JP2016068511A - Liquid discharge device, displacement method of tension adjustment section - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stabilize an attitude of a tension adjustment section.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device 1 comprises: a discharge section 3 capable of discharging liquid; and a tension adjustment section 5 being capable of imparting tension to a medium by being brought into contact with the medium discharged with the liquid and being capable of being displaced between a first position P1 when imparting the tension to the medium and a second position P2 when not imparting the tension to the medium. The tension adjustment section has a first weight section 51 and a second weight section 52, is biased toward a first position side by its own weight of the first weight section when being positioned closer to the first position side than a balanced position Pb positioned between the first position and the second position, and is biased toward a second position side by its own weight of the second weight section when being positioned closer to the second position side than the balanced position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus and a method for displacing a tension adjusting unit.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a recording apparatus is known that transports a medium wound in a roll shape and prints an image on the transported medium with a recording head. In the recording apparatus, a tension roller that applies tension to the medium is provided (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-314565 A

  However, the tension roller of the above apparatus adjusts the tension by the weight attached to the tension roller, but the posture of the tension roller becomes unstable when the tension roller is retracted, for example, when replacing the roll. There was a problem that it would end up.

  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 ejection apparatus according to this application example can apply tension to the medium by contacting the ejection unit capable of ejecting liquid and the medium from which the liquid is ejected. A tension adjusting unit that is displaceable between a first position when applying and a second position when no tension is applied to the medium, the tension adjusting unit including a first weight unit And a second weight portion, and when the first weight portion is located on the first position side from an equilibrium position between the first position and the second position, Is biased toward the second position by the weight of the second weight portion when the second weight portion is biased toward the second position. Features.

  According to this configuration, the posture of the tension adjusting unit is set at each of the first position when the tension is applied to the medium and the second position when the tension is not applied to the medium. It can be stabilized.

  Application Example 2 In the liquid ejection device according to the application example, the first weight portion is a tension bar that applies tension to the medium by contacting the medium.

  According to this configuration, since the tension bar functions as the first weight portion, it is not necessary to newly provide the first weight portion, and the configuration of the tension adjusting portion can be simplified.

  Application Example 3 The tension adjusting unit of the liquid ejection device according to the application example described above is displaced between the first position and the second position by rotating about a shaft part, The shaft portion is located between the first weight portion and the second weight portion.

  According to this configuration, the posture of the tension adjusting unit can be stabilized by the configuration of rotating around the shaft portion disposed between the first weight portion and the second weight portion.

  Application Example 4 In the liquid ejection device according to the application example described above, the distance between the first weight part and the shaft part is different from the distance between the second weight part and the shaft part. And

  According to this configuration, the position of the equilibrium position can be adjusted by making a difference between the distance between the first weight portion and the shaft portion and the distance between the second weight portion and the shaft portion.

  Application Example 5 In the liquid ejection apparatus according to the application example described above, the weight of the first weight part is different from the weight of the second weight part.

  According to this configuration, the position of the equilibrium position can be adjusted by making a difference between the weights of the first weight part and the second weight part.

  Application Example 6 In the liquid ejection device according to the application example described above, one of the first weight part and the second weight part is heavier, and the one weight part and the second weight part are The distance from the shaft portion is shorter than the distance between the other weight portion and the shaft portion.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to stabilize the posture of the tension adjusting unit by adjusting the weight and the distance from the shaft unit for each weight unit.

  Application Example 7 When the tension adjusting unit of the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the application example is positioned on the first position side from the equilibrium position, the first position is determined by the weight of the first weight unit. It is characterized by being displaced up to.

  According to this configuration, the tension adjustment unit does not stop at an unstable position, and the posture of the tension adjustment unit can be stabilized by the weight of the first weight unit at the first position.

  Application Example 8 When the tension adjusting unit of the liquid ejection device according to the application example is positioned on the second position side from the balanced position, the second position is determined by the weight of the second weight unit. It is characterized by being displaced up to.

  According to this configuration, the tension adjusting unit does not stop at an unstable position, and the posture of the tension adjusting unit can be stabilized by the weight of the second weight unit at the second position.

  Application Example 9 The displacement method of the tension adjusting unit according to this application example includes a first weight part and a second weight part, and is a first method for applying tension to a medium from which liquid is ejected. And a tension adjusting unit displacement method in a liquid ejecting apparatus including a tension adjusting unit that is displaceable between a second position when no tension is applied to the medium, and the tension is applied to the medium. In this case, the tension adjusting unit is moved from the second position to a position where a biasing force to the first position acts by the weight of the first weight unit, and no tension is applied to the medium. In this case, the tension adjusting unit is moved from the first position to a position where a biasing force toward the second position is applied by the weight of the second weight unit.

  According to this configuration, the posture of the tension adjusting unit is set at each of the first position when the tension is applied to the medium and the second position when the tension is not applied to the medium. It can be stabilized.

Schematic which shows the structure of a liquid discharge apparatus. Schematic which shows the structure of a liquid discharge apparatus. Schematic which shows the structure of a liquid discharge apparatus. Schematic which shows the structure of a tension 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 ejection device is, for example, an ink jet printer. In this embodiment, a large format printer (LFP) that handles a relatively large medium (medium) will be described as a configuration example of the liquid ejection apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the liquid ejection apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid ejection apparatus 1 ejects (ejects) ink as a liquid onto a transport unit 2 that transports a medium M by a roll-to-roll method and a predetermined region of the medium M, thereby generating an image. And a discharge unit 3 for recording characters and the like, a medium support unit 4 for supporting the medium M, a tension adjusting unit 5 and the like. Each of these components is supported by the main body frame 10. The medium M is, for example, a vinyl chloride film having a width of about 64 inches (Inch).

  The transport unit 2 includes a roll 21 that feeds the roll-shaped medium M in the transport direction (the arrow direction in the drawing), and a roll 22 that winds the sent medium M. The transport unit 2 includes transport roller pairs 23 and 24 that transport the medium M in the transport path between the rolls 21 and 22.

  The ejection unit 3 includes a recording head (inkjet head) 31 capable of ejecting ink as an example of liquid to the medium M, and a carriage 32 that is mounted with the recording head 31 and can reciprocate in the width direction of the medium M. Have. The recording head 31 includes a plurality of nozzles, and is configured to be able to eject ink that is selected in relation to the medium M and requires permeation drying or evaporation drying. Then, by ejecting ink from the recording head 31 while reciprocating the carriage 32, an image, characters, or the like can be recorded on the medium M. In summary, the liquid ejection apparatus 1 includes an ejection unit 3 that can eject liquid.

  The medium support unit 4 is capable of supporting the medium M in the conveyance path of the medium M, and includes an upstream support unit 27 provided between the roll 21 and the conveyance roller pair 23 and the conveyance roller pairs 23 and 24. It has a platen 28 disposed therebetween, and a downstream support portion 29 provided between the conveying roller pair 24 and the roll 22.

  In addition, the liquid ejection apparatus 1 includes a heating unit that can heat the medium M. In this embodiment, a first heater (preheater) 71, a second heater (platen heater) 72, and a third heater (afterheater) 73 are provided. The first heater 71 preheats the medium M on the upstream side in the transport direction from the position where the discharge unit 3 is provided. The first heater 71 is provided between the roll 21 and the transport roller pair 23, and is disposed on the surface (back surface) side opposite to the surface that supports the medium M in the upstream support portion 27 that supports the medium M. ing. The second heater 72 heats the medium M in the discharge region E of the discharge unit 3. The second heater 72 is disposed on the surface (back surface) opposite to the surface that supports the medium M in the platen 28. The third heater 73 is configured to quickly dry and fix the ink on the medium M by heating the medium M, prevent bleeding and blurring, and improve the image quality. The third heater 73 is disposed on the surface (back surface) opposite to the surface that supports the medium M in the downstream support portion 29. The first, second, and third heaters 71, 72, 73 are, for example, tube heaters, and are attached to the back surfaces of the upstream side support portion 27, the platen 28, and the downstream side support portion 29 via aluminum tape or the like. Has been. Then, by driving the first, second and third heaters 71, 72 and 73, the surface supporting the medium M in the medium support unit 4 is heated by heat conduction, and the medium M is heated from the back side of the medium M. be able to.

  For example, the heating temperature of the first heater 71 is set to 40 ° C., and the heating temperature of the second heater 72 is set to 40 ° C. (target temperature). Further, the heating temperature of the third heater 73 is set to 50 ° C., which is higher than that of the first heater 71 and the second heater 72.

  The first heater 71 has a configuration in which the medium M is gradually heated from the normal temperature toward the target temperature (the temperature in the second heater 72), thereby promptly drying the ink after landing. In addition, the second heater 72 is configured to cause the medium M to receive ink landing while maintaining the target temperature, and to promptly dry the ink from landing. Then, in the third heater 73, the temperature of the medium M is raised to a temperature higher than the target temperature, and the ink that has landed on the medium M is quickly dried, and at least before being wound by the roll 22. In this configuration, the landed ink is completely dried and fixed on the medium M.

  The tension adjusting unit 5 can apply tension (tension) to the medium M. The tension adjusting unit 5 according to the present embodiment is arranged so that tension (tension) can be applied to the medium M between the downstream support unit 29 and the roll 22. Specifically, tension can be applied to the medium M by contacting the medium M from which the liquid is discharged. Further, the tension adjusting unit 5 is displaceable between a first position P1 when the tension is applied to the medium M and a second position P2 when the tension is not applied to the medium M. At this time, an equilibrium position Pb exists as a position between the first position P1 and the second position P2. Hereinafter, a detailed configuration of the tension adjusting unit will be described.

  FIG. 1 shows a case where the tension adjusting unit 5 is located at the first position P1, FIG. 2 shows a case where the tension adjusting unit 5 is located at the equilibrium position Pb, and FIG. The case where it is located at position P2 is shown. FIG. 4 shows a configuration of the tension adjusting unit, FIG. 4A is an external perspective view of the tension adjusting unit, and FIG. 4B is a side sectional view of the tension adjusting unit.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the tension adjusting unit 5 includes a first weight part 51 and a second weight part 52. When the tension adjusting unit 5 is located on the first position P1 side from the equilibrium position Pb between the first position P1 and the second position P2, the tension adjusting unit 5 is caused by the weight of the first weight unit 51. 1 is biased to the position P1 side, and when it is located on the second position P2 side from the equilibrium position Pb, it is configured to be biased to the second position P2 side by the weight of the second weight portion 52. ing. As a result, the tension adjusting unit 5 has a first position P1 when the tension is applied to the medium M and a second position P2 when the tension is not applied to the medium M. The posture can be stabilized.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the tension adjusting unit 5 includes a pair of frame parts 54, and a first weight part 51 and a second weight part 52 are interposed between the pair of frame parts 54. Is provided. Further, the tension adjusting unit 5 includes a tension bar 55 having a cylindrical shape, and the tension bar 55 is disposed on one side of the frame unit 54. The tension bar 55 is formed longer in the width direction than the width of the medium M. A part of the tension bar 55 comes into contact with the medium M to apply tension to the medium M. Specifically, the tension bar 55 applies tension to the medium M by contacting the medium M. In the present embodiment, the tension bar 55 has the function of the first weight portion 51. Thereby, the structure of the tension adjustment part 5 can be simplified. A plate-like second weight portion 52 is disposed on the other side of the frame portion 54.

  The tension adjusting unit 5 has a shaft portion 53. Then, by rotating around the shaft portion 53, the tension adjusting portion 5 can be displaced between the first position P1 and the second position P2. As shown in FIG. 4B, the shaft portion 53 is located between the first weight portion 51 (tension bar 55) and the second weight portion 52 in a side view of the tension adjusting portion 5.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the distance L1 between the first weight portion 51 and the shaft portion 53 and the distance L2 between the second weight portion 52 and the shaft portion 53 are different. By making a difference between the distance L1 between the first weight portion 51 and the shaft portion 53 and the distance L2 between the second weight portion 52 and the shaft portion 53, the position of the balanced position Pb can be adjusted. . Further, the weight of the first weight portion 51 and the weight of the second weight portion 52 are different. By making a difference between the weights of the first weight part 51 and the second weight part 52, the position of the equilibrium position Pb can be adjusted. Further, of the first weight portion 51 and the second weight portion 52, the weight of one weight portion is heavier, and the distance between one weight portion and the shaft portion 53 is the same as the other weight portion and the shaft portion. 53 is configured to be shorter than the distance to 53. Thus, by adjusting the weight and the distance from the shaft portion 53 for each weight portion, the posture of the tension adjusting portion 5 can be stabilized. In the present embodiment, the second weight portion 52 is configured to be heavier than the first weight portion 51. The distance L2 between the second weight 52 and the shaft 53, which is relatively heavier than the first weight 51, is relatively lighter than the first weight 51 and the shaft. The distance from the portion 53 is shorter. When the tension adjusting unit 5 is positioned on the first position P1 side from the equilibrium position Pb, the tension adjusting unit 5 is displaced to the first position P1 by the weight of the first weight unit 51 (see FIG. 1). For this reason, the tension adjusting unit 5 does not stop at an unstable position, and the posture of the tension adjusting unit 5 can be stabilized by the weight of the first weight unit 51 at the first position P1. When the tension adjusting unit 5 is positioned on the second position P2 side from the equilibrium position Pb, the tension adjusting unit 5 is displaced to the second position P2 by the weight of the second weight unit 52 (see FIG. 3). For this reason, the tension adjusting unit 5 does not stop at an unstable position, and the posture of the tension adjusting unit 5 can be stabilized by the weight of the second weight unit 52 at the second position P2. Therefore, the posture of the tension adjusting unit 5 can be stabilized at each of the first position P1 and the second position P2. Note that the balanced position Pb according to the present embodiment refers to a position where the urging force by the first weight portion 51 and the urging force by the second weight portion 52 are balanced as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the biasing force by the first weight portion 51 is a biasing force that acts counterclockwise in FIG. Further, the urging force by the second weight portion 52 is an urging force acting clockwise in FIG.

  Next, a displacement method of the tension adjusting unit will be described. In the present embodiment, the first position P1 when the tension is applied to the medium M having the first weight part 51 and the second weight part 52 and ejecting the ink as the liquid; A method of displacing the tension adjustment unit in the liquid ejection apparatus 1 including the tension adjustment unit 5 that can be displaced between the second position P2 when no tension is applied to the medium M will be described.

  First, when tension is applied to the medium M, that is, when an image, a character, or the like is recorded (printed) on the medium M by driving the discharge unit 3 and the medium M is conveyed, the second position P2 is used. The tension adjusting unit 5 is moved to a position where the urging force toward the first position P1 is applied by the weight of the first weight unit 51 (tension bar 55). Then, the first weight part 51 (tension bar 55) moves from the equilibrium position Pb to the first position P1 side, and is displaced to the first position P1 by the weight of the first weight part 51. And as shown in FIG. 1, the attitude | position of the tension adjustment part 5 is stabilized in the 1st position P1.

  On the other hand, when no tension is applied to the medium M, that is, when printing is not performed, for example, when the roll 22 around which the medium M is wound is removed, the weight of the second weight portion 52 from the first position P1. Thus, the tension adjusting unit 5 is moved to a position where the urging force toward the second position P2 is applied. Then, the second weight portion 52 moves from the equilibrium position Pb to the second position P2 side, and is displaced to the second position P2 by the weight of the second weight portion 52. And as shown in FIG. 3, the attitude | position of the tension adjustment part 5 is stabilized in the 2nd position P2.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  The tension adjusting unit 5 can be displaced toward the first position P1 when a tension is applied to the medium M, and can be displaced to a second position P2 when no tension is applied to the medium M. . The first weight P1 is urged by the weight of the first weight portion 51, and the second position P2 is urged by the weight of the second weight portion 52. Thereby, the attitude | position of the tension adjustment part 5 can be easily stabilized by the 1st position P1 and the 2nd position P2. In particular, by stably holding the tension adjusting unit 5 at the second position P2, the roll 22 around which the medium M is wound can be easily removed, and workability can be improved. In addition, the tension is applied only to the medium M by the weight of the first weight portion 51 (tension bar 55) at the first position P1. For this reason, variation in tension applied to the medium M is reduced, and the medium M can be transported more stably.

  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 first weight portion 51 is configured as the tension bar 55, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the first weight part 51 and the tension bar 55 may be provided separately. For example, a configuration in which the first weight portion 51 is separately disposed around the tension bar 55 may be employed. Even if it does in this way, the same effect as the above can be acquired.

  (Modification 2) In the said embodiment, although the 3rd heater 73 was stuck on the back surface of the downstream support part 29, it is not limited to this structure. For example, a heating means (such as a heater) that can heat the medium M may be provided at a position facing the downstream support portion 29. In other words, the medium M may be heated from the surface side of the medium M on which ink is applied by the ejection unit 3. Even if it does in this way, the effect similar to the said effect can be acquired.

  (Modification 3) As the liquid ejecting apparatus, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects or ejects fluid other than ink may be employed. For example, the present invention can be used for various recording apparatuses including a recording head that discharges a minute amount of liquid droplets. The droplet means a state of the liquid ejected from the recording apparatus, and includes a liquid having a granular shape, a tear shape, or a thread shape. Further, the liquid here may be any material that can be discharged (jetted) by the liquid discharge device. For example, it may be in a state in which the substance is in a liquid phase, such as a liquid 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. A typical example of the liquid is ink 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. In addition to the plastic film such as a vinyl chloride film, the recording medium includes a functional paper, a substrate, a metal plate, and the like that are thin and thermally stretched.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Liquid discharge apparatus, 2 ... Conveyance part, 3 ... Discharge part, 4 ... Medium support part, 5 ... Tension adjustment part, 31 ... Recording head, 32 ... Carriage, 51 ... 1st weight part, 52 ... 2nd Weight part, 53 ... shaft part, 54 ... pair of frame parts, 55 ... tension bar, P1 ... first position, P2 ... second position, Pb ... equilibrium position.

Claims (9)

A discharge part capable of discharging liquid;
A tension can be applied to the medium by contacting the medium from which the liquid is ejected, and a first position when tension is applied to the medium, and a second position when tension is not applied to the medium A tension adjuster that is displaceable between
The tension adjusting unit is
Having a first weight part and a second weight part,
When positioned on the first position side from the equilibrium position between the first position and the second position, the weight is urged toward the first position by the weight of the first weight portion. ,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejecting device is biased toward the second position by the weight of the second weight portion when the second weight portion is positioned on the second position side from the equilibrium position. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first weight portion is a tension bar that applies tension to the medium by contacting the medium. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The tension adjusting unit is displaced between the first position and the second position by rotating around a shaft part,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shaft portion is located between the first weight portion and the second weight portion. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the first weight part and the shaft part is different from a distance between the second weight part and the shaft part. In the liquid ejection device according to claim 3 or 4,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a weight of the first weight portion is different from a weight of the second weight portion. In the liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
Of the first weight part and the second weight part, the weight of one weight part is heavier, and the distance between the one weight part and the shaft part is the other weight part and the shaft part. A liquid discharge apparatus characterized by being shorter than the distance between The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the tension adjusting unit is positioned closer to the first position than the equilibrium position, the tension adjusting unit is displaced to the first position by the weight of the first weight unit. In the liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tension adjusting unit is displaced to the second position by the weight of the second weight when the tension adjusting unit is positioned closer to the second position than the equilibrium position. A first position when a tension is applied to a medium on which the liquid is ejected, and a second position when no tension is applied to the medium; A displacement adjustment method of the tension adjustment unit in the liquid ejection device including the tension adjustment unit displaceable between
When applying tension to the medium, the tension adjusting unit is moved from the second position to a position where a biasing force to the first position acts by the weight of the first weight unit,
When tension is not applied to the medium, the tension adjusting unit is moved from the first position to a position where a biasing force toward the second position is applied by the weight of the second weight unit. A characteristic displacement method of the tension adjusting unit.

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