 41...Lifting drive unit, 43...Pinion, 60...First maintenance unit, 62...Cap unit, 64...Cap, 66...Cap holder, 67...Slide unit, 69...Engaged unit, 70...Second moving mechanism, 70A...Rack and pinion mechanism, 71...Rack, 71A, 72A...Tooth, 72...Pinion, 73...Guide rail, 74...Guide roller, 75...First slide drive unit, 76...Rotating shaft, 77...Piping, 78...Pump, 79...Pump motor, 80...Second maintenance unit, 81...Wiper member, 82...Wiper unit, 82A...Slider, 83...Third moving mechanism, 84...Guide rail, 85...Pulley, 86...Belt, 87...Second slide motor, 95...Control unit, 96...CPU, 97...Memory, 98...Liquid storage unit, 99...Waste liquid storage unit, 1 05...Conveyor path forming member, 121...Frame, 200...Restricting member, 201...Restricting part, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208...Outer surface, 209, 213...Engaged part, 210...Deformable part, 211...Grip part, 212...Protrusion, 300...Storage part, 309, 312...Engaged part, 400...Snap-in part, 403, 404, 405, 406...Inner surface, 500...Restricting member, 501, 501A, 501B...Restricting part, 502...Extending part, 503...Base part, 509, 509A, 509B...Engaged part, 510A, 510B...Deformable part, 515...Groove, 600...Storage part, 601A,601B…Hole, 603…Bottom surface, 609A,609B…Engaging part, 615…Rib, AK…Storage space, D…Original document, HK…Space, M…Media, MD…Direction of movement, MP…Movement part, PC1…Non-capping position, PC2…Capping position, PH1…Retracted position, PH2…Standby position, PH3…Maintenance position, PH4…Recording position, PH5…Wiping position, PW1…Retracted position, PW2…Wiping position, SE1,SE2,SE3,SE4…Sensor, SK…Insertion space, SP…Separation position, T…Transport path, T1,T2,T3,T4…Transport route, T5…Reversal route, TP…Transport position.

Claims

1. A movable part that can move in a direction of movement intersecting the horizontal direction, A restricting member having a restricting portion, the restricting portion being detachably attached to a position where it contacts a part of the moving portion, wherein the restricting member restricts the movement of the moving portion in the direction of movement by contacting a part of the moving portion, A storage section capable of housing the restricting member when the restricting member does not restrict the movement of the movable part, Equipped with, A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

2. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, The regulating member is fixed to the storage section when it is in the storage section. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

3. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 2, The storage section has an engaging section, The restricting member has an engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion, A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

4. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 3, The restricting member has the engaged portion in an elastically deformable deformation portion. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

5. A movable part that can move in a direction of movement intersecting the horizontal direction, A restricting member having a restricting portion, and which is detachable at a position where the restricting portion contacts a part of the movable portion, Equipped with, The restricting member restricts the movement of the moving part in the direction of movement by having the restricting portion come into contact with a part of the moving part. The aforementioned mobile unit has a rack, The restricting portion of the restricting member engages with the rack, thereby restricting the movement of the moving portion in the direction of movement. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

6. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 5, It includes a fitting portion into which the aforementioned restricting member is fitted, The restricting member is fitted into the fitting portion so that the restricting portion engages with the rack. The restricting member has a projection that protrudes from the fitting portion when the restricting portion is engaged with the rack. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

7. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 6, The aforementioned fitting portion has opposing surfaces that define the space into which the regulating member is fitted, The opposing surface is aligned with the direction in which the restricting member is fitted into the fitting portion and faces the rack, When the restricting member is in the space, the side facing the opposing surface has a contact surface that contacts the opposing surface and a non-contact surface that does not contact the opposing surface. The non-contact surface is a rounded surface that extends from the contact surface to the back of the space in the fitting direction, and which moves further away from the opposing surface towards the back. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

8. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 5, A recording unit capable of dispensing liquid from a nozzle, The cap has a cap that covers the nozzle, and the cap portion is movable between a capping position where the cap covers the nozzle and a non-capping position away from the capping position, Equipped with, The movable part is the cap part, A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

9. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 8, A storage section capable of housing the restricting member when the restricting member does not restrict the movement of the cap portion, A first door that can take an open state that allows access to the storage compartment and a closed state that prevents access, Equipped with, The regulating member is stored in the storage compartment in such a way that it is not visible when the first door is in the open position. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

10. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 9, The system includes a transport path forming member that forms a transport path through which the medium to be recorded is transported by the discharge of the liquid from the recording unit, The transport path forming member is displaced between the separation position when the first door is in the open position and the transport position when the first door is in the closed position. The aforementioned separation position is the position where the transport path forming member covers the storage section. The transport position is a position in which the transport path forming member can transport the medium, and in which the transport path forming member does not cover the storage section. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

11. A movable part that can move in a direction of movement intersecting the horizontal direction, A restricting member having a restricting portion, and which is detachable at a position where the restricting portion contacts a part of the movable portion, A guide portion extending in the aforementioned direction of movement, Equipped with, The moving part has a guided part that is guided by the guide part, The restricting member restricts the movement of the moving part in the direction of movement by the restricting part contacting the guided part. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

12. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 11, It is equipped with a recording unit that can dispense liquid from a nozzle, The moving unit is the recording unit. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

13. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 12, When the restricting member does not restrict the movement of the recording unit, a storage unit capable of housing the restricting member is provided. The aforementioned storage compartment is It has holes in the bottom surface, It is provided in a position that overlaps with the guide portion when viewed from a direction along the width direction of the recording portion, which intersects the aforementioned direction of movement. The aforementioned restraining member is The regulating portion contacts the guided portion through the hole, thereby restricting the movement of the recording portion. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

14. A liquid dispensing device according to claim 13, The storage compartment is provided with a second door that can be in an open state that allows access and a closed state that prevents access. The regulating member located in the storage compartment becomes visible when the second door is in the open position, and becomes invisible when the second door is in the closed position. A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

Images