Printing apparatus

Abstract

To restrain misalignment of a discharge position of ink associated with reciprocation of a carriage.SOLUTION: A printer 1 includes: a body part 2; a head part 4 which discharges ink onto a medium M; a carriage 3 which reciprocates while carrying the head part 4 on the body part 2; a support shaft 23 extending in a reciprocating direction B of the carriage 3 and supporting the carriage 3; and a cable 7 electrically connected to the body part 2 at one end and to the head part 4 at the other end, and supplying electric signals to the head part 4. The carriage 3 has a holder 31 on which the cable 7 is held, and a plurality of supported parts 34 which are supported by a support shaft 23 in contact with the support shaft 23. The holder 31 is arranged at a position between at least two of the plurality of supported parts 34 in the reciprocating direction B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various printing apparatuses that eject ink to form an image have been used. Among these, there is a printing apparatus including a carriage that mounts a head unit and reciprocates, and a cable having one end connected to a main body unit and the other end connected to the head unit of the carriage. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printer including a carriage that mounts a recording head and reciprocates, and a cable having one end connected to a device main body and the other end connected to the carriage.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in a conventional printing apparatus such as that of Patent Document 1 including a carriage that mounts a head unit and reciprocates, and a cable having one end connected to a main body unit and the other end connected to the carriage, when the carriage reciprocates, a force is applied due to bending of the cable in the holder that holds the cable in the carriage, and the carriage may be displaced. Displacement of the carriage due to reciprocation of the carriage during printing may cause deviation of the ink ejection position and lead to a decrease in printing accuracy.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present invention, which solves the above problems, comprises a main body, a head unit for ejecting ink onto a medium, a carriage on which the head unit is mounted and moves back and forth within the main body, a support shaft extending in the direction of the reciprocating movement of the carriage and supporting the carriage, and a cable having one end connected to the main body and the other end electrically connected to the head unit and supplying an electrical signal to the head unit, wherein the carriage has a holder for holding the cable and a plurality of supported parts that contact the support shaft and are supported by the support shaft, and the holder is positioned between at least two of the plurality of supported parts in the direction of the reciprocating movement. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] A schematic plan view of a printing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the carriage area of ​​the printing apparatus, seen from the front and above. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the area around the carriage of the printing apparatus. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a front view showing the area around the carriage holder of the printing apparatus. [Figure 5] A schematic perspective view of the carriage area of ​​a printing apparatus in the reference example, viewed from the front and above. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] First, the present invention will be described in general terms. A printing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems comprises a main body, a head unit for ejecting ink onto a medium, a carriage on which the head unit is mounted and moves back and forth within the main body, a support shaft extending in the direction of the reciprocating movement of the carriage and supporting the carriage, and a cable having one end connected to the main body and the other end electrically connected to the head unit and supplying an electrical signal to the head unit, wherein the carriage has a holder for holding the cable and a plurality of supported parts that contact the support shaft and are supported by the support shaft, and the holder is positioned between at least two of the plurality of supported parts in the direction of the reciprocating movement.

[0008] According to this embodiment, the holder is positioned between at least two of the multiple supported parts in the reciprocating direction. Therefore, even if force is applied to the holder due to the bending of the cable as the carriage reciprocates, it is possible to suppress the force from being applied in a direction that displaces the holder, and by suppressing the displacement of the carriage, it is possible to suppress the deviation of the ink ejection position.

[0009] A printing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect, it comprises a flexible reinforcing portion extending along the cable from one end to the other end, the reinforcing portion being connected to the holder.

[0010] According to this embodiment, a flexible reinforcing portion is provided that extends along the cable from one end to the other. This allows the cable to be reinforced. Furthermore, when the reinforcing portion is provided, even if the reinforcing portion bends or additional force is applied to the holder, the displacement of the carriage can be suppressed, and the deviation of the ink ejection position can be suppressed.

[0011] A printing apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the second aspect, the reinforcing portion is made of metal.

[0012] According to this embodiment, the reinforcing part is made of metal. Therefore, the cable can be reinforced with high precision.

[0013] A printing apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, it comprises a flexible tube that supplies ink to the print head and extends along the cable from one end to the other.

[0014] According to this embodiment, the ink supply tube for the print head is a flexible tube that extends along the cable from one end to the other. Therefore, ink can be supplied to the print head effectively.

[0015] A printing apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, the carriage has two supported portions, and the holder is positioned in the direction of reciprocating movement at a location that includes the center between the two supported portions.

[0016] In this embodiment, the carriage has two supported parts, and the holder is positioned in a location that includes the center between the two supported parts in the reciprocating direction. With this configuration, even if force is applied to the holder due to the bending of the cable as the carriage reciprocates, it is possible to particularly suppress the force from being applied in a direction that displaces the holder, and by effectively suppressing the displacement of the carriage, the deviation of the ink ejection position can be particularly suppressed.

[0017] A printing apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, the holder is positioned in the reciprocating direction, including the center of gravity of the carriage.

[0018] According to this aspect, the holder is disposed at a position including the center of gravity position of the carriage in the reciprocating movement direction. With such a configuration, even when a force is applied to the holder due to the cable bending as the carriage reciprocates, it is possible to particularly suppress the force from being applied in a direction that displaces the holder, and by effectively suppressing the displacement of the carriage, it is possible to particularly suppress the deviation of the ink ejection position.

[0019] The printing apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, the carriage has the holder on the rear side of the support shaft in the front-rear direction that intersects with the reciprocating movement direction and the ink ejection direction.

[0020] According to this aspect, the carriage has the holder on the rear side of the support shaft in the front-rear direction. With such a configuration, the configuration of the carriage can be simplified.

[0021] The printing apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the seventh aspect, the carriage mounts the head portion on the front side of the support shaft in the front-rear direction.

[0022] According to this aspect, the carriage mounts the head portion on the front side of the support shaft in the front-rear direction. With such a configuration, it is possible to facilitate the user's access to the head portion during maintenance of the head portion and the like.

[0023] The printing apparatus according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, the holder is rotatably connected to the carriage such that the cable rotates in a rotational direction having the front-rear direction that intersects with the reciprocating movement direction and the ink ejection direction as the direction of the rotation axis.

[0024] In this embodiment, the holder is connected so that the cable can rotate relative to the carriage in a rotational direction where the front-rear direction is the direction of the axis of rotation. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the displacement of the carriage and prevent deviations in the ink ejection position while suppressing the excessive force applied to the cable due to the reciprocating movement of the carriage.

[0025] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. First, an overview of the printing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. In Figures 1 to 5, some components are omitted for clarity. Here, the X-axis direction in the figures is horizontal and corresponds to the reciprocating movement direction B of the carriage 3, the Y-axis direction is horizontal and also the front-to-back direction of the printing apparatus 1 and is perpendicular to the X-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction is vertical. In the following, the direction of the arrow will be considered the + direction, and the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow will be considered the - direction. For example, the vertically upward direction is the +Z direction, the vertically downward direction is the -Z direction, the front of the printing apparatus 1 is the +Y direction, and the rear of the printing apparatus 1 is the -Y direction.

[0026] The printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a main body 2, which is provided with a transport unit (not shown) for transporting the medium M in the transport direction A, and a frame 21 extending in the X-axis direction as shown in Figure 1. The main body 2 is also provided with a support shaft 23 for supporting a carriage 3 extending in the X-axis direction as shown in Figure 1. The carriage 3, shown in Figure 3 and other figures, is equipped with a head unit 4 for ejecting ink onto the medium M and moves reciprocally in a reciprocating movement direction B along the X-axis direction within the main body 2.

[0027] The carriage 3 is provided with a holder 31, as shown in Figure 3. The holder 31 is fitted with a cable 7 that supplies electrical signals to the print head 4, a tube 8 that supplies ink to the print head 4, and a thin stainless steel plate that serves as a reinforcing part 6 to reinforce the cable 7 and tube 8. As shown in Figure 3, the cable 7, tube 8, and reinforcing part 6 form an extension 5 that connects the main body 2 and the carriage 3. The cable 7 and tube 8 are held by the holder 31. As shown in Figure 1, one end of the reinforcing part 6 that forms the extension 5 is connected to a fixing part 22 provided on the frame 21 of the main body 2, and the other end is connected to the holder 31 provided on the carriage 3.

[0028] An ink cartridge (not shown) is installed in the main body 2, and ink is supplied from the ink cartridge to the head unit 4 mounted on the carriage 3 via a tube 8. The main body 2 also includes a control unit (not shown) which has a CPU and storage units such as ROM and memory. The head unit 4 is electrically connected to the control unit via a cable 7. In this embodiment of the printing apparatus 1, the control unit controls the transport of the medium M, the reciprocating movement of the carriage 3, and the ejection of ink from the head unit 4.

[0029] The printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, with the configuration described above, is capable of forming an image by ejecting ink from the head unit 4 onto the transported medium M while the head unit 4 is reciprocating with the carriage 3 in the reciprocating direction B. The printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment can form a desired image on the medium M by transporting the medium M in the transport direction A at a predetermined transport amount, and then ejecting ink from the head unit 4 while moving the carriage 3 in the reciprocating direction B with the medium M stopped, and then returning the process.

[0030] Figure 1 illustrates how the carriage 3 and extension 5 are displaced to form an image on the transported medium M, with the carriage 3 and extension 5 represented by solid lines and the carriage 3 and extension 5 represented by dashed lines. At the position of the carriage 3 and extension 5 represented by solid lines, the curved position P1 of the extension 5 is far from the carriage 3, while at the position of the carriage 3 and extension 5 represented by dashed lines, the curved position P1 of the extension 5 is close to the carriage 3.

[0031] Here, the closer the curved position P1 of the extension 5 is to the carriage 3, the stronger the force acting on the carriage 3 as the extension 5 tries to return to its original bent state. When a strong force acts on the carriage 3 as the extension 5 tries to return to its original bent state, a rotational force with the Z-axis axis as the axis of rotation is more likely to be applied to the carriage 3. When a rotational force with the Z-axis axis as the axis of rotation is applied to the carriage 3, a rotational force is also applied to the head unit 4 mounted on the carriage 3, causing the head unit 4 to rotate and displace from its proper position, and the ink ejection position is more likely to deviate from the desired position. In other words, at the positions of the carriage 3 and extension 5 represented by the dashed line in Figure 1, the ink ejection position is particularly likely to deviate from the desired position. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment is configured to suppress the application of rotational force to the carriage 3 and to suppress the deviation of the ink ejection position from the desired position. This configuration will be described in detail below.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the carriage 3 has a holder 31 that holds the extension 5 such as the cable 7, as well as a plurality of supported parts 34 that contact the support shaft 23 and are supported by the support shaft 23. In Figure 2, the base 35, which is one of the components of the carriage 3, is shown with a dashed line for easier viewing of the structure. The holder 31 is positioned between two of the plurality of supported parts 34 in the reciprocating movement direction B, namely supported part 34A and supported part 34B. By positioning the holder 31 between at least two of the plurality of supported parts 34 in the reciprocating movement direction B, even if force is applied to the holder 31 as the extension 5 such as the cable 7 bends due to the reciprocating movement of the carriage 3, it is possible to suppress the force from being applied in a direction that displaces the holder 31. By suppressing the displacement of the carriage 3, it is possible to suppress the deviation of the ink ejection position.

[0033] Here, Figure 3 shows cable 7, but since Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view, it shows a cross-sectional view of cable 7. However, in reality, cable 7 extends further from the cross-sectional portion in Figure 3, passes through the base 35 of carriage 3, and is connected to the head portion 4. Also, although cable 7 in this embodiment is a flexible flat cable (FFC), a cable other than an FFC may be used as cable 7.

[0034] In the reference example printing apparatus shown in Figure 5, which corresponds to Figure 2 of the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the holder 31 is positioned not between the two supported parts 34 in the reciprocating movement direction B, but rather further outward (towards the +X direction) than one of the two supported parts 34, namely supported part 34B, in the reciprocating movement direction B. With this arrangement of the holder 31, when the extension part 5, such as the cable 7, bends due to the reciprocating movement of the carriage 3, and force is applied to the holder 31, the entire carriage 3 is more likely to rotate with the Z-axis direction as its axis of rotation. In other words, in the reference example printing apparatus shown in Figure 5, when the carriage 3 is positioned at the location shown by the dashed line in Figure 1, a shift in the ink ejection position is more likely to occur.

[0035] Furthermore, as described above, the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a flexible reinforcing portion 6 that extends along the cable 7 from one end to the other. At least the reinforcing portion 6, which is one of the members forming the extension, is connected to the holder 31. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment is able to reinforce the cable 7. Although the presence of the reinforcing portion 6 means that bending of the reinforcing portion 6 will further apply a force to the holder 31 with the Z-axis as the axis of rotation, the displacement of the carriage 3 can be suppressed and the deviation of the ink ejection position can be suppressed because the holder 31 is positioned between at least two of the multiple supported portions 34 in the reciprocating movement direction B.

[0036] In this embodiment of the printing apparatus 1, the reinforcing part 6 is made of SUS (stainless steel). By making the reinforcing part 6 out of a metal such as SUS, the cable 7 can be reinforced with high precision. However, there are no particular limitations on the material of the reinforcing part 6. For example, it is also possible to use a flexible resin plate.

[0037] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, in the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the reinforcing part 6 has an arc-shaped structure with a curved cross-section when viewed from the side. By configuring the reinforcing part 6 in this way, the cable 7 can be reinforced with particularly high precision. Moreover, if the holder 31 and base 35 that constitute the carriage 3, as shown in Figure 3, are formed from flat plate-shaped components, the carriage 3 is prone to bending when subjected to external forces. Therefore, by making the reinforcing part 6 such an arc-shaped structure, the carriage 3 can be reinforced in addition to the cable 7.

[0038] Furthermore, as described above, the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a flexible tube 8 that supplies ink to the head unit 4, extending along the cable 7 from one end to the other. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment can suitably supply ink to the head unit 4. Although the bending of the tube 8 also applies force to the holder 31, the holder 31 is positioned between at least two of the multiple supported parts 34 in the reciprocating movement direction B, thereby suppressing displacement of the carriage 3 and preventing misalignment of the ink ejection position.

[0039] Here, Figure 3 shows tube 8, but since Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view, it shows a cross-sectional view of tube 8. However, in reality, tube 8 extends further from the cross-sectional portion shown in Figure 3, passes through the base 35 of carriage 3, and is connected to the head portion 4.

[0040] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, in the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the carriage 3 has two supported parts 34, supported part 34A and supported part 34B, and the holder 31 is positioned in a location that includes the center position C between the two supported parts 34 in the reciprocating movement direction B. With this configuration, even if force is applied to the holder 31 due to the bending of the extension part 5 such as the cable 7 as the carriage 3 reciprocates, it is possible to particularly suppress the force from being applied in a direction that displaces the holder 31, and by effectively suppressing the displacement of the carriage 3, the deviation of the ink ejection position can be particularly suppressed. Note that "positioned in a location that includes the center position C between the two supported parts 34" means that it is sufficient if at least a part of the constituent members of the holder 31 includes the center position between the two supported parts 34.

[0041] Furthermore, to explain the above from another perspective, in the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the holder 31 is positioned in a location that includes the center of gravity C1 of the carriage 3 in the reciprocating movement direction B. With this configuration, even if force is applied to the holder 31 due to the bending of the extension 5 such as the cable 7 as the carriage 3 reciprocates, it is possible to particularly suppress the force from being applied in a direction that displaces the holder 31, and by effectively suppressing the displacement of the carriage 3, it is possible to particularly suppress the deviation of the ink ejection position.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, in the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the carriage 3 has a holder 31 on the -Y direction side, which is behind the support shaft 23 in the front-to-back direction along the Y axis direction, which intersects with the reciprocating movement direction B and the ink ejection direction -Z direction. This configuration simplifies the structure of the carriage 3.

[0043] More specifically, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, in the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the carriage 3 is mounted on the +Y direction side, which is forward of the support shaft 23 in the front-rear direction. This configuration makes it easier for the user to access the head unit 4 when performing maintenance on the head unit 4.

[0044] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3 and other figures, in the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the carriage 3 includes a holder 31, a cover portion 32 for fixing an extension portion 5 such as a cable 7 to the holder 31, a base portion 35 to which the holder 31 is attached, two supported portions 34 attached to the base portion 35, and a mounting portion 33 connected to the base portion 35 by a spring 37 and on which the head portion 4 is mounted. However, the configuration is not limited to this. Some of these components may be integrally formed, or there may be other components.

[0045] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the cover portion 32 is configured to be attached to the holder 31 with two screws 36. The holder 31 and the cover portion 32 will be described in more detail below.

[0046] As shown in Figure 4, the cover portion 32 is attached to the holder 31 by screws 36A and 36B and two screws 36. Screw 36A is attached to the central part of the cover portion 32 in the X-axis direction, on the +Z side. On the other hand, screw 36B is attached to the part of the cover portion 32 on the +X side, on the -Z side. Here, the screw holes for screw 36B provided in the reinforcing portion 6 and the cover portion 32 are made slightly larger than the screw shaft of screw 36B. As a result, the reinforcing portion 6 and the cover portion 32 can be displaced in the rotational direction R relative to the holder 31 with respect to screw 36A.

[0047] In other words, the holder 31 is rotatably connected to the carriage 3 in a rotational direction where the front-to-back direction, corresponding to the Y-axis direction which intersects the reciprocating movement direction B and the ink ejection direction (-Z direction), is the direction of the axis of rotation. This configuration suppresses the application of excessive force to the extension part 5, such as the cable 7, as the carriage 3 reciprocates, while also suppressing displacement of the carriage 3 and thereby suppressing deviations in the ink ejection position.

[0048] As shown in Figure 4, the holder 31 is provided with a contact portion 31a in the area covered by the cover portion 32, to which the tip 6a of the reinforcing portion 6 can abut. By abutting the reinforcing portion 6 against the contact portion 31a, the position of the entire extension portion 5 in the X-axis direction relative to the holder 31 is determined. Furthermore, by pressing the entire extension portion 5 against the holder 31 along the Y-axis direction with the cover portion 32, the position of the entire extension portion 5 in the Y-axis direction relative to the holder 31 is determined.

[0049] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from its spirit. Furthermore, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each embodiment described in the summary of the invention can be replaced or combined as appropriate in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or to achieve some or all of the above-described effects. In addition, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be deleted as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0050] 1…Printing device, 2…Main body, 3…Carriage, 4…Head unit, 5…Extension unit, 6…Reinforcement unit, 6a…Tip, 7…Cable, 8…Tube, 21…Frame, 22…Fixing unit, 23…Support shaft, 31…Holder, 31a…Abutting unit, 32…Cover unit, 33…Mounting unit, 34…Supported unit, 34A…Supported unit, 34B…Supported unit, 35…Base, 36…Screw, 36A…Screw, 36B…Screw, 37…Spring, C…Center position, C1…Center of gravity position, M…Media

Claims

1. The main body and A print head that ejects ink onto the medium, The main body includes a carriage on which the head portion is mounted and which moves back and forth, A support shaft extending in the direction of the reciprocating movement of the carriage and supporting the carriage, A cable having one end connected to the main body and the other end electrically connected to the head, and which supplies electrical signals to the head, Equipped with, The carriage has a holder that holds the cable and a plurality of supported parts that contact the support shaft and are supported by the support shaft, The holder is positioned between at least two of the plurality of supported parts in the reciprocating direction. The printing apparatus is characterized in that the carriage has the holder located behind the support shaft in the front-rear direction, which intersects with the reciprocating movement direction and the ink ejection direction.

2. The main body and, A print head that ejects ink onto the medium, The main body includes a carriage on which the head portion is mounted and which moves back and forth, A support shaft extending in the direction of the reciprocating movement of the carriage and supporting the carriage, A cable having one end connected to the main body and the other end electrically connected to the head, and which supplies electrical signals to the head, Equipped with, The carriage has a holder that holds the cable and a plurality of supported parts that contact the support shaft and are supported by the support shaft, The holder is positioned between at least two of the plurality of supported parts in the reciprocating direction. The printing apparatus is characterized in that the holder is connected to the carriage so as to be rotatable in a rotational direction in which the front-to-back direction intersects with the reciprocating movement direction and the ink ejection direction, with the direction of the rotation axis being the direction of the rotation axis.

3. In the printing apparatus described in claim 1 or 2, It includes a flexible reinforcing section that extends along the cable from one end to the other end, The printing apparatus is characterized in that the reinforcing portion is connected to the holder.

4. In the printing apparatus described in claim 3, A printing apparatus characterized in that the reinforcing part is made of metal.

5. In the printing apparatus described in claim 1 or 2, A printing apparatus characterized by comprising a flexible tube that supplies ink to the head portion, extending along the cable from one end to the other end.

6. In the printing apparatus described in claim 1 or 2, The carriage has two of the supported parts, The printing apparatus is characterized in that the holder is positioned in the reciprocating direction, including the center position between the two supported parts.

7. In the printing apparatus described in claim 1 or 2, The printing apparatus is characterized in that the holder is positioned in the reciprocating direction, including the position of the center of gravity of the carriage.

8. In the printing apparatus described in claim 7, The carriage is a printing apparatus in which the head is mounted forward of the support shaft in the front-rear direction.

9. In the printing apparatus described in claim 1, The printing apparatus is characterized in that the holder is connected to the carriage so as to be rotatable in a rotational direction in which the front-to-back direction intersects with the reciprocating movement direction and the ink ejection direction, with the direction of the rotation axis being the direction of the rotation axis.

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