JP7243316B2 - Liquid ejector - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus that performs a flushing process of ejecting liquid from a plurality of nozzles toward a slope.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-100000 discloses a technique related to a flushing process in which liquid is discharged from a plurality of nozzles toward an inclined surface.

JP-A-2000-280488

When the liquid is ejected toward the slope, it is necessary to appropriately set the distance between the slope and the nozzle surface in order to prevent scattering of the liquid mist. However, Patent Literature 1 does not show how to fix the sloped member having the sloped surface in the device, and it may be difficult to set the distance between the sloped surface and the nozzle surface appropriately.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus capable of appropriately setting the distance between a slope and a nozzle surface to prevent scattering of liquid mist.

A liquid ejecting apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a liquid ejecting head having a nozzle surface on which a plurality of nozzles are formed, and a carriage supporting the liquid ejecting head in a first direction along the nozzle surface. a carriage having one end and the other end in the first direction and sandwiching the nozzle face between the one end in the first direction and the nozzle face perpendicular to the first direction; a drive mechanism for moving the carriage in a second direction along the carriage, a guide that supports the carriage and extends in the second direction, and a frame that supports the guide and extends in a third direction orthogonal to the nozzle surface. a slope member having a slope that intersects with the nozzle surface; and a controller that controls the drive mechanism and the liquid ejection head to perform a flushing process that ejects liquid from the plurality of nozzles toward the slope. and the slope member is attached to the frame.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, by attaching the slope member to the frame that supports the guide, it is possible to secure the positional accuracy of the slope in the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction. This makes it possible to appropriately set the distance between the slope and the nozzle surface and prevent scattering of the liquid mist.

A liquid ejecting apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a liquid ejecting head having a nozzle surface on which a plurality of nozzles are formed, and a carriage supporting the liquid ejecting head in a first direction along the nozzle surface. a carriage having one end and the other end in the first direction and sandwiching the nozzle face between the one end in the first direction and the nozzle face perpendicular to the first direction; a drive mechanism for moving the carriage in a second direction along the carriage, a guide that supports the carriage and extends in the second direction, and a frame that supports the guide and extends in a third direction orthogonal to the nozzle surface. a slope that intersects with the nozzle surface; and a control unit that controls the drive mechanism and the liquid ejection head to perform a flushing process for ejecting liquid from the plurality of nozzles toward the slope; are formed on the frame.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, by forming the slopes on the frame that supports the guide, it is possible to secure the positional accuracy of the slopes in the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction. This makes it possible to appropriately set the distance between the slope and the nozzle surface and prevent scattering of the liquid mist.

A liquid ejecting apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a liquid ejecting head having a nozzle surface on which a plurality of nozzles are formed, and a carriage supporting the liquid ejecting head in a first direction along the nozzle surface. a carriage having one end and the other end in the first direction and sandwiching the nozzle face between the one end in the first direction and the nozzle face perpendicular to the first direction; a guide that supports the carriage and extends in the second direction; a slope member having a slope that intersects with the nozzle surface; the drive mechanism and the liquid a control unit that controls an ejection head and executes a flushing process of ejecting the liquid from the plurality of nozzles toward the slope, wherein the slope member is attached to the guide.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, by attaching the slope member to the guide of the carriage, it is possible to secure the positional accuracy of the slope in the first, second and third directions. This makes it possible to appropriately set the distance between the slope and the nozzle surface and prevent scattering of the liquid mist.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the frame has a support portion extending in a direction that intersects with the third direction, and the slope member is a supported portion supported by the support portion, It may have a supported portion extending in the direction, and in a state in which the supported portion is supported by the support portion, it may be configured to be slidably attached to the frame in the cross direction. When the user accesses the inside of the device, if the user's hand touches the slope member, the force in the third direction is likely to be applied to the slope member. Further, even when the device is turned upside down due to being dropped or the like, force in the third direction is likely to be applied to the slope member. In the case where the slope member can be slidably attached to the frame in the third direction, the slope member may easily come off the frame due to the force in the third direction unless some measures are taken. On the other hand, according to this configuration, since the slope member can be attached by sliding it in the crossing direction with respect to the frame, it is possible to prevent the slope member from coming off the frame due to the force in the third direction.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the slope member has a supported portion that is supported by the frame and extends in the second direction. may be provided with a hook that is flexible in the third direction and hooks on the frame. According to this configuration, the slope member can be easily attached to the frame by hooking the hook on the frame.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the frame has a support portion including a mounting surface orthogonal to the third direction, and the slope member is a supported portion supported by the support portion, It may further include a fixing member that has a supported portion including a surface that overlaps with the surface in the third direction, extends in the third direction, and fixes the supported portion to the support portion. According to this configuration, it is possible to reliably ensure the positional accuracy of the slope in the third direction.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the frame includes: a base extending in the third direction and the first direction; a recess formed in the base and recessed in the second direction; the slope member is configured to be slidably attached to the frame in the third direction, and is a flexible portion having flexibility in the second direction; a flexible portion provided with a protrusion protruding in the second direction to be inserted into the recess portion; and a supported portion to be supported. In this case, it is not necessary to increase the size of the support portion of the frame or the supported portion of the slope member in order to secure the installation space for the fixed member, and it is possible to suppress the size increase of the support portion and the supported portion.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the supported portions of the slope member supported by the frame include a first supported portion and a second supported portion separated from the first supported portion in the first direction. , a third support spaced apart from the first supported portion and the second supported portion in the third direction and positioned between the first supported portion and the second supported portion in the first direction; and a support. According to this configuration, the positional accuracy of the slope in the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction is improved compared to the case where the slope member is supported by the frame at two points.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the supported portions of the slope member supported by the frame include a first supported portion and a second supported portion separated from the first supported portion in the first direction. , a third supported portion separated from the first supported portion and the second supported portion in the third direction; and a third supported portion separated from the first supported portion and the second supported portion in the third direction. , and a fourth supported portion spaced apart from the third supported portion in the first direction. According to this configuration, the positional accuracy of the slope in the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction is improved compared to the case where the slope member is supported by the frame at two or three points.

A separation distance in the first direction between the first supported portion and the second supported portion may be longer than a length in the first direction of a region in which the plurality of nozzles are formed on the nozzle surface. According to this configuration, since the first support portion and the second support portion are largely separated in the first direction, the positional accuracy of the slope in the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction is further improved.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the liquid ejecting device includes a first rotating body rotatable about an axis along the second direction, and a first rotating body rotatable about an axis along the second direction. a second rotating body that sandwiches the slope member between itself and the first rotating body in the first direction; and a third rotating body that can rotate about an axis along the second direction. a third rotating body positioned between the first rotating body and the second rotating body in the first direction; and a rotating body wound around the first rotating body and the second rotating body. and a belt that is in contact with the third rotating body and that sandwiches the third rotating body between itself and the nozzle surface in the third direction, wherein the inclined surface member is a portion other than the supported portion. At least part of the portion may overlap the belt in the second direction, and the supported portion may be arranged so as not to overlap the belt in the second direction. According to this configuration, the space in which the belt is arranged can be effectively used.

The third rotating body is rotatably attached to a shaft member that extends in the second direction and is fixed to the frame, and the slope member has a surface including the slope and the slope in the second direction. It may have a front surface and a back surface positioned between the frame, and a wall sandwiching the shaft member in the third direction may be provided on the back surface. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the slope member from coming off the frame due to the force in the third direction.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the liquid ejecting device includes a first rotating body rotatable about an axis along the second direction, and a first rotating body rotatable about an axis along the second direction. a second rotating body, which is wound around the first rotating body and the second rotating body, and a second rotating body sandwiching the slope member between the first rotating body and the first rotating body in the first direction; a belt, wherein the slope member has a surface including the slope and a back surface located between the surface and the frame in the second direction, An extending shaft member may be provided, and a third rotating body may be rotatably attached to the shaft member, the third rotating body being disposed between the nozzle surface and the belt in the third direction and in contact with the belt. According to this configuration, tension can be applied to the belt at the same time as the slope member is attached to the frame.

The slope member may have an intervening portion interposed between the nozzle surface and the belt in the third direction and overlapping the belt in the third direction. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the liquid ejected from the nozzle from adhering to the belt.

The length of the intervening portion in the first direction may be longer than the length of the region in which the plurality of nozzles are formed on the nozzle surface in the first direction. According to this configuration, it is possible to more reliably prevent the liquid ejected from the nozzles from adhering to the belt.

The liquid ejecting device is arranged at a position sandwiching the inclined surface with the nozzle surface in the third direction, and a plurality of slits along a direction orthogonal to the second direction are arranged in the second direction. wherein the slope member has one end in the third direction and the other end in the third direction, and the one end between the nozzle surface in the third direction and the other end may be inserted into any one of the plurality of slits. According to this configuration, the liquid ejected from the nozzle smoothly moves from the slope to the liquid absorbing member, and the liquid can be prevented from scattering in the device. In addition, since the plurality of portions of the liquid absorbing member partitioned by the slits can be easily replaced individually, the material cost for replacement can be reduced compared to the case where the entire liquid absorbing member is replaced.

The slope member may further include an enclosing portion that defines a space with the slope and has a portion that overlaps the slope in the second direction. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent liquid from scattering in the device. Moreover, when the user accesses the inside of the device, the user's hand is prevented from touching the slope, and the liquid on the slope can be prevented from adhering to the user's hand.

In the second aspect of the invention, the slope may be formed by the bottom surface of a recess formed in the frame. As compared with the case where a projecting piece provided on the frame is bent to form a slope, the material cost can be reduced because the projecting piece is not required. In addition, since the slopes can be formed easily and accurately by drawing or the like, the positional accuracy of the slopes in the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction is improved.

According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately set the distance between the slope and the nozzle surface and prevent scattering of the liquid mist.

1 is a plan view of a printer according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view of the printer as seen from the direction of arrow II in FIG. 1; 1 is a perspective view showing a slope member and a frame according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2; 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printer; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4 in the printer according to the second embodiment of the invention; FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a slope member and a frame according to a third embodiment of the invention; 5 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4 in a printer according to a third embodiment of the invention; FIG. FIG. 12 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 2 of the printer according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a slope member and a frame according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; It is the perspective view which looked at the slope member which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention from the back side. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view along line XII-XII in FIG. 9; FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a slope member and a frame according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; It is a perspective view which shows the slope which concerns on 6th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a slope according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 12 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 2 of the printer according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention;

<First Embodiment>
A printer 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a head 1, a carriage 2, a platen 3, a conveying mechanism 4, a frame 5, a slope member 6 and a controller 7, as shown in FIG.

In the following description, the Z direction is vertical, and the X and Y directions are horizontal. Both the X and Y directions are orthogonal to the Z direction. The X direction is orthogonal to the Y direction. The X direction corresponds to the "first direction", the Y direction to the "second direction", and the Z direction to the "third direction".

The head 1 corresponds to the "liquid ejection head" of the present invention. The head 1 is of a serial type, is supported by a carriage 2, and is movable together with the carriage 2 in the Y direction. The lower surface of the head 1 (the surface facing downward in the Z direction) is a nozzle surface 1a on which a plurality of (20 in FIG. 1) nozzles 11 are formed. The X direction and the Y direction are directions along the nozzle surface 1a, and the Z direction is a direction orthogonal to the nozzle surface 1a.

The carriage 2 is slightly larger than the head 1 when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the Z direction. A nozzle surface 1a is arranged between one end 2a and the other end 2b of the carriage 2 in the X direction. The carriage 2 is supported by guides 21 and 22 extending in the Y direction at one end 2a and the other end 2b, respectively, and is connected to a belt 26 at the other end 2b. When the carriage drive motor 25 (see FIG. 5) is driven under the control of the controller 7, the belt 26 runs and the carriage 2 moves along the guides 21 and 22 in the Y direction. A carriage drive motor 25 and a belt 26 constitute a drive mechanism 20 that moves the carriage 2 in the Y direction.

A guide 21 supports one end 2 a of the carriage 2 . The guide 22 supports the other end 2b of the carriage 2 and the drive mechanism 20 (carriage drive motor 25 (see FIG. 5) and belt 26). The center of gravity of the unit including the head 1, carriage 2, and drive mechanism 20 is closer to the guide 22 than to the guide 21 in the X direction. Therefore, the downward force in the Z direction acting on the guide 22 is greater than the downward force in the Z direction acting on the guide 21 .

A platen 3 is arranged below the carriage 2 and the head 1 . A sheet of paper P is placed on the upper surface of the platen 3 .

The transport mechanism 4 has two roller pairs 41 and 42 separated from each other in the X direction. A head 1, a carriage 2 and a platen 3 are arranged between the roller pair 41 and the roller pair 42 in the X direction. The roller pair 41 includes upper rollers 411 and lower rollers 412 . The roller pair 42 includes upper rollers 421 and lower rollers 422 . The rollers 411, 412, 421, and 422 are rotatable about axes along the Y direction. The paper P is sandwiched between the upper roller 411 and the lower roller 412 , and the paper P is sandwiched between the upper roller 421 and the lower roller 422 . As the rollers 411, 412, 421, and 422 rotate while holding the paper P, the paper P is transported in the transport direction along the X direction.

A tension roller 43 is arranged between the roller pair 41 and the roller pair 42 in the X direction and at a position not overlapping the platen 3 in the Z direction. Like the rollers 411, 412, 421, and 422, the tension roller 43 is rotatable around the axis along the Y direction. 2, a belt 44 (not shown in FIG. 1) is wound around the lower roller 412 and the lower roller 422. As shown in FIG. The belt 44 has upper loops 44a and lower loops 44b spaced apart in the Z direction. The tension roller 43 is arranged between the nozzle surface 1a and the upper loop 44a in the Z direction, and is in contact with the upper surface of the upper loop 44a to apply tension to the belt 44. As shown in FIG. Further, the tension roller 43 prevents contact between the belt 44 and the nozzle surface 1a. When the conveying motor 45 (see FIG. 5) is driven under the control of the controller 7, the lower roller 412 rotates, and the rotation is transmitted to the lower roller 422 via the belt 44. As shown in FIG. Thereby, the rollers 411, 412, 421, 422 are rotated.

The lower roller 412 corresponds to the "first rotating body", the lower roller 422 to the "second rotating body", and the tension roller 43 to the "third rotating body".

As shown in FIG. 1, the frame 5 does not overlap the platen 3 in the Z direction and is arranged near one end (the left end in FIG. 1) of the movable area of the head 1. As shown in FIG. Frame 5 supports guides 21 and 22 , lower rollers 412 and 422 and tension roller 43 . The tension roller 43 is positioned to sandwich the frame 5 between itself and the platen 3 in the Y direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the frame 5 has a plate-like base portion 5x extending in the X direction and the Z direction, and three holes 51 to 53 formed in the base portion 5x. The holes 51 to 53 each extend in the X direction and pass through the base 5x in the Y direction.

The slope member 6 is arranged between the roller pair 41 and the roller pair 42 in the X direction and attached to the frame 5 . Like the tension roller 43, the slope member 6 is positioned to sandwich the frame 5 between itself and the platen 3 in the Y direction.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the slope member 6 has a slope portion 60 having a slope 6t and three arms 61 to 63 extending in the Y direction from the slope portion 60 toward the base portion 5x. Y-direction tips of the three arms 61 to 63 are inserted into the three holes 51 to 53, respectively. The X-direction length of the holes 51-53 is longer than the X-direction length of the tips of the arms 61-63.

In FIG. 2, the slope portion 60 is indicated by a dashed line, and the portions of the tips of the arms 61 to 63 inserted into the holes 51 to 52 are indicated by hatching. 2, the platen 3, the driving mechanism 20, the upper rollers 411 and 421, etc. shown in FIG. 1 are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the slope member 6 is arranged so that the slope portion 60 overlaps the belt 44 in the Y direction and the arms 61 to 63 do not overlap the belt 44 in the Y direction.

The arms 61 and 62 are spaced apart from each other in the X direction and are positioned substantially at the same position in the Z direction. A separation distance L1 in the X direction between the arms 61 and 62 is longer than a length L2 in the X direction of the region in which the plurality of nozzles 11 (see FIG. 1) are formed on the nozzle surface 1a. The arm 63 is positioned between the arms 61 and 62 in the X direction and sandwiches the arms 61 and 62 with the nozzle surface 1a in the Z direction. The arms 61-63 are arranged to form an inverted triangle when viewed in the Y direction.

Of the three arms 61 to 63, the upper two arms 61 and 62 are positioned within the loop of the belt 44 (between the upper loop 44a and the lower loop 44b in the Z direction), and the lower one arm 63 is located outside the loop of the belt 44 (below the lower loop 44b in the Z direction).

The arm 61 is provided at one end of the slope portion 60 in the X direction and overlaps the slope portion 60 in the Y direction. The arm 62 is provided at the other end of the slope portion 60 in the X direction, and does not overlap the slope portion 60 in the Y direction (protrudes outward in the X direction with respect to the slope portion 60). The arm 63 is provided substantially at the center of the slope portion 60 in the X direction and overlaps the slope portion 60 in the Y direction.

The tips of the arms 61-63 respectively extend in the X direction and are supported by the peripheral edges of the holes 51-53 in the base 5x. A pair of walls 61a and 62a are provided at the tips of two arms 61 and 62 of the three arms, respectively (see FIGS. 3 and 4). A pair of walls 61a and 62a extend upward from the tips of the arms 61 and 62 and sandwich the peripheral edges of the holes 51 and 52 in the base 5x in the Y direction. A projecting piece 53p projecting upward is provided at the lower edge of the hole 53 in the base portion 5x.

When attaching the slope member 6 to the frame 5, first, the tips of the arms 61 to 63 are inserted into one end (the right end in FIG. 2) of the holes 51 to 53 in the X direction. Then, the slope member 6 is slid in the X direction (leftward in FIG. 2) with respect to the base portion 5x, and the arms 61 to 63 are moved from one end of the holes 51 to 53 in the X direction to the other end. At this time, the tip of the arm 63 gets over the projecting piece 53p. When the tips of the arms 61 to 63 are arranged at the other ends in the X direction of the holes 51 to 53, the tips of the arms 63 form a wall that defines the other ends in the X direction (the left end in FIG. 2) of the holes 53 in the base portion 5x. The slope member 6 is positioned in the X direction by being sandwiched between 53q and the projecting piece 53p. A pair of walls 61a and 62a (see FIGS. 3 and 4) of the arms 61 and 62 sandwich the periphery of the holes 51 and 52 in the base 5x in the Y direction, thereby positioning the slope member 6 in the Y direction. The portions of the tips of the arms 61 to 63 inserted into the holes 51 to 53 extend in the Z direction from a pair of walls 51w to 53w that define the other ends (the left ends in FIG. 2) of the holes 51 to 53 in the base 5x in the X direction. By being sandwiched, the slope member 6 is positioned in the Z direction.

In this way, the slope member 6 of the present embodiment can be attached by sliding it in the X direction with respect to the frame 5 while the arms 61 to 63 are supported by the peripheral edges of the holes 51 to 53 in the base 5x. It is

The arm 61 corresponds to the “first supported portion”, the arm 62 corresponds to the “second supported portion”, and the arm 63 corresponds to the “third supported portion”. ”. The X direction corresponds to the "intersecting direction".

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the slope portion 60 has a surface 60a including the slope 6t, and a back surface 60b located between the surface 60a and the frame 5 in the Y direction. In addition, the slope portion 60 has an upper end (one end in the Z direction) 6x and a lower end (the other end in the Z direction) 6y. The lower end 6y sandwiches the upper end 6x with the nozzle surface 1a in the Z direction (see FIG. 2).

A surface 60a near the upper end 6x of the slope portion 60 is a horizontal plane 6h along the XY plane. The slope 6t is a plane that intersects the XY plane (a plane along the nozzle surface 1a), and is provided between the upper end 6x and the lower end 6y in the Z direction so as to be connected to the horizontal plane 6h. The horizontal surface 6h and the inclined surface 6t form an intervening portion 66 interposed between the nozzle surface 1a and the belt 44 in the Z direction. The intervening portion 66 overlaps the belt 44 in the Z direction (see FIG. 4). The X-direction length L3 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) of the intervening portion 66 corresponds to the X-direction length L2 (see FIG. 2) of the region in which the plurality of nozzles 11 (see FIG. 1) are formed on the nozzle surface 1a. longer than

As shown in FIG. 4, the back surface 60b is provided with a pair of walls 65 that sandwich the tip of the shaft member 431 in the Y direction in the Z direction. The shaft member 431 has a base end in the Y direction fixed to the frame 5 and extends in the Y direction from the base end toward the tip. The shaft member 431 has a cylindrical shape, and the tension roller 43 is rotatably attached thereto.

In the vicinity of the lower end 6y of the slope portion 60, as shown in FIG. 4, an ink absorbing member 9 made of a material capable of absorbing and holding ink (sponge or the like) is provided. Three slits 9s extending in a direction perpendicular to the Y direction are formed in the ink absorbing member 9 so as to be aligned in the Y direction. The lower end 6y is inserted into one of the three slits 9s. A slope 6t is arranged between the nozzle surface 1a (see FIG. 2) and the ink absorbing member 9 in the Z direction. Ink ejected from the nozzle 11 (see FIG. 1) toward the slope 6t lands on the slope 6t, moves along the surface 60a to the lower end 6y, and is absorbed and held by the ink absorbing member 9. FIG.

The control unit 7 has ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The ASIC executes recording processing, flushing processing, etc. according to programs stored in the ROM.

In the recording process, the control unit 7 controls the driver IC 15 of the head 1, the carriage driving motor 25, and the conveying motor 45 (see FIG. 5) based on a recording command (including image data) input from an external device such as a PC. to alternately perform an ejection operation for ejecting ink droplets from the nozzles 11 while moving the head 1 along with the carriage 2 in the Y direction, and a transport operation for transporting the paper P by a predetermined amount in the transport direction with the roller pairs 41 and 42. to do it. Thus, an image is recorded on the paper P. FIG.

In the flushing process, the control unit 7 controls the drive mechanism 20 and the head 1 to position the head 1 at a position overlapping the slope member 6 in the Z direction (one end of the movable area of the head 1), and the plurality of nozzles 11 are flushed. , the ink is ejected toward the slope 6t. The flushing process may be performed while the head 1 is stopped, or may be performed while moving the head 1 in the scanning direction. Also, the flushing process may be performed during the recording process (for example, immediately before performing the ejection operation on the first sheet of paper P, every predetermined number of passes, every time recording on a predetermined number of sheets of paper P is completed, etc.). Alternatively, it may be performed when the recording process is not performed (for example, immediately after the printer 100 is powered on, after the purge operation, when a predetermined time has passed since the previous purge, etc.). The purge operation is an operation of applying pressure to the ink flow path in the head 1 by driving the pump to discharge the ink from the nozzles 11 .

As described above, according to this embodiment, by attaching the slope member 6 to the frame 5 that supports the guides 21 and 22, the positional accuracy of the slope 6t in the X, Y and Z directions can be ensured. As a result, the distance between the inclined surface 6t and the nozzle surface 1a can be appropriately set to prevent ink mist from scattering.

The slope member 6 can be attached by sliding it in the X direction with respect to the frame 5 while the arms 61 to 63 are supported by the peripheral edges of the holes 51 to 53 in the base 5x (see FIGS. 2 and 4). 3). When the user accesses the interior of the printer 100 for the purpose of replacing the ink absorbing member 9 or the like, and the user's hand touches the slope member 6 , force is likely to be applied to the slope member 6 in the Z direction. Further, even when the printer 100 is turned upside down due to being dropped or the like, a force in the Z direction is likely to be applied to the slope member 6 . In the case where the slope member 6 can be attached to the frame 5 by sliding it in the Z direction, the slope member 6 may easily come off the frame 5 due to the force in the Z direction unless some measures are taken. On the other hand, according to this configuration, since the slope member 6 can be attached by sliding it in the cross direction with respect to the frame 5, the situation that the slope member 6 comes off from the frame 5 due to the force in the Z direction is suppressed. can.

The slope member 6 has three arms 61-63 supported by the frame 5 (see FIG. 2). According to this configuration, compared with the case where the slope member 6 is supported by the frame 5 at two points, the positional accuracy of the slope 6t in the X, Y and Z directions is improved.

A separation distance L1 in the X direction between the arms 61 and 62 is longer than a length L2 in the X direction of the region in which the plurality of nozzles 11 (see FIG. 1) are formed on the nozzle surface 1a (see FIG. 2). According to this configuration, since the arms 61 and 62 are far apart in the X direction, the positional accuracy of the slope 6t in the X, Y and Z directions is further improved.

The slope member 6 is configured so that the slope portion 60 (at least part of the portions other than the three arms 61 to 63) overlaps the belt 44 in the Y direction, and the three 61 to 63 do not overlap the belt 44 in the Y direction. , are arranged (see FIG. 2). According to this configuration, the space in which the belt 44 is arranged can be effectively used.

A wall 65 is provided on the rear surface 60b of the slope member 6 to sandwich the shaft member 431 fixed to the frame 5 in the Z direction (see FIG. 4). According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the slope member 6 from coming off the frame 5 due to the force in the Z direction.

The slope member 6 has an intervening portion 66 interposed between the nozzle surface 1a and the belt 44 in the Z direction and overlapping the belt 44 in the Z direction (see FIGS. 3 and 4). According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the ink ejected from the nozzles 11 from adhering to the belt 44 .

The X-direction length L3 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) of the intervening portion 66 corresponds to the X-direction length L2 (see FIG. 2) of the region in which the plurality of nozzles 11 (see FIG. 1) are formed on the nozzle surface 1a. longer than According to this configuration, it is possible to more reliably prevent the ink ejected from the nozzles 11 from adhering to the belt 44 .

A lower end 6y of the slope member 6 is inserted into one of the three slits 9s of the ink absorbing member 9 (see FIG. 4). According to this configuration, the ink ejected from the nozzle 11 smoothly moves from the inclined surface 6t to the ink absorbing member 9, and the scattering of the ink inside the printer 100 can be prevented. In addition, the plurality of portions of the ink absorbing member 9 partitioned by the slits 9s can be easily replaced individually, and the material cost for replacement can be reduced compared to the case where the entire ink absorbing member 9 is replaced.

<Second embodiment>
Next, a printer according to a second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the points described below, and is otherwise the same as the first embodiment. Constituent elements that are the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

In this embodiment, a hook 263 that is flexible in the Z direction and hooked to the base 5x of the frame 5 is provided at the tip of the arm 63 of the slope member 6 in the Y direction. In the present embodiment, the arms 61 and 62 of the slope member 6 are not provided with the pair of walls 61a and 62a (see FIGS. 3 and 4) at the Y direction tips, and the Y direction tips of the arms 61 to 63 are not provided. The size of the cross section orthogonal to the direction and the size of the holes 51 to 53 of the frame 5 are substantially the same. The holes 51 to 53 are rectangular and are not provided with projecting pieces 53p (see FIG. 2).

In this embodiment, when the slope member 6 is attached to the frame 5, the slope member 6 is moved in the Y direction with respect to the base portion 5x of the frame, and the tips of the arms 61-63 are inserted into the holes 51-53, respectively. At this time, the tip of the arm 63 is inserted into the hole 53 while the hook 263 is bent in the Z direction. The portion of the base portion 5x that defines the lower edge of the hole 53 fits into the concave portion 263x provided on the lower surface of the hook 263, whereby the slope member 6 is positioned in the Y direction. The portions of the tips of the arms 61 to 63 inserted into the holes 51 to 53 are sandwiched in the X direction by the walls defining the holes 51 to 53 in the base 5x, thereby positioning the slope member 6 in the X direction. The portions of the tips of the arms 61 and 62 inserted into the holes 51 and 52 are sandwiched in the Z direction by the walls defining the holes 51 to 53 in the base 5x, thereby positioning the slope member 6 in the Z direction.

As described above, the slope member 6 of the present embodiment can be attached by hooking the hook 263 on the frame 5 instead of being attached by sliding it in the X direction with respect to the frame 5 .

The wall 65 provided on the rear surface 60b of the slope portion 60 may be cylindrical in this embodiment. In this case, the walls 65 sandwich the tip of the shaft member 431 in the Y direction in a direction orthogonal to the Y direction (direction including the Z direction).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the hooks 263 that are flexible in the Z direction and hooked to the frame 5 are provided at the ends of the arms 63 of the slope member 6 in the Y direction. The slope member 6 can be easily attached to the frame 5 by hooking the hook 263 on the frame 5 .

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a printer according to a third embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the points described below, and is otherwise the same as the first embodiment. Constituent elements that are the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the slope member 6 is fixed to the frame 5 by a fixing member 370 such as a screw extending in the Z direction.

The slope member 6 includes a slope portion 60 on which a slope 6t is formed, two arms 361 and 362 projecting on both sides of the slope portion 60 in the X direction, and an arm extending from the slope portion 60 toward the base portion 5x of the frame 5 in the Y direction. and an extending arm 363 (see FIG. 8).

The base portion 5x of the frame 5 does not have the holes 51 to 53 (see FIG. 2), and is provided with plates 351 to 353 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) extending in the Y direction toward the slope member 6. there is The plates 351-353 are formed by bending a part of the base 5x. An upper surface 351a of the plate 351 is perpendicular to the Z direction.

The arm 361 is arranged on the top surface 351 a , overlaps the top surface 351 a in the Z direction, and is fixed to the plate 351 using a fixing member 370 . The arm 362 has a projection 362x on its upper surface, and is supported by the plate 352 by inserting the projection 362x into the hole 352x of the plate 352 . The arm 363 has a protrusion 363x on its lower surface, and is supported by the plate 353 by inserting the protrusion 363x into the hole 353x of the plate 353 . Holes 352x and 353x pass through plates 352 and 353 in the Z direction, respectively.

The plate 351 corresponds to the "supporting part", the upper surface 351a corresponds to the "mounting surface", and the arm 361 corresponds to the "supported part". The fixing member 370 extends in the Z direction from the arm 361 toward the upper surface 351 a and fixes the arm 361 to the plate 351 .

In this embodiment, when the slope member 6 is attached to the frame 5, first, the protrusions 362x and 363x of the arms 362 and 363 are inserted into the holes 352x and 353x, respectively, and the arm 361 is arranged on the upper surface 351a of the plate 351. As shown in FIG. Then, the fixing member 370 is used to fix the arm 361 to the plate 351 . Thereby, the slope member 6 is positioned in each of the X, Y and Z directions.

In the first embodiment (FIG. 2), the tension roller 43 is positioned substantially at the center of the slope portion 60 in the X direction. side edge). The slope portion 60 has a convex portion 360 that defines a space into which the tip of the tension roller 43 is inserted.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the shaft member 431 that supports the tension roller 43 is not fixed to the frame 5, but is fixed to the rear surface 60b of the slope portion 60. As shown in FIG.

As described above, the printer of this embodiment further includes the fixing member 370 that extends in the Z direction and fixes the arm 361 of the slope member 6 to the plate 351 of the frame 5 (see FIG. 7). Thereby, the positional accuracy of the slope 6t in the Z direction can be ensured.

A shaft member 431 is provided on the rear surface 60b of the slope portion 60 (see FIG. 8). Thereby, tension can be applied to the belt 44 at the same time as the slope member 6 is attached to the frame 5 .

<Fourth Embodiment>
Next, a printer 400 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12. FIG. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the points described below, and is otherwise the same as the first embodiment. Constituent elements that are the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

In this embodiment, the base portion 5x of the frame 5 is provided with four holes 451 to 454 and four stoppers 456 to 459 extending in the Y direction from the periphery of each hole 451 to 454, as shown in FIG. ing. The holes 451-454 pass through the base portion 5x in the Y direction.

As shown in FIG. 10, the slope member 6 has a slope portion 60 having a slope 6t and four arms 461 to 464 extending in the Y direction from the slope portion 60 toward the base portion 5x. The four arms 461-464 are supported in the Y direction by four stoppers 456-459.

Each of the stoppers 456 to 459 is L-shaped and consists of first portions 456a to 459a extending in the Y direction and second portions 456b to 459b extending in the X or Z direction from the ends of the first portions 456a to 459a. It is The second portions 456b, 457b of the upper two stoppers 456, 457 extend in the X direction toward the slope member 6. As shown in FIG. The second portions 458b, 459b of the two lower stoppers 458, 459 extend upward in the Z direction. Arms 461-464 are arranged in spaces surrounded by first portions 456a-459a and second portions 456b-459b of the respective stoppers 456-459.

In FIG. 9, the slope portion 60 is indicated by a dashed line, and the portions of the arms 461 to 464 supported by the stoppers 456 to 459 (plate portions orthogonal to the Y direction) are indicated by hatching. Second portions 456b-459b are shown.

As shown in FIG. 9, the slope member 6 is arranged so that the slope portion 60 overlaps the belt 44 in the Y direction and the arms 461 to 464 do not overlap the belt 44 in the Y direction.

Arms 461 and 462 are spaced apart from each other in the X direction and are substantially at the same position in the Z direction. The arms 463 and 464 are spaced apart from each other in the X direction, are positioned substantially at the same position as each other in the Z direction, and are positioned below the arms 461 and 462 in the Z direction. The separation distance in the X direction between the arms 461 and 462 and the separation distance in the X direction between the arms 463 and 464 are the same (L1), and the plurality of nozzles 11 (see FIG. 1) on the nozzle surface 1a. is longer than the X-direction length L2 of the region in which is formed. Arms 461 to 464 are arranged to form a quadrangle when viewed in the Y direction.

Of the four arms 461 to 464, the upper two arms 461 and 462 are positioned within the loop of the belt 44 (between the upper loop 44a and the lower loop 44b in the Z direction), and the lower two arms 463 and 464 are positioned outside the loop of the belt 44 (below the lower loop 44b in the Z direction).

The base 5x of the frame 5 is further provided with holes 455 as shown in FIGS. The hole 455 penetrates the base portion 5x in the Y direction and is located between the holes 451 and 452 in the X direction and between the holes 451 and 453 in the Z direction.

The slope member 6 further has a flexible portion 465 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 . The flexible portion 465 is elongated in the X direction and has one end 465x in the X direction and the other end 465y in the X direction. One end 465x is a fixed end fixed to the arm 464, and the other end 465y is a free end. Thereby, the flexible portion 465 has flexibility in the Y direction. A projection 465p projecting in the Y direction is provided near the other end 465y of the flexible portion 465. As shown in FIG. Protrusion 465p is inserted into hole 455, as shown in FIG.

The hole 455 corresponds to the "recessed portion", the stoppers 456 to 459 correspond to the "supporting portion", the arm 461 corresponds to the "first supported portion", the arm 462 corresponds to the "second supported portion", and the arm 463 corresponds to the " The arm 464 corresponds to the "fourth supported portion".

In this embodiment, similarly to the third embodiment, the tension roller 43 is positioned between the center of the slope portion 60 in the X direction and one end (the left end in FIG. 9). As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the slope portion 60 has a convex portion 360 defining a space into which the tip of the tension roller 43 is inserted. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the shaft member 431 that supports the tension roller 43 is not fixed to the frame 5, but is fixed to the back surface 60b of the slope portion 60. As shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, when the slope member 6 is attached to the frame 5, the slope member 6 is moved in the Z direction with respect to the base portion 5x of the frame 5 ( from top to bottom). That is, the slope member 6 is configured to be slidably attached to the frame 5 in the Z direction.

At this time, the four arms 461 to 464 change from a state in which they do not overlap the second portions 456b to 459b of the stoppers 456 to 459 in the Y direction to a state in which they overlap the second portions 456b to 459b of the stoppers 456 to 459 in the Y direction. transition to The four arms 461-464 are arranged in spaces surrounded by the first portions 456a-459a and the second portions 456b-459b of the stoppers 456-459, respectively. The two lower arms 463, 464 are supported from below by the first portions 458a, 459a of the stoppers 458, 459 (see FIG. 10).

When the slope member 6 is moved as described above, the flexible portion 465 (see FIGS. 11 and 12) is first moved in the Y direction (from the base portion 5x to the slope portion 60) by the protrusion 465p being pushed by the base portion 5x. ), and then the projection 465p is inserted into the hole 455. As shown in FIG. At this time, the flexible portion 465 recovers to some extent from the flexed state by forming the projection 465p into the hole 455. have power. By this biasing force, the four arms 461-464 are supported in the Y direction by the second portions 456b-459b of the stoppers 456-459, respectively, and the slope member 6 is positioned in the Y direction. In addition, the protrusion 465p is formed into the hole 455, and the two lower arms 463, 464 are supported by the first portions 458a, 459a of the stoppers 458, 459 from below, so that the slope member 6 is Z direction. In addition, the protrusion 465p is formed into the hole 455, and the upper two arms 461 and 462 are supported in the X direction by the first portions 456a and 457a of the stoppers 456 and 457, so that the slope member 6 can move in the X direction. is positioned at

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the slope member 6 can be attached to the frame 5 by sliding it in the Z direction, and the flexible portion 465 provided with the projection 465p is employed. (See FIGS. 10-12). As a result, there is no need to increase the size of the supporting portion of the frame 5 or the supported portion of the inclined surface member 6 in order to secure installation space for the fixing members (screws, etc.), and the sizes of the supporting portion and the supported portion are increased. can be suppressed.

The slope member 6 has four arms 461-464 supported by the frame 5 (see FIGS. 9 and 10). According to this configuration, compared with the case where the slope member 6 is supported by the frame 5 at two or three points, the positional accuracy of the slope 6t in the X, Y and Z directions is improved.

<Fifth Embodiment>
Next, referring to FIG. 13, a printer according to a fifth embodiment of the invention will be described. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the points described below, and is otherwise the same as the first embodiment. Constituent elements that are the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

In this embodiment, the slope member 6 further has an enclosing portion 560 defining a space with the slope 6t. The surrounding portion 560 has a portion that overlaps the slope 6t in the Y direction. The surrounding portion 560 covers the slope 6t in the X direction and the Y direction.

As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent ink from scattering inside the printer 100 . Further, when the user accesses the inside of the printer 100, the user's hand is prevented from touching the slope 6t, and ink on the slope 6t can be prevented from adhering to the user's hand.

<Sixth Embodiment>
Next, referring to FIG. 14, a printer according to a sixth embodiment of the invention will be described. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the points described below, and is otherwise the same as the first embodiment. Constituent elements that are the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

In the first embodiment (FIG. 3), the slope member 6 is attached to the frame 5, but in this embodiment (FIG. 14), the slope member 6, which is a member separate from the frame 5, is not provided. , a slope 6t is formed on a part of the frame 5. As shown in FIG. Specifically, the frame 5 has a substantially rectangular base portion 5x on a plane perpendicular to the Y direction, and a protruding piece 5y that protrudes upward in the Z direction from the base portion 5x. A slope portion 60 including a slope 6t is formed by bending the protruding piece 5y.

As described above, according to this embodiment, by forming the slopes 6t on the frame 5 that supports the guides 21 and 22, the positional accuracy of the slopes 6t in the X, Y and Z directions can be ensured. As a result, the distance between the inclined surface 6t and the nozzle surface 1a can be appropriately set to prevent ink mist from scattering.

<Seventh Embodiment>
Next, referring to FIG. 15, a printer according to a seventh embodiment of the invention will be described. This embodiment differs from the sixth embodiment in the points described below, and is otherwise the same as the sixth embodiment.

In the sixth embodiment (FIG. 14), the projecting piece 5y provided on the frame 5 is bent to form the slope 6t. 6 t of slopes are comprised by. Specifically, the base portion 5x of the frame 5 is not provided with the protruding piece 5y (FIG. 14), and the base portion 5x is subjected to drawing or the like to form the concave portion 5a forming the slope 6t.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the slope 6t is formed by the bottom surface of the recess 5a formed in the frame 5, and the protrusion 5y provided in the frame 5 is bent to form the slope 6t. Compared to the case (FIG. 14), the projecting piece 5y is not required, so the material cost can be reduced. In addition, since the inclined surface 6t can be formed easily and accurately by drawing or the like, the positional accuracy of the inclined surface 6t in the X, Y and Z directions is improved.

<Eighth Embodiment>
Next, referring to FIG. 16, a printer 800 according to an eighth embodiment of the invention will be described. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the points described below, and is otherwise the same as the first embodiment. Constituent elements that are the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

The slope member 6 is attached to the frame 5 in the first embodiment (FIG. 3), but the slope member 6 is attached to the guide 22 in the present embodiment (FIG. 16). Carriage 2 is supported by two guides 21 and 22 . The slope member 6 is attached to one of the two guides 21 and 22 (guide 22 ) via an attachment piece 860 . The attachment piece 860 extends downward in the Z direction from the guide 22 .

As described above, the guide 22 supports the other end 2b of the carriage 2 and the drive mechanism 20 (carriage drive motor 25 (see FIG. 5) and belt 26). The center of gravity of the unit including the head 1, carriage 2, and drive mechanism 20 is closer to the guide 22 than to the guide 21 in the X direction. Therefore, the downward force in the Z direction acting on the guide 22 is greater than the downward force in the Z direction acting on the guide 21 .

As described above, according to this embodiment, by attaching the slope member 6 to the guide 22 that supports the carriage 2, the positional accuracy of the slope 6t in the X, Y and Z directions can be ensured. As a result, the distance between the inclined surface 6t and the nozzle surface 1a can be appropriately set to prevent ink mist from scattering.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes are possible within the scope of the claims.

<Modification>

The support structure and mounting method of the slope member with respect to the frame are not limited to the above-described embodiments.

For example, in the first embodiment, grooves recessed in the Y direction are formed in the base 5x of the frame 5 instead of the holes 51 to 53 penetrating in the Y direction, and the arms 61 to 63 extend along the periphery of the groove in the base 5x. may be supported by the department. Further, it is not limited to the peripheral edge portion of the hole or groove in the frame forming the "supporting portion" and the convex portion inserted into the hole or groove in the slope member forming the "supported portion". For example, in the first embodiment, the slope member 6 is formed with a hole penetrating in the Y direction or a groove recessed in the Y direction, and the projection (supporting portion) provided on the frame 5 corresponds to the hole or groove in the slope member 6. It may be inserted into the groove and support the peripheral edge portion (supported portion) of the hole or groove in the slope member 6 . Moreover, although the intersecting direction is the first direction (X direction) in the first embodiment, it may be the second direction (Y direction) as long as it intersects with the third direction.

In the first embodiment, two arms 61 and 62 out of the three arms 61 to 63 are arranged between the upper loop 44a and the lower loop 44b of the belt 44 in the Z direction (see FIG. 2). ), but not limited to. For example, all three arms 61-63 may be positioned between the upper and lower loops 44a, 44b of the belt 44 in the Z direction. Alternatively, all three arms 61 - 63 may be arranged outside the loop of belt 44 .

In the first embodiment, the three arms 61 to 63 are arranged to form an inverted triangle when viewed in the Y direction (see FIG. 2), but are arranged to form a triangle when viewed in the Y direction. may

The number of supported parts is not limited to three or four, and may be one, two, or five or more.

In the second embodiment, each of the three arms 61-63 may be provided with a hook. Also, the concave portion 263x may be provided on the upper surface of the hook instead of the lower surface.

In the second embodiment, when the slope member 6 is attached to the frame 5, the slope member 6 is moved in the Y direction with respect to the frame 5, but it is not limited to this. For example, with the arm having no hook among the three arms supported by the frame, the slope member is rotated with respect to the frame about the axis along the Y direction passing through the arm, and the hook is attached to the frame. You can hook it.

In the third embodiment, the arm 361 is fixed to the upper surface 351a of the plate 351 of the frame 5 using the fixing member 370, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the arm 361 may be fixed to the bottom surface of the plate 351 instead of the top surface 351 a of the plate 351 . Also, the upper end 6x of the slope portion 60 may be fixed to the frame 5 instead of the arm 361 .

The enclosing part 560 of the fifth embodiment may be applied to the second to fourth and sixth to eighth embodiments.

In the eighth embodiment, the slope member 6 is attached to one of the two guides 21 and 22 (the guide 22), but it is not limited to this. For example, the slope member 6 may be attached to the other of the two guides 21 and 22 (guide 21). Alternatively, the slope member 6 may be attached across both of the two guides 21 and 22 .

Although the guide is U-shaped in the above-described embodiment (FIG. 2), it may be of any shape (for example, it may be a rod-shaped member inserted through the carriage). Moreover, although the guide is composed of two parts in the above-described embodiment, it may be composed of one part.

The liquid ejection head is not limited to ejecting ink of one color, and may eject ink of multiple colors.

The liquid ejected by the liquid ejection head is not limited to ink, and may be any liquid (for example, a treatment liquid that aggregates or deposits components in ink).

The present invention is not limited to printers, but can also be applied to facsimiles, copiers, multi-function machines, and the like. The present invention can also be applied to a liquid ejection apparatus used for purposes other than image recording (for example, a liquid ejection apparatus that ejects a conductive liquid onto a substrate to form a conductive pattern).

1 head (liquid ejection head)
1a nozzle surface 11 nozzle 2 carriage 2a one end 2b other end 20 drive mechanism 21, 22 guide 4 transport mechanism 412 lower roller (first rotating body)
422 lower roller (second rotating body)
43 tension roller (third rotating body)
431 shaft member 44 belt 5 frame 5a recess 5x base 51-53 hole 6 slope member 6t slope 6x upper end (one end)
6y lower end (other end)
60 slope portion 60a front surface 60b rear surface 61 arm (first supported portion)
62 arm (second supported portion)
63 arm (third supported part)
65 Wall 66 Interposition Part 7 Control Part 9 Ink Absorbing Member (Liquid Absorbing Member)
9s Slit 100; 400; 800 Printer 263 Hook 351a Upper surface (mounting surface)
370 fixing member 455 hole (recess)
456-459 Stopper (supporting part)
461 arm (first supported part)
462 arm (second supported part)
463 arm (third supported part)
464 arm (fourth supported part)
465 Flexible portion 465p Projection 560 Surrounding portion

Claims (18)

a liquid ejection head having a nozzle surface on which a plurality of nozzles are formed;
A carriage supporting the liquid ejection head, wherein the nozzle surface is located between one end in the first direction along the nozzle surface and the other end in the first direction and the one end in the first direction. a carriage having the other end sandwiching the
a driving mechanism for moving the carriage in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and along the nozzle surface;
a guide supporting the carriage and extending in the second direction;
a frame that supports the guide and extends in a third direction orthogonal to the nozzle surface;
a slope member having a slope that intersects with the nozzle surface;
a control unit that controls the drive mechanism and the liquid ejection head, and executes a flushing process that ejects the liquid from the plurality of nozzles toward the slope;
A liquid ejection device, wherein the slope member is attached to the frame. The frame has a support portion extending in a cross direction crossing the third direction,
The slope member has a supported portion that is supported by the support portion and extends in the cross direction. 2. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is constructed so as to be slidable in the cross direction. the slope member has a supported portion supported by the frame and extending in the second direction;
2. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a hook that is flexible in the third direction and hooked on the frame is provided at a tip of the supported portion in the second direction. The frame has a support portion including a mounting surface orthogonal to the third direction,
The slope member has a supported portion that is supported by the support portion and overlaps the mounting surface in the third direction,
2. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a fixing member extending in the third direction and fixing the supported portion to the supporting portion. The frame is
a base extending in the third direction and the first direction;
a recess formed in the base and recessed in the second direction;
a support extending in the second direction from the base;
The slope member is
configured to be slidably attached to the frame in the third direction,
a flexible portion having flexibility in the second direction, the flexible portion provided with a protrusion protruding in the second direction and inserted into the recess;
2. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a supported portion supported by said support portion in said second direction due to the biasing force of said flexible portion in said second direction. The supported portion supported by the frame in the slope member includes:
a first supported portion;
a second supported portion separated from the first supported portion in the first direction;
A third supported portion separated from the first supported portion and the second supported portion in the third direction and positioned between the first supported portion and the second supported portion in the first direction 6. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a part. The supported portion supported by the frame in the slope member includes:
a first supported portion;
a second supported portion separated from the first supported portion in the first direction;
a third supported portion separated from the first supported portion and the second supported portion in the third direction;
and a fourth supported portion separated from the first supported portion and the second supported portion in the third direction and separated from the third supported portion in the first direction. Item 6. The liquid ejection device according to any one of items 1 to 5. A separation distance in the first direction between the first supported portion and the second supported portion is longer than a length in the first direction of a region in which the plurality of nozzles are formed on the nozzle surface. 8. The liquid ejection device according to claim 6 or 7. a first rotating body rotatable about an axis along the second direction;
a second rotating body rotatable about an axis along the second direction, the second rotating body sandwiching the slope member between itself and the first rotating body in the first direction;
a third rotating body rotatable about an axis along the second direction, the third rotating body positioned between the first rotating body and the second rotating body in the first direction; ,
a belt wound around the first rotating body and the second rotating body and in contact with the third rotating body, the belt sandwiching the third rotating body between itself and the nozzle surface in the third direction; , further comprising
The slope member is configured such that at least a portion of a portion other than the supported portion supported by the frame overlaps the belt in the second direction, and the supported portion does not overlap the belt in the second direction. 9. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is arranged in a . the third rotating body is rotatably attached to a shaft member that extends in the second direction and is fixed to the frame;
the slope member has a surface including the slope and a back surface positioned between the surface and the frame in the second direction;
10. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the rear surface is provided with walls sandwiching the shaft member in the third direction. a first rotating body rotatable about an axis along the second direction;
a second rotating body rotatable about an axis along the second direction, the second rotating body sandwiching the slope member between itself and the first rotating body in the first direction;
further comprising a belt wound around the first rotating body and the second rotating body;
the slope member has a surface including the slope and a back surface positioned between the surface and the frame in the second direction;
A shaft member extending in the second direction is provided on the back surface,
9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a third rotating body disposed between the nozzle surface and the belt in the third direction and in contact with the belt is rotatably attached to the shaft member. The liquid ejection device according to any one of items 1 and 2. 9. The slope member has an intervening portion interposed between the nozzle surface and the belt in the third direction and overlapping the belt in the third direction. 12. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of 11. 13. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the length of the intervening portion in the first direction is longer than the length of the region in which the plurality of nozzles are formed on the nozzle surface in the first direction. . A liquid in which a plurality of slits are arranged in the third direction so as to sandwich the inclined surface between the liquid and the nozzle surface, and a plurality of slits are formed along a direction perpendicular to the second direction so as to be aligned in the second direction. further comprising an absorbent member,
the slope member has one end in the third direction and the other end in the third direction and sandwiching the one end with the nozzle surface in the third direction;
14. The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the other end is inserted into one of the plurality of slits. 15. The slope member according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising an enclosing portion that defines a space with the slope and has a portion that overlaps with the slope in the second direction. 1. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1. a liquid ejection head having a nozzle surface on which a plurality of nozzles are formed;
A carriage supporting the liquid ejection head, wherein the nozzle surface is located between one end in the first direction along the nozzle surface and the other end in the first direction and the one end in the first direction. a carriage having the other end sandwiching the
a driving mechanism for moving the carriage in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and along the nozzle surface;
a guide supporting the carriage and extending in the second direction;
a frame that supports the guide and extends in a third direction orthogonal to the nozzle surface;
a slope that intersects with the nozzle surface;
a control unit that controls the drive mechanism and the liquid ejection head, and executes a flushing process that ejects the liquid from the plurality of nozzles toward the slope;
A liquid ejection device, wherein the slope is formed on the frame. 17. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the slope is formed by a bottom surface of a recess formed in the frame. a liquid ejection head having a nozzle surface on which a plurality of nozzles are formed;
A carriage supporting the liquid ejection head, wherein the nozzle surface is located between one end in the first direction along the nozzle surface and the other end in the first direction and the one end in the first direction. a carriage having the other end sandwiching the
a driving mechanism for moving the carriage in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and along the nozzle surface;
a guide supporting the carriage and extending in the second direction;
a slope member having a slope that intersects with the nozzle surface;
a control unit that controls the drive mechanism and the liquid ejection head, and executes a flushing process that ejects the liquid from the plurality of nozzles toward the slope;
A liquid ejection device, wherein the slope member is attached to the guide.

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