JP2016104575A - Liquid discharge device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid discharge device that prevents a positional relation between a liquid discharge head and a discharged medium from varying when an environmental temperature changes or the like, while being reduced in weight and size.SOLUTION: A guide rail 11 which guides a carriage 2 loaded with an inkjet head 3 in a scanning direction while supporting the carriage is fixed to upper end parts of two support members 13 and 14 arranged at an interval in the scanning direction. Lower end parts of the support member 13 and 14 are fixed to a housing 9 of a printer 1. In the housing 9, a recessed part 23a is formed at a part surrounding a circumference of a first fixed part 21a to which the first support member 13 is fixed, and the first fixed part 21a protrudes further upward than the part surrounding the circumference. This allows the housing 9 to be deformed in the scanning direction easier at the first fixed part 21a to which the first support member 13 is fixed than at a second fixed part 22a to which the second support member 14 is fixed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a nozzle.

  As a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a nozzle, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151867 describes a multi-function machine including a printer unit that performs printing by ejecting ink from a nozzle. In the multifunction device described in Patent Document 1, a carriage on which a recording head (liquid ejection head) is mounted is movable in the scanning direction by being guided by two guide rails (guide portions). The two guide rails are fixed to a frame disposed below the guide rails. More specifically, the frame is a plate-like member made of a metal material. The frame is formed by a bottom plate extending in the scanning direction being fixed to the upper surface of a housing (base material) made of a resin material and bent upward at both ends in the scanning direction with respect to the bottom plate. Two side plates are provided. The two guide rails are fixed to the upper ends of the two side plates, respectively. In addition, the two side plates of the frame support conveyance rollers for conveying the recording paper.

Japanese Patent No. 4600504

  Here, in patent document 1, the resin material which forms a housing | casing has a high linear expansion coefficient compared with the metal material which forms a flame | frame. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, the housing is easily expanded and contracted when the environmental temperature changes. However, in Patent Document 1, as described above, the frame is formed by bending a plate-like member made of a metal material at both ends in the scanning direction, and is a member in which the bottom plate and the two side plates are integrated. And has relatively high rigidity. For this reason, even when the casing is deformed due to a change in environmental temperature or the like, the positional relationship between the two side plates of the frame hardly changes. Therefore, the positional relationship between the guide rails fixed to the two side plates and the conveyance rollers supported by the two side plates is not easily changed. As a result, the positional relationship between the recording head mounted on the carriage that is guided by the guide rail and moves in the scanning direction and the recording paper (discharged medium) conveyed by the conveying roller is less likely to fluctuate, resulting in a decrease in print quality. Is prevented.

  However, in Patent Document 1, since the frame has a bottom plate that extends long in the scanning direction, the frame is relatively heavy. For this reason, the liquid ejecting apparatus including such a frame also increases in weight. Further, in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide a space for arranging a bottom plate extending in the scanning direction in the printer unit. Here, from the viewpoint of weight reduction and miniaturization of the liquid ejection device, instead of a frame having a bottom plate and two side plates, two members corresponding to the two side plates are arranged, and these two members are arranged. It is conceivable to fix each to the housing. However, in this case, since there is no portion corresponding to the bottom plate between the two members, the positional relationship between the two members fluctuates when the casing expands and contracts due to a change in environmental temperature or the like. Cheap. Therefore, the positional relationship between the guide rail and the transport roller supported by the two members is likely to fluctuate. As a result, the positional relationship between the liquid ejection head and the ejection target medium may fluctuate and print quality may be degraded.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus in which the positional relationship between the liquid ejecting head and the medium to be ejected is less likely to change when the substrate expands and contracts due to a temperature change while reducing the weight and size of the liquid ejecting apparatus. Is to provide.

  A liquid ejection apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a liquid ejection head, a carriage on which the liquid ejection head is mounted, movable in a predetermined scanning direction, and extends in the scanning direction to support the carriage and the scanning direction. And a guide roller that extends in the scanning direction and that conveys the medium to be ejected in a conveyance direction orthogonal to the scanning direction, and supports two portions of the conveyance roller that are spaced apart from each other in the scanning direction. A first support member and a second support member separated from each other, and a base material on which the first support member and the second support member are fixed, and the first support member and the second support member are: One end portion in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the scanning direction and the transport direction is fixed to the base material, and a portion on the other end side relative to the one end portion in the orthogonal direction is fixed to the guide portion. The base material is made of a material having a higher linear expansion coefficient than the guide portion, and the first fixing portion which is a portion to which the one end portion of the first support member is fixed is the first support member of the second support member. It is easier to deform in the scanning direction than the second fixed part, which is a part where one end is fixed.

  A base material made of a material having a high linear expansion coefficient easily expands and contracts in the scanning direction due to a temperature change. However, in the present invention, since the first fixed part is more easily deformed in the scanning direction than the second fixed part, the first fixed part is deformed in the scanning direction, whereby the base material is transformed into the first fixed part. The first support member that is fixed and the second support member that is fixed to the second fixing portion expand and contract with little displacement in the scanning direction. Therefore, even if the first support member and the second support member are separated, the first support member fixed to the first fixing portion and the second support member fixed to the second fixing portion in the scanning direction. The positional relationship is less likely to fluctuate. This makes it difficult for the positional relationship between the guide rails to which the first and second support members are fixed and the transport rollers supported by the first and second support members to fluctuate. As a result, the positional relationship between the liquid discharge head mounted on the carriage that is supported by the guide rail and moves in the scanning direction and the medium to be discharged conveyed to the conveyance roller can be made difficult to fluctuate.

  The liquid ejection apparatus according to a second aspect is the liquid ejection apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the first fixing portion is more in the orthogonal direction than the portion surrounding the first fixing portion of the base material. By projecting to the other end side, deformation in the scanning direction is facilitated.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily deform the first fixing portion in the scanning direction by projecting to the other end side in the orthogonal direction from the portion surrounding the first fixing portion of the base material. .

  A liquid ejection device according to a third invention is the liquid ejection device according to the first or second invention, comprising the two guide portions arranged in the transport direction, wherein the first support member and the second support member are , Each extending over the two guide portions in the transport direction, and fixed to the two guide portions, the first fixed portion is less likely to deform in the transport direction than the scanning direction. Yes.

  According to the present invention, the strength of the first fixed portion can be ensured by making the first fixed portion difficult to deform in the transport direction. On the other hand, the first and second support members extend over the two guide rails in the transport direction and are fixed to the two guide rails. When the material expands and contracts in the transport direction due to a temperature change, the positional relationship between the two guide rails in the transport direction is unlikely to fluctuate.

  A liquid ejection apparatus according to a fourth aspect is the liquid ejection apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the first fixing portion is in the orthogonal direction with respect to a portion surrounding the first fixing portion of the base material. Protruding to the other end side facilitates deformation in the scanning direction, and the length in the carrying direction is longer than the length in the scanning direction, thereby causing the scanning in the carrying direction. It is harder to deform than the direction.

  According to the present invention, when the first fixing portion protrudes to the other end side in the orthogonal direction from the portion surrounding the first fixing portion of the base material, the length of the first fixing portion in the transport direction By making the length longer than the length in the scanning direction, it is possible to make the first fixed portion less deformable in the transport direction than in the scanning direction.

  A liquid ejection apparatus according to a fifth invention is the liquid ejection apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, further comprising a medium support member that supports a medium to be ejected conveyed to the conveyance roller, The support member is fixed to the first support member and the second support member.

  According to the present invention, the positional relationship among the guide rail, the transport roller, and the medium support member is less likely to fluctuate when the base material expands and contracts due to a temperature change. This makes it difficult to change the positional relationship between the liquid discharge head mounted on the carriage supported by the guide rail and moving in the scanning direction, and the target medium that is transported to the transport roller and supported by the medium support member. be able to.

  A liquid ejection device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the liquid ejection device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the motor connected to the conveyance roller and the conveyance roller driven by the motor are separate. And a gear mechanism for transmitting the rotation of the motor to the driven part, wherein the driven part and the gear mechanism are configured such that the first fixed part of the second fixed part in the scanning direction. It is arranged on the opposite side to the fixed part.

  Unlike the present invention, when the gear mechanism is disposed in the vicinity of the first fixed portion that is easily deformed in the scanning direction, the base member expands and contracts due to a temperature change, and the first fixed portion is deformed. There is a possibility that the gears constituting the gear mechanism may be inclined due to the displacement of the one fixing portion or the first support member. As a result, there is a possibility that the load applied to the gear becomes large because the gap between the shafts of the gear is narrowed. Alternatively, there is a possibility that the gap between the gear shafts is excessively widened, causing tooth skipping and tooth tip damage. On the other hand, in the present invention, the driven portion and the gear mechanism are disposed on the opposite side of the first fixing portion of the second fixing portion that is not easily deformed in the scanning direction, so the first fixing portion and the first support It is possible to prevent the gear from being tilted when the member is displaced.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the liquid discharge apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, as the transport roller, a first transport roller connected to the motor, and the first transport roller are separated from the transport direction. A belt for transmitting the rotation of the first transport roller to the second transport roller, the belt being fixed to the second fixing portion of the first fixing portion. It is arranged on the opposite side to the part.

  According to the present invention, by disposing the belt on the opposite side of the first fixing portion to the second fixing portion, the space on the opposite side of the first fixing portion to the second fixing portion can be used effectively. Here, when the belt is arranged on the side opposite to the second fixed portion of the first fixed portion that is easily deformed in the scanning direction, the first fixed portion is deformed when the base material expands and contracts due to a temperature change and the first fixed portion is deformed. In addition, the belt may be inclined or twisted due to the displacement of the first support member. However, even if the belt is slightly inclined or twisted, problems such as a heavy load on the belt are unlikely to occur.

  The liquid ejection device according to an eighth invention is the liquid ejection device according to any one of the first to seventh inventions, wherein the second support member is closer to the other end than the one end in the orthogonal direction. It is further fixed to the base material in a part different from that fixed to the guide part.

  Here, when the first support member and the second support member are separated from each other, the carriage moves in the scanning direction as compared with the case where the first support member and the second support member are integrated. When moved, the first support member and the second support member are likely to swing in the scanning direction. In the present invention, since the second support member is further fixed to the base material in a part different from that fixed to the guide portion, the above-described shaking of the second support member in the scanning direction is suppressed. can do.

  A liquid ejection apparatus according to a ninth aspect is the liquid ejection apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the first support member is formed by a fastening member extending in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction. It is being fixed to 1 fixed part.

  When the first support member is fixed to the first fixing portion with a fastening member extending in a certain direction, the adhesion between the first support member and the first fixing portion in the direction can be increased, whereby the first It is possible to make it difficult for the support member and the first fixing portion to relatively move in the direction. On the other hand, in the present invention, the first fixed portion is easily deformed in the scanning direction. From the above, it is preferable that the fastening member for fixing the first support member to the first fixing portion extends in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction as in the present invention.

  A liquid ejection apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the invention is the liquid ejection apparatus according to the ninth aspect of the invention, wherein the first support member and the second support member extend in the orthogonal direction, and the one end portion is the scan. An L-shaped member that is bent so as to extend inward in the direction, and the first end of the first support member that extends inward in the scanning direction is fixed to the first fixing member by the fastening member that extends in the orthogonal direction. The one end of the second support member extending inward in the scanning direction is fixed to the second fixing portion by the fastening member extending in the orthogonal direction.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to bring the first fixed portion and the second fixed portion closer to the scanning direction than when the first and second support members are bent outward in the scanning direction. Thereby, the expansion-contraction amount to the scanning direction of the whole part between the 1st fixing | fixed part and 2nd fixing | fixed part of a base material when a base material expands-contracts with a temperature change can be made small. Therefore, when the base material expands and contracts, the positional relationship between the two support members can be made more difficult to change. In addition, the size of the liquid ejection device in the scanning direction can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, when the base material expands and contracts in the scanning direction due to a temperature change, the liquid discharge head mounted on the carriage that is supported by the guide rail and moves in the scanning direction, and the discharged medium that is transported to the transport roller It is possible to make the positional relationship between and difficult to change.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the III-III sectional view taken on the line of FIG. (A) is the IVA-IVA sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 2, (b) is the IVB-IVB sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a figure of the upper surface of a base material, (a) has shown the 1st fixing | fixed part vicinity, (b) has shown the 2nd fixing | fixed part vicinity. (A) It is a figure which shows the state of a gear mechanism when rotating a pick-up roller, (b) is a figure which shows the state of a gear mechanism when performing suction purge.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a printer 1 (liquid ejection device) according to the present embodiment includes a carriage 2, an inkjet head 3, a first transport roller 4 a, a second transport roller 4 b, and a platen 5 (medium support member). ), A tray mounting portion 6, a maintenance unit 7 (driven portion), and the like. In the following description, the right and left sides in the scanning direction are defined as shown in FIG.

  The carriage 2 is supported from below by two guide rails 11 and 12 extending in the scanning direction, and is guided by the guide rails 11 and 12 and moves in the scanning direction. The two guide rails 11 and 12 are spaced apart from each other in the transport direction orthogonal to the scanning direction. The portions near the left end portions of the guide rails 11 and 12 are supported by the first support member 13. A portion near the right end of the guide rails 11 and 12 is supported by the second support member 14.

  The support members 13 and 14 are made of a metal material, extend in the vertical direction perpendicular to the scanning direction and the conveyance direction, and are bent inward in the scanning direction at the lower end thereof, and are substantially L-shaped when viewed from the conveyance direction. It is a member. The support members 13 and 14 are arranged at intervals in the scanning direction.

  The support members 13 and 14 extend across the two guide rails 11 and 12 in the transport direction. And the upper end part of the supporting members 13 and 14 is provided with the protrusion parts 13a and 14a which protruded partially upwards in the part facing the guide rail 11, respectively. On the other hand, the guide rail 11 is formed with through holes 11a and 11b at portions facing the protruding portions 13a and 14a, respectively. The protrusions 13 a and 14 a are inserted through the through holes 11 a and 11 b and extend upward from the guide rail 11. Further, through holes 13a1 and 14a1 extending in the scanning direction are formed in portions of the protrusions 13a and 14a located above the guide rail 11, respectively. Springs 15a and 15b fixed to the upper surface of the guide rail 11 are inserted through the through holes 13a1 and 14a1, respectively. Accordingly, the support members 13 and 14 are fixed to the guide rail 11 at the protruding portions 13a and 14a (the portions on the other side of the one end portion in the orthogonal direction), respectively.

  In addition, the first support member 13 is provided with two protrusions 13 b that protrude partially upward at a portion facing the guide rail 12 and are arranged at intervals in the transport direction. On the other hand, two through holes 12a are formed in the guide rail 12 at portions facing the two protrusions 13b. The protruding portion 13 b is inserted through the through hole 12 a and extends upward from the guide rail 12. A through hole 13b1 extending in the scanning direction is formed in a portion of the two protruding portions 13b located above the guide rail 12. A spring 16a that is fixed to the upper surface of the guide rail 12 and extends over the two protrusions 13b is inserted through the through holes 13b1 of the two protrusions 13b. Thereby, the 1st support member 13 is fixed to the guide rail 12 in the protrusion part 13b (part on the other side rather than the one end part of an orthogonal direction).

  In addition, the second support member 14 is provided with two protrusions 14 b that protrude partially upward at a portion facing the guide rail 12 and that are arranged at intervals in the transport direction. On the other hand, two through holes 12b are formed in the guide rail 12 at portions facing the two protruding portions 14b. The protruding portion 14 b is inserted through the through hole 12 b and extends upward from the guide rail 12. A through hole 14b1 extending in the scanning direction is formed in a portion of the two protrusions 14b located above the guide rail 12. A spring 16b that is fixed to the upper surface of the guide rail 12 and extends over the two protrusions 14b is inserted through the through holes 14b1 of the two protrusions 14b. Thereby, the 2nd support member 14 is fixed to the guide rail 12 in the protrusion part 14b (part on the other side rather than the one end part of an orthogonal direction).

  Further, the lower end portions (one end portion in the orthogonal direction) of the support members 13 and 14 are fixed to the casing 9 (base material) of the printer 1. More specifically, on the upper surface of the housing 9, two first fixing portions 21 a that are spaced apart from each other in the transport direction at a portion facing the lower end portion extending in the scanning direction of the first support member 13. , 21b are provided. The lower end portion of the first support member 13 extending in the scanning direction is fixed to the two first fixing portions 21a and 21b by bolts 25 (fastening members) extending in the vertical direction. Further, on the upper surface of the housing 9, two second fixing portions 22 a and 22 b that are arranged to be separated from each other in the transport direction are provided at a portion facing the lower end portion extending in the scanning direction of the second support member 14. It has been. The lower end of the second support member 14 extending in the scanning direction is fixed to the two second fixing portions 22a and 22b by bolts 25 (fastening members) extending in the vertical direction.

  Here, the 1st fixing | fixed part 21a, 21b and the 2nd fixing | fixed part 22a, 22b are demonstrated. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 (a), the portions surrounding the first fixing portions 21a and 21b of the housing 9 are respectively provided with recesses 23a surrounding the first fixing portions 21a and 21b over the entire circumference. 23b is formed. As a result, the first fixing portions 21a and 21b protrude above the portions 9a and 9b where the recesses 23a and 23b are formed, respectively (the other end side in the orthogonal direction of the present invention). . On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 (b), the recesses are not formed in the portions surrounding the second fixing portions 22a and 22b of the housing 9, and the second fixing portions 22a and 22b are The height is almost the same as the surrounding area. 5A and 5B, the upper surface of the housing 9 is hatched for easy understanding of the drawings. 5A and 5B, the positions of the support members 13 and 14 and the bolts 25 are indicated by two-dot chain lines in order to make it easy to understand the fixing positions of the support members 13 and 14 on the upper surface of the housing 9. Show.

  Thereby, in this Embodiment, the 1st fixing | fixed part 21a, 21b becomes easy to deform | transform in a scanning direction and a conveyance direction compared with 2nd fixing | fixed part 22a, 22b. However, as shown in FIG. 5A, the first fixing portions 21a and 21b protruding from the portion surrounding the periphery have a length Lh in the transport direction longer than a length Ls in the scanning direction. Thereby, the first fixing portions 21a and 21b are less likely to be deformed in the transport direction than in the scanning direction.

  Further, the second support member 14 has a portion extending in the vertical direction extending to a downstream side in the transport direction from a lower end portion extending in the scanning direction, and an attachment portion 26 is provided at a tip portion thereof. As described above, the second support member 14 has the lower end portion fixed to the second fixing portions 22a and 22b, and the mounting portion 26 is bolted to the fixing portion 27 provided in the housing 9. It is fixed at 28. That is, the second support member 14 is separate from the protrusions 14a and 14b fixed to the guide rails 11 and 12 above the lower end fixed to the second fixing portions 22a and 22b (on the other end side). Is fixed to the housing 9.

  The inkjet head 3 is mounted on the carriage 2 and ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles 10 formed on the lower surface thereof. The first transport roller 4a is disposed on the upstream side of the ink jet head 3 in the transport direction. The second transport roller 4b is disposed on the downstream side of the inkjet head 3 in the transport direction. The transport rollers 4a and 4b transport the recording paper P in the transport direction. In the present embodiment, the combination of the first conveyance roller 4a and the second conveyance roller 4b corresponds to the conveyance roller according to the present invention.

  The arrangement of the transport rollers 4a and 4b will be described in more detail. The first support member 13 is provided with a roller support portion 13c on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the protruding portion 13a. In addition, the first support member 13 is provided with a roller support portion 13d at a portion between the two protruding portions 13b in the transport direction. On the other hand, the second support member 14 is provided with a roller support portion 14c at a portion downstream of the protruding portion 14a in the transport direction. Further, the second support member 14 is provided with a roller support portion 14d at a portion between the two protruding portions 14b in the transport direction. In the first transport roller 4a, the portion near the left end is supported by the roller support portion 13c, and the portion near the right end is supported by the roller support portion 14c. The second transport roller 4b has a portion near the left end supported by the roller support portion 13d and a portion near the right end supported by the roller support portion 14d.

  In addition, a motor 31 is connected to the left end portion of the first transport roller 4 a, and the first transport roller 4 a is rotated by the rotation of the motor 31. In addition, the transport rollers 4a and 4b are located at portions located between the first support member 13 and the motor 31 (on the opposite side of the first fixing portions 21a and 21b to the second fixing portions 22a and 22b) in the scanning direction. An endless belt 32 is wound around the belt. Thus, when the first transport roller 4a rotates, the rotation is transmitted to the second transport roller 4b via the belt 32, and the second transport roller 4b rotates.

  A gear 41 is provided on the right end portion of the first transport roller 4a located on the right side (opposite to the first fixed portion) in the scanning direction with respect to the second fixed portions 22a and 22b and the second support member 14. ing. The gear 41 is configured to rotate integrally with the first transport roller 4a, and is movable in the scanning direction along the first transport roller 4a. Further, the gear 41 is biased to the left in the scanning direction by a spring or the like (not shown), so that it is not in contact with a later-described pressing portion 2a of the carriage 2 as shown in FIG. 47 and 55 are positioned so as not to mesh with each other.

  The platen 5 is disposed to face the lower surface of the inkjet head 3 on which the plurality of nozzles 10 are formed, and supports the recording paper P conveyed by the conveying rollers 4a and 4b from below. The platen 5 is fixed to the support members 13 and 14. The tray mounting portion 6 is formed at a lower portion of the housing 9 than the portion where the first fixing portions 21 a and 21 b and the second fixing portions 22 a and 22 b are provided, and is located almost directly below the platen 5. Yes. A paper tray 42 is detachably mounted on the tray mounting portion 6. In the paper tray 42, a plurality of recording papers P stacked in the vertical direction are accommodated.

  Further, the tray mounting portion 6 is provided with a pickup roller 43 (driven portion). The pickup roller 43 contacts the upper surface of the recording paper P stored in the paper tray 42 in a state where the paper tray 42 is attached to the tray mounting portion 6. Further, the pickup roller 43 is located on the right side in the scanning direction (opposite to the first fixing portions 21a and 21b) with respect to the second fixing portions 22a and 22b and the second support member 14 via the shaft 44 extending in the scanning direction. It is connected with the arranged gear 45. The gear 45 meshes with a gear 46 disposed above the gear 45, and the gear 46 meshes with a gear 47 disposed above the gear 46.

  Here, at the left end portion in the scanning direction of the carriage 2, a pressing portion 2 a facing the gear 41 in the scanning direction is provided at a portion located below the guide rail 11. Then, when the carriage 2 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 6A on the right side of the second support member 14, the gear 41 is pushed by the pressing portion 2 a and moved to the right side in the scanning direction to engage with the gear 47. Come on. When the motor 31 is rotated in this state, the rotation of the motor 31 is transmitted to the pickup roller 43 via the first conveying roller 4a, the gears 41, 45 to 47, and the shaft 44, and the pickup roller 43 rotates. When the pickup roller 43 rotates, the recording paper P stored in the paper tray 42 is supplied toward the first transport roller 4a. In addition, since the conveyance path | route of the recording paper P from the paper tray 42 to the 1st conveyance roller 4a is the same as that of the past, the description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  The maintenance unit 7 includes a nozzle cap 51, a suction pump 52, and the like. The nozzle cap 51 is disposed so as to be almost directly below the ink jet head 3 with the carriage 2 moved to the right side as much as possible. Then, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the carriage 2 is moved to a position where the inkjet head 3 and the nozzle cap 51 face each other, the upper end portion of the nozzle cap 51 contacts the lower surface of the inkjet head 3. As a result, the plurality of nozzles 10 are covered with the nozzle cap 51. The suction pump 52 is a tube pump or the like, and is connected to the nozzle cap 51 via the tube 53. The suction pump 52 is connected between the maintenance unit 7 and the second fixing portions 22a and 22b via the shaft 54 extending in the scanning direction (opposite to the first fixing portions 21a and 21b of the second fixing portions 22a and 22b). And a gear 55 arranged on the side). In the present embodiment, a gear mechanism 60 is formed by the gear 55 and the gears 41 and 45 to 47 described above.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the carriage 2 is moved in the scanning direction to a position where the inkjet head 3 is covered with the nozzle cap 51, the gear 41 is pushed by the pressing portion 2a and moves in the scanning direction. It moves to the right and comes to a position where it engages with the gear 55. When the motor 31 is rotated in this state, the rotation of the motor 31 is transmitted to the suction pump 52 via the first transport roller 4a, the gears 41 and 55, and the shaft 54, and the suction pump 52 is driven. Thus, so-called suction purge is performed in which ink in the inkjet head 3 is sucked from the nozzle 10.

  In the printer 1 as described above, the synthetic resin material forming the housing 9 has a larger linear expansion coefficient than the metal material forming the support members 13 and 14. Therefore, the housing 9 is more easily expanded and contracted than the support members 13 and 14 when a change in environmental temperature occurs.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as described above, the recesses 23a and 23b are formed in the portions surrounding the first fixing portions 21a and 21b of the housing 9, so that the first fixing portion 21a is formed. , 21b are more easily deformed in the scanning direction than the second fixing portions 22a, 22b. Therefore, when the first fixing portions 21a and 21b are deformed in the scanning direction, the housing 9 is positioned in the scanning direction between the first support member 13 and the second support member fixed to the first fixing portions 21a and 21b. The relationship expands and contracts in the scanning direction with almost no displacement. Therefore, even if the housing 9 expands and contracts due to a temperature change, the positional relationship in the scanning direction between the first support member 13 and the second support member 14 is unlikely to change.

  Accordingly, the positions of the guide rails 11 and 12 fixed to the support members 13 and 14, the transport rollers 4 a and 4 b supported by the support members 13 and 14, and the platen 5 fixed to the support members 13 and 14. Relationships are less likely to fluctuate. Accordingly, the positions of the inkjet head 3 mounted on the carriage 2 guided in the guide rails 11 and 12 and moved in the scanning direction, and the recording paper P that is conveyed to the conveyance rollers 4 a and 4 b and supported by the platen 5. Relationships are also less likely to fluctuate. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in print quality in the printer 1.

  In the present embodiment, the first support member 13 and the second support member 14 are separated from each other. Therefore, instead of the support members 13 and 14, compared with a case where a frame in which a portion corresponding to the first support member 13, a portion corresponding to the second support member 14, and a portion connecting them is integrated is provided. Thus, the weight of the printer 1 can be reduced. Further, it is not necessary to provide a space for disposing a member for connecting these members between the first support member 13 and the second support member 14 of the housing 9, and the printer 1 can be downsized. it can.

  Here, as described above, when the first fixing portions 21a and 21b are easily deformed in the scanning direction, the strength of the first fixing portions 21a and 21b is reduced. However, in the present embodiment, as described above, the first fixing portions 21a and 21b are configured so that the length Lh in the transport direction is longer than the length Ls in the scan direction. Is also difficult to deform. Thereby, the intensity | strength of the 1st fixing | fixed part 21a, 21b is securable.

  At this time, in the present embodiment, the support members 13 and 14 both extend in the transport direction across the two guide rails 11 and 12. Therefore, even if the first fixing portions 21a and 21b are not easily deformed in the transport direction, the positional relationship in the arrangement direction of the two guide rails 11 and 12 varies when the housing 9 expands and contracts due to a change in environmental temperature or the like. It ’s not easy to do.

  In the present embodiment, the gear mechanism 60 formed by the gears 41, 45 to 47, 55 is disposed on the right side of the second fixing portions 22 a, 22 b and the second support member 14 in the scanning direction. Here, contrary to the present embodiment, the gears 41, 45 to 47, 55 forming the gear mechanism 60 are arranged on the left side of the first fixing portions 21a, 21b and the first support member 13 in the scanning direction. Think if you are. In this case, when the housing 9 expands and contracts due to a change in environmental temperature or the like, and the first fixing portions 21a and 21b are deformed in the scanning direction along with this, the first fixing portions 21a and 21b and the first fixing portions There is a possibility that the gears 41, 45 to 47, 55 may be inclined due to the displacement of the first support member 13 fixed to 21 a, 21 b. As a result, the distance between the shafts of the gears 41, 45 to 47, 55 may be reduced and the load applied to the gears 41, 45 to 47, 55 may increase. Alternatively, the distance between the shafts of the gears 41, 45 to 47, 55 may be excessively increased, causing tooth skipping or tooth tip damage.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the second fixing portions 22a and 22b that are more difficult to deform in the scanning direction than the first fixing portions 21a and 21b, and the second support fixed to the second fixing portions 22a and 22b. Since the gear mechanism 60 is disposed on the right side of the member 14, the inclination of the gears 41, 45 to 47, 55 as described above is unlikely to occur. Thereby, in the gear mechanism 60, it can prevent that a problem as mentioned above will arise.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the belt 32 that connects the first transport roller 4 a and the second transport roller 4 b is disposed on the left side of the first fixing portions 21 a and 21 b and the first support member 13. Therefore, when the housing 9 expands and contracts due to a change in environmental temperature and the like, and the first fixing portions 21a and 21b are deformed accordingly, the first fixing portions 21a and 21b and the first support member 13 are displaced. There is a possibility that the belt 32 may be inclined or twisted. However, even if the belt 32 is slightly inclined or twisted, problems such as a heavy burden on the belt 32 are unlikely to occur. In the present embodiment, since the belt 32 is disposed on the left side of the first fixing portions 21a and 21b and the first support member 13, the belt 32 is provided on the left side of the first fixing portions 21a and 21b and the first support member 13. Space can be used effectively.

  Here, as in the present embodiment, when the first support member 13 and the second support member 14 are separated from each other, the first support member 13 and the second support member are integrated. Compared to the case, when the carriage 2 moves in the scanning direction, the first support member 13 and the second support member 14 are more likely to swing in the scanning direction. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in addition to the second support member 14 having its lower end portion fixed to the second fixing portions 22a and 22b, the mounting portion 26 provided in the portion extending in the vertical direction is provided. It is fixed to the fixing part 27 of the housing 9. Thereby, the shaking of the 2nd support member 14 in the scanning direction can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the support members 13 and 14 are both substantially L-shaped members as viewed from the conveyance direction, which extend in the vertical direction and are bent inward in the scanning direction at the lower end. Therefore, the distance between the first fixing portions 21a and 21b and the second fixing portions 22a and 22b in the scanning direction is smaller than that in the case where the support members 13 and 14 are bent outward in the scanning direction at the lower end portions. can do. When the housing 9 expands and contracts due to a change in environmental temperature or the like, the expansion / contraction amount of the portion between the first fixing portions 21a and 21b and the second fixing portions 22a and 22b of the housing 9 is the first fixing portion 21a, The smaller the distance between 21b and the second fixing portions 22a and 22b, the smaller. Therefore, in the present embodiment where the distance between the first fixing portions 21a, 21b and the second fixing portions 22a, 22b is small, the first support member 13 and the first support member 13 when the housing 9 expands and contracts due to a change in environmental temperature or the like. 2 The positional relationship with the support member 14 can be made more difficult to fluctuate. Further, since the distance between the first fixing portions 21a and 21b and the second fixing portions 22a and 22b in the scanning direction is small, the printer 1 can be downsized in the scanning direction.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, the 1st support member 13 is being fixed to the 1st fixing | fixed part 21a, 21b with the volt | bolt 25 extended in the up-down direction. Therefore, the adhesiveness of the 1st support member 13 and the 1st fixing | fixed part 21a, 21b to the up-down direction becomes high, and the 1st support member 13 and the 1st fixing | fixed part 21a, 21b become difficult to move relatively to an up-down direction. Here, in the present embodiment, the first fixing portions 21a and 21b are easily deformed in the scanning direction, but are less likely to be deformed in the transport direction and the vertical direction than in the scanning direction. . Therefore, the bolt 25 for fixing the first support member 13 to the first fixing portions 21a and 21b may extend in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction, such as the vertical direction, as in the present embodiment. preferable.

  Next, modified examples in which various changes are made to the present embodiment will be described. However, description of components having the same configuration as in this embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

  In the above-described embodiment, the lower ends of the support members 13 and 14 are bent inward in the scanning direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. The lower ends of the support members 13 and 14 may be bent outward in the scanning direction.

  Even in this case, similarly to the above-described embodiment, if the first support member 13 is fixed to the first fixing portions 21a and 21b by the bolts 25 extending in the vertical direction, the first support member 13 is displaced in the vertical direction. Can be difficult.

  Furthermore, the support members 13 and 14 are not limited to being substantially L-shaped members when viewed from the transport direction. The support members 13 and 14 may be members having shapes different from those described above. In this case, the bolts that fix the first support member 13 to the first fixing portions 21a and 21b and the bolts that fix the second support member 14 to the second fixing portions 22a and 22b are in the transport direction and scanning. It may extend in a direction other than the vertical direction, such as a direction. However, the bolt is preferably extended in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction, such as the transport direction.

  In the above-described embodiment, the second support member 14 is provided at a portion extending in the vertical direction in addition to the lower end portion being fixed to the second fixing portions 22 a and 22 b of the housing 9. The mounting portion 26 is fixed to the fixing portion 27 of the housing 9, but is not limited thereto. The attachment part 26 is not provided in the 2nd support member 14, and the 2nd support member 14 may be fixed to the housing | casing 9 only in 2nd fixing | fixed part 22a, 22b.

  In the above-described embodiment, the gear mechanism 60 is disposed on the right side of the second fixing portions 22a and 22b and the second support member 14, and the belt 32 is provided with the first fixing portions 21a and 21b and the first support member 13. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Contrary to the above-described embodiment, the gear mechanism 60 is disposed on the left side of the first fixing parts 21a and 21b and the first support member 13, and the belt 32 is provided with the second fixing parts 22a and 22b and the second support member. 14 may be arranged on the right side.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first transport roller 4a and the second transport roller 4b are connected by the belt 32. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the belt 32 may not be provided, and the gear mechanism 60 may further be provided with a gear that connects the first transport roller 4a and the second transport roller 4b. Further, the gear mechanism 60 may be used to transmit the rotation of the motor 31 to a driven part other than the pickup rollers 43 and the suction pump 52 other than the transport rollers 4a and 4b. Further, a gear mechanism for transmitting the power of the motor 31 to the maintenance unit 7 and the pickup roller 43 is not provided, and a separate drive source may be provided for the maintenance unit 7 and the pickup roller 43.

  In the above-described embodiment, the platen 5 is directly fixed to the support members 13 and 14, but is not limited thereto. The platen 5 may be indirectly fixed to the support members 13 and 14 by being fixed to another member fixed to the support members 13 and 14.

  Furthermore, the platen 5 may not be fixed to the support members 13 and 14. Even in this case, as described above, since the positional relationship between the guide rails 11 and 12 and the transport rollers 4a and 4b is not easily changed, the positional relationship between the inkjet head 3 and the recording paper P is not easily changed.

  In the above embodiment, the carriage 2 is supported by the two guide rails 11 and 12 and is guided in the scanning direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the carriage 2 may be supported by a single guide rail and guided in the scanning direction. Further, a guide bar extending in the scanning direction and inserted through the carriage 2 is supported by the support members 13 and 14, and the carriage 2 is supported by the guide bar (guide portion) and guided in the scanning direction. It may be like this. In this case, the guide bar is fixed to the support members 13 and 14, for example, by being inserted in the middle part of the support members 13 and 14.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first fixing portions 21a and 21b are less likely to be deformed in the transport direction than in the scan direction because the length Lh in the transport direction is longer than the length Ls in the scan direction. However, it is not limited to this. The first fixing portions 21a and 21b may be less likely to be deformed in the transport direction than in the scanning direction by a configuration other than the above.

  Furthermore, the first fixing portions 21a and 21b are not limited to be more difficult to deform in the transport direction than in the scanning direction. For example, the first fixing portions 21a and 21b have the same length Lh in the transport direction and the length Ls in the scan direction, so that the first fixed portions 21a and 21b are easily deformed to the same extent in the transport direction and the scan direction. Good.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the recesses 23a and 23b are formed in the portions 9a and 9b surrounding the first fixing portions 21a and 21b of the housing 9, so that the first fixing portions 21a and 21b are the portions 9a, Although it protruded above 9b, it is not restricted to this. For example, the concave portions are not formed in the portions 9a and 9b surrounding the first fixing portions 21a and 21b of the housing 9, and the first fixing portions 21a and 21b may protrude upward from the above-described embodiment. .

  In the above-described embodiment, since the first fixing portions 21a and 21b protrude upward from the portion surrounding the first fixing portions 21a and 21b, the first fixing portions 21a and 21b are easily deformed in the scanning direction. However, it is not limited to this. According to another configuration, the first fixing portions 21a and 21b may be easily deformed in the scanning direction.

  In the above description, an example in which the present invention is applied to an ink jet printer that performs printing on recording paper by ejecting ink from nozzles has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention can also be applied to a liquid ejecting apparatus other than an ink jet printer that ejects liquid other than ink onto a medium to be ejected.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 2 Carriage 3 Inkjet head 4a 1st conveyance roller 4b 2nd conveyance roller 5 Platen 7 Maintenance unit 9 Case 11, 12 Guide rail 13 1st support member 14 2nd support member 21a, 21b 1st fixing | fixed part 22a, 22b Second fixing portion 25 Bolt 26 Mounting portion 31 Motor 32 Belt 43 Pickup roller 60 Gear mechanism

Claims (10)

A liquid discharge head;
A carriage mounted with the liquid ejection head and movable in a predetermined scanning direction;
A guide portion extending in the scanning direction, supporting the carriage and guiding in the scanning direction;
A transport roller that extends in the scanning direction and transports the medium to be ejected in a transport direction orthogonal to the scanning direction;
A first support member and a second support member separated from each other for supporting two portions of the transport roller that are separated from each other in the scanning direction;
A substrate on which the first support member and the second support member are fixed,
The first support member and the second support member have one end in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the scanning direction and the transport direction fixed to the substrate, and the other end than the one end in the orthogonal direction. The side part is fixed to the guide part,
The substrate is
Made of a material having a higher coefficient of linear expansion than the guide part,
The first fixing portion, which is a portion where the one end portion of the first support member is fixed, is deformed in the scanning direction more than the second fixing portion, which is a portion where the one end portion of the second support member is fixed. A liquid discharge apparatus characterized by being easy to perform.   The first fixing portion is more easily deformed in the scanning direction by projecting to the other end side in the orthogonal direction than the portion surrounding the first fixing portion of the base material. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejection apparatus is a liquid ejection device. Including two guide portions arranged in the transport direction;
Each of the first support member and the second support member extends across the two guide portions in the transport direction and is fixed to the two guide portions,
The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first fixing unit is less likely to be deformed in the transport direction than in the scanning direction. The first fixing part is
By projecting to the other end side in the orthogonal direction rather than the portion surrounding the first fixed portion of the base material, it is easy to deform in the scanning direction,
4. The liquid ejection according to claim 3, wherein the length in the transport direction is longer than the length in the scanning direction, so that the transport direction is less likely to be deformed than in the scanning direction. apparatus. A medium support member for supporting a medium to be discharged conveyed to the conveyance roller;
The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the medium support member is fixed to the first support member and the second support member. A motor connected to the transport roller;
A driven part different from the transport roller driven by the motor;
A gear mechanism that transmits the rotation of the motor to the driven part;
The said driven part and the said gear mechanism are arrange | positioned in the said scanning direction on the opposite side to the said 1st fixing | fixed part of the said 2nd fixing | fixed part. Liquid ejection device. As the conveying roller,
A first transport roller connected to the motor; and a second transport roller disposed apart from the first transport roller in the transport direction;
A belt for transmitting the rotation of the first transport roller to the second transport roller;
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the belt is disposed on an opposite side of the first fixing portion to the second fixing portion.   The second support member is further fixed to the base material in a portion different from the one end portion in the orthogonal direction, the other end side being fixed to the guide portion. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1.   The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first support member is fixed to the first fixing portion by a fastening member extending in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction. The first support member and the second support member are L-shaped members that extend in the orthogonal direction and are bent so that the one end extends inward in the scanning direction,
The one end portion of the first support member extending inward in the scanning direction is fixed to the first fixing portion by the fastening member extending in the orthogonal direction,
The one end of the second support member extending inward in the scanning direction is fixed to the second fixing portion by the fastening member extending in the orthogonal direction. Liquid ejection device.

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