JP2015199358A - Liquid discharge device and liquid discharge method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize compactification of a liquid discharge device.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device includes: a transportation section transporting a medium in a transportation direction; and a head section being moved in an intersection direction intersecting with the transportation direction and discharging liquid onto the medium and a cut section being moved in the intersection direction and cutting the medium, the head section and the cut section provided side-by-side in the intersection direction. The head section has a notch section for disposing the cut section.

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejection apparatus and a liquid ejection method.

Liquid ejection devices such as ink jet printers are already well known.
In such a liquid ejecting apparatus, a transport unit that transports a medium in the transport direction, a head unit that moves in a crossing direction that intersects the transporting direction and discharges liquid to the medium, and a head that moves in the crossing direction There is a cut portion for cutting a medium, the head portion and the head portion and the cut portion provided so that the cut portions are arranged in the crossing direction.

JP 2006-281684 A

  By the way, in the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is necessary to increase the width of the liquid ejecting apparatus in the intersecting direction due to the head part and the cut part being arranged in the intersecting direction. In some cases, the discharge device becomes large.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize a compact liquid ejection device.

The main present invention includes a transport unit that transports a medium in the transport direction;
A head part that moves in a crossing direction intersecting the transport direction and discharges the liquid onto the medium, and a cut part that moves in the crossing direction and cuts the medium, the head part and the cutting part crossing the crossing direction. A head portion and a cut portion provided so as to be lined up in a direction;
A liquid ejection device comprising:
The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the head portion has a cutout portion for arranging the cut portion.
Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram of the overall configuration of a printer. It is a front schematic diagram of the head unit 30, the cutter unit 40, and these peripheral members. It is a top surface schematic diagram of head unit 30, cutter unit 40, and these peripheral members. It is a side surface schematic diagram of the head unit 30, the cutter unit 40, and these peripheral members. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of nozzle rows in a head 32. FIG. 4 is an explanatory schematic diagram for explaining a first variation relating to the configuration of the head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40. It is an explanatory schematic diagram for explaining a second variation relating to the configuration of the head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40. It is an explanatory schematic diagram for explaining a third variation relating to the configuration of the head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40. It is an explanatory schematic diagram for explaining a fourth variation relating to the configuration of the head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40. It is an explanatory schematic diagram for explaining a fifth variation relating to the configuration of the head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40. It is an explanatory schematic diagram for explaining a sixth variation relating to the configuration of the head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40. FIG. 9 is an explanatory schematic diagram for explaining a seventh variation relating to the configuration of the head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40;

  At least the following will be made clear by the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

A transport unit for transporting the medium in the transport direction;
A head part that moves in a crossing direction intersecting the transport direction and discharges the liquid onto the medium, and a cut part that moves in the crossing direction and cuts the medium, the head part and the cutting part crossing the crossing direction. A head portion and a cut portion provided so as to be lined up in a direction;
A liquid ejection device comprising:
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the head portion has a cutout portion for arranging the cut portion.
In such a case, the liquid discharge device can be made compact.

Further, the cut part has a cutter carriage and a cutter provided in the cutter carriage,
The cutout portion may be a portion for arranging the cutter.
In such a case, the area that can be cut by the cutter in the crossing direction can be made wider.

The head portion includes a head carriage having the cutout portion, and a first head and a second head provided in the head carriage and provided at different positions in both the transport direction and the intersecting direction. Have
The first head is located upstream of the second head in the first direction from the head part to the cut part in the intersecting direction,
The cutout portion may be located at a position aligned with the first head on the downstream side of the first head in the first direction.
In such a case, the free space can be effectively used.

Next, a liquid discharge method for discharging liquid onto a medium,
A transport unit that transports the medium in the transport direction; a head unit that moves in a crossing direction that intersects the transporting direction and that discharges liquid to the medium; and a cut unit that moves in the crossing direction and cuts the medium The head portion and the cut portion are provided so that the head portion and the cut portion are arranged in the crossing direction, and the head portion is a liquid having a notch for arranging the cut portion. A liquid discharge method, wherein a liquid is discharged onto a medium using a discharge device.
In such a case, the liquid discharge device can be made compact.

=== Configuration Example of Printer 1 According to the Present Embodiment ===
An ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer 1) as an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus has an image (for example, a unit image (for example, a unit image) that is used after being cut out on a strip-shaped roll paper S as an example of a medium. The seal-like printed matter affixed on the wrap film of fresh food can be mentioned))) is printed by an inkjet system. Here, the roll paper S is, for example, continuous paper with release paper (that is, the adhesive sheet with the adhesive surface protected by the release paper), and an image that becomes a printed matter in the direction in which the roll paper S continues. Are printed continuously.

  In addition, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes a universal cutter (hereinafter simply referred to as a cutter 42). The printer 1 prints an image on the roll paper S, and then the roll paper S. Is fed back to cut the roll paper S (in this embodiment, only the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet of the roll paper S and the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet of the release paper are cut (cut only in the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet)).

  Hereinafter, a configuration example of the printer 1 according to the present embodiment which is an inkjet printer with a universal cutter will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the overall configuration of the printer 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the head unit 30, the cutter unit 40, and peripheral members thereof. FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the head unit 30, the cutter unit 40, and peripheral members thereof. FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the head unit 30, the cutter unit 40, and peripheral members thereof. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of nozzle rows in the head 32.

  2 and 3, the roll paper S, the transport roller 23, the head unit driving force applying unit 76, the cutter unit driving force applying unit 86, and the like are described in FIG. 2 and FIG. The head unit belt 74 and the cutter unit belt 84 are not shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the head 32 and the cutter 42 that can be seen only from the lower surface are illustrated so as to be observable from above. Similarly, in FIG. 5, the head 32 and the nozzle row that can be seen only from the lower surface are illustrated so as to be observable from above. The peripheral members of the head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 are, for example, a head unit driving unit 70, a cutter unit driving unit 80, a first guide rail 90, a second guide rail 92, They are a head unit support member 94 and a cutter unit support member 96.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a paper transport unit 20 as an example of a transport unit, a head unit 30 as an example of a head unit, a head unit drive unit 70 as an example of a first drive unit, and an example of a cut unit. As a cutter unit 40, a cutter unit driving unit 80 as an example of a second driving unit, a cleaning unit 52, a platen 54, a detector group 50, and a controller 60.

  The printer 1 that has received print data and cut data from the computer 110, which is an external device, is controlled by the controller 60 (each unit (paper transport unit 20, head unit 30, head unit driving unit 70, cutter unit 40, cutter unit driving unit 80, cleaning). Control unit 52). The controller 60 controls each unit based on the print data received from the computer 110 and prints an image on the roll paper S. Then, each unit is controlled based on the cut data received from the computer 110, and the roll paper S is cut. The situation in the printer 1 is monitored by the detector group 50, and the detector group 50 outputs the detection result to the controller 60. The controller 60 controls each unit based on the detection result output from the detector group 50.

  The paper transport unit 20 is for transporting the roll paper S in the transport direction. The paper transport unit 20 includes a transport motor (not shown), a transport roller 23, and a driven roller 26.

  The transport roller 23 is a roller that transports the roll paper S. The transport roller 23 is driven by a transport motor. As shown in FIG. 4, when the transport roller 23 transports the roll paper S, the roll paper S is sandwiched between the transport roller 23 and the driven roller 26 (that is, the driven roller 26 is sandwiched between the transport roller 23. On the other hand, they are arranged so as to face each other across the roll paper S).

  When the image is printed on the roll paper S, the transport roller 23 intermittently transports the roll paper S in the forward direction (see FIGS. 3 and 4) in the transport direction. After the printing of the image is finished, the roll paper S is continuously conveyed in the reverse direction (see FIGS. 3 and 4) of the conveyance direction, that is, back-feeded, and then the roll paper S is cut. First, the roll paper S is continuously conveyed in the forward direction or the reverse direction. That is, when the cutter unit 40 (cutter 42) cuts the roll paper S, the transport roller 23 transports the roll paper S in the transport direction (forward direction or reverse direction) and adjusts the cut position of the roll paper S. To do.

  The head unit 30 moves in an intersecting direction (hereinafter also referred to as a moving direction) that intersects the transport direction, and ejects ink as an example of liquid onto the roll paper S. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the head unit 30 has two heads 32 (that is, a first head 32 a and a second head 32 b) and a head carriage 34.

  The first head 32a and the second head 32b are provided on the head carriage 34 (below), and the lower surfaces of the first head 32a and the second head 32b have nozzles in the transport direction as shown in FIG. Are arranged in a nozzle row. In the present embodiment, each head 32 is provided with ten nozzle rows for each color such as yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), black (K), etc. Each of the ten nozzle rows is arranged at intervals in the movement direction.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the first head 32a and the second head 32b are provided at different positions in both the transport direction and the movement direction. That is, the first head 32a is located at a position shifted from the second head 32b when coordinates are taken in the transport direction, and also when the coordinates are taken in the movement direction from the second head 32b. It is located at a shifted position. Then, by arranging the first head 32a and the second head 32b in this way, a part of the nozzle row of the first head 32a (specifically, a part of the downstream side in the forward direction) and the second Part of the nozzle row of the head 32b (specifically, part of the upstream side in the forward direction) can be overlapped in the transport direction (in the overlap part, the first head 32a and It is possible to select and discharge ink from either of the second heads 32b, and it is possible to prevent the image quality from greatly changing at the joints). As shown in FIG. 4, the first head 32a is located closer to the transport roller 23 (and the driven roller 26) than the second head 32b in the transport direction.

  Each nozzle is provided with a piezo element (not shown) as a drive element for ejecting ink. When a voltage having a predetermined time width is applied between the electrodes provided at both ends of the piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element expands according to the voltage application time and deforms the side wall of the ink flow path. As a result, the volume of the ink flow path contracts according to the expansion and contraction of the piezo element, and ink corresponding to the contraction is ejected from each nozzle of each color as an ink droplet.

  Note that a valve unit (not shown) is connected to the head 32 via an ink supply tube. The valve unit is for primary storage of ink.

  The head carriage 34 supports the head 32, receives a driving force from the head unit driving unit 70, and reciprocates in the movement direction along the first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92 together with the head 32. For convenience of explanation, a direction from the head unit 30 toward the cutter unit 40 in the moving direction is referred to as a first direction (see FIG. 3 and the like).

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the head carriage 34 has a shape in which corners are notched from a rectangle (the shape of the notch portion 36 is also a rectangle) in a top view. The cutter unit 40 can be positioned in the notch 36 as shown in FIG. That is, the head unit 30 (specifically, the head carriage 34) has a notch 36 for placing the cutter unit 40 therein.

  Further, as described above, the first head 32a and the second head 32b are provided at different positions in both the transport direction and the movement direction (in the present embodiment, the first head 32a and the second head 32b are different in the forward direction). 3), the head 32a is positioned upstream of the second head 32b, and the first head 32a is positioned upstream of the second head 32b in the first direction. The two empty portions 35 (portions where the head 32 is not located) are present. The cutout portion 36 is formed by using one of the two empty portions 35. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the notch portion 36 is positioned at a position aligned with the second head 32 b on the upstream side of the second head 32 b in the forward direction, and the first In one direction, it is located at a position aligned with the first head 32a on the downstream side of the first head 32a.

  The head carriage 34 is supported by the both guide rails via a head unit support member 94 so as to reciprocate in the movement direction along the first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92. The first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92 are engaged with the head carriage 34 (head unit 30) via the head unit support member 94, and the head carriage 34 (head unit 30) moves in the moving direction. To guide. The first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92 are long rod-like members extending in the moving direction, and the second guide rail 92 is provided so as to be parallel to the first guide rail 90. Further, both the first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92 are provided so as to be aligned in the vertical direction (in the present embodiment, the second guide rail 92 is more vertical than the first guide rail 90). Located in the lower direction). As shown in FIG. 2, one end of the guide rail is at one end 1 a in the moving direction of the casing of the printer 1, and the other end of the guide rail is at the other end 1 b in the moving direction of the casing of the printer 1. , Each is fixed.

  The head unit driving unit 70 is for driving the head unit 30 to move the head unit 30 in the moving direction. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the head unit driving unit 70 includes a head unit motor (not shown), two head unit pulleys 72, a head unit belt 74, and a head unit driving force applying unit. 76.

  The head unit motor is connected to one of the two head unit pulleys 72 via a belt (not shown), and, as shown in FIG. A head unit belt 74 is wound around. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a head unit driving force applying portion 76 for applying a driving force of the head unit motor to the head unit 30 is fixed to the head unit belt 74. The head unit driving force applying unit 76 is connected to the head unit 30 (specifically, the head carriage 34).

  When the head unit motor is actuated, the head unit pulley 72 is rotated, and the head unit belt 74 is also rotated by the rotation of the head unit pulley 72. Then, the rotation of the head unit belt 74 causes the head unit driving force applying portion 76 fixed to the head unit belt 74 to move in the moving direction. When the head unit driving force applying unit 76 moves in the moving direction, the head unit 30 connected to the head unit driving force applying unit 76 also moves in the moving direction.

  In this way, the driving force of the head unit motor is transmitted to the head unit driving force applying unit 76 via the head unit pulley 72 and the head unit belt 74, and the head unit driving force applying unit 76 A driving force is applied to the head unit 30. Then, the head unit 30 that has received the driving force from the head unit driving force applying unit 76 moves in the moving direction along the first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92.

  2 and 4, the head unit pulley 72, the head unit belt 74, and the head unit driving force application unit 76 are predetermined from the first guide rail 90 toward the second guide rail 92. It is located between the first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92 in the direction (vertical direction in the present embodiment). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, a portion of the head unit 30 (specifically, the head carriage 34) that receives a driving force from the head unit driving unit 70 (specifically, the head unit driving force applying unit 76). (For convenience, the head unit driving force receiving portion 34a is also located between the first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92 in the predetermined direction (the vertical direction).

  The cutter unit 40 moves in the moving direction and cuts the roll paper S. As shown in FIG. 3, the cutter unit 40 and the head unit 30 are provided so as to be aligned in the moving direction. In other words, the cutter unit 40 cannot move beyond the head unit 30 to the opposite side of the head unit 30 in the moving direction. The cutter unit 40 cannot move to the side opposite to the moving direction. Further, the cutter unit 40 includes a cutter 42 and a cutter carriage 44 as shown in FIGS.

  The cutter 42 is provided on the cutter carriage 44 (below). The cutter 42 is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the cutter carriage 44. With this function, the cutter 42 is positioned at an upper position where it does not come into contact with the roll paper S when the cutting position on the roll paper S is changed without cutting the roll paper S, and when the roll paper S is cut, It will be located at a lower position in contact with the paper S. The cutter 42 can also rotate with respect to the cutter carriage 44. This is because the direction of the cutting edge of the cutter 42 can be changed.

  The cutter carriage 44 supports the cutter 42, receives a driving force from the cutter unit driving unit 80, and reciprocates in the movement direction along the first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92 together with the cutter 42.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cutter carriage 44 is rectangular in a top view, and supports the cutter 42 at the center in the moving direction. The cutter carriage 44 can be positioned in the notch 36 described above. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the entire cutter carriage 44 can be positioned in the notch 36. Therefore, when the cutter carriage 44 is positioned in the notch 36. The cutter 42 is also positioned in the notch 36. That is, the notch 36 is also a part for arranging the cutter 42.

  When the cutter carriage 44 is positioned in the notch 36, the cutter carriage 44 is connected to the second head 32b upstream of the second head 32b in the forward direction as shown in FIG. It is located at a position where it is lined up, and is located at a position where it is lined up with the first head 32a on the downstream side of the first head 32a in the first direction.

  The cutter carriage 44 is supported via a cutter unit support member 96 by both guide rails so as to be reciprocally movable in the moving direction along the first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92 described above. The first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92 are engaged with the cutter carriage 44 (cutter unit 40) via the cutter unit support member 96, and the cutter carriage 44 (cutter unit 40) moves in the moving direction. To guide. That is, the cutter unit 40 and the head unit 30 are guided by a common guide rail (that is, the first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92).

  The cutter unit driving unit 80 is for driving the cutter unit 40 to move the cutter unit 40 in the moving direction. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the cutter unit driving unit 80 includes a cutter unit motor (not shown), two cutter unit pulleys 82, a cutter unit belt 84, and a cutter unit driving force applying unit. 86.

  The cutter unit motor is connected to one of the two cutter unit pulleys 82 via a belt (not shown), and as shown in FIG. A cutter unit belt 84 is stretched over. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a cutter unit driving force applying portion 86 for applying the driving force of the cutter unit motor to the cutter unit 40 is fixed to the cutter unit belt 84. The cutter unit driving force applying unit 86 is connected to the cutter unit 40 (specifically, the cutter carriage 44).

  When the cutter unit motor operates, the cutter unit pulley 82 rotates, and the cutter unit belt 84 also rotates by the rotation of the cutter unit pulley 82. Then, by the rotation of the cutter unit belt 84, the cutter unit driving force applying portion 86 fixed to the cutter unit belt 84 moves in the moving direction. When the cutter unit driving force application unit 86 moves in the movement direction, the cutter unit 40 connected to the cutter unit driving force application unit 86 also moves in the movement direction.

  As described above, the driving force of the cutter unit motor is transmitted to the cutter unit driving force applying unit 86 via the cutter unit pulley 82 and the cutter unit belt 84, and the cutter unit driving force applying unit 86 A driving force is applied to the cutter unit 40. Then, the cutter unit 40 that has received the driving force from the cutter unit driving force applying unit 86 moves in the moving direction along the first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92.

  2 and 4, the cutter unit pulley 82, the cutter unit belt 84, and the cutter unit driving force applying portion 86 are arranged in the predetermined direction (in the present embodiment, the vertical direction). The first guide rail 90 and the outer side of the second guide rail 92 (that is, the opposite side of the second guide rail 92 when viewed from the first guide rail 90 or the second guide rail 92 when viewed from the second guide rail 92) Is located on the opposite side. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, a portion of the cutter unit 40 (specifically, the cutter carriage 44) that receives a driving force from a cutter unit driving unit 80 (specifically, a cutter unit driving force applying unit 86). (For convenience, the cutter unit driving force receiving portion 44a is also referred to as the second guide rail 92 or the second guide rail 92 as viewed from the first guide rail 90 in the predetermined direction (the vertical direction). The first guide rail 90 is located on the opposite side (in the present embodiment, the former side, that is, the upper side of the first guide rail 90).

  The head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40 configured as described above operate as follows when an image is printed on the roll paper S. That is, the head unit 30 performs an operation of ejecting ink from the nozzles while moving in the movement direction and forming a raster line along the movement direction. Then, an image is printed by repeating such an operation and the operation by the above-described transport roller 23 that intermittently transports the roll paper S in the forward direction. In this case (when an image is printed on the roll paper S), the cutter unit 40 remains stationary at the cutter unit home position (cutter unit HP, see FIG. 2) provided at one end in the moving direction. positioned.

  Further, the head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40 operate as follows when the roll paper S is cut. That is, the cutter unit 40 performs an operation of cutting the roll paper S while moving in the movement direction or in a state where it is stationary in the movement direction (cuts the roll paper S while the cutter unit 40 is stationary in the movement direction). In this case, the roll paper S needs to be transported in the transport direction). In this case (when the roll paper S is cut), the head unit 30 is positioned in a stationary state at a head unit home position (head unit HP, see FIG. 2) provided at the other end in the moving direction. doing.

  The cleaning unit 52 is for cleaning the head 32. This cleaning unit is provided in the head unit HP and includes a cap (not shown), a suction pump, and the like. When the head 32 (head carriage 34) moves in the moving direction and is positioned on the head unit HP, the cap is in close contact with the lower surface (nozzle surface) of the head 32. When the suction pump operates in such a state that the cap is in close contact, the ink in the head 32 is sucked together with the thickened ink and paper dust. In this way, the clogged nozzle recovers from the non-ejection state, thereby completing the head cleaning.

  The platen 54 is for supporting the roll paper S. As shown in FIG. 4, the platen 54 is located at a position facing the head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40. The platen 54 also serves as a cutter table when the roll paper S is cut.

  The controller 60 is a control unit for controlling the printer 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 60 includes an interface unit 61, a CPU 62, a memory 63, and a unit control circuit 64. The interface unit 61 is for transmitting and receiving data between the host computer 110 as an external device and the printer 1. The CPU 62 is an arithmetic processing unit for controlling the entire printer 1. The memory 63 is for securing an area for storing a program of the CPU 62, a work area, and the like. The CPU 62 controls each unit by a unit control circuit 64 according to a program stored in the memory 63.

  The detector group 50 is for monitoring the situation in the printer 1. For example, a rotary encoder used for controlling the conveyance of the roll paper S, a paper detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the roll paper S being conveyed. There are linear encoders for detecting the positions of the head carriage 34 and the cutter carriage 44 in the moving direction.

=== Effectiveness of Printer 1 According to the Present Embodiment ===
As described above, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes the paper transport unit 20 that transports the roll paper S in the transport direction, and the head unit that moves in the moving direction intersecting the transport direction and ejects ink onto the roll paper S. 30 and a cutter unit 40 that moves in the moving direction and cuts the roll paper S. The head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40 are provided so that the head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40 are arranged in the moving direction. 40. The head unit 30 includes a notch 36 for arranging the cutter unit 40. As a result, the printer 1 can be made compact.

  That is, in the inkjet printer with a universal cutter provided so that the head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40 are arranged in the moving direction, the cutter unit 40 is present in comparison with a normal printer without the universal cutter. Only the movable range in the moving direction of the head unit 30 is narrowed. Therefore, in order to obtain the same movable range as that of the normal printer, it is necessary to increase the lateral width (width in the moving direction) of the ink jet printer with a flexible cutter by the amount of the cutter unit 40, and the printer is increased in size.

  On the other hand, in the printer 1 according to the present embodiment, the head unit 30 includes the cutout portion 36 for arranging the cutter unit 40. Therefore, in order to obtain the movable range, the moving direction of the printer 1 It is not necessary to increase the width at (or to increase at all). Therefore, the printer 1 can be made compact.

  Further, since the cutout portion 36 is provided, the movable range of the cutter unit 40 can be made wider than in the case where the cutout portion 36 is not provided.

=== About Variations Related to Configurations of Head Unit 30 and Cutter Unit 40 ===
In the above embodiment, the notch 36 is a part for arranging the entire cutter unit 40 (cutter carriage 44). That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the entire cutter unit 40 (cutter carriage 44) can be positioned in the notch 36, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, in order to strengthen the support of the cutter unit 40, the notch 36 is configured as a part for arranging a part of the cutter unit 40 (cutter carriage 44). Also good.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the cutter unit 40 was equipped with only one cutter 42, it is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of cutters 42 may be provided in the cutter unit 40.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the notch part 36 was a part for arrange | positioning the cutter 42. FIG. That is, the configuration of the cutter unit 40 is configured such that the cutter 42 is also positioned in the notch 36 when the cutter carriage 44 is positioned in the notch 36. However, it is not limited to such a configuration.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the notch 36 may not be a part for arranging the cutter 42. However, the above-described embodiment (example of FIG. 3) is more preferable in that the cuttable region in the moving direction by the cutter 42 can be made wider.

  In the above embodiment, the head unit 30 is provided in the head carriage 34 having the notch 36 and the head carriage 34 and is provided at different positions in both the transport direction and the movement direction. The first head 32a has a first head 32a and a second head 32b, and the first head 32a is upstream of the second head 32b in the first direction from the head unit 30 to the cutter unit 40 in the moving direction. The cutout portion 36 is located at a position aligned with the first head 32a on the downstream side of the first head 32a in the first direction. That is, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of heads (first head 32a and second head 32b) are provided, and among the plurality of heads, more upstream in the first direction. The notch portion 36 is located at a position aligned with the head on the downstream side of the head located at (i.e., the first head 32a). However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the head unit 30 may have only one head 32. However, in the above embodiment (example in FIG. 3), the notch 36 is formed using the empty portion 35 generated by providing the first head 32a and the second head 32b. Effective use of free space becomes possible. In this respect, the above embodiment is more desirable.

  In addition, as another example in which the notch portion 36 is positioned at a position aligned with the head on the downstream side of the head positioned more upstream in the first direction among the plurality of heads, FIGS. Examples can be given.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 10, unlike the example of FIG. 3, that is, the example in which the cutter unit 40 is positioned on one end side in the moving direction and the head unit 30 is positioned on the other end side in the moving direction. The cutter unit 40 may be located on the other end side in the moving direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the example of FIG. 3, i.e., an example in which the notch 36 is positioned at a position aligned with the second head 32 b upstream of the second head 32 b in the forward direction, Unlike the above, the notch portion 36 may be located at a position aligned with the second head 32b on the downstream side of the second head 32b in the forward direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12, unlike the example of FIG. 3, that is, the example of only two heads 32, the number of heads 32 may be three or more (FIG. 12). In the example, three heads 32 of a first head 32a, a second head 32b, and a third head 32c are provided).

  Even in these other examples, the empty space can be effectively utilized by forming the notch 36 using the empty portion 35.

=== Other Embodiments ===
The above-described embodiments are mainly described with respect to the liquid discharge apparatus, but also include disclosure of a liquid discharge method and the like. The above-described embodiments are for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and it is needless to say that the present invention includes equivalents thereof. In particular, the embodiments described below are also included in the present invention.

  In the above embodiment, the liquid ejecting apparatus (liquid ejecting apparatus) is embodied as an ink jet printer, but a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects or ejects liquid other than ink may be employed. The present invention can be used for various liquid ejecting apparatuses including a liquid ejecting head that ejects an amount of liquid droplets. In addition, a droplet means the state of the liquid discharged from the said liquid ejecting apparatus, and shall also include what pulls a tail in granular shape, tear shape, and thread shape. The liquid here may be any material that can be ejected by the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, it may be in the state when the substance is in a liquid phase, such as a liquid state with high or low viscosity, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metal melts ) And a liquid as one state of a substance, as well as a material in which particles of a functional material made of a solid such as a pigment or metal particles are dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent. Further, representative examples of the liquid include ink and liquid crystal as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink includes general water-based inks and oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks. As a specific example of the liquid ejecting apparatus, for example, a liquid containing a material such as an electrode material or a color material used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, a surface emitting display, a color filter, or the like in a dispersed or dissolved state. It may be a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting, a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a bio-organic material used for biochip manufacturing, a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a liquid as a sample used as a precision pipette, a textile printing apparatus, a microdispenser, or the like. In addition, transparent resin liquids such as UV curable resin to form liquid injection devices that pinpoint lubricant oil onto precision machines such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements. A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid onto the substrate or a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects an etching solution such as an acid or an alkali to etch the substrate may be employed. The present invention can be applied to any one of these injection devices.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, although roll paper S was mentioned as an example and demonstrated as a medium, it is not limited to this, A cut paper may be sufficient.
Further, the roll paper S has been described by taking continuous paper with release paper as an example, but is not limited thereto, and may be plain paper without release paper (in this case, roll paper) Unlike the above-described embodiment where only the adhesive sheet of S and the adhesive sheet of the release paper are cut, plain paper is cut).
The medium is not necessarily paper, and may be a film or cloth, for example.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the said predetermined direction decided to be a perpendicular direction, it is not limited to this. For example, it may be horizontal. That is, in the above embodiment, both the first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92 are provided so as to be aligned in the vertical direction, and support the head unit 30 and the cutter unit 40 from the side. However, for example, both of the first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92 are provided so as to be aligned in the horizontal direction, and the first guide rail 90 and the second guide rail 92 are connected to the head unit 30 or the cutter. The unit 40 may be supported from above or below.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer, 1a Movement direction one end, 1b Movement direction other end, 20 Paper conveyance part, 23 Conveyance roller, 26 Driven roller, 30 Head unit, 32 Head, 32a 1st head, 32b 2nd head, 32c 3rd head , 34 Head carriage, 34a Head unit driving force receiving portion, 35 Empty portion, 36 Notch portion, 40 Cutter unit, 42 Cutter, 44 Cutter carriage, 44a Cutter unit driving force receiving portion, 50 Detector group, 52 Cleaning unit, 54 platen, 60 controller, 61 interface unit, 62 CPU, 63 memory, 64 unit control circuit, 70 head unit drive unit, 72 head unit pulley, 74 head unit belt, 76 head unit drive Giving part, 80 Cutter unit driving part, 82 Cutter unit pulley, 84 Cutter unit belt, 86 Cutter unit driving force giving part, 90 First guide rail, 92 Second guide rail, 94 Head unit support member, 96 cutter Unit support member, 110 computer, S roll paper.

Claims (5)

A transport unit for transporting the medium in the transport direction;
A head part that moves in a crossing direction intersecting the transport direction and discharges the liquid onto the medium; and a cut part that moves in the crossing direction and cuts the medium.
The head portion includes a first head and a second head provided at different positions in both the transport direction and the crossing direction, and a head carriage that supports the first head and the second head. ,
The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the head carriage includes a cutout portion formed at a position aligned with the first head and the second head in order to arrange the cut portion. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1,
The cut portion has a cutter carriage and a cutter provided in the cutter carriage,
The liquid ejection device, wherein the notch is a part for arranging the cutter. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The first head is located upstream of the second head in the first direction from the head part to the cut part in the intersecting direction,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cutout portion is located at a position aligned with the first head downstream of the first head in the first direction. The home position of the cut part is located at one end in the crossing direction,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a home position of the head portion is located at the other end portion in the intersecting direction. A liquid discharge method for discharging a liquid onto a medium,
A transport unit that transports the medium in the transport direction; a head unit that moves in a crossing direction that intersects the transporting direction and that discharges liquid to the medium; and a cut unit that moves in the crossing direction and cuts the medium. The head portion includes a first head and a second head provided at different positions in both the transport direction and the cross direction, and a head carriage that supports the first head and the second head. The head carriage section ejects liquid onto the medium using a liquid ejection apparatus having a notch formed at a position aligned with the first head and the second head in order to place the cut section. A liquid discharge method characterized by the above.

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