JP2016030350A - Liquid discharge device and space adjustment method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily conduct adjustment operation of a platen gap.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device includes: a discharge part capable of discharging a liquid; a medium support part having a support surface capable of supporting a medium; and a space adjustment part which rotates in a rotation direction to change a space between the discharge part and the support surface. The space adjustment part includes: a first operation part; and a second operation part which is disposed spaced away from the first operation part in the rotation direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

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

  Conventionally, a cam mechanism is provided, and an adjustment knob having a protrusion connected to the cam mechanism is slid to adjust the vertical position of the guide shaft in conjunction with the cam mechanism. A gap adjusting device that adjusts the gap (platen gap) is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-36660

  However, in the above apparatus, the protrusion of the adjustment knob is slid while being pressed with fingers, so that when the adjustment knob is arranged in a narrow space, it is difficult for the fingers to hang on the protrusion and operation becomes difficult. There was a problem.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

  [Application Example 1] The liquid discharge apparatus according to this application example includes a discharge unit capable of discharging a liquid, a medium support unit having a support surface capable of supporting a medium, and rotating in the rotation direction. An interval adjustment unit capable of changing an interval between the support unit and the support surface, and the interval adjustment unit is arranged to be spaced apart from the first operation unit and the first operation unit in the rotation direction. And 2 operation units.

  According to this configuration, the operation can be performed by hooking a finger or the like between the first operation unit and the second operation unit. That is, a finger or the like can be hooked in a concave space formed between the first operation unit and the second operation unit. Therefore, even when the interval adjusting unit is arranged in a narrow space, an operation space is ensured and an operation with fingers is easy.

  Application Example 2 In the liquid ejection device according to the application example, the interval adjustment unit includes a main body unit attached to a rotation shaft when rotating, and the first operation unit and the second operation unit. Is provided so as to protrude in a direction parallel to the rotation axis with respect to the main body.

  According to this structure, since the 1st operation part and the 2nd operation part protrude in the rotating shaft direction, it becomes easy to get a finger etc. and can improve operativity further.

  Application Example 3 The interval adjusting unit of the liquid ejection device according to the application example includes a main body unit attached to the rotating shaft when rotating, and the first operation unit is connected to the main body unit. On the other hand, it is provided so as to protrude in a direction away from the rotation shaft.

  According to this configuration, since the first operation portion protrudes in the direction away from the rotation axis with respect to the main body portion, it is easy for a finger or the like to be hung on the protruding portion, and the operability is further improved. Can do.

  Application Example 4 The second operation unit of the liquid ejection device according to the application example is provided so as to protrude in a direction away from the rotation shaft with respect to the main body unit. The width protruding in the direction away from the rotation axis with respect to the main body is smaller than the width of the first operation portion protruding in the direction away from the rotation axis with respect to the main body. To do.

  According to this configuration, the width (thickness) protruding in the direction away from the rotation axis of the second operation unit is smaller (thin) than the width (thickness) protruding in the direction away from the rotation axis of the first operation unit. Become. The width (thickness) protruding in the direction away from the rotation axis between the first operation unit and the second operation unit is made different, thereby facilitating the operation and ensuring the operation space.

  Application Example 5 In the liquid ejection apparatus according to the application example described above, the ejection unit is mounted and includes a carriage that can move in one direction and the other direction in the main scanning direction, and the interval adjustment unit is attached to the carriage. It is characterized by being.

  According to this configuration, the interval adjusting unit can be operated in a state in which the carriage is moved to any place where it can be easily operated in the main scanning direction.

  Application Example 6 In the liquid ejection apparatus according to the application example, the interval adjusting unit is attached to at least one end in the main scanning direction of the carriage.

  According to this configuration, the operation unit can be easily operated without being blocked by other members.

  Application Example 7 In the liquid ejection device according to the application example, the interval adjustment unit includes a first interval adjustment unit and a second interval adjustment unit, and the first interval adjustment unit is provided in the carriage. The second interval adjusting unit is attached to an end in one direction in the main scanning direction, and the second interval adjusting unit is attached to an end in the other direction in the main scanning direction.

  According to this configuration, the heights of both ends of the carriage in the main scanning direction can be individually adjusted.

  Application Example 8 In the interval adjustment method according to this application example, the interval adjustment method of changing the interval between the ejection unit capable of ejecting the liquid and the support surface capable of supporting the medium by rotating the interval adjustment unit. The first operation unit provided in the interval adjustment unit, and the second operation unit disposed in the interval adjustment unit with an interval in the rotation direction from the first operation unit. Then, the interval between the discharge part and the support surface is changed.

  According to this configuration, the operation can be performed by hooking a finger or the like between the first operation unit and the second operation unit. That is, a finger or the like can be hooked in a concave space formed between the first operation unit and the second operation unit. Therefore, even when the interval adjusting unit is arranged in a narrow space, an operation space is ensured and an operation with fingers is easy.

Schematic which shows the structure of a liquid discharge apparatus. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a partial configuration of the liquid ejection apparatus. The external view which shows the structure of a space | interval adjustment part. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of a space | interval adjustment part.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the scale of each member or the like is shown differently from the actual scale so as to make each member or the like recognizable.

  First, the configuration of the liquid ejection device will be described. The liquid discharge device can change the interval between the discharge unit and the support surface by rotating in the rotation direction, a discharge unit capable of discharging the liquid, a medium support unit having a support surface capable of supporting the medium, and a rotation direction. An interval adjustment unit, and the interval adjustment unit includes a first operation unit and a first operation unit and a second operation unit arranged with a space in the rotation direction. The liquid ejection device is, for example, an ink jet printer. This will be specifically described below.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the liquid ejection apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid ejection device 50 is an example of liquid for a continuous device P that conveys a long sheet-like continuous paper P that is an example of a medium, and the continuous paper P that is transported by the transport device 70. A discharge unit 60 that can discharge (eject) the ink and a medium support unit 53 that can support the continuous paper P. Further, the liquid ejection device 50 includes a control unit (not shown) that controls the transport device 70, the ejection unit 60, and the like.

  The conveying device 70 includes a feeding unit 74 that feeds the continuous paper P, and a winding unit 75 that winds the continuous paper P fed from the feeding unit 74 and printed by the discharge unit 60. In FIG. 1, the feeding unit 74 is disposed at a position on the upstream side in the transport direction Y of the continuous paper P, and the winding unit 75 is disposed at a position on the downstream side.

  The discharge unit 60 is disposed at a position between the feeding unit 74 and the winding unit 75 so as to face the conveyance path of the continuous paper P. The ejection unit 60 is, for example, an inkjet head. A plurality of nozzles 67 a for ejecting ink onto the continuous paper P are formed on the ejection surface 60 a facing the transport path of the continuous paper P in the ejection unit 60. In addition, a medium support unit 53 having a support surface 531 capable of supporting the continuous paper P is disposed at a position facing the discharge unit 60 across the conveyance path of the continuous paper P. The discharge unit 60 is mounted on the carriage 61 such that the discharge surface 60 a faces the support surface 531. The carriage 61 is disposed so that the ejection unit 60 can reciprocate in one direction in the main scanning direction X and the other direction in a state where the bearing unit 611 is supported by the main guide shaft 56. The carriage 61 is connected to a drive motor (shown in the figure), and is configured to reciprocate in the main scanning direction X by rotating the drive motor. Further, the liquid ejection device 50 includes an interval adjustment unit 100 that can change the interval (platen gap) between the ejection surface 60 a of the ejection unit 60 and the support surface 531 of the medium support unit 53. In the present embodiment, by operating the interval adjusting unit 100, the movable unit 612 of the carriage 61 is configured to be movable in the Z-axis direction, and the distance of the ejection surface 60a with respect to the support surface 531 can be changed. Here, the Z-axis direction is a direction in which the distance between the ejection surface 60 a and the support surface 531 is displaced, and is preferably a direction perpendicular to the support surface 531 (or a substantially perpendicular direction). The platen gap is sometimes called a print gap, a paper gap, or the like.

  The feeding unit 74 is provided with a feeding shaft 74a extending in the width direction X of the continuous paper P (a direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 1), which is a direction intersecting the transport direction Y of the continuous paper P, so as to be rotationally driven. . The feeding shaft 74a supports the continuous paper P so as to be integrally rotatable with the feeding shaft 74a in a state where the continuous paper P is wound in a roll shape in advance. Then, when the feeding shaft 74a is rotationally driven, the continuous paper P is fed from the feeding shaft 74a toward the downstream side of the conveyance path.

  On the downstream side of the feeding direction 74 of the continuous paper P with respect to the feeding shaft 74a, a paper feed roller pair 73, which is an example of a transporting part that guides the continuous paper P transported from the feeding shaft 74a to the support surface 531 while being sandwiched, is disposed. ing. The paper feed roller pair 73 is disposed at a position upstream of the medium support unit 53 in the transport direction Y. The pair of paper feed rollers 73 includes a paper feed roller 73a provided so as to be rotatable and a paper pressing roller 73b that is driven by the rotation of the paper feed roller 73a. The position where the continuous paper P is sandwiched by the paper feed roller 73 a and the paper pressing roller 73 b is located in the + Z direction with respect to the support surface 531 of the medium support unit 53.

  A tension roller 76 for adjusting the tension of the printed area of the continuous paper P is disposed downstream of the support surface 531 in the transport direction Y on the transport path of the continuous paper P. A winding unit 75 is disposed on the downstream side of the tension roller 76 in the conveyance path of the continuous paper P.

  The winding unit 75 is provided with a winding shaft 75a extending in the width direction X of the continuous paper P so as to be rotationally driven. When the winding shaft 75a is rotationally driven, the printed continuous paper P conveyed from the tension roller 76 side is sequentially wound by the winding shaft 75a.

  Next, the configuration of the interval adjustment unit 100 will be described in detail. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration of a part of the liquid ejection device, FIG. 3 is an external view showing the configuration of the interval adjusting unit, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the interval adjusting unit (FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

  The interval adjustment unit 100 changes the interval (platen gap) between the ejection surface 60a of the ejection unit 60 and the support surface 531 of the medium support unit 53, and in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. By rotating in the direction R, the platen gap can be changed. In addition, the interval adjustment unit 100 includes a first operation unit 101 and a second operation unit 102 that is arranged at an interval in the rotation direction R from the first operation unit 101. Specifically, the first operation unit 101 and the second operation unit 102 are lever-shaped components. The interval between the first operation unit 101 and the second operation unit 102 is provided, for example, using a width dimension of one human finger as a guide.

  The interval adjusting unit 100 is attached to the carriage 61. The interval adjusting unit 100 is attached to at least one end of the carriage 61 in the main scanning direction (X-axis direction). In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the first interval adjusting unit 100 a and the second interval adjusting unit 100 b are included, and the first interval adjusting unit 100 a In the carriage 61, the second interval adjusting unit 100 b is attached to the end portion on the other direction side in the main scanning direction X. Thereby, the height of the both ends of the carriage 61 in the main scanning direction X can be individually adjusted.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the interval adjusting unit 100 (100a, 100b) includes a main body unit 105 attached to a rotating shaft 110 when rotating, and includes a first operating unit 101 and a second operating unit. 102 is provided so as to protrude in a direction parallel to the rotation axis 110 and the axial direction with respect to the main body portion 105. In other words, the first operation unit 101 and the second operation unit 102 protrude out along the direction of the rotation shaft 110. And it can operate in the rotation direction R by putting a finger etc. on this protruding part.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the first operation unit 101 is provided so as to protrude in a direction away from the rotation shaft 110 with respect to the main body unit 105. Further, the second operation unit 102 is provided so as to protrude in a direction away from the rotation shaft 110 with respect to the main body unit 105. In other words, the first operation unit 101 and the second operation unit 102 protrude in a direction away from the rotation shaft 110. Therefore, it is possible to operate in the rotation direction R by placing a finger or the like on the protruding portion. The width of the second operation unit 102 protruding in the direction away from the rotation shaft 110 with respect to the main body unit 105 protrudes in the direction of moving away from the rotation shaft 110 with respect to the main body unit 105 in the first operation unit 101. It is smaller than the width to be. That is, since the thickness of the second operation unit 102 is set to be thinner than the thickness of the first operation unit 101, the second operation unit 102 can be disposed without interfering with other members. That is, the interval adjusting unit 100 can be arranged in a narrow area. Thereby, the structure of the liquid discharge apparatus 50 can be reduced in size. However, the width of the second operation unit 102 protruding in the direction away from the rotation shaft 110 is equal to the width of the first operation unit 101 protruding in the direction away from the rotation shaft 110, or the rotation of the second operation unit 102. The width protruding in the direction away from the moving shaft 110 may be made larger than the width protruding in the direction away from the rotating shaft 110 of the first operation unit 101. In the present embodiment, the interval adjusting unit 100 is attached to the rotating shaft 110. The movable portion 612 of the carriage 61 is configured to be movable in the Z-axis direction by an eccentric cam mechanism that rotates eccentrically about the eccentric shaft point E of the rotation shaft 110.

  Next, the interval adjustment method will be described. The interval adjusting method is an interval adjusting method for changing the interval between the discharge unit capable of discharging the liquid and the support surface capable of supporting the medium by rotating the interval adjusting unit, and is provided in the interval adjusting unit. By operating the first operating unit and the first operating unit and the second operating unit disposed in the interval adjusting unit with a gap in the rotation direction, the interval between the discharge unit and the support surface is changed. Is. Specifically, an interval adjustment method in the liquid ejection device 50 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 will be described.

  When adjusting (changing) the interval (platen gap) between the ejection surface 60a of the ejection unit 60 and the support surface 531 of the medium support unit 53, for example, the first operation unit 101 and the second operation unit 102 of the interval adjustment unit 100 Hook your fingers in between. Then, the interval adjusting unit 100 is rotated in the rotation direction R. Then, the rotation shaft 110 rotates while being eccentric. Then, the movable portion 612 of the carriage 61 connected to the rotation shaft 110 can be moved in the Z-axis direction along with the rotation of the interval adjustment unit 100 in the rotation direction R. Since the first operation unit 101 and the second operation unit 102 protrude in the direction parallel to the rotation shaft 110 with respect to the main body unit 105, the first operation unit 101 and the second operation unit 102 can be easily moved by fingers. Etc. can be caught. Moreover, since the 1st operation part 101 and the 2nd operation part 102 protrude in the direction which leaves | separates from the rotating shaft 110 with respect to the main-body part 105, operativity can be improved further.

  As mentioned above, according to the said embodiment, the following effects can be acquired.

  The interval adjustment unit 100 includes a first operation unit 101 and a second operation unit 102, and the first operation unit 101 and the second operation unit 102 are arranged with a space therebetween. Can be operated by hooking. Thereby, it becomes possible to arrange | position the space | interval adjustment part 100 to a narrow area | region, and even if the space | interval adjustment part 100 is arrange | positioned to a narrow area | region, it can operate easily.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. A modification will be described below.

  (Modification 1) In the above embodiment, the configuration of a so-called off-carriage type liquid ejection device 50 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an on-carriage type liquid ejection device in which an ink cartridge is mounted on a carriage may be used. Even if it does in this way, the effect similar to the said effect can be acquired.

  (Modification 2) In the liquid ejection device 50 of the above embodiment, a roll (long) recording paper is used as an example of the medium, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration using a single sheet of recording paper may be used. Even if it does in this way, the effect similar to the said effect can be acquired.

(Other Modifications) The number of operation units included in the interval adjustment unit 100 is not limited to two, but can be one or three as long as it can be operated by hooking a finger or the like. It may be more than that.
Further, the support surface 531 may be configured to be movable in the Z-axis direction by operating the interval adjusting unit 100, and the distance of the support surface 531 may be changed with respect to the discharge surface 60a.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 ... Liquid discharge apparatus, 53 ... Medium support part, 56 ... Main guide shaft, 60 ... Discharge part, 60a ... Discharge surface, 61 ... Carriage, 67a ... Nozzle, 70 ... Conveyance apparatus, 100 ... Space | interval adjustment part, 100a ... 1st 1 interval adjuster, 100b ... 2nd interval adjuster, 101 ... 1st operation part, 102 ... 2nd operation part, 105 ... main-body part, 110 ... rotating shaft, 531 ... support surface, 611 ... bearing part, 612—movable part.

Claims (8)

A discharge part capable of discharging liquid;
A medium support portion having a support surface capable of supporting the medium;
An interval adjustment unit capable of changing an interval between the discharge unit and the support surface by rotating in a rotation direction;
The interval adjusting unit is
A first operation unit;
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: the first operation unit; and a second operation unit arranged at an interval in a rotation direction. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1,
The interval adjusting portion has a main body portion attached to a rotating shaft when rotating,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first operation unit and the second operation unit are provided to protrude in a direction parallel to the rotation axis with respect to the main body unit. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The interval adjusting unit has a main body unit attached to the rotating shaft when rotating.
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first operation unit is provided so as to protrude in a direction away from the rotation shaft with respect to the main body unit. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
The second operation part is provided to protrude in a direction away from the rotation shaft with respect to the main body part,
The width of the second operation portion protruding in the direction away from the rotation axis with respect to the main body portion is the width of the first operation portion protruding in the direction away from the rotation axis with respect to the main body portion. A liquid discharge apparatus characterized by being smaller than the above. In the liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The ejection unit is mounted, and includes a carriage that can move in one direction and the other direction in the main scanning direction,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interval adjusting unit is attached to the carriage. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interval adjusting unit is attached to at least one end of the carriage in the main scanning direction. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 5 or 6,
The interval adjustment unit includes a first interval adjustment unit and a second interval adjustment unit,
The first interval adjusting unit is attached to an end portion on one side in the main scanning direction in the carriage,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second interval adjusting unit is attached to an end of the carriage in the other direction side in the main scanning direction. An interval adjustment method for changing an interval between an ejection unit capable of ejecting a liquid and a support surface capable of supporting a medium by rotating an interval adjustment unit,
By operating the first operation unit provided in the interval adjustment unit and the second operation unit arranged in the interval adjustment unit with a gap in the rotation direction from the first operation unit, the discharge The distance adjustment method characterized by changing the space | interval of a part and the said support surface.

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